Chapter 17 - The Tolling Bell [Outskirts of the capital…] Gtri Dactyla: ...The bell... Gtri Dactyla: Ow, ow, ow...! Rao Nyx: Sorry ‘bout that. But the swelling's gone down quite a bit. Gtri Dactyla: Is that so? My thanks. Rao Nyx: For what? Gtri Dactyla: You treated me with medicinal herbs. It’s only healing thanks to your help. I’m grateful. Rao Nyx: Ah... Rao Nyx: (I thought the Emperor would be some cruel, merciless tyrant. But there he is, thanking me like it’s nothing.) Rao Nyx: (This is bad. I can’t let myself sympathize with him if I wanna kill him. He's supposed to be a gift for Lord Amiya.) Gtri Dactyla: What is it? What’s with that look? Rao Nyx: Oh, it's nothing... Rao Nyx: Mm... Rao Nyx: I'll switch out the herbs. Hold still. Gtri Dactyla: Thank you, Rao. You're a kind man. Rao Nyx: Wh- Gtri Dactyla: I thought the people of the Federation would be much more barbaric and violent. Gtri Dactyla: But now, thanks to meeting you, Xin and Euro, I won’t be swayed by that misunderstanding anymore. Gtri Dactyla: I wish there was anything... anything at all I could do to repay your efforts. Rao Nyx: ...You’re injured, stop wasting brain cells thinking about stuff like that. Gtri Dactyla: … [The bell tolls again…] Gtri Dactyla: I can hear a bell tolling...Is it a funeral, perhaps…? [In the capital’s town square.] Umarit Imuse: People of the Empire. I stand before you now with a heavy heart. Umarit Imuse: The other day, the Empire lost its great and noble ruler. Our Emperor, His Majesty Gtri, has passed away due to the treacherous scheming of the Federation. Crowd: His Majesty is...!? Crowd: It can't be...! Umarit Imuse: His Majesty chose the path of peace. He sheathed his sword, put the people first, and sought harmony through tolerance. Umarit Imuse: And yet, that very heart of his was torn down by cruelty and by betrayal. Umarit Imuse: My fellow citizens! This is a declaration of war. This is an insult beyond measure. This is betrayal against civilization itself. Crowd: That's right...! Crowd: How could they be so horrible...! Crowd: Oh! Our beloved Emperor...! Umarit Imuse: My people! It is too soon to grieve. We, the loyal subjects of our beloved Emperor, are not merely mourners of a lost dignity. Umarit Imuse: We are people who know justice. We are people who see the truth. And from this moment forward... we are people who shall bring judgment! Crowd: Exactly! Crowd: Bring judgment upon the Federation...! Umarit Imuse: Take up your swords! Raise your voices! Let the pride of the Empire be held high, here and now! Umarit Imuse: The Federation has trampled upon all human decency. They have no right to speak of civilization. They have no right to preach peace! Crowd: Raaaah...! Crowd: Those savages from the Federation...! Euro Gallu: ...Tch. Xin Dicus: Euro, come on! Let’s get outta here! Nelpha Maxi: ...Cover your face, Eleu Coge. Eleu Coge: Why? Nelpha Maxi: Why, my ass. Everyone knows your face. If you’re spotted here… Nelpha Maxi: You'll be beaten to a pulp. Eleu Coge: ... Balaeno: Please use this cloth. Eleu Coge: Isn't this Fail's underwear? Fail Urus: Stop, stop, stop-! Balaeno: My mistake. Use this instead. Eleu Coge: Thank you. Fail Urus: W-Which side will they think we’re on...? Since Ecolina Village is Federation territory now... Thecto Sis: I don't know, but... it's... it's kinda scary... Thecto Sis: ...Airio... To be continued...