Original subtitles

The Eminence in Shadow

There has been no conspicuous activity by the Cult of Diablos in the Midgar Kingdom

since the incident at the Bushin Festival.

The smaller sects were already at a standstill,

and now the Fenrir sect, which was in the process of restructuring,

appears to be immobilized by the confusion, as well.

It is all going exactly to your plan, My Lord.

Now we can set our sights forward

and focus our main efforts on the situation in the Oriana Kingdom.

But there is a troubling bit of news.

There has been a recent acceleration in the flow of funds going into the Lawless City.

Funds?

That region doesn't belong to any nation.

It's a giant slum where the evil, wealth, and power of the world converge.

Any tensions that occur in that region could have an immeasurable effect on the rest of society.

Although we would like to focus all of our efforts on accomplishing our plan,

unfortunately, I must suggest that we dispatch additional personnel to immediately—

I smell it.

The Lawless City...

reeks of blood.

A storm is brewing.

A storm of blood.

The moon...

It's unusually...

Red.

In fact, it looks just like the legendary...

Red Moon.

The tragedy of a thousand years ago...

In that case, the Lawless City will...

No, if nothing is done, all surrounding nations will be subjected to catastrophic damage.

Silence, all of you.

If that is an omen of the Red Moon,

we cannot merely sit here and gaze idly at the sky.

We Seven Shadows will—

No.

Let me handle the money—

I mean, this matter.

No! You intend to go there alone?

You object?

We understand that that would be the surest method, but...

Should the unthinkable happen to you, we would...

Fear not.

The moon has turned red, that is all.

Is it not?

No more than a moon turned red.

Faced with you, even the legendary Red Moon is stripped of its dignity.

Do you not find the moon to be just as beautiful when red?

It is because we have you, My Lord, that we, too, are able to see its beauty.

We wish you the best of luck in battle.

At first, it was nothing more than an ordinary moon,

Your will be done in all things, My Lord.

practically unchanged, but with just a hint of red.

I'll analyze some dragon tears or something

while I await your return.

And so no one knew that it was a portent, a harbinger, of the revival of the Blood Queen.

No one, save for the Great Shadow!

Get these girls involved,

and the legendary Red Moon comes to life in the blink of an eye.

Seriously, their ad-libbing skills are totally worthy of an Academy award.

It's just a kind of reddish moon, no big.

The Lawless City

So, this is it.

Yeah.

The Crimson Tower, ruled by the Blood Queen,

one of the three rulers of the Lawless City.

A castle of vampires?

Look at that.

Not even the corpse-raiding vultures dare to get near it.

They think if they get too close, it's all over. They'll end up as hideous ghouls.

What, are you scared?

Don't be ridiculous!

It's just a hangout for a bunch of shut-ins.

With the power of Goldy Gilded the Ever-Vict—

You vermin aren't worthy to pass through this gate.

The only ones authorized are servants or guests of the Blood Queen, and powerful warriors.

I get it, and you're right, we're not servants or guests.

We are powerful warriors, here to hunt the Blood Queen!

What's so funny?

I thought I was a fool,

which is why it's always so amusing to find someone more foolish than I am.

This is what happens to fools who dare challenge the Blood Queen!

I lost my right arm, and now I'm kept here as a pathetic watchdog on a leash.

We're not small potatoes like you.

Here's something you can think about in the afterlife:

My power level is 4,317.5!

I was like you once. They called me the White Devil.

The White Devil?

The wanted criminal with the huge bounty on his head?

But here, I'm nothing more than a lowly watchdog!

Ripping apart idiots like you who don't know their place

is the only joy I have left in life!

Here he comes!

Right!

Yes, this is perfect!

The Lawless City is even more of a dump than I imagined!

Stop gawking.

You don't want to catch the attention of any weirdos.

Yes, ma'am.

Hey...

What?

Aren't we going to that tower?

You are so...

First, I'm going to the Dark Knight Association for a strategy meeting.

Dark Knight Association?

Never saw any of those back home.

Because we have our own Knight Order.

The Dark Knight Association is an unofficial organization

founded for Dark Knights that don't belong to any public institutions.

When a government or landowner cannot cover...

The summer of my last year of high school...

I, Minoru Kageno, was following the road to becoming the Eminence in Shadow,

Deceased MINORU KAGENO

when my journey came to an abrupt end.

Or so it seemed.

But after one thing and another, this stuff turned into that...

And that, I don't even know...

This, this, and that were all like this...

And it was kind of like this...

Then all this happened, aaand...

Here we are.

And that's it!

Imatry Nottaloos is down for the count!

And the winner is...

Claire Kagenou!

My sister won the Bushin Festival championship.

To celebrate, I used my connections with Gamma and got dressed up for a free...

Excuse me, I mean high-end, fancy dinner at a Mitsugoshi restaurant, but...

I'm going to the Lawless City to exterminate vampires.

The tournament ended and she headed right off to battle.

I know she's my sister,

but even I wonder how she can be so hot-blooded.

I brought you here with me out of consideration for your future, you know.

My future?

If you stay behind me and do everything I say,

I'll pry open a spot for you in Midgar's Knight Order after you graduate.

Okay.

So she's trying bulk up my resume to make me a government employee.

Come to think of it, I haven't really considered what I'll do after I graduate.

Claire will inherit the estate out in the boondocks,

so I think they'll stick me in some kind of job somewhere.

As long as I can do what I want to do, I don't think I care what kind of a job I end up in.

And what is it that you want to do?

A secret.

I make it a point not to tell anyone the things that really matter to me.

You're just making that up.

Stop trying to cover up the fact that you just haven't thought about it.

Why do you assume that?

Whatever, it's fine.

No, it's not.

It's not fine.

Hello there! Come take a look, my beautiful young lady!

I just got a new stock of high-quality pets!

You mean me?

Yes, I mean you!

The most beautiful young lady in the world!

You have a good eye.

He's buttering you up, Sis.

You be quiet.

But please, come look, miss!

These lucky finds just came in this morning!

This is today's hot item!

The pet Dark Knight, Little Goldy!

What do you say?

He's quite the handsome specimen, a perfect fit for such a lovely lady.

He's all beat up.

Can't you at least handle your products more carefully?

I guess he did get a little banged up in transit.

All right, he's worth 30 million zeni,

but I'll let you have him for 27.

He looks kind of familiar...

It's a little steep.

Okay, I get it.

In that case, I'll give you a special deal, and throw in this little guy!

Another fresh new catch, Cue Ball Quinton!

Whaddaya say? Two pets for the low price of 40 million zeni!

You can't possibly say no to that!

He's been sliced through the middle.

Okay, okay! 37 million zeni!

I can't go any lower than that!

Not interested.

Wow, you drive a hard bargain!

I've seen him somewhere before...

All right, I'll let you have 'em for 35 million!

I'm sorry, but...

I have all the pets I need.

I see, so you prefer younger pups.

In that case, I think I'm expecting a Dark Knight Academy student deep in debt...

Come on, we're walking.

I think it was Skull, or Skinny...

I can't walk when you're dragging me.

If I don't keep a hand on you, you'll get lost.

No, I won't.

Yes, you will.

No, I will not.

I know for a fact you will.

I did.

I just came out for a minute because I was bored at the inn.

Oops, sorry.

And that's what we call karma.

Coming through.

Sorry about that, kid.

You need to be getting home, little boy.

Thanks for doing business!

It's always been a dog eat dog world.

I can't believe I'm getting money just by taking a stroll.

This city is heaven for me.

Now you've really done it, punk!

How are you gonna make it up to us?!

I'm in a bad enough mood already!

I lost my bet, my dear sweet Marie turned me down,

and it's all your fault!

You rotten little—

So, that's a ghoul...

a vampire underling.

I've heard they have, like, a lot of HP,

but I guess around here, they're just everyone's punching bags.

It really is a dog eat dog world.

Just what I'd expect from the Lawless City, a town drenched in blood and slaughter.

A wave of magical energy?

H-Hey!

This thing was still alive?!

A human bitten by a ghoul turns into a ghoul themself.

Apparently, that was only a rumor, when actually...

Is that why?

The red moon is stimulating all the magical energy in town.

Looks like if I don't do anything, they'll just keep multiplying.

What to do?

Do I run away like a background character as usual?

Or do I say what happens in the Lawless City stays in the Lawless City,

and try the mysterious young man act?

Anyway, since I do get to be in a zombie apocalypse,

I think I'll let things get a little bit more out of hand before I...

Get down!

You are?

I am Mary...

the Ancient Vampire Hunter.

"Ancient"?

Run, if you value your life.

"Run, if you value your life"...

The frenzy has begun.

"The frenzy has begun!"

The moon is red.

We are out of time.

"We're out of time."

What is happening?

What is this feeling?

This thrill in my heart?

This is...

This is...

Did he not hear me?

I told him to be a good boy and wait at the inn.

I-I'm saved...

Hey, you.

Have you seen a boy with black hair and black eyes?

N-No, I haven't!

Where did that idiot wander off to?

O-O-Our time has come, Po!

It has!

Th-Th-The academy will never find us here! They can't possibly expel us!

It was s-s-so worth risking our lives to come here!

Our summer may be over!

But our virginity is still going strong, my dear Skel!

You got that right!

When will we ever become real adults?!

Now, of course!

Into the splendor...

...of the world of maturity!

Let's go!

What was that for?!

You are way too excited!

That dirty old man...

How long will this go on?

What now? Another street fight?

I'm trying to wallow in misery here.

Who's there?

I'm not taking any more customers today...

Run, if you value your life.

The frenzy has begun.

Frenzy?

The moon is red.

We're out of time.

W-Wait!

Wh-Who are you?

Shadow.

Run, if you value your life.

The frenzy has begun.

The moon is red.

We're out of time.

Marie! Marie, are you okay?

There are ghouls outside, and—

What happened in here?

Well, a man named Shadow...

Shadow?

You mean the Shadow?

You've heard of him?

He's the evil mastermind who had a field day beating up the corrupt clergy!

He's at least as dangerous as any of the rulers of this city!

But he...

He couldn't be a bad man.

Marie? What are you doing?

I'm getting out of this crazy, messed-up town.

You're breaking your contract?

But who knows what they'll do if they find you!

Thank you, Shadow.

Try to escape, if you so desire.

If you are fortunate, you may even be successful in your attempt.

Of course, the past is never so kind as to let anyone go.

Lady Yukime!

The vampires have set ghouls loose in the city!

I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry, Cid.

If only I hadn't brought you to this horrible place...

Are you the woman going around asking about a boy with black hair and black eyes?

I met one not long ago.

I've already found him.

He's my brother.

But I've found him now.

That boy doesn't have black hair or black eyes.

What?

Who the hell are you?

I met two men who match the description.

Tell me!

I saw the first one when the moon was beginning to turn red.

He was standing in front of a rampaging ghoul and smiling.

That's not him.

My brother may scream, but he would never smile.

I saw the second one a few minutes ago.

He was a young Dark Knight with no noticeable features.

Where was he?! Tell me!

He was about to be taken away by the followers of the Blood Queen.

The Blood...

They took him away? Where?

The Crimson Tower?

Your brother is in the Crimson Tower, the Blood Queen's castle.

The vampires wish to offer him as a sacrifice to the Blood Queen.

Sacrifice?

To awaken Blood Queen Elisabeth from her thousand-year slumber,

they require the blood of a living young man.

Wait.

What's this about the Blood Queen being asleep? That's news.

They've kept that fact secret, biding their time.

Waiting a thousand years,

for the night that would give the vampires tremendous power...

The night the Red Moon would rise again.

It's true, the moon has seemed redder these last few days.

The Red Moon affects the sleeping queen, as well.

With the sacrifice's blood as a catalyst, she will surely...

But the point is, Cid is in the tower, right?

And if they need blood of the living, then he's still alive.

My target is is the Blood Queen Elisabeth.

To find her, I must go to the Crimson Tower.

Then we're heading in the same direction.

Let's work together, Miss...

Mary.

I am a vampire hunter.

I'm Claire.

It will be difficult to get in from the ground floor, but there is a way.

Follow me.

Got it!

I'm coming for you, Cid!

We're dead! We're gonna die!

We're gonna die virgins!

You gotta be kidding!

Other than my mom, I've never even kissed a—

Skel, my friend! I'll never forget your virginity!

Hey, wait up! Don't abandon me here!

B-Boobs!

J-Juggernaut, boss, sir?

I love it, don't you?

It smells like a nice, big battle.

We haven't seen one like this since the therianthrope invasion way back when.

Now's our chance! Retreat!

Run across the rooftops to the station!

What do you think you're doing?

And you call yourself Association Knights?

I don't give a damn about your association's honor!

They don't pay us enough for this!

Forget it!

Those lousy scavengers...

Director, we can't hold the main street any longer!

They made it this far?

Run, if you value your life.

The frenzy has begun.

Who are you?

H-He's the wanted criminal!

The moon is red.

We're out of time.

We have little time remaining.

Lord Crimson...

Preparations for the sacrifice are almost complete.

And our takeover of the city is going as planned.

However...

However?

We're meeting some unexpected resistance in certain locations.

We know who's behind that.

The fools who babble on with their nonsensical ideas that they are my equals:

Yukime the Spirit Fox, ruler of the White Tower.

Juggernaut the Tyrant, ruler of the Black Tower.

Let them play their games.

They will meet their end as soon as the Blood Queen revives.

Yes, Lord.

But there is one other...

What?

There is someone going around the city killing ghouls.

Stay out of this, gruntlings!

Go to Hell, she-fox!

You truly are a thorn in my side.

I insist that you cease opening your mouth and spewing your rancid breath across the city.

You're the one who reeks, animal lady!

I do not care for pushy men!

Nothing changes.

Someone, somewhere, may be trying to spin a new tale.

But I do not change.

I only continue on my quest to become the Eminence in Shadow!

Who are you?

You're...

My name is Shadow.

He who lurks in the shadows

in order to hunt the shadows.

That is too late

Sonna te ja mou oitsukenai

You can't catch up with a move like that anymore

That is to say...

Saisho no itte de erabu michi naru future

The first move chooses an unknown future

Sono arisama

How it will be

This way

Saigo no itte de kimeru sekai no answer

The last move decides the world's answer

Hitori no winner

A single winner

It's me

Kono me wa misueta

These eyes have seen it

Dare mo imada mitoosenu saitekikai o

The optimal solution no one has yet been able to discern

Subete wa banjou shihai suru game

It's all a game to control the board

Shikou no tousou

A battle of thought

Mistake sae mo gisou shite

I disguise even my mistakes

Checkmate made fuseki toshite

And even checkmate is a preparatory move

King o ubaiau game

A game to take each other's king

Shisou to yokubou

Ideology and desire

One chance minogasanu akushu

A bad move to not let one chance get away

Last chance kanarazu shitomeru

The last chance will cinch it

That is too late

Sonna te ja mou oitsukenai

You can't catch up with a move like that anymore

That is to say

Kanzen shouri wa kono te no naka ni

Total victory is in my hands

Dare nimo mou oitsukenai

No one can catch up now