Original subtitles

In that place, we encountered something that could truly be called a god.

In the "Peregrine Lodge,"

a treasure vault estimated to be level 10...

There was nothing we could do.

We got lost and wandered in here by accident.

Please let us go.

It's been a while since the last time we were all in Zebrudia.

Looks like Luke and the others are so excited they ran ahead.

They're always like that.

It's been a little over three weeks since we left the capital.

That means the Gathering of the White Blades is over as well...

I'm ready to relax once we get home.

I wonder what state the capital is in?

I hope the damage is minimal.

Did something happen?

Sven!

What?!

Oh, so you're finally back... Krai!

"I Want to Hand Out Gifts to Everyone."

Episode 20

I Want to Hand Out Gifts to Everyone

Let This Grieving Soul Retire

Sorry we've been gone for so long.

Here's a souvenir.

"Hot Spring Dragon Buns" and "Hot Spring Dragon's Hot Spring Eggs"?

They aren't actually dragon eggs, though.

Just regular eggs.

Thank you very much.

I just gave Sven and the others theirs,

but he flew into this fit of rage?

You did it again, Krai!

Did I... do something?

I mentioned this in my report,

but war broke out in the capital between Hidden Curse and the remnants of Akasha.

Oh, yeah. I heard about that.

The Association requested that First Steps help guard the city.

It was truly dreadful.

The cornered Akasha magus summoned a lightning elemental in the middle of the city.

In retaliation, Abyssal Inferno summoned a fire elemental.

Really?!

I'm surprised there's anything left of the city.

But for some reason, both elementals were already exhausted

as if they'd just been in an intense battle.

Thanks to that, they caused little harm,

and things got settled pretty soon after.

I see.

That was pretty lucky.

That reminds me...

Arnold and the others mentioned they fought off a lightning and a fire elemental.

Speaking of, Krai.

Regarding your invitation from His Majesty to the Gathering of the White Blades...

Oh, yes. So sorry to have missed that.

We've also had a rough time.

Hm?

Actually, it was postponed to three days from now as a result of the conflict.

I wasn't sure if I'd need to let them know you weren't coming,

so I'm glad you made it back in time.

No...

I don't wanna go.

Now I got a tummy ache.

Why'd it have to be postponed this time?

It's never been postponed before, not once since it began!

I know!

I'll get Ark to go for me!

As I'm sure you're aware, Ark has also been invited.

Oh, right...

I've got nothing to wear!

I can't go meet His Majesty in my everyday clothes, right?!

We have a tuxedo prepared for you.

I don't remember ever getting measured for one.

Sitri gave us your measurements.

You know, I'm fine, but if I were to take my party members to such a gathering,

they'd be bound to cause trouble.

You are the only one who has been invited.

A plus-one is allowed.

Then I'll take Ark with me.

As I mentioned before...

Then Ansem.

He wouldn't fit in the hall.

Looks like I can't make it.

You must.

Is Krai here?

What's with the dresses?

What do you think?

You get a plus-one for the Gathering of the White Blades, right?

So why don't you take m—

You could allow me to accompany you.

Unlike my older sister, I won't cause any trouble.

What the hell is that supposed to mean?!

With what you're wearing, you couldn't handle a fight breaking out!

It's a party organized by His Majesty!

You don't even know basic etiquette!

You can take your culture and shove it!

Maybe don't...?

Um, Master?

If it pleases you, maybe we could attend—

What?!

I said nothing.

Krai!

Did I hear right that you're going to fight someone strong?!

Take me with you!

Krai, you're taking me, right?

I'm the one, right, Krai?

I wanna fight the tough guy!

Master...

Take me.

I'm so sorry, Eva, but...

Wha?

Think we can still turn back?

Not a chance.

Leave the etiquette to me.

You don't have to do anything but smile.

Thanks so much.

I'm so glad I asked you to come.

That dress looks great on you.

If you just attended parties more regularly,

I'd have more chances to show it off to you.

I have no excuse.

Your tie is crooked.

By the way, what are those?

Just some bribes for the aristocrats.

Our party does have a pretty bad reputation.

You say you're bringing gifts for influential aristocrats,

but what's inside?

Hot spring eggs.

They're a Suls specialty.

The hot spring dragon's hot spring eggs.

I also got Lucia to cast a preservation spell on them,

so don't worry about the expiration date!

Krai, are you taking any of this seriously?

Whatever do you mean?

This place really is as fancy as they say.

And this is still quite reserved.

As a warrior, His Majesty dislikes ostentatious displays.

Hmm.

It looks like the aristocrats are properly greeting the maids.

Though I suppose those girls also come from good families.

Hey Eva...

so would it be better if I didn't gift these hot spring eggs to high-ranking nobility?

Yes, absolutely.

Good evening, young lady.

You're doing a great job, so here's a gift.

Um... this is...

Don't worry, they're just hot spring dragon eggs.

Dragon eggs?!

We're dead.

What the hell were you thinking?

I just...

Do you have any idea who this is?

This is His Majesty Rodrick Atolm Zebrudia's esteemed daughter,

the Imperial Princess, Her Highness Murina Atolm Zebrudia!

Right, of course.

The imperial princess? Really?

And you dared to give her dragon eggs?

Giving her such a dangerous item is the height of folly!

Please rest assured there's nothing dangerous about them.

They're a local specialty, and tasty at that.

Also, please excuse me.

What?!

May I go to the bathroom?

Why, you...!

Just a moment, Sir Franz!

That man is an esteemed personage who saved the capital from Akashic Tower some time ago.

At the Gathering of the White Blades, hunters are the guests of honor.

Surely, we can allow him something as trivial as passing out gifts.

As you wish.

Release him.

I shall bow to the wishes of Mistress Éclair and overlook this.

However!

Should these dragon eggs be found to be a threat,

you will be jailed immediately!

I was wondering what all the fuss was.

Of course it was Krai.

Yeesh.

Krai...

Who would've thought that girl was the Imperial Princess?

That is the tradition.

Thanks for getting me out of that pickle.

I don't know anything about the etiquette here.

D-Don't worry about it.

Also, I still owe you for the auction and the Barrel thing.

I'll need to return the favor sometime.

Though I can't return the mask.

I don't want that thing anyway!

Now, I have things to do!

Just don't get into any more trouble!

Right, of course.

Just like always.

Is this your first time here?

Yes.

Thousand Tricks is an interesting man.

Thank you all for gathering here tonight.

All of you are friends of Zebrudia who have brought prosperity to these lands.

Forget being overly formal and simply enjoy yourselves.

I didn't expect him to be, like... just a guy.

Can you please not say anything impertinent?

Huh?

Huh? Sitri?

Huh?

Liz and Tino?

So, that means...

Chicken coming through.

Fresh out of the oven!

Lucia?

Where's the intruder?!

Is it him?

Or all of you?

Hey!

Even if he was recommended by the Sword Saint,

Let me cut him!

who allowed him to become a guard?!

Get him out of here!

Outside, now!

I want to cut!

Krai...

They're all here.

Indeed!

I never knew it was tradition for the Imperial Princess to serve as a maid

at the Gathering of the White Blades.

It seems the emperor at the time started it as a test for the hunters.

Huh.

They say that Ark's ancestor, Solis Rodin,

saw through it in an instant and politely paid his respects.

Leave it to Ark!

Excellence runs in his bloodline.

Speaking of...

When are you going to introduce yourself to His Majesty?

Huh?

Seems like this might be a good opportunity.

Really?

Then why don't you go?

You're the one who was invited!

Yeah, but you know...

Hey!

You!

I see you sneaking around!

Um...

Could there be someone hiding under the table?

Crap!

What's that over there?!

Wha?

Who the hell is that?!

Why are you asking me?!

It's an intruder!

Take that!

Is that Liz?!

That's my

intruder!

Luke Sykol?

Rock Coffin!

Lucia Rogier?

Right!

Right!

Allow me to explain!

The armor Ansem is wearing is called Fluctuating Fortress

and it can shrink and grow at will!

Not only does it affect the armor, but also the one wearing it.

Truly a relic that defies all reason!

However, its weight does not change.

Ansem Smart?!

What is Grieving Souls doing here?

What should I do?

Ti...

Sitri?

Do you mind?

Hm?

Protect His Majesty!

Ark, get him!

Yes, sir!

Isabella.

Roger!

Enough of these half-assed measures.

Oh, it's the fire granny.

Abyssal... Inferno?

Everyone, get down!

Immolation Coil!

That scared me.

Good thing I had a Safety Ring.

Damn...

The fire granny sure is reckless.

These are good!

You want some?

No... thanks.

Really?

I feel like it's roasted to perfection.

My first time eating roasted chocolate.

Is that so?

Never would've expected that to happen.

Oh well, at least the gathering wrapped up quickly.

And I didn't have to introduce myself to His Majesty.

Is that what you're focusing on now?

If it hadn't been for that commotion,

it would have been a huge problem that Liz and the others snuck in.

Well, yes.

To be fair, Eliza wasn't there.

Why did you even show up?

Since you weren't selected,

you ought to have stayed put and behaved!

You're one to talk, when you sweet-talked that old guy to get in!

Then, during the chaos at the end,

you strolled around with Ti like nothing was wrong!

If I entered the fray,

I wouldn't be able to deal with it covertly when things escalated!

Um, maybe both of you could calm down?

What the hell was that, though?

I barely felt anything when I kicked it.

Ansem mentioned it, too.

That thing was probably a Fox.

By "Fox," do you mean...?

Right.

They're a giant crime syndicate on the level

of the Snake group that we destroyed.

"Nine-Tailed Shadow Fox."

Fox, for short.

I have truly disgraced myself!

I allowed an intruder to slip in, and then there was utter chaos.

As the leader of Your Majesty's guard, I have utterly failed.

That's enough, Sir Franz.

Thankfully, nobody was injured.

However, we do need to determine how the Fox was able to get inside.

We will continue our investigation.

We will also get those dragon eggs that Thousand Tricks brought appraised.

Could they possibly be real?

We do not yet know.

If they are, there is a chance the mother dragon will come to retrieve them.

For the time being, I have asked Ark Rodin and others to strengthen our guard.

Thousand Tricks, Krai Andrey, huh?

"Deep in the Night, a Dragon Appears in the Capital." Huh.

That sounds dangerous.

It seems it was a mid-sized crimson dragon.

It was about to attack the castle,

but Ark and the others who were on guard defeated it.

Therefore, everything was fine.

Looks like Zebrudia's luck is bad, too.

Krai!

Take a look at this.

Luke, don't tell me that's...

I jumped and cut it!

Ark almost got to it first, but I won!

Wait!

Huh?

Don't open it!

But why?

It's just the head.

Then seriously, do not open it!

What?

Oh yeah, Krai.

The empire's higher-ups want to talk to you,

so they want you to stop by the Association.

I don't feel like talking.

I see.

You want me to cut them?

Oh, suddenly I feel like talking!

Eva, will you come with me?

Hey, what should I do with this?

Do whatever you want. Just don't get my room dirty.

As you've probably all heard,

last night a young crimson dragon attacked the castle.

Dragons do not attack humans for no reason!

So it follows that there is something in the castle that it wants.

That is to say! Thousand Tricks!

Huh?

The dragon eggs you brought here last night for the Gathering of the White Blades...

What?

Dragon... eggs?

What the hell were you thinking, Krai?

But those were just ordinary hot spring eggs.

That's right! That's exactly right!

The appraisal revealed that they were nothing but ordinary hot spring eggs!

We've also confirmed that they do sell them in Suls.

Do you understand what this means?

Uh... That crimson dragons love hot spring eggs?

You!

It means that someone is trying to frame you.

That is correct.

The true culprit is someone who knew that you would bring those eggs with you.

Which means it would have been someone

who was also attending the Gathering of the White Blades.

Good one, kid.

You snuck your friends in there and then sprung the trap.

Huh?

Claiming I used the hot spring eggs as a trap is the ultimate reach.

For starters, I didn't even know anything would happen!

Are her marbles finally melting?

She's the fire granny, after all...

But something doesn't quite fit.

Controlling dragons is not an easy feat.

To that end... Everything you're about to see and hear is top secret.

That's...

True Tears.

The destroyer of all lies, and the empire's greatest treasure.

Wow, I can't believe His Majesty gave you permission.

I took it without permission!

That's how serious this incident is.

The fate of our empire rides on this!

Thousand Tricks, I am convinced that you are guilty!

So first, we will confirm your innocence.

Depending on the outcome, you will cooperate with us!

You don't mind?

Then here I go!

I, Krai Andrey, bear absolutely no ill-will towards Zebrudia.

Wha?

That was... the truth?!

I mean, yeah.

I'm next.

I, Rosemary Purapos, bear no ill-will towards Zebrudia.

Wow, you really don't.

What do you think, damn brat?

Thank you for your cooperation.

Then let us talk.

The enemy threatening Zebrudia right now is the "Fox."

Fox...

That makes sense.

So that's what the mask was about.

They made it easy to tell.

Just to make sure.

It's not an animal, right?

Obviously.

It is neither an animal nor a monster.

You can attribute a number of our empire's misfortunes to this group's machinations.

That means the intrusion at the gathering last night

and the dragon attack are most likely their responsibility as well.

Isn't it kind of strange, though?

That fox was incredibly strong,

but it didn't seem to be hostile. It just ignored us.

What has Zebrudia done to make them so angry?

Next month, His Majesty is scheduled to travel to Toweyezant.

Given the circumstances, we took canceling the trip into consideration.

But the powerful, long-standing empire of Zebrudia cannot be intimidated by a mere fox!

Here is where you come in, Thousand Tricks.

Huh?

We have a job for you.

I don't work for cheap.

I said we'd need you to cooperate if your innocence was proven.

The Fox tried to frame you.

You are the one they are most wary of.

I've heard that you are a collector of relics.

His Majesty has confirmed that this will be the reward for taking on the job.

You can answer after you've taken a look.

This... is...

I'll need you to assist with His Majesty's protection detail on his travels,

Thousand Tricks.

Blinded by the mysterious deal sweetener,

it seems our Krai Andrey does indeed work for cheap.

Foxes here, foxes there...

How much can one man misunderstand?!

Will he actually be able to carry out the work?

Was he even listening to the job description?!

Look forward to finding out in the next episode!

Miss Éclair, are you all right?

By: Éclair and Ark and Isabella

Oh, Ark!

When you are defending me,

you are unmistakably the Argent Thunderclap.

On the other hand, we have that Master!

For the protection of His Majesty...

He enlists an ally...

Thousand Tricks!

What's creeping closer?

The shadow of the Fox!

But behind the scenes...

Grieving souls!

With the tempting relic, take to the skies!

Episode 21

I'd Rather Skip the Escort Quest

Next time...

...on Let This Grieving Soul Retire!

"I'd Rather Skip the Escort Quest."

Krai, you really are funny.