Lion! Glad to see you're awake.
Andromeda? What are you doing here?
Where are we?
This is the town of Agris. I fled here with you
under orders from Master Hermes.
Fled from what?
Run away, Bell!
What about Bell?!
He's been captured by the Freya Familia.
Why didn't you wake me up sooner?!
We need to go back to Orario now!
Just calm down.
Orario has already been taken over...
by the Goddess of Beauty and her charm ability.
Everybody in Orario has fallen
under her control. Even the Gods.
I'm sure the same is true for Master Hermes...
Which means there will be no hope left if we get
captured and brainwashed by Goddess Freya, too.
I'm sorry for losing my composure.
You have my heartfelt gratitude
for saving me. Thank you.
No need to apologize.
I would have been lashing out, too,
if I were all alone in this.
We'll return to Orario once we're fully prepared.
Our first step is to gather information.
The story of today, sometimes the world is irony
"Nevertheless..." In my heart
I found this feeling and now it's our world
I've been here since that day, continually seeking and searching
Whenever I encounter weaknesses,
I have to overcome them one after another
Fighting back tears each time
Then getting back up for tomorrow
and the day after, that's how I've lived
Having faith in the past and advancing beyond it
Where something irreplaceable is waiting for us
The story of adventure, it can begin today
To prevent anyone from glorifying the tragic elegy
Ah, I want to become strong, our counterattack begins
It's okay to be uncool
Ah, encounters are love, so that's where you've been, huh?
Loneliness
Separated
Ouranos...
Hestia.
It seems that you also repelled
the effects of Freya's charm.
Wait, so you were unaffected by it, too?
Then hear me out! Hermes gave me a...
Stop.
Huh?
There are no safe spaces left in Orario
that are free from her "eyes" and "ears".
Even my altar of prayer is no exception.
Oh no...
I was too optimistic.
I thought this place would be secure enough that
I could fill Ouranos in on the details of the plan.
There is nothing you can do right now. Go home.
Wait a minute! Just listen to-
Orario is already well into the fall season.
And the cold weather has a stronger bite to it than
usual.
I'll have to make sure that plenty of firewood is prepared.
Fels. Tell Hermes and his children they're
in charge of distributing all the firewood this year.
Master Hermes? But usually that job
is handled by the Ganesha Familia.
The Ganesha Familia won't have time.
They already have their hands full doing work for Freya.
You're aware of that, right?
Ah. Of course.
Hestia. Get going.
We've thoroughly established
Bell Cranel's position within our Familia.
We will maintain constant surveillance
and ensure that all risk factors are eradicated.
That naturally includes Goddess Hestia, as well as
the Xenos creatures who didn't fall under your spell.
And although he didn't show for this meeting,
that dumbass cat will keep tabs on the Fertility tavern.
B-Bell Cranel will prove useful.
He is rife with potential.
The only element he lacks is a sharp edge born from
jaundiced experience and tribulation.
B-b-but so long as he continues
to fight here in Fólkvangr,
he will go through enough hell to compensate!
Great. I knew that leaving his training
in your hands was the right choice.
Keep up the good work.
One last thing. I want you to give Bell some freedom.
But keep guards and observers on his tail.
Any children who had deep connections
with Bell before may cause irregularities.
So keep them away from him.
Yes ma'am!
Lady Freya. I have one more issue
to bring to your attention.
What is it, Hedin?
The other day, Bell Cranel asked me
if I knew the whereabouts of Lady Syr.
And?
I took it upon myself to inform him there
was no such girl among our ranks.
Okay. Then why are you bringing it up to me now?
I wish to know how I should approach
the subject of her in the future.
She never existed in the first place.
That's the story we're going with.
As you wish.
While we're at it, Hedin...
I notice you've been taking a lot of liberties lately,
especially the events leading up the Goddess Festival.
What exactly were you trying to do?
I determined he was too spineless to have
any hope of properly escorting you during the date,
so I provided him with some training.
But since the harebrain ultimately caused
you a great deal of anger and pain,
I will accept the consequences.
It didn't bother me at all.
It's really bothering her...
Lady Freya.
Please grant me your permission
to take charge of the harebrain's education.
Why should I?
Because there is no one better suited to draw out
his full potential and polish him to perfection.
What are you up to?
Serving your best interests.
I offer you nothing... but my utmost loyalty.
Fine.
You have my permission, Hedin.
How many days have passed since then?
I'm so exhausted that
I can't think about much of anything.
But I get the feeling that's actually been a saving grace.
Because this has been helping me forget about
the isolation of having different
memories from everyone else.
Too slow.
What are you lying down for?
Get up.
Do you want me to slice your head off?!
Say, Bell. Your right arm tends
to get shaky sometimes, doesn't it?
Huh?
Oh, yeah. Have I not broken that habit yet?
It's the opposite.
Being too aware of it has caused any moves
that you make with your right easy to read.
You're better off embracing that habit and
using it as way to lure your opponent in.
It's a good one-on-one tactic.
Thanks, Mr. Van. But why help me?
Any warrior that can hold their own against
the likes of Master Hedin and the others
is at least due some respect.
Honestly, I think your skills are really impressive.
Yeah.
It doesn't change the fact that
I still hate you as a person, though!
There he goes again. Van and
his aggressive displays of affection.
Bell.
Huh?
Are willing to try lifting the curse?
What?
I'm not trying to deny the existence
of this "Hestia Familia" version of you.
But I can tell that you're suffering.
It's like you're desperate to be freed from the loneliness.
All I'm asking is that you give it a try.
Will you undergo the treatment?
Victory is mine if I get him to acknowledge
that his memories are the result of a curse.
The effects of his skill, "Realis Phrase",
can deteriorate greatly depending on his mental state.
Once he reaches the point of
doubting his own memories,
he'll have to embrace the idea of the curse and then...
I can break him.
W-well, I...
I'm all right for now. I don't need the treatment.
Okay, I'm sorry. I hope I'm not bothering you too much.
Lady Freya.
What?
Allen has reported back after watching over the tavern.
Mia doesn't seem likely to try anything.
However, there has been no sign of the Gale Wind.
That settles it.
She must have fled outside of the city
with one of Hermes' children, just like I figured.
The blame lies with me for casting her aside.
My apologies.
It's fine. I share some of the blame for giving Hermes
the chance to resist, no matter how futile it is.
Those two are bound to return here in due time.
So keep a net cast to catch them when they do.
All right. This is where we split up.
Then I'll see you back at the hideout at sundown.
We'll deal with them and Anya all at once, as planned.
Since I know that girl must also be distressed.
C'mon, stupid Anya! You can't keep this up furever!
Enough moping around in your room already!
Look, I dunno what happened with you,
but it's time to bounce back!
While you've been out of action, the rest of us
have been dealing with double the work!
Ryu disappurred somewhere
and hasn't come back, either.
The Goddess Festival may be over,
but that's not an excuse tabby lazy!
And Syr?
What's a "Syr"?
Is that somebody's name?
Do we know a purrson named that?
Meow! What's the big idea?!
Syr!
Our impawtant friend who
worked here with us! Syr Flover!
You guys... don't remember her...?
That's enough.
Mama Mia! Nobody remembers who Syr is!
But you still know who she is... right?!
Yeah, I do. She's a little idiot.
But here's the deal, nobody remembers
her except you and me.
The Goddess... went and wiped that dumb girl out.
Huh? But why?
Why would Lady Freya want to get rid of Syr?!
Anya!
How could they be so cruel?!
It's unfurgivable! Why hurt Syr?!
Stop.
Big Brother?!
You should've just stayed blissfully ignorant
without realizing that anything was wrong.
Come with me. I'll explain it all to you.
I snuck my way back into Orario just fine.
But the whole city really has fallen
under Goddess Freya's charm...
Anya?!
We're here.
Huh?
Lady Freya...
Welcome, Anya.
You look awful. Did something happen to upset you?
L-Lady Freya! What have you done to Syr?
Please just tail me!
She's gone forever. Or at least that's what I would say...
but I know you won't be content with that,
so I'll let you see her.
Huh?
Does it makes sense to you now, Anya?
I was the one by your side all the time at the tavern.
Freya is Syr. And Syr is Freya, you see?
Impawssible.
Do you remember? Back when
you first met me in this form...
"Are you okay? You'll catch cold out here."
"Come stay at our place.
It's called the Hostess of Fertility."
I remember each and every minute of it.
"Anya. Cheer up. There's nothing to be afraid of here."
"Come on, let's split the work. I still don't have
the hang of anything, so we can learn together."
See?
Why... Why do this?
Isn't that obvious? It was for my amusement.
Playtime for the Goddess.
No! No, no! This is wrong!
You are NOT Syr!
You can't be Syr!
Give her back!
You dumbass!
Anya!
There you are.
Lower your spear.
No. I'm going to beat her to bloody pul-
Do it now!
As you wish.
I've been waiting. I knew you would come
if I used Anya to lure you out.
Are you Syr? The real one?
That's right. You overheard us talking, didn't you?
Is everything that you told Anya... actually true?
So that time you saved my life?
And our days at the tavern?!
All of that was nothing more than a game to you?!
I mean, what else would it be?
Huh?
It was a game. All of it.
Being a Goddess was boring, so I decided
to have fun playing among the children instead.
What part of that makes you so upset?
Everybody lies about something, don't they?
This is just what my lie happens to be.
Despite the suffering Anya went through,
I never wanted anyone to get hurt.
That's the truth. So please, can't you just understand?
This is who I am.
I'm done pretending to be someone else.
And I'm not holding back anymore.
You're getting to see me exactly as who I am.
So please, I'm asking you...
This is wrong. You're not Syr.
And I'm never going to accept that you are her!
Shut up.
I have no restraint now. I've cut totally loose.
That's why I instantly resort to using
my ability even though I really hate it.
I'm sorry, Ryu. I'll set you free.
Listen, Ryu.
Although it's true that I love Bell,
I actually love you just as much, Ryu.
Here's an idea!
Why don't you join me and
we'll share a monopoly on Bell?
Oh, I guess that's more of duopoly.
What are you talking about...?
I'm almost there. Just a little more and Bell will break.
Then he will be mine in every respect.
I'll admit I hate the idea of anyone
laying their hands on Bell,
but you, Ryu? I can let it slide.
I'll make an exception just for you.
So let's enjoy Bell together.
We'll indulge in a big, messy
love fest until we all become one.
Our souls will touch each other
and leave marks of love behind.
Then maybe you can even have a baby, Ryu.
No way!
I knew it would end this way.
Huh?
No matter how things ultimately went
with my date, you would get disheartened.
Then we'd get into a fight that
ruins our relationship forever.
It turned out exactly as I said it would.
But... there's no going back now.
Allen. Bring her with us.
She must be locked up in the dungeon back home,
so that she can't come into contact with Bell.
You're not going to charm her?
I can't. I'm too sentimental to defile her soul.
Does that turn you off?
No.
As promised, I'm leaving Anya in your hands.
Make any more stupid moves and
that tavern is getting razed to the ground.
So stay out of our way if you care about it so much.
Play dumb and keep your mouth shut.
Lion... not you, too...
It's down to me.
Is there really nobody... left on my side?
Welcome, Bell.
What's the matter?
Um, it's just...
Did something bad happen to you?
What makes you ask that?
Well... I guess you just seem depressed somehow.
Despite how oblivious you
normally are to women's feelings,
you're always keen at times like these.
I'm happy to lend an ear if you need to talk.
Oh really? You will?
Sure. I mean, you're always
listening to what I have to say...
So, what happened?
A little bit of melodrama.
I fought with someone I thought was a close friend...
and hurt them.
Um... could you patch things up?
It's hopeless. Everything was my fault.
Then what if you, well, apologized?
That would make the most sense.
But I can't.
Why not?
Because my heart is set on something
I want above all else.
And I'm willing to cast aside
whatever I have to for it. Period.
Well, no matter what you cast aside...
can't you pick it back up again?
Huh?
Even after some time has passed,
if you just turn and look behind you,
isn't there a chance to pick it all back up?
Once you pick up what you've left behind,
you learn to treasure it even more than before.
That's why it's worth doing.
Bell... I love you.
Huh?
I love you so much.
Huh?! Wha?!
What kind of reaction is that?
I'm here pouring out my love for you,
but you won't do anything to return it?
Huh?!
Erm... well, you see...
Ah, I really do adore you.
Wait, Ms. Syr?
Huh? Why'd I say that...?
Ow, ow, ow, ow!
How dare you have the gall to sit in front of the literal
Goddess of Love and talk about some other woman!
I've never been so humiliated before!
G-gosh, I'm sorry.
Get out of here.
Okay.
What are you doing?
Master Hedin...
Please... may I ever remain a loyal servant.
This secret sinks
Into the undulating water's surface
There was apparently enough room to notice
Though unable to express them clearly, my pure-white feelings
Once again become desires when called out
These eager emotions surge just like waves
Swelling up unknowingly with a gentle tingle
And after the wall dividing us crumbled, the words I understood
Simply float unsteadily in the sky
I want a love that grows bountiful even if it's empty
If this is a dream I might as well take the lies out, too
Even a life that cannot be stolen
Changes the heart by filling it a little
An innocent mist that's like a dizzy spell
Next time
Bell Cranel
Desires
Next time: "Bell Cranel".