[♪ epic choral music playing]
[narrator] The True Demon King has died.
[crackling]
The enemy of the world that filled the horizon with fear,
was defeated by somebody.
To this very day,
that lone Hero remains unknown, both in name and existence.
Now the age of fear has come to an end,
that person has to be chosen.
[♪ theme music playing]
ISHURA
New Principality of Lithia
[narrator] A general named Taren the Guarded,
has broken away from Aureatia, the only minian kingdom.
[♪ gentle, bright music playing]
- [child] Wait up! - [laughter]
[narrator] Taren has declared independence
for the regional city along the canal that she possessed,
and is calling it the New Principality of Lithia.
This was also a serious military provocation
that threatened Aureatia's control over the frontier.
Episode 2 Alus the Star Runner
Lithia Territory Main Highway
[narrator] That day, Lana the Moon Tempest
was scheduled to return to Lithia after being dispatched as a spy by Taren.
[horses galloping]
Minia Lana the Moon Tempest
[Lana] They're getting closer.
[growling]
They attack in swarms like that when they move in on a group of minians.
Yep, they're wyverns all right.
At this speed, they're bound to catch up.
Won't we reach Lithia before the wyverns catch up?
[coachman] Not a chance if you can see the swarm already.
[Lana] But we're virtually there already. Get a move on.
[coachman] I'm going as fast as I can.
[skeleton] We might all get eaten.
[♪ mysterious music playing]
Those of us who still have flesh, I mean.
[soft gasp]
Higuare, are you feeling confident?
[roots crinkling]
[Higuare] Yes.
I can eliminate them all, of course.
I heard Master Taren is the self-proclaimed Demon King.
That's just a nickname the kingdom gave her.
[Higuare] I understand that minian society is ruled by three kingdoms.
[scoffs] I guess remote regions don't keep up.
Now it's just Aureatia. The other kingdoms all perished.
Because of the True Demon King.
[Lana] So for Aureatia, they are the only One True King,
and all others are just self-proclaimed Demon Kings.
[Higuare] Was the True Demon King not also self-proclaimed?
That one... was the real deal.
Only the True Demon King can be called a Demon King.
- So your name is Higuare, huh? - [Higuare] Yes.
[skeleton] Even a visitor would be more knowledgeable than you.
And to think you're in the mercenary business.
[Higuare] For reasons of my own,
I've lived a life dedicated solely to wielding my blade.
Higuare the Pelagic.
That's what people call me. And yourself?
Shalk the Sound Slicer.
[Lana] Whatever, just get along, you two.
If you two kill each other before we arrive,
what would Master Taren say...
[Higuare] Lady Lana,
it seems wyverns aren't the only things approaching.
- What? - [rifle fires]
[horse whinnies]
[outlaw 1 chuckles]
- [outlaw 1] Stop your wagon! - [coachman whimpers]
[outlaw 2] Resist and we'll kill you. Hand over your cargo!
Outlaws after our cargo.
[Shalk] First wyverns, now outlaws.
- We're completely boxed in. - [rumbling]
- [horse whinnies] - [Lana grunts]
- [coachman yelps] - [horses whimpering]
[outlaw 1] Stop now or we'll blow you away.
- Oy. - [outlaw 2] Got it.
[rifle cocks]
[outlaw 2 chuckles]
[Higuare] Above you.
- [outlaw 2 grunts] - [wyvern screeches]
[outlaw 1] Huh?
- [growling] - [outlaw 2 screaming]
- [outlaw 2 screaming in agony] - [flesh squelching]
[outlaw 1 whimpers] Why are the wyverns here already?
- When did they get here? - [outlaw 3] How fast are they? Shoot!
[both whimper]
[outlaw 4] N-No way.
They're coming from the city!
[Lana] You can relax.
You're not needed.
Surely the minians haven't tamed them?
[scoffs]
Perhaps they have.
[♪ intense music playing]
[outlaw 1] Quit dawdling! Fire!
[outlaw 3] We never practiced firing up in the sky.
- [thwacks] - [outlaw 3 gasps in horror]
[outlaw 4 grunts] We're never going to hit them.
- [outlaws screaming] - [rifle firing]
[outlaw 5] Stop!
[outlaw 6] Help!
[flesh squelching]
[growls]
All dead. All shooters are dead.
[wyvern] Squad Two, fly to the other side of the hill.
You are not to eat minian flesh.
Slash them all to bits!
So everyone knows what happens to fools who go against the New Principality!
[scoffs] Look at that swarm of wild trash.
Attack! Prepare for aerial combat!
[♪ suspenseful music playing]
[all roaring]
[all clamoring]
[all groaning]
[growling]
[roars]
[beam blazing]
[Lana] That was Regnejee's Thermal Arts.
[Higuare] Is Lord Regnejee a wyvern?
Yeah. Every wyvern swarms with a leader.
Regnejee is that leader.
As long as they're on guard, the New Principality...
- [explosion] - [rumbling]
...is well protected.
No other city in history has utilized the wyverns
for aerial warfare.
[Lana] They're invincible.
Then why did the outlaws attack?
What?
[Shalk] The outlaws wouldn't have attacked if they really were invincible.
Right.
And that's why you two are necessary.
You mean they're not the real enemy?
[Lana] Exactly.
There's somebody directing the outlaws.
Someone who stands to profit by having them attack Lithia.
[Higuare] Don't they call Master Taren of Lithia
a self-proclaimed Demon King?
[Shalk] I see.
So Aureatia is our opponent?
Aureatia
[narrator] Aureatia, the city that is ruled by the last Minian Queen.
The politics of the city
are not steered by the Queen, but by Twenty-Nine Officials.
[chomps]
I heard about Lithia.
[official 1] Obviously, trade attacks by outlaws won't be enough.
We're dealing with Taren the Guarded.
That's why we're having this discussion.
[official 2] The Imperial Competition to decide the Hero is a major undertaking.
Should Lithia engage in an all-out attack, we won't have the means to deal with it.
And he knows it.
Even so, war should only be a very last resort.
[official 1] So what you propose...
is an assassination.
Is it possible?
[official 1] What about the Seventeenth Minister... Elea's squad?
I have a spy there.
Though they are currently investigating something else.
As for suppressing the wyvern,
that should be the Sixth General's area of expertise.
I'd prefer to keep old man Harghent out of this.
Agreed.
Besides, he's currently headed to Tileet Ravine to subdue a dragon.
[official 1] A dragon?
He's got no chance. Just how far does he plan to fall?
So, can I use who I please? As long as nothing leads back to Aureatia.
[official 2] Who do you plan to use?
[official 1] An assassination doesn't always have to be done quietly.
- People sometimes die in huge accidents. - [♪ tense music playing]
[fire crackling]
[official 2] A huge accident?
[official 1 scoffs]
[official 1] Can you get the Vortical Stampede released?
Ishura Wyvern
Tileet Ravine
[horses plodding]
[horses whinnying]
Dragon Hunting Squad Encampment
You seem weary,
Your Excellency.
Hmm?
Oh, Peke?
[Peke] It seemed you were nodding off.
[general] The march has taken 20 days.
We even set up camp in some poorhouse.
Anyone would be weary.
What about the tracking unit?
I've divided the radzio soldiers into three groups and positioned them.
[Peke] I've got two people patrolling above the valley at all times.
One of them is a receiver.
From tomorrow, make it three per shift, rotating every half day and night.
[Peke] Yes, sir.
But is the Smoldering one really injured?
[general] We wouldn't be here if we didn't know for sure.
You'd normally see him soaring the sky, but he's hiding away in his nest.
It's our chance.
[general] The nightmare of Tileet Ravine, Vikeon the Smoldering.
If I can vanquish him, my name will go down in history.
This is like laying siege on a castle.
He will surely begin to starve and fly out.
That's what we wait for.
If the reports are true, that is. However...
- [soldier] What! - [surprised grunt]
Your Excellency! Six shooters have been attacked!
- What was that? - [Peke] Patch them through.
- [operator] Understood! - [radio static]
- This is Harghent. Report your situation. - [♪ tense music playing]
The six shooters below the cliff are unaccounted for!
The Smoldering one,
he's probably crawling above ground towards your location!
C-Crawling on the ground?
[Harghent] That prideful Vikeon is?
- [Peke] Your Excellency, let's retreat. - [Harghent grunts]
- [loud bang] - How could I make such a mistake?
Your Excellency... We mustn't hesitate.
He's heading right...
- [whooshes] - [surprised grunt]
Why would he...
[Peke] From Peke to Harghent. [echoing]
Setting Sun. Fly!
[groaning]
[Harghent] What the...
[explosion]
[fire roaring]
What...
- [loud stomp] - [Harghent gasps]
[♪ ominous music playing]
[♪ dramatic music playing]
[creature] You're the general,
aren't you?
[angry grunt]
Curse you, Smoldering one!
[creature] I'll allow you to answer.
Are there any other hunting parties out there?
Do you fear the hand of a human slayer?
Vikeon the Smoldering!
Your spirit has fallen to the ground!
Answer me.
[Vikeon] Is there anyone else besides yourselves?
Choose not to answer,
and I won't burn you,
but torture you,
then kill you.
[Harghent] What happened...
to your body?
Smoldering one.
You attempt to conceal your own disgrace
but you inflict despicable and humiliating acts against me?
A champion...
Have you ever seen a champion with your own eyes, you weak minia?
[Harghent] What?
The strong one that emerges from a huge group
is what you lot call a champion, right?
Surely not...
Did a minian champion do this to you?
- [Vikeon] Don't get arrogant! - [rumbles]
I've butchered so many minian champions it's gotten boring.
They were nothing more than foolish snacks to me.
I'll tell you the truth, minia.
That champion who was favored by fate
is also among the wyverns.
[gasps]
[Harghent] It was him...
I told you of my humiliation.
Now it's your turn to answer.
[breathes shakily]
I'm the last there is of the hunting party.
[Harghent] No other Aureatia soldiers are coming.
Very well, I shall forgive you foolish minians,
but in exchange, you alone shall smolder in my flames.
From Harghent to the iron of Aureatia. [echoing]
Approaching waves. Tower of shadows. Swirling starry skies!
[chain rattling]
[Harghent] Nock an arrow!
[thuds]
The skies above me shall fall into silence!
Know the power of Aureatia's Sixth General!
[arrow fires]
[exclaims in shock]
[Vikeon] You're powerless. Completely powerless.
From Tileet...
[♪ tense music playing]
Why?
[Harghent] Huh? [gasps]
[Vikeon] You again.
Why?
[Vikeon and Harghent] Star Runner!
[♪ tense music playing]
[narrator] He was born with three upper limbs.
Those arms craved for something new.
To grasp something yet unseen.
He wanted to prove that he was more than just a wyvern.
He longed for everything that was out of his reach.
Before long, that desire led him
to obtain a town's treasure.
To conquer a land.
To conquer a labyrinth.
And now, he's on the verge of destroying a legend.
A-Alus the Star Runner.
[Vikeon] What more do you desire?
You stole my entire fortune.
Why take more?
Why, you ask?
[Alus] I'm simply doing what's natural.
[Harghent] Star Runner!
You stay out of this!
[sighs]
[Vikeon] Curse you, Star Runner.
To the wind of Tileet.
Dry up the hazy moon!
[grunting, roaring]
- [clicks] - [♪ music fades]
[♪ tense music continues playing]
[screaming]
[Vikeon groaning]
[Alus] Poison magic bullets
from the Arboreal Sky Spire of the West Cliff.
It explodes when it makes contact with the nerves.
[grunts]
[growls]
[Vikeon] To the wind of Tileet!
From Alus to the pebble of Nimi. [echoing]
Flower returns to bud. Split and break the shell...
Dripping water.
Pierce.
[♪ tense music continues playing]
[screaming]
[Harghent] He performs shape-shifting Craft Arts
far faster than even a single breath.
[screaming continues]
[♪ music fades]
[wings flapping]
[pants] Back off already!
[Harghent] Don't you get it?
He's my enemy!
Why steal that from me?
Are you attempting to help me?
What an odd question.
[Alus] One always helps a friend.
Isn't that obvious?
[Harghent grunts] I...
- I am not your friend. - [♪ somber music playing]
I am a general of Aureatia now.
I'm a wyvern killer, Harghent the Wing-Plucker!
Is that right?
[Harghent] To rise up in the world,
I killed hundreds of your fellow kind.
But I still want for glory, even at this age.
That's what led me here.
[Alus] That's why I admire you, Harghent.
[Harghent grunts]
I heard about it.
The Imperial Competition at Aureatia.
Everyone's trying to put forth a Hero.
That's right...
I don't mind partaking.
And like before...
[Vikeon] To the wind of Tileet.
Dry up...
What!
...the hazy moon!
- Alus! Move... - [explosion]
- [ringing in ears] - [rumbling]
[gasps]
[♪ soft music playing]
- [Harghent] What is this? - [Alus] The Greatshield of the Dead.
[clinking]
[Vikeon grunts]
[shouting] Star Runner!
[Alus] One more.
[Vikeon] To the wind...
- [blade slashes] - [♪ music stops]
[loud thud]
[Alus] Hillensingen the Luminous Blade.
[Harghent] He couldn't even move his arms when I first met him.
How did you...
The Twenty-Nine Officials of Aureatia are searching for a Hero.
They're gathering the strongest people from around the world.
[Alus] Yes.
[Harghent] If you're proud of your strength,
you ought to come forward too.
However... I won't choose you!
I...
I will never use your strength to seize glory.
I know.
Your desire truly is radiant.
One day,
you're going to become so much more than I am.
[surprised grunt]
[Harghent grunting]
[Harghent] Where are you going?
The Great Labyrinth of Nagan.
Why go to a ruined city?
There's something I want there.
Alus...
[narrator] He is the one who can handle
any kind of weapon there is with exceptional aptitude.
The one who possesses many unusual magic items,
collected from all over the land.
The one who has challenged numerous labyrinths and enemies
throughout the vast world and triumphed over them all.
His desires even led him to surpass dragons,
making him the fastest airborne creature.
He is a Rogue. He is a wyvern. He is Alus the Star Runner.
[♪ closing theme music playing]
Next: Episode 3 Dakai the Magpie
and Regnejee the Wings of Sunset
Translated by Zacarias Hicks