Deception and Despair

Raid Event: Kindness and Captivity

Episode 5

Deception and Despair

Previous Quest

Melsa's Inkling

Next Quest

Go Forth with Courage

Summary

Melsa made a deal with Harle in order to free Sylvia. However, he had no intention of keeping his word, and had, in fact, transformed the dragon into Hypnos' true body. In order to save Sylvia, the prince and his allies return once more to the space between worlds.

Dialogue

Heh heh heh. The fools do not disappoint. Everything is proceeding as intended. And now...it's time to finish this! Ahead is the place where I think Harle may be hiding. Er, but as I said, that is merely a guess. P-perhaps we should just go back? We've come all this way, Melsa. It would be foolish not to find out for sure. Yeah! And if Harle's here, we can squeeze Sylvia's location outta him! Er, yes. Of course... Okay, what's going on? Why are you being such a weirdo all of a sudden? It's nothing... Heh. You really are something, Melsa. Huh? Where did that come from? From me, dummy! I mean, you're CLEARLY worried, and yet you feel like you have to keep it all bottled up inside. And look, that's nice and noble or whatever, buuuut... It's okay for you to start trusting me. If something's wrong, just tell me! We're BESTIES, man. That's what we do! Oh, Sarisse... ...Run. Er, sorry. What was that? ...Run. ...RUN! This is all an Empire trap! GRAAAAOORGH! Aaagh! It's back AGAIN?! I...was too late... Melsa, what did you mean about this being a trap?! We'll deal with that later, Elly—right now, we have to engage the enemy! Dammit! We're completely surrounded! What...? Melsa...what's going on? ...I'm sorry, Sarisse. I'm sorry, everyone. Why would you say that? Why are you apologizing? You're confusing me, Melsa... You're making it sound like this is your fault somehow... I'm sorry, all right? I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'M SORRY! This can't be happening... This is a prank, right, Melsa? Tell me it's a prank! My, my. Do you truly not understand? Or is it that you simply don't want to acknowledge the truth? That girl—Melsa—has betrayed you all! The heck are you talking about?! I used her to lure you here. Oh, and it's not just this time—the people of that village have been under my sway from the very beginning! Wait, so having her come to the castle and ask for our help was YOUR idea?! Indeed! All was as I directed! I told them that if they wanted to save Sylvia and their village, they must obey me. I've done everything you asked, Harle. Now return Sylvia to us. Yes, I'll not delay the heartfelt reunion a moment longer... For Sylvia stands in front of you now! Behold her new and glorious form! GRAAAORGH! Wh-what?! No! That can't be! And what a glorious test subject she is! I infused a dragon with black mana and transformed it into a fiend under my complete control! Ahhh ha ha ha! Now get them, my pet! Call forth an infinite number of copies! Wipe out the prince! His friends! The village! ALL OF THEM! Huh?! The hell's that in the distance? It must be big if we can see it from here... That's where the village is! It looks like Hypnos! Not another Hypnos! How many copies can it even create at once?! Harle! You promised me! You swore that you would spare Sylvia and my people if I obeyed you! Ah, your utter stupefaction is delightful! Although I suppose it WOULD be a bit much to watch one's former guardian dragon lay waste to their own village. Sylvia is...destroying the village? Ahh... Ahhh... AAAAAAAAAAAGH! Oh, Melsa... Sylvia, stop! Please, you have to stop! Aaaah ha ha ha! Call out all you want! Your words are wind! Now, embrace your own despair and DIE! Enough, Harle! I won't let you hurt Melsa or her people any more! Good Prince Euden! You can't POSSIBLY mean to forgive this girl after her betrayal, mmm? She was only trying to protect something important to her. Melsa isn't our enemy—our enemy is the Empire that would use her in such a vile way! Yeah! How dare you hurt Melsa like this, you stupid jerk! You don't...hate me? No one hates you, Melsa. Now let's stick together and finish this thing once and for all! If we can do something about the black mana they're using to control Sylvia, she might return to her normal self. Such keen insight! Yes, if you defeat Hypnos entirely, the black mana will indeed disappear. And why am I telling you this, you ask? Because such a thing is impossible! Even a group with your obscene luck cannot stand against the might of Hypnos! ...He's right. We fought the fiend before and couldn't completely defeat it. It doesn't matter! There's still a chance! I... I'm sorry, Euden. I'm just not brave like you. Of COURSE you are, dummy! When Sylvia disappeared, you were the one who challenged that powerful fiend! Well, yes—but that is because I was worried about Sylvia. It's incredibly brave—AND kind—to care enough about someone to fight for them. So my kindness...is bravery? How curious. I have only the smallest amount of bravery, so I don't think I could fight on my own... But knowing I have my bestie Sarisse on my side is enough to make me TRY! You've made everyone suffer, Harle, but your time is over! I will never lose to you! I WILL save Sylvia! You go, girl! Sock it to him! All right. Let's finish this!