He's gone...
Miss Ireena.
We kind of keep getting left behind, don't we?
True.
I feel like we've been completely lacking a reason to be here so far.
We wouldn't be able to do anything if we went on the battlefield...
I know that's true,
but I don't want to admit it.
Still,
we're not going to take the option of giving up, right?
Naturally!
If only you would give up,
then I could make smooth progress on the 10,000 Person Ardy Harem Plan.
I won't accept any harems!
And wait, you just increased how many are in it, didn't you?!
Miss Ireena. Miss Ginny.
I have an important announcement.
An important...
...announcement?
Yes.
At Sir Ard's orders,
you two are to depart at once.
Does that mean there's something that we can do?
Yeah!
Miss Latima, could you please explain?
Our deployment is part of the operation Sir Ard devised.
Sir Ard has uncovered the truth behind the Demon Lord's immortality,
and he ordered me to head to the castle occupied by the Demon Lord with you two
when the appropriate time came.
Why did he tell you, instead of telling us directly?
Because it was important to act under absolute secrecy.
Then could you tell us what the plan is?
Sir Ard theorizes that the Demon Lord's immortality
results from the use of a secret soul-separation technique.
Secret soul-separation technique?
You mean that thing?
The kind that separates the soul from the body...?
And seals it into an appropriate vessel.
Death requires both the loss of the soul and the body at the same time,
so separating the two makes one practically immortal.
So then?
According to Sir Ard,
there are two drawbacks to that technique.
One is that the user must never be more than a certain distance away from the vessel.
The other is that if their vessel is ever destroyed, they lose their immortality.
So he surmises that the Demon Lord moved the vessel along with his soul
to the castle that he's occupied.
Now that you mention it,
Lord Varvatos did mention during the meeting
that they would win once they reached the castle.
So we've been entrusted with the secret mission of destroying that vessel?
That is correct.
The battle currently being carried out under Lord Varvatos's direction
is nothing more than a diversion.
Though no one knows that's the case.
Sir Ard discovered a secret passage into the castle.
We'll be using that.
But why us?
Why leave such a major role to us?
That's not very like you, Miss Ireena.
You're usually the type to be overjoyed at moments like this.
If Ardy found out you were so weak,
I'm sure he'd be disappointed.
Wha?!
D-Don't say stupid things!
There's no way he'd be disappointed in me.
Uh-huh, that attitude suits you much better.
At times like these, you should just go "Yay! Hooray!" and celebrate without a care.
Yeah, you're right! That's true!
I'll do this!
Step back!
Latima!
Please go on!
I'll hold the enemies back!
Hurry! Go on!
Got it!
Let's push forward and conquer!
Jeez, Big Sis Lydia, where did you go off to?
I wish you'd tell me when you'll be back!
That's...
There's no mistake.
It's the vessel housing the Demon Lord's soul.
Let's do this, Ginny!
Yes!
Why, you!
What? What's this?
It's no use.
That restraint spell also seals away your magic power.
Why?!
What's going on here,
Latima?!
Miss Ireena! Miss Ginny!
Now, those are some familiar faces.
I thought I'd never get to see those two again.
Let me make this boring excuse for you anyway.
If you value the hostages' lives, then join my army.
And what will happen to them if I say no?
Nothing will happen.
I already told you.
This is nothing more than a farce.
So you have no intention of harming them?
Are you really just trying to give me an excuse?
To let me say I had to join you in order to save the hostages?
I already know what you're thinking.
And how Lydia feels, too.
I'm sure that when she does die,
she'll be filled with satisfaction
instead of lament and regret.
However...
What about how we feel?
We had to kill our best friend with our own hands.
We encouraged her to do what would lead to that.
Bearing that sin for all eternity is just...!
Even if Lydia did long for a miserable end,
isn't it only natural that we would long for her to be happy?
I'll be taking many lives to ensure that Lydia lives.
I'll probably even drive the world to the brink of ruin.
However, if that's what it takes to save Lydia,
then it's a cheap price to pay!
The lives of others mean nothing to me now!
A part of you, deep in your heart, feels the same way, right?
So then why hesitate?
If you must still continue to hesitate,
then I'll give you another excuse.
I may not do anything to harm those girls,
but I can't guarantee what will happen to them when the Varvatos's army reaches this castle.
Wha?! Are you threatening me?!
So even putting your vessel here was all part of your calculated plan?
Hmph! Let me put even more plainly.
If you don't want to lose those two, then join me.
Why are you doing this?
The reason for my actions is simple.
Lady Lydia.
Wh-What do you mean?
There's no need for you two to know that.
In the end, you two are simply tools to manipulate Ard Meteor.
Just be quiet while you're put to use.
My goodness, how troublesome.
Your biggest weakness is that fragile mentality of yours.
Since you always so arrogantly believe that you can do anything,
your ability to think completely stops when you're in a pinch.
But I'm different.
Being in a pinch was a natural part of my daily life,
so I'm able to break out of this situation.
What could you two possibly do when you can't even use magic?
That's true.
We can't use magic.
Though what about atypical magic?
Short...
...Flare...
...Bomb!
Honestly, you tick me off!
I'll take that as praise.
Unexpected though that was, it's not a problem.
All of your efforts shall end in vain.
No matter how many you call upon, they're no match for us!
Once we're finished with the opening act, you're next, Miss Latima.
Is that so?
Then there's only one action I should take!
Now this sounds interesting.
Let me in on this, would you?
Hmph! Come on,
call up something that puts up a better fight.
Why are you here, Lady Lydia?
Those hairpins I gave you?
They're magic equipment with a spell that monitors your current status.
They held such a power?
Give it up, Latima!
N-No! Even if you...
No, all the more so because it's for you!
This world can go to ruin if it means saving you!
Yeah.
I guess all of you would feel that way.
You dumbass.
Lady Lydia, I...
Every single one of you...
I'd be lying if I said it didn't make me happy.
But I'm prepared to accept whatever fate befalls me.
I'm fighting to protect the hopes and dreams of others
and to create a world where everyone can live with a smile!
Once I've accomplished that, I'll disappear after seeing everyone's smiles.
That's what it means to be Champion.
In the end, I'll bear the full responsibility and sin of all our bloodshed
and go to Hell.
That's what it means to be Champion.
And I'm the Champion before I'm your best friend.
So I'll live like the Champion and die like the Champion.
So don't you go living life always looking back, you big dumbass!
Lydia!
What?
It's over already.
Your plan is ruined.
It's not over yet!
You only robbed me of my immortality!
Even if I'm defeated in this battle,
so long as you join me, I'll...!
You already know what my answer is, don't you?
My alter ego, do you truly wish to save Lydia?
What?
Are you sure you aren't just trying to run?
What you truly want
is to save yourself from the guilt of slaying Lydia.
You want to forgive yourself and die in peace.
You're just using Lydia toward that end, aren't you?
What?!
Coward!
Both you and I have always acted on our own selfish feelings
without thinking about how others feel!
So why not truly do something for someone else for the first time in our lives?
We should work to honor Lydia's wishes!
Shut up!
Yeah, that's right!
That's right!
I do want to forgive myself! Save myself!
But even so!
I won't let you deny how I feel about Lydia!
This is the end for you!
The path of old is despair.
That is the life of a pathetic man.
Even though there are those who follow him,
None rule together with him.
Surely that will be...
A Private Kingdom!
Why did you end your own life?!
Was it not because you couldn't endure the solitude?
How dare someone like you accuse me of running?!
Have you forgotten our last words with Lydia?!
Th-There's no way I ever could!
You bastard! What are you thinking?!
What do you mean?
Why are you thinking, accepting their demand for a ceasefire?!
Are you insane?!
Obviously I'm sane.
We'll agree to a ceasefire and enter into a non-aggression treaty.
We'll allow them to govern their own land,
and while we won't recognize the formation of a demon nation,
we'll tolerate it.
How can you trust them?!
There'll just be more fighting again in no time!
We should crush them right now!
Now is our chance!
I don't plan on changing my mind, no matter what you say.
Screw you!
I thought we shared the same ambition!
You traitor!
And have you ever stopped to consider how I feel?
I don't give a damn how you feel!
If you want to fight them that badly, then do it on your own!
I don't care what you do anymore!
I never should have said such things to her!
I never intended to say them!
I should have been honest
and told her how I truly felt,
how I didn't want her to die!
Coming to an end like that...
I'll never accept that Lydia had to face such a miserable end!
That's why I'll save Lydia
and seek judgment at Lydia's hands!
Lydia deserves happiness!
I see.
If that's what you wish, then—
It's over, Disaster Rogue, my alter ego.
Do you truly believe that this is for the best?
Please, remember...
the days we spent with Lydia.
And just how
precious they were.
Please.
I can't fail,
not this time...
I only truly understood after I lost her...
How I felt for Lydia.
That's why I want to save her.
I loved her.
You are committing that same sin once again!
Don't forget that!
Once more...
Once more you are killing Lydia with your hands!
What's this?
Looks like you're going home.
Well, guess that's best for you guys.
Lady Lydia, you knew about us?
Kind of.
Hey, can I ask you all one thing?
What's the future like?
Is the world a place where everyone can live with a smile?
The future...
The future is a wonderful world, just like you longed for, Lady Lydia!
I have fun every day,
and even though we sometimes fight,
we're all happy.
I do think it's a world where everyone's smiling!
I see.
Then our sacrifice wasn't all for naught.
Can I ask you to convey one last thing for me?
It seems there are a few things I need to say to Ard.
Ah!
What is this?
I have a message.
We have put the Demon Lord's army to rout!
Is that true?!
Was it them?
Pursue!
Don't let a single one escape!
Men, settle down!
Our army has won.
Pursuing them any further is pointless.
Good job.
There was nothing I did this time.
Aside from having talented subordinates.
What happened to Ard Meteor?
Was he not with you?
He went home.
To where he belongs.
I see.
So it's over.
No, it's just begun.
I can't help but feel utterly impressed at your wonderful completion of your mission.
Who are you people, really?
Would you mind telling me what it is you're after?
There are no words to express who we are.
Though I hope you'll believe me on this—
At the very least, I'm your ally.
Still, I pray that we never see you again.
You and I both.
Ard Meteor.
Ard Meteor, we're here. Wake up.
Wake up already!
Good grief! Jeez!
All three of you sleep too soundly!
Come on, hurry up and get out.
The other students have already started making their way there.
Hup!
This is so nostalgic!
The old royal capital, Kingsglaive!
It hasn't changed much around here.
A lot of things happened to us...
But we're back home now.
That's right, Ard!
Lady Lydia left a message for you when we departed.
A message?
Yeah. Um...
No matter what comes, no matter what happens to us,
we'll always be best friends.
Miss Ireena!
What are you doing?
I'm coming now!
Huh?!
Lydia, thank you.