Scenario:A Sweltering Eternal Getaway - Chapter 5: Converging Feelings - Episode 2

A Sweltering Eternal Getaway - Chapter 5: Converging Feelings - Episode 2

Yurius leaves the arena to notify Albert of the king's safety. While comforting the shaken Audric, Jeno explains to the others that, as a rule, a member of Levin's royal family cannot refuse a challenge to a duel. Seeing Audric lament over his own weakness, Niyon plays a melody to give Audric the courage he needs to talk to his brother again.

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Audric: Yurius! Are you all right?

Yurius: Yes. His Highness... he's quite strong, isn't he?

Jeno: Luckily I made it in time. I heard from the farsight archer that she saw you heading for the arena, so I came as fast as I could.

Yurius: I apologize for the trouble. Thank you for saving me back there.

Jeno: But how did he get an advantage over you? What happened to the power you had that bound and immobilized me before?

Yurius: The very thing that killed our father... I can't...

Jeno: Hm. Now I understand...

Jeno: However—have you thought about how His Majesty or Albert would feel if something were to happen to you because you restrained yourself like that?

Yurius: ...

Jeno extends a hand and pulls Yurius to his feet, giving him a firm pat on the back.

Jeno: Now go. Tell Albert His Majesty is safe now.

Yurius: Very well.

Yurius bows deeply. He picks up his sword and makes his way out of the arena.

Audric: I'm sorry... that I went out on my own...

Jeno: You can explain later. Here, lean into my fur—it will calm you down.

Audric: Huh?

Jeno shifts closer to Audric and wraps his arms around the king, as if holding a child.

Fif: Um... I don't get it. Why was the king fighting?

Seofon: Hmm. Let's just call it a fight between brothers that went further than expected.

Fif: Brothers wouldn't fight with real swords!

Seofon: Well, each family has its own circumstances.

Vyrn: But Fif's got a point. Why were they fightin' like that anyway?

Jeno: It's not just a simple quarrel. It was a duel.

Lyria: A d-duel?

Jeno: There is an old custom in which any member of the royal family who is challenged to a duel cannot refuse.

Jeno: In the past, there have been those in the royal family who were exiled from refusing to accept challenges over and over again.

Lyria: Exiled? That sounds like a very harsh rule...

Jeno: Levin is a land traditionally led by a glorious hero who unwaveringly guides our people so that our country can become one that is strong.

Jeno: The royal family must serve as a model of how the country should be.

Vyrn: We heard a bit about that yesterday too. But... how do the kings feel about that?

Audric: It's an anachronism. Even when we had no path to pave and no country to make prosper, all we cared about was our power of combat.

Audric: But even if I were to object, someone as weak as myself would only appear to be running away from our customs and traditions.

Audric: I've disappointed Victor many times too... I just want to disappear.

Jeno: Your Majesty...

Niyon: ...

After quietly listening to the conversation, Niyon finally steps forward. Audric looks at her curiously.

Niyon: The people of this land are very grateful to you. So please don't say that about yourself.

Audric: But... are they?

Niyon: I sensed a calming melody flowing through the hot spring district. A melody of the love the people have for their land, and the appreciation they have toward you.

Niyon: The thoughts of the people of Levin are clear, even if you can't hear the melody of their hearts. Isn't that right?

Tweyen: I agree. Everybody at the shops looked so happy. It's obvious to me that the people really love this town.

Silva: And all the visitors are enjoying their time here, from the bottom of their hearts—including us, of course.

Audric: Yes... This is what I had imagined for this place and have worked toward. Everyone in the council also gave their support.

Audric: Still, I found myself unable to face Victor. I know this isn't the Levin that Victor wants to see...

Audric: I'm always scared that he'll criticize my actions, saying that an incompetent weakling like me has no right in making decisions.

Audric: That's why I've been avoiding him all this time... even though I'm supposed to be the king, and his brother.

Niyon: ("Incompetent weakling"... These words are what is tying him down and disturbing his melody.)

Audric: We're brothers, with the same blood running through us... We're supposed to understand and help each other. And yet, I...

Niyon: You can come to understand each other if you take the time to talk it out properly.

Niyon: I don't deny that I hear disappointment and anger in your brother's melody. However, that doesn't mean he despises you.

Niyon: If you can recover your true melody, I'm sure you can make things work.

Audric: My true melody?

Niyon: The words you've been told all this time... The fear they've instilled in you is pulling your strings, tangling and suppressing them.

Niyon: You've been in this state for a very long time. It must have been difficult for you.

Niyon: Tell me. Do you want to talk to your brother?

Audric: Yes... I want to talk to him, and face him.

Niyon: Okay. Then let me help you draw out the courage that you need.

Niyon takes out her instrument and begins to play a lighthearted melody.

Audric: (What a curious song... I feel as if power is surging from within me just by listening to it.)

Audric: (My heart... Somehow, it feels lighter.)

Jeno: (His Majesty's stopped trembling.)

Niyon: (I know. Facing your fears is not something that can be easily done.)

Niyon: (The melody I give to you will serve as the spark you need to face your brother, and to remember the true you.)

Niyon: (Your brother may possess frustration and rage... but in the end, those are emotions born from a melody of worry for you.)

Smiling gently, Niyon continues to strum as she listens to a broken melody slowly piecing itself back to its original form.