Blade of the Young Champion/Story
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Spoiler Alert! These tabs contain full Event cutscene scripts with major spoilers about the plot and characters. View these tabs at your own discretion. |
Blade of the Young Champion - Opening
Young imperial soldier Juri is on patrol alone when he bumps into a deserter named Farrah. When Juri finds out Farrah is with another deserter, a certain Lieutenant Katalina, he realizes he has a shot at glory if he can bring the two traitors back to the empire.
Mizarea, capital of the Auguste Isles.
Though all may seem at peace for now, a large-scale operation is about to be undertaken by the Erste Empire's army.
Commander: Is that clear, soldiers? If this mission is a success, the empire further expands its dominance over the skydom!
Troopers: Yessir!
Commander: Good! Now start by making patrols of the operations zone.
Commander: Jick, Harper, Juri! Form a cell and go sweep the coastline. Keep your eyes peeled for monster movements.
Commander: And I don't want to see any of you maggots playing around at the beach! Though I do know it's tempting!
Troopers: Sir! Yes, sir!
Commander: Dismissed!
Juri: Let's see, first order of business should be...
Jick: Fishing, of course!
Harper: I'm goin' for a dip!
Juri: (Bunch of slackers...)
Jick: How about you, Juri?
Juri: No thanks. We came here to patrol and that's what I'm going to do.
Harper: Aww, come on. You know what they say about all work and no play.
Juri: All right. Nothing out of the ordinary!
Juri: (What threats could still exist against the empire though?)
Juri: (I suppose there's that Lieutenant Katalina and her crew of skyfarers. I heard they cause trouble from time to time, but...)
Juri: Oof!
???: Oh my gosh! Are you okay? I'm so sorry!
Juri: No, no, it was my fault. I should be the one to—Hey, I know you!
Juri looks at the young knight and is surprised to find he knows her. The woman's demeanor may have changed, but the face is unmistakable.
???: Uh-oh, an imperial soldier!
Juri: W-wait! Just wait a second!
Juri: Farrah! It's me—Juri! We joined up at the same time, remember?
Farrah: Juri! Oh wow, yeah! It's been a while, huh?
Farrah: Yeah, you just suddenly disappeared. What happened to you?
Farrah is a crew member
Farrah: I was looking for someone and joined the skyfarer crew she was in and... Well, it's a long story!
Juri: Skyfarers, huh? I bet it's nice being free and going on adventures, but things must have been tough for you.
Farrah not in crew
Farrah: See, when I heard that my hero had left the empire... I just couldn't bear to stay in the army.
Farrah: So I decided to follow in her footsteps and become a skyfarer myself! And I happened to find her too!
Farrah: And that's how I got to be in (Captain)'s crew, helping to take care of Katalina!
Juri: Skyfarers, huh? I bet it's nice being free and going on adventures, but things must have been tough for you.
Farrah: It ain't so bad! I get to see Katalina every day, after all!
Juri: I see...
Juri: Wait a second... Katalina? You can't mean—
Vyrn: There you are, Farrah!
Katalina: We've been looking all over for you! Have you managed to find anything out about the empire's plans?
Juri: Wha! (It is her! It's Lieutenant Katalina!)
Juri: (So the crew Farrah joined is the one that's been causing the empire so much grief!)
Farrah: Sorry! I bumped into an old friend, and we got talking an' all, and...
Katalina: An old friend? Gasp! A soldier! Step away from Farrah! Now!
Farrah: No, no, no! Wait, waaait!
In the blink of an eye Juri is surrounded on all sides with swords. Unsheathing his sword is out of the question; he's trapped.
Juri: I-I was just asking Farrah what life was like out of the army.
Katalina: Ahh, you're thinking of leaving the army as well, are you?
Katalina: Farrah and I both have done just that. We might be able to help you.
Juri: Er... yeah! Th-that's exactly what I was thinking! I'm sick of all these guys who ignore orders and mess around on the beach instead.
Vyrn: Hm... What do you think, (Captain)?
Choose: Let's help the guy out.
Vyrn: Yeah, all that dodgy playing around with dark essence, I'm not surprised he's fed up.
Choose: I can see why you'd want to leave.
Vyrn: I guess I can understand too.
Continue 1Katalina: So you're ready to broaden your horizons? All right, we'll do what we can to help you out.
Juri: Oh! I-I mean, great! Thanks very much.
Juri: (Whew, they fell for it! That was lucky. I'd never have beaten all these guys in a fight.)
Juri: (But this is the chance of a lifetime! If I can gain their trust and then lead them to capture, I'll be a hero!)
Vyrn: Wow, you seem really happy.
Juri: Oh, um... Yeah! I-I guess I'm just really excited about what's gonna happen now!
And so the young imperial soldier Juri joins (Captain)'s crew.
With the team of skyfarers none the wiser of the boy's true motives.
Blade of the Young Champion - Chapter 1: An Imperial's Desire - Episode 1
Playing for time while he thinks of a way to trick them, Juri leads the crew on a route that avoids imperial soldiers. On the way they hear a woman's screams. It turns out two hooligans are harassing the woman, but Juri jumps to her aid and puts a stop to their plan.
Having found out that the Erste Empire's activities in Auguste relate to a primal beast, the party visit the island.
An imperial soldier named Juri has infiltrated the party and secretly plans to lure deserters Farrah and Katalina to capture.
Katalina: Well, Lyria? Are you sensing the primal beast's presence yet?
Lyria: Mm. There's no question it's here on this island somewhere, but...
Katalina: You. Juri, was it?
Juri: Huh? Oh! Sorry, Lieutenant. Yes, that's right. It was my father's choice, my name.
Katalina: First of all, just call me Katalina. I'm not in the army anymore. I'm just a skyfarer now.
Juri: Oh! Yes, of course! My apologies, Lieu—I mean, Katalina!
Katalina: Getting back to the point, do you know anything of the imperial army's plans or of the primal beast they're holding captive?
Juri: Sorry, I left before any details were issued to us troopers. I don't know anything.
Vyrn: Really? Man, that's a shame.
Juri: Sorry I can't be of more help there.
Juri: But I do know where they've got men stationed, and where they're patrolling, so if you want to avoid a fight, I can lead the way.
Vyrn: It would make things a whole lot easier if we didn't have to worry about bumping into any imperial soldiers, that's for sure.
Juri: (And I can't afford to let anyone in the army see me with this bunch now. They'll probably think I'm working for the enemy.)
Juri: All right then, follow me!
Woman's Voice: Aaaagh!
Katalina: Huh? Someone's screaming!
Thug 1: C'mon, cute stuff! Don't play hard to get!
Thug 2: Us gentlemen gonna treat you real nice! Promise!
Woman: No! Get your hands off me!
Vyrn: Looks like trouble! Huh? Where'd Juri go?
Thug 1: Oof! Ow, what the heck d'you think you're doing? Huh? An imperial soldier?
Juri: Cease this at once!
Thug 2: This ain't got nothing to do with you!
Thug 1: Yeah! Besides, this is all your guys' fault. You invaded our city, and now we got nothing to do!
Juri: Us guys? Oh right, I'm in uniform.
Juri: I am Juri of the imperial army! In the name of the empire, I sentence you to a lesson you'll never forget!
Thug 2: Oh yeah? Bring it on! You don't scare us!
Blade of the Young Champion - Chapter 1: An Imperial's Desire - Episode 2
Juri overpowers the thugs that were giving the woman a hard time. When he starts lecturing them about values and encouraging them to join the army themselves, the rest of the party eye their newest member with suspicion.
Juri: Listen up now! You guys are strong. But when you use that strength for your own selfish gains, you're throwing away a gift!
Juri: Strength is something you've gotta use to protect the weak. That's how I see it.
Juri: Look at Erste. Once it was just a small, insignificant kingdom, but now, thanks to the revolution, it's become a mighty empire!
Farrah: You haven't changed a bit, huh, Juri?
Vyrn: Hey, is this guy okay? I mean, he's starting to sound like an imperialist nutjob now!
Farrah: I wouldn't say he's an imperialist; I guess he's just really believes the imperial army is helping the land.
Vyrn: Even so, it just doesn't sit right hearing an imperial soldier preaching about justice and values.
Katalina: The point is, the imperial army isn't just one monolithic unit. The top brass deliberately keep it that way.
Juri: In other words!
Juri: The army needs strong men like you, with plenty of fighting spirit. You're what we need to help protect the weak and vulnerable.
Thug 1: Heh. Protecting the weak, eh?
Thug 2: Maybe we needed a smack in the face from someone like you to open our eyes.
Juri: Well, if you're on board with the idea, take these enlistment papers, fill them in, and get them sent off right away.
Juri: Oh! S-sorry, old habits are hard to break.
Katalina: W-well then, Juri, let's talk about which way to head from here, shall we?
Juri: Oh, yeah, right. We should hug the coast for a while. This stretch here is unmanned.
Farrah: This is just like old times, huh? Takes you back to when we were training, doesn't it?
Juri: Yeah. I was such a greenhorn in those days.
Vyrn: Ooh, Juri, spill the beans! What was Farrah like back then?
Juri: Oh, you know, she was always goofing up. Falling over and doing the wrong thing.
Vyrn: Hahaha! Guess she hasn't changed a bit!
Farrah: Hey, that's not fair! I'm always extra careful about where I put my feet these days!
Katalina: Yeah, I can see your footwork's cetainly improved. And your sword skills have gotten much better.
Juri: Let's see, what else... Oh, she was always great with household chores.
Vyrn: Really?
Juri: She'd hang up the whole unit's laundry and cook us some really nice meals...
Juri: In fact, joining the army really domesticated you, right, Farrah? Why was that?
Farrah: What? I-I don't know. That was ages ago. It wasn't anything to do with Katalina! Nothing at all!
Katalina: Huh? What? You doing all that cooking had something to do with me?
Lyria: Ah ha ha... No comment...
Katalina: Hm? Shhh, everyone! I just heard something...
Monster: Gwoooaaargh!
Katalina: The monsters here seem like they're being driven mad. Maybe this has something to do with the primal beast Lyria sensed.
Lyria: I think so. I'm getting a really strange feeling. Is this... dark essence?
Blade of the Young Champion - Chapter 1: An Imperial's Desire - Episode 3
As he travels around with (Captain) and the crew, Juri starts to realize how strong the skyfarers are. Increasingly worried that he'll be in serious trouble if they find out his plan, Juri desperately tries to think of a way to trick Farrah and Katalina into capture. Farrah is unimpressed when Katalina praises Juri's sword skills. She jumps into battle with a monster in order to prove how capable she is herself.
Juri: (These skyfarers put up quite the fight.)
Juri: (I guess the stories about them causing grief for the empire all this time are true.)
Juri: (I thought Katalina was their trump card, but (Captain) is a pretty amazing fighter too.)
Juri: (If they figure out what I'm up to here and we get into a fight, I could be in serious trouble.)
Juri: (I better be extra careful not to slip up.)
Katalina: The way you handle a sword gives away your roots in the army, but still, you're a natural.
Juri: Thanks! My father taught me. He was in the army too. I used to practice every single day without fail.
Katalina: Your father was a military man as well?
Juri: That's right! I learned everything from him, including what an honor it is to be a member of the great imperial army!
Katalina: Your father must be proud of you. You learned well.
Farrah: Hey!
Farrah: How come Juri gets all the praise around here, huh? It's not fair!
Katalina: Sorry, Farrah, I wasn't trying to compare. You yourself have gotten much better at—
Farrah: Okay, Katalina, watch this! I'm gonna show you just what I can do with a sword!
And with that Farrah rushes off toward the horde of monsters.
Blade of the Young Champion - Chapter 1: An Imperial's Desire - Episode 4
Farrah goes all out to defeat a monster in a bid to impress Katalina. As a reward for her display of skill, Katalina offers to make dinner for the crew, but Farrah is quick to refuse, remembering how bad Katalina's cooking is. When Katalina finds it hard to give up on the idea, Farrah deliberately attracts the attention of a monster, then sends a troubled Juri into battle against it.
Monster: Gwaaagh...
Farrah: Huff... Wheeze... How was that? Not bad, huh?
Juri: ...
Katalina: All right, Farrah, calm down already! Keep fighting like that, and you'll burn yourself out!
Farrah: That was nothing! I could fight like that all day. And more!
Katalina: Now, now. Don't get all worked up.
Katalina: Since joining the crew, you've improved by leaps and bounds. You showed some real skill just now!
Farrah: Eheheheh!
Katalina: So to thank you for making such a big effort for the crew, how about I cook dinner tonight?
Farrah: What? No! I mean, um, it's all right! Dinner's my responsibility!
Katalina: Humph, I would actually like to cook once in a while, you know.
Farrah: No, no, no! I wouldn't want to trouble you!
Vyrn: Y-yeah! And besides, Farrah's already done all the preparations for tonight anyway!
Farrah: Nice one! I mean—that's right! All that's left is throwing it in the pot and serving it up.
Katalina: Hmm, but I'm itching to do some cooking. How am I supposed to scratch that itch if you won't let me in the kitchen?
Lyria: Oh my! Look over there! A m-m-monster!
Katalina: Huh? Oh, that thing's too far away to bother us. Don't worry about it.
Farrah: We'll take it on! Over here, monster! Come and get a piece of us!
Katalina: Wait, what are you doing? Now it's noticed us!
Vyrn: (Great work, guys! Turn Katalina's attentions from cooking food to roasting monsters!)
Farrah: (I got us covered!)
Farrah: Juri, you're up!
Juri: Huh? What, me?
Monster: Gwoooaaargh!
Juri: I don't know how I got roped into this, but let's go!
Juri: Wheeze... Huff... Whew!
Katalina: Are you all right, Juri? You're not injured, are you?
Farrah: Hey! How come he gets all the concern!
Farrah: Shift over, Juri!
Juri: Hey, quit pushing me!
Juri: (Farrah and Katalina sure are more
fun-loving since they left the army behind.)
fun-loving since they left the army behind.)
Juri: (No! What am I thinking? I've got to lead these guys to capture. Even if things have to get ugly to do it.)
Imperial army trooper Juri has, somewhat by accident, infiltrated (Captain)'s crew of skyfarers.
But his old acquaintances, Farrah and Katalina, have changed since he last knew them, and he's starting to feel a little unsure about following through with his initial plan to betray them.
Blade of the Young Champion - Chapter 2: An Imperial's Conflict - Episode 1
Juri is confused by how different Katalina and Farrah seem to be compared to the old days. He can't seem to find a good way to trick them into being caught, so he decides he's just going to start talking. Juri asks Farrah about her life since leaving the army. But when an imperial soldier spots them, Juri is forced to draw his sword.
Juri has infiltrated (Captain)'s crew of skyfarers with the intention of luring Farrah and Katalina to capture.
He desperately tries to find a way to talk them into a trap.
Juri: (I need to start talking them round soon.)
Juri: (If anyone sees me with these guys, they'll think I'm a traitor too, and then I'll be in real trouble.)
Juri: (But I don't know how to tackle it. I need to find an angle.)
Juri: (Oh, what the heck! I guess I'll just start talking and hope!)
Juri: Hey, Farrah...
Farrah: What's up?
Juri: I was wondering... Do you ever, you know, think about going back to the empire?
Farrah: Huh? Back to the empire? Where'd that idea come from?
Juri: Well, I still don't know why you quit the army in the first place. It's bugging me.
Imperial Soldier: Sounds like an interesting conversation.
Juri: What the?
Farrah: An imperial soldier!
Imperial Soldier: So you're deserters, huh? You make me sick! You're a disgrace to the empire!
Imperial Soldier: If we let deserters go unpunished, order will turn to chaos! You need to be made an example of! Prepare to pay for your crime!
Blade of the Young Champion - Chapter 2: An Imperial's Conflict - Episode 2
Juri ties the imperial soldier who attacked them to a nearby tree, promising to come back later to free him. Then the party set off again, with Juri hoping to get back to his conversation with Farrah. Farrah says she has no intention of leaving (Captain)'s crew to return to the army.
Imperial Soldier: Argh! Let me go!
Juri: Sorry, but you're just gonna have to sit tight here for a while.
Juri: (Relax! I'm on your side! This is all just a sham!)
Imperial Soldier: (You... Do you have any idea what you're doing?)
Juri: (Once I've handed Farrah and these guys over to the authorities, I'll come back and set you free. So just relax!)
Imperial Soldier: Where are you going? Hey!
Farrah: So going back to what you asked before... No, I've never considered going back to the empire.
Farrah: I'm with Katalina and (Captain) all the way. I decided that a long time ago.
Juri: There's no changing your mind?
Farrah: I've grown so much in my time with Katalina and (Captain).
Farrah: And while Katalina's never said it out loud, I can tell she's glad she left the empire too.
Farrah: She's strict, but she's got a good heart. Back in the day, she was... kind of prickly.
Juri: You think? I guess, now you come to mention it...
Juri: Uh-oh, we got company again! Another monster. Let's get it!
Blade of the Young Champion - Chapter 2: An Imperial's Conflict - Episode 3
Farrah's sword skills have greatly improved since joining (Captain)'s crew. She goes so far as to declare that she's as good as Juri and maybe even better.
Juri: Guess that's the last of them...
Farrah: Juri! Behind you!
Monster: Gwoooaaargh!
Farrah: Always stay sharp, even after a fight!
Vyrn: Haha. Words right out of Katalina's mouth!
Farrah: Heh heh. Guess I'm catching up, huh?
Farrah: You better watch out, Juri. I could give you a run for your money now!
Juri: Oh yeah? You've asked for it now. Next time we're in battle, I'm not gonna make any allowances.
Farrah: Suits me just fine!
Juri: So anyway, I know what the deal is with Katalina, but how about you?
Juri: Back then you were all about fighting for the empire. What happened?
Farrah: That's... what I believed at the time.
Juri: So, what, Erste's values didn't sit right with you or something?
Farrah: Values? Hm, I dunno, really. But I do know I never regretted quitting the army.
Juri: Because of Katalina?
Farrah: Yeah. If we come across someone in trouble on our travels, she's always ready to jump right in and help.
Farrah: She always says, "We can't ignore someone who needs help," and then she takes her sword and starts fighting! She's so amazing!
Farrah: I wanna be like her. I wanna help people. So yeah, I'm right where I wanna be here.
Juri: I see...
Katalina: All right, you two, chat time is over. Seems we have a monster up ahead.
Juri: I didn't realize Auguste had so many monsters. Was it always like this?
Katalina: It could be the influence of the primal beast. All right, let's go take that thing out.
The crew encounter monsters as they make their way, but the creatures can do nothing to slow them down.
Blade of the Young Champion - Chapter 2: An Imperial's Conflict - Episode 4
The conversation turns to the subject of Juri's late father, who was also a soldier in the imperial army. When Juri realizes the time, he turns pale as he realizes he's about to miss his unit's midday roll call. His army comrades have no way of knowing what he's up to and begin operations without him.
Farrah: You know, hearing you talk about values and all that, it really takes me back.
Juri: You remember my old man's favorite lecture?
Juri: "The revolution's been the making of Erste! So you get in on the ground, son! Go be a soldier!"
Farrah: Oh yeah, your old man's in the army too, right? How's he doing?
Juri: Actually, he... He passed away just recently. There was an accident.
Farrah: I'm... I'm so sorry for your loss.
Farrah: If his son's anything to go by, I'm sure your father was all about upholding justice. He must have been a great man.
Katalina: What on earth could the army be doing to warrant this many soldiers though?
Juri: Like I said, I don't know the details of their maneuvers. Perhaps they're trying to protect the cargo on one of the main ships?
Vyrn: So where does the primal beast come into it all, then? It doesn't make sense to me.
Katalina: Well, whatever they're planning, I don't believe they'll be using the primal beast's power for the betterment of the people.
Vyrn: You know, all this thinking is making me hungry. Can't we take a break for some food?
Katalina: I guess it is about lunchtime.
Juri: What? Lunch already?
Juri: (Oh man! They'll be doing a roll call any minute!)
Juri: Excuse me, Katalina! I've... I've gotta just go, um, do something!
Farrah: Move!
Juri: F-Farrah?
Farrah: Out of the way, Juri!
Monster: Gwoooaaargh!
Farrah: I had a feeling there was a monster in that sand!
Farrah: What did I just tell you? Gotta stay sharp all the time! Heh heh!
While Juri is mixed up with (Captain) and the crew, his colleagues start to notice his absence.
Soldier 1: Commander! Permission to speak, sir!
Commander: What is it?
Soldier 1: Um, I-I get the feeling we're a man short, sir.
Commander: Hm? One, two, three... Hmmm, yes, you could be onto something, Private.
Soldier 1: I've counted and recounted, sir. The numbers don't add up.
Commander: You haven't forgotten to count yourself again, have you?
Soldier 1: Erm...
Commander: You there! Boy! Give me a head count!
Boy: There are nine of you.
Commander: So there is one missing!
Troopers: What!
Commander: Do a full roll call! I want to know who's missing on the double!
Troopers: Sir! Yes, sir!
Juri, having forgotten about his unit's midday assembly, fails to make it back in time for the roll call.
No one in his unit knows that he's engaged in tricking the deserters he stumbled upon.
Blade of the Young Champion - Chapter 3: The Fight at Runelle - Episode 1
Juri sprints off in an attempt to make it in time for the roll call. Juri finally makes it to the assembly point, but before he has a chance to explain himself to his commander, he finds he's already been branded a traitor. His former comrades move in to attack, and Juri is forced to draw his sword in self-defense.
Juri continues to operate separately from his unit, trying to trick the deserters into capture.
But Juri's commander doesn't know about the plan, and the risk of being treated as a traitor himself starts to make him panic.
Juri: I think our next move is to head through the village near here.
Juri: (The assembly point was just outside that village. I've got to try to get word to the commander!)
Juri: (If I get labeled a traitor, my old man'll turn in his grave!)
Just as his fears reach their peak, the army appears before the group.
Commander: Juri! The game's up! We've found you and your traitorous friends!
Juri: Ack! Commander!
Katalina: The army!
Commander: I've heard all about it, Juri. So you're with the other side now, hm? Fighting against the empire!
Juri: I, um, well... (Wow, news travels fast around here!)
Commander: We clocked you were missing at the midday assembly. Didn't take you very long to be led astray by these scoundrels.
Juri: Wait, Commander, please let me speak, sir!
Commander: You lost the right to speak when you turned your back on the army!
Commander: Men! Prepare for combat!
Commander: But be careful. Even though we outnumber them, Lieutenant Katalina is a shrewd opponent. Don't let her get the better of you!
Troopers: Sir! Yes, sir!
Blade of the Young Champion - Chapter 3: The Fight at Runelle - Episode 2
Juri tries again to explain the situation to his commander, but his superior is determined not to listen. The army troopers send a young child inside her home before the second wave of soldiers engage (Captain) and the crew.
Juri: Commander, please, let me explain! I had a good reason...
Commander: There's nothing to explain! We've all got good reasons!
Juri: (Damn it, please, Commander! I'm not a traitor!)
Commander: Second company! Advance!
Child: Waaah! Help, I'm scared!
Lyria: Oh no! That poor child!
Commander: Get out of our way! Second company, dispose of that pest!
Troopers: Sir! Yes, sir!
Vyrn: Stop, you can't do that! She's just a kid!
Soldier 1: You! Are you hurt?
Soldier 2: Get outta here, kiddo! Go home, lock the door, and keep your head down!
Child: Waaah! I'm scared!
Soldier 1: All clear now, Commander!
Commander: Humph, good. Very well then. Second company, attack!
Blade of the Young Champion - Chapter 3: The Fight at Runelle - Episode 3
The commander's sword is inches away from Juri. It seems there's no more room for discussion. The army troopers send an old woman back inside her house before the third wave of soldiers engage (Captain) and the crew.
Commander: Got you!
Juri: Whoa! Commander, wait! Please, you have to listen to what I've got to say!
Commander: I'll never listen to a traitor of the empire!
Juri: Damn it, you leave me no choice!
Commander: Juri! All insubordination must be punished! I will make you pay!
Commander: Third company, advance!
Old Woman: Enough! Stop it, you young hooligans!
Lyria: Oh, now there's an old granny standing up to them! Look!
Commander: Get out of our way! Third company, gently and respectfully deal with that old woman at once!
Troopers: Yessir!
Soldier 1: Ma'am, please, you need to go back home.
Soldier 2: It's dangerous for you to be out here.
Old Woman: This shop is all I have left from my dear late husband! If you damage it with all your shenanigans, you'll have me to answer to!
Commander: Everyone hear that? Keep damage to
third-party property to a minimum!
third-party property to a minimum!
Troopers: Sir! Yes, sir!
Commander: Third company, attack!
Blade of the Young Champion - Chapter 3: The Fight at Runelle - Episode 4
The battle ensuing in the middle of town shows no sign of abating, but then Pommern shows up in the exhausted party's midst. Lyria warns (Captain) and the crew that she senses the primal beast. With a loud guffaw, Pommern sends the primal beast Poseidon, which he has managed to ensnare on Auguste, into battle against the party.
Pommern: Enough of this farce!
Katalina: Huh? Pommern!
Juri: C-Captain Pommern!
Pommern: I congratulate you, troopers, on successfully holding up these pesky skyfarers here.
Pommern: But I'll take over now. Let's see how they cope against the power of dark essence!
Lyria: Oh my goodness, it must be right here! The primal beast is...
Vyrn: Is it the same one you were sensing before?
Lyria: Yes! Careful, everyone! Be really careful!
Pommern: So now we cut to the chase. It's time for the main act!
Pommern: I had a different use in mind, but no matter. It'll be just as entertaining destroying all of you!
Juri: Captain, wait! You can't unleash that kind of power in a populated area like this!
Pommern: Humph! Says who? A pathetic little traitor, hm? Oh, I've heard the reports.
Pommern: You'll be destroyed along with the rest of them! Come now, my mighty beast! Come, Poseidon!
Poseidon: What... foul power... is... controlling me?
Poseidon: I am a god! Who... derides me? This is... a disgrace! Unbind me now!
Lyria: The dark essence is stopping the primal beast from acting freely. Poseidon is in great pain.
Katalina: Here it comes! Lyria, get back behind me!
Blade of the Young Champion - Chapter 4: Infiltrating Karna Fortress - Episode 1
While (Captain) and the crew catch their breath after withstanding Poseidon's attack, Juri is feeling thoroughly dejected. Then Pommern secretly approaches Juri and asks him to lure the party into a trap.
Poseidon: Must... find... power... Must... break free from these chains...
Juri: (Whew, this thing is tough! I had no idea fighting a primal beast would be like this!)
Pommern: Wh-what!
Katalina: We did it! Did we manage to destroy the dark essence? Lyria, can you confirm?
Lyria: No, I think Poseidon is still bound by it. But... maybe it's getting weaker...
Katalina: Blast! So we still haven't managed to completely destroy it.
Pommern: You men! Don't just stand there! Go bring Poseidon back! Get on with it!
Commander: Come on, men, you heard the captain!
Troopers: Sir! Yes, sir!
With the disappearance of Poseidon, the battle in the village enters a hiatus.
Juri, feeling chewed up about being taken as a traitor by the empire, withdraws to the sidelines to be alone.
Juri: (Man... Me, a traitor, huh? And it's not just my commander who thinks that. Captain Pommern does too...)
Pommern: You look very down in the dumps. Not what I'd expect from a proud imperial soldier at all.
Juri: C-Captain Pommern!
Pommern: Quiet, boy, not so loud! Do you want the others to hear?
Juri: Sorry, I...
Pommern: Come, quickly, I want to talk to you. This way!
Juri: You want information?
Pommern: Precisely! Those skyfarers think you've forsaken the empire, don't they?
Juri: Yeah, and so does the empire, right?
Commander: Idiot!
Juri: Argh!
Commander: What, do you think I'm blind or something? I know exactly what you're up to, Private!
Commander: If I thought you were traitorous material, I'd have kicked you out of my unit long ago!
Juri: Commander...
Pommern: Well, anyway, you get the idea, don't you? Help us lead them into a trap.
Pommern: This is the chance of a lifetime! There'll be promotion in it for you if you do well, I guarantee it!
Juri: ...
Understood, Sir.
Understood, Sir.
Juri has new orders from his superiors, to lead (Captain) and the crew into a trap.
With the promise of promotion dancing in his head, the young imperial soldier heads back to rejoin (Captain) and the crew.
(Captain) and the crew have survived their first encounter with Poseidon.
But the party is at a loss as to how to tackle it again, having never before encountered such a creature.
Lyria: That Poseidon is such a strong primal beast.
Katalina: He definitely can't be defeated by normal means.
Katalina: Juri, any ideas on that front?
Juri: Well, I'm pretty sure I saw the name mentioned in strategy documents I noticed at the imperial fortress here in Auguste.
Vyrn: Fortress! Erste built a fortress here?
Farrah: So you're thinkin' we need to break in there?
Juri: I'll lead the way.
Juri: If we can trick them, we might be able to slip in unnoticed.
Farrah: So this is the empire's fortress, huh?
Katalina: The whole place is bristling with guards. You really think we can get in?
Juri: There's an emergency exit round the back. Let's go.
Blade of the Young Champion - Chapter 4: Infiltrating Karna Fortress - Episode 2
Juri has led (Captain) and the crew into an imperial army fortress in order to trap them. They feel uneasy about the conspicuous lack of soldiers, but nevertheless venture further inside.
Juri: This way. It's clear; there's no one on duty.
Vyrn: Wow, we've sneaked into a fortress of the imperial army, huh? This is turning into a serious operation!
Katalina: Well, we couldn't let Juri do this alone, could we? After all, he's just as much an enemy of the empire as we are now.
Farrah: Yeah.
Farrah: Just so long as he's not tricking us and leading us into a trap!
Juri: ...!
Vyrn: No way! Are you telling me Farrah's right?
Juri: ...
Vyrn: Ha ha ha hah! Man, your face! We're just pulling your leg, Juri!
Katalina: Indeed, no one could stoop that low. We know you're on our side, Juri.
Vyrn: It's kind of weird though, isn't it? I mean, for a fortress, this place is sure low on troops, huh?
Juri: Oh, well, I, um... I bet they're out in the field. Um... yeah, that's what it said in that, um, operations report I saw before.
Vyrn: Wait, you saw an operations report? Where was that?
Juri: Huh? Oh, um, you know... around.
Farrah: Well stay sharp, everyone, just in case there are still some troops lurking around in here.
Katalina: Yeah, exactly.
Katalina: We should assume they may already know we're here.
Imperial soldiers get ready to ambush (Captain) and the crew as they follow cautiously behind Juri.
They wait with baited breath, trying not to make a noise as they observe the crew from the shadows. But then...
Ambush Soldier 1: Oops!
Ambush Soldier 2: Shh, you idiot! Quiet!
Farrah: Who's there?
Ambush Soldier 1: Damn it!
Katalina: Got you!
Ambush Soldier 2: (Uh-oh, time to scram!)
Ambush Soldier 1: (We can't run away! If we do that, we might give away the others, and then we'll have lost the element of surprise!)
Ambush Soldier 2: (But we can't take them on alone!)
Ambush Soldier 1: (I know! But we have to take this for the team!)
Ambush Soldier 1: Wh-what are you doing in here?
Ambush Soldier 2: You've got nerve breaking into our fortress like this!
Vyrn: And here they are!
Katalina: We can't give them the chance to call for reinforcements! Let's take them out!
Blade of the Young Champion - Chapter 4: Infiltrating Karna Fortress - Episode 3
They hurry on, realizing that they can't afford to stay in the fortress for long. Juri has lead the party to just outside the room where the strategic documents they're looking for are held. Everything seems to be going according to plan, but then Farrah's nosiness gets the better of her, and she opens another door to a room where ambush soldiers are hiding. A battle ensues.
Vyrn: Whew, that was lucky! That could have totally blown it.
Katalina: What did you do with those two, Farrah?
Farrah: We tied 'em up and locked them in a storeroom.
Juri: No one ever goes in there. They won't be discovered.
Katalina: Good work. All right, let's keep moving.
Katalina: We've come a long way inside now. Is it much further?
Juri: Should be just up here. Through this door.
Farrah: I wonder what's in this room, though...
Juri: No! Not that one!
Farrah's curiosity gets the better of her, and she reaches for the door handle of a room where soldiers lie in ambush.
Juri tries to stop her, but he's too late.
Ambush Soldier: ...
Farrah: ...
Ambush Soldier: Intruder alert!
Blade of the Young Champion - Chapter 4: Infiltrating Karna Fortress - Episode 4
The party arrive at the room they've been aiming for. As they reach for the door handle, they have a strong sense that the situation is about to explode. In the room they've been trying to reach, (Captain) and the crew find the strategic report they've been looking for. The report states that aggravating Poseidon may well lead to the destruction of the island. The fiercely principled Juri flies into a rage at the idea of putting so many innocent lives at risk.
Juri: I'm pretty sure the documents I saw were in a room back here.
Katalina: I just hope they're going to have some useful intel in them.
Farrah: Stay focused, though. I get the feeling something's about to kick off.
A document in the room catches their eye.
Katalina: "Operation: Apprehend Poseidon." This must be it.
Farrah: Let me have a read of that.
Farrah: "After implanting dark essence in the beast, we can control it, and the new water supply can be installed into the ship."
Lyria: Water supply! They want to use a primal beast for that?
Vyrn: The imperial army never fails to amaze me with its terrible plans.
Farrah: "The primal beast's extremely proud nature should be considered the most serious threat to the success of this operation."
Farrah: "Once the creature becomes enraged, the likelihood of damage to the island and its people is very high. Exercise extreme caution."
Farrah: "Rapid evacuation readiness is required, to be executed at the first sign of a likely catastrophic destruction of the island."
Juri: Huh? Wh-what did you just say, Farrah?
Juri: The empire's... or I should say Captain Pommern's plan involves... this entire island getting wiped out?
Katalina: Looks like Furias was a part of this strategy's conception too. Anything he's involved with is sure to spell—
Juri: No!
Katalina: I hate to break it to you, Juri, but the empire gets up to some pretty underhand stuff behind the scenes.
Juri: But it can't be... I mean, the army is the model of heroism and justice, isn't it? It's what brought this empire to glory!
Juri: My father always used to tell me that. And with so much pride in his voice. But... have we been duped all this time?
Vyrn: Well, look at Lyria here. She was locked up by the empire.
Vyrn: And (Captain) and I had our village set on fire by Pommern.
Juri: Those monsters! Argh, it's people like them that'll be the ruin of Erste!
Juri: And me? Fighting in the empire's name with my head in the sand! Man, I'm the worst of the lot!
Juri: Damn it! And that Pommern, I can't believe him!
Juri: I'm gonna punch that guy so hard when I see him! Right between the eyes! He's not my superior officer anymore!
Farrah: J-Juri's gone berzerk!
Juri: There are imperial soldiers hiding in this very room! Look! Just look around!
Imperial Soldier: Hey! What, what are you playing at? You're ruining the plan, you idiot!
Juri: Shut up! I don't want to hear another word!
Blade of the Young Champion - Chapter 4: Infiltrating Karna Fortress - Episode 4: Scene 2
The imperial army was for many years a model of righteousness for Juri and his father. But Juri's idealistic views are shattered as he learns the darker side of the army's operations. He resolves to take out Pommern, the mastermind behind these inhuman tactics.
Juri: Damn it! The empire lied to us all! The army isn't fighting for justice. It's a total sham!
Juri: To think how proud my father was to fight in the imperial army...
Juri: That's two whole generations they've deceived! Argh, what a joke!
Katalina: Juri, take it easy. If you lose your calm, it's only going to make a bad situation worse.
Juri: Listen. They've set up a trap to capture you guys. But that's not gonna happen! Come on, follow me!
Juri: I was supposed to lead you into it, but everything's turned on its head now.
Vyrn: What!
Juri: On the way back out, they were gonna close in on you from all sides so you had nowhere to run.
Juri: But we're just gonna run right through them, head on. That'll give those dopey imperial troops something to think about!
Juri: And I'll take a swing at Pommern on the way past too. I'm gonna hit him like a ton of bricks!
Juri is furious as he faces up to the dark side of the Erste Empire: a state that will sacrifice anything for its own gain.
Revealing the plan to ambush the party in the fortress, Juri announces that he's decided to help everyone get out unharmed.
Blade of the Young Champion - Chapter 5: Invoker of the Water God - Episode 1
Juri is indignant and furious, having found out about the imperial army's cruel tactics. Determined to strike a blow to the mastermind behind it all, Captain Pommern, Juri leads the party from the fortress at a run.
Having stolen into a fortress in search of intel on Poseidon, (Captain) and the crew learn of the empire's hideous plans.
Juri, a man of steadfast values, becomes absolutely furious at the imperial army and its corrupt ways.
Katalina: So which way do we go?
Juri: We go back the way we came. Ambush soldiers are gonna jump out at some point. But don't double back. Fight through them, okay?
Vyrn: If we know they're lying in wait, wouldn't we be better off going another way?
Juri: No! We, we can't do that.
Juri: If we go another way, I'm not gonna get to hit that jerk Pommern where it hurts!
Imperial Soldier: There they are! This way!
Juri: ...
Imperial Soldier: You're gonna live to regret betraying the empire, Juri! You will rue the day!
Juri: ...
Imperial Soldier: (Hey, come on, Juri, you know the plan. You're supposed to lead them off the other way now. Get on with it!)
Juri: ...
Juri: Sorry about this!
Juri abandons the scheme to capture the group and instead turns on the imperial army, battling them by (Captain) and company's side.
Blade of the Young Champion - Chapter 5: Invoker of the Water God - Episode 2
Pommern shows up as the party make their way out of the fortress. Juri, unable to let go of his father and his idealistic view of the army as a force of good, lashes out at Pommern, but the captain simply laughs in the face of the young soldier. Pommern declares that primal beast Poseidon is free of the power of the dark essence that was controlling him and is operating of its own volition again.
Pommern: Now what's all this about? Why aren't you going along with the plan, hm?
Juri: Captain Pommern, you better start talking! What's this crazy plan about destroying the island?
Pommern: Ah, I wondered what had suddenly made you fly off the handle. It's just that, is it?
Juri: Just that? Just that?
Juri: The army's supposed to be fighting for justice! For decency!
Pommern: Ahahaha! Oh, you poor, deluded fool! Justice? Decency? Those are just empty words.
Juri: You...
Pommern: So you're not going to toe the line, hm? Then you must be punished!
Pommern: Humph, no matter.
Pommern: Your miserable fates are bound to that of this island anyway.
Juri: What about all the people who live here? Are you mad?
Pommern: Why should I care about them?
Juri: What!
Pommern: I must say, I was a little surprised by Poseidon, though.
Pommern: I never expected it to break free of all the dark essence I plied it with.
Katalina: Break free? You... You mean...
Pommern: Yes! Poseidon is no longer under my control. The beast is acting entirely of its own free will now.
Pommern: As we speak, it is absorbing the seas of Auguste and using their energy to grow stronger and stronger!
Pommern: The island will be destroyed without question. It's merely a matter of time now. So what will you do?
Pommern: I hope I didn't forget to mention that we of the army have already initiated evacuation procedures, hm?
Juri: I don't care what you've done! I'm gonna bring you to your knees, Pommern! And I'll save the island too!
Blade of the Young Champion - Chapter 5: Invoker of the Water God - Episode 3
Pommern reveals that it was Juri's father who came up with the very strategy Juri is so angry about. Pommern explains that when Juri's father realized how dangerous Poseidon was, he lost his life trying to put a stop to the plan.
Juri: My father felt nothing but pride to be a part of the imperial army.
Juri: How can you stand there, brazen-faced, and talk to me about this... this disgusting plan of yours?
Juri: No, these aren't the actions of the army my father and I joined!
Pommern: Your father, hm? Ah, I thought your face looked familiar. Yes, you're his boy, aren't you? How ironic.
Pommern: Well then, allow me to let you in on a rather juicy secret...
Pommern: The person who first tabled the Poseidon strategy was, in fact... your father!
Juri: My... My father? You're lying! To sacrifice an entire inhabited island for military gain...
Pommern: Oh yes. Although, once he realized the danger Poseidon posed, he came to try to put a stop to the operation.
Pommern: But defying Major General Furias is a very grave mistake.
Pommern: He's not well known for being receptive to the opinions of others, you see.
Juri: Are you... Are you saying Major General Furias killed my father?
Pommern: Ahem! I am saying only this...
Pommern: You should know that one of the main reasons we are where we are now with Poseidon is because of your father.
Juri: Shut up! Stop making up all this nonsense!
Juri is unable to hide his shock at Pommern's words.
Blade of the Young Champion - Chapter 5: Invoker of the Water God - Episode 4
The island's destruction is imminent, and Pommern attempts to leave, but Juri blocks his way. Mocking Juri's rage with laughter, the captain transforms himself into a monstrous embodiment of dark essence.
Pommern: Ah, so the airships are ready, it seems.
Pommern: Men! Pull out!
Juri: You think you can just run away? Not so fast, pal!
Pommern: Really, this is embarrassing. What do you want by pestering me like this?
Juri: An enemy of justice like you needs a good pummeling!
Pommern: Grand words for a deserter. And a mere private at that. Very well, I'll play.
Pommern: Allow me to show you another face of the empire you may not have seen before!
Juri: Wha? C-Captain Pommern, is... Is that you?
Juri: How can a human change form like that? Just what kind of evil has the empire sold itself out to?
Juri: Damn it, you're ten times worse than I dared even imagine!
Pommern: That's it—tremble with fear! Behold the empire's mighty crown jewels! Crystallized dark essence!
Blade of the Young Champion - Chapter 5: Invoker of the Water God - Episode 4: Scene 2
Juri is dejected, faced with the fact that his father was involved in the plan that could well lead to the destruction of the island. However Lyria then reveals that Poseidon's enmity is directed not at the island, but at Juri himself.
Pommern: Wha... How... How can this be?
Imperial Soldier 1: No! The captain!
Imperial Soldier 2: Grab him! We'll carry him away to safety!
Juri: Hold it, Pommern!
Katalina: Leave it, Juri! Don't push it!
Juri: Damn it!
Juri: I can't believe I've had a hand in this island's destruction!
Katalina: The empire's top brass don't publicize things like this. You didn't know what you were a part of.
Katalina: Anyway, Lyria, have you got an update on the primal beast?
Lyria: It's angry. Very, very angry. And hurting.
Lyria: And, I can't explain it, but... it seems to be directing most of its anger at Juri.
Juri: At me? Poseidon's after me?
The proud and furious sea god. Apparently hell-bent on destroying Auguste, its wrath is in fact focused on one man: Juri.
Blade of the Young Champion - Chapter 6: The Hero and the Trident - Episode 1
Juri, still incensed at having his trust betrayed by the imperial army, declares he's only too happy to fight Poseidon. Poseidon appears and tells Juri that he and all mortals of the island will pay for what Juri's father did to him.
Lyria informs the party that Poseidon's wrath is directed toward Juri.
Juri turns to the sea, as if he's trying to meet the gaze of the beast that bears him such ill will.
Juri: Poseidon is angry with me?
Lyria: Yes. He's been glaring at you from under the waves.
Juri: Well, that suits me just fine. I haven't even started getting my anger out! If he wants a fight, he's got it!
No sooner has Juri expressed his readiness to fight than Poseidon appears before the party.
Poseidon: You would ridicule the lord of the sea, you miserable minnow? Your foul power estranged my body from my will!
Poseidon: Fool! Your sins will never be forgiven.
Poseidon: And as your punishment, the very land you stand on will sink into the depths of the sea.
Juri: Wait! You... you wouldn't really do something like that, would you?
Poseidon: I know the blood that runs in your veins. With this trident, I shall mete out the punishment you deserve!
Poseidon: Son of the heathen who dared control a god! Coursing through your veins is the blood of my nemesis!
Juri: The heathen who dared control a god? You... you mean my father? You're angry at my father?
Juri: But wait, my father is...
Juri: I see... I see now. That's why you're after me.
Poseidon reveals the reasons behind his rage.
Juri concedes to face the god's wrath head-on.
Blade of the Young Champion - Chapter 6: The Hero and the Trident - Episode 2
Juri feels responsible for what's happened and tries to talk Poseidon into exacting vengeance on him alone. But the proud sea god wants to wipe away all memory of the shame he feels for having let himself be controlled by mortals by destroying the entire island.
Juri: Poseidon! If it's payback for what my father did to you that you want, then take it out on me! Just leave the island alone!
Poseidon: You ask for clemency? Ignorant fool! I am a god, and justice is mine to mete out as I see fit! I have no pity left for your kind.
Poseidon: I will bury all of you! Any being that knows of the foul smear you left on my divine soul!
Juri: All of us? You won't be content in destroying one life?
Poseidon: Gods have no smears on their souls! Gods are above such things! I must undo this hideous wrong!
Poseidon: I will undo the shame! My body will soon be healed.
Lyria: Be careful, everyone! He's getting stronger and stronger.
Poseidon: Yes, just wait. I will erase all memory of the shame you inflicted upon me!
Katalina: We've got to take out all the monsters he summoned first and foremost. Come on!
Blade of the Young Champion - Chapter 6: The Hero and the Trident - Episode 3
Juri starts to panic when his attempts to talk Poseidon around have no effect. Realizing that the beast really could sink the entire island, Juri laments the empire's terrible wrongdoing. Juri is tormented with anguish but somehow regains the strength to wield his sword and fight the monsters.
Juri: So you're not going to leave the island alone, huh? All this because of what my father did...
Juri: What is the army really fighting for, Dad?
Juri: To save our once-little kingdom? Is that it? Is that worth doing something like this?
Juri: I... I don't know what's right and what's wrong anymore...
Monster 1: Gwoooaaargh!
Juri: Hyaaargh!
Monster 1: Uggg...
Juri: What...
Juri: What am I even fighting for anymore?
Farrah: Juri! Snap out of it! This isn't the time to be asking questions like that!
Vyrn: Yeah! Focus on the fight!
Monster 2: Gaaaaaargh!
Blade of the Young Champion - Chapter 6: The Hero and the Trident - Episode 4
After a great deal of soul-searching, Juri comes to a conclusion. Deciding he will fight to protect the good image both he and his father had of the imperial army by putting a stop to the empire's evil plan, he once again readies his sword. His fighting spirit restored, Juri stands up to Poseidon.
Juri: I... I can't accept that Erste's army is this... this force of evil.
Juri: And I can't accept that whatever plan my father came up with, he would've wanted to destroy this whole island.
Katalina: Juri...
Juri: No...
Juri: I'm not gonna let the army's good name be sullied like this! I'm not gonna let the empire's plan succeed! I'm gonna stop this!
Juri: All your minions are gone, Poseidon! It's just you now.
Poseidon: But you are too late. I am healed already! Now there's nothing to stop me from sending this island to oblivion!
Juri: So it's come to this, huh? Well, sorry, Poseidon, but on my honor as a soldier, I won't let that happen!
Blade of the Young Champion - Ending
Having defeated Poseidon, Juri decides that only the crew can put a stop to the empire. After a heartfelt parting with his commander in the army, Juri joins (Captain)'s crew and sets off into the skies with them.
And so, as the evening sun starts to set, the party engage in the final battle with Poseidon. The last of many conflicts.
Poseidon: Fools! How... many times do I have to fight you? Have you... no limits?
Juri: Huff... Huff... So you want more, huh? You got it!
Poseidon: You... will never defeat me! No matter how many times you fight me, this island... shall fall!
Poseidon: Fall before... my trident!
Juri: This ends now!
Lyria: Poseidon's wrath is starting to subside...
Poseidon: So... you bring me to my knees...
Poseidon: Very well, mortals. I accept defeat. You are spared your punishment this day.
Poseidon: But know this! The next time you make light of the water god, your island will sink like a stone into the very jaws of the ocean!
Juri: Yeah. I got it.
Lyria approaches the now-subdued Poseidon.
The water god turns into a shard of light and is absorbed into Lyria's body.
Lyria: It's over.
Lyria: Poseidon is at peace inside me now. I don't sense any hostility from him any longer.
Juri: Thanks, Lyria. Looks like we made it. I got to save the reputation of the army and my dad.
Juri: But I guess this is gonna keep happening.
Farrah: Juri...
Farrah: Your father wasn't a bad guy. In fact, he was an amazing guy.
Juri: ...
Juri: Katalina, Farrah, (Captain)... Can I ask you guys a favor?
Juri: Will you let me join your crew?
Juri: And look, before you say anything, I know it's asking a lot. The way I tricked you before was below the belt.
Juri: But you're the only ones who stand a chance at stopping the empire.
Juri: And I wanna do my part in stopping them from committing any more atrocities. So... please?
Commander: Humph, turning deserter again? Once wasn't enough for you?
Juri: C-Commander!
Commander: Well, it's not like there's a place for you in the army now anyway. You threw that away the moment you punched Captain Pommern.
Commander: Hand over your helmet. I'll tell them you died in action. I'll tell them... I did it myself.
Juri: Commander...
Juri: Please wait. I can't do that just yet.
Juri: I'm a proud member of the imperial army, and I'll take responsibility for my own actions!
Commander: Hah! You always did like trouble, didn't you?
Commander: Fine, do what you want! I'll just sit back and watch.
Juri: (Captain)! Hit me!
Lyria: Huh? What? Juri?
Vyrn: Hey, steady there. What are you talking about?
Juri: I'm wearing the imperial army's uniform, so I'll fight. I'll fight with everything I've got!
Juri: Against you guys, I know I'm not going to win. So I'll die. The soldier in me will die.
Juri: Come on, I'm serious! Don't give me an inch.
Juri's eyes flash under the brim of his army helmet, and (Captain) respects his request by pulling on their gauntlets.
When Juri lunges forward, (Captain) unleashes a single, mighty blow to his head.
The soldier's helmet crumples, and Juri falls to the ground. All onlookers watch in silence, waiting for him to get to his feet.
Commander: Satisfied now?
Juri: Yeah, I needed that.
Commander: Lieutenant Katalina, he's all yours. Take good care of him.
Katalina: Hah, don't worry about that.
Commander: Don't neglect your training, son. Next time we meet, we'll be on opposing sides.
Juri: Commander...
Juri: Thank you. Thanks for everything.
So the young soldier breaks free from the imperial army.
The sinking evening sunlight catches a twinkle on his cheek. Is it from the wounds of war? Or perhaps the tears of goodbye?
Farrah: You've really grown up, huh, Juri?
Juri: Hmph, like I said. The soldier in me is dead now. This is a new start for me.
Vyrn: Well, all this is kind of over my head, but... if you think so!
Juri: I know so!
Katalina: Humph, I get the feeling things are about to get even more lively around here.
Blade of the Young Champion
The End
The End
Cast
Overview
Blade of the Young Champion is a story event featuring the imperial soldier Juri and his moral awakening regarding the Erste Empire's true nature.
The story follows Juri, a young imperial soldier who sees an opportunity for glory when he encounters deserters Katalina and Farrah. Initially infiltrating the skyfarer crew with the intent to capture them, Juri's idealistic worldview is gradually shattered as he witnesses the empire's corrupt practices and learns disturbing truths about his father's involvement in imperial operations. Through a crisis of faith and moral awakening, Juri ultimately abandons the empire and joins the crew as a skyfarer.
Summary
Young imperial soldier Juri is on patrol alone when he encounters his former colleague Farrah, now a deserter who has joined Lieutenant Katalina's skyfarer crew. Recognizing an opportunity for glory by capturing two high-profile deserters, Juri infiltrates the crew under the pretense of wanting to desert himself.
Playing for time while devising his plan, Juri leads the crew on routes that avoid imperial soldiers. When they encounter thugs harassing a woman, Juri intervenes and lectures them about imperial values, encouraging them to join the army. His behavior raises suspicion among the crew. As Juri witnesses the crew's strength in battle, he becomes increasingly worried about his chances if they discover his true intentions. Meanwhile, Farrah attempts to prove herself by fighting monsters to impress Katalina, even going so far as to deliberately attract danger to prevent Katalina from cooking (due to her terrible culinary skills).
Confused by how different Katalina and Farrah seem compared to their army days, Juri struggles to find a way to trick them. He attempts to engage Farrah in conversation about returning to the empire, but she firmly declares her loyalty to the crew. When an imperial soldier discovers them, Juri is forced to restrain his former comrade. The conversation reveals Juri's deceased father was also an imperial soldier. As time passes, Juri realizes he's about to miss his unit's midday roll call, leaving his army comrades to begin operations without him.
Juri attempts to reach his unit's assembly point but arrives too late. His commander has already branded him a traitor for his absence and refuses to listen to explanations. During the ensuing battle in the village, imperial troops carefully evacuate civilians before each wave of attack. The confrontation escalates when Captain Pommern arrives and unleashes the primal beast Poseidon, which has been captured and controlled through dark essence.
After Poseidon's initial attack, a dejected Juri is secretly approached by Pommern, who orders him to lead the crew into a trap at the imperial fortress. Despite the crew's unease about the suspicious lack of guards, they venture deeper inside. Farrah's curiosity leads her to accidentally discover soldiers lying in ambush. Upon reaching their destination and finding strategic documents, the crew learns that the empire's plan may well destroy the entire island. This revelation about the army's willingness to sacrifice innocent lives for military gain sends the idealistic Juri into a rage, shattering his faith in the institution he and his father served.
Consumed with righteous fury, Juri leads the party out of the fortress, determined to confront Pommern. When Pommern appears, he mockingly reveals that Juri's father was the original architect of the Poseidon strategy, though he died trying to stop the plan when he realized its dangers. Pommern declares that Poseidon is now free from dark essence control and acting on its own will. After transforming into a monstrous form using crystallized dark essence, Pommern is defeated. Lyria then reveals that Poseidon's wrath is directed specifically at Juri, not the island in general.
Still furious about the empire's betrayal, Juri declares his readiness to fight Poseidon directly. The sea god appears and announces his intention to destroy the entire island as punishment for the humiliation inflicted by Juri's father. Despite Juri's attempts to convince Poseidon to take revenge on him alone, the proud deity refuses, determined to erase all memory of his shame. After intense soul-searching and briefly losing his fighting spirit, Juri resolves to protect both his father's honor and the empire's former ideals by stopping this catastrophe.
After defeating Poseidon and saving the island, Juri concludes that only the skyfarer crew can effectively oppose the empire's corruption. Following a heartfelt farewell with his former commander, who allows him to symbolically "die" as an imperial soldier through ritual combat with the Captain, Juri officially joins the crew and departs into the skies as a skyfarer.
