Scenario:Albert - For a Melancholic Friend

For a Melancholic Friend

The petition to reinstate Yurius as the Disaster Operations Planning Executive is officially approved, but Yurius is unmoved by the news. Concerned for their friend's low spirits, Albert, Mina, Mona, and Mena speculate that Yurius may not feel comfortable returning to the public stage and brainstorm a way to cheer him up. They decide to hold a surprise homecoming party for him.

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One of the root causes of the disaster that befell the Kingdom of Levin originated from primal beast Destructio.

In order to prevent such a tragedy from happening again, Yurius tried to take his own life to kill the parasitic primal beast inside him.

Yurius was prepared to die, but the crew and Albert were determined to stop him.

Albert: I can't believe you had us help you with a suicide attempt! What kind of person uses his friends for that?

Albert: I've had enough! We're getting you out of here, and you better have a good apology waiting when we do!

Yurius: ...!

Moved by the words of his friends, Yurius reconsiders suicide and vows to live.

One day Albert bursts through the door of Yurius's office, shouting at the top of his lungs.

Albert's Voice: Yurius! Yurius, are you in here!

Yurius: Thanks for blowing out my eardrums. Did something bad happen at the assembly?

Albert: No, everything went swimmingly, which is why I've come to deliver the good news.

Albert: The petition to reinstate you as the Disaster Operations Planning Executive was officially approved!

Albert: I had to tell you after hearing the decree. Before I knew it I was dashing through the hallways.

Yurius exhales deeply after hearing the news.

Yurius: I see. It finally happened...

Albert: Congratulations, my friend. This moment marks a fresh start.

Currently, Yurius is gradually being eased back into his former executive role.

This development, however, hasn't been made public.

Many citizens still loathe Yurius for murdering the former king, thus he's been kept out of the limelight to avoid dissent.

For that reason Yurius doesn't attend the assemblies, relegated to desk work instead. But that's about to change.

New King of Levin: Levin's smooth road to recovery was paved by the meticulous reconstruction plan devised by the former operations executive, Sir Yurius.

New King of Levin: It was also Sir Yurius who stopped Mallow's evil subterfuge. Time and time again he has brought us back from the brink.

New King of Levin: Now, that is not to say he hasn't committed sins of his own. I wish my father were still alive today...

New King of Levin: But on the day Father died, he shamefully tried to have Sir Yurius executed.

New King of Levin: Father was guilty of terrible deeds himself. To blame my father's death solely on Sir Yurius is too extreme.

New King of Levin: My heart tells me to give him a chance at redemption, so that we may find a path of atonement together.

Thanks to the new king's efforts to set the record straight, on top of countless clarifications, the public's hatred for the kingslayer gradually recedes.

In the wake of public opinion shifting toward the positive, the decision has been made to allow Yurius back into the public eye.

Yurius: First I must appear before the populace again and disclose every detail of my sordid transgressions.

Albert: Yeah. Security will be in place, and even if there wasn't, I believe the odds of violence erupting to be low.

Yurius: It may not fall under the category of violence, but the jeers and anger will certainly fly my way.

Albert: I can see that happening too, but I know a large contingent of people are willing to listen.

Yurius: ...

Yurius: I hope that's the case, though who knows how the outcome will turn out.

Yurius looks out the window toward black clouds hanging over the sky.

Albert: Yurius?

The man quickly turns back to look at Albert.

Yurius: Well, I'd better get started writing my speech. I wouldn't want to let the opportunity you and His Highness have given me go to waste.

Yurius takes a seat and is about to pick up a pen when Albert stops him.

Albert: Come now, my friend. Leave that for another day.

Yurius: It's still the afternoon. I have plenty of energy left to wiggle my pen.

Albert: Be that as it may, recently you've been cooped up in this castle without stepping foot outside.

Albert: Staying inside all the time can get oppressive. An occasional walk through the garden to get some sunshine does wonders for the soul.

Yurius considers Albert's suggestion, nods his head, and stands up from his chair.

Yurius: Say no more. I'll call it a day and relax in the courtyard.

Albert: Oh. Have a good time.

Albert watches Yurius leave the office and breathes a sigh of relief.

Albert: I was waiting for him to throw a sarcastic "you talk too much" back at my face but he didn't.

Albert: Lately he's lost his biting wit. I wonder if there's anything I can do...

Mina: Yurius...

Mona: He still hasn't...

Mena: Pepped up, has he?

Albert and the Levin Sisters gather at a cafe in town to discuss Yurius's condition.

Albert: Buckling to persuasion without a fight isn't like him at all.

Albert: I'd like to hear what each of you has to say about this.

Mona: Heehee... It's nice to feel wanted by our fearless leader!

Albert: Well, trying to resolve this on my own isn't in anyone's best interest.

Mena: Oooh! It's so touching to hear you say that!

Albert: Huh? What's that supposed to mean exactly?

Mina glances over at Mona, who simply nods sagely.

Mina: Yurius has a strong sense of responsibility. He's still worried about stepping back into the spotlight.

Mina: He might not feel ready to yet, even if he has told himself that he is.

Mena: Mm-hm, I think I get it. It's like when Mina dwells on a mistake and becomes detached from reality.

Mina: You didn't have to use me as an example!

Albert: Hm... So he's still grappling with anxiety...

Albert rests his chin on his hand, thinking to himself while sipping his tea.

Mona: This is just a thought, but do you think there's a way to snap Yurius out of his funk?

Mena: Hey, what about a trip to the sea? Albert's been to Auguste before—he'd know all the sights and places to be!

Mina: Oh, come on. You're just trying to find an excuse to hit the beach.

Mena: I-I would never! Er... Not that I wouldn't mind lying in the sand...

Mina: Yurius was never one to partake in trips purely for amusement.

Mena: Darn... Well, I thought it was a good idea...

Albert: It's still helpful to hear what everyone has to say. Any way to help him move forward is worth considering...

The table falls silent as everyone becomes lost in thought. Mona takes a bite of her cake, which seems to trigger an idea.

Mona: How about something simple, like a homecoming party?

Albert: Homecoming party?

Mona: You know, to celebrate his return to the fold. And yes, I know throwing a party for him now is kinda late.

Mona: Good grub, good friends—what's a better way to soothe the soul?

Mena: Ooh, not a bad idea! Delicious food totally melts the concerns away!

Mina: I agree with Mona. Just look at the parties we throw to welcome new recruits. You can see what a difference it makes on their psyches.

Albert: Hm, all right. Sounds like a plan.

Mena: Great! This probably won't happen again, so let's go all out! We're gonna need to reserve a spacious banquet hall!

Mena bounces in her seat with excitement, but Albert quietly shakes his head.

Albert: That's not his style. It'd be better if we held it in a small venue, like his office.

Albert: As for the attendees, us, (Captain), and those from the crew are more than welcome, but I think it should be limited to that.

Mina: When should we set the date for? We can confer with Yurius—

Albert: No, don't tell him anything. Let's make it a surprise.

Albert: He'll be noncommittal if he knows it's coming.

Mona: Then what about food and drinks? We could hire a restaurant chef to whip up stuff...

Albert: That's not a bad idea, but it'd be better to keep it simple.

Albert: I think grabbing his favorite wine and appetizer is the way to go.

Levin Sisters: Ooh!

The Levin Sisters are in awe of Albert's precise knowledge of Yurius's habits.

Mona: That's the power of a long friendship! You know everything about him!

Albert: No, I wouldn't say everything.

Albert: I'm pretty sure I know which appetizer he likes, but what kind of wine he enjoys is a complete mystery to me.

Mina: Yurius is very particular about his wine, isn't he?

Albert: Oh well. It should be fine. I'll just ask him subtly.

Mona: (Albert? Subtle?)

The way Albert said that so casually has Mona worried.

In any case, all four begin the preparations for Yurius's homecoming party.