Scenario:To Each His Ideal - Chapter 6: Reunion - Episode 3

To Each His Ideal - Chapter 6: Reunion - Episode 3

Though Aglovale and Percival waver at the sight of their parents, Aglovale thinks back to the memory of his mother and what she had taught him on the piano, which helps him realize that the recovered souls are but imitations. Aglovale tells Aleis that he is aware of Lusor's true identity and asks for his brother's whereabouts, but Aleis envelops the crew in a black fog before making her escape. Trapped within the darkness, the crew fights against a towering creature born of the underworld.

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Aleis: You should thank me. After all, I just performed the miracle you've always dreamed of.

Percival: This is nonsense! You can't call back the souls you wish to see that easily!

Aleis: That may be what you think, but your brother seems to think differently.

Aglovale: ...

Percival: Aglovale!

Aglovale: No need to shout. I'm... I'm thinking of what we should...

Percival: (His eyes are wavering... I've never seen my brother this shaken before.)

Aleis: Ahahaha, what a wretched sight! The Lord of Frost, the strongest in all of Wales, can do nothing but quiver like a child!

Aleis: You've always wanted to see her, haven't you? Your mother, whom you would've called back even at the price of your own life.

Aleis: Aah... How pitiful. Miserable, pathetic, unsightly... Hehe. Ahaha!

Percival: I will not forgive anyone who laughs at my brother! I'll turn you to ash!

Aleis: Just try it. Go, Herzeloyde!

At Aleis's command, Herzeloyde is pulled by the skeleton to stand in front of Aleis, as if to defend her mistress.

Herzeloyde: Eep! Percival!

Percival: Rgh... You coward!

Aleis: Ahahaha! Then why don't you come and cut us down? If you think this is all a pretense, then you should have no problem doing so!

Herzeloyde: Per... cival...

Percival: Ugh...

Aleis: Come on, come on! Hurry up and do it! Who knows what I might do to your friends otherwise?

When Aleis gestures at the dark rift hovering in the air, skeletons come flying out of it to surround (Captain) and company.

Vyrn: Darn, we're surrounded!

Percival: It's a pretense... Even if she looks the same as our mother... she can't be real!

Aglovale: Lower your sword...

Percival: No... I refuse to retreat.

Aglovale: You don't have any concrete evidence either. I will test whether they are real—stand back, Percival.

Percival: Then allow me to test them as well—

Aglovale: How old were you when Mother passed away?

Percival: ...

Aglovale: Do you understand? I am more suited to judge.

Gawain: You're not wrong, but are you sure you're going to be all right? You're as pale as a ghost yourself.

Percival: Aglovale... I trust you. I know you will be able to tell whether they are truly our parents.

Aglovale: Yes... Trust me. My judgment will not fail.

Gritting his teeth, Aglovale looks at Aleis sharply.

Aglovale: I forbid you to lay a hand on anyone here until I have determined the authenticity of these beings, Necromancer.

Aleis: You think you're in a position to order me around?

Percival: If you do not agree to it, then I will erase the rift from which these skeletons are appearing.

Percival: Without it, you will no longer have a way to fight us. So take it or leave it.

Aleis: Tch... Fine, do what you want!

At a wave of her hand, the skeletons fall back in unison, opening a way for Aglovale.

Herzeloyde: Aglovale!

Released from the skeleton, Herzeloyde runs into Aglovale's arms, burying her face into his chest.

Aglovale: ...!

Herzeloyde: Oh my... You've grown so big. You're so much taller than me now.

Gahmuret: I see you have reached my height. I suppose you've already become the head of Wales by now.

Herzeloyde: Right. You've grown into a fine adult, Aglovale... I'm so proud of you.

An affectionate smile spreads across Herzeloyde's face. Gahmuret moves closer to stand beside his wife, his expression soft.

Aglovale: (Ah... Yes. These are their voices. This is what they've always looked like.)

Aglovale: (How long has it been since I've seen Father's smile? And Mother is as delicate as ever.)

Aglovale: (If only this moment could go on forever... How blissful that would be. I never knew anything could make my heart tremble like this...)

Herzeloyde: What's the matter, Aglovale? Are you sad about something?

Aglovale: No...

Herzeloyde: We finally meet again. It's been so long... Why don't we do something? What do you want to do, Aglovale?

Aglovale: Mother, I...

Herzeloyde: Mhm.

Aglovale: I... want to play the piano... with you once more.

Herzeloyde: The piano? Yes, you were always so good at it.

Herzeloyde: You were so patient when you taught your brothers too. I was so proud of you.

Aglovale: ...

Aglovale: I... love my family.
My father is an honorable man, and my mother compassionate beyond words. I love my younger brothers just as much.

Aglovale: Nothing compares to the pride I have in being the son of my mother and father, and the older brother of my siblings.

Aglovale: But I am also someone who is easily deceived by the phantom of my parents—one who is not even aware of how strong my own brother has become or what he is thinking.

Herzeloyde: Aglovale?

Aglovale: Heh... Such a gentle voice. A voice of someone who must have been a mother to another...

Aglovale: Or perhaps it could be attributed to the spellcaster herself. But none of that matters.

Without another word, Aglovale tightens the grip on his sword and strokes its blade, causing the air around it to grow frigid.

Aglovale: However, I have not become so low that I would leave the unpleasant task of slaying one's "parents" to my younger brother.

Aglovale: I do not know whose family you may have been once—but may you rest in peace.

Without a hint of hesitation, Aglovale raises his long blade and cuts down Gahmuret and Herzeloyde.

As the two figures fall, they turn into lifeless skeletons, evaporating into black mist the moment they hit the ground.

Percival: Aglovale...

Aglovale: ...

Herzeloyde: The melody I taught you just now is a secret between you and me, Aglovale.

Young Aglovale: Why is that?

Herzeloyde: Because I'd like it to be so. Will you keep it a secret, please?

Aglovale: (Mother... It is thanks to the secret you gave me to keep back then that I was able to avoid making a grave mistake.)

Aleis: Tch... What're you looking all relieved for?

Aglovale: I was simply thinking how valuable this experience has been. They were indeed quite convincing.

Aglovale: As many knew my parents, I suppose it was not difficult to make something in their likeness.

Aleis: ...!

Aglovale: Heh. Thanks to that, the path I must take has become much clearer.

Aglovale turns his icy blade toward Aleis.

Aglovale: Answer me. Where is Lamorak?

Lyria: Huh?

Aglovale: The leader of the cabal, Lusor—his true identity is none other than Lamorak, am I correct?

Percival: What? What are you saying, Aglovale?

Aleis: Color me surprised. I was sure Lamorak did his best to avoid coming into contact with you directly.

Aglovale: The magic circle we found beside the demoncat's lair and the magic circle in Lamorak's notebook were the same, down to the small peculiarities.

Aglovale: Though the purpose of the spell was unclear, his notes said that it was something to "make one smaller." I had a hunch from that.

Aglovale: The notebook was from six years ago... The year that Lamorak last came home. I assume he had practiced his shape-shifting magic at wherever he chose to train.

Aleis: Oho, so you figured out that much. No wonder Lamorak was always so cautious.

Lyria: No way... Lusor was Percival's brother all along?

Percival: So that's why he called me "Percy"...

Gawain: I don't believe it! Why would he ever launch an attack on Dalmore? Dalmore wasn't just any regular place to him...

Aglovale: I understand what you are saying. However... that is the truth.

Aglovale: Now, answer me. Where is Lamorak?

Aleis: Who knows? He's probably lying around somewhere dreaming about his mother.

Percival: From the way you talk, it's hard to believe you're working together... Did you betray Lamorak?

Aleis: Why don't you go find out for yourself? If you can, that is.

Skeleton: ...!

A small skeleton that had been hovering beside Aleis rises up and begins to rattle its jaw as if summoning something.

The surrounding skeletons suddenly spout out black mist that begins enveloping the crew,

Gawain: Ergh, what in the...

Lyria: Oh no, we can't see anything!

Aleis: Of course not. You're trapped within the darkness of the underworld. You will never be able to escape.

The magic circle under the mansion activates just then, and the entire building is engulfed in flames.

Aleis: Now then, it seems my escape route is ready, so I think I'll take my leave here.

Gawain: That is some weird magic... Thank goodness I broke through a part of the skeletons right away.

Aleis: ...!
How did you manage to get out! A truly irritable bunch...

Gawain: You're not getting away!

Percival: I'll leave her to Gawain.

Shadowy Creature: Rrrooogh...

Percival: Ergh!

Percival sets his blade alight. In response, the skeletons merge into a large, grotesque shadow that towers over the crew.

Vyrn: What the heck is that! Where'd it come from?

Percival: Looks like it gathered all the skeletons in the vicinity and molded them into a new form! Disgusting.

Aglovale: Notice the fog is moving around the creature. If we defeat it, that should clear the black mist around us.

Aglovale runs over to Percival, his sword still tight in his grasp.

Aglovale: What's the matter?

Percival: Aglovale... So Lamorak is what has been on your mind all this time.

Aglovale: Under the given circumstances, I had no choice but to be discreet.

Percival: I understand. But Lamorak is also important to me. I wish you had consulted me about the matter as well...

Aglovale: I did not intend to hide it from you... But I felt that if I put it into words, there would be no going back after that point.

Aglovale: Lamorak would become an enemy of Wales... and we would need to confront him as such.

Percival: We don't know that yet!

Aglovale: Don't be naive! Have you forgotten that you, too, are responsible for the governance of Wales now?

Percival: I have not. Still, I would like to hear what Lamorak has to say before coming to any conclusions.

Percival: We are brothers who share the same blood, after all.

Aglovale: ...

Aglovale shifts his eyes to the flickering, scarlet flames enveloping Percival's blade and narrows his eyes.

Aglovale: Truly taintless flames.

Percival: Aglovale?

Aglovale: Do as you wish. You are not the head of the House of Wales. You do not have to be the same as me.

Percival: ...

The Lord of Frost lifts his gaze to survey the horrendous shape in front of them. The creature continues to release black fog from its mouth with every breath.

Aglovale: Now... it is time we put this pitiful being to rest.

Aglovale: Lend me your support, Percival. (Captain).

Percival: Very well. I am ready.

To Each His Ideal - Chapter 6: Reunion - Episode 3: Scene 2

Unable to stop his own bleeding, Lamorak realizes he is going to die and reminisces about the time he once spent in Dalmore. The memory stirs him to continue trying with his weak healing magic, thinking back to the reason he decided to join the cabal in the first place—the affinity he felt toward Merlin, who is also working to save his family and friends. Lamorak finally succeeds in stopping the bleeding and proceeds to walk toward where Merlin had escaped to.

---

Lamorak: ...

Lamorak: ...!
Ah... Right, I got stabbed...

Lamorak: (It's so cold... Feels like I'm freezing over. It's like death is creeping up on me...)

Lamorak: (I wonder if Mom also felt this cold when she breathed her last...)

Lamorak uses his hand to press weakly against the wound, but blood continues to gush out.

Lamorak: (I'm... gonna die. I mean, the blood's not stopping...)

Lamorak: (Percy's probably gonna cry when he finds me dead... And Aggy will save his tears for when he's alone.)

The gradual loss of blood causes Lamorak's vision to blur.

Lamorak: (I don't want this... I don't want to die...)

Lamorak: (In the end, I couldn't save anyone. I guess that was the fate I was born with...)

???: ...

Lamorak: Huh? What... is this?

Morgause: That's not true, Lamorak. Your mother didn't die because of you.

Morgause: It's true that there are lives you can save if you can learn to do healing magic. But that is not the only way to save someone.

Morgause: It may not be in the form you had imagined, but you possess immense talent. You need to believe in yourself.

Lamorak: Morgause...

Young Florence: Sometimes I, too, think to myself—if only I had tried harder to stop my father. My heart clenches every time at the thought.

Young Florence: Still, we have no other choice but to continue looking forward. After all, Father didn't die because he wanted Gawain and myself to be sad.

Young Florence: So don't cry, Lamorak. Besides, Gawain is going to tease you if he sees you like this.

Lamorak: Florence...

Lamorak: (Why am I thinking about this right now? Am I seeing my life flash before my eyes?)

A memory of a time he spent in Dalmore when he was not yet an adult surfaces. Lamorak surrenders to the tender vision.

Young Gawain: I don't care what you're worrying about. I don't want to hear the whole "I don't have talent" crap, especially not from you!

Young Gawain: If facing something head-on doesn't work, then find a workaround! I thought you were good at ignoring common sense and doing things your own way!

Young Gawain: Hurry up and get back on your feet! Doesn't matter if you're covered in mud or wounds. The last person left standing always wins!

Lamorak: The last person left standing... Even if you're covered in mud...

Morgause: You can do it, Lamorak! You're my valued apprentice, after all!

Morgause: You don't have to do things the way everyone else does them. There will be a way that's best for you. Don't give up and keep looking for it.

Lamorak: A way that's best... for me...

The words echo in his ears, bringing the light back into his eyes.

Lamorak: That's right... I chose this path because I knew that normal methods wouldn't work for me...

Lamorak: Ugh...

With a hand still on his wound, Lamorak lifts his upper body and traces a magic circle with his finger.

Lamorak: In this form, the wound... should also be smaller...

Lamorak: Six years ago, Father launched an attack on Dalmore. Surprised by this, I went home and happened to stumble upon Father's research lab, where I met Merlin.

Lamorak: At first, I approached him because I wanted to pay him back for teaching Father about the Otherworld. But when we started spending more time together...

Lamorak: I realized that Merlin was just like Father—someone who can find hope only in living life in an unconventional way.

Lamorak: It really hit home for me, because I was the same.

Lamorak: When I found out that I was hopeless at healing magic, I was so sad. I fell into despair and couldn't think anymore. I cried for days...

Lamorak: It was then that so many different people came to comfort me and offer me the encouragement I needed. That's how I was able to get through it all.

Lamorak: So I couldn't leave Merlin on his own either. I'll lend him my help, if that will let him continue living. But... I don't want that to be the cause of someone else dying either.

Lamorak: Aggy, Percy, Gawain, Florence... All of them are my precious family and friends.

Lamorak: I won't let anyone die. I won't let anything be destroyed. I swore to live on that edge and protect everyone.

Lamorak: That's the ideal I chose to pursue... A selfish, cunning, and free way of walking an unorthodox path!

Lamorak: Heal... Heeeal!

Lamorak musters all of his magic and casts a healing spell on his stomach.

The healing is weak, but he continues to cast spell after spell on the wound, ignoring the despair growing inside of him with each try.

Lamorak: Just... a little more!

Lamorak's vision turns white before focusing again—this repeats over and over, attributed to either the lack of magic or blood left in him.

Still he refuses to give up. The man blinks furiously as he channels all of his magic toward the healing spells, determined to do so until his power runs out.

Then, finally.

Lamorak: Pant... Pant... It... closed up...

Lamorak: I have... to go...

With shaky steps, Lamorak heads for the plains where Merlin and the others are supposed to have escaped to.

A red, glimmering brooch falls out of a tear in Lamorak's pouch and is left behind on the ground, unnoticed.