Scenario:Yurius - Heroes of Levin

Heroes of Levin

After reading a letter from Yurius and Albert, the crew decide to pay them a visit. They are met by the Levin Sisters, Mina, Mona, and Mena, who escort the crew to their destination. Afterward, the sisters and the crew agree that Yurius and Albert need to take a break for a few days.

---

Having read Albert and Yurius's letter, (Captain) and crew arrive in Levin.

Vyrn: Sorry to just show up all of a sudden. You sure this ain't too much trouble?

Mina: No problem. The captain and Yurius will be happy when they hear (Captain) is here.

Mona: Hehe... We're happy too, you know!

Mena: Yeah! I'm so glad to see everyone again!

Mina, Mona, and Mena, the Sky Knight sisters, have come to greet the crew.

Currently the three support Yurius and Albert in their daily tasks.

Vyrn: I'm pretty impressed with how popular Albert and Yurius are!

Lyria: We heard so many people calling them the Levin Heroes!

Mina: Right. The heroes from "The Saint Lethan Tale." Our pride and joy...

Mina: The captain and Yurius have a lot in common with the heroes in that story.

Mona: Foudre was faster than lightning, and Astros was an elite tactician.

Mena: Yeah! Now that you mention it, they really are similar.

Vyrn: Whoa... Heroes in a fairy tale, huh? That sounds cool!

The sisters chatter while (Captain) and crew make their way to Albert and Yurius.

Albert: Hm? Oh! If it isn't (Captain)!

Yurius: Welcome back! How have you been?

An oddly cheerful Albert and Yurius greet the group.

Vyrn: G-good... And you guys?

Albert: Pretty good. Right, my friend?

Yurius: Right you are! We just have a large number of problems to solve, as you can see...

Yurius smiles grimly as his eyes fall on the mountain of paperwork on his desk.

Yurius: Baby steps... That's all this is...

Albert: Hahaha! That's enough out of you. You'll give (Captain) secondhand grief.

Yurius: Haha. Good point. Hahaha!

Vyrn & Lyria: Uh...

Albert: What's wrong? (Captain), why are you staring at us like that?

1. You're overworking yourselves...

Choose: You're overworking yourselves...

Vyrn: (Captain) said it. Have you guys looked in the mirror recently? You look like crap.

Yurius: Don't say that. We don't, right, old friend?

Albert: Yeah! I'm still kicking!

Albert: Ow!

Mona: Oh? Did that hurt?

Mona: If it hurts when electricity runs through this point, it means your body is fatigued. Captain, are you really okay?

Mina: I... Actually, I've been a little worried too.

Mina: That's why, starting tomorrow, you two are going on sabbatical. I've already arranged a place to rest.

Albert: W-when did you have time for that...

Yurius: Sorry to have caused you all that trouble, but we have work to do here.

Mena: This is work too! This trip will also be a field study!

Mona: Because you're going to the area where the hot-spring resort will be built. Doesn't this work sound much more fun?

Mina: We'll hold down the fort here. I've got experience as acting captain anyways!

Vyrn: And you can borrow our ship! Right, (Captain)?

Albert: You too, (Captain)?

Albert: Thank you. And sorry for causing everyone to worry so much about us.

Yurius: Hm... Because this is my fault, I'll be sure Albert comes along with me.

Albert: Now you're forcing me? Well, I guess I'll just take that as an act of kindness.

Mena: Great! Let's get you ready to go then!

Albert: It's settled. We'll try to enjoy ourselves to the best of our ability.

The sisters and crew successfully convince Yurius and Albert to take them up on their offer.

With all in agreement, the Grandcypher sets sail first thing the next morning.

Heroes of Levin: Scene 2

Yurius and Albert arrive at a location famous for its hot springs and also tour a winery. Albert decides to leave early while Yurius opts to hear more about the transformation of grapes to wine. Later, monsters appear on site, and Yurius must confront them alone.

---

Albert & Yurius: ...

After arriving at the site of the proposed resort and walking the area for a while, Yurius and Albert head to a hot spring together.

Albert: Whew... This feels great. No wonder these are so famous.

Yurius: True. They didn't feel quite this good the last time I was here.

Albert: Last time? Oh... Right. We were here after that mission with the other Sky Knights...

Yurius: That really brings back memories... I remember they even had low-level electric currents running through the water.

Albert: I can have that arranged if you like? I know just how low the levels need to be.

Yurius: No... That's all right. I'll just relax as is.

Their conversation ends, and they take in the welcome silence.

Yurius: I'd forgotten what it feels like to just let time pass slowly...

Albert: Me too. We've got to thank everyone who arranged this.

Albert & Yurius: ...

Time passes, and this time Albert speaks first.

Albert: I wonder if Foudre also relaxed in hot springs.

Yurius: That old story again? Those stories are for children to think about, not us...

Albert: But I always wanted to be like Foudre—slayer of cruel tyrants.

Yurius: Hah... So dreams do come true.

Albert: Don't be flippant. Everyone is just calling me whatever suits them.

Albert: But you really are the genius tactician, Astros.

Yurius: I'm a trivial researcher and a D.O.P.E. I'm no tactician.

Yurius: Nor do I have any intention of becoming one. A tactician often depends on power, which always leads to bloodshed.

Albert: Yurius...

Yurius: I'll find a way that doesn't lead to life lost. A way to rebuild our kingdom.

Albert: Levin has always chosen the way of the blade. You really are doing something revolutionary.

Yurius: Heh heh... What an honor coming from the captain of the Sky Knights.

Albert: Ready to go? I'm thinking we get some of Astros's favorite wine.

Yurius: If it's a love of wine we're talking about, even Astros himself couldn't compete with me.

The two both rise from the spring.

That night they sip wine while enjoying a discussion about the future of Levin.

The next morning they stop by the winery as part of their field study.

Yurius: I see... And how far do you stomp the grapes?

Farmer: It depends on the situation. We tend to go with what our gut tells us.

Yurius: Hm... Yes, your magnificent intuition. I would love to study that while I'm here.

Albert: Mr. D.O.P.E., I thought we came to inspect the winery.

Yurius: I speak as the head researcher for the Sky Knights.
Hm?

Yurius: Is this a container used for fermentation?

Albert: Good grief... He's in research mode...

Albert: I'm going back to the inn.

Yurius: Go ahead.

Yurius: And then, what becomes of the gas produced during the fermentation process...

After listening intently to the vineyard farmhand for quite some time, the sun sets.

Yurius: Now I'd like to ask about the lan—

Yurius: Hm? What is that...

In the center of the vineyard, a large monster's shadow can be seen.

Farmer: I've never seen a monster that big before in these parts...

Yurius: I'll have a look. Please wait here.

Monster: Groooar!

Yurius: Hm... There are no records of these kinds of monsters inhabiting the area...

Monster: Grroooar!

Yurius: No time for thought. This requires a sharp end.

Heroes of Levin: Scene 3

Yurius discovers that the monsters are being dispersed by Lord Galia's underlings. They refuse to stop their actions, causing Yurius's primal power to awaken and burn everything in view. Thankfully, Albert returns to save him.

---

Yurius: (Hm. Odd... Did they come from the mountains?)

Yurius defeats the monsters and decides to inspect the mountains near the winery.

Monster: Graaawr!

Yurius: ...!

Yurius: This isn't right... These monsters have been moved here by someone.

Yurius ponders over his current situation, when suddenly he hears voices coming from beyond the trees.

???: Yeah, but still... This is pretty dirty, even for Lord Galia. Who releases monsters?

Yurius: (Did I hear that right...)

Galia's Trooper 2: If this place gets funding, then our hot-spring business will go up in smoke.

Galia's Captain: Quit the chitchat and move the monsters along! You better not wake them!

Galia's Trooper 1: Why so serious...

Yurius: (I see...)

Carefully using the trees as cover, Yurius sees Galia's soldiers carrying sleeping monsters.

Yurius: Stand down! All of you!

Yurius: Stop this at once. Turn back now and we can all pretend this never happened.

Galia's Trooper 2: Look at that! A real hero is here to save the day!

Galia's Trooper 1: Captain, whadda we do with 'em?

Galia's Captain: Proceed as planned. Unload the monsters.

Galia's Captain: Yurius... I have a proposal of my own. Leave now, and we'll pretend we never saw you, hmm?

Yurius: You can't trust Galia! He'll turn this land into a war zone!

Yurius: Our country must become prosperous, or we will not be able to rebuild any land—yours nor mine!

Yurius: We don't have time for an internal struggle! Why can't you understand that!

Galia's Captain: Hah! Who in their right mind would leave the country in the hands of an abomination and a brainless captain!

Yurius: How dare you...

Galia's Captain: We know you were involved in the death of the late king!

Yurius: ...!

Galia's Captain: Hah... You may have the masses believing you're a hero...

Galia's Captain: But they'll know the truth sooner or later. And then what leg will you have to stand on?

Galia's Captain: Will anyone call a kingslayer a hero?

Yurius: I...

Yurius: Even so... I will fight for our future!

Galia's Trooper 1: Like hell you will!

Yurius: Agghh!

Galia's Trooper 2: I'll rip you from your high horse, you fraud!

Yurius: Ack!

Yurius: Hitting me won't solve anything! What will it take to make you understand!

???: Hahaha... Make them understand with force.

Yurius: ...!
My head...

Yurius: Gaaaah!

???: Words won't move nor guide. Everything is ruled by power.

???: Release me! Release me! Release me! Release me!

Yurius: No... There won't be... any more blood spilled...

Yurius: Aaaaggggh!

In that moment heat waves radiate from Yurius, and the surrounding trees catch fire.

Galia's Trooper 1: Ahhh!

Galia's Captain: What the hell... This is like the Celestial Eye...

Yurius: Release me... Release me... Let power reign!

Galia's Captain: Tch... Pull back!

Galia's Trooper 2: Y-yes, sir!

Yurius: ...!

Yurius: (Damn... My body won't move...)

Monster: Grrroooar!

Yurius: (I'm... going to die here...)

Yurius: (Albert... The future of Levin...)

Monsters inch closer to Yurius, but the pain is so intense that his sight becomes fuzzy.

Just before all is lost, there is a flash of light.

Albert: Are you okay, Yurius?

Yurius: Albert...

Albert: I thought you were taking too long coming back... You've got some explaining to do!

Yurius: All... right...

Yurius: (Looks like you really... are a hero after all.)

Yurius weakly watches as Albert slays one monster after the next.

Heroes of Levin: Scene 4

One night Albert visits Yurius within his study. Yurius laments that he is no hero, but Albert counters that there is no need for either of them to try to live up to such expectations. Left alone, Yurius vows to end his own life if the monster within him ever rampages again.

---

Mina: Is that true? Albert and Yurius were attacked on their vacation?

Mona: We don't know the details just yet... But monsters were involved...

Lord Mallow: Excuse me. Did that really occur? I do hope they're safe.

Mena: Lord Mallow! There's nothing to worry about!

Mena: They defeated the monsters and are on their way home now!

Lord Mallow: Really now... I would expect nothing less from the Levin Heroes.

Lord Mallow: I will let you all attend to them.

Mina: Lord Mallow... Thank you for your concern.

Lord Mallow: Farewell.

Lord Mallow: Humph. Galia... He made a preemptive move...

Lord Mallow: Such a simple-minded fool. Well, that makes him easy to manipulate.

Mallow walks along an empty corridor with a dark smile.

Lord Mallow: Now then... It's only a matter of time before they're exposed for the beasts that they are...

Lord Mallow: Heh heh... Hahahaha!

Mallow smugly laughs as he disappears deep into the halls.

Albert: There you are, Yurius...

Days pass, and one night Albert visits Yurius within his study in Saint Lethan Castle.

Yurius: Hm? Albert? What's the matter?

Albert: I was just wondering how you were faring.

Yurius: As soon as I found places we could build our resort that would overlap with areas that Lord Galia presides over, he was all in favor of the idea.

Yurius: Hah... So much for his concern about public safety. Suddenly he's saying there's nothing to worry about with the Sky Knights around. Talk about fickle.

Albert: I see... Are the plans to create a tourist attraction going smoothly?

Yurius: Yes. I'm glad we went to see things with our own eyes. Gaining cooperation from the local parties went swimmingly.

Yurius: From this, we'll be able to move forward in creating other resorts as well.

Albert: I see... Then we owe a great many people thanks.

Yurius: We'll treat (Captain) and the crew to the best grape juice they have ever had.

Albert: Haha... Good idea. You'll get to test the results of the research you did at the winery.

Albert: But Yurius... What are you doing up so late?

Yurius: I was reading this.

Upon the mountain of books on his desk lays a work titled with gold letters—"The Saint Lethan Tales."

Yurius: Foudre... I am not fit to be Astros.

Albert: Don't call me that. It's not as if I'm any Foudre.

Yurius: But that is what the people call us. Perhaps they wish to praise us. Or perhaps they wish to cling to us.

Galia's Captain: But they'll know the truth sooner or later. And then what leg will you have to stand on?

Galia's Captain: Will anyone call a kingslayer a hero?

Yurius: You're a hero, but I'm a man who's killed his own father.

Albert: You're wrong! You're the true hero here. You'll lead us all.

Albert: I'm no Foudre...

Yurius: ...

Albert: Yurius... There's no reason we need to be heroes.

Yurius: Even if that's what the people want?

Albert: Yes. We're not perfect. We'll never be anything like the protagonists in that story.

Albert: So join me. For our kingdom...

Albert: What we can't do alone, we'll accomplish together. You and me.

Yurius: Albert...

Yurius: If you could hold back embarrassing comments like that, I would appreciate it.

Albert: S-sorry... I got a little worked up...

Yurius: Or... Perhaps the wine is going to your head.

Yurius: But... You are right.

Yurius: I'm crumbling under the pressure of living up to a fabled hero.

Albert: Our goal is to rebuild Levin. Not to become heroes.

Yurius: Agreed... You speak only the truth.

Albert: That was too much talking for me. I'm off to bed.

As he leaves, Albert turns one last time to face Yurius.

Albert: Come to me whenever you need someone to talk to. You're always the one saying not to take it all on by yourself.

Yurius: True. I will do so from now on, old friend.

Albert: Good night. Don't stay up too late.

Yurius: You always find something to warn me about... Good night.

Yurius: Now then...

Yurius moves "The Saint Lethan Tales" and sets his eyes on the books beneath it.

"Legends of the Skyblade," "Research on the Astral Void Lacrima," and "Reports on the Celestial Eye Disaster" lie on his desk.

Yurius: There isn't any more useful information to be had from these... I just need countless experiments to find a way to control this...

???: Hahaha... Make them understand with force.

???: Words won't move nor guide. Everything is ruled by power.

???: Release me! Release me! Release me! Release me!

Yurius: No... There won't be... any more blood spilled...

Yurius: Aaaaggggh!

Yurius: (I can't allow anything like that to happen again...)

Yurius: All right... Just a little more work.

Yurius takes out a paper with the heading, "Area Expansion of the Hot-Spring Resort."

Yurius: I can't hope for a peaceful road to recovery without being willing to compromise with men like Lord Galia...

???: Kill them all... All who stand in your way!

Yurius: Aggh!

???: Remember... what it feels like to wield power!

???: The ecstasy you felt when you murdered your father... The warm darkness buried within... That is what you are made of!

Yurius: Could that... really be inside me...

Yurius: Aaaaggggh!

Within his study, Yurius screams in agony.

From his waist springs something like an arm that moves of its own volition.

It was, in fact, a tentacle.

Yurius: Huff... Huff...

Yurius: Ah... I've never heard of a hero with tentacles.

Yurius: Regardless, I have to live on.

Yurius: There would be no atonement in death...

Yurius strokes the tentacle, and it retreats within him.

Yurius: But I cannot call myself a researcher if I am not prepared for the worst. If this thing were to ever run rampant...

Yurius: I would need a way to end my own life swiftly.

Outside his window, screams of lightning can be heard as the sky is blackened by ominous, dark clouds.

But this was a sight that Levin was not unaccustomed to.