THE RIBBON HERO (THE RIBBON HERO リボンヒーロー)

Long, long ago, a great calamity emerged

from the depths of the Ashen Sea.

Its form was that of a great beast that destroyed all in its path,

and Nergal was its name.

Through the ages, many warriors challenged the malevolent force

known as the King of Ash, but all were defeated.

People had given up on fighting the threat so long ago,

the idea of resisting seemed a distant memory.

But then a new warrior was about to be born.

Sapphire! Oh, Sapphire!

Oh, please, please!

Sapphire, please. Sapphire!

Are you all right?

Sapphire, wait.

Your arm.

- I'm fine… -Ooh, ooh.

…Zirco.

What happened?

It's all destroyed. There's nothing left.

Ah. Mother, is that you?

- -

Mother! I'll get you out!

Don't hurt yourself more.

It must be blocked by the rubble.

Mother, I'm coming!

I'm gonna get you out of there! Hold on!

Sapphire, it's no use.

What?

No, Mother! What do you mean? I can defeat the Nergal!

I'm more powerful than that thing!

I'll put an end to that atrocity once and for all!

Damn it! I'll open the door! Open up! I'll save you all!

I'll save you and Father and everyone in the kingdom!

I'm going to protect everyone, every last person! So, open up!

Come on! Mother!

Open the door, Mother! Help me! Open it!

Trying to fight against this world is meaningless.

Why can't you understand that?

You're going to have to face the truth, Sapphire. We've been defeated.

But, Mother, why would…

No, not yet. I'll stay and fight.

I'll destroy that Nergal, whatever it takes!

Sapphire,

there's nothing you can do to stop it.

It's over. Accept it.

The only way that we can survive is to flee from those stronger than them.

This whole world can perish and rot,

-but my final wish… -

No, I…

Mother, no! Please!

-Open the door! You can't! -I'm sorry,

-Mother, you can't! -but I've gotta get out of here.

- Stop it! Let go! -

Let go of me!

[passengers whimpering, indistinct talking]

The Nergal.

Oh?

Sapphire!

Ah! I'm soaked to the bone. All righty then.

What are you doing over there, Zirco?

I'm making you a little something special.

Special?

Something that ought to help liven up your spirits.

You know I'm not in the mood to do anything.

Besides, Mother always told me to avoid doing anything unnecessary.

Well, I'll have to offer the Queen my contrition,

because this is your new weapon, Sapphire.

A weapon suited to help us survive out here.

It will allow you to hold things, to carry things, and even to hug people.

If we hope to make it in this world,

we're going to have to start working and earning our keep.

That's not the same.

Oh, no.

Trying to fight against this world is meaningless.

Why can't you understand that?

What's all the ruckus?

Sapphire! Look out!

Huh?

-Oh, Sapphire! -

Oh, thank goodness you're all right.

- Zirco. -

Now let us pray.

May the Angel of Hope guide us.

May the Angel of Hope guide us.

Here you go. Thank you.

No, thank you.

And I hope you enjoy it.

One loaf, please.

Here you go.

I, uh, don't suppose you could make the loaf a little cheaper today.

-Uh-- -It's just, work's been drying up,

and I'm barely making it as is.

Uh, well, I…

Can you spare some food, please?

Jeez, come on.

What am I supposed to do?

Um, you all right?

Smells so good.

Ah! That smell! That smells amazing!

Uh, well, uh… See, I'm selling them for 50 gold each. Interested?

I should have known. I don't have any.

I had a feeling. Oh. Well, I can't just let you starve!

- Oh. -

You two must not have eaten for some time.

While they are welcome here,

maybe next time you can just bring them the leftovers.

Sorry, Mom. I wasn't sure I could make that kind of decision.

I haven't been able to enjoy a hot meal for so long.

I really appreciate it.

Uh, of course.

Sounds like food's been hard to come by.

We were forced from our homeland seven years ago.

Since then, we couldn't find work,

so we've been wandering from place to place,

eating whatever food we can find.

All too familiar a story.

-Awful, nonetheless. - Mmm.

An old woman and a young girl all on their own.

I imagine it's been rough.

It's so good! This thing is delicious! What is it?

That is a bone in Golden Rat steak.

It's one of their local specialties here in Gold Land.

So this is the Golden Rat steak. Mmm. I've got room for more!

-Can I have another helping? - I wish I could,

but if you want more, you'll have to pay.

-Times are hard for us, too. - Oh, right.

Of course.

We're willing to do anything. Please, can we work for you?

We've got all the help we need.

Do you know anywhere around here that's looking for workers?

In my experience, when outsiders are looking to make money quickly,

it's the mines that they turn to first.

It's not the kind of work I'd recommend.

I can't just sit around feeling sorry for myself forever.

I'll do it.

Can you take me there?

What? Now?

Uh, um…

Don't tell me you're planning to go, looking like that.

Fine. Draw them a bath, will you?

I'm Sapphire. Nice to meet you.

- My name's Pine. - Pine? That's such a cute name.

Do… Do you really think so?

Originally, I'm from Silver Land, but…

It's a long story, and kind of a sad one, too,

-but anyway… - I bet it was hard.

But now I'm glad to see that you're doing better.

Welcome to Gold Land!

Thanks.

The devastation of Silver Land suffered like no other,

but we've been able to enjoy relative peace since the calamity.

However, the King of Ash is stirred and the Nergal are active again.

And as a result, it has slowed the pace of our mining operation.

What more can you tell us

about the source of crystal energy discovered the other day?

It has been sealed off and is being investigated.

Be cautious that it doesn't provoke the King of Ash.

Understood.

Our nation's finances continue to be strained,

what with crystal prices soaring higher than ever.

And the black market is only gaining momentum.

The miners and immigrants are becoming agitated.

Yesterday they began chanting, "Defeat the King of Ash" again,

which led to another riot.

Then suppress them by any means.

It is said the Angel of Hope

is the only one who can defeat the King of Ash, is it not?

That's a dangerous idea.

Any individual caught disseminating harmful notions,

or rumors, will be apprehended at once,

and will be subject to public whipping for their crime.

Understood.

We must not resist the King of Ash.

If we want to survive, we have no choice but to bear the pain.

May the Angel of Hope guide us.

May the Angel of Hope guide us.

Mmm.

Off we go!

You helped me get registered and everything. Thanks so much.