Amon Saga (アモン・サーガ)

The young peacock...

spreads a thousand wings...

to slay a thousand devils...

and a thousand demons...

living in a thousand valleys...

and over a thousand hills.

He knows no treasure...

he knows no fame.

In search of his destiny...

he travels on and on.

Word is that Valhiss is going to recruit some new soldiers.

They lost a couple of men in their last battle.

Snake bone brew.

Uh, you sure about that, kid?

Hey... Not bad there, buddy.

Valhiss...

Valhiss?

You want to join those no-good thugs?

That's a nice sword you've got there,

huh, kid?

Don't touch me!

What's that?

Hey, I'm just trying to be friendly.

So you wanna fight, eh, kid?

All right!

Hey - watch it!!

Whaddaya doing?!

Don't stick your head into other people's fights!

These two are just getting started!!

Hey!! You spilled my drink!

Hey, you! Look what you've done...

Oh, no you don't!

Get lost!

You sure are quick on your feet, kid. Just like a monkey.

And you've got some power.

Whaddaya say we call it a draw?

Won't even shake my hand.

You're one cautious kid.

I'm Amon.

Never heard of you.

That's all right.

My name's Gaius. It's nice to meet you.

It's Valhiss!

Here at last, eh?

I've come with a message from Captain Denon!

If any of you feel you're a good enough fighter for Valhiss...

gather now in the city square!

We are looking for new recruits to serve in the Valhiss army.

The selection will be made through a simple test.

After my men and I have returned to Valhiss...

a fire will be lit in the central tower...

to signal the start of the test.

Here's how it works...

Rope ladders will be hung from nine locations.

Each ladder will be cut down after one man has climbed it.

Consider every man other than yourself an enemy!

Valhiss needs only the nine strongest men!

Oh, come on!

I don't want any part of this!

Whoever gets to the ladder first...

is gonna get slashed from behind!

What you're telling us to do is kill each other.

I'm outta here! Good luck, guys!

Do as you wish.

No... please! Don't kill me!!

Strike first, if you wanna live!

These guys won't think twice about slicing you in half.

Hey, you don't have to thank me.

I just reduced the competition.

But I wouldn't mind a drink when we get to Valhiss.

Come on! You'll be left behind!

So... what took you so long?

You...

Hey, don't look at me like that.

I just left a little early to get a head start.

Looks like you're the ninth man up.

Sir, the test is finished.

Alcan, Gaius, Vikin, Daus, Mehico, Zem, Zom, Hoe, and Amon.

You have qualified as Valhiss soldiers to serve the Emperor.

There's trouble, sir.

The men we sent into Valhiss...

did not survive the recruitment test.

Then we must head for Valhiss.

But, sir. You can't be serious.

We have no choice but to fight Valhiss head on.

We must leave at once.

But, but... Sir!

Valhiss wants to find the Valley of Gold.

What will become of Granmall should he succeed?

But Lichia...

What about Princess Lichia, Sir?

Lichia!

If we make a wrong move now...

Princess Lichia will be...

Lichia! What will they do to her?

In order to save the Princess...

we must meet the Emperor's demand...

and give him the map showing the way to the Valley of Gold.

Hey!

Did you hear something?

Probably just an "owl-cat" or something.

The men we recruited today will add to our strength, sir.

Ah, they're no more than thugs.

But depending on how they're used...

even thugs can do us some good.

Denon.

Yes, sir.

Has Darai Sem replied to our demand?

Not yet, sir.

Interesting. Very interesting.

He has his people to think of.

He's not going to meet our demands so easily.

It's funny you should say that, Denon.

Taking Darai Sem's daughter hostage was your idea.

First you're saying what a perfect plan it is...

and now all you have are excuses?

Maybe you're losing your touch... Denon?

What!?

Denon... Mabo...

That's enough, you two.

We will take necessary measures in due course.

For now, we'll wait for Darai Sem to make his move.

Who's there?!

Don't let him get away!

Quickly!

Down this way!

Did you find him?

Not yet, sir.

What's going on?

I don't know, Your Highness.

The guards seem to be on alert.

What do you want?

It's late at night!

Open up!

No, I will not!

This is Princess Lichia's quarters.

Men are not allowed to enter.

An intruder has entered the tower.

Is everything all right in here?

As you can see, we're perfectly fine!

If you are finished, I would like to go to bed.

Please leave at once!

Sorry to disturb you, Princess.

Those guards are getting on my nerves.

Somebody got into the central tower last night.

The tower!?

Yeah.

That's why the guards are so busy.

So that's Lichia. Darai Sem's daughter.

She's being held hostage by the Emperor.

Princess Lichia!! Look out!!

Damn!

Get out of the lake, Princess! Hurry! Hurry!

Look out!

Hoe...

You're hurt...

So we meet again.

You have a way of popping up where you're least expected.

You helped me last night.

Are you trying to thank me?

Come, Princess. We must go.

I'm Lichia.

I'm Amon.

All this drinking is gonna make us rusty, eh?

Don't worry, my friend.

The Emperor's gonna have more than enough work for us soon.

Tell me something, where's Valhiss headed, anyway?

Don't ask me.

Take this map to Valhiss. And may God be with you.

Yes, sir.

I can only pray that Valhiss...

will keep his end of the bargain...

and return Lichia safely.

Don't worry, sir. I'll see to it.

Please do.

You have what you want. Now, release Princess Lichia.

Not so fast. How do we know that this map is real?

What?

The Emperor will be very upset...

if it turns out the map is a fake.

It's real! Why would we risk the life of our princess!?

Very well.

But there's one problem still remaining.

You see... Emperor Valhiss has grown very fond of Lichia...

He wishes to keep her by his side.

How dare you!

There is still something left for you to do.

I understand my father's messenger arrived today.

Now, you must keep your promise.

Let me out of here at once!

My darling. The beauty of a flower...

does not last forever.

In time, it will rot and turn foul.

The same can be said of all things living.

Lichia, for as long as your beauty lasts...

you will be mine.

Lichia... come!

The nine new soldiers selected in the recruitment test...

are ordered to gather now in the Emperor's hall.

Come on! Let's go! Move it!