Skeleton Knight in Another World (骸骨騎士様、只今異世界へお出掛け中)

My sister... has always been brilliant.

Still, I have to say that you are definitely stronger

compared to when we first met.

Hello, there. It's me, Arc.

Summoned by Lady Ariane's sister, Lady Eevin,

we're now in the Annette Mountains!

According to Lady Ariane, her sister is quite the skilled fighter.

And while I am looking forward to meeting her...

What has you lost in thought?

Eevin asking me to help with a mission of hers...

has me a bit worried.

Perhaps it's a sign that she appreciates how much you've grown.

I hope you're right...

What's the matter, Ponta?

Whoa!

Arc!

I recognize this swordplay! Don't tell me...

Stop!

An ambush is not my idea of a welcome, Eevin!

You noticed, huh?

Seriously, what's the big idea?

Oh, don't be like that, Arin.

Call me Big Sister!

Eevin, let go of me!

"Big Sister!" Got it?

Remarkable...

I'm curious how you even knew we were in Hoban.

I just asked Danka.

Oh my, have you lost weight, Arin?

Okay, that's enough of that.

I thought I recognized her swordplay...

Now I see, it resembles Lady Glenys'.

I still can't quite measure up to Mother, though.

Care to explain why you attacked Arc?

Oh, did you forget?

I told you before, any companion of yours had better be stronger than I am.

Companion?

I heard about him from Mother and Father.

How you've been getting help from a human knight, Arin.

And you're also traveling with him to the spring that breaks curses,

which I am pretty sure isn't for work!

I only told him about the spring as thanks for his help!

Then why are you traveling with him?

It's not the kind of place a human can get into on their own!

Ponta, what have the two of them been talking about?

Wait, if you know about the spring, then do you know about Arc's body?

Yes, of course.

He certainly is a skeleton, isn't he?

Uh, thank you?

I'm curious, what did you think?

About what?

When you fought him.

I know Arc's pretty skilled, but I'm curious about your take...

I can't say for certain, since we were interrupted,

but I don't think I'm ready to accept him as your companion yet.

I just told you, it's not like that!

And why exactly do you need to give your approval, anyway?

You went and got married on your own!

Come to think of it, I did hear you were getting married, Lady Eevin.

Congratulations.

I remember Lady Ariane made a veil for you,

which involved collecting the tails of some haunted wolves.

We actually haven't tied the knot yet!

There's so much work to be done, it has to wait.

And he doesn't mind?

He said I can do whatever I want.

He also said I can arrange it so that our house has a room for you, Arin.

What?

No way! Who would want to live with a pair of newlyweds?

Don't worry, the bedrooms will be separate!

They'd better be!

Lady Eevin is quite the rambunctious character.

You didn't just call us out here so you could test Arc, did you?

Of course not.

This job I'm on is proving to be a bit tough.

Are there troubling circumstances?

There's a chance that it could end up involving someone really dangerous.

What are the details?

I will. But first...

Come on. Show your big sister how much you've improved.

You're on.

Whenever you're ready.

If you insist.

Arin, you're so strong! I'm gonna lose!

She's predicting every single strike.

Wait, no!

It's more like Lady Eevin is reading Lady Ariane's intent,

and preempting it with her evasion!

Quit squirming around!

All done?

Stone of flames, heed my call. Strike my enemy down!

Wind, I call upon you to carry me!

Water, answer my call, and wash away my foe!

Oh, no!

What?!

I've still got you beat.

Splendidly done, Elder Sister.

Yuriarna!

It's good to see you again, Elder Brother Sekt.

I'm pleased to see you're all right! I was worried I may never see you again.

It's an honor to see you again, as well.

Damn that Dakares! To think he'd be brazen enough to try and kill you!

There's a good chance that the attempt on my life was Dakares

acting as a pawn for our older brother, Sekt.

You can have this back.

When Dakares struck at you,

I felt like the search should have continued longer.

Not much could be done.

Mother's heirloom necklace...

If Dakares had it, and no one was able to reach me,

it stands to reason people would assume I was assassinated.

I'm just glad you're all right.

Yes. Truly.

But, Brother, I'm actually here to inform you of developments regarding

the negotiations with the elves.

After speaking directly with their Great Elder, Fangas,

I was able to secure priority trading rights for Rhoden.

We'll be receiving an abundance of rune stones.

Magnificent!

With them, Rhoden will be able to grow even more.

Knowing you,

I'm sure you intend

to improve the territories that are the most in need first.

I'm sure there will be opposition, but I'll see what I can do about that.

I appreciate that, Sekt.

Not only did the assassination fail,

but she arranged this trade agreement with the elves...

Even after what's happened, my goal remains the same:

to do all I can to help this country.

She's a shrewd foe.

If the trade deal proceeds, Princess Yuriarna will

gain more and more of the public's support.

Which will make the throne...

There's no need to rush.

Yuriarna and I are both after the same thing.

And all we do, we do for the Kingdom of Rhoden.

Are you that upset about having lost to Lady Eevin?

Of course I am.

My sister... has always been brilliant.

As far back as I can remember,

she had already saved countless comrades as a warrior.

I thought I had maybe gotten closer to her, but...

Still, I have to say that you are definitely stronger

compared to when we first met.

You think...?

And more than that, think of all the lives you've saved.

I can guarantee this, as one who witnessed it in person:

you have much to be proud of, Lady Ariane.

Arc...

Thank you.

I have to say, we've certainly been together for a while at this point.

My journey is not an urgent one, and I enjoy our time together.

Well, let's do our best again, this time.

I wait on standby...

I feel as though this is happening a lot, lately.

At the foot of the Annette Mountains, there's a tiny village called Denel.

Since it's deep within the woods, it had no relations with the nearest settlements.

It used to be pretty closed off.

You say they used to...?

There's a family that's run the village for generations,

and a few years ago, they were attacked by a monster and wiped out.

The only survivor, the mayor's daughter, took the position over...

And her reputation is being as sweet as an angel.

Good morning.