Arete Hime (Princess Arete) (アリーテ姫)

The princess of the castle, confined alone in the high tower

Waiting for someone worthy of being her husband to eventually come...

Was hidden and shielded from all the corruption of the outside world.

The people of the city say she is still up there as she protects her noble mind and body.

Princess Arete

It's not like the power a real sorcerer has...

But humans have something magical in their hands.

That means...

In these hands, too... ?

You know a little about sewing ?

You do ?

You need money ?

In that case...

Go home and sew some underwear.

We can't let a girl like you into the guild.

I've never seen here before... I wonder where she lives.

She's nothing... A perfect match for you.

Ow !

Let's see it.

Your work !

Not bad.

Okay, I'll teach you the next stitch.

What do you want ?

Your meal is ready.

Today it the deadline for the difficult treasure hunting task set by the king...

To select one of the many candidates vying for the princess's hand.

The people must be praising the outstanding men who have returned.

Truly magical !

We're delighted so many of you were able to complete your tasks...

And gather the legacies of the now-extinct sorcerers from all over the world.

Not only is his royal highness pleased with the accomplishments from the different nation's heroes...

But this courage you present to the princess has filled her with joy.

So, who will be chosen as the bridgegroom ?

Who knows... ?

Your bed has been prepared.

Have a good night.

The princess is sleeping peacefully.

Yes ! Understood !

Count on us to protect her through the night !

To get all these sorcerer's treasures this way...

It's a godsend for us kingdom economists.

When are the merchants coming ?

That's next month.

One man was somewhat confused...

Bringing back a book...

What was he thinking ?

It may contain something about the era of magic, but it's just a book, it has no magic.

It's fine. We'll see how much we can sell it for later... Put it away, too.

Either way, this information won't get out.

We mustn't forget that this is the result of the royal family's good will.

Not this one.

Oh, this is just a toy.

What is it ?

The many mysteries once owned by man that have now been lost.

The reason my heart pounds harder seeing each of these discoveries...

Is that I think of the possibilities of the humanity that created them all.

That means it may exist within me.

The sorcerers may have died out...

But human hands created this castle.

Even this table...

Then...

Princess.

Princess.

I mean you no harm.

Princess ?

Yes, it is I.

Oh, this is... ?

I am Daraboa.

I have finally seen you... My heart has been burning for you.

Regarding the marriage right, we weren't able to eliminate anyone today and will compete again, but...

Then you're doing it over ? Hunting for treasures ?

Isn't that your order ?

Yes...

No matter how difficult of numerous the trials that I have to complete...

The one who will bring back a fantastic treasure to capture your heart will be I, Daraboa.

I just wanted to tell you this.

And the ministers gain more magical treasures...

This person, he's the same as me...

Um... Going to far away countries and talking to people is...

I mean... I think people created words to understand each other...

So I was wondering if communication with people is possible without words...

Oh, then I, Daraboa, will share some stories of my treasure hunting adventures.

Searching for a magic treasure for the Princess, I traveled east.

So many horses I went through...

But even horses are glad to give their lives for their princess.

And then, I reached a country in which a monster resided.

This huge monster had what appeared to be wings on the sides of its head.

And then on its creepy face was what looked like a giant snake.

That is... Um...

That is... ? What about it ?

Nothing...

Anyway, I, Daraboa, slayed the monster.

How ?!

With my ancestral sword, of course.

And then next a pack of bandits appeared. I, Daraboa, ran towards one, and...

Please don't make such a sad face, Princess.

With you in my heart, Daraboa's sword is invicible !

After slaying one after another, I found the magical treasure in a vile shrine.

They only eat grass.

Those long-nosed, large animals.

They are smart and can be domesticated.

That is... ?

This is... From a book.

Oh, if you like books, then I, Daraboa, will bring you as many as you wish !

Is something wrong ?

Books are the only windows for me to see the outside world while confined in this tower... Just books.

Who would want to confine the princess ?

I told too many scary stories. Monsters and bandits are far, far away.

Once you are my wife, I, Daraboa, will protect your preciousness.

Let's live peacefully within these castle walls one day.

Checkmate.

Outside the window...

You want to become my husband and to reign over it all, right ?

This country.

Since the moment of my birth...

Then...

Outside the window...

Then, expanding your imagination with all your might...

Is that what you want ?

Oh, thinking about all of this becoming mine...

Many roofs, many people... They all have their own minds.

So many of them... It's overwhelming, isn't it ?

Even considering all of them together, I, Daraboa, will... !

What's important is each of their minds...

I also have... I, too... It's small, but...

Princess...

A-All the people of that country did was try to catch a bandit who killed their livestock and stole their treasures...

Each person has to think about more than themselves.

But, when thinking about you, Princess--

I don't ask for it. It just makes trouble for me.

Damn...

Well, if the princess doesn't mind, I'll be on my way now.

Oh, beautiful Princess.

Oh, those eyes that hold the depths of a sparkling lake.

Your long black hair is like the shine... The shine of gold.

And those lovely lips... On day, they...

Princess !

The princess would rather sleep than talk with me ?

A gift from my trip, a rose from distant Africa.

A treasure more beautiful than this flower, I wish to add it to my jewelry boxes.

Waiting, waiting... Eternally...

This is a Rosa Splendifora...

The garden keepers worked so hard to grow it in the castle's east garden...

No, I wasn't lying or anything !

Speaking like this is just for elegance.

It's not always best to simply state the boring truth...

If I described the princess's face truthfully...

Damn it !

Don't seek meaning in their words.

They're just a bunch of men who look at the world through rose-colored glasses to avoid reality.

But they will make you hate yourself enough to listen to them...

How did you get here ?

I took the path you showed me.

You found them by looking over the building plans ?

This brings back memories...

When the world was plagued by war, all castles were full of these hidden passages.

You know about such old things... How old are you ?

You're a witch, aren't you ?

While I was playing pranks in this form, the source of my magic was stolen.

Without it, I can't return to normal.

I heard magical items are collected in this castle, so I came, but...

Did you find it ?

What does it look like ?

It's about this big and looks like a crystal ball.

There is nothing like that here.

Is there anyone you know who can use magic ?

Magic isn't that easy.

There are things called genes that you don't comprehend.

The crystal is simply an artificial tool that helps release the powers within.

If you can't get it back, what will happen ?

My eternal life will end.

I will age little by little and eventually grow old and die, just like you with your limited lives.

Limited...

But life doesn't end immediately ! There are things you can accomplish before that !

Oh, my. You still believe life has some meaning ?

Isn't it natural ?

What ? A real sorcerer ?!

They still exist ?

Did he come for the treasures ?!

No. it seems he's asking about the princess.

The princess of the castle has a wicked mind. She will never become the sheath you desire.

What are you saying ?!

If you doubt it, then ask...

Those two knights there.

According to the two knights who snuck into the princess's quarters...

What ?! Our knights were called thieves and liars ?

And ? What do you suggest we do ?

Make the princess my wife.

I, Boax, will do nothing to the princess.

There's no loss in a marriage with a sorcerer.

What ?

The magical items are important to this kingdom's economy, right ?

I don't think anyone is concerned with my ugly looks, but...

This may be what I look like now, but I intend to regain my beauty for the wedding with the princess.

We'd like your advice on these issues, Your Highness.

O eternal source of greatness, please guide us with your bright and shining wisdom !

What ?!

What ?!

What ?!

But then...