The World is Still Beautiful (それでも世界は美しい)

Raise your head, Nike-sama.

Huh?!

Huh? Huh?!

This is Nike Lemercier. Princess Nike.

The story that is about to unfold tells the events leading to her rain- and light-filled destiny.

Keep firing them at regular intervals.

Sir!

The calm winds may delay their arrival by over half a day.

Most likely.

Without a rowing ship like ours,

who knows when they'll finally get here?

The lights! I can make out the harbor lights!

Your Highness, don't you think it's about time?

Nah. Let's plow right in!

Princess!

This really isn't acceptable.

We couldn't see a single thing through that fog. What was I supposed to do?

But if we arrive two whole days early, they'll find out in no time!

And I know I can count on you to cover for me.

Your Highness!

You intend to go ashore already?!

I'm curious to know what kind of country it is.

We can properly present you to the ambassador in the morning.

That would defeat the whole point!

Wow, look at that! Everyone's still awake!

You guys can head on home.

This ship may be run-down and all, but our country needs it.

Huh? Already?

But we have important business in the harbor!

Business?

You mean drinking? Or...

Both!

Hey!

You don't have the money for that!

We figured they'd have a welcoming party!

You need to close that big mouth of yours!

Gramps...

Do take care, Your Highness.

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

It's not like we won't see each other again! Stop crying already.

I wanted to try their good food!

Welcome party...

I wanted to see the girls!

That's what they're sad about?

Your Highness!

The air's so dry here.

My mouth and skin feel like they're burning...

It's hard to get a feel for...

Your Highness! Be well!

I wanted to drink!

My girls!

Take care now!

Thanks, everyone.

This is the Sun Kingdom.

It controls much of the world.

I have finally reached my destination— the land where the Sun King resides.

It should be starting tomorrow at the earliest.

Then tonight will be all about drinking.

I've never seen so many people in one place before!

Look at all the stuff...

Hey, girlie! Wanna try one?

I've never seen fruit like that before!

They're freshly picked enelots.

So they're called enelots?

They usually go for five suns, but since you're so pretty, I'll let it go for just four.

Take one!

Four suns...

And if we were to convert it into our sigure, that's...

Th-That's about 18 sigure! Th-That's expensive!

What? You think that's expensive?

You're seriously poor, aren't you?

Don't pass it to me! Get out of here!

Wh-What?

O-Of course it's not contag—!

Don't fall in the street!

Watch where you're going!

Get it together, country girl!

C-Country girl?!

I guess I am, but...

But you're the one who bumped into—

Forget it. I need to get some food.

I'm not trying to be mean or anything.

But I really don't have any rooms available.

This is the fifth place I've tried!

I'll even sleep in the storeroom if I can.

Just let me stay here for the night.

I told you, it's not possible.

Look over there.

We've been getting swarmed by the national army since yesterday.

I couldn't let a nice girl like yourself loose in that drunken rabble.

Even if I had a room open, my answer would still be no.

This is awful.

I can't make heads or tails of the people of this country.

Miss!

Do you have a place to stay for the night?

Would you like to stay at our inn?

Really?! You have a room available?

It's our one year anniversary!

One night with two meals for only ten suns!

It comes with two meals?!

Yes! Allow me to carry your bag.

No, it's fine.

Oh, but we insist!

Tonight, it's all-you-can-eat and drink for the ladies!

Seriously?!

Oh, you took the bait!

A story this good...

could never be true.

Country girl!

Sorry, lady!

She's a total dunce!

For crying out loud...

Has this country dried out the people's hearts, too?

A little payback—

I-It's no good. I feel like Heaven's just around the corner...

Onee-chan?

Are you okay?

Oh, what a wonderful smell!

I see... Heaven must smell like freshly baked bread and soup.

Looks like you're awake.

I'm glad!

Are you all right?

Anyway, eat up.

We can't talk over the sound of your stomach.

Go on, eat!

Can I?!

Don't stand up. You'll bump your head.

I've still got work to do, so you guys watch over her.

Okay! We will!

Liza, that's rude.

I don't mind being watched. I can eat, right?

How long has it been since you last ate?

I haven't had a bite since noon today.

I see...

The Principality of Rain?

Yes. It's far to the east of here.

I'm the fourth sovereign daughter.

Sovereign daughter?

It means she's a princess.

Is it really that funny?

Did you come here by yourself, Nike? Even though you're a princess?

I came here by ship.

So where's your retinue?

I sent them home.

But why?

I wanted to get a feel for what the people here were like.

This town might be very different from the capital, Ginitariques.

Really?

I don't like to say it,

but this is a harbor town, so a lot of people come here.

Including people like the ones who stole your luggage.

But there are nice people like the three of you, too.

Hey, Nike, why did you come to our country?

Well... To get married.

Wow!

To someone from our country?

Who? Who?

Your king.

King? The Sun King?

Okay. Get your laughs out, first.

No way!

Amazing!

Are you really for real?

You don't believe me at all.

And so, the Sun King has given special dispensation

for our principality to remain autonomous.

Are you sure he just can't be bothered to conquer us?

All we have here is rain and peace. It would be pointless.

That's cool. I guess being broke has its good points, too.

In exchange, he's asked for one of my daughters' hands in marriage.

Marriage?!

To one of us?

Rock, paper, scissors!

Incredible!

Nike, you're gonna marry the Sun King! You gonna be a total celebrity!

This is too funny!

I'm so jealous!

Then, why don't one you guys go instead?!

Not a chance!

What the heck?!

Because he's the Sun King!

He's merciless to those who oppose him.

He's cold-blooded and cruel.

In the three years since his coronation,

he's conquered the whole world!

Plus, I hear he's a total lecher! It's awful!

I hear he's bald with two big horns, has tons of body hair,

and that his breath is nauseating.

He doesn't even sound human!

Anyway, our future is riding on this marriage.

Take care now!

It really is true!

You believe me now?

Well? Have you found out who she is?

Dad! Listen!

Nike's gonna be the princess of our country!

If things go as expected, it should be tomorrow evening, right?

They should be receiving her on the high seas about now.

Like a package, huh?