The Holy Grail of Eris (エリスの聖杯)

Scarlett's disappeared.

It's been two days since I've seen His Lordship.

I thought she went away because she exhausted herself back then,

but now I'm sure I was wrong.

Did she get "fed up" with me, as they say?

Constance Grail. You have a visitor.

You ungrateful girl.

Think about what you've put me through.

One day, out of the blue, I hear my daughter's been arrested,

so I rush back to the capital only to find her slated for execution.

I... I'm sorry.

What on earth is going on?

Father...

Please disown me.

What if blame were to spread to our family because of me?

I don't know much about palace intrigue.

I don't know what's happening in this country, either.

But...

I think I can at least take a stand to keep my daughter safe.

But consider the risks!

Listen, Constance.

Nothing inspires us like other people, no matter the era.

We have our own ways of doing things.

"Be you sincere."

I'm glad to see you looking well.

Here you go.

Thanks!

What do you want with me, Shoshanna?

Change the people keeping watch.

Why?

They get rough.

Who knows what they'll do if someone stands up to them?

So be it.

Kiriki kirikuku.

L-Lie low and stay calm.

Kindly withdraw.

What do you want with us?

I came to warn you, brave little lady.

Unless you want to die, keep your head down.

You're awfully kind.

Kind?

Yes. You and Shoshanna both.

I'll kill you if ordered to do so.

I know. And that's why you came, isn't it?

To make sure you won't get that order.

To make sure I'm not killed.

I don't believe it!

Connie, kidnap a prince of Faris?!

And now she's to be publicly executed?!

Say, Mylene,

wasn't public execution abolished after Scarlett Castiel?

Do you know why?

Yes. I believe a citizens' group protested.

The Violet Association, I think it was called.

The Violet Association?

Thank you, Mylene.

Huh? Where are you going?

To save Connie, of course.

You can't expect me to just sit around weeping.

So I've got to take action!

My, what an admirable attitude.

Spare me your theatrics.

You've been able to see me all along, haven't you?

I've no doubt you realized I was there since we met at the Grand Merillian.

Otherwise, you'd never have bothered with the engagement of a viscount's daughter.

I have an excellent memory.

Oh, how heartrending!

10 YEARS AGO

Might your humble servant assist you in any way?

You're an eyesore. Get out of my sight.

Oh, what a shame.

Should the fancy ever strike you, please call upon your humble servant.

Yes. If the fancy strikes.

It took ten years, but the fancy struck me at last.

So...

lend me your aid.

In that case,

how may this unworthy hog be of service?

By hunting rats.

Your Royal Highness Prince Theophilis,

Kendall Levine of the diplomatic service is here.

What? I thought he left on a mission to Adelbide.

Regarding that,

he claims there's been an urgent development.

Is that so?

Show him in.

It's been ages, Kendall.

What on earth is the matter?

With all due respect,

Prince Ulysses was abducted not by Adelbide, but by Daeg Gallus,

and Second Prince Roderick is in league with them.

What?

I'm told that every member of Daeg Gallus

bears a tattoo of the sun somewhere on their bodies.

A tattoo?

I never suspected Roderick!

Where exactly did you get this information?

From Third Princess Alexandra.

In the ordinary course of events,

I was to receive charity from Prince Enrique in the near future.

Charity?

Indeed. To facilitate spreading the divine word,

we need "contributions" from the faithful more substantial than prayers.

I doubt that my brother would do any such thing.

You must be mistaken.

You don't say. Then pray forgive my intrusion.

By the way...

What is it?

Have you need of divine aid yourself, Your Royal Highness?

Well, I...

Begging your pardon.

Am I interrupting?

No. The viscount was just leaving.

And you are...?

Rufus May.

I was recently appointed assistant comptroller of the treasury.

Why, then you're the man I've heard about!

Have you ever visited my church?

I'm afraid not, as I'm still new to my post. But someday.

Why, we would be delighted to have you.

Oh, do forgive me. Static electricity, I suppose.

That, or a whim of the goddesses.

Don't you feel pain?

Of course I do.

It's merely that any pain you inflict is the greatest of joys to me.

Now, did anything strike you?

That man kept his gloves on, even when you went to shake hands.

He has a sun tattoo on his wrist.

Rufus May is a rat. Uncover his antecedents at once.

My lady's wish is my command.

Now then, I can do this much safely...

I always feel sleepy after using that power.

I suppose I feel fine now because I kept it weak earlier.

I see.

Causing such phenomena consumes a great deal of energy.

How would you know about that?

For all my faults, I do have the goddesses' favor.

By the way, is revenge your reason for remaining in this world?

Of course it is.

Even now?

What are you getting at?

Here and now, are you being driven by revenge?

Or...

are you working to save Constance Grail?

Revenge, naturally.

Is that so?

I believe that, to remain in the world of the living,

a disembodied soul must have some powerful emotion or goal.

So I have no doubt that once you feel your revenge is complete,

you will return to the gods' side.

Please sign our petition against this execution!

Constance Grail is innocent!

Please.

I beg you. Lend us your aid.

Please help us! We can't save my friend Constance Grail

without assistance from the right-minded people here!

What's the meaning of this?

I gave strict orders to keep any petition out of the palace,

and not just commoners have signed this. Aristocrats are in on it as well.

Then there's this book...

It claims to be by an up-and-coming foreign author. Adam Hicks?

It's obviously Amelia Hobbes!

A viscount's daughter, lauded as a saint,

overcomes the gap in status to marry a crown prince.

But in reality, she's a member of a criminal syndicate

who was born an impoverished orphan.

I feel as though I've heard this plot before.

Why would they go to such lengths for that plain little girl?

No matter what anyone says, she will be executed.

Along with that Lucia girl the O'Brians adopted.

What is it?

Nothing.

What an unpleasant state of affairs.

And just look how those absurd rumors spread when one's not looking.