May I Ask for One Final Thing? (最後にひとつだけお願いしてもよろしいでしょうか)

7 Years Ago

Oh, I'm done with you, Mary!

I'm done with you, too!

Today, I'll read you a book about the saint.

Saint?

You should become like the saint, a kind person who protects those who matter to her.

Like I ever could.

I had a fight with my friend just today...

The saint had a mysterious power.

She used that power to protect...

Who are you?

I pass the saint's power to you.

From this day forth, you are Saint Diana.

W-Wow!

Hey, everyone!

I think I'm the saint now!

Of course, dear.

Enough nonsense. Come help in the field.

Begone!

See? That's the saint's barrier!

I-It's real!

This is incredible!

We have to tell everyone in the village!

And that's how the life of an ordinary girl born in a small village in Pallistan

was turned upside-down one day.

May I Explain That This Is Not Something That Just Anyone Can Do?

So many people!

A popular girl never gets a moment's peace!

Hello, everyone!

Mary!

Sorry about before!

Let's make up!

S-Surely I'm unworthy, Saint Diana...

Lower your eyes, now!

Um...

We are the Dianan clergy.

We have come to take you with us, Saint Diana.

Now, come along to those who await you.

Just like that?

Farewell, Sanya...

Rather...

Saint Diana.

I never should have told them I'd become the saint.

The previous Saint Diana passed away.

From this day forth, you, the newly awakened Saint Diana,

shall protect this kingdom.

I see.

Nobody wants plain old me.

Then if I use this power I was gifted for the greater good,

and comport myself as the saint...

It is a pleasure to meet you, Saint Diana.

This lady...

She's the other saint!

Hey, Big Sister Scarlet...

Yes?

Why are you so perfect?

I can't do anything without the saint's power.

I'm just a worthless village girl.

Saint Diana.

When others see you acting cheerful and bright,

it makes them smile.

This is not something that just anyone can do.

That is not a power of the saint.

It comes from you.

That's not true.

I'm not bright and cheerful at all.

Inside, I'm always wishy-washy,

nervous about what other people think...

and a deeply jealous person.

Yes?

Excuse me.

Prince Julius wishes to see you.

How is she doing?

She hasn't awakened yet.

You know, don't you?

That I betrayed all of you...

The high-ranking Palmian we captured told us

that Diana and Dios leaked important information about the Dianan faction.

That's right. It's all my fault.

It's my fault that she's in danger too.

What will you do? Arrest me?

The arrest of the saint would send things further into chaos.

And if Scarlet were to learn something had happened to you while she was sleeping,

she would surely be aggrieved.

You'll be allowed to go free for the rest of the pilgrimage.

But I'd like to know the reason.

Why did you betray us?

Because—

What?!

That's the direction of the Holy Gem!

A pillar... of light?

The light of love rains down upon us.

Amazing!

They're Palmians.

They destroyed the Holy Gem in an instant!

What a stately and beautiful act.

We have returned from our mission,

beautiful priestess of Palmianism, Lady Terenezza.

Thank you for your hard work,

Lord Avelyn,

Lord Baroque.

And, to the members of the Eldrand Empire's Paladins of Immaculate Divinity...

I appreciate your cooperation.

I don't see Old Man Michelin who headed for Vankish, though.

Did his negotiations fail?

Meanwhile, I trust you spurred Falconia to action?

All went as expected.

I see. Then there's no need to worry, I'm sure.

Vankish and Pallistan have been feuding for years now.

Given this opportunity,

they'll surely accept our offer.

The Palmians are working with the other realms?!

This isn't good.

I've gotta tell Scarlet and the others!

Why, Lady Terenezza,

there seems to be a dirty rat slinking about.

Shall I handle it?

No need for that.

Damn...

Oh, I know you.

You're with Scarlet, aren't you?

I'm sorry, Scarlet.

I messed up.

According to the soldiers we sent to check, the Holy Gem is completely gone.

At the same time, a gap has appeared in the barrier...

A large number of monsters are heading toward Snowind!

How long until the monsters arrive?

Less than an hour.

How many are there?

Clairvoyance tells me several thousand.

Seeing non-herd monsters acting as a unit is unusual.

The Snowind soldiers won't last long by themselves.

Your orders, sir?

Bring the Holy Order here!

We must evacuate the people.

Split up by district to pass word along,

and gather all citizens to the plaza.

Then guide them out of town.

Sir!

Prince Julius!

What now?

Urgent message from the capital!

The Holy Empire of Eldrand and the Principality of Falconia

have declared war on Pallistan!

Their armies are currently advancing toward our borders!

I believe you should return to the capital at once.

I knew that the gods liked to test us,

but I didn't know the gods of this world were quite this perverse.

It's at a level that even I find shocking!

Leo, once the people are evacuated,

have the garrison return with the saint's procession

to the Dianan cathedral in the capital.

Yes, sir.

I'll return to the capital ahead of you.

Let's go, Sigurd.

Sir!

They're all acting strangely.

That light really must have been something serious.

It wasn't supposed to happen like this.

When others see you acting cheerful and bright,

it makes them smile.