Paddington |
"According to the SSS, Mr. Takahiro is probably in Verforet or Eisengrad." |
Celia |
"Are those... country names?" |
Conductor |
But of course. Let's open up the map and confirm. |
Paddington |
"Here it is. There are two other countries in Iris Cloud besides the three you've all been to." |
Paddington |
"Verforet, the country of Forest Green and Magic, and Eisengrad, the country of Snow and Steel." |
Mio |
"So that's where Takahiro-kun might be..." |
Conductor |
He is likely to be somewhere in Eisengrad, provided that he was involved in the same situation as the others. |
Akane |
"Then we have no choice but to go there and search for clues on Mizuno...!" |
Conductor |
The SSS will now head on to Verforet. But first, we have to get you three protected people back to the base. |
Celia |
"No need for that. If you are looking for Mizuno, we would like to continue accompanying you." |
Mio |
"Yes, we want to look for Takahiro-kun too." |
Paddington |
"It's reassuring to have you all here. Let's get going as soon as possible!" |
Conductor |
...That's a tough one. |
Queensway |
"Tough... Does that mean we can't take them all with us?" |
Putra |
"Why not!? We're all worried about this Takahiro kid!" |
Paddington |
"Ah, Putra, you're revived. Good morning." |
Putra |
"Good morning. ...Eh, what, what do you mean revived? I seem to have some kind of a memory skip..." |
Paddington |
"Just your imagination! You must have been having a lovely dream." |
Akane |
"Conductor-san, if you do not mind me asking, can you tell us why?" |
Conductor |
From here onwards, this will be a full-scale search operation. The dangers are much greater than earlier on, when we only had to rendezvous at the garrison of each country. |
Conductor |
There are also concerns that we may be attacked by the knight-type Mist Monsters that appeared yesterday. With only Queensway and Putra as our current firepower, we cannot guarantee everyone's safety. |
Akane |
"Before you worry about others, you should first worry about yourselves. I guess that is what you imply." |
Conductor |
As the SSS, our primary responsibility is to protect you all. You have to understand that we can't put you in danger from here onwards. |
Mio |
"I see, if that's the case.... Celia-senpai, Akane-chan..." |
The three looked at each other and nodded in unison. |
Mio |
"If that's the case, then we'd like to follow you even more!" |
Queensway |
"Miss Mio...!" |
Akane |
"The appearance of the knight-type monsters we have heard about, I am sure they are not unrelated to us. We may be able to find clues by directly confronting it in combat." |
Mio |
"We can't just do nothing when Takahiro-kun might be asking for help!" |
Celia |
"I want to take up my lance for the sake of peace, with the pride of a knight. It is not chivalrous to just wait with our fingers crossed." |
Celia |
"Once again I'll ask - will you accept our resolve?" |
Queensway |
"You were all so determined for this." |
Paddington |
"What do you think, Conductor? The more men we have, the better we'll be able to search." |
Putra |
"Even if you can't fight, it doesn't mean you're in immediate danger, because Paddington's been with us through it all too." |
Conductor |
Certainly, a force is not all about combat capability. I understand what Putra is saying. |
Conductor |
...Very well, and they're serious. Then let's honestly ask them to assist us. In the search for Takahiro Mizuno, there will be many situations where we will be able to rely on these women who are closely involved. |
Putra |
"Hurraaay! Now we can spend more time together." |
Conductor |
My immediate concern is Mist Monsters. |
Paddington |
"That's true... It depends on how and where we search, but I still need you all to come to some dangerous places..." |
Celia |
"About that, I'm sure Conductor knows that's not a problem. When we first met, I still would have slayed those monsters myself." |
Conductor |
Does that mean... we can add you into the head count of our force? |
Celia |
"I will take up my lance for peace - I will throw myself unhesitatingly into the fray." |
Conductor |
You're right, Celia, we've seen you in action once. You are the one who should be able to withstand a battle with Mist Monsters. |
Akane |
"Even if I have no intention of training to be the best, please do not hesitate to issue me orders, Conductor-san." |
Mio |
"I-I'm kind of a novice, but... Takahiro-kun praised me for my physical ability, so I'll be fine!" |
Conductor |
The two of you even practiced jostling with Celia. Let's hope you're up to it. |
Putra |
"My my, you've bought into everyone's abilities, haven't you? You're not being very honest, Sir Conductor~" |
Queensway |
"While commendable, We can't just make a one-sided request, can we?" |
Paddington |
"I think we've settled on an agreement. And now that we've heard each other's thoughts, I feel like we're all the more united!" |
Conductor |
Okay, we'll leave for Verforet immediately. |
--A while later, the Mist Train was travelling through Verforet. |
Mio |
"Look, Akane-chan, Celia-senpai! Look at the scenery from the window, there's so much green." |
Mio and her friends looked out of the window at the landscape. Hopefully a little forest green will ease the girls' anxiety. |
Paddington |
"Conductor, I'm glad they're all enjoying the view from the windows of the Mist Train." |
Conductor |
Even so, I'm sure they're still concerned about Mizuno Takahiro's safety. They're probably trying not to show it on their faces so as to not worry us. |
Paddington |
"That's right... if I were separated from Conductor in a similar situation..." |
Celia, perhaps sensing our concern, spoke to us. |
Celia |
"Conductor, I thank you again. Without your co-operation, we would not have been able to make it this far." |
Paddington |
"Don't mention it, it's our duty as the SSS after all. We can't just leave people in trouble." |
Conductor |
Paddington is right, it's the natural thing to do. There's no need to be polite about it. In fact, we're the ones who are being helped by you all with this mess. |
Conductor |
In the name of the SSS, we will find Takahiro Mizuno. Until then, there will be no end to your anxiety, but I hope you enjoy your trip to this otherworld as much as possible. |
Celia |
"Well, then, let's rely on each other. Also... please don't get too worked up either." |
Putra |
"Yes. Then we can rely on each other. It's not good to be so tense." |
Queensway |
"Yes, I do. I often point this out too. Now, let's do our best to keep our shoulders firmly planted!" |
Putra |
"No, Queensway, that's not relaxing at all. Your shoulders are doing the exaaaact opposite." |
Conductor |
Celia smiled at the usual banter between our members. It would be nice if this could drown our anxieties a little in this way. |
Conductor |
But when I quickly looked towards the seats, I saw Mio's lips pursed tightly and she was muttering an oath. |
Mio |
"Wait for us, Takahiro-kun. We're coming to get you now..." |