﻿\setgamedatatitle("Lusario  \nThe Fourth City, Rebresque")

\text
――You only need to exist for the sake of the soldiers and
the people. Bearing the burden is my duty.

\endtext

\text("Tiela")
...For the soldiers and the people...
\endtext

\text
Ever since then, those words have weighed heavily on Tiela's
shoulders.
\endtext

\text
It is the king's duty to bear responsibility.
\endtext

\text
No, it's not even a duty―it's simply natural for anyone who
stands above others.
\endtext

\text
Because Tiela herself understands that, it only makes her
feel even gloomier.
\endtext

\text
But she decided that today, it would end.
\endtext

\text
For the soldiers still fighting now, and for Rudol, who said
he'd bear the burden in her place.

\endtext

\text
...And for El, who is acting for her sake, Tiela steeled her
resolve.

\endtext

\text("Rudol")
Tiela-sama.
\endtext

\text("Tiela")
Y-Yes!
\endtext

\text
Come to think of it, this is the first time she's gone
against Rudol's decision.
\endtext

\text
Suppressing her nerves, Tiela headed for the throne.

\endtext

\text("Rudol")
...Tiela-sama. What did you just say?

\endtext

\text("Tiela")
............
\endtext

\text
The air in the throne room was tense.
\endtext

\text
Rudol's face was stiff. The other retainers also stared
wide-eyed at Tiela.

\endtext

\text
As for her, she felt like she might faint if she let her
guard down, from all the tension and anxiety.
\endtext

\text
Even so, she gracefully clenched her fists on her lap and
lifted her face.
\endtext

\text("Tiela")
...We will surrender... to the Demon Lord's army.
\endtext

\text("Retainer 1")
After coming this far, what are you...
\endtext

\text("Retainer 2")
I can't imagine the people would accept something like this
now...
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
............
\endtext

\text
As expected, they would not accept it.
\endtext

\text
Just voicing her own will was enough to throw her retainers
into confusion and suspicion.

\endtext

\text
That alone made it feel like everything she'd worked up was
about to shatter.
\endtext

\text("Tiela")
I don't want to make the people or the soldiers suffer any
more...
\endtext

\text("Tiela")
And I think... I have to take responsibility myself...

\endtext

\text("Rudol")
Even so, there's no guarantee the people will be spared.

\endtext

\text("Tiela")
I-I'll offer my life! If I do that, surely even the Demon
Lord...
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
...You mustn't, Tiela-sama. You are the queen of this
country, aren't you? You can't do such a thing―

\endtext

\text("Tiela")
That's exactly why. Even if we're ruled by the Demon Lord's
army, if everyone can live in peace, then I...
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
No one would be happy being ruled. Please... take back what
you just said.
\endtext

\text("Tiela")
I won't... I've already made up my mind.
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
...Tiela-sama.
\endtext

\text("Tiela")
I am the queen of this country... I'll take full
responsibility for everything...!
\endtext

\text
...Rudol never imagined she would push back this far.

\endtext

\text("Retainer 3")
Honestly, this might be better than continuing to fight.

\endtext

\text("Retainer 4")
...Even if we surrender, there must be another way.
Tiela-sama doesn't need to offer her life.

\endtext

\text("Rudol")
.............
\endtext

\text("Retainer 1")
......
\endtext

\text
In Rudol's mind, he pictured the future after surrender.

\endtext

\text
There was nothing there.
\endtext

\text
Only pitch-black darkness enveloped Rudol.

\endtext

\text
Bit by bit, he felt himself fading away from his fingertips.

\endtext

\text
There's nothing more terrifying than nothingness itself.
\endtext

\text
That is the one future that must be avoided at all costs.

\endtext

\text
A conclusion like surrender is absolutely out of the
question.
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
...And now you want to play queen? How convenient for you.

\endtext

\text("Tiela")
Eh... ah!?
\endtext

\text("Retainer 3")
Wha...?
\endtext

\text
―If that's the case, there's no point in waiting any longer.
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
...Fine. Guards, restrain Tiela. She's no longer of any use.


\endtext

\text("Guard")
Y-Yes, sir!
\endtext

\text("Tiela")
Ah...
\endtext

\text("Retainer 3")
Chancellor!?
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
...And those useless fools over there as well. I have no
need for anyone who sides with Tiela.
\endtext

\text
With a stunned expression, Tiela is restrained by the
guards.
\endtext

\text
She can't even comprehend what's happening.

\endtext

\text("Rudol")
Honestly... you should have just obeyed me quietly.

\endtext

\text("Tiela")
Rudol...? What is the meaning of this...?

\endtext

\text("Retainer 1")
...Hmm. We'll have to inform the people that you have
ascended the throne soon.
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
Leave it to you. I have a mission to defeat the Demon Lord's
army...
\endtext

\text
Ignoring Tiela, Rudol continues the conversation as if it
were the most natural thing in the world.

\endtext

\text
It was like watching a play unfold before her eyes.
\endtext

\text
Even though Tiela was right there, everyone continued the
meeting as if she didn't exist―

\endtext

\text("El")
Lady Tiela, I've just returned! ...Huh?

\endtext

\text("Tiela")
El...?
\endtext

\text
That was, until El arrived.
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
...Oh? So you survived, El.
\endtext

\text("El")
Rudol...sama...
\endtext

\text
From the start, El only had eyes for Tiela.

\endtext

\text
For some reason, Tiela was being restrained. With a face on
the verge of tears, she stared at El.

\endtext

\text
El didn't know how things had ended up like this.

\endtext

\text
But it was clear that Rudol had harmed Tiela.

\endtext

\text
―That alone was more than enough reason to draw her bow.

\endtext

\text("El")
Let Lady Tiela go...!
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
...First, disarm yourself. Otherwise, Tiela won't get out of
this unharmed.

\endtext

\text("El")
...I knew it. You're the villain here, aren't you?

\endtext

\text("Rudol")
Don't misunderstand. I'm simply handling affairs in her
place while she's lost her mind.

\endtext

\text("El")
That's a lie! There were no bandits! I know you were the one
kidnapping children and selling them!

\endtext

\text
Even with Tiela taken hostage, El refused to lower her bow.

\endtext

\text
If she let go, she wouldn't be able to save Tiela.

\endtext

\text("El")
I don't believe a word you say...!

\endtext

\text("Rudol")
Enough... Restrain that brat too! We can't have a
conversation like this.
\endtext

\text("El")
Huh!? Kyaa!?
\endtext

\text("Tiela")
El!?
\endtext

\text("El")
No, let me go! Let go... ngh...!

\endtext

\text
El was tackled by the rushing guards and struggled
desperately to break free from their hold.
\endtext

\text
But for a petite girl like her, it was impossible even to
move, let alone escape.
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
All the soldiers in the palace are on my side now. ...You'd
be wise not to resist.
\endtext

\text("El")
Ugh... How could you betray Lady Tiela!? I will never, ever
forgive you...!

\endtext

\text("Rudol")
You bark quite a lot for a little puppy. It seems you
haven't been properly trained, former Majesty.
\endtext

\text("El")
Don't go near Lady Tiela!
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
...You said you wanted to take responsibility, didn't you?
Then, right here and now, you'll take responsibility for
raising such an unruly dog.
\endtext

\text("Tiela")
Agh...!?
\endtext

\text("El")
Lady Tiela!? No... Don't lay a hand on Lady Tiela!

\endtext

\text("Rudol")
...That depends on your answer.
\endtext

\text("El")
...Ugh...!
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
I will defeat the Demon Lord, and then ascend to the throne.

\endtext

\text("Rudol")
And Tiela will take responsibility for letting the city be
occupied.
\endtext

\text("El")
Responsibility...?
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
...To put it simply, execution.

\endtext

\text("El")
What...
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
However, if you bring me the Demon Lord's head, that's a
different story.
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
...So, what will you do? Captain of the Royal Guard, El
Fraphnith?
\endtext

\text("El")
............
\endtext

\text
There was no way to trust him.
\endtext

\text
But if she refused, that man would hurt Tiela again.

\endtext

\text
That was the one thing she couldn't allow. She had to save
Tiela.
\endtext

\text
If it meant that...
\endtext

\text("El")
...If I bring you the Demon Lord's head, that's enough,
right?
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
That's right. This is for Tiela's sake too. ...I don't care
what means you use. Just get results.

\endtext

\text("El")
...Understood.
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
Then go. I'm counting on you, El.

\endtext

\text("El")
............
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
Such a simple girl. As if I'd waste her on something like an
execution.

\endtext

\text
As El ran off, Rudol sneered at her back.

\endtext

\text
His expression was filled with a malice Tiela had never seen
before.

\endtext

\text("Tiela")
Rudol...
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
No need to worry. Even I have to admit her archery skills
are impressive.
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
She'll get results. For your sake.

\endtext

\text("Tiela")
Why... I, I thought you...
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
...Originally, I wanted you to take your time, follow the
proper procedures, and abdicate the throne to me.

\endtext

\text("Tiela")
Huh...?
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
Sooner or later, you would have been dragged off that throne
anyway... that's all there is to it.

\endtext

\text("Rudol")
I wanted it. The title of 'king,' the responsibilities, the
power, the pressure, the expectations... all of it is
wonderful.
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
All of it excites my emotions, stirs up my desires, and will
fill my heart.
\endtext

\text
He says he just wanted the throne―nothing more.

\endtext

\text
Tiela can't understand what that means.
\endtext

\text
To live for desire is to be no better than a beast. It's far
removed from pride or order.
\endtext

\text("Tiela")
Are you planning to fall into 'Wither'...?

\endtext

\text("Rudol")
Hmph... I wish I could. If I could, I'd want nothing more.

\endtext

\text("Rudol")
If my desires faded, my emotions dulled, and my heart went
numb, I'd lose the will to live. Then I'd have no choice but
to die a fool's death.
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
To live out your life and become one with the forest's
blessings? No. Isn't it just that you're tired?
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
What a joke. Even after 800 years, this world is still
swirling with endless desire.

\endtext

\text("Rudol")
It's not just the throne. You are one of those desires too.

\endtext

\text
Tiela felt a chill from the gaze of this man who was neither
Brightleaf nor Wither.

\endtext

\text
His vulgar, sticky stare clung to her, making her shudder.

\endtext

\text("Tiela")
What are you planning to do with me...?
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
Don't worry, I won't kill you. There aren't many Brightleafs
as beautiful and graceful as you.

\endtext

\text("Rudol")
Even I was driven by a man's lust because of you...

\endtext

\text("Tiela")
No...!
\endtext

\text
Just being touched by Rudol made her skin crawl.

\endtext

\text
Is this really the Rudol she thought she knew, standing
before her...?
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
Don't you think a brothel would suit you? With that ripe
body, any man would get addicted.

\endtext

\text("Tiela")
Ouch... No, let me go...!
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
Put her in the cell. Treat her with care. She is still Her
Majesty the Queen, after all.

\endtext

\text("Guard")
Heh.
\endtext

\text("Tiela")
Ah... Wait, please wait! Rudol, please, don't fight
anymore... I'm begging you...!

\endtext

\text
Even as the guards dragged her away, Tiela pleaded with
Rudol.
\endtext

\text
But her words never reached him as he turned his back to
her.
\endtext

\text
To him, Tiela was no longer a queen.

\endtext

\text
She was just another piece in his collection. The words of
his property meant nothing.
\endtext

\text("Tiela")
Rudol...!
\endtext

\text
The new king, who never once met Tiela's eyes until the very
end, glanced at his vassals.

\endtext

\text("Rudol")
...With this, the country is mine. From now on, you will all
swear loyalty to me.

\endtext

\text("Retainer 1")
............
\endtext

\text
There was no one here who could oppose him. The new king
would not allow it.
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
Now then, let us continue the meeting. To discuss
exterminating the Demon Lord.
\endtext

\text("Rudol")
Do not worry, everyone. The true elite soldiers of Lusario
are still alive and well in Luct=Lusario.

\endtext

\text("Rudol")
We have the advantage of the land. There's not even a
one-in-ten-thousand chance that the Demon Lord's ragtag army
could defeat us.
\endtext

\text
The throne he sat upon filled Rudol with supreme relief.

\endtext

\text
Before he knew it, the darkness that had surrounded Rudol
had vanished completely.
\endtext

\text
....................
\endtext

\text
............
\endtext

\text
......
\endtext

\text
It was just around the time the plan to capture Rebresque
was coming together.
\endtext

\text
El, her eyes swollen and her face soaked with tears, came to
Caym.

\endtext

\text("El")
Ugh... sniff... Is the Demon Lord... here...?

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
El-san!? What's wrong?

\endtext

\text("El")
Lady Tiela... Lady Tiela... Please... help her... uuu...

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Um...
\endtext

\text
Risbell handed her a handkerchief, glancing at Caym with a
troubled look.
\endtext

\text
Caym had stood up to depart for battle, but sat back down on
the throne with a sigh, as if annoyed.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Fine. If it's about Tiela, I can't just ignore it. What's
going on?
\endtext

\text("El")
Okay... I'll tell you everything... So... so please, save
Lady Tiela...!

\endtext

\text
Wiping away her tears, El began to speak.
\endtext

\text
She told them that Rudol had dragged Tiela down from the
throne.
\endtext

\text
That also meant Risbell's plan had failed.

\endtext

\text
――At the same time, it also meant they were running out of
time.
\endtext

\text("El")
At this rate, Lady Tiela will be executed... I don't want
that... I can't stand it... *sniffle*

\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
Don't cry. It hasn't been decided that's how it'll end, has
it?

\endtext

\text("El")
But... but...
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
We can't take it easy, but with us here, they can't make a
move right away.

\endtext

\text("Agri")
But why ask us for help? Isn't she gonna be executed unless
you take the boss's head?
\endtext

\text("El")
I can't trust that man... But if it's the Demon Lord... if
it's the people here, I thought maybe... you might help...

\endtext

\text("El")
Please... I'll give you my first time in exchange, so please
save Lady Tiela...

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Huh!? What did you just... I mean, why would you even...

\endtext

\text("El")
I heard the Demon Lord does terrible things to captured
women... that he loves virgins... so...

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
W-Who told you that...
\endtext

\text("El")
It's a rumor... *sniffle*
\endtext

\text("Spacchio")
Bad rumors sure spread fast...
\endtext

\text("Agri")
And they're not wrong.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Oh, come on...
\endtext

\text("El")
Demon Lord, is it no good...?
\endtext

\text
El, who had been looking down, looked up at Caym lounging on
the throne.
\endtext

\text
Everyone's eyes followed, focusing on Caym, waiting for his
decision.

\endtext

\text
While El was talking, Caym stayed silent. He didn't even
nod.
\endtext

\text
He wore a difficult expression, as if deep in thought.

\endtext

\text("El")
...It's no good, right? I mean, there's no reason to help
the king of an enemy country...

\endtext

\text("El")
And even if I offer myself, I'm so flat...

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Fine... I'll save Tiela.
\endtext

\text("El")
Huh...? What did you just...?

\endtext

\text("Caym")
I've got no intention of handing her over to some perverted
old man. I'll grant your wish...
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Heh heh heh... I'll show them what happens when they mess
with my prey...!
\endtext

\text("El")
Really...? You'll really save Lady Tiela...?

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Yeah. A king never goes back on his word. ...Now it's all
legal... heh heh heh.
\endtext

\text("El")
Thank you so much, Demon Lord!
\endtext

\text
El bowed deeply, but those watching felt a bit conflicted
about the whole thing.

\endtext

\text
Everyone except El had noticed the bulge in Caym's pants.

\endtext

\text("Beatrice")
...Caym, you totally weren't listening, were you? I mean,
you're hard down there.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Yeah... I bet his head's just full of fantasies about
Tiela-san.
\endtext

\text
Still, if he says he'll help, the vassals have no choice but
to obey.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
...In the end, it always turns out like this. Is there
really no option for him to just help normally...? Sigh.

\endtext

\text("Beatrice")
Well, whatever. He's still going to help, so it's fine.

\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
Indeed. And if he's going to save her, giving up a little
chastity or two to Caym isn't going to bring down any
curses.
\endtext

\text("Agri")
...Does she hate Tiela or something?

\endtext

\text("Spacchio")
They're both queens, after all. She's probably got her own
thoughts. Maybe it's that their personalities overlap... or
maybe she's just jealous.
\endtext

\text("Noro")
Margaretta's a girl too...
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
...I can hear you, you fools over there...

\endtext

\text("El")
..............
\endtext

\text
Following after them, the monsters also left the throne
room.
\endtext

\text
Even now, El couldn't hide her surprise at the sight.

\endtext

\text
A mixed army of monsters, humans, and Brightleafs all
together.
\endtext

\text
There was no sense of malice from them. No, people who would
help the king of an enemy nation couldn't possibly have any.

\endtext

\text("El")
(The Demon Lord's army... Are they really the kind of
villains who would destroy Lusario...?)
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Hey, if you don't hurry up, we're leaving you behind.
\endtext

\text
Caym, who was at the rear of the monsters, turned back to
El, who had stopped walking.
\endtext

\text("El")
Huh...?
\endtext

\text("Caym")
We're going to save Tiela, right, Captain of the El Guard?

\endtext

\text("El")
...I know that without you telling me, Demon Lord! I was
just a little surprised, that's all!

\endtext

\text("Caym")
You can just call me Caym. If you get it, then let's go.

\endtext

\text("El")
Hmph, I'm only doing this until we save Lady Tiela! Until
then, I'll call you Caym-sama!

\endtext

\text
To put it bluntly, El was a traitor.
\endtext

\text
Normally, she would've been cast aside... She should've been
thrown in a cell by rights.
\endtext

\text
But Caym had let El join their ranks.

\endtext

\text
Grateful for that in her heart, El dove into the ranks of
the Demon Lord's army.
\endtext

\dlg("El has joined your party.")