In this world...
Is the destiny of mankind controlled by some transcendental entity or law?
Is it like the hand of God hovering above?
At least it is true...
...that man has no control, even over his own will.
Some danger always lies in the act of hunting...
...despite the fact it is an imperial event.
You never know what kind of beasts hide within the woods...
What are you trying to say?
Of course, not only are the beasts dangerous...
...but so are the stray arrows that may have been launched at the beasts.
A stray arrow?
And a nastily-poisoned stray arrow at that...
If you mean...
A stray arrow, General.
Feel no shame about shape.
Weather changes their phrase.
Even mother will show you another way.
So put your glasses on.
Nothing will be wrong.
There's no blame. There's no fame.
It's up to you.
The first words should be found.
Whatever holds you back.
I...
...can...
I can get it off.
Tell me what...
Tell me what you want.
I don't know why...
Don't know why...
Don't know why you're afraid.
Tell me what...
Tell me what you'd say.
I don't know why...
Don't know why...
Too late...
It's too late.
Assassination
Well, it seems they cannot catch the quarry easily.
Would Your Majesty like to pursue the quarry with them?
No, I would not.
I'm not as young as I used to be...
...and I'm afraid of earning their displeasure when I carry off...
...what they've pursued for two hours.
It is very kind of Your Majesty.
Look out! It's running into the brush!
Well done, kid!
There's no use getting sore!
I don't get sore!
Your feelings are written all over your face.
Why do we have to watch those nobles play around?
It's ridiculous!
We've got no choice.
This is our duty too.
Besides, this is easier to deal with than fighting on some battlefield.
That's true!
There's no need to worry about being killed.
I like swinging my sword in battle. It's my nature.
Oh man, can you think of anything more complicated than that?
Corkus, you again...
Shut up!
Listen!
It's a very important honor...
Formally, the only escorts for the fall hunt were the White Dragons...
...the best knights in the regular army!
In other words, we were singled out and granted the privilege!
We've had to run back and forth in battle for years...
...to reach this point and win real status.
But you...
How dare you call this ridiculous?
If you love wielding your sword so much, suit yourself!
Do you dislike hunting?
W-Well...
I...
This is my first time going hunting.
My father compelled me to go with him...
...but I do not think I should like such a thing as hunting.
It is cruel...
So is war...
Why do most men commit to such affairs that only produce bloodshed?
Oh my!
Hold it like so, then place it softly to your lips.
That swollen-headed...
Your Grace...
Do not fuss.
We will surely have a better opportunity.
We had best wait for a chance when he is alone.
There it goes!
Drive it into the corner!
Don't let it get away!
Pursue it!
My lady!
Hey, look!
Whoa, whoa!
Whoa!
Whoa, whoa!
Have you hurt yourself, my lady?
We're all right, aren't we?
My lady...
What is the matter?
I was scared, very scared!
My heart is still beating so fast.
I have never ridden a horse so fast before in all my life.
I can see that it's taken your mind off things, at least.
Griffith!
Shall we go back, my lady?
Everyone must be worried about you.
Griffith!
Captain, Captain!
Are you all right?
Griffith, are you all right?
Hold on!
Captain, hold on!
Griffith!
Hey, Princess!
What's this all about?
Where the hell did this arrow come from?
From where?
You're hurting me!
Leave me alone!
I-I do not know... I do not...
Not good...
The arrow might have pierced his heart.
No way!
That arrow was well-poisoned with the extract of the deadly calagile bean.
Even a scratch will let the poison into his blood and send him to hell.
Griffith!
Do not panic.
Griffith!
Captain!
Hey!
Are you really okay?
It must be...
...poisoned for sure.
And a deadly poison as well...
So how come?
This is why.
This served as my shield.
The Egg of the King!
It's that...
...necklace you always wear.
How can it be?
Can it really be true?
Wow, it's really a miracle...
It's more like the devil's own luck than a miracle.
Yeah, that must be like a talisman against evil.
The devil's luck...
That was some kind of luck...
It's amazing!
Griffith, remove your armor just in case.
I have to see whether you got injured or not.
No need.
I'm totally fine.
No way!
It was poisoned, wasn't it?
What if you got a scratch and the worst should happen?
Believe me. I am fine.
I escaped without a scratch on my body.
But if...
E-Excuse me...
I am sorry.
This happened only because I could not handle a horse...
That is not a concern, my lady.
It is our duty to guard you.
Who in the world intended to kill our captain anyway?
Wait, could he have been aiming at the princess?
We can't let this go either way!
Let's kill him!
I'll search the brush around here with my men.
Come on, get moving!
It is quite expensive.
This poison, I mean.
How shameful!
I sincerely apologize, but...
I have no ears for your excuses!
The affair has been settled for the present...
It's assumed Tudor's assassins were aiming for the princess's life.
We are virtually immune to suspicion.
On the other hand, our actions...
...gave Griffith credit for guarding the princess's life with his own body.
All the commoners began talking of him as a hero once news got around!
Even His Majesty is very grateful!
Ultimately, we have helped him increase his status!
What a shameful situation!
But the arrow could never have perfectly struck his chest...
...if the assassin was really aiming at the princess.
What do you think I should do? Go and explain...
...to His Majesty that we were merely trying to assassinate Griffith?
On top of all this, he's still alive, as you well know!
All things considered, that was most unlikely to happen...
Enough!
Leave!
His eyes...
He looked as if he had power over me...
As if I was a trifling thing to be held in contempt...
That look was in his eyes.
Nonsense!
I am royalty!
I even have a claim to the throne!
Regarding my status and class...
...I am worlds apart from that man of common birth.
Nevertheless...
I've seen that look before...
For a moment, his eyes seemed to be a beast's focusing on prey...
Yes!
He gazed at me the way a hawk would gaze at prey...
Is it because...
No, that cannot be.
There were many other feudal lords nearby.
I just met his gaze for a moment...
Firstly, there was no evidence of it...
He couldn't...
Hey...
Thanks for coming.
Can you wait a moment?
I'll finish up everything soon.
It keeps on growing.
Have you read them all?
Well, yes, almost.
When you become so distinguished, you must do more than battle.
Well, I really just read them out of mere curiosity.
History, religion, philosophy, chemistry, tactics...
There is even a book on applying makeup and a book on cooking...
...there are so many...
So what's the problem?
I want to ask you to kill a man for me.
Kill a man?
Who?
The man who is next in line to the throne of Midland...
...the general of the White Dragons, Count Julius.
The reason...
...is this!
This arrow was poisoned with the essence of the deadly calagile bean.
No ordinary person would ever have a use for such a bean.
Only one man has purchased this deadly poison recently...
He is the best archer in the White Dragons, a man named Hail.
I paid off an attendant to help smell out the plot.
She reported that she saw that man come out of Julius's office...
...this evening, right after he got a good scolding from the general.
This is an assassination.
It could not be more different than fighting in battle.
It's a dirty task, and failure will never be allowed.
You must not be seen either.
On account of the difficulty, I am asking if you would undertake the task.
Will you undertake it for me?
This is not like you.
You should just order me to do it, without saying all this other crap.
Looking back, the morning comes.
Don't find your face in your glass.
Take the moonlight by the tail.
It's a rainy sight. You're shading.
What is that?
It's just the same.
What is trying your crown?
I'm spending my glass, walking back.
So wear my glass. You're fading.
I'm waiting so long.
I'm waiting...
Next Episode
Dreams...
Each man has a dream...
Each man longs to pursue his dream.
It tortures him, but the dream gives meaning to his life.
Even if he should end up being destroyed by his own dream...
...no man can allow himself to leave it behind.
In this world...
...does man possess anything more solid...
...than a dream?
Noble Man