Original subtitles

EPISODE 1: AMBITION

SAN PIER PAOLO CATHEDRAL BASEMENT KNIGHTS OF THE TRUE CROSS ORDER ROUNDTABLE CONGRESS HALL

The Illuminati...

while turning Inari in Shimane Prefecture into a tourist attraction...

also built an underground Far East Laboratory...

and drugged area residents and tourists into serving as Elixir test subjects,

VATICAN HEADQUARTERS ANGELIC ORDER CAPTAIN ARTHUR AUGUSTE ANGEL RANK, PALADIN

in effect, mass-producing so-called "Artificial Zombies."

THE HEAD OF JAPAN BRANCH AND THE EXORCISM CRAM SCHOOL MEPHISTO PHELES RANK, HONORABLE KNIGHT

You had better be speaking the truth.

You make no secret of your suspicion toward me, do you, Angel?

ROMANIA BRANCH OFFICE K.R.C. LABORATORY DIRECTOR DRAC DRĂGULESCU RANK, ARCH KNIGHT

We were finally able to silence...

the Artificial Zombies in our custody after destroying their brain stems 30 or so times each.

TRUE CROSS KNIGHTS ORDER SUPREME ADVISOR SHEMIHAZA RANK, GRIGORI

In other words, the work of a devil that fears no god.

According to my spy, now that their Nine Tails experiment has failed,

they're planning to set the demon eaters onto demons with immortality and regenerative skills.

Who in their right mind would believe any intel from your sketchy spies?

You're not even bothering to hide your hostility toward me, huh, Angel?

VATICAN HEADQUARTERS ANGELIC ORDER MEMBER LEWIN LIGHT RANK, ARCH KNIGHT

Well, we already have that area under patrol.

It shouldn't be a problem.

And there's no question that the Elixir is still incomplete.

Damn!

Meaning that the Illuminati still does not have a vessel for Satan in place.

This is quite significant.

However, Grigori...

while the gate itself is under control now, thanks to the barrier Lord Pheles put up,

we're seeing hordes of lower to intermediate level demons gathering...

MEXICAN BRANCH SURVEILLANCE OFFICER OSCEOLA REDARM RANK, ARCH KNIGHT

and they're subjecting the earth and the Polar Seas to severe levels of pollution.

And that's not all.

CHINESE BRANCH SURVEILLANCE OFFICER LUCY YANG RANK, ARCH KNIGHT

The demons are growing more active worldwide.

Not just the scrubs. The higher-level ones, as well.

At this rate, humans all over the world will start seeing demons.

And those demons will gain in strength due to being detected by the humans.

This could throw the world into one hellish condition.

This organization called "the Illuminati"...

is much more colossal in scope than we originally thought.

Surely, there are numerous traitors among the ranks of the Knights of the True Cross.

We have no choice but to acknowledge...

that the Illuminati is the most vile enemy of humankind in history.

Shut up, you cursed demon! Aren't you the leader of those very traitors you speak of?

As I've grown weary of all your suspicion...

not that I know if it will serve as proof...

In order to keep time around the gate at a standstill, I, too...

am staking my own body.

Hey, sorry I couldn't back you up more in there.

No matter.

You're my brain.

As long as you're working for the Order, don't be shy with me.

That's what I love about you!

I have a favor to ask of you if you don't mind my imposing on you.

I have no intention of devoting myself to defense.

We received word from Lord Pheles today.

The date of the Exorcist Certification Exams are being moved up.

Huh?

With this change of schedule...

you will be asked to resubmit your Meister application.

Everyone, please make your choice after careful consideration.

Why are they moving it up all of a sudden?

Hey! Our next demon class is being held outdoors!

Wait!

You're right! I have to get going!

What's my next class again?

Demon Psychology, so you don't have to switch classrooms.

Oh, right, that's the one!

I just answered like I normally do.

Yukio...

You'll be late getting home tonight again, right?

Yeah.

What do you eat at night?

What? Convenience store food or protein supplements.

Oh, my word!

If you keep doing that, it might lead to an unbalanced diet!

Your mama is so worried!

Don't worry, Mama. They've gotten pretty tasty these days.

Well, it's not a matter of being tasty or not.

Thanks.

But I'll be fine, okay?

I'll be coming home from time to time, so if you could make me something then...

Is that right?

If you need anything, Shiemi, please consult me.

- See you later! - R-Right!

Rin...

Huh?

What's going on with Yuki?

Huh?

Isn't he acting distant toward you?

He has the same look on his face as when he speaks to me.

What do you mean?

With me...

Yuki's always full of smiles.

Well, sure, since he always acts cool in front of you!

To me, it feels like he's bouncing a "Don't get any closer" vibe off me.

But he's not like that with you or Ms. Kirigakure, is he?

Since he's known her since he was a kid, and since you're family...

I think he can be himself.

So, I'm wondering what's going on with Yuki.

You sure keep a close eye on Yukio, huh?

What?

You're absolutely right.

That's why there's nothing I can do.

Oh no.

Why don't you ask him if there's something on his mind?

If you're the one asking, I'm sure Yuki will...

I did ask him.

And then he started acting like that.

I'm probably... not the one to ask.

Why do you say that?

Because he...

hates to lose, you know.

Why are you lost in thought in a place like this?

You can look down on the meeting from here.

I hear that the leaders of the Kanto Field Office are here, too.

Maybe they'll mention why they're moving up the certification exams.

Hey, don't tell me you're on the fence about becoming an exorcist.

Huh?

Of course I'm not!

I'm totally going for it!

Is that right?

In that case, it shouldn't matter.

But I do understand a bit how you feel.

How it feels to have lost your loved ones and your goals...

and to be left hanging.

Well, you're the one who should be...

Aren't you on the fence about it yourself?

I'm going to become an exorcist.

Since I have nowhere else to go.

And I've lost everything.

I actually feel relieved, you know.

You've changed.

Huh? Do you have a problem with that?

I like you better this way.

Why should I have to tolerate that kind of talk from you?

Hey, that was a compliment!

Hey, so there you are!

Uh, yeah.

If everyone's in the classroom, bring them over here.

They're about to start a meeting.

A meeting?

Guten Morgen!

I'm going to cut right to the chase.

As I'm sure you all know,

demonic activity has been intensifying on a global scale from about two months ago.

Even here on campus, we've been seeing more of the small fries.

There's also been a surge in exorcism requests,

and the Vatican Headquarters has ordered us to increase the number of exorcists at once.

We'll start by joining forces with exorcist groups from outside the Order,

so that when push comes to shove, we can call upon them for backup.

We will also be moving up the Exorcist Certification Exams to the beginning of next year,

so that we can drastically increase the number of exorcists.

The beginning of next year?

But that only gives us a month and a half!

Are they really that short on exorcists?

Explain to us just why the demons are more active now!

How is the headquarters' investigation proceeding?

If we increase the number of exorcists so soon, won't it lead to a drop-off in quality?

Please rest assured.

Actually, the Vatican Headquarters has sent us a formidable ally.

Allow me to introduce him to you.

Lewin!

It's a colony of Hobgoblins!

Oh my. But great timing.

Please go ahead and introduce yourself.

What?

It sure feels like I've been set up.

But it's such a nice day. Someone might be coming!

What?

That's Lightning?

Furfur!

Furfur...

The highest-ranked kin of the Spirit demons.

Not only that, but to summon it, you need a seriously long chant and complex ritual.

Great Ikazuchi...

Lord of the Great Arc...

and so on!

Kaboom!

"A-And so on"?

Uh— Ahem!

Allow me to introduce him again.

A member of the Arch Knights...

commonly known as "Lightning"...

Lewin Light!

Oh hey, hello there! You're embarrassing me!

Amazing!

So, from here on in...

I'll be taking over Ms. Kirigakure's class, Magic Circles and Seals. I'm looking forward to working with you!

Hey!

There are other cram school students and even exorcists here in the wrong classroom!

Everyone must want to learn from Lightning. Why wouldn't they?

I mean, you don't get a chance like this every day!

Tell me, what's this?

All righty, Satan's spawn and wielder of the blue flames...

Rin Okumura!

Give us your answer!

SEALS CLASS FOR BEGINNERS

Cut that out!

Um...

The buttons on a PlayStart controller?

So close!

The answer is...

the seal that I normally use to summon demons, et cetera.

Not close at all!

Simple, isn't it?

In actual combat, you need speedy reflexes.

Toward that end,

I'm going to show you how to streamline complex magic circles and long chants.

Let's make friends with the demons!

Or, let's network with the demons in authority!

And so on!

Oh hey...

I was just kidding.

We're being treated to such a great class, but everyone disappeared, huh?

Is that guy even thinking of teaching us the right way?

"Let's make friends with the demons!" Of course everyone's like, "Don't give us that!"

And who are you to talk?

But what Lightning said is true.

After all, it's a fact that we humans need help from the demons to battle them.

And there are good demons, too, right?

Nee!

Oh hey, you guys...

Could someone give me a hand?

Preferably strong people!

Oh man, I owe you one!

I just can't seem to get this place cleared out.

It's a trash house!

Ugh!

It stinks!

What? Really?

I can't tell myself.

All right, let's have Sylphs ventilate.

Sylphie!

I'll build you a bonfire later, so get to work!

H-Hey! Wow! All of a sudden, the air's super fresh!

He didn't follow a single protocol!

I've never seen a summoning method like that!

I-Is that a special lighter?

Huh? Not at all.

Sylphs love fire.

You've studied the Demonic Elements chart, right?

Air has an affinity with fire and water.

You can't go wrong knowing your coworkers' preferences, you know.

All right, could you shove all the books in this box onto those shelves?

Right.

Um...

Hey, stop fooling around!

It cut me!

Hey, we can't have that. Let's exorcise them now.

What, exorcise? You're going to kill them?

We can't allow this kind of thing.

Talk about coldhearted.

But there aren't any Death Verses for Sylphs.

Mortem.

An original Death Verse?

And just one word no less!

That's amazing. Controlling demons at will...

No wonder they call you "Lightning"!

Oh, please!

You're Ryuji Suguro, right?

I hear you have phenomenal memorization skills and already know most of the Death Verses and Scriptures.

I'm sure you'll become a fine exorcist.

I no longer...

have any reason to become an exorcist.

To defeat Satan, right?

No!

My reason...

my ambition...

was to defeat Satan, who scattered my family,

and bring my family back together one more time!

But my family's already started going off in their own directions!

My ambition isn't needed!

Why am I telling this guy about this?

So, in order to become an exorcist, I've got to find a new ambition!

You've gotten your priorities backward!

Don't tell me you need ambition to eat or to take a bath?

I do need it! Ambition is the force that pushes me forward!

How about you?

Why did you become an exorcist?

Are you telling me that you had no reason at all?

Well, I...

When I was little, my whole family was killed by a demon.

Hey, I'm just kidding!

What the hell?

Sorry, I'll give you a serious answer now.

I have no epic dreams or ambitions.

Nor an especially sad past or even an enemy I want revenge on.

If anything, I'd have to say that I like this world.

That's all there is to it.

Lightning...

Huh?

Please make me your apprentice!

Whoa! You're prostrating yourself!

Huh? What the hell's gotten into you, Suguro?

Did your brain go haywire because you're too smart?

Even I don't know why.

I don't know why...

but I want to learn from this guy!

What? No way!

Huh?

Teaching isn't my thing.

And besides, you look really competent.

There's probably no need for me to teach you.

Yes, there is!

If I can't be your apprentice, I'll be your assistant or whatever!

Suguro...

You're putting me on the spot!

I know!

If you give that to me, you can be my apprentice.

The Koma Sword!

Like I'd ever say yes to that!

You're not ready to sacrifice yourself for a friend, then?

So cold! You'd think you were the son of Satan!

I am the son of Satan!

Oh, I see. What a shame, huh?

So, just clean the place up for now, okay?

Wow, impressive!

I can't believe those are my bookshelves!

All right, finish up the job.

Yeah, yeah.

Huh? What's this?

Whoa!

Hey! I'm trapped in here!

What's this?

Hey, what a blast from the past!

Let me out!

That's Demon Karuta.

The game where you match reading cards with chants to picture cards with magic circles.

They're often used in Aria exams, too.

Do you hear me?

Want to learn while playing?

I came here to clean up.

I'm not going to make you my disciple...

even if you're serious about cleaning up.

Hey!

There's a quicker way, you know that!

Right now, you can take as much as you want.

Hey! You still haven't given up?

That sword might as well be Okumura's very life.

You shouldn't turn it into a joke.

I'm going to clean up.

Oh my! Those Demon Karuta cards are cursed.

Huh?

Heaven and Earth, listen to me.

My words rain down like dew...

Once a reading card's been unleashed, a ghost continues to chant until the game ends.

Before you know it, a demon will be summoned!

Oh, crap!

Hey, you nailed it!

Impressive!

Don't just stand there admiring me! Do something, please!

You came here to clean up, right?

Get to it, then.

What the hell is this?

Could it be...

that he's testing me?

Huh?

What, is that English?

It's Latin.

What chance does he have, then?

W-Wow! You're crazy cool, Suguro!

Oh? So you've memorized the chants that aren't in your first language, too?

Have to admit, that is amazing.

You seem to have memorized where all the scattered cards are located...

and you've got great eyesight and hearing.

Dammit!

I only just started learning the non-Japanese ones!

Who knows how long I can hold out?

Not to mention, it's been nothing but high-level demon summoning chants!

If even one of them gets summoned here...

H-Hindi?

I have no idea what they're saying!

Y-You're good.

Calm down.

Suguro?

The reason I was studying firearms...

Wasn't it...

for times like these?

What's this familiar scent?

That one's bad news!

The Impure Baron.

A scrub among the Impure clan, but still high level.

I'm gonna prove to you that I can handle both offense and defense in battle!

Take this!

Ugh, that stinks! It's miasma!

Hey Lightning, do something about it already!

Lightning?

Dammit!

BWAHAHAHA

Hey!

What kind of weapon is that? It's not a weapon?

If there's no gun, what am I—

When you want to eliminate demons that have been summoned...

just destroy the magic circle.

That's Exorcism 101, right?

If you'd exorcised the ghost that's possessed the reading card...

then you would've resolved it in the blink of an eye.

I know you're smart.

What on earth happened?

It's over.

Demanding that he take me as his apprentice after making such a fool of myself... How presumptuous is that?

Please forgive me!

All right.

I'll take you as my apprentice.

Huh?

B-But why?

Well, you're a real straight-arrow and an honest guy,

so I figured I could put you to use.

That said, outside of your classes and cram school,

you're going to work as my assistant.

Anything you want to know, just pilfer it from me.

Okay?

R-Right!

Great, why don't you finish clearing out my room now?

Huh?

Wash these.

Go get me a hamburger!

Come up with a lesson plan for cram school.

Shave me.

And while you're at it, clean me up, too!

My bad.

I couldn't help clobbering your master.

You did me a solid.

I was just about to do it myself right after becoming his disciple.

All right, I'll be heading home now.

Right.

K-Koma Sword...

Let me touch it just once someday, will ya?

You don't ever give up, do you?

What, are you that into demons?

Yeah.

They scare the hell out of me,

and yet I can't stop wanting to get close to them.

It's a little like romance.

Hmm...

Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

Rin!

Huh?

You're late!

I came to meet you because I got hungry!

Man...

Is Yukio home?

No, he's not.

Is that right?

NEXT TIME DISTRESS