Original subtitles

Is it true that they're targeting the exam takers?

Yes.

However, there's no need to worry.

I will bring all of them back without fail.

Are you really going on your own?

Yeah.

If anything unexpected should happen back here, I'm counting on you, Rosetti.

Got it.

Please, be careful.

Okay.

So, Mule, are you two also here for the labyrinth-librarian certification exam?

Messengers of Death

That's right.

We might as well all take the test together, right?

Is that kind of thing okay?

Sure it is!

Besides, it's their fault for tossing us first-year students in here without a guide.

I would hope they'd at least be okay with little birdies like us supporting each other.

Sala, you think it's a good idea too, don't you?

Uh, I-I...

It's settled, then!

This is the first joint quest with the four daughters of the three big Knight-Duke Houses!

Wh-when you put it that way, this is actually pretty exciting.

Right, Elli?

Yeah.

Hold on a second.

I'm going to check the map.

Once Upon a Time!

Seems we're in the second layer.

The exam is on the fifth layer, so let's take the stairs.

Wh-what's that book?!

"Maeterlinck's Survey Map."

It's a magical text that, when used inside Vibria Goat

informs you of your current location and displays a layer map.

"A magical text"?

Yeah.

It's one of the assets of Vibria Goat.

But there's a limit to how many times it can be used, so we can't use it excessively.

It's no fair that you have a map.

I'd say it's far more unreasonable to order us to

explore this sprawling labyrinth without a map.

Since we're all gathered here, I'll fill you in on some stuff.

In order to bewilder looters, this place is full of tricks.

One of them is the magical texts.

Try reading this book.

O-okay...

Wh-what's with these letters?!

Unless you hold the corresponding grade of librarian qualification

you can't tell what effect a magical text will exhibit.

You can still use them, though.

You sure know a lot about this.

Even though this should be your first time taking the exam...

Well, Miu comes from a family of Vibria Goat researchers.

The la Mores are a family of scholars

who have maintained a research room in Vibria Goat for generations.

This really is unfair.

O-oh dear.

I don't believe there was any rule prohibiting bringing things with you.

Leaving that aside

we need to try out the effect of the magical text.

Even though we don't know what effect it will produce?

That's all the more reason we need to test it and see, right?

The incantation is "Once Upon a Time."

I have butterflies in my stomach.

"Once Upon a Time"!

Wh-what's going on?!

Dear me.

L-Lita, where are you?

I feel a cold draft for some reason?!

My outfit changed?!

When did that happen?!

That magical text was "Diva's Collection of Poems."

It has magic that can infuse the power of characters from old tales into you.

Melida, seems you're "Cinderella."

As for the effect, you'll receive all kinds of divine protection until the time limit is up.

I think that was it, anyway.

That's nice and all...

but it's hard to walk!

Well, what about me?

Elli, you're so cute!

Elise, seems you've been given the role of "Ruby."

As for the effect, the wildness of the wolf resides in you.

Lita, you taste great!

That tickles!

Jeez, you sure are flaunting it.

Mule, what role were you given?

Seems to be "Abracadabra," doesn't it?

I can use the genie's power a total of three times.

Miu...

W-wow!

"The Little Mermaid" is a very rare role to receive!

I can't stand up!

Salacha's a first-year student like us, isn't she?

Yeah... That's the fruit of betrayal...

The forbidden fruit that rips apart the ties between us.

I wanna touch them.

Huh? What?!

Actually, that's my exclusive right, but I'll make an exception and let you.

Now, enjoy them to your heart's content!

Y-you can't just give them permission!

Er, eek!

Wow, they're wrapping around my fingers!

They're springy and soft.

Just like pancakes!

That's quite enough already!

We changed back.

Ah, that's too bad.

Magic has a time limit to it, you see.

That goes for the exam, too.

Oh, that's right! We need to hurry!

I wanna head home already.

Oh dear, you can't just yet.

After all, the best is yet to come.

That's where the exam's held!

Wh-what's that?!

It says, "Will you take the exam"?

Y-yes.

The exam starts now.

It entails the "mending" and "orderly arrangement" of the books.

"Mending" and "proper arrangement"?

Maintaining the books with care is one of the jobs of the librarians.

So we just have to tidy up those books, huh?!

Wh-what's that thing?!

A demon that eats through books called a "bore imp."

If we eradicate that thing, the books will be "mended" back to their original condition!

Leave the "mending" to me!

Everyone else, take care of the books' "proper arrangement"!

Got it!

I did it!

Girls, let's get these books tidied up.

I'll handle those little guys!

Wh-what's with that?!

Mule, what's going on?

I-I don't know!

My mother never said anything about th-

I got one in over here.

I get it!

This is a puzzle!

"A puzzle"?!

I'm going to try to decipher it, so buy me some time!

These books are written using just 25 symbols.

The meaning of the content is unclear

but all the combinations that can be expressed with the 25 symbols are present.

If we consider that no two books here are identical

then there's a book in here somewhere that's the same as this besides a single character.

Supposing that is the case

the writing in one book should clarify the position of another book, so...

I've deciphered it!

Give me a hand!

Fourth bookcase, second shelf!

Got it.

Elise, second bookcase, fifth shelf!

Okay.

Hey!

Third bookcase, third shelf!

Sixth bookcase, seventh shelf!

Over there!

That's the final one!

Melida!

Got it!

Melida!

Lita!

Thank you, Salacha.

We did it!

We sure did, Melida.

We passed the exam!

Lita!

I did my best, you know.

Yeah.

We all gave it our all!

We scored a major victory!

What in the world...

is that?

This is...

...our proof of passing.

Now we just need to get back.

Yeah!

Oh, right.

What about the time limit?!

We're fine.

We have plenty of time left.

That's a relief.

Let's hurry on back!

Melida, you two were actually serious about passing, huh?

Considering it's a difficult exam for first-year students, why exactly?

Well, uh...

Mule, doesn't the same go for you two?

Well, you know, we are top students at St. d'Autriche.

To be honest

I want to be acknowledged as a child of the House of Angel.

By everyone at the academy.

My father.

And also people around town.

And because of that my instructor gave me an assignment.

Ah, I see.

So this was an order from that cool instructor of yours.

But, while it may be true you passed

does that actually act as proof you're a child of the House of Angel?

Oh my, I'm sorry.

I'll escort you back to the academy.

I know a shortcut.

Let's go, Lita.

O-okay.

S-Salacha?!

I-I'm sorry.

But...

My, my.

Sala, aren't you carrying your mischief a bit too far?

Give the book back to her.

It belongs to Melida.

This exam is a trap!

Shenfa!

Headmistress!

Miss Zwitoque.

So, everyone here is safe, then?

Headmistress!

There's nothing to fear now.

Please tell me...

What in the world happened to us?

That vegetation that suddenly covered the entire elevator...

It was an illusion brought about by the magical text "Perona's Trompe L'oeil."

"Magical text"?

Yes.

And due to its effect we got carried deep within the labyrinth.

Why did such a thing happen?

Let's save an investigation into the details for later.

For now, we should just get everyone safely back to St. Friedeswiede.

I don't see the first-year students anywhere.

Indeed.

We need to alert the academy of this freak incident and call in help.

Not a single soul here will be able to return home.

Were you the ones who set that trap in the elevator?

What in the world are you up to?

Oh, dear.

I have no idea what you're talking about.

Don't play dumb!

I'll handle one of them.

Keep your wits about you, Miss Zwitoque.

Got it!

So you finally show yourself.

I'm glad to meet you, Academy Director Charlotte Blancmange.

Crodoll is my name.

An apostle of Guild Grimfice, an eminently-sinister militant organization

I am an artificial lancanthrope who indulges his reputation as a necromancer.

"Guild Grimfice"!

Why are you targeting my school's students?

Dead men tell no tales, Headmistress.

Here you are!

NOO!

Having to protect them is onerous, isn't it?

There are some things I will risk my life to protect.

And that is a point of pride for me!

I won't let the likes of you lay a finger on them!

Headmistress!

Damn you...!

Headmistress!

Please... take care of the students.

Please forgive us, Headmistress!

We were the ones who read from "Perona's Trompe L'oeil" on the elevator.

Why would you do such a thing?!

M-my father ordered us to!

We never thought that things would turn out like this!

N-no way!

This is my secret art of discarding the flesh and coming back as the Undead King.

Now, my ghosts, hurry and assemble before your king!

Tear to pieces anything that exhibits life!

"A trap"?

What do you mean by that?

Lita, it wasn't the grade-six exam that we passed.

It was one higher - grade-five!

Huh?!

Why did you deceive us?

What's that?!

Miu!

"Melida Angel.

Class:

Samurai."

I have to inform the older brother of the Shicksal family of this.

Lita, we've gotta catch her!

Yeah...

Everyone, run!

The gate to St. Friedeswiede!

Go now! Smash them to bits!

I... can't take on a force of this size in my human form.

Instructor Kufa!

Why?!

I'd no longer be able to be by her side...

That alone is enough to cause this?!

So you managed to make it in time, Williams Gin.

Just barely, it seems.

What are you doing here?!

It's futile.

My bandages suppress super-human abilities.

Bastard!

You're a traitor, Gin!

You'll pay dearly for this!

My name is "Williams."

I didn't think you would actually come.

You have my thanks.

Well, as they say, "One can't dance with only one shoe."

Besides, if you go away, my plan will be ruined.

Instructor Kufa, who is that man?

Isn't he a lancanthrope?!

None of that matters.

We owe our lives to this man.

On behalf of us all

allow me to offer you our heartfelt thanks

Sir Bandage Knight.

It was nothing special.

I'm glad we averted that crisis

but there might still be in real trouble back there.

What do you mean?

Guild Grimfice invaded the academy.

The criminal threat was sent for the purpose of keeping you away from there.

This time their target isn't Melida.

Their actual target is...

...the lives of all the academy's students.

Before the matter involving her imposter father is made public

they're attempting to silence all of the eyewitnesses.

It would seem leaving those girls behind was the right call.

Instructor Kufa...

Put your minds at ease.

I'll bring the other young ladies back safely.

Oh, there you are!

Hi there.

You must be Williams Gin.

I hear you wish to join our guild?

No, I hope to exchange information.

Oh...

And what is it you want to know?

If you'll share the results of your research on how to turn a lancanthrope back into a human

I'll act as a spy and regularly provide you with intel on criminal activity.

Whaddaya say?

Am I right in thinking you'd like to return to being human?

Your question is beside the point.

Give me a "yes" or "no."

Let's wait and see.

I'll judge whether you're useful to me based on your performance going forward.

Okay?

Yeah, that'll do for now.

So, what brings you here, anyway?

We received some information from Duke la More, who administers this place.

He said that unexpected movement was observed at two of the gates that lead into Vibria Goat.

One of them is the gate managed by the Mordrew Arms Association of Commerce.

The other's the gate managed by the Shicksals, one of the three big Knight-Duke Houses.

That gate is on the 18th layer.

As far as investing the matter, Kufa

you're the right man for the job.

Alright.

Got you!

Give it to me straight, Mule!

I thought we had become friends?!

Why're are you doing this?!

Because I like you, Melida.

Once Upon a Time.

Run away, Melida!

Lita!

What is it that the House of Shicksal is after?

Milady's secret?

Her life?

If the time comes when milady's life is taken...

That is a job for me alone!

Next Episode Pride of an Assassin-Instructor