Part 108: A Dangerous Plan

After the events in Azabu, everyone heads back to Inugami Village.

Where's Yuri?
Well...


Yuri is sulking.

He's still pretty down, huh? Well, I'll see what I can do to help.



Um, Roger...?



Karin, the leader of the Inugami clan was looking for you.
For me? You're sure?
Yes. She's at the Fountain of Sukune.


Karin basically just got told to get lost, and she is not happy.


Roger walks up to Yuri and sits down next to him.



You couldn't kill him, huh?



No.
Even though you wanted to, right?
Yeah.
Hurts, doesn't it?
Yeah.
Good. That's how it's supposed to feel.



He's lost it all. His Iron Soldiers, his mad scientist, Kato, Nicolai, everything.

His ability to eat without using a straw...

All he's got to look forward to is a short, sad life. But it's more than enough time to think over all the crimes he's committed.
The thing is...even he was just doing what he thought was right. He was fighting for his country, his grandson. But what have I been fighting for? When that kid was staring at me like that, I realized I had no idea.



You're fighting for Alice, are you not? I think that you are.
...!
For the world that she loved so much, the future...and also you. Her dreams were very important to you.



So I think that maybe you fight to try to help her dreams come true. Am I wrong?


Flashes of memory.


I thought Roger was supposed to cheer Yuri up.


'Cause this is just making me depressed.



Alice...
Come on! You've got to buck up! This isn't like you. No matter how much you want to, you know you can't change the past.
...I know that...but I can't stop.



It's difficult to live a life without having any regrets.


He stands up and stretches.

I've been alive for seven hundred years...



And I've spent most of that time regretting.


Yuri finally smiles at that.



That's right, laugh! Laugh and just go on. That's the best thing to do. Then, you can look back at even the saddest things and smile.



Yuri?
Yeah?
...I'm going to bring Alice back to you.



What!?



The Émigré magic that Kato used on Ouka...many famous wizards have tried and failed.



Even I have felt its dark call. However, I've always resisted its temptation.
But...!



What is Kato planning? We simply have to find out what his intentions are. Like he said, the secret is in the book!
You're going to...bring the dead back to life!?



The two of us will. If one of us goes crazy and turns into a monster, then the other one will be forced to kill him and stop the magic.



How about it?



Okay! I want to do it!



Good. Then let's hurry up and take off for Europe. I've got to prepare the tools I need in order to perform the ritual.




Meanwhile, Saki is waiting for Karin.


Ah, there she is.

You want to see me?



So, how is he doing?
He's still pretty depressed.
I'm sure he will be fine soon.
Uh...
Yes, he's so much like my brother, inside and out.



Is...is he really?



You care for him, don't you?


Aw, she's blushing!

Um...
.........
...Yes, I like him a lot.



I thought so.
A woman like me... Do you think he could ever love me?
Love you?



I-I mean you'd know, as his aunt.



Oh, come now, don't be silly! Of course he could love you.
Heheh! Thank you so much!
You're welcome. But what is it exactly that's worrying you?
.........
What is it, my dear?



Nothing! It's just...



Yes?
I know that he doesn't feel the same way.
Are you sure?



He's still...in love with Alice.
Alice?
His lover. She died protecting him.



...!
But I love him, too! More than anything! I don't...think he knows how I feel.
But you do plan to fight for him, don't you?
Yes.
...That boy was born under a strange star.



His whole life, he's been fighting with his destiny.
His destiny?
Yes. No matter what he does, he cannot escape. You too, Karin. You were born with a heavy destiny as well.
Me too?
Yes.


Saki reaches into her clothes.

I called you to this place because I wish to give you this.


She hands Karin some sort of paper.

It's a photo of him from just before he went overseas.


The back of the photo has the date it was taken and Ben, Anne and Yuri's names written on the back. We don't get a clear look at the front.



I thought that you might like to see what he looked like as a child.

And the scene just ends with that. I'm coming to the conclusion that Saki has a very odd sense of humor.