WEBVTT 00:11.540 --> 00:13.870 Long, long ago, 00:13.870 --> 00:17.700 a beautiful kingdom floated high in the sky. 00:17.700 --> 00:21.160 On its throne sat a round, noble, white cat, 00:21.160 --> 00:24.830 and a muddy, black cat fell in love with her. 00:24.830 --> 00:27.830 That was how it all began. 00:46.600 --> 00:49.480 "Shironeko Project ZERO CHRONICLE" 01:58.090 --> 02:03.000 "Shironeko Project ZERO CHRONICLE" 02:03.100 --> 02:06.020 "Chapter 1: The Land Protected by Light" 02:08.000 --> 02:11.540 The sky is groaning. 02:11.540 --> 02:14.450 I refuse to surrender the Progenitor Rune! 02:35.700 --> 02:36.910 There you are. 02:36.910 --> 02:38.870 You look fully prepared. 02:38.870 --> 02:39.750 I am. 02:39.750 --> 02:42.080 Let's bring something home today! 02:42.080 --> 02:45.200 I'd like to have some meat once in a while. 02:51.500 --> 02:55.620 Up above the clouds, they can live without a care in the world. 02:55.620 --> 02:57.910 What I wouldn't give for that life. 02:57.910 --> 03:00.030 Hey! Monsters are coming! 03:00.030 --> 03:00.410 What?! 03:00.410 --> 03:03.620 Damn, so they've finally come here, too! 03:04.830 --> 03:07.080 Take the kids and run! 03:07.080 --> 03:09.000 There's a cave on that hill. 03:09.000 --> 03:10.660 Hide in there! 03:10.660 --> 03:11.950 G-Got it! 03:11.950 --> 03:14.160 If you can move, grab a weapon! 03:14.160 --> 03:16.370 We haven't got time to be scared! 03:17.660 --> 03:18.300 Let's go! 03:18.300 --> 03:19.750 Okay. 03:19.750 --> 03:20.910 Take care of them! 03:20.910 --> 03:23.080 We'll handle things here. 03:23.080 --> 03:26.370 We'll try to bring down a big one while we're at it. 03:27.540 --> 03:29.000 They're here! 03:30.000 --> 03:33.290 Everybody! We're going to protect our village! 03:33.290 --> 03:34.200 Yeah! 03:34.200 --> 03:35.450 Come on! 03:47.290 --> 03:48.910 Are you all right? 03:48.910 --> 03:52.290 Y-Yeah. Thanks. 03:52.290 --> 03:54.540 We're almost there. Can you run? 04:02.200 --> 04:04.120 Damn you! 04:11.700 --> 04:13.250 Run to that hill! 04:13.250 --> 04:14.410 Okay! 04:21.330 --> 04:22.790 Watch out! 04:28.120 --> 04:30.250 Go. 04:30.250 --> 04:32.750 Take care of my sister. 04:57.040 --> 04:59.040 Hey! 04:59.040 --> 05:00.870 Is anyone there?! 05:21.660 --> 05:23.330 It must be up ahead. 05:23.330 --> 05:25.790 I'll have a short rest. 05:29.620 --> 05:31.450 What are you doing? 05:32.660 --> 05:36.000 I was told that there's a village nearby. 05:37.200 --> 05:38.950 It's gone. 05:38.950 --> 05:40.540 Gone? 05:40.540 --> 05:43.950 Then, what are you doing here? 05:43.950 --> 05:45.500 Digging a hole. 05:45.500 --> 05:46.620 A hole? 05:46.620 --> 05:48.790 Is that wrong? 05:48.790 --> 05:50.370 What is it for? 05:51.500 --> 05:54.080 For the people killed by monsters. 05:56.450 --> 05:58.370 What do you want? 05:58.370 --> 06:00.000 Are you going to keep digging? 06:00.000 --> 06:03.160 They got the neighboring villages, too. 06:05.750 --> 06:07.950 Stop, boy. 06:07.950 --> 06:10.620 You'll die for nothing at this rate. 06:10.620 --> 06:12.330 I don't plan to. 06:12.330 --> 06:14.160 I'm getting enough sleep. 06:15.290 --> 06:16.700 And food? 06:19.910 --> 06:21.160 Eat. 06:27.080 --> 06:29.080 Why give me this? 06:29.080 --> 06:30.750 Don't be so wary. 06:30.750 --> 06:32.160 It's just a whim. 06:39.660 --> 06:41.910 My name is Skeers. 06:41.910 --> 06:44.330 What's yours, boy? 06:44.330 --> 06:46.080 Call me what you like. 06:46.080 --> 06:48.120 Everyone else did. 06:48.120 --> 06:49.540 I see. 06:50.370 --> 06:51.870 Hey, mister. 06:51.870 --> 06:55.540 Doesn't the King of Darkness rule this country? 06:55.540 --> 06:57.120 He does. 06:57.120 --> 07:00.410 Then why does he let dangerous monsters run wild? 07:00.410 --> 07:03.910 No doubt the king has his own concerns. 07:03.910 --> 07:07.830 Is the king concerned about the right things? 07:07.830 --> 07:10.830 What do you think the "right things" are? 07:11.660 --> 07:14.040 Everyone being happy. 07:14.040 --> 07:15.620 How superficial. 07:16.580 --> 07:18.870 That's why I'm digging a hole. 07:19.950 --> 07:22.620 How long will you keep digging? 07:24.250 --> 07:26.660 It's still too small. 07:26.660 --> 07:28.870 How deep is deep enough? 07:29.750 --> 07:32.330 Deep enough to reach the sky. 07:32.330 --> 07:35.790 Fascinating. What do you mean? 07:35.790 --> 07:38.080 I won't ask you to understand. 07:38.080 --> 07:39.000 It's just... 07:39.000 --> 07:40.290 Just what? 07:40.290 --> 07:45.250 Sometimes, bright light shines into the depths of the darkest holes. 07:45.250 --> 07:47.910 I... like that. 07:47.910 --> 07:51.910 It seems like even-handed kindness. 07:55.540 --> 07:56.910 I see. 07:56.910 --> 08:00.120 There's no point obsessing over land and sky. 08:00.120 --> 08:02.870 Everyone's the same when you're in a hole. 08:02.870 --> 08:06.120 That's just... how it seems to me. 08:12.500 --> 08:13.660 Pick it up. 08:13.660 --> 08:17.080 I'll teach you how to improve things without digging holes. 08:26.290 --> 08:27.950 Huh?! 08:31.950 --> 08:33.000 What's wrong? 08:33.000 --> 08:34.450 We're not done yet. 08:34.450 --> 08:37.080 I didn't ask for this. 08:37.080 --> 08:38.370 I suppose not. 08:38.370 --> 08:42.700 But why didn't you refuse to face me? 08:44.450 --> 08:46.450 You're trying to tell me 08:46.450 --> 08:50.830 to get strong enough to protect people from monsters, right? 08:50.830 --> 08:53.830 Who said anything like that? 08:53.830 --> 08:54.910 Die. 08:54.910 --> 08:57.540 If despairing and cursing the world is all you can do, 08:57.540 --> 09:00.120 your life has no value! 09:03.410 --> 09:04.410 Well now. 09:04.410 --> 09:06.330 What are you thinking? 09:06.330 --> 09:09.160 If you want to kill me, why hold back?! 09:10.660 --> 09:12.250 Just a whim. 09:12.250 --> 09:16.040 You save or kill people on a whim?! 09:16.040 --> 09:17.660 I do. 09:19.750 --> 09:21.750 What gives you the right?! 09:21.750 --> 09:23.950 Will you accept it if I tell you? 09:24.910 --> 09:26.700 That right exists. 09:26.700 --> 09:31.500 It belongs to someone you could never even hope to meet. 09:31.500 --> 09:33.450 That's the truth. 09:33.450 --> 09:35.870 But what good will knowing the truth do you? 09:35.870 --> 09:37.910 Will you obey as long as there's a reason? 09:37.910 --> 09:39.450 You mean the King of Darkness?! 09:39.450 --> 09:40.750 Exactly. 09:40.750 --> 09:43.950 To obey the King of Darkness is the fate of the people of Black. 09:43.950 --> 09:46.370 But you're not the king, are you?! 09:47.450 --> 09:49.200 True. 09:49.200 --> 09:51.540 I'm not the king, 09:51.540 --> 09:56.870 I'm a fool who tried to become king but wasn't chosen. 09:56.870 --> 09:58.200 What's wrong?! 09:58.200 --> 10:02.200 Are you the kind of person who can be killed on a whim?! 10:03.580 --> 10:05.950 Don't act so high and mighty! 10:06.910 --> 10:08.370 Damn it! 10:12.290 --> 10:16.540 No one can fault your ideals! 10:16.540 --> 10:20.620 But making people happy isn't easy! 10:20.620 --> 10:22.870 It takes more than half-hearted resolve! 10:22.870 --> 10:25.080 I know that! 10:25.080 --> 10:26.870 What will you do, then?! 10:26.870 --> 10:28.540 Just dig holes forever 10:28.540 --> 10:30.660 and wait for help from the sky?! 10:35.330 --> 10:37.160 It's time you came to your senses! 10:37.160 --> 10:39.790 Those who have glimpsed an ideal 10:39.790 --> 10:44.410 have a duty to devote their lives to making it a reality! 10:45.660 --> 10:48.370 Then I'll do it! 10:48.370 --> 10:52.160 I'll become king, or whatever it takes! 11:11.500 --> 11:13.120 What? 11:13.120 --> 11:14.540 I'm glad. 11:14.540 --> 11:15.950 What for? 11:15.950 --> 11:20.370 I never imagined such a miracle would be waiting for me at the end. 11:20.370 --> 11:22.250 This isn't over yet. 11:22.250 --> 11:24.370 No, time is up. 11:24.370 --> 11:26.540 For me. 11:26.540 --> 11:28.580 H-Hey, mister! 11:29.410 --> 11:33.410 I fought the current King of Darkness over the succession. 11:33.410 --> 11:36.040 Of course I'm old. 11:38.450 --> 11:42.750 Boy, take this sword and go to the capital. 11:42.750 --> 11:44.750 I have a mansion there. 11:44.750 --> 11:46.700 I may not look it, but I'm from a noble family. 11:46.700 --> 11:50.250 The one who bears that sword is considered its head. 11:50.250 --> 11:52.870 Then, declare yourself. 11:52.870 --> 11:58.790 Declare that you are the Prince of Darkness, successor to the King of Darkness! 11:58.790 --> 12:01.080 There's a knight called Vallus. 12:01.080 --> 12:02.870 He is just. 12:02.870 --> 12:07.330 If he sees your skill with a sword, he'll look after you. 12:07.330 --> 12:11.290 Earn his recognition, and he will be true to you. 12:11.290 --> 12:13.540 I never said I'd go. 12:13.540 --> 12:17.450 You're supposed to nod, boy who reminds me of myself. 12:17.450 --> 12:19.830 Me, like you? 12:19.830 --> 12:21.250 You've gotta be kidding. 12:21.250 --> 12:24.580 Watch your language. 12:24.580 --> 12:27.950 I trust you can do that much. 12:27.950 --> 12:31.620 I felt it, too, you know. 12:31.620 --> 12:36.410 Rest, not just in darkness, but in light as well. 12:36.410 --> 12:40.200 Mister... Skeers, 12:40.200 --> 12:43.290 are you really done for? 12:43.290 --> 12:47.040 I've been an empty shell for a long time. 12:47.040 --> 12:51.950 I'm no longer being supplied with the Power of Darkness. 12:51.950 --> 12:53.200 Please, boy. 12:53.200 --> 12:56.160 The world is not right as things stand. 12:56.160 --> 13:00.200 Change it... in your reign! 13:00.200 --> 13:01.660 I will. 13:07.790 --> 13:11.160 He was born in Black, but that light...! 13:11.160 --> 13:14.580 Is it coming... from me? 13:16.500 --> 13:18.580 I'm counting on you. 13:20.250 --> 13:23.250 Skeers. 13:25.950 --> 13:27.750 All right. 13:27.750 --> 13:32.580 I'll start by becoming the King of Darkness's successor, like you said! 13:32.580 --> 13:35.830 Once I do that, I'll be able to do it, right? 13:35.830 --> 13:39.830 Make everyone in the world happy? 13:40.960 --> 13:45.970 "No. 01 The Two Worlds" "White in the sky, Black on earth." "They are shaped like an hourglass; they could be reversed, and it would make little difference. These two kingdoms form the whole world of Zero Chronicle." 13:48.660 --> 13:51.330 Rune, obey my will! 13:51.330 --> 13:55.410 Calida Lux, Puram Lucem! 13:55.410 --> 13:57.950 Darkness, begone! 14:12.790 --> 14:14.500 There are still so many! 14:15.620 --> 14:17.700 Defend the queen! 14:17.700 --> 14:20.080 Knights of Light, do not lose courage! 14:20.080 --> 14:21.290 Phious! 14:21.290 --> 14:23.540 The Rune's protection is with us! 14:24.410 --> 14:28.370 Do not let monsters of darkness sully the Kingdom of White! 14:31.540 --> 14:32.450 Support them! 14:32.450 --> 14:33.620 Yes, ma'am! 14:34.540 --> 14:37.000 Rune that the priestess commands, 14:37.000 --> 14:41.120 lend us a fraction of your power. 14:41.120 --> 14:44.540 Light, become a shield and repel evil! 14:50.330 --> 14:52.080 Thanks, Sheama! 14:53.040 --> 14:54.660 Don't miss this chance! 14:54.660 --> 14:56.120 Rout them! 14:59.540 --> 15:02.450 As I thought, it's expanding. 15:02.450 --> 15:05.500 The balance won't hold at this rate. 15:12.080 --> 15:14.330 Her Majesty has returned. 15:14.330 --> 15:16.950 She drove off the darkness. 15:30.660 --> 15:32.660 Oh, Phious! 15:34.700 --> 15:36.450 I'm back, Theo. 15:37.790 --> 15:42.620 Now then, let's all rest in preparation for the next attack. 15:42.620 --> 15:45.290 I'll inform you if anything happens. 15:45.290 --> 15:46.370 Yes, ma'am! 15:46.370 --> 15:48.450 May the Progenitor Rune protect you. 15:51.250 --> 15:52.950 Welcome back, Sheama. 15:53.910 --> 15:55.500 Thank you. 15:56.660 --> 15:58.620 How was your work? 15:58.620 --> 16:00.370 Are you hurt? 16:00.370 --> 16:03.080 Don't underestimate the leader of the Knights of Light. 16:03.080 --> 16:05.200 Darkness will never get the better of me. 16:05.200 --> 16:06.910 That's my big brother! 16:06.910 --> 16:10.830 Aren't you forgetting my support magic, Phious? 16:10.830 --> 16:13.750 Support magic? Are you sure? 16:13.750 --> 16:18.830 Well now! I could swear I heard you say, "Thanks, Sheama!" 16:18.830 --> 16:20.250 Just kidding. 16:20.250 --> 16:25.290 You realize the knights aren't the only ones fighting the darkness? 16:25.290 --> 16:29.950 We mages are putting our lives on the line, too. 16:29.950 --> 16:33.330 Yes, and so is Her Majesty. 16:36.290 --> 16:42.580 With the Progenitor Rune's power, she might be able to defeat even the King of Darkness. 16:42.580 --> 16:46.040 But she can't afford to use up all her power. 16:47.160 --> 16:52.910 You receive the Rune's protection through your tiara, don't you, Sheama? 16:52.910 --> 16:55.080 That's true. 16:55.080 --> 16:59.040 Still, I wonder... 16:59.040 --> 17:01.290 Darkness is essential to the balance. 17:01.290 --> 17:04.000 Could that be causing her to hesitate? 17:04.000 --> 17:08.370 Her Majesty is wholly dedicated to vanquishing the King of Darkness. 17:08.370 --> 17:10.250 I hope so. 17:10.250 --> 17:13.160 Sheama, this is just between us. 17:13.160 --> 17:17.950 I know you, so I don't mind, but you shouldn't say such things. 17:17.950 --> 17:20.040 I understand. 17:20.040 --> 17:24.290 I am the court mage and a commander. 17:30.620 --> 17:32.330 Your Majesty. 17:33.330 --> 17:36.500 Queen Iris, are you well?! 17:36.500 --> 17:37.700 What? 17:37.700 --> 17:40.120 You didn't use too much power? 17:40.120 --> 17:43.580 No. You needn't worry. 17:43.580 --> 17:45.370 How many times does this make? 17:45.370 --> 17:49.330 We managed to repel the darkness's invasion with difficulty, 17:49.330 --> 17:52.250 but it may not go so well next time. 17:52.250 --> 17:55.330 Then, the darkness really is... 17:55.330 --> 17:57.120 The King of Darkness. 17:57.120 --> 18:01.910 That embodiment of instinct is growing ever more concentrated. 18:01.910 --> 18:06.000 Who can say how long my power will work against him. 18:07.620 --> 18:12.370 I'm sorry, but we need even more military preparation and training. 18:12.370 --> 18:13.580 Yes, Majesty. 18:20.830 --> 18:22.290 You there. 18:22.290 --> 18:25.330 Where did you get that sword? 18:25.330 --> 18:28.410 Do I have to tell you? 18:28.410 --> 18:31.620 I heard Skeers's mansion is in this city. 18:31.620 --> 18:33.620 Do you know where it is? 18:33.620 --> 18:36.370 Mind your manners, thief! 18:37.750 --> 18:40.870 I demand that you return my lord's pride! 18:43.410 --> 18:46.830 Hey, are you Vallus?! 18:46.830 --> 18:49.620 How do you know my name? 18:49.620 --> 18:51.580 Where is Lord Skeers? 18:51.580 --> 18:52.910 He's dead. 18:54.370 --> 18:56.750 Did you kill him?! 19:00.950 --> 19:06.950 No, one such as you could never so much as scratch him. 19:08.250 --> 19:10.870 Why did you come here? 19:10.870 --> 19:13.450 Those who have glimpsed an ideal 19:13.450 --> 19:18.200 have a duty to devote their lives to making it a reality! 19:20.000 --> 19:22.540 You say that while groveling in the dirt? 19:22.540 --> 19:24.950 What's wrong with groveling?! 19:25.790 --> 19:30.620 I am the Prince of Darkness, successor to the King of Darkness! 19:33.910 --> 19:37.410 I shall acknowledge you as my lord. 19:38.620 --> 19:40.830 I shall guide you to the manor. 19:40.830 --> 19:42.120 This way. 19:50.040 --> 19:52.160 Progenitor Rune, 19:52.160 --> 19:54.620 give us your protection. 19:54.620 --> 19:56.540 When I see you like that, 19:56.540 --> 20:00.950 the title "White Priestess" seems more fitting than "Queen of Light." 20:02.250 --> 20:05.200 Can't you sleep, Your Majesty? 20:05.200 --> 20:07.620 Please don't stand on ceremony. 20:07.620 --> 20:12.160 You're like an older sister to me, Sheama. 20:12.160 --> 20:14.250 We've been together a long time. 20:14.250 --> 20:17.450 We trained together to become the successor to the throne. 20:17.450 --> 20:20.200 And you won. 20:20.200 --> 20:21.790 Sheama. 20:21.790 --> 20:23.870 I'm not bitter. 20:23.870 --> 20:25.950 You couldn't help it. 20:27.330 --> 20:29.120 Say, do you remember? 20:29.120 --> 20:30.000 What? 20:30.000 --> 20:32.660 The previous Queen of Light. 20:32.660 --> 20:34.040 I don't. 20:34.040 --> 20:35.700 It's strange. 20:35.700 --> 20:40.790 I remember that she was here before you took the throne, 20:40.790 --> 20:43.580 but I can't remember any details. 20:43.580 --> 20:48.250 Just that she always had a peaceful look on her face. 20:48.250 --> 20:51.700 Somehow, I understand. 20:51.700 --> 20:56.160 Accumulation isn't necessary to maintain balance. 20:56.160 --> 20:59.200 You just have to always remain in the same state. 20:59.200 --> 21:01.540 Does the Progenitor Rune tell you that? 21:01.540 --> 21:03.330 I suppose so. 21:03.330 --> 21:04.950 Still, 21:04.950 --> 21:08.700 the forces of darkness have been steadily growing in power. 21:08.700 --> 21:12.290 Is their entire country after the Progenitor Rune? 21:12.290 --> 21:14.870 No, that isn't it. 21:14.870 --> 21:17.540 The Kingdom of Black's people are no different. 21:17.540 --> 21:21.750 It's just that their king has gone out of control and is dragging them to ruin. 21:21.750 --> 21:24.200 I wonder. 21:24.200 --> 21:29.870 I'm sure that under the next King of Darkness, the balance will be preserved once more. 21:29.870 --> 21:34.080 You may have been forgotten by then, you know? 21:34.080 --> 21:40.450 Maybe no one will even remember that you repelled the King of Darkness so many times. 21:40.450 --> 21:44.870 As long as the future is peaceful, I don't mind. 21:44.870 --> 21:45.830 I see. 21:45.830 --> 21:47.160 Goody two shoes. 21:47.160 --> 21:48.370 I'm not-- 21:48.370 --> 21:50.160 Pardon me! 21:50.160 --> 21:51.410 What's wrong? 21:51.410 --> 21:54.000 The western capital is under attack. 21:54.000 --> 21:55.750 It's Bahl. 21:55.750 --> 21:56.790 Bahl! 21:56.790 --> 21:58.250 Your Majesty! 21:58.250 --> 22:00.000 We'll set out at once! 22:00.000 --> 22:02.790 Sheama! You and Phious ready the troops! 22:02.790 --> 22:03.790 Yes, Majesty! 23:43.270 --> 23:46.940 "Next Time" "Chapter 2: The World's Egoism"