Scenario:Siegfried - Life on the Run

Life on the Run

These events take place back when Siegfried was living on the run after being framed by Consul General Isabella for regicide. During his flight, he takes out a dagger that King Josef gave to him and thinks about its significance to him. At the same time, he is reminded of his king's final command of purging the rot that was spreading throughout his homeland, Feendrache. Siegfried renews his resolve to proceed down the perilous path before him.

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White Dragon: He's not here! Keep looking!

Siegfried: They've already tracked me down again? That was faster than I expected.

His name is Siegfried the Dragonslayer. However, he now bears the ignoble title of "Kingslayer," having been framed for a crime he did not commit.

Siegfried: (King Josef...)

Josef: Siegfried... a final order... one I can only entrust to you...

Siegfried: Yes, anything for you, Your Majesty.

Josef: A great rot is spreading about Feendrache. I would have you expunge it before the kingdom falls to ruin.

Siegfried: It will be done.

Josef: I am sorry, Siegfried. I can only... count on you... for this...

Siegfried: Your Majesty... Your Majesty!

Siegfried: ...

Siegfried: (I must finish this, whatever it costs me.)

Siegfried: Consul General Isabella... I swear that I will bring your evildoing to light.

It was Consul General Isabella who framed Siegfried for the murder of King Josef.

Tasked with overseeing the production and distribution of the panacea-like elixir known as "alma" that the primal beast Sylph creates, she has been attempting to hide its poisonous byproduct, karmide.

As it would be inconvenient for Isabella if the existence of karmide became widely known, she has been secretly disposing of it in the Howling Valley.

However, this has caused a village named Ruforth, located downstream from the Howling Valley, to suffer from a mysterious epidemic.

Siegfried: To think that the creation of alma had been producing such an insidious byproduct...

Siegfried: Thank the skies that Boris managed to discover it.

Siegfried: Right, this should be far enough.

Suddenly Siegfried's stomach growls, as if it had been waiting for the right moment to assert itself.

Siegfried: Hah, I suppose that's enough marching on an empty stomach for one day. Time to make camp.

Siegfried: Hm?

Monster: Grrr...

Siegfried: Ah, just a monster. I guess that means I won't have to go looking for food. No hard feelings now.

Monster: Graaawr!

Siegfried: Haah!

Monster: ...!

Cleft in two by Siegfried's greatsword, the monster dies without even being able to cry out in pain.

Siegfried: Right then...

Siegfried takes out his knife and begins efficiently skinning the monster.

Siegfried: (In any case, merely evading capture isn't going to get me anywhere.)

Siegfried: I heard that King Carl recently ascended to the throne. Would he be willing to hear me out?

Siegfried: No, he's been told that I was the one who killed King Josef, so betting on that would be too reckless...

As the need for urgency and the need for caution clash within Siegfried's heart, he uncharacteristically starts to channel his stress into his knifework.

Siegfried: Shoot. I guess I used too much force.

His knife broken, Siegfried stares at the half-prepared meat.

Siegfried: Well, now what?

After thinking for a moment, Siegfried pulls out a dagger with an elaborately adorned sheath.

Siegfried: (I'm hesitant to use a gift from King Josef for butchery, but...)

Siegfried: Your Majesty...

As he gazes at the dagger, Siegfried remembers how he came to possess it.

It happened when he had been serving as the captain of the Order of the Black Dragons.

As Feendrache was being attacked by another nation, the atmosphere in the castle was somber.

Josef: Captain Siegfried of the Order of the Black Dragons. I hereby order you to repel the enemy.

Siegfried: Yes, my liege! I swear that none of their forces will remain in our lands by the time I return.

Siegfried's ferocious counterattack routs the invading army, but at a cost.

Messenger: Your Majesty, I come with dire news! Captain Siegfried has—

Black Dragon: I-it's my fault! He suffered a grave injury protecting me, and now he won't wake up! I'm so sorry!

Black Dragon: If he dies because of me, I'll... I'll...

Josef: Calm yourself. The man has slain a dragon. It will surely take more than this to kill him.

Black Dragon: Of... Of course, Your Majesty.

Josef: Take him to the infirmary. Keep everyone away from him except for myself and one doctor.

Black Dragon: I...
Yes, Your Majesty, as you command! We leave him in your care!

Josef hastens to the infirmary, his regal cape trailing behind him.

Josef: (When he slew Fafnir, Siegfried took in some of the dragon's blood.)

Josef: (This fact must be concealed. That said, it is not yet known how much power that blood truly holds...)

Josef: How is he?

In the infirmary, the doctor has cut away Siegfried's clothes and is examining the wound.

Doctor: It's a deep wound to his gut. I'm afraid that it has reached his internal organs.

The doctor steps aside to let King Josef examine the unconscious knight.

Josef: ...

Upon beholding the gruesome wound, Josef inadvertently gasps.

Doctor: I've begun treating him, but the bleeding still hasn't stopped yet.

Doctor: I'm about to start sewing up the wound. I must save him, no matter what!

Josef: Very well. Proceed.

The doctor takes up his surgical needle and thread and begins his work, but suddenly freezes.

Doctor: Wha—

Before their eyes, Siegfried's wound begins to heal all on its own.

Josef: (So this is the power of the dragon's blood!)

The unnatural sight continues until the wound seals itself completely, leaving not even a scar behind.

Doctor: What in the skies...

The doctor rushes to examine the skin that had been split wide-open only moments before.

Doctor: He's truly healed! How could such a thing...

Josef: You are to tell nobody of what you witnessed here. Now leave us.

Doctor: Ye-yes, my liege!

Shaken, the doctor departs from the room, and Josef turns his attention to the face of the man lying before him.

Josef: Siegfried... Just what is...

Siegfried: Ugh...

Josef: Ah, Siegfried, you're awake.

Siegfried: Your Majesty? Why are you... Wait, where am I?

Josef: You're in the castle's infirmary. Your men carried you here from the battlefield.

Josef: I'm told that you were wounded taking a blow for one of them. That was quite the gash you had in your stomach.

Josef: Very reckless, I must say. Were you counting on the regenerative properties of the dragon's blood to save you?

Siegfried: It's no problem for me to get a few scratches here and there. I heal up nicely, after all.

Josef: For goodness's sake. I wish you'd treat yourself with more care. It's not like you don't feel pain.

Siegfried: I appreciate your concern. When I saw my subordinate in danger, I took the only option I saw without thinking.

Josef: Then work on training your men. Make sure they're strong enough to keep up with you.

Siegfried: ...
As you command.

Siegfried: Two promising young knights have joined us recently. They're polar opposites, one being of noble blood and the other hailing from a village far from the capital, but both already possess impressive ability.

Josef: Oh? I look forward to seeing them in action one day. Make sure to tell them that they're not to imitate your recklessness.

Siegfried: Understood, sire. And I apologize.

Though showing understanding of Siegfried's nature, Josef is concerned by his tendency to put himself in danger.

Several days later, a ceremony is being held to commend Siegfried for his prowess on the battlefield.

Josef: Captain Siegfried of the Order of the Black Dragons. Come forward.

Siegfried: Yes, Your Majesty.

Josef: You have once again rendered great service to this kingdom. In reward, I bestow upon you this dagger from the royal treasury.

Siegfried: You honor me, my liege. I gratefully accept it.

Bending the knee before his king, Siegfried reverently accepts the dagger.

As soon as it is in his hands, cheering erupts throughout the throne room.

Black Dragons: Long live King Josef!

Black Dragons: All hail Captain Siegfried!

As the knights cheer, Josef draws himself closer to Siegfried and speaks into his ear.

Josef: Think of this dagger as a part of myself and carry it into battle.

Josef: I want to protect this kingdom alongside you.

Siegfried: Your Majesty... It would be my honor. I will keep it on me at all times.

Touching the dagger with one hand, Josef places the other on Siegfried's shoulder.

Josef: I pray that this blade will one day protect you from harm.

Upon hearing his king's sincere words, Siegfried holds the dagger tightly to his chest.

Siegfried: Though unworthy, I swear myself once again to your service, my king.

Josef: I'm counting on you, my most loyal knight.

After thinking about Josef, Siegfried sighs.

Siegfried: Please forgive me for putting this blade to such a use, Your Majesty.

After apologizing to his king, he begins peeling the meat away from the monster's bones with the dagger.

After laboring at it for a while, he creates a pile of neatly butchered meat.

Siegfried: A fire... probably wouldn't be a good idea. The smoke could lead them right to me.

Siegfried straightens his back and kneels before the dagger.

Siegfried: King Josef. I swear that I will complete the mission you gave me and purge this land of the evil that festers in it.

Siegfried: (Please watch over me, Your Majesty...)

Raising his head, he returns the dagger to his breast pocket.

Siegfried: For today's sustenance I express my gratitude.

Without hesitation, Siegfried begins to chew the raw monster meat.

Siegfried: Hm. It doesn't smell as bad as I feared. All this red meat should provide plenty of energy.

He quickly finishes his meal and leans up against a tree trunk.

Siegfried: ...

But instead of going to sleep, he merely sits there with his eyes open.

Siegfried: (First Gunther and now King Josef... I've lost so much in such a short period of time.)

Siegfried: ...

Siegfried: The night sure is cold without a fire...

Siegfried looks up at the starless sky. There is still nothing to illuminate the path before him.