Scenario:The Dragon Weeps before Daybreak - Chapter 6: The Dragon Weeps before Daybreak - Episode 1

The Dragon Weeps before Daybreak - Chapter 6: The Dragon Weeps before Daybreak - Episode 1

Just as Maleagant planned, King Carl steps out into the plaza to address the chaos. The king discloses the truth of Feendrache as told by Fafnir to everyone present and asks that all resentment be directed at him alone. Maleagant laughs and reveals that the Vallant are weapons created by the kingdom of Feendrache through extensive research and experimentation.

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Disorder reigns in the plaza as Vallants who blended in as citizens and knights of Feendrache transform into dragons.

Flight of Dragons: Grooooh!

Order Knight: Aaaagh!

Vyrn: You guys all right?

Order Knight: Y-yes, thanks for the help!

(Captain) and the crew pull out all the stops to protect the townsfolk from the assailing dragons.

The defenders find their movements hindered amidst the chaos, and fatigue begins to show on the soldiers' faces.

Percival: There's only so much we can do against an onslaught of dragons with all of these townsfolk around...

Siegfried: Their objective is to lure His Majesty out into the plaza.

Siegfried: A single casualty would likely worsen this already plenty chaotic scene and force him to speak up.

Lancelot: The safety of the king depends on that of the people! We must make sure no harm befalls them!

As the defenders struggle to finesse a breakthrough big enough to change their dire situation, a voice rings out.

???: Put down your weapons!

The voice is resolute as it echoes across the plaza in an attempt to calm the mayhem.

Lancelot: Your Majesty!

Maleagant: You came out sooner than I thought you would...

Maleagant: Everybody, rejoice. The star has arrived.

King Carl: ...

Maleagant raises his hand, and the dragons open a path. King Carl treads it with confidence.

Lancelot: Your Majesty, why have you come! If anything happens to you, Feendrache will—

King Carl: It is all right, Lancelot. I understand your concern.

King Carl: But in good conscious, I cannot sequester myself in the castle while my people are being held hostage.

King Carl makes his commitment to his people clear, then turns to face Maleagant.

King Carl: So I presume you are Maleagant?

Maleagant: King Carl... What an honor it is to meet the most ignorant sovereign in Feendrache's history.

The knights fill with rage as Maleagant greets their king with open disdain.

Unstirred, King Carl stays them with a small gesture, maintaining his posture and fixing his gaze on the man in front of him.

King Carl: Indeed, I have been far too ignorant about a great many things.

King Carl: But it is the awareness of my own ignorance that has allowed me to accept the truth about Feendrache, and commit myself to righting past wrongs.

Maleagant: ...

King Carl turns to face his people and takes a deep breath before addressing them with a quiet dignity.

King Carl: I am sure today's events have confused many of you.

King Carl: But there is one thing I would like for you all to know.

King Carl: These dragons are not your enemies. They are people of Feendrache, just as we are.

With a heavy heart, King Carl begins to impart the secret history of the kingdom as told by Fafnir.

He recounts the story of Feendrache's sins and the many forced to sacrifice their lives by bygone kings.

King Carl: They were heroes, saviors of our kingdom. They risked their lives and fought for Feendrache with a strength beyond that of man.

King Carl: But the Feendrache of yore condemned them, labeled them villains, and buried them in its dark history.

King Carl: I understand their hate. The responsibility of their plight lies squarely on my house.

King Carl: People of Feendrache... Vallants... If you bear any resentment, please, let it be only toward me.

King Carl: I am prepared to accept whatever punishment... to rectify and atone for the sins committed by our kings.

As King Carl lowers his head, Maleagant's shoulders start to quiver.

Maleagant: Hah...

Maleagant: Hahahahaha!

Maleagant: How comical! It seems Fafnir forgot to inform you of a crucial fact.

Maleagant: You say the responsibility lies entirely on your house. Yes, the root of the sin grows from the sovereign—that much is sure.

Maleagant: But I don't remember saying our resentment was reserved just for the royal house.

King Carl: What...

The implication in Maleagant's words sets King Carl and the knights on edge.

Seeing them tense up, Maleagant sighs and shakes his head.

Maleagant: You people never change. You only concern yourself with what happens on the surface and say whatever suits you in the moment.

Maleagant: You limit yourself only to a truth that is placed right before your eyes and espouse high-minded platitudes...

Maleagant: Then you turn your back on the issues and eliminate any inconvenient elements that get in your way. That is what you do.

King Carl: No, I promise you, I am truly—

Maleagant: Truly what? Remorseful? And do you suppose your people share your sentiment?

Maleagant: Your vice-captain and the Dragonslayer are perched for the kill. What do you make of them? What of the noble boy from Wales? What of him...

Maleagant's spiteful gaze darts over to Lancelot.

Maleagant: The man donning the pretentious armor he inherited? Your venerable knight captain?

Lancelot: ...

Maleagant: You all stand there as if you have nothing to do with this. Well I have something to tell you.

Maleagant: Our people didn't appear out of nowhere.

Maleagant: We are weapons—the product of the kingdom's many years of experimentation and research. The Vallant were made—by Feendrache.

Lancelot: Feendrache... created you?

Maleagant: Yes. But of course, not even Feendrache had the power to create life out of nothing.

Maleagant: To bear life, one requires the necessary materials.

Maleagant: And, three hundred years ago, the people of Feendrache—all of your ancestors—gave the kingdom exactly what they needed.

Maleagant shoots a disdainful glance at the people in the plaza before continuing.

Maleagant: Here I will lay our story bare. You will learn how we came to be, what has been done to us...

Maleagant: And through hearing our experiences, you will come to know the true nature of the kingdom of Feendrache.

The history of Feendrache's sins, unbeknownst even to Fafnir, will soon see the light of day.