WEBVTT 00:11.590 --> 00:13.920 Long, long ago, 00:13.920 --> 00:17.750 a beautiful kingdom floated high in the sky. 00:17.750 --> 00:21.210 On its throne sat a round, noble, white cat, 00:21.210 --> 00:24.880 and a muddy, black cat fell in love with her. 00:24.880 --> 00:27.880 That was how it all began. 00:46.650 --> 00:49.530 "Shironeko Project ZERO CHRONICLE" 01:58.140 --> 02:03.050 "Shironeko Project ZERO CHRONICLE" 02:03.150 --> 02:06.070 "Chapter 1: The Land Protected by Light" 02:08.050 --> 02:11.590 The sky is groaning. 02:11.590 --> 02:14.500 I refuse to surrender the Progenitor Rune! 02:35.750 --> 02:36.960 There you are. 02:36.960 --> 02:38.920 You look fully prepared. 02:38.920 --> 02:39.800 I am. 02:39.800 --> 02:42.130 Let's bring something home today! 02:42.130 --> 02:45.250 I'd like to have some meat once in a while. 02:51.550 --> 02:55.670 Up above the clouds, they can live without a care in the world. 02:55.670 --> 02:57.960 What I wouldn't give for that life. 02:57.960 --> 03:00.080 Hey! Monsters are coming! 03:00.080 --> 03:00.460 What?! 03:00.460 --> 03:03.670 Damn, so they've finally come here, too! 03:04.880 --> 03:07.130 Take the kids and run! 03:07.130 --> 03:09.050 There's a cave on that hill. 03:09.050 --> 03:10.710 Hide in there! 03:10.710 --> 03:12.000 G-Got it! 03:12.000 --> 03:14.210 If you can move, grab a weapon! 03:14.210 --> 03:16.420 We haven't got time to be scared! 03:17.710 --> 03:18.350 Let's go! 03:18.350 --> 03:19.800 Okay. 03:19.800 --> 03:20.960 Take care of them! 03:20.960 --> 03:23.130 We'll handle things here. 03:23.130 --> 03:26.420 We'll try to bring down a big one while we're at it. 03:27.590 --> 03:29.050 They're here! 03:30.050 --> 03:33.340 Everybody! We're going to protect our village! 03:33.340 --> 03:34.250 Yeah! 03:34.250 --> 03:35.500 Come on! 03:47.340 --> 03:48.960 Are you all right? 03:48.960 --> 03:52.340 Y-Yeah. Thanks. 03:52.340 --> 03:54.590 We're almost there. Can you run? 04:02.250 --> 04:04.170 Damn you! 04:11.750 --> 04:13.300 Run to that hill! 04:13.300 --> 04:14.460 Okay! 04:21.380 --> 04:22.840 Watch out! 04:28.170 --> 04:30.300 Go. 04:30.300 --> 04:32.800 Take care of my sister. 04:57.090 --> 04:59.090 Hey! 04:59.090 --> 05:00.920 Is anyone there?! 05:21.710 --> 05:23.380 It must be up ahead. 05:23.380 --> 05:25.840 I'll have a short rest. 05:29.670 --> 05:31.500 What are you doing? 05:32.710 --> 05:36.050 I was told that there's a village nearby. 05:37.250 --> 05:39.000 It's gone. 05:39.000 --> 05:40.590 Gone? 05:40.590 --> 05:44.000 Then, what are you doing here? 05:44.000 --> 05:45.550 Digging a hole. 05:45.550 --> 05:46.670 A hole? 05:46.670 --> 05:48.840 Is that wrong? 05:48.840 --> 05:50.420 What is it for? 05:51.550 --> 05:54.130 For the people killed by monsters. 05:56.500 --> 05:58.420 What do you want? 05:58.420 --> 06:00.050 Are you going to keep digging? 06:00.050 --> 06:03.210 They got the neighboring villages, too. 06:05.800 --> 06:08.000 Stop, boy. 06:08.000 --> 06:10.670 You'll die for nothing at this rate. 06:10.670 --> 06:12.380 I don't plan to. 06:12.380 --> 06:14.210 I'm getting enough sleep. 06:15.340 --> 06:16.750 And food? 06:19.960 --> 06:21.210 Eat. 06:27.130 --> 06:29.130 Why give me this? 06:29.130 --> 06:30.800 Don't be so wary. 06:30.800 --> 06:32.210 It's just a whim. 06:39.710 --> 06:41.960 My name is Skeers. 06:41.960 --> 06:44.380 What's yours, boy? 06:44.380 --> 06:46.130 Call me what you like. 06:46.130 --> 06:48.170 Everyone else did. 06:48.170 --> 06:49.590 I see. 06:50.420 --> 06:51.920 Hey, mister. 06:51.920 --> 06:55.590 Doesn't the King of Darkness rule this country? 06:55.590 --> 06:57.170 He does. 06:57.170 --> 07:00.460 Then why does he let dangerous monsters run wild? 07:00.460 --> 07:03.960 No doubt the king has his own concerns. 07:03.960 --> 07:07.880 Is the king concerned about the right things? 07:07.880 --> 07:10.880 What do you think the "right things" are? 07:11.710 --> 07:14.090 Everyone being happy. 07:14.090 --> 07:15.670 How superficial. 07:16.630 --> 07:18.920 That's why I'm digging a hole. 07:20.000 --> 07:22.670 How long will you keep digging? 07:24.300 --> 07:26.710 It's still too small. 07:26.710 --> 07:28.920 How deep is deep enough? 07:29.800 --> 07:32.380 Deep enough to reach the sky. 07:32.380 --> 07:35.840 Fascinating. What do you mean? 07:35.840 --> 07:38.130 I won't ask you to understand. 07:38.130 --> 07:39.050 It's just... 07:39.050 --> 07:40.340 Just what? 07:40.340 --> 07:45.300 Sometimes, bright light shines into the depths of the darkest holes. 07:45.300 --> 07:47.960 I... like that. 07:47.960 --> 07:51.960 It seems like even-handed kindness. 07:55.590 --> 07:56.960 I see. 07:56.960 --> 08:00.170 There's no point obsessing over land and sky. 08:00.170 --> 08:02.920 Everyone's the same when you're in a hole. 08:02.920 --> 08:06.170 That's just... how it seems to me. 08:12.550 --> 08:13.710 Pick it up. 08:13.710 --> 08:17.130 I'll teach you how to improve things without digging holes. 08:26.340 --> 08:28.000 Huh?! 08:32.000 --> 08:33.050 What's wrong? 08:33.050 --> 08:34.500 We're not done yet. 08:34.500 --> 08:37.130 I didn't ask for this. 08:37.130 --> 08:38.420 I suppose not. 08:38.420 --> 08:42.750 But why didn't you refuse to face me? 08:44.500 --> 08:46.500 You're trying to tell me 08:46.500 --> 08:50.880 to get strong enough to protect people from monsters, right? 08:50.880 --> 08:53.880 Who said anything like that? 08:53.880 --> 08:54.960 Die. 08:54.960 --> 08:57.590 If despairing and cursing the world is all you can do, 08:57.590 --> 09:00.170 your life has no value! 09:03.460 --> 09:04.460 Well now. 09:04.460 --> 09:06.380 What are you thinking? 09:06.380 --> 09:09.210 If you want to kill me, why hold back?! 09:10.710 --> 09:12.300 Just a whim. 09:12.300 --> 09:16.090 You save or kill people on a whim?! 09:16.090 --> 09:17.710 I do. 09:19.800 --> 09:21.800 What gives you the right?! 09:21.800 --> 09:24.000 Will you accept it if I tell you? 09:24.960 --> 09:26.750 That right exists. 09:26.750 --> 09:31.550 It belongs to someone you could never even hope to meet. 09:31.550 --> 09:33.500 That's the truth. 09:33.500 --> 09:35.920 But what good will knowing the truth do you? 09:35.920 --> 09:37.960 Will you obey as long as there's a reason? 09:37.960 --> 09:39.500 You mean the King of Darkness?! 09:39.500 --> 09:40.800 Exactly. 09:40.800 --> 09:44.000 To obey the King of Darkness is the fate of the people of Black. 09:44.000 --> 09:46.420 But you're not the king, are you?! 09:47.500 --> 09:49.250 True. 09:49.250 --> 09:51.590 I'm not the king, 09:51.590 --> 09:56.920 I'm a fool who tried to become king but wasn't chosen. 09:56.920 --> 09:58.250 What's wrong?! 09:58.250 --> 10:02.250 Are you the kind of person who can be killed on a whim?! 10:03.630 --> 10:06.000 Don't act so high and mighty! 10:06.960 --> 10:08.420 Damn it! 10:12.340 --> 10:16.590 No one can fault your ideals! 10:16.590 --> 10:20.670 But making people happy isn't easy! 10:20.670 --> 10:22.920 It takes more than half-hearted resolve! 10:22.920 --> 10:25.130 I know that! 10:25.130 --> 10:26.920 What will you do, then?! 10:26.920 --> 10:28.590 Just dig holes forever 10:28.590 --> 10:30.710 and wait for help from the sky?! 10:35.380 --> 10:37.210 It's time you came to your senses! 10:37.210 --> 10:39.840 Those who have glimpsed an ideal 10:39.840 --> 10:44.460 have a duty to devote their lives to making it a reality! 10:45.710 --> 10:48.420 Then I'll do it! 10:48.420 --> 10:52.210 I'll become king, or whatever it takes! 11:11.550 --> 11:13.170 What? 11:13.170 --> 11:14.590 I'm glad. 11:14.590 --> 11:16.000 What for? 11:16.000 --> 11:20.420 I never imagined such a miracle would be waiting for me at the end. 11:20.420 --> 11:22.300 This isn't over yet. 11:22.300 --> 11:24.420 No, time is up. 11:24.420 --> 11:26.590 For me. 11:26.590 --> 11:28.630 H-Hey, mister! 11:29.460 --> 11:33.460 I fought the current King of Darkness over the succession. 11:33.460 --> 11:36.090 Of course I'm old. 11:38.500 --> 11:42.800 Boy, take this sword and go to the capital. 11:42.800 --> 11:44.800 I have a mansion there. 11:44.800 --> 11:46.750 I may not look it, but I'm from a noble family. 11:46.750 --> 11:50.300 The one who bears that sword is considered its head. 11:50.300 --> 11:52.920 Then, declare yourself. 11:52.920 --> 11:58.840 Declare that you are the Prince of Darkness, successor to the King of Darkness! 11:58.840 --> 12:01.130 There's a knight called Vallus. 12:01.130 --> 12:02.920 He is just. 12:02.920 --> 12:07.380 If he sees your skill with a sword, he'll look after you. 12:07.380 --> 12:11.340 Earn his recognition, and he will be true to you. 12:11.340 --> 12:13.590 I never said I'd go. 12:13.590 --> 12:17.500 You're supposed to nod, boy who reminds me of myself. 12:17.500 --> 12:19.880 Me, like you? 12:19.880 --> 12:21.300 You've gotta be kidding. 12:21.300 --> 12:24.630 Watch your language. 12:24.630 --> 12:28.000 I trust you can do that much. 12:28.000 --> 12:31.670 I felt it, too, you know. 12:31.670 --> 12:36.460 Rest, not just in darkness, but in light as well. 12:36.460 --> 12:40.250 Mister... Skeers, 12:40.250 --> 12:43.340 are you really done for? 12:43.340 --> 12:47.090 I've been an empty shell for a long time. 12:47.090 --> 12:52.000 I'm no longer being supplied with the Power of Darkness. 12:52.000 --> 12:53.250 Please, boy. 12:53.250 --> 12:56.210 The world is not right as things stand. 12:56.210 --> 13:00.250 Change it... in your reign! 13:00.250 --> 13:01.710 I will. 13:07.840 --> 13:11.210 He was born in Black, but that light...! 13:11.210 --> 13:14.630 Is it coming... from me? 13:16.550 --> 13:18.630 I'm counting on you. 13:20.300 --> 13:23.300 Skeers. 13:26.000 --> 13:27.800 All right. 13:27.800 --> 13:32.630 I'll start by becoming the King of Darkness's successor, like you said! 13:32.630 --> 13:35.880 Once I do that, I'll be able to do it, right? 13:35.880 --> 13:39.880 Make everyone in the world happy? 13:41.010 --> 13:46.020 "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." 13:48.710 --> 13:51.380 Rune, obey my will! 13:51.380 --> 13:55.460 Calida Lux, Puram Lucem! 13:55.460 --> 13:58.000 Darkness, begone! 14:12.840 --> 14:14.550 There are still so many! 14:15.670 --> 14:17.750 Defend the queen! 14:17.750 --> 14:20.130 Knights of Light, do not lose courage! 14:20.130 --> 14:21.340 Phious! 14:21.340 --> 14:23.590 The Rune's protection is with us! 14:24.460 --> 14:28.420 Do not let monsters of darkness sully the Kingdom of White! 14:31.590 --> 14:32.500 Support them! 14:32.500 --> 14:33.670 Yes, ma'am! 14:34.590 --> 14:37.050 Rune that the priestess commands, 14:37.050 --> 14:41.170 lend us a fraction of your power. 14:41.170 --> 14:44.590 Light, become a shield and repel evil! 14:50.380 --> 14:52.130 Thanks, Sheama! 14:53.090 --> 14:54.710 Don't miss this chance! 14:54.710 --> 14:56.170 Rout them! 14:59.590 --> 15:02.500 As I thought, it's expanding. 15:02.500 --> 15:05.550 The balance won't hold at this rate. 15:12.130 --> 15:14.380 Her Majesty has returned. 15:14.380 --> 15:17.000 She drove off the darkness. 15:30.710 --> 15:32.710 Oh, Phious! 15:34.750 --> 15:36.500 I'm back, Theo. 15:37.840 --> 15:42.670 Now then, let's all rest in preparation for the next attack. 15:42.670 --> 15:45.340 I'll inform you if anything happens. 15:45.340 --> 15:46.420 Yes, ma'am! 15:46.420 --> 15:48.500 May the Progenitor Rune protect you. 15:51.300 --> 15:53.000 Welcome back, Sheama. 15:53.960 --> 15:55.550 Thank you. 15:56.710 --> 15:58.670 How was your work? 15:58.670 --> 16:00.420 Are you hurt? 16:00.420 --> 16:03.130 Don't underestimate the leader of the Knights of Light. 16:03.130 --> 16:05.250 Darkness will never get the better of me. 16:05.250 --> 16:06.960 That's my big brother! 16:06.960 --> 16:10.880 Aren't you forgetting my support magic, Phious? 16:10.880 --> 16:13.800 Support magic? Are you sure? 16:13.800 --> 16:18.880 Well now! I could swear I heard you say, "Thanks, Sheama!" 16:18.880 --> 16:20.300 Just kidding. 16:20.300 --> 16:25.340 You realize the knights aren't the only ones fighting the darkness? 16:25.340 --> 16:30.000 We mages are putting our lives on the line, too. 16:30.000 --> 16:33.380 Yes, and so is Her Majesty. 16:36.340 --> 16:42.630 With the Progenitor Rune's power, she might be able to defeat even the King of Darkness. 16:42.630 --> 16:46.090 But she can't afford to use up all her power. 16:47.210 --> 16:52.960 You receive the Rune's protection through your tiara, don't you, Sheama? 16:52.960 --> 16:55.130 That's true. 16:55.130 --> 16:59.090 Still, I wonder... 16:59.090 --> 17:01.340 Darkness is essential to the balance. 17:01.340 --> 17:04.050 Could that be causing her to hesitate? 17:04.050 --> 17:08.420 Her Majesty is wholly dedicated to vanquishing the King of Darkness. 17:08.420 --> 17:10.300 I hope so. 17:10.300 --> 17:13.210 Sheama, this is just between us. 17:13.210 --> 17:18.000 I know you, so I don't mind, but you shouldn't say such things. 17:18.000 --> 17:20.090 I understand. 17:20.090 --> 17:24.340 I am the court mage and a commander. 17:30.670 --> 17:32.380 Your Majesty. 17:33.380 --> 17:36.550 Queen Iris, are you well?! 17:36.550 --> 17:37.750 What? 17:37.750 --> 17:40.170 You didn't use too much power? 17:40.170 --> 17:43.630 No. You needn't worry. 17:43.630 --> 17:45.420 How many times does this make? 17:45.420 --> 17:49.380 We managed to repel the darkness's invasion with difficulty, 17:49.380 --> 17:52.300 but it may not go so well next time. 17:52.300 --> 17:55.380 Then, the darkness really is... 17:55.380 --> 17:57.170 The King of Darkness. 17:57.170 --> 18:01.960 That embodiment of instinct is growing ever more concentrated. 18:01.960 --> 18:06.050 Who can say how long my power will work against him. 18:07.670 --> 18:12.420 I'm sorry, but we need even more military preparation and training. 18:12.420 --> 18:13.630 Yes, Majesty. 18:20.880 --> 18:22.340 You there. 18:22.340 --> 18:25.380 Where did you get that sword? 18:25.380 --> 18:28.460 Do I have to tell you? 18:28.460 --> 18:31.670 I heard Skeers's mansion is in this city. 18:31.670 --> 18:33.670 Do you know where it is? 18:33.670 --> 18:36.420 Mind your manners, thief! 18:37.800 --> 18:40.920 I demand that you return my lord's pride! 18:43.460 --> 18:46.880 Hey, are you Vallus?! 18:46.880 --> 18:49.670 How do you know my name? 18:49.670 --> 18:51.630 Where is Lord Skeers? 18:51.630 --> 18:52.960 He's dead. 18:54.420 --> 18:56.800 Did you kill him?! 19:01.000 --> 19:07.000 No, one such as you could never so much as scratch him. 19:08.300 --> 19:10.920 Why did you come here? 19:10.920 --> 19:13.500 Those who have glimpsed an ideal 19:13.500 --> 19:18.250 have a duty to devote their lives to making it a reality! 19:20.050 --> 19:22.590 You say that while groveling in the dirt? 19:22.590 --> 19:25.000 What's wrong with groveling?! 19:25.840 --> 19:30.670 I am the Prince of Darkness, successor to the King of Darkness! 19:33.960 --> 19:37.460 I shall acknowledge you as my lord. 19:38.670 --> 19:40.880 I shall guide you to the manor. 19:40.880 --> 19:42.170 This way. 19:50.090 --> 19:52.210 Progenitor Rune, 19:52.210 --> 19:54.670 give us your protection. 19:54.670 --> 19:56.590 When I see you like that, 19:56.590 --> 20:01.000 the title "White Priestess" seems more fitting than "Queen of Light." 20:02.300 --> 20:05.250 Can't you sleep, Your Majesty? 20:05.250 --> 20:07.670 Please don't stand on ceremony. 20:07.670 --> 20:12.210 You're like an older sister to me, Sheama. 20:12.210 --> 20:14.300 We've been together a long time. 20:14.300 --> 20:17.500 We trained together to become the successor to the throne. 20:17.500 --> 20:20.250 And you won. 20:20.250 --> 20:21.840 Sheama. 20:21.840 --> 20:23.920 I'm not bitter. 20:23.920 --> 20:26.000 You couldn't help it. 20:27.380 --> 20:29.170 Say, do you remember? 20:29.170 --> 20:30.050 What? 20:30.050 --> 20:32.710 The previous Queen of Light. 20:32.710 --> 20:34.090 I don't. 20:34.090 --> 20:35.750 It's strange. 20:35.750 --> 20:40.840 I remember that she was here before you took the throne, 20:40.840 --> 20:43.630 but I can't remember any details. 20:43.630 --> 20:48.300 Just that she always had a peaceful look on her face. 20:48.300 --> 20:51.750 Somehow, I understand. 20:51.750 --> 20:56.210 Accumulation isn't necessary to maintain balance. 20:56.210 --> 20:59.250 You just have to always remain in the same state. 20:59.250 --> 21:01.590 Does the Progenitor Rune tell you that? 21:01.590 --> 21:03.380 I suppose so. 21:03.380 --> 21:05.000 Still, 21:05.000 --> 21:08.750 the forces of darkness have been steadily growing in power. 21:08.750 --> 21:12.340 Is their entire country after the Progenitor Rune? 21:12.340 --> 21:14.920 No, that isn't it. 21:14.920 --> 21:17.590 The Kingdom of Black's people are no different. 21:17.590 --> 21:21.800 It's just that their king has gone out of control and is dragging them to ruin. 21:21.800 --> 21:24.250 I wonder. 21:24.250 --> 21:29.920 I'm sure that under the next King of Darkness, the balance will be preserved once more. 21:29.920 --> 21:34.130 You may have been forgotten by then, you know? 21:34.130 --> 21:40.500 Maybe no one will even remember that you repelled the King of Darkness so many times. 21:40.500 --> 21:44.920 As long as the future is peaceful, I don't mind. 21:44.920 --> 21:45.880 I see. 21:45.880 --> 21:47.210 Goody two shoes. 21:47.210 --> 21:48.420 I'm not-- 21:48.420 --> 21:50.210 Pardon me! 21:50.210 --> 21:51.460 What's wrong? 21:51.460 --> 21:54.050 The western capital is under attack. 21:54.050 --> 21:55.800 It's Bahl. 21:55.800 --> 21:56.840 Bahl! 21:56.840 --> 21:58.300 Your Majesty! 21:58.300 --> 22:00.050 We'll set out at once! 22:00.050 --> 22:02.840 Sheama! You and Phious ready the troops! 22:02.840 --> 22:03.840 Yes, Majesty! 23:43.320 --> 23:46.990 "Next Time" "Chapter 2: The World's Egoism"