Episode 17--The Night Lords III: The Island of Her Darling Children

Esther wakes in a bed; the bedroom of a plain, cozy house. It's Seth's. Ion tells her that she treated the wounds and then let them use her house. She made it possible to take care of you without drawing any attention, he says. She's been asleep a whole day. Seth comes in, telling them teasingly that romance between Terrans and Methuselah is prohibited, and adds that tea selling is just her side job--she's actually a medical student at the Graduate School of Medicine. Ion tells Esther that he did tell Seth about her being from the Outer, but adds in a whisper that to protect her identity, he'd said she was just a girl he fell in love with and brought home with him. She reacts with wide-eyed (and slightly embarrassed) amazement at this (super cute=). Seth teases them some more and then says she'll go to the market for medicine and more bandages.

There's a slightly awkward moment; then Ion invites her to enjoy the view from the window. The house is high above the water and Esther enjoys the fresh breeze; he looks at her thoughtfully. She asks what that building on the hill is, and he says it's the serai -- the Imperial palace. All that? --she's astonished at the vast edifice. The Empress is the living embodiment of our empire, he says, Terrans and Methuselah alike obey her. And unlike in the Outer, a person's status and finances don’t limit their educational opportunities. Because of her the races are equal. What if something happened to her?, asks Esther. Everything would come to an end, says Ion somberly, and then --changing the subject-- says she hasn't eaten in a day, surely she's hungry.

On his way back from the market he sees a flash of metal from the roof above, and dropping his bag, leaps up with dagger drawn. It's been awhile, Ion, says a voice: it's Radu. Ion glares. You killed my Grandmother and framed me for it, he says, do you hate me so much? So self-important, replies Radu, I don't care what happens to a child like you. You’re just a decoy to get the court's attention. They scuffle; Ion is easily caught. I'll make an exception and tell you, he says--we're going to kill the Empress. Do you really think you could do something so stupid? --snaps Ion, but Radu goes on that they also plan to exterminate Terrans from the outer and rule the whole planet. Long claws extend from his fingers and he gouges Ion in the leg; Ion flinches in pain, loses his balance and slides down the slope of the roof. The government has focused all its attention on you, grins Radu; I'm grateful to you, tovarash. He asks if it’s wise for Ion to be co concerned about a Terran girl, and one from the Holy See no less; is he asking to be betrayed again? How does Ion think Radu always knows what he's doing? --Are you saying she's betraying me? Absurd, snaps Ion. I'm saying that she's concealing something important from you--her family was killed by a Methuselah, says Radu. Ion reacts in shock. So you didn't know, says Radu; now why wouldn't she have mentioned something that important? Maybe she has something against you. He grins evilly. Or maybe...

Suddenly a blast and he leaps away--it’s Asta in flight, with her lance. They trade firebolts and Radu is gone. Abel runs along the roof to Ion, who tells him to go to Esther-- in the loft room of that house on the hill. Got it. Asta lands and asks if he's all right. How did she find him? She got a mysterious message on the way back to the palace… Ion tells her that Radu and his allies are planning to assassinate the Empress. What did you say?! --gasps Asta.

Abel wakes Esther, asking if she's all right. He assures her Ion is fine. She remembers an autojaeger in her room being not just driven off but disintegrated by Seth. There was another person here--a girl named Seth, she says, and Abel's head snaps up, astonished. He looks at the pile of 'jaeger dust and rags on the floor. What's this, he asks...

Esther and a priest stand by the window. The mausoleum field is glowing with lights. He explains the Methuselah funerary customs and says Ion must be filled with grief at not being able to attend his grandmother's funeral. The priest asks if Asta and Abel know where Radu is, saying that if he's after the Empress he'll almost certainly try when she attends the Duchess' funeral tonight. He'll come, for sure, says Ion. I'll look around again, says Abel, adding reassuringly that he'll never permit the assassination to happen. Radu wants to patrol with him but Asta firmly forbids it. Don’t forget the whole Empire thinks you’re a kin-murderer and is looking for you, she reminds him. Poor Ion stands desolate as they leave.

Asta and Abel talk, Asta saying that it's possible the Count is infatuated with that girl. Seems so, Abel agrees, and she asks in surprise if he's OK with that. Is it even a problem?--asks Abel, and she sweeps off in anger, saying she regrets having mentioned her concern to him.

Ion walks decisively toward the door, saying he intends to go look for Radu. Esther runs past him, blocks it and turns to face him. You can't, she cries, and he replies in a cold voice he hasn’t used to her in a long while--"get away from there, Terran." She flinches. What could be wrong with finding Radu and preventing Her Majesty's assassination? he demands, plainly suspicious. She stares: are you saying I'm hoping Her Majesty will be killed? I know that I'm a horrible, bloodthirsty monster to you people, he retorts. She can't believe she hears this from him. I've never thought of you as a monster, she protests, deeply hurt. Then why didn't you ever tell me about your family? ---He flies at her and strikes her neck, she falls in a heap,. Your family was killed by a Methuselah, and you vowed revenge and stained your hands, he says in pain, leaning on the door. No, that's...at that time, I was...she stammers.. So it's true then, he says. She doesn't know what to say, and he's off and out the window before she can move.

She runs out and searches the mausoleum grounds in search of him. She's about to shout, when she's grabbed and pulled back by someone. I didn't think you'd come this far, says a young voice--it’s Seth. If you'll be quiet I’ll let go, she adds. Seth-chan? Why are you dressed like that? --asks Esther, surprised at seeing her in the Moldovan garb. This is the Moldovan nobles' mausoleum, the funeral will soon begin, Seth tells her, and the Empress will attend. They see Suleiman walking up the path.

He enters the mausoleum: are the preparations complete, Baron of Luxor? he asks. Radu smiles. The amount is enough to destroy the entire mausoleum, he says. Suleiman smiles. It’s about time we were free from her curse, he says. The Empress' continued existence can only do harm to the Empire. Radu agrees: between Terran and Methuselah there can only be conquest and subjugation. We must take the future of our race back into our own hands.

Esther and Seth are on the steps eavesdropping; Esther's foot slips against the step and Suleiman calls, who's there? The girls run for it. An explosion strikes ahead of them and Suleiman stands glaring. Seth tells Esther to not worry for her, but to run and tell the Duchess of Kiev--Asta. Seth easily leaps over Suleiman's head. You’re one of us, he says. He levels his hand and a ring he's wearing opens up and glows--it begins to fire a beam but Seth throws a rock that deflects the shot from Esther. Little girl, growls Suleiman.... they fight, his ring's beam gouging deep craters and disintegrating boulders, but Seth managing to leap clear every time. Esther runs, hoping Seth-chan is all right...

Suleiman backs Seth to the edge of a cliff and aims the ring. Seth smiles slightly. Suleiman says "goodbye, little girl" and the beam cuts away the edge of the cliff; it slides into the sea.

Radu comes running up. Let's hurry to the port and finish our preparations before anyone else gets in the way, Suleiman orders, and Radu bows. Understood, he says...

...go on to Episode Eighteen.

...return to Trinity Blood Episode Guide.