Causes of death are many and varied. Old age, suicide, illness...
But the cause of death that scares the most people in this day and age...
is death by fire.
Sister... Sumire.
FIRE FORCE
CHAPTER 3
EPISODE 8 "HOLY MOTHER OF DARKNESS"
Sister Sumire. Why are you here?
What about you? What business could bring you back here?
Dear, dear.
Reading without permission again, are we, Sister Hibana?
And I've told you so many times that
you mustn't leave things out after you're done with them.
You knew about this place!
The culprit behind that fire, behind everything, was...
Did you come here looking for the answer to that?
Sister Sumire, what were you doing here?
My, but haven't you already discovered the answer to that?
Doppelgangers?
That's right. You've always been hardworking and studious,
so you'd always check your answers with an adult, like you did just now.
Ah, nostalgia.
Stop messing around and tell me what you were doing here!
Oh, dear. Simply demanding an answer isn't like you at all.
You used the sisters right here, in this place, in doppelganger experiments!
You tricked devoted children so that you could create people with powers, didn't you?
The sisters were all so innocent and obedient.
Exactly! We all adored and looked up to you!
And you used that to...
You mixed Adolla Insects into the vegetables and made us eat them, didn't you?
Made you eat Insects in order to create people with powers?
What are you talking about?
This is the truth behind spontaneous human combustion!
First, the mass human combustion of the sisters that happened here
was caused by one of Sister Sumire's doppelganger experiments!
Doppelgangers are another version of you that exists in Adolla.
She was trying to bring them here.
And the tools she uses to bring them are the Insects?
The Insects are creatures from Adolla.
They must serve as a bridge to this world.
In Adolla, the number of doppelgangers, the other versions of us,
is the same as our population in this world.
When their existence interferes with ours, when they try to become one with us,
that's the true cause of spontaneous human combustion, isn't it?
Tell me, what is Adolla, really?
I'd expect nothing less from you, Sister Hibana.
You'd already reached those answers, I see.
Truly exceptional children remain exceptional even after they've grown up.
An earthquake?
What are these pillars here?
Thanks to the experiments, all of the pillars are present.
All of the pillars are present?
Were you doing experiments to create Adolla Bursts here, too?
How many orphans' lives did you use as your playthings in your experiments?
I do believe that's enough of this little chat.
All of you will be buried alive here.
When did your experiments start?
Has this convent served as you and your allies' test site
since long before we grew up here?
Another earthquake?
Hibana! Light a fire!
With just one touch?
It gets cold underground, doesn't it?
You're Karim, aren't you?
Stealing heat in an instant like that...
Rekka was so lively that no one could manage him.
He was a strong boy whose sense of justice led him
to hope for the world's salvation by fire.
You raised Rekka, too?
What is it that you're trying to do?
You've always wanted to know everything.
As a little reward before you die, I will tell you.
Back when there was no human combustion, 250 years ago,
the Great Cataclysm was actually a failure.
The number of pillars and their energy were insufficient.
The world was torn apart and remained after the burning.
Ever since the failure of that Great Cataclysm, I have created pillars for the next one.
You're saying it's been 250 years?
What are you?
And before the Great Cataclysm, there was no human combustion?
Then what was the Great Cataclysm?
This is as far as your reward goes.
Still, it is quite chilly today, isn't it?
Another earthquake?
These powerful vibrations we've been getting hit with...
Don't tell me these earthquakes are also...
What is your Ignition Power?
Even more than the mysteries of the world, the reason I came here...
was to exact revenge upon the person who stole my dear friends' lives from them!
You truly believe that they all died?
Hibana...
It's so hot.
Demon Infernals! Child Demon Infernals!
H-H-Hibana.
Sakura?
It hurts, Hiba...
Hibana...
What did you do to them?
You recognize them, don't you?
As the head sister, I've let you meet them once more before the end.
Hell is so very close now.
Huo Yan, get back!
If you touch me suddenly, you'll get hurt.
Karim, what is her power?
It seems like she vibrates her body and uses it as a weapon.
The vibration serves as both attack and defense.
But how is she using Ignition Power to create oscillations like that?
It's a completely natural function of any living creature.
Shivering.
I'm trembling because of the cold.
And I am making that trembling stronger, that's all.
Shivering is a physiological function of the body when it's cold.
Are you saying you're using that to create those huge vibrations?
But if these ongoing earthquakes we've been feeling
are caused by that woman's powers, then...
Who are you?
Even with Ignition Power, it just isn't possible to shake the land itself.
Not unless you're using an Adolla Burst!
Captain Hibana, are you safe?
Good work, Kishiri! Help me!
Heh. She complimented me.
What naughty children you are.
She stopped moving!
Let's get outside while we can!
Sister Sumire...
Are you doing these things again?
My, you startled me.
Nearly all that is left for me is to rot away, forgotten.
I've summoned the last of my strength to make contact with you.
You've been a worrywart since 250 years ago.
It's too late. The human world is headed for destruction.
You haven't changed, have you?
250 years ago, just like me...
you became a Pillar, and you haven't changed since.
Struggle as much as you like.
Goodbye, woman in black.
I will fulfill my duties as the Seventh Pillar.
Still, it is chilly, isn't it?
There just aren't enough flames.
The earthquakes have stopped.
She doesn't appear to be following us.
Sakura. Clematis.
Huh? What was that? Are you talking about me?
Shut up. Gravel should stay silent.
What should we do next?
The truth of spontaneous human combustion
is that it's a phenomenon caused when Adolla doppelgangers
try to fuse with people of this world.
If that's true,
then the Great Cataclysm could be Adolla itself interlacing with this world,
causing spontaneous combustion on a global scale.
To turn this planet into a sun.
What?
The White Clad Haumea said that at the Curia.
Once all of the Pillars have gathered at the Evangelist's side,
the Great Cataclysm will repeat.
The world will be wrapped in flames and fall into ruin.
We must take action to prevent the Great Cataclysm!
FIRE FORCE CHAPTER 3
ASAKUSA
Even though I'm a knight.
Even though it was a holy blade...
Was it really a holy blade?
Is this part of what's left of Excalibur?
Heat-resistant carbon, huh? They sell that at home improvement centers.
It's orichalcum.
Orichalcum? Is that a metal from your fantasies?
It's a legendary metal.
My Excalibur was made of orichalcum and forged by dwarven smiths.
Where did you find this orichalcum?
In the caldera of Mt. Volcano.
And where is Mt. Volcano?
In a home improvement center.
From what I can see, this isn't real orichalcum.
Silence! What do you know?
It's heat-resistant carbon that's sold in home improvement stores.
I said, silence!
What are you doing, Vulcan, you scoundrel?
How dare you disrespect the Knight King?
Hey, Knight King! How about finding some real orichalcum with me?
What? What are you talking about?
We're gonna find that legendary metal!
I'll forge you a real holy sword!
EPISODE 8 "THE KNIGHT KING'S GREAT ADVENTURE"
Orichalcum?
I've never heard of it.
A legendary ore?
Does something like that really exist?
Nope.
Oh, Yu-san!
Iris-san! Vulcan contacted me, so I came running to Asakusa.
I'm so glad you're well now.
Thankfully, I'm much better than I was!
So what are we gonna do, Vulcan?
Did you say things without thinking just to get Arthur-san back on his feet?
Just listen a minute.
Arthur gets stronger when he can align with his image of a knight.
Basically, we just have to make him believe.
Which means...
Which means we're gonna make up a legend.
We're going to pretend we're searching for orichalcum.
Did you say "we"?
So we're involved in this game of pretend, too?
Can we really pull it off?
We're dealing with Arthur here. Even if it's low quality, it shouldn't be a problem.
That fight at Fuchu made me realize again that the people we're up against are monsters.
In order to deal with them, a power-up for Arthur is essential.
The 8th will be in trouble if Arthur doesn't step it up even more than he already has.
I understand that this is important, but playing pretend is just really...
Yeah, Yu, you're right. It's ridiculous.
But when Arthur's involved, we can't just do the normal thing, right?
Just dumb yourself down. Understand?
I've got some fake orichalcum prepared.
Lisa, Yu, let's go!
Wait, please!
When you say to "dumb yourself down," just how dumb are we talking here?
Dumb yourself far enough down that you can mine orichalcum there!
He seems to think he's said something clever.
Well, Vulcan's an idiot, too.
FIDGET
Sorry to keep you waiting, Arthur. I've brought allies.
I see.
Then we'll be going with a classic four-member party!
We should get straight to sharing information.
Indeed. We must search for some sort of clue.
There are rumors of a man who knows a lot about orichalcum.
What? An expert in that legendary ore?
Who?
The one who knows about orichalcum... is the owner of the tsukemono shop!
What?
Why would a tsukemono shop owner know?
- Tsukemono... - Hey, Vul?
Look at him. He's got doubts.
Idiot! Don't panic.
Think about it, Arthur!
You need rocks for the weights to make tsukemono, right?
When it comes to rocks, a tsukemono shop would be pros!
That makes sense, Vulcan! Are you a genius?
What a blind spot. No one would ever suspect!
I had faint hopes, but he really is an idiot, isn't he?
TSUKEMONO TSUKETARO
Arthur, this is the place—Tsukemono Tsuketaro.
TALK EXAMINE USE STRENGTH
Owner, please tell me where the orichalcum can be found.
Wait, Arthur-san!
I-I'm so sorry he asked a weird question out of the blue.
I've heard that there's orichalcum at the kimono fabrics shop.
What?
TALK EXAMINE USE STRENGTH - Owner, please tell me more!
GLANCE
NOD
I've heard that there's orichalcum at the kimono fabrics shop.
He only says that one thing. It's just like in a game.
Vul laid the groundwork.
Won't he think it feels unnatural?
I see the King of Destruction likes high places, too.
I'm looking to see what I should break next.
I've always been someone who strays from the path.
If the empire becomes my enemy, nothing changes for me.
I'm impressed that you guys took the 8th in.
Asakusa won't change, either.
This empire and this world are just flat-out lies. Makes me angry.
People more important than me, stronger than me...
I'll crush all of them because I want to protect those who are weaker than me.
If what you're doing is right,
that makes everyone you knock out of your way the bad guys.
Definitely what a king would do.
A king of destruction.
The 8th are fixing to start a fight.
There's no way I'm not a part of that.
Just means that me and you lot are all indiscriminate idiots.
There's quite a few of us if you care to look.
What's this? You're making it sound like there are others.
There are some morons like that, yeah.
Particularly in places the light doesn't reach, like the Nether.
That's the legendary trowel.
The barber knows something about orichalcum.
This is...
the legendary trowel!
That's the legendary trowel.
The barber knows—
You went around prepping quite a few places, didn't you?
People in Asakusa are game for anything.
Hey, what are you doing? Hurry up! Let's go!
So the climax of this adventure,
the location of the orichalcum, is set, right?
Don't worry! It's something you wouldn't expect.
This tree is Yggdrasil.
Beneath it lies a hint to the whereabouts of the orichalcum.
TALK EXAMINE USE STRENGTH
A pouch with paper inside.
I see. The orichalcum is at the first stop, the tsukemono place.
IT'S DARKEST UNDER THE LAMP. - I see. The orichalcum is at the first stop, the tsukemono place.
The legend lies where you started.
A common trope, but I bet it'll make Arthur happy.
All that's there is a regular lump of iron,
but solving the mystery himself should give him a sense of accomplishment
and help him harness his power.
It's darkest under the lamp! I see! So that's where the orichalcum is!
That's right! Let's get going!
It's darkest under the lamp. That means it's in a place of darkness.
The Nether!
What?
N-No! Please take a closer look!
It says "shop" right there!
As I thought, the legendary ore lies in a place that no one has seen, the Nether.
He's not listening anymore.
Vulcan, what are you gonna do? He's really getting into his element!
This was too difficult for Arthur!
He'd never understand that "it's darkest under the lamp" is a figure of speech!
Now, to the Nether!
Wait!
FIRE FORCE CHAPTER 3
NEXT TIME
It is you, isn't it, Arthur?
Who are you?
Next time, "Holy Sword, Resurrected."
EPISODE 9 - Next time, "Holy Sword, Resurrected."
Return to the great flame of fire. Látom.