The Afterschool Brave and Fantastic Party Episode 2 Part 1

Andvari starts things off being an interactive narrator as he gets pissy about him of all people being asked about dragons. When told he'll be paid for it and paid even more if he says anything that'll be profitable he quickly changes his tune in response and orders Nogrim to bring out some tea.

 

Andvari describes dragons as being a race that has been around even longer than the legendary overlord. They're a proud people who won't stand for having other dragons as their equals, even if it's their family. Andvari also mentions that if they're together it's in their nature to try to devour each other's magic, but he doesn't think it's a detail worth dwelling on.

 

Anyways, Andvari goes on to describe dragons as the kind to look down on other beings and treat them as totally intolerable. Still, it's not like they categorically reject interactions with anything that dies within a century. The thing dragons are interested in the most would be collecting treasure, which is something Andvari understands. With how long they live, they tend to amass a whole breadth of items. This trait stays constant no matter how many centuries or millennia pass, though conversely they have little interest in things outside this.

 

As an example of such things, Andvari mentions that miracle medicine can be made from dragon's blood and sweat. Dragons don't care about how extremely valuable that is to other races, but Andvari says that makes it easy to deal with them. All you need to do is flatter them and offer them shiny things. That way you can trade for the things they don't give a crap about and make some bank!

 

When asked why he knows so much about dragons, Andvari decides he can explain that as a part of his customer service. The thing is, he's had personal experience interacting with dragons in another world. He denies it being a swindle because it can't be a swindle if the dragon didn't care about what he was trading away. The dragon's love of treasure collecting did get Andvari involved with a huge ordeal though. Specifically it has to deal with his ring, which is wanted by the dragon father and son Hreidmar and Fafnir.

 

Andvari brings his ring up to the light and says he can't let them see it if they like gold and silver so much. He also refers to it as a One of a Kind Treasure in this world. Title card then pops up, and this chapter is called The Great Desert Bazaar ~ Fire Dragon Mountain.

 

Things then tune into some flashback as someone yells about his greatest treasure going missing. It's a special treasure that is unique in the world, the Golden Ring that is now gone from his treasure storehouse. Fafnir then continues his rant demanding to know who stole it from him. For whatever reason he leaps to the conclusion that the one who did it is his father, that fool Hreidmar. Fafnir declares that he'll devour Hreidmar's magic, and some lizardmen attempt to calm him down, but Fafnir then blasts off to the west.

 

Scene shifts over to your end as the party arrives at the Desert Bazaar. Yuuji is amazed at the crowds while Bacchus finds the place interesting. Sol explains to you two that the bazaar is a cultural focus point for Midgard and Valinor. Tons of merchants and pack animals are walking around, with carts and stalls as far as the eye can see. The air is filled with the mixed scents of foods, liquors, and hot sand.

 

Orgus mentions that the party is going to Fire Dragon Mountain next, so the bazaar is the best place to get supplied up. You ask about that place and why you guys are going there. Orgus explains that the dragon known as the legendary fire dragon king lives there, served by lizardmen that are apparently fire dragons in their own right. Yuuji is surprised and says this sounds even more fantasy RPG like while Bacchus is mildly interested.

 

Orgus says that dragons won't allow other races to imitate their magic and describes them as lording over everything in the world. If anything changes in the world they should already be aware of it, and the trip is to go ask them to tell you guys about that. Yuuji gets the idea but asks if the dragons will just tell you guys that information.

 

Orgus answers that you guys will be picking up some offerings alongside supplies, saying that dragons are generally said to like gold, silver, and jewels. If they aren't in a bad mood, then it should work out. Also, Fafnir is relatively young for a dragon, so Orgus has heard that he likes rare items from other countries. With all the merchants at the bazaar something ought to turn up. All the funds the party has gathered should cover for everything today.

 

Bacchus asks if this is why Orgus and Sol went on all the questing they did. Orgus confirms, saying he was given a war chest by Valinor, but he can't go wasting it. The bazaar is supposed to have a lot of unethical greedy merchants too, so you guys need to be really careful you don't end up with junk.

 

Sol suggests splitting up since he needs to regularly make contact with the Church. Once that's done he'll arrange for an inn and go look for something he personally wants. Bacchus says he'll cash in the quest documents and then go take a look at the taverns at the market because there's some mellow smell he likes. Orgus agrees and says he'll go find some offerings before noticing you're gone.

 

Camera switches to focus on Yuuji as he goggles at the crowds some more before realizing he's gotten separated from the party. He then immediately bumps into someone and apologizes. The guy he bumped into laughs it off and warns him to keep his eyes forward when walking. Orgus quickly finds you after that and tells you to follow behind him.

 

Scene shifts over to Andvari who is here trying to get customers to visit his shop. He's hawking things like gems, necklaces, and rings, and he assures whoever asked him that he does have a business permit. Someone also points out that the store name isn't the name he says it is, which Andvari brushes off as minor details.

 

That one guy you just bumped into sees the stuff Andvari has and talks to himself saying Linda and Lena would be happy if he sent it to them as a present. He also mentions his name is Leopold/Leopard as he acts out what he predicts their reactions would be, which includes hugging and kissing.

 

Leopold sighs about a bad bet he got into with a bar customer he never saw before. He was winning it at first, then the stakes started going up until he lost it all in a flash. He didn't come to his senses until he almost reached the point where he'd have to sell his gear off.

 

Leopold gets mad as he says he won't let himself get duped anymore, swearing to get serious as an adventurer and become the most famous warrior in Midgard, the same way That One Guy acted towards him. Andvari walks over and notices Leopold talking to himself and comments on his passion before suggesting he buy a ring to give to that special someone.

 

Leopold apologizes as he says he doesn't have any money but promises to come back when he does. Andvari notes that he's a traveling warrior and asks if he's familiar with the surrounding area. Leopold brags about how well he knows his way around, and Andvari suggests hiring him on as a guide and bodyguard. If all goes well he'll pay him well enough to buy a ring. Leopold is surprised by this, and Andvari asks him to come along to talk about it. Some other guy some space away follows after them, with Tanngrisnir following suit after him.

 

Scene shifts to your end of things as Orgus is buying some jewelry that he asks the storekeep wrap up as presents. He eventually thinks he's bought enough and suggests meeting with Sol when he notices Yuuji looking funny. Yuuji expresses surprise, so Orgus asks him why.

 

Yuuji says that Orgus looks so scary he'd never thought he'd be able to behave in a refined way. He's personally too nervous to feel comfortable in a high class store like this. Orgus is quiet at first before asking if he looks weird to you. You can either say he probably was raised well or say he's cool. In A, Orgus says he was raised the in what’s supposed to be the proper way, though he's not sure it means he's well bred. In B, Orgus seems flattered before talking about being raised the way he's supposed to be.

 

Either way, Orgus says he was raised so as not to be a disgrace as an heir to the throne. Yuuji is shocked to hear Orgus is basically a prince while Orgus is surprised he let that slip. As you guys head outside, Orgus confirms that he's a brother to the king of Valinor. Due to some family issues he was raised in a retainer's home instead of with his family. Only part of the royal family and the family that raised him know of this.

 

Orgus explains that a kingdom can have only one king, and war will break out if this is not the case. Despite that Orgus was raised as an heir if he was ever needed to take over as king. Royal etiquette and an eye for the true worth of jewelry is just a part of what he was raised to know.

 

Orgus reminds you that this is a huge secret that no one is supposed to know, even if you are the legendary hero. He finds it weird he just casually told you about it, and he mentions that it felt natural to him despite you two having met only recently. But anyways he says it's past time you guys meet back with the party, and he asks you to keep what he told you a secret. You can agree or try to leverage it into a chance to get him to hug you.

 

In C, Orgus agrees after a moment and holds your head to his chest without any hesitation. Either way he talks to himself as he wonders why he's opening up to you since he doesn't for even his brother. He says it's time to go, and you walk ahead as he looks at you before looking at some important ring he has in his pockets. He tells you to not get too excited or you'll trip, so you promptly fall on your face. He puts the ring away as he gets annoyed at this.

 

The next day the party reaches Fire Dragon Mountain. Orgus tells the party that a garrison from Valinor should be up ahead, where he plans to take a break and gather some information before moving further up. Bacchus thinks aloud about the Valinor garrison and figures that means that the place is strategically important.

 

Orgus confirms that, saying it's more than a matter of national borders. The fire dragon king far outstrip humans and ogres in terms of strength, so if he feels like it he can destroy the kingdom on a whim. He also talks about how dragon blood and sweat can be made into a panacea for any illness while flaked off scales and whiskers can be made into high class weapons. That means there are insolents going after those things unfortunately, so part of Valinor's forces have to keep the dragon's mood in check.

 

A sudden shaking interrupts the conversation, which Yuuji initially thinks is an earthquake. Sol hears screaming up ahead and says you guys should go see what it is. Scene shifts over to show Andvari and Leopold are under attack, and Andvari is surprised that Fafnir is on a rampage. Leopold figures he's in a bad mood and says Fafnir is a monster even among dragons. Andvari reacts with shock at the name and asks if he's That Fafnir. Tanngrisnir and that other guy are watching nearby.

 

Back to your side, Orgus sees that the garrison is a mess once the party gets closer. Many of the soldiers are down and wounded, caught in a landslide. Galahad sees Orgus and asks why he's there. Orgus introduces him to you guys before turning back to him and ordering a sitrep. Galahad is about to talk about Fafnir when the dragon comes back around ready to blast everything, and Orgus orders everyone to get down. Yuuji yells about fireballs raining down.

 

Sol points everyone's attention up above, and Fafnir is roaring and demanding to know why Hreidmar's magical power is running rampant through his body. He flies around partly deranged shooting off fireballs, which while not deliberately aimed at you guys and the guards sets off landslides upon hitting the area. Yuuji is shocked at this power while Orgus notes that Fafnir doesn't seem to be in his right mind. He then tells everyone to get behind him as the episode battle starts. More story afterwards.

 

After the battle, a flashback kicks up in Nibelheim as some solar dragon calls Fafnir a fool and demands that he stop. Fafnir shoots back calling him the dragon who once called himself his father before demanding the Golden Ring he stole back. Hreidmar denies knowing anything and points out Fafnir stole it from him to begin with. Fafnir then threatens further action if his father is playing dumb.

 

Fafnir specifies that he'll eat up the leylines that are the source of Hreidmar's strength. He starts doing so and tries to rub it in Hreidmar's face when something acts up, and Hreidmar calls him a dumbass who should stop that. There are reasons dragons talk it out about their control of the world when they meet up! The rule is that every world has one dragon king, and Fafnir muddles off before Hreidmar says what would happen if this rule is infringed upon.

 

Back to the present Fafnir thrashes off to elsewhere, and Yuuji breathes in relief about him leaving. He noticed that Fafnir had trouble breathing and wonders if something is wrong with him. Time then skips later as Orgus comes to talk to you, mentioning that Bacchus and Sol are resting after treating the wounded. He also says you did well giving first aid even if you were new to it, then asks what's wrong. You ask about Fafnir being the fire dragon king, compare him to a giant wild beast, and say he seemed to be looking for something.

 

Orgus wonders what's going on with Fafnir as well, then talks about him as a figure of legend the ogres have long believed in. Even when there were people who treated Fafnir rudely and such, he's never rampaged like this before. As for the wounded soldiers, no one is fatally wounded. They weren't really fighting him, but accidentally getting close to him and getting hit by his magic has put them in a fever state of sorts.

 

Orgus says that if someone isn't a tough ogre, someone able to defend against magic, or someone with special powers is hit by that, they'll need treatment. The soldiers have told him that the spring water at the top of the mountain by the dragon's lair should cure them. Getting to it with Fafnir as he is now is going to be a problem though. He notes that Fafnir doesn't seem to notice anything around and wonders what happened since Galahad also told him he's never seen him do this before.

 

A voice asks if he wants to know, then answers that this is what happens when things that can't be in the same world together are put into one body. Orgus demands to know who's there, and Nekros reveals himself. You initially think it's Bacchus before catching on to the difference and asking who he is.

 

Nekros greets you all for the first time figuring that to be the most appropriate gesture, then explains that he surfaces up in Bacchus's body only at the dead of night. You agree that he seems to be someone else and ask if he's an alter ego or something. Nekros says that he and Bacchus can't be out at the same time, so Bacchus is asleep when he's out.

 

Orgus asks if that means Bacchus has his body during the day while Nekros has it at night. Nekros says that from your perspective it's not all that off. From their side it's more complicated though. When it comes to bodies and worlds, no matter how many hearts/personalities are in a vessel only one can be expressed at a time.

 

No matter how much strife and conflict is happening within, it cannot be seen from the outside. The rule is that it's always only one person who can show their will to the outside. There is no difference when this will comes from a world or a living being, and he looks at you as he says this.

 

You either ask what Nekros means or keep quiet. Orgus comments that his head hurts trying to understand the subject like it does with magic talk back at court, but he focuses on the fact that Nekros knows what's going on with Fafnir. He asks for a more direct answer as to the cause. Nekros says he knows since he's lived for forever, then says based on what Fafnir said, he tried to eat his father's magical power. That has led to body-splitting pain, which Nekros compares to food poisoning and 'being exposed to the magic of his race.'

 

You ask Nekros for further explanation, so he tells you that means Fafnir intruded into his father's territory and ate into the magical power of its leylines. Dragon bodies are composed of the magical power that runs through the atmosphere and the land's leylines, meaning you can say a dragon's life is composed of one sky and one earth.

 

Nekros talks about how there are legends in this world as well about how a dragon's body was torn apart to make the heavens and earth. Essentially, a single universe and single world would be only one dragon if I understand correctly. It's just like the time when the Demon Dragon King Hreidmar and Sea Dragon King Jormungand split the lands of the north and the ocean, avoiding direct confrontation. Dragons must live apart even if they're related, or else they'll turn out like that. Fafnir's body is being torn apart as two dragons go on a rampage. And the reason for that is that dragons are beings exiled from the world and beings that exceed their bodies.

 

Orgus says it's all gobbledygook to him that he doesn't really get, so he changes the subject. He demands to know why Nekros appeared before them, asking if he's an enemy. The episode half ends as Nekros doesn't immediately answer the question, but smiles instead.