{sound f/x su: slow movement behind Florian}

Florian: !?

Azura: Unbelievable. You're still alive...!

Florian: ---- Ah...

{sound f/x sa: sudden movement}

Assassin: Ah... I was sure that I...

Azura: You didn't give the final blow...

{sound f/x pan: gunshot}

Azura: Incompetent people----can die.

Florian: ...! Ah...uh...

{sound f/x gui: grab}

Azura: Now then. Come along, Florian.

Florian: ! Ah... N...no. No... Scary... Scary...!

Isaac: Stop that. He doesn't want to go. That child is my guest. Stop being so violent and leave at once.

Azura: Long time no see, Isaac-jiisan. How have you been?

{sound f/x za: sudden movement}

Azura: Don't get in my way.

Isaac: Those are quite serious words, Azura! If I get in your way, what are you going to do? Will you kill me? Will you kill the one who raised you as if you were one of his own!?

Azura: ----

Isaac: Why did you... become like this? Something happened to you when you went to America. You've changed so much since then... What happened...!? And I... thought of you just like my real son---

Azura: [pointing his gun] Move out of the way, old man.

Isaac: .........! Y...ou bastard.

Azura: This is the final warning. Move out of the way.

Isaac: -----!

Azura: .........

{sound f/x pan: gunshot}

Noir: ! What did you say just now, Solomon...!

Solomon: Yeah... since I only saw him for an instant, I can't be certain but...

{sound f/x gaba: Noir grabbing something}

Noir: So Florian's alive!?

Laila: What are you planning to do? You shouldn't move with your body like that!

Noir: You expect me to stay still at a time like this? I have to go and meet-----

Solomon: Well, wait a second. We haven't decided that he's Florian yet. He didn't know me...

Laila: You need to rest. I'll go and check this out, okay!

Solomon: (Hey.)

{sound f/x ba: Noir wrenching his arm away}

Noir: Let me go. I want to check it out with my own eyes!! Tell me where it was, Solomon!

Solomon: Geez, if I say anything, you won't listen to me.

Later on, in the city.

Solomon: Are you okay? You're sweating up a storm. Should we head back?

Noir: Ha! This is nothing, something like this. This neighborhood is like my garden.

Young Man: Rei!? Aren't you Rei!? Yeah, I knew it. It's me! It's Ali!

Noir: Ali... That little munchkin Ali?

Ali: This brings back memories, Rei! Weren't you taken away by some nobles in France!? A really stingy servant guy took you with him.

Solomon: (This has nothing to do with me.)

{sound f/x kachin: click of anger}

Ali: That's right, Rei. Old man Isaac was shot!

Noir: Isaac-jiisan?

Ali: And even worse, apparently the one who did it was Azura.

Noir: ! What did you say!? Why did Azura...

Ali: Ow~ I~... I don't know~ I heard something, though. There was some sort of trouble about a westernern at Jiisan's place.

Solomon & Laila: !

Isaac's house

{sound f/x kata: clatter against stone}

Fatima: ! Who... Who's there~!?

Noir: Don't be so wary, young lady. I'm someone who your grandpa looked after.

Young Man: He, hey look at that!

Young Man: Rei... It's Rei!?

{sound f/x zawa: uproar of a crowd}

Young Man: That Rei's come back!

Noir: I always thought that obstinate old man would keep living for hundreds of years to come. I can't believe he'd meet such a wretched death...

{sound f/x dogo: thwacking sound}

Noir: Wh~ !?

Isaac: (Damn scum.) Don't just up and kill me, without my permission! My goodness, you do it, Azura does it. (Owowow) You're nothing but a bunch of useless brats!

Noir: You're alive! I'm so happy, Jiisan!

{sound f/x gashi: grabbing hug}

Noir: I was so worried~~~~~~

Isaac: Hmph, don't pretend to be so innocent.

Solomon and Laila listen in to the conversation.

Isaac: The westerner... who was at my place? Ohh, you mean Amethyst-----

Noir: Right. That Amethyst, he's now--------

Isaac: He was taken away by Azura. He looked pretty unwilling, so I tried to stop him and ended up like this. I have a message for you from him. Because you'd listen to the rumors--- and surely come here--- he said... If you want him back safe, come to the ruins of the mansion--- he said, only come alone. If you don't do that, he can't guarantee the boy's life.

{sound f/x gata: clatter against stone}

Laila: Wait! It's too much for you to go with your body like that.

Noir: -----

{sound f/x ba: Noir wrenching his arm away}

Laila: Ah...

Solomon: Let him do what he wants, Laila. He won't listen to a thing we say anyway. Rei, take this.

Solomon tosses over his gun.

Solomon: It's not very powerful but, well, it's for self-defense.

Rei: Merci.

{sound f/x pon: pat}

Laila: .........

Solomon: You should stop being so anxious, too, Laila. Don't worry. He'll--- surely be fine. He has the devil's luck.

Laila: .........!

Isaac: Has Azura turned even Rei into his enemy--- And the two of them were so close...

Laila: You know Rei pretty well?

Isaac: Yes, from back when he was small. He lived with his sickly French mother in the slums. It was said that he was born further in the Arab world. But something happened and they fled the country, drifting into this city--- And then he met Azura.

Begin extremely cute montage of young Noir & Azura.

Isaac: Azura was warmly loved by all of his friends. In spite of a clearly different appearance, he gathered everyone's admiration and respect. In those days, Rei was persecuted for being half French, and he saw hope in this. No matter where they were, they were still foreigners. The two of them probably became extremely close because of this... I would have never thought that they would become lke this-------- The passing of time is so cruel...

The ruins of Azura's mansion.

{sound f/x ji: crackling fire}

Noir: Azura! I came here just like you said... Show yourself! Where are you, Azura~ AZURA~ COME OUT~

Azura: Fu-fu... don't be so hot-blooded. You're so amusing!

Noir: There you are~ You bastard. !

Azura slides his robes on, Florian crumpled and half-dressed at his feet.

Azura: You're really just so much fun to tease. [chuckle chuckle]

Noir: YOU...~ YOU BASTARD...D... ...~!!

Noir pulls his gun on Azura.

Noir: ......... !

Azura: You idiot... Why didn't you shoot right away?

Azura pulls his own gun.

Azura: You're too late. Put down your gun.

Azura heats up a large brand.

Azura: You know what this is, don't you?

Noir: !?

Azura: That's right, it's a brand, just as it appears. Should I put a mark of my ownership on this white skin? Never disappearing again, an ugly scar. Perhaps I should put it on both arms. Or perhaps--- his chest... ...no, it would be better to put it on his face. Make him more of a shocking figure.

Noir: Wh...y are you doing this...~!! Azura! I own him! I won't forgive you doing things without my permission...~!

Azura: It's your nature, more than most others, to value beauty. You don't want to see beautiful things get destroyed, isn't that right? Don't make such a scary face. I'll exchange him for you, Rei. If you come along quietly, I'll release Florian for you.

{sound f/x biku: heartbeat racing}

Azura: You broke our promise, so I've started wanting to be a little rough.

Noir: ----... I haven't forgotten our promise.

{sound f/x kara: clatter of Rei's gun hitting the ground}

Noir: Do what you want.

Azura: You're pretty reasonable.

Noir lays Florian down.

Noir: ---geez. You could at least do your own buttons. (You're not a little brat.)

Florian: ............

{sound f/x su: gentle, soft movement of Florian's hair}

Noir: ------ See ya around.

Azura holds Noir at gunpoint.

Noir: You'll return him back to Laila, won't you. Promise me.

Azura: Rei, come.

Noir: Man, you're calling me like I'm a dog.

Azura: [chuckling]

Noir: So what is it? (I don't get you.)

Azura: ---This is a good idea, even for myself. Yes, I'll give you the mark of my ownership. Like an ancient slave.

Noir: !? WHAAAT~!?

Part 3f | Part 3g | Part 3h