Disclaimer: This translation is for any body that wants to read manga. Don't redistribute this translation for your site, commercial use, or anything I consider inappropriate. If you like this story, you could be supporting the author by buying this manga^-^ "Slayers" is copyrighted to Shoko Yoshinaka. It is then translated into Chinese by Kadokawa Shoten Publishing Co. Signs: (THINKING) [ACTION] *Emphasis* ***** = change in time or place Slayers Volume 1 Chapter 4 Page 112 [view of a pyramid-like temple with steps on all four sides in a shallow valley surrounded by small cliffs and shrubbery] Lina: Wah~~~~~~~~ Why does secret magical meetings always have to take place in faraway places like this? Lina: This temple looks very old. It must have been built many years ago and then abandoned. Later, these people cleaned it up and took up residence in it. [view within the temple at the very top where a man in black robes has an open book and many people are gathered around him. They seem to be chanting something.] Gourry: Who are they? They've been singing that wierd, mysterious chant since we've got here. Lina: They're a heretic group that believes in the most elementary branch of magic Lina: According to my sources, they have a magic text that I want. [sticks out her tongue] The longer we hide here to investigate this, the less comfort I feel. Why don't we just overwhelm them and take the magic while they're occupied? Gourry: [looking very serious] The chant has stopped, Lina! Page 113 Leader: [holding a book with one of five-sized stars on its cover] My beloved brothers, it is my utmost pleasure to announce that a little while ago we found the pearl that's connected with our magical text. [background is full of followers] Lina: ! Leader: To honor this most fortuitous event, at tonight's ceremony we will see the fulfillment of our long awaited wish. Lina & Gourry: [listening attentively in their hiding place] Leader: Come brothers! Let us celebrate the revival of our God. Thank Him for punishing the sinful ones and saving unfortunates like ourselves. Now, let's sing our "Beautiful Praise" song again. SD-Gourry: Lina, where are you going? SD-Lina: Let's go back to our logging and come back tonight, Gourry. Page 114 [view of black smoke or flame thing with the typical evil face on it coming from large orb.] Lina: Their goal is to plunge the world into darkness. Their cult group is formed to achieve this goal. At best, they can probably only summon a monster. Why use the magic book and pearl for this kind of evil deed? Those magical objects are much better used if they are given me to study. Gourry: (In the end, she is just after both the magic text and pearl.) Don't tell me these things; first explain to me about this monster business. [view of Lina & Gourry walking along a cleared path to somewhere] Lina: That. Well, in short, monsters are low level Mazokus. They're presence is only enough to make people feel a bit afraid. If, however, that orb they are called the magic pearl can really enhance magical power, everyone will start to panic when word of this gets to the surrounding kingdoms. With something like those two items, even the low-level monsters' power would increase greatly. Lina: [suddenly becomes super big and really happy] That is why we must get ourselves into that ceremony tonight, grab the evidence to stop this evil cult from destroying the world peace and also dissolve this evil group! SD-Gourry: Yes, ma'am. Page 115 [view of normal, busy street of from town] [view of some commotion going on behind Lina & Gourry] Gourry: Hum? What's that? [lots of fighting. Someone seems to be winning] Someone: You imbeciles! Youngsters without real battle experiences want to fight with *me*? Try in your next life! Gourry: [startled] That's.... Someone: [drunk] What? [has someone in neck choke hold who isn't able to fight the hold anymore] [view of people behind the drunk looking with shock and puzzlement toward Lina & Gourry or maybe the drunk] Drunk: Isn't that Gourry? Page 116 [another view of the peaceful town street] Lina: [eating] Gourry: [listening seriously] Drunk: [in a really loud voice] Hey --- Can't believe a handsome guy like you also travels with this short melon. Lina: [paused to give the drunk a flat stare] Drunk: I wouldn't believe it if I didn't see it with my own eyes! Drunk: [laughing maniacally and looking deranged or at least insane] This can't be! Even if you must take a girl with you on your travel, she should be more mature. Lina: [stuffing food into her mouth but still has that stare on her face] Gourry: [knowing smile] Let's me introduce everyone. This guy here is Glas. We both worked together as mercenaries a long time ago. His language is a bit foul but he has a good heart. Gourry: It's been such a long time since I've seen you. [really happy] What are you doing now? Glas. Glas: Me? Page 117 Glas: [happy grin] Nothing to do really. During the day, I'm just another drunk. Glas: Most of the time, I do some protection work. [pouring some beer from a bottle into his mug] Earn enough money for meals. Aye... When I was in army, the days were so much more glorious... Lina: [Happily chewing her food] Glas: Now, if I don't drink this thing, [holding up his mug of beer] I cannot live on. Gourry: [looking sad and understanding] Gourry: War.... [scratching his face with a forefinger thoughtfully] also can have that effect. Glas: ... Eh, Gourry! We are heroic swordsmen. Even in the most dangerous, most impossible situations we will fight with our swords to the death! Glas: Have you forgotten? [strangely serious] Page 118 Glas: [looks out side the window] Damn! [getting up suddenly] There is no more time! I must go home and get some sleep now or I won't be able to work at my midnight job. Gourry: You need to go now? Glas: ...I must leave. [turning to go] Who knows? There're maybe another war starting soon. Glas: Perhaps we'll see each other on that battlefield. See you! Gourry: Glas? Lina: [annoyed] At the moment, all of the kingdoms' powers are balanced. How can anyone start a war in this day and age then? Gourry: Ay... [looking sad] You have a point. [view of the empty beer mug on side of the table where Glas sat] Page 119 [view of one side of the temple with lots of steps. Two guards holding swords are guarding the way up] Lina: Gourry! How long were you planning on sleeping!? You made me come here now; I'm late! Both Guards: [alerted by the voices] Gourry: What about you! You were asleep too! Don't forget, you were the one who fell asleep first! Lina: But you fell asleep right after! Both Guards: [shocked and disbelieving expressions] Guard1: What are two fighting about? Are two aren't allowed.... Page 120 Lina & Gourry: [each has taken care of the guard closest to him/her with his/her sword while running side by side up the stairs] Lina: Gourry! I'm leaving the guards at the entrance to you! Gourry: Ay! Let me take care of them! [view of the two pervious guards with swirls for eyes behind Lina & Gourry] Page 121 [The leader is holding a book and chanting] [chanting stops abruptly as the follows and leader look behind them in curiosity] [view of swirling ball of smoke or flame] random heretic: What is this? another random heretic: A fireball? Lina: [snapping her fingers once] Break---! crowd of heretics: !! [the fireball explodes in the middle of the whole group] Page 122 [flames boiling everywhere] Heretics: Wah~~~~~~~ [flames still there] More Heretics: Ah! Help us! [view of the leader with two guards in uniform protecting him. There are no flames around them] Guard3: What happened!? Guard4: Ah! This is FIREBALL!? Leader: What is going in here!? SD-Guards 1 & 2: [both engulfed in flames] Hot! Hot! Guard1: [swirls for eyes but unburned] Guard2: [swirls for eyes but unburned] Hey, how did it turn out this way? Page 123 Lina: [mostly hidden by the raising dust] This is the result of creating this cult. Lina: [partially hidden] If there are villains who try to destroy the world peace, no matter who it is, I will not allow them to.... Guard3: This little kid killed our fellow brothers! Guard4: How dare you! Give me your life! Lina: This girl isn't just an ordinary person. [docking a sword swing] Lina: [running swiftly to behind the guards] Come and at me, if you can! [points at one guard with a forefinger] Page 124 Lina: Standing before is the person on side of righteous, Lina Inverse! [holding her sword and taking a pose] Leader: [looking at a book and ignoring Lina] Lina: All right! Stop chanting your spell right now! [Take] the magic book and that magic pearl [closer look at the leader shows that he is standing over the magic pearl laying on top of a black cloth with the five-pointed star stitched onto it. The pearl is laying on the exact center of the star] Lina: .... Hum? B...black light? Page 125 [views of Gourry fighting the Guards and winning each time] Gourry: This time, all of the guards have fallen. [looking at a pile of SD-Guard with swirls for eyes beside him] Someone: Hey... There is still one more person. [view of Gourry looking like rather insane] Gourry: [turning around to look and shouting] This sound is... [stare] Why are you here? [still holding his sword] Page 126 Glas: [also holding a sword and the background has turned very dark] That's what I was going to ask you, Gourry! To think that by working with that little magic user, you two have thrown the whole ceremony into complete chaos. Gourry: Glas! [standing up from the couching position] Glas: Gourry, stand aside! Let me cut that little girl into little pieces! [view of Gourry looking torn] Glas: If you don't stand aside, don't blame me for not warning you! Gourry: Why must you help this heretic group? Page 127 [view of dark battlefield, very gruesome] Glas: [looking completely insane] Humph... [evil chuckle] I'm not interested in the revival of a God. As long as there are people want to see the world plunged into chaos, there is going to be fighting somewhere on the way. Glas: I yearn for my new life under this new war. Gourry, don't want this as well? [view of Gourry looking very serious and... indecisive] Glas: It's better than traveling aimlessly with a little girl. Page 128 Leader: You want to bring justice? [laughing] It's too late, little girl! Just one more sentence and the spell will be complete. [chanting with a evil smile on his face] Lina: Ah! Leader: [chanting the last of the spell] Lina: (Damn it! This isn't time to show off!) [there is some kind of force from Lina's direction hitting the Leader on the chest and right over the Pearl. Lina: (This pearl ... if it can really increase magical powers ...) Page 129 Gourry & Gourry: [stopping for a second to look in the direction of the intense light] Lina: [holding both hands toward the glowing Pearl as if trying to block the light] (My god!) [casting something] Leader: Hahahahah! [laying on the floor still looking very nasty but blood coming from his head where it hit the hard floor] Don't waste your magic ... Lina: [still casting] (This pearl ... increases the power of an already extraordinary high power!?) Page 130 [view of Lina, Gourry, and Glas. Gourry and Glas are only a few feet from Lina with no obstacles blocking her from them.] Glas: This ... little girl ... intend to stop the summoning? Glas: Listen to me and retreat, Gourry! [striking with his sword] Gourry: [defeating himself from the downward strike] I am unable to comply! Glas: You throw away everything to protect her... [looking either extremely angry or berserk] You must at least have your own good reasons! Right!? Page 131 Glas: Come and fight me, you stupid boy who's forgotten how to fight! [going berserk] There is no possible way for you to block my way! Gourry: [straining to block the powerful attack] Ng! [throw away by the blow] Glas: (What are you going to do Gourry! Choose me? Or choose her?) Lina: [casting some kind of spell] Glas: (You must choose one .... )Give me your life, little girl! [going after Lina with sword drawn] [view of Lina still casting and unable to move away] Page 132 [view of Lina clenching her teeth in concentration] Lina: If this mad man is not stopped now, the entire world may plunge into chaos! [view of the berserk Glas] Glas: You cannot kill your old mercenary partners.... Too bad you cannot do it, Gourry! Gourry: [shouting in desperation] Glas, stop telling me this! [view of the sword going for Lina's life] Glas: Cannot do it! [view of Gourry's eye which are wide open and deadly serious] Gourry: Stop ... [view from Gourry's position of Glas with his sword drawn, only inches from Lina's heart] Gourry: Glas ... I Page 133 Gourry: [rushing forward with a look of extreme concentration on his face] I ..... [view of Gourry stabbing his sword into Glas. Gourry's face is hidden by his bangs. Glas didn't seem to have seen the attack coming and is crying out] Page 134 Glas: [shocked] Ah! [view of Gourry looking regretful but determined and is sweating profusely] Lina: [casting magic] [the force from the Pearl is causing Lina's mass of hair to almost stand up] [view of the Pearl glowing the black light] [view of the Pearl abruptly stop glowing] [view of Lina reaching out for the now silent pearl with one hand Lina: Damn! [some thing has lighted up again right in front of Lina and has created a force strong enough to blow her hair away] Page 135 [the Pearl has begun to glow strong yet again] [Lina has taken her old position in front of the Pearl] [the Pearl suddenly shatters] Lina: Finally..... [looking exhausted and slightly worried] Was I able to block it in time? (But ... If ....) Page 136 Lina: (If the power I used to block the summons was even slightly less than it must be, then....] )[falling to the ground] (... don't know what will be the consequences ....) [view of Gourry standing by Glas's body in the background] Gourry: Glas.... Glas: [looking very much sane] Gourry.... I ... Glas: After the war was over, I realized I didn't have any other skill. My life became one without any purpose. I could drink the days away. Since then I also couldn't stop drinking. All I could think of was all my past. Glas: [smiling and raising up one hand] Thanks! You made me realize my fighting skills are rusting . Not deserving to be a swordsman ... ---- I would like to ... Page 137 Glas: [looking almost peaceful] ... live the life of a mercenary again. Gourry: Glas... Gourry: Glas! [holding his dead friend's body] Page 138 Gourry: Lina! Hey! [lightly slapping Lina's face with one hand while the other tries to support Lina up] Wake up, Lina! Lina: Eh? Gourry! [waking up] Gourry: Lina, what happened just before? Lina: Before? [looking serious] That guy's magic pearl really did have the ability to enhance magic ability. Not only that, it can increase magic power extraordinarily high.... I was ability to control the pearl only just before it broke. It took a lot of power to do it too.... Lina: AH~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [jumping up suddenly with a horrified look on her face] The pearl and magic book! Gourry: Wah! [backing away in a hurry] Page 139 [view of broken shards of the Pearl and half burnt magic book Lina wanted on the floor] Lina: Gone! [sign] [view of Gourry turning his head to look at a sword standing upright on the floor. Glas's body is nowhere to be seen. The sword was Glas's.] Lina: [starting to leave] At least the two of us are all right. Hey! No use crying over spilled milk. We should hurry onto our next stop. Treasure doesn't just sit there obediently waiting for us to find it. Right? [turns her head to smile cutely at Gourry] Gourry: Ah.... [very sad] Yes. Page 140 Gourry: You're my most important companion! [view of Lina looking very surprised] Gourry: Lina, if you've decided on our next adventure, tell me immediately! [looking absolutely heroic] I will definitely go with you through even through the gates of hell itself! [view of Lina looking without a clue at Gourry]