Eugen admits his guilt to Artemisia for not being by her side when she was dying of an incurable illness. After telling her that he's choosing to stay in this world to atone for what happened, Artemisia tells him that she doesn't want him to sacrifice the future for her. Eugen decides to return to his world at her urging and finds the Black Knight for a final face-off, Leviathan by his side.
Eugen
...
Artemisia
Are you all right? You've been in a strange mood since you got back.
Eugen
I'm fine...
After speaking with the knight in black, Eugen tries his best to hide the conflict torturing him from within.
But Artemisia is worried to see him in low spirits.
Artemisia
Tell me, Eugen... Did something happen?
Eugen
...
With some hesitation Eugen decides to ease into a confession of his wrongdoing.
Eugen
It was when Apollo was about seven years old... And you'd come down with a bit of a pesky illness...
Artemisia was being treated at that time, but her doctors had given up hope of beating the disease.
Eugen was by her side for every doctor's visit, but eventually he was told that her illness was incurable.
The doctors suggested to Eugen that he should just make her comfortable as she neared the end of her fight.
But Eugen refused to accept that fate. He took to the sky on an airship and searched for a cure for his wife.
Years later, after finding a possible remedy, he returned to Auguste.
But he was greeted not by the smiling face of his beloved wife, but by her cold and heavy ashes.
Eugen
Back then... if I hadn't blindly chased after my hope and had just given up to stay by your side...
Eugen
Back then... if I'd just swallowed my foolish pride in thinkin' I could save you...
Eugen
If I'd just accepted it and faced the reality head-on...
Eugen
Even though I couldn't avoid the fact that your life was going to end...
Eugen grits his teeth, unable to hide the look of despair slowly spreading across his face.
Eugen
I should've been there... I should've been able to stay with you until your very last breath.
In anguish of his burden, Eugen squeezes his fists so tightly that his knuckles turn white.
Eugen
To tell the truth... I thought about runnin' away from it all once or twice...
Eugen
Because I couldn't take the reality of losing you, Artemisia...
Eugen
If I ventured into the skies, I just knew you'd greet me with a smile when I returned.
Eugen
I was convinced of that illusion and ended up clinging to a hope that was never there...
Eugen
I'm sorry, Artemisia... Everything is my fault for being a weak-willed fool...
Artemisia
...
Artemisia is still, patiently listening to Eugen's confession.
Eugen
It wasn't until I had a little reminder earlier today that I remembered somethin'...
Eugen
When I got back from my journey to find a cure, it was already too late. So I swore to myself that day...
Eugen
If ever there was a miracle... If ever I got to do it all over again, then I'd never bring you grief.
Eugen
And surely this is the miracle I'd wanted for so long.
Eugen
That's why I've gotta sacrifice it all to make sure you're happy this time.
Eugen
(I'm sorry, Gran... This looks like the end of the road for me...)
Realizing that this decision is much bigger than he's letting on, Artemisia begins to speak in a worried tone.
Artemisia
Eugen... Why do you look so pained when you speak of this?
Artemisia
I want you to always have your freedom...
Artemisia
But here you are looking so torn about it... Are you sure you're making the right choice?
Eugen
...
Artemisia
If the reason you're feeling conflicted is because of your atonement to me, then I forgive you.
Artemisia
It's just that I...
Eugen lifts his hand and shakes his head sadly.
Eugen
I know... I know this is an illusion of a happy ending created from the bond between Leviathan and I.
Eugen
In this world you'd never blame me for what happened.
Eugen
The real you who can forgive me is no longer here...
Eugen
I can never be forgiven no matter how I try to make up for what I've done.
Eugen
But I don't want to betray you either. Not even in an illusion...
Eugen lowers his gaze in sorrow.
As if soothing a small child, Artemisia places her hand on his head.
Artemisia
You're wrong... You're all wrong, Eugen. I know everything, you see.
Artemisia
Dying of sickness... The fact that you won't be by my side in my final moments... I know what's waiting ahead.
Eugen
What?
Artemisia
You see, I'm not from this world.
Artemisia
I'm not the woman created from the happy ending you envisioned.
Artemisia
I'm the real Artemisia.
Eugen
What do you... How? But you died...
Eugen
I remember... I remember scattering your ashes into the sea...
Artemisia
Right... You scattered them just as I wished.
Artemisia
But it seems I got caught up in the sea... Or rather I got caught up in Leviathan in the end.
Eugen
What? How? Mixin' up with Leviathan...
Artemisia
If this is a world created from the two of you with the bond in your hearts...
Artemisia
Then it's not so strange to think that I was absorbed by the primal and able to appear before you, right?
Eugen is shocked and can only nod feebly in response.
Feeling that it's her turn to share what's in her heart, Artemisia begins to speak again.
Artemisia
The truth is, Eugen... I was happy. Always happy.
Artemisia
I'd been weak since the day I was born...
Artemisia
But you came into my life and together we had a child, allowing me to leave a part of myself here.
Artemisia lovingly strokes her belly as she thinks upon the life growing within it.
Artemisia
I've not a single regret about being your wife.
Artemisia
My life was happiness without a blemish of gloom. And that's something I can proudly tell you even after I've passed away.
Artemisia
Well... I suppose if I'd been a little more selfish, I could've had you stay with me more...
Artemisia gazes at Eugen as a huge grin spreads across her face.
Artemisia
But I loved to see you cheerful, bright-eyed, and looking toward tomorrow.
Artemisia
I don't need your atonement. I don't even want you to try.
Artemisia
Even though you weren't here to care for me, I know you were always thinking of me.
Artemisia
As you soared through the skies higher and higher, I know I was in your heart the whole way.
Artemisia smiles brightly now, pleased to have finally shared her true feelings.
Artemisia
I was happy until the very end. And I won't let anyone say otherwise.
Artemisia
Not even you, Eugen, when you try to say that I was unhappy.
Eugen
Artemisia... I... I'm...
Artemisia
I'm in your past, so I don't want to be the shackles holding you back.
Artemisia
Eugen... Don't sacrifice the future for the past.
Artemisia
I want to aid you as a memory of what once was, but I could never keep you bound.
Artemisia
Move forward. And don't stop. Be the person I loved so dearly.
Artemisia
This is my last request of you... Do you hear?
Artemisia gives him a playful grin, hoping that her words will urge him in furthering his journey.
Eugen
Artemisia!
Eugen squeezes her tightly to him as his tears begin to fall.
Eugen
I'm sorry... I'm so sorry!
Artemisia
No, Eugen. I didn't mean for you to apologize!
Eugen
Yeah...
Eugen takes a few deep breaths to calm himself before speaking.
Eugen
Thank you, Artemisia...
Eugen
There's no more doubt in my heart. Not a bit. I've decided to keep moving.
Artemisia
Good...
Artemisia
Oh, but I almost forgot... I told you my last request, but now I have a task for you.
Eugen
Task?
Artemisia
I want you to talk to Apollo and make up with her. That's your task.
Artemisia
If you find your way back here without doing what I asked, I'll tie you up and send you straight back!
Eugen
All right... I promise I will. I'll have a heart-to-heart with her for sure.
Artemisia smiles back, seemingly pleased with his answer.
Artemisia
Apollo turned out so beautiful... I mean, look at the parents she's got!
Eugen
Ha ha... You said it. She's the spitting image of us—inside and out. The best daughter you could ever have...
Eugen
But I suspect she'd hate to hear that she and I are alike...
Artemisia
Don't forget that you're her father. So hang in there.
Eugen
Yeah... Can't say I know what I'm doing, but I'll face her nonetheless...
Black Knight?
You came.
Eugen
...
With a new resolve, Eugen approaches the knight in black.
Black Knight?
Coming here means only one thing... You've chosen to throw away this world—and that woman—in the end.
Eugen
I'm not throwing her away... I'm putting her to rest.
Eugen
As long as I keep holding on to this regret I have for her...
Eugen
She'll never find her peace. She told me, you see.
Eugen
I kept her waiting for closure... So now it's time to give her the peaceful rest she deserves.
Eugen
I accepted it all without turning my eyes away, and I moved forward.
Observing his calm demeanor, the knight begins to understand the strength of Eugen's conviction.
Black Knight?
Then I've nothing left to say to you.
Black Knight?
So show me you can overcome it...
Black Knight?
Overcome the shackles of your own creation!
Leviathan Malice
...!
Eugen's expression is cool and unchanged as he reaches for his trusty weapon.
Eugen
Much obliged, Leviathan... Without you I might've been bound forever.
Eugen
I'm cutting all ties with my regret here and now. So... could you lend me your strength?
Leviathan
...
Eugen
Yeah... That's it. You and I are moving forward.
Eugen
I won't lose my way again. And I'll never stand still... There's nothing left to hold me back.
Eugen
Watch closely now... You're about to see how an old veteran skyfarer wins a fight—unbound!
Eugen learns the innermost teachings and is returned to the real world. He's greeted only by Zeyen and Rackam, but before long they hear a huge explosion. A column of flames climbs from the city of Luxurios.
Leviathan Malice
...
Eugen
Guess that's the end of this world... It made for a nice dream though.
???
I'll always be by your side...
Eugen
...
Rackam
Eugen! You made it!
Eugen
Ha! Why're you so surprised? You should give me a little more credit!
Rackam
Good grief... I dunno why I bothered worryin'.
Zeyen
But we are pleased to see your safe return.
Zeyen
So tell us. Did you gain anything through your pact with the primal beast?
Eugen
Yeah...
Leviathan
...
Eugen
I was reminded of a lot of things I'd forgotten.
Suddenly Eugen realizes that Gran and the others aren't there.
Eugen
Don't see Gran around here... Did everyone else go and check on Io and Rosetta?
Rackam
Yeah, that's what I was thinkin'...
Zeyen
It will be somewhat difficult to meet up with them again soon.
Eugen
Huh? What's that supposed to...
Rackam
Wh-whoa! Did the mountain erupt or somethin'?
They quickly turn toward the direction of the explosion to see a column of flames climbing out of the city of Luxurios.
Rackam
What's goin' on here? The whole city's on fire!
Eugen
And that don't look like any ordinary blaze...
Zeyen
We were too late...
With a stern expression, Zeyen watches the smoke rise into the air.
But the brightly burning flames are a symbol of treachery capable of burning down the skydom—a mere sign of what is to come.
97: Primally Aligned 
