Episode 2

**The Covenant Ritual** (契約の儀式, *Keiyaku no Gishiki*) is the 2nd episode of Giant Beasts of Ars anime series.

## Synopsis

Their pact grants Jiro and Kumi the power to defend the town from the giant beast. It also exposes their location to Imperial forces.

## Summary

The gods used their power to create the land, but when the land was at its ripest, the humans stole it away. This enraged the beasts who began to devour the humans. Thus, the humans called upon the strength of the gods to fight the beasts.

The giant beast attacks the town. Jiro and Kumi combine to fight it. Jiro states they need to drive it out of town, but Kumi wonders what is happening with her. Jiro is surprised she doesn't know, but tells her to shut up for now and leave it to him. Jiro fights the beast, but its a bit tough. The beast captures him and throws him to the side, while also regenerating its mission head. Jiro wonders if the beast has a weak point and Kumi suggests its eye as its too bright. Knowing that clerics have a sixth sense, Jiro trust her and attacks the eye. His spear goes easily through its eye and Jiro kills the beast. Kumi comes out of Jiro, who then loses consciousness and falls down. Mya shows up and offers them to take them to a place where their wounds would be treated for free.

Mezami inspects the place Kumi started to shine and where the people turned to dust upon contact with Kumi's black fog. He notes this is miasma and that having contact with it will cause things to rot. The miasma also has the ability to summon beasts and drive them mad. Mezami notes that twenty two is a success and wonders where is she. Kiris tells him that a Paladin took her away. Gun adds that also according to the reports, the Paladin also eliminated the beast. Mezami is sure that the Paladin didn't came out unharmed and they still must be in town.

The townspeople are happy about the giant beast. As they haven't gotten such big beast decades, they perform a rite which they haven't performed since 30 years ago. A soldier reports to Kiris that there have been no reports that match the Paladin appearance.

Five years earlier at Polar Hunting Area. Jiro is trying to revive his dead Cleric, Toka, but fails. As giant beasts surround them, Jiro is told to leave her and go as he can easily replace her. Jiro wakes up at present. He overhears Kumi and Mya and how Kumi explains that Jiro hugged her and kissed her forehead. Mya states that it symbolizes marriage and Jiro wants to have her as a wife. Jiro comes out stating he isn't marrying anyone. He explains this was just a covenant ritual and if Kumi doesn't really know anything about Clerics. Kumi only knows they have great power, but that's all. Jiro confirms, stating they have formidable power, but that's also a problem as they can lose control of it and release a miasma that eradicates everything around them. This is where Paladins come, who are vessels who channel and control a Cleric's power, although Paladins are now nothing more than a tool to hunt giant beasts. Jiro wonders why is the Empire after her, but Kumi states its complicated. Jiro then leaves, telling her to find another Paladin if she wants to play a cat and mouse.

Zen visits Kumi Katsu, who tells him that the beast was the one they took down before, but its the first time she had seen a beast with eyes like that. A young spear-wielder took it down. Kumi wonders if this is the start of one of those old legends. Zen states that the red eyes warrant a report to the upper echelon and then leaves.

Kumi is hungry again, which annoys Mya as she eats a lot. Kumi wonders it this will work, but Mya assures her it will and shows that Jiro forgot his spear which looks like a knife in normal form. Thus Mya is sure he will be back. Mya wonders if Jiro picked Kumi's interest and Kumi explains that Jiro has a nice smell, a warm and pleasant scent. They go into a tavern, where Mya tells Kumi to eat faster. Kumi Katsu sits next to them and Kumi recognizes her and tells her she is fine and is eating well after she saved her. Kumi Katsu sees Mya and realizes she is a Chapeau and wonders if she is a friend of Kumi, but Mya states its more of a hostage. Moments later, Gun, Kiris and other soldiers enter the tavern after having received information that a fugitive have been seen there. The people in the tavern stand up against the soldiers, but one of them sees Kumi. Kumi Katsu realizes they are looking for Kumi and also stands up, but worried, Kumi approaches them asking them to stop. However as she touches the soldier, she releases miasma and he rots away. Mya the comes and hits Kumi on the head, knocking her down and stating they are giving up. Initially in fear, the soldiers quickly arrest them.

Kiris and Gun report to Mezami that they captured the girl, but lost a soldier. Mezami tells them to count his death as part of the giant beast attack, so that his family can receive pension. He notes that his death is unfortunate, but well worth the sacrifice. He then tells them to make the arrangements as he will be departing this evening.

Jiro cleans his boat. After that he takes some rest, but realizes his spear is missing. He searches for a bit, but then realizes he forgot it with Mya and Kumi. In their cells, Kumi apologizes for what happened, but wonders why Mya gave up that easily. Mya explains that the plan would be ruined if Jiro takes back only his spear. Mya had tied up the spear to herself. As Jiro attempts to summon it, the spear ends up lifting her and Mya realizes he finally noticed he is missing his spear. As Jiro can't summon his spear, he wonders if its stuck somewhere. Annoyed, he returns to Mya's camp, but doesn't see his spear anywhere. As he can't find Kumi and Mya, he goes around looking for them, but with no success. He eventually sees Kumi Katsu and asks her if she had seen a girl with a Cat Chapeau. Kumi explains that they were taken by the imperial forces. Kumi notes he looks exhausted and offers him some fruits. Jiro quickly recognizes those fruits. Kumi also states that the girl he is looking for likely came from a lab. Jiro eats the fruits and leaves.

While Mezami's ship is prepared for leaving, Jiro finds it and learns Kumi and Mya's location from a guard. He goes to the room they are kept, which makes them happy that he came for them. He takes his spear back and leaves. He beats up some more guards and tells the girls to hurry up as they are leaving. Mezami and the rest learn of Kumi's escape thanks to Jiro. Jiro and the girls get surrounded. Jiro tells the girls to hold to his spear and then jumps in the water. Using the spear he then swims fast towards his boat. Getting inside, Mya gets excited about his imperial-made ship. Jiro sees that they noticed his boat and tells Mya that he will buy them some time while she prepares them for a launch. Jiro tells Kumi that they are combining again to sink the enemy ship. Kumi prepares for a kiss, but Jiro states the ritual was a one time thing, which disappoints Kumi. After they combine, Jiro jumps to Mezami's ship and using his spear, he pierces the ship.

Later, Mya tells Jiro that the Empire won't ignore the existence of a Paladin and will pursue him like them. Jiro is annoyed that they involved him in this, but states he will tag along only until they reach the next city. Mya wants to take some parts of the ship since its too heavy to operate, but Jiro is against it, stating they are all important parts.

## Characters

* Kumi
* Jiro
* Kiris
* Gun
* Toka
* Kumi Katsu
* Mya
* Mezami
* Fazad
* Zen