Record of Grancrest War (Episode 22) – The Holy Grail
The Pope has called for his followers to unite and stop Emperor Theo from abusing the use of the crests to further his own agenda. Priscilla asks to be allowed to see the Pope and change his mind!
What happened?
The Order of the Crest had quite the army when it came to numbers. Of course, most of those were children and the elderly. The last thing Theo wanted to do was cut through a crowd of civilians to get to Eramu. His only option is to send Priscilla to meet with the Pope, although he is fervently against the idea, knowing what danger it would put her in. She is, however, adamant that this is the role she must fulfil.
Siluca, Aishela, and Irvin accompany Priscilla to meet with the Pope, unaware that he is under the control of Pandora. Priscilla addresses the followers and even shows them the Holy Grail. They can’t believe their eyes and rejoice in her appearance. The Pope comes down from his pulpit and apologises to Priscilla for not believing her. As he approaches, Irvin notices that he has a dagger. He goes to stop him, but Priscilla gives him a look, telling him to stay back.
The Pope stabs Priscilla and waits for the Holy Grail to turn into a chaos core, proving that she is a fake and the people will once more rally around him. However, it doesn’t change. Finally, he realises what he’s done and is prepared to face death rather than commit more sins.
Irvin saves the Pope from the Pandora agent, but only so that they can question him and find out more about what they are up against. Siluca sends him to get Theo from the base. Priscilla’s crest continues to glow proudly above the masses.
Theo is furious that he allowed Priscilla to go to her death. David Lasic reminds him that it was Priscilla’s decision and that everyone has something that only they can do, and that Theo is yet to complete his mission. They go to the headquarters of the Order of the Crest where they find the followers gathered around Priscilla’s lifeless body, praying.
Theo collects Priscilla’s crest and vows to put an end to the age of chaos. Then, with a heavy heart, he lifts her off the ground and carries her home!
What did you think?
This was quite a powerful episode. I noticed from an early stage that Priscilla’s eyes gave her away. She knew what was going to happen and willingly went into it. That’s a lot of courage, but at the same time what a waste. I’m sick of people sacrificing themselves for “the greater good”, especially when it’s all because of some corrupt idiot who has taken control of something they should never have been allowed to get near.
Whether you believe in a god or not, is up to you. However, I can’t get behind the idea of organised religion. The people in charge are just people, no different from anyone else and are focused on keeping control and pushing their agenda. Sure, there are good people in all walks of life, but why do so many sit back and accept the lies of people in power, be it, religious leaders or politicians. Apologies for the rant, but this topic is one that generally makes me mad and one that I tend to avoid as a result.
What have you learnt?
As with most stories that are approaching the end, things will get tougher for the heroes. In the last episode, the mages destroyed their wands. Now, Theo was faced with an army of civilians, including women, children, and the elderly. It was a no-win situation. He got passed it but needed to sacrifice a friend to do so. Maybe, it wasn’t his choice, but it will sit with him forever.
And seriously, why must a good person sacrifice themselves so that other “good people” will believe them. I’m starting to question whether the “good people” are really that good. I’ll stop now before I get too far down this rabbit hole!
Other reviews in the series
- Season One
- Episode 1 – Contract
- Episode 2 – Ambition
- Episode 3 – Battle Flag
- Episode 4 – Decision
- Episode 5 – Forest of Eternal Darkness
- Episode 6 – March
- Episode 7 – The White Prince
- Episode 8 – The Congress Dances
- Episode 9 – The Black Princess
- Episode 10 – Blade of Betrayal
- Episode 11 – The Fall of Castle Unicorn
- Episode 12 – A Treaty Formed
- Episode 13 – To the Homeland
- Episode 14 – The Liberator of Sistina
- Episode 15 – Return
- Episode 16 – Outpost
- Episode 17 – Two Heroes
- Episode 18 – Leader
- Episode 19 – The Awakening of a Noble
- Episode 20 – Pitched Battle of the Three Forces
- Episode 21 – Purge
- Episode 22 – The Holy Grail
- Episode 23 – Castle Walls
- Episode 24 – Grancrest
“Sure, there are good people in all walks of life, but why do so many sit back and accept the lies of people in power, be it, religious leaders or politicians. Apologies for the rant, but this topic is one that generally makes me mad and one that I tend to avoid as a result.”
No need to apologize (from my perspective — can’t speak for others, of course!). In fact, rant away!
Your question strikes at the heart of our reality.
Have you ever listened to Queen’s “Under Pressure?”
That’s the musical meta version of the answer.
“It’s the terror of knowing
What the world is about”
David Bowie wrote that song. I can tell by the lyrics that he saw it. A lot of musicians in the late 60s and 70s did. That’s one reason so many turned to drugs, I suspect. Or groups like Pink Floyd tended to be nihilistic.
It’s really a shock to your system when you realize just how bad it really is. How deep it goes; how the pessimists are really hopeless romantics. There aren’t any conspiracies, at least not of any consequence. It’s just the nature of power — what it does to those who have it, and what it does to those who don’t.
So, yeah, you should rant about that. Or turn it into a compelling novel and sell tons of copies. Sometimes, that’s the best you can do.
Secretly, it’s one of the themes in the book I’m writing now (A Ghast in the Machine).
Who knows? Maybe we can help change the course of the world!
If that fails, making a few bucks won’t hurt. Might as well be comfortable!
Being British, I practically grew up to the music of Queen. I am very familiar with their music and know exactly what you mean. I’ve always found John Lennon’s Imagine to be of a similar level. He sets it out so clearly, it’s no wonder they had him silenced.
I also think about works of fiction like 1984 or Brave New World. The problem is not something new, we just can’t seem to shake it.
If I can write something to that level that makes people think and puts some money in my bank account at the same time, I’d be over the moon. One day.
Sounds like you’ve seen the same thing.
Let’s see if we can leave our mark on this world. Maybe pass the torch to the new generation.
Or inflame the hears of the current generation…
If I can be as successful as even one Queen song, I’d like it to be Fat Bottom Girls… I mean, I’d be more than happy to achieve that much.