# E9 - The Snake Sharpens Its Fangs
Source: [Crunchyroll](https://www.crunchyroll.com/watch/GJWUQNJDD/the-snake-sharpens-its-fangs)
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(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
**[00:07] (Flashback) Noel**
Bribe the owner of this place.
**[00:10] (Flashback) Noel**
It'll make future deals easier.
**[00:12] (Flashback) Maid**
Right.
**[00:17] (Flashback) Harold**
It's a pleasure to meet you.
**[00:20] (Flashback) Harold**
I'm an inspector with the Seekers guild.
**[00:22] (Flashback) Harold**
My name is Harold Jenkins.
**[00:25] (Flashback) Harold**
I hope to be of some assistance.
**[00:29] (Flashback) Harold**
Ah, this is exquisite.
**[00:32] (Flashback) Harold**
It seems your winery is coming along well.
**[00:35] (Flashback) Noel**
It helps make ends meet.
**[00:38] (Flashback) Noel**
I owe it all to the inheritance
my grandfather left me and to my staff.
**[00:42] (Flashback) Harold**
You're too modest.
**[00:43] (Flashback) Harold**
It appears you have a talent for managing
people and running a business.
**[00:49] (Flashback) Noel**
I'm not doing anything special.
**[00:51] (Flashback) Noel**
Soon, I'll step down and leave
things in their hands.
**[00:56] (Flashback) Noel**
Anyway, what brings a guild inspector here?
**[01:02] (Flashback) Noel**
I've already given up all the information
I have on my hometown's tragedy.
**[01:09] (Flashback) Harold**
This image was taken just the other day.
**[01:13] (Flashback) Harold**
It is likely the same lord
that destroyed your hometown.
**[01:18] (Flashback) Noel**
That's the one?
**[01:20] (Flashback) Harold**
You don't seem very surprised.
**[01:23] (Flashback) Noel**
Well, I had an inkling it was still alive.
**[01:27] (Flashback) Noel**
Two things were conspicuously
missing that day.
**[01:32] (Flashback) Noel**
The lord's dead body
**[01:33] (Flashback) Noel**
and my grandfather's battle axe.
**[01:36] (Flashback) Noel**
Have you defeated this lord?
**[01:37] (Flashback) Harold**
A major clan, Night Rage, tried to subdue it,
**[01:41] (Flashback) Harold**
but they were obliterated.
**[01:43] (Flashback) Harold**
We sent in Supreme Dragon after that,
but the lord had already left for the Void.
**[01:49] (Flashback) Noel**
It *left*?
**[01:51] (Flashback) Harold**
They say beasts are driven to invade
this world by an irresistible instinct.
**[01:57] (Flashback) Harold**
And yet this one appears to be acting
freely of its own accord.
**[02:02] (Flashback) Harold**
This is the lord that defeated
the great Overdeath.
**[02:06] (Flashback) Harold**
Its experience from appearing twice
may help it reach a depth of 13...
**[02:11] (Flashback) Harold**
There's now a possibility
it will become a new Valiant.
**[02:15] (Flashback) Noel**
Valiants are a group of ten powerful lords
with abyssal depth ratings of 13.
**[02:21] (Flashback) Noel**
Each of these ten dark lords wields power
enough to destroy the entire world.
**[02:27] (Flashback) Harold**
The last time one manifested
in this world was forty years ago.
**[02:32] (Flashback) Harold**
Cocytus the Silverfish wiped out
three nations upon emerging, but...
**[02:38] (Flashback) Noel**
The Bloodsword Federation,
my grandpa's clan, defeated it.
**[02:42] (Flashback) Harold**
And it was the first time in human history.
**[02:45] (Flashback) Harold**
Before then, it was all we could do
to drive a Valiant back into the Void,
**[02:49] (Flashback) Harold**
and yet we were victorious.
**[02:52] (Flashback) Harold**
However...
**[02:54] (Flashback) Noel**
This lord may pose a new threat to humanity.
**[02:58] (Flashback) Noel**
Is that what you're saying?
**[02:59] (Flashback) Harold**
Unfortunately.
**[03:03] (Flashback) Noel**
How amusing.
**[03:07] (Flashback) Harold**
You resemble him.
**[03:09] (Flashback) Harold**
Your eyes resemble Brandon's—
your grandfather's.
**[03:14] (Flashback) Harold**
I was in charge of the
Bloodsword Federation, his clan.
**[03:18] (Flashback) Harold**
He and I were close.
**[03:21] (Flashback) Harold**
I wanted to come see
how his grandson was doing,
**[03:25] (Flashback) Harold**
but it seems my concern was misplaced.
**[03:28] (Flashback) Harold**
You will be fifteen next year,
**[03:31] (Flashback) Harold**
which will make you eligible
to take the Seeker exam.
**[03:37] (Flashback) Harold**
I'll be on my way now.
**[03:42] (Flashback) Noel**
Remember this.
**[03:45] (Flashback) Noel**
We will meet again someday, so...
**[03:48] (Flashback) Noel**
Remember my face. I'm going
to be the strongest Seeker ever.
**[05:31] Koga**
H-Hey, you sure we'll be all right?
**[05:34] Noel**
Yeah. They're not going
to ask anything difficult.
**[05:37] Noel**
Just answer normally, and you'll be fine.
**[05:38] Koga**
But what if something I say
rubs the inspector the wrong way
**[05:44] Koga**
and our clan application gets rejected?
**[05:47] Noel**
Won't happen!
**[05:47] Alma**
Huh? But *I* heard that offending the inspector
will get you rejected on the spot.
**[05:53] Koga**
C-Crap! What do I do?!
**[05:55] Koga**
If I mess up, Noel's dream is up in smoke!
**[05:58] Alma**
Take responsibility by taking your own life.
**[06:00] Alma**
We didn't work together long,
but thanks for the memories.
**[06:02] Alma**
You can leave the rest to me and drop dead.
**[06:04] Noel**
Come on, you two...
**[06:11] Harold**
Oh?
**[06:11] Harold**
What seems to be the matter?
**[06:14] Harold**
No need to be so wary.
**[06:17] Harold**
It's been too long, Noel.
**[06:26] Harold**
A clan house to serve as your base,
**[06:28] Harold**
plus the 20 million fil collateral...
**[06:30] Harold**
Everything seems to be in order.
**[06:33] Harold**
You're still lacking in accomplishments,
but I take no issue with your abilities.
**[06:38] Noel**
I'll be moving up to B rank
once my application goes through.
**[06:43] Alma**
I'm ready to rank up to B, too.
**[06:45] Alma**
Koga's the only one stuck at C.
**[06:49] Harold**
Very good.
**[06:50] Harold**
The clan name on your application
isn't Blue Beyond. Is this correct?
**[06:56] Noel**
I plan to start using that one
once we become a clan.
**[06:59] Harold**
Understood. That concludes my interview.
**[07:03] Koga**
Huh? Already?
**[07:06] Harold**
Yes.
**[07:07] Harold**
I'm rejecting your application
to start a clan.
**[07:13] Seeker1**
I-I don't believe it...
**[07:16] Seeker1**
How did he kill a lord with
a depth rating of 12 all by himself?
**[07:20] Seeker2**
Probably just another day for him.
**[07:25] Seeker2**
After all, that's the submaster of
the one-star regalia clan, Supreme Dragon,
**[07:28] Seeker2**
who many consider to be
the strongest man in the empire...
**[07:32] Seeker2**
The Innocent Blade, Zeke Feinstein.
**[07:37] Harold**
I'll be frank with you.
**[07:39] Harold**
We're looking for even stronger Seekers now.
**[07:43] Harold**
Simply meeting the clan requirements
isn't enough to get approved.
**[07:47] Harold**
Things have changed.
**[07:49] Koga**
Hey, that's unfair!
**[07:51] Noel**
How have things changed?
**[07:53] Harold**
What I'm about to say is off the record.
**[07:57] Harold**
A colossal amount of mana has been
detected west of the empire.
**[08:02] Harold**
The mana river flowing underground
is close to reaching critical currents,
**[08:07] Harold**
and it's only a matter of time
before it erupts.
**[08:10] Noel**
How long do we have?
**[08:12] Harold**
A year.
**[08:14] Harold**
When that mana explosion goes off,
it will generate a supermassive Abyss.
**[08:19] Harold**
In other words...
**[08:21] Harold**
A beast lord with an abyssal depth rating
of 13, a Valiant, will manifest.
**[08:27] Koga**
C-Can't you stop it?
**[08:30] Harold**
The underground channels are
not unlike our blood vessels.
**[08:35] Harold**
Disrupt the flow, and you'd
see tremors and ruptures...
**[08:38] Harold**
The land would no longer
be able to support human life.
**[08:42] Alma**
Can you win?
**[08:44] Harold**
We defeated Cocytus the Silverfish last time.
**[08:48] Harold**
That is why the empire
prospers as it does now.
**[08:52] Harold**
We must go all out in this battle.
**[08:55] Harold**
The best Seekers in the empire, the regalia,
will have to take part as well.
**[08:59] Harold**
The first-tier Supreme Dragon,
**[09:02] Harold**
the second-tier Kahn
and Cave of the Universe,
**[09:04] Harold**
and the third-tier Blade Flash, Goat Dinner,
Pandemonium, and Lorelai...
**[09:10] Harold**
Each of these clans
is worthy of their regalia title.
**[09:14] Harold**
However, and I say this as someone
who has seen a Valiant in the flesh,
**[09:19] Harold**
there is no guarantee of our victory.
**[09:22] Harold**
Thus we're looking for clans
that will be of immediate help.
**[09:25] Harold**
We don't have the time or luxury
to develop greenhorns such as yourselves.
**[09:31] Harold**
Please leave.
**[09:33] Noel**
Got it.
**[09:34] Koga**
A-Are you sure?
**[09:35] Noel**
He makes a solid point.
**[09:37] Noel**
We don't meet the standards
they're looking for.
**[09:41] Noel**
Not yet, at least.
**[09:44] Noel**
Let's go.
**[09:45] Koga**
W-Wait, Noel!
**[09:50] Harold**
Good grief. Who did he get that
sore-loser temperament from?
**[09:58] Brandon**
* Who else but me? He's my grandson.*
* My pride and joy.*
**[10:02] Harold**
Yes, of that I have no doubt.
**[10:05] Harold**
Noel Stollen...
**[10:07] Harold**
I have high hopes for the boy.
**[10:12] Koga**
Noel! Why'd you back down
on the clan application?!
**[10:15] Koga**
You giving up on your dream?!
**[10:17] Noel**
Giving up? Don't be foolish.
**[10:21] Noel**
This is an incredible chance for us
to shoot right up the ladder.
**[10:29] Noel**
Listen, there's no arguing that a Valiant
manifesting spells peril for humanity.
**[10:34] Noel**
But it's also a great opportunity for us.
**[10:37] Noel**
Defeating Cocytus the Silverfish rapidly
advanced the empire's living standards.
**[10:45] Noel**
Its heart was synthesized into a device
that generated endless drinking water,
**[10:50] Noel**
which was a boon to all the empire.
**[10:53] Noel**
Hunting powerful beasts furthers
our magi-engineering civilization.
**[10:58] Noel**
That's why Seekers are hailed as heroes here.
**[11:02] Noel**
We turn never-seen-before catastrophes
into divine blessings.
**[11:06] Noel**
That's what Seekers do.
**[11:08] Almakoga**
I see...
**[11:10] Noel**
We need to join the regalia
as soon as possible.
**[11:13] Koga**
Wait, we aren't even a clan yet!
**[11:16] Koga**
We'll never make it in time.
**[11:19] Alma**
You *did* say that we'd be
part of the regalia within a year.
**[11:23] Noel**
Make it half a year.
**[11:25] Almakoga**
H—
**[11:26] Almakoga**
Half a year?!
**[11:28] Noel**
Yeah. We'll make the regalia in six months.
**[11:32] Noel**
Over the next few, we'll produce
results and improve our standing.
**[11:37] Noel**
In the best-case scenario, we're assigned
to supreme command in the Valiant battle.
**[11:43] Noel**
And if we have a good showing,
**[11:45] Noel**
we'll definitely go down in history
as the strongest Seekers.
**[11:51] Noel**
We're an invincible swordsman
from the Far East,
**[11:54] Noel**
the granddaughter of a legendary assassin,
**[11:56] Noel**
and the grandson of Overdeath.
**[12:00] Noel**
But that still isn't enough.
**[12:02] Noel**
We don't have time to dilly-dally.
**[12:04] Noel**
*If we want to make the regalia quickly,*
**[12:06] Noel**
* we'll need to make a name for ourselves*
* before we even become a clan.*
**[12:11] Guy**
Extra, extra!
**[12:13] Guy**
Zeke of Supreme Dragon has done it again!
**[12:16] Guy**
He took out a lord with
an abyssal depth rating of 12!
**[12:20] Noel**
What we need is a story.
**[12:23] Noel**
We need to instigate an event
that will grab the attention of the masses.
**[12:31] Noel**
Rest assured.
**[12:34] Noel**
I'll come up with a plan.
**[12:38] Sign**
The Snake Sharpens
Its Fangs
**[12:41] Gnome**
Mr. Noel, for your new
Talker specialization...
**[12:45] Gnome**
you've chosen Strategist, correct?
**[12:47] Noel**
Yes, please.
**[12:49] Gnome**
I will now commence
the rank advancement ritual.
**[12:53] Gnome**
I stand here that I may open
new paths for you.
**[12:57] Gnome**
You, who seeks greater power,
**[13:00] Gnome**
must turn your eyes to the ocean within.
**[13:04] Gnome**
It will be the light of wisdom
that illuminates the water's surface.
**[13:07] Gnome**
That light shall become
a door leading to our world.
**[13:12] Gnome**
And I open this new door for you!
**[13:17] Noel**
*Strategist is a B-rank Talker specialization.*
**[13:21] Noel**
* Its main draw is its incredible*
* augmentation of cognitive speed.*
**[13:24] Noel**
*I'll be able to analyze battles in real time*
**[13:27] Noel**
* and instantly predict what will happen*
* with near-perfect accuracy.*
**[13:33] Girls**
You're so dreamy, Sir Zeke!
**[13:35] Ladyb**
Care to get dinner with me? My treat.
**[13:39] Noel**
Zeke Feinstein.
**[13:41] Zeke**
Oh? Would you happen to be...
**[13:44] Noel**
Well, well.
**[13:46] Noel**
If it isn't Zeke, submaster of Supreme
Dragon, the empire's strongest clan.
**[13:51] Noel**
It's an honor to meet you.
**[13:53] Zeke**
I've heard lots about you
as well, Noel Stollen.
**[13:58] Noel**
* There are only three*
* EX-rank Seekers in the capital.*
**[14:03] Noel**
* The master of Pandemonium,*
* Leo Edin, also known as Kingslayer.*
**[14:08] Noel**
* The master of Supreme Dragon, Victor*
* Krauser, also known as the Beginning One.*
**[14:13] Noel**
*And, of course, the third...*
**[14:15] Noel**
* is this guy, Zeke Feinstein,*
* also known as the Innocent Blade.*
**[14:20] Zeke**
They say you're the grandson
of the legendary Overdeath.
**[14:25] Noel**
I am, yes, though I'm not very much like him.
**[14:28] Zeke**
Really? Because rumor has it that you
fought off the Gambino family.
**[14:35] Noel**
No way! Have you mistaken me for someone else?
**[14:37] Zeke**
Then was it also a coincidence that
they got a new boss soon after?
**[14:44] Zeke**
I'm very curious as to
what sort of trick you used.
**[14:49] Noel**
What a surprise.
**[14:51] Zeke**
Hmm?
**[14:52] Noel**
The great submaster of Supreme Dragon
being so roundabout?
**[14:57] Noel**
And all to recruit
a no-name Seeker like myself?
**[15:01] Zeke**
Oh, you figured me out?
Then I'll cut right to the chase.
**[15:05] Zeke**
Join Supreme Dragon.
It's a good deal for you—
**[15:09] Noel**
I refuse.
**[15:11] Noel**
I don't intend to work under anyone.
**[15:16] Zeke**
Is that so? But my policy is never to hold
back when it comes to getting what I want.
**[15:23] Noel**
So brute force it is?
**[15:25] Zeke**
If that's what you wish.
**[15:26] Noel**
Then let me see this great power of yours.
**[15:31] Noel**
If I'm going to work under someone,
they have to meet my definition of strong.
**[15:37] Noel**
There are three EX-rank Seekers in Etrai.
**[15:40] Noel**
Victor is aging, which leaves two...
**[15:44] Noel**
You and Leo.
**[15:46] Noel**
Which of you is stronger?
**[15:49] Zeke**
You're saying your condition is that
I prove myself stronger than Leo?
**[15:55] Noel**
If you want to order me around, I want
to see that you're the strongest of all.
**[16:00] Zeke**
*This guy...*
**[16:02] Zeke**
*If Leo and I clash, one of us is sure to die.*
**[16:06] Zeke**
* Which is why we can't fight,*
* and he knows that!*
**[16:10] Zeke**
I see. You're a pretty nasty fellow.
**[16:15] Noel**
I'll take that as a compliment.
**[16:17] Noel**
Come see me again
once you make good on my terms.
**[16:21] Seeker3**
Hey, check it out.
**[16:22] Seeker3**
That's Zeke, the second best Seeker in Etrai.
**[16:25] Seeker4**
Wow.
**[16:27] Seeker3**
He took out a depth 12 lord by himself
just the other day.
**[16:31] Zeke**
Did you just say something?
**[16:33] Sekker**
Huh? E-Er, yeah.
**[16:35] Zeke**
You said I was second best, right?
Why is that?
**[16:40] Seeker3**
Well, there's Leo...
**[16:41] Zeke**
I've never fought Leo personally.
**[16:44] Zeke**
How could you possibly know I'm weaker?
**[16:47] Seeker3**
W-Well, everyone says
Leo has soloed more lords...
**[16:57] Noel**
"Second best."
**[16:59] Noel**
I see. So that's a sore spot for him.
**[17:03] Noel**
We need to form our clan before this
becomes a troublesome mess.
**[17:13] Alma**
Quick Attack!
**[17:15] Alma**
She's gone?
**[17:20] Lycia**
There.
**[17:21] Lycia**
I win again.
**[17:27] Lycia**
Yeah, you're not suited to the rear line.
**[17:30] Alma**
Are my attacks too one-note?
**[17:32] Lycia**
Hmm... I'd say you get a little too heated.
**[17:35] Lycia**
You didn't notice that I snuck
into your blind spot just now.
**[17:39] Lycia**
The rear's job is to
take stock and execute strategy.
**[17:43] Lycia**
You need a bird's-eye view and a cool head.
**[17:47] Lycia**
Think Noel. He's a good example.
**[17:49] Alma**
Maybe Assassin really is
the specialization for me.
**[17:51] Lycia**
I think so, too.
**[17:53] Lycia**
I mean, yeah, party balance is important,
**[17:55] Lycia**
but I'm sure Noel will work things out.
**[17:58] Ophelia**
Hey, Lycia!
**[18:01] Lycia**
Ophelia!
**[18:02] Ophelia**
It's been ages! Fancy running into you here.
**[18:07] Ophelia**
Combat training?
**[18:08] Lycia**
Yeah. Are you guys returning from a job?
**[18:11] Ophelia**
Yep, that's right.
**[18:12] Ophelia**
And is this... a new party member?
**[18:15] Alma**
No, I'm—
**[18:16] Lycia**
Oh, she's a friend of mine! My BFF!
**[18:19] Lycia**
Her name is Alma.
She only just became a Seeker,
**[18:22] Lycia**
so I'm showing her the ropes and stuff.
**[18:24] Ophelia**
Wow, it's your turn to be the mentor, huh?
**[18:27] Lycia**
This is Ophelia. She's with the Winged Knights.
**[18:30] Lycia**
We're from the same village,
and she's an Archer like me.
**[18:34] Ophelia**
Nice to meet you.
**[18:36] Alma**
Likewise.
**[18:37] Ophelia**
We're a party of four.
**[18:40] Ophelia**
This scary-looking Lancer is Keim.
**[18:44] Keim**
Did you have to add "scary-looking"?
**[18:46] Ophelia**
This furry fellow is Vaclav, a Summoner.
**[18:49] Vaclav**
Mm.
**[18:50] Ophelia**
And here we have the
Winged Knights' trusty leader...
**[18:54] Leon**
Leon Fredric.
**[18:56] Leon**
Don't believe her. They're the trusty ones.
**[18:59] Leon**
I'm a leader in name only.
**[19:02] Ophelia**
Feel free to talk to us
if you ever need anything.
**[19:05] Ophelia**
Since you're Lycia's BFF, I'd be
happy to help. I'm rooting for you!
**[19:09] Alma**
You're too nice.
**[19:10] Ophelia**
We Seekers need to look out for one another.
**[19:13] Ophelia**
Especially with the weirdos
running amok lately.
**[19:16] Lycia**
Uh, Ophelia...
**[19:18] Ophelia**
Like Noel Stollen. Watch out for that guy.
**[19:21] Ophelia**
He leads a party called Blue Beyond.
**[19:24] Ophelia**
They say he sold his teammates into slavery
and has ties with the mafia.
**[19:28] Ophelia**
There's no end of shady rumors about him.
**[19:31] Alma**
Wow, that's awful.
**[19:33] Ophelia**
Isn't it?
**[19:34] Ophelia**
Apparently, he has new teammates now,
**[19:37] Ophelia**
but I bet they're awful too.
**[19:39] Leon**
Ophelia.
**[19:40] Leon**
You shouldn't judge people based on gossip.
**[19:43] Leon**
Stop telling the newbie things
that may or may not be true.
**[19:48] Ophelia**
But...
**[19:49] Leon**
I don't like badmouthing folks we don't know.
**[19:53] Ophelia**
Sorry.
**[19:54] Keim**
We should get going, Leon.
**[19:56] Keim**
Let's grab a bite at Rockbird Beak.
**[19:59] Leon**
See you around.
**[20:03] Lycia**
Sorry about that, Alma.
She's really a nice person.
**[20:07] Alma**
It's fine. Most of it's true anyway.
**[20:13] Loki**
So, boss,
**[20:15] Loki**
what are you plotting this time?
**[20:17] Loki**
A list of B-rank parties?
**[20:21] Loki**
Surely you can't want that
for any good reason.
**[20:25] Noel**
This one is a cut above,
both in track record and reputation.
**[20:30] Loki**
Hmm? Yeah, I don't understand
why they haven't formed a clan yet.
**[20:34] Loki**
Though, apparently,
their motto is "slow and steady."
**[20:37] Noel**
This business is full of ruffians.
**[20:40] Noel**
I guess a prim and proper
goody two-shoes would stick out.
**[20:43] Loki**
When it comes down to it,
the masses love their righteous heroes.
**[20:48] Loki**
He's basically a knight
in shining armor, don't you think?
**[20:52] Loki**
And not just in appearance.
Has the strength to back it up, too.
**[20:55] Loki**
He's probably the best
B-rank Seeker out there.
**[20:58] Noel**
"The best," huh?
**[21:00] Loki**
Oh, right. You made B rank too, didn't you?
**[21:03] Loki**
That's awesome. Congrats.
**[21:05] Noel**
Quit it with the obvious flattery.
**[21:08] Noel**
Okay, I've decided.
**[21:10] All**
Cheers!
**[21:12] Ophelia**
Leon, you stole the show on this mission again.
**[21:15] Vaclav**
That was one splendid blow.
**[21:17] Leon**
I couldn't have done it without you all.
**[21:20] Leon**
It never would've gone
so smoothly if I were solo.
**[21:23] Leon**
Keim, your backup was a huge help.
**[21:26] Keim**
Nah, that was all you, Leon.
**[21:28] Ophelia**
By the way, Leon, during that last job...
**[21:32] Noel**
*Everyone has a sore spot. A weakness.*
**[21:36] Noel**
* Even Zeke Feinstein, one of the strongest*
* in the empire, is no exception.*
**[21:42] Noel**
* When you attack his sore spot,*
* his smile vanishes and his act crumbles.*
**[21:46] Loki**
Boss...
**[21:48] Loki**
You've got one evil look on your face.
**[21:50] Noel**
Well, I'm not like this goody two-shoes here.
**[21:55] Noel**
I will leave no stone unturned.
**[21:57] Noel**
I'll drag myself to the very top,
and I'll do it my way.
**[23:35] Sign**
The Haves and the Have-Nots