Within the cursed valley of the cyborgs know as the aswald, Arika and Mashiro are reunited. A dubious air hangs about the girls as they are faced with questions of an existential nature. Arika ponders the morality of a force as potentially destructive as the Otome, while Mashiro attempts to understand the necessary qualities of a leader. Before they can come to terms with their roles, the Valkyrie Squadron, an elite unit of Artai Otome are dispatched to capture Arika and Mashiro. Can Arika overcome her feelings of doubt and protect the Queen?