Aiyoku no Eustia

Aiyoku no Eustia box art
Developer(s)	August
Publisher(s)	August
Artist(s)	Bekkankō
Writer(s)	Taku Sakakibara
Platform(s)	Windows
Release	April 28, 2011
Genre(s)	Eroge, visual novel
Mode(s)	Single-player

Aiyoku no Eustia (穢翼のユースティア, Aiyoku no Yūsutia, lit. "Eustia of the Tarnished Wings") is an adult Japanese visual novel developed and published by August for the PC and was released on April 28, 2011. Aiyoku no Eustia is August's eighth game, preceded by Fortune Arterial and Yoake Mae yori Ruriiro na: Moonlight Cradle. This videogame was planned to sale on March 25, and August announced the code completed on March 8, but the schedule was changed due to the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Aiyoku no Eustia is set in a fictional city in the skies named "Novus Aither" (ノーヴァス アイテル, Novus Aiteru).

Story

After the surface of the world succumbed to chaos centuries ago, the city of Novus Aether is kept afloat in the sky solely by the continual prayers offered by the Saint. Years ago, when the Saint’s prayer was interrupted, an incident known as the “Gran Forte” occurred, causing a portion of the land to fall and split the lower city into two, separated by a cliff. Countless lives and property were lost or irreversibly affected in what would be known as the greatest disaster in the city’s history.

In time, the lowest layer, known as the “Prison”, became the home to people who lost much of their former lives during the “Gran Forte”. Crime, famine, and disease run rampant, with “The Noncorroding Gold Chains”, the ruling organization in the area specializing in the sex trade, keeping what little order that still exists. Meanwhile, a contagious disease which causes the infected to grow wings has spread throughout the city, and a unit commonly known as the “Wing Hunters” has been formed to deal with these people swiftly and often violently.

In this “Prison” resides Caim Astraea, a freelance ex-assassin who does odd jobs for his friend, the head of “The Noncorroding Gold Chains”, for money. During one request, Caim finds Eustia, a winged girl who emits the pale purple light characteristic of the “Gran Forte” incident years ago. His encounter with Eustia will take him on a journey which will involve him with the most influential bodies of the city, including the Church and the royal government. As he searches for the meaning to his cruel, difficult life, he will discover the deepest and darkest secrets of Novus Aether…

Title

The title is a play on words: the actual Kanji used are ai (穢,dirty) and yoku (翼,wing), rendering the primary meaning of "Eustia of the Tarnished Wings". However, aiyoku is a homonym in Japanese, and also means "worldly passion" or "lust" (愛欲). Accordingly, the alternate reading is "Eustia of Passion", which is an allusion to events within the game.

Characters

Main characters

Caim Astraea

Voiced by: Keizo Oishi (video game), Takashi Kondō (DramaCD)

The main protagonist. He lost all of his friends and family in the Gran Forte and was taken in by the then head of the Golden Chain who had him trained as an assassin. He eventually earned his freedom and now works as a freelancer, his primary client being the now head of the Golden Chain, Sieg, his closest friend who is something of a brother to him as they were more or less raised together in the Golden Chain by Sieg's father, the former head. Despite still mainly working for the Golden Chain, he no longer takes on jobs where he has to kill. His training as an assassin has made him an extremely competent fighter and his life in Prison has made him cynical and pragmatic. His initial interest in Eustia is sparked by the light she gave off when he first saw her, a light he had only seen before during the gran forte.

Eustia Astraea

Voiced by: Shiho Moriho

The title character, Eustia (or Tia as she is usually called) is found by Caim as the only survivor of a grisly murder scene. An orphan for as long as she could remember, Tia grew up under harsh conditions, having worked as a slave for a noble family before being sold to the Golden Chains in “Prison” as a prostitute. She is found to have the wing disease, although her wings are markedly different from the others; it is quickly revealed that Tia is a special winged case and may possess supernatural powers.

Eris Floralia

Voiced by: Kiyomi Shinomiya

The only female doctor in Prison who lives and works in the prostitute area. She was redeemed (purchased so that she did not have to work as a prostitute) by Caim and as a result became totally devoted to him. She is noted for her beauty and intelligence but is also well known for her sharp tongue and cold personality which only Caim is spared from. Caim wants nothing more than for Eris to treasure her freedom and live independently; Eris, however, wants nothing more than to be with and serve Caim.

Saint Irene

Voiced by: Soyogi Tōno

The current Saint, Irene the 29th is gifted with a way with words and incredible strength of faith. Originally a homeless girl, she met Lavria, who would become a sister figure to her, on the streets. The Church would eventually take them both under its wing; she was selected to be the new Saint, to offer constant prayer on behalf of everyone in Novus Aether, after Irene the 28th was executed for interrupting her prayer and causing the “Gran Forte”.

Licia de novus Yurii

Voiced by: Yuzuha Ebihara

The current princess of Novus Aether and successor to the throne, Licia is a young, mischievous girl with little interest in the politics of her country, leaving the decision-making to the House of Nobles and its head, Gilbert. She is, however, very interested in what the “Prison” and the lower city are like (though she is terribly misinformed in this matter) and loves to do servant work such as hanging laundry and cooking.

Fione Silvaria

Voiced by: Sakura Tachibana

The captain of the “Wing Hunters”, Fione is a skilled swordswoman who has a very strong sense of responsibility and justice and as such, she clings on very strongly to her beliefs, which makes her come off as stubborn and inflexible. Her idealism often tends to clash with Caim's cynicism.

Supporting characters

Lucius dis Mireille

Voiced by: Yasuhiro Okino

A young noble and overseer of the “Wing Hunters” who has quickly gained recognition and power among the governing nobles. He is concerned with the corruption of the government and diligently working to improve the life of all citizens of Novus Aether.

Siegfried Grado

Voiced by: Shikiji; (Real name: Shinichiro Miki)

The current leader of the "Gold Chains", son of the creator and previous leader, and Caim’s close friend. The two of them share a long past, having worked as assassins and escaped from countless dangers together. He's usually laid back around Caim, Melt and Eris but as the leader of the Gold Chains he's serious, efficient and ruthless.

Melt Logtie

Voiced by: Anna Akashi

A wildly successful prostitute in her day, the previous leader of the “Gold Chains” eventually bought her for himself. She now runs a bar and restaurant that Caim and Siegfried both regularly visit on Prostitute Street in the “Prison”.

Sistina Uyl

Voiced by: Kikka Ai

Sistina is Lucius's adjutant.

Lavria

Voiced by: Hana Kiriya

St. Irene the 29th’s personal servant, Lavria is a timid girl who is torn between supporting St. Irene’s beliefs and obeying the orders of the Church ministers to keep St. Irene in check.

Claudia

Voiced by: Fūka

Currently the Golden Chain's most popular prostitute, she is beautiful, gentle and graceful but know for being sadistic when working.

Risa

Voiced by: Būke Hanataba

Another prostitute of the Golden Chains. She is friends with Claudia and Iris and has a very cheerful and energetic personality.

Iris

Voiced by: Saori Yukito

Another prostitute of the Golden Chains. She is young and has a fragile appearance which contrasts sharply with her personality as she casually insults people and uses foul language in a nearly unchanging monotone.

Gau Lugeira

Voiced by: Erena Kaibara

Gau is a superior swordswoman.

Lang Scrope

Voiced by: Kazuya Sugisaki

Lang is a vice-leader of Fione's corps.

Nudar Atraid

Voiced by: Noroyuki

Nudar is the head priest / bishop of the church of Saint Irene.

Varrius Meisner

Voiced by: Kazuya Ichijō

Varrius is the captain of the Palace Guard.

Gilbert dis Balstein

Voiced by: Ichiban Nagahama

Gilbert is the top administrator of "Novus Aither".

Oz

Voiced by: Bifu Hitoshi

Oz is Siegfried's confidant.

Cougar Silvaria

Voiced by: Daijirō Kataoka

Cougar is Fione's older brother.

Bernado

Voiced by: Yūto Mutsuki

Bernado is a leader of "Fūshō". Bernado was a vice-leader of "Fushokukinsa".

Development

The scenario for Aiyoku no Eustia was written by Taku Sakakibara. The art and character designs were handled by Bekkankō.

Music

Two maxi singles were released for the opening and ending themes on April 28, 2011. The first contained the opening theme "Asphodelus" (Asphodelus -アスフォデルス-) by Ceui and the insert song "Tears of Hope" (Tears of Hope -ティアズ・オブ・ホープ-). And the other one contained the ending theme "Shinainaru Sekai e" (親愛なる世界へ) by Ceui and the insert song "Close My Eyes" (Close My Eyes -クローズ・マイ・アイズ-) by Ami Fujisaki.

External links

• Official website Template:Ja icon