William Tell and the People of Liberty

Cast
William Tell: Kathrina Griebel
Jemmy: Niizuma Yae
Gessler: Yanagiba Panda
Mathilde: Ōtori Kokona

Act One -

The 14th century.

In a village in Switzerland, during the festival season, many people were preparing for weddings according to tradition.

Meanwhile, the hunter William Tell, a master archer, was sighing in distress.

Tell’s concern was that Switzerland was ruled by the Austrian Governor Gessler, whose oppression was growing stronger.

"No, I mustn't think about such things at a joyous occasion."

Just as Tell reconsidered, the wedding ceremony finally began and an archery competition was held.

Then Tell's younger sister Jemmy achieved a splendid victory, and Tell was overjoyed.

"As expected of my sister! Maybe one day you'll become better at handling a bow and arrow than me?"

The banquet proceeded merrily, but in the midst of it, Austrian soldiers led by Gessler suddenly burst in.

"Gathered like this, aren't you plotting some rebellion!?"

Even when the villagers denied it, they were not heard.

People who had attended the wedding were dragged away on baseless charges.

Shocked by the situation, Tell said with resolve, "We really can't let Gessler do as he pleases anymore!"

Act Two -

Several days passed.

The anniversary of Austria's rule over Switzerland arrived.

To celebrate it, Gessler visited the village and had his hat raised on an altar.

Tell and Jemmy happened to pass by.

Wielding his power, Gessler arrogantly ordered Tell and the other villagers to kneel and salute.

However, Tell clearly refused.

"No way! Absolutely not. I won't follow your orders!"

The enraged Gessler captured Tell and her sister Jemmy and presented a certain condition. "If you obey, I'll release you."

He placed an apple on Jemmy's head and mockingly laughed. "Shoot through this. If you succeed, I'll forgive you."

Even the Austrian soldiers turned pale at such a cruel and dangerous order- "If she fails, her own sister..."

"I see, so that's it. Understood."

However, Tell remained unfazed and whispered to Jemmy.

"Listen? Don't move. Can you trust me?"

Though anxious, Jemmy nodded at her sister's words.

As everyone watched fearfully, Tell took a deep breath, aimed, and released the arrow.

The arrow splendidly pierced the apple.

But just after succeeding, Tell dropped one arrow at her feet.

The fact that she had been hiding an unnecessary arrow came to light, and Gessler became furious.

When asked, "What were you going to use it for!?" Tell honestly revealed, "If I had failed, I was going to shoot Gessler with the other arrow."

Enraged, Gessler had Tell imprisoned-

Act Three -

Inside the prison cell, the imprisoned Tell looked up at the moon alone through the barred window.

Though she was angry at Gessler's usual behavior and his demand that toyed with Jemmy's life, being captured defeated the purpose.

"What will become of me from now on..."

"Will I never see a free Switzerland again?"

"No, more importantly, was Jemmy alright? Someone tell me..."

As she worried, Mathilde, an Austrian princess, secretly came to her.

"Tell, can you hear me?"

Mathilde politely introduced herself, revealed she had no intention of harming Tell, and explained she had come to inform her of the current situation.

"What about my sister Jemmy? What happened to her?"

To Tell's question, Mathilde gently answered.

"It's alright, I secretly sent her home."

Relieved, Tell breathed a sigh of relief and thanked Mathilde.

"I'm relieved to hear she's safe. Even though Gessler is tyrannical, my actions may have been rash."

However, Mathilde praised Tell's courage, saying that was not the case at all.

Right now in Switzerland, people were planning to rescue the brave Tell who stood up to Gessler and to regain freedom.

Everyone was working toward that goal-she told this while making sure the prison guard was absent.

Mathilde herself was in a cross-border romance and worried about her lover currently in Switzerland.

Tell thanked her again and comforted Mathilde. "Soon nations won't hate each other. Don't worry."

Mathilde also encouraged Tell, saying, "Please wait. I will surely save you," and then left.

However, a soldier who arrived just after told Tell that it had been decided that tomorrow Tell would board a ship with Gessler and be taken to a fortress dungeon.

Act Four -

The next day, Tell was put on a ship and tasked with steering.

Though Gessler threatened, "Once we get there, I'll torment you thoroughly," Tell maintained a resolute attitude, saying she would not be afraid while steering the ship.

However, the sky became ominous, and they were eventually hit by a storm.

Even on the rocking ship, Tell desperately continued steering, unwilling to sink with the enemy.

Then she spotted a rocky shore some distance away and got an idea.

"That's it, I have a good plan...!"

Tell sharply turned the helm.

Suddenly, the ship rocked violently and ran aground on the rocks.

Leaving behind the confused Austrian soldiers and Gessler asking, "What's happening?" Tell descended to the shore.

Tell had been planning to escape using this opportunity, but there-her sister Jemmy and the Swiss people had also rushed over.

"Everyone, you're safe...!"

To the moved Tell, Jemmy hurriedly handed her a bow and arrow.

Understanding the intent, Tell readied her bow, aiming in the direction she had come from.

"Switzerland is free now! We'll create a future where no one grieves...!"

Tell drew that bow and arrow and splendidly shot Gessler from afar.

Simultaneously, behind Tell and the others, red flames rose up.

It was the signal that the Swiss alliance army had conquered Gessler's fortress.

Just as Mathilde had told Tell, the people had been fighting too.

"Let's create a world where we're no longer ruled, where everyone can respect everyone!"

The voices of the Swiss people overlapped with Tell's cry.

All the people there embraced and rejoiced.

Aftertalk -

Kathrina Griebel
How to hold a bow...is this right...? I think it matches what was in the reference materials...

Niizuma Yae
I think it's correct. You study so earnestly, Kathrina-san-as expected of you.

Kathrina Griebel
Thank you. Niizuma, have you ever handled a bow?

Niizuma Yae
I haven't. In Japan there's something called kyudo, and it seems Sasuga-san practiced it. She said it helped her develop concentration.

Kathrina Griebel
Concentration, huh...that's right. Aiming and hitting a small target with an arrow-you'd have to concentrate to the maximum. Even more so in the middle of battle.

Niizuma Yae
I heard it's good to concentrate on your breathing. Also, you can use earplugs to block out external sounds.

Kathrina Griebel
Right...first I need to get in the habit of concentrating on my own senses. Niizuma, I'm sorry, but could you leave me alone for a bit?

Niizuma Yae
Yes, understood.

Niizuma Yae
(Pursuing it thoroughly until she can grasp the role-Kathrina-san is truly amazing. I really admire her.)

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Pub: 16 Jan 2026 16:19 UTC

Views: 11