Original subtitles

It came out so cleanly! Is this edible, too?

There's so much!

Lady Serafina... aren't you fitting in a little too well?

The Warrior Princess and the Barbaric King

U-Um, Lady Serafina, might I have a word?

What is it, Malcius?

You said you intended on returning to Illdoren someday, so...

Should you really have accepted that necklace?

Probably not. I think I may have made a mistake.

Even if it has no binding power under the Order of Commoneras,

agreeing to an engagement might have been a bit rash.

But with what Resia told me...

Even if she was once a princess, she's the great chief's wife!

You shouldn't have taken her at her word!

Fear not, Malcius.

I-I will never forget my duty as a n-noble!

That is not very convincing!

I-It's just that...

I was giving some thought to what Resia said

about searching for my own happiness, or... something along those lines.

And that's what made you so indecisive?

I-Indecisive...?

I realize that's the case... I do, and yet...

When I try to think about what happiness means to me,

after a life of nothing but chivalry and swordplay...

I'm at a loss! Nothing comes to mind!

That's rather pitiful. And I have to say...

It's bizarre seeing the knight among knights, Lavillant the Frozen,

act like a naive village girl!

Well, I can see why you'd view me as such...

but it's more like a misunderstanding.

Before all this, all I had in my head were my duty and the war.

Fulfilling the duty of someone born into a noble house

blessed with talent for war...

For as long as I can remember, those things have been my focus.

That's...

Thinking back, I may have obsessed with those matters.

Though I can see why you might have interpreted

that as behaving like the ideal knight.

It's not that I resent you for it. It's just...

Since coming to this land,

meeting its people, and seeing how they live their lives...

I may have been a knight commander with the Eastern Expedition,

but to them, I was little more than an invader from the west.

Lady Serafina...

I wouldn't say that I regret the last seven years of my life.

I was doing what I believed, at the time, was the right thing.

But... I could've never imagined that the people here wouldn't hate me for it.

And you feel guilty because of it?

Could that guilt truly drive you to abandon your homeland?!

My homeland...

The desolate, barren lands of Illdoren.

For all the gains that this expedition has had over seven years,

so many of our fighting men were slain...

That I question whether it was worth it.

Whether I attend to my homeland,

or my guilt... either way, I would be forsaking something I care about.

I'm not sure I like the sound of that.

Cersei? I can see why you would, considering what you've been through.

But even if the people here pay it no mind,

I can't simply forget the things I've done.

I can't forgot how my actions should have earned me their distrust and hate.

Oh, I'm done talking about that stuff.

But for all your talk about guilt and obligation,

you're still wearing that engagement necklace.

Mulling over your misgivings while you're wearing something that would come off

if you wanted it to is practically farcical.

Besides, no matter what your worries are, we all still need to eat.

I'd say that's more pressing than the things that are on your mind.

Thinking back on it now, the food in these lands is so abundant.

The woods and waterways are rich with nourishment.

And the dragons in the forests, ferocious though they are,

are large enough to feed hundreds of people after a single hunt.

Yes, the woods.

The woods here are deep, and the mountains are rugged...

It stands to reason that people would be unable to farm such land.

Without cultivating the land, there's no room to live or any way to grow grain...

But upon cultivating it, they risk losing the land's bounty in the long term.

It's been nearly 700 years of us trying to claim their land, every few decades...

Compared to our borders before the expeditions,

it's true that we have claimed more territory,

which should include fertile lands...

But it makes little difference.

Are we simply depleting it too quickly?

Sera.

I understand you're deep in thought, but it's made you look like a squirrel.

Here, Lady Serafina!

Th-Thank you. What a relief.

Are you all right, Sera?

Were you thinking about the things you mentioned this afternoon?

No. I was pondering the significance of the Eastern Expedition to the people,

as both a knight and a noble.

Seizing your lands for the sake of our people...

I cannot say with confidence that it was a righteous cause anymore.

But were I to say that,

would the knights and soldiers who fought resent me?

Would the citizens, who were saved by our expansion?

Sera.

After we finish eating, why don't we talk outside?

The beauty of the triplet moons remains the same,

whether in the east or the west.

Indeed. They're beautiful, Sera.

Yes.

My pondering from this afternoon, and over the past few days...

I genuinely don't know what to do anymore.

Part of me thinks I should return

for the sake of my people and my comrades...

While another wants to consider my own happiness.

And it feels like I'm at a crossroads.

In that case, perhaps... you could use your imagination.

Imagination?

That's not the kind of thing I'd expect to hear from you.

I don't see why.

I'd say, compared to most,

I give a fair bit more thought to things like dreams and ideals.

The Tefyu say that having a strong enough desire

can make a wish reality.

If they're right, then I imagine doubts can only give rise to regrets.

Which is why, Sera, it may help you to imagine what the outcomes might be,

in order to decide what you want.

Imagination... Imagining things, eh?

Supposing I return home with some sort of positive accomplishment...

More than anything, I'd want our people to not starve,

and enjoy great bounty. Enough to put an end to the expeditions...

But even should that happen,

I'll likely meet a dour fate as a noble after being taken captive.

Locked away in some chamber for the rest of my days...

The more I think about it, the more grim it seems.

Granted, I knew that was a possibility...

But now, suppose, hypothetically,

I abandon my duties as a knight and choose Veor instead...

Rustic as he is, I wouldn't say he's vulgar or anything.

And his skill with a sword, while not a match for mine,

is a near contest thanks to his strength and size...

Then again, he's only 18...

with experience, he may yet become stronger than me.

And as Resia's son, his heritage is without question...

Hard as it is to imagine, suppose we had a child?

A child?! Could Veor and I have a child together?!

I suppose we could.

Huh, that might not be so bad...

Wait, this is more like fantasizing!

And I'm no closer to making a decision!

I see. You're unsure of what to do, then.

I had honestly expected that you'd be more keen to reject me.

Which is why I'm pleased to see your indecision.

It means that your feelings for me are comparable to your previous way of life,

your beliefs, and your pride, does it not?

Which is plenty for me, at the moment.

Do you realize...

that you're contradicting what you said before?

First you tell me not to hesitate, and then to ponder more...

Well, the problem is yours to solve, Sera.

All I can really do is be by your side.

That said... it may be wise for you to broaden your perspective

if you wish to resolve your problem.

How's that?

Perhaps it's time you consider taking a journey.

Lord Sidius.

Your humble servant, Hilbane,

has returned from the expedition with news.

I beg your pardon for coming unannounced, as it is of an urgent nature.

Enter.

Yes, sir.

First, let me to praise you for returning with this news.

The fact that you're here makes the nature

of this information somewhat obvious.

Has Serafina fallen in battle?

N-No, sir. Her remains were never found.

It's likely that, while battling

an enemy general as our rear guard, she was taken captive.

A distinction without a difference.

Yes, sir.

The matter of my sister can wait.

What of the remaining strength of the expedition's forces?

Sir! Thanks to the princess' efforts, our losses were light.

Light losses. It won't take long before another expedition is organized, then.

A genuinely perplexing problem.

Did she not realize that

sacrificing her own life would not suffice to save the people?

My poor Serafina.

A trip... a journey to a distant place, eh?

I can't deny it's a perfect opportunity to expand my perspective.

But where will we be going?

Perhaps the elegant capital of the elves...

Or the paradise where the fairies frolic?

The dryads... or rather, those living plants...

It's odd how easily my mind comes up with these bizarre images.

I wonder if the dwarves have an expansive, subterranean kingdom.

Oh, that can't be! This isn't some fantasy novel!

Sera.

You're interested in the Quefto's settlement?

Veor! Don't scare me like that! You're liable to give me a heart attack.

Forgive me, forgive me.

But their settlement is actually close to what you described.

While the underground buildings leave an impression,

the most striking thing is that they have hot springs!

And what is that?

I suppose it's not clear from the words alone...

And someone born in a land of only plains would have know way of knowing.

So, what exactly is a hot spring?

How to describe it... let's see...

Think of it as a natural hot bath.

A hot bath? In nature?

Come now! Hot baths are a luxury for those with the time and money

for a great deal of firewood.

According to the Quefto, this water is hot to begin with.

Something to do with heat from the ground.

They just... have hot water from out of nowhere?! Does that seem fair to you?!

The lakeside village is has plenty of water and dragon meat,

to say nothing of lumber!

And now I find out the dwarves have mythril

and an infinite source of hot water!

How in the blazes are these lands so bloody rich?!

I'm glad to see this sort of thing still surprises you.

Granted, the hot springs came as a shock to me, too.

I can only remember my time from the frontier village...

But the memories I have of bathing in the river in winter

make it clear to me how valuable fuel for fire can be.

The outskirts of the wilderness that the west have colonized

aren't that much better than the relative best parts of Illdoren territory.

The lack of dragons and fairies is proof of that.

True enough.

Not that I'd want to live any place with those things.

I honestly still can't understand how it doesn't bother you barbarians.

Do you really think it's that simple?

The warriors here have no real option but to hunt dragons in order to survive.

Those incapable of that kind of lifestyle end up dying.

Villages without healthy warriors

often end up becoming feeding grounds for dragons.

That's...

It is what it is.

Either cultivate a barren land where your meager harvests are taken as taxes

and risk freezing and starvation...

or live someplace where you can eat your fill

but will die without the protection of strong fighters.

All I can say for certain is that we will die someday.

And I would personally rather be eaten by a dragon than starve to death.

Doesn't being part of the circle of life at least

feel like a death with a purpose?

I can't understand what you're saying at all.

That makes sense. Chalk it up to a difference in values.

I-I mean, if you're eaten, there's no last rites or burial! It's so uncivilized!

That's just not as much of a concern here.

You actually asked the dwarf craftsmen to make me a helmet?!

Yes.

But how am I to pay? I can't access my assets from here.

There's no need to worry about that.

The Morisuberi we hunted the other day was more than enough to pay for it.

Since you struck the killing blow, the biggest portion of it was yours.

Add to that my portion, as well as your reward for striking down the Fiend.

Elder Balhath said he was going to make you something in mythril.

Look forward to it.

That sounds amazing!

She seems thrilled.

I've never seen Lady Serafina so happy...

When shall we go, then? When will it be ready?

I'll have to ask. Could the three of you cover your ears?

Lady Vyufmec!

"Thundering Voice" never stops being an apt description.

That was a nice bit of Thundering Voice, Orkfiem! Plenty of willpower!

And it's good to see you again, Illdoren!

So energetic...

Sorry to call upon you so suddenly, Lady Vyufmec.

Don't be! Any request from Orkfiem is a top priority for us.

So, you've got a message you need delivered?

To the Kurogane Mountains, in the settlement with the most Quefto.

From Orkfiem to Elder Balhath:

I'd like to know when the item I ordered will be ready.

Got it! And I'm off!

She vanished again.

Wind Tefyu exist in all places at once.

Call upon them with willpower in your voice,

and they'll come to your aid.

Granted, only Father and I can manage that these days.

Huh, it occurs to me that as the next great chief,

do you mediate negotiations between the other clans?

That I do.

I'd even say that's the majority of the alliance's leader's duties.

Along with hunting Fiends, acting as the linchpin of the great cleansing,

and dividing various gains between the clans so everyone is happy...

That last bit is particularly tough.

For all your wild looks,

you've got no shortage of responsibility, do you?

That I don't.

But I only intend to do what I can.

That's all any of us can do, ultimately, as we live out our lives.

It might be a heavy burden,

but I take pride in inheriting it from my forefathers, Sera.

Veor...

I thought you so uncivilized when we first met,

but your royal blood has never been more obvious.

Have you fallen in love with me all over again?

Wh-What...?! What do you mean again?!

Come now, it's just a turn of phrase!

A-As a noble, it does make me see you in a different light, though...

I'm back! Huh? Why're you so red, Illdoren?

I-It's nothing! Now what was the reply to the message?

Oh, that! Right, right.

"Balhath to Orkfiem: It'll be ready tomorrow morning!" he says.

That is excellent! And it settles things, Sera.

Your journey to expand your horizons will begin

with a trip to a Quefto settlement!

Right!

What a refreshing morning!

Still, leaving while fully armored...

how likely is it we'll have to fight once we get there?

More that we can't let our guard down until we reach the Quefto settlement.

Take a half step out of human territory, and the dragons reign.

Better safe than sorry, no?

Now then, our destination is the Kurogane Mountains.

Near the foot of that biggest peak, hidden by the closer one.

The biggest mountain, behind the other...?

I had wondered where exactly we were going,

but we can't possibly cover that distance in one day!

Who's to say how long it might take?

And I'd say you're worried about nothing.

Now, bear witness!

Among the many Cornem settlements,

this secret is only taught to those of the Lakeside Village!

The symbol of our esteem for the dragons that soar!

What is this?!

It is the dream of us warriors who don the armor of dragons!

The reverence of our ancestors takes the form of a beast,

growing until it takes spirit form...

Becoming an Echo Dragon!

We're flying!

Sera. Does this demonstrate our reverence for the dragons sufficiently?

You won't find much that is as thrilling as flying through the sky!

Y-Yeah! How could it not?!

I see!

You two seem more and more like newlyweds.

C-Cersei! Veor and I are...

Do we really seem that way?!

Why? Does it bother you?

No, it does not.

Are you that fond of him?!

Hold on tight, everyone!

Are we under attack?

But where did that flame come from?

We've caught the ire of a troublesome foe.

There is only one type of dragon that breathes fire.

The masters of the Kurogane Mountains...

The fire dragons—a strain of true dragons—the Guren Nairi!