Original subtitles

The Summerforth Empire's government is rife with corruption,

and uprisings have broken out across the empire.

Meanwhile, the nobles ruling different states were bolstering their territorial autonomy

when Amador Salemakhia, Duke of the Duchy of Missian,

died.

(Duchy of Missian) The Duchy of Missian divided into two factions,

led by the Duke's eldest son, Curran Salemakhia

and his second son, Basamark Salemakhia.

To subdue Basamark, who asserted his claim

as the legitimate heir and seized the Duchy capital, Arcantez,

Curran resolved to deploy military forces.

Ars, who was lord of the small border territory of Lamberg,

also went to join the fight.

(Episode 13: The Promise) The azure sky…

(Episode 13: The Promise) Delicious food…

And wine!

Wonderful!

Wonderful.

Miss Mireille, Miss Charlotte!

Please come down!

It is time to get ready for the military council,

so let us talk about it!

Ars, you should also come up, it's so nice.

Do you know what we're going for?

When the weather is this good,

you should definitely take some time to unwind.

Mr. Rietz, is this really okay?

The military council will last a long time, even if we don't want it to.

Mireille is right.

Let's relax for now.

We're about to reach Semplar.

The ocean is visible!

The sea breeze is awesome!

It's the sea!

What is this? It's all water!

This is the sea, haven't you seen it before?

No!

Why don't we take a look around?

Incredible.

Is this all water?

Now there is no need to be concerned about water shortage.

Salty!

It is adorable how the sea can make you feel so surprised.

Miss Mireille, do you know of any other places like this?

Yes, because I've been to a lot of places.

I have been to volcanic islands to mine for valuable manastones,

as well as to snowy mountains

and old ruins to see the sights.

Sounds nice.

It is so much fun that the food tastes better too.

I understand how exciting

it is to see a new world.

Let us go on a trip together when the war is over

and the country is safe again.

Really looking forward to that.

Please keep your promise.

Charlotte, look!

There are so many fish here!

Fish? Where?

You still know how to make people happy.

Why did you say that out of the blue?

I'm complimenting you.

Seeing my companions smile makes me happy too.

That's exactly it.

Miss Charlotte?

I have no idea why, but I feel like blasting it.

Was that…

Charlotte…

What are you doing?

Miss Charlotte, run!

- Lord Ars! - Wait for me!

(Semplar Castle)

(The Second Military Council) We've come here as if we were fleeing.

What a huge castle.

This way, please.

Ars Louvent?

Isn't he a lord from a remote countryside?

Why is he attending an important military council?

Some of the people here are very cocky.

Charlotte!

Ars.

Lord Lumeire, Mr. Menas!

Apparently, Lord Curran has also called you.

Yes!

So happy that the people of our County of Canarre

have been recognized.

Thank you.

Lord Curran…

Ars, here you are.

Are you Mireille?

Hello.

They really do know each other.

Mireille?

The former Duke's Adviser?

Long time no see.

When was the last time we met?

I recall that you declined my offer.

You said you wouldn't get involved in diplomacy again, didn't you?

Why are you with Ars now?

I don't mind giving it one more go

if it's with this little boy.

Following Ars would be a better choice

than following you.

How dare you!

Your frankness remains unchanged!

L-Lord Curran!

Whatever the case may be,

I am pleased to have you here.

I believe in you big time.

B-But Lord Curran!

She is closely related to Tomas Grandione,

who is the right-hand man of the Basamark.

Who knows? Maybe she is a spy.

It's alright.

Mireille now works for Lord Ars, the person I invited to help me.

That being said, it is a good chance for us to learn more about the enemy.

Lord Curran.

Enough!

I believe Ars is able to handle her.

On top of that, I will not stand for it

if you all treat them rudely from now on.

During her time with the previous Duke, Mireille excelled.

Her power is crucial for me to succeed.

Just get along with each other.

Alright.

Since you have said so.

Thank you.

Alright, let's start the military council.

(Intellect)

(Intellect) Please allow me to sum up the current state of the war.

We have a combat strength of 110,000 men.

We are outnumbered by the enemy by nearly 20,000.

However, as we're in charge of the trading city of Semplar, we have more resources

at our disposal than they do, allowing us to mount a sustained resistance.

Our military is also of higher quality.

But the enemy has more distinguished generals.

We have also learned that the neutral nobles,

enticed by their talents, are slowly

but surely beginning to side with Basamark.

This implies that our future is uncertain.

If things keep going this way, there will be no way out.

Beating Basamark is just the beginning of becoming independent.

I don't wish to spend too much time on this.

I hope that all of you can come up with ideas that will remedy the current situation.

I suggest we take down Belzud, the major city in the east.

Belzud is one of the three main cities, along with Semplar and Arcantez.

However, its defenses are not as strong as Arcantez's.

Nobles who are on their side will switch to our side as long as

we show how strong we are and weaken their fighting power.

To improve our chances of winning,

we should attack from two directions.

I believe we should first focus on taking down Belzud.

Exactly, well said.

Obviously, it is not a good idea.

Um…

Can you be open and honest with everyone about what you think?

Mr. Rietz, after you.

I'd rather hear your opinion.

However, watch how you phrase things.

It is alright, this meeting is about everyone's future,

so feel free to express yourself.

Hey!

You all can't be serious, can you?

It is funny that so many of you got together to talk and then came up with this idea.

It is ridiculous.

What, mind your words.

Let her speak.

I will go right to the point.

Continue acting this way, and you will lose for sure.

What the heck are you talking about?

It is obvious that having high-quality soldiers

and some money are useless

without a commander

who can make good use of them.

We have no chance

of winning with your skills.

You're talking nonsense!

Basamark is a coward

who has a reputation for being a perfectionist.

He will not move

unless he is sure he can win.

He will wait until there is almost a 100 percent of chance of winning before he acts.

That is,

the fact that you have not been completely beaten yet is just a stroke of luck.

There is a 70 percent of chance that the enemy will win

even if you start a war right now.

Listen to what you silly person says.

Take down Belzud?

We have sufficient forces to conquer it,

but who will defend Semplar

when we attack Belzud?

W-Well…

If this place is taken, we are done.

As soon as you depart,

I would immediately dispatch troops to launch an attack here if I were Basamark.

At that point,

you will definitely come back to get Semplar back.

The end result will be failure, and you will not be able to take over Belzud.

While the enemy took advantage of a great chance and fought a great battle.

It should be pretty clear what kind of impression it makes.

Even more nobles will side with them.

You misjudged our own and the enemy's abilities.

You were, to put it another way, overconfident.

- Don't you dare talk nonsense! - Who are you to judge?

Wait a minute.

Finally, someone has given their honest opinion.

I think so too.

Lord Curran!

But I want to win this battle no matter what.

Do you have any good ideas, Mireille?

Well…

Rosell, do you have any ideas?

Yes!

A child?

Why is a child here?

He is our territory's tactician.

Tactician?

What good advice can a kid give?

Let's hear it.

L-Lord Curran!

Yes, sir!

I thought about this issue before I came here.

Although capturing Belzud is a smart move,

it could lead to their occupation of Semplar.

When it comes to defense,

all we have to do is make sure the enemy doesn't get a chance.

Then what should we do?

We must convince them that

if they march from Arcantez,

they will be caught in a pincer attack.

What if we win the Duchy of Paradille in the north over to our side?

(Paradille) Instill in them the belief that Arcantez will be attacked

from the north by the Duchy of Paradille.

- To think of winning over Duchy of Paradille? - What nonsense!

How can we convince Paradille when the country is divided?

The Duchy of Paradille is committed to the royal family.

They may already know the Duchy of Missian wants independence.

They are unlikely to help.

Yeah.

So we have to entrust an intermediary to mediate with Paradille.

A third party?

Who are you going to ask?

The emperor of the Summerforth Empire.

The emperor?

Let's bribe the emperor!

Despite losing his power, he is still descended from royalty.

I don't think money can buy him off.

Is that so?

The current emperor is only 17 years old.

His vassals now hold the reins of power.

They are probably amenable to monetary bribery

because they are the ones corrupting the empire.

If we play to our strengths,

we can find a peaceful solution to this problem.

This is an excellent strategy, in my opinion.

Curran.

That settled it.

In order to secure the Duchy of Paradille's support,

we must entrust the mediation to the royal family.

Ars.

Yes!

(Responsibility) Everything,

down to the selection of individuals, is up to you.

This is an idea that your subordinate came up with.

The entire budget for your plan will be covered by me.

Lumeire, you should go and assist him.

Yes, sir.

I'm counting on you.

Lord Curran!

Yes, sir!

Rosell, good job!

You will beat out the others

if this works.

What?

However, if it doesn't work,

the results might be disastrous.

Don't worry, don't worry.

Is there a way for us to ask that emperor to help?

Isn't he a man of high position?

With Mr. Rietz present during the negotiation…

In the nation's imperial capital, racial prejudice is at its worst.

You should not send me to negotiate.

I think so too.

Just so you know,

I am not good at that kind of work either.

What should I do?

Why don't we just find that person?

Although it's annoying.

I knew it would come to this.

W-Who?

None of the flowers were as lovely

as those sent by Lord Ars.

This is the place, right?

It should be.

Lord Ars, it's been a long time!

Lady Licia!

I've missed you so much!

It gives me relief to see that you have not changed an inch!

You too!

Hi!

Welcome, Ars.

Lord Hammond!

Long time no see.

It is a pleasure to be here today.

Keep it to yourself, I was hoping to see you as well.

I heard that Lord Curran held a military council recently.

Any updates?

Yes.

As I said in the letter,

I am here today to talk with Miss Licia

about things related to the war.

Lord Ars, before that…

Licia!

Let's eat something first!

Thank you for providing me with the meal as well.

What are you talking about?

You too are a respected guest.

It looks like both Ars and Licia think highly of you.

I am truly unworthy of such a recognition as a Marca.

Your background is irrelevant.

With the Lamberg and Pleide families, background is not needed.

Speaking of which, my daughter…

You clearly have important things to talk about,

but after they finish eating, she forces Ars to accompany her.

From here, you can see the town clearly.

This is something I have been thinking

about showing you if you came.

I used to stay at home all the time,

but now I am slowly getting

to know the people in the town.

I've even made several friends.

Now more than ever, I care about this territory.

I also respect you more

because you keep the town safe so well.

My father often tells me about how well you are doing,

but he seems a little envious of you.

Just kidding.

Not at all, it's all thanks to the efforts of my companions.

I have always held your modesty in high regard, Lord Ars.

Li…

Oops! I completely forgot!

I still have something I would like to show you.

There was an odd vibe going on just now!

So many flowers have bloomed!

These are the flowers you gave me before.

They are truly beautiful.

I really like them, so I planted a lot.

It is really touching that she takes such care to grow them.

Oh, Lord Ars.

What did you want to talk about with me?

It's a serious matter.

We also need to get Lord Hammond's consent.

There's no need.

I want to be in charge of my own life.

That is why I asked you here, where no one else will be around.

Considering how worried my father is.

I see.

Alright.

Actually…

(Vow)

You want me to take on such an important role?

Yes.

We cannot ensure complete safety

since we are negotiating on someone else's territory.

I am really happy about that. I will take on the responsibility.

I suppose so…

I had already made up my mind to do everything Lord Ars asked.

That being said, you agreed too quickly.

In exchange,

may I also ask you for something?

For what?

What could it be? Does she have any concerns?

It is not clear what Miss Licia wants,

but she did listen to my request,

and I want to repay her in some way.

Tell me.

Okay.

Um…

Please marry me after the war ends.

Marry?

M-Marry?

This is too sudden!

It's not sudden at all!

This has been in my mind

ever since the day I saw you.

I can still remember how I felt

when I saw the town of Lamberg for the first time.

I want to be as close as possible to the beautiful world

that Lord Ars made.

I can feel her sincere heart.

Miss Licia really likes me.

Now that I think about it more,

she has always worked hard to help me.

I was determined to properly tell her

how I felt the next time I saw her.

What am I doing really?

I'm sorry.

I am a useless man.

To have you take the initiative to say these.

Allow me to say it.

Please marry me right now.

From the day I met you,

I fell in love with you.

You have been a tremendous assistance to me throughout.

We can get married

without violence once the war is over,

but when exactly that will be is anyone's guess.

It could be similar to this time,

with many dangerous situations.

I simply have many amazing companions.

I don't possess any remarkable strength.

However,

I want to protect you

even in this battle.

So please marry me right now.

I never considered having you protect me.

I will protect you!

Just keep doing

what you have always done!

You have many reliable and excellent people around you.

As one of them

and your wife,

I promise to do everything I can to make your dreams come true.

No, I will protect you!

Say what?

M-Marry?

What are you saying?

It really comes out of nowhere.

Father-in-law,

could you please agree to our marriage?

Wait a minute, wait a minute!

Isn't it still too early to talk about getting married?

I have already made up my mind.

My decision to get married remains unshaken,

regardless of the opinions of others,

including you, Father.

So you can make that expression.

From a young age on, you have possessed an uncanny ability

to read people's emotions and convey just the right expressions.

Alright.

As you wish.

Keep on with Ars forever.

I will definitely keep the promise.

T-Thank you.

Good, let's have a banquet!

Everyone, go and prepare for the banquet!

We haven't talked about negotiation issues yet!

We can talk about that later!

I completed the royal family investigation you mandated.

Prime Minister Shakma is the one who wields the emperor's power

however he sees fit.

He is young, but he is so greedy

that he will always make decisions that benefit himself.

Then all we have to do is figure out how to persuade him, shall we?

He is tough.

You need to be careful, Ars.

Alright!

Miss Licia.

Sorry to give you a big responsibility all of a sudden.

Not at all, I am very happy

to be of help to Lord Ars.

I must say, you are truly reliable.

However, I sense that problems are on the horizon.

Leave that to me!

(Next episode: Negotiation) Next episode, Negotiation.

(Next episode: Negotiation)