Original subtitles

Tanya von Degurechaff, of the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion.

I need to speak with General Zettour.

Oh, Major...

I'm sorry, but the general is away.

General Rudersdorf, then.

I'm sorry.

All the chief strategists are unavailable.

Is there some important meeting?

I believe they're at the beer hall.

The beer hall?

They were shouting about a victory toast.

I wish I could join them,

but you know how it is...

Did something happen?

I mean with Major Degurechaff.

No, nothing really.

She wanted to see General Zettour.

I told her he's probably at the beer hall.

Major Degurechaff.

Episode 12 How to Use a Victory

I don't believe you take milk or sugar.

Correct. No, thank you.

Maybe it isn't right, after all.

Drinking Dallmayr to celebrate our victory.

It's what the imperial family drinks.

I hear you wanted to see General Zettour.

Your contribution to this victory was immeasurable.

If you have something you wish to say,

I'd like to hear your unfiltered opinion.

My unfiltered opinion, huh?

Is something...

It's true that our forces have won a splendid victory.

The entire world has no choice but to pay heed to our gallantry.

For this one moment, the Empire's glory and victory may be real.

This one moment?

Victory.

Such a tempting thing.

Naturally, everyone wants to savor a taste,

but why is Strategic HQ not making use of this victory?

The major went to Strategic HQ?

From the way she was acting, she might have gone to yell at them.

Well, no need to worry.

But she's clearly different than usual—

Don't worry.

I can't imagine the major breaking the rules.

Right now, she's probably drinking wine in the banquet hall—

Well, maybe not.

Anyone have some lotion?

I got too much sun.

I think there was some in Warrant Officer Teyanen's stuff.

Not making use of our victory?

If you'll excuse my saying so, it seems that our Strategic HQ

knows how to win a victory, but not how to use one.

What does that mean?

I'm told the members of Strategic HQ are toasting to victory right now.

Of course, the soldiers who did their duty on the front lines

have the right to celebrate a moment's respite.

But if even the officers who should guide the war's course naively revel in victory,

that would be a mistake and a dereliction of duty.

It would be a criminal failure to act.

Major, enough.

That's going too far.

Lieutenant Colonel, you were the one who asked my unfiltered opinion.

Even if Mars, the god of war, loves you, that is arrogance.

I'm afraid, sir, I don't believe that God loves me at all.

You are an exceptional officer, gifted with foresight and decisiveness.

But I suppose, at their core, people do not change.

Western theater forces filed a complaint about your attempt to disobey orders.

I simply tried to act within the authority I've been granted.

I know you aren't the kind of soldier who would disobey orders.

But the authority Strategic HQ gave you

wasn't intended to generate friction on the front lines.

You are free to be proud of your achievements,

but we cannot have you thinking you accomplished them alone.

The Republic has lost its capital.

Any further resistance is meaningless. And would be harmful, in fact.

What reason is there to continue the war?

A modern state uses its military to impose its will via violence.

Sacrificing the nation itself to continue the fight is madness.

You are completely correct.

Then why do you say that the war will continue?

If I may be permitted to give my opinion...

Generals Zettour and Rudersdorf are logical pragmatists,

highly skilled in political and military matters.

They are great soldiers.

As are you, Lieutenant Colonel.

Our Strategic HQ is a powerful fortress of logic and knowledge.

And therefore, due to logical reasoning,

everyone believes the war is at its end.

But it must be said that this rationale is incomplete.

Incomplete...?

The members of Strategic HQ are far too rational.

And thus, they have completely missed the point.

Rationalism isn't the only thing that drives human action.

We are foolish creatures...

Are you saying that humans are still beasts, lacking in reason?!

If I may be permitted to speak freely, then that is completely correct.

And what evidence do you have for this statement?

History.

Though I mean my own history.

My personal experience.

Tell me.

I have seen the eyes of men, burning with hatred.

I have seen the moment when my talented men

gave in to anger and lost their reason.

I have seen a chain of revenge,

driven only by hate.

And so, I realized...

No, perhaps it's more accurate to say that I remembered.

I have personally experienced an insane reaction against rationalism.

No matter how much we modernize,

no matter how social norms affect us,

humans are foolish creatures

who sometimes prize feelings over reason.

A human being who's overcome with hatred will keep struggling,

without regard for self-interest or reason,

regardless of what they may lose or gain.

That is why I cannot help but speak up.

We should not become intoxicated by a temporary victory!

All flames of hatred

must be extinguished.

E-Excuse me.

This information is still being verified,

but remnants of the Republican Army are active on the southern continent.

Unified Year 1925, August 10

As a freedom-loving Republican citizen...

Southern Continent, Chiers Military Port

As a proud Republican citizen, I swear

I shall not lower my weapon until the day of victory!

My comrades-in-arms

lend me their power, as well.

The fate of the world rests on our shoulders.

And thus, I now...

As a member of the Free Republic, on behalf of my homeland,

I swear I will fight the Empire

until the end!

Meanwhile, Imperial Capital Berun

Didn't the Republic fall?

Damn it!

What are they doing?!

Johann hasn't gotten in touch at all.

Will the war keep going?

This is the Imperial Army with your three o'clock war update.

We should go attack the southern continent now.

The remnants of the Republican Army, led by General Du Lugo,

Is it okay to let this drag out?

are calling themselves the "Free Republic."

Remnants of the Republic Rise on the Southern Continent

They declare they intend to fight our Empire to the end.

Imperial Army, 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion Quarters

How long will this go on?

I heard the war would be over by next Christmas.

At least, that's what I was told.

In the end, we'll barely get any break.

Back to the front lines like normal,

covered in mud and eating cold food?

"Extremely difficult battle. Little pay.

Spend your days in combat and unfathomable danger.

If you return alive,

you'll receive honor and glory."

The words on the recruitment poster?

Yeah.

Except for the last part, it was all true.

You seem upset.

Have you still not sobered up from your first drink in a while?

I'm told this Free Republican Army is steadily expanding its forces.

Survivors from the Allied Kingdom and the Entente Alliance

have begun to join them.

The peace treaty being drafted back home

has been sent back to the drawing board, obviously.

Ultimately, the problem is our failure to defeat all of the enemy's forces.

Now, our only choice is to send troops south.

Our military is army-based...

Any expedition crossing the sea will put a severe strain on our system.

We must send as few troops as possible.

A small, elite force, huh?

Let's use that battalion, then.

Yes, you're right.

What?

No, I don't think it's anything.

We're friends here.

What do you want to say?

Are we doing something wrong?

The deployment to the south

assumes that no other country joins the war.

If another does...

If any other countries intervene in the war...

Unified Year 1925, August 15

Ocean Waters Near the Southern Continent

In a cursed world, engulfed by flames of war,

there was a nation known as the Empire.

With its vast military power,

talented strategists, and high mobility, it overwhelmed the Dukedom of Dakia,

the Entente Alliance, and the Republic.

Threats to its safety were removed, one after the next,

and everyone was overjoyed.

But that is why they could not imagine

how much the surrounding countries feared

the creation of a massive power in the continent's center.

I can't believe it...

Jeez, they should give up already.

The Empire went to such lengths to display the sharpness of its sword,

it was incapable of imagining the terror that its sword inspired.

Southern Continent, Chiers Military Port

Of course, everyone wants peace.

So, to protect peace, they take up their guns

and thrust themselves into battle, hoping to achieve it.

Allied Kingdom Capital Londinium

So that this cruel war would end,

everyone except the Empire wished

for the evil enemy called the Empire to be eliminated from the world.

Near the Federation's Border

Could there be any greater paradox?

Ironically, their desire for peace

caused the war's intensification, rather than its end.

Somewhere in the U.S., Army Recruiting Office

It's true that

the U.S. is presently recruiting volunteer deployment units

to be sent to allied countries.

But you're at the minimum age for volunteers, Mary Sue.

You can take more time to decide.

No, I volunteer.

We're very happy you feel that way,

but if you go to the battlefield, you may be hurt or even killed.

I'm prepared for that.

I'm sure that your mother and your late father

would want for you to live in a peaceful place.

I know that.

But that's why

I want to do what I can!

To protect that peace!

You won't change your mind, will you?

I understand.

Then make your declaration as you volunteer.

I declare that for sake of the peace I must protect,

and for sake of the family I love,

I will give my whole power!

To make a world where no one else has to experience the sadness...

of losing their family to the Empire.

And to enact God's justice!

I swear by my good heart, which believes in the Lord!

May the Lord's grace be with me!

This program is fiction. All persons, groups, places, laws, and names appearing in it have no relation to the real world.

Attention, everyone!

A message from the battalion commander!

Everyone, we've gone from an armistice to a sortie.

The brass just does whatever it wants.

But since it's our job, we have no choice.

We must follow our orders and crush the enemy.

But now, our enemy is the whole world.

There's no way to avoid a cruel war,

and no end to how long we must fight.

That is why I want to say once more...

If there is a God who rules this world,

it is a stern, solemn,

and infinitely good being.

A being that is far too great...

God keeps forcing us to confront these cruel fates.

As if those were the rules of this world.

We could only deploy two divisions and a support unit.

Even the Republic's local security force could handle that number!

If their allies start sending troops, too...

Orders for troops on the ground?

Already sent.

Upon arrival, our forces will maintain constant mobility at all times.

The enemy will split up to attack us, and we will defeat them in detail.

Major Degurechaff's 203rd Battalion will take point.

But with a force this size...

Even the major...

I believe that is quite a reasonable opinion.

Thus, I declare once more...

Oh, God...

I'll slice you into tiny pieces and feed you to the pigs!

But there's nothing...

nothing to worry about at all.

Our battlefield is no place for that piece of shit God!

I think it's time we took over God's work.

We soldiers will take God's place.

We'll put the arrogant ass, God, out of a job!

Yes, ma'am!

If I may speak freely...

She is a monster in the form

of a little girl!

All right, troops...

It is time for war!