01x10 - Mouth of Money, Heart of Gall

[bunniefuu]

I'm afraid I know nothing more

than you do, Princess.

[NINA] Just give me

your best guess, then!

Hmm.

Prince Azure

has ascended the throne.

And that is that.

♪

I'm worried.

Before your spring wedding,

I will bring you back

to Fortna with me.

I promise.

Trust in me.

♪

He can't really take me back.

[NINA]

It's madness.

He's endangering himself

for my sake.

Perhaps.

Yet, this never

should have happened,

your marriage

to an enemy nation.

[HIKAMI]

Not the astral priestess,

our blue-eyed princess.

May I presume that you know

the story of Fortna's founding?

Even children know that.

It's all about

the God of the Stars

and the Star Festival.

♪

[HIKAMI] Once upon a time,

there was a group of nomads

called the star people,

with the mysterious ability

to commune with the spirits

of all things.

They had piercingly blue eyes.

One day,

a girl of the star people

fell in love with a young king.

♪

Despite the objections

she faced,

she left her people,

and the two were married.

♪

With her wisdom and guidance,

the lands became fertile.

The winds calmed.

And the waters were purified.

They built a prosperous kingdom

called Fortna,

which flourished

for over a thousand years.

Ever since, sometimes

a royal of Fortna is born

with blue eyes.

♪

As you said, most everyone

knows that part of the story.

But there is more to it.

Why is it that

every blue-eyed princess

must become a priestess?

And why are they

raised far away

in the remote Astral Villa?

♪

The reason is that

they are believed to possess

a power of sorts.

♪

That is why

it makes perfect sense

to call off this wedding.

I do not believe it is only

for your sake, Princess.

♪

You must never be claimed

by anyone outside of Fortna.

[NINA]

That would make sense,

except I'm not

the real Princess Alisha.

[HIKAMI] That said, you needn't

do anything on your end.

[sighs]

[NINA]

So, nothing is expected of me?

Huh.

Az came to see me.

He hasn't forgotten me.

It fills my heart

with so much joy.

That gentle voice of his

and those moonlit eyes.

[AZURE]

Nina.

♪

[NINA] They resonate

all the way down to my toes.

But I still don't understand

any of this,

even though it's all about me.

♪

Things that concern me

keep on happening.

And yet,

I'm somehow in the dark.

♪

My heart feels heavy

and shrouded in fog.

♪

Homesick still?

What shall we do about it?

♪

Hi, Sett.

♪

[bird chirps]

[Nina sighs]

[Sett sighs]

You don't want these without

love behind them, right?

[NINA]

And then there's that.

Did he mean it?

Huh?

[screams]

-Hold on!

-[bird chirps]

-[SETT] What's wrong?

-Oh, let me explain.

[NINA] If there really

is love behind this,

I can't take it lightly.

I just have so much going on

in my head right now.

I'm feeling too overwhelmed.

[NINA] I can't accept his love

until I know how I feel.

It's far too important.

♪

Please wait until I can

work through it all.

All right.

What's acceptable?

Huh?

-[Neena whimpering]

-Oh, um

I guess we couldhug?

[gasps]

[whimpering]

[NINA] Wow,

it kind of feels like a big,

beautiful animal

has warmed up to me.

Why does he like me so much?

Huh?

Hey, Sett?

If I asked you

not to invade Fortna,

what would you do?

[SETT]

Fortna?

Actually, no, forget I asked.

[NINA] Become Queen of Galgada

and protect Fortna.

Charm the prince,

so he'll comply with my wishes.

Those were my goals

when I first came here.

But no longer.

Taking advantage of someone's

affection is wrong.

It's nothingreally.

The decision to invade Fortna

is set in stone.

[SETT] The throne is promised

to whomever marries

the princess of your kingdom.

Imagine this

a prince born of Galgadan

and Fortnan royalty.

The ideal tool for control.

Be aware.

They are not considering what

the Princess of Fortna wants.

[NINA] The weight

of his words is crushing me.

Breaking my heart.

This keeps happening.

♪

Pardon me,

I just need some fresh air.

[running footsteps]

[NINA]

It's not Sett's fault.

Stillwhy must I always

feel so powerless?

I've always been in the palm

of someone's hand.

My efforts are always in vain.

[crying]

[squawking]

[NINA] [whimpering]

I can't take it anymore.

[meowing]

Hmm.

How silly.

I don't get you two.

[squawking]

[doves cooing]

[NINA]

Whoa!

[gasps]

[wind howling]

[NINA] The city looks so small

from this big castle.

In fact, it looks

insignificant from up here.

But the city is actually

much bigger than the castle.

I can't forget that.

[inhales deeply]

I hate you!

I hate their jerk of a king!

How dare he treat me

like a tool!

At least, have

the decency to stop by

and see me face to face.

Don't ignore me!

-I hate me, too!

-[squawking]

Stop getting so depressed!

It doesn't matter

if I understand or not!

I already decided.

I'm going to protect everyone.

Right now, I should be fighting

the King of Galgada.

[indistinct chatter]

[MALE CIVILIAN 10A]

Step right up, folks!

[FEMALE CIVILIAN 10A]

Ooh, those look delicious!

[YOR] Former general Holt

will arrive in time, I assume?

[MALE HUNK 10A]

Yes, sir.

He's currently being escorted

here through back alleys.

[YOR] And the rumors

of royal succession?

[MALE HUNK 10B] I'm sure

the nobility is abuzz even now.

[footfall]

[chuckles]

Have you heard the rumor?

They're fighting for the

Princess of Fortna's hand.

Word has it that

whichever prince wins her

will secure the throne

and become the next

king of Galgada.

Stakes like that

are so exciting!

Uh, I mean, what a shock.

Prince Yor is scheming.

He intends to use this

tournament to his advantage.

[MALE GUARD 9G]

He has always lost in the past,

but perhaps he has something

up his sleeve this year.

[scoffs]

♪

[MALE GUARD 9G] We have

observed nothing of consequence

in the other wings.

The Fortnan messengers

have been silent as well.

♪

[all gasping]

[MALE SPECTATOR 10E]

My goodness.

[MALE SPECTATOR 10G]

Who's that?

It's the princess.

[gasps]

[indistinct chatter]

♪

[all gasping]

That's the princess?

Of Fortna?

[MALE SPECTATOR 10H] She's

as beautiful as a rare jewel!

♪

It is a pleasure

to meet you, my liege.

I am Alisha Seth Fortna.

And I humbly request

a brief moment of your time.

♪

First and foremost,

I wish to thank you

from the bottom of my heart.

I am honored to be

in a position to determine

our next king.

[NINA] I have heard that there

are those at this tournament

who wish to claim me

as a reward of sorts.

I will honor the traditions

of your great nation.

But in return,

I believe I deserve

a reward from the king,

if I may be so bold.

The king will consider

your request.

State your wish.

[NINA]

I won't let him ignore me.

I'll be fine.

I'm Princess Alisha, after all.

With a lovely smile

that will take his breath away,

I'll state my request.

Hear me, my noble king.

♪

Please grant me

the gift of Fortna!

♪

[King Noa laughs]

What an utterly

amusing thing to say.

[NINA]

Huh?

That voice.

Come closer.

Let me see your face.

I am Noa Halle.

King of Galgada.

♪

[NINA]

A woman?

That's the king?

You say you want Fortna,

is that correct?

You believe yourself

worthy of such a grand prize?

[NINA]

Worthy?

If there is meaning

to the value

others place upon me

then, yes.

It would seem that my worth

is rather indisputable.

[chuckles]

Come join me first.

Let us watch the tournament.

[footfall]

[NINA]

I've taken the first step.

♪

[chuckles]

[AZURE] I don't know

what I was expecting,

but asking for Fortna?

Wow.

Honestly

she thinks nothing

of my own plans.

Obstacles are meaningless.

She easily leaps over them all

to stand before me.

♪

I can't help it, I love you

Nina.

♪

[AZURE]

The day you left,

I died.

What? We cannot bring

Alisha back here!

You know

that would be impossible.

Even so, we should

not have married off

the Astral Priestess.

The former king agrees.

The Astral Villa pushed back.

Did they not?

Based on an old legend,

I was informed that Alisha

had manifested

no such powers.

So, I married her off.

Your shield

would become a sword.

I would lead Galgada

to destroy Fortna.

[KING]

She may be my daughter,

but perhaps I should do

something about her.

Do you have a plan in mind?

I do.

Grant me the authority

to mobilize.

If you promise me

you will not interfere

with what I have planned,

I will bring her back home

and protect our kingdom

from Galgada.

I give you my word.

An absurd notion!

Why would I ever allow

such a thing?

Ah, wait just a moment.

[KING] This could k*ll

two birds with one stone.

I lose nothing.

You seek authority to mobilize?

Then it shall be done.

We have no choice.

I shall grant you the throne.

However, you have only

a year.

That is my condition.

You will be king

for just one year.

Give it your all,

and thendie.

♪

I accept.

That end has always

been my destiny.

And that means I have

nothing to worry about!

[laughs]

[AZURE]

The fool.

He really thinks

he can undo this decision?

[crowd cheering]

[AZURE]

I have decided.

Is that so?

Then Azure has ascended.

[AZURE]

Now

there will be

no holding back

♪

until I have seized

control of Fortna!

[crowd cheering]

[KING NOA] This tournament

of ours is a vicious battle.

For status and glory,

warriors representing

the princes' wings participate.

Princes and generals

are forbidden to enter,

so combatants may fight

without restraint.

For good reason.

In the past, the heir

to the throne was slain

in one such tournament.

No matter their strength,

princes may not enter

the arena.

Pardon.

But what is your relationship

with each of the four princes?

You're truly fearless!

[KING NOA] They are all the

sons of my dear older brother,

the late former king.

[NINA] Oh, so she's

the former king's sister.

I see.

When my brother

breathed his last,

the four of them

were still rather young boys.

Preparing the perfect

throne for them

then became my duty.

I seequite a task.

They're all a bit lacking,

after all.

Well, that's

quite a thing to say!

[NINA]

Please forgive my rudeness!

Though, it's true.

It did not take you long

to figure that out.

[KING NOA]

Bidoh lacks ambition.

Yor lacks intelligence.

Sett lacks the heart to lead.

And for many reasons,

Toat is unfit to be king.

It matters little.

That can be compensated for.

I will be Prince Sett's heart,

so worry not.

Such ambition,

I don't dislike it.

[NINA] She's imposing

even when she's smiling at me.

Candid, and yet,

still keeping her distance.

Why does something feel off?

Let us witness how this year's

fighters perform.

[NINA] I can't really discern

what kind of person she is,

but I'll protect

Fortna from her.

No matter what.

Wait, what's this?

I ordered you to bring

former general Holt.

A miscommunication?

[YOR]

Miscommunication?

Idiot!

That's the monster

who gleefully slaughtered

-dozens of defenseless

villagers. -[evil laughter]

You brought me Dogra Kett!

You will withdraw

from the tournament at once!

You'll sully the Black Wing

and Yor Att's reputation!

We cannot!

I'm afraid it's far too late

to back out now.

There's simply

nothing we can do!

This can't be

happening to me.

[MALE COMBATANT 10C]

PleaseI surrender.

[grunts]

[crowd screams]

[NINA]

This is awful.

And the winner is Dogra Kett,

the Black Wing's entrant.

Clear the field.

Yor certainly chose

a monstrous figure

to represent him

in the tournament.

He must really want to win.

I wouldn't be surprised to see

quite a few deaths this year.

Is that allowed?

His opponent had surrendered.

Should his sick behavior

really be rewarded?

♪

[KING NOA] Such brutality

is not encouraged,

but neither is it prohibited.

♪

In Galgada,

the mightiest will prevail.

Both life and death

are in the hands of the strong.

[whimpers]

[KING NOA] The champion

receives a greater reward

than he deserves,

because he risks his very life

fighting to earn it.

[NINA]

I know what feels off now.

That smile of hers

doesn't reach her eyes.

This is the King of Galgada

who expands her territory

through battle.

♪

I must stay calm.

It's my only hope.

[KING NOA] Did you know

those messengers from Fortna

have been allowed to enter?

Perhaps they'll have

their turn against him.

[NINA]

Perhaps.

I can't wait to see!

[NINA]

She's trying to upset me.

But I know Az

can handle this threat.

The winner is Dogra Kett,

the Black Wing's entrant.

Prince Sett,

I must speak with you at once.

-Hm?

-In private.

[NINA]

Stay strong.

I have to endure this

and keep smiling.

[grunting]

Help me.

I can't stand the pain.

[groans]

You poor little baby.

Somehow still alive!

[NINA]

No, that's too far.

I won't sit back

and watch this!

May I stop the tournament?

Your request is impossible.

Sit down and watch, or else

[gasps]

Your Majesty?

Here's the thing.

Those orders?

I don't really give a damn.

Understood?

Hm?

[NINA] I will not

endure this injustice

or submit to what's written

in the stars.

-Princess Alisha, wait!

-Please, no!

This fight is already over!

Get him out of there.

But it would be too risky

to approach the wounded.

Stand aside.

I shall help him myself.

[Dogra grunts]

[Nina grunts]

[Dogra snickers]

[chuckles]

I never thought she would

go in of her own free will.

Is she stupid?

♪

[TOAT]

Dogra, you have one mission

and one alone.

I order you to k*ll

the Princess of Fortna!

[MALE HUNK 8G]

The Black Wing did not mean

for this to happen.

We requested

former General Holt.

I believe what he says.

Yet, this was no mistake.

We should notify

her majesty at once, right?

Is that all you had to say?

Do as you please.

[SHIGAN]

Thank you.

In that case, we will go

speak with the king.

Hold on.

I will tell the king myself.

I must fetch Nina, anyway.

Reporting this

is an afterthought, then?

Nina?

Who is that?

It's the Princess'

childhood name.

[MALE HUNK 8G]

I'm confused.

They do not have

childhood names in Fortna.

[SHIGAN]

What?

-[door slams open]

-[MALE GUARD 10B] Prince Sett!

[MALE GUARD 10B]

Emergency!

-It's the princess!

-Hm?

[panting]

[NINA]

I don't understand

why is he attacking me?

The princess is not part

of the tournament!

Run away!

-[grunting]

-Don't ruin my fun!

[NINA]

It's my fault

those brave men

lost their lives.

All humans share

the same pressure points.

Strike them, and you may

stand a chance.

It's a long shot,

but I have to try!

[grunts]

Even if it's hopeless

[yelps]

I can't afford to die here!

[AZURE]

Nina.

[NINA]

Az?

♪

I am this fiend's

next opponent.

Please stand aside,

my princess.

Get out of my way!

[swords clanging]

[Dogra grunts]

[AZURE] It's as though

his flesh is made of steel!

He seems to feel no pain.

What a hassle.

Yet, this must look

like a narrow victory.

[KING NOA]

That man is rather skilled.

I'd say he appears

to be struggling.

You're a fool,

he wants you to think that.

[KING NOA]

But I still don't understand

why that contestant

is trying to k*ll the princess.

[NINA]

He's saving me again.

Why does he keep

risking his life for me?

He'll die.

He can't fight and protect me.

[growling]

[NINA]

Az.

♪

What now?

What should I do?

[Hikami sighs]

I cannot do anything

with all these people watching.

♪

I didn't sense him.

[gasps]

♪

[Dogra grunts]

[g*nsh*t]

[crowd gasping]

[thuds]

It's Sett!

♪

[AZURE]

Princess, are you all right?

Um, yes, I'm fine.

♪

[swords clanging]

♪

Did you forget?

I said,

"Touch her again and die."

[gasps]

[NINA]

"Night eleven.

The Love That Cannot Be."