01x13 - To Fight and Conquer in All Our Battles Is Not Supreme Excellence

[bunniefuu]

GRAN CHAOS EMPIRE

On the west side of the continent

is the Gran Chaos Empire.

They rule over the largest

territory in the continent.

Their population,

military power, technology,

and even the quality of life of the people

in this grand empire

are unmatched by any other nation.

About ten years ago,

something changed the status quo.

DEMON LORD'S DOMAIN

The birth of the Demon Lord's Domain.

The sudden appearance of

an army of strange beings

prompted a call for

the unification of mankind.

And the Gran Chaos Empire was expected

to take on the role of the leader.

Currently, the empire is led by

Maria Euphoria.

The Mankind Declaration that Maria created

was admirable, urging the joint effort

against the Demon Lord's army,

putting a stop to w*r,

and even including

a ban on ethnic discrimination.

Additionally, her beautiful looks

and her kindness that is

shown equally to all,

regardless of social class or race,

earned her the nickname,

the Saint of the Empire.

GRAN CHAOS EMPIRE, IMPERIAL CAPITAL VALOIS

Come in.

Excuse me, Sister.

I, Jeanne Euphoria,

will head to Van,

in the Principality of Amidonia,

as the commander-in-chief of the Army.

I see.

You are going to see

the hero king in question?

Yes.

I don't like that Amidonia

is taking advantage of us,

but we have to at least negotiate

for the return of the occupied Van.

Even if we know that

the Principality of Amidonia is at fault,

overlooking an act that goes against

the Mankind Declaration

will affect our reputation.

It's a difficult decision.

I'm sorry I'm making you carry the burden.

What are you saying?

I know you are

the most heartbroken about this.

We will make Julius Amidonia pay for this

sooner or later.

Souma, the new king

of the Elfrieden Kingdom,

is very intelligent, I hear.

I think we'll be able to understand

each other if we have a good talk.

You think so?

On the contrary,

I feel like you two

are like oil and water.

Like oil and water?

Yes.

You employ idealism

while that king acts based on realism.

I believe you two are facing

opposite directions.

ORIGINAL STORY BY DOJYOMARU

You really should make your own room.

I'm working all day long.

Even with a room,

I'd only go there to sleep.

Jeez, occupying Van

put even more work on my plate.

It really hurts to not have bureaucrats.

That's enough complaining.

Here, more paperwork.

What?

More requests to use the plaza?

There are still lots of request forms.

For outdoor concerts,

theater, circus, seed spitting contests…

Did I open up Pandora's box or what?

I'm not sure,

but ever since that show, it seems like

the people have taken a liking to

expressing themselves.

It must've been eye-opening for them.

The more they are repressed,

the bigger the effect, I guess.

It's quite literally a renaissance.

It's nothing.

He really is ruthless.

He suddenly provided

the people with things

that Dad was depriving them of.

My brother's reinstatement

is looking hopeless.

Um, Princess Roroa,

what was Prince Gaius

depriving them of exactly?

Of course, it was freedom, Colbert.

Freedom is free.

It doesn't

cost Souma anything to give it out.

However, if you try to take it away,

you'll meet resistance.

Even if he makes a comeback

with the empire's help,

do you think my brother

can tolerate the people having freedom?

Don't tell me

Souma broadcasted that show

with that in mind.

He also lowered the tariff

and increased distribution.

Have you ever seen such beautiful fabric

anywhere in Amidonia?

Colbert, we have to hurry and get ready.

Souma is moving a lot faster

than I anticipated.

Don't think you can just run away

after getting our hopes up.

I will have you take responsibility.

Be prepared.

I should be prepared…

Yes.

An army of 50,000 is already

heading this way from the empire.

How long will it take

for them to reach Van?

The main force will take some time,

but the advance party

could arrive any time now.

Okay.

Let me know immediately

if anything comes up.

Understood.

Um, Your Majesty…

May I have some of your time?

What's wrong?

There is something I'd like to show you.

-You wanted to show him a flower?

-Yes.

This flower is called

a beguiling lily, yes.

It's a lily, huh?

Why is it beguiling?

This flower's pollen has

a powerful hallucinatory effect.

When you inhale it,

you become like a sleepwalker.

How scary!

Don't bring something like that in here.

It… It's fine!

I removed the pollen already, yes.

Plus, the pollen is just a bonus.

I wanted you to see the underground stem.

The root of a lily?

-A lily bulb!

-What is it?

Lily bulbs are luxury food items.

But I guess you wouldn't know.

It's edible?

Yes.

These roots don't have

hallucinatory effects, yes.

How's the flavor?

If you steam them,

they become soft and delicious.

And these beguiling lilies can be found

growing in masses anywhere

in the mountains of Amidonia.

That's great!

Lily bulbs are carbohydrates.

We can make them

a staple food like potatoes.

This may be the key to fixing

the principality's food shortage.

Oh, but you can't get near them

because of the pollen, right?

Yes.

But if you don't harvest them

during pollen season,

the toxicity travels to

the underground stem.

Then it won't work, huh?

If you can't harvest them,

it doesn't matter if they're edible.

Wait, then how is there one here?

A certain ethnic group who lives in

the mountains of the Gran Chaos Empire

harvests beguiling lilies

and eats them as a food staple, yes.

There's a way to harvest them?

-They use shojo.

-Shojo?

Those monkeys who like alcohol?

Shojo eat the underground stems

of beguiling lilies.

Yes.

The mountain tribes of the empire

train the shojo

and have them harvest it.

Interesting. Using animals

to harvest, huh?

That's a good idea.

-Are there shojo in Amidonia?

-Yes.

I already had Tomoe negotiate

with the shojo.

I think they will

willingly work in exchange

for a regular supply

of barrels of alcohol, yes.

All right, Poncho.

Immediately start increasing production.

Yes!

Come get your lily soup here, yes.

There are lily bulb dumplings

that you can take to-go over there.

Please take them with you

and try making this yourself at home, yes.

There is plenty for everyone,

so no need to rush.

Okay, line up please.

The weather is wonderful, Big Brother.

It sure is, Tomoe.

There are so many kinds of stores!

If any store interests you, we can go in.

Okay!

-Is that okay with you, Juna?

-Yes.

Um… What are you…?

Oh, is this not allowed?

I wouldn't say it's not allowed…

Weren't you supposed to protect me

from the shadows?

You're being protected, don't worry.

Elite soldiers from the Navy are watching

from the shadows as we speak.

Do you not want to link arms with me?

Of course not!

Bring it on!

Thank you.

Well then… Where should we go?

I don't have anything

I want to see particularly.

How about gifting Tomoe some clothing?

She is your little sister,

so you can give her a present as family.

Are you looking for something

in particular?

Let's see…

What will look good on my little sister?

What? Big Brother…

If you find something you like,

just tell me.

Um… but…

Let me treat you like a big brother

once in a while.

Let's take a look.

Yes.

What about this?

That's pretty!

Look at this.

This is cute!

Sir, may I ask you a question?

What is it?

If you were on a b*ttlefield

and you held a w*r council

with your generals,

and the first plan

that came up was a good one,

would you adopt that plan immediately?

I wouldn't.

I'd think there might be a better plan.

Then if you, yourself,

are one of those generals,

and you want your plan to be chosen,

you should wait until

the discussion reaches a deadlock

and calmly present your plan then.

What I want to say is,

the dealings between men and women

are a form of battle.

Even if I think it'll suit Tomoe,

I should wait a little bit, huh?

You are an amazing strategist.

I am honored.

You used a w*r council as an example,

but is there a reason for that?

Pardon me for that.

It's because I was dealing with people

of noble birth until just recently.

Were those people in the military?

No.

This person is just like

a loveable baby raccoon dog.

Princess Roroa, as a lady,

sneezing like that is…

What's the harm?

One sneeze means you're gossiped about.

Two means you're someone's love interest.

When is my second sneeze coming?

Kazuya… What do you think?

Tomoe, want me to hold that?

I'm fine.

After all, they're gifts from you.

Then maybe this would be too much luggage?

Thank you, Big Brother.

I'll treasure them.

Juna, this is for you.

Um… What's this?

You're always working hard for me.

So I want to thank you.

No, I'm not worthy of accepting

something like this.

It looks very good on you, Juna.

Your Majesty,

if you are going to give us a present,

you should give one

to the princess as well.

Don't worry.

I got something for Liscia and Aisha too.

-By the way, Juna.

-Yes?

You're supposed to say Kazuya,

not Your Majesty.

You're surprisingly good

at teasing people, Kazuya.

Am I?

Yes.

And you're quite the lady-k*ller too.

Big Brother,

there are so many small stores.

So many stalls opened up all of a sudden.

This is the center of entertainment.

Sir, how about one for your wife?

We have steamed lily bulb dumplings.

Big Brother, I'm hungry.

Then let's buy something at the stalls.

Yes.

This is delicious, Big Brother!

Lily bulb croquettes are good too.

This deep-fried egg is delicious.

Although, the soft yolk

is almost burning me.

Hello everyone, I am Chris.

If only every day could be like this.

-So peaceful.

-Now to the weather report.

It is mostly sunny in Elfrieden and Van.

Perfect for doing laundry.

Who would have thought to use

the gemstone broadcast like this.

PRINCIPALITY OF AMIDONIA, CAPITAL CITY VAN

JEANNE EUPHORIA

The empire's army came this far

into enemy territory?

I would like to implement this

in our country.

I'll think about it after I get home.

I don't mean any harm, Juna the singer.

And you are?

I am Jeanne, the younger sister

of Maria Euphoria,

the Empress of the Gran Chaos Empire.

You are quite bold to waltz into Van,

while it is under my occupation.

I just wanted to see who I was

going to negotiate with.

I cannot judge a person

solely based on rumors.

Rumors?

"A wise monarch who got the kingdom's

failed economy back on its feet."

"Someone who invented ways to cook

unfamiliar ingredients

and overcame the food shortage."

I've also heard rumors that

"He's a womanizer like no other."

Wait! What do you mean?

Despite being engaged to

the previous king's beautiful daughter,

I heard you selected concubines

from all the beauties in the kingdom.

C… Concubines?

Well, I did hear rumors like that…

Seriously?

If the rumors aren't true,

I guess I can't use that tactic.

"That tactic"?

If you were a womanizer,

I could have made

my beautiful sister kiss up to you

and we would've gotten our way easily.

What are you trying to make

the Saint of the Empire do?

My sister doesn't seem to like

the title "Saint of the Empire" very much.

But it must be alluring to males, right?

Well, that's… not exactly wrong…

The title?

Is my title of "singer" alluring?

Why are you joining in on this too?

Oh, I just couldn't help it.

You are much more interesting

than I thought.

Not that I'm trying to

be interesting or anything.

No, when the king

and his retainers are close,

it's proof that the nation is stable.

Conversely, within the empire,

my sister is called a saint

and everyone's reserved around her.

Plus, she tries to act like an empress

and treats everyone equally,

and as a result

cannot truly open up to anyone.

Take this issue for example.

Lending a hand to

the Principality of Amidonia

who ignored the Mankind Declaration

brings nothing to us.

You're surprisingly realistic

for being the younger sister of Maria,

who promotes her ideals.

When the elder sister is a dreamer

the younger sister must be grounded.

By the way,

I'm amazed by your use

of the gemstone broadcast.

May we copy you in our country too?

Go ahead.

Not that I can stop you or anything.

Thank you.

How do you come up with

such innovative ideas?

Innovative?

In my old world, this was normal.

"Old world"?

That's right…

We've caused you

a tremendous amount of trouble.

On behalf of my sister who is not here,

I apologize.

About the hero summoning.

Please forgive us.

Please, get up. It's all in the past.

But…

The empire didn't need a hero.

Am I wrong?

It was your way of

showing consideration, right?

Toward the kingdom, who could not

produce enough for the w*r aid.

-Yes.

-I thought so.

I was a human sacrifice.

The Elfrieden Kingdom

is far from the Demon Lord's Domain.

And we didn't join

the Mankind Declaration.

To the nations that did,

we look like a country who is protected

by the declaration

but does not offer funding.

By making us summon a hero,

you tried to create an excuse to say

we contributed.

Wait a second.

If we're not a member of the treaty,

we aren't obligated to send funds

in the first place, right?

We're benefitting from the breakwater

created by the Mankind Declaration.

If we don't pay our dues,

we'll face opposition

from the treaty members.

What…?

In order to appease the members,

you demand w*r funds

from nations that haven't signed,

and if they can't pay,

you take something of equal value.

You leave me speechless.

Honestly,

I bet you didn't think the hero summoning

would actually work.

The empire thought

they could convince the member states

with just the fact that

we did the summoning.

Exactly.

However, as a result, Souma was summoned.

After being summoned

and having Albert abdicate

the throne to you,

you have been running around trying to

rebuild the kingdom

and even squeezed out w*r funds.

As I said earlier, it's all in the past.

Ever since I learned

the circumstances, I don't resent it.

Plus…

I've found family over here

that I want to protect.

But if you feel that badly about it,

you can always allow

us to possess Van.

Unfortunately,

I also have family I must protect.

I see.

Then we'll just have to negotiate.

Yes.

When that time comes,

please go easy on me.

This may become a difficult negotiation.

Look at this.

Big Brother bought it for me.

Good for you!

Aisha, this is for you.

Your Majesty!

I am so delighted to receive

a souvenir from you!

Good for you, Aisha.

Yes, Juna!

This will make me more of a lady.

And then

I will do my best so that

His Majesty keeps me by his side.

Of course, you get one too.

Thank you!

How is it?

Does it look good?

It looks good on you.

-It does.

-It's beautiful.

Whether I'm up against the empire

or anyone else,

I will continue to move forward.

In order to protect

the people who are like family to me.