01x10 - Sword and Shield

[bunniefuu]

[OVERLORD]

It's finally on its way.

The calamity.

[UCHIMURA]

Go on, tell me,

what's this emergency

all about?

[ULMANDRA]

Hmm.

So, you remember

how I went up north

to fight off

all those wyverns, right?

[wyverns roaring]

[growls]

[roars]

[ULMANDRA]

A frightening number of them

have made their way

into the city

and they're invading

Demon Army territory.

It's been declared

"The Calamity."

The whole army's been ordered

to deal with it

before it gets any worse.

The Calamity.

[UCHIMURA]

Where'd I hear that?

Oh, right.

So, it's about the massive

wyvern outbreak?

That man said something

about a calamity, too.

[ULMANDRA]

More like a natural disaster.

Like a volcano eruption.

[roars]

[ULMANDRA]

The only difference is that

this manifests

as beasts or monsters.

They're living

natural disasters.

A disaster

that's alive?

It's my first time

experiencing one, too,

but the past calamities

brought great destruction.

One time,

a whole country disappeared.

-[Uchimura gasps]

-That's why

all of us in the Big Four

have been given special orders.

Sylphid's traveling

to different areas

to test measures for defense.

The rest of us are preventing

and intercepting

the wyvern invasion.

Uchimura, we're headed

for the front line of battle

to keep these beasts away.

So, are you prepared to fight?

Uh!

[horse neighs]

Mr. Uchimura, Ms. Ulmandra!

Looks like we're close.

Where are we?

The Demon Army's

largest stronghold,

The Demon Fort.

♪

[gate creaks open]

[OLULU]

Mr. Uchimura,

the Demon Fort is composed

of three citadels

built near the border

to prevent

the invasion of wyverns, but

[ULMANDRA] Their attacks

seem to be focused

solely on this citadel,

now a key position

that must be defended.

EPISODE 10:

SWORD AND SHIELD

[GNOME]

You're finally here.

You made me wait so long.

[gasps]

Welcome to

the Citadel of Despair.

[UCHIMURA]

Ms. Gnome!

[ULMANDRA]

Tch!

[GNOME] I heard about

the guild incident.

You've impressed everyone.

People are saying

you're a savior

who can turn

even the worst of situations

around to your advantage.

Will you be the hero

we so desperately need,

Uchimura?

Oh, no, no.

I'm no hero.

That's right, back off!

He is by no means a hero!

He is such a wussy,

he would probably

die from a single punch.

You aren't really

helping anything!

[GNOME] I don't recall

asking for your opinion.

[ULMANDRA]

Well, I don't like

-listening to you prattle

either! -[laughs]

Please, ladies, stop fighting.

-[GNOME] Shh.

-[bell tolls]

[DEMI-HUMAN 1]

Huh!

The wyverns are coming!

The wyverns are coming!

-[Uchimura gasps]

-[GNOME] Not again,

we only just

finished off the last wave.

We've gotta stop them.

You guys come, too.

Let's see if you can

solve this problem, eh.

[ALL]

Hm.

[bell tolling in distance]

[DEMI-HUMAN 2]

Hurry up!

Demons, get to your lines

and prepare for battle.

Demi-humans,

take your positions!

[bow strains]

Here they come.

[growling]

[roars]

Fire!

[firing]

[gasp]

[growls]

[arrows twang]

[DEMI-HUMAN 3]

Move!

Weak demi-humans have

no business here!

Nor demons.

Quit getting

in the line of fire!

[ULMANDRA]

You sure you guys even know

who the real enemy is?

Hmm.

[roars]

[grunts]

[groans]

[Ulmandra yells]

[wyvern groans]

Ah!

Huh.

Watch out!

[growls]

[stabs]

Hm.

[grunts]

[Uchimura gasps]

[Gnome breathes heavily]

Demi-humans,

keep your distance,

-and aim for the eyes!

-Hm.

Demons, lure them in

and then strike!

[all growl]

[roaring]

[arrows twang]

Demon squad, focus on me!

Finish them off

with one strike!

[grunts]

[all grunt]

[explodes]

Quickly, tend to the injured!

Yes, on it!

Whew, feels like

I'm ready to pass out.

I need to eat something.

[chomps]

[munching]

[scoffs]

[UCHIMURA]

Hmm.

[UCHIMURA]

Oh, there you are, Ms. Gnome.

I brought this for you.

[GNOME]

I'll eat later.

Besides, I don't need

as much food as the demons.

-I would like a word with you.

-Hm?

You were useless

on the b*ttlefield.

Oh, right,

combat's not really my thing.

[GNOME]

Then make yourself more useful

off the b*ttlefield.

Uchimura,

give it to me straight.

What's your take on this fort?

This fort?

[fire crackling]

All right.

I think it's only

a matter of time

until it falls.

Possibly in the next few days.

[GNOME]

Hmm.

And what is it

that makes you think that?

[UCHIMURA]

The troops in this fort

are a mix of demi-humans

and demons.

I imagine these were

emergency measures

-made to handle the crisis.

-Hm?

But the wyverns aren't

who will take this fort.

Instead, it will fall at

the hands of its own soldiers,

in a battle between

demi-humans and demons.

Three reasons for this,

strategy's the first one.

The demons are

physically strong,

but they do require

a centralized chain of command.

The demi-humans are weaker,

but they fight well when

organized into small units.

The two groups only

negate each other's strengths.

This is a strategic failure.

No fault of theirs.

They lack the direction

and leadership

they need to work together.

Number two, planning.

A military needs

a massive amount

of supplies to mobilize.

But right now,

those seem to be lacking,

especially, food rations.

Demons require a tremendous

amount of food

to fuel their bodies.

This is due to what it takes

to harness magic

and that is the heart

of the problem.

But because of that,

the demi-humans

have become more disgruntled.

-One thing you should know

-[UCHIMURA] Hm?

my subordinates

are already aware

that demons are big eaters.

However, this fortress has been

defending itself non-stop

and so, more food is being

consumed than usual here.

Soldiers need more fuel

after a big fight,

otherwise they become

easily agitated.

Well, of course, they do.

That brings us

to the third reason.

It's the most serious one, too.

The obvious feud

between the two factions,

one stemming from

a long-standing rivalry

that exists between both

the demons and demi-humans.

There's a huge gap between

demons and demi-humans

due to cultural differences

and status.

That spills on

to the b*ttlefield.

Even if they can set aside

their differences in peacetime

it all goes out the window

once w*r begins.

It's said that bonds are formed

when you often work toward

a common goal

but that's wrong.

The tension that's

built up over the years

doesn't just disappear.

Putting it on the back burner

and sending them

off to w*r together

is just asking for disaster.

A b*ttlefield is a harsh place.

Friendly fire is at play,

as well.

That's my analysis of it.

[GNOME] Hmm, of course,

I understand all too well.

Tell me, how would you

solve this problem?

Huh?

[GNOME] As expected, everything

you said was spot on.

These are all problems

that I've noticed as well

but haven't figured out

how to resolve.

So, what do you suggest?

Hear my plea.

[fire crackling]

[UCHIMURA]

Anyone can point out a problem.

Leading them to the solution

is the difficult part.

♪

Hm.

Let's think.

I'd like to see

a map of the fortress, please.

[GNOME] Here's one

of the surrounding area.

Looks like the roads are

well maintained.

Transporting supplies

should be easy,

so long as we have them.

Huh? What's this spot

in the back here?

Oh, that?

A ghost town.

People used to live there,

but it's long

since been abandoned.

-[UCHIMURA] That's it then.

-It's what?

[UCHIMURA] It's the solution

to all of our problems.

Anyway, let's go

check out this ghost town.

♪

This is great.

Most of these buildings are

still perfectly usable.

[GNOME]

You were right.

This changes

the entire game, huh?

It's certainly nothing

I would have

thought of on my own.

We just might

counter the calamity

if we can somehow

pull off your plan.

Right.

That's if we can

pull it off, though.

-Hm?

-It can't just

look good on paper.

It's about the troops.

We have to get them

to agree to something

and go through with it.

[GNOME] But the demons

won't listen to a word I say.

[UCHIMURA] We'll have to leave

the demons to Ms. Ulmandra.

But we do risk

causing confusion

-if the command system is--

-[GNOME] Don't worry.

I already know

the perfect person for the job.

Huh?

Who's that?

[indistinct chatter]

Hey, what's with gathering

all the soldiers up like this?

Just stand back and watch.

Listen up!

The Demon Fort

is currently on the verge

of falling, but fear not!

There's a new hero

who can shine a light

on our adversity.

[footsteps approaching]

Let me introduce to you

our hero,

Dennosuke Uchimura!

[ALL]

Uh?

-[DEMON 1] That a joke?

-[DEMI-HUMAN 3] Is he the one

I heard about?

-Mr. Uchimura?

-The strongest of the Big Four,

rumored to be a savior.

-The hero was here all along.

-But there's no way. -It's him?

[indistinct chatter]

-Uchimura.

-Hm.

Huh!

Hm?

[all gasp]

[ALL]

Yeah!

Ahh!

[UCHIMURA]

What are they cheering for?

Uchimura, you're going to be

in charge of this fort.

No, never!

Calm your horses and listen.

Don't interrupt me.

Sure, there are

two chains of command here,

demons and demi-humans,

but you're neither.

-[Uchimura gasps]

-[GNOME] Only you

have the achievements,

the accolades, the insight,

and the respect needed.

You're the only one

who can pull this off.

Please, save our fort.

Hmm.

Yes, but

what will the soldiers think

of a new leader?

Don't you expect backlash?

[GNOME] Good,

he's starting to get into it.

Don't worry, don't worry.

All you need to do

is look and act the part.

Uh

[UCHIMURA]

She sweet-talked me,

but this cringey get-up

was all my idea.

I thought it'd look

way more tough!

But

if I must.

I will be the leader

that these people need!

Look here I'm on your side!

I am one of the Big Four,

the Overseas Manager, Uchimura!

[UCHIMURA] Man,

my title's embarrassing, too!

This fort is

in a dire situation!

It can't defend itself against

the approaching calamity!

The biggest reason for that

is your infighting!

You must come together

to fight as one!

And yet, you're not able.

For many, many years,

you have held grudges.

I know this is not

an easy thing to fix.

Still, right now, a calamity

is attacking our country!

I want to

protect my loved ones!

I want to save them!

If there were no infighting,

I could fight!

You must be thinking the same.

-[DEMON 2] Yeah, that's right!

-[ALL] Yeah!

[all cheer]

[UCHIMURA] Then I shall

release you from those chains

once and for all!

Follow my plan

and you shall fight unhindered!

Just believe me

and fight for me!

You lead the way

and we'll follow, Hero!

[ALL] [chanting]

Uchimura! Uchimura! Uchimura!

[panting]

[UCHIMURA]

From this point on,

the demi-human and demon armies

will be disbanded!

Now you'll join together as one

to fight the calamity!

And we'll call it

Operation Sword and Shield!

SWORD AND SHIELD

[all cheering]

BAR

[both chuckle]

[sighs]

[UCHIMURA] I think I'll stick

with the nostalgic songs today.

For as time goes by,

even I, a mere salaryman,

wonder where I should aim

and what path I should walk.

[gulps]

Uh?

Those are on the house.

[UCHIMURA]

Hmm.

[chuckles softly]

♪

[roaring]

Here they come.

It's the wyverns!

Lock them down,

before they can break through!

Right!

[straining]

[wings flapping]

[arrows sh**ting]

[UCHIMURA]

In Operation Sword and Shield,

the role of the demi-humans

is to act as the shield!

They will create a diversion,

draw them in close

and keep them there.

Furthermore!

[bell tolling]

Wait, that's the bell, right?

Now, attack!

[UCHIMURA] As the Sword

to strike down the enemy,

the demons will wait

at the abandoned village.

We need to reach the fort

quickly to save it,

so we should make the most

of their speed!

[both grunt]

[GNOME]

Cease fire!

They're no match for us

when they're this close.

[grunts]

Fire!

[groans]

[firing]

[groaning]

Don't let a single one escape!

[growls]

[groaning]

[firing]

♪

[UCHIMURA]

The purpose of this operation

is to allow each unit

to focus on its strengths.

Demi-humans work well

in organized group warfare.

Demons take pride in being

strong and highly mobile.

By clearly separating

the roles of both factions,

it reduces conflict

and minimizes hassle.

The result?

They've never fought better!

[DEMI-HUMAN 4]

All wyverns defeated!

Without casualties or damage!

Amazing.

I never thought.

It's like the struggles

we've faced were lies.

Huh, well, it's all thanks

to Uchimura's plan!

[chuckles softly]

[ALL]

Hip, hip, hooray!

[armor clattering]

Hm.

Hm.

♪

Hm.

[water splashes]

[water burbling]

[sighs]

Making the abandoned village

a base for demons

sure was a good idea.

Mr. Uchimura says

this base is a key part

of the strategy

he's implementing.

I believe he's meeting

with Ms. Gnome right now

to discuss that very matter.

Wait, he is?

Oh, and of course, he mentioned

wanting you

to join them later, too.

If you don't wash up properly

before going,

he's sure to be

disgusted with you.

Huh?

[shuddering]

[water splashes]

Hm.

[UCHIMURA] Another key point

of this operation

is to resolve any dead stock

we may have.

I haven't heard

that term before.

[UCHIMURA] It refers

to any unsold inventory.

Here, we're talking about

inefficient resource use.

Until now, the Demon Army

has been giving

the same amount of supplies

to each citadel.

But due to the difference in

the number of battles

at each location,

this will lead

to discrepancies.

Instead, we gather

all the supplies at one base

and distribute from there.

Since the Demons are

stationed at the base,

this ensures that they get

all the food they need

to stay in

tip-top fighting shape.

The allocation of resources,

it is the core goal

of Operation Sword and Shield,

optimizing logistics

and lessening waste.

SWORD AND SHIELD

Impressive, Uchimura.

Sorry, I mean

Dennosuke the Hero.

Huh?

Oh, come on, please stop that.

[chuckles]

[crickets chirping]

[fire crackling]

You guys having fun?

Ah, Ms. Ulmandra?

Hmph.

Don't get all mushy

just because she gave you

some dumb praise!

[UCHIMURA]

Why is she always mad at me?

Well, whatever.

So, we're sending home

the soldiers,

starting with the women now?

The immediate crisis is over,

and it's important to rest up

whenever you can.

That a problem?

[ULMANDRA] Not really.

I was just asking

because I was told to head back

to the Demon Overlord's castle

to report on the situation.

[fire crackling]

Uchimura,

even though I have to go,

I couldn't leave

without saying thank you.

You're the one

who saved us here.

And hearing your speech

moved me to be a better person

You're exactly right.

All this infighting's

pointless.

[chuckles softly]

Looks like we do agree

on something.

-[chuckles]

-[NEIA] Check it out!

We've got some delicious food

for all of you!

It's just some smoked wyvern!

Oh, man, I can't wait!

I'm fine, thanks.

-[ULMANDRA] Aw, come on.

-Uh.

[gasps]

[chomps]

[chuckles]

[UCHIMURA]

My plan is working perfectly,

so far at least, but

♪

Back to work.

This is no time to be resting.

This operation still

has a fatal weakness

that I must eliminate.

♪

All the wyvern attacks

are concentrated

to a single location,

why?

If only we knew the answer.

There has to be something here

that'll stick out to me.

Something.

[sighs]

[OLULU]

Mr. Uchimura!

-Something's wrong!

-What?

What happened?

Well, you see,

the wyverns just attacked

the two other fortresses

at the same time!

[UCHIMURA]

Why now?

Oddly perfect timing as we'd

sent some of our troops home.

How'd they know?

A whole lot of wyverns

have invaded the country

and are heading for the castle!

And Ms. Ulmandra is out there

fighting them all by herself!

[gasps]

[carriage rumbling]

Uh.

[gasps]

[growling]

[yells]

[grunts]

[roars]

[Ulmandra grunts]

[wyvern growls]

[panting]

Oh, it's on.

[growling]

I'll show you

what I can do now!

[grunts]

♪

[ULMANDRA]

Uchimura, you're not a wussy

and you're not weak.

You're a hero

and, so am I.

[wyvern growls]

[grunts]

[Ulmandra grunts]

[roars]

[yelling]

[growls]

[growls]

[grunting]

[groaning]

[explodes]

[exploding]

[breathes shakily]

[UCHIMURA]

Ms. Ulmandra!

[groans]

[ULMANDRA]

Oh, you're here.

I, I did it

for you.

[UCHIMURA]

Ms. Ulmandra.

Ulmandra!

[MASTER]

What's it mean to be a hero?

MOU ICHIDO YORU WO

TOMETE KENJIROU SAKIYA

-A real hero.

-[song playing on radio]

Leader.

Charisma.

Oh, I think there was

still some good roe left over!