02x09 - Sightseeing Tour

[bunniefuu]

A "friendly" sightseeing trip is our
answer to Ildoa's breach of trust.

The goal, honestly, is intimidation.

But it's a better, easier way to do it
that won't get anybody k*lled.

Well-starched sleeves.

Properly polished boots.

Beautifully folded collars.

It's been a long time since I've seen
uniforms in condition this good.

But now they're all rudely staring
at my short stature.

Why?

The sky is so clear...

But I just can't relax.

Why do I feel so uncomfortable?

Excuse me.

If he sets it there,
the vibrations will...

It's not shaking?

This would never happen in the Empire.

Their rails are that much
better-maintained than ours?

I guess a peace dividend is a big thing.

Hooray for peace. I'm quite jealous.

The greatest bread of them all!

One made from refined white flour!

In the imperial capital,
they ration the damn K-brot!

Is Colonel Calandro here yet?

He's a monster, forcing me to
stare at this food and not eat it!

Lt. Colonel Degurechaff.

Oh, Colonel!

Sorry to keep you waiting.

The military brass was trying to
fill your day with welcome parties.

I had no idea we were so popular.

You'd spend the day deepening our
friendship instead of letting us outside?

Don't worry. I've prepared
a much better day for you.

You were quite kind to me in the east.

I promise that you'll have a valuable,
peaceful trip, without restrictions.

I can tell your words
are implying quite a lot.

The gentle sun here can make you
a poet, an orator, or a musician.

And it's not just the people who love
the sun. Ildoa's greenery loves it too.

The lemons that spend their days in
the sun, the fragrant blood oranges,

all contain our country's history.

Enough!

Can we eat yet?

Now, let's have a welcome lunch.

What do you want? Any preferences?

Let me see the menu.

A cafeteria car gets this many options?

In the Imperial Capital,
you've got one choice: w*r sausage.

I recommend the seafood, by the way.

It's not what you'd usually choose
for a multi-course meal,

but this place has a better selection
than your average port.

The really good fish is rare.

You should take this opportunity
to enjoy them while you can.

All right, then,
I'll have this marinated fish.

A wonderful choice.

Oh, I'm also quite hopeful
for the initial skirmish...

Oh, you mean an appetizer?

How about a light steak tartare?

It might not be what
you're used to in the Empire,

but we're quite proud of our beef.

All right, I'll try it.

Now, let me see if you
can back up your words.

I look forward to hearing what you think.

It looks simple at first glance, but...

It's so good!

The flavor is so rich, I can't stand it!

This light touch of spice
that brings out the flavor of the meat...

It's nothing like the usual trick
you see with bad tartare,

where they hide the raw flavor
of the meat with pepper!

My tongue's used to wurst made from
scrap meat, so I'm about to pass out!

Ildoa's meat is terrifyingly good!

The appetizer was heavy, and now they're
following it up with a light potage...

I can't help but have my doubts about
this decision, but let's see...

This refreshing sweetness and scent
that races through my nose...

Is this... zucchini?!

Fresh early-summer vegetables,

and a bouillon that's as
flavorful as the tartare!

The simplicity of the dish makes
the skill of the chef all the more clear!

And the mild sparkling water
they offer between courses...

My mouth is used to muddy water,

so the sweetness of the
minerals almost hurts!

Now, it's time for the main course.

Fresh, marinated fish is delicious.

Though it might be a little much
if you're not used to it.

"Not used to it"? Hah!

I'm Japanese, you know.

I'm a harsh critic
when it comes to fish dishes.

There's something that goes beyond
the flavor of the fish...

It feels insulting to even
attempt to express it in words.

And the mild acidity of the sauce...

I see...

So this is the pride of Ildoa.

Well?

It seems you've taken a liking to it.

For the first time in my life,
the word "surrender" has crossed my mind.

I have been utterly defeated.

So we've driven the Empire's
Silver Wings to surrender?

You fight with g*ns,
but our chefs fight with their knives.

How very cultured.

But I'm sure you enjoyed your taste of
equality beneath the a*tillery g*ns.

You're welcome back in
our bunker anytime.

Hmm. I'll remember that the next time
we need to send an observer.

An observer, huh?

The words of someone who has no intention
of being with us or against us.

They think the great w*r
has nothing to do with them?

So they think they get to live in a
peaceful, cultured, and rich world,

and just watch the w*r unfold?

Yeah... this pisses me off.

Oh dear. I've forgotten myself.

There's nothing so unproductive
as being jealous of others.

The air feels so bright.

What?

A world with no debts to the departed,
and no need to weep for the w*r dead...

It's...

Once again, welcome to our capital,
Lieutenant Colonel Degurechaff.

We welcome our allies and friends.

What's this?

Your ID and entry pass.

And checks from Ildoa Strategic HQ.

General Gassman was kind enough
to pull them from some secret funds.

You do have a spending limit, though.

I could beg to my superiors and get
nothing more than a few potatoes...

I feel pathetic.

Thank you for your kindness.

I'm sure my unit is going to
eat and drink quite a bit.

Will that be all right?

Of course.

Unless you start gulping down
airplane gasoline.

Gasoline?

Oh, you haven't heard this
from Colonel Rerugen?

The Empire is our ally.

Given what we've heard
about your fuel problems,

of course we wanted to help.

So instead of shedding blood
with us, you'll shed fuel?

I appreciate your kindness.

If I get the chance, I'll make sure
everyone is aware that you supported us.

Please don't!

Even if it's a well-known secret,
it's still a secret!

Does this support mean that
the Empire's enemies will hate you,

while the Imperial Army
does little to thank you?

It's our way of showing we're friends.

We want to get along with you.

I'm sorry we can't get more involved.

They say that if you're nobody's enemy,
you're also nobody's friend.

Lieutenant Colonel, please don't say that.

Ildoa is strictly neutral!

We just want to be good neighbors!

Ildoa is doing the right thing.

If they can distance themselves
from the w*r, they should.

But the sad thing is...

Even if they really don't want w*r...

No, this is all a hypothesis, I guess.

After that, we threw a huge party,

we all got drunk,

and our fun little trip
in Ildoa came to an end.

Of course, some of my men
wanted to extend our stay.

Lieutenant Colonel, what's wrong?

Don't worry. It's nothing.

But you seem depressed...

No, I was just thinking
about some things.

The real stuff is good, isn't it?

I bought a ton, too.

I was using Ildoan money,
so I didn't hold back.

Ildoa gave me chocolate
and refined sugar, too.

I've got so many presents!

I wish our Strategic HQ
was as generous as theirs.

Though I know that'll never happen.

The food sure was good...

And, well...

It was so colorful.

Yeah, you're right.

By the way, Lieutenant,
do you prefer white wine or red?

Wine?

I bought a few too many
bottles to take home.

Why not go share it with
the other officers?

You mean it?

Thank you!

So you can tell you're over the border
from the way the rails start to creak?

Both our countries are in the same world,
but they're so different.

Maybe it really is time to
think about what comes next.

And while I'm thinking about
what comes next...

I still need to write my report on
the V-2 and what I saw in Ildoa!

And while I'm thinking about
what comes next...

I still have to live my daily life.

As a member of a large organization,

making the rounds to say hello
and give gifts is crucial.

Huh? Captain Meybert and
Lieutenant Tospan were arrested?

They've since been freed, actually...

This happened while you were gone.

At least give me permission
to fire a warning shot!

If they get close, we can't deal
with them with a*tillery alone!

Wait! We're verifying
their affiliation now!

Don't be reckless.

Captain!

Mages have taken off from their ships!

They're approaching fast
in as*ault formation!

It's the enemy!

This is what I was talking about!

Lieutenant Tospan,
where are our allied mages?

They're not out there!

Our defenses are...

Damn it!

Stop preparing the a*tillery!

Prepare for close-range combat!

a*tillery! Why aren't you firing?

Don't let the enemy ships get close!

We've lost communications!

We will make decisions on our own!

Continue close-range combat!

So my men suggested a precaution
that they ignored,

and then they started complaining after
my men acted to protect themselves.

I thought the job of a soldier
was to deal with reality, but...

I never thought it was to play along
with someone else's fantasies.

You've every right to be upset.

This is ridiculous and cannot be allowed.

I've already talked to military
police HQ and had them freed.

Thank you.

But still... sectionalism
and lack of imagination.

Not only are they not using
the lessons we've learned in the east,

they're punishing their most
talented, loyal soldiers.

I just don't think that...

Don't say that, Lieutenant Colonel.

This isn't meant as an apology,
but there's talk of giving you all medals.

Look forward to it.

While I appreciate it,

a bunch of pity medals on my chest
won't do me any good.

That's right...

I'd prefer to end the w*r and brag
to my children about our victory.

Are you thinking of marrying, Colonel?

There was talk of it before the w*r.

Once the w*r's over, of course
I'm going to think about it.

I see...

Either way, we'll want to
end this w*r somehow.

I've been promised that if it works out,
I can live off royalties after the w*r.

Live off royalties?

General Rudersdorf has promised
to make a picture book about me.

A picture book?

The general said that?

I'll be the hero.
He's promised to give it his all.

Don't you think that
would be interesting?

That would be pretty funny.

Buy me a cup of coffee
when the checks start coming in.

Yes, of course.

And while I'm thinking about
what comes next...

No, I don't have time to think!

This is exactly like when
you work at a black company

and don't have time to think
about finding a new job!

What do I do?

Lieutenant Colonel Degurechaff!

General Romel!

I owe you one, Lieutenant Colonel.

Sir, don't you think
you've had enough to drink?

There's no focus in the capital.

I can't even breathe the air
unless I'm drunk.

Where is reality?

Where the hell's the exit to reality?

That's what everybody back from
the front lines really thinks.

We get blamed for not delivering
the fantasies of people in the rear.

It's ridiculous.

People only see what they want to see.

They only discover what
they want to discover.

And it's the same for
General Rudersdorf, I think!

Lieutenant Colonel!

Don't think that what you can see
is everything there is.

I've heard reports of your successes.

The situation's not good.

I believe we've at least
stopped the bleeding, though.

Zettour's shored up our defenses in
the east. It's no longer good or bad.

Has there been some change
in the w*r situation?

The High Leadership has a dream.

A dream?

Dreams of new territory
and a fortune in w*r reparations.

We've shed too much blood in the w*r,
and they want to make up for that.

It's hard to believe they live
in the same world we do.

Shouldn't we be thinking about how
we persuade the people back home?

Are you saying the military
should get involved in politics?

As things stand,
I believe we have no choice.

If you want to talk politics,
do it after you leave the military.

If you're willing to let me quit,

I'll become a civilian and start
running for parliament today.

But it seems you know
little about politics.

There's a minimum age to run.

Or did you not know that?

Apologies.

My elders seem to be making a giant mess
of everything, so I couldn't help myself.

The reality is that we're doomed.

General, we have a duty to say
what we have to say!

The High Leadership is beginning serious
discussions about conquering Ildoa.

Ildoa? Conquering?

They say that if we can remove
the threat to the south,

we can move a great deal of our forces
from the south to the east.

That's crazy.

If we can't take out Ildoa
in a single blow,

the southern theater forces
will be caught in a quagmire.

And even if we succeeded in
a strategic surprise attack...

Are the Ildoans ready to fight a w*r,
mentally or from a supply standpoint?

Oh no... from an operations standpoint,
we might actually be able to pull it off.

Strategically, it's the dumbest thing
we could possibly do, but...

Lieutenant Colonel,
they're simply looking into it.

If there's no hope of it working, we can
simply explain that to the leadership.

Don't worry too much.

But we also want a way
to survive this w*r.

It'd be nice if Ildoa could
finally start being useful.

Even if Ildoa was paying,
I still might've bought too much.

If the Lieutenant Colonel
sees this stuffed rucksack...

You bought way too much!

Don't waste other people's money!

I-I'm so sorry!

Lieutenant Serebryakov...

I wish today wasn't our last day
in Ildoa, don't you?

Y-Yeah...

What's wrong?

No, nothing...

I see.

Now, let's go back to our beloved Empire!

Right!