Original subtitles

Next up on the news...

Empress Asseylum Vers Allusia of the Vers Empire

has announced an order for the withdrawal of forces from Luxembourg,

currently occupied by Martian Knights, during her visit to Halberomi Castle.

Princess Asseylum is continuing her efforts to persuade Martian Knights

in various occupied territories to accept the ceasefire declaration,

most recently at Halberomi Castle.

Wow, it really started pouring.

The wipers can barely keep up.

Please drive carefully.

Yeah, yeah, I know.

You complain a lot for just being a passenger.

Didn't you want to drive, Calm?

Are you keeping up with classes?

Yeah, I'm managing.

What about you, Inaho?

What about me?

That... what's it called? The Cybernetics Research Lab?

Right?

Isn't that tough?

Easier than tutoring Calm in math.

Hmph.

Nina mentioned she's going on a trip for summer break.

Oh yeah, Rayet's going with her.

Said they're heading south.

Inko sounds jealous.

You're not going?

Nina said she asked you.

Seems she wants to help out her family right now.

Oh, right. It's great they managed to reopen the shop.

What?

Thanks.

See ya.

Hey, Inaho.

Need an umbrella?

No need.

This rain...

just doesn't let up.

How have you been?

Slaine Troyard.

What are you doing here?

Aren't you going to shoot me?

Chess.

Um, did you come here to mock me?

Chess.

It's your move.

What's that supposed to mean?

Got nothing better to do?

Don't you feel anything seeing me like this?

What are you talking about?

I'm soaking wet.

You could at least ask if it's raining out there.

I left the part of me capable of that kind of concern back on the Moon.

So, the 'you' here isn't the real you?

Who knows?

Maybe the real me is the one right here.

- How philosophical. - Killing time?

Philosophy. I've got no interest.

Killing time?

You should try it. I bet you'd be good at it.

Killing time?

- What are you going on about now? - Killing time?

- It's pointless. - Killing time?

It'll kill time.

Killing time?

I don't plan on remembering any of this.

Polite.

Are you making fun of me?

You're just being foolish.

Kaizuka Inaho.

Why did you really come here?

Isn't it just to trade barbs with me?

Trade barbs...

Don't be ridiculous.

I'm not being ridiculous.

You are being ridiculous!

Just leave me alone.

I can't do that.

The Princess asked me to, didn't she?

Then tell her.

Tell her to forget about me.

I can't do that either.

Huh?

The last time we actually spoke was back in Russia.

We met on the Moon,

but then we just talked about the Analytical Engine in my left eye.

It's been removed now.

So you haven't seen Princess Asseylum since then?

Lady Asseylum is...

flying around the world right now, persuading the Martian Knights

still resisting to adhere to the ceasefire.

I heard about it on the news this morning.

Is that... right?

Flying all over the world...

Like a bird.

A bird...

Well then, I'll be back again.

A bird?

Yes, I'm making the arrangements now.

I'm going to present Princess Lemrina with a live bird.

Oh...

Can I touch it?

I'll choose a breed that's used to people.

A bird in a cage, huh?

Hm?

Countess Marylcian was shallow, but she did teach me some useful phrases.

"I'm merely a bird in a cage."

"We're both captives,

so let's at least get along."

Please forget words like that.

The Princess is...

destined to become the queen who rules both Mars and Earth.

It doesn't matter, even if I'm a captive.

Even if you opened the cage,

I couldn't go outside on these legs.

I can't go anywhere.

No...

I won't go anywhere.

A bird in a cage...

Keeping her caged, ignoring her own will...

Just what are you trying to protect her from?

That's what you think, isn't it?

No, that's not it. Lord Slaine is trying to protect you both.

But there are monsters outside the cage.

Hideous monsters driven by lust and greed.

And I'm just one of them.

A bat, born on Earth.

And yet...

and yet... I'll follow you anywhere.

Follow that noble monster.

You're back again?

Didn't I say I'd come back?

Hmph.

What did you do today?

Nothing much.

Didn't bother with philosophy?

Nope.

Next time, I'll pick out some books and bring them over.

Don't bother.

Didn't I tell you I'm not interested?

You're stubborn, Slaine Troyard.

And you don't listen to a word people say, Kaizuka Inaho.

So you're done calling me 'Bat'?

And you're done calling me 'Orange', right?

Besides, you're not a bat or a seagull anymore.

Seagull?

Just so you know, a seagull isn't a cat. It's a bird.

Are you making fun of me again?

Looks like you're still not eating much.

Why do you care?

Eat properly.

I don't move much, so I don't get hungry.

Then move more.

I don't take orders from you.

If you won't move, then at least use your head.

Like philosophy... no, scratch that.

Alright, a riddle then.

Why does a bird fly?

What kind of question is that?

I'll be back.

Have an answer ready by then.

Why does a bird fly...?

Ridiculous.

Harklight,

escort Princess Lemrina to the shuttle.

Yes, my Lord.

No, Slaine! I'm not going!

Slaine! Slaine!

Princess Lemrina.

Why?!

I told you I don't care if I'm a bird in a cage, didn't I?!

Please, try to understand. Princess Lemrina, this is for your own protection.

I don't want to be protected!

I want to protect you!

Welcome!

Oh.

You've gotten much better at this.

Sort of.

Since that launch party,

the government has been more active with recovery projects, so that helps.

That's good to hear.

You went to visit him again, right?

Calm told me.

Yeah.

Why did you take out that eye?

Isn't that eye his?

What do you suggest?

Whoa, what's with this? This looks rough.

If you keep making Yuki worry like this...

That guy...

The path I should take has already been set.

And so has the menu item I should order!

One omelet rice!

You said you didn't want to see me.

So it seems.

However, this chess set is military property.

Please handle it with care.

Is it raining?

It has been for a while.

This country has distinct seasons, doesn't it?

Strictly speaking, there are six.

The rainy season between spring and summer.

And the autumn rain season between summer and fall.

So right now is?

The rainy season.

This weather usually lasts for a month to a month and a half.

A long time ago,

Princess Asseylum asked me something.

"Do birds fly on rainy days?

Can't they fly if their wings get wet?"

What did you tell her?

I forget.

Perhaps I said something like, even if they get wet, birds can rest for a bit

and then fly again.

Birds secrete oil from the base of their feathers, which protects them.

So, they can repel water to some degree.

Even if they get soaked, they can fly again.

You know everything, don't you?

So, did you figure out the answer to the riddle?

Why does a bird fly?

To escape enemies. To catch insects.

And...

to see everything.

To see everything?

I thought if I flew up into the sky, I could see it all.

But I was wrong.

The bird flew higher and higher, trying to see everything...

it flew past the branches where it could rest...

and in the end, it grew tired and fell.

No...

not a bird.

Just a bat, after all.

Neither a noble monster nor a seagull.

And yet... it's alive.

Why did you let it live?

Who knows.

If I look for the reason, will I find it?

You won't find it.

But you'll keep searching anyway, won't you?

Just thinking about it makes my head spin.

Exactly.

But...

it's a good way to kill time.

I should get going soon.

Make sure you eat properly.

Oh.

It's your move,

Kaizuka Inaho.

Have you been getting some exercise?

I'm allowed out in the yard for an hour each morning and afternoon.

How regulated.

Ah, it's much better than life on the Moon Base.

Therefore, there isn't anything I particularly want to eat.

Okay, I'll bring something tomorrow anyway.

Are you even listening to me?

My childhood friend runs a restaurant.

So, the taste is guaranteed.

Did you read this?

Yes.

Well, seems like it wasn't helpful.

Can't be helped.

Philosophy isn't something you read seeking salvation.

If you knew that, why bring it?

Were you reading it seeking salvation?

Oh.

No, that wasn't it.

Then there's no problem.

That completely uninteresting way you talk...

shouldn't you do something about it?

The purpose of conversation is to convey facts accurately.

But that makes it boring for the person listening.

Did you talk to Princess Asseylum like that too?

Yes. Why?

I...

I really don't think we'll ever understand each other.

It stopped raining.

Hey, Nao-san!

Hm? Yuki.

Came to pick you up.

Isn't it your day off? I thought you'd be sleeping in.

Nah, woke up surprisingly early.

One of the junior officers was bringing support supplies by chopper,

so I hitched a ride.

Hey, Yuki...

Yeah?

I want to go to the sea.

Remember when we were kids? We went together, right?

To the sea, to see the birds.

Do you remember that, Nao-san?

I could never forget.

We didn't end up seeing any birds that time, did we?

So, this time...

I definitely want to see them.

Ah, ah, welcome back, Your Highness!

Ah, no, Your Majesty, Empress Asseylum!

It's good to see you, Eddelrittuo.

I had hoped to visit you where you're staying, but my time on Earth was suddenly extended.

What are you saying?

Just seeing Your Highness's— no,

Her Majesty's face makes me overjoyed!

You seem very busy lately. Are you taking care of yourself?

Please don't push yourself too hard.

Yes.

How about you, Eddelrittuo? Are you well?

Yes, very well!

Apart from my mother insisting I take bridal lessons, everything is fine.

You don't need bridal lessons, Eddelrittuo.

You're ready to be married anytime.

You're far too kind!

By the way, the flower you sent me from Earth finally bloomed last week.

Oh?

That's wonderful news.

It seems it's adapted well then.

Yes,

it's such a beautiful, delicate flower... just like Your Majesty.

Earth...

it seems it's right in the middle of the rainy season now.

I heard you can see a unique flower called Hydrangea during this time.

Hydrangea? Is that what it's called?

The birds, wet from the rain...

they're probably resting their wings right now.

Hm? Your Majesty?

But, they will surely fly again.

A bird?

It's flying rather low.

I wonder if its wings got wet in the rain?

And yet...

birds fly.

Kirameku kakera The sparkling, scattered fragments,

furisosogu sora ni showering through the darkened sky,

Mirai tsunagu doa Hid the door connecting to

kakushita the future we saw.

Hontou wa daremo mina Truthfully we were only afraid

kizutsuku to osoreteru of becoming hurt, enduring that pain.

Nanika wo mamoru tame Protect our own, destroy all the rest...

Kowasu tame ni bokura wa did we ever manage to save a world

deatta no? Lost way out there?

Yozora wa The starry sky

omoi wo koete outgrows our old, weak feelings.

Utsushidasu sore wa Reflecting to us only the

hikari no michishirube guidepost of a slow, flickering hope.

Kanashii ketsui wa The rain lures out a mislead light

ame ga naderu darou that nourishes your sad resolve.

Yurushiau tsuyosa The strength to forgive... please teach me

oshiete hoshii all that I need to live on.

How have you been? Slaine Troyard.

I'm just a bat, in the end.

Neither a noble monster nor a seagull.

The birds, wet from the rain...

they're probably resting their wings right now.

And yet...

birds fly.

Harmonious...

Omoi wa yozora wo koete Our strong feelings outgrow that endless starry sky,

Utsushidasu sore wa Reflecting to us only the

hikari no michishirube guidepost of a slow, flickering hope.

Kanashii ketsui wa The rain lures out a mislead light

ame ga naderu darou that nourishes your sad resolve.

Yurushiau tsuyosa The strength to forgive... please teach me

oshiete hoshii all that I need to live on.

Douka Somehow,

aisuru koto wasurenaide please don't forget you can love others too.

Douka Somehow,

sono keshiki wo kesanaide please don't erase that scene we both once loved.