Original subtitles

Leadership.

Leadership

Prowess.

Prowess

Ingenuity.

Ingenuity

Diplomacy.

Diplomacy

Ambition

And...

Ambition.

Prowess Leadership Aerial Naval Infantry Cavalry Prowess Archer Ingenuity

I can perceive people's natural talents in the form of stats

with a skill called "Appraisal."

My father, Raven, taught me that the ability to see

the talents of others is important for a lord.

I'll have to use it to survive the age of war ahead of us.

As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I'll Use My Appraisal Skill to Rise in the World

As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I'll Use My Appraisal Skill to Rise in the World

House Louvent, Domain of Lamberg

Episode 2 Above and Below

Thanks, Rietz.

Episode 2 Above and Below

Sorry to have you to do odd jobs like these.

Rietz Muses

Not at all.

You always feed us such delicious food, after all.

Rietz has been a part of the household for a few months now.

So far, he's been staying with me rather than taking part in battle.

The tutoring he's receiving has drastically increased his Ingenuity,

and now he's one of the most knowledgeable people in all of House Louvent.

Ingenuity 89

Both the people of the household and the domain accepted him

the minute they got to know him.

Rietz is pretty great, isn't he?

So strong and so learned...

And a quick study, too.

It's wonderful to have him around!

And he's quite handsome when you really get a look at him.

And now...

Lord Ars, shall we have our lesson today?

Yes, I'd love that.

As I taught you previously,

the continent of Summerforth originally comprised seven kingdoms,

which have since been united into the Summerforth Empire, remember?

Yes.

The Kingdom of Ansel sat across a strait from another continent,

allowing it to conduct maritime trade with foreign nations.

Thus it amassed power, which it used to invade and conquer the other six kingdoms.

With the entire continent under his control,

Ansel's King Anathas Bydoras declared himself emperor

and renamed his realm the Summerforth Empire.

This took place 203 years ago.

Yeah. I learned that much from my own reading.

However, the Summerforth Empire is now in a dire situation.

Our current sovereign, Bydoras XII, is an eight-year-old child.

The real power is held by his retainers, who are embroiled in factional rivalries

that corrode centralized authority.

With the emperor's control on the wane, popular revolts are flaring up all over.

It's caused provincial governers to defy the crown and bolster their local autonomy.

They're only minor skirmishes for now, but even Father's being dispatched to deal with them.

And there'll be a bigger conflict someday.

I need to prepare for that by using my power to get talented people on my side in advance.

Obviously, I'd rather it never came to that, but...

Rietz, if a bigger conflict were to happen, where do you think it would start?

Here in Missian Province, I expect.

Missian's current governor, Amador Salamakhia, is old and in poor health.

There's a good chance he'll die within the next few years.

Lord Salamakhia has two sons.

Normally, the elder son would succeed him, but the younger son is more capable.

The governor seems torn as to who should succeed him.

If he were to pass before making the decision,

it would undoubtedly lead to war.

And even if he does choose before then,

war will likely break out anyway.

It appears both of the brothers want to inherit the position.

Oh, no...

If that were to happen, which side would Father take?

He seems to believe it's the elder son's right to succeed,

but it won't be Lord Raven who decides which side he takes.

I see.

Because Father doesn't serve the governor of Missian directly.

Each province is divided into districts.

Lamberg lies in the district of Canarre,

Lamberg

Canarre District

Missian Province

and Father is in service below Canarre District's headman.

Though my Appraisal skill might come in handy when choosing who to back...

Writing out my address in modern times,

it'd probably go "Lamberg, Canarre District, Missian Province, Summerforth Empire."

I'm pretty nervous.

Father is still alive, but I'm just a kid.

Rietz is the only good prospect I've found so far,

and if Father were to be on the losing side...

In a sense, this is an opportunity for us.

A good showing in a major conflict can help a lord advance in the world.

That's right!

Let's try to get stronger to make that outcome more likely.

Don't worry. I'm with you.

I will protect you, Lord Ars.

Rietz...

Thank you!

The best way to keep you safe is to recruit the right people.

Lord Ars, will you help me?

Yes!

Let's go search for more people right now!

Yes, my lord! It'd be my pleasure.

Father...

He's spending more time training these days.

Raven Louvent

I guess he knows war is on the horizon.

Ars, are you heading into town again?

Yes. I'll be scouting more fine new recruits.

I see.

I was hoping you might find us someone with a talent for magic.

Magic?

Yes.

Magic will be a crucial resource in the battles to come.

I can't wield magic properly,

and my few retainers who can aren't particularly blessed.

It's true mages can turn the tide of battle.

We'll certainly need them.

Magic...

I tried using it once at Father's request.

I attached beads filled with mysterious red fluid to a strange device

and recited a short phrase...

Holma Igni Erupt!

He hasn't asked me to try again since.

I guess the spell I used didn't suggest much aptitude for magic.

I'm counting on you.

I'll do my best!

You're so great, Rietz! You're even a talented equestrian!

Having a mage would make us even better prepared for war, wouldn't it?

Yes!

That's right. A mage would really bolster our forces.

For the future of House Louvent and Lamberg,

I have to find the best possible candidate!

Castle Town, Canarre

S-So many people!

I've heard the population is about 50,000.

Fifty thousand?!

That's fifty times Lamberg's...

This is the capital of Canarre District.

That's Canarre Castle, home to House Pyres, the family that rules the district.

What an amazing castle!

The people here look so wealthy.

I want to provide this kind of life for the citizens of Lamberg someday.

With so many people to choose from, I'm sure we'll find an excellent candidate.

Let's give it our best.

Yes!

Appraisal!

Archer Prowess Leadership Ingenuity

Infantry Smith Infantry

Mage Ingenuity Builder Naval

Builder Naval Prowess

No one especially promising?

I'm afraid not.

Cavalry: D

Prowess Leadership

Infantry: D

Diplomacy Strategist: D

Ingenuity Smith: D

A person's stats consist of numerical values and aptitude ranks.

Their actual talent seems to be the result of multiplying the two.

Millais Cristal 21 Male

Archer: B

In other words, even if they have high stat numbers,

without the right aptitude, it won't amount to much.

Well, we've only just started.

Let's take our time.

You're right.

Looks like there's a market square up ahead.

There should be lots of people there.

Lord Ars? What's the matter?

Wherever there are wealthy people, there are also people like this.

It may be that prosperity itself breeds wealth inequality.

Um...

I know what you want to say.

You saved me, Lord Ars,

so it pains me to say this, but...

There's nothing we can do for them right now.

You're right.

I don't have the power to save them now.

Earlier, I only saw the superficial prosperity and thought this was a wonderful town.

But a truly good town would be a place where even the less fortunate

could make a life for themselves.

That's the kind of domain I want to create.

And... this might be naïve of me,

but I kind of wish we could find the talent we're looking for among people like them.

Lord Ars...

I truly am proud to be in your service.

Huh?! Wh-Where'd that come from?

You're the amazing one.

Well, it's just how I really feel.

This is the largest market in Canarre.

Wow! Look at all the delicious food!

You there, boy!

Want a dragon for a pet?

These are real dragon eggs, imported from the northern continent!

Dragon... eggs?!

There are dragons in this world?!

And you can keep them as pets?!

I... I want one!

They're pretty rare, but y'know what?

Just for you, I'll make 'em one silver each!

How's about a souvenir?

Yes! I'll take three!

Do you realize what you've done in attempting to defraud this boy?

H-Hey! Rietz?!

What the hell are you—

Listen to me.

Trade with the northern continent was frozen last year.

The only way to import goods would be smuggling.

Plus, dragon eggs won't hatch unless stored at high temperatures,

and the spots on these are far darker and larger

than what I've seen in reference books.

Moreover, no mere stall could have such a large collection of rare dragon eggs.

These are giant lizard eggs from the Ansel region.

Th-That's not—

Quiet!

The price for humiliating Lord Ars is death.

This guy's crazy!

I get it! I won't buy them!

Please, just don't hurt him!

It's my own fault for not knowing better!

Forgive me, my lord!

I completely lost my head!

I shall accept any punishment!

No, no! I really appreciate you saving me back there!

Is he gonna act this way every time I get hoodwinked?

I'd better wise up before I get someone killed...

Let's continue our search, okay?

As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I'll Use My Appraisal Skill to Rise in the World

All right.

Gotta study harder.

As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I'll Use My Appraisal Skill to Rise in the World

Eat well, Lord Ars.

There's candy, too!

One, please!

Lord Ars!

That startled me. They were sure in a hurry, huh?

That person stole your purse!

Wh-What are we going to do, Rietz?!

I'll catch them. Hold on!

Th-They're so fast!

Hey!

Takes guts for garbage like you to try to give us the slip.

Little brat. You really wasted our time.

Stop that!

You can't just hit a poor girl like that. It's not right!

What was that, brat?!

Keep your filthy hands off of Lord Ars.

The hell did you say?!

Well, that was sad.

Rietz, you're so cool!

Damn it...

This ain't over.

Are you all right?

Leadership 65/92 Prowess 93/114 Aerial: D Archer: D Infantry: D Builder: D Smith: D Diplomacy 31/40

Mage: S

S-tier aptitude as a mage?!

And on top of that...

Leadership 65/92

Leadership of 92?

Prowess 116

Prowess of 116?!

Charlotte Wraith 11 Female

Aerial: D Builder: D Strategist: D

Archer: D Smith: D Diplomacy 31/40

Her numbers are amazing!

Even as an adolescent, her Prowess rivals my father's...

But in spite of that, her other aptitudes are D,

Mage: S

so she probably won't be great at combat where magic's not concerned.

Still, this must mean she already has incredible magic power!

Lord Ars's purse. Please return it at once.

Wait! Would you be willing to become my retainer?!

L-Lord Ars?

What are you talking about? She's a thief!

Rietz, she has incredible talent for magic!

I've never seen someone with such potential!

What? Don't be ridiculous.

I'd rather die than serve a child like you.

B-But why?

There are some things I just can't stand.

Y-You have an amazing talent for magic.

Is there any way I can convince you to join us?

Magic?

I've never used magic.

That's okay! I can just tell!

And, um...

If you're stealing purses, that means you've had a pretty hard life, right?

As my retainer, you'd have a salary and meals provided!

It would be a much better life!

So please—

You sound just like the spoiled noble brat you are.

What gives you nobles the right to look down on everyone else?

You live in the lap of luxury, so certain that you deserve your privileged status.

What have you ever even done?

Weren't you just dealt a lucky hand at birth?

Yet you act like we're so far beneath you...

I have no interest in becoming a tool to protect your lavish lifestyle.

I'm not like those people!

I want to create a town someday where people like you can live stable lives!

That's why I need your help!

"Someday"?

When's this "someday" coming?

You've always lived the high life, so you may not understand,

but people like us spend our days in these alleys, sweltering, freezing,

never knowing where our next meal is coming from.

We can't wait for "someday."

Be your retainer?

So you can show everyone what a great, kind person you are?

How stupid do you think I am?

I'm not here to help you feel better about yourself.

I understand that you're suffering.

Rietz...

But I still can't approve of theft.

Return Lord Ars's purse.

Well, you did save me and all.

I don't want to owe you.

Um...

Just who were those people?

A slave trader's lackeys.

I got caught sneaking into a noble's larder

and was sold off to a slave trader.

I managed to give him the slip, but then his dumb lackeys came after me.

I'm sure they thought I'd fetch a high price.

I mean, I'm pretty good-looking, right?

But...

If you got away, why are you still in this town?

Shouldn't you try to get farther away?

I can't do that.

Why not?

Charlotte!

Hey, you guys...

Where'd you go?

You were gone for two days! We were worried!

We're hungry!

I missed you!

I'm hungry! I wanna eat!

Wh-Who are these children?

They're like me. Orphans with no family to turn to,

scraping together a living on the streets.

I can't just run off and leave them behind.

All right. I won't try to recruit you.

Rietz, my purse.

Lord Ars...

Please, take it.

Still trying to play the good guy?

You offered it willingly, okay? Don't expect anything in return.

I won't.

Weirdo.

Lord Ars...

I can't take her away from this.

Lord Ars.

Even in the summer, it gets cold here at night.

You should come inside.

Okay.

I was in a situation similar to hers.

I understand how she feels.

This world isn't kind to people on the bottom.

She's probably faced terrible treatment at the hands of nobles in the past.

That's why she sees them all as bad people.

But you aren't like that.

I know that better than anyone.

At some point, I started taking my privileged lifestyle for granted.

It's no wonder she'd be angry with me.

I really do want to make a better city,

but maybe I didn't think it through.

She was right to say what she did.

Lord Ars...

Charlotte?

Charlotte!

Is that...

What's going on?

You're that guy from before.

Charlotte...

They got Charlotte!

What do we do?

Charlotte's in real trouble!

Don't worry.

I know you'll be able to help her, Lord Ars.

Yes...

Let's get to Charlotte at once, Rietz!

My lord!

Next Time Answer

Next time: "Answer."