Original subtitles

(Lamberg, Louvent Family)

Lady Licia!

There's news about Lord Ars!

(Licia Louvent) I know, I heard about it this morning.

You're unexpectedly calm.

It's an impressive victory on his first campaign.

As the wife of a lord,

I can't simply jump between joy and sorrow from a single battle.

Lady Licia.

You're right.

I'm terribly sorry for getting carried away.

Excuse me.

Lord Ars is so amazing!

I knew Lord Ars would do better than anyone!

I am so happy!

By the way, Lady Licia...

(Samuk Castle) Everyone, these last few weeks in which

we conquered Samuk Castle has truly been a great effort.

We should depart for our next battlefield, Belzud, immediately...

But I'm sure you're tired from the constant fighting we've been through.

I grant you three days of rest, which we'll also use to resupply.

Everyone, you're free to take it easy for the time being!

We got time off.

Why don't we all go sightseeing in Samuk?

Booze after a battle is the best!

I'd much rather eat something delicious.

I just want to shut myself in the library.

Understood, let's all spend our free time separately, then.

You can take time off as well, Mr. Rietz.

There're plenty of soldiers around, so you don't need to stay by me.

I refuse.

It has been a long time since I've been with you.

Please let me stay by your side!

Mr. Rietz...

Then let's go together.

Okay!

(As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I'll Use My Appraisal Skill to Rise in the World Season 2)

(As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I'll Use My Appraisal Skill to Rise in the World Season 2)

(Episode 18: Evolution)

- Please give me three more bottles! - I want to order this sweet potato dish!

- Herb meat rolls, - Coming right up!

and another two portions of the ribs I had just now!

Have a look!

(The Boy from Samuk)

There's an incredibly mouthwatering smell!

Let's eat something, Mr. Rietz!

Walking around the town like this

makes me remember back when it was just the two of us.

Now you've got many more vassals, and you even set out to war.

I'm really happy that Lamberg became

such a strong territory.

Right.

Everyone living here is strong as well.

- They're all lively, - Mom, I want this.

- even though there was just war. - There're lots of good things, huh?

We need to hurry and get this war over with as soon as possible,

so that these people can live in peace.

Yes.

What do you think is going on in that crowd?

Probably a street vendor.

Come all and see!

The wonderful and amazing thing I made with manastone!

That ship's flying!

My ship!

- Lord Ars, are you alright? - What nonsense, it's just a piece of junk.

No, it's not just that.

This is another masterpiece that I worked very hard on!

A super magical doll powered by a wind manastone.

It's just a doll that moves.

Can it be used for something?

What?

It's a toy for children.

How much is it?

You have a good taste, young boy!

Special price, three gold coins!

I'll buy it!

Lord Ars, please calm down!

That's three gold coins!

With this much money, you could buy wheat for a whole year.

No, take a closer look, Mr. Rietz.

Although the price is indeed a bit high,

and it's moving by magic,

it's a well-planned and very elaborate design.

The only toys that are available in this world are stuff like wooden blocks and balls.

So this is quite an impressive skill!

Although what you say makes sense...

Could it be that he's amazingly skilled?

What's wrong?

No, nothing.

(Command 99, Diplomacy 100)

(Command 99, Diplomacy 100) Lord Ars?

So, are you going to buy it or not?

We'll buy it, please wait a moment.

What was that just now?

(Samuk Castle) Alright, seems everyone has gathered.

Then let us now begin discussing the military council of attacking Belzud.

(Belzud) First, the basics about Belzud.

As you know, it's one of the larger cities alongside Arcantez and Semplar.

(Semplar) We hold Semplar.

(Arcantez, Belzud) And the enemy, the Basamark side,

(Arcantez, Belzud) is currently holding Belzud and Arcantez.

Belzud has a high population, and after seeing how easily we took Samuk,

they've likely taken much better precautions.

It's definitely going to be our toughest fight so far.

You might lose your life if you let your guard down.

Nevertheless, should we capture Belzud,

we'll gain the upper hand in this war.

The war itself might be decided with this battle.

Lord Curran.

Belzud is a region with heavy snowfall.

It's dangerous to fight in enemy lands in winter

as it's difficult to move.

I therefore think we should hurry our invasion to take Belzud

before winter sets in.

Yeah, I was thinking of splitting our forces in two.

(Belzud) One group will attack the largest castle protecting Belzud,

(Belzud) Staatz Castle.

(Belzud) And another group will assault the northern Rolto Castle.

We will invade Belzud in earnest when we seize these two castles.

Lumeire, Ars.

I'll leave Rolto Castle to you.

- Yes, sir! - Yes, sir!

(Samuk, Belzud) There are several fortresses

(Samuk Castle, Rolto Castle, Staatz Castle) near Rolto Castle

that we need to take control of first.

It would be very helpful if we didn't use force against them

and instead tried to work something out with them.

(Diplomacy) Let's first find an opportunity to talk to them.

That's what I was thinking...

But they all refused.

If they're not even willing to negotiate,

there's no way they'll surrender easily.

It'd be terrible if we had to take each and every fort.

Rolto Castle is an important strategic location.

Lord Basamark must be keeping a sharp eye on the place.

We will have no option but to attack.

A new letter just arrived.

So some of them hadn't responded yet?

They're willing to talk!

However, the condition is that we send an envoy of a certain status.

Baldsen Fortress...

Isn't that under the command of Lord Lupa?

Do you know him?

No.

But he's a great general whom Lord Curran has been trying to persuade away

from the enemy's side right up until the war started.

He's a smart and incredibly popular commander.

He was so capable, so it wouldn't be strange if he became a county chief.

He must be quite an amazing person!

I always wanted to meet him in person.

If we receive his cooperation, the battles ahead will be much smoother.

Then, will you be the one to negotiate with him?

No.

He didn't get persuaded by Lord Curran after all.

There's probably no way I could persuade him.

But you successfully negotiated with the emperor.

That was thanks to Miss Licia!

Ars, I'd like to entrust this to you.

(Baldsen Fortress)

Be careful.

We may be here to negotiate, but we're in enemy territory.

Okay.

State your name!

I am Ars Louvent.

I've come to negotiate with Lord Lupa.

Drop your weapons!

Hold up, everybody, please calm down!

They just want us to hand over our weapons!

Before that, shouldn't you drop your weapons first?

What's with this atmosphere?

It almost feels like we'll be killed the moment we drop our weapons?

Mr. Rietz, let's just leave for now.

No, there might still be room for negotiation.

Are you asking me to disarm?

They might kill Lord Ars in that instant!

But that wouldn't be good for them.

Suppose they kill us,

then Lumeire would attack with all the forces we have in retaliation.

In that case, such a small fortress would be demolished in an instant.

T-That's true.

It's prohibited to raise your blade against a diplomat.

If they really were under the command of a great general,

something like this wouldn't happen.

This negotiation might be a trap for Lord Ars!

Among all the forts,

this one is the closest to our camp.

But they were the last to reply to the letters sent.

Doesn't that mean it's hard for them to come to a decision?

And...

Their bloodlust is really unusual.

I don't quite know yet, but it makes you curious as to why, right?

Remember well, Ars.

If we learn of their true motives,

it'll be valuable for the negotiation.

Although

going in without a weapon is really dangerous after all.

What should we do, Ars?

It is indeed scary.

But no matter how small the chance for a good outcome is,

I'd like to bet on it.

Lord Ars?

Lord Lupa, can you hear me?

I am Ars Louvent!

I've come to talk!

I'd like us to come up with a better way out of this than fighting!

Please lend us some of your time!

Let's go!

Lord Ars!

Don't worry, please wait here.

What's the matter?

No, it's nothing.

Lord Ars.

Your eyes have been looking bad ever since you were at the streets of Samuk.

Are you really okay?

Are you Lord Curran's negotiator?

Lord Basamark entrusted this fortress to me.

I am Lupa Roozton.

I am Ars Louvent!

I'm most grateful for your agreeing to meet with me on this occasion.

Let me show you to the parlor.

Follow me.

In case anything happens, I will protect you, Lord Ars.

Lord Ars!

Ouch.

What's going on? Are you okay?

Are you hurt?

I was just too nervous and lost my footing.

I'm fine.

What is this?

It's a mechanical doll I bought in Samuk.

It's just a child's toy.

They have these kinds of things nowadays?

If you like it, I can give it to you.

No.

I don't want it.

Here, take it back.

Okay.

Appraisal.

Lord Ars?

I-I'm fine.

It came back!

Wait, what is this?

Can I see new information?

(Lupa Roozton, 32-year-old, Male) Born on April 9, Imperial Year 180.

(Ambition 70, Command 89) The eldest son of Roozton family in Belzud Region.

(Diplomacy 80) A good caretaker of others.

He has a wife.

What is this?

It's just normal personal history!

He has a wife...

But I don't think there're any women in this castle.

What are you looking around so much for?

No! I just thought it was a lovely castle!

Please wait in here.

Lord Ars.

Did you appraise Lord Lupa?

Yes, as expected of a great general.

All his stats are pretty high.

I see.

I was hoping he'd have a weak point we could aim for.

Well, we won't know unless we try talking to him.

Relax a bit.

That's right.

My appraisal skill actually got a new...

That is...

A good caretaker of others. Has a wife.

But they were the last to reply to the letters sent.

Could it be...

Lord Ars?

If we learn of their true motives,

it'll be valuable for the negotiation.

Negotiation starts before we even sit down at the table.

We are ready, please come this way.

It's really nerve-wracking.

It's okay.

I think this negotiation will go just fine.

Let's start the negotiation right away.

Let me say ahead of time

that I will firmly refuse any demands

that are even slightly bad for us.

Before we begin...

I'd like to know if your wife in Rolto Castle is doing well?

Seems she is giving birth very soon, right?

Lord Ars?

(Deduction)

Might I ask when the due date is?

How did you figure something like that out?

Lord Ars!

Lord Lupa, you just pretend to negotiate

while actually planning to kill us, right?

Y-You ingrate! We would never...

I thought it was strange.

Despite you being married,

there were no signs of women living in this castle.

So where could she be?

I came to the conclusion that your wife is most likely held hostage in Rolto Castle.

Why would they take their own allies hostage?

I see now.

It's to guarantee you'll fight to the death to protect it.

Yes.

If he were to abandon the fort and switch sides,

his wife who's been taken hostage would be killed.

So regardless of the negotiations,

he has no choice but to fight.

The other forts likely have similar situations.

According to our scout,

there's no sign of Rolto Castle sending reinforcements.

While telling you to fight to the death,

the lord thinks this fort can't be held.

In other words, you've been abandoned, right?

You wouldn't have any loyalty towards allies like that,

but they have a hostage, so you can't betray them either.

What a pickle.

Reinforcements won't come

and there's no way for you to win.

I think you'd at least want to

kill one of the enemy commanders.

You wanted to use the negotiation

as bait to lure us out and kill us.

Though it will bring retaliation and the destruction of the fortress,

you can keep your honor.

And your wife won't be killed.

This is the reason your letter included the condition that the negotiator

must be of a certain rank, right?

But if that's the case, why doesn't he just kill us immediately?

That's because his judgement was wavering.

Your wife is pregnant now, isn't she?

If you betray, your wife will be killed.

If you fight us here and die,

you'll never get to meet your unborn child.

You can only take one path.

But you can't choose between them.

This hesitation of yours is the reason why your reply to our letter was late, right?

I have been through countless battles.

These experiences intuitively tell me

this fortress has been abandoned,

we're likely to die in this battle.

Even so, I still want to fight with all my might.

I was prepared to die fighting.

But just one...

Just once,

I wanted to hold my child in my own arms as a father.

Lord Lupa.

I heard you were an excellent general that Lord Curran wanted to recruit.

I hope you can lend us a helping hand.

So...

We will infiltrate Rolto Castle to rescue your wife!

This way, your wife will be safe!

And you will get to meet your kid!

There's no way you can do it!

If I fail to rescue her, you can just kill me!

But if we do succeed,

I want you to work with us.

Won't you give us a chance?

Please

save my wife.

(Rolto Castle) Is it really necessary to do this?

Take a group of women as hostages?

I am just doing things in the most efficient way.

(Lord of Rolto Castle, Jean Tendry) For the sake of keeping

(General, Dan Allesto) them motivated.

(Baldsen Fortress)

Lord Ars, are you sure it's alright to say that?

Sorry, I was too impulsive.

Geez, but I do feel very proud.

I will also do my best to help you.

You are always so reliable, Mr. Rietz.

Next episode: The Threat of Rolto Castle.

(Next episode: The Threat of Rolto Castle)