Original subtitles

The authority of the Summerforth Empire is waning,

giving rise to rebellion across the realm.

While noble rulers of various provinces strengthened their autonomy,

Governor Amador Salamakhia of Missian Province passed away.

Missian has thus been divided into two factions

under the governor's eldest son, Couran Salamakhia,

and his second son, Vasmarque Salamakhia.

Vasmarque occupies the provincial capital, Arcantez, and has proclaimed himself the heir,

but Couran has mobilized forces to depose him.

Ars, lord of a small backwater domain called Lamberg,

has set out by carriage to take part in the war.

Blue skies,

Episode 13 Promise

delicious food,

and booze!

This rules!

This rules.

Mireille, Charlotte! Please get down from there!

Let's discuss things in preparation for the conference!

You come join us, Ars!

It feels great.

Have you forgotten what we're doing?!

C'mon, you don't always see weather this nice.

Let's enjoy it while we can.

What do you think, Rietz?

War councils can last for ages.

Mireille's right. Let's take it easy for now.

We'll be reaching Semplar soon...

Ah, you can see the sea now!

Gotta love that salt air!

It's the ocean!

Wh-What's that?

It's just water all the way to the horizon!

That's the ocean. You've never seen it before?

Nope!

Would you like to stop by for a look?

Yeah!

That's awesome.

Is it really all water?

Plenty to drink, at least...

So salty!

The ocean's all it takes to surprise you, huh?

You're so adorable, Charlotte.

You've been to other places like this, Big Sis Mireille?

Well, I've done my share of travel.

I've gone to volcanic islands to search for precious magistones.

Snowy mountains, too.

Been sightseeing at ancient ruins a few times, even.

That sounds so nice.

It's lots of fun.

Even makes your meals taste better.

I know all about the joys of seeing new worlds, too.

Once the war is over and our lands are at peace,

let's go see all kinds of places together!

That sounds pretty great.

It's a promise.

Charlotte, look! There're so many fish!

Fish? Where?

You sure have a talent for winning people over.

Where did that come from?

Hey, it's a good thing.

Seeing my comrades smile makes me happy, too.

There you go again.

Charlotte?!

Just felt like firing one off.

Was that just...

Charlotte...

What are you doing out there?!

Charlotte, hurry!

Lord Ars!

Wait for me!

Castle Semplar

We sure came here in a hurry.

Second Military Conference

Pretty big castle, huh?

Right this way.

Ars Louvent?

Lord of a remote domain, I believe.

Why invite him to this important conference?

Bunch of stuffed shirts.

Charlotte!

Ars.

Lord Lumeire! Menas!

You received Lord Couran's invitation, as well?

Yes.

I'm pleased to see a domain from Canarre District so honored.

Thank you, my lord!

Lord Couran...

Ah, Ars! You made it.

Is that you, Mireille?

Hiya.

So they do know each other!

Mireille?

The old governor's former advisor?

Nice to see you again.

How long has it been since last we met?

Since you rejected my offer, I believe.

I thought you wanted out of politics.

What are you doing with Ars?

Oh?

Thought I wouldn't mind giving it one last go with the kid here.

Also, I thought he'd be a more suitable master...

than you.

How dare you?!

You still don't mice words, do you?

L-Lord Couran!

Whatever your reasoning, it's good to have you here.

I'm counting on you.

B-But Lord Couran...

She's kin to Vasmarque's right hand, Thomas Grangeon.

There's always a chance she could be a spy.

Not a problem.

Mireille is now in service to Ars, whom I've petitioned for aid.

Couldn't this also be a good chance to get information on the enemy force?

Lord Couran...

Enough!

I trust in Ars's capabilities, and he's hired her.

And I won't tolerate any further rudeness to him or his retinue.

Mireille served the last governor brilliantly.

We need her abilities to win this.

Work with us, won't you?

Very well, my lord.

If you're that determined to have her...

I appreciate it.

Now, let's start the council.

Ingenuity

I'll report the current state of the war.

Our forces number 110,000.

The enemy outnumbers us by roughly 20,000.

However, control of the trade city of Semplar leaves us flush with capital.

We'll be able to fund the war effort for several years.

We also have an advantage in the quality of our troops.

But they have more talented commanding officers.

I've received word that neutral nobles are beginning

to join Vasmarque's side, drawn in by their talents.

In other words, there's no guarantee that we'll have the advantage,

and at this rate, we'll remain stuck in a deadlock.

Defeating Vasmarque is step one to establishing an independent nation.

I don't want to waste time on this.

I want ideas that will turn the tide quickly.

Why not take the eastern city of Bertudo?

It's one of the three largest cities alongside Semplar and Arcantez,

but it won't be as well defended as Arcantez.

With a show of strength from our side, we can whittle down their forces

and maybe win some nobles back!

We could mount an attack on two fronts!

To secure future victory, we should first direct all our forces toward taking Bertudo!

Yeah! That's right!

Yeah, guess that wasn't a very good idea...

Excuse me. Could you share what you're thinking with everyone?

You first, Rietz.

I'd rather hear your opinion on the situation.

Just watch how you phrase it.

No, everyone's fate is riding on this meeting.

Please be forthright.

Okay, listen.

Are you guys being serious right now?

All these people here, and that's the best you could come up with?

What a bunch of dopes.

What was that?! Watch your—

Continue.

To be blunt, at this rate, you guys are guaranteed to lose.

H-How could you say that?!

Everyone knows that no matter how good your troops or how rich you are,

it means nothing if you lack worthwhile commanders to use that efficiently.

There's no way you guys can win as things stand.

How dare you?! You'll pay for—

Let me tell you about Vasmarque.

He's a coward hiding behind the guise of a perfectionist.

He won't move unless he knows he'll win.

So he's waiting until his odds are 100% certain.

In other words...

It's by pure chance that you guys aren't already dead.

I'd reckon that in all-out war right now, they'd win in seven out of ten cases.

What was your idea again? Invade Bertudo?

You'd need a ton of troops to take it,

so what happens to Semplar in the meantime?

W-Well...

If they take this place, we're done for.

If I were Vasmarque, I'd strike the second you guys marched out.

Then you'd have to run right back to defend Semplar,

with only your failure to take Bertudo to show for it.

Meanwhile, the enemy's mounted a clever attack while you were away.

It's obvious how it would look.

More nobles will end up joining their side.

Your undoing will be your inability to properly estimate your foe's abilities.

Basically... overconfidence, you know?

Wait.

We finally have an objective evaluation.

And I agree with it.

Lord Couran!

But I still want to win this war at any cost.

Mireille, do you have any ideas?

Well, let's see...

What do you think, Rosell?

What? Oh, right!

A child?

What's a child doing here?

He's my domain's strategist.

He's a strategist?

Such a child could never come up with a decent plan!

Let's hear it.

L-Lord Couran!

R-Right.

I've been thinking since before we got here.

Taking Bertudo is a good plan.

But there is the chance they could attack Semplar while we're doing it.

If we're worried about our defenses, we need a way to keep our foe locked down.

How?

Make them think that if they leave Arcantez, they'll be attacked on both sides.

Could we lure the Province of Paradille to the north into the fray?

We'll make them think Paradille is going to attack Arcantez from the north.

Paradille?!

Impossible!

With our own province divided? Unthinkable!

Paradille has sworn loyalty to the imperial family.

I'm sure they've heard word of Missian's desire for independence.

They'll never help us.

True, which is why we'll request an intermediary between us and Paradille.

An intermediary?

Who would do that?

The emperor of Summerforth!

The emperor?

Let's bribe the emperor!

Even with their authority waning, I doubt the imperial family will be swayed by money.

You think not?

The current emperor is a mere boy of seventeen.

The retainers around him hold the real power.

As they are the source of the corruption, it's very likely they can be bought.

Make use of our true strength to minimize bloodshed?

I think it's a good plan, personally...

Couran?

It's settled.

We'll request the imperial family's intervention to gain Paradille Province's cooperation.

Ars.

M-My lord?

I leave the execution of this plan, including personnel, to you.

Great Commission

This was your subordinate's idea.

I'll prepare the funds you need.

Lumeire, you assist him.

My lord.

Get to it.

Lord Couran!

Yes, my lord!

Nice work, Rosell!

If this works, we'll stand heads and shoulders above the other retainers.

Oh, honestly...

And what happens to us if we fail?

Hey, no worries there.

But can we really just ask the emperor for stuff?

He's kind of a big deal, right?

I'm sure if Rietz handles negotiations—

Discrimination is severe in the empire's capital.

It would be better not to send me.

I agree on that point.

I'm not cut out for that stuff, either.

Then what do I do?!

How about that other one?

Much as it ticks me off...

Yes, that might be best.

Wh-Who?!

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

The flowers that Lord Ars gave me truly are the most beautiful of all!

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

This is the place, isn't it?

Yes, I do believe so.

Lord Ars! It's been such a long time!

Lady Licia!

I've been longing to see you!

I'm relieved to see you're still in good health!

You as well, Licia!

Hey.

Good to see you again, Ars.

Lord Hammond!

It's been too long.

Thank you for allowing us to visit.

Not at all.

I've been wanting to see you, too.

I hear Lord Couran held a military conference recently.

Any new movement to report?

Yes.

As I wrote in my letter,

I've come today to consult with Licia about the war—

Lord Ars, before we talk...

Licia!

Let me give you a proper welcome!

I'm sorry you had to feed me, too.

Don't be ridiculous. You're also a welcome guest.

Both Ars and Licia seem to respect you greatly.

As a Malkan, I'm sure I'm unworthy.

Don't worry about the circumstances of your birth.

Not at the Lamberg and Pleide estates, at least.

Now, that daughter of mine...

Ars came to discuss something important,

but the moment dinner's over, she drags him off again.

What a nice view of the town!

I've been wanting to bring you here if you ever came by.

Until recently, I spent all my time holed up in our estate,

but I've begun interacting with the townspeople little by little.

I even made several friends!

I've come to value our domain even more than before.

And it's made me appreciate you and the valiant way you protect your town all the more.

My father is always telling me about the wonderful things you're doing.

I fear he may be a bit jealous, even.

I'm joking.

I mean, my comrades are the ones doing most of the work...

I've admired that about you for so long.

Huh?

Oh, I completely forgot!

There's one more thing I want to show you.

That was a seriously dangerous moment!

Wow, look at all the flowers!

They're all from the ones you gave me.

They were just so beautiful, I couldn't help but grow more!

It's nice to know she's treasured them so much.

By the way, Lord Ars, what did you want to ask me?

It's actually quite serious, so I'll need Lord Hammond's permission, as well.

No.

I decide what I do for myself.

That's why we're walking around without anyone to interrupt.

My father is such a worrywart, after all.

I-I see.

Then...

Actually...

Promise

Gracious! You want me to take on such an important task?

Yes.

It's a negotiation, but it's also in a foreign land,

so I can't fully guarantee your safety.

I'm so glad you asked me. I accept!

Yes, I didn't think you'd—

What?!

I made up my mind to do anything you asked me!

B-But to decide so quickly...

In exchange...

Could I ask something of you, as well?

Something of me?

What could it be? Is something troubling her?

It doesn't look that way...

Still, Licia's asking for my help.

I want to do whatever I can for her.

Please, ask away.

Then...

Well...

When the war is over, please marry me!

What? Marry?

M-M-M-Marry?!

Th-This is so sudden!

It's not sudden at all.

I made up my mind to do this the day we first met.

I still remember our journey through Lamberg.

I want a front-row seat to the kind world that you create.

She's telling me just how she feels.

Licia genuinely loves me.

Thinking back, she's truly done so much for me...

I told myself I'd say it outright the next time we met.

What am I thinking?

I'm sorry!

I'm a worthless man.

I ended up making you say it...

So please let me say this instead.

Marry me right now!

I've loved you since the day I first met you.

And you've been a huge help to me all this time.

It's true that we could have a more relaxed wedding if we wait until the war's over.

But there's no telling when that might be,

or what further dangers we may encounter in the meantime.

I really don't have much to offer, despite being surrounded by amazing comrades...

But even in the middle of a war, I at least want you by my side to protect you.

So let's get married immediately!

I have no intention whatsoever of letting you protect me.

I intend to protect you!

Please continue to walk the path you've chosen, as you always have.

You have so many wonderful, reliable people around you.

As one of them, and as your wife...

I swear to give my entire life to seeing your dreams come true!

No!

I'm going to protect you!

What?!

M-M-M-Marriage?!

What's the meaning of this?!

This is quite sudden...

Please give me your daughter's hand in marriage!

Hold it! Hold it!

It's far too soon for you to get married!

I am determined, as well.

I won't change my mind about the wedding, no matter what anyone says...

Even you, Father.

You'd look at me that way?

You, who's always been so obedient,

always conducting yourself as people want...

Very well. Do as you wish.

And see that you support Ars to the end.

I promise that I will!

Th-Thank you for—

Okay, a feast! Prepare a feast!

But we haven't discussed the negotiations...

We can do that after!

I finished investigating the imperial family per your request.

The one currently wielding the emperor's authority...

is Minister Shakma.

His youth belies his ambition,

and he shamelessly forwards whatever policies benefit him personally.

So he's who I need to win over?

He'll be a tough opponent.

Be careful, Ars.

I will!

Licia, I'm sorry to entrust this important role to you so suddenly.

Not at all! I'm quite delighted to be of use to you!

I'm happy to have you!

Do I smell trouble on the horizon?

Just leave all of that to me!

Next Time Negotiations

Next time: "Negotiations."