13 - In a Twilight Empire

Source: Crunchyroll
Translator:
Editor:
Timer:
QC:
(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
[00:04] Y
    According to reports from our allies,
[00:07] Y
    an enemy cavalry of 300 burst
    through the flame wall.
[00:11] Y
    They're probably Kioka's elite forces,
[00:13] Y
    equipped with air rifles.
[00:15] Y
    We can bring 120 or so to engage them.
[00:21] Y
    Considering our exhaustion
     from the long battle...
[00:24] I
    The difference in force
    is five to one, or so?
[00:29] I
    I see, I see.
[00:31] I
    How did it come to this, again?
[00:36] I
    You know exactly how.
[00:38] I
    It was your failure as commander
     to fully understand the situation.
[00:41] I
    In other words...
[00:44] I
    I have to do something.
[00:49] I
    Second Lieutenant Matthew,
[00:51] I
    As of now, I'm putting you
    in charge of this location.
[00:55] I
    Continue the mobile defense mission.
[00:57] I
    I'll leave all our air gunners.
[01:00] I
    Once we defend this place for
    two more days, we can retreat.
[01:03] I
    Thanks.
[01:05] I
    Second Lieutenant Haroma.
[01:06] H
    Y-Yes?
[01:08] I
    Leave your second-in-command in charge
    of the field hospital and rally the troops.
[01:13] N
    I'm not staying, Ikta.
[01:16] I
    Nana?
[01:17] I
    You promised to give us a place
     where we all could live.
[01:21] I
    If you die, who'll do that?
[01:24] I
    Let me protect you, too!
[01:27] I
    All right.
[01:29] I
    Help me out!
[01:32] I
    Okay, then—
[01:33] M
    W-Wait, Ikta!
[01:36] M
    Two more days?
[01:37] M
    Two more days?
[01:39] M
    Do you think I can keep this
    place safe for two days?
[01:41] I
    Oh, that.
[01:43] I
    To be honest, probably not.
[01:46] I
    But, you know, Matthew,
[01:48] I
    there's one order I'll never give
    no matter how bad things get.
[01:53] I
    "Defend this to the death."
    "Protect it with your lives."
[01:56] I
    It's too unscientific.
[02:00] I
    I'll make the order of things clear.
[02:03] I
    You protect this place safely.
[02:05] I
    That's the best outcome.
[02:07] I
    You're safe, but you
    couldn't protect this place.
[02:10] I
    That's the next best.
[02:12] I
    The other two are equally bad.
[02:15] I
    Got it?
[02:16] I
    If you aren't safe,
    the outcomes are all equally bad.
[02:21] I
    So, I'll just give you one order:
[02:26] I
    Live, Matthew,
[02:27] I
    and I'll see you in three days.
[02:32] M
    Damn it all.
[02:33] M
    Fine, I'll do it!
[02:38] I
    Okay, Yatori.
[02:41] I
    Ready to go have some fun with me?
[02:43] Y
    Yes.
SIGN    In A Twilight Empire
[02:52] Gi
    First Lieutenant, what's the plan?
[03:02] Y
    I took a look.
[03:03] Y
    Just as the map said,
[03:04] Y
    there's a thin path along
    the top of the rock wall.
[03:07] Y
    I thought about sealing it, but...
[03:10] Y
    If we can't restore the wall of fire beyond,
[03:13] Y
    the enemy main unit will still
    come storming through there.
[03:17] I
    Correct.
[03:18] I
    Just delaying them isn't good enough.
[03:21] I
    We need to defeat the enemy
    and rebuild the fire wall.
[03:26] I
    The problem is the cavalry and air rifles.
[03:28] I
    If I can't do something about their
    overwhelming offensive power...
[03:33] I
    Yatori, give me information.
    Anything you've got.
[03:36] I
    I want to shake things up in my head.
[03:39] I
    There's a work area up ahead that
    we were using to restore the fire wall.
[03:44] I
    There's still straw and logs there.
[03:47] I
    We can try to make a bad path
    that horses won't want to travel.
[03:51] I
    He builds up information
[03:53] I
    and uses highly-trained troops to control
    the entire battlefield to his liking.
[03:59] I
    That's the enemy commander's method.
[04:01] I
    That won't be enough to shake him up.
[04:07] I
    This... might work...
[04:10] I
    Would it work?
[04:14] Gi
    Jean, if they're going to counterattack,
    it will be up here.
[04:18] Gu
    Yah!
[04:19] Gu
    It's the path we saw in the blimp.
[04:22] Gu
    I wonder what the enemy's got waiting for us.
[04:27] Gu
    Crossbows?
[04:28] Gu
    It would be faster to charge in
    and wipe them out, but...
[04:31] Gi
    Jean, I smell oil.
[04:34] Gu
    I noticed, too.
[04:38] Gu
    I see.
[04:39] Gu
    A fire attack.
[04:41] Gu
    They've laid down straw soaked with oil
[04:44] Gu
    and will launch fire arrows when we charge.
[04:47] Gu
    Not a bad idea,
    but I won't play into their hands.
[04:52] Gu
    Advance to a distance of 150 meters
    from the enemy at a slow gait!
[04:56] Gu
    Then, form ranks and prepare to fire!
[05:23] Gu
    Okay, fire!
[05:25] Gu
    No, wait!
[05:30] Gu
    The oil smell has lessened?
[05:50] Gu
    Th-The enemy's below us?
[05:52] Gu
    C-Calm down!
[05:56] I
    More! More!
[05:57] I
    Cause more chaos!
[05:59] N
    Ikta! You're too far ahead!
[06:01] N
    I can't protect you!
[06:03] Gi
    He's not listening to you!
[06:06] Gu
    Damn it!
[06:07] Gu
    What's going on?
[06:08] Gu
    We're reforming ranks!
[06:11] Gu
    Gather up!
[06:13] Gu
    That was fast!
[06:14] Gu
    Now—
[06:20] Gu
    They tricked us.
[06:22] Gu
    Or, no... Did I just make a mistake?
[06:26] Gu
    Because it was such a desperate measure?
[06:30] Gu
    Nyatt! This was no desperate measure!
[06:33] Gu
    They got close to nullify the advantages
    of our horses and air rifles!
[06:37] Gu
    That was a highly advanced tactical maneuver!
[06:41] Gu
    But that's why I can't forgive the man
    who came up with this plan!
[06:45] Gu
    The result of all their planning
    was this chaos?!
[06:52] Gu
    What's that?
[06:53] Gi
    Red and white stripes?
[06:55] Gi
    Meaning they're willing to negotiate!
[06:58] Gi
    Willing to negotiate?
    Not "we want to negotiate"?
[07:03] I
    We won't propose a negotiation.
[07:05] I
    In this situation, that would mean
    a declaration of surrender.
[07:09] I
    But, if we say we're willing to talk,
[07:11] I
    that puts you in a corner.
[07:14] I
    It's a strong message
[07:17] I
    that we're willing to fight to the last man,
[07:20] I
    but if they give in, we'll listen.
[07:23] Gi
    Does this mean
    they're waiting for us to break?
[07:28] I
    You can't handle this.
[07:30] I
    I know you can't handle this.
[07:33] I
    You're a greedy man who wants to put
    the whole battlefield under his control.
[07:38] I
    What people like that hate the most
[07:41] I
    is when the battlefield
    falls into complete chaos!
[07:46] Gi
    J-Jean?
[07:48] I
    What's wrong?
[07:49] I
    Give in already!
[07:51] I
    Move us to the next stage!
[07:58] I
    We're both sick of this battle!
[08:04] Gu
    Cease fighting!
[08:20] Y
    First Lieutenant Yatorishino Igsem
    with the Imperial Army.
[08:24] Y
    May I speak with your commander?
[08:30] Gu
    Major in the Kioka Army, Jean Alkiniks.
[08:34] Gu
    I'm a guest officer with
    the Holy Army of La Saia Alderamin.
[08:39] Y
    I'm honored by the opportunity to meet
    the Unsleeping, Shining Officer.
[08:44] Gu
    And I'm honored by the bad luck to
    run into Igsem of the Sword here.
[08:49] Gu
    Let us negotiate, then.
[08:50] Y
    A moment.
[08:52] Y
    Our commander will handle that.
[08:55] Gu
    It's not you?
[09:00] I
    I'm sorry I'm late.
[09:02] I
    First Lieutenant Ikta Solork
    of the Imperial Army.
[09:06] I
    I am the commander of this unit.
[09:14] Gu
    We seek a full surrender from you.
[09:18] Gu
    There's no way you can win
    if you continue this battle,
[09:22] Gu
    and we don't want needless casualties.
[09:25] I
    I understand.
[09:27] I
    And I say that we completely refuse.
[09:30] Gu
    Can't say I approve of sending your soldiers
    to pointless deaths, Lieutenant Solork.
[09:36] Gu
    You have only one path you should take,
[09:38] Gu
    and that's surrender.
[09:40] Gu
    In a battle of numbers,
[09:43] Gu
    we will win, for sure.
[09:45] I
    If you really think so,
    we're wasting our time.
[09:48] I
    Why not restart the battle right now?
[09:52] I
    We'll give you our terms as well.
[09:55] I
    We'd like you to pull back to
    the other side of the forest.
[09:58] I
    We will finish our retreat in two days.
[10:01] Gu
    It's true that I don't want any more battle,
[10:05] Gu
    but I cannot simply retreat.
[10:09] Gu
    I'm here to bring victory to
     the Holy Army of Aldera.
[10:12] I
    If you're unwilling to agree to these terms,
[10:15] I
    we'll have to fight,
    whether we like it or not.
[10:17] Gu
    If we do fight,
[10:19] Gu
    we will be the ones to survive.
[10:22] Gu
    A war of attrition is
    the worst outcome for me as well,
[10:25] Gu
    but if it's my only choice,
[10:27] Gu
    I'll resign myself to it.
[10:29] Gu
    However, surely you're not
    as willing to die as you might say?
[10:35] I
    You have one thing right,
    and one thing wrong.
[10:38] I
    First, what you got right:
[10:41] I
    I'm not willing to die, no.
[10:44] I
    And the mistake:
[10:46] I
    It won't be you who survives.
[10:50] Gu
    Dyculous!
[10:51] Gu
    Enough bluffing.
[10:54] Gu
    I know exactly how much manpower you have.
[10:57] I
    You're looking at this the wrong way.
[10:59] Gu
    What?
[11:00] I
    You just said that you'll be
     the ones to survive, yes?
[11:04] I
    That's not happening unless
    you personally survive, is it?
[11:10] I
    Kus.
[11:13] Gi
    What's this?!
[11:14] I
    Don't move!
[11:15] I
    Or your commander will die.
[11:20] Gu
    Oh, dear.
[11:22] Gu
    You think a beam of light will kill me?
[11:25] I
    It looks nice and round,
    like a shooting target, doesn't it?
[11:31] I
    You've heard of the Remeon family,
    famed for their gunners, right?
[11:34] I
    I have one of them here.
[11:36] I
    Second Lieutenant Torway Remeon.
[11:38] I
    Of course, he's got an air rifle.
[11:46] I
    Don't think about getting off your horse.
[11:48] I
    That's the signal I gave him.
[11:52] Gu
    This is a violation of military treaty.
[11:55] Gu
    Attacks during negotiations aren't allowed.
[11:58] I
    If we're negotiating, yes.
[12:00] I
    But negotiations need to be
    held willingly by two parties.
[12:04] I
    If you're not retreating,
[12:05] I
    I'll lower my negotiating flag
    immediately and kill you.
[12:10] I
    We've only got the one flag up.
[12:13] I
    It won't take long to lower it.
[12:15] I
    We're ready to lower it immediately,
    depending on what you do.
[12:20] Gu
    Nyatt!
[12:22] Gu
    This is no negotiation!
[12:25] Gu
    It's just a threat!
[12:28] I
    What's the difference between
    negotiations and threats during wartime?
[12:33] I
    You're just calling the negotiations a threat
[12:36] I
    because they're not going your way.
[12:39] Gu
    And if I tell you I'm willing to die here?
[12:44] I
    That's not like you.
[12:46] I
    The right answer for you is
    the one that doesn't cost you
[12:49] I
    or your men your lives for nothing.
[12:52] Gu
    You've only just met me.
[12:54] Gu
    Are you telling me you know me that well?
[12:57] I
    Just met you?
[12:59] I
    Don't be so cold.
[13:00] I
    For the past six days, it's felt like
    I've been playing chess with you.
[13:05] I
    If you won't accept my terms,
     I'll use force.
[13:09] I
    You and I both have that in common.
[13:12] I
    The one difference is that
[13:14] I
    I put my forces in a place where
    I could aim directly at you,
[13:18] I
    and you failed to prepare for that.
[13:22] Gu
    He's lying!
[13:24] Gu
    I know that!
[13:26] Gu
    If he really had an air rifle unit,
[13:28] Gu
    he should bring some of them here to
    make the threat seem more realistic.
[13:34] Gu
    There's a 90% chance it's a bluff.
[13:36] I
    But...
[13:38] I
    You can't ignore that 10% possibility!
[13:58] Gu
    We accept your conditions.
[14:06] I
    There's nothing to be ashamed of.
[14:07] I
    That was the right choice,
[14:10] I
    Major Jean Alkiniks.
[14:16] I
    I borrowed your ghost, Torway.
[14:30] I
    Okay, set the fire.
[14:38] Gu
    Lieutenant Solork!
[14:40] Gu
    There's something I want to ask.
[14:42] Gu
    I believe in the ideals of Kioka,
[14:44] Gu
    and I'm fighting to make them real.
[14:47] Gu
    What moves you to protect the Empire?
[14:50] I
    Unfortunately,
[14:52] I
    I've never wanted to protect my country.
[14:56] I
    What I've always wanted to protect,
    and sometimes failed to protect, are people.
[15:01] Gu
    Nyatt!
[15:02] Gu
    It is the job of the nation
    to protect those people!
[15:07] I
    And for that to happen,
[15:10] I
    heroes like you will be drained dry
    and then tossed aside.
[15:15] I
    Since you don't even know it,
[15:16] I
    you're even more pitiable
    than a slave right now.
[15:20] I
    Since you're working hard in the wrong way,
[15:24] I
    everyone else around you
    is lazy in the wrong way.
[15:27] I
    Like a giant trying to hold the whole
    world on a tray on his shoulders!
[15:34] I
    I'll give you some wise words,
    Unsleeping, Shining Officer.
[15:38] I
    All heroes die of overwork.
[15:44] Gu
    Damn you, Ikta Solork!
[15:47] Gu
    I'll make the world into
    the way it should be!
[15:51] Gu
    I promise!
[16:00] Gu
    Excuse me, Princess Chamille.
[16:03] Gu
    The troops are returning
    from the Northern Garrison!
[16:06] C
    Solork!
[16:09] C
    Yatori!
[16:10] C
    Torway! Matthew!
[16:12] C
    Haro!
[16:14] C
    I'm right here!
[16:15] C
    If you hear me, then answer!
[16:19] C
    Yatori!
[16:21] Y
    I'm sorry we're late.
[16:24] Y
    We have returned, Princess Chamille.
[16:27] T
    Sorry for worrying you, Princess.
[16:32] C
    Torway, Matthew, Haro...
[16:36] C
    You're all so thin and pale.
[16:39] C
    Where's Solork?
[16:40] C
    Where is he?
[16:42] I
    Oh, right.
[16:44] I
    I'm right here, Princess.
[16:47] Gi
    Solork!
[16:49] Gi
    Solork! Solork!
[16:52] Gi
    I'm so glad... I'm so glad you're safe...
[16:55] I
    I almost wasn't just now.
[16:59] Gi
    S-Sorry.
[17:01] I
    And Princess,
[17:04] I
    it's not just us you should be trying
    to encourage right now, is it?
[17:12] Gi
    I'm sorry.
[17:14] Gi
    I've shamed myself in front of
    those that worked the hardest.
[17:18] Gi
    You really fought well.
[17:20] Gi
    The only reason the Empire can still count
    the Northern Region among its territory
[17:26] Gi
    is because you stopped the Alderan invasion!
[17:31] Gi
    I'm grateful for your efforts,
[17:33] Gi
    and I feel sorrow for your losses.
[17:35] Gi
    I, Chamille Kitra Katjvanmaninik,
[17:38] Gi
    swear that I will reward you
    for all you've done!
SIGN    One Month Later
[17:47] Gu
    You oppressed the Sinack
    for meaningless reasons,
[17:50] Gu
    needlessly cost soldiers their lives,
[17:53] Gu
    and your imprudence invited
    an enemy invasion.
[17:56] Gu
    Because of your foolish actions,
[17:58] Gu
    the war to defend
    the Northern Region continues.
[18:03] Gu
    Lieutenant General Tamtooktsk Safida,
    you are hereby demoted to private,
[18:07] Gu
    stripped of your decorations,
[18:10] Gu
    and are ordered to be executed
[18:13] Gu
    as the highest class of war criminal.
[18:15] Gu
    N-No!
[18:18] Gu
    P-Please don't kill me!
[18:20] Gu
    A-Anything but that!
[18:32] I
    So what did you want, Princess?
[18:36] I
    Want to complain at me for something?
[18:40] C
    Solork,
[18:41] C
    what do you think about the present
    state of the Katjvarna Empire?
[18:46] I
    Well, it's going downhill pretty fast.
[18:49] I
    Its influence is waning,
[18:51] I
    its politics get more corrupt by the day,
[18:53] I
    the Emperor is now just a puppet,
[18:56] I
    and he is failing to fulfill
    his duties as ruler.
[18:59] C
    That was harsh.
[19:01] C
    However, I completely agree.
[19:03] C
    That is why I'd like to ask something of you.
[19:07] C
    Ikta Solork.
[19:09] C
    Rise to the top of the Imperial Army
[19:12] C
    and change this country from its core.
[19:17] C
    Don't tell me you can't do it.
[19:19] C
    You have military talent.
[19:22] C
    Overwhelming talent.
[19:24] I
    That's stupid.
[19:26] I
    Even if I do make it to the top,
[19:29] I
    what then?
[19:31] I
    You want me to start a coup?
[19:34] C
    I want you to lose a war.
[19:39] C
    And with that loss, save the country.
[19:43] C
    The loss will bring in
    the Kioka Republic's culture,
[19:47] C
    economics, political philosophy...
[19:50] C
    Use all these external pressures
    to purify the Empire.
[19:55] I
    But...
[19:56] I
    No, but then the Empire will
    lose its unique culture—
[20:00] C
    I want you to lose the war
[20:02] C
    with enough power left to
    stop that from happening.
[20:06] C
    That's what I want of you.
[20:09] I
    In other words, I...
[20:12] C
    You will lose the war in the right way.
[20:15] C
    You hate soldiers,
    the imperial family, and heroes.
[20:19] C
    It's the perfect role for you.
[20:22] C
    So don't hesitate, Ikta Solork!
[20:25] C
    Come with me and fight until we lose!
[22:02] Y
    You're late.
[22:04] Y
    What did you talk about with the Princess?
[22:07] I
    Nothing.
[22:09] I
    Hey, Yatori.
[22:11] I
    Why do you think my dad died?
[22:14] I
    Because of some noble plot, maybe?
[22:17] I
    Because he was willing to disobey an
    imperial order to protect the country?
[22:22] I
    Because he tried to keep your father
    from falling from power?
[22:26] I
    It's all of those.
[22:28] I
    Basically, my dad died from overwork.
[22:32] I
    He tried to carry all the burdens himself
[22:35] I
    and died with no regard for
    how the people around him felt.
[22:39] I
    Save the country by losing a war?
[22:43] I
    Princess, if I follow your plan,
[22:47] I
    it won't be too long before
    I come into conflict
[22:51] I
    with this lady of Igsem,
    guardians of the country.
[22:56] I
    If the country wants to die, let it.
[22:59] I
    It's all wrong.
[23:01] I
    What I want to save, what I want to protect,
[23:05] I
    has never been the country.
[23:08] I
    The one thing I won't allow is getting you
     caught up in the collapse of the country.
[23:14] I
    That's why I came to take you, Yatori.
[23:17] I
    Please tell me you'll be
    the one person not to forget that.
[23:22] Y
    I could never forget, even if I wanted to.
[23:26] Narr
    The Invincible Lazy General.
[23:29] Narr
    The Heir to the Twin Blades.
[23:31] Narr
    And the Last Princess of the Empire.
[23:34] Narr
    The story that leads to the promised defeat
[23:37] Narr
    had only just begun.