E9 - Sounding Out

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(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.)
[00:01] Ars
    Well? Can you do it?
[00:04] Pham
    Of course I can.
[00:06] Pham
    It's my first job for you,
    so I'll take one gold as payment.
[00:09] Pham
    I'd like three silvers now for my advance.
[00:13] Ars
    Of course!
[00:14] Ars
    Er, how long will you need
    for the investigation?
[00:19] Pham
    Let's see...
[00:21] Pham
    Meet me back here in five days.
[00:23] Ars
    Huh?! That soon?!
[00:25] Pham
    No worries, kid.
[00:27] Pham
    This sort of intel gathering is our specialty.
[00:32] sign
    As a Reincarnated Aristocrat,
    
    I'll Use My Appraisal Skill
     to Rise in the World
[01:53] sign
    As a Reincarnated Aristocrat,
    
    I'll Use My Appraisal Skill
     to Rise in the World
[02:05] Charlotte
    Dang, what a meal!
[02:07] Rosell
    Charlotte, you have to leave
     some for the others!
[02:10] Charlotte
    They can just order more!
[02:10] sign
    Episode 9 Sounding Out
[02:12] Charlotte
    Go on, help yourself!
[02:15] Charlotte
    Sheesh, that was a long bathroom break.
[02:18] Ars
    Well...
[02:20] Ricia
    As it happens, we ran into
    the leader of Shadow!
[02:24] Ricia
    Lord Ars successfully got
    them to take our request.
[02:28] Charlotte
    Huh? You guys did all that without me?
[02:31] Charlotte
    I wanted to meet the guy myself.
[02:33] Charlotte
    Right?
[02:33] Rosell
    Yes, I was quite curious.
[02:35] Pham
    Here you are!
[02:36] Pham
    On the house, just for you!
[02:38] Pham
    Do take your time!
[02:40] Charlotte
    Hey, that's nice of you.
[02:42] Charlotte
    It's all been delicious!
[02:43] Pham
    Thank you kindly!
[02:46] Pham
    Now, if you'll excuse me!
[02:53] Ars
    I-Incredible...
[02:55] Ars
    I'd never have guessed Pham was
    a man if I hadn't seen his status.
[03:08] Ars
    Pardon us.
[03:10] Pham
    Hey, glad you made it.
[03:12] Ars
    Oh? The other members
     of your gang aren't here?
[03:16] Pham
    They're off on other jobs.
[03:19] Pham
    Investigations take a lot of manpower.
[03:21] Ars
    I suppose they would...
[03:24] Ars
    Who did the investigation for my request?
[03:27] Pham
    Just me.
[03:28] Ars
    J-Just you?!
[03:30] Pham
    Well, it sounded interesting enough,
     so I took care of it on my own.
[03:34] sign
    Mazak Finde 22 Male
[03:34] sign
    Diplomacy 22/23
    Leadership 33/44
    Ingenuity 87/90
[03:34] sign
    Prowess 91/92
    Archer: S
    Ambition 45
[03:34] Ars
    I get it.
[03:36] Ars
    It's his incredible skill that makes him
    Shadow's preeminent member.
[03:41] Ars
    That explains why he's the boss
    despite a mediocre Leadership score.
[03:45] Pham
    Well, let's get down to business.
[03:47] Pham
    The investigation was a success.
[03:49] Ars
    Was it? Thank you so much!
[03:53] Pham
    Only natural, since I handled it personally.
[03:57] Ars
    But how did you finish so quickly?
[04:02] Pham
    That's a trade secret.
[04:05] Pham
    Now, let me explain to you why Perreina
    District won't side with Couran.
[04:11] Pham
    I got my hands on something interesting.
[04:13] Pham
    Have a look.
[04:20] Rietz
    It's a pact!
[04:23] Rietz
    It bears the signatures and seals of
    nobles who've sided with Lord Vasmarque.
[04:28] Rietz
    All the signatories would
    have a copy of this, then?
[04:31] Ars
    It includes Perreina's signature and seal.
[04:35] Ars
    But what does it—
[04:38] Rietz
    Is that the mark of Maasa District?
[04:40] Ars
    Where's Maasa District again?
[04:44] Rietz
    It's situated in the west, like us.
[04:47] Rietz
    Maasa District has a large population
[04:49] Rietz
    and one of the continent's
    biggest infantries,
[04:52] Rietz
    on par with that of Missian's
    capital, Arcantez.
[04:55] Rietz
    They'll be a powerful ally
    to whichever side they take.
[05:01] Rietz
    Luckily, Maasa District has chosen
    Lord Couran, as we have.
[05:06] Rietz
    Yet here is the mark of Maasa District
    on a pledge of support for Lord Vasmarque.
[05:12] Ars
    D-Do you think...
[05:14] Rietz
    If this pact is genuine, it means
    that Maasa District has betrayed us.
[05:20] Ars
    B-Betrayed us?
[05:23] Ars
    Why would they do that?
[05:24] Pham
    That I don't know.
[05:26] Rietz
    At this rate, even if we invade Perreina,
[05:26] sign
    Maasa
[05:26] sign
    Perreina
[05:30] Rietz
    Maasa could mobilize and
    undermine our encirclement.
[05:33] Rietz
    Or worse, they could attack
    from behind and take us out.
[05:38] Pham
    That would certainly tip the scale
    wildly in Vasmarque's favor.
[05:42] Pham
    Perreina District has likely determined
    that siding with Couran is a losing prospect.
[05:48] Pham
    Explains why they won't play along.
[05:52] Rietz
    Can you confirm that this pact is genuine?
[05:55] Rietz
    You said it was a trade secret,
[05:58] Rietz
    but it can't be so easy to obtain
    a document of this import.
[06:02] Pham
    I don't share my methods with anyone,
    even my most trusted colleagues.
[06:09] Pham
    But I assure you I found that in
    Castle Perreina, where the headman lives.
[06:21] Rietz
    Understood.
[06:26] Rietz
    Forgive me for doubting you.
[06:29] Pham
    No worries. It's all business.
[06:32] Pham
    That sums up my investigation.
[06:34] Pham
    You can take the pact with you.
[06:37] Ars
    Pham's so cool!
[06:39] Ars
    It must take unbelievable skill to acquire
    something so important in such a short time!
[06:44] Ars
    And he can disguise himself flawlessly
    as a woman! He's a real ninja!
[06:49] Ars
    He's like Hattori Hanzo!
[06:50] Ars
    Oh, let me settle your payment.
[06:53] Pham
    Save your money.
[06:56] Pham
    I was pretty rude to you before, after all.
[06:58] Ars
    But you got us exactly what we asked for.
[07:02] Pham
    Nah. Consider it an apology for the other day...
[07:05] Pham
    and an investment in the future.
[07:11] Ars
    Understood.
[07:12] Ars
    Please let me pay you extra
    for the next job, then.
[07:16] Ars
    I can't thank you enough for this.
[07:19] Pham
    Sure. See you again.
[07:22] Ars
    Rietz, we should inform Lord Lumeire
    of Maasa's betrayal at once.
[07:27] Rietz
    Right!
[07:30] Pham
    I hope it's that simple, anyway.
[07:35] sign
    Castle Canarre
[07:36] Lumeire
    Maasa District is siding
    with Lord Vasmarque?!
[07:40] Lumeire
    Is this pact genuine?
[07:42] Ars
    I have it on good authority that it came
    from the Perreina headman's residence.
[07:47] Lumeire
    I see.
[07:50] Lumeire
    Maasa's headman has always thought
    very highly of Lord Couran.
[07:54] Lumeire
    But if this document is authentic,
[07:57] Lumeire
    getting Perreina on our side
    will be no mean feat.
[08:01] Lumeire
    Menas, take this document to
    Torbequista and Coumeire at once.
[08:06] Menas
    My lord.
[08:07] Lumeire
    Ars, you've done well.
[08:09] Lumeire
    Without you, we'd have found ourselves
    in a grave state of affairs.
[08:16] Lumeire
    I thank you.
[08:17] Ars
    Well, a mercenary leader did all the work...
[08:21] Lumeire
    Still, Perreina is the least
     of our worries now.
[08:26] Lumeire
    I need to consult with Lord Couran.
[08:28] Lumeire
    Ars, I'd like your help, as well.
[08:30] Menas
    Wait a moment.
[08:33] Menas
    There's something amiss with this pact.
[08:37] Lumeire
    There is?
[08:38] Menas
    The signature and seal of
    Maasa District aren't quite right.
[08:43] Menas
    Follow me, please.
[08:46] Menas
    The seal of Maasa's headman
    is a circle inside a hexagon,
[08:49] Menas
    with a pentagram drawn inside that circle.
[08:54] Menas
    Compare these two seals.
[08:57] Menas
    At a glance, it looks correct, but...
[09:00] Ars
    Wait.
[09:02] Menas
    The circle's not as it should be, is it?
[09:06] Menas
    The hexagon looks a bit too small, as well.
[09:09] Menas
    The signature is also a close match,
[09:12] Menas
    but there are discrepancies
    in the handwriting.
[09:14] Menas
    That said, I believe the other
    seals and signatures are genuine.
[09:18] Ars
    Does that mean...
[09:20] Menas
    Maasa District's seal and signature
    on this pact may be a forgery.
[09:26] Lumeire
    I see.
[09:28] Lumeire
    So Perreina was deceived into believing
    that Maasa betrayed us,
[09:32] Lumeire
    thus they've sided with Lord Vasmarque?
[09:37] Lumeire
    Menas has a very discerning eye.
[09:39] Lumeire
    You can take him at his word.
[09:41] Ars
    Menas has a skill like that?
[09:44] sign
    Menas Renard 40 Male
[09:44] sign
    Prowess 70/70
    Ambition 25
    Builder: B
    Cavalry: B
    Mage: C
    Infantry: B
[09:44] sign
    Leadership 71/71
    Ingenuity 75/77
    Smith: D
    Aerial: D
    Archer: A
    Strategist: B
[09:45] Ars
    My Appraisal lets me see stats,
    but it doesn't show me special skills.
[09:51] Ars
    I should try not to assume
    that I'm getting the full picture.
[09:56] Ars
    But why push a lie that
    would eventually come to light?
[10:00] Rietz
    To buy time, perhaps?
[10:02] Rosell
    Yes, that's what I think.
[10:06] Rosell
    We'll attack Perreina,
    and Perreina will fight back.
[10:12] Rosell
    But Perreina will inevitably fall
     to our superior forces.
[10:15] Rietz
    So all that matters to them is having
    Perreina on their side in the interim.
[10:22] Rietz
    If they regard Perreina as disposable,
    then their real goal must be...
[10:27] Lumeire
    Of course! The explosion magistones.
[10:31] Ars
    What are those?
[10:33] Lumeire
    Extremely valuable magistones that,
    within Missian, are only found in Perreina,
[10:38] Lumeire
    and in only three other districts across
    the entire continent of Summerforth.
[10:45] Lumeire
    When refined, explosion magistones
    allow for the use of powerful magic
[10:50] Lumeire
    and can be used to make
    even more powerful weapons.
[10:53] Ars
    I see.
[10:55] Ars
    So Lord Vasmarque is after Perreina to
    get as many of those magistones as he can.
[11:01] Rosell
    Which means that attacking Perreina
    is now out of the question.
[11:08] Lumeire
    Why say that?
[11:09] Rosell
    Under other circumstances,
    Perreina would have been our ally.
[11:13] Rosell
    If we whittle each other down by fighting,
[11:16] Rosell
    we'll be playing right into
    Lord Vasmarque's hands.
[11:20] Rosell
    I believe our only option is to tell
    Perreina the truth and win them over.
[11:26] Rietz
    I see.
[11:28] Lumeire
    But we've sent numerous messengers to
    Perreina, and all have been turned away.
[11:33] sign
    As a Reincarnated Aristocrat,
    
    I'll Use My Appraisal Skill
     to Rise in the World
[11:34] Lumeire
    What do we do?
[11:38] sign
    As a Reincarnated Aristocrat,
    
    I'll Use My Appraisal Skill
     to Rise in the World
[11:38] sign
    Castle Perreina
[11:39] Perreina Headman
    I read your letter.
[11:41] Perreina Headman
    Setting aside the question of how you
    happened to get a copy of our pact...
[11:47] sign
    Headman of Perreina
[11:47] Perreina
    For now, I'll hear what you have to say.
[11:50] Ars
    Just as I said in my letter,
[11:52] Ars
    Lamberg also wishes to
    join Lord Vasmarque's side.
[11:59] Ars
    Maasa District changing sides
    was a huge shock to us.
[12:02] Perreina Headman
    As it was to me.
[12:05] Ars
    The loyalties of a force as large as Maasa's
[12:09] Ars
    will be a critical factor
    in the war's final outcome.
[12:13] Ars
    Having learned of this, Lord Lumeire
    intends to join Lord Vasmarque, as well.
[12:19] Perreina Headman
    What did you say?
[12:20] Perreina Headman
    You mean you're a messenger
    from Canarre District, then?
[12:24] Ars
    For a small territory like ours,
[12:27] Ars
    siding with the inevitable winner
    is all the more important.
[12:30] Perreina Headman
    I'd heard Lamberg had a new lord...
[12:34] Perreina Headman
    You seem competent beyond
    your meager years.
[12:37] Perreina Headman
    You were able to steal a
    tightly guarded pact, after all.
[12:45] Perreina Headman
    Very well.
[12:47] Perreina Headman
    There's no point in hiding now that it's out.
[12:50] Perreina Headman
    I'll speak to Lord Vasmarque myself.
[12:53] Perreina Headman
    We'll gladly accept Lamberg into our cadre.
[12:56] Perreina Headman
    I'll be counting on you in the future.
[12:58] Ars
    First, I'd like to confirm one last thing.
[13:03] Ars
    Is the pact document genuine?
[13:06] Perreina Headman
    I received it from Lord Vasmarque personally.
[13:10] Perreina Headman
    I can attest to its authenticity.
[13:13] Ars
    But hasn't Maasa's headman been loyal
     to Lord Couran all this time?
[13:17] Ars
    Why would he betray him now?
[13:19] Perreina Headman
    This is war.
[13:21] Perreina Headman
    It's not uncommon to betray former
    allies to secure a winning position.
[13:26] Ars
    But surely Maasa District knows that such
    a betrayal would leave them surrounded.
[13:31] Ars
    Do you know his specific reason for siding
    with Lord Vasmarque, despite the risk?
[13:36] Perreina Headman
    Well...
[13:38] Ars
    Isn't it a bit dangerous to buy into this
    without knowing why he did it?
[13:43] Perreina Headman
    I see now. This was all a ruse.
[13:45] Perreina Headman
    Your interest in joining us was merely
    pretext to get an audience with me.
[13:50] Perreina Headman
    Arrest them!
[13:59] Ars
    Please wait.
[14:00] Ars
    We didn't come here for a fight.
[14:04] Ars
    Headman of Perreina,
    I came to tell you something.
[14:07] Perreina Headman
    A-And what's that?
[14:15] Perreina Headman
    Y-You're...
[14:17] Perreina Headman
    Maasa's headman?!
[14:20] Ars
    Well, why not ask the man himself?
[14:25] sign
    Castle Canarre
[14:26] Rosell
    Um, I think I have an idea.
[14:29] (Flashback) Lumeire
    What is it?
[14:31] (Flashback) Rosell
    We'll arrange proof that the pact is fake.
[14:36] sign
    Castle Maasa
[14:37] Maasa Headman
    Wh-What nonsense is this?
[14:38] sign
    Headman of Maasa
[14:40] (Flashback) Ars
    Then, as we suspected...
[14:42] (Flashback) Maasa Headman
    Indeed, I never signed this pact.
[14:45] (Flashback) Ars
    We believe it's a forgery by
     Lord Vasmarque to deceive Perreina.
[14:51] (Flashback) Maasa Headman
    Disgusting. What a cheap trick!
[14:54] (Flashback) Ars
    We want to pretend to change allegiances
    to get Perreina to see the light.
[14:58] (Flashback) Ars
    Could you write us a letter condemning
    the pact as counterfeit, if you would?
[15:06] (Flashback) Maasa Headman
    To forge the seal of Maasa District...
[15:10] (Flashback) Maasa Headman
    This is an absolute disgrace!
[15:12] (Flashback) Maasa Headman
    I cannot abide such underhanded tactics!
[15:16] (Flashback) Maasa Headman
    I'll visit Perreina's headman
    and reveal the truth myself!
[15:21] Ars
    Maasa's headman wants to come with us?!
[15:26] Maasa Headman
    Headman of Perreina.
[15:29] Maasa Headman
    I did not sign that pact.
[15:32] Maasa Headman
    That means it is a forgery.
[15:35] Maasa Headman
    I have served Lord Couran from the
     beginning, and I will until the end.
[15:40] Maasa Headman
    I am no turncoat!
[15:42] Maasa Headman
    Now, I wish to ask you a question.
[15:46] Maasa Headman
    Knowing what you do now,
[15:48] Maasa Headman
    will you pursue your own ruin by
    continuing to side with Lord Vasmarque?
[15:54] Perreina Headman
    Now that I know of this treachery,
    I wish to side with Lord Couran.
[15:59] Perreina Headman
    But... we still did turn on him, for a time.
[16:02] Perreina Headman
    Do you think Lord Couran
    will really take us back?
[16:07] Maasa Headman
    Indeed, that won't be easy to do.
[16:11] Maasa Headman
    Let me tell you one thing.
[16:14] Maasa Headman
    Maasa District is one of the
    most populous in all of Missian.
[16:19] Maasa Headman
    That makes us a powerful domain.
[16:22] Maasa Headman
    At the same time, it means
    I have more people to protect.
[16:28] Maasa Headman
    I feel that, for their sake,
    I must win this war at any cost.
[16:33] Maasa Headman
    I'm sure you felt the same way.
[16:38] Maasa Headman
    Nevertheless, had you investigated this,
     you'd have seen it was all a trap.
[16:43] Maasa Headman
    I cannot ignore how easily you were fooled!
[16:50] Ars
    He has such a commanding presence.
[16:52] Ars
    That's what it takes to lead a large domain.
[16:55] Ars
    I need to rise to that level.
[16:57] Maasa Headman
    Still, it was Ars who brought
    the matter to my attention.
[17:02] Maasa Headman
    Ars, I leave the decision to you.
[17:05] Ars
    M-Me?!
[17:12] Ars
    I agree that Perreina's
    headman acted incautiously.
[17:17] Ars
    But... everyone makes mistakes.
[17:20] Ars
    I don't want to cut anyone
    out for a single mistake.
[17:24] Ars
    Perhaps it's naïve of me,
[17:26] Ars
    but I'm just happy we could
    resolve this without fighting.
[17:30] Ars
    Maybe it was meant to be.
[17:32] Ars
    Let us become allies once more!
[17:38] Perreina Headman
    I'm deeply grateful for your compassion.
[17:41] Perreina Headman
    I promise to serve as best I can.
[17:52] Maasa Headman
    Well, I believe that's that.
[17:54] Maasa Headman
    There's nothing more to discuss.
[17:59] Maasa Headman
    Now go inform Lumeire of this.
[18:02] Ars
    I will!
[18:04] Ars
    Um...
[18:05] Ars
    Thank you so much for joining us today.
[18:09] Maasa Headman
    I'm the one who should thank you.
[18:11] Maasa Headman
    You saw through the enemy's plot and
    resolved the situation without bloodshed.
[18:16] Maasa Headman
    It seems Canarre has made a fine
    addition to its leadership.
[18:20] Maasa Headman
    I'll remember that.
[18:21] Ars
    Thank you so much!
[18:23] Maasa Headman
    Your acting was a bit on
    the wooden side, though.
[18:26] Ars
    I'll try to work on that...
[18:31] Ars
    That's the long and short of it.
[18:34] Ars
    Perreina's headman pledged to Lord Lumeire
    that he'd support him unilaterally from now on.
[18:42] Ars
    It also appears that Lord Vasmarque acquired
[18:45] Ars
    large numbers of explosion magistones
    from Perreina District.
[18:49] Ars
    He's frighteningly clever, isn't he?
[18:53] Rietz
    Lord Ars.
[18:56] Rietz
    Are you all right?
[18:57] Rietz
    It's gotten quite chilly today.
[18:58] Rosell
    So cold!
[19:03] Ars
    That's right. Winter's coming, isn't it?
[19:08] Rietz
    Lord Ars?
[19:12] Ars
    Thanks to the two of you, we managed
    to resolve this without anyone getting hurt.
[19:17] Ars
    Again, you have my deepest thanks.
[19:20] Rosell
    Y-You think so?
[19:23] Rietz
    Is something weighing on your mind?
[19:25] Ars
    Ah, no, it's nothing serious.
[19:28] Ars
    I know what I have to do,
    but it's difficult to accomplish...
[19:32] Rietz
    Lord Ars?
[19:38] Ars
    The headmen of Perreina and Maasa were
    desperate to protect their domains and people.
[19:43] Ars
    I have to become a strong lord like them.
[19:49] Ars
    If I didn't have you, I would have been
     powerless to influence the situation.
[19:57] Rietz
    You do have us, Lord Ars.
[20:01] Rietz
    No matter what enemy we face,
    we'll do everything we can to protect you.
[20:07] Rietz
    You need only do what you feel is right, as
     you did when you forgave Perreina's headman.
[20:14] Ars
    Thank you for your support, Rietz, Rosell.
[20:17] Alice
    Lord Ars!
[20:21] Alice
    A carriage just arrived...
[20:27] Ars
    Lord Lumeire? What are you doing here?
[20:30] Lumeire
    I'm sorry it took me so long to visit, Raven.
[20:36] Ars
    Thank you for coming.
[20:38] Lumeire
    Raven, Lord Couran wishes to meet Ars.
[20:44] Ars
    Huh?
[20:45] Ars
    Lord Couran wants to meet me?!
[20:47] Ars
    Th-The lord of a nothing territory
    like me, meeting Lord Couran?!
[20:48] sign
    Village Leader (Rural): Me
[20:49] sign
    City Mayor: Lord Lumeire
[20:50] sign
    Prefectural Governor: Lord Couran
[20:51] Ars
    That's like a village leader
    meeting the prefectural governor!
[20:54] Ars
    S-Surely a rural lord like me is
     unworthy of meeting Lord Couran...
[20:59] Ars
    There's not something
    else going on, is there?
[21:02] Lumeire
    I told Lord Couran about the recent incident.
[21:06] Lumeire
    It seems he's taken quite an interest in you.
[21:06] sign
    Interest
[21:09] Ars
    I... I see. Very well.
[21:12] Ars
    I'll try to mentally prepare myself
     for when the day comes.
[21:15] Lumeire
    What do you mean?
[21:17] Lumeire
    We're going to see him now.
[21:19] Lumeire
    Come along!
[21:22] Ars
    Right now?!
[21:23] Lumeire
    Yes!
[21:24] Ars
    S-Surely this is all too sudden!
[21:27] Ars
    I haven't even prepared tribute!
[21:29] Rietz
    Why are you hesitating? It's your
    chance to move up in the world!
[21:33] Rietz
    You must go!
[21:34] Rosell
    It's a good chance to gather intel
     on our allies! You've got to go!
[21:42] Ars
    I shall gladly accompany you!
[21:46] Lumeire
    On we go, then!
[23:25] Ars
    Listen to this, Charlotte!
[23:27] Ars
    I'm about to meet Lord Couran,
    the possible next governor of Missian!
[23:30] Charlotte
    Meaning you're going to a party
    to eat delicious food?!
[23:33] Charlotte
    Okay, I'm gonna get ready!
[23:34] Ars
    I-I told the wrong person...
[23:36] Ars
    Next time: "Couran Salamakhia."
[23:37] sign
    Next Time Couran Salamakhia
[23:38] Ars
    Whoops, I forgot "Lord."