# E1 - First Begin with a Hero
Source: [Crunchyroll](https://www.crunchyroll.com/watch/GX9UQKK5Z/first-begin-with-a-hero)
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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.)
**[00:25] ---**
Kazuya,
**[00:27] ---**
why do you think people have families?
**[00:33] ---**
Huh?
**[00:35] ---**
So that they don't die alone.
**[00:38] ---**
As I was attending to your grandmother,
I dwelt on that thought.
**[00:42] ---**
We lost our son and your mom
much too early, but you were still here.
**[00:48] ---**
It was because of you that we
found fulfillment in our lives.
**[00:56] ---**
Grandpa...
**[00:58] ---**
Once I go to join your grandma,
you're going to be all alone.
**[01:05] ---**
Kazuya, start a family. And no matter what
comes your way, keep them safe.
**[01:13] ---**
Do that, and when the end comes,
**[01:16] ---**
I promise you, you will consider
your life to have been a good one.
**[01:20] ---**
These will be the final words of wisdom
I leave to you, my grandson.
**[01:27] ---**
When he said those words, I thought
they sounded like a dying wish.
**[01:30] ---**
"Ancestral resting place"
When he said those words, I thought
they sounded like a dying wish.
**[01:33] ---**
Grandpa has now joined
Grandma where she is.
**[01:43] ---**
And now I... am all alone.
**[01:58] ---**
*"Never mind, face forward,"*
**[02:03] ---**
*my heart just cried until it was hoarse*
**[02:09] ---**
*When you lose something,
is that the end of it?*
**[02:14] ---**
*Is there no putting things back
the way they were?*
**[02:20] ---**
*Just as a line of clouds
moves off somewhere*
**[02:26] ---**
*when you take your eyes
off of them for a moment,*
**[02:31] ---**
*so does everything else*
**[02:36] ---**
*I never thought there was a version of me*
**[02:43] ---**
*that the world would have a need for*
**[02:48] ---**
*But when I believed in what I believe,*
**[02:54] ---**
*I found myself as I truly am*
**[03:00] ---**
*Hello, yes, the first step
I take after nodding*
**[03:05] ---**
*Hello, yes, is toward
the yet-unseen horizon*
**[03:18] ---**
"First Begin with a Hero"
**[03:24] ---**
Hmm, what do we do?
**[03:27] ---**
Mm-hmm, whatever shall we do?
**[03:33] ---**
What can we do about this?
**[03:38] ---**
Your Majesty,
**[03:39] ---**
at this point, I believe our
only move is to summon a hero.
**[03:49] ---**
"The Prince"
"Niccolo Machiavelli"
**[03:54] ---**
You do understand the procedure, right?
**[03:56] ---**
Yes.
**[03:58] ---**
Very well, we will now perform
the Hero Rite of Summoning.
**[04:34] ---**
Huh? Whoa!
**[04:39] ---**
"The Prince"
"Niccolo Machiavelli"
**[05:09] ---**
Huh? Eh?
**[05:11] ---**
I can't believe we actually
summoned someone.
**[05:15] ---**
Everything is worth trying at least once.
**[05:17] ---**
Whoa, hey...
**[05:35] ---**
O hero!
**[05:37] ---**
Thank you for answering our call!
**[05:40] ---**
I didn't answer anything. I was summoned
here without my say-so.
**[05:46] ---**
I-I suppose you were. From your
standpoint, it must seem that way.
**[05:52] ---**
You aren't, by any chance, angry that
we summoned you here, are you?
**[05:55] ---**
Can you imagine that I *wouldn't* be angry?
**[06:00] ---**
Could I at least ask you
to explain the situation?
**[06:03] ---**
I'll decide whether to lose
my temper after that.
**[06:05] ---**
Y-Yes indeed... an explanation...
**[06:10] ---**
...mm-hmm, allow me to explain...
**[06:14] ---**
This is the supercontinent Landia.
**[06:16] ---**
Many races--including humans,
elves, dwarves, and dragonewts--
**[06:21] ---**
have made their homes here, forming
a number of countries of various sizes.
**[06:28] ---**
However, roughly ten years ago, on
the northernmost end of the continent,
**[06:32] ---**
a horde of monsters arrived from a void
that appeared, called the Demon World,
**[06:37] ---**
and all hell broke loose among
the northern countries.
**[06:42] ---**
Centered around the Gran Chaos Empire,
**[06:44] ---**
which boasted the largest
territory on the continent,
**[06:46] ---**
the various nations united together
to form a punitive force,
**[06:49] ---**
and mounted an invasion
of the Demon World.
**[06:52] ---**
However, that punitive force
was wiped out.
**[06:56] ---**
With these nations losing their main
military force on this expedition,
**[07:00] ---**
they no longer had the strength to repel
the monsters from the Demon World,
**[07:04] ---**
and the Demon World's forces have
now occupied a third of the continent.
**[07:09] ---**
At present, this territory is known
as the Demon Lord's Domain.
**[07:11] ---**
"Demon Lord's Domain"
At present, this territory is known
as the Demon Lord's Domain.
**[07:14] ---**
"Demon Lord's Domain"
Perhaps because the number
of monsters attacking
**[07:15] ---**
Perhaps because the number
of monsters attacking
**[07:16] ---**
"Union of Eastern Nations"
has been divided due to
the expansion of the battle lines,
**[07:19] ---**
"Elfrieden Kingdom"
has been divided due to
the expansion of the battle lines,
**[07:20] ---**
"Elfrieden Kingdom"
the nations of mankind have been
able to barely keep them in check.
**[07:21] ---**
"Gran Chaos Empire"
the nations of mankind have been
able to barely keep them in check.
**[07:25] ---**
That deadlock remains
in place to this day.
**[07:30] ---**
So then, I hope you're not telling me
to go and defeat those monsters.
**[07:34] ---**
No, not that, exactly.
**[07:39] ---**
Ahem...
**[07:41] ---**
Hero, this is truly difficult
for me to say...
**[07:48] ---**
"Gran Chaos Empire"
**[07:51] ---**
"Gran Chaos Empire,
capital city, Valois"
**[07:52] ---**
"Gran Chaos Empire,
capital city, Valois"
At the moment, there is no large-scale
movement in the Demon Lord's Domain.
**[07:56] ---**
However, the forces
stationed along the border
**[07:59] ---**
have been informed
to remain ever vigilant.
**[08:02] ---**
The soldiers' morale is high, with
the charge to protect the world of men,
**[08:06] ---**
but as their postings become drawn out,
**[08:09] ---**
their toll on the nation's treasury grows
heavy, and is becoming problematic.
**[08:14] ---**
So, about that other matter...
**[08:17] ---**
Other matter?
**[08:20] ---**
The matter of our request
to the Elfrieden Kingdom
**[08:23] ---**
to contribute financially
to the war effort.
**[08:24] ---**
The deadline is approaching,
but they have yet to respond.
**[08:28] ---**
You're going to turn me over to
the empire in the place of financial aid?
**[08:33] ---**
I'm so sorry about this!
I hope you will forgive me!
**[08:37] ---**
Currently, the nation who is primarily
containing the Demon Lord's Domain
**[08:40] ---**
is the Gran Chaos Empire, who shares
the longest border with them.
**[08:45] ---**
Our own Elfrieden Kingdom is being
greatly benefited by their efforts,
**[08:49] ---**
which is why the empire
has sought financial assistance
**[08:54] ---**
from those countries who do not share
a border with the Demon Lord's Domain.
**[08:57] ---**
If money will do, then why not pay it?
**[09:01] ---**
It sounds far preferable to
fighting these monsters, right?
**[09:04] ---**
The thing is, we can't.
**[09:07] ---**
Yes. In addition to our nation facing
a chronic shortage of food,
**[09:11] ---**
the expansion of the Demon Lord's Domain
**[09:12] ---**
has sent us an influx of refugees
who were chased from their homes,
**[09:15] ---**
and it is costing us much
to deal with them.
**[09:17] ---**
Oh, we are in no position to pay
any financial assistance.
**[09:22] ---**
However, within the
empire's request for aid
**[09:25] ---**
is a clause that states that if we
cannot contribute any assistance,
**[09:28] ---**
then we may perform
the Hero Rite of Summoning
**[09:32] ---**
that has been handed down
through our nation,
**[09:35] ---**
and send the hero thereby
summoned to the empire.
**[09:38] ---**
So it is with the utmost
reluctance that we--
**[09:40] ---**
...would sell off your own daughters
to pay your debts, would you?
**[09:47] ---**
So, what happens to me after
I'm turned over to the empire?
**[09:51] ---**
Well, we aren't sure what happens to you.
**[09:54] ---**
And what is a hero in the first place?
**[09:57] ---**
It is said that a hero is the one who will
lead the revolution into a new age.
**[10:02] ---**
Th--
**[10:06] ---**
That's more than a little vague, isn't it?
**[10:08] ---**
Er, you see, our information is scarce,
**[10:11] ---**
and he is someone
shrouded in mystery, so...
**[10:14] ---**
I hope the reason the empire
wants you to hand me over to them
**[10:17] ---**
isn't to unravel the mystery of what
a hero is through dissection...
**[10:20] ---**
...or anything like that, is it?
**[10:24] ---**
So it *could* be?
**[10:25] ---**
Th-There isn't a chance in a million
that they would do such a thing!
**[10:29] ---**
That's right! Not a chance in a thousand,
not one in a hundred, I'd say.
**[10:33] ---**
Why is that possibility rising?
**[10:38] ---**
Still, I'm stuck here. My life plan
was to become a local civil servant,
**[10:44] ---**
and now I'm at risk of being dissected
in this outlandish place?
**[10:50] ---**
I could run, but that's going
to be easier said than done.
**[10:54] ---**
If I screw up and get captured, the
situation will only get worse and worse.
**[10:58] ---**
Which means that everything
hangs on the next thing I say.
**[11:04] ---**
Sire, may I ask you a question?
**[11:07] ---**
Wh-What is it?
**[11:09] ---**
Are the requests for assistance from
the empire limited to just this once?
**[11:13] ---**
W-Well, of course, they--
**[11:15] ---**
No, I believe that the requests
will keep coming
**[11:19] ---**
for as long as the monsters
continue to attack.
**[11:22] ---**
I'm sure you're right.
One other question...
**[11:26] ---**
This has to do with hero summoning.
**[11:28] ---**
Is it the sort of thing where you can
summon as many people as you like,
**[11:31] ---**
so long as you perform the ritual?
**[11:33] ---**
Oh, well, you see...
**[11:38] ---**
According to our records,
the last time a hero was summoned
**[11:42] ---**
was nearly 500 years ago. It took place
only once, at our nation's founding.
**[11:47] ---**
We are unable to perform
summonings very often at all.
**[11:50] ---**
Assuming that's true,
**[11:52] ---**
then I am the one card this country
has to play under the circumstances.
**[11:57] ---**
Is that about right?
**[11:58] ---**
Th-That seems about right.
**[12:00] ---**
In that case, wouldn't it be a vacuous
move to give me up right now?
**[12:05] ---**
V-Vacuous?
**[12:07] ---**
Dear, "vacuous" means something foolish.
**[12:11] ---**
O-Oh, *that* "vacuous."
**[12:15] ---**
I think it might be working.
**[12:17] ---**
If we are thinking ahead, should we not
first review the country's finances,
**[12:21] ---**
adopt policies to increase its might,
**[12:24] ---**
and build up enough national strength
to reject these sorts of imperial demands?
**[12:29] ---**
E-Enough national strength
to reject imperial demands?
**[12:34] ---**
B-But the idea of us being able
to accomplish that is completely--
**[12:37] ---**
I was told that heroes are those who will
lead the revolution into a new age.
**[12:45] ---**
You never know, we might be able to bring
about some change in this country.
**[12:51] ---**
"Elfrieden Kingdom: A multiethnic state
with various races coexisting.
To prevent human supremacy,
a tripartite system is in place."
**[12:54] ---**
"Souma Kazuya: Age: 18 years old
Considers things realistically and acts
rationally, but can behave impractically
when family is involved."
**[12:57] ---**
...or so I said, but at the moment,
I don't have a plan.
**[13:02] ---**
Whatever the case, I just have to find
a way to come up with this aid money.
**[13:07] ---**
Can we start by having you tell me
everything about the country's finances?
**[13:11] ---**
I need budget reports, and any data on
agriculture, forestry and fisheries,
**[13:14] ---**
on your economy, trade, and industry,
**[13:16] ---**
and on your land, infrastructure,
and transport, if you please.
**[13:19] ---**
Marx, if you would?
**[13:22] ---**
At once.
**[13:25] ---**
And so, a wide range of
topics were discussed,
**[13:28] ---**
as the conference between
the Elfrieden king, Albert,
**[13:30] ---**
the prime minister, Marx,
and the hero, Souma,
**[13:34] ---**
went on for three days and nights.
**[13:40] ---**
All of you present,
I would like your attention.
**[13:44] ---**
I, Albert Elfrieden,
the 13th King of Elfrieden,
**[13:51] ---**
hereby abdicate the throne,
**[13:53] ---**
and give it over to our summoned hero,
Souma Kazuya!
**[13:58] ---**
H-Huh?!
**[14:02] ---**
Further, I am also announcing
the engagement of my daughter,
**[14:07] ---**
Liscia Elfrieden, to Souma!
**[14:13] ---**
Huh?!
**[14:15] ---**
April 1546 by the Continental Calendar.
**[14:18] ---**
The throne of the Elfrieden Kingdom
is given over to Souma Kazuya.
**[14:23] ---**
This news reaches the Three Dukedoms--
**[14:26] ---**
the trio of dukes who head
the kingdom's armed forces--
**[14:29] ---**
"Vargas Duchy,
Red Dragon City"
where it creates no small stir among them.
**[14:33] ---**
Albert has stepped down?!
**[14:35] ---**
Yes, sir. Further, he has ceded the throne
to Souma, the summoned hero.
**[14:43] ---**
"Walter Duchy,
Lagoon City"
**[14:49] ---**
That's quite the bold move,
coming from him.
**[14:53] ---**
"Carmine Duchy,
Randel"
**[14:56] ---**
I will wager that Liscia will be beside
herself when this news reaches her.
**[15:08] ---**
Father, Mother, please be all right.
**[15:14] ---**
Ah, right there, right there,
that's the spot...
**[15:18] ---**
Father! Are you all... right?
**[15:22] ---**
Father!
**[15:23] ---**
I heard that the throne had been
usurped and came flying here!
**[15:26] ---**
And then I find the two of you in there,
casually carrying on like that!
**[15:29] ---**
The throne has not exactly been usurped.
**[15:32] ---**
I abdicated it in favor of Souma
of my own free will.
**[15:36] ---**
But why would you
suddenly do such a thing?
**[15:39] ---**
Because I am convinced that he is more fit
to be king of the country than I am.
**[15:45] ---**
I made my decision responsibly,
as one who was in charge of the kingdom.
**[15:50] ---**
And I won't have any arguments!
**[15:52] ---**
B-But Father, how could you declare
my engagement without asking me?!
**[15:56] ---**
That's something the two of you
can discuss between yourselves.
**[16:00] ---**
This marriage arrangement
originated with me.
**[16:04] ---**
If you don't want to go through with it,
**[16:06] ---**
I doubt that Souma will insist.
**[16:09] ---**
Mother!
**[16:10] ---**
You should go and meet Souma first.
**[16:14] ---**
This is your life, after all,
so you should decide for yourself.
**[16:23] ---**
What does he mean, the two of us
should discuss it ourselves?
**[16:26] ---**
Obviously this guy can't
be up to anything good.
**[16:29] ---**
I'm coming in.
**[16:32] ---**
Hey, whoever just came in...
**[16:35] ---**
Huh? Me?
**[16:38] ---**
Are you able to read?
**[16:41] ---**
D-Don't take me for an idiot!
I've had my share of education!
**[16:45] ---**
--Okay, what's three plus two?
--Five.
**[16:47] ---**
Six times two?
**[16:48] ---**
Twelve, of course.
**[16:50] ---**
Forty-two divided by seven?
**[16:51] ---**
Seven! No, I mean six!
**[16:54] ---**
Good. Come over here
and help me with this work.
**[16:58] ---**
Help you? Who do you think I am, anyway?
**[17:02] ---**
Fresh manpower.
**[17:04] ---**
I am Liscia Elfrieden,
daughter of the king--
**[17:07] ---**
I mean, the former king, Albert Elfrieden.
**[17:12] ---**
You're a princess?
**[17:14] ---**
Don't I look it?
**[17:15] ---**
Oh, no, you're wearing what
looks like a military uniform, so...
**[17:18] ---**
Not "like" a military uniform,
it "is" one!
**[17:22] ---**
I'm stationed with the army under
command of Duke Carmine.
**[17:25] ---**
I was out performing my duties on patrol,
until I came rushing back here.
**[17:29] ---**
O-Oh, is that right? But, mm-hmm,
now that you mention it,
**[17:33] ---**
there is something princess-y about you.
**[17:37] ---**
I'm Souma Kazuya.
For better or worse, I'm the king now.
**[17:43] ---**
I'm not a princess anymore.
Thanks to you stealing the throne away,
**[17:48] ---**
my position right now
is really up in the air.
**[17:51] ---**
Stole it away? Your old man
all but dumped his throne on me.
**[17:56] ---**
What happened, anyway? I know
that you're the hero they summoned,
**[18:02] ---**
but how did that turn into you suddenly
ending up being delegated the throne?
**[18:05] ---**
That's what *I'd* like to know. I was
just looking out for my own safety.
**[18:11] ---**
Huh?
**[18:15] ---**
I wonder if those two will get along well.
**[18:19] ---**
They'll be fine. I'm sure of it.
**[18:23] ---**
When I brought up fiscal reforms,
**[18:25] ---**
I knew I might end up being tasked
with overseeing financial management,
**[18:29] ---**
but I never expected to be made the king.
**[18:32] ---**
Uh, listen, I'm sorry
for how I acted earlier.
**[18:35] ---**
There's nothing you need to apologize for.
Actually, you're the victim here.
**[18:39] ---**
You've been engaged to me out of the blue.
**[18:42] ---**
A-About that matter...
**[18:43] ---**
You don't have to give our
engagement another thought.
**[18:46] ---**
Huh?
**[18:47] ---**
I'm only keeping the throne warm for now.
**[18:49] ---**
After a few years of this,
I'll probably give up being the king.
**[18:52] ---**
Huh?
**[18:54] ---**
I never wanted to do anything more than
put in the work to raise enough funds
**[18:58] ---**
to keep me from being
handed over to the empire.
**[19:01] ---**
Then again, now that I've been
shown the throne, I'll at least do
**[19:03] ---**
what it's going to take to get
the country's finances back on track.
**[19:08] ---**
But beyond that, I'll leave any further
decisions in the hands of the people.
**[19:13] ---**
And of course, you can
cancel our engagement.
**[19:18] ---**
I meant that when you say you will quit
being the king after a few years,
**[19:22] ---**
do you really think you can do anything
about this country in a few years?
**[19:25] ---**
And before you answer that, what are you
doing about the aid to the empire?
**[19:29] ---**
Hmm? Oh, I've already
secured the aid money.
**[19:34] ---**
"Principality of Amidonia"
**[19:36] ---**
"Van"
**[19:38] ---**
"Principality of Amidonia,
capital, Van"
**[19:43] ---**
It looks like a custodian for the items
coming out of Elfrieden has been found.
**[19:48] ---**
There is a great demand among
the wealthy when it comes to jewelry
**[19:52] ---**
sourced from royal families.
**[19:54] ---**
Investing all those funds to snap up
the standout pieces first
**[19:58] ---**
was the right call to make.
**[20:00] ---**
And as a result,
we did a fair bit of business.
**[20:03] ---**
I must say, this new king
is taking some rather bold action.
**[20:07] ---**
Right now, their country doesn't
need jewels that nobody can eat.
**[20:11] ---**
They need money to get the economy moving.
**[20:14] ---**
I wasn't sure what they were thinking,
making their summoned hero their king,
**[20:17] ---**
but if he knows that much,
he could be a formidable opponent.
**[20:21] ---**
Yes.
**[20:23] ---**
Huh?! You sold off
our national treasures?!
**[20:26] ---**
The national treasures belong
to the whole country!
**[20:28] ---**
You can't sell them just like that!
**[20:30] ---**
Oh, take it easy. If they belong
to the whole country,
**[20:34] ---**
then it's fair to sell them for the sake
of the country's subjects, right?
**[20:37] ---**
Maybe so, but there are so many
cultural and historic pieces!
**[20:40] ---**
Yeah, I made sure to hold those back.
**[20:44] ---**
I put the national treasures that have
historic or cultural value in Group A,
**[20:48] ---**
those with no historic or cultural
value went into Group B,
**[20:51] ---**
and the rest got put into Group C.
Only Group B got sold off.
**[20:56] ---**
Group A would have more
long-term fundraising value
**[20:57] ---**
by being put on display in
a museum or something,
**[21:00] ---**
rather than selling them off, after all.
**[21:03] ---**
Okay, that might be true...
But what about Group C?
**[21:08] ---**
That's magic stuff, which frankly,
I'm not sure how to handle.
**[21:11] ---**
I'd have to say those
were more like weapons.
**[21:14] ---**
We can't just carelessly sell them,
nor can we put them on display.
**[21:18] ---**
Though the full set of antique hero gear
looks like it would go for a lot.
**[21:25] ---**
Mind if I sell that?
**[21:26] ---**
Don't you dare. You're supposed
to be a hero, remember?
**[21:46] ---**
Regardless of his sudden
ascension to the throne,
**[21:49] ---**
on the surface, the country
appears to be tranquil.
**[21:52] ---**
But how long will that last?
Anyhow, Canaria...
**[21:58] ---**
Go and determine with your
own eyes just how capable
**[22:02] ---**
this new hero-turned-king is.
**[22:04] ---**
Selling the national treasures like
that--you really are a surprising hero.
**[22:08] ---**
Don't be like that. If I hadn't, they
would have handed me over to the empire.
**[22:13] ---**
That's true, but still...
**[22:15] ---**
Tell me, have you already sent
that aid money to the empire?
**[22:18] ---**
No, not yet. I told them to hold out
paying until the very last day.
**[22:23] ---**
Then how about if instead of
paying it to the empire,
**[22:26] ---**
you redirected it to the military?
**[22:28] ---**
Your plan is to position ourselves
to be able to resist the empire, right?
**[22:32] ---**
At the military academy, they taught us
to spend heavily on defense,
**[22:36] ---**
but to spend not a pittance on tribute.
**[22:38] ---**
You're saying that rather than offering
tribute for a momentary peace,
**[22:41] ---**
in the long run, we'd be better off
building up the military?
**[22:46] ---**
Allow me to chain your adage
and immediately activate my own!
**[22:50] ---**
"Time is money"!
**[22:51] ---**
The financial assistance takes on this
card's effect, and by sacrificing it,
**[22:54] ---**
we gain time, which is what our country
needs most in this situation!
**[22:58] ---**
Why are you talking like that?
**[23:00] ---**
Never mind. The point is,
even if we build up our military,
**[23:04] ---**
if we neglect all of our domestic
problems, it won't mean anything.
**[23:07] ---**
Until we resolve our food shortage
and refugee issues,
**[23:11] ---**
we'll continue to lose
the support of the people.
**[23:13] ---**
In which case, it won't take much for
outside forces to instigate an uprising.
**[23:17] ---**
We'd be creating a more
vulnerable country.
**[23:19] ---**
They wouldn't! The people of this nation
love their country! They wouldn't revolt!
**[23:24] ---**
That's idealistic thinking.
**[23:26] ---**
In the long run, people with empty bellies
**[23:28] ---**
have neither morals nor patriotism.
**[23:31] ---**
You can't show concern for others if you
have no breathing room yourself.
**[23:34] ---**
Isn't that right?
**[23:37] ---**
You really are a huge realist, huh?
**[23:41] ---**
Yeah. Perhaps I am.