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E14 - Amidonia in a Lion's Skin

Source: Crunchyroll
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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.)
[00:10] ---
    The epic battle between
    the Kingdom of Elfrieden,
[00:12] ---
    which had summoned Souma Kazuya
    from modern Japan to be its king,
[00:17] ---
    and the Principality of Amidonia
    had come to an end,
[00:21] ---
    and a time of peace had arrived.
[00:25] ---
    However, this peace would be temporary.
[00:29] ---
    The reason for this was that
    the army of the Gran Chaos Empire,
[00:35] ---
    history's greatest power,
    was about to make its way into Van.
[00:44] ---
    "...Keep on going anyway"
[00:46] ---
    Our bond strikes deep into my left breast
[00:59] ---
    We enjoy a fleeting happiness
    after weathering one fog,

[01:04] ---
    until our vision becomes obscured again
[01:10] ---
    Bitterly betrayed, we grow
    disgusted by our destiny

[01:15] ---
    But why does the dawn still come?
[01:20] ---
    We close our eyes and try to remember
[01:25] ---
    the chance of stopping, of never meeting
[01:30] ---
    From boundless zero to infinity,
[01:36] ---
    dreaming is the heartbeat of believing
[01:42] ---
    We'll move along alone and in pairs
[01:45] ---
    Don't stay put; our small,
    though by no means helpless steps

[01:52] ---
    will open uncharted territory
    for each of us

[01:56] ---
    Realize we will never again
    let our dreams die on the vine

[02:02] ---
    The tear tracks that run down
    our cheeks are shooting stars

[02:09] ---
    We're going to grab hold of them
[02:13] ---
    "Amidonia in a Lion's Skin"
[02:19] ---
    The evening is quiet, isn't it?
[02:21] ---
    Yes, it is.
[02:23] ---
    With Liscia and our son-in-law away, it's
    almost as though the fire has gone out.
[02:28] ---
    But then, this is how it typically
    used to feel before all of this.
[02:32] ---
    These days, the ministers,
    the bureaucrats,
[02:34] ---
    the Royal Guard, and even the maids
    are working fast and furious.
[02:40] ---
    And out of all of them,
    our son-in-law is working the hardest.
[02:44] ---
    I had no idea that the king needed to do
    so much for the sake of the kingdom.
[02:49] ---
    Still, I believe that giving up
    the throne to him was no mistake.
[02:54] ---
    Yes.
[02:55] ---
    Will this... be what it takes
    to change things?
[03:03] ---
    It should be fine. Unlike that other time,
    she is here from the start.
[03:11] ---
    With the both of them,
[03:12] ---
    I'm sure things will lead to a different
    outcome than that other time.
[03:16] ---
    Besides, it's not just
    the two of them now.
[03:19] ---
    Things are much livelier than
    that other time, aren't they?
[03:22] ---
    Ho, ho, ho, that they are. We have
    ourselves another daughter now.
[03:28] ---
    Yes, an adorable daughter named Tomoe.
    One with fluffy ears and hair.
[03:34] ---
    Ow...!
[03:38] ---
    Was that too strong, Your Majesty?
    Please forgive me!
[03:40] ---
    It's all right.
    He's lucky it was just clay.
[03:43] ---
    If that had been a stone or a knife,
    he'd be dead just like that.
[03:47] ---
    Oh, man, I'm just no match for you.
[03:50] ---
    I-I wouldn't say that.
[03:52] ---
    Aisha, analyzing his combat potential
    is important, so be honest.
[03:57] ---
    So the adventurer party
    strategy was a bust, too?
[04:00] ---
    A real party would have a mage, though.
[04:03] ---
    If your shield had
    reinforcement magic cast on it,
[04:05] ---
    it would have been harder
    to get through it.
[04:07] ---
    "Harder," but not "impossible," huh?
[04:10] ---
    You know, I have apparently been
    categorized as being a mage.
[04:15] ---
    Hmm, I wonder if I got
    some training somewhere,
[04:17] ---
    could I become able to use
    elemental or reinforcement magic?
[04:20] ---
    Not a chance.
[04:23] ---
    I've never heard of anyone being able to
    use magic outside of their own attribute.
[04:28] ---
    There aren't that many dark mages.
    I've only ever seen three so far.
[04:33] ---
    Three? Assuming Tomoe and I are
    two of them, who's the other one?
[04:39] ---
    Supposedly, my mother. She won't tell me
    what kind of power she has, though.
[04:44] ---
    Oh, yeah? So Elisha can
    use dark magic, too?
[04:48] ---
    Still, it doesn't look like the powers
    I have can even protect me.
[04:53] ---
    Don't worry about that.
[04:55] ---
    Your Majesty, I will keep you
    safe at any and all times!
[04:59] ---
    A hero that has to be protected by
    a woman just doesn't seem very cool.
[05:05] ---
    Hakuya is looking for you, sire.
[05:08] ---
    He says he wishes to discuss
    the redevelopment of Van.
[05:11] ---
    So, the empire?
[05:13] ---
    Mm-hmm. An imperial force
    of 50,000 is on their way.
[05:24] ---
    The redevelopment plans for Van
    are finished. Please look them over.
[05:31] ---
    Hakuya...
[05:31] ---
    Sire?
[05:33] ---
    You overdid it.
[05:34] ---
    Yes, sire.
[05:36] ---
    Ugh, there's too much
    emphasis on efficiency.
[05:39] ---
    If we're going to renovate all of this,
[05:41] ---
    it might be quicker to just
    build it from scratch.
[05:45] ---
    I'm sorry. Just looking at how
    disordered this city is laid out,
[05:48] ---
    I couldn't contain my impulse
    to improve the efficiency here.
[05:51] ---
    Still, for the sake of firefighting,
[05:53] ---
    I think it's necessary to do some zoning.
[05:56] ---
    For everything else,
[05:57] ---
    I'd like it to reflect the will
    of the people who live here.
[06:00] ---
    The will of the people, sire?
[06:02] ---
    I'd like the residents here to think
    about what kind of city they want.
[06:07] ---
    If we decide everything for them,
    there's likely to be some backlash.
[06:11] ---
    Judging by the mood in the city right now,
[06:14] ---
    it's liable to become a city
    full of avant-garde art.
[06:17] ---
    A city of art, huh? That sounds
    like it could be interesting.
[06:21] ---
    Van will be the city on the front lines
    of Amidonia. I would not recommend that.
[06:27] ---
    We'll just have to make it
    a more comfortable city to live in,
[06:29] ---
    while still retaining its function
    as a military town.
[06:32] ---
    What choice do we have? Come up
    with something along those lines.
[06:38] ---
    As you wish, sire.
[06:41] ---
    Your Majesty, is redevelopment
    even necessary right now?
[06:45] ---
    And using the kingdom's funding, no less.
[06:48] ---
    Right now especially, Juna.
[06:52] ---
    The economy of Van is stagnant, you see.
[06:55] ---
    We need to secure some employment
    for the soldiers who have lost their jobs.
[07:00] ---
    Little by little, things are
    turning up on the streets.
[07:03] ---
    It isn't enough. It's kind of like
    when someone who is emaciated
[07:07] ---
    is finally able to eat, if I had
    to compare it to something.
[07:10] ---
    We need them to get better, and fast.
[07:13] ---
    And are public works sort of like the
    feast that will make the city better?
[07:17] ---
    That's right. Public works
    bring in new money,
[07:20] ---
    and that money further helps
    to drive the economy.
[07:23] ---
    Unless that happens,
    Van's economy won't improve
[07:25] ---
    no matter how long we wait.
[07:27] ---
    I see. I now understand
    Your Majesty's profound thinking.
[07:32] ---
    What's the status of
    the transportation network?
[07:34] ---
    Sire, the military is doing everything
    in its power right now.
[07:38] ---
    Service on the main road
    is already complete,
[07:41] ---
    and we are currently servicing
    the roads to the surrounding villages.
[07:44] ---
    Also, we have installed eight
    bridges over various rivers, but...
[07:49] ---
    But what?
[07:51] ---
    I realize that maintaining
    supply lines is important,
[07:54] ---
    but won't all of this be for nothing once
    we are compelled to return their lands?
[07:58] ---
    That's true. Letting bridges
    that were built by us
[08:01] ---
    get used by Julius and his people
    grates on my nerves.
[08:04] ---
    I doubt that will happen.
[08:07] ---
    Even if Prince Julius returns to power,
[08:10] ---
    he will not allow any facilities built
    by the kingdom to be used as-is.
[08:14] ---
    It would be a matter of prestige for him.
[08:17] ---
    If it were me, I'd use anything I could,
    whether it was Amidonian or not.
[08:22] ---
    Knowing you, Your Majesty,
    I'm sure you would.
[08:24] ---
    If we're going to do this,
    why don't we rub it in his face?
[08:26] ---
    How do you mean, "rub it in his face"?
[08:29] ---
    We put our names on the bridges.
    There were eight of them, right?
[08:33] ---
    So then, the Souma Bridge,
    the Liscia Bridge, the Albert Bridge,
[08:38] ---
    the Hakuya Bridge, the Ludwin Bridge,
    the Poncho Bridge,
[08:42] ---
    the Aisha Bridge, and the Juna Bridge.
    Engrave one on each of their railings.
[08:46] ---
    I get it. Even if the land gets returned,
[08:49] ---
    then since the Kingdom of
    Elfrieden built those bridges,
[08:52] ---
    the anti-kingdom faction will
    destroy them. Is that the idea?
[08:56] ---
    The residents there will lose
    the convenience of using them,
[08:59] ---
    and blame the anti-kingdom faction.
[09:01] ---
    If there are no objections,
    the motion passes.
[09:03] ---
    Yes, sire.
[09:09] ---
    Well then, we should excuse ourselves.
[09:19] ---
    I suppose it will be difficult to refuse
    returning Van if the empire requests it.
[09:25] ---
    I'm not going to change
    the basics of my policy,
[09:27] ---
    but I doubt I'm going to be
    able to twist Jeanne's arm.
[09:31] ---
    If we appear hostile, then this
    will be a diplomatic failure.
[09:34] ---
    Is it true that the hero summoning
[09:37] ---
    was their way of being
    considerate to the kingdom?
[09:40] ---
    Sounds like it.
[09:41] ---
    How long have you known?
[09:43] ---
    Probably around the time I heard
    that the Empress Maria
[09:46] ---
    was known as a "saint."
[09:49] ---
    A saint wouldn't do anything cruel, right?
[09:51] ---
    You put your trust in her title?
[09:54] ---
    Titles are given to people
    because they're convenient.
[09:56] ---
    Where a saint walks, others will follow.
[10:00] ---
    The world needs a banner carrier
[10:02] ---
    for mankind to unite behind against
    the threat of the Demon Lord's Domain.
[10:06] ---
    Whether she wants to be it or not.
[10:11] ---
    I realized something when I met Jeanne.
[10:13] ---
    The Gran Chaos Empire is nothing
    more than a "mere superpower,"
[10:16] ---
    trying desperately to maintain
    their own nation.
[10:20] ---
    Which is exactly why
    we have to stay on our toes.
[10:22] ---
    There's no room for carelessness or ego
    when dealing with a tough opponent.
[10:26] ---
    That's true. We have to go
    into this with our minds set.
[10:30] ---
    Enter!
[10:38] ---
    What is it?
[10:40] ---
    I bring word.
    The Gran Chaos Empire's forces,
[10:44] ---
    as well as the Principality of Amidonia's
    negotiating body, have arrived.
[10:51] ---
    It's time.
[11:00] ---
    October 21, 1546 by
    the Continental Calendar.
[11:05] ---
    At last, 50,000 of the Gran
    Chaos Empire's elite forces
[11:09] ---
    have taken up positions
    a day out from Van.
[11:12] ---
    With this force at their back,
    the Gran Chaos Empire's general,
[11:17] ---
    Jeanne Euphoria, and Julius Amidonia,
    the son of Gaius VIII,
[11:23] ---
    who once possessed Van,
    and current crown prince of Amidonia,
[11:26] ---
    had marched into Van Castle.
[11:30] ---
    This is surprising.
    I had imagined that this meeting
[11:33] ---
    would be encircled by
    a large number of soldiers.
[11:36] ---
    It would be too unsettling
    to meet with the two of you
[11:38] ---
    if there were an excessive number
    of soldiers around, right?
[11:41] ---
    That makes sense.
    Quite the daring gentlemen, aren't you?
[11:45] ---
    I'm nothing compared to
    a certain ruler who loses a war,
[11:48] ---
    and then runs to the empire
    to ask them to get his territory back.
[11:53] ---
    Julius, the woman at our side
    is a skilled warrior.
[11:57] ---
    Leave it to you, King Souma,
    to have such a fine retainer.
[12:02] ---
    Why, thank you.
[12:05] ---
    Are you not worried
    that you might be killed here?
[12:08] ---
    I am here as an envoy of peace.
[12:12] ---
    Why should I be concerned
    that harm might befall me?
[12:16] ---
    It is nice to finally meet you.
    I am Souma Kazuya.
[12:22] ---
    I am Julius, Crown Prince of Amidonia.
[12:24] ---
    May I ask what your business is here?
[12:27] ---
    I'll come right to the point.
    I want Van returned at once.
[12:32] ---
    Julius...
[12:33] ---
    The Principality of Amidonia is a
    signatory to the Mankind Declaration.
[12:38] ---
    Its articles state that
    any changes in borders--
[12:39] ---
    ...due to military action
    are not recognized.
[12:42] ---
    Have we violated that article?
[12:45] ---
    Yes. As such, in accordance
    with this article,
[12:48] ---
    I demand the immediate return
    of Van and its surrounding lands.
[12:51] ---
    How self-serving of you!
[12:54] ---
    You are the ones who invaded
    the Kingdom of Elfrieden, aren't you?
[12:57] ---
    And now that you've been beaten,
    you hide behind the Mankind Declaration,
[13:01] ---
    seeking your land back by means
    of the empire's prestige.
[13:06] ---
    The invasion of the Kingdom of Elfrieden
[13:08] ---
    was an arbitrary decision
    made by my father, Gaius.
[13:10] ---
    You took part in his campaign,
    so you share his blame.
[13:13] ---
    For that matter, before we start
    talking about returning territories,
[13:16] ---
    shouldn't you first apologize
    for your invasion?
[13:20] ---
    King Souma is correct. Our position here
    is to ask for your land to be returned.
[13:28] ---
    Despite the decision
    to invade your country
[13:30] ---
    being an arbitrary one made
    by the previous leader, Gaius,
[13:33] ---
    I am also to blame for being unable
    to stop him. For that, I apologize.
[13:38] ---
    However, it is currently your country
    that is violating our borders!
[13:42] ---
    I demand that you return our territory!
[13:45] ---
    That's what you say, Julius,
    but what does the empire say?
[13:49] ---
    We cannot afford to dismiss
    the requests of our signatory nations.
[13:52] ---
    So what you're saying is that the empire
    is demanding of my kingdom
[13:55] ---
    the return of occupied territories,
    including Van?
[14:00] ---
    That is what I am saying.
[14:03] ---
    The answer is no.
[14:04] ---
    Wha--?!
[14:06] ---
    Are you out of your mind?!
    You would defy the Mankind Declaration?!
[14:10] ---
    I have no intention of defying anything.
[14:12] ---
    You...!
[14:13] ---
    I-I mean, as the ruler of this country,
[14:17] ---
    I must liberate my people
    who are under your occupation.
[14:20] ---
    "Liberate," huh? Tell me, is that
    what the residents of Van desire?
[14:26] ---
    What?
[14:27] ---
    Julius, on your way here, did you see
    for yourself the streets of Van?
[14:34] ---
    I was born and raised in this city.
    I know it far better than you do.
[14:39] ---
    Do you? Then what do you think
    of the current colors of Van?
[14:43] ---
    Colors?
[14:44] ---
    I did see a number of houses whose roofs
    and walls were painted ugly colors.
[14:48] ---
    Julius, would people who are feeling
    oppressed under our occupation
[14:52] ---
    want to make their roofs and walls
    more colorful, do you think?
[14:56] ---
    W-Well, I...
[14:59] ---
    The color that I felt when I
    first came into Van was gray.
[15:04] ---
    Not a single shred of individuality.
[15:06] ---
    But how about now? People can
    paint their walls any color they like.
[15:13] ---
    Between Van as it is now,
[15:15] ---
    and Van when it was under your control,
    which one is the better city?
[15:20] ---
    Why, you...!
[15:23] ---
    Julius!
[15:26] ---
    Aisha, remove your hand
    from your sword, too.
[15:30] ---
    Yes, sire.
[15:31] ---
    King Souma, I would ask that you
    quit trying to rile Julius up.
[15:36] ---
    I was only stating facts.
    "To reign and to relieve" --
[15:40] ---
    governing one's realm and saving one's
    people is what a ruler ought to do.
[15:44] ---
    They, who taxed the people
    to death to fund the military,
[15:46] ---
    and made sure that they suffered
    are the real oppressors.
[15:50] ---
    And whose fault is that?!
    If you, the Elfrieden royal family,
[15:53] ---
    had not stolen my grandfather's
    land from him...!
[15:55] ---
    That's the Amidonian royal
    family's favorite thing to say.
[15:59] ---
    But the truth is, your country is the one
    that has kept doing harm to ours.
[16:04] ---
    Hakuya...
[16:05] ---
    Yes, sire.
[16:16] ---
    What is this?
[16:17] ---
    A list of noblemen in
    the Kingdom of Elfrieden
[16:20] ---
    who were incited to insurrection
    by the Principality of Amidonia.
[16:24] ---
    Amidonia fomented a revolt,
    encouraged fraud,
[16:28] ---
    and inspired them to be uncooperative
    toward the royal family.
[16:32] ---
    My word...
[16:36] ---
    Jeanne, Amidonia pretends to abide
    by the Mankind Declaration,
[16:41] ---
    while secretly interfering in
    the affairs of foreign powers.
[16:45] ---
    And still they dare speak about
    vengeance against the kingdom.
[16:49] ---
    It's the kingdom's fault
    that our country is poor;
[16:51] ---
    it's the kingdom's fault
    that our people are hungry;
[16:53] ---
    it's the kingdom's fault
    that our people are suffering;
[16:56] ---
    it's the kingdom's fault
    that our hard-earned tax money
[16:58] ---
    must be used for the military
    instead of for the people.
[17:01] ---
    What are you trying to say?
[17:03] ---
    That it's awfully convenient. As long as
    you keep beating the drum of revenge,
[17:07] ---
    you can conceal your own misgovernment,
[17:09] ---
    and direct the anger of the people
    toward the Kingdom of Elfrieden.
[17:12] ---
    Damn you!
[17:14] ---
    Julius!
[17:18] ---
    I asked you not to agitate him.
[17:21] ---
    I'm sorry. I just wanted to make it clear
[17:24] ---
    that we are also fed up
    with Amidonia's conduct.
[17:30] ---
    Now, I would like to make a proposal.
[17:33] ---
    Could I ask you to leave the room, Julius?
[17:36] ---
    Huh?
[17:38] ---
    Forget it! Why should I be
    excluded from negotiations
[17:41] ---
    to get my own capital city back?!
[17:43] ---
    It's a simple matter, really. There was
    never any need for us to negotiate
[17:46] ---
    with the Principality of Amidonia
    in the first place.
[17:48] ---
    What did you say?!
[17:50] ---
    It is the empire who is seeking
    the return of your territory
[17:53] ---
    against the backdrop of military force,
    not you. That being the case,
[17:56] ---
    this negotiation can be conducted
    between the kingdom and the empire.
[18:00] ---
    Why, you... Are you saying
    you won't negotiate with me?!
[18:04] ---
    Julius, would you allow me to handle this?
[18:09] ---
    The negotiations are
    going nowhere like this.
[18:12] ---
    The empire does not wish to spend
    too much time on mediation.
[18:16] ---
    I would ask that you
    let me take care of this.
[18:19] ---
    That is... a bit of a one-sided
    argument, isn't it?
[18:23] ---
    Then the empire withdraws, and you
    are free to bargain as you like afterward.
[18:30] ---
    Please do your best.
[18:41] ---
    You'll have to forgive
    my difficult confederate.
[18:45] ---
    You have my utmost sympathy.
[18:47] ---
    The two of them are joking,
    but the mood is more tense than before.
[18:51] ---
    Once again, King Souma,
[18:54] ---
    I am General Jeanne Euphoria
    of the Grand Chaos Empire.
[18:58] ---
    I am here representing Maria Euphoria.
[19:02] ---
    I welcome you, Jeanne. I am Souma Kazuya,
    Acting King of Elfrieden.
[19:08] ---
    Princess Liscia,
    I am relieved to find you well.
[19:12] ---
    Jeanne, I am also most pleased
    that you are doing well.
[19:15] ---
    Oh, you two know each other?
[19:17] ---
    Yes. We met once when we were little.
[19:21] ---
    That was before the Demon
    Lord's Domain appeared.
[19:23] ---
    Yes, it was. As I recall, it was a
    conference with the former King Albert.
[19:28] ---
    Since we were the same age,
    we played together.
[19:33] ---
    I would like to start having
    a frank discussion now.
[19:36] ---
    I know. But before we begin,
[19:38] ---
    Liscia, would you go
    and get Serina for me?
[19:42] ---
    All right.
[19:48] ---
    Oh, that reminds me.
[19:50] ---
    You mentioned playing together
    with Liscia when you were little.
[19:55] ---
    I guess royal family members must
    interact with each other a lot, huh?
[19:58] ---
    I don't know about other nations,
[20:00] ---
    but I forced the foreign minister to
    take me along when I met the princess.
[20:05] ---
    Is that right?
[20:06] ---
    It looks as though Princess Liscia
    has grown even stronger than before.
[20:10] ---
    If you say so.
[20:12] ---
    Even then, I couldn't land
    a single hit on her.
[20:16] ---
    How did we go from talking about playing
    together to landing hits on each other?
[20:21] ---
    You two must have been awfully tomboyish.
[20:23] ---
    Or are you just trying
    to keep me in check?
[20:27] ---
    Maybe.
[20:32] ---
    I am here as requested, Your Majesty.
[20:35] ---
    Serina, the Amidonian prince
    Julius is in the VIP suite.
[20:41] ---
    Would you start the banquet
    and see that he is entertained?
[20:43] ---
    As you wish. Is it fair to say...
[20:48] ---
    ...that you want me to take charge of him?
[20:50] ---
    You're so formal.
    But yes, that's what I mean.
[20:54] ---
    Then, Your Majesty, I would like
    permission to open the bottle
[20:58] ---
    of vintage tequeur
    in the castle's wine cellar.
[21:01] ---
    As long as you provide your own level
    of hospitality, that will be fine.
[21:06] ---
    Yes, sire. I will see to it that Julius
    receives bottle service from me.
[21:11] ---
    I am sure that Julius will be pleased
    with my hospitality, as well.
[21:20] ---
    What's the matter, you two?
[21:27] ---
    Souma, tequeur is a liquor
    well known for its strength.
[21:31] ---
    It has an agreeable flavor,
    so people end up drinking too much of it.
[21:34] ---
    If someone is not
    accustomed to its effects,
[21:36] ---
    they will be on their way
    to dreamland in no time.
[21:39] ---
    Then, if she serves him that drink...
[21:43] ---
    ...the banquet will be over
    in less than ten minutes.
[21:46] ---
    That's no hospitality at all!
[21:54] ---
    Just this once, I feel sorry for Julius.
[22:00] ---
    This really is quite the amusing country.
[22:03] ---
    Ahem, let's relocate
    and start negotiating,
[22:07] ---
    Jeanne Euphoria, general of
    the Gran Chaos Empire's forces.
[22:12] ---
    Of course, Provisional King Souma
    Kazuya of the Kingdom of Elfrieden.
[22:29] ---
    "What are we supposed to choose?"
[22:33] ---
    Our voices imploring the future are hoarse
[22:38] ---
    We've become so afraid
    of what we could lose

[22:44] ---
    that we're just frozen in place
[22:49] ---
    How many times have we made mistakes
[22:53] ---
    because we wanted to check our "answers"?
[22:59] ---
    Before we knew it we were in love,
    we had fallen in love

[23:07] ---
    I'll hold fast to you
    in the times we're in

[23:11] ---
    We who set alight
    our finite lives to fight

[23:17] ---
    are noble and beautiful above all
[23:22] ---
    As long as we create
    as many bright tomorrows

[23:26] ---
    as the indelible wounds we suffer,
[23:31] ---
    we can be proud of all
    we've woven together