E15 - Becoming Good Friends Who Never Offend

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.)
[00:09] ---
    Roughly ten years ago,
    the Demon Lord's Domain appeared,
[00:14] ---
    and mankind had their territory
    taken from them.
[00:17] ---
    The Gran Chaos Empire put forward
[00:19] ---
    the Declaration of Mankind's Common
    Front Against the Demon Race,
[00:21] ---
    or "Mankind Declaration" for short.
[00:24] ---
    Nations that signed on to
    the Mankind Declaration
[00:26] ---
    ratified the following three articles.
[00:29] ---
    The first article states that changes
    in borders among mankind
[00:33] ---
    due to military action are not recognized.
[00:36] ---
    The Principality of Amidonia
    signed this treaty,
[00:39] ---
    while the Kingdom of Elfrieden
    did not sign.
[00:42] ---
    Thus, when the Principality of
    Amidonia lost their capital, Van,
[00:45] ---
    it was possible under Article 1 for them
    to appeal to the Gran Chaos Empire,
[00:49] ---
    the power behind the Mankind Declaration,
[00:52] ---
    for the right to the return
    of their territory.
[00:56] ---
    "...Keep on going anyway"
[00:58] ---
    Our bond strikes deep into my left breast
[01:11] ---
    We enjoy a fleeting happiness
    after weathering one fog,
[01:16] ---
    until our vision becomes obscured again
[01:22] ---
    Bitterly betrayed, we grow
    disgusted by our destiny
[01:27] ---
    But why does the dawn still come?
[01:32] ---
    We close our eyes and try to remember
[01:37] ---
    the chance of stopping, of never meeting
[01:42] ---
    From boundless zero to infinity,
[01:48] ---
    dreaming is the heartbeat of believing
[01:54] ---
    We'll move along alone and in pairs
[01:57] ---
    Don't stay put; our small,
    though by no means helpless steps
[02:04] ---
    will open uncharted territory
    for each of us
[02:08] ---
    Realize we will never again
    let our dreams die on the vine
[02:14] ---
    The tear tracks that run down
    our cheeks are shooting stars
[02:21] ---
    We're going to grab hold of them
[02:25] ---
    "Becoming Good Friends Who Never Offend"
[02:35] ---
    Diplomacy between the Gran Chaos Empire
    and the Kingdom of Elfrieden
[02:39] ---
    is back in session.
[02:41] ---
    Yeah.
[02:47] ---
    Thank you for the meal.
[02:49] ---
    It was quite delicious.
[02:51] ---
    Ordinarily, we would have
    held a banquet for you.
[02:56] ---
    I will thank you for your food in kind.
[02:59] ---
    Allow me to provide you with a tidbit
    of information I had been saving--
[03:03] ---
    monster meat.
[03:04] ---
    Huh?
[03:08] ---
    The meat from monsters can be eaten.
[03:11] ---
    For real? By "monsters," you mean the
    ones from the Demon Lord's Domain?
[03:17] ---
    Yes. Their flavor is surprisingly normal.
[03:20] ---
    Jeanne, you've eaten it yourself?!
[03:22] ---
    She has such a cute face,
    but she's surprisingly wild.
[03:25] ---
    It wasn't kobold meat,
    by any chance, was it?
[03:32] ---
    It was monster meat that I ate.
[03:35] ---
    I would never dream of eating
    the more person-like demons.
[03:39] ---
    Yeah, well, I can't really tell
    the difference between the two.
[03:43] ---
    Ah, that's right, you are a
    summoned hero, aren't you?
[03:47] ---
    Do you know about our punitive action?
[03:49] ---
    Yes, I heard about it from
    the former King Albert.
[03:53] ---
    It was ten years ago now,
[03:55] ---
    but our punitive force was
    wiped out by the demons.
[04:00] ---
    When my sister was nine, and I was seven,
[04:03] ---
    the punitive force was led
    by the previous emperor...
[04:07] ---
    ...which is to say, our father.
[04:10] ---
    I heard that when they were
    attacked by the monsters,
[04:12] ---
    a horrific scene of cruelty played out.
[04:16] ---
    The flames spat by the monsters
    turned cities into scorched earth,
[04:19] ---
    and people were killed and devoured
    without regard to age or gender.
[04:23] ---
    They were only running
    rampant on instinct,
[04:26] ---
    so some people managed
    to get away from them.
[04:29] ---
    They sound like wild animals.
[04:31] ---
    Meanwhile, the demons demonstrated
    well-organized behavior,
[04:35] ---
    beating our punitive force
    with overwhelming strength.
[04:39] ---
    Their circumstances
    after being beaten varied,
[04:41] ---
    with some saying that they were not
    pursued as they retreated,
[04:44] ---
    while others said that raping, pillaging,
    and butchery all took place.
[04:49] ---
    Almost as though you were facing
    other people as opponents.
[04:53] ---
    Where does the difference arise?
[04:55] ---
    Did demons evolve out of monsters?
[04:58] ---
    They gained their intelligence
    by eating people's brains.
[05:02] ---
    At least, that's what the religious
    folks made a fuss about for a time.
[05:06] ---
    But that story was full of holes.
[05:09] ---
    Be that as it may, since our
    battle lines became entrenched,
[05:13] ---
    the monsters are the only ones
    who have been attacking.
[05:16] ---
    Which is why it can be said that we
    have the current situation in hand.
[05:21] ---
    We kind of got way off the subject of
    being able to eat monsters, didn't we?
[05:26] ---
    What I ate was the meat
    of a giant winged serpent.
[05:30] ---
    A winged snake?
[05:32] ---
    It was a giant snake with four
    bird-like wings growing out of it.
[05:37] ---
    As I recall, Central and South America
    had a god named Quetzalcoatl.
[05:42] ---
    I don't know what possessed you
    to want to eat something like that.
[05:45] ---
    It tasted like a regular snake.
    It was closer to bird than it was fish.
[05:50] ---
    "It tasted like a regular snake"?
    Then she's eaten snake before?
[05:56] ---
    Jeanne, for a princess, you certainly
    have eaten some unusual things.
[06:01] ---
    I'm also a general leading troops.
[06:04] ---
    In times of need,
    we will eat whatever we can.
[06:08] ---
    I suppose that's reasonable.
[06:10] ---
    But ordinarily, you wouldn't go out
    of your way to try monster, right?
[06:14] ---
    One of our scout parties discovered
    the remains of cooked monsters.
[06:20] ---
    So are you saying...?
[06:24] ---
    We believe the demons ate the monsters.
[06:30] ---
    So, when we had the chance to capture
    a monster of the same species,
[06:33] ---
    we verified whether
    or not they were edible.
[06:36] ---
    Upon trying it, I found its taste
    to be light, yet refreshing.
[06:41] ---
    Whoa, there's something I'm far more
    interested in than just the flavor.
[06:45] ---
    There is?
[06:46] ---
    The fact that demons were eating
    monsters is much more shocking.
[06:51] ---
    Meaning that demons don't regard
    monsters as their equals, do they?
[06:58] ---
    Tell me, Jeanne...
[07:00] ---
    What is it?
[07:01] ---
    Could demons and monsters be the same
    as what we call people and animals?
[07:09] ---
    What makes you think that?
[07:15] ---
    Liscia, could you stop
    taking notes for a moment?
[07:18] ---
    All right.
[07:19] ---
    This must be disturbing if you don't
    want to leave a public record of it.
[07:23] ---
    I can't wait to hear what kind of
    bombshell you're about to drop.
[07:26] ---
    Forgive me, I realize
    that in some situations,
[07:29] ---
    these might be taken as
    discriminatory remarks, so...
[07:32] ---
    Discriminatory remarks? You mean,
    regarding monsters and demons?
[07:37] ---
    In my eyes, I can't differentiate between
    this world's animals and monsters.
[07:44] ---
    The rest of you probably can't
    imagine how that feels, can you?
[07:47] ---
    More to the point,
    I have trouble telling the difference
[07:52] ---
    between races like beastmen
    and dragonewts, and demons.
[07:54] ---
    Wha--? That's...
[07:57] ---
    I grew up in a world where we
    had no beastmen or demons,
[08:01] ---
    so I don't understand
    how they're different.
[08:03] ---
    Well for starters, demons are--
[08:04] ---
    You can't tell when you look at Tomoe?!
[08:06] ---
    Your Majesty! To say that goes
    too far is an understatement!
[08:09] ---
    Like I said!
[08:11] ---
    Like I said, this could end up
    being taken as discriminatory!
[08:19] ---
    Jeanne, can you tell the difference
    between mystic wolves,
[08:22] ---
    mystic foxes, and kobolds?
[08:24] ---
    Of course I can.
    Kobolds have dog-like faces.
[08:28] ---
    But there are also races of beastmen
    who have animal-like faces, right?
[08:33] ---
    Now that you mention it, I suppose so.
[08:37] ---
    Ah, I know! Kobolds have
    bodies that are covered in fur.
[08:42] ---
    If that's the case, then how
    can you tell apart a demon
[08:45] ---
    who has no fur, or even short fur?
[08:54] ---
    Now that you point it out,
    for the first time,
[08:56] ---
    I realize that I've been differentiating
    between people and demons
[08:58] ---
    based on my senses alone.
[09:00] ---
    You're right. When you put it that way,
[09:03] ---
    I can't think of a single thing
    that sets them apart.
[09:05] ---
    How is it that we never noticed before?
[09:10] ---
    It's probably a shared
    awareness in this world.
[09:13] ---
    They have a sensate understanding
    of the difference
[09:15] ---
    between mankind and demon.
[09:18] ---
    I'm glad you said this was not
    to be mentioned to anyone.
[09:21] ---
    If any bureaucrats had been in here,
    we may have had to slay them.
[09:25] ---
    Huh?! Y-You'd go that far
    over something like this?!
[09:29] ---
    Yes, I would.
[09:31] ---
    If word of this got out,
    the supercontinent could erupt in riots.
[09:36] ---
    Isn't that right, Hakuya?
[09:38] ---
    You are correct.
[09:40] ---
    If the idea that demons and
    beastmen are not all that different
[09:42] ---
    were to become widespread,
[09:45] ---
    then countries like the
    Principality of Amidonia,
[09:47] ---
    which are human supremacists,
[09:49] ---
    or races that do not recognize
    multiracial people, like the high elves,
[09:52] ---
    will end up being given just what
    they need to start launching attacks.
[09:57] ---
    It could mean beastmen and dragonewts
    being ostracized as demons,
[10:02] ---
    and becoming the targets of oppression.
[10:09] ---
    It would also spark interracial strife
    within our respective countries.
[10:14] ---
    I'm sorry. I hadn't thought it
    through that far.
[10:18] ---
    Not at all.
[10:19] ---
    It's better than having it thrust
    upon us all of a sudden one day.
[10:23] ---
    I'm glad to hear you say that.
[10:25] ---
    On the other hand, I can't
    think of a way to counter it.
[10:29] ---
    If we think of demons
    as being an ethnic minority,
[10:33] ---
    the Mankind Declaration does make
    an appeal against persecuting minorities.
[10:37] ---
    But...
[10:38] ---
    ...that agreement is between states.
    It has no bearing on the general public.
[10:44] ---
    At most, we could inquire of a nation
    about their supervisory responsibilities.
[10:48] ---
    For that matter, there are
    also nations, such as ours,
[10:51] ---
    which are not signatories
    to the Mankind Declaration.
[10:54] ---
    If a foreign power were to force
    their policy upon them,
[10:57] ---
    there would be a backlash,
    and in the worst case, start a war.
[11:00] ---
    That is correct. And it isn't as though
    we have all the information there is
[11:04] ---
    about monsters and demons anyway.
[11:07] ---
    With so many unknowns,
    leaping to any conclusions is dangerous.
[11:15] ---
    All right.
[11:17] ---
    How about the empire and the kingdom
    continue to discuss this matter further?
[11:23] ---
    Agreed.
[11:32] ---
    Well, it's time we started
    discussing the occupation of Van.
[11:37] ---
    In accordance with
    the Mankind Declaration,
[11:41] ---
    the empire cannot recognize the
    altering of borders by military force.
[11:45] ---
    And the kingdom cannot comply
    with your request to return the land.
[11:49] ---
    Amidonia was the one
    who started all of this.
[11:51] ---
    If you allow this kind of outrage,
[11:54] ---
    you will lose the respect
[11:56] ---
    of both Mankind Declaration member
    and non-member nations.
[11:59] ---
    You may be right. Which is why
    the empire will likely end up
[12:03] ---
    having Amidonia pay
    commensurate reparations.
[12:07] ---
    And if we don't accept,
    will you resort to armed force?
[12:10] ---
    If it becomes necessary.
[12:15] ---
    With the forces I currently
    have stationed nearby,
[12:18] ---
    I am confident that I could wipe out
[12:20] ---
    both the kingdom's forces and the
    principality's forces at the same time.
[12:23] ---
    I'll bet you could.
[12:24] ---
    For our part, we do not wish to fight.
[12:27] ---
    So let's first lay out
    both of our intentions.
[12:31] ---
    The empire does not wish to
    recognize the change in borders.
[12:35] ---
    That is why you want Van returned.
    That much is correct, right?
[12:40] ---
    Yes, that is correct.
[12:42] ---
    My kingdom wishes to curb
    the Principality of Amidonia's ability
[12:46] ---
    to keep taking hostile actions toward us.
[12:49] ---
    Enough so that they never
    interfere with us again.
[12:51] ---
    We also want to make
    them pay for invading us.
[12:55] ---
    And you're saying that your taking
    of Van is their just reward?
[13:00] ---
    In other words, while an uncompensated
    return is impossible,
[13:04] ---
    if the principality pays reparations,
[13:06] ---
    you would be prepared to comply with
    returning the land. Do I have that right?
[13:10] ---
    If the principality pays reparations,
    then we will return Van.
[13:14] ---
    Viewing it in the long run,
    it would be a shame to give up land
[13:17] ---
    that could generate all sorts of wealth,
    depending on how it's used,
[13:21] ---
    for a simple one-time payment.
[13:23] ---
    I don't think it's such a bad decision.
[13:25] ---
    The empire will have
    achieved their just cause
[13:27] ---
    in seeing that the principality's
    territory is returned.
[13:31] ---
    And as for other non-member nations...
[13:34] ---
    It makes it clear that if
    they try anything similar,
[13:38] ---
    they may not lose their territory,
    but they will be made to pay reparations.
[13:42] ---
    Leave it to you, Jeanne.
    You catch on quickly.
[13:46] ---
    This should earn you some good faith
    with non-member nations, too.
[13:50] ---
    Julius is going to be against this.
[13:53] ---
    He's the cause of all this,
    and I have no pity for him.
[13:55] ---
    One more thing--please have the
    payments be made in imperial coinage.
[14:00] ---
    You're going to drag
    my country into this, too?
[14:02] ---
    The empire bears some accountability
    for Amidonia's acts of outrage.
[14:07] ---
    I suppose there's no denying that.
[14:11] ---
    Tell me, Souma, why did you not
    sign on to the Mankind Declaration?
[14:16] ---
    I hate to say this in front
    of Princess Liscia,
[14:19] ---
    but the reason why the former King Albert
[14:21] ---
    didn't sign the Mankind Declaration...
    That is...
[14:25] ---
    ...it's not so much that he
    didn't sign it as...
[14:28] ---
    He couldn't decide whether
    to sign on to it or not.
[14:31] ---
    Because he's so indecisive.
[14:35] ---
    Souma, I have to think that you
    have a more clear reason
[14:37] ---
    why you chose not to sign on.
[14:40] ---
    I can't answer her just yet.
    Then again, if I lie to her,
[14:45] ---
    it will adversely affect
    relations with the empire.
[14:49] ---
    I hope you will trust me on this,
[14:51] ---
    but our nation would like
    to march in step with yours.
[14:55] ---
    I promise you that as long as
    Empress Maria sets forth the ideal
[14:58] ---
    of having all mankind united in response
    to the Demon Lord's Domain,
[15:02] ---
    the kingdom is not
    the enemy of the empire.
[15:06] ---
    You won't sign on to the Mankind
    Declaration, but you say to trust you?
[15:11] ---
    Our country can't sign on
    to the Mankind Declaration,
[15:14] ---
    but we would like to form
    a bilateral alliance with the empire.
[15:19] ---
    One that is secret.
[15:21] ---
    A secret alliance, you say?
[15:26] ---
    We finally managed to get
    our domestic affairs settled.
[15:29] ---
    Starting now, we intend to reform
    our military organization,
[15:31] ---
    and create a system by which we can have
    them act under a single, unified will.
[15:38] ---
    On that point--the empire is currently
    sending another detachment
[15:42] ---
    to reinforce the Union
    of Eastern Nations, right?
[15:45] ---
    Yes. They are a collection of
    small- and mid-sized nations,
[15:50] ---
    but most of them are members
    of the Mankind Declaration.
[15:53] ---
    As the power behind the treaty,
    it's only right that we send forces.
[15:57] ---
    That's my point. Would you allow
    our country to take on that role?
[16:02] ---
    Are you serious?
[16:07] ---
    If the monsters and demons push south,
[16:10] ---
    they will surely avoid
    the Star Dragon Mountain Range,
[16:12] ---
    and end up pushing
    either east or west of it.
[16:14] ---
    If they come down the western side,
    the empire has them,
[16:17] ---
    and if they come down the eastern side,
    the kingdom will deal with them.
[16:21] ---
    That will require some protocols.
[16:24] ---
    I know. Requests for reinforcements
    from the Union of Eastern Nations
[16:28] ---
    will be met by the empire,
    head of the Mankind Declaration,
[16:32] ---
    who will then request that forces
    be sent from our country.
[16:35] ---
    That is the form
    I would like this to take.
[16:40] ---
    If it is discovered that the empire
    and the kingdom are allied,
[16:43] ---
    it will make some countries more wary.
[16:46] ---
    Particularly the Principality of Amidonia,
    the Mercenary State Zem,
[16:49] ---
    and the Republic of Turgis.
[16:52] ---
    For that reason, as much as possible,
[16:55] ---
    we do not want it known
    that we are working together.
[16:57] ---
    Which is the reason
    for the secret alliance.
[17:01] ---
    For my part, I see no reason
    not to accept this proposal.
[17:04] ---
    But how does this benefit you?
[17:07] ---
    If I had to say, it would be earning
    the trust of the empire.
[17:12] ---
    I'm not sure I would call
    that much of a benefit.
[17:15] ---
    Well, when the fate of mankind
    rests in the balance,
[17:19] ---
    we can't exactly think in terms
    of profits and losses.
[17:22] ---
    And if we don't become involved,
    the other nations will look coldly on us.
[17:26] ---
    That makes sense.
[17:28] ---
    But there's too much distance between
    the empire and the kingdom
[17:31] ---
    for us to communicate quickly.
[17:33] ---
    I have an idea about that.
[17:36] ---
    Hakuya, bring it in.
[17:38] ---
    Yes, sire.
[17:40] ---
    I would like to give this to Maria.
[17:43] ---
    A simple receiver?
[17:47] ---
    If you'll send us
    a simple receiver in return,
[17:50] ---
    we'll be able to contact
    each other at any time.
[17:52] ---
    You could easily converse
    with my sister this way, too!
[17:57] ---
    Souma, I shudder in awe
    at your inventiveness.
[18:00] ---
    You're being too dramatic. In the world
    I'm from, these were commonplace.
[18:05] ---
    To think that something
    like this is common is just...
[18:08] ---
    Listen, Souma, would you permit me to
    speak of something rash for a moment?
[18:14] ---
    Huh? I'll allow it.
[18:17] ---
    Thank you very much.
    All right then... Princess Liscia?
[18:20] ---
    Huh? Me?
[18:23] ---
    What would you say to
    returning the throne to Albert?
[18:26] ---
    And then, you could give
    Souma to our country.
[18:30] ---
    Huh?!
[18:31] ---
    If he came to us, we would
    make him the prime minister,
[18:35] ---
    or any other rank he wants.
[18:37] ---
    In fact, I'd want him to have my
    sister and become the emperor!
[18:41] ---
    Do you even realize
    what it is you're saying?!
[18:45] ---
    Sh-She's right! The princess is
    absolutely right! Do you even realize?!
[18:49] ---
    Souma's thinking is ahead of its time.
[18:53] ---
    I want to see the empire that Souma
    and my sister would create.
[18:58] ---
    That's out of the question, of course!
[19:00] ---
    Souma is someone I...
[19:04] ---
    ...is someone our kingdom needs!
[19:06] ---
    Take it easy, Liscia! I'm not
    going anywhere! Okay?
[19:13] ---
    I'm sorry. I lost my head, there.
[19:16] ---
    Take your hand off your sword!
    Aisha, stay!
[19:21] ---
    Y-You're treating me a little harsh,
    aren't you, sire?
[19:26] ---
    I'm sorry, but I can't
    accept that proposal.
[19:30] ---
    For the sake of the kingdom...
[19:31] ---
    ...and for the sake
    of Liscia and the others.
[19:34] ---
    I understand. Thank you for
    allowing me such a wild proposal.
[19:40] ---
    Getting back to our
    discussion of an alliance,
[19:43] ---
    a matter as serious as this is something
    I cannot decide on my own.
[19:49] ---
    That is what the simple receiver is for.
[19:51] ---
    It is more than just that;
    what would you say to both of us
[19:54] ---
    sending each other a number
    of diplomatic officers?
[19:57] ---
    Oh, I see. That would make working
    together much easier. Agreed.
[20:03] ---
    What do you think about assigning
    the diplomatic officers the title
[20:06] ---
    of "Ambassador Extraordinary
    and Plenipotentiary,"
[20:09] ---
    and building "embassies" in both capitals
    where they will be stationed?
[20:13] ---
    That sounds wonderful.
    I will start looking into it at once.
[20:18] ---
    It's getting awfully late.
    How about we call it a day?
[20:22] ---
    Yes, of course.
[20:31] ---
    We really have been talking for
    quite a while. It's nearly sunrise.
[20:37] ---
    I feel like we discussed
    some things we didn't need to.
[20:41] ---
    Myself, I'm just glad to have
    found a friend I can count on.
[20:46] ---
    I have something to say
    to my good friend from the east.
[20:51] ---
    What is it, good friend from the west?
[20:53] ---
    The being within the Demon Lord's Realm,
    which we call the Demon Lord...
[21:00] ---
    ...we don't know the demons' language,
[21:02] ---
    but they seem to say
    one word rather often.
[21:06] ---
    My country's researchers surmise
    that it may be the Demon Lord's name.
[21:13] ---
    It being...
[21:15] ---
    ... "Divalroi."
[21:17] ---
    Divalroi? The Demon Lord Divalroi?
[21:22] ---
    Yes.
[21:23] ---
    The Demon Lord Divalroi...
[21:25] ---
    The Demon Lord... Divalroi...
[21:28] ---
    The Demon Lord...
[21:30] ---
    Huh? What is this? I remember
    hearing this somewhere before.
[21:35] ---
    Is it déjà vu? No, that's not it.
    I remember hearing it, from somewhere...
[21:44] ---
    Souma!
[21:47] ---
    Serina, show Jeanne to her guest room.
[21:56] ---
    I'm all right. I can sleep
    in the bed in my office.
[22:00] ---
    No, you're going to sleep in a proper bed.
[22:06] ---
    I don't know what's behind it,
[22:08] ---
    but when you're exhausted,
    at least, let me pamper you.
[22:11] ---
    Sorry. Thanks.
[22:15] ---
    You're welcome.
[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