# E38 - Determination and Ambition
Source: [Crunchyroll](https://www.crunchyroll.com/watch/GK9U3JXJQ/determination-and-ambition)
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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.)
***SIGN*** Dominion of Fezzan
***SIGN*** Rubinsky Estate
**[00:17] Rupert**
If we were to estimate the percentage of
power each of the three nations holds,
**[00:20] Rupert**
the Empire would hold about
48%, the Alliance 33%,
**[00:25] Rupert**
and our own Fezzan would hold
about 19% of the power.
**[00:29] Rubinsky**
The power balance between the
nations has changed quite a bit.
**[00:34] Rubinsky**
The Alliance's decline is quite prominent.
**[00:37] Rupert**
The Empire's high nobility has
been almost completely purged,
**[00:40] Rupert**
and the lower nobles and commoners
have climbed in the ranks.
**[00:44] Rupert**
This has accelerated the
metabolism of human resources.
**[00:48] Rubinsky**
It seems to have stimulated
the economy, as well.
**[00:52] Rupert**
The decline of the Alliance,
on the other hand, is plain to see.
**[00:56] Rupert**
Their defeat at Amritsar
**[00:58] Rupert**
reduced their military strength to a third
of what it was in less than two years.
**[01:01] Rupert**
Their social infrastructure
is collapsing,
**[01:04] Rupert**
causing the citizens' trust
in the system to waver.
**[01:07] Rubinsky**
The Alliance is on the road to ruin.
**[01:12] Rubinsky**
How tragic.
**[01:14] Rupert**
Yes, but I do hope that the
Alliance continues on this path.
**[01:18] Rupert**
If their political power
continues to decline
**[01:20] Rupert**
and they end up being annexed by the Empire,
**[01:22] Rupert**
Fezzan will be able to assume
financial control over the Empire,
**[01:26] Rupert**
making us the rulers of an
essentially unified galaxy.
**[01:31] Rubinsky**
In any case, you must prepare as
many pawns ready as possible
**[01:34] Rubinsky**
so that we can make the
first move at any time.
**[01:38] Rupert**
I am aware.
**[01:41] Rupert**
Speaking of pawns...
**[01:42] Rupert**
What do we do about Schaft, the head of the Imperial
Navy Science and Technology Department?
**[01:47] Rubinsky**
What would you do?
**[01:48] Rupert**
It seems to me we have
no further use for him.
**[01:51] Rupert**
He only keeps making bigger
and bigger demands of us.
**[01:57] Rupert**
Preparations have been made to ensure
the documents we spoke of are received
**[02:00] Rupert**
as naturally as possible by the relevant
personnel in the Imperial Ministry of Justice.
**[02:06] Rubinsky**
Good. Have it done at once.
**[02:08] Rubinsky**
Waste must be flushed immediately,
or it will clog the drain.
**[02:13] Rupert**
Understood.
**[02:15] Rubinsky**
By the way, isn't tomorrow the
anniversary of your mother's death?
**[02:19] Rubinsky**
You can take the day off.
**[02:27] Rupert**
Well, well...
**[02:29] Rupert**
I never expected Your Excellency to
be concerned with my private affairs.
**[02:33] Rupert**
It is more than I could hope for.
**[02:35] Rubinsky**
Of course I am...
**[02:37] Rubinsky**
considering you are of
my own flesh and blood.
**[02:41] Rupert**
You knew?
**[02:44] Rubinsky**
I did a terrible thing to your mother.
**[02:50] Rupert**
You were concerned about that?
**[02:53] Rubinsky**
Yes, all this time.
**[02:56] Rupert**
My mother would be pleased
to hear that in Heaven.
**[02:59] Rupert**
Allow me to thank you in her stead.
**[03:02] Rupert**
But in truth, there was no
need for you to be concerned.
**[03:07] Rupert**
The daughter of a family so poor that they
struggled to afford their daily bread,
**[03:11] Rupert**
or the daughter of a family so rich
**[03:13] Rupert**
that they held a measurable percentage
of the universe's wealth...
**[03:17] Rupert**
I would have...
**[03:19] Rupert**
Yes, I would have made the same
choice Your Excellency did.
**[03:25] Rupert**
So, did you give me this
important job as your aide
**[03:29] Rupert**
when I was but a youth,
fresh out of graduate school,
**[03:33] Rupert**
purely out of paternal love for your child?
**[03:36] Rubinsky**
Is that what you believe?
**[03:38] Rupert**
It's not what I want to believe.
**[03:41] Rupert**
I do have some degree of confidence
in my own ability, after all.
**[03:46] Rupert**
I want to believe you saw that in me.
**[03:50] Rubinsky**
You seem very much like me on the inside.
**[03:53] Rubinsky**
Though your outward appearance
is closer to your mother's.
**[03:57] Rupert**
Thank you for saying so.
**[04:00] Rubinsky**
The leader of Fezzan is not
an inherited position.
**[04:03] Rubinsky**
The requirement to be my successor is not
blood, but capability and popularity.
**[04:09] Rubinsky**
It's necessary to cultivate
those things over time.
**[04:12] Rupert**
I will keep that in mind.
**[04:25] Rupert**
*Capability and popularity, eh?*
**[04:28] Rupert**
You didn't spend any time getting
those, but you say I have to?
**[04:33] Rupert**
You contradict yourself.
**[04:36] Rupert**
Don't forget... I am your son.
**[04:50] Rubinsky**
*Rupert is a lot like me.*
***SIGN*** Episode 38
***SIGN*** Determination and Ambition
**[05:04] Na**
The force sent to conquer Iserlohn Fortress
returned to the capital planet, Odin.
**[05:10] Na**
They lost Admiral-in-Chief Kempff,
**[05:13] Na**
they lost Geiersburg Fortress,
**[05:16] Na**
and they lost over 29,000 ships carrying
over 1,800,000 soldiers and officers,
**[05:22] Na**
making their return a tragic one.
**[05:29] Reinhard**
Say that again!
**[05:32] Paul**
About 80% of the expeditionary force to
the Iserlohn Corridor has been lost.
**[05:40] Reinhard**
Müller will be severely punished!
**[06:07] Reinhard**
Right...
**[06:09] Reinhard**
A man like Müller is hard to come by.
**[06:13] Reinhard**
It would be foolish to kill him when
nothing can be gained from it.
**[06:18] Reinhard**
Isn't that right, Kircheis?
**[06:32] Müller**
Your Excellency gave me an order,
**[06:35] Müller**
and I did not fulfill my duty,
**[06:38] Müller**
nor was I able to save
Admiral-in-Chief Kempff.
**[06:42] Müller**
I lost many of our men,
**[06:44] Müller**
and I gave the enemy a
victory to boast about.
**[06:47] Müller**
I know my sin is deserving of death,
but I returned here alive
**[06:52] Müller**
to inform Your Excellency
of the battle's outcome
**[06:55] Müller**
and to await my punishment.
**[06:59] Müller**
I pray that the sin of our loss
falls on my shoulders alone,
**[07:04] Müller**
and that you will be magnanimous in
dealing with those who serve under me.
**[07:14] Reinhard**
You have committed no sin.
**[07:19] Reinhard**
A single loss can be made
up for with a single win.
**[07:25] Reinhard**
Thank you for traveling
such a great distance.
**[07:28] Müller**
Your Excellency...
**[07:30] Reinhard**
I've already lost Kempff.
**[07:33] Reinhard**
I can't lose you, too.
**[07:36] Reinhard**
Rest until your wounds have fully healed.
**[07:39] Reinhard**
I will order you to return
to active duty after that.
**[07:49] Reinhard**
Take him to the hospital.
**[07:53] Reinhard**
And Kempff will be promoted.
**[07:56] Streit**
Understood.
**[08:06] Na**
Reinhard showed mercy to Müller,
**[08:11] Na**
but he treated Schaft very differently.
**[08:21] Reinhard**
If you have any excuses, let's hear them.
**[08:23] Schaft**
With all due respect, Your Excellency,
my proposal was flawless.
**[08:29] Schaft**
Responsibility for the plan's
failure falls on the leadership
**[08:31] Schaft**
and the one who was placed in command.
**[08:36] Reinhard**
I suggest you watch your tongue.
**[08:38] Reinhard**
Who asked you to take
responsibility for our defeat?
**[08:43] Reinhard**
Kesler! Come over here and explain
to him what his crime is!
**[08:53] Kesler**
Chief Engineer Schaft,
you will be taken into custody.
**[08:56] Kesler**
You are charged with accepting bribes,
misappropriation of public funds,
**[09:00] Kesler**
and leaking of military secrets.
**[09:02] Schaft**
Wh-Where's your proof?
**[09:05] Reinhard**
I believe you know that better than anyone.
**[09:09] Schaft**
Your Excellency!
**[09:11] Kesler**
Take him.
**[09:12] Schaft**
Let me go! Your Excellency...
Your Excellency!
**[09:14] Schaft**
Have you forgotten my unwavering devotion?!
**[09:18] Schaft**
Your Excellency! Your Excellency!
**[09:20] Reinhard**
Scum.
**[09:23] Reinhard**
Kesler.
**[09:24] Reinhard**
Enhance our surveillance of the
Fezzan commissioner's office.
**[09:28] Reinhard**
I don't care if they find out.
**[09:30] Kesler**
Yes, sir.
**[09:32] Reinhard**
*You money-worshipers of Fezzan...*
**[09:35] Reinhard**
*what are you thinking?*
**[09:47] Franz**
Don't cry, Mom.
**[09:49] Franz**
I promise I'll avenge Dad!
**[09:52] Franz**
I'll beat that Yang guy myself!
**[09:56] Isaac**
We will!
**[10:12] Hilde**
I'm relieved that you showed
mercy to Admiral Müller.
**[10:17] Reinhard**
Unfortunately, I can't afford
to lose a man of his caliber.
**[10:24] Hilde**
Since the rebellion by the
high nobles was quelled,
**[10:27] Hilde**
peace has come to the Empire.
**[10:31] Hilde**
Your Excellency's reforms are
proceeding smoothly, as well.
**[10:34] Hilde**
I believe this is a time to
focus on internal affairs
**[10:36] Hilde**
and bolster the Empire's political power.
**[10:39] Reinhard**
Peace, huh?
**[10:42] Reinhard**
Did you know, Fraulein,
that "peace" is what they call
**[10:46] Reinhard**
an era of such good fortune that
incompetence is not a sin?
**[10:51] Hilde**
The people are very much enjoying
the fruits of your reforms,
**[10:55] Hilde**
but there are some among
the ranks of nobility
**[10:58] Hilde**
who can't keep up with the sudden
change and are struggling to get by.
**[11:04] Reinhard**
Fraulein, whether they stole
it or accumulated it,
**[11:08] Reinhard**
those who come first are
entitled to the rewards.
**[11:11] Reinhard**
That's only natural.
**[11:13] Reinhard**
But what entitlement is earned by those
**[11:16] Reinhard**
who simply inherited their
wealth and reputation,
**[11:20] Reinhard**
with no reliance on their effort or talents?
**[11:24] Reinhard**
Quietly disappearing into
the waves of history
**[11:27] Reinhard**
is the only choice for them.
**[11:29] Reinhard**
The very existence of dynastic systems
ruled by bloodlines is repulsive.
**[11:34] Reinhard**
That is my opinion.
**[11:36] Reinhard**
Power should be held for
only one generation,
**[11:38] Reinhard**
and it is not something to be given,
**[11:40] Reinhard**
but something to be taken.
**[11:43] Hilde**
Which means Your Excellency
will not be handing down
**[11:47] Hilde**
your position and authority to your child?
**[11:55] Reinhard**
The one who will succeed me
**[11:57] Reinhard**
will be someone with talents
equal to mine or greater.
**[12:01] Reinhard**
And this will not necessarily
happen after I've died.
**[12:08] Reinhard**
If anyone thinks they can gain all I have
by killing me with a knife to the back,
**[12:14] Reinhard**
they're welcome to try.
**[12:16] Reinhard**
But they will need an
imagination powerful enough
**[12:21] Reinhard**
to foresee what will come
of it if they fail.
**[12:32] Hilde**
*He lost Admiral Kircheis,*
**[12:34] Hilde**
*and Lady Annerose left him.*
**[12:37] Hilde**
* None of the people he shared*
* his time and his heart with*
**[12:39] Hilde**
*are still in his life.*
**[12:49] Hilde**
* Even though he has very capable*
* and loyal subordinates,*
**[12:52] Hilde**
* Duke Lohengramm seems to*
* have closed off his heart.*
**[12:56] Hilde**
* And there are those who consider*
* that a good thing.*
**[13:01] Hilde**
*What High Admiral Oberstein needs is someone*
**[13:04] Hilde**
* who can carry out his schemes and*
* tricks without getting emotional,*
**[13:09] Hilde**
* with the careful correctness*
* of a precision instrument.*
**[13:13] Hilde**
*In other words, Duke Lohengramm.*
**[13:20] Hilde**
*The Book of Government says,*
**[13:22] Hilde**
* "A ruler should be feared and respected*
* by his subjects, not loved."*
**[13:30] Hilde**
*I suppose that's true.*
**[13:33] Hilde**
* High Admiral Oberstein is trying*
* to bring about a supreme ruler*
**[13:38] Hilde**
* the likes of which this*
* galaxy has never seen.*
**[13:42] Hilde**
* But in exchange, he might be*
* destroying the sensitivity*
**[13:47] Hilde**
*that I know Duke Lohengramm has in spades.*
**[13:52] Hilde**
* I'm going to have to fight*
* High Admiral Oberstein,*
**[13:57] Hilde**
* to make sure Duke Lohengramm*
* can be who he is.*
**[14:03] Hilde**
That's fine determination,
Hildegard von Mariendorf...
**[14:09] Hilde**
But do you have a chance?
**[14:11] Hilde**
If determination was all it took to
win, no one would suffer for it.
**[14:16] Hilde**
Still, if only Admiral Kircheis
were alive and well...
**[14:27] Na**
Kempff was promoted to high admiral
and given a military funeral.
**[14:34] Na**
But no matter what honors
and awards he held,
**[14:38] Na**
there was one thing nothing
could make up for.
**[14:52] Oskar**
Putting down the nobles,
destroying the Alliance,
**[14:56] Oskar**
and taking control of the universe
**[14:58] Oskar**
are the goals and efforts you and
I share with Duke Lohengramm.
**[15:04] Oskar**
At least, that's what I used to think.
**[15:08] Wolfgang**
You're saying it's different now?
**[15:10] Oskar**
I've been thinking...
**[15:12] Oskar**
Maybe, to him, subordinates are no more
than pawns to be used and thrown away.
**[15:18] Wolfgang**
Reuenthal...
**[15:20] Oskar**
Just look at Kempff.
**[15:22] Oskar**
Not that I particularly
sympathize with Kempff,
**[15:25] Oskar**
but he was literally used up and
thrown away in a fruitless battle.
**[15:31] Oskar**
When he died, he was awarded
all kinds of decorations.
**[15:35] Oskar**
When someone dies, all you need to do
is honor them and shed some tears.
**[15:39] Oskar**
But living people need to be given more
tangible things, like power or wealth.
**[15:47] Oskar**
I'm beginning to question whether
he's actually capable of that.
**[15:53] Wolfgang**
Look, you might say that,
**[15:55] Wolfgang**
but when he was left in a stupor after
seeing Siegfried Kircheis die the way he did,
**[16:01] Wolfgang**
weren't you the one who said
we needed him to bounce back?
**[16:06] Wolfgang**
Did you not really mean that?
**[16:09] Oskar**
I did mean it, at the time.
**[16:12] Oskar**
But I didn't get to where I am today by
making only correct decisions and judgments.
**[16:20] Oskar**
It might not be right now,
**[16:21] Oskar**
but the day is bound to come when
I regret making that choice.
**[16:27] Wolfgang**
I'll pretend I didn't hear that.
**[16:33] Wolfgang**
You should try not to speak too carelessly.
**[16:36] Wolfgang**
If it reached Oberstein's ears,
you could become the target of a purge.
**[16:41] Wolfgang**
Duke Lohengramm is the hero
of an entire generation.
**[16:44] Wolfgang**
We need only do our job as his arms and legs
**[16:47] Wolfgang**
and receive our due rewards for it.
**[16:50] Wolfgang**
That's what I think.
**[17:00] Wolfgang**
* Does the start of a new era*
* invariably bring new discord?*
**[17:15] Wolfgang**
* Still, I never realized Reuenthal felt*
* such discontent toward the duke.*
**[17:25] Wolfgang**
Am I just simple-minded?
**[17:36] Oskar**
Now I've done it again.
**[17:59] Julian**
You have a cold. Probably due to overwork.
**[18:04] Julian**
I'll make some hot punch for you.
**[18:06] Julian**
It's just wine, honey,
and lemon diluted with hot water.
**[18:09] Julian**
It's the best thing for a cold.
**[18:11] Yang**
Leave out the honey, lemon, and water.
**[18:14] Julian**
Absolutely not.
**[18:16] Yang**
Do they really make that much difference?
**[18:18] Julian**
In that case, I'll just leave out the wine.
**[18:23] Yang**
You were so much more obedient when
you first came here four years ago.
**[18:27] Julian**
Yes, the personality I've developed
is most definitely acquired.
**[18:36] Yang**
Man, nothing good happened
in my life at all.
**[18:39] Yang**
I'm forced to do work I hate,
I have no girlfriend...
**[18:43] Yang**
I try to at least drink a little
booze, and I get scolded.
**[18:47] Julian**
Don't get moody over a little cold.
**[18:51] Julian**
Here you go.
**[18:57] Yang**
You're such a good kid!
**[18:59] Yang**
This is almost straight wine!
**[19:07] Julian**
Admiral Yang...
**[19:08] Yang**
What?
**[19:10] Julian**
I want to officially become
a member of the military.
**[19:15] Julian**
Will you grant me permission?
**[19:18] Julian**
If you insist that I shouldn't
do it, I'll drop the idea.
**[19:23] Yang**
You really want to do that, no matter what?
**[19:25] Julian**
Yes.
**[19:26] Julian**
I want to be a soldier who
protects freedom and equality.
**[19:30] Julian**
Not a soldier who serves only as a
tool for aggression and oppression,
**[19:34] Julian**
but one who protects the
rights of the people.
**[19:38] Yang**
You said you'd drop it if I refused.
What would you do after that?
**[19:43] Julian**
I don't know.
**[19:44] Julian**
No... I'll be whatever you tell me to be.
**[19:49] Yang**
Being told no was never part of
your plan from the start, was it?
**[19:54] Julian**
That's not true!
**[19:56] Yang**
Don't underestimate the difference
fifteen years makes.
**[19:59] Yang**
I can tell that much easily.
**[20:02] Julian**
I'm sorry.
**[20:05] Yang**
Oh, damn it.
**[20:07] Yang**
When you make that face,
I can't very well say no, can I?
**[20:11] Yang**
All right. I know you won't
end up some useless soldier.
**[20:16] Yang**
Be what you want to be.
**[20:18] Julian**
Thank you so much...
**[20:21] Julian**
Thank you, Admiral!
**[20:23] Yang**
Do you really want to be in the
military that badly, though?
**[20:29] Yang**
Listen, Julian...
**[20:30] Yang**
I don't want to sound too out of character,
**[20:33] Yang**
but if you want to be soldier,
there's something I want you to remember.
**[20:38] Yang**
The armed forces are violent,
and there are two types of violence.
**[20:43] Julian**
Good violence and bad violence?
**[20:46] Yang**
No.
**[20:48] Yang**
Violence for controlling
and oppressing others,
**[20:50] Yang**
and violence as a means for gaining freedom.
**[20:53] Yang**
A state military...
**[20:56] Yang**
is, at its core, the former.
**[21:00] Yang**
Sadly, history proves that to be the case.
**[21:04] Yang**
When the authorities and the
people oppose each other,
**[21:06] Yang**
the military rarely takes
the side of the people.
**[21:10] Yang**
In fact, in many countries, the military
has become the leadership's mechanism
**[21:15] Yang**
to control the people through violent means.
**[21:19] Yang**
Some just tried that last year and failed.
**[21:23] Julian**
But you're a soldier, and you
opposed that, didn't you?
**[21:28] Julian**
I want to be the kind of soldier you are,
**[21:31] Julian**
or one with the same aspirations, at least.
**[21:33] Yang**
Whoa, now. Don't say that.
**[21:35] Yang**
You know very well that my aspirations
don't lie within the military.
**[21:42] Yang**
We weren't able to defeat
Emperor Rudolf by the sword,
**[21:45] Yang**
but we know the crimes he committed
with respect to human society.
**[21:51] Yang**
The power of the pen made that possible.
**[21:53] Yang**
The pen has the power to indict a
despot from hundreds of years ago,
**[21:56] Yang**
or even a tyrant from
thousands of years ago.
**[22:00] Yang**
You can't go back in history
to do anything with a sword,
**[22:04] Yang**
but with a pen, you can.
**[22:06] Julian**
Yes, but doesn't that only
amount to confirming the past?
**[22:12] Yang**
The past, huh? Listen, Julian.
**[22:15] Yang**
Human history is going to
continue being written,
**[22:18] Yang**
meaning the past accumulates
upon itself infinitely.
**[22:21] Yang**
History is not just a record of the past.
**[22:25] Yang**
It's proof that civilization
continues to persist up to today.
**[22:29] Yang**
Modern civilization stands atop the
accumulated history of the past.
**[22:34] Yang**
Understand?
**[22:35] Julian**
Yes.
**[22:37] Yang**
That's why I wanted to be a historian.
**[22:40] Yang**
But I screwed up the order of things,
**[22:43] Yang**
and this is where I ended up.
**[22:48] Julian**
But without people to make history,
**[22:51] Julian**
wouldn't the people who write
about it lose their value?
**[22:56] Yang**
Julian, that hot punch of yours...
**[22:59] Yang**
Mind making me another cup?
**[23:02] Julian**
Yes, right away.
**[23:08] Yang**
Things just don't always go
the way you want them to.
**[23:14] Yang**
Not in your own life or in those of others.
***SIGN*** Episode 39
***SIGN*** Thunderclaps
**[25:01] Na**
Next time, "Thunderclaps."
**[25:04] ---**