EPISODE 3 ELNA ATTACKS
31ST EMPEROR OF THE ADRASIA EMPIRE JOHANNES REKS ADLER
We now begin the senior ministers meeting.
CHANCELLOR FRANZ SEEBECK
SECOND IMPERIAL PRINCE ERIK REKS ADLER
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Second Imperial Prince Erik Reks Adler.
Good day, Your Highness.
SECOND IMPERIAL PRINCESS, ZANDRA REKS ADLER
Second Imperial Princess, Zandra Reks Adler.
At your service, Your Highness.
THIRD IMPERIAL PRINCE, GORDON REKS ADLER.
Third Imperial Prince, Gordon Reks Adler.
FOURTH IMPERIAL PRINCE, TRAUGOTT REKS ADLER
Fourth Imperial Prince, Traugott Reks Adler.
FIFTH IMPERIAL PRINCE, KARLOS REKS ADLER
Fifth Imperial Prince, Karlos Reks Adler.
SIXTH IMPERIAL PRINCE, CONRAD REKS ADLER
Sixth Imperial Prince, Conrad Reks Adler.
SEVENTH IMPERIAL PRINCE, ARNOLD REKS ADLER
Seventh Imperial Prince, Arnold Reks Adler.
Hi.
EIGHTH IMPERIAL PRINCE, LEONARD REKS ADLER
Eighth Imperial Prince, Leonard Reks Adler.
Your Highness.
NINTH IMPERIAL PRINCE, HENRIK REKS ADLER
Ninth Imperial Prince, Henrik Reks Adler.
THIRD IMPERIAL PRINCESS, KRISTA REKS ADLER
Third Imperial Princess, Krista Reks Adler.
Tenth Imperial Prince, Rupert Reks Adler.
TENTH IMPERIAL PRINCE, RUPERT REKS ADLER
Present are the princes and princesses
excluding First Imperial Princess Marshal Liselotte Reks Adler,
who is on duty protecting the border.
Thank you for assembling on such short notice.
Now, Your Highness, what do you ask of us?
I'd be glad to go to war.
I shall charge into enemy territory with the full might of the empire.
You haven't changed, Gordon.
Every word out of your mouth is "war, war, war."
What a meathead you are.
It may be difficult for a feeble mage to understand,
but it's the honor of a warrior to fight and die in battle.
Keep running your mouth, and I'll crush you.
Why don't I offer you some "honor" right now
if you're so desperate for some?
Forgive my siblings for their insolence, Your Highness.
A little rivalry is a good thing.
That's how I became the emperor myself, after all.
Now, with that said,
I'm going to have you all compete with one another.
Compete?
What for?
I'd gladly take on a test of might!
Don't be so quick to rush to conclusions.
How would you propose to compare your strength
against your ten-year-old youngest brother?
You have no need to fear.
What, then?
I plan to bring back a festival that we held decades ago.
A festival, you say?
The Knight's Festival of the Hunt.
KNIGHT'S FESTIVAL OF THE HUNT
The Knight's...
...Festival of the Hunt?
I believe you're referring to the festival where imperial guards
compete to hunt the largest, rarest monsters.
Correct.
It was held frequently when monsters were more abundant,
but with so many capable adventurers, the event has fallen out of fashion.
And I'll be bringing it back.
But would the Adventurer's Guild approve?
We would be taking their work.
That won't be an issue.
We've already gotten permission from Guild headquarters.
Well, that was quick.
The Adventurer's Guild in many parts of the empire
is having trouble keeping up.
I'm told that they would be more than happy to have us.
Your Highness, given that we're competing,
I'm assuming that an award awaits me for when I win.
What would you want, Gordon?
Of course, the position of Crown Prince, which would place me closest
to inheriting the throne.
You sure are blunt, aren't you?
More dull than blunt, I would say.
How dare you?!
Such a festival wouldn't be an appropriate way
to select the next crown prince.
Of course.
We'd be the laughing stock of other nations.
However, it wouldn't do to not offer a prize either.
Which is why the winner will receive...
the title of Ambassador Extraordinary.
Really?
What?!
Ambassador Extraordinary...
I will choose fairly which regiment will be assigned to whom.
Whether you fight alongside them
or await their victorious return in your own territory, it's up to you.
Make it a memorable festival!
Ambassador Extraordinary...
I think you should take that role, Brother.
Do you really think I can maintain a positive relationship with other nations?
I do.
Well, I appreciate that.
But I can't win in the Hunt.
You're going to have to do it.
You're right.
I hate this, though.
The thought of fighting against my own family is depressing.
Are you giving up, then?
No.
I need to look after Mother, you, and everyone who supports me.
I have to win, or our future will be grim.
I'm glad you understand.
I can't do this by myself.
I need your help. Finne's help.
Please lend me a hand.
This has become quite the pain in the neck.
No kidding.
We're in trouble here.
I think it's an opportunity.
You're more aware than anyone how capable Prince Leo is, Master Arn.
It's an opportunity, but we're also in a pinch.
The opportunity is that Leo could become the Ambassador Extraordinary.
Right.
The pinch is that if either of our rivals, Erik, Zandra or Gordon
become the Ambassador Extraordinary,
we'll be forced out of the competition for the throne.
Oh, no! We have to do something quick!
So...
The knights have also been caught entirely off-guard.
The Emperor and his aides must have made this decision themselves.
The victor will be determined by the candidates' own capabilities as well as luck,
in that one may or may not encounter a rare monster.
One more thing.
The event is expected to be held in the east side of the empire.
The east side...
WEST
NORTH KLEINERT DOMAIN / CAPITAL / KEEL
EAST
PORT / SOUTH
That is the area where monsters are causing the most damage
and where the adventurers are unable to keep up with their hunt.
Furthermore, the knights are not being deployed there.
So he let the monsters roam free on purpose
so that they can use it as the venue for the festival.
I wouldn't put it past my father to do that.
Master Arn,
I have a plan!
I'll hear you out.
You just need to take first place!
I was a fool for getting my hopes up even just a little.
Why would you say that?!
Prince Arnold must pretend to be incapable.
It would be suspicious if he were to reveal his true abilities now.
But is there any other sure path?
That would be the most certain for sure.
But I would lose my trump card.
It would be difficult for me to keep operating in the shadows
and to make Leo the emperor.
We need another plan.
However, there is little else we can do.
The others may be able to draw rare monsters into the area
or scout them out ahead of time, but we lack the manpower.
We can do something like that.
I can drive some monsters to the east as Silver.
You mustn't do that!
Of course.
That would just cause havoc for the people living in the east.
Exactly.
I'm sorry, you would never do such a thing.
It's fine.
Just keep saying what's on your mind.
You always try to do the right thing.
What do you mean by that?
He means that he loves you the way you are.
I don't remember saying I loved her.
Then do you hate her?
No.
So you love her.
Good for you, Lady Finne.
Yes!
Is it more tea that you want?
I'll bring some right away.
Sebas, that was out of line.
Oh? What could I have said?
Come on!
No, never mind.
I'll put some thought into how we'll win the Hunt.
Yes.
Oh, right, I've been told that the Adventurer's Guild
has been trying to get in touch with Silver.
What?
A mutant cerberus?
Yes.
It's an AAA-class bounty.
Several parties have already been defeated.
You're the only SS-class adventurer, Silver.
We're counting on you.
All right. I accept.
Thank you!
Dammit...
Why did you have to wander into the empire while we're so busy?
Sorry?
No, nothing.
I'll head out immediately.
I see.
Any ordinary adventurer would struggle.
I suppose I shouldn't have expected
to take out an AAA-class monster in one shot.
In that case...
Mission complete.
You there!
Was that explosion just now your doing?
What if it was?
You are...
COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE THIRD REGIMENT, ELNA VON ARMSBERG, DAUGHTER OF SUPREME ARCHDUKE ARMSBERG
I'm the commanding officer of the Third Regiment, Elna Von Armsberg.
We received word of the cerberus and came here.
Have you already hunted it down?
Can't you see?
It seems that the archduke's daughter is visually impaired.
How dare you?!
Are you the SS-class adventurer, Silver?
It seems your modest success has gone to your head.
I hear that they call you the guardian of the capital these days.
Is that a challenge to the Armsberg family,
who is are guardians of the capital?
I never asked the people to call me that.
I have no interest in such a title.
I see.
So you're trying to tell me that our family is fixated on a vain title.
Or are you saying you don't even care about us?
In either case, it's a provocation.
It seems your family is quite concerned about prestige.
How petty it is that you can't even allow someone else to receive praise.
I won't stand for disrespect of the Armsberg family!
I believe you're the disrespectful one.
I defeated the cerberus as requested by the Guild.
But it seems you were intent on hunting it down if I hadn't.
Is that not a clear provocation of the Guild?
I never intended that!
I'm simply concerned for the people!
Commander,
I suggest we stand down.
If the Adventurer's Guild had issued the request, we would be in the wrong.
Besides, we must hurry to the capital.
Fine, fine.
Apologies.
It seems there's been some miscommunication.
As long as you understand.
Silver, don't you forget!
It is the Archduke's family, the knights, and the soldiers who protect the empire.
I'll make an effort to remember.
Though I might forget right away anyway.
You damn silver-coated toy soldier!
Man, that felt great.
All these years growing up with Elna, and I finally got to mess with her!
I've never once bested her in an argument or a fight!
Although that doesn't change the fact
that I shouldn't have made an enemy of her.
What am I even doing?
Nuts...
A FEW DAYS LATER
Who do you think will show up?
His Highness is, in fact, a fair man.
I trust him to ensure that our forces are evenly matched.
Anyone but Elna, please...
Here you go again.
Even among the Armsberg family, descendants of heroes,
Elna is a prodigy, who entered the regiment at eleven
and became commander at fourteen.
You couldn't ask for any better.
In terms of ability, sure.
But as a person, I can't deal with her.
She's praised for her conduct. They say she'll be the next captain of the Order.
She puts on a good public face.
The people and knights don't know what she's really like.
I'll never forget about the time I met her. I was seven.
Do you know what she said to me when she helped me as I was being bullied?
No. What did she say?
You wimp!
Seriously!
Who says that to a kid when he's down?!
And then she beat the crap out of me and called it training!
After that, I had to find places to play where I wouldn't run into Elna.
She robbed me of my confidence!
She's a devil of a woman!
Why don't you understand how I feel?!
Who are you calling a devil of a woman?
Sebas! Call the knights!
The devil is here!
Unfortunately, I doubt anyone is coming to your aid.
The strongest knight is right here.
You get it, don't you, Sebas?
Prince Arnold Reks Adler.
Commanding Officer of the Third Regiment Elna Von Armsbeck at your service.
We haven't met in several years, but it seems you haven't changed.
Is that sarcasm?
Yes. Of course.
Looks like you're really popular in the capital.
They call you the "insipid prince." How wonderful.
Yeah, thanks. I'm having a great time.
What do you want?
I don't remember calling for you!
There's only one reason I'd be here. Don't you get it?
I refuse to believe it!
The regiment assigned to you is Miss Elna's Third Regiment.
Not happening! Not happening!
How rude. It wasn't easy telling His Highness that I wanted to work with you, you know.
You didn't need to do that!
You're going to draw my brothers' and sisters' attention!
Who cares what they think?
It's not like you're vying for the throne, are you?
That's not the point!
Why are you always like this?!
I'm going to make sure you win.
Let's make them regret calling you the insipid prince!
I never asked for this!
I don't want any attention on me!
You can't be like that.
I told His Highness that I'd set you straight.
Why would you...
So, it's time to train!
Train?
First, let's see how far you've come in horsemanship.
Now, off to the training grounds!
S-Sebas, my head's starting to hurt.
I might be gravely ill.
That would be a serious emotional affliction called "feigned illness."
Some physical and mental training may remedy it.
You traitor!
Now, let's get started!
I already have a horse prepared for you!
You're welcome! No thanks are necessary.
I never said anything!
Let me go!
Hey! Let me go!
Off you go, Your Highness.
Keep going!
More!
This is nothing!
THE NEXT DAY
Ow...
I'm sorry. I'll be gentler.
It stings...
I informed Lady Elna that you're quite exhausted.
She says she can wait until the afternoon to resume training.
Does the word "rest" have no meaning to her?
I can't keep that up every day.
No wonder they call her the second coming of the hero.
But isn't Silver equally capable?
Prince Arnold specializes in ancient magics.
He is less physically fit than the common person.
He is?
Horsemanship, swordsmanship, modern magics...
He's been serially truant in his training.
So he isn't all that capable, Lady Finne.
I'd assumed that adventurers were all exceptionally fit.
I'm just making up for my lack of strength with my ancient magic.
I'd never do anything that would put on any strength to begin with.
In other words, if he isn't using his ancient magics,
he would be, as Lady Elna says, a wimp.
It's done.
Thanks.
Depending on how we look at it, though,
this could be an opportunity for Prince Leonard.
You're right.
In what way?
It's safe to say Elna's the strongest knight around.
In other words, even if I win, no one would attribute it to my own abilities.
As noted by Lady Finne,
if Prince Leonard is incapable of winning,
having Prince Arnold win would be the safest.
That may have been too suspicious,
but we were just handed the best card possible.
Which means Master Arn is free to fight with all his might!
Elna will go all-out if I don't do anything anyway.
I'm sure we can win.
That's just how exceptional Elna is.
I won't let anyone take the title of Ambassador Extraordinary.
Though, ideally, Leo is the one who wins.
Why so?
Even if you're the one who builds trust with other nations,
that trust will ultimately belong to Leo anyway.
Sure, but it's still better if Leo's the one who wins.
You say that so convincingly, but perhaps you just don't want
to have to work as Ambassador Extraordinary?
You're going to receive another scolding from Lady Elna.
What is she, my mother?!
Master Arn,
I wish I had a childhood friend who cared for me so much.
I have no one I can call a childhood friend.
It's nothing but a pain in the ass.
Especially her. She keeps getting in my business.
Oh? How am I getting in your business?
The way you barge in unannounced is a perfect example, isn't it?
How rude.
I brought you some medication.
Looks like you didn't need it, though.
I already had someone a hundred times nicer than you rub some on.
I'm good.
Blau Mowe, you mean?
Pleased to meet you.
I'm Finne Von Kleinert.
Elna Von Amsberg.
I never thought I'd be meeting you in Arn's room and not Leo's.
Yes. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance.
Likewise.
Now...
Shall we get going?
Wait! I thought we were starting in the afternoon!
You said you're good, so we're starting training immediately!
That's not what I meant!
Ow! Stop it!
Shake it off!
I'm injured!
Ow, ow, that drill sergeant...
I'd rather fight a cerberus.
Still researching the ancient magics, huh?
I'm amazed you never get tired of it, Grandpa.
TRANSLATION: REI MIYASAKA
TIMING: EDGAR CRUZ EDITING: ZACHARY CARLYSLE
QUALITY CONTROL: WILLIAM HAGGARD