Lighting a blue light; that is destruction, slumber, rebirth
Gespenst Jäger
Wandering wounded, you advanced toward a definite rendezvous
Gespenst Jäger
Ah, your back
Bears scars where your wings were plucked off
Believe in that small something and grasp it once more
Pulsing steel burning red, pain and then wavering
Gespenst Jäger
Rise to tear to pieces and rip apart any kind of husk
Gespenst Jäger
Have pride and raise your sword overhead
I (You) Your hands (My hands) know peace!
Non! That is enough
Non! That is hope
I will at least (Hold me) protect (Tightly) Your smile!
Ripped By mstoll
Good morning, Mother!
For That is a Precious Thing
Good morning, young mistress.
Morning.
Good morning, Father.
Oh, my older sisters are here.
We've come to discuss something with you today. You see...
Why don't you do something about the way you look already?
The way I look?
Those clothes! They're like something a man would wear!
But as a soldier, I am required to wear this.
At this rate, it won't be long before you're a man inside and out.
Elis is just concerned what your fiancé would think if he saw you like that.
In the military, men and women are...
Just how long do you intend to keep playing soldier?
The Malvin family prides itself on its warrior heritage.
It is only natural I serve in the military!
The war is over, Alice.
The real fight has only just begun.
This war has devastated the land and the people who live in it.
State Section 3 works for the recovery of the land and for our people's...
That's enough talk about that merry platoon of yours.
I'm sure there other posts more appropriate for a noble.
With all due respect, Father,
I take pride in Section 3's war relief efforts.
Helping and guiding the people has always been the duty of the nobility.
I am dedicated to actively meeting with our people,
and shall spare no efforts in the fulfillment of my duties.
As nobles, we need to break down the barriers between us and the people.
Break down the barriers, you say?
Yes.
What a shallow thought.
What? Father, I...
Look at the table.
Considering that in an era of poverty you still have something to eat every morning,
that sounds especially shallow coming from you.
What, the Commander isn't here yet?
That's right!
You're kidding! I shouldn't have been in such a rush to get here.
You've got that right. If you hadn't rushed, you could've taken time to wipe off that lipstick.
At any rate, it's not like Miss Straight-Laced to be late.
I guess strange things do happen...
I wonder if something happened.
I'm worried.
The lieutenant isn't habitually late like you, Oreldo.
Watch your mouth!
Ow! Ow ow ow ow ow! Watch your mouth!
Ow! Ow ow ow ow ow! Who are you calling habitually late?
Ow! Ow ow ow ow ow!
Sorry for being late!
Ms. Alice! What happened?
Did you run here all the way from home?
Of course.
Common people don't use coaches to take them to and from work.
Here, have some water.
Oh, thanks.
Do common people drink water?
Sure. Of course we do.
She's saying weird things again.
This is delicious! She's saying weird things again.
I never realized water was so delicious! She's saying weird things again.
I never realized water was so delicious! Something must've happened for sure.
My apologies for being late!
It's your mission.
The location is the SU-13 tunnel in the southern part of the empire.
It collapsed during the war, and we've been asked to restore it.
We are part of the Intelligence Division, right?
Yeah.
Then what are we doing digging holes with this thing?
Restoring transportation lines is an essential job.
These efforts will eventually pay off for the state.
Exactly!
The restoration of a major railway...
This is exactly the sort of mission Section 3 was made for!
This is a good opportunity for us.
We're going to put in some work, too!
What?!
Aren't we just going to contract the local guys to do the construction?
No. Swinging our pickaxes together
is sure to help us establish a rapport with the common people.
You think so too, don't you, Corporal?
Y-Yeah...
Did you hear that?
Um, no. I mean... Haven't you eaten?
A little.
I couldn't help it.
Are you fasting?
Couldn't we use the shield train to finish this in one shot?
Just charge right in and...
It looks like it could totally collapse at any minute.
If we do anything reckless, it will cave in.
So we'll have to strengthen the ceiling and sidewalls first, huh?
Hold it right there, you little brat!
Quit squirming, dang it!
Let me go!
What happened?
I said let go! What happened?
I said let go!
It looks like he's from a nearby village.
He tried to take some of the workers' provisions.
I only took a little!
You soldiers get to eat all the good stuff!
You scratched me, you little brat!
You plan to use violence against a civilian?!
You've got no right to complain, you little thief!
Wait.
Eat up.
Commander?
Lady...
I have a favor.
Could you take us to the person in charge of your village?
We'd like to contract some workers for this construction.
What's your name?
Peter! What's yours?
Alice.
I decline.
What?
Why, Dad?
You were just saying we need work because there was a bad harvest this year!
No means no.
Opening up the tunnel will bring money to this village.
So why are you refusing...
Five years ago. So why are you refusing...
Five years ago.
This area was a battlefield.
The fighting destroyed all our crops.
An explosion took out the tunnel, too.
Then, just like today, we got a request for some contract restoration work.
We happily worked our butts off,
having been promised enough money for the village to make it through the year.
With that money, we wouldn't have to starve...
So we finished the construction.
Not without a lot of sacrifices though.
But we were never paid.
There was a loophole in the contract.
Instead of the money that was supposed to be our lifeline,
we received the "privilege" of being made exempt from the military draft.
Lucky us.
Because of that, 12 people from the village died that year.
They died of illness or starvation instead of bullets.
And don't try and tell me that's not a lot of people.
This is the only child who made it through that year.
But Alice isn't that kind of person!
Quiet! Kids shouldn't butt into grown-up problems!
Dad...
It looks like it collapsed again just before the end of the war, but we don't care.
We're done working for free!
That won't happen this time.
The compensation has been clearly noted on the papers.
When?!
When will we get paid?
Um, well...
One month following the start of construction.
Forget it. I can't trust that at all.
Now listen, man...
I don't suppose I can ask you to trust us?
I know! We'll work alongside with you!
We'll eat the same things, work the same times.
We'll share the joy and pain with you.
The military and the people should come together to cope with difficult situations!
Out of the question.
Listen, Lady.
If all you're going to do is prattle off a bunch of pretty ideals, even this guy can do that.
Go back where you came from.
They don't trust us at all.
The gap between us is certainly wide.
C-Commander?
I'm going to get the construction going, even if just a little.
I understand how you feel, but you can't do anything yourself.
Then you help me, too!
That sure backfired.
Because you opened up your big mouth.
I've made some food.
I don't need it!
I think you should eat.
He's right! Let's eat!
They say you can't fight a war on an empty stomach.
Do you think I could eat after hearing that story of theirs?!
So you haven't eaten since this morning.
So many people suffer from hunger, yet for the 18 years I've been alive,
I've indulged in food as if it were a given.
I'm a fool.
Lieutenant...
But, I really think...
Awesome! What is this machine? But, I really think...
Awesome! What is this machine?
Hey, you little brat!
Don't go touching things without permission!
Hey, pops! Is this a tank?
Who are you calling "pops"?
You know, it's because of your father that we're...
Don't blame the child.
Commander...
Does this look like a tank, Peter?
Alice!
This is awesome! It's a huge drill!
It's called a shield train.
Wow...
It was designed to go ahead of foot soldiers and clear out things like barbed wire and sandbags.
Is it like a tank?
No. Now it's just a machine for digging tunnels.
If the tunnel isn't fixed, you'll be in trouble, right?
Your superiors will get angry.
That's nothing for a child to worry about.
I'll be fine.
Since you came all the way here, eat up.
But that's your lunch, isn't it, Alice?
Don't worry about it, just eat.
Well...
Thanks for the food!
This stuff's great! I've never had something so good before!
I'm glad.
Aren't you hungry, Alice?
Don't worry. I've eaten plenty.
Even while all of you were starving...
Alice, don't worry about what my dad says.
Everyone in town was relieved to see you.
But my dad worries, and now he's found something he can vent on.
He's just trying to act tough.
No. Your father is a fine man.
He has to be cautious for the sake of the village.
But...
Besides, it seems your father couldn't trust me any more than he could the empire...
Alice.
Sorry, let me be alone for a while.
When you finish eating, just leave it over there.
If you're in that much trouble, I'll help you out!
Okay?
I am a noble. But I'm one who is still lacking.
I've lived a carefree life...
ignorant of the suffering of the people.
He must have seen that in me.
I...
Great-grandfather! Great-grandfather!
What is it, Alice?
Aren't you lonely living in such a big mansion by yourself?
Not now that I have you with me.
Besides...
What?
All nobles are lonely in some way.
Lonely...
Why?
It felt appropriate.
It seems I fell asleep...
How unbecoming a soldier.
Here's your dinner.
I told you I don't need it!
Do you want to collapse again?
My determination is strong!
Th-This is just because you're showing it to me!
Take it away!
This country is cruel.
Everyone is suffering with the disease that is the ravages of war.
The ravages are the disease and the people are the patients...
Does that make us in Section 3 the doctors?
Lieutenant.
Do you think patients would want their doctors to get the same disease as them?
Patients don't want their doctors to understand pain and suffering...
They don't necessarily want to get along with them, either.
They just want to be saved. That's all.
But it's a lonely way of thinking...
At any rate...
That smells good!
Then please eat.
Why are you gathering us first thing in the morning?
I thought I told you to leave!
What's the matter?
So if we don't do what you want, you're gonna use force, huh?
I guess we know what your true intentions are now.
The hilt is of military make, but...
Take a good look!
The imperial seal bestowed by the emperor on the treasured sword
of the House of Malvin, one of the 13 appointed noble families.
It is proof of the next head of the family, our heirloom of succession!
The 13 noble families?
The ones allowed to sit on the Imperial Council...
A little girl like her?
I don't care how high and mighty you are...
I swear by this heirloom of succession! I don't care how high and mighty you are...
I swear by this heirloom of succession!
I WILL make the army pay for your work now and for five years ago,
even if it means putting my family's mansion up for auction!
I don't like how you toss your authority around.
But you seem a lot more trustworthy than yesterday.
Then...
Commander! It's an emergency! Then...
Commander! It's an emergency!
That little brat just took the shield train!
Why didn't you stop him right away?
I heard a loud noise, and when I woke up the entrance was already caved in.
I'll help you out!
Peter...
Lieutenant, what are you doing?!
I'm going to go inside and stop the shield train.
That's crazy! You'll be buried alive!
That's my son in there. I'll go.
Silence! We are Pumpkin Scissors!
This is our job!
Dammit!
Amazing...
What an incredible girl!
That's a noble?
It's dangerous! Civilians should stay outside!
Didn't you say the military and the people
should come together to cope with difficult situations?
We have to hurry!
Peter!
Alice! Dad!
Are you all right? Hurry up and turn off the engine! The tunnel will collapse!
I can't move!
Peter!
Look out!
Are you all right?
I'm fine. Just help my boy!
It stopped?
Alice...
I'm glad you're okay.
I-I'm sorry. I-I just wanted to help you...
Don't worry. It's all right now.
You stupid kid!
Dad!
We're in trouble.
We've got no way out.
It looks like we're completely trapped.
Isn't there at least something we can do for him?
Don't worry. My men will come for us.
That's some confidence you've got there...
And you sure are an idiot.
You were born into a nice, stable life, but you go and risk it doing this...
Having that stable life is precisely why
sometimes situations demand it be laid on the line.
You nobles like to prattle off your pretty ideals,
but the truth is you don't even treat us like humans.
There was a cave-in here five years ago, too.
When that happened, those bastards left us and ran away.
That's why I hate nobles.
I'm sorry.
But if you weren't a noble, you probably wouldn't have done something as foolhardy as this.
It's caving in again?
Looks like our rescuers didn't make it in time.
No. I'm sure they'll be here.
So my time's finally come, huh?
Look out! Get away!
A blue light...
It's him.
H-Help is here?
There's nothing to worry about anymore.
They sure are working hard.
It might've been an accident, but it showed them the commander was serious.
And it's all thanks to our leaving our posts.
Weren't you sleeping?
We both went to take a piss.
No wonder...
What a stupid mistake for me to make!
Hey! You three over there!
Once you're done eating, pick up a pickaxe!
We're going to work alongside them!
Actually, um...
Shouldn't we just sort of stand back and look important?
Our prestige won't fall just because we do some hard work!
She's certainly looking energetic.
Get a move on!
Soldiers should eat quickly!
I guess she's stopped fasting.
I will save this empire from the disease that is the ravages of war.
Your eyes are big and round, pa pa pa dokkin!
It's an important mission, let's do it, probie
Listen closely for intel
Put a bowl on your head and go underground
Sleep seriously
Your tail wags, pi pi pi zukkin!
This right now isn't necessarily the fate of love
Target that girl and lock on
Wag your tail, love and roll
Unparalleled fire!
L-Launch!
The world is right in the middle of mist
I'm following your scent
Find it, Mercury!
Go! Find it, Mercury!
If you do find
Hey! If you do find
The treasure that used to be precious, bite it lightly!
Whenever a "Yes" comes out of your mouth, I want to hear "Sir" before and after it!
Sir, yes sir!
No! Don't, Merc!
Next Episode
Next Episode Hey Merc, do you remember the tank that Section 3 confiscated before?
Next Episode It seems there's something about it.
Next Episode It feels like something bad is going to happen...
Next Episode
Next time: "The Cracked Portrait"
Next Episode Come and get us, if you're not scared!
Next Episode
Ripped By mstoll