Water...
I've lost track of how many days it's been.
I don't know how much longer...
I can hide from the prisoners.
I've already run out of food.
I think I had some Alileem the last time I ate.
But I don't remember when that was.
In order to conserve my strength...
...I have been resting more these days.
Although there's really nothing else to do.
Maybe I should consider stealing something from the prisoners.
This is fun!
Is this what they call robbery?
I guess.
Hey, you've got some money, don't you?
Let's see it.
You little punk!
Well done!
If you're going to steal something it's got to be something valuable.
It didn't even occur to me.
Have you ever committed robbery before?
You've got to be kidding...
I'm a complete amateur.
When I wasn't sleeping I tried to write poetry.
I wanted to leave behind some evidence of my existence.
Born in darkness...
Died in darkness...
What a cliche.
But it was far from being good.
The only thing I gained was that it became clear to me...
...that I have no literary talent.
Wait a second.
Why am I writing in the Abh language?
If I wrote in Martinese...
...maybe the poetry would be better.
No.
The one I'm writing this for is not from Martine.
What would she say if my last words were written...
...in Martinese?
What if I write some poetry in Martinese...
...and translate it into Abh?
That won't do.
That'd be kind of lame.
Besides, all I can remember is a lullaby.
A lullaby, huh?
Maybe that would be good.
I'm sorry, Lafiel.
Goodbye, Lafiel.
An Abriel's Tears
Three weeks after the withdrawal of the transport ships.
Are you all right?
Not really, to be honest.
Is this world always like this?
I always thought the sea was one thing Lobnas had going for it.
The sea air is very refreshing.
Nice weather, too!
The Abh aren't used to this sort of thing.
To a big puddle of water like this.
But it sure is terrible.
It's been only three weeks and there's nothing left.
Yes.
I expect the Dokufu and Angusson factions...
...are still fighting each other.
Pretty chaotic, huh?
That's a good word to use.
I wonder what's going to happen to Lobnas II when this is over?
Hang on!
The captain must stay here.
It's too dangerous.
I'm here on a personal matter.
So don't get in my way.
It's personal for me, too.
I took a leave of absence to come with you.
But you can't go dressed like that.
I implore you as well.
After all, thanks to Your Highness, we guards were able to...
...return as mercenaries.
We can't risk having you get hurt from the start.
We'd lose our credibility.
Don't worry about me.
Your job isn't to protect me.
But even so...
Captain...
If you think that putting yourself in danger...
...atones for the decision you made...
...you're wrong.
''Atones''?
I believe I made the right decision!
Then there's no reason for you to risk your life unnecessarily.
Very well.
In that case, Your Highness...
...we'd like to continue with the operation.
Yes, go ahead.
It can't be easy for them, either.
What can't be?
This was once their home.
I'm sure they have some precious memories.
I know they chose to evacuate...
...but it's still a shock to see devastation on this scale.
I guess so.
Well, time for me to head out.
Where are you going?
I hope you didn't stop me...
...simply to give yourself the opportunity to repent.
No.
We believe in other ways to repent of our sins.
What do you mean, ''we''?
Well, our traditions back at home, of course!
What are you going to do?
Cook.
When a friend returns after an absence...
...we usually welcome that friend...
...with a delicious meal.
It's the custom on Midgrat.
You actually brought your cooking equipment?
Naturally!
Why do you think I came here in the first place?
After what he's been through, he deserves a meal...
...fit for someone gone for ten years!
I hope we find him before it gets cold.
I'd hate to see it go to waste.
Do you know what the worst faux pas is on Midgrat?
Take a guess!
Letting food go to waste?
Pretty close.
It's to let someone prepare a meal for you...
...and then forget to go.
I don't think the kid is that rude.
Do you want me to help you with the cooking?
You, Captain?!
Uh, thanks for the offer...
...but Midgrat cooking is unique and requires special knowledge.
Besides, I only brought implements for one.
I'll be fine.
I wasn't forcing you.
I suggest you leave it to me.
Besides, you've never cooked in your life, have you?
No, I've never cooked before...
...but I thought there might be something simple I could do.
Never mind!
I'd better get going.
Wait a minute!
What is it?
Well...
I was wondering how I should face him when I see him again.
Well, that depends on who the captain is going to be seeing.
What do you mean?
You know who I'm talking about.
Well, you see...
If you're bringing back a subordinate who was left behind...
...and you still believe you made the right decision...
...then all you have to do is pat him on the back...
...and tell him, ''well done.''
What if he wasn't just a subordinate?
All I know is that I'm cooking a meal to celebrate the return...
...of a good friend.
As for what you should do...
...that's a question that I can't answer.
How we do things on Midgrat must be different from what royalty's used to.
The customs of royalty...
...are unfamiliar to me.
Forgive me.
I shouldn't have asked the question.
I don't mind.
I'll treasure this conversation for the rest of my life!
When I return home, I'll annoy everyone by telling them...
...how I lectured an Abh princess.
Well...
Jinto...
What do you think you're doing?!
It wasn't me! I didn't kill him!
What's going on?
Who's been killed?!
Uh, Your Highness...
...I was just about to report the incident to you.
You see, she had this.
Jinto...
Where did you get this?
What happened to the one you got it from?
I told you I wasn't the one who killed him!
You mean Jinto has been murdered?!
By the time I got there, the guy was dead.
What use does a dead man have for something like this?
So I took it.
It's not the prettiest thing...
...but it seemed a shame to leave it.
I've sent my men to where this woman says she found the body.
If there is a body...
...we can immediately confirm whether or not it's the count.
I'm going with you.
Is this the body?
Yup.
See how he's lying all twisted on the floor?
He ended up like that when I took the headband!
Genetic identification?
Checking it now.
Just a little more time for the results to come out.
I presume that means this isn't His Excellency?
I could have told you that!
His name's not ''Excellency''!
His name's Jan!
Why didn't you tell us?!
You should have mentioned that!
Oh, sorry. Didn't I tell you?
Oh, my poor Jan... How did you end up like this?
You were such a good man...
...even if you were stingy at times.
I'll keep the headband as a memento.
So, please! Give me back Jan's headband!
You don't have to get so angry.
Never mind.
How did this man get hold of the count's headband?
Will you give me something if I tell you?
Would you like some food? Or some clothes or jewelry?
Food!
They keep all the food for themselves...
...and it hardly ever comes around to us.
All right. You'll get food.
Now tell us!
I heard singing.
Singing?
Yeah, a weird song.
We heard this singing and went to see who was there.
That's when we saw that man with the headband singing.
And you stole it?
I suppose we could've taken it.
But Jan traded some food for it.
We had a little extra food then...
...and we were feeling kind of generous from the Alkaik...
...so we...
Now, where was this?!
Where did you go?
That'll cost you more!
Very well then.
As long as you take us there.
Another thing... And this is most important.
We need to know when you saw this man and took his headband.
Well...
It could've been yesterday, or even a month ago.
Maybe a year ago.
How can anyone tell?
It couldn't have been yesterday!
And it certainly wasn't a year ago!
You seem to know more than I do!
You bitch!
Anyway, take us there now!
Hope you remember where it was.
Of course I remember.
It's in the most important territory around.
It's near my house.
It's such a beautiful house.
I have a request.
What is it, Your Highness?
If you could ensure that Jan's corpse gets a proper burial.
I don't know the local customs.
Certainly.
But why?
Is it because he provided food to the count?
No.
When we do business with others, we treat them with respect.
That man engaged in a business transaction with Count Hyde.
So, I would like to provide him with a grave and some flowers.
But I'm not sure you can trust that woman.
They might have taken the headband by force.
But at least there's real hope that the count might still be alive.
It won't be too late to check out the woman's story first.
I suppose.
Hey, anyone got a light?
2nd Squad! Get to your positions!
7th Squad!
Get over here!
Is everything all right, Your Highness?
I think I want to wait here.
I understand.
Yes, that might be best.
You guys come with me!
Don't forget the stretcher!
Your Excellency! Are you there?!
Answer us if you can!
Count Hyde! Your Excellency!
Are you there?!
It's perfect!
Bet he'll enjoy this.
What's the matter, Second Aviator Ekuryua?
I thought I just heard something.
Heard something?
What was it?
Probably just my imagination.
Your Highness!
He's still alive!
That's him all right!
Jinto!
Jinto...
Jinto!
It's too bright.
Turn down the lights a bit.
Hey, Lafiel.
Long time no see.
Sorry I didn't come sooner.
You look a bit worn.
You can be really modest from time to time.
Let's go home.
Samson has been busy preparing a meal for you.
I expect the doctor would let you eat some soup.
That sounds good. I look forward to it.
I was dreaming again.
About what?
It's hard.
There were so many of them in my head, but I'll try to...
In all of the dreams there was...
Abh...
What?
I thought Abriels...
...didn't let themselves cry.
My precious little Princess.
You fool.
Banner of the Stars II
All engines fully operational.
All is well.
All lasers and laser cannons ready for action.
We're going to be able to hand over this ship in perfect condition.
But of course!
We've always taken good care of this ship, through thick and thin.
But it's unusual that everyone's leaving the ship at once.
Ekuryua has signed up to be navigator on my next ship.
And I actually wanted you to join us...
...Line Wing Aviator.
I've already fulfilled my duty.
The time has come for me to retire and enjoy my pension.
That's a shame.
But I was surprised that even those two would leave as well.
But I bet...
...it won't be for long.
You could be right!
Well, Basroil. A fond farewell.
Hey, Diaho!
It must be true that cats have no heart.
He doesn't seem to remember me.
Maybe it's because you handle him too roughly, Jinto.
You might have a point there.
Are you going to bring him with you?
Of course. He is my cat.
But don't you think he seems pretty happy here?
He does seem happier.
His eyes used to have more of a wild glint about them.
That's a ridiculous thing to say.
Diaho's never been close to being wild, even as a kitten.
As a kitten, right?
I was the one who raised him.
Well, okay.
It's not like we're leaving right away.
You see, doesn't he look happy here?
He'll forget all this in three days.
Do you think that white cat's his girlfriend?
It is a female, right?
Oh, yes. She's a full-fledged lady.
Selkurka, come over here!
If Diaho's coming with us...
...then maybe I should bring her, too.
It's an arrangement.
She comes when you call her, huh?
Hey, Diaho!
Come over here!
See? There's still some wildcat in him.
You're simply not respected.
Thanks a lot.
So, Selkurka. What do you think?
Do you want to come with me?
We're going to a place called Martine, in the Hyde System.
Apparently there are lots of strange creatures living there.
There'll be some interesting hunting there.
Listen, Lafiel...
Are you sure you're doing the right thing?
What do you mean?
Leaving the Star Forces...
...and coming to my home planet with me?
I thought we'd already been through all this.
If you count my time in the academy...
...I've been in the forces about ten years now.
Taking a long vacation won't affect my career.
A vacation, huh?
But if you take such a long vacation now...
...will you be able to become a fine Empress?
The current Empress is of the Clyuve Royal Family.
It's okay even if there won't be any Emperors from our family.
...for the next few generations.
But even so...
I'm more worried about you.
I hated not knowing if you were dead or alive.
I don't want to feel that again.
I'm happy that you feel that way.
But I'm only going back home.
I'm going to be fine. At least I think so.
Really?
You once told me you were afraid of going back home.
To tell you the truth, it's a bit scary.
But it's something I have to face up to sooner or later.
But it has nothing to do with you.
I don't want to get you involved in my problems, Lafiel.
Be clear with me!
Do you want me to go with you or not?
Be clear!
Give me a straight answer, Count Lin Syune Rocke Hyde!
I want you with me...
I can't hear you.
If you agree to be by my side, I'll be very happy, Lafiel.
Then it's decided!
In my shallow sleep...
...I saw many dreams.
Always on land.
I saw the land of Martine...
...and then Dirkoto, as well as Klasbul.
Places that I'd only seen in pictures.
Places that I'd never even seen in a picture.
And standing beside me during these dreams...
...was you...
...my precious Princess.
You fool.