Give me a break...
We always have to deal with things like this...
Cease your resistance and surrender!
No chance in hell that'll happen.
Nope.
Don't tell me-
You're kidding me.
We never heard about this.
Shall we retreat?
Do not fear.
We cannot allow one tank to slow us down!
Shit...
LT,
I've confirmed the survival of the corporal.
Copy that.
As reckless as always.
Sorry...
It's in tatters.
I'm referring to your army uniform.
Ohh...
Umm, where's everybody?
Captain Hunks is giving his report of this incident.
Oreld and Machs are at the infirmary,
and I'm sure Oreld's hitting on the female doctors.
And the lieutenant?
Alice is...
Where is Alice?
Sister, please open the door!
Taking on a tank by yourself...
Cool your head in there!
But that was my mission!
You're grounded!
Forgive us, Alice.
Elice just wants you to be safe.
I'm telling you to wake up already!
To be taking on tanks in a peaceful time like this...
Quit that commission already!
Indeed!
We wouldn't be able to face your fiancé if you were to scar your face.
Exactly!
But gosh, you really have a lot of luck, Corporal.
Your uniform is all ragged, yet you are completely fine.
Sorry...
I'm even having you do things like this for me.
Oh, no, no, don't worry about it.
This is one of my important duties.
Ow!
Are you okay?
Let me get some medicine!
Oh, this is nothing.
B-But...
Attention!
Soldiers should always remain calm!
Yes, sir!
...Would be something Alice would say, right?
Yeah...
Oreld was complaining that...
...ever since you joined, Section III's missions have become very hard ones, Corporal.
So, it's because of me after all-
No, no.
Oreld's the one saying weird things.
"I didn't think I'd be firing rifles after joining the army"...
...was one of his complaints, so...
If you don't ever have to fire a rifle, then that's all for the better.
But, yeah...
...Section III has changed.
It's completely different than what happened in the beginning.
In the beginning?
Yes.
Only the captain and I were here at first.
Don't be deceived; I'm the longest-serving member here.
Even the lieutenant wasn't here?
Oreld got assigned here after me...
...and after a while, Machs.
Alice came after that.
That reminds me,
when Machs first came here, he looked so weird.
He said, "Ughh".
A year ago, Machs was at a different post.
I think it was called the elite course or something like that...
Sergeant Major Machs reporting.
Come in.
I've come to talk about the war relief supplies-
The decision has already been made for that!
Major, please rethink this!
The price of the cans from Shtern is half of those from Jingetsu.
We can send twice the amount of the supplies!
The major is busy!
Major!
Machs.
What have you learned at the academy?
A soldier's duty is to abide his superior's orders;
it's not to interfere with battle plans with his own judgment.
Major...
Machs.
The major is a person with a tolerant personality,
and he has a high regard for your abilities.
However, if you are going to interfere further with the mission, then...
Excuse me.
Shall I make you a drink?
Tomato juice...
Nah, give me some beer.
Understood.
Yo, it's been a while.
I'm shocked...
You're an officer?
How did you dig your way up?
Skills, man.
And thus, the prestige of the army has fallen.
Yeah, I mean a punk like me can serve as an officer.
Yo, let me be already!
But, why did you decide to enlist?
Well, I couldn't just screw around for my entire life.
And the place that guarantees you food these days is the army, right?
The war's over, so there's no chance I'll be sent to the front lines now.
"We're able to enjoy drinking beer today because of the great army~", eh?
What's the matter with you?
Nothing.
Got some worries?
Oh, I know.
You got dumped.
I see.
So that's why you're in a place like this.
You've always been kind of clumsy.
So who's the lady?
A cute little nurse?
If that's the case, I can-
It's not that!!!
Hey...
BEER!
Aww, what a waste.
You'll receive divine retribution if you waste beer like that.
So, how about coming over to my section?
At this rate, you can't really stay at your current post, right?
The post just got set up,
but it feels nice there.
It's called Imperial S.S. III.
Section III?!
That place built as an excuse for the military-
At least there's no corruption there.
Well, money doesn't really go there much, either.
Shut up!
I... I...
You're hopeless, man.
I'm to be assigned to a reserve.
This is to get rid of a nuisance like me, huh?
Watch your mouth, Machs!
You're not suited for being a soldier.
Go get exposed to the world and cool your head a bit.
Boss, I caught some game.
Game?!
Ugh?!!!
You can't do that, Mer-kun.
Don't be licking our guest's face.
Ah, you're not a guest, but our fourth member.
Fourth member?
We'll be getting another member soon, though.
Captain Hunks.
The boss over here.
And this is Stekkin.
I'm a master sergeant.
As you can see, we're short on hands here.
You're doing a lot for us by coming over.
Just choose a seat you like.
I'll make some tea for you now.
I'm grateful, but I don't plan on coming here.
H-Hey!
Sorry.
It's way too early to be thinking that you're suffering a setback.
You can choose to give up anytime.
You've done your investigation, right?
I'm talking about the corruption issue with Major Ranke.
You're going to pick up the case?
That depends on your investigation report.
So, what about it?
Do you want to give it a try?
Look forward to working with ya, Sergeant Major Machs.
Yo man... be more considerate of me...
...when I'm stuck in this post with that one girl.
Oh, my.
She's gone.
She got away?!
With the captain's help, Machs smoothly entered into Section III.
Here you go.
This is Section III's task?
"War relief".
Not happy with that?
Not really.
It's impossible for Section III to do anything.
What are you getting all pissed off about?
Is this about your superior?
You do know that it's because the boss hasn't gotten-
Hey, hurry up, man.
Yes, yes.
That's what he says,
but in the end, he's just going to throw it aside, too.
You dumb boy.
The boss is being considerate of you.
Here you go.
I thought maybe I could do something if I joined the army.
Don't be talking about your dreams in a place like this, yo.
Sergeant Major Machs!
I heard that you'd transferred to Section III,
but this is what you're doing?
You, one of the top students in the Academy.
Maybe you should've resigned from the army like the major said.
It's sad to see you like this.
Only one bowl per person.
Take it and leave, please.
There are still people waiting behind you.
Why you!
Once you're done eating, dishes go there.
Well, do your best in raising the army's image.
What a messed up bastard.
Okay, we're getting rid of our bad luck;
we're going drinking tonight.
My head hurts.
You're not a drinker, and you drank way too much.
You are late!
Soldiers should be punctual!
Tardiness cannot be tolerated!
What's this smell?!
Sorry.
Ahh, we drank a bit too much.
You guys are too relaxed!
Wh-Who are you?
2nd Lieutenant Alice L. Malvin.
The lieutenant has come to serve as Section III's LT.
There you have it.
Then, could you tell her to put her sword down?
She's a successor to one of the Thirteen Appointed Families?!
Apparently.
What's the child of such high nobility doing here?
Must be a noble princess's whim, right?
In other words,
noble children that the army considers troublemakers...
...are sent to worthless posts as decoration.
Oh, Machs.
You've become such a bitter person.
But yeah, this is a headache.
We have to deal with a noble's hobby.
Did I hear something about nobles?
May I sit there?
Go... Go right ahead.
I thought I could promote bonding as we eat lunch together.
Oh, that's so nice of you.
Are your missions coming along well?
Not too bad.
What is the matter?
I can help if there is something you are worried about.
I am devoting my life to war relief.
No matter how small the problem is, I-
Excuse me.
You still have some stew.
Ah, he doesn't eat too much.
That's not good.
Stamina is the most important thing for soldiers.
We must eat when we can.
I'll talk to you later.
See you.
Alice wasn't really welcome at first,
but I couldn't tell that at all.
C-Could it be that they looked coldly at me, too?!
What should I do if that's the case...
That's... That's so scary...
And what happened next?
Ah, about Alice?
For a while, they didn't really fight each other.
Even if she gave out orders enthusiastically,
everyone just didn't feel like following.
Now that I think of it, Section III was still looking for its identity back then.
What we can actually do...
About what we should do...
And then one event changed everything for us.
We shall be going to arrest Major Ranke.
Are you serious?!
I read the report.
Taking into consideration the current situation of the Northern frontline area,
the major's corruption makes him a war aggravator.
Persuading him to stop is out of the question.
What's the matter?
Do we stand a chance?
Chance?
Our chances of arresting the major, prosecuting him, and finding him guilty.
We haven't been able to do anything because our chances of doing that were low.
We have no chance!
If we rely on our chances, we won't be able to accomplish anything.
But...
If we fail, then we could be punished for this.
There's no point-
Machs.
Who does Section III exist for?
For the army?
For those perpetrating injustice?
For giving you and me food to eat?
Section III exists for the people.
If we back down for self-preservation,
then Section III will bear the same guilt as the people doing injustice.
That's...
Where is the evidence of the major's wrongdoing?
Inside the safe in his office.
Okay!
Imperial S.S. III, prepare for sortie!
We're going to go into a military facility without a warrant?
Boss, stop her.
Ah, I got one right here.
You're doing this, too, Boss?
But man, I really don't know how to deal with people that can just say things like that.
What, you're on that side, too?
What do you guys want?!
Imperial S.S. III!
We regard Major Ranke's corruption as war aggravation...
...and will proceed to arrest him.
Who do you think you're talking to, 2nd Lieutenant?
Disrespect for a superior is considered treason, you know?
Rank is irrelevant now.
And what's that piece of paper going to do?
Machs, is this your work?
N-No-
There's no use in talking!
We're going to confiscate evidence.
Open up your safe.
Do you think you'll be fine after doing something like this?
That is none of my business!
And how long will you be able to maintain that bravado?
Open it!
You can't pull your sword out.
This is still his command.
Going to use force, eh?
They're attempting a coup d'etat.
These people are traitors.
They want to point a sword at me, a superior officer.
Now, please calm down, everybody.
Come on, Lieutenant; be more peaceful.
Major, stop this already!
Do you want to continue your wrongdoings?
Quiet, you traitor.
Do you consider yourself a soldier for going against your superior?!
You're the traitor!
You betray your subordinates!
You betray the army!
You're betraying the people!
If you still consider yourself a soldier,
then bow to the ropes of justice.
So, now you reveal your true colors.
I don't care; shoot them.
You cowards.
Rudolf, shoot them.
Y-Yes, sir.
I suggest you don't, Mr. Elite.
This person here is a famous Malvin of the Thirteen Appointed Families's daughter.
Is that true?
Shoot her and you'll be entering hell.
A death sentence might be on the light side.
What are you two mumbling about?
Ah, just a little grown-up talk.
What are you doing?
Shoot her.
Don't be scared, Rudolf!
If you don't, we're doomed!
Don't!
Careful!
Machs!
He died?!
What are you talking about?
That would mean that Machs is a ghost right now.
You're right.
Machs' injury wasn't too serious,
and the evidence of corruption was confiscated.
That event changed everything.
Section III finally became Section III.
Here, all done.
Sorry for the trouble.
Do you know the meaning of this emblem, Corporal?
Alice came up with it.
The lieutenant did?
She said an emblem is necessary to rally everyone together.
The speech she gave when she revealed this was very moving.
"The obstacles that we encounter every time in our missions..."
"...are war aggravators that take things away from civilians for their own greed."
"They are always in a place where we cannot reach."
"Using money, violence"...
...and power, they are inside numerous layers of protection.
Yes, like the skin of a very thick pumpkin.
We need a blade.
Scissors that we use to decorate our pumpkins the night before Halloween...
We need a powerful blade like those pumpkin scissors...
...in order to cut apart the outer skin, however hard it is.
That's why we shall call ourselves...
...with pride...
Pumpkin Scissors!
She told me that I can't rest with light injuries like this.
She makes us work too hard.
The people are waiting for the revival of this country like waiting for Spring to come.
We are not allowed to stay idle.
Mer-kun, we're going to get interviewed by the newspaper!
Oh, now's not the time for this!
Alice got kidnapped?!
Next time, "The Quiet Quickening".
Come get us if you're not scared!