Old one,
do you speak the truth?
Yes.
A merchant from our country has been arrested by the Imperial Army's S.S. III.
Smuggling, I see.
Precisely.
This could be quite useful.
Imperial Army S.S. III was Alice's unit, right?
Princess Septième has entered the Empire?!
Yeah.
She'll be on a train arriving around noon.
A princess?
Septième Loderia,
one of the seven siblings and successors to Loderia's throne.
A princess from a neighboring country sneaking in...
A royal getaway... that's so admirable...
This princess doesn't behave like that.
Oh, you know this princess?
Through my grandfather's connections, I've met her on a number of occasions.
And, what is the purpose of her visit?
Remember that smuggler we uncovered sometime ago?
He's a national of Loderia, apparently.
She's probably here to seek gratitude from the higher-ups in the army involved in this scandal.
Royalty from that country all want to take advantage of this.
There should be a carriage here to transport us.
Let it wait.
There is a place I wish to go to beforehand.
But Princess!
This is a secret trip,
in other words, a secret mission.
I've heard that four times already...
once when we left the palace,
once before we exited the country,
once during supper,
and lastly when I woke up this morning at 7:05!
We must find a weakness of the Empire!
I've heard you say that thirteen times!
I will repeat it no matter how many times it takes!
You must do whatever it takes to give you an advantage to succeeding to the throne-
Looks like I missed out on the hot dog...
Is there something wrong with the wall over there?
There was a hot dog stand there before.
Hot dog?!
Princess, royalty must never, ever eat such lowly commoner food-
I looked around, but I didn't find it...
...that black and white checkered hot dog stand.
Darn it, that was the best one around here.
Not just that store.
Compared to the time right after the end of the war,
the number of stands there have dropped a lot.
Hey, they weren't taxed back then.
Probably they're all getting into dirty business somewhere right now.
"One step closer to exposing the corruption of military leaders."
Isn't this about Section III?
Look, we finally got a day off.
Forget about work, would 'ya?
You're right.
I hope the corporal's resting up, too.
Oh, I'm sure of that.
He's in "intensive care".
It's time to get your urine sample.
Gosh! This one broke, too?!
Sorry to keep you waiting!
Allow me to introduce you!
This is Rose.
It's Rosanna!
Yeah, Rosanna.
She's cute, isn't she?
I picked her up while you were running around looking.
It's the first time I've ridden on one of these!
Well then...
You should have fun with girls some time!
Damn that Oreld!
There's no way I can speak to ladies-
Conserving water, eh?
The army's water usage is unlimited,
but it's still like this for the public.
Oh shoot, I need to stop thinking about work.
Well, well, a commoner's toilet.
Ah, don't mind me and continue.
I'm not interested in commoner physiology.
That's not bad clothing coordination for a commoner.
I commend you.
Who are you?!
Who, you ask?
Normally, I wouldn't tell my name to commoners,
but consider this instance for fun.
My name is Septième,
one of the seven children whose ambition is to succeed to Loderia's throne!
Oh, thank god there's water over in the basin.
ARE YOU LISTENING?!
Yes, yes, my princess.
I'm Machs,
and what are you doing in a place like this, little princess?
I am currently running away.
My butler is being extremely noisy...
saying the same things over and over again.
I remember things after hearing them once.
And thus, here I am!
I think I should take her to the police...
Hey, you sure you don't want to go home?
That butler of yours is probably worried sick right now.
Forget about him.
I cannot believe he just let me get away so easily.
Anyway, would you like something to eat?
But I don't think I can give a princess a hot dog...
Hot dog?
The one with a black and white checkered roof?
You know that place?
Last time I came by,
there was a good smell coming from that place.
Most important of all, I was very interested in the barbaric action of eating food in the street.
I used to buy from there...
...but it seems like they've moved.
I see...
I don't know where to start looking for it, either.
The way you walk...
Machs!
You're a soldier, aren't you?
Uh, yeah...
That makes things easier.
Ah, hey, wait!
Princess!!!
Gosh... where did she go?
Ah, we're sorry,
but we can't let outsiders just see our registration list.
Yeah, you're right.
Don't give in so easily!
But...
Are you sure?
Machs is a soldier, an officer even.
I heard that soldiers hold quite a bit of influence in politics in this country.
Isn't that Sergeant Major Machs?
Ah, thanks about the other day.
What's the matter?
Well...
Ah, don't worry.
We exchange information with this person when collecting taxes.
So their booth license got taken away since they weren't paying taxes.
What a harsh world...
As a person from Section III,
you should have good connections in the tax office.
Yet, why did you not give your name?
Well, they're different things...
You should use everything that's to your advantage or the opponent's weak points.
That's the way things go.
"To my advantage"...
Kids shouldn't be saying stuff like that.
Have you seen Loderia's national flag?
It has a bunch of grapes on it, right?
Every one of those grapes is a child.
Give birth to many children...
...and have them compete against each other.
The most superior one gets to sit on the throne in the middle...
...and rule the country.
Using schemes and strategies, they clash with each other.
Sometimes even assassinations are attempted.
Chateau des Raisins du Crepuscule...
The child towers of the castle are spread about like raisins...
...and each child is isolated and raised in a different tower.
Each day is spent creating strategies to bring down siblings,
while the only time the whole family gathers together is at supper,
along with a poison taster.
You use others or you get used by others...
That law is the same whether amongst the nobility or commoners!
A pointless speech I gave...
Let's go, Machs.
Go? Where to?
The store owner's address was on that registration list.
What, you're going to knock on his door?
Yes!
Let them know that no one can get away from me!
Maybe she's being considerate of me...
Her emotions are that of a child's,
but her way of thinking is very strict.
Ah, she's a bit like the lieutenant.
So, you're telling us to search for your princess.
I'm saying it for your sake.
If something were to happen to the princess, this would be an international problem.
At least ask us more nicely...
Did you say something?
Oh, no.
2nd Lieutenant, listen to what he has to say.
Yes, sir.
Uhh...
That was a longer trip than expected.
Yeah... and the transportation fee is crazy, too.
What an atrocious place.
That's because we're pretty close to 0-Land.
What's that?
Well, basically...
A pretty dangerous and outlaw area...
A danger zone, eh?
We'll be fine as long as we don't go in too deep.
This fragrant smell is...
We found it!
Here 'ya go!
You came all the way down here to eat my hot dogs...
That makes me damn happy.
Yeah, I'm starving, too!
Like, my stomach's about to jump out my back.
Well, let's get eating-
You're... not going to eat?
Ah, no, I...
Don't worry; it tastes great.
Go on and eat before it gets cold.
Rough yet delicious, indeed.
Okay, we're going to be walking back...
By the way, owner.
How about you consider treating us to this?
Th-That's quite a joke there...
Your license to do business should have been taken away.
Have you given the tax you haven't paid yet?
Sergeant Major Machs here belongs in Imperial Army S.S. III.
In other words, collecting taxes and arresting people for doing illegal business are within his powers.
Don't use Section III's name for purposes like that!
I was just being thoughtful for you-
Always taking advantage of other's weak points...
You can't enjoy your life living like that, right?!
You think I enjoy it?
If I show weakness, I won't be able to live.
My food was poisoned on my fifth birthday...
...by my own brothers...
...by my own sisters...
My taster died for me...
If I show weakness, I die!
They demonstrated that for me...
I'm reminded of it every time I eat...
I can't forget about it even if I want to...
My mind just won't forget about anything!!!
Septième...
Don't touch me!!!
Septième!
Sir, the direction the girl ran in is...
...towards 0-Land...
0-Land...
The princess is there?
According to witnesses.
This isn't good.
H-Hurry!
If we don't, this will become an international problem!
Understood!
Please, drive safely!!!
That's so unlike me.
I lost control of my emotions over a commoner.
How shameful...
Oh, not only are her clothes elegant, but so is her hair.
We can finally get a good meal now.
Damn it!
I am a princess of the Loderia Royal Family!
This will become a diplomatic problem for your country!
A princess?
Then we can sell you for an even higher price now.
They're so low that they don't fear people at the top?
Looks like I have no choice but...
My companion is a soldier.
Even you people fear soldiers.
Soldiers won't come here!
This area, like its name, doesn't even have a number associated with it.
People here don't even have citizenship,
nor are there any laws protecting us.
On the flip side, killing a soldier here wouldn't be a problem.
So, who would come to save you here?
Are you okay?
Machs!
We got a daredevil here!
Get out of here now!
Hurry!
Forgive me...
I haven't been able to move my legs...
Forgive me...
Oh, great.
You're really like a princess now.
Machs, you-
Machs, behind you!
Machs!
Is this your buddy?
He's pretty delicate for a soldier.
Machs is not delicate!
Is that so?
It's not over yet!
Why you!!!
C'mon, hurry!
Princess!
She's a real princess?
Apparently.
One false step and it could've become a diplomatic problem.
We will get straight to business.
Our country requests that you hand over the merchant in question.
Putting our citizens in unjust custody is a disgrace to our country's pride!
With all due respect-
Long time no see, Alice L. Malvin.
The smuggler in question is an important witness for exposing corruption in our army.
Handing him over just like that would be to our country's loss.
So...
You're giving our citizens trouble in order to deal with your own trouble?
We will handle the investigation of this merchant.
Hand him over immediately.
2nd Lieutenant, what is your response?
Or are you saying you don't mind making this a diplomatic incident?
You haven't changed at all, Alice.
No wonder you have raised such fine subordinates.
Investigate the smuggler as much as you want.
Princess, what are you saying-
Silence!
Yes, your highness.
Why, thank you.
So, what should we give you in return?
Right, let's see...
I shall have this, then.
Maybe something from the S.S.-
Yes, just like a commoner,
rough yet delicious.
In my future trips to the capital,
I shall demand the services of Sergeant Major Machs to be at my disposal during that period.
One subordinate in exchange for saving the Empire face; we sure have to pay a steep price.
Yes.
We're leaving.
P-Princess!
Old one, how long are you going to keep pouting?
Come over here already.
You've...
You've become naive...
Have you lost your ability to take advantage of others now?
It's too easy to take advantage of others' weaknesses,
but because it's too easy,
you won't get anything more than the value of that weakness.
However, in faithful negotiations, that standard becomes ambiguous.
Depending on how the person feels,
he might obtain something more valuable.
How much value are you telling me to put in that palm?
"To draw out an infinite amount of value."
It is necessary to create bonds like that to achieve my ambitions.
Yet, you call me naive for trying to take advantage of people's emotions?
I feel empty.
There's pretty much nothing this old body can teach you any more.
That aside!
Princess, what exactly do you think a royal's kiss is?
I kissed him on the cheek.
Don't worry about it.
No, I saw it with my eyes!
That was completely mouth-to-mouth!
Princess!
Oh, really?
My heart was pumping rather fast.
I don't recall it too well.
I heard about it, Machs.
I heard you got a kiss!
Where did you hear that?
Oh, time to give Mer-kun a walk!
A French kiss, even...
What?!
You sound like you saw it from close-up or something...
Oh, shoot, time for my date with Mireille.
Don't look at me.
Mer-kun, something happened down in the sewers.
There's a lot of people suffering there right now,
and we need to go save them right away!
But, what is this flame?
Next time, "The Flame Still Burns".
Come get us if you're not scared!