The SDF was deployed to the Special Region
and ended up taking in refugees they found there.
To make the money they need to survive,
the refugees gather scales from dragons killed at the Battle of Arnus Hill
and propose selling them.
Recon Group 3, under Itami's command,
heads with them to Italica.
So we're on the Tessaria Highway right now,
and this is the city of Italica?
Want to see this?
This is how it's used...
They called him the Drill Sergeant from Hell,
and now he's grinning at a little girl.
Interested?
So that's your type, huh?
What are they doing?
Captain.
What is it?
There's smoke ahead, to our right.
Kurata, does this highway take us by the source that smoke?
Actually, it takes us right to it.
This is the second time we've seen smoke rising into the sky.
That's supposed to be Italica over there.
I've got a bad feeling about this.
That's... smoke.
You know what's going on?
Something people did.
A file? But it's too big.
File?
You mean "fire," not "file."
Fire.
All units, keep a close eye on our perimeter.
We're going forward.
Keep a close eye on the skies, too.
3-2, roger.
What is it, Rory?
I smell blood.
Episode 5: The Battle of Italica
We can break their center!
Push them back!
Damn it!
Fall back! Fall back!
Norma, Hamilton! Are you hurt?
I'm alive! Somehow!
How cold.
Are you not concerned about me, Princess?
Your safety was never in doubt, Grey.
Princess,
why are we fighting bandits here?
How was I supposed to know?
When we got word of a large armed group invading Countess Formar's territory,
I assumed it was the other world's soldiers.
So we raced here,
only to find that the remnants of our own allied troops have turned to banditry!
You there! There's no time to rest!
The bandits will come back!
Before then, we must dispose of the bodies and reinforce the barricades!
I've sent a message to the main unit.
Three days!
If we can last three days, my knights will be here to help!
Hang in there until then!
Excuse me, your highness.
What is it?
Do you want to surrender?
N-No, I'm just wondering if there's some way to avoid more fighting.
It's easy. Open the gates.
In exchange, you'll lose everything.
The men will be killed, and the women raped.
I'm confident I could remain sane after
one or two of them had their way with me,
but not fifty or a hundred.
Surely you jest.
If you don't like the sound of that, then you must fight.
As hateful as war may be,
if you get too fixated on avoiding it,
you'll end up losing everything.
Here you are, Your Highness.
Neither its flavor nor quantity are sufficient.
If you fill your stomach with rich flavors when you're so exhausted,
you'll surely fall ill.
You've been through a battle like this before?
I once lived in the town of Rosa.
It's Imperial territory now.
I see.
I'll rest in the guest room.
If there's important news, send it directly to me.
Of course.
What will you do if I don't wake up?
Splash water on your face until you do.
Excellent.
We've only a few trained soldiers.
And the civilian conscripts... The brave ones are dying first.
Morale has hit rock bottom.
This is how my first battle goes?
This...
Listen!
From now on, you're part of my Knight Order!
You are to act with righteousness and discipline, as befits a knight!
Yes, ma'am!
This is Grey Co Aldo,
who's been invited here to instruct us.
So where shall we begin?
Let me see.
The most fundamental thing for an army is the march.
Left, right! Left, right!
Huh? Huh?
Hamilton!
You don't even know your right from your left?
I-I'm sorry!
Enough. Go.
Right!
Sheesh...
You've got a long way to go, don't you?
By the way, Princess,
do you truly intend to create an order of knights?
Of course.
You think you drew the short straw, don't you?
Even if it's at the emperor's orders,
you're still being forced to babysit a princess born to a concubine.
Well, that's true.
But given my birth,
I won't rise any higher in the military's ranks.
I don't think being one of your knights is such a bad fate.
Grey...
Then there's no need to hold back.
Train us like you mean to kill us!
In the name of the Emperor Molto Sol Augustus,
I hereby declare the establishment of the Rose Knight Order!
Damn it!
Honor guards... Honor guards!
Always honor guards!
Does my father see us as nothing but decorations?
For now, you must bear it.
Eventually, our power will be needed.
This is perfect.
Could I ask you and your Order to scout their position?
Me? With my Order?
Indeed.
If your Order is more than your plaything,
of course.
I understand,
Your Majesty.
At last,
my knights have been given the opportunity to fight, but...
What happened? Is it the enemy?
I'm not sure if they're enemies or allies.
Just come with me, please.
What is that?
A-An armored carriage, maybe?
No. That's forged iron.
Who's there?!
If you aren't enemies, then show yourselves!
That staff...
A true Lindonite mage?
And an elf...
True magecraft and spirit magic can make for a nasty combination.
Rory Mercury?
Is that the famous Rory the Reaper?
Yeah. I saw her once before, at a national religious service.
But would an Apostle of Emloy really join forces with a bunch of brigands?
Knowing that bunch, they might.
The deeds of their god, to me, seem to be no more than simple whims.
If the priests heard that, there would be trouble.
I'm sure.
But the words of their god are nonsense, anyway.
I-I heard nothing!
What do we do, Princess Pina?
If Rory's church had joined forces with the bandits,
Italica would've fallen already.
That's true.
But there's no proof they aren't our enemies!
What do I do?
If they're not enemies, though,
then we must get them on our side!
Princess!
Welcome!
Was that... my doing?
Squad Captain, this is Kuwabara. Come in.
Captain, come in!
And so, the Defense Force fought
What were you thinking?
You didn't realize somebody might be in front of the gate?
Even a dwarf or a commonote would be more careful!
Not checking makes you worse than a goblin!
Oh, you're awake.
Are we inside the gates?
Squad Captain, come in! Captain! Please come in!
This is Itami.
You're safe, Captain?
We were about to charge in there.
I'll find out where we stand and then contact you.
Stay on standby.
Roger.
So who's going to explain what's going on?
Huh? Me?
Impudent fools!
This is an affront to the Third Imperial Princess, Pina Co Lada!
Imperial Princess?
This fortress city, Italica,
stands strategically at the intersection of the Tessaria and Appia highways,
making it a major commercial hub, too.
For generations it's been ruled by
the counts of Formar, Imperial nobility.
But when the last count died suddenly,
the three daughters he left behind began struggling for dominance.
The eldest and middle sister had already married into other families.
They fought over who would be the guardian of the rightful heir, the youngest sister, Myui.
That stuff happens in every world, huh?
Itami, do you understand what she's saying?
Yeah.
There are some words I don't know,
but I get the gist of it.
Is it because I hit my head?
Then the Empire sent the expeditionary force into the other world.
The head of every family was expected to lead their troops into battle there.
None returned.
As a result, the security situation in Italica deteriorated quickly,
to the point where even defending the city is proving difficult now.
Beyond this door lies the current ruler of Italica
and countess of Formar, Myui.
A child?
I believe the countess turns eleven this year.
While she is the head of the family,
it's too much to ask her to lead an army.
As such, I'm taking command in her stead.
I see.
So you're saying you'll help us, correct?
Yeah.
We can't exactly sell these dragon scales with all this going on.
Very well.
We'll have you guard the south gate.
Ready?
Ready!
So those are the people in green that everyone's talking about?
The ones who defeated the Fire Dragon?
So it seems.
Was it really wise to let them in?
Right now, we don't have a choice.
We need to use whatever we can.
You can't make it back today?
What do you mean, Itami?
Well, uh, we've kinda gotten caught up in a battle.
Why aren't you more concerned about this?!
What about the Diet summons?
Oh, yeah, that's right.
So I've got a request...
You can see them, right?
Yes.
They seem to be scouts.
Their main force is behind them.
Five or six hundred, I'd say.
Think they're after the south gate?
It's likely.
They don't have enough men to surround the city.
The north side stands against a sharp cliff,
so they're probably going to concentrate
their forces at one of the other three gates.
But what worries me is...
Yup. I know.
We're a decoy.
There are only twelve of us defending the south gate,
which the bandits broke through before.
That princess plans to make this one look undefended as bait.
Then she'll finish the battle at
the second line of defense behind us.
Will the enemy fall for that?
She's the commanding officer here, right?
So we've got to listen to her, don't we?
Oh, right.
Tell them we won't need a campfire.
Is this the last of it?
Yes.
All right.
Squad Captain.
Here. Your night vision goggles.
Oh, thanks.
Furuta!
The final protective line should follow along the fort's walls.
Right.
Hey, Itami.
Why are you helping the princess of an empire that's supposed to be your enemy?
To protect the townspeople.
Are you serious?
I think so, yeah.
Huh? I can't get it...
Give me your helmet.
I'll hold it for you.
Oh, thanks.
You that interested in the reason?
Emloy is the god of war.
He does not consider killing a sin.
But that makes your motive very important.
Lies and deception
taint the soul.
It's to protect the people here.
That's not a lie.
But there's one more thing.
I want that princess to understand that it's better to be our friends
than to try and fight us.
I like it.
I love it!
Terror!
You're going to terrorize her soul to its very core!
If that's it, then I'd be happy to help.
It's been so long since I've had a chance to go crazy. I can't wait!
It's not, actually...
Enemy attack!
The enemy is attacking!
Archers! Return fire!
Send a message to Princess Pina!
The enemy's attacking at the east gate!
The east gate?
Why?
Weren't they going to attack us here?
0311 hours. Perfect time for a night attack.
They may be bandits, but they're also trained soldiers.
They know their stuff.
Has the east gate requested reinforcements?
Not yet.
I see.
Fire your arrows!
Don't let them get to the walls!
A Spirit Wielder?
Then...
Splendid!
But you're no match for us!
Have they come here seeking a place to die?
It fell so easily...
I had no idea reality could be so different from one's plans.
Calm down!
You animals!
Wait! Hold him back!
Follow Nicola!
Make them pay!
No!
Why is this happening?
Are our reinforcements here?
Where are the people in green?
Even if I called for them, they wouldn't come.
Not after I sent them on a suicide mission to the south gate.
Squad Captain.
Yeah, I know.
What will you do,
Princess?
Episode 6 Ride of the Valkyries
Next time on Gate: "Ride of the Valkyries."