Itami Youji, age 33.
He, and everyone else, says he's an otaku.
He brags,
"I work to support my hobbies.
So if I had to pick between work and hobbies,
I'd prioritize my hobbies."
Welcome, sir.
Okay, get inside.
Okay!
The chief of Coda Village, too.
You saved me again, green man.
That's our job.
Oh, hey.
It's been a long time.
Episode 24 Thus They Fought
I just got a hold of Alnus.
They're willing to take in
the people you rescued.
Thank you.
Now, about the reason you're here in the capital.
The SDF just carried out a major operation a few days ago.
It'll be difficult to support another one overtly.
That's fine.
This is a private request from Grey, one of Princess Pina's men,
that I've personally accepted.
Looks like you intend to go whether you have our support or not.
Come in!
Coming in!
It's been too long, Captain!
You guys!
Did you forget about me, Captain?
How can you not call me when there's fighting to do?
I'll be here the whole time, so I can help whenever.
Anything for you, Captain.
Let us help, too.
Everyone...
Let's do it.
Listen, this is the plan.
I'll pretend to be a servant
and, with Lelei and Rory, infiltrate the palace through the front gate.
Kurata and Kuribayashi will go through the back with Tuka.
I'd like her to use her sleep magic.
Tomita and the old man will support our escape.
Easy.
Kurokawa and Yao will evacuate the emperor.
He may need immediate treatment.
How do we get inside?
Just hide in the cart the servant's pulling.
Once we're inside, we'll split up and rescue Princess Pina and the emperor.
Then we meet up with Kurata and the others,
get in the car, and get the hell out.
I want Tomita and the old man to handle the soldiers near the entrance to the palace.
We'll want a LAV, probably.
We've got the Calibers.
If you need some CQC, leave it to me.
This is a rescue mission.
But if that stupid prince gets any ideas...
Roger!
But even with Lelei and Rory with you,
will they let you in the front?
They should be watching for the SDF.
It's fine.
I won't be going there as an SDF soldier.
Palace Front Gate
Palace Garrison
Palace Rear Gate
Hill of Sadela
East Gate
Palace Area
I'll be going as a servant.
Hey, I never said...
I'd pull it all by myself!
Pull faster.
Come on. What's wrong?
The engine's running! You could make it a little easier on me!
If we go too fast, it won't look like a cart.
That's true, but...
Hey, servant boy. That's a pretty big cart.
Where are you going?
The palace. His Highness has summoned us.
Is it loaded with tributes?
Sounds rough.
Thanks.
What do you want?
This is the palace!
We cannot let you in without permission.
I am Lelei la Lalena, from Coda Village.
I have come here in response to His Highness's summons.
We were told he wanted to discuss our slaying of the Fire Dragon.
So you're...
Terribly sorry!
This is the proof.
Yes!
Hey, you stinking servant!
Your stupid cart's blocking the gate. Get it inside.
Right.
This way, you two.
Welcome!
Hey!
Am I pulling this by myself again?
Captain...
Work hard!
What do you want with me?
We shouldn't need to tell you.
The Knights' actions were in accordance with the emperor's orders.
Then it was the emperor's orders that the enemy
be allowed into the capital?
What?
You intend to play dumb?
What's so funny?!
Your knights helped the SDF get into the capital
and created this situation!
If this isn't betrayal, then what is?!
Tell me! Why did the Knights leave the capital with the SDF?
They ran because they have something to hide, right?
Do I really need to spell it out?
Because they knew that if they stayed, this would happen to them, too.
Those who run are traitors.
Those who stay are scheming traitors.
What arrogance!
It seems the princess is a defeatist.
Prince Zolzal, what shall we do?
Everybody's out cold.
Now all the soldiers in the hallway are asleep.
Okay.
This is Itami. We're inside.
How are things there? Over.
This is Kuribayashi.
We're inside the palace.
Tuka used her magic to put the enemy to sleep, too. Over.
Who's there?
Sorry to appear so suddenly.
I'm a Dark Elf from the Schwartz Woods.
I've come to see His Highness.
I don't know how you got in here,
but you can't come through without permission.
Don't move.
I believe you know what happens when this thing spews fire.
Throw down your weapons if you don't want to die.
Very good.
I believe that you're the one person who would never abandon the capital.
But it's also true that the Knights aided the SDF.
I didn't do anything—
Enough.
It doesn't matter now.
My goal is to defeat the SDF
and become the ultimate power!
They want peace,
so they'll come back to save you.
I won't kill you until then. Don't worry.
I'll fortify our defenses as quickly as possible
and send the SDF packing!
I've even got a giant ogre in my service now!
They can come whenever they like.
Is that so?
It's been a while, Prince Zolzal.
Itami-dono!
Princess Pina, we've come for you.
You!
Hey, what are you doing?!
Don't let them get close to me!
All the imperial soldiers outside this room are asleep.
The only ones who can fight right now are here.
And do any of them want to fight Rory the Reaper?
Good call.
Damn you!
The ogre!
Bring the giant ogre!
They brought something like that into the palace?
There's no choice now! Kill them!
I'll make you feel so good!
It's about time.
Prince Zolzal, we'll be on our way.
Our goal is to get you to promise
not to attack Lelei anymore.
And to rescue the princess. That's all.
Let's go, Princess Pina.
Itami-dono...
We're everyone's beloved SDF, after all!
Wait! The battle isn't over!
I'm still here! You and I can fight!
Wherever you are, we can reach you.
And we'll always be watching.
I'll say it again.
Stop sending assassins after Lelei.
And hand over Princess Pina.
Otherwise, the next bullet
goes in your head.
Now...
And so, the Self Defense Force fought
Let's go!
Captain, we've been waiting!
Thanks!
Rory, why are you sitting here?
There's room in the back!
A lot of people are going to get on after this, right?
I don't like it when it's cramped.
I'm always so jealous of you, Captain!
Don't get the wrong idea!
So what's the situation with everyone else?
Kuribayashi is presently engaging imperial troops in the rear garden.
There aren't a lot of them, but Tuka's magic is starting to wear off.
And Kurokawa...
This is Kurokawa. We've rescued the emperor.
His vitals are stable.
Roger!
Out of the way!
Move! Move!
Get hit by this, and the pain will kill you!
Tuka! Kuribayashi!
Get in!
Kurata!
Going!
Kurokawa, we've recovered Tuka and Kuribayashi.
Heading there now.
Prepare for extraction.
Roger.
As soon as the car arrives, get Emperor Molt into the cart.
R-Right!
Our job is to protect Princess Pina and Emperor Molt!
If necessary, I'll be a decoy!
That won't be necessary.
Believe in the SDF!
Okay, everyone's in.
We're heading straight through!
We won't make it!
What?
Captain, this way!
Don't fire in the city!
You might hit civilians!
Once we're past the castle gates, we can stop them!
We'll get out somehow!
You heard him!
Roger!
Don't let them through!
They're so fast!
West gate!
Head straight through.
Thanks!
They're still coming?
Ready to ignite.
Igniting.
No enemy pursuers!
Yes!
Okay! Successful escape!
Princess Pina!
Hamilton...
I'm so glad you're safe, Princess!
When I think of what might have happened,
I...
I must've really worried you.
Your Highness...
Good grief. You even brought my father?
So you didn't come just to save me, huh?
No, saving you was our primary objective for this mission.
Getting the emperor out came second.
The emperor came second?!
Yup.
When I talked to the brass about this mission,
they said if we were rescuing the princess, we should rescue the emperor, too.
So this was the Japanese government's plan?
With Princess Pina and the emperor,
and the pro-peace senators...
You can make Zolzal out to be a traitor, huh?
Your Highness!
Father!
Are you okay, Your Highness?
Yeah.
I can't rest when I'm being carried around like luggage.
Glad you're okay.
The senators have been evacuated to Italica already.
This car is fast enough that we'll get there tomorrow.
A horse would take several days,
and this, not even two?
Amazing.
Father...
Brother is trying to plunge the country into chaos.
Please, tell him to stop.
No, going back won't help.
Zolzal won't listen to me anymore.
I'm going to agree to Japan's plan.
Plan?
A civil war is unavoidable.
Pina,
I will make you the crown princess.
M-Me?
That's right.
I will have you establish a real government
to resist Zolzal.
But... I can't fight my brother!
Everything beyond that is up to you.
Pursue peace or divide the Empire, whichever you like.
Pina, the path is yours to decide.
Where are we going, Your Highness?
The northeast, for now. We can decide the rest later.
But...
Won't the government fall if we leave the capital?
Shut up!
This is Furuta.
Zolzal is taking the nobles and pro-war senators out of the capital.
Their destination is unknown.
Staying here seems dangerous, so I'm leaving.
Over.
Tyuule-san...
I endured my life as a prisoner
to get revenge for my fallen country.
No matter what happened,
my only goal was that the Empire be destroyed.
And I succeeded.
So why?
Why can't I stop crying?
Damn you!
Damn you! Damn you! Damn you!
I'll get my revenge!
Pina's appointment as crown princess
and the establishment of a new official government of the Empire
would happen ten days later, in Italica.
Pina Co Lada, crown princess of the Empire...
As of today,
all the power of the imperial government rests in your hands.
Your era begins now.
I'm counting on you, Pina!
My heart is always with the Empire.
I shall dedicate my body and soul to this country!
Together with Japan!
Splendid!
I'm so happy!
Why are you crying?
That's so lame.
It's okay just for today, right?
You okay?
Yes.
What are you doing?
Actually...
We...
I've been dating Bozes-san since I went back to Japan.
I couldn't say it until now,
but actually, I'm pregnant.
We just started to get to know each other.
We will overcome the language barrier!
You got hurt because of me, huh?
That's right.
You're going to take care of me until I get better.
Sure thing.
The love between Sugawara-sama and Sherry is eternal!
We're going to obey the law, okay?
When did you all...?
I'm so jealous!
Why don't any guys come after me?
The Pied Piper had you conned the whole time, right?
That's right!
Wait. I just realized.
Where's the captain today?
He's not here.
Why?
Aw, come on.
He puts his hobbies ahead of his work.
You know where he is!
I'm back!
Doujinshi Sales Catalog
It's been so long.
It's been a whole year!
But the event of my dreams is back again!
I'm sorry, Princess Pina!
But I can't miss this event for anything!
To Our Customers Doujinshi Sales Event Cancellation The Doujinshi Sales Event that was scheduled for today has been canceled due to the attacks. We apologize to everyone, both staff and customers, who came here.
Now... Now is the time
It's canceled! The doujinshi sales event is canceled!
to avenge last year's humiliation!
I'm finally here!
The doujinshi sales event
will be canceled!
A lot happened,
but I can forget all that.
What's important is...
...the future!
Ow...
Why are you all here?
I won't let you have all the fun for yourself, Dad!
Itami, I want you to take me to the bookstore.
How did you get here?
We asked Hazama for special permission.
Of course, the condition was that you looked after us.
What? I can't just—
Sorry, but I already have plans for the day.
Go back to Alnus.
Those three... Could they be...
Rory-sama!
It's really them!
Tuka!
Rory-sama!
Lelei-chan!
Tuka!
Look at the crowd...
It's getting bigger.
I'm popular no matter where I go, aren't I?
This doesn't look good.
You there! What's this fuss?
N-No. This is...
Just get out of here.
Don't worry.
I'll get you someplace safe.
No, it's fine.
Don't worry about it.
Get in my car.
Are you kidding me?
And right now, we...
Risa?
What did you do this time?!
Doujinshi Sales Catalog
I just wanted to buy my doujinshi!
It was the story of a world that connected to another.
This is what the people called the thing that connected them...
And so, the Self Defense Force fought
The Gate.