That's the Queen's castle.
Right.
That's where Mirim is.
Queen's Blade
Episode 5 「The Secret of the Castle at Gainos」
The Queen's castle is right before us.
The interior is heavily guarded.
First, we need to figure out a way to get inside
without being detected by the soldiers.
This isn't Shai-Fang food!
How is this authentic?
It's not even close.
Let's see here.
You ordered the Shai-Fang rice and soup dumplings,
as well as our restaurant's excellent Shai-Fang duck.
Did it not suit your taste?
How do you expect fake Shai-Fang food to suit my tastes?!
F-Fake? That's a bit much...
We use fresh ingredients and spices
directly from the famed Shai-Fang Harbor,
and have an authentic top chef
that brings the food to authentic perfection!
Harbor...
I thought Shai-Fang was a place deep
in the mountains yet to be explored by civilization.
Huh?
B-But for having not liked the food,
you seem to have eaten quite a lot!
I told you you were eating too much, Tarnyang.
Anyway, I don't think we can—
You're not going to say you can't pay, are you?
Huh? What's going on?
Sounds like a dine-and-dash.
Onii-chan!
Yuit?
Let's get out of here!
We won't be able to save Mirim
if we get caught up in the commotion here.
B-But...
You want to fight us?
But, Tarnyang, aren't there a few too many of them?
Why are you acting so scared, Sainyang?
This'll be perfect to work off the food we just ate.
Let's go.
Stupid girl.
Now come on!
Teach them a lesson and then sell them off!
Look at these ingredients!
They're all low-quality goods you could find anywhere!
This fish is starting to go bad!
These are all local vegetables!
How can you call this authentic Shai-Fang cuisine?!
With all this noise, the soldiers might be on their way.
We need to hurry up and figure out a way to sneak into the castle.
Ah ha!
I thought you guys were suspicious,
but now I see what's going on.
You're the ones from the restaurant...
The dine-and-dash sisters.
Who are you calling the "dine-and-dash sisters?"
But she's right...
What do you want?
I'm saying this for your own good.
Give up on trying to sneak into the Queen's castle.
Sneaking into the castle?
Huh? What are you talking about?
I heard everything.
Mind your own business!
Besides, you're the last person I want to hear that from!
W-Well, you did help us out.
So I just wanted to let you know, as a friend.
Thank you.
Huh? Uh, you're welcome.
We appreciate the warning, but we must head to the castle, regardless.
We need to retrieve something that was taken from us.
This is an entrance to the castle?
Looks like it's a service gate
that they used for transporting goods.
This is as far as we can take you.
Thank you, Tarnyang and Sainyang.
You've done plenty.
Wait a second.
What was that?
A ward.
It'll keep you guys safe.
Huh.
Thanks.
I-I did it!
I did it, Ymir-sama!
Looks like you've started to get the hang of the hyper-vibration armor.
I have!
Here's the map of the castle that Tarnyang gave us.
It looks like we're around here right now.
This is...
Why is there a colosseum under the castle?
We don't have time for this.
Finding Ymir is more important.
Man, that was a bust.
Thanks.
I'll make it back next time.
And, thank you.
I barely made anything.
Huh?
Hey, wasn't that...
If she's a strategist for the Queen,
I imagine she'd be higher up in the castle.
No, if we take into account the fact
that the Iron Strategist, Ymir, is researching wizard stones,
from a mineralogical standpoint,
it would be logical to have a lab underground.
Uh, I see...
You want to know where Iron Strategist, Ymir, is?
I'll tell you.
Who's this bandaged dude?
Wait, you're...
That was quite the spectacle.
You're pretty strong, and cute to boot.
That's who you are.
Thanks for that.
You know where we can find the Iron Strategist?
I know everything about this castle.
But in exchange, you think I could ask you
for a little something in return?
In return?
Found you, Nee-sama.
She still has the smell of that meddling girl on her,
but it looks like she went through here.
Why is Onii-chan in a prize fight?
It's too late for second thoughts.
Besides, we're going 50/50 on the winnings,
and even if she loses I'll tell you where your Iron Strategist, Ymir, is.
But...
I'm going to win...
And then I'm going to save Mirim.
Yes! She's back!
The Dragon Warrior, Branwen!
The Dragon Warrior, Branwen...
Who's she?
Oh, her?
She's the mighty imprisoned Dragon Warrior, Branwen.
There was once a clan that served the ancient dragons.
They were considered the most rare and noble beings
on the continent, as the blood of the dragons flowed through their veins.
I don't know what happened,
but now she's the slave of that asshole goblin over there.
I have nothing against you, but let us begin.
What a powerful fighting spirit...
However, I can't lose!
Onii-chan!
What are you doing?!
No one's going to be happy if you kill her right away!
That is not the reason I fight!
Talking back to me, eh?
I think you want to be punished.
Not enough?
How about this, then?!
Take that!
W-What's going on?
How long do you plan on enjoying yourself?!
Fight!
Keep it up. Here's a reward!
Th-There's no doubt about it.
She's a complete masochist.
She's a masochist, but...
What a powerful gaze...
What is it, Vante?
What's the matter?
Huh? Where's that bandaged dude?
Don't tell me...
There's no way I know where the Iron Strategist is.
What about the Iron Strategist?
She's incredibly strong.
Onii-chan this is bad!
Yuit!
The dude ran off!
He said he knew where the Iron Strategist was,
but he was full of it!
That's...
Why do you fight so hard?
To save my companion's friend,
who was captured by the Iron Strategist!
And that's why you put your life on the line to sneak in to the Queen's Castle?
It's true that I didn't put much thought into it.
But because it's something I can do...
I will not hesitate!
I shall respond to that pride of yours.
That's Sainyang's ward!
What's going on?!
Head to the middle level of the castle and find the Sky Garden that was just built.
Someone said they saw the Iron Strategist, Ymir, there.
Branwen-dono...
It seems you have some quality that attracts people.
Go forth, Princess-Knight.
Your friends are waiting for you.
Thank you, Branwen-dono.
So this is the Sky Garden.
They built this garden rather fast...
I'm not sure I like it, though.
It just doesn't feel very tasteful...
Ymir!
I'm not sure who you are,
but it seems I've become quite famous!
We've come to take Mirim!
That's right!
Give Mirim back!
Where is she?!
Mirim?
My, what are you talking about?
Shut up!
There's no point in playing dumb.
Like I said, who's Mirim?
I haven't been able to follow what you're saying at all.
You look like warriors.
Are you interested in any of the weapons I'm developing?
I can get you a good deal!
Stop acting like you don't know anything!
Seize the intruders!
There they are!
Huh? When did they find us?
Onii-chan, let's forget about her and find Mirim!
She should be around here somewhere!
Right.
That person you're looking for...
I hope you can get her back safely.
Oh, we'll get her back safe and sound.
I don't care what you say!
You know, there are times
you can't take things back by force, though.
What do you mean by that?
What do you know?
No, nothing... I just have a feeling, you know?
Onii-chan, hurry!
Right.
Nee-nee, I've finally found you!
You're that girl who...
Lunaluna, why are you here?
I was searching for you, Nee-nee,
and came to this castle, but...
Over here! Hurry!
Don't tell me...
I guess they found me.
There's nothing we can do about it now.
Let's leave the castle for now.
She's got accomplices!
I command thee in the name of thy master, Yuit!
Destroy the enemies!
Th-This is bad!
Hey! Lower the castle gate!
R-Right!
Vante!
That voice...
Yuit-chan?!
Mirim!
Mirim, let's go home together!
Mirim, hurry up and come with us!
This is bad!
What are you doing, Mirim?!
Hurry up!
Mirim... Why?
Nee-nee, I'm hungry.
Let's get something to eat.
I want to get some Shai-Fang food!
I'm sorry, Yuit.
I said I'd do whatever I could, but...
It's not your fault, Onii-chan.
But...
I might be imagining it,
but it was almost like Mirim was staying
of her own free will.
I wonder why...
I spotted those fugitives inside the castle today.
They stormed the castle with only three members... No, four.
It was quite foolish to enter the castle with such little manpower.
However...
The Alchemy Steel Woman, Vante...
She's rather adept.
Annelotte snuck into the Queen's Castle
only to save a friend.
I had nothing against her,
but the dragon within my heart began to awaken
when I fought her in the underground arena.
I decided to call that courageous knight, "Ane-sama."
Next time: "A Crown of Flowers and the Hidden Power."
Episode 6 「A Crown of Flowers and the Hidden Power」
The strongest warrior,
Mirim, created by the Iron Strategist...
Does your armor not bind your heart, as well?