So what happened to becoming Well's concubines?
Oh, Operation Concubine Seduction?
Well, we're already his fellow party members.
We figure there's no need to rush things.
Besides, our summer break is almost over.
So we'll resume Operation Concubine Seduction after we return to Breichburg.
Look forward to it.
I guess he does have Elise in the capital, after all.
Pardon the intrusion.
She says she's come here to see Well.
Oh, um... Well's been summoned to the castle, you see...
Yes... I was just hoping to talk a bit.
Um, would you all mind if I asked you...
what kind of man Baronet Baumeister is?
I would like you to slay a dragon.
Dra—
I humbly accept.
I'm a corporate slave.
The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me?
The Kingdom of Helmut
Episode 6 A Bullet Tour? Are You Kidding Me?!
Palkenya Prairie.
If we can develop this region,
we'll resolve the food shortages in the capital.
But this prairie is the territory of an ancient dragon, Greigorland,
making development difficult.
So that's why you want us.
Dukedom of Blois
Brotrich
Only mages can withstand a dragon's breath.
But just the two of us?
Worry not.
There will be three of you, not two.
Excuse me!
Ah, Sir Brantag!
I see. So this is the third man.
It's been a long time.
Good to see you're doing well!
So this young man must be the hero who slew that bone dragon!
Um, is there something...
You're even better than I hoped!
You're before His Majesty.
Oh, right.
Your Majesty, the three of us shall set out for Palkenya Prairie at once.
Huh? At once?
We vow to put an end to that loathsome dragon for good!
I'm counting on you.
He has incredible magic power,
but he looks more like a legendary warrior.
No, that's the Palace Magician, Armstrong.
He's a respectable mage.
He's fast.
Disturbingly so.
First, we'll be going to the military garrison that's on the border of Palkenya Prairie.
There, we'll iron out our strategy, make what preparations are needed,
and then head off to slay the dragon!
Preparations, huh?
I bet this means trouble for the others, too.
Baronet Baumeister?
We just received a messenger from the palace.
Remember how Well and the others left to slay a dragon a few days ago?
Apparently, there are a lot of monsters living on that prairie,
and there's a chance they might attack the towns
once the dragon's gone and nothing is left to keep them in check,
so they've decided to try and exterminate them.
Baronet Baumeister and the garrison have been stuck with that mission.
Wait a moment.
Well doesn't have an army.
Which is why they've formed a temporary army.
Shouldn't a landed noble with an actual army be put in charge of that mission?
Yeah, but they would want the land, so...
Huh? So you mean...
Yes. The palace doesn't want to give away the vast lands
they're hoping to acquire as a reward for merits in battle.
So that's why they're turning to Well, a noble of the robe who owns no land.
They can settle the matter of rewards with medals and money if it's a noble of the robe.
My Spinning Spear is perfect for exterminating monsters!
They're the ones who'll be in Baronet Baumeister's army?
It must be tough being the commander.
Normally, Well should take up that role,
but when he's not around, his retainer will have to do it for him.
Right. He'll need his retainer...
Retainer?!
We're counting on you.
Hold on! I-I can't take command just like that!
You'll just have to.
You're Well's only retainer, after all.
I'll help you out, too.
Anyway, it's mostly just in name only.
But still...
You'll be fine!
No one's expecting you to be a replacement for Well.
But the army needs someone to put on a pedestal.
Meaning you're just a figurehead!
So do your best out there!
R-Right...
I can understand why you'd be worried, though,
with a ragtag army like that.
That may be true,
but I think you can rely on them.
Every one of them is a noble's child or masterless retainer.
They're all hoping to earn some glory
in this battle and fuel their rise in society,
so they're brimming with optimistic ambition.
Sorry... I might be getting anxious, too.
This will basically be our debut battle, after all.
We'll be fine.
Well's debut battle was against a bone dragon, right?
Compared to that, regular monsters are nothi—
Forgive me for visiting so late.
Elise? What brings you here?
Priests who can use healing magic were ordered to join the campaign.
Oh, so that's why.
Um, where's Baronet Baumeister?
He just left the garrison a little while ago.
He said he was going to be camping out near the dragon's den tonight.
When dawn comes, they're setting out to slay it.
I see.
All right, let the battle begin!
...begin!
Magic Mobile Armor, equip!
That's the magic that converts magic power into physical objects?
Yeah.
On top of that,
its defensive strength is overwhelmingly greater than a magic barrier.
What's more...
is his unparalleled physical enhancement.
You should start getting ready, boy.
Right!
You're not getting away!
Does he really need us here?
Maybe not.
But his Magic Mobile Armor consumes magic power quickly.
If his magic runs out on him, it's all over.
That's why he's focusing on pinning it down so you can deal the finishing blow.
Now, young man!
R-Right!
I want to go home already!
Elise.
I was wondering if you'd like to join us for breakfast.
Of course.
What is this?
Well taught us about these.
He called them "miso balls."
Watch. You crush them with a spoon like this.
Crush them?
There, now it's miso soup! Try it!
It's delicious.
I guess even the Saint shares our tastes.
Of course she does!
What do you think she is?
Hey, I was just saying it because I thought it was cute.
You can send him to hell if you want.
What's wrong with that? It was my honest impression!
The way you said it sounded creepy!
What do you mean, creepy? How was that creepy?!
Hey, we have a messenger!
It was creepy!
Well and the others have defeated the dragon!
Yeah!
All right, boy, now hurry up and collect it.
You're getting the hang of this.
I was told that there wouldn't be a reward for this mission.
Not much we can do when they're calling this campaign our obligation as nobles.
But you can get more money from selling that dragon's parts than from any reward,
so it's not an issue.
Anyway, I guess that takes care of that.
But the real trouble has only just begun.
It's time to brace your spirit and your muscles.
But all that's left is taking down weaker enemies, right?
Boy, do you understand what the scariest part of exterminating monsters is?
Huh? There's something more terrifying than a dragon?
What was it that killed your master?
Numbers...
Elise, over here.
All right.
I'm sorry, we're out of magic.
Saint...
It's all right. Rest easy now.
That's "Saint" Hohenheim.
We have the Saint behind us.
Please help!
Take him over there.
Are you okay?
Yeah, I think so.
My God, I've never seen that many monsters before.
Yeah, the front line is in complete chaos.
The only reason we're holding out is thanks to those mages.
But who knows how long that's going to last?
Yeah, their magic power isn't unlimited.
Ow...
Elise, could you help over here, too?
Yes.
My magic power...
Saint, help... Please help...
Saint!
What's wrong?
Um, I heard that you were engaged to the Dragon Slayer...
Man, that guy really is incredible.
He's safe, then?
He's more than safe.
Ever since we started exterminating the monsters, he's been fighting on the front line.
Honestly, we've only been able to hold out this long because of him.
At this point, he's bolstering the spirits of the entire army.
He really is a hero, that Dragon Slayer!
I see.
Born heroes really are different from the rest of us.
Even today, part of me is wondering if I'm actually acting like a hero.
I'm not even that brave.
Saint...
He is still pretending to be our hero.
So I must also...
Saint...
Thank you so much.
Excuse me!
Please give me medical tools, too.
Here.
Thank you.
I've used up all of my magic power.
But there's still more I can—
A messenger!
The troops are returning from the front line!
We won...
We won!
Rescue team!
Please come at once!
Sir Baumeister has been carried here with an injury!
Baronet Baumeister!
Elise?
Elise? Elise?!
Oh, don't force yourself.
No, I'm fine now.
I heard many stories about you on the front line.
Huh?
One of the older soldiers who had been badly hurt said,
"I was rescued by the Saint at the medical tents."
"We have the Saint on our side, so we can be strong and fight again."
Everyone was able to fight until the very end
because of all your hard work as the Saint.
Thank you.
Oh, wait here. I'll bring you some water.
Elise?
You're not a hero.
That's just...
I understand that you're not some hero...
My niece! I'm sorry we worried you!
Huh? Niece?!
What, you didn't know?
Elise is the magician's niece.
What?!
Huh?
W-Wait, w-wait, wait!
When was this made?!
Huh? When you were promoted to baron.
See?
There are two medals.
Forget about that. Just bring our stuff in.
I can't believe we wound up staying in the capital.
Duke Bleichröder's way too dense.
Calling for a continuation of our training in the capital at this point in time...
Sir Wendelin, does the miso go in the kitchen?
I'll carry that, Elise.
I guess they would start living together after that.
Trying to appeal to him in front of his official wife seems a little...
This is the worst crisis for Operation Concubine Seduction!
That reminds me, there is one thing I wanted to ask you.
What's that?
I was under the impression that you were already engaged to Iina and Louise.
N-No, I'm not.
I see.
I just assumed you were, since you were living together.
What about you, Elise?
I mean, how do you feel about... concubines?
I think it's perfectly normal.
That's the same businesslike response everyone else gives me.
Then we'd like to marry you, too!
What?!
I feel like this moment is our only chance!
This is biggest turning point in Operation Concubine Seduction!
Then... okay, I guess.
Yes!
And that concludes Operation Concubine Seduction!
She seems so happy.