Arslan Senki (TV): Fuujin Ranbu

Pars Era, the year 321, June.

Just six months earlier, having seized the Royal Capital of Ecbatana,

Lusitania had been drunk on victory.

But now, there was not a hint of that glory to be seen.

The Royal Capital lay in waste...

...and the morale of the troops had markedly declined.

Taking Andragoras's escape as his opportunity...

...Guiscard imprisoned Innocentis the Seventh, who ruled in name only,

and at long last, came to hold true power in Lusitania.

However, his spirits remained in the shadow of clouds.

He was buried neck-deep in numerous challenging problems.

We are really beginning to run low on water.

Without water, never mind fighting, we will not even be able to live.

What on earth should we do?

Make the best with what we have.

That is easily said, but...

To think that Boudin destroying the aqueduct...

...would put us in such dire straits...

That ape does not even know the difference between what he should and should not do.

At any rate!

Push the Persians hard

and make them hurry up with the aqueduct repairs.

Very well, sir.

A report for you, sir.

Some of the soldiers are running wild, calling for the massacre of Parsians.

They may be heathens,

but we had issued a decree that they were not to be killed indiscriminately.

And to defy that...

Kick those bastards outside the walls.

However, tell the men that they have been ordered to guard the walls.

Yes, sir.

Damn fanatics.

They should at least serve well enough as living defenses.

Having parted ways with Arslan's party, Étoile arrived at Ecbatana

and was working hard every day seeking solicitous aid for those she had brought back.

But she was aggrieved to find no one receptive to her cause.

Over here.

Who are you?

Do you not recognize me?

It cannot be!

Are you His Majesty, the King?!

Yes, yes, I am your king.

I am God's proxy upon this earth as well.

By the looks of it, are you a knight?

Yes, sir.

I took part in the battle at the Keep of Saint Emmanuel.

I am the squire Étoile.

I returned along with the wounded soldiers.

I see, I see.

You have done well.

Then I would put my trust in that courage of yours

and I would ask a favor of you.

I am currently being held prisoner in this tower

by men who serve my younger brother, Guiscard.

Whether Guiscard is aware of these circumstances...

No, if he were aware, he would not permit such conduct.

I beg of you, will you not let Guiscard know?

As Your Majesty commands.

Boy, I will see to it that you are knighted.

The guards are coming. Go, quickly!

Yes, sir.

Men under Prince Guiscard are holding His Majesty prisoner?

If so, I will have to meet with him in person.

Also, if you should ever run into real trouble...

...try removing the axle of the right front wheel of the ox cart.

I think it will be of some use at least.

A heathen Parsian is showing us such compassion, and yet...

Those who supposedly believe in the same God...

With this money, I will see that everyone is looked after.

And then...

All because I did not kill him, thinking he might be useful later...

To suffer in such a way...

Never again.

I will rid myself of eyesores then and there.

But fool though he may be, he is still my elder brother.

Even I find myself balking at soiling my own hands.

Please excuse me.

Those soldiers that were kicked outside the walls...

...say they have captured someone who claims to be a princess of the blood of Maryam.

The royal family of Maryam

was supposed to have been burned to death by Boudin and the Temple Knights.

I do believe she is an impostor, but what would you like to do?

As I recall...

I heard there were some princesses of the blood who escaped as well.

I will meet with her.

Leave us.

Yes, sir.

Who are you?

You cannot see?

The light has been lost to me...

...but the God of Yaldabaoth guides me.

I hear that you are a princess of the blood of Maryam.

Not a day goes by that I wish that I were not.

Not only did you people conquer Maryam...

...but you went back on your word...

...killing the king and queen...

...and then setting fire to the royal palace.

I, together with my elder sister Militsa and a handful of retainers...

...escaped to a castle on the northwestern seaboard.

But in the end, that castle fell as well and...

...my elder sister gave up her own life to allow me, alone, to escape.

If I were not a princess of Maryam...

...I would never have had to suffer in such a way!

You have suffered most bitterly.

I can even see why you would bear ill will against the king of Lusitania.

Who are you?

Honestly...

What good are you as a bodyguard?

To be of no use at a time such as this.

Putting up a fight against that many soldiers

would have sooner gotten us killed.

I merely ventured to get us into the heart of the enemy camp.

Such laid-back talk...

Calm down.

I will personally rescue the princess, without fail.

Princess...

How might she be faring right now?

When I think on it, this is most unfortunate for you as well.

In order to resolve the issue of the successor to your clan,

you must find your younger sister as quickly as possible...

Never you mind that.

But why go to such lengths for the princess?

I don't know.

I simply thought she couldn't be left on her own.

Does that mean...!

I'm going now to rescue the princess.

Take advantage of that commotion to make your own escapes.

That girl is the real thing.

My goodness!

A report for you, sir.

What is it?

We have captured someone who stole into the palace.

An assassin?

The thing is, he is making a fuss,

claiming he has something he wishes to say to Prince Guiscard.

You are the one?

Who stole into the palace and wishes to speak with me?

As a mere squire, you understand that this is not a forgivable offense?

I say this with all due respect.

Prince Guiscard, are you aware that His Majesty is being held prisoner?

Why do you say such a thing?

Sir, His Majesty commanded me,

saying he wished for me to inform you of this matter.

The story that you heard from my elder brother is not true.

Then, why does His Majesty believe such a thing?

That is because my elder brother is ill.

Which is why I am having him convalesce in that place.

But His Majesty hardly seemed...

Then, what do you say I meet with my elder brother in person

and prove my men's innocence?

Yes, sir.

The rancor of the Maryami princess we just happened to capture

and the loyalty of the squire who stole his way in here...

To think we would be able to use them in this way...

The Maryami princess of the blood bribed the squire

and led him to the king's side...

This is the script to the king's assassination?

Various matters that were postponed due to their troublesome nature

can be resolved with this.

This way, sir.

Mm.

But to think that you would really come...

What is it?

It's His Majesty.

Who is that with him?

In recognition of your good offices,

I shall formally appoint you to be a knight, tomorrow even.

You offer me a most precious boon.

But rather than something for myself,

I would like to ask for a place here in Ecbatana

where the soldiers and people returning from Emmanuel Keep may find peace.

You may ask for whatever you like.

Prince Guiscard is waiting for you this way.

He says he will clear up this misunderstanding

and if there has been any discourtesy, he will beg your forgiveness.

Mm.

I have brought His Majesty, the King.

The... king...

O Guiscard, I would hear what you have to say.

Please call for me when you are done.

Are you King Innocentis?

Indeed.

And... who are you?

Why are you here?

What of Guiscard?