Gankutsuou (巌窟王)

The Count of Monte Cristo

Friendship is something that is both fascinating and beautiful.

It was thanks to its power that the boy was able to escape the bandits' clutches.

"And yet," my friend said to me, "there is nothing so inconstant as the human heart."

Act 3: 5/22, Stormy

Hey! Albert!

Wake up!

I can't believe you were still in bed.

I have an important visitor coming today. I've been really busy.

You didn't have to come if you don't want to.

Who's the visitor?

Someone who did me a favor on Luna.

Oh, that fake Count something-or-other.

Eugenie! That's going too far!

Speaking of visitors, Renaud said that he's bringing someone, too.

What?

You know, Albert, you must be the perfect target for a con artist.

She's losing her temper...

What are you angry about?

Who says I'm angry? I'm just enjoying our drive.

This isn't a race.

Oh, that's right. You love puttering around at a crawl with no destination in mind.

Both behind the wheel and in life.

My life is none of your business!

Get out.

Sure, just watch me. I don't want to ride with you, anyway.

What are you talking about? We're already here.

For the life of me, I can't figure out why you and I are engaged!

Then maybe you should ride in Debray's car on the way...

Oh, boy...

Hey, would you be careful?

Are you okay?

Yes.

Hey, Albert! Come take a look!

Hey!

Geez, are women all you're good at handling, Mr. bigshot private secretary?

Every dull drive needs a little stimulation, doesn't it?

Next to me is a hack newspaper reporter,

...and in the back seat is a couple who just got engaged!

That was amazing!

It was nothing. I was in a special forces unit in the army.

Muscle reinforcement processing, huh? I'd heard rumors about it...

Thank you for your assistance.

I-I'll get it myself.

Um... What is your name, if I might ask?

It's Valentine.

I-I'm...

Hey, Maximilien! Sorry I'm late!

There I was, out on recon, and I stumbled into an enemy nest.

And when I accidentally dropped my favorite grenade, I went as pale as a ghost!

From inside the hole, I could hear the Erindanians making threatening clicking noises.

Anyway, I don't subscribe to the theory that they're a sentient race.

In termperament, they're vicious and cruel. Would you like a piece?

In termperament, they're vicious and cruel.

Thank you.

Well, I don't want to go into detail with these ladies present, Thank you.

Well, I don't want to go into detail with these ladies present,

...but just once, they ought to round up those human rights proponents...

...but just once, they ought to round up those human rights proponents... It's delicious!

...but just once, they ought to round up those human rights proponents...

...and send 'em in there to have a nice chat with them!

...and send 'em in there to have a nice chat with them! You're a lucky man, Franz!

You're a lucky man, Franz!

Once you're married, you'll be able to eat like this every day!

Um... Where was I?

Oh, right! Just then, I thought I was done for!

And who do you suppose showed up then?

None other than Space Cavalry Captain Maximilien Morrel,

...the man I owe my life to!

You're quite a man to look after a klutz who stumbled his way onto a battlefield.

Where do you hail from?

My family is from Marseilles.

That's a rough place.

And you?

Paris, of course! Admittedly, from the old part of town.

Marseilles... What sort of place is it?

When I was young, it was a beautiful harbor town.

At any rate, it's not a place that a young lady should venture into.

We haven't climbed up here in a long time.

What a great breeze.

Those clouds look a bit menacing, though.

Something interesting catch your eye?

Why do you suppose there's a need to divide the world with city walls?

The ugliness of the outside world exists for the express purpose...

...of making the beauty of our kingdom stand out all the more.

Maybe, but there's plenty of great things outside the walls.

Don't you think we should open our eyes a little more?

Oh, have you grown up a little from going on your trip?

I suppose you're right.

So go ahead and take on all the troubles that exist outside the walls.

That should quiet those pangs of boredom of yours a little.

That is what we should be looking at.

The High Court of Justice. Danglars Bank.

And the place your father works at, Space Forces lmperial Headquarters.

The triangle of power.

That is the true "great thing" that we should inherit, don't you think?

To me, it feels like we're the ones who have been sealed in.

I am now no longer alone in my solitude.

For I am now surrounded by the Furies, the goddesses of vengeance.

In the darkness, I awaited the dawn.

And once dawn came, I cursed my flesh until night fell once more.

I even prayed that I would lose my sanity.

But those prayers went unheeded.

I even strove for death, but the Devil's cold, pitiless hand held me back.

Soon... It won't be long now...

The Count of Monte Cristo

The Count of Monte Cristo

Boy, what a lousy drive that was...

Maybe it was punishment for skipping the Cabinet meeting...

Have the candidates for the next President been chosen yet?

The word on the street is that His Excellency Morcerf is the front runner.

You've heard a few things from your father, right, Albert?

Maximilien, you should watch your step around Beauchamp.

He's a terrible man who will use even his friends' scandals as fodder for articles,

...and he won't think twice about it.

That's what they call "impartial journalism."

I read your articles all the time.

But I do not approve of the content.

I get that all the time.

Where are the ladies?

They went home, saying something about their dresses being soaked.

Renaud's antique, too.

If they'd said something, I would have given them a lift home.

That'd be like tossing food to a monkey.

So, the Count of Monte Cristo, huh?

I can't say that the name is familiar.

There's no documents on him at the Cabinet Secretariat, either.

It's probably an alias. Or maybe...

A pretender or a con man, huh?

I'll thank you to stop engaging in idle gossip about an honored guest of the Morcerf home.

Where'd you say that you ran into this "honored guest" of yours, again?

At Luna's Carnival this past spring.

Apparently, the honored son of the family was abducted by bandits.

That's too funny. Were you seduced by one of Luna's wily vixens?

Damn it...

And that's when the Count rescued me from their clutches.

I guess you owe him your life, then.