The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me? (八男って、それはないでしょう！)

That concludes our true baptism.

Please have a seat.

The tea will be ready soon.

Cardinal Hohenheim...

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you for inviting one

as young as I to partake in a true baptism.

I have heard that such a baptism is a great honor that is typically

bestowed only upon the chosen,

so I could not be more grateful that you

have granted me such an honor.

This is merely a trifle,

but please accept my offering.

Baronet Baumeister, may God grant you protection.

Yes, enter.

Please excuse me.

This is my granddaughter.

Go on, introduce yourself.

I am Elise Katarina von Hohenheim.

I'm Wendelin von Benno Baumeister.

So you've noticed, have you?

She possesses magic power, doesn't she?

Yes, she can use holy healing magic.

Healing? That's incredible.

The only holy magic I can use is purification.

Oh, no, it's impressive that you can use any all.

So do you heal the wounded here at this church?

Yes.

We have several other nuns in training who perform charity and distribute food, as well,

so many of the people call her the "Saint" Hohenheim.

That's wonderful.

So she'll become a member of the clergy?

Personally, I would prefer for her to get married, like a normal girl.

Elise is quite beautiful, though.

Wouldn't there be competition for her?

To be honest, there are many families asking for her.

Oh? Then maybe I should join the running, too.

Oh? You would take my granddaughter to be your wife?

I'm still underage,

so it would just be an engagement.

That's true. Elise is also only 12,

so what would you think of having the proper wedding once you're of age?

I guess that means I'd be bidding the bachelor life farewell in three years.

Then it'd finally be time to pay the piper, huh?

All right, then, so it shall be.

So it shall be?

Yes, so it shall be.

Huh? I thought we were just having a chat about business...

One minute after I met her, we were engaged.

The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me?

The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me?

The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me?

The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me?

The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me?

The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me?

The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me?

The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me?

Episode 5 Political Marriage?! Are You Kidding Me?!

Inviting him over for a true baptism and securing the engagement right there...

Perhaps I was too pushy?

I believe it was very fitting of you, my lord.

But I do wonder what we're going to say to

Duke Bleichröder, the Lord of the Baumeister family.

That is why I first obtained His Majesty's pledge.

Even the Duke won't be able to object when I have His Majesty's backing.

Impressive, my lord.

More importantly, look at this offering.

It couldn't be more unbelievable.

For a young boy, he has a good understanding of the power the church wields.

I guess using magic isn't all he's capable of.

The Hohenheim family holds the rank of viscount,

so you always said the man to marry Lady Elise must be at least a Baron,

but now I understand why you would choose Baronet Baumeister,

even if it took me some time to see it.

Your judgment is quite sound, my lord.

For now, at least.

I can't believe you went to get baptized and came back engaged.

And to "Saint" Hohenheim of all people.

Lineage and a good personality—she's perfect!

But it happened just a minute after I met her.

Is that really enough to determine the partner I'm supposed to share a long life with?

But isn't that just how marriage is?

Yeah. It's unusual to even have one minute with them first.

No, no! You're supposed to spend more time cultivating love and...

We didn't meet our wives until the very day we were wed.

Huh?

It was the same for my parents, too.

I think it was the same for Brother Kurt and Amalie.

Really?

Yes.

Okay, now, close your eyes.

I see. There's no such thing

as romantic marriages for nobles.

Hey, look at that.

So... what's the deal with this disguise?

I mean, you said you wanted to see the sights of the capital without

being noticed by the guy who wanted to be your retainer.

I know...

And no one is noticing who I am, but...

Just enjoy yourself!

Maybe buy a souvenir for the wife.

Wife, huh?

I'm sure she's thinking,

"I'm marrying the Dragon Slayer? Lucky me!" right about now.

You really think she is?

I mean, you said she was smiling the whole time, right?

But that was in front of her grandfather. Who knows...

what she really thinks deep down?

That's the guy who keeps asking to be my retainer!

Don't worry. He'll never realize it's you.

Sir Baumeister!

You're dressed quite comically,

but those teeth belong to Sir Baumeister,

so I noticed right away!

Um, could you keep the volume down?

I knew it! That man is the Dragon Slayer!

Sir Baumeister! Please make me your retainer!

Here they come! Here they come!

Then behold!

The third form of my Spinning Spear!

I can't believe you can't see any of the sights when it's summer break.

I feel bad for you.

Why don't you actually hire a retainer?

Then you could have them turn down all those asking to be one.

Oh, then how about I be your retainer?

Huh? Oh...

Let's go with that, then.

For real?

Hold on, are you serious?

Huh? Wait, wait... What?

Well, I'm heading out for a bit, so I'll see you later.

Um, did I just become a retainer?

I did, right?

Yeah.

Congratulations, Erwin.

I did it.

Baronet Baumeister?

What are you doing there?

I'm sorry about that.

It's all right.

I bought these earlier. I thought we could share them.

Huh?!

They're all crushed...

Um, the truth is, I wanted to talk.

In that case, let's go down.

I'll prepare us some tea.

Oh...

I meant just the two of us, if possible.

Very well.

It's about our engagement this morning...

I wanted...

I wanted to ask you how you felt about all this.

I think it's a nice arrangement.

A nice arrangement?