Gankutsuou (巌窟王)

The Count of Monte Cristo

Ladies and gentlemen, good evening.

There are men who sniff around the mystery that surrounds myself and my friend.

Little by little, their search brings them closer to our secret.

Hear me, young man and young lady. Hear me, noble souls acting in unison.

Be on your guard,

...and know that there are some things in this world that one is better off not knowing.

Count!

You miserable brat!

Die!

Act 14: Lost Souls

You sons of...

Count! Are you all right?!

You needn't worry about me.

But...

Why is this happening to me?!

Hasn't my record always been perfect?!

You should know that! Right?

I've always been above reproach, with no blemish on my record!

Albert!

This is all your fault! It's all because you brought that accursed Count to Paris!

What lies did you fill his head with?! Tell me!

Mark my words! Don't get cocky! You'll be next!

Disaster will come calling at your house, too!

Give it a rest!

Hey, let go of me!

Do you have any idea who I am?! Let go! Get your hands off me!

Count!

You should go home now.

Let us meet again some other time.

Are you really okay?

This ain't good...

Hey, Ali! Do your thing.

Your abilities are as impressive as ever...

Albert! This is all your fault!

You'll be next! Disaster will come calling at your house, too!

Yoo-hoo!

You've been in there for ages. Did something happen?

No, I'm fine. What is it?

Maximilien is here to see you.

Maximilien!

Monsieur Albert.

You're looking well!

It's good to see you again.

Why the sudden return to Paris?

I've come here to fetch Monsieur Noirtier.

I thought that he should be at Valentine's side.

I guess you're right.

I came here expecting to have another quarrel with Monsieur Villefort,

...but I heard the news of his arrest the instant I arrived in Paris.

It came as quite a shock to hear what had become of him.

Yeah...

I wanted to come pay you a visit and express my gratitude.

Thank you for all you have done for us.

Still as upright and formal as ever, huh?

It was because you were there for me...

...that I was able to save those who are dearest to me.

If nothing else, please don't forget that one thing.

Maximilien...

I am glad that I met you.

Take good care of Valentine.

I will.

See you around, Maximilien.

Thanks to you, my stocks have hit the trading limit for several days in a row.

These various tidbits of information find their way to me, that's all.

I don't really ask for them.

Oh, how I envy you...

It's a waste of one's life to tie one's happiness to the fluctuations of numbers.

More importantly, though...

"Dramatic Arrest of Crown Prosecutor Villefort in Public Spectacle."

This is most shocking, isn't it?

Yes, it is...

One never can tell what will happen next in life.

By the way, Baron, what's this I hear about you and the Crown Prosecutor being old friends?

Not at all, not at all! We're just acquaintances, we're not what you'd call friends.

Oh, is that true? You, General Morcerf, and the Crown Prosecutor here are old friends,

...and you've used each other's influence to expand your own power bases.

I've heard stories along those lines, so I was curious.

T-That must be a rumor spread by jealous people, no doubt.

Well, if you say so.

Still, people can be brought low by the most unexpected things.

I suggest that you exercise the utmost caution in the company you choose to keep, Baron.

Baron?

Yes?

I'm quite serious about your daughter.

I'd like to receive your blessing as soon as possible.

What a mess...

I'm sorry to keep you waiting. My name is Beauchamp.

Y-You're a reporter?

Yeah.

Then this is your lucky day!

You're gonna have a scoop that's gonna be splashed across the front page!

What do you want in return?

How much will your company pay for a big scoop?

I'm really busy, so if you'll excuse me...

W-Wait! I'm talkin' about a huge scandal involving General Morcerf!

This is gonna knock even YOUR socks off.

Hey, sorry to bother you.

Why did you need to see me so suddenly?

Well, we're doing a special feature on General Morcerf's presidential bid.

I figured I should use my personal connections, so I was hoping to ask you a few questions.

Sure, if it's something I can answer.

Thanks.

By the way, why do you think your father has managed to achieve such success?

I'd like to hear your frank opinion as one of the people closest to him.

Well, let me think...

I guess it would be his sincerity.

My father loves and worries about the country in the same way that he loves my mother deeply.

Have you heard about how my father became a hero...

...by defending Janina's citadel to the bitter end?

After he returned to Paris, he used that as a springboard and shot up through the ranks,

...even making it to the rank of general in spite of his young age.

And now he's making a bid for the presidency, huh?

Yes. My father's enthusiasm for politics is the real deal.

I see...

I'm rooting for your father, too.

It's times like these when a man makes a lot of enemies. You should watch your back, too.

Did something happen?

Nah, it's nothing serious.

But when you deal in gossip like you do in my line of work, you get all kinds of crazy tips.

Tales of bribery, kickbacks, illicit affairs... You get sick of it.

That's hilarious! My father isn't involved with any of that stuff.

Frankly, I'm more worried that he might be a little too straight-laced to be a politician.

You don't say...

I'd be relieved if he ever did something like that.

"He's a lot more shrewd than I gave him credit for."

Yeah, I guess you're right. Sorry to worry you over nothing.

The fact of the matter is, a fishy guy paid me a visit today.

He was this creepy, sleazy old man. What did he say his name was?

"Caderousse," or something like that.

What did he...

What did that man say about my father?

Oh, some stupid story.

Something about how the stories of your father's exploits at Janina are all a lie.

I told him he was full of crap and chased him away.

Oh...

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