The Heroic Legend of Arslan (アルスラーン戦記)

Askriios!

Yashasuiin!

Pars Era, the year 317.

When their ally, Maryam, was invaded by the Lusitanian Army,

Pars responded decisively.

Their king, Andragoras the Third,

met the invaders with a force 300 thousand strong

and crushed them.

They left a mountain of Lusitanian corpses behind.

Now, come at me again!

Very well!

Upper block! Center block!

Upper block! Lower block!

Upper block!

You beat me quite handily, Vahriz.

You must show me that maneuver.

Swinging a sword to and fro is hardly a "maneuver."

Those were simply fundamental sword strokes.

Although, without a sound knowledge of the basics,

you cannot hope to master the more complicated techniques.

Fundamental strokes are important.

Hone them, Prince Arslan.

You're a harsh teacher.

Why did you not accompany my Lord Father

on his campaign against the Lusitanians?

Because my duty is here at this moment, my Prince.

Safeguarding this, the Royal Capital of Ecbatana.

Lusitania is not the only threat.

Kingdoms to the east have set their eyes

upon our beloved city, as well.

We mustn't let our guard down.

It sounds as if you're terribly busy, General.

Perhaps forgoing my daily sword lessons would free you up a bit.

How can you hope to become a proper king

with such little ambition?

You must take your training seriously.

Even simply mastering the fundamentals of the sword

will show in your bearing and presentation.

You have yet to fight your maiden battle, my Prince.

If you hope to survive it,

you must train with the sword often in preparation.

Everything you say is true.

I know that, but even so.

If you know,

then try to carry yourself as a swordsman would.

The soldiers expect it.

Loyal soldiers.

Your allegiance to the Kingdom of Pars does you credit.

You have our thanks.

Oh, uh.

Her Majesty the Queen!

Prince Arslan! Salute!

Heh.

Lady Mother!

Yes, Arslan? What do you need?

Nothing, really.

I only wanted to apologize for my tardiness.

Not at all.

I understand that you are busy with daily sword practice.

Yes! I hope to be a fine king like my lord father,

but I know that will take hard work.

And I'm not making the swiftest progress.

Vahriz always says--

Good.

What does it even mean to be a fine king?

I fear I don't know.

It's Azrael! And Sorush!

Ah! If they've returned, it can mean only one thing.

To me!

Your Highness!

Welcome home. It's good to see you.

Your Highness.

And Lord Vahriz. I trust I find you both well?

You're back! Greetings, Kishward.

So, they greet Your Highness first

instead of their master, do they? The cheeky bastards.

You must teach them some respect.

On the contrary, my lord, it's not that they don't respect me.

Rather, it is a sign of the deep affection that they harbor

for His Highness here.

Birds and beasts are far better judges of character

than we humans can ever hope to be.

They've read what dwells within His Highness's heart,

and know that it is pure and good.

You've returned from the campaign.

All went as expected?

Yes, sir.

Our losses in the field were negligible.

The Lusitanians are sorry they ever thought of invading Maryam.

We defeated them soundly and at little cost.

His Majesty will be returning shortly.

Look, it's Lord Marzban Kharlan!

-- He's so gallant! -- Lord Kharlan!

And there's Lord Marzban Kubard and his wine jug.

An inseparable pair.

Honestly, is that man ever sober?

You see that scar? The one over his left eye there?

That's from when Lord Kubard fought a dragon.

You're makin' that up!

He's not my favorite, though.

Lord Twin-Blade General Kishward is!

You just wait. I'm joinin' the cavalry when I grow up.

I'll protect the king like the Lords Marzban.

That's stupid! The king killed a lion when he was 13.

He doesn't need the likes of you to look after him.

Yeah. You're probably right.

Who're the prisoners?

They're Lusitanian soldiers.

They go to war in the name of that god of theirs, right?

The Cult of Yaldabaoth, I think it is.

I hear they kill babes in arms

if their parents are non-believers.

Barbarians!

Look there! He's just a lad.

Lusitania's so desperate, it sends children into war?

Oh, the poor little dear.

What kind of parents would allow that?

Go on, Highness.

Lord Father, I'm glad to see you safe.

I worried for you, off fighting in distant lands--

Defeat was unthinkable.

Report, Vahriz.

Tell me how the kingdom has fared.

Majesty.

What do you think about Prince Arslan?

Eh. He doesn't seem very brave.

Then maybe we'll protect him instead of the king.

Maybe!

A little on the young side.

I'm lookin' for one that can do a man's work.

Forgive me, my Prince, but such quarters are hardly suitable

for one of your station.

Hm. Why ever not?

It's a perfect opportunity to speak with Lusitanians.

If you require a slave, we can easily send a messenger.

That's not it. I wish to learn from them myself.

Of their culture, their homes.

There's just so much I don't know.

Filthy bastard! Get back and do as you're told.

Everything all right here?

Prince Arslan.

This is a surprise.

Whatever brings you to such wretched quarters?

Are these the men from Lusitania?

Yes, Highness.

Good afternoon.

If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you some questions.

It shouldn't take long.

Get your hands off the prince!

Are you hurt, Your Highness?

I'm fine.

You're slaves now, ya got that?

You wanna live, you do what you're told, when you're told.

He's just a kid. This'll be easy.

Uh. I don't really know if we should do this.

What, you're backing down now?

I thought you were gonna be a cavalryman.

They don't take cowards.

We'll give him a thrashing he won't forget.

That oughta teach him!

Hey, you!

They're such a barbaric people.

This was a bad idea, Your Highness.

If something were to happen to you--

I'm not a total fool, you know.

I shall be more careful.

H-Help me!

My Prince, please remain here.

Hey! Stop that!

Stay back!

One more step and I'll kill him!

Now, don't be hasty.

Would you maybe consider just letting him go?

Yeah, why not? I'll let him go.

Young sir! I think you misunderstood me!

What happened here?

One of my slaves is on the loose!

-- What? --He just ran off!

That much I could handle, but you see--

He took the prince!

His Highness protected us!

What?

Find him, now!

Yes, sir!

Boy, lots of commotion today, huh?

The west side!

Get the vermin!

What in the world is going on?

Lord Daryun!

What is it?

It's Prince Arslan, my lord!

There he goes! Get him!

There he is!

Halt!

Let him go.

We've got you cornered.

You stay back!

Come any closer and I'll slit his scrawny neck!

If you wanna live, you better run fast.

Huh?