01x06 - Mysterious Conspiracy

[bunniefuu]

A blue star, two gas planets,
and a few anti-matter fuel plants.

That's all that is.

No citizens to rule over, no
resources, and no pride.

This is Baron Febdash Territory.

A part of the Empire, though
having little significance to it...

...it lies alone as one of the
many thousand solar systems...

...trying to build their
own respective histories.

Calling from transfer shuttle
of the patrol ship Gosroth.

Attempting to reach traffic control
for Baron Febdash Territory.

Please respond.

This is Baron Febdash
Territory control.

I request a fuel re-supply.

A transfer shuttle
from a patrol ship?

Roger.

Welcome, transfer shuttle
of Gosroth.

Please indicate how you
wish to receive the fuel.

Since we are a light craft,
we request supply at the dock.

Roger.

Please indicate
the volume of fuel.

Your Royal Highness!

They know her everywhere.

Can you guide us to the dock?
Can you guide us to the dock?

Of course, Your Highness!
Right away!

Baron Febdash
Territory control...

...I must inform you
about something.

We were...

...unaware of the
demise of Gosroth.

That may have been...

...a fortunate thing for us.

How long will we be
able to stay here?

I'd say 30 minutes.

That's it?!

We must get to Sufugnoff
as soon as possible.

I know that.

But how far ahead are
we from the enemy fleet?

About 27 hours,
in Sufugnoff time.

In that case, can't we...

Forget I even mentioned it.

I'm grateful that
you haven't forgotten.

Welcome to our territory,
Your Royal Highness.

I will show you to
your resting quarters.

I'll have you do that, but...

I am presently a trainee pilot
in the Star Forces.

I ask that you treat me as such.

Yes, we understand.

This way please,
Your Royal Highness.

Is it always like this?

Of course not!

You may be seated over there.

Why is that?

That's because...

I get it.

I guess to them I'm nothing
more than a suspicious Terran.

Jinto! What are you waiting for.
Come here!

What can I get you to drink?

Rather than a drink,
I'd like to take a shower.

Could you show me where it is?

We cannot allow a princess to
bear the discomfort of a shower.

We will show you to
our official bath hall.

Please give us a moment.

I'm sorry, but we're in a hurry.

And Imperial family members
take showers too, you know.

Is that a fact?

I am not authorized to respond.

What can I get you to drink?

I'll have a surgu.

A nice cold one.

I'll have a til nom.

Hot, and with a slice of lope?

Lope in your til nom?

You've got a unique
sense of taste.

Very well.

I shall bring you your
til nom right away.

Just one moment.

I wonder if they'll
bring me my surgu.

Seelnay!

How could you?!

I'm terribly sorry,
Your Highness!

What's the matter?

I spilt the drink that I
just served Your Highness.

I beg that you please accept my
apology for my transgression.

Your transgression?
You mean this?

Goodness gracious!

Let me immediately
wipe that for you.

Don't bother.

I don't know what your
assumptions of us are...

...but I can wipe
my own fingers.

I realize that, but...

Pardon me...

...but I think it would be rude
to draw this out any further.

Yes.

I'm not comfortable
with this environment.

Maybe I should forget
about the shower.

I'm sorry for not greeting
you in person.

Your Highness Lafiel
of the Clyuve Royal Family.

Yes, I am Lafiel, Viscountess
Abriel Nei Dobrusk Paryunu.

I'm Klowal, Baron Atosryua
Syun Atos Febdash.

It's a pleasure to meet you.

Nice to meet you, Baron.

This is His Excellency Jinto,
Count Lin Syun Rock Hyde.

Nice to meet you,
Your Excellency.

The pleasure is mine,
Your Excellency.

Your Highness...

...there is something I must
apologize to you about.

What is it?

Well, it seems that
we've messed up.

We've just realized that we
lack the f uel you require.

That's impossible.

I confirmed it
with our controller.

I'm terribly sorry.

I've summoned a fuel asteroid.

It should be here soon.

How long will it be?

Shouldn't be more
than 12 hours.

Twelve hours?!

In the meantime, please sit
back and enjoy my palace.

Thank you, but we
don't have time.

I'm on duty right now.

We'll fly out to meet
the asteroid in our shuttle.

I've been informed that your
craft requires a major check.

A check?

Your Highness, please accept
my sincere welcome.

I've already explained
our situation to your people.

I'm sure you've got other
things to do than welcome us.

Don't you need to consider
an escape from your domain?

I do appreciate your concern,
however...

...we do not have a ship.

There are no means of escape.

Is that so.

However...

Someone will show you around.

I'll see you at the dinner table.

He was ignoring you as well.

I noticed.

I have a problem with
that kind of attitude.

To welcome me properly, he
should also be welcoming you.

You're right.

But it can't be helped.

You're a princess, and I'm
some unknown nobleman.

I don't like him.

He seems to be deceiving us
about the shuttle check.

It's as if he's deliberately
trying to hold us back.

Why?

I don't know.

Aren't you being a little
too suspicious, Lafiel?

But I really don't like him!

In that case...

...let's just think this
through logically.

Is there anyway he can benefit...

...by lying just to hold us back?

You don't look like
you have any ideas.

How about this?

The Baron is holding
us so he can...

...steal our shuttle to get
away from the enemy fleet.

The shuttle has only two seats.

Only two can go.

It would be fine if the Baron
was planning to escape alone.

And leave his vassals behind?

You don't trust the Baron...

...but you trust his sense
of righteousness?

You fool!

I'm not talking about
personal ethics.

There's nothing more shameful
than deserting one's vassals.

The imperial laws
against that are severe.

Besides, getting caught with
the additional crime...

...of stealing a shuttle would
make him prefer a future...

...in a concentration camp
under the United Mankind...

...than remain in the Empire.

I see.

So, a title has its duty.

Right. A title has its duty.

So, you're saying the Baron
isn't planning any conspiracy.

I guess you could say that.

In that case,
let him welcome you.

I'll also participate
in what I can.

Your Highness.

Your bath is ready.

Please follow me this way.

The others will escort you,
Your Excellency.

I guess we can't take a
bath together, huh?

Go ahead.
We haven't got much time.

You're right.

Later.

Yeah.

Enjoy your bath.

Let me wash your back for you.

No.

Let me wash your hair for you.

No.

Please. Do not hesitate
to let me serve you.

I'm not hesitating at all.

Are you all aware...

...that an enemy fleet is
heading toward Sufugnoff?

Yes.

Aren't you afraid?

No. I'm sure our master
will take care of everything.

The Baron?

How is he going to
take care of things?

I'm not aware of how
he'll manage things.

The Baron's certainly
very well trusted.

Of course he's well trusted.

If it wasn't for him...

...I would not be here today.

What do you mean?

It has been a dream of mine
to become an imperial citizen.

However...

Where I grew up, the status
of women is very low...

...and there's little hope
for doing anything...

...other than being
a wife and mother.

I can't imagine it.

My master saved
me from that world...

...and even gave
me an education.

Education?

Yes.

I'm normally in charge of
inspecting fueling equipment.

I received education
pertaining to that.

Oh, so serving in the bath
hall is not your main duty.

No.

In fact, this is my first time
to serve in the bath hall.

I've never been called upon
to give the master a bath.

Are the other's summoned to,
say, wash the Baron's back?

Yes.

lndeed...

...the master is a very kind person.
He certainly doesn't look it.

How many people are
there in this domain?

I'd say about 50.

How many of them are Abh?

There are two.
The master and his father.

It seems to me like
an awfully lonely life.

It's true that it somewhat
lacks excitement...

...but it's a completely
worry-free lifestyle...

...so I have no complaints.

So, I'm a convenient
piece of entertainment.

Certainly not!

What the hell is this?

Are you telling me to wear this?

Those were the master's orders.

Where did you put my uniform?

It is presently being washed.

You treat your guests well.

Also, military uniforms are said
to be crude at the dinner table.

Crude?!

But I only wear
military uniforms!

However...

Your Highness!

Please!

Please!

I'll wear the dress
over the uniform.

That should be okay, right?

A warm welcome to you,
Your Royal Highness.

Where's Jinto?

Jinto?

Oh, you're talking
about Count Hyde.

My father is entertaining
His Excellency.

Why is your father not
joining us for dinner?

My father doesn't
enjoy company.

You're contradicting yourself.

Why send a guest to your father
if he prefers to be alone?

Fellow sufferers pity
one another, don't they?

What do you mean?

Never mind, please.

I cannot ignore this.

I have a responsibility
to take Jinto...

...the Count Hyde to Sufugnoff.

Pardon me, Your Highness.

You're not suspecting that we'd
harm His Excellency, are you?

How can I not be suspicious?

That's regrettable.

In any case, please sit down.

Allow me to resolve these
misunderstandings over dinner.

I do hope they are
misunderstandings.

What kind of wine would
you like with your meal?

I'm on duty.

I'd like something non-alcoholic.

As you wish.

How about some tule lashban?

By the way...

..I noticed that you address
that young man by his name.

Please feel free to do the same
with me, and call me Klowal.

I refuse.

Why is that?

Because I don't want to
call you that, Baron.

Please. Go right ahead.

It's delicious!

I'm honored, Your Highness.

I wasn't complimenting you.

I was complimenting
whoever prepared this.

This was prepared by hand...

...not machines.

Great insight, Your Highness.

I'm not too fond of machines.

But I sense that you are
upset about something,

Great insight, Baron.

I'm very angry.

Is it about that young Terran?

Jinto is an Abh nobleman.

Yes, as I recall.

It's not only about Jinto.

Are you sure the shuttle
needs a check?

And you've got no
shortage of fuel.

I'm doubting you
on a number of issues.

Oh, yes. I was lying
about those things.

We do have plenty of fuel...

...and we've no need to
check the transfer shuttle.

Then why did you lie?

You would not have joined
me for dinner otherwise...

...no matter how I asked,
Your Highness.

Of course not. We're in a hurry.

That proves that lying
was my best option.

Now that I know you're lying...

...you will let me leave,
won't you?

Your Highness.
Regarding your departure...

Would you be able to
delay your departure a little?

How long?

Until the next ship from
the Empire arrives.

In other words, until the safety
of my domain is assured.

We don't know
when that would be.

Exactly.

So, you're trying to
hold us up until then?

Yes.

What do you wish to gain
from keeping us here?

Do you have some
grudge against us?

Not at all.

As long as you're here,
Your Highness...

...I will do everything
to make your stay enjoyable.

I couldn't even think of
doing anything to harm you.

Really.

I'm no longer sure if you really
understand what you're doing.

Of course I understand.

I am doing my best
to protect my domain.

What does confining
us here have anything...

...to do with the safety
of your domain?

Sufugnoff is a strong nation.

The United Mankind no doubt
see its strategic advantages.

However, our Baronial domain
is small and with a short history.

It is entirely possible
that they have...

...never heard of the
Baron Febdash Territory.

What if...

...they detected your ship passing
through the gates of Febdash?

They would become aware
of a region they do not control...

...and perhaps
proceed to conquer it.

But we already passed
through the gates of Febdash.

How can you be sure
that we weren't detected?

You may have been detected.

One chance at the enemy
detecting us is too much.

It would be reckless to give
the enemy a second chance.

I follow your reasoning.

So, therefore, Your Highness...

...I can understand
your reluctance...

...but could you
please remain here...

...until the enemy has
left the vicinity?

You realize you're preventing
me from carrying out a mission.

Aren't you worried...

...the Empire may appropriate
the domain you're protecting?

Not at all.

I'm doing this out of passion
for protecting my domain.

The high court of the Empire
will consider the actions proper.

Even if Sufugnoff...

...comes under attack before
we have a chance to warn it?

That shouldn't be
a problem either.

There's a lot of traffic
in that region.

If not yourself...

...someone is bound to warn
them about the enemy fleet.

In which case, there should be
nothing wrong with my actions.

I trust that you will testify
to the courts that...

...I took good care of you while
you were here, Your Highness.

In the name of the Abriels.

How dare you bring
up that name.

Aside from myself...

...how is Jinto doing?

My father is looking after
the Count Hyde...

You will cut the crap, Baron.

I hate being deceived.

I understand.

The young man doesn't deserve
to be treated as a noble...

...and is being treated in a
manner appropriate for a Terran.

How many times do
I have to tell you...

...Jinto is a nobleman.

Also, I understand that
you have a peculiar opinion...

...toward the rank of citizens.

I've never seen such servile
citizens as your vassals.

They're like cats
trained to do tricks.

Unseemly.

The relationship between
a lord and his vassals...

...is none of anyone else's
business, even you.

You're right.

I just wanted to know what you
see as appropriate treatment...

...for a Terran.

It's nothing for you to
worry about, Your Highness.

Another thing I noticed.

Are there no men
among your vassals, Baron?

No.

I cannot stand having
Terran men around me.

I now have yet another
reason to dislike you.

I hear that Abhs sometimes
smile even in front...

...of those they hate.

"The smile of an Abh"...

So maligned that...

...they say it's like a
poisonous flower in its glory.

I have yet to see...

...Lafiel with such an expression.

Kiyasume ni boku wo
jiyuu ni shinaide okure

Anokoro no youni

Umaku toberu jishin ga nainda

Dakara imawa mada torikago no
naka

I WANNA FLY AWAY

Ushinawareta aozora ga
modorumade

Kimino tame ni utademo utatteyou

He's being confined by the Baron.

Please take me to
your son immediately!

That would be impossible,
young man.

Why?

Stay where you are!

I will rescue Jinto
even without your help.

A hatch!

It does not belong to the Baron.

It's a Star Forces shuttle.

Next episode
Fortunate Revolt