"I, Asseylum Vers Allusia, will take Count Slaine Saazbaum Troyard as my husband, and proclaim that I shall create a new kingdom here in Earthspace." "At this time, in spite of the best efforts of you daring and resolute knights, this war is giving every indication that it will become protracted." "With matters having come to this, what should our course of action be?" "Is this a time for Orbital Knights to squabble among themselves?" "Is it a time to squabble over credit?" "The time has come for us to gather under one flag and fight together for the future of Vers." "I have delegated all of my authority to the lord of this newly repowered castle, as well as my soon-to-be spouse, Count Troyard." "This includes the right to decide upon whom to bestow the power to awaken Aldnoah." "Until the day comes when we achieve victory in this war, it is my heartfelt wish that you think of Count Troyard's words as my own and rally to his side." "All that we do, we do for Vers!" "The battle against Earth continues to prove difficult, I see." "Yes, Milord." "But to those knights who are anxious regarding this situation," "Her Highness's words must have sounded like a divine revelation." "Divine revelation?" "Everyone knows that she was only able to issue that proclamation because of you." "To the knights who are unhappy about the present state of affairs, they were words from on high." "Surely they must feel that someone has appeared who will lead them." "You exaggerate." "But on the other hand, rebel factions are also certain to appear." "There is something that I wish you to do on that score." "Make a display of power?" "Is that it, Milord?" "No, if we engage with such people, we will never see the end of it." "Start by rooting out the dangerous elements." "We can let the proper authorities take it from there." "Milord?" "Princess Asseylum's name will be motivation enough." "And it should be simple enough to strip them of their knighthood with some random accusation or other." "You do not approve?" "You think it too underhanded?" "No, Milord." "Quite the opposite." "It is only natural that you would stop at nothing to achieve your goal." "Ever since the announcement, I..." "If I may be so bold, you have seemed prepared for the worst." "My wish was to be close to Her Highness." "My wish was to be worthy of her." "And to be of some service to her..." "But I..." "If power is the only thing that I can win now, then that is..." "Is that you, Harklight?" "Enter." "M-Milord Slaine..." "Miss Eddelrittuo?" "We are quite satisfied with your ship's current actions." "For the time being, we want you to continue providing unit support as a commando squad." "I have no objections to that." "But about that proclamation by Princess Asseylum..." "That nonsense about founding a new dynasty in Earthspace?" "It's nothing but big talk meant to stir up the Mars Knights." "Something along those lines." "That might be the case." "But perhaps we should consider the possibility that the enemy's attacks might be about to move to the next level." "We're sitting on our thumbs, doing nothing?" "Is that what you are implying?" "No, sir." "I meant nothing of the sort." "As far as new operations go, we are currently coordinating with our primary units." "Once that has been finalized, you will be contacted." "You might be unhappy with your status as a commando unit, but there is no telling how much faith we can put in a ship that runs on the enemy's power." "Not to put too fine a point on it, but that's just how it is." "I'm amazed that you sat through that without any outbursts." "Did you want me to?" "Remember, I'm only here as your escort." "Anyway, I'm not that naive." "They just don't understand." "They probably just don't know what they've got." "They're doing the best they can." "No." "I'm not griping about how they're treating the Deucalion." "I've just... given up on them." "On us?" "On the Martians." "The war's going in their favor a little bit, and they're wildly misinterpreting it." "That's terrifying." "I will drain the therapeutic fluid and bring Princess Asselyum to my castle." "Tell no one of this." "Not even Princess Lemrina, of course." " But why not-." " Do as I say!" "Forgive me." "I did not mean to startle you." "No visitors are allowed?" "My sister's condition is that serious?" "She..." "Perhaps it was a miracle that she held on for this long." "How much time does she have?" "Today?" "Tomorrow?" "They say that they still do not know." "It is just as possible that she will remain in this condition indefinitely." "I see..." "I can guess what you are feeling." "You may have mixed feelings, but she is your only sibling by blood." "It is you who are truly sad, aren't you, Slaine?" "I must go." "Slaine..." "I forgive you, Slaine." "Even if you cry in front of me today." "Even if you shed tears over her." "Because I... am already yours." "Could that have triggered it?" "No..." "It couldn't be." "I always looked up to you." "You had everything that I did not." "So I hated you." "Still, do not worry, sister." "From now on, I will be truly be your substitute and I will be Slaine's support!" "Why...?" "What's up with that?" "Does that mean she got ditched here?" ""The captain left me in charge because she trusts me."" "That's what she said, but Cdr." "Mizusaki has got to be devastated." "Why did she pick Lt. Marito of all people as her traveling companion?" "Companion?" "Escort, more like." "What's this about Lt. Marito?" "No, um..." "It's just that he accompanied the captain to the conference, so I thought it might be serious." "Ah." "With that Martian proclamation and all, the situation is definitely changing." "I can't believe that the princess is getting married..." "That's what you're interested in?" "No, but look..." "Isn't it possible that her change of heart was because someone around her felt that way?" "Like, she was seduced by him or something?" "Sorry." "But we're still not 100% sure that the Princess Asseylum who said that was the princess who spent time with us, right?" "I honestly can't say." "Inaho insists that she is an imposter, but there's no telling just how much he can see." "Have you eaten?" "In a bit." "Let me find a good place to leave off." "You've been this way since we were little." "When you're into something, everything else fades away." "Here." "Thanks, Yuki." "You've heard, right?" "About Asseylum's, uh..." "Yeah." "That proclamation seemed to prove everything you've been saying." "It all seems a little too convenient, and if that really were the genuine Princess Asseylum, would she think of a founding a kingdom in Earthspace?" "Slaine Troyard." "That douchebag who shot my dear little brother?" "Thanks." "But watch your language, Yuki." "It doesn't matter if she's real or not anymore." "I don't think anyone would bother to listen to her." "Even if she tried to broker a peace between Earth and Mars again." "About the attack on Earth, Milord, if there are no problems, I will get preparations underway." "Milord Slaine?" "I'm listening." "Proceed as planned." "Yes, Milord." "Her Highness has yet to-." "She will wake up soon." "I know it." "I eagerly await that day, Milord." "But... tragedies do happen." "Milord?" "It's nothing." "Has there been any change?" "No." "They believe that she might remain in this condition for some time." "We will wait as long as it takes." "We are used to waiting." "I bet that she will be surprised, waking up to find that everything has changed." "Will I..." "Will I seem different to her as well?" "She will think that you have grown into a fine man, I'm sure of it." "I shall return." "Milord Slaine!" "Rittuo..." "Eddelrittuo..." "Milady..." "I..." "She..." "She is awake..." "Your Highness!" "It is me!" "It is Slaine!" "Do you recognize me?" "It's Slaine, Slaine Troyard!" "I am Slaine Troyard..." "Your Highness..." "Slaine..." "Slaine..." "Slaine..." "Slaine..." "Slaine..." "Slaine..." "Your Highness!" "I've been waiting so long to hear you say my name once again!" "Let me begin by saying that I am glad to see you safe, Count Mazuurek." "My apologies for causing you to worry, Count Barouhcruz." "So, what are your plans?" "I have none as yet." "I have lost my Kataphraktos, as well." "If you wish to ally yourself with Count Troyard, I can act as intermediary." "I have heard what happened with Count Marylcian." "It must have been most galling." "No, both sides fought fairly, and that was the result." "There is nothing to hold a grudge over." "Count Barouhcruz, Troyard is dangerous." "He not only killed Marylcian, there are even suspicions that he also killed Count Saazbaum-." "It doesn't matter who it is." "I merely..." "But you-." "Hold your tongue." "How could you let yourself be misled by such unfounded rumors?" "You heard Princess Asseylum's proclamation, I take it?" "No one can stop Count Troyard's rise." "Not when he holds all the cards, even Aldnoah activation privileges." "As they say, "Do not try to fight an Olympian sandstorm."" "If you wish to make a comeback, I suggest you choose wisely." "Count Barouhcruz pledges his full and unconditional cooperation." "Counts Sebring and Raffia have have yet to make their allegiances clear, but they appear to be amenable to acknowledging the new kingdom." "Morale is also on the increase within the base." "We have almost finished going through the list of knights who seem likely to oppose you." "We are ready to take forceful steps at any time." "Milord Slaine?" "Is something the matter?" "Begging your pardon, Milord, but is it about Princess Asseylum's recovery?" "You want me to give her time off?" "Eddelrittuo?" "Yes." "If only a little while." "I'm sure that Princess Asseylum's sudden turn came as a blow to her." "Yes, I shouldn't wonder." "And how are you taking it, Slaine?" "I've been worried." "Thank you for your concern." "You are the only person that I can count on now." "I will make Vers mine." "For Her Highness." "Dales Platoon and Orlov Platoon currently marching towards enemy Landing Castle." "Clydesdale and Mustang commando platoons, be on alert for the enemy Kataphraktos, and once it's spotted, go on the offensive immediately and destroy it." "They're lovely." "Yes, Lord Slaine had this garden made for you, Milady." "Oh, he did?" "It looks just like Earth." "It does." "Are your memories of Earth returning?" "Birds..." "I was watching birds... with that boy." "Inaho Kaizuka, Milady?" "Kaizuka...?" "Is something the matter?" "Er, no..." "Look, aren't those flowers lovely, too?" "This is Dales Platoon." "Currently closing on enemy Landing Castle with Orlov Platoon." "Clydesdale Platoon?" "Powerful explosive charges are attached to the arrowheads!" "Be careful!" "Bastard!" "Don't waste your ammunition!" "The enemy is cloaked and is fast!" "It seems to be using arrows, which is probably to..." "Right, muzzle flashes would make it easy to pinpoint its location." "This must be to avoid that." "Optical camouflage?" "Does invisibility technology even...?" "It must be based on..." "Anyway, it's ingenious." "There's nothing on my thermograph, and it's not casting a shadow." "But..." "It definitely exists." "Yeah." "You are giving this to me, Milord?" "Customize it however you like." "I've already discussed the matters of your peerage title and activation factor with Princess Lemrina." "Milord Slaine..." "The arrow has been loosed." "There is no turning back now." "Yes, Milord!" "Count Sebring." "Count Raffia." "Inform Count Orga." "Tell him to swear fealty." "Smoke grenades, loading complete." "Ready here, too." "Fire!" "He's right, it definitely exists." "And if it exists... it will have an effect on air currents!" "Target located." "Right!" "Open fire!" " Lieutenant!" " What is it?" "At our 3 o'clock!" "New enemy!" "New enemy closing in from dead ahead!" "They're attacking as a team?" "From overhead, too!" "Incoming!" "A Landing Castle..." "All units, brace for impact!" "Multiple Landing Castles..." "Multiple Kataphraktoi..." "Simultaneously!" "He's made his move!" "It's him!" "Right." "It's too late for doubts now." "There is no returning from this place I have come to."