My name is Cloud Zeph Linhea.
I am the second prince of Linhea Kingdom.
Eh?!
They say my mother is kept isolated due to her illness,
but that is not the truth.
My mother is being held prisoner...
by Prime Minister Wardack.
My goodness...
King Linhea has said nothing?
My father cannot go against Prime Minister Wardack.
I think he might be killed if he tries to oppose him.
Wardack would want the first prince who shares his family's bloodline to become king as soon as possible.
Wait, huh? Hold on a minute.
Do you mean this whole marriage proposal was...
I believe he intends to have the prince inherit the crown once the engagement is announced.
Aha.
So that's why he brought the offer to Sue.
It's likely he chose Sue because she's a child who wouldn't be able to oppose him, which suits his plans.
Grand Duke of Brunhild, I have a proposal.
I believe we should hold an urgent summit of the western nations regarding this.
Huh?! This issue is that grand in scale?!
Deposing the foolish first prince
and having Prince Cloud succeed the throne is one option.
And I believe we should offer our assistance to those ends.
Episode 8
Two Princes and the Small Fiancée
So that's the situation.
I see...
I find myself angered by the deeds of this prime minister and first prince.
Having Prince Cloud succeed to the throne is well and good,
but will the nation function properly after that?
Do you have any influential nobles who seem likely to become your ally?
The previous prime minister, Marquis Koupe, is well regarded by the regional nobility.
He's been supporting me in the background where he can.
If you just want me to save your mother, there's also the option of fleeing the country.
No. I've already seen many people suffering at the hands of my brother and the prime minister.
At the time, I was powerless and unable to save them.
While it may be late coming, if there is anything I can do for them,
I would like to see it done.
What do you all think
about Linhea—no, Prince Cloud's proposal?
Our nation will support Prince Cloud.
Same here.
Thank you so much!
That just leaves the question of how to overthrow the prime minister.
I'd rather avoid using physical force if we can.
Well, you know...
Touya-dono, you'll figure something out.
Hey! You're dumping it all on me?!
Okay, looks like it's clear.
Amazing.
We really got to Linhea in an instant.
This invisibility magic, too...
I can't tell where you are at all.
Now, as we discussed earlier,
I'd like you to report the results of the proposal.
I want to see what the first prince and the prime minister are like for myself first.
I have returned, Aniue.
Cloud, huh?
You returned awfully soon.
Quite unusual for a lowlife like you.
So this is First Prince Zabune?
What bad taste.
Master, that woman's neck.
That's...
So how did they respond?
You got a good answer from them, of course?
No...
Unfortunately, they told us that Duke Ortlinde's daughter
was already engaged to another,
so they couldn't accept.
Huh? Sorry, I didn't hear that.
What did you say?
I said they turned down your proposal―
You're useless!
You should have thought to try and kidnap the duke's daughter, then!
Once we slap an Enslavement Collar on her, she'll be my slave anyway!
He was planning to enslave Sue?!
Tsk! You can't even accomplish such a simple task!
You truly are useless!
So? Who is the man the duke's daughter is engaged to?
The Grand Duke of Brunhild Duchy, His Majesty Mochizuki Touya.
Brunhild?
Ah, that upstart nation that was only formed recently.
Hey, Cloud.
Go back to Belfast and start spreading some rumors.
Rumors?
Tell people the Grand Duke of Brunhild is a womanizer who's left many women in tears.
Then he might cancel their engagement, right?
It's a good idea, isn't it?
What is that look for?
You need to learn your place, you lowborn scum!
Touya.
Do you get it yet, huh?!
Yeah.
Zabune?
What are you doing?
Ah, Hahaue.
Well, see...
I was just disciplining my ill-mannered younger brother.
My, how kind of you!
So how did the proposal go?
They rejected it, thanks to Cloud.
Hey, Hahaue.
Can't I just succeed the throne without being engaged?
We'll see.
I'll talk to Wardack about it.
That's the spirit!
Come forth, Light!
Soothing Comfort: Cure Heal!
Are you all right?
Yes. Thank you.
I can't believe that stupid prince.
I came close to trying to cut him down several times myself gozaru yo.
That Enslavement Collar...
My brother bought her from a merchant from the Kingdom of Sandora.
Even though slavery is forbidden in our nation.
That bastard.
Gate.
Apport.
You're all right now.
Hey! Someone come here!
Cloud!
Did my slave come by here?
No, I haven't seen her.
Where did she go?!
What's the matter, Prince Zabune?
Wardack!
My slave is gone!
She just disappeared!
Your slave?
That is Prime Minister Wardack.
Have you ordered her to return?
I did! But it isn't working!
Then tighten the collar and kill her.
You don't need that slave, right?
Once her body is found, I'll deal with it.
Hmph.
I hadn't even started playing with her in earnest yet.
My troubles never cease with such a useless younger brother.
I even killed a slave to vent my anger.
Argh, I'm so mad!
Eventually, we'll have Prince Cloud go north to the Kingdom of Palouf.
That country had a queen and a noble woman who met my tastes, didn't it?
We won't be sending him with a marriage proposal.
Prince Cloud will be...
Wardack is planning to use Prince Cloud to declare war on the Kingdom of Palouf.
Would you normally have a second prince declare war for you?
On the surface, he would be going to deliver an official letter,
but the letter would be the declaration of war.
The recipient would be furious and cut down the second prince sent as a messenger.
I believe that would be his plot de gozarou ka?
That's plausible.
Prince Cloud,
from this point forward, we'll be facing off against the prime minister.
Are you really sure about this?
I understand.
I will save my mother and fight the prime minister.
All right. Commence operation!
My mother is held captive in Gallia Fortress within Prime Minister Wardack's domain.
It's quite the sturdy fortress,
but with Your Highness's invisibility magic, we could infiltrate it.
Target Lock-on,
Soldiers in the Fortress,
Activate Paralyze.
Targeting complete.
Activating Paralyze.
I used a paralyzing spell, so they won't be able to move for a while.
Now let's get going.
Eh?
If you let this bother you, there'll be no end to it de gozaru yo.
That's right.
What's that mean?
Hahaue!
Cloud?
Is that you, Cloud?
Hahaue...
Cloud!
Really?! That cliché?!
Come on, now, this way.
Good for you.
Oh, my.
Rescue complete.
Prince Cloud, I'm glad you've made the decision to fight the prime minister.
Plus, now that you've earned the cooperation of the Belfast Kingdom and the other nations,
we will have nothing to fear.
This brawny muscle-man is Marquis Koupe?
Um, while we're willing to help, we would rather take control without violence.
In that case, restraining the prime minister
and stripping Prince Zabune of his right to the throne
will be the keys here.
I don't think restraining the prime minister will be much of a problem.
That just leaves Prince Zabune.
Can we not exile him for all the ill deeds he's done de gozaru ka?
The prime minister has crushed all clear evidence of those.
I suppose, worst case, we could threaten the king and force him to yield the throne to Prince Cloud...
Wait, that would just make us look like the villains.
At any rate, there's nothing holding Prince Cloud back anymore.
So that just leaves the question of how to fry them up.
I have no intention of showing mercy to people who planned to enslave Sue.
There's Touya's evil face.
He's plotting something vicious again de gozarou na.
What do you mean?
We figured...
...Evil Touya-sama's...
...is showing up.
Queen Elia disappeared from Gallia Fortress?!
Y-Yes.
According to the messenger pigeon, she was taken away by Prince Cloud.
That damned Cloud!
He'd better not think he can get away with defying his master!
P-Pardon me!
We'll have to hurry and ask the king to yield the throne to Prince Zabune.
Then we'll have to seize Prince Cloud, as well.
What about the war with Palouf?
Unfortunately, we're putting that off.
Nipping this rebellion in the bud comes first.
Hmph.
Well, at least I'll finally get to be king.
Losing Queen Elia is a major blow.
I should have had Zabune inherit the throne sooner, if this was going to happen.
Though I needed the power of the king to keep Marquis Koupe in check...
Damn it!
Oh? Well, now...
I need to have Zabune inherit the throne before word about Queen Elia reaches the king's ears.
If I threaten Queen Elia's life, he's sure to agree.
So even the king was being threatened with Queen Elia?
What will we do with the king once Zabune takes the throne?
We'll make him disappear.
Oh! Confessions of conspiracy to commit regicide acquired!
Then we'll have Cloud die, as well.
We won't leave a single member of the royal bloodline alive.
Huh? But Zabune also shares the king's blood...
So our child will soon be this nation's king.
Yeah. It'll be the birth of a new royal family.
It can't be...
Prince Zabune is the son of Wardack and Dacia?!
Then they're trying to oust the royal family!
I'm shocked.
Though it also makes sense the two princes weren't blood-related.
Indeed.
Now there's no need for me to hesitate any longer.
I will fight these traitors trying to take over our nation for the sake of the nation, my father, and my mother!
Well said, Prince Cloud!
Well, should we go and finish them off?
Where are you planning to go de gozaru ka?
To tell the truth to the greatest victim here.
The truth is, Zabune, Wardack, and Dacia are...
What?!
I have summoned you all here despite your busy schedules for one reason.
I am planning to cede the throne and retire.
I would like to announce the next king now.
I will yield all official duties to my son and retire as king.
My inheritor and the next king of the Kingdom of Linhea is the first prince.
The first prince, Cloud Zeph Linhea, will inherit my throne!
Wha―?!
Huh?!
Go on, Prince Cloud.
Wha... Cloud!
You...
I humbly accept this honor, Chichiue.
Henceforth, I hope to spare no effort in serving even more faithfully as king.
Yes. I'm counting on you.
Hold on a minute!
What is going here?!
Your Majesty!
Pardon my speaking,
but it is time-honored tradition for the first prince to inherit the throne!
Even Your Majesty cannot bend that rule!
Indeed. You make a good point.
Which is exactly why I am yielding the throne to Cloud!
But Zabune is the first prince!
It's only proper for Zabune to become king!
You speak to me of propriety, Dacia?
How dare you utter such a thing?
Grand Duke of Brunhild, come forward.
Brunhild?
Touya-dono!
What will we do with the king once Zabune cedes the throne?
We'll make him disappear.
Th-This is...
So our child will soon be this nation's king.
Yeah. It'll be the birth of a new royal family.
Stop it!
Stop it right this instant!
Prince Zabune's father is the prime minister?
So he's not even of royal blood?
Wha...
Your Majesty, there must be some mistake!
A mistake, eh?
I'm sure I must have looked quite the fool in your eyes.
Did you laugh while I treated Zabune as my own son, knowing nothing, and agonized over his ill deeds?
Now that Elia is safe,
I have no need to hold back against you.
Wardack, as of this moment, you are stripped of your status as prime minister!
As king, I should be prioritizing the welfare of my people,
yet I spent ten years at your behest to protect Elia!
I will never stop regretting that!
Chichiue...
Your Majesty the King of Linhea, what will you do with these three?
Wardack and Hahaue are the ones who plotted to kill you!
Not me!
I had nothing to do with it!
Do you think I don't know about all the things you've done?
By your crimes alone, you have all earned the death penalty.
You have to be kidding me!
Why should I have to face the death penalty?!
It's your turn to pay the piper for everything you've done!
You're no longer a prince or anything else!
Just a criminal!
Shut up, shut up, shut up!
I promise I'll kill you for this!
Remember this!
I'll ruin your nation and your women, too!
Huh?
What did you just say?
Eek!
Wh-What are you―
You're going to ruin everything precious to me, right?
Do you really think I would allow such a person to live?
Don't kill me!
I don't want to die!
Yet you smiled as you killed plenty of innocent people in your town who said that.
You think you deserve to be spared after that?
Touya-dono!
Are you okay?
Sorry, I lost my cool a little.
I apologize for overstepping my bounds.
No, Zabune does need to pay for what he's done.
I may have declared the death penalty,
but I shall leave their punishment up to our new king, Cloud.
Soldiers! Take these three to the dungeon!
Afterward, the new king, Cloud, reappointed Marquis Koupe as prime minister,
and they purged all the merchants and nobles who were in cahoots with Wardack.
While Zabune, Wardack, and Dacia officially received the death penalty,
they were actually secretly sold off to a Sandoran slave trader.
Welcome to our alliance!
Now that matters with Linhea are settled,
I can focus on the Frame Gears.
Touya!
I heard from Chichiue!
He told me you took down that stupid prince for my sake!
Yeah, I guess I took him down.
Touya really is the best!
You're the best husband!
It's true that I didn't want to hand you over to that stupid prince,
but I don't know about "husband."
Chichiue told me Touya accepted it, though.
Or am I not good enough?
Well, the others already said they didn't mind...
Am I just getting carried along on the current here?!
No, that's not true.
I thought of her as a little sister up until now,
but Sue is still a precious girl that I want to protect.
Uh...
I won't be marrying you until I turn 18, just like everyone else.
Are you still okay with that?
Of course that's fine!
Thank you, Touya!
I need to make her happy, too.