The human race, having advanced into the galaxy,
in the year A.D. 2801,
established the Galactic Federation
of the new Universal Calendar.
which became year one
Overflowing with a spirit of vigor and enterprise,
it ushered in a golden age for mankind.
Universal Calendar 296:
a young hero of the Federation forces,
Rudolf von Goldenbaum,
and with his powerful leadership qualities,
entered the world of politics,
in the Federation parliament.
built himself a firm position
Later, in Uinversal Calendar 310,
the posts of prime minister and head of state,
Rudolf, who held concurrently
with himself in the position of its first kaiser.
declared the establishment of the Galactic Empire,
the first year of the Reich Calendar was marked.
The Universal Calendar was abolished as
Rudolf's rule was extremely severe,
to enforcement through the politics of terror.
with critics and opponents oppressed as he turned
Reich Calendar 164:
led by their young leader Ahle Heinessen,
A group of republicans,
escaped this imperial rule.
Crossing the dangerous sectors of space,
and founded the new Free Planets Alliance,
they reached the edge of the Gulf of Sagittarius
resurrecting the Universal Calendar.
Universal Calendar 640,
Reich Calendar 331:
the Free Planets Alliance,
The Galactic Empire made first contact with
unproductive war.
ushering in 150 years of endless,
over the Imperial forces' Iserlohn Fortress,
In particular, much blood came to be shed
connecting the Empire and Alliance territory,
constructed on the only navigable route
the Iserlohn Corridor.
under the command of Yang Wen-li,
Presently, the Free Planets Alliance forces,
have captured Iserlohn Fortress.
Second firing of Thor's Hammer, confirmed!
Admiral Seeckt's flagship has also been destroyed!
from the battle line.
The other ships are withdrawing
Iserlohn...
Iserlohn Fortress has fallen?! Impossible!
Keep calm.
We can retake Iserlohn at any time.
The question is, who do we choose to effect that?
Iserlohn has fallen?! It's unbelievable!
Isn't there some mistake?
supposed to be impregnable?!
Wasn't Iserlohn Fortress
Those idiots!
What have they done?!
the Secretary-General of the Supreme Command,
The Minister of Military Affairs,
the Space Armada...
and the Commander-in-Chief of
via Minister of State Lichtenlade,
These, the top three Imperial commanders,
reported the situation to Kaiser Friedrich IV.
against foreign invaders.
Imperial territory must be sacred and inviolable
our incompetence has caused.
We are beyond ashamed for this terrible blunder
It's a strange discussion, isn't it?
foreign invaders is something that cannot be.
Incursions into Imperial territory by
But since when is the Alliance a foreign invader?
Aren't they rebel forces in an Imperial borderland?
You're being unkind, Your Excellency.
that we refuse to see reality
Being so concerned with honor
is what landed us in this predicament.
Stockhausen were defeated in that way?
You mean both Admirals Seeckt and
Exactly.
we won't leave it that way.
At any rate, if Iserlohn has fallen,
You will all probably be mobilized before long.
See that your fleets are in proper repair.
Sir!
You're dismissed.
Is something worrying you?
Dissatisfied with them?
of great courage and tactical ability, however...
I've gathered frontline commanders
...no staff officer.
So, you knew.
If there's anything I can do, just say the word.
few fleets as second in command of all our forces.
No, I want you, Kircheis, to take command of a
You won't have time to act as my staff officer, too.
Besides...
No, it's nothing.
What were Seeckt and Stockhausen doing?
the command positions at Iserlohn.
This is why we should have combined
Speaking in hindsight doesn't change anything.
Who takes responsibility for this?
Seeckt is dead and Stockhausen a prisoner.
Of those responsible,
We don't have a guilty party.
Speaking of guilty parties,
is brazenly returning.
Seeckt's junior staff officer Oberstein
For now, we'll force him to resign.
That's good, but even so,
write our own letters of resignation.
it looks like we'll have to
has come to request an interview.
Your Excellency, Captain Oberstein
Oberstein?
for your promotion to marshal.
The one from the reception
Ah, yes.
And what does this Oberstein want with me?
alive from Iserlohn Headquarters.
I believe he's the only one who made it back
There must be a reason he's being so friendly.
Shall I refuse him?
No, just let him in.
Yes, sir.
Have Captain Oberstein enter.
Oberstein?
Do you have some business with me?
First, I must ask that we speak in private.
There's just the three of us in here.
Yes, Vice Admiral Kircheis is here.
Which is why I'm requesting that he leave.
Vice Admiral Kircheis is my equal.
Aren't you aware of that?
I am.
that you don't want Vice Admiral Kircheis to hear.
I daresay you wish to tell me something
the result will be the same.
However, if I tell him later,
Your Excellency is, of course, free to do that.
But if you are to realize your supremacy,
with a variety of talents.
I imagine you will require men
For A, talk suitable for A.
there should be suitable duty for B.
And for B, I believe,
Marshal, perhaps I should wait in the next room.
I see.
The truth is, Your Excellency,
in a rather difficult situation.
at present I have been placed
I think you know.
A deserter from Iserlohn...
It's only natural that you get blamed for it,
while Admiral Seeckt died heroically in battle.
nothing more than a cowardly deserter.
Many commanders see me as
I have something to say.
However, Your Excellency,
I would like you to hear it.
That makes no sense.
at your court-martial, not to me.
Any appeals you have should be made
You were your commander's aide,
yet failed in your duty to correct his mistake.
Further, you put your own personal safety first.
in the face of these facts.
Any excuse will be powerless
You're mistaken.
the Iserlohn station fleet,
As the only living survivor of
I'm being punished simply for having survived.
As you see, both of my eyes are cybernetic.
Were this the reign of Kaiser Rudolf,
a weakling with no right to live,
I would have been deemed
and likely put to death.
Do you understand?
I hate them:
and all of his bloodline.
Kaiser Rudolf, his descendants,
That's a bold statement to make.
The Galactic Empire...
No, the Goldenbaum Dynasty must perish.
If possible, I'd like to destroy it with my own hands.
However, I have no such talent.
the introduction of a new leader,
All I can do is assist in
Imperial Marshal Count Reinhard Lohengramm.
Do you understand what you're saying?
Of course I do, and I'll say it over and over.
The Goldenbaum Dynasty must fall.
Your Excellency.
And then, only you can build a new empire,
Kircheis!
Arrest Captain Oberstein!
He just pledged treason against the Empire.
As an Imperial soldier, I cannot let that pass!
So, in the end, this is all you are?
Very well...
Vice Admiral Kircheis be your only confidant.
Walk your narrow path and have
Vice Admiral Kircheis, can you shoot me?
Can you shoot me, nonetheless?
As you see, I am unarmed.
You can't, can you?
Because that's the sort of man you are.
aid His Excellency in gaining supremacy.
It's admirable, but that alone will not
Where there is light, shadow must follow.
may not yet realize that.
However, young Count Lohengramm
Kircheis!
You're a man who speaks his mind, I see.
I'm grateful.
Admiral Seeckt hated that, no doubt.
in his subordinates.
The admiral didn't inspire loyalty
Very well...
I'll buy you from the nobles.
you accept responsibility.
By giving up your positions,
I think such good grace is laudable.
are vacated simultaneously,
However, if three of our chief seats
will go to Count Lohengramm.
at the very least one of them
to advance in status is a good idea.
I'm wondering if helping him
but we are soldiers, too.
It's not like we haven't considered that point,
for the mistakes we've made is too much to bear.
Staying in our positions and facing criticism
Please, accept our resignations.
then there's nothing I can do.
I see. If you're willing to say that,
I'll present them to His Majesty.
then We suppose there's nothing to be done.
If they say they wish to resign,
But...
Summon Count Lohengramm.
Which position do you want?
when I've done nothing personally to merit it.
I cannot steal another person's post
of both Seeckt and Stockhausen.
Iserlohn's fall was due to the blunders
has paid for his crime with his death,
However, Admiral Stockhausen
while the other is a prisoner of the enemy.
who must be held to account.
I don't think there's anyone else
not to blame the three chiefs.
If you please, I respectfully beg Your Majesty
That's very unselfish of you.
You've heard the count. What do you think?
by the count's opinion, which belies his youth.
As your humble servant, I am struck with admiration
show leniency for the three chiefs
And as your servant, I beg that Your Majesty
who have served their nation with such distinction.
then We shall not punish them severely.
If you two say so,
to the minister of state.
We shall leave the particulars
Shall We leave it at that?
Indeed.
Then We shall take Our leave of you.
Our roses need tending.
for His Majesty's generosity, but...
I've no words to express my gratitude
I'm reluctant to owe that brat a favor.
It was strangely unselfish of him, wasn't it?
He was just showing off in front of His Majesty.
What of it?
a pardon for Captain Oberstein.
Count Lohengramm is also seeking
Oberstein?
transferred to his own admiralty.
He apparently wants him
It's a very suspicious arrangement, isn't it?
But we can't refuse him, surely?
in the favor of His Majesty's generosity.
We can't be the only ones to bask
If that was his aim, then he's a devious man,
one of the three top posts for that.
but I can't imagine him trading
That's also true.
I can get any of the three chiefs' posts at any time.
of a retirement home for now.
I'll loan them the positions in place
merely stepping stones for me.
After all, their posts are
What's the matter, Kircheis?
You look as if there's something you want to say.
You know perfectly well. Stop being cruel.
Don't be angry.
Oberstein my staff officer.
I suppose it's about my making
Oberstein is a dangerous man.
I know.
but he has too many peculiarities.
His head may be sharp,
Seeckt could never have managed him.
And you can, Lord Reinhard?
Good point.
loyalty from that man.
I'm not expecting friendship or
achieve his own personal objectives.
He's just using me to
And so, I shall use Oberstein's mind.
If I can't control Oberstein - just one man -
don't you think?
I couldn't possibly hope to unify all of space,
Have a drink? I have some excellent wine.
No, I still have work to do.
I see.
I'll just use Oberstein for the sake of our objective.
Our objective, huh?
Hurry, Lord Reinhard!
We won't make it in time for curfew!
I stayed too long without thinking!
It's been so long since I saw my sister,
She seemed well, at least.
Can anyone be well in a place like that?!
Kircheis, here's a shortcut!
Lord Reinhard!
Come on, don't disobey.
Do as I say, and you won't get in trouble.
Please, no!
Or I'll let you live in my house.
I can give you money, if you want.
There's someone I'm betrothed to.
to a nobleman, like me?
Who cares? Can he be compared
S-somebody!
Even if someone comes, no one will oppose me!
Now, be quiet and do as I say, or else!
Lord Reinhard, you're too reckless!
People like that...
What do they think people are?!
Acting as if it's a matter of course to rule over them!
and then it's their privilege to be forgiven?!
Stealing from people, trampling them underfoot,
They're corrupt!
This whole empire is corrupt!
Lord Reinhard!
is what he did in becoming kaiser.
What I can't forgive about Rudolf
and look where that's gotten us.
He set up his toadies as nobles,
Haven't you thought about it, Kircheis?
spring into existence with humanity.
The Goldenbaum Dynasty didn't
Rudolf founded it only 500 years ago.
and the Goldenbaum family were just citizens.
Before that, there was no empire,
an upstart man of ambition,
Originally, Rudolf was just
to become a sacred, inviolable kaiser.
and then he rode the current of the times
Lord Reinhard!
Kircheis...
Yes?
for Rudolf is impossible for me?
Do you think that what was possible
It's okay. There's nobody here.
Lord Reinhard, saying things like that is...
It's okay, Kircheis. I've only told you.
Well? Do you think it's impossible?
He might be able to pull it off.
Come with me, Kircheis.
And together, we'll take the universe!
Please, win the universe, Lord Reinhard.
And then...
The stars are no different than they were that night.
these measures you've taken, are you?
Your Excellency, you aren't regretting
It's not that.
not just a matter for the battlefield.
From here on, my battle is
Political struggles, imperial court struggles...
both unending deceit and even murder.
Avoiding complications may require
Is that clear, Oberstein?
It is for that reason that I purchased you...
top three posts in the Imperial forces.
at the price of one of the
Be of use to me.
then I have nothing to say.
If you understand that much,
Your Majesty, if I may be so bold...
What is it?
your displeasure, I must say...
At the risk of incurring
Is this about Count Lohengramm?
power and status to Annerose's little brother?
You wish to say that We've given too much
Your Majesty, are you agreeing with me?
You think, as a fearless man,
Our chief retainer without restraint,
he'll wield power as
get carried away, and plot to overthrow Us?
have said such things in gossip.
I hesitate to say that many
So be it, then.
with the creation of the human race.
The Goldenbaum Dynasty did not arise
no nation is indestructible.
Just as no person is immortal,
will die out with Our generation.
The evil truth may be that the Galactic Empire
If it is to be destroyed,
then let it die in as much splendor as possible.
since its founding by Kaiser Rudolf.
The Galactic Empire had seen thirty-six kaisers
In those 500 years,
the end of that history was.
very few had sensed how close
Cold Cybernetic Eyes
Subarashiku atsui namida wo
Hito wa kokoro ni tameteiru
Kimi ga yuku michi wo saegiru
Omoku munashii ikusa tsuzukou to
Yume wo korosu na
Yume wo oun da
Haruka ginga no kagayaki wo
Utsusu namida de hoho wo nurashite
Yorokoberu hi wo
Hikari no hashi wo koete
Kokoro wo hadaka ni shite
Hikari no hashi wo koete
Namida to ai wo tokihanashite
NEXT EPISODE
The history of the Galactic Empire
with blood washed away with more blood.
has been one of political strife,
will be drawn into one such conflict.
And now, Reinhard and Kircheis
Next time, on Legend of the Galactic Heroes,
"The Klopstock Incident"
Episode 9:
Another page turns in the history of the galaxy.
The Klopstock Incident
Next Legend of the Galactic Heroes