"A hundred million men, a million ships."
among the high command
These words were now being whispered
supreme commander of the Imperial military,
since Duke Reinhard von Lohengramm,
issued his stern declaration of war
Legitimate Government of the Galactic Empire.
against the Free Planets Alliance and the
Young men of the lower classes
to the recruitment centers.
seemed to flood from their jobs and schools
Down with the remnants of the high nobles!
Don't let them be restored!
Defend the rights of the commoners!
who boast about being a "Free Planets Alliance!"
Down with their accomplices,
only took five minutes,
Accepting my orders for reassignment
but they made us wait for more than two hours.
but they have red tape too.
The Office of Personnel may be part of the military,
in thinking they made us wait
Maybe I was too prejudiced
because Admiral Yang has so many enemies.
I won't say that wasn't part of the reason,
of the entire social system is breaking down.
but it looks like the working efficiency
Look at that, over there.
like sugar and meat, are being rationed.
Apparently some foods,
there's a dark mood over everything.
Now that you mention it, it's almost like
Rumor is running rife among the citizenry
for a large-scale deployment.
that the Imperial military is getting ready
"What, again?"
The response from the vast majority is
expressing any great concern.
and no one seems to be
leaked this information to the Alliance,
We have, of course,
top government officials feel no differently.
and the general citizenry and
Iserlohn Fortress is impregnable,
most skilled commander is there, too.
and the Alliance military's
of the Alliance want to feel that they're safe.
Well, I suppose the mediocre leaders
Yes, sir.
of their sound judgment,
However, that sense of security has robbed them
leading them to make the worst decision possible.
and rob them of their very future.
Past successes can invite present mistakes,
This is an excellent example of that.
My, how you've grown!
for a year and a half, I suppose.
To be expected after not seeing you
a centimeter after each night's sleep.
You're at that age when you grow
you're looking well, too, Director.
I'm glad to see that
I suppose.
to the gates of Hell.
Each day brings me one step closer
roasting in its pits, though.
I'm looking forward to seeing Rudolf the Great
I've brought you this from Admiral Yang.
He asked that I deliver it to you personally.
in Personnel say anything to you?
Oh, yes, did Vice Admiral Livermore
No, nothing.
beyond official matters.
We didn't speak of anything
Figures.
improve Trunicht's impression of him,
As much as Livermore wants to
with a boy young enough to be his son.
I guess he wasn't interested in currying favor
Chairman Trunicht's impression of him?
Why would currying my favor improve
not the Trunicht faction.
I'm with the Yang Wen-li faction,
Right.
requested your transfer personally.
You may not be aware of it, but the chairman
it must seem like he's taken a liking to you.
To those unaware of the circumstances,
What a pain!
I suppose so, but I wouldn't go saying it too loudly.
Admiral Yang and myself.
Don't adopt the bad habits of
Excuse me, sir.
Anyway, what circumstances did you mean?
Well, Trunicht isn't the only one like this.
eternal nightmare of politicians
You could say that it's the
become the private armies of their commanders,
that military forces far from the capital may
that wrest control from the central government.
which eventually become military factions
to guard against that,
They use personnel management
from staying in one place together.
and keep the unit's core members
So, you mean my transfer is part of that plan?
Well, yes, pretty much.
I thought it was just simple harassment.
Admiral Merkatz from Admiral Yang.
Then, he was actually trying to separate
That was also part of it, right?
Yes, exactly.
In addition, depending on how things go,
Schönkopf away from Yang, as well.
the government may try to get Cazerne and
But what's the point of them doing that?
and strengthening the Imperial military, doesn't it?!
That just ends up weakening Admiral Yang
Those people can only think in terms of cliques.
Iserlohn defending against the Imperial invasion,
Especially since, by having Admiral Yang at
they can toy with their political power in safety.
It must be ironic to Admiral Yang.
have a look at that letter, please?
Be that as it may, would you
I've gathered you here today
known as the Free Planets Alliance,
to discuss how we will punish the insolent rebels
specific opinions on how to do it.
and to ask for your
I'll start by laying out my plan.
as we have in the past,
Instead of invading through the Iserlohn Corridor,
we will use another route for our invasion.
through the Fezzan Corridor.
In short, to invade the Alliance
the Imperial military invading via Fezzan.
I see, there's the possibility of
through Fezzan and developed a counterplan,
We investigated the possibility of them invading
but our nation isn't nearly as strong as it was then.
It would be impossible for us to pull off.
And what does Admiral Yang say about it?
Imperial military from moving through Fezzan,
He says that, currently, if we're to stop the
resistance by the people of Fezzan.
it would have to be done at the level of
to keep them from making Fezzan a supply base,
Specifically, through general strikes and sabotage,
or blockading the corridor using civilian ships.
Would that even work?
It's not certain to.
Admiral Yang wrote that himself.
Besides, if we did that,
Imperial forces to act as a shield for the Alliance,
by placing Fezzan civilians before the
comparison to killing each other on the battlefield.
we'd be committing a crime beyond any
and won't just yield to another nation's military.
But the Fezzanese have an independent spirit,
will arise in any case.
Which means that a resistance
Imperial military succeeds in its invasion.
However, it will be too late if the
will become difficult and require sacrifices.
Mounting an organized resistance then
Which means that we have to prepare beforehand.
with a little luck it may act to prevent that,
If we rally Fezzanese public opinion,
trying to pass through Fezzan.
and the Empire may abandon
may have foreseen this,
Even so, while Admiral Yang
he unfortunately can't do anything about it.
That's not his fault, of course.
He's only authorized to act against active threats.
So, the system itself is to blame, isn't it?
The system, huh?
It pains me to blame it on the system.
in a democratic republic.
I've taken pride in being a soldier
back when I was around your age.
Yes, ever since I became a recruit,
to limit the power of the military.
I think it's right for a democratic republic
away from the battlefield.
Soldiers shouldn't wield power and authority
accepting criticism from the government or society,
Besides, when a military grows without
it becomes a separate nation within a nation,
a sound democratic government.
which makes it impossible to have
isn't the problem.
The institution of democratic government
is alienated from the spirit that maintains it.
The problem is that the system
For now,
from degenerating into a total kleptocracy,
maintaining the façade of democracy is keeping it
but how long will that last?
the Alliance high commissioner's office.
An Ensign Julian Mintz is being appointed to
He's supposedly Yang Wen-li's treasured child.
What sort of a treasure remains to be seen.
In any case, he's a 16-year-old boy.
How much could he possibly do?
had already distinguished himself in battle
When he was 16, Duke Lohengramm
and held the rank of lieutenant commander.
Julian Mintz is only a slight step behind him.
his foster father's influence?
Isn't that just his benefiting from
benefited from his sister's influence...
Duke Lohengramm was thought to have
at the time.
I see.
After all, when I was 16,
overthrow you with my own ability
I'd already decided to
wouldn't give me as my father.
and take that which you
By the way, how are things going with Boltik?
On that front, I advise we watch things carefully.
military neutrality and return to our camp.
In short, Fezzan will end its political and
He will be assisting us with that.
Um, hello there.
It won't be done without compensation, naturally.
In other words, he's selling out his own nation?!
is merely Fezzan's pro forma neutrality,
Technically, but what I'm selling
true meaning and value of Fezzan.
which contributes nothing to the
Fezzan can gain even greater wealth.
By abandoning this meaningless formality,
A pretext is never wanting.
you can always rationalize it.
Whether selling out a parent or betraying a friend,
Leave that aside, Bittenfeld.
Without his assistance,
obtain passage through the Fezzan Corridor.
it will be difficult for our forces to
all appropriate compensation and courtesy.
I intend to reward his cooperation with
to hear your opinions.
Of course, I called you all here today
Reuenthal, what do you think?
trust a rich and resourceful Fezzan.
For my part, I'm not one to unconditionally
to invade Alliance territory.
We'll be passing through the Fezzan Corridor
and seals the corridor,
If Fezzan has a change of heart later
without any supplies or communications.
we'd be trapped in the heart of the enemy
Isn't the risk too great?
Senior Admiral Reuenthal's concerns are justified,
but if Fezzan tried anything that underhanded,
couldn't we teach them a lesson by force of arms?
You mean turn our forces on the Fezzan Corridor?
Exactly, Fezzan doesn't have much military might.
whatever plans they might have.
We'd have enough to foil
from the rear when we turn around?
And what if the Alliance military attacks us
We'd be trapped and at a disadvantage.
we can't discount the losses we'd take.
While I doubt we'd be defeated,
What Reuenthal says makes sense,
the Alliance through the Fezzan Corridor,
but as far as the fundamental plan of invading
my mind is already made up.
through the Iserlohn Corridor
If we only assume an approach
and limit our range of strategic options,
Alliance military's folly
we'll just end up repeating the
with the corpses of their own troops.
that paved a path to the fortress
through the Fezzan Corridor"
The rule of "Thou shalt not pass
with the universe's creation.
isn't some law that came into existence
Those in the Alliance are free to believe that,
to share in their delusion.
but we're under no obligation
is preferable to the other methods,
Passing through the Fezzan Corridor
if only because it will take the enemy by surprise.
as they expect us to do.
First of all, we'll move on the Iserlohn Corridor,
had under them when they attacked in the spring.
It will be even more forces than Kempff and Müller
this will just be a feint.
However, it goes without saying that
is focused on Iserlohn,
While the Alliance's attention
Fezzan Corridor and invade Alliance territory.
our main force will charge through the
commanders are hardly worth mentioning.
Yang Wen-li is at Iserlohn, and the Alliance's other
but there's still Yang Wen-li.
I agree with what you're saying,
he'll guess how our forces are really moving,
We need to consider the possibility that
to defend the Fezzan area.
then leave Iserlohn on a long march
Iserlohn in Yang's absence,
In that event, we can break through
while he's on the move,
attack him from in front and behind
and make him a martyr to his democratic nation.
You really think it will go that way?
I hope to make it so.
I pray that it does.
What should we name this operation?
It will be called Operation...
Ragnarök.
Ragnarök?
The twilight...
...of the gods.
Schwarz Lanzenreiter Fleet act as the vanguard!
Your Excellency, I request that the
Please let my fleet have a chance to redeem itself!
Your Excellency, my fleet, as well!
Your Excellency!
too much stock in that man Boltik.
I don't think we should place
easier to manipulate than Rubinsky.
Still, at the very least Boltik is
raises another problem.
As you say, but that naturally
can Boltik manipulate Fezzan?
That point being, namely,
the talent to let him rise above others?
You're saying he doesn't have
I'd be also worried if he had too much talent,
but if he can't suppress any dissidents, then...
If he lacks the strength to do so,
his own position and influence,
then in order to protect
he'll have to turn up the pressure on them.
the focus of their hatred and antipathy.
If he does that, he'll naturally become
before the reaction reaches its apex,
If I then deal with him myself
dealing with secondhand goods...
then you might say I'll be efficiently
without any reaction.
You've thought it through that far?
I beg your pardon.
There was no need for me to have been concerned.
Please, proceed as you think best.
This will also be how I shall conquer the Alliance.
Don't you agree, Chief of Staff?
to act as a viceroy to the former Alliance territory,
Yes, we'll most likely need to name someone
military might of the new empire.
backed by the authority and
Should we begin thinking about who it should be?
You can't say that Yang Wen-li
commensurate to his deeds and talent.
has received treatment from the Alliance
for the new empire presents itself,
When the position of viceroy
democratic nation be implacable?
will his devotion to a
By the way, Your Excellency...
as I have mentioned before,
on the movements of dissident elements.
I think it will be necessary to increase surveillance
thinking of Fezzan as an ally.
I just have misgivings in regards to
Your Excellency Reuenthal is a worrywart.
But we're up against Fezzan here.
"too suspicious" with them.
There's no such thing as being
That's true,
and win an electrifying victory so fast
so let's surprise the enemy
that Fezzan won't have time to lay any traps for us.
in enemy territory, how do we resupply?
Just in case we fail and we're cut off
scavenge food locally to feed our troops.
If that happens, we'll need to
with the crime of pillaging.
Even if we succeed, we'll be saddled
but it won't be fun being scorned as pillagers.
I don't care if they hate us as conquerors,
That's assuming there's anything to pillage.
the year before last, it will be miserable.
If they adopt a scorched earth policy like we did
the Alliance forces acted?
Remember how shamefully
the Alliance and establish permanent rule,
Considering our objective is to conquer
there will put us at too great a disadvantage.
starting off by earning the antipathy of the people
come before anything we discuss, right?
Still, on that point, Duke Lohengramm's ideas
It depends on Duke Lohengramm, huh?
Wasn't that Lang?
Lang?
He dealt with political and thought crimes
Preservation of Public Security.
for the former Bureau for the
Basically, he was the director of the political police.
in the high nobility,
With the collapse of his old masters
but I thought he was still under house arrest.
he swore allegiance to Duke Lohengramm,
would resurrect the secret police.
I don't think that Duke Lohengramm
have been fair,
Till now, Duke Lohengramm's reforms
in the name of justice.
and nothing to be ashamed of doing
deserves to be the supreme leader.
It certifies that Duke Lohengramm
deserving of it, then...
But if he should begin to be less than
Your Excellency Chief of Staff,
no matter what coat one may wear.
my thoughts are that politics have only one reality,
Oh? And what would that be?
The few control the many.
controlled by the free will of the majority?
Don't they say that a republican democracy is
51 can claim control as the "majority."
In a group of 100,
is further divided into factions.
And even then, that majority
claim control of the entire group of 100.
In other words, 26 of the 51 can
majority rule, but it's meaningless,
Democracy may have the pretense of
your intelligence already knows.
as I'm sure someone of
is that the few control the many,
And so long as the political reality
for maintaining stability.
men like me are indispensable
With a secret police, you mean?
A system to preserve public order.
becomes a target for the public's hatred.
The existence of what we call the "secret police"
Public Security was dissolved,
The Bureau for the Preservation of
of you as its former head.
but many are calling for punishment
Karl Braque of the Reform Party, for one.
Herr Braque is free to think what he wants,
the will of the imperial court.
but I was only loyally following
for my own self-interest.
I never once exercised my authority
If loyalty is to be the target of punishment,
for Duke Lohengramm himself.
I doubt it will lead to good results
like your existence very much.
Duke Lohengramm doesn't appear to
The duke is a soldier at heart,
the universe by straightforward battle.
so naturally he has a strong desire to conquer
rumor can be stronger than ten thousand ships.
However, there are times when one baseless
and the duke both have insight and tolerance.
I would hope that Your Excellency the Chief of Staff
Never mind me.
Duke Lohengramm's tolerance?
Just how do you expect to repay
That's the vital point here.
To offer my absolute loyalty and all my talents,
duke's military rule as best I can.
and cooperate with the
That's good to hear,
Preservation of Public Security
but we can't resurrect the Bureau for the
now that it's been dissolved.
from our reform policies.
We'd be criticized for retreating
We'll have to think of a new name for it.
I've already thought of one.
Bureau of Internal Safety and Security?
How about the
Don't you think that has a nice ring to it?
Old wine in a new skin, eh?
The wine, too, wants to be as new as it can be.
Very well, give it your best.
Yes, sir.
between us and the Free Planets Alliance?
Isn't there any path to peaceful coexistence
None.
They themselves have closed it.
and returned the kaiser to us,
If they'd dealt with the kidnapping
or military action for the present.
I wouldn't have taken any diplomatic
They've signed their own death warrant.
The Alliance must be destroyed, and so it shall be.
Fräulein...
Yes, Duke Lohengramm?
Do you think my methods are unscrupulous?
Would it make you happy if I told you no?
I see, Admiral Merkatz is in a cabinet meeting?
Sorry, after you came all this way to see him.
No problem.
It's livelier than I thought it would be.
And crawling with tuxedo-clad hyenas.
They want positions and titles,
any citizens and a military without any soldiers.
even though we're a government without
only has six or seven people on it.
To be honest, I'm amazed the cabinet
sure to be made a lieutenant commander.
Julian, if you join our military, you'd be
the title of marshal,
They actually granted Admiral Merkatz
although I have nobody to command.
and apparently I've been promoted to commander,
I'm sure it must be hard on Admiral Merkatz, too.
but the Legitimate Government is in an awful state.
Yeah, we were expecting the worst,
military and political genius like Duke Lohengramm?
Do they seriously think they can go up against a
or they have cotton candy for brains.
If they do, they're either supremely overconfident
but being mixed up with them is trouble.
I suspect it's the latter,
while Duke Lohengramm may be a genius,
Well, our one saving grace is that,
of geniuses being foiled by ordinary people.
there are plenty of examples in history
your victory is uncertain.
That said, if you start out counting on a miracle,
Sorry, I know I'm pessimistic about it,
telling people about our situation.
and I shouldn't be carelessly
I ended up complaining at you.
That's okay.
or Admiral Yang's position,
If I were ever in Admiral Merkatz's
I don't think I could keep it to myself.
I see.
We have similar personalities, don't we?
Ensign!
It's time to get going.
Right, coming.
Well, then...
You're going?
but please tell him I said hello.
Yes. I wanted to see Admiral Merkatz,
Sure. It must be busy for you, too. Good luck.
Thank you very much.
I wish you the same, Commander.
for his new posting on Fezzan
Julian Mintz departed Heinessen
on Universal Calendar 798,
Reich Calendar 489, September 19th.
By strange coincidence,
Duke Reinhard von Lohengramm
that was the same day that
announced Operation Ragnarök in the Empire.
were proceeding at the worst pace possible.
As Yang Wen-li had predicted, circumstances
I'm grateful to you, Fräulein, truly.
my sister most likely wouldn't have met with me.
If I'd gone to the mountain villa that time,
thanks to your persuasion.
She accepted my guards
But even if my sister hates me, I won't go back.
who will unite space and restore order?
If I withdraw my military rule now,
nobility, who only boast of bloodlines and clans,
Can I entrust humanity's future to a debauched
masses by means of chicanery and profit seeking?
or to corrupt politicians, who arouse the ignorant
Duke Lohengramm...
Tomorrow, we'll announce the kaiser's abdication.
The next day, Universal Calendar 798,
Reich Calendar 489, September 20th,
Goldenbaum Dynasty, Erwin Josef II,
the 37th kaiser of the Galactic Empire's
was removed from the throne.
8-month-old Katharin Kätchen.
In his place was crowned
of the Goldenbaum Dynasty,
She was the first kaiserin
and the youngest ruler in its history.
She was also to be its last.
At the same time,
inevitable operation to invade the Alliance.
the Imperial military began preparations for the
The operation was named Ragnarök.
as the name suggested?
Would it lead to the demise of an interstellar nation,
Operation "Ragnarök"
No one knew how their fate was to unfold.
NEXT EPISODE
Arriving in Fezzan,
the Imperial military which Yang has predicted.
Julian begins his activities to foil the operation of
Operation Ragnarök is initiated.
But it's already too late, as phase one of
Next time, on Legend of the Galactic Heroes,
"Invitation to a Requiem"
Episode 42:
Invitation to a Requiem
Next Legend of the Galactic Heroes
Another page turns in the history of the galaxy.