There had been no declaration of war.
had become a fait accompli.
Yet somehow, Marshal Reuenthal's uprising
Admiral Alfred Grillparzer,
It was around this time that
the incident on Urvashi,
who had been investigating
become subordinate to Reuenthal.
returned to Heinessen and requested to
the subordinates working directly for Reuenthal,
Grillparzer was in a different position compared to
his surprise at this request.
and even Reuenthal was unable to hide
Do you honestly wish to side with me?
Yes, I do.
However...
However?
I have my ambitions.
When Your Excellency has dominated,
of military affairs and rank of imperial marshal.
I ask that you promise me the position of minister
Very well.
I thought you would aim for a higher position,
minister of military affairs, I shall grant that desire.
if you say you will be satisfied with
will strive to attain that aspiration.
Henceforth, I have high hopes that you
Yes, sir!
Incidentally, what became of Knappstein?
detained him in his official residence.
He refuses to cooperate, so I've
Will you not leave him to me?
I will convince him to join our side.
You think he will yield?
I have been colleagues with Knappstein for years.
If I urge him, I am sure he will comply.
Very well, I leave him to you.
Sir!
Are you sure of this?
He's an ambitious man.
he should be easy enough to read.
As long as his actions are grounded in self-interest,
Still...
Besides...
there's no reason to mistrust him.
uncertainty among the other subordinates.
If I eliminate him as a precaution, it may trigger
Why have you returned?!
Marshal Reuenthal in taking up arms
Do you wish to support
dynasty as a dishonorable traitor?!
and go down in the history of the new
swore your loyalty to Marshal Reuenthal,
No, even worse, I hear that you voluntarily
and even requested a higher position!
What do you think you're doing?!
Calm down, Knappstein.
Don't tell me you actually think
raised by Marshal Reuenthal?
I would serve the banner of revolt
Are you saying you don't?
what you're really thinking.
If so, I would very much like to hear
After all, unlike you, I'm uneducated.
Complex logic is beyond me!
Think about it, Knappstein.
imperial admirals while still in our twenties?
How is it that we rose to being
our own military achievements.
Thanks to the good will of our kaiser and
military achievements?
So, how did we accomplish those
because we fought an enemy.
We secured those achievements
collapsed and Yang Wen-li is dead,
Now that the Free Planets Alliance has
space will soon be devoid of battle.
If we stand by and do nothing in this age of peace,
achievements and no hope of advancing further.
we'll have no means of securing military
Am I wrong?
That may be true, but-
somewhat unscrupulous,
That's why, even though it may be
we have to prove ourselves in battle with flair.
Well? You see it now?
Marshal Reuenthal for the time being
Th-then you intend to pretend to side with
only to betray him later?
Betray him? Be careful how you phrase things.
is the only one we serve.
His Majesty Kaiser Reinhard
stationed under Marshal Reuenthal.
We just happen to have been
regarding where our loyalty lies.
Our priorities should be self-evident
In the end, Knappstein went along with Grillparzer.
to cooperate with Reuenthal.
Meanwhile, another man doggedly refused
I refuse.
treacherous activity against His Imperial Majesty.
Whatever you may say, I cannot support you in
From a personal position as well,
of my brother-in-law, Cornelius Lutz.
Your Excellency is responsible for the death
by law and just morality,
Until that offense is judged properly
I cannot bear to side with Your Excellency.
is trite and ordinary,
Your opinion as a public official
conditions of both courage and justice.
but your personal reason meets the
If you insist on being uncooperative, so be it.
and refrain from any hostile conduct towards me,
As long as you do not leave your official residence
you and your family shall be safe.
and sent Elsheimer safely home with it.
Reuenthal wrote a note then and there,
The note was addressed to Mittermeyer,
had refused to support the revolt,
detailing that Elsheimer
the kaiser would not censure Elsheimer later on.
and requesting that Mittermeyer see to it that
if I do say so myself.
That was a peculiar thing to do,
It's as if I assume defeat.
at the hands of Mein Kaiser,
Even if I am to be defeated or perish
I hope to at least give my all before I do.
If you are to fight at all, you must strive for victory.
defeat from the outset?
Why would you think about
Or do you yearn for defeat, for annihilation?
How hopeless, I am.
The basic plan is already set.
we must circumvent the enemy's-
Now that troops have been dispatched,
the initiative on the first encounter,
...the enemy's plans by taking
and deal them a blow to trigger their collapse.
determine the course of this conflict.
Winning one battle will most likely
both physically and psychologically.
The rebel forces have their backs to the wall,
have had against the kaiser
Even so, what complaint could Reuenthal
to take such outrageous...
No, such reckless action?
Bittenfeld...
No, Admiral Wahlen, your concern is unnecessary.
Marshal Reuenthal and myself
The friendship between
is a private matter when it comes down to it,
and can't compare with the weight of official duty.
That's right, Admiral Wahlen.
commander-in-chief's personal emotions
For us to assume the
he is carrying out his official duty
would get in the way when
is far more of an insult.
Reuenthal would ever kneel before
The only person in the universe who
is His Majesty, Mein Kaiser Reinhard.
before the minister of military affairs first.
I imagine he cannot bear to have to kneel
Though I can't say I'm happy about that, either.
If Siegfried Kircheis were alive,
between the kaiser and Reuenthal?
would he have been able to untangle the mess
Or perhaps not.
his contingent who had gone on ahead,
Almost directly following Mittermeyer and
on his flagship Brünhild
Kaiser Reinhard himself set out
the Fezzan Corridor exit
to the region of space near
scheduled for construction.
where Schattenburg Fortress was
the Siegfried Kircheis Medal of Valor
Reinhard awarded Müller's injury with
and attempted to promote him to marshal.
lies with the late Marshal Lutz.
The credit of rescuing Your Majesty on Urvashi
as I am without suitable merit.
I cannot accept the marshal's baton
achievement at a later date,
When I attain some appropriate military
I shall gladly accept the honor.
can make up for your injury?
Then is there any other way We
to propose for your consideration,
As a matter of fact, I do have something
if you would not mind, Your Majesty.
We presume to know what you wish to ask for.
You intend to ask that We spare Reuenthal's life.
Exactly so, Your Majesty.
Müller,
and We owe you Our life.
you are one of Our most experienced men,
but that is the one thing We cannot do!
We wish to grant whatever you may desire,
Your Majesty...
The problem lies not with Us.
It is Reuenthal you should be questioning.
but for what is yet to come.
No, not for what has already come to pass,
By which you mean...
when the battle is over,
Now that he has raised his banner of revolt,
and plead for his life?
will he concede to bow before Us
That is what you should be asking of Reuenthal.
Would you not agree?
here at a time like this."
"If only Fräulein Mariendorf were
Müller could not help but think that way.
not accompanied them on this expedition,
He could only regret that Hilda had
supposedly for health reasons.
Reuenthal only has to ask for my pardon.
repulse him that much?!
Does the thought of bowing to me
Or is it that he's carrying out those words...
those words from three years ago?
Then am I the one to blame after all?
to have to lose to him.
Even then, I have no reason
give me peace of mind?
But will striking Reuenthal down
Your Majesty!
An incoming message from the Imperial homeland.
led by Senior Admiral Mecklinger
Following your orders, a fleet of 11,900 ships
has set forth towards the Iserlohn Corridor.
If that magician Yang Wen-li were still alive,
advantage of this situation?
how would he have taken
Well...
Yang Wen-li's successor's capabilities.
whatever he decides will reveal the extent of
I apologize for such ominous speculations,
in Iserlohn join forces with Marshal Reuenthal
but what if by chance the democratic republicans
and plot to invade the Imperial homeland?
How will you respond then?
In that event...
the excuse to attack Iserlohn Fortress.
In that event, We can simply use that as
that strikes Reuenthal down!
We will destroy them with the same spearhead
is hardly worthy of attention.
Such temporary strategic disadvantage
If Yang Wen-li's successor is a petty strategist
the immediate confusion,
who merely seeks to take advantage of
he will no doubt conspire with Reuenthal.
Either way, it's up to them to decide.
had arrived at Iserlohn Fortress.
Around that time, an envoy from Reuenthal
fortress stop the Imperial military
This envoy's task was to request that the
through the Iserlohn Corridor.
when it came seeking passage
Vice Admiral Murai!
Whoops, this is bad!
It's been a while.
under such circumstances,
I never thought we'd meet again
but I'm glad that you seem to be doing well.
I didn't think you were coming back, you know.
I only gave you a gentlemanly send off because
to Iserlohn was both shrewd and merciless,
Reuenthal's choice in sending Murai as an envoy
and one which Murai had no choice but to accept.
was indicative of his grand audacity.
Furthermore, Reuenthal's proposition itself
former Alliance territories"
His offer to "return all of the
was not a trivial proposal to make.
lose even if they joined in on the plot and it failed.
It made one think that they did not have much to
I'll confer with Mrs. Yang and Admiral Merkatz
response as soon as possible.
and get back to you with a
Please make yourself at home until then.
Yes, as soon as possible would be good.
If I get too comfortable,
into the young people's business,
I'll start wanting to stick my nose
for me here any longer.
even though there's no place
Well, then.
almost left Julian's lips,
The words, "Why don't you come back?"
but when he thought of how Murai must have felt
to stay at his former official residence,
when he smiled and turned down the offer
Julian could not bring himself to say them.
considering Reuenthal's proposal.
Julian spent the rest of the day
As expected of Yang Wen-li's protégé,
historical significance of the matter
he gave thought to the
to their chance of victory.
as much as, if not more than,
claim political legitimacy,
If Marshal Reuenthal means to
the missing Erwin Josef II
he would either have to find
and declare the restoration of the former dynasty,
or revive the Free Planets Alliance.
Just thinking about the latter is ridiculous.
make Kaiser Reinhard a puppet figure,
If instead Reuenthal means to seize power and
within the Empire
then it is merely a power struggle
to get dragged into it.
and there is no reason for us
Kaiser Reinhard has brought about.
Either way, it will undo the reforms
with Marshal Reuenthal from a political standpoint.
In that sense, I don't think we can cooperate
where he says he'll hand over Trunicht.
The issue is the other part of the offer,
Take him up on just that part of the offer, Julian.
I wouldn't insist on having Trunicht's head, though.
The head, he can keep.
I'll be happy with just an arm.
It's not like I didn't consider that.
we requested that they turn over Trunicht
On the contrary, at first I even thought that if
pass through the corridor,
in exchange for letting the Imperial military
but the Empire would also owe us a debt.
not only would we get our revenge,
But that's just deplorable,
and using a person's life as a bargaining chip
Trunicht and the former Alliance government.
would deprive us of the right to criticize
That's true.
the personal grudge with our own hands.
I suppose we'll have to deal with
to reject Reuenthal's proposal.
In the end, they unanimously decided
Before he informed Murai of this decision,
that suddenly occurred to him.
Julian asked him about something
Alliance citizens in this civil conflict?
Has Marshal Reuenthal involved the former
and has nothing to do with the people.
No, this is a private conflict within the Empire,
That's his stance.
but he's thoroughly consistent on the matter.
He may be putting on airs,
Is that so? I see.
Reuenthal's proud nature in that attitude.
Julian felt he could see evidence of
Alliance citizens into the conflict
Despite the fact that dragging the former
allow him to draw out his resistance significantly,
and implementing a scorched earth policy would
choosing to settle things head-on.
he deliberately avoided doing so,
was irrelevant in this decision.
However, admiration
were rejecting Reuenthal's proposal.
Julian informed Murai that they
You refuse, then. I expected as much.
I'm so sorry, when you had to come all this way.
No, all I had to do was inform you of the terms.
to negotiate an agreement.
I have no responsibility
Oh, actually, Julian, I owe you an apology.
immediate gain and make the wrong decision.
I thought you might be tempted by the prospect of
even if it meant being meddlesome.
So I thought I should stop you
I don't blame you for thinking that.
But my worry was unnecessary, wasn't it?
You truly are Admiral Yang's finest protégé.
Julian...
Vice Admiral Murai to Heinessen.
Listen, let me accompany
Are you going to call on all your mistresses?
That's the main reason,
want to do while I'm there.
but there's something else I
head in my left hand,
That is, with Marshal Reuenthal's
Trunicht's head under my right foot,
and a tomahawk in my right hand,
and sell it off to the press.
I want to take a photo of myself
Let me get in on that plan.
Vice Admiral Schönkopf.
I'll let you have Marshal Reuenthal,
I'll make do with the other one.
I thought you might say that.
You're always looking to take the easy way out.
It's not that.
I just have no grudge against Marshal Reuenthal.
to hate me, either.
I wouldn't want the Imperial ladies
Enough, both of you!
military control, you know.
Heinessen is under Imperial
neither of you would come back alive.
There's a bigger chance that
How can I live if I'm afraid to die?
My, my, such spirited words.
I can't believe this is coming from the same man
Vice Admiral Murai's face.
who ran off as soon as he saw
Ran off?
Hi!
Commander Poplin said that, seeing your face...
require their services this time.
he realized that you wouldn't
I guess he's right?
This time, yes.
Just this time, though.
Honestly speaking, Julian wanted to fight.
had risen in revolt against the kaiser.
One of the leading officers of the Galactic Empire
to the Imperial military.
That was sure to be no small blow
If only he could take advantage of this situation...
The temptation was overwhelming.
But joining forces with Reuenthal now
to overtake Iserlohn Fortress.
would invite Kaiser Reinhard's vast forces
He knew this all too well.
making the right decision.
It's too bad, but I think you're
kaiser and Marshal Reuenthal's personal conflict.
There's no reason we have to be dragged into the
You should be confident in your decision.
Thanks for worrying.
What do you mean?!
I'm not worried at all!
Just frustrated.
it will be embarrassing for the Yangs,
If you don't get your act together,
and it affects our own fate as well!
I know.
No, you don't!
your act together, you know.
I never said you don't have
of unusual visitors today.
Julian, it seems we're having lots
from the Imperial military is asking to negotiate.
Someone called Senior Admiral Mecklinger
Would you like to hear him out?
Yes, of course.
Imperial military would want to negotiate.
He had a good idea of what the
Julian had already made his decision.
As he started walking,
a statement in the kaiser's name,
On November 16th, the Galactic Empire issued
marshal and his position as governor.
stripping Oskar von Reuenthal of his rank as
Incoming message from the enemy!
Enemy officer Marshal Mittermeyer
with Your Excellency Marshal Reuenthal.
is requesting to speak directly
I'll take it in my room.
at such a busy time.
Reuenthal, I'm sorry to bother you
No need to worry, Mittermeyer.
It's you and me we're talking about.
about coming with me to see the kaiser?
What do you think, Reuenthal,
I don't wish to fight with you,
and I believe there's time to go back.
Mittermeyer, I don't wish to fight you, either.
Then...
But I will still fight you anyway.
Why, you ask?
Because unless I fight and defeat you,
the kaiser will not consent to fight with me.
why I was granted life in this world.
For the longest time, I did not understand
How wretched it is to be ignorant.
But now I finally see.
lived thus far is to fight the kaiser
I realize that the reason I have
and gain a sense of satisfaction from doing so.
Reconsider this, Reuenthal.
If you'll just leave things in my hands,
even if my life depends on it!
I will protect your just rights,
The kaiser jailed that scoundrel Lang.
The situation is gradually improving.
by showing your sincerity?
Isn't it time for you to hasten that process
Please, believe in what I promise!
all the money in the world.
The Sturm Wolf's promise is worth
But no, Mittermeyer.
cast yourself aside for my sake.
It isn't right for you to
You always take the high road.
That's something I cannot do.
What I can do...
Should I tell Mittermeyer?
What the kaiser told me three years ago?
a great adversary more than anything else.
That was when I realized that he desires
Instead, Mittermeyer, why not join me?
I wouldn't expect such a witless joke from you.
This is no joke.
and you the secondary...
I could be the principal kaiser
if it were the other way around.
No, no, I wouldn't mind at all
could be interesting as well.
Splitting our rule over the universe
Even Trunicht did that sort of thing.
You're drunk.
I'm completely sober.
Not with drink.
You're drunk on dreams painted with blood.
You awaken from dreams.
And what then?
satisfaction from fighting the kaiser.
You said that you wanted to gain
But what will you do once you fight and win?
Once the kaiser is gone,
the hunger in your soul?
how do you intend to sate
A dream it may be,
we are talking about,
but regardless, this is my dream
not yours.
so let us dispense with this futile prattle.
It seems we won't find a point of agreement,
Wait, Reuenthal!
If you would just listen!
Just a while longer.
This is goodbye, Mittermeyer.
but take care of the kaiser.
This may be strange coming from me,
I mean that, truly.
Reuenthal, you imbecile!
Despite his anguish,
calmly saw through Reuenthal's weakness.
the military strategist in Mittermeyer
Reuenthal had no trusty adjutant.
implementing it was another problem.
Even if he came up with a plan,
soldiers was an issue.
In addition, morale among the
had almost no defectors.
At the time, Reuenthal's force
the soldiers supported Reuenthal,
This was proof that
"one of the kaiser's leading commanders,"
but this was primarily as
independent power was another question.
and whether they would follow him as an
We just follow Marshal Reuenthal, that's all.
What else can we do?
But we have to fight the kaiser? The kaiser?!
that will make us traitors!
If we fight His Imperial Majesty,
No, we won't be fighting the kaiser.
the crafty, disloyal retainers
We're just going to defeat
who disregard the kaiser despite being by his side!
You mean the minister of military affairs?
isn't one to do things simply for his own gain.
I don't like that man either, but I hear he
How would we know?
has often been ill recently,
Rumor has it that the kaiser
manipulating the government as he sees fit.
and I hear the minister of military affairs is
Yeah, I heard that, too.
That doesn't sound plausible!
Either way,
Imperial Majesty or the minister of military affairs.
the one we're facing for now isn't His
It's the Sturm Wolf!
Imagine that...
that they were not going against the kaiser,
Reuenthal had explained to his soldiers
merely taking down the disloyal retainers.
in order to raise morale among his men.
He now had to earn victory on the battlefield
Universal Calendar 800,
Neue Reich Calendar 2, November:
It almost seemed as if the universe now existed
Clash of the Twin Jewels!
lauded as the Bright Jewels of the Empire.
for the sake of the two peerless military strategists
Is your sadness yours alone?
Is the solitude you shoulder all there is to your life?
It's true that life is born without permission
Without meaning or worth attached
Your whole life is just a minute grain in the universe
But that brilliance reaches all the stars
So, let's take these lives led in full
The suspension bridge of the age
And cast these lights in colors beyond the rainbow
NEXT EPISODE
Reuenthal and Mittermeyer...
lauded as the Bright Jewels of the Empire
The battle between the two great commanders
finally begins.
Initially, Reuenthal has the advantage of numbers,
but the arrival of Bittenfeld and Wahlen
tilts the situation heavily in Mittermeyer's favor.
To Live by the Sword...
Next Legend of the Galactic Heroes
Next time, on Legend of the Galactic Heroes,
"To Live by the Sword..."
Episode 96:
Another page turns in the history of the galaxy.