Anime Episode 14

"Amidonia in a Lion's Skin" is the 14th episode of the "Genjitsu Shugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki" Anime adaptation.

''Julius, the son of Gaius, attempts to reclaim his former territory of Van from Souma, backed by the authority of the Gran Chaos Empire. The power to negotiate is give to Jeanne Euphoria, younger sister of Empress Maria Euphoria.''

Summary
The battle between Elfrieden and Amidonia comes to an end and time of peace had arrived. However the peace would be temporary as the army of the Gran Chaos Empire makes its way to Van.

Albert and Elisha enjoy the peaceful times. They note how fast and hardworking are everyone. Albert wasn't aware that the king needs to do so much for the sake of his kingdom, but believes he made the right choice to give the kingdom to Souma and wonders if this will be enough to change things. Elisha assures him all will be fine, as unlike the other times, Liscia is here from the start and things will have different outcome.

Souma is training with Aisha and Liscia, but Aisha easily defeats his Musashibos. Souma comments that his adventure party strategy didn't work, but Aisha notes that a real adventure party would had a mage, which would have made the fight much harder. Souma starts to wonder if he can learn some elemental or reinforcement magic. Liscia doesn't believe it as she never heard of anyone using magic outside their own attribute. However Liscia notes that she had only seen three dark mages, with her third being her mother, but she won't tell her what power she has.

Hakuya calls Souma to discuss the redevelopment of Van. After showing him the plans, Souma tells him he overdid it and if they have to renovate all of this, it would be easier to start from scratch. Souma also wishes to know what kind of city the residents want. Hakuya comments that the city mood right now will likely turn it into a city full of avant-garde art. However, he doesn't recommend it as Van is on the front lines of Amidonia. As they still need to keep it military town, Souma tasks Hakuya to think of something among those lines. Juna wonders if the redevelopment is necessary right now, especially using Elfrieden money. Souma confirms, stating that Van economy is stagnant and they need to secure employment for the soldiers who have lost their jobs. Ludwin informs Souma about the military status and that they had build 8 bridges. However, they are worried that once Julius return, they will use the bridges against Elfrieden. Hakuya believes that Julius won't use anything build by Elfrieden as its a matter of prestige for him. Souma then decides to name the bridges to after themselves, so that if the land is returned, the anti-kingdom faction will destroy them, which will annoy the residents. Moments later, Hakuya informs Souma that the negotiation body of Amidonia and Grand Chaos Empire's forces had arrived.

On October 21, 1546, 50,000 of the Grand Chaos Empire's elite forces have taken positions a day out from Van. Jeanne Euphoria and Julius Amidonia then head to meet with Souma. Julius goes right to the point and request Van's territory to be returned to Amidonia and cites the Mankind Declaration and that Elfrieden had broken it. Souma states that they attacked Elfrieden first and as they lost, they are hiding behind the declaration. Julius states that his father is responsible for the invasion, but Souma reminds him that he participated in it and shares the blame. Souma then states he first needs to apologize for the invasion, before requesting territories to be returned. As Jeanne states Souma is correct, Julius apologizes, taking the blame for not stopping his father. Souma then wonders what the Empire think and Jeanne states they cannot dismiss the requests of their signatory nations, and they also request the return of territories. To their surprise, Souma declines. Julius states he needs to liberate his people who are under Souma's occupation. Souma then asks him if that's what Van's residents desire and if he had seen the city now. Julius confirms, saying he saw a number of houses who were painted in ugly colors. Souma then asks him if oppressed people will want to color their houses. As people are free to color their house any way they want, Souma wonders if Van under Julius or under Souma, is a better city. Julius almost loses it, but is calmed by Jeanne, who asks Souma to not rile him up. However, Souma states he is simply stating facts. Souma continues to explain how they oppressed its people and Julius blames Elfrieden for taking their land before. Souma reveals that Amidonia is the one that kept doing harm to Elfrieden and tells Hakuya to give them a document. Hakuya reveals its a list of Elfrieden noblemen who were incited to insurrection by Amidonia. They pretend to abide the declaration, but interfere in foreign affairs. Souma says that they blame Elfrieden for everything, trying to conceal their misgovernment and redirect the anger towards Elfrieden. Souma wishes to make a proposal, but requests Julius to leave the room. Julius wonders why should he be excluded and Souma tells him that he had no place in the negotiations at all, as its the Empire that request the return of territory backing it up with their military force, not Amidonia. Jeanne asks Julius to let the negotiation to her. As she also points out that she and the Empire army can leave and let them do as they wish, having no choice, Julius agrees and leaves the room.

Jeanne and Souma then reintroduce themselves. Liscia reveals that Jeanne and she know each other and used to play together as kids. Souma then calls Serina and asks her to take care of Julius and start the banquet. As Serina leaves, Liscia reveals that the alcohol they spoke of has strong flavor for those that are not used to it and will likely end the banquet quite fast. Souma realizes that's no hospitality at all, but its too late now. Souma then wishes they to relocate and start negotiation and Jeanne agrees.

Characters in Order of Appearance
Characters in italics debuted here.


 * Kazuya Souma
 * Liscia Elfrieden
 * Aisha Udgard
 * Juna Doma
 * Hakuya Kwonmin
 * Ludwin Arcs
 * Serina
 * Albert Elfrieden
 * Elisha Elfrieden
 * Jeanne Euphoria
 * Julius Amidonia

Changes

 * Jeanne hold back Julius from attacking only twice in the manga

Trivia

 * This Episode Adapts from Light Novel Volume 03 Chapter 3 (Part 1-2)
 * The title is adapted from Chinese idiom "A fox who relies on a tiger's terror", meaning a weak person is relying on another strong person to bully another. The original story comes from an ancient Chinese literature Yin Wen Zi, but the most common version comes from Strategies of the Warring States Volume 14: Strategies of Chu 1.
 * Technically Souma didn't take over Van by force; he simply blocked the Amidonian soldiers from entering. Afterwards he helped not oppressed the people. So the Mankind Declaration Treaty shouldn't have applied.
 * Julius says he wants to "liberate" Van, but outright ignores the obvious fact they are much better of than when they were previously ruled by Amidonia.
 * Souma points out oppressed people wouldn't have the freedom to paint their homes as they please.
 * Van was in horrible shape because Gaius and Julius foolishly kept stealing all funds that should have gone to the economy and putting it in the military