Anime Episode 11

"Sacrifice the Plum Tree to Preserve the Peach Tree" is the 11th episode of the "Genjitsu Shugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki" Anime adaptation.

''Souma and his entourage confront Vargas in his castle before hurrying off to Randel to regroup with the Forbidden Army. A stunning truth about Georg is revealed by Glaive, leading to a dramatic turn of events with Gaius and his forces at Altomura.''

Summary
Having an excellent librarian, Souma used the blueprints of the Red Dragon City and managed to infiltrate it easily. Castor Vargas realizes that he knows about the underground escape routes and everything else. As it's their first time meeting face to face, they reintroduce themselves. Castor explains that Tolman has nothing to do with the situation and if he ends up defeated, Souma can entrust the air force to him. Castor doesn't intend to give himself up easily and draws his sword. Aisha then engages him to protect the king. As they fight, Souma uses his Musashibo to surprise Castor and block his attack. In that moment, Liscia comes out of the puppet and freezes Castor with Aisha dealing a defeating blow. Not expecting Liscia to be inside the puppet, Castor admits defeat. Castor asks Liscia if Souma is a good king and Liscia confirms he is a good king to her and she wishes him to be the king. If her father decides to take the throne back, she would fight on Souma's side against her father. The battleship explodes and Souma realizes that the air force will be returning soon. Liscia takes out a slave collar, explaining it's set to Souma as master and if he tries to harm him, the collar will tighten and cut his head. Castor understands that and accepts the collar. Carla Vargas returns and sees her father defeated. Liscia explains the situation and that if she harms Souma, her father will die. Carla then kneels and accepts a slave collar as well. Souma then grants Tolman temporary commission of Air Force General and to take the air force and join the Forbidden Army. Tolman agrees, but wonders what will happen to Castor and Carla. Souma explains their case will be reviewed once the fighting is over.

While traveling, Liscia starts to embellishingly talk about the various good traits Carla has, such as how she is the devoted type and she will do whatever she is told, even if she dislikes it. However, before she could go further, Souma stops her, knowing she is begging for Carla's life, but wonders if she considered the risks that may come with that. As Carla committed the crime of rebellion, if he takes her as a concubine, her crime could be overlooked, but if the king wrests the law, he will lose the trust of the people. Carla states she won't be pleading for her life and that Souma had sent them letter after letter requesting their assistance, but they rejected them and so she is not unwilling to lose her life.

Near the Randel Castle, Halbert notices the incoming air force, but as they pass them, Kaede realizes they have won the gamble. Tolman leads the army and tells them to not attack the residential sections. Souma joins Halbert and Kaede. Seeing how freely Halbert talks with Souma surprises Carla, but Liscia explains he has permission and is considered one of them.

The corrupted nobles meet with Georg Carmine, stating that the air force had betrayed them and wonder what to do. Hearing the report for the damages from Beowulf Gardner, Georg comments that this means they have taken the people of the city as hostages and that means it's their defeat. The nobles can't understand as the army is virtually unscathed and they can use the people as shields while hiding in the castle. That angers Georg who question their proposal. The noble can't see anything wrong sacrificing their subjects. Seeing what type of people the nobles are, Georg then places slave collars on them and states it was outrageous to think that he would lower himself to their level. Georg comments he had done his part and asks Beowulf to place a slave collar on him, and then send a message of surrender, stating that he takes full responsibility and the soldiers only followed his orders, except the noble's army.

Georg takes out a wine, gifted to him by King Albert. He planned on drinking it on the princess' wedding and regrets he won't be able to see it, but his gift is the best wedding gift he could make. Beowulf then informs Georg that Souma isn't entering Randel, but is already heading west with the Forbidden Army and ordered Georg's army to follow the Forbidden Army when they regroup. Georg realizes Souma is going for a bigger fish and celebrates accepting the king.

Carla isn't sure what is going on. Liscia explains that Georg had arranged this. Souma then explains he didn't intend to fight the Three Dukedoms and while Excel Walter may have looked like she changed her position after his ultimatum, she was already following Souma before that. Her daughter, Juna mediated on Souma's behalf, but as he didn't know how the other two would react, he asked her to not reveal it. Liscia had told Souma that Georg is reasonable if you talk heart-to-heart with him. But as he had taken the corrupt nobles, Souma didn't know what to expect from him. Halbert's father, Glaive Magna requested audience with Souma and told him that Georg intends to gather all corrupt nobles, stage a rebellion with them and have the king stamp them out. As some could remain concealed and cause trouble, Georg started confrontation with Souma to drive them out and join him. Even if they knew who the corrupt noblemen were, their relations by marriage beg for mercy, Souma has no choice but to let matters stand, however in a situation like this, that won't protect them. Glaive explains that Souma only took their property on the surface, but with their other assets, now they have employed mercenaries from Zem. Souma comments that it means all of their money will flow into Zem, but realizes they could use it as ransom. Glaive confirms, stating that while capturing the nobles, they will capture the mercenaries as well and ask Zem for ransom. Souma can't understand why Georg must go that far, why he must fight someone who can see that far ahead and why Georg is trusting him that much. Glaive tells him he can ask Georg when he meets him. Souma only told all of that to Liscia as he was afraid that if the information leaks, Georg's life-risking strategy would fall apart.

At Altomura, Gaius Amidonia sees the time he set for Weist is up, but notices Excel Walter standing on the wall. As it should have taken her three days to come from Lagoon City, Gaius and Julius wonder if she was here the whole time. Julius then realizes this is a trap and they must retreat. Excel then creates a large screen with her water magic. On it, Souma broadcasts a message to the whole country, stating that Duke Castor and Georg had been defeated and the civil war is over. However, he explains that Amidonia has used this chance and invaded their territory as they want to take their land back from generations ago. Their current king Gaius promoted friction between Souma and the Three Dukedoms. Given the situation with the demons' army, they can't excuse their barbarism in a time like this and declares war against Amidonia. Souma is sure that Gaius is watching and states he is heading towards Amidonian capital, Van. And while he is dawdling around at Altomura, he will burn down Van.

Roroa Amidonia receives news about Gaius returning to Van. She guesses they didn't return unharmed and Gatsby Colbert confirms. She realizes that Souma isn't an average man and knows exactly how her father thinks. She explains the shortest route back would be through Ursula Mountains and they will travel through it at night, where they will be ambushed. Gatsby confirms and explains that 30,000 entered the valley, but only 15,000 left it. Gaius gathered soldiers and provisions from surrounding villages and managed to recover their numbers to 25,000. Roroa comments that will turn the people against him and even if they take back Van, there could be a rebellion.

Gaius Amidonia

 * Age: About 50 years old
 * Gender: Male
 * Race: Human
 * Height: 180 cm
 * Personality:

Elfrieden's Carmine Duchy

 * Randel: An area under the control of Georg Carmine, general of the Elfrieden's army.

Characters in Order of Appearance
Characters in italics debuted here.


 * Kazuya Souma
 * Liscia Elfrieden
 * Aisha Udgard
 * Juna Doma
 * Excel Walter
 * Ludwin Arcs
 * Halbert Magna
 * Kaede Foxia
 * Georg Carmine
 * Beowulf Gardner
 * Castor Vargas
 * Carla Vargas
 * Tolman
 * Gaius Amidonia
 * Julius Amidonia
 * Roroa Amidonia
 * Sebastian Silverdeer
 * Gatsby Colbert

Trivia

 * This episode adapts Light Novel Volume 02 Chapters 6 (2nd Half), 7, 8 (Parts 1 & 4)
 * The title is adapted from official Chinese history Book of Song Volume 21: Poems 3. Also one of the Thirty-Six Stratagems.