Anime Episode 12

"When You Surround an Army, Leave an Outlet Free" is the 12th episode of the "Genjitsu Shugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki" Anime adaptation.

''Under Gaius's command, the Amidonian army launches a full-scale attack to retake Van, but Souma and his forces move to stop them. In the aftermath of the war, there are serious consequences to be faced and plans for reconciliation to be put into action.''

Summary
Gaius sees all of the Elfrieden flags outside Van and guesses it has fallen, but Julius points out to him that the castle still hasn't fallen. Happy about that, he tells his army to attack the enemy. As the battle starts, Souma stays behind. Carla Vargas notices that Souma's mind is elsewhere and Souma explains that a king's job is before and after the battle and beyond that is only sticking his neck out to plead for the lives of his men. Carla is surprised that Souma isn't afraid to die, but Souma tells her otherwise, however he realizes he may be a charlatan. He explains that unless he becomes a full king, he can't send soldiers onto the battlefield, but at some point without him even realizing it, he started conducting himself as king.

Gaius tells Julius to exit battle, and that the battle is lost due to Gaius making a mistake and sending his exhausted soldiers right into battle. Julius wishes for Gaius to escape too, but Gaius explains that Elfrieden wants his head and he can't escape. Julius still refuses, but Gaius orders him and then heads into battle to buy time for Julius. Souma hears that Gaius is coming right at him. He tells Carla that he is re-imprinting her collar's master to Liscia and if something happens to him, she is to tell Liscia that he yields the throne to her. Carla finds it ridiculous and tells him to order her to defeat Gaius instead, explaining that she won't be doing it for him, but to not see Liscia sad. Souma then orders her and she flies into battle.

Ludwin heads for Gaius and strikes him down, but realizes he is a double. Carla engages Gaius in a battle, but he pushes her to her knees. Souma's Musashibo then comes and engages Gaius, but Gaius pushes him back. Souma reveals himself and Gaius heads for him, however, Musashibo then jumps on Gaius and holds him. Souma tells Carla to ignite Musashibo and she fires him up, causing him to burst. As the smog clears, the top of Gaius' armor is revealed to have blown up, but he still stands. As he starts moving forward stating he will show the backbone of Amidonia, multiple arrows hit him. Gaius still manages to throw his sword at Souma, but the sword hits the ground, right before Souma's feet and Gaius collapses. Souma announces that he witnessed the backbone of Amidonia and the valor of Gaius will be spoken for many years to come. Later, Roroa learns about her father's death and cries, stating he was dumb right to the end.

Next day at Van's castle, Liscia comments the place is nicely built. Souma states they could have used the money elsewhere and gives the street as example as they look like a maze. Liscia says it's on purpose so that the arrows and cannons don't have a clear shot, making Souma realize everything is though for military. Liscia realizes that Souma planned taking over Amidonia for quite some time. However, she is impressed that they had so few casualties near the border. Souma explains that Hakuya vetoed his proposal to evacuate the villagers as that would make Amidonia realize Elfrieden is aware of them. Thus, Souma had hired adventurers to protect refugees from the village from mysterious monsters, called flame pierrots, which was actually a mission to get the villagers to safety. Ludwin reports that Julius fled west and the princess had left the town before that with the finance minister and some key officials. Souma tells him to contact Parnam and ask Hakuya to send some bureaucrats. Poncho reports on Amidonia's treasury, explaining that they had scant capital and food, but had abundance of weapons. Souma tells him to sell the weapons to raise funds and ration the food until things calm down. Glaive reports the soldiers are in good spirit and with this momentum they can conquer all of Amidonia. However, Souma explains they are not taking anymore territory outside of Van and won't be fighting. Liscia thinks they should beat down the enemy, but Souma comments that once the Empire shows up, it won't matter how much territory they have taken. Souma is expecting them to come due to the declaration Amidonia signed and fears it won't be just military sanctions. Liscia states that Amidonia attacked them first, but Souma believes they will just use the excuse that Elfrieden didn't sign it up, but he decided to not sign it up as there is a catch, a catch that can prove to break up the Empire in the future.

Souma calls Juna Doma, in order to proceed with his next plan, Project Lorelei. News Elfrieden broadcast is made across Van. As the news is over, they proceed with entertainment program. Souma makes Aisha dress up host, explaining that, if they believe she is a hostess, he can easily have her next to him for protection during the program. Souma and Aisha come out and introduce their first musical program and call for Pamille Carol to sing a song. Next, Souma calls for Juna. As she sings, he tells Aisha that she needs to keep a close guard at him when the next singer comes out. Souma then announces their next special guest, Amidonia's Lieutenant General Margarita Wonder, to sing Amidonia's national anthem. After she sings it, she tells Souma to kill her, but he wonders why. Margarita explains she sang the Amidonia's national anthem and it's a song demanding the return of the land from Elfrieden. She wonders how he can allow it, but Souma explains there is no law in Elfrieden that forbids singing other countries' songs. It's not easy to answer what makes a good country, but a country where you can freely sing songs is a good country.

Characters in Order of Appearance
Characters in italics debuted here.


 * Kazuya Souma
 * Liscia Elfrieden
 * Aisha Udgard
 * Juna Doma
 * Carla Vargas
 * Poncho Panacotta
 * Ludwin Arcs
 * Glaive Magna
 * Halbert Magna
 * Kaede Foxia
 * Gaius Amidonia
 * Julius Amidonia
 * Roroa Amidonia
 * Sebastian Silverdeer
 * Gatsby Colbert
 * Margarita Wonder
 * Chris Tachyon
 * Pamille Carol
 * Juno Minazuki
 * Dece
 * Febral
 * Julia
 * Augus

Trivia

 * This episode adapts Light Novel Volume 02 Chapters 9 & Epilogue and Light Novel Volume 03 Chapter 1 (Parts 2, 4, 6-8)
 * The title is adapted from ancient Chinese military treatise The Art of War Chapter 7: Maneuvering an Army.