Anime Episode 09

"Contrary to Wishes" is the 9th episode of the "Genjitsu Shugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki" Anime adaptation.

''The Three Dukes meet to discuss what to do about King Souma. In Amidonia, Gaius receives word from Georg accepting his aid, and prepares to invade Elfrieden over the objections of his finance minister. Souma delivers his ultimatum to the Three Dukes.''

Summary
Juna visits Souma hearing that he isn't able to sleep lately and finds him in bed still going through documents. Souma confirms, stating that while he is tired, his mind is occupied with a lot of stuff and can't fall asleep. She asks him to lie down and starts rubbing his head, telling him it's alright to show weakness, but understand why he wants to look strong in front of Liscia. Juna then notices Souma had already fallen asleep, and whispers that if Liscia is the one that draws his strength, then she will be the one that conceals his weakness, and then sings him a song.

The Three Dukes meet in Randal. Castor Vargas comments they need to act before all turns into Souma's favor. Excel Walter wonders if he still thinks of rebelling against the king. While she also refused to assist him, her priority is the safety of Lagoon City. She is sure that Amidonia had sent the same letter of assistance to the king as it sent to them, and hope that they take each other down. Excel then wonders why Georg Carmine is against the king, considering how much patriotism and loyalty he has for the country. Georg states he determined Souma cannot govern the kingdom. Excel still wonders why, as the king had solved a number of national crises already. Georg then states that Souma has cast aside so much without a second thought. As he comes from another world, he doesn't hesitate to let anything go, including history, traditions, soldiers and even ministers. Excel wonders if he is obsessed in taking the throne. Castor doubts it and Georg confirms that after driving the king out, they will have King Albert reclaim the throne and they will serve him again. Excel tells Castor that if anything happens, he must sever ties with Accela, Carla and Carl. Carla Vargas then enters, stating that if her father is committed to fighting, so is she, because the king deposed King Albert and attempted to violate her friend Liscia. Excel tries to explain she is wrong, but Carla refuses to listen and wishes to fight.

At the capital of Amidonia, Van, Gaius Amidonia receives a letter from Georg, accepting his offer. Gaius comments that if Georg was in his prime, he would have been wise not to accept their invitation. He then tells his son Julius Amidonia, that they will be sending "reinforcements". Julius wonders to who and Gaius states they will send reinforcements to the king against the dukes and to the dukes against the king. Roroa Amidonia wonders what to do with her father and brother as sending reinforcements will weaken their country even more. Roroa believes that Elfrieden have it good, due to having large population, which means more tax money and operational capital, and is jealous of Elfrieden's "purse".

Hakuya tells Souma that they will be having a plentiful harvest and they can consider the food issue as solved and need to move to the next. Souma realizes he really has to go through it and recalls Machiavelli saying in The Prince, that if a prince turns to acts of cruelty, his position, even in peaceful times, is in jeopardy. However, there are rulers who even after committing cruelties, still live good lives without uprisings and it all depends on whether the cruelties are used properly or poorly. As Hakuya's plan is a "cruelty", Souma recalls his grandfather's words to make a family and keep it safe, and then states they are commencing their "subjugation".

In Amidonia, Gaius prepares his troops for invasion the moment Georg starts his rebellion. Colbert asks Gaius to reconsider his invasion as it will lead to people's starvation. However, Gaius kicks him, stating that domestic affair ministers always say the same thing. Colbert states that if they invade Elfrieden, Amidonia will be open to attacks by other countries. As mankind created "Mankind Declaration" to fight off the demons, they agreed that any change in territory due to conflict between mankind won't be recognized. Gaius prepares to draw out his sword, but Julius stands between his father and Colbert, stating that won't be a concern, since Elfrieden haven't signed the Mankind Declaration. Gaius then tells Colbert he is no longer the finance minister. Outside, Colbert meets Roroa, who tells him to come with her as they are going out of sight.

Souma meets with the Three Dukes. As they introduce themselves, he issues his ultimatum. If they continue to disobey him, he will consider them traitors. Excel asks him what his intentions for the Three Duchies are and Souma states that if they obey him, he won't be taking any actions against them. Excel then wonders their armies and Souma states he will incorporate them into the Forbidden Army and form a new united force. Castor explains that their system is there to prevent any oppression against any race. Souma agrees, but states that's true for when there is peace. However, their neighbors are ready to attack them and in times of strife, military with multiple command structures is futile. Castor wonders what will happen if the central power goes corrupt and Souma tells him he can come and claim his head. Excel then asks him about the new city he is making and what will happen of Lagoon City. Souma explains the new city is planned as a port of trade as well as a tourist spot, and Lagoon City will continue to serve as naval port. Excel is relieved to hear that. She then bows down and states that she and the navy are at his command. Souma asks Castor to do the same, but he states he can't as he still can't understand why the king gave his throne to him without discussing it with them. Castor asks Liscia if she knows anything, but she cites her father saying that if he takes action, some would begin to suspect things and Souma is the king now. Hearing that, Castor says he cannot accept him as king and will be joining Georg. He states that 100 of the Red Dragon City knights will be joining Georg, but the remaining air force will remain neutral. Souma turns to Georg, but states he won't be asking him, as the moment he accepted the nobles guilty of corruption, it was evident he had no intention of following him. However, he wonders what stirred him so intensely. Georg states it's his pride as a warrior, as he gained supreme opportunity, he will decide the fate of Elfrieden through his own acumen.

Before they head into battle, Souma has one proposal. As he believes they don't want the fight to drag and involve innocent civilians, he would like to establish a rule that if they kill or capture the other, the forces under their command immediately switch to their side. Georg and Castor agree to that. Before Georg leaves, Liscia calls him and cuts her hair, showing her resolve to stride with Souma. As Georg and Castor leave, Souma apologizes to Excel that he wasn't able to convince Castor, but she states it was his decision. Souma wonders if Juna is there and Juna shows herself. He thanks her, because of her connections they won't fight against Duchess Walter. Excel reveals she had her look into Souma's fitness to be king, but he is fine with it as that led to them joining his side.

Characters in Order of Appearance
Characters in italics debuted here.


 * Kazuya Souma
 * Liscia Elfrieden
 * Juna Doma
 * Hakuya Kwonmin
 * Aisha Udgard
 * Tomoe Inui
 * Poncho Panacotta
 * Excel Walter
 * Georg Carmine
 * Castor Vargas
 * Carla Vargas
 * Gaius Amidonia
 * Julius Amidonia
 * Roroa Amidonia
 * Sebastian Silverdeer
 * Gatsby Colbert

Trivia

 * The songs sung by Juna (aka., her VA "Reina Ueda") in this episode is named "港町の子守唄 (Minatochō no Komori-uta)" aka, "Lullaby​ of a Port Town", written by "Dojyomaru" and composed by "Kujira Yumemi".
 * This episode adapts Light Novel Volume 01 Epilogue & Light Novel Volume 02 Prologue, Chapter 2 (Part 1), 3 (Part 1)