The Heroic Legend of Arslan (アルスラーン戦記)

My name is Hilmes.

My father's name was Osroes.

I am the rightful King of Pars. The throne will be mine.

You did what?

And here I'd been under the impression

you were a responsible, intelligent man.

My mistake.

Say what you will,

I don't think revealing my identity was a mistake.

You do like to push your luck.

You crossed swords with Arslan and his underlings

at the Keep of Saint Emmanuel, and yet the Prince still lives.

When I finally defeat him,

I want it to be both thorough and painful.

And for that, I need your help.

Hmm...

The legendary sword Rukhnabad.

The sword of the Hero King Kaykhusraw.

The stories say it was forged from a piece of the sun.

Does it truly exist?

A gift from the gods.

There's no greater symbol of a man's right to rule.

Tell me where I can find it!

If you're truly the descendant of the Hero King,

you should be able to wield his sword.

But do not attempt that lightly.

I can wield it.

Once the sword is in my hands,

I'll give you all the proof you could want.

Stay strong!

Peshawar Fortress is famed for its impregnability,

but that ends today with our conquest.

Charge!

They know that we're undermanned because of the Lusitanian war.

Opportunistic savages.

These cowards cringe behind their walls

because they lost their capital to savages.

Show no mercy. Put the mongrels out of their misery!

What's this?

Your Highness!

Yashasuiin!

The Prince came for us!

Prince Arslan!

He's here!

You men stood fast against overwhelming odds.

Now let us repay you.

From your armor, I assume you are Daryun,

the Knight in Black.

That I am!

I am Jinong Eelt'rish of Tkrn.

Many of my countrymen have fallen to your sword

throughout the years.

I'm looking forward to making you pay!

I don't know who you are,

but whatever grudge you may have against me,

I will not let you win this day.

I still have far too much left to do.

Tkrn saw that their neighbor was weak

so they launched an unjust war.

Time to show these pathetic cowards their mistake!

Am I the only one who finds this situation really annoying?

We're right back where we started from!

Knowing Peshawar was going to be attacked,

what else could we do but turn around?

Yes, I know, but it's still annoying. Right, Narsus?

I agree it's unfortunate we had to turn the army back.

However, I am glad we made it in time.

This simply means Lusitania is not our only foe.

True. Which I think you had already predicted.

That's my husband!

Hear me, warriors of Tkrn.

Do not rely upon the divine protection of Dayang.

For you no longer have it!

Damn it. They're attacking on both fronts!

How did they know our battle plans?

Tch. I hope I haven't gotten too rusty between battles!

Can't afford to waste any time with this many men to kill!

So long!

An officer of Pars, eh? Your head is mine!

Say your prayers!

My Lord Kubard.

I know that you enjoy a fight,

but you should be more careful with your life.

Kubard? I've heard that name.

"The Braggart." That's what they call you.

Oh, is it? But perhaps I'm some other Kubard.

It's not that unusual a name.

We're losing this battle.

We should return to camp and regroup.

Fine, we'll go.

Damn these overreaching Parsian mongrels.

Retreat!

All units, fall back!

Excellent! We made it just in time.

Yes. That we did.

Lusitania was not the only country

to covet the rich lands of Pars.

Seeing an opportunity, Tkrn,

the country of nomads to the north,

attacked Peshawar Fortress.

One month before, Arslan and his army

had left the fortress for Ecbatana.

They were halfway to their destination

when the message came and they were forced to turn back.

The month is now June of the year 321, Pars Era.

Crown Prince Arslan has accomplished much,

but greater trials still await him.

Thank you, Prince Arslan,

for turning back to bring us reinforcements.

It's you who deserve my thanks for holding until I returned.

Your Highness is too kind.

Peshawar stands sentinel at our border.

If we were to lose this fortress,

our other victories would be hollow.

Even if we succeeded in retaking the capital.

Highness, do we know what became

of King Rajendra's reinforcements?

Until recently, Tkrn was our ally,

so it's natural I would be hesitant to fight them.

I did send word of their attack.

And now I shall just have to pray

for the safety of Prince Arslan.

He's probably praying to his gods as we speak,

pleading that our army and Tkrn's destroy one another.

He is a crafty man.

Yes, he is.

And what of Tkrn's army?

Following their retreat,

they reassembled roughly one Farsang to the west.

So they aren't simply returning home, then.

The mounted nomads of Tkrn

place great value on bravery and success in the battlefield.

Defeating them will not be easily done.

True. But we can't afford to stay too long.

We must leave for Ecbatana soon.

Narsus, do you have any suggestions?

This is where you've been hiding.

Elam was looking for you.

Oh?

I hear the army Rajendra dispatched

has finally reached the border,

but it seems they intend to let matters run their course.

Hmph.

I can't say that I'm especially surprised.

What is it? Something has you worried.

Actually, it's the lack of something that has me worried.

Meaning?

When we pulled back,

the forces in Ecbatana made no move against us.

That's what's bothering you?

They probably just assumed it was one of your traps.

I hope that's the case.

Is there some reason to think it's not?

My gut tells me something else may be going on.

It's just a feeling, nothing I can put a finger to yet.

Great.

Or I may be imagining it all.

As an artist, I am far too sensitive

to be involved in such earthly affairs.

I can't wait until this is finally finished

and I can return to the world of painting.

I doubt the world of painting misses you much.

According to Lord Narsus,

they're not likely to launch another attack immediately.

Which means that you can relax for now.

Yes. Assuming I'm able to.

You'll want to get whatever rest you can

in case some crisis does come up.

I know you've had a hard time sleeping

since you decided to return to Peshawar.

Uh. It's that obvious?

Only to somebody who's paying close attention.

Nothing gets by you, does it?

Your health is very important. We'd be lost without our Prince.

Please take care of yourself.

Yes. I'll try.

Tell me, Elam.

What do you think Gieve would do if he were here?

Would he distract us with a merry song or a funny story?

Perhaps he would.

I wonder where his travels have taken him by now.

With him, there's no telling.