How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom (2021–2022): Season 1, Episode 1 - First Begin with a Hero - full transcript

Kazuya,

why do you think people make families?

It's so that they don't have to die alone.

That really sunk in
when I was by your grandmother's deathbed.

We lost our son and his wife
when they were still young,

but we still had you.

Thanks to that, we had a fulfilling life.

Grandpa…

When it's time for me
to join your grandmother,

you'll be left alone.

Kazuya,



make your own family.

And protect your family no matter what.

If you do, I promise that you will
look back and say that it was a good life.

This is my last piece of advice to you,
as my grandson.

When he told me that,
I thought it almost sounded like a will.

ANCESTRAL GRAVE

Grandpa is with Grandma now.

And I…

am all alone now.

ORIGINAL STORY BY DOJYOMARU

This is a problem…

It sure is.

What can we do…

Your Majesty, I believe we have no choice
but to summon a hero.



THE PRINCE
NICCOLÒ MACHIAVELLI

-I assume you know the process.
-Yes.

Well then, we will now begin
the hero summoning ritual.

THE PRINCE
NICCOLÒ MACHIAVELLI

What? Huh?

Who knew it would actually work.

I guess anything is worth a try.

Hey…

Our hero!

I am thrilled that you
responded to our summoning.

I didn't respond.
I was brought here without my consent.

R… Right…

From your standpoint,
I guess that is the case.

Are you angry about the fact
that we called you here?

Why wouldn't I be angry?

Can you at least give me an explanation?

I'll save my anger until then.

Okay… An explanation…

Yes, let me explain…

The supercontinent Landia
was home to humans,

elves, dwarves, dragonewts,

and many other races of mankind.

These races made up
nations of various sizes.

However, about ten years ago,

a dimension called
the Demon World appeared

in the northernmost part of the continent

and countless demons began to appear,

which led to mayhem
breaking out in the northern nations.

The Gran Chaos Empire, who rules over

the largest territory in the continent,

led an alliance of nations
who organized a punitive expedition

and invaded the Demon World.

However, their punitive army
was annihilated.

The nations lost their main forces
with this expedition

and did not have enough power left
to stop the demons.

The Demon World's territory

expanded until it covered
a third of the continent,

and this territory is now called
the Demon Lord's Domain.

DEMON LORD'S DOMAIN

With the expansion of the battlefront,

the demon forces were

distributed, which may be the reason

that mankind was able to
somehow hold their own.

This state of
deadlock continues to this day.

So? Don't tell me you want me
to defeat those demons.

No… That's not exactly it…

Huh?

Hero, it hurts to have to say this but…

GRAN CHAOS EMPIRE

GRAN CHAOS EMPIRE
IMPERIAL CAPITAL, VALOIS

The Demon Lord's Domain
is not making any moves for now.

However, I ordered the troops
that are stationed

by the border to stay alert as always.

The troop's morale is high

as they know
they are protecting the human race,

but stationing a garrison for too long

puts a toll on the national treasury.
It's a difficult situation.

Also, about that issue…

"That issue"?

About our demand for military aid
from the Elfrieden Kingdom.

It's almost the time limit,
but we still haven't heard back.

You're handing me over to the empire
in place of funding?

I'm really sorry!

I hope you forgive us.

Currently, the Demon Lord's Domain
is being held back

by mainly the Gran Chaos Empire,
as they share the longest border.

Our kingdom is benefitting
greatly from them.

And so the empire demands
funding from the nations

who do not share a border
with the Demon Lord's Domain.

If money can solve this issue,
why can't you just pay them?

It's much better than
going to war with demons.

It's not that simple.

Not only is our kingdom constantly
suffering from food shortages,

but there's also an influx of refugees
who've lost their homes with the invasion

and taking care of that is costly as well.

We cannot afford to send funds.

However, the empire's demand for funds

included a line saying, "If you cannot

afford to send funding,
you may summon a hero

with the kingdom's legendary
hero summoning ritual

and send the summoned hero to the empire."

And so we regrettably had to--

So you're going to be those people who
sell their daughters to pay off a debt?

So, what will happen to me
once I'm given to the empire?

I wonder…

First of all, what is a "hero" anyway?

It is said that a hero is
one who leads a generation's reformation.

Can't be…

That doesn't really explain much, does it?

Well, we don't have many records of them

and they are shrouded in mystery.

Is it possible that the empire asked you

to hand me over so they can dissect me
and clear up

the mystery behind heroes?

Are you serious?

I highly doubt that will happen.

Yes, the chances are one in a thousand…
no, one in a hundred…

Why are the odds going up?

What am I going to do?

My plan was to work as

a civil servant in the countryside
and lead a modest life.

But now I'm in some random place,
afraid of being dissected.

I can run away, but that won't be easy.

If I mess up and get caught,
things will only get worse.

Which means,

I can only rely on my words.

May I ask you one thing, King?

Wh… What is it?

Is the empire's demand for funding
just a one-time thing?

-Well, of course…
-No, no.

The demands will likely keep coming
for as long as

the demons continue their invasion.

I thought so.

One more thing.

About the summoning of a hero,

are you able to summon as many heroes

as you want,
as long as you hold the ritual?

Well, that is…

According to the records,

the only other time a hero was summoned
was about 500 years ago,

when our kingdom was founded.

They cannot be summoned that easily.

In that case, at the moment I am

this kingdom's one and only trump card.

Isn't that right?

I… I guess you're right.

Well then, letting go of that card now

-would be a folly, wouldn't it?
-Folly?

Dear, a folly means a foolish act.

Oh, that kind of folly.

This sounds promising.

If you think about the future,
you should reexamine the nation's finances

and strengthen the economy and military

to become a stronger nation
who can stand up against

the demands of the empire.

Strengthening the nation enough
to be able to stand up against the empire?

However, it is impossible
to do such a thing--

You said that a hero is one
who leads a generation's reformation.

I just might be able to
bring about reform to this nation.

ELFRIEDEN KINGDOM

SOUMA KAZUYA

I know I said that,
but I have nothing in mind yet.

But for now, we just need to
scrape up the military aid.

First of all, can you tell me everything
about this country's finances?

Revenues and expenses,
agriculture, forestry and fisheries,

economy, trade and industry,

land, infrastructure,
transport and tourism. I need it all.

Marx, will you take care of that?

Of course.

With so many topics to cover,

the discussion between
King Albert of Elfrieden,

Prime Minister Marx,
and Souma the hero continued

for three days and three nights.

All of you, listen carefully.

I, Albert Elfrieden,
the 13th king of the Elfrieden Kingdom,

will abdicate the throne as of this moment

to the hero Souma Kazuya.

In addition, I also announce

the engagement between
Souma and my daughter, Liscia Elfrieden.

In April 1546 of the continental calendar,

the throne of the Elfrieden Kingdom
was abdicated to Kazuya Souma.

This news

caused quite a stir
within the three duchies

that control the kingdom's military.

-Albert abdicated the throne?
-Yes.

And he apparently gave up the throne
to Souma, the summoned hero.

WALTER DUCHY, LAGOON CITY

That is a surprisingly bold move.

CARMINE DUCHY, RANDEL

If this news gets to Liscia,

I'm sure she will be quite flustered.

Please be safe, Father and Mother!

That's it. That's the spot.

Father, are you all right…

Father! I rushed over here
because I heard the throne was usurped!

And here you two are,
being all lovey-dovey!

It was not usurped.

I abdicated it to Souma on my own will.

Why would you do that all of a sudden?

Because I am certain

that it would be for this country's
best interest if he is the king.

As someone who was in charge of a nation,

I take full responsibility
of this decision.

I will not accept any objections.

But still!

You decided on my engagement
without my consent.

You two should talk about that
amongst yourselves.

This engagement was just something
we proposed from our side.

If you don't want to,

I'm sure Souma wouldn't force you.

Mother!

First, just meet with Souma.

It is your life,

so you must decide for yourself.

We should talk about it amongst ourselves?
Yeah, right.

I bet he's a good-for-nothing guy anyway.

I'm coming in.

Hey, whoever came in right now.

Huh? Me?

Do you know how to read?

Don't disparage me. I have had
a decent amount of education.

-Then what's three plus two?
-Five.

-Six times two?
-Twelve, right?

Forty-two divided by seven?

Seven! Wait no, six!

Good.

Can you come here and help me?

Help you?

Who do you think I am?

A new worker.

I am Liscia Elfrieden,

the king's… No,

the daughter of Albert Elfrieden,
the former king.

-Oh, you were a princess?
-Do I not look like one?

Well, your outfit looked like
a military uniform.

It doesn't "look like" one,
it is a military uniform.

I am in the army, under Duke Carmine.

I was out of town doing an inspection,

but returned in a hurry.

Oh, I see.

But now that you mention it,

you do seem like a princess.

I'm Souma Kazuya.
I guess I'm the current king.

I am no longer a princess.

Now that you usurped the throne,
I'm on thin ice right now.

Usurped?

Your father just dumped
this position onto me.

What in the world happened?

I know that you were summoned as a hero,

but how did that suddenly
turn into you replacing the king?

I'd like to ask the same thing.

All I did was try to protect myself.

I wonder if those two can work it out?

It'll be all right, I'm sure.

Since I was the one who
mentioned economic reform,

I was prepared to help
in financial management,

but who would've thought I'd be made king.

Um, I'm sorry about that.

You don't have to apologize.

You're actually a victim,
suddenly being forced into an engagement.

-About that…
-You don't have to worry about that.

I am just borrowing the throne for now.

In a few years,
I won't be the king anymore.

I was only planning
to work until we raised

enough funding so I wouldn't be
handed over to the empire.

But now that I've been given the throne,

I'll work until I can get
the economy back on its feet.

But whatever happens after that

is up to the people of this nation.

And of course,
we can call off the engagement.

More importantly, you just said
you won't be the king in a few years.

Are you saying you can fix this country
in a few years?

Before that, what are you going to do
about the funding?

Oh, that.

I've already secured that money.

PRINCIPALITY OF AMIDONIA

VAN

PRINCIPALITY OF AMIDONIA
CAPITAL CITY VAN

It seems we've found buyers
for most of the items

sold by the Elfrieden Kingdom.

There are many wealthy people out there
who want to buy

jewelry used by the royal family.

It was a good decision

to invest a large amount in order
to get first dibs on the best items.

Thanks to them, my business is booming.

Their new king really made a bold move.

What that country needs right now,
is not jewels you can't even eat.

It's money to move the economy.

I wasn't sure about a summoned hero
becoming a king,

but if he understands that much,

-he might become a tricky opponent.
-Indeed.

What? You sold our national treasures?

Those belong to the kingdom itself.

-How could you sell them on your own?
-Calm down.

If it belongs to the kingdom itself,

isn't it okay to sell them
for the sake of the people?

Even so,

some had cultural and historical value.

Oh, I made sure to set those aside.

I categorized them as either type A,
culturally and historically valuable,

type B, no cultural or historical value,

or type C, miscellaneous.
Then I only sold type B.

For type A, I figured

using them as exhibitions
at art galleries or museums would

lead to a more steady,
long-lasting income.

I guess so but…

What about type C?

They're basically weapons,
including things like magic devices,

that I'm not sure how to handle.

I can't just sell them willy-nilly

or put them on exhibit.

Also, the complete set
of the ancient hero's gear

looks like it could sell for a high price.
Can I sell it?

Stop that. It may not seem like it,
but you are a hero.

The throne was abdicated all of a sudden,

and yet the country
appears to be peaceful.

How long will this last?

All right, Canaria.

Go and see with your own eyes,
what kind of person

the hero and newly-appointed king is.

What kind of hero
sells off national treasures.

Go easy on me.

I would've been sent off
to the empire otherwise.

I know that but…

Hey, did you send the funding
to the empire already?

No, not yet.

I told them to
hold off until the very last minute.

Then why don't you spend that money
on the military rather than the empire?

Your plan is to create
a system that can stand up

against the empire, right?

In military academy they say,
"It is better to spend a fortune

on national security
than a strand of hair on tribute."

Rather than paying tribute
and earning a moment of peace,

strengthening the military
is a more long-lasting solution, right?

In response to your quote,
I activate my quote.

"Time is money."

By offering the funds and sacrifices

we can buy time,
which is what this country needs the most.

Why are you talking like that?

It's nothing.

Anyway, even if we strengthen the military

there is no point
if the issues aren't fixed.

Unless we solve the issues
with food shortages and refugees,

we will lose the support of the people.

The slightest nudge from another country

can then cause a riot.

And you're left with a fragile country.

No way… Our people love this country.

-They wouldn't rebel.
-That's wishful thinking.

In the end, morals and nationalism

mean nothing when you're hungry.

When you are in a tight spot,
you can't afford to think about others.

Am I wrong?

I guess

-you are quite the realist.
-Yeah,

you can say that.

Subtitle translation by: Kiko Morita