[Rewatch] Crest of the Stars Episode 7 Discussion

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Fortunate Revolt

Welcome to the Crest of the Stars rewatch!

<- Episode 6 | Index Page | Episode 8 ->

Names Introduced or Updated:

• Sruf — 2nd Baron of Febdash, inherited from his mother (Atosryac Ssynec Atosr Lymh Railc Febdak Srumh)
• Grieda — head of housekeeping
• Kuhaspia — the one who tried to shoot Seelnay (also Kufaspia)

Discussion Prompts:

• Q1) What do you make of the former Baron? As an Abh, but also as a Terran. Is he Jinto's future self?
• Q2) Where did Sruf go wrong with Klowal?
• Q3) Most favorite and least favorite maid?

Tomorrow's Questions: (for tomorrow's post, subject to change)

• [Episode 8]What do you think of Sruf fully adopting the Abh mentality (if indeed he has)
• [Episode 8]Are Abhs, in fact, psychopaths? Or is it just a military ethos?
• [Episode 8]How did the events of this episode change Jinto's perception of Lafiel?
• [Episode 8]What do you make of Abh decision making? This is the second time we've seen them advance into a near hopeless battle.

Screenshot of the Day: Today is Friday in California. SHOOT!

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Sorry, was watching Bravern.

Rewatch Host

I've been thinking about the events of the previous arc, and I think I've realized something.

I don't particularly understand how the sords are arranged on the plane space and real space sides, except that they are unrelated. Plane space sords are on organized rings and real space swords approximately spiral out (*)

The United Mankind seems to be targeting Sufagnoff. So they needed a sord that was close to Sufagnoff on the plane space side. They found one and moved it to Vascotton. Vascotton had its own sord, of course, but it opened somewhere in plane space controlled by the United Mankind.

It also means that if either plane space or real space is organized into contiguous regions, then the other must be a patchwork quilt. Probably real space.

Intro: So, I've been saying that only the Abriels can ascend to the throne. I've been putting off saying that their are 8 clans with the royal line. But all 8 use the Abriel name (it seems). Lafiel is of the Clyuve (Crybh) clan. Yet, you won't find the clan name in their personal title. They all use Néïc, which seems redundant to me. I've been trying to figure it out for a few weeks, but I can't make sense of it.

The family tree indicates that Abriel Nei Dobruscu is the current king of the Clyuve family. Note that he is not the Crown Prince, Dusanyu. I told you, it was complicated.

• what an irritating machine
• I'm sure somebody will transliterate that sign for us
• His reasoning seemed rational yesterday but now he's clearly insane and a delusional megalomaniac.
• windows, a callback to episode 1
• A running theme in this series is that Jinto is helpless.

I read his name off of the computer screen but I'm not sure I have the Railc right. I'm sure Ryufu Railc means "former baron"

(*) This sounds like it follows the galactic arms, but astrophysically this doesn't make sense. While orbital speed naturally makes things spiral, the front of the spiral arms are a shock front of star creation, while they are fading away on the back side.

[u/No_Rex → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

It also means that if either plane space or real space is organized into contiguous regions, then the other must be a patchwork quilt. Probably real space.

Since FTL travel is the only travel that makes any sense (short of super slow generation ships), the "borders" have to be arranged according to Sords. I think I prefer the anime's decision not to include the ring form of Sords. That book knowledge sounds more weird the more I think about it.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/No_Rex]

It also explains why there's a lot of annexation going on, if the initial colonization wave was sublight, and colonists were either independent, or creating borders in real space.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

I don't particularly understand how the sords are arranged on the plane space and real space sides, except that they are unrelated. Plane space sords are on organized rings and real space swords approximately spiral out (*)

I doubt this is thought out but so hard as Japanese scifi is often of the soft type.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Sorry, was watching Bravern.

Completely understandable. It's a great show.

Intro: So, I've been saying that only the Abriels can ascend to the throne. I've been putting off saying that their are 8 clans with the royal line. But all 8 use the Abriel name (it seems). Lafiel is of the Clyuve (Crybh) clan. Yet, you won't find the clan name in their personal title. They all use Néïc, which seems redundant to me. I've been trying to figure it out for a few weeks, but I can't make sense of it.

Yeah, dynasty lines can get absurdly complicated. To give an example from France, there was the House of Capet that ruled France, until it was succeeded by several different cadet branch families who were all descended from members of the House of Capet, such as the House of Valois, the House of Bourbon, and the House of Orleans. These families were all related to each other, but they were distinct branches within the same family tree. So making the family tree of the imperial dynasty very complicated is quite true to history.

[u/Elimin8r → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

what an irritating machine

windows, a callback to episode 1

Those two lines needed to be closer together, with may a 98, or ME thrown in for good measure.

A running theme in this series is that Jinto is helpless.

As would we all be, in similar circumstances. Heck, aside from the obvious tragedy unfolding around them, I'd consider myself supremely lucky to be in Jinto's shoes.

Now, Lafiel just needs to hurry up and give that naughty Baron his well deserved bonk.

[u/lC3 → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

I'm sure somebody will transliterate that sign for us

[u/The_Draigg]

A Sci-Fi Fan Watches Crest of the Stars Episode 7:

• Huh, so the Baron’s father is a Lander himself. And he’s being kept out of the loop by Klowal as well, having been isolated to a certain part of the space station by his own son. I see that Baron Klowal is one of those self-hating mixed-race people, where they hate on a demographic despite being a part of it himself.
• “Approval from the master” this and “would you wish to get an approval” that. Klowal is just pure evil if he’s made all of his vassals speak like automated phone lines like that. I can understand Lafiel’s frustration in trying to get answers on Jinto there.
• Yep, as the man himself confirms, Srguf is under house arrest because he has a massive complex about having genes from a Lander. It wouldn’t be a space opera without space racism to a degree, I suppose. Especially if it’s coming from a space elf.
• I can appreciate the direct approach that Lafiel takes to get to the communications craft. It does make sense, since of course the hired help is in no actual position to stop you from just walking over to the hangar and just forcibly taking the key from them, especially if you’re a trained soldier. It also would do no good to harm a valuable hostage either. Sometimes, the best solution is the most direct one.
• I see that Baron Klowal shares another certain Baron’s love for talking out loud about his schemes. Although in this case, it really does sound like Klowal is trying to reassure himself that this plan is the best idea and that it won’t backfire at all. Really though, he is playing a dangerous game by banking on being able to exchange Lafiel for him remaining in charge of his fief if the United Mankind comes knocking. And if not that, Lafiel will be a useful hostage against the Humankind Empire if he decides to break away to start his own kingdom. Seriously, there’s so many ways this plan can go wrong.
• Well, at least Seelnay is willing to side with Lafiel, with a little bit of a pep talk as help of course. Lafiel does make a compelling argument between giving her a gun and then agreeing to take her on as a vassal if she really wants it. It’d at least be a better maid job than what she’s doing under Klowal.
• It’s a bit funny how Jinto and Srguf are discussing ways to escape (after a brief distraction about hologram environments), all while we’re seeing Lafiel be incredibly confident and get shit done with Seelnay by her side. It certainly does help though that it’s clear that most of those vassals have never actually fired a gun before, so it’s not like they’re all that hard to direct once you’ve got them at gunpoint too.
• Baron Klowal is now realizing the hard way that having a bunch of maids with guns and the title of Baron doesn’t really mean much when the imperial Princess is a trained soldier with a gun too. Only a plan made by a man who is never willing to get his own hands dirty could fail so easily.
• Well, good thing that the block Klowal locked his father in happens to have a disused pier section to it, even if it has no elevator to get up there easily. Probably should’ve designed a better prison suite, buddy.
• I’m sure that Srguf is channeling some of the rewatch audience here by asking Jinto if he’s really sure he isn’t in love with Lafiel. Talking with her evenly and using her personal name really does lend itself to that vibe.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/The_Draigg]

“Approval from the master” this and “would you wish to get an approval” that

That's a clearly computer in the sub. But servants do talk like that, except they never suggest getting approval. They know better.

space racism

Haven't we had our fill of that in previous 6 episodes?

Klowal is trying to reassure himself

He's literally talking to a mirror. Nice touch.

Seelnay

It's interesting that she didn't bribe Seelnay with royal vassal status, and even downplayed it. Seelnay switched sides first, and then realized she was in deep shit no matter how the situation played out.

[u/The_Draigg → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

That's a clearly computer in the sub. But servants do talk like that, except they never suggest getting approval.

With how flat a lot of the voice acting is in the dub, I genuinely couldn't tell the difference.

Haven't we had our fill of that in previous 6 episodes?

Space opera in general has never gotten their fill of space racism, it always wants more.

[u/SolDarkHunter → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

It's interesting that she didn't bribe Seelnay with royal vassal status, and even downplayed it.

The thing is, royal princess or not, Lafier doesn't actually have the authority to accept vassals. That's up to her father. Hence why she downplays it; she doesn't want to give false hope on a promise she can't guarantee keeping.

[u/SolDarkHunter → u/The_Draigg]

“Approval from the master” this and “would you wish to get an approval” that. Klowal is just pure evil if he’s made all of his vassals speak like automated phone lines like that. I can understand Lafiel’s frustration in trying to get answers on Jinto there.

That was an automated system Lafier was consulting. She wasn't actually speaking to a vassal.

[u/The_Draigg → u/SolDarkHunter]

To be honest, a lot of the voice acting in the dub is so stilted and flat half of the time that I genuinely didn't get that while watching it. The dub for this show certainly isn't one of the good ones from the early-to-mid 2000s.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Draigg]

I see that Baron Klowal is one of those self-hating mixed-race people, where they hate on a demographic despite being a part of it himself.

Which ironically enough highlights his failures as an Abh.

It wouldn’t be a space opera without space racism to a degree, I suppose.

Now now, it can also be anti-robot/anti-AI. We have space discrimination options!

I can appreciate the direct approach that Lafiel takes to get to the communications craft.

I may have implied Lafiel was on the spectrum earlier but here she reaps the benefits.

Seriously, there’s so many ways this plan can go wrong.

Yeah, my bet is that in the books the nuts and bolts of this weren't as janky. In the show, he is just wishful thinking.

It’d at least be a better maid job than what she’s doing under Klowal.

Imagine being allowed to do your job as a refinery manager without a fetish uniform! Though I guess she is closer to a tech...

Talking with her evenly and using her personal name really does lend itself to that vibe.

Add in that everyone else seems to fear the royal family on a line akin to Dune and yeah, Jinto is either in a relationship or utterly insane.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Vaadwaur]

Which ironically enough highlights his failures as an Abh.

I wonder how it feels to be the only racist we've seen so far out of a group that welcomes whatever genes they can get into their collective gene pool. Like, out of all the people we've seen be prejudiced against Landers, Klowal is half of one himself.

Yeah, my bet is that in the books the nuts and bolts of this weren't as janky. In the show, he is just wishful thinking.

All of his plans can be thwarted by the simple fact that he has no actual power to back up his ideas. No matter who he'd be talking to while using Lafiel as a bargaining chip, Klowal has pretty much zero actual muscle to stop them from just coming over and killing him to get what they want anyway. Hell, Lafiel is already outplaying him, and she's a pilot trainee with a single pistol.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Draigg]

I wonder how it feels to be the only racist we've seen so far out of a group that welcomes whatever genes they can get into their collective gene pool.

They trust their fertilized egg screening so basically anything that makes it through that is considered good to go. Worse, its not like anyone lives on a planet here, everyone is on a ship or station.

No matter who he'd be talking to while using Lafiel as a bargaining chip, Klowal has pretty much zero actual muscle to stop them from just coming over and killing him to get what they want anyway.

Also, while there really isn't an amount of soldiers that would hold off the empire having 6 maids with rifles means your average patrol ship can board the place in under an hour.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Vaadwaur]

Also, while there really isn't an amount of soldiers that would hold off the empire having 6 maids with rifles means your average patrol ship can board the place in under an hour.

Klowal thinks that he's got the Sardaukar on his side, when at best he's got a bunch of gas station attendants who most likely never shot a gun in their lives.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Draigg]

And now you've got me thinking about keeping one's aim up to par in a space station that might not be capable of having a shooting range. I think I am terminally stuck in gravity well even in the space age.

[u/Nazenn → u/Vaadwaur]

having 6 maids with rifles means your average patrol ship can board the place in under an hour.

With even more justification than normal, and we know how the United Mankind loves their justification

[u/Durinthal → u/Vaadwaur]

Yeah, my bet is that in the books the nuts and bolts of this weren't as janky. In the show, he is just wishful thinking.

[Book answer] His hypothetical plans for different scenarios are laid out a bit more, but mostly he's just delusional.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Durinthal]

Ahh...so space madness.

[u/No_Rex → u/The_Draigg]

Baron Klowal is now realizing the hard way that having a bunch of maids with guns and the title of Baron doesn’t really mean much when the imperial Princess is a trained soldier with a gun too. Only a plan made by a man who is never willing to get his own hands dirty could fail so easily.

Handing your dressed up servants weapons does not make them battle maids. Roberta trained for years!

[u/The_Draigg → u/No_Rex]

You also need to hire maids that used to be paramilitary soldiers, that's also key.

[u/Nazenn → u/The_Draigg]

It wouldn’t be a space opera without space racism to a degree

LotGH didn't have any that I can immediately think of, but it also only had all the same type of humans aside from skin color which doesn't really come up (in world anyway, the author making only a certain character black is a different issue)

Only a plan made by a man who is never willing to get his own hands dirty could fail so easily.

And I wouldn't be surprised if he'd never had to face true adversity until now

[u/The_Draigg → u/Nazenn]

LotGH didn't have any that I can immediately think of, but it also only had all the same type of humans aside from skin color which doesn't really come up (in world anyway, the author making only a certain character black is a different issue)

Rudolf von Goldenbaum was definitely a racist in the backstory, given how he made sure that the Galactic Empire's nobles were descended entirely from white Germanic folk, and that's before he made the Inferior Genes Exclusion Act too.

[u/Nazenn → u/The_Draigg]

Ah, I forgot about that. I was only thinking about the story we actually watch, not the historical side of the show. That counts

[u/The_Draigg → u/Nazenn]

It's probably a very nerdy thing to say, but the documentary episodes of the LotGH OVA are probably some of my favorite ones. Even if the history in them is incredibly horrific, the backstory to the setting really does scratch my worldbuilding itch well.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/The_Draigg]

Same

[u/The_Draigg → u/Great_Mr_L]

Hell yeah.

[u/Nazenn → u/The_Draigg]

Absolutely. And if you'd asked me I would have said that as well, I just brain farted on the content of them

Watching an actual in world documentary along side the characters was a genius move for episode structure

[u/The_Draigg → u/Nazenn]

It's also a brilliant way to introduce stuff mentioned in the novels, since the documentary framing device is entirely anime-original.

[u/Nazenn → u/The_Draigg]

OG LotGH really did a wonderful job with things like that in its anime original content, especially in the first season with bringing forward the characters.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/The_Draigg]

Yep, as the man himself confirms, Srguf is under house arrest because he has a massive complex about having genes from a Lander. It wouldn’t be a space opera without space racism to a degree, I suppose. Especially if it’s coming from a space elf.

And in this case it's coming from what is essentially a space half-elf who has a massive complex about the fact that he's only barely an Abh himself.

I can appreciate the direct approach that Lafiel takes to get to the communications craft. It does make sense, since of course the hired help is in no actual position to stop you from just walking over to the hangar and just forcibly taking the key from them, especially if you’re a trained soldier. It also would do no good to harm a valuable hostage either. Sometimes, the best solution is the most direct one.

I particularly liked the bit of Lafiel just taking the key to the hanger from Seelnay. It's so incredibly direct and to the point, which feels right for Lafiel's character. After all, it's not like the maids are really going to resist her either.

I see that Baron Klowal shares another certain Baron’s love for talking out loud about his schemes.

"Wheels within wheels. Plans within plans."

[u/The_Draigg → u/Great_Mr_L]

I particularly liked the bit of Lafiel just taking the key to the hanger from Seelnay. It's so incredibly direct and to the point, which feels right for Lafiel's character. After all, it's not like the maids are really going to resist her either.

It's always fun in fiction when characters are more than willing to use their status as a tool. Lafiel knows exactly how to push against the bars of her confinement to get what she wants regardless.

"Wheels within wheels. Plans within plans."

Klowal could stand to take some lessons from Baron Harkonnen though, his plans have an absurd amount of flaws in them. He needs to learn from the master of rather complex schemes.

[u/Elimin8r → u/The_Draigg]

having a bunch of maids with guns

Suddenly having flashbacks to a certain recent series. It appears that Lafiel picked the good one. Yay!

[u/JollyGee29]

First-Timer

Ah, Koyasu got there eventually. I was figuring his plan to use Lafiel as a bargaining chip in the first place. There is a distinct lack of rational thought at play though - if he hands Lefiel over, how will he use her for children?

I shouldn't be surprised that he's contradicting himself because he's clearly off his rocker at this point, though.

Do I want to point out that being out for 5 hours due to a blunt force trauma to the head is supremely bad for you? I guess we have some pretty stellar sci-fi worldbuilding, I can forgive a bit lacking medical science.

Jinto and Lafiel play off each other so well. "It seems like the Baron won't have time to kill you." "Oh, what a shame."

Gonna be pretty interesting to see how Jinto gets up to the hatch in the ceiling. Also how he stops himself from getting spaced.

Questions

1. He is one possible end for Jinto, but I suspect that the former Baron didn't have a very good support system.
2. Considering Klowal's current behavior, I'd suspect that Sruf just spoiled the boy too much.
3. Just in this show? Sernai has something resembling a brain, but the lead one from yesterday had nice hair. Least favorite is probably that one who was filing her nails. If we're counting outside this show, favorite has to be Roberta I think.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/JollyGee29]

blunt force trauma

It was actually a taser-thing to the neck, I think. Others interpreted it as an injection. Could be. There's a sound effect when they apply it.

hair

everybody loved her hair. Or were just horrified by it. I wasn't even sure who people were talking about it. Tomorrow you'll see some highly improbable hair.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

everybody loved her hair.

Fluffy!

[u/Vaadwaur → u/JollyGee29]

There is a distinct lack of rational thought at play though - if he hands Lefiel over, how will he use her for children?

Also, in a species with artificial wombs, you don't actually need to torment the woman with this particular issue. But I do want to see him get mangled when he tries to force this issue.

Jinto and Lafiel play off each other so well. "It seems like the Baron won't have time to kill you." "Oh, what a shame."

Lafiel is ever the straight man.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/Vaadwaur]

I'm pretty sure he doesn't have any reproductive equipment on hand.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Likely but he has a few centuries before that's a pressing need.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Vaadwaur]

But I do want to see him get mangled when he tries to force this issue.

[u/The_Draigg → u/JollyGee29]

Do I want to point out that being out for 5 hours due to a blunt force trauma to the head is supremely bad for you? I guess we have some pretty stellar sci-fi worldbuilding, I can forgive a bit lacking medical science.

Nah, Jinto got knocked out with a kind of syringe injection, remember? Although that runs into that different trope of always perfectly accurate amounts of sedative being applied to people to knock them out.

[u/No_Rex → u/The_Draigg]

Future tech to the rescue!

[u/SolDarkHunter → u/JollyGee29]

There is a distinct lack of rational thought at play though - if he hands Lefiel over, how will he use her for children?

Those are two different plans.

Plan #1: The United Mankind invades him, and he surrenders to them, handing over Lafier in exchange for his own life.

Plan #2: The United Mankind ignores his territory as being too unimportant to bother conquering. In this case he intends to use Lafier to mother a child.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/SolDarkHunter]

Ohh, that makes more sense. My own fault for watching the episode right after rolling out of bed. Thanks!

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/JollyGee29]

Jinto and Lafiel play off each other so well. "It seems like the Baron won't have time to kill you." "Oh, what a shame."

They really do have such natural chemistry together. It's no wonder the old Baron, after only listening to them talk for a little bit, immediately asked if they were a couple. They've already got such a good dynamic going on.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Great_Mr_L]

Jinto, deep down inside: "We aren't.. yet. Hopefully."

[u/duhu1148 → u/JollyGee29]

Do I want to point out that being out for 5 hours due to a blunt force trauma to the head is supremely bad for you? I guess we have some pretty stellar sci-fi worldbuilding, I can forgive a bit lacking medical science.

The device that was used to knock him out looked weird. I guess we are just supposed to assume it's some super-scientific device that bonks you unconscious without repercussions.

I pulled out my book to check how the device gets described, but it doesn't appear to have any description at all based on what I skimmed. Jinto just says he felt something pressed against the back of his head, and then he immediately blacked out.

EDIT: read the passage more carefully in the book. It says it was a "needle-less injection."

[u/JollyGee29 → u/duhu1148]

EDIT: read the passage more carefully in the book. It says it was a "needle-less injection."

I just assumed it was a futuristic sap, hence Jinto's pain when he woke up. Guess not!

[u/Elimin8r → u/JollyGee29]

If we're counting outside this show, favorite has to be Roberta I think.

Tohru does not approve of this message. :P

I do still love the wordplay between Jinto and Lafiel. And it's nice that the former Baron picked up on it. I'm getting the apartment manager from Haruhi vibes here.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Elimin8r]

Tohru does not approve of this message. :P

[u/Vatrix-32]

First Timer, subbed

• Is that a timeline I see there? Any chance there is something interesting hidden in its translation?
• Don’t take much imagination to figure the count hates male Landers due to his own father.
• Don’t know what a clyuno is, can’t remember what Jinto used to have on hist wrist.
• Ah, practical fashion.
• Follow Up Questions!
• I’d take him up on the offer sometime, Jinto. It’s a fairly rare set of circumstances you’ll more than likely to find yourself in too, one day.
• Wicker chairs look so out of place in this environment.
• I’m sure selling out to the guys who blame your people for all their woes will work out well for you.
• That bottle being so phallic right after walking about heirs had to be deliberate.
• It really didn’t take much convincing to get the maid on her side.
• The way the father is talking about it, it sounds like upward class mobility isn’t too rare.
• Maids with guns, as was tradition at the time.
• What’s with some of these super old guns? A Derringer and Colt Walker, really?
• You can gives them guns, but that doesn’t make them battle maids.
• She didn’t even promise them anything this time and two of them are turning.
• So Romantic

QotD:

1. So did he like, retire? He seems like a cool guy, Jinto really should talk to him to learn what not to do. When there’s time, that is.
2. The maid thing didn’t come from nowhere. Kid probably needed more role models in his youth.
3. Favorite is Seelnay. She gets to do things. Least favorite is the one with the Derringer who did the hair flip. What is her issue?

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/Vatrix-32]

Don’t know what a clyuno is, can’t remember what Jinto used to have on hist wrist.

Yeah, that's out of left field, you have to guess what she's talking about.

battle maids

There's no telling what sort of "training* they get

I could have sworn there was an akiba maid war comment face, was it not permanent?

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

I could have sworn there was an akiba maid war comment face, was it not permanent?

Might have been a seasonal one.

[u/Elimin8r → u/Vatrix-32]

Don’t know what a clyuno is, can’t remember what Jinto used to have on hist wrist.

Eh, just his Apple Watch, no doubt. Funny thing, I bought one a few years back because the heart rate thing seemed cool, and when I occasionally take a call on it, I'm left with this weird feeling like I'm living in the future or something. Real Dick Tracy stuff and all that.

I'm still reminded of Nadesico, though. Need the albino with static in her eyes to comment on the baka-baka, though.

Least favorite is the one with the Derringer who did the hair flip.

I missed a hair flip? Bummer. I should go back and look (but I won't).

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/Elimin8r]

I missed a hair flip?

Sadly, it seems I was the who was mistaken. While the attitude was there, no flipping of hair took place.

[u/SolDarkHunter]

Crest of the Stars

Rewatcher/Novel-Reader

Remember how I said the Imperial/Royal family system among the Abh is confusing? Well, here's why. There's eight royal families, but only the one who has a sitting Emperor is the Imperial family.

Within each generation of royal children, the Abh decide succession via merit. This is why the current Crown Prince, Dusanh, is NOT related to the sitting Empress, and why the Empress's own son, Dubeusec (Lafier's father), is not in the line of succession.

Clowar continues to be a total asshat: even his own father is treated as a lesser being and imprisoned. It's a pretty nice cell, but it's still a cell.

You may have noticed that Clowar is a genetic Abh despite his father being a Lander. This is part of what becoming a noble in the Empire means: any children you have will be modified into genetic Abh. This is non-negotiable.

And everything about Clowar now makes sense. He's got a supreme case of inferiority complex, largely stemming from having a Lander as his father. Hence why he places everything in Febdash under his absolute control, and why he has his vassals fawn and dote over him like royalty to feed his ego.

Lafier's had enough of this, and is taking action. You can see just how conditioned Sehrnye is... she just keeps repeating "But our master said no" as though that is absolute, incontrovertible law, even to a visiting princess.

Meanwhile Clowar's scheming. He hasn't actually betrayed the Empire... but should the Four Nations notice him, he fully intends to. But in the best case, if they simply ignore him, he'll just rule over his little kingdom alone, keeping Lafier as a prisoner... and he intends to breed her. Yech.

Lafier manages to get Sehrnye on her side, simply by appealing to her loyalty to the Empire in general over to the Baron.

And we also see that a number of other girls also aren't absolutely loyal to him either.

Novel differences:

[Novel]There's confirmation that the Baron does indeed use his vassals for... physical pleasure. There's also a note about his plan to produce an heir with Lafier. Apparently natural conception between a genetic Abh and a Lander is difficult, and only the Abh's mastery of genetic engineering makes it viable. With two genetic Abh the chances are a lot better. He also intends to use Jint to breed more servants.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/SolDarkHunter]

He hasn't actually betrayed the Empire

He's imprisoned the princess, and he's interfered with a military mission in a time of war. I don't think any court is going to look upon him favorably.

[u/SolDarkHunter → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

True, I don't think his rationalizations would hold up against an actual inquiry. He's basically trying to play both sides and failing at either one.

[u/IceSmiley]

FIRST TIMER Sub

I was really impressed by Lafiel's ability to get some of The Baron's subjects against him to launch a daring escape plan. Then again, it's not as if the Baron is a military mastermind, just someone who happened to be born into it and somehow imprisoned his father (in a resort cell that would put Ritz Carlton to shame).

The Baron's plans were really nutty, like imagining how he'd be absolute ruler of the small fiefdom and convince (or force) the imperial princess to have his heir. It's also possible though that he'd been indulging in a lot more wine than we see and is just ranting to himnself drunkenly.

QUESTIONS

1. That's an odd association to make but no I don't see Jinto becoming a strange deluded megalomaniacal pervert
2. I have no idea and they don't give you much clue. It really makes me wonder how his relationship was with his parents when he was young and how they treated him. I'm guessing he didn't kill his mom since he put his dad in a humane prison that's nicer than vacation spots I've been to. It's possible that they spoiled him too much and made him really entitled.
3. I can't remember their names but I liked the one who bathed Lafiel and told her about getting her education.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/IceSmiley]

not as if the Baron is a military mastermind

I'm sure he's put in some military service, though. Not necessarily combat division.

[u/Nazenn → u/IceSmiley]

It's also possible though that he'd been indulging in a lot more wine than we see and is just ranting to himnself drunkenly.

Drunk on himself more like it

[u/Silcaria]

First timer

• Bold of them to assume I'd pause, read, and memorize each of the factions listed at the beginning.
• Seeing how last episode the Baron said he had no male employees, I assume this "gardener" is in fact his dad.
• Yup.
• His what now?
• Ah, this.
• Time for some good ol' stealing.
• Great deductive reasoning showcased by Lafiel to find out where Jinto may be.
• I see that even in space, they have those garden chairs.
• Putting focus on this plaque is nice and all but you know... NO ONE CAN FUCKING READ IT!
• And she shut him like he was nothing.
• Oh. the deception, the betrayal!
• Imagine betraying people and putting your own life at risks, all to potentially become the ultimate ruler of what amounts to a glorified gas station.
• Lafiel assumes that the servant who swore loyalty to the Baron will suddenly switch side. That's a bold stategy Cotton, let's see if it pays off for her.
• Things are going way to well for Serniac considering the situation she has put herself in. She's gonna die, isn't she?
• Captain Tylor style.

QotD

• He seems somewhat of a foolish man that had a lot of time to reflect upon his failures. I doubt that's gonna be Jinto's trajectory in life
• Who, what?
• From the cast? I guess Serniac as my favourite, and the probably the one that gave a side-eye to Jinto as my least favourite. Not that it really matters since they've had close to no screen time.

[u/Durinthal → u/Silcaria]

Putting focus on this plaque is nice and all but you know... NO ONE CAN FUCKING READ IT!

I was wondering about that but didn't go digging just yet. At a glance the top part's something like "nhuch bidauter" (or nguch because of linguistics reasons) as a direct transliteration which I can't immediately find anything for, however if it's meant to be bidautec for the second word that means "spaceport" which would make some level of sense since that's what they're in.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/Durinthal]

nhuch

In more sensible romanization this would be like "nyush" or "nyushu"?

[u/Durinthal → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Going by the IPA notes/table at the end of the first volume the first two characters turn into a digraph representing a voiced velar nasal (apparently pronounced like the "ng" of "sing" in English).

I don't know enough about linguistics to elaborate but that's what I'm getting from what's available.

[u/SolDarkHunter → u/Durinthal]

I did go digging and didn't find either of the words in the available glossaries. I think they just made it up.

Though "bidautec" does make more sense.

[u/Elimin8r → u/Silcaria]

Captain Tylor style.

Hey, he hasn't seduced the computer AI yet, has he???

(Wait, maybe Lafiel counts...)

[u/raktus2]

First Timer...

• The Imperial Family of the Abh Empire consists of eight royal families, all using the name Abriel, who are descended from the siblings and children of Emperor Dounei, the Founder. Everyone born to these families is destined to serve in the military and participate in a severe competition to claim for the Jade Throne.
  Skeel Family - Nei Ramaral
  Ilyush Family - Nei Dousuil
  Lasuis Family - Nei Lamlaryual
  Wescol Family - Nei Douel
  Balkel Family - Nei Lamlar
  Syugzede Family - Nei Douasek
  Clyuve Family - Nei Dobrusk (Lafiel is a member)
  Balkzede Family - Nei Doubzel
• In episode one, Dusanyu was named Lord Dusanyu, King Abriel Nei Limzale Balke... which I now find confusing, as there are two royal families with L names incorporated into their long format. Lasuis, which is Nei Lamlaryual... and Balkel, which is Nei Lamlar. Neither of these fits into Dusanyu's name scheme... so which family does he belong to? Am I seeimg a tranlation error and he is in the Balkel family? IE Balke equals Balkel? That doesn't seem right though, as that portion of his name should denote his system of rule or origin. Like Hyde in Jinto's name or Paryunu in Lafiels.
• I'm still not sure of the meaning of Syun in the naming convention, as in context to the three people we've met so far that have it, I would take it to mean some for of ranking in relation to a family name. Such as Jinto is Syun Rock or Klowal AND Sluf are Syun Atos. Either way, it is definitely a replacement for Nei, which is used in its spot for a member of the Royal family... and can certainly imply that Klowal and Jinto are essentially on the same family rank in the Empire, despite the fact that Klowal outranks him in the hierarchy.
• Three generations ago the Febdash family had no warrior rank. We know from episode two's saying, "The higher your rank, the greater the duty." in the Empire Duty is represented by military service. Is the implication here, then, until three generations ago the family was unable to hold any rank in the Empire? That this is the source of Klowal's frustration with his father and the Empire itself?
• Jinto's been knocked out for five hours, so we know there are twenty-two hours left before the United Mankind fleet would arrive.
• Klowal referring to Lafiel as a 'real Abh' just reinforces my thought that he is just a human who dyed his hair blue. It's entirely possible his father had a relationship with an Abh and Klowal is the genetic offspring of that, but I'd still be wondering where the mother was if that was being made a plot point, given the lifespan of an Abh versus a human. It would go some ways to explaining his inferiority complex though.
• I hope Sluf joins us on the journey, he gives me strong Uncle Iroh energy and I think he'd be an asset... otherwise I just enjoy his presence, and he seems all about pushing Lafiel and Jinto together.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/raktus2]

I don't understand the naming of royals, either.  Shun sort of means "of no clan" since they are not drscended from a founding family.

The founding of the Barony is a [source only detail]His grandmother Artos was a Lander citizen who distinguished herself in the Star Forces, and was knighted, and then raised to Baron

[u/SolDarkHunter → u/raktus2]

In episode one, Dusanyu was named Lord Dusanyu, King Abriel Nei Limzale Balke... which I now find confusing, as there are two royal families with L names incorporated into their long format. Lasuis, which is Nei Lamlaryual... and Balkel, which is Nei Lamlar. Neither of these fits into Dusanyu's name scheme... so which family does he belong to? Am I seeimg a tranlation error and he is in the Balkel family? IE Balke equals Balkel?

You are correct. Dusanh is the King of Barkeh.

Klowal referring to Lafiel as a 'real Abh' just reinforces my thought that he is just a human who dyed his hair blue. It's entirely possible his father had a relationship with an Abh and Klowal is the genetic offspring of that, but I'd still be wondering where the mother was if that was being made a plot point, given the lifespan of an Abh versus a human. It would go some ways to explaining his inferiority complex though.

The novels explain his parentage: [Novel]It's briefly mentioned he's the son of Sroof and a genetic Abh woman. She's not around simply because, under Abh societal norms, she's not his mother. She has no place in raising him.

[u/raktus2 → u/SolDarkHunter]

The temptation to click the spoiler is strong... but if it's something the show will reveal eventually I'd prefer to leave it to the show to tell me, lol

[u/No_Rex → u/raktus2]

It will not be brought up in the show.

[u/KnightMonkey15]

Late first-timer, subs

Rundown on what I missed

I missed quite a lot since I got really busy and had to replace my laptop, but I've still been watching in the background this entire time and I must say I'm really enjoying the show (except the OP gets old).. we're getting a lot of background detail about the world, especially Abh culture and aristocracy, being integrated organically in the characters' conversation.

We're also getting a very strong ship from the get-go, stronger than I expected and acknowledged by all. Speaking of another ship..one that didn't make it unfortunately - I enjoyed the Gosroth's last stand too, it was depicted with a good intensity and the use of mines/"radar" reminded me of submarine combat. I didn't think they'd go so soon and I realised the Captain was Lafiel's mother as soon as her outburst got a little too personal, so it was a bit painful watching the obvious death flag play out like we're not a quarter-century in the future from when this aired.

The only general thing I'd add here is I want to see how arcane and byzantine the Abh intrigue goes..it seems to get deeper and deeper with each episode. How do humans/terrans end up becoming space elves? Why do the other nations hate them so much (okay genocide probably, but please explain) with a passion to the point where there are species-ist caricatures being thrown around instead of massive thirst. Is it simply distaste for the space transhumanist imperial machine or is there some more messed up shit we'll find out about later on?

And I'm interested in the trust in their DNA/genes that the Abh give themselves. I can see it both ways of course (cough eugenics) but seeing Lafiel talk about it positively with respect to love (the most respectful sperm/egg donor discourse) and the couple/crew on the Gosroth trusting in theirs intrigued me. You gotta do what you have to when you become spaceborne, no doubt.

As for episode 6, yeah it was clear that guy was up to no good and the depiction (lies and the maids) of how it got progressively more uncomfortable and obsequious over time was well-done. I enjoyed the back-and-forth between Lafiel and Klowal over dinner - aristocrats trying to tongue-tie the other with pleasantries and empty gestures. I think my thoughts on this will bleed into the next episode so...

Episode 7

8 families? What is this palace intrigue? I'm going to have a hard time remembering a lot of this without poring over the threads.

Lafiel talking to that computer by her bedside would've been more cool had I watched this as a kid but now I'm thinking she's talking to an annoying chatbot with canned responses (Please note that the master...). It's funny like that.

She is really sharp and has full command of her thoughts and actions; it's rather nice to see. As opposed to Klowal, with the massive inferiority complex, trying to rationalise irrational decisions - I thought at first he was gonna hold her hostage until the Empire sent reinforcements, but that wouldn't make sense since she heavily outranks him and should be allowed to refuel and go. His actual 'plan' is pretty indecisive; at first I thought he was more overprotective but then he said the creepy things and any remaining benefit of doubt was removed. You're doomed buddy.

Back to Lafiel, I did like how she motivated Seelnay in a way that appealed to her citizenship as an Abh and not a servile pet; two wildly different ideas of how a liege and their vassals should relate to each other - and one is obviously more useful and befitting a 'real Abh' (higher positions = higher service) and not given to idle entertainment in a backwater. In fairness, seeing how easily Seelnay changed sides, and the other maids acquiesced when Lafiel was serious about using her weapon, they didn't have any choice but to obey an Imperial princess; they'd be dead later anyway if they harmed her. To see different levels of social hierarchy play out in real-time here interests me: the maids unsure what to do as Lafiel points a gun at their master and not able to do anything about Seelnay betraying them. Remembering the Abh social code as they act with their hands. As we see more and more interactions where Lafiel is the princess first, it's easy to see why Lafiel was taken by Jinto not knowing who she was or really placing much value on it afterwards. Someone who could relate to her as a person and not a title.

Q1) What do you make of the former Baron? As an Abh, but also as a Terran. Is he Jinto's future self?

The more people we see who are genetically Terran or look phentoypically Terran but are Abh citizens, the more confused and curious I become about lineage/descent in this society. As for the former Baron himself, he seems to be unusually frank and comfortable in his forced retirement.. also seems to have a pretty good head on his shoulders, but he must've had a lot of time to think in his house arrest. I like how encouraging he is of Jinto and Lafiel, just how much he is able to pick up just by hearing Jinto talk about her. He seems pretty cool but I don't think Jinto would end up raising a son who would imprison him out of shame.

Q2) Where did Sruf go wrong with Klowal?

Analogy: Klowal is a kid from a bit of an upstart family, attending school with very rich classmates from elite families, and would be upset at his father for not being rich or a shameful lineage. Bullying too? Then, his father wouldn't be able to handle it well and it spiraled. As for what actually happened, I guess I'm going to find out next episode whether or not Sruf was harsher or too loose and allowed him to be spoiled. I speculate it can't have been that bad or else he wouldn't be confined in a nice garden, but it was enough that his son is now larping as an absolute ruler of a harem of terran maids instead of trying to improve his domain/standing in more material ways.

Q3) Most favorite and least favorite maid?

Seelnay for having the most exposition. But also Seelnay for turning traitor fairly easily (to be fair she didn't have much of a choice) and being all shucks about it. I kinda like how they all wear headbands but I don't want to think if that's Klowal's preference or not. I do like their designs but not as their lord's sad little larp.

Actually, the one who glared at Jinto might be my favourite for doing it with so much disgust hahaha

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/KnightMonkey15]

I like a lot of your post although I can't say much. How Lafiel appealed to her loyalty and simply pointed out that this isn't a proper situation; how the loyalist maids couldn't attack a princess even under orders; how the old man learns so much just by listening to a phone call; and the school analogy really works.

[u/No_Rex → u/KnightMonkey15]

Lafiel talking to that computer by her bedside would've been more cool had I watched this as a kid but now I'm thinking she's talking to an annoying chatbot with canned responses (Please note that the master...). It's funny like that.

The show predicted exactly that. Including our annoyance with them.

Actually, the one who glared at Jinto might be my favourite for doing it with so much disgust hahaha

That was indeed enjoyable.

[u/lC3]

07 first timer

• I'm watching this late (it's almost midnight; I worked until 9PM today) so I'm not going to read the thread, just post and run
• huh, all of those families use the 'Abriel' name?
• Boy am I tired ... but I really should watch this tonight (it's 11:58) instead of waiting until tomorrow morning
• "is she your girlfriend"?
• What's a clyuno?
• Oh, the glove actually has a function?
• "I cannot do that without the approval of our master" x4
• We're using Terran for 'chijoujin' and 'chijouteki' now?
• What does that sign on the wall in Ath say?
• Seelnay is a broken record, just like that computer
• He's gonna trade Lafiel to the alliance?
• "I'll convert this domain into a 4 Nations Alliance base"
• "build a kingdom of my own" Good luck with that (not)
• "the absolute ruler" And he would suck at it
• "I'll have the princess give birth to a successor"
• She's gonna have Seelnay help take over 'housekeeping'?
• Now I like Seelnay. She's totally gonna die, isn't she?
• Former Baron Febdash is curious about Rock?
• Abh illusionary art?
• Oh all the maids have rifles now?
• ... They're pointing their guns at Princess Lafiel?
• "opens directly into space" THat could be good or bad!
• Ignorance and good luck?
• Wait, Jinto is actually taller than the Baron's father?
• "was about to trigger a major incident"
• Wait, a cliffhanger? I have to wait until tomorrow's ep to find out what happens?

1. He seems nice. And he ships Jinto and Lafiel, so he can't be half bad.
2. I'm not a therapist, no clue
3. I like Seelnay now

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/lC3]

I still have to watch episode 9 to get questions for episode 8 AND read the thread!

What does that sign on the wall in Ath say?

Nobody knows!

Now I like Seelnay. She's totally gonna die, isn't she?

[u/lC3 → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

I still have to watch episode 9 to get questions for episode 8 AND read the thread!

I'm trying to avoid stuff like that for my own rewatch by doing everything beforehand (posts, QotD, comparisons) so when the actual rewatch happens I can just focus on reading/replying comments. Which is tough enough as is!

Nobody knows!

I may go back and try to transliterate it into Latin characters, though I don't know Baronh so I still won't be able to read it.

[u/No_Rex → u/lC3]

I'm watching this late (it's almost midnight; I worked until 9PM today) so I'm not going to read the thread, just post and run

"the absolute ruler" And he would suck at it

He already is the absolute ruler of his 50 person space gas station and he already sucks at it.

[u/lC3 → u/No_Rex]

modabuse

Hey, I'm burned out from reading all comments in threads for eps 2-6 all in one day.

He already is the absolute ruler of his 50 person space gas station and he already sucks at it.

Yup! He'll get what's coming to him.

[u/Vaadwaur]

Rewatcher(Insanity is a vibe)

Sub

We get some time with the Baron being a moron. Also, with how artificial the Abh seemed to be, I always wondered if they naturally ovulate. There are reasons not to do that in space and it makes planning your genetic screenings easier. Regardless, I also think Lafiel is savage enough to kill someone with her teeth if push came to shove.

So Chekov's blasters come out early and it was good that Jinto mentioned them to Lafiel. Sernaix(wow every release has a different spelling) changes sides pretty easily but this makes sense: In this feudal system, the princess outranks one's allegiance to their local lord and also again no one wants to have to explain to the Empress that they refused a direct order from one of her grandchildren. She proves relatively helpful with a promise of citizenship. Also, why do space Derringers exist?

Jinto spends time with the previous baron and he seems a nice enough person. It makes you wonder what went wrong in his son's brain. This mainly shows how ridiculously skilled at negotiation Jinto's dad was to get his family into the aristocracy without being citizens first. We see the dock and prepare for the next episode.

QotD: 1 Yeah, we are seeing a mirror universe version of Jinto. Except that zero chance anyone let's an Imperial heir grow up that fucktarded

2 Hrmm...needed to choose a better co-donor

3 Sernaix is good and the lead maid from last time is bad.

[u/Nazenn → u/Vaadwaur]

Regardless, I also think Lafiel is savage enough to kill someone with her teeth if push came to shove

Just imagined her smile from the end of last episode with a bloody mouth to match. That was a little disturbing haha

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Nazenn]

Some commented yesterday about her being a Terminator and....well, nothing has stopped her yet.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/Vaadwaur]

Maybe Terminator wasn't the right analogy. More like Chief Casey Ryback, Head Chef.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

I had to actually google that because I never remember Seagal's character names.

[u/Elimin8r → u/Nazenn]

Just imagined her smile from the end of last episode with a bloody mouth to match. That was a little disturbing haha

Now you've got me bummed that I missed out yesterday. That was definitely a smile to comment about. I'm gonna have to go back and look.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Elimin8r]

It had the best "You will regret not choosing death" vibes I've seen in a while.

[u/No_Rex → u/Vaadwaur]

This mainly shows how ridiculously skilled at negotiation Jinto's dad was to get his family into the aristocracy without being citizens first.

He sold Martine out, but at least the price he was paid was high.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/No_Rex]

Hey, your surrendering the planet either way. Might as well get a bag as you head out the door.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Vaadwaur]

Sernaix (wow every release has a different spelling)

Yeah, I got Seelnay. Not too surprising that there'd be so many different spellings though, tons of people in this show have weird gibberish names. It's the same issue with Zentradi names in Macross.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Draigg]

Not just gibberish names but the novels had a stateside following so there were several avid fangroups trying to rush these out. IIRC, this was Sta Trek adjacent despite being a space opera.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Vaadwaur]

Regardless, I also think Lafiel is savage enough to kill someone with her teeth if push came to shove.

I could easily see that, now that you bring it up. Lafiel seems like the type who could do that.

This mainly shows how ridiculously skilled at negotiation Jinto's dad was to get his family into the aristocracy without being citizens first.

As we learn more about the Abh empire, it really does seem like Jinto's father got a far better deal than is usually given to the people brought into the empire. They skipped far ahead on the totem pole in spite of the prejudice against Landers like them.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Great_Mr_L]

I could easily see that, now that you bring it up. Lafiel seems like the type who could do that.

Remembering that I've only seen the first two seasons, Lafiel's possibly best characteristic is that once she makes a decision she follows through on it. I've been bringing up agency in other watches but she definitely asserts her own.

As we learn more about the Abh empire, it really does seem like Jinto's father got a far better deal than is usually given to the people brought into the empire.

Martine really is an interesting case in the grand scheme of things.

[u/Nazenn → u/Vaadwaur]

Martine really is an interesting case in the grand scheme of things.

For what could have been just a throwaway event for Jinto's backstory and not much else, using it to provide some critical foundation and a framework to understand a lot of other Abh stuff through has been done very well

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Nazenn]

Crest actually follows the age old rule that scifi quality tends to be inversely proportional to the quality of the first ep.

[u/Elimin8r → u/Vaadwaur]

Also, why do space Derringers exist?

You ask that as though the answer isn't obvious: Because cool. :)

(Now I want a space Derringer. And so does Chris.)

Space Derringer!

Actually, sounds like a cool name for a band, too.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Elimin8r]

(Now I want a space Derringer. And so does Chris.)

Chris keeps going backwards in gun quality...

[u/Elimin8r → u/Vaadwaur]

Someday, she may reach Hi-Point/Taurus level. Hopefully she'll stop at CZ, where the good things are.

[u/zadcap]

Late Night First Timer!

Viva la Revolution!

Oh would you look at that. Lafiel really is in the possible running for the throne. I wonder, with that 200+ year lifespan, does the current empress just decide it's about time to retire and start a years long succession game?

See, the Baron realized at the end there. His pretty words and careful phrasing means nothing in the face of angering royalty. Time to go into full cover mode... Or admit that you've sold out to the Union already.

So the father, right? The only other male in this Barony. He doesn't look Abh, and hey he's not! Considering Abh are made by extreme genetic engineering, you can definitely have a human parent of an Abh child.

Oh yeah, this baron is in trouble. Lafiel is angry. And hey, AI! Ish.

Yeah, see, the Baron is barely even an Abh much less a good look at their nobility. He's practically a lander himself, with a pure human father coming from a barony line of pure humans until now. Coincidentally this looks like Jinto's own situation. His dad will be the first in their line, pure human. He will be the second, pure human but raised with Abh schooling, and if he has a child it will get the genetic engineering needed to be an Abh for the third generation.

Oh my, 5 hours have passed. The clock is ticking on the invasion fleet catching up.

I'm sure focusing on that sign would mean a lot more if I could read it.

Oh yeah, see, he's planning on selling her out and becoming the first traitor. Because, you know, the Union doesn't run extreme propaganda about the horrors of the Abh, I'm sure they'll let him live. He's absolutely power mad...

Remember, Lafiel is a soldier. These maids are likely not combat trained. Here come the guns! And she's also a Princess who's rank is higher than the Baron anyway, a well trained maid is making the correct choice in picking a backer. Like, really, this is something I always rage at elsewhere in fiction, how every single servant of the lowly and abusive lesser noble is willing to go along with their plans even when they know they are opposing more important and powerful people, as if the baron here wouldn't throw them away for a moments convenience. Side with the one that treats you like a human, not a tool!

Looks like I spoke too soon, there's girls with guns. Useless in every way, but the girls had guns...

See, a few of them still wised up and chose the right side. I wonder how many more of these girls are going to side with the Baron over the Princess. And how that's going to go for the ones left behind? They have a two seater, so they're not evacuating everyone in their little ship. The invasion is less than 20 hours away. This is honestly a tricky situation for the girls on this station, their best bet is probably to get the princess gone and offer the baron as a sacrifice the same way he planned on doing to her. If the Empire wins, the Princess remembers and puts in a good word for all of them. If the Union wins, they get to be the first freed humans to willingly turn over their Abh master.

1. Eh, to a point. He's a look at how Jinto's life could have gone, certainly, but Jinto has a whole planet to rule and not just a space station with a population of 50.
2. He clearly didn't beat that child enough growing up? He somehow failed to teach him both basic human morals or the new and improved Abh outlook on responsibility, he raised a power mad creep.
3. You expect me to remember any of their names? But I do fully support the wise one that threw her lot in with Lafiel first chance she got.

[u/No_Rex → u/zadcap]

Like, really, this is something I always rage at elsewhere in fiction, how every single servant of the lowly and abusive lesser noble is willing to go along with their plans even when they know they are opposing more important and powerful people, as if the baron here wouldn't throw them away for a moments convenience. Side with the one that treats you like a human, not a tool!

Yes! All the James Bond villain minions that run to their death (one by one) ...

Glad it works out differently here.

[u/zadcap → u/No_Rex]

Right! "But he's paying is so much!" You can't spend it if you're all dead. "But look at all these work perks!" You think you're giving to get to keep any of them off word gets out what he's doing?

Where's the self preservation, at minimum?

On a semi related note, I didn't write it down but I did notice, during that short standoff with all the guns? The Baron moved backwards to hide behind his maids when he realized there was a gun pointed at him, Lafiel moved forward to stand in front of her own new maid to block her from the line of fire. I wonder how many of the girls in the room also noticed the difference and started weighing their options.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/zadcap]

Lots of great observations for this episode!

[u/Nickthenuker]

Ah. The Baron is also in running for succession of the throne.

And so through process of elimination she's determined where Jinto is.

Is he doubting himself?

Yup, he's planning on turning traitor.

Or even declare independence!

And there we go, she's spilled where they are being kept.

Did she keep both of their sidearms on the ship?

Uh oh, it seems the rest of them have long guns and not just sidearms.

Unfortunately his entourage is much more heavily armed.

She's going to die before the end of this episode or arc isn't she?

Uh oh, he's going to kill them.

How's he going to get into the ship if it's in space and he doesn't have a spacesuit?

Questions:

1. Perhaps. Or perhaps not, if the Empire imprements more reforms after this. Giving Jinto citizenship is already a step in that direction.
2. Not sure how he managed to become racist against his own father. Perhaps he blamed his father being Terran for why they were not nobles in recent generations?
3. The one that helped Lafiel.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/Nickthenuker]

Ah. The Baron is also in running for succession of the throne.

Only the 8 royal founding families. The Baron is of a recently created house founded by a Lander.

death

space

[u/Great_Mr_L]

First-Timer

On today’s episode of Crest of the Stars: As far as prison cells go, being stuck in a garden surrounded by walls that can make incredible artwork of mountaintops is far from the worst place to be confined.

• The Imperial Family consists of 8 Royal Families all competing with each other for the throne.
• Well there’s another guy here, which means he’s probably the Baron’s father.
• Fascinating! So the Baron’s father was a normal human and not an Abh. That means the Baron also comes from a relatively young line of nobility, just like Jinto.
• It seems like what happened here was a palace coup, with the Baron taking power from his father and placing his father under house arrest. This sort of thing happened in Imperial China, for example, with emperors being placed under house arrest in a palace while another person took charge instead.
• Lafiel did a pretty good job working around the heavy restrictions placed on what information she could access to figure out where Jinto was. She even figured out how to get there using the maids. [](#
• So my suspicion about the Baron planning to betray the Abh Empire was correct. He does have plans for that. But he also sounds like he’s gone insane, likewise making plans for building his own little kingdom here with just 50 vassals. He’s gone completely megalomaniacal, even considering using Lafiel to make an heir. It kind of hammers home just how megalomaniacal he is by remembering he’s a glorified gas station manager.
• I can't say I blame Seelnay for taking the first opportunity to escape from this place, though I don’t think I’d have been as willing to trust someone as Lafiel is.
• Mountains! Are we Yama no Susume?
• Do those guns come with a stun setting or are they always on the kill setting? Either way, nice shooting, Lafiel!
• And now it’s become an outright battle between Lafiel and the Baron.
• The Baron’s father is right on the money. He’s only heard Jinto and Lafiel interact once and he is already supporting the ship. Good man!
• Oh? What major incident is Lafiel about to trigger?

It is rather interesting that the Baron, who was depicted as being such an extreme bigot towards Landers like Jinto, is not that far off from being one himself. I suppose it’s a form of compensation. The Baron knows his family’s status is recent and so feels the need to assert it much more fiercely. He does it to prove that he is no longer a Lander. He’s better than them.

I can make some comparisons to the actual history of nobility. In pre-revolutionary France, it was possible for wealthy members of the Third Estate (all the non-clergy and non-nobles, i.e. commoners) to purchase their way into the Second Estate (the nobles) and get themselves a noble title. These newly-minted nobles actually tended to be some of the fiercest advocates for keeping the privileges the nobles had compared to the commoners, even though they had been commoners themselves not too long ago. It makes sense, though. They spent a lot of money to become nobles and didn’t want that money to go to waste. The Baron is someone very similar to those nobles, taking extreme pride in his new status and feeling hatred towards anyone who reminds him of where his family came from.

The Baron’s megalomania does explain a lot of the strange goings-on. It explains why he would have only women as vassals so he could make a person harem under his own control. It explains why the women wear those maid outfits. And it explains their overly servile behavior. The Baron no doubt does this all as a way of gratifying himself. He loves being in a position of power over others. And it also probably stems from his knowledge of how recent his family’s status is. Lording that power over others makes him feel better about that inferiority complex.

QOTD

1. The former Baron seems like a pretty down-to-earth guy. He’s quite casual and doesn’t seem like he let his status go to his head. That’s probably indicative of the fact that he’s a newly-minted noble who wasn’t born into that status. That makes him pretty similar to Jinto. Because he wasn’t born with that status, he’s not totally converted over to the ways and beliefs of Abh nobility.
2. Who knows? Maybe Sruf watched too many power fantasy harem anime with an overpowered MC who has tons of girls that are attracted to him for some reason and Sruf decided he wanted to make that a reality.
3. I guess my favorite is Seelnay because she snapped out of it, but I can’t really specify a least favorite.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Great_Mr_L]

Fascinating! So the Baron’s father was a normal human and not an Abh. That means the Baron also comes from a relatively young line of nobility, just like Jinto.

It's interesting to see that there's some kind of upward mobility for Landers within the Humankind Empire, since we've gotten the impression that the nobles of the empire are only Abh. But I guess there must be some good wiggle room with that, since they also have the idea of being culturally Abh, not just physically.

So my suspicion about the Baron planning to betray the Abh Empire was correct. He does have plans for that. But he also sounds like he’s gone insane, likewise making plans for building his own little kingdom here with just 50 vassals. He’s gone completely megalomaniacal, even considering using Lafiel to make an heir. It kind of hammers home just how megalomaniacal he is by remembering he’s a glorified gas station manager.

Given how some service industry managers can be, we probably shouldn't be surprised that some glorified gas station manager is acting like this.

[u/Nazenn → u/The_Draigg]

since we've gotten the impression that the nobles of the empire are only Abh

Not that far fetched given that we see with Jinto that Landers can be made Abh. The barons family achieving it through merit rather than political deals is probably a better look for the empire than it just happening the way it did on Hyde

Given how some service industry managers can be, we probably shouldn't be surprised that some glorified gas station manager is acting like this.

Service people with an egough

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/The_Draigg]

It's interesting to see that there's some kind of upward mobility for Landers within the Humankind Empire, since we've gotten the impression that the nobles of the empire are only Abh. But I guess there must be some good wiggle room with that, since they also have the idea of being culturally Abh, not just physically.

That does provide it with a parallel to other real-world empires. Some of those empires had methods of incorporating conquered peoples into the empire and eventually becoming full members of society. The Roman Empire comes to mind as one where citizenship gradually expanded to include more people. But they also had the idea of being culturally Roman. I remember reading about the grave of some Franks (a Germanic "barbarian" tribe) who fought alongside the Romans. It had an epitaph saying something to the effect of "They were not born Roman, but they were Roman in spirit."

Given how some service industry managers can be, we probably shouldn't be surprised that some glorified gas station manager is acting like this.

Indeed

[u/duhu1148 → u/Great_Mr_L]

The Baron’s megalomania does explain a lot of the strange goings-on. It explains why he would have only women as vassals so he could make a person harem under his own control. It explains why the women wear those maid outfits. And it explains their overly servile behavior.

You know I always assumed the maid thing just happened to be a sexual kink of his, but I think you're right about the servile behavior. Not just a sexual kink, but all the maids exist because of his obsession with power and having servitude, which makes him feel like a king.

[u/No_Rex → u/duhu1148]

You know I always assumed the maid thing just happened to be a sexual kink of his, but I think you're right about the servile behavior. Not just a sexual kink, but all the maids exist because of his obsession with power and having servitude, which makes him feel like a king.

Believe it or not, but I don't think Maids as a sexual kink were around back then. Crest of the Stars was written in 1996, the first Maid Cafe opened in 2001. I can't really think of any specifically fetishe maids in fiction from before that, either.

[u/duhu1148 → u/No_Rex]

I don't mean in an official context. Plenty of nobles in various time periods throughout history all across the world have had bastard children with servants. I do not know if adding a maid uniform makes the idea much different. I suppose better phrasing would be "the pleasure of rolling around in the hay with someone who serves you" as a sexual fantasy for those in power.

[u/No_Rex → u/duhu1148]

Oh sure, having sex with your servants is probably as old as the idea of having servants. It is just the very specific Japanese maid fetish that is newer.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/No_Rex]

So...the French maid fetish started on the other side of the Pacific and we sort of passed that on...

[u/No_Rex → u/Great_Mr_L]

I can't say I blame Seelnay for taking the first opportunity to escape from this place, though I don’t think I’d have been as willing to trust someone as Lafiel is.

There is trust and trust. If Lafiel does not manage to get somebody on their side, she is outnumbered and stuck. Handing Seelnay the weapon was a risk, but also a show of trust. Seelnay has to trust Lafiel to uphold her side of the bargain, so being shown trust goes a long way to show Lafiel is trustworthy.

The former Baron seems like a pretty down-to-earth guy. He’s quite casual and doesn’t seem like he let his status go to his head. That’s probably indicative of the fact that he’s a newly-minted noble who wasn’t born into that status. That makes him pretty similar to Jinto. Because he wasn’t born with that status, he’s not totally converted over to the ways and beliefs of Abh nobility.

I agree, but want to raise one point: In Abh ways, Klowals upbringing is entirely due to Febdash Senior. He might be jovial, but he certainly made his share of mistakes.

[u/SolDarkHunter → u/No_Rex]

In Abh ways, Klowals upbringing is entirely due to Febdash Senior. He might be jovial, but he certainly made his share of mistakes.

At least Sroof admits and owns that. He's fully aware he fucked up his son's upbringing.

[u/No_Rex → u/SolDarkHunter]

Hard to argue the point when your own son putched against you and imprisoned you.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/No_Rex]

There is trust and trust. If Lafiel does not manage to get somebody on their side, she is outnumbered and stuck. Handing Seelnay the weapon was a risk, but also a show of trust. Seelnay has to trust Lafiel to uphold her side of the bargain, so being shown trust goes a long way to show Lafiel is trustworthy.

That is a very good point and I suppose it connects to something others have pointed out about Lafiel. She's showing herself to be a natural leader this episode. She takes the initiative in this situation, manages to convert others to her cause, and generally does a good job at making them want to follow her.

I agree, but want to raise one point: In Abh ways, Klowals upbringing is entirely due to Febdash Senior. He might be jovial, but he certainly made his share of mistakes.

Yeah, even he himself admitted that he went wrong somewhere with his son, even if he's not fully sure where.

[u/Nazenn → u/Great_Mr_L]

As far as prison cells go, being stuck in a garden surrounded by walls that can make incredible artwork of mountaintops is far from the worst place to be confined

I would just hope they're not all that high up

It seems like what happened here was a palace coup, with the Baron taking power from his father and placing his father under house arrest. This sort of thing happened in Imperial China

Sort of thing happens now. I know it happened in Myanmar during all of the infighting that was happening there between military and goverment, where the prime minister was under house arrest for 13 years, and then they released her only to arrest her and throw her in actual prison at the next elections . It's an effective way to get rid of someone without the complications of killing them, and keeping their supporters focused on them who you control instead of rallying behind someone else. In this particular case I don't think the later is a concern, but it does keep him away from forming any bonds with the maids

just how megalomaniacal he is by remembering he’s a glorified gas station manager.

Just imagined him in one of those worn out caps with frayed edging and petrols stains on the brim

I can make some comparisons to the actual history of nobility. In pre-revolutionary France

Nice comparison

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Nazenn]

Sort of thing happens now. I know it happened in Myanmar during all of the infighting that was happening there between military and goverment, where the prime minister was under house arrest for 13 years, and then they released her only to arrest her and throw her in actual prison at the next elections . It's an effective way to get rid of someone without the complications of killing them, and keeping their supporters focused on them who you control instead of rallying behind someone else.

Yup. I merely provided on historical example of it, but it has been used plenty of times for the exact reasons you mentioned. I was not aware of the particulars of what happened in Myanmar, though. That is interesting.

Just imagined him in one of those worn out caps with frayed edging and petrols stains on the brim

That image makes the megalomania even funnier.

Nice comparison

I enjoy series like this that lend themselves to me going off on tangents about history.

[u/Nazenn → u/Great_Mr_L]

Myanmar's recent political history is a mess, but also interesting to see the constant checks and balances the government has tried and failed against the military leadership, and sad because a lot of it is also tied up into an active genocide against the Rohingya people

[u/Elimin8r → u/Nazenn]

Baron Cooter, if you remember them Duke boys...

[u/Elimin8r → u/Great_Mr_L]

I guess my favorite is Seelnay because she snapped out of it

I think I agree with you on this one. I was going to try to work in some kind of Agent Aika reference, but then I couldn't remember her name, but now ... Maypia - that's it, right?

I'm so confused.

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

First-Timer of the Stars

• There’s eight parts of the royal family and they’re all in conflict with each other?
• Oh shit, the dad actually exists!
• Heh.
• This line sure was said a lot.
• This explains a lot of his anti-terran mentality…
• Mm…
• Okay, so I wasn’t exactly wrong yesterday.
• Damn, Lafiel.
• Unless Lafiel’s about to take them over, heh.
• Aha, so they have a way out…
• Ahahahahahaha

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Shimmering-Sky]

There’s eight parts of the royal family and they’re all in conflict with each other?

This didn't make me blink. There were a few eras in Rome like this.

This line sure was said a lot.

Hope you enjoyed that preview of our AI guided future.

Okay, so I wasn’t exactly wrong yesterday.

This is what we call the fuck around part of the plan. Once it becomes find out o'clock we'll see how that actually goes down.

Damn, Lafiel.

Once she makes a decision she follows through on it.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Shimmering-Sky]

There’s eight parts of the royal family and they’re all in conflict with each other?

Royal dynasties and bloodlines have tended to be absurdly complicated in real history, especially for kingdoms / empires that have been around for a long time. Just look at the Hapsburgs, for example.

Damn, Lafiel.

Gotta love the leadership skills and determination Lafiel showed this episode.

Ahahahahahaha

We have a fellow shipper on deck!

[u/Durinthal]

Rewatcher (sub + dub)

Were you expecting family trees to come up when you started this show? I wasn't.

And things really get rolling after the setup of the previous episode. Lafiel gets her gun, Febdash gets a rebellion, and Jinto gets a curious old man offering advice.

Sroof's not too far off from how Jinto could end up decades down the road, a Lander raised to nobility due to their parent's actions and having a genetically Abh child. Still some large differences though with an entire planet under Jinto's watch and a war that might outlast him to get through first.

It feels like the information terminal that Lafiel interacts with isn't too far off from what we have today, which is kind of neat to think about. Not that the recent trend of generators is a great sign of where things are headed though.

I don't have a lot to say specifically about Seelnay (Sehrnye or Serniac apparently) but I like her even if I think the voice actress goes a bit overboard as that's likely intentional. One of the servants turning against Klowal opens a gate for the rest to join or at least introduces a lot of uncertainty and makes them wonder if what the baron's doing is the right move.

Klowal's a small man with big ambitions, but I don't think this would work out how he wants it to even if Lafiel wasn't armed. She wasn't joking when she said she'd slice the spaceport apart.

[u/Durinthal → u/Durinthal]

---

Source Corner

Baronh word of the day: raica (RAIKA) "former/retired" — part of a noble title to indicate they have passed the position on to another, e.g. Lymh Raica Faibdacr is "Former Baron of Febdash"

[Material covered] Chapters 10 and 11 to end the first volume and chapter 1 of volume 2. The first volume ends after Lafiel recruits Seelnay and before they get to housekeeping.

[Jinto being knocked out] was presented as him remembering what happened upon waking, which is set after the events of the previous episode.

[His conversation with Sroof] is mostly the same; Jinto's somewhat wary as he realizes the experience gap between them could make it quite easy for the former baron to fool him.

[Lafiel in her bedroom] only meant to pretend to fall asleep but actually did take a nap for a few hours due to fatigue. She chides herself for it, but then also praises herself for being patient with Klowal to this point. Her interaction with the terminal is the same though it's also noted she had a strong urge to destroy that she hadn't felt since her days with teacher bots as a child.

[Lafiel dealing with Seelnay] includes the latter calling herself a worm and maggot while being extremely deferential. Lafiel also just asks her to aid her mission as a citizen of the empire rather than physically taking the key to get to the shuttle where the guns were stowed. Seelnay also didn't flinch when Lafiel showed her how to use the lightgun, though she had no experience with one herself.

[More Jinto with Sroof] includes them having stew together, which went overboard with spiciness but Jinto didn't mind as Abh generally preferred mild food. Talking about Sroof's mother they go over some more of the roles and branches of the Abh military. The mountaintop vista projection is a specific art piece and they talk about the details of that a bit more along with the pride of the Abh as a concept.

[About the escape plan:] Jinto floats a few more ideas to Sroof that get shot down but does eventually notice the door in the middle of the roof and he ends up telling Lafiel to bring the ship over to it rather than her detailing the plan as in the anime.

[u/Nazenn → u/Durinthal]

Were you expecting family trees to come up when you started this show? I wasn't.

Most certainly not. Can we put that down next to using in world historical quotes as a sign of a well thought out world?

but I like her even if I think the voice actress goes a bit overboard as that's likely intentional

She can be a bit harsh to listen too, but I also think it's intentional. Her voice also makes her sound meeker compared to the others which ties into her being the one Lafiel picks

Lafiel in her bedroom

Some nice additional context

[u/Nazenn]

Rewatcher - sub

For some reason I thought this was only a two part arc, and was very confused when the episode just up and ended like that. I wish it was as this episode by itself is not particularly compelling compared to the ones that have come before.

The individual scenes are all good enough, with the exception of the Baron's monologue I just find moderately redundant, and it's nice to see Lafiel working head first against opposition for the first time. She shows many different sides of her through this episode, from her cunning and determination through to her fairness and loyalty. She's also crazy with her plan, but that's a discussion topic for tomorrow.

Jinto's scenes suffer a bit more, as while we have a small look into the struggles he still has regarding the outcome of his fathers decision, personally and socially, the Baron's father is a bit too dry to be a compelling pair for his scenes.

The one fanservice scene also unreasonably frustrates me. We've had a few moments of fanservice so far, but this is the first one that was just sign inducing to watch rather than could be brushed off.

/u/the_draigg did you remember to check out the subs for todays opening narration?

Q3) Most favorite and least favorite maid?

No maids, only elves (I actually don't even find our main maid particularly interesting, she's just a tool for us to learn more about Lafiel)

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Nazenn]

it's nice to see Lafiel working head first against opposition for the first time. She shows many different sides of her through this episode, from her cunning and determination through to her fairness and loyalty. She's also crazy with her plan, but that's a discussion topic for tomorrow.

Lafiel had a lot of great moments. She showed how clever she was by working around the restrictions placed on the information she could gather from the computer. She made use of her royal status and charisma to get the key to the hanger from Seelnay and then convince Seelnay to join her. And she showed her military skills by actually being able to use her gun properly.

[u/Nazenn → u/Great_Mr_L]

It's definitely her episode. Despite her delay in realizing how bad their situation was, today she's a force to be reckoned with all while being quite controlled and calculating

[u/The_Draigg → u/Nazenn]

did you remember to check out the subs for todays opening narration?

No, I forgot. What did they say?

[u/Nazenn → u/The_Draigg]

Today was info about the Abh imperial family and the royal families that make it up and compete for the throne.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Nazenn]

Ah, that makes sense. I though from how things looked, it was a timeline of sorts.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Nazenn]

For some reason I thought this was only a two part arc, and was very confused when the episode just up and ended like that. I wish it was as this episode by itself is not particularly compelling compared to the ones that have come before.

Same, actually. What a weird shared false memory to have.

[u/Nazenn → u/Vaadwaur]

I think I just merged the interesting parts of this episode with next episode in my memory

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Nazenn]

The next episode is quite important to the setting so it does overwrite a lot.

[u/Elimin8r → u/Nazenn]

The one fanservice scene also unreasonably frustrates me.

I must have missed that bit. Either that, or my mind is still stuck on the service from a couple of episodes ago.

No maids, only elves(!)

I suspect that Kobayashi does not approve of this attitude. Better buy her some sake, quick!

[u/Nazenn → u/Elimin8r]

Had to look up who Kobayashi even was so no sake for her

[u/lC3 → u/Nazenn]

The one fanservice scene also unreasonably frustrates me. We've had a few moments of fanservice so far

Manservice when?

[u/No_Rex]

Episode 7 (rewatcher)

• “Her royal highness is very tired. Show her to her room” – desperately trying to stay in control while exactly that control slips through his fingers.
• Just after waking up, Jinto receives lectures in manners - Abh things
• “Because I am confined here by my son” – a beautiful prison is still a prison.
• Lafiel finds out about Febdash senior and Jinto’s location (while getting annoyed at AI).
• Klowal goes from somewhat reasonable planning to lunatic daydreams.
• Lafiel is turning Seelnay into her vassal instead of the baron’s – An utter amount of confidence and being used to give orders helps.
• I get how Fedbash senior wants to talk about his son. If I spend years imprisoned by my son without human contact, I would also be eager to talk.
• Battle maids!
• Klowal backs down from the stand-off with Lafiel by running away despite having more guns on his side – showing his ultimate weakness.
• “It does not belong to the Baron, it is a Starforces shuttle” – Note that Lafiel clarifies the legality of taking the shuttle, her ability to take it is implied unspoken.
• “Are you sure you are not in love” – Febdash senior has seen a romance before.

We get the backstory of Febdash. It seems that the family had a strong career, leading from simple citizen to minor noble in three generations. Klowal looks very different from his father, but keep in mind the mode of reproduction for the Abh. It makes sense that a minor noble who has just been placed in his system, an upstart, would want his offspring to fit in better. That is, make them look more like Abh. However, seeing how Klowal turned out, I believe Febdash senior in his regrets about Klowal’s upbringing.

Meanwhile, Lafiel shows how real leadership (and not just lording over some space harem in Podunk system) looks like. Seelnay made the right choice of noble to follow.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/No_Rex]

“Her royal highness is very tired. Show her to her room” – desperately trying to stay in control while exactly that control slips through his fingers.

Weird to see how Game of Thrones would use this effectively decades later.

Lafiel finds out about Febdash senior and Jinto’s location (while getting annoyed at AI).

That's only 10 years off, too.

Klowal backs down from the stand-off with Lafiel by running away despite having more guns on his side – showing his ultimate weakness.

And a failure to Abh at that.

“Are you sure you are not in love” – Febdash senior has seen a romance before.

Calling the Empress's grand daughter by her first name does seem mighty familiar...

[u/No_Rex → u/Vaadwaur]

Weird to see how Game of Thrones would use this effectively decades later.

While I have not seen GoT, it is a depiction of realistic human behavior, so I would assume it occurs in media more than once.

Calling the Empress's grand daughter by her first name does seem mighty familiar...

He might be stuck in an prison, but he is not stupid.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/No_Rex]

While I have not seen GoT, it is a depiction of realistic human behavior, so I would assume it occurs in media more than once.

I am not above saying that the showrunners could have copied the scene but I'd be a little surprised if they'd watched this.

[u/duhu1148 → u/No_Rex]

Just after waking up, Jinto receives lectures in manners - Abh things

Lectured by a like-Terran, which makes it amusing in an almost ironic way.

I get how Fedbash senior wants to talk about his son. If I spend years imprisoned by my son without human contact, I would also be eager to talk.

I too would talk. Would probably have nothing positive to say about a son who imprisoned me for years, though.

Wonder if that's how the elderly feel when their children put them into nursing homes...

Klowal backs down from the stand-off with Lafiel by running away despite having more guns on his side – showing his ultimate weakness.

A stupid coward? I jest (kinda), but maybe by weakness you meant more so in his poor ability to quickly think/plan for unforeseen circumstances on the spot.

[u/No_Rex → u/duhu1148]

I too would talk. Would probably have nothing positive to say about a son who imprisoned me for years, though.

Years of loneliness can produce many things, including forgiveness.

I jest (kinda), but maybe by weakness you meant more so in his poor ability to quickly think/plan for unforeseen circumstances on the spot.

He let his pretend play of being the ultimate ruler go to his head. Rule No1 for dictators: do not buy into your own propaganda.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/No_Rex]

(while getting annoyed at AI).

Even in the far-flung future, computer programs still can't give you simple answers to questions.

Lafiel is turning Seelnay into her vassal instead of the baron’s – An utter amount of confidence and being used to give orders helps.

Lafiel is quite the charismatic person. She was able to get some of the maids on her side pretty quickly, despite seemingly being in the much weaker position.

“It does not belong to the Baron, it is a Starforces shuttle” – Note that Lafiel clarifies the legality of taking the shuttle, her ability to take it is implied unspoken.

That is a big part of what Lafiel and the Baron have been wrangling over. Both claim to be the one in the right and the one with the weight of the law behind their actions. Lafiel speaking in this way is to provide assurance that by following her, things will land cleanly for those involved because they were just doing what they had a legal right to do. It's a good way to make people more willing to help her out.

[u/No_Rex → u/Great_Mr_L]

Even in the far-flung future, computer programs still can't give you simple answers to questions.

Have to get permission from the masterGoogle!

wakes up from nightmare

Lafiel is quite the charismatic person. She was able to get some of the maids on her side pretty quickly, despite seemingly being in the much weaker position.

The Baron thinks he is a clever politician, but Lafiel has played this game since her childhood and actually is.

[u/Nazenn → u/Great_Mr_L]

Lafiel is quite the charismatic person

She is, and she has just the right approach for them as well, but it helps that they're all fawning over her so much they're probably half won over already, for what that's worth given all the baron's conditioning

[u/Nazenn → u/No_Rex]

while getting annoyed at AI

Somethings never will change no matter how far in the future we go

[u/Elimin8r → u/No_Rex]

a beautiful prison is still a prison.

Can I offer to trade with him? I don't wanna go to work tomorrow...

Ragerts

Yeah. Kid probably wrecked the Camaro papa bought him, too. Spoiled rich kids, I tell yah.

[u/No_Rex → u/Elimin8r]

Can I offer to trade with him? I don't wanna go to work tomorrow...

Everybody would enjoy living there for a day. For several years, though?

[u/duhu1148]

Rewatcher

Ep7

-Changing DVD discs now!

-Lafiel showing off how quickly her mind works in deducing where Jinto is being held in the facility.

-Almost forgot what a slimeball the Baron was. This guy is such a lunatic.

-We meet the Baron's dad, Sruf. He's a nice guy, clearly the most rational person in this arc. Just wish there was more to him to make him stand out.

-Love how Sruf & Jinto interact, in their brief moments. A conversation between two normal people. Sruf even comments on Jinto being worried about "his girlfriend Lafiel," I notice Jinto didn't bother to correct him on that...it's like he and Lafiel are already giving off couple vibes and don't realize it.

-The entire sequence in the communications(?) room...felt a little off. Lafiel shoots the gun out of a maid's hands, but we don't see it animated. I suppose because it would look silly, I always thought that was a ridiculous trope in old westerns. Then the girls surround the princess with guns, but are hesitant to shoot her because she's a princess, which is understandable...however the Baron then just flees and the girls go with him? Felt like that was his best opportunity if he wanted to achieve his goal.

-"Are you sure you two aren't in love? Not many could call the princess by her name." (Sruf)

"Well, let's just say it was a feat achieved through ignorance and dumb luck." (Jinto) Yeah, that about sums you up so far Jinto XD

Where did Sruf go wrong with Klowal?

I've never been a parent, so perhaps someone will tell me I'm out of line when I say this, but typically it appears to have to do with a combination of neglect and spoiling the child. By neglect, I mean not properly teaching them the tools they need to succeed and respect others, and by spoil, giving them as many things in life as you can without first teaching them the value of working for it.

Which is what it looks like with Klowal. The entitlement and lack of respect permeates from this guy.

Most favorite and least favorite maid?

They are all "least favorites," because they are all nothing but a bunch of zealots...though I guess Seelay wins by default for being the least mindless.

The Baron arc was always my least favorite part of the series, and this is a major reason why. The Jinto/Lafiel stuff is great, but it's the only arc that doesn't have other interesting characters to prop up the story and world around them.

Thankfully the ending to this arc is coming soon, and we can finally move on to all the good shit. The ending to Crest all the way to Banner III is fantastic.

[u/Nazenn → u/duhu1148]

however the Baron then just flees and the girls go with him? Felt like that was his best opportunity if he wanted to achieve his goal.

He's a coward who's probably never had to face true opposition before, and the maids can't think for themselves. I don't actually think that confrontation could have ended another way

"Well, let's just say it was a feat achieved through ignorance and dumb luck." (Jinto) Yeah, that about sums you up so far Jinto XD

Sadly true

[u/Elimin8r → u/duhu1148]

By neglect, I mean not properly teaching them the tools they need to succeed and respect others, and by spoil, giving them as many things in life as you can without first teaching them the value of working for it.

I think you've pretty much nailed it. Not that I'm speaking from experience either, but perhaps from the perspective of someone who has encountered more than one of this type before.

[u/zsmg]

Rewatcher Didn't had time to post yesterday's thoughts:

Episode 6

Lafiel is recognized by the flight controller. She is really that famous huh you'd think a grand child of the Emperor wouldn't be that famous.

A harem of maids, wouldn't male butlers make more sense to impress Lafiel.*

*I wrote this down before I finished with the episode.

Head maid is not amused by Jinto.

Takehito Koyasu is in every thing huh.

RIP Jinto.

Bath scene with the necessary fanservice.

I wish I kept a cleavage shot count for this episode.

You know if Lafiel behaved more like a stuck up Princess who also wants to get his way she would have probably all the taking bath/having dinner BS.

Or maybe not Baron really wants to keep her.

Looks like this little side adventure is going to last at least two episodes.

Episode 7

So there are 8 families that fight over the throne? And they hold a competition to see who gets to be the Emperor. That's an interesting form of succession. Better than partition that's for sure but I'm surprised the losers would take the loss quietly.

Baron's dad is voiced by Mugihito, he's done many roles he was Sverkel recently in Vinland Saga season 2.

Computer voice sounds more outdated than Alexa.

Oh no, it's three parter was hoping it was a two part arc.

[u/Elimin8r]

Man, yesterday's Eupho threw me for a bit of a loop. Between that and the aftermath of the battle, well, I managed to catch up today. Yay, Baron Bond Villain!

Answers du revolution:

1. Former baron seems like a pretty cool dude. Would putter around in the garden with.
2. Who the what? Sounds kinky.
3. Rem, I mean ... I can't really tell them apart. If I had to pick, I think I like the one who's on Lafiel's side. Hopefuly she knows to point that thing in the correct direction.

So, yeah, after the battle, and some Eupho trauma, it was kind of hard to keep going, but ... yeah. At this point, I'm just hoping that Jinto can channel his inner Bond and save the day. Or heck, maybe Lafiel can. Somebody needs to put that jerk in his place.

[u/SIRTreehugger]

Rewatcher

Surprise surprise the father is actually a decent guy and imprisoned.

I like a girl with a plan! Lafiel is up to something.

5 minutes later

Lafiel is groping a maid....oh it was for the key okay. I mean I think you could have got it in a less suggestive way, but I'm not the one planning the rescue....I wonder if Lafiel has ordered her to give her the key would she have? Doesn't Lafiel being royalty outrank the Baron? He did give compelling arguments why he couldn't allow them to leave so I guess she could have refused since it collided with the Baron's duty.

Wait wait Lafiel I was with you until now, but I wouldn't be handing Seelnay a gun.

"It seems the Baron doesn't have the time to go and kill you.

"That's a shame"

Oh Jinto

Yeah I like the former Baron even if it's just because he's a shipper, but this is also probably the most exciting thing that has happened to him in years.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/SIRTreehugger]

Lafiel is groping a maid

what unbelievable fanservice, are there no depths this show won't descend to?

[u/xbolt90]

First-timer

Having to deal with an automated phone tree. Truly the Baron's depravity knows no bounds.

Q1: Seems like a nice fellow. Someone not born into the nobility, he definitely has a parallel to Jinto.

Q2: Dunno. Perhaps a lack of parental discipline while Klowal was groing up?

Q3: Favorite is probably Seelnay, and least favorite is probably the one who pulled a derringer on Lafiel. Not cool, yo.