Ludwig Volume 2 Chapter 2: Gold of the Rhein Translated by Tokimaru Note: There is a short dialogue in old german spoken by "Lohengrin" in this chapter, which Seishirou-kun from Germany was kind enough to translate for us. If it sounds strange, don't blame Seishirou-kun ^_^ I'm told that this is very old-fashioned german which was hard to understand. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 85 26 June, 1870 Munich Royal Theatre The first act of "Valkyrie" page 86 Ludwig: % Valkyure - the maiden who transports the heroes who die in battle to the palace of the heavens, Valhala---- Official: Your majesty, Prussia has conferred a mobilization order. Official: He wants to avoid a war between Prussia and France---- because of our pact with Prussia, Bavaria also cannot take a neutral position. Official: Your majesty, the cabinet are awaiting your majesty's order to mobilize. Page 87 Maidens of ---- death! Step down from that country Vallhala and burn it all. The world ---- everything. Ludwig: ---- Don't we have any more firepower! The potentiality of avoiding a war ---- Ludwig: % ----- Chaos Official: It's unfortunate, but if we kept to a neutral position, we would buy bad feeling with Prussia. That would be dangerous for Bavaria's continued existence. Ludwig: If so... then there is but one path that remains to us. If you're saying that to fight with Prussia is the best policy Page 88 Ludwig: So Bavaria is expecting a benefit from Prussia's victory, huh Ludwig: There is no pride or anything in it. Ludwig: The blood of the Vittelsbah family must bow before the upstart Hoenshorerun blood, huh? Ludwig: % This utterly wretched world filled with deception ---- Ludwig: ---- This too is surely an anachronistic way of speaking. Ludwig: % ---- Ah, Maidens of Valhala! Burn it all, scorch everything. Ludwig: % There is no truth or anything, and I myself even to a drop of this blood Ludwig: % That pure arm will become a bed of flame. Page 89 Ludwig: % I am engulfed by flame and everything is purified. Ludwig: %: Even the abominable stain of sin ---- Official 2: Oh my god, for the king himself to sign an order to mobilize! Does this mean that we will become a part of Prussia?! Official 3: But this is probably a wise decision. This way we can show those French bastards our German soul! Official 2: But France is probably also surprised. They can't think that we, southern Germany would lend support to Prussia. ---- Look, they are confused. Citizens: Hurrah for king and country! We give glory to Germany! Hurrah king Ludwig! Page 90 Ludwig: % The sound of guns continues to catch on ---- Ludwig: % Is this what's called the new age Lohengrin: Heiaha! The mare gets pushed by the stallion! Hoioho! She greens here! Where do you border for so long? But it happened! Are the others already there? Hojotoho! Page 91 Ludwig: % Valhala's Maiden Ludwig: % No.. that's a man. ---- I haven't heard that they use male actors for the role of Valkyrie Page 92 Guard: W.. what's the matter, your majesty!? Ludwig: Give me the opera glass. Guard: Yes!? Ludwig: Lend me the opera glass Ludwig: % He's not there? Ludwig: % What is the meaning of this? Citizens: The king, the king! Page 93 Guard 2: What's up with the king these days? Guard 3: He's really got a lot of troubles to worry about. Guard 2: giggle giggle That's not what I meant Page 94 Guard 2: The king's favourite is also spoiled (oops) Guard 2: Anyway at that "Valkyrie" before, with his first glance at an actor ---- there's talk that he's desperately searching for him. Well, being given the duty of searching for him ---- Guard 2: It's such a pitiable thing. Guard 3: But, he's wounded. He's a wet blanket for the king. **KONK** Hornstein: Oops, sorry Guard 3: Gyaa- Guard 2: OW- Hornstein: Yo, babe, what's with the wet face. Hornig: Baron Horshtain! Page 95 Hornstein: Geez~~~ No, it's Hor-n-stein. Hornstein: (Glug Glug) Woman: Ah, I was about to give up on you. Hornstein: For the time being, beer and then sauerkraut and sausage jumbo-sized. (This shop's food is delicious). Hornstein: Ah, that really hit the spot Hornstein: Yep, this is how a German should be. Hornig: (I came because you said you had something to talk about though) I'm very sorry, but ---- I still have work so Hornstein: C'mon, wait a minute Hornig. Page 96 Hornstein: That work you're talking about, it's mediating for the king's partner, isn't it? Quit it, it's too much of a burden for you. Hornstein: Youre face looks so heart-breaking Hornig: Please let me go. Hornstein: C'mon, sit down. Hornstein: These days everyone is France this, Prussia that. Amongst those who have the German Spirit going to their head, your owner's, well, cooling down. Hornstein: He's given up, you know, looking at reality. Hornstein: His ideal is a king of a glass kingdom where no one can live---- Somewhere absolutely no one can trespass! Page 97 Hornstein: How long do you intend to go with him? You're a human of this side. Hornstein: Get dragged along with him and in the end, the one who gets hurt, Hornig ---- will be you. Woman: (Eheheh, cute) Woman 2: (Face this way) Hornstein: Know a woman, Hornig, women are great. They were made to wrap around a man. Page 98 Hornig: I'm very sorry, Fraulein, I don't want to dirty your beautiful hand, so ---- can you pardon me? Hornstein: (Maaan, how affected). Woman: (Aya aya aya aya) Page 99 Hornig: If that's it, then I must go. Hornstein: (Considerate of the ladies, huh? A gentleman.) Hornstein: You understand, don't you. Things left the way they are won't do. Hornig: I ---- have dedicated my all to him. Hornig: I don't intend to repent it. Hornstein: Hoooohhhhh -- Splendid. Page 100 Hornig: ---- I'm a hypocrite$B!&(B Servant: Ah, Hornig. Perfect timing. The king requested some wine. Won't you take it to him? Hornig: I will. Servant: Here you go. Other servants: /giggle giggle/ Hornig: Your majesty Page 101 Playboy 1: What? Page 102 Ludwig: {giggle} Hey, quit it Ernst Playboy 1: What're you doing, hurry up and hand it over. Playboy 1: (Great vintage) Page 103 Ludwig: ---- What is it, Hornig. Ludwig: Then you come and join us too. Hornig: ---- No Hornig: No thanks, your majesty Page 104 Hornig: Please excuse me. Playboy 1: He's so strange. Even though the king went to the trouble of inviting him. How rude. Ernst: Ah that's an example. He's the stableboy who was the king's favourite. Ernst: {heheheh} Poor thing, even though he's been dismissed because of that scar, he doesn't complain. Isn't there some rumour that he got raped by some men? Ernst: That's the real wound eheh, or something! Ernst: Ah OW Your majesty what Ernst: Your majesty Page 105 Ludwig: How much worth do you think you have to slander Hornig? Ernst: Eee Please.. forgive me Ernst: Your majesty, please forgive me Playboy 2: Your majesty, if you keep that up Ernst's arm will break Playboy 2: Please, have mercy! Ludwig: Now you upstart ignorants know that your place is lower than dogs. Ludwig: Don't ever set foot in this place again! Ernst: {squealing} Page 106 Ludwig: {sighs} Ludwig: Here again!? I told you to get out. Lohengrin: How rude, your majesty ---- but you see, I'd heard that you'd been looking for me. Ludwig: ! You Page 107 Lohengrin: My name is Albert Newman. I hope our future relations will be cordial Lohengrin: King Ludwig II. 27th July Prussia's Crown Prince arrives in Munich. Crowd: Hooray Prussia! Crowd: Hooray Prince Friedrig! He had come to take command of the southern military through the alliance. Page 108 Friedrig: Together we are fellow men who hold pride as a united Germany. My father is also extremely happy to have gained your understanding. If we have gained Bavaria's cooperation, then France and the others will not oppose us. Ludwig: ---- For the sake of our anticipated progress. Ludwig: % For the sake of being strong, one is always forced to fight. Ludwig: % This world's logic is a foolish and pointless one Ludwig: % ---- The sound of artillery and stuff Ludwig: % I don't want to hear ---- Page 109 Eisenholt: Your majesty ---- Your majesty ---- Ludwig: What is it, noisy. Eisenholt: Your majesty, good news Eisenholt: The midway report Eisenholt: According to this telegram, Alzas has surrendered and Germany's troops have a big victory! Ludwig: Mr. Eisenholt, as you can see for yourself I am trying to go for a long ride. Eisenholt: Please wait for the follow up report. So please postpone your outing. Eisenholt: This isn't the time to be doing stuff like that. Page 110 Ludwig: When did you start giving orders to the King? Eisenholt: Your majesty Eisenholt: What the hell is with that. (But it's so important to the country As for the battle, while the German forces had overwhelming superiority, things developed. On the 2nd of September, Napoleon II who was driven into a corner by Sedan's stronghold, surrendered with his 83000 leading troops. The remainder of france's regular military were beseiged by Mettsu's stronghold and here as a matter of fact it became the end of the Franco-Prussian war. Page 111 Friedrig: Hey, over there Friedrig: That's the Bavarian flag, isn't it? Man: Crown Prince Friedrig: U..mmm Hornig: Why are you doing that? It could be taken as provocation of challenging Prussia. Hornig: It's dangerous, your majesty. Ludwig: It's ignoring the parliament's request and flying not the German flag, but the Bavaria flag in victory. The German Empire's prince won't find any fault with such a matter. Hornig: But ---- Ludwig: You're audacious, Hornig Page 112 Ludwig: You are a mere stable worker. You are not one who can be so impertinent. Ludwig: Withdraw. Hornig: I'm very sorry Ludwig: There's no meaning in a German flag. Bavaria's flag is still much better Ludwig: than flying such a meaningless flag Lohengrin: Why Page 113 Lohengrin: Bavaria's blue resembles the colour of /his/ eyes, isn't that right, your majesty? Ludwig: Albert Ludwig: Where did you get in from? You're really an elusive man. Loehngrin: I came from a crevice in your majesty's heart Lohengrin: ---- You love him very much, don't you. Lohengrin: Hornig Page 114 Lohengrin: So, you're scared. Ludwig: Be quiet! Lohengrin: You're scared of him. You have become too fond of him. You're scared not for yourself, but that you might involve him and hurt him. Lohengrin: So you're trying to ignore him ---- Ludwig: SHUTTUP Ludwig: Didn't you hear me tell you to be quiet Lohengrin: You're an awkward guy. Page 115 Lohengrin: You'll become isolated because of your love Lohengrin: % Put that body on hold for me, your majesty. Lohengrin: % I will wrap around you and be presented to you. Page 116 Lohengrin: I Lohengrin: am the only one who understands you. Hornig: % The sky ---- is dark Hornig: % What a terrible colour it is. Hornstein: The end of old Bavaria. Page 117 Hornstein: Your majesty ---- Your majesty, I'm coming in. Ludwig: ---- Hornstein? What is it all of a sudden? Ludwig: Sorry about the state I'm in. My headache is terrible right now. Hornstein: It's not sudden or anything. I've been waiting for over 6 hours since morning. Hornstein: I got impatient and came bouncing in. Hornstein: I want leave to depart to Velsaiyu by evening. I'll have you tell me quickly and simply, your majesty. Ludwig: What's this? Page 118 Hornstein: It's the aerogramme draft that you must address to the Prussian King. Hornstein: Once this has been written and copied, I'd like you to sign it please. Ludwig: I myself am begging Prussia to please take my country ---- that's what it's saying, isn't it. It's saying we'll sell out Hornstein: To say you're selling out is ridiculous. It's becoming a member of the great German Kingdom which is the core of Prussia. It's saying that to not join this alliance is a more dangerous bridge for this country. Hornstein: You're an intelligent king. You understand without me having to say it, don't you? Ludwig: ! You are certainly a blood relation of Bismark. ---- I see Page 119 Hornstein: You really mustn't do that to an important draft, your majesty. Ludwig: I can't write something like this. Please take it back. Hornstein: This isn't something you can be unreasonable about, your majesty. Hornstein: Don't think the aim of the government is to consider the king's thoughts and to always be in accordance with them. ---- In other words, it means that we can also resort to a final means. Ludwig: Hn. You're going to arouse a coup d' etat? Page 120 Hornstein: I'm not saying that ---- I'm just saying that there is that possibility. Hornstein: As your friend, it behooves me to say so. Hornstein: Your majesty, where Ludwig: To copy this I'll need some paper and a desk. Ludwig: Don't you know even that? Page 121 Hornstein: A wise decision, your majesty. The commonwealth of southern germany grants the king's chairman rights to the German United Countries----. I am confident that this chairman's rights is better to be in one prime minister's hands and have come to suggest so. The future of the revival of the dignity of the German kingdom On the 18th of January 1871, Prussia's Willhelm I became the emperor of the German Kingdom. Is the right that is exercised by the king through the magnate's alliance---- Page 122 The Coronation in the Mirror Hall in Velsaiyu Palace Amongst the German magnates gathered who had attended, Only Ludwig was not present. Lohengrin: Your majesty Page 123 Lohengrin: You want to eradicate the Hoenshorerun (Prussia) blood ---- That's what you think, isn't it. Lohengrin: If you do, then tomorrow's celebration inspection of the troops for the Prince Friedrig's visit, Lohengrin: Is a good chance, is it not? Ludwig: You say it so casually. Lohengrin: I said before, that you understand anything. Lohengrin: This is the voice of your heart. Page 124 This is ---- the voice of your heart Page 125 Man: Is something the matter? Ludwig: No, nothing. I was just thinking ---- that this is my first equestrian ride as a subordinate. Man: Your majesty Page 126 Hornig: Your majesty, is that? Ludwig: This is none of your business. You mustn't tell anyone else. Luwig: Okay, Hornig? Page 127 Ludwig: Alright!? Hornig: ---- Your majesty Ludwig: What's the matter? You're looking around so restlessly. Friedrig: Ah nothing. It looks like we've been separated from everyone else. Ludwig: This is the island which has my holiday house. There are guards all around so don't worry. It's a good opportunity - shall we not enjoy the beautiful nature of early summer? Friedrig: Oh! Friedrig: Hahahaha Friedrig: Foxes have built a nest here. They have great pelts. I wish I'd brought my gun. Page 128 Hornig: % ---- Your majesty Page 130 Hornig: % YOU MUSN'T, YOUR MAJESTY! Hornig: % This man with such tall pride Hornig: % Would go this far Page 131 Hornig: % To be driven this far Hornig: ---- Please lend me your gun Page 132 Ludwig: Hornig, ---- You Hornig: There is no need for you to lower yourself Hornig: This is all my own responsibility Page 133 ::bang:: Hornig: % ---- HUH? Friedrig: !? What the hell was with that gunshot just now!? Hornstein: Naah, sorry 'bout that Prince. Hornstein: I was just out shooting birds and didn't realize there was anyone around. Hornstein: Eheheheheh. (Did it startle you?) Hornstein: Really sorry. Page 134 Friedrig: You really are a crazy guy, Hornstein. Hornstein: I really hate formal ceremonies and such. Friedrig: (Geez.) Hornig: (Nice follow----) Friedrig: (Hey, where did the king go?) Hornstein: (Looks like he returned a moment ago. He probably had stuff to do.) Hornig: Your majesty, what about this. Ludwig: It's blank. Page 135 Ludwig: I'm not so indiscreet as that. Hornig: ! Oh you! What were you intending to do with this? Ludwig: Dunno. Hornig: "Dunno" Your majesty? Page 136 Ludwig: Look, Hornig. Holiday houses are such grand and pure things. Ludwig: It's really like a sea of flames. Ludwig: Everything is being purified, like Valhalla burst into flames. Ludwig: Is it alright if I kiss you? Hornig: What's the matter, your majesty? That you should ask such a thing Page 137 Ludwig: I'm really laughable right now. I'm trembling like a young girl who's discovered her first love. Ludwig: You're so beloved Ludwig: So much so that I don't know what to do Page 138 Ludwig: Hornig Page 139 Ludwig: I Ludwig: Have to go. Hornig: ---- Then I too Ludwig: You don't ask to where, do you. Hornig: Why would I need to? I swore that I would always be by your side. Page 140 Hornig: % ---- Your majesty Ludwig: Please take the gun, everyone will be worried. Hornig: Ah, sure. Page 141 Hornig: Your majesty, this Hornig: Your majesty? Hornig: Where are you your majesty ---- Hornig: YOUR MAJESTY---- Page 142 Official: What happened to King Ludwig II. Guard: That is, well he's just now gone to Berk Castle. Official: What~~~~ Without even having taken leave of the prince ---- what a thing to do! Official: It's gonna be tough explain this to him. Lohengrin: Where shall we go? Ludwig: To the mountains ---- I want to see the Alps illuminated by the moonlight. Ludwig: There I will construct my kingdom. By myself that is suitable for me. Page 143 Ludwig: I had been wondering where I had seen your face before, but I finally remembered. Ludwig: I first saw Wagner's opera when I was 16 years old. You're the spitting image of the Swan Knight in that "Lohengrin". Lohengrin: So then I am fairly decrepit, am I? If you say you were 16 then---- Page 144 Ludwig: The name of that actor who died last year was Albert Newman. The one that you resemble is "Lohengrin" himself. Lohengrin: Then, from now on shall I call myself "Lohengrin"? Ludwig: No. Ludwig: I know your real name. Ludwig: Therefore, I will entrust myself to you. You are of this era. Ludwig: % This ----- crazy and chaotic era ----- that thing *During this work, I used parts of "Mad King Ludwig, Dream Kingdom's twilight" (Jan De Cal/writer Moto Miho/translation Chuuoukouron publishers) [1] [1] [1] [1]