[Free
Talk: This is another seinen manga for mature
readers due to sex, murders, political intrigue and the stuff like that. It
is by Ebigawa serialized in Young Magazine the 3rd. I cannot say much about the
plot since it will be a spoiler but let me just say that it involves a playboy,
a queen and various interesting characters. The names are guesswork since they
are in English – Chinese to English isn’t accurate. ^^;]
In the country of Adelheit. At its capital,
Yuno. In Botana hotel, a couple are having sex. The woman says that Louis is
really amazing. Louis says that Camille, too. As he dresses up, she asks if
they’ll do it today. Louis smiles and asks if he wants to do it again for a day
in the hotel.
He gives her a French kiss. Then, a girl
arrives and says that she just bought some good wine... And she sees the two.
The two women glare at each other. Taking the wine, Louis greets Alice a good
morning and says she’s so beautiful today. She snubs him and asks who is that
ugly woman.
Camille shouts, ugly, she is the one who’s
ugly like a rotting pumpkin by the roadside. Louis pours himself a drink as he
introduces the two feuding women. Alice shouts what’s going on, didn’t Louis
say that he won’t get involved with other women again.
Camille shouts didn’t he say that he only
loves her. Louis takes out a cigarette. The two both women want to light it up.
Because of that, the two women quarrel again as they call each other ugly and
the other should give up on Louis. Then, another woman arrives and hugs Louis.
The two other women who is this woman now!?
Louis thinks that this is bad and who is it this time. The woman shouts for him
to quickly run away because ‘he’ found out about the ring she gave Louis and
‘he’ is coming here right now to kill Louis. A man kicks open the door.
He is with two other men. They are all
carrying clubs with protruding nails. The man angrily shouts that Louis would
unexpectedly dare lay a hand on his fiancée. The woman calls for John to stop.
John shouts that is their engagement ring so return that ring to him.
The woman says that she cannot give him the
ring because she sincerely loves Louis! John calls Emily stupid. John points at
Louis and shouts, bastard, she is already engaged with him! “Stand out here and
don’t hide behind a woman!” Louis says that he got nothing to say to John. John
shouts, what!?
He reminds Emily that they are engaged and
right now, she is protecting Louis. Louis says that John is very strange. He
says that whatever Emily wears suits her so whom will she choose between them.
Emily says, Louis...! This surprises the two women and infuriates John.
He shouts, bastard, this wooden club
chooses you! Emily quickly hugs John to stop him and she shouts for Louis to
take this opportunity to run away. Getting out of the window, Louis thanks
Emily for the help and bids the other women goodbye.
He jumps down and bows to furious John who
shouts that he’ll kill him! While reading the papers, a man [owner of the
hotel] asks what Louis had done again. Louis says that his kittens [women] will
help him pay the bill.
The owner tells him to take care of that
‘leg’ down his hip because one day, it will die! Then, he mutters that Louis
isn’t listening since Louis had already run off. John’s men are chasing after
him.
The owner continues to read his newspapers
and wonders out loud that obviously, a new era is coming and until when does
that guy plan on continuing that kind of life... On the news, there is a salutation
to the queen who had ascended to the throne.
Narration: “My name is Louis. Louis January,
the most popular Casanova in this place. The person whom I respect the most is
my father. In his life, father is the complete lady killer who caused more than
a thousand women to keep on thinking about him [= great sex]. The person whom I
despise the most is also my father. Thanks to him, I have more than ten
siblings...
Due to my father’s passion [/affection for
women], my family had gone bankrupt. In the end, two years ago, more than 20
ladies had a conflict and in the process of that, it accumulated to 43
conflicts. They used knives to stab my father and he died on the spot.
Honestly speaking, I think it is very
normal when he died like that even if I am his son. I didn’t inherit a single
penny. What I inherited from his are my looks as well as the talent of
attracting women.”
While drinking a cup of expresso, he
notices a couple of women glancing at him. One of the women quickly looks away
and blushes. He stands up and the woman steals a glance. He observes the woman.
She is wearing spring’s latest fashionable dress, she takes good care of her
skin and just one look, he knows that she is the type who doesn’t go out often.
“There’s no wrinkle on her skirt and all of
her jewelry are of the latest fashion. It’s very easy to see that she hasn’t
gone out for a long time. Her body is also very tired. There are too many
people around and it is making her jittery. What this woman really want is--”
Louis thinks for a while then he suddenly
calls the waiter. Tossing some coin to him, Louis tells him to lend the café to
him for a while. Taking a seat at the woman’s table, Louis says that he wants
to have a chat with this beautiful lady alone. The woman blushes.
Louis thinks that the truth is, he is
already penniless... “Gambled the entire family property [/whatever he had?],
completely use my mental capacity, and more or less, it is this kind of
investment...” It starts to rain. Louis is worried because his hat is very
expensive.
They were interrupted when someone calls
out to Louis. The woman asks who is it. Louis turns around to see John and his
men running towards him. John shouts don’t think that he can escape from him.
Thinking that isn’t good, Louis quickly makes a run for it.
Narration: “That’s right, I’m a deadbeat
who depend on women to eat... It is necessary to have that kind of awareness.”
They run past a man who sighs and says that how many times is this already, it
is Louis again. Louis runs through alleys.
Narration: “A fight between me and the
hunting dogs [/that man’s subordinates], constantly being chased by men. Spring
rain that won’t stop. Today is really an unlucky day.”
Then, in front, he sees a carriage. Waiting
beside the carriage is a figure of a man with a top hat and cane. The man
gestures to his open carriage. Louis sees the men chasing after him so he took
the mysterious man’s hand and got in the carriage. He thought who cares, he’ll
think about it later because escaping is the priority.
The carriage immediately left. Looking back
at John and the others, Louis thanks the man for letting him sit here and
thanks to him, he is saved. Then, he notices that the man who saved him is an
old man wearing noble clothes. Louis feels uneasy over the old man staring at
him.
He sheepishly smiles and wonders what’s
with this old geezer. “Even if he looks very rich and has influence [/power] but,
it always feels...always feel that there is this sort of ominous premonition. The
old man asks if he can ask him something. After Louis says, okay, he asks, “What
do you think is the most important thing to have in order to capture a woman’s
heart?”
Louis thinks that he encountered something
that is very troublesome and it is inevitable... The old man urges him to answer
since he really wants to know what he thinks. After thinking for a while, Louis
shrugs and says, “It is the attitude of absolutely not taking it seriously.”
The old man smiles and says, “Very
interesting. It is a very good answer. Louis January. 24 years old. A noble in
dire straits. James’ son. *Louis is surprised that he unexpectedly knew his
hidden family affair!?* You are the city’s well known Casanova...
...I heard that there is no woman whom you
cannot seduce. The way you talk, having the looks that is appealing to women
and on top of that, you even have excellent lovemaking skills that you’re able
to capture everyone...”
Adjusting his collar, nervous Louis thinks
that this is bad, this old geezer is difficult to deal with. The old man
continues to say that as long as it is a woman, no matter who it is, he has a
way of capturing her heart...and it seems that is Louis’ mantra.
Louis says ah...how come he knew that in
detail... The old man smiles and tells him not to be nervous. “For you, this
kind of thing isn’t bad at all. I simply...want to have a simple gamble with
you, that’s all.
Louis asks gamble...gamble what. The old
man says that for Louis, it is a very simple gamble. He opens the curtains of
the carriage. Opposite the window is an elderly woman reading a book by the
porch. The old man says that she is a madam who is relatively reputable within
the vicinity.
“She has driven away a lot of men since
they weren’t able to go near her or even say a few words to her. One week.
*tosses a small pouch on the floor which Louis picked up* I’ll give you a
week’s time to seduce her.” Louis is surprised to see gold coins in the pouch.
He bites into one and realizes that they
are real. The old man says that if he is successful, he’ll double that amount.
Louis nervously asks if he can ask the reason. The old man smiles and asks if
he needs a reason or he basically doesn’t have self-confidence.
Louis smiles and wonders, “...I don’t have
self-confidence? Rather, it’s a bit too embarrassing.” Holding up his fingers
to three, Louis tells the man to give him three times the amount. The old man
looks amused. Getting out of the carriage, Louis tells him to watch and see
since he’ll be able to get her in just 5 minutes.
The madam’s reading was disturbed by the
maid who is telling Louis that no is no. “No matter what you say, it is a no.
This porch is currently being used by madam.” Louis says that it is only for a
short while “...I...I simply want to avoid the rain here...”
Madam glances at shivering Louis. Madam
says that it is okay to let him stay, she doesn’t mind. The maid protests,
but...madam, master over there... Madam tells the maid that the rain will stop
soon. Louis thanks Madam who didn’t reply back.
Louis continue to talk but the maid
interrupts that the madam doesn’t talk with male commoners so please keep
quiet! The maid takes her leave. Louis shivers which causes the madam to give
her shawl to him. Louis takes the shawl and touches her hand as he thanks her
for her amiable consideration.
Madam quickly takes her hand away. Louis
continues to tell her that he’ll definitely return this favor. He introduces
himself and asks the madam her name. The madam doesn’t reply so Louis says that
she’s so cunning when he obviously told her his name yet she won’t tell hers.
She glances at him and says that she
already has a husband and why would she tell her name to a stranger. Louis says
that it looks like she really loves her husband. Madam says that regarding her
husband, she really respects him. Louis holds down the book and looks straight
at the madam.
He says, “There are times when it is okay
to be a bit honest with oneself.” She looks at him as he holds her hand. Soon,
he won as he got the madam in bed. While blindfolded, madam tells him to stop,
this kind of thing...no good... Louis says if it is okay that he wants her
love.
Madam tries to protest but Louis says that
he’ll make her joyfully fly the whole day. Madam says that if her husband finds
out... He kisses her and tells her to please imagine it as a one-time reward
for the time being...just this once...
Suddenly, the doors open and they were
surrounded by the servants glaring at Louis. He thinks that it is like the
usual, no, this is different from the usual mood!? In the dungeon, tied up
Louis is being punched on the face by a servant.
Louis tells him to be a bit gentle in
treating him since his handsome face is his business asset! The servant says that he is really such an
amazing fellow. “Hey, do you know who that madam who was with you just now?”
Puzzled Louis asks who. The servant says that she is the wife of Iron [blood] Chancellor,
sir Oberto.
Louis thinks, the kingdom’s pillar[/s], one
of the three chancellors... “What’s important here is I couldn’t imagine that
she was unexpectedly his wife since he is being called the cruel Iron
Chancellor!? That bastard old geezer... Darn. This time, I unexpectedly dug my
own grave for some bags of gold coins...”
Gesturing a beheading using his hand, the
servant says that he really anticipates the end of the man who would dare do
this kind of thing... The door opens. The servant goes towards his master and
says, “You’ve come...master, *gesturing to Louis* it is this fellow.”
Looking down, Louis curses as the master is
standing in front of him. Louis falls down his knees and exclaims that even if
he knows that it is useless to apologize... “I’m very sorry, sir Chancellor!
Forgive me this small dog’s life!” There is no answer.
Louis looks up and is surprised to see the
old man. “It’s him?” Oberto tells the servant to leave them alone. After the
servant left, Oberto frees Louis and praises him for doing a beautiful job.
“Unexpectedly, you caused the fall of my
wife who is known for her most refined behavior in this country. Truly
marvelous. *throws a bag of coins on the floor* I give you this for passing my
test.”
Louis happily takes the bag. Oberto asks
how was his wife. Louis says that she is a virtuous and kind madam who’ll show
warmth towards someone who needs help. Oberto lights up his cigar and taps his
cane.
He says, “You said that you can capture any
women in this world. There is one more person, if you can capture her...I’ll
give you a hundred fold more of those gold coins. *Louis wonders, hundred
fold...* You can build a manor at the countryside. Even if you go to a foreign
country and buy a villa, there will still be money left.”
With sparkling eyes, Louis thinks a hundred
more compared to this current amount of gold coins!? Getting excited, Louis
asks who is this woman...? Oberto says, “Eyde Adelheit. Her Majesty the Queen
of our country who had just ascended to the throne.”
From shock to nervous, Louis cannot believe
that he wanted him to seduce the queen. “Is...is there some mistake?” As the
dungeon is covered with cigar smoke and there are torture machines around,
Oberto says that the queen totally won’t listen to their [chancellors] advice
so it troubles them.
“I want to recommend you as the queen’s
etiquette teacher. You’ll go in the palace and seduce the queen to gain her
body and heart. Afterwards, according to my view [/wishes], you’ll make the
queen listen and act out my instructions. You can do it, right, Louis.”
Glancing at the noose above, Louis thinks
that he’ll be executed here as punishment for sleeping with the chancellor’s
wife. “Compared that to going to the palace and seducing the queen’s
heart...this issue has already been decided!” He gulps and says, “Then...let’s
have a pleasant collaboration. So, when should I start and prepare to carry
this out?” Oberto smiles.
A carriage heads towards the royal gates.
Louis gets off and gives a paper to one of the royal guards. Accompanied by a
maid, he is led through a corridor and into a room where the maids had dressed
him up.
Narration: “Her Majesty the Queen is 17
years old this year. Doesn’t have any experience in having a relationship with
a man. Even if she studied about the monarchy, she is lacking in waltz. She
couldn’t even walk a step. I’ve come to conduct social contact and dance
coaching. At the same time, I’ll take the opportunity to find a way to get her...
...Properly keep in heart. This kingdom is
filled with my spies. [<- not sure if this is right, and isn’t it ‘Oberto’s
spies’?] If I’m successful, I don’t have to worry about food and clothing for
the rest of my life and I will be given a higher rank. But, if I fail...don’t
even think that I’ll die so easily.”
There is a scene wherein the servants had
grabbed hold of scared madam [/Oberto’s wife]. A young man in front of her
holds a sword and decapitated her. Meanwhile, the royal guard escorts Louis
through the garden. He says that if he is ready then please follow him.
While walking behind the guard, Louis
thinks, making him capture the heart of a 17-year-old girl. “A virgin girl who
has no experience and has not loved someone. Trying to please a girl and at the
same time, I’m already very tired of this kind of life wherein I’m getting just
enough money to live on...
...If I succeed this time, I’ll be able to
pass the days quite comfortably from today on. The problem is how the pleasant
sound of becoming the ‘queen’s man’ will be send out?”
The guard turns to tell Louis to please
wait here for a moment... But, Louis is gone so the guard can only wonder out
loud how come he’s gone. Walking through the garden, Louis thinks that the
hindrance is already gone and right now, he can be himself so he can go and
capture her.
He tells himself to hurry and put some
effort. He notices someone at the side. A young girl with a crown is sleeping
by the fence behind rose bushes. The girl wakes up and Louis looks captivated
by her.
Narration: “What do you think is the most
important thing to have in order to capture a woman’s heart? That is attitude
of absolutely...absolutely not taking it seriously.”
Comment: And, from that last line, he’ll definitely fall for her. ^^ And
most likely experience what he had been doing to all those women. Since this is
seinen, it is not definite that it will have a happy ending. In the first
chapter, someone already got killed ^^; That means, the antagonists of this
series has no qualms in taking someone’s life.
I feel sorry for madam especially since she
got killed over her temporary weakness and it was a trap set by her own
husband. Oberto is quite cunning. Somehow, I suspect that he tipped off John to
lure Louis to his carriage.
It is obvious Oberto looks down on him the
way he throws those bag of coins on the floor for Louis to pick up instead of
handing it to him. In a way, Louis has no choice but to take the gamble. He
managed to survive so far so I think he got enough brains aside from his
womanizing skill. Will he win this game this time? Scans by 鴿子漢化组
Word
of the day:
To be rich in God is better than to be rich
in goods. ~ Our Daily Bread
Oh my God!!! This male character really piss me off xD. It's very cruel manga I think :(
ReplyDeleteTrue, Federica. It has a variety of light and dark scenes.
Deletei hope the queen has consensual sex with another man besides luis first.
ReplyDeleteHmm..maybe. The queen isn't the usual shoujo type. ^^
DeleteHi Kat, this one looks original and quite interesting. I just wished it did not have that seinen tag, and hope that it does not get too dark. I actually like the protagonist. Looking forward to the chapters :p
ReplyDeleteYup, Crimson sky ^^
DeleteIt can be a bit dark though I'm not sure how dark it would go.
Thanks for reading ^-^