Ep 10. Before the War

In the tenth episode of the first season of ALDNOAH.ZERO, titled "Before the War," the story goes back in time, providing a flashback of the past events leading to the current situation. The episode takes place fifteen years before the present, during the time when the Vers Empire discovered the Aldnoah technology on Mars and decided to claim it for their own.

The story follows two young aspiring Martians, Slaine Troyard, and Princess Asseylum Vers Allusia. Slaine is an Earthen teenager who was brought by his father to Mars to investigate the Aldnoah technology, while Princess Asseylum is the granddaughter of the Emperor of the Vers Empire. They both meet during a school trip to a martian ruin, where they discover the secrets of Aldnoah for the first time.

Asseylum is fascinated by the Aldnoah technology and seeks to learn more about it, while Slaine struggles to fit in as an Earthen among the Martian elites. Their friendship blossoms, and they spend more time together, exploring the hidden secrets of the Aldnoah. However, their blissful time together is short-lived when an unexpected event occurs.

A terrorist group from Earth detonates a bomb at the Emperor's palace, killing him and causing chaos across the city. This event sets off a string of events that leads to the Vers Empire and the Earth forces going to war against each other. The revelation of the Aldnoah technology on Mars was the main cause of the conflict, as the Earth forces believed that the technology should be shared and protected for all mankind, while the Vers Empire believed that it rightfully belongs to them.

As the war between the two factions escalate, Slaine finds himself caught between two worlds. He realizes that he is neither truly Martian nor fully Earthen, and his loyalty is tested when he is asked to choose a side. Meanwhile, Asseylum is thrust into the forefront of the conflict, tasked with being a symbol of peace between the two sides.

The episode ends with Asseylum's announcement to the world that she intends to visit Earth to negotiate peace between the two factions. However, her hopes for reconciliation are dashed, as an assassination attempt leaves her presumed dead, causing the war to continue.

Overall, "Before the War" is a pivotal episode that sheds light on the events leading up to the current state of affairs in the series. It explores the themes of identity and loyalty and sets the stage for the events that unfold in the rest of the season. The episode also features some of the most emotional and heart-wrenching moments in the series, making it a must-watch for fans of the show.