nerdiethings | Ranma CMO Post

[The Saotome estate has an hour before it sets in that their enemies are going to win.

The family lording over the Nerima region had always viewed the conflict as both personal and distant. Other people did the fighting, but they were the ones who won. Whenever there was a loss, someone lower on the totem poll was to blame.

It’s not the excuse that lasts very long after the last incident. A local township, burned into ash on Genma Saotome’s orders. Bad enough on moral principles. But one of the king’s heirs was in the area when the attack took place.

As far as most nobles are concerned, the entire Saotome estate must be destroyed.

Many servants left days in advance. Some wanted to, but couldn’t afford to. It isn’t until that final hour, as a canon blasts into the front door, that most of the Saotome family realizes just how poorly they’ve acted.

But perhaps worst of all, the patriarch and the matriarch successfully escaped into the dark, while various servants suffer at the hands of bloodthirsty soldiers.

But then, there’s Ranma. While Ranma is well-known in rumors, few know the young lord by sight. They say he’s bloodthirsty brat, a spoiled killer, a terrible blight on the nobility.

Not caring what other people think, Lady Ranma spent the final hour doing everything she could to ensure the survival of the remaining staff. Many of them are mourning friends and family from the township. Many couldn’t afford to go anywhere. The nobles won’t understand that do… Ranma focused on a plan. She coaches them into stories about being prisoners of war, she has everyone move mattresses into dungeons to make the abuse seem more real. The Saotome clan has already proven to be monsters. Ergo, Ranma figures the best thing to do would be to make sure the poor, abused staff are recognized as victims instead of perpetrators.

On top of all that, Ranma and the servants have to do this while avoiding the remaining bloodthirsty Saotome knights that insist on fighting off the upcoming invasion to the final dying breath. The conflict only gets more aggravated and more stressful for the civilians in this state.

Ranma’s main focus before the final incident in question was in carry supplies from the kitchen to the staff hiding downstairs. If she could just get all these boxes of fruit downstairs in time, she could be sure that her staff would have extra food regardless of the battle’s outcome.

So when the other cannonball blade through the wall and into the staircase, Ranma’s life was largely saved by 1) several feet of distance separating her from the point of impact and 2) a box of oranges blocking the immediate shrapnel.

But it still did mean the toppling, heavy, aged stone of the tower very quickly trapped the young lady beneath an alarming amount of rubble.

Ranma’s last thoughts, before falling into unconsciousness, were of faint hope. She hates the nobles, especially on her side of the family. She always anticipated the worst. But out of all the people to decide her fate… she found herself hoping, for a second, there might be one friendly family who might show mercy. If not to herself, then to the poor, terrified staff. As long as the servants were safe… everything would be worth it.

Ranma passes out in pauper’s clothes, allowing herself to hope for the first time in years.]

Royalty to Maid Ranma/Fuu