The landscape of the Jade Palace had drastically changed. The lush green forest had become a battlefield, and the blood staining the short-cropped lawn was clumping into a reddish-black mass. Piles of corpses gathered everywhere. The blood that has been spilled streamed in the ground, and arrows pierced here and there looking like thorns in a briar patch.
It has literally become a wilderness of dead mountains and rivers of blood.
The cause was an attack by the Oprichnina. Of course, there was no way they could have created such devastation on their own. The Oprichnina brought in a thousand or so Imperial soldiers who had been assigned to defend the Imperial City, and was ordered to charge in the direction pointed by the Oprichnina’s broomsticks made from beast hair. The Imperial soldiers, who had been brought in without being informed of the reason, were perplexed. They were pointed in the direction of the Jade Palace, a place where no enemies could be found. Everyone involved in the defense of the Imperial Capital knows that foreign envoys stay here.
The Jade Palace was a place whose safety was guaranteed by the Emperor. Moreover, it is the Knights led by Princess Piña who are guarding it now, in other words, their allies. Where would you find anyone who wouldn’t be puzzled when asked to attack an ally? However, there were those who haven’t seen such a thing that should be obvious. The Oprichnina shouted hysterically.
[What are you doing!? Forward! Charge, you incompetent bastards!]
What kind of joke is this? Even as they wondered as such, the Oprichnina still said such a thing with serious expressions on their faces. If they were giving such an order in all seriousness, the Oprichnina must be a collective group of mentally-ill people. The Head of the Imperial Soldiers intuitively thought so. In fact, the Oprichnina were so mentally cornered that they had lost the ability to think properly.
They had been defeated in their first battle with the Knights, and had been greeted not with words of praise or treatment for the wounded, but with a reprimand from the incoming Praetor and the fear that followed. Luflus punished Gimlet, whom he had just appointed as Committee Head, without giving him time for excuses. He then made his death visible to everyone and asked each member of the Oprichnina to give a masochistic confession, a summary of their performance of their duties, and sentenced those who were accused of fleeing from the enemy or not crossing swords with the enemy to one-tenth of that sentence.
That one-tenth of a punishment consists of having one of the ten people who committed such an act be chosen and have that one beaten to death by the remaining nine. Those who were forced to beat their comrades to their death were terrified by this. When would be the time where they would be on the receiving end of such a beating? Within such a situation, the line separating the assailant and the victim was very hazy.
A cold atmosphere filled the area around the Oprichnina, as if someone could be sent to the side of those being blamed for even having their names whispered. Everyone greatly regretted their situation, thinking if only the Oprichnina didn’t exist…… However, if their regrets were made known, they would be killed. The only way they could escape this fear is to show those around them that they are single-mindedly devoted to their duties with a fiercer, more intense, and almost insane zeal.
[What are you doing, incoming Praetor Luflus o’Raines?]
The Oprichnina froze in fear, unable to blink an eye when they heard that voice. Only Luflus however, turned with glee when he heard Tyuule’s voice.
[T- Tyuule-sama! Why have you come here?]
[I was curious why you were late in your reports, so I came here to see why. Prince Zorzal is expecting much of you, so please don’t disappoint him.]
[B- But……]
[That won’t do. No “buts”. We don’t want to hear those words from you.]
Tyuule walked up to Luflus and spoke to him, her voice tickling his earlobe.
[All you need to say is “yes”. Do you understand?]
[Y- Yes!]
[This is quite unusual though. Why are you chosen ones losing to a gathering of girls and old men? Are you perhaps…… incompetent?]
Asking this, Tyuule curiously tilted her head. Luflus almost wanted to say “that isn’t the case at all”, but he was frustrated that he could only answer with “yes”. However, Tyuule paid no attention to his thoughts as she continued.
[I must return to his Highness’ side soon. Luflus, you have done great deeds for establishing the Oprichnina. At least, that’s what I think.]
[Y- Yes!]
[However, I don’t know what his Highness will think when he hears my report. Perhaps, he may be very disappointed. However, we don’t want that to happen, do we? I personally don’t want to be the one to deliver the dagger to you. You do understand that, right?]
[Y- Yes.]
[In that case, I’m hoping that the good news will be delivered as soon as possible. With the situation like this, pushing yourself or being hurt is something that can’t be helped. Isn’t that right? After all, it’s all so that you could deliver us the good news. Isn’t that right?]
[Y- Yes.]
[Hearing such a good response makes me happy. Well then, we will be waiting for nothing but the good news.]
Leaving with those words, Tyuule gently brushed Luflus’ chin before departing. As he saw her off, Luflus madly shivered. He scratched his head, he snarled like a beast.
In front of them was the Jade Palace, and behind them was the Oprichnina who was decisively pushing them towards a despairing battle. They would either be struck by an arrow from both sides or pierced by a spear, collapsing on the ground. It was too gruesome of a scene to be called a battle. A person of normal sensibilities wouldn’t have wanted such a scene to be repeated. And yet, such a scene was being repeated over and over again.
The Knights had managed to ward off repeated attacks by the Imperial soldiers. However, it would be better to recognize this as a result of the Knights’ good fortune rather than their own abilities. The measures the attackers only took were what they had been making use of before, pushing the soldiers forward, wanting to overwhelm the Knights with their superior numbers. They had no composure to devise tactics or strategies for soldiers who were only driven by fear and were only able to push them forward.
Even so, the attacks that continued day after day, night after night, left the Knights with a steady stream of wounded and their deaths weren’t few at all. Not a single person, from the commanders to the soldiers, were unscathed. When they could no longer hold themselves up, a critical point in this situation would arrive. Everyone had a feeling that this was the case. And yet, the soldiers of the Knight Order continued to fight.
They had already lost all sense of time. Whenever they found even a small space to lay their bodies down, they would lay down and fall asleep, no matter if it was day or night. Exhausted and unable to get a good night’s sleep due to the continuous attacks day and night, they would lie down if they had even a little time. When there was no battle going on, the battlefield was strangely quiet, and the only people moving were the soldiers on guard or the young girls who were still gathering up the usable arrows. It was a brief respite until the Oprichnina brought the next group of Imperial soldiers to be sacrificed for their cause.
Looking out from her command tent into the sunset outside, Bozes asked her colleague who had been supporting her.
[Beefeater. How are the soldiers?]
[I’d like to say that everyone’s morale is high, but I’m afraid the situation is just bad.]
With the low visibility around them, Beefeater calls for the squires to increase the light in the area. However, the Apprentice Knights were sleeping in a corner of the command center, hugging each other. They must have been tired after working hard to care for the wounded and preparing everyone’s meals. Feeling sorry for waking them up, Beefeater opted to light the area around them herself.
[D*mn it, we’re out of oil for the light.]
“Is that so……”, muttering such, Bozes hangs her head, hiding the distress she’s feeling. However, this only served to make her depressed state of mind known to those around her. Of course, she was unaware of this. Bozes turned a reproachful gaze on Beefeater, regretting that she had opened the war against the Oprichnina. Many times, she wanted to ask her “Why did you go ahead on your own?”. However, it is the commander’s position not to do so.
As the Commander, she had to give clear instructions that even if the sweepers broke the diplomatic agreement and raided the Jade Palace grounds, there would be no fighting. However, she hasn’t given such a command. That is Bozes’ regret. And now, she worries about what such an action will bring to Piña. That was what had been bothering her. Beefeater, who did not know what Bozes was struggling with, insensitively interrupted her by talking about something else.
[What makes it worse is that we are running out of food and fodder. No one expected this. We don’t have that much in stockpile.]
Bozes was tempted to say sarcastically that it was because she opened hostilities at the spur of the moment, but the words that came out of her mouth was “Do we have enough water?”.
[Yeah. We can use the well at the Jade Palace. As for food, it seemed like the Japanese had some stockpiled. For example, this.]
Beefeater tossed a plastic bag to Bozes.
[What is this?]
[They’re called “dried plums”. We ran out of citrus fruits. I thought you might want something sour, so I asked him if they had any, and he gave me this.]
Taking out the red fruit that was filled with a sour aroma from inside the bag, Bozes put it in her mouth. Thereupon, she held her cheeks as her lips puckered.
[Mhmmmmm, s- sour! It’s really sour!]
The sharp acidity, somewhat different from that of citrus fruits, seemed to have a strong impact on Bozes. Seeing Bozes puckering her lips so much, Beefeater guffawed.
[Ahaha. They sure have some weird stuff on that side.]
[You keep talking about them being the other side, but we’re already on the Japanese side of the property, you know?]
[Now that you mentioned it, you’re right. I feel like an idiot for adhering to boundaries that may or may not exist. In the first place, why are we doing this again?]
[Of course, what we are defending are our diplomatic agreements, his Majesty’s will, and the honor of the Empire. Isn’t that right?]
[That’s right. It was as you said.]
Seemingly relieved, Beefeater nodded. It seems like she had seen through what’s within Bozes’ mind. “If you understand the purpose and significance of this battle, then you should be alright”, Beefeater said. However, Bozes merely slapped that aside, saying “What are you saying? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”, and turned the subject back to food.
[What should we do though. If we ask the Japanese, they will give us some food, but I don’t think there will be enough for all of us.]
[I’m thinking of killing the injured horses. We don’t have much fodder, so it will reduce the mouths to feed.]
[The horses!?]
“Yeah”, Beefeater nodded, to which Bozes’ brows creased, looking troubled. Within the Special Region, horses are a means of transportation, a tool for production and a valuable weapon. Furthermore, within the Knight Order, the horses are the reason why the Knights are considered Knights, and are loved and cherished on a daily basis. For the Knights, they aren’t mere weapons, but are precious companions and comrades-in-arms. A Knight in their order would have been greatly shaken if someone were to suggest eating them. And yet, the fact that she dared to say that means that the situation was that dire.
After a moment’s hesitation, “……Alright. Do it.”, Bozes gave her permission.
[That’s great. With this, we’ve postponed one of our problems.]
[That’s easy for you to say, but I think it will be hard to get everyone to eat the horses.]
In their Knight Order, when a horse dies, they would even hold a funeral for them. They’re sure everyone wouldn’t be pleased having to eat a horse. There would definitely be some of them who will not even touch their food.
[You don’t have to worry about that, I’ll handle it myself. The next question is what to do after this. Acting Commander, do you have a plan?]
After her lips pursed upon the second plum she threw into her mouth, Bozes spoke.
[We would need to talk about this to the Japanese, but when the time is right, I’m thinking of taking everyone with me and forcing our way through.]
[And where in the world are we going to go once we get through this siege? In the first place, if we leave this place, won;t we have no legal basis for fighting?]
[It’s alright. We will be pushing through for the sake of the safety of the Japanese people. After all, this battle was triggered by the breach of agreement by the Oprichnina. Also, our destination will be Italica. Most of the Red Rose Knights and the majority of our infantry are still there, so we’ll join them and rebuild.]
It wouldn’t make Piña’s position any better, but at least, it seemed better than staying holed up here and continuing to fight.
[That place has completely become our base now. I feel kinda bad for House Formal though.]
[The problem is that Princess Piña is in the Imperial Palace. I wonder if she’s alright there.]
[Come on, even if it’s them we’re talking about here, even they wouldn’t go so far as to harm royalty.]
Upon this brazen statement, Bozes was astonished as she looked up towards the skies.
[Just because they can’t do anything directly doesn’t mean they don’t have ways of tormenting her.]
[T- That might be the case, but there’s no way they would do that, right? I mean, we’re talking about the Princess here.]
To Beefeater, who said that wouldn’t be possible, Bozes said “No, I’m just thinking of the worst case scenario. Which is why we’ll need to take her with us when we leave. If possible, won’t you think of a way?”.
[W- We’d first need to find out where she is and make contact with her. However, I think it would be a little difficult to sneak into the Imperial Palace.]
[This is troubling. I wonder what Hamilton is doing. She should have been able to deliver at least one letter. She’s a sensible girl after all.]
Having thought of something, “Ahh, geez!” Bozes scratched her head.
[No, with how difficult it is for our side to head there, it would probably be just as difficult to get here.]
At that moment, the tent was vigorously opened, and the Knight keeping a lookout yelled.
[Enemy attack! It’s a night attack!]
Shouts of “Enemy attack! Enemy attack!” resounded in various places, warning their allies of the danger. Everyone who had been sleeping jumped up and ran out with their weapons in hand. The girls who had been sleeping nearby also woke up, sleepily rubbing their eyes and hurriedly got up.
[Everyone, to your positions! Enemy night attack! Hurry!]
Bozes ran out to take command with Beefeater.
At the same time, in the Crown Prince’s Office, as Bozes feared, Princess Piña was facing a storm of denunciations from the Senators, who had been reduced to less than half of their original numbers. This was because many of the Oprichnina who died in battle at the Jade Palace were the children and relatives of them who were advocates of war.
[Imperial Princess, how well do you know about the authority of the Senate?]
[That’s right. You don’t understand how much we have worked hard to pass the special Oprichnina Law.]
The Senate were yapping foul-mouthed yells at Piña, but Piña remained silent. Even though they were cursing at her in a way that made her want to cover her ears, she didn’t even try to talk back. Her spirit had been wandering in the wilderness of despair, both because of the worsening situation that had begun with the Emperor’s unscrupulous methods and because of Diabo’s abandonment of her. Then, came this storm of abuse. Weakened as she was, Piña could do nothing but endure in silence. Of course. It wasn’t that Piña did not have any allies. On her side was Hamilton, the only one who stood by her side and stood up to her.
[Please don’t speak as if her Highness lacks understanding. Her Highness clearly understands it. She just doesn’t tolerate it.]
After launching a desperate argument against the overwhelming majority of Senators in defense of Piña, Hamilton was being subjected to a barrage of criticism.
[I say she clearly lacks understanding. It isn’t as if we passed this law because we wanted to. We ourselves have endured the pain in our hearts.]
Hearing this, Hamilton snorted.
[It’s delusional of you to think that as long as we can understand it, we can tolerate it. There are many things that we can understand and sympathize with, but still not tolerate. It’s only selfishness to try to blame the lack of understanding of the other party for the reason that your argument is not acceptable.]
Thereupon, the Senators cursed Hamilton in unison. When Hamilton closed her mouth under the pressure, Count Woody, the spearhead of those who advocate war, makes his entry.
[Anyhow, I hope her Highness will consent to have the Oprichnina seize those who have fled to the Jade Palace.]
[I have already told you multiple times, but that is not possible. The Jade Palace is a place of sojourn for the envoys who are granted diplomatic privileges by the Imperial Decree. It’s a place beyond the reach of Imperial Law, and we are the shield that protects it. We are the ones who should be pressing questions on you Senators. Do you really approve of the actions of the Oprichnina that threaten the safety of the envoys? Do you not understand that it is exactly their deeds that undermines the authority of his Majesty, the Emperor and the honor of the Empire!?]
[They are not trying to undermine the will of the Emperor, nor are they trying to harm the envoys. All we ask is the handover of those who have fled to the Jade Palace. In the first place, seeing as they were guarding the Jade Palace, wasn’t it the duty of her Knights to catch anyone who tried to break in?]
[That’s certainly true. If someone tries to illegally break in, we will catch them. If it’s someone the Oprichnina is after, we will naturally hand them over to them.]
Thereupon, voices rose up from everyone within the room.
[Then, why didn’t you hand them over!?]
Hamilton glared in the direction of those voices.
[We have no choice but to announce the arrival of a guest when they decently come to the doorsteps and ask us to announce their arrival for them.]
[Even if they are criminals!?]
[Even if they are criminals. It is up to the Japanese envoys to decide who they will meet and who they will not.]
[And that’s why I’m telling you to do something about it!]
[That wouldn’t be possible. This is one of the things guaranteed by diplomatic immunity.]
[There’s no such clause in the agreement!]
[It’s all a matter of interpretation. The clause states that the activities of the envoys shall not be hindered.]
[You’re just expanding the interpretation!]
[No, that’s an indispensable term within the agreement.]
The discussion almost descended to an endless argument. However, Halmilton was more than happy to waste time discussing unimportant details of the matter. What she was trying to do here wasn’t to win the argument, but to use herself as the decoy, turning the denunciations away from Piña. A mud-slinging match is exactly what she wants. However, there was someone on the other side who didn’t like such a situation. Baron Clayton, a military person, stood up and changed the direction of the conversation.
[In that case, why don’t we ask the Japanese to hand over those criminals?]
Hamilton inwardly clicked her tongue. She had sensed that the conversation was taking an unamusing turn. She had leaped onto the battlefield, stirred up the enemy, and somehow managed to make her enemies lose their composure and draw their attention to herself, but now there was a calm enemy about to push forward towards Piña’s main camp.
[The Japanese responded that they would bring them under their protection.]
Thereupon, “There, see that?”, the Senators looked at each other with such a look on their faces.
[I knew they were connected to the Japanese!]
[His Majesty Molt granted diplomatic immunity to the Jade Palace to facilitate the negotiation of a peace treaty with the envoy, not to harbor those defeatists!]
[Repeal the diplomatic immunity!]
[I say, cancel the peace conference itself. It’s just a waste of time.]
[Attack Alnus! Launch a counteroffensive!]
The yelling rose to the level of rage and became uncontrollable. Thereupon, Count Woody held out his hands to calm them down. Of course, he wasn’t trying to protect Hamilton, just expressing his desire to express his thoughts.
[Even we don’t want to incur any more casualties. We wish to avoid bloodshed in pointless fighting. With her Highness’ command, the Knights will stop protecting the Jade Palace. Your Highness, would you give us the permission?]
[That’s impossible. Protecting the Jade Palace is the responsibility of the Knights.]
[Hamilton-dono, we are not asking you. We are talking to Princess Piña.]
[That’s right, that’s right!]
[We would like an answer from Princess Piña!]
As if trying to hide Piña, Hamilton hurriedly stood in front of her. However, the senators were furious with her for her attitude.
[What makes you think a mere secretary can speak for the Princess? That’s quite insolent of you.]
However, Hamilton kept on insisting.
[Her Highness is currently not well……]
[Is it that bad that she had gone mute!?]
[You’ve been silent for some time now and have only allowed your secretary to speak for you. Do you think we are fools?]
[That’s right, that’s right!]
[Y- Your Highness……]
Dismayed as she wasn’t able to cover for her anymore, Hamilton called out to Piña. Thereupon, Piña patted Hamilton on the back and answered her call.
[That’s enough, Hamilton.]
[Y- Yes?]
[I said that’s enough. There’s no use for me to stay here. It’s getting late, so I will return.]
[Eh, ahh, your Highness! H- However……]
[They’ve been asking all those questions, but they don’t want me to answer. What they want is for me to do what they say. If my answer is not one that validates their claims, they will not be satisfied with whatever I say.]
Saying this, the Princess sat up from her seat. Thereupon, all the senators closed their mouths at once, as if they thought that Piña was going to speak. They seemed to be curious to see what the Princess, who had remained silent for so long, would say.
[Gentlemen. I am in a depressed mood, so I will take my leave. I wish you all a good day.]
However, Piña’s answer was different from what they had expected, provoking animosity and insults, rushing upon behind Piña as she departed.
[What in the world is that!?]
[Even if you are royalty, you have gone too far to mock us!]
[Your Highness. How long does your Highness think that your Knights made up of women and old men can keep fighting?]
It sounded like a threat that if left unchecked, these women would be wiped out. Hearing these barrages of words though, Hamilton retorted.
[Whose hands are burning when faced against these women and old men again? Who is it that needlessly ordered an assault, unnecessarily squandering the lives of generals and soldiers and undermining the Emperor’s army?]
[That is because the Knights are opposing them!]
[If you think that it was because they’re going easy on them puts your mind at ease, then you’re free to think as you please.]
[I’d rather cut the budget dedicated to them.]
[That’s right, that’s right! Vote for the dissolution of the Knight Order!]
Turning towards the others, Count Woody asked them to be quiet. Thereupon, he turned to Piña again and spoke.
[These voices has declared as such. With this being the case, we will not be able to maintain the Knight Order. The soldiers will end up losing their paths. Even we do not want to take such measures.]
An ultimatum has been declared. Faced with such a declaration though, Piña responded with a lazy snort.
[Do as you please.]
[What?]
[I said do as you please. The country is already in such a mess anyway. I don’t care whatever happens next anymore.]
[What are you talking about? We are doing this to prevent that from happening?]
[The First Emperor had once said, the initial motive behind anything is great…… but most of the time, it would later turn out to have just been an excuse. Everyone will just say that things weren’t meant to turn out that way. In the first place, even if the Imperial Senate is being rebuilt, what in the world is going on, to hold a meeting in a place like the Crown Prince’s office? I can only think of it as a sign that the Senate has already fallen to an institution that merely follows up on my brother’s decision.]
[I know your Highness has not been pleased with us in the past, but have you come to look down on us that much?]
[How extremely disrespectful!]
Unlike before, even without the yelling, the air feels heavy. It was a moment that made them realize that anger and animosity could still be conveyed even when not expressed in the open. At the slightest provocation, the senators immediately swept forward. Standing before such an atmosphere, Hamilton was pressured into stepping back.
[Piña…… Mind what you say.]
Crown Prince Zorzal, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.
[I have no intention of breaking off negotiations for a peace treaty with Japan. However, since the political situation is still unstable and security cannot be ensured, I would like to ask the envoys to leave the Imperial Capital for the time being. Of course, I will guarantee their safety on their way to and from the Capital in my name. Then, after the political situation has stabilized, they will be invited back to the Jade Palace. What do you think?]
Hearing his words, the senators verbally agreed.
[And when they are deported, they will be asked to hand over those who have escaped.]
[I see. If that’s the case, it wouldn’t be a violation of diplomatic immunity.]
Zorzal then turns to his younger sister with a triumphant smile on his lips.
[That’s how it is, Piña. What you all have done is nothing more than a futile struggle.]
However, Piña only turned around and dismissed Zorzal’s words as trivial, just as she did to the words she heard before.
[……Just do as you wish, brother. That is what I have been telling you for some time now.]
As Hamilton clung upon her, pleading “Your Highness, please don’t throw me away”, Piña left the Crown Prince’s office, abandoning everything, even Hamilton.
＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊
The Skies above the Imperial Capital.
A winged dragon was soaring in the sky as the eastern skies were being tinged with madder red and the sun revealed its reddish-bronze form. Ever since the bombing of the Senate building, the Imperial Army has been frantically taking measures to protect the Imperial Capital. In particular, Calasta, who had recently been appointed as General, was alarmed by the fact the enemy controlled a flying vehicle called “eiyakraft” at will and proposed strengthening their aerial defense system.
For this, the Dragon Riders, which had been stationed in the steep mountainous western regions of the country, had been summoned and were to monitor and warn of any attempts to approach the Imperial Capital. Thanks to their efforts, they were able to detect those attempting to enter the skies over the Imperial Capital and were able to issue an alarm. This morning, three Dragon Knights, which had taken off before sunrise, were slowly circling at just above the altitude limit in a triangular formation.
[The air feels heavy and viscous. The weather would probably get worse in the evening.]
The muttering of the Dragon Captain could be heard slightly along the wind.
[If it’s gonna rain, I hope it will just descend already.]
If the weather turns bad, they could put an end to their formation and this surveillance flight. As Michael, the left-wing cavalryman, was thinking of this, he noticed what seemed to be a spot in the western sky, an area in which the remnants of the night still lingers, and he shouted out a warning.
[Dragon Captain. Over the western sky! ……Here they come.]
[You idiot, report to those on the ground immediately as soon as you spot an enemy! Release the signal flags!]
[Enemy attack! Enemy attack!]
Dropping red streamers from the sky is supposed to be an alarm of an enemy attack. Following his superior’s command, Michael dropped the streamers they had prepared one after another.
[This is pointless though. I wonder if anyone was looking at us while we’re up here. That doesn’t sound like it’s possible……]
No matter how prominent the red colors of the streamers were, they were difficult to spot at their altitude. Even if someone with good eyesight were to look up from the ground, they would only be able to see a faint streak of red within the blue sky. Furthermore, even if they did spot the enemy, they still feel helpless to do anything about it. The size of the enemy which has recently begun to appear is on the level of Ancient Dragons. Moreover, the enemy’s movements were not slow or heavy at all, and it was even capable of making a sharp turn by tilting its horizontally extended wings until they became vertical.
Because of its superior movement capability, the Dragon Riders couldn’t even approach it. Even if they had been able to approach, the enemy soldiers they’re fighting against don’t have their bodies exposed to the outside world. It was as if the entire body of the dragon was covered with a huge armor and hidden inside. Against such an opponent, what would they do with a single Dragonic Lance?
[We’d have to take at least a newborn dragon to even have the hope to take it down.]
The enemy, taking advantage of their inability to touch them, invaded the skies of the Imperial Capital and easily flew away. They can do nothing but indignantly watch all of it go by. Even cursing at them wasn’t possible.
[And yet, the higher-ups are reporting that the invasion towards the Imperial Capital was prevented.]
Apparently, General Calasta reported this to the Crown Prince as a victory for the Dragon Riders.
[It was a fact that we had repelled them. The enemy left for the Imperial Capital in fear of facing us. Am I mistaken? Besides, we’ll show them this time. Third time’s the charm!]
The Dragon Captain explained and issued the order. Michael and his group then made a steep descent toward the earth. The enemy had attempted to invade the Imperial Capital twice before. Both times, they went towards the course of dropping something on the plains on the outskirts of the capital before flying away. They think they would probably take the same route this time. The reason they always fail to catch up to them is because they were trying to track the enemy. That being the case, they should just head towards their path. Such a plan would definitely work. Encouraging his group, the Dragon Captain shouted. Indeed, it was as he said.
Regaining his composure, Michael readied his Dragonic Lance. The Dragonic Lance is four ren long, and if they charge head-on with it, against an opponent who’s negligent enough to think that they’re helpless, they should be able to inflict at least one wound against them. However, the enemy they were facing this time was different from the previous two times. The size of the enemy was also different. The number and speed too…… Two?
At that moment, he suddenly remembered a rumor he had just heard.
[Are those the flying swords that are said to have destroyed the Senate? Dragon Captain, this is bad!]
Michael warned, but by the time he realized it, it was too late. Something flew into the air, billowing a plume of smoke, and exploded right in front of them. Caught up in the intense pressure of the explosion, two of the Dragon Riders, including the Dragon Captain, were torn apart, including the winged dragon they’re riding, and fell to the ground.
[Dragon Captain!]
Michael managed to survive only because he happened to be lagging behind the other two. He was lucky. However, it’s doubtful how long that good fortune will last. He could see the circling enemy coming toward him, whom he had failed to defeat. He felt a killing intent that made every hair on my body stand on end. Michael pulled on the flying dragon’s reins, had it beat its wings, and then swooped down again toward the ground, almost to the point of falling.
At that moment, a glistening trail of light came flying down like rain and grazed him, nearly knocking the flying dragon he was riding off balance. As he wonders what is going on, he finds that the carapace of his flying dragon has been wounded. He had heard rumors that the enemy had weapons capable of breaking even the scales of a flying dragon, but for them to actually have this much power……
This astonishment made him loosen his grip on the reins, and that slight carelessness gave his flying dragon an opening to wriggle. This was something that a Dragon Rider would not normally allow. Even if it was injured, a full-fledged cavalryman is required not to let their flying dragon even scream. In order to do so, he first had to completely subdue his flying dragon. However, he was still young and did not have the ability to reach that point. The flying dragon writhed in pain and flew erratically, out of his control. However, one can never know what might turn out to be a blessing in disguise. With his extremely clumsy movements, his enemies were unable to foresee his next actions, allowing him to acquire the upper hand. As they passed each other, he saw his enemy riding the eiyakraft.
[There’s two people riding in it!?]
Thereupon, Michael held up his spear with a pleased look on his face.
[This is revenge for everyone! I’m going to bring you down!]
He was prepared to take advantage of the moment when the enemy’s unprotected flank was exposed. However, the speed of the enemy was far beyond his expectations. In the blink of an eye, they were out of sight. Where did they go? At the moment he turned around to find the enemy, a hail of bullets…… 20 mm Vulcan cannon rounds fired by the enemy who had circled around had struck him and his winged dragon.
The stables of the Dragon Riders built on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital.
Disguised and concealed in the bushes, 3rd Lt. Kenzaki, a member of the Special Forces Group, adjusted the reticle of his laser guidance system to the hastily constructed stables. Here in the Special Region where GPS satellites don’t exist in the skies, these old-fashioned weapons are more powerful. Yarita, Matogi, and the others were on the lookout for the area around the stables, protecting Kenzaki.
[This is Saber. Preparations ready.]
Thereupon, an F4 Phantom dropped a bomb as it passed overhead. The bomb fell into the stables, as if trying to catch it, crushing the flying dragons’ stables in a mass of flames.
『Enemy Air Defense Facility destroyed.』
『No airborne entities in the skies over the Capital confirmed.』
『Roger. We will now move to Phase 2.』
On the ground, everyone was looking up at the sky. Oddly enough, the explosion of the AAM signaled the approach of something to the Imperial Capital. Along the blue skies, a white cloud of smoke from the explosion floated in the air. Only the roar of jets soaring through the sky echoed out of nowhere.
[What the hell was that!?]
[What’s going on!? Anyone report!]
The unusual event caught the ears of the imperial soldiers. If the Dragon Riders had not been shot down, the red streamers that were dropped might have gone unnoticed by anyone. The battle the Dragon Riders faced was at such a high altitude for the soldiers on the ground to notice. Moreover, the height brought about not only a physical distance between them. It was also a distance that created a mental gap. As the expression of the officer who had received the report from the sentry changed, he ran out of the guard station and was met with the soldiers, watching the scene in a daze. Unlike the soldiers though, the officer immediately decided to run to report to the command post that something had happened and to receive instructions on how to respond. However, whatever it may have been that happened, it would take a while for him to run, get his instructions and come back. From the soldiers’ point of view, something is certainly happening now, but they could do nothing until he returns. Therefore, a sense of urgency did not arise at all. For each soldier, the progress of the situation seems surprisingly tranquil and leisurely.
Fwooosh!
The sound of the wind breaking through the air involuntarily made them duck their heads. Immediately afterward, there was an explosion that sounded like a heavy tremor, as if it was coming from the bottom part of the earth.
[Oi, what happened this time?]
[O- Over there. There’s something over there.]
Black smoke was rising from the newly established Dragon Riders base on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital. Seeing the facility on the ground had been destroyed, the awareness of the danger around them had been raised and the vigilance of the soldiers peaked.
[Oi, someone go report it immediately!]
However, the sense of relief the soldiers felt exceeds their sense of crisis. With what had occurred at this moment, they wouldn’t need to be brought away by the Oprichnina for the attack on the Jade Palace. Their immediate concern was which of their units would next be brought to the attention of the Oprichnina.
[If they are too disciplined and strong, the sweepers will bring them away.]
Rumors like this were flying around among the Imperial Guards, so much that it became prevalent among the soldiers to deliberately dress sloppily or look unmotivated. The Oprichnina have the habit of forcing their soldiers to fight battles that will cost the soldiers’ lives, but they refuse to take responsibility for their failures. They are soldiers and will fight as long as they are ordered to, but they really don’t want to fight for such people.
[With this, General, you will reject the demands of the sweepers, right?]
[I don’t think rejecting would be possible. They’re Hira Moguras after all.]
Hira Moguras are small flat-shaped animals that dive in the sand and only look upward.
[However, if we have to be on high alert, we won’t be able to afford to send our soldiers anywhere else, will we?]
[I don’t think just us needing to be on high alert is enough. It would be perfect if the enemy surrounded the Imperial Capital.]
While having such a conversation, the soldiers’ attention was always directed outside the city walls. Perhaps, that was why they were completely oblivious to the danger looming behind them. All of a sudden, their mouths were covered from behind. Startled by the suddenness of the situation, a knife was inserted deeply through the sternocleidomastoid muscle of their necks, three lateral fingers to the right of the Adam’s apple, before being pushed outward. In doing so, vital organ tissues such as the carotid artery, trachea and phrenic nerves were torn apart, and something red and warm gushed from the wound, drenching their lower jaws. It was also then that they felt an intense pain in their neck, as if a burning tongs were being pressed against it.
It hurts! It hurts, it hurts, it hurts!
They screamed as hard as they could, but his diaphragm, which had its nerves necessary for such an act severed, did little to even help them breathe, and now that they had lost their throat, they could not speak. With their mind still awake, nearby, they heard the sound of their comrades falling, before suddenly, they realized that they too had fallen before they knew it. They had lost all strength in their body. The right half of their field of vision was covered by the floor of the rampart, looking as if it was a wall. Unable to move their head, they could only use their eyes to observe the surroundings, but the scenery that should have been familiar to them suddenly tilted at what they can only describe as an odd angle.
Eh? Ehhhh!? What kind of joke is this!? What in the world had just happened? As such questions popped into their mind, they could see someone’s foot behind him. It was someone dressed in speckled green, talking to someone and trying to step across them.
[West Gate, secured. This is Assassin, West Gate has been secured. We will remain on standby.]
The next thing they know, their vision faded. Something had gone wrong with their eyes, and their ears became deaf. The Imperial soldiers could only be puzzled at their situation, and until the very end, they could not understand what had happened to them.
On the west side of the Imperial Capital, facing the ramparts, is the Basson Prison. It used to be a place to imprison convicts whose trials had not yet been completed, but it was now a stronghold for the Oprichnina, where senators, nobles, and other members of the pro-peace faction were gathered. On the outside of the high walls of the building, members of the JGSDF, dressed in camouflage uniforms, appeared. They slowly advanced from the narrow alleyway to surround the closed gate, as if their backs were against the high outer wall.
Looking up, Kuribayashi and Tomita waved their hands atop a spire attached to the outer wall. It was a signal that the guards had been neutralized. With a hand sign, Sergeant Major Kuwabara instructed his subordinates to approach the side entrance by the main gate. At his feet was a man fallen on the ground who, unbeknownst to Kuwabara, was the incoming Praetor Luflus. He had just come out of the side entrance when he encountered them and was knocked down. The fact that he was prepared for it gave Kuwabara the advantage, and the matter was cleared up in an instant.
[Let’s go.]
At Kuwabara’s command, the thick doors of the side entrance were opened and the Third Recon Team quickly entered inside. Even without Itami, Furuta and Kurokawa, they moved with machine-like precision and swiftness under Kuwabara’s command. Of course, they aren’t trying to liberate the Basson Prison by themselves. It’s a cooperative operation with other units and the Special Forces Group, and their attack began almost simultaneously. At that moment, Kuwabara glances at his watch.
[Don’t move too far ahead. We’ll time our attack with the Special Forces and Fourth Rec!]
Kuwabara and his group approached the prison’s guard station without a sound. Inside, there are signs of humans making noise as they talked to each other. Any guards standing in the middle of the way or anyone coming out of the room for any reason were quietly neutralized on the spot. Eventually, after confirming that everyone was in their planned positions, Kuwabara ordered the attack to begin.
MK3A2 grenades, which resembled spray cans, were simultaneously thrown in from the windows and doorways of the room, and the impact and explosion spilled out from the windows and doorways. The personnel took this as a signal to vigorously rush in and smash through the windows and doorways. Shots rang out, sweeping away the enemy.
This occurrence wasn’t just in this room, as chaos ensued all over the place, gunshots and grenade explosions roared out, creating a loud commotion. Normally, this commotion would attract the attention of the Imperial soldiers stationed on the adjacent walls and invite enemy reinforcements. Today, however, there was no need to worry. After all, the imperial soldiers themselves had no time to worry about others.
The roar of the jets crossing the sky told them that.
Looking up, a formation of five C1 transport planes was flying over the capital, with countless pale green flowers blooming against the sky. The Imperial soldiers pointed to the confused sky and only asked “What is that?”. The only thing they could do was to look up at something they have no knowledge about.
Paratroopers, abbreviated for troops that use parachutes (some books refer to them as airborne infantry), just as their name suggests, were simply units that jump out of an airplane with parachutes on their back. Some people skydive for sport, and some may think it sounds like fun since there are bungee jumping attractions at amusement parks where people jump from high places with thigh rubber straps tied to their bodies. However, most generals feel that the act of parachuting is scary.
Furthermore, because they aren’t just doing it for fun, the paratroopers are equipped with weapons and ammunition to fight once they descend to the ground. That is why those who seek the parachutist badge are trained to overcome this fear. Such training doesn’t mean they’re no longer afraid of this though. Fear is like an alarm system that triggers the actions necessary for survival, so it is something that must not be lost or dulled. One can only cultivate their courage to overcome fear.
For this purpose, just like Pavlov’s dog study, equipped with fall-arrest harnesses, the participants are trained to jump out of an 11-meter tower above the ground, which is the height at which humans first feel fear, over and over again to imprint the necessary movements and actions on their conditioned reflexes. This isn’t the only way to overcome fear. The entire process leading up to the descent is thoroughly systematized and repeated even before the descent crew attempts to board the transport.
[Rucksack check, V-shaped pipe check, quick injector check, belt check, rucksack carrying procedure check, rifle carrying procedure check……]
Before boarding the plane, the paratroopers undergo a thorough inspection by their Captain, rummaging through their bodies. With a helmet on their head, they carry a rucksack-like bag containing a 12m umbrella, the paratrooper’s 15.7 kg parachute. In addition, they also carry a spare parachute in front of his stomach in case of emergency. Underneath, they hung their combat gear, as if it were a placket or a makeshift apron.
[Main umbrella check, automatic cable ring check, safety pin check, closed loop system check, branch cable check, back belt check, shoulder detachment system check, V-shaped regulator tube check, chest belt check, carrying bag check, detachment system safety plug check, bellyband hanging hook check, spare parachute check, spare parachute seal check!]
By going through these inspections, the elements of danger are eliminated as much as possible, and the paratroopers can tell themselves that parachuting would be safe. All that remains is to do what they repeated in training as a conditioned reflex. After inspecting their equipment, they laid on the side of the runway on standby, waiting for the time to board. It was them who had been standby, waiting with their 60kg equipment behind them, that Komurazaki criticized as a lazy lot. The transport plane approached over the target.
[Approximately 10 minutes to the target!]
As the drop-off point drew near, the load master (airborne infantry transporter) lifted the door open. The outside air blew into the plane and filled the plane with a tremendous roar.
[Get ready to jump! Stand!]
At the drop-off leader’s signal, the troopers stood up and vacated their seats. From now on, each of their movements is performed in accordance with instructions. Not even a sniffle is performed without instruction.
[Hook up!]
At the order of the drop-off leader, the troopers hooked their fingers and held the automatic cable rings extending from their parachutes to the rope that felt like a clothesline attached to the ceiling of the plane. This cord would pull the parachutes out of the paratroopers’ rucksacks.
[Inspect your equipment!]
Equipment inspection. Inspecting the automatic cable ring, the chinstrap on their iron helmet, the shoulder detachment system, the chest detachment system, the bellyband and the waist belt, the troopers started counting out. They also turned around and inspected the equipment of their colleague standing behind them. If all is well, they would slap the butt of the person in front of them to inform them.
[All clear.]
With the signal transmitted to the front, it was then reported to the drop-off leader.
[Get in position.]
The moment the order was given, the troopers approached the door like businessmen before a train approaching a terminal station. With their heavy bags in their arms, they packed in front of the door with no time to flinch, and instead, they slumped down with their crabby legs and shuffled forward. Everyone is staring with bated breath at the drop-off light, the signal telling them to descend, which is still red at the moment.
Within such a situation, the drop-off leader checked the last passing point from the scenery outside and gave the order “Get into position!”. The first paratrooper stands in front of the door overlooking the sky and receives the fierce wind blowing in with all their body. Just a few distance away from their toes is nothing but empty sky. The ground he looks down on is unrealistically far away.
[Green!]
As the drop-off light turned from red to green, the sound of a bell resounded.
[Go! Go! Go!]
From stillness to movement. From waiting to mobilizing. From bending to leaping. Just as Pavlov’s dogs are conditioned to salivate at the sound of a bell, the paratroopers are conditioned to leap into the sky on this cue. One after another, the paratroopers leaped from dizzying heights and pulled by gravity into a descending position with their legs aligned and outstretched they screamed “First descent~~ Second descent~~ Third descent~~” in a loud, throat-splitting voice.
With the parachute dragged out of their backpacks on their descent, their parachutes were opened. And thus, looking around at the magnificent scenery around them, they waited for the time they got close to the ground.
[Your Highness, it’s the enemy! Enemies are raining down from the sky!]
Upon receiving this report, the office of the Crown Prince Zorzal was in an uproar. The Imperial Palace, including the Crown Prince’s office, is located on a hillside from which one can see almost the entire imperial city. So, just by looking out the window, one could see five transport planes in a formation, dropping countless paratroopers like flowers floating on a pond.
[What in the world is that!?]
The senators, who had gathered early in the morning to discuss how to distribute the assets they had taken out of the Knights’ budget and the captured pro-peace nobles, looked up at the sky at the roar from overhead and were astonished at the unfamiliar sight that unfolded there. When they learned that it was the enemy, they were horrified. The enemy was about to descend directly toward the castle. The enemy was about to appear before their very eyes. It felt like they were caught in such an illusion. Of course, this was not true. Operations that make use of paratroopers are based on a thorough selection of the terrain and weather conditions of the drop site.
[It was completely beyond common sense that the enemy would come down from the sky.]
[Japan can scatter their soldiers from the sky!?]
[This makes no sense. They aren’t winged humanoids, so they shouldn’t be able to survive through such an action. There must be some mistake, make them check again!]
[The enemy may have a unit composed of winged humanoids!]
[What!? D*mn it, so that was also possible!]
Zorzal and his entourage were also caught up in the chaos of the Senate members. However, one of them spoke.
[No, that kite-like thing they are hanging from might be a tool for them to jump off. Anyway, get ready to intercept them immediately! The enemy has finally come directly into the capital. Your Highness, let us quickly prepare ourselves.]
As if he had just realized what his aide had advised him, Zorzal nodded greatly.
[Unnn, that’s right. If that is the enemy, dispatch the troops and crush them. They may be raining down from the heavens, but there are only a few of them! Bring out the numbers and set them out!]
[We can’t! We don’t have enough time!]
However, the next report that came in told Zorzal that his orders were too late.
[A squad of the enemy has already taken over the west gate! The gate had been opened and the enemy was coming in from the outside. It seems that the enemy has already entered the Imperial Capital!]
[W- What!? How can they be that fast!?]
In reality, the attack was merely the result of troops hiding in the Imperial Capital at that time. Looking out the window, some of the paratroopers were still floating in the sky. It was only about time that the first group had descended and gathered, finally beginning to act as a group. However, the time lag in reporting made them feel that the descending enemy had attacked and conquered the West Gate and started to invade the Imperial Capital. The speed was astonishing, but the insanity of the situation also made them believe that this isn’t strange if it’s this enemy they’re fighting against.
[What were the guards at the gates doing!?]
[The enemy is headed straight this way!]
As he heard this voice shout such a thing, a shiver ran down Zorzal’s spine. What would happen if the Imperial Capital were to be occupied at this rate? He was sure he would be captured. If he was captured by the enemy, he would be subjected to the humiliation and fear of that time again. No, he might be tortured to death this time. The events of the night of the earthquake flashed through Zorzal’s mind like a flashback. As the pain and terror of that night came flooding back to Zorzal’s mind, cold sweat poured out of every pore in his body like a waterfall.
[G- G- Gather all forces and immediately fortify the castle!]
Zorzal shouted. No, it was more like he screamed. But to his entourage, it seemed like a ray of light within the chaotic darkness around them. Yes, the Imperial Palace must be protected. It was just as he said. Their minds could only concentrate upon such a thought.
[Y- Yes!]
The entourage immediately started running. Even so, to Zorzal’s bloodshot eyes, their movements seemed endlessly sluggish. The aides were speaking to the messengers, telling them the orders they were to pass on. Thereupon, the messenger started running. They seemed to be doing their best to run, but how long will it take them to reach their destination? It would also take some time for the soldiers who received the order to begin their actions. Moreover, how long will it take them to reach the Imperial Palace and fortify its defense? The more he thought about it, the more everything seemed so damned slow.
Every few seconds, in his frustration, he would ask his entourage if the soldiers had already assembled, but they could only ask him to wait.
[They’re slow! Too slow!]
Zorzal yelled. Zorzal’s mind is filled with the thought that the enemy would be here before they could arrive.
[Oi! Gather all the soldiers! Assemble all the troops in the Capital!]
[H- However, if we call in the guards assigned on the gates, it will still take quite some time to assemble them. It will also leave the Imperial Capital unprotected.]
[I don’t care! The enemy has already invaded the Capital! What’s the point of protecting the outer walls now!? Just gather the soldiers now! Hurry!]
The enemy is coming. They are already here. And they are coming towards them. The sound of the enemies’ shoes were clearly resounding in Zorzal’s ears, even though this should be something she wasn’t able to hear. That being the case, he could no longer stand still. He couldn’t just sit still and wait for the enemy to come in such an unmanned place, and without thinking, he sat up from his seat.
[That won’t do.]
However, a surprisingly resonant voice condemned Zorzal’s action.
[T- Tyuule.]
Before he knew it, Tyuule stood behind him.
[Your Highness, are you perhaps thinking of running away by yourself? You wouldn’t do that, would you?]
What did she just say!? Him, the Crown Prince Zorzal, was trying to escape!? Zorzal’s hair stood on end at her remark. Tyuule’s words were trampling on his pride as a monarch. However, the words Tyuule said next, filled with a frigid coldness, instantly dissipated Zorzal’s anger.
[Your Highness is currently the cornerstone of the Empire. If you were to run away, the Empire wouldn’t be able to keep standing. Of course, if you don’t mind abandoning your position as the next Emperor, your pride as the Crown Prince and everything else, you wouldn’t need to sit in this terrifying and solitary seat, though I can’t imagine someone as proud as your Highness choosing to do that. Ufufu.]
[I- I know. I only got up to check on the enemy.]
Waving his hand away, Zorzal spoke in a tone that seemed to question what Tyuule was saying, before walking to the window. However, Zorzal was inwardly grinding his teeth. His arms and legs were tense, and he felt as if he were about to lose the strength in his knees. Tyuule, who was following behind him, continued with a blank expression on her face.
[All of this reminds me of something from long ago. The people of my homeland were fervently fighting the enemy, yet those supposedly fierce allies seemed so slow. Ufufufu, thinking about it again, it was quite ridiculous of me. Everyone was fighting so hard, but only I, who was in a safe place, was so afraid, so insecure, that I slipped out of the fort with the excuse of sacrificing myself for my tribe.]
[I- I see. So that happened.]
[Yes. I wonder how they’re all doing now? Are they healthy and well?]
[I don’t know……]
[In any case, your Highness must not move without reason. Everything in this country moves at your Highness’ will. Even if the enemy comes here, your Highness should stay here. You may think that you must do something about it, but such thoughts are just means to get out of the situation. Following them usually leads to bad results.]
[I- I know that much. How dare you talk with such a haughty tone with me!?]
Zorzal turned around and slapped Tyuule away. The instrument which should have been playing pleasant sounds suddenly started making unpleasant sounds, making him feel as if he’s hearing fingernails scraping a steel plate. He wanted to get rid of such discomfort. Falling on her buttocks with a scream, Tyuule rubbed her head against the floor.
[Ufufufufu, my apologies. I have spoken out of line. Your Highness would obviously be aware of that. Fufufu. A foolish precedent that I am standing by your side after all.]
Zorzal was puzzled by Tyuule’s transformation. What was the matter with her? If he had enough composure to think about this matter, he might have paid more attention to Tyuule. However, Zorzal didn’t have the composure to think that far ahead. He just felt a bad aftertaste, a queasy feeling in his mind, but he decided to leave it at that.
[A- Anyway, I’ll take your advice. That’s right, I should not have been upset over something like this.]
[You’re right, your Highness.]
[I know. That’s right, it was as you said…… However, d*mn it!]
Somehow managing to steady his trembling legs, Zorzal seemingly glared at the oncoming enemy. However, when more enemies came into view across the open sky, the fountain of courage that Zorzal had so desperately pumped up seemed to die at once. As if he lost all strength on his legs, he sat down and pointed outside the window.
[W- What in the world are those?]
Led by a large helicopter called a Chinook, a large group of helicopters have arrived.
＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊
At the Basson Prison, the pro-peace nobles who had been released from prison were about to board the wagons that would pick them up. These wagons had been scavenged by the outlaws of Akusho by distributing gold coins to them. Because of this, the wagons gathered were all the same as those used to transport earth and sand, vegetables, and so on. Some of them even had a stench that clearly indicated that they had been used for transporting excrement, and the nobles of high rank were very reluctant to use them.
[What, it’s much better than being in this prison. Having been living in this place, I know what I’m talking about.]
The Volralden , who was acting as the coachman, shrugged his shoulders. Just by looking at him, one could tell that he was a hoodlum or living a life similar to one. Still, he was dressed more neatly than those who had been imprisoned here. There were 300 rescued people, including the pro-peace senators and their family and relatives, but most of them were tragically dirty. The fact that most of them were so filthy shows how badly they had been treated here.
(T/N: Volralden are those werewolf-like beastkin.)
[The you right now suits it pretty well.]
[I understand. It can’t be helped. We don’t really have a choice.]
Thus, everyone got into the wagons.
[There is enough room for everyone. Don’t panic, don’t push those in front of you, but please hurry.]
Kurata, Tomita and the other members of the Third Recon Team were leading the people, shouting instructions. All of them were very skillful, as if their experience in Coda village had been put to good use. The winged person Mizari and her fellow prostitutes seems to have been recruited to help out, and they were on the coachman’s seat. The Harpy Tyuwal, who had played an active role in predicting the earthquake, was also there.
[Come on, Mister over there. Don’t just be relieved there just because you already got on the carriage, scoot over. That fat stomach of yours is preventing others from getting on! No one else can get on!]
[Ahh, no~!]
Mizari raised one of her beautiful eyebrows upon hearing Tyuwal’s scream.
[Hey, you there! Where do you think you’re touching!? Good grief.]
Some men seemed to take advantage of how crowded they’re seated to reach out and touch the girls’ bodies. It may be that they’re originally like that, or perhaps, it may just be the recoil of their abstinence in the prison.
[If that’s what you want, leave that when it’s business hours! Eh? Where? It’s in the town of Melno. If you’re really going to come, I’ll give you a service. ……Ara, Madam? Please scowl at me like that……]
Thinking “Don’t advertise our prostitution business here”, Kuribayashi turned around to see if anyone was having trouble getting on the wagon. Thereupon, she saw a familiar lady standing there with a smile on her face.
[Ahh, Mrs. Cicero!]
[My, my, my! Kuribayashi! So you’re the one who came for us!]
Mrs. Cicero hugged Kuribayashi with a big smile on her face. The two had talked relatively often since the garden party on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital. When embraced by the stout Mrs. Cicero, it looked as if the petite Kuribayashi would be knocked down by her embrace. However, the thickness of Kuribayashi’s muscles were on a different level as Mrs. Cicero, so she stood firm on her feet and held herself firmly in place.
[Thanks to you, we’re saved. Thank you.]
[No, no, we’re just doing our mission. Is your husband alright?]
[Yes. He’s over there.]
Mrs. Cicero pointed to her husband, who was talking to Tyuwal with a lewd smile on his face.
[You know how our nephew joined the Crown Prince’s government after returning from Japan, right? That’s why, even over here, we were accommodated a bit better. Food, for example. I guess we’re a little better off than others. However, I think that’s why he’s a little too energetic. I’ll strangle him later.]
[W- We’ve made sure to save your life, so it would be great if you go easy on him.]
With these words, Kurabayashi led Mrs. Cicero to one of the wagons. Kuribayashi easily lifted the stout Mrs. Cicero and sat her down in the back of a wagon. She held Mrs. Ciceron in her arms and carried her into the wagon…… No, it’s more like she hauled her up there.
[Since you guys reached the prison, should I assume the Empire lost?]
[No, we just came here to rescue you all.]
[Rescue, you say, but where are you bringing us? Perhaps, towards Japan?]
[It will be troublesome if we bring you towards Japan, so for the time being, we will evacuate you first. After that ,we will decide what to do after hearing your wishes.]
[That’s unfortunate. If there’s an opportunity, I would have liked to visit Japan.]
[I would welcome you then. When the time you can visit comes, I’ll show you around. There are many interesting places we could go to.
[Yes, I’m counting on that. I look forward to it.]
With a signal from Kuribayashi, the wagon started moving. As their wagon departed, Mrs. Cicero kept waving her hand until Kuribayashi was out of sight. The line of wagons leaving the Basson Prison headed out of the Imperial Capital through the West Gate. Most of the intersections along their route were fortified by camouflaged JSDF, and not a shadow of an Imperial soldier was to be seen. The Paratrooper Captain, Major General Sabae, was on foot through the streets of the Imperial City, escorted by Colonel Kengun and a rifle squad. Seeing the shabby appearance of the line of wagons carrying the pro-peace faction and their family, he frowned.
[Some of the wagons look pretty rickety. Will they make it to the rendezvous point?]
[I don’t know if they will make it to the rendezvous point, but it should be alright. There seems to be plenty of spare parts we could use.]
Checking his memo pad, Kengun answered.
[So, how’s the situation?]
In response to Sabae’s question, Kengun began his report on the situation with a map in hand.
[The DZ will be secured as the rally point by the 401st Company. Everything is going according to schedule, including the suppression of the Imperial City’s entry route and the means of transportation. By now, the 11th Company should have reached the Jade Palace.]
Kengun was given command of the operation. The Paratrooper Captain, Major General Sabe, also entrusted all field command to Kengun, who was familiar with the situation in the Special Region and had actual combat experience. He was merely a “flag” commander and left the details to his subordinates. The fact that Kengun used to be the Paratrooper Captain of the 4th Airborne Brigade was another reason for his trust.
The objective of this operation was to rescue the pro-peace faction in the Imperial Capital. If they were planning to occupy the Capital, they could have mobilized all available aircrafts, helicopters and vehicles, and simultaneously attacked the Imperial Capital. But for political reasons, this was not possible at the moment. The government had restricted the operation on the temporary and limited control of the area for the purpose of rescue, and they had to evacuate as quickly as possible. Furthermore, in order to prevent civilian casualties, air and artillery bombardment of urban areas is forbidden. Moreover, they have more than 300 people to rescue. The ten large helicopters that are currently available will only be able to carry the civilians out.
[What is important in this operation isn’t the numbers, but speed. And I know of only one unit that can fulfill this request.]
The Supreme Commander of the Special Region Dispatch Unit, Hazama, stated as much. And thus, the 1st Airborne Brigade and the 4th Airborne Brigade have been mobilized.
[We are ready to go whenever the signal is raised. But as we’re fighting in a place we have never been, against an opponent we have never seen, we must keep our eyes towards the unexpected. To prevent this, we needed someone who is familiar with the local situation. Preferably someone with firsthand knowledge about the ebbs and flows of the actual site.]
The Paratrooper Captain Sabae made this request, and Kengun was called up to respond to it. “You will do it, right?” asked Sabae, to which Kengun responded with “I’m so happy, I’m in tears”. In addition to the paratroopers, the 41st Company of the 4th Combat Regiment, led by Kengun, and members of the Special Forces Group, and the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Recon Teams, who were hiding in the Capital, were also involved in this operation.
The procedure involved two Companies of paratroopers (excluding the mortar platoon) descending on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital. At about the same time, the paratroopers who had been hiding in the Imperial Capital would secure them an entry route. Then, from there, paratroopers would raid the Imperial Capital and liberate the Jade Palace and the Basson Prison. In the meantime, medium-sized helicopters of the 401st Company, led by Lt Col Youga and Chinooks, a large helicopter, would secure the rally point and bring in vehicles, including the high-mobility ones. The rescued civilians would escape to the outskirts of the Imperial City in the Chinooks and helicopters that were emptied after dropping off those vehicles, which would be ridden by the paratroopers as they return back to base through land.
[Reporting. Fighting has started at the Jade Palace. Other than that, there is no enemy resistance at all. It’s so quiet that it’s almost unsettling.]
1st Lt. Yufuin, who was in charge of information, added to 1st Lt. Toyohira’s report, pointing to the skies.
[According to the information coming in from the observation helicopters overhead, the Imperial army seems to be moving all of their defensive forces towards the Imperial Palace. They must have thought we were going to directly attack the castle.]
[I see. So they were so surprised that they ran into their dens huh.]
Kengun nodded. When you are attacked by an enemy of unknown strength and unknown purpose, it’s not wrong to run away and preserve your forces. The question is whether this was done based on rational judgment or emotional and reflexive action. A commander who is able to make a quick decision to retreat based on a rational judgment will be quicker to launch a counterattack. Kengun wouldn’t expect the enemy to be some fool.
[When the enemy realizes what we’re after, they’re definitely going to simultaneously leap out. Make them hurry up.]
Kengun shouted this to 1st Lt. Toyohira, who then looked towards Major General Sabae.
[Captain, I’m going to head for the Jade Palace. I expect considerable resistance from that side.]
[I understand. Then, I will take command of the evacuation of the refugees towards the rally point. Kengun, don’t misjudge the time to pull out, okay?]
After Sabae told Kengun this while patting him on the shoulder, he jumped on a wagon full of civilians heading out of the Imperial Capital.
A fierce battle was taking place in the forests around the Jade Palace. The 1,200 Imperial Guards that had been pulled in to attack the Jade Palace had surrounded the 300 Knights guarding the Jade Palace, and were therefore caught in the rear by a single paratrooper unit that had gone to liberate the Jade Palace. The battle became a one-sided bloodbath, with members of the 11th Company spraying 5.56 mm rounds from their refractor-barrelled Type-89 rifles at the Imperial troops, who had lined up their shields to form a wall from the beginning of the battle. The Imperial Guard’s shields, which were merely thin steel plates stretched over a sheet of wood, were still incapable of blocking bullets that could penetrate 10-millimeter-thick steel plates. Even so, the Empire’s officers and soldiers did not retreat even a single step, but instead advanced slowly and steadily, dying in a flurry of deaths. Seeing their enemies being so unconcerned about their casualties, the troops felt an eerie chill run down their spines.
[4th Team, go around from the right! Snipers, aim at those with the black uniforms! Once their political officers are gone, they will surely fall apart. We’ll support them until then, so keep firing!]
Judging that it would take a lot of work to break through against the enemies’ numbers, the 2nd Platoon Captain ordered his rifle squad, led by a young sergeant, to go around and make a flanking attack.
[Platoon Captain, you sure are very enthusiastic today.]
[It’s his first actual battle after all. He must be very excited!]
As they exchanged such casual remarks, the Imperial Guards’ arrows rained down on the heads of their troops. The Imperials had closed the distance for the attack, and before the troops knew it, they were well within the range of the Imperials’ arrows. Several members of the troops were pierced by arrows and cried out for help. Their body armor was only strong enough to protect them from shrapnels, but it seemed to be enough to prevent fatal injuries.
[It hurts! It hurts!]
[D*mn it! Medic! Medic!]
In response to their calls, those who were in good shape pulled out the wounded behind a tree.
[Don’t pull the arrow out. Keep it in place and bind the trunk side with a pressure bandage. If the arrow gets in the way when being moved, break it off in the middle and remove it later. Don’t cut it off at the base though, leave enough for a person to grab!]
The Platoon Captain stopped a member who was about to pull the arrow out of his ally’s body. The Imperial Guard’s arrows usually have barbed arrowheads, so attempting to pull them out will only make the damage to the body tissues worse. Furthermore, the connection between the arrow’s shaft and its arrowhead was too loose, so there was a risk of leaving the arrowhead inside the body if it was forcibly pulled out. Therefore, when an arrowhead pierced deeply into a limb, military doctors in the Special Region such as those within the Empire would strike the arrowhead with a hammer or the like to intentionally penetrate it and extract it from the body, and then treat it afterwards. Of course, there’s no need for the JSDF to do such a thing. If the injured are sent back to an environment where incisional surgery can be performed, they don’t need to do such a risky thing. Incidentally, tying up the shaft (the area near its core) is to stop bleeding, and also in case the arrowhead is coated with poison.
The medics rushed to the scene and dragged the wounded man out. The other members of the team also temporarily moved back to escape the range of the arrows.However, as if they had seen this as a sign of fear from the JSDF, the Imperial soldiers simultaneously rushed forward, closing the distance until they could clearly see each other’s expressions. They were trying to get close enough to engage in melee combat. The troops, equipped with Type-89 rifles and aiming aids, matched their red reticles with those of the Imperial soldiers who had rushed forward, and sprayed them with bullets in burst mode.
However, the Imperial soldiers stepped over the corpses of their comrades. Seeing that merely shooting them wasn’t going to get them anywhere, the troops attempted to discourage the Imperial Guard with hand grenades. However, they were only able to kill a few of them. Hand grenades are hardly an effective weapon against Imperial soldiers who are armed with shields and were even making use of the bodies of their comrades as shields. The images of several people being blown up by a single hand grenade in movies and other media outlets were mere exaggerations. Nevertheless, they succeeded in halting the advance of the Imperial Guards, and the impact of the explosions stopped them in their tracks.
[Use the grenade launcher.]
After a Type-06 rifle grenade was installed to the muzzle of their gun, they launched it one after another into the center of the crowd of Imperial soldiers. The explosion caused the people in the center of the enemy lines to fall over like dominoes. But even so, the Imperial Guards showed their will to fill the holes in the ranks and slowly move forward.
[These guys are amazing.]
As they swapped magazines, the paratroopers couldn’t help but exclaim in amazement. At that moment, one of the snipers caught sight of a man in black between the eyes at the end of the line of Imperial troops in a prone position with his reticle. The anti-personnel sniper rifle opens fire, and scattering brain matter around, the Oprichnina member falls. Another one bites the dust.
Thereupon, the enemy, who until then had shown a steel-like will to fight and had been making it difficult for the JSDF, suddenly fell into disarray. They fled in the blink of an eye, like spiders scattering at the wave of a broom. How should one describe it…… The enemy disappeared before their eyes. Gone. Vanished without a trace.
Seeing such a situation, 4th Platoon Captain who had made a detour to attack the enemy from the side, “Arehh, where did the enemy go?”, they radioed in. Fixing his posture, the 2nd Platoon Captain stood up and spoke.
[Let’s go to the next one! There are still enemies out there! Stay on your guard!]
The corner of the Empire that had heavily sieged the Jade Palace was thus cut off.
[Knights, mount your horses! Gather!]
Seeing one of the enemy’s corners collapsed, Bozes saw this as an opportunity to win the war. This hole in the encirclement was the enemy’s weak point. Immediately after, more than a hundred cavalrymen lined up with their horses.
[Beefeater! Let’s go!]
[Got it!]
Jumping out of position, Bozes mounted her horse and launched a cavalry charge, showing the true specialty of the Knights. The main task of a cavalry is to overrun the enemy by utilizing the horse’s rushing power. The horses’ hooves gouged the earth and let out a thunderous roar as they surged forward. The cavalry immediately entered the forest through the hole in the encircling net. The cavalry then made a wide detour and formed a wedge-shaped formation. Eventually, they broke out of the forest. With her luxurious golden hair fluttering in the wind, Bozes drew her sword and shouted.
[Charge!]
With herself as a golden arrowhead, they surged into the tender backs of the Imperial soldiers.
[Trample over them!]
With overwhelming momentum, the Knights struck the Imperials’ officers and soldiers, like a tidal wave that swept over everything in their path. Assaulted from a direction they hadn’t expected, the Imperial soldiers were sent flying, as if struck by a huge hammer.
[D- Don’t run away! Hold your ground!]
The black-robed Oprichnina member continued to shout.
[Where do you think you’re going!?]
Seizing one of the Imperial soldiers by the collar as he tried to run away, he tried to bring him back to the front. However, while he was seizing one of them, more and more Imperial soldiers were escaping, spilling out from both sides. Thereupon, the horse-riding Knights attacked without slowing down.
After everything had passed, all that was left was a pile of corpses lying on the ground, crushed and unrecognizable. From the position of the Knights defending the Jade Palace, cheers shouting “Bozes! Bozes!” called out as the horse-riding Knights overran the enemy. The JGSDF and the Knights had unintentionally launched an exquisite coordinated attack. The paratroopers entered the wounds opened by the cavalry and gouged out the wounds. This allowed the cavalry to run freely through the midst of the Imperial soldiers without worrying about being surrounded.
The besieging Imperial troops were now in pieces like a folding fan that had its main screw removed, unable to continue organized combat. By the time Kengun’s army and his subordinates reached the Jade Palace, the battle had already shifted to a sporadic sweep. The Imperial soldiers had lost their will to fight and had scattered around. There were some rare ones that still tried to fight against them, but their individual bravery was no longer enough to turn the situation around. Kengun ordered his subordinates to check the casualties and entered the Jade Palace, where Vice Minister Shirayuri and the other politicians were waiting. However, what he saw there wasn’t the luxurious interior that welcomed foreign guests, but a field hospital where the wounded lay in cramped spaces and the smell of blood and medicine mingled.
[What is this?]
Kengun was shocked because most of the injured were old soldiers or young women. Since most of the male officers had been pulled out to rebuild the Imperial army, the Knight Order was composed of young female officers and middle-aged or older soldiers. The number of wounded reflected this ratio exactly.
[I can understand the old soldiers being here. That just means they had a lot of veterans. However, there are even girls who aren’t old enough yet. What is with this Knight Order?]
[Is that perhaps a roundabout way of criticizing us?]
The voice calling out from behind Kengun made him turn around and answer.
[No, that wasn’t meant to be criticism, we also have women in our ranks. It’s just, I can’t bear to see all these girls wounded lined up in rows. As a man, that is.]
The sight of so many women lying wounded in battle is too painful for a man to watch. A blonde woman who appeared to be the commander held out her ungloved hand to Kengun. Her arm and shoulder were bandaged and oozing blood. It was a sight that showed at a glance that she had been in the midst of a fierce battle.
[It’s been a while, Colonel Kengun.]
[You were…… Bozes-san, right?]
Kengun shook Bozes’ hand. He had met Bozes several times during his language training in Alnus. Her hand is very slender and very ladylike, but when he actually shook it, the palm was covered with thick calluses. Touching them, even Kenjun had to admit that, despite appearances, these women were warriors.
[I’m Beefeater.]
He then shook hands with the beauty disguising herself as a man standing next to Bozes.
[Hmm? Have I met you in Alnus before?]
[………………..]
Beefeater had never been to Alnus and could not understand Japanese at all. Because of her temperament, she couldn’t understand this art that Piña and Bozes liked, so she hadn’t seen the need for the language training program and didn’t join, concentrating on her duties instead. Therefore, although she introduced herself, she was unable to exchange the accompanying greetings, and it was necessary for Bozes to translate and help her communicate.
[Beefeater said “It’s an honor to meet you, Captain Kengun”.]
[I see. It’s an honor to meet you too. Now then, Bozes-san, I’ll get straight to the point. We are now leaving the Capital with the civilians. What will your Knight Order do after this?]
Bozes’ eyes widened, looking rather surprised.
[Does your team not have any intention of heading towards the Imperial Palace?]
[Yes. We came here solely for a rescue mission. We will leave immediately.]
Thereupon, Bozes softly muttered something in the local language of the Special Region.
[This isn’t good. I was hoping they would just take the Imperial Palace.]
Hearing this, Beefeater’s eyes widened in disbelief.
[No, no, no, no, no, isn’t that bad, Bozes? That would mean a foreign occupation of the Empire.]
[True, but if it’s for Princess Piña’s safety, it can’t be helped. Besides, we have already become enemies of the Empire. Haven’t you realized that? As long as his Highness Zorzal rules the Empire, there’s no place for us here.]
[Errr…… However, I didn’t mean to……]
[Even if you didn’t mean to, that doesn’t matter. The sweepers will now come arrest us, and we will have no legal grounds to oppose them. After all, the envoys had already left.]
[Oi, oi, oi, then, what? Are we going to be sent to Basson Prison?]
[I don’t know…… After something like this though, they might not bother to arrest and allow us to stand in court. They might even execute us on the spot.]
[What!? But why!?]
[It can’t be helped. We’ve defied his Highness Zorzal’s will.]
[However, we were ordered by the Emperor.]
[Yes, that was the right thing for us to do. However, that has nothing to do with his Highness Zorzal.]
Kengun had no choice but to look on in bewilderment as the two suddenly began to argue. He thought of just leaving them arguing with something he couldn’t understand, but soon, Bozes spoke up.
[Captain Kengun, is the way outside the Imperial City secured?]
[Yeah. The enemy has not made any major movements so far.]
[Then, I have a request. I would like you to accompany the Knights outside the Capital.]
[Yes, that’s fine. That was what we had been planning all along. However, what will you do after that?]
[We are going to Count Formal’s territory.]
[I see. To Italica huh.]
[Yes. I also have one more request.]
[What is it?]
[I would like you to take care of all the wounded here. We have no choice but to leave them here.]
Kengun looked over at the wounded soldiers lying on the ground and nodded.
[Indeed, I suppose so. With so many wounded, it will be difficult to move them. All right, I understand. We will take custody of all of them. We will take them to Alnus for treatment.]
[That would be very helpful.]
At that moment, 1st Lt. Toyohira asked.
[Colonel, would that be alright? We won’t be able to carry all of them in the chinooks.]
[It’s alright. The heavily injured can be transported by air and the relatively lightly injured can be transported by land. The cars will be a little crowded, but since it’s women we’re letting ride, I doubt the youngsters will complain.]
Thereupon, Beefeater, who seemed to have something to say to Kengun, started talking on and on.
[I just want to make sure, but these guys aren’t going to be prisoners of war, right? Oi, Bozes. Translate for me.]
Even though she didn’t feel like this is something that needs to be asked, Bozes just sighed and translated. As it reminds her of a mistake she made a while ago, she doesn’t like bringing up this topic.
[As I told you before, our country treats prisoners of war humanely. Besides, all of you here were wounded fighting to protect the Japanese. You will not be considered as prisoners of war, and will be treated accordingly.]
Thereupon, saying “I’m relieved now, you seem like a nice guy!”, Beefeater patted Kengun on the shoulder. Kengun was at a loss whether to be offended or pleased by such an easygoing attitude from a girl so young that she could be described as his own child, but he just put that aside for the time being and turned to Bozes.
[Well then, let’s head for the rally point quickly.]
[Yes. Everyone is in your care. Beefeater, I’ll leave the rest to you.]
[The rest? Why?]
Bozes was talking as if she wasn’t going to go with them.
[You’re leaving things to me? What are you going to do?]
[I can’t leave Princess Piña here, so I’m going to fetch her.]
Hearing what Bozes was about to do, “A- Are you an idiot!?”, Beefeater shouted.
[I don’t care if you call me an idiot. What I want is for you to understand!]
[Don’t say the impossible, Bozes. We don’t even know where the Princess is.]
[In the Imperial Palace of course.]
[Then, the question is, where in the massive Imperial Palace is she? It’s not possible to easily rescue her!]
[Even if that’s so, I can’t just abandon the Princess.]
[Wait…… Then, what about the Knight Order? Are you just gonna abandon us!? What are we going to do after this!?]
Beefeater pointed to the Knights’ generals, whose numbers had been reduced to nearly half. The wounded had already been carried out by those who were still alive and well. As there weren’t enough stretchers for everyone, when it came to transporting the women, the young JSDF officers fought against each other, shouting “Me! Me!” “No, I’ll handle this girl!”, and they would carry them out in a princess carry. Even those who could walk on their own were carried in their arms, saying things like “You must be tired”. As for the old male soldiers, they were carried on stretchers, clearly showing the disparity in their treatment. However, this is something that cannot be helped as long as there are the variety of beings, men and women, exist. Perhaps convinced that there was nothing to worry about after seeing such a situation, Bozes spoke.
[I need to meet with the Princess in order to think about what we’ll do after this. If things continue as they are, we truly will have no place left for us.]
[Then, who will be in charge of the reorganization?]
[I’ll leave that to you.]
Walking out of the Jade Palace, Bozes mounted the horse she had hitched.
[Well then, I will be off! Colonel Kengun, I leave everyone to you!]
[Like I said, wait right there! What the heck are you doing, you idiot!?]
Ignoring Beefeater’s words, Bozes whipped the forward and they were gone in a flash.
[She’s leaving the rest to me? Where is that woman going?]
Even though Kengun turned such a question to her, Beefeater wasn’t able to understand him. Beefeater, who had been hesitating whether she should follow or not, straddled her horse, as if to escape Kengun’s question and followed after Bozes.
[Hey! Where are you going?]
[Sorry. I’ll go bring her back, so wait for us!]
Kengun, who didn’t understand what was going on, could only watch in silence as the two women left.
＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊
The chaos that Zorzal and his entourage had fallen into began to calm down as reports began to arrive from various sources and they began to see the situation they were in.
[I’ve come to report. The Dragon Riders’ camp on the outskirts of the city appears to have been wiped out. It’s hopeless to think there were survivors.]
[Reporting. The enemy has invaded the Imperial Capital and attacked the Oprichnina. The Oprichnina’s headquarters has been destroyed. Incoming Praetor Luflus is missing!]
[I’ve come to report. The enemy forces have engaged the Oprichnina surrounding the Jade Palace.]
On the model of the Imperial Capital placed in front of Zorzal, military units of both sides identified by the report were lined up. The blue pieces represent the 30,000 Imperial soldiers while the red pieces represent the JSDF. Most of the vast number of blue pieces were either in the Imperial Palace or moving towards it. In contrast, there were only a few red pieces. They are like red islands floating in the blue sea, standing around the Western Gate and Basson Prison. There were also a few placed around the Jade Palace, and some outside the Imperial Palace, staring at the Imperial Capital. Surrounding the map, Zorzal’s entourage discussed what they could understand about the current situation.
[Is this all of the enemy soldiers? Counting all of them, weren’t their numbers less than 500?]
[Is it possible that they’ve made a mistake in counting the soldiers? No matter how I see it, this is too few.]
[No, even considering the ones that fell from the sky, there aren’t that many of them. There may indeed be some counting mistake, but the margin of error shouldn’t be that large.]
[However, does that mean their objective wasn’t this Palace?]
[Then, their objective really was the Jade Palace huh?]
[How foolish of them. They would have been allowed to leave even without doing this.]
[No, no. As this movement suggests, the enemy’s objective also includes the rescue of the pro-peace faction. That is why they resorted to such strong-arm tactics.]
[Umumumu.]
Zorzal’s pale complexion has now turned bright red. As soon as he felt relieved knowing that the enemy’s goal wasn’t him, his anger began to rise. He was also driven by the need to make up for the unsightly sight he had shown everyone.
[Send the whole army against the enemy at once!]
[Your Highness, that is not possible. The garrison officers and soldiers are currently on their way to the Imperial Palace. If you give them another order at this point, their paths might intercross and chaos might ensue.]
[What, so you’re saying that we should let the enemy do whatever they want?]
[No. If we continue to sit by and watch without doing anything, the prestige of the Imperial army will be shaken. If the enemy’s objective is to rescue the pro-peace faction, they will soon move to withdraw. With such a situation, I think it would be enough to send an elite force of 4000-5000 Imperial Guards to pursue the enemy.]
Understanding his point, Zorzal nodded.
[Very well, choose the soldiers that would be sent out and have them ready at once! Make haste!]
Escorted by the 11th Company of the 1st Airborne Brigade and the Knights, Casel and the others arrived safely at the rally point on the outskirts of the capital. There, they were instructed to board a large chinook helicopter prepared for civilian evacuations. Meanwhile, the injured people at the Jade Palace and the Japanese envoys boarded another helicopter. Sherry did not want to part with Sugawara though, so she remained with Shirayuri and the other envoys.
[So, we have to board these?]
Casel and the others followed the instructions of the troops and entered through the hatch at the rear of the aircraft. Thereupon, they found a number of familiar faces in the dimly lit fuselage and raised their hands.
[Lord Cicero? Is that you, Lord Cicero!?]
[Ohh! Marquis Casel! Is everyone alright?]
The senators were delighted upon everyone’s safety.
[We somehow managed to take refuge in the Jade Palace. What about those who were captured?]
[The Oprichnina didn’t immediately cut off the heads of those who remained obedient. However, those who disobeyed and ran away when they were captured were apparently……]
[As I thought. How tragic……]
[It never occurred to us that it would have been better off if we had just let ourselves be captured quietly.]
[No, that’s just mere hindsight. If no help like this had been offered towards us, we would have ended up imprisoned at best, or executed at worst.]
[I suppose so. Even so, I think the world really is full of things that would fill us with the thought of “I would have done this if I had known about that”.]
[Indeed. Only an optimist or a person who has nothing to lose can say that the future is interesting because it’s uncertain. Such thoughts won’t comfort others, especially those who have lost loved ones and family members.]
As if they had swallowed a bitter pill, the nobles’ brows wrinkled upon his words.
[In any case, we are no longer in danger. We must seriously consider our future so that we don’t have to go through something like this again. Especially after this incident, I think I’ve finally understood what Japan desires here. They want the Empire to be the stabilizing force on this world. To that end……]
His words were abruptly ended as it was drowned out by the sound of the helicopter’s engines, which suddenly increased in intensity.
[Ohh, we’re floating!]
Feeling the lift of takeoff, Cicero and the others stuck to the window, peered out and exclaimed in amazement.
[Japan was in control of such a vehicle huh.]
The altitude of the aircraft soon reached a height at which they could look down on the Imperial Capital. It was the first time even for Casel, who had lived here for many years, had ever had a panoramic view of this city, which used to boast of being the largest in the world, from the sky. With the view burned into his eyes, he was determined to return to the city.
Meanwhile, the wagons they had ridden in on their escape from the capital had completed their task and were leaving the rally point. After receiving their reward in gold coins from the JSDF, the men from Akusho turned their empty wagons to the north.
[Arehh, where are they heading to?]
At Kuribayashi’s question, Mizari smiled, showed her the gold coin she had received, and answered loudly enough to be heard over the roar of the helicopter as it took off.
[Even if we go back to the Capital now, business is slow and we won’t have any food to eat. Since we managed to come out of the Capital, we’re going to buy a bunch of food with this. I’m sure we’ll make good money.]
If all of the pro-peace faction escaped, the blockade around the Imperial Capital would be meaningless. That being the case, the blockade would be lifted, and they would be able to confidently bring food into the capital. In the Capital, where food is in short supply, it will surely fetch a high price. The residents of Akusho, who are wise to take advantage of the situation, are thinking of killing two or three birds with one stone, even at a time like this. Kuribayashi, impressed by the resilience of Mizari and the others, boarded a high-mobility vehicle that had been unloaded from the Chinook with his comrades from the 3rd Recon Team. Kurata, Tomita, Kuwabara, and others were riding in one of the vehicles. After the high-mobility vehicles were unloaded, the pro-peace nobles and their families boarded the chinooks in a line, guided by the troops. Holding down her hair, which was disheveled by the fierce winds created by the helicopter’s rotors, Mizari looked up at the chinook as it took off and shouted.
[Aren’t Kuribayashi and the others going to ride those?]
[Those are for the civilians in the Basson Prison. We’re going to ride in this one and return overland at a leisurely pace.]
Saying this, Kuribayashi tapped on the hood of the high-mobility vehicle.
[You’ll probably sneak back here one day again, right? At that time, let’s talk about boys over alcohol again. Let’s go, Tyuwal.]
With these words, Mizari and the others left the rally point.
Bozes is riding her horse through the streets of the Imperial Capital, on her way towards the Imperial Palace. Beefeater follows a short distance behind her. Soon the main gate of the Imperial Palace came into view in front of them, and Bozes thought about how to get inside. The area around the main gate is well protected by Imperial Guards and garrison soldiers, but the gate is not closed, so they could just jump in. With this in mind, Bozes pushed forward without slowing down.
[You on the horse! Halt!]
[Halt!]
However, the Imperial soldiers weren’t so stupid as to let a person who wasn’t clearly identified as an ally pass straight through. In accordance with the wartime principle of killing suspicious personnel, they immediately fired arrows at her. Bozes hurriedly pulled on the reins and stopped her horse. After she rode her horse around to avoid being the target of the arrows, she shouted.
[I am Bozes, a member of the Knight Order and its acting leader. I wish to see Princess Piña!]
With the situation like this, there was no room for tricks anymore. She had no choice but to announce her presence with dignity. Bozes thought that if the perception that the Knights were enemies of the empire hadn’t spread, she could still get inside. But then, from behind the ramparts, an angry voice echoed, cursing the soldiers.
[What do you Knights want now!?]
Bozes clicked her tongue at the sight of the black-robed men in Kobold helmets mingling with the Imperial Guards.
[That woman is a traitor! Never let her get close! Arrows! Let your arrows loose!]
Arrows scattered from all over the place. With arrows brimming with the confusion of their archers, they weren’t able to even graze Bozes.
[Wait! I’m not your enemy!]
[What are you talking about!? After you’ve completely opposed us, don’t act like you’re our ally! Oi, capture her! Send out the infantry! What are you doing, archers!? Quickly let loose the next wave of arrows!]
Arrow after arrow came flying in. This time though, Bozes had to swing her sword hard to brush away the incoming arrows. However, she was still hit by several arrows in the shoulder and thigh.
[Ahh, ouch!]
Seemingly thrown off, Bozes fell from her horse. She was barely able to catch herself, but the shock of the fall prevented her from immediately raising her body. At that moment, one of the infantry jumped out and came at Bozes, trying to catch her. Bozes crawled backwards, but when she looked up, the infantry were right there, surrounding her.
[Ahh……]
[Bozes!]
There, Beefeater rushed in. With her horse standing on two feet, Beefeater scattered the infantry away with her sword. The reason why the castle soldiers weren’t shooting arrows at them was to avoid friendly fire. That was probably why the infantry surrounding the castle suddenly started to fall back. Realizing the enemy intended to let loose the arrows, Beefeater took advantage of the opportunity and pulled up Bozes, then turned the horse’s head and sent it running. Arrow after arrow flew towards their direction, and as if burning tongs were suddenly pressed against it, she felt a sharp pain in her back.
[Beefeater. Please, to the castle!]
[You idiot! That’s enough of your stupidity, you sh*tty woman! I told you it’s impossible! Do you want to become a pincushion!?]
Turning to look behind them, they saw a group of cavalrymen following them. It was a cavalry that numbered not just in hundreds, but in thousands. This was the pursuit force that Zorzal had ordered to attack. However, Beefeater felt that this was a force sent out to pursue them.
[Who sends out this many soldiers to capture two people!? D*mn, Bozes, you’re heavy! Haven’t you been eating too much lately!?]
[How rude! I may be pregnant, but my figure is still the same as before. If you’re so upset, just throw me off. If it’s just you, you would be able to get away.]
[Idiot! Like hell I would do that!]
However, they could certainly feel that her horse had become slow. The two of them together are only about the weight of an overweight man, so even though their pursuers haven’t caught up to them right away, they are still closing the distance between them.
[Tsk…… This is bad.]
They somehow managed to get outside the Imperial Capital. But once outside the Imperial Capital, what would they do from there? Would the Japanese be waiting for them? What if they didn’t wait for them? Will they be able to catch up with their allies headed for Italica? Seemingly raising a prayer, Beefeater pressed her forehead against her horse’s neck.
By that time, the JSDF’s withdrawal operation was almost over. The civilians and the wounded members of the Knights were already in the air. The slightly wounded and the various units that participated in the operation also used the vehicles brought by the helicopters to go overland to Alnus, using the vehicles brought by the helicopters. The Knights, under the command of Nikolaschka, have already departed for Count Formal’s territory. Only the 1st Platoon of the 401st Company, acting as the rear guard for the others, remained at the rally point. One valuable chinook was left behind for the escape of their rifle platoon, remaining with them until the last minute.
Nevertheless, it was time for the allies to leave already. There should be no need for it to remain here any longer. Thinking it was about time the order to board was given, the troop members, including Lt Col Youga, glanced at Kengun’s face and wondered what was going on.
[Lt Col Youga, what is Colonel Kengun thinking?]
[Don’t ask me that. How the heck would I know?]
Similar conversations were taking place among the members of the troops. On the other hand, even as he was aware of everyone’s eyes on him, Kengun kept his gaze in the direction of the Imperial Capital. He did not understand the language of the Special Region, but for some reason, Beefeater’s last words to him sounded like she was asking to wait for them. These women had fought to protect the fellow Japanese. If so, he was willing to wait for them until the last minute. However, when he saw thousands of cavalry troops emerging from the Imperial Capital and heading toward their direction, he could no longer wait for them. We must take off before that wave of cavalry fills this place. Thus, Kengun gave the order.
[Alright, that’s enough. Start boarding!]
Hearing his command made the troops feel relieved. Thereupon, everyone rushed into the chinook with their equipment.
[Oi, look at that! I think they’re chasing someone!]
But then, one of the troops noticed something and pointed it out. Kengun also hurriedly took out his binoculars, and there, he saw Beefeater and Bozes. They were being chased by a group of Imperial cavalrymen. Four light cavalrymen who had jumped out from the leading group of the Imperial soldiers were closing the distance rapidly and were about to catch up with them. Seeing this, “Sh*t! This is really bad”, Kengun shouted, clutching his head.
[1st Platoon, halt boarding! Prepare to engage! The target is the approaching enemy lead cavalry! Distance 400, short bursts! Aim well! Don’t hit the women!]
The enemy cavalry seemed to include archers among their ranks, as they were firing arrows at Beefeater and Bozes. However, it seemed like they’re finding difficulty aiming at their targets from the turbulent horseback, as most of them missed and only struck the ground. The men hurriedly raised the bipods of their Type-64 rifles, assumed a prone firing position, and took aim. From among the four cavalrymen, one rider managed to surpass the others, and probably a skilled one, as while he was in a midriff position, he drew his bow and firmly aimed at the back of the escaping Beefeater.
[Fire!]
Upon Kengun’s order, all the troops’ Type-64 rifles simultaneously opened fire. As if he had been struck by something, the cavalryman approaching Beefeater fell off his horse and rolled on the ground.
[Keep shooting! Fall back in turns!]
Following Kengun’s commands, the 30 men continued to fire at those in the lead of the enemy cavalry. Raising their bodies to a kneeling posture, they then stood up and continued to fire, changing magazines as they fell back. However, the Imperial army has a lot of soldiers. They had too many numbers. The hordes of cavalrymen surged towards them like a storm-driven tsunami, filling the land. First, the first wave of dozens of light cavalrymen, the vanguards, attacked. Crashing head-on into the wall of gunfire, the Imperial soldiers fell from their horses one after another in a spray of blood, like waves crashing down a steep cliff. Yelling out angry bellows, the second wave of cavalry, stepping over the corpses of their allies, approached. The distance between the two sides had already been reduced to the extent that before they knew it, the JSDF were within the range of the Imperial soldiers’ bows. Just as when they were within Kengun and the other’s reach though, Beefeater’s horse collapsed, as if it had felt relieved upon completing its task. It had already received a lot of arrows from the surge of enemies they had escaped.
[Alright! Start boarding! Leave no wounded behind! Stay calm and fall back!]
As they were thrown off their horse, Kengun firmly caught Beefeater’s body. Meanwhile, Bozes fell on her back with several troop members cushioning her fall. Thereupon, carrying Beefeater on his left shoulder like a sandbag, Kengun commanded his men with a loud voice, inspiring their morale.
[Keep your gaze around and don’t leave our allies behind! Match your timings with those next to you and fall back!]
The troops, with their rifles at the ready, were retreating in a tight circle, spraying bullets at the approaching enemy.
[D*mn it……]
The troops, their hands shaking perhaps from nervousness or agitation, pulled out the magazine that he was about to swap out.
[The next wave is coming!]
A third wave of light cavalrymen with spears at the ready rushed in with the same force of their horse’s charge. The Imperial Guard would not stop even after taking a few bullets. Even when they fell from their horses, they charged with their weapons at the ready. A fierce melee battle ensued, sparks flying as bayonets and swords clashed fiercely. A member of the troops was pushed down and covered in mud. With the help of his comrades though, he quickly rose to his feet and letting out scream, he fired his rifle. Kengun fired his pistol, and a squad member with a Mini machine gun wrapped an ammunition belt around his left hand and opened heavy fire on the Imperial Guards.
It did not matter that the barrel was so hot that it seemed to singe his skin, he kept pulling the trigger and firing in rapid succession. In the blink of an eye, the cavalrymen were swept away as if they were just sweeping away dead leaves. After wiping out the small group of light cavalry, there was a moment of silence, as if it was the calm before a storm. But soon after, the next wave of attack drew near. Some of the cavalry detoured at a distance to encircle the 1st Platoon.
[Hurry! Hurry! Leave no one behind!]
Holding their wounded comrades, the troops rode into the chinook, covering for each other. Seeing the Empire’s cavalry coming at them from all the directions, the chinook pilot decided to lift the aircraft slightly off the ground even when the rear hatch was still open. Gaining a few inches of altitude, they changed the chinook’s direction as it glided along.
[Everybody jumps in!]
The troops jumped aboard as soon as the hatch was pointed in their direction. The approaching enemy was met with heavy fire from inside the plane. Some imperial soldiers clung to the rear hatch, and the crew began to hit them with their gunstocks to push them off. An imperial soldier’s swinging sword grazed the squad member’s steel cap and went straight into his shoulder. The body armor blocked the deadly blade, but the kinetic energy went straight to the soldier’s collarbone, snapping it off.
[Aghh!]
The thrust of a bayonet gouged out the chest of said Imperial soldier.
[Is everyone aboard!? We’re not leaving anyone!]
Kengun shouted, and Youga, who was carrying a wounded soldier, answered.
[That’s everyone!]
[Alright, let’s go!]
The hatch is raised and slowly closed. The Imperial Guards, determined not to let them escape, tried rushing into the fuselage. However, the JSDF intercepted them. The hull of the aircraft was smashed violently, the outer surface dented, and the windows cracked. Seemingly thinking they could block their escape route if they went around the front of the plane, a few Imperial troops moved around the front of the Chinook, but the spinning front rotors ended up cutting off their head, spraying blood everywhere. Seeing this, the pilot let out a scream and launched a full throttle. The engines roared and the plane gained altitude in a violent maneuver.
Thereupon, seemingly spilling out, the Imperial soldiers fell. An imperial soldier, who had been hanging on to the rear hatch until the end, screamed as if frightened by the height. He shakes his leg and calls for help. However, the JSDF kept on banging their gunstocks against the desperate soldier’s fingers, hoping to shatter them. Eventually, the Imperial soldier crashed down with a scream. Once they reached this altitude, there was no way to reach them even if they fired arrows from the ground. Below them, a large group of Imperial heavy cavalry covered the land they had just been holding like a tsunami. If they had been a few seconds later, they would have been swallowed up by the force of their enemies.
[Fuuu……]
When they took off and finally out of reach of the enemy, Kengun sighed and sat down.The other troops also sat down, their shoulders relaxings. Some sat there as if their backs had been shattered, while there were others who learned their backs on their seats.
[Kuuhhh……]
One of the men, who was bleeding heavily from a slash across his cheek and neck, groaned. Everyone surrounded him, and the medics were doing their best to stop the bleeding while he screamed. But from the looks of it, everyone knew they might not be able to save him.
[His facial artery’s been hit! His carotid artery too! Sh*t, the bleeding won’t stop!]
In the blink of an eye, a small pile of white gauze was stained with the color of flesh blood.
[Do something!]
[In that case, why don’t you help out!? Press on his wounds!]
Beefeater, who had been staring in amazement at the flurry of voices, timidly called out to Kengun.
[Ummm…… Could you…… let me down now?]
[Oh, sorry.]
Even though he didn’t understand her words, he could somewhat understand what she was trying to say, so Kengun let Beefeater down.
[I must’ve been heavy.]
[Oh, it seems like you’re injured. Medic! Check these two when you have the time.]
For some reason, the medic came over immediately. Apparently, the troop member earlier was no longer in need of medical attention. Following the battlefield principle of prioritizing the treatment of those who can be saved when it is clear that they cannot be saved, the medics examined the arrows in the backs of Bozes and Beefeater.
[It’s better not to pull these out here. We’ll stop the bleeding for the moment and give you some painkillers.
After wiping away the greasy sweat on her face, Beefeater spoke.
[Perhaps, did you actually go out of your way to wait for us?]
Completely clueless about what she’s saying though, Kengun could only nod his head.
[It doesn’t matter if you can’t understand me. I just want to say my thanks.]
Beefeater knew he didn’t understand her words. But even so, she still bowed her head. She wanted to bow her head. Not only to Kengun, but also to all the troops present here. Seeing this, the troops remained expressionless. They were not angry, nor were they happy to be safe. They simply dressed up their dead comrades without hesitation. All of a sudden though, a scream broke the silence.
[P- Piña-sama!]
The one who screamed was Bozes, and it seemed she had spotted something in the scenery below. The chinook they were riding passed over the Imperial Palace, and the reason why Bozes screamed was because she saw the figure of Piña in the building of the Imperial Palace. She was standing on the terrace, and Kengun could see the wistful smile on her face as she looked up at them.
[Please! Save the Princess!]
Bozes turned and shouted to everyone. However, “We can’t, we’re just about out of fuel”, the pilot replied. Aircrafts don’t fly just by effort and perseverance. The distance that they can be flown is always determined by the amount of fuel they have remaining. If the pilot says it’s not possible, then it definitely is impossible.
[Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do here.]
Kengan admonished her to give up. Upon hearing this, Bozes broke down in tears, while Beefeater could do nothing but gently pat her on the back.
＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊
The Chinook, a large helicopter, arrived at Alnus at midnight. First, the civilians rescued from the imperial capital and the envoys sent by the government alighted. When the wounded members of the Knights were also unloaded, there was a great commotion around the heliport. Flashes flashed and a barrage of cameras greeted them. The most conspicuous among them was the Japanese team covering the event.
[Shirayuri-san, what is the state of the Imperial Capital!? Have negotiations fallen through!?]
Kuribayashi Nanami, microphone in hand, was about to rush at Shirayuri when she got into a struggle with the security guards. The representative reporting teams from North America, EU, and the other emerging countries also saw this as a rare chance to report on the tense situation in the Special Region, and they were all shouting in their own languages. The media paid particular attention to the wounded members of the Knights who were being dismounted one after another. They were all unarmed, so they looked like civilians to the onlookers, and they were wounded with blood-stained bandages and the like. The sight of them provided the perfect material that reflected sensational clips.
[The JSDF seems to have conducted some kind of operation in the Imperial Capital. As you can see, a large number of women and elderly people were injured in the operation.]
Komurazaki shouted towards the camera.
[Is it really acceptable to conduct such a brutal operation that causes such a large number of casualties? We must pay stricter attention to the government and the JSDF. The watchful eyes of the citizens really are necessary. This time, we, the media, were allowed only very limited coverage in the form of representative interviews. However, if this is what happens when we are not around to watch them, perhaps the restrictions placed on us should be lifted. We would like to strongly urge the government to do so.]
The ratings for that evening’s news programs rose across the board. And just as Morita had feared, the government’s approval rating plummeted.
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login