LATEST UPDATES

Rune Troopers - Volume 1 - Chapter 2.6

Published at 29th of April 2019 12:28:51 PM


Chapter 2.6

If audio player doesn't work, press Stop then Play button again




RUNE TROOPERS VOLUME 1 PART 6 OF CHAPTER 2

The Imperial Capital of the Mariisua Southern Sea United Kingdom is the “Sei Road”. (Translator Note: perhaps West? Road)

This town is a city for ocean commerce. It was full of liveliness for a castle town. You should hear the bells of the church around evening time.

Everything was dyed crimson as it was the tone color of the light god, who would chase out the evil spirits at the witching hour (not midnight).

In between the two high and low capes, on the low cape there is a lighthouse which reveals the tall Imperial Castle.

For a long time, the Imperial Castle has repeatedly been under reconstruction. According to the only remaining records, it had been expanded in reconstruction 6 times to reach its current form. People looked at the magnificent, white Imperial Castle. Without passing through the continental highway, you can’t enter. The white marble castle walls had an early Kyoubo architectural style. It had 5 minarets pointing into the sky, and the rich pearl and jade pattern is very impressive in its splendor.

Rarona’s unit garrison was at the opposite shore at the foot of the lighthouse to the Imperial Castle.

At the tip of the cape is a rough course with no servicing. ‘Tail’ the Giant Bird turned to the lodging house past the “bird housing”. Along her route, many colleagues yelled out to Rarona, who changed her expression and ran, but she didn’t pay attention to any of them.

She rushed into the, seemingly-sturdy 2-story stone building, thrusting away the young guard on duty, and rushed into the unit leader’s room. The inside of the modest office had an affluent, dark green-haired young woman sitting there.

The country of the “Mariia people”, who were an oceanic people, or the “Mariisua Southern Sea United Kingdom.” To see she was connected with this nation’s troops, you could just look at her outfit covering her white skin. She had on the sleeveless shirt the ocean culture demanded for ventilation, wearing the uniform of the military.

Her name is Karuda. She is a noble, as her surname will attest. However, she’s never spoken about her surname in front of her subordinates. This is because the Mariisua culture didn’t think that surnames were that important.

As it is called the Southern Sea United Kingdom, it holds many different cultures, people, and functions as a federation. Not finding family names important is a result of this consideration.

Now, in cases where people didn’t have last names, like Rarona, when it is necessary for them to name themselves, then they would use their mother’s name.

In Mariisua, the maternal cultures are usually deeply rooted, so those with an origin without intimacy, such as Rarona’s mountain people, try to imitate these kind of cultures.

“What is it, Practice Officer Rarona?”

On the side of the out-of-breath Rarona who had suddenly barged in, Karuda calmly asked this question. It was a rather cold tone for a question.

What Practice Officer means is that this country’s war units have classes in its ranks.

From the bottom it goes: practice officer living, practice officer, officer, unit commanding officer, unit leader…and so on.

In other words, Rarona, who is in the 2nd rank from the bottom, is in a rank for the inexperienced.

Mariisua South Sea United Kingdom’s military has a military district that is separated into 3 big parts.

The Imperial Capital Defense Corps, the Domestic Forces, and the Island Patrol Forces make up the 3 camps.

The Imperial Capital Defense Corps takes this name as it is a unit formed to protect Sei road.

These contained the knights who protects the queen personally. They are the smallest of the 3 military divisions, but their priorities are higher than the other divisions.

The Flying Light Armor Unit that Rarona and Karuda belonged to, was a part of the Imperial Capital Defense Corps.

The unit that used the Argentavis was made for specializing in reconnaissance and as runners, so they get treated as a second-rate fighting force compared to the knight group.

So, they’re always scored as “Night blind (TL note: This is a pun as it literally means bird-eye)” and “(bird) Poop Droppers”[1] by the ground troops.

In spite of this, the unit that uses the Argentavis has an unparalleled high status. The reason the girls are looked down upon is not just that their unit is non-combative. Because officer units exists is also, by itself, another reason.

There’s a large difference between the officer units and the knight unit. This may seem clear, but if half of it wasn’t made up of nobles, then Mariisua wouldn’t name it the Knight Unit. This is not a discussion only for this nation, no matter where it is, a difference in standards appear, and this was the custom of the higher ups in the ranks.

In a feudal society, status was absolute. So, Rarona now doesn’t just fear her class, but the nobles as well. She sleeps in bed with one knee standing ready.

“Forgive me for the abrupt rudeness! But there’s something I must report immediately.”

Karuda removed the monocle on her right eye. Rarona had heard of a rumor that she injured her eye during practice, to the point of bleeding. Karuda’s movements were all very refined.

She’s definitely a noble, Rarona thought.

Over her black military uniform, Karuda had a summer overcoat on, with an emblem of a unicorn, almost as if she was a student of the Church of the Moon. No matter how much you know it is an overcoat for the summer days, Rarona just kept feeling it was a mourning dress. Maybe the rumors that she had lost her lover were true.

While waiting for the unit leader’s response, Rarona thought about these things and realized the unit leader’s squinty pair of eyes. Karuda had a glint in her eyes that showed of a noble amethyst.

“Fine. Briefly.”

Rarona took the momentum, lifted her face, and quickly talked on and on about what happened that afternoon. About the big affair concerning whatever appeared in the Mermaid Sea. About how their nationality was unknown and they looked like castles with how huge they were, and how they were 5 iron boats. Karuda, who never let down her calm noble expression, upon hearing this report, started to faintly sweat.

“I can’t believe it, is it the Filborg Empire?”

The Mariisua nobles did not let that insolent name of the enemy nation, the “Inheritance Empire” pass their lips.

Karuda now uttered the name of the most problematic country. She understood well that the occupation of Purominia was of no concern of hers.

“No, as far as I could tell, I don’t think it is.”

Rarona answered with a slightly off enunciation.

“It’s like it’s a ship from a whole different world,”

Rarona thought such an absurd thing. She almost laughed at the ridiculous thought, but held it in when she thought of how she’s in front of a noble. As this happened, Karuda took a big breath. For a moment, it seemed she may have caught on to Rarona nearly laughing, but it doesn’t seem like she did.

“…From above, no matter how little information, we’ve got to inform the castle.”

Karuda stood up from her chair, went to the window, and looked at the sun at dusk.

“Unit Leader Karuda?”

“Hey rookie, what do you think of this current world?”

On Karuda’s beautiful face appeared an agony. A grave expression that showed deeply. It was a form she couldn’t show to a subordinate. Somehow, the state of affairs was odd. Rarona felt this as well.

“That ship made of iron, the foreigners from an unknown nation…though it sounds ridiculous, Her Majesty would likely hear us out.”

Karuda stroked the lance in the corner of the room.

“It looks like we can still put this in the last circular for today.”

Rarona would understand what this meant, but it would take a bit of time.

What Karuda revealed was a national secret unknown to the public. Rarona felt a shock as though a demon had grasped hold of his heart. She gulped, and it made the sound of a dry throat taking a big gulp. Her superior continued.

“We have declared war with the Filborg Empire. They have given us an offer to surrender that we cannot accept. Tomorrow, we prepare for war.”

Rarona’s body stiffened up as she looked into those shrewd eyes.

“…Are you scared? This time, this nation will become a battlefield.”

She said it as if testing her subordinate.

“No!”

But, Rarona shook her head, which is what the firm Karuda focused upon.

“I am prepared to fight! I am also a soldier for Mariisua! I won’t let the damages of war from 10 years ago happen again! I am ready to beat down the empire’s forces!”

Karuda squinted her eyes.

“…You, you’re from the mountains along the border, aren’t you?”

“Y-yes!”

“I see…”

Karuda had a sort of satisfaction seeing her subordinate’s vigorous expression.

Ten years ago, the mountain ridge near the border was found to hold resources, so the neighboring country started a fight over it, making a border dispute. That time, a lot of villages got involved and got burned down.

That was also why Rarona lost her family and home. Karuda, who could sense this, hanged her head a little. And in a small voice Rarona couldn’t hear, she murmured.

“Won’t let it happen again, eh…”

Karuda thought she was a little jealous of the genuineness of the red haired girl in front of her. A fire that has cooled-down, I don’t have anymore. That’s reminiscent. But, she shook off these idle thoughts and ordered Rarona.

“Practice Officer, first thing in the morning, go give this report at the castle. You are my underling, so you will come with me.”

Rarona’s eyes were spinning in confusion at the surprising orders.

“Eh? Uh, b-but, I’m a commoner, I can’t so easily get an attendance at the castle…”

“It’s a time of crisis. If you stay by my side and don’t separate from me, I also won’t mind. I might have to tell your story to toe the mark, who knows.”

Karuda said this, and looked at the window. The sun at dusk was sinking below the other side of the horizon. There were frightening things on the other side of that horizon. In spite of this, the scene was very beautiful.

[1] Yes it’s correct. Not a mistake.
It’s a Japanese Pun (Joke) but as translating Japanese Puns (Joke) is no easy task. That’s the end result.





Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!


COMMENTS