Just as the feast was about to start, that happened. There was a heavy noise as though the castle shook. Hamieea twitched her clean-cut eyebrows.
“What is this?”
She asked her subordinates in a voice that was so deep it is hard to imagine it came out of a little girl. The ministers just looked at each other, no one holding a proper answer. And, finally, that answer came amid the confusion. The palace guards rushed into the throne room, out of breath.
“R-report! The Empire’s forces from their flying unit are coming to the Imperial Capital in large numbers! Presently, the defensive unit has made a call for the forces, but due to the sudden nature of their attack, our defense preparations are…”
Not just Hamieea, but everyone in the throne room opened their eyes in shock.
“Impossible?! It’s too soon!”
Spurning the last circular, not even two days had passed since accepting their declaration of war. Speaking of the Empire’s forces, the distance between here and the Empire is too far for their forces to get here so quickly. From the closest port, even if the winds were greatly in their favor, it would take at least four days to travel this distance.
“C-could it be a landing operations?”
(Editor: A landing operation is a military action during which a landing force, usually utilizing landing craft, is transferred to land with the purpose of power projection ashore. With the proliferation of aircraft, a landing may refer to amphibious forces, airborne forces, or a combination of both.-Wiki)
“No, this speed must be due to them flying through the sky!”
“This sounds ridiculous, but you don’t think they’re attacking us with their Argentavis squad, do you? If so, then in a defensive battle, at least, victory is…”
There was another vibration in the noisy throne room. This time, it was close.
“No, somehow it seems it’s not like that. This noise isn’t normal.”
Hamieea got down from her throne and ran to the terrace.
“Your Majesty?! It’s dangerous!”
When the aides following her stepped onto the terrace, at that very moment, they were at a loss for words at the spectacle they just saw.
“Th-that is…no way!?”
Karuda saw its shadow flying in the sky, and in fear grabbed her heart.
“No way….against such a small nation, they’d bring in their dragon squad?!”
Kuze’s group—the Self-Defense Force, went out in groups to the terrace as well, since they didn’t know what was going on. And, what they saw in the sky shocked them. In the sky, what was flying was not aircraft or giant birds, but a different creature was flying about. Their bodies were black and white and looked like giant dinosaurs.
“This can’t be, man…”
Kuze was dumbfounded to lay eyes on such a creature’s form. It looked to be like that “dragon” from old myths and legends. That fictitious, imaginary creature, the dragon, was flying before his very eyes right now. No, that was not all.
Kyaaaaaaaaa!
The dragon was being repelled by the bows and arrows, and so it made a sharp turn and drew closer as it opened its jaw and spat out crimson flames.
“That’s impossible!? For there to be a living creature that can spit out a fire is…”
But, right there it certainly was. The stench of the burned hole reached the terrace. The sensation was something unknown even to their dreams. The SDF shuddered at such a marvel of the living creature spitting out fire. They could see a section of the palace walls up in flames, while the burnt soldiers screamed and rolled down. Karuda groaned.
“Fire Breath! Is that a black dragon!?”
Proven true, dragons of a vast number of ominous black bodies could be seen flying at the sky of the castle. And, one group of the forces approached closer and spat out flames coming in for the kill. The arrows sent out by the soldiers unfortunately just bounced back off of the hard scales of the dragon.
The black dragon repeatedly attacked the positions of the archers. With its sharp claws, it could go through armor, and those who would run that way and they would end up covered in flames courtesy of its fire breath. The power of humans was made to naught in front of a dragon.
“Ugh!”
To such gruesomeness, Kuze, without thinking, averted his eyes. In front of his eyes, people would die.
“This much, so quickly?!”
He couldn’t believe it. At the same time, he understood that this was an unbelievable situation the country had fallen into. Some time ago, Hamieea’s group had said something about “The Empire’s forces.” A different nation was attacking this nation with something beyond their imagination. Yes, and his group was left right in the thick of it.
Kuze and Katou looked at each other. As mutual commanders, they nodded their heads. Without exchanging words,.they were in agreement in their views. Kuze exchanged looks at the other members of their squad. In response to Kuze’s facial expression, his subordinates carried their equipment in their hands. This was preparation for a retreat.
“We will return to the Fleet Vessels. Under these circumstances, they may think of us as cold-hearted, but never mind that…”
To Katou’s voice, the ministers made a sullen face. Yup, it would appear that they thought of them as cold-hearted. But, the SDF forces couldn’t do anything about that.
No, to be more precise, they couldn’t do anything about it. They are the Self-Defense Force. It was an inviolable rule that they had an Exclusively Defense Security System, and it was an organization that had forbidden preemptive strikes. Even if this country was attacked, so long as they were not attacked, they couldn’t do anything. Giving a disapproving look to the ministers, Hamieea flapped her fan and made a cool face.
“What, are you crying about the non-involvement of people from a different world? I wouldn’t stop them.”
“We apologize. Please, have a safe trip.”
Staying any longer would be dangerous, so Kuze gathered his subordinates and ran off. He ran into the throne room and set off running to the courtyard. Upon seeing off his back running away, Karuda asked Hamieea.
“Is this fine? Your Majesty?”
Hamieea made a delicate laugh.
“With dragons fluttering about in the sky, they can’t stay safe either way. Not by looking at their contraption.”
Kuze’s group ran through the marble corridor with all their might. Katou made a face like he was going to die and grumbled.
“Ah! This is harsh compared to living in an entirely air-conditioned transport vessel…”
Katou wasn’t wearing the extra camo battle uniforms like Kuze’s group of the land forces, but the pure white summer uniform of the marine force. All of his belongings, like his camera and laptop, were all in his bag.
“The land force has no such comfort! If you don’t want to die, please run!”
Kuze said this to Katou and, while running with a gun in one hand, got his radio to scream into it.
“Please speak to the pilot that we are returning and have him prepare for take off ASAP and standby!”
“U-understood!”
“Get permission to load the live ammunition for an emergency situation! But, with the limitation of ensuring the safety of the targets while protecting and defending our own!”
Kuze’s voice was strained. It was a necessary order, and the situation could very well become a big problem.
“Second Lieutenant Kuze, Second Lieutenant Kuze! Wa-wait a second…”
As Katou had said, his body wasn’t prepared for this type of situation, and he lagged behind the land force’s group led by Kuze. Kuze raised his voice.
“Group 1! Group 2! Stop! Be cautious of the whole perimeter.”
The 21 members took out their guns and prepared a battle formation by making a 360-degree circle with no gaps. Katou used his hand to stop Kuze, who was hurrying ahead with a nervous expression. This merely slowed him down, so there was no stop to the yelling.
“It’s good to be cautious! The Empire’s forces are not just dragons!”
“Wh-what do you mean by this?”
Kuze asked this to Katou as though it were a simple question.
“We saw soldiers lowering to the castle on giant black birds. Most likely, they are infiltrating right now. It wouldn’t be strange for them to try and kill us, so it’s not good to carelessly run around, don’t you think?”
To Katou’s decision, Kuze groaned as though to answer that Katou was right.
“Lieutenant Colonel Katou,”
“Hmm?”
“Excuse me, but let’s prepare for an off-chance possibility. For self-defense, please wait.”
Kuze took his 9mm pistol used for self-defense from his waist and presented it to Katou. Of all on the land, earth, or sky, the officers certainly can teach you how to use this weapon. Katou should certainly make use of it.
Katou was a member of the SDF. He was taught the way to carry this weapon meant to protect his body by Kuze. However, Katou shook his head.
“You should hold it, not me. In the marine force, we shoot guns like that and stuff once every few years. But thanks for your good intention, Second Lieutenant Kuze.”
“But…”
With Katou deriding himself, Kuze turned to look at him with worried eyes.
“Kyaaaa!?”
A shriek resounded from somewhere. The force members stiffened up. Kuze got into a low position with his type 89 rifle. He put his finger on the safety with an attitude of adaptation.
“…That was the scream of a girl.”
To Katou’s words, Kuze’s forehead became wet with sweat as he nodded in agreement. And, he considered a full operation. What do do? What is the right decision? Do we rescue the source of that scream? To save her, what do we do if we were put in danger? Do I order underlings to use threatening force?
“Second Lieutenant Kuze, what are the rules of engagement in this situation…?”
He asked holding a worried expression at the concept of battle, despite being a young first-class leader. Kuze’s group was composed of young people. The average age in the group was the first half of the twenties. They were youthful and passionate. But to put it negatively, if they were pushed into a corner, even then, they would be reluctant to shoot the assailant.
“On an enemy, exactly what do we aim for?”
As the leader of the land forces, Kuze had felt a worried hesitation, but it was so he could make a decision-based in clear standards. Kuze shook his head. That was to give a feeling of admonishment.
“The Rules of Engagement limit us to legitimate self-defense only. In any other situation, listen to my orders.”
It was a model answer. However, at the same time, it was so vague that you could hear him evading the answer.
“U-understood.”
Many of the subordinates were dissatisfied. In such a tight space, it was certain that they couldn’t shoot so that no one would be made a sacrifice. Up until today, the SDF has the same policy of not spilling blood in these types of situations.
To Kuze who is merely the leader in this place, it wasn’t a problem he could think about and answer differently from the policy. To use a weapon, there were bare requirements; it is written that there must be a decision by the commander in the area where there is reasonable cause to use the weapon in that range.
Ultimately, it was Kuze’s misfortune to bear all the responsibility as the area’s commander, and it is improper to say the government’s liability and the ministers of defense higher-ups. Kuze gnashed his teeth.
He was standing at a crucial point, thinking to make the best decision and take responsibility for that path.
“…Second Lieutenant Kuze,”
Katou suddenly puts his hand on Kuze’s shoulder.
“There’s nothing to worry about. There’s no direct right to command here; the one to take responsibility for this group is me.”
Kuze stared at the head of the marine group. He had an expression, as though he was aloof from the world with nothing bringing him back.
“Your decision, I’ll take responsibility for it. Whether we shoot, we don’t shoot, and I’ll take full responsibility. So, make your choice without hesitation.”
“Lieutenant Colonel Katou…”
Kuze suddenly felt as though his shoulders got lighter. Someone was there who understood his anguish, and he didn’t think he could be this relieved.
“Thank you very much…”
“Let your gratitude be living and returning to where we’re from.”
Kuze understood that this was no joke or mere decision by rank. Just knowing this, it was reassuring.
“Everyone, advance to contact!”
“Roger…!”
The underlings were ready in position with their guns in this tense situation and started to advance slowly.
“You could hear that yell from here and there…”
“The inside of this castle has a terrible situation on their hands.”
It was when Kuze answered. From their side, out of a door, the figures of many people would seem to fly out. Without thinking, Kuze and his underlings pointed their gunpoint to the figures. But, they stopped immediately. They were real figures of people, but they were children. They thought it was good that the figures were just trainees to protect the town areas forging their dynamic vision.
The number was three people, who were so frightened that their faces were pathetically pale. The three people were all young, but among them was a girl who held seniority, and Kuze noticed she was the same maid who had helped them earlier with the wine glasses. From the other side, the girl may have remembered them, as she made a face of being taken aback.
“Ah, you are…!”
“You guys, are you OK?”
Kuze lowered his gun and smiled. Perhaps it was because of his gentle smile, but the two kids nestled against the maid with watery eyes. The two clung onto her. Probably, she came all the way here protecting them.
“Everyone…everyone was killed…”
They died, no, they were all killed, to these words Kuze took in a breath. Well, he can’t ask why they survived and are alive.
“You guys come with us. We can make room on the helicopter so you can come with us and escape…”
Kuze said this and went to extend his hand in an instant. Then, an obtuse sound entered Kuze’s ears.
“Eh?”
The young girl’s balance was ruined, and she fell to the floor. On her back were ominous arrow feathers.
“Wha-?!”
Katou raised his voice in surprise. Kuze couldn’t make sense of what was happening in his head.
“You got one.”
“Nice skill as always, Ruido.”
It was the voice of someone’s subordinate, but not one that was from Kuze’s, but a low, male voice from the other side of the corridor. The sound of armor reached all the way over here. They were black figures. Not your normal black: They were jet black.
“Big Sis!?” (TL note: it is used as an endearing term, doesn’t need to mean an actual familial connection)
The kids screamed. To those two, it was as though a group of ten grim reapers dressed in black was around them getting closer. Having returned to his senses, Kuze screamed in an inside-out voice.
“Stop!”
By the warning, the men stopped. However, there was no reason to falter. They didn’t stop to comply with the warning, but so that they could evaluate the group. From the group in full black, you could feel a painful amount of bloodthirst. They all had hanging on their waists long swords, and some held spears while others held bows and arrows with an axe. Because of their helmets covering their faces, one couldn’t tell if they were humans or something else.
Black Knights.
Kuze’s group, who didn’t know who or what they were, kept having those words go through their minds: black knights.
Kuze raised his voice to protect the children from that group which seemed to be a symbol of death.
“Don’t get any closer to those kids!”
They, without looking at him, indifferently started speaking in a low voice.
“What, who are these guys?”
“Hm, maybe some comedians for the castle?”
“I have heard that in this country they combined their militia and performers.”
From the beginning, they weren’t in the mood to talk. That’s the kind of impression they had.
“Well, either way, is fine.”
“Ah, that’s right. The orders are…”
They didn’t give any heed to Kuze’s warning at all, and one holding a bow drew his longsword. The other members started readying their weapons as well.
“Don’t let a single one live and step outside this castle.”
Their armor ground upon the floor as they drew closer to the children.
“You are going to harm civilians! This is a violation of the Geneva Convention. Stop immediately!”
Kuze gave a desperate warning. He raised his gun, and the black armor wearing group stepped into his line of sight. He put his finger on the safety. But, where they should be flinching, they just start laughing.
“Hahaha! This performer is deranged!”
“It’s quite humorous.”
“Kids, that group will keep you entertained all the way to Hell!”
As those rough words reverberated in the corridor, the kids gently grasped the fallen girl as fresh blood covered their young hands… The girl’s face was already pale. Death was quickly approaching.
The kids often came to the castle and saw many problems with the maid, as she was nothing less than a sister to them they couldn’t leave her side now.
Why did they have to meet such an irrational fate? Why did no one come to save her? The kids thought of a bedtime story the girl would tell them as they’d fall asleep by their bedside.
Whenever someone was in danger, the gods would send a brave hero to help. Was that brave hero anywhere around? The children looked up at the group of men on the other side.
They were a group of foreigners wearing strange green and light brown clothes. They had an expression of anguish strained upon their faces, staring over here with serious eyes.
“Big brothers! Please save us!”
(TL note: kids call older gentlemen this nicely, regardless of relation)
“Save big sis!”
The kids exclaimed. It’s fine if they aren’t brave, if they would save them then anyone would do.
Kuze in response to the children’s screams from their hearts held his temper and bore the tragedy. That moment, Katou yelled near his ear.
“I confirmed a command to rescue the local civilians! Bring them to refuge to reduce the injustice against them immediately!” (Editor: He literally said ‘injustice’)
Kuze was surprised at Katou’s words. For a peacekeeping organization working for the government, the requirement for using weapons—the SDF is, again, made so as to defend oneself—so you are entrusted to have a large limit on the use of armed forces. Right now, those kids just asked us to save them. And, the commander, Katou, just accepted that request. With these conditions, then! Kuze scowled at the black knights before his eyes.
“Run…away…please…hurry…”
Mustering the last of her strength, the young girl said this to the children. But, they did not do as she had said.
“Waah! We won’t do that, big sis! Please someone help!”
Next to the two, a black figure stood up. With long sword in hand, he made a posture to stab something below him.
“You’re loud. Savages should be quiet and DIE..!”
——And, something struck him, with the sound of three rounds reverberating in the area. The black armor blew off behind him, and he struck the wall, destroying it.
Kin!…Chin chin… (Editor: SFX of the cartridge hitting the floor)
Onto the marble floor, a gold cylinder rolled, making a delightful noise. That was a cartridge of the bullet of a NATO standard 5.56 mm high speed rifle, of which the black knights had no reason to know about.
Black smoke was coming forth from Kuze’s type 89 5.56 mm assault rifle’s mouth. To be sure to subdue them, Kuze didn’t take his time, but pulled the safety and fired three rounds in an instant.
“Wha-!?”
“Ruido!?”
The blood seeped out of him, and the other black knights standing near the wall noticed but could not understand what had happened in an instant.
They were stopped all movement in amazement. But, soon, they realized that the strange bunch in front of them had done something. Especially upon looking at their direction and seeing some sort of odd looking staff held by that young man.
“Yooooouuuuu!?”
“We’ll kill yoooooouuuuuuu!”
Enraged, the group of men rushed to meet Kuze and company. It was clearly an act of hostility. In this situation, it was possible for Kuze and the company to have permission to fire.
“In reasonable defense, shoot-!”
In response to Kuze’s order, his men faced their guns to the black knights. And, in the blink of an eye, the fire of discharge was done. With a piercing shrill of gunfire, they were showered with countless numbers of bullets.
“Ugh!?”
“Kyaagh..?!”
The black knights quickly fell. Though they wore armor, they were no match for the high-speed rifle bullets which can penetrate even bullet-proof clothes. The match was settled in five seconds.
“Cease Fire! Cease Fire! Stop shooting, you idiots!”
Kuze yelled at the highest his voice could get, and the shooting stopped.
“Fu-”
Katou covered his ears and stared at the sight. Not a single black knight was left: they were completely annihilated. They ate a rain of bullets from point blank range, what’s obvious is obvious.
“…Did I decide on a bit too much defense?”
While Kuze was changing his type 89 rifle ammo due to expending all his bullets, Katou asked this. His breath was short and violent. The hand used to hold the rifle was shaking. Katou took a good look at the face of Kuze, who had injured and killed the enemy.
To a SDF commander, if the time comes to use weapons on an enemy, it was of paramount importance to succeed. However, they aren’t emotionless machines; it’s not that simple. Katou was trying to think of some comforting words but surmised that it wouldn’t be appropriate and stopped. On the other hand, from Kuze’s eyes, he answered to someone of a higher rank and greater authority.
“No, I think it was an appropriate use of weaponry.”
“Let’s have that conversation after we survive and return home.”
Kuze, having just experienced real war, he was having an adrenaline rush of the highest order. After making a self-deprecating jest, a dry smile appeared upon his face, but after he realized it, he quickly made it disappear. And he focused his attention to the children. He noticed the most important thing. It seemed that there was still breath in the young girl.
“…That girl’s condition is!?”
“Thankfully, the arrow missed her spine. But, the bleeding is terrible, and if we’d remove the arrow there will be hemorrhaging! Shoot, it would have been good had we brought a medic squad!”
To his subordinate’s words, Kuze shook his head.
“Don’t start grumbling about things! Get a first-aid cover and carry her to the helicopter! The medical room on the transport vessel has medics and an operating room; if we make it in time she could be saved!”
“Understood! We’ll do what we can with the emergency kit!”
Kuze folded his knee, and from the children’s perspective they could tell by his kind tone of voice that he was doing what he could to help.
“You guys, come together with big sis. It’s fine…”
As he said this, the kids wondered exactly what was fine. In the middle of this battlefield, just what was fine? Then, Kuze broke down these thoughts.
“We’ll protect you guys! So it’ll be fine!”
The kids turned their weeping eyes to Kuze. Ah, it was to protect these children. That’s why he pulled the trigger…For the sake of protecting these small lives, they took the lives of ten or more people. And, when he looks at those lives that were protected, he thinks that it couldn’t be helped.
At least, they didn’t make a mistake in doing this. While Kuze was thinking of these things, the children made pure expressions and asked him a question.
“Big brother and guys, are you brave heroes?”
He didn’t understand what they meant by this question, but he answered anyway.
“…Sorry, but that’s wrong.”
“Then, what are you?”
Making a bitter face, he stroked the twos’ heads and murmured.
“We’re just your normal public servants…”
Just as the feast was about to start, that happened. There was a heavy noise as though the castle shook. Hamieea twitched her clean-cut eyebrows.
“What is this?”
She asked her subordinates in a voice that was so deep it is hard to imagine it came out of a little girl. The ministers just looked at each other, no one holding a proper answer. And, finally, that answer came amid the confusion. The palace guards rushed into the throne room, out of breath.
“R-report! The Empire’s forces from their flying unit are coming to the Imperial Capital in large numbers! Presently, the defensive unit has made a call for the forces, but due to the sudden nature of their attack, our defense preparations are…”
Not just Hamieea, but everyone in the throne room opened their eyes in shock.
“Impossible?! It’s too soon!”
Spurning the last circular, not even two days had passed since accepting their declaration of war. Speaking of the Empire’s forces, the distance between here and the Empire is too far for their forces to get here so quickly. From the closest port, even if the winds were greatly in their favor, it would take at least four days to travel this distance.
“C-could it be a landing operations?”
(Editor: A landing operation is a military action during which a landing force, usually utilizing landing craft, is transferred to land with the purpose of power projection ashore. With the proliferation of aircraft, a landing may refer to amphibious forces, airborne forces, or a combination of both.-Wiki)
“No, this speed must be due to them flying through the sky!”
“This sounds ridiculous, but you don’t think they’re attacking us with their Argentavis squad, do you? If so, then in a defensive battle, at least, victory is…”
There was another vibration in the noisy throne room. This time, it was close.
“No, somehow it seems it’s not like that. This noise isn’t normal.”
Hamieea got down from her throne and ran to the terrace.
“Your Majesty?! It’s dangerous!”
When the aides following her stepped onto the terrace, at that very moment, they were at a loss for words at the spectacle they just saw.
“Th-that is…no way!?”
Karuda saw its shadow flying in the sky, and in fear grabbed her heart.
“No way….against such a small nation, they’d bring in their dragon squad?!”
Kuze’s group—the Self-Defense Force, went out in groups to the terrace as well, since they didn’t know what was going on. And, what they saw in the sky shocked them. In the sky, what was flying was not aircraft or giant birds, but a different creature was flying about. Their bodies were black and white and looked like giant dinosaurs.
“This can’t be, man…”
Kuze was dumbfounded to lay eyes on such a creature’s form. It looked to be like that “dragon” from old myths and legends. That fictitious, imaginary creature, the dragon, was flying before his very eyes right now. No, that was not all.
Kyaaaaaaaaa!
The dragon was being repelled by the bows and arrows, and so it made a sharp turn and drew closer as it opened its jaw and spat out crimson flames.
“That’s impossible!? For there to be a living creature that can spit out a fire is…”
But, right there it certainly was. The stench of the burned hole reached the terrace. The sensation was something unknown even to their dreams. The SDF shuddered at such a marvel of the living creature spitting out fire. They could see a section of the palace walls up in flames, while the burnt soldiers screamed and rolled down. Karuda groaned.
“Fire Breath! Is that a black dragon!?”
Proven true, dragons of a vast number of ominous black bodies could be seen flying at the sky of the castle. And, one group of the forces approached closer and spat out flames coming in for the kill. The arrows sent out by the soldiers unfortunately just bounced back off of the hard scales of the dragon.
The black dragon repeatedly attacked the positions of the archers. With its sharp claws, it could go through armor, and those who would run that way and they would end up covered in flames courtesy of its fire breath. The power of humans was made to naught in front of a dragon.
“Ugh!”
To such gruesomeness, Kuze, without thinking, averted his eyes. In front of his eyes, people would die.
“This much, so quickly?!”
He couldn’t believe it. At the same time, he understood that this was an unbelievable situation the country had fallen into. Some time ago, Hamieea’s group had said something about “The Empire’s forces.” A different nation was attacking this nation with something beyond their imagination. Yes, and his group was left right in the thick of it.
Kuze and Katou looked at each other. As mutual commanders, they nodded their heads. Without exchanging words,.they were in agreement in their views. Kuze exchanged looks at the other members of their squad. In response to Kuze’s facial expression, his subordinates carried their equipment in their hands. This was preparation for a retreat.
“We will return to the Fleet Vessels. Under these circumstances, they may think of us as cold-hearted, but never mind that…”
To Katou’s voice, the ministers made a sullen face. Yup, it would appear that they thought of them as cold-hearted. But, the SDF forces couldn’t do anything about that.
No, to be more precise, they couldn’t do anything about it. They are the Self-Defense Force. It was an inviolable rule that they had an Exclusively Defense Security System, and it was an organization that had forbidden preemptive strikes. Even if this country was attacked, so long as they were not attacked, they couldn’t do anything. Giving a disapproving look to the ministers, Hamieea flapped her fan and made a cool face.
“What, are you crying about the non-involvement of people from a different world? I wouldn’t stop them.”
“We apologize. Please, have a safe trip.”
Staying any longer would be dangerous, so Kuze gathered his subordinates and ran off. He ran into the throne room and set off running to the courtyard. Upon seeing off his back running away, Karuda asked Hamieea.
“Is this fine? Your Majesty?”
Hamieea made a delicate laugh.
“With dragons fluttering about in the sky, they can’t stay safe either way. Not by looking at their contraption.”
Kuze’s group ran through the marble corridor with all their might. Katou made a face like he was going to die and grumbled.
“Ah! This is harsh compared to living in an entirely air-conditioned transport vessel…”
Katou wasn’t wearing the extra camo battle uniforms like Kuze’s group of the land forces, but the pure white summer uniform of the marine force. All of his belongings, like his camera and laptop, were all in his bag.
“The land force has no such comfort! If you don’t want to die, please run!”
Kuze said this to Katou and, while running with a gun in one hand, got his radio to scream into it.
“Please speak to the pilot that we are returning and have him prepare for take off ASAP and standby!”
“U-understood!”
“Get permission to load the live ammunition for an emergency situation! But, with the limitation of ensuring the safety of the targets while protecting and defending our own!”
Kuze’s voice was strained. It was a necessary order, and the situation could very well become a big problem.
“Second Lieutenant Kuze, Second Lieutenant Kuze! Wa-wait a second…”
As Katou had said, his body wasn’t prepared for this type of situation, and he lagged behind the land force’s group led by Kuze. Kuze raised his voice.
“Group 1! Group 2! Stop! Be cautious of the whole perimeter.”
The 21 members took out their guns and prepared a battle formation by making a 360-degree circle with no gaps. Katou used his hand to stop Kuze, who was hurrying ahead with a nervous expression. This merely slowed him down, so there was no stop to the yelling.
“It’s good to be cautious! The Empire’s forces are not just dragons!”
“Wh-what do you mean by this?”
Kuze asked this to Katou as though it were a simple question.
“We saw soldiers lowering to the castle on giant black birds. Most likely, they are infiltrating right now. It wouldn’t be strange for them to try and kill us, so it’s not good to carelessly run around, don’t you think?”
To Katou’s decision, Kuze groaned as though to answer that Katou was right.
“Lieutenant Colonel Katou,”
“Hmm?”
“Excuse me, but let’s prepare for an off-chance possibility. For self-defense, please wait.”
Kuze took his 9mm pistol used for self-defense from his waist and presented it to Katou. Of all on the land, earth, or sky, the officers certainly can teach you how to use this weapon. Katou should certainly make use of it.
Katou was a member of the SDF. He was taught the way to carry this weapon meant to protect his body by Kuze. However, Katou shook his head.
“You should hold it, not me. In the marine force, we shoot guns like that and stuff once every few years. But thanks for your good intention, Second Lieutenant Kuze.”
“But…”
With Katou deriding himself, Kuze turned to look at him with worried eyes.
“Kyaaaa!?”
A shriek resounded from somewhere. The force members stiffened up. Kuze got into a low position with his type 89 rifle. He put his finger on the safety with an attitude of adaptation.
“…That was the scream of a girl.”
To Katou’s words, Kuze’s forehead became wet with sweat as he nodded in agreement. And, he considered a full operation. What do do? What is the right decision? Do we rescue the source of that scream? To save her, what do we do if we were put in danger? Do I order underlings to use threatening force?
“Second Lieutenant Kuze, what are the rules of engagement in this situation…?”
He asked holding a worried expression at the concept of battle, despite being a young first-class leader. Kuze’s group was composed of young people. The average age in the group was the first half of the twenties. They were youthful and passionate. But to put it negatively, if they were pushed into a corner, even then, they would be reluctant to shoot the assailant.
“On an enemy, exactly what do we aim for?”
As the leader of the land forces, Kuze had felt a worried hesitation, but it was so he could make a decision-based in clear standards. Kuze shook his head. That was to give a feeling of admonishment.
“The Rules of Engagement limit us to legitimate self-defense only. In any other situation, listen to my orders.”
It was a model answer. However, at the same time, it was so vague that you could hear him evading the answer.
“U-understood.”
Many of the subordinates were dissatisfied. In such a tight space, it was certain that they couldn’t shoot so that no one would be made a sacrifice. Up until today, the SDF has the same policy of not spilling blood in these types of situations.
To Kuze who is merely the leader in this place, it wasn’t a problem he could think about and answer differently from the policy. To use a weapon, there were bare requirements; it is written that there must be a decision by the commander in the area where there is reasonable cause to use the weapon in that range.
Ultimately, it was Kuze’s misfortune to bear all the responsibility as the area’s commander, and it is improper to say the government’s liability and the ministers of defense higher-ups. Kuze gnashed his teeth.
He was standing at a crucial point, thinking to make the best decision and take responsibility for that path.
“…Second Lieutenant Kuze,”
Katou suddenly puts his hand on Kuze’s shoulder.
“There’s nothing to worry about. There’s no direct right to command here; the one to take responsibility for this group is me.”
Kuze stared at the head of the marine group. He had an expression, as though he was aloof from the world with nothing bringing him back.
“Your decision, I’ll take responsibility for it. Whether we shoot, we don’t shoot, and I’ll take full responsibility. So, make your choice without hesitation.”
“Lieutenant Colonel Katou…”
Kuze suddenly felt as though his shoulders got lighter. Someone was there who understood his anguish, and he didn’t think he could be this relieved.
“Thank you very much…”
“Let your gratitude be living and returning to where we’re from.”
Kuze understood that this was no joke or mere decision by rank. Just knowing this, it was reassuring.
“Everyone, advance to contact!”
“Roger…!”
The underlings were ready in position with their guns in this tense situation and started to advance slowly.
“You could hear that yell from here and there…”
“The inside of this castle has a terrible situation on their hands.”
It was when Kuze answered. From their side, out of a door, the figures of many people would seem to fly out. Without thinking, Kuze and his underlings pointed their gunpoint to the figures. But, they stopped immediately. They were real figures of people, but they were children. They thought it was good that the figures were just trainees to protect the town areas forging their dynamic vision.
The number was three people, who were so frightened that their faces were pathetically pale. The three people were all young, but among them was a girl who held seniority, and Kuze noticed she was the same maid who had helped them earlier with the wine glasses. From the other side, the girl may have remembered them, as she made a face of being taken aback.
“Ah, you are…!”
“You guys, are you OK?”
Kuze lowered his gun and smiled. Perhaps it was because of his gentle smile, but the two kids nestled against the maid with watery eyes. The two clung onto her. Probably, she came all the way here protecting them.
“Everyone…everyone was killed…”
They died, no, they were all killed, to these words Kuze took in a breath. Well, he can’t ask why they survived and are alive.
“You guys come with us. We can make room on the helicopter so you can come with us and escape…”
Kuze said this and went to extend his hand in an instant. Then, an obtuse sound entered Kuze’s ears.
“Eh?”
The young girl’s balance was ruined, and she fell to the floor. On her back were ominous arrow feathers.
“Wha-?!”
Katou raised his voice in surprise. Kuze couldn’t make sense of what was happening in his head.
“You got one.”
“Nice skill as always, Ruido.”
It was the voice of someone’s subordinate, but not one that was from Kuze’s, but a low, male voice from the other side of the corridor. The sound of armor reached all the way over here. They were black figures. Not your normal black: They were jet black.
“Big Sis!?” (TL note: it is used as an endearing term, doesn’t need to mean an actual familial connection)
The kids screamed. To those two, it was as though a group of ten grim reapers dressed in black was around them getting closer. Having returned to his senses, Kuze screamed in an inside-out voice.
“Stop!”
By the warning, the men stopped. However, there was no reason to falter. They didn’t stop to comply with the warning, but so that they could evaluate the group. From the group in full black, you could feel a painful amount of bloodthirst. They all had hanging on their waists long swords, and some held spears while others held bows and arrows with an axe. Because of their helmets covering their faces, one couldn’t tell if they were humans or something else.
Black Knights.
Kuze’s group, who didn’t know who or what they were, kept having those words go through their minds: black knights.
Kuze raised his voice to protect the children from that group which seemed to be a symbol of death.
“Don’t get any closer to those kids!”
They, without looking at him, indifferently started speaking in a low voice.
“What, who are these guys?”
“Hm, maybe some comedians for the castle?”
“I have heard that in this country they combined their militia and performers.”
From the beginning, they weren’t in the mood to talk. That’s the kind of impression they had.
“Well, either way, is fine.”
“Ah, that’s right. The orders are…”
They didn’t give any heed to Kuze’s warning at all, and one holding a bow drew his longsword. The other members started readying their weapons as well.
“Don’t let a single one live and step outside this castle.”
Their armor ground upon the floor as they drew closer to the children.
“You are going to harm civilians! This is a violation of the Geneva Convention. Stop immediately!”
Kuze gave a desperate warning. He raised his gun, and the black armor wearing group stepped into his line of sight. He put his finger on the safety. But, where they should be flinching, they just start laughing.
“Hahaha! This performer is deranged!”
“It’s quite humorous.”
“Kids, that group will keep you entertained all the way to Hell!”
As those rough words reverberated in the corridor, the kids gently grasped the fallen girl as fresh blood covered their young hands… The girl’s face was already pale. Death was quickly approaching.
The kids often came to the castle and saw many problems with the maid, as she was nothing less than a sister to them they couldn’t leave her side now.
Why did they have to meet such an irrational fate? Why did no one come to save her? The kids thought of a bedtime story the girl would tell them as they’d fall asleep by their bedside.
Whenever someone was in danger, the gods would send a brave hero to help. Was that brave hero anywhere around? The children looked up at the group of men on the other side.
They were a group of foreigners wearing strange green and light brown clothes. They had an expression of anguish strained upon their faces, staring over here with serious eyes.
“Big brothers! Please save us!”
(TL note: kids call older gentlemen this nicely, regardless of relation)
“Save big sis!”
The kids exclaimed. It’s fine if they aren’t brave, if they would save them then anyone would do.
Kuze in response to the children’s screams from their hearts held his temper and bore the tragedy. That moment, Katou yelled near his ear.
“I confirmed a command to rescue the local civilians! Bring them to refuge to reduce the injustice against them immediately!” (Editor: He literally said ‘injustice’)
Kuze was surprised at Katou’s words. For a peacekeeping organization working for the government, the requirement for using weapons—the SDF is, again, made so as to defend oneself—so you are entrusted to have a large limit on the use of armed forces. Right now, those kids just asked us to save them. And, the commander, Katou, just accepted that request. With these conditions, then! Kuze scowled at the black knights before his eyes.
“Run…away…please…hurry…”
Mustering the last of her strength, the young girl said this to the children. But, they did not do as she had said.
“Waah! We won’t do that, big sis! Please someone help!”
Next to the two, a black figure stood up. With long sword in hand, he made a posture to stab something below him.
“You’re loud. Savages should be quiet and DIE..!”
——And, something struck him, with the sound of three rounds reverberating in the area. The black armor blew off behind him, and he struck the wall, destroying it.
Kin!…Chin chin… (Editor: SFX of the cartridge hitting the floor)
Onto the marble floor, a gold cylinder rolled, making a delightful noise. That was a cartridge of the bullet of a NATO standard 5.56 mm high speed rifle, of which the black knights had no reason to know about.
Black smoke was coming forth from Kuze’s type 89 5.56 mm assault rifle’s mouth. To be sure to subdue them, Kuze didn’t take his time, but pulled the safety and fired three rounds in an instant.
“Wha-!?”
“Ruido!?”
The blood seeped out of him, and the other black knights standing near the wall noticed but could not understand what had happened in an instant.
They were stopped all movement in amazement. But, soon, they realized that the strange bunch in front of them had done something. Especially upon looking at their direction and seeing some sort of odd looking staff held by that young man.
“Yooooouuuuu!?”
“We’ll kill yoooooouuuuuuu!”
Enraged, the group of men rushed to meet Kuze and company. It was clearly an act of hostility. In this situation, it was possible for Kuze and the company to have permission to fire.
“In reasonable defense, shoot-!”
In response to Kuze’s order, his men faced their guns to the black knights. And, in the blink of an eye, the fire of discharge was done. With a piercing shrill of gunfire, they were showered with countless numbers of bullets.
“Ugh!?”
“Kyaagh..?!”
The black knights quickly fell. Though they wore armor, they were no match for the high-speed rifle bullets which can penetrate even bullet-proof clothes. The match was settled in five seconds.
“Cease Fire! Cease Fire! Stop shooting, you idiots!”
Kuze yelled at the highest his voice could get, and the shooting stopped.
“Fu-”
Katou covered his ears and stared at the sight. Not a single black knight was left: they were completely annihilated. They ate a rain of bullets from point blank range, what’s obvious is obvious.
“…Did I decide on a bit too much defense?”
While Kuze was changing his type 89 rifle ammo due to expending all his bullets, Katou asked this. His breath was short and violent. The hand used to hold the rifle was shaking. Katou took a good look at the face of Kuze, who had injured and killed the enemy.
To a SDF commander, if the time comes to use weapons on an enemy, it was of paramount importance to succeed. However, they aren’t emotionless machines; it’s not that simple. Katou was trying to think of some comforting words but surmised that it wouldn’t be appropriate and stopped. On the other hand, from Kuze’s eyes, he answered to someone of a higher rank and greater authority.
“No, I think it was an appropriate use of weaponry.”
“Let’s have that conversation after we survive and return home.”
Kuze, having just experienced real war, he was having an adrenaline rush of the highest order. After making a self-deprecating jest, a dry smile appeared upon his face, but after he realized it, he quickly made it disappear. And he focused his attention to the children. He noticed the most important thing. It seemed that there was still breath in the young girl.
“…That girl’s condition is!?”
“Thankfully, the arrow missed her spine. But, the bleeding is terrible, and if we’d remove the arrow there will be hemorrhaging! Shoot, it would have been good had we brought a medic squad!”
To his subordinate’s words, Kuze shook his head.
“Don’t start grumbling about things! Get a first-aid cover and carry her to the helicopter! The medical room on the transport vessel has medics and an operating room; if we make it in time she could be saved!”
“Understood! We’ll do what we can with the emergency kit!”
Kuze folded his knee, and from the children’s perspective they could tell by his kind tone of voice that he was doing what he could to help.
“You guys, come together with big sis. It’s fine…”
As he said this, the kids wondered exactly what was fine. In the middle of this battlefield, just what was fine? Then, Kuze broke down these thoughts.
“We’ll protect you guys! So it’ll be fine!”
The kids turned their weeping eyes to Kuze. Ah, it was to protect these children. That’s why he pulled the trigger…For the sake of protecting these small lives, they took the lives of ten or more people. And, when he looks at those lives that were protected, he thinks that it couldn’t be helped.
At least, they didn’t make a mistake in doing this. While Kuze was thinking of these things, the children made pure expressions and asked him a question.
“Big brother and guys, are you brave heroes?”
He didn’t understand what they meant by this question, but he answered anyway.
“…Sorry, but that’s wrong.”
“Then, what are you?”
Making a bitter face, he stroked the twos’ heads and murmured.
“We’re just your normal public servants…”
