Chapter 1: After The War
The sky was clear, and clear was the sea. This color is often referred to as “marine blue”, thought Kaburagi. There is no other word that could fit this color, it’s the beauty of the sea, even if this sea is a sea of another world. He was watching the sea from an observation place called “wing”, located beyond the ship’s bridge.
“Would you mind ice coffee?” – asked a young man with two cups of coffee in both his hands and stood beside Kaburagi.
“Thanks,” – shortly thanked him Kaburagi and took a cup of coffee.
The atmosphere that the man was making was so simple that nobody would guess that he was the admiral, if he wasn’t wearing the clothes of the Maritime Self-Defense Forces and the corresponding badge of the rank.
“Did something happen? You’re watching the sea from here anytime you have some free time.”
He leaned to the wing’s fence with a cup of coffee, so did the young man named Katou, the chief of the staff. It’s hard to understand that from his strange smile covered by glasses. Kaburagi slightly smiled to the question of his subordinate.
“I’m not as young as you,” he answered and turned his eyes to the sea again. Five ships including their own are sailing in the front, and the capital of the Mariisua, Seiroad City is now behind.
The contrast between the city with plenty of white houses that is looking like a city of the medieval Europe of the Earth, and the Aegis fleet that was created considering stealth functionality, must have made him think it’s some kind of joke.
“It feels unrealistic, doesn’t it?” – asked Katou, and his words were awfully precise. Yes, you’re dead right, thought Kaburagi.
“Yes. That’s true for drifting into another world, and for participating in the fight there.”
It was a week ago. A sudden “change” wrapped the fleet, and when we, the United Nation Contingent Maritime Self-Defense Forces, noticed, we were trapped into another world, and sailed to the United Kingdom of the Southern Sea Mariisua which is being conquered by so-called Filborg Inheritance Empire’s Army.
The helicopter that was sent for intelligence cracked up by the Empire’s Army. The squad members who left unharmed used heavy artillery against a dragon and destroyed it. This is how we were engaged in the war. We had no choice but to enforce our armed might in order to protect the people of the country and our staff from death.
The choice was either to watch from warm seats how people die, or rush into the war. It was an ultimate decision.
As a result, many soldiers of Filborg were wounded and killed.
No-war is a national policy of Japan. The Self-Defense Force of Japan is oriented solely to defense. So it was a deviant deed as for them, and Kaburagi along with the other troops understand that. Yet, the fact is that we prevented the falling meteorite attack on the city, and saved tens of thousands of people who are living in the capital city.
The war was not good. Both the Empire soldiers and Mariisua citizens have put their lives on the line. That is why we had to justify our deed using those lives as a shield.
Kaburagi was watching the blue sky.
(Was our decision correct?)
But no answer came, no matter how much time he was thinking. It felt like walking an endless route. Kaburagi felt anxious even now, however he didn’t show that to his subordinates as he has the responsibility of the given order. He put the cold coffee to his mouth.
It was a beautiful sea, with no plastic garbage here and there.
Phew~Phew~, a high pitch voice sounded, – it was a formation of giant birds with people riding them. The Ayamu Erang Sachum, a light-armed air warrior unit. Controlling the bird, three of the warriors on the bird came closer to the ships bridge, and saluted by holding their swords at chests. Kaburagi replied by saluting to them as the Self-Defense Force do, holding a palm at his head.
Oh, they are unable to understand each other, but they can feel it. He smiled in his heart. A soldier must reply to salute with a salute. It’s the same even in another world.
They are wearing different clothes, they have a different way of thinking, but they are still human.
“Wow-wow, but here is really a fantasy world, I must say,” – Katouu was impressed by the flight of the giant birds, called an argentavis in this world, and the warriors on it, scratching his head under the cap with the “Ibuki” emblem on it.
(I thought this is a commonplace thing in manga’s, anime’s, or light novels… Like, being summoned into another world. REALLY?!? ~)
As part of the preparation for the long sea journey, Katou watched a lot of anime, manga, and light novels, and brought his favorites in the ship. He was a full-engaged otaku, including occult interests. He was a type of otaku who can consume everything.
(TL Comment: Ah, So He’s Like Itami From Gate Jieitai)
The genre of people summoned to another world was amongst his favorites, too. Yet, their circumstances are rather unique. Usually, a normal human with no power or the like, who could utmost have a pet in the original world, meets with a tsundere girl and becomes betrothed to her, and then a princess or such of that world is asking to save the world. Now things are different, is it good or bad.
Katou is watching an escort vessel that has cast anchor and waiting. The fleets ship “Ibuki” are equipped with a nuclear missile defense system, BMD, which is overmuch for the drifting ships. Japan possesses the armed group Self-Defense Forces. It’s dangerous for a protagonist who has the only good point being “nice”, and for this world.
(That’s a good protagonist type. At very least, he wouldn’t play live coals role, in most cases. By the way…)
Katou looked at Kaburagi nearby.
(Why would they summon an old man like him?)
(More than that, why am I standing next to this old man who is going to retire soon even after I was summoned?) This made Katou unhappy.
“Did you think of something rude just now?”
“N-no, I didn’t!”
Kaburagi was drinking his coffee worrying about the elusive personality of this Katou. How sarcastic it is drinking this instant coffee, with its cheap taste and aroma while watching this fantastic scenery…
I guess, for those people that were riding the argentavis our evil-fighter ship is some kind of a miracle, as well. after all, The Aegis fleet with Self-Defense Forces flag has thrown down the masterpiece of a dragon squad of Filborg Inheritance Empire Army.
That day, after the salute under the fleet, the leader of the light-armed air warrior unit, Karuda, participated in the meeting at the kings castle. The Queen is listening to even such unproductive meetings, and something is different now… I hoped, but nothing changed, as I thought. Karuda was bored, and one of the generals have risen his hoarse voice.
“We could never trust those men!”
Many voices agreed with him.
“The general is right! Is there a reason to trust the men who just came from nowhere?”
Karuda frowned at that. He looked through her monocle at the men in armor.
(Those inland army folk again…)
They have occupied the space around one yard from the throne. Karuda sounded his tongue with disapproval. The same hoarse voice continued.
“They are soldiers from another world! There was no single hero that came such an ugly path.”
His name is Vrengel, the Commander in Chief of the Inland Army of the United Kingdom of the Southern Sea Mariisua. As the Mariisuaname has “United Kingdom”, the Mariisua also contains Mariisuans, people of the sea, whose country is located from the sea archipelago to the mainland.
Also, as the royal capital Seiroad is a port city, the Royal Capital Defense Squad traditionally composed of Mariisuans, as opposed to the inland army, which is protecting inland cities, composed of non-Mariisuans. Defense of the ground border was their duty. This is the reason why Vrengel and other inland squads did not see the Rune Troopers at that fight.
Seiroad was under sudden attack, and they promptly withdrew the inland army from the borders, yet when the inland army arrived at the city, everything was over.
What did they see? That suspicious army from another world is honored at their fatherland.
“But why did you let them disembark in the royal capital? They have pitched a camp in the Seikobo Park, and brought a lot of strange things! They must be plotting something ill!”
Karuda then stood up.
“It was me who invited the “troops of the land” into the capital. As many of the elite troops were killed in the fight, the Queen gave a permit to ask them for help.”
“Help, you say?”
“They proposed their help when they saw the war slaughtering our citizens.”
Somebody laughed calmly.
“What nonsense! Why would somebody who is not even from our country, would want to help us?”
“That’s…” – Karuda silenced. After all, she didn’t fully understand the reason as well. The army from the other world proposed to save their people for no reward. Karuda and other Mariisuans soldiers were thinking about how to regroup, and they almost forgot about the people, so they were surprised by that proposal. In this country, an army serves for either fight an enemy or protect own country. There is nothing about saving people. Karuda was impressed by their thoughts. She understood that they are driven by completely different values.
Then, she saw them desperately saving injured people. The heroes who have saved the country are covered in mud trying to save people. They were crying for those they failed to save.
Karuda felt strange and asked one of the soldiers of the “troops of the land”, why they are sad when people of an unrelated country are dying? As a human race, they are different from the Mariisuans.
Their face, hair color, everything except that they are both humans are different.
«Because I know Hansin-Awaji* and East Japan. I just can’t see them as a bystander.»
After answering this way, the middle-aged soldier took his subordinates and they went to save the injured again. Karuda couldn’t comprehend what he said, she only understood that something inside them prevents them to be bystanders. Karuda remembered that and tears appeared in her eyes. Why did they save people? It wasn’t for money or honor. They had no ulterior motives. Yet, their deed was so uncommon that it’s only natural to be suspicious and assume that they are planning something ill.
Also, she knows a man from the other world called Kuze, his weakling face. But also she knows a number of his altruistic deeds. Therefore, she has the only way to answer, despite she doesn’t understand them, and nobody understands them, too.
“Because it was natural for them.”
As expected, Karuda was criticized.
“Are you trying to say that saving another country for no money is natural? It’s uncommon even for saints!”
“I bet they’re plotting to occupy our country from the inside!”
“We have to use Inland Army to block them!”
Unfortunately, many of them agreed. She also remembers that they used words “disaster relief”, and she didn’t want to stop their activity. Hence, she got desperate.
“Tell me, general Vrengel, did you, along with your warriors, lay a finger to restore the city? Did you lend them a helping hand, share their sorrow?”
“What are you talking about? We’re the elite, we don’t have to.”
Karuda surprised upon hearing his words. Why did she say it? Vrengel is right, the elite doesn’t have to share people’s pain. Rather, the people should be glad that the country is protected, their sorrow is nothing comparing to that.
However, at the same time, she felt it strange thinking this way, because she witnessed what the army from the other world did. They don’t think about that for sure. But why? Despite she didn’t understand them she admired them. But she couldn’t disagree with Vrengel’s words.
Those who notice she’s prostrated rose their voices.
“Don’t change the topic, you traitor!”
“Are you an elite of the mariisuans?!”
“Who are you calling a traitor?! Nobody loves the country more than me! Isn’t this a country comprised of its people?! That’s why I have no intention of stopping them! By the way, how could you propose us to block them? Don’t make me laugh! Once you proclaim a war to them, you’d best prepare a grave for yourself! Are you going to destroy this country?” – she yelled with anger in her voice. The meeting became disturbingly noisy.
“What?! Are you talking to the Inland Army?!” – young general exploded with rage as if he would draw his sword now.
“The Royal Capital Defense Squad have been listening silently, but we can’t allow that insult!” – added Chief of The Knights of Mariisua, known for his militant line.
“I did not protect the castle! They’re the ones who saved the country and no one else!”
Karuda tried to convince them, but Inland Army men didn’t hear her words. Vrengel began to speak sharply.
“If they are this strong, they would have already conquered this country! But they haven’t, so they are weak! We, the Inland Army are in good form, so we can strike them down with a single blow!”
Vrengel bowed down in front of the throne. Karuda felt it was dangerous. Many of elite of the Royal Capital Defense Squad who could support her have died in the recent fight, which makes the Inland Army’s word most weighty here.
“Your Majesty Hamieea! We will destroy the bandits who are to conquer the country! Please, give us the order!”
Karuda’s heart was about to stop there. The meeting silenced after the Vrengel’s words. But Vrengel didn’t want the silence. The silence burn to not impede words of that who is sitting on the throne.
The throne is placed deep in the room enclosed by cloth, so we can’t see the face of that who is sitting there.
“I hath been in the castle, Vrengel,” – her silent voice was heard.
“Ah, ha!” – Vrengel prostrated himself. Power of the voice was enough to bow down such an arrogant man.
“I hath witnessed with my own eyes the might of the arrived army.”
Her voice sounded calm, yet there was something unknown beyond the voice. Vrengel sweated.
“But this is…”
“I say Chief Karuda’s words are indeed correct. However, thou doth be correct, as well.”
“Oh! This means…”
Her next words resounded as a response to his.
“Well, then.”
We can see her standing up. The statesmen inside the room prostrated, and we can hear her barefoot steps on the carpet. “Ku-fu-fu”, the modest laughter as of an old cunning fox was heard and she rose her voice again.
“Lets test them. Let them show us their proof of strength.”
It was the order of the Queen.
Hamieea was standing on a terrace in meditative mood, when an elite woman approached her from the back. Her name was Karuda.
“You’ve been called out to the meeting with a weak hand.”
“Not at all.”
Hamieea smiled sadly.
“I shall be frank. This further deed ought look like a betrayal to the Rune Troopers.”
“I understand your feelings.”
The young queen was looking down at the five ships that came to the moorings in Seiroad.
“We hath erred in having the “troops of the land” disembark here.”
Hamieea regretted that promise she gave thinking about the citizens after the fight was over. Karuda then informed her about the current state of the Rune Troopers.
“I think their distribution of the boiled food that they are doing as their “disaster relief” will end soon.”
Delivery of goods must have ceased due to the war disaster, and the citizens are unable to get those provisions, so the Rune Troopers are feeding the hungry people by the queen’s request, not by their own. However, it was a matter of trust that they will receive provisions after that. If not, food distribution scales would be quite smaller.
Hamieea made a sad sigh, which was rare for her. Probably, that’s because she remembered her talk with the general Kaburagi using a magic tool, a radio.
«We had a UN support mission before this happened, so this can be considered as our duty as well, and my subordinates have an urge to go, so let’s begin.»
Hamieea was thinking about the number of people who were saved by that. Usually, she would laugh in her mind for that softie man, but his good intents must have touched her and she cried after the conversation. She was disappointed in herself for betraying them, and she clenched her fists tightly. It’s hard to ignore the Inland Army that possessed most part of the military forces, even for a queen.
It’s normal for military forces to support the country. The power of a queen that is not supported by forces is not a power, and Hamieea is not an exception.
“I hath been so weak… Unable overcome those obstacles at all costs, unlike the predecessors.”
“Queen…”
There was nobody except Karuda on the terrace who could hear her whining. Karuda understood that the queen is trusting her, because she was fighting in that hopeless battle along with the Rune Troopers.
“I can hold general Vrengel from excessive measures. However, it seems I’m unable to reimburse provisions for the Rune Troopers for a while…”
All roads to the capital are controlled by the Inland Army. They would not allow provision delivery for the Rune Troopers at some point. That’s a bad situation, indeed. The goodwill of the Rune Troopers is violated. Moreover, we had them to bear those expenses for nothing.
“Let’s tell them, that we, at least, do all that we could.”
“No need. I doubt they shalt listen to unrequited trust.”
Karuda’s face clouded watching the sad queen. She has pledged her loyalty to the queen, and she can’t cause a damage to the weakened back. Hamieea understood that, and gave a proposition for her.
“We must talk with them. We have to do the next move in order to have them being accepted by the country.”
Hamieea didn’t give up. She probably won’t revive broken trust, but she still has the future. They have shown that to her.
“So we will conduct a meeting to ask them for proof.”
“Could you please go and aboard that ship?”
“Gladly, if it’s your order, your Majesty.”
The Rune Troopers were going to face with the new page of their history in the other world.
On the Aegis ship, “Ibuki”, Kaburagi and Katou were talking about a report.
“So the Ground SDF that started the relief mission in the capital are waiting for orders?”
“Yeah. Because retreat operations would produce disturbance.”
It seems the unit of the ground SDF that was sent to relieve after-war disturbance is oppressed by the Inland Army and encamped. Katou didn’t say that out, but he didn’t expect trouble after the queen gave them permission. Despite monarchy existing in the country, there was no dictatorship, and he couldn’t completely understand that.
Katou tried to think up a good plan, but nothing came to his mind. Kaburagi was watching the wide broad sea waves, feeling the warm Mariisua wind. Katou was looking through his binoculars.
They were suddenly summoned to a another world. They are unable to contact not only Japan, they can’t even connect to their own world. The leadership of the fleet, its crew, and SDF is solely on their shoulders. Fortunately, the SDF is an armed group, which is a great help for dealing with unexpected occasions. The relief is that SDF that is under the command of Kaburagi who shows no sign of disturbance.
Observing the city through the binoculars, Katou noticed something.
“It seems there is no crowd of people around the port, unlike yesterday.”
Until yesterday, many people have come to see SDF fleet, I guess, out of curiosity. Katou felt like he is on The Black Ships, but today the Inland Army have calmed down the port, and the place is almost empty of people.
“It seems Queen Hamieea is troubled,” – said Kaburagi and frowned at the cape tip, where the castle is located. It’s nice that we won the defensive war, however many countries fell into poverty and chaos after that. Kaburagi can only believe in that young queen’s abilities.
“By the way, could you please stand up already?”
Kaburagi looked at another person who was on the wing. An overcoat laced with marks of her unit is slipped on her shoulders, covering her breast-long dark-green hair. Kaburagi and Katou were dressed not in their casual fatigues, but the summer suits type three. Her view was out of place.
But not only that. Ever since she came here and until the talks ended, her posture, standing on her single knee and head drooped down, did not moved a bit.
“No, general Kaburagi, please don’t mind me,” – answered Karuda. Kaburagi looked calm, but he didn’t really understand how to deal with her. She came here secretly by a small boat, unofficially, so he said there is no need to behave as a delegate. That’s why she was invited to the bridge. You can enjoy the fine prospect from here, and should be no strange tense to a partner, he thought, but it was unnecessary.
“G-general…”
Kaburagi was uncertain. SDF is not an army, so “General” is not applicable to them. Actually, there is an equivalent “major general” rank of the Ground Forces, that sound similar to his rank, a rear admiral, but still it’s too much to be referred as “General”.
Officially, there is no army in Japan, so logically there is no general. Karuda was confused, too.
(I wondered what kind of a General possesses such a power, but this is…) – she thought after looking at his face for a moment. The recent war victory ceremony was postponed as people of the Inland Army entered to the inner space of the throne room, so she didn’t meet him yet.
(Isn’t he a middle-aged man? His suit is practically the same as the other men wear.)
She didn’t understand the meaning of shoulder straps, so she couldn’t see the difference between Kaburagi and Katou. In this world, a military uniform of different ranks and statuses has clear and obvious distinctions.
“Well, the admiral is saying so, you’d better stand up,” – said Katou and lively smiled to Karuda, however she shook her head quickly.
“Oh, I can’t! How can somebody like me to behave such in front of a person of high rank…”
“That’s okay. When he’s walking on the deck nobody thinks he’s the admiral at all.”
“Oh, that’s not your business.”
Karuda was confused even more. Why is this army so soft on discipline? A man next to him… He was introduced as Katou. The country was saved by the bizarre plan in the last battle. Apparently, he is of a lower rank, but that’s excessively rude! Usually, this attitude would be judges for misconduct.
“Oh, don’t listen to this idiot. Well… This is not an official meeting, so we can have a better conversation if our eyes on the same level. Don’t you think so?” – Kaburagi agreed with Katou. She just can’t ignore after all this being said. Karuda stood up steadily. Sea breeze touched her cheeks, and wavered her hair. She felt that the scenery she saw only kings are allowed to see.
(What an incredible ship!)
This ship is like an island itself. It’s too big and too firm to be called just a ship. A ship is always nothing but a wooden construct that people use to float on the sea and not to die if they are fortunate. But this ship is completely different. She was surprised that it was made of steel, but its comfortableness is completely unexpected.
First, she can’t feel any swaying like on any other ship. She heard that the bigger the ship the weaker its swinging, yet this is no different from being on the ground, owing to the so-called fin stabilizer technology, but she doesn’t know that.
Another thing she was surprised was the light inside the ship. She stood stiff for a few seconds after entering a corridor, watching the fluorescent illumination. She must have thought that it’s dark inside since there are no windows.
(Are they catching light essence?)
Karuda stretched her hand towards the old blinking fluorescent lamp, but a crewman warned her that it’s dangerous. Then, an ineffable coldness she felt even before coming here. She doesn’t know what an air conditioner is, so she thought there should be a lot of water inside the ship. This ship must be using water to move. This ship is an island or a castle… Maybe, both of that.
Karuda was a smart woman, so she tried to understand as much as possible.
(I guess making them the enemy is suicidal.)
And the man in front of her who is the supreme person on this fleet…
(What are you thinking about, general Kaburagi? What do you want? Money? Honor? Or some kind of women? Or…)
Karuda had bad premonition in her mind.
(Could it be… a sacrifice?)
She wouldn’t surprise if they require human blood to maintain this collection of magical items. She even calculated how many people they could gather for a sacrifice. She has no hatred or evil will towards SDF, she is rather curious what kind of people they are.
Yet, when she boarded the ship, she felt the same fear that came to her during the battle. Despite in believing they won’t harm them, somewhere in her heart, she was afraid of those magical items that could be turned against her country; it was an instinct, like a man who is afraid of a beast. In the end, she could think that even they would ask for a sacrifice in exchange for their lives, it would be good for all that.
(Oh, I see now. That’s what kind of discomfort, anxiety, and malaise that Vrengel and others were driven by.)
She became sad. She realized that if she were to make a mistake, she will become like Vrengel and begin to suspect the men from the other world, and look for a legitimate reason to eliminate them in order to protect herself.
“General Kaburagi.”
“What is it?”
“I’m afraid of you.”
She understood that it’s rude, but she believed that they wouldn’t blame her. Kaburagi looked at her serious face and smiled a bit.
“That can’t be helped.”
Yet, Karuda continued.
“But I like you, as well. I feel it for the first time…”
That’s right, and that’s why she must succeed in this closely guarded secret meeting. She must not end up with them as an unknown alien enemy.
“We want you to show them the proof of a hero,” – told Karuda to them.
The Ground SDF unit that was dispatched from the transport ship with disaster relief mission encamped in a part in the center of the city. They were running their field kitchen full power to provide war victims food; the field hospital in a truck aided wounded and sick people. But when Inland Army came they had to stop their activities.
“They don’t understand a thing!”
The stout build middle-aged man entered the tent that serves as their headquarters and spoke to the leaders. He took off his camouflage hat, and slapped a seasoned long desk, sitting on a pipe chair. He had grown a nice mustache, so his figure sitting on the chair seemed like it came from a painting. His name is Doi Kotaro, he is a Ground SDF colonel, the main responsible for this mission. Kaburagi has the command authority above all, but Ground SDF is beyond his authority, so Ground SDF won’t move without Doi’s order. Yet, speaking about recent joint operations, Doi never disobeyed Kaburagi’s orders, as Kaburagi has the authority of land-sea-and-air operations.
However, the results of the Kaburagi’s order of this relief mission are not impressive.
“The Maritime SDF seems to be ignorant of the current situation, but my bad premonition was correct.”
His words were dirty, but his subordinates who went long road together knew that he has no ill intent.
“Those Inland Army guys have cut off us around and surrounded us. That’s what happens when you enter into another country with no backstairs dealing.”
Doi has a quarrel with an Inland Army commander. His tanned face warped and he looked at his team officers and understood that they didn’t get what he’s saying.
“Well, we had no time to build connections with locals in this situation…” – said one of the officers. Doi slapped his both knees.
“That’s true, there is no point to gripe after the battle. The Maritime SDF decision wasn’t wrong.”
Doi didn’t hate Kaburagi, he was rather on good terms with him. Yet, Maritime SDF knows only their sea. There is nothing but a bed, shower, and toilet in the sea. On the ground, you have to build everything from scratch. But to avoid useless chaos in such unknown countries, you can’t avoid all risks without deliberate investigations and networking. This time, we saved many lives by sudden invasion, and the suddenness has increased number of troubles. Being seen as the enemy by the Inland Army is one of those troubles.
“Second lieutenant Kuze, how is it going on?”
The officer Kuze’s face became complicated.
“Confirmation received.”
“As expected, we’re done.”
Kuze was responsible for providing food for war victims. Recently, he noticed something strange. In fact, SDF made provisions for war victims, but food distribution was the duty of the Kobokyo Church. It was originally requested from the church, and SDF decided that it would be more effective, and that church has only good intents. But church clerks have another reason to be nice, and SDF has discovered it recently.
The church distributed the food made by SDF as if it was made by the church. SDF was delivering food early in morning to the back door of the church. After they left provision, joyous yelps and prayers were heard. And now it’s clear why it was a need to left provisions there.
Today, Kuze made an investigation after the provision was delivered. On that square, he found a lofty minister gathering victims and lecturing them.
“God and the Church never abandon its deprived believers. After we repelled the crude Empire, the Church is going to distribute this food that we protected! Now give prayer to God and gratitude to the Church!”
Protected, he said, despite all cans have light-pink marks that SDF puts on all SDF belongings.
“The church is great, we can have a soup with meat for free!” – said one of the victims, a mother with a child on her back, and her husband smiled.
“Yeah, I thought it was wrong that the church didn’t fight, but now…”
“What a tasty soup! If the church can make it every day, I must bow them,” – said a young man next to them.
“But how long the heretics in the park would stay? I wish the church would think about them when things are settled.”
Kuze couldn’t hear anymore of this and left.
“I heard the Japanese dislike mercenary motives…” – he said, and the report is over. All officers made a deep sigh.
The church had left the people right after battle began, and blocked inside the building, but now they’re trying everything to nullify those minus points. They are willing to use everything, SDF or not.
Of course, even if SDF tell them the truth, the people poisoned by religious devotion would rather believe in the church, even if the church would say it’s a groundless charge. The church should understand that as well. Doi folded his hands, saying that we were had, and looked up on the tent’s ceiling.
Back in the past, he was in a similar situation in Iraq, but due to established connections with their leader he said “You’re wrong,” and no problem followed. However, speaking about the rushed invasion, we have no ally here.
(That’s what happening if you remove “Thorough preparation” from the slogan of the Ground SDF, “Thorough preparation and hardening of the arteries”)
Doi scratched his butch haircut. In the end, they have no space for a move, and SDF treatment is getting closer to that of an enemy, with the part of being not thanked by the people. Then, the Inland Army was like salt into a wound.
The plan of using a shovel car or bulldozer to remove lumber and trash to do more obvious activities is now impossible.
“The provisions we brought is coming to an end. The Mariisua won’t give us anything, so our activity is going to end soon, too,” said one of the officers.
“Oh, stop that, I got it already…” – said Doi, pushing the space between his eyebrows by his finger.
The Ground SDF was working only due to the queen’s promise. In the Inland Army made that impossible, we have to stop that. When the heaviness of the meeting atmosphere reached its limit…
“I have a proposition,” –a breathy voice of a woman sounded.
“What is it, captain Itai?” – called her name Doi sitting in the same pose, and glared at her. The Ground SDF captain Itai Kaori is a smart-looking slim and tall woman wearing the UN blue beret; she seems to be a bit older than Kuze. She is Kuze’s superior officer.
“Why wouldn’t we start gathering information and getting allies from now, in order to escape from the current situation? Despite the reversed sequence, those are the urgent tasks.”
“How? We are surrounded and watched by the Inland Army,” – asked Doi with irritation.
“We can do the small-numbered reconnaissance. We have surplus cadre right now. I’d like to give them a mission.”
“What?” – Doi changed his posture and looking at her with rounded eyes.
“Can you do it, second lieutenant Kuze, right?”
“Eh?” – Kuze was looking carefully at his chief Itai. It was a complete surprise for him.
“Right, Kuze?” – Itai added with a wide smile on her face. For the first sight, it’s a smile of a beautiful woman. Kuze has seen this smile a few times before, because she was his senpai in National Defense Academy. This was Satan’s smile.
At a popular festival of the NDA, the battalion competition the bo-taoshi*, she showed the same smile to him.
“Just for you to know, if you lose, you’ll be treated as first-year students, not third-year. Can you do it, Kuze-kun?”
By the way, first-year students of the Japan NDA are known as the sole creatures on the Earth that have no human rights. If a bed sheet is not smooth enough, that bed could be disassembled and its owner would be thrown outside. At a holiday, a student may be not approved to go outside for a reason such as “your eyes are not bright enough.” In summer, at the crossing the Tokyo Bay, and if a celebrity is making a special release nearby during the crossing of Tokyo Bay, such students would have a swimming tournament not so far away, but far enough to not bother that celebrity. A usual university student’s life which glorifies youth would look like a completely different world.
Kuze’s will to spend calmly that country-approved legendary rough-and-tumble competition Bo-taoshi, regarding which it is said, “It’s a miracle that nobody died there,” was completely destroyed by Itai’s smile. Kuze was the only one at that competition who was truly ready to die when he did his suicide attack at the bar; he was beaten and kicked by more than 150 men of the enemy’s team, he was covered with blood, but kept up holding the bar. It seems he got a lucky kick by knee, and when overcoming pain he went to hospital after the competition, they found a crack in his rib.
“I…”
Kuze felt that traumatic feeling again and opened his mouth.
“I can!” – he said bravely, yet his eyes look like he has died.
“You heard him, colonel Doi.”
When Itai became Doi’s subordinate, he warned them not to sexually harass her, but now it seems as though it’s time to start worrying about power harassment.
Chapter 1: After The War
The sky was clear, and clear was the sea. This color is often referred to as “marine blue”, thought Kaburagi. There is no other word that could fit this color, it’s the beauty of the sea, even if this sea is a sea of another world. He was watching the sea from an observation place called “wing”, located beyond the ship’s bridge.
“Would you mind ice coffee?” – asked a young man with two cups of coffee in both his hands and stood beside Kaburagi.
“Thanks,” – shortly thanked him Kaburagi and took a cup of coffee.
The atmosphere that the man was making was so simple that nobody would guess that he was the admiral, if he wasn’t wearing the clothes of the Maritime Self-Defense Forces and the corresponding badge of the rank.
“Did something happen? You’re watching the sea from here anytime you have some free time.”
He leaned to the wing’s fence with a cup of coffee, so did the young man named Katou, the chief of the staff. It’s hard to understand that from his strange smile covered by glasses. Kaburagi slightly smiled to the question of his subordinate.
“I’m not as young as you,” he answered and turned his eyes to the sea again. Five ships including their own are sailing in the front, and the capital of the Mariisua, Seiroad City is now behind.
The contrast between the city with plenty of white houses that is looking like a city of the medieval Europe of the Earth, and the Aegis fleet that was created considering stealth functionality, must have made him think it’s some kind of joke.
“It feels unrealistic, doesn’t it?” – asked Katou, and his words were awfully precise. Yes, you’re dead right, thought Kaburagi.
“Yes. That’s true for drifting into another world, and for participating in the fight there.”
It was a week ago. A sudden “change” wrapped the fleet, and when we, the United Nation Contingent Maritime Self-Defense Forces, noticed, we were trapped into another world, and sailed to the United Kingdom of the Southern Sea Mariisua which is being conquered by so-called Filborg Inheritance Empire’s Army.
The helicopter that was sent for intelligence cracked up by the Empire’s Army. The squad members who left unharmed used heavy artillery against a dragon and destroyed it. This is how we were engaged in the war. We had no choice but to enforce our armed might in order to protect the people of the country and our staff from death.
The choice was either to watch from warm seats how people die, or rush into the war. It was an ultimate decision.
As a result, many soldiers of Filborg were wounded and killed.
No-war is a national policy of Japan. The Self-Defense Force of Japan is oriented solely to defense. So it was a deviant deed as for them, and Kaburagi along with the other troops understand that. Yet, the fact is that we prevented the falling meteorite attack on the city, and saved tens of thousands of people who are living in the capital city.
The war was not good. Both the Empire soldiers and Mariisua citizens have put their lives on the line. That is why we had to justify our deed using those lives as a shield.
Kaburagi was watching the blue sky.
(Was our decision correct?)
But no answer came, no matter how much time he was thinking. It felt like walking an endless route. Kaburagi felt anxious even now, however he didn’t show that to his subordinates as he has the responsibility of the given order. He put the cold coffee to his mouth.
It was a beautiful sea, with no plastic garbage here and there.
Phew~Phew~, a high pitch voice sounded, – it was a formation of giant birds with people riding them. The Ayamu Erang Sachum, a light-armed air warrior unit. Controlling the bird, three of the warriors on the bird came closer to the ships bridge, and saluted by holding their swords at chests. Kaburagi replied by saluting to them as the Self-Defense Force do, holding a palm at his head.
Oh, they are unable to understand each other, but they can feel it. He smiled in his heart. A soldier must reply to salute with a salute. It’s the same even in another world.
They are wearing different clothes, they have a different way of thinking, but they are still human.
“Wow-wow, but here is really a fantasy world, I must say,” – Katouu was impressed by the flight of the giant birds, called an argentavis in this world, and the warriors on it, scratching his head under the cap with the “Ibuki” emblem on it.
(I thought this is a commonplace thing in manga’s, anime’s, or light novels… Like, being summoned into another world. REALLY?!? ~)
As part of the preparation for the long sea journey, Katou watched a lot of anime, manga, and light novels, and brought his favorites in the ship. He was a full-engaged otaku, including occult interests. He was a type of otaku who can consume everything.
(TL Comment: Ah, So He’s Like Itami From Gate Jieitai)
The genre of people summoned to another world was amongst his favorites, too. Yet, their circumstances are rather unique. Usually, a normal human with no power or the like, who could utmost have a pet in the original world, meets with a tsundere girl and becomes betrothed to her, and then a princess or such of that world is asking to save the world. Now things are different, is it good or bad.
Katou is watching an escort vessel that has cast anchor and waiting. The fleets ship “Ibuki” are equipped with a nuclear missile defense system, BMD, which is overmuch for the drifting ships. Japan possesses the armed group Self-Defense Forces. It’s dangerous for a protagonist who has the only good point being “nice”, and for this world.
(That’s a good protagonist type. At very least, he wouldn’t play live coals role, in most cases. By the way…)
Katou looked at Kaburagi nearby.
(Why would they summon an old man like him?)
(More than that, why am I standing next to this old man who is going to retire soon even after I was summoned?) This made Katou unhappy.
“Did you think of something rude just now?”
“N-no, I didn’t!”
Kaburagi was drinking his coffee worrying about the elusive personality of this Katou. How sarcastic it is drinking this instant coffee, with its cheap taste and aroma while watching this fantastic scenery…
I guess, for those people that were riding the argentavis our evil-fighter ship is some kind of a miracle, as well. after all, The Aegis fleet with Self-Defense Forces flag has thrown down the masterpiece of a dragon squad of Filborg Inheritance Empire Army.
That day, after the salute under the fleet, the leader of the light-armed air warrior unit, Karuda, participated in the meeting at the kings castle. The Queen is listening to even such unproductive meetings, and something is different now… I hoped, but nothing changed, as I thought. Karuda was bored, and one of the generals have risen his hoarse voice.
“We could never trust those men!”
Many voices agreed with him.
“The general is right! Is there a reason to trust the men who just came from nowhere?”
Karuda frowned at that. He looked through her monocle at the men in armor.
(Those inland army folk again…)
They have occupied the space around one yard from the throne. Karuda sounded his tongue with disapproval. The same hoarse voice continued.
“They are soldiers from another world! There was no single hero that came such an ugly path.”
His name is Vrengel, the Commander in Chief of the Inland Army of the United Kingdom of the Southern Sea Mariisua. As the Mariisuaname has “United Kingdom”, the Mariisua also contains Mariisuans, people of the sea, whose country is located from the sea archipelago to the mainland.
Also, as the royal capital Seiroad is a port city, the Royal Capital Defense Squad traditionally composed of Mariisuans, as opposed to the inland army, which is protecting inland cities, composed of non-Mariisuans. Defense of the ground border was their duty. This is the reason why Vrengel and other inland squads did not see the Rune Troopers at that fight.
Seiroad was under sudden attack, and they promptly withdrew the inland army from the borders, yet when the inland army arrived at the city, everything was over.
What did they see? That suspicious army from another world is honored at their fatherland.
“But why did you let them disembark in the royal capital? They have pitched a camp in the Seikobo Park, and brought a lot of strange things! They must be plotting something ill!”
Karuda then stood up.
“It was me who invited the “troops of the land” into the capital. As many of the elite troops were killed in the fight, the Queen gave a permit to ask them for help.”
“Help, you say?”
“They proposed their help when they saw the war slaughtering our citizens.”
Somebody laughed calmly.
“What nonsense! Why would somebody who is not even from our country, would want to help us?”
“That’s…” – Karuda silenced. After all, she didn’t fully understand the reason as well. The army from the other world proposed to save their people for no reward. Karuda and other Mariisuans soldiers were thinking about how to regroup, and they almost forgot about the people, so they were surprised by that proposal. In this country, an army serves for either fight an enemy or protect own country. There is nothing about saving people. Karuda was impressed by their thoughts. She understood that they are driven by completely different values.
Then, she saw them desperately saving injured people. The heroes who have saved the country are covered in mud trying to save people. They were crying for those they failed to save.
Karuda felt strange and asked one of the soldiers of the “troops of the land”, why they are sad when people of an unrelated country are dying? As a human race, they are different from the Mariisuans.
Their face, hair color, everything except that they are both humans are different.
«Because I know Hansin-Awaji* and East Japan. I just can’t see them as a bystander.»
After answering this way, the middle-aged soldier took his subordinates and they went to save the injured again. Karuda couldn’t comprehend what he said, she only understood that something inside them prevents them to be bystanders. Karuda remembered that and tears appeared in her eyes. Why did they save people? It wasn’t for money or honor. They had no ulterior motives. Yet, their deed was so uncommon that it’s only natural to be suspicious and assume that they are planning something ill.
Also, she knows a man from the other world called Kuze, his weakling face. But also she knows a number of his altruistic deeds. Therefore, she has the only way to answer, despite she doesn’t understand them, and nobody understands them, too.
“Because it was natural for them.”
As expected, Karuda was criticized.
“Are you trying to say that saving another country for no money is natural? It’s uncommon even for saints!”
“I bet they’re plotting to occupy our country from the inside!”
“We have to use Inland Army to block them!”
Unfortunately, many of them agreed. She also remembers that they used words “disaster relief”, and she didn’t want to stop their activity. Hence, she got desperate.
“Tell me, general Vrengel, did you, along with your warriors, lay a finger to restore the city? Did you lend them a helping hand, share their sorrow?”
“What are you talking about? We’re the elite, we don’t have to.”
Karuda surprised upon hearing his words. Why did she say it? Vrengel is right, the elite doesn’t have to share people’s pain. Rather, the people should be glad that the country is protected, their sorrow is nothing comparing to that.
However, at the same time, she felt it strange thinking this way, because she witnessed what the army from the other world did. They don’t think about that for sure. But why? Despite she didn’t understand them she admired them. But she couldn’t disagree with Vrengel’s words.
Those who notice she’s prostrated rose their voices.
“Don’t change the topic, you traitor!”
“Are you an elite of the mariisuans?!”
“Who are you calling a traitor?! Nobody loves the country more than me! Isn’t this a country comprised of its people?! That’s why I have no intention of stopping them! By the way, how could you propose us to block them? Don’t make me laugh! Once you proclaim a war to them, you’d best prepare a grave for yourself! Are you going to destroy this country?” – she yelled with anger in her voice. The meeting became disturbingly noisy.
“What?! Are you talking to the Inland Army?!” – young general exploded with rage as if he would draw his sword now.
“The Royal Capital Defense Squad have been listening silently, but we can’t allow that insult!” – added Chief of The Knights of Mariisua, known for his militant line.
“I did not protect the castle! They’re the ones who saved the country and no one else!”
Karuda tried to convince them, but Inland Army men didn’t hear her words. Vrengel began to speak sharply.
“If they are this strong, they would have already conquered this country! But they haven’t, so they are weak! We, the Inland Army are in good form, so we can strike them down with a single blow!”
Vrengel bowed down in front of the throne. Karuda felt it was dangerous. Many of elite of the Royal Capital Defense Squad who could support her have died in the recent fight, which makes the Inland Army’s word most weighty here.
“Your Majesty Hamieea! We will destroy the bandits who are to conquer the country! Please, give us the order!”
Karuda’s heart was about to stop there. The meeting silenced after the Vrengel’s words. But Vrengel didn’t want the silence. The silence burn to not impede words of that who is sitting on the throne.
The throne is placed deep in the room enclosed by cloth, so we can’t see the face of that who is sitting there.
“I hath been in the castle, Vrengel,” – her silent voice was heard.
“Ah, ha!” – Vrengel prostrated himself. Power of the voice was enough to bow down such an arrogant man.
“I hath witnessed with my own eyes the might of the arrived army.”
Her voice sounded calm, yet there was something unknown beyond the voice. Vrengel sweated.
“But this is…”
“I say Chief Karuda’s words are indeed correct. However, thou doth be correct, as well.”
“Oh! This means…”
Her next words resounded as a response to his.
“Well, then.”
We can see her standing up. The statesmen inside the room prostrated, and we can hear her barefoot steps on the carpet. “Ku-fu-fu”, the modest laughter as of an old cunning fox was heard and she rose her voice again.
“Lets test them. Let them show us their proof of strength.”
It was the order of the Queen.
Hamieea was standing on a terrace in meditative mood, when an elite woman approached her from the back. Her name was Karuda.
“You’ve been called out to the meeting with a weak hand.”
“Not at all.”
Hamieea smiled sadly.
“I shall be frank. This further deed ought look like a betrayal to the Rune Troopers.”
“I understand your feelings.”
The young queen was looking down at the five ships that came to the moorings in Seiroad.
“We hath erred in having the “troops of the land” disembark here.”
Hamieea regretted that promise she gave thinking about the citizens after the fight was over. Karuda then informed her about the current state of the Rune Troopers.
“I think their distribution of the boiled food that they are doing as their “disaster relief” will end soon.”
Delivery of goods must have ceased due to the war disaster, and the citizens are unable to get those provisions, so the Rune Troopers are feeding the hungry people by the queen’s request, not by their own. However, it was a matter of trust that they will receive provisions after that. If not, food distribution scales would be quite smaller.
Hamieea made a sad sigh, which was rare for her. Probably, that’s because she remembered her talk with the general Kaburagi using a magic tool, a radio.
«We had a UN support mission before this happened, so this can be considered as our duty as well, and my subordinates have an urge to go, so let’s begin.»
Hamieea was thinking about the number of people who were saved by that. Usually, she would laugh in her mind for that softie man, but his good intents must have touched her and she cried after the conversation. She was disappointed in herself for betraying them, and she clenched her fists tightly. It’s hard to ignore the Inland Army that possessed most part of the military forces, even for a queen.
It’s normal for military forces to support the country. The power of a queen that is not supported by forces is not a power, and Hamieea is not an exception.
“I hath been so weak… Unable overcome those obstacles at all costs, unlike the predecessors.”
“Queen…”
There was nobody except Karuda on the terrace who could hear her whining. Karuda understood that the queen is trusting her, because she was fighting in that hopeless battle along with the Rune Troopers.
“I can hold general Vrengel from excessive measures. However, it seems I’m unable to reimburse provisions for the Rune Troopers for a while…”
All roads to the capital are controlled by the Inland Army. They would not allow provision delivery for the Rune Troopers at some point. That’s a bad situation, indeed. The goodwill of the Rune Troopers is violated. Moreover, we had them to bear those expenses for nothing.
“Let’s tell them, that we, at least, do all that we could.”
“No need. I doubt they shalt listen to unrequited trust.”
Karuda’s face clouded watching the sad queen. She has pledged her loyalty to the queen, and she can’t cause a damage to the weakened back. Hamieea understood that, and gave a proposition for her.
“We must talk with them. We have to do the next move in order to have them being accepted by the country.”
Hamieea didn’t give up. She probably won’t revive broken trust, but she still has the future. They have shown that to her.
“So we will conduct a meeting to ask them for proof.”
“Could you please go and aboard that ship?”
“Gladly, if it’s your order, your Majesty.”
The Rune Troopers were going to face with the new page of their history in the other world.
On the Aegis ship, “Ibuki”, Kaburagi and Katou were talking about a report.
“So the Ground SDF that started the relief mission in the capital are waiting for orders?”
“Yeah. Because retreat operations would produce disturbance.”
It seems the unit of the ground SDF that was sent to relieve after-war disturbance is oppressed by the Inland Army and encamped. Katou didn’t say that out, but he didn’t expect trouble after the queen gave them permission. Despite monarchy existing in the country, there was no dictatorship, and he couldn’t completely understand that.
Katou tried to think up a good plan, but nothing came to his mind. Kaburagi was watching the wide broad sea waves, feeling the warm Mariisua wind. Katou was looking through his binoculars.
They were suddenly summoned to a another world. They are unable to contact not only Japan, they can’t even connect to their own world. The leadership of the fleet, its crew, and SDF is solely on their shoulders. Fortunately, the SDF is an armed group, which is a great help for dealing with unexpected occasions. The relief is that SDF that is under the command of Kaburagi who shows no sign of disturbance.
Observing the city through the binoculars, Katou noticed something.
“It seems there is no crowd of people around the port, unlike yesterday.”
Until yesterday, many people have come to see SDF fleet, I guess, out of curiosity. Katou felt like he is on The Black Ships, but today the Inland Army have calmed down the port, and the place is almost empty of people.
“It seems Queen Hamieea is troubled,” – said Kaburagi and frowned at the cape tip, where the castle is located. It’s nice that we won the defensive war, however many countries fell into poverty and chaos after that. Kaburagi can only believe in that young queen’s abilities.
“By the way, could you please stand up already?”
Kaburagi looked at another person who was on the wing. An overcoat laced with marks of her unit is slipped on her shoulders, covering her breast-long dark-green hair. Kaburagi and Katou were dressed not in their casual fatigues, but the summer suits type three. Her view was out of place.
But not only that. Ever since she came here and until the talks ended, her posture, standing on her single knee and head drooped down, did not moved a bit.
“No, general Kaburagi, please don’t mind me,” – answered Karuda. Kaburagi looked calm, but he didn’t really understand how to deal with her. She came here secretly by a small boat, unofficially, so he said there is no need to behave as a delegate. That’s why she was invited to the bridge. You can enjoy the fine prospect from here, and should be no strange tense to a partner, he thought, but it was unnecessary.
“G-general…”
Kaburagi was uncertain. SDF is not an army, so “General” is not applicable to them. Actually, there is an equivalent “major general” rank of the Ground Forces, that sound similar to his rank, a rear admiral, but still it’s too much to be referred as “General”.
Officially, there is no army in Japan, so logically there is no general. Karuda was confused, too.
(I wondered what kind of a General possesses such a power, but this is…) – she thought after looking at his face for a moment. The recent war victory ceremony was postponed as people of the Inland Army entered to the inner space of the throne room, so she didn’t meet him yet.
(Isn’t he a middle-aged man? His suit is practically the same as the other men wear.)
She didn’t understand the meaning of shoulder straps, so she couldn’t see the difference between Kaburagi and Katou. In this world, a military uniform of different ranks and statuses has clear and obvious distinctions.
“Well, the admiral is saying so, you’d better stand up,” – said Katou and lively smiled to Karuda, however she shook her head quickly.
“Oh, I can’t! How can somebody like me to behave such in front of a person of high rank…”
“That’s okay. When he’s walking on the deck nobody thinks he’s the admiral at all.”
“Oh, that’s not your business.”
Karuda was confused even more. Why is this army so soft on discipline? A man next to him… He was introduced as Katou. The country was saved by the bizarre plan in the last battle. Apparently, he is of a lower rank, but that’s excessively rude! Usually, this attitude would be judges for misconduct.
“Oh, don’t listen to this idiot. Well… This is not an official meeting, so we can have a better conversation if our eyes on the same level. Don’t you think so?” – Kaburagi agreed with Katou. She just can’t ignore after all this being said. Karuda stood up steadily. Sea breeze touched her cheeks, and wavered her hair. She felt that the scenery she saw only kings are allowed to see.
(What an incredible ship!)
This ship is like an island itself. It’s too big and too firm to be called just a ship. A ship is always nothing but a wooden construct that people use to float on the sea and not to die if they are fortunate. But this ship is completely different. She was surprised that it was made of steel, but its comfortableness is completely unexpected.
First, she can’t feel any swaying like on any other ship. She heard that the bigger the ship the weaker its swinging, yet this is no different from being on the ground, owing to the so-called fin stabilizer technology, but she doesn’t know that.
Another thing she was surprised was the light inside the ship. She stood stiff for a few seconds after entering a corridor, watching the fluorescent illumination. She must have thought that it’s dark inside since there are no windows.
(Are they catching light essence?)
Karuda stretched her hand towards the old blinking fluorescent lamp, but a crewman warned her that it’s dangerous. Then, an ineffable coldness she felt even before coming here. She doesn’t know what an air conditioner is, so she thought there should be a lot of water inside the ship. This ship must be using water to move. This ship is an island or a castle… Maybe, both of that.
Karuda was a smart woman, so she tried to understand as much as possible.
(I guess making them the enemy is suicidal.)
And the man in front of her who is the supreme person on this fleet…
(What are you thinking about, general Kaburagi? What do you want? Money? Honor? Or some kind of women? Or…)
Karuda had bad premonition in her mind.
(Could it be… a sacrifice?)
She wouldn’t surprise if they require human blood to maintain this collection of magical items. She even calculated how many people they could gather for a sacrifice. She has no hatred or evil will towards SDF, she is rather curious what kind of people they are.
Yet, when she boarded the ship, she felt the same fear that came to her during the battle. Despite in believing they won’t harm them, somewhere in her heart, she was afraid of those magical items that could be turned against her country; it was an instinct, like a man who is afraid of a beast. In the end, she could think that even they would ask for a sacrifice in exchange for their lives, it would be good for all that.
(Oh, I see now. That’s what kind of discomfort, anxiety, and malaise that Vrengel and others were driven by.)
She became sad. She realized that if she were to make a mistake, she will become like Vrengel and begin to suspect the men from the other world, and look for a legitimate reason to eliminate them in order to protect herself.
“General Kaburagi.”
“What is it?”
“I’m afraid of you.”
She understood that it’s rude, but she believed that they wouldn’t blame her. Kaburagi looked at her serious face and smiled a bit.
“That can’t be helped.”
Yet, Karuda continued.
“But I like you, as well. I feel it for the first time…”
That’s right, and that’s why she must succeed in this closely guarded secret meeting. She must not end up with them as an unknown alien enemy.
“We want you to show them the proof of a hero,” – told Karuda to them.
The Ground SDF unit that was dispatched from the transport ship with disaster relief mission encamped in a part in the center of the city. They were running their field kitchen full power to provide war victims food; the field hospital in a truck aided wounded and sick people. But when Inland Army came they had to stop their activities.
“They don’t understand a thing!”
The stout build middle-aged man entered the tent that serves as their headquarters and spoke to the leaders. He took off his camouflage hat, and slapped a seasoned long desk, sitting on a pipe chair. He had grown a nice mustache, so his figure sitting on the chair seemed like it came from a painting. His name is Doi Kotaro, he is a Ground SDF colonel, the main responsible for this mission. Kaburagi has the command authority above all, but Ground SDF is beyond his authority, so Ground SDF won’t move without Doi’s order. Yet, speaking about recent joint operations, Doi never disobeyed Kaburagi’s orders, as Kaburagi has the authority of land-sea-and-air operations.
However, the results of the Kaburagi’s order of this relief mission are not impressive.
“The Maritime SDF seems to be ignorant of the current situation, but my bad premonition was correct.”
His words were dirty, but his subordinates who went long road together knew that he has no ill intent.
“Those Inland Army guys have cut off us around and surrounded us. That’s what happens when you enter into another country with no backstairs dealing.”
Doi has a quarrel with an Inland Army commander. His tanned face warped and he looked at his team officers and understood that they didn’t get what he’s saying.
“Well, we had no time to build connections with locals in this situation…” – said one of the officers. Doi slapped his both knees.
“That’s true, there is no point to gripe after the battle. The Maritime SDF decision wasn’t wrong.”
Doi didn’t hate Kaburagi, he was rather on good terms with him. Yet, Maritime SDF knows only their sea. There is nothing but a bed, shower, and toilet in the sea. On the ground, you have to build everything from scratch. But to avoid useless chaos in such unknown countries, you can’t avoid all risks without deliberate investigations and networking. This time, we saved many lives by sudden invasion, and the suddenness has increased number of troubles. Being seen as the enemy by the Inland Army is one of those troubles.
“Second lieutenant Kuze, how is it going on?”
The officer Kuze’s face became complicated.
“Confirmation received.”
“As expected, we’re done.”
Kuze was responsible for providing food for war victims. Recently, he noticed something strange. In fact, SDF made provisions for war victims, but food distribution was the duty of the Kobokyo Church. It was originally requested from the church, and SDF decided that it would be more effective, and that church has only good intents. But church clerks have another reason to be nice, and SDF has discovered it recently.
The church distributed the food made by SDF as if it was made by the church. SDF was delivering food early in morning to the back door of the church. After they left provision, joyous yelps and prayers were heard. And now it’s clear why it was a need to left provisions there.
Today, Kuze made an investigation after the provision was delivered. On that square, he found a lofty minister gathering victims and lecturing them.
“God and the Church never abandon its deprived believers. After we repelled the crude Empire, the Church is going to distribute this food that we protected! Now give prayer to God and gratitude to the Church!”
Protected, he said, despite all cans have light-pink marks that SDF puts on all SDF belongings.
“The church is great, we can have a soup with meat for free!” – said one of the victims, a mother with a child on her back, and her husband smiled.
“Yeah, I thought it was wrong that the church didn’t fight, but now…”
“What a tasty soup! If the church can make it every day, I must bow them,” – said a young man next to them.
“But how long the heretics in the park would stay? I wish the church would think about them when things are settled.”
Kuze couldn’t hear anymore of this and left.
“I heard the Japanese dislike mercenary motives…” – he said, and the report is over. All officers made a deep sigh.
The church had left the people right after battle began, and blocked inside the building, but now they’re trying everything to nullify those minus points. They are willing to use everything, SDF or not.
Of course, even if SDF tell them the truth, the people poisoned by religious devotion would rather believe in the church, even if the church would say it’s a groundless charge. The church should understand that as well. Doi folded his hands, saying that we were had, and looked up on the tent’s ceiling.
Back in the past, he was in a similar situation in Iraq, but due to established connections with their leader he said “You’re wrong,” and no problem followed. However, speaking about the rushed invasion, we have no ally here.
(That’s what happening if you remove “Thorough preparation” from the slogan of the Ground SDF, “Thorough preparation and hardening of the arteries”)
Doi scratched his butch haircut. In the end, they have no space for a move, and SDF treatment is getting closer to that of an enemy, with the part of being not thanked by the people. Then, the Inland Army was like salt into a wound.
The plan of using a shovel car or bulldozer to remove lumber and trash to do more obvious activities is now impossible.
“The provisions we brought is coming to an end. The Mariisua won’t give us anything, so our activity is going to end soon, too,” said one of the officers.
“Oh, stop that, I got it already…” – said Doi, pushing the space between his eyebrows by his finger.
The Ground SDF was working only due to the queen’s promise. In the Inland Army made that impossible, we have to stop that. When the heaviness of the meeting atmosphere reached its limit…
“I have a proposition,” –a breathy voice of a woman sounded.
“What is it, captain Itai?” – called her name Doi sitting in the same pose, and glared at her. The Ground SDF captain Itai Kaori is a smart-looking slim and tall woman wearing the UN blue beret; she seems to be a bit older than Kuze. She is Kuze’s superior officer.
“Why wouldn’t we start gathering information and getting allies from now, in order to escape from the current situation? Despite the reversed sequence, those are the urgent tasks.”
“How? We are surrounded and watched by the Inland Army,” – asked Doi with irritation.
“We can do the small-numbered reconnaissance. We have surplus cadre right now. I’d like to give them a mission.”
“What?” – Doi changed his posture and looking at her with rounded eyes.
“Can you do it, second lieutenant Kuze, right?”
“Eh?” – Kuze was looking carefully at his chief Itai. It was a complete surprise for him.
“Right, Kuze?” – Itai added with a wide smile on her face. For the first sight, it’s a smile of a beautiful woman. Kuze has seen this smile a few times before, because she was his senpai in National Defense Academy. This was Satan’s smile.
At a popular festival of the NDA, the battalion competition the bo-taoshi*, she showed the same smile to him.
“Just for you to know, if you lose, you’ll be treated as first-year students, not third-year. Can you do it, Kuze-kun?”
By the way, first-year students of the Japan NDA are known as the sole creatures on the Earth that have no human rights. If a bed sheet is not smooth enough, that bed could be disassembled and its owner would be thrown outside. At a holiday, a student may be not approved to go outside for a reason such as “your eyes are not bright enough.” In summer, at the crossing the Tokyo Bay, and if a celebrity is making a special release nearby during the crossing of Tokyo Bay, such students would have a swimming tournament not so far away, but far enough to not bother that celebrity. A usual university student’s life which glorifies youth would look like a completely different world.
Kuze’s will to spend calmly that country-approved legendary rough-and-tumble competition Bo-taoshi, regarding which it is said, “It’s a miracle that nobody died there,” was completely destroyed by Itai’s smile. Kuze was the only one at that competition who was truly ready to die when he did his suicide attack at the bar; he was beaten and kicked by more than 150 men of the enemy’s team, he was covered with blood, but kept up holding the bar. It seems he got a lucky kick by knee, and when overcoming pain he went to hospital after the competition, they found a crack in his rib.
“I…”
Kuze felt that traumatic feeling again and opened his mouth.
“I can!” – he said bravely, yet his eyes look like he has died.
“You heard him, colonel Doi.”
When Itai became Doi’s subordinate, he warned them not to sexually harass her, but now it seems as though it’s time to start worrying about power harassment.
