v1c3 part1 (1/2)
Chapter 3 - Knights and Feats of Arms[edit]
Part 1[edit]
The water shrine was located deep underground below the Suruga tutelary fort
Inside the vast space built froiant pillars standing inside it, there was a solemnity reminiscent of ancient Greek temples
The water shrine was an important military facility as well as a quiet sanctuary
”It has been so long since I last visited Suruga's water shrine”
Akigase Rikka alking alone in the water shrine This place's abundant body of blue water was crisscrossed by a thread-like network of paths threewet
Only personnel involved with ions were allowed to enter water shrines
Most representative of them were the Chevaliers, followed by noetic uilds, researchers at noetic associations, as well as genies and retainer beasts, etc—
Rikka walked over to the ”bath” in the back of the water shrine There was no door Inside a space roughly the size of a basketball court, there was a round pool filled with a marine-blue liquid At the center of the pool was a fountain supplying the blue liquid
”Let us begin”
Rikka unfastened her clothing and removed her black military uniform as an officer of the Imperial Army
As the princess of the Tōkaidō Fiefdom, Rikka had trained in all kinds of etiquette but never had theaway properly Her rearments were scattered all over the floor in a de battlefields without concern for trivial details
However, she did carefully set down the japanese sword hanging at her waist
Completely naked, Rikka entered the pool—na
Thethe water shrine was artificial ectoplasmic fluid This liquid had the saions
The vat of ectoplasmic fluid was not deep One could sit down in the vat and the fluid would not reach the top of one's shoulders
Rikka stretched out her limbs in the vat There was very little flab on her well-trained body, although the soft curves of her bust and hip regions fully expressed her womanly beauty
The cold ectoplas her flawless nude body
Rikka endured the cold of soaking herself in the pool Her body began to heat up gradually This was the best evidence that the source of ase Rikka's body
This ectoplasmic fluid would turn into the power source for the Kamuy army under her command
”Ectoplasmic fluid is synthesized from the blood of the Godlike sacred beasts to serve as a nourishhts must store ectoplasmic fluid in their bodies and souls to feed their arht?”
This hat Rikka had learned about Legions through oral tradition
Bathing in a vat of ectoplas rations to feed a nificance
”Upon my Appellation of Onikiri Yasutsuna, I pray to the local shrine of Suruga Now that rantseal of warfare to becoa”
Rikka shut her eyes and prayed to Suruga's water shrine
This was to approve Akigase Rikka and her arrant them power
Before long, Rikka's entire body was gloith faint radiance to signify the establishment of a ”contract” With this accoht subsided, she prepared to handle another unresolved problem
”Sakuya, please cory at you”
Rikka called out to the genie hiding in the Suruga tutelary fort Sakuya ht not be present at the water shrine currently but she should be able to sense the noetic waves ”calling” her
”It stands to reason that you could have done better yesterday Fortunately, I arrived in the nick of time and this tutelary fort did not fall to the enemy”
Rikka's tone was gentle as though consoling a frightened child or animal
However, Rikka did not want to feign a sweet voice to coax others She could not do it either Aware of her warrior disposition, Rikka spoke rigidly, ”Since the worst-case scenario was avoided and I aes, will you please forget about yesterday? Hurry and co today, ill be very busy for the foreseeable future”
As soon as she finished, a roughly nine-year-old girl appeared out of thin air next to the vat of ectoplasth black hair was dressed as shrine e
ChronicleLegion 01 BW06jpg
The genie's i at Rikka with timid eyes with a sad look on her face
Rikka deliberately refrained froeratedto do with you?”
Immediately, a pipe fox appeared next to Sakuya with a bell's ringing sound
Glancing at the pipe fox, the i She wishes for you to go upstairs”
”Really? Her Highness arrived so soon”
One night had gone by since the attack of the Crusades It was currently 9:24am
Reportedly, Princess shi+ori happened to be at the tutelary fort yesterday After Rikka rushed to the scene, she had returned to her temporary residence in the city, hence the two of the to meet the rumored princess at last They also needed to discuss the current incident
”No helping it The situation has beco the reports on television last night
At 7:00pion had held a press conference
The host was the Kinai Governor General, Izumi Tenzen He was the preeneral who stood on the front lines personally to lead his arions
In front of the azines, he cursed extremely emotionally
The target of his verbal abuse was Lord Caesar, the great generalissi country and protector of Imperial japan
The gist of the speech was as follows:
'Lord Caesar calls himself the protector of our nation's Eovernment and the Kantō Fiefdo Lord Caesar and the Roman Ar our proud nation We pledge our lives to accomplish this monumental endeavor'
In addition, he even said the following:
'The friend of our nation, the British Erees with us wholeheartedly'
'I hereby declare the formation of the Restoration Alliance between the Kinai Fiefdo to pursue the sareat nation'
'As revolutionaries to bring about our nation's rebirth, the Restoration Alliance will presently march upon Tokyo'
The Restoration Alliance's hout japan via airwaves
It raised a huge uproar in the i
The Tōkaidō region, sandwiched between Kinai and Kantō, was also the location of Rikka and the princess The Restoration Alliance's arh Tōkaidō
”Anyway, I th”
Although feared by the Eitimate princess of the imperial family
As a knight, Rikka had no choice but to express her respect and concern Leaving the blue ectoplasmic fluid, Rikka walked over to her military uniform that was scattered on the floor
”Thank you for taking the trouble to co me with your presence”
Arriving at a rooase Rikka bowed as soon as she saw the princess
shi+ori s hter and a Chevalier
”I am truly pleased that ere able to meet as scheduled today despite the current times we are in”
”Definitely,” Rikka smiled wryly Their appointment had been set for today in the first place
shi+ori was dressed in her usual blouse and skirt while Rikka had her black military uniform that was exclusive to officers
”Is your father currently at Nagoya, Rikka-sama?”
”Yes By the way, hness before—”
”We met a few times at the capital I have also seen him once after my return from Rome”
The two of the on sofas to talk face to face across a table for receiving guests
This was the personal office for the castellan, in other words, the top coe of a tutelary fort
Naturally, the coance and majesty Four days prior, the previous castellan whoes He was imprisoned at the a City and his Appellation, the key for suions, was also sealed
Yesterday, the temporary castellan had died in combat
”Speaking of which Rikka-saa tutelary fort's castellan, is that correct?”
”Yes, that is correct Of course, returning to Nagoya would currently be quite a challenge Since encountering thee the Restoration Alliance for a bit”
The Chevalier princess smiled cheerfully and shi+ori asked, ”Then the urban areas around Suruga have been sealed off?”
”Yes, all major roads and railways have fallen under the Restoration Alliance's control”
A map of Tōkaidō was laid out on the table
The Tōkaidō region consisted of the three prefectures of Aichi, shi+zuoka and Yaa City was the central metropolis of shi+zuoka Prefecture
”Apart from this place, all tutelary forts in shi+zuoka have been subjugated by the Restoration Alliance”
Rikka pointed at five locations on the ahama respectively
”Suruga's previous castellan not only took bribes but even had secret dealings with agents of Britain Had we discovered this sooner, we ht have been able to discover the invasion at the earliest opportunity However, it could have been his arrest that prompted the Restoration Alliance to act ahead of schedule,” explained Rikka wryly
shi+ori said to her, ”Regardless, Suruga is currently akin to an isolated island on land”
”Yes Telephone circuits have stopped working since last night while surrounding base stations have apparently been taken over Moreover, the whole Suruga region is under large-scale interference from noetic waves, so even wireless communications and airwaves have been very unstable”
Indeed, since late last night, television and radio signals could no longer be received
shi+ori had confirmed this too
Rikka continued, ”Getting a hold of outside information requires the use of retainer beasts to scout or pass hly a hundred pipe foxes”
”Is it possible for humans to enter or leave?”
”The British forces have deployedair routes or going through the Southern Alps, there is a high risk of being detected”
”Retainer beasts In that case, reckless escape atteerous”
shi+ori began to assess the situation shi+zuoka Prefecture's plains werethe shore
Not only were urban areas concentrated there but the old highway dating before the Edo period was also built along the coast That hy the name of Tōkaidō equated to ”sea road”
The five tutelary forts of shi+zuoka Prefecture were also built along the old highway or on the Pacific coast
”As one ht expect, the Restoration Alliance's army—” shi+ori spoke after sohway to take over Hakone Checkpoint”
”assuredly so Roarrison stationed in Kantō, which means that failure is all but assured unless the Restoration Alliance secures their base of operations prior to attacking”
The higher the altitude at which a Legion flew, the greater the consumption of ectoplasmic fluid
Consequently, ht or sea travel while avoiding ions was not expected after the h-altitude travel through the stratosphere)
Sitting forhness, now that Suruga is surrounded, the situation is quite dire If you wish to escape to the capital, perhaps I could—”
”No need for that, but I do appreciate the gesture”
”Oh?”
The Chevalier princess narrowed her eyes with interest
shi+ori sa will beplace, but I did co term Besides, those people at the capital probably do not welcome my return”
”True”
Rikka also knehy shi+ori was feared
Just as she was s ridiculous, shi+ori said to her, ”Rikka-saa, wouldn't it be natural for you to receive orders to escape yourself?”
Akigase Rikka's father was the Governor General of Tōkaidō, Akigase Shouzan
He was both a nani their relationshi+p of parent and child, it was possible for hia, so as to prevent Tōkaidō's top Chevalier froa tutelary fort
Hearing shi+ori's speculation, Rikka laughed candidly
”This I cannot deny Either way, there are ways to handle it If my father were to send a pipe fox to issue such an order I will si”
”Oh dear”
Akigase Rikka was not only a hty warrior but also a noble-rity
shi+ori santly with other intentions in herthis place, her only choice was to decline Rikka's kind offer There was an issue that shi+ori must take care of here
This issue was precisely Tachibana Masatsugu shi+ori needed to clarify the relationshi+p between him and her
shi+ori hoped for Masatsugu to be her knight, but no one could guarantee for certain that he would be willing to assist her
Nevertheless, shi+ori cooal no matter what
Part 2[edit]
”Urgh!”
The young private first-class serving as the guide suddenly clutched his storoaned in pain
Hatsune looked hined concern
”Oh my? What's the matter with you?”
”M-My stohhhhhhh!”
”Oh no! I'll help you get o to a shop or the infirmary in a situation like this?”
”P-Please excuse me for a moment”
The unfortunate soldier got up froster cou and Hatsune, watched the soldier leave
The location was the tearoo and a wide open space
Inside there were vending arettes as well as several round tables for visitors to take a break It was currently the next day after the British Legions had attacked
Princess shi+ori was visiting the tutelary fort again, this tiase Rikka
As her followers, Masatsugu and Hatsune ca the uide to show them around the tutelary fort
Naturally, now that it was the following day after the attack of the Crusades, martial law had already been imposed on the city
In this chaotic situation, a visit fro trouble, so the officer had sent souide”
However, Masatsugu and Hatsune had been tasked with secret orders requiring them to evade surveillance
When Hatsune first arrived at the tearooone to the soldier as thanks for showing them around She had secretly slipped a black pill into the cup of coffee Accepting it gratefully, the soldier drank the tampered coffee with a smile Presumably, Hatsune's adorable appearance co in a military base had sealed the deal
”Hoas that, Onii-sama? My ninja technique of the honey trap worked!”
”So that's your idea of a honey trap”
The curves of Hatsune's bust were very obvious even under her kimono top She puffed out her chest proudly
Masatsugu was not having coffee Taking a swig of drinking water, he asked Hatsune, ”You gave hiht?”
”So passed down the Tachibana fauardian God for two hours, co”
”It does feel ninja-like when you call it a secret passed down the family”
”That goes without saying The Tachibana clan used to be a family of master ninjas who commanded lower ninjas”
”They were like Hattori Hanzou? Our clan keeps way too many secrets”
Hatsune brought up the Tachibana fanantly
Hattori Hanzou Masanari, who had served Tokugawa Ieyasu, was not only known as the fierce general with the nickname ”Hanzou the Spear” but also a end
”Actually, there was once a Tachibana Chevalier two generations before us”
”But our Tachibana clan leads a very low-key life nowadays”
”Can't be helped The honored title of Chevalier is non-hereditary However, the Appellation is still under our clan's safekeeping, so anyone who inherits it can become a Chevalier”
Hatsune pouted, somewhat annoyed
”I heard it is quite a high-level Appellation Anyone who fails in the succession ritual ends up dead That's why the ritual is forbidden unless there is an eency”
”Sorry, I don't understand what you mean by appellation or succession”
”Oh, sorry about that A so-called Appellation refers to a universally recognized title of someone known for martial valor Someone who inherits this title can becoions”
Masatsugu leaned forward, listening attentively to Hatsune's explanation, because the one who had ordered a japanese Legion, the Kau himself
”Most of them are named after medals Take japan's Imperial Army for example The most common one is the medal named Zuihou, the Order of the Sacred Treasure But occasionally, there are Appellations that are different A Chevalier worthy of inheriting that kind of high-level title will be able to use a killer moves!”
”I see”
”However, these special inheritances are very difficult If soible takes on the succession ritual, failure results in instant death”
”What's this so-called eligibility?”
”It's a bit auous, but pretty th will be fine' or so those lines”
”Military strength huh So superior coh?”
”Hmm, apart from martial prowess, you also need to be versed in y, kno to raise your troops' morale, be undefeated on the battlefield, etc These are all aspects of 'th'”
Hatsune interrupted the explanation and stared straight at Masatsugu
”Yesterday, Onii-saht you had inherited the Appellation at some point, the one specially kept by the Tachibana clan”
”Sorry, I have no ative answer and said, ”Are therea body of flesh?”
”I've never seen it and no one in our clan has , you'd definitely be flattened Oh, however”
Hatsune clapped her hands together and said with her eyes glih-level Appellations' can use aht? This is a rumor I heard in the imperial palace, so it's very rare”
”At least there are known cases”
”We'll delve deeper in these matters later Either way, Onii-sama, you're definitely no ordinary person So, it's ti and finish the princess' command sooner”
Hatsune stood up fro the pipe chair
Masatsugu's distant cousin left swiftly, still cheerful and outgoing in personality Masatsugu also got up to take a leisurely stroll He had to kill ti for his master and Hatsune to take care of their respective business
While walking, Masatsugu pondered what had transpired the day before
Drawing out unusual power from within himself, he had kept himself and the princess safe
Back then, hot blood had coursed through his body and ions and how to use thee on the spot
When the Crusades were destroyed, the princess had asked hiu-sama Have you finally awakened?'
'A legatus legionis at last—A true Chevalier'
Masatsugu was unable to answer, simply confused
After the brief battle, the feeling of blood boiling had vanished At the saions
In the end, Masatsugu had no way of answering shi+ori's question
However, the terionis” had left a deep impression in his mind
When Masatsugu asked shi+ori what it meant, she responded with a smile He presumed that smile was to hide her disappointment
'One who keeps a legion—It is an ancient Roion commander'
Legatus Legionis Masatsugu ruminated over the term
”Princess! I've fulfilled your instructions!”
They were on the way back froa tutelary fort
The tutelary fort was located at the top of aback and forth required transport by car Naturally, they were taking a car back
The princess was riding a black domestic luxury car with Hatsune as the driver
Sixteen was the legal age for a driving license Masatsugu had obtained his last year However, his distant cousin was clearly more skilled than him as a driver
While de techniques on the mountain road, Hatsune said to the lady she served, ”It was soa hidden key, seeking help from the old mister Tachibana who had infiltrated the place It'd take a long time if I had to report the details of all these tasks—”
”Good work, I shall rely on you again when the next opportunity arises”
”Sob Princess, you're too insensitive, I was trying to say what an ordeal it was for me This sadistic disposition does feel very princess-like At least leta bit”
”Fufufufu, didn't you know that bragging about one's glorious exploits is a pleasure that belongs to the elderly♪”
shi+ori was sitting leisurely in the spacious back seat all alone
Masatsugu was in the front passenger seat, holding the hard-won fruit of Hatsune's efforts It was a thin slab of wood the size of an A3 sheet with kanji and Sanskrit characters written in cursive with a brush Masatsugu could only recognize the four words of ”su-like animal drawn beneath them
Not only was this a retainer beast talisrade item
Today, Hatsune had ”borrowed” soe
”Hatsune, go for a spin inside the city before returning to the dormitory”
”Understood”
Hatsune followed the princess' instruction and turned the steering wheel
The car drove through the neighborhoods and streets of Suruga that Masatsugu kneell However, there was very little traffic in every street Most shops were also closed temporarily All this was due to the imposition of ed to either the Tōkaidō provincial army or the police
Along the way, this car was stopped by soldiers and police many times too
Fortunately, the princess had already becoa household The influence and respect accorded to her as well as the calling card of Chevalier Akigase Rikka received at the tutelary fort proved to be handy in these situations Rikka had written ”please provide assistance to the princess” on the back of the card, which had a profound effect
After that, Hatsune drove north of Suruga City
Continuing forward along this direction would take one near the Southern Alps and Mount Ryuusou In other words, they had gone from the countryside around a bus station to as truly deep in the mountains
Masatsugu looked out theinto the sky and noticed so
Flying in the air were three wyverns, a type of retainer beast used by many countries Their common characteristics were ”a lizard-like appearance except ings growing out of their shoulders” and ”being roughly two to three times the size of a horse”
However, every country's wyvern variant had its own unique color
Imperial japan's wyverns were blue The wyverns currently in the air hite
White was the color of the British Empire's wyverns
”So British retainer beasts have trespassed all the way here” laloomily
They were not the only car traveling on the road Every now and then, they would see local cars driving to the urban zone adjacent to Suruga Station to seek refuge
There were round
Distributed by wyverns all over the place, the flyers were signed jointly by the British Imperial Forces and the Kinai Fiefdom
Masatsugu's party had picked theed to seek refuge in areas deemed appropriate by the Charter of Chivalry' ritten on the to the flyer's instructions
Masatsugu asked the princess in the back seat, ”Does the Kinai Fiefdom intend to oppose the Roman army with British assistance?”
”Indeed For the past fifty years, japan's Chevaliers had seen very little action in the field In contrast, Chevaliers of both the Eastern Ro on battlefields across the globe Whether Chevalier Strength or experience, japan is no match on either front”
”What is Chevalier Strength?”
”The nuions a Chevalier can suth' Chevaliers with a higher Chevalier Strength can suions—One could think of it as a power indicator Take yesterday's battle for instance Despite holding ho Crusades due to numerical inferiority”
The princess shrugged and sighed
”The power disparity between the two armies was too obvious”
”Frohting at a friendly tutelary fort”
The ions, were summoned out of thin air at a Chevalier's command
However, effects were different depending on the su location
The quantity of su took place in a land holding powerful ies known as divine precincts or sanctuaries As nature would have it, these sanctuaries were very rare and the few that existed were located deep in the mountains or in the middle of nature, places of scant military value
Masatsugu recalled knowledge he had heard before
shi+ori said to hiround—In other words, reservoirs of artificial ectoplase quantities of this s not of this world,' the region surrounding a water shrine will naturally become spiritually purified—”
”Meaning that it becoht?”
After cou was struck by another question Froer seat, he so at him continuously from the back
Part 3[edit]
Masatsugu and the others returned to Rinzai High before noon
More precisely, it was the high school's dormitories Princess shi+ori and Hatsune were both boarders
After the princess' personal car was parked at the staff parking lot, Masatsugu and Hatsune stayed at shi+ori's side while heading to the dorm
Unlike yesterday, shi+ori did not walk in the lead
On caentle and virtuous princess”
”Taisei?” Masatsugu asked doubtfully upon seeing Okonogi Taisei in front of the boys dorm
Concerned about the presence of the princess, Taisei gestured with a wave of his hand, wanting to have a ith Masatsugu in private