v2c2 (1/2)
Chapter 2 - Soldiers of Fortune[edit]
Part 1[edit]
The First Expeditionary Brigade of the Far East Fleet
These were the British Empire's armed forces led by Edward the Black Prince
The Anglo-japanese Restoration Alliance was forade and Imperial japan's Kinai Fiefdom
The co Tōkaidō were manned half-half by the British and the Kinai provincial army However, the ions were Crusades
Kinai knights were treated as ”honored guests” and seldom sent to the battlefield
Control was held fully in the British Empire's hands
”There is a proverb in japan Lend them some eaves and they will take the main house, was it?”
Lieutenant Colonel Grayson muttered
”The description aptly captures our relationshi+p with the Kinai Fiefdom”
The elderly gentle solemnly with polite tones
However, there was a hint of sardonic bite in his words This old ht face Perhaps he was the role ue?
Edward kept his guess to himself and said, ”Why not? The Kinai's top brass have accepted it too”
”Indeed, thanks to the blessings of the Three Lions and the British royal family”
”Well said When they provide incredible and convenient miracles from time to time, we'd better perform our duties as loyal subjects to the best of our ability”
”The Kinai Governor General randeur”
With straight faces, they were exchanging false platitudes
The young medieval prince and the elderly man of the modern twentieth century both smirked at the same time
”Well then, Grayson, I must head over to Kyoto to cheer up our princess and handle a few sundry tasks while I a on you to hold the fort”
”Affirmative”
The elderly soldier accepted Edward's request like an experienced butler
Also serving as the captain of the destroyer Tintagel, Grayson was dressed in a naval officer's uniform of a white shi+rt and tie with black pants However, his current assignment was not on the shi+p
Instead, it was Hakone Checkpoint in the western part of japan's Kantō region
As the co officer Edward's adjutant, he must first secure their control of the Hakone area to serve as a forward operating base to advance on Tōkaidō This was his latest job
The purpose was to build up a foundation to support invasions into Tokyo and the Kantō region, the heart of Imperial japan
”Hoill you travel to Kyoto?”
”First along the sea then entering Kinai through the shi+ma Peninsula”
Today was the second day after the fall of Hakone
There was a helipad at the second tutelary fort, located south of Lake Ashi+
Hakone was originally defended by the Kantō provincial ar the tutelary forts, the British forces claie transport helicopter of American make that was there The helicopter was currently ready at the helipad
Furtherned to various positions at Hakone
The plan was to subjugate military and administrative facilities and demand civilian factions to provide ”voluntary assistance”
After Edward's return, the hectic situation should subside somewhat The capabilities of the veteran Grayson and the First Expeditionary Brigade were beyond reproach
Their commander, the Resurrectee, still had other duties to fulfill
Just as Edalked to the helicopter, a young girl called out to him
”Prince, if it pleases you, kindly take this along”
It was a blonde little girl in a sailor outfit and beret—Or rather, a doll
The doll possessed by the genie Morrigan was standing behind Grayson
The doll stood at 150cure version of her that Edward had used during the Hakone siege
Every ti of her non-human identity
”Morrigan, there is no need for you to accompany me this time”
A genie's supportconvenient, but Edward still declined
”You should focus on the Hakone mission”
”Not a, probleh-level spirit Si, is possible”
”I know, but playing with dolls is not ”
Early twenties in appearance, Edward sighed
”If I keep bringing your small version around withup”
”Please, relax According to research conducted by the British forces Many adult men in Imperial japan, enjoy this type of doll”
”I a for fellow enthusiasts here!”
The spirit offered her counsel expressionlessly but Edward rebuked her and boarded the helicopter alone
Thus an air journey began An ancient person fro in a block ofa wyvern to be quite similar to a horse so it did not feel weird
That being said, mechanized locomotion was not bad too
After all, speed was one e The transport helicopter flew froa Bay to enter Pacific Ocean airspace
Then the helicopter est along japan's island coastline
The British armed forces had established naval superiority over virtually all of Tōkaidō's offshore region—frooya and the Atsumi Peninsula to Izu and Atami
Chances of being attacked were very low In the event that an eneions
Edward enjoyed the leisurely flight
The seats in the transport helicopter were hard and not very coy, so taking a helicopter was still
They entered Kinai through the shi+ma Peninsula then went north, in other words, inland
A few hours after taking off, the helicopter reached the sky over Kyoto City Prior to japan's nae to ”Imperial japan,” Kyoto had been the ancient capital where the royal palace was located
This was Edward's second time in Kyoto
Before the Tōkaidō invasion operation, he had disguised hin tourist to visit this place and hold talks with key figures in the Kinai Fiefdom
”Kyoto is such a cramped city”
Edward's mode of locomotion had switched from a military helicopter to a black luxury vehicle
As before, operation of the vehicle was left to the driver Although Edas talented at controllingmechanical contraptions
Fortunately, as a Resurrectee and Chevalier, he would never find himself without a driver to use
In the afternoon of the same day, Edas in the back seat of the luxury vehicle, a paragon of elegance as befitted his title of prince, looking out quietly at the streets of Kyoto
”Surrounded by mountains, narrow roads Well, I don't dislike the atmosphere”
Kyoto was rich in classic japanese tradition, but was not a major metropolis
Nijou Castle, constructed on Tokugawa Ieyasu's orders, had been remodeled many times over the years Nowadays, in the twentieth century, it was being used by the Kinai Fiefdom as a ”palace”
In addition, there was Kyoto Gyoen, a vast garden belonging to the imperial family
Inside was a palace froe where predecessors of the imperial family had lived and old houses that served as ”official residences” of the ancient privileged class, a reminder that this place used to be the political center of japan
Edward disembarked near Kyoto Gyoen
He wanted to allantly in ht in the past However, he was dressed in casual clothing today
A white shi+rt with black pants and a gray coat on top, rather plain in appearance
With the British Elish in japan would be rather aard Given such an environo around in military uniform to attract extra attention
Yet here in japan, the appearance of a tall and handsome silver-haired man still made him stand out
His conspicuousness could not be helped Like a soldier, he walked with his head up and chest out, unfazed by the gazes of Kyoto's residents
Soon, he reached an old-fashi+oned western mansion
It was said that an American had ordered its construction in the Meiji period—during the nineteenth century
Rather than the Kinai Fiefdo a special person whose temporary residence was here Ten-odd minutes later, Edas in thehis appointment with the lady in question
”Greetings, Princess It is surely the blessings of the Three Lions that have allowed ain”
”No, this fortune steood brother”
The girl's blonde hair reached waist length She was santly
It would not be an exaggeration to compare her delicate and lovely facial features to that of a Goddess That being said, her temperament would not match Aphrodite, the Goddess of love and beauty
Strictly speaking, she would bear a greater resemblance to Hecate, the Goddess of the moon shrouded in transient darkness
Hecate was the terrifying progenitor of black uardian of witches
”It has been a while, Black Prince I aain”
The beautiful Princess Eleanor greeted him
She earing a one-piece dress with puffy sleeves Fashi+onably black, its texture was reminiscent of a witch's black robe
The two of the in a sofa in the reception room
Edent straight to the point, ”I heard you were hurt Thank goodness it was nothing serious”
”You should know that with the powers granted bye”
At Edward's request, Princess Eleanor had infiltrated the Suruga tutelary fort
It had happened only five days ago, an operation aihter of the Tōkaidō Governor General, by putting a ”charm curse” on her
However, the operation failed and Akigase Rikka stabbed Eleanor with a sword, forcing her to flee for her life
Her stabbed left shoulder already showed no signs injury, recovering in merely five short days, but Edward shook his head and said, ”Princess, I am quite aware of the source of your miracles However, we should not abuse powers that require a price to use”
”Indeed, I shall take your words to heart”
Princess Eleanor nodded obediently S on the blessings of uile and competence Good brother, I look forward to the fruits of your labors”
”Understood, I will commit this to memory,” Edward replied with a wry smile to the princess who addressed him as ”brother”
”First of all, I need to meet the Kinai Governor General, is that so?”
”Arrangements are all in place I made him cancel his entire schedule for tomorrow”
”Hey, a princess of the British E to be the prime minister of Imperial japan eventually, so remember your manners”
”Well My apologies I was imprudent” Eleanor widened her eyes ostentatiously and saidso unladylike AllowThanks to the Governor General's kindness and generosity, he is willing to set aside tiood brother”
”Now that is our good princess Next How to best handle the matter of reinforcements?”
Edward recalled a certain handsome man's face
It was the young ht when he sent the Kinai Chevaliers to attack Suruga
”The war effort is expected to progress otiations with Tōsandō are in good shape However Some unexpected elements have surfaced As a precaution, it would be best to reassign a few obedient knights from Australia”
”Why not reassign personnel from Britain?”
”I would rather not Thatback home in boredom Even now, he still cannot shake off his ns He even wanted to take my spot and head to japan personally However, history has proven him unsuitable in the role of top commander”
Edward spoke elegantly as a knight to express some of his dissatisfaction
”Consequently, the decision to send me iftly confirmed If he were to come, it would make my job very difficult News of this must not reach Britain Well, I do concede that he is very chariseneral”
In all of English history, that
The drawback was that he was hard to use
Edward shrugged and said, ”Simply stated, I would rather find an excellent hound than put a collar on a ra lion”
”My condolences, good brother”
”What do you mean by that?”
”Richard strongly petitioned the higher-ups in the reatest wish to render assistance to Edward, enerous and understand my chivalry' He is expected to arrive at the Port of Kobe today”
”I was not informed of this at all”
”He rushed off and departed England during the night before the coave authorization This forced the higher-ups' hand, leaving the him to japan”
”da the lion upon me”
Edward's noble and handsoloomy
While Black Prince Edward and Princess Eleanor were conversing
The large British destroyer Cath, it was the sister shi+p of the Tintagel an
This military shi+p was about to reach the Port of Kobe in Kinai
Under the sunny sky, athe sea breeze
His fine blond hair fluttered in the wind like a lion's mane His muscular body was clad in Britain's black military uniform That was not all
On top of that, he earing a flashy cri
”My boy Édouard will surely be in for a big surprise when he sees me”
Laughing to hie His countenance was full of majesty
He was probably the only person in the contemporary world ould refer to the Black Prince as ”Edward” Despite being the King of England in the past, he did not feel bound to using the English language or following British norms
”Having lead an are Acre in the past, I now head to the island nation of the Far East to dehtly justice Oh how my blood boils in excitement”
Reciting the nanited his battle spirit
At the same time, his body released noesis This vast amount expanded and naturally took physical form in the atmosphere amid the sea breeze
An arions appeared in the sky over the destroyer Camelot as it sailed into Osaka Bay
A total of two hundred Legions, but this was not all of them This puny nuth was not that weak
”O wind of the Far East, mark my words I, Richard, shall step foot in japan Let the name of Coeur de Lion shake the world once more Behold my way of life!”
His voice was filled with the elation of a narcissist
ChronicleLegion 02 BW03jpg
The two hundred Legions in the air above howled in response to their master's declaration
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh—
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh—Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh—Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh—
They were identical in appearance to the British ion, the Crusade
However, the color was totally different These Legions were crimson from head to foot They were also equipped with bayonet rifles larger than that of typical Legions, with ornate decorations as well
The master said to this army of crimson Crusades, ”Thank you, my swords Present to me a Feat of Arms worthy of the name of Escalibor”
In legend, King Arthur of England was served by the Knights of the Round Table
The name Escalibor was equivalent to the ”Excalibur” that appeared in the stories of King Arthur
This ic sword Known as Richard I in English history, his nickname of the Lionheart was also very famous
Richard was a knight of outstanding eneral of incomparable ferocity
At the saland in the twelfth century and the Black Prince Edward's forefather
Part 2[edit]
It was precisely a week ago when the Crusades first attacked Suruga
Seven days later, it was Friday again During this tis were blockaded by the Restoration Alliance'sthe flow of traffic and information
Even so, the Suruga side sent out dozens of retainer beasts as scouts
Isolated behind enea tutelary fort still succeeded in obtaining lience
”In the end, it's all unfavorable news” Hatsune frowned and fell into deep thought
Hakone Checkpoint had fallen the day before yesterday Thefrom shi+zuoka Prefecture to Aichi and Yaed by the Restoration Alliance's Legions, rendered unusable Given the current situation, timely repairs would be difficult
That was not all of the bad news
”The effects of Hakone Checkpoint's capitulation are more severe than expected,” Princess shi+ori lamented the unfavorable situation, her voice beautiful as always
The intelligent princess was accou, at Rinzai High's open-air cafe Noon had just gone by and school was out Due to the unusual times they were in, all lessons were on a half-day schedule
”Rikka-sama's father, the Tōkaidō Governor General has apparently propositioned the Tōsandō Fiefdom to join forces in resistance and drive out the Restoration Alliance from shi+zuoka and Hakone”
”The two fiefdoraphically, after all”
Hatsune recalled athe center of the islands of japan
Tōkaidō was the ”sea road,” coions of Aichi, shi+zuoka, and Ya the Pacific Ocean
Directly on top was Tōsandō, the ” the areas of Gifa, Nagano, Gunion of precipitous mountains known as as the backbone of japan's islands
If the ”mountain and sea” fiefdoms of central japan were to join forces and Kantō cooperated
However, shi+ori sighed repeatedly and ruled out this scenario
”Unfortunately, Tōkaidō has not secured Tōsandō's support I fear that theHakone within half a day, cons that the western fiefdoms are not opposed to the Restoration Alliance, has prompted them to take a wait and see approach”
”Intimidated so easily, what cowards they are”
”Or rather, the British side did their part well,” replied Masatsugu quietly to Hatsune's comment
”Intimidation before and after a war is very important It's ideal to make the opponent think that resistance is futile and provoke theine what they stand to lose in defeat Sufficient intimidation, like this instance, could cause future eneht”
”Indeed, the Restoration Alliance ets in consideration of the publicity effect” shi+ori agreed with Masatsugu's view ”They swiftly took down shi+zuoka and Hakone, thus causing western japan and Tōsandō to lean towards supporting the Alliance Conversely, had they started out by attacking Nagoya or Tokyo—ions—they probably would not have obtained such impressive results”
The intelligent princess added cynically, ”Of course, it is possible that the Restoration Alliance and the Tōsandō Fiefdoreement”
”Okay”
The elegant lady Hatsune served and the Onii-say
Hatsune ht to contribute to this discussion In that case, she would swiftly obtain ”power” bythe nature talents featured in the Tachibana clan with its abundance of heroes
”Princess and Onii-sama, I have decided” Hatsune suddenly stood up, clenched her fist and declared, ”Here and noill start the succession ritual!”
”Eh? Now? Here? Straight away?”
”Yes, there is no point hesitating any longer A woe!”
”Really? Good luck then”
Contrasting with the princess' surprise, Masatsugu's attitude reed
Hatsune could not help but gruement at least?”
”You're the one carrying out the ritual after all Whether I cry or not, the result still depends on your ability I've got nothing to say except good luck”
”Fair enough, I got it”
Hatsune accepted it without a fuss After all, she was born and raised in a clan filled with unruly larger-than-life characters Even as a girl, she was deeply influenced by the clan's bold and unfettered ways
”Then wait fora horse race!”
”Understood”
”Hatsune, even as a member of royalty, I do not have the authority to hinder another person's aspirations to become a Chevalier” Sole at Hatsune, she said, ”Because it is the spirit of loyalty and righteousness of people like you that has secured the ratitude for this courage However, please allow me to issue you an unreasonable command on this occasion”
The princess sighed and said assertively, ”I have no wish to becouest at your funeral Show me success, whatever it takes”
”Don't worry, Princess I will carry out your command without fail!”
Of course, the ritual could not actually take place at the open-air cafe
The school dojo happened to be free, so Hatsune decided to use it The martial arts clubs, most notably judo and kendo, had all currently suspended their activities
Hatune entered the dojo alone and knelt down in seiza on the tatami floor
Her usual Haikara-san outfit consisting of meisen kimono and hakama did not look out of place in a japanese dojo at all
The blue scroll placed in front of her was the Tachibana clan's cherished treasure
The an Yoshi+tsune's Appellation Hatsune re intently at the scroll
Her surrogate brother Masatsugu and the princess aiting outside She could rely on no one but herself
”I beseech the Appellation of Kurou Hougan Yoshi+tsune Pray grantseal of warfare to become a war God to defend Iht!”
Hatsune recited the oath she had learned, issuing a challenge at the end
She forcefully grabbed the scroll in front of her and her vision went dark immediately
When her eyesight recovered, she was no longer in the dojo
She was outdoors Since there was a starry sky overhead, it was evidently the ht
”I-I'e?”
Within an instant, Hatsune had been taken to an unfamiliar place
Currently, Hatsune was standing on a wooden bridge over a river
The river was not big or i rapidly either Most notably, the water was very clear A boy was standing a few meters ahead of her
The boy looked roughly twelve-years-old The beauty of his face was breathtaking
Like Hatsune, he was dressed in traditional japanese clothing A kiinucloak,” or in other words, the outfit that onmyouji would wear for ease of movement
”It has been so long since anyone visited here”
The boy examined Hatsune coldly
His facial features were delicate, lance He was also very sliirl
His voice and expression was very ant
”Needless to say, you know ht? If you don't, I can't be bothered to tell you either”
”Ushi+wakamaru”
Hatsune said Yoshi+tsune's childhood naan Yoshi+tsune
According to one legend, during childhood, this hero had shown up at Gojō Bridge in Kyoto, calling himself Ushi+wakamaru, and defeated Musashi+bō Benkei who had been on a quest to collect a thousand weapons—
Coe would be the Kaawa
Hatsune had visited Kyoto on a school trip She recalled scenery from the ancient city
”You must first prove your worth if you want my help”
”My worth?”
”You pass if you defeat me As much as I'd like to say that, it's impossible for you Let's say you pass if you can catch me”
ChronicleLegion 02 BW04jpg
What the other party wanted was for Hatsune to de was precisely one of the Tachibana clan's specialties Just as Hatsune was about to dash forward, the pretty boy laughed proudly
”I'll lend you this, lass Cut me down if you can”
”Ehhh!?”
There was a tachi on the waist of the boy named Ushi+wakamaru
Its blade was over two feet long and quite curved A japanese sword dating to the latter years of the Heian period
The boy grabbed the tachi whose length did not suit his small stature and tossed it to Hatsune, scabbard included Hatsune hastily caught it in both hands
Hatsune could feel the tachi's heavy weight on her arms
”You're underesti me too much Of course, it's possible that I, Tachibana Hatsune, am no match for the peerless Minamoto no Yoshi+tsune, but I'm no pushover either!”
Hatsune encouraged herself with a bold declaration
Sih for her to sense how difficult an opponent he was
The boy in front of her was undoubtedly a thousand tiainst such an opponent, were her ownto work?
Suppressing the uncertainty in her heart, Hatsune decided she or at least
”You can use a weapon too I won't complain”
”Don't worry, there is siet one in an instant”
The unarmed pretty boy even scoffed in disdain
He really seeh he definitely had the strength to back up his attitude Hatsune gulped nervously
Part 3[edit]
Who was this pretty boy who looked like Ushi+wakamaru?
Besides, where was this place? Hatsune believed that her ”si these questions, was her strength
A terrifying trial was about to begin These trivial details were inconsequential
How to teach this arrogant boy a lesson hat she really should think about
”I'd be a disgrace to my Tachibana ancestors if I allowed this relic to remain buried in obscurity”
Hatsune drew out the tachi he had given her
Excessive trust in the opponent's goodould be very dangerous, so Hatsune swung the blade to test it
The tachi felt fine to use For exa was loose, the blade could slide out of the handle during a swing Fortunately, there were no such problems
Hatsune raised the tachi without worry
Pointing the sword's tip at the handsoood you are”
Then Hatsune dashed rapidly at the boy
At the same time, she executed a lethal two-handed thrust, aimed to pierce the boy's beautiful face
The opponent had lent his oeapon to Hatsune in a show of self-confidence As a member of the Tachibana clan, Hatsune did not have the decency to show kindness to such an arrogant ene Hatsune's offensive, the boy backed away to evade the tachi's tip
”I'm in no position to criticize others” The pretty boy said with a wry smile, ”For a lass, you really have quite the fierce temper”
”What are you talking about? Fights are won by preemptive strikes!”
In shons between htly
To avoid being counterattacked, there was a preference to let the opponent attack first, then find an opening to retaliate This concept was known as go no sen in japanese swordsmanshi+p
However, Hatsune had attacked right off the bat, everything be damned
A lucky hit would have led to an i with real swords
”My clan hates biding ti”
”I actually agree on that point, but I think women should be a bit more demure”