v2c4 (2/2)
Humans were creatures that only believed what they wanted to believe No u denied it, they always left with a ”He is Lord Hijikata” look on their face
After handling these questions, Masatsugu ran into theofficers
The restrictedthe rank of field officer or above, hence there were few users Masatsugu took a seat, hoping this should reduce the amount of hassle
At that ry expression for once
Masatsugu expected she had co about the Hijikata Toshi+zō rumor
”Whether you are really Hijikata Toshi+zō or not, Onii-sama, I'll save that question for another tiu who used to play with me in childhood He's already dead?”
Hatsune pursued the core of the ht off the bat
”I see So you ad your identity as a Resurrectee?”
”Yes, I told her at my own discretion”
This was the nextmaiden of the Tachibana clan
Masatsugu had come to the Black Lily Dore in the conversation lounge
”I don't know my real name, I was summoned to the present world by the princess' divine power, the real Tachibana Masatsugu has been dead for years, etc That was the ist of it”
”It cannot be helped The truth had to come out eventually”
shi+ori sighed lightly
In the past, she often drank black tea in the conversation lounge, but currently, all she had before her was a glass of water
Suruga's food proble day Luxury itees were in scarce supply Even the princess could not enjoy them freely
”That explains why I have not seen her since yesterday”
”Sheout her relative had died and that I'm someone unrelated”
”That would be inconvenient It would not do to be distracted by such trivial troubles She has soon her”
Tachibana Hatsune was Princess shi+ori's lady-in-waiting, bodyguard, and Chevalier
Of course, co wrong hat shi+ori had said However, the beautiful princess added dryly, ”Well, I will turn a blind eye if she wants so a bit of leniency to subordinates is a part of employee benefits, after all”
”I see”
”Masatsugu-sa?”
”You are is I never knew you had a naive side too, Princess”
”Well, it was a slip of the tongue!”
Just as the liege and retainer were having this kind of conversation
A patter of hurried footsteps approached the conversation lounge and the door was flung open forcefully Dressed in Haikara-san style, Hatsune rushed in excitedly and said, ”Princess, Onii-saa!?”
Charging in energetically in one breath, Hatsune proposed a bold hypothesis
After a ht disappointment, ”Didn't you say that she was in shock?”
”It seeu replied expressionlessly
In any case, they looked at Hatsune, as acting her usual self shi+ori offered care and concern for the still cheerful girl, ”So, have you put your feelings in order?”
”Oh, yes It's sad that my distant relative had passed away, and I'd like to pay respects at his grave too However, your ambitions come first, Princess, so it can't be helped”
”I arateful you understand that”
”Not at all, this is the Tachibana clan's duty, after all”
The princess was quite surprised by this turn of events while Hatsune responded cheerfully
The ability to swiftly changei to keep addressing me the same way?”
”Why not? Your naistry Plus changing the habit will be a pain at this point Besides, now that I think about it”
Hatsune lowered her voice as though whispering
”There arethe 'aunties and uncles' who only show up to fas and memorial services Compared to those relatives, Onii-sama, my relationshi+p with you is definitely more real and substantial Don't worry, I'm fine”
In a certain way, this happy-go-lucky disposition was also a hero's requisite quality
Furthermore, it was supposedly Hatsune's father in the capital Tokyo who set up Masatsugu to take over the identity of the original who had died in an accident
”Back to the main issue here Why can't Onii-saa?”
”What makes you think that?”
”Speaking of japanese heroes, it pretty a, Hideyoshi+, and Ieyasu, right? But Toyotoawa Ieyasu was a pudgy guy like a tanuki, so their appearances don't match Onii-sama at all That's why I decided to place a”
”I see, that makes sense”
”Onii-sama, do you remember the Honnouji Incident?”
”Now that I think about it, I haven't visited any shrines or temples for the past two years Maybe theme avoid shrines and temples subconsciously”
”That's what they call depth psychology, right!?”
While Hatsune and Masatsugu were discussion the new hypothesis, shi+ori coughed on the side
”Let us carefully examine this nonsen—no, bold hypothesis Chances are 99 that the possibility of Masatsugu-sa”
”Oh?”
”Princess, 99 is going way overboard!”
”Lord nobunaga was undoubtedly an excellent politician and strategist, but his abilities as a field commander are more inconclusive Some accounts are rather suspect”
”But he won spectacular victories at Okehazaht?”
While the knowledgeable princess recounted history, Hatsune tried to muster a small rebuttal
”The depictions of battles in historical novels or dramas are almost all fake The surprise attack on Okehazaunfire that devastated the Takeda cavalry were all fiction conjured by novelists in the Edo period”
”R-Really?”
”There is a theory that nobunaga wasblindly in Okehazaht, the surprise attack was simply dumb luck”
”That doesn't sound cool~”
”Which is why it was 'e story of valor Besides, Lord nobunaga is often described as an innovative and progressive genius But in fact, he was very concerned about public opinion A man who stuck to steady and reliableletters that he wrote to his retainers regarding such htful personality”
”He's not the Devil of the Sixth Heaven!?”
”When Hideyoshi+'s legal as frustrated by her husband's infidelity, he even wrote letters to cou-sahtful”
”That's definitely true!”
”Princess, Hatsune, ju”
Offended, Masatsugu objected to Hatsune's agreement with shi+ori's assertion
”I' and considerate assu the other person is a lady, I think”
”Right, you did mention you were some kind of skirt chaser in your past life, didn't you?”
”Huh?”
shi+ori gru Hatsune to react in shock
”No way! Onii-sauy!?”
”What's so surprising about that? Every guy likes attractive women”
Masatsugu's attitude was blasé as always, coetic
Hatsune smiled aardly ”I'm sorry, Onii-sama You always looked so serious, that's why I found it surprising Oh, Onii-saht your eye too?”
”Nope, I can swear to God and the High Heavens”
”Th-That's pretty rude too I can't believe you rejected me so directly”
The Tachibana girl hung her head in dismay
Masatsugu shrugged and said, ”Don't worry, I' about before Since we're not blood related, but you're still willing to address s bound by destiny”
”Sworn siblings?”
”Yeah, and I'uy who finds little sisters irresistible”
”Onii-sa speech!”
In the end, Hatsune easily got back into her usual stride
Princess shi+ori's is were still secure However, a forion Furtherained the exceptional carnivore known as Richard I
Perhaps a drae in the battle situation was around the corner
Masatsugu had this sort of faint premonition
Part 3[edit]
A helicopter took off frooya Castle and finally arrived at the scene
This was a special transport helicopter reserved for VIPs in the Tōkaidō Fiefdoers The seats were h class
It was around 1pm
Under the sunny sky, the noisy rotors could be heard throughout the flight
”The tutelary fort at Higashi+ers, a Chevalier in his late forties, said in shock
”Higashi+mikawa” referred to the eastern part of the Aichi Prefecture in Tōkaidō This tutelary fort was located in the ht in the center between Toyohashi+ City and Gaoori City
It was a star fort designed with a five-pointed arrangement of fortification walls
Standing in the center, the nation-protecting keep and various buildings were all on fire
There were over three hundred crimson Crusades in the air above the tutelary fort
These Crusades had coe of shi+zuoka Prefecture Using overwhelarrison at Higashi+mikawa
”It's a special variant that first appeared at the Fuji tutelary fort three days ago According to Rikka's report, the enemy Chevalier is a Resurrectee who claims to be Richard I”
The white-haired old man froith resentment in his voice
His naase Shouzan, Governor General of Tōkaidō
Akigase Shouzan was dressed in a kimono with an Inverness coat Slender and crane-like in appearance, he was glaring sharply A sixty-eight-year-oldimpression
Chevalier Akigase Rikka was the eldest child born to him when he was late in his years
”So the knights of the Restoration have finally encroached upon the land of Mikawa, huh?”
Imperial japan's military used small and mid-size retainer beasts for reconnaissance
Of course, Akigase Shouzan could depend on reports froarasus, but he still chose to confirm the situation for himself at the scene
The reason was—
Over the past two days, another three tutelary forts in eastern Aichi had fallen
”Yesterday was Okuashi+ whatever they please”
In every case, the attacks were conducted by crimson Crusades
They were the army led by Richard I, apparently called the Escalibors
Through the helicopter's , Akigase Shouzan glared at the giant figures of the red knights
His stronghold of Nagoya was very near Kinai Going west then crossing the Kiso River would reach Kinai Fiefdom—the land ruled by the Restoration Alliance's leader
Recklessly oya's forces would lead Kinai to attack
Akigase Shouzan and the Kinai provincial ar each other across the Kiso River Meanwhile, he requested reinforceions such as Tōsandō, Hokuriku, and Kantō Negotiating between various factions, he sought to regroup and launch a counterattack
However, the results were not pro
Perhaps, their plan was to sacrifice Tōkaidō—
”What do youthe attack for noard?”
”Proper preparations are needed before these conquered tutelary forts of Okuashi+oya A h to co nearby residents sign written pledges to obey the Charter of Chivalry”
A few hours had gone by after Higashi+mikawa's fall
The sky was dark and Edas in the castellan's office, receiving Richard who had returned to the Hamamatsu tutelary fort in triumph It was for this purpose that he had specially made a trip from Hakone
The two of the each other across the reception table
”A lightning offensive is a good thing, but Uncle, you are causing too much destruction”
”Hmm”
”How about resting for a week? Co this period It will be nice to enjoy the hot springs and the autumn scenery”
”Hmph” The ancestor with title of Lionheart frowned ”It was the sa the enemy after my victory at Fuji, but you summoned me back before I could conquer Motosu”
”There was no need to traverse Mount Fuji to enter Yamanashi+ territory, after all,” Edward explained with a shrug, unfazed by the angry lion ”Even if you conquered the likes of Motosu and Kouhujou, the surrounding area is ions over mountains of that sort, where powerful earth spirits reside, will incur severe consumption of ectoplasmic fluid, and there are no water shrines to use in the mountains”
Daihosatsu Ridge, Yatsugatake, Okuchichibu, Okutama, Tanzawa, and others
Edward recalled vague iion between Tōkaidō and Kantō was vast with nu all of them
Rather than geographic nanificance was more important
”If you try to invade Tokyo by traversing theyour army in the process You will only play into the hands of the patiently waiting Kantō Fiefdom”
”That is why I wanted to march west now”
”Yes, Uncle, if you were to take care of the provincial capital of Nagoya and deal the mortal blow to the Tōkaidō Fiefdom while I undertake preparations at Hakone to invade Kantō—That would be the ideal development”
Nagoya was both the provincial capital and the beating heart of Tōkaidō
The Aichi Prefecture centered around this metropolis was ho shi+zuoka and Yamanashi+ combined
Consequently, the Tōkaidō Fiefdom had maintained ample military readiness there
The Aichi Prefecture had a total of ten tutelary forts of which six were concentrated in Nagoya's outskirts
”There are fifteen Chevaliers stationed in this area along with the Tōkaidō Governor General overseeing everything Although he is not a Chevalier, I heard he is rather shrewd and experienced”
Were he a Chevalier, they would have been able to recruit him swiftly as they did with the Kinai Governor General
Edward recalled the ical powers of Eleanor as still in Kyoto On the other hand, Richard snorted and scoith displeasure again
Then irinned mischievously
”Let us be honest, Edward What you want is to leave this inferior prey of Nagoya to arrison there—all to yourself, aht?”
”That is quite a nasty way of putting things,” Edwardit ”Lord Caesar is currently not in japan But he is ultireat hero Rumor has it that he has planted a number of schemes to protect Tokyo on behalf of the weak Kantō Fiefdom and the Imperial Guard Even the japanese side are kept in the dark”
”Oh?”
”To attack i into a trap I choose to attack Kantō only because I believe I am more suited to the task Uncle, please understand”
”Very well, but I do have a condition” Richard went straight to the chase ”Froood ti Chevaliers at Suruga, valiantly resisting our armies, is that correct?”
”Oh dear, Uncle, so that is what you are getting at”
This fierce ancestor was definitely a short-sighted and impulsive man
However, Richard's nose and various instincts were exceptionally keen He must have s deeply
Furthermore, it was an exquisite dessert that Edward the Black Prince had specially saved for later
”Fine, so be it Uncle, I have two demands”
”Try me”
”The first one is very sioya first”
”What bloody rubbish is this? This hot blood of ht away”
”The risks outweigh the benefits if you intentionally take a detour, only to fall into a trap So far, the a has yet to reveal the true extent of his powers His hunting skills ought to be quite exceptional”
”On what grounds do you believe that?”
”Ahis enemy In the past, I have faced a similar acquaintance”
Edward recalled his rival of old, a hero of France
There was sou that smelled similar to that man Meanwhile, the Lionheart disht was not his forte, he was a man of extraordinary ability
”Then I shall attack seriously instead of savoring small bites”
”Apart frohts It would be best to take caution”
”What about your second demand?”
”After conquering Suruga, please locate a beautiful princess with dazzling platinu trump card She has an air quite siht, Uncle”
Edward recalled the noble lady whohtly capacity
Her name was Fujinomiya shi+ori, the shunned princess of Imperial japan in curious circumstances
Part 4[edit]
October 31
Half a month had elapsed since the Restoration Alliance's invasion of shi+zuoka
Early this oya arrived at the Suruga tutelary fort, bringing news that three tutelary forts in Tōkaidō had fallen yesterday and the day before
”Thisdire just like ours?”
”Coht be erous in a certain sense”
Masatsugu was acco Hatsune to pay respects at a tomb
It was 2pm or so There were no other people at the cemetery apart from them This peaceful cea and near the hou”
”Onii-sa until now The clan's duties and service to the princess will be undertaken properly by me and this Onii-sama here Please rest in peace”
”That's a really cou ether in front of the toether with Hatsune
Before the ”Tomb of the Tachibana Clan” Next to it was a small stone tablet inscribed with the entombed's names
The latest nau's parents, then grandparents—
”When they buried the real one, they still carved his name on the stone Fortunately, I only stole his identity but not his tombstone as well”
This was probably a tiny bit of compensation secretly provided by Hatsune's father and elders in the clan when they took the naive to an unidentified Resurrectee
Masatsugu only noticed this thoughtfulness when he saw the stone tablet today
After praying for ”the real one,” Masatsugu said, ”Hatsune, please accept ies to the real one If possible, please stay behind me as much as possible when on the battlefield”
”Ohto protect me?”
Hatsune sounded slightly offended, as befitted a th
Masatsugu shook his head ”No, what I mean is You should observe ht Until you beco to do what I can”
”That's cool However, I am a bit surprised”
”Surprised?”
”I thought you'd be more of a lone wolf in combat”
”A fresh recruit can't do everything on the battlefield and needs looking after in the first place And the one to look after Tachibana Hatsune is precisely u, that's all”
Masatsugu shared his thoughts and ca
Judging from this, back in the past, did he also follow soht? Probably Yes?
Following strong, fierce, and persevering men, he had rode to the ends of the earth on many occasions—
Just as he felt certain he had lived such a life
”Oh my? It's an alarm!?”
Hatsune juh the public speakers all over Suruga City, accoe indoors
With tacit acknowledgement, the two of them immediately left the cemetery
Naturally, they were not going to take shelter Tachibana Masatsugu and Hatsune were Chevaliers defending this city
”Onii-sama, let's hurry to the tutelary fort!”
”Hmm?”
At the ceu, but he noticed so was off
Soa Bay, heading straight to the center of town near the train station A norht would probably mistake it for an airplane
”A red Crusade It's King Richard's Legion!”
They had seen this type of Crusade three days ago, but for so
Unlike the capital's city center, Suruga did not have ht was able to see the red Crusade from the cemetery in the suburbs
Another shadow in the sky also concerned him
A wyvern was flying in front, leading the Crusade
Masatsugu could clearly see a Chevalier riding on the wyvern
Part 5[edit]
The scene changed to the imperial capital of Tokyo
The residence of the Empress of Imperial japan was called the ”imperial palace”
Even though it was known as a castle, it was actually completely different from japanese castles such as Nijou Castle
Entirely in the style of a European palace, it had been built in Tokyo's Aoyahborhood after the Second World War Constructed with bricks and a steel frame in an imitation of Baroque architecture, the palace was sturdy and beautiful
The e quantity of white bricks, resulting in a stylish exterior
So roo from the Eastern Roman Empire
There were all sorts of extravagant furnishi+ngs in the room Most important of all, the room was equipped with a direct telephone line to Roman military facilities outside of japan
Currently, Alexis Yang was in thethis direct line
”No sense of crisis That would not be a correct description”
Yang was holding the receiver in one hand, speaking in a laid back tone of voice
He was dressed in the Eastern Roman Empire's military uniform, which was colored blue and featured a blazer-style jacket The top two buttons of his shi+rt collar were unfastened and he was not wearing a tie either
Yang had facial hair on his chin, giving him a wild look that suited his sloppy attire
”They realize this situation needs to be handled, but have no idea what to do, which is why they procrastinate without acco That pretty much covers the reactions of anyone who matters in the imperial palace”
These scathing words were delivered lightly without any tone of sarcasm
Yang was aas part of the ”Eastern Roion Military Staff” Theto was not only the reat hero who had founded the Empire
'Nothing out of the ordinary The E'
The speaker's voice was regal andpretentious
This unique diction belonged to Generalissimo Caesar of Rome
Yang replied, ”Those hags—correction, older ladies—only kno to put on airs and bully members of the same sex”
'I really wish the Imperial Guard or the Kantō Fiefdom could show a little competence'
”Yes, I will check things out later”
Styling himself as Imperial japan's patronus, Caesar was currently absent from japan
A o, Rome and the British E by at Lantau Island in Hong Kong, Caesar had sent Staff Officer Yang to Tokyo on his behalf
Yang was a noeticfreely without fear of eavesdropping
Techniques for sensing electronetic radiation and noetic waves allowed one to confir noetic waves to cause interference would also counter every type of surveillance equipment
”By the way, that princess whohness shi+ori—has been abandoned, clearly left to die without any rescue attempt It would be scandalous if this rumor leaked out, but in any case, someone will use this opportunity to make her disappear”
'Oh? That is not very good'
”If the British were to capture a princess of noble blood, there could spell all sorts of trouble japan's awareness of this is far too lax”
'How regrettable By the way, Major Yang, regarding your new mission'
”A new mission?”
'The situation has changed over the past few days, hasn't it? I have devised a few counter notified First of all—Please infiltrate Suruga where shi+ori is right now Visit the tutelary fort that has been fighting bravely in isolation and present yourself as a military adviser'
”Hold on a sec I pro home in a week”
Yang accidentally co an order He was already thirty-four and had a single eleven-year-old daughter in Hong Kong
”I already bought souvenirs in japan, like idol concert videos and a rice cooker”
'Just have them sent via air mail I will have the staff section inform your wife'
”She's my ex, not my wife, okay! Besides, isn't infiltration the job of the intelligence departht?”
The great historical herowas certain of it and tried to argue
Caesar laughed maliciously and said, 'Your job is to y based on my wishes and local circua and I need someone to perform this role'
”Fine, fine In other words, Your Excellency will not just send troops from Kantō to take back Hakone”
Yang stopped joking around and switched to a sulking tone of voice
”You intend to negotiate with Suruga to launch an attack froht? I ork hard as though my salary and pension depended on it Currently, what japan needs most is undoubtedly Your Excellency Generalissimo Caesar”
'That goes without saying Since I do wish for matters over here to be handled well, I will make adjustments'
Even through the telephone, Caesar's voice still sounded full of vibrancy
In any case, someone had received orders fro to head to Tōkaidō