v2c5 (1/2)
Chapter 5 - Battle between Lion and Hound (1)[edit]
Part 1[edit]
15:27, October 31st
This was the a City
Riding his white wyvern, he slowly descended with a criion landed with a heavy thud
The location was in front of Suruga Station
The high-speed rail tere and the area in front of the station was also very prosperous
There were departs in the style of office districts It was rare for a quiet regional city to have such a ”metropolitan” area
The wyvern and the Escalibor had suddenly appeared at the bus terminal here
Soon after the alarion invaded Suruga City swiftly, flying like a shooting star
There were still civilians around the station who had not escaped in time
Roughly a hundred and fifty people The red giant raised its bayonet rifle and fired
Rather than the civilians, the rifle was ai beaunfire
Nearby croere all fixated on the red Legion and the wyvern's rider
”People of Suruga, I aland in the past, Richard the Lionheart Be at ease and raise your heads”
The English king's Legions, the Escalibors, stood over eight meters tall
Richard's wyvern was hovering near the red giant's shoulder Overlooking the scenery in front of the station, Richard nodded with satisfaction
This Resurrectee's voice was not very coarse Instead, he sounded nanimous
A sonorous and beautiful voice, it was clear and deep
”Hohohoho There is no need to scurry away like rats, people of this city I did not coht to infor valiantly”
The Escalibor behind Richard emitted the same voice and words from behind its mask More precisely, it was not a voice but sound formed from noetic waves
Hence, that hy the sound was spreading like a wave
The volureat, yet every resident within a radius of several kilometers could hear it clearly
”Now then It pains ht The Chevaliers of Suruga have fought bravely against us of the Restoration Alliance, but the result is that across the land of shi+zuoka, this is the last city that has yet to come under the British Empire's protection Listen to me, people of this city!”
Riding his wyvern, Richard advanced slowly along the main road in front of the station
He was flying at an altitude around three floors high Advancing in leisure, it was almost like a parade of triumph
The Escalibor was also hovering in the air, following its master
”Who are the ones who suffer in war!? Isn't it you, the people of the city? So long as the knights of Suruga continue to resist, you will be imprisoned in this city, unable to satisfy your stoer, fear, and uncertainty I syht from the bottom of my heart!”
Richard looked down upon the streets haughtily while delivering a passionate speech
The Lionheart's voice included elements of rapture It seemed like he was very moved by his own speech
”I hereby promise you that I shall be the one to liberate you I shall conquer Suruga without fail and guide all of you to come under the British Eift of ten thousand casks of wine to hold a glorious celebration lasting three days and three nights I welco this fine wine of victory!”
Richard raised his fist up high, adding to the climax of the speech
At that moment, he suddenly lowered his voice and said, ”However, I do beg for your understanding regarding onefor five days, and once I aoya It is Nagoya where I shall bring an end to the Tōkaidō Fiefdom”
There was a layer of gloom on the passionate Lionheart's expression
With a face of anguish that befitted a tragic protagonist, he raised his arms and shouted to the people, ”Please bear this in oya within ten days then return to Suruga the next day to liberate you In theSee you again!”
After saying everything he wanted, Richard gently kicked his wyvern's side
The wyvern flapped its wings and flew east, towards Fuji City The Escalibor followed
The cri a wooden bucket in its left hand
While flying, the Legion opened the bucket's lid, dropping thousands of pieces of paper
The huge aa City by the wind
This was the beginning of ”The Attack of Richard I” The crowds at the scene watched into escape
In fact, there was a Chevalier on standby near the scene
”What on earth is that ?”
The four-wheel-drive ine on the road in front of the station
Castellan Akigase Rikka frowned from the back seat
The genie at the Suruga tutelary fort, Sakuya, had issued a warning—A single Escalibor was approaching Suruga at high speed Rikka rushed out as a result
This was to allow her to destroy the eneed in destructive activities violating the Charter of Chivalry
However, what she ran into was an unexpected speech
”To be honest I am not really concerned about the repercussions of that speech,” Rikka said solemnly
It was the next day after Richard I visited Suruga to deliver a speech
”After all, he promised to rescue the people of the city then talked about resting before attacking Nagoya Totally disorganized”
Noveu excused hia tutelary fort
Rikka had invited him to join a war council
”Since he is a reborn hero and a legatus legionis surpassing ordinary Chevaliers, I a too harsh—”
After using a term used to honor Resurrectees
She said it outright
”I suspect hi a complete idiot”
”R-Rikka-sa too direct,” said Hatsune, somewhat troubled, as at the table
The three Chevaliers, Habuna, Maike, and Tabi, also sathered all Chevaliers in Suruga to discuss their next step
Furtherarasu surveillance
Masatsugu and the others had watched the video after noetic processing
”However, I dare not call hi the flyers distributed by Richard I at the end, so Soht be better to just lose to the Restoration Alliance',” Rikka analyzed the situation
Masatsugu was reminded of the flyer's contents
It stated the facts that shi+zuoka Prefecture and Nagoya were about to fall to the Restoration Alliance Its concluding sentence was the prediction that 'soon, the people of Suruga will coland'
”Sigh, this cannot be helped either It is true that we of the Tōkaidō Fiefdom are unable to provide sufficient food to the people of the city The battle situation is clearly tipped against us”
Rikka aded
”There is no probleht start eventually”
”This Richard I—”
The most noble attendee at this conference suddenly spoke
All eyes focused on one person, Princess Fujinomiya shi+ori of Imperial japan, who continued, ”Undeniably, he is a ht, he also has an artistic side to him with a love for poetry Perhaps due to this, he often acts capriciously, changing his mind on whim”
Neither a warrior nor a high-ranking officer, shi+ori was also attending this war council
This was the first step in the shunned princess' ”ascension”
The two Chevaliers, Tachibana Masatsugu and Hatsune, were in her personal service, a tutelary fort's ”most important ally” Further ht to these people present As a result
'May I attend this war council?'
When shi+ori asked tactfully, Rikka did not refuse
The three young men Chevaliers at the table and the military officers of the tutelary fort also respectfully accepted her
Having obtained respect befitting her status and ability, the imperial princess explained in a wise tone of voice as always
”As soon as the land, he sold off s to raise funds for war This included precious possessions, national treasures, castles, territories, noble titles, and townshi+ps”
”How could a ruler of a nation act so irresponsibly?” Rikka was aghast
shi+ori nodded and continued, ”Yes Dis them to buy back their posts was a trick that he frequently used It was said that he almost sold away the capital of London”
”What an irresponsible man”
”He probably felt no attachland were originally nobles from France who crossed the sea to conquer the island of Great Britain”
Masatsugu was very surprised to hear the name of France
”Richard I's Plantagenet fa the Duchy of Aquitaine, the County of Anjou, and the Duchy of Norenet dynasty's territories”
The well-learned shi+ori spoke fluently
”The Plantagenets essentiallyas French nobles, only visiting Great Britain when it was necessary for thelish royal faenet dynasty They allish”
The names of Richard and Edward should be pronounced in French as ”Ree-shaar” and ”Ay-doo-waar”
When shi+ori added this last bit of trivia, Hatsune re a side business while having a day job”
”A very apt description Indeed, the Plantagenet fa of France hiland was just a part-tier brother John Lackland's failures led to losing virtually all of their holdings on the European continent, forcing theland”
Masatsugu re history class
Losing his territory hat earned King John the nickname of ”Landless”
”These probleeneration of Black Prince Edward's father, resulting in the Hundreds' Year War between England and France In truth, the two royal families at the time were relatives”
”I see, so that is the personality of King Richard” Rikka sighed
”Now the probleood at war, personality aside—or rather, that type of personality is probably a factor contributing to his peerless ferocity Easily e methods that norh flashy ostentatious shows of brute force”
The Tōkaidō Fiefdolooa will be after he has conquered Nagoya, right? Naturally, I have inforoya be able to hold—The situation is not optimistic”
”Rikka-sama, there are additional points of worry,” shi+ori shared her views again ”Once Nagoya falls and Tōkaidō is officially extinct, the Restoration Alliance will then have free rein to deploy all Chevaliers to attack Suruga Confronted with Richard I and hts of Her Majesty—We will face inevitable defeat”
”Yes, in which case our only options are to retreat or to surrender”
Rikka fell silent, ar their course of action
Five minutes later, she still had not said a word, probably because she could not coto say
Under this grave ath, Prince Edward is the impressive one here”
”Onii-sama, our discussion here is about Richard”
”I know, but the reason why that hot-blooded idiot is a nuisance is mainly because Prince Edward's chain is firmly attached to his collar”
”What do you mean?” Hatsune was puzzled
Masatsugu calo out of his way to deliver a speech in Suruga?”
”Uhh On a whim?”
”Possibly, but according to Her Highness, he is impulsive to the point of irresponsible A ht? In fact, I felt he would take the speech as a chance to launch a surprise assault Especially since he views Suruga as 'special prey,' all the more reason he should do that”
The lion was not the only one who kne to hunt—
Currently, Masatsugu was also taking a hunter's perspective to analyze and examine the habits and tendencies of the Lionhearted beast, so as to draw his conclusion
”Someone persuaded Richard to hold back and he is very unhappy about this Very frustrated Hence, that hy he flew all the way to Suruga to deliver a glamorous speech, to vent his displeasure”
Masatsugu shrugged slightly and said, ”What a shaa in full force It would be the best opportunity to defeat him”
”Ehhhh!? No way, that guy's Chevalier Strength is over a thousand, you know!?”
Hatsune was very shocked No, everyone attending this war council felt the sairl questioned Masatsugu, ”Also, his Feat of Arions”
”This si alone versus facing a large group of Chevaliers in a fierce offensive after Nagoya falls—Which do you think is easier to defeat?”
”Of course facing Richard alone But even by hiht?”
”On that point It see opponents like him”
The little sister warned Masatsugu, pro him to mutter
Without raising his voice deliberately, his quiet words conveyed clear confidence
”Against a man like him, I know a number of effective traps”
”Really, Onii-sahtly
”Th-Then why don't we take the initiative to attack!?”
”That would be difficult The troops I can currently use won't exceed two or three hundred If I had to rely on such nua aggressively”
Masatsugu shook his head
”Otherwise, there is no way to lead him into a trap in a natural manner”
Perhaps the Black Prince had also considered the risk of a ”hunting trap,” which hy he persuaded the lion to ”wait”
Edas truly remarkable Not only did he skillfully command troops on the battlefield but he also had the capability to control a subordinate as like a savage beast
Masatsugu was catching a faint glimpse of the Black Prince's prowess A for Richard
”We need bait And this bait needs to lure the ia before the British forces attack Nagoya Otherwise, both Suruga and Nagoya will be crushed”
”In that case I have an idea”
The one who offered—was precisely shi+ori
”This is a dangerous gao all-in and take the plunge, let us put on an extravagant show of fireworks to attract that man's attention”
With the gazes of every knight focused upon her, shi+ori explained her plan methodically
Her dignified tone of voice was as though she were a nation's leader or military adviser
Part 2[edit]
In the early hours of October 2nd, at the darkest moment just before dawn
Fire broke out in Suruga City, the north part of town, near the foot of Mount Ryuusou of the Southern Alps
This included a central wholesale istics companies
The fire started in this neighborhood
The blaze spread instantly, burning down a number of warehouses
After firefighting efforts, the warehouses were al only steel frames
The greatest loss was the food stored in these warehouses
Due to the blockade, ordinary shops had run out of fresh food such as vegetables, o
However, non-perishable food such as rice, wheat flour, potatoes, carrots, tubers, and canned food had been requisitioned by the Suruga ed and distributed to the
Unfortunately—
The incinerated warehouses were storing ration supplies
Since vast quantities of food were needed to feed Suruga, transporting it was laborious and ti, which hy the food was stored directly at logistics hubs
As part of the ement system, infantry fros for security
However, soh the security net and coa residents' life line
”Well, supplies are kept all over the city It's not like that was the only location”
Okonogi Taisei said in a voice lacking in energy
Masatsugu's best friend was talking to hi at the stories in the newspaper
”The report said the incinerated food ahtly less than 40 of supplies This is a very serious situation”
”Suruga cannot rely on relief supplies froreed with his friend's lament
”The Restoration Alliance has secured naval superiority in Suruga Bay, blocking sea routes The railway has stopped running while roads are sealed off Unless we find a solution soon, surrender is the only option”
”What an ordeal, seriously”
Two days after the fire, the two of thea Station
This here Richard I had visited three days earlier After school, Taisei u volunteered to accompany him
Their destination was the Suruga branch office of Tōkaidō News
Serving as student council vice-president, Taisei also worked part-tia branch office of Tōkaidō News
Today, he was here to read the newspaper that was in li in for work To save on paper, ink, and other supplies, nor published currently But once every few days, a hundred copies were distributed a community centers and libraries for people to read
Taisei had pleaded with the receptionist and picked up a copy of the newspaper to browse casually
”If this 'internet' invented by the Americans becomes widespread, we'll be able to read news from our computers at home”
”What is that?”
”I'm not sure of the details, but siment a computer's communication functionality, an information network that links up the whole world But like the telephone, it's easily affected by noetic disruption, which is why progress has been slow”
”Sounds like so very complicated”
”There are rumors thatnoetics”
After reading the newspaper, the two of them left the newspaper office
Their mode of locomotion was the healthy bicycle They decided to take a stroll in front of the station instead of heading to the parking lot directly
”By the way, Masatsugu-kun If you're not too busy with your knight duties, how about working as a volunteer? To to the fisher in nets and catch fish We'll be rewarded directly with so tournament that's open to anyone interested The intention is to catch a's food situation”
”The filefish is currently in season Catching them is pretty fun”
”Also, I'd like to use the gardening club's contacts to help out the faretables”
Their enthusiasm for volunteer ith impure motives was boundless
Meanwhile, there were substantial crowds in the streets today, a rather rare sight lately The reason was evidently the ”event” that had been held in front of the station
Men and wo and old, all kinds of residents
There were roughly thirty or forty people, even housewives bringing children
They were passing out flyers to pedestrians in front of the station, hollering ”the Suruga tutelary fort needs to hurry and make a decision, to join the Restoration Alliance!” ”We don't want to keeping suffering due to war!” ”Please give the children enough food!”
They called for signatures for a petition dea tutelary fort's surrender to the Restoration Alliance
”For the past half a a's blockade, people have been secretly carrying out such activities from time to time”
Watching the disruptive proceedings in disdain, Taisei sighed helplessly
”It has gotten worse these few days The city's residents see them with a more favorable view”
People were frequently accepting the flyers from the activists' hands
People who ignored theave their signature at the table prepared by the organizers
”The food burning incident happened recently, so people can't help but feel afraid”
”That was very likely to be arson, right? Rumor has it that the culprits are spies of the Restoration Alliance—”
”That's hard to say The Restoration Alliance currently wants to leave Suruga alone”
”In that case Another ruuys are responsible”
Taisei threw a furtive glance at the participants in the ”petition signing”
”If the food situation worsens, weighing to decide the lesser of two evils,This is their objective—That's what some people say”
”There's no proof, but it's very co”
”Right, Masatsugu-kun, aren't you going to suppress these kinds of activities?”
”That's notall over the place Dispersing just this lot isn't ful”
”True Say, it's hard to iu-kun, when half a o, you were still fixated on the beauty contest”
Taisei nodded and renantly
”Nowadays, you really act like a Chevalier I'm so touched”
”I haven't forgotten the beauty contest, it's just that I currently can't focus on organizing it, which is why you iven up on holding the beauty contest in December”
”Uh, I'ive up on it”
Rinzai High's school festival was scheduled to be held in early December
One of the events was a beauty contest After expressing his detere of the contest, Masatsugu changed the subject
”Let's put that aside In truth, I actually need to ask you for a favor today”
”Is it related to the beauty contest?”
”Unfortunately, it's not a fun request”
Masatsugu took out a
A few circles had been drawn on it, all indicating warehouses involved in logistics They here food was kept for rations
”Please gather twenty to thirty students in the name of the student council and set these marked locations on fire After that, they will be arrested by either the military or the police and detained for a few days—That's the kind of volunteer I need Use boarders, otherwise explaining to family will be a hassle”
”Huh?”
His best friend, the student council vice-president, tilted his head, stupefied
Part 3[edit]
Richard's visit to Suruga had taken place on the last day of October
It was November 6 today Over this period, the Lionheart had fully re-energized, prepared to face the next battle
To to attack Tōkaidō's provincial capital
Richard was scheduled to set off to east to take Nagoya
The first target was Okazaki Castle, a japanese castle in Nishi+ ancient japanese architecture with a central keep and stone walls
However, like Nijou Castle, its interior had been remodeled
With Chevaliers and an ifrit stationed, the castle also functioned as a tutelary fort
After taking Okazaki Castle, only then would one reach the outskirts of Nagoya City Then penetrating the defensive net for Kariya Castle and Kiyosu Castle, one would then oya Castle—
Meanwhile, Kinai was also sending Restoration Alliance knights to attack from the west
The Anglo-japanese coalition forces consisted of the ”cri fro frooya”
Frohts,” a thousand Escalibors From the ere the ”blue samurai,”
”What a spectacular scene”
Richard muttered to himself in ecstasy
However, there was a 's heart
As a Chevalier, collecting intelligence froa was the prey that Richard would enjoy last, he had inforence department in advance that he was to be notified of any a immediately
Hence, Richard learned of a certain piece of news
”Who would have thought that the people of Suruga desire me so much”
Recently, Richard had gone to Suruga City to deliver a passionate speech, venting the frustration in his heart
Apparently, the passionate perfor to look forward to signs of the Lionheart's arrival
'The Suruga tutelary fort should surrender to the Restoration Alliance as soon as possible'
Civilians de food warehouses on fire one after another
Their goal was to protest against the Suruga tutelary fort's futile resistance
At first, a fire broke out at one place, but the crimes had spread these few days Another four warehouses had been torched
The Suruga police was investigating desperately and had apprehended some arson suspects
The suspects were all students Since they were minors, neither their names nor their school affiliations were released
The next day after they had successfully burned down the second warehouse, the Suruga branch of Tōkaidō News received an anonymous criminal manifesto
The manifesto was published in the temporary newspaper in the form of a special report
Spies lurking in Suruga City had copied the contents and transence department Richard had read it too There was a sincere declaration that 'Suruga City's future lies with the Restoration Alliance and Chevalier Richard'
After reading the eloquent and passionate reatly moved
However, the Suruga tutelary fort's reaction was stupid beyond belief They suspected these students of 'secretly colluding with the Restoration Alliance to commit the crime of arson'—
The Suruga tutelary fort had handed over official protest letters to the various British forces stationed across shi+zuoka
Their e was that this intentional destruction of civilian facilities was disgraceful behavior contravening the Charter of Chivalry
Naturally, the British ara tutelary fort refused to be convinced and even declared that they were going to conduct further investigations
They were planning to interrogate the student arsonists to get at the truth
”I hope these youngsters will not be subjected to torture No, one cannot expect hts I truly pity these students”
As an extreht, Richard's heart was very pained
Well, putting aside the heavy taxation and tough laws he had imposed upon the people under his rule After all, the do in them were his possessions
Knights, nobles, andthe Lionheart were different
”I must find a way to save them personally”
After that, Richard's thoughts began to accelerate in a certain direction
He was very talented at letting his iination roam free, to find justification for what he wanted to do In the process, he would set his heart ablaze by igniting sparks of passion, thus drawing the conclusion he wanted—
”Upon ht, I must rescue those students as quickly as possible This is a matter of life and death”
As a side note
Richard was currently not wearing his British military officer's uniform
He earing a set of khaki couised hio, he had always enjoyed traveling ”incognito”
He often disguised hi
Right now, he had sneaked into a transport vessel sailing in Suruga Bay for a sea journey
”Kukukuku By this point, it is as though all preparations are complete”
The shi+p was about to enter the port of Tagonoura
This was the port of Fuji City, the same city the Fuji tutelary fort, which is also the closest tutelary fort to Suruga—
It was currently 15:30 on November 6th
Richard's plan was to establish a tutelary pact at Fuji's water shrine to hold
He was going to th to su, he could succeed in one go before the scheduled attack on Nagoya tomorrow
”Those people sent by Edward to monitor me Such naivete Do they really believe that the Lionheart would wait obediently when there is still half a day before the next battle?”
Richard had noticed surveillants in his surroundings recently
Pretending to be a napping lion, he had been looking for a chance to get these people off his trail
Masatsugu's usual residence was the boys dorh
After becole room at the dorm
However, he visited the princess' personal dorm every day and often had his meals there too Still, it was the residence of Princess shi+ori and her lady-in-waiting Hatsune, a ladies' domain, after all
Normally, he left at 9pm to return to the boys dorm