Chapter 116

The War Begins “Whoo. It’s really getting chilly.” The Imperial Gold Knight sighed as he gazed up at the twilit sky. His breath came out white, rising over the encampment on a hill along the old Yamato border. “I swear, a couple of big shots decide they want to have a power struggle, and all of a sudden, it’s all war all the time. I’m sick of this nonsense. I just wanna go home.” Winter was around the corner, and yet here they were, still fighting. He clicked his tongue. The whole year had been a mess from start to finish. If he’d known that this was how things would play out, he would’ve gone on that damn New World campaign. Stories claimed it was summer all year round over there. As he grumbled, another Gold Knight standing beside him nodded in agreement… “Look, we already beat the Bluebloods. We’ll be home free if we can clean up this mess.” …and offered him some words of encouragement. “That’s a big if,” the first man replied, laughing sardonically. “You think Yamato’s gonna accept our demand?” The question made his compatriot’s expression darken. “Those honor junkies? Not a chance.” These two had fought in the previous Yamato war, and they knew all about the samurai way. Yamato’s people weren’t the sort to sell out their saviors. Plus, if the rumors about the self-governing dominion maintaining itself via mind control were true, then the Yamato citizens were undoubtedly furious. It was painfully obvious they’d fight to the bitter end. The battle ahead was shaping up to be a fierce one. That said, it wasn’t all bad news. “But still, you heard about how big our army is, right? A hundred and fifty thousand soldiers, man. A hundred and fifty thousand. They even pulled in those watching the borders. We’re talking all-out war. Yamato’s got, what, ten thousand tops? Plus, that’s not accounting for how exhausted they are after battling their own countrymen. This will be the easiest war ever.” “I mean, that’s all true, but still, I dunno…” As the two knights exchanged optimistic and pessimistic views, a soldier rushed up to them in a hurry. “Come quick! Yamato’s White Wolf General is here as a messenger.” “Oh, huh. Can’t say I expected the new samurai general to deliver the news in person.” The knights braced themselves. It was time. There was only one reason she was here—to formally announce Yamato’s reply to the demand Grandmaster Neuro sent yesterday. “So what’d she say? Is Yamato refusing to submit like we suspected?” “A-actually, about that!” Yamato’s answer was the last thing the knights had expected. Not a single one of the soldiers had seen this coming. A shocked stir ran through the crowd. Six of the High School Prodigies stood pathetically, each stripped of their clothes and bound in iron chains. “Are those supposed to be the angels?” “What the hell? They’re just kids. Is Yamato trying to pull a fast one on us?” “No, no. Back when I was in Drachen, I saw them from a distance. I didn’t get a great look, but that’s definitely them there.” White Wolf General Shura was standing at the front of the procession, leading the Prodigies by the chain. She addressed the two knights. “I’ve brought you every angel in Yamato, just like you asked.” Princess Kaguya’s new Yamato had betrayed its saviors and handed them over to the empire. “Heh-heh. That’s a smart choice you made. I didn’t know you guys had it in you,” said one of the Gold Knights. “I guess having your country destroyed does teach you a lesson or two,” added the other. Their nervous tension gave way to relief, and their comments were correspondingly smug. “Now, let’s make this handoff nice and quick, yeah?” However, when the two knights demanded that Shura give them the High School Prodigies… “No.” …she coldly refused. “Huh?” “I need the grandmaster to promise never to interfere with Yamato’s affairs again before I relinquish them. Until then, I won’t let you lay a finger on the captives.” “You little punk, you think this is a game or someth—?” “Not in the slightest.” “…” Shura didn’t falter in the face of a military group thirty thousand strong. That was menacing on its own to the pair of Gold Knights. As the two of them recoiled in awe, Shura went on. “We did what you asked. Now it’s your turn to show some sincerity. If you give me any more lip, you’re not getting them. And if you try seizing them by force, I’ll cut you all down.” “H…ha-ha! Looks like the White Wolf General’s got some fight in her!” “Sh-she’s so overconfident that it’s actually hilarious!” A single girl stood before thirty thousand soldiers, threatening to slay them. The whole thing was preposterous. The knights and soldiers laughed, guffawing with great smiles. However, their grins froze tight on their faces only moments after. The truth dawned on them. Sure, there was no way she could actually kill thirty thousand troops on her own. But the thing was…Shura was Yamato’s samurai general, and her combat prowess was unrivaled. Even if she couldn’t fell the whole group, the three hundred or so nearest to her would undoubtedly die. “Fine. We’ll take you to the grandmaster.” “But in exchange, you have to let us surround you. And don’t even think of pulling any funny business.” The two knights reluctantly accepted Shura’s demand and allowed her into their encampment. It was negligent of them. Careless. But who could blame them for the decision? Shura wouldn’t attack thirty thousand soldiers alone. Her threat was a mere bluff. Even if she died a hero’s death and claimed three hundred on her way out, it wouldn’t change the greater war situation. She would die for nothing. Why would a warrior about to become Yamato’s samurai general choose such a meaningless death? She wouldn’t. It was unthinkable. And that was precisely why her surprise attack was guaranteed to work. “Mwa-ha-ha. Now then, kiddos, allow me to reveal the truth! The item you’ve chosen…is sugar!” “Whaaaaat?!?!” “But how did you know?!” “How? Bwa-ha-ha! Reading your tiny minds is child’s play for one so omnipotent!” “Whooooa!” “You’re amazing, God Akatsuki!” “But that’s so unscientific…” While the High School Prodigies were seemingly away, about to get handed over to the imperial army, Prince Akatsuki was looking after some children in Azuchi, entertaining them with simple magic tricks. “Thank you so much for helping out, Akatsuki,” said Lyrule, who was serving as his assistant. “What, the kids? Of course. This stuff is easy peasy.” Akatsuki looked up at the moonless sky. “Tsukasa and the others must be getting started about now.” Suddenly, the blood drained from Lyrule’s face. “…” “Is everything okay?” “He saw… Tsukasa saw…everything… Ohhh…,” she mumbled. She trembled, and as the quivering intensified… “UGH!” …she eventually exploded in rage. “I can’t believe her, I can’t believe her, I can’t believe her! Yggdra, you jerk! You jerky jerkface! If you think I’ll ever let you possess me again after that, you can think again, missy! And in front of Tsukasa, no less… Oh, I can’t. I can’t! I just caaaaaaan’t!” Lyrule, face bright red, sobbed as she recalled the humiliation she’d suffered while unconscious back at the elf village. “H-hey, don’t worry about it. Tsukasa gave her his jacket right away.” “That’s not the issue!” Akatsuki understood Lyrule’s feelings. During his time in elementary school, he was picked on for his looks, and he still recalled the misery from when a classmate pulled down his pants and underwear. It had brought him to tears then, and Akatsuki could imagine how much worse it felt for a teenager. Tsukasa surely sympathized, thus… “Seriously, you don’t have to worry. Tsukasa would never commit to memory something that makes you uncomfortable. He’s probably already purged the image from his mind!” …Akatsuki tried to use that to cheer Lyrule up. However, a conflicted expression crossed the girl’s face… “Th-that would make me sad, too, in its own way…” “Huh?” “N-n-n-n-nothing!” …and she pursed her lips and whispered something Akatsuki couldn’t make out. The magician tilted his head in confusion. Before he had a chance to ask follow-up questions, though… “Hey! Hey, God!” …a group of bandaged Yamato soldiers came rushing over to him.