The Empire at Twilight
In the Katjvarna territory, the four seasons basically don’t exist. It’s the tropics.There is no spring nor autumn, and, of course, no winter. There is only the season when the general of summer seriously attacks, and the one when he slightly loosens his hand. One could call half of the Empire’s history the history of the fight with this brave general.
Therefore, between the slender and tall dipterocarp trees-- the figure of somebody fast asleep with his body entrusted to a hanging hammock was possibly the form of humanity’s triumph against the general of summer.
- "Ikta, please wake up, Ikta."
- "...Nnn…what is it, Kusu? Didn’t I say I’d sleep through the graduation ceremony?..."
- "So, it ended."
- "...Hmm?"
- "If progress was as planned, the Imperial Segal Grand Academy’s 131st Term Graduation Ceremony ended just about now, and they should be shifting to the Communal Meal between graduates and guardians. Would it be unwise to have a meal here?"
- "Certainly, this is terrible. Let’s miss this meal, even though it’s free."
- "Ugh, I have a headache… light dehydration, I wonder?"
- "It’s because you slept a long time in this heat. First, let’s stop by a well and replenish our water supply."
- "Well, shall I endure it just a little? Just for today, since it’s a waste to quench our thirst with tepid water."
- "I’m Yahg the physical education instructor, congratulations on your graduation, Miss Igsem. Ah, the High Grade Military Officer Exam is drawing closer before you. I think that you of all people will definitely pass, but don’t relax even a little alright?"
- "I receive your advice gratefully, Instructor Yahg. I’m thinking of putting the things I learned here to best use in practice."
- "Oh, Yatorishino-kun, congratulations on your graduation. I’m Kobakk from educational guidance. As expected of the top of her class. Are you also expecting the same results from the High Grade Military Officer Exam?"
- "Thank you very much, Instructor Kobakk. I wish devote my whole energy to meet expectations."
While she continued the unpleasant reception, in actuality, nothing but that was repeating in her mind.
If they came just to congratulate her on graduating, that would still be okay. There was no helping that she felt unhappy that, after words of congratulations, each and every one of the instructors added their own names. Furthermore, that type of people generally, in school life up to now, was a group with weak connections to Yatori.
Afraid of being forgotten, they tried to make even a small impression from the start. It was a ridiculous idea. But still, as the top of her class who combined her character with wisdom and courage, she had to take on a manner devoted to etiquette.
- "Ah, alright! The second serving of ice cream is here!"
As might be expected from the congratulation of the graduates of the Imperial Grand Academy, fancy cuisine to match the occasion was lined up on the tables of the assembly hall. Fish fry covered with plenty of spices, meat soup boiled with a mountain of spices, mixed rice boiled together with so many spices that you’d die. The flavor of spices, which were used for the purpose of sterilization, seasoning, and metabolism acceleration, was an essential characteristic of Katjvarna. Since Yatori was accustomed to the stuff itself, she didn’t mind it.
However, she just now came from the president’s long speech. She was all out of such things like sweat, and the temperature of her lips, dry and papery, surpassed the normal by two degrees. Eat foods with plenty of spices and accelerate metabolism → sweat and get a refreshing coolness- there was no need for her to undergo so irritating a practice as she had been until now. Yatori’s body desired a more direct "coolness."
One way or the other finishing the conversation with the instructors at an appropriate place, she turned to the direction of the voice from earlier and started walking with a quick pace. Ice cream-- that was undeniably the most appealing sound to anyone in this country.
She breathed a sigh of relief without thinking. The ice cream on top of the large plate was really only a small amount, which if scraped together and served on a small plate would finally be enough for one person. It was by a hair’s breadth…. While imagining the coolness of the ice slipping down her throat, she placed a hand on the serving spoon-
- "Ah."
- "...Ikta."
- "Ah, Yatori. Congratulations on graduating. As expected of the top of her class. I’m proud to be in the same year."
- "...You, didn’t show up at the graduation ceremony right?"
- "Well, that was rude of me. My heart was always together with everyone."
- "I have no interest in the your peculiar, conveniently detachable heart. So, where was the main body?"
- "Overpowered by sleep in the forest behind the school. I couldn't help worrying about how many people collapsed this year."
- "Eight people were incapacitated by listening.... So, you, who for some reason skipped the graduation ceremony, only show up for the Communal Lunch like nothing happened?"
- "Because of this, there was no lunch today in the dormitories. Even if you let me sleep through the graduation ceremony, dining is compulsory."
- "Like I’d accept your excuse. Anyway, remove your hand."
- "To think that the world-famous top graduate can’t concede one plate of ice cream to another person…"
- "Ngh."
- "I’m disappointed… The teachers would probably be disgusted. To think that the someone such as the eldest daughter of the Igsem Family would be so shameful…"
- "As expected of Yatorishino Igsem. Her pride higher than a mountain, her heart larger than than the ocean. It seems I truly have a good friend-- Ah, ow!?"
- "Thank you for going out of your way to serve it for me, Ikta-kun. A gentleman does things ladies first."
- "The result is the honor of receiving of your praise."
- "...Mm~m."
- "I'm being restored to life. Ice cream is the best."
- "That’s so true isn’t it? On the other hand, I’m hot and about to die. No, I’ve been dead for a long time."
- "How exaggerated. The palm wine is chilled in itself, isn’t it?"
- "The alcohol[1] is weak and it wasn’t fermented enough. Therefore, I won’t acknowledge this stuff as alcohol."
- "Nng...mmm…. Considering that this is a party for the Imperial Grand Academy, the quality of the food being served is equal to the Empire’s dignity. The reality that it’s declining is an alarming thing, you know, Yatori-kun."
- "Be quiet. Because normal students- unlike you, who slips in every year- only attend once, the quality of the food isn’t something they care about, you know."
- "Damn, I guess that was the end of this year’s ice cream. In any case, it’s because the price of the milk and honey sprinkled on top of the ice, which is produced directly in the kitchen, seems to have risen quite a lot since the year began."
Stored in the pouch on his waist, his partner, the light spirit Kusu, raised his eyes appearing anxious about the circumstances.
- "Ikta, drink alcohol moderately. It’s harmful to the body."
- "I guess so, Kusu. Opportunities in which I can drink enough to harm my body are rare, you know."
- "It seems you’re having difficulties as always, Kusu. Shia is worried as well."
- "Thank you very much, Yatori. Shia has blessed with a responsible master."
- "Agreement."
He seemed cold, but considering the two, he was closer to a spirit's standard mode. A spirit's personality was shaped by accepting his master's influence, but ones with communication abilities as high as Kusu’s were rare, and spirits attached to soldiers were especially liable to becoming uncommunicative.
- "Ah, Yatori-sama! Congratulations on graduating at the top of your class!"
- "Thank you. Also, congratulations to you, too."
With excellence in both the military and literary arts united with a personal history as a descendant of the Distinguished Igsem Family of the Classical Military Factions, Yatorishino Igsem received greater expectations and respect from students in the same class than anyone else…. But, to that extent, the companion together with in her an unbecoming situation, he was exceedingly conspicuous.
- "...Umm. Possibly, are you involved with Ikta Solork?"
- "Eh? No, we’re just talking a bit."
- "You shouldn’t keep company with that kind of good-for-nothing. Stupidity is contagious."
- "...Either I’m mistaken about something, or there is a rumor that this guy is also taking the High Grade Military Officer Exam. I think that he’ll fail it quickly in any case, but please be careful that you aren’t distracted by him."
- "Anyway, Yatori-sama. When will you go to actual combat as a commander?"
- "I can’t say anything yet, but normally it seems that after training for four~five years, you receive a rank and from there you can handle being an official military officer."
- "Four years… I hope it’s much faster because you’re Yatori, but I wonder if you can’t make it in time."
- "Make it in time…. What are you talking about?"
- "Her relatives live in Katjvarna’s Eastern Province. Hey… right now our[2] Eastern Stronghold is repulsing the invasion from the Kioka Republic National Army, right?"
- "Yeah, Yatorishino-san was just saying how it would be fun if she went as a reinforcement."
- "But still, to go that far, even the guys from the Republic would abandon the invasion. In any case, it’s because the Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Stronghold is that great Hazaaf Rikan-dono. He is a little distressed now by the New Division, whose status is unknown, but he’ll bring it under control soon..."
- "Have your relatives escapes quickly. The Eastern Province will fall at the hands of the Kioka Army in less than a month."
- "...Wait. What do you mean by that?"
- "What I said. The Eastern Stronghold will collapse and that whole area will be seized by the Kioka Republic. I pity Lieutenant General Rikan. If he didn’t have a tight choker, this kind of result wouldn’t be necessary."
- "I can’t let that go unchallenged, Ikta Solork. The Eastern Stronghold led by Lieutenant General Rikan is currently devoting its full energy to repelling the barbaric invasion. Since that’s the case, why are you assuming defeat?"
- "And belief in certain victory invites consequences. But defeatists like you probably won’t understand."
- "I heard a rumor that you’re taking the High Grade Military Officer Exam, but- ha- are you sober? Before passing or not passing, consider whether the Imperial Army wants a coward like you, 'Ikta the Lazy.'"
- "Nothing but skipping lectures and practical skills lessons. If we talk about what you do in that time, afternoon naps, idleness, and picking up women come to mind. A refined specimen of a good-for-nothing, master of deadbeat life-- that’s you, don’t you agree, Ikta Solork?"
- "Look, he has no words to say back."
- "Come on guys, don’t be that way. This is a day for celebration, so let’s enjoy it without fighting."
- "...So it’s true, it’s really collapsing? The Eastern Stronghold."
- "Do you think that a boxer who could block a fist would have a chance at winning?"
- "If you think calmly, it’s something you understand quickly, isn’t it? The main point, why is the Eastern Stronghold trembling even now in the action zone? The 'Stronghold' is a standing local military organization during peacetime. Since over three months have passed since the Kioka Army’s invasion began, if we’re seriously planning to win the war, it’s strange that they weren’t able to send military forces from Central a long time ago and replace ‘’the Eastern Province District Army’’."
- "That one has no hope of winning with a non-aggressive defense is basics of the basics of military science. Because you’ll just be caught off guard and overehelmed. The current Eastern Stronghold is on the verge of that… no, is it worse? Because the New Division recently released by the Kioka Army into the war has slipped our guard and is causing damage."
- "... You mean the Aerial Warfare Unit, right? Certainly, that’s a threat the Empire didn’t predict."
As a result of the flying altitude being too high, there were currently no measures on the Empire’s side to directly counter Aerial Warfare. From a distant height that neither arrows nor bullets could reach, they could continue causing damage to the Empire. This accumulation of damage would cause the troops of the Eastern Stronghold to suffer over time.
- "From the start of the 'air bombings' from Aerial Warfare until now, already how many towns have been burned...? No, if only houses are being burned, then that’s still fine. They burn field crops, burn granaries, and the towns can’t maintain a food supply. The Stronghold’s troops are the same. Concerning food these days, they should already be in a state of distress."
- "But the supplies from Central should have arrived."
- "The amount to distribute to all of the people burned out of their homes by the air raids? There’s no way Central has that kind of surplus. Hypothetically, even if they do send it, can they continue that endlessly from now? Even though they have no expectations of winning the main war?"
- "More than anything, I pity the Commander-in-Chief of the Stronghold, Hazaaf Rikan. The commanding of a lost battle would certainly be bitter, wouldn’t it? This and that, everything was the negligence of the Emperor and Ministry who have no intention waging war seriously."
- "Put an end to it there, Ikta. As I expected, this isn’t the place for this."
- "First, rather than talking about a war we can’t influence, there is currently a more constructive topic for us, right?"
- "Hnn…? Ahh, this evening’s Graduation Festival? I want to go all out the whole night. Where should I go to drink?"
- "You just drunk to your heart’s content! I meant the High Grade Military Officer Exam."
- "Ah-- that depressing event was also left…"
- "Even if you’re indisposed, I’ll have you participate... Really, you do understand it’s significance right?"
- "...Using the Igsem Family connections, I prepared a librarian position at the National Library of the Capital for you. In exchange, I’ll have you take the High Grade Military Officer Exam together with me and fight in my favor during the Secondary Exam Continuation. You also agreed to the deal, right?"
- "That’s a given, since the Library of the Capital is the retirement destination for nobility. Lending out various amusements to empty-headed people with riches and leisure time to spare, occasionally maintaining dust-covered, pitiable academic books… just for that, I’d have a sum as my salary so that I wouldn't need to worry about my next meal. For me, that’s a distant dream. Although I did think that it was a cheap-shot scheme, uncharacteristic of you, Yatori. If it’s you, success is ensured even without something like my help, no?"
- "Say what you want. If all I had to do was succeed, then I’d fight with just one arm…. However, the results required of eldest daughter of the Igsem family aren’t just that. The distinction of 'top success' is necessary."
- "Haven’t you done nothing but monopolize that distinction with everything from the time at the Academy? It’s about time you surrendered it to someone, you know. You aren’t the only person who wants to sit in the top seat."
- "Look who’s saying that. Just because you didn’t sit in it doesn’t mean I’m the only one who did."
- "...Wait, that, what are you doing?"
- "Overestimating myself too much."[3]
- "...As I was saying! You aren’t the type to not use the ability that you’re hiding without any meaning. Particularly for this test, it seems that the youngest of the Remeon family is going to appear as a strong candidate. There’s no being too careful. Treading on you, Yatorishino Igsem will record her first step in military rule."
- "Well, I think that’s fine. By what I heard, the league of your fellow Secondary Exam Continuation test-takers doesn’t seem unusual. Being the first to enter battle and preparing military forces are the basics of the basics of military affairs. 'The many outweigh the few.'"
- "If you understand, then that’s fine. Sincerely try not to make a mistake large enough to fail the Primary Written Examination."
- "Yep, I got it, I’ll try my best. Because, unlike you, being involved with the army is the last thing I want to do."
The High Grade Military Officer Exam—an obstacle which only those who have completed the Childhood Military Discipline Course at a designated educational institution as study material were allowed to challenge, so to speak the first trial that upper echelon cadets needed to surmount to become elite soldiers.
With the case in the army where one Private First Class = two Privates, one couldn’t climb the ranks unless with very large military gains in actual combat, and that promotion reached its limit with the seventh rank from the bottom, the non-commissioned officer "Sergeant Major." But the High Grade Military Officer Exam was something created with the goal of selecting candidates for commissioned officers, and those who passed it were able to acquire the status of "Warrant Officer," one rank above "Sergeant Major," from the beginning. However, the Exam could be taken once per year, up to three times.
Of course, the passing rate was absurdly high. Spanning the entire test, they seldom, if ever, cut by 400 times, and they didn’t reduce by 20 times even with just the Primary Written Examination. But since there was a tendency for the people of the Katjvarna Empire to regard soldiers as heroes, the ones who succeeded at this became objects of adoration. It was a chance to acquire both status and prestige….
- "Nnn--, national tactics discourse. How bothersome--"
- "Ahh-- the Study of Military Affairs Administration. How tepid--"
- "Geh-- Alderah Theology. How annoying--"
And like that, the Exam’s second day arrived, the last subject of which was the "Use of the Military."
- "This is the last one, this is the last one…. Hnn?"
--Freely state your thoughts concerning the Imperial Army’s former General Bada Sankrei, who previously abandoned the Kioka War and was made into a war criminal.
- "..."
--However, from the contents, he could sense just a slightly nostalgic scent.
Since Ikta, who without thinking instinctively didn’t want to answer, couldn’t really list criticisms of the Imperial Family on the High Grade Military Officer Exam, and since he had belief that he should already be working on matters in another subject, he recorded this short answer.
--Every hero dies of overwork.
At 7:20PM, the Primary Written Examination ended at every venue, and the over 6,000 test-takers were reduced to fewer than 300 as per every year.
About one month after the completion of that Primary Written Examination. Ikta and Yatori, carrying luggage for a journey on their backs, were gazing at the ocean from the harbor with their respective spirits. As a result of the Secondary Examination Continuation being conducted on the Hirgano Archipelago on the southern side of the Empire, they came to board the transport ship heading to the actual location.
- "Things are going just as planned so far, aren’t they? I’m relieved that you passed."
- "It’s because I’d been skipping lectures and doing nothing but exam study ever since the deal was proposed two years ago."
- "Not that I’m discriminating against library employees, but you’re really working hard for that. It’s not even that you’re particularly a bookworm, right?
- "I like books, but if I had to say, any work would be fine. The point is that it’s a librarian at the ‘National’ Library ‘of the Capital.’ If just those parts were the same, then I wouldn’t care even if I were a gardener or a cleaning lady."
- "Once this deal goes smoothly, if I can idle away like that until I die. Two years worth of exam study is cheap, you know? Since I hate wasting effort, I’m not stingy with that amount: the effort needed for myself to slack off."
- "Haa…. I see. So you’re that kind of person."
- "The ship is here, Ikta. Come now, Yatori and Shia should go, too."
From the medium-sized ship coming along the harbor, sailors recognizable as soldiers with one glance got off and scrutinizingly appraised Ikta and Yatori’s full lengths.
- "Your exam admission tickets."
- "...Ahh, good afternoon. Perhaps, are you also test-takers?"
- "It seems so. I’m Yatorishino Igsem. A 131st Term graduate of the Imperial Segal Grand Academy. My partner is the fire spirit Shia. This is Ikta Solork from the same year and the light spirit Kusu…. You are?"
- "I-I’m extremely grateful. Umm, I’m an 11th Term graduate of the Imperial Min Mihaela Nursing Academy, Haroma Bekkel. This little one is my partner, the water spirit Miru. Igsem-san, Solork-san, please be kind to me."
- "We didn’t settle on using our family names. Yatori is fine, you know."
- "Please, if you would, call me Ik-kun with affection."
- "You can ignore this person’s joke, Haroma-san. If you go along, you’ll be sucked in by his manner."
- "Hehe… you two get along well, don’t you? Then, if you’d like, please call me Haro. Since my acquaintances all call me that."
- "I’ll impose on your words, Haro…. Your partner is a water spirit, and you yourself come from a Nursing Academy, so I wonder if your targeted Division is the Medics?"
- "It's as you say. While I’m embarrassed about this, it’s my third time as a test-taker, and this is the first time I passed the Written Examination. Since it’s my last chance, it would be nice if they would let me survive, but…"
- "The Medics Division, compared to others, does have a low success rate, but I think you have plenty of hope. If we end up competing, I can’t go easy, but if there is a way to cooperate, I’d want to join hands."
- "If we can, that’s reassuring. The eldest daughter of the Igsem Family-- I’ve heard rumors of Yatori-san’s fame."
- "Oh, I’m flattered. It would be nice if the actual strength accompanying me was even half of that in the rumors, though…"
- "Ikta Solork…? W-Why are you here?!"
- "Ohh, my buddy Matthew! You passed too? Why how great, how serendipitous!"
- "Tch, Yatorishino… so you’re here too, huh?"
- "It’s been a month, hasn’t it, Matthew-kun? I’m glad we were able to meet. It doesn’t seem the same way for you, though."
- "Of course, not. If you had messed up on the Primary Examination, you don’t know how thrilled I’d be."
- "This is Matthew Tetdrich and his partner, the wind spirit Tsuu. He’s in the same year as Ikta and I am. If Haro has a memory of hearing the family name Tetdrich, then please say so. I think he’d be very pleased."
- "What kind of introduction is that?! Whether someone remembers us or not, within the Empire, the Tetdrich Family is still a preeminent Distinguished Family of the Classical Military Factions! It isn’t superior or inferior to ones like Igsem or Remeon!"
- "Te-Tetdrich… was it? Umm… If I’ve heard it before or haven’t… It’s not that I don’t feel it’s on the tip of my tongue, but…"
- "It’s fine, Matthew. It’s that major-on-a-minor-scale type of popularity that’s your position. It’s not particularly necessary for all entertainers to have a national fan-base. You’re honestly trying your best on the local route."
- "Just who is an entertainer?! Ahh, come on, whatever is fine, so for the time being, you can let go!"
- "Stand up quietly. In those current circumstances, whatever you say, he’ll take offense to it."
- "H-hahh.... ...Somehow, are you used to the treatment?"
- "He’s someone I’ve continued entangled with for four years. Ah, but if Ikta is there, coping with it is easy. It’s like using poison to overcome poison."[4]
- "...Umm, Yatori-san, you're in the same year as Ikta-san, right?"
- "Yeah. He's a friend from since we enrolled in the Grand Academy. Well, it's a strange coincidence, but you might say I got stuck with him."
- "Umm, Matthew-san also seems the same way, so, then as I expected, Ikta-san is also a descendant of a Distinguished--"
- "Hahaha, no~o way. Solork is the name of an orphanage, young lady."
- "A descendant of a Distinguished Family, you said? I have no father and no mother. At the time, I found Kusu when he was working at the Solork Orphanage, collapsed and dying in a decaying vacant basement. I've been with that little guy ever since. Also, luckily since I wasn't that stupid, I was allowed to attend the Grand Academy on a scholarship."
- "Ah, so that's what happened. Excuse me, I asked something rude based on my interest... Kyaa?!"
- "It's fine, I don't mind~ Since I'll also do considerably rude things to you from now on."
- "Tall, aren't you… slender. You're even five fingers taller than a boy like me..."
- "Hya, I'm 176cm....[5] Excuse me, in spite of being a girl, I'm meaninglessly tall..."
- "Doesn't it just mean you have good physical development...? ... Ah, your fingers are a little rough. Do you normally do housework by yourself?"
- "I-I have five younger brothers, and I'm their older sister... Hyaa! Don't stroke my upper arm...!"
- "The eldest daughter of six siblings? My goodness, that's incredible, no, stressful.... What do your parents do?"
- "T-They're renting fields from the lord in the area.... But the earnings from just that aren't enough, if I don't get promoted and send money-- Yaa, don't pinch my earlobe, or comb through my hair...!"
- "We're stopping there, Ikta. Save picking up women for another time."
- "Ohh, too bad."
- "Are you okay…? Sorry, I stopped him, but it was a little late."
- "Hahh, hah… J-just what did he do to me...?"
- "It’s a bad habit of his. Even though he’s not that handsome, for the time being he likes to seduce girls. Left alone with the same pace as now, your breasts would then be massaged, and you taken to bed. Then when you finally notice something, it’d be chirping in the morning."
- "B-br…!? A-Awaah!?"
- "Calm down, Haro. If you’re near me, you’re fine."
Suddenly, the cabin door slowly opened a second time.
The one who shyly showed his face was a handsome boy even taller than Haro. He had clear green eyes and hair tinged with a light green extending to his shoulders. In the pouch on his hip was the form of a wind spirit, the same as Matthew’s Tsuu.
- "Umm, is it okay if I come in? Or not, if you’re in the middle of something."
- "Of course you can’t. Get back to your own territory, Ikemen[6]."
- "Go ahead, come in. Well, everyone did self-introductions, so will you also join in?"
- "I’m Torway Remeon. I’m an 82nd Term graduate of the Imperial Ermi High Grade Academy. This little one is my partner, the wind spirit Safi. Somehow, please be kind to me, everyone. It’s a difficult Exam, but let’s try our best together until we succeed."
- "...I see. So you’re the Remeon’s…"
- "I’m Yatorishino Igsem. This little one is my partner Shia…. I don’t need to talk about something like my personal history, right?"
- "...Yatorishino!? Right, that fiery hair, the Igsem Family’s…! Ahh, my goodness!"
- "...Wait, what? If there’s something you want to say, then say it clearly."
- "I-I can’t mentally prepare myself…. M-Miss Igsem, I--"
- "You guys, are full of yourselves."
- "The Igsems’ Close-Quarters Combat Tactic, naturally, and even the Remeons’ Line-of-Battle Firearm Combat Tactic aren’t cutting edge anymore. If you guys aren’t the forerunners of the battlegrounds anymore, then you aren’t the stars. I won’t unconditionally let you guys have big egos[7] just because you’re dependents of the Distinguished Families."
- "Umm, you are…?"
- "I’m Matthew Tetdrich. Don’t forget this name, youngest of the Remeon Family."
- "Remembering people’s names is my strong point. Let’s try our best together and succeed, Matthew-kun."
- "Hmph, Using false friendship to throw me off guard is useless, you know."
- "Matthew-kun… Matthew-kun, huh…. …Hm~m, can I call you Maa-kun?"
- "Haa!?"
- "...It’s natural that the Combat Tactics invented by our ancestors become old things as time passes. From the start, I had no intention in the least of hiding behind the glory of the past. In addition, if you let me say so, Matthew-"
- "Looking at things objectively, undeniably, in terms of size, your ego is the largest among us all[7]."
- "W-wha!"
- "Kuraa~, don’t bully Matthew."
- "I didn’t mean to bully him- if I ruined the mood, then I’m sorry. By the way, you..."
- "Hmm, let there be silence. Two hunters[8] aren’t needed on one hunting ground."
- "E-eh?"
- "Listen and be astonished, you have been handed down a guilty verdict in the face of judgement. The nature of the offense is precisely an attractive face and figure. According to the Scriptures of Alderah, death unto all ikemen!"[6]
- "Your speech just now, that’s the stuff of an Inquisition! And at the minimum, have a back and forth in your conversations!"
- "This guy is Ikta Solork. Like Matthew, he is in the same year as I am. Although he has a habit of threatening good-looking males for the time being, don’t mind it too much. He just has a strong sense of territory."
- "Ikemen should go explode! Grrr!"
- "...Is there a good relationship? Between you two. "
- "We just spend a lot of time together."
- "I’m Torway, please take care of me, Ikta-kun…. That is, I wonder if you’ll be good friends with me?"
- "...I’m Ikta Solork. Repeating in my imagination the state of your face smashed apart so that it lost its structure about ten times, I was able to reach a tolerant mood. I’ll be friendly with you."
- "Mhmm, take care of me, Ikta-kun…. Ahh, that’s right, can I call you Ik-kun?
- "No, I refuse. What the hell are you talking about?"
- "Really, Ik-kun, was it? Don’t be ridiculous, she is the only one who can call me that."
- "She is Haroma Bekkel. She is aiming to be a commander in the Medics, and she has five younger brothers at home. She’s a very good kid, you know. I guarantee it."
- "I-Ikta-san!? The flow of that introduction, it might lead to a big misunderstanding…!"
- "I see, so that’s how it is. Mhmm, you two, you really suit each other."
- "'That’s' how what is!? Noo, don’t look at me with such warm eyes…!"
- "Since self-introductions are roughly finished, everyone, let’s settle down for now. Even if we are blessed by the wind, it’s a long trip close to two days until the Hirgano Archipelago. Concerning what happens after we’re dropped off on the other side, we should preserve our energy."
- "Ahh, that’s right. Then, shall we decide on each of our beds and collect our luggage?"
- "Hey Haro, which position is good for you? Top? Bottom? Behind? Ahh, sitting face to face is good too, hehehe."
- "Why are you only asking me!? Also, are we really talking about bed positions!?"
- "...Ego… my ego… is it that big…?[7] ...mutter mutter…"
With the rocking of the ship growing violent due to a sudden deterioration of the weather three hours after they left port, Ikta and the others, all of them in the same cabin, began to open their eyes in turn. The long trip by boat, still in its opening stages. From anyone’s perspective, there was too much time remaining.
- "U-ummm… 7--6 Bombing Troops… no, 3--3 Wind Gunning Troops."
- "Are you finished with that? Well then, for me let’s have 4--6 Air Gunning Troops with the merging of war forces and pieces from both sides."
- "3, 4, 5--7 Wind Gunning Troops Battalion. ...Umm, with that, maybe four pawns are checkmated, right?"
- "W-wait a minute! I still haven’t…"
- "Damn it, one more game! This one was just one foolish mistake after another!"
- "Hey Maa-kun, is it okay if we give our impressions of the match? The game just now, there's a part I want to reflect on."
- "Uhh, even though I simulated until the mid-game.... Which was the deciding turn? Was it when I sent out too many Bombing Troops at the sixth turn, or when I lost the Medics at the 12th turn...?"
- "--It was the 21st turn, my buddy Matthew. It was when you let your Air Gunning Troops, whose merging of war forces was obstructed, uselessly be taken by the enemy line. There, you should have graciously retreated, and shifted to protect."
- "Ik-kun, you remembered the course of the game? I wondered if you couldn’t see the board well from there."
- "I said not to call me Ik-kun, Ikemen. Next time, I’m hitting you with a pillow."
- "Everyone, I made tea~"
- "It’s swaying considerably, isn’t it...? When we borrowed the galley, we were able to see the condition of the ocean surface a little, but the waves are definitely amazing."
- "Facing the strong effect of the west wind, it seems the course is deviating quite a lot to the east. Since we might be delayed with correcting the course, the boat trip seems like it will drag on longer than we thought. Really, a boat is a vehicle we have no control over."
- "What’s this, were you playing shogi? The result, how many consecutive defeats for Matthew?"
- "W-why does the question take my consecutive defeats for granted...?"
- "The lack of vigor in your objection means that that’s exactly what happened, doesn’t it? ...Well, I don’t think it’s possible to care that much, though. It’s not like a shogi king equals a great commander anyway."
- "Now that you mention it, regarding the interview in the final stage of this Exam, it seems you play a game of shogi with actively serving High Grade Military Officers. If one didn’t apply their ability in shogi against the ability of a commander like that, then what kind of meaning does this arrangement have- don’t you agree?"
- "Since it’s an interview while playing a game, I think it’s something that can measure your ability to multitask[10]. Even if you become a High Grade Military Officer, if you can’t manage two or three tasks at the same time, you’ll become useless due to going over-capacity."
- "Ikta, what do you think?"
- "..Nnn, it’s rather delicious. However, rather than tea leaves steeped with milk, I prefer separately warmed milk added to a somewhat strong tea brewed with boiling water- I wonder if that way of brewing is preferable."
- "Who asked for your opinion about the flavor of tea? Incidentally, the one who recommended boiling the milk was me, you know. If by any chance it’s spoiled, it’s not that I can’t say it’s my fault."
- "I think that Yatori’s reasoning was roughly accurate. Even excluding that point, it’s because this, in its own way, is full of the basics of art of war. It’s not bad as mental exercise. However, if I’m allowed to state my opinion-- if soldiers play anyway, blindfolded shogi that doesn’t use a board is better."
- "--Huhh? Ik-kun, why-- Wapu!"
- "Ik-kun forbidden! ...If you apply shogi to war, namely, the board equals the battleground. I ask a question with that, though, when you’re waging a war in reality, the commander look down on the entire battlefield from above the sky with the God’s point of view?"
- "...That’s impossible. Regarding the locations of enemy forces, that’s restricted information, so that’s just about a situation where you can only make guesses. Concerning the allies under command, they aren’t restricted to moving as planned."
- "That’s it. In real war, fighting starts when you grasp the positions of your allies and enemies. Necessary for that is the imaging ability to derive a whole image from fragmentary information. I won’t say that blindfolded shogi can train that, but it can create a foundation for the power of imagination. First you hold the 'board' in your mind. Starting with that, imagine the soldiers moving on the board... Ah, is there more tea?"
- "Ah." "Ahhh--!?"
- "There, who is that?"
She was distracted by Matthew's scream, but at the moment the boat swayed, the sound of something colliding with the door resounded. Yatori, thinking it was suspicious, walked over and opened the front door of the room.
- "U-uhh...oww..."
- "A test-taker... it doesn't seem that that's the case. Where are you from, young lady? Do you need something from us?"
- "I wonder was that was? Well, at the very least, considering that an ordinary passenger just happened to be on a ship that's boarding High Grade Military Officer cadets... Ikta, what do you think?"
- "Nnn... Five~six years remain until she is suitable for consumption. Until she is perfectly ripened, perhaps it's 15 years..."
- "No one asked for the lower limit of your strike zone--"
- "--What's that!?"
- "O, Matthew, don’t tell me you saved me by bravely volunteering your body… Let us toast to our friendship."
- "Ughh… someone like you should’ve fallen headfirst…"
- "P-passengers, keep calm and listen! The bilge of this ship struck a reef and has started flooding. Just now, an order for a complete abandonment of ship has been handed down from the ship’s captain! Those who can move, immediately go to the deck, and following the sailor’s instructions, and board the lifeboats!"
- "Everyone, you heard that! We’re going to the deck!"
- "There’s no need to rush, form one line behind me and follow! Luggage to a minimum!"
And, everyone besides her as well were not resigned to the disorderly crowd in this setting.
A baptism of torrential rain and furious wind welcomed them, as they ran up the stairs with Yatori as their leader and emerged onto the deck. The mast, whose thickness exceeded that of an adult’s waist, made creaking sounds with the wind pressure, and on top of that the sailors were working, risking their lives, to bring down the sails that were filled with wind and flapping wildly. Already the hull had sunk 20 times lower than normal, and, in addition, the time was early evening. The ocean surface, having just descended into darkness, was pitch black the whole time they were working.
- "Stormy weather, is it…? A curse of bad weather in this situation, we’re people hated by God."
- "I wonder whose behavior was to blame. People with an idea try raising your hand."
- "Without even thinking you’re the only possibility, right? From now on let’s abstain from jokes with the Scriptures[11] as material."
- "Help board from the people who came! You, the citizens, are maximum priority!"
- "Your partner is a light spirit, isn’t he? Listen up, because we ran aground, some injuries came up among the sailors, and right now we still can’t let sailors board this boat. Since the lifeboats are all moored to the mothership, they won’t drift away, but when it comes to it, the ropes need to be cut to send off your companions. At that time, please transmit your location to nearby boats with a light signal. Even when you’re more or less drifted off, gather together with no exceptions!"
- "Th-this isn’t a joke you know! With an ocean this rough, to find shelter in any boat...!"
- "Maa-kun, lean to the right a little more! Bekkel-san to the left! We’re making the balance of body weight uniform in the whole of the boat! With these waves, if we capsize once then we won't be able to recover anymore!"
- "What’s the matter, Ikta? Strike your usual needless comments. When you’re quiet, there’s a bad energy."
- "I didn’t know you took my behavior as an omen. ...More importantly, Yatori, it’s that girl."
It didn’t seem the girl was at any age to travel alone, but she couldn’t see the figure of another companion.
- "...Ah!?"
One of the sailors who barely managed to stay on the deck, with a float tube in one hand, dispatched bloodshot eyes to the ocean surface.… But, too late. Even if he tried to send help, her form had been concealed in the valleys of the waves a long time ago.
- "Mm, bad luck. That one’s going to die."
- "Kusu. If you see that girl again, shine on her with a high beam[12] for me."
- "Ikta, that’s dangerous. You should stop…"
- "I’m trusting you."
Continuing, Ikta grabbed a lifesaving float tube which was scattered around the bilge, and entrusted to Yatori the free end of the rope knotted to it.
- "If you let go easily, I’ll come back for you as a ghost."
- "Wai- you--!?"
- "...Bwahh!"
- "It’s impossible, I’m dying! Save mee!"
- "Hahh, hahh… Ahh that was close… Seawater’s freakin’ salty…"
- "Stop complaining, if you’re going to do something cool, then show off until the end…. Haro, how’s this girl’s condition?"
- "She hasn’t drunk any seawater, and her breathing and pulse are normal. It seems she’s still in a state of shock, but…"
- "It appears that there she doesn’t have bruises or lacerations. ...Hmm? This…"
- "It’s no use, this one won’t hold anymore! I’m cutting the rope!"
- "...Don’t tell me…. We were the only ones who were able to escape?"
- "Wh-what’re we gonna do? Thrown right in the middle of a stormy sea in a small boat, we’re going to die like this! "
- "W-we’re going to die, aren’t we? I-is there still anything--"
- "...We’ll do what we can[13]. For now, we survive the storm."
In agreement with that, Ikta, despite sniffling, took over her words.
- "Ah-choo! ...As Yatori said, from this point forward is the domain of chance. There’s nothing we can do until the storm is over. Slack off as much as possible, and after, let’s put God to work."
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