The Imperial Capital of the Mariisua Southern Sea United Kingdom is the “Sei Road” . (Translator Note: perhaps West? Road)
This town is a city for ocean commerce . It was full of liveliness for a castle town . You should hear the bells of the church around evening time .
Everything was dyed crimson as it was the tone color of the light god, who would chase out the evil spirits at the witching hour (not midnight) .
In between the two high and low capes, on the low cape there is a lighthouse which reveals the tall Imperial Castle .
For a long time, the Imperial Castle has repeatedly been under reconstruction . According to the only remaining records, it had been expanded in reconstruction 6 times to reach its current form . People looked at the magnificent, white Imperial Castle . Without passing through the continental highway, you can’t enter . The white marble castle walls had an early Kyoubo architectural style . It had 5 minarets pointing into the sky, and the rich pearl and jade pattern is very impressive in its splendor .
Rarona’s unit garrison was at the opposite shore at the foot of the lighthouse to the Imperial Castle .
At the tip of the cape is a rough course with no servicing . ‘Tail’ the Giant Bird turned to the lodging house past the “bird housing” . Along her route, many colleagues yelled out to Rarona, who changed her expression and ran, but she didn’t pay attention to any of them .
She rushed into the, seemingly-sturdy 2-story stone building, thrusting away the young guard on duty, and rushed into the unit leader’s room . The inside of the modest office had an affluent, dark green-haired young woman sitting there .
The country of the “Mariia people”, who were an oceanic people, or the “Mariisua Southern Sea United Kingdom . ” To see she was connected with this nation’s troops, you could just look at her outfit covering her white skin . She had on the sleeveless shirt the ocean culture demanded for ventilation, wearing the uniform of the military .
Her name is Karuda . She is a noble, as her surname will attest . However, she’s never spoken about her surname in front of her subordinates . This is because the Mariisua culture didn’t think that surnames were that important .
As it is called the Southern Sea United Kingdom, it holds many different cultures, people, and functions as a federation . Not finding family names important is a result of this consideration .
Now, in cases where people didn’t have last names, like Rarona, when it is necessary for them to name themselves, then they would use their mother’s name .
In Mariisua, the maternal cultures are usually deeply rooted, so those with an origin without intimacy, such as Rarona’s mountain people, try to imitate these kind of cultures .
“What is it, Practice Officer Rarona?”
On the side of the out-of-breath Rarona who had suddenly barged in, Karuda calmly asked this question . It was a rather cold tone for a question .
What Practice Officer means is that this country’s war units have classes in its ranks .
From the bottom it goes: practice officer living, practice officer, officer, unit commanding officer, unit leader…and so on .
In other words, Rarona, who is in the 2nd rank from the bottom, is in a rank for the inexperienced .
Mariisua South Sea United Kingdom’s military has a military district that is separated into 3 big parts .
The Imperial Capital Defense Corps, the Domestic Forces, and the Island Patrol Forces make up the 3 camps .
The Imperial Capital Defense Corps takes this name as it is a unit formed to protect Sei road .
These contained the knights who protects the queen personally . They are the smallest of the 3 military divisions, but their priorities are higher than the other divisions .
The Flying Light Armor Unit that Rarona and Karuda belonged to, was a part of the Imperial Capital Defense Corps .
The unit that used the Argentavis was made for specializing in reconnaissance and as runners, so they get treated as a second-rate fighting force compared to the knight group .
So, they’re always scored as “Night blind (TL note: This is a pun as it literally means bird-eye)” and “(bird) Poop Droppers”[1] by the ground troops .
In spite of this, the unit that uses the Argentavis has an unparalleled high status . The reason the girls are looked down upon is not just that their unit is non-combative . Because officer units exists is also, by itself, another reason .
There’s a large difference between the officer units and the knight unit . This may seem clear, but if half of it wasn’t made up of nobles, then Mariisua wouldn’t name it the Knight Unit . This is not a discussion only for this nation, no matter where it is, a difference in standards appear, and this was the custom of the higher ups in the ranks .
In a feudal society, status was absolute . So, Rarona now doesn’t just fear her class, but the nobles as well . She sleeps in bed with one knee standing ready .
“Forgive me for the abrupt rudeness! But there’s something I must report immediately . ”
Karuda removed the monocle on her right eye . Rarona had heard of a rumor that she injured her eye during practice, to the point of bleeding . Karuda’s movements were all very refined .
She’s definitely a noble, Rarona thought .
Over her black military uniform, Karuda had a summer overcoat on, with an emblem of a unicorn, almost as if she was a student of the Church of the Moon . No matter how much you know it is an overcoat for the summer days, Rarona just kept feeling it was a mourning dress . Maybe the rumors that she had lost her lover were true .
While waiting for the unit leader’s response, Rarona thought about these things and realized the unit leader’s squinty pair of eyes . Karuda had a glint in her eyes that showed of a noble amethyst .
“Fine . Briefly . ”
Rarona took the momentum, lifted her face, and quickly talked on and on about what happened that afternoon . About the big affair concerning whatever appeared in the Mermaid Sea . About how their nationality was unknown and they looked like castles with how huge they were, and how they were 5 iron boats . Karuda, who never let down her calm noble expression, upon hearing this report, started to faintly sweat .
“I can’t believe it, is it the Filborg Empire?”
The Mariisua nobles did not let that insolent name of the enemy nation, the “Inheritance Empire” pass their lips .
Karuda now uttered the name of the most problematic country . She understood well that the occupation of Purominia was of no concern of hers .
“No, as far as I could tell, I don’t think it is . ”
Rarona answered with a slightly off enunciation .
“It’s like it’s a ship from a whole different world,”
Rarona thought such an absurd thing . She almost laughed at the ridiculous thought, but held it in when she thought of how she’s in front of a noble . As this happened, Karuda took a big breath . For a moment, it seemed she may have caught on to Rarona nearly laughing, but it doesn’t seem like she did .
“…From above, no matter how little information, we’ve got to inform the castle . ”
Karuda stood up from her chair, went to the window, and looked at the sun at dusk .
“Unit Leader Karuda?”
“Hey rookie, what do you think of this current world?”
On Karuda’s beautiful face appeared an agony . A grave expression that showed deeply . It was a form she couldn’t show to a subordinate . Somehow, the state of affairs was odd . Rarona felt this as well .
“That ship made of iron, the foreigners from an unknown nation…though it sounds ridiculous, Her Majesty would likely hear us out . ”
Karuda stroked the lance in the corner of the room .
“It looks like we can still put this in the last circular for today . ”
Rarona would understand what this meant, but it would take a bit of time .
What Karuda revealed was a national secret unknown to the public . Rarona felt a shock as though a demon had grasped hold of his heart . She gulped, and it made the sound of a dry throat taking a big gulp . Her superior continued .
“We have declared war with the Filborg Empire . They have given us an offer to surrender that we cannot accept . Tomorrow, we prepare for war . ”
Rarona’s body stiffened up as she looked into those shrewd eyes .
“…Are you scared? This time, this nation will become a battlefield . ”
She said it as if testing her subordinate .
“No!”
But, Rarona shook her head, which is what the firm Karuda focused upon .
“I am prepared to fight! I am also a soldier for Mariisua! I won’t let the damages of war from 10 years ago happen again! I am ready to beat down the empire’s forces!”
Karuda squinted her eyes .
“…You, you’re from the mountains along the border, aren’t you?”
“Y-yes!”
“I see…”
Karuda had a sort of satisfaction seeing her subordinate’s vigorous expression .
Ten years ago, the mountain ridge near the border was found to hold resources, so the neighboring country started a fight over it, making a border dispute . That time, a lot of villages got involved and got burned down .
That was also why Rarona lost her family and home . Karuda, who could sense this, hanged her head a little . And in a small voice Rarona couldn’t hear, she murmured .
“Won’t let it happen again, eh…”
Karuda thought she was a little jealous of the genuineness of the red haired girl in front of her . A fire that has cooled-down, I don’t have anymore . That’s reminiscent . But, she shook off these idle thoughts and ordered Rarona .
“Practice Officer, first thing in the morning, go give this report at the castle . You are my underling, so you will come with me . ”
Rarona’s eyes were spinning in confusion at the surprising orders .
“Eh? Uh, b-but, I’m a commoner, I can’t so easily get an attendance at the castle…”
“It’s a time of crisis . If you stay by my side and don’t separate from me, I also won’t mind . I might have to tell your story to toe the mark, who knows . ”
Karuda said this, and looked at the window . The sun at dusk was sinking below the other side of the horizon . There were frightening things on the other side of that horizon . In spite of this, the scene was very beautiful .
[1] Yes it’s correct . Not a mistake .
It’s a Japanese Pun (Joke) but as translating Japanese Puns (Joke) is no easy task . That’s the end result .
Chapter end
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