First Lieutenant Itami Youji, 33 years old. He was an Otaku now, and
would be an Otaku in the future.
Although he was an Otaku, he was not the type of Otaku that could
write his own fantasy novels, draw his own manga, make his own
figurines or even mess with Vocaloids. He didn't even comment on the
works of other people in the online.
Itami Youji was the customer-type Otaku that only read the works of
other people.
He had attended each Summer and Winter Comiket in Nakano or
Akihabara during his holidays, but not once to his local shrine. The
wall of his room in the dormitory still had the autograph of Rumiko
Takahashi from his high school days on it.
Instead of army-related books that should be on his bookshelves, it was
filled by doujinshis that took up all of the space on it, causing him to
just stuff all his brand new work related books into his closet.
Due to his favouritism of interests over work, he had little passion for
anything work-related. For example, should there be a scheduled
exercise, he would purposely apply for a holiday on the excuse of "I
have stuff to do on that day…" and escape from his responsibility.
He once said:
"I only work for my interests, so if someone asked me whether I chose
my interests or work I would choose the former."
It was hard to imagine someone like him being in the Self-defence
force, but he somehow enlisted successfully.
His motto in life was "Eat, sleep, play, repeat. And the life in between."
The phrase in one of his favourite manga was 'The only time you are
alive is when you are resting', suiting a person such as him the most.
Thus, he had chosen a public high school that had low competition and
had been admitted despite not studying much at all. From there, his
grades only got worse as he only watched anime and read manga in the
Anime and Manga Research Club in his school while occasionally
lining up at the cinema on the premier of a movie.
His 3 years of high school life had only amounted to this.
In college, he had majored in a newly-established course that had little
or no competition and had passed without much effort.
Although he had spent most of his college life with anime, manga, and
light novels; he had never skipped or was late to classes and courses.
Thus, the lecturer's comments for him here "Itami? Hmm, he's an okay
guy." and gave him the grade of 'Good' after his 4 years in college.
"What career are you pursuing?"
When this question started to emerge among the graduating students,
Itami had muttered quietly "I don't feel like stepping into the society
like those riajuu…" As, he knocked on the door of a local branch of the
JSDF office one day
Anyone would exclaim "How the hell did he get commissioned as an
officer?"
Because he lacked the mentality for national defence and passion for
his job, his boss told him to 'redo your training', and sent him to a
training unit famous for its tough training regimen.
Unsurprisingly, he contacted his boss and told him that he 'wants to
quit'.
His boss was also troubled. There was no point encouraging him
verbally, because he wouldn't have needed to go through all that
trouble if it could work.
Left without a choice, he resorted to using the ultimate skill against
Itami.
"If you quit now, I won't approve your year-end leave."(29th, 30th and
31st of December)
"Huh? Then I'll try my best."
Itami's boss, till this day still has no idea why his words were so
effective against Itami.
Thus, on a certain day in summer, when Itami was hurrying towards a
doujinshi event, held in a corner of the city by riding the Shimbashi
Line, something unbelievable had happened.
A massive 'Gate' appeared suddenly.
From it emerged an army of fantasy monsters.
The area beyond the Gate had been named as the Special Region by the
government. However, it only took Itami seconds to understand that
the land beyond the Gate was an entirely different world.
Then, he remembered.
"Ugh! If this continues, the Summer Comiket will be cancelled!"
His quick-witted thinking and actions would later be published in all
the major news outlets.
When Kasumigaseki and Nagata city was attacked, all the politicians
and government officials ran for their lives without even understanding
the situation happening around them. Because there was nobody
ordering them, the JSDF troops stationed there couldn't be deployed.
The south gate of Sakurada had been destroyed by the attack. With the
chain of command of the police force absent, the police were unable to
take effective actions.
Amidst that situation, Itami calmly grabbed a panicking policeman
nearby and pointed towards the west.
"Lead the civilians towards the Imperial Palace for refuge!"
But he was answered with an "impossible!" After all, for a mere police
officer's thinking, the idea of seeking refuge in the Imperial Palace was
not an option he could consider.
That might be so, but the Imperial Palace was originally the Edo castle,
a place built as a military structure that could hold tens of thousands of
people. When defending against the cavalries of the Middle Age, there
was no better place than this.
No, they were not being sieged, so they need not hold down the fort and
just let the civilians escape to the west through Hanzou gate.
Itami and the police force who lost contact with the command
structure but still wanted to protect the civilians, barricaded
themselves in the imperial palace with the cooperation of the refugees.
Although the security guards of the palace protested, an order from a
certain 'Important Person' in the Palace was all that took to appease
them.
The Edo Castle that was built by Tokugawa had never experienced a
battle before. Ironically, after hundreds of years of peace, the palace
finally showed its value as a fort.
After that, the first riot squad that was made up of guards of the
Imperial Palace and the fourth riot squad deployed from Ichigaya
autonomously started what would be known later as 'The Defensive
battle of the Two Bridges'.
However, nobody would object to Itami's accomplishment that saved
thousands of people a few hours prior to that. Thus, not only did Itami
receive a commendation from the Minister of Defense, he was also
promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant.
And thus, he won the day.
Sometime later, in the special region dispatch force camp.
It was the dawn after the third attack.
The bright sky shone on the land filled with numerous amounts of
humans and fantasy beast's carcass that covered the earth.
There were even wyverns that were shot down by the AA gun's 40mm
rounds.
It was said in the legends that the scales of a dragon were harder than
steel itself. It seemed that the legend was true, but it couldn't withstand
40mm armour-piercing rounds raining on it.
"So a city worth of people is gone just like that?"
Itami thought while taking in the sight in front of him.
The number of enemies that attacked Ginza was around sixty
thousand.
Excluding the fantasy creatures such as ogres, the number of casualties
from the first attack to the third attack last night had amounted to
sixty thousand. After losing a total of one hundred and twenty
thousand troops, what would the enemy plan to do next?
There was no way to determine the population of this world. After all,
their mission was to secure the Gate and the area surrounding it, so
they didn't perform any reconnaissance yet.
Using common sense, a country or tribe losing tens of thousands of
soldiers would suffer a heavy blow. There were people that looked like
children. No, they really were children, or could it be a certain race that
has such characteristics?
It wasn't certain yet, but for a country to send children out into the
battlefield, it was proof of their despair.
If Itami has thoughts that far, the other commanders definitely would
have the same thoughts.
That there was a need to start an investigation on this world.
In order to secure a sizeable amount of territory, defend the land
around the gate, and negotiate with the enemy, there was a need to
gather intelligence to formulate future plans. Luckily, using the
Kawasaki OH.1 helicopter, they could take aerial pictures of the land
around the Gate to make a map. If a runway was built, unmanned
reconnaissance drones could be deployed.
After that, investigation on human cities, population, races, industry,
religion, political landscape and the culture of the people could be
initiated.
How were they going to investigate?
By going there directly, of course.
"Would it really work?"
"Don't mind whether it would work or not! You're going!'
Major Higaki replied with a tired voice to his subordinate who was
slow to react.
Itami tilted his head bafflingly at the words of his new boss.
He was an officer serving under the 5th combat unit, a First Lieutenant
that was sort of like a burden. He wasn't that dense to not understand
his reconnaissance mission, but he had no subordinates.
"Could it be that I have to go alone?"
There was no way he would be fine with that.
"I don't believe I ever said that. I'm organising six deep investigation
teams. Your mission is to lead the third one to contact the residents
inside your assigned zone and understand their situation. It may be
important for the future actions of the JSDF, so try to get on their good
side if possible."
"Hmm...If you say so…"
Thus, Itami scratched his head and became the platoon commander of
the third reconnaissance platoon.
United States of America, White House
"Mr. President, here's the 6th report regarding the Gate in Tokyo."
After spreading jam and butter on a piece of toast, President Dirrell ate
it before receiving the papers placed in a binder from his capable aide.
After glancing through the few pieces of papers, he placed the report
on the table.
"Mr. Crealon. According to this report, the Japanese Army went
through much trouble to go through the Gate, only to shut themselves
behind walls around the Gate like turtles?"
"It's as you say, Sir. The only action the JSDF has done recently is
strengthening their defence, nothing more."
The aide didn't use the term Army, but Self-Defence Force. However,
the President didn't mind his aide's nonchalant correction and
continued by saying.
"Hmph… an overwhelming technology gap. Superb soldiers who have
undergone strict training. Just what the hell are they hesitating for?
Tell me what you think."
"Mr. President, please allow my blunt statement. Japan has learned
from the World War. Although they have an overwhelming fighting
power, to completely gain control over those vast areas of land, just
using weapons isn't enough. What they can do now is, after completely
grasping the political situations of the Special Region, and adopt the
strategy of suppressing key targets."
That could be seen if one considers the unusual number of mid-level
commanders in the force deployed beyond the Gate. After completing
the phase of securing the Gate, they are now deploying small squads
for intelligence gathering and pacification work.
After dabbing the grease at his lips, the president glanced at his
subordinate.
"In other words, the Japanese Army is investigating the situation in the
Special Region right now?"
"It is as you say, Mr. President. Prime Minister Houjou seems to be a
cautious man and by not rushing things, he is now taking things step
by step."
President Dirrell took a sip of his coffee.
After taking a tough stance against the Ginza Incident with an
unyielding attitude, Prime Minister Houjou had gained an unexpected
boost in his support and is now politically stable. Thus, there was no
need to rush things as it is.
On the other hand, President Dirrell's support has been going down the
drain. He had to show significant results to his people soon, that's how
the situation was for him.
"My dear aide, the Gate is a new uncharted land."
"So it is, Mr. President."
"There must be countless possibilities beyond the Gate. Just imagine
it."
Untouched resources, overwhelming technological advantage,
unpolluted nature. For an economy that was made up of capitalism, it
was like a pot of gold.
The presence of resources was confirmed.
After analysing the equipments of the attackers of Ginza, they were all
made of mineral resources similar to Earth. Not only that, it seems that
the Special Region could be rich in rare minerals such as gold and
diamonds.
The difference in technologies could be determined from the design
and types of weapons.
Although the equipment looked like works of art at a glance, it was
only at the level of handmade items. The material and built wasn't
uniform, and there wasn't any set design.
After considering the equipment of the cavalries and their attack
strategies, one could easily predict the society and productivity of their
civilization.
On top of that was the existence of fantasy creatures, beast and demihumans on the other side of the Gate. Their genes could be said as a
revolutionary mountain of treasure for the biological researchers.
This was the Gate's worth.
This unnatural phenomenon had attracted the interests of scientists
around the world.
"Don't worry, Mr. President. America is allies with Japan. With our
similar values and our strong economic ties, the benefits reaped from
the Special Region should be open to America. It's about time we work
towards that."
"It isn't enough."
Speaking of actions, the European Union had started to react.
China, Russia, as well as other rising countries have already started to
act behind the scenes for the benefits granted from the Gate.
"The problem is, to what extent we can secure our interests."
This was the result President Dirrell wanted to show to his people.
"Therefore, I think our country can participate in the action more.
Considering the alliance between Japan and America, how about
deploying our own army into the Gate?"
However, the aide shook his head regretfully.
"Our hands are currently full with the situation in the Middle East and
we can't spare the effort."
Also, the possibilities of the Gate may not all be benefits. To tame the
uneducated barbarians in the Special Region, large amounts of budget,
talents and time were needed. Just like during the time the British
colonized other nations, just using force was not enough.
The president sighed deeply at the annoying reality that prevented him
from getting his way.
"Based on the report, the battles in the Special Region seem to be
intense?"
"The number of ammunition consumption was alarming. But it seemed
to be tapering down. The JSDF must have secured the Gate. After all,
the difference in equipment and training is just too vast."
"Hmph...So what shall we do?"
"It's fine to just supply Japan with weapons and ammunition. We just
need to give a heads up to the weapons' industry. Next would be the
signing an agreement to send our people in for scientific research.
After that will be dependent on the situation."
If they supported Japan too much, they may be dragged into a bad
situation.
Many countries agreed that the JSDF being sent into the Special Region
was for a just cause. But for a few countries such as China and South
Korea criticised that Japan's militarism had reared its head again and it
is now invading others again.
No matter what Japan does, these countries would criticise its actions
anyway, but he couldn't ignore it since their denouncement was public.
Should Japan decide to monopolise the profits from the Special Region,
more countries with similar stance would emerge. Should such a
situation emerges, America would not be safe from being called an
accomplice to Japan.
"Let Japan pick the chestnut out of the fire."
"Then execute an adequate plan when the situation calls for it." said
the aide.
However, President Dirrell still wasn't satisfied.
For now, Japan had been moving all the right pieces, not allowing
America to get involved.
President Dirrell had to show some significant results for his people.
However, he couldn't just ignore his aide's warnings. Clicking his
tongue in annoyance, he agreed to his aide's advice and move on to the
next topic requiring his attention.
The appearance of the Gate had the second largest impact in history
ever since Columbus's discovery of America.
Just like the discovery of America had caused Spain to development
into an empire, the appearance of the Gate will affect the world's
structure greatly. Thus, every government in the world was now
keeping a close eye on what actions Japan would take regarding the
Gate.
Ula Pianca (Imperial Castle)
Each day, hundreds of lords and nobles would visit the castle.
Senators, nobles, and courtiers would gather in meetings, treating
politics just like any other chores.
In the meetings, they would enjoy delicious foods, graceful dancers,
gambling, courting before engaging in dialogues... That was the general
feel of it. The nobles might even decide the deployment of armies
based on the number of games they hunted.
However, with the recent defeats haunting their minds, each of them
had a grim look on their face.
The beautiful pieces of art now looked like pebbles on the road while
the graceful music sounded hollow to them.
What caused the Empire to hold its dominant position among the
countries when it was under the reign of Emperor Molt Sol Augustus
was the overwhelming military force and immense wealth.
Even a child would know that these were the reasons that the Empire
was feared by many countries.
Now, the Empire could be said to have lost an arm.
As the generals and nobles in the court were part of the expedition,
there was a huge amount of casualties.
With such an outstanding amount of dead people, the nobles had to
spend their day rushing around from one funeral to another.
The emperor himself hosted the ceremony with mourning clothes and
the lazy days of the castle continued.
"Your Majesty, the Alliance Army has suffered a major defeat. The dead
and missing have reached sixty thousand. If we include the ones who
were wounded, but are still able to resume their duties, it is around a
hundred thousand. The survivors of the Alliance Army have each
returned to their respective countries."
These numbers had not included the ogres, goblins and giants. The
demi-humans which had inferior intelligence were treated like
warhorses.
Hearing Domestic Minister Marquis Marcus's report, the emperor
nodded his head tiredly.
"Just as planned. The cowardly senators who were afraid after we
suffered some losses have nothing to worry about anymore."
"But, the movement of the enemies from beyond the Gate is a
concern."
"Hmm, are you getting paranoid?"
"I was born with this paranoia of mine. I will never attain such
magnanimity as Your Majesty."
"So be it. In that case, I shall act as to relieve the worries of my trusted
retainer. This is not such a difficult problem. The distance from Alnus
Hill to here is far. It will be fine to use the Empire's extensive territory
as a rampart."
The emperor continued.
If the enemies started moving their pieces, all the cities and villages
leading up to the Empire shall be burned down, the wells poisoned and
the food seized till the last grain of wheat. Therefore, amidst the
scorched earth, no army could obtain supplies and thus stop their
advancement. With this, no matter how strong their army and their
mages might be, a chance for them to show their weakness would
arise.
If there was no way to forage supplies locally, supplies would have to
be sent from their own country. It would be a heavy burden on their
horses. This way, the enemy's fighting potential would be lower the
closer they get to the capital, giving the Empire's army the advantage
when fighting near the capital.
If they built strongholds at various locations and forced the enemies to
bleed, the enemies would gradually crumble under the pressure. Such
was the basis of this world's military science.
Make the enemies advance deep into the enemy's territory and hit
them when they are tired. Without doubt it was an easily
understandable and effective tactic in any world. However, scorched
earth tactics would turn their own lands into crisp, and it would be
hard to undo the damage. Such tactics disregarded the livelihoods of
the people by robbing their food and water, and the support of the
people would be lost. Thus, the people would have resentment towards
the government that would last for generations. Considering all these
cons, it was hard to issue such orders politically. However...
"But...the tax revenue would decrease."
Marquis Marcus used a reserved manner to articulate the damage that
would be done to the people.
The emperor only said "Hmph. Just cancel a few planned parades and
postpone the plans for the imperial villa." For the powerful Empire, the
suffering of the people and the approval of the citizens were such
trivial things.
"There was talk of Marquis Casel, making a fuss."
"Why do I have to care about what Marquis Casel's sanity?"
"It seems like he and some of the senators are conspiring to declare a
state of emergency counsel."
The Senate's counsel could veto the orders from the emperor. The
Senate even has the power to dismiss the emperor.
In the history of the Empire, the number of cases where the thrones of
emperors were threatened due to the counsel from the Senate was not
low.
"Hmph, how interesting. Just let them do what they want. Who knows,
this may be a chance to round up all those conspirators at the same
time. Order the Privy Council to look into this matter."
Marcus had an astonished expression on his face for a second, but he
still bowed respectfully towards the emperor.
The emperor's weapon against the Senate was the crime of treason. It
required the Privy Council to present evidence in order to sentence
them.
"It seems like many have taken the privilege of being a Senator for
granted. Looks like it's time to remove the weeds."
Marquis Marcus bowed his head respectfully.
Suddenly, a voice that was clear as a bell cut through the quiet air in
the palace.
"Your Majesty!"
The disrespectful person appearing before the emperor was the
princess. In other words, one of the emperor's daughters.
She had flame-like vermillion hair and white porcelain skin that was
accentuated by her white silk garment. Kneeling on one knee, she
displayed flawless court etiquettes.
"What's the matter?"
"The Empire is now having an emergency. What has Your Majesty did
to curb this problem? Is Your Majesty getting senile?"
Such sharp words emerged from her beautiful face.
Realising that there was another one who mistook privilege for
authority, Emperor Molt smiled bitterly.
The princess's tongue was sharp as usual.
"Your Highness, what urgent matters do you have to barge into the
chambers of His Majesty?"
If the emperor's third daughter, Piña Co Lada just sat still with a smile
on her face, she would look just like a peerless work of art. However,
her sharp tongue have been said to have made weak men faint, which
was infamous in Empire.
"Obviously, it's about the bandits occupying Arnus Hill. It seems that
till this day Arnus Hill is still under their control. I couldn't imagine
that your Majesty would still sit with such a relaxed posture after
hearing what happened to the Allied Army. Marquis, have you reported
the facts to his Majesty?"
"Your Highness, I certainly did give the report. The Alliance Army did
suffer heavy losses, but they defended bravely against the enemy's
invasion of the Falmat Continent. Thanks to the courageous Alliance
Army who sacrificed their lives in the battle, the enemy who received
both physical and psychological damage and are shivering in fear as
they built strong forts in panic, hiding within like hibernating bears.
Such enemies are no threat to us at all."
After hearing Marquis Marcus's words, Piña replied with a 'hmph'.
"I'm not a kid anymore, I know that how things are put across matters.
But to turn an army's complete defeat into victory is unheard of for
me."
"It's the truth."
"So you are going to sacrifice the truth and paint the history books with
your lies?"
"Even if you put it like that, I cannot answer."
"You sly courtier! Isn't the Holy Hill of Arnus still under the enemy's
complete control? They defended successfully? The truth is that the
foot of the hill is filled with corpses."
"It's true that we took some losses…"
"Then, what are we going to do from now on?"
Marquis Marcus played dumb while explaining to her the projects such
as recruitment of new troops and their training. Piña clicked her
tongue annoyingly at Marcus's words that anyone who was army
related would know of.
"How many years do you think it will take? Could you ensure that the
enemies of Arnus Hill would sit quietly and wait?"
"Your Highness. I am aware of that. But currently, all we can do is to
follow the steps of recruiting, training and rebuilding of the army. Even
the vassal states have lost their troops. Even if another Alliance Army
was formed, the time needed for it to become reality would be
proportional to the national strength. Even if the other countries
reconstructed their armies later than us, they will catch up sooner or
later."
Hearing this, Piña exclaimed astonishingly:
"It would be impossible to defend against the invaders if we wait that
long!"
Sighing, Emperor Molt held up his hand to stop their bickering.
Based on his observations, Piña had the tendency to cause unrest.
Those without responsibilities were like this; always criticising but had
no constructive suggestions. Even if they had made suggestions, it was
all a wishful thinking that disrespected the tradition and social status
of others. If someone voiced objections against them, they would
counter by asking "What would you do then!"
For example, the only solution now is to follow the steps Marquis
Marcus had said. Buying time for that would be dependent on
diplomacy. To achieve that, the emperor's plan to gather the vassal
country's troops and eliminate them in one go was successful.
The resigned emperor shrugged and said to his daughter.
"If you put it this way Piña, I have something to say."
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Regarding the enemies of Arnus hill, what information we have on our
hands now is very limited. Why don't you go check it out?"
"Me?"
"Yes. We are still rebuilding of the Empire's army, so we are lacking
scouts and can't draw them from our standing army. The enlisting and
training of new recruits will need time as Marquis Marcus said. The
only troops that are free and is adequately trained would be your Order
of Knights. If the knights are not your playmates for pretend games,
that is…"
Under the provoking gaze of the Emperor, Piña shut her lips.
The time needed to travel to Arnus Hill was ten days on horseback.
It was the dangerous frontlines, where tens of thousands of troops had
perished. Now she and her Order of Knights had to rush to there by
themselves...
Furthermore, it wasn't for a magnificent battle, but a simple scouting
trip.
For knights, who were mocked to be playing a game of pretend,
although they took pride for being assigned missions, the contents of
the mission were dissatisfying.
Also, she and her order of knights had zero experience in a real battle.
Could she and her knights successfully complete this dangerous
mission?
The emperor's gaze carried the meaning of 'if you don't want to then
shut the hell up'.
"Well then. Do you accept this order?"
Gritting her teeth, Piña raised her head with a determined look and...
"I have received it."
After she said those proud words Emperor Molt responded
ceremoniously.
"Umu, then I shall look forward towards your achievements."
"Well then, Father. I shall be on my way."
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