Chronicle Legion:Volume 2 Chapter 1
Chapter 1 - Under the Black Knight's Shadow
Part 1
October in the year Tenryuu 58...
It was past the middle of the month and autumn was in full swing.
People called autumn the season of appetite and the time for sports. However, enjoying these pleasures were a little difficult at Tachibana Masatsugu's current residence of Suruga City.
After all, enemy armies were occupying the "surroundings" of Suruga City.
"Taisei, how many days has it been since the British Empire's forces attacked?"
"It's the sixth day. Time sure flies, it's going to be a week soon."
Masatsugu was chatting with Okonogi Taisei, one of his few friends.
They were classmates studying in the second year of Rinzai Private High School. They had met up at the classroom of Year 2 Class 2, their homeroom.
Martial law had been proclaimed in Suruga City, yet Rinzai High decided to resume classes.
However, this did not mean their lives had returned to normal. Invading under the banner of the Restoration Alliance, the British Empire had taken over Shizuoka Prefecture using overwhelming military force.
Of the five tutelary forts in the prefecture, four had fallen.
The sole exception was this land of Suruga.
Thanks to Chevalier Akigase Rikka coming to the the Suruga tutelary fort by chance—as well as Tachibana Masatsugu's efforts—they managed to halt the Restoration Alliance's advance.
The problem was that enemy forces still remained inside Shizuoka Prefecture.
Transportation networks going in and out of Suruga City were all blockaded by the Restoration Alliance. Neither trains nor automobiles could pass through.
Suruga City and its immediate surroundings were like an isolated island on land.
Martial law had been imposed five days ago when the British attacked and still had not been lifted. Normally, education institutions would suspend classes during martial law.
However, the high school where Masatsugu and Taisei studied had classes starting again.
This had nothing to do with the noble ideals of dedication to learning or defiance against military brutality.
Since escaping Suruga was impossible, people had nothing to do. Why not round up all the students and teachers in the city and run some lessons... Purely nothing more than that.
"In the end, it feels more like we came to school to chat. Without the teachers and students who commute from outside the city, normal classes can't really proceed."
"Even if you want to kill time by watching television, there's no reception."
Noetic control techniques for causing destructive interference with electromagnetic waves, wireless communications, and noetic waves were known as "noetic disruption."
After war broke out, Suruga had been under serious noetic disruption. Phones, televisions, and other household electrical appliances could not be used.
"By the way, residents in Shizuoka Prefecture can't watch television only because the prefecture's master control is located at Suruga. Of course, it's a different matter for those who live in areas that can receive signals from Kantō or Aichi."
"Meaning that everyone is suffering because of us."
"Maybe that's also part of the Restoration Alliance's plan, to minimize the amount of unnecessary information received by residents in the prefecture—Oh, that reminds me."
Taisei suddenly changed the subject.
"For fourth period, students and teachers have to go off campus for community service."
As a side note, it was currently the break between second and third period.
The one who informed Masatsugu, Okonogi Taisei, was also the vice-president of the student council. He now spoke to a third person who had remained silent so far.
"I am terribly sorry to impose this on a knight... and Your Highness, Princess."
"Do not worry about it. This is more meaningful than idly wasting time."
Her elegant response prompted Taisei to retract his neck with a "much obliged."
Seeing her "classmate" react so timidly, the young maiden smiled and said, "We are all fellow students on a common quest for learning. There is no need to be so reserved."
"That's a fair point, but it's a bit too challenging for a commoner like me."
Despite speaking to Masatsugu as equals, Taisei acted especially respectful towards the young maiden.
This was only natural. The person before him had become a household name in Suruga City not too long ago. She was Fujinomiya Shiori the imperial princess.
Taisei and Masatsugu were conversing while standing in front of her seat.
Furthermore, this young and beautiful princess had her platinum blonde hair in a ponytail and was wearing the school blazer.
"If I remember correctly... Your Highness is sixteen, isn't that right?"
Despite saying he was going to remain reserved, Taisei actively initiated conversation with the princess.
Speaking of which, like his friend Masatsugu, Taisei was the kind of guy who marched at the beat of his own drum. Neither arrogant nor subservient, he was using polite forms without much rigor to speak to Shiori.
"That is correct."
"Then you are a second-year like us because—"
"I suppose it would count as skipping grades. Do know that I did pass the transfer exam, so skipping grades is the result based on academic results." Shiori then added mischievously, "Naturally, it was thoughtful of the school to assign me to the same homeroom as Masatsugu-sama."
"I think so too."
Technically, Fujinomiya Shiori was also a student of outstanding academic excellence.
She not only kept up with second-year courses effortlessly but also demonstrated the intellect to achieve perfect scores on minor tests and classroom participation in all subjects.
The only exception was PE class which she opted out using an excuse of "frailty in health."
...But of course, Masatsugu was aware of the truth.
There was nothing wrong with the princess' health. She boycotted PE class only because she needed to keep her top secret of "athletic ineptitude."
However, the beautiful and charming princess commented nonchalantly, "Since Suruga is currently in a crisis, perhaps I shouldn't be saying this... However, I honestly feel very happy. Ever since a long time ago, I have always wanted to experience school life like this."
She did not neglect to offer a demure smile.
She had not forgotten the cover story she had used during the interview for the news program last time. Having played the part so many times, her ability to feign docility was like second nature.
Masatsugu had heard that Shiori had skipped grades to enter university during her studies in Rome.
Enrolling in high school in Japan was to create the image of "the young and frivolous princess." In truth, the princess with ambitions to take over Japan was a diligent learner who had not only mastered all regular academic disciplines but also politics, diplomacy, history and cultural studies of various nations, and even military strategy...
Born in the right era, she would be qualified as a first-rate strategist. That was how much of an elite she was.
"By the way, Vice-President."
Since Taisei was a member of the student council, Shiori always addressed him by his title.
It was probably unintentional on her part, but there was a "princess asking a retainer's opinion on national affairs" kind of classy tone to it.
"As one might expect, there are not too many students at school."
"Many people believe it's not a time to be attending school."
The classroom was quiet and unoccupied during break.
Student numbers were low. Today's attendance was only 50%.
"The Restoration Alliance has not attacked since the night before yesterday... No one knows when the fighting will resume. I can understand their feelings of wanting to stay home."
"But you don't feel the same way, Vice-President?"
"I shoulder the responsibilities of the student council, after all. If other students are coming, I can't feign ignorance. Besides, if I go to school... Or rather, go near the dorms, there's a Lord Chevalier protecting us."
Answering the princess, Taisei glanced obliquely at Masatsugu.
"I really look forward to your power to drive away the Restoration Alliance, Masatsugu-kun."
"Certainly, I will try to the best of my meager ability..." Masatsugu answered with a shrug.
He had informed the school of his ability to control Legions and his intention to use this power to protect Suruga City.
Only by doing so did he obtain the necessary leniency afforded to "the princess' knight."
"Undeniably, there are many things in this world that are beyond my ability. Just think of me as a straw that happened to show up when everyone is drowning."
"Forget about a big ship, but at least convince us you're a lifeboat."
Taisei had readily accepted the fact that his classmate was a Chevalier.
He knew of Masatsugu's memory loss and his unusually tough fighting ability. Upon hearing of the truth, he showed a "that explains everything" kind of look.
Just as the princess, the Chevalier and the high school boy were chatting away...
"...This moment alone, there are already two Chevaliers in this school."
A stern girl's clear voice interrupted their conversation.
A black-haired beauty had arrived at the classroom, dressed in Imperial Japan's army officer uniform rather than Rinzai High's female uniform.
Taisei reeled in surprise.
The girl in military uniform continued, "Perhaps not a lifeboat, but some level of assurance could be provided."
"Oh, it's Akigase-dono."
"It has been a while, Hiji—No, Tachibana-dono. It is most wonderful to see you in good health, Your Highness."
Hanging at the black-haired girl's belt was a Japanese sword in its scabbard.
This gallant appearance belonged to the Suruga tutelary fort's current castellan, Chevalier Akigase Rikka. Masatsugu could not possibly mistake the identity of a striking beauty of her caliber.
He said, "No too long of a while, really. We met yesterday and the day before."
"I-Indeed, you are right."
Rikka panicked a little when Masatsugu reminded her.
Three nights ago, Masatsugu had defeated the Kamuys of the Restoration Alliance on her behalf. The next day, Rikka had paid a visit to thank him. The day after that, she came again to express her gratitude solemnly.
And today, Akigase Rikka was here again.
She even visited the school while class was in session, leaving her military duties behind.
Although the Suruga tutelary fort and Rinzai High were "neighbors," less than half an hour's drive apart...
Rikka's attitude was inexplicably courteous, despite her status as a fiefdom "princess." Her father was Akigase Shouzan, the Governor General ruling over Tōkaidō.
"By the way, Akigase-dono, may I ask what you're doing here today?"
"Y-Yes. Like you, Tachibana-dono, we are both Chevaliers protecting Suruga."
When speaking, Rikka avoided eye contact with Masatsugu.
"It is only right that we make the most of chances to interact and get to know each other better. Th-That is, if it is alright with you."
"Oh I see. To share insight as Chevaliers?"
"Yes, precisely, Chevaliers have plenty of insight to share."
"Is it necessary for you to come all the way to the school?"
"I-I happen to be free. I did worry about disturbing you, but I did not want to waste time, so I brazenly paid a visit."
"Akigase-dono, you're definitely the busiest person in Suruga right now."
"N-Not at all. Having received my rank from the imperial state, I am merely fulfilling my obligations. Please understand."
Rikka mustered her courage to converse with Masatsugu.
Rather than a sharing of insight between Chevaliers, this was more akin to a young maiden suppressing her bashful feelings to boldly approach "the object of her affections."
Deciding not to think too much about it, Masatsugu nodded.
Introverted sheltered young ladies were to his liking, but he also found it very cute when girls expressed their affections honestly.
No matter which kind of girl Akigase Rikka was, at least there was no doubt that she was highly attractive. Her feelings also delighted him.
Masatsugu said to her, "Sure, but let's not stand and talk in a classroom. We'll go outside."
"Y-Yes. It would be my pleasure."
"Uh, Masatsugu-kun, class will be starting in two minutes, you know?"
"Sorry, this is part of work, so help me smooth things over with the teacher."
In front of his delighted knight companion, Masatsugu asked his friend for a favor sullenly.
Meanwhile, his liege Fujinomiya Shiori revealed a momentary look of panic while listening to his conversation with Rikka. She coughed lightly and said, "Excuse me, Masatsugu-sama, please allow Hatsune to accompany you if there will be a discussion regarding Chevalier matters."
"Why is that?"
"Consider this, did we not mention previously... Hatsune wishes to inherit the Appellation that has been the Tachibana family's heirloom? It stands to reason that Hatsune would benefit from attending a conversation between Chevaliers. Yes, it is decided so. Besides, on further thought..."
Shiori and said in an innocent tone of voice, "I should take part in your discussion too. It is a princess' duty to respond to the loyalty shown by you knights."
"...I see."
Could it be that the princess was jealous because he was skipping class on a "date"?
Musing upon this disrespectful speculation, Masatsugu agreed to Shiori's request. Surprised by the sudden development but unable to offer words of objection, Rikka had no choice but to acquiesce.
Part 2
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Part 3
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Part 4
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