Editing Horizon:Volume 10A Chapter 23 (section)

==Chapter 23: Side by Side in a Quiet Place==
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''Surely

''She will later realize

''How important this time is

''I have to believe that

'''Point Allocation (Self Persuasion)

●

Kiyomasa realized no more noise was coming from the distant bow.

Her team was currently taking over the stern corridor of the Musashi’s third port ship. They had taken the entrance, so she was now advancing as a diversion. Their basic tactic was for her to draw the fire from the elevated area while the rest attacked there.

During all this, a distinctive sound had ceased.

The sound produced by Sakon.

Kiyomasa had learned to recognize the solid impacts created by her wooden swords back when she arrived to help her during the Battle of Shizugatake.

But Sakon, who had defeated Niwa, had stopped here.

…''Well done.

Sakon’s opponent had been the Tachibana Couple. And based on the battle report, Sakon had won.

Since she was withdrawing, she didn’t need to explain what kind of victory it had been. It must have been a near thing, just like her battle against Niwa.

That was enough.

Thanks to the space between ships, the battle had sounded like it was coming from beyond a mountain, but…

“Thank you.”

One trustworthy fighter had just withdrawn. The distant sounds arriving as if from beyond a mountain were gone now.

The vibe seemed so familiar and Kiyomasa tried to figure out where she had felt it before.

…''The evenings in Sanada were a lot like this.

As the sun had set beyond the mountains, Unno and the dragons’ voices had joined the cicada cries and reached her as an echo. The place had felt so lively.

She knew the current battle was slowly progressing. Air superiority of the space between the Azuchi and the Musashi was effectively up for grabs now that Magoichi and Musashi’s 2nd Special Duty Officer were down.

But the Azuchi was on its side, meaning it couldn’t be boarded from the Musashi.

Musashi’s 3rd and 4th Special Duty Officers cold probably fly up to it, but Hashiba’s landing on the Musashi would continue to progress in that time.

The problem was that Sakon had withdrawn from the Musashi’s second port ship. Repelling the Tachibana Couple, who acted as aides to their Vice Chancellor, had been impressive, but now Hashiba had no Special Duty class fighters on that second ship.

“But,” said Kiyomasa. “In a way, this is setting up the situation we hoped for.”

“Testament. Now Musashi’s Special Duty class fighters will be coming to duel you all,” said a unit commander.

A few people tilted their heads and expressed confusion at that.

“Isn’t that a bad thing for us? That only makes taking the Musashi harder, doesn’t it?”

“There is more than one way to win.”

And…

“We were partially buying time to ensure this happened.”

With a “yes”, she said, facing forward and taking a fighting stance.

This unit, the others behind them, and those up on the elevated area all quickly took their own fighting stances.

Someone had arrived. Someone Kiyomasa had a reason to face no matter what.

“So you’re here.”

Two figures emerged from down the corridor Kiyomasa’s team had begun to take.

The English Princess wielding Ex. Collbrande and Musashi’s 1st Special Duty Officer.

●

Tenzou looked to Mary as she turned toward him. He saw her eyebrows somewhat raised.

“Which one of us should battle her?” she asked.

''It should be me,'' he thought. Mary was a VIP. If anything happened to her, her family would hold a (personal) family meeting and his life would be in extreme danger.

But Mary said something else.

“She is carrying a divine weapon created from the same technology as Excalibur.”

“You can block it with your blade, can’t you?”

They had seen that once. When the Musashi entered Kantou, they had intervened in a battle fought in Mito. At the time, Ex. Collbrande’s blade had sliced through the glowing attack made by the enemy’s Caledfwlch weapon.

So defense was possible even if it required a counterattack. That meant launching the counterattack in time, which would require some effort. He was curious about something else as well.

“What about Ex. Collbrande’s light attack?”

“I don’t know if she can launch hers with just the one blade,” said Mary as she split Ex. Collbrande into two. “But just one of her Caledfwlch’s blades can be used as a thruster. Ex. Collbrande must be combined to launch its light attack, but this is done through the ether link formed on the back of the sword, so it isn’t performed by the blades themselves. Meaning…”

“Let’s fight together, Mary-dono.”

“Judge.”

That was it.

He felt bad having her make so many excuses. ''I’m a failure for taking so long to notice,'' he thought. But…

“It would be reassuring if Ex. Collbrande could launch that attack with just the one blade.”

“If it comes to it, swing the blade toward your opponent while wishing for it to reach the person your eyes and thoughts are on. Then it will launch as if reaching out a hand.”

But…

“If that doesn’t work…”

“In that case, I will snatch you away and run. Unlike Elizabeth-dono, I am sure she will let us go.”

This received an immediate response from Kiyomasa.

“I will not let the boy escape.”

…”Eh!? Only me!?

●

'''Asama:''' “What did you do, Tenzou-kun? If you carelessly made a weird spiritual connection, you should stop by the Asama Shrine for some purification.”

'''Silver Wolf:''' “Also, I was on my way to help the Tachibana Couple, but it’s already over!”

'''Bell:''' “Oh…oh…Mitotsudaira-san…another…300 meters!”

'''Art-Ga:''' “Really though, what did you do? We’re going to need an explanation next time, okay?”

'''Scarred:''' “N-no, this must be jealousy. I think she doesn’t like how well Master Tenzou and I get along.”

'''Gold Mar:''' ‘Oh, so it’s an extension of what we see on the divine net all the time? Got it.”

●

''Oops,'' thought Kiyomasa.

…''I let that slip out.

It wasn’t time for that yet. And if they were here together…

“I do not mind if you both take me on at once.”

She was confident and had a reason for it. Namely…

“I am currently Katou Kiyomasa of M.H.R.R., but I will let you know I am a double name inheritor.”

“Eh?” said the boy, inclining his head forward. He swiftly opened a lernen figur, likely to check the almanac of Chancellor’s Officers and Student Councils. He should have found that information in the yearly list of name inheritors, but…

“Excuse me...but this says Katou Kiyomasa is your only inherited name.”

“It is not. And you two should understand.”

The boy nearly said something more, but the English Princess stopped him with a nod.

“You mean we will understand once we duel you, don’t you?”

“Testament. We haven’t met since Mito, but that is why I have come here.”

“In that case,” said her opponent. “I am Musashi’s Mary Stuart and Tudor, making me a double name inheritor.”

“I am Musashi 1st Special Duty Officer Tenzou Crossunite. …I am not a name inheritor.”

“Have you told the English Princess the origin of the name Tenzou?”

“Eh!?”

She turned toward the boy and he shook his head.

“Well, um, there is a bit of a story behind my name.”

“There is?”

Kiyomasa knew all about it. So she nodded and…

“Hopefully he will have a chance to tell you about it.”

●

Mary didn’t understand. But she was a little curious.

“Master Tenzou, I believe she is from the same sect as me.”

“From the look of it, I would say your boobs are bigger.”

She nearly said “then there’s nothing to worry about”, but she stopped herself. There was something she did have to ask.

“Do you know her?”

“No, not at all,” said Tenzou. “Besides, ever since you arrived here, I barely even see the other girls around me, so it is possible I just failed to notice her.”

●

'''Me:''' “Could she be the model for that character you wrote a half-assed walkthrough for online?”

'''10ZO:''' “Ahhh! But the scenario for the girl version of Mary-dono’s child James I was far too short! Mary-dono’s scenario, on the other hand, was superb! Except for the tragic ending where the ninja dies after showing up to save her!”

'''Uqui:''' “The developers didn’t do much to hide their personal opinion in that one, huh?”

●

Since he had come up with a decent idea, Tenzou was curious enough to look up the name inheritance information for James I. And…

'''<Search: James I: Nuthin’ here>

''Isn’t the Testament Union usually more formal?'' he thought, but apparently that thought was wrong.

Also, Kiyomasa’s glare was painful. He didn’t know what her deal was, but…

“Do you wish for a duel?”

“Testament. That is why I am here.”

“In that case,” he said, picking up Mary and making a back dash that shifted into just plain running away.

“Eh!?”

Mary shouted in surprise and…

“Are you running away!?”

Kiyomasa’s accusation was accurate.

…''This is bad!

This exchange was enough for him to tell the enemy – the Hashiba Ten Spears – were targeting them. They wanted to accomplish something through these duels. And based on what Mary had heard at Mito…

“Are you trying to stop us!?”

●

Masazumi monitored the battle with her sign frame.

The enemy units were currently being held off. And the enemies acting alone were in the process of being dealt with and, according to “Musashino”, had mostly been held back.

…''So now what?

She had one question. It was the same thing Mary and the others had mentioned earlier.

“What is the meaning of this battle?”

“Vice President, please move from the bridge to the stairs. With no cover, you are far too exposed to possible sniper fire.”

This came from Kanou who emerged from the academy’s front entrance. The Public Morals Committee would currently be using their knowledge of enforcing the rules to guide the warriors through the more dangerous areas and routes, but…

“We are nearly done. I would like to regroup with Lady Ookubo if possible, but…”

“But it’s too late for that, huh?”

“Judge. We will arrive at Osaka Bay soon. But…what is this battle? A way of ensuring we meet with Hashiba’s representatives?”

“I don’t know either. But Mary and some others say they’re here to stop us.”

“In what way?”

“Judge.” Masazumi paused her work. “Presumably to stop us from stopping the Genesis Project. …What do you think?”

“I see. Judge. That does make some amount of sense.”

Masazumi hadn’t been able to make any sense of it, but did Kanou understand something here?

She looked to the dark-skinned automaton who resumed speaking with a tilt of the head.

“Vice President, you are all crazy as individuals, but altogether you create quite a troublesome group of crazies. Because you are the type of crazies who understand what role you play.”

…''Yeah, the others really are like that.

''It’s tough being the only normal one in the class,'' she thought as she asked a question.

“Judge. It’s true we do make a powerful group as ‘the Musashi forces’. But what advantage does that and ''this battle itself'' provide Hashiba?”

“Stopping ‘Group Crazies’ would ultimately require sinking the Musashi.”

“That much we figured out on our own.”

“Then,” said Kanou. “Vice President. How many of you crazies must be ‘brought down’ before Musashi is no longer able to resolve this political problem?”

●

Masazumi listened to Kanou speak.

“Listen, Vice President. Sinking the Musashi is the best way to stop Musashi. But if they want to restrain you with the least possible harm, how many of ‘the Musashi forces’ must they bring down?”

In other words…

“The enemy is efficient. Now that they have approached the Musashi, they have sent in a small number of representatives in an attempt to challenge us to a number of duels. How many of ‘the Musashi forces’ must they bring down now to prevent us from recovering soon enough to stop the Genesis Project?”

Masazumi understood what Kanou was trying to say. Kanou was correct as far as methodology was concerned. And it fit with the objective of war and other conflicts.

…''Conflicts are meant to wear down your opponent until they lose the ability to achieve their goal before you do.

Even if there was no clear winner, suppressing the enemy could still count as a win.

“I tried to keep this from happening.”

“I am aware of that, Vice President. But the enemy’s will to make it happen was stronger.”

“Why?”

“That I do not know,” said Kanou. “But I think Hashiba sees this as their ending point and is pouring everything into this attempt. If they thought they could try again, we would likely have repelled them. So you need to use every method available to you to break through, Vice President. Do that and they will likely answer your question of ‘why’.”

“So do you think this conflict is more than just a history recreation? You think it’s meant to show us ‘why’?”

“Lady Ookubo’s resistance to you comes from a ‘why’ she holds within herself.”

Masazumi thought about that for a moment before tilting her head.

“Wait, but I’m not all that important.”

“If I were human, this is where I would hit you with a rocket punch. But I am an automaton, so I will not.”

''A human wouldn’t do that either,'' she thought, but then she realized there were those arms that crawled around and tried to act cute.

Still, something seemed to click in her mind.

'''Vice President:''' “So they have a reason for defeating us?”

'''Worshiper:''' “Huh? I thought Hashiba just wanted to stop us so they could defend the Genesis Project.”

'''Novice:''' “Ha ha! Are you saying they secretly have a hidden reason for it!? That’s a conspiracy theory!”

'''10ZO:''' “I agree!”

Checking the sign frame, she saw Crossunite and Mary were moving along the map of the Musashi.

She wondered where they were going, but she figured they had some reason for it. And…

'''10ZO:''' “Hashiba does have some reason to want to stop us!”

●

Mary realized what Tenzou meant while he carried her in his arms. And she understood what Kiyomasa had said to her back at Mito.

Light flew their way as they ran on Oume’s starboard side.

Kiyomasa had given up on taking the corridor and was leaping using Caledfwlch as a thruster.

She soared over a base hull defense barrier to reach them all at once.

“You will not escape!”

''This is odd,'' thought Mary.

'''Scarred:''' “Taking over the Musashi is not why they are here!”

So was the point to defeat the Musashi’s leaders as an indirect way of “stopping” Musashi? But she still had a question.

''Why her?'' She was not one of Musashi’s special duty officers. She had a connection to England, but nothing more than that. Ex. Collbrande was a powerful weapon, but Tenzou would be the more useful target when it came to affecting Musashi’s political abilities.

'''Scarred:''' “Why is she pursuing me!?”

●

''That’s right,'' thought Masazumi with a nod.

…''I doubt anything too bad will happen since Crossunite is there.

Still, she wanted to do whatever she could.

'''Vice President:''' “Judge. In a way, they had been overlooking us. Since they support the Genesis Project, I had thought they would come to stop us out of duty.”

But that wasn’t what happened. This battle was a stage to present this fact.

'''Vice President:''' “Hashiba has ''their own reason'' for wanting to stop us. This isn’t some political decision made by P.A. Oda – they’re here to stop us for a personal reason. What that is I can’t tell you.”

Just as she said that, light concentrated on Murayama’s port side where the main counterattack was taking place.

…''The diplomatic port!

The light of defense barrier shards was shining especially brightly there.

Something had descended from above and shattered all the barriers that appeared in order to stop it.

What was it? Masazumi couldn’t tell at first, but Kanou raised a sharp cry.

“That is Genbu, Hashiba’s Four Sacred Beasts god of war! Its pilot is another of the Ten Spears, Vice President!”

●

The noise told Kasuya that Genbu had boarded the Musashi.

She was busy taking Oume’s bow corridor, but Sakon’s sounds had vanished and a lernen figur said she was withdrawing. That meant only the Ten Spears members who specialized in combat remained, but…

…''Now then.

Objectively, they were at a disadvantage here. How could only Kasuya, Fukushima, Kiyomasa, and Hachisuka of the Ten Spears handle a structure as massive as the Musashi? And even if someone else could join them, how could they sink or take over the solidly defended Musashi?

…''It isn’t possible.

They could do it given sufficient time of course. And they would have that time if the Musashi forces didn’t do anything to stop them.

But the Musashi forces weren’t stupid. They were unusual…no, that didn’t quite cover it, but they would move to stop Hashiba’s attack.

Kousaka turned toward Kasuya with a rifle in hand.

“Leader, we just have to continue our attack here, right? And then…”

“Testament. Musashi’s main force will be here.”

And she would fight them and bring them down. She hoped it would be an officer. She didn’t know if she could win, but she also didn’t know if she would lose.

“If we can defeat several of Musashi’s main force, they will be unable to continue their political ambitions.”

“And ''that'' is what you want?” asked Kousaka.

Kasuya nodded. Then Inada, who was already engaging the enemy at the defense barrier, looked back and…

“We know the gist of it, so I hope you can finish this without regrets.”

Just as Inada finished, a Far Eastern summer uniform kicked him right in the face.

…''Huh?

Kasuya realized Musashi’s 5th Special Duty officer stood at the center of their group. She took a look around with an “oh?” and…

“Um, excuse me. I had a bit too much momentum there.”

“We’re under attaaaaack!!” shouted Kousaka and the rest screamed while preparing to fight.

●

Ohiroshiki saw an odd situation.

In various locations all around, the students of Class Plum and other classes were fighting. As for him, he was running a supply distribution tent in the relatively safe empty space that had originally been a graveyard on Okutama’s center bow.

The Ohiroshiki family had a lot of pull when it came to food supply during combat. Thanks to his own connections, he was in charge of this area which had a lot of students. His job was to pass out the combat rations and to work with Hassan and others to run a food counter for those who had come here to rest. But…

“Giant Honda-kun, how can you just eat at a time like this?”

“Hm? Why wouldn’t I be able to eat? Anyway, next I would like some of the Reine des Garous’s keema curry.”

“Yes, I thought you might, so it’s ready now,” said Hassan, piling the rice high and handing over the plate. And a second plate.

Giant Honda took them both and set one down in front of herself and the other next to her.

There were currently two customers at the counter. One was Musashi Vice Chancellor Honda Futayo and the other was…

“Why is Fukushima Masanori of the Ten Spears here?”

●

Fukushima honestly wanted to know the same thing.

After she landed on the Musashi, she had seen her team off on their diversion mission. After checking the route back for when it was time to withdraw, she had searched for Musashi’s Vice Chancellor.

Up atop the Azuchi’s bow, Hirano had used Yatagarasu’s vision and other sensors to locate the girl on the rear central ship.

Getting there wouldn’t be easy, but she made it easy.

She had crossed the walls formed by the barriers as if rushing across a bridge.

She had known the ship’s security would catch her and track her, so she made a certain move.

“Ootani-dono.”

That data entity understood her. And Mitsunari had ordered him to act as a spell to protect her.

“Simply put, I can spread open a portion of the Musashi’s ether conduits to create a pocket. That will affect the flow of ether there, but because I have only spread it open rather than creating an actual hole, it will be hard to detect. Just do not rush or try to influence it from your end.”

''So it is form of ether camouflage,'' she concluded and gave him the go ahead.

So while she wasn’t able to hurry as much as she would have liked, she had found Honda Futayo at the location Hirano had mentioned.

“Ohh, I was waiting for you.”

So had they detected her despite Ootani’s spell?

●

'''Asama:''' “I’ve detected some unexplained stagnation in the ether conduits. I sent Horizon there to make some physical adjustments and she managed to beat it back into shape, but can you take a look there, Suzu-san?”

'''Bell:''' “…Huh? There’s…a person? There?”

'''Horizey:''' “Ohh, I see him! He just popped out! Bash! Baaaaash!!”

●

'''AnG:''' “They found you? You’re useless, Tsugy.”

'''Super Justice:''' “N-no, I am being subjected to a baffling beating at the moment! Ow ow ow ow ow!”

'''Kimee:''' “Anyway, is Fukushima alright?”

●

She was alright, but that was confusing her.

Fukushima approached the counter Honda Futayo pointed at. She was cautious, but…

“Restaurants are neutral ground. …That is my personal rule, but it also applied at the Siege of Odawara.”

Neither of them had fought there, but rules like that were sometimes established for duels. Also, this was enemy territory, Honda Futayo was acting as a representative of that territory, and she outranked Fukushima as an officer. So Fukushima decided to obey, took a seat at the counter, and tried the curry served to her.

…''This is delicious?

She had thought the Azuchi’s dining hall had superb curry since P.A. Oda worked with the Association of Indian States. But…

“What!?”

“This is average for Hassan-dono’s curry.”

“''This'' is average!?”

“Yes,” said the boy behind the counter. “Your average should be your best balance, not the easiest option.”

''True,'' she thought before Honda Futayo said something more.

“Hassan-dono is Musashi’s strongest.”

“He is!?”

“Judge. He single-handedly destroyed a ghost fleet controlled by your Maeda Toshiie and he defeated the Reine des Garous who I failed to even hit once.”

“Maeda-sama and the Reine des Garous!?”

She had heard all about the Reine des Garous’s strength from Kasuya and Kani when they gathered on the Azuchi in Kantou. Those two had both lost but called it an extremely valuable experience. Their excitement had made her a little jealous.

“The Reine des Garous lost so fully to Hassan-dono that she gave him her signature as a sign of her thanks. You can see it over there.”

Honda Futayo pointed toward an autograph board hanging on the food stand’s inner wall. It displayed a hand print, a lipstick kiss mark, and the Reine des Garous’s signature.

…''Musashi is terrifying!

Someone even more powerful than Vice Chancellor Honda Futayo was making curry at a food stand? How replete with personnel was Musashi?

But as they ate and took a short break, Fukushima asked about something she was curious about.

“Why were thou waiting for me?”

“With the Ten Spears boarding us, I knew you would be my opponent,” said Honda Futayo. And, “Or the opposite.”

“Now that I think about it, the opposite would be more accurate.”

“Fine,” said Honda Futayo. “With the Ten Spears boarding us, I knew I would be your opponent.”

She corrected herself. Fukushima hesitated a moment, but the food stand’s owner gave her a “keep going!” look from behind the counter.

“Th-that is correct.”

“Oh? So you know what that means then?”

…''Is this a high-pressure interview!?

''This has strayed considerably from my original plans,'' she thought, but it was what it was.

She decided to say what she had to say.

“At Novgorod, thou announced thou were after the Honda Tadakatsu inherited name. But someone threatens that position.”

“Do you mean yourself?”

“No, I mean Tachibana Muneshige-sama.”

“Then what are you?”

“Testament,” replied Fukushima. “I hope to defeat thee and claim the Honda Tadakatsu name for myself.”

●

''I have finally said it,'' thought Fukushima.

But that was for the best. If she defeated this person next to her who always added soy sauce when she ate curry, she would automatically be considered for the inherited name.

…''Doesn’t that make it too salty?

''Should I say something? No, I shouldn’t. She will be getting some exercise soon enough.

But Honda Futayo was looking at her with a serious expression. Fukushima was bothered by that gaze, so…

“What is it?”

Fukushima had just announced she would be stealing Honda Futayo’s goal. It was only natural for her to say or think something about it. And…

“So should I call you ‘father’?”

''How did she get this so mixed up?

●

'''Worshiper:''' “I really want to kick these old hags out.”

'''Bell:''' “D-don’t provoke them…don’t.”

'''Flat Vassal:''' “Ahhh! Sorry! I’m sorry! I’m trying to keep them from getting there, but they’ve made it to the elevated area! Ahhh!”

●

A moment later, those on Murayama and the higher areas of the other ships saw Komaoumaru fire a beam from the elevated part of Murayama’s starboard side, fail to hit the vassal, and instead crash into a food stand at the center of Okutama.

●

'''Worshiper:''' “Ahhhh! Who just fired a beam at my food stand!?”

'''Horizey:''' “Now that is the kind of sentence you only hear once in a lifetime.”

'''Flat Vassal:''' “Oh! Ohiroshiki-san! The responsible party is over here, so are you volunteering to deal with him!?”

●

Futayo instantly moved away. The glass of palate-cleansing water she held didn’t even waver. She took a sip from it and took a breath.

“So are we starting?”

She faced dead ahead.

This was Okutama’s port side. She was on an elevated area where it it dropped down to a base hull area on her right and dropped down off the port side to her left.

Her opponent stood before her on that long structure.

She too held a glass in her hand and set it down at the same time as Futayo did hers. Then they both readied their weapons.

“I can tell you have gotten stronger.”

“And thou are just as strong as I know thou to be.”

With that, they crouched.

“Begin.”

And accelerated.

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