Chronicle Legion:Volume 1 Prologue

Prologue

The 58th year of the Tenryuu Era, Tenryuu 58, was otherwise known as 1998 CE.

Reportedly, Tokyo's weather this September had been cooler and more comfortable than in previous years.

Frankly speaking, Shiori had no basis for comparison. Despite being a princess of the imperial family, she had been absent from the capital of Tokyo for four whole years. During this time, she had not even remained within Japanese borders.

Shiori's previous city of residence was located somewhere on the Indochinese Peninsula, facing the South China Sea.

Every summer, that subtropical port city was far hotter than anywhere in Japan.

"Compared to the scorching heat at the imperial cap... I mean Xanadu, Tokyo is definitely much cooler," Shiori said with a gentle smile.

In a slip of the tongue just now, she almost said "imperial capital" and corrected herself mid-sentence. Mentions of the imperial capital within the borders of the Eastern Roman Empire inevitably referred to Xanadu, situated in the center of East Asia, but her current location was Imperial Japan.

"Comfortable weather is fine and all, but of course, I spent most of my time overseas in air-conditioned environments as I am now."

Since this was merely small talk to create a relaxing atmosphere, Shiori used a joking tone of voice.

She was sitting in the back seat of a domestic limousine while it sped along a highway, speaking to her aides-de-camp in the driver and front passenger's seats. Shiori was sixteen-years-old while the other two were older men.

The two retainers smiled cordially in response to the princess' joke.

Naturally, Shiori was thinking about other matters.

(To think that I, an imperial princess, would have merely two attendants.)

Normally speaking, an official state car transporting royalty was supposed to be escorted by security vehicles and a motorcycle convoy. However, this limousine was unaccompanied.

...Nothing could be done about that. After all, she was the "forsaken princess" who had finally returned to the country after four years.

Shiori did not take offense. She looked out the window to observe the imperial capital for the first time in a long while. This was not entirely bad seeing as it freed her from the pressure of scrutiny and made certain undertakings more convenient.

"Dear me."

Spotting a familiar face in the streets, Shiori smiled wryly.

Along the way from Roppongi to the imperial palace at Aoyama, a certain building had a massive billboard ad for a business magazine. The magazine was running a special this month on "10 Years of Alliance—The Future of Japan and Rome." Printed on the cover was the arrogant smile of the Eastern Roman Empire's founder.

The man was in his late forties with deep-set facial features and a dignified countenance.

His forehead was very high and prominent. More precisely, it was a severe case of a receding hairline.

"I never expected to see Lord Caesar in such a place..."

That smile of confidence seemed to be bragging.

This self-satisfied look was a very fitting image for him. He was also clad in armor and military garb in ancient Roman style. Very few people would be bold enough to openly wear this type of clothing resembling cosplay.

The billboard ad was promoting a thirty-page interview with Lord Caesar as the headline for the magazine's current issue.

Feeling a buying impulse, Shiori immediately spoke, "Major, I would like to make a trip to a bookstore. Could you kindly lead the way?"

"...Your Highness, must you go in person?"

Sitting in the front passenger seat, the aide-de-camp in his thirties was somewhat surprised.

Required to serve at imperial palaces and engage in confidential conversations with the Empress and court ladies, candidates for this job were chosen from officers in the Imperial Guard. Furthermore, a certain crucial talent was a prerequisite for aides-de-camp.

"If there is a need for a purchase, I would gladly go in your stead," said her aide-de-camp, the major, with a wry smile.

For a chamberlain or a soldier, his tone of voice was not too reserved. On the other hand, this handsome man looked excellent in the Imperial Army's black uniform. This sort of tone also felt approachable. Such traits were necessary considerations when selecting aides-de-camp to avoid offending the Empress or the court ladies.

Shiori replied mischievously to this thoughtful military officer, "What is there to worry about? During my days over in the Empire, I often wandered around on my own. A quick shopping trip is no big deal."

"In other words, Your Highness, do you wish to go for a stroll?"

"Fufufufu."

Shiori was a princess of Imperial Japan as well as the Fujinomiya family's eldest daughter.

Her status in the Eastern Roman Empire had been a hostage with the glorified title of "foreign student." She had not enjoyed generous hospitality as befitted a state guest, but neither was she a sheltered princess in ignorance.

Knowing this, the major did not try to argue further.

"In that case, your will is my command, Your Highness. However, please listen to a word of advice from me."

"Certainly. Please speak your mind."

"Since anonymity is required, you and I will have to get changed first."

"Indeed, let us do as you suggest."

Shiori smiled in response to the thoughtful suggestion.

They were currently on their way to attend a garden party held at the imperial palace. The major was in military uniform while Shiori was wearing a kimono with long flowing sleeves. Very striking in appearance to begin with, it would be only natural for Shiori to attract even more attention in her current attire.

Seeing her own facial reflection on the limousine window, she nodded in agreement.

Shiori did not mind being called a beauty. She was aware of her exquisite face. Moreover, her long hair, which she had spent many years growing out, was shining with platinum splendor. How could such an appearance not draw attention?

Her hair color was natural and had never been dyed. A pure native of Japan was not supposed to have this sort of hair.

"...?"

Arriving at an intersection near the imperial palace, Shiori was slightly perplexed.

A sudden call from the sky prompted her to look out the limousine window at the sky.

As suspected, she saw a dragon flying in the air over the palace.

A serpentine body, roughly a hundred meters long. Four short limbs featuring sharp talons. An unusually shaped head with long horns—A creature brimming with divine beauty.

The dragon's entire body was glowing with platinum radiance.

This glow was the exact same color as Shiori's hair.

"Has Grandfather been flying a lot at the imperial capital lately?"

"No, as far as I can recall, nothing similar has happened for the past few years."

From his position at the front passenger seat, the major also looked up at the dazzling sky.

The platinum dragon was moving his serpentine body as though swimming, flying gracefully over the imperial palace. He was heading north.

Having remained silent until now, the elderly driver spoke, "It is with great fortune that one can witness Lord Tenryuu in all his glory... What a magnificent sign of auspiciousness."

Lord Tenryuu was the sacred beast protecting Imperial Japan.

In addition to being among the ranks of the "Old Great Ones," ancient deities manifesting in animal form, he was also Shiori's grandfather. Presumably, he had flown here all the way from the divine precinct in northern Kantō to see his granddaughter returning after an absence of four years.

Certain of her grandfather's intent, Shiori nodded firmly.

Ever since the nineteenth century, dozens of theriomorphic deities, known as sacred beasts, had descended upon the world.

Society changed dramatically as a result.

Sacred beasts became the guardian gods of various human nations and also brought magic and the occult into human society. This also accelerated revolutionary progress in scientific developments.

The birth of the Eastern Roman Empire was one of these changes. It was during the Second World War—also known as the Hero War or the Second Napoleonic War— when this country came into existence in Southeast Asia.

Gaius Julius Caesar was the name of its founder.

This man bearing the same name as an ancient Roman hero had conquered Southeast Asia and half of China in no time, establishing a new empire in the land of the east...

And today, this hero named Caesar was present at Imperial Japan's capital.

Over a thousand celebrities, politicians, high-ranking military officials, diplomats, as well as soldiers and civilian officials from the Eastern Roman Empire were gathered in the imperial palace's garden, chatting away amiably.

The center of the crowd revolved around Generalissimo Caesar, hero of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Cabinet ministers, Diet members and big shots in financial circles were also present. One after another, they took turns to approach Caesar to offer greetings and exchange pleasantries.

This was not hospitality as one would offer a state guest.

The true reason was that this soldier from a neighboring country was "the most powerful man" in Asia and Japan.

Shiori's turn arrived. Coming before the exalted Caesar, Shiori bowed her head respectfully.

"Greetings to you, Lord Caesar, it has been a while."

"Your face truly brings back memories. The last time we met was a year ago at a banquet back home, wasn't it? I am greatly honored for the chance to meet you again, beautiful princess of Japan."

Caesar was noble and dignified but not pretentious. Jovial and approachable, yet still retaining an air of classiness.

He received Shiori with his unique tone and cordial smile. His ranks included Generalissimo of the Eastern Roman Imperial Army and Supreme Commander of the East Asian Administrative Region, as well as other titles such as Special Advisor to the Japanese Empress and Commander-in-Chief of the Army Garrison in Japan.

Despite being the founder of the Empire, this man only ruled for fifteen years as the first emperor.

After that, in his desire to return to the front lines as a soldier, he abdicated and yielded his throne to a courtier.

"Sitting on a throne deep in a palace without enemies or excitement... I would not call such a job enjoyable. My desire for an exhilarating life is overwhelming" was what he said.

Former Emperor Caesar spent the next half a century racking up feats of conquest.

During that time period, the United States of America was restless in its desire to become the world's only superpower, thus leading to a showdown against Caesar on various battlefields across Asia. Leading a thousand Legions, Caesar emerged victorious on every occasion. This was ostensibly one of the causes for the USA's eventual partitioning into two countries.

Then ten years ago...

This neighboring country's great generalissimo even went as far as to defeat the US military stationed in Okinawa, Yokosuka and other places in Japan.

Thereafter, Caesar would visit Tokyo several times a year from his base of operations in Hong Kong. During his stays in Japan, he would meet proactively with Japanese royals and movers and shakers of the financial and political world, upholding his duties as "the fatherly patronus who guided Japan and the Empress."

"By the way, Shiori, every time I see you, lovely lady that you are, I am struck by a certain notion—"

Caesar suddenly smiled with pride and said, "If you were to consent, I would like to have you play the same role as a certain Queen of Egypt did in the past."

"Japan already has Her Majesty the Empress..." Shiori smiled and declined Caesar tactfully. "I would not dare to dream of such a transgression."

"Be that as it may, Her Majesty has only reached the tender age of thirteen. That combined with her introverted personality, it would be quite problematic to pursue a romantic liaison even though she is quite an adorable girl."

Such an indiscreet joke truly lived up to Caesar's reputation as a womanizer.

Back in ancient Roman times, this hero had made Queen Cleopatra of Egypt his lover, thereby consolidating her grip on the throne through his support. This was a very well-known story.

...Additional explanation was warranted here.

The "Caesar" currently conversing with Shiori was not a mental patient with delusions of heroic grandeur.

The twin silver wolves, Remus and Romulus, sacred beasts like Lord Tenryuu of Japan, had summoned the deceased Caesar back to the human world seventy-odd years prior.

The current twentieth century was known as the Century of War.

It was a time when a number of ancient heroes were resurrected and restored to supreme positions of power.

This list included Emperor Karl the "Chivalric King" and leader of Europe, "Holy King" Saladin of the Ayyubid Dynasty, Napoleon I who was rumored to be sleeping underground in Moscow—And the hero Caesar was one of them too.

"Then what of your future plans, Princess?" Caesar asked an unexpected question.

Shiori had only returned from the Eastern Roman Empire two days ago and was currently staying at a hotel in Tokyo. Of course, the imperial capital had no lack of royal palaces or territory exclusive to imperial use.

However, for an "outcast princess," it was not a particularly comfortable environment.

"I wish to be somewhere more tranquil. The flamboyance of the imperial capital is too dazzling for me."

"Are you serious? It would be such a shame for a girl like you to retire from active life at such a young age," said Caesar with an exaggerated sigh. Although he was a great hero and his name became the etymological source of Kaiser, the German word for "emperor," he was not particularly large in build. Standing 175cm or so, his greatness came from his mind rather than his body.

His attire at this garden party consisted of ancient Roman military garments.

A red cape draped over his armor. Leather sandals on his feet.

This getup was identical to what Shiori had seen on the billboard ad earlier. It was anyone's guess whether he dressed like this out of nostalgia or preference, but in any case, this was how he always appeared in public.

"Please feel free to knock on the door of my army any time. I would be willing to enlist you as my adviser... Naturally, Princess, I would gladly accept your consent to become the wife of I, Julius!"

"Thank you for the compliment. I am honored even if it was made in jest."

Shiori reacted with a slightly wry smile to the womanizer who made a joke befitting his historical reputation.

"I am not worthy of being your subordinate, much less wife."

"On the contrary, I have often heard of the Japanese princess' brilliance, rumors originating from my country."

Caesar smiled and winked at her, shocking Shiori.

However, she suppressed her shaken emotions perfectly and maintained her doll-like smile. Shiori was very talented at feigning docility and hiding her abilities.

...Be that as it may, she had spent four years living in the Roman Empire as a hostage. During that kind of life without anyone to rely on, there were times when she had to call upon "abilities" she had kept hidden in the past. Truth be told, she would have greatly preferred to maintain her facade of the "princess whose only merit was her beauty" for the entirety of her study abroad duration—

"As a token of my feelings, to celebrate a new beginning for you... Allow me to demonstrate a little trick, even though it isn't anything amazing."

Before Shiori could decline, Caesar already made a move.

He raised his right index finger and called out loudly.

"By this name of mine, Julius Caesar, I summon you—Assemble, my Legions!"

The garden party had started at 2pm.

It was very sunny today with clear skies over the garden serving as the venue.

In the sky—roughly a hundred silver soldiers appeared out of thin air.

Reaching almost eight meters tall, the soldiers were undoubtedly impressive giants.

The giants were equipped with silver chain mail and crested helmets. They were wearing red military uniforms with a pair of "wing"-like feathery accessories on their backs. These accessories... did not seem to function as wings but the silver giant soldiers were still flying freely in the air.

After appearing, the hundred giant soldiers scattered. Flying deftly, they approached the garden party venue.

When they were at low altitude, fifty meters above the ground, the giant soldiers assembled into a neat formation consisting of four rows.

Each of them was carrying a large rectangular shield in their left hand and a rifle with a bayonet attachment in their right. All hundred of them had the same armaments and appearance.

In addition, the giant soldiers' faces were covered by white masks—

This was an army of Legions of type Centuria.

It was also the army that had enabled the Eastern Roman Empire and the great Generalissimo Caesar to rise to dominance.

Caesar's sudden summoning filled the garden party participants with surprise and panic. Everyone immediately turned their gaze to the Legions' commander—Caesar the hero.

The weight of these gazes came from not just a dozen or two but from over a thousand people.

With all eyes upon him, Caesar continued to smile with leisurely confidence. Openly and intimately putting his arm around Shiori's shoulders, he shouted to the crowd present.

"Ladies and gentlemen, could you demonstrate more fervor in celebrating the friendship between Rome and Japan!? Furthermore, do not neglect to cheer for Japan's beautiful princess!"

Caesar's call was answered by a thousand voices. The crowd's thunderous applause and cheering shook the venue.

The army of red and silver also brandished their bayonet-affixed rifles, raising the blades up to the heavens. This action held no significance in particular, but the performance of a hundred winged giant soldiers moving in unison was quite an intimidating and impressive sight to behold.

Not only that but the Roman soldiers stationed all over the venue also shouted loudly.

"Glory to Caesar! Those ordained unto death salute you in reverence!"

"Glory to Caesar! Those ordained unto death salute you in reverence!"

"Glory to Caesar! Those ordained unto death salute you in reverence!"

The words here, "those ordained unto death," were referring to the army serving Caesar.

This was a customary salutation of the Eastern Roman Empire, used exclusively to extol Julius Caesar the hero. After the Roman soldiers chanted in unison for several repetitions, Shiori said quietly, "Your Excellency—My gratitude knows no bounds... Thank you for doing this specially for me."

"You are too kind. I am sorry that I can only do this little. Consider it a token parting gift."

Caesar's expression and behavior were full of youthful vigor when he replied cheerfully.

On the other hand, his age seemed to be late forties based on appearance. Reportedly, his appearance had hardly aged since his founding of the Eastern Roman Empire seventy years ago.

Eternal youth and the ability to summon Legions, these were the powers wielded by the Resurrectees, heroes who had returned to the present world.

They were superhumans sent to the earth by the godlike sacred beasts. Such was the truth behind Resurrectees such as Caesar. Witnessing the power of the enemy she must surpass, Shiori ignited her fighting spirit within herself. She had to acquire an opposing power as soon as possible—

However, she maintained her ladylike smile towards Caesar the whole time.

Indeed, feigning docility was Shiori's number one skill.

"True to his name, Lord Caesar loves to put on a grand display as always."

The garden party was still in progress an hour after the sudden summoning of Legions. Shiori had secretly slipped away from the party after leaving Caesar's side and was now visiting a rose garden in a corner of the premises.

All alone, she thought back to the scene earlier.

Despite being a peerless hero, Caesar's behavior was childish.

But once again, Shiori experienced his mighty power. This included his extraordinary ability to summon over a thousand giant soldiers at will, his brilliance as a strategist who led his army to victory, as well as the absolute power held by his position as a major world power's generalissimo—

"Since the enemy is a Roman hero, I need support from a commensurate power."

Dressed in a kimono with flowing sleeves, Shiori was holding a cloth bag containing a small item.

From inside it, she took out a photo depicting a male student in a stiff-collar uniform. Roughly seventeen or eighteen in age. His face was well-proportioned but the expression was stiff. One could call him expressionless too.

Since the young man's slender eyes were not focused on the camera, it seemed to be a photo taken in secret.

"This is the man who is going to become my trump card. When will he awaken?"

After exclaiming that, Shiori suddenly spoke out, "Tachibana, you are here, aren't you?"

There was no one in the rose garden apart from Shiori, but she could sense the noesis present in all personnel secretly protecting Princess Fujinomiya Shiori. And this noesis belonged to a person who had been a retainer for the Fujinomiya family since the generation of Shiori's mother.

Given Shiori's excellent sensitivity, it was only natural for her to notice.

"...At your service, ma'am. You're sharp as always."

A large man in a black suit silently walked out of the shadows.

He was dressed very much like a member of the Security Police, but his fierce countenance, height of 190cm and body mass of 100kg made him seem like a professional wrestler.

Tachibana Genzou here would be akin to the Fujinomiya family's butler.

"How are things over in Suruga? You have observed the subject in question, haven't you?"

"Nothing has changed. That bastard is still useless."

Normally, one's word choice ought to be more elegant when working in a courtly environment.

However, this huge man replied to the princess' question in a sloppy tone of voice while rubbing his chin that was overgrown with stubble. On the other hand, Shiori did not mind.

An impolite but competent subordinate was far more valuable than rigid adherence to etiquette.

"Attending school dutifully every day and paying attention in class, returning straight home in the evening to the student dormitory with its curfew and strict rules, doesn't have the slightest clue about drinking and partying, he even lacks experience in stealing alcoholic beverages to drink in secret."

"What exemplary conduct."

"At most, some occasional mischief. Like giving seven or eight hicks or army delinquents a good loving for example."

"Loving... You mean he got into fights?"

"No, he is evidently capable of taking care of them within two or three minutes before the situations develop into major incidents of violence. In that sense, he is not ordinary after all."

"Neutralizing seven or eight people in a few minutes—"

This martial prowess was quite extraordinary for an ordinary person.

However, Shiori shrugged and said, "Too much of a gap... Against commoners, taking out a hundred thousand or a million at a time would be the bare minimum."

"Fair point. No less would be expected from any of the Chevaliers."

This content of was far too radical for a conversation between a sheltered princess and her retainer.

"It looks like... I have to see him in person after all."

"I'd prefer if you didn't put yourself at risk, ma'am. You should act more like a princess, trembling while hidden behind a curtain—"

"Easier to guard, right?"

"One of the reasons. Besides, it'd make you more worthwhile to protect."

Tachibana's manner of speaking made him sound more like a deputy leader of bandits or pirates instead of a butler.

However, Shiori simply smiled without answering. Her smile was just as polite and ladylike as the one she had presented to Caesar, except with a slight teasing quality added this time.

"Please rest assured. I intend to have your daughter serve as my bodyguard in Suruga."

"You want to rely on my stupid daughter!?"

"Indeed. Many matters would be easier to handle since we are both girls. Besides, I have heard rumors about the daughter of the Tachibana family. She seems to be an outgoing girl accomplished in martial arts, isn't she?"

"On the other hand, she is also a great big idiot."

"No matter. I nominated her precisely because I find this point amusing."

Watching her troubled subordinate, Shiori chuckled heartily.

"In order to acquire the power for opposing the British Empire's Knights of the Queen and defying Lord Caesar... I have decided to retire from active life, making Suruga my residence for the time being."

"Don't say you're gonna retire when you're only sixteen years old, okay?"

"Why not? It is a lovely place where Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu spent the remainder of his life as the retired shogun."

Fujinomiya Shiori was a princess of Imperial Japan.

Known as the Century of War, the twentieth century was drawing to an end.

However, Japan was definitely not a strong country. The imperial administration in Tokyo and the Kantō region was under the Eastern Roman Empire's control, making Japan almost a vassal state. Furthermore, interference from "another major world power," the British Empire, in Japan's domestic affairs for the past few years had reached an intolerable level.

Amid this turmoil, Shiori had devised a plan.

"Despite being part of the imperial family, the House of Fujinomiya has been ostracized due to the Empress faction's fear against us... Nevertheless, it does not suit my personality to pursue a cowardly lifestyle."

Royal families all over the world were hotbeds of power struggles. Imperial Japan was no exception. The ones hostile to Fujinomiya Shiori were all relatives among the highest ranks of royalty and nobility.

Shiori did not make any effort to hide one of the reasons for their hostility—Her "platinum hair."

"Regardless, I must make something out of myself. I have to become the rumored mastermind controlling the Japanese government from the shadows."

"Ma'am, isn't a mastermind the wrong kind of aspiration for someone of your age?"

Tachibana's look was rather disapproving.

"You've got to declare 'I will become king of this nation!' with more ambition."

"I am not interested in the Empress' position. It's purely a figurehead without real authority. First of all, I must remodel this country to become a more suitable living environment for me... In the process of doing so, I might as well work towards the wellbeing of the Japanese people too. Here on, I will be counting on your active support, Tachibana."

"Even if you have to lie, please claim you're putting the people first, ma'am."

Tenryuu 58, mid-September.

The photo currently in the princess' hand depicted a certain male student.

Fujinomiya Shiori did not know his true name. She only knew the alias she had bestowed upon him for obfuscation purposes. Mustering her determination, she read out his name.

"Tachibana Masatsugu... You must build a chivalric order for me, to gather soldiers under the banner of your lost name—"

Imperial Japan, the Eastern Roman Empire, and the British Empire.

The ever-shifting alliances and rivalries between these three countries would plunge the islands of Japan into conflict and turmoil.

The curtain was about to rise upon a tripartite era of dramatic vicissitudes of fortune, mirroring that of the Three Kingdoms. Unbeknownst to anyone at this point in time, the scene today would come to hold monumental significance in the future.

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