Horizon:Volume 1 Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Musashi's Knights

That existence.

Was it sentimentality?

Or certainty?

Point Allocation (Chivalry)

In front of Musashi Ariadust Academy, Mitotsudaira, standing above the bridge, took one breath.

...I asked for a challenge. Now let's see, who will they pick to fight against me.

She looked at everyone thronged in the other side, and speculated their possible decision. Since she asked for a challenger, someone should step forward soon.

...I doubt it would be the Chancellor.

No matter how you think about it, he is a person not suited for combat. And even if he were to step in, everyone will certainly stop him.

Shirojiro and Naomasa are unlikely possibilities either. Speaking of combat-types, the best choice would be Tenzo or Ulquiaga. After all, those two are undertaking combat training and had experience exterminating Youkais.

Back in middle school, Mitotsudaira took similar battle training as well. Every once a year during Musashi's docking in Mito's territory, where it is known for wastelands and marshes (the type of habitat Youkais are fond of), she had taken up many extermination quests there.

Also, supernatural phenomenas were abounding recently.

Youkais, are like undead zombies, so fighting them isn't that much different than fighting a real human. Fighting a warrior who had underwent and survived those kinds of job, would prove to be a trouble in battle.

...Yes. I am fully prepared for that. There's just one thing troubling me...

"...What are you all doing?"

Everyone in the Academy side were hunkered down in front of the entrance. They seem to be gravely discussing something. No one is stepping forward.

...I even read the atmosphere and waited, but this is what I get!?

"Hello...?"

Mitotsudaira sloped her neck, from among the scrum, only Toori turned to look here. He said,

"Ah, Nate. Give us a moment to decide this. It's a timeout! You heard that? Timeout!!"

Mitotsudaira nodded. For a moment, everyone wheeled their head round and cursory looked at Nate, but went back butting their heads at each other.

"Hey, hey. What now? Nate seems fired up.", Toori.

"Hmm... I have poison darts here. You want me to use it?", Tenzou.

"No. Mito is a mid-to-close range type. It's rather advantageous if I handle this with my bow and ZUDON!", Asama.

"I think we should wait until Shirojiro comes back and purchase silver bullets...", Ulquiaga.

"If 2 vs. 1 is fine, me and Gacchan can handle this. We'll fly in the air and pepper her from unreachable range with BANG!", Margot.

"Mitotsudaira-san isn't really my type, so I'll pass.", Ginji.

...You guys, except for that last line, aren't you guys the one who's fired up!

Rage seethed inside Mitotsudaira, but stave it off after realizing it was just unreasonable venting of anger. She knit her brows.

"---Uhh, can you make this quick?"

●

Everyone pressed their foreheads on each other from hearing the female knight's demand, who's standing above the bridge as if to block the roadway.

Within the scrum, Toori said,

"I just thought up of something brilliant! Tenzou, step forward and kowtow in front of her."

"Kowtowing without a particular purpose is a terrible idea! Specially to someone like Mitotsudaira-dono who has a problem appreciating gags!"

"Hmm... Should I handle this then?"

Ulquiaga fumbled on his waist for something. Metal rattlings resounded. After a pause, he said,

"In case that things took for a good turn and we had everyone came round to our side, I don't think I can join you in saving Horizon. I am an inquisitor officer but, K.P.A. Italia or Tres Espana are neither heretics. I can't fight them."

"I can say the same for myself."

Adele raised her hands. She continued,

"I am a retainer, and we serves knights. A retainer opposing their superior flies in the face of their own raison d'etre."

"You two have it tough."

Toori folded both arms, cocking his head repeatedly. He faced Neshinbara and said,

"Neshinbara. You've been making a difficult face all the while. What's the matter?"

"Ah, yeah. Something is bothering me."

Neshinbara said, facing everyone after giving Mitotsudaira a brief glimpse.

"Why does a knight need to fight a civilian?"

"I can answer that. It's because... I don't know. I'm an idiot."

"I know right. Hahaha aren't you pathetic."

"Nobody's denying it!? Ah, what are those eyes? No!! Stop that sympathetic look!"

Everyone restrained Toori. Beyond the bridge, Kimi said to Mitotsudaira,

"Fufufu, Mitotsudaira, getting scared now having no idea what everyone is planning?"

"Not really. It's just seeing everyone gathered like this makes you notice their singularities."

Everyone butted their heads once again upon hearing Mitotsudaira's words.

"Mito just don't realize it, but she has her own share of singularity as well.", Asama.

"Hearing that from a cow-tits shrine maiden with an artificial eye, it sounded like a hypocrisy.", Adelle.

"You, a meganekko wearing an armor bigger than her body, are saying that?", Ulquiaga.

"Hahaha Ulqui-dono, and you, a half-dragon and also an inquisitor officer person, are saying that?", Tenzo.

"Fufufu, this ninja doesn't see his self like the others. Why are you blatantly ninja-ing your own character?", Kimi.

"Hey hey, why is everyone ostracizing me from this talk. What is this fun atmosphere in the air I'm smelling!? I'll sniff all of it! *Sniff* *Sniff*"

Everyone glared at the idiot. In response, Toori opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he just hung his head, and laid his body down on the floor.

Everyone endeavored to act as if the idiot never exists. Asama clapped her hand and,

"A-All right everyone, let's resume our discussion while we don't have interruptions. Neshinbara, you were saying something a while ago about Mito?"

"Oh yeah. I am an expert in history so I know the details..."

"Oh? A new talk starting? Neshinbara, can you make the explanation simple so that an idiot like me will be able to understand? You know, you have a habit of expounding details until you get to the point. Seriously, I'm begging you to make it short this time."

A vein in Neshinbara's temple popped up upon hearing the done-with-emoing idiot's words.

Kimi lightly smacked Toori's head and said,

"Fufufu, silly brother. Let him speak as much as he likes. These history-nuts types are fond of flaunting their repository of knowledge, so you should not say something like that. If you keep spouting weird things, don't blame me if you get hated."

"Sis! Go look in front of the mirror and find out who is the one spouting weird things!"

"Haah. Well, I'm already used to these two so it doesn't bother me at all."

Neshinbara waves his hands as if to dismiss the two's conversation.

"If you look at it in historical perspective, knights are above the rank of citizens."

"...Huh? What's your point?"

"I mean", Neshinbara said and squatted down. Everyone else except Mitotsudaira followed suit.

"Knights are people with privilege right? At the very least, they are positioned higher than normal people in social rank."

"You mean?"

"Don't you find it strange? Why are the knights confronting us? Their status should be above us, almost similar to the rank of people who rules us. Yet, they are actually here. What is the need of confronting us? It will put a dent in their dignity if they lose."

In Neshinbara's doubt, everyone turned their heads towards Mitotsudaira. Mitotsudaira tensed up upon realizing herself becoming the center of attention.

"W-Why are all suddenly staring at me?"

I see, everyone cocked their heads. After Ulquiaga surveyed everyone with his sharp gaze, he said,

"Can we think of it this way? Upon trying to confront the crisis Musashi is currently facing, the violent passion kindling inside Mitotsudaira had ablazed, and for the meantime she just want something to rampage on."

"That's... amazing. I wonder what kind of reasonings did you take to arrive in that conclusion -de gozaru?"

"The ninja is right. That's a bit harsh. First of all, Mito is just a representative. The Musashi's knights can't go gung-ho all at once."

"Umm... That sounds like if she's the only knight, then she will go rampage.", Adele, making a difficult countenance, inclined her head. "But indeed, it is weird. I wonder what was the reason?"

"Heeey, Nate! Adele said that you're weird and mpfhmfph---!"

"I-It's nothing, Mitotsudaira-dono. ---Kimi-dono, can we knock this idiot out to sleep for now?"

"Uhh... can you all hurry up and decide which will be my opponent?"

Everyone pleads, spare us just a little more time!

"Adele-dono... you may continue -de gozaru."

"Jud. As stated by the secretary earlier, I think that there is no reason to fight us, because Knights and retainers do not fight their allies."

Adele tilted her head the second time, resumed,

"The point the secretary made regarding social rank difference. Why do the knights with superior social status wishes to fight someone under them? That, and this fight is strange if you consider the knights obligation."

●

Everyone's movement went still upon hearing Adele's words.

And then everyone silently turned their heads the second time towards Mitotsudaira.

"...A-As I earlier asked, why are you all suddenly staring at me?"

Everyone nodded at each other, and then returned into butting their heads at each other.

"...So you were saying this confrontation is strange because of the difference in social rank, as well as the knight's obligation?"

"Jud. Well, this might become a long discussion, as it includes the circumstances of knights in Musashi. According to the history written in the Testament, in the late Middle Age period --around 200 years ago in our current time--, the feudalism had been practically abolished. This feudalism system conveys land ownership to feudal aristocrats or knights by the king. But the current age right now grants authority and financial power to court nobles."

That's right, Neshinbara nodded. He glanced at Adele once, and said,

"In the late Middle Age period, in order to resolve the issues regarding the exhaustion of crusade armies, and the rising of people amassing money upon the inception of monetary economy, as well as the turbulence caused by the reformation of religion, most kingdoms began centralizing their power by making their king as the central authority figure. Moreover, the power of knights alone were unable to protect the land anymore because warfare is now executed in a large-scale battle. The mercenary system took over, finally giving rise to the current age of national military today. Every nation except Far East, all of the Academy students were required to take combat training as part of national military obligation."

"Fufufu, four-eyes. You're doing a good job in explaining. Although I would appreciate it more if you would reduce the digression."

"...But there's many more explanation coming."

Neshinbara smiled, even though there is a vein popping up on his temple.

"...The knights, who used to be feudal aristocrats, had cast aside their weapons. They started running the nation's administration, and thus became court nobles. The most influential court nobles were given a special title, but those who did not, were still called knights as of today."

But.

"The feudalism here in Far East is extant at this time period. The Far East doesn't have national military, so the knights who were dispatched to Musashi were the same as the feudal aristocrats in medieval period. Musashi's sharing of management cost by privatization is one thing, but they were also appointed the duty of keeping the residential district's (predominantly where their kinsmen resides) security and welfare. During times of emergency, they are obliged to sortie for defense. In short, that is how they organize non-Far East people here in Musashi. Right now, the knights have become Far East naturalized but, to show their cooperation and non-hostility towards the Testament Union, they used the system of feudalism and remained feudal knights. In other words, the same knights of medieval period. "

Jud., Adele agreed.

"The Far East is under disarmament status, but knights are a rare type that were allowed to wield weapons that were inherited from their ancestors because they gained cooperation with the Testament Union. ---The knights that were living in Musashi, are not court nobles under the protection of nation's military, but feudal knights who vowed to protect its citizen."

However,

"Now that we have discussed the obligation of the knight in Musashi, why does a knight, who is supposed to protect its citizen, wants to fight someone they are supposed to protect?"

Adele inquired, in response, Toori answered.

"That was one bloody explanation, but to summarize what Neshinbara and Adele said... Basically, Nate's a higher rank than us, but she also has a duty of protecting us, right?"

"Eh? Ah, Jud. Well, Mitotsudaira-san is a knight after all. "

Hearing Adele's answer, Toori nodded his head twice. And with a bright smile he said,

"Then that means, she has a reason for facing us. If we can manage to clear that reason, she will join us."

Toori straightened his back, and deepened his smile. Everyone looked at him, but Toori didn't look back at everyone, instead he faced Nate. He said,

"That's a relief. It will be problematic if Nate has to become our enemy."

From Toori's word, everyone opened their mouth as if to say something, but

"......."

Everyone remained silent. Toori on the other hand faced Adele and said,

"Adele, how many knights are in high school?"

"...Only Mitotsudaira-san."

Adele, made a troubled face,

"There are a total of 31 knights in Musashi but most of them are elderly, elementary or middle schoolers. Once we graduate, there will be a 4-year period of absence of knights. Compared to knights, we retainers are significant in number. There are like 6 retainers that are in high school."

I see, Tenzou, Asama, Ulquiaga, Margot and Malga all nodded together.

"A rare character, huh..."

"Umm, I think those 5 people are sufficiently rare as well."

"No, speaking of really rare..."

Everyone directed their attention towards the end of Asama's gaze ---towards inside the school building where Persona-kun, Itoken, Nenji were all drinking a cup of Hassan's curry.

"Mmm! This is quite good, Hassan-kun! I am so glad to be Musashi's citizen!"

"Indeed. There is no complete satisfaction than living a life full of curry."

"I'm also the one who welcomes this kind of pleasure as an ordinary citizen."

"..........."

Everyone cast off their gaze at the four. They started whispering to each other.

"I wonder how Persona-kun drinks that? Don't his mask get in the way? And don't ya think it would be rather fitting if we call him Helm-kun instead?"

"Nai-chan thinks, looking at Nenji-kun after gulping curry, doesn't he look like a vomit-filled-uirou?"

"Margot! Apologize to the citizens of Nagoya! And you know, Nenji-kun will always look like that regardless of whatever he eats!"

"Hey you two, why are you two doing the job of digressing topic in my place? Don't take away my character!"

Toori said, and started rolling on the ground. As he stared at the sailing clouds, he resumed,

"So in other nations, the knights had became power-hungry aristocrat, while here in Musashi, they are the same as the old knights. However, Musashi's knights are fighting its supposed-to-protect citizens. Why is that? Something bothers me... At any rate, we should choose now who is going to be Nate's opponent."

"...That's the big problem. Who will it be? -de gozaru."

"All the conditions had been laid on the table. What's left is someone to volunteer for it."

Toori grinned, and said,

"---We'll have Nate do some reflecting."

●

Mitotsudaira had been patiently waiting.

...No matter who my opponent will be, it is better to end this confrontation as soon as possible.

Mitotsudaira heaved a sigh at the complexity of the current issue.

Around the same time of her sigh, the scrum beyond displayed a motion of change.

"All right."

As if Toori's voice was the signal, the scrum was split in half opening up a way, and from within, came Mitotsudaira's would-be opponent. She clearly saw someone stepping forward towards her direction. The person was,

"...Eh?"

None other than Suzu.

●

Suzu walks amidst Mitotsudaira's vision.

This girl couldn't see anything, but she seems to know where Mitotsudaira's location was from the anti-matter sensor attached to her ears and waist. Suzu approaches Nate with a suprisingly uncrooked, straight gait.

"U-Umm...", said Suzu.

But Mitotsudaira instead, looked past Suzu... towards where everyone is.

"W-Wait a minute! Are you all messing around with me!? I believe I clearly stated that I wanted someone to---!"

Mitotsudaira was compelled to shut up, because she saw Suzu covering her ears, apparently frightened at her yelling. Her body quivered, yet showed no sign of stepping back.

"I-I'm sorry. Y-Your voice was loud it surprised me."

Mitotsudaira was disconcerted, and then she saw the assembled people beyond doing the same gestures of covering their ears as well.

"It's loud deeeesu!"

...T-Those people...! I swear I'll get back on you all later!

Suzu slowly released the clasping of her ears by hands, and after confirming that Mitotsudaira is not shouting anymore, she resumed her approach. Her advance halted right within a hand's reach distance from Mitotsudaira.

Suzu, after taking a short breath, checked her surroundings using auditory senses, making sure that no one else is around besides them.

"Uhh... everyone? Will you explain what's the meaning of this? As a knight, I asked for someone who will fight me."

"Umm, a-about that..."

Mitotsudaira heard the answer to her question from the most nearby person.

"A-After hearing everyone's talk, I-I thought I'd be the most suitable contender for this fight, t-that's why I volunteered myself."

"Eh? You volunteered yourself Suzu!?"

Mitotsudaira felt slightly uneased.

...Could it possibly be... they have realized my purpose of coming here!?

The Musashi's knights had convened, and had arrived at a conclusion that this was best judgement in accordance with Musashi's current predicament.

But Suzu, instead...

"L-Let's... fight."

"-----------"

Mitotsudaira held her breath. She glared at the throngs of people sitting on the other side. Directed towards a particular person, she asked,

"Chancellor... You already know everything, right?"

"Nope. I know nothing!"

Toori answered with a smile.

"First of all, I am not you, Nate. Second, you haven't said a word about it. How could I know it? If possible, we would like to hear the whole explanation from you."

Kuhh, Mitotsudaira uttered a grunt.

"There's no way... I'd tell you."

"Which means, it can only be that, right?"

Being asked by Toori, Mitotsudaira was struck by hesitation.

...I swear he knows everything already.

Nodding means assertion. Denying means lying to myself. Rather than answering that question, instead,

...In order to accomplish my duty as representative of Musashi's knights in this situation, I'll---

Mitotsudaira promptly acted. First, she opened her mouth.

"As a representative of nobility, as well as Musashi's knights, I, Nate Mitotsudarai, hereby announce..."

After speaking the last word, Mitotsudaira released hold of the two heavy, block-like cases she was carrying.

●

Neshinbara saw it. Sooner than the cases landed to the ground, Mitotsudaira had knelt down, and said,

"We, the knights of Musashi---"

Her posture of kneeling down before Suzu was like a form of a bow. The significance of that action is...

...Wait, this is---

Neshinbara looked to his side where Toori is sitting. He noticed him making a difficult face.

"This isn't looking good."

Upon hearing Toori's remark, Neshinbara immediately shouted,

"Mukai-kun! Stop her!"

There is only one reason. From what they have talked about a while ago, there can be only be one answer.

"The knights of Musashi wanted to fight its citizen... and then lose in purpose!"

●

Mitotsudaira unspokenly gave her affirmation.

...That's right.

When knights lose to its citizens, what that meaning holds is...

The rising of power that would overturn the authority of knights, or even nobility's ---it is called the citizen's authority. In England, according to the history on the Testament, the people will cause an insurrection, ultimately giving way to the beheadal of a king. Also, a similar event happened in Hexagon Francoise. It shows how the citizens are partly involved in politics.

...Upon concession of Musashi's knights to the citizen, they try to create a similar situation that would overturn the knight's authorities.

So what will happen if that becomes a reality?

...The knights will lose their title's potency and thus will be reduced to mere titles. As a result, people will lose its knights.

It's better that way, Mitotsudaira thought.

The knight's physical strength is quite powerful. People deep-seatedly sees them as a guardian or an icon of reliability. But what the knights had concluded in the conference this morning was,

...Our presence as knights may strengthen the masses' desire to defy the Testament Union.

But if they were to fight, it would be nigh impossible for us knights and retainers to protect Musashi on our own. If we really place the people's safety above everything else, one conclusion is obvious:

We must surrender to the Testament Union.

However, that judgement itself has its problem.

...The issue about the safety of people after the dispersion.

Like what Shirojiro had mentioned before, all but Musashi's assets will probably be appropriated to the Testament Union. They will have no funds. Then in that case,

...We will have to promote the status of Musashi's citizens above those in other countries'.

In other nations, The Chancellor and the Student Council President holds the highest authority in the country. Below them are the Chancellor's Board and the Student Council. This structure of centralized power allows dealing with issues promptly in this rapidly changing age.

However, the upcoming rebellion will change that system to fulfill the citizen's large-scale inauguration in politics.

Therefore, in order to protect their authority and liberal scope of political action, the leaders of many nations are predisposed in holding the implementation of historical description that would help promote actualization of citizen's authority until later.

In the other side of the coin, the citizens are eagerly awaiting for the upcoming revolution. What would happen if a similar situation happened in Musashi?

The knights will lose their title, and will be demoted to mere citizens. Musashi's citizens, on the other hand will gain power after obliterating the knight's social status.

No upcoming revolution in the Far East history has been revealed in the Testament yet. The people are not even sure if there will be one. But if they were to commit an insurrection, it would be a defiance against the Testament.

...But if the people were to be naturalized in other countries?

That means every country has to include "people who had underwent revolution" to their history reenactment. No matter how the country leaders reject it with royal authority, as long as the people who had committed revolution had became their citizen, they have no choice but to reenact that history that concerns revolution.

The Musashi's people will probably become the central figures in revolution in their destination to overturn royal authority.

...As knights, that is the last thing that we can do to our people.

That was Mitotsudaira's intention. That's why she declared to them, had knelt down and lowered her head before them.

"We knights, announce our complete---"

...Complete submission to the citizen.

That was all Mitotsudaira has to say to end this.

...I never thought Suzu will be my opponent though.

Mitotsudaira emphasized the word "fight", so she thought a formidable opponent would step up to challenge her. She was originally thinking of fighting decently and then "lose" the match.

However, it seems everyone didn't allow that naive thinking.

"---submission to the---"

One more word and everything will be over. Once she acknowledged her defeat, it will be Suzu's... no, the citizen's victory.

"---citi---"

Before Mitotsudaira could say the last word, she heard Toori's voice.

"Heeey, Bell-san! Could you stop Nate? Anything works."

"E-Eh!? L-Like how?"

"Like grope her boobs!"

...Hey, wait a minute! That would really make me a total loser if that really happened!

Mitotsudaira unconsciously let out tsukkomi inside. However, she heard two sounds.

First, the sound of two blocks she released landing to the ground.

Second, Suzu's footfall from flusteredly running to her way but...

"Ah."

Suzu was surprised at the sudden thud of the heavy block. It dismayed her body movement. As a result, the protruding wooden floor had tripped up her footing.

"...!?"

Mitotsudaira saw it; Suzu falling over and reaching out her hand towards her way. She can even hear her making a silent gasp resembling a shriek.

...But what I need to do right now is---

Finish declaring submission. But before Mitotsudaira could make up her resolution, she heard Suzu's voice...

"Mi-Mito...tsudai...ra-san."

...What is she saying?

She stumbled, and is falling over this way and about to let out a shriek. What is she supposed to say?

Suzu stepped up despite unable to fight. Yet, as if she doesn't care if she were to fall down, she said...

"U-Umm..."

It's no good. At this rate, Suzu would fell over before I could finish up what I have to say, Mitotsudaira thought.

But Mitotsudaira heard the continuation of Suzu's word. It directly penetrated her ears.

"Help me...!"

Mitotsudaira doesn't know what her intention was when she spoke those words. But Mitotsudaira opened her mouth; to say the word she has to say before doing anything else. As a knight, she came here at this place, to declare the knightly word toward its citizen.

Thus Mitotsudaira spoke that word. From the bottom of her throat, she clearly spoke the word of a true knight she very thought.

That is,

"---Rest assured."

●

As if to unleash Mitotsudaira's sentimentality, she said,

"Who do you think I am?"

Mitotsudaira drew herself up and moved half-step forward to catch the falling Suzu, absorbing the impact with her upper body.

...I've done it...

She realize this makes the best decision that they had thought up go down the drain.

Still, the sensation of relief she held in her arms is definite.

Her figure becoming one holding Suzu up, Mitotsudaira drew a breath.

In her arms, she felt the heart inside the small body she supported beat quickly, but it let out a sigh of relief.

She must have been frightened. She could feel her tremble slightly. Still, in her arms, Suzu hung her head and,"Thank you..."

"What are you saying? It's only natural."

I'm showing off a lot, she thought. She was plenty afraid as well. Still, "No matter what, the soul of knight will definitely save the commoner. The way of the knight is in fulfilling such duties after all."

Saying that, Mitotsudaira looked in front of her. Seeing everyone, and Toori sitting in front of them in her view,...Ah, this is just...

If he were to cast aside Musashi's hardships and decide to go and save the one person important to him, Mitotsudaira, having saved Suzu herself, would have no reason to go against him.

What would the other knights think of this? She does not know. Still, Mitotsudaira bent down to her knees, having made sure of herself.

Helping Suzu stand on her own, with a smile, "Are you alright?"

"Nnn..."

Looking at Suzu nod, Mitotsudaira moved her gaze further forward.

She looked over to Toori, and lowered her head. "Nate -Argent Loup- Mitotsudaira, Knight of Musashi, --As the Fifth Special Agent of Musashi Ariadust Academy's Chancellor Party, I would like to join in the ranks of the Chancellor's command." "Then, I'll have to get back my rights as the Chancellor, no?"

"--Am I not to blame for anything?"

Her raised eyebrows and face in question are met with Toori's smile. He then continued,

"I did owe you something from yesterday, no?"

"Owe?"

"Yep. --You did let me fondle your chest."

Eh? The moment she thought. Around her, the students as well as everyone else looking over the situation from around the school; everyone shouted.

"EH--!?"

"Wha, wai, no, you got it wrong! It's not what you think!"

She couldn't stop everyone's noise. Experiencing the voices and expressions of the people around her, yet feeling no malice from them, Mitotsudaira, ...Seriously.

Feeling helpless as a knight, but not stopping the smile from forming on her lips, she looked over to Suzu, Toori and everyone else.

"If all of you want it so bad, I'll have no choice but to offer my strength as a knight, won't I?"

Still, thus Mitotsudaira looked behind her. Masazumi appeared troubled, lowering her shoulders at the end of her gaze.

"That's the nature of your position, no? Not something I can say anything about, not knowing the way of the knights myself. Besides..."

She knew what she was going to say. Therefore, Mitotsudaira turned to look at Toori, and,

"This is my win. The superiority of us knights above the people will not change."

"That's right. --So we're at one win, one loss, huh?"

Jud, thus Mitotsudaira affirmed. There was the contradiction of stepping down from the stage after her win, but such things could happen to the knights living in this day and age, thus she thought.

Mitotsudaira thus let out a voice. Loud enough for everyone making noise around her to hear.

"--Masazumi, the rest is up to you. Your forte in debate and speech will decide everything, you know?"

●

The people's voices and motions did not just permeate the area around the Academy, but spread all the way to the other ships as well.

As her body stands in the wind brought about by the half after noon, over on the bridge by the Academy, Masazumi fell into thought.

...This is where it really starts.

The people are no longer able to ignore their duels in this special student general meeting.

Their attention has already been attracted by the noise, if not the spectacle of Shirojiro and Naomasa's battle; even more so by Mitotsudaira's act which brought them closer to this confrontation.

The broadcasting committee's PR has already informed the public of those two battles, and that the next one will determine their conclusion. Thus, the people who have decided to watch this final duel have gone outside their houses, not intimidated by the risk of becoming involved in battle, and mobilized to areas with a good view of the venue. Shops are already taking advantage of the situation, setting up stalls in the streets and parks as well as bringing out couches outside their premises; they had the sole intent to trade. ...Musashi's people are sensitive to developments on the ship. Anyone would feel a sense of danger regarding continuing to live in the Far East. Then, ...Even now, they are still in doubt of the point in staying here. Drawing her breath, Masazumi held her arms together. She was part of the parliament and King's side. The side that will somehow make up for the loss brought about by Mikawa's destruction, and avoid total war with the Testament Union. To that cause, they are to accept Horizon Ariadust's suicide as the right thing to do as the current head of this generation, recognise Musashi's transfer as an act of substituting the ship for the destroyed Mikawa and completely transfer its people to their own countries. ...In contrast, the other side--- Refusing to accept Horizon Ariadust's suicide, to protect Musashi, ...What are you going to do!? It was obvious. They were going to save Horizon, even if it meant all-out war. Under the boundaries of fights between Academies. She could already see the cards they hold, to a degree. Even if Musashi possesses no weapons, the strength of a God of War is there, as well as the influx of money to the shrine made by people from the other countries, pretty much giving them the resources to be able to fight. The knights have also vowed to protect the people, stating that in the case Musashi is transferred, they will be able to inch the people towards starting revolutions in the other countries. ...However, none of those are real. Few people have actually received training in combat, and no one knows how useful all that God of War and fighting power will actually be. Even the knights; with only dozens of members, there is no way they could possibly protect all of Musashi from the consequences of war. The people are probably just fired up with the intention of opposing the Testament Union right now. Looking from above, anyone would understand. Centering around the students, there were people getting in touch with others on their clerical handhelds. Still, that is just, ...Probably having discussions with their parents, huh. The current world is where students represent their countries. It would either be to trade the life of a nation's lord for its safety, or to fight to protect both the nation and its king-- getting hurt and possibly dying to do so. Not one of them would not consult their family about this. "This would be in my favour, then." No parent would want their child to die, that was what she thinks; the child would also feel the same. To grow rather than die; if a place of safety is to be prepared for those who will come to have that opinion, they would surely be able to excuse themselves from the blame, saying that the death of their king and the downfall of their nation was inevitable. Even so, the way they were discussing on their handhelds were, ...Shirojiro and Mitotsudaira's words must have rung in their hearts. The people right now would think like this: "We may lose, but--" ...To avoid the guilt of abandoning their lord, as well as to protect their money, they would -resist in an apparent way-, and if that is to fail, they would just proceed to start a revolution and bring the country down. That is to say, they would -try to put up a resistance for now and see what will happen-. "How naive." They would never succeed. She had enough reasons to be able to say that. Then, "I will be showing them those reasons, huh." Saying that, Masazumi looked forward. Beyond Mitotsudaira and Suzu standing in the middle of the bridge, the rest of the class was there. ...Opponents, huh. Were they her friends before this? Even now, she never really knew. All that happened was that Mitotsudaira looked over to her, and, "Masazumi, even now you still have the chance, so--" "You don't need to hold out your hand to me. It's going to be my turn, after all." She showed her affirmation and escorted the knight out of the stage. "Mitotsudaira, the way of the knight appeared to me as a form of sentimentalism similar to willpower." "Jud, that's why we would often become intoxicated with our passion." "I see, --it may be different in nature, but the feudal system of warriors still exists in the Far East. It's still fine for knights to be here, in my honest opinion. So, Mitotsudaira, don't mind me and go. I am no longer--" She continued. "Those of the people you should protect." "Jud." Thus Mitotsudaira sent out a greeting. She left. Suzu, her shoulders held by the knight, looked over here, but Masazumi didn't mind. She had more pressing matters to pay attention to. Behind her. She heard a sound. The sound of people making noise, the sound of a carriage moving on the pavement and the sound of hooves. ...They came, after all. "You're not someone I can count on, are you? --I am here to observe, should I say." Turning her head, there was a group of carriages on the stone pavement below the Academy. They were horse carriages belonging to the members of Musashi's temporary parliament. One, two, three, four, the numbers continued to increase, passing the two-digit mark. Intimidated by the number of carriages forming lines by the sides of the road, the people there fell into silence. As if to substitute for that, the sound of the carriages and the hooves, "--!" As well as the neighs of the horses filled the air; stopped in the leading positions was her father's carriage. "Now." Masazumi once again folded her arms and turned back to everyone else. "--Shall we start the final duel?"

.

There was an arrangement of tatami mats in the middle of a prairie. Below the light passing through the ceiling, with a round table and a teacup, it was a six-unit arrangement furnished with cushion seats. Three sides of the arrangement were surrounded by a wall of pale light, with the fourth one blocked off with an iron wall. There was a figure of a person resting her back on the iron wall reading a book on the tatami mats. It was Horizon in her casual clothes. Books were piled up to her sides. Three volumes to the right, three to the left. The books on the right had their backs face up, while the left ones were placed with their front covers face up. Reading her book, Horizon unconsciously cast her gaze outside. "...." Beyond the walls of light covering three of four sides, there was a spacious field. On that land filled with short grass, figures in red uniforms carrying spears and rifles were standing according to their ranks. There was some distance, but they were surrounding her position. In front of her, determined to be north from the way the sun casts, over by the distance were a number of ships, beyond which was a slope leading to mountains and valleys. To her left, the west, was the same. To her right, the east, beyond the fields and ships was a slope leading to the sea. The sea which periodically shone a light up to the sky. Even now, light travelled from the sea to the sky, along with a faint shake of the land. Swaying her head as if to match the beat of the tremors, the speaker behind her in the wall suddenly let out a voice. In the voice of the female student in charge of her care, [How are you feeling?] To the question, Horizon raised her head. She looked at the speaker and, "Jud. To be direct, there are no observed abnormalities. Is anything the matter?" [Ah, no, we are currently scanning your body. That is all, Princess.] Hearing that, Horizon recalled the time back when she had her body inspected on Musashi by the shopkeeper woman and Masazumi's recommendation. During the inspection with the female engineer in charge, "Is it fine for me to have my clothes on?" [Tes. The analysis procedure is essentially that used to examine large-type spirits, so selective scanning of the important areas is possible--] Saying up until that point, along with the sound of her panicked motions, [I-I'm sorry. Um, please forget about that...! If you would hear us out, we do not think of treating you the same way as we do to a spirit, Princess!] "So it will be fine if I continue reading my book, is it not?" [...Tes.] Then that is fine. Thinking thus, Horizon returned her gaze to the book. That moment, far into the north, she heard a sound. "----" A group of sounds, thus Horizon determined. Sounds she has heard recently. During Mikawa's destruction last night, the people have certainly made a similar noise. That was when she was with them, but if they were far away, this is what it would have sounded like. ...However. Horizon thought of a problem. The noise from last night was because of Mikawa's destruction. Then, why would a similar one be made right now? She didn't know. There is a lot I do not know, Horizon thought. She continued to think thus: ...If you do not forget the question, will the answer someday appear? Her own nature, her past, what she should do; her obtaining the truth about these things as well as her understanding of them were probably because she never forgot to question them. If that wasn't the case, she wouldn't even notice the answer in front of her. She would not understand, nor would she accept, left only to go with the flow of events. The way she is now, she would already understand what she herself should do, so she thinks. She may have no memories, nor does she have experience, but the books she read have taught her. The way a lord of the Far East would account for the mistakes of his country in the present generation. The one who caused Mikawa to fall last night was her father, so she heard. She didn't know who he was, but a father is a relative; a parent of hers. This was also in the books she read. Hence, what one should do when she loses her parents is, ...I do not know. There were different cases in the books she read. There were people who cried, there were those who laughed, and there were those who felt relief. Statistically, it would be something sorrowful, but that emotion itself, ...Most of my emotions are made into Logismoi Oplo, so there is none in me. This would surely then remain a mystery to her. What she does know is only that to correct the mistakes her father made, she needed to pay with her life. The best decision. Going by that, people will be saved and given relief. It was written in the books. Still, Horizon had a thought. About the conversation she had with the female student acting as the court lady. That is, ...Under the best decision, ...is something there? Another choice, crushed in favour of the best. What came to her mind was the scenery of the bakery. The best decision was no longer in her reach. "I wonder. If there was something that would show that to you, then--" Horizon, thinking of the existence of a choice she cannot hope for, thus stated. "It would have to deny my best decision and have a duel with me."

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