Kanata is to be awarded a medal.
I am led by Marika-san to the platform. Lieutenant Colonel Kurando, who looks surprisingly good in a tuxedo, grasps the microphone. “Distinguished guests, we will now commence the awards ceremony. Please maintain silence.” Lieutenant Colonel Kurando respectfully hands the microphone to the empress, who is dressed in a lavish jet-black gown, and steps back. The Commander begins her speech in a clear voice. “As you all know, the Asura Foundation was established by the will of my father, Asura Mikado. The foundation’s purpose is to aid victims of war and to nurture talent capable of winning freedom from the Mechanist Army. My father’s will included a directive to honor soldiers who continue to achieve remarkable feats ‘on the front lines’ in the war against the Mechanist Army. The highest form of this honor is the Asura Medal, named after my father… an award that has not been bestowed for over a decade. Finally, a soldier worthy of receiving it has appeared. I dare say it myself, but she is my subordinate, an ace of the Asura Unit… no, of the Alliance Army, Captain Marika Hikari, please step forward!” Marika, showing a rare serious expression, steps before the Commander. The Commander personally fastens the Asura Medal to the chest of Marika’s crimson dress, and the hall erupts in applause. Of course, I, standing on the platform, join in the applause. Ah, so she’s not wearing her military uniform because the commendation is from the Asura Foundation, not the Alliance Army. It’s a gesture of consideration. “And one more person, a subordinate of Captain Hikari, who, despite being a new recruit, achieved great results, Sergeant Kanata Amakake, please come forward.” As the Commander instructed, I step forward to Marika’s side. The Commander also personally pins a silver hexagonal medal onto me. Applause erupts once more. It’s embarrassing, but it feels good. After all, I’ve never been honored in my life before. After descending from the platform, Marika and I are surrounded by gentlemen and ladies, receiving their congratulations. Well, I’m merely an accessory to Marika. As long as I give noncommittal answers, it should be fine. Most of the upper-class people here seem to be sympathizers of the Commander. If I act like I did during the PR department’s interview, I might end up in the brig with the “monkeys.” After being surrounded by the elite for about twenty minutes, we are finally freed, and the Commander approaches us. “How are you feeling, Marika?” “This is the first time I’ve felt good about receiving a medal.” “That’s wonderful. My father would have been content if Marika was the first to receive one, I’m sure. He doted on Marika more than his own daughter.” Marika’s expression turns nostalgic. “My father doted on Iska more than me, didn’t he? We’re in the same boat.” They share a laugh, these two strong women who support the Asura Unit. “Congratulations, Marika-kun. I’m glad you were the first recipient. However, if one must achieve the same merits on the front lines as you have, this may be your first and last award.” A middle-aged man in a military uniform approaches us as he says this. He looks every bit the gentleman, and his insignia indicates he is a Lieutenant General. I’ve only seen him in pictures, but this must be Lieutenant General Shinonome Gyoobu, the Commander’s guardian. “Lieutenant General, it has been a while. I am glad to see you are in good health.” Marika also shows respect to Lieutenant General Shinonome. The rumor that he is the most honorable person in the Alliance Army seems to be true. Lieutenant General Shinonome looks at me with gentle eyes and offers his right hand. “You are Sergeant Kanata Amakake, aren’t you? To challenge all the soldiers of the Mechanist Army to a fight, you are truly a subordinate of Commander Iska. How reassuring.” I take a breath to relax my tension and shake his offered hand. The Lieutenant General’s hand, trained in swordsmanship, feels like that of a warrior… and it was warm. “It was a spur-of-the-moment thing. I am deeply ashamed.” The Lieutenant General smiles like a spring breeze, the kind that would make him popular with the aunties. “Hahaha, merely the impetuosity of youth, you say? Young people are good. The Marshal was also a spirited youth in his day.” “Do you and Marshal Asura have a long-standing friendship?” The Commander answers my question. “The Lieutenant General and my father were seniors and juniors at the officer academy. My father, who was the academy’s biggest troublemaker, took a liking to this excellent junior, and that was the beginning of the Lieutenant General’s worries. My father, for better or worse, was a man of action.” The Commander says this lightheartedly, while putting herself on a high pedestal. …I suspect that most of the Lieutenant General’s troubles these days are related to the Commander. The Lieutenant General looks like he’s had a tough life, and he probably has. Unlike Rasen-, who is a fake sufferer of hardship. He seems to willingly take on the difficult roles he’s assigned. “The Marshal was a rare individual with idealism, drive, and charisma. He was someone for whom one would gladly walk a difficult path, someone you truly felt you could count on. …I never imagined I would be subjected to worry by two generations of the same family.” Ah, Lieutenant General… your true feelings slipped out. He must be a fundamentally upright and honest person. And I, the great Iska, puff out my ample chest and declare, “My father told me before his passing, ‘If you ever get into trouble, ask Gyoobu for help. He’ll lend a hand while wearing a troubled expression.’ Lieutenant General, I am simply following my father’s instructions.” The Lieutenant General’s expression becomes troubled at the Commander’s brazen words. It might be disrespectful to the Lieutenant General, but… I pity him. His sincerity seems to be his undoing. “…Lieutenant General, I… or rather, I feel it’s presumptuous for someone like myself to say this, but… I sympathize with your distress.” “…You understand? You are Commander Iska’s subordinate, so you are usually unruly, aren’t you? You don’t need to be so formal with me; ‘Ore’ is fine. Speaking of which, Brigadier General Hinkley wishes to meet Sergeant Amakake. Can you spare some time while you are staying in Ligrit?” Brigadier General Hinkley wants to see me? What could he want? Wait, the rank is wrong. “Lieutenant General, isn’t it Major General Hinkley?” “No, he requested a demotion himself to take responsibility for the previous operation, and it was approved. The battle ended in a reverse victory thanks to Commander Iska’s efforts, so I tried to persuade him to remain, but… that man is stubborn.” “Is that so? I thought he was harsh on himself… Please tell him I will make time at his convenience.” “Is that so? I will convey that then. Brigadier General Hinkley also received an invitation to this party, but he said he couldn’t possibly attend a party in his current state of defeat.” The Commander shrugs. “While not entirely untrue, Brigadier General dislikes parties anyway.” “Hahaha, I actually do too. But if I refuse an invitation from the Commander, I dread what might happen later. So, I had no choice but to attend.” “I have a small request, and it’s not for later, but for now?” It’s clear from the Lieutenant General’s face, even to me on our first meeting, that he’s troubled. “…I will listen. What is it?” “Not just listen, but please lend your full support. It’s a simple matter, really. I would like one of the newest land battleships to be assigned to the Asura Unit.” What? That’s not a ‘simple’ request. Land battleships are high-priced, rare weapons that every unit wants but are in short supply. “…Commander, while procuring a large helicopter might be feasible, a land battleship is not something that can be easily handed over from right to left…” “Oh? So procuring large helicopters is easy? In that case, Lieutenant General, we would like a large helicopter and a land battleship set.” The Commander, with a wide grin, immediately seizes on my words, like a piranha smelling blood. The Lieutenant General, faced with a seemingly impossible request delivered with a smile, protests in a low voice. “…Iska, don’t make unreasonable demands like ordering fries with your hamburger.” It seems they call each other by name in private. It’s natural, given he’s her guardian. “It’s your darling daughter’s request, isn’t it, Uncle?” “Alright, alright. I’ll try my best.” Yes, I think I understand their relationship now. Having lost her great father at a young age, the Commander grew up calling the Lieutenant General, her father’s trusted subordinate and her guardian, “Uncle.” The Lieutenant General acted as a father figure and indulged the Commander’s whims. The Lieutenant General must deeply cherish and adore the Commander. It seems that Lieutenant General Shinonome, acting as a surrogate father, and Lieutenant Colonel Kurando, in a grandfatherly role, have spoiled and raised the Commander, who excels in talent and grace. …Hmm, a man in black is approaching at a brisk pace. “Commander Iska, Lord Goryu Mikado has arrived.” “Hmph, finally. He always liked to put on a grand entrance by arriving deliberately late.” Goryu Mikado is the head of the Mikado clan, which rules Terukyo, a core city of the Alliance Army, if I recall correctly. The Commander doesn’t seem to favor this man Goryu. I hope it doesn’t lead to any trouble. My back was injured during the move. Lifting two heavy objects recklessly (lol).
