Rune Troopers Vol 1 Chapter 4.3

The transmission relaying an unreasonable order ended, and Sergeant Yaegas.h.i.+ acted.  

“The weapon ammunition we could gather from the helicopter wreckage is just this.”

Placing down new ammunition cases for 200 rounds for light machine guns, Yaegas.h.i.+ said this.

“So, what we’re holding all put together’s battle strength is what?”
Kuze asked with a thinking face. This is an important concern for a legitimate battle.

“Thirty-two soldiers, thirty-one type 89 shotgun rifles, enough ammunition for a hundred and twenty shots. Two MINIME light machine guns, and enough ammunition for 800 shots. For riffle bullets, we have 6 shots, and two hand grenades. After these, those in the family of the portable recoilless 84 mm rifle and the anti-tank highly explosive projectiles, we have two shots left.”

“If we use these, do you think we’ll persevere?”

Kuze leveled his binoculars.

“…Roughly 400, no, 500 of them are left. And, they’re still increasing.”
Kuze’s group is currently laying preparations to protect the entrance to the corridor leading to the throne room inside the palace. Across from the courtyard, the empire’s forces were gathering.

The distance was something like 300 meters. In between them and Kuze’s group was a sort of buffer zone made by the corpse of the dragon. The parts across from the castle seemed to have already fallen. The battle flag waved, and they faced the tips of their spears to heaven.

Lance soldiers and archery forces around formed ranks, and they started this way. The formation seemed ready to go, but there was no sign of their attacking anytime now. Probably, they were cautious after the situation with the dragon. But, there was no change in the pressure they were exuding. In this situation, letting the helicopter land would be difficult, though——

“What’s with the emergency helicopter? Even if it is just the seriously wounded, if they aren’t moved soon…”

To these words of that subordinate, Kuze grew impatient. But, he couldn’t do anything. There were other things to worry about. Kuze confirmed his back. The corridor was full of refugees. It was long and wide near the throne room, so there were probably over 3,000 people there.

The empire forces also went to attack the city. From that, it looks as though many sought refuge in the castle as the city became dangerous. In the midst of confusion, they desperately escaped the city, and while the castle was being attacked, ran here. Because of this, many are injured. The injured were sorted out, but they probably lightly moved past the four helicopters.

“Big brother…big sister…”

Kuze, who had begun peeking through binoculars, had his sleeve pulled. When he looked, he saw those kids who were with the maid looking up at him. Yaegas.h.i.+, who had earlier heard the report of the children, whispered into his ear. 

“We may no longer be able to save that girl.”

Kuze felt a sense of powerlessness and guilt, and averted his eyes from the children. The kids have forcibly pushed away, but he was supposed to stay and ensure the heliport. However, preemptive strikes are wholly prohibited to the SDF. An act so far would not be allowed. In the middle of this dilemma, the young girl seemed as though she were to lose her life. 

“I’m sorry…I can’t do anything of use…”

Kuze had to bring a sad reply to the children. Tears surfaced in the eyes of those children looking up at Kuze. At that time——
“You are that hero who slew that dragon, no?”

A female voice came from the side. Looking a

t her, she was probably a refugee, the young girl standing there had long hair the color of the deep ocean., She looked about 15 years old. She was wearing what looked to be ceremonial vestments with a pure white and deep blue motif. With her pure atmosphere, Kuze thought she might be a priestess or that she may hold some other sacred profession. 

“He-hey, Ryumi, these are the people who shot off that thing…”

“They came to save us, and they are now confronting the invaders. Further, those were such gentle eyes turned towards the children.. Certainly, this is not a bad man.”

The young girl called Ryumi did not hear out her a.s.sociate, sweetly smiled, and laughed. Kuze looked at that pure face.

“I know not of where you come from, but if there is anything I can do, no matter what it is, just ask. I, despite how things stand, am a priestly warrior of the Light Mother Church, and I have some knowledge of healing magic.”

In her words, there was something Kuze was not used to hearing.

“Healing…magic?”

“Yes. It is a miracle that is loaned just a bit by the G.o.ds. As you can see, there are many injured people to help. I think I would also like to help. To heal with magic is a good specialty.”
At the girl in front of him with her hands put together as if to pray, Kuze looked at the faces of the subordinates around him.

Magic. Surely, she said magic. It must be a joke, Yaegas.h.i.+ said with his eyes. But, Kuze had a thought, clutching at straws, and asked the girl. 

“This is a person I want you to help!” 

He and Yaegas.h.i.+ brought Ryumi with them to the place where the maid lay. Ryumi took a breath at the figure of the girl with an arrow in her back. The young girl couldn’t move except for twitching, making one wonder if she had already died.

“We applied morphine to put her to sleep, but her condition was just getting worse.”

“Morphine?” said Ryumi, and she tilted her head. To her, Kuze explained that it was a pain-relieving

medication. Satisfied, Ryumi approached the young girl and touched her body. She closed her eyes and whispered something like a spell.

Kuze had his eyes fixated on the spectacle. A faint light flowed from her hands, and her body began to move. And, to the pale young girl’s skin returned just a little vitality. 

“…After healing, let’s take that arrowhead out.”

While Ryumi was focused on healing her, Kuze said this. 

“Magic.” 

“Real magic.” 

At this unbelievable thought, Kuze turned his face and look into  Yaegas.h.i.+, next to him. 

“Is she saved?”

“That is something only the G.o.ds know…Fureena, you also help.”

“Oh man, you don’t know?”

Her lamenting colleague come to help. Ryumi started healing the young girl with another person. Something only the G.o.ds know, eh. Kuze thought as he looked at Ryumi that if there are G.o.ds, she is one.

“But, to continue the healing magic, we will need silence. If the enemy comes over here…”
Ryumi spoke out of anxiety. She had a fear of the 500 military men across the courtyard crowded and in a complete formation. But, Kuze answered in a rea.s.suring tone. 

“Please calm down.”

He got out his firearm into his hand and said in a firm voice. 

“The empire forces will not make it here.”

He entrusted the young girl with her and returned to commanding the operations. 

“Lieutenant Colonel Katou, please stay near the communication device and relay to the fleet what is happening. To use the full power of the platoon is unexpected, so this is an attack of manpower.”

“Understood. I will transmit the war situation in full to the fleet.”

Katou took the long distance communication device from the member who had it. To a marine commander who had almost no training in fighting on land, he couldn’t go out to the front lines. 

“Squad leader Karuda, may I have your attention?”

“Yes. What?”

Kuze called the name of the Mariisua officer who left a while before and was standing to examine the situation. He perceived the slit eye behind her monocle. 

“Just for a little, I would like a lot of furniture and goods.”

“What for?”

“To construct a barricade.”

Karuda made a face of resolute dubiousness. But, in such a war to prepare the gunfire weapons, this was no time for argument. 

“It is necessary so that we can fire when we meet with the empire’s forces.”

“…Well, in this time of crisis, there’s no reason to refuse.”

Obtaining permission, Kuze quickly ordered the subordinate and went to work on the operation. Thirty two people started building the improvised structure that could hide some people here and there. They had a plan to dig a trench at the opening of the corridor, but it would take too much time, so it wasn’t proper. It was awkward, but they quickly built the thing.

Using a bed and a bookcase, the members moved to make something which could hold members and things inside and protect them from arrows. There were many expensive things that if added together would be a very large expense, but in such an emergency situation, no one worried about such things. 

“We will help, too!”

“Rarona?”

While Ichinose was surprised, the Flying Light Armor Unit’s survivors joined in one after the other. Everyone, for some reason, seemed happy to help the SDF members. Ichinose was perplexed, and Rarona, full of vigor, said.

“This is unreasonable with just 30 people. If you’re fighting the empire, it is no wonder we will help you.”

The young girl said this and smiled like a young boy, showing her white teeth. 

“Thank you, Ichinose. Being able to help even this many refugees is thanks to you guys.”

“…I didn’t do anything.”

While they placed the shelf, Ichinose couldn’t look Rarona in the eyes.