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It's about time! Aisha-san, Rinrin-chan! Let's fall back!
Understood! Rinrin!
Sure! Everyone, follow Rinrin's flag and do an organized retreat!
Shoku soldier: Yes!
Go soldier: Yes! (Oh... it's pretty cool how they look differently)
Our army should retreat too, Sheren.
Yes, yes... well then. I'm looking forward to Sousou's reaction.
They're pretty good.
Yeah. We had some severe casuality... But, what's going on? For them to retreat when they're pushing us back...
Ambush, strategy... I assume they have some kind of a plan.
Then proceeding isn't an option. Let's stop and reorganize.
...Hmm.
Is something wrong?
Well... I'm a bit concerned with their actions.
What do you mean?
...No, it's nothing. I might be overthinking things.
...Then, we'll make troops fall back for now, is that okay?
Yeah. Please do... Keifa. Make preparations for supplies as we retreat. Shunran and Shuuran standby at the front. Kii and Ruru fall back with me.
Yes!
Understood.
A stalemate, huh... well then, how would ShokuGo act... How should I act...
Gi has stopped their advance... Plan is a success for now.
Kazuto: Yeah, but... this is where the hard part starts.
How should we attack Gi, now that they stopped. It all depends on Shuri and Shuuyu's strategy.
Ah, the ship everyone were on has returned... They gave a signal to return to the fort.
Kazuto: Understood. Then, let's return to the fort right away.
Kazuto: Good job, everyone. The plan is a success for now... Is it okay to think like that?
Yeah. We've glued the enemy to the battlefield. It's a best situation for us... I suppose.
But this balance won't last for long. The problem now is how to put our strategy to action, I guess...
The current situation doesn't allow us to get maximum effect of that plan...
Hmm... If we don't confuse the situation even more, the strategy won't pay off that well.
Kazuto: Strategy, huh...
If I remember correctly... fire and chained ships were important elements at the battle at Sekiheki.
Fire is one thing, but chaining the ships... should be impossible now.
Kazuto: ...What should we do?
Hawawa... what should we do...
Is there a good idea... as everyone were trying to think of one...
...What. Another meeting, huh. It's better to rest than to have a crappy strategy meeting.
A woman has arrived to the meeting, saying harsh words.
Shut up, Kogai. You're just a commander from the front, so don't speak as if you're someone great.
...Oh. Koukin. Are you picking a fight with me?
Watch how you talk, ***. I'm the Great Strategist of Go. You only need to wait for my orders like a loyal dog.
Like a dog, you say!? It's because we, commanders from the frontline, fought in exchange for our lives, Go is still standing! To call us dogs...!
Koukin! You, there should be a limit to how proud someone can get for a civil official to be looking down on us!
Shut up! You're Go's hands, so don't argue with me, the brain of Go! Understand your own status!
Seeing those two arguing, we held our breath and kept quiet.
Position, you say... Calling us, warriors who sweat and bleed for Go and risk our lives, dogs, is your definition of status!
We're the fence that protects our lord and you're just one of people in her favor, so look who's talking!
You're just a *** who used her body instead of brain for your lord! You're hundred years too early to look down on us proud warriors!
...What!?
Get lost, ***! Go doesn't need you!
Of all the things you call me a ***...! That's enough! Kogai! I remove your role! Die on a battlefield as a regular soldier!
...You demote me to the regular soldier, you say...!
An unsubordination, ignoring orders, badmouthing your lord... That's more than enough reasons to demote you.
Get lost, Kogai. Get back to your tent, you're under house arrest... When this battle is over, you'll get official punishment.
...Do as you please!
...Come, someone!
Y, yes! (Oh, Go has Minmei instead of generic soldiers responding to that phrase)
Disband Kogai's squad. Make her soldiers join other officers.
B, but...
...Do it!
Y, yes!
U, umm...
...What?
I don't think fighting in such a situation is good...
It's okay. Just ignore it for now. (Haha, Sheren saw through everything instantly)
Eh, but...
...Ryubi. We might be allied, but don't interefere with Go's internal affairs please.
We're interfering because we're allied! Because your situation can affect the battle!
Right. As someone who fight alongside, please try to avoid petty fighting like that one from now on.
That's right.
Everyone nods in union to Tanpopo's words... Well, I understand how they feel though.
Kazuto: Well, we won't say anything about what just happened... that'll be interference with domestic affairs, if we do.
But!
Kazuto: Aisha... listen to what I say for now. (Well, Kazuto pretty much saw walkthrough, so he should know the deal)
Master...?
Kazuto: I'll explain later... Touka too. Understood?
If Master says so, I'll obey that, but...
As I was comforting Touka, who wasn't quite convinced...
Kazuto: So, what should we do now?
I asked Sonsaku to change the topic.
Let's see... Meirin, what should we do?
...Let's end military actions for today. Everyone, return to your positions and rest.
Rest?... it's not like we fought until we're tired, right? (Well, you didn't for sure, being on a standby)
Yeah. I understand how it's hard to do anything when the situation is so confusing though...
But it's not exactly the time to take it easy, right?
...The battle is tommorow. Everyone, take some rest.
Without answering our question, Shuuyu gives us orders in a tone that expects no talking back.
To stop Aisha-tachi from responding to weighted words...
Kazuto: Understood. Then, we'll rest.
I took my dissatisfied allies and left the meeting.
Master! Don't ignore such way of talking!
That's right. We're allied, so they should listen to what we have to say at least a bit.
Are they looking down on us?
Hmm. How annoying.
Kazuto: Hmm... first of all. I have a bit different opinion on Shuuyu's remark from the rest of us... everyone, come closer.
Being wary of unwanted ears, we come closer until our shoulders touch.
At the center... in this spacious location, there's no worry of someone eavesdropping, I guess.
Kazuto: You see... That fight between Shuuyu and Kogai. I don't think they were seriously fighting.
Not serious?... Then, were they acting?
Kazuto: Yeah. You need to fool your friends to fool your foe.
But... what for?
Kazuto: To do a finishing blow to Sousou... Shuri, Hinari, did you notice as well?
I question Shuri and Hinari who were silent until now.
Yes... Probably, they had that kind of a fight in the middle of meeting... To start rumors of discord between Shuuyu-san and Kogai-san.
Rumors? Why would they want to do so? Discord between officers is nothing but weak point, right?
It might be so, normally... but that's Shuuyu-san's plan.
Plan, huh... And what is that plan?
Awawa... I don't know that much...
Kazuto: Well, anyway. Try to agree that that fight was all an act.
Hmm... if Master says so, I'll agree, but... (Shouldn't it matter more than Shuri and Hinari said so?)
...While smiling at clearly unconvinced Touka...
Kazuto: Let's take a break for now. If something happens, it won't be until the night starts.
If something happens, it'll be at night... Everyone, let's at least be mentally ready in case something happens.
Understood.
...That was some flashy badmouthing. (I like her reaction - clearly finds it amusing)
That Sai, didn't even feel the need to restrain herself... She sure went with it, really.
...Sheren. I'll return to my tent... You rest as well.
Understood.
...You're not going to ask anything? (Are you stupid now? She clearly figured it out already)
I know without asking, so I won't... well then, good night.
Well then... This plan... How will it go. Only heavens know, I guess...
And that night...