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Content Warning!: The following chapter contains material that may be considered offensive to some viewers. Continue at your own discretion.
Hringhorni – Bridge
Bradroy: Is our course set?
Holly: Yes sir.
Bradroy: Then let’s head to Opa base. Launch!
Sharian: Captain Zefenbar, we have about two hours before we arrive. Why don’t you take a tour of the ship?
Raikou: Very well…I’ll accept your offer.
Mio: In that case, I’ll be your tour guide.
Raikou: Thank you, Miss Sasuga
Mio: Mio’s fine, Raikou. No need for honorifics.
Raikou: As you wish. Lead onward, Mio.
Mio: OK then. Let’s start with the break room.
Hringhorni – Rec Area
Mio: This here’s the break room. There are several, but this one seems to get the most use.
Demeksa: Oh, hello. You must be Raikou.
Raikou: Hello. You are…
Demeksa: Demeksa Se’el. I’m the herald of Falk.
Raikou: Pleased to meet you, Mr. Se’el.
Demeksa: Oh, Mr. Se’el is my father. Call me Demeksa.
Raikou: Ah, the same culture as in Medina. Understood, Demeksa.
Demeksa: By the way, would you care for some tea? I’ve just finished brewing a pot.
Mio: Japanese tea again? You must really like that stuff, Demeksa.
Demeksa: I enjoy all aspects of washoku, not just the teas. Wait here a moment.
Raikou: Japanese tea? That would be tea from the surface, correct?
Mio: Yep, tea from Japan, the place where Masaki and I are from. Also, washoku is another term for Japanese cuisine.
Raikou: Japan…I’ve heard of that country. The culture was quite popular in Langran, back in the day.
Mio: You guys1 seem to have known about the surface for a really long time, meanwhile people on the surface have only recently heard about La Gias.
Raikou: Its considered a taboo for us1 to interfere with matters on the surface.
Demeksa: Sorry for the wait. Here you are, sir.
Raikou: Thank you very much. Bon appétit.
Raikou: *sip*
Raikou: Hmm! This is…delicious!
Demeksa: I’m glad you like it.
Raikou: It’s warmer than I expected, but the sweetness and bitterness are in perfect harmony, and the aftertaste and aroma are simply refreshing.
Raikou: This might be the best tea I’ve ever had.
Mio: Hey, let me try some…
Mio: Oh yeah, this is good. Your best effort to date.
Demeksa: That’s high praise coming from you, Mio.
Raikou: Thank you for the refreshment.
Demeksa: You’re welcome. So, Raikou, are you touring the ship?
Raikou: Yes, as a means of passing the time until we arrive at Opa Base.
Mio: I thought I’d find everyone in here, but it’s just you today, Demeksa.
Demeksa: That it is. Maybe everyone’s in dojo one. I heard that Tsurein and Gaen are sparring there.
Mio: What? Those two?
Raikou: Oh, there’s a dojo on board? Interesting. Could you guide me there?
Mio: I can, but…oh, how do I put it? Now might not be the best time.
Raikou: Why is that?
Mio: Actually, never mind. I’d like to see how those two are doing…let’s go.
Hringhorni – Dojo
Gaen: …What? Is that all you’ve got?
Tsurein: Rgh…not by a long shot!
Gaen: Don’t you get it? I admit you have guts, but guts alone won’t win you this bout.
Tsurein: Shut up! I’m…not going to let you beat me!
Mio: Yeah, I expected this. The atmosphere is filled with hostility…though it’s not any worse than I expected.
Raikou: Hmm…that stance…the Divine Infinitude style?
Mio: Divine…Infinite-tude? Are you talking about Gaen?
Raikou: What? Don’t you know of it? Masaki is the adopted son of the Sword Emperor Zeolute, right?
Mio: Zeolute…oh yeah, I’ve heard of him. He basically created his own school of swordsmanship.
Raikou: Correct. The two major schools of swordsmanship in La Gias, the Divine Infinitude and the Immutable Eternity styles.
Mio: Oh, I remember the Immutable Eternity style. Shumel created that one.
Raikou: The Sword Saint Shumel…he was a masterful swordsman…its horrible what happened to him.
Mio: Yeah…though Gino and Rosalie are doing their best to honor his teachings.
Raikou: I’ve heard of Sir Gino Valencia. I don’t know him personally, but I hear he’s quite adept.
Mio: He is…though he’s a bit eccentric.
Raikou: Hm? Did you say something?
Mio: Uh, never mind. Anyway, is the Divine Infinitude style really that amazing?
Raikou: It is indeed. However, the Divine Infinitude is an very elect school. Very few people can master it.
Mio: Ah, I see. I guess Gaen must be pretty good, then.
Raikou: Yes, his swordsmanship is top-notch. Incidentally, I’m training in the Divine Infinitude style myself.
Mio: …Do I detect a hint of bragging there?
Raikou: I’ve only just begun to get a grasp on it. But as for Gaen…well, look.
Tsurein: Argh!?
Gaen: …It’s time you gave up. You can’t beat me with your level of skill.
Tsurein: Rgh…
Raikou: Then I’ll fight you next.
Mio: Wuh? Hey Raikou!
Gaen: …Interesting. The prana I sensed from you in the recent battle…are you also a user of Divine Infinitude?
Raikou: I am. And I would like to see how I measure up against you.
Gaen: …Fine. You look like you have some skill.
Raikou: I like to think I have a modest amount.
Tsurein: Wait a minute! I’m still…!
Raikou: Don’t overwork yourself. Observing two users of the Divine Infinitude style in combat will be valuable experience for you.
Tsurein: Huh? Then, you’re also…
Raikou: I’m going to borrow your training sword.
Tsurein: O…Okay.
Gaen: …En guard!
Raikou: Tch…you’re fast. However!
Gaen: Ngh!?
Mio: Wow…what IS that? I’m seeing afterimages…and I’m pretty proud of my dynamic visual acuity2.
Tsurein: So this…this is a battle between two users of Divine Infinitude…
Gaen: …Who are you?
Raikou: Weren’t you present when I introduced myself?
Gaen: Raikou…was it?
Raikou: Correct. Tell me, Gaen, where did you learn your sword skills?
Gaen: That…I don’t remember.
Raikou: Is that so? There was something that felt similar to my mentor, Hyougo Bakusky…
Gaen: Hyougo…?
Raikou: Do you recognize the name?
Gaen: No, I don’t.
Raikou: I see…
Gaen: So, do you wish to continue?
Raikou: No, let’s stop here. I don’t want to lay all my cards on the table.
Gaen: Very well…as you wish.
Tsurein: Sir Raikou! You were amazing!
Raikou: Hardly, I still have far to go.
Tsurein: The Divine Infinitude style…I wonder if I could master it.
Raikou: Why don’t you ask Masaki to train you?
Tsurein: Huh? Ask…Sir Masaki?
Mio: That’s not gonna happen, Raikou. I’ve never even seen Masaki hold a sword.
Raikou: What? Really?
Mio: At least I haven’t. Tsurein?
Tsurein: I…haven’t either.
Raikou: How strange…and yet, he is clearly an expert swordsman.
Mio: What do you mean?
Raikou: Masaki must have natural talent.
Mio: In swordfighting? How d’you figure that?
Raikou: By the way he controls his Masouki. Anyway, I’ve worked up a sweat. I need to take a shower.
Mio: Eh? Oh, there’re showers right over there, help yourself.
Raikou: Ah, thank you. If you’ll excuse me.
Mio: So Masaki has potential as a swordfighter…
???: EEEEEEEK!!
Raikou: Uwoah!? S-Sorry!
Mio: What!? What’s wrong!?
Raikou: W-When I went into the shower room, there was someone already in there…
When I went into the shower room, there was someone already in there…
Mefil: Please don’t yank the door open so suddenly.
Mio: For crying out loud, Raikou! Don’t just waltz into the women’s room!
Raikou: N-No, this is the men’s room…
Mefil: …Oh.
Mio: “Oh”? What do you mean by “Oh”?
Mefil: …I’m so sorry. I guess I went into the wrong room.
Mio: …Well, that’s your own fault. And Mefil? How long are you going to stand there in a towel?
Mefil: Eh?
Mefil: Oh, ga~wd!
Mio: Mefil’s turning into our resident fanservice character.
Mefil: I don’t want to be known for that…
Mio: …So, Tsurein, Gaen. What did the two of you think?
Tsurein: Huh? Wha? Uh, nothing, I’m a mature adult…
Gaen: …..
Mio: Well, Gaen, I’d never pictured you as the perverted type.
Gaen: Just so you know, I did not wish to witness any of that.
Mio: Whatever you say.
En route to Opa Base
Hringhorni – Bridge
Raikou: We should be able to see it soon.
Colette: !! There’s a communication from Opa Base!
Bradroy: What’s going on!?
Colette: It seems that their creatures have gone out of control and are attacking the research centers on the base!
Raikou: What!?
Tsurein: More runaways…are those things just flat-out defective?
Wagner: We’ve received a request for assistance, so I’m decreeing this as an official operation for the Antiras Squad!
Bradroy: All hands to battle stations! All Masouki, prepare to deploy!
Chapter 19: Moving in the Shadows
Opa Base
*Hringhorni arrives, Cybuster and Svend Nidam deploy*
Masaki: Kaiju…looks like something you’d see in a CGI movie.
Mio: I can’t help but find the design very tasteful. Gives off a Showa era vibe.
Hakkai: They’re very kigurumi3-esque, don’t you think?
Mio: Still, how do things that big manage to move around?
Mefil: It’s because they’re made with greater mass reduction and inertia control.
Mio: So, in reality they’re massive hi-tech machines?
*One of the Dozer’s advances*
Raikou: Those things…they’re going after the labs!?
*Conditions shown, Units deploy, Hringhorni retreats, Battle starts*
Defeat all enemies before Turn 4 Enemy Phase
*Nors Rei appears after extra EXP is tallied*
Xenia: What, over already? Too bad, I came back as fast as I could.
*Skip down to Chapter End*
Turn 4 Enemy Phase
*Two Embersoses appear*
Demin: Well well, we seem to have stumbled on quite the interesting situation.
Masaki: Demin!? Are you the one behind this!?
Demin: Why, whatever are you talking about? We observed what was happening here, and decided to cast our hand in.
Digo: Them’s the breaks. C’mon, let’s have some fun!
Turn 5 Player Phase
*The Nors Rei arrives*
Xenia: I’m here!
Masaki: You’re back already, Xenia?
Xenia: Uh-huh. Inspector Forche and Yuno will be back in a little bit.
Masaki: Don’t let your guard down.
Xenia: You got it.
Xenia VS Digo (If Xenia and Digo fought in Chapter 16)
Digo: You again, Xenia!
Xenia: Hey, I’m not happy about seeing you either!
Xenia VS Digo (If Xenia and Digo did not fight in Chapter 16)
Digo: What’s this? Aren’t you that Langranian princess?
Xenia: So what if I am?
Digo: Perfect. I’ve wanted to crush you for a long time now!
Xenia: …Yeah, well now the feeling’s mutual!
*Clear all enemies with all buildings intact*
Hringhorni – Bridge
Raikou: As one would expect from the Antiras Squad. Thank you for your help.
Masaki: Eh, we’re used to this kind of thing.
Raikou: However…what did you mean by ‘more’ runaways?
Tsurein: There was a similar incident in Langran not too long ago.
Raikou: Strange…the modified beasts have been in development for five years, and we’ve never had an incident like this.
Xenia: …Left to their instincts, I doubt that they’d stage an attack on the lab where they were made.
Raikou: Their ‘instincts’? What do you mean?
Xenia: The cause of the rampaging stems from the program that manages emotional control.
Raikou: The central emotion control…it had a complete overhaul about three years ago.
Xenia: Do you know who was managing that program?
Raikou: I’m sure we can find out if we look over the records, but…why does it matter?
Xenia: I have an idea as to who might be responsible for this.
Xenia: I might be able to confirm my suspicion if I could get access to the computers at the lab…
Raikou: That…is something I don’t have authorization to grant. I’ll ask my superiors about it.
Xenia: Yes, please do.
Hringhorni – Breifing Room
Xenia: …In the end, the account we found turned out to be a fake.
Forche: It was a complete waste of time.
Mefil: I was afraid of that.
Masaki: Wait, you had the wool pulled over your eyes?
Xenia: I can’t believe he got me…I’ll remember this, Chaos!
Raikou: So, the allegations against our country have been cleared?
Xenia: …Yeah, sorry about that.
Wagner: As Representative of this unit, I offer an apology on behalf of the entire squad.
Raikou: Think nothing of it, now that we understand each other. Besides, you have aided us greatly this day.
Xenia: So, about that permission to access that computer…
Raikou: Yes, you have authorization to proceed. However, you will need to be supervised by an observer.
Xenia: Yahoo! If this goes well, I might be able to figure out Chaos’ identity!
Yuno: I will act as observer. Please follow me to the lab to set up the link system.
Xenia: You got it.
Opa Base Labs – Computer Room
Xenia: Wow, THIS is your main computer?
Yuno: The main computer here runs on standalone software. You won’t be able to plant any viruses on it.
Xenia: I would never do that. Why are you so suspicious?
Yuno: I’ve heard that you’re an excellent hacker, Xenia.
Xenia: Eh? My name’s known in the Kingdom of Erial? I’m flattered.
Yuno: I’ve been told that if Xenia can get access to it, all of your data is as good as stolen.
Masaki: …There’s a fine line between famous and notorious.
Xenia: Oh shut up.
Xenia: So, if the software is standalone, how could someone alter the data inside the artificial monsters?
Yuno: I believe the original data was infected with a virus that was programmed to activate after a certain amount of time has passed.
Xenia: That’s what I was thinking.
Mefil: If we examine the original data, we may be able to trace the tampering right back to Chaos.
Xenia: Not ‘may’. We’re going to do just that.
Xenia: I’ll link with Dukakis back at the Hringhorni’s computer room, then we’ll get to work.
*If Mio has 10 or more kills, was deployed in this chapter, and no buildings were destroyed*
Hringhorni – Hangar
Goshin: Oh, hey there. You’re Mio Sasuga, Zamzeed’s herald?
Mio: Huh? Your name’s…Goshin, right? You really shouldn’t be in here without permission.
Goshin: No worries, I have permission. Tell her, Wendy.
Wendy: Yes, he received permission from Wagner.
Mio: You too, Wendy? Why’re you both in here?
Wendy: Because, it seems we’ve been given something of a present from Erial.
Mio: Present?
Goshin: It’s a weapon our country developed, and from the looks of it, Zamzeed should be able to make use of it.
Mio: So you’re just giving us a new weapon?
Goshin: Think of it as a thank-you for helping us out.
Mio: Hmm…how generous.
Wendy: I checked it myself, and it looks to be a good match for Zamzeed. I think we could install it with little-to-no modification.
Mio: It’s a nice gesture, but…are you sure it’ll work?
Wendy: Yes, there are no flaws in the design or circuitry. It’s a generous offer, and I think we should take them up on it.
Mio: If Wendy’s vouching for it, then my decision’s a no-brainer. I’ll gladly take it.
Goshin: Great, hope you get a lot of use out of it.
Mio: Oh, before I forget, what’s the name of this weapon?
Goshin: Well, since it hasn’t reached the mass-production stage, it doesn’t have a name yet.
Wendy: It’s model number is K-28.
Mio: Yeesh, bo-ring.
Goshin: Why don’t you be the one to christen it?
Mio: Hmm…
Mio: Got it, Twin Fracture. Yeah, let’s go with that.
Goshin: Ooh, that’s a nice one. You’ve got good taste in names, girl.
Wendy: Twin Fracture it is, then. I’ll start installing it right away.
Mio: Oh, lemme help you, Wendy.
Goshin: I’ll leave you to it, then. As you can imagine, there’s no reason for me to get a look at the internal workings of a Masoukishin.
Mio: Oh, okay. Thanks, Goshin.
Goshin: You’re welcome. I’ll let the higher-ups know that you like it. See ya.
*If Tsurein has 10 or more kills, was deployed in this chapter, and no buildings were destroyed*
Hringhorni – Dojo
Tsurein: …..
Raikou: What’s the matter? Is something bothering you?
Tsurein: Ah, Sir Raikou. Yeah, kind of…
Raikou: Is it about your match with Gaen earlier?
Tsurein: Yes…I’ve been shown how blatantly inadequate my own strength is.
Raikou: That is simply the difference in the amount of time each of you has spent training.
Tsurein: I hope that’s all it is…
Raikou: Are you afraid that it’s a difference in skill?
Tsurein: …..
Raikou: It’s true that everyone has different levels of skill. But there is no such thing as only one level of skill. You have skills that are unique to you.
Tsurein: Skills unique to me…
Raikou: Your ability to be fearless and headstrong is one of those skills.
Tsurein: …That’s just recklessness.
Raikou: Often times our weaknesses can be turned into strengths. There’s no need to despise them.
Tsurein: You…think so?
Raikou: I do, because I was once like that. Sumera would still say that I’m too foolhardy a warrior.
Raikou: Although I hardly think its Sumera’s place to say such things.
Tsurein: Sir Raikou…you were like that too?
Raikou: Don’t be so quick to denounce these things as weaknesses. Think also of what benefits they can afford you.
Tsurein: Don’t denounce these things as weaknesses…
Tsurein: Oh wait…that’s what you mean.
Raikou: Have you thought of something?
Tsurein: Yes! Thanks to your advice, Sir Raikou! You have my sincerest thanks!
Raikou: Well, I’m glad to have helped. Keep up the good work.
Tsurein: I will, sir!
Moving in the Shadows End
Previous Chapter: Merchant of Death | Masoukishin II Chapter List
Next Chapters
Next Chapter
(Any building destroyed):
Elan Returns
Next Chapter
(All buildings saved):
Hacker VS Cracker
1Referring to people born in La Gias. Context was a bit difficult to keep, so I’m adding this footnote for clarity.
2Also known as kinetic vision, this is a persons ability to track objects in motion.
3A Japanese term for actors who dress up in full costumes, like sports mascots or characters at Walt Disney World.