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Becky: Hey, welcome back. You must be tired after exterminating those Demon Golems.

Masaki: Becky! When did you get back?

Becky: Just a short while ago. Such a shame, too. I would’ve loved to help you with those Golems.

Xenia: …This seems rather forced. Are you sure you didn’t get back earlier?

Becky: N-No way. Hahaha…c’mon now.

Mio: Hey, cheers for your hard work!

Lune: You’re back too, Mio?

Mio: Yeah, same time as Becky. We were hiding so that we wouldn’t have to join the Demon Golem hunt.

Xenia: H-Hey, Mio! Don’t just blurt it out!

Xenia: As I thought!

Mio: Well, someone has to stay and hold the fort, right?

Masaki: You have a point. Fighting Demon Golems is nothing compared to that.

Mio: Exactly.

Masaki: I was being sarcastic!

Tsurein: Lady Mio Sasuga and Lady Rebecca Turner! I am…

Becky: Yeah, we know. Ensign Lecanivan, right? You can just call me Becky.

Tsurein: Understood! Then, Lady Becky, you may call me Tsurein!

Becky: …Man you’re stiff.

Mio: Mio is fine. You look around the same age as me.

Tsurein: I’m fifteen years old.

Mio: That makes me one year older. And that makes you the second person to join who’s younger than me, after Precia.

Tsurein: It’s an honor to meet you, Sensei!

Mio: Sensei…I like that…

Mio: Say it again!

Tsurein: S-Sure…it’s an honor to meet you, Sensei.

Mio: Yes! And you as well, my disciple!

Mio: By the way, do you style your own hair?

Tsurein: Huh? My hair? No, this is how it looks naturally.

Mio: Hmmm…can you get down on one knee, lower your arms, and cross them in front of you?

Tsurein: Eh?

Tsurein: Um…l-like this?

Mio: Yes, yes. Now give a strong facial expression.

Tsurein: H-Hy…

Tsurein: Hyah!!

Mio: That’s it! It would be perfect if the hair was even wavier.

Lune: And if Lang Xiao was standing next to him.

Mio: You’ve got a good eye for this, Lune.

Tsurein: P-Pardon…what does this all mean?

Mio: Ah, I could explain it, but you probably wouldn’t understand, so never mind that.

Mio: But yeah, I’m satisfied.

Tsurein: R-Right…

Mio: Next time, make your hair twice as wavy. That’s your homework.

Tsurein: Bwah? That’s not possible.

Gennady: …Stop making such outlandish demands.

Masaki: Whoa!? Gennady, were you there the whole time?

Gennady: Yes, I came back with Mio.

Mio: As excepted of the man who walks unseen, Genny! The perfect way to make an entrance!

Tsurein: P-Pardon me! Lord Gennady!

Gennady: It’s fine. I’m used to it.

Mio: Anyways, is Tsurein the only new guy?

Lune: For now, but I’m sure some people will arrive with the aircraft carrier tomorrow. Didn’t you read the bulletin?

Mio: I never read those. It’s faster to get the info word-of-mouth.

Lune: That’s not something to brag about.

Mio: What’s the aircraft gonna be like? Kaga? Taihō? Essex? Enterprise?

Lune: …Those are names of water-based aircraft carriers. This one’s different.

Xenia: Since it’s going to be the place where we spend most of our time going forward, I can understand your anxiousness.

Masaki: The launch ceremony is tomorrow.

Tomorrow…

Launch Ceremony

Masaki: This…this is bigger than I imagined.

Lune: Well, it kind of has to be to store at least sixteen Masouki aboard.

????¹: No no, Miss. This baby can store up to thirty mechs.

Lune: Hey, that’s amazing…but, who are you, sir?

????¹: Oh, excuse me. I’m…

????²: Father! Again you wander off while on duty! Come on, everyone’s waiting on you!

????¹: Oh, c’mon, Shirley. No need to rush. These people are…

????²: Don’t call me Shirley! If you have time to talk, you have time to move!

????¹: Ouch, ouch! Don’t pull my ear!

Mio: Sorry to keep you waiting! I brought Takoyaki.

Mio: …By the way, who were those two?

Lune: Judging by their uniforms, I think they’re military personnel…

Xenia: Oh, hey, the launch ceremony is starting. Let’s get lined up.

Masaki: Bah, what a pain.

Xenia: Look, just put up with it! There’s a lot of important people coming for this. We don’t want to make a bad impression.

Kuro: Otherwise we’re going to have problems with operations in the future.

Xenia: Exactly. So get a move on.

Masaki: Fine, fine.

Quintinus: As I stand before my people and the Spirits of our world, let me say a few humble words…

Masaki: Psst, Xenia.

Xenia: What?

Masaki: Is the guy giving the speech your second cousin, the new king, that you told me about?

Xenia: Yes, the grandson of my great-uncle. The 289th king of Langran, his majesty Quintinus.

Masaki: How old is he?

Xenia: If I remember correctly…about 21. He used to have a beard too, but it looked hideous.

Masaki: Yikes!

????²: You there! Be quiet!

After the ceremony

Masaki: We’re done…finally. That took half an hour.

Xenia: Don’t blame me. I didn’t know the new Prime Minister liked such long speeches. I’ll have to update my data.

Lune: Wait, that old guy was the Prime Minister? He seemed rather superficial.

Xenia: He just gained his position in the last election. He’s a pacifist, so he’s not exactly in our corner.

Mio: Am I right in assuming that faction sees us in a negative light?

Xenia: Well, more or less. The entire budget they gave us was used up in constructing that ship, so they’re not sending us off with best wishes.

Mio: That’s what I figured.

Tsurein: You mustn’t believe that everyone in Langran thinks that way!

Mio: Alright, alright. Simmer down.

Tsurein: …Forgive my outburst.

Tytti: Oh, there you are! I’ve been looking for you guys.

Masaki: Hey, Tytti. Finished with your work?

Tytti: Yes. I still have a report to write, but the rest is taken care of.

Lune: Haha, that’s our Tytti. Merciless even on paperwork.

Tytti: Oh, that’s right, I have some people to introduce. These are the Captain and the Deputy Captain of our new ship.

Bradroy: I’m the Captian, Colonel Bradroy Zan Verfight. Nice to meet you.

Sharian: And I’m the Deputy Captain, Major Sharian Zania Verfight. It’s a pleasure.

Lune: Hey, aren’t you…

Sharain: Oh, it’s you guys…

Bradroy: I couldn’t explain properly at the time, but it’s a good ship.

Becky: Yeah. Looks like a comfy ride. The size is also a plus. I like it!

Bradroy: I’m happy to hear you say so. Now, do you have a name in mind for our ship?

Masaki: What, that hasn’t been decided yet?

Xenia: It’s tradition for the crew themselves to name the ship. Got any good ideas?

Tytti: Well…how about Tōgō?

Masaki: Tōgō? What’s that?

Tytti: Eh? Masaki, aren’t you Japanese? You don’t get it? Admiral Tōgō.

Masaki: Okay, who is that?

Mio: Tōgō Heihachirō. The Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet, the main naval force in the Russo-Japanese War.

Masaki: …Don’t know him. I’m not good with history.

Mio: Tytti, I don’t know about Langran, but in Japan we don’t name battleships and aircraft carriers after specific people.

Tytti: Oh, is that so?

Mio: One of the ships that Admiral Tōgō commanded was named the Mikasa, after Mount Mikasa.

Masaki: …You really know this stuff.

Xenia: Even in Langran, there’s no custom of naming ships after people. A lot of the names are taken from mythology.

Tytti: If that’s the case, let’s call it the Hringhorni.

Masaki: F…Fling?

Tytti: Hringhorni. The name of a giant ship in Norse mythology.

Masaki: Hringhorni…hm. Well, what do you think about Tytti’s idea?

Lune: I like it, how about you?

Mio: I agree.

Tytti: What’s your opinion, Captain?

Bradroy: Meh, not fond of it.

Sharian: !

Bradroy: Ayieee!?

Tytti: ? Is something the matter?

Bradroy: A-Ah, no, it’s a good name. Hringhorni, let’s go with that.

*Alarm*

Masaki: Yow! What’s going on!?

Tytti: Enemy attack!

Masaki: Enemy? I thought the war was over?

Kuro: The radar’s picking up a small force of Masouki…probably terrorists.

Lune: That’s my guess too.

Masaki: Tch, I don’t care who they are…let’s take them out!

Chapter 3: Launch Ceremony

Outside the Hringhorni’s hangar

Tytti: The enemy’s target must be…our new carrier.

Bradroy: My apologies, but this ship hasn’t been armed yet. And besides not being able to attack, we can’t move her. We’ll be relying on you.

Masaki: Gotcha!

Becky: So basically, this thing may as well be paper-mâché.

Xenia: Something like that. The barrier generator isn’t up, and the armor is thin. Even a light attack will do a lot of damage.

Xenia: So don’t let them get too close!

Kuro: Incoming!

*Enemies appear*

Ongaredd: Hmm…so the Masoukishin are here?

Drep: Looks like we missed our guess.

Ongaredd: Don’t worry. With the mobility the Svend offers, we’ll be able to slip by them and assault the carrier easily.

Drep: As expected, comrade Ongaredd, you’ve thought ahead.

Ongaredd: Naturally. I’ve ordered our other comrades to create a disturbance. You and I will attack the carrier directly. Understood?

Drep: Yes sir.

Xenia: That Masouki…it’s a new type! I have to start analyzing!

Masaki: I don’t recognize the model…what country is it from?

Xenia: I can’t tell just by looking at it, but…it doesn’t look like a Shutedonias or Bagonia unit.

Xenia: Oh, and of course it isn’t Langran.

Masaki: …Yet you understand that much by looking at it?

Xenia: Wendy, what do you think?

Wendy: Perhaps…

Xenia: You have an idea?

Wendy: Yes. But, I cannot be fully certian.

Xenia: We just don’t have enough information. Anyway, record, record! Everyone be sure to get good footage!

Tytti: Princess Xenia, please calm down. Our primary goal is to protect the carrier.

Xenia: Oh, right!

Ongaredd: Well, I should introduce myself before we spar. My name is Ongaredd Kilesina.

Ongaredd: I am the chairman of the Expanding Cell, and our goal is the restoration of total democracy.

Masaki: Uh…he’s introducing himself on an open channel?

Ongaredd: Do you know why we are targeting you?

Ongaredd: We seek to free the people oppressed by classism and bring about absolute egalitarianism.

Ongaredd: Therefore, we have decided to eliminate the obstacles of the Antiras Squad and that ship.

Masaki: No matter how many fancy words you use, there’s go getting around the fact that you’re using force to achieve your goals!

Ongaredd: That’s hardly any different from what you do.

Masaki: Don’t preach to us when you’re the aggressors here!

*Conditions shown, Combat starts*

*Turn 2 Enemy Phase*

Ongaredd: Well, they’re pretty spread out now. It’s time for us to go into action. Agreed?

Drep: Agreed!

*Turn 3 Player Phase*

Bradroy: The movements of those new units…there’s something weird about them.

Sharian: What are you talking about? They’re targeting us, aren’t they?

Bradroy: No, they certainly are, but…isn’t their attack pattern unorthodox for terrorists?

Sharian: …Now that you mention it, yes.

Bradroy: I wonder. Assuming they’re still using conventional tactics, let’s try running some simulated patterns.

Sharian: R-Right.

*Turn 4 Player Phase*

Sharian: Got it! Their strategy is most likely…to break through using hand-to-hand combat!

Bradroy: I see…attention everyone! Form a defensive line to protect the ship!

Lune: Defensive line? In other words, use ZOC?

Masaki: That’s it. This new model must have considerable mobility and melee power.

Masaki: If they break through and get close to our carrier, they’ll sink it in no time!

Tsurein: Um, when you say ZOC, do you mean Zone Of Control?

Xenia: Yeah, you learned about it in the military academy, right?

Tsurein: Oh, yes. However, I thought it only applied to the simulator.

Mio: Actually, it’s the other way around. The simulator was programmed based on actual battles.

Mio: So just remember that enemies can’t just move right past you, ‘kay?

Tsurein: Certainly…I will commit that to memory!

*VS Drep*

Drep: You who hinder our ideals…I’ll show you no mercy!

{Tsurein enters combat}

Tsurein: Tch…this feeling of hostility…it’s so different from that exercise…

Tytti: Tsurein, I’m reading that your heart rate is up! Calm down!

Tsurein: Y-Yes! I’ll try!

{Masaki VS Ongaredd}

Masaki: This guy…he knows what he’s doing!

Ongaredd: So this is a Masoukishin…it’s completely unlike the rumors.

{Xenia VS Ongaredd or Drep}

Xenia: This familiar feeling…is it because it bears resemblance to a Langran machine? Maybe…

{Defeat Ongaredd 1st}

Ongaredd: Hmm…I’ve failed. I’d hate to admit it, but I let my guard down…Drep, take care of the rest.

Drep: Understood!

{Defeat Drep 1st}

Drep: Tch, I’m down!

Ongaredd: Retreat and leave the rest to me, Comrade Drep.

Drep: As you wish!

{Defeat Ongaredd 2nd}

Ongaredd: I see…they’re better than I expected. I will withdraw!

{Defeat Drep 2nd}

Drep: I’ve failed. Retreating.

*Clear the map*

Bradroy: That was one heck of a launch ceremony.

Sharian: Thank you, everyone.

Masaki: No need to thank us. We were just protecting our new home.

Sharian: Huh? Home?

Mio: We’re basically going to be living here, right?

Sharian: Well, I guess so? Home…this ship is our home…

Bradroy: Hey, it’s MY ship…

Bradroy: Ouch!!

Mio: Umm…I’ve been wondering, Sharian, why are you always grabbing the Captain by his ear?

Sharian: Oh? A-Ah, you…noticed that?

Mio: Naturally.

Masaki: Really? I didn’t notice at all…

Mio: Never mind that oaf. Are the two of you a couple?

Sharian: What!? Me!? With that old man!?

Bradroy: That’s a terrible thing to call your father.

Mio: Ohh, so you’re parent and child.

Sharian: …Embarrassing but true.

Bradroy: I myself am rather proud of that fact.

Masaki: So, the parent being the captain, and the child being the vice-captain…is that a thing in this world?

Xenia: Occasionally. It’s most commonly seen in the warrior class.

Mio: By the way, how old are you, Sharian?

Sharian: Me? Twenty-two years old.

Mio: Wow! That’s really young. I thought you were about the same age as Wendy.

Sharian: Wendy…the graduate from the Alchemy Society?

Sharian: Hold up, do I look like I’m in my thirties!?

Wendy: Umm…I haven’t reached thirty yet…

Sharian: Wah!? Eek!? W-Wendy!?

Sharian: N-No, that was a random number that just shot out of my mouth…

Masaki: Don’t let that get to you, Wendy. You look younger than you are.

Lune: Yeah. Much younger.

Wendy: Y-You think so? Thank you.

Sharian: Ahem, let’s take a look inside the ship. Please follow me.

Hringhorni – Bridge

Sharian: This is the Hringhorni’s bridge.

Xenia: Looks pretty automated.

Sharian: In the case of an emergency, it can be operated by one person to some extent. Usually about six people will be on-duty here.

Hringhorni – Briefing Room

Sharian: This is one of the briefing rooms. There are two others, but this is the one we’ll use in most scenarios.

Mio: Pretty big. Looks like fifty people could fit in here.

Sharian: If you include standing space, all of the crew could be gathered here at once.

Becky: How many people are part of the crew?

Sharian: So far, about sixty people, family members included.

Becky: Family?

Sharian: The Antiras Corps is in some ways its own nation. Therefore, it’s only natural that family members would come aboard.

Becky: Ah, I gotcha.

Hringhorni – Rec Room

Sharian: This is one of the recreational facilities. Or break room, if you’d rather. There are three similar areas onboard.

Mio: Ahh, it even looks relaxing. And it’s spacious to boot. Reminds me of a manga café.

Sharian: It’s important for our heralds to be properly rested.

Masaki: Man, these seats are super soft.

Lune: That’s a Holo-TV, right? It’s huge.

Becky: Ooh, there’s sake in the fridge. And bourbon on top of that. I’m happy.

Sharian: I’m glad to see that you all approve.

Mio: There are also private rooms, right?

Sharian: Yes. I don’t have time to show you, but there’s 2,000 individual private rooms.

Becky: 2,000…aren’t there were only sixty crew members?

Sharain: The high number is in case we need to provide shelter for refugees. Is there anywhere else you would like to see?

Xenia: Yeah, the computer room. You’ve installed Dukakis, right?

Sharian: Dukakis? Oh, that’s the name of the computer? If I remember, you created it yourself, Princess Xenia.

Xenia: Yep. I want to check the connections myself, and also do a little research.

Sharian: In that case, I’ll show you where it is. This way please.

Hringhorni – Main Computer Room

Sharian: Here’s the central computer room.

Xenia: There you are! How’re you feeling, Dukakis!?

Sharian: …Wendy, does Princess Xenia usually talk to her computer?

Wendy: *giggle* It’s just an expression of affection.

Sharian: …I’d heard she was eccentric, and now I see that it’s true.

Xenia: Wendy! Come here for a sec. I want to check the database for that Masouki.

Wendy: Oh, yes.

Xenia: Look here…the specs match up with Erial, don’t they?

Wendy: Yes, there’s no doubt about it.

Masaki: What does? Those Masouki used by the terrorists that we fought?

Xenia: Yes, yes. It’s design for the body and armaments clearly point to the Kingdom of Erial.

Masaki: Kingdom of Erial…where’s that?

Wendy: An island nation located between Shutedonias and Bagonia.

Masaki: Man, I do not remember this place.

Xenia: Do you remember Shutedonias’ Jinou and Dion?

Xenia: Those were actually created by Erial, and produced under license in Shutedonias.

Masaki: Whoa…those two were pretty strong.

Wendy: The Kingdom of Erial’s main export is various kinds of weaponry.

Masaki: …I get it now. They’re death merchants.

Xenia: Well, that’s one way to put it. But the products they make are really good stuff.

Wendy: Their designs are simple yet elegant. I sometimes use them as a reference.

Xenia: The quality of their parts is extremely high. It’s like the peak of craftsmanship.

Wendy: They’re even earned the name of the Artisans’ Kingdom.

Masaki: …Try not to get too excited, you two.

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