Rune Troopers: Self-Defense Forces Adventure

The feast was about to begin when it happened. A heavy thud, like the shaking of a castle. Hamiea’s well-shaped eyebrows twitched.

“What is it?” She asked her subordinates in a voice so low that it was hard to believe she was a girl.

The ministers only looked at each other, and no one had an answer. Then, somewhat later, the answer came with confusion. The castle guards rushed breathlessly into the throne room.

“Ho, report! A large number of Imperial Air units have flown into the capital! We are currently assembling the garrison, but due to the suddenness of the situation, the defense cannot be readied immediately.”

Not only Hamiea, but everyone in the throne room opened their eyes in astonishment.

“It’s too soon!”

It had been less than two days since the ultimatum was rejected and war was declared. No matter how much the Imperial Army’s might be, it would be impossible for them to send an army immediately to this nation across the sea. Even if they set sail from the nearest port and were blessed with good winds, it would take four days to reach the nation.

“Well, you don’t think it’s a landing operation, do you?”

“No, no, this was done from the air!”

“Don’t tell me they cut into us with only Argentavis? Then, if we can defend ourselves well, we have a chance to win the war…”

The buzzing throne room vibrated again. This time it was closer.

“No, it seems not. This sound is not normal.” Hamiea stepped off her throne and ran out onto the terrace.

“Your Majesty! We are in danger!” The entourage followed her, but as soon as they reached the terrace, they too were speechless at the sight.

“Oh, that’s…you can’t be serious!”

Calda saw a shadow dancing in the sky, and her heart was gripped by fear.

“The Dragon Knight Corps were deployed against such a small nation?”

Kuze and the rest of the Self-Defense Forces came out on the terrace, unsure of what was going on. They were shocked to see the sky.

There was not an airplane, much less a giant bird, but a different kind of creature flying overhead. A huge dinosaur-like creature with a black or white body surface.

“No way, hey…” Kuze stared at the creature in disbelief. It was indeed a mythical dragon.

The dragon, which was supposed to be a fictional creature, was now flying right in front of him. No, that was not all.

“Kishaaaaaaaaaaah!”

When the dragon spotted the archers fighting back on the ramparts, it made a sharp turn and approached them. Then, opening its vicious jaws, it spat out a red flame.

“How can this be? There is no such thing as a fire-breathing creature?”

But there it was, indeed. The smell of burning flesh was carried by the wind to the terrace. The sensation was something that could not have happened in a dream.

The Self-Defense Forces members shuddered at the marvel of a living creature spitting flames. Over there, they could see a section of the castle wall burst into flames, and the burned soldiers screamed and tumbled to the ground. Calda roared.

“Fire blaze! Is that a black dragon?”

Several dragons with hideous black bodies flew above the castle. When they approached a group of soldiers, they spat out flames and killed them.

The soldiers shot their bows at the dragon, but the dragon’s solid scales repelled their shots. The black dragon repeatedly attacked the walls where the archers were stationed. With its sharp claws, it sliced through the armor of the humans and breathed fire, turning those fleeing into flames.

Human power was powerless in the face of the dragon.

“Ugh!” The sheer horror of it all made Kuze involuntarily look away. People were dying right in front of his eyes.

(I can’t believe it.) It was unbelievable.

At the same time, he realized that this nation was now in a terrible situation. Earlier, Hamiea and the others had mentioned “The Imperial Army.” It was not difficult to imagine that another nation was attacking this nation.

Yes, they were left in the middle of the battlefield. Kuze and Kato looked at each other. The two Commanders nodded at each other. Even without exchanging words, they were in agreement.

Kuze looked at the other members of the team. At the expression on Kuze’s face, his subordinates carried their equipment. They were preparing to retreat.

“We will return to the fleet. Under the circumstances, it may seem heartless, but…”

At the sound of Kato’s voice, the ministers looked dismayed. They thought he was being heartless. But they couldn’t do anything about it. Or, more precisely, they could do nothing.

They were the Self-Defense Forces.

They were an organization that was prohibited from launching any kind of preemptive attack. Even if this nation was attacked, unless they were not attacked, there was nothing they could do.

Unlike the reproachful glances of the ministers, Hamiea flapped her fan and looked cool.

“The ministers are not going to stop you, I am sorry. Please be safe and…” Hamiea said.

Kuze knew it was too dangerous to linger any longer, so he took his men and started running. After leaving the throne room, he ran toward the courtyard. As they ran, Calda looked off at their backs and asked Hamiea.

“Is it all right, Your Majesty?”

Hamiea smiled slightly.

“The Imperial Dragons were flying in the sky, and they are the ones who would not be safe. Well, let’s see what they can do!”