Rune Troopers: Self-Defense Forces Adventure

The entire Fleet went into an uproar when one of the helicopters dispatched on a reconnaissance mission returned without the troops on board.

On the decks of the transport, the helicopters were being re-serviced and refueled. The pilots, out of remorse for having left their comrades behind, were ready to take off again at a moment’s notice, no matter the danger, as long as they were ordered to do so.

“I believe that your decision was the right one.” Seated on the bridge of the Aegis Class destroyer Ibuki, Kaburaki, responded to the pilots’ reports over the radio. He wasn’t blaming them for avoiding the danger of total destruction.

『 We are ready to depart once the maintenance and refueling are complete! 』

“All right, wait for my orders.” Kaburaki ended the communication by saying so.

His heart ached for their feelings. They would have to be careful not to let their men condemn their decision. It would have been better to provide cover for the ground troops, instead of getting wiped out under the monster’s attacks and one of the helicopters was shot down.

The channel was changed in order to chime in to listen to Kato’s report. Kaburaki responded in a calm manner. He knew that if he, the Commander-in-Chief, became upset in front of his subordinates, it would be bad for morale.

“There are injured people, including civilians. Is there a need for a rescue helicopter?” Kaburaki decided to deal with the impending situation rather than worrying about the future.

One helicopter went down and the pilot was injured. In addition, a girl belonging to the United Kingdom of the Southern Sea of Marysea, a nation in another world, was badly injured, requiring surgery. A tough choice was expected.

『 We are in an extremely difficult position, Commander Kaburaki. Requesting permission to take over command on this battlefield. 』

Kaburaki kept his eyes down. Even though he was the Commander-in-Chief, some decisions could not be taken alone.

“What do you think? You should be able to confirm the data by images from the camera,” Kaburaki implied.

“Yeah, it’s a mess. A terrible mess…”

“We have confirmed all the video footage, including those taken by the helicopters that escaped. The video data showed the one-sided invasion and slaughter of the people.”

It was dangerous to have blind faith in such things as justice, but any sane person must have felt righteous indignation by seeing that footage. But for Kaburaki, he had to endure it.

『 I, as a member of the UN forces, decide that the fighting must stop. 』 Kato’s words made Kaburaki silent.

The Self-Defense Forces was not a simple organization that could be provided with immediate approval just because it was a good argument. The Self-Defense Forces have been deployed overseas in the past. However, no clear regulations had been made as to what decisions should be made in the event of combat, and the situation had continued unabated until now, as if to discard the matter entirely.

The SDF’s combat operations were even a taboo to talk about.

“Being the Self-Defense Force, is this the right decision?” Kaburaki asked quietly, hoping Kato would possess a loophole.

“Frankly, it’s a non-starter.” Kaburaki sighed.

“Then…”

『 To begin with, Commander Kaburaki. 』

“What is it?”

『 We, as a UN force, are in a position to protect people who are being subjected to an imminent unjustified invasion. Well, there is no such thing as a Security Council Resolution. But neither Marysea nor the Empire are a member of the UN to begin with. 』

“So you are saying that extrajudicial measures are acceptable?”

『 The SDF was an organization that has always made sacrifices in the field, and perhaps it was time to do so now. Besides, if we abandon this nation here, we could become real castaways. 』 Kato’s tone of voice was so forceful that Kaburaki was intimidated.

“Castaways?”

『 Yes, that’s right. We may end up dying in a war without the means to return to our original world or, for that matter, without the basis for a life in this world. 』

“You are thinking too much.”

『 If one cannot think in this situation, then one is just an idiot. 』 Kato seemed convinced.

Kaburaki understood this. In the past, he had been involved in a mine sweeping mission stationed at the Persian Gulf. One wrong move and the lives of not only himself but also the entire ship would have been lost. There was no room for overthinking. The Persian Gulf was also a battlefield, albeit in a different form.

“What should we do?” Kaburaki did not shrug, but asked the Chief-of-Staff for his opinion as Commander-in-Chief.

Kato took a deep breath and spoke with determination.

『 I will defend this castle. We will protect this castle and the lives of the people as much as possible. As the Self-Defense Forces, we will decide that this is the right thing to do. 』

Silence descended between them.

“I get it, it’s you. You’re reading a move or two further down the line, aren’t you?”

『 Yes, it’s just a theory. 』

“Fair enough. Many Japanese self-defense officials and politicians can’t even do that.”

Kato chuckled at Kaburaki’s sarcasm.

『 Permission to act as the commanding officer of Third lieutenant Kuze’s Platoon. 』

Kaburaki thought he should talk to the said person in the scenario.

『 Third Lieutenant Kuze reporting, sir. 』 A young man’s voice.

Kuze was only twenty-four years old. Kaburaki wondered if he had ever been in such an extreme situation when he was his age. But the job of a self-defense officer was to overcome such unreasonableness.

Kaburaki was higher in rank than Kuze. But, with the utmost respect, he ordered, “Third Lieutenant Kuze, you and your men are to take the frontline. Third Lieutenant Kuze, I issue an order to you and your Ground Self-Defense Force Platoon.”

『 Ha! 』

“I order you to secure the helipad at Seyrord Castle and protect civilians as UN forces. The use of weapons in this situation will be at your discretion, I will take full responsibility.”

Kaburaki could hear Kuze gasp over the comm.

『 I understand, sir. 』

In effect, it was a combat order. Kuze had no choice but to obey the order. Kaburaki even felt guilty.

And then he added one last thing.

“Please, Third Lieutenant Kuze. While you are killing people, please protect as many lives as possible.”

『 I understand. I will protect Seyrord Castle and the civilians who are housed there till death. 』