Assault Lily: The Liberation of Niigata: Chapter 2
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Chapter Two
The Legion Committee's Conference
(... Hah.)
Soraha’s nerves had been on edge all morning.
Right now, she sat in the waiting room beside the Student Council’s conference office. Accompanying her were all the members of the Second Generation Álfheimr, that is, not only their nine headliners, but also the Reincarnators, the three extra members that acted as both their reserve fighters and their secret aces. All of them remained in complete silence, not even touching the teacups placed before each of them. This was because in the room right beside them, the Student Council’s Thirteen Legion Representatives had begun their conference.
Yurigaoka Girls’ Academy fosters a total of thirteen Legions classed above S-Rank, and the Thirteen Legion Committee was an assembly composed of one representing member from each of these Legions. Upon them rested the duty of making decisions on the most important affairs which affected the entire Garden.
In fact, Soraha was herself a member of this council, representing Legion Álfheimr as a whole. However, as she was directly involved in this matter, her presence in the conference would only be allowed at the very end.
The final decision on whether Álheimr’s Expedition to Niigata would be approved now lay on the Council’s hands.
...
It had only been a few days since Álfheimr received their first response from the meeting held by the Three Valkyries. Though Izue Shinobu and Hata Matsuri disapproved of it, Uchida Mayuri alone voiced her support for the proposal.
“... Mayuri-san, are you certain?” Inquired Shibobu, with a perplexed expression on her face. “Yurigaoka’s own internal analysis leads to the conclusion that, even with Álfheimr’s aid, their chances at destroying the Fafnir are extremely low. It goes against our best judgment to involve Soraha and her Legion in such a reckless operation.”
Mayuri reclined back on the sofa as she answered:
“Amatsu Marei is a dear friend of mine, and I am very familiar with not just her critical knowledge, but with the strength possessed by the Lilies of Ryuto. So, if Marei has concluded that Álfheimr’s aid is needed to destroy the Fafnir, then I choose to believe her. Furthermore, Soraha herself had already decided she would help them, has she not?”
“I have!” Soraha answered with a strong nod upon hearing Mayuri’s encouragement.
Any decision made by the Valkyries must be unanimously approved by all three of them, and as their opinions on the matter differed, the final decision was therefore entrusted to the Thirteen Legion Committee.
And so, though Mayuri’s support spared them of the Valkyries’ judgement, the fate of their proposal remained uncertain.
(We cannot afford to let this chance slip us by...)
Yuuna had already returned to Niigata, and now awaited Álfheimr’s arrival.
As Soraha tightly clenched her fist, a small hand softly rested upon it.
“.... Is everything all right, Soraha Nee-sama?” asked Egawa Kusumi, her eyes filled with worry for her Schutzengel. Soraha and Kusumi had taken the Schutzengel’s Oath with each other, and as such, were bound together as sisters.
“It’s fine. I’m alright, so don’t worry, okay?”. Soraha answered in a forcefully cheery tone of voice. “But I appreciate your concern for me, Kusumi.”
Soraha smiled as she now took Kusumi’s hand in her own, causing the junior’s face to be tinted by a hint of red.
“Also, I’m really sorry. For involving all of you in this, I mean.”
Soraha’s decision to agree on the Expedition to Niigata had been made completely on her own. Even if their request was approved, that would mean all of them would be brought face to face with not only Fafnir, one of the Living Calamities, but also the armies of Huge that strong-armed Ryuto Girls’ Academy. No matter if they were “Yurigaoka’s Mightiest Expeditionary Legion”, they’d likely face tribulations beyond their expectations.
“After all that happened, you’re now saying this?” retorted Banshoya Ena, who sat beside her with a puzzled look on her eyes. “I’m your roommate, I know better than anyone how much the Koshu Withdrawal has been weighing on you for those two years. You’re afraid that you’ll be filled with regret again if you can’t protect Niigata, aren’t you? Then I don’t see why we shouldn’t go and do all we can.”
“.... Ena.”
Ena had been by Soraha’s side since their time in the First Generation Álfheimr. Soraha never intended to let her worries show, but as it appeared, she had been seen right through.
“Ena-sama speaks the truth. I, too, believe that your decision was correct, Soraha-sama, after all, I’m confident there is no enemy that we cannot defeat. Which is why you ought to have more confidence in yourself!”
Tanaka Ichi declared boldly, with Endo Araya following suit:
“Being this unconfident does not belong with your usual self, Soraha-sama. Believe me, we will follow you anywhere should you order us to.”
As she scanned her surroundings, Soraha saw all of her companions nod to her in affirmation, without a sliver of hesitation.
“.... I’ll always be by your side no matter what, Soraha Nee-sama!” said Kusumi, holding both of Soraha’s hands in their own.
“Thank you, everyone.” Soraha uttered with a smile. And as soon as she did, the doors of the neighbouring room opened.
Before them appeared Hata Matsuri, who represented the Valkyries.
“Soraha-san, the Legion Committee will be conducting their questioning shortly. Please follow me.”
“Understood!” Soraha uttered as she vigorously stood up. “I’ll be right back, everyone.”
As her friends sent her off, Soraha made her way into the Council’s office.
Inside the room awaited the Valkyries and all thirteen Legion representatives, all sat by the office’s massive table. They turned to face Soraha, and in each of their faces was a stern expression, as the fate of Niigata and Ryuto Girls’ Academy now rested in the words Soraha would bring them.
(It’ll be fine, I’ll get through this, no matter what it takes.)
“Now then, let us begin. Those who are contrary to approving Álfheimr’s Expedition to Niigata, please raise your hands.”
Among them, Tada Shiera, who represented Legion Schwertleite, put up her hand.
“Sora, I cannot in good conscience agree to send you to Niigata, the risks you’d face by going there are simply too high. Believe me, I do understand how you feel, but if you truly wish to save the people of Niigata and the Lilies of Ryuto, it is a much better option to instead evacuate the region so it can be reclaimed at a later point.”
In agreement to Shiera’s view was Kurumatani Keine, who represented Legion Geiravör.
“I’ll have to agree. The Nest at Oiso has also been acting up as of late, and some people are saying it’s because of the Fafnir. We just can’t predict the disasters it might cause if you just try to go against it all willy-nilly.”
Shaking her head to the sides, Soraha responded in a resolute tone.
“Niigata is faced with the same calamity that befell Koshu two years ago. We know the Ultra-class’ location, and we can predict its trajectory. Should we neglect to take this astronomically rare opportunity we’ve been given, the tragedy that claimed Koshu will happen for a second time. We will not have any other chances to save Niigata!”
Upon hearing these words, Legion Vingólf’s Yanagisawa Ayako offered Soraha a question:
“Tell me, Soraha-san. Do you wish to deploy to Niigata this desperately because you hope to compensate for the Koshu Withdrawal?”
Though she failed to find the words for a second, Soraha soon calmed herself and answered:
“.... I will admit that, for a long time, the question of whether or not the decision we’ve made in Koshu was the right one has tormented me. However, I don’t wish to save Niigata simply because I’m afraid of repeating that mistake!”
Soraha looked directly at the representatives, and continued.
“It was Yurigaoka that taught me that a Lily must always save her sisters, it was that very belief that drove me to stand in the battlefield. This request was brought to me by a comrade who had offered her own life for this battle, which is why, if it truly is within my power to save her and all of Niigata, then there is nothing more that I want than to make that come true.”
The representatives were astonished at Soraha’s declaration.
To save the lives of their sisters and as many people as they can. That is a belief that each and every Lily holds within their hearts.
“Then, may I ask you something as well?” requested Shinobu, this time present as the representative of her Legion, Brynhildr Line. “If Niigata is, in fact, faced with the same situation as Koshu of two years ago, then much like that time, you might end up losing your companions, and your Legion may once again come apart should your recapture operation fail. Is that something you’ve prepared yourself for?”
“.........!”
Shinobu’s question filled the room with the Lilies’ murmurs. Once again, she might lose her companions, and once again, Álfheimr might come undone. Those were the very things Soraha did not even want to think about...
However, the question Shinobu posed stood as a trial of Soraha’s resolve. And precisely because of that, she chose not to avoid it, and answered directly:
“The Koshu Withdrawal left all of us saddled with a pain we couldn’t escape from. The question of what we should have done back then is something each of us struggled with since, and each of us found our own different answers for it. As for me, the very reason I founded Álfheimr was so that I could find myself a different path to walk on.”
Displaying in full the determination she built in these two years, Soraha proclaimed:
“I sincerely believe that all of us of the present day Álfheimr can, together, succeed in recapturing Niigata. Which is why I once again ask you, please allow us to deploy!”
After the First Generation Álfheimr disbanded, Soraha had considered retiring from duty entirely. Yet, she chose to continue being a Lily, as Kusumi and all her other companions deemed her presence irreplaceable. So long as they stood by her side, Soraha believed that there was no crisis they could not overcome.
“I take that to be your answer.” Shinobu muttered, and shortly after, she turned to face the others. “This brings our discussions to a close. We will now hold a vote, please state whether you approve or disapprove of Álfheimr’s Expedition to Niigata.”
In sequence, each of the other twelve present members declared their position concerning Álfheimr’s Expedition request.
“Schwertleite remains opposed.”
“Lohengrin votes in favor.”
As the representatives continued to express their positions, Soraha could only wait and hope that the final outcome would be a positive one. And once the final representative cast their vote, a final verdict was reached:
Six votes in favor, five votes against, and one abstention.
By a single vote, their Expedition had been approved.
As Soraha turned to face Shinobu, the Lily breathed a sigh, and then spoke:
“Yurigaoka will always respect the will of its Lilies, and therefore, we shall stand in agreement to the decision reached by the Committee.”
“So that means...!” Soraha inquired, and Shinobu nodded affirmatively in response.
“Yurigaoka officially approves of Álfheimr’s Expedition to Niigata!”
Soraha let out a sigh of relief at Shinobu’s declaration.
“Well, Sora, since your Expedition has been approved, Schwertleite will provide you full support in any way you require.”
“Soraha-sama, rest assured that Lohengrin will without fail keep Kamakura safe, so please leave any concerns behind and pour all your heart into this battle.”
Tada Shiera and Tachihara Sayu voiced their support for Soraha, and the remaining representatives soon followed suit with their own words of encouragement. Lastly, Shinobu spoke:
“.... Soraha-san, no matter the cost, come home safe, and do not leave anyone behind.”
“Certainly!” Soraha answered, energetically.
Just then, a crowd of whispers from beyond the door became audible. Mayuri, who was just by the door, spoke in a tone of annoyance:
“Ladies, why not come in instead of eavesdropping?”
Mayuri unceremoniously opened the door, and as she did, all of Álfheimr’s members poured into the room with a scream of “woah!”. All Three Valkyries were completely dumbfounded at the sight of the mass of Lilies fallen by the door, while the Legion representatives, unable to contain their laughter, chuckled amongst themselves.
“What is the verdict, Soraha-sama?” asked Ichi, her and all of Álfheimr rushing to Soraha’s side. In response to their worry-riddled looks, Soraha raised two fingers in a “V” sign and said:
“We got it.”
Hearing this, Ichi’s expression turned to a wide smile, and she let out a “Let’s go!” while clenching her fist. Ena, meanwhile, sighed loudly in relief, a feeling that was just as apparent in all the other members’ faces.
“.... I’m truly so glad” Kusumi said, appearing on the verge of tears as held onto Soraha’s arm.
“Thank you, everyone, I couldn’t have done this without you.”
As Soraha began stroking Kusumi’s head, their attention turned to Araya as the Lily declared with a confident smirk:
“It is still much too early to celebrate. Our battle is only about to begin, so let us bring Fafnir down with the utmost haste!”
Answering with an assertive nod, Soraha proclaimed:
“Well then, let’s get to it! Niigata awaits!”
And so, Soraha and her teammates left the room, eager to inform the awaiting Yuuna of their achievement.
There, Amano Soraha and the Second Generation Álfheimr’s journey to Ryuto Girls’ Academy, and to the many battles that awaited them in the land of Niigata, had just been set in motion. On their hands was now the task of taking down the master of this calamity, the wretched Fafnir.
The battle that would rise to the ranks of legend, and would bring renown to the Second Generation Álfheimr’s across the entire world, had just begun.
To be continued