Suzaku Ibun: Seiryuu Summoning Arc - The Kutou War, Pt. 2 (Or, "How to Train Your Priestess")

Ni-hao, and I hope you didn't think I was gonna skip this week! It's coming out a little later than usual on this chilly Sunday night, but here it is: Some polite conversation before the battle breaks. Because just because it's war doesn't mean we can't be civilized about it.

Nakago, Misaki, and some shocking reveals await below the jump!

==Scene: Mountain Pass==

…

…..

Nakago: You’re bold to come here, Priestess of Suzaku.

You: State your business.

Nakago: You can’t afford to act like this, Priestess of Suzaku.

You: ...Just tell me what you want.

Nakago: I thought I’d let you see the Priestess of Seiryuu.

Nakago: ...Misaki-sama.

Misaki: Yes...

You: Misaki-chan...

Nakago: ...Misaki-sama, is this someone you know?

Misaki: ...No...

You: ...Misaki...chan?

Nakago: She’s your best friend. You came to this world together.

Misaki: ...I don’t remember.

You: Misaki...chan?

Nakago: ...Ah. It seems our spell has dominated her spirit entirely.

You: What did you do to her!?

[If Tomo lives, the following dialog occurs. Otherwise skip ahead to where it says “Return to Standard Dialogue”]

???: She isn’t your friend anymore. She is only the Priestess of Seiryuu.

You: ...Tomo!

Tomo: ...It was the one thing we wanted to show you before the battle.

Tomo: Priestess of Suzaku.

Tomo: Why do you suppose you made it this far without dying?

You: Be… because the others all helped me...

Tomo: ...False. It is because we have been doing everything in our power to avoid killing you.

Tomo: To do that, we hid our strength and allowed you to escape from battles we could have won.

You: ...You’re just a sore loser...

Tomo: Nothing of the sort.

Tomo: Even after I performed the spell to brainwash Misaki-sama, she continued to resist me with a surprising strength of will.

Tomo: Simply put, we could only ever threaten to kill you.

You: What...?

Tomo: Misaki-sama set the terms that we would not kill you—that we would ensure your safety, even.

Tomo: I had to be content with that.

Tomo: No matter how much I used my jutsu to incite hatred towards you...

Tomo: ...Killing you was the one thing Misaki-sama would never allow.

Tomo: Save Misaka-sama? How laughable.

Tomo: She was the one protecting you.

You: N-no...

Tomo: And this is the result.

Tomo drew Misaki forcibly towards him.

Misaki: ...Ugh!

You: ...How can you be so cruel?

Tomo: Cruel? Whatever do you mean?

Tomo: Weren’t you the catalyst?

Tomo: All this came about due to your cowardice.

You: ...

Tomo: Misaki-sama never doubted that you would come to save her.

Tomo: But then, in the end, I was able to use that faith as well. (1)

Return to Standard Dialogue

Nakago: ...Summoning Seiryuu left her heart and body exhausted, and she couldn’t fight off Tomo’s jutsu.

Nakago: There’s nothing left inside of Misaki-sama now.

You: ...How could you...

…My fists were shaking.

This… is no time for tears. It’s no time to feel regret.

...It’s time to fight...

You: …Why would you do all of this?

Nakago: Once this battle is finished, I will send the army to overthrow Kutou.

You: Your own country...?

Nakago: Once I control the lands of the four gods, I will gain the power of those gods as well.

Nakago: A god. I will become the God.

Nakago: Not the Kutou Emperor, but me.

You: ...I won’t... let you do that.

You: You’re going to plunge the entire world into war! All for your own selfish desires!

You: I’m not about to let that happen!

Nakago: ...Try and stop me. If you can.

As Nakago grinned broadly—

Kutou’s massive army suddenly came into view.

You: How... did you do that!?

Nakago: Our army possesses the divine protection of Seiryuu. It was simple enough to march hidden beneath an illusion.

Nakago: Let’s begin the battle, shall we?

Nakago: You shall vanish, trampled beneath our hatred and rage.

Nakago took Misaki-chan and headed into the ranks of the army—

Konan Soldier 1: E-enemy soldiers on the move! I repeat: Enemy soldiers on the move! Prepare to attack!

Konan Soldier 2: Prepare to attack—!!

From the rear, I heard someone call out—

—!!

Thunder. As if it was going to pour rain on our encampment.

*thunder crash*

You: That’s Soi’s power...

Chichiri	Tasuki
Chichiri: Your orders, Priestess of Suzaku. I’ll do my best to fulfill them.	Tasuki: It’s started. What do we do, [Your Name]?

You: ...I’m not about to retreat.

You: ...Right now, I’m going to represent the people of Konan by staying right where I am.

I glared at the approaching army.

You: I’m not about to run away!!

Chichiri	Tasuki
Chichiri: Our final test... You can count on me no da!	Tasuki: You said it! Then let’s go—!!

As if those words had been a signal—

Without a trace of fear, all of my Celestial Warriors turned one by one to face the enemy.

And then...

=speed lines=

Konan Soldier 1: Protect the Priestess of Suzaku!!

Konan Soldier 2: Don’t fall behind the Suzaku Celestial Warriors!!

*pounding hooves*

A horrific number of soldiers came flying towards us, kicking up a cloud of dust.

You: Stay safe, you guys...

Our opponents had three times our numbers. Kutou’s massive army had Seiryuu’s divine protection.

But not a single one us ran away.

The battle was about to begin.

----------------------------

Translation Notes:

1. “But then, in the end, I was able to use that faith as well” - I got stuck on this one so I kinda just winged it, but I’m pretty sure it’s wrong. Original Japanese: まあもっとも、その信頼も私に利用されて終わりましたが (maa mottomo, sono shinrai mo watashi ni riyou-sarete owarimashita ga). Literally, I think, it’s something like: “Well although, it ended with that faith being used by me, too.” It's kinda vague and the ~te owaru is tripping me up a little. Corrections and suggestions welcome, as always.