The Raven Dark Hero 64

Chapter 64 : Lieutenant General Senzaki's Choice

TL:SummerPeanut

Hearing the report from Byakkotai’s Sagara, Senzaki held his head in his hands.

“......That’s just stupid, it's definitely a trap, isn’t it!? Is he so blind that he doesn't even know what he's doing?”

In fact, Madarame had accepted the invitation for the sake of his career. If Senzaki had found out about the actual reason, his evaluation of him would have been lowered further.

“If you can't make sound judgments at all times, you can't serve as a captain. Dammit… That's why I was against letting Byakkotai take part in this mission, that they were still too young!”

Sagara, a member of the Byakkotai, looked unhappy at these words, but could not say anything. The other party was the lieutenant general, Senzaki. Normally, he would not even be able to talk to him, he was someone above the clouds for him.

At this point, Senzaki was faced with a final choice.

Should they go in by themselves?

Or wait for backup?

Either way, the original plan had already completely fallen apart. He would not be able to avoid being reprimanded by his superior officer, Gonda.

“Nature Blue. Let me know what you think.”

Senzaki is an honest and sincere soldier. Not that he doesn't want to get ahead of his peers, but he doesn't think that's everything in the world. He has always looked at his surroundings and taken the best course of action. There were those who despised him for being a bootlicker, but he didn't care.

Never assume that all of your ideas are correct. If he was really in trouble, he would ask for opinions from those around him and choose the best course of action. That's why he was adored by many.

“...Personally, I'd like to go in too. ...but I still think it's better to wait for support here.”

Blue is now the leader of the Nature Strangers, replacing the dead Red. Originally a narcissistic and light-hearted man, the position of leader is a heavy burden for him. However, he is trying to do his best in this unfamiliar role for the sake of Red and Green who died.

“...right. The worst-case scenario is where we're all wiped out. Right now, we can still just settle with my promotion prospective or demotion... it’s unfortunate for those who have already gone inside though…”

“What! Are you abandoning us(Byakkotai)!?”

Sagara, who was not satisfied with this, finally lost his patience and challenged Senzaki.

Senzaki did not say anything. Although he didn't say anything, he was staring into Sagara's eyes.

“We are certainly young, sure! But we're all in the NDF because we want to do something for our country, we want to fight for the peace of our country! Can someone who abandons his comrades here protect the people? I, I don't want the peace that’s achieved by abandoning someone else!!”

Senzaki listened to Sagara's cries in silence. Then he stood up in a daze.

“Seaman Sagara. Your heart for your fellow comrade is a virtue. I hope that you will continue to cherish it. However, I will never allow an individual to put the organization in danger.”[1]

Once again, Sagara was unable to say anything. Because there was nothing wrong with Senzaki's words.

Senzaki thought. What can he do now?

Among the members present, who was most likely to be able to change the situation on their own? What could he do?

(......I don't want to think so…, but this operation…)

Then Senzaki shook his head, anticipating the true intentions of his boss, Gonda.

(……I see…. Why was I given command of this operation? Why hasn't the same army send out other members besides me? ……I understand now.)

As Gonda's right-hand man, Senzaki knows almost everything about Gonda, good and bad. Some of it is even information that could shake the very foundations of Gonda's--no, the NDF’s.

(Are you planning to take advantage of the mission to eliminate me, the person who knows your secret? You've been working with me for a long time, but you're going to cut me off without mercy the moment you judge me to be a dangerous person... If it’s that guy(Gonda), he might do it. Then, there will be enough traps set up inside Shiroyume hideout to finish me off for sure. Byakkotai that entered first might not be able to do anything about it…)

“……Sagara. Feel free to hold it against me. But you have to stay here no matter what.”

Then he held his weapon, a sword as tall as he was.

“Lieutenant General Senzaki... you can't mean…”

“Blue. You seem to be a lot calmer than you look. I'll leave the rest to you.”

“What!? If the Lieutenant General himself is going, then we Nature Strangers are going! So…”

“I'm not a commander by nature, you know. I can't help but take revenge when my friends are killed because of me. I can't stand it.

Blue, you are the kind of person who can think things through calmly and be patient even if your comrades are being killed. That is a wonderful quality to have as someone who stands above others. You should be proud of that.”

Senzaki said and put his hand on Blue's shoulder. Then he looked at Sagara.

“I remember. I remember the day I joined NDF. I remember the day when I swore with my comrades that I would devote myself to the service of my country.

Most of my friends from back then have already given up their lives for this country before me, but maybe it's time for me to come in.”

“General Senzaki... I… I’m sor-”

“Don't apologize. A man told you what he believes. If you apologize, you are basically turning your back against his belief.”

“...I’ll go with you! I too, want to save my friends…”

“No, you stay. And if worse comes to worst, you will protect the Byakkotai. Do you understand?”

That's all he said, and Senzaki walked into Shiroyume's hideout...

(If that man is after me, I can't afford any more unnecessary casualties. Besides, there are too many doubtful points in this mission. Is the purpose really just to get rid of me? Or is there more to it than that? Whatever it is, we'll never know anything if I don't make a move directly. Even if it is a trap…)

Author’s Note:

Oh man, that was too short! But it's the end of the line, so… (^^;

So, let me give you my impressions of this episode. ...Lieutenant General Senzaki, when he first appeared, I thought he was a mob character, but how did he end up like this?

That’s what I felt.

<<Prev 

Next>> 

TL’s note:

1. Uhh, I hope I didn’t get the rank wrong. It’s Navy’s equivalent to Army’s Private first-class or something.