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Book 14: Prologue
Book 14: Prologue
Book 14: Prologue
Prologue: The Young Tiger Awakens
Summer of the 1543rd year, Continental Calendar
Approximately three years before Souma was summoned to this world, in the steppes northeast of the Union of Eastern Nations...
Above the broad blue sky and the towering cumulonimbus clouds; below the vast carpet of grass that seemed to stretch out forever. With no great mountains, only gentle hills, if you strained your eyes, you could see far into the distance. Four mounted knights raced across those steppes like the wind.
The four knights all bore arms and wore armor. The orange-haired mounts they rode were like a cross between a mountain goat and an oryx. These animals were called temsbocks, and they were raised to serve in place of warhorses. A temsbock could leap to great heights with a rider on its back, giving birth to the leaping cavalry, a type of troop that only existed on these steppes. Riding at the lead of the group was a big man who was a little over the age of twenty.
The big man turned back to shout, Ha ha ha! Youre falling behind, Kasen!
H-Hold on! the youngest of the group, the boy riding at the very rear, practically screamed in response. Lord Fuugaaa!
The one leading the group was Fuuga Haan. He was the twenty-two-year-old son of Raiga Haanthe unifier of the steppes. This was before he met Durga the flying tiger, so he rode a temsbock like the others. But even at this time, he already had the appearance of a general.
The boy at the rear, who had a quiver and bowgun on his back, was Kasen Shuri. At thirteen years of age he was the youngest of Fuugas cohorts, but his skills as a mounted archer were good enough to leave any of the others speechless.
Bwa ha ha ha ha! If you keep whining, well leave you behind, Kasen, said one man in the middle of the group. He rode atop a saddle with decorations that could have competed with those of the Polish Winged Hussars for showiness.
Kasen frowned. The way those wings jangle is too noisy, Gaten!
Ha ha! Too bad! These wings are my trademark!
His name was Gaten Bahr. He was the only human present, thus having no wings. He was vain and superficial, but a talented commander who used the iron whip he kept at his waist to fight using a highly variable style of combat.
Heh heh, Lord Fuuga doesnt need laggards following him.
Thats what you said when you left Moumei behind...
Kasen glared resentfully at Gaten who shrugged.
There was nothing else to be done about Moumei. He rode on a steppe yak.
Moumei Ryoku, the man they were talking about, was even larger than Fuuga. He was a powerful warrior who wielded a big hammer. However, due to his massive size, he was unable to ride a temsbock. Instead he rode a steppe yaka large, woolly cow-like creature raised on the steppes. That left him unable to keep up with Fuuga and the rest, so he would have to catch up with them at his own slow pace later...
If you two keep blathering, youre going to bite your tongues, Shuukin Tan, Fuugas childhood friend, warned. Being the same age as Fuuga, he was a superb warrior and strategist. It was expected that hed become Fuugas closest aide the day Fuuga took his fathers place as king.
Shuukin brought his temsbock up alongside Fuugas.
Anyway, Fuuga, just how far do you plan to go?
As far as I can.
Huh?
Dont you think itd be fun to keep going until we run out of land? Fuuga said, looking at the horizon with a laugh.
Shuukin pressed his fingers into his forehead, shaking his head with dismay. Were heading north right now. If we keep going, well end up in the Demon Lords Domain, you know?
So? Well make the Demon Lords Domain part of our domain too.
Are you insane?! Even your great father was pushed to his limits just unifying the steppes, Shuukin said, but there was a glint in Fuugas eye.
My old man had to start with just a single tribe. Thats why unifying our homeland into the single nation of Malmkhitan was all he could manage. But Im starting with Malmkhitan. Shuukin, my friend, do you think me a lesser commander than my father?
No... You are greater than he.
Knowing Fuuga as well as he did, these words were not mere flattery, but something he genuinely believed. Martial prowess, strategy, commandFuuga lacked in none of them when compared with King Raigaand he had a greater charisma that drew others to him.
Fuuga smiled widely and thrust his fist towards the heavens.
Ill race from this steppe and go as far as I can. The routes we take will become our roads; the things we see will become our land. Well expand our country to the utmost limit!
.........
It was a bold claim. And yet, Shuukin didnt think it was impossible. Ever since the Demon Lords Domain appeared, the people of the continent had tended to look down. They stopped hoping for things to become better, and instead prayed that they could face a tomorrow no worse than today. Despite that, Fuuga had his eyes set on a bright, distant future. This was how a leader ought to be.
Lord Fuuga! I will follow you anywhere! said Kasen.
Ha ha ha! Its fun to run with a commander, after all! agreed Gaten.
The two had been listening to their conversation.
Fuuga and Shuukin looked at one another then laughed at their reaction.
Of course. Ill be with you too, my friend!
Yeah, Shuukin! Come on the endless journey with me!
The two of them drove their temsbocks to run even faster.
However, that winter, the moment of destiny arrived: Raiga Haan, founder of the steppe nation Malmkhitan, suddenly passed away.
The cause was an epidemic disease, but his death came so suddenly that rumors spread saying it was the work of an opposing political faction. The fact that every tribe began making disquieting moves shortly afterwards only poured fuel on that fire.
The day of Raigas funeral came. The tradition of his tribe was to dig a hole in the open steppe, lay the body and funerary accessories to rest, then finally slaughter a horse and bury it with the deceased. Raiga had asked for that kind of traditional burial when he was still alive.
Old man... Is this as far as you could go...? Fuuga thought as he looked down at his father laid in the ground. You unified the steppes and became king. You, a man like none before, unfettered by tradition. And yet...you still chose to be buried in the old ways. What will I do? Will there be a time when I, too, entrust myself to our customs? I want to live a more glorious life and meet an end I can be satisfied with...
As Fuuga contemplated, his ten-year-old sister Yuriga clung tightly to his side. He put a hand on her shoulder, pulling her even closer...
Suddenly, a messenger arrived, shouting, I bring a message! The tribes hostile towards Raiga have banded together and are headed this way now!
Given their words, it was likely another messenger would rush in before the funeral ended.
Damn! They must see Lord Raigas passing as their chance to strike! Shuukin said, his voice full of distaste.
Yuriga squeezed Fuuga tight. Big brother...
Dont fret, Yuriga... Fuuga gently placed a hand on her shoulder to push her away, then called out to an old muscular wolf-eared soldier nearby, Gaifuku!
The mans name was Gaifuku Kiin. He was of the mystic wolf race, but unlike Tomoe, he had not left as a refugee, having served the House of Haan under Raiga.
Gaifuku crossed his arms and said, Sir!
Gather the men at once. Just the ones who can come.
Yes, sir. Should I put out the call to our allied tribes as well?
No need. Theyll want to stay out of this until a victor is made clear. Im sure theyre waiting to see if Im a worthy heir to Raiga Haan. And thats exactly what Im gonna show them.
Next Fuuga looked to his young friends.
Shuukin, Moumei, Gaten, Kasen!
Yes, sir!
Each of you, gather the men youve trained for this day. We will show our prowess. Those who oppose us and those who choose to wait and see shall come to kneel before my feet.
Yeah!
The enemy had rounded up around three thousand men. Fuugas personal forces numbered a thousand. And yet, this did nothing to erase his indomitable smile.
Gaten, take a hundred riders to attack their right flank! Make it showy and draw their attention!
Understood, Commander.
Kasen, take a hundred mounted archers to shoot at their left flank. Make them break formation!
Yes, sir!
Having received their orders, Gaten and Kasen went to attack the flanks. Taking advantage of their swift temsbocks, they stuck to tactics that damaged the enemy while limiting their own casualties. It was similar to flies swarming around the mass of enemies that all rushed towards them in one group.
The enemy that had tried to overwhelm them with numbers was caught off guard and broke formation.
Seeing this, Fuuga put on his helmet, and said to Shuukin, Okay, Shuukin! Were going straight in.
To disrupt the enemy and spread chaos, right?
Exactly, he replied. Fuuga turned and called to a huge man riding a steppe yak, Moumei! You take the infantry. Once the enemy is confused, charge in!
Right! Understood! Moumei bellowed, thumping his chest with one hand while the other held his large hammer. Fuuga nodded.
Im leaving the defense here to you, Gaifuku. Take care of everyone.
Leave it to me, young masterno, my lord! Gaifuku said, crossing his arms in front of him.
Turning to face forward once more, Fuuga gave the order, All right, lets move, Shuukin!
Yeah!
The two of them led the leaping cavalry into the middle of the enemy.
As they approached the enemys front line, they bounded over the soldiers who were holding their shields ready, easily clearing the defensive line to attack the archers behind them. The archers, who had relaxed their guard, assuming they were safe behind the shield bearers, were put to the slaughter by Fuuga and his mens blades.
We have the numerical advantage! Regroup! One commander in an especially impressive suit of armor tried to recover from the chaos, but...
Youre in the way!
Wha...!
With one slice of Zanganto, the rock-rending blade, Fuuga parted the mans head from his shoulders. The man must have been a major commander in the enemy force, because the chaos accelerated. By the time Moumei arrived with the infantry, the enemy had completely collapsed. The leaping cavalry pursued their fleeing enemy and showed no quarter.
When all was done, the steppes were slick with the blood of their foes. Fuuga and his men had defeated their attackers despite facing superior numbers.
With this victory, Fuuga proved himself a worthy successor to Raiga. No... In fact, he proved he might be even greater. The steppe tribes all submitted to him. Even the tribes that Raiga had only been able to bring under his sway as allies submitted, making Fuuga the true king of the steppes.
The young tigers road to hegemony began here.