The God of Cookery

by havok038

He ran from a life of misery to embrace a dream he once shared. "Food, medicine of the soul", his Shishou left him these words before he went on his way. A decade later, a magical Gate would unravel a new world. Beyond it, a fated encounter. But truly, can Hitoshi Furuta save this kindred spirit from her own despair and cursed fate before his phantoms caught up to devour him?

14. Chapter 14 - In His Majesty's Service

Author's Notes:

2nd Post cause the first was missing some content, sorry for those just now that thought it received notification only to find no change.

---

At 6.30 morning, a guided munition was released by the flight of phantoms upon its intended target. Crippling the Wyvern Corp by bombing their stables and early warning posts with the help of the SFG guiding the payloads via laser designator.

4th Combat Unit safely landed and regrouped before proceeding to their objectives. 11th Company led by Colonel Kengun liberated the Jade Palace to secure the VIPs without suffering losses, 12th secured the Akusho outpost and other Jietai facilities in the area which allowed the relieving of 4th Recon Team to backup the evacuation of the Political Prisoners just rescued from Basson prison off to Italica. Although, there was not much to relieve when all of the Prison Guards had been sleeping in their barracks the night before from celebration. All it took was Tomita and Shino suppressing them from the high ground, and their position gave no room for flanking manoeuvres.

A triad of Chinook helicopters took the responsibility of transporting those in need of immediate medical attention as well as Lord Cicero and the other important politicians. They had the luxury of heading to Italica in an instant, whereas their family members and lesser retainers were transported by carriages provided by Mizari and her district goons to said location.

And what happened prior to the Men in Greens' arrival with that dangerous foreign speaker, no one really knew or cared. They were rescued and in no safer hands. Conveniently fogretting whose blood had been spilt for their survival, only twelve of the twenty-five collaborating inmates remained. There couldn't be a crueler joke to them, until Cicero approached them to find out if they were interested in having a place in his guard. It wasn't everyday you came across people willing to die to protect others, and for that quality to be from a prison no less. It was needless to say they had no reason to decline. Only Sarezac and Kir refused, the former because of his arrangement with Hitoshi, but the latter was for reasons unspoken.

Where was the man of the hour, or should have been? Receiving treatment from Mari by a stack of munition crates airdropped for the SFG and their demolition work as well as the 12th Company's heavy equipment.

"I guess I should count myself lucky my face didn't get a scratched. Aie-…" Mari deliberately overtightened the bandage to express her dissatisfaction of his words.

"You should be lucky he decided to be easy on you."

"That guy was being easy on me." Mari ignored his agreeing and tied the last bandage. She'd spent a good twenty minutes patching him up and as a result, expended her entire medical supply of gauzes bandages and dressings. Her remaining shots of morphine and anti-coagulation fluids to seal the wounds that he didn't otherwise heat his dagger for were also used up.

He shouldn't even be able to walk around, yet it didn't seem to bother him.

"I think it's time you told us what all this is about." Unlike Kenzaki, Archer had a more concerned perspective towards all he'd witnessed today. Where they were quite a distance from any listening ears so he took the chance to ask.

"Who or what the hell was that?"

"An old colleague."

"That's bullshit."

"Matoi." Kenzaki reached out for Archer but was shoved aside.

"No! I call it! I've never seen anyone from Intelligence let alone Public Security that could do what he did!"

"So you'd assume he was from neither."

"Who do you work for?!" This time, Archer's demand was met with his assault rifle pointed at Hitoshi, demanding an immediate explanation or else.

"Matoi! What the hell are you doing?!" Kenzaki did not expect this.

"You know what I'm doing, boss! Even you want to know what the hell he's been up to all this while… deceiving us!"

"….." Hitoshi was not the least deterred by his physical threats, he instead got up and tested his movements behind the well wrapped limbs of his before throwing on a spare combat uniform from the supply crates.

"What? You think I won't use it?!" The SFG member Archer was getting out of control.

"I'm sure you will, because what's the first thing any rational soldier would do to get answers." Hitoshi mocked his way of persuasion, antagonizing the latter to really take action.

"Matoi, lower that rifle!"

"Kenzaki…. I don't like this. It-…. It feels like as long as he's doing whatever, they'll come back again!"

"Matoi, I order you to put down that weapon!" Tensions were rising with Kenzaki's hand on his sidearm, meanwhile, Hitoshi was tying on some boots. Kenzaki was about to take action against his own team mate when Hitoshi spoke.

"I knew him sixteen years ago…" Hitoshi ended the confrontations of conflicting will by answering. Though, Archer's rifle was not lowered.

"What is…. Three-Eight?" It appeared they were listening in closely.

"It's not nice to eavesdrop yunno." Hitoshi waved a finger.

"Just answer it!"

"Three-Eight was my designation, because like all of us, we didn't start out with names."

"All of you?" Kenzaki pondered on the strength of their numbers.

"Now, answer me this question or-."

"Or you'll what, kill me?" Hitoshi took a step forwards which caused him to retreat.

"Stay back!"

"Matoi." Hitoshi said in an unnatural calmness.

"I could rip that arm off and feed you your genitals before your brain even registers the loss." His footing could be seen digging into the dirt, giving indication of some preparation to lunge at him.

"Will you continue to test my conviction? Or will you drop the gun like your Lieutenant said?"

Archer looked hesitant, he had never been threatened back this way before, but his heart lost the aggression in an instant those eyes pierced his soul.

Kenzaki lowered Archer's rifle with his hand to save him from himself. "He gets it, he won't do that again." He promised.

"One question from me, that is all I ask. Who do they, who did you work for?'

"You ask the most difficult questions, Kenzaki." Hitoshi said as he unclasped an ammo crate and inspected its contents.

"I need you to swear, the three of you that this doesn't get out anywhere. Because if it does, no only will you endanger yourselves, your unit but also your families at home. Are you willing to accept the consequence of knowing?"

"I am."

"And you." Hitoshi turned to Archer but then looked away.

"Dump question, I hope you blabber about it so that your family gets screwed witlessly." Hitoshi was already at the stage where Archer irritated him, and he was just bullying him back at every opportunity.

"Hey!" Kenzaki quickly prevented another confrontation that would end badly for Archer by standing between them.

Finally, he turned to Mari.

"I'm prepared, and I would also like to ask about something you mentioned earlier." Hitoshi nodded and put down what he was doing to face them.

"Two words." That was all he would disclose on who their allegiances lay with. They all listened with propped ears as Hitoshi released a bomb which none of them were prepared for.

Two Japanese characters that defined their Homeland, their culture and their heritage. The master his organization had served with life and unwavering loyalty.

"Tenno." These two Japanese characters represented the pinnacle of leadership and patriotism to one's country.

That meant Emperor.

And in response, was a daunting silence.

Archer walked up to Hitoshi like a Yakuza with mean written all over his face.

"To think you could conjure up shit like this. I can't believe for a second we though you were Jietai." He scoffed at Hitoshi with eyes meeting.

"I can." Archer turned around in disbelief to what he heard Kenzaki said.

"What?..."

"I said, I can." Archer was just shaking his head unabe to understand.

"Just let it go." Kenzaki told him before Archer kicked the rocks up and left the area.

Kenzaki came over to Hitoshi and said, "I believe you. Hell, I don't believe it, but I believe you, Furuta." Kenzaki pressed a pair of keys against his shirt which Hitoshi took over. From the feel, it was to the crate exclusive to the SFG. Kenzaki went after Archer and so bid them farewell. Now, it was just Mari and him.

"Your question?" Hitoshi said as he inserted the key into the crate and began taking inventory of what he'd take. Mari remained quiet for a while, but that didn't mean she didn't hear him.

"…. You said, sixteen years ago." It took a while, but she spoke finally. As it was difficult to process what she needed to confirm. Mari walked up to him and held one of his hands with both of hers, it was one of the actions she took when she wanted to determine whether you lied or not.

Hitoshi only looked at her without giving a response, but his eyes told her everything she wanted to know. It was an unmistakeable fact, she knew. That sixteen years ago, he was only a ten-year-old child. A cold chill rushed passed and made her body shiver uncontrollably. Hitoshi reached out, and she stepped back suddenly on reflex giving off a wrong signal she never wanted to give.

"I'm sorry…." Mari walked off without looking back, she didn't want to look right into his eyes at the moment. After learning such a horrible past tragedy. What was she doing while he was being trained for war? While she had the love of parents, he was brutalized by instructors of warfare. When she went to learn and make friends in school, he was used to win wars at no expense. She had a future, and he had none. And all this while when they had been friends and more, she thought he was suffering from something not even to this gravity. She passed judgement without fully understanding what he'd been through. Even the mere thought of the life he once had brought pain to her just imagining.

"Mari." Hitoshi called out and stopped her, but she didn't turn around. She didn't want him to see.

"…. Yes?" Her hands wipped away whatever wetness that had been around her eyes for some reason.

"I'm going back." It was here that she didn't believe what he just said, after all he'd been through. All that spy-stuff, this prison and all.

"You're kidding, right?"

But Hitoshi shook his head. "Didn't the Crown Prince expel you? How will you get back in?" Then, Mari recalled that man, Kaede. "Is it because of him?"

"It's not just that." Hitoshi walked over and rested a hand on her shoulder like he depended on her.

Zorzal cutting ties with him? That was a joke. That person only paid attention to what was convenient around him. If in the direst of times, a "loyal" subject returned to him even after being persecuted, why wouldn't he welcome him back? The more the merrier.

"I know you've done your best for me always, Mari. Thank You." Mari did not know what to say at this point other than to smile.

"I need your help."

"….. Alright. So what do you need?" She said with a soft sigh.

"I'm going to revive Emperor Molt."

There were two things that needed to be done before he could return to Zorzal's side. And that was to force him to consider relocating. To do this, two people needed to fall out of his grip. One was Princess Pina and the other was Emperor Molt. Because he knew that so long as either of them were around, the Jietai wouldn't bomb him like the senate building in an instant. They were also the key to a conditional peace if Japan got their hands on them to negotiate. And if this missed even Zorzal's train of thought, Tyuule would guide him back on the road to destruction.

"W-…What?"

"Where was Itami's last reported location?" Hitoshi posed another question.

"The last he reported to Alnus Command was around two days ago. Somewhere in a city called Bellnahgo."

"The Temple City of Hardy, eh?" If Hitoshi's calculations were correct, that was a three-day drive to Sadera, assuming their trip was unhindered by terrain. Today evening or tomorrow then.

"What has Itami got to do with- iyah!" A cute sound came out of Mari as someone was touching her waist.

In his defense, "I'll be borrowing this, alright?" Waving a couple of grenades, he stealthily nicked from her load bearing vest. Curiously, he unscrewed the fuses off and kept only that part of the grenades.

"Eh! Moh! That's not the right order, taking before asking!" Mari answered a little flustered he did something so underhanded.

"I'm placing a bet….. itami will rescue Princess Pina." To answer her previous question.

"What's your wager?"

"In my bunk, there's two sapphire bracelets under the locker. They're yours if you win."

"Why do you have that sort of jewelry in your bunk?" Mari felt like snickering.

"You never know….. when you'll meet a special someone and need something to woe her with."

"…"

"That or a beautiful co-worker decides to wager with you." Mari tapped him pretty solid on the chest with her knuckles. As the hand rested on him, she didn't say anything for a moment.

"And what about me?"

"If I win, well…. I'll get a favour from gorgeous Kurokawa Mari." She seemed to frown when he said that, which was unusual seeing as their friendship was quite strong.

Mari didn't give any notion of agreeing, but instead picked up her pack ready to leave.

"We'll keep in touch." Hitoshi tapped his transceiver to let her know it would be by radio.

"Mm." Was her only response as she seemed to have a lot she wanted to process on her own. He saw her meet with Shino who was apparently talking to Madam Moltose to comfort her it seemed.

Hitoshi just left it at that and continued his salvaging of weapons and hand carry equipment, the funds he took off the Warden were already in a duffel bag together with some of the supplies he intended to take along. As wherever Zorzal intented to take the Army, it would be difficult to get supplies. Locals would surely overprice their product to make the best out of the occasion.

"I heard Senator Cicero took your boys in." Hitoshi spoke to the waiting Kir and Sarezac who came over after seeing he was done with his comrades.

Kir just gave a nod in reply.

"So what can I do for you then, Mister Invidia?" Kir was now a free man. So why did Kir wait to approach him while his fellow inmates he'd spent a longer time were leaving with the carriages accompanying Cicero's wife as escorts?

"Allow me to work under you."

That was unexpected. Hitoshi continued searching and picking through the the supply and ammo crates. Two Type 89 paratrooper model rifles with complimentary magazines, an additional pistol sidearm and appropriate ammo. Rifle grenades, det cord, and 10 kilograms of Composition B sealed bricks as he'd requested from Kenzaki who was gladly going to report their use under his team. He was not packing for clandestine anymore, but full battle order.

"I'm not exactly going on a holiday here, Kir." It would take a serious persuasion to change Hitoshi's thoughts about having someone accompany him on what would be the deep end of this Civil War. "What we went through together, that was the shallow end."

To add surprise to his expectations and reality, the man responded by kneeling on the ground in front of him.

"You have saved not only my life but my soul from despair, from this moment on… As Lord of Vengeance as my witness, hearby pledge fiety to you." Kir honoured the christening name he had adopted between his first name and last, belonging to said God Palapon.

Hitoshi put down the half disassembled rocket launcher and stood in front of him. To be brutally honest, Hitoshi didn't feel he needed him at all. Then again, he learnt never to judge a book by its cover, everyone had something they were good at. Kir did too, Hitoshi knew that from months working with the South Kitchen staff. And was he not looking for allies in his covert war against his former brethren?

To disregard Kir's dedication and pledge now was to shame him before everyone of the evacuees. Hitoshi reached out to him and Kir excitedly grasped his hand, taking it as an acceptance.

"Then I'll gladly take you in."

---

Day Three of Hitoshi's absence, Patch was working around the clock. Not only maintaining the supply line feeding the Palace and the unexpectedlty high number of officials staying here to partake in the Crown Prince's war council, but to decide how the Crown Prince wanted on dine on that day itself.

Patch skimmed through the pages of the "cook-book" he so dearly depended on, listening to the feedback Zorzal casually gave whilst the servants served the dishes and collected the empty platters. And paying them for even the slightest comment that determined the Crown Prince's pallet by the hour. Things were harder than ever, especially with the Imperial Kitchens interference. With Hitoshi's absence, Vinho do Porto was making an attempt to take over operations of the South Palace to ingrate himself upon Zorzal.

Lady Tyuule's absence two days ago due to her own work stacking up meant that her lifeline could no longer be depended on. Tequila insisted on coming back, but Patch barred him from returning. This was too close an edge to involve him while he was working elsewhere.

"You need to sleep, Master." Melda persuaded him for a fourth time today.

"Not until I have heard what His Highness wants for Dinner."

"You have been up all night since yesterday!" Melda stole the quill from his shaking hand, preventing further writing. "If this keeps up, you will work yourself to death, Master Parsley!"

With the quill removed from his hands, he went to the drawer to look for another because Melda won't return it to him.

(crash) "Master Romuli!" Suddenly moving off the chair he'd been stationary on for some time, the strength in his legs were not there. Resulting in his collapse to the floor.

Melda lifted him and carried him by the arm towards his quarters, the others out busy serving. Nidi also did her best to help all of them in these tough times. But there was little they could do on their own.

Patch in his drop-dead fatigue wondered how Hitoshi was ever able to maintain this sort of flow for over a month with time to spare on other businesses and dealings. He was truly something that Patch could never compare himself to. He started considering what was hardwork when Hitoshi was around, to be easy. Though there was nothing to complain about, there was something about working with him that really satisfied. And it wasn't because of the good wages either, they never seemed to lose "steam" in their work.

Melda lowered him carefully on the mattress of his quarters, Patch felt all his worries and headaches slip through his body and seeped into his pillow and mattress. Melda threw the blanket over him, further building upon the comfort he had attained. And his strength started to slip from him, making him fall asleep. Before his conscious slipped, he felt a tender moist contact on his forehead, but his closed eyes prevented him from knowing what it was.

His consciousness faded, and Patch began to dream. He didn't know how long he could hold together this kitchen without Hitoshi. In his absence, Patch felt more likely it was coming to a close. It was only a matter of when he should leave, perhaps take the staff to Italica, maybe even Alnus to set up shop there. Though his family were quite settled down in the dream home in Sadera City, it was starting to look dangerous if he continued to stay.

The next meal had yet to be coordinated and prepared. Patch roused himself up as he opened his eyes to find himself staring at someone who shouldn't be here.

"H-….. Hitoshi?"

That look of composure was unmistakable, even in the foreign uniform of the Men in Green. How could he here out of Basson Prison?

"Lay down. I heard all I needed from Melda, you've really outdone yourself as a responsible manager. Master Romuli." He wanted to get out of bed, but a hand pushed him back down to lie back.

He must be hallucinating, that's it! After all that work, his wish that Hitoshi rejoined them despite his predicament.

"I'm going on a trip, I don't know when I'll return."

Go away? "Where are you going?" He asked.

"Wherever Zorzal plans to run. But I need you to do a favour for me while I'm gone."

"What would you have me do?" These words left his mouth as instinctively as he felt indebt to all the things Hitoshi had done for him.

"Take ownership of Koinu Koen, take care of Teresa, Tequila and the Kalbu Siblings."

"Anything, I'll do it!" Hitoshi responded with a light smile. Holding his hands firmly.

"I'm sorry I couldn't fulfil your desire to become a Kitchen Head of your own. That's why you worked so hard all these years with Vinho, wasn't it?"

"No- I….."

"That's why forgive me only doing this for you…." Hitoshi rested his hand on Patch's head.

"By powers invested in me by Crown Prince Zorzal El Caesar, I hereby appoint Parsley Romuli, full honours of Master Chef. Endorsed by Furuta Hitoshi, South Palace Kitchen Head."

"Hitoshi…." Then Hitoshi said something that would wreck this pleasant dream of his.

"I also expel you from the South Palace Kitchens effective from today."

"H-Hitoshi?..."

Basille and Chive entered his room as Melda propped open the door and grabbed hold of each hand of his, raising his tired body up and off the bed. He felt their hands, he could sense his heartbeat hammer loudly. It was at this point that Patch realized that he wasn't dreaming.

"Hitoshi! Is it really?-…." He looked at the two Kitchen hands who wore solemn faces.

"Put me down." But they would not obey. "Put me down! Both of you!"

The boys dragged him out of the Kitchen quarters with the staff and Hitoshi accompanying them.

"Hitoshi, tell them to let go. Please!"

But Hitoshi did not make any attempt to stop them, he instead carried Patch's only belongings and brought it with them. Until they arrived at a carriage that was laden with other belongings and a bag that held a small sum of treasures.

"Wait-….. no. No!" He knew what they were going to do.

"It would be a lie if I said I didn't have the pleasure of having you around, Patch. From today onwards, there'll be no South Palace Kitchen. No Imperial Palace Kitchen either. It'll be Princess against Prince, an Imperial Civil War."

"You can't be serious….. I said I'd follow you wherever you went!" He had already pledged to do so, heart and soul.

"I know. But I don't want you to go where I'll go, where you'll likely run to your grave. When you have so much to look forward to. That's why….."

Basille and Chive were already in the process bundling his arms and legs, tossing him on the carriage with them.

"I'm telling you I no longer need you, Parsley Romuli." If he said it in such a severe tone, Patch could not help but feel his emotional expectations crushed in an instant. Despite everything he promised to be, Hitoshi was discarding him.

"Don't do this….. Don't do this! I beg you, Hitoshi. Don't leave me…."

"Hieyah!" Chive was already swinging the reins to move the horses.

"Stop this carriage. Chive!" With his hands and feet tied up he could do nothing, no matter how hard he struggled. Then Hitoshi placed a book with an envelope wedged between, it was his cook book.

Patch stared up into those deep and tranquil eyes he had always wondered how it even maintained its clarity. As Hitoshi spoke the final word to seal his fate.

"Goodbye, Patch."

"No….No….." Patch shook his head repeatedly as he swung his limbs even harder to squeeze out of the bindings, but the boys had been thorough. It appeared that Basille and Chive had gotten their wish to leave before things became dangerous on themselves again.

"This is not fair….." Why did he have to return at a time when he was at his weakest? Why was it when it was the best time to prove his worth, Hitoshi expel him to save him from the troubles. "This is so unfair!" Tears fell from a grown man's face a second time. The carriage became more and more distant from the steps of the South Palace and on to its way out.

"I look forward to hearing the famous Chef Romuli of Sadera soon!" A call from the distance was heard clearly by Patch. And Patch shivered as he began to lose control of his emotions, falling into a pained laughter. For he was experiencing the most heartwrenching farewell for his kind heart to endure.

"You are so unfair, Hitoshi….." Patch cried his heart out.

At the steps to the South Palace, stood watching the figure of the carriage disappear off to the city outskirts.

"Is this alright, Master Furuta?" Melda asked on the absence of four of his original staff members.

"What about yourself?" He questioned why Melda chose to stay with him, as did Nidi. Melda took a kneel before him with a hand crossing her chest.

"Like Sir Kir had, I pledge myself to Master Furuta. Where you go, I will follow." Perhaps it was because Hitoshi had given them back their status as free citizens, maybe it was out of gratitude and admiration for standing up to Zorzal for her friend only to be imprisoned in their place.

"I have but one request."

"Name it."

Melda looked up to him with a bit of worry in her eyes.

"Please do not leave me as you did Patch." Hitoshi chuckled as he turned around to return back to the Palace. There was much packing to do with only three staff left that included their newest addition, Kir. Although he knew nothing about cooking except things concerning the life of an Imperial Soldier. Kir was his means of communicating with the soldiery on a level that his status couldn't reach and interpret the Army's movements. Perhaps along the way, he could find others to fill the gaps.

Not wanting to be left behind, Melda quickly caught up to him as he told her his answer in a very haphazard manner.

"No promises."

---

The Imperial Palace. The last time he was here, it was the start of this tricky situation with Abo.

Somewhere within, the Emperor was lying in his bed ill and under supervision by pro-war faction loyal physicians, guarded by the Praetorian Guard. Their actual numbers were kept secret, preventing a calculative effort of usurpation by unruly Princes. The battle for the Throne still applied to the Saderan Empire, although it had been significantly underwhelming over the years. Hitoshi could see it from the three capital royalties that weren't fit to rule in their current personality traits.

Zorzal was a self-absorbed egotistical idiot, needless to say. Pina wasn't headstrong enough and she doubted herself more times than many. Even now Hitoshi doubted her ability to rule in the same eloquence as Molt he dare say, as she confuses foolishness for loyalty. If she wanted to rule, she had a long way to go. This required the Emperor's guidance. The last prince was not even worth mentioning. Would you have believed he was the original master of the South Palace before his elder brother took it for his own? That prince had a mighty ambition backed by little to no pride at all. Only Pina seemed to barely met the cut because she was the only one willing to cooperate with Japan.

It was a simple fact; the Empire was declining. And it long had been foreseen, it was just a matter of when. Their hopes were that Japan's technology and commerce would safe and perhaps revive it. That was a lot of dependent on Japan for that part. Interestingly enough, the Roman Empire had undergone a similar trend of fate. That was why, like the Flame Dragon instance, with Lelei. It had to be an Imperial Citizen responsible for saving the Emperor. Not the wonders of science from Japan. Or else, the Empire would lose more of its self-respect that it already lost.

"Halt, who goes there!" A praetorian guard patrol halted a Centurion followed by two servants.

"Centurion Kir Pa Invidia, I come on dispatch orders from Legatus Typhon relaying a message to the Internal Minister." A formally dressed Kir held out written orders from said Legion commander in the outskirts of the Eastern Front. An officer loyal to Cicero whom they had endorse a false document.

The Praetorians discussed amongst themselves before turning to them.

"Alright, but first, show us your packs."

The Guards inspected the Centurion of his standard kit and the two tradesmen. One carrying vials with medicinal concoctions and scalpels.

"Get a certificate of approval from the front administrative office before you enter."

"Y-Yes, sir!" Sarezac bowed respectfully and they turned their attention to the next subject.

Within his strange bag were mechanical parts and strange objects, but no blades or arrows.

"What is your profession?" The Praetorian inquired suspicious.

"Sir. My job is to repair the aqueducts, sir!"

"Is this some type of joke?" The praetorian scoffed.

"A soldier, a doctor and a plumber. Hmph!" The other guard was also chuckling, what were they, asking directions to the tavern?

"What business do they have here, Centurion Kir?"

"They are dutiful witnesses of a classified incident that requires Minister Marcus's sole attention." Kir kept it short.

"Why not bring it up with His Highness instead? Is he not your ruling sovereign?" The Praetorian questioned where his loyalties lay.

"… To quote the advice I was given recently upon coming here by Lady Tyuule, "His Highness need not be bothered with every trivial a matter."." At the mention of that name, their faces froze rigid.

"Well- um-…. Everything seems in order. Go quickly." Kir gave a nod. "You have our thanks, Ave (Hail) Zorzal?"

""Ave, Zorzal."" The two Praetorians became wary of Kir's actual status and saluted dictatorship-style.

"Centurion" Kir proceeded on his way up into the Imperial Palace front entrance with his two servants.

"Good job." The actual mastermind who played the part of an Imperial plumber commended him.

"Not at all rusty, eh?" Hitoshi just gave a nod of approval.

"I still don't understand, Furuta. Why do we need to go clandestine?" Sarezac was just clueless at this point, since this wasn't his profession. Yesterday, he sent half his staff away before taking over the operations in the South Palace which he had been banished from. Now, he was sneaking into the Imperial Palace instead of walking in.

"My status isn't cleared yet. I'm still technically within Basson Prison. But that's about to change when Zorzal's loyal subject returns at a dire time." He was speaking of himself, although it sounded pretty arrogant from another perspective. Hitoshi was just stating his prediction and gamble based on Zorzal's personality. Melda and Nidi were already packing the essentials for moving long distance, he had Nidi run over to Legatus Seamus to note their existing provision count.

The heavy reinforced doors closed on them as they walked up some stairs to the second floor. When they found a quiet spot in one of the rooms, Hitoshi took off the Imperial robes and slung on his load bearing vest holding his ammo, flashbangs and grenades. Clipping on his pistol holster to his thigh and sheathing the enchanted blade into his vest.

Kir and Sarezac watched him as he naturally assembled the parts of the assault rifle they were told was the powerful "wand" of the Men in Green. Apparently, Melda loved to tell stories and got both of them up to speed on the current events. Not knowing that her boss was one of them.

Hitoshi finished off with a screw-on suppressor that went hand in hand with some subsonic ammunition he acquired off Kenzaki. Reducing the decibel reading to an equivalent of a cracking sound of a porcelain vase, attracting minimal attention. He did however have a ballistic knife for the quietest range takedown.

Even Kir had asked why he needed all this as if he was raiding the Imperial Palace. On the exterior, it looked as if the Emperor was safe in his Palace, but he was really trapped in a prison. The Praetorian Guard comprised of two battalions. One in charge of the external compounds like the two gentlemen they met just now. And the other was responsible for the internal security, they were the enemy.

"This is Ruler calling 3-2. Over."

*Ruler, this is 3-2. Reading you loud and clear. Over.*

"Successfully entered compound, proceeding onto objective. Radio Silence until the next sitrep. Over."

*3-2 copies, although….. Who came up with that callsign?*

Kenzaki, who else? Now even Command didn't want to answer him when he used his name. He was not part of their stupid Fate-group!

"Don't even ask." Although, from what he recalled Itami tell him during his anime season babble was that they were apparently familiars of some sort of Holy Grail War, embodiments of ancient heroes and villains accompanied by a Master. What did this Ruler stand for then, his role? He had no time to accommodate this "Chuunibyou (Middle School 2nd Year)" syndrome. Why couldn't they just give him a callsign like Fox or standard alphabets?

*Affirmative. I'll await the Emperor's condition. Over.* Mari was kind enough to provide support for this op.

"Ruler to 3-2, what's Avenger's current ETA to priority Alpha?"

A day had passed since he broke out of the prison and the Airborne Companies rescued the Japanese dignitaries at the Jade Palace. He received word that Itami was on the way. Kenzaki stated that Command intended to ask him to use his free-roam status to rescue Pina and Emperor Molt if possible.

*No word yet, I'll tell you the result of our wager when you pick up again. Out.* Looks like it was on.

"Plan?" Kir remaining in his borrowed Centurion armour helped with keeping their signature to a minimum.

There were at least five hundred armed Praetorians in the Palace alone. Were they even Molt's guards now? He saw their captain pledge allegiance to Zorzal during the height of the coup for a place among the Oprichiki. It was clear who was friend and foe.

"Priority one, liberate Minister Marcus under house arrest within the Imperial Palace."

"Why is he even here? Does he not have his own villa?" Sarezac asked.

"Before martial law was enacted, Marcus stayed within the Imperial Palace as a guest. The only one that can decide when he leaves is the Emperor, but the Pro-war faction doesn't want him messing with their plans. So they prevented his departure."

At the same time, it was preventing the Emperor from befalling any unexpected "accidents" of natural cause leading to death. Marcus understood his place had weight and moved to protect his liege. During his stay in Sadera, he wasn't just sitting about thinking about preparations for Zorzal's next meal. It was on studying every possible nook and cranny of the Imperial Palace grounds till it became home territory.

Getting Marcus ensured less questions asked when displacing Molt or moving about the Palace using his name. "Let's move." Hitoshi charged his rifle, chambering the first round.

They moved through the corridor in a relaxed stroll to avoid raising suspicion, Hitoshi's ready weapon was stock folded underneath his working cloak. Scanning the corridors, as this was not the South Palace, but the Emperor's abode. It wasn't just him staying here but his consorts and concubines, not fogretting his extended family with them. What were the odds of a young prince or princess running around playfully and unexpectedly bump into them?

At last, they arrived at a guest suite as one of the serfs directed them to where Marcus stayed. And already, there were two problems standing by his door. Stopping them head towards them with intent, one of them raised their hands in a stop motion.

"State your name and intent."

"Centurion Kir, I bring orders from Legatus- (crack) (crack)." Throwing the cloak aside as he raised his rifle with lightning reflex, Hitoshi gave them each a 5.56mm reason to let them through.

Kir and Sarezac rushed over to grab the bodies before they hit the floor with any louder sound. A red stain on the walls from where he had shot them through the throat to kill the sound from their mouths was quickly wiped by them.

"Take over, We'll be out in a minute." Hitoshi said before entering the lockpicked door of the Emperor's most esteemed guest.

Immediately, they undressed the corpses of their armour and began wearing it to replace these two stationary sentries until Hitoshi was done discussing with the Imperial guest.

He walked into what was probably a Baroque-style five-star suite to Earth-standards.

"I have already told you people to-… hang on…." A bald man in senatorial robes came into view.

"Minister Marcus." Hitoshi called him out by his name and rank.

"Who are you?"

"My name is… well, you can call me Ruler." It sounded ridiculous, but it also prevented him from unnecessarily disclosing his name. Retracting it would bring Marcus to distrust him even more. Damn that Kenzaki.

"Is this some kind of joke? Get out!" Hitoshi pushed the cloak aside revealing the gun in his hand. Even Marcus would know what that was, although he stepped back in fear. So Hitoshi assured him with the next following sentence that was truth and false at the same time.

"I've been sent on behalf of the Japanese Government to arrange his Majesty's evacuation."

---

Marcus had many question, among them were why Japan would do such a thing.

Getting that Marcus had been deprived of information, he filled him in as quickly as he could spare. The man had composure written on his face, but his eyes betrayed their shock and distraught over the things that had transpired over the weeks which Zorzal and the Pro-War Faction have done.

The Empire was already on shakey legs, now Zorzal was tearing the weakened foundations witlessly. Hitoshi gave his "orders", extract the Emperor to a safe point to be taken out of the Capital. When Molt was gone like Pina. Zorzal wouldn't stay where he didn't feel safe and would leave Sadera to its inevitable collapse.

Marcus took the lead as he walked beside two unfamiliar Praetorian Guards as his escorts, a plumber and an Army Centurion.

"How do you intend to bring out His Majesty?" Marcus questioned despite the caution of the walls having ears. He wanted Hitoshi to be honest with him right here.

"First, we assert his condition. Then we coordinate with a raiding group on their ability to extract him."

"How many have been sent?"

"Five."

"Five?!"

"Ten if we're lucky." That would include Itami and his entourage, helping increase chances of success. He left a map layout of the Palace Grounds to the Akusho Outpost if he was rendezvousing there to refer to it. The SFG were standing by to keep the West Gate held for their escape, but it was up to them and Third Recon Team to do all the heavy lifting.

"Then I cannot entrust His Majest-." Hitoshi raised a hand to halt his movements as he stared in front of him. His stare in front at a seemingly mundane and safe corridor, made them all the more alert.

"I didn't think the Haryo were even capable of slipping pass the Praetorians." Hitoshi answered to nowhere.

In response came laughing from several directions.

"My, what delicious morsels have falling into our web." Shadows appeared out of the very wall as hooded figures stepped forwards to surround them. Each had some sort of deformity or characteristic different from the rest.

"A retainer that should have remained where he was, a centurion and doctor that stinks of the dungeons." The voices were from each of the figures, being passed along.

"A Man in green who slipped his way into His Highness's company as a cook."

"Furuta, what do we do?!" Sarezac asked anxiously.

"The way is shut, cook. And you mus-(crack) (crack) (crack)." Without warning, Hitoshi indiscriminantly gun down the speaker who fell on his back with his brains blown out of him, revealing a surprised elfish-hybrid.

"Surround!"

The Haryo only moved away after two more of their brethren fell to the powerful weapon he held that could kill as a pull of a trigger.

One lunged at him and made him raise his rifle to block the assassin blade. The Haryo thought he was through his defensive circle as a shooter, but the gleam of a muzzle under the cloak sent a bright flash as his sidearm was fired as it was draw from his holster lightning quick.

The Haryo instantly treated him as the most serious threat, as they ignored the rest and focused entirely on him.

"You cannot leave here-(crack) burgh!?" A precision shot killed the lurking Haryo who thought he was safe behind the scenes.

"That's my line, none of you should think of escaping today." The commotion had more than likely caused the Praetorian Guards to go and investigate. Their limited time became even shorter. But these Haryo who knew who he was….

They needed to die.

By the time, they had fought with them, he had killed over nine of them with three shots or less.

"Tsh! Bouro will hear of this! We wil-." (crack) (plop)

"Run awa- (crack)." Realizing the weight of their failure too slow, with no time to withdraw properly. It became every man for themselves, as Hitoshi was left to pick them off one at a time.

(click) His magazine when dry at an unfortunate time when three remained and were about to leave his sight. He drew his ballistic knife and shot it at one of them. As the two ran around seperate corners.

"Shit, one of them went another corner." As the Haryo that went in the direction they came from thought he had run home-free when- (ping)

His foot tugged against a tether wire almost unnoticeable.

(BOOM) Obliterating him in a wave of tiny ball bearings blown out by the claymore Hitoshi had planted to delay the Praetorians if they came.

He could already hear shouts calling for the men to muster as the alarm bell was being rung for the outside guard to assist.

Hitoshi moved to catch up with where the rest were waiting. And found a situation unfold before him.

"He!- He bumped into me and became me!" Sarezac said that, whichever one he really was. For their were two of them, virtually identical. He recognized what this was in an instant.

"Dar…" A shapeshifter race. The Haryo indeed had an assortment of half-breeds and lowlife scum. How did he know of this? Tyuule didn't know it but he had always been aware of that pig-faced thing roaming around her like an invisible stalker. He first thought it was her invisible assassin, that was why his guard was always high around her.

But when she came to the bistro a couple of times, that thing wasn't there. There had been complaints in the Kitchen when the staff accused one another of taking their servings as their own to hand out to the VIPs. And that problem persisted for a while. Then one day, he left a pie to cool off from the oven by the window and it disappeared as he expected, all according to plan. As he left a tracker inside of it. The thief was unaware that it led him back to their base in the Western Granaries exclusive to the Palaces. Through some long-range reconnaissance, he found that no two being was alike. They were an assortment of races that seemed unlike the rest, especially peculiar since the races of the Special Region liked to stick to themselves. He posted his findings through photographic images to the Akusho outpost and it came back based on Mizari's info. The Haryo tribe, a band of ragtag half-breeds that came together to form an organization that ran on some sort of deluded "purist supremacy". Akin to the old industrial era American-born White Supremacists, Nativists who saw migrants as inferior filth and the reason for their suffering and stagnancy in the rapid urbanization of the Main American Cities.

But Hitoshi did not ignore the versatility this group had. They comprised of races that had unique abilities. Some who could hear unnaturally well, learning secrets behind walls. Those that could fly, carrying dispatches long distance and reporting activities up ahead. Others could camouflage with the environment making excellent scouts. And there were those that had superhuman resilience or prowess in most unusual ways. Hitoshi would have wanted to use this group, except for the fact that their ideology was far too crooked to take over. They weren't driven by money, power or luxury. They were driven by all of those things, and they believed they were better suited for it than anyone else. That's why someone like Hitoshi controlling them was a joke. But how did Tyuule fit in with this? A collaboration, the Haryo doing her dirty work? He hoped that she was aware that this group weren't the type to bow to anyone, even if it was for a brief while.

Now, standing side by side were two Sarezacs, both arguing with one another and with Kir to hope he recognized them. Marcus was just staying out of this.

"Both of you, answer me this question." The two Sarezacs turned towards him, hoping to prove themselves the real from fake.

"Potatos."

Both of them froze before answering at the same time.

""So, it was you!"" In the exact same way.

"Imperial." He posed another question that was related to a previous history.

""Majesty."" Again, it was unmistakably the same time. The Sarezacs answered the countersign used during the Prison Raid.

"Repeat after me: Sumomo mo momo mo momo no uchi. (Jap Translation: Both plums and peaches are members of the peach family)."

"Sumomo mo- momomomo- .." One stuttered anxiously while the other delightfully recited it with great clarity.

"Sumomo mo momo mo momo no uchi." Hitoshi smiled as that Sarezac did him proud.

Then Hitoshi raised his gun at that one that failed causing him to shrink in horror.

"Famous last words." He said to the one that completed it well. (crack) (crack) And swept his rifle to gun down the one that had completed his tongue twister instead. Because the Real Sarezac was clearly not capable of doing something like that to a language he knew nothing of. But the Dar didn't know that.

Like an illusion losing its magic, the Dar corpse seemed to be reverting back to its original form. Resembling something between a Volraiden and a Cat person with more humanoid features, but just another furry.

"You- You could have killed me!" Sarezac shouted at Hitoshi who seemed unapologetic for pointing his gun at him first.

"Will you pipe down? I already guessed that you were you."

"How?!" Sarezac was still bitter about it and wanted to challenge him on it.

"I tested the Dar a few times. It didn't draw memories from you as it shapeshifted, it just seemed really good at copying your words." That made sense to Sarezac and the rest, but to most of them it was almost undetectably in sync. But Hitoshi could hear that the Dar was the one speaking faster than Sarezac himself. It was some kind of skill in predicting the word he would say from the movement of his lips, inevitably making Sarezac fall behind and worry he was not seen as the real one. Then Hitoshi tested them with the tongue twister, not what Sarezac would say, but what was already provided. The Dar had no clue about why he used it and just performed well, too well that it revealed himself to him.

"Can we move on now?" Kir was well aware of the distance it would take for the Praetorians to get to their location, cut the Emperor off from them and make life difficult by the minute.

Hitoshi planted another claymore and took point with Marcus dragged along. "Lead the way."

"….." Marcus did just that but was also reflecting on the abilities he'd just witnessed here.

He knew not of the Haryo, but Hitoshi did. Each of them Marcus judged were as lethal as an Imperial Assassin, yet his own spy ring knew nothing about them, but Hitoshi did. They attacked all at once, and he killed all of them. When one dressed as his comrade, he could tell the difference in under a minute. Marcus's reevaulation of the numbers sent to rescue Emperor Molt had changed.

"There!" Marcus pointed to a pair of doors guarded by a platoon of guards.

"Protect His Majesty!" Marcus scoffed at how convenient the traitors made heads and tails of who was the loyalists and traitors.

"Knock knock." (Pow) A projectile was fired from his rifle that was lobbed their way and in a split second it came into contact with the shield wall- (BOOM)

Their defensive form had crumbled under the explosive force of a rifle grenade. The door behind them had also been blasted off its hinges allowing safe entry. Kir and Sarezac didn't even have to do anything, as Hitoshi finished off the rest of the survivors whether they were limping or not.

They went into the private chambers of the Emperor. And there, lying on his bed like a shriveled prune was the Mighty Emperor of Sadera. Hitoshi turned on his transceiver and aligned the channel to his contact. About to mention his name, he signed and realized the stupidity of it all.

"This is Ruler calling 3-2 and Saber. Objective reached, beginning assessment."

---

Sarezac begun his examination of the ailing Emperor with Marcus watchfully observant. Hitoshi left the radio turned on for Sarezac to share the condition with Mari who was on the way with Shino, Rose-Order Knight Hamilton and a Dark elf named Yao.

Itami had apparently arrived and had intended to enter by the back. What a convenient time he'll have with minimal security focused on where he was when the Emperor was in far greater danger. That fella's luck was unparamount, he should have no worries finding Princess Pina in the South Palace. Hastily assembling a second rifle from the bag he passed to Kir whom had a days lesson yesterday on the operation of the Type 89 assault rifle.

Covering the entrance, the thunder of the rifle did frighten the Praetorians who saw that shields and segment armour did little to protect against the onslaught of fire being spewed from those weapons.

(ping) (BOOM) When they became to bunched up, Hitoshi chucked a grenade over. The survivors' screams of blasted limbs broke the morale of the soldiers as he desired. But he only had so much munitions. Five minutes of fighting had already passed into a stalemate at the outside of the Emperor's private chambers.

*What are the most notable symptoms, Doctor?* Mari asked over the transceiver or what Sarezac and Marcus called the "magic speaking box".

"Patient seems to have an excessive amount of saliva being produced. There are signs of cramps on his muscles tensing."

"H-His Majesty has been experiencing great pain, vomiting-.. and the loss of bowels." Marcus added in information as well.

"Patient appears to have splits dotted about his extermities as well."

*I see… what is the state of his urinary tract?*

"Forgive me?"

*What is the colour of his piss?*

"He-….. the servants have informed me it had a notable red colouration."

*So he's been having blood in his urine.*

Marcus's worries only greatly increased when two medical experts from both the Empire and the Men in Green were in such a difficult time finding out what it was.

"When did this start?" Sarezac asked.

"During the celebration of the Flame Dragon's defeat."

"Specifically."

"That-… I have had my suspicions, but it was after he drank from a chalice of wine did he suddenly drop."

"Poisoning?" Sarezac suspected.

"Th- There were no signs of odour nor taste as our investigations went into findings."

"Did you test it on an animal?"

"It showed no similar result."

*Odourless…. And Tasteless….* Mari pondered on the other side within the rumbling of a vehicle.

*"Arsenic."* The two of them seemed to answer in sync, although their answers were in their native language.

"A-Arsenic?" Not being a medical expert, Marcus didn't know what that was.

It was a commonly used compound for agriculture and led to a significant amount of poisoning cases for farmers. It also worked as a poison easily accessible to the public and had its medicinal uses on sores in the old days.

"This is not good." Sarezac declared.

"W-Why so?"

"For His Majesty to struggle this long without treatment, I am not sure even if we purge the poison will he be able to survive. He definitely will not survive a blood draining treatment like that."

"That- That cannot be-…"

*It will be alright.* Mari's voice gave them a sudden light of hope.

"How so?" Sarezac wondered what miracle medicine the Japanese had developed.

"What is it that he needs? Anything, we will acquire it immediately!" Marcus insisted.

*I'll bring some blood transfusion packs to recycle his blood and an IV drip to stabilize his condition. However, you need to provide him with supplements that will avert it and purge whatever remnants of the poison that is still in his body.* Marcus was evidently thankful there was hope his Emperor could recover.

"Just tell us what we need." Sarezac prepared his dispensary.

*You need to give him high dosage of Vitamin E, anything with high anti-oxidants and Selenium. Do you know what that is?*

Sarezac was of course not sure, since the concept of the table of elements was non-existent here.

*You'll need to ask Ruler where it can be found.* Furuta should know, she figured since he knew health sciences.

"Alright!"

*Remember, he needs to purge all of the arsenic in his body.*

"Ok! I am on it!" He rushed over to Hitoshi was the transceiver. Hitoshi and Kir were engaged in a fierce firefight between themselves and the Praetorians that were firing arrows their way now.

"Did you find the cause?" Hitoshi asked as he reloaded another clip into his pistol.

"Miss Kurokawa and I have come to an agreement, it is arsenic poisoning."

"Arsenic, you say."

Of course, easy to acquire, untraceable to the human senses until it was consumed.

"Miss Kurokawa said he needed supplements of Vitamin Eyy and something called Selenium to counter it."

Selenium, where the hell was he gonna get that? Hitoshi snatched the transceiver as he fired a few shots into an adventurous soldier ending his life.

"Ruler to Kurokawa, how much Selenium are we talking here?"

*We're talking 200micrograms at least.*

"There isn't any foods or processed compounds that have that much!" He knew that from his stay here.

*I'm only telling you the dosage I deem safe! It's your job since you chose to do it to find him that amount!* Mari said in a crossed manner as Hitoshi put down the radio.

"Why don't I just cook him a full course meal?" He said to himself sarcastically, since it was about that much.

But then- "Why don't I do that?" It occurred to him that it wasn't such a bad idea.

Are you serious? That was the expression Sarezac gave, especially after seeing the tide of enemies attacking wave after wave. Hitoshi picked up his weapon filled duffel bag and Sarezac did the same with readiness to depart.

"Ruler to 3-2. Meet at point 9A in 30 minutes. I'll be taking a detour to the Imperial Kitchens."

*Affirmative….. Come again, Ruler? That detour doesn't seem to be efficient on the map. Please elaborate.*

Hitoshi couldn't believe was he was going to do right now in the thick of all this. It was unheard of, and if it was told to the rest in Alnus, they'd be talking about it for the rest of the day.

"I'm…. gonna fix a meal for Emperor Molt."

---

Sarezac won the race to who would shout "Are you nuts?!" Let's go to the Imperial Kitchen…. To cook up something for Emperor Molt, and while the Praetorian Guards were storming them in human waves. But knowing him, there was nothing to joke about.

Through the power of the Type 89 rifle and a few more grenades, they were able to get to the kitchen. The praetorian guard suffered significant losses and retreated to await backup in the form of the two Legions garrisoned in Sadera.

And entering the kitchens, who did he find?

"Y-Y-You?!-…. I knew it! You were-." (click) The hammer was pulled back on his pistol.

"Were what, little piggy?" A spy, of course.

"Hiyyyee!" Vinho squealed in an indignified manner on the floor. The other kitchen personnel had long disappeared at the discharge of the rifle held in Kir's hands. That guy was just loving the firepower too much.

"Master Vinho, I have a request."

"W-What do you want?- No- Whatever you want, I will get it!"

"That's more like it. I'm going to make a get-well treat for His Majesty, so I'll need your cooperation." Sarezac and Marcus were carrying Molt by his sides.

Porto fell to his knees in the Emperor's presence even though the latter was not in a good state. Then a gun was pressed to his forehead, seeing one before he knew what it did, and it scared him.

"I know you've been suppressing Patch these last few days…" Hitoshi whispered into his ears. "I'm gonna need all the varieties of nut and seeds you have in the store. Every pair of nuts."

Porto fell back wetting his pants, but he ran towards the storage room to find what he was looking for. There was no way of escaping, he had to comply, or else Hitoshi would begin hunting him with pleasure.

"Get 40 ounces of every variety, including the ones you stash in the locket with the truffles." Hitoshi began giving instructions like he was the Imperial Kitchen Head and Porto was just a Kitchen Hand again.

"Kir, hold them off."

"Yes, Master!" Kir happy he was depended on, cocked the rifle loaded with a fresh magazine and dug into the duffel for more grenades.

"Minister Marcus, I'll have you assist me."

"M-Me?"

"Sarezac is enough to tend to His Majesty, he is a doctor after all." Hitoshi went over to the facet and washed his hands and rolled up his sleeves. Marcus followed suit awkwardly, having been a person of the pen and paper all this time.

"I have brought the nuts!" Porto came over hurriedly with three crates full of the variety.

"Every pair it seems." Porto gulped.

"Alright, Master Vinho. I'm sure I've taken enough of your time."

"Th-Then I will take my leave!" He said without looking back, tripping and anxiously getting up to run even faster, while there was no attack on the Kitchen at the moment.

"What was your relation to the Kitchen Head?" Marcus asked noticing a previous engagement between them.

"A fun one. Now, I'd like for you to take the nuts I give you to grind in the mortar and pestle."

"Uh- yes."

Hitoshi was already picking through the nuts, testing them by breaking them open to inspect their insides whether they were dry or moist. The Praetorians had outside demanding negotiation, with Kir speaking in lead at 750 rounds a minute back.

Hitoshi took his time to sort through the nuts as none of them were the same as the ones on earth, therefore their properties could be different even though they looked the same. There was once on a farm visit, an excursion trip in the summer that was more like a holiday trip to him his Shishou took him during the weekend. It was a nut plantation for chestnuts, there were endless rows of trees going miles. The owner let them pick as much as they could carry for a small amount. There was an unmistakeable joy he felt in his heart just freely picking away at those chestnuts, until his Shishou stopped him from putting one in his basket. That one was a "Buckeye" or horse chestnut, and these were poisonous. They had a different husk, but Hitoshi had unwittingly peeled them off and threw them together with the edible ones.

Then his Shishou taught him a trick, breaking open the nuts, you could tell by the moisture around their insides. That day, she planned to roast some in a chestnut cake so it was fine cracked. When they returned, Hitoshi curious as a chimpanzee bought several varieties of nuts to discern the differences in each of these nuts, much to his Shishou's reside. It became a lesson he valued now especially.

After breaking into the fifth nut batch, he inspected the texture and determined that this nut that resembled hazelnut in appearance, taste and smell was a close mutation or relative. It was what he wanted, high in anti-oxidants and selenium.

"Please grind these." He passed over a whole batch over to Marcus. "Uh- ok."

"I will need them to be in powdered form."

Hitoshi gathered the necessary equipment, apparatus and ingredients onto the tables and began with making heavy whipping cream like he had many times before.

"What are we making?" Marcus's inquiry was met with silence and focus on the task from Hitoshi, whom he understood should not be disturbed.

For another ten minutes he continued stirring to make it as Marcus had done his part by grinding out powdery hazelnut. Skillfully beating the buttered milk as quickly as an electric mixer would, gave him something that was almost suitable to be called cream. He added sugar and vanilla extract into the concoction as the cream became thicker and harder to the level desirable for heavy whipping cream.

"Put this in the cold storage for now." He passed the bowl of whipping cream over to Marcus to put it in the primary cold storage where nine tons of ice blocks insulated its coolness and gave a refrigeration to most of the sensitive foods.

He then went over to the duffel bag and retrieve something that had nothing to do with cooking.

"What is that?" Marcus just had to ask. Meanwhile, a heavy firefight was going on with occasional bursts of fire from Kir.

"This is a Command Launch Unit of an anti-tank weapon." Marcus did not know what a tank was to begin with.

"It has a thermographic camera that allows us to see targets via body heat in day or night to about a quarter of a league." Marcus could not believe what he just said, that would mean there was no element of surprise the Jietai could experience if they wielded this all-seeing device. It wasn't worth mentioning that if a target had a significant Infrared Signature, it could send a guided explosive missile like the "Rod of Steel" towards its target by itself. That would have overloaded Marcus's mind.

"But it does have an enormous heat-build to its semi-conductor material, which in this case is Indium antimonide." Hitoshi gave technical details as he unscrewed a part of the CLU.

"To mitigate that heat, it needs coolant. Argon or Nitrogen-based gas. That's what I want."

"You want-…. Coolant for this dish you are going to serve His Majesty? Are you insane?!"

"I'm not gonna serve it to him, I'm going to cheat a little in quickening the freezing process of his food."

"What exactly are you making for His Majesty?" Marcus covered his workspace, determined not to let him continue if he didn't explain.

"Hazelnut parfait."

"Hazel- paf-…. what?" That's why it was useless telling him. There was no way the Special Region inhabitants knew what a parfait was, let alone an ice cream. Unless they bought some from the PX Exchange cooler.

"It's a cold sweet dessert we have on the other side of the Gate." Giving him that summary, Hitoshi pulled out the internal battery coolant unit and carefully placed it next to a larger bowl than the first one. Then, he retrieved the bowl from the cooler to keep it from melting and placed it next to be bigger bowl.

"I'm gonna need your help on this one." Marcus stood ready to assist.

"What do you want me to do?"

"I'm gonna continue stirring this mixture, and I need you to pour this stuff into the bowl." Hitoshi handed him the coolant capsule over to Marcus after plying its end open.

"There's not a lot of coolant in this, so you need to be careful. And I mean, carefully! This stuff can burn."

"Alright." Marcus accepted a pair of mittens, but Hitosh could not work with any so Marcus couldn't pour too much or it would slash and burn him.

Hitoshi poured in the semi-solidified cream and sugar mixture and readied a spatula for stirring. "Now."

Marcus began to carefully pour from the end of the bowl, all he could see was an unnatural mist falling into the bowl but also some clean liquid that felt like it wasn't water.

"You are feeding this to His Majes-."

"Don't lose focus!" He straightened out his unwilling helper, no matter how suspicious of the things he was looking at.

Hitoshi focused on getting the right consistency out of his mixture of ice cream assisted with liquid nitrogen. He had seen this being done on the streets of Taipei, Taiwan before.

After much curdling and pouring of the nitrogen into the bowl, he lifted his spatula revealing a pasty white cream. Taking a swab of some and eating it, proving to Marcus that it was edible. When Hitoshi went to retrieve the powder nut that resembled hazelnut, Marcus took a peek inside.

"Where is this liquid nitrogen gone?!" As the mist had cleared there was only that cold paste.

"It underwent evaporation." Hitoshi said as he placed a quality of the powdered nut with some butter and brown sugar.

"Have you ever wondered why water streams down from mountains continuously?"

"Because of a well? Uh- the rain?"

"You're half right on that, but this water bank is self-regenerative due to the process of evaporation. Water from the sea changes from a liquid state to a gas like mist or air. Water vapour gathers forming clouds and when they've built up considerably, then it rains." Marcus again was left in the dust, and to think this was just basic knowledge to the Japanese.

"Does, His Majesty have any allergies, low tolerances to certain foods?"

"N-.. None that I know of."

"Good." Hitoshi proceeded to pour caramel and some chocolate grounds he had on hand. He continued to stir, adding more goodness to his amateur attempt at hazelnut ice cream parfait.

Then, Kir shut the heavy doors to the Kitchen and started barricading the door with whatever he could find. Hitoshi wondered what could have got into Kir's head, wasn't what he had enough?

"They have an ogre." (Bang) The door rattled as something rammed it hard.

"Use the rifle!" Sarezac shouted.

"I already did! But it just irritated it!" Kir answered back frustrated.

Hitoshi cursed, as he should have taught Kir how to prime rifle grenades, but now they were too close in confines to be used.

"Hold the door, gimme a few more minutes."

"Is this concoction really going to work?" Hitoshi didn't know the answer to that too well. These were none of the things he had experienced before himself, only instances he'd known from reading and watching. Why he chose ice cream was because it was said to be a good post-recovery food that encouraged appetite. When children had undergone serious medical operations, be it surgical or chemo, it was one of the most desirable foods that was both enjoyable and provided sufficient energy to the eater.

"Alright….. and done!" Rolling them into balls, he placed three scoops onto a plate and poured maple syrup onto it just for extra appeal.

Hitoshi brought the plate over to Sarezac to feed Molt under Marcus's supervision. Taking a look at it, it was nothing of the like Sarezac had ever seen. But then again, why would Hitoshi make something inedible?

"Your Majesty, I will now feed you." Using a spoon, he cut a portion and put it into Molt's mouth.

At first, there was no change. And then Molt started to stir ever so slightly, his face had been locked in a continuous agony up till now soothened to the sugary froth that melted in his mouth without need of chewing or significant swallowing. After a moment, the Emperor turned and vomited yellow fluids. However, much relieve passed over his face after that. The milk of the icecream had been the factor in causing him to purge much of the poison from his digestive system.

"He looks better." For extra measure, Hitoshi had added candied ginger to restore his heat and vitality.

"Some help, please?!" (Bang) Hitoshi already shouldered his rifle at the ready.

"Both of you, follow me! Kir, gimme a minute more."

"Just hurry!" (Bang) "(ROOARR)!" On the otherside of the chipped door, piercing roars could be heard that caused Sarezac to shiver. Carrying the Emperor with them, they arrived at the storeroom with no way out.

Wasn't this a dead end?!

Hitoshi pushed aside some cabinets revealing a hidden door, he shot off the lock and kicked it open. Before them was a dark tunnel network that was hidden here intentionally.

"This should take you to my associates. You can continue to feeding His Majesty the parfait, it'll relieve him a bit after that long struggle with death." He said to Marcus who felt he was leaving them.

"You are not accompanying us?" Sarezac noticed.

"My part is done, Doctor. Take care of your patient. And do take care of yourself too."

"Hi-… Thank you for everything." Sarezac gave a gentleman's bow.

"As for Calasta, I can assure you. Where he's going, he won't have a good end. So don't wrap yourself in petty revenge."

"….. Alright." Sarezac accepted his advise.

"Take care." Sarezac nodded and carried the Emperor along.

"Ruler, was it?" Marcus asked as Hitoshi placed a sketch of the route to where Mari and the rest were waiting, Point 9A.

"You were rescued by no one of that name, your rescuers were Mari Kurokawa, Sarezac Asclepius and Third Recon led by Captain Itami Youji." Hitoshi stated the official fact of their rescue. It took a moment for Marcus to register then he nodded out of respect.

"May whichever god you believe watch over you." Marcus said as he shook his hand and followed Sarezac down the hidden smuggler's tunnel. Hitoshi closed the tunnel behind them and returned the cabinets.

"….. My god is dead." He murmured to himself.

He walked back to the Kitchen to meet with Kir as the doors were giving way, standing beside him with his rifle raised at the ready after preparation.

"Is that alright? Leaving your friends to take credit."

"So you listened in." They weren't that far from the Kitchen anyway.

"…"

"I've no use for fame on the path I walk."

Kir chuckled and loaded a fresh magazine easily after such opportunities of practice.

(BANG) "(ROAARRR)!" Both the door and barricade collapsed together under the enormous kinetic force delivered upon it. As two behemoths crouched down to get by the low arch of the main kitchen door. Standing 20 feet tall, cladded in thick armour plating, wielding a studded club that might as well be a battering ram, and a tower shield that added ridiculous amounts of defensive capability to an already buffed up enemy. They might as well be the Empires closest equivalent to a tank.

Oh, so this was what he meant.

"(ROAARRR)!" The beasts greeted them with a roar.

"Hello to you too." (click) (click) (BOOBOOMM) Detonation of two directed explosive walls of metal bearings engulfed the doorway, killing those Imperial Soldiers that squeezed through and turned the ogres shields into swiss cheese, but not them. The beasts roared even louded.

(bang) (bang) (bang) (bang)….. Hitoshi test fired at each limb joint and vital area to search for weaknesses. While Kir suppressed the other with fully automatic fire.

"Don't fire prolong or you'll warp the barrel!"

"Easier said than done!" It seemed the only way of getting the Armoured Ogres to stop and cover their faces. 5.56mm bullets and most small-arm weapons he had on hand weren't going to cut it. So he was forced to use explosives after all, but the amount he deemed appropriate would kill them as well, unless…

"Charge!" The Imperial Soldiers took the opportunity to overwhelm Hitoshi and Kir occupied by the ogres. (ping) (BOOM) but a grenade sent them running back for cover. (ping)

"Cover your eyes and ears!" He ordered Kir who obeyed. (BANG) A flashbang disorientated the two ogres, as they crashed into one another, pancaking a few straggling soldiers in the process.

Taking advantage of their blindness, Hitoshi threw a small plastic explosive at the wall and actuated crack detonators. (BOOM) Shrapnel of dust and rock flew outwards causing all of their enemies to flinch. Hitoshi grabbed Kir by the collar and pulled him with him out of the breach into daylight. Out into the gardens, he threw a large satchel charge back into the breach which detonated with more force than any other explosive he'd used previously. Causing a collapse of the entire Kitchen Wing, but effectively burying the pair of ogres and the praetorians.

"There they are! Attack!" Most of the guards were outside and noticed them.

*3-2 to Ruler. Objective Bravo secured, we're leaving. Get out of there!* So they made it.

In the distance, Hitoshi noticed a High Mobility Vehicle speeding towards the exit. With the guards around them briefly getting distracted by the sight of the strange vehicle.

"Smoke, now!"

Kir threw the smoke grenades as he was instructed at the exfilration point and they made themselves scarce from the scene.

The raid on the Imperial Palace would be officially underwritten in records as a distraction for Captain Itami's bold raid on the South Palace to rescue Princess Pina and Emperor Molt while confronting the Crown Prince himself.

---

A rift had been formed between the pro-war faction between the old guard and the new which followed Zorzal closely. All because of a decision to abandon the Capital which they could not accept less the Empire fall. The old guard members were backed by Internal Minister Marcus who stayed behind despite Mari's proposal to leave with Molt. He deemed it foolish to leave the City into ensuing chaos and stood by some members to remain in the city. Whereas Zorzal grumbled, called them old goats and such, but could do nothing more. So he took all of his political posse including the city garrison, leaving Sadera Hill dangerously undermanned.

Zorzal walked out, undisturbed by his "great" Generals and providers of power with hanging heads. He alone wore a face of defiance of fate, undeterred by the obstacles ahead until he met them head on with full force.

"Your Highness…"

And who should he find waiting at the exit of the South Palace but his chef-..

"Furuta?..."

Said offender stood amongst five carriages of supplies fully loaded under escort by the 5th Legion soldiers and officers.

"Your carriage has been arranged, all logistical provisions for your army have been prepared as well."

"…. What are you-…"

"Basson Prison will not deter me from my duty to His Highness." With carefully planned motion, Hitoshi knelt with seemingly unwavering piety it blinded even his council of Lords. Herm, Woody, Calasta and Mudra were shocked in seeing a plebe who should've perished in the prisons back here.

"I must apologize not for what I have done but what I will do for you success, Your Highness. The transgression I have committed against your will by harming you, I will not apologize for that."

"You bastard! Once was not enough but a second time!"

"Guards! Take this filth- no- Kill him where he stands!" Calasta called out to the Legionnaries, but it was all met with silence, making them fall deeper into humiliation.

Zorzal looked at him a little upset but was thinking about his options on his own, there was no little voice beside him to tell him what he should do this time.

"If need be, I will do it again."

"Ho? You'll slap me again, will you?" Zorzal stared fiercely as his determination.

"Your subjects are not against you, my prince. And they never will be. You have an important destiny ahead."

"I-….. do...?"

"No great epic is without failures, Your Highness. But if you chose to give up here, there will be no victory within reach." It appeared that his honeyed words had done the trick in giving Zorzal the light push he needed. "I've seen empires fall from lesser men, fortunately His Highness is not one of them."

"Filth! Your Highness! This man is a defier!"

"Herm, shut up!" By standing up on his behalf against Herm's aggression, that was all he needed to set in stone that Hitoshi was Zorzal's chef once more.

"Furuta….."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Do whatever you want…." He said dismissing him as he walked up to the prepared carriages with the nobles tagging along. Herm passed by Hitoshi who remained in a respectful bow as they passed.

"Do not think for a second I am not wary of you, serf!" He whispered while passing him by.

"You should keep your eyes on His Highness for the battles ahead instead of this lowly one, My lord."

"You-…"

"I have work to be done, may his lordship have a pleasant ride." Herm fumed but could do nothing, so he struck his cloak aside and scoffed with a- "Hmph!"

And so, the forces loyal to the Crown Prince left through the streets in a long procession. The people came out of their houses to watch in worry and disheartened looks to Imperial Forces leaving the city and their protection all together. If the civilians were disheartened, the soldiers amongst Zorzal's company were no better. Not a single legionnaire could puff up his chest and raise his head with pride.

"Oi!" Except somebody who shouldn't be so enthusiastic to join the league of "we want war, but we'll be the only ones winning".

"Who is that?" Kir obviously hadn't met Tequila, so he wouldn't know. As the young chef ran like he just caught up to a departing train. Having not a single opportunity to rest because the carriage was still moving.

"Tequila." Hitoshi said nothing more, because he had explicitly left instructions for her to stay at Koinu Koen where it would be much safer.

"Master. Before you say anything against me following, I would like to say that this isn't out of gratitude or devotion."

Hitoshi silently listened to all she had to say first.

"I wish to travel with you North east, there are cooking and rare herb foraging opportunities that cannot be missed with that sort of region but treacherous for a lone cook like myself."

"…"

"In exchange for letting me accompany you all, I will dedicate my services as a chef to your entourage." Tequila placed a hand to her chest, she said without conviction.

The rest of his staff turned to look at Hitoshi for his reply as did Tequila.

"…. That nose of yours would be quite the asset to have." There was no bigger smile of delight on Tequila canine whites which she quickly covered up.

"Hop in the front and introduce yourself to the rest, Tequila." Tequila began a handshake session with the group, Kir, Melda and Nidi. Whom were all pleased to be acquainted the with young and accomplished chef that even Hitoshi held in regard.

Kir had long changed out of his disguise into working clothes, managing the carriage of their own possessions. With Melda and Nidi watching over the supplies in that carriage and/or playing a dice game with Tequila to pass time, whichever. Hitoshi couldn't tell as he pressed down the push-talk on his transceiver.

"This is Furuta." He was back on track with his original identity, so he need not hide it from those he didn't want to know he was involved as a Men in Green.

"Zorzal's taking the nobles and pro-war senators out of the capital. Their destination is unknown."

Hitoshi looked out the front of the carriage to see the Royal carriage shake every time an overwatching snipe fired a warning shot.

"Staying here seems dangerous, so I'll be leaving them sooner or later. Over."

As if. It was just for Alnus Command and perhaps Abo to hear his reluctance to stay on this freight-train. He turned off his transceiver under his garments and stowed the earpiece. As he was about to lie back and let the convoy lead the carriage to their next destination, he spotted someone he realized would be a good conversation partner on this long trip.

"Tyuule…."

And what a state to find her in, where it should have been a certain satisfied smug look. There was only a hollow look in her eyes as she swayed dangerous with the horses shifting of her saddle.

That was not the Tyuule he knew.

"Kir, I'll leave you in charge." He said showing indication of getting off for something.

"Uh-… oh."

Hitoshi threw on a uniform fabric poncho for bleak weather as he suspected rain to follow soon in the evening and left the carriage.

Said Warrior Bunny travelled as an odd addition in the eyes of both the watching civilians and the soldiery. She had been alienated by their stares and discrete yet spiteful whispers.

Harlot. Slave. Temptress. Jinx.

Even if she didn't want to hear it, these pair of ears became a silent torture to her until such time Zorzal demanded her body in isolation. Until then-

"Traveling alone would be quite a bother, wouldn't it?"

That voice…. It couldn't be-. Tyuule turned her face towards the unsuspected return of the favoured chef. Revealing in all its unhidden sight, tears that rolled down from each side from her earlier realizations of revenge bringing no peace of heart.

"I was hoping I could entertain Milady with some light chit-chat along the way. It won't bring us closer nor further, but it will at least help pass the time."

"Furuta…." She said in an almost grief-ridden voice, but slightly warmed by someone who would talk with her. Hitoshi held the reins of the horse to guide its movements on her behalf.

"Okay." Her acceptance of his accompaniment brought her a welling burning in her heart that only grew as she looked at him go on about his revisions of thought on the restaurant that would be his.

Whether she was nearer to her objective or not, didn't matter at the moment. It wouldn't change until Zorzal made another move of folly. Until then and until this journey to the next destination…

Tyuule only wanted listen to a dream she felt was every bit worth living.