Note: I have NOT read the GATE novels yet, tho I do plan to at some point. So if the stuff I'm looking at gets addressed there, I may edit this and/or remove it. We'll see.
GATE: Thus the JSDF Fought There
OMAKE: Questions and Answers
"Okay, so... why didn't mages ever fight the JSDF?" Youji Itami asked
He was asking because he had seen Lelei in action, both against the Red Dragon, and fighting in a magical duel against her sister Arpeggio. She was, bluntly, pretty damn scary in combat.
"The plot demanded it," Lelei deadpanned.
"What," Itami blinked.
Realizing she shouldn't be breaking the fourth wall Lelei corrected, "Actually, there were druids and others assisting in the battle of Alnus Hill. However, higher level mages are forbidden to join the various militaries."
"Ah," Itami nodded. Yeah, he could easily imagine how bad it could get if a war was fought with armies assisted by Mages like Lelei, Caro or Arpeggio.
"The Emperor Augustus has tried to draft us," Lelei added, "but the various mage schools have made it clear they won't allow it."
And yeah, Itami could certainly see why mages did not want to serve under THAT asshole.
"Okay, so WHY were dragons so easy to fight at Alnus, but so hard everywhere else?" Shino Kuribayashi asked her.
Lelei ALMOST said 'plot' again, but restrained herself.
"Lelei," Itami scolded her anyway.
"What the JSDF fought were actually wyverns," Lelei explained patiently.
"Wyverns? So NOT dragons?" Shino clarified.
"Hmm. You could consider them dragon's smaller, weaker cousins," Lelei agreed. "They can also be tamed, unlike most REAL dragons."
"Makes sense," Itami agreed.
End...?
Notes: YES, I am well aware GATE was written by a right-wing author and is basically a 'Rah rah go JSDF' book. Even taking that into account, it still annoys me how easily the military beats the Empire armies.
Plus having EVERY critter the JSDF fight be vulnerable to bullets bugged me. No orcs, trolls, gargoyles etc etc etc? Dungeons and Dragons style trolls with limited regeneration would be a bitch to fight, even with guns.
Anyway... just a short bit. I may do a yuri one-shot on the series eventually, if I can figure out a good angle on it. And, obviously, if I end up reading the books and getting a idea.
BONUS: Short Arisugawa's Locket mention... (Arisugawa's Locket is a bar that can cross into other universes. It's staffed by random anime characters, pretty much.)
The tall, slim elf was dressed in Earth clothes, and was clearly annoyed at surrendering her bow. "Do all have to do this?" Tuka Luna Marceau asked, frowning.
"Sorry," Mahoro apologized. The cyborg added, "I promise we'll keep it safe."
Rory Mercury passed over her axe as the gothic loli warned, "Be careful, it's heavy." Then she looked surprised that Mahoro handled it easily.
Mari Kurokawa, the tall black haired nurse, and Shino Kuribayashi (Sargeant First Class) of the JSDF were accompanying the two women, and looking around curiously.
"HOW is a Japanese bar in the middle of the Special Region?" Mari wondered aloud.
"It's an unusual bar," Mahoro explained.
( Mari and Shino were part of a Japanese expedition through a interdimensional gate. A armed force from a fantasy based universe had attacked Japan, so their military was sent through to find out what they were dealing with. They had rescued the elf Tuka from a dragon attack, and Rory had joined them later...)
"Shino! Come with me!" Rory ordered, taking the brown haired woman's hand and leading her to the dancers.
"Yes! I haven't danced in months," Shino agreed.
"Wait...," Tuka started, NOT wanting to be left alone with her crush.
Mari chuckled softly as she suggested, "Let's get a drink, first." She looked at Mahoro, "Could we get some beer?"
"Certainly," Mahoro smiled.
"Thank you," Tuka took two mugs, along with Mari, each getting an extra for the other two. They found an open table, and sat.
Tuka had been quietly nursing a crush on Mari, but hadn't really DONE anything about it. Especially with her being wrapped up in grieving for her father and avenging her people against the red dragon that had killed him...
Out on the dance floor, Rory and Shino were dancing. "Did you intentionally leave Tuka with Mari?" Shino asked.
"Of course," Rory agreed, "Luka's been mooning after Mari for awhile."
"She certainly blushes around her alot," Shino agreed.
"Besides," Rory gave her a smouldering look, "I like you."
Shino looked surprised, "I thought you didn't like...?"
"I hate someone forcing me, like Emroy," Rory corrected. "Other than that..."
"Ah," Shino nodded.
Finish...