Corpse March

Chapter 66 Aloha

“It seems we’re not welcome here anymore. You’ve been exiled.” Haru relays Gleam’s speech to Tsumugi. 

“What do we do?” Florence asks. 

“Nothing has changed. Let’s keep moving.” 

Haru waves her hand out the car window at the other Elites to follow close behind. They comply, mostly out of fear. They know that their duty is to Lady Kentomi first, Takakumo second, and Haru third, but the thought of going against Haru is just too much. 

The streets are empty, nearly everyone’s attending Gleam’s speech. What few people are left behind smile and wave at them as they pass, blissfully unaware of what Tsumugi’s become. They know not what she knows. 

“Where are we going exactly?”

“To the forest on the edge of Takakumo’s borders. I’ve arranged for a meeting there.” 

Ah, to where it all began. The memories of a month or two ago come flooding back to Haru. It felt like a lifetime ago they were on that train and came crashing into Takakumo, completely unwelcome. 

“This is nostalgic.” Haru rests her head on the headrest. Which is what it’s for so of course she does.

“I get what you mean.” 

Up above, the sky begins to darken and storm clouds begin to roll in. As above, so below. In the distance, Haru barely manages to make them out. An army with veins of lightning. 

“Ah. I see your game.” Florence closes his eyes as he leans back in his seat. “Clever, clever.” 

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“My name is Tsumugi Tsubame. I’ve arranged for a meeting with one Tsumugi Nanashi.” The juggernauts move aside to reveal the one that Haru assumes is the head honcho. Her armor is bigger than everyone else’s, her helm sports heat exhausts that resemble a wolf’s fangs, and her veins almost seem to pulsate with sheer power. 

“It’s nice to finally meet you...” The juggernaut removes her helmet to reveal a pair of red eyes, rosy cheeks, and double braids. “...sister.” 

Lightning splits the sky. 

“What?” Tsumugi takes a step backwards. “What is the meaning of this?!” 

“Relax.” She grins an eerily familiar grin. “Come, come, it’s going to rain soon. We can continue this conversation in my tent. Your assistant, in the meantime” She gestures at Haru. “Will be accommodated by my understudies.” 

They split up, with Tsumugi and her apparent “Sister” going over to a nearby tent big enough to house her juggernaut-sized armor and Haru is led to another tent.  

“So, first thing’s first, um, I should introduce myself.” Tsumugi, err… the ‘other’ Tsumugi’s armor ‘opens’, its parts segmenting and clicking until there’s enough room for her to squeeze out. “My name is Nanashi Tsumugi, the original daughter of Hoshi Tsubame.”

“But… but how? How is this possible?” There’s a tinge of horror in her voice.

“Oh, I thought it was obvious. You’re a Papilio, modified to be able to age.” Tsumugi makes an expression like ‘duh’. “Our mother couldn’t stand to leave me behind when she started the Neo Magical Academy so she made you, a near perfect replica.” 

Tsumugi looks down at herself. At this body. At her fabricated genetic code. How much of her is a lie?

“So… I’m you?”

“Yes.”

“And you’re me?”

“Also yes. Though I am a little older.” Nanashi takes off her gloves and sits down at her desk. “Incidentally, there was another experiment of ours that went missing a while back. Or rather, another experiment that your people took from us but I digress. How is she doing?” 

It takes a moment for the gears to click into place inside Tsumugi’s mind. “Tsuki?”

“That’s a cute name.”

“She died yesterday.”

“Ah, what a shame. Still, she’s the first Papilio ever made with Papilio DNA to last this long so she should take pride in that. Though, I suppose even magitech is not immune to the genetic degradation caused by cloning a clone.”

“She was killed, actually.”

“...well, I suppose we’ll never learn how long her record actually was.”

“What are you even talking about?!” 

“Hey, relax. All you need to know is that I’m basically your older sister. And as your older sister, I feel compelled to cooperate with you. So,” She claps her hands together. “Make me your offer, why should I lend you the Monarchian army? Or rather, how can I convince my higher ups to lend you the Monarchian army?” 

“I offer you all of Takakumo. Or rather, all of the Neo Magical Academy, as you like to call it.”

“Really?” Nanashi nods her head and leans in. “First, you had me interested. But now, you have my attention.”  

“You will have complete access to the city for your research. I only ask that you entrust to me the throne of Takakumo itself.”

“So, you’re giving us free reign to conduct our research as we please while you take care of all the maintenance? It’s a very tempting offer, but I must add another stipulation, if you do not mind.”

“What is it?”

“We request that half of all Papilio within Takakumo be returned to their Think-Tank facilities.”

“Done.”

“Excellent, our agreement is sealed.” 

“Just like that?”

“I’ll have to check in with the higher ups first but we should be ready to march on Takakumo by the morning.” 

“Interesting. A lightning strike offense while the enemy’s defenses are weak would work best.” 

“I was thinking the same thing.” 

The two are surprisingly in sync as they pore over the map of the area. It’s a Monarchian map, of course, so Tsumugi has to mark out where the city is first and how its walls are structured. 

“Did you bring troop transports?”

“Of course.” 

“Good. Circumventing the outer walls should be no problem, then. They’ll be expecting a rag-tag group of stragglers that I’ve managed to round up. I doubt they’ll be expecting armored units of elite Monarchs storming their front door.” 

“Excellent, excellent.” Nanashi adjusts her glasses as she looks at a particular spot on the map. “Incidentally, I noticed your assistant’s ax thing.” 

“What about it?” 

“Does it play?”

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“There is no plan.” Gleam uncrosses her legs.  

“Excuse me?” Alpha one shakes her head in disbelief. She looks towards Kuroko, who doesn’t move from her spot. 

“Let Tsumugi come.” 

Gleam rises from her seat and walks over to her bed. “Now leave me in peace. Tomorrow’s battle will be hard-fought.” 

“My Lady, I must object–”

“Do you trust me?” Gleam asks a loaded question. 

“I…” Alpha one nearly stumbles from the pressure. 

“Do you trust me?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Good.”