For the Peace of this Nation

After the annihilation of the first Dutch fleet was finished and the hundred or so survivors of the encounter was taken in as prisoners of war, they were taken to a prisoner camp in an island in Okinawa where they met some familiar people.

"Are you guys…?"

"Yep. Or at least what was left of the sailors who set sail to this place."

It was the British and Prussian sailors who like them, was sent to this place, completely unaware that it was a nation whose military capability was beyond their ability to match or resist.

"They were ruthless, aren't they?"

"To be fair, captain. It was us who didn't listen and even fired at their steel ship."

"Well, I can't really deny that now, can I?"

The nonchalant conversation between the sailors who was imprisoned here before them astonished the Dutch sailors. To their knowledge, both the British and Prussians were quite prideful and wouldn't admit defeat even in the face of death, them still being here and saying those things made them wonder just how absolute and humiliating that defeat was for them to say those things.

"H-Hold on! I need some explanation, gentlemen!"

"Huh? Whatcha want from us, lowlander?"

"L-lowlander? Argh, forget about that for now. If anything, I want to know how you ended up here in the first place!"

"Well ask yourself that first! Of course, we had our ships sunk and ourselves taken here as prisoners. It's been a year or so since we passed by your waters that we thought you've got a clue to not sail here as well."

"T-that is…"

"Hold on a minute… are you telling me that your company directors and higher-ups sent you here too and this isn't just some hare-brained attempt to raid for your own pockets?"

While the Dutch East India company does strictly hold its employees to not leak information like that, the dutchman looked at their situation practically and admitted to himself that there was no point in sticking with the rules.

After all, all of them here are prisoners held by a nation that they incited into violence.

"Yeah… We were told that there is this nation north-east of China and it's the next target for invasion. Almost the entire fleet was to be sent to ensure total victory and takeover."

"Your higher-ups screwed you guys over bigtime. There's no way that you'd be able to fight back against those monsters."

"We sure can't…"

The three sailors of differing nationalities, now prisoners held by Japan, looked at the sea through the wire fence that keeps them inside the camp and reflected on the same mistake they have made.

"Anyone of you attempted to break out yet?"

"We did. Those who got caught spent a week in solitary confinement and until now, can't be talked to properly."

"What methods have you tried? Jumped the fence yet?"

"We can't. Those metal wires with blades laid above the fences kept cutting us and the fences has these diagonal attachments that won't give you a place to hop over."

"How about tunneling?"

"No shot too. The prison cells are made with a layer of uncut and really hard stone, and we have no access to tools that can help us crack it."

"How about snatching a key?"

"No keys. The cells and every door can only be opened by the guards through some thingamabob that only opens to them. There are some keys, but they are for the handcuffs and every guard doesn't come down from the walls or their rafters, so we can't gang up on one too and hold them hostage."

"Really? Even if you set up a riot or something?"

"Nope. They'd even throw some kind of metal cylinder that puffs out this cloud of smoke that irritates the eyes and nose when we become unruly…"

"If they're doing that kind of brutal treatment, why haven't you come up with something to get even with them."

With that question that came from the dutchman, the Briton and Prussian looked at each other and had a brief silent exchange.

"I can't really call their treatment as brutal or anything otherwise. Yeah, they'd lock us in solitary confinement or throw that smoke at us if we screw around, but normally, we just co-exist here and go about our days without much trouble."

"Right. They've fed us well and would even ask if we want to change something around the camp. Some asked for a job so they won't feel like we're wasting away our lives here and the day after that, they gave us a garden, some seedlings and tools to work around as well as a few chickens to raise."

"You guys became farmers?"

"It's not just that. A few days after the garden was made, they brought in some training weights and a few board games like chess, backgammon and Othello."

"Since then, we just went on and on every day without complaint and the warden even brought a pine tree for us to decorate and held a feast during Christmas and then arranged for a boxing and wrestling competition a week before new year."

"Oh yeah. Martin won on wrestling, right?"

"Yeah, it was quite the brutal fight, but he won in the end. I even heard that the first mate of the ship he belonged to promoted him because of it."

The two sailors conversed by themselves as the Dutch sailors who learned how these people who was here way before them eventually accepted their circumstance and didn't mind being prisoners at all.

"This is bad, captain!"

"If even these guys can't escape, how less of a chance do we have?"

"Hrmm…"

The old man pondered for a moment before asking his two counterparts a question.

"Has none of you requested to write to your countries yet? I mean, they might at least give you a chance for negotiation if you've stayed here for so long."

"Oh, that? We already have someone representing us to the daimyo- er- King of Kiko and the military leader of this country. She's a nun who got here from a prior Prussian expeditionary fleet that sank and set up a chapel here in the name of the church of England."

"A-a nun? No, don't mind that for now. Are you saying that this nun isn't a prisoner but someone who was already here before you guys came?"

"Yep. And she's not alone. There's also a fellow Prussian man who also belonged to that sunken fleet and is working under the Shogun. He's also our liaison with the officials of this country. The last thing I heard, they already sent a letter to Europe, and we can expect a diplomat to negotiate our release soon."

"Captain, that's good news!"

"Right, absolutely good news!"

After hearing that someone from either Britain or Prussia would soon come to represent the prisoners and negotiate for their release, the dutchmen cheered at the prospect of being released as well.

"What are you lowlanders cheering for?"

"Eh?"

"We're getting out of here. Not you guys."

After the Englishman figuratively dumped a bucket of water on their heads, they froze up in utter nervousness about the fact that they would be left behind.

"Even if I feel bad about you being victims of your higher-ups' misinformed ambitions, we are on different sides of this conflict. Forget about the hotbed that is Europe, even colonial lands are warring in the name of their homelands. Just because we're getting a negotiating diplomat here doesn't mean that we're going to include you in it."

"H-Hold on, man! This is ridiculous!"

"No, this is preposterous! We're all sailors here! You can't just leave us to rot away here."

"I don't know, buddy. You're the ones who got greedy and didn't even scout ahead what the place you're being ordered to invade looks like or if you can resist them. In any way that I see this, this failure is on you."

Later that night, the dutch sailors planned a riot in order to find a way to escape the prison camp, and much like the warning of their British and Prussian counterparts, they faced painful barrages of rubber bullets and suffocating canisters of tear gas.

A week after their imprisonment, peace returned to the camp as they adjusted to their life as prisoners of war. They made a request to expand the garden and if possible, a pair of cows so they can make better dishes in their kitchen.

"Yo, lowlander!"

"H-huh? What is it, Englishman?"

"I heard from the warden that a bunch more of your fellows are about to be shipped here. You boys better lead them away from trouble or else, we're not gonna cover for your rears."

Hearing that, the already downtrodden Dutchmen looked more down after realizing that there is only one reason why another batch of their fellow sailors of the company are about to be sent here.

"We really got screwed big time over here."

"Yeah… I wish we can go home after all of this has passed."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

In the national assembly building in the Imperial capital of Hitachi, the last proceedings for the amendment and ratification of the national constitution were about the end with a unanimous vote from all the daimyos in attendance.

This constitution that aims to set a nationwide standard of governance and unify this nation so that another civil war wouldn't happen again was signed by all the daimyos who are more or less willing to accept its precepts.

After all, while this limited their hitherto absolute power over their respective provinces by guaranteeing numerous rights for the people, as well as giving them protections against coercion by the noble samurai families and their daimyo itself, this also gives the daimyos a guarantee that if ever an armed uprising that happens without a sufficiently justifiable reason happens, the Shogunate will side with them and settle it with diplomacy or if needed, force.

In exchange for powers that they no longer need in a time of peace, they gained assurance of support as well as protection against subversion by internal and external forces. 

To put it simply, they have traded their blades for war in an age of instability with the pen of administration during peacetime.

"Esteemed masters, are you comfortable here?"

"…We are. Please don't mind us too much, missy."

"We are alright, madame."

"Hrmph! Please, resume with the proceedings as we simply watch over."

There are also numerous religious leaders in attendance such as leaders of Buddhist warrior monasteries, Shinto priests and divine maidens as well as the foreigner Camilla Dormer and a few nuns and chaplains of the Chapel of St. John the Divine that she leads. 

"Yes, we are swell here. May God bless you for your thoughtfulness."

"Thank you for your patience. Let's continue along, everyone."

However, the ones who attracted the most attention was the four Shrine Priestesses of the four Sanctums that represented the guardian spirits that once protected the nation.

"Are you following well, Hisako-chan?"

"Yes, I am. Kurumi-san. Although I'm afraid that some high-level terms are flying past my head."

"Hehe, don't mind it too much, Hisako-chan."

Dressed in an exquisite priestess clothing lined with golden fur was Akizuki Hisako who represented Kaiho Sanctum and the only living guardian spirit, Inari-no-kami. Beside her was Kurumi who hid her fox appendages and was here to act as the eyes and ears of the fox goddess who used her as a proxy.

At the next seat was Azusagawa Maya who is dressed in a priestess garb with highlights of scale-like patterns. She sat beside the hachishaku-onna who attends to her, and she noticed that Maya was scrutinizing the assembly.

"Maya-sama, is something wrong?"

"Yeah. The daimyos look like they're begrudgingly accepting this constitution. Although we have the upper hand in things, I still doubt that it would last when faced with these-"

"Maya-sama, calm down and just let things be. We can settle all of it once it comes for sure."

"…Right. I am worrying too much again. Now that I can't remember much about what happened here, I am more wary that I should be."

"Well… her bodyguards aren't helping for sure."

Next was not the actual shrine priestess but the one who is the most available in Hitachi given the remoteness of the sanctum's location. Dressed is a normal shrine maiden uniform with a white tiger fur coat and a few golden hair accessories, she sat silently with a gentle smile whilst a pair of female Shogunate bodyguards stood in attention behind her.

"Well, well, pardon me then. I already told them to stay back so we won't stand out here like a sore thumb, but they sure like giving me reasons to "keep a perimeter"."

"We're… sorry, Lady Chiasa."

"We're meant to protect you always with no exception, you see."

"Yeah, yeah. I get it… Well, at least I can be at peace, knowing you're beside me always."

Lastly amongst the Shrine Priestesses, was one who wore her shrine maiden outfit with bright scarlet red feathers on its outline and styled her hair in the traditional pair of loops of her sanctum.

"Are you well, Lady Daigo Shizuka?"

"I am. Please don't mind me too much. I can keep up with the meeting."

"Y-Yes, my lady."

Although not overtly, she can feel the gazes that are stabbing through her all this time. She is supposed to be a disgraced noble and her sanctum and much of her homeland has been reduced to rubble, and yet she is here to represent all of that which she lost due to the folly of her late family.

"Ahem, esteemed lords and ladies… If I may have your attention."

However, it all eased up once the gavel mallet sounded upon the wooden knocker block to gather the attention to the leader of the meeting and currently, the highest ranking and most influential person in the room… or at least, the one who is effectively in control of the nation in lieu of the emperor.

"After much deliberation, argument and amendment, we have reached the last hearing for the creation of the constitution and its ratification into effect."

It was no other than the Shogun himself, Amanogawa Sora. Wearing a light armor inside the chamber, the daimyos who saw it understood what he wanted to silently come across to all of them who are here.

"Dare to make a ruckus or break these rules…"

"…and you will face my wrath…"

As those who are least supportive of the creation of a constitution all whispered to themselves those words, they realized that there is no more chance for them to break out of the stranglehold.

The Shogunate and the Southern Quartet Alliance has already secured the future of this country and its people through their own visions. Whatever it was in the war-torn and unconcordant past are already way behind them to ever be dragged back into normalcy and return them to an absolute and unquestionable ruler.

The peasantry is reaping the benefits of peace and prosperity brought by the expansion of the commodities and changes in the way of life that came from Kiko and the other provinces in the Alliance.

The merchant class has become wealthier and more influential after joining the guilds, organizations and the renown stock exchange system that has opened up every other business and their owners to cooperation and competition with them.

Even their samurai warriors who once sought them with near-unbreakable loyalty and a sense of dependence to their orders are now resting their blades and bows in favor of the pen and stamp as they joined either the life of an entrepreneur or a position as an administrative officer.

In the span of a decade, since rumors of a new daimyo in the unremarkable boonies of Kiko province reached them, their lives were all changed and all of their plans for the future went down the drain. 

"Perhaps, this is for the best…"

"There's no hope to overturn this now."

"How did it go again… "One must learn when to lay down their spear when there is no more battle to claim victory" …Surely, this is the right idea to keep in mind at these times."

For the time being, the daimyos all individually chose to accept this change and if opportunity comes later on, they will see if they can overturn things back.

However, it is too late for any of that. The societal systems that covered the needs of the public has already been laid down and polished to the logical peak of efficiency and efficacy. 

National security, whether internal or external has been secured with a military force that none in this current world can resist or ever dream to match.

Healthcare systems such as public hospitals and its supporting structures has been secured for the use of all citizens and with a price that is almost non-existent as private institutions and businesses either directly giving the service or its supplies desperately tried to outmatch their public counterparts.

Education, the backbone of everything that Japan needed in the present and onto the far future is the best of the best as Otherworlders, who was hired to impart their modern education to the next generation, found their new place in this world.

However… there is one thing that is missing.

"Before the final reading and official declaration of the constitution by Shogun Amanogawa, may we call Lord Iwasawa to give his speech to the assembly."

A young man stood up at a seat reserved specially for him and read the passage in the parchment that he himself wrote but can no longer recall in his memory.

"We are the people of this nation touched by the sun first among all other nations on earth. Our ancestors braved the wild valleys before clearing the fertile plains and now, we stand in a new era where our life must once again take on a new form to prepare all of us for the coming future."

Everyone's eyes are on him. Everyone's ears listened as he spoke with vigor and a sense of rigidness. They all viewed him either as someone to look up to or the one who brought their previous way of life to obsolescence…

"…and therefore, more than victory, glory, riches or legacy, we chose to fight the righteous fight simply for the belief that enough is enough. We wish for peace. We pray for peace. We bled and many even died for peace. And now, we are in the cusp of a new age where there shall be nothing more than peace and prosperity. Everyone, it is time to take the first step… it is time to bring everything we have worked for finally together."

And yet, they all sensed that this person who is performing the speech isn't the same one that they have seen once or many times or heard about in the rumors.

"As the Lord of Kiko and the one who started all of this, I wish to see what I, or rather, myself who braved all of the danger in my long journey, wanted to achieve even if I do not remember any of it."

The room was silenced after he spoke those words.

Everyone already sensed it, but he outright declared in front all of them what it was that they can feel is off with him.

"…This concludes my speech. I shall leave the declaration of the constitution to the Shogun."

"…Ahem… With the Emperor, the assembly of Daimyos and all the citizens of Japan as witnesses, I shall now read the declaration that would finally bring peace and unification to this country and its people forever more."

After a few minutes of reading the long declaration letter, the Shogun held his gavel and all of the people in the chamber stood up as a sign of support for the act.

"With my authority as the Shogun, vested upon me by the Emperor, the assembly of the national lords and the citizens of this country, on this day, I declare all of the tenets of this document are rendered official and in effect! Long live the nation of Japan! Long live the Japanese people!"

"""Hurrah!!!"""

"""Banzai!!!"""

Just a moment after the gavel struck, officiating the declaration, the people in the chamber all cheered in jubilation of the event that would go down in history as the day when after a hundred years of strife and discord, the nation was reborn into a new age that has the hope of a better tomorrow.

The radio and television stations carried a live broadcast of the event and with the natural signal delay, it took about 5 to 9 seconds for the cheers outside of the chamber to sound and for every house and street to be filled with cheers and praises. Just like that time when the alliance and the shogunate declared the end of the war, revelry and celebrations once again happened across the country.

Later that night, a private party was held in the grand hall of the Edogawa manor where the owner of the estate and currently, the richest man in Japan, Edogawa Gin, was swinging around a bottle of red wine that he takes occasional sips from and is laughing heartily with the other rowdy guests.

"C'mon you louts! Sing it louder!"

"""♪~We're not gonna die on the battlefield tonight!~♫"""

"Wahoo! Louder!!!"

"""♫~Cause the war has ended and no bullets fly to fright!~♪""" 

The song they sang became popular amongst the soldiers during the lull in the battles between the Southern Alliance and the now dissolved Northern Coalition. With peace being something in sight, it was a cheeky way to annoy their higher-ups about not being able to order them around anymore once they return to civilian life.

And now that it has become real, the men who regardless of their class in Hashidate's society, decided to join the volunteer corps of the province and leave Hashidate for the frontlines, now sang with joy alongside their ringleader, Edogawa Gin, taking the mast of this highly annoying chorus.

"Tch! Those damn brats…"

"Just leave them be for now. They're reveling on the fact that they survived hell and are back now in their homeland with alcohol in hand."

"I know that, but can't they take a clue that this is also a memorial for those who didn't get home?"

"Haah… there's no point in arguing with a bad drunk. Handle it yourself if you want to."

While the smell of grilled steaks, fine red wine and the chorus of drunk young men covered a corner of the hall, the opposite side was where the ladies stuck together by their tables and talked amongst each other about various things.

"I heard Shinra-kun will be returning late because he's part of the garrison force in Niijima province."

"Yeah, he told me all about it over the telephone. He said he already made a request to go home before his regiment and it has been approved."

"Oh darling, that's good! Let's wish he can return before you give birth."

"Yeah… that is my wish too every day."

Some of them were families of soldiers yet to return or tragically, never to return.

"I wish to offer my condolences, madame Noriko."

"No, no… it is alright. My son you see… he's always been someone who wants to do the right thing which made him a bad businessman. He doesn't want to cheat people and doesn't take lightly about being cheated too."

"…"

"…Perhaps that is the reason why he thought it was his duty to volunteer in the corps for the sake of an end to this age of war. Even though he's not the best tool in the shed, he sure had a heart of gold."

"Mm… that's well-said, ma'am."

On another area in the hall, businesspeople, most of which are the elites of Hashidate's business circles, gathered and talked about how things would change now after the war has ended and they have to probe the newly consolidated northern provinces for economic prospects.

"The fish canning factories are having a field day up in the northern waters. I heard they've sent three canning ships already up there."

"Sardines and saury, huh? I guess that explains why they've been supported with securing the waters there."

"Now that you mentioned the north, there's already discussions about re-opening the iron and copper mines in Akushima province. There's rumors that backdoor dealings has already been made to secure some of them."

"Say what now?! If that's true, it would be a major foothold in the mining industry in the north!"

"I know. By this weekend, I am planning to take the train there to scout out the place myself and secure some mines too. With the expansion of the civilian industrial sector, I'm not gonna pass up on this opportunity to secure the growth of my company."

"As am I."

The party continued on to the deep of the night as the celebration for past victories was reveled and preparations for the future was arranged.

"Urrrrggghhhh… My head freakin' hurts…"

"W-Water… water, please."

By morning, Edogawa Gin and the other men who drank excessively last night woke up to a head-splitting hangover and was attended to by servants who nursed them to recovery for the entire day.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Back in Kiko, a young man sat motionlessly on a reclining chair at the veranda of his room.

"…"

He was staring at the sky that has rolling clouds and a gentle weather. The spring winds brought the refreshing smell of newly sprouted plants that can rejuvenate the mood of anyone.

"Iwasawa-sama… tea and snacks?"

"…Just leave it there, please."

"Y-Yes."

However, such is not the case for him who kept a downed expression and a frown. When a servant offered him tea and snacks, he told her to leave it there.

"…How is Iwasawa-sama, Asada-san?"

"I'm afraid that there is no improvement at all, Shimura-kun."

"I see… we may have pushed him too hard during the treatment. I've already warned Chiyo, but if this continues, he may push us away after all."

The therapy that Hiroshi was forced into was a safer version of the thing that the Shogun and later on, Miyazono Reiji used to brainwash people into doing their bidding.

"It was a gamble, but it seems like he managed to retrieve some key memories that he supposedly lost… however, it seems to not be the best memories to recall."

While the mechanics of what the Otherworlders lost in order to remain in this new world varied wildly from person to person, Hiroshi lost every memory he had from the time when he was still a Replicant of Miyazaki Hiro and his identity in this new world as Iwasawa Hiroshi.

The treatment, whilst able to bring back some memories, didn't specify what those memories were… or what he was supposed to feel when made to face the fact that he perpetrated them.

"He went to countless battles and ordered thousands of deaths… perhaps, being made to face that without remembering the resolution of a leader has caused him great grief."

"That is probably the case… although if that is so, he should know more than enough that he can lean on us to support him in his time of need."

"Unfortunately, such is not the case…"

As Kahono and Nobisuke looked at their master who sat motionlessly at his chair and stared into the calm sky, they felt a sense of pain and grief for not being able to help him in such a dire situation.

Left alone in the veranda, Hiroshi continued to just silently watch the billowing clouds pass by as he let the hot tea on his cup to cool down and slowly nibbled at the biscuits that he was given.

In some way, he seemed like a man barely holding onto his purpose in life as he aimlessly wasted time doing nothing. 

But perhaps, that is the only way that he can see his life now given that he was suddenly robbed of all his memories prior to everything that destroyed it back then and even in his redemption in this new world… and when he thought that he can just stay naïve and know nothing about what he has sacrificed without knowing what it was for, it broke him mentally and emotionally.

To him, these are undoubtedly his memories. He can remember almost everything now. He is the lord of Kiko, the friend and ally of many other leaders and someone who was instrumental in the unification of this country torn by a century of civil war… but an aspect of it wasn't returned to him unlike his memories.

To put it simply, it's like being given a puzzle but knowing nothing about what should appear once it is solved. He is forced to know his achievements and losses but none of what he should feel or have felt about it.

"Hiroshi… No, Hiro-kun…"

Suddenly, a woman entered the room and called out to him. It was a gentle, soothing voice and he wanted to turn around and face her in order finally be with her…

"…"

"So… you haven't dealt with it yet?"

But he can't… his heart is yearning for it, but his mind is filled with conflict and guilt.

"I understand… I'll give you all the time and distance that you want."

"…"

Hiroshi sat there, silent and motionless as Chiyo who hoped again that he can overcome this situation stepped back and once again gave him what he needed.

"Always remember, Hiro-kun. You can do it, I believe in you."

As she softly closed the door, Hiroshi reached out to his teacup and was about to take a sip from it when something else moistened his lips.

"…Kh! Hik!"

Tears… not simply of pain and anxiety, but also of grief and guilt. Heart crushing guilt that welled into tears that he cannot stop.

"I'm sorry, Chiyo…"

Perhaps, more than the pain that he is suffering, knowing that the ones who loved him is also suffering because of his current circumstance brought him more guilt than what his incomplete memories brought.