Imperial Chronicle (Cold Steel IV)/Extra Issue

EN= [Society] War and Peace

September 1, noon. A pleasant, sunny day. Pleasant, except for it being the first day of the Great War. It is the day Operation Jormungandr begins. 25 armored divisions, the air force, the navy and marines... 1,240,000 people are suddenly pawns in a battle between nations. And it all started with a single gunshot a little over a month ago.

Our newspaper is dedicated to showing you the truth behind current events. This was our philosophy two years ago, and it remains the same today. You must only look around you, and you will see people weeping over the collateral damage of military might used relentlessly. You will see wives and mothers making solemn farewells, knowing they may never see their loved ones again. You will see the tiny hands of children waving goodbye to their fathers, not understanding why their family is being torn to pieces... all in the name of 'building a new world.'

Why do we wage war to bring peace? Are we truly content to write our motherland's history in blood, as we attack, invade, occupy, and subjugate?

There is no such thing as a 'glorious death,' for there is glory in neither killing nor dying.

[Breaking News] Crimson Wings?

A crimson high-speed cruiser has been sighted in Erebonian airspace. It is reminiscent of Prince Olivert's airship, the Courageous, whose sight inspired courage in the hearts of many during the civil war.

It may not be clear who is aboard this vessel, but one thing is certain--we'll surely be paying attention to what they do from here on out.

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[Column] Radio Trista Won't Change Its Tune

Although the popular Radio Trista has been explicity forbidden from broadcasting entertainment programs, the station flaunted its opposition to censorship by slipping a drama show into a prime slot.

'Entertainment has the power to inspire people and move hearts. The role of media is to bring people this type of content, too,' said the Leeves branch's ambitious young director.

The drama broadcast opened with a song performed by popular musician Elliot Craig. Many listeners later contacted the station with effusive praise for the show.

The station's secretary, Linley, added, 'I've been working with Director Munk this long, and I'll keep standing by him, fighting censorship as best we can. Together, we can show people that entertainment media is a force to be reckoned with.'

[From the Editor] A Special Message

Similarly to Radio Trista, we also received strict instructions not to publish articles or photographs that the military deems inappropriate.

Some of our reporters strongly advocated for the war effort with nigh-delirious fervor, to the point that a few even left to act as war correspondents. However, our goal is to present our readers with the unedited truth, and so we've taken this issue to sneak what we can under the radar of the military censors.

Finally, there is one last thing I'd like to impart to you. You have doubtless heard of the Ashen Chevalier's military exploits time and again. You may not have heard, however, of the countless other deeds of heroism he's performed--ones which have largely gone uncredited and unreported.

I would like to impart to you that this man is no simple war hero. Those whose lives he's touched can attest that is he is much more--a light in these dark times. One who, with his classmates from Thors at his side, fights for a future for all of us.

His actions prove the adafe that where there's a will, there is always a way. He inspires all who meet him to put aside their differences and work toward a brighter tomorrow.

It is with profound respect and gratitude that I take the opportunity to record his name on these pages once more, that he may be remembered not for his wartime deeds, but for his unshakable resolve, unending courage, and boundless kindness. His name is Rean Schwarzer.

May the legend of this hero take its rightful place the annals of history. 【社会】戦争と平和 本日９月１日正午──気持ちの良い晴天に恵まれたこの日、 いよいよ《大地の竜》作戦が動き出す. 全２５の機甲師団に、 飛行艦隊、海軍、海兵師団. 総勢１２４万人を歯車が絡み合う ように巻きこんで、すべてを喰らいつくさんと東へ進攻する. 記憶に新しい限り、帝国の歴史を大きく変えてきた引き金は、 まさしく１発の銃声だった. そして２年前も今も、本誌は各地 の様々な場面を写しとってきた. 容赦なく武力が振るわれ、目 の前の犠牲に泣き崩れる姿. 愛する夫を、息子を、戦いへ送り 出す人々の表情. 小さな手を振り、父親を見送る幼き背中. そ うした光景の上に、また新たな世が築かれていく. 果たして、平和とはどうあるべきなのか. 我らが誇ってきた 祖国の正史を、占領と侵略に染め上げていいのか. 目に見える 事柄だけに囚われず、今一度、読者諸君には考えてみてほしい. ……ただ１つ言えることは、“栄光の死”というものはどこ にも存在しない. それだけは確かだろう. 【速報】《紅き翼》現る？ 帝国の空を東西に飛び回る、真紅の巡洋艦の目撃情報が幾つ か入ってきている. 誰もがあの《カレイジャス》を──内戦時 に多くの人々を励まし、勇気を与えてくれたあの艦を想起する だろう. 乗艦している者たちは明らかになっていないが、彼ら の動向にはぜひ注目したい. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 【コラム】トリスタ放送の信念 全国にリスナーを抱える人気のラジオ局『トリスタ放送』. 娯楽番組を休止する状況が続いていたが、検閲の隙間をつき、 昨日のゴールデン枠でラジオドラマの特別編を放送した. 「人々を勇気づけたり心を揺さぶったり、娯楽にはそんな力が あるし、それを伝えるのがメディアの責任だと思ってます」と 語るのは、リーヴス支局を拠点にする期待の若手ディレクター ・ムンク氏. この特別編のオープニング曲を、同じく若手とし て活躍する演奏家エリオット・クレイグ氏が手がけたこともあ ってか、ラジオ局へ番組の感想が多く寄せられたという. 受付嬢のリンリーさんにも話を聞いてみると「ムンクには、 散々これまで付き合わされたんで. ここまで来たら今日も何と か検閲をかわして、報道でもなんでもメディアの力を見せつけ てやるわよ」と、気合い充分な様子だった. 【編集後記】合併号に寄せて ８月１日に発行した第１号に始まり、開戦当日は臨時号をお 届けした本誌. 前記事のトリスタ放送ではないが、我々時報社 も、軍による記事差し止めや写真の不掲載といった言論統制を 例外なく受けた. 一部の所属スタッフは熱に浮かされたように 主戦論を唱え、その勢いのまま従軍記者として発ってしまった 者もいる. 不甲斐なく原稿に向き合った１ヶ月、軍の検閲の緩みをつけ るのは今しかないと思い、冒頭のトップ記事を綴った次第だ. そして最後にもう１つ、お伝えしたいことがある. これまで様々な局面で本誌に登場してくれた《灰色の騎士》. 彼の名もまた、久しく綴ることがままならない状況だった. だがあの若き英雄は……表舞台から遠ざけられた後もずっと、 戦い続けている. 強き絆で結ばれたトールズの仲間たちと共に、 国境や立場も越えた多くの同志と共に、意志あれば道が開ける ことを証明しようとしている. 彼に敬意を表し、その名をここ に記したい. リィン・シュバルツァー、と. （帝国時報編集部）
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