The Invasion of Shanghai

General Yamashita’s invasion of Shanghai was carefully planned and executed with lightning speed and brutal force. The artillery roared, tearing through the skyline as infantry and armored units moved in.

The Japanese had caught the Chinese off guard, letting them make the incursion with ease. However, while they managed to take major roads and train stations, as the Chinese regrouped, the war quickly reached a stalemate. It was like the Japanese army had hit a steel wall as they desperately tried to break through the defensive line.

In their makeshift headquarters, Keitaro’s frustration made him want to rip apart the battle plans. He was expecting them to collapse like a paper bag, but the rock solid defense they had put up was very concerning. The way things were going, this war could be longer and more costly than he ever wanted, leaving them in a much worse position.

“The Chinese invested heavily into defensive units.” Yamashita drew a line across a map showing the frontlines. “Additionally, they’ve taken full advantage of urban chokepoints and fortifications. We might’ve had the element of surprise, but now that they’re set up, breaking through will be a nightmare.”

“What can we do to counter them?” Keitaro asked.

“There isn’t much. We would win a war of attrition but at too great of a cost. Focusing an all-out offensive on the weakest part of their defense could work, but our lines are stretched thin and such an offensive would leave us too vulnerable.”

Keitaro thought things over. Attacking seemed useless. Maybe they could offer a white peace to buy some time? But that would just be backing down like a coward.

This was supposed to be an easy victory to shore up their position, but it was quickly turning into an outright disaster.

***

In Shanghai, a strategy meeting was being held.

“Our defense is holding, but it’s taking everything we’ve got. I don’t think it will be possible to survive against the Japanese as is, even if it would be a pyrrhic victory for them.” General Yu Guan was giving his report to his lieges.

“Damn it…” the Yellow Knight, Enyu Yang, cursed. “If only we just had a few more days, our defensive plan was almost complete!”

“Yes, but it’s too late now…” the general said solemnly.

“What about allies?” the Yellow Maiden, Yanmin Chen, spoke up. “Surely we could get help from the Coalition, maybe Moscow?”

“Perhaps, but a war’s about to break out between them. There’s little chance that they’d divert resources away at such a crucial time.”

Enyu rubbed his eyes in frustration. “So you’re saying there’s nothing we can do?”

“We still have options. As long as I manage the defensive line perfectly, we should be able to bleed out the Japanese.”

“No, that’s too much of a chance!” A long silence followed, but it was broken as Enyu took a deep breath. “I’m going to do it…”

“My lord!” Guan took a step back in shock. “You can’t be serious!? It’s way too risky!”

“It’s risky either way.” Enyu stood up. “At least this way we have better odds.”

“But you haven’t mastered your Ability! If you make a mistake, you’re dead!”

“Maybe, but I’d rather die on the battlefield than die cornered like a rat.” Enyu looked over the map. “Where is their line the weakest?”

“Hold on!” Yanmin stood up and ran over to him. “Enyu! If you’re going then I’m going too!”

“Yanmin…” He was surprised to hear her volunteer. “No, you can't. It's way too dangerous.”

“But we were supposed to do this together! And if it’s both of us, our odds are way better!”

“Absolutely not!” Guan cut in. “Losing our Knight would be bad enough! You have to survive, my lady!”

But Enyu started understanding her position. If he died out there, she wouldn’t be far behind. If they fought together, not only were they both more likely to survive, but they’d die together if they failed. With a bit of a heavy heart, he agreed, “All right.”

“Thank you, Enyu…” She hugged him tightly.

However, this touching moment only brought Guan great frustration.

***

Keitaro and Toko were outside getting some fresh air. Of course, it wasn’t actually very fresh as it was filled with smoke and the smell of gunpowder, but it was better than being cooped up in base or crammed into their APC.

They were currently in the Old City of Shanghai. The historic heart of the city, it was filled with traditional architecture and culture, a stark contrast to the modern parts of the city.

Unfortunately, much of it had been damaged by the fighting, something that Keitaro lamented, but was just necessary collateral damage.

As Tomoe and Musashi watched over the two, Musashi looked at Keitaro with a look that clearly said I told you so. Tomoe wasn’t happy either, and she was acting a bit more protective of Toko than normal.

However, Keitaro just scowled in response. It had been a blunder to attack so presumptively, but the battle was far from over.

“Sir! Sir!” A messenger ran up to them, panting desperately.

“What is it?” Musashi walked up to him.

Between gasps, he said, “T-the seventeenth battalion is getting overrun!”

“What!?” Keitaro yelled out.

“What’s going on!?” Musashi demanded.

“Apparently… These giant bugs came out of nowhere…!”

“Giant bugs?” Musashi was skeptical.

But Keitaro ran up to the man. “Come on, keep going!”

“I don’t know, but the survivors said that there were hundreds of them, and that they were even eating men alive.”

As soon as he heard the story, Keitaro knew it had to be an enemy Ability, and creating an army of man-eating bugs was certainly a powerful one.

“Musashi, mobilize the Kurotai! We’re heading to the frontline!”

“Hold on!” Musashi grabbed his shoulder. “Don’t you know how dangerous that is!?”

“Whatever these bugs are, they’re almost certainly the result of an enemy Ability, and because only a Knight or Maiden can harm another Knight or Maiden, that means only me and Toko can put a stop to them.” He brushed off Musashi’s hand. “If we let these bugs run free, our frontline will collapse! Now let’s get going!”