Hymn From the High Seas (Azur Lane x Commander Male Reader)

The Wrong Side of History

From the heights of the mountain slope, I watch the yellow lines of Manjuu clear away the debris of our once beautiful town. It never stood a chance against the combined barrage of thousands of warships, but the Cathedral of the Holy Iris remains untouched behind me.

I face the doors after assessing the damage in its entirety, wondering why this building, as well as my own home, were left without a scratch. After pushing open the wooden doors, they slam against the smooth, carved walls, echoing inside of the interior built for magnifying the voices of prayer, but it's as quiet as death here.

My dress shoes knock against the stone floor as I walk forward into the darkness. A single beam of light shines upon the altar at the end of the hall below a hole in the ceiling. I approach it, seeing something at the base of the ray of sunlight. In a concavity smashed into the stone rests an unexploded one-thousand-pound bomb. A dud.

A chill runs down my spine as I stare at the bomb and then at the crucifix behind the altar, "TB, I want you to find the names of every Marine and sailor sent out to fight us last night. Download them and print them out for me."

"Affirmative."

"Heika-sama!" Izumo yells from outside, her footsteps enter the cathedral, her voice hoarse, "The prisoners want to speak with you."

I turn away from the bomb, ready to leave, "Have the Manjuu EOD specialists dispose of this..." she walks with me outside, "Do we have space for the POWs?"

Izumo nods her horns, her hand on the pommel of her lengthy katana, "Just enough, but the brig will be full. The Manjuu officers report that the island is clear of unexploded ordnance, save for the one in there."

"Good," I sigh, walking down the hill, "Good..."

Izumo echoes my sigh, "Why do you make such a miserable face, Heika-sama?"

I stare at the destroyed town, "Don't make me explain."

She leans over me, "This is a critical time in the history of our new nation. All of us must remain strong, not just you," Izumo looks down at her blade, and then at me, "The Sakura Empire is with you no matter your decisions. All of us have sworn, officially or not, to walk with you, both in life and death. There is no greater honor than that, is there, Heika-sama?"

* * *

Out of nearly one hundred and fifty thousand men, only sixteen survived the battle. They sit on their knees, bound in front of my kansen who guard them for me. The sailors, navy pilots, and Marines regard me with horrified eyes, empty eyes, and angry eyes. A few still see the battle repeating in their pupils, their gazes piercing me whilst trapped in memory.

I get down on one knee in front of them, to the distress of the Sakura kansen, and say, "I don't want an ounce of resistance from any of you. Treat my kansen with respect, and they'll respect you. You'll be fed, you'll have beds, and you'll be sent back to the Eagle Union to live out the rest of your lives in peace."

"Ain't no peace left," one of the Marines scowls, "It's over. Our country is done for, and you've handed it to the Sirens on a silver platter!"

Thüringen raises her hand to punch him, but I hold my hand up to her, "I won't abandon humanity to become livestock for the Sirens. The Fleet Admiral denied my offer to leave humanity alone while I continue the war against the Sirens, but he sent you all to your deaths."

The Marine adds, "You killed 'em!"

"I'm not here to argue!" I yell back, standing up to look down at him, "All of us got caught up in the gears of history... I, alone, will not take the blame," seeing him quiet now, I lower my voice, "What's your name, Marine?"