Drifters 30

[1]
Upper note: DRIFTERS Chapter 30 - Raison d'être [T.N.: "Sonzai Shoumei", in Japanese. Probably a reference to the One OK Rock song.]

[Columns of smoke rise among the debris.]

Side note: Kohta Hirano

Toyohisa: The enemy lines are collapsing!!
This is our chance!! Our golden chance!!
Let's go!!

Elves: OO
O
OO
O
OO


[2]
Orte men: The Armored Corps were annihilated...!!
Impossible...!! What was that...
The gate!! Close the gate!!

Nobunaga: Who else could have thought such use for the "Stone Wall"?
Impressive, Toyohisa. Most impressive and dirty.
To use a magic meant for protection as an offensive weapon.
He is indeed a man who was born solely to destroy his enemies.
But now that they have closed the gate, I have to think of a workaround to...
Hm?

[Hannibal appears, chewing on raspberries. The elves around him are sweatdropping.]

Nobunaga: Tell me, Grandpa, how are those raspberries?

Hannibal (grinning): Good!


[3]
Nobunaga (thinking): Why did he come with us?
What am I supposed to do with a decrepit barbarian from the West?

Hannibal: Hey, kid.

[Nobunaga is startled at hearing a firm and strong voice coming from Hannibal.]

Nobunaga: !!

[With his hands, Hannibal makes some gestures.]


[4]
Nobunaga: ?

[Suddenly, Nobunaga's eyes grow wide, as he realizes Hannibal's intentions.]

Nobunaga: A messenger!! I need a messenger!!
I need to relay a message to Olmine!!

[Nobunaga looks at Hannibal, in a mix of surprise and awe.]

Nobunaga: Grandpa...
you...

[But Hannibal seems to have gone back to his decrepit state.]

Hannibal: Raspberry! More raspberry!

Elf: We have no more raspberries, grandpa...

Hannibal: Without raspberries, Carthage will be doomed!


[5]
[Nobunaga holds a small ball.]

Nobunaga: All I have to do is to speak at this thing?
What is this ball?

Elf: Miss Olmine said it would be useful to talk to her.

Nobunaga: Hey, Olminipples!!
Hey!!
Do you hear me, Ol'titso'mine!!

[Olmine's voice is heard from the ball.]

Olmine: SHUT UP!!
Call me by my name, you stupid!!

Nobunaga: We don't have time for this!!
You still have those "Stone Wall" papers, right!?
Do as I say!!
With your papers and Yoichi's bow, we can make it!!

[Chains are pulled.]


[6]
Voice: The gate is closing!!

Orte's men: That was close.
The soldiers left outside the castle walls are scattered now.
And we have only a handful of soldiers left here!!
What was that explosion!?

[Several arrows hit the castle wall, with Olmine's paper cards attached to them.]


[7]
[Stone walls rise from the wall, creating a staircase. Olmine and Yoichi are surprised.]


[8]
Elf: A staircase on the castle wall...!!
Mister Nobu, sir!! This is amazing!!
Mister Nobu, sir!!

[Nobunaga is amazed at the comm ball.]

Nobunaga (thinking): Yeah, the "Stone wall" is amazing.
But this ball is WAY more amazing!!
With this, we don't need messengers.
More than that, we can have instant communication.
Don't those mages realize it?
Can't they realize how powerful is this thing?
Probably, it is a difference in the way of thinking.
No, I'm sure they don't even imagine.
They only see this as a useful ball to quickly report
their research and findings.
They can't imagine that
"this allows instant and clear communication between forces distant from each other."
The same thing happens to the "Stone wall".
Olmine used it only to protect herself.
But Toyohisa used it as a catapult, and now it has become a weapon to invade forts and castles.


[9]
Nobunaga (thinking): So, in the end, the Drifters are
bringers of new technology and
new knowledge.
Then, what are the Offscourings?
What are the "Ends"?

[The Black Lord appears in the background.]

Nobunaga (thinking): Why are we in this world?
What are they trying us to do here?


[10]
Toyohisa (grinning): WONDERFUL!!
MOST WONDERFUL!!

[Toyohisa and the elves run on the stone staircase.]


[11]
[They climb the staircase and jump to the other side of the wall, invading the castle citadel.]


[12]
Toyohisa: THIS CITADEL
IS OURS!!


Side note: This is the war to free the dwarves --- the Drifters run!!

TO BE CONTINUED

Foot note: Drifters 30 end
Continues on the next issue (on sale July 30th).