Illustration Novel 6

**Line up!　Nutcracker Platoon!** is the sixth release of the Illustration Novel series and features the Musicart Nutcracker.
The Novel was published on March 18, 2022, featuring Osa as the Illustrator for this story.

Read here... (Official Website)

## Translation

Nutcracker “The Nutcracker Platoon! It’s all aligned up, sir!”

This is the Music Hall at the Berlin Symphonica. It is a music hall in the base where we, the Musicarts, and the Conductors live. Christmas is just around the corner. We were decorating the music hall to Christmas specifications, and it suddenly occurred to me to line up our prized nutcrackers in the center of the stage and give the order! By count, there must be about 20 to 30 of them. They are the best of the best, bought and collected from all over the world.

Nutcracker “This one is London, and Belgium is this one. That is Rome. And this too, New York, I have invited them into my platoon!”

It is I who can’t help but smile and giggle at the spectacular view. The colorful military uniforms; red, blue, green and gold. Cylindrical shako hats, shaggy hair and a fashionable beard. They all have such crisp, tight, mournful faces that even I, as their superior officer, feel proud! Continue to confirm the mission. A sharp finger is pointed at the lovable platoon.

Nutcracker “Your mission is to surprise and delight your fellow Berlin Symphonica comrades and to make the best of Christmas!”

The Berlin Symphonica may have a number of Musicarts who wear their famous masterpieces on their sleeves, but no one would argue that these Nutcrackers are the stars of Christmas!

The Nutcrackers are associated with Christmas. The ballet piece “**The Nutcracker**”, composed by Tchaikovsky, was also told a story about Christmas. It is the star of winter!

Nutcracker “*Hmm, hmm-hmm-hmm, hmm, hmm-hmm-hmm*.”

When I am satisfied that the order has been decided, I start on decorating the music hall again. I pride myself on being a hard-working and loyal soldier, and Christmas is the time of year I look forward to the most. No wonder I put so much effort into decorating!

Nutcracker “I’m sure that seeing my own magnificent and tasteful Christmas decorations will boost everyone’s morale!”

*Khfufufu*……. I can’t help but get a bit puffed up.

Nutcracker “Could Lady Destiny be surprised, letting her guard off?” I bet Lady Walküre will be moved to tears, and Lady Carmen will start praising these ones!“

*Khfufufu*…. Christmas is the best after all!

Nutcracker ”……But then…“

I stop working and look up at the fir tree in the process of being decorated. Something is missing from the decorated fir tree. Should I add cotton snow? Or any of the more glittery braids, it just doesn’t feel right…. Suddenly I find myself looking back at the Nutcracker Platoon on stage.

Nutcracker ”Shall I hang them on the fir tree….?“

My proud platoon may be able to save the day. I have a glimmer of hope that these proud men, who have served in countries all over the world, might be able to do something about it. Just as I’m thinking this, a voice calls out from my back.

Boléro ”What are you doing? Have you finished getting ready for departure?“

Nutcracker ”That is you…. Lady Boléro.“

Lady Boléro is a Musicart that belonged to the Berlin Symphonica. She has a spectacular body, her movements are agile, with a clear and decisive mind also. She is a very reliable Musicart, with a lovely appearance. She then say, in her usual matter-of-fact tone of voice,

Boléro ”I hear the departure time is going to be earlier because of the weather. You’d better hurry.“

Departure time— or so what it seems. Today, myself and Lady Boléro will be leaving for the front line in the war against the D2s. From Berlin, where the situation is relatively stable, towards Austria, where the war is raging.

Nutcracker ”I-I understood that!“

I reply and salute her, but then I look sideways to the music hall, which is still in the process of being decorated, and I’m sure that I looked regretful for it. Lady Boléro then says,

Boléro ”...We’ll be back before Christmas. I’m sure about it.“

She’s not the type to show much emotion, but she’s not cold or unsympathetic. She can sense the changes in my facial expressions and can even guess what I’m thinking.

Nutcracker ”Will this be…. until Christmas comes?“

Will it be by Christmas—.

I know many people myself who said that and did not return by Christmas. As a veteran, I have been through a bit more battles than other Musicarts. I was told that there were two young apprentice Conductors on this expedition, in addition to ourselves and a few other Musicarts and Conductors.

For a soldier, service years count as age. No matter how strong they are or how old they are, inexperienced soldiers are like babies. If they have had the misfortune to suffer on the battlefield, they will be…. Without realizing it, my fists tighten.

Nutcracker ”Lady Boléro…. I would like to show them, the young apprentice conductors, my Christmas decorations.“

At least we can show them the decorated music hall so far and get them into the Christmas spirit earlier. It’s a shame that it’s unfinished, but still, it’s better than not being able to see this. Then she looks at me with a curious expression on her face and says, as if nothing is wrong,

Boléro ”They can see it.“

I huffed in surprise. It was as if a ray of light had shone from the sky on a battlefield of fumes and sandy borders. Why was I so pessimistic? She may not have meant to say that she could see through my timid heart.

But that’s exactly what it says. All I have to do is go to the expedition to Austria, get rid of the D2s without delay, and come back here, all together. If I have an inexperienced apprentice conductor with me, I should protect them as an experienced Musicart.

And if we can get these decorations done by Christmas and celebrate it together, then all the better!

**Boléro** ”Well, let’s go then. Don’t be late.“

**Nutcracker** ”…..Yes, ma'am! I will be there as soon as I can!“

Lady Boléro exits the music hall with stray steps. I maintained my salute to her back until I could no longer hear her footsteps. I lower my right hand and look at the Nutcracker Platoon on stage.

**Nutcracker** ”I have shown you all my dismay. Now you can call me a superior officer!“

Now salute, all of the Nutcracker Platoon, legs together and back straight! At this rate, the elite Nutcracker Platoon will turn their heads away from us. I then take a deep breath and vocalize cheerfully.

**Nutcracker** ”Two major tasks for myself! One! To achieve total victory in Austria! Two! To come back here again and celebrate Christmas with everyone!“

We are painfully aware of the threat posed by the D2s. I know better than anyone that they are not an easy opponent to beat. But miracles happen at Christmas. And it must be the star of the night who makes the miracles happen!

**Nutcracker** ”I am the star of a merry, merry Christmas, Nutcracker!“

Christmas is celebrated by everyone. When I think of this scene, I can’t help but smile. When I looked at the Nutcracker Platoon on stage, they seemed to have smiles on their faces just like me.

**Unofficial Translation by Rara**

Source: Illust. Novel 6 Translation

## Trivia

* The Illustration shows the first time appearance of a young Conductor outside of the anime.

## External Links

1. ↑  https://twitter.com/ishihara\_sola?s=20&t=dwxhDf6OLtjo7EAZfBFfZw
2. ↑  https://twitter.com/ayatakaha
3. ↑  https://twitter.com/osaillust?s=20&t=2S9JbgxDk0j3TdVGvWfKXQ