Imperial Warrior

Imperial Warriors are the basic infantry units of the ERS.

Drawing from a vast pool of young Japanese males (through drafting or voluntary enlistment), the ranks of Imperial Warriors are filled with fanatically-loyal and well-trained warriors armed with cutting-edge equipment. Each Imperial Warrior is unflinchingly loyal to the Emperor and adheres to the code of Bushido; he considers fighting and dying for the Emperor to be the greatest honour.

Imperial Warriors are seen to be wearing khaki-coloured uniforms and advanced body armour. The armour consists of a helmet with an optional faceplate and a thick vest with a personal power supply used by the MX Type-2 kinetic carbine and the beam katana. The carbine fires superheated slugs capable of lacerating and severely burning unarmoured targets. The beam katana is a mass-produced sword that can be temporarily superheated, creating an incredibly deadly melee weapon.

It is common practice for Imperial Warriors to charge against their enemies using their katanas. Due to being one of the few frontline troops in the world to be given extensive routine training with a melee weapon, this tactic is something even the oldest of war veterans have never come across. Upon initiating their charge, their tall, imposing helmets, monstrous faceplates, and ear-splitting war cries can make even the steeliest of resolves falter before a horde of Imperal Warriors. The Empire often claims that one Imperial Warrior with his beam katana can kill five armed men within seconds, a feat often proven on the battlefield (the current record is one Warrior killing 12 Conscripts in a single charge). This tactic can also be used to clear garrisoned buildings, an action that often results in the unfortunate, but gladly accepted death of said Warriors.

When it became apparent that the Empire was losing the war, a small fraction of the Imperial warriors cracked under pressure, refusing orders to fall back and channeling unspeakable rage into their bloody work. As punishment, the most experienced of them were sealed within DevilCoat suits created by Ten-Shi Zaibatsu, turning them into fearsome weapons of war known as the Steel Ronin.

In When the Cold Breeze Blows Away,