The meeting room of the 177th Armor Battalion base was as s.p.a.cious as a mini amphitheatre, and the faint light from the holographic screen dimmed the expressions of the commanders gathered.

There was the jamming of the Eintagstliege from the Contested Area to the "Legion" dominated areas, and even for the Federation, it was impossible to observe these areas. However, the Federation soldiers were not incompetent in their efforts to scout the enemy. Even the incomplete data gathered had some intel worth understanding.

That would include the changes in quant.i.ty of messages; which would indicate the sound patterns, numbers, and movements of the drones. Such were the reports from the scouting team that entered and exited the dangerous Contested Area.

“–Given the aforementioned a.n.a.lysis, the Integrated a.n.a.lytics has determined there is a high possibility of the “Legion” launching a ma.s.sive offensive in the following days.”

Hearing the report, the Major General leading the 177th Armor Battalion sighed as he remained seated on the leather chair furthest inside the meeting room.

“We guessed it. They’re finally coming.”

The enemy had tried to break through the various frontlines, and clearly, an imminent strike was about to begin.

Suddenly, a slender figure stood in the silent veil of darkness.

It was a young female officer. She had blond hair that was very shair, purple eyes, and red lips that were elegantly glossed over.

The soldiers and officers of the Federation army had fallen one after another, and the field commanders had changed over and over again. The Lieutenant Colonel insignia on her collar was a rarity at her age. She had an armband on her left arm, indicating she was from the research team, and a pilot emblem on her chest.

“What is it? Colonel Wenzel?”

“Major General. Our army will be preparing to counter the ma.s.s scale attacks from the enemy, and the various squads of the 177th will have to be regrouped. I hope this time, you will return me my troops.”

Some not-so-kind whispers immediately echoed in the large meeting room.

And in response to the stinging malice, the pretty lady showed a smile. The Major General let out a little sigh.

“The “Reginleif” is still in its experimental phase, and it is unknown if it can be used for solo combat. It might be more appropriate to mix them along with the “Vanargands” like before.”

“If I may say something, Major General. Of the 177th, or even 8th army, Nordlicht has taken down the most units. This should justify solo operations, I presume?”

“Conversely, the loss rate has been exponential…half the field dress were destroyed during the first battle. It is not a unit worth trusting.”

“Please consider that a selection phase. The loss rate beyond that has been low.”

A voice came from a corner of the room.

“Sure can boast with the experienced Eighty-Sixers there…a death merchant desperate to recover, sending those pitiful kids back onto the battlefield.”

Upon hearing those words that seemed furious rather than condescending, the pretty lady’s face froze.

Her eyes flickered, before she swallowed whatever feelings she had, and spoke up again,

“–My XM2 “Reginleif” mobility surpa.s.ses the “Legion”, and with appropriate tactics, the combat capabilities are no inferior…given the onslaught of the “Legion” far surpa.s.sing us in numbers, our current tactics won’t be enough. I do believe we need to think out of the box, and beat the numerically superior enemy with the few elites.”

The pretty lady then smiled politely.

The pretty purple eyes were staring right at the Major General.

And the Major General looked back, narrowing his eyes.

He knew what this younger lady, who was his peer in military college, was thinking,

What? Hurry up and agree to it already! This spider girl.

“For the sake of the peace of the Federation citizens, I do suggest looking into proper usage of :the “Reginleifs” and the Nordlicht forces, Major General.”

The “Legion” had made its way to the second defense line, and on the previous night, it was beaten back by the Federation.

“Leaving that aside, can’t we have a change of how we’re used here…sortie when we receive request for aid, and get locked back in the hangar or warehouse once we’re done. They think we’re dogs or something?”

“Request for aid’s always at the last minute. The base there doesn’t have the time to actually take us in, I think.”

In a corner of the 13th FOB acting as the temporary dormitory, Raiden was sitting on a simple bed on the canvas floor by the “Juggernauts”, grumbling away, while s.h.i.+nn, sitting on another bed next to him, flaty retorted.

The mornings of an army was often early. Outside the hangar, the mechanics of the base had begun work, and the thousands of soldiers started to buzz. These two, unaffiliated to this base, had nothing to do.

Nordlicht’s base was at the Divisional Headquarters to the back, and they, as the members of the mobile defense team, were on the frontlines with no base, and were in this abnormal situation.

Specifically, the base calling for aid would providing supplies and lodging as a FOB, until they received a distress call again. The ones calling for aid however were not platoons, but units instead, and even though they were in the same battalion, they would end up living at various bases. They had been living this life ever since they were a.s.signed to this squad.

Luckily, the various FOB would also accept soldiers from the other platoons, and would provide the bare minimal lodging and meals.

There were private rooms installed in this case, even in uninhabited areas, and the females, including Frederica, were a.s.signed individual rooms.

“Basically, the “Reginleifs” are just prototype units for testing, and the higher-ups probably never thought of tweaking it. Probably don’t have the time.”

“Lots of us were killed off…they’re probably coming, just as you predicted.”

Raiden looked aside at s.h.i.+nn, who merely shrugged.

His ability, granted by his brother and never disappeared after the latter was buried away,

It was no longer a matter of ‘they’ll come soon’.

“To be precise, they might come at any given moment…it has been like this for a while.”

The morning buzz of the buzz was overpowered by the groans of the ghosts, sounding a little distant to s.h.i.+nn.

“–Two of our men died, Fabio and Beata of the second squad. They could have avoided death, but some soldiers were surrounded by Grauwolfs, and they said there were people they knew there, so they went to save them.”

Creaking sounds echoed with the footsteps as they walked down the corridors of the barracks.

Nordlicht squadron, which had no base on the frontlines, naturally had no office for the squad leader and vice leader. Thus, the reporting to be done in the office was done calmly, with Bernault tailing behind s.h.i.+nn.

“Now we got less than 20 men in our forces. We did ask for resupplies, but the main army has lost quite a number too, so they probably won’t send any over to us. Just a bunch of Wargus mercenaries deployed by the research branch…and our leader’s a weirdo unpopular with both the military and the research branch.”

The leader of the 1028th Experimental squad, Lieutenant Colonel Grethe Wenzel.

s.h.i.+nn had only met her on the day he joined, and never communicated with her directly.

“Well, since she built the “Juggernaut”, I don’t think she’ll be popular.”

“That’s the pilot crusher who had ten pilots hospitalized during the testing. That leader’s the princess of her family’s military business. We won’t have to worry about a change of spare parts and backup units, but a death merchant selling weapons doesn’t sound good, ya.”

In response to Bernault’s chatter, s.h.i.+nn flatly responded,

“I’m already used to lack of backup or supplies. If they send over the spare parts, that’s good enough for me.”

“How many times have I said that it’s just the Republic’s weird way of doing things. Please don’t say that it’s fine with that ridiculous standard of you Eighty-Sixers, will ya?”

Upon hearing that s.h.i.+nn was Eighty-Sixer, Bernault immediately understood.

Initially, Nordlicht was a battalion, with an actual captain leading them.

However, to put it mildly, the captain was not capable, and during the first battle, many of the members died under his poor command, including himself. s.h.i.+nn, who was just the platoon subcommander, took over, and they had a.s.sumed they would be done for. How could a brat out of special cadet school bear the responsibility of a commander?

He was wrong, utterly wrong.

However,

“…Isn’t it better off for you to stay with the regular armored corps? Why come here to suffer with us?”

“I feel more at ease here. There’s too much regimentation in tactics and command chain in the regular army. It’s very inconvenient.”

There were no specified tactics when he was fighting as a ‘drone’ of the Republic, and no Handler who actually gave commands (except for the last one). Thus, the personal judgement and responsibilities came naturally, and surely he would not be happy to look up to his superiors’ orders, and abide by the rules of the army.

Bernault snorted.

“A teenage brat going ‘very inconvenient’?…Well, for us folks here, if we aren’t commanded to waste our lives for nothing, that’s good enough. Doesn’t matter even if the commander’s an unsentimental brat who always charges first and is a steel-faced death G.o.d who’ll make us crazy if we synchronize carelessly.”

While Bernault was blunt in his words, s.h.i.+nn never listened, and nonchalantly lifted his head to look out of the window.

His eyes were fixated upon an open-top truck that was driving down the dirt road, whiffing up dust.

There were heaps of black cadaver bags atop the truck, appearing like harvests of beans and yam. It was probably the KIA who were killed in combat the previous day.

Eugene too was probably taken back. So s.h.i.+nn thought.

He was thinking of the peer who said he wanted to fight for his family.

–Then, you.

s.h.i.+nn knew what Eugene did not ask him…but back then, how would he have answered.

“Lieutenant…Lieutenant, you listening?”

Regaining his senses, s.h.i.+nn found Bernault’s bewildered face looking at him.

“Ahh…sorry.”

“Well, we know you brats need to sleep at night, and fighting at night over the past few days has been sorta tiring…but that might be a little too much, ya think?”

Bernault looked forward, kept quiet, and stopped in his tracks.

s.h.i.+nn looked over at where he was looking, and understood what he was getting at.

Frederica, lacking sleep over the past few days, was wearing a set of pajamas as she appeared with messy bedhair and sleepy eyes. She was dragging a teddy bear with one hand, approaching them while bare-footed.

Federation military regulations would have deemed her appearance shoddy. The Wargus Bernault, deemed as a mercenary, had lax military standards, and s.h.i.+nn, who was deemed as a drone, did not have any knowledge of military regulations. Neither of them bothered with that.

However, the top three b.u.t.tons of her blouse unb.u.t.toned as it was draped loosely upon her, and the tender bare right shoulder to the top of her chest was exposed. Even if she was a ten year old who had nothing to be seen, it was unsightly.

“Frederica, change your clothes if you’re going out. If not, go sleep a little more.”

“Uuu, Kiri, comb my hair.”

s.h.i.+nn let out a sigh.

“Frederica.”

The b.l.o.o.d.y red eyes blinked, and looked up in surprise,

“s.h.i.+nei…sorry, mistaken here…”

She flatly responded, but intended to continue forward while appearing thus, so s.h.i.+nn grabbed her by the collar.

Angel, who just happened to pop by, was tasked with her.

“Sorry Angel. I’ll leave her to you.”

“What is it? …Goodness, Frederica! Why are you like this? Come here, hurry! Seo, get Frederica’s uniform!”

“Eh, we got that here!? Well whatever.”

And Seo, who just happened to be pa.s.sing by, was a.s.signed to Frederica’s room.”

After watching them leave, Bernault spoke up,

“Now where was I…ahh yeah. Those ‘goods’ are here again. HQ just contacted us.”

“Goods? …Ahh…”

Realizing what was going on, he sighed.

They had received asylum in the Federation for half a year…all this while, the ‘kind citizens’ had been giving them items and support.

They were no longer children, but they were given dolls and drawing books, and there was excessive concern and sympathy in their letters. Ernst had never revealed anything about the Eighty-Sixers, to ensure that they could live stable lives as residents. Perhaps it was due to this that the Federation’s image of ‘pitiful young children who were oppressed by the savage Republic’ would never fade away.

s.h.i.+nn never cared about how others treated them, and never cared about others giving them kindness and pity. He was frustrated however if they were to display such emotions to him. It did not feel good after all.

“Discard them, like usual…how many times must I say that checking them all is a waste of time. Don’t ask me again.”

“That’s what HQ seemed to have thought. Checking them boxes and receiving cheap sympathy is probably you guys probably don’t want. But I’ll just report this to you, or else I’ll be accused of s.h.i.+rking responsibility.”

s.h.i.+nn looked over to the hulking sergeant who was at least double his age.

“Just a formality, lieutenant. An army’s still an organization of humans. Humans are irrational, inefficient animals, so there will be irrational, inefficient procedures.”

Well, it was the same for the Republic too.

s.h.i.+nn recalled his days of doing his battle reports properly, submitting his patrol reports regularly, and the silver bell voice that he was really annoyed by initially…upon recalling that, the instance of memory was puffed aside by Bernault’s gruff voice.

“Anyway–this is the end of report, commander. Please sign here.”

s.h.i.+nn immediately sighed.

“…I say.”

During breakfast, Seo pretended to be in a bad mood,

"I was nice enough to bring a change of clothes, and then you wouldn't open the door, and called me a rapist. Isn't this too much, you think? And you smacked the doll onto me. Throwing is one thing, but smacking? Did I do anything to deserve this?"

It all happened on the previous night, after Angel had told him to bring the washed uniform over.

It was a trivial matter, but it was a quite a calamity for Seo, who proceeded to snip at Frederica regarding this. Angel, who had witnessed everything, stifled a laugh as she chuckled, while Raiden and Krena were stunned, while s.h.i.+nn remained nonchalant as usual.

Though they were all under Nordlicht, the five had not been gathered together like this in a long while, for they were a.s.signed to different squads. They were in charge of mobile defences, and often ventured everywhere.

The defense of the Western battlefront was frantic, to a point where they had to send in weird prototypes and experimental squads that were just introduced into actual combat without the results to show for it.

Frederica lowered her reddened face.

"Frederica too, you could have worn your blouse properly, but you took it off immediately."

"I never saw anyone that sleepy. Couldn't you have slept little more if you're that tired?"

"!! Ehh Shut up! Shaddap!"

Seo's casual concern was brushed aside like nothing.

"Besides, the fault is yours for trying to enter without knocking, while a fine lady is changing! Am I right, Krena?"

"I did knock. And who's the fine lady here?"

"And in any case, why did you strip without getting your change of clothes."

"Basically, it's your fault for running down the corridor half-naked and in a daze, Fredercia."

"Wh-who ran down the corridor half-naked? Raiden, from whom did you hear that from!? You were not around at that moment!"

Of course.

Everyone present turned towards s.h.i.+nn, who ignored them.

Frederica lowered her head,

"…Never have I expected you to be so mischievous…"

"You forced yourself to come along, couldn't take care of your body well, and couldn't speak well, so I just told them to send you back to base."

Frederica immediately pouted her mouth unhappily as she looked up to glare at him. Without looking at her, s.h.i.+nn continued calmly,

"A Mascot doesn't have to follow the rules of a soldier, and has no obligation to sortie. I'm not saying that you're useless, just that we can't guarantee your safety. Better to send you to the backline, and we can be more a.s.sured."

"But that cannot do…to witness everything, I have come."

Raiden chuckled.

"Then starting tomorrow, you can't come out running half-naked."

"Do not mention that already. Have you not have enough!?"

Again, Frederica hollered with her face flushed.

It was too pitiful of her to keep teasing her, so the five decided to stop.

"So. Guess we're going to start packing up today." Said Krena.

The battles would end, but the frontline work never did. They were to repair or rebuild heavily damaged defense installations, reclaimed the damaged remains of both sides, and reclaim the corpses of friendlies.

The 177th Armored Battalion managed to fend off the attacks, but it took heavy losses, and was short-handed everywhere."

"Either that, or we're to patrol the Contested Area…the armored division seemed to lost quite a number during the battle yesterday."

"The Main Army won't send in patrols for no real reason. It's troublesome to obey orders even though we know it's useless."

"What about you, Angel?"

"I suppose so…"

Frederica closed the schedule book with the cute anime ill.u.s.tration, and let out a sigh unbefitting of a child.

"It does seem that all of you are used to being deployed here and there."

Ignoring the surprised looked from everyone, she flatly continued.

The Mascot's role was simply to 'exist in the squad', but Frederica was already a.s.signed to the experimental squad while s.h.i.+nn and the others were already in cadet school, and she was in charge of contacting the research branch and the commander.

"Grethe is calling for us. We are going home, the headquarters of us."

The HQ of the 177th Battalion was an old Empire airbase, with many hangars, and repair rooms, along with large runways that were simply used for ferrying transports. At one corner of the barracks, next to a hangar, was the 1028th Experimental headquarters, a borrowed control room.

"–First of all, good work for providing aid every day."

In the briefing room of gla.s.s walls, where the hangar downstairs could be seen, the commander of the 1028th experimental squad, Lieutenant Colonel Grethe Wenzel greeted everyone with her lips coated red.

Gathered were the research branch, the managers of the technical crew, and the Processors who oversaw the squad leaders, basically the five Eighty-Sixers including s.h.i.+nn. Seeing the five squad leaders bring the average age down greatly, Grethe grimaced.

"Compared to a month ago, there has been a lot of changes to the combat personnel…but it does seem the "Reginleifs" suit you Eighty-Sixers and mercenaries.

She had a look at the hangar beyond the soundproof gla.s.s, towards the 'workpieces' that were no more than twenty given full inspection and maintenance, having returned to roost after a long while.

The Federation had finally introduced a high mobility field dress, the "Reginleif", the first in its history.

It was designed with mobility being the focal concept, that the 'enemy could not take aim with its high mobility', and was a result of her ideals and beliefs.

The 120mm tank cannon of the Löwe remained powerful, and even the "Vanargand" could only withstand a hit with its front armor; anywhere else, and it would be taken down. In that case, maybe they should ditch the armor and evade with mobility, which might increase the survival rates of the pilots.

A month ago, training was done, and they were ready to sortie. Back then, there were fifty "Reginleif" units the battalion, and looked quite the impressive sight in the hangar.

At this point, the ma.s.sive hangar was mostly empty, with debris of the units containing ammo cache the 88mm cannon camped under the shutters, showing a forlorn sight.

There were less than half of the existing units, and the young squad leaders were in their later teens.

But a conclusion could not be made yet…probably.

"Before a notification, I will like to inform you of something good. The United Kingdom of Roa Graecia and the Wald Alliance still remain. Our patrols have captured their wireless signals."

Since before the start of the war against the "Legion", the United Kingdom of Roa Graecia was the last imperial country of the continent, to the north of the Republic and the Federation (formerly the Empire), and the Wald Alliance was a militant neutral country to the South.

Neither sides could contact each other due to the jamming, unable to ascertain if they were still alive. Given the detectable range however, it appeared they could.

"It seemed they too managed to establish some defences and maintain survival. The United Kingdom is slowly moving south, and we probably can provide personnel and goods transfer. A joint operation too might be on the cards…but we have no detection of signals from the other countries, including the Republic of San Magnolia to the West…"

Grethe said, and glanced to the side, only to see Seo with his face lazily resting on his hand, and Krena sprawled on the table, so she grimaced.

They showed no worry of their country, and did not laugh at this matter even though they were oppressed. They really did not care. The wounds sure are deep, so she thought.

s.h.i.+nn and Raiden were a little more serious, but it appeared they were worried about something else, or somebody else. Angel would give them looks from time to time, and she probably felt the same.

The chief mechanic, with some white in his red hair, spoke up,

"Alright LC, the messages aren't exactly good, right?"

Hearing his half-joking tone, Grethe nodded,

"Unfortunately, no…our expectation is that the "Legion" will launch a full-scale a.s.sault in the coming days."

The head honcho of the research branch, the only civilian in the room, gasped.

At the same moment, the lax att.i.tude from the squad leaders vanished. An inappropriate comparison would be the bored watchdogs napping in their kennels, only to lift their heads after hearing the whistle.

"Supposedly, the Western forces will be increasing its fighting strength, and regrouping all current forces. Our 1028th Experimental Squad will also be sorted as a formal armored divison, to the 15th FOB. Our squad will be under the 141st Regiment, and I shall take direct command…it won't be like before where you are a.s.signed in squads and deployed everywhere, you will be deploying as a full platoon to fight the others. Our "Reginleif" and Nordlicht squadron shall show what we are made off…any questions?"

"–How's the scale of the a.s.sault."

s.h.i.+nn asked with the usual nonchalance, either because he had expected a realignment, or had no interest in it. Grethe smiled,

"Currently, it is predicted that we can handle it with the forces we have, and reinforcements are merely a precaution…speaking of which, you have submitted a report regarding this, Second Lieutenant Nouzen."

Raiden glanced aside at s.h.i.+nn.

The latter ignored the look. Grethe noticed this, but did not realize the intent, so she let this pa.s.s.

"There are good points to note from the viewpoint of a frontline commander, and considering you were the leader of the ex-Republic's elites, it is an interesting perspective. However, is it not a little too daring to predict the attacks of the entire Western battlefield just by surveying a battlefield occupied by a battalion?"

s.h.i.+nn seemed to have expected this question, for he simply answered,

“The area the 177th is responsible for is particularly unique, and I think there is sufficient evidence to deduce based on the situation there…I had a feeling during the battle just now that the “Legion” was retreating, and not beaten back by us.”

We did not fend off the enemy,

Were were lured in?

The smile vanished from Grethe’s face,

“The larger the battle area, the longer it will be stretched. The defense line and FOB were pushed forward and built just three months ago…personally, I don’t think the present situation is optimistic in any way.”

“…How sharp you are. You can be cuter if you act a little more innocent.”

She teased, but s.h.i.+nn did not bat an eyelid, so she sighed.

“Right you are, Lieutenant. It appears Command has known of this. However, even if we maintain our lines like this, it’s only a matter of time until the Federation shows weaknesses. The “Legion” won’t be waiting to be destroyed. We have to keep advancing and eradicate them completely.”

“…”

“And also, even though the “Legion” is intending to surround us and attack, you have detected too many enemies, far beyond the numbers the a.n.a.lytical branch has given.”

It was far more than the theoretical numbers and production values of the Weisels, and even with reinforcements, the entire Western frontlines was in a disadvantaged.

Grethe would have considered removing the usually stoic boy from his position if his reports had not exhibited knowledge and intelligence despite his predicament. Simply put, it was preposterous.

Perhaps the Republic’s experiences of fighting the “Legion” in such fatal weapons and harsh conditions resulted in his overestimating the enemy as a result.

If necessary, he would take independent action while ignoring military orders and discipline (but Grethe had been able to protect him due to his accomplishments)…it appeared the trauma the Republic had inflicted on him was great.

“There is no need to worry…our Federation is different from the Republic, and will not ignore the threat before us. We will do everything we have to do thoroughly, even it is to collect intel, or to a.n.a.lyze them. Most importantly, the Federation will never abandon its allies.”

There was no need to fight while stranded on the battlefield, as they were on the Republic’s.

They did not have to struggle for their lives, without the intel and support, and while overwhelmingly few in numbers.

“…”

The b.l.o.o.d.y red eyes merely lowered, and closed; it was unknown if he had understood her.

Seeing this, Grethe showed a smile.

She had a long way to go before she could gain their trust.

“Also, I’ll like to take the opportunity to welcome new comrades into our squad. I shall introduce them, so all squad members, please wait a little moment.”

.

Follow me, so Grethe ordered, and s.h.i.+nn followed her through the corridor of the base, her heels tapping at the floor, causing a crisp sound to echo. They had just bade farewell to the familiar chief mechanic and the research chief whose words would leave others speechless whenever he did his inspection. Following them were the other Eighty-Sixers.

"So what do you think of the "Reginleif", Lieutenants? Caught your fancy? -Compared to the old aluminium coffin you rode on."

Grethe suddenly turned around, her face beaming,

"I was in the base all of you were housed in. Back then, I could not speak to you directly, due to espionage and quarantine reasons…your partner was placed in my research lab. Want to have a look?"

"…No need."

It was one of his spare units; whenever a unit he was using was on the verge of being sc.r.a.pped and unrepairable, he would change units, and thus would not spend much time using them. However, it did not mean he thought nothing of these units. As a pilot who once roamed the battlefield, he was unwilling to be reunited with the partner that should be sc.r.a.pped and put to rest, for it would be akin to digging up a grave.

"…The grading report was probably submitted along with the ParRAID."

The main reason for the establishment of the 1028th was to test the "Juggernaut" and the ParRAID use. There would be grading reports and the checks on the human body, to determine how humans would be affected.

"I know. Just want to hear your report. You did pilot a similar field dress by the Republic after all."

s.h.i.+nn let out a sigh."

"If you're talking about the "Juggernaut"."

Grethe frowned.

"It's the "Reginleif"."

""Juggernaut"."

"I said it's the "Reginleif"."

""Juggernaut"."

"…Yes yes whatever. And then?"

Grethe shook her head unhappily. Raiden was behind them, trying to stifle his laugh, and ended up coughing.

s.h.i.+nn ignored them, and continued,

"Basically, it's an aluminium coffin somewhat better than the Republic's "Juggernaut"."

Grethe went silent for about ten seconds or so.

And then, with a hurt look, she said,

"…Really"

"Eh, you didn't know?"

"Basically, that thing's a pilot crusher."

Krena and Seo muttered away, but Grethe did not hear them due to her shock.

The "Reginleif" mobility was truly ridiculously high.

After all, the initial development concept was to match the mobility of the "Legion", and not the personal safety of the pilot. Thus, there were many operators who were eviscerated during the testing phase. After they were introduced for actual combat, there were many who were also eaten away by the "Reginleif"

s.h.i.+nn, Raiden and the others managed to hang on because they were Eighty-Sixers. While they were growing during their early teens, they began piloted the Republic's "Juggernaut" that were not designed with the pilot's personal safety in consideration, and got used to it.

"I never…expected such a shocking thought. It's so weak, fragile…er…I do wonder if the fools who designed such field dresses are really alright…"

It was callous of her to mention this before the ex-Processors, but it unfortunately was the truth, and s.h.i.+nn did not mind.

"…Seriously, did you guys really pilot such sc.r.a.p metal full dresses in the Republic!?"

"There was nothing else."

"Ah, I see…"

Grethe muttered a few words, probably cursing at the factories of the Republic,

"…It's not a bad unit, I think. It is a little selective of its pilot, but it's fast, and has good controls, and takes little turns. The "Vanargand" too is a steel coffin, so this looks a lot more comfortable than that."

The Eighty-Sixers, already used to the Republic's "Juggernaut" that was no different from nothing, never trusted in the defensive capabilities of the armor. Compared to the slow "Vanargand" that relied on its armor, the "Reginleif", with its enhanced mobility and able to evade the enemy, was a lot better.

"Really…but I do get the feeling you are not praising it…"

"…But s.h.i.+nn is not praising it in any way."

Angel's quiet retort remained ignored.

Grethe sighed, and saig,

"So why did you sign up to be the Processors?"

"I heard you're the one who chose us Eighty-Sixers as candidates, Lieutenant Colonel."

"Just as test pilots. I never thought you would join the actual corps. Your experiences and skills did help greatly…but truth be told, I am thoroughly opposed to having young soldiers like you take the field. Especially when you are Eighty-Sixers."

s.h.i.+nn looked towards Grethe, who shrugged,

"I too was a pilot. Ten years ago, when the war against the "Legion" just started. I was the same age as you are…I was a cadet for the air force, and the airs.p.a.ce got taken by the "Legion"."

With the anti-air cannons of the Stachelschwein and the jamming of the Eintagsfliege prevalent, the airs.p.a.ce from the Contested Area to the "Legion" controlled area was completely seized. This appeared to be the case for both the Federation and the Republic.

"I did just the military with many of my friends who were cadets…and many of them died. We piloted the slow "Vanargand", a few steps forward, and the "Legion" got behind us before wiping us out. I was thinking it would be great if there was a faster machine. That was why I built the "Reginleif"."

Grethe, who had lowered her eyes in remembrance, lifted her eyes, and smiled,

"…I do thank you for your unfiltered suggestion, Second Lieutenant, and everyone else…I will have you give a few better opinions after the next modification, so please do look forward to it, okay?"

They exited the gate of the base, they stepped on the newly paved asphalt road. At the end of the road, there was the lush green gra.s.sland of the summer.

Beyond that, s.h.i.+nn's eyes remained upon the rail tracks buried amongst the gra.s.s.

He remembered the eight rail tracks of multiple lines extended to the distance.

This was the place.

"When you guys made your way through, this place was "Legion" controlled territory."

Grethe turned around, and smiled. The red lips showed pride..

"It has been half a year. We fought our way here."

Ahh… a sigh from the back reached s.h.i.+nn's ears.

Upon the lush green gra.s.sland of summer, the white flowers bloomed. Lying in an unfamiliar coffin of gla.s.s were five, no, four "Juggernauts" from the Republic, along with a "Scavenger".

"We discovered this while pus.h.i.+ng up our lines. I know it may be unpleasant, but we did dig them up and investigate them. The names on the grave plates were found along them…and they were put back to their old spot after their names were recorded on this cenotaph, so don't worry"

Grethe gently touched a stone monument built to the said of the gla.s.s coffin. Having visited the Federation's graveyard, s.h.i.+nn know it was the Federation's version of the cenotaph.

"We don't know what the rules are in the Federation, but in the Federation, the people will exalt the heroes who protect the country. Thus, the names of the dead will remain on this cenotaph in the national graveyard…but we did think your comrades would have rested upon the land you have finally arrived at. Thus, we left their graves plate here."

A slight feeling of emptiness appeared in the chest.

Neither the dead, nor him had expected them to remain on this earth in such a miniature, pretty monument.

All he had hoped for was that those that knew him could remember him from time to time–

–Can you please not forget about us, Major?

That was what he had hoped for that night, while the blooming fireworks exploded in the sky.

"…Lieutenant?"

"It's nothing."

He shook his head. It appeared the Federation had different thoughts on this issue compared to them. s.h.i.+nn had not hoped for them to understand…but the manner in which they expressed their thoughts was something worth being grateful for."

Also, they did not discard the remaining plates with the engraved names of the comrades, the proofs that they once existed, or s.h.i.+fted them away along with the other data.

I gave it a really long mission to do thought, so he thought as he looked at the remains of Fido concealed inside the gla.s.s coffin.

We command you to continue to do so, until you rot away.

The "Legion" too had a unit used to remain the remains of the units, the Tausendfüssler. One day, these remains would be taken away, or be eroded away by the weather. s.h.i.+nn had a.s.sumed they would die soon after they left, and soon, Fido's mission would end…so he thought.

He heard familiar footsteps behind him, and they stopped nearby.

It was the sound of four limbs tapping away.

Looking back, he found the ma.s.sive body of the "Scavenger".

The body with distinct joints had four short, stout legs, and two mechanical arms. It had an old, ugly appearance that was rare even on the Republic's battlefield.

Following that, the fleeting footsteps of military boots hurried over. Raiden ducked to the side, and appearing was Frederica, who nearly collided into him.

"Hey! Even if you are rus.h.i.+ng, you cannot just leave me behind!"

Her hands were on her knees, and she was panting away. Krena reached out, patting away at the twigs, petals and bright colored insects clinging onto Frederica's long hair and uniform.

"Oh yeah, Frederica, where did you go?"

Frederica did not partic.i.p.ate in the meeting, and was gone before they knew it.

"To-to the, research lab, and get this fellow, working. This, has been, a surprise, Grethe, and the, other, researchers had prepared."

"Surprise?"

"You came from the research lab? You alright? Still alive?"

"I rode this fellow, here, and then, this thing suddenly sped up, once it saw, you and so, abandoned ! was."

"Well now, Frederica, calm down, regain your breath. You can talk after that."

"…And then, what is this?"

Frederica regained her breath, and then straightened herself proudly.

"An excellent question it is, Raiden. So this one,"

"–Fido?"

s.h.i.+nn cut them off, basically having paid no heed to them at all. Raiden gave a miffed look,

"Hey, are you the type to call everything you think of as a pet Fido or something?"

"Not at all…"

Frederica was elated,

“So you do recognize it after all. Yes, thus the Fido who fought alongside you.”

A moment of silence.

“”””Huuhhh!?””””

Four of them exclaimed in unison.

s.h.i.+nn in turn lifted his eyes towards the large body of Fido, and betrayed a rare reaction as he widened his eyes, remaining still.

“While those graves were inspected, this fellow here had an inspection. The interface was damaged, but luckily, the core unit remained intact, and thus repairable to this state. Oh, its controls has been enhanced, so you may expect it to perform during battles.”

Though I’d admit is as ugly as usual. Probably some humor from the research lab chief who a.s.sembled the unit. So she quipped.

Since it was left along with the other graves and their personal units, one would suppose it was a companion unit they really missed. In that case, it probably was better to maintain its old appearance.

“Maybe it thought it was ‘dead’, so I’d a.s.sume. Once it was transplanted into its new body, in no way had it moved at all. Only when…”

Frederica showed a grimace,

“Only when it heard of your name, s.h.i.+nei, did it move…sure did miss you.”

One had to wonder, how many could sense the jealousy in her tone.

s.h.i.+nn in particular never noticed, for he was not listening.

Fido approached him from the front, and stopped within reach.

“…Pii…”

The optical sensor peered up at s.h.i.+nn’s face. The latter sighed.

“We command you to continue to do so, until you rot away. Didn’t I tell you to do so?”

“Pii…”

It then shrank back (the sensors and unit appeared to act this way). Seeing that, s.h.i.+nn chuckled.

He reached out for the cold metal casing. The countless scars were no longer on the surface.

“Well…it’s good to see you again though.”

“Pii.”

This mere trash picker might be feeling emotional too. The optical sensors continued to flicker, as though tears were going to break out from the dam.

“Pii…!”

The ma.s.sive body capable of lifting at least ten tonnes suddenly darted forward, perhaps trying to mimic an embrace.

s.h.i.+nn, having expected this, sidestepped it.

Fido, unable to stop in time, continued to roll down, and only stopped once it collided with the debris of a Löwe. Thunk…it collided, giving off a long, deep sound like a bell.

Fido immediately went silent, and Seo looked towards it, saying,

“Well, still the same as usual.”

“! C-can you show some concern for it?”

Frederica was the only one panicking,

“Fido won’t break with one or two of that.”

“But I am talking about s.h.i.+nei! Good thing he dodged, but that was dangerous!”

“Well, s.h.i.+nn is able to predict Fido’s movements, it seemed.”

n.o.body cared nor knew if it was due to them spending time together for five years, or that he was already used to Fido’s antics.

Seeing its head turn around dejectedly despite having expected this, s.h.i.+nn’s smile grew.

Grethe, witnessing this by the side, gave a smile.

Thank goodness,

“…You’re finally smiling, Lieutenant.”

The main base of Nordlicht was within the headquarters of the 177th Armor Battalion, and the Processors had personal rooms in the base barracks.

However, ever since they were a.s.signed squads, they spent days foraying the various bases on the frontlines, and hardly returned, and it did not feel like home to them. Inside his cramped, shoddy person room, s.h.i.+nn was reading a philosophical book, his eyes on the words while not reading them at all. He heard a knock, and lifted his head.

There was some free time from dinner till bedtime. The barracks, far from the hangar, could not receive any sound, while the commotions at the cafeteria remained distant. This remained the same for both the Federation, and the Eighty Sixth area.

He opened the door, and found Frederica there.

“!…Can you please change your habit of walking without making any sounds…!? It is bad for my heart!”

She exclaimed.

I can’t change this habit even if you as me to, and that’s why it’s a habit. s.h.i.+nn had no intention to change for the better, and Frederica did not know that.

“And in any case, how in goodness sake are you able to walk so quietly with those boots…? I cannot hear any shaking of the floor.”

“It’s not like I had any intention to keep it hushed.”

Daiya, Kaie and Kino had told him not to do so again, standing behind them so discreetly made him appear as a real death G.o.d, and that it was terrifying.

s.h.i.+nn pulled the door instead, and shuffled to the side, inviting her in. She teetered into the room, making loud sounds. She gently sat upon the hard bed, and looked around the simple, dead-looking room that was like a jail cell.

“How disappointing…you could have decorated this place with some photos, drawings, or a book you like. How depressing it is to view your room.”

“It’s just a place to sleep. Will be troublesome if there’s more belongings.”

Truth be told, he was not reading because he liked to read. Whenever he had matters on his mind, he would be distracted. Reading was a momentary solace for him, for his ears continued to be filled with the voices of the Dead.

Back when he was in Spearhead Squadron, he built a simple bookshelf in his room, and the reason too was that he was lazy to return to the library that was a ruin.

Though they were protected by the Federation for a year, s.h.i.+nn’s concern and obsession that all things physical remained as little as usual.

Frederica seemed to have realized it, and she frowned,

“Fool, how is this room just for sleeping. This is your place, a place to return to. A temporal barrack it may be…but no good it is to keep empty.”

It would be understandable if he was still in the Eighty Sixth area, or Spearhead squadron. She sighed. The Eighty Sixers in that country would never be able to return.

“Eugene’s room was filled with photos.”

“You cleared it?”

“They were lacking manpower, so it so happened that I helped clear his belongings…they were all photos of his little sister. Never saw photos of his parents. Maybe she was his last kin.”

“…”

I wonder if a photo of Eugene remains with his sister, thinking that, s.h.i.+nn felt some pain in his head.

There was the little girl he met in the capital’s library.

s.h.i.+nn was of a similar age as he when he lost his parents and brother, and with the arduous battlefield, he gradually lost memories of them.

Eugene, who hoped for his little sister to have a happy life, kept thinking of her until the very end. Thinking how he would vanish from her memories…s.h.i.+nn felt sadness.

“…I should not have asked of his name.”

Frederica’s ability would not work on anyone she had just met. With a name, and a few words, she could see that person’s past and present with her ‘eyes’.

If she had not spoken with him that morning, she would not have known of his death that day.

“No way you are thinking that people you know end up dead later, are you? I do feel the same. In no way do we no when we will die…but it is better to have known others. For you can remember them.”

s.h.i.+nn blinked.

“If there’s no need to, I’ll rather not link that to the deaths of anyone.”

s.h.i.+nn himself had lost his family, and was deployed through the intense battlefields as a Processor, seeing the other squad members die one after another. For s.h.i.+nn, those were his true thoughts.

He did not regret the promise he made with his comrades in his first squad.

He did not regret the decision to bring along the comrades who fought valiantly and died on the battlefield.

He was not numb to losses in any way…but that, for the girl who had to carry the soul of her own knight, there was no obligation for her to bear any more responsibility.

Hmph, so Frederica snorted.

“Is that all you have to say?…you all-loving death G.o.d.”

“Anyway, what is it?”

Certainly she did not drop by to critique the decorations of the room.

Frederica blinked, and then seemed to have recalled. Her vision started to become unstable.

“Erm, well, in fact…”

After some hesitation, she did not lift her head, and continued to mutter with a teeny-weeny voice,

“…Sorry about the morning. Erm…”

Ahh, that. That morning.

Kiri.

He had not known of the name of Frederica’s knight.

“Am I similar to him?”

“Not exactly an exact replica, but the back looks similar. Both of you are of the same family after all. Half the bloodline is the same, actually.”

Hearing this unexpected truth, s.h.i.+nn looked over at Frederica, who was grinning mischievously like a child who had succeeded her prank.

“My Knight, Kiriya Nouzen, the same tribe Nouzen…have your father mentioned anything anything of your family lineage?”

“Uhh.”

His father had not mentioned anything about time. Perhaps, even if it was mentioned, s.h.i.+nn had long forgotten about it.

“He so happened to be of your family lineage. Do show some concern…since the beginning of the Empire, the Nouzens were an Onyx family of martial artists. Many have inherited the bloodline of outstanding combat ability, and it always bore the responsibility to protect the King…your family had served the royal family, all of them born with abnormal ability, and even of the old n.o.bles, many inherited such a bloodline. The family forbade mixed-marriages to preserve such abilities…s.h.i.+nei, this might be the reason why your family emigrated to the Republic.”

Even after hearing that, s.h.i.+nn remained unfazed.

For he did not remember his parents having ties to the Federation, and did not remember them moving to the Republic. Not at all.–no.

s—It's all your fault.

Whenever he tried to recall, that scene would first appear before him. Even though he knew it was not his fault, it remained the same.

–Mom's death, my inevitable death, it's going to be all your fault!

Frederica, engrossed in her own memories, did not realize s.h.i.+nn was frozen in place,

"Kiriya was not of direct relation to the Marquis Nouzen family, and is a little distant from your bloodline. About four years older than you…and last I saw of him, he was the same age as you are now."

Soon after Frederica ascended to the throne, the civil revolution broke out. She was chased out of the palace before she understood anything, arrived at the castle by the border, and was stationed there along with the monarchy side, along with her close guards. The fortress was named Rozen Fort. It was said that in the beginning of the Empire, it defended against the barbarians, whose blood stained the walls a b.l.o.o.d.y rose. Legend also had it that it had never fallen, and it was the last bastion of the Empire.

There were only serious looking adults in the castle walls, and Kiriya, closest to Frederica's age, was still ten years older, and the only one willing to be her playmate.

He combed her hair, plucked the fresh flowers from the garden. No matter the tantrums she threw, he remained by her side, and never was annoyed by her.

Frederica's eyes were filled with nostalgia. Suddenly, she giggled.

"Serious to a fault he was, and extremely inflexible at that too. As Raiden would say, he's d.a.m.n serious…s.h.i.+nei, surely you will not get along with him if you meet."

She sounded mischievous. Hmph. s.h.i.+nn snorted.

He would never know the personality of the knight he never met. Given her description, perhaps that might be the case.

"Sure sounds like I'll have trouble dealing with someone like him."

"That certainly does come to mind. He kept telling me to look away from my books when talking to others, that there are rules everywhere to follow, whether it is in house, or military rules, and given you have ignored every admonis.h.i.+ng, he would be utterly furious…sure is nostalgic."

They were linked by blood, but they knew of neither each other's name nor appearance, let alone say goodbye to each other. Frederica showed a faint smile as she imagined these two youths interacting with each other, a scene that would never exist in reality, and she lowered her eyes.

"Once, he said that he wanted to meet…his counterpart in the Republic."

Publicly, the master of the clan never forgave his son for eloping.

But in fact, he wanted to meet his own flesh and blood. When his grandsons were born, he sent a picture book exactly the same as the one I'm holding now. He never threw away the letters his son sent him

Hearing these words, Kiriya was smiling, but his hands were shaking.

During the initial phase of the revolution, as the battles took place in the capital of the Empire, Kiriya's family, and the n.o.bles close to them were all dead.

The Marquis of Nouzen was on bad terms with the monarchy faction and Kiriya's father, so he had long given up on the administration, instead joining the civilians. After the Federation was established, he managed to preserve his prestige and clan. Frederica only knew of this after she was in the care of Ernest. Of course, Kiriya, besieged by the revolutionaries at the border castle, knew nothing of this.

He really wanted to meet them, and tell that he was of the same clan as them.

He wanted to tell them that he was alone, with no one to rely on…and it was so unbearable.

s.h.i.+nn could not experience the feeling.

He lost his family, he lost his memories of them, and he lost the place he could call his hometown, yet they did not matter to him.

He kept living, without relying on anyone else, nor anything. He was an Eighty-Sixer, having lived such a long time. He could not comprehend the need for strength other than his own when he was trying to protect himself.

"How did he end up with the "Legion"?"

Frederica remained silent for a long while.

"…The skirmish at Rozenfort was intense. The Federation a.s.sumed that if they caught I, the "Legion" would stop."

It was true that the prime minister and the closest generals had the ability to control the "Legion", and had used the "Legion" to secure strongholds. However, the "Legion" was simply designed to exterminate the enemy, could not determine non-combatants, and would leave anyone alive. It was hard for the "Legion" to execute such a complex command. During most situations, the defences had to send in human soldiers to fight, but humans fighting along machinery was a forbidden protocol, and most of the defendants died.

The youngest of the guards, Frederica's knight Kiriya too partic.i.p.ated in the battle against the Federation that lasted for days.

As to be expected of a heir to the strongest warriors of the Empire, he slaughter ma.s.ses of Federation soldiers every day.

"And then one day, Kiriya changed."

His family and friends had died in the revolution, and the hometown he grew up in was his enemy, the guards who fought alongside him died one after another. It was likely Kiriya had lost too much.

Protecting Frederica had become the one mission to him, until he was slowly showing his l.u.s.t for battle. She could often see him trample upon the corpses of the Federation, stand beside the side of the bloodied field dress, and smile at Frederica.

It was a calm, bright smile.

–Princess.

"Afraid of that him…I was."

Thus, Frederica escaped the fortress.

After escaping, she was soon captured by the Federation army.

She was truly lucky that Ernst had arrived at that battlefield to patrol. She remained alive, and the imperial mantle of red and black were hung up as proof of the death of the Queen.

Kiriya witnessed it.

Given her ability to discern the past and present of those she was familiar with, Frederica knew that Kiriya saw everything.

Soon after, the fortress was broken through. He saw the mantle at his post. The sixteen year old boy, who slaughtered countless to save his Queen, saw the Queen's mantle hung up high, dyed red by the blood of the soldiers who were injured capturing her.

Frederica's ability could not discern what Kiriya was thinking of at that moment.

But back then, the Tausendfüssler just happened to be wandering around. They were looking for resources that could be used again for battle.

And unlike the Republic's "Scavenger", the Tausendfüssler had no reservations of reclaiming the dead body

The "Legion" had already learned the ability to use a human construct as the core.

The steel monsters approached the highly prized 'prey'…and Kiriya stood still, not escaping at all.

"It was I who turned Kiriya into a monster."

s.h.i.+nn could not see what Frederica could, and naturally, could not witness her image of 'Kiriya' at this point. The ParRAID of the Federation could not allow for anything beyond synchronized hearing.

But twice he had experienced how powerful that long-distance cannon was.

Even Frederica, who so dearly loved her Knight, had to call it a monster.

"You have said the "Legion" will soon attack…Kiri might come along too. When that happens…"

"Understood."

s.h.i.+nn showed a wry smile as he was reminded by the girl.

And then, showing a wry smile upon hearing his reply was Frederica.

"You do not understand…if it gets too dangerous, do retreat and not try to hang on."

He looked down at her. She did not lift her head.

"I had long forgotten–no matter how we humans look forward to the future, we die in an instant."

Just as Eugene died the previous day.

"…As you have said, I do not like to see people die, especially those I know. It is not worth sacrificing you and Raiden and the others just to save Kiri. You do have a life ahead of you. Thus, do not lose it.

Ahead.

"—Future, huh?"

Hearing that, Frederica was stunned, and a little worried."

"Goodness. You have not thought about it at all…an inappropriate example it may be, but you can learn from Eugene. Where do you want to go during your next break? What do you want to do in the future? It is good to think about that. You should think about it…a little."

–Once you retire.

At that moment, s.h.i.+nn seemed to hear the silver bell-like voice he once heard of.

It was soon after Kujo's death, when they did not know each other, and did not feel the need to know.

–Is there any place you want to go to, or what you want to see?

Back then, he had ignored it, rather than feel annoyed by it. He never thought of it, and never felt the need to. The answer had never changed.

But if the same question was to be posed to him again, how would she respond?

And so, what inspired her to continue battling as a Handler while in the Republic that had long given up on fighting?–

The night on the battlefield came early.

War is a monster, repeatedly devouring away at ma.s.sive resources and labor every day. There was no energy for lights, whether it was in the barracks, or in the Federation itself, and lights in the dark night would result in easy targets. Every area, aside from the headquarters having the bare minimum of lights, would enact a lights out. It was something common in both the Eighty-Six area, and the Federation’s Western battlefront.

“s.h.i.+nn, do you know where Frederica is?…ah.”

It was almost lights out, and Raiden, having heard from Krena that Frederica had yet to return, went out to look. He knocked on s.h.i.+nn’s door, nudged it aside, and stood there.

Aside from the bed and desk here were no empty s.p.a.ce to spare in the cramped coffin, prison cell-like room. In this usual barrack, s.h.i.+nn was in deep thought as he leaned his back on the pillow like a cus.h.i.+on, and next to him, Frederica was clinging onto him, giving a rhythmic, sleeping breathing.

“So she’s here. She really admires you as a big brother.”

“Just thought of me as him.”

s.h.i.+nn took a moment to answer, and probably was not used to hearing this. So how does he call his brother anyway?, Raiden, who had no siblings, was similarly unfamiliar with this term, and did not think too much about it.

"Ahh, her old knight?…but are you taking that for real? You seem concerned."

The feelings seemed a little different as compared to his Eighty-Sixers comrades…and the last Handler."

s.h.i.+nn pondered a little.

"Hmm…maybe…she's like the old me."

"The same?"

Seeing the red eyes look back at him, Raiden pointed at his neck, the thing that was hidden under the uniform collar.

Frederica's knight never did the same thing to her.

The brother who did that to you is nowhere to be found.

In any case, Raiden activated the ParRAID, called for Krena, and asked her to take Frederica back. A little moment, the latter dragged her feet into the room. Seriously, what are you doing!? saying that, she lifted Frederica like a baggage, and went back.

After watching her leave, Raiden took out the chair under the table, and sat on it.

s.h.i.+nn's RAID device was tossed onto the desk, and probably not with him as Frederica had been sleeping on him.

"…I heard that you told the higher-ups?"

Keep mum about that. that was what Raiden had reminded when they had first arrived at the Federation, and surely s.h.i.+nn did not forget.

"I told you not to already. Didn't you say before that n.o.body will believe it until they actually hear it? And even if they do, n.o.body knows what will happen next. Anyone can understand immediately once the ParRAIDs are connected…but you haven't forgotten the consequences, have you, 'Death G.o.d'?"

Back in the Republic, none of the Handlers who synchronized with s.h.i.+nn and heard the voices of the dead connected with him again, except for the last one.

The other Eighty-Sixers Processors managed to hang on, for they were used to the violent deaths of their squadmates, and numb to the grudges of the ghosts. However, s.h.i.+nn was reviled by many, and those that could not get along with him died one after another. They cut off the ParRAID synchronization with him, and lost the protection of the 'death G.o.d' who could hear the "Legion", overseeing the battlefield.

And there were many who hated s.h.i.+nn because of this.

Upon knowing of this, how would this Federation deal with s.h.i.+nn's supernatural ability to hear the "Legion"? Raiden had to make the worst a.s.sumption.

The Federation had seen the "Juggernaut" destroy the test pilots, and never stopped using it. While unsure of the theory behind the ParRAID, it continued to use them in a manner no different from human experimentation. To that extent, the Federation was a cruel ent.i.ty.

"The Federation isn't as pure and n.o.ble as it likes to think it us. Even here, us Eighty-Sixers aren't on equal grounds as them…maybe nothing has changed after all."

Pity and condescendence; in terms of looking down from above, there was no difference. One-sided compa.s.sion would only mean the lack of determination to understand, and it would be a matter of time until it would become malice shrouded in kindness, or without the kindness.

If they were deemed as monsters.

If they were deemed as useful monsters.

"The ones ripping your brain out this time won't be the ""Legion". You can be a lab rat all you want, but sorry, I don't want to end up as a hostage. Don't do anything stupid."

Of course, these were not his true thoughts.

Rather than do anything to s.h.i.+nn, it would be easier to take the people around him as hostages.

s.h.i.+nn slowly closed his eyes, and sighed.

"…Sorry."

"It's enough that you told them that…whether the Federation believes it or not, that's up to them."

This was not a bad country. They would have the country would not be vanquished, if possible.

However, they had no obligation to sacrifice themselves or their comrades just to protect this place. That was all.

Thus, Raiden narrowed his eyes.

s.h.i.+nn was not one to make decisions so heartlessly.

"You alright?"

"–What?"

"I'm telling you not to think too much about those useless things…thinking about what old man Ernst said?"

s.h.i.+nn went silent.

"I'll say that Frederica bothers me a little more…I never thought about it. Never needed to."

Back then, he should have two futures awaiting him; to die along with his brother, or to meet his demise during the special scouting mission.

At this point, him being here was way beyond what he had expected.

Let alone the future.

"What about you?" so s.h.i.+nn asked, and Raiden shrugged.

"Well, just going with the flow, I guess. I can't really think of what will happen after that; I can't even imagine this war actually ending. Do something, earn a living…I don't think it's harder than fighting the "Legion" anyway."

Raiden did not think about this, he was confident he did not need to think too hard about it.

To not die, one would have to work hard to live. To live, one had to be a little more honest. No matter whether it was the battlefield on the eighty-six area, or the endless future after the war, such a notion would not change drastically. In fact, the predicament was no different for the Eighty-Sixers, who had to keep fighting to live on until the very end.

However,

Seeing the red eyes look down in seemingly deep thought, Raiden had a thought.

At the collar of the uniform, one could vaguely see the shocking scar of a beheading when his brother tried to kill him.

Even after s.h.i.+nn had slayed the ghost of his older brother, the scar remained, ensnaring him.

Perhaps such a person would need a little something extra to keep on living, unlike a human like him.

Something that could counterbalance the curse, or to erase it.

Raiden glanced aside at something tossed in a corner.

Tossed by the side of a bed was a stupid philosophical book with a note stuck between it.

If they were back in the barracks of Spearhead Squadron, and it was their last Handler contacting them through the ParRAID from the first area of the Republic.

What would he be thinking of at this moment?

Or perhaps, what would he be waiting for?

"…Wonder if Major's doing well there."

s.h.i.+nn glanced back at Raiden, chose not to say anything, and shrugged.

Goodness, this guy isn't being honest, Raiden let out a long sigh.