In the beginning, the Resistance operated as a kingdom restoration army under the leadership of provincial lords.

During that period, they had resources, courage, and spirit. They had the ambition to become the saviors of the Kingdom, and did not rely on royal lineage for their cause.

However, too much time had passed.

The Military State consolidated its authority through a structured system, achieving consecutive victories in civil conflicts.

The Resistance, bound by the Kingdom's outdated mindset, gradually receded and eventually retreated to obscurity.

It was around this time that the Resistance brought in the Princess.

They were teetering on collapse without a central figure and hoped to rally around her leadership.

The Princess accepted her role, but just as the Resistance doubted her, she didn't trust them either.

After all, coexistence with the Military State wasnt possible for her, leaving duty as her sole path forward.

However, the Resistance didn't just crumble.

There were positive factors as well.

Following the Hamelin incident, a large number of youths who had been abandoned by the Military State joined the Resistance, injecting new vigor into their ranks.

However this union resembled mismatched limbs sewn onto a terminally ill patient.

There was no way the youths who resisted unjust power could easily get along with the knights, who once wielded influence and power in the old kingdom.

The knights viewed these youths as their squires or private soldiers. They thought that if they could overthrow the State, taking them under their wing would be a sufficient reward.

On the other hand, the youths ambitions extended beyond restoring the monarchy; their goals were to reform the Military State or annihilate it entirely, driven by ideals of justice, revenge, or perpetual struggle

They couldn't understand each other. For now, they were united under the goal of overthrowing the Military State.

But their origins, birthrights, and visions were completely at odds with each other.

Amidst this turmoil, the Princess, nominally the Resistance's leader didn't hate the Military State.

***

Shiati observed the interaction between the Princess and the Regressor with a sense of satisfaction. She felt genuinely pleased; firstly, because it was admirable to see the Princess, whom she felt close to, speaking with such courage, and secondly, because she had obtained important information.

Quietly listening, Shiati organized the details in her mind.

The command and control center. Command. Twenty-six signallers.

If they're signallers, they must be paired with those annoying surveillance golems. Signallers delivering orders from Command wouldn't be frequently exposed outside. Using golems is efficient. So it's reasonable to think they are stationed in a sparsely populated outer area rather than the central part.

Shiati's thought process, honed by a deep-seated hatred towards hunting the Military State, functioned like a predator sensing blood, assessing the prey's vulnerabilities with just a few pieces of information.

Since they use golems, there shouldn't be anything special in terms of their defensive forces. Even though there may be many golems, one person can only control dozens of them. The total number of signallers should be relatively small. Twenty-six is not a negligible number If we kill them all, would it deal a blow to the Military State?

And she exuded a menacing killing intent.

Historia, sensing this aura nearby, hardened her expression.

Shiati. Stop it.

Stop what?

Dont increase unnecessary casualties. Signallers are pitiful, theyre no better than kids.

Shiati blinked in surprise.

Finding it hard to believe such words came from one of the Six Star Generals, she burst into laughter, clutching her stomach.

HA! AHAHAHA! Youve become so soft! NO WAY! To think you would say something like that!

Despite facing Shiati's mad laughter, Historia didnt avert her gaze.

Still chuckling heartily, Shiati shook her head repeatedly.

No, Historia. Whether the signallers are pitiful or not doesnt matter at all. What matters is their importance to the Military State, how big of a blow it would be, and whether I can do it!

The Princess intends to talk with them. Are you going to ignore your Lord's wishes?

Princess Yerien is not my lord. Shes a friend. Like you and me, a friend with a significant rank difference!

Shiati sat beside Historia and pointed at the Princess, a girl with pink hair that warmed the hearts just of those who looked at her. Despite her delicate appearance, there was an unmistakable strength in her eyes.

Shiati looked at her with a hint of envy.

Our princess is something else, isn't she? She's grown remarkably strong. Not a sheltered flower in a greenhouse, nor a wild weed like me. Hehe. Sometimes it really hits me just how different she is!

Historia silently agreed.

Though she hadn't experienced the Kingdom, the Princess exuded a natural grace and nobility. She was the complete opposite of Shiati, who was rough and violent.

The Princess was the representative of the Resistance, yet did not fully trust it.

On the other hand, Historia, a Star General of the Military State, now found herself questioning its principles.

If there were polar opposites in the world, it would be the Princess and Historia.

You two are so alike. Both born with something special, both given the chance to abandon it but held back by emotion How ironic is that?

What?

Shiati remained silent, her gaze now calmer as she looked at the Princess.

But the Princess is the Princess, and I am me. We may be heading in the same direction, but our goals are different. Maybe we wont interfere with each other. Once she's done speaking with the signallers, I can kill them all, right? I can wait until then!

Lets not repeat tragedies. One Hamelin was enough.

Just once? HAHA, AHAHAHAHAHAHA! Historia.

Shiati smirked, her lips twisting into a smile.

Suddenly, without any warning, her prosthetic arm shot out and gripped Historias chin, tilting it .

The two glared at each other, their faces close enough that their noses almost touched.

The tragedy isnt over yet. For me, its still the first time. Its in full swing.

Its time to let go. Ive spared you many times. That should be enough.

You should have killed me back then. Not killing me has led to this.

Hehe. Shiati let out a dry laugh, almost like a cough, and smiled faintly.

I wont die until I destroy the Military State. But if you kill me, Ill be satisfied. Leaving a deep scar on your heart would also wound the Military State.

Do you think Ill listen to you?

You wont kill me? Heh, then join the Resistance! Imagine, a Six Star General actually siding with the Resistance. It would shock all the citizens who revere the Daughter of the Military State! Its the perfect scenario!

Im not planning to become a terrorist like you.

Who asked you to follow me? Follow the Princess who has high ideals instead! Idealists should stick together, right? You dont really serve the Military State anyway

Shut up!

Historia shouted, but Shiati continued smiling.

Staring intensely at Shiati, Historia forcefully pushed her away and stood up abruptly. With a fierce gaze, she walked over to me.

Huey. Take me with you. To where the Princess will meet privately with Command.

I blinked in surprise at her sudden request.

Historia was a Six Star General, a valuable hostage to the Military State.

Originally, I planned to treat her as such, maybe using her as leverage and then discarding her in a corner. However, the plan had been delayed so many times it was on the verge of being abandoned.

Plans should be executed as soon as they were made.

Ill willingly follow you there. I promise not to resist. You can even keep me tied up or leave me untied, whatever, just take me along.

I cautiously asked.

Why? To meet the Command directly and betray us if it seems hopeless?

I wont betray you. This time, Ill act on my own will.

From behind us, Shiatis mocking laughter echoed.

The tragedy that had occurred because she was late still haunted Historia.

To shake it off, Historia begged me with determined resolve.

I wont regret it like last time. Im not late this time. Ill see everything with my own eyes and judge for myself.

***

[There are more and more things getting attached to us. Hu, what should we do in such situation?]

Tyr, who had retreated into her coffin to conserve energy, let out a sigh.

I shrugged.

I agree with that, but the more strength we have, the better. Its not really a problem.

[How is it that only girls are increasing? The space is narrow, and it is rather worrying. Soon we will be living shoulder to shoulder.]

Are you worried about decorum?!

She was worried about decorum but not about going against a country.

Was this the mindset of a vampire who has been in conflict with the Sanctum for over a thousand years?

Perhaps for her, conflicts with countries were everyday occurrences, impressive.

Tyr showed no tension about the upcoming battle.

She seemed more preoccupied with something else.

[Moreover, look at that. The Princess eyes are filled with affection when she looks at Shei. But Sheis eyes remain indifferent as ever.]

Clicking her tongue, Tyr pointed to where the Princess kept glancing at the Regressor during their conversation.

I feel strange. Due to strict upbringing, I find men a bit difficult. But with you, I feel completely at ease.

Oh, thats Uh.

Im actually cross-dressing as a man. Right. Ugh, I dont want this to change your perception of me and make you wary of me now

Thats your first sin.

From the moment you decide to cross-dress, you start off on the wrong foot.

Just live as a man in this timeline.

Tyr murmured wistfully.

[Hu. Whenever I see that, my heart feels heavy and my throat tightens. Shei likes men, but why does the Princess harbor unrequited feelings?]

Indeed. She liked men, and the feelings were unrequited.

Regardless of the misunderstanding, it was the Regressors fault anyway.

Bad boyno, more like bad girl.

Wait a minute. I feel like someone is slandering me?

Such a sharp sense for useless things.

Tyr, enveloping the area in darkness to prevent someone from eavesdropping, suddenly spoke.

[It is rather surprising. From what I have observed, Shei tends to avoid troublesome tasks, so I thought she would reject the Princess' proposal.]

I agree, but Mr. Shei is strangely kind to certain people.

The Regressor had a tendency to twist things and had a sharp tongue, but she showed exceptional kindness to those who became her friends in previous timelines.

In fact, in the Abyss, she approached Tyrkanzyaka, the strongest vampire, without any initial wariness.

She was the first to step up when something happened to her.

The Princess would get no less consideration than that.

[Hu, does he not doubt your every move?]

To balance his patience, hes even more cold-hearted to some people. I guess I was one of those. Its unfair, unfair I tell you. Whats wrong with me?

[Exactly. I wonder why he is so suspicious of someone as trustworthy as you?]

Huh? Didnt Tyr also find me suspicious when we first met?

[More fickle than a new bride. How can ones attitude change so drastically?]

If I knew, I would have used it first. I dont know the answer to that.

Actually, I know.

I know, but I cant do it.

To do so, Id have to return to a previous timeline and build a trusting relationship with her.

Well, I said it with a grumble, but for the Regressor, it was understandable.

I couldnt read memories from previous timelines, but the Regressor must have gone through many events and experiences.

Even if a new timeline began, the memories and experiences remained, so the level of intimacy was bound to differ.

By the way, Tyr, are you really okay with helping us? The Military State is in conflict with the Sanctum, arent you afraid of losing allies?

[Since when were human countries allies of vampires? I have seen countries fighting the Sanctum, but never has one allied with us. At most, there have been non-aggression pacts.]

Still, isnt it burdensome to fight a country alone?

[Shei is striving to save the world, and so are you. Helping you will not cause any harm.]

Tyr spoke kindly and slightly opened the lid of her coffin.

Through the narrow gap, I caught the gentle smile of the vampire.

[I support you. Even if the world turns against you, I will always stand by your side.]

A sincere declaration from the Progenitor, Tyrkanzyaka.

It was reassuring.

There was no need to doubt it, but I read her thoughts to understand better.

And then, if we end up in a situation where we are heavily pursued by the State, we will have no choice but to depend on each other. From then on, whether we like it or not, we will stick together. Is that not romantic?

Huh? Whats romantic about the life of a fugitive?

Its just barbaric.

Wait a minute. Is Tyr constant support for my and the Regressors outrageous actions, and her help in doing whatever I want, all because.

Tyr. In this raid on Command, are you planning to completely destroy it or just give it a good scare and retreat?

Tyr answered as if it were obvious.

[What good would destruction and chaos do to the world? Let us give a stern warning and retreat. Manipulating the fate of a country at will is rather irresponsible.]

But wont the remaining people pursue me?

[Do not worry. I will protect you.]

Sufficiently, For a long time.

A cold sweat ran down my back.

Perhaps, without anyone realizing, I had fallen into a trap.