Upon hearing that its consort Morpho had been felled by that inferior Federacy railgun, Nidhogg’s Liquid Micromachine brain seethed with memories of burning humiliation. That Federacy railgun. That inferior model, with its poor accuracy, smaller caliber, and lower initial velocity compared with a Morpho like Nidhogg. And despite all that, it was the long-distance cannon that had once defeated it.
—It defeated me. Once.
✦ ✦ ✦
He could hear the familiar wailings of a Morpho from surprisingly nearby.
It’s our turn. Our turn.
It was the voice of the Morpho that had dropped firebombs on the evacuation train in the Republic Relief Expedition two months ago. It was, surprisingly enough, only a few dozen kilometers away from Shin and the Spearhead squadron, within range of howitzer fire. The long-distance artillery cannon, boasting a maximum effective range of four hundred kilometers, had encroached so far that it was a stone’s throw away from the Harutari reserve position.
It was too close to be aiming at the Harutari position. Which meant it was—
“Aiming for the Kampf Pfau?”
It didn’t care for the infantry at its feet, even if they were routed troops, or for the Vargus who may be lying in wait somewhere, or for the Strike Package members located in front of the position.
It sang that it was its turn, wailing its dying words. It was likely a former Eighty-Six, one who chose hatred for the Republic above all else and tried to burn it all to the ground.
“…You killed so many.”
And it still wasn’t enough. It still wanted to kill more. And now its enemy wasn’t even the Republic anymore. It had its sights on the Federacy, which was unrelated to the internment and prosecution it had experienced in life, claiming it was “its turn.”
At this point, it wasn’t even revenge anymore.
…You poor soul. The thought crossed Shin’s mind coldly.
However, it wasn’t the same mercy Shin felt for the Legion and the souls trapped within them, but a stronger, more intense loathing. This soul had forgotten the honor of fighting to the bitter end, and was consumed by vengeance…only to forget whom their hatred was even directed at. It was so overcome by its instincts as a combat machine that it let its hatred carry it away, sinking into meaningless slaughter.
In the end, he’s just like them.
The same as the Hail Mary Regiment and all the deserters on this battlefield, who used their foolishness as an excuse to stop thinking, used their weakness as justification to let selfishness guide them. To be powerless and pathetic.
Unsightly. Outright…infuriating.
Shin took a breath—the swift, sharp breath of a starved predator facing prey.
“1st Battalion, follow me. We’re striking at that idiot who showed their face on the front lines.”
✦ ✦ ✦
But that said, the 1st Armored Division had been split up into small groups on their march due to the Morpho bombardment, meaning they weren’t organized into battalions—or even platoons, in some cases.
“Shin, what?!” Kurena, whose 5th Platoon had joined another group in the split, replied in surprise.
The units near Undertaker followed, regardless of their squadron affiliation. Thankfully, the three units from Shin’s platoon were close by and followed. Raiden’s 2nd Platoon also joined in.
“Kurena, you know what to do. Stay here.”
“Raiden, I’m counting on you!”
She did understand. With both Shin and Raiden away, she and Anju were the next in the chain of command. As one of the veterans from before the Strike Package was established, she had to stay around to take command of the 1st Armored Division.
“I’ll take care of things here. So you have to make it back!”
✦ ✦ ✦
“They’re being reckless again… Lerche, cover for them.” Vika sighed, ordering Lerche to help.
“That goes without saying.”
“No, one battalion won’t be enough. We’ll support your way out! 2nd Platoon, all units that can respond are to gather and link up with nearby units!”
“Aaah, what a pain! Nouzen, just sent you an updated map!”
Rito consolidated their surrounding troops as Marcel sent map data he’d swiftly pulled up. Shin was acting on his own accord, and Grethe reluctantly approved of it.
“Eliminating this target will be necessary for a certain retreat, Captain Nouzen. I’ll request a decoy to stall it. Take it out quick and get back here.”
“Roger.”
As that conversation took place, Anju’s mind wandered. Raiden joined Shin, while Kurena stayed behind. And what of her?
…Dustin.
If she was going to pick only Dustin, the right thing to do would be to see Shin off. This didn’t mean he would fail to make it back. Shin was strong and more than capable enough of fending for himself. He wasn’t as weak as Dustin and her, so surely, he’d take care of the Morpho and come back safely.
But after all…
Shin’s a weak Reaper who can’t fight alone.
So if someday, everyone abandoned him like Anju was about to, he’d just fight all on his own, then eventually become exhausted and die. Even in this battle, Shin might be reduced to a hero’s death and never make it back.
And Anju didn’t want that to happen.
—Big Brother looked a bit pitiful back there.
She knew Shin was actually weaker and less reliable than he seemed. This was why they couldn’t let him, their kind Reaper, become everyone’s hero. He wasn’t strong enough to bear the weight of everyone depending on him, and they weren’t going to contribute to him falling apart.
Me, I’m…I’m weak and unreliable, too. Weak and a cheater. But I can at least manage this… I can, on my own, save him. And protect those I wish to keep safe. Even if that’s the kindness of a cheater, I can at least stick to that. Weak and unsightly as I am, I can at least do that.
Her eyes narrowed in resolve. Kurena and the units around her, Raiden’s Wehrwolf and Shin’s Undertaker—they all had autocannons with direct sights and tank turrets. They’d need a surface-suppression unit with sweeping range and indirect sights. On the other hand, Kurena, as temporary commander, had forces to escort her.
“Dustin, Yuu, you two stay here. Michihi, you come with me!”
“Roger that, Anju.”
“I’ll link up with the 5th Platoon and take over covering fire for Kurena.”
Dustin alone remained silent. Assuming he hadn’t heard her, she switched the Para-RAID only to him.
“Dustin, listen… You’re pure, so—”
“…?”
He regarded her with what felt like confused silence. He said nothing, likely unable to accept what she was about to say. But if he just remembered it later and realized, that was good enough.
If it’ll be what inspires you to remember what you are, of the self you’re losing sight of, it’s enough.
It looks like it hurts.
It’s obvious you wouldn’t forget about him.
He let her open up about the scars she wanted to lose. He affirmed her desire to not forget the person she loved. He was so pure, he wouldn’t even ask her to forget about him.
If you do that, you’ll never be happy.
He wished for her happiness. And though he was too weak to protect those words, that purity, right now…
“You’re so kind, you can only live in purity. So you can’t let yourself cheat… But for someone as kind as you, this is probably the only way you know how to live. You can’t betray who you are.”
I think that’s a curse, but…I’m a witch, after all. A greedy, unfair witch.
“I’m an unfair woman, so I’ll take advantage of that kindness… Keep your promise and don’t die.”
Because I promise I’ll come back.