Against the backdrop of the bright neon lights, a petite girl in an Imperial military uniform was hurrying toward them.
“E-e-everyooooone… Haah…haah… S-sorry I’m late…”
“…Running at a snail’s pace, as always.” Jhin sighed in exasperation.
She was either weighed down by the enormous bag she was carrying or simply lacking stamina. Regardless, she was on the brink of collapsing as she staggered toward them.
“Jhin, how has the captain been? The same as always?” Iska asked.
“She hasn’t changed. And I mean that in a bad way.”
Plop.
“Oh geez, she fell down again,” Nene murmured.
The captain had taken a big tumble, even though there wasn’t an uneven surface or stray pebble in sight. But she got back on her feet—at least, she should have, but she chose to remain crouched on the ground for some reason.
“…Sniffle. Sorry… I have no idea why I’m so unathletic. Plus, I’m always getting in trouble with my subordinates and bosses. I have to wonder if I’m quite cut out for the military. Hey, Mr. Electrical Pole. You think so, too, don’t you, Mr. Pole?”
She started talking to the utility pole in front of her—of all things.
“…Maybe I should quit being a captain.”
“Don’t give uuuuuup!” Iska scrambled over to her in a hurry, trying to get her to stop making her disturbing remarks. “You can’t go home, Captain— Come on, be serious. Who comes this far, then just falls apart?”
“Oh, it’s you, Iska.” The captain’s face brightened instantly.
She was even more petite than Nene. Her face overflowed with a girlish charm and was framed by her wavy light-blue locks. With her dainty, flushed lips, she gave off the impression of an adorable child.
“Whoa! It’s been so long, Nene. Did you get a little taller?”
“Y-you think so?”
“Definitely. I want to get taller, too, so I’ve been chugging milk every day, but I guess a young girl like me can’t compare.”
“A girl? Gimme a break. You’re not that young anymore,” Jhin butted in, interrupting their conversation like it was no big deal.
“Wh-what did you say?!” The girl—or rather, the woman arched her eyebrows at him.
That was Mismis Klass, the unit captain. Though she seemed younger than the fifteen-year-old Nene, she was actually the oldest of them all.
“But, like, I’m only twenty-two. And just the other day, I was able to get into the movies on a child discount!”
“…Captain, just buy an adult ticket. Please?”
“Anyway, I’m so happy.” With her fingertip, Mismis wiped the errant tear that’d softly fallen from her eye. “An honest, good kid as always, Iska. And Nene, you’ve become even more charming and pretty than you already were. Even your potty mouth feels nostalgic, Jhin—for today, at least.”
“Hey, wait a sec—”
“Unit 907 of the Special Defense Third Division. Back at it again after a year-long hiatus!” Captain Mismis pumped her fist enthusiastically, unaware that Jhin was in the middle of saying something. “And? And? What else? I know we have deployment orders, like, super-suddenly, but what kind of mission is it?”
“We’re hunting a witch. What else would the Third Division be doing?” Jhin said dryly.
“What?” Mismis stopped moving.
“Our target is a purebred, a direct descendant of the Grand Witch Nebulis. I’m sure you’re familiar with the Ice Calamity Witch, right, Captain? She’s been making a name for herself recently. You know, a real big shot.”
“The Ice Calamity Witch?!” Mismis shrieked, and her entire face took on a blue tinge. She started to convulse uncontrollably. “I-I-Iska, is that true?!”
“Yes. I was released to catch that astral mage. At least, that’s what the authorities said.”
“…Oof.” The unit captain held her head in her hands. “Iska, the Eight Great Apostles are setting you up…”
“What do you mean?”
“Of course there’s no way you could’ve known, since the Ice Calamity Witch didn’t show up until after you got caught, Iska.” Mismis had a strained expression. “Um, she first appeared at the northern front in Yubel, I think. She attacked all alone and then returned home without a scratch. And then I think a Saint Disciple was dispatched three months ago, when she was spotted in the Viayle plains. But no luck. There’s not a lot of info out there, but rumor has it that she’s the strongest astral mage in history. Right, Jhin?”
“On the flip side, our opponent doesn’t know we’ve got a soldier like you, Iska.” Jhin slung his rifle case over his back. “I don’t think the Nebulis Sovereignty has much intel on you—for better or for worse. Guess that’s what happens when you get a demotion right after becoming a Saint Disciple. I mean, you’ve never even had a chance to participate in a battle. To them, you’re just another private. Meaning they’ll be coming in without realizing they’re opening Pandora’s box. That’s when you’ll attack them with the full force of a Saint Disciple. In other words—”
“We’ll catch them off guard?”
“That’s probably what the Eight Great Apostles are scheming. But they must have gotten themselves in a real mess if they’re placing their bets on a prisoner.”
“The Ice Calamity Witch, huh…”
As the wind pushed him from behind, Iska climbed into the back seat of the military transport vehicle.
“Iska, are we already heading out?” Nene settled into the driver’s seat jubilantly, ready for a successful mission. She gripped the controls with one hand and yanked the telecoms equipment toward her mouth with the other.
“This is the Third Division. Unit 907. We’re on the move! Hey, Captain Mismis, get in!”
“Whoa, wait for me, Nene!” The captain leaped into the moving vehicle in a rush. “Iska, a-are you really going through with this mission…?”
“Of course. This is a big opportunity for me.”
They blew past the gate of the Imperial barracks at breakneck speed, and the armored car screeched onto the sandy road beyond. Iska absentmindedly peered through the double-paned windows and watched the city lights stream by. He gave a small nod. But he was firmly resolute.
“…Iska, correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t they gonna throw you back in jail if you fail?” Mismis asked demurely.
“I’m trying not to think about that.” He gave her a wry smile. “I’m just trying to figure out a way to end this hopeless war. That’s what I was thinking about a year ago, and that’s all I’m thinking about now.”