"We have confirmed that they are the bodies of Fabio and Tristan. Berlusconi's machine was found and there is evidence that he was prisoner."
The giant metal machines were lying where they'd fallen on the scorched earth. The sergeant indicated to the soldiers to start the clean up process.
"There is no doubt that they were taken out by the enemy. I don't know how they even managed to take out three suits. This is a real loss."
"What does it matter? We should be pleased that we got rid of unreliable equipment," Brother Matthaios said. His face, in stark contrast to the sergeant's, was cheerful. He examined with great interest the pits and snow drifts that had been used in the fight.
"Berlusconi was no great talent. And with such a small sacrifice, we now better understand our enemy. This is very good. Look here." Berlusconi was pointing into the bottom of one of the snow pits. "The sides are steep and the corners are clean. There are little ditches cut into the corners. Those were dug for hand grenades. These moats have dead ends and are designed to trap enemies. This is not the work of a novice."
Matthaios crawled out of the moat and dusted himself off. He narrowed the eyes and looked fondly upon the devastation of the battle. "They either have a soldier or a professional at guerilla warfare instructing them."
"Are there any guerrilla experts amongst the AX Agents?" The sergeant stiffened up. He understood the difficulties of fighting guerillas in mountain terrain. "Your Eminence. Shall we withdraw? After we've taken control of Tallinn, we can return to attack again. I think it would be wise."
The mine in which the citizens were hiding was in a ravine a few miles ahead. Currently, Matthaios had one small unit of armored vehicles and one large unit of special officers. They would be limited to how many soldiers could enter the ravine; they also didn't know what sort of traps might await them there. And if the enemy had someone who had experience in guerilla warfare, the losses could be substantial.
But the Inquisition officer seemed unperturbed. "You don't need to worry. We know that there are professionals now. We have the upper hand. It's going to be all the more fun," Matthaios said as he played with the stick in his hand. He nodded cheerfully. "It is my sacred duty to exterminate the heretics. There is no greater pleasure. That includes all those who aid the heretics, even AX. None will leave this mountain alive."
"The enemy is very professional," Leon said when he got down from the vehicle. Eulis had come to greet Leon at the entrance of the tunnel. "A top-rate commander. This is going to be difficult."
"Top rate? You're the same, right, Father Garcia? I couldn't believe it when you stopped three of those machines." Eulis looked out on the snowfield with admiration. He had not expected the citizens to return triumphant from that battle.
The men had received warm welcomes from their families. They had little prior battle experience, but they had taken down three suits. Everyone had come home safe! The whole group was giddy with the joy of victory. However, the man who had led them didn't seem to be celebrating.
He was inspecting a map and running his finger over it. He didn't look happy. "Unfortunately, that was only the warm-up. There are many troops left. We can't relax yet. This is only a conjecture, but they seem to be aiming for this ravine. There are three routes they could take."
"They've chosen the safest." Eulis rubbed his jaw as he looked at the map. "It looks dangerous but it is in fact the safest route. Few locals know this route. Could they have someone who is familiar with the territory?"
"In a top-class war room, they will be able to look at any map and see the potential routes straight away," Leon replied without looking up. He wrote messy words across the crumpled map, while checking the long hand of a clock and the altitude of the moon every now and then. "As I thought. None of the routes are helpful to us. There's no mistaking it; our opponents are excellent. And also ruthless!" Leon glared at the map.
"Father Garcia?" asked a voice from behind them. Turning around, they saw a few of the townsfolk. With them was a longhaired priest who was holding a shovel in one hand. "Ah, Samurai, are you done?"
"Yes, we did what you asked," Hugue replied curtly as he threw the shovel into the snow. "I don't think I've missed anything. But I'd like you to do the final checks."
"What are you talking about?" Eulis asked. "More traps?" "Yes, traps—in case they send someone in after us." Hugue started looking at the map he'd been handed. He gave a little wink to Leon then rubbed his beard and smirked. "We don't really want to be fighting five hundred men and machines. So to make sure they don't reach us, we've set up a few obstacles for them to get past."
"Count! Count Eulis!" There was a yell from somewhere behind them. The men turned round and were greeted by a large middle-aged man running toward them.
"Sergei, what's the matter? Why the hurry?" Eulis asked his countryman.
Sergei was struggling to catch his breath though. "Th-there was news from the men we left to keep watch! The enemy... the enemy is withdrawing!"
"Withdrawing?!" Eulis opened his eyes wide. The two priests also looked at each other, both looked a little confused by this development.
"Are you sure?" Leon asked.
"Yes. The remaining soldiers are packing up their equipment and withdrawing. We did it, Count! We won!"
The large man was ecstatic. The report must have trickled through the citizens as exclamations of joy sprung up from all angles.
But, in contrast, Eulis could hear displeased voices behind him.
"I don't like this," Leon muttered. He looked exceedingly glum. He glanced at the townsfolk, who were all aflutter. "Three suits down is indeed a considerable loss, but that would not make them run with their tails between their legs. What about the other suits? We need to know the location of those still," Leon's voice was stern.
"Suits? They've entirely disappeared." Sergei looked a little downhearted that his news hadn't been well received by all. "They would have been picked up by airships, right?"
"The suits just disappeared...?" Leon didn't ask any more questions. He rubbed his stubble and thought. They could have retreated until more troops were deployed. Was this just an initial retreat?
"No! It couldn't be!"
"What is it, Father Garcia?" Hugue finally got involved in the conversation.
Hugue was experienced at simple combat, but he wasn't experienced at battle and war. He knew this, and since Leon's arrival, he had served as second-in-command. But now he had something to say: "The enemy's withdrawal should be a welcome development. We must continue watching them, but we can let the townsfolk rest for now."
"A temporary withdrawal or a surprise attack. The same thing happened in Morocco."
But Dandelion didn't hear what his colleague had said. He was looking out over the fields like a wild beast in a trap. "This isn't good! If it's that, then..."
Leon looked flushed and tense. His cheeks were bright red. Hugue looked to Leon and realized that it wasn't his cheeks that were red, but rather it was light from a pillar of fire that had suddenly shot up.
"Damn. We're caught!"
The citizens immediately descended into panic.