Not much good news this time. The irregularity of this is because of the recent breakthrough at the Tirhalis Line. The on-site Captains are estimating human casualties on the ground are floating around ten million, girl casualties in the hundreds. They smashed through all five worlds in a single massive assault. Thousands of ships have been lost on both sides, and we're currently busy retreating back to the Linhalin Line.

If this keeps up, the left wing could be rolled back to the center. If this pace keeps up, or if they pull something big off, we're looking at an encirclement in the next year. If that's possible, then they'll certainly break out from the Expanded Cadian Defense Cordon. Rumor has it that the Pacificus and Ultima Segmentums are going to be called back in, but no official order was gone out yet.

That's the gist of the situation here. Things are only getting worse. If these stop coming out…The Goddess Protects.

-Latest Tales from the 13th Try, a weekly bulletin by Inquisitor Samandra Linson.


After the rain began, the day turned into a long blur. Nothing but exhaustion came afterwards, as Germana started to work us through a tiring physical regimen. From what I knew of magical girls, they could magically empower themselves, so I wasn't sure why all this was necessary.

That knowledge didn't give me the courage to defy Germana. Instead, I did as I was told, going along with exercises that made me feel like I was going to die. Though my body was ready to fall apart by the time we were given another break, I somehow managed to make it inside.

The same food that faced us before was once again daring me to sink to its level. This time, I was more than happy to eat the bread. Any problem I might have had was forgotten about. My mind was too tired to consider anything more.

Unfortunately, as I stuffed the suddenly delicious food into my mouth, my mind did have the ability to comprehend my situation. Which was one of isolation. I wasn't going to go over to Aurelia, and I doubt she'd have liked it even if had the guts. Priscilla and Mariana were out of the question.

Not for a lack of trying, though. I certainly tried. By the time Mariana actually said anything I was already walking away. Her face told me everything I needed to know about the chances of sitting there. There were of course ten tables in the entire room. Obviously, the intention was that each pair would sit to one.

Aurelia was at one corner of the table left for us. So I just sat down on the other end. She didn't raise a complaint. The situation felt a bit awkward, but it was infinitely superior to sitting on the floor, at least in my mind. I ate on quietly. Instead of speaking any words, I listened to the conversations of others. It appeared that they were getting to know each other quite well.

Except for voices that I might have mistaken for Aurelia and I spitting insults at each other. I turned my head and saw the two pegging each other with cold stares. Fiercely they argued over some topic. Focusing more revealed that it was related to theology. I stopped listening at this point.

Theology. The word in and of itself constituted heresy to some. Questioning the nature of the Goddess just wasn't a wise choice, but it was something these two were quite heavily engaged in. I'd never bothered, no-risked to learn much about the subject. Listening just made me uncomfortable.

Occupied with eavesdropping on others, I didn't notice the time pass by. I had finished eating when it came time to return, but that didn't mean I enjoyed the prospect. A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I stood from the seat, stretching my arms out. If I didn't have to stand beside her, it wouldn't be so bad, I thought, glancing out of the corner of my eyes at Aurelia.

But the choice wasn't mine. It wasn't even fate. The two of us choose to stand next to one another at the start of all this. All this, I thought, hasn't been going on for very long. Since this morning, actually. Feels like days. I walked outside shivering both from the cold rain and from the strange sensation I felt.


Filled with orange rays of light, the horizon glowed as the sun descended. The rain had stopped some time ago as the sun began its trip below the horizon. Hanging in the sky like ominous specters, the patches of dark clouds had left a chill in the air with their rain. Still wet, I stumbled along as Germana led us through the camp.

We approached one of the gates. This one opened onto the slopes of a large hill that came up from the plateau. Viewed from afar, it would have been a mountain. For us, it looked like something that made me sick at the thought of climbing. "You see the top of that hill?" Germana asked.

I think I forgot to nod as I realized what was about to come. In fact, I might have swooned a bit from the shock. A few others forgot to do so as well, and Germana didn't comment. Despite my avoidance of any humiliation, my despair was only increased by her next words.

"You're going to run up that entire thing, and back down. Don't try any tricks, I can see you all even if you don't think I can. You have until the sun sets. After it disappears, I close the gates and you don't get to come back in until morning." Germana approached the controls. She tapped a button.

"Now go on," She insisted as they opened up, "No time to lose." My legs were carrying me forwards before my mind could comprehend the situation. Acting on pure survival instinct, I bolted as fast as I could. Which wasn't very fast. I fell behind most others.

Spending your entire life cooped up in a room reading books is no way to get fit. I'd say only the endurance that magic granted me kept me going as I ascended that rocky hill. It was tall, reaching high into the air. The chill in my body decreased, replaced by a heat that felt like it was going to burn me up. Interestingly enough, I realized that I was not at all impeded by my heels. Rather, I felt as though they were normal athletic shoes.

Fierce winds started to beat at me as I almost tripped over every bump, whether it was a bit of dirt or a rock, I encountered on the way. The rushing air wasn't enough to throw me off, but it was enough to shock me when they came round. I started to question my ability to actually do this in time.

I looked up ahead of me, seeing the more capable girls, Aurelia amongst them, keeping a steady pace. Perhaps fear drove them a little, but I saw no reason for them to be concerned. While I saw a few scenes of partners assisting one another, I knew I couldn't expect the same from my own.

There wasn't enough energy in my body to spend glancing around for Mariana and Priscilla, but if my image of them was correct, then I would have found Mariana carrying her companion up the hill. A part of me looked forwards to whatever Germana's response to that would be.

Pain flared in my lungs as I drove myself forwards, while my legs were similarly screaming as I struggled. The world seemed to blur before me. My eyes blurred a little as I felt all the energy bleeding out. A ways up the hill, I could see Aurelia.

A clever idea took hold of my mind. I'll help her. She won't help me, but if I help her, it'll just show how much better I am. I grinned slyly, driving myself forwards. If I was to prove my superiority, I would have to be in the right place.

Without even noticing, I came to the summit. In an instant, my breath was stolen away. Not by the physical hardship, but by what I saw up there. For some reason, the beauty of the scenery before me was somehow enhanced by the fact that I could barely stand.

For miles and miles, all around, there was just mountains. Not the slightest sign of humanity save for the small camp back down the hill. Valleys and summits, lakes nestled at the bottoms of tall cliffs, all covered in a beautiful shade of green, some even further decorated by the white of snow. The ethereal radiance of the sun's last light faded by the second.

It was only that fact which reminded me to turn around and run back down the hill. My fixation did give me a pause with which I caught my breath. But looking at the way back down, I realized that it was only going to be more difficult. Not so much on my endurance. My balance was the thing that would be tried now.

If it weren't for the threat of spending the night out here, I would have preferred to carefully descend step by step. Even then, I probably would have fallen over still. As it was, I tripped over something and went tumbling. Had I not been holding my arms in front of my face, it might have been smashed open.

As it was, that first fall was blocked by those limbs, before I started to roll down and down towards the bottom. Then something stopped me. Though I didn't catch a glimpse at first, the feel of it told me it was human. "Get going!" Aurelia shouted, half-insulting me as she pushed me forwards roughly.

With her right behind me, suddenly it was a race to get inside before she did. That was something I would give my all. The last rays of sunlight were just disappearing before we both bolted through the gates, only one straggler tailing us.

In a loose group, we stood around, catching our breath. I was bent over, hands grabbing my knees. If others were sitting down, I would have certainly sat down as well. Those who had gotten here first were the paradigms, and since they had gotten here first thanks to their fitness, they weren't tired. So of course the weaker herd would only follow in their footsteps.

Aurelia was a few feet away from me. While I was devastated physically, she looked annoyed more than anything. Begrudgingly, I muttered, "Thanks,"

The chestnut-haired girl glared at me. Then she spat, "It's not like you would have done the same." Though I tried to suppress it, the shock on my face told her everything.

"But I would have," I insisted, clenching my fists. Now it was her turn to be surprised. Aurelia crossed her arms, a smirk appearing on her face.

Haughtily, she asked, "For the same reason I helped you?" The mere fact that I looked away with teeth gritted showed that was indeed the case. Aurelia shook her head and turned away.

"Don't be acting all superior!" I shouted after her. She paused as though to reply, then kept walking. My laughter hopefully hurt her as much as possible.


My legs were ready to fall apart. I felt that they actually would just fall to pieces, break in half, or somehow fail to function properly as I stood there watching Germana watch us. We'd come back and lined up. After a few seconds of tension, the sergeant called out, "Aurelia, if you could step forwards."

Clearly surprised, Aurelia hesitated a little. She still went along with it, though. We all stared at her, but she didn't need to look at us to know that. "Why did you help your companion when she fell down?" The sergeant asked.

I winced at the question. She thinks Aurelia did it for a good reason. Of course, the real test is probably whether or not Aurelia would tell the truth. If I knew Germana well enough, she'd easily heard our conversation, and probably would have figured it out even if we hadn't talked.

Air escaped through Aurelia's lips as she avoided Germana's eyes. "Well," She began. Then she shook her head. Aurelia looked right at the knight, "Because I wanted to prove that I was better than she was."

Germana nodded, not showing the slightest hint of surprise. It was in such a way so that I knew she wasn't surprised at all. She was completely prepared for this. "Well, are you better than her?"

Aurelia shrugged. "Maybe I am, maybe I'm not." I couldn't tell if her dry tone was honest or not. There wasn't a chance she was really telling the truth, so I disregarded what I heard from her.

"Good, you can step back into line now." Germana waved her hand. Then her harsh glare ran across the rest of us. "I want to think about that. Many of you may have wanted to help someone else. Did you want to do it because you really felt bad for them, because you really wanted to help them succeed, or was it because you wanted to be praised."

She threw her arms up in defense. "Now, I'm not accusing any of you. Perhaps I'm entirely wrong. What I'm doing here is merely asking you to assess your own morals, and assure that they are not corrupt. Don't help someone if you want their praise. Help them because you simply should." She let that sink in for a few seconds. The seconds dragged on into minutes. My legs were shaking uncontrollably at this point.

Then Germana spoke again. "Well, that was a good first day. Now it's time for some rest." She pointed to her right. "First row, you ten are a single squad. You sleep there." She pointed to her left. "Second row, you ten are another squad, you sleep there."

"You all know where the restrooms and showers are. You'll be sharing those. I think you can handle it." Her tone was deadpan as she went on. "You're going to see each other's limbs torn off, each other's guts spilling from their bodies, and each other's faces ripped to shreds. I'd like to think that if you can't handle nudity, you can't handle such excessive gore, but perhaps I'm mistaken." She shrugged.

Then a smirk came onto her face. "Stay in there, but I don't care if you're up all night. As for what you do in bed, just confirm that it's alright with the others before starting anything. Otherwise I could care less." Everyone's eyes went to Mariana and Priscilla. A good half of them, including me, immediately turned away when the blonde returned our gazes.

"Now go," Germana ordered. "Goodnight to all of you. We start early in the morning, so get to sleep quickly." I turned and walked off with the others. I ended up lagging behind a bit thanks to my lack of strength, but I managed to hold on till I got inside.

The room was small. Five bunk beds were arranged in a row, with a few feet of space between each. Aurelia was already standing beside one. She looked emotionlessly at me. The humiliation she suffered seemed to be weighing heavily on her.

"Do you want the top?" She asked. I nodded, eager to take it from her. But Aurelia didn't seem to mind as I got up there. She lay down on the bottom bunk. I scoffed as she didn't even say goodnight.

"Goodnight," I muttered, laying down and pulling the sheets over myself. It seemed that sleeping my uniform was the only option (also the only thing I was comfortable with), but I was at least able to stick my heels in a corner of the bed I wouldn't touch.

I lay down and closed my eyes. Sleep was coming on fast due to the exhaustion that now immobilized me. I knew that I had a long road ahead of me. This was just the first day, after all. It was unbelievable than even at this time yesterday, I hadn't made the contract. In such a short time, I'd come so far.

But if Albina could do it, so could I. And I wasn't going to give up on my wish because of some stupid girl.


It would be around noon the next day when I stood before that stupid girl. My arms were crossed in front of my chest as I stood straight up. "Aurelia," I said, "I'd like to talk to you." She stared at me with only a hint of annoyance.

A sigh came out, "What do you want?" She rested her head against her hand as she looked up at me. The fingers of her free hand tapped arrhythmically against the table.

"Just to talk," I explained, aware that others were looking at the two of us warily. "We should probably step outside, though." Aurelia shrugged, and stood up from her meal. Without any further prompt she walked for the doors. I hurried after her, a bit surprised by her abruptness.

Aurelia wanted as much privacy as possible, and so we walked out of sight of even the others. We seemed to have free reign during the breaks, as long as we stayed inside the camp. Walking around the corner of one of the points of the 'u', she paused, her back to me.

"Go on," She said. Unfazed by her tone, I spoke out.

"I thought we ought to get to know each other better," I explained, acting as if the idea was a masterful one. Aurelia chuckled.

She turned around. The glare made me flinch. "How might we do that?" she asked.

I stammered, realizing that I hadn't actually thought that part out. "W-well-maybe we…just talk?" My face brightened a little as I presented the idea, but Aurelia shot it down quickly.

"About what?" She asked, seemingly amazed that I could be this stupid. "What do you think we have in common to discuss?" Her tone was really bit at me the most.

"It's just that I've told you about how I'm scared, but you haven't said a single thing about yourself." I explained, hands on my hips. "It's only right that you share something equally important."

"Haven't I already told you?" Aurelia sounded bored more than anything. I stamped my foot on the ground.

"You can say it again, can't you?" I demanded. "Come on, don't act all superior to me!" Aurelia suddenly stepped in close.

Her tone made me wince as it reached my ears. "You're saying I act superior? You're the one who expects me to divulge all my secrets just because you ask about them!"

My eyes widened as I swelled up with anger. "All? I asked for something equal! You're the idiot who can't listen when she's being spoken to!" Aurelia raised her arm. I was too slow to stop her from slapping me across the face.

I gasped in shock, but retaliated immediately. She was shouted down before she could speak a word. "And now you resort to violence? You say I'm stuck up, but you're the mysterious, cold, calm girl who won't speak a word about yourself! If you didn't want to talk to anybody, then why come here?! If you don't want to work with other people, then why come here?!" I breathed hard as Aurelia took a few steps back in shock.

Her hands came up to cover her face. Then she scoffed, and stormed past me, making sure to hit me with her shoulder. I spun around. Aurelia walked back inside as I shook my head. "And now she's running away." I rolled my eyes, "Figures."

I looked up into the bright sky. In my head, I wondered if Albina was out there somewhere. Maybe she was back, only to find that I was gone. No matter what the case was, I doubted she had to deal with someone as obnoxious as Aurelia.

But that was all in the moment, of course. Looking back, those first days of our relationship were some of the silliest things I can remember.


End Chapter 6 of Record


Whisking the wine in the glass around gently, the knock on the door sent it all down Columbine's throat. She rolled her eyes as she approached. "Stay put," She muttered to Ushio, who sat on her own bed. Counting to three before even touching the handle, Columbine opened the door and glared unhappily at who lay beyond.

Margareta's characteristic smirk met her. "Why?" Columbine immediately asked, choosing the shortest word. The door opened only a crack, Columbine used her hidden arm to point to the bottle and the glass. Ushio let out a slight chuckle.

"Just a friendly visit." Margareta shrugged. The smirk didn't leave her face for a moment, especially when she asked, "Or have you become more antisocial?" Columbine shook her head and turned around. Margareta stepped inside. She waved to Ushio as she sweetly grinned.

The quite girl ignored Margareta, and stood up to hand Columbine her drink. With a single gulp everything in the glass downed. Grinning in thanks, Columbine spun around. "So you two are an item now?" Margareta was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed.

That was bait. Neither of them bit at it. "Did you come to fling petty insults or have a discussion?" Columbine asked, sitting down on her own bed. A finger played with a loose strand of her hair.

"Oh, I was thinking of talking about your intentions," Margareta explained. Columbine didn't visibly react to that. Ushio turned away and focused her eyes on the corner of the room. She listened, but didn't want to give away anything.

All Margareta ended up receiving was a low, "Fine," from Columbine. The girl didn't betray anything.

Margareta stepped away from the wall. Her right hand reached out, and her sword appeared in a red flash. Ushio suddenly tensed up. Columbine didn't. As Margareta manipulated the sword in her fingers, flipping it around, balancing on fingertips, twirling it around. Still smirking, her face not having changed since she first appeared, Margareta asked, "What if I'm really working for Astikai?"

Columbine shrugged. "You aren't. Margareta, you don't bow to anybody, even her. You call me a lapdog one day, and then try to trick me like this the next?" Now it was her turn to smirk.

Margareta pouted, "I'm that easy, am I?" She asked.

"Like anyone of your kind," Columbine confirmed with a brief nod.

Margareta flipped the claymore through the air to her other hand. "Anyways, you do intend to use Ushio and what she knows to your advantage?" Columbine nodded once more. "To rebel against Astikai?"

Once more, Columbine nodded. Ushio didn't see, and so didn't panic at the revelation. At least not until Margareta teased, "Now what if I told that to Astikai?"

"She knows already," Columbine chuckled. "We've been playing this game against each other for a long time now. It's just that for a while now, and still now, she can't do anything to me because she needs me." The blonde sighed, rubbing her eyes with her hands, "I assure you the moment we get into safe territory, my head will be on the chopping block."

"Ah," Margareta breathed. The sword went back to the other hand now, which still manipulated it like one might play with a pen. "I'll tell you that if it comes to that, I'm going to watch and enjoy the blood as it spills from you."

Columbine wasn't fazed. "But what if it doesn't come to that?"

Margareta ran her tongue along her lips. "Then I'll go where the most blood is. After all, Khorne cares not from whence the blood flows." Then her sword disappeared. The redhead bowed, "I'll take my leave now." She turned around and left.

Ushio looked back to Columbine. The blonde turned to look at the brunette. "Did she just tell us-you, that if you give her more people to kill than Astikai, she'll help you?"

"Essentially, yes," Columbine smiled. "But that's why a she's ultimately so useful. Like any good Khornite, she's nothing more than slave to violence."

Ushio frowned. "You think you know what she'll do?"

"I trust her implicitly." Columbine said without a hint of sarcasm or irony. To Ushio's look of confusion, she explained. "You see, people think that trust just means that you have a close bond with someone. What it really means is that you know someone will act in a certain way."

She stood up, turning her body to face Ushio. "I trust Margareta to go to where the most blood is. I know she won't keep my secrets, but I know without a doubt how she'll act. Isn't that trust?" She asked. Ushio nodded, starting to understand.

"There are plenty of people whom I trust. Cherepia, for example. She sets herself up as the bane of my existence. Therefore, I can trust her to be the bane of my existence, but also not end my existence. If she were to do that, she'd have no reason to exist. So I can trust her to do a certain set of things, and never go outside of those." Columbine paused for a moment as the sense of the idea struck Ushio. "I do trust Ingwe to keep my secrets, but that's just trusting her to act in a certain way because of what I know about her character."

Ushio nodded. Then she looked Columbine in the eyes. "Do you trust me?" She asked. "In any way?"

Columbine shook her head. "No, and I hope you don't trust me. I haven't known you for long enough. Of course, it's sometimes more comfortable being around somebody who you don't trust, and who doesn't trust you. Neither of you have any expectations for each other. No matter what you do, it'll be seen as somewhat normal by either party."

"Well, I don't trust you," Ushio let out a long breath, "So I suppose that's good?"

"Very good," Columbine confirmed as she lay back on her bed, "I trust too many people. I want a bit of confusion for once."


We've traced the traitor vessel heading towards Escher, and are moving in pursuit. We will arrive several hours late due to the time needed to trace the vector, but from there we will be able to track them further. Should we commit fully to hunting down the enemy vessel, or focus our efforts on reclaiming the Nibelung Sector? With our resources, only one option is possible, as we've only one cruiser left. The enemy is skilled and smart. We'll head to Escher if we receive no reply.

Sergeant Loretta Cafolison to Lord Inquisitor Alania.

You must follow the enemy vessel at all costs. I shall come personally with my retinue in order to assist, but continue heading to Escher. In the next week, perhaps two, I shall arrive there. Be warned, merely track the enemy, but do not engage directly with them unless you absolutely must. They need to be caught alive.

Lord Inquisitor Alania, in reply to Loretta Cafolison