Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Snowy Soulmates. Enjoy the 1000-word chapter. I don't own VK, Sega, Ryutaro Nonaka and Shuntaro Tanaka do.

Matias continued to walk through the snow. The sounds of a tank drew him to the vehicle as he turned to look at it with interest. He turned to see Minerva with 'Squad F' as she had said they were called.

"You know, I wont sugarcoat it…" Matias said and crossed his arms with a frown. "On the off chance that the empire does try to make it down this road? We're be routed pretty fast; the empire wouldn't spare any troops trying to push down this route." Matias said in a tone as cold and rigid as the snow around them.

Minerva said nothing, there was a very big chance that this would be their last stand. However? Minerva was more then willing to way down her life to win the war with the empire, something she knew her soldiers would do the same as.

Matias shook his head. This would be a bloodbath, not a valiant last charge against enemy odds. If the empire devoted forces to actually thundering through this passage? The only thing that could actually pause their might would be their full forces.

"You know the Federation wont win a war of attrition, yes?" Matias questioned to which he was greeted with a nod.

He didn't understand the federation's plan to win the war. Matias still knew how well wars could be won and lost on small tactics… And throwing lives away? That was neither a tactically good idea from the point of morale… Nor something Matias EVER wanted to find himself doing, tactics or not.

"How exactly did you become a colonel at your age?" Minerva questioned to which Matias cracked a crooked smile.

"It's a… Long, and more tragic story then you think." Matias said while looking at the pistol in his hands. "What about you? Being Lieutenant at… When did you join?" Matias questioned and crouched in the snowdrift near him.

Minerva was silent for a second, knowing very well just how hard she had to claw her way up the ladder… Then Claude came in. The man seemed to be going out of his way to ascend in rank faster then she could. It infuriated her to no end to have someone constantly climbing the military ladder.

"Minerva?" Matias questioned to which the officer turned to him. "You don't have to answer if you don't want to. I know just how infuriating it is to be stuck on the ladder like this." Matias said and watched a breath hang in the air.

Matias was no expert on the snowy terrain, yet another advantage awarded to the empire… Still? He wasn't stupid by any means, being caught out here like this? It meant far more casualties, the only reward this location offered was the fact that they could surprise the empire.

"By hard work and good command…" Minerva said to which Matias frowned as he pulled at his hood. "Like any officer should. Claude just seems to monkey around on it like it's a game of tag or some childish notion!" Minerva hissed as Matias hummed and pulled the winter gear tight.

He didn't want to say anything. The anger coursing through Minerva like this? It was as deadly as any weapon, he could see the poison cutting through her words, her desire to be vindicated like someone had taken something of great value from her.

It was the venom of a snake that would sooner pull the full group down sooner or later… And it was a bile that he wanted to put a stop to before it devoured him or his soldiers.

"Minerva…" Matias started to say before a glint caught his eye in the distance. "GET DOWN!" Matias yelled as he dragged the Lieutenant to the ground with him.

He watched as troop formations started to approach them, boots in ranks of dozens began to slowly advance towards the Vinland/Federation position.

Matias knew the best way to hit them would be to hit the hilltops they marched through. While it would limit the amount of soldiers that could pass safely through this area? It would also kill dozens of imperial soldiers. Matias would have blood on his hands either way, but he'd rather have the majority be the enemies'. He could at least sleep somewhat better with that idea coursing through his head.

"Rampart, fire!" Matias ordered the tank formation which started to swivel their snow-covered barrels. "We need to catch up to those troop transports…. A quarter of you come with me!" Matias ordered while he looked at the battalion below.

He cursed and shook his head. Matias didn't want to be right, he DISPISED the very idea of him being correct on the enemies' troop strength… But there was no time to despair and attack himself over the idea.

Matias could only ponder what would become of the enemy force when this was over. He knew the empire wouldn't stop until they crushed the Federation entirely.

"Minerva, we need to move!" Matias said as he turned to the lieutenant. "We need to flank them and cut them off from getting any further into the pass." Matias said while shaking his head as he looked around with annoyance.

This was horrid, yet there would be no better answer then to unleash hell upon the empire at the moment.

Matias only pondered how many of them would survive today…. Hopefully everyone.

But the soldier in him knew better then to hope like that… Hope was a worse enemy than anything else.

Author notes

Phew. Another chapter done! I want to point out that next chapter will be delayed. Next chapter will be in 2-10 months and will show Minerva and Matias battling the imperial forces and show how Matias had started to rise in rank. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!

P.S: Next chapter is 900-1500 words. Selvaria 1200, Riela 1200. Alliase 900-1200. And another story on Monday hopefully.