Unmei Force Solitary Legends: Eternal Embers

by Xovercreator

The day of Cordelia's coronation as Archduchess has finally come upon, although it has sparked a new conflict in Gallia. The same team that saved Gallia once, returns to come to its aid once more, this time as instructors of Lanseal Academy, with several additions as students. Read on to see how the Gallian civil war unfolds...

11. Chapter 10

Unmei Force Solitary Legends: Eternal Embers

Chapter 10: Retaking Roendahl Canyon

A/N: Extremely long Richard speech in this chapter. Skip to the next story-relevant section, if such things offend or put you off the story.

Responses to reviews:

-You're welcome for the changes. Here's one by the way: Audrey actually gets captured by Lanseal. And you also get the scene where Richard denounces the rebels. Hope it's as you expected.

-As for the quotes, I can't exactly do them word to word, but Richard's final words to Foerster, will carry the same meaning. And as for Audrey, well, just read on, and you'll know.

---

Inside the briefing room of Lanseal...

The instructors, Brixham, Welkin and Alicia were gathered around a large table, as they were all seated, with grim expressions on their faces.

"Everyone... I have very grim news." Brixham told Richard with regret in his voice. "The number of causalities from that attack is staggering, despite the help from Polar Star. Over 50 staff and more than 200 students have perished from this incident. It was thanks to the fact that no-one knew what happened about Project Valkyria, that the number didn't decrease any further by deserting us for what the academy has done."

"...Damn it all..." Gus cursed under his breath. "Even with how we prepared for all of this... so many people still died..."

"That's not all." Reisen remarked stoically. "There is also news that Randgriz has been assaulted, and it has been taken by the rebels successfully. As if to make her a trophy, they held her captive in her own castle."

Richard then slammed a fist on the table. "First having the academy ruined like this, then the Gallian capital being captured... Shitty month for all of us..." He growled. "We couldn't even prepare for deployment, with how fragile the academy is right now... Welkin... I'm sorry that we dragged you all into this, and still failed. If only you and Polar Star was at Randgriz, you would have held the-"

"No, I wouldn't have. You made the right choice, even if you didn't know." Welkin assured Richard. "The rebel attack on Randgriz was too powerful for even our full complement to handle. If we went there, we could have suffered great causalities. Even though the rebels attacked Lanseal as a distraction, I consider it a success, with the fact that our presence saved even more lives than it would have been, if it was just you guys defending it alone."

"That's... That's great and all, but what the hell are we going to do now!?" Marisa shouted in desperation. "The rebels got a real huge morale boost from both this place being trashed quite hard, and slipping past the royal guard to take the capital... We're screwed if we don't take control back for southern Gallia."

"At least Yuell and Mellvere are holding strong." Alicia remarked. "The fact that the people there have been rallied to the cause, allowed them to recruit their own people into battle to defend their own home-town, and their defence is effective enough to hold against their attack, with some of the Polar Star cells working to bolster town defence in them."

"Our only choice here is to spend our time recovering our combat effectiveness." Richard remarked. "Then we'll give the rebels a counter-attack worthy of being no less than 'brutal'. No more playing games, we're going to use every trick in the book to make them pay for this, even if it's questionable on the side of morals."

"...I hope that we won't have to rely on the immoral methods to win this war..." Welkin sighed deeply.

"So do I, but we've been playing too nice to the rebels." Richard answered back. "They took so much from us, and spat on our honour and respect for war conventions. It's only fair that we peel a bit of our honour off, and show them how brutal we can be, when they forced our hands, which they done so long ago. The moment they decided to play by their own rules, murdering innocents and ransacking and razing towns, all to spite the Archduchess... Was the moment that they have crossed the line of morality. At this point, they're no more than terrorists at this point, ones that must be put down as quickly as possible, with their leadership apprehended... or executed on sight."

There was a tense silence in the room, before Richard then stood up, knowing that his opinion was not welcome in the room right now.

"If you'll excuse me." Richard stated, before he then left the room in a hurry.

"Rain...!" Gus exclaimed, before the door closed shut, as he then sighed. "Look, I'm sorry, everyone... It's just that Richard's coping with this in his own way. He's hurt by all of this as much as everyone else, if not more, considering that students was massacred by this, and he swore to help the youth of Gallia grow up to protect the nation in their generation."

"I know that, but Rain... He's changed a lot before and during this war... I can tell." Welkin answered back.

"That much is true." Gus agreed. "Like Richard said, we need to bide our time and lick our wounds better, from the attack a week ago..."

The room then fell into silence again, before Brixham sighed, and called for the meeting to be dispersed, as everyone left the room.

---

In the back of the courtyard...

Avan was making his way to the back of the courtyard, as he was pondering something.

"Juliana said the special mission experiments were part of Project Valhalla." He muttered to himself. "That's the same name I saw on the papers that creepy doctor lady had. She and the headmaster were really connected to each other... Ugh, this really sucks..."

"See, Ali?" Cosette's voice could be heard, as Avan turned his head towards where her voice was coming from, as she could see that she was with Aliasse, Richard and Isara, as they were looking down at the lion's paw flowers that Aliasse planted a while ago, which has finally bloomed to perfection.

"Yeah! They're so pretty!" Aliasse remarked.

"Of course, the lion's paw flower is quite beautiful to look at." Isara responded back. "It's a symbol of hope from back when I was in the war with Rain, Welks and Alicia."

"Oh, hey. What are you four up to?" Avan asked the group.

"We're looking at the flowers that Aliasse planted into the ground." Richard responded back with a friendly tone. "They've finally bloomed into flowers."

"Avan! Look, the flowers I planted, bloomed!" Aliasse told Avan with excitement.

"The campus is in shambles, but the lion's paw's still going strong." Cosette responded back. "It's because you cared for it day, Ali."

"Because of me?" Aliasse asked back.

"Of course, you've took care of it very well." Isara responded back. "I usually see you coming over to water them... Seeing you grow these flowers, it gives a sense of being back at home again..."

"You didn't just plant the seeds. You raised these flowers." Cosette added.

"I raised them... Raising flowers is fun!" Aliasse remarked with glee.

Suddenly, there was the sound of footsteps, as Richard raised his head, as his good mood evaporated, the person being Foerster, while everyone else quickly turned their attention to her.

"Who... Who are you?" Isara asked Foerster, who ignored her, focusing on Aliasse.

"There you are, Aliasse." She remarked coldly, which made Isara feel a sense of dread creep up her back.

"Mama, look! The flowers I bloomed! I raised them!" Aliasse responded back, with the expression of a proud child on her face.

Foerster took one look at the lion's paw flowers, before she then cruelly crushed the flower with several well-placed stomps, destroying it into nothing but some scattered petals and a broken stem, which horrified everyone except Richard, whose eyes widened, as rage began to build inside of him. Aliasse let out a cry of betrayal and shock.

"That's just cruel! Why did you do that!?" Cosette exclaimed with disbelief.

"Any organism that serves only as an ornament has no right to live." Foerster intoned, glaring at Cosette.

"You're wrong! Those flowers were meant to be a symbol of hope, in this ruined academy! How could just treat something like that as if it was nothing but a nuisance!?" Isara argued with utter outrage. "And who are you to judge that!? No life deserves to be treated with such little value, that it wouldn't matter if it was destroyed or not! Those flowers were grown by Aliasse! She put her heart and soul nurturing those flowers, and you just... How could you treat her feelings like that?"

"A test subject has no need to grow anything. No need for feelings." Foerster responded back. "And nor do I care about the feelings and opinions of the rest of you. You are all inconsequential."

At those words, Richard clenched his fists tightly, as he resisted the urge to kill Foerster where she stood, for daring to show her face and ruin Aliasse's feelings, as well as mock Isara.

"Test... subject?" Cosette remarked.

"Wait, that means that Aliasse is..." Isara stated, before she then realised what Foerster was implying. "You can't be serious..!"

"Aliasse is a Valkyria. She serves as a tool to advance my research." Foerster answered the question.

"You shut your mouth! She's a human being like the rest of us!" Avan exclaimed. "I saw that for myself."

"Aliasse, you are not to leave the lab again. Return to your room." Foerster ordered Aliasse, who was still trying to deal with the shock and feelings coursing through her head, as she looked at Foerster, then back at Richard, who did his best to keep his face stoic.

"...Go, Aliasse... We have some words to talk with your mama." Richard answered back, trying to control his voice. "We'll find another time to talk."

Aliasse then nodded, before she then sprinted out of the courtyard, trying not to cry at the cruelty inflicted on her. At the same time, Avan confronted Foerster, stepping in front of her with a furious expression.

"Are you the one who turned my brother and Juliana into Valkyrur?!" Avan demanded.

"You've heard of Project Valhalla by now. That is my research, yes. Engraftment and activation of Valkyrian abilities into human subjects." Foerster explained. "My work caught the eye of Headmaster Kluivert. He invited me, so I came."

"The... the headmaster!?" Cosette blurted out with shock. "Then that means... What exactly happened to the head-master, instructor Rain!?"

"...I cannot tell you that. That is strictly confidential between the staff." Richard responded back coolly.

"So... We were all potential subjects for you to pick from?" Avan remarked with frustration. "That's all we were to you!?"

"On admission, all students undergo aptitude screening to test their suitability. Those who scored highly were sent to me. That was the arrangement." Foerster responded back. "Avan Hardins. Your brother Leon was an exceptionally receptive subject."

"What...!? Did you just say Leon was..." Avan exclaimed, before Richard's teeth were grinding together so strongly, that it was audibly making a ruckus. "What do you mean that Leon was a excellent test subject for you!? Did you have anything to do with him!?"

"Oh, you don't know? How odd, when I looked through my clipboard when you just left... Leon's page mysteriously disappeared from it." Foerster stated, before she then turned to Richard. "I'm sure that you would be so nice to answer the-"

Richard then pulled out his side-arm, as he undid the safety on it, and pointed it at Foerster's fore-head, with a glare that promised a painful death, in his eyes.

"One more word from you, Clementia Foerster, and it's a one-way trip to Hel for you." Richard spoke in a very cold tone, which made Avan, Cosette and Isara feel utterly terrified, as even Foerster was left unable to speak.

Foerster didn't do anything, as she didn't even show an ounce of fear, even being held at gun-point. After a few seconds, Richard then slowly turned his head to give a side-glance at Avan."

"Avan, take Cosette and Isara, and leave us alone with each other." Richard stated. "I've got some things to personally tell this woman."

"But what about-" Avan tried to say, before the glare in Richard's eyes intensified.

"NOW." Richard remarked, as he leaked some of his golden aura as a threatening gesture, which succeeded, as Avan frantically agreed, before dragging Isara and Cosette by their arms, and sprinting as quickly as he can away from the scene.

Richard then gave a few moments for the students to leave, before he then slowly turned his back to Foerster, who just stood there.

"You know, for a woman like you, you sure got the sets of balls on you, to openly try and taunt me." Richard remarked, before he let out a dry chuckle. "Either you really have negative EQ and empathy scores, making you idiotic enough to dig your own grave by my hands, or you're insane enough to think that you're the one in control of this situation."

"My findings were stolen and the headmaster's dead. That is my cue to leave." Foerster responded back. "Killing me is a pointless endeavour that would brand you a murderer, and undermine your authority."

"HA! That's what you think, believing that you can just walk away like that, after your role in all of this, and especially considering your past sins." Richard barked back with cruel laughter. "Unfortunately for you, you're dead wrong if you think that the situation is that simple, especially when I planned for all of this to happen. In fact, your little theory has so many holes that I can poke through. As a good instructor, let me educate you on them."

Richard then raised his hand, and put out his index finger for the first point. "One, don't think that I don't know how you got here to begin with." Richard told her with a eerily calm voice. "I have read up on the records on you. I know that you once worked for the Empire, and you betrayed them when all of it ended, throwing all of your assistants to the wolves, to bribe your way into Gallia, and right into Kluivert's hands for a partnership with him. So letting you go, means that you would have tried to contact the rebels and worked for them, after all, it's thanks to you that the only V0 prototype is in their hands. You wouldn't lose any sleep turning yourself to them, and continuing to work on those experiments of yours. And who knows, you might have created the same artificial valkyria models that you fitted on Juliana. If that happened, then the balance of the war would tip to the rebels irreparably. So killing you right here merits the fact that the artificial valkyria technology won't be progressed. Sure, it'll harm us with the lack of it, but it'll hurts the rebels even more, as they've become reliant on it, so your death is nothing but an advantage to us."

He then lifted his second finger. "Second of all, let me tell you this: I have all resources and plans to kill you anytime I wished. All I needed is you and me isolated, in somewhere without anyone poking their heads in, and I could just kill you with a bullet to the head, and that's that." Richard continued, before he then sneered. "I could blow your brains out right onto the courtyard, and no-one would care for what I've done. Why? Because I can just simply manipulate the 'crime scene', by stabbing myself with my own knife, killing you and then dropping that knife in your hand. And then the story will not be me executing a 'poor innocent research', but me doing self-defence against a 'crazed woman with homicidal intents'. All within the span of a few seconds. When they come and find your cold dead corpse, and me clutching my wound, you know what I'm going to say? 'This woman came out of nowhere, and suddenly tried to attack me. She was clearly unsound of mind with murderous intent, so I enacted my right to self-defence, and neutralised her.' That will be the entire story for everyone, except you and me, but as the tale goes, dead people tell no tales."

Richard's sneer then turned much more demonic and cruel. "And what's more, is that you're a nobody to everyone here. It's your own fault for not trying to make yourself public, but then again, that would have gotten in the way of your experiment." Richard cackled. "So that means that nobody cares if you are alive or dead, you're just a dead body to them. When the students see your body, they'll think that there has been a murder on the campus, but nothing will link it to me. After all, it's my word over everyone else's right here, as one of the few figures of authority still present here. Even more, the more pragmatic students will think that you're a rebel spy, trying to assess the condition of Lanseal after the attack. So when they find you dead, they'll think 'she must have been a spy for the rebels, so whoever killed her did a great favour for us'. Either way, you think that you're important enough to have your death investigated? Oh please. You're just a tick on the casualty numbers, nothing more."

Richard then eased the trigger a few times, as if to taunt and tease the cornered scientist. "And let me tell you something. You said that 'Any organism that serves only as an ornament has no right to live.'. You're not exactly wrong, it could just happen by coincidence or accident, and no-one would care about such things. However, let me expand on that a little bit with my own contribution. If organisms that serve no purpose have no right to live, then what about parasites? Parasites are nothing but a burden for everyone, destroying and ruining the lives of other organisms for its own selfishness. As such... parasites are to be hunted down and exterminated with extreme prejudice and care... And you're one of them." Richard added, before emphasising the last few words with a very frigid and condemning tone. "Your research does nothing but create destruction and death, without any benefit to it all, other than to destroy. And what's more is that you're so hopelessly obsessed with your research on the valkyria, that you'd go to any lengths and measures to ensure that you get the results you want. You're nothing but a mad scientist... Oh wait, calling you that would be an insult to the term, however derogatory it is to begin with. No, you don't even care about the choice, you always go to the cruellest and least humane way possible to proceed about your research, and you don't even care at all, even if your projects run at a net negative progress rate. You're nothing but a sad and pathetic crone whose knowledge is better granted to anyone, who would have far more morals than you would have, a waste of prodigal talent on a sociopath with no present social ability, clinging on your research as if its your purpose in life. Killing you would be a mercy to you and everyone around you."

Richard then scoffed, before he then flicked the safety back on his gun, and holstered it. "But I won't do that. Not yet, that is." Richard concluded, before he then turned to leave. "I'll give you as much time as you want, to say your cold-hearted goodbyes to your 'daughter'. Unlike you, she'll be living her life in happiness and peace, something that you would loathe her to have. All the more amusing for me. Struggle all you like, Forester, make yourself a artificial valkyria and try to bring down everyone including me as a final act of spite to this world, or run like the powerless mouse that you are, or spend the rest of your days here, in fear of what I might do to you, when this war ends. Either way, the moment you leave Lanseal... You have only so much time, before I start the hunt for you. And when I do, you'll be subject to a slow and agonising death. Hope you'll find the rebels to TRY and protect you from me, but in the end, like life and death, your own passing by my hand will come sooner or later. It is inevitable."

He then left the area, as Forester finally felt that she was able to move again, although she could feel the cold sweat that was flowing down her neck and back, although she didn't care much about it, and made her way back to her laboratory, all while Richard's threat rang in her hand.

---

A few days later... at the same location...

Aliasse was rushing through the campus, looking for someone, as her black cloak flapped around her as she ran, before she managed to find Avan and Cosette who was walking around the campus, conversing with each other.

"Avan! Cosette! I found you two!" Aliasse cried, as she was panting heavily.

"Ali? What's the matter, you're all out of breath." Cosette remarked, seeing Aliasse's frantic state.

Richard then rushed over from behind Cosette and Avan, while Foerster walked over to where Aliasse is.

"I told you to gather your things, Aliasse. We're leaving." Foerster told Aliasse.

"I don't want to go away from Avan and Cosette!" Aliasse exclaimed back, before turning to Richard. "And I can't leave Mr. Rain as well!"

"You would dare defy me?" Foerster responded back.

" No, Mama! I love you! I do, but... But I also want to be with them!" Aliasse answered back with a worried tone. "Mama, am I really just... Do I have to live just to destroy things? I want to use my power to protect you! To protect all of you! That's what Rain told me once before, that I'm a very good girl who can be a hero like Avan and Cosette!"

"Protect us? Become a hero?" Foerster remarked, before she then reached for something hidden in her lab-coat, before Richard went for the side-arm, as they simultaneously pointed it at each other, causing Avan to do the same out of reflex, while Cosette quickly wrapped her arms around Aliasse, and dragged her back.

"Foerster, put that gun down immediately." Richard threatened Foerster. "I will not be so merciful to ask again."

"Yeah, are you crazy!? What the hell are you trying to do!?" Avan exclaimed with horror.

"A Valkyria's meaning lies in raw, destructive power. Pushing that capacity for un-creation to its limit makes the perfect warrior." Foerster stated strongly. "I have no use for a Valkyria who rejects destruction."

"So you would sooner dispose of her, than let her go against her own destructive instincts, like Alicia Melchiott has!?" Richard exclaimed back. "She will NOT be turned into a soulless weapon by the likes of you! Back off!"

"She's not here for you to use, you psycho!" Avan snarled back.

"Move. Or I will shoot." Foerster stated.

"That's a empty threat, considering the situation." Richard mocked back, easing his finger on the trigger tighter around it. "You're outnumbered two guns to one, and what's more is that you're no soldier compared to us. Your gun is only aimed at me, and Avan could just simply shoot you over and over, while I just simply side-step from your shots by instinct alone. And even before that finger of yours clenched enough to fire, I would have shot you in the arm several times to blow it off."

Foerster was silent for a moment, before she then holstered her gun. "...Baffling. One subject in my previous facility fell in love with an Imperial prince." She remarked. "She ignored my orders, used her power for him, and died a fool's death. Squandering that power in exchange for the life of one man is... pathetic."

"You shut your mouth!" Avan roared back.

"And you're wrong." Richard answered back. "She was no fool. She was a romantic to the end, but she died fighting to her last breath, with honour and dignity. It's not pathetic, when she used that power to do one final favour to her country and her love."

"...I'm staying with Avan, Cosette and Mr. Rain." Aliasse declared. "I don't want to kill any more! I want to help keep people safe!"

"You will, Ali." Cosette assured Aliasse.

"Fine. It will be a simpler task to find a new subject at this point." Foerster stated coldly, as she then turned to leave alone."Humanity is a fatal flaw in a soldier. You've lost any hope of perfection. Mark my words, you'll find no acceptance, no chance at a normal life."

"That's not true! She's a human being, same as I am! She has every right to happiness and acceptance, and she'll find them here!" Cosette argued back.

"And you aren't the one to decide her future. We will, because you'll never have the chance to control her life ever again." Richard responded back. "And don't forget... Your sins will find you in the end."

"Hm..." Foerster muttered before she then walked away, without looking back at the group at all.

"Mama...? Mama, don't. Please, Mama..." Aliasse pleaded with a heart-broken tone, as she began to sob and cry at her own abandonment. "Mamaaaa! MAMAAAAA!"

"Oh, Ali..." Cosette muttered gently, before she then held Aliasse's head in her arms, and gently soothed her by stroking her head softly with motherly care in her soothing. "I'm sorry, Ali. What she did was wrong, but to you she was still your mom. We're here with you, though. And we're not going anywhere."

"You'll be well-cared for with us." Richard assured Aliasse with a calm tone and a faint smile. "We promise that you'll be more than just a test subject in our eyes... You'll be a child like the rest of us, to be cared for and nurtured."

"Come on, Aliasse. Let's head back to the rest of Class G." Avan offered.

"Huh?" Aliasse asked, as there was still some tears in her eyes, turning to Avan.

"You said you wanted to stay with us, right?" Cosette replied back.

"Well, from here on out, you're part of the class!" Avan then grinned widely.

"Really?" Aliasse asked again, as she felt hopeful hearing those words.

"Class G-7 might not be too big, but it's filled with good people to take care of you." Rain told Aliasse. "You'll fit in quite well with your attitude."

"I may not be your mom, but I can be your big sister. Now, c'mon, sis!" Cosette also said to Aliasse.

"A sister? Cosette, I... Okay!" Aliasse responded back, before she then smiled and giggled, and then wrapping her arms around Avan and Cosette, hugging them tightly. "Thank you. Avan and Cosette! Thank you too, Mr Rain!"

"Ali, you're our friend now." Cosette chuckled.

"And you've got all the time in the world to return the favor." Avan assured her as well.

"Okay!" Aliasse exclaimed back, before she then found Richard giving her a few head-pats. "Huh..."

"Alright, now that all of this has been dealt with... We'll introduce you to the class tomorrow." Richard stated. "And gives us enough time to find some spare uniforms for you to wear."

The four of them left the courtyard, as Aliasse followed Richard, to stay inside of the staff dorms for the day.

---

Inside the hallways...

Richard, Cosette, Avan, Zeri and Aliasse were making their way down the hallways, as Aliasse was introduced to the class with little fanfare, although she did get many warm greetings from the other classmates, despite what happened a long while ago, when she attacked Richard before. She was dressed in the summer Lanseal uniform, except that the lower half of it was tied and curled up, leaving her waist and belly exposed, much to Zeri's irritation.

"There sure are a lot fewer people around after the attack." Cosette stated.

"Lanseal has stopped functioning as an academy, when the attack has damaged it severely, as well as killing off a fair amount of the staff and students here.." Zeri responded back. "The fact that the headmaster has been imprisoned for war crimes, also broke the chain of command from what little of the army we had supporting us. It's fortunate that the Polar Star organisation is only getting stronger and stronger. At this rate, it'll replace the Army's role in this entirely, to our benefit."

"But we're still here. So now it falls on us to keep the south safe." Avan stated.

"Exactly. More than ever, everything we can do for these people counts." Zeri responded back. "Because we're the only ones who are defending southern Gallia, while Polar Star is readying for its operation to retake Randgriz."

"Don't worry, we've been recovering quite well during this month." Richard responded back. "It won't be soon before what remains of the classes is cleared to sortie out and help deal with the aggressive rebel presence around the regions, under Brixham, who is voted to act as temporary head of the academy until the crisis is resolved."

"Okay, now that that's settled. I'm hungry. I'm heading for the campus stores." Avan stated.

"Ooh, me too! Me too!" Aliasse cheerfully added.

"Alright, alright. We'll take you there, and get you some good bread as well." Richard sighed, before he then guided the group to the campus store.

---

Inside the campus store...

The campus store was mostly unscathed by the attack, save for a few bullet holes on the outer side of the walls, and the sign being a little bit out of place. The group entered the store, as the bell attached to the door rang out, alerting both Welkin and Alicia inside the room.

"Hey, guys. It's good to see you again." Welkin greeted the group. "We're doing all we can to help the students here."

"Hello! I've got a fresh batch of bread, hot from the oven!" Alicia remarked, holding a fresh basket of bread in her arms.

"Mmm, smells amazing! Count me in!" Avan exclaimed with a eager tone.

"I'll pay for the batch, as a gift to my students in these hard times, and mostly to help with Avan's hunger." Richard offered.

"Um, do you mind if I ask what made you two decide to stay here on campus?" Cosette asked both Welkin and Alicia.

"The students who stayed on, are all pushing themselves to the limit for Gallia." Welkin responded back. "We just couldn't leave, especially when the situation is already dire as it is. So that's why we decided to remain here, so that we can act as direct contacts to Polar Star for you. Not only that, but the Edelweiss is parked here, and ready to assist for the major operations. Kreis is just staying around here to take care of it, although I do see Isara coming time to time to help get a feeling of her old home, so to speak, since the tank was hers to operate to begin with."

"Of course, and since Welkin is staying here, so am I." Alicia answered back. "I might not be looking like as if I'm ready for battle, but I'll help out from time-to-time and relieve the students who are working hard on protecting Gallia, both outside and inside the battlefields. That's the least I can do right here."

"I see... Well, thank you!" Cosette answered back with a smile.

"This is so yummy!" Aliasse shouted with joy, as she was stuffing her mouth full with Alicia's bread. "I wonder if you could bake with Valkyrian fire."

"Oh man, I'd so pay money to see that!" Avan commented as well.

"Did you say Valkyria?" Alicia asked back, before she then examined Aliasse closely. "Come to think about it... Rain mentioned that he met someone like you back when Class G-7 and his group was escorting Cordelia through the woods."

"Oh, let me introduce you. This is the latest member of Class G, Aliasse." Cosette responded back. "She's a Valkyria. Oh, but don't worry, she's still just a normal girl!"

"And yes, she IS the girl that I met back then." Richard confirmed. "And she's much more mellow and docile, now that she's been taught to be a better person."

"I... I see..." Alicia stated back. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Aliasse. I'm Alicia, and I'm a Valkyria like you."

"Yeah... I remember seeing you back there... You and Rain protected Juliana from that rebel's beam attack, right?" Cosette stated. "When did you become one?"

"We found that out in the war with the Empire two years ago." Welkin responded back. "That's almost about the same time we found out that Rain was a ancient Darcsen warrior with the same abilities as a Valkyria does."

"Aliasse, we just met, but I'd like you to do me a favor." Alicia told Aliasse, before kneeling down in front of her, and placing the girl's hand on her chest. "A Valkyria is very strong. She can easily hurt people or she can keep them safe with her power. I'd like for you to use your power for the people you love. To protect them."

"Is that... Can I even do it?" Aliasse asked back.

"Of course. The Valkyrian flame is like any other. It can burn, or nurture. Destruction doesn't yield anything, but defending people gives them hope." Welkin responded back. "It's with that lesson, that Rain managed to convince Alicia that her powers aren't as bad as they seem."

Alicia then moved Aliasse's hand down on her bloated stomach, as Aliasse felt the baby kick inside of it.

"There's a little baby inside of my tummy now, Aliasse. Inheriting the Valkyrian bloodline may make life hard for her sometimes. But Welkin and I made the promise that we'll keep her safe, no matter what." Alicia smiled at Aliasse.

"Do you have something in your life like that? Someone you want to protect?" Welkin asked back.

"I do... Avan... Mr. Rain... Cosette... everyone here..." Aliasse answered back hesitantly.

" They'll be very lucky to know they can count on you for help." Welkin nodded.

"Avan, will you put your bread down? Are you even listening to them speak?" Zeri scolded Avan, who was gorging himself on bread.

"I am! I can hear most of it! Sorry. Your bread's just too good, Alicia." Avan responded back.

"Ha ha! Same thing happens to me. Here, I'll bring in a new batch." Welkin chuckled, before he then went to the other side of the store.

"Thanks, Welkin. You kids eat all you want!" Alicia told Welkin, before turning to the rest of the group.

After a while, Avan and Aliasse left with satisfied stomachs, with Cosette thanked Welkin and Alicia for staying behind to help the academy, while Zeri followed the three out, leaving Richard with Alicia and Welkin alone once again.

"So... Mind I ask you a little favour?" Richard asked back. "Alicia, if you could, could you teach her how to properly control her Valkyria powers? It would be helpful in the future."

"Rain..." Alicia responded back. "I don't know what you're going to expect to happen, but I can't train her... Her powers are potentially different to mine, and from you told me about her, her lance is far different from mine. I don't think that I can do much to help her fight."

"Then at least teach her how to properly defend her squad-mates, using her shield." Richard responded back. "If there's any way you can enhance her defensive capabilities... The survivability of the class will sharply increase, especially against the artificial valkyria. They might not be as powerful as Maximilian was, but they are powerful enough to be a danger to soldiers and tanks alike. Our only effective unit against them, while they're power, is Aliasse herself."

"I see... I'll do what I can, but I can't promise you that I can get any results." Alicia responded back.

"You trying is all I need from you." Richard nodded back, before turning to Welkin. "As for you, Welkin... All I ask is for you to ensure that the rest of the classes don't perish. They are not as experienced and guided by someone well-educated and trained like Avan."

"Don't worry. Like I said, I'll guide the students as much as I can." Welkin responded back, before Richard then left quickly.

---

In the drill grounds...

"Alright, you're here as expected." Richard remarked, as Anisette came in, holding a tire with a rope attached to it. "Let's begin."

"I'm all for it, darling, just as soon as you explain this get-up." Anisette responded back.

"You need to build up leg strength, in order to be able to perform various dance moves in proper succession without delay or fault." Richard answered back calmly. "Endurance is also a must. So my routine for you right now, is to run across the entire field, while tying the tyre to your waist. It's one of the heavier tires, so you'll find it hard to get momentum dragging it alone.

"F-Fine, bring it on!" Anisette exclaimed with passion, as she tied the rope around her waist, before she then jogged on the spot, before then running across the field, doing several laps, despite the tire holding her back, before she then reached Richard, who waited for her to finish her current lap, as she was huffing and panting.

"Good job, you're getting there. Now just take a break, and we'll..." Richard was about to say, before Anisette untied the rope around her waist quickly, before then untying the rope off the tire as well. "Anisette, what are you doing, the training's not over yet."

"Instructor, this is hardly be called cramming! I need to take drastic action!" Anisette exclaimed, before she then got several pieces of rope, and tied them together into a much longer one, then wrapping it around a series of tires that she stacked on top of each other, and wrapping them around her rope, and then reapplying the rope to her waist. "There! Now that's a much better challenge for me!"

"I see... You're pushing yourself quite far there. You sure you can do it?" Richard asked back with some concern.

"My sister says that ten times the effort yields ten times the results." Anisette answered back. "I've been coddling myself all these years. I can see that now. I'd told myself the reason I couldn't match her was that I lacked talent."

'Well, that's not wrong, but Edy wasn't exactly the most talented stormtrooper of Squad 7, she only sortied for a mission or two. But I won't break Anisetter over it.' Richard thought to himself, before nodding. "That's a good way to see yourself. If you have difference in talent, then strive to close that gap by working hard to train your potential to exceed that gap in talent."

"That's right. She must have always been putting in the effort, in private." Anisette responded back. "Which means that I need to put in a hundred times the effort she does, to catch up to her."

"You really have a lot of respect for her, huh?" Richard remarked.

"O-Of course, instructor! She's my sister, so of course she's amazing!" Anisette answered back. "She's strong, proud, beautiful, and about the best sister in the world!"

"Well then, I wouldn't want to disappoint her. If you're ready, get moving. We'll go for one more set for today." Richard answered back.

"Alright then! Here I go!" Anisette roared, before she then start running, as she was exerting almost all of her physical strength to drag the tires across the field, while her face was turning red from the exertion of effort from her.

Meanwhile, Richard watched her, as he chuckled to himself.

"Oh, Anisette... If only you didn't have that sister complex of yours... You would be the perfect girl for any standard man." Richard stated to himself. "Proud and beautiful, yes... But Edy was nowhere as strong and talented as she was, and she didn't exactly train herself well... I think that you've already surpassed your sister in both the field and the stage already."

---

In the drill grounds, a few days later...

Gus was practicing his aim with the Coup, using reinforced targets, to compensate for the great stopping power of the weapon, as he managed to get most of his shot on the vital parts of his targets, some of them even hitting dead-centre.\

Suddenly, he heard the gun-fire of a anti-tank rifle, evident from the loud cracking sounds in the air, before he then turned to the source, as Nichol was perched on a hill, with Reisen tutoring him. He then walked over slowly, so as not to disturb the student's focus on his targets.

"Do not hold your breath to steady your aim, unless you're certain that you are close enough to your target to centre your aim where you intend to hit, and shoot before your breath is released again and shake your aim even further." Reisen instructed Nichol slowly. "Compensate for the increased ordinance in your rifle, as it gives it much stronger drop than standard sniper rounds, and note that it is not affected as much by the wind as its lighter counterpart. Keep these three maxims about holding an anti-tank rifle, and your aim will be almost perfect."

"Alright..." Nichol stated, slowly turning his rifle towards one of the more distant targets, then holding his breath, and letting out several shots with a delay between them.

Gus then took out his binoculars to look at the target, and was shocked to see that Nichol landed every single shot on the target's head, all shots almost hitting the centre of it for a perfect kill.

"Holy... That's so many headshots in a single go!" Gus exclaimed with surprise, causing Nichol to jolt out of his focus, as he took his eye off the sniper's scope, and looked up at Gus, who then turned to him. "Nichol... You are truly a prodigal sniper, if you could maintain this kind of lethal accuracy for targets this far!"

"What? No, I'm not that-" Nichol tried to downplay his achievements.

"Don't be modest, this kind of aim is only achieved by the likes of Reisen, and I've seen a few good snipers in Squad 7." Gus responded back.

"I used to knock acorns with rocks as a kid. Maybe that's why." Nichol suggested.

"Which is good reasoning for why your aiming skills is excellent." Reisen added. "You are the most optimal person in this group to act as a sniper for the class."

"I-I'm glad to be given such an honour." Nichole responded back.

"Still, I'm surprised that you've been drilling like this for so long, even during breaks." Gus stated. "I only know a few students in our class who do the same, but you're the only scout, now sniper, that does that. You got something in your mind? Are you seeking some sort of achievement?"

"Instructor... Do you know about the Lanseal Medal of Honour?" Nichol asked back.

"I do. It's a award for those who excelled in combat. Are you seeking to earn one of your own?" Gus answered back.

"You got it right. I... I want to earn that decoration." Nichol stated.

"And you'll earn it, with this kind of skill that you have. All that you need, is a mission worth recognition." Gus replied back with a warm smile. "Although you don't seem like to be the kind to pursue fame and honour."

"... I want to give it to the woman I love." Nichol responded back. "Her birthday is coming up, and I'd like to present this medal as a gift to her."

"I see." Gus responded back. "I'll be sure to tell you if there are any missions where you can earn that right."

"Your help is appreciated, instructor." Nichol nodded back, before he then went back to training with his sniper rifle, while Gus went back down to continue his own target practice.

---

Inside the classroom...

"So, do you think the stories about moonglow are true?" Cosette remarked, holding up a picture of it in her book, as it was a light-blue flower.

"Sure, moonglow is... What's moonglow again?" Avan asked back, having forgotten about the plant.

"It's a flower. They say if you give it to a crush, they'll like you back." Cosette explained, before she then had a beaming smile on her face. "Pretty romantic, huh? All the girls are talking about it. It's so rare, they say it's half-legend though."

"Really? I'd thought that this kind of plant would be easily seen, but if it is such a great plant, to make people love you..." Avan remarked. "...I'd want to have one as well."

Coleen then rushed over to the both of them. "Cosette, do you have a moment? There's something I wanted to ask of you." She asked them both.

"I guess I'll just go off and give you ladies a bit of privacy." Avan stated, as he stood up to leave them alone.

"No, please stay, Avan, I'd like your advice on this, too." Coleen responded back. "I... I think I might be in love with someone."

"Whoooa! Really!?" Cosette exclaimed loudly.

"Yeah, I've never felt like this before." Coleen confirmed, before she then buried her face in her hands, trying to hide the blush rising from it. "Whenever I think about him, I go all flush, and my heart starts pounding hard. I feel this need to talk with him more. To get closer to him... But when I'm with him. I can't even form a sentence. Do you think it's love?"

"That's totally love!" Cosette shouted with excitement.

"Wow, okay... So, what do you think I should do, Cosette?" Coleen pleaded. "As it stands, I can't even sleep at night. I have to do something."

"Hmm, you'd probably know best about what's right for you. But generally, I'd say the next step would be to tell him how you feel." Cosette advised Coleen.

"Wh-What!? I can't do that! We've barely even spoke to each other!" Coleen blurted out, as her cheeks turned red from blushing

"Hmmm, what do you think, Avan?" Cosette asked, turning to Avan.

"Me? I've never thought about this kind of stuff before." Avan answered back. "But basically, yeah, the fastest way to deal with it, is to just be honest with him, and confess your feelings. It's not like he's going to reject someone like you, Coleen.

"But I can't... I'd be way too embarrassed, and if he doesn't like me..." Coleen remarked with fear.

"Ooh! But what if you gave him a moonglow when you tell him?" Cosette suggested. "It may just be an urban legend, but it could give you some confidence to confess. You finally found a guy who you think is special, it's worth the effort, no?"

"...I'll think on it." Coleen simply stated, before she then turned to leave. "Thanks, you guys."

As Coleen passed Marisa, the blonde's eyes tracked the pink-haired girl, as she heard everything in the conversation clearly.

"Moonglow, eh... I suppose that I'd better start snooping around for a place to find it." She muttered to herself, before she then walked out of the classroom, to start her search.

---

In the staff faculty office...

Elma was inside the staff faculty office, as she volunteered herself to help the staff here, considering that she was one of the students who was eager to help out in any way she could. She helped to sort folders and write down situation reports, with the help of Sanae and Brixham, as it helped her finished the job quite quickly.

"Phew... All done... I hope that I've helped you even just a little with this." Elma huffed. "I should get back to class, I don't want to miss my next period..."

She was about to leave the room, before she then noticed Raymond with one of the teachers, as the teacher was speaking to him.

"We had this chat before, Mr Moen. You owe it to yourself to switch." The teacher criticised Raymond. "You've been blessed with a gift in that physique, and it's going to waste."

"Y-Yes sir, but I really don't..." Raymond tried to reason with the teacher.

"Yes, you've made your preferences clear. But as much as it pains me to say, you just aren't a very good engineer." The teacher replied back. "You lack a certain delicate touch that is required for most of the engineer's duties. I hear you're not even able to apply a bandage properly, Raymond."

"Um... But I..." Raymond muttered quietly.

"As a lancer or armored tech, you would be playing to your strengths. Now, forget this silly engineer business already. Am I understood?" The teacher told Raymond firmly.

"I-I... sir, I..." Raymond stuttered before he then rushed away. "I have to go, excuse me!"

Elma watched as Raymond rushed out the room, accidentally dropping his bag on the ground, while the teacher merely sighed in a exasperated manner, and then returned to his duties.

"Poor Raymond... It must be hard for him, when he's trying his best to fit in his role..." Elma remarked with sympathy for Raymond, before she then noticed the bag on the ground. "He also dropped his bag, I should take it with me, and find him."

Elma then walked over to the bag, as she tried her best to lift it, although it made her arms and body sore trying to lift it up, as she made a few steps, before she then collapsed on the ground.

"Argh, his bag is so heavy... Even with all the training I've been getting... It's so hard to lift something like this..." Elma groaned, before something dropped out of the back of her bag, as she turned around to have a look at it, picking it up, as it was a book on engineering knowledge. "Engineering books... He must really be determined to become a engineer... I can't stand to let him continue like this... I might not be the best engineer compared to the others, but if I can teach him how to be soft and gentle... He'll be a truly brilliant engineer."

She then left the room, as she took her journey around the campus, several steps at a time, to avoid straining her body.

---

At the campus rooftops...

Raymond was sitting against the ledge of the roof, as he was sniffling and sobbing gently, trying to wipe his tears with his large hands. Suddenly, he heard the sound of Elma slowly inching towards him, while still carrying his massive bag, as she looked like that she was at the limits of her own physical strength.

"Elma...?" Raymond asked back.

"Raymond... I'm so glad that I could find you..." Elma panted, with a weak smile. "I searched everywhere for you, and asked a lot of people about where you have been. I was in the faculty office, and you dropped your bag. I decided that I needed to return it to you."

"O-Oh, I didn't notice..." Raymond remarked with a apologetic tone.

"It's alright... I'm just a bit tired, that's all..." Elma answered back, as she took a moment to catch her breath. "You really must be studying hard to be a good engineer, with all of the books that you've been carrying."

"I-I always looked up to medics and engineers who help people in the field. S-So I was really happy when I got here and was selected as an engineer." Raymond stated back.

"Then you don't need to change what kind of combat role you are. You're doing your best, and that's all that everyone in our class wants from you." Elma answered back.

"Y-You heard that, Elma? Then you know what the professor said..." Raymond muttered.

"You don't need to be too concerned about what other people think of you. As long as you're determined to see your duty through, there is always a way for you to prove that you're worthy of what you're doing." Elma answered back firmly. "And if you do, then let me tell you what I think of you... Even with how you are, you helped a lot of people back at Yuell, that's all I know, to prove that you can be a good engineer if you know where to start."

"R-Really?" Raymond asked back.

"Of course. I can teach you how to be gentle and soft." Elma answered back with a warm smiled. "After all, people say that I'm a bit too soft and gentle. So why not use that to my advantage, by teaching you to act the same way? Perhaps what is considered too soft and gentle for me, is just right for you. You'll be able to tie bandages neatly, work through the mechanical components without breaking them, you'll no longer hurt people when you help them. Just spend some time with me, and I'll teach you that properly."

"Th-thanks for listening to me, Avan. I-I'll think about it." Raymond responded back with a hopeful look on his face, before he then got up. "I should g-get going though."

"Don't worry, I'll be there for you, Raymond." Elma assured Raymond, before letting the giant student leave the rooftops, before she then sighed out of concern. "If only there was some way to show that there's a way that he can help out as a engineer in his own unique way."

---

Inside the drill grounds...

Morris was walking along the field, with a tire tied to his waist, as it was one of the lighter ones, but still considerably heavy.

"Okay, now sprint with that tire tied to your waist." Corrin instructed. "It'll help to build your leg muscles by exerting effort on them."

"Yes, ma'am! Here I go!" Morris exclaimed, before he then picked up the pace, as he tried to run, although he was suffering severe friction from the tire tied to him, slowing him down considerably, while he was growled and groaning, as he could barely make a lap around the field, before he looked like that he was going to drop dead on the ground.

"Tch, it seems like that it isn't as effective as I wanted on you..." Corrin remarked to herself. "Take a rest, Morris, we need to try something different."

"I'm sorry, Karin... You've been so nice to put in the time, but I still..." Morris stated with a apologetic tone.

"Don't. You're trying your best to get better. There's still time to improve yourself." Corrin responded back. "You have nothing to apologise for."

"But you've shown me all these exercises, and I can't DO any of them at all." Morris answered back. "I guess I just wasn't built to grow muscles."

"Maybe not, but you can still gain them if you just keep on trying." Corrin replied back. "But you told me that you needed muscles to win over the affection of your beloved. Is it really necessary? You have a good enough personality to fit with almost any kind of woman here."

"It's complicated. She's pretty, and popular. Waaay out of my league." Morris explained. "But she's also real nice. An honestly sweet person. We're too mismatched."

"You don't know that for sure. Perhaps she might be just like you, a perfect match for you? Why not believe in that chance?" Corrin asked back.

"I heard someone say she said her type was a strong, manly guy, kind of like Reiner." Morris answered back. "Heh. Can you think of a better way to sum up everything I'm not?"

"Perhaps, but like I said-" Corrin tried to say.

"But I couldn't just give up, so I thought I'd try this, but... well..." Morris continued, before he then deflated. "It's obviously hopeless. There are some things you just have to accept, the fact that I'll never become her type is one of them."

Suddenly, Cosette rushed from behind a set of bushes, as she looked angry, before stomping up to Morris. "Unacceptable!" She exclaimed.

"Wha-? Cosette? How long have you been listening in?" Corrin asked Cosette, surprised that the engineer had been eavesdropping and observing them silently.

"The whole time, Karin. I couldn't help it after hearing Morris's problem, when I just passed by here." Cosette answered back. "You've tried so hard this far, Morris! You can't give up now! At the very least, you should tell her how you feel!"

"What!? I-I couldn't! I'd just be an annoyance, and she'll think I'm a creep." Morris responded back with a flustered tone.

"What about if you gave her some moonglow when you told her?" Cosette suggested.

"Moonglow...?" Corrin repeated, before she then remembered. "Ah, that's right, it's the rare flower that is a symbol of love, in that giving it to someone will promise a budding love between the giver and receiver. But it's a very rare flower... But not impossible to find. If we find one, you don't need to push yourself to try and impress her, Morris."

"Alright, I'll think about it. Thanks, girls... Really." Morris responded back, before turning to Corrin. "Can I leave now, ma'am?"

"Go ahead, you've done enough for today." Corrin nodded back, before Morris then left the drill grounds, after he untied the tyre from his waist.

---

In the staff faculty office...

"Yo, Brixy." Avan stated, as he walked over to Brixham. "You wanted to see me?"

"Yes, thank you for coming. Avan... Are you alright?" Brixham asked back.

"All right with what?" Avan replied.

"With... Project Valhalla. That there was countless students who have died because of it, turned the same way as Juliana did." Brixham answered back.

" I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a shock." Avan answered back. "Never thought that something this terrible would be down here, turning students into rampaging monsters... I feel like that Juliana's the only one who actually retained a sense of consciousness, because of her sheer will. But, Brixy, I got a question to ask you as well."

"Go on then." Brixham answered back.

"Before she left, Foerster mentioned that Leon was a excellent test subject to her. And then the special mission turning out to be artificial valkyria experimentation..." Avan stated his question. "Brixy, was Leon a part of Project Valhalla? Because when I remembered looking at the clipboard, Leon wasn't on it, yet Foerster hinted that Rain must have tore it out for some reason."

"I... I cannot say for sure. I did remember recommending him on that special mission, so it's a good possibility." Brixham answered back. "If he was... then I'm afraid that he's dead. The project explicitly stated that all subjects are dead. I'm sorry."

"I see..." Avan sighed back. "Then I'll just have to put a stop to all of this, for my brother's sake then. He's got to be watching over me, encouraging me to take his place in the world."

"I hope the same. So far, you're becoming more and more like him. I never expected that country-born naive kid would grow up much like his army brother." Brixham answered back, before Richard entered the room. "Ah, Rain, you've come in time as well."

"I've come here as requested, since you said that there's news on the front." Richard answered back. "We're all ready to start sortieing out to pacify the southern region of the country."

"Then, let's get down to business, shall we?" Brixham responded back. "The rebels have taken the fall of Randgriz as a cue to pick up the pace. Their attacks throughout the south are growing fiercer than ever. Full control of the region would give them a foothold to strike greater Gallia, which means that the rebels will be likely unstoppable, since we'll be suppressed if that happened, and we're the only force other than Polar Star who can stand up against them in this state. Polar Star itself is coordinating with the royal guard and several contingents of the border protection army, in order to take back Randgriz. So the task of saving southern Gallia falls to us."

"Leave it to us, Brixy. We'll stop those rebel bastards in their tracks." Avan declared, before he and Richard left the room.

---

In the briefing room...

The entire class was gathered inside the briefing room, for the first time in a long while, as Alliase walked up to Avan.

"Hey, um, Avan? I... I don't want to use my lance to fight the rebels... I want to use them for protecting people, when it really matters. I can act as a distraction, and protect everyone with my shield and body. Even tanks can't hurt me bad even with their cannon shells. But I'll only have my gun.." Aliasse told Avan. "With just that, I'm not that strong. Can I... Is it still okay to go with you?"

"That's all we need." Richard assured Aliasse. "Just cover everyone with your shield, and your powers, and you'll have done so much for us. You'll be saving a lot of lives by doing this."

"Yeah, I wouldn't go without you! Now come on, let's go!" Avan remarked.

"I'm right behind you!" Aliasse cried cheerfully.

"The Roendahl Canyon is currently occupied by General Audrey Gassenarl." Brixham stated. "Roendahl is one of the top strategic positions in the south. We need it back."

"If I may take over, Brixham." Richard told Brixham, as the class advisor moved over to let Richard move to the centre of the room. "Alright, I have an important announcement to make. In consideration of current matters, we, your instructors will personally aid you on the battlefield, as the rebel presence is significantly stronger than it has been before. You'll need our help, even though you all have reached the end of your combat professions, with your most suitable class assigned to you, and highly-advanced gear for your use. Not only that, but I will not be assigning myself to a storm-trooper role. Instead, I will utilise my inner power to crush the enemy opposition. As such, you will have a unit equivalent to a Valkyria in me. However, this means that I am incapable of ranged combat, as such, the Victoire is wasted in my hands. Therefore, I will assign it to someone that I trust with it. Zeri, please come up."

Zeri did so, as Richard then lowered the Victoire into Zeri's hands. "The Victoire is one of the few prototype weapons created in the previous war. It is as powerful as a machine-gun, but almost accurate as a standard sniper rifle, and mobile as a sub-machine gun." Richard stated. "As according your role as a commando unit, it is also attached with a high-powered flamethrower under-barrel igniter. Make well use of it, for it makes you truly powerful on the field of battle, and the responsibility with it is great. I bestow it to you to use this weapon, for you are the one that I deem most suitable for it."

"Thank you, instructor. I won't let down your expectations of me." Zeri responded back, before he then placed the weapon on his back.

"Lanseal's bell has tolled! Move out, Squad G-7!" Brixham declared, as the class moved out from Lanseal.

Bridge Team: Avan, Aliasse, Gus, Sally, Nichol, Elma

Shore Team: Granoro(Lavinia), Zeri, Rain, Mari, Cosette, Alexis, Karin

---

In Roendahl Canyon, inside the maintenance bridge...

The group quickly moved into formation, as Gus surveyed the area.

"As expected, the path to the switch opening the flood-gate is guarded well." Gus remarked. "There are several rebels protecting it."

"Well, we should be able to handle them, no problem, right?" Avan asked back. "I mean, it's not like the rebels have been lately able to do much against us, without those artificial valkyrias of theirs."

"Don't be cocky, Avan." Elma responded back. "The rebels are taking this seriously. So we should as well."

"I'll go ahead and attract their attention!" Aliasse stated. "You guys go and get them hard!"

"Aliasse, you don't need to do this, what if your powers don't protect you enough?" Sanae asked with concern.

"I want to do it! I know that I can protect you guys!" Aliasse shouted back.

"Alright, I suppose that we can't convince you..." Sanae sighed. "Nichol, set up position on the hill behind us, snipe out the rebels who even poke their heads out for a moment."

"Understood, ma'am." Nichol nodded back, before turning to Gus. "Mind if you give me a lift, sir?"

Gus nodded, before he then boosted Nichol up onto the nearest ledge, before the sniper then climbed up, slowly walked into the nearest patch of tall grass that had a clear shot of the rebels on the metal bridge.

"Alright, everyone charge!" Gus exclaimed, before the entire group charged as one, as they pressed onto the bridge, as Avan's reinforced heavy rifle managed to score several kills when his shots hit them on the head, the ordinance too powerful for the rebel helmets to resist against it.

Aliasse was also fighting, as she got in front of the group, temporarily using her Valkyria powers to boost her physique, as she pressed forward slowly, with her shield on her arm, as it blocked most of the shots, while what few hit her didn't penetrate the aura that she was emitting, which spooked the rebels, as their morale was wavering at the sight of Aliasse taking their concentrated gun-fire as if it was nothing. However, their surprise cost them their lives, as Nichole was skillfully taking them out one by one, without the others realising in their state of shock, before the enemies were cleared off the bridge.

Gus then moved over to the switch, as he went over to it, and slammed the switch to open the flood-gate doors, for the other team to advance on their target.

"This is Gus, the flood-gate is open. I repeat, the flood-gate is open." Gus reported through the comms.

"Nice work, Gus. We'll handle the rest. You guys just get the hell out of here-" Richard was about to say, before there was the distant sound of ordinance being launched.

"What's that sound...?" Elma remarked, before the sound of something whooshing through the air was getting louder and closer to them. "Wait, that sounds like..."

"Whatever it is, it's going to bombard the area!" Gus exclaimed. "Nichol! Get down here quickly! We need to retreat!"

Nichol quickly complied, as he slid down the side of the slope, before joining with the rest of the group, as they tried to quickly find a point where they can evacuate from the area. However, they were unable to find one, with how tightly-sealed the area was.

"Damn... This isn't good..." Avan remarked, before he then looked up, as there was ragnite-fuelled rockets aiming for their position. "We got incoming!"

"NO! I won't let you hurt them!" Aliasse exclaimed with determination, before she then got in front of everyone, as her aura flared even more. "Everyone, get behind me, I'll protect you all!"

"Are you crazy!?" Avan exclaimed. "You'll be killed if you get hit by one of those directly!"

"I'm a Valkyria! Ms Alicia said that this kind of thing won't hurt me if I put all my strength to blocking it!" Aliasse responded back.

"She's not wrong. We don't have a choice right now." Gus answered, as the rockets inched closer. "Everyone brace behind cover, and behind Aliasse as well!"

The group immediately hunkered down behind cover, while Aliasse raised her shield, to block any rockets coming her way. The rockets then hit their locations one by one, as the one aiming for the group was caught by Aliasse, as she jumped up, and slammed the rocket away hard, as it exploded near her, sending her flying towards the edge of the canyon.

"Aliasse!" Avan exclaimed, before Aliasse got up. "Are you alright?"

"Urgh, yes... I'm fine... It hurt a little, but I still can fight!" Aliasse answered back.

"Thank god... She managed to protect us safely." Gus sighed in relief. "We can't risk having another salvo of rockets. Let's move out now!"

The team then retreated from the battlefield, as their role in the battle was complete.

---

In the southern shore...

The group immediately rushed out to meet the enemy, as Richard was already moving ahead, rushing into the gun-fire of several heavy gunners, as their bullets pinged off Richard's shield. Even the heavy tank with them couldn't harm Richard at all, as the moment it fired its cannons at Richard, he predicted the shell coming towards him, smacking it aside with his shield, and side-stepped away from it and the gun-fire, while the shell exploded far away from the group.

"M-monster!" One of the rebel gunners trembled, before Richard rushed up right in front of him, with his blade poised to strike, before he then sliced the rebel's head open with the blade, as he silently fell down to the ground, his split head leaking blood.

"Oh god... I'm going to..." Cosette remarked with horror, seeing Richard perform a bloody one-sided slaughter against the rebel group, easily taking out the rebel gunners with his blade, before he turned his attention to the heavy tank, as he sliced the treads aparts, immobilising it, before then stabbing the reactor with his blade, damaging it enough to make the tank explode. By the end of it, there was blood pooling on the path, while the blonde engineer was fighting the urge to retch as how ruthless Richard was.

"So this is what the instructor is like, when he uses his power... Like a proper warrior, he cleaves through all in his path..." Zeri remarked. "A terrifying thing to behold, indeed."

"Come on, we need to move ahead, and take care of the general." Richard told the squad, as they quickly moved with him, heading to the next area, where they were near the flood-gates. When they took position, Richard's comms turned on, having received a signal.

"This is Gus, the flood-gate is open. I repeat, the flood-gate is open." Gus stated through the comms.

"Nice work, Gus. We'll handle the rest. You guys just get the hell out of here-" Richard answered back, before he heard the sound of rockets being launched. "Ah shit..."

"What was that sound?" Alexis asked back.

"The sound of something being launched, in the next area. They're bombarding the other team." Richard responded back. "Alright, we need to get moving, before whatever is firing turns their attention to us! Karin, Alexis, charge the enemy and take out the enemies in front. Alexis, you're a Mauler, do your duty and scrap that tank before it takes fire on us!"

Corrin and Alexis complied with the orders, as they rushed the enemy, with Alexis preparing her mauler, a hammer-like weapon with a reinforced spike on one end of it, while Corrin was wielding a larger blade than before, as it looked like it could cleave someone in two with a single swing, armoured or not. Corrin did just that, swinging her blade across the field with cleaving strikes, while Alexis immediately went for the tank, using her shield to block the gatling shots coming her way, before smashing her maul right through the reactor, destroying it with a mighty explosion.

The group then continue advancing, as Zeri stopped right at the slope, where he saw several rebels above them, as he used the Victoire to gun them all down with ruthless efficiency, allowing for the group to reach the enemy camp in the area, and capture it to secure their path to the next area. Just when they did, they heard rockets being launched again, as they could now see the rockets in the air, as they were arcing towards them.

"They're aiming for us now!" Lavinia exclaimed.

"Then it's a good thing we're just about to leave this sector! Get moving!" Mari shouted back, before the group quickly moved to the next area.

They then managed to get to the next area, where they could see that the enemy was ahead of them, with a central sector surrounded by a small square-shaped moat.

"The enemy must be in the centre of the area, as the general will be as well." Richard remarked. "Mari, take the way down to the moat, and sneak around the enemy. If Audrey came with her special tank, you'll be enough to bring it down quickly. The rest of you, we're pushing forward to distract the enemy from Mari, she's our assassin against Audrey and her tank."

"Roger that." Lavinia responded back, before she then noticed that there was an enemy in the moat, as she used a cannon round to blow him to pieces. "There, you're free to go, Mari."

"Thanks a lot." Marisa answered back, before she then climbed down into the moat, and slowly made her way around the area.

The rest of the group then slowly advanced, as Zeri shot down the enemy soldiers in their path with his weapon, while Lavinia blew the one tank that was in their way, before they managed to get a clear angle on Audrey's tank, which was the same one that they fought back in Yuell.

"I'm read to take my shot!" Lavinia exclaimed. "Eat this, Gassenarl!"

She then fired her cannon round at the red tank operated by Audrey, as the shot managed to hit it with great effectiveness. However, it caused Audrey to rotate her tank, as she lowered the rocket tubes to aim for the tank.

"Oh, no you don't!" Richard roared, before he then backed up, and then ran fast enough to leap over the wide moat.

He then rushed up to Audrey's tank, and sliced right through her rocket tubes, causing them to clatter down on the ground, useless after being severed from the main unit. At the same time, Marisa finished her path to the tank, as she was right behind it, with a clear aim at the radiator.

"Alright, stand back, Rain! I'll finish this fight! Say your prayers, girlie!" Mari exclaimed to Richard, as the latter hopped away from the tank, before Mari then fired a full-powered rocket into the radiator, damaging it severely, then switching to the semi-automatic mode of the weapon, and firing the entire clip of minaturized rockets at the radiator, finishing the job, as the tank exploded strongly, but not enough to turn it to scrap, although it was undeniably inoperable. "HA! There goes one of their special weapons!"

Suddenly, from the tank itself, a woman with long blonde hair and yellow eyes, limped out of the tank, dressed in royal red general gear, before then falling out of the tank.

"Rgh! It seems I was wrong to dismiss you as cadets." She remarked, before seeing Richard, as she was shocked. "What...!? You!?"

She tried to stand up, although Richard quickly pulled out the side-arm placed on his waist, before firing two shots right at the woman's knees, as she collapsed with a growl of pain, while Richard moved closer to her, gun still trained on her.

"Yes, me. You're quite far from your brother, Audrey." Richard remarked coldly. "Your time is up. The canyon is ours... and so are you."

The rest of the group came, as they approached Audrey slowly, while the other team approached her as well.

"Are you the general!? Well, sorry, lady, but we're taking back the canyon!" Avan exclaimed. "You're not going to win this war with us here!"

"You're surrounded, and you're incapacitated on top of that. I'll give you a fair choice, despite all you and your damned family has done to the nation." Richard threatened Audrey. "Surrender yourself, and you might live to make your own defence, and be spared from a life sentence or execution. Or you can die a dog's death right here. I won't hesitate to pull the trigger, so make your choice. Dishonour or death."

"Did we win, Cosette?" Aliasse asked Cosette, as she got closer to Audrey and Rain.

"Ali, it's still dangerous! Try to stay back, okay?" Cosette remarked, as she dragged Aliasse away from Audrey.

"What?! Silver hair and red eyes? That girl..." Audrey remarked, before she tried to raise her head to face Aliasse. "You, girl. Are you of Valkyrian blood?"

"Well, yeah." Aliasse responded casually.

"Why does a Valkyria fight with this Lanseal rabble?! The sacred flame wasted upon their ilk!" Audrey spat, before Richard placed a foot on the back of her head, and slammed it on the ground. "Argh!"

"Pitiful, even when you're at the verge of defeat, you still spew such slander." Richard responded back, before he then grinned cruelly. "Isn't it the most beautiful form of irony to you, Audrey? For a Yggdist, you are quite easy to betray your own beliefs for your ambitions. Here stands before you, a true-blooded Valkyria... who stands against you. And with your rebels are mockery of the valkyrias, imitations of them in a corrupted image. By siding with such abominations, you have turned your own back against your true beliefs, and threw them away to suit your selfish wishes. What say you, Audrey Gassenarl, hypocrite and traitor in both nation and religion?"

"You speak lies!" Audrey roared back. "A true valkyria would never side with your traitorous kin, especially with a Darcsen like you! You have turned her against us with honeyed words and false promises! You are not fit to bear the power of the valkyria, nor the right to stand with them in the new world!"

"Even if that new world is nothing but ashes?" Richard responded back.

"We will build a new nation, pure of the Darcsens, pure with Gallians..." Audrey declared. "If the nation has be ashes to achieve this, then so be it, we'll create a new world order from those ashes!"

"Tch. And you show your true colours." Richard remarked back. "Like the Valkyria of the old, you seek nothing but destruction and death, for arrogant causes and conquest."

"What...?" Audrey remarked, as she was stunned by Richard's words.

"Once again, sweet irony is present." Richard answered back. "You believe that Gallia is weak, because it is built from the 'lies' of the Archduchess. Funny, because what you perceive as truth in that demented vision of yours, is nothing but a lie, one perpetuated for millennia, and the cause of all the hatred for my kin. Tell me, Audrey, do you really think that the Valkyrur are the unstained saviours of the continent from the savage and cruel Darcsens? You are truly naive, if you fail to remember what happened at Ghirlandaio. The Imperial Valkyria... destroyed the fortress, the majority of the Gallian Army, with her final Valkyrian flame."

"No... No...! It can't be true!" Audrey exclaimed, trying to deny Richard's words.

"The ancient Valkyrurs neglected to mention the massive collateral damage theirs powers and weapons must have inevitably caused, the cruel deeds they have done to conquer this nation." Richard continued, not caring about Audrey's state. "Yes, we Darcsens weren't saints back then, but we were the rightful owners of this land, as natives of it, and we have never resorted to such destructive methods to wage war. And not only that, you forget that House Randgriz is a lineage of Darcsens, who sold their race out to the Valkyrur. They are still Darcsens, but they were given the divine right to rule Gallia in their stead. Cordelia is of their blood, thus your attempt to oust her is nothing but rebellion against the Valkyrur's will. You ARE the traitors to your own idols, as proven by the fact that you dabble with their power to destroy and ruin like the olden ones have, and that the fact that all pure-blooded Valkyria of this generation are united against you. The Valkyrur who stand alongside us... are the true Valkyrur, who shed their olden legacy of destruction, death and conquest, their light a symbol of peace, hope and equality. Do you dare to raise your hand, knowing all of this?"

Audrey's will was shattered at this point, her belief completely turned against her, as she was unresponsive, just staring at the ground.

"Alright, secure the area. I'll get Audrey up, and we'll have her detained inside of the-" Richard ordered the rest of the group.

"General! Another Lanseal group is approaching-" A rebel officer rushed over with his men, before seeing their own commander captured, as well as the Lanseal squad present here. "General Audrey!?"

Richard then moved into action, as did everyone in the group, save for Aliasse, who was cuddled tightly in Cosette's embrace. He immediately seized Audrey by the neck, lifting her in front of him, as she was still unable to act, even when he pressed the barrel of the gun against the side of her head.

"Make one move, and your general's head will be spilled across the ground." Richard threatened the rebels. "And you'll all be next. Drop all of your weapons, and kick them towards us. If one of you even twitches your finger... You'll be with one less general, and one less Gassenarl. Do as I say, and your lives might be spared."

The rebels stared at Richard and his group, as their weapons were still up, although they were hesitating whether to press the threat or succumb to it. Richard growled, before he then pressed the gun tighter to Audrey's head. "NOW. You have 10 seconds to comply, before I shoot, and you all die with her!" Richard snarled. "10... 9... 8..."

As Richard counted down loudly, the rebels immediately lost all will to resist, as they threw their weapons down, including their side-arms, before kicking them over. Richard then lowered his gun, as promised, before turning to Cosette.

"Cosette, hand-cuff all of them, especially Audrey." Richard ordered, before turning to the rebels. "And all of you, get over here, and no funny business. I see a grenade's head, and you all die."

The rebel slowly inched over, as the group seized them one by one, while Cosette fitted the hand-cuffs on them. Richard then picked up Audrey and the rebel officer, before dragging them across the field.

"Lavinia! Open the tank hatch!" Richard shouted, before he then quickly neck-chopped both of his captives, to ensure that they're unconscious.

Lavinia did so, as Richard lowered both of them inside of the hatch, before Richard gestured for Avan to enter the tank, and watch over them, in case they awaken in the middle of the trip.

"Alright, the rest of you, return to Lanseal." Richard answered back. "I've got some things to ask our prisoners."

"Are you sure that you'll be fine alone?" Avan asked, peeking out of the tank hatch.

"I'll got Gus, Mari and Sally with me." Richard responded back. "We'll be fine."

"If you say so! Class G-7, let's head home!" Avan shouted to everyone, as they left the field.

Richard then looked at the few prisoners gathered before him, as they stared at him with fear in their eyes.

"What, do you want information?" One of the rebel soldiers asked, as Richard approached him. "Well, I won't tell-"

Richard then ruthlessly executed the rebel, with a bullet through the head, as the dead rebel collapsed on the floor. This spooked the rebels greatly, as another one of them tried to run, only to meet the same fate as his comrade.

"Don't move a single inch, if you want to live." Richard warned the rest of the rebels, before he then reloaded his side-arm. "One of you must die for your sins, your sins of murdering countless innocent civilians and employing inhumane methods for the extermination of my kin. Pray that you will not follow your comrade in death. I will ask you a question. When I call for one of you, you will give me a full answer. If you say you don't know at the wrong questions, you die. If you refuse to answer five seconds after I finished my question, you die. If you try to run, you die. If you try to lie to me, you die. I will ask questions until I deem it fit that I have enough, and what remains of you all will be released. But make no mistake, if I find you again on the field of battle, pray that you die before I see you, because I will capture you, and make your last moments a living hell."

The rebels were already broken at hearing Richard's cruel and unforgiving words, while Gus tried his best not to feel disgusted at Richard's currently inhuman attitude, while Reisen merely observed, as she loaded her sniper rifle. Sanae herself looked a little bit sympathetic for the rebels, who were unfortunate enough to be caught as information for Richard.

"You." Richard stated, pointing his gun at the leftmost rebel solider. "Where is Baldren Gassenarl?"

"H-He's in Castle Randgriz...! Ever since the incident inside, he's holed himself up inside of it!" The rebel responded back. "I swear that's all I know."

"Good." Richard then turned his gun to the next rebel in line. "Why was Audrey stationed here? This is no ordinary tactical point, is it?"

"Well, Roendahl Canyon was where our supply line was... We had to protect it, or our attacks on the south would fail..." The rebel stated.

"A sufficient answer." Richard then moved the gun again. "Where is Dirk Gassenarl?"

"Him? We don't know!" The rebel asked, before he then began to coldly sweat, as Richard's eyes narrowed. "How are we supposed to know!? He's only with a lone squad who is directly commanded by Baldren!"

"Hmph, fair enough." Richard scoffed, moving his gun again. "Who ordered the attack on Lanseal...?"

"It... It was Baldren...! He realised how dangerous all of you have become, so he opted for us to strike you at your own base!" The rebel frantically answered back.

"So he did... Humph, he'll get his due soon enough for this." Richard stated, before moving to the next rebel. "What is your next target?"

"Well, we were just going to attack a few villages around the region..." The rebel responded back, averting his eyes, which Richard caught.

"Is that so...?" Richard asked back, before he then shot the rebel in the head. "Because you were certainly lying. You seemed like that there was something bigger in play. Now then, to you... What is your next target?"

"We need to acquire ragnite! Ragnite for the artificial valkyria!" The rebel quickly answered back. "I swear I'm telling the truth, please don't shoot! PLEASE DON'T SHOOT!"

"Alright then, I won't. So you're preparing for a great offensive on the entirety of the country then." Richard replied back, before he then moved his gun back to the first rebel. "Next. Where is Archduchess Cordelia?"

"She's been held in the castle cells... I don't know why the command didn't dispose of her, we have the capital!" The rebel responded back.

"Perhaps Baldren wanted to make a final humiliation on her." Richard responded back, moving his gun to the next rebel in line. "Alright then, here's the last question for you all. You said that there was an incident inside the castle. Care to explain about what it was?"

"Well... There was news that there was a Gallian Army spy who killed both Gilbert Gassenarl, and our Federation contact, Townshend." The rebel responded back.

"What...!?" Richard exclaimed, as Sanae heard this, as she was shocked as well, before he then tightened his grip on the gun. "Explain that further."

"I can't! That's all we know! The fact that supreme command has been transferred to his son, Baldren, is nagging at my head here! He doesn't seem so sad that his father is gone!" The rebel responded back with a frantic tone. "All I want is this war to end!"

"Your wish will be granted, and you'll live to see it, if you renounce your rebel ways." Richard answered back.

"But why are you doing this to all of us? Why are you pressing us for information, with the threat of execution!? None of the officers with the Gallian army does that!" The rebel responded back.

"You think that you have the right to have your question answered? Fine, I'll amuse myself by telling you." Richard remarked. "You are rebels, agents of anarchy against a fair and just order under the Archduchess, she has done everything to preserve the nation and improve it. You turn against her with the mere reasoning that she is a Darcsen, and that she must be purged along with the rest of her kin, without difference or negotiation. Despite everything you have done, the Gallian army is so merciful to detain what they can catch, as if you're just mere criminals. But I? I know far better than to show mercy to ungrateful dogs like you, who spited your own nation by murdering citizens, razing towns, and committing slaughter without reason. Granting you mercy would be humanising you all as people worthy of redemption, which you are all not. The fact that I haven't executed you all right now, after you told me all of this, is the only mercy I shall grant to you. I will not accept your surrender, no matter how you beg for it. You are nothing but terrorists following a mindless and detrimental goal, and don't deserve to be treated as proper combatants of war, like the Imperials were."

Richard then flicked his pistol. "Now then, I suggest that you go, before I change my mind and make true on my promise." Richard threatened the rebels.

The rebels immediately moved, knowing better to tempt fate, as they left with their hands still bound.

"Reisen... I leave it up to you whether to let them go, or to kill them quickly." Richard answered back, as Reisen nodded, and left the area.

"Shit, Richard... Are you really going to go through with this?" Gus asked back.

"I've done far worse to people who are much more better and have more moral fibre than these senseless rebels. It was a mercy like I said, and I let Reisen enact her own justice on them. It is fair play." Richard answered back coolly. "Let us head back... The fact that there's something off with the world right now... means that we can only expect the worst."

"What do you mean?" Gus asked back.

"Gus... You know Townshend, right?" Sanae answered back. "He wasn't meant to be killed... If Baldren did this, who knows what could happen from here on... He might have something more than a battleship and a new artificial valkyria system this time around."

Gus took note of that, as Reisen then returned, as she was with several sniper rounds less, enough for the others to tell that she's made her choice, before they then left the area.