DISCLAIMER

The following is a fan-based

FICTION

All Installations of Valkyria Chronicles are all owned by SEGA.

Please Support the Official Release!

"Crumbling Leviathan"

June 22 1935 EC

Brigadier General Selvaria Bles

Castle Randgriz, Randgriz, Principality of Gallia

P.S. I now have a discord server! Discord .gg/ceBMM2Zz6c

Pxtreon: P a treon . com (slash) socialistbukharin

Despite being assured by the prince that the plan was going to work as intended, Selvaria could feel that something bad was soon to unfold the moment they entered that viper's nest.

It was not just a gut feeling, but a well-placed unease towards someone that had proved himself to be far more dangerous and troublesome than any potential foe they had faced in Gallia. This one was a fearsome threat that had been resting and growing in their shadows for too long and that now represented their last enemy in what was going to be their requiem.

Selvaria wanted to smile and nod as she would before this sort of cunning, but there was just too much worry in her heart to ignore the chances of this ending poorly. The war was coming to an end, but the prince had purposely ignored placing a sufficient garrison force to protect the ports so that the Federation would expose their best troops in an invasion from the sea and give Maximilian more targets to end his two enemies at once.

With the Gallian resistance mostly suppressed, it was time to turn their attention to the last foe in this grand game of powers. Kurt Hertling and his power-grab to stop their rightful rise to power.

The visit was meant to be a conclusion of the conflict as Maximilian would demand Major General Hertling, the 'Gallien Kommissar', to step down so that Maximilian could take the throne he claimed for himself. Technically speaking, that was a reasonable demand- Gallia would be better ruled by an imperial member such as Maximilian, and thus secured him a strong claim on the fief.

Yet, the recent attempts of the Imperial investigators which were suppressed before those could ruin their plans mixed with the growing lack of messages from the capital determined that the air of support from those that once pledged their lives to Maximilian had given them a bleaker view of the situation. This may as well be their last chance to win it all and the odds were stacking against them.

It was clear by now that Hertling had at least a clue on what they were trying to do- or rather, realized what it could entail for Maximilian to take over from him.

Which is why the first expectation as their convoy of well-trained troops made it to Ragnitz, was to be subjected to a firefight. That the heat would be released now and reasons for diplomacy be hurled out of the closest window. But Selvaria's expectation- and Maximilian's hope in that regard, were crushed by the lack of hostility from the troops.

There was a powerplay however as the prince and the Valkyria were 'gifted' with a safe ride to the palace through the elite troops of X-O. A horrible man that was Heinrich Belgar, at least he was intrigued by Maximilian's play and saw no reason to unveil it. That was enough to lower their guards as they thought the Doctor had found a way to convince Hertling to lower his own defenses too.

A mistaken assumption as proved when they finally entered that office. This time, Selvaria's inner realization that this was a trap was shown to be correct.

Hertling was not alone.

That detail shouldn't have been bad enough as it turned out to be, yet Selvaria quickly recognized that this change meant more than anyone could have expected. Any chance of relying on her Valkyria power to subdue him was rendered unknown by the presence of another individual sitting right beside him.

A familiar face, and one that bore no kindness, warmth or even neutrality as she entered the room together with her prince. Crymaria had seemingly gotten in contact with the Major General, something that was concerning and... worse, considering that the young woman was briefly reading through some notes she had on her side of the table.

Belgar had allowed someone to take 'his' Valkyria? That was concerning, even more when it became clear that Crymaria also looked pleased to see them there. There was prepared anger mixed with giddiness in her features- This was a set up and Selvaria felt her instincts flare in dread. Her prince didn't notice and, even if he had, the hope driving him would have made him ignore all the red flags before them.

"Major General Hertling, it's been quite a while," Maximilian greeted politely, well-aware that now the situation couldn't allow him to speak too harshly with his opponent having a fellow powerful ally to his side. "I've heard many... great things during your work as the Kommissar of this country."

The infuriating Hertling smiled at that. "Likewise, your highness. Praise be to you for your successful campaign. Dare I say that I could have prepared some fine wine for the occasion if not for the fact that I doubt you are here to just hand out compliments."

No subtlety, the officer was instantly on them and Selvaria studied the situation further. Hertling sounded confident- not arrogant and not cocky, he was genuinely confident about this situation. Which felt out of place considering they had the upper hand despite Crymaria being there. Out of the two, Selvaria knew she was the strongest and could overwhelm the foolish sister of hers. There were reports easily retrievable to confirm this so...

Where did this confidence come from?

Maximilian's silence wasn't brief, this was a clash after all. "Fancy for you to bring a need to cease celebrations when my reason to be there is worthy of one of its own."

"Perhaps so, but not in the manner you expect, your highness. In fact, I am happy to say that I received mail regarding you that I have been instructed by none other than the Emperor himself after overseeing your recent actions, to provide you your due rewards."

He couldn't have sound any more vicious and the mention of the Emperor as the primary signature for these documents was indeed bad for any plans they could have. One thing was to put a fight over claims with a 'commoner', another was to put the prince against his father. And the first paper wasn't any kind to him much to his immediate chagrin.

"The first documentation is one signed by Imperial Science Board in regard to a couple of anomalies they have discovered while investigating donations you have invested to Project Freya, a project which is publicly known to be responsible in the production of troops of the Valkyria kind through specific regulations which, in the facility you have personally oversaw, were ignored," Hertling started to read out, and Selvaria felt a strange cold forming by her stomach.

She looked at Maximilian and saw him offer a stone-like expression that allowed no emotions to manifest. Selvaria expected an objection, but the prince was outright refusing to speak as his gaze was aimed solely on the one thing that would make any accusation of falsehood fall short: the Imperial seal of the envelope where the document was retrieved from. The young woman had seen it many times through the letters exchanged between Maximilian and the Emperor, and she recognized it to be indeed a true seal.

"In the specific, the ISB finds you in contempt and to be fined for having bribed Doctor Pavel and Doctor Witte in willingly ignoring parameters established to prevent the chances of high failure on the project, causing for a harsh increase of the failure odds from 20% to 45% and then, finally, 67%. Which is why you will be fined within the limitations of the law due to your criminal activity," Hertling paused a moment, then glancing up at Maximilian as the prince's furious glare met a cold pair of eyes that were showing him no mercy. "Your highness, you were responsible for allowing the harsh treatment and outright torture of subjects of the process- enabling it for the sake of unknown circumstances."

"Potentially unknown circumstances," Crymaria spoke finally, and her incensed voice drove Selvaria in a nervous mood.

This was... ridiculous. Selvaria didn't want to believe it as this would create a completely different view of what she held Maximilian with. The man that brought out of the chains, gave her fresh clothes, education, a happier life and a purpose- the love! All would be gone, all because of one stupid document that held a harsh truth Maximilian wasn't even craving to answer.

Or rather, he wouldn't have answered that if not for Crymaria's comment.

"You don't know anything of what happened," He boasted angrily, and for a moment Selvaria felt hope that he was going to deny these foolish allegations- that all that was being said was a lie. She was tempted to join too, but she had been ordered to be put to prevent any unwanted escalations.

And this was already escalating quite far as Crymaria wasn't given a similar order from her response.

"I know enough from official reports to know what you have done. What you purposely had us put through so that you could have gotten yourself your toy!" Crymaria's eyes were glowing a bit and Selvaria felt a knot on her throat, indecision between shock, need to intervene and acutally take a safe approach all leaving her with the worst preparation for this sort of clash. "And- And then you dare to say that I don't know what-!"

Crymaria's furious speech ceased instantly, a sharp cut that almost felt deadly yet... no murder unfolded to cease the wrath for her fellow Valkyria. A hand was now resting on her shoulder, a gesture that was absurd in sight due to the deep distrust Crymaria bore for anyone that was not her wolf. Yet, despite tensing up at the feeling and glaring at Hertling's face, the two were witnessing a sight beyond expectation.

Crymaria hesitated, confusion mixed with her wrath, but that didn't last long either. The Major General started to slowly breathe, trying to show the woman what she had to do unconsciously. Picking up on the action, the Valkyria's anger slowly receded and her powers retreated back into her core, ready to rage once more if tickled into action once again. Which, considering the topic they were treating, was quite likely.

Selvaria was drawn back to the matter itself and felt her blood drain from her face the more she tried to claw back at her memories to find proper evidence that he had cared, that all he did to her wasn't a scheme to just trick her into being a weapon- that he actually held a degree of warmth towards her. But the more she looked, the more she saw these empty smiles, these lacking compliments, these scowls, the jealous stares she had ignored, the greed, the want, the desire- but not for her or even her body, but her power.

Power, it was always power for him. Power to be better, to be more, to be higher, to be... complete.

"As much as I agree with Fraulein Levin's own grievance, I believe this session is far from over. After all, what I just read was the least of the many problem you caused to the Empire, Maximilian."

Gone was the formality and that's where Maximilian snapped.

"I will be regarded as-"

"No!"

Hertling's loud response shock both the prince and Selvaria.

"I will not address someone that had been deprived of their imperial titles with such a name. I have entertained this foolish play of power for far too long," He remarked angrily, retrieving another document and this one, Selvaria already knew, would be the end of it all. "As of yesterday, Prince Maximilian Galus von Reginrave has been stripped of his titles due to the accusations of High Treason, Aggravated Sabotage against the Country, and Corruption being verified and validated by the Emperor and his council. Is thus ordered that his official destitution shall unfold on day 24 of June before the fully-assembled council. So, it is ordained for all officers to comply in arresting the prince for this heinous crimes."

Selvaria stood up from her chair, but she just couldn't... do more. It was like her mind had finally caught up to her aching heart. The truth rattling her in a manner that left her exposed and naked for exploitation. Where she thought the monster-turned-officer Hertling would have been the one to make use of the circumstance, the feeling of a cold gun aimed at the side of her head and an arm around her waist that kept her firmly held drew the last straw.

Maximilian had realized there would be no saving, that this was the end of the line and that there was one way to solve this.

"S-Selvaria, do it. End this. End them, end us!"

"U-Us," Selvaria stumbled in her words, shocked by the sheer arrogance her- no, the former prince now had in mind. She felt the entire life she built from scratch dying and the man she once loved wanted her to perish for his sake. There was nothing in her mind but a deep need to cry and with her life on the edge as both Hertling and Crymaria were in no position to save her...

Then the Valkyria noticed a smile on the Major General's face, devoid of any hesitation as she felt soft footsteps coming from behind.

"I believe, boy, that this is your end alone," A harsh elderly tone proclaimed.

Maximilian panicked at the familiar voice, failing to realize the mistake in that reaction as the butt of a handgun hit the back of his head. A single loud hit and the former prince crumbled to the ground, releasing Selvaria as the woman could only stare in pure shock as the world crumbled around her.

She knew who did this, the one that Maximilian had forgotten in the greatest moment of weakness and that had entered the room due to the commotion despite having been told to stay out of it. Jaegar had listened to the orders and he merely stared at the end result of the actions committed by Major General Berthold Gregor himself.

[spoiler][/spoiler]

The least loyal to Maximilian in the Drei Stern, Gregor was an old traditionalist that fought in the First Europan War and scored great wins for the Empire. He had been assigned to Maximilian as a 'respectable officer to help the invasion', but he was regarded from the very beginning as the Emperor's spy that he truly turned out to be.

Hence why this display unfolded.

"Herr Hertling, apologies for the interruption, but I suspect that you required some assistance with Maximilian," The old man spoke with resolution and yet irritation, the last emotion aimed at the unconscious blond.

"Your intervention was as impeccable as intriguing, Herr Gregor," The younger officer replied and showed some... surprise? "I wasn't expecting you to be made aware of the situation regarding Maximilian."

"I was told of this through my special connection to the capital. The Emperor was indeed worried that Maximilian would have tried to resist arrest, so I kept an eye on him to make sure that he didn't try anything to defy the Empire's will."

A nod, and Hertling sighed. "I suppose you were also instructed to take care of Maximilian so he can be escorted safely to the capital."

"For the transport, yes. But I assume I shall retain control of my troops once I return."

"I will consider expanding that privilege, same case for Major General Jaeger considering he shall retain his duties despite the circumstances surrounding his superior."

Berthold nodded satisfied, and left after politely greeting them all and having two of his soldiers carry the former prince away.

Leaving just Selvaria to be dealt with and she knew this could easily go poorly on her. She expected many things from someone as cunning and vicious as Hertling, but the blond appeared relatively calm as he delivered his judgment on her.

"Due to the circumstances tied to your relations with former Prince Maximilian, however, I have to temporarily strip you of your rank and assign someone to personally see for an interrogation and evaluation for a report on how to punish your affiliation with plans regarding the betrayal of the empire. I suggest cooperation as your warden shall be as respectful as she can be," He announced and while Selvaria could absently nod at the tame punishment, she realized one thing that told her much on who was going to be assigned to her.

"Her?"

Crymaria's smile was ruthless, and Selvaria felt a shiver go down her spine. It took her just a moment to notice that the smile wasn't aimed at her, but at Hertling himself. Confusion was roused by this, but Crymaria's words shed some light on the matter.

"I can't be given such a burden, Major General," Crymaria interjected flatly. "I have no rank."

That was indeed an unexpected detail, and Selvaria felt that this could have presented a new escalation if not for Hertling's ace in the sleeve.

"Truly, I had slightly forgotten of this but... I think this can be fixed at once," He remarked calmly as he retrieved an unsigned document, wrote some details there and then handed it to Crymaria.

Selvaria tried to see what was written there, but she saw Crymaria suddenly grasp the paper tightly and protectively.

"...You are promoting me to a rank."

That's- what?!

"Correct. Due to the circumstances, both present and past ones related to your unfair treatment leading you to suffer through erroneous evaluations for your capacity to fit in the roles of the miltiary, I decide to give you the rank of Major for the duration of this assignment," Hertling confirmed and then elaborated on this decision. "If you desire to keep the rank, I will be more than happy to evaluate the chances to render it permanent per the duration of the war, thus under assignments outside the scope of X-O. Of course, it will be your choice and your choice alone."

A nod, and Crymaria took this with a small smile. Selvaria was, instead, shocked by that reward. It was clear that Crymaria had understood the first half of that chance, but the better-prepared Valkyria in social situations understood what the second half offered: a way out of Dr. Bergal's limitations and rules, away from the ISB. Considering the move Hertling gained this event, this was within his possibilities in gaining a considerably-loyal Crymaria, the strongest Valkyria, under his control.

Worst of all, deep down, Selvaria knew this was the best option possible for someone in her position. But where one would be happy, the Valkyria felt sorrow as she was deprived of weapons and given an isolated and heavily-guarded room. As soon as Crymaria was done telling her when they would talk the next day, the Valkyria found her face planted on the mattress of her new bed, the dams breaking as tears stained the sheets.

Without a reason to appear strong to anyone, the lone Valkyria wept her heart out, unaware that a silent Crymaria had kept behind to listen to her sorrowful noises from behind the closed door.

Many decisions were to be made, and many horrors were soon to be unveiled through Maximilian's willing negligence.

AN

Blep!

REVIEW Q&A!

Lord of Steel:
1) The Civil War itself will be averted through the 'decimation' of the disloyal nobility. The entire Gallian Aristocracy is being investigated to the point where no points of rebellion can genuinely incur and with a better leadership providing more to the principality's citizens, the worry of a genuine 'attack on the Darcsen Princess' will be limited to the extreme;
2) I will just say that the Gassenarl Family split over this 'civil war', with the more moderates pursuing an active collaboration with the current 'regency'. Likewise, the Lanseal Military Academy will receive eventual changes in its curriculum once the war is over. It's best the school is kept shut at the moment to prevent any potential 'learned dissidence among the officers produced by the school';
3) Operation Cygnus will see a major redirection to try and 'kill two birds with a stone'. Sadly for them, the birds they will face will actually fly and bring some hell to the Snow Cruisers;
4) They prefer to be loyal to the Emperor as Maximillian is too much of a ruthless 'researcher'. He is no scientist, but favors a push of inhumanity to guarantee excelent products to be mustered through the Valkyria-related projects.