Chapter 5: Encounter at Barious

Personnel: Hilde Absenkirch

First child of Erwin Absenkirch and Vyrka Hjoss, Hilde was born on Reite and has awakened her abilities as a Valkyria at age 14. Raised by her father in the values of honor, self-sacrifice and altruism Hilde never backs down when confronted with a problem or when someone asks for help.

She has long been an active member of the community at Reite and a role model for her two little siblings and other children of the village. She shares her father's dream that the Valkyrur people will once again return on the world stage to contribute to the development of all humanity.

Given the relative status her family enjoys thanks to Erwin's position in the Gallian state, Hilde didn't hesitate to volunteer for the Cygnus Project, seeing it as a duty of the Valkyrur in general and hers in particular to contribute to the destruction of the oppressive and warmongering Empire.


April 21, 1935.

The first impact with Vinland had been a true roller-coaster for Hilde and her two Valkyria companions. From the small village and town in Reite they had found themselves thrust into the huge metropolis of New Leeds, where towering buildings reached the sky and there were rivers of people in every street.

Vurne had felt overwhelmed by that crowd while Thereia was immediately irritated, but at least they didn't have to go among them, because a group of the Vinlandian secret operatives were ready to pick them up and bring them to a laboratory just outside the city, and right next to the Mawnokee weapons factory.

The first days had been spent with medical examinations and preliminary tests made by a group of scientists led by one Doctor Obwehl, who seemed satisfied with the results and told them that the work could begin immediately.

Just a few days before, the three Valkyrias had received a surgical operation that had installed them some kind of device on the back, but Hilde hadn't fully understood what that was needed for. She only knew that her back still hurt like hell every time she moved.

"Gods!" she grunted as she sat at the table for breakfast.

"Leave them out of this, kid." Thereia said also quite in pain. "What I need right now is some drugs."

"Not even our healing ability is enough to get this away." Vurne commented as she sweated for the pain.

Then a knocking on the door followed and Hilde, already knowing who that was, said "Come in."

It was Captain Forseti. Like every morning he was checking on them before starting his guard shift.

"Good morning, ladies." he stated cordially. "I hope the surgery hasn't deprived you of sleep."

"It certainly didn't make it comfortable." Thereia lamented.

"Well, until you're fully recovered, you have free time." Forseti reassured. "If you can walk, perhaps you should try get some fresh air."

"I think I will take a day more on the couch. Thanks, Captain." Vurne said as kindly as she could. "I'd really like to visit New Leeds before I'm confined forever."

"With the due precautions, I think we can arrange that."

Hilde, on the opposite, wasn't going to waste that opportunity. "I do want to get out of this grave, for once. Captain, would you kindly accompany me?" she asked gently and with a friendly smile.

"Of course." Forseti replied with a smirk.

He then offered his arm. Forseti might have been a boy from the slums of a remote town of Gallia, but he certainly knew some manners. Hilde smirked back and leaned her hand on his arm with some elegance, which she had to quickly drop as she struggled to stand up without her back tearing itself apart. Nonetheless, she managed to stand and then leaned on the Captain for support as she started walking toward the door.

They managed to reach the corridor and then get outside the house. It was basically a modest but comfortable villa hidden in the remote campaigns of the State of New Leeds, inside of which large garden and holding were also several other huts and cement buildings that hosted most of the personnel and equipment of Project Cygnus.

At the very least, the three Valkyrias were being treated like royals when they weren't under the irons.

"I bet this place was very nice and quiet before the Project." Hilde commented as she looked at the different buildings.

"I know. Even when there's no active fighting, the war can be felt all the way here." Forseti replied.

Hilde smiled and joked "Too bad I won't see it end."

At that, Forseti turned his head toward her and replied quite amazed and scared. "How can you accept all of this so easily? You still have your entire life ahead."

Hilde chuckled. "What life would it be with constant fear of another war? Or worse, if the Empire takes over? If I can help stopping this war and create even a slightly safer world for everyone…" she breathed to resist another feeling of pain. "Then I can tell my ancestors that I have lived fully."

Forseti had nothing to say back. After all, what could he do against such fierce and pure determination?

"Well, on another note, it seems your father has distinguished himself again."

"Really, what happened?" Hilde asked curious. Hearing about her father's feats always put her in a good mood.

"He vanquished a large imperial base in the Kloden Wildwood. It has set back their invasion for a few weeks."

Hilde was happy to hear that, but it also brought up another matter as to why she was taking on her duty so strongly. "See? Everyone is giving their all, back in Gallia. If I want to stand up with dignity, carrying on my task here is the least I can do."

"Right…" Forseti replied, not entirely convinced. "Do you miss your family?"

"Every day. I bet Merne is driving mom crazy." she replied with a giggle. "And I know that they are all doing their best in whatever is happening them."

"Yeah...I guess my sister is doing so, as well."

Hilde now became a little more cautious. "Did you have any news about her?"

"I heard that her team, Squad E, is part of the Edinburgh Army Armored Ranger Corp and has already distinguished themselves against the initial imperial invasion." then he chuckled. "But I shouldn't be surprised, considering Claude is in charge."

"Who?" Hilde asked curious.

"Claude Wallace. When I was a kid, he was part of the group of friends I was in."

"Wow. So you do have friends, Captain gloomy-eyes. Tell me, tell me!" she encouraged enthusiastic.

Forseti smirked, and with a bit of embarrassed reluctance, he decided to invite her to sit on one of the benches in the garden and started talking.


April 22, 1935.

The Barious Desert had little to offer to the eye if not sand and dunes. That was, until someone reached the center of it. In that area, where a complex of Valkyrur temples and the ruins of an ancient Darcsen city laid, there was also a nearby canyon and several trenches that had been carved into the rocky terrain.

Waiting at the periphery of said complex, Squad 7 was presiding its sector, which Erwin suspected could be the one where the enemy would show up first, and they were all eating some watermelons that the logistical battalion had just delivered them for refreshment.

And attached to the squad, since they were expected to meet the enemy first, there were also Ramal and Kiril, wearing a khaki version of their combat uniform, both for concealment and for avoiding that their black clothing boiled them alive in that temperature.

There was also Ellet, the young reporter who had intercepted them at Vasel and had since then decided to follow Squad 7 and write articles about them.

She took a picture of the squad gathered around the Edelweiss to eat, and Kiril asked in curiosity "Shouldn't you spare the rolls to take pictures of us in combat?"

"I got plenty, don't you worry." she replied as cheerful as ever. "Besides, the readers like to see some mundane scenes. It reminds them that you are normal people, just like them, so it's easier to remind everyone to do their part. At least, that's how I see it."

"I read your last article, miss Ellet." Juno said. "I'd like to say that I appreciate the fact that you never downplay the Militia, like most other journals tend to do."

"The Writing on the Wall is a people's newspaper. I do not intend to let the heroics of the common civilians go unrecorded." she replied as she climbed on a free spot on the Edelweiss' hull.

"Say...do you guys think the stories about this place are true?" Largo added after a brief silence.

"About the Darcsen Catastrophe? Sure, believe it if you want." Sheila replied already annoyed by that topic.

"Hey, calm down, I was simply asking." Largo defended. "I have always been skeptical about them anyway."

Rosie loudly spit a seed of her watermelon slice and then stood up from her seat on the Edelweiss. "Leave it to the dark-hair to ruin their own kind."

"You actually believe those stories? What on Earth could our ancestors use to cause all of this?" Sheila insisted.

Rosie couldn't do like other times and order her to shut up, since Sheila had been promoted to Corporal, too, after her contribution at Vasel and Kloden. Still, she kept going "Who knows? Black magic, for all I care."

"All of you, hold it!" Ramal suddenly warned.

Everybody turned toward him, who was looking at the horizon with his binocular. After a few more seconds, he confirmed "Enemy units spotted! 02. 430 meters. Infantry and at least two light tanks."

"Prepare for battle!" Welkin immediately ordered and his squad rushed to get their weapons. Welkin looked around and gave a quick look at the terrain. He realized that there was a crag on the huge rock on their right side that could be used by a sniper team to provide cover.

"Ramal, can you cover us from there?" he said, pointing the crag.

Ramal had with him his sniper rifle: a GLS-30, an experimental rifle used by the GSS, and of which Ramal was one of the few who had qualified to use back at the school.

The Corporal gave a quick look and said "Got it." as he went and grabbed his GLS while putting the Lansealer on his back.

Welkin then turned and ordered "Marina! Oscar! Go with him. Noce, spot them!"

The three replied "Yes, sir!" without hesitation, though Welkin could swear that Noce was growling a bit. Welkin then pushed the button on his headset.

"Captain, this is Squad 7, come in!"


"Rot Falke, come in." the voice of Varrot came from his earpiece and Erwin pushed it. "Rot Falke, here."

"Squad 7 has entered in contact with an enemy company. I'm sending them reinforcements."

"Understood. Attack them and push toward the temple complex. I'll meet you there."

"Acknowledged."

Erwin then turned toward Kurt. "Captain, the Third is attacking the Imperials, so there is no time to lose. Where did you see the Batomys?"

Kurt pointed down the canyon. "Over there. A spot 800 meters from here."

"Show me."

The Nameless started their march as the echo of distant gunshots and tank cannonades started echoing through the air.

"I hope they are all right." Riela commented.

"Trust me, I would be more worried for the Imps." Erwin reassured.

They proceeded for nearly 200 meters before Erwin rose a fist to order a stop. "Be on guard." he said as he rose his Lansealer and the Nameless rose their own weapons.

"What is it?" Imca asked.

"We're not alone." Erwin murmured as he looked around. He could sense human lifeforms somewhere around them, but he couldn't see them.

Then, a distant click. Right on top of the rocky wall on their right.

Erwin dashed away right before a shot cracked the silence and a bullet landed right where the General was a second before. The officer then jumped behind a small rock and yelled "Ambush!"

The Gallians went for cover wherever they could as a group of three men covered in black and silver armors appeared on top of the trench and opened fire with two semi-automatic rifles and one assault machine-gun. The Nameless promptly returned fire, but Erwin decided to use the one weapon that could nullify his enemies' high ground: the grenade launcher.

Seeing that those imperials were just at the edge of the small mountain, Erwin fired his explosive shell right below their feet. The explosion immediately crumbled the strip and two Imperials fell down, yelling for all those eight or so meters before they snapped their spines and necks on the ground. The third soldier quickly retreated.

"Looks like it was only a patrol." Kurt noted. "We better hurry."

"Wait." Erwin replied as he hurried toward the dead bodies and inspected them.

"What's wrong?" Asked Gusurg from the turret of the tank.

"Their colors are similar to those of the Imperial Guard, but I've never seen this armor...or this mask." Erwin replied while he removed some rubble from the one soldier who had landed with his face up and was sporting a strange white mask that resembled a skull. Feeling his instinct poking his mind, Erwin went and uncovered the face of that soldier.

And that left him speechless.

"A...a Darcsen?" he asked completely stunned.

"What?!" Gusurg, who had heard him nonetheless, exclaimed and jumped down the tank.

Quickly enough, Kurt and Imca also gathered around, and the Darcsen in the team were all shocked to see that the other dead soldier was a kin of theirs, as well.

"Since when does the Empire enlist Darcsen?" Kurt asked surprised.

"I don't know. But now it's not the time to make that question." Erwin replied calmly. "We need to reach that crag before they come back with more of their friends."

"I agree." Kurt said, returning to his calm attitude. "Let's keep going. We need to confirm if the Batomys is still waiting."

The group went double time toward the spotting site that the Nameless had singled out in the previous days. And when they finally reached it, Erwin could finally see the entity of the enemy force: at around 2 km of distance he could see the huge land-ship Batomys, surrounded by what was probably an entire Division, perhaps the maximum amount of soldiers that could be supplied in that desert.

"It's parked right outside the temple valley." Erwin noted, referring to the circular formation of rocky hills in front of the machine. Inside that natural wall there was a large Valkyrur temple surrounded by some minor monuments.

"What could he be looking for?" Riela pondered.

"I don't know. But to get inside the temple he needs an Awakened, which means Selvaria must be with him." the General concluded.

"Look at how they are lined up, though." Kurt intervened. "The First and Second Regiment could easily take them from behind, from here."

"Yes, that's what I've been figuring." Erwin approved. "But first we need to make sure that there are no other surprises like those Darcsen troopers. We will sweep the canyon, first, then I'll call in Asso and Rowe."

"We'll take care of it. You should update the others, sir."

"Good idea."


Eventually, with reinforcements coming in from their Militia allies, Welkin and Squad 7 broke the small imperial company, captured their camp and forced the survivors to run away, thus finding themselves in front of the large Barious Temple.

"The roof reminds me of a Dreadnautilus." Welkin commented the strange shape of the structure.

"Just this time...I agree. It's some weird-ass shape they got for it." Rosie replied.

"What are the Imps looking for, here?" Largo asked. "I can't believe they came all the way just for some old, empty rooms."

"Well, I think there's only one way to find that answer." Faldio suddenly said, with a shrewd smile on his face.

"You just want to have a look, don't you?" Welkin asked joking with his friend.

"Can you blame me?" Faldio replied quite excited. "Valkyrur temples are the greatest mystery to stand on this earth. This one in particular has been a mystery for centuries, I want to see why."

"I think you will have the chance, Lieutenant."

Everyone turned around as they recognized that voice and saw Captain Varrot, standing composed behind the group of people that was staring at the temple.

"General Absenkirch just called in. He ordered our Regiment to secure the valley while the rest of the Division will attempt to flank and take the Imperials from behind."

"There are more? Where?" Welkin asked alerted.

Kiril, who was following the Captain alongside Ramal, pointed the rocky wall. "Right behind there."

The group looked astonished. The enemy was right behind there, barely a km from their position, and they weren't aware until a moment before.

"And there's more...the Batomys, Prince Maximilian's personal land-ship, is among their forces." Ramal reported. "Which means that he is around here."

Once again, the group was stunned. The man behind the invasion of their homeland was right there, perhaps even closer than they realized, and if they captured him, there might have been a chance to end the war right then and there.

"The Prince…?" Alicia muttered, still shocked by the idea.

"There is no time to dawdle, gentlemen." Varrot snapped them out with her words. "Gunther, Landzaat, Melchiott, you're accompanying us in there. Sergeant Potter, secure the area. Valt, Kiril, lead the way."

The GSS silently put on their masks and started jogging toward the temple while the other officers and NCOs regained their footing. Alicia loaded her rifle, while Welkin, Faldio and Eleanor decided to go in with just their handguns.

The group reached the door, with Ramal and Kiril taking the sides and enacting a breach maneuver, but as they entered into the first, large room of the temple, it was evident that there was nobody else. All that there was in that andron were walls with incised letter and a decorated door at the end of it with a large motif in the shape of a spiral.

"There isn't a single window or hole anywhere." Alicia commented. "Where does this light come from?"

"The stone that makes this building has a high concentration of ragnite. It lights itself." Faldio explained with the dedication of a tourist guide.

"It's quite uncanny, to be honest." Ramal replied. "But most importantly, there is no sign of other Imps."

"Even less any Prince." Kiril added a bit disappointed.

"Yet, he clearly came here for this temple." Varrot pondered. "We're too far from the frontline for them to be attempting any flanking maneuvering."

The group gathered around and held an improvised meeting.

"Lieutenant Landzaat." Ramal asked formally. "You can read those scriptures, right? Any hint of what we're looking at?"

"I gave it a look, but it's just a recounting of the Darcsen Calamity and how the Valkyrur saved the continent."

"Right. And all of us know that story." Kiril replied embittered.

"Maybe the Imperials we fought before were tasked with securing this area, and the Prince is still on the Batomys, waiting that somebody ensures his safety here." Welkin suggested.

"A fair point, Lieutenant." Varrot recognized. "Let's get back and…"

They were all interrupted as they heard a hissing coming from the end of the room and Alicia making a surprised gasp. The group turned and saw the young Sergeant in front of the wall, in a position that expressed complete surprise, and now the spiral theme had just disappeared, uncovering a hole that brought somewhere inside the temple.

"Alicia, what's happened?" Welkin asked confused.

"I-I don't know…" Alicia replied, thinking she had just broken something important. "I barely touched it and the wall disappeared."

The group was left speechless for a second. Kiril and Ramal looked at each other through the masks and realized something, but then Faldio intervened enthusiastically.

"An underground chamber in the Barious ruins. This is a huge discovery!"

"Can you see anything, Sergeant?" Varrot asked.

"Should we go in?" Welkin asked.

"Should you even ask?!" Faldio replied chomping at the bit.

"Calm down, Lieutenant." Kiril invited. "This changes many things. I propose we explore, but let's be on our guard at all times. Captain, you should also head back."

Varrot seemed to ponder those words, though she clearly didn't feel like leaving.

"I second that, Captain." Welkin intervened. "We don't know what's waiting down there. The Regiment still needs you."

Varrot hummed in thought, but eventually put away her handgun. "If anything seems off, you get out of there immediately, understood?" she then demanded.

"Yes, ma'am." Faldio and Welkin replied.

Once she had left, Ramal and Kiril took out a small flashlight each from one of the pockets on their vest and attached it on the left side of their carbines, then lighted them up and walked inside. Faldio and Welkin, as officers, had two larger devices which needed an entire hand to handle, but they could easily keep their pistols in the other one.

They entered and realized that the inside of the temple was basically a large circular ramp of stairs build on the walls and centered around a large pillar that also had the shape of a spiral. The Gallians went on for a few dozen meters, but the scenery never changed.

"It seems to go on forever." Alicia commented, with her voice echoing all around.

Faldio was then drawn to the engravings on the wall.

"Amazing. Look at these."

"What do they say?" Welkin asked.

"I don't know. I wish I could tell you, but it's a more advanced version of Old Northern. I haven't arrived there yet at the university."

Meanwhile, Ramal and Kiril did a few steps forward so that the former could whisper to his friend. "Hey. You saw that, right? Alicia clearly opened it, and not because the thing was rusty."

Kiril made a slow nod. "I know. We need to report this to…" he then silenced as he heard the sound of steps further down.

The GSS quickly aimed their weapons and Kiril yelled "Hold it! Identify yourself."

Whoever caused those steps kept coming toward them, until the two young Corporals were shocked to find themselves in front of a man with a shining white armor, an ermine cape and a golden laurel crown that meshed perfectly with his blonde hair and the blue gems with his azure, judging eyes.

"Well." the man said with a tone that was only slightly curious. "How surprising to find you here. We don't get many visitors."

Just as he finished that sentence, a woman with a high Imperial uniform appeared. She was holding a Valkyrur lance like those that could be seen at a museum.

But what froze the GSS was her head features: crimson eyes and silver hair when she couldn't be more than 40 years old.

They both knew that they were in front of Prince Maximilian and Major General Selvaria Bles.

"I won't ask how you were able to break in." Maximilian continued. "It's not really important, but you defile this sanctum with your presence." he concluded with the typical hubris of a noble of his rank.

Welkin, Faldio and Alicia were also stunned, maybe they were even thinking of taking out their weapons, but Ramal and Kiril lowered their own carbines and told their companions "Guys, step aside."

The Militiamen were stunned, but figured that if those two said so, there had to be a hugely valid reason. Even if reluctant, they allowed the Prince to walk out.


The Second Regiment and all the squadrons of the First that had come to Barios (Squad A of the First was back at Amatrian being equipped with the new Edelweiss models) had finally gathered and were poised to strike the Imperial force from the east and north, encircling it completely around the rocky formation.

"All Squads on standby." Asso reported.

"We secured the Northern route. Ready to box in the Imperials." Rowe reported.

"Understood, get ready to…" Erwin started, but was interrupted when he saw the Batomys suddenly move into the only passage large enough to let it inside the valley.

And that was when Ramal and Kiril called him.

"Rot Falke, this is Othen." the former said with urgency. "We have encountered Targets Albion and Beyr."

Mostly worried about the safety of his people, Erwin asked "Did you engage them?"

"Negative. We let them go. Albion is going to the Batomys, but Beyr is heading toward you...she…" Ramal seemed to stop in awe.

Though those two knew about the Valkyrur, neither Erwin nor Riela had ever shown them too much power. Apparently, Selvaria wasn't holding back.

"She's heading toward you." Kiril concluded. "Please, be prepared."

"All right, guys." Erwin replied calmly. "You just remember the data from intelligence: the Batomys must fire a shot with its main cannon before its radiators come out in the open, then you can destroy them and destabilize the tank. We'll take care of the others."

"Yes, sir. Good luck." Kiril replied before they closed the transmission.

Erwin then went and reached the Nameless, who were waiting with the First Regiment to smash into the imperial formation from behind.

"Riela. It's time."

The Sergeant nodded and made a loud breathing, then she reached for her bag.

Erwin turned toward the soldiers of the Armored Regiment. "Gentlemen. I warn you that what you're about to see, is covered by military secret." he said severely, in a way so unusual for him that the other Gallians were genuinely worried.

So, while among the Imperials a cobalt flame started to appear, at the same time Riela took out a lance and shield of the Valkyrur. She closed her eyes and a similar phenomenon started whirling around her, leaving the soldiers of the Army completely speechless. The lance and the shield seemed to change shape as soon as Riela reached a certain level with her power. Her hair became completely white and her already reddish eyes became crimson red, glowing alongside the flame.

"A Val...a Val…" one of the Army troopers stuttered.

"A Valkyria?" Asso asked in amazement.

"Indeed." Erwin replied calmly. "The same as that one, unfortunately." he added by jerking his chin toward the imperial side, where Selvaria was also preparing for battle.

Erwin could tell that Selvaria wasn't that surprised to see a Valkyria among her enemies, which seemed to avail his theory.

"Riela. Engage!" he then ordered.

Riela shook her lance, which cut the air and made a metallic sound.

"Yes, sir." she pronounced with a tone that had a mysterious reverb.

Then she knelt as if preparing to make a sprint at a sport run. The moment after, she had disappeared. A sudden gust of wind expanded from her previous position and threw some sand around, because she had literally dashed with the speed of a bullet.

On the opposite end, Selvaria had replied instantly. Soon enough, the two Valkyrias clashed in the middle, with a speed and force that left everyone without breath.

However, Erwin knew that it wasn't time to stand there and watch.

"Don't get distracted, soldiers! Avoid those two, but charge the Imperial camp!" he yelled.

Colonel Asso also regained his focus and ordered his tanks to charge forward, catching the Imperials still off-guard.

The First Regiment smashed into the imperial line, decimating their tanks before these could reposition properly, while the Nameless jumped forward to eliminate the enemy infantry, and here their superior experience and unconventional methods of fighting quickly brought the odds on the side of Gallia.

Erwin then turned and gave another look at Riela. He was the only one among the rest who could follow that fight. It became clear that Selvaria was indeed much stronger than the Sergeant, who was nonetheless carrying out her part of the plan: distract Selvaria from the Gallian forces that would otherwise be utterly annihilated by her power.

Then a sudden transmission came in.

"Rowe, here. Attention: an unidentified Imperial unity has attacked us from behind. Squad 3 has suffered heavy casualties. There's a breach in the cordon!"

"Damn it. Plug that hole." Erwin ordered.

Then an echoing grunt of pain resonated in the air and Erwin quickly turned around.

Riela was suddenly smashed on the ground, but she immediately stood back up, ready to continue the fight.

But instead of seizing that opportunity to finish her, Selvaria suddenly ran toward the valley. Erwin quickly realized what as a group of Imperial Guards ran out of there with Maximilian inside their defensive formation.

It seemed like the Third Regiment had neutralized the Batomys before Erwin even noticed it.

"All forces, push! Don't let Maximilian get away. Riela!…"

But as he turned around, Riela was on the ground, kneeling and gasping for air. She had reached her limit and was no longer able to keep her transformation.

Realizing that Selvaria and what was left of her troops were heading North, likely into the breach opened by that strange Darcsen unit, and without his Valkyria to stop the enemy one, Erwin realized that the chance to capture both her and Maximilian was gone.

"Rot Falke to Rowe. You've done enough, now pull back."

"Affirmative." Rowe replied a little frustrated, but never questioning the order of his superior.

From the valley, the Third Regiment also came out, chasing the Imperials fiercely. The Edelweiss at one point fired a tank shell that was visibly deflected by Selvaria. At that point, even the momentum of the Militia got away.

"Rot Falke to all units. Stand down and regroup." Erwin eventually had to order.

The Division regrouped next to the rests of the battle: most of the imperial force had been eliminated and their bodies were laying scattered and their tanks charred on the sand. But the Gallians had also suffered some casualties in the charge, and as Rowe reported, the surprise attack they suffered had almost entirely destroyed a squad of the Second Regiment.

"And there goes our chance to end the war right now." Faldio said in frustration.

"Sir…" Asso then said. "What was all that? Since when do we have a Valkyria?" he asked, still puzzled and not realizing that there other people listening. Then he realized that and searched for a way to send them off track.

"No need, Colonel." Erwin reassured. "I suppose at least this unit deserves to know. But remember, everyone: what I'm about to tell you and show you must remain within your boundaries, at least for now."

Then, as dusk settled in, the rest of the Division was brought up to speed about Riela and Selvaria's real identities.

"So the Valkyrias are still around?" a trooper of the Second asked.

"And both us and the Imperials got some?" Rowe asked amazed.

Erwin made a sigh and decided that, if he had to tell the truth, he needed to be completely sincere with his soldiers, so he added "Not just Valkyrias."

Everyone looked back at him. Erwin grabbed his little talisman, gripped it tightly and then transformed partially in front of everybody, once again making jaws dropped to the floor.

"E...Erwin...how?" Welkin asked, probably most shocked than anyone else.

"I apologize Welkin, Isara. But I couldn't tell you before. This war will revolve around my people, and for now it's imperative that we maintain my identity a secret."

The others clearly had tons of questions, but they still trusted their General enough to respect his wishes, so they let the matter drop.

"Listen, I have to go back to Randgriz urgently. The 422 will bring me there. You all return to the capital at your pace and get some rest, you all deserved it."

The Division nodded. After all, they were all tired after fighting there and at Kloden without rest, and some had to mourn their dead companions.

"Sir." Ramal intervened as he and Kiril approached. They went and made sure to whisper.

"We think Sergeant Melchiott might be a Valkyria, as well." Kiril added.

Erwin hummed. Indeed, he had long felt like she had a possible spark in her blood, but he didn't want to pry. "Are you sure about it?"

Ramal nodded. "She opened the door of the temple with a touch. We're certain of that."

"Understood. You two did a great job. Want to come with me?"

The two friends looked at each other, then smiled at him. "Actually...we'd like to stick around with the 7's, if you don't mind."

Erwin smirked. "Very well. They might use your help. Good luck, guys."


April 22, 1935.

Moving with a small unit, Erwin returned to Randgriz by the morning and immediately requested a meeting with High Command and the Prime Minister, so now they found themselves in Wilbur's office, with Princess Cordelia sitting on the chair behind the desk.

"It's true, then. The enemy has a Valkyria. Probably more." DeWytt commented.

"If they had more, though, they would be already employing them in the war." General Grauber noted.

"A fair point, colleague." Erwin said. "Training a Valkyrur to fight is much more complicated than it sounds. I have been training Sergeant Marcellis for two years, and yet she could go all out for barely ten minutes."

Damon clicked his tongue. "Sounds like you didn't do a great job with that training."

"You have no right to talk about this, Damon." Erwin snarled back, purposefully avoiding his title. "It takes years of proper training to have a Valkyrur go on for more than a single hour."

"Then why didn't you start sooner?"

"Because we didn't know the Empire was already experimenting, General." Wilbur intervened. "Forcing the Valkyrur to join the war might have been counterproductive. Now, let's focus on the matter at hand."

"The enemy Valkyria is clearly the biggest threat to our nation." Cordelia said to reestablish order. "General Absenkirch, any idea what they were looking for in that temple?"

"Yes. The vault of the Barious Temple contains information regarding the weapons that were used by my ancestors against the opposing Darcsen. However, the real question here is...how did they know that? How did they know where to look? Selvaria has never been to Gallia nor Reite. She shouldn't know that."

"So Maximilian was informed about the content." Wilbur realized. "But…from who?"

All eyes went to Erwin, who was deemed the only one who could answer that, but he had to sigh.

"I don't know. Not yet. But if only a Valkyrur could have ever gone inside the temple, I have a few names on my mind. Still, the quickest way to learn that secret is by capturing either Maximilian or Selvaria. They have to know."

DeWytt hummed in thought. "I suppose so. But I recommend the GIA looks into that, anyway. This is a major issue."

"Of course, sir."

"Speaking of major issues, we must prepare for the signing of the treaty." Wilbur reminded. "We couldn't tell you, Erwin, but the Federation shared with us their plans."

"What's going on?"

"In 50 days they will launch Operation Eastern Wind. It will be their greatest undertaking so far in this war. And on July 18th, the day Her Highness will be officially crowned, we will use the occasion to announce the creation of the Europan Community."

"And if the Federation could start with a triumphant operation, it would certainly go a long way toward gaining us support." DeWytt added. "Therefore, General Absenkirch, we need to plan our own offensive, to maximize the pressure on the Empire."

"Then we should get to work right away." Erwin replied.

"In due time. First, I think even you need some proper rest." the Chief of Staff concluded benevolently.

Erwin huffed. "Well, I suppose I need to wait for my Division to come back, anyway."