Chapter 9: Back to the Wildwood
Glossary: Awakening
In order to use the extraordinary abilities correlated to their people, a Valkyrur must first undergo the process of Awakening, a moment of passage that revitalizes the dormant genes responsible for the blue flame and the physical changes typically observed on transformed Valkyrur.
The scientific details of this rite of passage are still shrouded in mystery, as it has yet to be studied properly, however the one factor confirmed is the near-death situation. That is: a Valkyrur must be in a state where the mind almost ceases its functions and is then put in contact with the energy of the ragnite.
The Elders on Reite are able to channel their own powers into a new candidate, thus they have an elaborated ritual that causes no pain nor a real risk of death in the prospect Valkyrur to be awakened. On the other hand, it is rumored that the Empire and the Federation were both experimenting with possible Valkyrias during the interwar period, and given the lack of knowledge or cooperation from the Elders, it's likely that several candidates have perished as a result.
June 13, 1935.
For how much Welkin was happy to see the incredible biodiversity of Kloden, even he had to admit that fighting with a tank in that area was very stressing.
Erwin was trying to spare the Edelweiss models of the Army for when they would emerge on the opposite side of the Wildwood, ready to strike Reine to support the Federation, but since the Third Regiment was going to simply stay behind and guard the only passable trail, right now Welkin and Isara had the only advanced tank available for use in those fights, and their companions needed it.
Just the day before, they had engaged another imperial company that was defending a trail, meaning that the Empire had not renounced the idea of attacking Gallia from that side, maybe even achieve a surprise attack on the main front. Therefore, they had to be eradicated and the southern border would only be secured once the allies liberated all of Wesel.
"Ugh, the insects here just never end." Rosie lamented as she rubbed her left eye.
"Summer is here." Welkin explained. "It's the most active season even for them."
"And I'd rather take the bugs over the Imps every day." Juno added. "At least the shots you need to defend against them, don't kill."
Juno had not said that as a joke, but Welkin found it funny.
Then a moment later, Alicia and Isara arrived with the casserole dish for their Squad.
"All right, everyone. Grab your mess tins." Alicia invited.
Just as the two were done distributing the stew of the day, made up of meat and vegetables of an overall appreciated quality, Sheila instead arrived with a bag full of post.
"All right...Rosie." she said, whipping out three letters. "Seems like you got some admirers." she quipped.
"Just give me." Rosie replied a bit annoyed.
Then she went and delivered letters to all those who had received some before finding a seat at the makeshift mess tent built by the Regiment, sitting right next to Isara.
"Oh, you got a letter, too?" the tank driver asked amicably.
"Yup. It's Kiril. I recognize the calligraphy, even if he wrote it's from my father."
The nearby squad members were suddenly interested. "Woah, I thought he wasn't allowed to write." Largo commented.
"Why would you think that?" Sheila asked confused.
"I mean, they left with not much of a word. I assumed their mission was secret."
"It was...but not anymore: he and Ramal are fighting alongside the allied forces liberating Wesel. Though I didn't know much to begin with. Orders from Erwin himself."
"Well, then. Don't keep us waiting." Alicia said with a smile. "Tell us what they're up to."
"All right, you nosy chats." she replied amused as she opened the letter. She could also tell that Isara was dying to receive any news about Ramal, even if she was trying to feign indifference. She opened the letter, cleared her voice and started reading.
"Dear Sheila.
I can't tell you where I am now, but when this letter will reach you, we will probably be some hundred of km far from here, so whatever. We heard that the Third is clearing out Kloden once and for all. Please, be careful, out there, all right?"
"Aw. He's so cute when he's worried about you." Juno commented, prompting a chuckle from everyone.
Sheila smiled and kept going. "You probably won't believe our luck: we ended up fighting with a Squad of the Edinburgh Ranger Corp, and half of them are actually Gallian volunteers. The officer and his two Sergeants are all from Hafen."
A surprised murmur followed, but the girl kept reading. "The Lieutenant might look gentle and not much of an officer, at first, but his tactical skill is second only to Erwin, I think. Then there is a Darcsen guy who is a total blockhead...so of course him and Ramal are already buddies."
Another collective giggle followed. Isara also finally showed some emotion.
"The other Sergeant is a sniper the likes of which I had never seen. Even if by a margin, yesterday he won a target contest with Ram. I also met some of the other guys, and sometime I wonder how they managed to get past the training of the Rangers. We got: a hopeless gambler; a haughty aristocrat who already badmouthed me for being a Darcsen; a guy who is legitimately a coward but somehow manages to get out alive of every engagement. I guess that means reality always finds ways to surprise you.
"In any case, if things keep going so well, we will probably be back by the first half of July. I hope everyone is doing fine, and that this letter will reach you.
I must tell you not to write me back, because I honestly can't tell when I will be at the end of each day. Just wait for me, ok?
Love you. Kiril." she read at the end with a certain pride before folding the paper and putting it back in the envelope.
"Sounds like they're having a good time." Isara commented happily.
"Well, he didn't mention any fighting, but I doubt they're advancing unopposed." Sheila said. "Still, news is that the Empire is completely on the run. I doubt they can put up any resistance that those two can't overcome."
Then, suddenly, Rosie stood up from her seat, walked around the table and reached the two Darcsen girls, who were looking at her with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity. The woman cleared her voice, sighed as if she didn't want to speak, but then said "Isara. Sheila. I wanted to apologize to you two."
Those words quickly drew the attention of all the others, as well. Even if she sounded a bit scorned, Rosie was being sincere.
"Woah...where did that come from?" Sheila asked stunned.
Rosie huffed annoyed, scratched her cheek and replied "Well, I have had a lot to think about since the General made that big reveal. I understood that my preconceptions about Darcsens were founded on a huge, old lie, and that was messed up. So...I apologize for calling you dark-hairs and saying that you are cursed, or whatever else I said."
"Oh, it was nothing, Rosie." Isara said with an innocent smile. "We both got told worse."
"Yeah, yeah. Just to be clear: I'm just saying I'm sorry and that I won't do that anymore, but I'm not trying to be your friend." the woman precised acidly.
"I see." Sheila replied amicably. "But if you ever change your mind, don't hesitate to come to us."
Rosie was taken aback for a moment, then turned her head away and simply returned to her seat to finish her meal.
"Speaking of the General…" Juno said to distract from the embarrassed silence that had formed. "Where do you think he went? We still have a lot of ground to cover."
Welkin hummed in thought, then replied "I think I saw him take a scouting party into the forest."
"I hope they don't get lost." Largo commented pessimistically.
Deep in the forestry of Kloden, Erwin was marching alongside an escort detail and accompanied by the 422. Right where the latter had spotted the Calamity Raven just a few hours before. Moving as silently as they could, the group reached a small gorge in the forest, which was surrounded by a rocky terrain and accessible only by two points. The Gallians reached one of them and peeked inside the gorge, immediately spotting a group of imperial soldiers with the unmistakable armor of the Ravens. And gathered around a small wooden table, consulting a map, there were the three officers of the unit: Dahau himself, a young Darcsen called Zig and a Europan woman called Lydia, according to what the intelligence had gathered.
Erwin signaled Kurt to deploy his team around the crest and surround the camp.
But just as they were about to intimate the surrender to the Darcsen unit, Erwin felt a tingle. A trace in the Current that he could not confuse under any circumstance.
On queue, from the only tent that the Ravens had put up, came out Aduin, wearing the uniform of an X-O officer. He stood in front of it, looked around and then finally locked right toward Erwin's direction, to the general confusion of his allies.
Aduin then stepped forward and spoke loudly.
"It's good to see you again, Erwin. Why don't you come out and we discuss this like civilized people?"
Erwin didn't know what to do, for a moment. Then he remembered that, after all, he wanted to convince Dahau to surrender, and now that Aduin had revealed the presence of the Gallians, that goal could no longer be achieved, for the Ravens were now on full alert.
But instead of letting them aim their weapons, Aduin quickly turned to say something to Dahau, who then ordered his men to stand down and instead gather at the opposite entrance, while the Darcsen and the Valkyrur stood in the middle of the gorge.
"Sir, what are your orders?" Kurt asked with a whisper, unsure of what they should do.
Erwin replied calmly: "Keep your guns at the ready. I'll go and talk with them."
"Sir, I must voice my opposition to your decision." Lieutenant Coulson said.
"Noted, Lieutenant. But don't worry: I'll be fine." and without adding anything, he stood up and started climbing down the few stone steps that separated him from his two opponents.
Truth be told, Erwin didn't expect Aduin to be working with Dahau. He thought that the Calamity Raven were fighting for Maximillian, and since Aduin was working with the most secret organization of the Empire, he figured they would have nothing to do with each other.
That was the enigma he needed to get out of their mouths.
As he put away his rifle, he also quickly focused and transformed into his Valkyrur form, to dissuade his enemies from attempting any surprise attack.
That sight, though, also earned him some unexpected praise from Aduin.
"You have become a prime specimen of our people, Erwin. You are probably wondering why I ended up here, and I hope that we will come to a mutual understanding."
"I warn you: last time I saw you, you tried to kidnap a little girl. I don't know what happened to you to fall so low, but the master I knew would have never done such a thing." Erwin admonished, putting some sincere anger into his wording.
"That's understandable. But once I tell you my reason, I'm sure you will see why I had to do it."
"Feel free to try."
"Before we start: this is Major Dahau of the Calamity Raven. Though I figure you already knew."
"Indeed." Erwin replied, still making a quick nod to Dahau, who returned the gesture.
"Your exploit at the Barious Desert was clearly befitting of your fame, General." Dahau said. "I never thought someone could defeat the Batomys."
"I must also recognize your skill for saving your patron." Erwin recognized.
"Actually…" Dahau said, before turning toward Aduin. "My patron would be him."
Erwin was honestly taken aback. "What do you mean? Aduin is barely…" he stopped. After all, this was a scenario that he had also taken into consideration in the last few days. "Are you...planning to take over the Empire?"
Aduin made a step closer to his former student. "I am."
As more suspicions rushed to his mind, Erwin became increasingly unable to reason. "Hold on! Are you behind this war? Two million dead already, is this your doing?!"
"Don't be so rash, Erwin." Aduin replied calmly. "The Empire was always trying to take over Europa. I did nothing but let them pursue their childish dreams of power, as these will give me a better opportunity."
Erwin still refused to believe it. "No. This doesn't make any sense. You have always been in favor of the isolation of our people, and now are you seriously helping the Empire? The same Empire that killed your son?!"
"Erwin, allow me to explain, please." his old teacher asked cordially, almost like pleading.
"True. When Orsus was killed and Aster killed herself, I was devastated. I left Reite, intent on finding a place to spend my last days in peace and die. However, as I traveled around the devastated continent, I started to realize something. A truth that has always been right in front of us, but we never seriously considered.
"Erwin. Have you ever wondered why the Empire of our ancestors fell?"
"What are you talking about? We know why: our ancestors were blinded by greed and ambition and started killing each other until we almost went extinct." Erwin replied sternly.
"Exactly. They had no purpose. The sought power for the sake of it, without actually knowing what to do with it. But there was another thing that we tend to forget: before falling to their own ambition, our ancestors governed Europa for decades, ensuring a long peace and prosperity. Since then, the continent, and the world at large, has been ravaged by war and misery. And all the while, we stayed on Reite, thinking that this was the best thing to do for everyone.
"But we were wrong, Erwin: we do have a higher purpose. We are the next stage of human evolution. We have been blessed with powers beyond human understanding. As such, it is our duty to use our power to lead humanity toward its future."
"I'm going to stop you right there!" Erwin snapped. "Are you seriously telling me, that you want to unify mankind by force?! Is that what you were going to?!"
Aduin chuckled. "You have always been smart. Now, I know you think you can convince the humans to work together, Erwin, but it's a lost cause. Because humans, at the end of the day, are just like other predatory animals: they want everything for themselves, even if it means slaughtering millions of their kin. They will always find a way so that a certain group will oppress and exploit all the others."
"You're wrong! Right now we're working to achieve peace with diplomacy and cooperation, and we're finally doing it! After centuries of fractures, the peoples of Europa are finally coming together."
"With whom? The Federation? The same Federation that maintains colonies all over Numidia? They criticize the Empire for their treatment of the Darcsen, but they don't hesitate to do the same in another continent."
Erwin wanted to reply, but he couldn't. The colonies in Numidia have long been a point of discussion between him and Wilbur, as both knew that the Federation had to give up on them, sooner or later.
"You see that, don't you?" Aduin continued. "Humans are unable to find peace. In the end, all they know is strength. The Empire is full of horrors, true, but there is an advantage: they worship us as gods."
Suddenly, the General started to realize where his teacher was heading toward.
"Once I reveal myself and my Valkyrias to the world, the citizens of the Empire will naturally hear me out. All I have to do is to tell them to stop discriminating the other nations and they will just do it, eventually."
"Your Valkyrias?" Erwin asked a little afraid.
"You think Selvaria is the only one? No. There are dozens of them, and I don't want to tell you how the Imperial scientists were treating them before I arrived and told them how to awaken them safely." Aduin added, expressing a sincere disgust for what he was saying, but a strong determination nonetheless. "But that's just another reason why the Valkyrur must take the reins: only we can bring order to the world. Only we can lead humanity to true unity and prosperity."
Erwin could hardly believe his ears. Aduin had always been a pacifist, a kind man who believed in coexistence between the Valkyrur and the rest of the world. Now…
"And how many people will die before this happens?" he asked acidly.
"I know it's regretful, Erwin. But think about it: we can make sure that this war will be the last one. Once humanity realizes that we can be the impartial arbiters of their squabbles, they will beg us to take power. Otherwise, it will only be a matter of time before the cycle of violence resumes."
Then he extended a hand toward him. Erwin looked at him, his heart and mind conflicted.
"Join me, Erwin. Together, we can remove war from this planet. Everyone will be equal under our rule."
Erwin lowered his head, put together his thoughts and the replied without hesitation.
"Shut up."
"Uh?"
"Finding a purpose? You took a degree in History, and you seriously think that our ancestors destroyed themselves because of that?!"
After a brief moment of silence, Erwin readjusted his head and looked at his mentor with fiery eyes.
"Did you forget, my master? We might be able to fire pure energy through a stick, but aside from that, we Valkyrur are humans! With all the strengths and, most importantly, the weaknesses. Our ancestors didn't fall because they lacked a goddamn purpose! They fell because power is always craved by those who don't have it.
"If you really want to establish a new Empire, do you really think that the rest of the world will just bend the knee?! I refuse to believe that my master would reach such a conclusion! The only way to achieve peace is by promoting dialogue, cooperation and committing yourself to share power with everyone. Sure, it's not a perfect system, but the rule of one never ensured stability in a thousand years, and that's a fact!
"Please! If you really have any respect for the memory of your family and for what our people chose to be in the last thousand years, then come back with me!" he finally pleaded.
Aduin lowered his arm. His face a mixture of sorrow and firmness. Then he sighed. "Then I'm afraid this is where our path finally diverge. Only fate will tell which of us holds reason." and finally turned around. "Goodbye, Erwin. Even if you don't believe me, I'm glad to see the man you've become."
That phrase hit Erwin like a train, but only for a second, before he remembered that Aduin was still a prime target.
"Hold it, now! Captain!"
Suddenly, the Nameless came out on top of the rocky walls and pointed their guns toward the Imperials. From up there, they had a significantly advantageous position.
But then, a figure clad in the Raven armor jumped in front of Aduin and Dahau, wielding a Valkyrur lance and shield that grew up instantly. Erwin quickly noticed that it was most likely a woman, and indeed she quickly took off her helmet, revealing her blue flame accompanied by the silver hair and crimson eyes.
She went into a defensive posture, yet her lance could easily wipe out half of the 422, had she fired.
"Let's not make this more unpleasant than necessary, Erwin." Aduin said calmly.
Erwin hesitated and grunted, but he couldn't risk that anyone else in the forest noticed the effects that would come out of a fight between Valkyrur.
"Lower your weapons!" he finally ordered.
"Zorne…" Aduin said in return.
The Valkyria silently retracted her lance and sheathed it inside a holder in the interior part of the shield, then walked away with the Imperials, leaving Erwin to brood in silence.
June 16, 1935.
Very little resistance had been found after smashing through the first imperial line. Some isolated companies had attempted to counterattack the Ranger Corp, only to end up destroyed. Along the whole Eastern front, the Federation and the other minor allies were pushing the Imperials back every day, however the routed enemies were clearly becoming more stubborn in their defense.
In order to keep up the momentum of Operation Eastern Wind, it was necessary to quickly take out the imperial strongholds that were gathering and reorganizing the stragglers who managed to get all the way there.
In the case of Squad E and their GSS companions, the stronghold was a literal fortress: Fort Krest. And it was a fortress that promised to be a lot of trouble.
Squad E had just joined forces with Squad F and Minerva, but they were waiting out of sight of the fortress while Kiril tried to reach Amatrian. Finally, after nearly six minutes of waiting, Claude heard the Sergeant speak up.
"Amatrian base, this is Golim. We have an emergency and we require air support."
Then another few moments passed, marked by another shot of the howitzer inside Fort Krest slamming a few hundred meters from their position, but still causing a small earthquake.
Kiril then spoke up again. "Rot Falke, this is Golim. We are in the vicinity of Fort Krest but we have a problem: a 21-centimeter howitzer inside the fortress just blew up our siege cannon, and their defenses are too strong. Can you provide an air strike? Over."
Claude only heard a crackled voice coming from the headset of Kiril, but he knew that Rot Falke was the codename of General Absenkirch. Then Kiril made a distressed face, hummed a positive and eventually sighed before saying "Understood, sir. We'll find another way." then he closed the transmission and sighed.
"What happened?" Ramal asked immediately.
The Darcsen turned around and explained "This morning, the Empire entered Fouzen."
The news shocked everyone. Fouzen was Gallia's main ragnite depot and industrial center. It was expected to become the main source of fuel and energy for the Europan Community.
"Right now, our forces are trying to regroup and General Gregor is pushing hard. All Gryphon units are hammering the Imps as much as they can to give some breathing room to the Army, which means they won't be available before tomorrow, if we're lucky."
"A day is more than enough for that howitzer to eventually land a lucky shot." Raz commented irritated.
"I know. We don't have time to wait around." Claude said. "We need to take that castle now. One way or the other."
"A direct assault is gonna be costly." Minerva pondered. "But there really isn't another way to approach this. Without artillery…" and stopped.
"Something wrong?" Claude asked.
"I just remembered something." she said, then ordered firmly "Maybe it can help us. Claude, go and start the attack, I'll get you some support soon enough."
Claude didn't understand, but if she was so certain, he was willing to trust his senior officer. "Understood."
"Sergeant Kiril, Sergeant Valt." Minerva then appealed. "It goes without saying that you are to obliged to participate in this attack."
"Who did you take us for?" Ramal replied confidently. "We never abandon friends in need."
"We appreciate it. However, I invite you to caution: you're our only link to coordinate with Gallian Command for the liberation of Reine." the Lieutenant concluded.
"Don't worry about us." Kiril reassured. "If you think we can get support for the assault, focus on getting that."
"Good luck, then. Christel, come with me." Minerva finally said to her second, Corporal Christel Ward.
"Yes, ma'am." the girl with the monocle said before the two left the hideout.
Squad E and the two GSS thus geared up and headed straight for the entrance of Fort Krest, a castle with a square perimeter, but with two series of tower bridges that ran parallel of the access trail, and on top of those bridges, which could only be accessed from the interior of the fort, the Imperials had placed four machine guns, ready to turkey shoot any infantry that tried a direct assault.
Ramal and Kiril took point and immediately spotted a light tank waiting in ambush behind the first set of ruins that they needed to cross before reaching the square at the beginning of the bridge, where the Imperials had set up a small outpost.
"Let's capture that camp, first." Claude ordered. "Squad E, use every cover you find while you advance."
"We have tank laying in ambush!" Ramal alerted.
Kiril turned toward two Lancers of the team: Jimmy and Keigel. "We'll draw their attention. Be ready to blow it up."
"Leave it to us!" Jimmy replied.
"Don't get killed out there, boys!" the old veteran warned instead.
"One, two, three!" Ramal quickly counted before rushing in, quickly followed by his friend.
The two rushed and jumped inside a batch of tall grass that they had spotted, passing behind an old fountain and managing to attract the attention of the tank. The Imperials inside rotated the turret and tried to hit them with a few bursts of their coax MG but that only opened them to the two warheads fired by Jimmy and Keigel, which quickly turned the vehicle into a charred remain.
"The way is open, Hafen!" Kiril said on the radio.
Inside the turret of the tank, Claude was watching with the optics of the commander's seat.
"Miles, take us in. Ramirez, be ready to switch to the shrapnel. Alfred, eyes on target. I doubt that was the only tank."
In order, those were: the tank driver and true heart of the Hafen, Sergeant Miles Arbeck; the loader, Corporal Norbert Ramirez, an Edinburgh citizen whose father came from Iberica; then the gunner, Lance Corporal Alfred Cornberry.
Miles obliged and moved the tank into the first section of the battlefield, while the infantry was still moving forward and clearing out the area from the enemy, but they soon found themselves in front of another Imperial tank defending the plaza, and that one was keeping itself at a distance to be less of an easy target to the Lancers.
That meant it was time for the Hafen to enter the fray. Claude noticed quickly that their side happened to have a pile of rubble that formed a convenient wall they could exploit as a cover for the tank, even if they exposed the flank.
"Miles, get us forward. 12 meters." the Lieutenant ordered. "Alfred. Ready to fire. Rotate the turret at 9."
"Aye, sir!" the man replied.
The Hafen thus quickly emerged from behind the wall, just when the enemy tank was occupied firing at another section of the Squad.
"Fire!"
At Claude's command, Alfred instinctively pressed the pedal and the cannon fired. The ragnite round sped through the square and almost immediately slammed into the enemy tank, penetrating with ease given the weak armor and the short distance, then hitting the ammo magazine, transforming it into a giant bomb that exploded with violence.
Then, without any armored support, the remaining Imperials fell back toward the fort, but those who were outside the walls still suffered heavy casualties.
Now though the allies found themselves stuck exactly where they knew they would be. One of the shocktroopers, a mad lad named Simon, tried to rush forward but was immediately gunned and survived by sheer miracle, being dragged to safety by one of his companions.
Ramal then tried to use his grenade launcher and fired on the first tower on the right side. Somehow he hit the machine-gun perfectly and that exploded with the gunner.
"Wow! Nice shot, dude!" Raz said.
"Don't get excited, yet." Ramal said. "Even I don't know how I did that, but we can't aim at the others without exposing ourselves."
"Where is Lieutenant Victor?" Kiril asked. "We need that support. Anything, really!"
Claude grunted as he peeked out of the turret to have a more complete view of the environment. "There must be another way." he grunted.
Then a voice of a woman he didn't recognize came from the radio.
"Looks like you're in a tight spot, Cinderella."
"Cinde-what-now?!" Raz asked frustrated. "This sure as hell ain't a fairy tale!"
Claude, on the other hand, pondered for a moment and replied with a tranquil voice "I'm late to the party, but I don't have a pumpkin. Let alone a carriage."
"Uh, Claude?"
The woman on the other side giggled "Well, I ain't no fairy godmother, but I can work some magic for you."
"Understood. We would appreciate it." Claude replied gratefully.
"All right. Heads up, then."
Just two seconds later, adding itself to the constant hammering of the machine-guns, a whistle cut through the air before the first turret on the left was engulfed by an explosion and ceased to work.
"The heck is that?!" Raz asked.
"I don't know, but now is our chance!" Kiril incited.
"That's right. Everyone, charge through the bridge!" Claude ordered. "Fire support, we need fire at these coordinates…"
Exploiting the sudden new artillery piece, Claude directed the destruction of the imperial turrets, allowing his Rangers and the GSS to only face the fire of the personal weapons of the defenders. Luckily, the Imperials had placed their own barricades all over the bridge, which gave the allies a chance to move forward without being wide open. And by then, the superior skill and training of the Rangers and the GSS easily won the day.
"There it is. Capture that howitzer!" Claude ordered as soon as he saw Raz leading a strike team into the main perimeter of the castle, right in front of the self-propelled artillery piece that had caused their allies so much trouble.
Ramal and Kiril were among the strike team, and they quickly saw an Imperial gunner standing in front of the piece, while his companions were preparing something on the vehicle.
"Federation scum!" he proclaimed defiantly. "We won't let the blood, sweat and tears of the Imperial people fall into your filthy hands!"
A terrible suspicion crept into Kiril's mind. "Wait! Everybody, get back!" he said, grabbing Raz by an arm.
"What?!"
The soldier then made the usual imperial salute and yelled to the bottom of his lungs "Glory to the Motherland!"
"On the ground!" Ramal added, realizing what was going to happen, too.
They all ducked just in time for the howitzer to explode with a terrifying violence. Just the shockwave would have been enough to break a few bones in the allies had they stood tall when it ran over them.
When the air finally returned quiet, the ears of the allies were still ringing, but at least they were all alive. Instead, the howitzer had been almost completely incinerated. The bodies of the gunners were nowhere to be seen. The allies stood up quietly and contemplated that desolating scene as their hearing sense came back.
As a few moments passed, the group realized that those Imperials had just thrown away their lives just to prevent their enemies to acquire that cannon.
That thought was just terrifying. They walked back toward the gate, where Claude and the crew of the Hafen had dismounted to take a better look at that sinister vision.
"Well...mission accomplished, I guess." Raz grunted.
"Yeah. At least." Kai added.
"Speaking of which, I wonder who was the one to help us." Ramal intervened, trying to deflect the moody atmosphere. "And what were they using."
"True. I've never seen a personal weapon with that range and firing solution. That wasn't a simple grenade launcher." Kiril added.
"You never seen one of these beauties? And here I thought you were the cream of the crop." the voice that Claude had heard over the radio spoke seemingly out of nowhere.
The allies turned and saw a woman walking toward them, with a large device on the back and what looked like a portable rack with artillery grenades. The woman was tall, slender, but probably no older than the aces of the Squad. She had blonde hairs that reached her waist and teal eyes. Her clothing only had fragment of a federal uniform, while being mostly still civilian.
But Claude, Raz and Kai immediately recognized her, and the reactions were clearly of stupor. For Claude in particular, it was almost like seeing a ghost. A ghost that, despite everything, he was determined to face.
The woman halted a few paces from them and let the rack fall, then said proudly "It's called a mortar. A magic wand that grants every soldier's wish. Awesome, right?"
"You see this? Isn't that…?" Raz whispered to Claude's ear, and the Lieutenant made a positive huff.
The woman then looked at the group and asked with an innocent tone "Say, who's in charge of this squad? Gotta say, I'm impressed at how quickly they were able to change their tactics on the fly."
Raz, being one of the Sergeants, stepped forward to say something, but he could only mumble and scratch his head as he tried to find the words.
The woman looked at him for a moment, as if she found him familiar, and in fact, she eventually looked amazed. "Wait...Raz? What are you doing in the Edinburgh Army?"
Kai stepped forward too and came to the rescue. "We enlisted together to protect Gallia." she said calmly.
"No way! Leena?" the other girl said with overjoy. "Small world, uh?"
Kai replied gently "Oh...Sorry, I'm going by Kai, now."
"Kai? But that's your…"
"Riley…" Raz intervened with a shook of his head.
As soon as they heard that name, Ramal and Kiril looked at each other and stepped forward.
"Pardon me." said Ramal. "Are you Riley Miller? Daughter of Albert Miller?"
Riley looked at them and was surprised to see their uniforms. "Are you...GSS?"
The two removed their masks and revealed their faces. "I'm Sergeant Ramal Valt, and this is Sergeant Kiril. We have the honor of being the personal students of General Absenkirch, who, as you'll know, is a close friend of Mister Agusta."
"We knew through him that you had joined the Federal Army, but we didn't expect to find you on the frontline." Kiril added.
"Well, then I guess it's time to introduce myself properly. Or do you want to tell the others for me?" she asked with a subtle hostility toward them.
That had to be expected: the GSS had failed to defend Hafen years ago, and the entire Miller family had been killed as a result. Riley was the only survivor, it wasn't hard to imagine she wasn't fond of the Service.
Nevertheless, she cleared her voice and presented herself with a cheery attitude. "I'm Lieutenant Riley Miller. After majoring in ragnite engineering, the Army brought me in as an artillery advisor. I've been temporarily transferred from the field artillery team for this joint operation. As long as I'm here, I'll provide the fire support you need to take down the Empire. My knowledge is your power!"
"Just what our team needed. Thanks for the help, Riley." Alfred said.
Riley then looked around once again. "So, where's the commander? I wanted to introduce myself."
"Uh...about that…" Raz said. "It's not just us two in the squad."
"Uh? You mean Kai's here after all?"
Claude finally gathered his courage and stepped out of the crowd, with a firm expression.
"Riley...I'm the commander of Squad E." he said quite coldly.
Riley didn't seem to recognize him, though. She looked at him and replied with a certain curiosity "Oh, you're pretty young for an officer. But I was impressed out there." she extended a hand. "My knowledge is your…"
Suddenly she froze, her irises became smaller and her cheery expression became one of angry shock.
"Claude...Wallace." she muttered.
Claude only huffed as he kept his emotionless standing.
After a few seconds of deafening silence, Riley's expression became furious. She retracted her hand and simply slapped him. It didn't seem to hurt Claude, but it took the rest of the crowd by surprise.
"Is that all you have to say?" she hissed.
Claude didn't reply.
Riley's eyes suddenly became teary as she kept on her angry expression. "I can't believe I took orders from this coward!"
An embarrassed moment followed, until Kiril came up with something. "Uhm, I suggest we get moving. The rest of the battalion will be here momentarily."
"You're right." Claude said and turned around to reach the Hafen again.
June 20, 1935.
Wilbur was once again reading the letter sent by Erwin, and he was still trying to come to terms with what it just revealed.
Even when Adrien was allowed inside his office, the Prime Minister rose his gaze for only a moment.
While he sat on one of the chairs on the other side, Adrien commented "Goodness, Wil. I haven't seen you that pale that since that time Lorna threatened not to marry you. What's going on?"
Wilbur sighed. He had to say that and accept it. "Do you remember the histories Erwin told us about his teacher, Aduin?"
Adrien pondered briefly. "Ah, yes. The one who is actually known as Professor Barclard, right?"
"Precisely. Well, he is actually alive and kicking...and he has joined the Empire."
Even Adrien jolted. "Excuse me?!"
Wilbur passed the letter to his friend, who spent a couple minutes scouring through it. Eventually he dropped the paper on the desk. "Oh, for fuck's sake."
"You said it." Wilbur agreed bitterly. "We are not the only ones to have Valkyrias, apparently. Which means that the ceremony will only do so much, once the Empire reveals to have its own set of living legends."
Adrien sighed, then replied "Still, they can't possibly have more Valkyrias than us. That alone should show the world that we have a chance."
"Yeah, but they are going to change the face of this war...no, of the entire world. I spent twenty years of my life working for our plan, and now it's all coming crashing down!" he said angrily.
"Woah, hang in there, buddy. Our plan is nowhere near completed." Adrien replied with emphasis. "Sure, this is a huge pain in the side, but that's why we need to redouble our efforts. Let's leave the combat to Erwin and focus on our own matter: give our boys the best conditions to fight."
Wilbur made a huge breathing and then said "You're right. Sorry, it's just...of all things, this was the last one I expected."
"Nobody said this was going to be easy, Wil. So, since we're on the same page of defeating the Empire, there's something I need your permission for."
"That would be?"
The businessman reached for the inside of his jacket and whipped out a letter folded in four parts. He handed it to the Prime Minister.
"My factory here at Randgriz is now in full swing, but I think it's time we let our allies on the secret of the planes. I'm in contact with a few companies of the Federation that are willing to send some of their engineers to learn how to build the machines, so our allies can start their own Air Force."
"And all they need is a permit to travel here." Wilbur understood. "Well...they would have, just a month ago."
Adrien was confused. "Come again?"
"Didn't you read the focal point of the treaties? The free transit of people and goods across the frontiers is a pillar of the Europan Community. We are going to proclaim it on the day of Cordelia's coronation, but they have entered into force two weeks ago."
Adrien pondered for a second and the huffed out a "Oh…" then said "Now I feel an idiot."
"I don't blame you, this time." Wilbur joked. "You have been quite busy, back in Vinland. By the way, I'm seriously happy for Beth. Andy seemed like a real fine man."
"He is, I made sure of it." Adrien replied confidently. "But since we already put the first matter out of the way, there is another one: it's about Fouzen."
"You are not asking me to order an attack to retake your factory, are you?"
"Of course not. But this issue does involve my workers there: one of them has recently reached the capital after escaping the city. He said horrible things."
"What kind of horrible?"
Adrien at first hesitated. "He said...that the Imperials have already built something akin to a work camp. Every single Darcsen they found is being hounded up in there and they're being worked to the bone."
Wilbur was taken aback. "But...half of the population of Fouzen is basically made up of Darcsens."
"Yes. The only good news is that many of them used to work for me at the factory. Our fugitive said that one of my head-department is willing to pass us intel to facilitate a counteroffensive."
"Now that's what I like to hear. But can we trust him?"
"His name is Zaka. I've known him quite well, so trust me: he is reliable."
The Prime Minister drummed his fingers a bit, then replied "Good. Then once Erwin is back, we can discuss how to retake the city. The Community needs that ragnite. Especially with Eastern Wind in full swing."
"Indeed. Though, I doubt we will be ready to strike before the coronation."
"We'll see. But that wouldn't be too much of a problem: we could use the Valkyrias openly."
"That is...well...that is unless Cordelia's revelation won't fracture our country, first." the businessman said worried. "Wil, are you sure that's gonna be okay? I know the world of the industrialists. I'm not sure they would take it lightly."
"I am aware, but this Her Highness' decision, and we need to respect it. Besides, when the Valkyrur will swear their loyalty to her, only an idiot would dare to question her legitimacy."
"Don't underestimate idiots, buddy. We thought that Borg was an idiot, too…"
That much was true, but Wilbur already had a list of those who could go to extreme lengths once the Princess would show her true colors to the world. For now, though, he could only wait and focus on the war at hand.
Author's Note: I enlarged the crew of the Hafen because there was something in the franchise that always bothered me: in VC1 we are told from the beginning that the Edelweiss is the only tank in the world that can operate with two people, compared to its size. I loved that idea, but then it was immediately thrown out of the window, because we are shown all sizes of tanks with no more than their commander and a driver.
