28 – The Mine (6)
After resting for a moment, I checked our location. I managed to unfold the wet map and confirm that there was a large river not far from the mine.
It’s the place where soldiers usually carry water when it’s scarce. We sighed and turned back.
Tetis Libra got up.
“…That… what happened earlier…”
“Yes?”
“Never mind.”
She turned her head sharply.
“We’re returning to base. Drakkan.”
Her tone became firm again. I got up and supported Tetis Libra as she stumbled along.
She only turned her head once, without saying anything else. Her long ears were the only thing that turned slightly red.
But…
She’s definitely pretty.
Is it because she’s wet, or because her body’s contours are showing? She definitely had rare beauty. Enough to be targeted as a hostage if captured by the enemy.
I averted my gaze. Looking more might make me feel sick.
“So the nighttime shooting score was perfect.”
“The commander doesn’t lie.”
“Nice job.”
“…You were great too.”
Tetis Libra coughed and huddled as if she was cold.
I took off my coat, shook off some of the moisture, and put it on her.
“What about you?”
“I’m fine.”
We were similar in height, so fortunately, the combat jacket fit her well.
“Stronger than it looks.”
Immediately after, a cough came out. I turned my head awkwardly.
“…Ahem.”
Tetis Libra laughed.
“He’s a tough one.”
“Yes?”
“It’s just a whisper. Take him to the road.”
“It’s alright.”
“The headquarters isn’t okay.”
They received the field communication device again. Tetis Libra said.
“I won’t forget what happened in the mine today. Never.”
“…Yes?”
“Thank you, Drakan.”
Tetis Libra laughed.
“You’re an excellent subordinate of the headquarters.”
…
We returned to the base. Basmoph Liton, who came to report, seemed very interested in our findings.
“Hmm… Encountered a monster and came back? Do we have any samples?”
“Yes, we do.”
Tetis Libra took out a vinyl bag containing a cloudy liquid. At that moment, I noticed there was something in my sleeve without paying much attention.
But I remained focused, maintaining my posture. I couldn’t afford to stand out in front of the Chief Commander.
“Did Avakusa make it back?”
“…Didn’t he come back?”
“He didn’t return. Looks like he’s dead.”
Basmoph Liton placed the sample next to him and smiled.
“Thank you, Sergeant. You’ve been helpful. I’ll handle this myself. Go back and rest.”
“But Avakusa…”
“If he barely escaped, he’s probably bound to die alone. It’s a shame, but we can’t do anything about it, can we? Go back and rest. Provide detailed information in the report.”
“…Glory to the Resistance.”
“Glory to the Resistance.”
Tetis Libra completed her salute and stepped out of the building. I quickly pulled something out of my sleeve.
“…Hm?”
Something was stuck to it. Very discreetly, a large eye that was moving got attached to my skin without me noticing.
I quickly removed it, but there was still a trace. There was no pain, but it felt like something had crawled into my veins.
…What is this?
“Drakan.”
“Yes?”
“Go back to the barracks.”
Tetis Libra turned her steps.
“I will go to check on Abakusa.”
“Are you going alone?”
“They are my subordinates. I will personally find out. At least I can remove the harm.”
Tetis Libra returned to the barracks with an extra magazine and a headlight attached.
“You have done what you needed to. Go rest. If you don’t return by morning, report separately to the Commander.”
“……”
I felt the emotions that Abakusa might have felt.
…Really.
She’s truly naive.
She seems like a typical soldier following orders. I sighed. I couldn’t even dream of having a rifle unless I told the suppliers to get one.
The only thing left was the military revolver that belonged to my deceased father.
I checked the remaining bullets and loaded them all. I grabbed Tetis Libra’s waist.
“W-What, what are you doing?! I-I am not mentally prepared yet…! It’s too hasty even if I might, might die…!”
“I need to borrow a knife.”
“What?”
“We should have someone watch our backs, shouldn’t we?”
Although I was bothered by the black wall creeping up my body…
My desire to confirm Abakusa’s life or death was even stronger.
After all, he was someone whom I spent quite a bit of time with, despite his unpleasant nature.
“Come with me.”
Tetis Libra bit her lip.
“…Rejoin as an officer later.”
“I decline.”
“What?! Why?! The commander will take care of it!”
“I don’t think I’m cut out for being a soldier.”
…
He returned to the mine. As he looked into the entrance filled with faint light, he let out a sigh.
Still, at least now he knew what was inside and could be prepared.
“Don’t be scared. The commander will protect us.”
“……”
When he saw Tetis Ribra limping, he let out another sigh.
“I’ll take the lead.”
“The commander should…”
“I trust the squad leader’s marksmanship.”
“Is that so?”
Casually arrogant.
We retraced our steps slowly. From the first floor to the second floor.
From the underground second floor to the third floor.
Sounds were coming from inside. I cautiously checked the interior.
The torn corpse of an outer-eyed spider was stuck to the wall. There wasn’t a spot without green liquid.
A space filled with corpses and blood. In the dimly lit area where the faint illumination reached, a single lamp could be seen.
“…Abakusa?”
My back tensed. He turned around. Surprised by his pale skin and melted hands, So Suin stammered.
“W-What the hell… Do the damn ghosts come out now too…?”
“What are you doing here?”
“The hell! You f*cker, I wanted to confirm if you were dead! Why the hell didn’t you answer if you’re a ghost! You piece of trash! Where is your corpse?!”
I blinked.
Tetis Ribra chuckled.
From Noble mtl dot com
“An excellent comrade.”
“Y-You bastard! Did you crawl out with him?! You damn bastard! If it weren’t for you, Drak
Tetis Libra broke her fists.
“Know what you have done.”
“What, what ?! Oh, don’t tell me it’s real…Aah!!”
She pulled Avacusa out by dragging him along since he was beaten enough. Although his body was covered in bodily fluids and venom, it wasn’t as bad as she initially thought. Maybe this was because of his training. His words were indeed true. His body even acted as a weapon.
“I’ll take him with me to report. Dracan, You go and rest first.”
“Oh, my goodness…I’m freezing… “
“I’ll report simply and head straight to the ward. Hold on a bit longer. “
I went towards the temporary ward instead of the hostel. I met the doctor and nurse I had seen before. “What’s going on?”
“I came to check if there are any health problems.”
“If there’s something wrong with the body, come back.It’s not a playground here, okay? “
The doctor refused to treat me, and so did the nurse. “Without noticeable symptoms, diagnosis isn’t possible, that’s why this place is military quarters, not some civilian hospital. Plus, most wounds heal if they’re just a flesh wound, don’t they?” Isabelle Dora, the nurse, laughed heartily and sent me away. Well, I had nothing to say either. There were no clear signs of anything abnormal. Although I had seen strange, massive pieces of flesh from the eye penetrate into the bloodstream, nothing seemed to be left now. Did all the dragon’s immune systems push them out? It was doubtful. So I went back to the lodgings. Avacusa, wrapped in bandages, had come back too.
“Hey. You saw it too?”
“What?”
“I went to report, but the regimental commander wasn’t in his office. The company commander said he went looking for it. But there was something on the desk.”
“…You’ll get killed if you read confidential documents without permission.”
“Oh, shut up! That’s not the point! Vesmoph knew everything. This wasn’t the first time there was an incident at the mine. That insane bastard sent us there, knowing we would die!”
Abacusa hit the ground hard. I closed my eyes and thought.
Vesmoph Ritten.
He looked like a bluffer, but I didn’t know he’d cross the line. If this was his first mission…
The upcoming missions will probably be the same. It is clear that I will not be bored while under his command.
“…Knife.”
He used that expression.
Is he testing how sharp the knife is or is he sharpening it?
“……..”
If a person with a proper understanding is sent to send us information when we go to that mine, they will undoubtedly squeeze out at least some valuable information. However, by not doing so and pretending to know nothing…
It’s probably the latter case.
He’s assessing our usefulness. How much he can use us.
“…Dammit.”
Since we survived one task, the next mission will certainly be harder. We have succeeded in collecting a sample, so our future schedule will undoubtedly be tight.
We have to survive. Somehow. This crazy guy just looks at us as if we’re disposable. As if we don’t even exist.
Does the commander look respected and friendly?
That’s also probably an image he created.
We have to become stronger. Here, more than anywhere else. To gain strength in such an unimaginable situation.
Upgrade equipment, train your body harder, and increase your allies…
We need to become strong enough to survive even if we fall into some unknown situation.
“Hey, you little piece of crap.”
“What?”
“Thanks.”
Abacusa farted and flipped over while still lying down.
“Get out.”
“……..”
At least there are two allies.
Abacusa.
Tetis Libra.
The two struggled in an unbelievable situation to protect my life.
It must be done to receive what is given.
“…Calf.”
“What?”
“I’ll treat everyone to meat tomorrow.”
“What the f***? This stingy bastard! I’ll f***ing beat the s*** out of you!”
“Call the Calf Leader too.”
“You weirdo! You’re really pissing me off!”