31 – Rebels (1)
The training continued. It became a little more intense.
Under the special orders of Besmofp Litn, we continued to be pushed. It was as if the heat was rising in the cold winter.
The breaking point seemed to have increased. After completing the mission and returning, Besmofp Litn was pushing us even more ruthlessly.
As if to create an unbreakable, solid blade.
“…Crazy! I’m going to die like this!”
“Shut up, Abbacusa.”
“Drakan! Let’s run away!”
Even our nicknames have slightly changed. We started calling each other by name. Occasionally, the old nicknames that we used to call each other by would slip out of our mouths for a moment, but they were just momentary.
“We have to defect! We have to live! We have to survive!”
“What about the mercenaries if we become criminals again?”
“…Dark mercenaries?”
“Would that work?”
Tetis Libra raised his sweat-soaked helmet and spoke without conviction.
“I can do it.”
“What the hell can you do?”
“Abbacusa, lower your voice. It’ll reach the battalion commander’s tent.”
“This is something you need to hear!”
“Don’t do that!”
Tetis Libra’s strict attitude softened slowly over time. The intensity of the training remained the same, but he became a little more approachable.
“Drakan.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Do you have any complaints?”
Abbacusa desperately gestured at me. I sighed.
“The rations are a little…”
“Rations?”
“The food isn’t very good.”
“Hmm…”
Tetis Libra muttered to himself.
“Our headquarters is also aware of that.”
“Then…?”
“That’s beyond our headquarters’ abilities.”
Abbacusa groaned.
“What? We conquered the Ascalon Plateau, but the supply situation is worse than ever!”
“Think about it. Abbacusa. To get to the Ascalon Plateau, we have to move by vehicle. But the road up to the plateau is rough. The
“…No, then how did humans manage?”
“They had cable cars.”
“We also…!”
“Our side is also in the process of building a new one. However, the construction will take some time. The forces stationed in the Ascal Plateau are transporting supplies in shifts. It’s only natural that meals are not as good as before until the supply system is completed.”
“Ugh.”
“Still, be grateful that the market is coming up. Without it, there would be no hope in life.”
Tetis Libra sighed. I looked at her sharply.
“Are there any additional problems?”
There are.
I glanced down at my hands. A strangeness I had felt during training.
The massive eyes we had encountered inside the mine. Since it burrowed into our bodies, I occasionally felt something peculiar.
A feeling that something was about to burst out. But the moment I realized it, it disappeared as if it had never happened.
They said they couldn’t find the cause even in the infirmary. The doctor asked if it was a psychological problem.
…A psychological problem.
Perhaps that’s possible.
Discussing this kind of thing wouldn’t lead to any proper answers, would it?
“I have many more than just that,” I said.
“Sergeant! When will we receive the reward for how splendidly we handled the previous incident?”
Tetis Libra cut in abruptly.
“Soldiers simply fulfill their duties. There are no additional rewards.”
“But you said it like you would give it to us last time?!”
“That was headquarters’ misconception.”
“Argh!”
It took two months for the cable car to be completed. Avakusa, who used to shiver in the winter, looked at the cable car and his frozen lips curled up.
“Now, the tiresome soup is finally over…!”
Nothing had changed.
At most, each bowl of soup had a few more pieces of meat.
“Damn it!”
“……”
Even I could tell this was a bit extreme.
Tetis Livra moved the spoon weakly. I asked,
“What is the financial status of the resistance group like this?”
“…The headquarters is not a supply officer, so I don’t really know.”
“No, sir. Can I ask another platoon leader?”
Abakusa stepped on a mine. I bit my tongue.
After spending several months together, how could we not know that?
Tetis Livra was being treated like an outcast. The 13th platoon was essentially isolated from other platoon members and excluded from all activities.
All they did was training and occasional missions. In a way, it could be considered a privilege, but not only other platoon members, even the platoon leaders despised Tetis Livra.
I once caught them talking behind their back.
Tetis Livra’s face turned dark.
“Ah… Maybe other platoon leaders don’t know either.”
“Well, it won’t help to ask.”
“No, why are you so timid, not even being an outcast…”
I sighed and cut off Abakusa’s words.
“Abakusa.”
“What?”
“I think they’re refilling the soup there.”
“Oh…! Drakan! This guy! He really has good eyes!”
Abakusa quickly moved. I handed Tetis Livra a piece of meat from the bowl.
Tetis Livra rolled their eyes. They turned around to look at me.
“Well, what is it?”
“I’m offering it to you because I have no appetite.”
“……. “
Tetis Livra blushed.
“It’s… It’s an unnecessary interference.”
“Platoon leader.”
“What is it?”
“You are the platoon leader I respect the most. You don’t need to feel awkward.”
From Noble mtl dot com
I put the soup in my mouth. Hmm. As expected, it’s tasteless.
“A capable person’s suppression doesn’t differ depending on where they are, right?”
“……. “
Tetis Libra swiftly put a piece of meat in her mouth.
“…Hmph. It’s not false.”
Abacusa returned.
“What’s up? Why is it suddenly heated here? Did someone turn on the fireplace?”
“Have some food.”
“Stubborn brat.”
The harsh winter was incredibly cold. But even that eventually came to an end.
During that time, they were given search missions along with light reconnaissance missions. Perhaps the military, too, refrained from active operations during the winter. The human side was the same.
Just passing through that winter like so.
It was slightly cold, but I raised my head as the melting snow began. Before training began, I sat on the bench absent-mindedly.
Would it be called photosynthesis?
I still remembered Scarlet Peridot’s words. Sometimes…
Just spacing out without any thoughts.
“Hey, Drakan.”
Abacusa sat beside me. He nudged me.
“Come to think of it, you’ve grown a bit, haven’t you?”
“…Oh, really?”
Come to think of it, my eye level was a bit different.
Change doesn’t happen overnight. It takes a long time to materialize.
Even the somewhat short height surpassed 170 unnoticed. The height nearing 175 was clearly different. The eye level, which was similar to Tetis Libra’s, had completely surpassed hers.
But even so, I still felt it. I would continue to grow.
The strength that was already strong had visibly increased as well. Even Abacusa, who used to struggle in sparring, would falter after a few exchanges.
“How much stronger do you plan on getting? You damn monster. If I were a dragon, I wouldn’t even look at you.”
“…… “
In truth, I was something special.
I wanted to say that, but it felt like boasting, so I stayed quiet.
Spring returned. As if ignited, even the activities of the almost stagnant resistance began to move.
And the same went for the humans.
“Human activities are moving,” he said.
“What? Is it true?”
“I don’t know. There’s a rumor that something is being prepared… I don’t even know who said it.”
A wild rumor spread. The military base was in turmoil.
Already in a noisy situation, there were changes in our platoon as well.
Two new recruits joined.
“…This is insane. Is this the Chest Platoon we’re in?”
Avakusa blurted out in disbelief. But I couldn’t argue back.
Instead, I wiped my face. A woman dressed as a death row inmate.
Her huge bust, one step above Tetis Libravo, immediately caught my eye. Slightly dirty blond hair and eyes that gave off a bad vibe.
“What did you just say?”
“Me?”
“Yeah. You son of a b*tch.”
Her mouth reeked of insolence.
“What about my chest? Should I punch you because of it? Come on. I’ll squeeze you until you dry up completely. How about that?”
“Why do all the resistance women look like that?”
“Wasn’t that what you liked?”
“What I want is a kind woman! Someone like our Miss, who is nice!”
“Kindness means nothing. With a face like yours, is there really a woman who would treat you kindly?”
“You f*cking b*tch! Shall we have a match?”
“Bring it on! You bastard! Bring it on!”
…Another strong-willed woman came in.
In contrast, the others seemed…
“Is this the Ascal Plateau?”
Nonchalant. A man stuck between middle-aged and elderly. Under his somewhat aged face, there were gill-like holes.
…Mermaid…perhaps?
Our gazes met. The gentle face beneath the faded hair smiled at me.
If his clothes weren’t those of a death row inmate, I would have thought he was a normal person. But separate from the prevailing atmosphere, something seemed peculiar.
Seemingly a bit off…
“Oh, you have a child. How did you end up joining the resistance?”
First, he made it clear that he was the superior and spoke in a louder voice.
“I came through an illegal border crossing.”
“Those horns…”
The man nodded as if interested.
“Fascinating. Why didn’t you commit suicide? Aren’t you famous for being a proud group?”
“There are circumstances.”
“Of course. Everyone has circumstances. Hm, I asked unnecessary things. Consider it unheard.”
Tetis Libra coughed lightly. She divided the murmuring Avacusa and the woman into two groups.
“Fights among the platoon members are prohibited. Avacusa, control your temper.”
“Yes, yes.”
“Answer only once.”
“Yes.”
Tetis Libra looked back at us.
“For now, let’s put introductions aside and deliver the assigned mission. We are going back to the capital tomorrow to apprehend deserters.”
It was a sudden mission. Deserters?
Why would this platoon be doing that?
“Rebels made a deal with the deserters and they managed to steal a document. Our goal is to recapture the stolen document. If there are any resisting individuals, eliminate them all and capture the deserters alive. If circumstances do not allow it, then terminate them.”
The atmosphere became tense. Probably because of the name “rebels.”
An organization opposed to the resistance.
Avacusa asked.
“…Did they steal an important document or something?”
“That’s correct, Avacusa. The document that the deserter took with him was the Titan blueprint, which was under development within the resistance. It should never be leaked outside.”
“……”
“We must retrieve the Titan blueprint that he is carrying. We are not the only ones assigned to this mission. Other 13 platoons from each company have also received the same mission. And the platoon that had a decisive impact on the mission…”
Tetis Libra declared.
“The battalion commander has arranged for us to contact the weapons craftsman within the resistance, Fenegrin Alto.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that we will be able to reorganize the platoon with new weapons, not just supply weapons.”
Avacusa’s head shot up.
“Does that mean we can wear body armor too?!”
“Exactly. Abakusa. From head to toe, it’s a chance to change into a favorite weapon.”
That means…
Isn’t it saying that you can graduate from such garbage weapons?