Live without succumbing to the fear of death.
Do not belittle others' faith.
Make an effort to respect others' thoughts and seek respect for your own opinions.
Live long and serve your loved ones.
Cherish life and strive to fulfill its purpose.
Bless everything related to your life and adorn your surroundings.
Show respect to everyone, and do not stoop to humility.
When meeting friends, including strangers, prepare polite behavior and words of respect.
When you wake up in the morning, be grateful for the joy of living.
If you cannot find a reason to be grateful, there may be a problem with your own way of living.
Do not scorn anyone; no one should be disdained.
Contempt transforms wise men into fools and causes the loss of a proper perspective on things.
Do not become one who, at the moment of death, is captured by the fear of dying.
Do not become one who regrets and laments, wishing for more time or a different life.
Chant praises and depart as if returning like a hero.
'The Poem of Tikamusa'
------
The sky was overcast and thick, dark clouds were approaching. At this rate, rain clouds would likely arrive in about an hour. Unpleasant events seem to pile up.
'Commander~. Decoy deployment is complete~.'
'Thank you, Anis. Neon, thank you too. Take a short break.'
'Okay, got it. How does it look?'
'Well, we should manage somehow. The shaft doesn't seem to be broken.'
It's just his luck to step on a landmine buried in the old era. In the midst of a city with almost collapsed buildings, there are armed vehicles leaning heavily on the cracked pavement shoulders.
Unfortunately, the front left tire is a goner. Simultaneous with the mine explosion, the wheel and everything else became a wreck.
Fortunately, the explosion, though of unknown cause, was relatively small, perhaps due to the aging of the mine. Also, Moore had brought several spare tires just in case.
At the rear of the armed vehicle – unlike usual, a trailer is attached for towing. It's an addition for long-term strategic operations, introduced for this mission. Covered by a tarp, its contents are hidden, but mainly, it carries ammunition, immediate provisions, drinking water, and vehicle fuel.
Among them are spare tires, and with a sigh, Moore removes the tarp and prepares for the tire replacement.
---
Ark – to be precise, it's the third day since departing from the outpost base.
He and his squad have undoubtedly covered the distance to their destination. Smoothly, that is.
However, they've encountered Rapture several times along the way, and in the midst of rain, wearing a poncho, changing tires in real-time is quite troublesome.
The rainfall is stronger than anticipated.
'Commander! Hurry inside!'
'You'll catch a cold!'
'Commander, let's pause for now.'
'Finished now. Sorry for the inconvenience.'
The tire change, supported by a large hydraulic jack, is complete. Fortunately, there were no cracks or breaks in the shaft. With a cross wrench and hydraulic jack in hand, Moore and Lapin helped each other. Lapin ran into the tarp tent set up beside the trailer.
'Good thing we brought it just in case.'
'This too. Here, coffee.'
'Please, Master, Rapi.'
'Thank you.'
The sound of rain falling on the stretched tarp tent shows no sign of stopping. Distant thunder has also begun to echo. It seems that a thundercloud has formed.
While Moore and Rapi were changing the tires, Anis and Neon set up a tarp tent beside the trailer, taking shelter from the rain and boiling water.
Using a single burner, the kettle's water boiled, and powdered coffee was dissolved into a simple stainless steel mug with accumulated coffee grounds at the bottom.
Anis brewed coffee for everyone, and Neon handed it to him and Rapi.
"...It's probably going to rain for a while."
"After a short break, shall we continue our journey?"
"There's a chance the rain will intensify. Moving in poor visibility might delay the detection of Rapture."
"...A few hours shouldn't be a problem. Feel free to take a nap or spend some quiet, leisure time."
While observing the rain and cloud conditions and the surroundings, Moore informed Anis and Neon of the plan to depart. They immediately spread waterproof sheets on the ground and sat down, taking shelter.
"How long do you think it'll rain?"
"Who knows? But Ark's rain is different from this one, isn't it? It feels more... natural."
Is that so? Hearing the impression his disciple expressed about the rain, Moore, with a faint smile, tilted the mug and drank the coffee.
"Delicious. Thank you. I'll rest for a bit. Driving continuously is tiring."
"Good night~"
Placing the empty mug next to the single burner, Moore took off his poncho. Shaking off the water droplets, he hung it on the trailer and, without removing his boots, lay down on the sheet laid out by the girls.
To avoid soiling the sheet, he kept his booted feet outside, loosened the chin strap of the helmet while covering his face, and placed the carried assault rifle on his chest.
"Rapi."
His face hidden by the helmet, Moore's low voice called out to Rapi with a muffled tone.
If there was something, as she approached, he silently indicated for her to sit beside him with a single hand gesture.
Holding the coffee cup with steam rising, Rapi, in a kneeling position, sat down beside him on the sheet and set aside the cup.
"...It'sokay to relax your legs. ...Did you notice?"
"Yes. Since yesterday."
"It wasn't because of my imagination,huh. Too bad. ...The distance is... around 800, right?"
"Roughly... Excuse me."
Rapi sensed that she was being called for confirmation, and after placing the held coffee cup on the sheet, she shifted her posture, lowering her knees, aligning her legs, and sitting down while gently lifting the back of his head onto her lap.
"...It should be easier to take a little rest."
"Yeah, thanks. ─Not quite human, huh."
"Yes... the likelihood of Nikke is high."
"...Initially, I thought it might be Seige Perilous, but it seems different."
Despite Moore exposing himself on Rapi's lap, and Anis and Neon also resting in an unguarded manner, not a single gunshot echoed. If that's the case, it doesn't seem like they've been continuously followed for assassination or an ambush.
Covering his face with the helmet and pretending to be holding it with one hand, he directed his dark brown eyes sideways towards the weathered building visible in the far distance.
"...Over there.----Hmph. Being followed sure doesn't feel pleasant."
"...What should we do?"
"...Since we don't know the objective, the options are limited. Either shoot or take them as prisoners."
"...The possibility that Vice Commander Anderson put them on our tail?"
"There's no reason for His Excellency to order us to be followed or monitored. ...Probably."
He doesn't seem very confident. Moore closed his eyes again, firmly covered his face with the helmet, and repeated a few deep breaths while holding the assault rifle in his free hand.
"...I'll sleep for 30 minutes. Wake me up if I don't. And, uh..."
"Even if there's something, wake you up, yes?"
She's indeed excellent. Since she anticipated the words he was going to say.
A faint smile echoed from behind the helmet covering his face.
This much – it shouldn't be a big deal for Rapi, who has been with him for a long time. She shrugged her shoulders and gently stroked his head, where black and white hair, shortened by Anis the day before leaving the outpost base, mingled.
"...Does it not bother you?"
"...What do you mean?"
"...It's this."
Perhaps it's too late, but Rapi asked unexpectedly. In the voice he emitted just before falling asleep, there was no tension.
Resting with Nikke lending him her lap. If she was asking whether that situation was uncomfortable or not –
"...No. ...Rather... it's calming."
"...Commander?"
His voice faltered.
Rapi lowered her gaze. Unfortunately, due to her chest being more abundant than it seemed, the lower part was not clearly visible, but it was apparent that Moore, still wearing body armor, didn't make a single move.
It seems he fell asleep in just a short time. His ability to fall asleep remains consistently good.
"...Good night."
She sensed that he hasn't had a proper sleep since leaving the outpost base. Thirty minutes – still, it's only thirty minutes. Although the sleeping conditions are far from ideal,Rapi stroked his head, wishing for him to have a peaceful sleep.
Live without succumbing to the fear of death.
Do not belittle others' faith.
Make an effort to respect others' thoughts and seek respect for your own opinions.
Live long and serve your loved ones.
Cherish life and strive to fulfill its purpose.
Bless everything related to your life and adorn your surroundings.
Show respect to everyone, and do not stoop to humility.
When meeting friends, including strangers, prepare polite behavior and words of respect.
When you wake up in the morning, be grateful for the joy of living.
If you cannot find a reason to be grateful, there may be a problem with your own way of living.
Do not scorn anyone; no one should be disdained.
Contempt transforms wise men into fools and causes the loss of a proper perspective on things.
Do not become one who, at the moment of death, is captured by the fear of dying.
Do not become one who regrets and laments, wishing for more time or a different life.
Chant praises and depart as if returning like a hero.
'The Poem of Tikamusa'
------
The sky was overcast and thick, dark clouds were approaching. At this rate, rain clouds would likely arrive in about an hour. Unpleasant events seem to pile up.
'Commander~. Decoy deployment is complete~.'
'Thank you, Anis. Neon, thank you too. Take a short break.'
'Okay, got it. How does it look?'
'Well, we should manage somehow. The shaft doesn't seem to be broken.'
It's just his luck to step on a landmine buried in the old era. In the midst of a city with almost collapsed buildings, there are armed vehicles leaning heavily on the cracked pavement shoulders.
Unfortunately, the front left tire is a goner. Simultaneous with the mine explosion, the wheel and everything else became a wreck.
Fortunately, the explosion, though of unknown cause, was relatively small, perhaps due to the aging of the mine. Also, Moore had brought several spare tires just in case.
At the rear of the armed vehicle – unlike usual, a trailer is attached for towing. It's an addition for long-term strategic operations, introduced for this mission. Covered by a tarp, its contents are hidden, but mainly, it carries ammunition, immediate provisions, drinking water, and vehicle fuel.
Among them are spare tires, and with a sigh, Moore removes the tarp and prepares for the tire replacement.
---
Ark – to be precise, it's the third day since departing from the outpost base.
He and his squad have undoubtedly covered the distance to their destination. Smoothly, that is.
However, they've encountered Rapture several times along the way, and in the midst of rain, wearing a poncho, changing tires in real-time is quite troublesome.
The rainfall is stronger than anticipated.
'Commander! Hurry inside!'
'You'll catch a cold!'
'Commander, let's pause for now.'
'Finished now. Sorry for the inconvenience.'
The tire change, supported by a large hydraulic jack, is complete. Fortunately, there were no cracks or breaks in the shaft. With a cross wrench and hydraulic jack in hand, Moore and Lapin helped each other. Lapin ran into the tarp tent set up beside the trailer.
'Good thing we brought it just in case.'
'This too. Here, coffee.'
'Please, Master, Rapi.'
'Thank you.'
The sound of rain falling on the stretched tarp tent shows no sign of stopping. Distant thunder has also begun to echo. It seems that a thundercloud has formed.
While Moore and Rapi were changing the tires, Anis and Neon set up a tarp tent beside the trailer, taking shelter from the rain and boiling water.
Using a single burner, the kettle's water boiled, and powdered coffee was dissolved into a simple stainless steel mug with accumulated coffee grounds at the bottom.
Anis brewed coffee for everyone, and Neon handed it to him and Rapi.
"...It's probably going to rain for a while."
"After a short break, shall we continue our journey?"
"There's a chance the rain will intensify. Moving in poor visibility might delay the detection of Rapture."
"...A few hours shouldn't be a problem. Feel free to take a nap or spend some quiet, leisure time."
While observing the rain and cloud conditions and the surroundings, Moore informed Anis and Neon of the plan to depart. They immediately spread waterproof sheets on the ground and sat down, taking shelter.
"How long do you think it'll rain?"
"Who knows? But Ark's rain is different from this one, isn't it? It feels more... natural."
Is that so? Hearing the impression his disciple expressed about the rain, Moore, with a faint smile, tilted the mug and drank the coffee.
"Delicious. Thank you. I'll rest for a bit. Driving continuously is tiring."
"Good night~"
Placing the empty mug next to the single burner, Moore took off his poncho. Shaking off the water droplets, he hung it on the trailer and, without removing his boots, lay down on the sheet laid out by the girls.
To avoid soiling the sheet, he kept his booted feet outside, loosened the chin strap of the helmet while covering his face, and placed the carried assault rifle on his chest.
"Rapi."
His face hidden by the helmet, Moore's low voice called out to Rapi with a muffled tone.
If there was something, as she approached, he silently indicated for her to sit beside him with a single hand gesture.
Holding the coffee cup with steam rising, Rapi, in a kneeling position, sat down beside him on the sheet and set aside the cup.
"...It'sokay to relax your legs. ...Did you notice?"
"Yes. Since yesterday."
"It wasn't because of my imagination,huh. Too bad. ...The distance is... around 800, right?"
"Roughly... Excuse me."
Rapi sensed that she was being called for confirmation, and after placing the held coffee cup on the sheet, she shifted her posture, lowering her knees, aligning her legs, and sitting down while gently lifting the back of his head onto her lap.
"...It should be easier to take a little rest."
"Yeah, thanks. ─Not quite human, huh."
"Yes... the likelihood of Nikke is high."
"...Initially, I thought it might be Seige Perilous, but it seems different."
Despite Moore exposing himself on Rapi's lap, and Anis and Neon also resting in an unguarded manner, not a single gunshot echoed. If that's the case, it doesn't seem like they've been continuously followed for assassination or an ambush.
Covering his face with the helmet and pretending to be holding it with one hand, he directed his dark brown eyes sideways towards the weathered building visible in the far distance.
"...Over there.----Hmph. Being followed sure doesn't feel pleasant."
"...What should we do?"
"...Since we don't know the objective, the options are limited. Either shoot or take them as prisoners."
"...The possibility that Vice Commander Anderson put them on our tail?"
"There's no reason for His Excellency to order us to be followed or monitored. ...Probably."
He doesn't seem very confident. Moore closed his eyes again, firmly covered his face with the helmet, and repeated a few deep breaths while holding the assault rifle in his free hand.
"...I'll sleep for 30 minutes. Wake me up if I don't. And, uh..."
"Even if there's something, wake you up, yes?"
She's indeed excellent. Since she anticipated the words he was going to say.
A faint smile echoed from behind the helmet covering his face.
This much – it shouldn't be a big deal for Rapi, who has been with him for a long time. She shrugged her shoulders and gently stroked his head, where black and white hair, shortened by Anis the day before leaving the outpost base, mingled.
"...Does it not bother you?"
"...What do you mean?"
"...It's this."
Perhaps it's too late, but Rapi asked unexpectedly. In the voice he emitted just before falling asleep, there was no tension.
Resting with Nikke lending him her lap. If she was asking whether that situation was uncomfortable or not –
"...No. ...Rather... it's calming."
"...Commander?"
His voice faltered.
Rapi lowered her gaze. Unfortunately, due to her chest being more abundant than it seemed, the lower part was not clearly visible, but it was apparent that Moore, still wearing body armor, didn't make a single move.
It seems he fell asleep in just a short time. His ability to fall asleep remains consistently good.
"...Good night."
She sensed that he hasn't had a proper sleep since leaving the outpost base. Thirty minutes – still, it's only thirty minutes. Although the sleeping conditions are far from ideal,Rapi stroked his head, wishing for him to have a peaceful sleep.
