The operation has come to a temporary halt. Including the parts I couldn't write, today's journal will be long.
Our battalion, which belonged to the expeditionary force, now has only about the size of a company left. In this past week, we lost 38 soldiers in combat. I dare not count the wounded. Replacement troops are unlikely to arrive.
The Second Normandy Landing Operation was launched to recapture Europe, with the Allied forces mobilizing their full strength for the largest operation in history. The outcome, needless to say, is beyond words. We could only liberate Paris; there is no remaining strength to reclaim the east. It is urgent to search for survivors and evacuate civilians, prioritizing them.
During the 48-hour break, there was a press interview with them. Against the backdrop of the broken Eiffel Tower, they were promoted as the Goddesses of Victory, much like advertising icons. Without their power, we would have all perished long ago, no matter how determined we are. Despite being glorified, we are nothing more than fragile humans.
The publicity enthusiastically promotes victory, but the reality is far from triumphant. You should come to the front lines once and see for yourself. There is no magnificent army projected onto the screen anymore. We are barely holding together as a military unit, like a pitiful group of stragglers.
I am not particularly religious, and if there were a God, I might feel the urge to slap Him across the face, though I suppose saying such things would anger her. Nevertheless, a verse from the Bible keeps haunting me, and it might be because I witnessed Hal, who died protecting Ganny. Of course, theologians would readily offer their differing interpretations.
With that, I put down my pen for today's journal entry.
.
.
John 15:13, New Testament: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
.
.
- Excerpt from the diary of a Marine Corps Second Lieutenant, belonging to I MEF, held in the central government archives.
-----
"What the hell is that ridiculous size cannon?"
Climbing the mountain of scraps, Moore's first impression upon sighting the enormous particle cannon through binoculars from the mountaintop was exactly that.
Memories of the northern research base—the fortified base they had fought against—inevitably resurfaced. It seemed they had to destroy that thing. According to what Shifty and Exia said, they detected Rupture reactions.
[Developed and manufactured by Misilis, MSIC-007.]
Exia spoke from deep inside the housing, followed by a brief description of its specifications.
[...It fires in a straight line, like, *Bakyun*... with something like Colonel Ree--.]
"...Sorry, I don't get the reference. ...What's the range?"
[About 2000, I guess... calculations for obstacles and obstructions on the line of fire...]
"...Is that range in meters or miles?"
[...If it hits, it's complete incineration... not even bones remain...]
"Just answer the question."
Merely a change in units could make a significant difference, but perhaps Exia didn't catch his question. But how thoughtless it was to say such words to someone who had their left arm burned by a particle cannon's beam just a month ago. Of course, she probably didn't mean to be sarcastic.
[...There's an energy reaction inside... but no sign of immediate firing... the trigger is unknown...]
Moore frowned skeptically at Exia's report.
"...Energy reaction? I read somewhere in a paper that at least 10 gigawatts of output is needed for charged particles to travel straight in the atmosphere..."
[Beginner~. That's... a pretty old paper, you know~.]
[In any case, be careful not to enter its line of fire! It's too late once it's fired!]
As Exia's voice echoed through the housing and Shifty's, Moore, using binoculars, stared at the area around the particle cannon—beyond it, a massive building. That seemed to be the manufacturing facility for military supplies.
Suddenly, he sensed movement climbing up the scrap mountain directly below. Without needing to direct his gaze, he accurately sensed the owner of that movement. He couldn't help but worry if the scraps would collapse, but wisely, he didn't voice his concern.
"How are we, Commander?"
It was Rapi who had climbed up next to him. Leaving Anis and Neon below might be okay, but Moore couldn't help but feel slightly concerned. He adjusted his binoculars and resumed his reconnaissance of the area around their objective.
"...There seems to be a manufacturing facility beyond that particle cannon."
"...Can you see any Ruptures?"
"I can't confirm from here. Shifty, any reactions?"
[Wait a moment... Numerous Ruptures and... !!!... there are Lord-class ones!]
"Understood. Let's be thankful they're not Tyrant-class, I guess."
Nevertheless, it might not make much difference. Moore sighed and put away his binoculars in his pouch, starting to descend the mountain of scraps. Rapi followed suit.
"...You might have heard, but there seem to be Lord-class Ruptures. There probably are corresponding ground-type ones too."
Once he set foot on the ground, he stood in front of Anis and Neon, relaying the enemy situation they were about to face.
"Neon, come with me. Rapi, team up with Anis. Spread out to the flanks, pour crossfire from both sides, and advance. I'll give instructions during combat as needed... well, as usual. Any questions?"
He looked over everyone, but it seemed none of the three had any questions. Satisfied, Moore ordered them to advance.
---
"I didn't hear anything about aerial types!"
Realizing they were at a disadvantage in the air, Moore, finally approaching, wanted to vent his frustration to Shifty, but that would have to wait until after the battle.
At the end of the path created by the mountain of scraps, there was an open area resembling a cargo storage yard with containers lined up.
As they entered, a massive Rupture with mechanical wings soared into the sky, blowing away containers. Moore had an honest question in his mind: was that considered a Lord-class Rupture?
"Master! Many ground-type Ruptures!"
"I know! Open fire!"
Splitting the squad into two might have been a mistake. That worry crossed his mind, but Rapi and Anis, who had moved to the right flank, seemed to handle it well. Rapi was likely taking command. Anis accurately shot grenades into the leading ground-type Ruptures rushing toward them.
To shower them with crossfire, there are too many obstacles, but most will be destroyed due to the impact of our engagement. Once the line of sight is secured, they can rain down bullets on them collectively.
Using containers as cover, Moore, half-exposed from the corner, pulled the trigger of his assault rifle and fired shots at the approaching Ruptures. With each gunshot reverberating as the recoil was absorbed, casings scattered around. In the midst of it, a shadow cast overhead.
It was a Lord-class Rupture floating in the sky.
A pair of wings—or so it seemed, but to Moore, it resembled a manta ray, a marine creature he knew.
However, how was it floating such a massive body?
As always, these Ruptures were exceptional and ludicrous specimens.
Aiming his gun towards the sky, Moore started anti-aircraft fire at the gracefully hovering Lord-class.
Amidst the flashes of muzzle flare emitted from the gun barrel as bullets were discharged, the familiar sound of Neon's shotgun began to ring out. The shotgun might be ideal for shooting down flying birds, but it was firing large pellets designed for Ruptures. If birds were hit by these, they would surely vanish without a trace.
There didn't seem to be too many ground-type Ruptures. Flares fired by Rapi from the right flank streaked across the sky and hit the Lord-class several times. Shortly after, Anis's thrown grenade exploded.
As the Lord-class continued to be attacked from both flanks, light began to converge at the two gun muzzles prepared for retaliation. Moore sensed the prelude to a counterattack and shouted, urging them to move aside. At that moment, the gun muzzles emitted a torrent of light.
He didn't want a repeat of the past, where his arm was burned. Dodging the oncoming beam of light, he leaped sideways, somersaulted, and then stood up, aiming his assault rifle and pulling the trigger.
"Neon! Are you alright!?"
"Yes, I'm fine!----They are coming back!!"
Neon's warning came a moment too late. Just as the beam was fired, this time light bullets started raining down one after another.
The aim didn't seem too precise. The shots landed on the surrounding containers, causing explosions that blew them into the air, but at least the squad hadn't sustained any damage.
However, if even one of those shots had hit, they would likely have been heavily damaged. For Moore, it would undoubtedly have been a one-way ticket to the afterlife.
"...Gloating while floating so gracefully...!"
He wouldn't let them fire another shot. Moore pulled a grenade from his body armor pouch and loaded it onto the grenade launcher attached to the underslung barrel of his assault rifle.
Aiming through the dedicated sights and aligning the front sight with the rotating propeller-like propulsion device at the rear of the airborne Lord-class, he fired the grenade as he pulled the trigger. With a deflating sound accompanied by the muffled gunshot, the grenade was launched. It arced gently and struck the propulsion device, exploding. The entire body of the Lord-class trembled significantly from side to side.
It didn't seem to be a direct hit on the core, but it must have been a vital spot. Once the propulsion device stopped, the Lord-class became nothing more than a floating entity in place, a testament to that.
None of the squad members would miss such an opportunity. Even before Moore's orders were given, each of them aimed their weapons at the Lord-class and pulled the triggers in rapid succession.
Bullets, large pellets, and grenades hit the enemy machine directly, causing minor explosions and billowing black smoke.
Even as the Lord-class gradually descended to the ground, the squad's gunfire continued.
Especially focusing their shots on the core emitting red light—once it was pierced, the enemy machine would fall silent completely.
"Cease fire!... Confirmed enemy machine down. Squad, regroup!"
"Hehe, that was a breeze."
"Anis, stay focused! Everyone, report casualties--"
.
.
.
[Alert! Particle cannon operational! Charging energy!!]
.
.
While urging everyone to regroup and report damages promptly, Moore heard the urgent report.
Shiftiy's sharp warning pierced the air, and Moore reflexively directed his gaze towards the massive particle cannon that had remained silent until then.
Exia commented languishly at that.
[Ah... what terrible timing... We're not having any luck, are we...]
There was no time for Moore to respond to Exia's remark.
The light was converging at the cannon's muzzle. Moore realized it was about to fire.
"Get out of the line of fire! Move quickly!!"
[Anis, Neon! You're in the line of fire now! Evade it!]
Shifty's warning stopped Moore in his tracks just as he was about to run.
Due to the Lord-class's attacks, most of the containers had been blown away, providing a clear line of sight in the cargo yard. The turret of the particle cannon rotated toward the assembling squad, its muzzle pointing directly at them.
.
.
Anis and Neon were in the direct line of fire.
.
.
"Commander!!"
"Rapi! Fire the particle cannon!!"
Rapi shouted at Moore as he ran, but Moore's command was swift. Following his orders, Rapi aimed the particle cannon at the turret and opened fire.
However, the armor was more resilient than any ordinary Rupture. Penetration was impossible.
At that moment, Anis and Neon sprinted towards each other.
If they continued, Anis would be engulfed in the particle cannon's beam. It was a split-second reaction driven by the image in his mind—
.
.
" "Eh—?" "
.
.
They collided forcefully, propelling each other away. Thanks to Nikke's leg strength, the distance between them closed almost instantly.
Their hazel and emerald eyes widened as they realized their faces were much closer than they had anticipated. Suddenly, their foreheads collided with great force.
[Particle cannon, firing now!!]
As they collapsed to the ground from the impact of their foreheads colliding, Shifty's warning echoed through Moore's headset.
"What?! What is—?"
"Uwah! Uwahh!!?"
Anis and Neon, seeing the converging light at the muzzle of the particle cannon aimed at them, instinctively embraced each other. Amid their shocked reaction, Moore leaped towards them, rolling them away from the line of fire while still holding them in his arms.
In that instant, the particle cannon's muzzle seemed to emit blinding light, but it quickly faded away. It appeared to be a misfire.
[Too old... the power needed just for firing... was not there...]
Exia's sigh resonated from inside the housing. Relieved, Moore exhaled deeply while still embracing Anis and Neon.
---...I'm glad...
...He thought he might lose subordinates again.
Suppressing the words that almost escaped his throat, he released his arms that were wrapped around the two.
"...Th-thank you, Commander..."
"...Thank you, Sensei..."
"...When we get back, treat me a beer. That should make us even."
Despite the unavoidable circumstances, Anis and Neon, who had been embraced, quickly separated themselves from Moore, feeling embarrassed. As they moved away, they glanced at each other's faces, unsure of what to say.
"If... if there's something you want to say, please go ahead! Something like, "Thank you for coming to rescue me!" "
"...Heh... you're actually meaner than I thought when pissed off."
"Anis too, you're even more cynical than I anticipated!"
Neon was the first to break the silence. Watching Anis respond, Moore also sat up and stood. After making sure his assault rifle was in order, he lit a cigarette with an oil lighter he took from his pouch.
In response to Neon's words, Anis trembled her lips a few times before finally managing to speak. Her voice, filled with resignation, began to explain.
"...I... before, I..."
"...That's enough!"
Without waiting for her confession, Neon stood up and extended a hand toward the slumped Anis.
"Someday, tell me, okay?"
Her mood didn't seem entirely restored. Puffing out her cheeks, Neon reached out her hand to Anis, silently urging her to take it.
Anis slowly raised her hand, comparing Neon's face to her own. The moment she grabbed Neon's hand, however, Neon, for some reason, let go. Naturally, Anis fell back to the ground, gravity taking her. She blinked her hazel eyes repeatedly, looking up at Neon in astonishment.
"...When I think about it, it really irritates me, you know!? You can't believe me!? How many times do you think I almost died while being with all of you!?"
Like a dam breaking, complaints and frustrations she had been suppressing poured out of Neon's lips. Anis couldn't stand it anymore, but what overwhelmed her even more was Moore's expression. As the squad leader, he couldn't say anything in response.
He felt like he was being stabbed repeatedly with an invisible, sharp knife.
"...I'm a spy, so I could have just made up some reports and be done with it!! But even then, I risked my life with all of you!!"
"...Uhm... sorry..."
"...I apologize..."
Anis, sitting dejectedly, and Moore, who was apologetically smoking his cigarette, both offered their apologies. However, Neon, as if she didn't need their apologies, turned her face away. She walked away alone, her footsteps rough.
"I don't want to hear it anymore! Get up on your own!"
Watching her walk away, Moore, feeling utterly helpless, released a sigh mixed with purple smoke from his cigarette. Beside him, Rapi approached.
"...For some reason, I feel like I got scolded too."
Moore grumbled to Rapi, who simply shrugged her shoulders.
Meanwhile, Anis, pointing at the retreating Neon in the distance, looked up at him and Rapi, inquiring,
"...She's not angry anymore, right?"
"...Probably not."
"...Probably not."
Both he and Rapi shrugged their shoulders in unison. When Moore extended his hand toward Anis, she firmly grasped it this time, finally getting up.
----
Author Notes:
This will be my last post of the year.
I started posting in early November, and I am truly grateful to all of you for reading so much. I appreciate your continued support in the coming year.
On another note, that pigheaded fool from Burningum's year-end event, what the hell is he babbling about? I couldn't care less about his brat's presents. (Foul language)
The operation has come to a temporary halt. Including the parts I couldn't write, today's journal will be long.
Our battalion, which belonged to the expeditionary force, now has only about the size of a company left. In this past week, we lost 38 soldiers in combat. I dare not count the wounded. Replacement troops are unlikely to arrive.
The Second Normandy Landing Operation was launched to recapture Europe, with the Allied forces mobilizing their full strength for the largest operation in history. The outcome, needless to say, is beyond words. We could only liberate Paris; there is no remaining strength to reclaim the east. It is urgent to search for survivors and evacuate civilians, prioritizing them.
During the 48-hour break, there was a press interview with them. Against the backdrop of the broken Eiffel Tower, they were promoted as the Goddesses of Victory, much like advertising icons. Without their power, we would have all perished long ago, no matter how determined we are. Despite being glorified, we are nothing more than fragile humans.
The publicity enthusiastically promotes victory, but the reality is far from triumphant. You should come to the front lines once and see for yourself. There is no magnificent army projected onto the screen anymore. We are barely holding together as a military unit, like a pitiful group of stragglers.
I am not particularly religious, and if there were a God, I might feel the urge to slap Him across the face, though I suppose saying such things would anger her. Nevertheless, a verse from the Bible keeps haunting me, and it might be because I witnessed Hal, who died protecting Ganny. Of course, theologians would readily offer their differing interpretations.
With that, I put down my pen for today's journal entry.
.
.
John 15:13, New Testament: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
.
.
- Excerpt from the diary of a Marine Corps Second Lieutenant, belonging to I MEF, held in the central government archives.
-----
"What the hell is that ridiculous size cannon?"
Climbing the mountain of scraps, Moore's first impression upon sighting the enormous particle cannon through binoculars from the mountaintop was exactly that.
Memories of the northern research base—the fortified base they had fought against—inevitably resurfaced. It seemed they had to destroy that thing. According to what Shifty and Exia said, they detected Rupture reactions.
[Developed and manufactured by Misilis, MSIC-007.]
Exia spoke from deep inside the housing, followed by a brief description of its specifications.
[...It fires in a straight line, like, *Bakyun*... with something like Colonel Ree--.]
"...Sorry, I don't get the reference. ...What's the range?"
[About 2000, I guess... calculations for obstacles and obstructions on the line of fire...]
"...Is that range in meters or miles?"
[...If it hits, it's complete incineration... not even bones remain...]
"Just answer the question."
Merely a change in units could make a significant difference, but perhaps Exia didn't catch his question. But how thoughtless it was to say such words to someone who had their left arm burned by a particle cannon's beam just a month ago. Of course, she probably didn't mean to be sarcastic.
[...There's an energy reaction inside... but no sign of immediate firing... the trigger is unknown...]
Moore frowned skeptically at Exia's report.
"...Energy reaction? I read somewhere in a paper that at least 10 gigawatts of output is needed for charged particles to travel straight in the atmosphere..."
[Beginner~. That's... a pretty old paper, you know~.]
[In any case, be careful not to enter its line of fire! It's too late once it's fired!]
As Exia's voice echoed through the housing and Shifty's, Moore, using binoculars, stared at the area around the particle cannon—beyond it, a massive building. That seemed to be the manufacturing facility for military supplies.
Suddenly, he sensed movement climbing up the scrap mountain directly below. Without needing to direct his gaze, he accurately sensed the owner of that movement. He couldn't help but worry if the scraps would collapse, but wisely, he didn't voice his concern.
"How are we, Commander?"
It was Rapi who had climbed up next to him. Leaving Anis and Neon below might be okay, but Moore couldn't help but feel slightly concerned. He adjusted his binoculars and resumed his reconnaissance of the area around their objective.
"...There seems to be a manufacturing facility beyond that particle cannon."
"...Can you see any Ruptures?"
"I can't confirm from here. Shifty, any reactions?"
[Wait a moment... Numerous Ruptures and... !!!... there are Lord-class ones!]
"Understood. Let's be thankful they're not Tyrant-class, I guess."
Nevertheless, it might not make much difference. Moore sighed and put away his binoculars in his pouch, starting to descend the mountain of scraps. Rapi followed suit.
"...You might have heard, but there seem to be Lord-class Ruptures. There probably are corresponding ground-type ones too."
Once he set foot on the ground, he stood in front of Anis and Neon, relaying the enemy situation they were about to face.
"Neon, come with me. Rapi, team up with Anis. Spread out to the flanks, pour crossfire from both sides, and advance. I'll give instructions during combat as needed... well, as usual. Any questions?"
He looked over everyone, but it seemed none of the three had any questions. Satisfied, Moore ordered them to advance.
---
"I didn't hear anything about aerial types!"
Realizing they were at a disadvantage in the air, Moore, finally approaching, wanted to vent his frustration to Shifty, but that would have to wait until after the battle.
At the end of the path created by the mountain of scraps, there was an open area resembling a cargo storage yard with containers lined up.
As they entered, a massive Rupture with mechanical wings soared into the sky, blowing away containers. Moore had an honest question in his mind: was that considered a Lord-class Rupture?
"Master! Many ground-type Ruptures!"
"I know! Open fire!"
Splitting the squad into two might have been a mistake. That worry crossed his mind, but Rapi and Anis, who had moved to the right flank, seemed to handle it well. Rapi was likely taking command. Anis accurately shot grenades into the leading ground-type Ruptures rushing toward them.
To shower them with crossfire, there are too many obstacles, but most will be destroyed due to the impact of our engagement. Once the line of sight is secured, they can rain down bullets on them collectively.
Using containers as cover, Moore, half-exposed from the corner, pulled the trigger of his assault rifle and fired shots at the approaching Ruptures. With each gunshot reverberating as the recoil was absorbed, casings scattered around. In the midst of it, a shadow cast overhead.
It was a Lord-class Rupture floating in the sky.
A pair of wings—or so it seemed, but to Moore, it resembled a manta ray, a marine creature he knew.
However, how was it floating such a massive body?
As always, these Ruptures were exceptional and ludicrous specimens.
Aiming his gun towards the sky, Moore started anti-aircraft fire at the gracefully hovering Lord-class.
Amidst the flashes of muzzle flare emitted from the gun barrel as bullets were discharged, the familiar sound of Neon's shotgun began to ring out. The shotgun might be ideal for shooting down flying birds, but it was firing large pellets designed for Ruptures. If birds were hit by these, they would surely vanish without a trace.
There didn't seem to be too many ground-type Ruptures. Flares fired by Rapi from the right flank streaked across the sky and hit the Lord-class several times. Shortly after, Anis's thrown grenade exploded.
As the Lord-class continued to be attacked from both flanks, light began to converge at the two gun muzzles prepared for retaliation. Moore sensed the prelude to a counterattack and shouted, urging them to move aside. At that moment, the gun muzzles emitted a torrent of light.
He didn't want a repeat of the past, where his arm was burned. Dodging the oncoming beam of light, he leaped sideways, somersaulted, and then stood up, aiming his assault rifle and pulling the trigger.
"Neon! Are you alright!?"
"Yes, I'm fine!----They are coming back!!"
Neon's warning came a moment too late. Just as the beam was fired, this time light bullets started raining down one after another.
The aim didn't seem too precise. The shots landed on the surrounding containers, causing explosions that blew them into the air, but at least the squad hadn't sustained any damage.
However, if even one of those shots had hit, they would likely have been heavily damaged. For Moore, it would undoubtedly have been a one-way ticket to the afterlife.
"...Gloating while floating so gracefully...!"
He wouldn't let them fire another shot. Moore pulled a grenade from his body armor pouch and loaded it onto the grenade launcher attached to the underslung barrel of his assault rifle.
Aiming through the dedicated sights and aligning the front sight with the rotating propeller-like propulsion device at the rear of the airborne Lord-class, he fired the grenade as he pulled the trigger. With a deflating sound accompanied by the muffled gunshot, the grenade was launched. It arced gently and struck the propulsion device, exploding. The entire body of the Lord-class trembled significantly from side to side.
It didn't seem to be a direct hit on the core, but it must have been a vital spot. Once the propulsion device stopped, the Lord-class became nothing more than a floating entity in place, a testament to that.
None of the squad members would miss such an opportunity. Even before Moore's orders were given, each of them aimed their weapons at the Lord-class and pulled the triggers in rapid succession.
Bullets, large pellets, and grenades hit the enemy machine directly, causing minor explosions and billowing black smoke.
Even as the Lord-class gradually descended to the ground, the squad's gunfire continued.
Especially focusing their shots on the core emitting red light—once it was pierced, the enemy machine would fall silent completely.
"Cease fire!... Confirmed enemy machine down. Squad, regroup!"
"Hehe, that was a breeze."
"Anis, stay focused! Everyone, report casualties--"
.
.
.
[Alert! Particle cannon operational! Charging energy!!]
.
.
While urging everyone to regroup and report damages promptly, Moore heard the urgent report.
Shiftiy's sharp warning pierced the air, and Moore reflexively directed his gaze towards the massive particle cannon that had remained silent until then.
Exia commented languishly at that.
[Ah... what terrible timing... We're not having any luck, are we...]
There was no time for Moore to respond to Exia's remark.
The light was converging at the cannon's muzzle. Moore realized it was about to fire.
"Get out of the line of fire! Move quickly!!"
[Anis, Neon! You're in the line of fire now! Evade it!]
Shifty's warning stopped Moore in his tracks just as he was about to run.
Due to the Lord-class's attacks, most of the containers had been blown away, providing a clear line of sight in the cargo yard. The turret of the particle cannon rotated toward the assembling squad, its muzzle pointing directly at them.
.
.
Anis and Neon were in the direct line of fire.
.
.
"Commander!!"
"Rapi! Fire the particle cannon!!"
Rapi shouted at Moore as he ran, but Moore's command was swift. Following his orders, Rapi aimed the particle cannon at the turret and opened fire.
However, the armor was more resilient than any ordinary Rupture. Penetration was impossible.
At that moment, Anis and Neon sprinted towards each other.
If they continued, Anis would be engulfed in the particle cannon's beam. It was a split-second reaction driven by the image in his mind—
.
.
" "Eh—?" "
.
.
They collided forcefully, propelling each other away. Thanks to Nikke's leg strength, the distance between them closed almost instantly.
Their hazel and emerald eyes widened as they realized their faces were much closer than they had anticipated. Suddenly, their foreheads collided with great force.
[Particle cannon, firing now!!]
As they collapsed to the ground from the impact of their foreheads colliding, Shifty's warning echoed through Moore's headset.
"What?! What is—?"
"Uwah! Uwahh!!?"
Anis and Neon, seeing the converging light at the muzzle of the particle cannon aimed at them, instinctively embraced each other. Amid their shocked reaction, Moore leaped towards them, rolling them away from the line of fire while still holding them in his arms.
In that instant, the particle cannon's muzzle seemed to emit blinding light, but it quickly faded away. It appeared to be a misfire.
[Too old... the power needed just for firing... was not there...]
Exia's sigh resonated from inside the housing. Relieved, Moore exhaled deeply while still embracing Anis and Neon.
---...I'm glad...
...He thought he might lose subordinates again.
Suppressing the words that almost escaped his throat, he released his arms that were wrapped around the two.
"...Th-thank you, Commander..."
"...Thank you, Sensei..."
"...When we get back, treat me a beer. That should make us even."
Despite the unavoidable circumstances, Anis and Neon, who had been embraced, quickly separated themselves from Moore, feeling embarrassed. As they moved away, they glanced at each other's faces, unsure of what to say.
"If... if there's something you want to say, please go ahead! Something like, "Thank you for coming to rescue me!" "
"...Heh... you're actually meaner than I thought when pissed off."
"Anis too, you're even more cynical than I anticipated!"
Neon was the first to break the silence. Watching Anis respond, Moore also sat up and stood. After making sure his assault rifle was in order, he lit a cigarette with an oil lighter he took from his pouch.
In response to Neon's words, Anis trembled her lips a few times before finally managing to speak. Her voice, filled with resignation, began to explain.
"...I... before, I..."
"...That's enough!"
Without waiting for her confession, Neon stood up and extended a hand toward the slumped Anis.
"Someday, tell me, okay?"
Her mood didn't seem entirely restored. Puffing out her cheeks, Neon reached out her hand to Anis, silently urging her to take it.
Anis slowly raised her hand, comparing Neon's face to her own. The moment she grabbed Neon's hand, however, Neon, for some reason, let go. Naturally, Anis fell back to the ground, gravity taking her. She blinked her hazel eyes repeatedly, looking up at Neon in astonishment.
"...When I think about it, it really irritates me, you know!? You can't believe me!? How many times do you think I almost died while being with all of you!?"
Like a dam breaking, complaints and frustrations she had been suppressing poured out of Neon's lips. Anis couldn't stand it anymore, but what overwhelmed her even more was Moore's expression. As the squad leader, he couldn't say anything in response.
He felt like he was being stabbed repeatedly with an invisible, sharp knife.
"...I'm a spy, so I could have just made up some reports and be done with it!! But even then, I risked my life with all of you!!"
"...Uhm... sorry..."
"...I apologize..."
Anis, sitting dejectedly, and Moore, who was apologetically smoking his cigarette, both offered their apologies. However, Neon, as if she didn't need their apologies, turned her face away. She walked away alone, her footsteps rough.
"I don't want to hear it anymore! Get up on your own!"
Watching her walk away, Moore, feeling utterly helpless, released a sigh mixed with purple smoke from his cigarette. Beside him, Rapi approached.
"...For some reason, I feel like I got scolded too."
Moore grumbled to Rapi, who simply shrugged her shoulders.
Meanwhile, Anis, pointing at the retreating Neon in the distance, looked up at him and Rapi, inquiring,
"...She's not angry anymore, right?"
"...Probably not."
"...Probably not."
Both he and Rapi shrugged their shoulders in unison. When Moore extended his hand toward Anis, she firmly grasped it this time, finally getting up.
----
Author Notes:
This will be my last post of the year.
I started posting in early November, and I am truly grateful to all of you for reading so much. I appreciate your continued support in the coming year.
On another note, that pigheaded fool from Burningum's year-end event, what the hell is he babbling about? I couldn't care less about his brat's presents. (Foul language)
