Chapter 28 – Night of the Dead
One.
Fortunately, the night sky was clear. The full moon shone generously in the clear sky without a single cloud.
In that place full of pale moonlight and stillness.
Soon after, the farewell ceremony began. When the time came, the assembled troops began to burn the belongings of the dead. Soon, smoke billowed from the black sky, and everyone gathered around to watch the flames, as if to send away a dead soul.
Among such personnel, Rien Frost was also present.
Because the power of magic was needed to create strong flames to cremate the corpse. As a result, it was Lien Frost’s role to oversee the funeral.
His calm blue eyes stared intently at the flames he created with his own hands burning the corpses of his comrades. It was a vague look that seemed dry, as if he had lost some emotion, but felt all the more sad because of that.
At that moment, the only thing swirling in Lien’s heart was regret and sorry for the dead unit member.
If she had made more right choices, if he had paid more attention to the changes around him,
Somehow more… A series of endless agony.
If you are a commander, you might get used to it, but it is not easy to get used to the death of a unit member who moved according to his words.
In the midst of such complaints, Rien looked around her.
You can see the corps members gathered in a circle around the burning flames.
How long can they last here?
Do they really know that the current fight won’t end even if they fight for years to come? Even Chandler or Ceres right now. They’ve survived for years, but there’s still no end in sight.
He doesn’t say anything in front of the commander, but Lien knows very well that there is talk among the pilots that death is their final destination.
Still, they are fighting silently here. While Rien was grateful for that fact, she felt ashamed.
‘… Wait for now.’
How much longer do we have to wait for poor equipment and facilities? Only sacrifices are forced here.
No matter how hard they fight here, they don’t notice. That was the reality of the Kingdom of Frangia. The kingdom’s resources and manpower were limited, and none of them could afford to return to District 39.
The reason was simple. District 39 was the starting point of the revolution and the final flame.
A thorn in the eye for nobles.
Because the situation was the situation, there were so many people in the kingdom who wanted to disappear quickly, although they kept leaving them without getting their hands dirty. To be honest, it’s almost as if all of my limbs have been cut off now, but I don’t know what the hell she’s afraid of.
Right now, Lien’s father is giving up everything and living day by day with alcohol. They lament and curse every day, saying that the world has abandoned them.
Enthusiasm and ideology to change the world were severely crushed by invaders unprecedented in history. Now all that remains are the rebels who survived and the losers.
Ironically, the world gave a new opportunity to the despicable people who were busy saving themselves rather than to those who supported themselves with noble ideologies. Lien was saddened by such a reality.
It’s a dark night when I think about all kinds of things.
The only thing that illuminates the surroundings is the corpses of dead soldiers and flames burning goods. That’s why the survivors in the shade around it each mourned the death of the unit members in their own way.
Some cried, some hung their heads, and some just stared blankly at the flames. For those accustomed to the deaths of unit members, the present time was close to a time to look back on themselves.
2.
It was just as the farewell ceremony for the dead soldiers was about to begin.
—… Found.
She was sitting around without thinking, but she was very surprised when she suddenly heard Karen’s unexpected voice from behind.
When it was over, she thought of going to find it. Although she said that she suppressed it once after returning to the unit, it was time for her body to overheat.
But what is this?
I hope you come to me like this.
—Oh no, it has already started… Let’s finish quickly because we’re running out of time.
She spoke quickly, then Karen pulled Netoru by the hem of his clothes and dragged him into a corner.
Karen’s violent behavior, which was different from usual, dragged her along without much resistance.
No, she didn’t exactly. Netoru simply moved her steps as Karen led her.
The place they arrived at was so deserted that even the moonlight could not seep through it.
“Ha… Mandible…”
There, Karen was bent over with her left hand on the wall, her hot breath flowing. At the same time, her right hand, which was pressing her lower abdomen, seemed to complain that there was something wrong with her magical nervous system.
She’s like this, so she wasn’t going to do that. Forcibly activating her magic nervous system is not good for her body.
Ne Toru said while quietly watching Karen’s painful appearance, which even made her feel sorry for her somewhere.
“I’d rather just be quiet in my room.”
“… How am I It’s a funeral for her troops, though.”
“No one has anything to say anyway.”
“I just really want to participate. Because they were cute younger siblings to me. You should at least see the last one.”
They are cute siblings… Saying that, Karen smiled bitterly, and then she staggered towards her, clutching Netoru’s collar in her hand and raising her head.
“Netoru…”
The distance is close.
The distance that your lips touch if you lower your body a little.
Karen’s breath tickled her under her chin.
“… I’ve said it several times, but this is just an act to heal my body. Yes?”
Karen made her painful face, but she said boldly with her dark eyes shining coldly. Netoru looked at Karen quietly with her expressionless face.
“Yes, this is therapy… Nothing more, nothing less…”
I didn’t really say anything,
Karen tightened her grip on the collar of her four toru and she yanked violently,
Closing her eyes, she slowly began to stand on her toes.
Ne Toru naturally put her hand behind Karen’s waist and hugged her.
A familiar taste came from her lips now.
3.
With the number of platoon members reduced, I already feel empty.
“Sister. What will you do if I die?”
Rin, who had been quietly staring at the flames for a while, opened her mouth. Ran, who was sitting next to her and hugging her knees with both of her arms, smiled faintly.
“… Well. Even if we die, we’ll die together anyway, so we don’t have to worry about that, right?”
Due to the nature of the coupling, it is rare for only one person to die. Since they rode the same cavalry in the first place, it was common for coupling partners to die together even if they died.
“Hmm… Still, in the worst case, I want my sister to live.”
“Hey, don’t be afraid to say such things.”
Ran smiled awkwardly at Rin’s words, which were somewhat sincere, and pulled Rin’s waist. She then rested her head on Lynn’s shoulder. At that moment, the only thing entangled in the eyes of the two sisters was a roaring fire.
Rin murmured, feeling Ran’s weight on her shoulder.
“Really… I’m just really, just in case. If I die first, unnie will just feel free to find another partner.”
“… Huh? She said before that if she died first she would have to live alone for the rest of her life, all of a sudden?”
“Hmm… Well, it used to be.”
Lynn smiled awkwardly and scratched her cheek. To be honest, she still has a lot of those thoughts.
I hate seeing Ran couple up with someone else. Even Rin, even after she died.
Is it from affection, or is it a thought that stems from selfish possessiveness? I’m not sure
“But that is practically impossible. If you’re going to die fighting like this anyway, it’s better to find a decent man and survive for a long time. “
“Hey… And what if I really fall in love with him?”
“… Then you’re going to get married anyway.”
It was common for coupling partners to date and lead to marriage. The only downside was that the relationship didn’t last long.
Not because they fell out with each other, but because someone died first. And because of that, there are often pilots who collapse without strength, either mentally or physically.
It would be better if they died together, but if one of them dies first, it will be a lifetime regret. Is that why? Funny enough, there were also quite a few sacrifices to save each other’s coupling partners.
In a way, coupling was a kind of shackles.
Severe shackles intertwined with each other to keep them from escaping from the battlefield and to fight their best until the last moment. How terrifying it is to feel when someone you love dies because of your own incompetence.
“… Lin. But why did you suddenly change your mind? Is there any reason?”
“Well. Why? Just because of Karen?”
“… Karen?”
Ran tilted her head and looked around her.
But Karen is nowhere to be seen. Could she be unable to participate because of overheating?
Then it was a moment. Karen showed up later. But she didn’t know why, Karen’s face was red. Maybe it’s because she overheats.
Anyway, to come with a body like that… Also Karen.
Lynn, too, followed her ran, staring blankly at Karen and continued.
“Karen, who seemed like she would only couple with Natsuo for the rest of her life, after all, these days she couples with Yellowy and fights well.”
