Chapter 23: The Rose has fallen (part 1)

Chapter 23: The Rose has fallen (part 1)

Before the first ray of dawn can grace the smoke-filled city of Arash, Yuki is already up and is now holding a document. She's busy making sure that everything is in order before she turns incapacitated as planned. Yuki is going over the allocation of manpower and munition when she feels Bryn draping her coat over her chilled body.

Bryn's soothing voice chides her. "If you keep on working like this, it's only a matter of time when you collapse."

Unable to refute, Yuki can only let out a light smile. She puts a hand on the arms that are hugging her to keep her warm, saying. "Well, it's my responsibility, after all. Our division lacks command staff, so I have to pull the weight otherwise we won't be able to operate this well. Once everything is over, I will see to it that I get more competent subordinates to help me with the paperwork. If only to make you less worry about my well-being, dear."

Ruffling my hair, to which I purr comfortably, Bryn responds. "You better, else I will tell your moms to reduce your workload by force."

I groan. "Anything but that, please. They will literally ground me and I'm too mature for that."

"Well, you're still a kid, physically, so they can do that without repercussion."Geett the latest novels at novelhall.com

"...That's true."

We chuckle, imagining myself, a famed General, reduced to a mere homesitter, forced to play with stuff befitting my age. Yet, let's not do that, or else I'll go crazy.

Soon, Bryn helps me change into my usual attire before we have a pleasant breakfast. It consists of warm chicken soup and coffee, keeping it light and energizing. All in all, it takes us till 6 am, only then do we set out for the war room.

Outside, we're saluted by members of my guard retinue. One Corporal Jerry, a soldier under Sergeant Erika, gives us a good morning. "General, Adjutant, I hope you both have a good sleep last night."

"That we did, Corporal," I answered before putting on my cap. "Now, where's Erika? Usually, she should be the first to greet me."

The Corporal reports. "The Sergeant is just outside, ma'am, she should be discussing with the drivers about our security arrangements for the day."

"I see, she's one hard-working girl," I said with exasperation, making her my guard was supposed to help her with the workload. Nonetheless, she takes on more jobs instead. "Let's set off then, we have much to accomplish today."

We alight from our fortified officers' rest house, converted from the La Riverie hotel. The reason is the architecture of the place proves to be a sturdy one with an underground shelter. Outside, I see Erika talking with a few other Storm Troopers of my retinue, I give a nod to the lass before boarding a covered half-track with Bryn. Then, we set off for the frontline command post.

On board, we discuss the upcoming preparation for receiving reinforcements from both land and sea. On that note, we also converse about the counterattack plan to root out this Ustian army once and for all. By doing so, we will blow a major hole in Ustio's manpower pool. Buying us and the Reformist valuable time for the near future.

Soon, the motorcade reaches its destination so we continue our discussion alongside the officers in the war room. So far, the battlefield is quiet, leaving the officers a bit perplexed.

"By chance, have they given up?" One of the officers asked. To which Brigadier General Alexa responds.

"Unlikely, they've come so far to just pack up and leave. My guess is that they're planning something, probably one final push." Well, the astute Alexa got that right.

I interject. "Either way, we must not let down our guard, not at this critical juncture. Help is right at the corner so this bloody battle is gonna end soon. The Ustians know that too so as a cornered rat, they may bite back much harder than usual."

Bryn nods. "I've ordered the Witches to double the patrols. And as precautions for the ambush tactic they've been employing, I cautioned them against flying low to the ground. Hopefully, this will prevent unfavorable situations like last time."

A few of the officers wince, they remember the moment when a Witch was shot down by the enemy, and the group that was rescuing her was left behind. While it wasn't their fault that they couldn't provide extraction for the team, as they were all retreating per order. It still makes them uncomfortable and helpless.

Yuki notices that and adds. "It was such a bad timing back then, thankfully Sergeant Quellec pulled through in the heat of battle. Not to mention we've already arranged for covering fire from the Vauquelin under my intervention. So everything ended well and the injured Witch is being cared for. You need not dwell on matters that you couldn't control."

The people present give affirmative nods to Yuki's words.

"Now, we've talked about it before but let me reiterate. We have no idea how many siege trucks they have left so tell our soldiers to keep an eye out. So far, we've encountered them in unexpected moments and half of them didn't end well for us. The Witches can't always be there to provide you will accurate intelligence, not when the battlefield is this messy. Meaning the Grenadiers and Troopers on the field must think on their feet and adapt accordingly to the change on the battlefield. For the possible last battle with the enemy at our gates, I don't want unnecessary losses because our troops are overzealous and stubborn. It's fine to pull back to a more defensible location and wait for support to arrive. It's only a matter of time before this conflict is over, in our victory anyway. Did I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Princess General!"

"Good, now give me a report on our casualty rate." I move on to handle the attrition reports that my subordinates give me.

Of the 10000 men and women at Arash, excluding logistics personnel, we are now down to a little more than 7500 strong. A detailed number would be 434 deaths and 1890 of various degrees of injuries. Against an enemy four times our number, that is one miraculous number. Still, among those that are injured, many receive crippling injuries that will put them out of active service, to some it will be a fate worse than death. I withhold a sigh as it's due to my decision that leads to such a result. Yet, sacrifices have to be made for the greater good. Such that even I can be an acceptable casualty should the situation forces me to.

In the middle of our planning and fulfilling our due paperwork, I ask a secretary what time is it. Taking a look at her pocket watch, she answers. "It's about 8:45, ma'am."

"I see, soon it will be 9 am." I turn to Bryn, saying. "Bryn, do me a favor will you?"

Perplexed, Bryn responds with a. "Yes?" Her action of putting down a file stops midway.

"Whatever the case, make sure to keep you cool and command the force well. You're the only adjutant I trust in commanding my force, after all." I said cryptically before turning to address the rest of the officers.

Bryn's about to request further clarification but I interrupt her by saying. "So far, we've had a lull on the battlefield, yet, if the enemy wants to stage an attack, now will be a good time. I want you all to once again tell our soldiers to maintain a cautious attitude. We've no idea what trickery they will try at the last second."

Per my order, the war room descends into a hubbub of activity as the officers start handing out orders to the defense line. Not questioning why I give the warning in the first place. As for Bryn, she squints her eyes inquisitively on me.

'Yuki, you are hiding something from me, aren't you." Her eyes conveyed such a message. To which I only give her a reassuring smile in return.

Erika steps up to report. "Ma'am, from the intensity of enemy attack we reckon they're of an echelon in size. As to how they got here, it's presumed that the enemy used the same method that the enemy's main force employed. So far, aside from the Princess, we have taken seven casualties with three deaths among them." Erika turns to look at the door. Behind it is the active shootout with the thumping autocannon in the mix. "I decided against counterattacking the enemy with our vehicles until help arrived. We've already sent out an SOS and Brigadier Alexa is on the way as we speak."

Suddenly, a flutter is heard from the ceiling of the church. They look up with guns raising only to see the familiar Witches dropping down with flurries of wings. Among them is Alexa with her bat wings unfolded. Bryn turns to address her. "Did you bring help?"

"I bring the Storm Troopers," Alexa responded before directing her healers to help the medic. "and my personal healers. They can help stabilize her condition."

Turning to look at the incapacitated Princess, Alexa adds grievously. "Still, looking at her state, we need to transfer her back to the motherland. Only there can she be safely treated."

The battle outside suddenly increases in intensity. The Storm Troopers have arrived and are now attacking the enemy with righteous fury. They storm building after building, flushing out the ambushers with flurries of grenades and barrages from their SMGs. Alexa comments. "With them, the bastards will soon be taken care of. I've also given the order to capture a few alive for interrogation. So I think you and I will have a nice chat with them later."

With her cold eyes, Bryn looks at Alexa. "That we shall but now," She moves out of the church with Erika in the tow, and Alexa follows suit. "we have an army to kill."

Bryn's tone carries a certain chill that causes shivers down their backs. For the first time in years, the first Valkyrie finally reveals her true self.

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Far away, perching on an abandoned building's rooftop is a girl clads in a black robe. With her back supported by a red chimney behind her, she talks to a crow that has just arrived. "Mission accomplished." She leans her Boys AT-rifle to the side of the chimney. "Master is now in a coma while the pawn is now surrendering after he knocks out a few of his accomplices."

The crow comments. "Well done, Adeline. Of all the people in Einherjar, only you have the necessary computing skill to pull off that shot."

The girl, Adeline, fixes her ebony long hair to the side of her face, saying. "You need not flatter me, it hurts my soul to commit this atrocity on our Master." With a remorseful look in her pair of dark brown eyes, Adeline adds. "If need be, I will gladly take any punishment Master hands out. If only to soothe my regret."

Agent expresses a sigh through the crow. "Adeline, you and I both know that Master will not fault you for any of this. Instead, she will even reward you." Jumping from the chimney onto Adeline's left shoulder, Agent says. "You did this per Master's instruction, and that is not wrong by any stretch. Though if you keep beating yourself up like this, I think Master will truly punish you."

As if remembering something, Agent quirks an eyebrow at the girl in black. "I forgot, Master's punishment to you would be a godsend, no?"

Adeline, being a submissive masochist girl in front of their Master, blushes at Agent's words. Pouting, she uses her pearly white hand to ruffle the head of the crow. "I don't need you to say that out loud, damn it!"

In response, the crow caws as if mocking the sniper woman. "Who cares, there are only us here." The crow unfurls its wings and flaps them a few times before saying. "I must head back and prepare for Master's eventual return."

"So soon? Why not stay a bit and chat about the good old times? I even brought a watermelon." Adeline is surprised at the Agent's haste. Yet, the mention of watermelon successfully reigns in the crow that's about to take flight.

"...Maybe I can stay and enjoy a few slices then."

They both drop down to the floor Adeline brings out some chilled watermelon slices for her and the ground. They're seedless, just the way Agent likes. "So," Munching on the watery delish, Adeline asks. "what's the rush about?"

Agent takes a bite of the red fruit with her beak before replying. "The Princess gives me the order to extract the pink-haired High Elf. Save her from the downfall of her family, basically. Make sure she will continue the bloodline."

Adeline tilts her head cutely though her height makes it come off as seductive instead. "Pink hair... Wasn't she supposed to be blonde or something?"

Turning to look at her, Agent answers. "You haven't watched her grow up so you wouldn't know, huh? The mischievous brat usually sneaks away from home, either to give support to the Jewish in the wood elves' territory or play street music for pedestrians to hear. That or just find some people to mess around in general. And every single time I have to go and clean up her mess, all while hiding it from her family." The crow heaves a caw that's damn similar to a sigh. "Just recently, she changed her genetic makeup to have pink hair. The reason is that she likes pink, can you believe that?! It takes me a lot of effort just to put up permanent disguise magic to make her hair gold again."

Patting the head of the crow, Adeline nods sagely. "You've had it hard, my friend. Now I'm grateful that I'm tasked with being on field duty instead of your backstage works."

The crow takes a few hateful bites out of the watermelon before looking at Adeline enviously. "Hey."

"Yeah?"

"Trade place with me."

"Never." A straight face rejection.

The crow pouts. Adeline looks at that gesture and ponders. Can a crow do that in the first place?

"I hate you." Agent said with a feeling of injustice lacing her voice.

Snickering, Adeline quips back. "And I love you too!"

They then banter back and forth with the sounds of the battlefield as their background. By now, Yuki has already been moved to a secure place while Bryn is taking command of the situation. Finishing up the last of their watermelon, Agent leaves behind a few parting words before heading back for Belka. "Adeline, you stay here and protect Master from the shadow. Can't have anything go wrong when she is now a normal human. Perchance, you fuck up your job, it's not me but Alina will have your head."

Shuddering at Agent's warning, Adeline responds. "You can count on me. Just placate Alina for me when you get home."

Smirking, the crow answers while flying away. "No promise!"

"Damn you, Agent! You're the one that told me to take the shot! Take responsibility for it!" Adeline stands up, shouting at the hateful crow. In return, she hears distance cawings mocking herself.

Stomping at the ground hatefully, Adeline picks up her Boys rifle before a swirl of darkness comes up from the ground, hiding her visage. After the mass of darkness subsides, Adeline disappears on the spot. Presumably to fulfill her duty.