86--EIGHTY-SIX

Chapter Vol. 3 Ch. 10

"No Face to Vast Network One"

"All phases of Operation has been completed."

"Operation ended. All "Legion" forces in Network are to cease combat operations."

"Retreat to Controlled Areas."

†

Outcome wise, the first joint operation of countries against the "Legion" since the inception of the war was a success.

They were unable to regain land from the "Legion" Controlled Area. The probe West into the corridor resulted merely in the dominion of a frontline centered around the old high speed railway, but a consensus from the three countries was that they could expand territories from there. The “Legion” had spent many years amassing forces for an all out assault, failed, was forced to retreat, and did not have enough strength to begin another immediate assault again.

By working together, humanity could fight against the "Legion".

A small step it may be, it brought a great amount of hope.

†

"──Even so, this is still not an optimistic situation."

It was morning in the Federation capital, St. Yedder, snow falling outside the windows.

Standing before the massive desk in the President’s office were the Western Army Chief of Staff and the 177th Mobile Division Headquarters commander, who said.

"The Western Army had lost 60% of its forces. A regular replacement of forces will be insufficient, and we will have to cut down on the education cycle for all specialist cadet schools, officer cadet schools, and boot camps. However, it is it is undeniable that training would be insufficient. The training facilities too will require the same number of candidates, which will result in decrease of the Federation national power.”

In War, the army was not one to produce, but to guzzle resources and manpower. The age groups of productivity and repopulation had been drafted into the military for national defense purposes. Surely the Future National Power would be depleted.

The United Kingdom and the Alliance too might be facing the same situation. Both had low populations, and their situations might be more dire.

"In contrast, the "Legion" might have some depleted squads, but the production Weisels and the electricity generationg Atomarias remain unscath. Regeneration abilities wise, they are able to mass produce weapons far beyond our side...and it is likely that this will only get worse as the war goes on."

"No need to mince your words, Major General. In other words, if we are to continue pushing through with our strategy, given the situation, humanity will lose due to weariness if it cannot regain the entire continent...am I correct?"

"Yes. Thus, I believe there is a need to revise our strategy..."

In the short term, if another assault of similar scale was to begin, humanity would be unable to withstand it.

They sent in a massive counteroffensive, and destroyed the "Morpho". Both objectives were completed, but the initiative remained with the "Legion". It was understood that the Federation had been weary, and made lots of sacrifices.

"We are not going to gradually move forth, but to focus on limited offensives. While maintaining our defensive lines, we shall establish a squad, and focus our firepower to eliminate the cores of the "Legion". The Western Army has viewed them as the first candidates, but we never expected you to have the same opinion, Your Excellency"

The Federation, formerly a military superpower, viewed them as elite.

"We shall create a strike force centered around the Eighty-Sixers, the young soldiers who were saved from the old Republic...pardon us, but you have long reviled using those youths as sacrifices for the peace of the country. Does this proposal go against your ideals?"

"That's the case, but they volunteered──and hoped to go the frontlines. I had no choice."

Ernst looked out of the window, viewing the snowy St. Yedder as he answered calmly. It was an early Winter morning, and the capital was beginning preparations for the Christmas Eve festival.

"They have their own ideals, and I have no right to refuse just because I pity them. If they would rather choose to return to the battlefield, I do hope for a few comrades to accompany them. And furthermore, regarding Shinn...Captain Nouzen, I do hope to keep them in a place as safe as possible."

He glanced aside at the holographic email floating in the air as he quibbed.

The file of the Federation army's Gifted had a personal stamp on it. That stamp stood out on the personal file filled with the special notes involving the operation.

"The strike force will have to attack the core of the "Legion", and is also expected to provide aid to the surrounding countries. If they are to be deployed around various countries, and be placed under the charge of the foreign commanders, there will be some attention given to them, at least...I am not willing to have them become lab rats just because they are young capable Canaries."

Ernst glanced aside, and the Major General's face was rigid. In contrast, the Chief of Staff snorted.

"The unsavoriness of our army has caused this. So that is the scepticism you have, Your Excellency."

So he said, showing a malicious sneer as he tilted his head.

"But as for that Captain Nouzen, will he be willing to accept having a guest officer as his commander? He will be the direct subordinate. Is he not more likely to choose the current Division, rather than obey the commands of his old oppressor?"

"I mentioned it to him. He just returned from his break yesterday."

The Chief of Staff raised an eyebrow, and Ernst shrugged.

Including Shinn, Nordlicht Squadron had participated in the reclamation of the old San Magnolia Republic administrative zones, but in the battle for the first area, there was a deadlock against the enemy. Thus, the main forces retreated, regrouped with the reinforcements, and retreated.

A soldier's battle efficiency would drop after a certain amount of time had elapsed in an operation. As a former military superpower, the Federation had forayed north and south, and had a clear understanding of timely handovers and rest. It was temporary, but the youths could finally get some rest.

"That was what I too worried about, but it seems there was no need for that. Because ──..."

†

Shinn was dressed in military uniform, for it was an official moment for a soldier, and the military black trench coat draped over it, he strolled down the Federation capital under the snowy clouds.

The National Cemetery took up a large area of St. Yedder’s suburbs, and visible were the powder snow was like ash, the skies concealed in a veil of white, yet glowing slightly, and the Lilacs surrounding the cemetery, the leaves fallen and the black bark exposed to the chilly winds. Amidst the monochromatic landscape in this snowy veil, the clusters of graves stood, scattered with the uniform-clad vestige of various ages and genders, probably of the Western Army soldiers who returned at the same time.

It was said these snowflakes were the flowers of winter. In Spring, it was the Lilacs that bloomed. In Summer, it was the Roses beneath the Lilacs that bloomed. In Autumn, the Salvias littered the ground. The heroes who had no visitors to their graves could get an equal yearly amount of floral offerings. Shinn recalled that he had never seen the scenery of the National Cemetery other than the winter season.

It appeared there was lots he knew not of.

At a corner of the many new graves, Shinn stood before an ordinary one.

"──It’s been a while,Eugene"@@@@

Eugene Lantz.

Etched on the stone grave was the name and the gap of seventeen years between his birth and his death, and it remained silent in the tranquil morning of the large cemetery, covered by the thin layer of snow that fell over the night.

"Sorry for being late."

But Eugene was not there.

Half the body was left behind. His will and memories were no longer inside.

She teetered forth, carrying it...they were Lilies, and the snow had yet to pile on them. Someone must have offered them just now.

She looked around, and within the gaps of the grave, a person that had walked far away entered her sights. That person was a little taller than her brother, a boy of similar age.

And like the brother she saw for the last time, he was dressed in a steel-colored uniform.

She recalled seeing that person somewhere.

She recalled him having fun with her brother.

"...Erm,"

Without thinking, she called out softly, but the voice could not reach the other end of the snow veil.

Glad that you came?

Glad that you remembered?

Or are you glad that you managed to make it back alive, unlike my dead brother?

For some reason, the young Nina felt a strong urge to say something.

"Erm,...thank you very much...!"

The voice was sucked into the snow, and the young girl, not knowing how to shout, could not convey her voice.

But even so, she felt that the vague silhouette at the other end of the powder snow turned his head around slightly.

†

The "Juggernauts" and their loyal follower, were buried in the Spring garden at the very end of their journey. The young officer of similar age was dressed in the steel-colored uniform of the Federation army smiled calmly.

"Pleased to be of acquaintance, but not exactly. This is the first time we are meeting though."

As for why those words sounded so elated, Lena did not know.

"It has been a while, Handler One. Geade Federation Captain, ex-Spearhead Squadron leader, Shinei Nouzen."

She was completely dumbfounded.

Lena's silvery white eyes widened as she looked up to the youth who introduced himself.

He was of similar age to her, just graduated from officer cadet school, and promoted twice at such a young age, already the rank of Captain. He had the pitch black hair of an Onyx and the bloody red eyes of a Pyrope, a handsome white face to the point of aloofness.

Lena never knew of his appearance before.

The photo they left for her was too crude, taken from a far distance, and she could not see their appearances clearly.

But the voice,

The calm, stoic voice seemed a little distant, yet it sounded comfortable—

"...,Shinn...?"

The boy naturally smiled back with some wryness.

"That's the first time you called me that. Yes, it's me, Major Millize."

"You're, alive..."

"Yeah. Didn't manage to die."

Whether the voice was somewhat curt, or overly blunt.

Lena barely held in the tears that nearly burst out.

She did not want her eyes to be blurred by her tears, for fear that if she blinked, he would disappear.

Instead, she did her best to smile.

It was likely she was looking unbecoming, but she cared not for that.

Over these two years.

These two years, while the Republic stagnated, and was finally vanquished—what happened to them?

They crossed the "Legion" controlled area, arrived at foreign lands, and were dressed in uniforms differing from their homelands.

Needless to say, over these two years, they had been fighting.

For them, fighting to the very end was a form of pride, a journey they embarked on with a smile.

"...I have always been chasing after you.

The red eyes were beaming.

"I know."

"I caught up."

"Yeah."

For some reason, that quiet voice seemed so nostalgic.

She held his outstretched hand with two hands, the tears finally falling against her will, but a smile naturally formed.

She had no chance to say those words.

But this time, she finally could.

"Henceforth──I too will fight alongside all of you."