After finishing their conversation in the training room, the two walked out one after the other.
"So... should I report to the First Squad now?"
"Yes, but I actually haven't told Tia yet..."
Before Oenone could finish her sentence, a sudden alarm cut her off.
"It's here already? Damn... I was hoping we could have at least another day or two."
"A Concept Demon?"
"That's right. A yellow alarm means a Concept Demon has appeared inside the city. A red alarm means one has been spotted outside the walls."
The flashing yellow lights throughout the building confirmed her words.
"Attention, all squad captains. The First Squad will handle this extermination operation. I repeat, this mission will be handled by the First Squad. All other squads are to remain on standby."
Captain Tia's voice echoed through the building's announcement system.
The members of the other squads barely reacted. They seemed completely accustomed to this. Those who had been training simply continued as if nothing had happened.
"I was hoping to train you a little before letting you observe a real battlefield. Looks like that'll have to wait until next time."
Hearing that, the knot that had been tightening inside Ethel ever since he arrived loosened slightly.
There had always been something inside his mind whispering to him, telling him never to fight. Until now, he had always obeyed that voice, avoiding anything related to using Force—especially his Concept.
But after hearing Tia's story, a different feeling had appeared for the first time.
He wanted to use his power to help people.
To help this city.
"Captain Oenone."
"Yes?"
"I want to go."
"...To the battlefield."
Oenone stared at him in surprise.
"Are you serious? Even if you're only observing from the second line, it's still incredibly dangerous. We do want your help, but we're certainly not asking you to throw your life away."
Even Oenone was caught off guard. She suspected their earlier conversation had gotten him carried away and immediately tried to talk him out of it.
Instead, she met Ethel's unwavering gaze.
It wasn't the look of someone acting recklessly.
"You're serious... but I still can't approve it. I can't send an untrained civilian onto the battlefield."
"I've received formal training. Using Force isn't a problem. I can perform full-body Force Reinforcement."
"Full-body Force Reinforcement? You're not joking?"
"Isn't that the minimum requirement for entering the battlefield? I can do it."
"...How do you know all this? Did Bing tell you?"
"I... My father was a former member of the combat squads. He was a Force User. He taught me."
Oenone fell silent.
She wondered whether it was really necessary to send him into combat so soon.
Ethel, meanwhile, assumed she still doubted him. Time was running short. Missing this opportunity wouldn't be the end of the world, but he feared that lingering voice in his mind would regain control over him.
For the first time in his life, he had found the will to resist it.
He didn't want to let this chance slip away.
"I can demonstrate it right now. Or you can bring Monet to verify that I'm telling the truth. Either is fine."
"You understand that war isn't a game, don't you? Plenty of well-trained people are full of confidence—until they step onto a real battlefield and discover it's nothing like they imagined."
"...I know."
He truly did.
He had heard countless stories like that before.
Looks like this isn't happening after all, he thought.
He could only hope he'd still have the strength to defy that voice the next time an opportunity came.
"Good. Then let's go."
"...Huh?"
"Weren't you the one who wanted to go to the front lines? If we don't hurry, Tia's squad will leave without you."
"You... you're letting me go?"
"Wasn't that what you asked for?"
Ethel was left speechless.
This wasn't how he'd expected the conversation to end.
Oenone led him into the elevator and took it straight down to the underground garage, pulling out her phone along the way to make several calls.
Five minutes later, Ethel stood fully geared up beside a heavily armored vehicle that looked like it had been extensively reinforced.
Another vehicle pulled up and stopped beside him.
The passenger window rolled down, and Tia leaned out, her golden hair catching the light.
"Oenone... are you serious? You're putting our agreement into effect immediately?"
"Of course, little Tia. You promised me."
"...All right. I trust your judgment."
Without another word, Tia rolled the window back up.
The rear door of the other vehicle opened, and four powerfully built men climbed out. They looked to be in their thirties or forties, all wearing black combat uniforms loaded with protective gear and weapons.
"So you're the one who's going to cover us and warn us where attacks are coming from?"
One of the men, with three glowing spheres floating behind him, asked in a deep voice.
"Y-Yes."
Despite his nerves, Ethel answered firmly.
"Then our lives are in your hands."
The straightforward reply caught him completely off guard.
He had lost count of how many times he'd been surprised today.
"Oenone already explained everything to you, right?"
"We've been waiting for a newcomer like you for a very long time."
"Once we're on the battlefield, we trust our teammates without question."
"Do your best."
Every one of them welcomed him without hesitation.
There was no arrogance, no resistance—only immediate acceptance.
Feeling the trust in their eyes, Ethel found his own anxiety slowly melting away.
"I'm Sefer, vice-captain of the First Squad. My Concept is Sphere. We'll go over your Concept and today's battle plan on the way."
"There's still someone else coming? I thought everyone was here."
Captain Tia.
Vice-captain Sefer.
Three Force Users.
Shouldn't that be everyone?
"Ah. There he is."
Following Sefer's gaze, Ethel saw another fully equipped man approaching.
His pointed ears immediately gave him away.
"...Soth?"
"That's right," Oenone whispered. "He's here to protect you. This is your first battle, after all."
The thought of fighting beside Soth instantly made Ethel want to back out.
Noticing his expression, Oenone smiled.
"Don't worry. He's much better behaved on the battlefield."
That's not 'better behaved,' Ethel thought, wisely keeping the comment to himself.
"Everyone's here!" Sefer called loudly.
"Let's move!"
The five men boarded one vehicle while Tia followed alone in the second.
The extermination team set off.
"Good luck, everyone~~"
Oenone waved until the taillights disappeared from sight.
Only then did she lower her arm.
"Perseus... if you're watching over us..."
"Please protect them."
"Bring every one of them home safely."
Left alone in the garage, Oenone whispered the prayer to herself.
ns216.73.217.39da2
and then Add to home screen.