Adaptation: A Harsh World for Valkyries
This world is cruel to Valkyries. In the war against the Erosion Species, only Valkyries shed blood and die. Humans always issue orders safely from the rear. And since Valkyries are fake lives born to serve humanity, they must obey even the most unreasonable commands. No one ever questioned that fact.
If it's not a one-off type, maybe that's why they treat them so stingily since they can mass-produce them in factories. Excluding the Player, they're handled pretty shabbily.
Whatever the backstory, it didn't matter. What was important was that this setup felt somehow erotic. What would happen if a Valkyrie could no longer fight? A normal person might think she'd be exploited for labor. Or maybe sold off at some shady auction? The strongest S-rank Valkyrie who shines on the battlefield, but obedient before humans... That kind of plot was totally plausible.
I love faces crushed with shattered pride and dignity... It'd be great if that actually happened.
Of course, I didn't want it to happen to me. But since I'd die soon anyway, no need to worry.
Lost in thought as I walked, I suddenly realized I'd reached my destination. Horny thoughts really do make time fly. I saluted crisply before a certain man.
"Valkyrie Leira, returning from patrol duty."
"Ah, yeah. Go inside and rest."
"Yes, Colonel. You had a hard day too."
"Hahaha! Nah, I just sit around!"
The duty officer today burst into hearty laughter. It almost felt like I'd joined the army. With a quick bow, I left the command room. Now came free time with no duties. I headed to the quiet lounge I'd found last time and claimed a wide sofa, letting out a deep sigh.
"I'm getting used to this life now. Humans really are creatures of adaptation, huh."
It had been a week since I possessed Leira's body. I'd been incredibly busy. Memorizing every name in my unit. Remembering names of everyone I greeted in passing. Quickly learning the city layout... It seemed like all I did was memorize names, but surprisingly, it was the most crucial task. I couldn't let anyone catch on that my memories were faulty.
Good thing I didn't claim memory loss.
Valkyries were designed from birth to obey humans. But occasionally, ones with mental issues attacked humans. So if they found out I had no memories from before possession? I'd probably get dragged off for "maintenance." Just hearing the word sent chills down my spine. Would they crack open my head or something?
Fortunately, no one had suspected me yet. I was thoroughly imitating Leira from the original story. Glad I joined the drama club in high school.
Thinking about it... provoking Alicia last time might've been risky.
I'd acted on impulse in the heat of the moment, but in hindsight, it wasn't very Leira-like and carried huge risk. Lucky the fight worked out. If I'd gotten seriously hurt, it would've been a mess.
My goal is solely to make the commander show a pained expression.
Go on dispatch, meet the commander, build some bond somehow, end up in a wretched state. Then close my eyes while gazing at his face. A perfect life plan.
But suddenly, a twinge of unease hit me.
"What if things don't go according to plan..."
Honestly, I'd been overly optimistic. What if the commander was a boring guy unlike my hopes? What if no massive Erosion Species wave came like in the original? Maybe no dispatch at all.
If so... if I wasn't fated to die... where would I find my pleasure? Maybe I'd have to make it myself.
...I'll think about that when it happens.
Worrying over hypotheticals was pointless. A sticky feeling stirred in my chest, and I frowned slightly. Was I just too serious there? Nah, imagination.
Then I sensed eyes from the lounge entrance. I whipped my head around reflexively. There stood a girl half-hidden.
"Alicia?"
"Eek...!"
Caught hiding! Alicia flinched dramatically, just as she must've thought. With you staring that intensely, how could I not notice? Suppressing a smirk, I invited her in. She hesitated, then shuffled over and sat in the chair opposite me.
"..."
"..."
Silence blanketed the now two-person lounge. I smiled as if to say speak if you want. But Alicia just glared fiercely.
Here we go again...
It was familiar by now. Ever since beating her in the arena the next day, she'd come find me and stare silently.
A timid person might stress out, but I knew what she was thinking.
She wants to apologize for all the harsh words.
Alicia was the heroine of original chapter 1. After Leira's death, she arrived with the investigation team. Her backstory unfolds gradually: betrayed by someone she saw as family, traumatized, obsessively pursuing strength out of fear of abandonment. She projects her past weakness onto the weak and despises them.
Winning her over was simple. Stimulate her trauma with defeat, then protect the one she deems weak—conquest complete. In the original, that's how she fell for the commander.
That's why I took the fragment hit for her on purpose.
Well... my negative favorability hit zero, I guess.
I'd love to become her big sister figure. After a moment's thought, I stood and sat beside her. She startled, hunching her shoulders.
The key here wasn't verbal pressure. Just beam an innocent, harmless smile and stare deeply.
Fidgeting, Alicia finally squeezed out words.
"Um, hey..."
"Yes? Go ahead."
"You don't... hate me...? After all the awful things I've said..."
She finally mustered courage. I thought she'd chicken out. Watching her anxiety, I pondered. A mean word here would make her face crumple in hurt. I wanted to see it. So badly.
But aim for the bigger picture. The higher you climb, the harder the fall.
I took her small hand gently and replied kindly.
"I don't hate you."
"...Liar."
"Not a lie. Have I ever said anything bad to you, even once?"
"Well..."
Of course not. Leira was so uptight she didn't even gossip. She'd probably just smiled awkwardly through Alicia's barbs. Leira was too earnest to lie.
But I was different. Toying with people via lies didn't faze me. So I could brazenly say:
"I've always wanted to be friends with you. How could I hate such a pretty, cute girl?"
"Ugh..."
Alicia bit her lip, guilt washing over her. Deep regret for her mistakes. A face that'd cry at a poke, begging to be tormented.
Ah, aah... That's too good. Alicia. Live with that expression forever? I want to cut your throat and preserve it eternally...
A tight craving twisted in my lower belly. But I masked it with hypocrisy.
"Let's get along from now on."
"Yeah..."
She lowered her brows softly, relief showing. Like a gentle lamb, no trace of her former fierceness. But the guilt fading from her face was a pity.
Unable to resist, I reached out and pulled her into a hug.
Good. Alicia has talent...
Come to me at my final moment. May this seed bloom into a beautiful flower.
I quietly prayed to the heavens.
*
After reconciling with Alicia, fulfilling days followed. First, I studied unknown knowledge in the library: this world's history, literature, common sense, tactics, science, arts... Every free moment outside duty and training went to building knowledge. I aimed not to be an ordinary Valkyrie, but a reliable, excellent one worthy of trust. Effort was required for my goal.
"Here I go!"
"Yes! Come at me... eek!"
To die in the commander's arms, I ramped up training intensity. Often sparring with Alicia in the arena. Naturally, my previous win tricked her into self-destructing with her unique ability. Normally, I'd lose ten out of ten.
A bit frustrating.
"Um... Leira."
"Hehe, not calling me 'useless princess' anymore?"
"Ugh... I-I won't!"
And I spent quality time with Alicia. She needed deep despair at my death. Like a big sister, I approached casually. She didn't seem to hate it—her hysterical personality brightened. The more she followed me, the more I thrilled at her future despair.
One busy weekend evening, the headquarters commander summoned me.
"Leira. You've been assigned a dispatch mission."
It seemed time to meet my commander.