Tragic Adolf

It was hard to believe that nearly five days had already passed since Adolf's arrival in Lumen Guard. It had been a long time since he'd felt time slipping by so quickly. He recalled the lunch he'd eaten just a few hours ago. The enjoyable time spent with Bell, Kelun, and Lucia. Lucia had excitedly ordered this ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and that, while Bell had only nibbled at her bread, showing little interest in the food—but she stared at the piece of meat Adolf offered for a long moment before finally accepting it. Lucia had whined with teary eyes.

"Can't we stay one more day?"

"It's protocol to return once the mission is complete."

Lucia grabbed Adolf's sleeve. "No way! You can't ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠go!"

"I'll handle this," Kelun said, grabbing Lucia by the scruff of her neck and dragging her off toward the management bureau amid her short cry of protest. Even then, Kelun politely bowed to him and said, 'I look forward to seeing you again.' Despite being younger than Adolf, his speech and expression were far more mature. Adolf chuckled at the thought.

'Too bad I didn't get to properly ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠say goodbye to the captain.' Adolf remembered Bell turning away with her expressionless face right after the meal, giving a half-hearted wave before vanishing. She was gone before Kelun and Lucia could even react. Still, Adolf was relieved they'd at least made peace. From Bell's perspective, there hadn't been any real conflict to begin with—just her usual mindset of 'What's the big deal?'

Beep. A short alert chimed from his receiver. Tapping his wrist device lightly brought up a small screen.

Adolf smirked at Roland's message. 'I've still got a little time before the helicopter... Maybe I should pick up a souvenir?' Pondering small gifts his friend would like, he quickened his pace toward the city district of Lumen Guard.

The city district of Lumen Guard had everything imaginable. Virtual magazines like Today's Military, packed with military gossip like tabloids, even simulation novels. With infrastructure rebuilt, content was flooding out from here. Still limited to circulation within Lumen Guard, Roland would surely enjoy it.

'He sang about love, so I should get the full Today's Military series.' Smiling faintly, he headed into the district, soon arriving at a bookstore. He paid for the complete set of Today's Military and uploaded them all to his personal terminal. Bookstores these days were more like rental boards than physical shops.

'Physical books have more charm, though.' Adolf stared at his terminal wistfully. A twinge of regret, but satisfied with his choice, he stepped out into the bustling cityscape. Passersby. Children eyeing him with sparkling admiration. Even after just a few days, leaving Lumen Guard felt regrettable. The city changed daily. Perhaps because it was the central hub where the Aria network pilot program had started first among the barrier cities.

"Ah."

Adolf stopped abruptly. Aria network. The word nagged at him oddly. Shaking it off as nothing, he hurried on.

Returning for her regular day off, Sophie Marso was packaging freshly baked bread from the bakery. Thanks to barrier farming tech, the aroma of nutty bread filled the streets like pre-apocalypse days, and she gave thanks for such peaceful times.

"Might be a quiet day today," the major murmured softly.

'Brigadier General Jack is probably working again.' Sophie glanced at her bread bag. Her superior had become the management bureau chief without even retiring, and days flew by assisting him. Still, she didn't mind the busyness. Jack had been an outstanding commander before the world fell, always striving to save his young subordinates. He'd stayed to the end, responsible for them all. Ordering those with located families to evacuate, he remained for civilian rescues. Everyone thought he'd perished on the battlefield, but he survived alone, returning to the barrier city. He never explained how, not even to Sophie, his closest aide. Just, 'Sorry I came back alone.' No one blamed him. And when aides ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠left for various reasons, leaving only Sophie, he blamed no one. Instead, she thanked God.

'The general liked this bread. I should bring it to him.' Hugging the warm packaged loaf, she headed to the bureau when she spotted a familiar silhouette across the street. Jet-black hair, intellectual eyes, solidly built for his age. Exactly as in the files. The proxy from Valhalla Disk, assigned as training officer with Bell. After a brief hesitation, Sophie crossed the street, timing it with the light change, approaching quietly.

He's pretty tall. Examining Adolf carefully to avoid startling him, she spoke gently. "Lieutenant Adolf Mandel, right?"

He turned. His tired face made her feel guilty. Mistaking her casual clothes for a civilian at first, Adolf eyed her warily, but soon smiled softly. "What can I do for you?"

"Sorry for the intrusion. Major Sophie Marso. I saw your name as training officer for the new proxies."

Sophie showed her ever-present ID tag. Confirming name and rank, Adolf bowed lightly. "Mind if we chat briefly?"

They sat on the bench she indicated. After a short silence, Sophie set down her bread bag. "Lieutenant, want one?"

"No, thank you. I'm fine."

At his refusal, she nodded and cut to the chase. "I don't want to bother someone on leave before departure, so straight to the point. I have questions."

Her tone was firm yet gentle. "How was Captain Bell during training?"

Even simple impressions would do—her observed demeanor, the feel of working with her. Caught off guard, Adolf chose his words carefully. "The ideal proxy."

"The ideal proxy?"

"I think Captain Bell is exemplary."

Sophie narrowed her eyes. Could an eighteen-year-old girl truly be deemed exemplary so easily? Views of Bell in Lumen Guard were far from that. What was this boy's intent?

"No concerning aspects?"

"None at all."

Sophie tapped the bench back lightly. She saw Bell cornered now. Knowing better than anyone how her proxy missions had all failed, the wounds isolating her. Like Sophie thought, Bell suppressed emotions like a weapon, locking herself in perfection to endure, straining not to collapse.

Adolf scanned Sophie's expression. Catching her worry for Bell, he knew she meant no harm. He had no intention of speaking ill anyway. Recalling Bell's occasional irritations or Eligos harassing her, but he didn't want to gossip to outsiders. It felt like something to handle himself.

"I see. What about the new proxies, Lucia and Kelun?"

Adolf smiled faintly, recalling Lucia dragged off by Kelun. "Both excellent. I think they'll be great proxies."

A pure, unguarded smile. Sophie thought, He's just a boy after all. She secretly smiled too, rising. "Sorry for taking your time with this. Thanks for answering."

"No trouble. You're impressive, Major, thinking of proxies even on your day off."

His fluid response left her momentarily stunned. 'This kid'll do well in society.' Sophie gazed at him, chuckling softly. After Adolf's farewell, she resumed walking.

Ding. The elevator doors opened, and Major Sophie Marso stepped out holding a paper bag of fresh bread. Crossing the top-floor hallway of Lumen Guard Central Management Bureau's admin wing, her steps felt lighter. At least, she intuitively sensed people positively influencing Bell. Jack would like that too. Pausing happily to check the optical particle net, the arch scanner at the door responded.

The door opened, hitting her with familiar cigarette smoke. Brigadier General Jack William at the window stubbed out his cig hastily, flinging the window wide. "If I'd known you'd come so soon, I'd have skipped one."

"Cigarettes are luxury items now—sorry for making you waste one. I'd have come late on purpose if I'd known."

Sophie smiled lightly, holding up the bag. "Brought the bread you liked last time. Forgive me with this?"

"No need for forgiveness. Thanks."

Jack sat on the sofa by his desk with a defeated look, Sophie settling opposite naturally. She opened the bag, plating a cooled loaf for him. He bit in immediately. Buttery aroma spread, filling his mouth with savoriness; he nodded approvingly. "This bread I called delicious last time. Still is."

"One of the few that satisfy your picky palate, General."

"Yeah. Getting old makes the mouth fussier. Doomed to hardship inside these barriers."

"Maybe I'll get picky too. Debating dragging you from the office on days off."

Jack snorted at her joke. "Planning to make me homeless?"

"So buy a house with credits. Didn't you feel anything at the housewarming?"

Sophie rose to prepare tea. "No kids, no wife. Doesn't matter."

His casual remark brought silence. Sophie set tea before him, straightened her clothes gracefully, and sat. Jack, watching her sip elegantly, said, "Shouldn't you find a good match too, Major? Stop tending to this vagrant."

"Same for you, sir. I'm ready anytime, but you need to get out more."

"Forget I said it."

A gentle laugh flowed, but sank under Jack's heavy words. "You worry-free... but Bell... I'm considering pulling her from proxies."

As expected, Sophie smiled faintly at his candor. As his sole aide, she was proud he was always so open with her. "Like a father."

"Ha—think that dog sees me that way? Probably resents me fiercely."

"After all the bad times."

Sophie gazed steadily. "But crucially, she chose it herself. Becoming a proxy, keeping fighting."

Jack shook his head. "Hearing she crushed a mercenary's throat shocked me. Too dangerous."

"Her showing emotion actually reassures me. If she expressed nothing as time passed, that'd be scarier."

"...True. Better to see coping signals."

"Growth tempers in emotions. Bell's going through it. This training seems positive."

Jack sipped tea, smiling quietly at her firm words. Her insight eased his tangled mind. Competent as ever. My adjutant.

"Sometimes you make me feel younger."

"Impossible. I'm just capable."

Her words, like reading his mind, made Jack laugh aloud. "You two handled training. Lieutenant Adolf Mandel—decent proxy?"

"Yes. Ran into him earlier, chatted. Good attitude, trainees like him."

"Worried he'd clash with Bell. But seeing Lucia Beloche chatter, figured it'd be fine."

Lucia's role as Bell's promoter had reached Jack's ears long ago. "Seems good for Bell. Stimulation from peers and a little sister figure."

Jack grimaced, leaning back. "Peer stimulation, huh."

Sophie stifled giggles at his reaction, slowly turning her teacup handle. "By the way, Lieutenant Ri Siarin hasn't returned."

"Northern recon, right?"

"Yes. Reports anomalies. Can't relay via memo or comms... Will report in person on return."

Heavy silence fell. Jack stared out the window long. Calm face, but something weighed on him. Sophie rose quietly. "I'll head out then. Formal report tomorrow."

"Thanks for playing on your day off, Major."

As Sophie left, the room filled with fresh bread scent and breeze through swaying curtains. Jack felt at ease for once. But it didn't last.

The next day, as Adolf shook off unease and left Lumen Guard, laughing over Today's Military with Roland—Lieutenant Ri, due back that afternoon, never reported. Instead, the bureau erupted in chaos. Strategic Planning relayed intel from Intelligence Analysis via drone nets urgently.

"Asked Director Lena if the info passed to Intelligence multiple times is correct. They confirmed repeatedly, even got angry—'You think we faked Aria data?'"

"They're shocked too. Classify drone photos top secret, rush to command. Notify Intelligence for emergency meeting."

"Yes!" A staffer dashed to secure ops.

"To think this..." Lena manipulated holograms with a stunned face, swiftly extracting reports. Isabel sat frozen behind her, head down.

Lieutenant Ri Siarin. Bright like Lucia, with quirky charm that made people laugh. Gossip enthusiast, perfect match for Isabel.

"Isabel, snap out. Assess damage, survival, draft short-term plan fast."

Lena tried staying calm, but no reply. Isabel, casually checking field photos via Aria as usual, seemed deeply shocked.

"Isabel. Per current analysis, only Lieutenant Siarin might've survived."

At her colleague's words, Isabel finally rose, approaching the hologram. Strategic Planning's report was devastating. Total annihilation of the recon squad.