The Bloodied Lion
Was it because she could sense the lion soaked in blood worrying about her? Or perhaps because she felt the way that stone-like Freigel was gradually changing how he treated her. Cheisi, who had laughed joyfully for the first time in ages, stared intently at Freigel's back rather than the exploding Dists. His massive back looked even broader than usual. Explosions rang out one after another, accompanied by the clash of metal, and the Dists and drones were shot down in an instant. No more enemies were in sight.
"Annoying bastards..."
Freigel panted, feeling a damp sensation inside his gloves. The recoil's hit. He raised his hand slightly, and faint drops of blood trickled down his wrist.
"Thanks to you, we'll make it to the point safely. Everyone, praise Shtapenberk!!"
"Woooh!!"
Cheisi chattered happily, oblivious to it all, and the soldiers' cheers followed. Freigel smirked and tugged his uniform sleeve down as best he could.
Evening had fallen, and it was time for the sentries to set up perimeter watch. Cheisi's unit had arrived at the point. Inside the makeshift tent, a late meeting was underway. Commanders from the trailing follow-up units had joined, along with a few adjutants.
"I'm exhausted."
The last officer to enter the tent let out a deep sigh.
"Commander Brown. Is Commander Chernenko not planning to withdraw his orders?"
Irritation was etched on his face.
"The commander's pushing through himself. He won't back down."
Brown just smiled softly. Ever since the total war began, Mikhail had shed his usual cautious, cool-headed tactician demeanor. He was obsessed only with unit movements and aggressively securing routes. But since he wasn't issuing orders from the rear like some armchair general—instead charging forward like a hero, smashing through blockades—no one could argue. There wasn't a shred of hesitation. That's why the front lines were advancing so quickly. No, too radically. The distance shown on the holographic map looked like that of someone fleeing desperately from something.
"We've come so far in just two days."
"Yes, Major Brown. We're over 40 kilometers ahead of schedule."
A weary voice chimed in. Another officer added in a complaining tone, "...We're overextending. We'll soon enter the old capital, so we have to account for Dist density. Supplies are running low too. Logistics can't keep up."
Cheisi agreed but couldn't bring herself to say it. As long as she served under Major Annet, whom she respected. As long as she was fighting on the battlefield. She had to give her all. And for humanity. Cheisi steeled herself inwardly, crossing her arms and glaring at the blinking red front-line map. But the officers all wore frustrated expressions. Annet's favorite, and in their eyes, a true commander. But her minority ethnicity... it kept coloring their view. The officers gathered around her were mostly from the majority race inside the barriers. Most respected Brown. But only when reason held. They were too exhausted.
"Let's pull back moderately. The front's advancing too fast, exposing follow-ups to danger."
"Agreed. If the trailing units get hit and collapse, we'll be isolated in this wasteland."
One voice of discontent sparked a flood. They weren't wrong. And the scariest part: they'd strayed too far from the barriers they once thought safe. Cheisi said coolly,
"For now, we push the front. That keeps the commander and Peter Platoon from being isolated."
Mikhail and Peter Platoon had broken through ahead. They needed to secure retreat paths in case of trouble.
"Hah, it's not like Commander Chernenko at all. I can't understand it."
Glances slid toward Freigel, standing a bit apart from Cheisi. A proxy like Mikhail, shaking the earth. Freigel acted unfazed by the officers eyeing him warily. He said nothing, not a word. But his eyes were coldly sharp. Whatever they said... Freigel intended to follow only Cheisi's orders. If she wanted breakthrough, he'd break through. If retreat, he'd ensure safe withdrawal. Humanity? Whatever. To him, the love right in front of him mattered more. If she crumbled, the front would too. And so would he. That's how he saw it.
Cheisi shut off the holographic map and spoke.
"No fighter reports from the barriers yet, and we're not sure if RC Company has fully halted operations. Let's slow the advance a bit."
We have to keep going, she thought. If the vanguard ran into danger, only their relentlessly marching armored unit could help.
"This is insane. We'll get all the soldiers killed."
"...If Commander Chernenko or the vanguard fails by some chance, they'll be isolated. That's not what you want, right?"
To her, Mikhail Chernenko was a hero. When Cheisi shot back with uncharacteristic anger, one officer turned away with a sour look. That's when Freigel spoke up, annoyed.
"The commander eliminated threats as much as possible while advancing, using her troops and me."
Eyes turned to him, but Freigel kept scowling. Hidden by his body armor, Cheisi's shoulder was bandaged. Knowing that irked him.
"She's considering you lot as much as possible during the push. Don't bite the hand that feeds you."
Silence. The tent froze. His massive frame in pitch-black uniform exuded enough pressure to silence even battle-hardened officers. Cheisi felt a warm sensation spread in her chest. Her heart pounded. But she hurriedly shifted the mood.
"...We're all really tired. Chernenko's unit is proxy-heavy, so their speed is unreal."
Cheisi deftly tapped her terminal a few times, placed it on the table, and pulled up a map with drone recon and vanguard signals. Slowly, unit names and red tracking lines overlaid in the air. Mikhail's movement was abnormally fast and steep. And trailing it, the label for Peter Platoon.
"Peter Platoon's advancing smoothly too. Special forces formation makes it handy for forced marches."
But in one day, Cheisi noticed something odd. White Wolf Jack William's and her role model's—Major Annet's—units had veered back, widening the allied corridor.
"The wolf's defying orders and turning forces to the left rear defense line?"
One officer's question sparked others.
"No reports—something happen?"
Cheisi pondered the movement. Neither general would abandon allies.
"Not defying orders—autonomous command based on situation assessment."
"Then can't we judge autonomously too?"
Another officer pointed out, "They're corps commanders treated as generals. How can we?"
Cheisi tapped the chart and spoke.
"Don't worry. Them moving for allies means they judge Mikhail safe and are preserving forces. You know no general would betray humanity."
She declared it confidently. Surprisingly, all officers fell silent. It rang true to them too. Cheisi smiled inwardly. When total war ended, all moving as one for humanity... it'd make a fine legend.
"We'll slow advance and halt here. Prioritize survivor and refugee search if any. Meeting adjourned—rest up."
The officers nodded, and the meeting ended. As they left, the tent quieted. The map's red line glowed alone. Moss-covered dilapidated buildings. What could be in a city stripped of light? But Cheisi knew her hometown was a bit farther. Few Dists there, from memory. Years later... if survivors remained, maybe her self-blaming parents' faces would brighten. Cheisi sighed. Shtapenberk stood beside her.
"Don't try to do it all alone. You'll collapse."
"Talking like you could to your big sis."
"Hmph."
Cheisi gazed steadily at the gruff Freigel standing guard-like beside her. And she knew. He'd started developing feelings for her. Alone like this... silly urge to kiss. But post-total war, she pushed it aside.
"You're weird, Shtapenberk. You didn't like me at first."
"Hearts change."
His words were calm, bluntly honest. Cheisi laughed, seeing Byak native temperament.
"...Joking. If we married, I'd worry what my parents think. 'Where'd you bring this ominous black-haired guy?'"
"Thinking that far ahead? Feels good."
Cheisi burst out laughing. Bigger and sturdier, yet younger—his words felt oddly cute.
"After total war, let's talk alone sometime."
Freigel said it and bolted to the tent flap.
"Cheisi."
Calling her name provocatively now. Cheisi felt no shoulder pain.
"Yeah. Freigel."
Her laughing voice eased fatigue from Freigel's face, replaced by a smile. Both silently hoped total war ended safely.
But it didn't happen. During a slight advance, ear-splitting sounds and collapsing buildings echoed several times. Krunch-crash! Like massive blades slamming concrete. Cheisi and Freigel. The armored unit tensed, pushing forward. When her hometown came into distant view...
"S-survivors maybe."
Smoke rose.
"Tactical unit forward! Advance first! NCOs, move armored slowly with them."
Cheisi's face brightened saying it. But up close... it wasn't survivor smoke. It was from crushed buildings. No time needed to realize. Eerily quiet. Too quiet, chilling. Cheisi's hometown: outskirts with scattered low mansions. Barricades, burned vehicle husks, blood-dried window frames. Traces of desperate fights everywhere. But those holdouts... couldn't withstand whatever came last. Beyond barricades: asura field. Bisected or severed bodies. Mansions sliced like by giant blades.
"Wh-what..."
Cheisi murmured low. Freigel instinctively stuck close. Something dangerous here. A chilling feeling he'd never sensed wrapped him.
"Snap out of it, commander. What're you doing?"
He tried calming himself too. These people were alive hours ago.
"S-search."
At Cheisi's word, the unit moved cautiously. Dead traces emerged between ruined mansions. Krunch!! One mansion cracked slowly, collapsing with noise. Guns snapped to it. From rubble, a massive shadow rose. In its hand: abnormally huge greatsword. Sound of whetting iron. Shaking off blade. Then golden hair swept back, no white strands. Aged, but wrinkles couldn't hide overwhelming aura. Slightly ornate proxy uniform. It was Mikhail Chernenko.
"Ah, you lot. Come on in."
He smiled like a neighbor out for a stroll. Kind, eyes crescent moons. Cheisi froze. Couldn't grasp why he was here, why smiling. Freigel quietly stepped in front. Instinct screamed: Dangerous. Too dangerous. Freigel was huge. Mikhail bigger.
"Commander Chernenko."
Freigel spoke politely, fearing the golden lion might snap.
"Here... alone? You were advancing..."
Mikhail chuckled loudly, casually replying,
"Yep. Came in a hurry, left my men behind."
"Why this... what happened?"
Mikhail stood smiling silently. Then sighed wearily, eyes blazing.
"Only way to save people."
Unbelievable pressure from fifties eyes. Like a knight bearing all responsibility. Those golden eyes gleamed too sharply for the perpetrator. Freigel nearly bought it from that steadfast gaze. He barely managed,
"What do you mean, Commander Chernenko."
"Simply: threats to the barriers, I presumed."
Just for that? Cheisi snapped to, yelling,
"You're not Mikhail Chernenko! Insane? This isn't salvation—it's massacre! Killed living people waiting for rescue!"
Golden afterimage fixed on Cheisi. Still smiling, but killing intent rolled heavy. Like facing a beast, body froze. Then he smiled again.
"Salvation's God's call, no? I just try making the world livable."
Cheisi felt dreaming. The invincible hero she'd trusted... shattered in her heart, fragments scattering. Mikhail turned past her unfocused eyes. Armored troops and soldiers waited silently. Seeing their confusion, he bellowed,
"These were rebels threatening the army. So I executed them."
Command from the lord-like figure all hope rested on. Soldiers didn't doubt. Some nodded. Accepting so easily? Because hero? Cheisi gaped disbelievingly, then gritted teeth, shouting,
"Shtapenberk! Restrain him! That's not the Mikhail we knew!"
But Freigel couldn't move. Behind him, Mikhail's sword hung low, heavy. Move and it'd cleave. Cheisi dies. Can't block. Instinct screamed. Freigel said quietly,
"...Commander, our commander's just shocked from fatigue. We marched hard for you. You know."
Mikhail stared piercingly. Freigel stepped before Cheisi. Please, just let it go. To him, Mikhail no longer hero. A lion ready to pounce. Mikhail roared laughing.
"Hahaha—right. Feels like I know what to do for all again."
Passing Freigel, low voice, utterly weary.
"Total war... was futile."
As he said. Humanity never escaped barriers. Cheisi and Freigel never talked. Cheisi retired soon, returned to Rain Code with mother. A year later, Freigel retired as proxy too.