+++ Lieutenant Hans Hoffman +++

Near Asuncion

"We're nearly finished with the preparations, somewhat," Adelyn reported as the two checked the legs of her parked mech. "We're now planning to rejoin the offensive, especially since we received reports that a southern city held by a contingent of the Imperial Mage Corps is still holding out."

Much of the 14th and 15th were now moving out of the area, as they wound down their clean-up and recovery operations. In the distance, the flag of Nomos, alongside the Imperial flag, was raised at one of the standing bastions of Asuncion, signaling that the city was once again liberated.

"Holding out?" Hans stood up, finishing the inspections, noting that there was no damage on the joint mechanisms of her mech's legs as she feared. "You mean they're besieged?"

Adelyn gave a tap to her mech's legs, before nodding to herself and looking up at Hans.

"Yep. It's called the city of Venido, a port city at the southernmost tip of the Nomosian peninsula," Adelyn explained. "It would appear that during the retreat, nearly a hundred fifty-thousand people found refuge in Venido, right when a group of Imperial Mage Corps members found themselves trapped while they were supporting an inquisition against heretics in the city."

"Oh, so dirty business eh? Then they were forced to defend it?"

"Indeed," Adelyn nodded. "They're supported by three regiments that were left behind and trapped. Venido already suffered twelve attempted demonic attacks, but they have so far managed to repulse it."

"That's quite impressive," Hans said. "Why did we only receive this news now?"

"I think that's pretty obvious."

"I see," Hans nodded. "So that's our next target."

Adelyn stood up, before jotting down a few things on her notepad.

"Yep. That's the plan given to me by the Viceroy. We'll drive south, reach Venido, and relieve them from the siege they are in. They say that people in that city are already suffering from starvation, disease, and whatnot, because they're unable to leave it, with the countryside teeming with demons."

"Is the city currently under direct attack?"

"We don't know. The last message that we intercepted from refugees fleeing from the south said that they are expecting another demonic attack, but what matters more is that the countryside is cleared out so food shipments to the city can resume," Adelyn said. "To me, it sounds like the group of Imperial Mages are keeping the city somewhat safe, but they cannot sustain themselves."

"It's astounding how these creatures can somehow mount a de facto siege then," Hans said, before placing his hands on his chin. "Or perhaps, someone is directing them to do it. It doesn't seem unlikely to me that Recklessness' partner, Injustice, is responsible for this. Alongside the shady negotiation deal he sent to us, this seems to be another way to place more pressure on us."

"Showing that a city protected by the Empire's most powerful magical forces sure is a way to show his threat," Adelyn sighed. "That madman, I'll…I'll absolutely crush him. To threaten tens of thousands of innocent lives just to get me, it disgusts me."

He watched as her halo glowed a little bit more as she curled her hands into a fist. Hans took a deep breath, before smiling.

"Well, I learned quite a bit more about fighting demons due to today's battle," Hans said. "And since the 1st Anti-Demon Unit is doing so well at bulking up for the next fight, alongside the fact that we might finally have the Imperial Mage Corps doing things for us, maybe this battle will go well. So lighten up, morale, as they say, is one of the most important things for a fight."

"I know," Adelyn nodded, huffing. "I'm just, I've been shifty since that letter…"

"Afraid for your life?"

"A bit?"

"That's normal," Hans said. "But look, as everyone said already, we're not going to let you fall into that crazy's hands, or worse, letting him kill the Angel of Justice. No, we'll kill him instead."

Adelyn's eyes brightened briefly as she looked up at Hans before she smiled confidently.

"Sorry, and thanks," Adelyn said. "I'm grateful for your confidence in us winning this."

"We already won so many battles," Hans said. "I swear, we'll keep winning all the next ones. That's my vow to you."

"And my vow to you too," Adelyn said, before grabbing Hans' left hand. She gently squeezed it. "Let's save Venido, okay?"

"Absolutely."

+++

January 22, 1539 CE

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

La Veridad

Someone jumped on Hans' belly. Quickly, Hans' eyes shot up, as he felt someone pressing on his stomach. It was Alizée, her cheery smile brightening up Hans' morning as the soft glow of the sun's light passed through the window, lightening up Alizée's face.

"You said I need to wake you up early today," Alizée said. "So wake up! Wake up! Lady Adelyn is probably already waiting for us."

"Right, right," Hans replied, chuckling. "But you didn't need to jump in on my—ACK!"

Alizée placed a bit more force when she sat back down on his belly again, crossing her arms.

"I want breakfast already," the girl demanded. "So get up!"

"But you don't need to keep doing that," Hans groaned, before sitting upright. On the other hand, Alizée went close to him, nuzzling and hugging him. Hans sighed, before placing his hand on her silver hair, gently patting it. "Anyhow, good morning. Had a good sleep?"

"Mhm," Alizée nodded. "Not as good as sleeping in Lady Adelyn's room though."

Hans felt his heart being pierced by that.

"You're such a cruel girl," Hans said. "But, you seem to like it regardless. Tell me, what do you want today?"

"Hmm…I want cake," Alizée said. "I haven't eaten one for three days already."

"Damn, is that so?" Hans laughed. "Well, I'll see what I can do."

"Yay! Thank you, thank you Sir Hans, and good morning too!"

Soon, Hans and Alizée prepared for the day. Hans prepared his clothes, while Alizée changed her pajamas for her dress in a separate room. When she was done, Hans found himself trying to comb her hair in front of a mirror.

"Apologies if it's not as good as Adelyn's," Hans said, as he gently finished straightening the girl's hair. Tying it up neatly, he finished it off by placing her black ribbons. "There, that's about the limits of this doofus, unfortunately."

"Doofus?" Alizée beamed as she looked at the mirror. "I think my hair looks good. I didn't know you could do this."

"Well, I did once take care of someone else's hair," Hans said. "My mum always struggled at getting her hair done alone, so I helped at times."

"It's very good, Sir Hans," Alizée looked back at him. "Again, thank you. I want to show this off to Lady Adelyn. I'm sure she'll be impressed by your skills, and maybe she'll want you to fix her hair too!"

Hans broke into laughter at that idea.

"Her? The captain, a perfectionist at fixing her beauty, wanting to get aid from some nut head at me?" Hans patted her hair again. "Alizée, you imagine absurd things too much."

"What's so absurd about it?" she looked back at the mirror, tilting her head a bit. "It looks so good though…"

+++

"You look so cute!" Adelyn took and hugged Alizée after they met outside of their respective rooms at the inn. Alizée felt herself being squeezed as Adelyn checked and patted her hair. "Tell me, did you do this?"

"Nope," the girl replied straightforwardly, as Adelyn let her go from her vice-like morning hug. "Sir Hans did my hair. I knew you would like it!"

"I didn't know he could make such nice twin-tails," Adelyn said, nodding, before looking up at Hans with a teasing smirk. "Well, well, seems like you do have some idea about fashion."

"Bah, it's not like it's some arcane knowledge," Hans shrugged it off. "Anyhow, what's your plans today?"

"Hmm, we need to inspect the munitions sent from Ygeia today," Adelyn said, as poked Alizée's cheek, all while the girl demanded cake again and again. "The wagons for it apparently arrived today."

Alizée stopped her demands, before looking back at Hans.

"You both are doing work stuff today again?" Alizée asked.

"Yep," Hans nodded. "You get too used just because we relax for a day or two."

"Hmm, it's fine," Alizée nodded as she crossed her arms. "I can come with the two of you to check on people. I like seeing those horses anyway!"

"You have studies to do here," Hans chastised.

"B-but—"

"No buts," Hans said. "It's not like we're going out on an expedition anyway."

"Hmm, I heard that the next expedition will be a dangerous one again," Alizée said. "An extra, extra dangerous one."

"Who told you that?" Adelyn asked.

"I heard it from the people around here," Alizée said, a bit of a frown on her face. "They say that everyone's planning to save so many people at a city 'down south', and that there are so many demons on the way, like the last time. Maybe even worse than last time!"

Hans saw an opportunity.

"Heh, then do you want, for once, to stay put here," Hans asked. "Trust me, the city's—"

"Nope!" Alizée shook her head quickly. "If you guys get in trouble, then I must be nearby. I swear, I'll manifest all my powers to protect everyone when things get worse."

"There's no winning this damned child," Hans' shoulders sagged as he groaned.

Adelyn on the other hand stood up.

"Alright, alright," Adelyn patted Alizée's hair again. "So you want cake today, eh? We can have that. Hmm, maybe for the three of us even, what do you say, Hans?"

"I mean…" Hans held on for a while, before nodding. "Sure, why not? Been a while since I ate sweet stuff."

"Indeed," Adelyn smiled. "I too am having my cravings, and since we can't have a lot of sweets on the road down south, then we better indulge now."

"Exactly!" Alizée's eyes shone. "Lady Adelyn is always right!"

"Right, let's go, I know just the right place—"

Suddenly, two soldiers came from downstairs, walking in the hallways straight in Hans' and Adelyn's direction.

They seemed to be carrying an important letter in their hands.

Adelyn's face immediately hardened, as she turned to them.

"Captain Wittenstein," one of the soldiers bowed. "General Ercole sent you this message."

"What is it about?" Adelyn cautiously asked as the soldier handed her the letter.

"The Calamity of Injustice just destroyed another city and an entire regiment," the soldier reported. "He warned us that Venido is next—if you do not surrender yourself."

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