+++ Lieutenant Hans Hoffman +++

Venido City

February 10, 1539 CE

Deaths from the mana-draining curse had become astronomical. At this point, it was almost as if an epidemic struck the unfortunate city. Hans watched from the side at one of the corpse-gathering areas as mages torched the latest batch of bodies.

With the awful supply situation, the city wasn't only suffering from the curse. Food, water, medicine, everything was in short supply. Worse, due to the siege, cholera spread from the city's contaminated water supply. The sewers which were designed to be separate from the city's plumbing network seemed to have been damaged, and human excrement and filth mixed with the water where drinking water was drawn out.

No amount of healers would be able to treat the thousands of starving, diseased, and in many cases, cursed city folks. Just yesterday, a partial tally concluded that it was likely that half of the remaining eighty-thousand inhabitants of Venido either were dying from starvation, cholera, dehydration, or from the curse itself.

The other half was no better. The starvation had been so bad, that even people who weren't nothing but skin and bones were still in bad shape. They were very vulnerable to diseases, therefore, the city government made the decision. Deaths and disease would be contained, thus, bodies were now being burned en-masse.

He watched as embers rose from the inferno. This area of the city was like any other. The streets were in bad shape, likely from riots during the siege. Trash and debris were left uncleaned on the ground, while the houses and buildings around them barely had any activities, their inhabitants likely long dead.

Fresh carts on wheels pushed by soldiers wearing mere cloth masks arrived again, and they came in groups. Sometimes three, sometimes four. The bodies were piled up again where the last batch was burned, and the mages on the side, their eyes already glassy and empty, sat and waited, trying their best to recover their mana to burn the next batch.

"Hans!" someone called from behind him. It was Captain Strobel, and he was rushing toward him with urgency, rushing through the empty wide street with only a single bodyguard with him. "The General called us for another meeting."

"What's the latest news," Hans asked, curious.

"The area around Venido has now been fully cleared. He expects to move his forces back to the northeast to push out the rest of the demons left up there," Captain Strobel grinned. Even though the death and misery consumed this place, it seemed to have not affected Ebert's soul much. He was still enjoying their technical 'victory'. "We're going to be the tip of the spear again, I believe."

"I already expected," Hans said, turning his head to the corpse disposal area. "It's clear that we have to chase after Injustice. It's only natural."

"Killing him would certainly save thousands of folks here. This type of curse has already been analyzed by our mages. It appears that he's the one siphoning their mana until it's drained and they literally collapse and die," Captain Strobel shrugged. "If normal logic follows, the moment we kill him, this charade ends."

"He's feeding off them."

"Indeed. Quite despicable if you ask me. At the very least, whichever ability he has that can affect so many people seems to be weak enough that it doesn't break through the natural resistance to curses people above Tier I or II present," he smiled. "That means, this should not be a big deal for us."

"...Adelyn's been guiltily volunteering to help people since we arrived here."

"Well, one of his terms to end this curse is that we give her up after all. It's only understandable. But, General Ercole has been firm. There will be no surrender. We will kill Injustice, and that's final."

Hans smiled. Recently, there had been some rifts between the Army since they arrived here. A group of officers began trying to suggest 'giving up Adelyn' temporarily and using her as bait or at least to buy time for those who were cursed. The rationale behind it was something that none of the upper command entertained so far though, because it relied on one thing.

Speed and luck. Their plan hinged on giving up Adelyn, stopping the curse, and then surrounding Injustice before he could get away with her on hand.

Now, of course, Hans was extremely against that plan. In fact, in his mind, he'd rather go die alone charging to death dozens of times instead. He would never consider such a plan. Not in the wildest scenario. He had seen worse for himself. He'd see worse before letting Adelyn be in trouble so willingly.

He would never be able to sleep if he ever did that thing to her. He could still remember what he did back then to Alizée. That he believed was something so unacceptable that his guilt for it still ate him to this day. He swore to never be as mentally weak back then now.

"It's nice that the plan to straight up kill him has more backing," Hans remarked. "Alright. Let's go."

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The two walked away, straight into the city center, where the temporary command post of General Ercole's forces was located.

+++

After hours of strenuous discussions about their plans and tactics, which were made with great advice and input from Hans, Adelyn, Captain Weibel, and even Viceroy Emilia, the plan became clear. Up in the northeast, was the Principality of Asfaleia, which bordered both Nomos and Ygeia.

The Ygeian Imperial Army already reported recently that anti-demon operations have now fully ended in their territory, and that they were now standing down into a defensive posture. As such, reinforcements from Ygeia now entered Asfaleia, which was now practically collapsing to the demonic threat.

However, the Asfaleian Imperial Army still stood up there. Notified by the possibility of Injustice retreating to that principality, the warlord general up north proposed a bold plan to General Ercole. With Ygeian support, they planned to trap Injustice on the border of Nomos and Asfaleia.

It was a bold plan. One that was sorely needed, as Asfaleia was a wide space. Should Injustice successfully retreat with his demons, he could link back with his ilk ravaging the rest of the Empire.

But it would need time.

When the meeting was done, Adelyn somberly sat at one of the chairs in the hallway. Guilt warred on her face as she looked down. Most officers looked at him with pity as they walked past her, but some held more disapproving stares. They didn't like the fact that she wasn't brave enough to offer herself as bait.

Now, people were still dying of the curse.

"Hey," Hans called out, sitting beside her. "Stop listening to them. I told you that many times already."

"I don't listen or give a crap about them, Hans," Adelyn reiterated. "Their words mean nothing to me. What I don't like is so many people still dying so heinously one-by-one."

She curled her fist.

"I'm the Angel of Justice. I should…I should do everything to save them. But instead, I'm out here, waiting for the rest of the Imperial Army to back me up."

"Isn't that just being realistic about what you can do? If you charged in so foolishly alone, you would be dead."

"I know. That's why you should just ignore me if I'm feeling down," she raised her head and tried to smile at Hans. "See, I'm just being silly. I feel bad, and…that's really all there is to it."

Hans relaxed in his seat.

"At least you're honest about your feelings."

"The downside is, other people get very worried," she tried to laugh. "If only…I can suppress things a little bit better, and appear more rational. Like you."

"I don't think you'd really want to emulate someone like me. Besides, you notice it even if I hide my turmoil too, so it fails anyway."

"...You're right, I suppose," she took a deep breath. "Alright, thanks for the pep talk. You can certainly make someone feel better so easily."

Hans was unconvinced about her smile.

"In the next fight, I don't want you to endanger yourself though. I can see it in your eyes. Don't think you can deceive me."

"...I'll just do my best. Nothing more. Have some trust at least."

Suddenly, she leaned on his shoulder. Hans was frozen by that gesture. When he looked to his side, he could see her relaxing as she closed her eyes. This way, she almost looked like a vulnerable girl trying to make herself seem small. That made Hans feel extra bad for her.

"U-um, hey, what…are you doing?"

"Well, since you're so insistent on making me feel less guilty, why not go all the way to making me feel less bad?"

"...I see," Hans looked away. "I'm glad to be of help then."

"Thank you."

Damn you Injustice. You're placing too much pressure on her. He frowned a bit. Adelyn would never do this unless she really felt that bad about things.

For now, though, all he could do was stow away that bubbling anger directed at the Calamity of Injustice.

+++

February 14, 1539 CE

They were driving out of Venido. The military campaign to the northeast was about to commence, and much of the front was on the move. The Army, while slightly drained from the past battles, was still stubbornly trudging forward. In the last few days, multiple monster and singular demonic attacks hampered the city and the surrounding settlements.

With support from the members of the Imperial Mage Corps, however, the Imperial Army repulsed all of it, leaving hundreds of hostile monsters and at least three lower demons dead.

As for Hans and Adelyn, it was mostly a time to recover and resupply. Leveling up had been difficult as of late, that even when both of them participated in the skirmishes, they both barely raised their levels by two points. Hans as of this moment was level 17, while Adelyn was at 16.

At the very least, Hans now was fully stocked with AP. He had a thousand and four hundred points ready as a reserve. It was something he knew he'd appreciate soon.

"Hey, Adelyn," called over the comms as they raced on the countryside. "I've been meaning to ask. Do you think you can raise your count of plasma and cryofreeze rounds to twenty?"

"You're ambitious, huh?"

"That kind of number might be what we'll need for the upcoming fight. I've already turned all of my machine gun rounds into either ADI or ADAP for example."

"I can, but…it's very expensive. Maybe I can push it to sixteen depending on when we'll see a battle."

"I see," Hans nodded along. "Do that then."

Soon they crossed a bridge, their mechs racing through another destroyed village. Something seemed wrong for Hans however. He had been scanning the horizon with his turret constantly, but…

His mech suddenly stopped, and his cameras aimed themselves at the skies.

Three massive birds were watching above them.

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