Avalon:Volume 0 Chapter 12
Chapter 12 - The Undeclared Triumvirate
The dimly-lit room erupted from a tiny hole to fill my vision, and the hum of mechanical rotors resounded from the shadowy corners of the ceiling as thin rays of targeting lasers homed in upon us from heavily armed auto-turrets.
Teleportation was bad enough. But to find myself on the wrong end of a barrel half the times I teleport was even worse...
"Stand down!" A crisp voice called out from behind us.
I spun around and met eye to eye with a young lady no older than twenty in appearance (probably just under thirty in actuality) standing before the passage to an equally dim hallway. She was around one-sixty-nine (5'7") in height and average of build, clad in white archaic plate armor with a golden cross pattee engraved across the chest. A white tunic laid under her armor, billowing out below her cuirass like a skirt and reaching down to her greaves-protected knees. Framed by hazelnut hair that was pinned back on one side and cascaded elegantly down her shoulders, her facial features were soft, cute to the point of being almost childish, yet her wary rose-colored eyes examined me like a hawk before turning towards Shirayuki, still stern but softening considerably to match as she gave a perfect salute.
"Miko-Hime Shirayuki, Jiguang Shitai, welcome to Château de Falaise. May I see your identi-EEEK!"
Her face flushed scarlet as her entire body jolted.
"Still want the ID Linnaea? or can we skip the formalities?"
Linnaea glared daggers at Shirayuki, who smiled back innocently, whimsical light dancing in her eyes.
"I told you to stop harassing people through their auras!"
"Not everyone, just you~" Shirayuki said like it's the most natural thing in the world.
"W-what is that suppose to make me!"
"A cute sensitive soul who's fun to tease~"
"I am not here for your enjoyment!"
"Relax, I'm just helping you loosen up a bit. You were making me feel like some political emissary."
Linnaea's lips quivered several more times before she sighed in resignation. As Shirayuki stepped up and patted her on the spaulders, a smile finally tugged at the edges of her mouth. It was awkward, yet it still fit her far more naturally than her strict look.
"I was under the impression that diplomacy was exactly what you came here to do."
Shirayuki tilted her head and shrugged.
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that ~ and thanks for setting this up on short notice under such circumstances; knew I could count on you~"
"T-thank you, but I am just doing my job."
Linnaea's response was stiff, but even its formality couldn't hide her bashfulness as her cheeks deepened and her eyes averting away, albeit just barely.
Shirayuki's knowing grin spoke louder than words: this was exactly the response she sought.
(Knight of noble upbringing, meet the party tease... oh wait you're already close friends, boring.)
"Oh, and you can just call her Aurora, it's far more comfortable than your German-ese anyway~"
To be fair, Linnaea's attempt at Chinese had been fairly decent, despite her obvious German accent. But she nevertheless agreed and nodded apologetically to Aurora.
Abbess (direct translation of Shitai) Han Rong, style name Jiguang, was the leader of the more canonical Buddhist nuns within the Eclipse, which made up roughly half of their personnel. Because Chinese names, and especially hers, were notoriously difficult to pronounce for most people who grew up on English as the primary language, many simply called her Aurora, a literal translation of her style name.
It was a rather appropriate name too, for Aurora's cream-color hair flowed past her thin waist, which only added to her white robes, wispy figure, and pale, beautiful complexion --- she would almost look like a snow spirit had not for the red hakama skirt. Aurora was also the tallest here at one-seventy-four (~5'9"), and although her expression always had a serene and pleasant smile on, she never opened her eyes and rarely spoke unless asked.
It was interesting how her mainstream Buddhists and Shirayuki's Shinto-Buddhists could coexist so easily within a single pseudo-religious organization --- a sign of tolerance not usually found within Western faiths. Although when I asked why the nuns adopted the Japanese miko attire, Aurora simply responded that 'shaving one's head is too unfashionable for recruitment'.
"...And forgive me, but whom would you be?" Linnaea's examining eyes pulled me back to the present.
Shirayuki had asked me to wear my old uniform instead of the Eclipse's robes, although she insisted, almost obsessively, on dyeing the blouse and skirt (magically of course) from white lines on black to black on white.
I was still trying to decide how to identify myself, other than just by name, when Shirayuki interjected to help.
"Kannon Reginbrandt. Bit complicated, but you can take my word that she has important information for Sidika."
Linnaea wasn't quite satisfied, but she nodded in acceptance anyways.
"In that case, please follow me."
As she turned around and headed into the windowless hall with damp, chipped walls, passing by two other auxilia and another Knight of the Cross just outside, my eyes were drawn to the apparatus on her back. It was a golden cross, the size of a large kite shield, with black trimmed edges and a black eagle crest in the center. The way she wore it was tilted, with a saber handle lodged into the top of the cross, which protruded out from above her right shoulder for easy reach. Two lines of runic writing were engraved in different languages just above the eagle crest.
(Helfen, Wehren, Heilen.)
"Help, Defend, Heal," Shirayuki answered my focused curiosity that read over the channel, "German motto of the Teutonic Knights of Old Terra."
"What about Etiamsi omnes, ego non?"
"Latin for 'even if all others, I will not' --- the need for independent moral judgment. You can tell the Order of the Golden Cross takes great pride in their history, which can be traced wayyyy--way back to the Medieval Ages of Old Terra, supposedly having joined the crusading Teutonics to avoid prosecution."
"In Avalonian history they're known for the so-called 'Bureaucratic Inquisition'. Meant well, but was too weak and broke their coffers for a while instead. They defected in whole during the revolution and mostly avoided the purges afterward. But even now they're still the weakest of the main Knightly Orders."
I would be lying if I claimed to have gotten over my contempt for Shirayuki, but she has been tremendously helpful and friendly to me despite my... attitudes.
"Wouldn't that kind of historical consistency give them a decent reputation?" It was closer to the other way around based on my reading... even if they were 1st District documents.
"Text history is easily changed and most won't dig far. The Seventh Cross didn't help either, even if they pretended it was a rogue branch."
"Pretended?"
"Horseradish for public deniability. They're sanctioned; we're walking right behind one~"
"You mean she's a terrorist?" I blurted out, mentally (and thankfully).
"Kannon, I would advise against using that word so casually~" Aurora's voice was as friendly as ever, but the overwhelming pressure behind it effortlessly sent a shiver up my spine.
"Yes Ma'am."
Even though I couldn't see her face since she walked in front of me and Aurora, I could feel Shirayuki chuckling silently before continuing on:
"Few know with all the record cover-ups, but Linnaea Tesarik is both a Seventh Cross ops leader and the daughter of Cross Knights Grand Master Atanas Guderian. With that kind of connection you can be sure of where the leadership stands~"
Since she knew such sensitive information...
"Are you allies?"
"Not quite, but yes. Though this was from that one time when I got Parzival drunk~" her humored voice oddly filled with pride, "ah, that would be Holy Judgment Parzival Staufen, one of the two Seventh Cross Komturs and---"
"I apologize in advance for the accommodations in which the Marshal shall receive you in."
Linnaea's firm voice interrupted our chat over the Comm Ring as we passed yet another set of retracting blast doors and into a corridor of exposed gray ceramacrete, continuing our descent into what is obviously the fortified bunker of an old military base.
"Château de Falaise had lay abandoned since the Revolutionary War and was only reactivated a month ago. The new command bunker we are in has yet to finish, but it is also the only secure and sufficiently private complex the 2nd District would lend us. We created some furnishings by conjuration, but the Marshal forbid any further decoration given the, ardor, in which Colonel Hans-Rudel took upon the task."
"That's fine~ It'll be just like camping out... underground."
Shirayuki replied just before a final set of reinforced gates began to open, revealing a strangely contrasting room. Its exposed ceramacrete walls and floor were bared like an unfurnished basement, but a richly decorated rug filled most of the room. The round table and chairs sitting on top, while simple in materials, were meticulously detailed. It was as though everything was made by a poor artist who lacked materials but invested creative aspiration in abundance.
Only one person sat on the table, and I immediately recognized the soft black curls and crimson-red eyes as the image of Marshal Sidika. Despite being well into her thirties, which meant she was probably over a hundred years of actual age, Sidika Krivoshein had a firm, well-endowed figure that would easily pass for a model was she somewhat taller. Her deep eyes, soft nose, and fair lips formed a perfect mixture between Northern European and Middle-Eastern traits, and the large red garnet that decorated her elegant hair bun accentuated her grace and beauty, as though a dark red rose in full bloom. A devilish smile which seemed to perpetuate as her natural expression only made her more enticing.
Two auxilia guards and another knight, in gold-on-white tunic rather than armor, stood by the walls, flanking her from opposite corners of the hexagon room, their postures quickly stiffening and their expressions unreadable upon the door's opening. The fifth and last person was leaning back against a chair before he quickly swiveled around and smoothed out his uniform to perfection with a single passing tug.
Short, neatly-trimmed golden hair, emerald-green eyes brimming with energy, and a boyishly handsome face; Kayeten Hans-Rudel looked far better in person than on hologram, with the one-eighty-six (6'3") tall and firm build of an old Terra Scandinavian that was just the right compromise between strength and grace. His smile felt unrestrained and infectious, despite being quickly summoned over the still fading light of worried concern in his eyes. Like Arkadi, he looked just under twenty years of age, and probably less than thirty in reality.
"Star-Marshal Sidika Krivoshein, Colonel Kayeten Hans-Rudel, may I introduce Miko-Hime Shirayuki Kaguya, Jiguang Shitai Han Rong, and Kannon Reginbrandt of the Moonlit Eclipse."
Linnaea actually did her best to pronounce the formal Japanese name Nisshoku Getsumei, yet for some unusual reason the ring decided to translate anyway. She then gave a knightly salute, right arm bent and hand held before her chest, before stepping aside.
Sidika was in motion the instant Linnaea finished, eyes focused upon us, assessing with intense interest as she made her way swiftly around the table:
"It's an honor to meet you in person, Princess Kaguya. I've heard--"
The crisp sound of impact came from the right-side chair just as Sidika neared it. Her eyes twitched, her cheek jerked, and her step staggered for the slightest second...
One of the three most powerful people on this side of the universe just walked into a chair.
Then her amused expression and impish smile returned, flawless; even her soft soprano voice did not falter for a pause:
"--much about you from the Cross Order."
"Definitely going with that idea~"
Shirayuki sent as she stepped up and shook Sidika's offered hand before the Marshal could step on her foot, then gave her a friendly pat on the shoulders too...
My stomach began tying itself in knots.
"Shirayuki is fine, Sidika; the honor is all mine, and to you as well, Kayeten," she turned towards him with an apologetic smile and nodded, "I take back what I said in the gateport four days ago; you're a dedicated man for opposing me given past circumstances."
The smile froze on Kayeten's face as his eyes widened at the implications.
Even Sidika raised her eyebrows, before her grin grew into a faint smirk.
"Your reputation certainly does precede you."
"Only the good ones..."
I could almost hear a wink in the Miko-Hime's playful voice.
"...Let me introduce you to my second-in-command Aurora, whom your intel dossiers phonically erred 'Frost Laser'; albeit not incorrectly so, after she razed an entire base--"
The guards, already suspicious of the alien redhead before them, entered paranoia mode instantly.
"--And my tac witch Kannon, whom was a cute prisoner I managed to capture from the Black Prince just the other day when he tried to kill you; had to make do with her uniform though, since I hadn't enough time to design an adorable new outfit--"
The ace colonel, despite his full recovery in expression, relapsed into stunned shock.
"--In any way, our wish today is but a simple one; we offer you an edict of alliance."
The military dictator's mask of calm, honed by decades of political experience, fell to the floor and shattered.
And I, who had never been informed of my promotion from Prison-of-War until now, discovered for the first time how hard it was to fulfill the urge of crawling into a hole to die when half my upbringing had just been violated by a careless torrent of words.
Then, just to prove that the impossible was not over, Shirayuki continued on to break every rule of diplomatic contact known to humankind.
----- * * * -----
It felt weird watching the supreme commander across the table pinch and stretch her own cheeks before asking in a still-bewildered-but-at-least-humored tone:
"So now that we know reality hasn't collapsed --- what are you here for again?"
"A-lli-ance," Shirayuki accentuated, fingers gesturing.
Shirayuki's relentless verbal ambush had battered down the barriers of formality with shocking alacrity, and by now the three of them, including Kayeten, were almost joking with each other like old friends. There was obviously still some mutual understanding issues, but the growth of solidarity was astounding.
"So really --- who are you? And what have you done with the real Shirayuki?" the Marshal teased. Then in all seriousness, with a touch of exasperation: "I was told again and again, complained to and pestered even, that the Eclipse refused to make pacts even with natural allies."
"Atanas?" Shirayuki's head tilted. Sidika nodded, and the younger redhead shrugged back, covering her own vexation with nonchalance:
"I still won't sign with him. True allies don't need an alliance, no more than true friends need asking, or true lovers a marriage. They're already thinking of one another where it serves. Anything more on top is but a necessity for the insecure, a formality for appearances. Besides, his conservative half certainly doesn't need another rope for making demands upon me."
The contents flowed like tenants of wisdom, yet her simple, matter-of-fact speech made it only worse as her words pierced straight into my chest like needles, calling forth memories of vanity, of when I sought and received recognition for my skills, of silence and depression during times without.
Agreement, dissent, surprise, anguish, regret... all of it topped off by admiration followed closely by a growing sense of inferiority.
(She declared herself like it was nothing, denying commonality without even worrying about others' thoughts of her beliefs.)
Yet on the other side, Sidika smiled with relief, as though sanity was restored in completion once more. After all, there was no reason for Shirayuki to trust her, and therefore this alliance was necessary.
Kayeten chuckled as he smoothly put his teacup back down without the slightest sound:
"There is a simple elegance in the unrestrained lifestyle. Quite charming for a beautiful woman as yourself, and certainly befitting of the flawless will blessed by your name, Lunar Princess Snow White."
"Awww your famous pick-up lines are so sweet~! but this is a bid for military fraternization, not proposal for political matrimony."
"I solemnly swear no such motivations were involved! I merely wished to admire a truth of nature."
Kayeten's brilliant white smile returned to its full charm as his emerald eyes twinkled with mischief.
"Besides, there's already a beautiful young lady in this room who had captured my heart's devotion."
For a brief second I thought Kayeten looked at me, then realized his focus was further away, towards the knight Linnaea who still stood by the wall behind us... I could almost feel the pressure building behind me, held back from steaming fury by sheer determination as smug amusement danced in the Colonel's eyes.
Sidika surveyed the whole scene like a much-amused parent about to speak of 'the joys of youth'.
"Understand though, that few are gifted, and none perfect."
It was Aurora's first words since entering the room, passed in tranquil serenity as the white lady continued to gently swirl the teacup in her lithe hands, eyes closed and undirected.
The younger redhead mulled it over, like an adolescent receiving wisdom from her elder, before she shrugged it off with a smile:
"I try."
The Marshal then forced a return to the topic:
"Hostilities have been building up gradually over two past decades. I believe open conflict will likely befall Avalon in but few years. It's certainly advantageous for me to support the enemy of my foes, but first I must ask: just how far are you willing to support us?"
"By the power of Aura Dominion, two-way open sharing of all non-cloistered intelligence, and strategic coordination with 3DHQ."
Sidika nodded in acceptance, "And your primary demands?"
"Revolutionary support, cessation of interdiction, and... a specified opportunity~"
Shirayuki wink-nodded at me, passing the proverbial baton.
"We wish to use the current situation to bait -- although he'll find here even without leaking info -- and to capture Arkadi Simarshall, the Black Prince and Commandant of the Black Hand."
Kayeten twitched like he just had a heart attack, eyes watching me with curious uncertainty. Meanwhile Sidika's eyebrows vanished into her bangs, gazing intently as though I was some strange alien creature that was impossible to identify.
Long, long seconds dragged by in stunned silence...
Then, both of their eyes sprang wide a second time in surprised recognition.
"Hey! That's cheating, stop sync'ing your senses with Infinite Junction!" Shirayuki called them out with mocked outrage.
Infinite Junction... the title of the 3rd Arvitor of the project. Between him (or her) and Holy Judgment would give them support from two of seven Arvitors. Aura Dominion would make three.
"Not cheating is not trying hard enough --- that, would be disrespectful," grinned Kayeten.
"And isn't it unfair for you to hold back something like this?" Sidika answered, as her eyes continuing their uncomfortable focus on me. "How's the eye."
It was my turn for astonishment this time as I realized what they sought after, and nausea rose at the way they stared at me... like adventurers who just found an ancient artifact, key to the lost Atlantis.
"Do you want another laurel for the crown that badly?"
(Not to mention they're also wrong.)
Kayeten lit up a sad, sympathetic smile. "Just surprised, mostly; but my apologies."
"Not a chance for me," Sidika spoke firmly, stern eyes still trained on me. "The 'Republic' needs Quinctius Cincinnatus, not Julius Caesar. Three decades of reformation, if the system could even work, and not a second more. If the Arvitors' power may lessen the blood shed by my soldiers and the toil upon our worlds through the transition period, then of course I desire it, but not as a laurel."
Within her eyes was the look of an executive considering the value of a potential asset...
It was a stare that I had experienced. There were many managers who looked upon an interviewee and saw only benefits and costs, skills and deficiencies, not --- a comrade who they could share their endeavors with.
(Don't look at me like that---)
As I was a normal human, the same as them, then they at least saw me as a person. Yet to the people of this world, who gazed upon Arvitors as faeries found within crystals, batteries to power their starships and other wondrous construction...
It was a sickening feel.
(How does Shirayuki stand it?)
"Because my actions are known far and wide; methods and choices that define me as a person speaks far more than mere classifications or appearances. Past, responsibility, and goals --- not just usefulness and skills --- that's what makes me normal to them."
Useful. Skillful.
But they were among recognition that I sought the most. Were they wrong?
Maybe it was like a Résumé, a Curriculum Vitae: the more defined one's past responsibilities and future goals, the more irreplaceable one's value as a being within the company --- not just a passive asset, but an active driving force.
"We're only judged by birth until we take control of our own lives with our own actions," Aurora added, with Shirayuki nodding in agreement.
Of course, but that was why I needed to prove myself, to overcome the doubts of others.
It matters not what others say, it matters only what you believe. The moment you let another's degradation or doubt reach you, is the moment you mark your own failure.
Maybe I was still wrong, still missing something.
Maybe it was their doubt that I should have cast aside completely in the first place. To reach for myself, not prove for others.
(Easier said than done.)
"Yet three decades? Is that how long she wants us for? ...And what of Cincinnatus?"
"Thirty years is the Sovereign's minimum term of service per original Imperium Project specification. Cincinnatus is an Roman Senator from Old Earth, twice granted supreme power of dictatorship, and held it for not a day longer than necessary each. Don't worry about them for now; take a deep breath first."
Shirayuki then switched to open voice:
"I can't give you the support I don't have, nor the understanding that we have yet to reach; that still needs time."
Sidika frowned oddly, and considered it, and mulled it over, while her focus kept on me. Then, without hesitation:
"No."
"Mother---"
Kayeten's disapproving voice was cut him by a single glare from Sidika's red eyes, intense enough to scorch metal, let alone a rebellious subordinate.
Shirayuki looked from me to Sidika with a worried scowl and sighed.
"Why?"
"Riddle me this first, what's your wish?"
"World optimization, of course," Shirayuki answered with all pride and no hesitation.
But Sidika's eyes were locked with mine.
"I mean what's your wish?"
My thoughts froze instantly...
(To help Arkadi back? To survive? To go back to my old world?)
I doubted any of those would be a useful answer for her.
(What else---?)
"Tell me, what do you think is the one most significant trait of an officer?"
(Leadership to organize others and earn respect? Rationality to discard misconceptions and appropriate judgments? Decisiveness to respond to and seize control of situations?...)
I didn't know much about combat, but be it project management or field command, the roles of leading others shouldn't be so different. Picking a few was a classic interview question, but exactly which one? The specifications of the job would be of vital importance: charisma and responsiveness was essential in field commanders but far less valued in most staff roles, while deduction was central to strategy but hardly the foremost for other roles, but---
"Give her a moment~ she's a little slow," Shirayuki cut in, tone almost in jest, before Sidika could interrupt again.
---Yet the question was not circumstantial. The trait must apply across the board. Reasoning and rationality was high on the list, but for those in the line of fire, control of the instinct and impulse still superseded. After all, the pinnacle of decision-making was still a selection between logic and desire, and while rationality may discern the appropriate answers, it didn't always make the correct choice. Was there another that may yet elevate above self-control given a categorical difference in function or responsibility? From command to strategy to coordination to resourcing... No.
(Well, Eastern philosophy did claim that mastering yourself was the first step to commanding others.)
"Command over oneself," I stated with my firmest tone. There was no room for doubt and hesitation here.
"Not bad," Sidika smiled approvingly, "but there's still one overriding value."
I thought it all over again and could only draw a blank look.
"Without loyalty, even the greatest general or adviser cannot be trusted, their value not only questionable but dangerous. Without faith, even invincibility cannot be relied upon, diverting attention and leaking resources. Without ambition, even the most self-controlled man cannot meet their full potential, let alone exceed. All of these qualities are important yet merely temporary, all of them determined by a greater factor --- motivation."
The first that came to mind was the concept of Management by Objectives: a powerful methodology, often viewed as somewhat idealistic as it emphasized more on people rather than context and progress. It was indeed highly effective for assessing people in a manner of complete abstraction, but to take this as her most valued consideration...
(Maybe Sidika is a bit of a romanticist as well.)
"Shirayuki expects a Binding Oath of me, yet such is not acceptable for mysterious allies that cannot be trusted longer than the shortest term. Whatever your current limitations, your intended role will undoubtedly be quite profound. So let me rephrase the original question," Sidika asked again with her piercing gaze that sought to reach my very soul:
"What is your motivation?"
Shirayuki had promised me, last night, that she would offer me passage back, but only after I help them settle the immediate upheaval. The chance to capture Arkadi had also been placed on the table as a requirement of our negotiations.
Both of those were but temporary goals, unsuitable for the prolonged commitment that Sidika defined.
Then...
(To prove myself? To honor my parents' faith in me?)
They were too abstract. Personal dispositions that drove behavior rather than motivations that influenced decision-making.
I thought deeper, further, but the clues that came up only bothered me more and more.
(Do I even have a motivation? For myself?)
It was worrisome that I couldn't answer that.
"...How about I offer you tactical coordination then, and we forge this on temporary hold?"
Shirayuki's offer was begrudging, but her voice was worried, and so were the eyes that glanced my way.
"You do realize, with our balance of power, you're effectively giving up operational freedom?"
"You do realize I'm not actually a fresh sprout on this over-tilled field," the redneck quipped back at the Marshal's warning with one of her own.
Sidika's mouth tilted with hesitancy. But she nodded, barely:
"Very well, I'll offer you the commitment for the moment's being--"
I realized, a moment too slow, what Shirayuki had offered in exchange for my lacking.
"--But I do expect proper affirmation before we leave Brocéliande."
She had proposed forfeiting the organizational independence of the Moonlit Eclipse, after decades of preserving it from even their staunchest allies.
Actions did indeed prove stronger than birth: she truly was a natural ally to me.
----- * * * -----
Hours passed as the new-found allies finalized proposals and made plans, but Kayeten was still bothered by a thought. The surge of annoyance and distaste had calmed, but it persisted with an ever-present pull on his conscience. Yet he also knew better than to continue raising his objections during negotiation when Sidika made her intolerance of it clear. The two of them may be casual in isolated circumstances, thanks to their adoptive family relationship, but the Marshal never hesitated to remind him just who was higher on the chain-of-command when push came to shove.
Still, minutes after their guests' departure (with Linnaea showing the way) was long enough to not be disruptive to lingering thoughts.
"Mother, was there really any need to provoke that poor, confused, and possibly-in-denial girl? The princess' offer, quite generous in my opinion, already meets our own needs and objectives."
"What, afraid of violating the ancient law of the brocean and harming your buddy's girlfriend?" Sidika chuckled, and Kayeten rolled his eyes in response.
"I agree there is something odd in that request, and probably between those two, but I'm trying to be serious here."
The Marshal's eyes grew distant and preoccupied, her faint smile betraying signs of uncertainty.
"Trying my best to rectify reality here; forcing a mirror on them is... usually the best way."
"Just, please, don't crack her."
"Well, if she's that fragile, nothing of value was lost."
Kayeten sighed and shook his head, fingers reaching up to massage his temples.
"You're an evil, evil person mother."
"Why thank you," came the reply with a gracious smile, "I've been worried over my indulgence in goodness as of late; do have a title and reputation to keep, you know~"
----- * * * -----
The clock was just short of midnight, and Linnaea resisted a yawn as she patrolled the only passageway into the warded underground bunker complex while listening to the heavy downpour outside. She had watched over security with utmost diligence for nearly eighteen hours by this point, but until Kayeten came to relieve her after his rest, she was in command of the guard detail and its entire shift of eight.
There were more sentries, hundreds more, two full armored infantry companies stationed around the base's outer perimeter. But they were all 2nd District troops. Their dependability was questionable at best, and even if they were reliable, armored marines trained for frontal engagements were far from optimal in defense against black ops commandos.
Worse, if one of them managed to ascertain the Eclipse's presence here...
"Rawr~!"
Linnaea turned to glare at the source of the sprightly call, but Shirayuki continued to ascend the gentle-sloping tunnel without sound, amusement dancing across her eyes at the knight's annoyed, pouting cheeks.
"You shouldn't be here," the knight seethed, or at least tried to.
Despite countless attempts, Linnaea had never managed to successfully make an angry face that actually looked intimidating. Even the freshest recruit had always found something... cute, about her expression.
"If someone can notice me before I notice them, I'll eat this stupid weather."
"That is just impossible," Linnaea said matter-of-factly, eyes half-closed and arms crossed for a properly peeved look. Although she did agree that the chances of noticing Shirayuki without the miko wanting them to notice is... quite infinitesimal.
"Precisely~! Can't eat the weather, can't see me~"
"I don't think the rules of inference works that way."
"Well, they should, seeing as it's true~"
Sometimes, more like most of the time, there was just no point arguing with Shirayuki, and a sighing Linnaea decided to shift topics before exasperation would overcome her again:
"I must say I was quite surprised today. I never expected you would offer that."
"Well, me too," the shorter redhead replied as she walked up to beside the knight and gently rested her head on Linnaea's armored shoulders, amusement tugging at her grin as she relaxed even as the other stiffened.
"W-why are you going so far for her sake?"
Shirayuki took another step, her head turning to face Linnaea from just a breath away, still partially resting on the latter's shoulders.
"Jealous~?"
"D-don't be an idiot."
The princess giggled as the knight looked away, blushing.
"You know, sometimes I really wish I was a guy~"
For a dozen seconds Linnaea was too embarrassed to even respond with her instinctive denial, yet with her left shoulder on lend she could hardly pull away.
"But... you did choose that."
"Yes, yes I did, and I never regret my choices. There are simply too many perks to being the wiser and fairer of the genders~" Shirayuki lifted her head back up, but still holding Linnaea close with her gaze. "Though to answer, I'm supposed to be Eternal's champion, even her lady's maid if need be, so of course I would go that far."
It was a reminder that however playful and casual Shirayuki might seemed, she also took her duties very seriously.
"So... what did you think of her?"
"Well--- why do you ask? It is hardly my role to judge," Linnaea asked, unsure but also curious.
"Because you're one of the few whose opinions Parzival trusts explicitly, completely --- hardly unexpected, with that perceptiveness and honesty --- and it's certain that his opinion on all of this will be of critical importance."
Linnaea's entire face flushed several shades of pink the instant Holy Judgment's name came up. She wasn't so confident herself, but what Shirayuki just told her really amounted to the highest praise in her eyes.
"H-honestly, I am still not sure yet... She seems active, the honest and hardworking type, willing to listen and press herself. But she definitely has ways to go before maturity, and I wonder if she has somehow been holding herself back all this time."
"She had a bad case of denial when I told her about being an Arvitor, like panic-attack-bad."
Linnaea pondered it over for a moment. "That helps to explain, although it is quite unfortunate, both for her and us. Her role as a selector really does not give her any room to ignore unpleasantries, not to mention her connection with the Black Prince is rather... worrisome---"
Shirayuki's smile grew apprehensive as she pondered how Kannon might react to being the first of the three centerpieces to the entire Imperium Project, whenever she got around to telling. But her concern lingered for only a second. Faith in her comrades was something she had in abundance, and she was certainly in position to do something about it herself if needed.
"---But really, I should be more surprised this all came from under you. You positively vowed revenge on the man."
The snow white princess chuckled, her words true without even an ounce of resentment: "Well, the wishes of my cute lil'sis versus a grudge? My priorities have never been more certain! Especially if I ever want her to call me big sis~ Just you wait~"
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