The Federation Capital St. Yedder was at least two hundred kiloters east of the Republic’s eastern battlefront, covered in a silent white during this winter.
Shinn ca to the main road of the plaza, stopped, and looked up at the bell tower of the city hall that looked blurry amidst the fluttering snow. The snow on the asphalt road was already swept away. There was a large momi fir tree standing in the middle of the plaza before the shops, and appeared to be decorated for Christmas purposes.
He had long assud that he would never see the snow again.
He had long assud his corpse would be lying in an unknown corner of the battlefield, and that the snow piling atop him would slowly lt away in the Spring breeze.
And at this point, he was standing in a corner of the bustling street, as pedestrians passed and go. The sounds of war could no longer be heard. He looked up, and felt that it was intriguing.
He let out a long sigh, and the white mist that ford was exactly the sa as the one on the battlefield back then, when he was at the plaza before the abandoned snow-covered church. However, the thick coat he bought and wore was a lot warr than his clothing back then.
He shook his head once, and again walked down the snow covered path.
The Empire Capital Library stood in the central street of the Federation's capital, its heaters working as Shinn removed his coat, shaking off the snow upon it, and entered the library. It had been a month since he arrived, and he started to get familiar with the librarians. He greeted them, and strolled off to the rows of books.
The large hall of the Empire Capital Library was five storeys high, with bookshelves reaching the ceiling, and the wing halls built around it in a radial manner. The do arch at the top showcased an intricate spiral pattern, forming the constellations of sumr. For Shinn, who never took particular heed to the dates, let alone have a vacation, the unique tranquillity of a library with few people on a 'usual day' was sothing he could not get used to.
“–Hm.”
Suddenly, he stopped before the children bookshelves which he had never paid much attention to. There were a few picture books on this short bookshelf, their covers facing out. One of them was familiar, and he reached out for the one that was a little aged.
He was unfamiliar with the book itself. His eyes remained on the cover illustration
The headless skeleton raising a longsword.
Brother's–…
He casually flipped the pages, but he could not rember the contents of the story. He rembered seeing it sowhere before, but the story itself was not unique, or perhaps he was mistaken. It was about a hero of justice who helped the weak and defeated evil.
But as he read the easy-to-read book, it seed his brother's voice echoed at his ears.
The massive hand flipped the pages. It started to deepen before he knew it. Every night, he would beg his brother to read it.
And that brother was no longer around.
–Sorry.
The final words, and the back of the unreachable silhouette that left him, just like how it was when he was last seen alive.
Suddenly, he noticed footsteps stopping a little distance away from him.
He turned his eyes aside, and spotted a girl about five, six years old. She was wearing a plush cap, her large silver eyes opened big and round.
He realized the girl was staring at the book in his hands, and closed it shut before handing it to her with one hand. The girl seed shy, and after so hesitation, she timidly reached out for the book, and turned to run away.
Soon after, she was brought back to Shinn by a boy of similar age.
Seeing his silvery hair hair and eyes behind his glasses, Shinn's face froze for a mont.
A Selena–an Alba.
It was not the Eighty-Sixth area of the Republic, and the boy before him was not of the Republic. Shinn understood this, but he remained restless.
"I apologize for my sister's rudeness."
"…Oh, it's fine. I wasn't reading."
The boy raised his eyebrows.
"This won't do. When you are helped or given sothing, you need to say thank you. This is sothing to be educated since young."
Saying that, he nudged the girl on the back, prodding her to move forward. After so hesitation, she murmured sothing with a pitifully soft voice, and then teetered away again.
“Ah, hey!…eh, seriously.”
Once the lady librarian glared at him, the boy imdiately kept quiet.
Seeing the black-haired, green eyed librarian tell off the Selena boy, Shinn was a little taken aback by this. Again, he realized he had arrived in a foreign land.
The boy sighed reluctantly, and turned towards Shinn, lowering his head.
“Thank you. Sorry for getting you involved in our ho disciplinary issue.”
The boy apologized seriously, and coupled with his silver hair and eyes, Shinn was reminded of the last Handler he had, whom he never t.
“It’s fine. Being an older brother must be a tough thing.”
“She’s too shy. Really, I wonder who she takes after here.”
He weakly lowered his shoulders, and then seed a little confused as he tilted his head,
“Erm, I’m not sure if I can ask, but I have seen you often recently. Don’t you go to school?”
For the ti being, the Federation had six years of compulsory education, and any further education was on voluntary expenses. The reason for this was that the system was implented nine years ago, that many areas away from the capital had insufficient teaching resources, lacked teachers, and sotis, no school buildings either.
For Shinn, a Federation citizen who was not locally born, and lived in the concentration camps and the battlefield as an Eighty-Sixer for many years, he naturally never studied at any school.
Ernst did say that Shinn would get used to this place this upcoming Spring, and there was ti ti for him to think.
“What about you?”
“Eh?”
“Since you’re saying that you saw while there’s school going on, that ans you’re often here too, right?”
The boy gave an awkward smile.
“Ah, yes, I don’t attend school. Rather, I can’t attend school. The ex-nobles here are pretty much shunned aside anyway.”
After the civil revolution, the nobility of the Federation was broken into two.
The nobles who were involved with mass farming, heavy industries, and any productions involving the lifeline of the country continued with their businesses, aside from their status and tax privileges being revoked. Their businesses were directly involved with the fighting strength of the country, and if they were in chaos, the war against the would take a perilous turn. Similarly, the sons of the nobles who chose to be officers for the old Empire instead of taking over the businesses, and most of them chose to stay with the Federation army.
The other nobles had the privilege to continue their lives as ordinary citizens, but it was often difficult for them to find jobs, for they were unused to toil, and begrudged by the commoner. So low-ranked nobles of relatively poor fortunes might be worse off than the commoners.
“So I thought you would be the sa as …sorry for being rude.”
Seeing the boy look so apologetic, Shinn shook his hand.
“It’s fine. I’m not a local.”
He had intended to say he was not from the Federation, but through the prior conversation, he knew that the citizens of St. Yedder would subconsciously interpret it as ‘not from the old Empire capital’. It would be too troubleso to explain he was an Eighty-Sixers, for everywhere else other than the capital were considered ‘colonies’. Nobody would delve too deeply into this explanation, and Shinn had been giving this explanation the entire ti.
Of the territories the Empire used to rule, there were different cultures from different lands, including values, customs and languages, and they differed greatly from the old Empire capital. Having understood these unnecessary implication, the boy heaved a sigh of relief, and had a curious glint in his eyes.
“But it is rare to see an Onyx and Pyrope not being born in the capital…ah, pardon for the rudeness again.”
The boy lowered his head apologetically, and showed a smile on his face, and in the white eyes behind his glasses.
“I’m Eugene Lantz. Nice to et you.”
“–This is basically how it is. They have been here for a month, and have started to get used to this place.”
Ernst had told the youths to “watch this country carefully, and slowly think of the future.”. He had them stroll freely on the streets, but he could not just simply shoo them when they had just ca from a foreign land.
During the initial few days, he had arranged for a few guides of similar age to lead them, had them familiarize with the place, and the guides would supervise them from afar, sending reports of their actions to the secretary, who would then compile the large pile of reports and submit to Ernst, who was reading through these electronic docunts. He noted, his eyes still staring at the terminal on his work desk.
“Yes. Just yesterday, he went to check on the war history bookshelf, and two days ago, it was philosophy. Three days ago, he went to the war graveyard, but for so reason, he picked up an illustration book today, but I suppose it’s a good thing he made a friend. Ti to bust out the azuki bean rice today, huh?”
“It’ll be a mistake trying to cook that when you don’t know how it looks like. Don’t do that.”
“Besides, are you able to return ho today like this? Raiden brought a change of clothes here, and even passed Teresa’s complaint to you. What are you doing?”
The Oriental Eisen secretary flatly noted, but Ernst did not mind.
“I did ask for a change of clothes because there is a washing machine in the office, so I have been wearing the sa suit every day, and Teresa’s probably just nagging at because of this. Ah, but I’m definitely going ho today, so you people should return back too! It’s the night of Christmas Eve after all!”
“Well, thanks for that then.”
“Since it’s a rare opportunity, I guess I should buy so presents. I wonder if the Republic has a habit of giving presents on Christmas Eve night.”
“Probably yes…but I have no idea if those children could rember it.”
“If they have forgotten, it is best to let them rember…now then. What should I buy…”
Ernst’s eyes remained fixated on the screen, his lips showing an elated smile. However, as he was still busy with administrative duties, it appeared he would be unable to prepare any decent gifts.
It had been almost a month since they arrived at St. Yedder, and the youths appeared to be getting used to enjoying their peaceful lifestyle. Raiden was working part-ti as a transporter riding a motorbike, Angel participated in a cooking class, Seo was going out with a sketchbook in hand, Krena enjoyed herself with window shopping, and Shinn had been visiting the library and museum. It appeared they were starting to know one or two acquaintances, or friends.
Thank goodness, so he earnestly thought.
None of them ntioned about joining the army again. It seed they had finally escaped from the oppression their country had inflicted upon them…along with the mindset of a combatant they were forced to learn.
They were no longer ‘Eighty-Sixers’.
“…Starting Spring, it’s ti to consider their wishes.”
Beyond the windows, the long Winter of the northern country seed to be waiting for Spring and the light that shone.
It snowed the entire night, and stopped the following day, at noon. The sky was clear, a pristine blue, shining upon the plaza made of white-grey bricks.
Seo stopped his slow feet, and looked up at the blue skies.
There were dried, wilted, black branches atop the large sakura tree in the middle of the plaza, and the clear, distant winter sky was beyond them.
These branches appeared to be forming fragnts out of the skies, causing them to collapse at any given mont.
He lowered his stare, and could see the holographic screen on the TV by the streets, showing the telecast of a live eting.
Seeing Ernst present his speech at the podium with an ordinary suit and glasses, Seo felt sothing was amiss. He was the hero who led the revolution, and in his tenth year of presidency, but to Seo, he was the eccentric uncle who would occasionally drop by ho, decide on the curfew and nag at the children who returned ho late, and act like a child jostling over the remote control with Frederica.
There were often tis when the broadcasted news was switched to a magical girl ani, or a live soccer telecast was switched to footage of so battalion; these often happened to Shinn and Raiden, and they would often be told, Can’t we just watch a half hour ani clip together?
Seo callously listened to the speech, which seed to be regarding the Federation’s status in the war. There were introductions to the various battlefields, analysis of the battlefield, and future prospects. While Ernst himself was probably not the one doing the analysis, there were at least intel from the various battlefields. It was really a world of difference from the Republic, who were fooled by the sa report for five years, and only discovered by their last handler.
The broadcasted news, which Shinn would watch, albeit listening while reading his book, should probably be accurate. At the end of it, the news would surely showcase a list of the KIA. Even the lowest of ranks would be recorded, and all citizens, no matter whether they knew the dead, would give a mont of silence. It was to be expected in the Federation, and also for the neighboring countries ten years ago, just that Seo would never know.
Those white swines of the Republic are really dumb, so he thought as he listened, feeling extrely restless, impatient. He could not simply remain as he was, and could not simply remain at this place.
So, he thought,
As expected, we,
Tucking the sketchbook under his armpit, he walked on the plaza so clean, there was nary a piece of trash to be seen. It was truly too cold, and he did not see any other sketch-lovers on this street.
It was said that there were war in this city during the civil revolution ten years ago. Along the way, there were so bricks that seed brand new, and there were bridge sections along the city river that were obviously burned off. The ancient cathedral bell that was a derelict due to cannon bombardnt remained there. The collapsed stone walls had vines over them, and remained an outstanding sight in the populous city, showcasing an atmosphere of a war relic. Curious, Seo sat by the side, drawing, and for so reason, the old chaplain gave him so sweets.
The distant footsteps approached, and turning around, he found Angel.
“So you are here. You said you were headed to the Republic Square today, so I thought you would be nearby.”
“Ah, yeah. Never thought the Republic Plaza would be right before the old embassy of the Republic…got anything?”
Angel was dressed in a posh blouse, a faint colored coat, a fluffy long skirt, and tall boots. Seo was unused to seeing her dressed up like this, after seeing her in camouflage for a long ti. IT was the sa for the others too, for though they did not appear to be out of place, sothing seed to be out of outdoors.
“Please lend a hand. I have so baggage to carry, and I cannot do so alone.”
“Oh, okay…you sure I’m enough help? Did you call anyone else?”
Naturally, the girls Krena and the child Frederica would be excluded from this moving job.
“Raiden…is at work. Shinn probably has so spare ti.”
In fact, every one of them was free every day.
Seo reached for the earcuff on his right ear, trying to activate the Para-RAID as he said,
“Activate.”
But his fingers just slipped through, and did not touch the hard earcuff.
“…”
Oh yeah, Seo went silent. Angel held in her laughter as she took out a mobile phone from her pocket, and he looked sullen he too took his out.
“Goodness, this thing sure is convenient. Need to carry this every day, can’t contact people of they don’t switch on theirs, and everyone needs to store their numbers.”
But unlike what he had initially said, Seo followed up with sarcastic words, befitting his facial expression. Angel followed with a chuckle.
"But with a Para-RAID, there is a need to change contacts when there is a change of Handler, no?"
"Those white swines…well, it's pretty troubleso. All those white swines could have done whatever they wanted, but they always co so much nonsense."
The choker called the Para-RAID was ant to deal with the Processors, and it was for the convenience of the Republic, who also ensured that the earcuffs containing the modifiable data could not be removed easily. There was no disinfection when they were removed, and once the Federation had taken them off, there were still scars on the ear. Seo himself did not mind, but even he was livid seeing the scars on Angel and and Krena's ears.
The fact remained that their Handler…or to be precise, the Handler in charge of contacting Shinn had been changing, it was not their responsibility. Furthermore, their last Handler was a feeble princess of similar age, and even she endured this; compared to her, everyone else who could not endure looked comparatively bad.
"Those Federation guys are really curious, wanting such a thing. We used this for such a long ti, and even we don't know what in the world that thing is."
"But it sure is useful for for the warzone, right? We have Eintagsfliege on this side too. Regarding the "Juggernaut" though, that walking coffin is not worth investigating, I feel."
The items of protection they obtained from the Federation no longer remained.
The "Juggernaut" and the Para-RAID were said to be taken to a research lab for analysis. Of the other items, there was nothing worth commorating, and they too were given to the Federation.
"…Speaking of which, it did seem Shinn hoped to keep his gun. The Federation wouldn't allow ordinary citizens to do so, so he was refused."
For the ti being, Ernst would keep it.
"Might not be appropriate to say that it is worth rembering. That handgun had killed off many people however. This is the only job Shinn has never allowed anyone to do."
Even Raiden, who spent the longest ti with him, never got to do so.
Seo sighed,
“Well, it remains a fact that he can hear them all the ti, but…I do wish Shinn can enjoy his life a little more.”
Seo assud that his comrade, who could hear the voices of the unreleased, vengeful spirits, was being bound too heavily by the dead, or Death itself.
For instance, he was the one who killed off his comrades who were in delirious pain.
It was he who promised his comrades that he would accompany them to the end of their lives, from his initial squad to Spearhead Squadron, the comrades who fought alongside him and left him behind.
Their brains were taken by the , repeating the moans of death as they beca ‘Black Sheep’.
And also, there was the head of his brother…who died many years ago, yet kept clinging onto him until his recent defeat.
Angel lowered her blue eyes, and sank into deep thought.
“Perhaps so things can only be fulfilled because we are bound down.”
“…What do you an?”
"To be bound down, in other words, ans to be forced to stay. Perhaps it is because he had the objective to slay his brother, Shinn could remain on this battlefield, and remained on this world."
And what forced him to stay was the lantations of the countless dead, their curses ensnared upon the scar on his neck…and ironically, the deceased brother who caused this scar.
"We are Eighty-Sixers. We should have died on that battlefield, so in a certain sense, it was inevitable. That goes the sa for Shinn, who has been thinking about his brother the entire ti. But now, he has nothing to commorate him…I am a little worried about him."
"…"
Seo still did not understand the aning behind those words.
Adept was adept at observation. Thus, it was difficult for Seo to refute otherwise.
"What about you, Angel?"
"Eh?"
"You too should have died on that battlefield, but you kept living. That old man wants use to think of our futures…but have you thought of it?"
Angel's flowery-colored lips grimaced.
Ahh, so she's starting to put on makeup, so he thought.
"Do you still want to hear?"
Seo suddenly cracked a smile.
Of course.
"I guess."
"For example…I have thought of it, what will happen if Daiya is still alive, what if I wait a little longer. The result will remain the sa. What we should do, and what we want to do, we–"
"Yeah."
Seo carried on, and nodded.
"Sa here. I guess everyone's the sa too. This is all we have."
Yes.
A short mont of silence lingered between those two. In this silence, there was a mutual understanding and chemistry, a satisfactory solace.
Angel suddenly clapped her hands.
"In any case, that aside."
"Ah, yeah. Carry the stuff back, right?"
They forget.
He checked for Shinn's number that was stored, and pressed the call button. He kept dialling over and over again…but there was no response after a long while, so Seo frowned,
"–He's not picking up!"
†
For a long ti, Shinn had the dream of the night when he was nearly killed by his brother, and hardly rembered anything else.
But he still understood.
That it was a dream.
"–I know this is too much to ask for."
Kaie was smiling in the sealed space with white mist drifting. She was one of Spearhead Squadron's mbers, who fought on the Eastern front of the Republic's Eighty-Six region, and died there.
Her hair and eyes were an Oriental black, and she was dressed in desert camouflage uniform obtained from the Republic's deadstock, and had a ponytail.
Her little head was not at its usual position, but was severed neatly from its neck, held in her hands.
That face was smiling.
"You guys made it to the end of the journey here, and brought us to the end here. You can forget about us…but."
There were more of them who departed without waiting for his companionship. Rather than it being Kaie herself, she was simply a representation of them.
Corpses, so dying, so dead, were abducted by the
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