NOVEL NEXT chapter 33
33 – Rebels (3)
“Drakan.”
“Why?”
Avakusa chewed gum that he bought at the market.
“Both don’t have a good appearance.”
Somehow it was amusing.
What nonsense about appearances.
“What are they like?”
“Listen seriously. The old man looks like he would betray us easily.”
“What about the woman?”
“She’s the same!”
So, there were two people who might betray them.
“From the beginning, both are condemned prisoners. Among the garbage, they’re the scum of the scum.”
“Well… So?”
“The platoon leader is a bit stupid, isn’t he? That’s why you and I need to be on high alert. Those bastards… They’ll definitely strike from behind.”
“Just be careful, nothing bad will happen.”
“It’s not just that, kid. Those bastards will totally attack from behind.”
“Have you seen the future or something?”
“It’s my intuition.”
Avakusa confidently stated.
“I feel like we’re in deep sh*t— Whenever my neck tingles, something always happens. It’s the same this time too!”
“Is that also your intuition?”
“It’s my intuition.”
“In that case, let’s decide tomorrow morning after seeing the meat pieces in the stew.”
“…You, finally realizing the value of my meat stall!”
To be honest, I agreed to some extent.
Both of them felt like they were hiding something. That’s why they seemed even more aggressive.
Blanca’s side could be justified. But…
Gobein seemed to continuously challenge the authority of the squad leader.
A conflict seemed imminent. Sooner or later.
“…Hey.”
“What?”
“What do you think of the squad leader?”
Abakusa snorted.
“That’s not my style at all!”
“As a superior.”
“There are some uptight parts… well, after getting to know you, it doesn’t seem that bad…”
“Oh?”
“At least you treat people with dignity, wouldn’t that be a good thing?”
“If you had to choose between Gobein and the squad leader?”
“Well…”
Abakusa confidently replied.
“The annoying squad leader, of course!”
I nodded in agreement.
That’s true.
Rather than unreliable Gobein, I should choose the squad leader whom I can trust.
On another note…
Gobein was said to be an experienced mercenary. Where exactly is he from that he doesn’t reveal?
What happened, actually?
…
“How about the squad members?”
“……”
Tetis Libra maintained a serious posture. He recalled the individuals he had seen in his mind.
A sigh almost escaped, but he held it back. This is the weight of being a squad leader.
“…It’s fine.”
“They’re condemned prisoners. I know they can be difficult to handle. But, squad leader, I trust you.”
“Trust is a precious thing. Especially when it comes from an admired commander.”
“I will do my best.”
“Yeah. The ones who joined you are better than the other squads. Impressive power, isn’t it?”
“…I am not aware since access to records is prohibited.”
“Hmm, I see. Well, understandable. Tethys squad leader. It’s not that they don’t trust you. Erasing their criminal records was their condition. But still, I must say you can give a rough idea.”
Vesmoph Litton chuckled.
“Blanca is quite a capable one. Especially in guerrilla warfare. She came from a place where fighting in a tangled mess is common.”
“…What about Gobain?”
“Gobain is also excellent. He was a famous mercenary. Have you heard which mercenary group he belonged to?”
“I haven’t heard.”
“I see. That’s possible. There must be a reason why he doesn’t tell. But you can trust his skills. He knows a lot.”
Vesmoph Litton lowered his voice.
“But regardless of their abilities, you shouldn’t lose command. Squad leader, you realize that, right? You are the one holding the leash. Don’t get devoured.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“Good. Remember that this mission should not stray from the designated area. Avoid unnecessary conflicts as much as possible. This mission involves not only the punitive unit but also soldiers from other battalions.”
“Are stolen blueprints that important?”
“You have keen perception. The stolen Titan blueprints possess new energy technology. With just that, we can catch up with human technology again.”
“We must retrieve them at all costs.”
“I have high expectations for you, Tethys squad leader. Can I trust you?”
“Yes.”
Tethys Libra saluted.
“I will do my best.”
“Doing your best alone is not enough.”
Vesmoph Litton saluted back.
“Risk your life. As an outstanding resistance force.”
“May glory be with the resistance.”
Tethys Libra made up her mind.
She would achieve results, no matter what.
. . .
They rode on a truck early in the morning, Blanca fidgeting with her gun.
“Something bigger would be better… You know what I mean.”
“So you like different types of grenades, huh?”
“Oh? Inspiring. How did you know?”
“Are you also a mercenary?”
“Wrong guess.”
Blanca chuckled softly.
“I may not be a mercenary, but I’ve still made a name for myself. If you say ‘Blanca,’ there’s no one in my neighborhood who doesn’t know me.”
“Oh, really? I’m curious now.”
“But where did you come from as a former mercenary?”
“As I said yesterday, I can’t teach you. Sorry.”
“Why?”
“I can only tell you that it was a place where I made quite a name for myself. Everyone has their reasons, right? But I can guarantee that I made quite a name for myself, just like you did.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
Blanca turned to look at me.
“It means we can expect more than just resistance from you, right?”
“Don’t worry about it. I assure you. I’ll show you my full power here.”
“Good. Because I prefer someone skilled rather than just a big guy.”
“You can trust me, miss.”
“Well, I’ll see about that after watching you for a bit.”
Avakusa grumbled.
“Can’t we just throw those bastards out of the truck?”
“Endure it.”
“Aren’t you annoyed too?”
“Not really.”
I wasn’t worried about words or anything like that.
It was just the upcoming battle.
“Let’s just focus on surviving.”
“We only need to retrieve the blueprint, right?”
“If this was just a simple theft case, they wouldn’t have called this many people. They’re hiding something.”
“That’s right, Drakan.”
Tetis Libra pushed herself halfway up.
“Pay attention.”
The car jerked. All eyes turned to the lieutenant.
“We do not know where the enemy is at present. We don’t know when or where it will emerge. We’ll quickly move around the area searching. What about civilians?”
“Well, well, you’re making intelligent suggestions for once. Avakusa.”
“Yeah? It’s not a good feeling shooting an unarmed person.”
“Regardless of the reason, the core of this mission is civilians. By the information we’ve received, there are civilians who have come into contact with the enemy. Even ordinary-looking men and women might suddenly point a gun at us.”
“……”
“After we completely suppress them, we’ll search each house one by one. Conduct thorough body searches. Don’t let your guard down even if there are apparently unarmed civilians. Only move according to my instructions. Got that?”
Kobe raised his hand.
“I have a question, Lieutenant.”
“What is it?”
“I understand that there may be armed civilians, but what’s the plan for entry? Who will lead the charge?”
“It’s Avakusa.”
“Hmm… yeah? Can we trust someone that size?”
“What are you talking about?”
“If people in the resistance could collaborate with enemies, then there could be traitors among us who have worked within the resistance for a long time. I’ve only just arrived on the front line with Blanca, but couldn’t there be a betrayer?”
“Avakusa and Drakan are my subordinates.”
“Trust is good, but blind faith can lead to death. How about having Blanca lead the charge? I think it would be best for me to stand in the very back.”
Natural orders intermingled with restraint.
Tetis Libra’s eyebrows twitched.
“…On the contrary, I’m not sure I can trust you guys.”
“What are you talking about?”
“How can you send new arrivals who just arrived at the front to trust them and place them in the vanguard and at the rear?”
“If we do it that way, it’ll never end.”
“I’ll be in command. Kobein.”
“Ugh… that’s why things like this are…”
Kobein shrugged his shoulders.
“I can tell just by looking that you have war experience… How about cooperating a bit?” he said.
“Cooperating, you say?”
“Well, since you’re a newly appointed officer, you’re just a rookie. I know better about this kind of thing. Just do as I say. It’s good for you to learn as well, isn’t it?”
“…Are you refusing my orders right now?”
“I was just giving advice as someone with more experience and seniority.”
The atmosphere grew tense. Tetis Libra’s face turned as cold as ice.
Blanca looked on with interest. Avakusa revealed his dissatisfaction as if he didn’t like it.
I let out a sigh. They wanted to divide the command authority between two people.
A correct judgment. The right direction.
If that’s the case, then naturally…
I couldn’t trust Kobein, who hadn’t been proven yet. I also didn’t like the sight of constant disturbances.
I dismissed their pretentiousness. They seemed unnecessary anymore.
“Kobein.”
“Oh, so you agree with my opinion…”
“Just do it moderately.”
I revealed my thoughts. Perhaps my manner of speaking had become rough and my personality had sharpened from wandering with Avakusa on the battlefield.
If it had been in the past, I would have thought about it several times before saying it, but now it easily slipped out.
“Do you want your head split open?”
Avakusa burst into laughter.
“Drakan! I can split it!”
“…You react sharply to words that aren’t wrong. You brat.”
Blanca growled.
“How can we trust you and rely on you?”
The party naturally split into two factions. I glanced at them both.
When reason doesn’t work, there is another way.
“Don’t trust me then.”
“What?”
“If you doubt it, come at me.”
Ah.
Am I becoming a soldier now?
I felt like my brain cells had turned into single cells, like an Abacus.
Still…
Sometimes, such stupidity is needed.
I don’t want to argue about command in a bullet storm.
“Shut up and go if you’re not going to fight. Quit the bullsh*t.”