+++ Lieutenant Hans Hoffman +++

La Veridad City

November 12, 1538 CE

“Mhm, it’s so nice, Sir Hans!” Alizée smiled widely as she enjoyed the meat on the stick. She took another bite, and her eyes brightened in response. Hans on the other hand looked at the barbeque he had on his hand. It certainly smelled nice, which was why he bought it from the vendor on the streets.

So he took a bite from it.

Mhm…that certainly is nice. He smiled a bit. Yeah, maybe I should buy an extra.

And so, he towed Alizée to follow him, and he bought three more sticks. By the time he left the area, Alizée finished her first stick and stole the third stick from Hans. And Hans was halfway done with his first stick.

“You seem to like it a lot, huh?”

“Of course,” Alizée smiled. “Back then, when mom and dad were around, they rarely allowed me to go out. This food isn’t served either at home.”

“Hmm, what do they serve you then?”

“The best beef steaks, chicken, fish…” Alizée frowned. “They always serve us fancier food. So I haven’t tried these types a lot.”

“Well, glad to help you with that. Though I’d be honest, while some meat on a stick tastes nice, I still prefer a fancier meal. It’s going to break the bank though.”

Even then, he paid nearly two Imperial Marks for the barbeque they bought. Perhaps the vendor gouged the price a bit, but Hans knew that the prices of everything in the markets had been high. When they passed by the local bakery, for example, Hans saw a long bread line. Many people even seemed angry at the local baker about the prices.

Naturally, Hans shielded Alizée from seeing it. While he didn’t expect a bread riot anytime soon, he still started taking the quickest route out of the area. And then, he enjoyed his barbeque.

By the time he finished it, they were both back at the place they were lounging at. It was on the same street near the Viceroy’s residence, which was the same building used by La Veridad’s local government. Outside was of course a wealthier area than the place they had visited. Most of the city’s nobles and merchants resided here, and so, the buildings were well-built and proper.

When they entered the inn, the lower level seemed mostly deserted. Except for a single man waiting on one of the guest chairs. It was Captain Weibel. Hans adopted a business-like tone, as the man grinned and approached him. Meanwhile, Alizée looked curiously from behind.

“Hey, hey, Sir Hoffman!” the IYC mercenary greeted. “Been searching for ya. Your lady seemed absent. Heh, she’s probably organizing things. And Ebert is out of the city organizing the 4th Regiment’s resupply business. So, it’s just you that I can reach. See, the damned Viceroy wants to talk to one of you.”

“First of all, my what?”

“Ignore that.”

“And second of all, why? One of us?”

“Yeah, either you or Adelyn, but again, I don’t know where she is, and I asked around. It seems that only you are nearby. So, I went for you. She just wants to assess some things. You know, about your ‘mechs’.”

“Oh, makes sense,” Hans looked back at Alizée. “Can I bring her with me? I’m assigned to keep watch on her.”

“Damn, Sir Hoffman. You can become a father in no time,” Captain Weibel patted his shoulder as he laughed.

“Shut your old ass up.”

“But yes, you can,” Captain Weibel said. “This harmless nice kid isn’t going to do anything to upset her anyway. Besides, I’ve heard that the Viceroy is a big fan of children.”

“Oh, yeah. But what about Vanus children?”

“I seriously doubt that woman gives a crap’s ass about race,” Captain Weibel smirked. “Believe me, I dealt with Virtus folks who think they’re walking gods or goddesses. She certainly doesn’t look like that. If I’m being honest, she reminds me of your Captain. An older version of her.”

“...Okay?”

“You think I got chances?”

He looked at him up and down. Sure, Captain Jonas Weibel was an absolute asshole, and he was too greedy. And he had an outrageous mustache to boot. But he did look well-dressed, well-kept. If not for him smelling like an alcoholic and a chronic cigar smoker, he’d be decent.

Still…

“Yeah, no chance,” Hans bluntly said. Then, Hans grinned. “You can try though. I’d like to see it.”

It’d be fun to watch.

“Makes sense,” Captain Weibel groaned. “Ah, I’m going to grow old alone and angry at this rate. At least if I have money, maybe I can find a lady of the same class.”

“Oh, yeah. That’s your big hurdle. She's a noblewoman, dumbass.”

“And I’m a commoner mercenary. Ah, it’s awful. This world is unjust. Reminds me of Countess Fresnel. If only she ain’t a widow. Sad, really.”

Hans narrowed his eyes.

“So you had your eyes on literally every woman we’ve been with,” Hans shook his head. “Well, I suppose I can’t blame you. It tracks with your behavior anyway.”

“Hey, can’t a man dream of a good lady by his side? Pfft, what’s the point of making money if I die alone on my deathbed.”

Hans gave Alizée a gesture to follow him, and the trio left the inn.

“I thought you were going to use the money to buy a nice place, then fill that place with the finest wine to satisfy yourself for years.”

“Huh? Of course, that’s a mere jest! What kind of a madman wastes his hard-earned pennies on useless alcohol?”

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“You.”

+++

“It really is wonderful,” the Viceroy’s eyes shined after Hans gave her the full, detailed explanation about their mechs. He went as far as to include even the technical details on the piece of paper he used to explain things to her. From terminologies to parts to the speed of their vehicle, to how it moves, and especially weapons. “Tell me more then! Why would your nation even build such a formidable war machine?”

“Uhh, to fight other nations.”

Her voice suddenly dropped.

“Not demons?”

“Both the Wanderpanzer II and V aren’t designed by the Confederation to fight demons,” Hans explained. “It’s designed to fight our rival nations’ armored forces. That’s what the main gun is designed for. It’s to punch through armor so thick that only a behemoth can carry it.”

“...That saddens me a bit then,” the Viceroy sighed. “I suppose everything deadly isn’t ever designed for the good of mankind. I presume this vehicle must have claimed a lot of lives, no?”

Hans breathed in.

“You’ve seen the white circles on the barrel of my mech’s main gun, right?”

“Indeed, yes. It’s quite an interesting design. I wonder what it means.”

“It’s simply a count of other armored vehicles that I destroyed with that gun. Tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, and mechs. Anyway, it’s a bit confusing, but all of those are moving war machines with armor. And that’s what our mechs are designed to destroy. And I’ve…destroyed a lot of them.”

“...I’ve only seen a few of those in your Captain’s gun barrel.”

“That’s because she’s our commander. She stays from behind to command the rest of the pack. She’s never supposed to expose herself in the thick of the fight, even if her mech is technically superior. In fact, she would only present herself if the situation is critical. For example, if we ever need her better main gun to destroy an opponent.”

“Huh…you’ve said her main gun is better,” the Viceroy tilted her head. “Is it because it’s…pardon me for being this silly, uhh, longer?”

“I suppose. It’s not the gun barrel length that matters much. It’s the caliber. That’s the size of her barrel and the ammunition she fires. And in her case, it’s bigger. So her ammunition can either produce a more powerful explosion, or they are heavier and better at penetrating a target.”

“I see then,” she breathed a sigh of relief. “Then it’s nice to have you onboard. It now makes sense how you two killed a lot of demons already. You seem to be the best out there at fighting them with these new weapons, and it seems that you’ve fought for years before even ending up on this continent.”

“Heh, I warn you about that,” Hans chuckled. “We don’t know how much stronger the two calamities present in this principality. For all we know, our capabilities aren’t enough. That certainly happened a few times already.”

He eyed her a bit more curiously this time.

“What? Is anything on my face?” She asked.

“No, I’m just wondering. What are you capable of?” Hans frowned. “You’re one of those damned Imperial Mage Corps members, no?”

“Well, back then I was. I spent the majority of my life honing myself in the Imperial Mage Corps. I’ve fought countless monstrosities outside of the Imperium’s borders. In that journey, I became a good battlemage. Not that…any of those monsters ever compare to demons. They’re a different…matter entirely.”

“Then what are you capable of—”

She stood up and magically pulled out a large staff from one of the cabinets. It was, to Hans’ eyes, a custom build. The staff was filled with golden ornaments, and there were two purple crystals at the top. Then, there were two curved blade attachments on top of her staff. The crystals glowed, alongside the “blades” of her staff.

Then she swiped it at her right side. A brief, purple-like flash sliced through the air—slicing two marble sculptures on the right part of her office cleanly. It dissipated before even touching the walls.

“Whoah!” Hans jumped out of his seat. “Why the sudden demonstration! That’s lethal!”

He watched as the two halves of the statues dropped on the floor, both of them shattering upon impact. The Viceroy merely smiled at him.

“What? You were asking what I’m capable of. That’s just one of the examples. I specialize in shadow magic. The reverse of light magic. And I can do everything from a simple energy slash attack like that, down to sapping the AP itself of my opponents. I can even blind you right now if I’d like.”

She snapped her fingers, and suddenly, Hans’ entire world was just…darkness. It was pitch black. He almost tumbled on his seat as he tried to regain his senses, but his vision returned when she snapped her fingers again.

“What the—?”

“Impressed?”

He was about to shout expletives against her, but he held his tongue.

Note to self. This woman is crazy. What the hell was she thinking? I could have shot her in self-defense for that!

Hans frowned.

“You shouldn’t do that,” Hans warned. “I didn’t know bullshit spells like that existed, but I am not a fan of having it used on me.”

“Oh…” she froze for a second. Then she laughed nervously. “Ah…apologies then. I rarely get to show off. I guess I went overboard.”

“You just sliced off two marble sculptures.”

“Eh, I can make new ones.”

“You made it and you used it as a test target?!”

“...Um, yes?”

Hans frowned.

“You’re strange, Lady Viviani. Very strange. And quite frankly, a bit terrifying.”

“I suppose I am a bit terrifying,” she frowned. “Actually, to test things further. Can you take a potshot with that pistol of yours? On me. Now.”

“What?”

“Just do it. Trust me, nothing wrong’s going to happen with it.”

“You’re asking me to shoot the damned Viceroy of this place?”

“Just do it, quick. I want to test something out.”

Hans pulled out his Ruger, cocked it, and aimed it at her.

“All I asked was information about what you were capable of. I didn’t ask for a damned live impromptu demonstration!”

“Just do it. It’s fine!”

He pulled his trigger. Then, her staff glowed for a split second. Hans watched as his bullet was completely deflected by a light purple barrier that appeared and disappeared immediately.

“Oh…” she grinned. “I guess I’m not too bad after all.”

“How did you even deflect a pistol bullet!”

“As I’ve said,” she smiled. “I’m from the Imperial Mage Corps. Of course, I can do things that’ll surprise you. So does that perhaps increase your confidence in fighting with me?”

Hans was still gobsmacked to answer immediately. But when he recomposed himself, he replied.

“...Ability-wise, yes, I became more confident about my chances. But it’s useless because it’s now canceled behavior-wise.”

“Everyone tells me that…” her shoulders sagged. She then snapped her fingers again, and the room was washed by a brief glow again. “By the way, I soundproofed the room before you fired that shot. So don’t worry too much.”

I didn’t notice that. I bet she did it while she blinded me!

“From what crap’s ass are you getting all these random bullcrap spells?”

“Years of magical studies, Lieutenant.”

Suddenly, someone banged on the door of the room. The Viceroy awkwardly looked at the pieces of marble on the floor. Then, she shouted.

“Alright, come in, please! Ah, also, please ignore the mess—”

“Your Excellency,” an Imperial soldier rushed inside. He went straight to the Viceroy to hand her a piece of paper. “Report from Fort Sagrada. Miss Valeria Torre has returned from the expedition.”

He watched as the Viceroy’s eyes scrounged up in confusion. The Imperial soldier took a deep breath, as he answered the question she hadn’t yet asked.

“It’s only her that returned,” the soldier said. “And she’s mortally wounded.”

The piece of paper that was handed to her, fell on her desk.