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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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Contrary to popular perception, the destructive power of a hydrogen bomb was not that high.
Especially in a city full of solid concrete buildings.
It was often the case that it didn’t even reach a quarter of its original power, and it wasn’t that strong once you got more than 15km in radius from the epicenter.
In particular, Saint Francis, before being a location for Bostania’s prominent tech companies, was also the front line against “Titans” facing the coastline.
Some Titans were active in water and underwater, so they had to prevent them from landing on the coast and ravaging the city.
Naturally, buildings made of reinforced concrete served as excellent air-raid shelters and fortification lines.
Therefore, in the unprecedented man-made disaster that struck Saint Francis, the biggest problem was the radioactive fallout that spread afterwards…
Even that was less than a few percent of the exposure compared to nuclear accidents like core meltdowns in nuclear power plants.
Heinz Bismarck, who had witnessed nuclear explosions in the Graveyard, and three times in a row at that, knew this all too well.
Of course, people avoided the area just because of the psychological pressure stemming from the fact that a nuclear weapon had exploded.
That was the most decisive reason why Saint Francis had become a ghost town.
“…Would you please explain in detail?”
General Robert Walker spoke with a serious expression at the word ‘Titan’, which he had forgotten about until now.
Do rumors ever have a definite form?
Especially when a particular event occurs, or in areas where access is restricted, it was common for such rumors to spread because accurate information couldn’t be obtained.
But Titans, of all things, suddenly?
Why on earth were those unidentified life forms being mentioned, the ones that had driven humanity to the brink of extinction and were finally defeated after sacrificing billions of lives?
“We’ve also grasped the truth of the rumors, but there are a few testimonies of Titan sightings near the subway stations that were close to the epicenter in Saint Francis.”
“…”
Robert closed his mouth and remained silent.
Then, his eyes flashing, he asked,
“What do you think, General?”
“Well, perhaps there’s a possibility that aquatic Titan specimens that weren’t completely exterminated have landed in the devastated city.”
“That can’t be ruled out either. Then we have even less time to waste like this.”
“…You mean they’re still remaining underwater?”
“The Republic has already completed several sweeping operations of the coastal waters using early warning aircraft and unmanned submarines. Some might be hiding in the deep sea… but you know what I’m talking about, don’t you, General?”
Heinz nodded.
He knew all too well.
Titans could never survive alone.
This was because they were born to live in groups, and could only receive nutrients through the ‘queen’ who was the center of the group.
The queen absorbed nutrients from the ground to produce new Titans, while also processing the nutrients gathered by existing Titans through ‘various methods’ into food exclusively for Titans.
Some Titans ‘preying’ on humans was not to supplement their own nutrition, but to feed their queen.
Indeed, the entire species could be seen as a kind of ‘collective’ that operated solely by a single queen.
That was why in the final battle that decisively determined the victory between Titans and humanity, didn’t they literally blow away the place where the last queen had nested with eight seismic bombs?
After all, unless the queen was killed, it was clear that Titans would endlessly bare their teeth at humanity.
The fact that there were sightings of Titans just a year after the complete declaration of the end of the war meant that there was a surviving queen specimen.
“Should I… report this to my country? Actually, that’s what I wanted to ask the most.”
Heinz spoke in a sincere voice without any pretense.
Although he had reluctantly taken on the role of commander of the Holy Cross Brigade, he was still inexperienced.
If the old general before him was indeed a brilliant commander who had played an active role in the war against the Titans, he wanted to get help somehow, regardless of being an enemy.
“No, postpone the report.”
“You mean to do it after confirming accurate information? But if Titans really exist, wouldn’t it be too late by then?”
At this, Robert let out a helpless sigh and smiled lightly.
“Huh, I never dreamed the commander of the Holy Cross Brigade would be such a soft young man.”
“What do you mean?”
“If it’s true, even now it is too late. Humanity would be driven to the brink of extinction once again. But if you make a fuss with unconfirmed information and your army comes charging in full force, what could we possibly do?”
“…”
This time, Heinz closed his mouth.
It was true.
If he reported this information to his superiors, President Mikhail would surely incite the people once again and push the Imperial Army across the sea.
“Anyway, if you want to find out, you can have your subordinates investigate. I think it’s a rumor worth looking into.”
“…Thank you.”
Heinz stood up and bowed his head.
“My aide will bring tea soon. Please sit comfortably and enjoy it before you leave.”
Somehow, he felt like he shouldn’t be here.
As the de facto commander-in-chief of an invasion force, looking at the face of that upright old general made a sense of guilt creep up.
Just as Heinz was about to disappear as if fleeing, at that moment.
“General.”
“Yes.”
“Always be careful. The Empire seems precarious too. If this old man may offer some meddlesome advice, you seem like someone who won’t live out your natural lifespan, or someone who will attempt something big and overturn the results.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“My grandfather was a bit of a physiognomist, you see. I’m just throwing out a few words I learned over his shoulder, so it’s best not to put much meaning into it.”
“Thank you for your kind words.”
“It’s nothing, I’ll enjoy the tea before I leave. Have a good day.”
Heinz left the high-ranking officer detention room.
There was nothing wrong with the old general’s words.
As the person with full authority on the field, he had long known that the Holy Cross Brigade was not the ‘relief force’ he claimed it to be.
The Holy Cross Brigade was the vanguard, the advance party, and the reconnaissance unit.
It was a stage that could be called a kind of cancer cell, thoroughly grasping the capabilities of the Bostanian military, paralyzing the limbs of the government forces, and at the same time, wiping out even the remaining army under the pretext of rebels.
It was natural for Robert Walker and other rebels to take an extremely hostile attitude towards the Holy Cross Brigade, as they couldn’t possibly be unaware of this fact.
However, Heinz Bismarck had not the slightest desire to become a long-term piece to satisfy the expansionist desires of the President, or even further, the Empire.
“Damn it…”
Heinz Bismarck bit his lip in frustration.
To think that the person who was about to retire, held back just because of being a distant relative, was now placed as the vanguard commander of an invasion force.
It was already an unpleasant position, and now hearing the words he had been trying to avoid right in front of him, his heart couldn’t help but sink even more.
“Ah! Brigade Commander! You were here! I brought the tea, but that general over there said he was leaving right away, so I rushed over!”
Just then, his aide approached from behind.
“Aide.”
“Yes, Brigade Commander.”
“Prepare the car for me.”
“Pardon? Do you mean… again? Or should I bring the other one I left in the detention room?”
“No, not that car. I mean a running car.”
“Ah…!!”
Finally understanding the meaning, the aide hurriedly rummaged through his pocket and pulled out a car key.
“Are you going to Rainbow Street again today?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll note it as a front line inspection in the daily report.”
Now they understood each other perfectly.
Heinz took the key from his aide and pulled out a few bills from his pocket to hand over.
“Use this to buy something from the local merchants.”
“Thank you!”
“It’s nothing, I’m more grateful. What aide would tolerate a field commander driving around alone in a tactical vehicle whenever he feels restless?”
The aide burst into laughter at Heinz’s words.
Whether in the Graveyard or now.
In the end, it was the people that kept him tied to the battlefield.
Heinz Bismarck thought to himself.
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When his head was cluttered, the best thing was to mindlessly press the accelerator and race down the road.
There was a reason why he had specifically bought a used sports car with the bonus he had diligently saved after the end of the war.
Cooking and driving.
These were the few hobbies Heinz Bismarck had.
Even when he was at the Graveyard, he used to go out driving with Lea, Luthers, and Lydia under the pretext of front line inspections or securing supply routes.
Unable to shake off the habit from those days, Heinz was doing the same thing in the Republic.
Vrooooom!!
He raced down the empty road.
Scars made by shelling were vividly left here and there, but Heinz didn’t mind at all.
If anything, it only added to the thrill.
Weren’t military vehicles originally made for off-road use?
This rough terrain was made to be broken through.
As he was enjoying an untimely drive, weaving between burnt-out vehicles.
Screeeeech—!!!!
Heinz slammed on the brakes after seeing something.
His body leaned forward as if about to be thrown out, and the wheels spun, causing the vehicle to momentarily spin around.
Screech!!
A dark skid mark was left on the asphalt.
Barely calming his startled heart, Heinz hurriedly got out of the vehicle.
It was just a fleeting glimpse, but of course he could recognize them.
“You…!! How are you here!!”
“Hello, it’s been a while. Heinz.”
A blonde woman wearing an eye patch smiled at him.
Beside her, a woman with brown hair let down was lightly waving her hand.
Charlotte Evergreen and Lea Gilliard.
“Have you been well?”
The two had suddenly come to find the Holy Cross Brigade commander.
As if they had known in advance where he was going.
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