Seeing the Northern Jaegers get chummy with one another while on the active battlefield, one of Colonel Valestein's older-looking Jaegers approached him who seemed more his age. A look of worry appeared in the man's eyes.
"Is it alright for them to behave like that, Colonel?", The older Jaeger asked. Despite being a Jaeger now, Colonel Valestein once served in what used to be North Ambria's military. Or what was left of it anyway. The Salt Pale basically destroyed any resemblance of balance and structure inside North Ambria, including its government and any factions that may still reside in it. Colonel Valestein here jumped ship not wanting to sink with them, and founded the Northern Jaegers. He still likes to wear his military uniform, which is why he is clad in blue instead of purple. But all the Northern Jaegers look up to him.
That's right. Colonel Valestein here once held the same rank as Cassius Bright, as far as military standards go. He's powerful in his own right, even if he is retired from the military. The reason why the Northern Jaegers still address him as such is merely formality.
Colonel Valestein smiled and answered him.
"Hoho, let the lads have their fun, Captain Glark. They've already been putting in good work to fend off the Red Constellation. They're normally the ones who give us a run for our Mira, but with Zephyr as our allies, we've evened the playing ground. We'll launch our counteroffensive once Phoenix readies his attack.", Colonel Valestein stated.
"Understood, Colonel. Our squads are ready.", The aged man named Glark said, acknowledging Colonel Valestein's order. Glark held the same rank as Rogan and Talion did. Another Captain of the Northern Jaegers. Just like Phoenix and Sylphid from Zephyr. Rogen continued to watch on in silence with a hint of scorn in his eyes. Glark could only shake his head seeing a fellow Captain behave like this. Not all of the Northern Jaegers were on terms with each other unlike other Jaeger corps, like Zephyr was.
In Rogan's mind, they were the prideful Northern Jaegers. He didn't think they needed backup to fend off this attack who were trying to invade the home they currently love dearly. He wanted to jump right into the heart of it and swing his orbal hammer around and go on a rampage, but he knew he couldn't do that. Not with his leader around. That being Colonel Valestein. Even though he had thought of taking things into his own hands, they were actively on the battlefield. So Rogan could only watch on with contempt.
Rogan couldn't care less about the bet he just placed. He was simply using it to pass the time since he couldn't head into enemy territory. Instead, he swung his orbal hammer around, and smashed the armors of a couple red-clad Jaegers to bits, pummeling them into pools of blood.
With this small passage of time, my True SoulFire Shot successfully formed. I informed Emma I was ready, so she stopped pouring her Mana into me. She now watched the wild-looking arrow with a great look of interest.
No words were needed to be said here.
I simply let the arrow loose.
Now one would expect it to make a loud whirring-like noise as it pierced through the air once I let the arrow go. But that didn't happen. All it took was a single moment to streak across the rocky terrain. It burnt the rocks and stone in its path, leaving behind a trail of scorched earth. But if one tried to touch it, it would feel cold to the touch. With bated breaths, everyone saw me suddenly shoot my bow. A lot of the Northern Jaegers watched on with a look of shock in their eyes.
A single arrow was destroying the terrain like no tomorrow, leaving behind a wave of destruction. Even some unlucky enemy Jaegers who were in the arrow's path succumbed to it, getting their hearts pierced through. The strange thing though, was that they all froze into icy statues, and had their bodies burnt from the inside out. Huge damage numbers in the millions floated above their heads, which caused me to smile.
[Ding! You have Leveled Up! 67 -> 68!]
[Ding! You have Leveled Up! 68 -> 69!]
Seeing a couple more Level Ups come through, I smiled, letting the obsidian arrow arrive at its destination.
It wasn't the Red Constellation Jaegers who were trying to obstruct its path.
No. My target was what laid beyond that who was unleashing an unruly Battle Qi that even we could feel this far out.
The Red Ogre.
With my Vermillion Eyes active, I saw him letting out a wild grin while he brandished his War Axe, waiting to accept my attack head on...
Meanwhile, as the arrow made its way toward the Red Ogre. Back toward the capital of North Ambria...
Another scene could be seen taking place while the four Jaeger corps began their clash against one another. The Northern Jaegers and Zephyr against Nidhoggr and the Red Constellation. Many figures could be presently seen, laying in wait, surrounding Haliask's perimeter. This included a few squads of the Northern Jaegers that Colonel Valestein left behind to protect the capital alongside most of Zephyr, which included the Jaeger King himself. He could be seen next to a few Captains, waiting for the signal to approach their enemy, Nidhoggr. The Red Constellation was the one who decided to remain back on the outskirts, who were currently clashing against most of the Northern Jaegers and some backup from Zephyr.
While the Jaeger King waited to launch his attack, behind the Jaegers stood a very, very large building that overlooked the rest of the capital. It was well into the night now with darkness spreading all around them, so most of its people were now fast asleep, blissfully unaware that Jaeger corps were already fighting amongst each other.
This building was known as the State Government Legislative Palace. Once upon a time it was where North Ambria's nobility ruled the land before it became a state. It fell as a principality during the Salt Pale tragedy. It was now run by its scattered government officials who were stuck in for a loop of trying to keep a country from collapsing. Many of them were corrupt too. As long as one presented Mira or something worth their value, they would sway to the other side.
Since it was well into the night, most government officials have already ended their work for the day. Even so, one of its many rooms could be seen lit up, signaling that it was still being used. Unlike other countries, the Northern Jaegers have taken root into the government itself. They cooperate side-by-side to tackle affairs that a normal person couldn't handle, even if it is on par at best. Perhaps that's why they're in such a state of disarray. Too many clashing opinions from people who actually know how to do their job, to those who don't.
Nonetheless, a single member of the Northern Jaegers could be seen sitting on a leathery upholstered chair. This figure's eyes seemed to be looking at what appeared to be several holographic panels currently floating above them. Several images could be seen of the ongoing battle with the four Jaeger corps.
On one of these screens stood a violet-haired boy and a plum-haired girl. The boy had just launched an attack on Red Constellation's Vice-Commander. The person watching this scene happen from within this room watched on with interest.
This person was dressed similarly to Colonel Valestein, and held the same rank as the Red Ogre did in the Red Constellation. This person was the Vice-Commander of the Northern Jaegers. And contrary to one's expectations, this person was a woman. She had long, silky-white hair with violet strands. She looked to be in her late twenties, or perhaps early thirties.
As this woman continued to observe the ongoing battle, a second figure approached her from the long table. It was a man. A laugh escaped from his mouth seeing the many blue screens before him.
"Hahaha! You sure didn't waste time. I take it you like the archaisms we've assigned you? Look at you go. You're a natural at using them, Your highness.", The man said, keeping his tone polite. But it carried a certain undertone that seemed to annoy the woman. The man had green hair with a particular tattoo under one of his eyes. He hadn't seemed to age a day since he was last seen.
But once the man uttered the words "Your Highness" to this woman, her pupils dilated, and felt even more annoyed. Still, she allowed him to arrive in the room she was presently using.
"Oh, so you're here, Fool. How many times do I have to tell you I am no longer bound by that title? I refuse to be related to that idiotic brother of mine. What he's attempting to do is all for naught. A fool's play, if you will.", The woman said, still annoyed. She then grabbed a hold of what appeared to be a hand device of sorts. After tapping on it a few times, she glanced her eyes upward, and looked at the man. At the same time, several metallic objects suddenly shifted around the ceiling, and took aim at him. "And I could shoot you down right here and now, thanks to these archaisms you so preciously assigned to me."
"Hahaha! I wouldn't do that if I were you. I could always find another replacement to supply our archaisms with. We just happened to choose you...out of happenstance, as I'd like to call it. This place is seriously on its last legs. You're fighting a losing battle here.", The man said, letting out another laugh in response. He then shrugged his shoulders. "And honestly, I'm surprised you haven't ditched this country by now, Your Highness."
"You think I have a choice in this?", The woman responded, scoffing at him. "At least you speak of the truth. Our country is on the verge of collapse.", The woman responded, and sighed.
"And yet that brother of yours is the cause of all of this, as you have said. I swear this Balmund Family has some screws loose in their heads.", The man said. Hearing that, the woman smiled. But before she could speak, the man continued speaking. "But where are my manners? You go by Jayna Storm now, don't you? You tossed away the Balmund name. I did not think our first meeting would go like this."
"Did you seriously come to bug me with just an introduction? I am quite busy being entertained right now, as you can see.", Jayna replied, and scoffed.
"Are you now? Well, it is interesting to see how this battle will fare, but I for one, do not care about personal grudges. I am here with but one purpose in mind. To see whether or not you will accept His Highness's proposal and become his personal advisor for the times to come.", The man said. Who else could he be but Enforcer No. 0, Campanella the Fool?
"So your visit is indeed regarding that. You do know that I will have to change who I am affiliated with, right?", Jayna questioned, and looked at Campanella with a straight face. Shortly after, her eyes glanced back toward the violet-haired boy, who was presently the topic of interest here.
"Haha! But you aren't exactly foreign to betrayal now, right, Jayna? Isn't that what you're doing right now?", Campanella replied, and smiled at Jayna.
"You mean this little thing?", Jayna said, looking back at the ongoing battle. "I hardly call this betrayal. It's just a means to alleviate my boredom. That stupid brother of mine is so easy to have his buttons pushed. Haha!", Jayna continued, and laughed. "But do tell me again. What are the benefits of joining this person's side? What's his name again?"
"His Highness the Crown Prince of Liberl. Naoto von Auslese.", Campanella answered. "You see, His Highness has a rather lofty goal in mind, which currently aligns with the plans of the Grandmaster. It is far better than letting your eyes rot away in this dying land, no? You should hop on the train before it departs. Because once it does, there is no going back. You'll be swept up with the rest of those Northern Jaegers."
"An interesting analogy. And what you say is true.", Jayna replied with a nod of her head.
"But before you go ahead and decide, I decided to bring a special little someone. Hopefully you will make the right decision, Jayna.", Campanella suddenly said, which drew Jayna's gaze back to him with interest.
"Oh? You aren't alone?", Jayna asked. It was rare to see a serious look in Campanella's eyes. His playful demeanor completely vanished, so she couldn't help but grow curious as to who Campanella was referring to.
Instead, all Campanella did was turn around toward the room's entrance, and took a bow.
"You may come in now, Lady KeA.", Campanella declared.
(A/N: Jayna Storm once being part of the Balmund Family is an original bit, and not canon)