This fiction isn't anything to be taken seriously. It has been written in one night after a discussion on discord with Reactionist and others as we were wondering how the cast would react to our world's warfare. And since we all play call of duty, the idea came by itself.
I hope you enjoy your read.
As the screen started playing, a loud sound uncharacteristic of everything they could have heard was heard through the entire theater.
"What is that sound?" Asked a green merchant as he was watching the scene unfold before his worried eyes.
"Doesn't seem like anythin' I've eve' heard." Answered Garfiel, more interested by what he could see.
Suddenly, another screen, much smaller, lit up in front of everyone. Showing a bearded old man, speaking with a hoarse voice as he seemed to explain something.
"Who's that guy?" Asked Mimi.
"He looks mean…" Winced Tivey.
"Our war is not for our faith."
"What war…" inquired Julius with narrowed eyes, deeply intrigued by the man's words.
"We fight to remove all foreign power from our soil…"
"We are Al-Qatala."
"We are the killers."
"Killers…?" Asked Emilia, worried as she was holding a hand on her mouth to the words those people just spoke.
"They're talking about war and then claiming themselves as killers? What's this about!" Spoke a cute catboy in slightly angered tone.
"What indeed… And what could they mean by remove foreign power…" Asked Crusch with a hand on her chin as she narrowed her eyes.
Upon hearing those last words, the screen started to back up, showing people seated in a small room, passing a little cylinder lit with fire to one another, as someone was toying with what seemed to them, as a weird metallic and wooden object.
"What's this now?" Said Felt in annoyance as she couldn't recognize anything that was shown to her.
"It doesn't look any good…" Answered Reinhard, worriedly narrowing his eyes to the object.
Beatrice widened her eyes as she saw the object. She still remembered the description of her contractors really well, she recognized that thing…That weapon.
"We fight without sorrow."
"We wage war without sympathy."
"They wage war…?" Inquired the old butler in a confused tone.
"So…They're killers…They wage war…Yep, most probably the bad guys." Spat Ricardo in disdain.
The screen now went over, to show other people holding those metallic objects, to another one holding what seemed like a smaller version, still with a metallic sound as the upper part moved.
To his side, a man was seated with a strange armor on him, a point glowing in red.
"What a strange armor." Said Rem. "Is it a fashion thing to have it glowing in a color?"
"Hey! That tiny red light seems so fun!" Said Mimi as her and Tivey leaned forward, eyes glued to the red light.
Why was Felix leaning forward too?
Suddenly, the door of the room opened, as everyone started to go out of it. They all separated in what seemed like a colorful plaza, with lights beaming sides to sides and people walking on a rainy day.
Yet, slowly…People started to stop. Widening their eyes in fear to the man standing in front of them. A lady stopped with her child holding his hand, looking at the man as people around started to raise their voices.
"What is happening…?" Asked Crusch as she quickly understood the terror taking place in the eyes of the people.
For some reason, Al growled while tightening the grip of his chair handle.
"It doesn't sound like anything good." Said Priscilla, eyes narrowed and face covered by her fan as she started to pierce out the danger of the situation.
The man started to raise his hand, holding a weird object, as screams started to grow louder and louder, as the lady suddenly held her child.
"All right, not good! Not good at all!" Shouted Otto, wincing to the screams of terror.
"Why are they all screaming?!" Yelled back Felt, worried for the people she saw.
"This is the only way to live...and die."
Everyone flinched as they heard the man say the word "die". All started sweating as they were scared for whatever was about to happen before their eyes. Others gripped their chair handles as hard as they could. Somehow they sensed something bad was about to happen.
"That guy is bout' to do somethin' that ain't right!" Growled Garfiel as started to show his fangs.
"What?! What will he do?!" Asked Emilia, scared for the woman and child in front of her.
Reinhard slowly raised his hands near Felt as he was ready to cover his lady's eyes if ever something terrible was about to happen.
"As a true soldier."
And the screen went totally black, avoiding the people to see clearly what happened. Some were relieved, other were disappointed as they wanted to see what was about to happen.
MODERN WARFARE
"Modern…Warfare?" Confusingly read Emilia.
"What's a modern warfare?" Asked Petra, her heart still calming down from the previous scene."
"Whatever it is…It seems like it will be explained to us." Answered Crusch, her interest slitghly piqued as she understood it was about warfare.
"Perhaps it is about warfare in Subaru-dono's world…" Thought the old butler out loud.
Some people's eyes widened to that statement. All of them remembered Beatrice's explanation when Julius voiced his wonders about warfare in Subaru's world. Saying they all got shivers to the explanation given by the great spirit was a poor statement…Now, they would get to see what it really looked like. No one was quite eager to see this.
"Is it…About you again, Subaru?" Whispered Roswaal, more to himself than anyone.
The pink haired maid who heard her master's words just now widened her eyes as she felt a slight tug in her heart. She didn't wish for Subaru to be concerned by these wars description at all.
24 HOURS EARLIER
VERDANSK.
"Verdansk?" Asked Frederica in a confusing tone as she held onto Petra.
"Maybe a place in Subaru's world?" Answered Petra for her older maid.
Many nodded their heads to this simple, yet coherent explanation.
The screen showed a large sight of woods and mountains, as a loud sound started to grow nearer again.
Suddenly, two giant flying metal boxes flew side to side to the screen, heading towards the scenery.
"What's this?!" Yelled Anastasia, eyes in awe just like everyone else to the sight of these flying things.
"Mh…It does fit the description of a Helicopter, in fact." Explained Beatrice to the crowd.
"What's a helicopter, great spirit-sama?" Asked Reinhard in undying curiosity, as he wished to know more about these things in Subaru's world.
Beatrice held her head high to express her pride as to know things now one else could in this room.
"Helicopters are a quite common way of aerial transport for people in Subaru's world in fact. It's a metal box with a tail, using rotating metal plates via an engine to fly in the sky and transport people from a place to another using great speed, I suppose."
Everyone in the room were even more amazed by what they saw right now. Engineering wasn't something common in this world per say, so saying something like this existed really amazed them all. Even Priscilla was deeply interested by it. Everyone was impressed, minus Anastasia who was biting her lip very hard as she knew she couldn't reproduce something like this in this world and not make a fortune with it.
The camera changed, to suddenly show the back of a black-haired person to the side.
Everyone in the room widened their eyes as they immediately recognized the person in the helicopter.
The person raised his head.
"Subaru?!" Exclaimed Emilia, surprised as everyone else to see him.
"So it is really about him again…" Inquired Roswaal, making Ram flinch in worry.
"What is he doing in that capter thingy?!" Screamed Mimi.
"What's that weird thingy on his head?" Exclaimed Tivey.
"Why didn't capn' eva' told us 'bout this?!" Roared Garfiel, not happy about his captain hiding things from him.
"C-calm down Garf! I'm sure Natsuki-san had his reasons for this!" Said Otto as he tried to calm down his dear friend.
Al widened his eyes in sheer disbelief as he quickly understood what Subaru was doing thanks to the uniform he was wearing.
Subaru was seated in the helicopter, eyes narrowed with a weird thing on his head covering his ears.
"Echo 3-1 to Charlie 2 actual." he said a bit tiredly.
"Go for actual." Answered a voice.
"What…How…" Asked Rem as she didn't understand a thing from what she just heard, just like many in this room.
"Is this that weird language he spoke before?" Inquired the sword saint in interest, not forgetting the strange language he heard in memory of snow.
All eyes turned to the loli spirit, who was fuming and pouting in anger as she didn't know a thing about what she was hearing. Also because this wasn't something her contractor ever told her…How dare he hide things from her?!
Near the spirit, a half elf was equally cutely pouting as she wished Subaru to tell her more about something this amazing as being in a flying metal box and speaking another unknown dialect.
"Why wouldn't you tell me things like that…?" She said as she pinched his hand.
The scene changed to show the helicopters flying side by side as they seemed to approach something.
"LZ is in sight. Looks like our boys are right on time Colonel." Said Subaru in disinterested tone.
"So he's answering the orders of a Colonel?" concluded Julius.
"Wow, statemen' of the day mister obvious!" Snorted Garfiel, earning an annoyed glance from the knight.
"Hmm…." Priscilla narrowed her eyes even more to the situation happening before her. Never she would have thought this boy would have been in an army.
The scene changed to show a man standing in front of multiple little screens like the one they saw previously, speaking around other people who seemed to work with multiple engines and other technological objects the cast had no way to recognize.
"Roger 3-1. Hitman team are locked and loaded for assault. You are green to go." Inquired the Colonel.
"An assault?!" shouted Petra, fearing for the one she loved.
"Are we about to see Natsuki-kun on the battlefield…?" Asked Anastasia, her tone slightly worried and interested to see how things would go in another world.
The same feelings were shared by a certain green haired duchess, fearing for the boy's life on a battlefield as she knew him to not being formed for this. But this world had other rules and other weapons with no use of magic.
But no one was as worried as a certain silver haired half elf and blue haired oni, both only thinking and praying for their man's safety.
Suddenly, a blonde woman entered the tent in haste, approaching the colonel.
"Colonel, we may have a problem." She said worriedly.
(Hey, for the sake of the fun, let's say Laswell is a young and pretty girl shall we?)
"Too late Laswell. We're live." Answered the man in a stern tone.
"That guy looks so nasty…" Said Felt as she didn't like the tone he took to the lady.
"Not until I say so." She answered in disdain.
"Hmpf!" Huffed the fiery princess as she approved the woman's attitude, standing her ground.
Crusch showed her satisfaction too with a wide smile, as she believed a woman should not let herself brought down.
She leaned down and put her hand on something as she looked to the screen.
"Watcher to 3-1, how copy…" She spoke.
"Section team Laswell, send traffic." Answered Subaru in a much brighter voice.
The screen in front of the lady showed the image of a man in uniform appear.
"Another nasty guy?!" Yelled Mimi, not liking the faces she saw at all.
"General Barkov as sent a new shipment of Chlorine Gas to his depot…"
"This man is a General…" Exclaimed Reinhard, amazed by seeing a military figure of Subaru's world in front of him.
"Pretty sure he isn't on our boy's side though." Answered the dogman.
"What's Chlorine Gas?" Asked Petra, her eyes directed to a certain spirit.
The girl simply shrugged as she admitted not knowing anything about what was displayed to her. But what's more was how she was scared for her contractor…Nothing here seemed to be good.
But his Mercs are prepping to move the Chems into Urzikstan via convoy tonight."
"Chems…Urzikst…" Stuttered Rem.
"Urzikstan." Proudly said Crusch with a smug as she got to say the word without problem in front of everyone. "Surely another place in Subaru sama's world."
The camera slowly moved to show the flying box stopping and a door opening to his side, which showed multiple people in it waiting for something.
"You're still clear to engage, but live fire on Russian military is prohibited. We cannot have an international incident."
"So they aren't doing anything allowed right now…" Said Anastasia in a worried tone.
"Subaru would be acting illegally…?" Winced the sword saint.
"Hey! If he has to, how can you judge him!" Sternly retorqued Felt.
"Stupid Subaru…" Said Emilia as she pulled his ear in annoyance. He wasn't being a good boy!
A man in the helicopter hooked a rope and kicked in it to make it fall.
"No guaranties Russian armies won't respond on this, Kate." Spoke Subaru in an annoyed tone.
"Kate?!" Quickly piqued up Emilia, as well as other few ladies. Why was Subaru calling her by this name?
"Wasn't this lady's name Laswell?" Asked Julius, remembering how Subaru and the colonel called her.
"It was." Nearly growled Crusch. Making the catboy near her wince a bit as he wished to step back a bit before the scary aura emanating from her.
"Understood Subaru. Just locate the gas, General Barkov's trucks, and get off the X before the tide turns."
"She called him Subaru…" Stuttered Rem.
"Looks like they know each other well." Commented Frederica, making some people harden they looks in the room.
"Hey you're all being way too much! Her calling him by his first name doesn't mean she's his lov-"
Al got stopped by his defense speech towards his bro by a hand slapping his head, making him fall to the ground.
"Quiet, Aldebaran." Sternly inquired the fiery princess, earning narrowed eyes from the duchess and the oni in the front row.
"…Not you too…" Whispered Al as he got up.
"Ah! Barusu." Spat Ram as she watched the scene unfold. "Always knew you were this kind of man."
The screen slowly approached the helicopter to show multiple men in there, all going to the rope to come down, as it slowly focusing on Subaru approaching the rope.
"Copy, Watcher, we'll handle it."
"He's going down too!" Said Emilia, seeing him following those men in a unknown and dark place.
"Last man's out!"
The camera moved until reaching Subaru's head, making a kind of fusion to become his eyes and see him going down the rope.
"So we're going to see things from Subaru's perspective?" Asked Reinhard.
"Seems like it." Answered Julius, intrigued by what the screen was showing him.
"Charlie two actual, this is Hammer 2-1. Hitman chalks on deck. We're RTB."
"I'm really not understanding shit about this!" Yelled Felt in a infuriated tone.
"Felt-sama! Your language please!" Inquired Reinhard.
The screen showed Subaru pulling out a metal object looking similar but different to the one they saw earlier and making a weird move with it, to finally hold it before him.
"What's this?" Asked Priscilla as her mind pierced it should be how the boy will fight.
"It's…It's a Gun I suppose…" Weakly answered Beatrice.
Everyone's eyes widened in shock as they all remembered what a gun was thanks to the earlier description of the little spirit.
"A gun?! That modern version of a bow and arrow throwing metal projectiles at an insane speed you told us about?!" Screamed Emilia in pure fear.
"Oh my od…This doesn't look good…" Said Frederica, holding the little maid tightly.
"So…That's why you were in pain when you told me about this…" Whispered Beatrice in a dread tone.
"What did you live before coming here, Subaru…?" Whispered Crusch in a equally worried and sad voice as she now wondered if Subaru Natsuki ever knew anything else but pain. She knew what a battlefield looked like. She knew this world was more brutal. She didn't like the idea of him being in there at all.
"Let's move" ordered Subaru.
"All hitman teams, push to your set point."
"So Subaru is the one giving orders?" Said Julius in a surprised tone.
"Capn' is awesome! 'Course he's leadin'!" Roared Garfiel.
"I agree. Subaru is a very good tactician. There's no reason he wouldn't lead the charge." Explained Crusch as she remembered how he lead her men on the battlefield.
"Roger, on the move." Answered one of his mates.
"We need to keep this on a tight loop. Barkov is moving the gas tonight." Inquired Subaru.
"Hey, what are the odds we run into General Barkov?" Asked an agent.
"Russian General wouldn't be caught dead out here." Commented another.
"It seems they're acting quietly, to strike that general." Said Ricardo in a surprised tone.
"Told ya he was the bad guy."
"An infiltration mission?" Asked Felt excitedly.
"That's not very honorable…" Said Tivey.
"Hey, remember there's no chivalry anymore in Subaru's world. Maybe they do not act like that anymore." Said Petra, trying to defend Subaru's ways.
"What is the problem with that? They're striking when they can to hit hard and deep to assure their win. I call that a way to go in my book." Exclaimed Al.
"Psst. Heads up." One of the squad members made a sign for everyone to stop.
Two people showed before the walking squad, speaking a language no one understood. Thankfully, the screen provided subtitles.
"This way, up here!"
"I heard it, over the ridge!"
"Another language?!" Exclaimed Felt.
"Subaru-sama's world is really rich in diversities." Commented Crusch.
"Hearing two." Inquiered a squad member.
"Lookin' for us…"
"Two mercs, no uniforms…" He concluded.
"So they're enemies." Said Julius.
"All right, let's see how they deals with them. Doesn't look like they're approaching." Said Anastasia as she leaned forward to see clearly.
"I hear something…"
"Hey, who's there?!"
"Come forward, show yourself."
As they approached, Subaru took his weapon to his eye, creating a zooming effect with the scope on the walking man.
Eyeing the two of them, Subaru quickly pressed the trigger, throwing two projectiles right in the head of the two men, dropping down on the ground.
"What?!" Screamed Crusch.
"…" Priscilla was left without words as she was trying to understand what she just saw.
"How…" Said Reinhard as he narrowed his eyes in fear and disbelief.
Al simply whistled, impressed by the clean shots.
"Well, they're gone…" Mockingly said one of squadmates.
"Beware, Subaru is not a patient man…" sarcastically inquired another.
"Never been one." Answered Subaru in a disinterested tone.
Everyone just stared to the screen with slacked jaw as they couldn't believe what she just saw. Some were intrigued, others were curious. Others were really scared.
"He…Killed them…" Stuttered Emilia.
"What in the dragon's name is that weapon?!" Stuttered Julius in fear.
"And they all have one." Commented Ricardo as he scratched the back of his head. "You talk about scary."
"They died so fast…They can't even be healed…" Whispered Felix as his eyes were wide to the way these men were killed.
"He didn't even move from his position and kill them in a flash!" Yelled Mimi. "That's so cool!"
"N-natsuki-san…" Said Otto in fear.
"This world really seems scaaaaary." Commented Roswaal, slightly impressed by what he saw too.
"Post up on the ridge and let's get the lay o the land."
All squad moved up to the ridge before them, showing off an entire facility with glowing lights everywhere, making white dots on all the building clouded in night.
"Echo 3-1 to blue viking 5, call for fire. Stand by for target confirmation." Called Subaru.
"Who is Subaru talking to? It doesn't seem it's aimed to any of his comrades." Commented Felix.
"Copy 3-1. Viking standing by."
"W-what?! Who talked to big bro?!" Exclaimed Felt as she heard the voice coming from nowhere.
"It seems like a metia to make him communicate with someone who's not here…" Said Julius, trying to explain what he saw.
"It is." Said a spirit with a stern tone. "I believe Subaru is using a "radio" or a "phone" here. Much like the metia he once had in his possession, it's a common accessory in this world, allowing people to talk to each other no matter the position they are situated in the world."
"No matter the position in the world?!" Exclaimed Frederica. "Even our mirror metia's have a range!"
"Our magic is nothing compared to the technology of Subaru's world, in fact." Answered Beatrice as she held her contractor's sleeve tight.
"Man, capn's world is so cool!" Yelled Garfiel.
"I think it's fascinating as well." Smiled Reinhard to the excited tiger boy.
"I think it's fearsome." Reprimanded Julius as he stared to his redhead friend." The weapons they are carrying are like nothing we ever saw."
"They do not have magic or protections like us…So they used their minds to create better weapons." Inquired Anastasia in a thoughtful voice.
"I guess they did." Concluded Crusch.
Subaru pulled out what looked like binoculars from his pocket.
"What's the point of that? It's pitch black he won't see anything…" Said Tivey.
The scope started to glow green, showing perfectly what was up ahead him in the night.
"What in the world…" Said Crusch, her eyes wide to the binoculars showing perfectly things in the dead of night.
"They have something to see in the darkness?!" Screamed Petra.
"H-how amazing is this world…" wondered the old butler.
"Let's recon the area, make sure there's no Russian army down here." Inquired a squad member.
"Medium transport truck." Marked Subaru.
"Is that...?" Said Mimi with wide yes.
"Yes." Asnwered Beatrice. "It is another version of the car we saw once. Yet this one is called a "truck" and is bigger."
"Hm...So they have multiple types of these cars..." Said Anastasia with narrowed eyes.
"Transport for the gas…" answered the squadmate in a worried tone.
"Vehicles on the move. Looks like there's movement in the rail yard too."
"Yeah, that's how the gas come in."
"They're observing the entire place from above, making sure there's no...Uh...No russian?" Said Reinhard with a thoughtful tone.
"Seems like it." Replied Julius."We do know it could cause unwanted consequences if ever Subaru and his squad would come to fight them."
"International incident..." Whispered Crusch. "This situation truly seems complicated."
"Hmpf. It is an evidence." Snorted Priscilla.
Everyone turned to the smirking lady as she faned herself with her eyes glued to the screen.
"The people they aren't supposed to attack are from another country, it is clear an international incident would come if ever they were to shed their blood, possibly on their territory. Yet, they're ennemies. The reason why these men are attacking this place is to prohibit them from having whatever advantage it provides." She explained.
"They killed people just now though..." Commented Otto in a worried tone.
"They were mercenaries, not soldiers Pal." Answered Al.
A part of Anastasia's camp grimaced as they didn't like the "expendable" tag put on their profession just now.
"Well...War will always be war, I guess." Muttered the dogman.
Subaru moved to the left side of the facility to observe.
"One in the tower. Left side high, no army….Patrol vehicles. Contractors."
"Security, good targets." Approved the squadmate.
Subaru sighed as he put his eyes off the binoculars and turned to his mate.
"No Russian military…Call it Subaru."
"Blue Viking 6, this is Echo 3-1. Troops in the open, south gate. Confirmed to be mercenaries, you are cleared hot."
"What is happening now?" Asked Emilia in a worried tone.
"Looks like he's calling for that "Viking" guy to come." Answered Felt for her big sis.
"Roger 3-1. Target acquired. Weapons free in 5 seconds."
"Weapons free?" Julius narrowed his eyes, much like everyone in his row.
"5 seconds."
The screen started a screeching a loud noise, as something akin to explosion echoed through the entire room. On the screen, two weird metal objects shaped like birds flew over Subaru's head to an insane speed.
"What's that sound?!" Yelled Ricardo as he covered his ears.
"Is it Viking making this?! What a loud fella!" Screamed Anastasia, much in pain because of the sound.
Thankfully the loud noise was but temporary, as everyone's eyes turned to the screen once again to see what this was all about. Eyes wide, as they knew something was about to happen.
Suddenly, shining stars started to fall down the sky on the buildings, creating enormous explosions as fire were spreading all around the place, destroying everything in sight in a loud roar.
In a matter of seconds, the entire base was on fire.
"DEAR DRAGON!" Screamed Otto in fear as he couldn't believe his eyes.
"HOW THE FUCK DID THEY DO THAT?!" Roared Garfiel.
"By the God's!" Yelled Reinhard, who couldn't hold back his voice.
"What the hell was that?!" Screamed Felt in disbelief.
"They burned the entire place thanks to that flying bird…" Uttered Frederica as she held tight on her little maid, covering her mouth with fear.
"So this is the power this world can hold…" Said Priscilla as she narrowed her eyes to the screen, observing the entire facility burning. Even her power couldn't do something like that destructively, nevermind with that speed. Thus…Even her lips were trembling.
"Well they sure didn't change." Spat Al, still impressed by what he saw.
"Right…This is scary." Whispered Anastasia, still not believing her eyes.
Julius held the handle of his chair tightly in sheer disbelief…And fear.
"This world is truly dangerous…" He whispered in a dread tone. The greatest knight was scared. He sure was… If he was ever caught in that, he couldn't even dream to have a slight chance to prevent something like that, he could only feel fear.
"This…This is…" Stuttered Crusch with wide eyes and slacked jaw, still trying to understand what the screen showed her.
"Truly fearsome." Continued the bulter in a low voice.
Felix couldn't even proceed what he saw as his mind was completely focused on how anyone could have survived this.
"No…Subaru…" Whispered Emilia. "What have you done…?"
The half elf couldn't believe her knight, her kind and virtuous knight, could have ever done something as terrible than this in a split of a moment. What was this power? How come Subaru could summon it just like that? What have he been hiding from her all this time?
"Subaru-kun…" whispered Rem as she held tight on her love.
"Never I would have thought this would be so brutal…" Nearly whimpered Beatrice, not letting go of her contractor's sleeve.
"…You are…Scary. Barusu." Said Ram as she held her arm in fear to what she saw.
Roswaal stayed silent as he didn't let go of his smile during the entire process. Never he would have thought Subaru's world would be like that. Truly interesting.
"Echo 3-1. Good effect on targets. Viking RTB, good hunting."
"Much obliged, Viking. We'll take it from here."
"Good hunting…Looks like this was only but a part of the plan…" Voice Crusch.
"What more can they do…? I doubt anyone survived this…" Winced Tivey.
Another loud sound started to ring in the buildings, an alarm, as Subaru and his team were now breaking down a door and making their way to the place.
"Heads up."
"Multiples guns, on foot."
"Other enemies? And they have guns too?" Said Felt as she leaned to see how Subaru would deal with them.
"So some people survived? Hm." Priscilla fanned herself as she continued to watch.
"We're under attack! Find our missing guys, rest of you secure the shipment!"
"Hold up, let them approach." Said Subaru.
"There are men on these ground. Find them and kill them! Or the General will kill us!"
"Spread out! If you see anything, shoot it!"
Subaru advanced a bit and held his gun. His squadmates waiting for him to give the call. Suddenly, they lit up flashlights and started to come near them, Subaru had no other choice.
"Smoke 'em! Now!"
Subaru and his team all held their weapons, shooting one target each, dropping them down.
"Clear, force up."
"Man this is fucking unbelievable!" Shouted Ricardo, still in the shock of the quick kill.
"There wasn't even a fight…They're just walking and killing as they march!" Winced Reinhard, holding his lady who was equally amazed and scared by this.
The squad made their way to the place, entirely burn to the ground. There were only but fire and cinders all around, the trees and the grass everywhere were still burning around the squad as they were walking between dead, burnt bodies of mercenaries.
"Looks like someone was playin' with fire…" mockingly said one of the squadmates.
"Serves 'em right. Hawkin' chemical shit."
"Chemical shit?" Said Petra.
"Petra-chan!" Reprimanded Frederica.
As they approached by the front gate, a burning watchtower started to crumble right in front of them.
"Timber!" Yelled a squad mate, making everyone step back.
The tower fell on the flames creating another explosion.
"Man!" Yelled Al.
"Shit…" commented a squadmate.
"Hey! Burner.."
"Oh my Od…" Said Frederica as she quickly covered the eyes of Petra.
Reinhard much did the same to Felt as he didn't want her to see something like this. Somehow, she didn't feel like preying him off.
One of the mercenaries came in front of them, his whole body burned as he crawled towards them.
"Please…Help me..!"
Subaru grunted in distaste as he aimed his weapon and shot the man in the head.
"Ugh…" he growled, clearly showing his disgust for his own actions.
"Hey, you did good. We gotta pull them out of their misery…" Tried to comfort his mate. "There's nothing we can do, he was already dead…"
"I know…I know…" Said Subaru is an clearly annoyed tone, showing he really didn't like what he was doing.
Emilia just held a hand to her mouth, her eyes leaking tears in the sight of such an horrible fate.
"Looks like even himself doesn't really approve of his actions." Said Priscilla, her eyes still narrowing to the black haired mop in the front row.
"War is never easy. But this…I can understand why he would find it disgusting." Sighed Ricardo.
"Yeah…" Said Garfiel, wincing for his captain.
"These guy asked for it. You don't play with large scale chemical weapons without consequences." Spat another.
"Large scale weapons?" Asked Julius.
"Their fate sure is horrible. But perhaps they only brought this to themselves." Commented Wilhelm in a low voice. He knew what war looked like. He knew how no one were ever good or bad.
Subaru sighed at him before going ahead, leading his squad in the burning facility as they were checking every corner while making their way.
"They have a formation to advance…They seem really trained." Commented Reinhard.
"I don't think this is any regular army pal." Said Al. "The boy's not just a soldier. That's a Special Forces team. Those guys are professionals."
"Professionals?" uttered Felix.
"Special Forces…" whispered Crusch, eyes wide.
Subaru made a sign to his squad, pointing towards a building in which they heard voices.
"Put down these flames!"
"I'm trying! I'm getting paid to kill people, not to play the fireman!"
"You don't get paid if you're dead!"
Subaru approached the door as he made a sign to one of his mates, readying in front of the door. Before smashing it with a kick as they entered and killed one man each.
"Clear."
"I-I could never get used to this…" Said Otto as he was holding his hat. The way they were killing was truly scary.
"Uh…Element of surprise in not on our side boys…Stay frosty."
All squad readied themselves in front of the other door as they were breaking the handles to enter.
Suddenly, a light lit up right in front of the first man, as he got pierced through by a rain of bullets, blood spilling out of his body.
Emilia gasped in terror, much like some other people around her to the way they saw this man die just in front of them. The thought it could have been Subaru only added more weight to their trembling bodies.
"By the gods!" Gasped Whilelm.
"Dying just like that…Urgh…" Felix looked away.
"Why are their things so noisy?!" Said Mimi as she covered her ears a bit.
"That's true…It doesn't seem to be the same kind of weapon." Replied Reinhard as he watched the scene unfold in worry.
Subaru quickly stepped front to shoot and cover as his mate was dragging the man inside.
"What is he doing?!" Screamed Emilia in fear.
"Subaru!" Yelled Crusch.
"No! Don't!" Shouted Rem as she held his arm.
"Don't be stupid! Don't go there, in fact!" Reprimanded Beatrice as she held Subaru's sleeve as hard as she could.
"MAN DOWN."
"Damn it! He's dead!" Yelled his mate.
"There's an MG up ahead!" Inquired another.
"He's dug in! lay suppression and get up there!"
"I'm on it! You guys make the suppression and cover!" Ordered Subaru.
"Copy 3-1!" The others put themselves in position.
"Why are their guns so noisy?!" Said Mimi as she covered her ears a bit.
"He's going in there?!" Said Anastasia in disbelief.
"Is it bravery or stupidity…?" Commented Julius at the edge of his seat.
"Damn, you really had the habit of throwing yourself into the flames since young didn't you bro?" Laughed Al.
Subaru started to make his run, taking cover behind the carts on the railroads before him as his squad mates were shooting towards the LMG to prohibit it from shooting.
Enemies started to show up on his way. He didn't think twice before shooting them down as they tried to cover, having the advantage as they didn't know where he was until now.
"He isn't giving them any chances." Commented Julius.
"I don't think I would too, in the middle of all that crap where you can die in a blink of eye from any direction…" Winced the dogman, his voice showing hints of worry for the boy.
"He's right in the middle of the battle!" Worriedly shouted Rem as she hold on Subaru as tight as she could.
"So that's how a battle looks like in this world…" Said Crusch in thoughts, her heart heavy for the boy's safety. "So much pressure…Don't stay here, please…" she whispered.
"Reloading! Cover me!" Yelled Subaru as he changed his magazine.
"I got you 3-1!" Answered another, offering suppression.
"Looks like they have a good team work!" Voiced Otto, trying to smile at Subaru's performance.
"That's true." Continued Julius with a hand on his chin, observing the situation unfold.
"Having your comrades back is a duty on the battlefield." Said Wilhelm with a smile.
When he was done, Subaru stuck to his cover's side, pinning his rifle to it, and started shooting the multiple mercenaries trying to counter attack his mates, killing them with well placed bullets.
"Damn, he's a good shot!" Whistled Al once more.
"He truly mastered the way of using his weapon, it's impressive…" Commented Reinhard.
"I guess…He is." Winced Emilia.
He continued his advance, jumping over a barricade, when suddenly an enemy jumped on him with a knife. Subaru blocked his attack with his rifle, blocking the man's elbow, before kicking him in the knee and passing under his arm, projecting him on the ground and pinning him down as he took his pistol to shoot another foe coming at him from the side and finally execute his primary opponent with a bullet right in the face.
"Oh dear…" Said Frederica as she finally got the strength to breathe again before the scene.
"HELL YEAH!" Roared Garfiel.
"H-how come I never saw him fight like that?!" Stuttered Otto, in fear to ever have to fight this Subaru.
"Big bro's not to be messed with!" Exclaimed Felt with her fists raised high.
"Wait so he has a smaller version of his weapon?!" Exclaimed Anastasia.
"They truly have diversity with their weapons as well…" Continued Julius in shock, still processing the fight. He would certainly not been able to do something like this in the said situation.
Emilia simply held her hands on her mouth in shock, her heart beating fast in the thought of Subaru being injured.
"That was…Quite something." Commented Priscilla with a smile behind her fan, appreciating this entertainment.
"Subaru…" Slowly whispered Crusch in worry, yet with a small in awe at Subaru's actions.
"Damn it!" he grunted, as he put his pistol back in the holster.
Subaru was now near the LMG, who couldn't get him since he was in a dead angle. He took a little green, round object from his belt with a ring that he pulled and threw it up. After a little while, the entire floor where the LMG was blew up, along with screams of his enemies.
"Holy…" Ricardo didn't have the words to continue.
"That little object did this…?" whispered Reinhard in shock.
"What was that again? Another weapon of this world?" Asked Rem with a low voice.
"Yes." Asnwered Beatrice, her gaze not leaving the screen. "It is called a "Grenade". It is a small object people can throw, able to detonate and create large explosions upon contact after seconds. It is used to make foes leave their cover, in fact." She explained.
"They really have all kinds of weapons, able to be used in each situations on a battlefield…" Commented Wilhelm.
"I hope we never have to face anything like this…Ever…" Whispered Julius in a dread tone, shivering just at the thought of it.
"Damn right." Winced Ricardo.
"MG down!" Inquired Subaru.
"Nice job Spec!" cheerfully shouted his mates as they regrouped on him.
"Spec? Wasn't his name 3-1?" Asked Reinhard.
The people around him simply shrugged as they didn't understand too.
The team placed something on the gate and stepped back up.
"Cover your ears!"
"What? Why?" Asked Mimi.
"Should we cover ours t-"
*BOOOOM*
Tivey got cut as a loud sound echoed in the theatre again.
"Argh damn it! How can they have working ears with all these blowing things and sounds?!" Yelled Felt.
Al simply laughed as he was amused by the situation.
"Pussies." He snorted, earning an annoyed glance from Priscilla.
The gate then blew up, opening it and allowing them to get through.
"More guns ahead!" Yelled a mate as he took cover.
"Hey, they're running!" Laughed another.
With Subaru situated up the ladder, where the LMG was, they shot the remaining mercenaries who tried to regroup and make a defense.
"Hmm...quick and clean…" Commented Roswaal.
"You see anymore?" Asked a mate.
"Nah, seems clear." Retorqued another.
Subaru went down of the ladder and checked the remaining bullets in his magazine, before loading it up and taking the lead of the squad.
"Check your corners and stay on guard. This is the gas depot up ahead, there might be some of them in there. If you see anyone fire on sight, don't let them get the chance to smoke you." Ordered Subaru.
"Wow, Subaru really have a strong leadership…" Said Felix with wide eyes.
"Yeah, that's one of the many things he's reliable for." Cheerfully added Petra, earning a smile from her older maid.
"That's true." Said Emilia with a smile, letting her worries go away as she got to see her Subaru being so cool.
"Indeed. I saw this with my own eyes, after all." Added the duchess with a warm smile.
"Rog."
"Solid copy."
They continued to go froward with their formation covering every corner of the squad from front to back upon reaching the door of the depot.
"All right, masks on." Ordered the captain.
"What are they doing now?" Said Emilia in thought.
"It seems they're covering their faces with something…But why?" Said Julius, trying to understand.
"It looks weird." Added Mimi.
"Everything we saw until now looks weird." Continued Tivey.
Many agreed to that last sentence.
Everyone proceeded to put a mask on their face making sure it was well placed. A mate then went forward to the door and looked to Subaru, who gave him a nod of approval to open it.
They entered the place, checking the corners with guns on point, until the lights went out.
"Uh…Of course." Spat a mate.
"Oh what now?!" Yelled Felt as she didn't like how things were going.
Emilia tightened her grip on Subaru's hand immediately as her worries were coming to the surface again.
"It doesn't look good…" Said Reinhard as he leaned forward to see.
"Hm…" Priscilla leaned forward as well, interested, and curious to see what was about to happen.
"Maybe the explosion?" Asked another one in a low voice.
"Right when we enter the thing? Hell of a coincidence." Growled another.
"Lead?" Asked the last one, towards Subaru.
"Lights up on your weapons, tight formation, two on me to cover the front, the rest check the back. Report everything you see seeming suspect and if anything other than us move, you shoot first." He replied in a stern voice.
"Holy hell! He's damned good at this…!" Shouted Ricardo in awe and shock. He saw the boy's command first hand before, but he never ceased to amaze him.
"He really is…" Anastasia bit her lip in frustration to not have him in her camp.
"Truly impressive…" Whispered Crusch in a fond voice, her eyes lit up to see Subaru's leadership and orders in action.
"Capn' always been amazin'!" Garfiel bumped his fists, glad to call this man his cap.
Everyone gave a nod of approval and put themselves into formation, watching every of their steps as they walked into pure darkness.
Suddenly, a move right in front of them made some carton boxes fall.
"Right, we're not alone boys." Spat a mate.
"Oh dear…" Whispered Frederica.
"Subaru…" Beatrice took a hold of Subaru's sleeve again as she was worried seeing him In the front position.
"Let's see how he handles this kind of fight." Commented priscilla with a slight glint of excitement in her voice.
"On your guards. And shut it." Whispered Subaru.
"Harsh!" Snorted Al
"He's stern and keeps his cool even in this kind of situation, truly the mark of a leader." Said Crusch in confidence.
"Hm…" Priscilla simply hummed in approval.
They continued to walk and Subaru stopped as he saw something near the obstacle before him. Without thinking twice he started to shoot, earning a scream and a man falling down. Immediately after, bullets started to rain from their sides.
"He saw this?!" Yelled Felix.
"Some sharp eyes he has." Said Wilhelm with a smile.
"Take cover!" Yelled a mate.
Everyone was on edge as they saw nothing but flashes of bullets and weapons everywhere in the darkness before them, wondering how one could get out of this situation.
Emilia and Rem gasped in terror as they saw Subaru jumping in cover and avoiding some bullets that would have pierce him through.
Crusch looked the scene unfold like a hawk, she couldn't stop her heart from beating as she truly was worried for the boy's safety, so much that she unconsciously grabbed his shoulder as she was situated just behind him.
Yet somehow, she knew he would find his way.
"Drop flashes on their face and smoke them!" Ordered Subaru, as he took another object with a ring from his belt, this time it was more cylindrical and was in a grey color.
"Another grenade?" Voiced Anastasia.
"This one seems different, my lady." Replied Julius, his forehead sweating in worry.
After throwing it, the object made a loud noise, along with an explosion. The second after, the enemies were seen holding their heads as they were a bit knocked. No one wasted a second before shooting them.
"Wow…" Said Otto in a shocked voice." Just how many gadgets and weapons of war do they have…?"
"Seems they're prepared for everything." Continued Reinhard relieved no one here had to fight people like them.
"That's how every army should be." Snorted Priscilla. "If you do not know how to react and improvise in any situation, you're as good as dead."
Everyone turned to the fiery princess as no one expected her to say such statement.
She didn't tire herself to meet any of their eyes as she continued.
"The boy really acted perfectly here. He didn't let the situation take the edge on him and acted fast to take his opponents down using any method he could before they could turn tides." She concluded.
"…She's right." Said Crusch, her eyes still narrowed to the princess in suspicion.
"Our boy's impressive!" Shouted Ricardo.
Somehow, Emilia frowned at him.
"Still one up!" Yelled a mate.
Subaru immediately reacted and shot the last man standing on the balcony over them, ready to shoot, making him fall down in front of them.
"…Our boy's really damn impressive." Voiced Anastasia.
Emilia tightened her grip on Subaru's hand more as she pouted.
"How come you're never that diligent when working in the mansion, scum?" Spat Ram.
"We're clear?!"
"This is the end of the depot. It's impossible there's more…" replied another.
"All right. Let's get the power up. Shed some lights, find the gas."
"Copy 3-1".
"Lookin'."
"Copy, searching for power."
"Phew, looks like the worst is passed." Said Felt as she wiped her forehead with a smile.
"What are they doing now?" Asked Felix.
"It seems they're trying to bring the lights we saw at the beginning back, in fact." Replied Beatrice.
Subaru looked around him, walking with caution as he still was on his guard, until finding a weird box against the wall with a yellow triangle on it and a sort of lever on it.
"All right got it. Lights up." He said as he pulled the lever, lighting the depot up.
"Okay power-" the mate stopped as he started to approach the dead bodies.
"Hey!" he shouted in worry as he rolled the body with his foot.
"What now?!" Exclaimed Otto.
Everyone leaned forward to see things more clearly.
"We have a problem…These guys are Russian army!" he said, still worried.
"Spetsnaz?!" Exclaimed the other one as he saw the symbol on the body's uniform.
"Russian army?!" Said Crusch as she remembered what that meant.
"Those are the people Subaru and his team were prohibited to attack…" said Reinhard in worry.
"What does that mean?!" Shouted Emilia to the row behind her.
"That means trouble." Tiredly said Al.
Subaru grunted in annoyance as he turned on his radio to speak.
"3-1 to watcher, we got a situation. Barkov's hired guns are Spetsnaz. Shots fired; we have Russian army KIA we need to bug out now…" Said Subaru.
"Regarding his tone of voice, really big trouble." Continued Ricardo.
"He never gets a break does he?!" Winced Otto.
Subaru's squad started to open the garage's door leading to the trucks with weird white cases at the back.
"Negative. Command's want mission accomplished on this one. Not our choice."
"Never is." Sighed Subaru. "3-1 out."
"He seems used to this…" Said Julius in as he noticed his annoyance.
"Yeah, maybe he doesn't like obeying orders." Said Felt as she understood him.
"I think it's more than that…Subaru-dono just did something he shouldn't and it seems bad…" Said Wilhelm with a tired smile as he understood clearly what was happening.
Crusch widened her eyes to her butler.
"He…He's worried for his companion's safety since the situation seems to have gotten worse…"
Emilia widened her eyes when she heard this and looked to the sleeping boy near her… She slowly lightened her grip as she leaned on Subaru's shoulder in fondness.
"You never changed…" She said warmly.
Rem did the same as she hugged his arm tightly.
"Truly selfish." Muttered Roswaal.
Near him, a fiery princess narrowed her eyes in thoughts.
"Verify if this is what we came for. Then we set the trucks for egress and we're out."
"Rog." Replied Subaru.
Subaru climbed up the truck and pulled out a little white cylinder. He opened it and rubbed it on the white case's surface before closing it again and press it, the inside becoming green.
"Jackpot, PID on the gas"
"What did he just do? That was so weird!" Exclaimed Mimi.
"The thingy changed colors when he pressed it!" Said Tivey.
"Looks like it helped him to find what he was looking for, whatever it is." Said Ram.
"Solid copy 3-1" Said the feminine voice in a relieved voice. "Load up and get back to base."
Emilia, Rem, Beatrice, Crusch and even Priscilla a bit hardened their eyes as they heard this voice speak again.
"Roger that. Come on, let's move out!" He concluded.
As the trucks were going out of the depot, a car stopped in front of Subaru, the driver making him a sign.
"You're with me 3-1, take shotgun." He said in a cheerful voice.
Subaru obliged and got in the car.
"Other cars!" Said Garfiel in awe.
"Those looks really impressive…I wish I could reproduce them." Winced Anastasia.
"All stations, we're Oscar mike to the RV, watch your sectors…" He said in the radio.
"Good work Subaru." Exclaimed the feminine voice. "Rally at the hook point for extraction."
"Tch." Spat Emilia.
Subaru sighed a bit as the mission was finally over, until his eyes caught up something going down the hill. He suddenly opened his eyes wide as he noticed it going right to the car in front of them.
"Truck!" Shouted his driver.
The truck then collided with the car in front of them, making it explode as their car stopped to avoid getting hit.
"Fucking shit!" Screamed Al
"Barusu!" Screamed Ram.
"Subaru!" Shouted Emilia in fear.
"No, no! Come on!" Otto said has he held his handles as hard as he could.
"NO! Run, I suppose!" Cried Beatrice.
Julius, Reinhard and Felix all leaned forward to see what was happening in fear and worry for the boy.
Bullets started to rain on them from the hill up ahead. Thankfully the car was slightly bulletproof.
"Back up! Back up!" Yelled Subaru as he held on tight to the handles of the car.
"All stations we're under attack! Hitman is taking heavy contact from unknown forc-"
"RPG!"
And as the situation was communicated, a flying metal rod flew right on them, pulling up their car and turning it over as the last thing they saw was Subaru's arm going through the front window.
"Subaru!" Screamed Crusch as she was now holding the boy's neck with wide eyes.
"CAPTAIN NO!" Shouted Garfiel, wanting nothing more than jumping forward to get him out of here.
"Big bro!" Screamed Felt with tears in her eyes.
"Subaru, no!" Cried Petra.
Emilia held a hand to her mouth as she hugged Subaru as close to her than she could in fear.
As the sounds of bul