Harold

[Code Name] Harold

[Gender] Male

[Combat Experience] 41 Years

[Place of Birth] Victoria

[Date of Birth] Sep 21

[Race] Feline

[Height] 190cm

[Infection Status]

Medical tests have confirmed that no infection is present.

[Physical Strength] Standard

[Mobility] Standard

[Physical Resilience] Excellent

[Tactical Acumen] Excellent

[Combat Skill] Excellent

[Originium Arts Assimilation] Excellent

A Victorian viscount belonging to a branch of House Caster. His house holds territory in the northern parts of Victoria and is known for their martial prowess. A veteran soldier, having led troops against the remnants of Gaul and answered the Duke of Caster's call to war, he is also an experienced field medic.

Harold joined Rhodes Island of his own volition following the disclosure of the above information. At his own request, he currently serves as a medic in various operations.

Imaging tests reveal clear, normal outlines of internal organs, and no abnormal shadows have been detected. Originium granules have not been detected in the circulatory system and there is no sign of infection. At this time, this operator is believed to be uninfected.

[Cell-Originium Assimilation] 0%

Operator Harold shows no signs of Originium infection.

[Blood Originium-Crystal Density] 0.12u/L

Operator Harold rarely comes into contact with Originium.

Regardless of what impression Harold's background left on Rhodes Island leadership, his arrival certainly left an impression on many operators.

The sight of a well-dressed Victorian noble who had just elegantly introduced himself in impeccable King's Victorian bringing out a burdenbeast foal and introducing it with a completely different level of passion is bound to leave an indelible mark on the memory.

The first thing he did after that was request a burdenbeast pen. While there was some befuddlement over him claiming to be a veterinarian, it soon became clear that he was serious about being a vet here, given how much time he spends in the pen and the number of veterinary and ecology-related papers he has published in Rhodes Island's internal newsgroup.

Today, his name is widely known amongst Rhodes Island's pet owners, who have seen their beloved pets become happier and healthier under Harold's care, and learned more about animals under his tutelage.

Not everything has been smooth sailing for him at Rhodes Island, however.

It was a sunny afternoon, and Harold was explaining burdenbeast facts to operators visiting the pen.

He asked for a volunteer to demonstrate milking, and he got one: Siege, who happened to be at Rhodes Island that day.

For the first time since he arrived, Harold looked uncomfortable. Though he quickly recovered and began instructing her on milking, it was obvious to everyone that his movements were stiffer than usual.

Very well, I admit it, I was startled at first. But then I realized I was just an old man who came here to get his men's illnesses treated and enjoy some peace and quiet. What Her Royal Highness gets up to and where is none of my business, is it? Oh, Her Royal Hi—I mean, Siege said she was interested in the habits of burdenbeasts. I should get the materials together now. Ta-ta!

[Operation Log]

May 23

Doctor told me that Harold's family asked us to keep a close eye on his sleep and diet, and especially to limit his alcohol intake. I was therefore asked to have a look at his room at night.

I had said hi to him earlier in the evening, when I saw him heading into his room from the corridor, so I thought he'd gone to bed when I saw a bump under the blanket, only to realize that it was a pillow and that he had snuck out.

I frantically searched everywhere, only to find him in the cafeteria, where he was drinking with the soldiers he brought with him to Rhodes Island. I was fuming, of course, but he didn't seem the slightest bit agitated when he saw me, instead calling me over.

They explained that one of the soldiers had been having nightmares of the war. Harold told me that he put the pillow there so I wouldn't worry. They'd gotten up in the middle of the night to comfort their comrade by having a drink with him.

I sat down with them and listened to their war stories, and how their comrade came down with his condition. It was moving.

Harold said they didn't drink because they wanted to; they drank to drown their sorrows. I can't help but feel sorry for them. Maybe I can talk to the Doctor, see if we can relax things a little...

Come to the control room and check out the security footage, when you can. They were very much enjoying themselves until they noticed you, at which point they exchanged a look and put on that pity play. Then they started partying again as soon as you left.

Can't have been the first time they put on that act either, given how smooth the whole thing was. No wonder the Doctor gave me a heads-up.

- Closure

[Operation Log]

May 24

Thanks for the heads-up, Closure! I won't be fooled again.

Nothing happened today.

You might've fooled me too, if there weren't a few more hidden cameras Harold didn't know about.

You got so touched by their stories that you ended up drinking with them all night!

We need a different person on this job, Doctor. The kids don't stand a chance against these old slicksters.

- Closure

'General, I heard you plan to assault the pass from the front. May I offer my opinion?'

'You're that medic they were talking about? Are you questioning my strategy?'

'No, of course not, just making a few observations. See, this is the lay of the land, with one pass through the middle, and three tiny trails providing access from the side.

'If I were the enemy, and I was facing a commander known for her frontal assaults, I would strengthen my defense down the middle, while sending people down the trails to flank the enemy.'

'Makes sense. Are you suggesting I split the squad and send people to attack down the trails?'

'No, no, only third-rate tacticians think that variety is the ultimate goal of tactics. But only the most cunning can fool everyone, because you can't help but leave traces of their own work.'

'I don't get it.'

'It's simple. Would you be willing to split your squad if I suggested it?'

'No, that would be boring.'

'Exactly. I just wanted to remind you of the potential risks. As a leader, you should be aware of all the dangers you face, and face them together with those by your side.'

'How should I continue the assault from the front, then?'

'It's simple. Have some people lie in wait atop the cliffs, and throw down roadblocks from above when the enemy comes around to attack you from behind. That would both cut them off from their main force and protect your rear.

'Naturally, your retreat will be cut off too, but the fact that the enemy has split their troops simply makes them more vulnerable to a frontal assault by your main force. Victory is yours as long as you can defeat them before their troops can return to reinforce.'

'Sounds like a great idea! Let's go with that. I thought you were just a doctor, Harold. Where did you learn all this?'

'To tell the truth, I've led troops into battle before, but I found medicine to be far more interesting.'

'That so? Well, I love battles, and so do the other kids.'

'I would love war too, if all wars were as adorable. In any case, good luck, General Myrtle.'

Why is Harold getting along so well with Myrtle and her group of wargaming children?

Oh, it's my turn?

What were we talking about again?

Ah, yes, each of us tells a story about ourselves. Spare me the look of anticipation, please. They say I've seen a lot, but it's nothing compared to what you've seen.

Wait, what's that vintage you just took out? Alright, very well, here's one I save for special occasions.

When I was young, I didn't have the slightest doubt about my duty. I believed I was fighting for Victoria, for the greater good, until I lost my leg.

There's really nothing remarkable about the story. I stepped on a mine, lost a leg, spent a few months in bed, then went back to the frontlines after getting a prosthetic limb. It's a rare soldier who isn't missing a piece here or there, but I rarely tell people what I was thinking at the time.

While I was lying in the doctor's tent like a mannikin, I saw for the first time my comrades being brought in, moaning in pain. Some of them recovered, others were taken away still moaning in pain, and yet others ended up with a white cloth draped over their face.

For the first time, I realized that when you stripped away the glamorous exterior of glory, all that's left is the pained cries of the soldiers, and hands dropping weakly off the sides of beds.

That was when I started to feel exhausted by war.

...We've come this far, Doctor. Let me say a little more.

I still remember the puzzled gazes upon me when I stepped into the world of high society for the first time. They were sharper than any sword and threatened to impale me, but I took it on the chin and kept walking.

To give your life for your country is an honor, but it should be by choice. No one was born to be sent to their death.

The reason I'm still working so hard at this age is to find a place for the poor bastards who've stuck it out with me all these years with so little to show for it, and to set my own mind at ease.

Now, don't give me that look, I'm thankful that Rhodes Island is willing to accept a bunch of old invalids like us, with all the limbs we don't have. Besides, your burden's hardly any lighter than mine. Who's pitying who here?

As someone who's been there, though, the only advice I can give you is this: There's no greater happiness than being able to eat, drink, walk, and sleep. To have a few true friends, and a couple stiff drinks.

A toast to your health, that we may see the sun rise again tomorrow.

Come now, Doctor, it's not as if we only met yesterday. Do you truly believe that I'm a noble at heart? Just the thought of it is more chilling than a bottle of the stiff stuff straight out of the fridge.

These cans and bottles? Well, you know, you need the right perfumes and mouthwash for when you've drunk so much that you don't dare go home and face your wife's wrath. And you need the right cosmetics for when you're down with a hangover, but have a banquet to get to that you can't miss.

I learned this from the other nobles, of course. It's only when I became part of high society that I realized that being dressed in the finest livery doesn't make you any nobler than my foul-mouthed men.

Come, have a seat, and let me tell you what these are for. First, this bottle of perfume. Oh, I remember how it practically saved my life from my wife...