Certain Choices

I...

......

Savra, what are you doing, standing there? Get down if you want to live!

!

*Sarkaz profanity*! Incoming! Take cover and keep your head down!

*Cough* *cough*...

You still alive?!

I'm fine.

They found our vantage point. We don't have much time left! Get a move on!

Again, so soon?!

Argghhh! Son of a...! My leg!

(Uses Arts)

This way!

*Cough*. Thanks, brother.

All I did was find us some cover. No need to thank me.

Is your leg doing okay?

I'm fine. I've been scratched up like this many times before. I'll be okay with a bandage.

I'm probably not one to talk, but you don't seem like you can hold your own in a fight that well. I'm surprised you managed to survive this long.

I saw you use Arts to move the cover. That's the technique of a seasoned veteran.

How long have you been on the battlefield?

I've been through training many times, but I'm afraid this is my first deployment.

I only made it this far thanks to luck. I haven't done anything too great.

Well, you're a humble one, I'll give you that.

Anyway, we really can't keep this up for much longer.

The bigwigs are probably having an easy time, but this is starting to be a bit too much to bear for the rest of us.

Looks like we're the only ones left here. I wonder how the others are doing.

I got separated from my team... Our ambush failed, and the enemy scattered us.

It doesn't look like much is happening up ahead. I'm guessing anyone who charged up ahead are all...

Well, what a coincidence. It's the same for me.

I'm not expecting them to go back to help me at this point.

The mission may be a failure, but I'm not planning on dying here.

I'll scout out our surroundings. We may be trapped, but there has to be a way to break out of this.

Scout? You?

Listen, I'm not trying to look down on you, brother.

But I promise, it doesn't matter how much cover your Arts can make you. The moment you poke your head out, you'll be blown to pieces.

My suggestion: We stay here and observe.

I'm afraid we can't do that.

3 o'clock... We've got company.

Those freaking Kuranta?

They're light infantry. Most likely the Kuranta mercenaries. There may be others as well... They work together fairly often, after all.

Once they charge in here, we won't have anywhere to run.

They might even have some caster drones with them.

How'd you know that much?

Simple deduction, guesswork, and experience.

I could be wrong, of course, but that should more or less be it.

We may stand out if we go now, but we can't hide here for very long.

If you know so much about them, do you have a way to take them out too?

I'm afraid not with my Arts. I'll probably be killed the moment I try to attack.

Honestly, running away is about all I can manage right now.

Hahahaha, sounds like whoever hired you really got a lemon.

They're losing this war because they're too stingy and only bought men like you. You get what you pay for.

By the way, before I forget...

What's your name, Savra?

I have many names. You can call me 46A for now.

Heh, is that a name now? Sounds more like a model number for some kind of appliance.

It's just one of my codenames. You can call me that for the time being.

Well, it sounds to me you haven't made up your mind.

My name isn't important.

Guess it isn't. Looks like you're the same as me. Just playing it by ear, earning our keep.

Was that an explosion?!

Quick, 46A! Let's go!

I've been a merc for a long time, but this is my first time seeing anyone use drones to guide artillery fire.

Those drone casters are getting way too hard to deal with these days.

If we'd found out sooner, so many of us would still be alive...

I tried to cover our tracks. Hopefully that will buy us some time.

You know all kinds of Arts, don't you?

Why don't you take care of these wounds for me while you are at it?

Sorry, I don't know healing Arts.

It's fine. Just figured I'd ask.

Our medic was the second one to go missing.

Don't let it get to you, brother. It happens pretty often out here.

If it wasn't for you, the Kuranta would've blown a hole through my guts already.

So nobody else made it out?

Looks like it.

But that also means we're safe.

Can you walk on your own?

I'm fine.

Let's keep going, then. The rendezvous point shouldn't be much further. If we keep this up, we should be there in about an hour.

Good.

I really backed the wrong horse this time. The nobles were paying top dollar, so I figured this one was a sure win.

Who knew we'd get all those mortar shells dropped on us? The moment that happened, everyone just took off, running for dear life.

I feel sorry for those brothers I've fought alongside over the years.

They got their money, but at what cost?

*Sigh*...

How about you, 46A? You here because of how much they were willing to pay, too?

There were some supplies I needed.

Hah, no need to sugarcoat it like that. All of us are putting our lives on the line to earn our crust.

I'm looking for someone as well.

Looking for someone? What, on the battlefield?

That's correct.

Who are you looking for? Family? An enemy?

Someone I owe my life.

Hoh.

That's interesting.

Well, it sounds like something you'd do, but you're probably looking in the wrong place.

It's a life debt, and—

Fine, whatever. Let me give you a bit of advice. Don't let yourself be taken advantage of!

I wasn't going to say this, but you're a weird one. Do you really think you can find the one who saved your life in Kazdel?

Maybe they weren't even trying to save you.

Think about all those men you've worked for up till now, all the people you've worked with. All of them ready to turn against you at a moment's notice.

Maybe the moment you find them, they'll—

*Pant*... *pant*...

You always make it through everything alive, Savra.

But I never thought you'd make it this far.

You are not like those good-for-nothings.

Who are you...?

You've made it this far. You have my approval.

I guess I must also give you a conclusion.

Will you face your past?

Or will you face the future?

Make your decision.

......

Can I come with you this time, Owl?

Rise and shine, young'un.

Ughh......

What are you doing here, Mr. Rangers...?

Everyone else is busy today, so it's just us two Savra sharing drinks and conversation.

Do you remember now?

R-Right... It's coming back to me.

Here, have some cold water.

Thank you.

Try rubbing your eyes. Harder.

*Phew*... *huff*.

This is how I used to sober myself up when I was your age. It does the trick, doesn't it?

I suppose. Thank you, Mr. Rangers.

No need to thank me. We're both Savra.

This is a kind of remedy I came up with. Only works on us folk.

Were you dreaming, 12F? You seemed rather stiff.

Oh, I guess I did have a rather strange dream.

Something from the past came back to me, that's all.

Tell me. What's your name?

I... I don't have a name... Only a codename.

Well, you just follow me from here on out. Like I said, there'll be far more dangers waiting ahead of you.

How far you can make it. Well, that depends on you.

Who you've been up till now just died here. Today is the day you died. It's also the day you were born.

Right, why don't I give you a new name as a present?

Let's see. It's March 3rd today...

Alright, you'll be 12F from here on out.