A Ceremony with No Victor

 

At R336 Fortress Area, preparations were underway for a ceremony to commemorate the victory.

「A ceremony, huh… We have to do it, don’t we.」

They had lost many in battle.

They had lost two great Development Engineers.

At times like this, they had to perform a funeral rite—one that merely wore the name ceremony.

So we can move forward.

Kou understood the importance of it.

Even so, he couldn’t bring himself to commit.

「Drawing a line matters. This time especially. Because there isn’t a victor here.」

Barry gently admonished Kou.

「It was nothing but a war of attrition. If we’re going to hold a victory ceremony, I’d rather do it when we’ve beaten the Stones.」

「Driving off the invaders is victory enough.」

「Asia still hasn’t woken up, and nothing has changed. If anything, it’s gotten worse.」

「Do you regret the Asia Liberation Operation? Don’t get ahead of yourself. Without that operation, Asia would’ve been invaded by Sabazios and Europa before we even