Chapter 04: Likes Repel, or Like Attracts Like
Chapter 04: Likes Repel, or Like Attracts Like
Two hours had passed since the Schutzstaffel started its attack on the development bureau.
"Y-You...! The Rundstadt girl!"
The previously relaxed smile on the face of Captain Delz, commander of the Schutzstaffel companies, had already disappeared.
"We have succeeded in breaking through the front barricade!"
This report from an adjutant did nothing to improve Delz's bad mood.
"The damage... How bad is the damage?"
"Ahem! The dead and injured total approximately one hundred!"
"This is disgraceful!"
Breaking through just the front gate of the development bureau, which had only fifty soldiers, had taken a quarter of their troops.
"The personnel inside are still resisting?!"
"Yes. They have sealed every entrance to the facility except the front gate, where they gathered their forces for resistance."
Gunfire thundered from the direction of the development burea, apparently from the resisting guards.
"What happened to the men who climbed the wall and approached from the rear?"
"They hit land mines, one after another."
"Argh!"
Delz had no words in the face of this situation, in which their opponent seemed to be toying with them.
"C-contact headquarters and request reinforcements."
"Um, but..."
Attacking with a force of four hundred soldiers and asking for further reinforcements would ordinarily suggest that the commander was incompetent.
When faced with an enemy that was stronger than expected, a brilliant commander wouldn't hesitate to add battle power without a care for how it looked, but unfortunately, Delz wasn't that type of commander.
As Sophia had realized, he was a typical member of the Schutzstaffel who only possessed a strong sense of elitism.
"Doesn't matter! The lieutenant general told me to ensure success without concern for loss of lie. He has permitted me any means!"
Delz requested reinforcements for a simple reason.
He had permission to cause as much damage as necessary, so he feared failing to complete his mission, and incurring blame for himself.
So it didn't matter to him how many soldiers under his command would die.
He would seize control of the development bureau no matter what.
"What are you doing?! Get moving!"
"Y-yes, Sir!"
Delz raged at the adjutant.
Meanwhile, the sound of gunfire continued, and every time, a few soldiers died.
It didn't concern Delz.
Meanwhile, inside the development bureau, there was fierce fighting between the Schutzstaffel soldiers and the guards.
"That's enough here! Everyone, retreat to the fifth block!"
Sophia ordered her subordinates to retreat.
The building that housed the development bureau was usually called the Snail.
The main area was in the center, with compartments around it in a spiral.
Each area was equipped with strong bulkheads separating them.
"If they penetrate any further, we won't be able to hold them back."
Leaning against a closed bulkhead, Private Sariya spoke breathlessly.
"Well, at least they'll only come from one direction. That makes them easier to engage."
Sophia answered as she replaced an empty magazine.
"The development bureau has many secrets that must be protected. Having just a few entrance and exits is best for maintaining security."
Daian appeared, Even now, he seemed completely relaxed.
"What do you want? I told you to stay in back. Non-combatants will just get in our way."
"You're always so cold, Sophia. But I like you that way, too."
"You nauseate me."
"Whoa..."
Given the circumstances, Sophia was even more blunt than usual, but Daian didn't care.
"If they get inside, even your new weapons will be taken."
"What are you saying, Sophia? I have even more new weapons. And this bulkhead is one of them."
As he said this, Daian rapped the wall with his fist.
The Schutzstaffel was spraying the other side with a hail of bullets, but to no effect.
"It's made of a newly developed alloy. It can stand against not only shoulder-launched firearms but also a direct attack by dynamite."
And not only that...
The shutters for every window of the development bureau were made of the same impenetrable material and would close automatically. Furthermore, a reticulated alloy was embedded in the walls.
"This place is more like a submarine than a building. It's completely enclosed and wouldn't leak."
Even if the royal capital were submerged in water, the development bureau was so airtight that it wouldn't flood.
"Wait a second... What about the vents?"
As Sophia asked, she imagined the worst.
"What if they enter through ventilation shafts or use some kind of gas? Then the building being airtight would increase the danger."
There would be no escape if the Schutzstaffel used a poisonous gas such as tear gas, chlorine gas, phosgene, or mustard gas.
"Oh, that's no problem."
Such concerns had not escaped Daian, who might be a pervert but he was also a genius.
"When I realized we were under siege, I sealed the emissions system. Didn't I tell you? This place really is like a submarine. There's an underground air circulation system that will last for three hundred hours under hermetic conditions without any problem!"
"Then it's perfect!"
"Indeed, it is."
Sophia's expression was a mixture of admiration and annoyance at Daian's ability to see far into the future.
"Well, it'll take at least two hours for their weapons to breach one bulkhead. And we have fifty-three more, Wa ha ha ha!"
Dawn would break before the Schutzstaffel could even reach the central area of the development bureau, much less clear all the bulkheads.
The regular army's headquarters would then noticed the disturbances and send rescue troops.
It was possible that Genitz would lose his standing before then, on charges of overstepping his authority.
"It's not that easy to enter my castle! Ah ha ha ha!"
Daian was laughing, filled with confidence, but at that moment...
THOOM!!!
Fierce rumbling resounded, and a big dent appeared on the bulkhead slightly above center.
"What the... What?!"
For the first time, Daian's smile froze.
He was chief of the development bureau.
He knew immediately what made that sound.
"That's why I hate those idiots!"
He quickly opened a terminal housed in the wall and switched the video feed from a security camera to a small monitor. It now showed the other side of the wall.
"Is that... a tank?"
Looking at the feed, Sophia tilted her neck in surprise.
She could tell that the vehicle had heavy armor and a massive firearm.
However, it wasn't propelled by tracks—commonly known as caterpillar treads—but by wheels.
Other than Hunter Units, tanks are the strongest weapons for ground combat.
A tank has tough armor and powerful guns. It's equipped with anti-personal weapons, can travel over any terrain, and annihilate enemy lines, However...
"Tanks have more weaknesses than you might think. There are limitations because they're heavy and large, and they lack the ability to turn in cramped confines. They work well on open land but not in urban areas."
Tanks were fine for occupying an enemy city, but they didn't work for protecting one's capital, where it was impossible to indiscriminately blow holes in buildings, roads, and bridges.
"So combat vehicles were developed from the need for a tank-like vehicle that would protect a city. It's called a Kentaur."
The vehicle had six tires with high suspension, and it was mobile enough to turn in small spaces like an armored vehicle. Moreover, it was armed with fifty-millimeter and high-speed self-propelled artillery weapon.
"Hey, wait... This can't be!"
Sophia was trembling.
THOOM!
Meanwhile, a second attack put another dent in the bulkhead.
"Did you make that Kentaur?!"
"I can't help it. It's my job!"
Sophia grabbed Daian's collar accusingly.
"Major! It's dangerous here! We must retreat!"
Private Sariya spoke urgently to Sophia, who was about to strangle Daian in rage.
"Urgh! There's no choice... but I don't like it."
"I agree. With the Kentaur's heavy artillery, it'll take less than five minutes to breach one bulkhead."
"I'll get you one of these days! Fall back, fall back!!"
In this situation, it was very possible that the development bureau would fall before dawn.
The Schutzstaffel's steamroller strategy was gradually driving back the bureau's guards.
* * *
Six days had passed since Hilde and Heidrig started work at the bakery.
"That's an egg tart and an apricot tart. You can enjoy the harmony of a crunchy biscuit and soft dough."
Chomp chomp... munch munch...
"And that's a malasada doughnut. It's a fried bread with a rich cream or chocolate inside. It's a food from the Alhadra region."
"Ulp... mm-mmm-mmph!!"
"And this is a cinnamon-roll pie. It's swirled pie dough mixed with cinnamon and coated on top with caramel sauce."
"Okay, Lud. That's enough."
It was the afternoon at Tockerbrot, and Lud had lined up prototypes of the new menu items for the Thanksgiving festival. Jacob signaled him to stop.
"It isn't a good idea to make Milly eat these all at once."
Jacob pointed at Milly, whose eyes were spinning in spirals.
"She's gorging herself with too much good food."
Illustration
Milly was the daughter of a former baker.
And she became Lud's apprentice because she loved bread.
She especially liked sweets, so tasting all of Lud's new confections was maxing out her capacity for happiness.
"Lud, I suspect you're enjoying this a little."
"Oh... well, Milly can eat a lot so..."
Milly used to hate soldiers, so it took a long time ago for her to open her heart to Lud. Although she secretly ate his bread, she told him. "I'll never eat the bread you bake!"
So now Lud couldn't resist stuffing her with as much as she could eat.
"Heh..."
Heidrig was watching and couldn't hold back at laugh.
"Your name is Heidrig, right? Don't laugh!"
But even as he said this, Jacob was laughing too.
"It seems like you guys are always having fun!"
Heidrig spoke casually.
He had been captured after escaping to Filbarneu and held in custody for a long time. Eventually, he had been sent back to Wiltia but forced to live in a dungeon.
For years, Heidrig hadn't seen anyone have fun, particularly over something trivial.
So he couldn't help but crack a smile.
"Hey, Heidrig. The busy lunch hour is over, so why don't you take a break?"
Lud was casually as he made the suggestion, as if it were no big deal.
"Y-yeah..."
Heidrig agreed and was about to remove his work apron, when Lud spoke again.
"If you want, you can take a walk. As long as you come back in time, it's no problem."
"Huh...?"
Heidrig's expression showed surprise.
"All right."
After looking puzzled for a moment, Heidrig left the shop.
"Lud, is that okay?"
Jacob pointed at the door through which Heidrig had just left.
Heidrig had tried to kill Lud and in return for Lud sparing his life, Hiedrig was working in the shop.
"What if he escapes?"
It was only common sense that letting such a man run free might lead to him scampering off.
In fact, Heidrig was also aware of this. SO far, he had barely left the shop's immediate vicinity during his breaks.
The furthest he had gone was to fetch a bag of flour from storage out back. And even then, he had first informed Lud, as if this were a prison.
"He can do that if he wants."
Jacob could usually detect Lud's slight emotional changes in his sullen features, but this time he couldn't tell what he was thinking.
"Hm?! What was I just doing?!"
Just then, Milly recovered from her frozen condition.
"Welcome back, Milly."
Jacob, who was a thoughtful boy, handed her a glass of water.
"Judging from Milly's response, I think serving anything would be fine."
"Hmm.. I know that. But I want to provide something extra."
Every one of the breads that Lud had prepared for the Thanksgiving festival was a masterpiece.
The townsfolk would be delighted to eat any one of them.
"It's just, this is a special festival, so I want to create something that also looks special."
"Good taste isn't enough?"
Milly, who had tasted all the prototypes, couldn't help asking, "What's bothering you?"
"Um, I think eating is about more than just filling your stomach."
Lud mulled over how to explain it.
"Bread takes various shapes. It can be round, long, or twisted, and each shape has a meaning."
For example, a croissant has ridges and curves to make the butter visible.
And by changing the shape, some breads change in texture and flavor, along with changes in how much they rise and how long they are baked.
"It's the same with people, isn't it? Our faces and figures and pasts vary, but none are right or wrong. I mean, if we have lots variety, isn't that more fun?"
He didn't just want to make people's tongues happy, but their eyes too.
Bread wasn't just about taste. It should also be an enjoyable experience.
That's what Lud believed.
"Since it's a special festival and I finally get to participate..."
Lud's shoulders trembled as he said this.
"You must be very happy. There, there..."
Jacob tried to pat Lud's shoulder sympathetically, but he couldn't reach it, so he patted his arm.
"Yes. It has been two years since I came to this town and opened the bakery, so this is a long-awaited chance for me."
This scary-looking baker was just happy that these longsuffering days of debt, an empty shop, and ostracism had finally turned into acceptance and belonging.
"Is Lud here?"
Sister Marlene from the church rang the doorbell and came in.
"Hi, Marlene? Have you come to buy bread?"
"Or to see Lud?"
Milly and Jacob spoke at the same time.
"Both," Marlene answered.
"I'm half joking, but..."
"You're also half serious, right?"
Jacob asked with an amused look on his face.
Marlene had been distant toward Lud before, but recently she had stopped hiding she liked Lud—and this had Sven on high alert.
"Lud, I have something to discuss with you about the festival."
"Is there a problem?"
"Yes."
Since Marlene served God and was kind and sensible, people consulted her about town issues.
She served as a committee member for the Thanksgiving festival.
"We are inviting entertainers from Ponapalas."
Ponapalas was the former capital of Pelfe, and remained the area's commercial and economic center.
"Everyone really looks forward to it every year. The young men are entranced by the sexy dancers."
Jacob grinned. Last year, he had enjoyed the show as a spectator in the arena.
"T-they do puppet plays, too! I want to see that again!"
With a sparkle in her eyes. Milly remembered the puppet show with orchestral accompaniment.
The performers had passed out candy to children afterward, which was another system for its popularity.
"Yes. The group informed us that they are short on performers."
The notice had come a few hours ago.
While moving large set pieces, a load had shifted and crushed one of the entertainers.
The injury wasn't serious, but that person couldn't tour with the group.
"So they've canceled one of the performances."
"Is it one of the dancers?"
"Is it the puppet show?!"
Both Jacob and Milly cried out together.
"Don't worry. It was neither."
Intimidated by their intensity, Marlene took a step back.
"The one who can't come is a singer. So we're in trouble."
The Thanksgiving festival was traditionally an occasion for expressing appreciation to God for the year's harvest, and the hope for fruitfulness in the coming year.
Entertainment was part of an offering to God.
The most important ritual was the singing. Since times of old, people in Pelfe and Wiltia had dedicated their festival songs to God.
"That is a problem!"
Jacob finally understood the problem and regained his calm.
"If we had known sooner, we could have managed. Even the children at my church might have formed a chorus, even though they aren't professionals."
"There isn't enough time to practice now."
There were only four days until the festival.
Even if they started practicing now, they wouldn't be ready to perform at the festival.
"Is there any other way?"
Lud was thinking that there might be something like a union for traveling entertainers as a way to find an alternate player. But it wasn't that easy.
"No. The Organbaelz festival is held at a different time from other town festivals. Performing groups have already traveled to different areas, so it's hard to call them back here."
Marlene looked troubled. She had already thought of all other possibilities.
"Lud, do you know of anyone? If not in Pelfe, maybe in Wiltia?"
Organbaelz was a rural town located on the edge of Pelfe but it wasn't that far from Wiltia and the royal capital, Berun.
It took only half a day by train.
"Hmm... An entertainer... A singer..."
It might seem that soldiers and entertainers are such different occupations that they would have nothing in common, but that's not true.
Entertainers visit battlefields as a service, so the two groups become acquainted.
"I don't know anyone I can ask."
Lud didn't care much for those events, so he rarely attended them.
"Oh. It's a problem."
"Then why don't you do it?"
"She can't!"
Jacob asked Marlene the question, but before she could answer, Milly interrupted.
"She's pretty but she can't sing! Or make tea or sew! Marlene's pretty, but she has butterfingers. She sure is pretty, though!"
"Milly, you're making a big mistake if you think calling me pretty will cover up whatever else you say about me!"
Marlene's eyes were moist but she was laughing as she said this to Milly.
"I thought maybe Sven could help. You know, she seems capable of doing anything!"
Marlene suggested this, looking at Lud.
Sven was a very skillful waitress, who handled customers, accounting, and sales.
Marlene thought it would be easy for Sven to improvise being a singer.
"I don't think that would work."
Lud's expression was impenetrable as he answered.
* * *
Heidrig wandered around Organbaelz.
"It's peaceful."
That was his impression of the town.
During the recent Great War, Wiltia had absorbed Pelfe, where Organbaelz was located.
A lot of damage remained along the eastern border, which had served as the main battleground against August, the large nation to the north. But this was in the west, near the border with Wiltia, and because it had already seemed like a part of Wiltia since the start of the war, it hadn't incurred much damage.
The people passing by and the children running around town showed no sadness.
It's too bright...
It wasn't just that Heidrig couldn't handle strong sunlight after living in a dungeon.
He squinted at the sight of people living honest lives. He pulled his bandana further down.
"What a nice town!"
He had heard that the mine in Organbaelz had been established half a century ago through the merging of several neighboring villages.
Most of the townsfolk were miners, families of miners or employees of surrounding businesses.
Since the economic boom for heavy industries had ended with the war, the demand for minerals and coal had decreased. However because Wiltia introduced a conciliatory policy with Pelfe, there was large-scale construction of public works. So, the town wasn't suffering from a poor economy.
Homeless children weren't sleeping in the back streets.
And that's good enough...
Heidrig had grown up in a slum of Berun, the royal capital.
During the war, people thronged to the city in search of jobs, but many could only find daily employment. Most people became homeless, giving rise to slums in the outer wards of the city. These were places where people sold and purchased stolen items, hired illegal prostitutes, and even boiled and ate wild dogs.
Here in Organbaelz, everyone—men, women, and children—were all preparing for the town festival.
"Let's take a short break. Here's some tea."
An old woman was serving young men that were setting up decorations on the rooftop of a house.
"Oh, it is already that late?"
"Man, I'm exhausted!"
The young men wiped their faces and descended from the rooftop to enjoy the tea.
There were also biscuits in a can atop the wooden box serving as a table.
Anyway... that man... Why is he letting me run free?
Heidrig wondered as he watched the scene before him.
Hilde wasn't with him now.
If he wanted, he could escape.
But then what?
Someone would be sure to follow. Someone from the military.
And there were plenty of reasons.
The deal between Heidrig and Hilde had been to set him free.
But not by exonerating him from his crimes.
It would happen by creating a false death certificate and obtaining a new census registration.
Heidrig would fake his death, obtain different registration, and live like a free citizen.
That was the only way.
What Wiltia feared most wasn't Heidrig's existence. It feared him being alive in the government records.
How did all this happen?
* * *
Baelz Mine was the main business in Organbaelz, and its workers were regular patrons of Tockerbrot.
Being a miner is difficult physical labor.
Eating plenty of good food greatly improves a miner's efficiency.
"Come on, bring them faster!"
"I know! Uuumph!"
Sven and Hilde were making a regular delivery to the mine, and were unloading the bread from the rear bed of the truck.
"Ugh! This is heavy! Hey... you can life that?!"
"Aw, this is nothin'!"
The trays packed with bread were certainly not light.
While Hilde could barely carry three trays, Sven was effortlessly lifting a stack of trays that was her own height.
"Uargh! I can do that, too!"
Always competitive, Hilde tried to carry more trays.
"Don't try to carry too much, I don't care what happens to you, but I couldn't stand it if you flipped over a tray of bread that my master baked!"
Sven warned Hilde as she kept walking, with a cool expression on her face.
"W-wait!"
Hilde followed her quickly.
At Baelz Mine, the digging was usually in the first mine. The second mine was closed.
The second mine was a strictly regulated no-entry zone, and due to a recent incident, the neighboring military base had sent soldiers to guard it.
"This place sure brings back memories, eh?"
Sven's tone was sarcastic.
It was here that Hilde had tried to kill Sven and Lud with a Hunter Unit, but had been totally defeated instead.
"Urgh..."
Hilde again groaned in frustration.
"Huh? Did you bring me here to be mean?"
"No. I don't have time for that."
As long as Lud had some plan in mind for handling Heidrig. Hilde was a nuisance for Sven to take care of.
So Sven brought Hilde to make the delivery so she could keep an eye on her.
After walking for a while, they came to the mine cafeteria.
They delivered bread through the service door in the back of the building.
"Hey, Sven. You look as energetic as usual. Is that girl a new employee?"
"Uh, yeah. She is working for us."
Cheerfully, Sven answered the cafeteria cook.
"The bread from you shop is popular with the men. But there's a problem. They never used to complain about the food here as long as I added plenty of salt, but now they've tasted really good food, they aren't satisfied with ours."
"Oh, no. I'm very sorry about that."
"Well, at least now when the food is tasty, they say as much, so it's encouraging, too."
Sven smiled at the cook, who spoke happily despite what he said.
Sven's smile wasn't just her sales smile.
The miners were enjoying something made by her beloved master.
And that gave her great pleasure.
hmf!
Hilde seemed bored, with no place to go, as she listened to their conversation.
Six days had passed since she had started to work at the bakery, but she was still frustrated and kept asking herself, "Why am I doing this?"
It would be all be over if Heidrig would just hurry up and bump off Lud.
Then she could leave this boring town. The exciting city awaited.
And she could enter her dream world.
Why are they dragging on this with stupid chitchat? Just finish up and—
While she was silently grumbling, bells started ringing around the mine.
It was a sign that the miners would come to the surface after packing up for lunch.
"I'm exhausted!"
"Aw, man! I'm pooped! Whew!"
With the sound of banter and boisterous laughter, men covered in dirt from the mine entered the cafeteria.
"Hey, it's the bakery girl!"
As soon as they spotted Sven, they waved and smiled.
"Oh my! Good work, everyone!"
Sven carefully plucked the corners of her apron and daintily curtsied.
"It's hard work, but when you drop in every now and then—it's a sight of sore eyes!"
"I'll say! But she's scary on the inside!"
They laughed raucously, and Sven giggled and exclaimed, "Oh, you guys!"
Then another miner showed up.
"Good work, Boss!"
"Well done!"
All the miners bowed welcomingly to Laurel, the leader who bound them together.
"Hello!"
Although he must be getting on in years, Laurel was even brawnier than Lud.
The glare in his eyes was like that of a raging bull.
"Thanks for your business, Mr. Laurel!"
Sven welcomed him with a smile.
"Oh, bakery, eh? As usual, you're working hard today!"
Laurel raised an eyebrow as he answered and caught a glimpse of Hilde.
"That outfit... Does she work at your place?"
"Yes. She's a new staff member. Sort of."
Sven answered vaguely since it was too complicated to explain the circumstances behind Hilde's employment.
"..............."
Laurel's expression was strained.
"I'm just guessing, but... is she like you?"
"Like me? Oh, don't worry! She only possesses average physical strength."
"I-I see..."
Sven had once quarreled with Laurel and solved it through arm wrestling.
It had ended in an overwhelming victory for Sven.
Even a man with a miner's superior strength couldn't defeat a humanoid Hunter Unit.
Laurel was a mature man, so that didn't bother him anymore, but the experience of a slender girl overpowering him with superhuman strength was still shocking.
"Hey, girl. What's your name?"
"................"
Laurel asked Hilde the question, but she didn't answer.
She frowned and looked away.
"Oh dear! I'm terribly sorry! You! A customer is speaking to you. Answer him!"
Sven was quick to scold her, but Hilde bit her lips and ignore them like a pouting child.
"Oh, never mind. Everyone has that kind of day."
Laurel didn't seem to mind and even sounded concerned for Hilde.
"Well, being the new help can be difficult."
He raised an eyebrow and remained jovial.
The Baelz mine had once been just been a mountain, but now people from all over gathered to work as miners.
Among them, many came, not from choice, but because they couldn't stay in their home towns.
Laurel was used to seeing new faces who were unhappy or angry with their new surroundings.
"Hey, girl... even though you're not used to your new job, you still gotta do your best. If you do your work carefully, the people around you will notice."
Laurel didn't intend his comment to be deep, and just wanted to encourage this sulky girl, who was new to her job and having trouble.
"Your boss used to be like you."
However, these last words struck Hilde's heart.
"Wargh!"
"Huh? What's wrong?"
After screwing her face up painfully, Hilde ran out of the cafeteria.
"Um... did I say something wrong?"
Laurel had only tried to cheer her up, as he would a new hand at the mine, but realized that maybe it was the wrong way to deal with a young girl, so he just scratched his head in vexation.
"No... but thanks for your kind words."
Sven thanked him politely.
"It's just... those words were too bitter for that girl to swallow."
Until recently, the workers at Baelz Mine, including Laurel, had avoided Lud even more than the other townsfolk. In fact, they had hated him.
And yet now they admired Lud as a great baker.
That was because Lud always worked honestly and seriously. And that's why he mentioned Lud to Hilde, but Laurel had no idea that Lud was the source of Hilde's unhappy employment at Tockerbrot.
"Excuse me now. Have a nice day."
Sven bowed and followed after Hilde.
As Hilde ran out of the cafeteria, she had tears in her eyes.
She wasn't sure why.
It could be frustration.
It could be anger, or even outrage.
But, much bigger and harder to bear was pity.
She was from a noble family, albeit a fallen one, chose to join an elite unit, and had lived in a special, privileged world. But she was still an object of sympathy and pity.
However, that wasn't the only reason she felt pitiful.
Something much more powerful shook her heart.
"Argh! Argh!! Argh!!!"
Something indescribable aggravated Hilde's mind.
In a fit of emotion, she kicked a drum can in front of her.
The empty can echoed—klong, klong, klong—which further irritated Hilde, who felt as if she was mocked.
"Why are you being so foolish, you silly girl?"
Sven, who had followed Hilde, looked angry.
"Don't be rude to customers! What if this causes trouble for Master?"
But this time, Sven didn't speak with her usual withering tone.
It was more casual, as if she were simply warning an inexperienced girl.
"Argh!"
However, that further irritated Hilde.
She felt as if she was branded as troublemaker who must be coddled and placated.
"Uaargh!!"
As she screamed, Hilde grabbed a nearby sledgehammer and swung it at Sven.
"Hey, what are you doing, you twit!"
The hammer could injure or even kill Sven.
However, Hilde didn't have much strength, so it looked like the hammer was swinging Hilde rather than the other way around. It was doubtful she could even make contact with Sven.
Sven dodged easily, and in a flash, she seized Hilde.
"I knew you were stupid, but what are you trying to do now?"
Sven wasn't even angry.
She would get angry at someone for endangering Lud's life, or her own, but she wouldn't get irritated every time a spoiled child lost her temper.
"Aaa... agh! Urrrgh!"
Hilde's arms were twisted behind her back and her shoulders pushed down. Sven smashed her flat to the ground and she couldn't budge.
Hilde cried. Was she so pitiful that Sven didn't even consider her a problem? And on top of that, her nose was running!
"Dammit!"
Hilde screamed the howl of the defeated.
"You don't know anything about me!! I wasn't born to do chores like this!"
She was having a tantrum, screaming and raging and crying.
"I'm from a noble family! I'm different from commoners like you! I'm elite! I'm one of the chosen! Don't mix me up with cheap dirt like you!!"
"................"
"The only thing you think about every day is how to secure your wages, right? Well, I'm different! I have more noble tasks than you riffraff!"
While Hilde was screaming. Sven remained silent and stared at Hilde.
Her cold gaze was fearsome and somehow observant.
Perhaps it was the coldest expression Hilde had seen since coming here.
"Is that all you wanted to say?"
"W-what—"
Finally, Hilde realized, with her cheek to the ground, that Sven was acting differently.
"I knew you were dippy, but it's worse. You're a total dipstick!"
"What?!"
Hilde's anger caught fire again and she struggled, but Sven's hands were so tight that she couldn't move.
"Noble? Commoner? Special human being? You have a shallow mind."
As Sven said this, she was remembering how she had once been.
It was right after she started working at Tockerbrot.
She had just changed from Avei to her new identity as Sven.
Lud had grown angry with her when she insulted the miners, even though it was because they were unkind to her beloved master.
After Sven took on a humanoid body, she had only a superficial viewpoint.
She had been created as a weapon, so she had only known the battlefield.
She was programmed with common-sense knowledge but lacked actual experience.
Her emotions and sensibilities remained stubbornly thin and weak.
She had no talent for activities that required more, such as art or any creativity.
She was unable to tell stories, draw pictures, or sing songs.
Which was understandable since a typewriter, printer, or stereo speaker doesn't have emotions and imagination.
"You think you're special person? You don't know anything about people!"
Sven continued speaking to Hilde in a matter-of-fact tone.
"You place others beneath you, because you don't know who you are. You figure if everything in the world is worthless, then at least no one can look down on you!"
After becoming Sven, she had no guidepost.
She was uncomfortable and awkward in a way she hadn't been as a weapon.
A weapon was considered good enough by achieving victory in war. She had only needed to execute the orders of her pilot.
All that was left after she abandoned that were her feelings for Lud.
So Sven had nurtured those feelings at the expense of everything else.
She placed the whole world beneath Lud so that she, who loved Lud, wouldn't be inferior to others.
"I don't care about nobles or elites. You just want to make yourself look good by holding on to shallow authority!"
Without realizing it, Sven's voice was rising.
Hilde's pitifulness embarrassed her, as if she were looking at herself.
She had used her beloved master as an excuse to look down on others, as she had when she insulted the miners.
"If you abuse people who work and sweat blood for their families, then are you really noble? If you mock people who live as honestly as they can every day, then are you really elite? You don't even know how to be proud of yourself unless someone chooses you!"
Sven released Hilde's hands, as if casting them away.
"SOB... SOB... SOB..."
Hilde, however, didn't stand up.
She continued crying in shame, still on the ground.
"So basically... you don't have anything, do you?"
Sven had finally realized.
The revulsion she felt at the sight of Hilde was self-hate.
Lud had been so angry with Sven that day because she had trampled on something important that everyone, including him, possessed.
And that had deeply saddened him.
Afterward, he had knelt to apologize to the miners Sven had insulted.
Sven had shamed someone important to her.
Admiring something important doesn't make it necessary to look down on something else.
Doing so can damage what is important.
Here at the mine, the very same place where Sven had learned this lesson, was a girl who made the same mistake, making the present overlap the past.
"SOB... Waaaaah!!"
Hilde cried and screamed. Then she stood up and ran off without looking back, as if escaping.
"Hey!"
Sven was about to follow.
Her legs were strong enough to easily catch Hilde.
However, she didn't feel like doing that.
The reason Sven was able to endure her misery that day was because she had Lud, who still wanted her to stay with him.
Hilde didn't have anyone, so Sven couldn't think what to say, even if she had caught her.
* * *
"SOB... SOB... Urgh! Argh!"
Crying like a child, Hilde left the mine. She ran, fell, ran and finally just hobbled along, out of breath and not knowing where to go.
She didn't know what to do now.
But she knew she wasn't ready to go back to Tockerbrot.
She felt utterly wretched and pitiful. She couldn't face anyone at the bakery right now.
"A church?"
She was standing in front of small church on top of a hill.
"That's right... There's a church here."
Hilde was neither an atheist nor a devoted believer.
However, churches provide a safe shelter in times like this.
Besides, it was autumn, nightfall was at hand, and a chill wind had begun to blow.
"Excuse me..."
Fearfully, Hilde opened the door and entered the chapel.
It was an old church.
The floors creaked and the windows were cracked.
Nonetheless, it was clean, so it wasn't a ruin despite its age.
"Urgh!"
Seeing the spic-and-span window frames, Hilde remembered cleaning the bakery a few days ago.
"Who's there?"
"—?!"
A voice behind Hilde sent a jolt down her spine.
When she turned around, she saw Marlene—a nun at the church.
"Oh... You're..."
Marlene looked surprised.
She often visited Tockerbrot, where she had met Hilde a few times.
Marlene wasn't surprised that Hilde had come. She was shocked by the way she looked.
Hilde was wearing a black dress and white apron just like Sven and Milly.
But she was covered in mud, with leaves in her hair, and her knees were scraped and bleeding because she had fallen repeatedly on her way here.
"Um..."
Marlene thought for a moment.
Hilde looked exhausted and her eyes were red from crying.
"Well, how about some tea?"
In times like this, it was best to calm a person down before asking what happened.
Marlene was experienced in helping those in trouble, and this was her evaluation.
And ten minutes later...
"Here. This should do."
Without asking for details, Marlene sat Hilde on a pew in the chapel and gave her tea while she tended to her knees.
"Let's see... Actually, we haven't really talked before. I'm Marlene. It's nice to meet you."
Her smile wasn't the merciful smile of a servant of God.
She introduced herself with casual smile of an older woman.
"Hildegard..."
Hilde answered with a frown, carefully sipping her tea.
She didn't give Marlene her full name.
Hilde didn't question why, but there was a reason.
After having her noble pride derided so many times, it was depressing to introduce her family name with its honorific von.
"I see. So may I call you, Hilde?"
"That, um..."
Hilde was a little startled by Marlene's question.
The only people who could call her Hilde, short for Hildegard, were people special to her.
Special people like her parents and Lieutenant General Genitz, whom she loved and respected.
"I don't mind."
However, such pride felt small and unimportant, so she said yes.
"That's good. Hilde, may I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
There were many questions Hilde thought Marlene might ask.
Why did she look so disheveled, why was she here, and did she need to go back to the shop? And so on.
"Does the tea taste bad?"
"Huh?"
What Marlene asked was totally unexpected.
She must have noticed that Hilde hadn't reached for her cup again after the first sip.
"No. I just can't handle hot drinks."
"Oh, good! I'm so glad!"
Marlene was relieved from the bottom of her heart.
To be honest, although Marlene's tea didn't taste awful, the tea Sven made for break time at Tockerbrot—gruffly saying, "Well, while I'm at it"—was better.
And the problem probably wasn't the tea leaves but the skill of the brewer.
"I don't really mind."
"Oh, okay."
Hilde had a lot of pride and a short temper that caused her to snap at others, but surprisingly, she didn't complain about meals.
Her family, the Hessens, had originally been warriors, so "simplicity and frugality" was the family motto. However, eating plain food wasn't just a characteristic of her family, but came from being fallen nobles. There had never been fine food at the table, so she was never picky about food.
"I try my best but can't seem to make tea for some reason. They tell me it's better than before, but it was truly dreadful to begin with."
Marlene worried about making tea so awful that even her friends tried not to make her feel badly about it.
"It actually isn't easy."
Marlene picked up her cup, and sat down beside Hilde. She took a sip before speaking.
"Did Sven scold you?"
"!"
Hilde was caught off guard and flustered at how Marlene's question suddenly came to the point.
She didn't reply, but the look on her face affirmed the answer.
"I can imagine. That woman has a wicked personality. To be honest, I sympathize with you."
Marlene, who often fiercely fought with Sven over Lud, held her forehead and laughed dryly.
"I, um..."
"It's okay. Don't answer. I mean, I've heard you have unusual circumstances."
"Do you know who I am?"
"Somewhat."
Lud and Sven purposely avoided giving details about Hilde's situation.
However, Milly had witnessed the disturbances that Hilde and Heidrig had caused on their first day.
Milly wasn't very talkative, but she confided in Marlene, who was her family.
"Lud has a complicated past, so certain things are unavoidable."
"Unavoidable? Do you..."
Hilde looked with suspicion at Marlene.
"It's Lud. There's nothing we can do."
By "nothing we can do," she didn't mean Lud getting killed.
She meant that there was nothing they could do about Lud choosing the hardest path after earning grudges and getting into trouble.
"Aren't you going to criticize me? Isn't Lud Langart your friend?"
"I guess, but even if Lud said you were okay. I wouldn't feel good about. But... How should I put this? I just don't have the right."
"What?"
Hilde tilted her head in confusion at the words "I don't have the right."
"Because I tried to kill him, too."
"Huh? W-what?!"
Such words coming from a kind servant of God frightened Hilde so much that she shot to her feet.
"Right over there. I fired a bullet at him."
Marlene spoke as if relaying gossip, but with no sign of a smile, as her gaze indicated an altar fixed to the floor with a few nails.
"But the gun was useless, so while it did leave a scar, the wound wasn't fatal."
"You... Who are you?"
"People are complicated."
Marlene's eyes had a sad look in them for a moment. But it quickly disappeared, and her smile returned.
"But now I'm just a nun. I decided that very day."
Sitting beside the confused Hilde, Marlene shrugged her shoulders and smiled.
There was no lie in her expression.
Even if there had been, Hilde wouldn't have noticed. Marlene was a nun and her smile could even deceived God.
Oh...
After seeing Marlene's expression, Hilde felt an unexplainable sense of defeat.
"Urgh..."
"What's the matter? Did I say something wrong?"
Marlene hurriedly asked Hilde, who had started to cry.
"No, that's not why I'm crying."
Hilde finally realized something.
She realized what caused this pitiful feeling she had suffered with for such a long time.
And she realized the reason her pride grew stronger, but nothing else. And the reason she couldn't maintain her sense of self without looking down on others.
Oh... There's no place for me...
She finally understood by looking at Marlene, who had lived through a past that Hilde couldn't imagine, but accepted her present as a nun with all her strength.
"Hey, um... Marlene? Can you take my confession?"
Hilde asked as she rubbed her eyes roughly with her sleeves.
"Huh...? I'm not sure I am sufficient intermediary with God. Is that okay?"
The nun answered somewhat jokingly.
Then Hilde started to talk about her past, which she had tried to forget.
Illustration