August 28, 139 New Era

The morning sun shines through the windows of my dorm room and spreads on the floor, and it also shines on my tired face. I didn't sleep all night, and the moment the "snake head" fell to the ground, my brain was emptied, and the feeling still lingered in my body. I reflected, on what had been done in the past few months, on Tokar's departure, on Lily's death, on Saretta's death, on Tren's words, on the last words of the "snakehead", and most of all—mission failure.

It won't be long before the Intelligence Department will find out that I have disobeyed orders and repeat what they had done to Tokar that day. When I think about this, I feel a little relieved. Maybe I'll have a chance to meet Tokar and apologize to him, though I don't know if it's meaningful, and he'll not accept it. And, of course, tell him about Lily. I know their relationship very well, I don't ask for his forgiveness, I just hope that I can get a little relief.

With that in mind, I lay motionless on the bed, quietly waiting for the people to come to me.

The door opened, and it was the colonel.

I barely stood up. After going through so much overnight and not having a good rest, I was already in a state of mind and didn't even say hello normally. The Colonel saw my decadence and stood straight to the bedside.

"Akeya, how do you feel about this mission?"

Emptiness is the best adjective. The "head of the snake" is dead, and months of hard work are in vain, but Tokar won't be back, and Lily won't be back. I paid a dearly price and got nothing.

"I don't know."

"Then I'll tell you for you."

The Colonel stood in front of me in two steps, his face almost on the verge of being touched, and I saw his eyes full of anger.

"You disobeyed the order and killed the 'Snake Head', leaving us with no important clue to continue our investigation! You are the direct cause of the failure of the operation and are responsible for it!

"Also, because of your selfishness, your desire for revenge, Tokar gave his life in vain, and Lily died in vain! They all want to keep you, they want you to complete this important task, they want you to put an end to it, but you've let them down! ”

What else can I say at this time? I failed them. When Tokar was taken away by the Ministry of Intelligence, he smiled at me and asked me to work with him. Lily smiled at me when she was pressed to my forehead with the muzzle of my gun, telling me to let go of my baggage and move on. Even Sareta parted with me with a smile on her face, but I ruined it with my own hands.

"I have nothing to say, Colonel. I am willing to accept all punishments. ”

"That's right, you have to accept the punishment. I'm going to punish you before the Ministry of Intelligence comes. ”

The colonel walked out of the door with his back to me.

"Akya Trosimi, you are now expelled from the military and are no longer part of the Silver Wing! Pack your things and go to Seodaemun right now! ”

Leaving this sentence, the colonel walked away, but I did not understand. Expulsion from the military? What is the Colonel's intention? Do you want me to escape before the Intelligence Department arrives?

*****

I opened the closet, took out the few clothes I had, wrapped some groceries, and put them in my backpack. There was still room in my bag, and I looked around to find something more to put in. That's when I realized that my life was so monotonous. There was not a bouquet of flowers on the windowsill, and there were no knick-knick-knacks in the cabinet for decoration, just military uniforms and cleaning tools, and the photograph.

The smiling faces of Lily and Tokar appeared in front of me through this drawing. I carefully wrapped the photos in paper and put them in a small pocket on the side of my backpack. Then he picked up his backpack and walked out.

The sun shrouded the barracks that had just woken up. On the training ground, the morning exercise of the recruits kicked off. The arrogance and naivety of a few months ago are gone. The loud slogans and powerful steps made me stop and watch for a while before moving on.

At the sentry post at the west gate, the soldiers standing guard had just finished changing shifts, and they were standing in a military posture in high spirits. It was surprisingly quiet, with the occasional sound coming from the training ground and the air feeling refreshed. I took a deep breath and suddenly realized that the everyday scenery that I had ignored was so beautiful.

Outside the gate, the colonel waited, with two suitcases at his feet. I walked over and saluted the Colonel.

"Akeya, as I said, you must get out of here right away—before they come."

"But Colonel, if I'm gone, the Ministry of Intelligence will blame ......"

The colonel interrupted me with a wave of his hand. "Jade and I will have a way, after all, it's not the first time I've dealt with them." After a pause, the colonel pointed to the larger suitcase, "The weapon can't be taken with you, the combat suit and night vision goggles are inside, bring it." ”

"But Colonel, I ......"

"You want to say that you don't plan to be a soldier anymore?"

I could only nod my head. After this incident, I don't want to join any more troops, it only reminds me of everything that happened here, and I think of the moments that almost suffocated.

But if you think about it, what else can I do? For more than a dozen years, I have spent time in the barracks. In addition to excellent military qualities, I can say that it is useless.

The Colonel read my mind and handed over a bulging envelope.

"Here's the letter of introduction I wrote, and the plane ticket to the Arctic countries, the flight tomorrow at 4 p.m. You get to De Pasha in Adulal to board a car and go to the town of Catorana to rent a car. ”

"The Arctic Nation?"

"Well, the town of Gebula, Akiyama City, Arctic Country. The police station chief there was named Clark, an old friend of mine. I've already told him to show him this letter and he'll arrange a job for you. ”

Seeing that I didn't react, the colonel shoved the envelope directly into my hand and patted it lightly.

"There are also 10,000 karma in it, which is considered a farewell gift, and it is worth saving some money on the road. When you get there, you have to find a place to live, don't you? Renting an apartment in Akiyama City is not cheap. ”

Looking at the Colonel's wrinkled hands, I burst into tears again. When I learned that my parents and brother had died, I cried a lot. Since I came here, I have gradually regarded the Colonel as a relative, but I have been overshadowed by the daily training and tasks, which has made me forget this layer of affection that cannot be ignored. He's the most caring person in the world, but what can I do for him?

"Crying for what? You're a military man. The Colonel wiped his eyes and said, "When I brought you and Tokar back, I wanted nothing more than to train you to be qualified warriors. But then I gradually understood that sooner or later, you will leave the barracks and look for a more suitable life for yourself, but I didn't expect to be separated in this way. ”

I wanted to say something to comfort the Colonel, and the sobs drowned out all the words. I knew I had let him down, that I could have done better, to work for this old man for a little longer, no, to spend some more time with him, but it was too late.

The colonel took the smaller suitcase again and said, "This is a special costume here, and you may not be able to control it now, but it will take time to get used to it." Originally, there were two sets, one of which was handed over to me...... Subordinates, I'll give you this set. I was going to test who was more suitable, you or Tokar, but there was no need. ”

I put the envelope in my backpack and carried through two suitcases. Now it's time to say goodbye. To finish thanking the colonel in just a few words, with my ability, I will definitely not be able to. I've always done it the simplest way, even if it's not enough.

"Thank you, Colonel, please take care."

I bowed deeply, and the Colonel smiled and said, "I'll see you later." I turned around and strode back, not daring to look back at the Colonel's face.

This is the moment I left the army, it couldn't be easier, I'm afraid I'll return to the battlefield in the future. But I believe that next time, I will definitely find a life that suits me.

The Arctic Nation is located in the east of the Alpha region and is the largest country on the continent of Anzhou. Akiyama City is an important trading city in the Arctic Kingdom and an international metropolis. There, I will meet all kinds of ^ people. Tokar, Lily, and Saraita, if I ever meet friends like this, I'll cherish them. Thinking about it like this, the fog in my heart finally began to slowly dissipate.

It's about to begin, my new life.

==========

May 5, 139 was the third day of Tokar's capture by the Ministry of Intelligence. For Tokar, that's almost two years. Fortunately, he knew that he had not lived long.

On the night of his arrest, the intelligence department took him to a temporary base located on the territory of Miari and warmly "welcomed" him. Shortly after getting here, brand new torture instruments came in handy. They left cuts, burns, beatings, and broken left arms on Tokar's body. But no matter how tormented, Tokar didn't say a word. So the welcoming ceremony continued until the morning of the 5th.

Tired of his silence, the intelligence department took him to the execution ground in a prison van. At 6 a.m. on the 5th, a group of terrorists were to be executed, and they believed that Tokar's behavior was no different from that of the terrorists.

Under the newborn sun, the prisoner cart and three jeeps escorting Tokar drove up a hill and swayed from side to side along the mountain road. In the cube-enclosed compartment behind the prisoner cart, Tokar sat in shackles and handcuffs with his back against a cold steel plate. He is not afraid of death, and he does not regret the choice he has made so far, but he has some regrets.

Before he had time to destroy the "Viper". And not only them, but more, more bad guys, bastards, terrorists. The thought of them made Tokar agitate again. He tried to calm himself down. With Akeya, Colonel, Jed, and Lily here, they'll do it.

In this muddy, Tokar grew confused. Suddenly, the car, which had been rocking from side to side, shook violently back and forth, and then stopped. Tokar's head hit the steel plate and his left arm as well, the pain brought him back to reality from his regret, and he heard a commotion outside.

"There is an ambush! Disperse! ”

It was the soldier in charge of the escort. Then there was the sound of footsteps and bullets being loaded. Tokar could tell from the sound that a total of 11 soldiers in the three jeeps should have come out, and they must have been cautiously aiming their guns around. But half a minute passed, and not a single shot was fired.

"What's the situation? Did anyone see anything? ”

"No, I don't see anything here."

"It's strange, I saw someone flash over just now."

"I guess you see—"

The next word was supposed to be "wrong", but with the sound of muscles tearing, before the word could become "ah", its owner died. Gunfire followed. In addition to the sound of gunfire, Tokar could hear the sound of a knife slicing through flesh. Once, twice, the sound was not loud, but it was emitted steadily at a certain rate, which attracted the frightened shouts of the soldiers.

"W-who is this!?"

"It's a super-human—ah!!"

Another half minute passed, and everything was silent. Tokar didn't expect anyone to come and take him prisoner. Is it a colonel? No way. Who would that be? Before he could figure it out, the back door of the escort car was rudely smashed open.

Facing the harsh sunlight, Tokar slowly adjusted to the sight in front of him: corpses in one place, blood-stained mountain roads, and the woman standing in front of him. She was dressed in a pink dress and a pink skirt, slim and elegant. Beside her was a tall man who seemed to be her entourage.

The woman held a bloodied dagger in her hand and handed it to her attendant, and with another foot in the cart, she leaned over and stared at Tokar's face. In the sunlight, Tokar couldn't see her face clearly, and felt uncomfortable.

"Tokar Wurm, right?"

His voice was as clear as a flowing stream, and his neck was crooked in conjunction with the question. Tokar didn't know her, and he didn't have much strength, so he could only nod.

"You're on death row, and you're going to be executed, do you know why we saved you?"

Tokar shook his head again.

The woman lowered her raised leg and turned around gorgeously, a ballet-like movement that gave Tokar a sense that he was not very old.

"It doesn't matter if you don't know. The important thing is, if you die, are you satisfied? ”

"What if you're not satisfied?"

"You're a good soldier. There is a standard of justice and a willingness to work hard for it. There is also unwavering faith, perseverance to move forward, bold and decisive action, and a good skill, which are your strengths. Unfortunately, these advantages cannot be brought into play in 'Nameless'. ”

Those two words couldn't help but make Tokar look at the woman in front of him. The only people who knew that he was a member of the "nameless" were those who must have been an outsider, and it was the first time they had met, but they knew everything about their own characteristics.

"Who are you?"

The woman grinned, turned her back and walked back and forth in front of Tokar.

"As for me, there are many names, but for now, I invite you to join us...... Middleman. ”

"Join you? Where do you come from? ”

"Why ask so carefully, some things are interesting if you don't know the result."

"Hmph, although I'm a prisoner, I'm not down enough to listen to other people."

"Well, I'll tell you something that will convince you."

The woman suddenly changed to a serious tone, and Tokar couldn't help but prick up his ears.

"You 'nameless' are being bitten by the Ministry of Intelligence, do you know why?"

"What's the problem. It's not been a day or two since Nameless has been questioned, it's just that the Intelligence Department is more neurotic. ”

"That Major Adru intends to eradicate Nameless once and for all, but do you know why he did it?"

"It's not good to see us."

Apparently Tokar's answer didn't please the woman, and she swung her slender fingers around.

"Eradicating you is just one step. His real purpose is to get rid of your superiors. ”

"Colonel Karp?"

"You 'nameless' have been helping Silverwing, and if it weren't for any other purpose, who would care who you were? But have you ever thought about who is the person who instructed Adru? ”

Thinking about the woman's words, Tokar asked himself the same question. That's right, Adru is not a high-ranking official of the Ministry of Intelligence, there must be someone behind him, is it the headquarters? No way. Is it a whim to get rid of an old officer with many years of achievements?

The answer is no. So, there must be a black reason for my disgust.

"I don't know." Tokar replied.

"Of course you don't know. Even if you know, you can't do anything about it. ”

"And what do you want me to do?"

The woman turned again, her mischievous figure incommensurate with her previous words.

"Join us and let me help you uncover the truth and get your justice."

She held out her hand as she spoke.

Tokar shifted and struggled out of the carriage, landing on his feet. He noticed that the hand was thin and tender, and it didn't look like it had been on the battlefield. She has a smile on her face, but she has a sophisticated and confident look.

It seems that this is a guy who is completely disproportionate to the inside. People can't be good-looking, and it's really apt to describe her. Uncover the truth? Justice? Tokar didn't understand what it meant, and he didn't know the background of what she didn't say, but it didn't matter to Tokar now.

The important thing is that he once again found a reason to fight for.

"Then let me see what you're capable of."

As he spoke, he also held out his hand.