Arknights : Final Rebirth - Gladius Belii

[E] Chapter 5 - "Daybreak over the Golden Prairie"

"Mono/Dialogue"

'Inner thoughts'

Narration

Date: August 1072.

Location: Wladirosa, Northern Kazimierz – Western Ursus border.

POV: Nyx.

Tentatively, I'm the most suitable person to converse with them which is also why I'm guiding them to our makeshift aid station/barracks. The situation had been quite grim so far. Thankfully the Campaign Knights presence here should've indicated that Ursus should be on the run now.

While guiding them along, I can finally contemplate a lot more about the state of this village. Destroyed houses due to mortar bombardment. Burnt fields that had usually yielded crops for the village's self-sufficiency now turned into charred ground with perhaps some UXO still left embedded somewhere. Makeshift repairs with the barricade that had been hastily erected overnight.

Thinking back it was a miracle that the Ursus army didn't just break through with overwhelming power. But I suppose my little guerrilla warfare for months had spent some of the much-needed resources and manpower.

Passing through the destroyed building, we are now at the makeshift aid station. The knights are kind enough to offer medical aid, something we truly struggled with due to our now lacking resources.

While the knight's medics are treating the wounded militia and villagers, I'm now conversing with their Leader.

"How is the situation for the overall theater if I may ask."

"The situation is quite spotty, the westernmost and centermost zones are more or less under our control. But the eastern part is grim, we have even received words that Emperor's Blade had been dispatched."

"Emperor's blade... I have heard of them, according to rumors they are the finest Empire of Ursus can muster. Rumors say that each is a force equaling a catastrophe."

"Those rumors are true... but only for the veterans. The newer Emperor's Blades are immature by comparison."

"Which was sent to the eastern part?"

"From what little information we have, it appears to be the veterans... but they are retreating as we speak."

"It might be too late to say this, but can you readily provide such information? No matter how I look at it, this can be considered a breach of personnel conduct."

"It is one thing if it's regarding mission and the like. But for general information, it is viable to be spoken freely."

"I see, so what are you guys doing here exactly? Shouldn't you be heading east?"

"We are here as part of a sweeping force, we have been passing several destroyed villages. Ursus did a number on Kazimierz's hinterlands. We also doubled as cremation squad, too many dead bodies can cause disease outbreak or Oripathy vector of infection."

"..."

"Which was why we were bewildered seeing a relatively intact village still standing here."

"Well, what can I say? We're a hardy bunch."

"That I can see and agree with."

"Indeed."

"I forgot my manners, my name is Jakub Roja."

"My name is Nyx, just Nyx and I'm not from Kazimierz."

"Ho? Mercenary then?"

"A local freeloader while being an errand girl."