"Refusal" The squad ignored the murmuring around them. Aoki remained unfazed; in this world, strength dictated everything, and rules were fo
"Refusal"
The squad ignored the murmuring around them. Aoki remained unfazed; in this world, strength dictated everything, and rules were for the weak.
He knew that without him in the squad, Guren Ichinose's treatment of Yūichirō Hyakuya and the others would be vastly different.
Guren Ichinose sighed, resigned.
"Fine, this is a one-time exception. Fall into formation. Everyone else, listen up! No violations of military regulations during this mission. Those who treat this lightly will be punished. This mission might be our greatest crisis yet; many comrades will die."
"Everyone here is family, which means we'll lose many family members in this battle. But even so! This mission must be carried out! Listen, we're not aiming to survive; we're aiming for victory. Understand?!"
A thunderous roar echoed, shaking the ground around Ebina.
The soldiers dispersed. Aoki's six-person squad stood out amongst the Moon Demon Company's five-person squads.
Shinoa Hīragi approached Aoki, apologetic. "It's all my fault. I'm sorry we needed you to bail us out. Without you, the Lieutenant Colonel wouldn't have let us off so easily." She knew that if it weren't for Aoki, Guren Ichinose's attitude would have been much harsher.
Aoki responded calmly. "It's a minor thing. It doesn't matter. People might gossip, but I'll shut them up with my performance at Nagoya."
He didn't care about such things. "Guren-san said it himself; we're family. We don't need to worry about this."
Shinoa Hīragi blushed, looking down. While Aoki downplayed his actions, she knew he would always defend them, no matter how many times such a situation arose.
Shigure Yukimi appeared, calling for Aoki. "Second Lieutenant Aoki, Lieutenant Colonel Guren Ichinose wants to see you."
Aoki had been promoted to Second Lieutenant after the Shinjuku battle, making him the highest-ranking member of their squad.
"Ah, that idiot Guren-san wants me. I'll go then," Aoki said to Shinoa Hīragi before heading towards Shigure Yukimi, who led him to Guren Ichinose's meeting place.
"Lieutenant Colonel Guren, I've brought him," Shigure Yukimi reported.
Guren Ichinose greeted Aoki with a wide smile. "Ah, Aoki! Come, come. I need to discuss something."
Aoki approached, but didn't sit. "Guren-san, I know what you want to say, so cut the crap."
Guren Ichinose's smile faltered, his expression turning serious.
"Since you know, I'll be blunt. Nagoya is a preemptive strike against the vampires, aiming to eliminate the nobles. This battle is decisive. Victory will dictate the situation for a long time."
"Your strength is undeniable. I want you to join a few of my men to engage the main vampire forces—the stronger nobles. If you can hold them off, the others can eliminate the weaker ones. This increases our chances of victory and minimizes losses."
Guren Ichinose's meaning was clear: Aoki should temporarily leave his squad to engage the stronger vampire nobles, allowing others to deal with the weaker ones.
This seemed like the best strategy, but Aoki refused.
"Sorry, Guren-san, I refuse. I know what Nagoya represents, but I can't leave Yūichirō Hyakuya and the others. They're too weak to face the vampire nobles; they'd be defenseless. I can't leave them to ensure their safety."
"Also, don't assume I can handle the vampire nobles. I said the seventh progenitor was almost my equal. Against the fifth progenitor, I'd be in a tough fight. Don't assume I can completely suppress them."
Guren Ichinose wasn't surprised or angry. He sighed. "I knew you wouldn't agree. I just wanted to try my luck. You might seem indifferent, but you care more about your comrades than anyone."
"Since you refuse, I won't force you. We depart for Nagoya at 7:00 AM tomorrow. You and Yūichirō Hyakuya need to eliminate as many vampire nobles as possible. Even if it means sacrificing anyone in my squad, or even myself, it's acceptable if we eliminate a vampire noble."
"We know the Japanese Imperial Demon Army is weaker than the vampires, but we can't give up. Even if we can't bridge the gap, seeing you fight four vampire nobles in Shinjuku without losing, I saw hope for victory. Nagoya… I'm counting on you."
Guren Ichinose's personality mirrored Aoki's; outwardly aloof, but deeply caring, especially towards Aoki and his squad.
After agreeing to fight hard at Nagoya, Aoki left.
Shinya Hīragi smiled at Guren Ichinose. "Guren, you're surprisingly compliant with that brat. That's unlike you."
Guren Ichinose glared. "You dare lecture me? You witnessed his strength when Tenri-sama summoned him."
Shinya Hīragi shuddered, remembering Aoki's swift defeat of Tenri Hīragi.
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