Viktor knows that all of this is part of a propaganda planned by the General Staff and also the greatest mind of the empire's Chief of the Intelligence Department, but Tanya really deserved this honor.
The parade itself was grand and Tanya can be seen to be standing in salutation above dressed in her standard imperial military uniform, with an addition of a gleaming medal on her modest chest.
Silver Wings Assault Medal. A medal of honor normally awarded to veterans who've died in war with the living recipients being as rare as natural pink diamond.
"What a proud brother you are, Pioneer. So this was why you sounded so odd back then, it was your sister who was shot down."
A woman dressed in plain civilian clothes talked to seemingly nowhere but he knows only he can hear her even if she's not facing him. But he didn't even glance at her as seeing her in his peripheral is enough.
"Small talk is essential in gathering intel from sources. But I do wonder... you can't be talking to me right now just for this, right, Müller?"
The woman, Erya, chuckled and seemingly clapped along with the crowd as if she was also celebrating with the other people as they welcomed a young heroine. But she was still talking with him despite her actions.
"Someone was caught at the third floor of 'Imperium Host Grand Hotel'. A sniper. We're looking for others."
Viktor's eyes narrowed as he clutched the armrest of his wheelchair. He knew that there's a high possiblity of assassinations and as the director of the shadows of the empire, it is his duty to ensure that no one in his motherland will ever be in danger of the threats from the darkest murkiest places of the empire.
"Tell 'Bones' that they need to search within 5km radius. Let's go and 'talk' with that sniper. Go."
"Understood."
Viktor gave Tanya who was basking in glory with solemn look. He will ensure that what happened in the Norden War Theater will never happen ever again.
|| PoV of Erya Müller ||
Being a new intelligence officer, I thought that my work would be about infiltrating enemy camps and nations to gather intelligence.
Contrary to my expectations I was deployed right to the front lines by my superior to watch the artillery units at the Norden War Theater. It was an order and even though it was not what I expected, I went ahead and did what was needed.
For the week that followed, nothing notable happened as the arties were positioned at the rear. Until that happened.
Right above the rear, I saw various figures fighting in the airspace. Magic bullets flew and some strays hit some allies prompting us to take cover.
The battle was fascinating to say the least. It was like watching a dance as the small figure, which I assumed was part of our recon mage unit, dodged and weaved through the hail of bullets while simultaneously killing those Legadonian invaders.
The battle ended with him self-detonating and those Legadonian flies left.
Still, I didn't expect that she is a little kid much less the sister of my scary superior.
"A dog from Legadonia. Didn't expect any less from you muts."
Bang!
A gunshot followed by a piercing wail, as if a pig was being slaughtered. A shame it was cut short as he swung his cane to shut him up.
I know that this scene is a normal interrogation scene but he sure does change faces when in front of enemies. You wouldn't see any of that gentle look of his you would regularly see in his face. His ruthlessness is quite admirable.
"Useless. I wonder what they feed them for these Legadonian muts to be so loyal, I want some for research."
Viktor Degurechaff. Officially the Former Head of the Bureau of Technology and now the head of the newly established Millennium Technological Research Department (MTSD). Secretly the head of the Imperial Intelligence Unit. My direct superior.
That poor Legadonian dog. He is almost unrecognizable at this point. His lower jaw was dislocated and his nose was bleeding along with other swelling parts of his face.
He was also shot more than ten times at his limbs and that last shot was aimed at his fifth limb. Quite admirable that he didn't pass out from pain before that last strike from the cane.
Looking at him wiping his cane of blood indifferently is quite the sight. You wouldn't have imagined such a refined and elegant young man do such a thing. That ruthlessness. The last shot he did was something even I wouldn't think of doing... maybe.
"Clean this up and dispose of him."
I looked at him as he staggered to his wheelchair with his cane while nodding. As he left, I couldn't help but look at the man who passed out from torture and sighed.
"Blood is such a hassle to clean off. I need to get used to this."
|| PoV of Viktor ||
"That was exhausting."
I really need to address this issue with my body. I know it was a joke of mine in my past life but now I am seriously contemplating about going for cybernetic implants. Mechanical Ascension.
Aside from exhausting me, that Legadonian dog didn't let anything slip. Quite a tough nut to crack. I hope my subordinates find the other muts.
Suddenly, he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.
"Hmm?"
He took out his phone and answered the call. He then heard a familiar voice coming through.
[ "Congratulations to your sister, Viktor." ]
"Brigadier General Zettour. Thank you. But surely that wouldn't be all, would it?"
Zettour directly calling him implies that it was an extremely important matter and urgent too. If it weren't, he wouldn't be contacting him directly on his phone.
[ "That's right. You wouldn't happen to outside would you?" ]
"No. I am home."
[ "Good. Starting from two days from now, increase intelligence personnel at other countries besides the Legadonia Entente Alliance." ]
"Understood."
[ "Also, would you be interested in helping that madman with the new operation orb. He has been stuck on it for quite some time and... quite a few have been complaining to me." ]
Hearing Zettour talk about it reminded me of something that slipped from my mind. The Operation Orb.
It was quite a coincidence but Elynium Type 95 is nothing but a curse and burden for Tanya. Even if it was one of the reasons for her survival in the later parts of the story, the mental corruption was a real issue.
I would rather replace it with my own creation, even if its not as powerful.
"I would be glad to be of help."
[ "Good. I will inform Chief Engineer Adelheid von Schugel of your agreement. I wish both of you luck." ]
I closed my phone as I thought about Schugel. His invention have already caught the eye of the gods if I remember correctly. The moment Tanya becomes his test assistant, she would be bound to that cursed orb due to a misunderstanding.
I know that I cannot prevent the creation of the artifact itself as it's related to the gods. But I could at least remove Tanya as the Technical Assistant so she would not be bound to that artifact.
Yes. That would be ideal.