Chapter 100: The Second Winter War (4)
by fnovelpia
Thanks to Leifen’s spatial abilities, Wolfgang and the Vendetta Legion infiltrated the interior with ease.
However, Leifen himself was absent from this operation.
Why?
Because he was the Emperor of the Empire.
It was unthinkable for the supreme commander, the ruler of the Empire, to vacate his post—especially to enter enemy lines.
Thus, only the Vendetta Legion proceeded.
Of course, they didn’t forget to bring scrying orbs to prepare for the worst.
These would allow continuous reports to monitor safety; a severed connection would signal an emergency.
This was the hard-fought conclusion reached at the end of the strategy meeting.
Prince Jaiha and the resistance army had wished to join, but the risk of annihilation was too high, so their request was rejected.
“Honestly, whether the resistance joins or not isn’t my concern. I’d prefer they serve as meat shields if they did enter, but I doubt you’d let that happen.”
“Watching people die up close isn’t a pleasant sight.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Before launching the operation, Wolfgang and Leifen clinked their glasses.
Even the Emperor drank the same cheap liquor supplied to soldiers—not because the Empire was struggling, but because it was his preference.
This liquor, originally brewed during the First Winter War when alcohol was scarce, had evolved into something resembling actual alcohol.
Still, compared to finer spirits, it tasted bitter and gritty.
“Still disgustingly tasteless, huh?”
“Then why do you drink it?”
“Because if I don’t, I’ll keep craving it.”
“Weird. It’s not like this stuff is addictive.”
“Why so serious? It’s just a feeling.”
Leifen’s lighthearted demeanor caught Wolfgang’s attention.
She turned to him, silent.
After a moment, Leifen smirked.
“Busted?”
“Yeah.”
“What gave me away this time?”
“You’ve always acted carefree when anxious. Like that time before the critical battle when you suddenly played hide-and-seek with the kids.”
“I was half-mad back then.”
Anxiety, indeed. Not that Wolfgang doubted her—Leifen trusted her more than himself.
Yet, sending comrades into an unknown battlefield inevitably stirred unease, especially when it involved her.
“Hey.”
“What’s up?”
“……Never mind. It’s nothing.”
Leifen hesitated, then swallowed his words.
Wolfgang nudged him, but he remained silent.
“Instead, let’s toast to your victory today.”
“Our victory.”
“Right, ours. But is it okay to drink alone with me?”
“Want to join the others? Then come with.”
“No, I’m good.”
Leifen disliked such gatherings and tried to slip away, but Wolfgang’s gaze pinned him down.
How could he refuse?
Just being with her—could this feel so blissful?
How absurd.
Amidst a brutal war, Leifen found joy in the cheap liquor they’d shared during the First Winter War, the tension on their skin, the burden they bore. Her presence made it all bearable, even enjoyable.
“But I need to be careful. Almost crossed a line earlier.”
Satisfied with her company, Leifen chose not to risk unnecessary cracks in their relationship.
Yet, the liquor almost forced his true feelings out.
If I’d confessed…
What would’ve become of us?
Leifen knew the answer.
Wolfgang viewed him as a comrade, nothing more.
So he’d hold the line.
“Hey, Jackal, want to try some liquor?”
“Really? Can I?”
“You’re not an adult.”
“Who cares? If I die tomorrow, I’ll never get the chance.”
“Leifen.”
Wolfgang shot him a stern look, her eyes fixed on him.
Savoring a hint of possessiveness, the Emperor smiled.
“Just kidding.”
The Next Day
The operation began swiftly at dawn.
The infiltration team, carrying gear and rations, prepared to depart.
Wolfgang made final preparations—down to writing a will.
The battlefield she was entering was unknown.
Arrogance wouldn’t guarantee her survival, so she wrote a will—just in case.
This act, however, seemed to unsettle her team.
“Commander.”
“Hmm?”
“We’ll protect you, Commander.”
“Why the sudden seriousness?”
“You’re writing a will, aren’t you?”
Wolfgang realized her mistake.
The gesture had likely unnerved the Vendetta members.
No use unringing the bell.
She’d have to proceed under a grimmer atmosphere than expected.
Wolfgang clicked her tongue.
On the bright side, their seriousness might make the mission smoother.
But after this op, my peaceful retirement seems doomed.
Ugh, I just wanted to retire quietly and enjoy my savings…
What a mess.
Infiltration Begins
Bolstered by high morale, Wolfgang and the Vendetta Legion entered the Winter Fortress.
Immediately, a towering ice wall blocking the sky came into view.
Wolfgang clicked her tongue.
It felt like entering an amusement park—surreal, almost like an attraction.
“Sis, can I get permission?”
“Undead, you mean?”
“Yeah. You said not to resurrect humans normally.”
“……Right, but this isn’t normal times.”
“Awesome! I haven’t fought at full strength in ages!”
Natascha snapped her fingers, grinning ferociously.
Though the lowest-ranked in the Vendetta Legion and the weakest in raw power, her abilities were far from insignificant.
Her unique constraint: never resurrect humans as undead.
During the First Winter War, she’d done so freely—no holds barred.
But post-war, the Empire banned undead entirely, executing anyone associated with them.
To maintain relations with other nations (at least until the Empire could self-sustain resources), Wolfgang prohibited human undead.
Animals or monsters were a gray area, but now, with no time for caution—
Natascha’s fingers snapped.
Dozens of buried corpses, stripped to bone in the harsh winter, rose.
Not dozens—hundreds of thousands.
“‘One-Man Army’ suits Natascha best, don’t you think?”
“The issue is her overkill.”
“With a wave of her hand, she commands hundreds of thousands. That’s no restraint.”
“Alright, boys. Kill everything in sight.”
At her command, the skeletal horde stirred. The Wendigos guarding the fortress retaliated.
A clash of death versus death began.
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