Chapter Text
"General Bles! If you can hear me please respond." Johann calls out as he and the others, that managed to escape from the Gallians, clamber through the wreckage of what was once a massive fortress in search of the woman that holds their loyalty much more than even than their prince. Ernst and Wolfgang, being the only two with foresight to grab weapons, keep watch for any Gallian forces that may remain and are performing the same task as they are.
"How are you so sure that she was even still in the citadel when it blew, Johann?" Sy asks his eyes darting around for any sign of movement.
"I overheard one of the Gallian shocktroopers commenting that a General Damon had arrived to personally transport the General." Johann answers as he continues looking for the woman that he cares deeply for.
"Wasn't Damon the guy who used that gas on the General back when the Gallian army first tried to retake Ghilandaio?" Kurt asks as he keeps an eye out behind the group.
"I believe so, remember that day Johann? You really stepped up that day. I'm still surprised that the General didn't give you a kiss to go along with the medal you got." Otto teases his friend trying to keep the group's spirits up.
"If she doesn't kiss you once we find her, I'm going to start to think that she isn't into men." Ernst teases habitually checking to make sure the rifle he recovered is ready to go in case of an ambush. He may only have the five rounds currently in the rifle but for the people beside him as well as the General, he will make those shots count.
"Watch your mouth! Besides General Bles clearly is interested in men, we've all seen how she looks at the Prince." Johann scolds the scout unable to hide the bitterness in his tone. The overheard conversation from before the battle ringing his ears as Selvaria's sobbing form flashed in front his eyes.
"Yeah but it isn't the Prince who got us to risk recapture to find the General. It was you, Johann and she'll see that." Otto assures him as the group continues to search the rubble of the once intimidating fortress.
"You've been quieter than usual Elvin. You okay?" Wolfgang asks the Lancer, who while usually stoic hadn't contributed to the conversation since the group started the search which was unlike him.
"That Darcsen woman from the group that captured the General got a really good strike into my jaw. It's rather tender." He explains.
"I recognized that group from when I was serving in Fouzen. The woman that took you down fought alongside the Gallian Valkyria in the battle where General Gregor died." Johann remarks as he remembers the look of complete disgust on Selvaria's face when she mentioned the massacre of Darcsen prisoners committed by the remnants of Gregor's force that day and her relieved look when he swore that he took no part in any of the abuse of POWs during his brief assignment there.
"Maybe the Gallian Valkyria isn't so bad after all. I mean she liberated Fouzen from General Gregor's abuse and I read a report that it was her and her unit that took out Fujmolt and his Darcsen hunting unit." Sy states. Johann turns to glare at the Sniper.
"Watch it, Sy! The Gallian Valkyria is the reason General Bles is in this mess. After what happened at the Naggiar Plains the Prince ordered her to unleash something called the Final Flame of the Valkyrur. I don't know what it is but I know that it is supposed to involve her death and is apparently the only thing a Valkyria that can't secure victory is good for. This was said after General Bles plead for a another and declared her love for the Prince. Even General Jaeger thought Maximilian was going too far." Johann tells them angrily. He remembers shaking with a fury, that he didn't even know he could feel, as he watched the Prince depart from the room Selvaria was quietly sobbing from.
"The more I see and hear of how the Prince treats General Bles the more he sounds like an abusive boyfriend and a terrible military strategist if truly he expected the General to just carve the way to Randgriz unopposed. Gallia was a cornered dog. it was only a matter of time before they showed their teeth." Wolfgang scoffs.
"yeah, yeah we'll put a bullet in his head later. Let's find the General." Sy says before spotting a dented but still salvageable supply crate.
"Hey Kurt give me a hand with this." He requests as uses what was probably a piece from a tank to pry the lid off the crate. He and the scout shift through the insides not able to resist smiling at the veritable treasure trove.
"What have we got?" Johann asks as he and the others approach Kurt and Sy, only for Kurt to let out a cheer as he pulls out a sheathed knife which he puts in his boot.
"Got a pistol with two reloads for you, Johann. Ammo for Ernst's Kar and Wolfgang's MP. And nearly two dozen MREs." Sy lists off handing the sidearm to Johann who holsters it before helping to divide up the MREs. Otto let's out a laugh.
"If that crate had the General hiding in it, we'd have everything we need." He remarks before Elvin taps him on the shoulder. Turning the group sees that Elvin is staring at a nearby pile of rubble that a faint, yet familiar, glow can be seen coming from underneath. Johann rushes over and starts moving the rubble, praying that it's the General and not a damaged ragnite engine.
"General Bles! If you can hear me, just hold on we are digging you out." Johann calls out as Sy, Otto, Elvin, and Kurt help shift the rubble. Ernst and Wolfgang keeping watch. As Otto and Elvin toss aside a chunk of concrete the soldiers see their General laying underneath bruisings and scrapes cover the parts of her not obscured by her tattered uniform. Johann quickly removes his his armored chest piece and gauntlets so he can use his shirt to preserve his General's modesty. After ensuring that no one can get an eye of her, Johann performs a cursory check for injuries. The bruises all over the General look like they have been there for at least four days and two of her fingers become unbroken before his eyes. Her cuts are already starting to heal.
'Got to love that healing ability.' Johann thinks
"Damn, Johann you've been working out." Otto remarks as his friend picks up the General, Bridal style. Elvin gathers up Johann's armor in case he needs it later.
"Where to now?" Wolfgang asks.
"There's a cabin about two miles away from here. I found it while patrolling. It should give the General time to heal." Johann states leading the way out of the rubble, Wolfgang next to him and Ernst behind everyone else. The group travels in silence not wanting to draw the attention of any nearby Gallian Forces, so it catches them off guard when the General starts to whimper as the traverse through a wooded area.
"Lord Maximilian.. please no, don't...please." Selvaria whimpers causing Johann to scowl before he holds the woman closer to him.
"It's okay Selvaria. I am here, he can't hurt you anymore." He soothes her causing her whimpers to quiet.
"Hmm...Johann." she coos happily before seeming to go back to sleep as she cuddles into him. Johann looks over at his sniper friend.
"Sy, we are putting more than one bullet into the prince." He states to which the entire group nods in agreement.
"Copy, that Lieutenant." Sy replies.
"So, how are we going to be able to get close to the Prince, Johann? We all know what he does to those that are no longer useful to him." Otto asks raising the concern all of them have.
"Defection to the Gallian forces. Unless the General is done with war, then I'll accompany her as she leaves the continent." He replies suspecting that the explosion the the General caused would have taken out enough of the Gallian forces.
"Perhaps, if the General agrees to defect with us, we can be assigned to Gallian Valkyria's unit if the General offers to train." Sy theories to which Kurt scoffs.
"you just want the chance to meet that redheaded shock trooper." the scout remarks drawing a scowl from the sniper.
"You are one to talk! What with your infatuation with the blonde scout from the same unit." Sy retorts as they exit the woods to see a cabin up on a hilltop before them.
They quickly get to and enter the cabin, most relaxing as Otto starts a fire in the fireplace. Johann gently sets the General down on the only bed in the single room cabin while he can hear the others getting comfortable as he sets a chair down next to the General's bedside.
"What's the plan, now? Otto asks after the fire starts.
"Avoid the Gallian until the General wakes up, then we figure out just who is defecting and who's leaving the continent." Johann states as Ernst takes up a position by a window as first watch while the rest get comfortable.
'I swear General, no matter what happens I will protect you' Johann vows gently caressing her cheek before getting comfortable in the chair and closing his eyes; falling asleep as he awaits his General's reawakening. As Johann nods off, he unfortunately Selvaria's content smile as she subconsciously acknowledges her lieutenants affection.