>>36686174
>Keep shooting!

>>36686174
>>This dream is stupid.

>>36686259
>>36686313
I guess we're doing both. I'm not quite sure how that'll work out, but I need someone to roll 1d3 regardless.

>>36686174

>Keep shooting

Rolled 2 (1d3)

>>36686453
>>36686174
>This dream is stupid.

Rolled 2 (1d3)

>>36686453
Hey, I've lucid dreamed in dumb dreams before. Usually they turn stupid-lewd instead of stupid-violent, though

>>36686174
>>Keep shooting!
Do not let even one imp pass!

File: Nina1.png (983 KB, 1600x900)

983 KB PNG

>>36686174
You point your sniper rifle's barrel at the zombie shocktrooper's kneecap and shoot. Even if he's still alive, it's not like he do anything without his kneecap. Indeed, the shocktrooper goes down immediately and starts shooting ineffectually at the sky. You sweep across the battlefield, looking for your next target.

"You really should relax," Nina says. Wait, where did Nina come from? And why is she in a hot spring? And where are her clothes? "When you said you wanted to take a trip, this isn't what I expected. If you wanted to stay in the Gallian Army, you could have just said so."

"Hey, it's a good career, especially for someone in my position" you say. "If the nobility doesn't set an example, the rest of the population won't go along with the militia. Gallia needs all the soldiers it can get, regular or irregular."

"And if you would just get in the hot spring, we could be making more soldiers right now," Nina says.

You spot an officer and put a bullet right through his fancy hat. That should give you enough money for that villa you had your eye on.

Also, you've just noticed that you aren't dressed either and no matter how badly you want to get up and find some clothes, you know it's not going to happen. It never does.

Nina swims up to the edge of the bath and playfully pokes at your ankle.

"Just get in, Renard," she says. "It's not like those Imperials are going anywhere."

>Get in the hot spring.
>Get in the hot spring, but keep your rifle just in case.
>More shooting!

>>36686739
>More shooting!

>>36686739
>Get in the hot spring, but keep your rifle just in case.

It's not like I love my rifle or anything.

>>36686739
>>More shooting!

Can't let them overrun my position.

>>36686739
>Get in the hot spring, but keep your rifle just in case.
We /k/ now

>Get in the hot spring, but keep your rifle just in case.
It doesn't hurt anything to bathe with a gun handy. Just in case.

>>36686739

>More shooting!

>>36686739
>>More shooting!
must kill imps

>>36686739
>>Get in the hot spring, but keep your rifle just in case.

>>36686739
>>More shooting!

>>36686739
>Get in the hot spring.

>>36686739
>Get in the hot spring.

Lose our rifle, greater chance we get killed and escape this dream early.

File: 8cqnu.jpg (89 KB, 1280x720)

89 KB JPG

>>36686739
"Of course they're going somewhere! They're coming right at us." You load another bullet. "Besides, I don't want them to overrun our position. If they get too close, they might see you naked."

Nina sighs and rests her head on her arms at the edge of the bath. Meanwhile, you spot another officer and shoot him right through the chest. The soldiers around him throw their weapons away and run around the battlefield, only to get hit by a grenade from out of nowhere. Some of them are still running despite the burns and shrapnel wounds.

You smile and give yourself a figurative thumbs-up before moving on to the next target.

"How long are you going to keep doing this?" Nina asks.

"Until the war's over, most likely," you say. "It's not like I can leave the army before then."

The rest of the battle is just a blur. More and more soldiers charge at you. More and more soldiers take one of your bullets in the face. Eventually, you begin to rouse in earnest and finally wake up.

You look around the unfamiliar room. Nina suggested that you get some rest since you'd been awake the longest. A sack stuffed with hay isn't a really comfortable mattress, but it got the job done for a while. Two hours, according to your watch. That should be enough to get you through the day.

You get up and stretch. You had your break and now it's time to get back to work. Your team should be busy securing the watchtower and turning it into a proper fortification, but the watchtower was only one part of the operation. It might be worth looking for Major Lenier to see how the rest of your defenses are doing.

>Check in with your team first.
>Look for Major Lenier.

>>36687326
>Check in with your team first.
Team is always first.

>>36687326
>>Check in with your team first.
Our own team has priority.

>>36687326
>Look for Major Lenier.

We never really found out how the rest of the force fared in the battle for the port and I'm kind of curious as to whether we routed them seamlessly or if we got a bloody nose doing it.

>>36687326
>Check in with your team first.
It would be good to check with Lenier, but our first responsibility is with our team.

>>36687326
>Check in with your team first.
Team comes first always

>>36687326

>Look for Major Lenier

File: Jetje5.jpg (8 KB, 300x168)

8 KB JPG

>>36687326
Your job is to secure the watchtower and as far as you know, that hasn't changed. If the major has any new orders for you, he can send a runner. Or maybe you should get some telegraph wires running through here.

You make your way down to the first floor and find your team hard at work. Nina looks absolutely ragged and her uniform is covered with bloodstains from the people she treated. Still, you can't help but wonder how accurate your imagination is. For her part, Jetje is taking stock of the inventory and Vanessa is annotating maps of the area.

"Sorry to make you do all this work on your own," you say. "How are we for now?.

"It's not a problem," Jetje says. "We should have enough food to last us a while and there's a well nearby. I arranged for us to get a supply of ammunitions, so that won't be a problem either. Also, the equipment we left behind was recovered." She throws you a backpack, which you catch. "That one's yours."

It looks like you won't have to worry about getting a new dress uniform.

"Thanks, Jetje," you say. "Nina?"

"None of the people who came here died, so that's good news," she says. "I got some emergency supplies in case the Imperials mount another attack, but the field hospital is being set up at the back of the city, so we're not exactly a priority. We should be fine though."

"Excellent," you say. "Vanessa?"

"I have a map of the surrounding area along with a list of hiding spots, sir! Or Renard." She looks up at you nervously. "Are we on duty now?"

"I haven't had my cup of coffee yet, so no," you say. "Anything else?"

"I don't think so," Vanessa says. "I heard they'll be rebuilding the training grounds and the armoury, but they won't be ready for a few more days."

>"All right. You three can get some rest here. I'll have a look around the city."
>"All right. I'll stay here and hold down the fort. The three of you can have a look around the city for a few hours."

>>36687835
>"All right. You three can get some rest here. I'll have a look around the city."

Quite like the chance to look around and see what the situation and feeling is like with the army and maybe civvies if there are any still about.

>>36687835

>"All right. You three can get some rest here. I'll have a look around the city."

>>36687835
>"All right. You three can get some rest here. I'll have a look around the city."

>>36687835
>>"All right. I'll stay here and hold down the fort. The three of you can have a look around the city for a few hours."

>>36687835
>>"All right. You three can get some rest here. I'll have a look around the city."

>>36687835
>>"All right. I'll stay here and hold down the fort. The three of you can have a look around the city for a few hours."

Three people looking around might give us a better picture of what is happening than us going alone. We are also the least able to deal with a potential close quarters ambush than any of them if there are imps around. Although I don't know if there is anything more Nina can do for the people here so I have no idea if she should go.

>>36687835
>"All right. I'll stay here and hold down the fort. The three of you can have a look around the city for a few hours."

It seems like they already did all they could here.

>>36687835
>"All right. I'll stay here and hold down the fort. The three of you can have a look around the city for a few hours."

>>36687835
Looks like we have another goddamn tie. Next vote calls it.

>>36687835
>"All right. You three can get some rest here. I'll have a look around the city."

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>36687835
1. "All right. You three can get some rest here. I'll have a look around the city."
2. "All right. I'll stay here and hold down the fort. The three of you can have a look around the city for a few hours."

>>36687835
>"All right. You three can get some rest here. I'll have a look around the city."

>>36688368
And we're in business!

Writing.

>>36687835
"All right. You three can get some rest here," you say. "I'll have a look around the city. I need to confirm the situation anyway."

"We'll finish sorting things out," Jetje says.

"And it'll give us time to wash up," Nina says. "I have being this filthy."

"I thought you'd be used to blood," you say.

"Field medicine is unsanitary enough as it is," Nina says. "I don't want to make it even worse."

"Right then," you say. "I'll see you three later."

You casually wave goodbye to your team and leisurely walk down the trail to the port. You're halfway there when the stench of putrefied corpses hits you. The battle hasn't been over for that long and it's not that hot, so the smell shouldn't be this bad. The ocean air must be making it worse.

When you reach the port, you see fisherman and conscripts fishing dead bodies out of the water and piling them up in carts. That's probably not helping the smell either. A few of them snap to a salute when they spot you, but you wave them off. You're not here to interrupt their work.

From what you know about Teschelbero, it's popular with the rising capitalist class. The city is small, but it's been growing as fast as the industrial revolution. It's a fairly important port in the north and a lot of wealthy merchants come here on vacation during the summer. That means there's a Darcsen quarter somewhere around. The Darcsen soldiers who came here with you must be there. The city should also have a few high-end stores, and the major must have established a temporary command post somewhere.

>Look for the Darcsen quarter. You want to know how the other teams and squads did.
>Look around the stores. You're curious about what they have and you get check up on the civilians.
>Look for the major. He must have something for you to do by now.

>>36688633
>Look for the major. He must have something for you to do by now.

>>36688633
>Look for the Darcsen quarter. You want to know how the other teams and squads did.

Let's get a feel for how the battle actually went down, seemed pretty good from our watchtower but hard to really tell from there.

>>36688633
>>Look for the major. He must have something for you to do by now.

>>36688633
>>Look for the major. He must have something for you to do by now.

Need more work, need more kills. Gotta pay for that zombie proof villa.

>>36688716
It was just a dream... OR WAS IT!?

>>36688633
>Look for the Darcsen quarter. You want to know how the other teams and squads did.

>>36688633

>Look for the Darcsen quarter. You want to know how the other teams and squads did.

>>36688633
It's best to kill two birds with one bullet. You decide to head in the general direction of the Darcsen quarter and look for the major along the way. The militia seems to be keeping the civilians out of the streets anyway, so it's unlikely any of the really good stores are open anyway.

The stench of the corpses dissipates as you head farther into the sea, but it never quite goes away. You can't tell if the smell is really spreading or if you're just remembering it, and you have a hard time deciding which would be worse. Eventually, you reach the more run-down buildings and the smell changes to normal urban garbage. It seems you've found the Darcsen quarter.

You enter a small plaza just in time to spot Captain DuLac and her squad heading towards some sort of establishment. She has quite a few Darcsen in her squad, so she probably wants to keep them all together for the celebration. You're about to follow her when you hear the sound of Major Lenier's voice coming from the other direction. You jog towards the major and…

What.

That is indeed the major and his adjutants. Apparently building a stage. And putting up tables. And frilly curtains.

>Go back after DuLac. You want absolutely no part in this.
>Go to the major. You have no idea what he's doing, but you have to know.

>>36689173
>Go back after DuLac. You want absolutely no part in this.
Nopenopenope!

>>36689173
>>Go to the major. You have no idea what he's doing, but you have to know.
we have no choice but to go to the even tonight

>>36689173
>Go to the major. You have no idea what he's doing, but you have to know.

>>36689173
>>Go to the major. You have no idea what he's doing, but you have to know.

>>36689173

>Go to the major. You have no idea what he's doing, but you have to know

>>36689173
>Go to the major. You have no idea what he's doing, but you have to know.

We're going to have to go tonight anyway. Maybe helping with the preparation, will win us some points for career advancement.

>>36689173
>>Go to the major. You have no idea what he's doing, but you have to know.

>>36689173
You take a step towards Major Lenier. You have absolutely no idea what he's doing, but you must know. Even if this is probably going to make your life absolutely horrible in some way.

"Major Lenier," you say. "I've got to report the success of my mission, sir. Do you have new orders for my team?"

The major says nothing. Slowly, he turns. His face is a blank mask, but soon, it cracks. His lip quivers. His eye twitches. Finally, his mouth stretches into a full-toothed grin, a blasphemous mockery of joy that can only be expressed by a man who has suffered ultimate suffering.

"First lieutenant de Velde." Suddenly, the man his right in front of you and his hands dig painfully into your shoulders. "How kind of you to come here. In light of the Gallia Army's… troubles in the south, I thought it would be a good idea to hold a celebration of our victory. Something to increase morale in the rest of Gallia and let the people know that we will protect them."

"That's an excellent idea, sir." You wonder how much more of this your shoulders can take. "Can I be of assistance?"

"Oh, yes," the major says. "As it happens, Miss Adeleine Brightward was here along with her entourage and a gaggle of journalists and photographers. They were here to showcase a northern cruise that has now regrettably been cancelled. However, they found my suggestion to be… quaint, and have agreed to provide their assistance.

"The Fairy of the East is here?" You raise an eyebrow. "I'm sure the Imperial troops would have loved to have found her."

"I doubt that," the major says. "In any case, I need someone to handle Miss Brightward and the journalists. I was hoping for Captain DuLac, but you'll do. Meanwhile, I will see to the stage. The wonderful inanimate stage that has no complaints and asks no questions."

>"I can look after Miss Brightward, sir."
>"I can share a few war stories with the journalists, sir."

>>36689808
>>"I can look after Miss Brightward, sir."

>>36689808
>>"I can look after Miss Brightward, sir."

Well she sounds lovely.

>>36689808
>>"I can share a few war stories with the journalists, sir."
Even journalists are better than celebrities of that sort. Trust me.

>>36689808
>"I can look after Miss Brightward, sir."
Just keep this in mind in the future ya?

I kind of want to talk to the journalists too but we haven't done that much worth note yet.

>>36689808
>>"I can look after Miss Brightward, sir."
We're about to make a mistake we'll come to regret.

>>36689808

>"I can share a few war stories with the journalists, sir."

>>36689901
Well don't make it. Simple as.

>>36689808
>"I can share a few war stories with the journalists, sir."

>>36689808>>"I can share a few war stories with the journalists, sir."

>>36689901
Just make sure the major owes us one for it.

>>36689808
And we have our third tie for the night. Next vote is the tiebreaker.

>>36689808
>>"I can share a few war stories with the journalists, sir."
for op

>>36690139
Ah, screw it. Let's see if I can make whynotboth.jpg work again.

>>36690226
>>36690229
Or not.

Writing.

File: Renard.jpg (58 KB, 1024x576)

58 KB JPG

>>36689808
"I can share a few war stories with the journalists, sir," you say.

"You've got balls, lieutenant," the major says. "Just don't say anything stupid and make sure you're here in your dress uniform by 8PM. That's when the celebration starts. The journalists are over there."

The major points you to a small hostel.

"I'll get right to it, sir."

"Good luck, lieutenant."

The hostel's lobby is packed of journalists scribbling notes and photographers checking their equipment. Every single one turns to you and you can practically see them start drooling once they spot your uniform and your officer's insignia.

"Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please," you say. "I am First Lieutenant Renard de Velde of the Gallian Army. At Major Lenier's request, I have been asked to answer any questions you might have about our current situation."

You are immediately assaulted by an undecipherable cacophony. You only manage to make out a few questions here and there.

>(1/2)

>>36690576
"Does the military expect the rationing of ragnite to extend into the winter?" "Can you comment on the enlistment incentives for Darcsens?" "What about the rumours that the Royal Gallian Cavalary's stables have been attacked by Imperial troops?" "How does the military plan to counter the Imperial advance in Central and Southern Gallia?"

You have no idea what any of these questions are referring to, except for the one about countering the Imperial advance, but that's really none of your concern up here in the North.

"Ladies and gentlemen, one moment please." You shout above the journalists to make your voice heard.

>Reassuring: "The situation in the south is concerning, but the north is holding strong. The Citadel at Ghirlandaio will hold the Imperials back and protect Gallia!"
>Realistic: "This war is taking a great toll on all Gallians. Each and every single one of us must be prepared to endure hardship for the sake of our nation's future."
>Inspiring: "Each and every single Gallian man and woman has been prepared for this day. We have all been trained to become heroes in Gallia's hour of need. Let us remember that and do our duties."

>>36690605
>Realistic: "This war is taking a great toll on all Gallians. Each and every single one of us must be prepared to endure hardship for the sake of our nation's future."

>>36690605

>Inspiring

>>36690605
>Realistic: "This war is taking a great toll on all Gallians. Each and every single one of us must be prepared to endure hardship for the sake of our nation's future."

They'll insert their own reassurances and/or inspirations based on their masters wishes, we don't have to provide them.

>>36690605
>>Realistic: "This war is taking a great toll on all Gallians. Each and every single one of us must be prepared to endure hardship for the sake of our nation's future."

>>36690605
>>Reassuring: "The situation in the south is concerning, but the north is holding strong. The Citadel at Ghirlandaio will hold the Imperials back and protect Gallia!"

>>36690605
>>Inspiring: "Each and every single Gallian man and woman has been prepared for this day. We have all been trained to become heroes in Gallia's hour of need. Let us remember that and do our duties."

>>36690605
>Realistic: "This war is taking a great toll on all Gallians. Each and every single one of us must be prepared to endure hardship for the sake of our nation's future."

>>36690605
>>Realistic: "This war is taking a great toll on all Gallians. Each and every single one of us must be prepared to endure hardship for the sake of our nation's future."

>>36690605
There's no point in sugarcoating things and you only have a small amount of information about the broader state of the war. You decide to just tell it like it is.

"This war is taking a great toll on all Gallians," you say. "Each and every single one of us must be prepared to endure hardship for the sake of our nation's future. As such, I cannot promise that rationing will end soon. All I can say is that the military will do whatever it takes to protect the independence Gallia has already claimed and that we will promptly deal with any threats that arise in the area, as we already have at Teschelbero. Thank you."

The journalists immediately attempt to mob you with yet more questions you're in no way qualified to answer, but you quickly extricate yourself.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I must unfortunately depart in order to prepare for the victory celebration which we are all invited to. I bid you good day and assure you once again that the Gallian Army will do everything it can to protect our nation."

You walk at a brisk but polite pace until you're far enough from the cameras, at which point you break into a run. Once you're certain you've escaped the journalists, you take a moment to catch your breath. You have more than enough time to make yourself look presentable.

As you head back to the watchtower, you briefly wonder if it'd be appropriate to bring a date.

>Why not? It would give you an excuse to avoid everyone else.
>No, it's best to attend alone.

>>36690995
>No, it's best to attend alone.

>>36690995
>>Why not? It would give you an excuse to avoid everyone else.
this is gonna be good

>>36690995

>No, it's best to attend alone.

Ugh. Waifu time.

>>36690995
>No, it's best to attend alone.
We only get the opportunity to get a waifu at the end of the war.....When we're bleeding out of the battlefield....

>>36690995
>>No, it's best to attend alone.

>>36690995
>>No, it's best to attend alone.

>>36690995
>>No, it's best to attend alone.

File: Adeleine Brightward 2.jpg (445 KB, 1200x750)

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>>36690995
You shake your head and return to the watchtower. It's best if you show up there on your own and mingle with the crowd. Besides, you're in charge of the watchtower. If you need an excuse to leave the party early, you can always say you have an early shift tomorrow. Actually, you probably do have an early shift tomorrow.

Vanessa greets you as you enter.

"Hello, Renard. Did everything go well?"

"Hopefully," you say. "The city seems like it'll be in good shape again once they've disposed of all the corpses and I think I managed to avoid making an idiot out of myself in front of the journalists."

"Th-there are journalists?"

"Don't worry about it, they're the officers' problem," you say. "Anyway, I need to make an appearance at the victory celebration. I'll see you when I get back."

"Of course," Vanessa says. "Have fun."

Your dress uniform is a little wrinkled from being stuffed inside a backpack, but you doubt anyone will really notice. Or you hope no one will really notice.

You return to the celebration venue just a bit early. The celebration is being held in a small park. The improvised stage isn't much, but it'll be enough for the Adeleine's performance. The officers are sitting near the stage, while the journalists and civilians are seated farther back. You take a chair at Captain DuLac and Major Lenier's table.

"Major, Captain." You greet the two of them.

"Decent enough work with the journalists, lieutenant," the major says.

"So long as it wasn't me," Captain DuLac mutters. "Oh good, the show's starting."

Adeleine Brightward appears on stage, shining under the ragnite lamps. You saw her years ago at the King's wedding ceremony, just before she snubbed the Imperial Conservatory in favour of the Royal Conservatory of Randgriz.

>(1/2)

>>36691631
"Good evening everyone!" Her voice clearly carries throughout the park. "I would like to begin by expressing my gratitude to the Gallian Army and the brave soldiers who arrived in time to protect this city and its people. Although I have not been in Gallia for long, I have always appreciated this country's hospitality and I am glad that I can show my gratitude, even if it's only in a small way."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqnPG_HHmM0

You sit back and quietly enjoy the rest of the performance. Adeleine goes through a few songs while the journalists take pictures of her and of the assembled officers. The civilians leave first, then the journalists. In an impressive display of professionalism, Adeleine keeps going until only the officers are left. Even then, she continues until Major Lenier stands to stop her.

"Miss Adeleine," he says. "On behalf of the Gallian Army, I warmly accept your gratitude. Though you have only been a guest of our nation for a few short years, I assure you that we will protect you as one of the Gallia's people."

At last, Adeleine takes her last bow and exits the stage. Major Lenier watches her leave, then turns to you and Captain DuLac.

"We believe there's an Imperial supply post in the islands north of here," he says. "We're attacking it as soon as possible. Stay alert."

>>36691675
I think my keyboard's battery is dying and I went through all of my notes for today, so I'm going to call it here. The next thread will be next Wednesday at around the same time.

Good night and thanks for playing!

>>36691713
thanks for running