4

"Wait—no letters at all? Ever?!"

"Ah, ah..."

A gasp echoed through the dining hall, all eyes snapping in unison toward me.

Ange raised her voice, then bobbed her head in apology as she returned to her seat, leaning in close to whisper the rest.

The thirty-first Armunale unit had just finished its patrol duty in the buffer zone and was returning to Jakarta for maintenance. For me, the co-pilot, it was essentially a holiday.

Might’ve gone off to play if the usual bunch had been around—but unlucky for me, Batis and Leon are both on the front lines now. No one to play with.

In the end, it's just the usual thing—hanging out in the dining hall, shooting the breeze with Ange while doing my own training. No real reason to go into town, really.

"Why haven’t you shown up even once? Grandpa and Grandma are probably worried sick, huh?"

I never ended up sending a single letter, after all. I just asked Ange, since she said she’d be writing soon, to toss in a line about me—just something casual. And this is what I get.

Well, yeah. That’s how it usually goes.

“Yeah, but… when I actually sit down with a letter in front of me, I just can’t think of what to write. I end up falling asleep instead. And you send letters regularly, right? So you must’ve written something about me, too.”

“S-sure, but…”

Ange’s face turns red. Wait—what’s she even writing in those letters…?

“Then my parents must’ve heard I’m fine already, right?”

“Maybe… but I still think it’d be better if you wrote it yourself? I’m not saying it has to be anything fancy. Hey, you free after this?”

“Yeah.”

Same as always—just another self-training session.

"Then let's head into town and buy a letter. Hand it to the usual merchant, along with mine."

"Yeah, but it's a pain—"

I was about to say "annoying" when Ange tugged on my cheek.

"Whaddya doin', huh?"

"Think she's worried, don't you? She's already got you as a pilot, and you've seen real combat. Plus, they can't write back, so sending letters regularly—it's a kid's job, really."

"...Wuffa'ya (I get it)."

So Ange and I ended up going into town together.

Showed our travel pass, stepped through the gate.

Since it's vacation, we're in civilian clothes. I've got my usual pants and shirt, jacket on. Ange’s wearing this cute top with frills and a cool-looking light blue skirt. The frills are clever—makes it so even white fabric won’t show through.

"Feels like it’s been ages since we last came out."

"Hardly ever come, huh?"

"True enough. Vacations are mostly self-training, and there’s nothing to buy even if we go into town."

"Your paycheck’s coming through, right? Eld, you’ve always liked books, haven’t you?"

I did read a lot back when we were in the village—mostly borrowed from the mayor’s house. But that was just for learning to read, or to understand how the world works. Didn’t mean I was particularly fond of books.

"Not really. Just passed the time, that’s all."

"Ah, right. So your hobby’s… riding the Armunale, I guess?"

"Guess so."

Ange started to say something mid-sentence, then caught herself. Right—my hobby’s piloting robots. In a way, this job’s the closest thing to living my hobby.

"Any hobbies of your own, Ange? Back in the village you were always stuck by my side, weren’t you?"

"Yeah. Because I like you, Eld!"

"O-oh."

When you say it straight out like that, I feel like I’ve done something terrible just for not answering yet… but honestly, you’re totally blaming me, right?

“After you left the village, I studied nonstop for the academy—but I kept making accessories, a little bit at a time.”

“This amulet?”

“Oh— you still have it?”

I pull the amulet out from my chest, and Ange leans in, eyes bright.

It’s been worn for over three years now, touched up occasionally, but the carving’s gotten so flattened it looks like it might vanish any second. The gear’s nearly gone.

“Looks pretty worn down, huh.”

“Can’t help it.”

“So I’ll make you a new one. In this town, I think I could make something better than this?”

“Got time for that?”

Ange’s got her duties as a support maid, too. I heard she usually helps out in the dining hall or the dorms—cooking, doing laundry, cleaning—though she’s got the afternoon off today, apparently.

Still, it feels wrong to have them make something just for my sake, even if it means ruining my rare day off.

I’m fine, really. Jewelry stuff takes just a few minutes. Hey! Let’s make some right now! There’s even shops in town where you can make your own accessories!

I don’t reckon I’d be much help if I went, though.

Everything’s a learning experience! Those little tasks might come in handy for steering, who knows?

Ange knows just how to get me moving, doesn’t she. If she says something like that, what’s a guy supposed to do but go?

"Then it's decided! The shop's this way."

Ange led me to a little jewelry shop tucked away down a side street off the main drag. And yet, despite the quiet location, the place was packed—mostly with women, I noticed.

I feel like such a fish out of water.

“Sorry! I’d like to make something custom.”

“Welcome! Custom work, yes—just now another customer’s using the station, so please wait about ten minutes. Is that alright?”

“Got it.”

While I browse the display cases, Ange explains how the shop works.

Apparently, you can pick from a few different metals and bases, then carve in any letters or drawings you like. That’s how you make your own pendant or amulet.

It’s become a hit—especially with girls wanting to confess, and married women looking for something special. Rumors spread, and now it’s as popular as ever.

Pure, old-school hustle.

Every piece of jewelry on display was sweet and dainty—few were meant for men. Probably because men’s stuff usually gets made by women themselves, so they just keep the things they use here.

"Miss Ange, we’ve got a room ready. Please, this way."

The clerk led us deeper into the shop.

We followed without a word, stepping into a room divided into several nooks by cloth curtains—like a workshop, but cozy.

Ange and I stepped into a small, curtained space, as instructed. Right ahead stood a long table, its surface lined with tools.

The clerk walked straight on, then sat across the table from us.

"Is this your first time here?"

"Yes."

"Alright, let me walk you through the general process. First, you pick the base plate. It’s mostly wood—just choose your color, really. But if you’d like, we can also provide metal ones. Next, pick the silver plate for your design—heart-shaped, star-shaped, gem-shaped, whatever takes your fancy. Once you’ve chosen, we’ll give you a paper template of the silver plate you picked. Just write your message or draw your picture on it, and our mage’ll carve it into the silver plate exactly as shown. Finally, we’ll decorate it with gems or accessories, and that’s it. Any questions?"

"No, I’m good."

So it’s just pick a base, draw a picture, and done. Everything tricky’s handled by the experts, so no room for mistakes. If it’s safe and lets you make something truly your own… well, no wonder it’s catching on.

"The price is two thousand chips for the base plate, silver plate, and engraving—flat rate. After that, decorative accessories are priced separately, so please check the pamphlet."

"Yes."

"Are you planning to make it together with your boyfriend over there?"

"Ah—wait, I’m not his boyfriend!?"

"Yes, please."

I’d just started to deny it when my foot got crushed hard under the table. Damn heels—hurts like hell. Can’t train the top of your foot, not like you can with your legs. Gonna buy better protection next time.

"First, please choose your base plate."

Following the clerk’s instructions, we began crafting our custom accessories.

After about thirty minutes of picking the plates and silver sheets, we moved on to sketching and writing on the paper. I’d gone for the simplest base and silver plates, but I was still stuck on what kind of lettering to use.

Ange next to me was completely focused, sketching something with quiet intensity. Had she always known what she wanted to draw?

Then I’d better decide soon, too.

Back when I made it for myself, I’d just doodled circles and stars like a magic circle—something to mock the middle-school drama of a school trip souvenir—but this one’s for Ange. Can’t be sloppy. She’ll wear it all the time, I know she will.

So maybe I should pick a symbol, a picture that feels like a charm?

After a few minutes of thinking, I ended up drawing a shield, guarding the angel’s wing—the mark of Ange herself. In the Fatal Kingdom, Armunale is sometimes shown as a shield, so in a way, it’s my mark, too. She’ll understand. She’ll like it.

“Mine’s done.”

“Mine, too!”

We finished sketching almost at the same time and handed them over to the shopkeeper. She took them with a smile, said “Just a moment,” and disappeared into the back room. Probably going to carve those designs into silver plates now.

In the meantime, Ange was browsing through jewelry accessories.

“Look at this one—it’s cute. And this one, too. Oh, how about this one?”

“Wait—am I the one putting that on?”

No way I’m wearing some flashy amulet covered in hearts and stars.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure Eld’s version looks proper and stylish.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll keep my expectations… reasonable.”

A few minutes later, the shopkeeper returned, holding the amulet made from the parts we’d picked.

“Here is your custom-made accessory. Please check for any flaws.”

We each took our own amulet, flipping it over, checking the front and back, tracing the lines of our own drawings.

Ange nodded, satisfied. No scars on my side, and the drawing was clear and solid. Judging by the texture, they’d probably done some sandblaster-style finish—could be possible with earth magic, I guess.

“I’m fine.”

“So am I.”

“Then, lastly—would you like to add any accessories?”

“I’ll pass.”

Honestly, expecting more from my taste at this point would be pushing it. If I added something random, it’d throw off the balance and end up looking terrible.

“I’d like a little bit, though. Oh—Eld, don’t peek.”

“Alright.”

While I turned my back, Ange picked out a few accessories—this one, that one—and carefully attached them to the amulet.

“Eld, you can look now.”

“Done?”

I turned back, and Ange was grinning, pleased with herself. In her hand, the finished amulet—already threaded through a silver chain, ready to wear at any moment.

She dangled it in front of me, show-off style.

“Ta-da! What do you think!?”

Black base plate, silver gear-shaped plate on top—carved into it, an angel playing a flute, loud and clear.

The optional accessories were two stones: indigo and transparent.

“Added aquamarine and rainbow crystal. How’s that?”

“Looks good. Can I try it on?”

“Yeah.”

I took the amulet and slipped it over my head.

The old one would get in the way, but I could just adjust the chain length—no problem.

Ange watched it gleam at my chest, gave a slow, satisfied nod.

“Perfect.”

"Yeah, well, mine’s yours then. Not as sharp as Ange’s taste, but—"

I’d just have to make do with that.

Thinking it through, I handed over the amulet I’d made. Ange slipped it around her neck, beaming.

"Does it suit me?"

"Uh-huh."

"Looks absolutely perfect."

"Good. Thanks!"

She peered into the hand mirror the clerk had handed her, grinning as she examined the amulet hanging at her throat.

"Should be me saying that."

"So, both complete, then?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Ah, the pleasure was all mine. You showed me something lovely."

The clerk smiled warmly—after all, she’d just been handed a cheap romance novel. That’s professionalism. I’d probably have punched her.

"Please take this form over to the register."

"Yes."

Just as Ange reached for the paper with the price written on it, I smoothly snatched it from her hand. Come on now—she’d already got a salary that’s more than enough, and making her pay here? That’d just bring a whole bunch of complaints. Plus, I bet the shopkeeper’s already giving me the cold shoulder.

“I’ll cover it. No complaints.”

At first, Ange looked startled. Then she smiled right away and said thank you.

We finished the payment, stepped outside, and headed straight for the general store—the one we’d come to for the letter.

The shop had pens, paper, ink, and everything else you could think of—small trinkets, lamps, even frying pans. It was the kind of place that sold just about anything, and that meant the selection was pretty solid.

I was browsing the letter section with Ange, trying to decide which one to pick.

“What about this one?”

“Don’t you think this one’s better?”

Ange picked a letter with blue lines. I went with the plain white one.

I don’t even care about fancy stuff like that. Probably better to let Ange handle this kind of thing.

“Then we’ll go with that one. What about the envelope?”

“Let’s match it with blue. I always use pink, you know.”

“Simple and clear—nice.”

So, without much fuss, we picked out the letter and envelope and bought them.

“Alright, time to head back and write the letter!”

“Yeah… right, that’s what we’re here for…”

Felt like just buying the letter was already enough, but no—gotta write one, too, I guess…

“What should I even write?”

“Just apologize for not writing before. Then say you’re doing well, and tell him what you’ve been up to. Eld’s got stories, doesn’t he? Loads of them.”

“Yeah, well… not entirely untrue.”

The cafeteria eating contest, the midnight ghost hunt, sneaking into the hangar—

Thinking about it, they’re doing all sorts of things… Honestly, they’re just a full-on student, this one.

I was thinking about what to write, drifting back to academy days, when a distant bell rang out.

"Hey? Is it already that time?"

This bell’s been set up at the base. Mostly used to signal wake-up, meals, breaks, and when the gate shuts.

But it’s still high noon—should be time enough before the gate shuts.

Something’s off. I know it—so I listen hard to the bell’s chime.

Clang, clang—clang, clang—clang, clang

Two hits in a row, then one more—pause. That’s definitely continuous—!?

"Emergency call!?"

"Wait, so this is…"

Emergency alert—everyone back now! Move fast!

Got it!

I’ve heard this sound only ever means something truly dire. So… something dire’s happened.

Then we’ve got to gather the Armunale team as fast as we can. Might be an emergency callout.

“Active Wing, Quadruple Installation. Open! Aeroslaster!”

“Flare Booster, Quadruple Installation. Open!”

We fired off the magic right away, using the rooftops to race back to base as fast as we could.

・

By the time Eld and the others finished the amulet, a soldier burst into the base’s command facility.

“S-sir! Emergency messenger!”

“What is it?”

Jakarta’s overall commander, Sam Solomon, felt at once that something was terribly wrong just by looking at the soldier’s shattered state. He halted his daily training, ordered his subordinates to summon officers of captain rank and above, and moved toward the soldier.

It’s a large-scale invasion by the Overd Empire!

“What? The size of the unit—what about the front-line lot?!”

Twelve enemy Armunale units confirmed. Six each are pushing through the β-block forest path, attacking the fortress! We’ve got two from Salsa and two from Sore, but I don’t know how much longer they can hold out. Might already be—

“Curse it, what were the stealth squad even doing! The enemy front should’ve had only seven units!”

Maurice fumed at the discrepancy between the intel from the hidden agents inside the empire and the map he spread across the table, jabbing the pins down quick and sharp.

Even as he did, the captains of the Armunale units stationed at the fortress, and the base officers, were gathering around.

“Full-scale invasion! We’ve confirmed twelve enemy units already. Salsa and Sole are already in combat. Sound general alarm—Armunale units, launch those ready now! How many can we get in the air right this second!?”

“Three on standby. Two more are under maintenance, but we can get them flying if we put them together.”

“Where’s the patrol group!?”

“At this hour, all of them are in the buffer zone. If nothing’s happened, they’re probably en route to reinforce the fortress.”

“Tch.”

A sharp click of his tongue escaped him at his subordinate’s report.

Something’s bound to have happened. Twelve Armunale units—no way they’d pass through the buffer zone and not be spotted. So at least one unit must’ve been wiped out before they could share intel.

“Then the three on standby go when the other two are ready. Target: Salsa Fortress.”

“What about Soare?”

“If the buffer zone forces are heading there, Soare’s our best bet. Even if we’re outnumbered, we can buy time with a pincer. While we finish off Salsa’s enemy, we’ll move toward Soare.”

“Got it!”

But it’s a risky play. If Soare’s already fallen, those Armunale units that took it will push straight into the interior. Then every town between here and Jakarta will burn and be looted—no mercy.

We’re holding this land—no way in hell are they trampling over what I’m sworn to protect! Armunale units, all hands, prepare for launch! Mechanics, get the Armunales ready—priority one! Communications team, contact the capital and Fortran—request reinforcements and supplies—move fast! Half the non-combatants to packing supplies, the other half to cooking. I’ll leave the staffing to my support maid. Medical team, get ready to receive the wounded. From now on, the command center shifts to the first conference room—I’m taking full command. Understood? Go!

‘Hah!’

At the order, the captains and officers gathered in the command room sprang into motion all at once.

The sudden, massive invasion by the empire—maybe that’s what it takes to turn the gathered droplets into a rushing river.