Chapter 105 - Raising Soldiers (2/2)

"So Gray, want to go meet my parents? They're available on Sundays usually." Yurika said excitedly.

"Today is Sunday, isn't that a little soon?"

"Duh, I mean in a week! I'll need time to butter them up to!"

"What for? I'm amazing!" Gray said proudly.

"...yeah..." Yurika said disinterestedly. "Actually I don't know what to call you in front of them since technically I'm getting married in a few weeks and can't say your my boyfriend or lover."

"Fair point... ummm... close friend in arms, maybe add that I saved your life or something to make it more believable?"

"That should work... so let's go see them next Sunday!"

"Yeah, I think we need to get some confirmation about some things before I can say 'I've solved the mystery gang!' with any sort of confidence." Gray stated.

"As long as you don't say it was Red Harry..." Geoff said smugly.

"So what should we do for the rest of the day?" Paul asked.

"Whatever you guys want... I'm tired... beat up... and I think I'm going to find a tub of ice water to soak in." Gray said.

Yurika whispered to Gray "Tub for two?"

Gray nodded then whispered back "I'll get you the upgraded Gatling Cannon for a few thousand merits if you can rub my shoulders too."

Yurika's eyes lit up and she excitedly yelled "Deal!"

__________

Back at Dresden base, Marquis Mehhnk had brought out the latest batch of recruits including the Princess. On the warm Monday morning, the Marquis gave his usual warm up address, but then he added something new.

"As your instructor, I can only teach you so much... some of it you have to experience for yourselves..."

Princess Bang-gwi and Xiǎng Pigu exchanged nervous looks as the Marquis had also brought a man bound in chains and cuffs up to the small stage with him.

"This man... we can spare you his name, he was accused and found guilty of murder of an entire family of lower nobles and the commoner family staying with them."

The Marquis then pulled out a gun, swiftly aimed it at the man's head and pulled the trigger.

Princess Bang-gwi looked on in shock and horror, she felt as if time slowed down as she could see the bullet penetrate the man's skull, the blood spray escaping the cavity left by the bullet like how a can that is opened sprays out pop under pressure. The blood coats the tip of the gun and the Marquis' face as well as his jacket, a light amount of smoke coming from the barrel of the gun and the blood being dried from the heat of the muzzle. The sound of the shot, meanwhile, resonated through her entire being, then ended all at once when the man's body crumpled to the stage.

After a few moments some pilots and soldiers, male and female, screamed in shock. The Princess woke up from her shock and looked around and saw Xiǎng Pigu bending over and throwing up, she wanted to help her but the Princess couldn't move.

Suddenly she felt warmth all around her and her vision was blocked.

"Princess, keep calm." she heard Vincent's voice say calmly. He had hugged her tightly and turned her whole body away from the scene.

Recovering from her shock, the Princess managed to say "Th-thank you, Vincent..."

"What happened to 'Vinnie'"? Vincent said slightly teasing her.

The Princess gave a small laugh and managed to hold herself together, then said "Vinnie, help Pi..."

"O-Of course, sorry!" Vincent let go of Princess Bang-gwi and then went to help Xiǎng Pigu.

Marquis Mehhnk wiped the gun off and holstered it, then was handed a towel which he used to wipe the blood off of his face. "This is war, you can call it murder, but they are both the same. You will be intentionally trying to take another person's life to protect our cause or protect your own life. If you hesitate, you die!"

Marquis Mehhnk honestly hated this part of the training... he was changing the young men and women from innocent civilians into soldiers. He felt a piece of yourself would die when you could unflinchingly take the life of another human, but he also understood that as soldiers it was necessary. "You can relax for today or train, the choice is yours... but know that you all will have to have the resolve to kill by the end of the week."

Princess Bang-gwi took Xiǎng Pigu from Vincent and would guide her back to her room as she seemed to be in no condition to train. It surprised the Princess how calm Vincent, Sabrina, Alexander, and Brian were, she reminded herself to ask them about it later.

After dropping off Xiǎng Pigu, Princess Bang-gwi returned to her room with Chuhan Jwi close behind her. Chuhan Jwi waited for the Princess to say something, but instead walked up behind her and patted her gently on the back as the Princess fell to her knees and threw up her breakfast into the toilet.