Honkai Impact 3rd: Don't Die for Me/ Book 1: Promise

Chapter 43 Miscommunication

<Fields Outside the Camps>

"What do you think of the new orders?"

"Bold but there's sound reason in raiding the caravans that enter the camp. I like this change of pace, we're taking the first steps but at the same time I wonder if we're ready."

The small group of rebel Valkyries that had taken to a nomadic lifestyle outside the camps sat up upon the moss of old trees. They were one out of seven groups that varied in size. Before Otto had arrived they were just lookouts and occasional skirmishers. A few were sent away to spread the news and ask for help but they never came back. Probably silenced by the church.

"Caravan insight."

"I see four threats."

"I also see four."

The supply chain scuttled forward like a centipede. The white canvas tops of the carts shivered in the wind as their horses struggled to pull the weight of the supplies being brought. There were scores of soldiers protecting the carts present to subsidize the lack of Valkyries on hand. They were weathered and some of the carts were damaged.

The rebel Valkyries perched in trees donned their new gas masks and uncorked a few canisters. The soldiers below looked up as an unfamiliar scent hissed above them. A fog of tear gas and smoke impaired them all as the Valkyries blitzed the caravan with blinding speed. Within five minutes they were out having taken what they were there for.

"What was that?"

"A new beast?"

"Everyone on guard!"

"Formations."

After twenty minutes the effects of the gas wore off. A quick scan of the supplies showed that nothing was out of order. The soldiers of the church thought nothing of the strange occurrence. None of them were hurt and at the end of the day, the little encounter they just witnessed was pleasant compared to the horror of Honkai. They continued on their way, of course, they would report this incident but as per Otto's instructions the rebels stole as discreetly as possible.

<Camps>

"Everything is set."

Two slaves disguised in priest clothes left the storage unit with clammy hands. Before the war, they were simple hunters. They stalked the steppes for food and enjoyed a peaceful life with their families. They became rangers and scouts when the war started, they lost everything after the war. Vengeance fueled them. Jet black oil is ready to burn at a moment's notice. Simmered down only by the goodwill of the Valkyries and priests who resisted the injustice of the church. But though they were allies, the scourge of war couldn't be overlooked so easily. Within the rebellion, tensions were strung high due to the conflict between justice and revenge.

Otto's arrival however united the factions in a peculiar way. He reignited the sparks of humanity within their souls with his precarious plan.

"Don't you think this plan goes too far?"
"Yes, but the times call for it. Would you have us fight them head-on?"

"But our families could get crossed into-"

"They'll be killed if we resist directly too."

An explosion rang out behind them as they walked away. They didn't flinch nor react. They were held up by the cold thought of Otto's plan. The intentions behind his thoughts stemmed from justice. But the means while they held the intention of claiming no lives, would cause untold suffering. In Otto's mind, the end justifies the means. Though the plan that he acted out was tame compared to the others he thought up of.