To Thaw a Lost Heart

Prologue: Cause of Misery

How did it turn out this way?

Where did it all begin?

What did I do wrong?

Why did it have to happen?

Everything started as normal, so even someone like Bismarck became complacent. She believed that days would go on without worry even in the middle of a war, but an incident pushed her to face reality. Bismarck couldn't turn her attention away from it no matter how much she tried to force herself. It's something she has to muster her might just to stare at it.

"..."

That "it" is her own sister, lying unconscious and couldn't normally breath. Oxygen had to be administered as her damaged lungs that also inhaled the toxic black smoke couldn't normally support the air circulating in her respiratory system. The area where the damage is severe is on both hands.

"Tirpitz..."

Even when she softly calls her sister's name, there isn't the slightest response. If it isn't for her expanding chest from every breath, anyone would have mistaken her for a lifeless body. The younger sister quietly lied on the bed with injuries having little hope of recovery. Both of her hands have darkened and a layer from exposing her flesh, but fortunately wrapped in bandages to conceal the horrible aftermath.

"Even after her wounds are treated, her body temperature is similar to a fever. It started as barely a degree higher than normal, but her fever gradually worsens. At this point, her body would overheat to death"

The auxiliary ship Neumark stands just a meter behind Bismarck, forcing her own voice to inform Bismarck. Even if Bismarck herself doesn't turn to face her ally, she's aware of how Neumark is frowning at the sight of Tirpitz's horrible condition. Not only sections of her skin have been charred, but there are bright vein-like patterns glowing like a flame's ember.

"If she remains this way, Tirpitz wouldn't survive for another day. No normal treatment can save her, Bismarck" Neumark takes a deep breath

"No normal treatment? Are you implying...there's another way...?" Bismarck's voice lacks any emotion as she's numb just staring at her sister

"There is one, but...I don't think it's recommended. It might be a cruel fate for Tirpitz even if we both want her to live"

"What are you saying?" Bismarck finally turns to face her

"After the raid in an Arbiter's laboratory, the Wolfpack collected samples from the remnants of its unmelting ice. Touching it with your bare fingers would instantly freeze humans right to their molecular level"

"I'm not aware of this. Neumark, don't tell me..." Bismarck frowns at her

"Surgically implanting that is the only way to stop her body from overheating to death. However, it risks dropping her body temperature below normal just to counter the rising body heat. Worst case scenario is she'll die from hypothermia"

"What's the chance of survival...?" Bismarck turns away and lowers her head

"Ten percent if we're being generous. Her fate would remain the same..."

Between the choice of letting Tirpitz die of an abnormal fever or through untested surgery, she both has chances of dying. The only difference is that the surgery could save her life if by some miracle she conquers all those odds. Bismarck tightly clutches the handles on the side of the bed, silently lamenting her own helplessness.

"There's no one to blame. We didn't expect the operation would fail and Tirpitz would almost burn to death..."

"The Fool nearly did us in. If my fleet had arrived earlier, then the other fleet wouldn't have suffered a terrible loss" Bismarck takes a deep breath