Something That Never Existed

"This is the gift and duty I bestow upon you." Salomon removed the Ring of Intimidation and placed it on Aura's head.

After putting on this piece of equipment, Aura could no longer wear her helmet, but she had no complaints. For an Artificial Human in a heavy firepower squad, any equipment capable of weakening nearby enemies was important. What was more, this was a gift personally bestowed by the Creator. Even if it were useless, it would be enshrined as a holy relic within the Sisterhood. Aura occasionally turned back to wink at the girls and point at the magical equipment on her head. The other girls' envious gazes could almost pierce through the blood-red lenses of their helmets.

Commander Tita had told all the girls that they were the Sovereign's daughters, and that everything the Sovereign did for them was an expression of love. In Aura's mind, as well as those of the squad members behind her, Salomon's gift of magical equipment was the best proof. In order to earn the Sovereign's affection, every member of the Sisterhood's combat personnel would fight with all her might, just to make the Sovereign look at her a little longer.

This was the Creator's blessing, and the girls would disregard their lives to obtain it. Salomon, who understood the Artificial Humans' loyalty, did not pay it much mind. Homunculi were naturally prone to extremes, and there was nothing wrong with applying that fanatical emotion to loyalty.

Not everyone in a heavy firepower squad carried heavy weapons. Such a composition would only lead to disaster on the battlefield. A standard combat squad consisted of a captain armed with a longsword and an Explosive Rounds Pistol, along with four assault troopers carrying explosive assault rifles and Fragmentation Grenades. A so-called heavy firepower squad