A month after joining the Vanguard, Seti stood behind the Forbidden Wall, looking at the figure standing on top of the Cold Front Tank in the distance.
The cannons roared, the Orks charged, and the smoke of battle obscured the sky.
But that figure always stood at the forefront, his cloak fluttering in the gale, his Boltgun firing incessantly.
That was the first time he had seen Lynn in person.
No longer portraits and rumors, but living, breathing people.
He was the one who gave him food and a way to survive.
Seti gripped the Lasgun tightly, finally understanding the meaning of "loyalty" for the first time.
After the Battle of the Forbidden Wall, Seti was promoted to company commander for his bravery in battle.
His unit was the most capable company in the Fifth Legion, always at the forefront of every charge.
He couldn't explain why he worked so hard.
Perhaps it was to repay the fifty kilograms of rations, or perhaps it was to ensure that his mother and younger siblings could continue to have food.
Perhaps he just wanted the person standing on the tank to look at him one more time.
The night before the suppression of the West District Riot, Seti sat in the barracks and pulled a card from under his pillow.
It wasn't the recruit's ration advance card from before; it was another one, a "merit ration card" that was just issued yesterday.
One ton of premium starch canned goods.
That's enough to feed his family of four for at least two and a half years!
Some of those canned goods even contained synthetic protein blocks.
He turned the card over and looked at the small print on the back.
Commendation from the Governor's Office to Seti, Company Commander of the Seventy-First Company Fifth Legion Vanguard Corps.
He remembered his mother's face, his younger siblings' smiles, and the man standing on the tank.
He tucked the card back under his pillow, lay down on the hard cot, and stared at the ceiling.
We're going to fight those nobles tomorrow.
Those nobles who live in opulent manors, eat real snow beef every day, and drink wine imported from agricultural planets.
What right do they have to resist?
The governor gave them a way out, gave them a chance, so what right did they have to compete?
Seti clenched his fists and closed his eyes.
The entire Fifth Legion was mobilized the following morning.
Three million soldiers surrounded the Uptown part of the city from three directions.
Armored vehicles roared through the streets, heavy artillery was set up in the distance, Valkyrie Transport swept overhead, dropping swarms of soldiers.
The nobles in the West End had probably never seen anything like this in their lives.
They stood behind the makeshift fortifications, their faces pale as they watched the soldiers pouring in from all directions.
"He... he really dared to do it?!"
"We are citizens of the Imperium too! What right does he have?!"
"Where's the Adeptus Arbites? Where are the Inquisition?!"
No one answered, but Sorine, who was standing next to her, couldn't help but chuckle.
These private soldiers, who had never actually been on the battlefield, suffered a near-total rout.
They even doubted whether they were still human.
Why are these Vanguard fighting them with such gusto, like they're risking their lives?
Seti led the charge, and his company was responsible for clearing a main street.
The streets were lined with noble estates, and their gates were crowded with private soldiers.
Those private soldiers, dressed in smart uniforms and carrying sophisticated weapons, but with only fear in their eyes.
"Those who surrender will not be killed!" Seti roared, "Those who resist..."
He didn't finish speaking, because he didn't need to.
The private soldiers had already thrown down their weapons and crouched down with their hands on their heads.
Seti didn't even glance at them, heading straight for the largest manor at the end of the street.
The door was locked, so he raised his foot and kicked it open.
Behind the door was a luxurious hall with marble floors and portraits of past heads of the family hanging on the walls.
In the very center sat a man dressed in silk pajamas, holding a cup of steaming tea.
When the man saw Seti rush in, his first reaction wasn't to run, but to freeze in shock.
He had probably never seen anything like this before: a soldier covered in mud with fierce eyes.
He charged into his living room like a wild beast, carrying an electric baton.
Seti didn't give him time to be stunned.
The first blow landed on his leg.
The man screamed and collapsed to the ground, his teacup shattering and tea splashing everywhere.
The second blow landed on his mouth.
The screams turned into whimpers, and teeth and blood gushed out together.
The third blow landed on his head.
The man's eyes rolled back, his body convulsed, and he completely lost the ability to resist.
This is a set of stick techniques that he summarized.
The first blow is to the legs to prevent escape; the second blow is to the mouth to prevent begging for mercy; and the third blow is to the head to prevent resistance.
Seti then began his real attack.
The stun guns rained down like a storm.
He couldn't remember how many times he hit the target, only that he used all his strength with each strike.
Every blow was a gesture of revenge for the starving people of the Lower City and for the governor.
Until the nobleman lay on the ground like a lump of rotten flesh, only weak twitching remaining.
Seti finally stopped, panting heavily.
He looked down at the bloodied and mangled face, and suddenly remembered something.
The order is to capture them alive.
He scratched his head.
He should still be alive, right?
Afterwards, the soldiers of the Fifth Legion held a "debriefing meeting" in their barracks.
How many times did you hit it?
"I don't know, I'll beat him until even his own mother wouldn't recognize him."
"Mine only took five hits before he passed out. He's so fragile."
"Next time I need to practice my swing speed. Seven swings per second is too slow; I need to swing ten per second."
"Yes, yes, that's what I think too. How can we be soft-hearted when it comes to avenging the Governor?"
Seti sat in the corner, listening to his comrades boast, a slight smile playing on his lips.
But when he thought of the food card under his pillow, he couldn't help but sigh.
"The bird isn't waving fast enough."
The riots in the Uptown Side were suppressed smoothly.
Of the 1.43 million private soldiers, most surrendered on the spot, while the few who resisted were killed.
Those nobles who led the riot were all dragged out, given a beating in the street, and then thrown into jail.
Lynn stood by the window of the governor's mansion, looking towards the western district in the distance.
The smoke of battle has dissipated, and the streets have returned to silence.
But his brow remained furrowed.
Carter stood behind him, holding the battle report that had just been delivered.
"Your Excellency, the Fifth Legion has taken control of the entire Western District. Prisoners are being interrogated in batches, and property is being inventoried."
Lynn nodded without saying anything.
Carter waited a moment, then tentatively asked, "What... are you worried about?"
Lynn turned around and looked at him.
" Carter, have you noticed something?"
"Speaking."
" The St. Garus Family," Lynn said slowly, "Has been too quiet lately."
Carter thought for a moment and nodded.
The St. Garus Family, the true uncrowned kings of Brevis.
High King Caladogon wields the strongest military force in Brevis.
They have the final veto power in the Upper City Council and hold the decisive position in the Noble Council.
How could such a family remain completely unresponsive after Lynn confiscated the property of hundreds of nobles and suppressed the West District Riot?
Even the Upper City Council meeting, which is hosted by the St. Garus Family and is held monthly without fail, hasn't been held for the past month.
Carter frowned. "You mean..."
Lynn shook her head. "Something's not right."
He walked to the wall and looked at the Brevis holographic map.
Our gaze fell upon Saint Garus Castle, located in the very heart of the Uptown.
The castle has become as quiet as a deserted island lately.
Lynn remembered something.
One of the secrets he discovered from that little black box aboard the Song Offering.
Brevis's STC.