[Bonus chapter] Support

Aldrich took this time to debrief Valera. He gave her a rundown of his talk with the entity.

Of course, Volantis heard this too.

"…So that is how it is," said Valera. "The world itself stands against us." She sighed softly. "I suppose the dates we planned but never managed to bring to reality will not happen."

Aldrich, for the briefest of moments, wondered how Valera could be thinking about dates right now, but he mentally shook that thought away. She had always been a responsible commander. Her intrusive thoughts meant little compared to her time tested reliability.

"But rest assured, I will stand behind you through it all." Valera raised her shield. "No matter what stands against us, whether they be the gods in our past lives or the very world in this one, I shall stand firm with you, for that is where I have sworn to be."

"I appreciate that, Valera," said Aldrich.

"Your goal does not change either, does it, Armored?" said Volantis.

"Hm?"