Chapter 34 - Scars of One's Heart (part 2)

- Hornets' Nest's Officer Guest Quarters–

- 1145hrs, local time –

 "Are you going to tell me what really happened back then, Achilles? Or are you going to keep dodging?" Aurora stopped momentarily, straightening her posture as her expression softened. "You don't have to keep it to yourself… As I said before, just let your feelings out, I'm here for you."

Her voice wasn't demanding—if anything, it was filled with quiet sympathy. And yet, those words grated against Jaeger's ears. He'd heard them before. A long time ago. And they still irritated him just the same. Then, without warning, the memories surged back. A sharp pain shot through his skull, and before he could stop it, tears slipped down his face. He wasn't sobbing—not even close—but his body betrayed him, reacting to a trauma he thought he'd buried long ago.

"A-Achilles!? A-are you okay?" Aurora's voice wavered as she reached out, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. Jaeger lowered his head, hiding his tears as he sank onto a nearby seat, gripping his knees to steady himself. "I… I'm fine, it's just one of my PTSD acting up…"

Aurora hesitated, confusion flickering across her face. "Pardon? Pee-tee-es-dee…?" Jaeger took a slow breath, pushing past the lingering pain as he stood back up. His expression remained composed, but a trace of sorrow lingered in his gaze.

"It's another word for trauma… Do you really want to know? About what happened before we got back to base?"

Aurora nodded but hesitated, her voice quieter now. "Yes, and…" She paused, gripping the folds of her skirt. "That trauma of yours as well."

Jaeger's jaw tightened. His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. "Aurora… sorry, but that's where I'm drawing the line." The sharpness in his tone made the gentle lady flinch. She had never seen him look at her like that before—cold, unyielding, almost piercing and very distant.

"A-apologies… I didn't mean to…" Her voice wavered as she dropped her gaze to the ground, shrinking slightly under the weight of his stare. The silence between them was suffocating. For Aurora, it was heart-wrenching.

She had overcome her once-isolated self in just a matter of a week because of Jaeger—her saviour, her source of admiration. His bravery, assertiveness, and relentless pursuit of truth inspired her. She knew he had suffered as she glimpsed into his past when she tapped into his memories through her spell. But she had never realized just how deeply that pain still consumed him.

Even under the weight of his cold stare, Aurora did not waver. She steadied herself, lifting her chin with quiet determination, a reassuring look gracing her goddess-like features.

"Then… I shall wait. For the day when you can share the pain that has scarred you so deeply."

She smiled, and he was not immune to it. It was warm, genuine, and filled with a quiet understanding—a kind of care that made even the cold-blooded mercenary's defences falter, if only slightly.

Jaeger exhaled, shaking his head. "You really are persistent, huh…?"

Aurora giggled, a touch of playful pride in her voice. "Hey, I am a scholar as well, just so you know! Pursuing knowledge is what I love most. A trivial matter like this will not deter me~"

He sighed, the familiarity of her words stirring a long-buried memory. "You also learned that from my mother, huh?"

Her laughter was soft, almost angelic, carrying the warmth of someone truly at peace. "But of course. As Countess Christina's pupil, it is only natural that my way of thought mirrors hers."

Jaeger rolled his eyes, the cold edge in his gaze now completely gone. "Whatever you say, buddy… Anyway, let's talk in my room. The incident on the tarmac is confidential, after all."

His casual invitation caught Aurora completely off guard. "Wh—huh—WHA—?! Y-Your room!?" she blurted out, eyes wide in shock.

To her embarrassment, she had never been inside a man's room before—aside from her father's, and that was only for quiet tea gatherings. But now, Jaeger, of all people, was inviting her into his personal space? Her mind spiralled into a flustered panic.

Jaeger, however, remained utterly oblivious to her reaction. He raised an eyebrow as she fidgeted in place, her gaze darting everywhere as if searching for an escape. "The hell are you freaking out about?" he asked, raising an eyebrow

"N-nothing! I-"

"Well if it's nothing, follow me then" And just like that, she had no choice but to trail after him. As they walked through the building, Aurora kept her head down, staring at the hem of her skirt and the floor beneath her feet. She tried desperately to hide her blush from the passing soldiers and staff.

"Ughhh… this man… Does he not realize that inviting a lady into his room is very much—"

The unfinished thought sent her mind racing with far too many possibilities. Her blush deepened, spreading across her cheeks as she hurried her steps, trying not to let her imagination get the best of her. With each step they took and the silence that hung between them, her fluster only grew more intense.

As they approached his room—a design reminiscent of those in Yukikaze, with two diagonally sliding automated panels—Jaeger broke the silence. As the door slid open, he gestured inside. "It ain't majestic as your room though make yourself comfortable."

Stepping in, Aurora took in the room as Jaeger pressed a panel just past the doorframe, activating the lighting. A blend of soft white and warm yellow fluorescent lights filled the space, creating an inviting atmosphere.

His quarters were spacious yet functional, reflecting his high-ranking military status without excess luxury. Near the bed stood a weapon rack and a gunsmith's workbench, evidence of his meticulous nature. Across the room, a work desk housed an unfamiliar device—a larger version of the wrist-mounted MFD from his exoskeleton.

To the right of the entrance, a compact yet cozy guest area featured two sofas facing each other with a sleek table in between. Further in, near the seating area, was a compact kitchen, equipped with strange, foreign-looking appliances that Aurora didn't recognize. The entire space carried a minimalist yet futuristic industrial aesthetic, mirroring Jaeger's no-nonsense personality and profession.

With quiet grace, Aurora sat on the sofa facing the inner side of the room, hands clasped over her skirt as she waited for him to join her. Despite her best efforts, a hint of shyness lingered in her posture. Jaeger, noticing her hesitation, raised an eyebrow. "I was about to show you footage of what happened, you know? I'd rather not say it out loud."

Without waiting for a response, he moved to his work desk, unfolding a spare chair for himself before casually patting the more comfortable work chair beside him. "Sit here. It'll be easier to see."

She nodded and slowly approached him, settling into the chair beside him. As she sat, the screen flickered to life, glowing softly as Jaeger pressed a key on the keyboard. He adjusted the monitor slightly, angling it so she could see. A video player window opened, displaying footage from his helmet camera.

The recording began at a tense moment—Jaeger locked in combat with a towering, ominous tree-like creature. Aurora's eyes widened in surprise. "Is that… an [Eldar Alpha Treant]?"

Jaeger glanced at her, brow furrowing. "Eldar Alpha Treant?"

Aurora nodded gracefully, raising a hand as a soft glow of mana swirled at her fingertips. With a flick of her wrist, a detailed three-dimensional image materialized in the air, shimmering with arcane energy.

"The Eldar Alpha Treant is a high-ranking monster classified as Calamity-class. A single one is capable of devastating half a nation. However, in this age, they are regarded as mere myths, for the last of their kind was said to have been eradicated by the heroes of old within the [Endless Forest]."

Jaeger scoffed, crossing his arms. "That thing was an actual threat? I figured you guys could just take it down easily with all your magic and s**t."

Aurora sighed, shaking her head. "Do recall that none among us possess the power to cast high-level spells repeatedly—save for the heroes themselves. Even among the strongest of our kind, such feats remain beyond reach." She glanced at him, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "How, then, did you manage to defeat it?"

Jaeger leaned back slightly, tapping a few keys on the console. "Just watch. Explaining it would be bloody mouthful."

He tapped the longest rectangular key on the keyboard, and the footage began to play. The video opened with a tense battle scene—Jaeger facing off against the towering Eldar Alpha Treant. He held his ground, dodging and counterattacking, enduring its relentless assault until a sudden barrage of cruise missiles rained down. The explosions tore into the creature, peppering it with gaping holes before finally bringing it down.

As the battle ended, the footage shifted, transitioning into a far calmer scene. Jaeger, his team, and the civilians they had rescued were gathered together, exchanging words in relative peace. The princess watched in quiet curiosity, but it wasn't long before the tone darkened again.

Jeanne's call was suddenly interrupted. Then came the chilling command from General August.

[Eliminate the priority target]

Aurora's breath caught in her throat as she watched the screen, horrified. The cold precision with which Jaeger executed the order—without hesitation, without even a second thought—sent a shiver down her spine. The tension between Coyote and Jaeger that followed only deepened the unease in her heart. By the time the footage ended, she had already pieced everything together.

She let out a quiet breath, her voice laced with sorrow. "I see… because of the experiments forced upon you, you are incapable of defying such an order… Yet, even so, it is far too cruel… even if that man was a spy."

Jaeger let out a sigh, leaning forward as he rested his arms on the desk, burying his face in them. "You're right. It was inhumane… but good soldiers follow orders."

His voice was quiet, almost hollow. Slowly, he turned his head toward her, his gaze empty, devoid of certainty—like a man grasping at an excuse that no longer held meaning. "Or so I thought… My justification isn't right, huh?"

Aurora's lips parted slightly, but no words came out. She didn't know how to respond. She had witnessed many things in her life—tales of honour, stories of legendary heroes, the noble ideals of justice and righteousness. But this… this was different.

Jaeger's actions were heartless. She had seen the footage with her own eyes—the way he executed the suspected traitor without so much as a flicker of hesitation. The cold efficiency of it chilled her. And yet…

She swallowed, her fingers tightening over the fabric of her skirt. A spy within their ranks could have been catastrophic. Had the traitor been allowed to live, they could have compromised the entire operation. Sabotage. Assassination. The collapse of diplomacy.

Was Jaeger truly wrong… or was this the brutal reality of war?

Aurora exhaled softly, her heart heavy. She had spent her life believing in peace, studying magic, and researching ways to improve the lives of her people. But Jaeger's world was not built on ideals.

It was built on blood, sacrifice, and survival.

And the thought that someone like him had been forced to live like this—forced to kill without hesitation, simply to stay alive—made her heartache.

Before she could stop herself, she took a step forward and gently wrapped her arms around him from behind.

Jaeger stiffened. The warmth of her touch pressed against his back, her head resting lightly on his left shoulder.

For a brief moment, his first instinct was to push her away. This was unfamiliar. This was dangerous. He didn't deserve this.

And yet… his body refused to move. Somehow, it was as if it wanted to be held. His breath hitched slightly, his hands tightening into fists against the desk. "Why… Why was she going this far… for someone she had only known for a week?" That is what he thought, but his doubts slowly withered away as his heart started to be at ease due to her presence… a presence that he might've longed for.

The question echoed in his mind; a stubborn resistance born from years of solitude. And yet, as the seconds stretched on, something within him began to shift. The doubts—the unrelenting voice that told him he was alone, that he had to be alone—slowly withered away.

Because for the first time in as long as he could remember, his heart felt at ease.

A presence like hers… had he always longed for it? Had he buried that longing so deeply that he had forgotten it even existed?

The embrace remained unbroken, neither of them speaking. The only sound was the quiet hum of the AC, its cold air brushing against them—and yet, Jaeger barely felt it.

What he felt instead was Aurora's warmth, her arms around him, her silent determination pressing through the fortress of isolation he had built around himself.

Then, gently, she began to caress his head.

Jaeger's breath faltered. The touch was light, careful—like she knew how fragile this moment was. Her fingers ran through his hair in slow, soothing motions, a silent reassurance that he wasn't alone anymore.

This was different. This wasn't like the casual embraces he had given Jeanne. This wasn't a fleeting gesture of comfort between comrades.

No… this was something else entirely. It reminded him of a time long past—a time that had brought him both pain and joy. A time he had long since abandoned. A nostalgic yet unfamiliar emotion swelled deep within his chest, both terrifying and oddly comforting. And for once… He didn't push it away.

Their embrace lasted for more than half an hour, neither of them speaking—just existing in the quiet comfort of each other's presence.

Finally, the moment broke. Jaeger let out a breath, wiping away the remnants of his unbidden tears with the back of his hand. He chuckled, his voice carrying a rare lightness. "You sure you didn't use your [Charm] skill?"

Aurora's eyes widened before she let out an exaggerated huff, crossing her arms in a dramatic pout. The motion unintentionally emphasized her chest, which did not go unnoticed by Jaeger.

"How rude!" she scoffed, turning her nose up in mock indignation. "Comforting someone like you isn't easy, you know! It takes a lot of effort to handle such a brooding, stubborn man."

Jaeger smirked. "Oh? So I'm that much of a handful, huh?"

She placed a hand on her hip, her emerald eyes glinting playfully. "Obviously! And here I thought that so-called [mercenaries] were supposed to be strong, indomitable and unshakable~" She leaned in ever so slightly, her voice teasingly sweet. "But lo and behold, the infamous Achilles Wolfenford just had a princess dry his tears~"

Jaeger let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "you sure like to rub the salt on the wound don't you princes?~."

But then, her teasing smile faded. Her expression softened, concern flickering behind her usual playful demeanour. "Especially after… all that happened to you," she murmured.

His smirk dimmed, replaced by something more thoughtful. He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "I swear… you really do have the power to change people, huh?"

For the first time in what felt like forever, his smile was genuine—not a smirk, not a front, but real. The usual sharpness in his piercing red eyes softened, revealing something far gentler, something long buried beneath years of isolation.

"Thank you, Aurora…" His voice dropped to something quieter, more intimate. "You just made me think that maybe… this world is worth living in after all." A pause, a breath. Then, with a sincerity that carried more weight than he realized— "And for once… I think I can trust someone. Truly."

Aurora blinked, momentarily stunned by his words. Her chest tightened—not with sadness, but with something entirely different. The sight before her was unlike anything she had ever imagined.

A man as unshakable as Jaeger. a warrior as efficient, as fearless as he was. And yet, here he was, offering her a smile so open, so achingly honest—one that held no pretence, no guarded edge.

Her heart skipped, warmth rushing to her face before she could stop it. Why… Why did seeing him like this make her feel this way? For the first time in years, Jaeger smiled with his whole heart. And for the first time, Aurora realized just how much he meant to her. "Ah…this feeling… It's not just my admiration towards him…"

The rest of the day passed in lighthearted conversation. Jaeger even surprised her by cooking lunch for them both, revealing a hidden talent she hadn't expected. She was fascinated—not just by his skill, but by how effortlessly he moved around the kitchen, handling modern appliances as if it were second nature. He even took the time to teach her how to use some of them, much to her delight. Between bites, they shared stories—some joyous, some comedic—about their families and friends. Minutes turned to hours, slipping away unnoticed, and before long, the once-distant mercenary was laughing freely alongside her.

Aurora found herself stealing glances at him when he wasn't looking, memorizing the rare sight of his unguarded expression.

As evening fell, Jaeger escorted her to the base gates, where a luxurious sedan awaited her. As she prepared to part ways, she waved at him one last time before stepping into the car—only to be met with an unexpected sight.

Her father, King Somnus, sat with effortless dignity, exuding a regal presence even in the relaxed atmosphere of the vehicle. A tablet rested in his hands, his fingers moving deftly across the touchscreen keyboard as he scribbled notes with practised ease. Without lifting his gaze, he spoke in his usual drawl, a mix of indifference and amusement.

"Well? Are you just going to stand there, my dear daughter, or will you take a seat?"

Aurora silently closed the door behind her as the car eased onto the dirt road, the base's towering gates growing smaller in the distance. She cast one last glance behind her, searching for Jaeger, but he was already gone. Letting out a quiet sigh, she leaned back against the seat, the exhaustion of the day finally settled in.

A moment of silence passed, filled only by the soft hum of the engine and the faint tapping of her father's fingers against the screen. Then, Somnus spoke again, his tone as casual as if they were merely discussing the weather.

"This device is truly fascinating—an all-in-one tool for drawing, storing archives, and even aiding in report compilation. A magnificent piece of technology." He tapped the tablet lightly as if emphasizing his point. "To think they willingly shared the knowledge for us to mass-produce such innovations… all in exchange for the privilege of studying magic. A wonderful deal, don't you think, Rose?"

Aurora nodded absentmindedly, though her mind was clearly elsewhere. After the slight motion of agreement, her gaze drifted toward the window, her expression distant.

Somnus, still focused on his report, didn't need to look at her to notice the shift in her demeanour. A knowing smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"So?" he drawled, tapping one final word into his report before setting the tablet down. "Made any progress with him?"

"W-wha—!? D-Dear Father!" Aurora's voice shot up an octave, caught entirely off guard. Her head whipped toward him, cheeks flushing a deep red.

The driver, though professional, let out a barely contained snicker from the front seat before quickly straightening. "A-apologies, Your Highness," he murmured, though the amused glint in his eyes betrayed his amusement.

Somnus chuckled, finally looking up from his tablet, his golden eyes glinting with mischief. "Ah, no need to be so flustered, Rose. I was simply asking as a father, not a king." He leaned back against the seat, crossing one leg over the other in a display of effortless elegance. "I wouldn't mind if you were drawn to him, but…" he paused, his voice losing its playful lilt as his gaze sharpened. "He has the look of a man who seeks his death on the battlefield. Are you certain about this? Or is it merely admiration for his strength?"

His words struck her like a meteor, each syllable weighing heavily on her heart. She knew it too—Jaeger carried a burden far beyond what most could endure. The scars on his soul ran deeper than any blade could cut. And yet, despite the warmth still lingering in her cheeks from her earlier embarrassment, her resolve did not waver.

"Yes, Father… He's… someone I hold dear," she admitted, her voice softer but unwavering. "I want him to find peace after all that he has suffered… even if it means I must stand by his side in this war as the spearhead. A support that he needed after all the pain he suffered…"

Somnus's golden irises flickered, shifting into a slitted, almost draconic form—an unspoken test of his daughter's resolve. The air inside the car grew heavier, charged with the weight of his authority.

"Even if it means taking lives?" His tone remained calm, but the gravity of his question was undeniable. "Even if you must stain your hands with blood, walking alongside him on a road paved with death?"

Aurora's grip on her dress tightened slightly, but her eyes—those radiant emerald eyes—remained firm.

"I will be prepared the day it comes," she declared, her voice steady, unshaken. "Believe in me, Father."

For a brief moment, the King of Apollyon did not respond. He simply observed her, the depths of his gaze searching for any crack in her conviction. But what he saw instead sent a pang of nostalgia through his heart.

Her unwavering determination, the way she stood firm despite the weight of what lay ahead—it was just like her mother. The late Queen had been the same, never faltering when it came to those she loved, standing beside them even through the darkest storms.

Somnus exhaled, his pupils shifting back to their human form as a rare, majestic chuckle escaped his lips—one that was scarcely heard by anyone in the kingdom.

"You truly are your mother's daughter, Rose." His voice was filled with something deeper than mere amusement—pride, warmth, and perhaps… a trace of sorrow.

"Dammit, why am I their driver right now? I'm just a damn logistics guy…!" the driver internally screamed, gripping the wheel a little tighter. "This atmosphere is way too heavy! I don't know what's going on, and I sure as hell don't want to get caught up in it!"