Soon, the gunfire ceased. 2nd Company had successfully captured one of the enemy's defensive strongholds. The battle had entered a brief lull, and we finally had a moment to catch our breath.
"Damn, let's catch a breather."
"Those orc bastards… swarming in endlessly…."
The soldiers rested, leaning against makeshift barricades and wooden palisades and other cover, breathing heavily. They muttered in low voices.
"What the hell is that shield made of to be so sturdy?"
"It's an absurdly thick lump of iron. By our standards, it's no different from an armor plate. Ordinary rifle rounds will never penetrate it."
"Hah, then doesn't it weigh hundreds of kilograms alone? How do they even lift something that heavy?"
"That's exactly what makes orcs scary. Their technology may be lacking, but the individual strength of their soldiers is overwhelming."
"On top of that, they even have shamans… damn."
"There's a reason they say never to get into close-quarters combat with orcs."
It was at that exact moment.
Tap.
Someone lightly tapped my shoulder from behind as I rested, leaning against a wooden post.
"Impeccable timing, Lieutenant."
When I turned around, it was 1st Platoon Leader Lieutenant Walter. He had removed his helmet and tucked it under his arm, roughly wiping his face—covered in blood and dirt—with his sleeve.
"1st Platoon's coordination was excellent as well. Thanks to Lieutenant Walter breaking through the flank immediately, the enemy couldn't pull themselves together."
"Haha, talking like you mean it when you don't. You had already laid out the entire feast; I merely added the spoon, so what is there to praise?"
Soon after, Erika and Franz joined us from the other side of the forest.
"Hah, hah… damn it, Max Jäger."
Erika approached, breathing roughly. Her red twin-tails were a mess of sweat and dust, and her pale face was smeared with soot.
"How on earth… did you know they were gathered behind that shield wall? There wasn't even a clear line of sight!"
I shrugged.
"They trusted their shields too much. The stronger the faith, the larger the gap."
"…Hmph, smooth talker…!"
Franz was looking at me with eyes bordering on worship.
"As expected of Lieutenant Jäger!"
Just as things were getting rowdy, the soldiers straightened their postures in unison and opened a path. A chill swept in sharply. It was Seraphina.
"Loyalty!"
We platoon leaders saluted first, without exception. Seraphina swept her gaze over us one by one, then stopped on me.
"Excellent work, Lieutenant Jäger. Had it not been for the breakthrough you created, the casualties would have been catastrophic."
"You overpraise me, ma'am."
"The rest of your coordination was not bad, either. In particular, 1st Platoon's flank support was timely."
After finishing her brief praise, she took a moment to catch her breath.
'Status Analysis.'
[Name: Seraphina von Reinhardt]
[Status: Pain from mana reflux is flaring up again. Overload caused by magic power usage during combat.]
[Emotion: Strong will to hide this condition from subordinates.]
She was desperately holding on right now. The backlash from the magic bullets she had been firing earlier must be exploding inside her body. But she did not remove her commander's mask. She issued the next order in a deliberately strict voice.
"But there is no time to rest. Now that the enemy's first defensive line has been breached, they will try to lure us deeper into the forest."
Her gaze quickly swept across the four of us.
"Lieutenant Walter, take 1st Platoon and go to the left flank. Franz, your 4th Platoon will take the right flank. Erika. 2nd Platoon will continue supporting from the rear."
"Leave it to us!"
"Yes, Captain!"
"Understood!"
The three platoon leaders immediately led their men and scattered in all directions. Only then did Seraphina lean her back against a tree. Beads of cold sweat formed on her forehead as she panted.
'Status Analysis.'
[Name: Seraphina von Reinhardt]
[Status: Mana reflux attack imminent. Currently suppressing extreme pain.]
'So it finally blew up.'
"……Lieutenant Jäger, over here for a moment."
Seraphina called me cautiously. I immediately approached her side.
"My shoulder… feels blocked. For a moment…"
"Understood."
I quickly scanned the surroundings. Fortunately, no soldiers were paying attention to this side. Everyone was preoccupied with tending to the wounded, swapping magazines, and preparing for the upcoming battle.
I reached out to her shoulder as she leaned against the tree. Through the stiff fabric of her uniform, I felt her tense shoulder muscles.
'Tuning Touch.'
Ding—
[Skill 'Tuning Touch (Lv.1)' is activated.]
I felt the flow of her magic power through my palm. It was rampaging far more violently than before—the side effect of rapid-firing magic bullets. I focused my consciousness and sent a warm current flowing into her. I imagined lighting a small campfire in the center of a violent blizzard.
[Stabilizing the target's bio-energy.]
"Hhup…!"
A short breath burst through Seraphina's lips. As the warmth of the campfire spread, the raging momentum of the blizzard slightly subsided.
'Status Analysis.'
[Name: Seraphina von Reinhardt]
[Status: Mana reflux episode has been subdued.]
[Emotion: Relief from the excruciating pain fading, confusion at the strange sensation, and deepening dependence on Max Jäger]
Strength drained from her body. Her upper body, leaning against the tree, tilted slightly forward, and her tightly pulled uniform collar parted slightly. Through that gap, glimpses of her pale flesh extending from her snow-white nape and the curves of her ample bosom were visible.
"Captain, Imperial Army combat uniforms are treated with minute mana resistance. If you wish to receive the full effect of the bio-resonance tuning method, it would be better to remove some of your clothing."
I spoke, mixing half-truths and half-lies. Minute mana resistance treatment? That was a fact. But the claim that the effect was reduced was a lie. My skill [Tuning Touch] made no difference whether she was clothed or unclothed. Because I wasn't manipulating mana, but handling it directly through the skill. Only the contact area and skill level mattered.
"…What?"
Seraphina's eyes shot open sharply at my suggestion. She was already a woman radiating a cold atmosphere, but she became even icier. But I continued without faltering.
'Enchanting Eloquence.'
[Skill 'Enchanting Eloquence (Lv.3)' is activated.]
"You needn't worry. This is purely a matter of treatment efficiency."
'Status Analysis.'
[Emotion: Conflict between extreme shame and wariness, and an intense desire to escape from the pain.]
Seraphina's eyes shook with complexity.
'Just a little more.'
"Wouldn't you need to return to peak condition as soon as possible to command the next battle?"
She bit her lip and pondered for a moment. But soon, she shook her head.
Ding!
[Persuasion has failed!]
[The request clashes head-on with the target's core values. The target's resistance has neutralized the skill's effect.]
[Negative effects from the failed persuasion have been greatly reduced.]
"…I understand what you mean for now. But… right now, this much is enough."
In the end, her pride won over desire. It seemed she couldn't tolerate baring her skin. But I wasn't particularly disappointed.
[Emotion: Relief at protecting her last shred of pride, but faint regret at refusing better treatment.]
'Faint regret, huh.'
Despite refusing, she hadn't been able to throw away her lingering attachment completely. It was nothing but faint regret now, but it would soon become tremendous regret.
"Understood, Captain. It was an excessive request. Instead, I shall focus to maximize the effect even through your uniform."
I answered politely, hiding my pretended disappointment.
'Well, there's no need to rush.'
There was no need to be deliberately hasty. I was the only one who could alleviate her [Mana Reflux]. After all, it was always the thirsty who dug wells; it was only a matter of time before Seraphina came to me.
If I forced her now, only her resentment would remain. But if I politely stepped back here? When the pain came crashing down later like it was gnawing at her bones, she would definitely recall this moment and regret it. Thinking, *I should have listened to the lieutenant.* Waiting a bit was nothing if it meant completely breaking her haughty pride.
I slowly slid my hand that had been massaging her shoulder downward. Through her uniform sleeve, I felt her slender arm muscles.
"Excuse me."
I pressed firmly with my thumb into the hollow between the muscle and bone on the inside of her upper arm. And slowly circled my way down toward her elbow.
"Nngh…."
Seraphina bowed her head deeply. Her silver hair cascaded down her shoulders and chest. She clenched her fist as if trying to endure, but she couldn't stop her fingers from twitching each time my touch passed by.
I deliberately put strength into my grip, digging deep into the muscle. From the tender flesh near the armpit on the inside of the arm to the bend inside the elbow. Feeling her soft flesh contrasting with the rough texture of the combat uniform, I slowly swept downward.
Soon, the massage from her upper arm to her fingertips was finished. When I withdrew my hand, Seraphina's body faintly followed as if reluctant before stopping.
"It's done. You should be fine for the time being."
I stepped back. Then Seraphina blankly raised her right arm. She clenched and unclenched it. She moved her fingers and rotated her arm. A lightness, as if the invisible shackles that had always constricted her had vanished. The fine wrinkles between her brows smoothed out as if by magic.
"……It's lighter."
She muttered. Mixed in her usually icy voice was pure surprise. As if she couldn't believe it, she carefully stroked the arm I had touched.
"Lieutenant Jäger."
Seraphina stared at me for a moment, then opened her mouth with a stiff expression.
"…Thank you."
"I'm glad it helped. Loyalty."
I saluted flatly and turned around. And moved toward where the platoon members were gathered. Even as I walked away, I could feel her gaze clinging to my back. At this point, I could say the seed had been properly sown.
A smile crept onto my lips. But that satisfaction didn't last long. The moment I checked the [Minimap] habitually displayed in a corner of my vision, all trace of a smile vanished from my face.
"……Damn."
The edges of the map were dyed scarlet once more.