Lieutenant Jaeger, Come Over Here.

Before long, the gunfire ceased. 2nd Company had successfully captured one of the enemy's defensive strongholds. The battle entered a lull, giving us a brief chance to catch our breath.

"Damn, let's catch our breath."

"Those orc bastards… They just keep coming…."

The soldiers leaned against hastily improvised barricades, palisades, and other cover, panting heavily as they rested. They muttered in low voices.

"What are those shields made of to be that tough?"

"They're crude, thick slabs of iron. By our standards, they're no different from armor plating. Ordinary rifle rounds can't pierce them."

"Huh, then they must weigh hundreds of kilograms. How can they even lift those things?"

"That's what makes orcs so frightening. They may lack technology, but the combat power of each soldier is overwhelming."

"And they even have shamans… Good grief."

"It's not for nothing that people say never to engage orcs in close combat."

That was when it happened.

Tap.

Someone lightly tapped me on the shoulder from behind as I rested with my back against a wooden pillar.

"That was impeccable timing, Lieutenant."

When I turned around, it was Lieutenant Walter, the commander of 1st Platoon. He had removed his helmet and tucked it under one arm, roughly wiping his blood- and dirt-smeared face with his sleeve.

"The coordination with 1st Platoon was excellent as well. Because you drove straight into their flank, they didn't know what hit them."

"Ha-ha, don't say things you don't mean. You merely put a spoon on the table I set."

Soon afterward, Erika and Franz joined us from the other side of the forest.

"Haa, haa… Damn you, Max Jaeger."

Erika approached, breathing heavily. Her red twin tails were a mess of sweat and dust, and soot stained her white face.

"How the hell did you know they were massed behind that shield wall? You couldn't even see what was going on!"

I shrugged.

"They trusted their shields too much. The stronger the faith, the greater the blind spot."

"…Hmph, you've certainly got an answer for everything…!"

Franz was looking at me with an almost worshipful gaze.

"As expected of Lieutenant Jaeger!"

Just as the commotion was about to grow, the soldiers straightened in unison and opened a path. A rush of cold air swept in. It was Seraphina.

""Loyalty!""

All three of our platoon commanders saluted first. Seraphina looked us over one by one, then stopped in front of me.

"Excellent work, Lieutenant Jaeger. If not for the breakthrough you created, our casualties would have been severe."

"You're too kind."

"The others coordinated well too. The 1st Platoon's flank support was especially well-timed."

After giving us that brief praise, she paused to catch her breath.

'Status Analysis.'

[Name: Seraphina von Reinhardt]

[Status: The pain of mana reflux is beginning to rise again. Overload caused by using mana during the battle.]

[Emotion: Strong determination not to let her subordinates notice her condition.]

She was desperately holding on. The recoil from the mana bullets she had fired earlier must have burst inside her. But she did not let the mask of a commander slip. In a deliberately stern voice, she issued her next orders.

"But there is no time to rest. Now that the enemy's first defensive line has been breached, they will draw us deeper into the forest."

Her gaze swept quickly over the four of us.

"Lieutenant Walter, take 1st Platoon to the left flank. Franz, your 4th Platoon will take the right. Erika, 2nd Platoon will continue supporting from the rear."

"Leave it to me!"

"Yes, Captain!"

"Understood!"

The three platoon commanders immediately led their troops off in different directions. Only then did Seraphina lean her back against the tree. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she struggled to catch her breath.

'Status Analysis.'

[Name: Seraphina von Reinhardt]

[Status: On the verge of a mana reflux attack. Suppressing excruciating pain.]

'So it finally happened.'

"…Lieutenant Jaeger, come over here for a moment."

Seraphina called to me cautiously. I immediately approached her.

"My shoulder… Something feels blocked. Just for a moment…"

"Understood."

I quickly scanned the surroundings. Fortunately, no soldiers were paying attention to us. Everyone was too preoccupied with tending to the wounded, changing magazines, and preparing for the battle ahead.

I reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder as she leaned against the tree. Through the stiff fabric of her uniform, I could feel the muscles in her tense shoulder.

'Touch of Tuning.'

Ding-

[The skill 'Touch of Tuning (Lv.1)' is activated.]

I felt the flow of her mana through my palm. It was rampaging far more violently than before. It must have been a side effect of rapidly firing mana bullets.

I focused my mind and sent warm energy flowing into her. I imagined lighting a small campfire at the center of a massive blizzard.

[The target's biological energy is stabilized.]

"Hh…!"

A ragged breath escaped between Seraphina's lips. As the campfire's warmth spread, the blizzard that had been raging madly subsided slightly.

'Status Analysis.'

[Name: Seraphina von Reinhardt]

[Status: The mana reflux attack has subsided.]

[Emotion: Relief at the disappearance of the excruciating pain, confusion at the strange sensation, and growing dependence on Max Jaeger]

The strength drained from her body. Her upper body, which had been leaning against the tree, tipped slightly forward, and the tightly pulled collar of her uniform opened a little. Through the gap, I caught a glimpse of the pale skin extending below her snow-white nape and the full curve of her breasts.

"Captain, Imperial Army combat uniforms are treated to offer slight mana resistance. If you want to receive the full effect of the Biological Resonance Tuning technique, it would be better to remove some of your clothing."

I mixed truth and lies in equal measure. The slight mana-resistance treatment? That was a fact. But the claim that it reduced the effect was a lie. My [Touch of Tuning] skill worked the same whether she was clothed or not. After all, I wasn't doing it with mana; the skill handled it directly. In any case, only the area of contact and the skill's level mattered.

"…What?"

Seraphina's eyes sharpened when she heard my proposal. She already had a frigid air about her, but she grew even colder. I continued speaking without wavering.

'Captivating Speech.'

[The skill 'Captivating Speech (Lv.3)' is activated.]

"There's no need to worry. This is purely a matter of treatment efficiency."

'Status Analysis.'

[Emotion: Torn between intense embarrassment and wariness, and an overwhelming desire to escape the pain.]

Seraphina's eyes wavered with conflicting emotions.

'A little should be enough.'

"You need to return to peak condition as soon as possible so you can command the next battle, don't you?"

She bit her lip and deliberated for a moment. But soon, she shook her head.

Ding!

[The persuasion failed!]

[The request directly conflicts with the target's core values. The target's resistance canceled out the skill's effect.]

[The negative effects incurred by failing to persuade the target have been greatly reduced.]

The warning chime announced the failure loud and clear.

"…I understand what you mean. But… for now, this much is enough."

In the end, her pride won out over her desire. It seemed she could not tolerate allowing me to touch her bare skin. But I wasn't particularly disappointed.

[Emotion: Relief at having protected her last shred of pride, but slight regret at refusing the more effective treatment.]

'Slight regret, huh.'

Though she had refused, she still couldn't quite let go of the idea. For now, it was only a slight regret, but it would soon grow into deep regret.

"Understood, Captain. It was an unreasonable request. Instead, I'll concentrate on getting the maximum possible effect through your uniform."

I replied politely, deliberately concealing my disappointment.

'Well, there's no need to rush.'

There was no need to hurry. I was the only one who could alleviate [Mana Reflux]. In any case, the one who is thirsty eventually digs the well, so it was only a matter of time before Seraphina gave in.

If I forced the issue now, all I'd accomplish would be to provoke her resistance. But what if I respectfully backed down here? When the pain came surging back, gnawing at her bones, she would inevitably remember this moment and regret it. She would regret not having listened to the lieutenant. Waiting a little longer was nothing if it meant completely breaking the pride of someone as haughty as her.

I slowly slid the hand I had been kneading her shoulder down her arm. I could feel the slender muscles beneath her uniform sleeve.

"Excuse me."

I pressed my thumb firmly into the hollow between the muscles and bone on the inside of her upper arm. Then I slowly traced circles downward toward her elbow.

"Nngh…."

Seraphina lowered her head. Her silver hair spilled over her shoulders and chest. She clenched her fists as though trying to endure, but she could not stop her fingers from twitching whenever my hand passed over them.

I deliberately increased the pressure of my grip, pressing deep into the muscles. From the soft flesh near her armpit to the crease on the inside of her elbow, I slowly worked my way down her arm, sensing the softness beneath, so different from the rough texture of her combat uniform.

Soon, the massage from her upper arm all the way to her fingertips was complete. When I withdrew my hand, Seraphina's body followed it faintly, as though reluctant to let it go, then stopped.

"There. You should be fine for a while."

I took a step back. Seraphina then raised her right arm and stared at it blankly. She clenched and unclenched her hand, flexed her fingers, and rotated her arm.

The invisible shackles that had always bound her seemed to have vanished, leaving her feeling light. The faint crease between her brows smoothed out as if by magic.

"……It feels lighter."

She muttered. The voice that had always been cold now held pure astonishment. As though she could hardly believe it, she cautiously stroked the arm I had touched.

"Lieutenant Jaeger."

Seraphina stared at me for a moment, then spoke with a stern expression.

"…Thank you."

"I'm glad I could help. Loyalty."

I saluted impassively and turned away. Then I headed toward the place where the platoon members had gathered. Even as I walked away, I could feel her gaze clinging to my back. The seed had been properly planted.

A smile naturally formed at the corner of my mouth. But that satisfaction did not last long. The moment I checked the [Minimap] habitually kept at the edge of my vision, the smile vanished from my face.

"……Damn."

The edge of the map was turning blood-red again.