“Ben, was supposed to be dead--there's no reason why he should have survived on a battlefield like that, huh?!” The sergeant major was very surprised to find that he was still able to think - but he couldn't seem to do anything other than think. He couldn't even feel his own existence. It seemed like a surprising situation, yet he was more concerned about how, exactly, he had survived.

　　Though at the time, Mr. Captain emulated that classic gesture from the old earth, thousands of years ago. Flashing a thumbs up at the sergeant major, he detonated his hull immediately afterward. In doing so, he pulled away hundreds of xenomorphs. But that only kept the Master Sergeant, and the squad under his command, alive for a few more minutes.

　　They were out of ammunition, they were isolated. Their main fleet had long since withdrawn, abandoning the planet. Gone to guard more important locations. And their squadron: a total of fifty-four Spiriton Armors had been sacrificed, decoys as well as the rearguard, caught in the middle of a desperate situation in the face of Xenomorphs that outnumbered them a million times over - probably more.

　　There were fewer and fewer teammates around themselves, the line was retreating step by step, the gauss machine guns that their Spirit Son Armors were equipped with were running out of ammo, and the beam grenades had run out a day earlier. The psychic artillery was also too weakened by the spirit power to be used. If he was forced to take a shot, he would definitely explode his brain. The several new recruits next to him had died this way because of their inexperience.

　　So, the fight came to an end. They, dressed in the most advanced spirit son mechanical armor, the elite of the elite, the pride of the army. Surprisingly, they could only use the most clumsy and primitive method, that is, pulling out their ionic swords or psychic swords to slash and kill - God have mercy, this sergeant major had been in the army for nearly eight years, and he had always thought that this thing was a decorative accessory.

　　However, despite all the effort, the alien bugs that he eventually hacked and slashed could have filled a dozen fifty-by-fifty swimming pools. But in the end, he himself had inevitably failed. Originally wanted to follow the example of his top boss to blow himself up. To say, “This is a man's romance!” But he didn't even have the strength to do so for a bit ......

　　“That cold-blooded bastard ...... “Thinking of this, the chief petty officer's teeth itched at the fleet governor who had sold them out. Although it was said that on a strategic level, there was no excuse for the Fleet Governor to do so. But definitely don't expect yourself to forgive him.

　　Then, one should be ...... supposed to have been defeated and then captured by the xenomorphs? What did the xenomorphs capture him for? Specimens? Food? Transformation? Well, now that he himself is still alive, it should be the last way. So much for changing sides and ravaging the universe with the bugs - all the men under his command were dead anyway. I have no good feelings for the corrupt and incompetent federal government, as well as the cold-blooded fleet governor, and the other cowards who ran away without me. ......

　　Thinking of this, the Chief Petty Officer let out a soft sigh, “The xenomorphs may be abominable, but at least these bastards won't betray their fellow soldiers.” He thought so while starting to feel his body - it was a sensation of sliding through a very tight place. It made him very uncomfortable.

　　“Damn it, what the hell is going on? Breaking the cocoon?” The sergeant major thought this while trying to move his body. He felt his body, which seemed to have produced a very big change.

　　“That's right. I've been remodeled, there should be a period of adaptation ......” he thought to himself, while trying to open his mouth to say something, to ask for help, or to ask about the situation or something. But in the end, what came out of his mouth was neither the Higher Gothic of the Federation nor the raspy, unintelligible hissing of the xenomorphs, but the cry of a baby.

　　“This voice is not right!” The sergeant major thought so, and afterward desperately tried to struggle and open his eyes to take a look. However, no matter how hard he tried, his eyes could not be opened ...... only to hear another burst of busyness around himself. I don t know what people are all there and what they are all doing. It was as if he was wrapped up in something for most of his body then after that he heard a man, speaking in a language he didn't understand.

　　“It's a boy.”

　　A pale, but very strong voice said this. After that it picked up the young body of the sergeant major. A kind of spiritual energy that he had never experienced before swept directly into his body. It gave him the feeling that it was all being seen through.

　　“What's going on?!” He struggled desperately, trying to break free from that person's hands. He even fiercely punched the face of the man who was carrying him. “Thong!” The force of the blow was not enough. But the place that was attacked was the weakly defended eyeball. It caused the person who was carrying him upside down to be slightly hurt.

　　“What a little guy with strength.” The man laughed softly like this without thinking it was a mistake, “Very healthy. And very talented. The Karstein family has a successor.”

　　The latter sentence was addressed to his mother, who was lying on the bed with an unusually pale face.

　　“I hope he can become a true Night's Favorite in the future.” That mother forced a smile and said such words, only the sorrow between her brows still did not dissipate because of the smile.

　　“I believe that this day will surely come.” That old voice responded like this. He saw that mother with a sad face. Sighing slightly as well, he then asked, “Then, what name do you want to give him?”

　　At the mention of this, that mother seemed to become even more sad. It took a long time before she spoke again, “My husband told me before he was born that ...... if he was a boy, his name would be Varede, Varede von Kastenin.”

　　“It's a good name.” The old man nodded, recognizing the mother's words, then sighed, persuading her, “Wes died for our pack. He died a valiant and honorable death. Don't be too upset.”

　　“But father ...... “Speaking here, that mother finally couldn't hold back and cried, ”No matter what, he died. Even if it's said nicely, dead is dead. The person I love is dead. Why do I still have to live ......”

　　Seeing his daughter crying out loud. That old man was a bit flustered. Even the gesture of holding the infant became stiff. In his heart, he was empathetic and sad.

　　His own son-in-law, the Count of the Kastanin family was usually a thousand times better. And his own daughter is matching. Although both sides are political marriage, at the same time is also childhood sweethearts, grew up together, feelings quite good. After getting married, it's even better. A few years ago gave birth to a daughter, and now there is a son. Just did not expect a war, to the end of the son-in-law's life. The day of getting intelligence, but also just close to the date of delivery. This time his daughter could not stand the stimulation, resulting in premature labor. Almost adults and children are all lifeless ......

　　The more that old man thought about it, the harder it was in his heart, and the arm holding the child, unknowingly used strength. This made the sergeant major feel very uncomfortable, so he expressed his protest in a child's way - that is, crying.

　　The old man immediately reacted to the sound of crying and coaxed the child with his hands. At the same time it was the crying that gave the old man the idea. He came up with the words to advise the mother, “Isn't there a child? You and his children ah - Varede, and Isabella. Even for their sake you must live well!”

　　Hearing the old man's words, that mother instantly snapped out of it. Straight away, she looked into the old man's embrace. That old man would understand. Taking a few steps forward, he handed the child over.

　　“Varede, Varede, Varede, my child Varede ......” That mother held, the infant who had just been named Varede. It was like holding her own life. Not like a normal person. But finally it calmed down. That old man was also slightly relieved and slightly at peace. Although he couldn't bear to disturb her anymore. But according to the rules, there are still things to do next ......

　　Just in that mother's embrace, the sergeant major felt tired. With a hazy consciousness, he was on the verge of falling asleep. And it was in this haze that he vaguely heard the intermittent prayers of the people around him:

　　“May the truth of death, in which we believe, bless our new clan member; may he be healthy, handsome, and well-built; may he wear a long sword, a wand, and ride a steed; may he be rich in power, and may he reign over the world ......

　　And may the blessings of death be given to our tribe to make us stronger. And we will follow the law of death and reshape the world with our swords and magic, smoothing out all the chaos and strife. To establish absolute and eternal order ......”

　　“This can't be ...... some kind of cult ......” was the last thought the sergeant major had before falling asleep.

　　Again, I don't know how long it took, when he woke up again, he could already open his eyes and look at the world. It was completely dark by this time, and there was no lighting around. The room only had a small, pitifully small window that opened three meters above the outer wall, and a soft sliver of moonlight shone in, but it couldn't do much good.

　　Yet in such a state, the infant named Vared, for some unknown reason, was still able to see his surroundings. Whether it was the softly piped black velvet mattress, the dark red gold-encrusted nightstand, the blood-red sword hanging on the wall as a decoration, or the Iris-shaped shield with bat wings and a blood-filled chalice painted on it, all could be seen clearly. All of them were clearly visible.

　　It struck him as very strange - it didn't seem to be the ability of the xenomorphs - and he didn't have compound eyes, or insect vision. He saw the world as he still saw it from a human perspective. It was just clearer, and slimmer.

　　“Perhaps I'm involved in something, something worse than being transformed by a xenomorph.” He thought this, and strained to lift his arm. Bringing his arm up to his eyes.

　　Unsurprisingly, it was an infant's arm, just as he had felt.