Author Notes:
The newest RM chapter came out two hours later than expected, just because I wrote the stuff longer than I had anticipated. Clearly, plans couldn't keep up with where my muse took me, which is a nice thing, actually. So I hope you all will be enjoying the new chapter, just as I had while writing it up. Have a good day wherever you are, and don't forget to check the album.
I really need to go to sleep since it's 1:00 am around here...
There are advanced chapters on P-atreon for both of my fics, with a couple of special bonuses if you read the fine print :D
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For my fics:
https://www.scribblehub.com/series/55793/reich-marshal-of-the-belkan-reich/
https://www.webnovel.com/book/reich-marshal-of-the-belkan-reich_23809095505377305
https://photos.app.goo.gl/waZgkRa3UQhqKQBi9
https://www.scribblehub.com/series/1375924/in-the-grimdark-sector-with-a-system/
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Bryn wakes up between the soundly asleep Rosa and their maid lover, Mary. Quietly and gently sitting up, Bryn glances around their king-sized bed. As expected, other than the cozy blanket draping on their bodies, none of the women can be said to wear anything presentable to anyone but themselves. In other words, they're wearing nothing but semi-see-through lingerie with different colors and designs. Nonetheless, despite being in the embrace of two wonderful ladies, Bryn notices a distinct lack of their common amour. Before Bryn roused, Yuki had already woken up and gone elsewhere.
Slowly extracting herself from the bundle of human warmth, Bryn softly gets off the bed, her blue eyes scanning for lingering trails of Yuki's presence. It doesn't take long for the Valkyrie to trace her lover to the balcony outside their shared room in Hotel Majestic of Paris, with Yuki not even bothering to hide the movement she made: An open curtain, the unlocked but closed glasses doorway, the missing bedside slippers... Bryn then moves, silently putting on a pair of soft mitten slippers before grabbing a silk coat draped on a lounge sofa. While the slippers are for herself so that she doesn't carry outside dirt back on their bed, the coat is meant for Yuki. From the prior scan, Bryn notices how Yuki wears little to nothing before heading outside, presumably for her quite uncommon but not rare moments of solitude. Being several stories up and still a few hours prior to dawn, the chilly winds out on the balcony are unconducive to the well-being of Bryn's lover and partner forevermore. This coat in the Valkyrie's hand is meant to give the awoken Marshal a semblance of protection against the elements outside. While this gesture may seem redundant, given how Yuki's power is growing quite unnaturally day by day, making the common cold a thing of the past, it's the thought that counts.
From personal experience, Bryn knows that Yuki cherishes these seemingly inconsequential but heartfelt gestures. She is surprisingly sentimental, something that her colorful family takes note of. For all her authority and influence, Yuki remains a simple girl to please. A cuddle here and there is just about enough for Yuki to work an entire day full of energy.
When Bryn opens the windowed door to the balcony, however, the sight that greets her is positively astounding. Although the Valkyrie is quite used to seeing multiple Yuki(s) going about her days, Bryn doesn't think that she has seen two of them sitting next to each other, with one well-garbed in her Marshal suit while the other is down to nothing but an unbuttoned shirt. While both instances of Yuki are sitting on the balcony bench, their postures are also similarly different.
One Yuki sits with her arms hugging one of her knees. Her lonely white shirt is draped over her frail shoulders. The white fabric reflects the moonlight as the unbuttoned shirt barely covers Yuki's two flower buds. Bryn knows for a fact that Yuki's underwear is still back in the bedroom, so the sight of Yuki dressing so flimsily stoked more than just the Valkyrie's genuine concern.
The other Yuki, however, carries herself with a different sense of decorum. Her sitting posture, for once, is prim and proper like her usual Marshal attitude. Back straight, one leg over the other, with fingers interlocking and resting on her lap. This is one of the forms that Bryn is used to seeing from Yuki. It's also understandable why she takes such a posture. This Yuki still wears her Marshal regalia, saved for her cap that is placed on one side of the bench. That said, Bryn instantly catches on to one small detail as she approaches the pair.
"Oh." Bryn exclaims softly as she eyes the Knight's Cross with a Ruby inlaid proudly born on Marshal Yuki's neck. This is a telltale sign that this is the current Overlord, one that is currently the strongest and is the chief among all of Yuki's temporal clones. "It's you."
Both Yuki(s) turn to Bryn, smiling softly in greeting as they both reply simultaneously.
"Yup~! It's me~!"
Soon after saying that, both Yuki(s) giggle sonorously, the sound they make becomes a fine sonata on this moonlit night. At the same time, the two Yuki(s) scoot to both sides of the bench while patting the spot between them. Understanding the gesture, Bryn smiles softly before moving to drape the silk coat over the nearly naked Yuki before sitting down. Once the Valkyrie is comfortable, both Yuki(s) rest their heads on her shoulders. Taking another look at them, Bryn raises her hands to hug them closer to her.
As the three then look toward the shining moon in the sky, Bryn asks. "What's on your mind, Yuki?"
Marshal Yuki shrugs in Bryn's embrace.
"You know, just business as usual. Do you remember the Leopard we lost in Dunkirk? That unit got another one, and I gave Daria her first command in the new tank. Hopefully, her first blood will come soon enough from cleansing the remnants of the Allied forces in Ustio. Then there are also the things going on in Polania, the war that is to be done, and the coming political movements around that. Erusea too won't sit idly despite receiving the Dunkirk slap. It's all but given that such a stubborn Kingdom won't stop seeking one last card to play. More than that, I am quite worried that I have been dedicating too much time and effort away from my family. Even if I always have a temporal clone dedicated to being with you all, a part of me still feels like it's not enough and that I should do more."
Bryn smiles reassuringly, patting both Yuki(s) on the heads. "Believe me when I say we are perfectly alright and loved right now, Yuki. Besides, even the youngest in our family are quite mature enough already. In other words, each of us can take care of ourselves if needed, and we all understand your immense responsibility in shaping a future just for us. You need not worry about us all that much when you already have so much on your plate, Yuki."
The Yuki to Bryn's left softly exhales. "You can't blame me for overly worrying about all of you, my Valkyrie. Recent events with Rosa's estranged family have me caught in a loop. That's one of the drawbacks of having a hivemind-esque thought process, when one of us is concerned about something, the rest of us share that stress as well. Many of me are still me, after all."
Bryn chuckles before ruffling the Yuki(s)' hair. "I understand, but please have some faith in us and walk forward with confidence. A single instance of yourself is more than enough to keep us going at full throttle, Yuki. If you pull back your clones from their current duties now, can you afford to see how it will delay our Plan V1?"
"V1 is progressing nicely ever since Case Yellow was brought online." Marshal Yuki says with a wry smile. "We're one step closer to a world without boundaries, a world where I can truly be proud to have my cherished family live in. If a setback occurs because of my selfishness, it can be potentially catastrophic down the line..."
Bryn shakes her head.
"No, Yuki, you're not the one being selfish for wanting to dote on us, on your family. It's us who are the selfish ones. We are the motivation behind your desperate acts to burn the world red and rebuild it anew, to make it an Eden. But once again, I will reiterate everyone's heartfelt feelings. We are here to accompany and support your journey. We are not flower vases to be cared for day and night. Once you're tired, we will be the one to help you back on your feet, not to drag you down. Remember my words that echo everyone's sentiment and never doubt the validity behind your actions."
The Valkyrie stops before adding a simpler sentence. "In other words, we have your back, just as you have ours."
"... Alright." Both Yuki(s) nod before leaning in, pecking Bryn's cheeks. "Thanks for the much-needed pep talk, my Valkyrie, my love."
The Yuki that is flimsily dressed adds. "Say, if I am to have these episodes of second-guessing myself, don't hesitate to push me back on track, ok? A frail mortal like me needs a strong, valiant Valkyrie to guide my path, after all."
"Strong and valiant, that I do not dare to claim these days." Bryn replies with a smile before kissing each Yuki. "But I confidently proclaim that I am a Valkyrie, just for you, Yuki. I will be the one to guide you, to protect you through thick and thin, no matter what decision you make, no matter how many enemies I will have to fall."
The way how Bryn says it, the conviction in each of her words, well, it does more than just uplift Yuki's spirit. No maiden can say they aren't moved by such a declaration, coming from their beloved. Once again, however, it must be noted that Yuki is easy to please. This also means it's quite easy to give a boost to the Reich Marshal's morale, provided it comes from a place of love.
One of the Yuki(s) then says. "We really have a penchant to spend our time stargazing, huh? I think our heartfelt moments tend to happen after the sun is set."
Bryn smiles wryly. "That's probably because our daytime duties consume most of our free time. Not to mention we are quite efficient in how we work, most of the time."
Marshal Yuki giggles. "Ain't that so true... While I can sometimes tease or flirt with the others while we're working. For some reason, I am just content with seriously working with you."
"The same goes for me," Bryn adds. "It feels more natural for me. If Elysia was here, she would probably say that it's just us being hopelessly in love in our own way."
The Yuki on Bryn's left exhales in amusement. "Our pink elf will surely say that if she came across our conversation, somehow."
Sighing with a soft smile, Yuki says. "Ah, this peace is nice. Nothing too dramatic, nothing too exciting, just us girls sitting beneath the moonlight, talking away throughout the night."
Marshal Yuki chimes in from Bryn's right. "Best of all, this is the peace that we all earned through much preparation and effort. It's physical evidence that what we're doing is ultimately right. Now that I have understood this point, I can't help but admit that, indeed, I have been overreacting earlier."
Bryn hugs the two Yuki(s) closer. "I know you'll understand, but my offer is still there."
"Umu." Both Yuki(s) nod." I will count on you as always, my love."
"Now then~!" The two Yuki(s) hop off the bench before both turn to face Bryn and offer their hands.
The Yuki to Bryn's left is the perfect picture of sensual grace. A white silk coat wrapping over an open shirt with nothing beneath, the way Yuki exposes everything from the middle of her cleavage and down to her sex, being tantalizingly closed to uncovering her nipples,... All of these combined are enough to make any sane mind go maddening with lust. Bryn would too if not for near-perfect self-control.
Marshal Yuki, once again, serves as a stark difference. The embodiment of elegance and authority, Yuki's visage is enhanced by the way the moonlight reflects off her coat and her medals. It's as if she is blessed by the entire world on this very night. The way her smile exists just beneath her simply adorned eyepatch serves to further her unwavering image, making her a figure worth following for any Valkyrie worth their salt.
All in all, the two contrasting figures somehow merge into one, perfect visage. It stokes more than just lust and loyalty but also love and devotion in Bryn's ancient heart. To this visage that embodies her everything, Bryn smiles before taking the offered hands. No further words are needed, just loving smiles and the warmth they share as they head back inside. Rosa and Mary are still asleep and it's best if they don't wake up lonely on their gigantic bed. Perhaps, come morning, the two of them will be surprised by the presence of another cuddle pillow. It will be a fun time all around for everyone, at least until duty calls for them all. Yuki and Bryn will have to head back to Berlin to handle the Polania situation while Rosa and Mary will have to reinforce the Reformists' rule in mainland Ustio and beyond.
In the year that is 1939, the struggle for peace is very, very real.