What is the Baptism of Fire?

'It is the result of unimaginable firepower that erased District 49.'

It is the manifestation of destruction, where all firepower combining modern magic and science is unilaterally poured into one area. With that power alone, the once-prosperous District 49 collapsed, and to this day, only a wasteland swept by sandstorms remains. It has been unable to recover for decades.

The advancement of science inevitably leads to the advancement of weapons. People who once fought with spears, swords, and arrows now fight with guns, bombs, and cannons. This further developed into airships, tanks, and steam suits.

And weapons continue to develop. As long as conflicts don't disappear from this world, the development of weapons is inevitable. That inevitability always stands at the forefront of science, and the results it produces are too sharp and destructive.

Now that blade was also being aimed at District 44.

'Of course, they won't bombard with the intention of turning everything upside down including the underground, like they did in District 49.'

The reason for such confidence was due to the force leading this affair. The Redevelopment Union wants to clear away the buildings built above and construct new towers there.

For that, they must leave at least a minimal foundation. If they kill the land itself like District 49, they would gain nothing.

Corporations always pursue profit. They've escalated things this far to obtain corresponding fruits. For that purpose as well, they won't make moves so excessive that it would cause them losses.

'But even so, it's the Baptism of Fire.'

District 49, well, let's say that was a special situation. It was a place where gray fungi appeared that would corrode even inorganic matter and devour everything around it if left alone. To eliminate it, they would have had to meticulously incinerate an entire district. And they would have had to kill the land itself so it couldn't eat anything and grow.

But District 44 is different. There's no need to go that far. Without needing to kill the land, they just need to cleanly sweep the surface.

'After all, the illegally constructed additions built on top are no different from paper, and people will also be easily swept away.'

It was concerning that the trigger for their movement was because of that clown fellow. But it's still okay for now. There should be a little time left.

"What's the scale?"

When he asked Plimene, an answer came back after a short time.

[Three military battleships. And five escort vessels.]

He didn't know what scale that represented. He hadn't had much contact with the military. But it was presumed to be sufficient to show the symbolic performance called the Baptism of Fire.

"Implementation time?"

[Tonight. 10 PM. Until then, we need to evacuate as many people as possible.]

If it's evening, there's still time left. The problem is that too many people are gathered in District 44. Moving the residents of District 44 alone is difficult work, but they need to get a crowd several times larger to safety.

It's an impossible number even if they invested three full days. Realistically, it doesn't make sense. But they have to do it.

"Lukai."

Osian gazed at Lukai. Lukai had already been listening to the conversation Osian exchanged with Plimene from the side. He understood the situation better than anyone.

"Can you do it?"

No, he misspoke. He shouldn't have asked.

"You must do it."

Lukai took a deep breath. His gaze turned toward Greta and her siblings. From Greta's appearance, his vision momentarily blurred and past scenery seemed to overlap like a mirage.

-Daddy.

The most beloved daughter in the world, who had welcomed him while holding a teddy bear in her arms. And she who had supported him together with that child, who was more lovely than anyone.

The memory disappeared like a mirage. The colorful memories vanished, and what replaced the empty space was a dreary and dark reality.

The reality he lives in. The reality where there are people he must save.

"I intend to do it even if you try to stop me."

"Understood. Then I'll trust and leave that side to you. Plimene. What will you do on your side?"

[First, I'll try to apply the brakes as much as possible on this side too. Even within the military, not all military are the same. After the last incident, many cracks formed internally, and factions split.]

If the opposing faction argues that the Baptism of Fire is excessive, they could somehow buy more time. But that's merely putting out urgent fires. They can't even suppress the real conflagration.

Because the justification they possess is too strong and clear.

'Thinking as coldly as possible, we can't stop the implementation of the Baptism of Fire operation itself. Even if we delay it, midnight would be the limit.'

So practically speaking, they had less than 10 hours left.

'I need to step forward too.'

As Osian was about to move, Greta approached.

"Brother. It really will be okay, right?"

Although she usually acted mature, Greta was ultimately a young girl. Even trying to act strong in front of her siblings, the current situation was enough to shatter her mask. Osian lowered himself to meet her gaze to reassure Greta.

"It's okay."

"Really? B-but there are soldiers outside..."

"The soldiers aren't important."

Whoosh. Starlight flowed from Osian's shoulder and cascaded down like a cloak.

The Liberation Army members who had been busily moving around stopped and gazed at Osian's appearance. His figure blazing brilliantly with starlight was enough to draw everyone's attention.

"What's important is."

Osian spoke to Greta as if declaring.

"That I said it's okay."

It was almost arbitrary words with no logic or anything. But Greta strangely felt reassured by those words.

*

Under the dim gaslight, three shadows sat facing each other at a table.

One was a short, pot-bellied man dressed impeccably in the finest suit. The face of this man who appeared to be in his mid-40s was full of sticky greed.

The chairman of the Redevelopment Union, Hugo Graf, opened his mouth.

"Kehehehe. Caleb. How's the atmosphere right now?"

"Not bad. No, honestly speaking, it's very good."

A man with sharp eyes and a fishy smile answered. His gaunt body and sunken cheeks added to his gloominess. Caleb Stone, an executive of the major construction company Architect, answered.

"The cleanup of District 44 is a very important matter for us."

"That's why we stepped forward too."

The last man, a military officer in his 60s with a bushy mustache and sideburns, answered. Major General Gerhardt Schneider. He was the very person who most actively promoted this Baptism of Fire.

Hugo chuckled and took out an expensive cigar. Thick smoke spread hazily in the gaslight.

"It's hard to obtain, but would you all like to try smoking one?"

"I have something I smoke separately, so I'll decline."

"Oh. I'm a bit curious."

Caleb declined and Gerhardt accepted. Hugo handed one cigar to Gerhardt.

Hiss.

Gerhardt lit it and took a puff, then exhaled the smoke with a "Whoo."

"Good aroma. You can naturally feel it's top quality."

"I have quite a few, so I'll wrap one up for you on your way out."

"Hehe. How grateful this is."

"Aren't we all living in a world where we help each other?"

Those gathered at the table laughed heartily together.

"Soon our wishes will become reality."

Caleb Stone opened his mouth. Cold conviction lurked in his voice.

"How long have we all worked together toward this? It's been truly a long, long time. But now that too is ending. That's right. We will finally grasp enormous wealth."

Hugo said while puffing smoke.

"I also agree with those words. But still, we shouldn't be confident yet."

Caleb looked back at Hugo.

"District 44 will have considerable citizen resistance. Simple threats won't budge them at all."

Caleb chuckled.

"Chairman Hugo. When have we ever paid such attention to them? Really now, trying to make us feel bad for nothing."

"Ah, don't misunderstand. I didn't mean it that way. I'm just worried that if we handle it wrong, other lower-class people might pointlessly rise up talking about solidarity and such."

Caleb's eyes gleamed sharply. His mouth was still smiling, but his gaze became cold like a frozen lake.

'In the midst of this, he's trying to secure more of his own interests.'

Redevelopment unions and construction companies are strictly different. Construction companies build buildings, and redevelopment unions prepare land for constructing buildings. Hugo was now trying to somehow increase the size of the pie he would take from here.

It was a relationship of people gathered who did such things purely for greed. Neatly dividing one pie into three equal parts didn't suit their temperament.

"What does it matter if they rise up? We just ignore them."

"The problem is there are too many to ignore. Especially the politicians in the city government - there's a reason why their movements are passive despite taking money from us."

"Haha. But isn't that ending now too? Thanks to the recent District 17 incident, it actually worked out well. The money we've been feeding them will finally see the light. And the Liberation Army's role was significant too. From the city government's perspective, it must have been uncomfortable to leave those terrorists alone. They're like thorns embedded in the skin."

Caleb continued.

"And what problem would it be if citizens rise up? Don't you know? The things in District 44 right now aren't citizens. They're wicked heretics."

"Mr. Caleb is right! How could they be citizens!"

Gerhardt joined in with enthusiasm. Hugo barely restrained himself from frowning.

'That cunning old man is siding with whoever pays the most money.'

Regardless, Gerhardt gave an impassioned speech.

"They are wicked heretics! Don't you know about those strange phenomena observed in District 44? Those are definitely the work of heretics, just like District 17. Then from the Liberation Army gathered there to those influenced by their will, we should consider them all accomplices!"

The reason Gerhardt pushes forward like this is simple. Previously, the military made mistakes and consequently had considerable authority taken away. In peaceful times without war, treatment toward the military inevitably becomes increasingly neglected.

In the midst of this, a clear opportunity called heretics arose. If they use this as a pretext for military expansion and extending influence, who could oppose it? Taking money was also one of the goals.

"What if not everyone is a heretic? That district can already be considered 'contaminated' to an irredeemable degree. For that, unavoidable sacrifices must be accepted."

For this, they planted people inside to cause confusion and completely blocked all surrounding passages. District 44 was essentially an isolated quarantine zone cut off from the outside.

"Citizens who want to show solidarity with such people? How could they be citizens?"

From Gerhardt's perspective, this was actually desirable. It would give the old Defense Force even more justification to interfere in domestic affairs.

If soldiers step forward under the pretext of public safety, their influence would become stronger than ever before. District 44 was a precedent for that.

Of course, there would also be reactions that they went too far. But preparations for that were also in place. Public opinion is meant to be manipulated. If they just exercised the power and influence they possessed, they could roast and boil media companies to produce articles to their taste.

District 44 had essentially become a hotbed of heresy, a contaminated zone. Sweeping it away with the Baptism of Fire wasn't excessive violence. It was 'purification' to save the city.

Hugo crushed his cigar in the ashtray.

"Haha. Good. Let's proceed as planned. You know, right? We need to move as quickly as possible. This is a speed battle. The longer it drags on, the more disadvantageous it becomes for us."

Already, the city government side had begun putting brakes on the military's excessive movements. This agenda must not reach from the district governor to the council members, and even to the mayor. If it did, all the time and funds they invested would completely evaporate.

In that sense, how grateful it is that heretics appeared. And in the darkness, something writhing was eavesdropping on the three men's conversation.

*

News of District 44's blockade spread quickly through the city. Even trying to suppress information as much as possible and handle it secretly, there were too many watching eyes. And those who react first to such rumors are the problem-solver industry that values information.

"Wait. Did you just say District 44?"

Loraine's eyes widened at the fact Ronan brought. It was the same for others. Diolan jumped up from his seat, Ena stopped washing dishes, and Edgar unconsciously bit the candy he was sucking.

"Yes. And it's also the district where Mr. Osian is located."

As soon as those words ended, everyone present gathered their belongings.

"What are you trying to do?"

"What do you mean?"

Loraine slung her gun over her shoulder and smiled, baring her teeth.

"We have to go help our youngest."

"It's dangerous. The military has stepped forward now. Even you all could die."

"Still, we have to go. You know our personalities, right?"

Loraine looked around. Everyone who met her gaze nodded with heavy expressions. Seeing this, Ronan shook his head, saying he couldn't stop them.

"Sigh. Really, even after I earnestly dissuade you this much, you won't listen to me. It's truly regrettable."

"Stop with the dissuading. In truth, you wanted this most yourself."

Ronan pretended not to hear and asked.

"Will you be able to return?"

"When have we ever moved with confidence about such things? We're just doing what we always do."

Ronan smiled and nodded.

"Yes. Then please, return safely."