Light Novel Volume 3

## Run Through the Battlefront (Finish)

* Japanese
* English
* English Audio Book
* Textless

**"Run Through the Battlefront (Finish)"** (ラン・スルー・ザ・バトルフロント〈下〉, *Ran Surū Za Batorufuronto (Ge)*?) is the third volume of the *86 -Eighty Six-* light novel series written by Asato Asato and illustrated by Shirabii featuring mechanical designs by I-IV. It covers the second-half of the second story arc of the series depicting the battle against the formidable Morpho, while Shinei Nouzen searches for the answer as to why he keeps standing on the battlefield, despite his reasons to fight already lost.

## Tagline

* Edited
* Original
* Japanese

> "*The word on everyone's lips was "Why?" They couldn't know that for* them*, asking why is an insult.*"
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> "*Why? Everyone asked. Without knowing it is insult.*"
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> "*なぜ戦う。“死神”は。何のために。誰のために。*"
> ― Why fight? Being the "Reaper". For What? For Whom?
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## Epigraph

* English
* Japanese

> "***They called it pride. At the time, pride was all they knew.***"
> ― Frederica Rosenfort, Recollections of the Battlefield
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> "***それが誇りだと、彼らは言って。それ以外の何も、まだしらぬままに。***"
> ― フレデリカ・ローゼンフォルト『戦野追想』
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## Synopsis

PRIDE IS ALL WE HAVE

The attack Shin foresaw has finally come to pass. Wielding a weapon with destructive force hitherto unseen, the Long-Range Artillery-type Legion unit rains unmitigated chaos over the battlefield. Both the Federacy's western front and the Gran Mur of the Republic crumble under the might of the monolithic railgun, capable of dealing catastrophic damage from hundreds of kilometers away. With their backs against the wall, the Giadian military makes a controversial decision: A special strike force will charge into the heart of Legion territory, engage the Railgun type from close range, and destroy it. Shin and the Eighty-Six will spearhead the operation.

...But Shin has not been himself lately. Having defeated his brother's ghost and freed himself from the Republic, the Reaper finds himself without purpose. What reason does he have to go on living? For whose sake does he fight...?

## Contents

* **Interlude: Get Your Arms**
ゲット・ユア・ガンズ
* **Chapter 6: Over There**
第六章　オーバー・ゼア
* **Chapter 7: Something to Die For**
第七章　死して甲斐あるものなれば
* **Chapter 8: Run Through the Battlefront**
第八章　ラン・スルー・ザ・バトルフロント
* **Chapter 9: Veni, Veni, Emmanuel**
第九章　久しく待ちにし
* **Epilogue: We’ll Meet Again**
終章　ウィル・ミート・アゲイン

## Summary

On the night of the large-scale offensive, Karlstahl confronted Lena regarding her plans moving forward. Lena expressed that they should invite the Eighty-Six to defend the Republic's inner sectors. Karlstahl advised against it, asking her to consider the potential crimes an uncontrolable army fueled only by their common hatred of the Republic could commit. While Karlstahl believed they would be completely dependent on the Eighty-Six, Lena saw it as a mutual partnership in the interest of survival. The Eighty-Six had manpower and combat experience, while the Republic possessed the supply chains required to maintain the war effort. Convinced of her conviction, Karlstahl bid her farewell and went off to the front lines.

Meanwhile in the Federacy, the Nordlicht Squadron narrowly survived the Morpho bombardment at FOB 14. The military would later report that four FOBs were struck, killing approximately 20,000 soldiers.

Three of the continent's nations held a meeting to discuss the destruction brought upon by the Morpho, which had been damaged by a Federacy missile attack and was undergoing repairs. It was estimated that in 8 weeks, the Morpho would regain operational capabilities. Should that happen, the nations of the coalition—Giad, Roa Gracia, and Wald—could have their capital cities wiped out in an instant. With destruction at their doorstep, the coalition began drafting plans for their first joint operation.

Brought upon by the shock and fatigue incurred by the Legion's offensive, many were restless, including Shin. His general inattentiveness and borderline suicidal charges into battle had been noticed by his fellow Eighty-Six. While the suggestion of pulling them off the frontlines had always been offered, their stubborn pride couldn't allow others to fight for them. Nordlicht would remain on standby.

Shin's mental state would continue to deteriorate during the weeks leading up to the Morpho Elimination. A scathing letter written by Eugene's sister Nina which held a condemnation for his actions, subtly different from the blame he was used to in the Eighty-Sixth Sector, weighed on his mind and would further contribute to his rapidly degrading care for his own life. His silent worry for his former Handler did nothing to ease his pain either. He could hear the fall of the Republic clearly and could only assume the worst.

Orders eventually came from the brass. While the three nation coalition would work to push back the Legion frontline, the Nordlicht Squadron was chosen to be the Federacy's spearhead, ordered to recklessly break through in a one-way suicide mission to eliminate the Morpho nested in Kreutzbeck. As Nordlicht's commanding officer, Grethe was furious at the plan which seemingly was sending the kids to their deaths. She attempted to persuade Shin to simply stay back. Technically, the Eighty-Six had no obligation to carry out the operation, as Nordlicht still had the Vargus mercenaries to act as ground troops while Shin could direct them from the rear. Shin quickly shot her down, stating that the delay of him not being there in person might cost them the mission, and that she shouldn't pity them for being given the order. Shin's denial was so desperate that Grethe had no choice but to respect his wishes. Shin had made it clear that fighting was all the Eighty-Six had.

While Grethe and even Ernst had given the green light for the Eighty-Six's participation, Frederica couldn't accept that she'd potentially lose another brother figure. Using her psychic abilities, Frederica had watched the confidential mission briefing. She argued to Shin that she should be allowed to stay during the operation, as she had a personal connection with the elimination target, whereas he did not. Similarly, she wanted Shin to stay behind, saying that he shouldn't be betting his life on such an absurd plan. Despite her heartful pleas, Shin denied her.

The Morpho Elimination Operation's initial plan called for transport helicopters in Nordlicht's deployment. However, the experimental XC-1 Nachzehrer was chosen instead through Grethe's insistence. The ground effect vehicle allowed for fast low-altitude flight, unable to be detected by the Legion's radar.

***Under Construction***

## Appearances

Main Characters

* Shinei Nouzen
* Vladilena Milizé
* Raiden Shuga
* Theoto Rikka
* Anju Emma
* Kurena Kukumila
* Frederica Rosenfort

Supporting Characters

* Bel Aegis
* Brent Bernholdt
* Ernst Zimmerman
* Erwin Marcel
* Eugene Rantz (mentioned)
* Fido
* Grethe Wenzel
* Jérôme Karlstahl
* Kiriya Nouzen
* Lerche (alluded)
* Nina Rantz
* Richard Altner
* Shiden Iida
* Shourei Nouzen (mentioned)
* Viktor Idinarohk (alluded)
* Willem Ehrenfried
* Zafar Idinarohk

## Illustrations

Inside CoverShin and Lena's story (JP)Shin and Lena's story (EN)Frederica and Kiriya's confrontation (JP)Frederica and Kiriya's confrontation (EN)Character Introduction (JP)Character Introduction (EN)IntroWestern Front Map (JP)Western Front Map (EN)Shin reading Nina's letterAssault Operation Overview (JP)Assault Operation Overview (EN)Frederica throws a tantrum at ShinNachzehrer Schematics (JP)Nachzehrer Schematics (EN)Morpho Schematics (JP)Morpho Schematics (EN)Second Assault Operation Overview (JP)Second Assault Operation Overview (EN)Frederica is found hidingRaiden confronts ShinShin looks at the starsLena at the field of lycoris
## Footnotes

1. ↑ The original title ゲット・ユア・ガンズ (*Getto yua ganzu*) translates to "Get your guns".
2. ↑ A furigana in English runs along the Japanese as **久しく待ちにしVeni, Veni, Emmanuel**. *Veni, Veni, Emmanuel* is the native Latin title of the Christian hymn *O Come, O Come, Emmanuel* sung for Advent and Christmas. It is a metrical paraphrase of the *O Antiphons*, a series of plainchant antiphons attached to the *Magnificat* at *Vespers* over the final days before Christmas.
The original title 久しく待ちにし (*Hisashiku Machi ni Shi*) translates to "I have waited a long time"

## Trivia

* "Run Through the Battlefront" is a reference to the rock song Run Through the Jungle by Creedence Clearwater Revival.

## References

1. ↑ ８６―エイティシックス―Ep.3 ―ラン・スルー・ザ・バトルフロント―〈下〉Dengeki Bunko
2. ↑ 86--EIGHTY-SIX, Vol. 3 (light novel) Yen Press
3. ↑ Volume 2 Afterword