Henri Janssens didn't fully understand, why he was sent to the Philippines. Laelaps-unit was supposed to be a European unit. It would have been more sense if Henri was sent to Ukraine, or maybe deal with domestic troubles. Global Mafia and the sort.

But he wasn't one to question orders. A soldier obeys. Not to mention that as he listened to the conversations around him, the full picture began to form.

This was no simple military crisis. Combined with the situation in Ukraine, it was effectively World War III. No one had said anything officially, but with two powerful countries, both of which had seemingly good ties, attacking their neighbors, what else could it be but another world war?

In other words, Henri was here as a show of solidarity.

Those thoughts had to pass soon, however, because the invasion was already under way, when Henri arrived. The first moments were intense, but nothing much that Henri and others couldn't handle. There hadn't even been much need for Leonidas.

It was probably likely that Henri wouldn't be in the front lines in the near future. There was another shielder among the Arms Masters, and the command didn't want Henri accidentally negating his defense. Instead, he would be in the city proper, protecting the civilians still in Lingayen.

It was soon proven a wise choice, as what could be best described as a second sun appeared in the sky. A Noble Arm attack if there ever was one.

"Fighting in Shade!" Henri shouted out of trained reflex. Luckily it seemed that it wasn't a very long lasting attack.

"That was too close" Thought Henri to himself as the strike passed. Those within his radius would be fine, but he needed to check if anyone else needed help. The ground zero was in the beach itself, but who knows what else it could have destroyed...