--Rassvet - On the Road--
Once everything was prepared for, well, as much as they could given the lack of adequate resources, Valerie boarded into the truck along with the rest. She debated whether to sit shotgun just in case the vehicle needed another mist-fueled boost or at the back so she'd be in a better position to provide covering fire, in the end, she decided on the latter.
Brutally honest as Kalina was, she brought up a good point, though assuming Valerie's sacrificial pawn theory was true, then it'd be the answer. Why would they use one of their more important royals for this? Still, it was just an assumption, an unproven hypothesis. Regardless, she was curious what the 'victim' had to say about it herself.
The white-haired WARDEN listened to Collette's elaboration regarding the various internal factions within Vangar. Not that it surprised her as surely, not
every single person affiliated with the empire was a bloodthirsty warmonger. So, this conflict was mostly due to the Imperialists,
the megalomaniacal tyrants of the nation, and unfortunately, they were the ones holding most of the power. Now, if the princess was of the Doves... that 'scapegoat' conspiracy theory just became likelier.
"..." The Nephilim gave Morden a side-eye as Collette entertained the more... 'eager' Rassvetians wishing death upon her ilk.
"It wouldn't surprise me if this whole thing was a set-up by your own people, Caroline." ...what? They
were told to keep the princess' true identity on the down low.
It seemed the talk must end there as, of course, they soon encountered yet another roadblock, this time in a quite literal manner.
"Sigh..." With a small sigh, the 2nd Class Vanguard hopped off their vehicle and approached the crash site.
She sniffed the air a few times,
"Etherium..." then continued sweeping her purple gaze across the immediate area,
"I'll check on the engine." With the squad informed, Valerie indeed walked over to driver side of the truck, then would force open the bloodied door with her superhuman strength.