Below cut will have rambles about Red and spoilers for both siracusan events, main story up to ch15, and Lappland alters op rec! (Also i will be using it/its for Red)
I have always been thinking about what Red alter would look like in the future. Because of how little time we got to see Red in the story, its always been so unclear what could be done.
Then we got siracusa 2nd event, and things got way more clear!!
So, some set up:
Red was our introduction to the Wolf's game. Even before we set foot in siracusa, Reds file points at stuff happening in regards to this mysterious "Grandma". Then, in the first event, we are formally introduced to the signore de lupi and their little game. We learn more about Fangs, their role, and that Red is one of them. Even if its hardly in the event at all itself.
Theres a lot of set up here. Red is a fang in this dangerous game. Having been groomed into role its entire life by Grandma. Red has killed another fang, who happened to be Lyudmila's mentor by happenstance. Reds got a hell of a target on its back given this and the earlier instances of their run ins.
After this tho, any info on Red is basically nonexistent. Shes seemingly forgotten about as the games focuses elsewhere. That is until Ascalon finally makes her appearance as an operator and we learn way more about SWEEP.
We learn that Red, when not being puppeted by Grandma for her game, is part of SWEEP at Rhodes. Specifically, shes under the tutelage of Ascalon, and is her most skilled student. We know that Kal is directly involved in SWEEP too which helps us understand why Red is seen with her, besides Red being one of Kals mamy starys.
Again, theres more build/set up here. It solidifies Reds role while at RI and its personal connections to people there. They recognized Red excellent aptitude for assassination and covert ops (due to Grandmas grooming) and choose to put it to use and also sharpen it even more. We also know that Red is pretty happy to be at RI and is protective over it as her home. Amiya, Kal, Doctor, Ascalon, etc are all her personal family and connections shes been able to make outside of Grandmas influence.
Now we finally get to Siracusa 2, electric boogaloo:
Red is back in siracusa, working with Grandma to hopefully bring this round of the game to a final conclusion. While hunting Lunacub, and the other remaining fang, it gets caught up in the drama and mess thats happening. Mostly cuz Ingrid is in town and shes a force of nature who's decided to get involved.
Stuff happens, Lyudmila cataches up to Red, they clash, red still schools her, more stuff happens, Lappland happens!! The game is over. Grandma, and Red, have lost.
Now Grandma, otherwise known as Caeser, has been playing and manipulating Red purely to win this game. She does not care for Red as anything more than a tool. And that tool has just failed her and lost her game. To male it even worse? Red was in a position to win it. The other fangs were hopelessly out matched when it came to combat. All Red had to do was seal the deal and kill them. But she didn't, and more honestly, couldn't.
Red's time at RI, her connections, and her promise to Kal (even if it admits to having broke that promise) had changed her from the tool and weapon Red was made into. Giving the opportunity for her to be able to be stopped.
Caeser had victory in her god dammed paws, and it was snatched away from her. Both by Reds "failure" and Zoro and Lapplands fuckery. She was *PISSED*
Caeser is no stramger to breaking her tools, tossing them aside when their use is done. But with Red? Oh she was mad. She had spent years grooming and molding Red into the perfect tool. Manipulating it to be the perfect weapon. And she knew the emotional reliance Red had on her. And so, she made sure to break Red as repayment.
She made it explicitly clear to Red what she toight of it and its failure. Made it clear Red was worthless and useless. Made it clear Red should just... end it all.
Red, emotionally broken in that moment, abandoned by what was essentially its parental figure, saw no future. If it wasnt for Lyudmila's intervention, Red would have died that night.
To keep this ramble *slightly* focused, im going to gloss over this particular scene, despite how insanely important it really is. This dissertation is just going to be long enough already. But the important parts are: Lyudmila stops Red, is made somehwat(?) aware of Reds situation and can no longer hold that revenge for it, and resolves to both bring Red back to RI and confront the last person she really needs to (Kal’tsit).
Red is now back on Rhodes. Its grappling with the shattering of its world view, the loss of what it saw Caeser as, and how it seemingly betrayed the trust of those at RI.
In Ch 15 we see Red goes to Kal’tsit, the second closest thing Red has to a parental figure, and asks if it is allowed to stay by her side. Kal’tsit of course says yes. She wants Red to be able to someday lead a normal life, away from all this chaos, as she does for all her pts and especially her strays. Finally a path forward is opened for Red.
(Timeline wise, idk where lappland alters op rec takes place other than before Rhodes is destroyed, so we'll say for now that it happens after this moment.)
FINALLY, finally, we get lappers op rec. I have been dying to get the translation to this since CN got it and we saw how central Red was to it. Its almost entirely about Red and Caeser.
First off, we see the lasting effects Caeser had on Red. Nightmares torment the poor lupo. Even while it sleeps, the mere presence of Caeser activates a fear response in Red. And Caeser laughs at this!!!! (You can not hate this rancid ass wolf spirit enough, especially as a Red fan.)
Red smells Caeser is abord RI, but ends up running into Lappland. After some talking, Lappers sees an opportunity. I choose to read this as Lappers taking an opportunity of convenience. Caeser is not the most obedient lupi of the bunch, and as the alpha that cant be had. So she would decide to help Red as a way to get Caeser into line.
Now, during the dream sequence, a lot of important shit happens and is revealed. We learn that Red was found as a baby abandoned in the woods by Caeser, who then raised it into the weapon she needed.
Red, when gicen the opportunity to be rid of all the memories and pain Caeser cuased her (what caeser thought lappland wanted her to do) rejects her!! Instead choosing to strike her down!!
Then we learn lapplands true goal. A punishment made specifically for Caeser. A eternal shame shell never forget so that she never crosses Lappland again.
Lappland does this by staining Caeser with the scent of her greatest "shame" and "failure", Red. She'll forever smell of the lupo, for the rest of her immortal life.
This is where the last bits of set up happen for Red.
1.) Caeser is tricked because lappland gave Red's signature knife an alphas blessing (which could really do anything includong imbuing it with power, we arent sure)
And
2.) Lappland specifically uses the words SWITCHED SCENTS, meaning not only does Caeser now have Red's scent permanently, but Red now has the scent of a signore de lupi, a true wolf. (Which again, could have any number of effects)
So now we are left once again waiting. Where could Red go story wise from this point? Well, i have 2 leading theories!
One:
Red continues to support Rhodes. Now that its also lost Kal’tsit, it has more pain to deal with. But it also recognizes the importance of RI in its life. Red could very well become one of RI Elite Ops. Another of the power houses aboard the new landship, choosing to protect whats left and the future they fight for.
Or Two:
Now thay she has a scent of a beastlord, and isnt tied to siracusa anymore, it could play an important role in whatever the beastlords are preparing for. Lapplands op rec does end with the lupi and lappers leaving for a meeting with the remaining beastlords.
Both are strong avenues for the development of Reds character and story. Im particularly in favor of the first option personally, but i can see 2 happening as well. But all we can do is wait and see how they choose to take things. (I just hope she doesn't become a "forgotten 5*" again until then.
Also, an honorable mention that some friends have come up with:
Red could choose to follow Lyudmila's path to Ursus and whatever she needs to do there. Maybe Lyudmila will return to her codenames roots, and kill the endless corrupt leadership of Ursus to someday hope for reform. Both are exceptional assassins afterall.
Sadly, i dont want Red to be 2nd fiddle to someone elses story, even if it is Lyudmila's. I want Red to have its own spotlight. But that's just my personal take.
Anyways, ive rambled way more than enough. Thank you for reading this insane rabbithole ive dug myself into!!!!!!!!
Despite the reason being so very awful for her, I'm glad to see Red getting at least a tiny bit of attention from the community. She deserves so much, be sure to love on her.
