Two weeks after Zero declared the establishment of the Black Knights, the world was awash with endless discussions about them. It was only natural, given that they were publicly dispensing judgment upon criminals whom those in power couldn't touch.
Amidst all this, I found myself at Ashford Academy… or rather, the university adjacent to it. In a few hours, I was scheduled to head to Kyushu—or Kyuushuu, as it's called in this world—with Cornelia to crush a terrorist organization connected to the Chinese Federation. However, my Landliona was still with Lloyd and hadn't been returned. During the battle in the Saitama Ghetto, I was on standby with Cornelia at the G-1 Base. For the hotel hijacking incident, there was no need to use my unit as I was Euphemia's bodyguard. But this time, there was a high probability I'd be deployed to deal with the Kyuushuu resistance.
"And it's still under investigation, huh?"
If I'm supposed to deploy and don't have the Landliona, a KMF is practically the only unit I can pilot. It's not like I can pull other units from my Spatial Storage and use them.
Personally, I don't mind piloting a KMF, but I've always flown 20-meter sized PTs, AMs, ADs, and over 40-meter special units. To suddenly pilot a 4-5 meter KMF without any training… I'd rather avoid that if possible.
"Here it is."
A warehouse located on the outskirts of the university campus. At its entrance were a familiar pair of individuals.
"Lloyd, Cécile."
"Mr. Axel!?" Cécile exclaimed upon seeing me call out to them. Lloyd, beside her, looked at me with a disappointed expression. He likely understood why I was here.
"Oh, you came already. I wanted to investigate a bit more. Especially that power source. I, who's been involved with KMFs since their very beginning, didn't even know something like that was being used."
The power source… he must mean the nuclear fusion generator. Indeed, in this world, nuclear power research is still largely theoretical, so a nuclear fusion generator, a technology several generations, decades, or even centuries ahead, would be a complete overtechnology. Much like the EOT in the Super Robot Wars OG universe.
I recall Nina's Freija being the first significant achievement in nuclear-related research… though its destructive power was quite something.
"Even so, I can't do my job without my unit. I'm deploying to take down terrorists in Kyuushuu soon. I'd be in serious trouble without the Landliona."
"Why not just use a KMF…? Too bad for yooou."
"Mr. Lloyd?! We're only borrowing that unit thanks to Mr. Axel's goodwill! Besides, you can just borrow it again after the operation is over, can't you?" Cécile interjected, pressing down on Lloyd's head.
"You're right. I might consider lending it for further investigation after this operation, with Cornelia's permission, of course. Speaking of which, you said you'd handle the resupply and maintenance…"
"Yes. It was perfect for investigating the unit. Regarding the ammunition for this railgun… is that what it's called? We were able to use slightly modified Britannian military ammunition for it."
As expected of the Special Dispatch Corps, they're truly capable. I was prepared to have to use the railgun ammunition from my Spatial Storage.
"However, we couldn't prepare any of those missiles, as their specifications are completely different from ours. You'll have to manage that on your end…"
"Ah, understood. And the preparations for transfer?"
"We can have it ready immediately, as soon as we receive your permission, Mr. Axel."
Cécile efficiently moved the conversation along. In this regard, she was far more competent than Lloyd, who was practically a technical fanatic.
"Oh? Cécile-san?"
Cécile, who was talking to me, was suddenly addressed. The voice came from a brown-haired man. Suzaku Kururugi. The pilot of the Lancelot, a man with superhuman athletic abilities for someone from this world. But his personality… well, his derogatory nickname "Uzaki" (annoying Suzaku) gives you an idea. Frankly, he's one of the top people I'd rather not get involved with in this world.
"Oh, Suzaku-kun. Ah, come to think of it, this is your first time meeting, isn't it? This is Mr. Axel Almar. He's the pilot of the Landliona, belonging to a unit directly under Her Highness Cornelia."
"Ah. So you're the Landliona pilot. Pleased to meet you, Second Lieutenant Suzaku Kururugi. I'm currently the dedicated pilot of the Lancelot in the Special Dispatch Corps."
I returned Suzaku's salute. No matter how much I disliked his character in the original, I couldn't show it here.
"Axel Almar. Since the Special Dispatch Corps is also analyzing and researching my unit, I imagine we'll see each other often. Please treat me well."
"Yes. And speaking of which, that Landliona unit is truly massive. It's incredible that it possesses superior mobility to a Sutherland."
"It's big, so it's an easier target for enemies too. But it has power to match."
Although, even with that power, I can't use close-range weapons, so all I can do is ram them.
While I was talking with Suzaku, Cécile drove up in a massive trailer. It was a special custom trailer Cornelia had prepared to transport the Landliona.
"Sorry, but I have to go now. I need to rendezvous with Cornelia at the Government Office."
I gave a light wave to the members of the Special Dispatch Corps and got into the trailer.
"I absolutely demand to continue my research after this operation!" Lloyd's strong voice, shouting to the very end, was quite memorable.
"In the El Alamein front, the EU is on the offensive. We cannot afford to be tied down in Area 11 indefinitely. We need to solidify our domestic affairs and elevate it to a satellite area. To that end, the eradication of terrorist organizations is urgent, but the problem of Refrain, a drug rampant among the Elevens, is also serious. It's causing a drop in productivity. We must crush the Chinese Federation's Kyuushuu route here. Do you understand?"
"Yes, please be careful."
At the Britannian military base near the Government Office, preparations for deployment to Kyuushuu were bustling. Cornelia and Euphemia were present, with Euphemia seeing her sister off.
"And you, don't leave the settlement again. During the hotel hijacking incident, Axel happened to have a bad feeling, so I was able to assign him to your guard, but this time you'll be moving with me, so that's not possible."
"Big sister, the Black Knights…"
"I'll let them play a little longer. We owe them for rescuing the hostages. But once I return from Kyuushuu…"
After striking the Chinese Federation's Kyuushuu route, she intended to seriously crush the Black Knights. For a moment, a ferocious smile flickered across her lips.
"I will clean up this area and hand it over to you. So don't think about anything dangerous, Euphe."
Euphemia silently looked down at Cornelia's words. She was probably replaying her encounter with Zero at the hotel in her mind.
"Cornelia, it's almost time to deploy."
"Ah. Well then, Euphe, I'm off."
She gave a nod at my words, stroked Euphemia's head, and then turned to me. Already, the doting older sister was gone, replaced by a warrior.
About a day after deploying from the Tokyo Settlement, Cornelia's unit had already landed in Miyazaki—no, Miyazaka—and was searching for terrorist strongholds based on intelligence. However, perhaps due to the advantage of local knowledge, the strongholds they found were already empty, and in some worse cases, booby-trapped.
"Damn it, again!" Cornelia's irritated voice echoed through the G-1 Base. This was already the fourth location. It was understandable why she was frustrated when every stronghold turned out to be a dead end. The enemy stronghold, reportedly located in the mountains, was already deserted. Whether they cleared out in a hurry, only a few bullet casings and a Japanese flag remained, nothing else.
"Guilford, this is likely…"
"Indeed. It's confirmed that there's a traitor within the Britannian military here."
"And they leaked information about our arrival, huh?"
"It's disheartening, but Her Highness must be aware of it."
Cornelia, who took pride in being a Britannian imperial royal, would certainly not be pleased to find a traitor among the Britannian military. This fact only added to her frustration.
"And what if the terrorists anticipated that?"
"You mean they'll launch a surprise attack?"
"I've had a bad feeling for a while now."
"Axel's bad feelings come with a guarantee after the last hotel hijacking incident. Let's make sure we're ready to deploy at any moment."
"Alright. I'll inform Cornelia."
But that judgment was a few minutes too late. Just as I approached Cornelia, an impact shook the G-1 Base.
"What's going on!"
"Terrorists. It's believed they were lying in wait using camouflage or similar methods."
"Camouflage? No radar response?"
"None. It's believed they've engaged in guerrilla warfare on foot, not with tanks or similar vehicles."
Dalton reported this, but as I listened, I was half-exasperated, half-impressed. Indeed, using tanks or KMFs would offer high attack power. However, if they were detected by the G-1 Base's radar, they wouldn't be able to launch a surprise attack, and would instead be ambushed themselves. How to avoid that? It's a simple matter. Attack on foot without using tanks. With anti-KMF rifles, they could inflict damage on KMFs too. To me, it was nothing short of suicidal, but if the value of human lives was disregarded, it would be quite effective.
But this tactic… feeling an ominous premonition, I looked at Cornelia.
"Deploy KMFs with Chaos Depth Charges."
Even a surprise attack on foot is effective only for the first strike. If that strike fails to eliminate the target, there's a high chance they'll be wiped out by wide-area attacks like Chaos Depth Charges, as per Cornelia's orders.
"Should I deploy too?"
"No. The Landliona, larger than a Sutherland or Gloucester, wouldn't be suitable against guerrilla soldiers. However, you might be needed in a pinch."
"In a pinch?"
"Yes. Have you forgotten? The Chinese Federation's influence extends to Kyuushuu. In that case…"
"I see, a KMF knock-off called a Gan Lu, perhaps."
The Gan Lu. A KMF… knock-off created by the Chinese Federation. Due to technical issues, it couldn't stand on two legs, so it had a third leg like a tail. It truly embodied the Chinese Federation's specialty: cheap and shoddy. However, the one and only greatest asset of such a unit was its high production capacity. If deployed in large numbers, it would be incredibly troublesome.
"Look, they're coming out."
At Cornelia's voice, I looked at the monitor, which showed three Gan Lus approaching us. …However, only three units.
"Three units?"
"Hmph. It seems that while this area is indeed a Chinese Federation route, it's also a dud."
The Gan Lu is a unit primarily designed for attrition warfare, leveraging its numbers. For only three of them to challenge Cornelia's unit, one of Britannia's most formidable combat groups… do they have some kind of plan? Or is it simply a suicide charge?
"Axel, what about Guilford?"
"He's ready to deploy at any moment."
"I see. …Guilford, do you hear me?"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
"Go and take care of those unsightly KMF knock-offs."
"YES, YOUR HIGHNESS!"
Character Status (for context, not part of the narrative)
Name: Axel Almar
LV: 34
PP: 155
Melee: 242
Ranged: 260
Skill: 252
Defense: 249
Evasion: 277
Accuracy: 299
SP: 414
Ace Bonus: SP Boost (Consumes SP to enhance Slime performance)
Growth Type: All-Rounder, Special
Air: S
Land: S
Sea: B
Space: S
Spirit Commands:
Accelerate: 4 SP
Effort: 8 SP
Concentrate: 16 SP
Direct Hit: 20 SP
Awaken: 32 SP
Love: 48 SP
Skills:
EXP Up
SP Boost (SP Up Lv.9 & SP Recovery & Concentration)
Psychokinesis Lv.10
Attacker
Gunfight Lv.9
Infight Lv.9
Morale Limit Break
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Kills: 190
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