"Troubling activity in the Ishikawa district, huh. And Cornelia herself is going to handle it?"
Cornelia, Guilford, and I watched as Cornelia's forces prepared for deployment.
"Yes. I want to clear out these troublesome elements in Area 11 as quickly as possible."
"Couldn't you leave it to the Britannian forces in the Ishikawa district?"
"Hmph, you remember what happened in Kyushu, don't you? According to the intelligence report, there are several individuals suspected of being connected to the terrorists. And besides…"
Just as she was about to continue, a voice abruptly called out.
"Governor!"
Euphemia was approaching us at a brisk pace. Her face was etched with worry, clearly concerned for Cornelia.
"Apologies for the suddenness. Is the art museum ceremony preparation finished?"
"Yes. The ceremony is in the afternoon, so it's fine for now. More importantly, is it the NAC behind the troubling activity in Ishikawa?"
"The EU or the Chinese Federation is backing them… there are reports of Gan-Lu being sighted, so the Chinese Federation is likely behind it. However, this is also a good opportunity to pacify Hokuriku. I'll leave Dalton with you, so handle everything carefully."
Leaving Dalton instead of me was probably a politically motivated decision. Even if she's treated as a figurehead, Euphemia is still the Viceroy. It would likely cause issues if I, an outsider mercenary, were to interfere in political matters requiring the Viceroy's judgment. Many in the Britannian aristocracy are particular about such details.
To be honest, I'd be troubled if I were asked to make political judgments. After all, I'm just a field commander.
"Also…"
Cornelia handed Euphemia a file given to her by Guilford.
"Regarding the knight we spoke about before, choose your knight from the list in that file. Everyone on that list is excellent. Their family background and abilities are impeccable."
Cornelia likely wanted a Britannian royal knight to be chosen from among the Britannian nobility. However, Euphemia looked hesitant and didn't seem particularly enthusiastic.
Nevertheless, Euphemia's knight would likely be decided today. Suzaku, who bravely fought alone against the Black Knights in the Toudou recapture operation, would be chosen.
"Princess, preparations are complete. It's time."
One of her staff officers called out to Cornelia. She nodded, then stroked Euphemia's hair and whispered something in her ear before turning back to us.
"Axel, Guilford. Let's go."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Understood."
Leaving a still-pensive Euphemia behind, we departed for the Ishikawa district.
"Why do terrorists always hide in the mountains?"
I muttered aloud on the G-1 Base bridge. Just like the Kyushu district before, these terrorists in Ishikawa also had their base in the mountains. And the Samurai's Blood, whom I first fought when I was transported to this world, made the mountains their fortress, as did the Japanese Liberation Front.
"Area 11, despite its small landmass, has a lot of natural features like mountain ranges. And in the mountains…"
"It's easy to defend and hard to attack, I get it. I know that much, but with so many trees… just let me complain a little."
I replied to Cornelia with a sigh.
In the mountains, there are naturally trees. That means the dense foliage would obstruct vision from above, negating the Guren's greatest advantage – its ability to fly. If we attacked without proper reconnaissance and the Britannian forces suffered casualties… Cornelia would probably cut me loose. Though often hidden by her fierce temper, Cornelia is fundamentally quite kind to her subordinates.
"Besides, it's not as if all the advantages of flight are lost. I trust Axel to handle it somehow. Don't you agree, Guilford?"
Cornelia addressed Guilford, who stood on the opposite side from me.
"While I don't think Axel is someone who can be easily handled by such things…"
Guilford replied to Cornelia with a wry smile.
"Radar contact. Appears to be a terrorist ambush."
"Oh, quite bold compared to the Kyushu district terrorists."
"Or rather, that was just an anomaly, an experiment with Refrain brainwashing or something."
Normally, no one would consider a suicide attack with a KMF. They must have used Refrain to numb or break the pilot's mind and send them in.
"Can you identify the enemy KMF models?"
"Four Chinese Federation Gan-Lu. There are also two tank contacts."
"Hmph, not much of a force then."
I couldn't help but offer a wry smile at Cornelia's remark.
"Nowhere has the strength of the Japanese Liberation Front or the Black Knights."
"I know that. But considering the Chinese Federation is pulling the strings, they might do something like this to cause confusion."
…I see. Cornelia's point is valid. Given the timeline, the Kyushu campaign is also about to begin. Considering that, it's plausible they would funnel a large number of Gan-Lu to cause confusion here.
"Well, no matter. Guilford, Axel. The enemy has four mock KMFs and a few slow tanks. Can you handle it?"
"As per Your Highness's command."
"I don't particularly like the battlefield… but I suppose it's not impossible."
"Then go clean it up."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
"Understood."
At Cornelia's command, Guilford and I replied and exited the G-1 Base bridge.
"Axel, try not to involve us in your aerial attacks."
"Hmph, you better watch out, or your slowness will get you caught up."
Guilford sent a comm while advancing through the mountains with his two subordinate Gloucesters. I was, of course, flying in the Guren, but the trees still made it difficult to see the ground clearly. It was hard for me to spot enemy units from here, but it probably wouldn't be that difficult for the enemy to spot the Guren. The Guren's body color was a whitish-gray, supposedly for camouflage, but who knew how effective that really was.
"Whoa!"
As expected, a preemptive attack came from the terrorists who had spotted me – a cannon shot, presumably from a Gan-Lu, aimed at me in the air.
I rolled the Guren to evade the several shells fired my way and then fired the chest-mounted machine cannons and burst railgun in the direction the cannon fire came from. Looking down, Guilford's Gloucester was already engaged in combat, deftly evading enemy fire with swift movements while impaling Gan-Lu and tanks with its lance.
Their perfectly coordinated movements were truly befitting a direct unit of Cornelia's.
Two tanks were already destroyed, and two Gan-Lu as well. That left only two Gan-Lu, but…
"Axel, combat concluded."
A comm came in from Guilford.
"Huh? There are two left, aren't there?"
"No, those two were also destroyed by your attack."
"…Huh?"
Indeed, I had attacked in the direction the cannon fire came from. I attacked, but I intended it as a light warning shot. And it destroyed them?
"Aren't they too brittle?"
"Yes. Even for terrorists, this is…"
As we were discussing, a comm came in from the G-1 Base.
"Axel, Guilford, return immediately. It seems terrorists are now wreaking havoc elsewhere."
Cornelia ordered in an irritated voice.
…Terrorists easily defeated. And then, once they're defeated, new terrorists appear in another location. …This is…
"Cornelia, what kind of force are these 'wreaking havoc' terrorists?"
"The report says several Gan-Lu."
Just as I thought.
"Is the enemy's strategy a war of attrition?"
"What?"
"These enemies, and those reported to be sporadically causing trouble with very small forces. Each time there's a report, we're deployed, and we become more worn down."
"I see. …But wouldn't the terrorists be more worn down? Their skill level is much lower than ours. I don't think they can ultimately defeat us."
"In terms of their units, certainly. They understand that too. So, if it's a war of attrition, perhaps it's a war of attrition against our minds and spirits?"
Terrorists appearing sporadically and causing trouble in short bursts. If this continues, it would be unbearable for the regular soldiers, if not the officers.
"…"
Cornelia pondered my words. Then, Guilford spoke up.
"If they execute that strategy, wouldn't the terrorists suffer greater casualties? Their comrades disappearing every time they're deployed. I think the psychological burden on them would be far greater than on us, who are deployed irregularly."
"Have you forgotten? The Chinese Federation is backing them."
"I certainly remember that."
"What did they do in Kyushu?"
"…! Refrain!"
Yes. Their comrades disappearing every time they're deployed? Would minds affected by Refrain even comprehend such a thing? The answer is no.
"…I see. A typical Chinese Federation tactic. Axel, Guilford. We'll withdraw to the Kanazawa district for now. We'll regroup there."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
"What about the reported terrorists?"
"Several Gan-Lu. The Britannian forces here should be able to handle it. …Though, if Axel's theory is correct, it will only buy us time. In the meantime, we'll either defeat or capture the central figure behind this operation."
Nodding at her words, Guilford and I returned to the G-1 Base.
Name: Axel Almar
LV: 34
PP: 180
Melee: 242
Ranged: 260
Skill: 252
Defense: 249
Evasion: 277
Accuracy: 299
SP: 414
Ace Bonus: SP Boost (Increases Slime's performance by consuming SP)
Growth Type: All-Rounder, Special
Air: S
Land: S
Sea: B
Space: S
Spirit Commands:
Accelerate: SP 4
Effort: SP 8
Concentration: SP 16
Direct Hit: SP 30
Awaken: SP 32
Love: SP 48
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
Geass (Gray)
???
???
???
???
???
Kills: 195
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