第１９５掘：砦攻略作戦
### Chapter 195: Fortress Capture Operation
**Fortress Capture Operation**
Weapons.
It is a collective term for tools and implements used in combat and hunting.
In a broad sense, all sorts of things can be likened to weapons, but let’s set that aside for now.
The weapons I am talking about right now are tools that possess offensive capabilities with the primary purpose of killing, injuring, capturing, destroying, or neutralizing.
These weapons can be mastered through training.
Well, there might be differences in talent, but most people can learn to use them.
Furthermore, beyond their functional capabilities, weapons can sometimes hold special meanings, like symbols of ethnicity or power. This likely applies to Earth’s weapons as well.
Even modern weaponry.
This "Arrow-lit"—I feel like I haven't said that name in a while. Well, setting that aside, while they may be inferior in this world, Earth’s weapons have their own distinct characteristics.
Swords and bows are weapons from a distant past on Earth. Current weapons are complex and not easy to handle, but in exchange, their destructive power is guaranteed.
The variety is also much wider compared to swords, bows, spears, axes, or battering rams.
No, in a sense, you could say swords and bows are just the prototypes.
Anyway, I’ve digressed. What is the special meaning of Earth’s weapons and military hardware?
There are many opinions on this, but I’ll push for one in particular right now.
The cutting edge of technology.
Certainly, there are innovations and cutting-edge developments in other fields, but there is no "cutting edge" where the results are as easy to measure as they are with weapons.
For a weapon, the cutting edge is defined by how well it fulfills its purpose: the lethality, the effectiveness, and the clear result of destroying the target.
Yes, the cutting edge.
In other words, the crystallization of Earth’s wisdom.
It is the ironic crystallization of human wisdom as a weapon—built upon a long history, crossing countless battlefields, traversing seas of blood and death, overcoming them, and aiming for tomorrow.
Earth’s weapons have continued to evolve to this day, carrying contradictions: sometimes for peace, sometimes for invasion, sometimes as a deterrent, sometimes for defense, and sometimes for technological prowess.
"So, that was a long sermon. What exactly are you trying to say?"
My speech to the goblins was cut short by Britt, just like that.
**Side: Yuki**
"Listen, the performance of this tank is guaranteed."
"I know."
"We’ve also done the skills and proficiency training to master it."
"Skills are convenient, aren't they? Just learning them tells you how to use them. Without that, it would have taken several times longer."
"In other words, we are fully capable of using the tanks."
"I suppose so. So what?"
Britt replied.
However, after a moment of silence, I answered.
"The number of shells we can use is ten."
"Huh?"
Britt couldn't react to the sudden statement.
So, I repeated it.
"The number of shells we can use is ten."
"……What does that mean?"
"Listen, modern weapons are indeed wonderfully high-performance. But they also have weaknesses."
"……Is it money?"
"Yes. The tank itself costs a ridiculous amount of DP, and while we have prepared a corresponding amount of ammunition, resupply isn't easy. Don't waste your shots."
"Is this because of the practice session?"
"Yes. You guys got excited about moving the tanks and fired all six vehicles at once. That cost us half the price of a tank in ammunition alone."
"Wow."
"Anything over ten shots will come out of your own pockets. It’ll be an installment plan, of course, but your salaries will be low for a while."
"Try convincing your wives about that."
"I *did* convince them, and this is the result. Do you have any idea how much family service I have to do?"
The troublesome part about modern weapons is that they are money pits.
If you don't use them, they’re just junk. The wives weren't very supportive of this waste from the start, saying we should just use the monsters we can summon.
However, after seeing the overwhelming power of the tank corps in Rumel during the Demon Lord-related chaos, they accepted my proposal. But since we haven't used them in actual combat yet, there are voices saying we should stop using them altogether.
That’s why I have to prove their practicality in this fortress capture operation.
……What is this? It feels like a husband desperately trying to get his wife to understand his hobby.
"Well, ten shots should be enough to manage, right?"
"I pray so. Also, make sure you time it right."
"I know, I know. Tank One, Tank Two, you heard him. If you miss, consider your meals bland for the foreseeable future."
『『『Ehh—』』』
Voices of dissatisfaction came over the radio.
"You just have to not miss. Princess, Olive, and Mist are already approaching the fortress to perform their lines and the planned act. The die is cast."
"Why are you telling us this at the last minute?"
"If I told you beforehand, you wouldn't have gotten in the tanks."
『『『Obviously.』』』
"It's not 'obviously'!!"
Geez, these unmotivated goblins.
"Anyway, we should watch the Princess and the others, or we won't be able to time the act."
"True. Get ready."
『『『Roger.』』』
At least they won't waste shots now.
Their motivation might be dampened, but their seriousness should be up—probably.
"So, the plan is to issue a surrender demand, and if refused, pretend to unleash the power of the three Magic Sword Users, and then..."
"We blast the fortress gate straight from the rear tank cannons. And before the three of them lead the troops to charge, we use mortars to destroy the enemies and weapons stationed on the fortress walls."
"And then the Princess and the others charge and it's over... It's a scam."
"Then go ahead, Britt, take the fortress by yourself with a sword and shield. It’s not like you can’t."
"I’ll pass. I don't like getting tired."
『……I’ve been hearing some very trivial chatter for a while now, but the Princess, Lady Olive, and Lady Mist are about to move, so please be professional.』
"Got it."
"Roger."
I assigned Jessica to relay the situation of the Princess and the others, but she doesn't understand jokes.
『Only those close to you take that as a joke. Now, it’s starting. Are you ready? It’s when she raises her sword. I’ll give the signal, but you’re watching too, right?』
"Yeah, I’m watching, and the tanks are watching too."
Then, the voices of the Princess and the others came through Jessica’s radio.
『Listen, soldiers of Enaria at Makiro Fortress!! We are the Magic Sword Users of the Zilba Empire!!』
『Yes, you should understand what it means to have three Magic Sword Users gathered here!!』
『You have no chance of winning!! If you surrender now, we will welcome you with appropriate treatment!! However, if you resist...』
She finished speaking and waited for the opponent’s response.
Meanwhile, the Princess and the others raised their swords, intimidating the enemy so they could attack immediately depending on the response.
"Make sure we can attack instantly too."
『『『Understood.』』』
The moment I gave the order to be ready for an immediate attack, someone climbed onto the fortress wall.
"A woman?"
"Looks like it. Seems she’s going to say something."
Through the binoculars, a beauty appeared.
Her silver hair looked striking against her white-silver full plate armor.
She had an imposing sword at her waist... that shape, that core—is that a Magic Sword?
"I declare to the foolish Zilba Empire that dares to invade!!"
A beautiful voice echoed across the battlefield with great volume.
"All soldiers of Enaria will never bow to you!! We will not surrender to you!! As long as this Holy Sword exists, we will not be defeat—"
Wait, Holy Sword!?
*BOOM!!*
*BOOOOOOM!!*
"Huh?"
『Eh? The opponent refused to surrender, so I fired.』
"Ah, ah... you didn't stop the tank corps. I hope the Holy Sword is okay."
"The gate was pulverized in one hit, just as expected from the high performance of modern weapons, and it even opened a hole in the center of the fortress behind it."
"All units, follow Princess, Lady Olive, and Lady Mist!!"
Hivia ran past us, leading the troops that had been held in reserve.
And just before Hivia and the Princesses charged, a rain of mortar shells fell as planned, silencing the enemy soldiers stationed on the fortress walls.
"Yeah. Seriously, I hope the Holy Sword is okay. I’m betting on it being pulverized by the direct hit of the tank cannon on the gate right below it, plus the direct mortar hits."
"You did it—!? And Britt, do you think that beauty from earlier is still alive!?"
"Impossible. Should we hope for the super-performance of the Holy Sword or that the attack coincidentally missed?"
"The former confirms that the beauty is alive, and since she looks like a troublesome enemy, I'll pass. Let's hope for the latter."
"Then, Boss, you aren't betting on it being pulverized?"
"No, I'm betting on it being pulverized."
Silence followed.
" "That's no good." "
At that moment, both of us gave up on the survival of the beauty and the Holy Sword.
"For now, I’ll organize a search party to look for them."
"Please do."
...Yeah, with performance and proficiency this high, it’s hopeless, isn't it?
Irregularity occurred!!
I thought I confirmed a Holy Sword, but it got pulverized!!
Nice work!!
The fortress? Oh, the suppression team is already inside.