9

"Alright, let’s lay out the plan to take down the fortress."

In a grove not far from the base, three Armunale crouched, knees pressed together, waiting.

At the center, I called Elekzia and Batis to hold the final strategy meeting.

Elekzia, I guess, always ties a scarf around her neck when riding an Armunale—just to keep her long hair from flying loose. Now she was untying it, rewrapping it slowly. Her expression was… satisfied, somehow.

Batis, on the other hand, puffed out her cheeks, sitting cross-legged with one hand propped on her cheek. Probably annoyed she hadn’t gotten to fight a single enemy all the way here. But what can you do? Elekzia’s airborne assault, me with long-range sniping—there’s no way Batis’s standard Armunale can keep up. Better she just admits defeat gracefully.

Hmm, still, those Armunale units facing each other like that look sharp. Each one’s got its own distinctive shape—really stands out in the dim light. Just watching them makes my pulse jump.

By the way, the other squad members are busy: the mechanics are refueling and tuning the Armunale, while the two support maids are prepping dinner. Though, no flames—too risky to spot. Just slicing and stacking sandwiches, that’s all.

“Simple enough. Break through that enemy, infiltrate the base. Secure the prisoner camp, then wipe out every incoming foe.”

“Easy for you to say. Still, tough, isn’t it? Honestly, that amount was way beyond what we expected.”

Even just counting what we saw, over a hundred Abnomule units. Six Imperial Armunale, plus ten more from mercenaries, all circling the base like watch dogs. Probably more hiding in the shadows, too.

Seems they’re terrified—must’ve been scared stiff from the last raid.

Maybe my Avilabomb strike had something to do with it. Can’t exactly ignore something that forces you to take down one machine at a time, all by hand.

Still, defending means preparing. They’d need something solid.

“Hmph. No matter how many foot soldiers they gather, they’re still just fodder. We’re knights chosen by Eld. If we follow Eld’s plan to the letter, there’s nothing to worry about.”

"No, this guy’s always pulling off the craziest stuff like it’s nothing. Don’t worry much about our strength, okay?"

"Rude. I’m thinking, aren’t I?"

Well, I’ll push them hard when we *have* to, but still.

I know Batis’s limits, and I’ve never asked for anything unreasonable before.

"So, how many Armunale you planning to crush on your own this time?"

"Five, should be doable."

"See!? That’s impossible!"

I answer right away, and Batis points at me, turning to Elekxia.

"He just says that like it’s nothing! Normally, you’d be lucky to handle two!"

"But we’ve gotta do it—there’s no way around it. And this time it’s a surprise assault. If we hit them before they’re ready, five isn’t out of the question."

Just never done it before, that’s all.

The kingdom’s wars before this were always just about defending—nothing more.

There’s barely any up-to-date info on surprise attacks with Armunale, or on assaulting bases. The academy barely teaches any of it these days.

That’s probably why we’re so unsure of ourselves.

Still, I reckon it’d all blow away the moment we actually try it.

“What do you think, Elekcia? Think five planes per person’s impossible?”

“Hmm… not impossible… I suppose. But it’d be extremely difficult.”

Elekcia paused, then answered.

“See, our senior knights always say it’s doable. Not impossible. And if it comes down to it, I’ll take care of them all myself.”

“Eld Captain! All machines are prepped and ready!”

A voice from above announced the maintenance was complete, and I stood up just in time.

"Then let’s go. Can’t let what was stolen stay stolen."

"Yeah. The people are waiting."

"Ah! Got it! I’ll handle it! Bring on five, bring on ten—come at me!"

"That’s the spirit."

With Batis suddenly all fired up, we each climbed into our machines and powered them up.

"Electria unit, no issues."

"Batis unit, ready to roll."

"Eld unit, all green. The plan’s simple—charge straight in, I’ll launch Electria. After Electria clears the enemy on the upper wall, it’ll dive straight into the base. Meanwhile, we’ll break through the gate and follow."

『Got it!』

"Maintenance crew and support maids, fall back to the safe zone and wait. Scouting unit, move out to maintain contact with the rear forces."

『Maintenance crew, roger.』

『Support maids, roger.』

『Scouting unit, roger.』

『Then, operation begins.』

Suddenly, a shrill alarm blared through the base, jolting Wagner—currently in charge of Kreuzr’s command—from his bed.

He didn’t even bother with his coat, just lunged for the command center, where soldiers were scrambling, shouting updates.

‘What’s going on!? Enemy attack!?’

‘Hah, we’re under assault from the west gate. Reports say three units…’

‘Three!? What, are they mad!? Damn it—doesn’t matter. Crush them with numbers, now!’

‘Problem is… they’ve already broken through the west gate. Units inside the base are locked in combat.’

‘What!? What was the guard force doing!?’

According to the soldiers’ report, after a massive explosion, the enemy suddenly dropped from the sky. While dealing with those, the city gate was breached by two more assault units. The outer forces are taking heavy casualties, it seems.

“What in the blazes is going on!? It wasn’t just three machines, was it!?”

Wagen looked outside the command post—the flames were already licking at the edge of the compound.

And the unending crash of destruction, the constant explosions. That was the sound of the Abnomüle Sefia Generator detonating.

“Enemy aircraft approaching! Command, take cover!”

“Nngh…”

Just as a soldier lunged to shield Wagen, the window glass of the command facility shattered all at once under the shockwave.

Shards slammed into the soldiers without mercy—writhing in agony, blood soaking their bodies.

Wagen wasn’t hurt much, thanks to the soldier he’d landed on—so he saw it all.

There it was—

a slender machine leaping over buildings inside the base, landing lightly atop the Imperial Armunale.

a machine gripping a great sword, slicing through the Armunales as if they were paper.

and then, as it passed by, a machine dragging a steel column nearly as big as an Armunale’s torso on its left arm, crushing an Imperial Armunale in a single swing—like something out of a dream.

“Infiltration successful. Then, Elekshia, hold down the prisoners. Batis, come with me—clear out the enemy. First, secure the perimeter around the detention center.”

“Understood. I’ll go ahead.”

Elekshia cast her magic for the umpteenth time, using the buildings as stepping stones as the machine rose into the air.

Abnomule was aiming straight at Elekshia, but I took care of it with my harmonica pistol—right on the spot. Then, when Armunale came rushing in, I shoved it against the building with Artifigoj and kept firing till it ran out of ammo, point-blank.

"See? Both Abnomule and Armunale go down easy. Keep going, Batis—knock 'em all out."

"Man, I’m not as strong as you, okay?!"

Still, Batis kept chipping away at Abnomule, clearing a path without missing a beat.

The reinforcements pouring out of the hangar were getting annoying—like ants swarming. But wrecking the whole hangar later’ll get me in trouble, so I’ll just wait ’til they come out and hit 'em one by one while I still can.

"Elekshia should be reaching the facility soon. Let’s move."

"Aye!"

Elekshia’s machine was moving faster than I ever imagined.

I’d figured, during the first assault, that she’d just draw the enemy’s attention from the outer wall—enough to distract the others a little. But when we actually saw it happen, Elekshia had already taken out most of the machines above on her own.

Then we launched our attack—those outside didn’t stand a chance. They fell apart so fast, we cleared them in no time at all.

Probably helped that we’d crushed a couple of Perfilizzi with the confusion of Elekshia’s strike, but still—way too easy. Honestly, I think taking down the base with Leon back then was harder.

Guess it’s because all three of us are way better now.

“Hey… were these guys really this weak?”

Batis kept pressing forward, wiping out enemies, and still came asking about that. They’d crushed Abnomyle so easily. Well, sure, Armunale gave us a bit of a fight—but still, those fools didn’t even try to hold their ground when it came down to it. Not even the mercenaries would act like that. Regular soldiers? What’s wrong with you? Guess they’ve just gotten used to fighting this way.

So sometimes, in a flash.

"Batis, I’ll take those two. Hold the rear for me."

Aiyoh

Two Armunale emerged from the shadow of the building. Both were imperial models.

Got a harmonica pistol tucked in there too, huh. Guess the imperial harmonica pistols are finally getting mass-produced. Still, Armunale’s getting priority. That Abnomyle back there had a regular cannon on its left arm, same as these.

The enemy units aren’t drawing swords or raising shields—no real aggression in their movements.

Then I’ll go first.

Drawing my blade from the Artifigoj, I flare magic to keep them at bay.

“You think you can just run wild and walk away clean?”

“You die here.”

“Hah, we’re just here to take back what was stolen! No reason to hate us, really!”

Two of them raise shields, blocking the whole passage, narrowing my range to just the front.

But they’re underestimating me.

I’ve been watching Elekshia’s movements this whole time.

Not built for flying that far, but still—didn’t think my machine could pull off something like that, did you?

Just a few steps in, I yanked the pedals hard and sent the machine skidding sideways, straight for the wall.

Then—like a pole vaulter—I jammed the Artifigoj into the ground, flipped the machine upside down midair, and shot upward.

After that, just like before.

“Fire lance—now!”

Boom. The explosion rocked the ground right under the Artifigoj, lifting that heavy thing clean off the ground.

Using shockwaves to lift off—thanks to watching Elekshia’s every move, I finally got the hang of it. Tried it for real this time. Feels wild. Perfect fit for my machine.

Balancing myself midair, I landed smooth on the rooftop.

The rooftop and the floor below it sank down two stories just from my machine’s weight—should be fine, though. Buildings’ve been flying apart every time Abnomyle blows up anyway.

“Idiot!?”

“Why the hell can that thing even fly!?”

“Just skill, that’s all.”

I leap off the roof, landing right on top of the enemy’s head.

The machine holding up its shield—crushed down by my weight—just snaps its arm clean off, leaving its belly wide open.

Stick the sword in, and that’s the first wreck done.

“Now”

No time to pull another blade from Artificogius.

So I’ll finish the other one with magic.

Swinging Artificogius around, I slam it into the machine—mass difference alone sends it wobbling like a drunk in a storm.

I jab my right arm out, shoving fingers into the gap in the chest armor. And then—

“Would’ve been handy to do this before.”

I activate the Wind Cutter at the point set in my fingertips.

Back when I first fought Forze, I didn’t know how to use magic—just tore off the armor. But now—

“Uwahhhhh!

The Wind Cutter detonates inside, shredding the circuits from the generator to every part of the machine, tearing the cockpit apart.

“Here you go—second one. How’s that look?”

I glance back after taking down the two Armunale and handing off to Batis. There it is—the scene of carnage.

Only Batis’s machine stands upright. And the Armunale that came chasing after him.

The Armunale’s all but shattered. The enemy’s Armunale’s flickering like a candle in the wind.

“Hah!”

Batis swings his sword with a shout.

The enemy machine barely blocks it—but by then, Batis is already moving.

He lets go of the blade instantly, unclips the second greatsword locked behind his back.

The moment he unclips it, the sword drops—gravity’s pull, no holding it.

Batis catches it mid-spin, swings it wide in a clean arc.

The building crumbles to dust. The greatsword slices clean through the Armunale’s belly.

Lower this time—must’ve aimed lower than before. The generator’s safe. But the machine’s split clean in two, crashing to the ground.

“Finish it!”

I reversed the great sword and drove it straight down toward the prone upper half, the cockpit now in my sights.

I watched the scene and clapped my hands inside the cockpit, aimed at Batis.

“Not bad. You’ve taken down two already.”

“Easy to read their moves. Is this what you get from training in the Abnomyle?”

“Could be. But if it’s this obvious, maybe it’s just the tough drills paying off.”

“Huh.”

“Alright, let’s meet up.”

“Got it.”

Ignoring the hesitant Abnomyle reinforcements, we pressed on through the base, eager to join up with Alexandria.

While Eld and the others fought Armunale, Alexandria had already reached the prisoner camp ahead of time.

The Abnomyle there shattered in an instant, eyes darting to scan the surroundings.

Alexandria ached to free the prisoners right then and there—but letting them go here would only mean one thing: crushed by a mech or buried under rubble while fleeing. Just a little longer, I’ll have to ask.

And then—

“Tch. Already this far in?”

A group of magitech vehicles arrived, guarded by Armunale.

Exactly as Eld had guessed—their plan all along: use the prisoners as hostages.

“This way’s blocked.”

“That voice… a woman?”

“So what if it is? I’m strong enough.”

“Doesn’t matter! Destroy that mech, use the prisoners to halt their advance. Do it!”

The commander-like figure on the magitek carriage spoke, and the Armunale beside him drew his sword, stepping forward.

"Finally ready to fight, cowards? We’ve been bored, guarding this thing. Let’s have some fun, Lady Knight!"

"I don’t waste words on my killers."

She caught the descending blade with both short swords.

The Exelia’s armor, built for speed, carried only these two blades as standard. Rarely, it might wield a sword—but never a shield.

Still holding the blade, Exelia fired up the thrusters mounted across her frame, lifting her mobility to new heights.

Only about thirty percent of the concentrated magical fluid—Hyimagia Liquid—used so far. If we stick to defense, there’s still plenty left. But after repeated battles, even Exelia’s stamina and willpower might not hold.

Then there’s only one thing to do.

“End it fast—keep the fighting brief.”

She deflected the enemy’s blade, and with thrusters blazing, Exelia’s frame surged forward.

Another year, eating cake all by myself…