The battlefield of the mountains

Three days had passed since Emma revived at the research facility.

As promised, Emma completed the adjustments to the magical quadracycle.

She informed the imperial government of her plan to join the transport unit, and received approval.

She was dispatched under the guise of supplying the battlefield where the empire had secured victory.

She joined this group.

The unit was quickly assembled and set out within a week.

The day before departure.

Alex and I were stuffing our belongings into the magic-powered four-wheeled cart and its attached cargo platform.

Then, we were receiving direct instructions from Ms. Emma on the upgraded magic cart.

"Please take a look, Mr. Taro. It's a rearview mirror. Now you can see everything behind you clearly. Since the vehicle has grown larger, I thought such a feature would be essential, so I added it."

"Oh, wow, I can really see everything behind me now."

I glance at the rearview mirror.

The magic four-wheeler kept taking on a form I'd never seen before.

Glancing into the rearview mirror, I saw my usual self reflected back.

It's strange to say, but I can't really picture myself as someone about to go into battle.

"Hey, I brought the stuff!"

Clara and Kenny arrived, carrying various belongings, their familiar voices calling out.

"Why are they here?"

Alex answered my question.

"I summoned them. They're from the Kingdom. In a pinch, it'll be easier to negotiate over there."

Alex's words brought my honest question to my lips.

"Alex, you're from the Kingdom too... Are you sure it's okay to fight against your own country?"

"My family is no longer part of the Kingdom. I may still think of it, but I have no regrets."

"We're fine too. We're not involved in this war."

"Uh-huh."

Everyone answers casually.

"Ah, good. If you're fine, that's all that matters."

On the day of departure.

The group begins moving early in the morning. Alongside us, many adventurers with various purposes also join the journey.

The Imperial Army is composed of several magic-powered four-wheeled vehicles, with additional infantry and supply units arranged in various formations. Behind them, adventurers travel on wagons pulled by horses.

The one leading the troop was... the nobleman I'd blown away at the Imperial Castle. Awkward, to say the least.

He noticed me too, and approached with a loud, exaggerated stride, as if sound effects were accompanying his steps.

There was nowhere to hide, and he quickly stood right in front of me.

"Hey! You there! Get down from the wagon—right now!"

"What is it?"

I answered as calmly as possible, trying not to provoke the nobleman.

"You have any explanation regarding the previous incident?"

"What incident are you referring to?"

"Using magic in the presence of Her Imperial Majesty, and then casting a spell at me, knocking me back. You should apologize for that as well."

"I have been informed by the Imperial Government that I am cleared of any punishment regarding that matter. Is there a problem with that?"

"Ugh... You... The Imperial Government's argument is irrelevant. This is a matter of the Empire's pride. Can we allow our very identity—the nobility of the Empire—to be tarnished like this?"

What should I do... If merely bowing my head would resolve the issue, I would bow. But it seems that won't be enough.

The other party is too enraged. Bowing down won't calm their fury.

At that moment, several soldiers approached from behind the nobleman, moving toward the enraged noble standing before them in an attempt to restrain him.

"Lord Aaron, please calm down. You are about to head to the battlefield. Moreover, this individual has been given orders directly from the Empress. We must not defy the Empress's will."

"Why, of all people, must it be someone like this! Has the empire truly fallen so far!..."

The nobleman named Aaron was dragged away by his guards, shouting something as he went.

At any rate, it seemed the storm had passed.

He exhaled deeply and returned to his magic-powered chariot.

"What was that guy supposed to be?"

Clara, who had been silently listening, voiced her complaint.

"He's Aaron Arthur. A noble from the empire with roots going back generations. Recently, the previous head of the family passed away, and he's taken over as the new head. He's talented, but there's talk he's impatient and lacks experience. Other than that... he's known for being quite conservative in his thinking."

Alex was relaying the information.

"None of the countries or nobles seem to get along, do they?"

Alex and Kenny glanced at Clara.

"What?!"

"No, nothing. Nothing at all." "Hmm."

What on earth is going on with the two of them?

Though there had been a minor disagreement at departure, there had been no major issues since, and they continued along the road smoothly.

Soon after, they entered a mountain path—only the carriage was slightly lagging behind...

The magical four-wheeled vehicle advanced without fatigue, even on steep inclines.

This was precisely what had allowed the empire to maintain favorable conditions in the war.

The overwhelming logistical advantage provided by magical four-wheeled vehicles has transformed the pace and sustainability of combat. The kingdom, lacking both speed and numerical superiority, was utterly unable to respond.

Yet the kingdom could not simply stand by and watch.

They launched their next strategy.

It was a surprise attack.

They couldn't win head-on. So, they simply wouldn't fight head-on.

The imperial army was struggling with the sheer number of surprise attacks from the royal forces.

In truth, Taro and his group had also been hit by surprise attacks. However, nothing serious resulted.

That was due to Taro's presence. Against his combined detection magic and sensing technology, surprise attacks held no meaning whatsoever.

By the time the enemy had hidden and prepared, Taro had already detected them in advance, allowing his forces to deploy accordingly. In some cases, the situation even turned into a counter-surprise attack.

Thanks to the expanded range of the electric attack, the enemy soldiers were paralyzed before combat even began.

The immobilized enemy soldiers were then transported to a nearby garrison.