The old man mercenaries who had been watching me stepped forward with a grin, holding out his hand for a handshake, just like I had done.
“My, my, you’re quite capable for one so young… I was on the edge of my seat at first, seeing you so flustered, but now you seem completely composed. Even in this situation, you’ve given everyone hope with just your confident demeanor and words. Good, very good! You were like a proper general! …Truly, if this is your first battle, your future is bright!”
“Haha… Thank you for the concern, old man. I’m sorry to drag you into this fight. Are the young ones over there your kin? Ah, may I have your names?”
“I am Prado… a retired old soldier from long ago, but a veteran of countless battlefields. This one is my grandson… Flow. He insisted on becoming a mercenary, against my better judgment… This is his first job, so I was worried and followed him. People might call me overprotective, but it was the right decision to come. If you need a disposable pawn, don’t hesitate to use me! At my age… dying on the battlefield would be a noble end. …However, I would appreciate it if you could somehow ensure my grandson returns safely… Though I know that’s a selfish request.”
“Please don’t talk about self-sacrifice. They say old soldiers never die, right? Flow… what do you think? It would be cruel to make an old man like this fight, wouldn’t it? You can leave the task of looking after him to me, right?”
“Yes! Leave it to me! Ah, um… what should I do!”
“Flow, this seems to be your first battle… Don’t push yourself. Please take care of your grandfather and the two people providing rear support. This old man looks like he might rush in alone if I don’t keep an eye on him, he’s that reckless.”
“What are you saying! I’m not that reckless! Very well… if that’s the case, leave this battle… to me! I, too, was once known as ‘Prado the Flash’, feared enough to be declared an enemy of the Empire and have a bounty placed on my head! My sword skills have not dulled!”
“What… you’re that ‘Prado the Flash’… You’ve aged so much, I didn’t recognize you at all. It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Ever since the First Valentia War a decade ago, when we fought side-by-side as volunteers against the Empire…”
“You haven’t changed a bit since then… I should have greeted you properly after so long… Commander. But don’t say that… unlike you, humans grow old. Why don’t you tell this young fellow some of my wartime exploits from when I was his age!”
“We’re both getting on in years… Let’s give the youth the spotlight and take it easy, no need to overexert ourselves. …You know, if we make it back safely, perhaps we can have some tea on the veranda and reminisce about the old days.”
These two… they were comrades in arms.
The commander of the volunteer army… Aage does a lot of things, doesn’t she?
“I believe in respecting my elders, so I hope neither of you overexerts yourselves… but I am counting on you. Therefore, please proceed with caution.”
“…Well, I admit I’m the elder, but don’t treat me like an old man. However, I am also in the mood for a bit of a rampage after such a long time… I might just show you my true strength.”
“What, you’re motivated too! You’re finally shedding that ‘lamppost’ nickname! Honestly, living long has its rewards. Fuhaha! My blood is boiling for the first time in ages!”
…He was just a wheezing old man a moment ago, but now he’s all fired up, his eyes gleaming… this old man.
He had an extraordinary aura when I first met him… this old man is capable!
It seems I’ve inadvertently flipped a switch… his aura has clearly changed.
Is this the bearing of a veteran warrior! This is reassuring.
I surveyed everyone.
They all had cheerful expressions, sometimes cracking jokes as they went about their tasks.
But it’s good… to see everyone smiling like this, even on the verge of a tough battle. It’s a sign of relaxation.
…Calling each person by name… I really am like some general, aren’t I…
But this is good… Even if I’m terrified and want to run away, if I act like a reliable commander, I’ll start to feel like one… They say your position makes the man.
Then, after giving instructions to everyone and taking a moment to breathe, my phone buzzed with an incoming email.
…Must be the follow-up report from Ms. Kashima.
“This is Kashima from the Otherworldly Affairs Bureau. I am transmitting a follow-up report. Coordination with the Convenience store has been completed, and the rescue operation for Owner Takakura has commenced as of this moment.
The formation consists of Manager leading the vanguard and has already been deployed.
Although Manager was not familiar with the terrain, he is being accompanied by the large command and control drone ‘HQ-1101’ that was sent earlier, so we anticipate no issues with navigation.
As a follow-up support combat unit, Major Oddball has been appointed as the temporary combat commander, and a provisional consolidated company equipped with firearms has been formed.
Four vehicles, BUN-6602 through 6605, have been fully equipped and dispatched to the site. These will serve as armored personnel carriers to transport 30 local combat personnel, equipped with anti-mimic creature gear, to the combat zone.
Furthermore, the BUN series, originally developed as unmanned combat vehicles, have been deployed in combat configuration, each equipped with two Browning M2 heavy machine guns.
These vehicles possess front armor of 50mm, providing sufficient defense against mimic creature attacks, and are equipped with a fully autonomous combat program, enabling them to engage in stand-alone combat.
This will be their first full-scale operational deployment, and they are expected to demonstrate extremely high combat capabilities.
According to our tactical simulations, the BUN series alone are predicted to completely annihilate the currently confirmed enemy forces, so we deem the combat power to be sufficient.
By placing the BUN series at the forefront, we believe we can adequately meet Owner’s request for no casualties among our allies.
Reinforcements are estimated to arrive in approximately 30 minutes. After engaging the newly identified main enemy force, Manager stated he would break through enemy lines. In response to this, please aim to break through the enemy encirclement and rendezvous with Manager.
Manager is carrying a laptop for the tactical command and control system and command headsets for the number of local combat personnel. Upon receiving the equipment, connect it to BUN-6601 and utilize it as a command vehicle in conjunction with HQ-1101.
Instructions for operating the various equipment can be obtained via guidance from HQ-1101 on-site.
HQ-1101 is a next-generation state-of-the-art weapon system; it is equipped with a natural language communication system and a highly advanced tactical control AI, enabling it to command multiple unmanned weapons systems.
It is connected to our tactical database online, allowing for optimal tactical advice on-site.
It is also armed, making it an excellent emergency deployment force, so please make full use of it.
The support combat unit is scheduled to arrive at the combat zone slightly later, approximately 50 minutes from now. The timing of the offensive is left to Owner’s discretion.
If we can achieve an ideal pincer movement from both front and rear by coordinating the offensive with the support unit, it would result in a encircling annihilation battle. Therefore, if possible, after breaking through the enemy encirclement, evading pursuit, and attacking their rear, would you consider an operation to turn the tables and drive them into a corner?
Based on the observational data, the enemy appears to have established a double encirclement.
By using this formation to our advantage, gathering the enemy in one place, and then ambushing them… executing a reverse encircling annihilation would be most effective.
With the cooperation of local combatants possessing extremely high combat capabilities and Manager joining us, the combat strength of Owner Takakura’s unit is expected to be exceptionally high, so we believe this is by no means impossible.
Furthermore, as this enemy is presumed to be an Imperial Army reconnaissance unit, if we can annihilate them completely, subsequent operations will be greatly simplified.
After annihilating the enemy’s front-line combat units, search for and, if possible, eliminate the enemy command units.
There is no need to allow the enemy to escape with our information.
The enemy’s command radius is at most about 5km, which HQ-1101’s search capabilities can easily cover.
HQ-1101 possesses high stealth capabilities and wide-area search capabilities, and is equipped with an M134 Minigun, thus possessing sufficient suppressive power.
Additionally, we have installed two Type 91 portable surface-to-air guided missile launchers, enabling combat against wyvern-type otherworldly life forms.
Wyvern-type otherworldly life forms are apparently used as reconnaissance aircraft by the Imperial Army, so there is a high possibility they are present on this battlefield. They should be prioritized for destruction upon discovery.
If we can achieve the annihilation of all currently confirmed Imperial Army forces, this battle can be considered a complete victory for us.
Regarding the Re-Djas Neuro Empire, they are judged to be an enemy nation with hostile intent, having repeatedly committed terrorist acts such as using Transfer Gates to send mimic creatures into various parts of Japan. We are already in an unofficial state of hostilities with Japan.
Any hostile actions against Imperial soldiers or destruction of their weaponry are legally permissible in our country, so please demonstrate your resolute will on behalf of Japan.
This concludes the report. Please rest assured that we are monitoring the situation at all times.
We look forward to your continued cooperation.
I was speechless.
…As usual, their efficiency is almost like cheating, what is this?
It was a barrage of shocking facts, even more so than before.
