In the helicopter heading to the laboratory, Kanata seemed lost in thought.
“What’s wrong, Kanata? Still not keen on it?”
I was pulled back to reality by the Commander’s voice inside the helicopter en route to the laboratory.
“No, I was just thinking about something.”
“A diligent Natto Bacteria indeed. Regarding Rick, the change in his assigned unit seems to be fine. It seems they were having trouble handling him in his previous unit too.”
“Despite being the Brigadier General’s son, he’s short-tempered and reckless. It must be nerve-wracking for his superiors to use him.”
“I spoke with the Brigadier General as well, but now that he’s come to the Asura Unit…”
“I won’t hold back. It’s because they treat him like a fragile object, always tiptoeing around him, that he’s become like this. He was lucky to survive that recklessness. He just hasn’t encountered anyone stronger.”
The Commander sat in the seat opposite me, lit a cigarette, and gazed out the window.
“He seems to want it himself, so I’ll entrust Rick to you. Share some of your Natto Bacteria with him.”
“He has talent. If he learns to think before fighting, he’ll undoubtedly become a soldier of considerable strength.”
“He became a Named Soldier based on talent alone. He must be the real deal.”
“Until I return, please have Bakura train him. Because he’s only fought without thinking, he hasn’t learned any proper techniques.”
“Understood. Since you both use long weapons, Bakura is a suitable choice. It will take three days to get to the laboratory and return, with one day planned for your stay at the laboratory.”
One day for the stay is appreciated, but…
“Will one day be enough?”
“Shijima begged me for more time, but I refused. I told him to show me he can create proper soldiers before he starts rambling about the growth of Nenshin Strength.”
“That’s certainly direct. Is Dr. Shijima still creating only berserkers?”
“He apparently made up to Number 16, but they were all berserkers. It’s a waste of taxpayer money.”
“The taxpayers get no rewards, do they.”
The helicopter began its descent. It seemed we had arrived at our intended base.
After resting at the docking area, we headed to the laboratory.
Time shouldn’t be wasted. Perhaps I’ll review and revise Lilith’s tactical plan.
As I was fiddling with the tactical tablet and nearly finished with my revisions, the laboratory building came into view below.
“Kanata, we’re almost there. Let’s wrap it up.”
I turned off the tablet before the old man with the bowling ball head could say anything else.
Returning to the laboratory that I once knew. If only I never had to see it again.
The Commander and Lieutenant Colonel were to wait in a separate building, so we parted ways at the helipad.
I suppose they didn’t want to go into that research building that makes my stomach churn.
What awaited me in the research building was a shabby white coat I didn’t want to see.
“Number 12! You’ve returned! I’ve heard reports of your achievements, I’m so proud…”
I grabbed the professor, who was still as thin and spindly as a bean sprout, by the collar and warned him in a low voice.
“Never call me by a number again. …Call me that again, and I’ll break your neck.”
I roughly shoved him away, and the professor stumbled backward, falling onto his rear.
“Wh-what’s wrong, Jiu… Warrant Officer Amakake. You’ve become quite wild.”
There’s no reason for me to be polite to you anymore. Can’t you understand that, you academic fool!
“Your stay is only for one day. You should have a packed schedule, right?”
“Th-that’s right. Did you ask the Commander to extend your stay…?”
“Absolutely not. The stay is for one day only. Whether your schedule is finished or not, I’ll be returning in one day. I have a mission.”
My tone, which allowed no room for argument, seemed to get through to the academic fool.
“Alright. First, let me take a blood and cell sample.”
I nodded and followed the professor.
This… is the room where Number 13 went berserk. …And this is where I met the Commander.
No matter how much they’ve repaired it, it’s hard to understand how anyone can continue research in a room where a dozen people were killed.
…I suppose it was a foolish question. If I could even wonder about such things, I wouldn’t be able to do this research.
And I shouldn’t be pointing fingers at myself either.
The number of people I’ve killed is far more than a dozen.
“All right, blood and cell samples collected. Warrant Officer Amakake, what is it?”
My gaze was fixed on a soldier sleeping in a培养 pods, who looked exactly like me.
“Professor, what number is that soldier?”
“It’s Number 17.”
“It seems to be asleep as usual, but it won’t go berserk like Number 13, will it?”
“That’s absolutely impossible. Number 17’s heart is beating, but its brain is not functioning.”
“You mean brain-dead? It’s probably the result of an experiment, but don’t you need to dispose of it?”
“We’re keeping it in a brain-dead state deliberately. After you left here, we inferred that your brain waves had significantly decreased before you awoke. It was due to a medication error.”
So the medication error wasn’t just with Number 13. The researcher who killed Number 13 also made a medication error with me.
“This was the work of the person who made the medication error with Number 13, wasn’t it?”
“You figured that out quickly. The researcher who made the medication error had falsified their academic background. They didn’t have proper knowledge. It’s troublesome, you know. No matter how wealthy one’s parents are, if they can buy their academic credentials with money. They should consider our inconvenience too.”
I understand, but it’s utterly unconvincing. First of all, you people are a nuisance to society.
“So you’re trying to recreate the situation. How diligent of you.”
Ah, so the academic fraudster overdid the medication to the point of consciousness degradation on me, and in remorse, this time they underused the medication.
That’s probably why Number 13 gained consciousness and went on a rampage. It was exactly as I predicted before.
“You’ve become ill-tempered since you went to the battlefield. Next time, please wear measurement devices and allow us to collect combat data.”
…Oh dear, it seems I’ll have to fight in that circular arena again.
As I stood by in the circular arena, the professor’s voice came through the speakers.
“Warrant Officer Amakake, your opponent is Number 14. You can destroy it if you have no other choice, but if possible, please don’t.”
Don’t say things like destroy. You inhumane being.
“Hurry up and start.”
As I replied, the gate opposite me opened, and the scene I’d seen before was replayed.
I was scared back then. It feels like a distant memory now.
The moment its vacant eyes focused on me, Number 14 let out a roar and charged at me.
They haven’t progressed at all. Well, they are different from Number 10 in that they are clad in a Psyche-Barrier.
Attacks unleashed purely by instinct, without any discernible intent. Even if they’re a bit fast, they’re not frightening at all.
I received and dodged Number 14’s clumsy attacks, then counter-attacked.
Are these guys still just rampaging? They’re second-rate as weapons, really.
Their physical abilities and high Nenshin Power might be a threat to general soldiers, but to the soldiers of the Asura Unit, they’re just easy prey.
Without taking too much time, I incapacitated Number 14. Naturally, I took no damage.
“Y-you’ve gotten stronger! I’m surprised, you should be the same originally…”
Hmph, you’re just an academic fool. You don’t understand what fighting truly is.
Physical abilities and Nenshin Power alone don’t make a strong fighter.
Keep conducting experiments with no prospect of success until the higher-ups give up on you.
“One opponent doesn’t seem to be enough, so next, I’ll send out Number 15 and Number 16 simultaneously. Not only close combat, but please also try using your Evil Eye.”
Two at once? It’s not scary, but it’s troublesome. They’re built tough, just like me.
Number 15 and Number 16 entered the arena… but come to think of it, I have no obligation to honestly participate in your experiments.
Before they can close the distance… I’ll finish this!
“…Gigi!” “…Gaga!”
Number 15 and Number 16 were struck down before they could even approach me.
With no will, you guys can’t possibly counter an Evil Eye. I held back, so you probably won’t die.
“Whoa! Warrant Officer Amakake! This way we can’t collect any close-combat data!”
“You’re the one who told me to show you the power of the Evil Eye, Professor, right? I’m just fulfilling your request.”
“Yes, but… I’m stumped…”
“I think the experiment is over. There seem to be no more alternatives.”
Before the professor could reply, I quickly exited the disgusting arena.
Afterward, I was forced to endure several more experiments and wasn’t released until after the sun had completely set.
After eating a meal that was terrible except for the curry, I returned to my room.
No, even the curry couldn’t compare to the spicy curry Lilith makes.
The moment I lay down on the bed and entered the room, the built-in TV phone rang.
…Don’t tell me there are more experiments.
I answered the phone with a displeased look, and the Commander’s displeased face appeared.
“Kanata, you seem quite displeased as well.”
“Not as much as you, Commander. Are you bored and grumpy?”
“If I had to face documents for a whole day, I’d be grumpy too. This place is more uncomfortable than the office in the Garden.”
“Then shouldn’t your paperwork proceed faster?”
“Work speeds up when you want to leave a place quickly. If I can’t leave until tomorrow, how could it possibly speed up?”
“My condolences. Do you need something from me?”
The Commander spun his lighter in his hand before speaking. This was a secret signal!
“Kanata, when you get back to the Garden, we’ll ‘start’ the work immediately. You understand, right?”
“Start,” huh? Now that the Commander has given the go-ahead, there’s no choice but to do it.
“Understood. When I get back, I’ll be sure to ‘clean it up’.”
I replied with a nod.
After a bit of inconsequential small talk, I hung up the phone. I took out my tools from the hidden Pocket of my suitcase.
The top-secret mission I received from the Commander in the helicopter on the way here was to confirm the location of the self-destruct device that is always present in this type of facility.
The Commander is truly terrifying. If it comes down to it, he’s prepared to activate the self-destruct device to stop the research.
