Kanata has arrived at the day of departure, but he seems to be as laid-back as ever…
I see off the Land Fleet, centered around the Commander’s flagship “Hakuren,” as they sortie from Garden, from atop a hill.
The large fleet, now reinforced by the Mido Group’s corporate mercenaries, churns up dust as it carves tracks into the reddish-brown earth, heading for the battlefield.
Even with all of Asura Unit’s battalions combined, it would only amount to a regiment, not a division. However, if the Commander, who is also the head of the Zaibatsu, so desired, they could field division-class military strength. Rich people seem to be powerful everywhere.
I should head back to Garden soon. The departure time for the separate detachment is also fast approaching.
I swing my leg over my off-road motorcycle, Bianca, and turn the ignition of the elemental engine.
Back in my room, I change into my military uniform and prepare my equipment.
Let me check if I’ve forgotten anything… I forgot something important.
I take out a postcard with five silver stickers stuck on it from a drawer and put it in my pocket.
I need to mail it before I leave. I’ve been drinking that lewd milk every single day, and finally, I’ve collected five silver stickers.
I didn’t get any gold stickers that can be used for one entry each. I know how unlucky I am, so I wasn’t expecting anything.
It’s fine, though. Diligent accumulation suits my nature. If I can’t get a gold sticker, I’ll just collect silver ones until I can. I, who never gives up when it comes to breasts, have achieved my goal.
I leave Room 666 and head to the mailbox near the barracks building at the convenience store to drop in the postcard.
When I return, I should have received a nude photo book of the blonde older sister from the milk’s cover girl.
Another reason to not die has been added. Survive to gaze upon the blonde older sister’s breasts, huh?
This is a suitable “reason to live” for me, the Virgin Noble and Secretary-General of the Breast Innovation Party.
Before boarding the Shiranui, I’ll stop by the logistics department and greet the head of the department.
Himanon, the head of the logistics department who also serves as legal counsel, was working busily in his glass-walled office.
It’s before departure, so the logistics department must be in a whirlwind. I’ll keep my greeting brief.
I knock on the door and enter the office.
“Oh, Kanata-kun. Isn’t it almost time for your sortie?”
“Yes, I wanted to greet you before departing.”
“You’re a man who is both casual and polite, I can never quite figure you out.”
“Are you staying behind, Director?”
“If I went to the front lines, I’d only be a hindrance. I’ll be in charge of Garden in the Commander’s absence.”
I see, Himanon is a Lieutenant Colonel. If the Commander and Deputy Commander Lieutenant Colonel Kurando weren’t here, that would make sense.
“I entrust Garden to you, Number 3.”
“My role is less about preparing for external enemies and more about preventing trouble from those who remain behind.”
“This place is far from the front lines, isn’t it? But don’t let your guard down.”
“There’s no problem. Even those who remain behind are far stronger than ordinary soldiers. Besides, an enemy with a bit of brains wouldn’t attack Garden. Even if this place were to fall, the main force on expedition would still be intact. Do you think the Commander would stand by if someone dared to do something like that?”
…Right. They’d definitely be annihilated.
Instead of words, I reply to Himanon with a wry smile.
“So, don’t worry and go on your sortie. I’ll prepare for the victory party.”
“Make it a good one. I will definitely return.”
“I know you will return. Killing you, Kanata, is more difficult than eradicating all the cockroaches on the ground.”
Himanon, whose way of speaking has also been influenced by Garden’s style, claps me on the shoulder and sends me off.
I walk up the gangway of the iron fortress moored in Garden’s plaza.
Hotaru is taking roll call at the entrance.
“This is unusual, Kanata, you’re boarding half an hour before departure.”
“I thought I’d bring some rain. The vegetables in the garden must be feeling sorry for themselves since it hasn’t rained lately.”
“Don’t worry, I’m already running the sprinklers.”
“Ah, I see. Have Comma One and Two’s thugs already boarded?”
“Yes, they seem to have an excellent escort in Shion.”
“Okay, I guess I’ll go put my gear in my coffin.”
“Kanata, from this operation onwards, you’ll be moving to a private room. You’re a senior officer… aren’t you?”
That’s right, once you become a senior officer, you get a private room.
“I don’t mind the coffin, really. By the way, Hotaru… did you almost say ‘wound’ just now?”
“You must have misheard. I only have two platoons under me, but since you’re a Company Captain, you need a desk for strategy discussions and meetings.”
Hotaru smoothly changes the subject with a poker face. It seems the Rasen-style secret techniques are spreading among the 1st Platoon. Truly lamentable.
“You’re right. I’ll accept your kind offer.”
“Rumor has it you lead a decadent private life, but don’t forget that I’m keeping an eye on things inside the ship!”
I’m being misunderstood. I am a pure and righteous Virgin Noble. …Though, with flat-chested sandwiches being a daily occurrence, I guess it’s not entirely a misunderstanding.
If I talk any longer, I’ll probably reveal more flaws. I should go to my private room for senior officers.
At the very end of the senior officers’ living area, there was a door with a wolf emblem.
Senior officers’ rooms are identified by emblems, not names.
Marika-san’s captain’s room has a spider emblem, Rasen-san’s has a spiral flame, Gen-san’s has a giant water bug, Hotaru’s has a firefly, and Shuri’s is… glasses? Not a cicada!
I place my palm on the emblem, and the door slides open to the left and right.
So this is my room. It’s about six tatami mats, with a built-in desk and bed, and a refrigerator.
That door must be the shower room. It looks much more comfortable to live in compared to a coffin.
The coffin isn’t bad in its own way, but now that I’ve been given a private room, I should make good use of it.
I put down my luggage and sit on the chair. I can see the setting sun outside the window.
That’s right, unlike a coffin, it has a window.
A buzzing sound, and Marika’s face appears on the display on my desk.
“Kanata, what do you think of your new private room?”
“Having a window is the best part.”
“You’re impressed by the strangest things. We’ll have a briefing for senior officers thirty minutes after departure. Come to the strategy room with Lilith.”
“Aye aye, Mom.”
Now, I wonder what kind of operation awaits us.
With the Shiranui, carrying us, at the forefront, the separate fleet marches across the land where tumbleweeds roll.
It’s an army of 900, consisting of four of Asura Unit’s Land Battleships and ten cruisers belonging to the Mido Group’s corporate mercenaries.
Naturally, Ace Marika-san is in command.
“Second Lieutenant, I wonder how capable those Mido Group corporate mercenaries are?”
On the way to the strategy room, Lilith asks me this as she looks out at the fleet following the Shiranui.
“They’re the Commander’s private mercenaries, so they won’t be as good as us, but they should be stronger than regular soldiers.”
“Yes. Sending a bunch of riff-raff would just be a nuisance.”
The regular soldiers being called riff-raff by a ten-year-old is quite something.
Well, this little strategist Lilith is the strongest ten-year-old in the world, though.
The senior officers are gathered in the strategy room. I take a seat next to Shuri.
Lilith, as expected, sits next to me, but she pouts slightly.
She doesn’t seem to like the lack of armrests. I wonder if the Commander was like this as a child.
“Looks like everyone’s here, so let’s get started.”
The surface of the large table transforms into a display, showing a map.
These blue triangle markers are us, and the red triangle markers are… the enemy. They’re still quite a distance away.
“We were scheduled to link up with the Hinkley Division, who are already engaged with the enemy, and commence operations…”
Were scheduled?
“Something unexpected has happened, hasn’t it?”
Hotaru asks, and Marika nods. An accident already?
“What kind of accident has occurred?”
As Gen-san says this, Marika operates the touch panel.
Then, part of the red cluster of lights separates and changes to a diagram showing them heading towards us.
“…This is a Land Fleet. To think they intend to block our advance is laughable.”
Rasen-san laughs fearlessly and exhales purple smoke.
“Marika-sama, what is the enemy’s strength?”
“According to Brigadier General Hinkley, it’s about five battleships and fifteen cruisers. The fact that there are no vehicles, only ships, probably means they intend to engage us in a fleet battle. They likely assume they’re at a disadvantage in a soldier-to-soldier fight.”
“Marika, what are you going to do?”
The small child asks, arms crossed and a thoughtful expression on her face, as Marika puffs out her chest, her wonderful breasts trembling.
“If they desire a fleet battle, I will accept their challenge.”
If it’s a fleet battle, the infantry’s superiority won’t matter. I wonder if that’s alright.
“Marika-san, the enemy has more ships.”
More ships means more cannons.
Shouldn’t we try to find a way to bring it to close-quarters combat?
“Kanata, in fleet battles, quality trumps quantity. A slight numerical advantage is nothing.”
“Is that so? If it’s a fleet battle, it seems there won’t be any role for me. That’s easy.”
“It’s not that simple. You will have a role, Kanata.”
“What do I need to do?”
“I’ll tell you when the time comes.”
Eh, tell me now! I need to prepare myself mentally…
“Marika, at our current speeds, the collision will occur in about three days.”
Lilith, the human calculator, finishes her calculations while holding her right fist to her lips.
“That sounds about right. We’ll crush the delaying force and then rendezvous with the Hinkley Division. From there, we’ll have to consult with the Brigadier General.”
Consult with Brigadier General Hinkley, huh? I wonder if I can create an opportunity for Rick to meet the Brigadier General.
Rick dislikes being compared to the Brigadier General, but he doesn’t seem to dislike him.
“Order all units to prepare for Level 2 combat readiness. That is all.”
The fireworks will start in three days. This will be my first fleet battle.
I should study hard to see what kind of fight it will be.
And so, after three days of marching, the enemy fleet appears, just as Lilith calculated.
The enemy fleet awaits us on the wide plains. It seems they intend to fight here.
In the bridge, the senior officers gather, staring intently at the fleet of steel fortresses displayed on the main screen.
The enemy fleet’s turrets rotate, and it seems they have locked their sights on us.
The “Storm of Destruction” operation begins with a fleet battle. It looks like it’s going to be a spectacular fight.
