"This is completely different from what we agreed on!"
"How much longer is this situation going to last!"
"Many countries are no longer in any condition to fight. How do you intend to break through this situation!"
In the large tent set up near the mobile fortress, representatives from various nations had gathered to subject me to what they called counsel but was really a public shaming.
With the Banseim Kingdom showing absolutely no signs of crumbling, the allied forces' coordination was starting to fall apart.
For a ragtag coalition, they had held together remarkably well. Ceres had been underestimating the situation, which had allowed me to exploit it quite thoroughly.
Ten days had passed since the assault on Central began. As both sides wore each other down, it was obvious that Ceres held the advantage—she could wield the dead.
There was no need to panic.
Every pair of eyes in the tent was fixed on me. Some among them were even bold enough to point directly at me and hurl abuse.
"I hear the Alliance Leader's forces have sustained barely any casualties! Don't tell me you've been sitting back watching us bleed dry! Planning to sweep in and reap all the benefits, are you! House Walt truly is the root of all evil—a plague god who divides friend and foe alike and dyes the continent in blood!"
The others around the room tried to rein the speaker in, but I raised a hand to stop them.
In truth, when you looked at it calmly, it was only natural that my casualties and those of the other nations differed—I had been preparing for this day. That put me in an entirely different league from countries that had merely joined out of obligation.
Of course, it was also true that I had watched them get ground down.
"Let's pretend I didn't hear the second half. Though I should warn you, there won't be a next time. But facing enemy soldiers that just keep getting back up no matter how many you cut down, if we keep fighting like this, our side is going to break. Morale is only going lower."
The enemy soldiers were already dead—they had no thoughts about what came after. They simply charged forward, trampling over their own comrades, and killed whoever stood in front of them. They didn't even seem to feel pain.
From our soldiers' perspective, they were fighting these terrifying enemies day in and day out. It wasn't just physical exhaustion—their mental state had been pushed to the brink.
I rose from my chair.
"...A device for breaking through Central's walls has been completed. To break out of this deadlock, we're going to launch an assault directly into Central. However, if you're going to accuse me of trying to have it both ways—so be it. I'm declaring a full charge into Central. Anyone who wants to join the assault, step forward."
The room erupted in murmurs at the prospect of charging into Central, where the enemy's numbers were anyone's guess. Not a single person volunteered.
The King of Fonbeau raised his hand.
"...Central's walls are thick, and they have high resistance to magic. I don't think such walls can be broken through easily, can they? Besides, we've been attacked day after day and have barely managed to approach the walls. Is a breakthrough even possible? We also sent people out to gather intelligence, but not a single one has returned. Surely you're not suggesting something like blasting through from behind?"
The royal family of Fonbeau certainly had some backbone. Perhaps because the Seventh Generation had given them such a hard time, they seemed to assume I was planning to blow open the rear gate or something.
But this time, I was going with a straightforward approach.
"No, we're going in head-on. That's precisely why I made these preparations."
I looked toward the back of the tent. Immediately, the interior erupted in commotion.
"Wait—are you going to throw *that* at them?"
"B-but..."
"No, if that's the case, it might work. Even if we can't break through, it would serve as a foothold."
Amid the clamoring tent, I raised my hand slightly. When the noise died down, I spoke.
"Tomorrow morning, my forces will launch a direct assault. Does anyone object? However, if you wish to raise objections, you'd better propose an alternative plan."
I shut them all up by saying that if they had opinions, they should come up with better strategies themselves. In truth, every faction had been sending people and Skill holders to infiltrate. But judging by the lack of results, everyone was
hesitating
none of them had the resolve to act.
To break through the current stalemate, once those around me accepted my plan, the meeting concluded.
—May was racing through the sky in the form of a Kirin.
She was flying over the airspace around Central, circling above...
"Ugh, so annoying!"
Chasing after May at full speed through the air was a black Kirin. It had brilliant crimson horns, and it pursued May in complete silence.
But it made no sound of breathing. It was a Kirin that looked just like a puppet.
"Could you please stop this?"
May twisted her body in midair as light streaked past her. Lightning crackled, and a faint numbing sensation ran through her.
(A tireless opponent that can summon this much lightning...)
Both wrapped in violet electricity, they charged with horns aimed at each other. The impact sent sparks flying as their horns collided.
May looked into the black Kirin’s eyes—they were scarlet red. There was no sense of life about them.
"...Can you understand my words?"
She called out, but the other Kirin showed no reaction. Its mouth, however, gaped wide in a hideous, irregular grin, its fangs jumbled haphazardly, almost grotesque.
When she tried to scout Central’s interior from the air, the black Kirin had interfered. May had encountered this same creature several times before and had dealt with it in just this way.
But no matter how many times she stabbed it, how much lightning she hurled, it recovered almost instantly. Even May took time to regenerate if she lost limbs, though she could do it.
"If a fellow Kirin has ended up like this, I'd like to help... but the timing is bad right now. So, maybe next time."
Dismissing its crude power, May slammed the black Kirin toward the ground and immediately fled from above Central.
The black Kirin seemed to be guarding the airspace over Central, as it didn’t pursue the fleeing May.
"...I didn’t do a great job. Couldn’t even gather my allies. Sigh, how am I supposed to explain this to Rael?"
Dejected, May looked back from a short distance away. The black Kirin was staring right at her.
——From atop the mobile fortress, Monica gazed at Central’s walls.
The lenses within her red eyes zoomed, revealing the allied soldiers who had infiltrated the ramparts.
It was night. They had likely timed their approach for when the moon was hidden behind clouds, plunging everything into darkness, but the soldiers on the walls remained completely still.
Puzzled, the intruders tried to move, but then collapsed.
In the pitch-black darkness, a red-haired man in a tailcoat moved among them, eliminating the soldiers.
"...I heard they had Automatons too, but seeing it like this..."
As Monica watched her opponent's movements, the Automaton in a tailcoat swung its right hand. In the next instant, Monica brought her left hand up before her face.
A knife blade was held between her fingers, and Monica crushed it with a pinch of her fingertips.
She cast her gaze toward the top of the castle wall, but the figure was already gone.
"I've heard stories, but you're a Butler-type? And of all things, you're from a different system than us... rather troublesome."
Having said that, Monica looked down at the ground. Seeing the broken knife, she retrieved a tool from the gap between her skirt and apron and began cleaning.
"To think we'd end up opposing each other in a place like this... Is this also fate?"
Monica started speaking in a somewhat grudge-like manner. However, Monica was still Monica. She was an Automaton with more than a few screws loose in her head.
"Between a Maid and a Butler... let's settle which of us is more suited to serve our Master, shall we?"
She didn't seem to have any particular personal grudge or history.
Before dawn.
I had summoned General Broa, Baldoa, and Maxim to the mobile fortress and was relaying the story I'd heard from May.
Upon hearing it, Baldoa made a troubled expression.
"I had hoped to summon the Kirin and somehow turn things in our favor."
Maxim was in the same boat.
"They helped us against the Monster army last time, but I suppose that's not possible this time. I think they could still help us if they wanted, though."
General Broa looked at Maxim with a exasperated expression.
"Being helped even once was a stroke of luck. We shouldn't be able to win. To have connections even with a Kirin... but on the other hand, we no longer have to worry about other problems."
I nodded.
May had gone around asking her fellow Kirin and other Kirin for their aid. But in the end, no cooperation was obtained. The reason was that a large number of soldiers had gathered in the capital of Banseim, and the damage from Monsters had increased.
Furthermore, the Dungeons, which should have been subjugated, had also become untouched and unmanageable.
There was a possibility of the Dungeons running wild. But the divine beasts had been handling that for us.
"They supposedly reduced their numbers quite a bit over three hundred years ago. Well, if they're active in dealing with Dungeons and Monsters, that's practically the same as indirect cooperation. Let's consider it a blessing."
General Broa, however, rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"But a black Kirin? I've heard the rumors, of course, but it's frightening to think even the Kirin would become a problem for other Kirin. Getting struck by lightning from above is the last thing we need."
A black Kirin attacking us from the sky. That was something I wanted to avoid.
"I'll have May and Marina handle that. Also, it seems Automatons have been spotted inside as well. Monica will be dealing with those, so I'll leave it to her. Honestly, the Automatons connected to a network are a nightmare because they regenerate."
The Valkyries didn't regenerate, but Monica did. We had confirmed that before. Even if we couldn't defeat her, all I wanted was for her to buy time while Ceres fought.
Baldoa shrugged.
"A butler type? Why would it be so competitive, I wonder? When you say butler, they're the ones who manage estates. Aren't they basically the maids' superior?"
Maxim said with a look of exasperation.
"I can't understand the common sense of Automatons or ancient people. They insist their behavior is normal, so I guess that's just how they are? But are we really going to throw this thing at them too?"
Maxim said that while looking at the floor.
The mobile fortress. It had originally been prepared for precisely this kind of situation. The fortress's additional functions and the workshop had only been installed because Damian and the others had gotten carried away.
General Broa looked amused.
"If we can resolve the funding issue with this, it will certainly change the war. Well, it'll probably take a few hundred years before we can actually put it to practical use, though."
The Magic Stone consumption. On top of that, the mobile fortress used rare metals. Maintenance was labor-intensive as well. It required upkeep even while stationary.
"It would certainly be effective in war, but I wouldn't want to use it again. More importantly, General Broa—"
"I understand. If any military forces try anything suspicious, I'll deal with them. I just hope it doesn't come to that."
A small elite squad would charge straight into Central's royal palace. The rest would hold off the enemy soldiers flooding the city, keeping them from reaching the palace. At the same time, they would watch for any forces trying to take advantage of the chaos.
"How far the mobile fortress can push forward is also a key point. I'd really like them to breach the walls no matter what."
When General Broa spoke, both Baldoa and I nodded, as did Maxim. Just then, Vera entered the room.
"It's time. You're all ready, I trust?"
The four men nodded, and Vera continued.
"Good. Professor Damian and old Latarta are ready too. Oh, and if you're worried about whether they can get over the walls, let me put your minds at ease. ...I'll make sure they reach the royal palace without fail, so you lot had better do your jobs properly!"
Seeing Vera so brimming with confidence, I felt a little embarrassed, thinking she must have sensed my worries. That's right—I'd left the mobile fortress entirely in Vera's hands.
"Fair enough. We should focus on our own jobs then. Now, I suppose I'll go board the Porter."
When I said that, Baldoa looked my way.
"Lyle-sama, if your resolve hasn't changed, I won't say anything more. However, victory belongs to those who survive. A draw is the same as a defeat."
Baldoa's gaze was earnest. General Broa and Maxim seemed to share the same sentiment.
"Well, if you die here, the whole plan falls apart. As for me, I'd like to pass on the whole warring-states experience."
"Same here. Now that I've finally found a new master, I'd much rather live in peace under his command."
I looked at the three of them and smiled.
"Don't worry—I'm too stubborn to die. The ones everyone hates always survive, you know."
Vera was giggling.
"Now then, let's move out."
—The command center of the mobile fortress.
In the room, where wire-mesh iron plates had been bolted over the windows, everyone was bundled up in heavy clothing. Vera addressed the captain and crew under her command.
"All right, this is the big one. We're going to punch our way straight into Central. How's the power core?"
After checking with a crew member, the report came back in a loud voice.
"It's in peak condition. Only complaint is that it'll melt from the heat if we don't get it moving soon."
Vera nodded.
"Is everyone's belt properly fastened?"
The captain nodded.
"You're one to talk, miss. Just don't bite your tongue when you're giving orders. You'll lose your focus."
Belts and handrails to brace for impact had been Monica's idea—proposed by her and the other Automatons, then installed by Damian and old man Latara. The mobile fortress had been designed from the ground up to fulfill its role in an insane head-on charge.
Vera took a light, deep breath.
"...All right! Charge! Blow Central's walls to smithereens!"
"You heard 'em, you bastards! Don't you dare slack off just because we're on land! Show 'em the pride of the sea!"
The shouts of men echoed through the command room as the mobile fortress lurched into motion. The stakes that had anchored it to the ground were torn free, and it began to move.
Damian, seated in a chair with a seatbelt in one of the rooms, removed his glasses and handed them to a nearby Automaton.
"In theory, we can break through."
Old man Latara, sitting beside him, eyes gleaming, said:
"I figured whoever came up with this was out of their mind. But breaking down the walls and charging in with this thing? Now that's something."
Both Damian and old man Latara looked thoroughly entertained. The scenery outside was starting to blur past at increasing speed—the mobile fortress was accelerating.
Vera shouted at the top of her lungs.
"Pile bunker—hurry up and get it ready!"
The chimney-like structure atop the mobile fortress began to tilt. As the massive barrel tipped to a horizontal position, smaller barrels mounted on either end—above and below the central axis—came into view.
"Enemy converging fire incoming!"
As the fortress moved, magic attacks focused on it from all directions, and the structure shook. A minimal shield was deployed, but the sheer force of the bombardment was sapping its momentum.
"You think we didn't know that from the start?! Hit them back!"
The mobile fortress's cannons blazed and slammed into the city wall. The distance closed, and the shells burst through the enemy shield one after another, crashing into the wall. Cracks formed, but the wall didn't break.
"We're going to collide!"
At the crew's call, everyone braced for impact. The collision had been factored into the plan, and various shock-absorbing measures had been implemented, but they couldn't absorb all of the force. As violent shaking erupted, Vera screamed.
"Light the main cannon!"
The captain barked "Light it now!" and one of the crew gripped the lever with its safety catch, flipped the anti-misfire lock off, and pulled the lever down with all their might.
The lids of the cylindrical tubes stacked at the rear of the mobile fortress blew off, and fire erupted from within. The force was tremendous — a pale blue glow trailed behind it, distorting the surrounding scenery with sheer heat. At the front of the mobile fortress was a massive U-shaped iron plate, and it had already bitten deep into the city wall. From there, the cracks began to spread wider and wider.
Vera grabbed the handrail, looked at the scene before her, and grinned.
"We've cut in deep. Now all that's left is... to smash right through!"
When the crew operated the controls, stakes shot out from the tubes mounted above and below the main cannon. Once they anchored into the wall, the mobile fortress shuddered.
"Release the locking mechanisms! Brace for impact! Don't let your guard down even inside! Cover your ears and open your mouths!"
At the captain's shout, Vera covered her ears and opened her mouth. Then the main cannon detonated with a colossal explosion, firing stakes in every direction.
The massive stakes pierced clean through the city wall and stabbed into the streets of Central, while the rear tubes blew backward from the recoil.
(My ears... I'm never using this thing again.)
As she cursed inwardly, a huge hole opened in the city wall and it began to crumble. And the mobile fortress, now accelerating with fire blazing from its rear tubes...
"Blow them away!"
At Vera's command, the mobile fortress plowed straight through the wall and charged into Central.
By cracking the wall with cannon fire, cutting in with the iron plate, and delivering a single devastating shock, the mobile fortress had forced its way into Central.
The soldiers of Central who witnessed this were not panicking. Nor were they standing in stunned silence. They simply tried to do something — charging at the mobile fortress only to be crushed beneath it.
"Where's the royal palace!"
The captain called to Vera.
"The angle's off. But at least we can get close—"
"You have to ram it into the royal palace no matter what! Otherwise, you'll miss by a wide margin and sail right past it!"
The crew operating the accelerated mobile fortress yanked the wheel, correcting the fortress's trajectory. Crashing through Central's cityscape in a wide arc, the mobile fortress pressed forward.
The windows of the command room were pelted with building debris, cloth, even stuffed animals, making it nearly impossible to see ahead.
The mobile fortress gouged the ground as it charged toward the royal palace. Several tires had been blown away, and its momentum was fading. The fortress's cannons had been torn off, its armor peeled back—it limped toward the palace in tatters.
Damian.
"Think it'll hold together till the end?"
Old Rataata was grinning.
"It'll hold! After all, we built it, and they're the ones driving it!"
Inside the mobile fortress, Vera felt the sickening vibrations and the floor tilting beneath her, but she kept her eyes forward. The fortress groaned and creaked, yet it continued to press onward.
Behind it, a large-scale Porter carrying soldiers followed in close pursuit.
"We've got it dead ahead! Miss, it's a success!"
As the captain shouted, Vera spoke, bracing herself for the impact. And then, in her heart:
(I've delivered it, just like I promised, Rael!)
The mobile fortress slammed into the outer wall of the royal palace and came to a halt—.
Inside the cargo bay of the Porter.
Secured in place, we watched as Vera kept her promise and drove the mobile fortress into the royal palace. Gripping the Jewel, I turned to Clara.
"Clara, we're going in!"
Clara called back from the Porter's cockpit.
"Roger. I'll blow the cover off."
The metal cover was laden with rubble and debris. The Porter raised its front section and swept them aside with its arms.
The scene outside was now visible. Everyone riding in the cargo bed shared the same view Clara was seeing.
Ludmilla pressed her lip with a finger.
"That was no way to live. But the results speak for themselves."
Shannon was clutching her face with both hands, looking green. Eliza sat beside her, speaking with worry.
"I-I feel sick. And I've hit my limit. I'm exhausted."
"Sh-Shannon, we're just getting started."
Clara operated the Porter as she watched the scenery outside. The Porter's upper body—its chest section housed a device built around a Jewel, a rare gem imbued with magical power from magic ore. It was aiding Clara in controlling the machine.
The Porter surged forward with powerful acceleration, bursting out of the mobile fortress and plunging into the royal palace.
"Lady Lyle, knights are emerging. It looks like there are Monsters among them too."
Watching the same scene Clara saw, I gave the order.
"Crush them."
The accelerated Porter swept away the knights and the former humans turned into Monsters with both its arms. I pictured the map of the royal palace in my mind, then searched for Ceres's presence.
Miranda whispered the location.
"...The audience chamber. I wonder if this thing can climb stairs?"
Monica grinned fearlessly.
"Heh—there's nothing impossible for the Porter, the love child of me and that Chicken. The power of the peridot gem I... acquired from that Chicken is roaring!"
Sure enough, Monica was right. Blasting through the enemies ahead, the Porter forced its way up the staircase, heading straight for the audience chamber.
"You—when you couldn't be found no matter how hard I searched... what did you use it for this time?"
Monica panicked.
"Wait! It wasn't me! Those two degraded copies — Numbers One and Two — told Number Three that Magic Stones wouldn't provide enough energy, so this would do instead!"
It seemed the Valkyries had swiped precious magic ore from me as well. I was planning to scold them later when Monica unbuckled her seatbelt.
With a serious expression on her face.
"…It seems my opponent has arrived."
Right after, Clara crossed the Porter's arms into a defensive stance. An impact rocked the Porter, and an Automaton in a tailcoat appeared before us.
"I'd appreciate it if you went no further. Driving in here on some cobbled-together contraption — whether it's an armored vehicle or a mobile weapon, I can't tell — is rather rude, don't you think?"
Monica, wearing a deadpan expression, leaped from the cargo bed and planted herself in front of the enemy Automaton. She greeted it with a perfect bow.
"A tin can who can't appreciate this rugged charm calling someone else rude — that's rich. A butler-type Automaton, huh? I've always wanted to beat one of these things to scrap, even just once."
Monica slipped her hand into the gap between her skirt and apron, then pulled out a massive hammer fitted with a drill.
Her opponent returned the bow with equal grace before speaking.
"I do so hate counterfeit things from a nation that can only imitate. Very well. I'll turn you into scrap right here and show you the difference in both performance and class."
I poked my head out from the ceiling of the cargo bed.
"Monica!"
"…You could have said that sooner. The others will catch up later, so just leave this to me and go on ahead — …! Whoa! I can't believe I actually got to say that line!"
Oh, so she really was the same old Monica after all.
"…Make sure you actually follow behind me."
Monica turned back to me with a smile on her face.
"Of course. I'll be right behind you. After all, my rightful place is right next to you, you big Chicken."
With that, she headed straight toward the enemy Automaton.