Novel Full Chapter 137: Your World (5)
The field encampment of the Durkon Legion. Major General Schweitzer was personally inspecting the unit’s firepower equipment ahead of the advance.
“The battery maintenance is all completed, right?”
“Yes, sir!”
“If I find a single defect, you’re dead.”
Just as he was scrutinizing every last one of the towed artillery pieces loaded onto the trucks.
RUMMMMBLE──!
Out of nowhere, dozens of transport trucks barreled in, kicking up clouds of dust. They weren’t military vehicles, and their cargo beds were layered thick with heavy tarpaulins. The men climbing out of the driver’s seats were all wearing some kind of mechanic uniforms.
“The hell are those now.”
Major General Schweitzer strode over, brow creased deep.
“Who are you people?”
A man wearing glasses held out a set of documents.
“Sir Maximilian sent us.”
“Max– ah, fuck, again?”
Schweitzer practically snatched the papers out of his hands. At the bottom were the Ebenholtz seal and Maximilian’s elegant signature.
“……Ha. So he’s finally decided to overstep his authority?”
The thing Schweitzer despised most was interference. People sticking their noses into his military affairs, meddling and making a goddamn nuisance of themselves.
‘He’d been singing praises to my face about being some kind of military genius or whatever. So in the end, it was all a ploy to bend Durkon to his will.’
“Get the hell out–”
“They’re new weapons.”
Schweitzer’s words cut off cold.
“……New weapons?”
The displeasure that had settled into his eyes was instantly replaced by a gleam of something else entirely.
“Yes.”
The workers yanked the tarpaulins clean off the cargo beds. Beneath them, a rather fearsome form was revealed. A rectangular turret bristling with dozens of round launch tubes packed tight as a honeycomb.
“This is the prototype of a multi-launch mana rocket system designated ‘Kerben’.”
The man explained, running his hand along the side of the machine.
“Built on an armored vehicle chassis, it has the durability to keep pace with tank units across rough terrain. Furthermore, the operating procedures have been intuitively designed to closely mirror existing Mana Cannon targeting systems, making field deployment straightforward. Utilizing the explosive force of Mana Stones, it can devastate a wide area in a short period of time……”
One of the instruments of destruction that Maximilian had wrung from the brightest minds at Lorenzo Academy, making full use of Artenum’s labor force and technology, a weapon that would accelerate the course of an era.
“…….”
Schweitzer stared at the new weapon, his expression utterly dazed. An inexplicable, spine-tingling thrill surged through him.
“Here.”
The man held out another document.
“We just need your signature confirming receipt.”
Schweitzer snatched the papers and scrawled his signature across them.
“Sir Maximilian also asked that you provide feedback on its use and any field data afterward. And we’d like to give the artillery unit a basic operating guide, if…”
“Yeah, yeah. They’re over there. Go that way.”
Schweitzer pointed vaguely toward the artillery waiting area.
“Ah, right. Was there, uh, anything else from Maximilian, that knight…… Sir Maximilian?”
“No. Nothing at all.”
“……That so?”
Afterward, the engineers gathered the artillerymen and began equipment operation training.
“Hmm…….”
Schweitzer watched the process closely with his arms folded. Trajectory calculations, Mana Stone missile loading, angle adjustments. It was indeed not far removed from existing artillery systems, experienced gunners could pick it up in no time.
Around the time the training seemed about finished, he shouted.
“Fire one off!”
The terrain ahead was nothing but open ground stretching on forever. No matter where they aimed, the whole damn landscape was a target.
“Prepare to fire!”
At the Battery Commander’s booming order, the artillerymen moved in perfect unison.
“Transmit firing data! Azimuth three-two-zero-zero, elevation zero-four-five-zero!”
“Azimuth three-two-zero-zero, elevation zero-four-five-zero!”
The gunner adjusted the graduated dial, followed by the next call.
“Load!”
“Load──!”
The loaders slid Mana Stone rockets one after another into the Kerben’s honeycomb-like launch tubes.
“Loading complete!”
“All launchers, fire salvo!”
At the Battery Commander’s hand signal, the gunners pressed down firmly on the ignition switches.
“Ignite──!”
──! ─! ─! ─! ─! ─! ─! ─!
In mere seconds, dozens of mana rockets streaked skyward one after another in rapid succession.
SHREEEEEE──
They carved parabolic arcs through the air, then dropped in eerie silence onto the plain far, far away…
───
Beyond the horizon, a cloud of dust mushroomed upward.
KRAKOOOOOM───────!
The sound arrived late.
Schweitzer watched from afar, a hollow laugh escaping his lips.
“…This is insane.”
Destructive power that could scorch a target area in an instant. An incomparable range that put conventional towed artillery to shame.
Above all, because it could be mounted on military trucks, it had the mobility to rapidly redeploy to the next operational zone immediately after firing.
Everything about it was flawless, a new weapon built for Blitzkrieg.
“Huh.”
In Schweitzer’s estimation, the most perfect way to devastate enemy positions was an air strike, raining shells from the sky. But if a rocket launched from the ground could achieve this kind of trajectory and range, it was no different from an airstrike at all.
No, in fact, since it could operate without being constrained by weather, its tactical utility might surpass even that.
“How many?”
“It’s written in that document.”
The engineer answered. Schweitzer unfolded the paper he had just crumpled and checked the number.
[ Kerben Quantity: 100 units ]
“…Talk about going all out.”
Making a hundred of these insane new weapons and just handing them over.
The wealth was one thing, the technology another, and the respect yet another, but from Schweitzer’s perspective, far more than any of that──
“Wow~ god damn.”
What truly pleased him was how Maximilian seemed to fully understand his Blitzkrieg. A thick wave of emotion spread across his twitching upper lip.
“He is one hell of a magnificent bastard!”
KAHAHAHAHA!
A manic burst of laughter erupted. He pounded on the Kerben’s armor with both hands and roared.
“All units! Deploy the new weapons for combat immediately, we’re taking them out for a live test─!”
* * *
I received word of the Durkon Legion’s advance from a high point in the Zerpha Mountains.
“Hmm…….”
First, I surveyed the surrounding terrain.
“Not bad.”
A flat stretch of ground, perfect for landing a helicopter and using as a temporary command post.
Though even a place like this had its inhabitants. Over there, a cluster of houses where twenty-odd people had gathered, murmuring among themselves.
“We can evict them immediately.”
I shook my head at the soldier’s words.
“No. Forget it. Better to pay them and train them for the job instead. Only knights are likely to come through here anyway.”
The only use for this location was helicopter deployment, and the personnel for that would mostly be Imperial knights. Stationing a garrison here would be inefficient, so using locals seemed like a better option.
“Yes, sir. Understood.”
Beep–. Beep–.
Right on cue, two short signal tones sounded from the radio. It was a signal from an informant embedded within the Royalist Faction.
The operation would begin soon.
The scenario had already been laid out to perfection, but in this line of work, you could never trust anyone a hundred percent.
However low the odds, the possibility of a double agent always had to be kept in mind.
“First, get a helicopter in the air.”
I issued the order to the pilot.
For reconnaissance.
The advance team would circle above the Zerpha Royal Palace, assess the situation, and once safety was confirmed beyond doubt, only then would I go up myself to oversee the operation.
* * *
Meanwhile, the Republican Faction’s leadership had also detected the unsettling movements within the Royalist Faction.
“The military is about to betray the Crown Prince. The signs of a coup are unmistakable.”
“…Heh. So after wagging their tails at the Empire, they’re going to destroy themselves.”
Frank, the leader of the Republican Faction, let a cold smirk settle on his lips.
“However, we must also consider the possibility that this is a diversion on their part. The army will not move rashly and will remain focused on defending Jeronika.”
According to Republican spies embedded inside, the betrayal appeared to be very much the genuine intent, but there was no need to let their guard down.
“Instead.”
His eyes narrowed, cold and sharp. He swept his gaze quietly across the officers in the conference room.
“We assassinate the Crown Prince.”
Crown Prince Alonso was by nature a timid and moderate man. Even in the most generous assessment, he was nothing more than a mediocre, incompetent puppet.
For that reason, they had intended to keep him alive and use him, but instead the Empire’s power had attached itself to him.
“I don’t know what exactly those imperial bastards are trying to suck out of Zerpha, but.”
Zerpha’s resources amounted to little more than Jeronika and a handful of other mines, and its territory wasn’t particularly vast. It was known for its cattle breeds. Beyond that, a few food ingredients that a small number of gourmets happened to favor, that was it.
“There is no longer any reason to keep alive a Crown Prince who has built a power base of his own by borrowing the Empire’s strength.”
Frank tapped his fingers on the desk.
“Send word to ‘Rapture’, who is already inside the capital.”
With resolve, he issued the order.
“If the coup tonight is real, ride the chaos and take Alonso’s head.”
…….
Deep into the night.
Around the time the Durkon Legion began its advance toward Jeronika Mine, Crown Prince Alonso was receiving reports from his inner circle in his office.
“……Your Highness. The Imperial forces have mobilized.”
Jeronika Mine. It had belonged to the royal family for generations, and was moreover the very reason the current royal house had risen to prominence and thus its legitimacy.
It was a place that had to be reclaimed, not only for practical gain but for the sake of that very legitimacy.
“It is the elite troops of Durkon, led by Major General Schweitzer.”
To the tense Alonso, the Chief of Staff offered gentle reassurance, as if to say there was nothing to worry about.
“With their firepower, Jeronika Mine will be recovered in no time.”
His words were full of confidence. Alonso let out a sigh of relief and looked around the room.
His inner circle was here. He had deliberately summoned them to soothe his wavering heart and restless mind.
“Yes. Seeing all of you here puts me at ease. I’ll trust and wait.”
Alonso took his seat calmly, exchanged light conversation with his aides, and as an attendant was bringing out refreshments.
In one moment.
KWA-A-A-A-BOOM…!
From somewhere beyond the window, somewhere in the capital, a tremendous explosion erupted.
“Wh-what was that! What’s happening!”
The Crown Prince leapt to his feet in alarm.
“Your Highness! Get down!”
The Chief of Security was the first to throw himself forward, pulling Alonso close.
The scenario. A script prearranged in advance.
First, shells would detonate outside, and the confusion of a coup force advancing on the capital would unfold.
“Follow me! Everyone!”
The Chief of Security drew a pistol from inside his coat and shouted.
───BOOM! RUMMMBLE!
Explosions surged from all directions. Bombs pre-planted throughout the palace. Despite the tremendous noise, they had zero lethality, but they were more than enough to terrify one man.
“Wh-what is this……”
“Your Highness! Focus on evacuation for now!”
Fleeing the blasts and acrid smoke, Alonso ran through the palace corridors under the escort of his inner circle.
When they reached the exit after passing through the pandemonium.
“We will stay here and assess the situation.”
The finance officials and other aides did not come outside. Instead, they called out resolutely from within the palace.
“Your Highness, please evacuate with the Chief of Security!”
The Crown Prince looked at them with anguished eyes.
“It’s dangerous! You should come too–”
“No. Zerpha’s future depends on Your Highness surviving. We will buy as much time as we can. Please, go now! Chief of Security!”
The Chief of Security, a former mercenary, seized Alonso’s body with force.
“…….”
“…….”
The remaining aides exchanged knowing glances with one another.
…….
The Chief of Security draped a robe over the Crown Prince and guided him into the streets of Zerpha.
Bang─! Bangbangbang──!
KABOOM!
Thunderous blasts, whether tank fire or magical explosions, it was impossible to tell, and gunshots echoed ceaselessly through the city.
“Hah, haa……. Wh-what on earth……”
Alonso was so paralyzed with fear his legs were about to give out.
“It’s alright! There’s a bunker not far from here……”
───BOOOM!
An especially loud blast thundered from nearby.
The Crown Prince looked toward the source.
There, he saw men wearing Zerpha’s military uniforms.
“Why… why are they…”
Zerpha’s tanks, and Zerpha’s soldiers, as though they were advancing on the royal palace…
Bang–! Bangbangbangbang!
But that army was blocked by yet another front.
An armed force of unidentifiable combatants in civilian clothes.
“What is that now.”
Just as Alonso, battered by incomprehensible chaos, was on the verge of fainting.
“──Your Highness.”
A familiar voice came from the darkness.
It was Lieutenant Colonel Kai Han, commander of the Berton Guard Unit.
“L-Lieutenant Colonel! How are you here……”
“The Royalist Faction’s army has launched a coup.”
Even while explaining the situation, Lieutenant Colonel Han did not forget to salute.
“A c-coup…… hah, hah.”
Alonso clutched his chest as if hyperventilating.
“Th-they struck first.”
“Please, calm yourself.”
“Th-then, who are those people fighting them?”
“Sir Maximilian deployed Imperial soldiers disguised in civilian clothing throughout the city of Zerpha, as a contingency.”
“Ah! Sir Maximilian……?!”
Tears suddenly welled in Alonso’s eyes. Sir Maximilian had worried for him enough to make such meticulous arrangements.
He truly was…
“Now then.”
Lieutenant Colonel Han exchanged a brief glance with the Chief of Security.
“Rest easy. From here on, we will escort you.”
Alonso managed to maintain his composure and nodded repeatedly.
“For the moment, let us move away from the city center. We have secured a safe route out. This way.”
Bang! Bangbangbangbang!
Fierce exchanges of gunfire between the plainclothes soldiers and the rebel soldiers still rang out from within the city, and Lieutenant Colonel Han and the Chief of Security pressed forward, guarding Alonso.
“Please don’t worry too much. Even among the regular army, there are those on Your Highness’s side.”
“R-really?”
“Yes. They are joining the fighting as we speak. The situation on the ground is far from unfavorable.”
The scenario went like this. The regular army would turn rebel. The Crown Prince would be rescued from their threat, and the coup would be put down safely.
However.
“…….”
No matter how precisely the script had been written, on a battlefield unpredictable variables always had a way of jumping out.
As Lieutenant Colonel Han was trying to leave the main road, he suddenly caught a strange presence.
It was the middle of the night. Startled by the sound of gunfire, ordinary civilians had all barred their doors and stayed inside.
And yet, across the rooftops of this residential district, faintly visible in moonlight, someone was secretly following them.
An assassin.
“……Step back.”
The lieutenant colonel, sensing the killing intent, drew the sword from his hip.
In that instant, the enemy kicked off the rooftop and leapt down.
WHOOSH──!
Before Lieutenant Colonel Han and the Chief of Security could even react, the assassin’s form sliced through the air and closed in.
The tip of the blade hurtled toward one target and one target only, Alonso’s throat.
But then.
The Crown Prince’s gaze drifted past the blade to the night sky beyond.
He couldn’t help it.
Higher than the assassin hurtling toward him. Far, far higher still.
In that vast, magnificent darkness of the sky.
A comet, blazing white, streaked across the sky,
as though it were falling straight toward him……