"C-o-n-g-r-a-t-u-l-a-t-i-o-n-s!"
…A person had suddenly appeared before me, letting out an absurdly joyful shout.
Just as Dalque had instructed yesterday, I went to the hangar where the Landlion was stored at 9:00 AM, only for this man to suddenly pop up in front of me, leading to this very situation.
No, I knew who it was. The lab coat, the glasses, the light blue hair, and most importantly, that line of dialogue. It was unmistakably Lloyd Asplund, the developer of the 7th-generation KMF, Lancelot.
Lloyd's excitement—no, in this case, perhaps 'frenzy'—was undoubtedly due to the Landlion. After all, this was a man who had decided to enter an arranged marriage with Milly Ashford just to get his hands on the 3rd-generation KMF, Gany-mede, a machine he had never seen before.
So, what would happen if a Landlion, built with a completely different design philosophy from a KMF, was presented before such a man? …The scene unfolding before my eyes was the answer.
"P-please excuse him! Really, Lloyd-san, that's rude! This person is directly under Her Highness Cornelia, you know!"
The one forcibly bowing Lloyd's head, who was completely elated, was a serious-looking woman with dark blue hair. This must be Cécile Croomy, famous as Lloyd's external conscience.
I spoke to the two of them.
"Cornelia told me to come here… Are you the ones who are supposed to investigate my machine?"
"Ah, yes. That's right. I am Cécile Croomy of the Special Dispatch Guidance Technology Team. And that is Chief Lloyd Asplund, my colleague. We will be investigating Axel-san's machine this time. It's a pleasure to work with you."
Cécile bowed her head towards me, but Lloyd was already gone from her side.
"Cécile-kun, Cécile-kun! This is a fascinating machine! A 'Stick Mover' that resembles a Landspinner yet is fundamentally different, and this form, as if an airplane was forcibly re-purposed into a ground weapon! And a railgun, something similar to, yet distinct from, the coilguns used in KMFs!"
My ears twitched at his words. As expected of the engineer who developed the Lancelot, he had accurately grasped the Landlion's characteristics. However, perhaps mistaking my reaction for displeasure, Cécile quickly approached Lloyd and silenced him with an iron fist.
"I-I'm sorry. He's basically a child, you see."
"No, don't worry about it."
As this exchange took place, the hangar began to stir. It seemed Cornelia had arrived.
"So you were already here. Lloyd, was it? First, I shall hear what you have to say. Axel, you come too."
"Me too?"
"Yes. You are directly under my command, so it is acceptable for you to know certain things."
Following Cornelia, Lloyd and I proceeded along the hangar's catwalk.
"Now then, let's hear about the Special Dispatch."
"Yes. The Special Dispatch's job is to develop the 7th-generation KMF known as the Lancelot. Its capabilities are far beyond a normal..."
Lloyd continued his explanation gleefully, but Cornelia interrupted him without concern.
"I heard that Lancelot's pilot is an Eleven. Is that true?"
"Yes. He is an Honorary Britannian. However…"
"I had him specially promoted from Private First Class to Warrant Officer. Be satisfied with that. I will win without relying on Numbers."
With just those words, she left, leaving Lloyd behind. Watching her retreating back, Lloyd and Cécile sighed and headed off to investigate the Landlion. I hesitated, wondering which one to follow, but remembering my direct affiliation, I chose to follow Cornelia.
"Cornelia."
"Axel. In a little while, we will launch an attack on the terrorists hiding in the Saitama Ghetto. You will come with us."
"To the Saitama Ghetto?"
"Yes. We've also leaked information to the media to lure out Zero. If his personality is as theatrical as I predict, he will show himself."
"To that end, you'll involve civilians as well?"
"...Necessary sacrifices."
"Cornelia. I am indeed a mercenary who does anything for money. But even so, there's a minimum standard of decency."
"..."
"I'll ask one more time. Will you involve civilians?"
"...No. I understand what you're saying. I will issue an order to avoid civilian involvement as much as possible. However, the top priority is still the capture or elimination of Zero. For that, some civilians will inevitably be caught in the crossfire."
"I understand that much. I'm not saying there should be absolutely no harm to civilians. But if the premise is different, wouldn't the outcome change?"
"You are soft, Axel. But I do not dislike that softness."
Cornelia looked at me, a rare smile gracing her usually serious face.
"What's this? That's a lovely smile."
"W-what are you...?"
"No, I just thought that if you showed such a smile more often, you'd be as popular as your sister."
"Are you talking about Euphie?"
"Yes. I haven't met her directly, but if you spend even one night here, you'll naturally understand her immense popularity."
"Is that so? ...I'll introduce you to Euphie someday. But! I'd be troubled if you caused any strange trouble."
"Strange trouble?"
I didn't know what kind of "strange trouble" Cornelia was referring to, but I had no intention of harming her, so it shouldn't be a problem.
"...No, never mind. More importantly, let's head to the Saitama Ghetto."
"Aren't you going to use that Lancelot?"
"No. This time, the operation will proceed with only the forces from the Tokyo Settlement and my Royal Guard. Your machine won't be returned by the Special Dispatch for the rest of today, I imagine. You will serve as my bodyguard nearby."
"You said you'd manage without relying on the Numbers' strength, but is it okay to use me?"
I suddenly remembered her earlier words to Lloyd and asked.
"What a strange thing to say. You are not a Number. You are a mercenary belonging to no country, and an exceptionally skilled one at that. So, to effectively use that strength is only natural for a commander, isn't it?"
Honestly, for me, I didn't see the difference between a Number and a mercenary. However, for Cornelia, perhaps Numbers were subjects to be protected. She might simply be faithfully adhering to her belief that "only those who risk their lives in battle have the right to govern," and her strictness might often be misunderstood.
"Whatever the reason, as Cornelia's direct subordinate, I'll make sure to do my job properly."
"Hmph, I look forward to it. Now, let us go. I hope Zero takes the bait."
The bridge of the G-1 Base. It was currently filled with silence and tension.
Cornelia's subordinates stood quietly, awaiting the signal to begin the operation. Clovis's subordinates, on the other hand, fidgeted restlessly, repeatedly looking around. The contrast between the two groups was amusingly obvious to an observer.
"The encirclement of the Saitama Ghetto is complete. The Yamato Alliance's hideout is within the encirclement. Over half of the nearby residents are their collaborators. With this..."
Cornelia listened to Dalque's explanation from the chair that could be called the throne of the G-1 Base. To her left stood Guilford, and to her right, I waited.
Cornelia turned her gaze to the monitor displayed on the G-1 Base bridge and spoke.
"What is the impact on overall production if this operation is carried out?"
"There will be a 0.2 negative impact."
"Within expectations, then."
Nodding at Dalque's reply, Cornelia addressed the military officers huddled together in a corner of the bridge, seemingly enduring their anxiety.
"You gentlemen participated in the Shinjuku incident, did you not?"
"Yes. We received Her Highness Cornelia's mercy."
"That is not what I am asking."
She curtly cut off Clovis's subordinate, who was attempting to respond with exaggerated deference, before he could finish.
They say subordinates resemble their superiors, but there was no need to resemble Clovis even in that aspect. In fact, given Cornelia's temperament, she preferred straightforward opinions over pompous pronouncements. In that sense, Clovis's subordinates and Cornelia were likely incompatible.
"Don't you think it's similar?"
"Huh?"
The man tilted his head, unsure of what Cornelia was referring to.
"To the situation in Shinjuku, I mean."
A smile played on Cornelia's lips as she continued.
"Zero is a theatrical criminal. To lure him out, I deliberately created the same situation as Shinjuku. If he is the type to be overconfident, he should come to kill me."
"Governor! That would put Your Excellency's life in too much danger!"
Clovis's subordinate interjected involuntarily. But it was understandable. After all, they had seen their own lord, Clovis, killed by Zero in a similar situation.
If Clovis were in Cornelia's current position, or if it were any other member of the Imperial Family besides Cornelia, those words might have had an effect. But the one here now was Cornelia li Britannia. She spoke without giving such words a second thought.
"War is a struggle for pride and lives. ...Commence the operation! However, try to avoid civilian casualties as much as possible. If Britannia's reputation falls here, it might make things difficult for Euphie when she is eventually entrusted with Area 11."
"Yes, Your Highness! Commence the operation!"
Hearing Cornelia's words, Dalque sent the signal to commence the operation to all forces.
Cornelia looked at me, who had been observing the situation, with a challenging smile. It was as if to say, 'This is acceptable, isn't it?'
"General Dalque, some individuals believed to be civilians have surrendered in the Saitama Ghetto. How should we handle them?"
One of the bridge members asked Dalque. Dalque looked towards Cornelia, and seeing her nod, he spoke.
"Gather them in one location. After the operation, they will be interrogated, and if truly innocent, they will be released."
"Yes, My Lord!"
"Princess, it may be time to begin the operation in earnest."
"Indeed. It is almost the scheduled time. Let us begin."
Hearing Cornelia's words, Dalque issued commands to all units.
"To all forces, the operation to annihilate the Yamato Alliance will now commence. All units, proceed to First Combat Alert."
Upon hearing Dalque's words, the Britannian forces began to move. The main KMFs, Sutherlands, sortied from the G-1 Base, and tanks and infantry advanced into the operational area. Reconnaissance helicopters monitored the ground from the sky, a formation designed to let not a single ant escape.
Character Status: Axel Almar
LV: 34
PP: 155
Melee: 242
Ranged: 260
Skill: 252
Defense: 249
Evasion: 277
Accuracy: 299
SP: 414
Ace Bonus: SP Boost (Increases Slime performance by consuming SP)
Growth Type: All-Rounder/Special
Air: S
Land: S
Sea: B
Space: S
Spirit Commands:
Accel (SP 4)
Effort (SP 8)
Focus (SP 16)
Direct Hit (SP 20)
Awaken (SP 32)
Love (SP 48)
Skills:
EXP Up
SP Boost (SP Up Lv. 9 & SP Recovery & Concentration)
Psychokinesis Lv. 10
Attacker
Gunfight Lv. 9
Infight Lv. 9
Morale Limit Break
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Kills: 190
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