3
Let’s rewind time a little.
“M-Major…”
“Yeah. This is impossible.”
While Shibano and the others in the command center were holding their heads, the expressions of the pilots who were witnessing more monsters than expected attempting to land at a closer position were even more distorted with fear than those of Shibano and his staff.
This is natural. Unlike Shibano, who as a commander doesn’t directly engage with monsters, these pilots who have been fighting monsters directly know the terror of monsters better than anyone else.
As common knowledge among pilots, medium-sized monsters are considered weaker compared to large ones. The strength ratio given by the staff is that one 20M-class large monster is equivalent to ten 6M-class medium monsters.
However, if you ask a pilot who knows actual combat “Which is scarier, one large monster or ten medium monsters?”, they would answer without hesitation that “The latter is scarier.”
Numbers are strength in battle. Numbers are power. Indeed, a wise saying.
By the way, the kill-to-death ratio between standard types and medium monsters is originally 1:2, and between beast types and medium monsters, it’s 2:1.
If this is taken favourably, it means a standard type can defeat two medium monsters, while two beast types can defeat one medium monster. But conversely, it also means that two medium monsters can defeat one machine, and when facing beast types, one medium monster can defeat two machines.
Now, let’s look at the current situation. There are 133 medium-sized monsters, while the interception unit has 20 standard type machines and 40 beast type machines.
Looking at the numbers alone, the interception unit should be able to defeat 40 medium monsters with standard types and 20 with beast types, totaling 60.
This doesn’t even cover the originally confirmed 62 monsters, but with a few ace pilots and supporting fire from nearly 100 gunners, it was thought they could just barely manage even including the large monsters.
At least, until they saw the actual number of monsters that had landed.
“With 10 large ones plus over 100 medium ones as opponents… There’s nothing we can do.”
Without even mentioning Lanchester’s Square Law, the initial difference in force directly translates to survival rates.
In other words, if 62 monsters fought against 60 machines, it would be a close battle with casualties on both sides. But if 133 monsters clash with 60 machines, the 60 machines would be one-sidedly crushed.
With large ones on top of that, it’s even worse.
Of course, it’s possible to inflict a certain amount of damage on the enemy through tactics, individual skill, or coordination. It’s possible, but severe damage to the interception unit is unavoidable.
In that case, not only this battle but also future defense battles would become impossible.
(Considering that… retreat is the only option. And that too, with the regular tank units as the rear guard. In that case, Colonel Shibano will stay behind as well.)
Major Yasuaki Sato, the commander of the pilot unit, traced the thoughts of Shibano, the overall commander, and came to this conclusion.
If we can’t win or would suffer massive casualties due to inferior numbers, we should retreat once, gather our numbers, and challenge them again. It’s impossible with just the 2nd Division, but it’s possible if we borrow the strength of other divisions. Therefore, Shibano and the others will choose to [evacuate the pilots and machines that would form the core of the counterattack from the battlefield, even if it means their own annihilation].
(I won’t waste that resolve!)
[No matter what happens, I’ll make sure you all escape]
Because he understands Shibano’s feelings, Sato intended to make arrangements for retreat from the battlefield as quickly as possible. However, he can’t prepare for retreat before orders come down from headquarters.
If sacrificing himself alone to a court-martial could allow even one more subordinate to escape, he would gladly accept the dishonor of desertion in the face of the enemy, but there’s a right timing for everything.
In this case, if the pilots retreat too early, there’s a high chance that the units left behind as the rear guard might go chaos. If that happens, they would likely be trampled along with the rear guard units.
That’s why Sato is calculating the timing.
The timing for those left as the rear guard to resign themselves to death.
The timing for the pilots to resolve to abandon their comrades who are willing to sacrifice their lives to let them escape.
(Not yet. Not yet.)
“Major!”
“What is it!”
The one who brought the impatient Sato back to his senses was Lieutenant Colonel Kiyota, the deputy commander.
“Look over there!”
“Over there? …Hm!”
Looking in the direction Kiyota was pointing, Sato saw a four-legged machine firing shells from what looked like a tank gun in its right hand towards the horde of monsters.
[Gwoh!]
“What in the world…”
The fired shell flew straight towards the monster, piercing through the head of a 10M-class beast behind it. No matter how large, anything dies when its head is blown off. Therefore, that large one must have surely died.
“One shot? N-no! That’s not it! Which unit did that come from?”
Sato was surprised that a large monster was taken down in one shot, but he immediately realized that this action was a violation of orders and demanded to know who was responsible.
Sato is the field commander. If the pilot in that machine were to say, “I fired because the captain was stunned despite having orders,” he would be willing to accept it. However, the current order from headquarters is “simultaneous fire with the signal.” As a member of the military, it’s unacceptable for a single soldier to make their own judgment and attack.
Thus, Sato let out his anger, but it was washed away by the words coming from headquarters.
[Announcement from headquarters to all personnel]
(Here it comes!)
[All forces, prepare for attack immediately. Tank units and artillery, fire simultaneously with the signal. Mech units, prepare shields to protect artillery from counterattacks]
“Huh?”
(Not a retreat? What’s going on?)
[You all must see it! While we were intimidated by the number of monsters, that special duty second lieutenant, still just a student, has taken the lead!]
(Student? What are you talking about?)
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
“Um, Major. Could that machine be the new model brought in for testing?”
“New model? The one that supposedly took down four large monsters single-handedly?”
“Probably. Rumors say it’s a machine that only students who just entered the military academy this year can operate, with a beast-like lower body and a standard upper body, making for an odd appearance, but…”
“No, that’s not quite it.”
Indeed, the lower body has four legs, but it lacks the organic feel or flexibility of a beast type. Rather, it’s noticeably inorganic, like a combination of machinery and spider legs. The normalcy of the upper body mounted on it only adds to its eerie appearance.
“What is that?”
[Gaaaah!]
While Sato and Kiyota were talking, the indescribable machine on the battlefield was hopping around, repeatedly sniping and destroying monsters.
[Gugyaa!]
[I ask you. Can you turn your backs on the enemy while letting a child fight? I can’t!]
One shot, one kill—no, occasionally it takes two shots, but it’s steadily taking down monsters, this bizarre creation.
“Major!”
“Ah, yes!”
Regardless of its appearance, there’s no doubt it’s on their side.
Moreover, the pilot operating it is a military academy student—a child.
Realizing this, Sato could understand Shibano’s feelings.
Strategic retreat?
Escaping for the future?
Abandoning a child fighting right before their eyes?
Can one still proudly claim to be a soldier after doing that?
Where’s the pride as a mech pilot?
“Indeed. Indeed, that’s right!”
Given Shibano’s words, the child operating that machine must have acted unexpectedly even to Shibano.
At the same time, it’s clear from that fighting style that the child didn’t violate orders out of fear.
Those are the movements of someone with confidence.
It’s the confidence that only some aces possess—the belief that “I won’t die in a place like this.”
[Kyaoraah!]
Shoot, and they die. Even if they try to counterattack, the next moment, it’s no longer there.
The way it hops around, one-sidedly killing monsters, truly resembles a grim reaper harvesting lives.
“All personnel, prepare for battle! Don’t let a student fight alone! Let’s show them the strength of veterans!”
“Sir, yes sir!”
[Gatoo!]
“But don’t move on your own! Wait for orders!”
“Understood!!”
Interfering carelessly could disrupt the student’s rhythm. Knowing this, Sato decided to wait for the attack order from headquarters.
(Wait. Just wait!)
[Buvaa!]
(Not yet, not yet!)
As he watched the new model mowing down large targets while waiting for orders from headquarters, Sato’s demeanor was no longer filled with impatience. Instead, it was burning with passion, as if restraining himself from rushing onto the battlefield.
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