Ch.181

Going back in time a bit, this was what happened at dawn on the day of the Obitus Workshop Battle.

The Count had to receive a messenger who came to see him early in the morning. While messengers had been frequent lately with the grand plan approaching, they typically left some mark to announce their visit.

But this time, the messenger arrived abruptly without any prior notice. This could be interpreted as the messenger carrying an urgent matter.

The Count headed to his office, placed a ward to keep servants away, and faced the messenger.

“Has something happened?”

– My lord wishes to use Horizon as a discard.

“A discard? Is there a reason?”

The Count looked at the messenger with a puzzled expression. As far as he knew, Horizon was a card they had invested in for a long time.

Although Horizon’s impulsive actions had accelerated their plans somewhat, it was still within the expected range.

Therefore, he seemed too valuable to be simply discarded. Despite his eccentric personality, he certainly had his uses.

– His usefulness has ended, my lord said. It seems he has found Fresia’s whereabouts.

“I see. Then I’ll erase all traces of contact with Horizon.”

The Count erased everything he had been thinking from his mind at the messenger’s words. If his lord had already made a decision, he would simply follow it.

That was the Count’s loyalty, and also the only way for him to survive.

– All that remains is finding the Colossus. That day will come soon, so prepare accordingly.

The Count closed his eyes at the messenger’s words.

He felt his heart swell slightly at the realization that the day he had been waiting for had finally arrived in his lifetime.

The day he had dreamed of ever since hearing about the lord from the previous Count was finally approaching.

Despite his age, the Count took a deep breath to calm his childishly fluttering heart. His face, which had momentarily returned to his childhood, instantly became cold and composed.

“Understood. I’ll keep it in mind.”

– Then, please handle Horizon properly. I’ll see you next time.

The messenger disappeared without a trace, just as he had arrived. After watching the empty space for a moment, the Count took out the communication magic device connected to Horizon and cast a Chain Dispel spell.

This would have erased all traces of communication between Horizon’s magic device and the one the Count possessed. Being part of a wealthy family was helpful at times like this.

However, having interacted with Horizon for quite a long time, there were many traces to erase. He summoned shadow knights from his family and ordered them to erase everything related to Horizon.

All that remained was to watch the once-arrogant Horizon fall.

The Count felt his mood improving somehow.

***

Two artificial spirit cores lay before Gilbert as he prepared for the rotation. One was CT-777, who had become his comrade, and the other was Fresia’s core, recovered from the previous day’s battle.

He hadn’t immediately returned Fresia to Ian after the battle. While yesterday’s battle had boosted the allied forces’ morale, it didn’t mean they could overcome the difference in military strength.

If today’s rotation showed a gap due to troop numbers, it would clearly affect morale, so Gilbert planned to make somewhat excessive moves today.

To become an unbreakable symbol of hope for allies and an insurmountable symbol of despair for enemies.

For that, he needed to demonstrate overwhelming performance, which was why he had postponed returning Fresia to Ian. Ian’s search for Fresia was a matter for later.

His concern wasn’t Ian. He only wished for as many allies as possible to return alive.

Since his previous life, his goal had been the safe return of his comrades, and he had flown desperately for that purpose. That hadn’t changed even in this world where he piloted a giant mech instead of a fighter jet.

[How did I end up with someone like him…]

Fresia grumbled, but knowing his noble heart, she decided to cooperate with Gilbert. She knew from experience that his trait skills were exceptional.

Though she couldn’t bring herself to say they were better than Ian’s trait skills, she had to admit that Gilbert’s trait skills were indeed superior to Ian’s.

She didn’t know by what mechanism he could control an artificial spirit that had formed an official contract, but his performance was undeniable. She thought this must be what it would feel like if Ian could perfectly handle his trait skills.

– All forces, prepare for battle.

Seraphina’s voice was heard through the general magic channel. Looking ahead, the New Resistance’s army was also lined up, facing them.

Having analyzed yesterday’s battle, light-armored mechs were positioned between the heavy-armored mechs in the front line. If they charged in with a special attack like yesterday, they would easily be surrounded by the more mobile light-armored mechs and lost.

Gilbert quickly noticed this fact as well. No matter how well he could utilize his trait skills to fly and maneuver, he couldn’t escape the mobility limitations of a giant mech.

– Launch.

As the sortie order was given, Gilbert began to move in formation. While he was still paired with Brynhild, he didn’t act outside the main force.

[Someone from Prince Richard’s faction has moved forward!]

Gilbert reflexively checked the mini-map upon hearing the voice through the public communication magic channel. Indeed, a blue dot classified as an ally was charging toward the New Resistance formation.

[Ian!]

Fresia shouted before Gilbert could identify the code. Having formed an official contract with him, Fresia instinctively recognized Ian’s mech.

Gilbert clicked his tongue. Since he had been connected to Fresia from the moment he used his trait skill “Your Mech Is Awesome,” her anxious emotions were directly transmitted to him.

He had predicted the impulsiveness of the chuunibyou route, but he hadn’t expected it to return in such a worst-case form. Perhaps Ian’s thinking had narrowed due to having Fresia taken from him.

Recently, Ian’s impulsive actions had been greatly reduced thanks to Fresia. In the game, she also served as a guide, helping players grow properly.

With such a Fresia gone, there was essentially no means to stop Ian’s rampage. If he thought Fresia had been stolen, it all made perfect sense.

Gilbert had to make a very quick decision.

Should he maintain formation and advance according to the original plan?

Or should he rescue Ian who had acted impulsively?

Rationally, following the plan was the right choice. As a commander in Seraphina’s faction, he should avoid deviating from the plan.

But Gilbert was fundamentally the kind of person who couldn’t leave an ally to die if he could save them. The countless farewells he had experienced in his original world had fundamentally broken him.

Gilbert had numerous concerns, but he knew all too well what decision he would make.

[Gilbert! Ian is in danger! I’ll do anything… please help him!]

Fresia, who had special feelings for Ian, began desperately pleading with Gilbert. Her usually proud demeanor was nowhere to be seen, showing how precious her contractor Ian was to her.

Hearing this, Gilbert compromised with himself.

For victory in this war, Fresia’s cooperation was essential for Gilbert. Even if he had a trait skill that could control her, it was different from her actively supporting him.

But with Ian rushing into danger now, it was difficult to expect help from Fresia who had lost her composure. To receive her full cooperation, Ian’s safety needed to be secured.

In truth, he was confident he could manage as long as the conditions for using his trait skill were met, but Gilbert chose to deceive himself this way.

[Please… help him…]

“Keep that promise.”

[Gilbert…?]

“Commander. This is Commander Gilbert.”

Gilbert ignored Fresia, who still hadn’t regained her senses, and opened a direct communication line with Seraphina. Having decided to rescue Ian, he needed to report to Seraphina.

If Seraphina were to stop Gilbert’s actions here, things would escalate, but Gilbert trusted her.

[Has something unusual occurred?]

“Yes. Commander Ian has charged alone toward the New Resistance forces.”

[I saw that too. The fact that Commander Gilbert is reporting this situation to me means you want to go rescue Commander Ian, correct?]

“To be honest, I don’t know if Commander Ian’s action is impulsive or part of Prince Richard’s strategy, but leaving him be could affect the overall morale of the allied forces.”

Seraphina’s expression changed interestingly on the communication magic screen. She nodded as if telling him to continue.

“It’s a problem beyond Commander Ian’s abilities. Due to my actions with Squad Leader Brynhild yesterday, the enemy has changed their formation. If this situation had occurred yesterday, even I would have abandoned the operation.”

[I understand that, but didn’t Commander Gilbert just say it might be Prince Richard’s strategy? In this situation, Commander Gilbert’s intervention could interfere with the operation.]

Gilbert was at a loss for words at Seraphina’s statement.

He had added that it might be Prince Richard’s strategy because he wasn’t certain.

It was unlikely that the genius strategist known as the Divine Mysterious Mountain would have failed to predict Ian’s impulsive action.

He sees everyone, including himself, as chess pieces and places them on the chessboard of war.

Advancing one square at a time in war like chess and ultimately delivering checkmate.

Prince Richard was a mad genius who found joy in the act itself.

Therefore, Gilbert didn’t think Richard would have failed to predict Ian’s impulsive action. There must be a reason, and he must have either condoned or induced it.

Wait, induced?

Gilbert frowned at the sudden thought.

While many factors influence war, the most significant is the morale of the soldiers. Even the strongest, well-trained army can lose a winnable war if morale hits rock bottom.

That’s why commanders always had to manage their soldiers’ morale.

There were mainly two ways to boost soldiers’ morale. The first was to make them believe they could win.

That’s what Gilbert and Brynhild had done the previous day.

And the other way was to give soldiers a reason to win at all costs.

While a commander’s speech could help, there was one more definitive method.

That was to stimulate camaraderie.

In life-threatening extreme situations, feelings toward comrades rise dramatically. In those moments, they are comrades who share the same fate, fellow soldiers who must navigate the battlefield of death together.

And camaraderie is most stimulated when a comrade dies at the enemy’s hands. Even if they only know each other by face, they are family within the boundary of being allies.

Recalling this, Gilbert vaguely guessed what Prince Richard’s strategy might be.

Sacrifice an ally to strengthen internal unity.

In other words, Ian was a discard for Prince Richard.

Of course, this was largely speculation and Gilbert’s own assumption. Even if Prince Richard was obsessed with war, he wasn’t someone who would use allies as discards.

While he often demanded sacrifices from a strategic perspective, he wouldn’t discard someone in this manner. Of course, this was limited to the game; in reality, it was impossible to know.

[Commander Gilbert, I understand your concerns, but the longer a commander deliberates, the less time there is to choose. Does your choice benefit me? Think only of that.]

Gilbert alternately looked at Ian’s mech, which had already reached the vicinity of the New Resistance, and Seraphina’s face. Seraphina’s expression showed no intention of denying Gilbert’s request.

“First, please remember that there’s a possibility this isn’t Prince Richard’s plan. But either way, it doesn’t matter. If that thoughtless charge was Prince Richard’s strategy, there’s meaning in interfering.”

Realizing time was running out, Gilbert continued urgently.

“While the purpose of this war is to subjugate the New Resistance, it has a stronger character of a succession battle for the throne. Winning should be the priority, but there’s no need to observe the strategy of Prince Richard, a potential competitor. If Commander Ian isn’t moving according to plan, the right decision is to stop him for the sake of the allied forces’ morale.”

[So you’re using the pretext of saving an ally in danger.]

Seraphina already knew that Gilbert’s proposal would benefit her faction. He had always acted for her faction, or more precisely, for her, so she assumed this time was no different.

As expected, Gilbert’s explanation was exactly what she wanted to hear.

[Very well, Commander Gilbert. Help Commander Ian. However, remember that your safety must be your top priority.]

“Understood.”

As soon as Seraphina’s permission was granted, Gilbert pulled the control stick and drove his mech toward Ian, who had begun fighting against the front line.

[Guided magic missiles coming from 3 o’clock, diagonal.]

From the moment it was decided to rescue Ian, Fresia regained her senses and began providing support.

Living up to her title as a super artificial spirit, she detected the subtle mana generated just before magic armaments activated and began marking the expected firing positions on the screen.

With so many mechs, the screen was filled with red impact points—a sight that would intimidate anyone who saw it.

But Gilbert remained unfazed despite seeing all those impact points. He simply began avoiding all of them while receiving additional briefing from CT-777.

Watching this, Fresia was astounded, though she didn’t express it. While she had marked the impact points on the screen, she hadn’t expected him to avoid all of them perfectly.

She believed in Gilbert’s skills and knew he wouldn’t be hit, but she had expected him to block some with mana barriers.

Is this even possible?

Despite her long experience with talented mech knights, Fresia had never seen a knight like Gilbert. His mana quantity was clearly low.

Compared to Ian, he had only about half the amount of mana. Nevertheless, he was demonstrating this incredible piloting skill by efficiently using his limited mana.

A realm beyond mere precision.

Fresia began to be captivated while admiring his piloting skills.

Let’s see how far you can go.

Emotions that had been suppressed deep in her heart began to leak out as she watched Gilbert’s piloting.

As a super artificial spirit, Fresia had never fully unleashed all her capabilities before. There were only a handful of knights who could keep up with her assistance, and even they couldn’t follow perfectly.

Now she had met a knight who might require her to bring out her full performance. It was only natural for Fresia to feel excited and increase the pitch of her support.

Meanwhile, the situation was the same for Gilbert.

While CT-777 was certainly an excellent artificial spirit, there were still areas where it needed to grow.

In contrast, Fresia was literally a super artificial spirit that transcended the boundaries of artificial spirits. Her calculation speed was several times better than CT-777’s, and above all, she could satisfy the activation conditions for Gilbert’s trait skill.

The existence of the best piloting skills and an artificial spirit capable of the best support.

Having both of these, Gilbert truly became the incarnation of the battlefield.