Chapter 17

As I've mentioned before, what the military generally seeks in weapons is not a unique characteristic that only a single individual with special talents can use, but rather versatility that allows even those without special talents to operate them.

Of course, the most important factor is whether the pilot can synchronize with the magic crystal, which does rely on talent, but this is the bare minimum requirement. Moreover, it's somewhat better that the number isn't just one.

In short, what I'm trying to say is that my composite model, which underwent a special growth in a single battle, has been evaluated as unsuitable for mass production.

If it had grown gradually over multiple battles, we could have observed and recorded the process and applied the knowledge. However, it grew significantly—what the insiders call "evolved"—all at once.

Therefore, the evaluation that it cannot serve as a model for mass production is extremely accurate.

However, even though it cannot be mass-produced, the fact that a single unit can slay a large number of monsters, including four large ones, means that it has further potential for growth. It is entirely reasonable to want to test its performance.

Given these circumstances, I would have been sent back to the front lines without a break, but this time, Ms. Saikou stopped it.

After all, I had just been cut to pieces, and even Ms. Saikou would be troubled if a unit that hasn't been fully maintained were to malfunction on the front lines. Additionally, we don't even know if the unit's growth has finished.

Since Ms. Saikou, who is both the developer and sponsor, said she wants to observe it a bit more, the military can't force the issue.

Instead, I was given the simulator for the composite model I had been using. It contains the data from before its growth, and even the latest version that can reproduce the attacks of large and medium monsters that I witnessed up close.

The latter data is particularly popular among students, to the point where even those using standard or beast-type units ask to incorporate it into their simulators.

I can understand why. For students who will be sent to the battlefield next year, the latest data is something they desperately want.

While the details are left to Ms. Saikou, it seems to be very well-received, with students even waiting in line for their turn.

Incidentally, I've already provided the data to Ms. Iizuka. After all, I received 500,000, so it couldn't be helped.

The contrast between the delighted Ms. Iizuka, who received the latest data with priority, and the frustrated 9th Seat, who couldn't get the data, was quite amusing.

So, these days, I attend school normally while occasionally checking the updated data of my unit and slaying monsters in the simulator.

Training, studies, break, training, studies, break, training, studies, break—days that don't change much.

Even with the added weight during training for diving and the load when storing the unit after simulator training, it's a peaceful time without the danger of actual combat.

This is the (military) school life I wanted.

However, it seems that only I was enjoying such a peaceful time, to the point where I even said aloud, "If only days like this could continue..."

---

"Did they seize the Prototype 2?"

"...Yeah."

When I tried to leave my unit in the garage for maintenance and to check its growth, Ms. Saikou, with a face that looked like she had bitten into a bitter bug, told me in a displeased tone.

"Well, there's nothing I can do about it."

In reality, this is an issue between Saikou Heavy Industries and the military. As a mere student and test pilot, I have no right to interfere.

Of course, if it were my unit that was seized, the situation would be different, but since Prototype 2 is a test unit without a designated pilot, there's nothing I can say.

In fact, I even thought I should offer congratulations, saying, "It's good that it has a buyer even though it doesn't have a pilot yet," but Ms. Saikou didn't seem happy. Not knowing what was bothering her, I asked straightforwardly, "What's the problem?"

"The problem is that there's no pilot! They're not even letting us maintain it. Do you understand? They're taking a unit that no one can use, using it for purposes we haven't considered, destroying it without our knowledge, and then mass-producing it. Where's the fun in that?"

"Ah, I see."

Yeah, I can understand that.

After all, the composite model is a unit that even a considerate young lady like Ms. Iizuka called a "freak," or rather, could only call a "freak."

While I didn't have a problem with it, the more knowledgeable a person is about units, the harder it is for them to operate. Some even suggested dividing the unit into a larger one for control and another for fire control.

That sounds like a G**Tank, but if you think of the unit as an MA rather than an MS, the idea isn't entirely off the mark.

"There are even military personnel who say, 'Even fighter jets and tanks have separate control and fire control systems. Why is it a problem to have a two-seater for a unit that requires more precise operations?'"

But that's a shallow understanding.

Certainly, if you divide the responsibilities, one person can focus on evasion while the other focuses on attack. However, the unit is not just a mechanical weapon but a bio-weapon based on a corpse. To operate it, you need to link it with a magic crystal, and if the link gets mixed up, it won't even start. In fact, if someone without a magic crystal sits in the cockpit, the unit stops functioning.

If you were to clearly assign roles to avoid mixing the links and connect the nerves, for example, if the control person was connected to the lower body and the fire control person to the upper body, you'd end up with a standard unit pilot who can't move their lower body and a beast-type unit pilot who is stressed by something on their back. In other words, a two-seater would just be a hindrance.

Additionally, there's the issue of storage and growth with a two-seater.

If you don't expect growth, it might be fine, but since the unit is designed to grow and become more efficient at slaying monsters, losing the ability to store and grow is not good.

What about the so-called riding style, where a standard unit rides a beast-type unit? A standard unit (15 tons) is heavier than a beast-type unit (10 tons), so it wouldn't be able to move satisfactorily, and if they were separate units, they wouldn't be able to withstand the recoil of heavy artillery, making it meaningless.

While you could transport a pilot in a vehicle on the back of a unit before deployment, this is just a usage method for a beast-type unit, not a solution for a composite model.

To get back to the point, the important thing is that "since I returned from Kyushu, no one has been able to operate the composite model," and "the unit was taken even though no one can operate it."

"Of course, they won't use it as is; they'll try to disassemble it and mass-produce it. The performance will be downgraded, but they can still make the unit."

"Is that so?"

I thought reproducing a freak would be quite troublesome.

"They're professionals, after all. The base is just a beast-type unit with a standard unit on top, connected with bones, artificial nerves, and artificial muscles. Technically, it's not difficult. Of course, the components and ratios of the artificial nerves and muscles are trade secrets, but they don't need to reproduce them in detail."

"I see."

Since it's just an application of existing technology, a professional mechanic can disassemble and understand the structure. Once they understand it, they can mass-produce a downgraded version.

The military's need for mass-produced units is more pressing than enhancing a unit that can't be mass-produced. From that perspective, it's not surprising that the military seized the prototype.

In fact, I think it's a reasonable decision.

At the same time, I can understand why Ms. Saikou finds it unpleasant.

For a perfectionist who wants to create the best unit, there's a line that can be crossed in terms of degradation for mass production.

Usually, mass-produced units based on prototype data are superior to the prototypes, but that's a separate issue.

At least, the military, which seized Prototype 2, will likely prioritize making the unit operational.

This is why it's unpleasant for Ms. Saikou, who has been turning away those who want the unit by saying, "First, make the unit operational. We can talk after that."

"But they didn't give it away for free, right?"

"Of course not."

That's right. Even if it was seized, they still paid for it. If they took it without paying, it would be a crime. Even during wartime, and even though Saikou Heavy Industries is not a zaibatsu, it would be a serious issue to do such a thing to a company capable of producing weapons. It could even lead to the heads of military officials rolling.

"So, isn't it good for the company?"

As a technician, she might have her thoughts, but isn't it not bad for the company to have the military want their product?

Maybe I'm thinking this way because I'm an outsider.

"For the company, it is. It can also be seen as the second division taking the promised unit. But I don't like their attitude."

"That's..."

It's frustrating, but it's not like it's a problem between the military and the company. It's just frustrating.

"By the way, the ones who took it are from the third division. They seem quite anxious, so they might try something with you."

"Me? Why?"

"If you're gone, they won't have to worry about you taking the credit."

"But... it's not even their unit."

There are plenty of monsters in the seas of Kyushu and China. They should target those.

"If you understand that, you wouldn't go berserk."

That's a convincing argument.

"Can I tell the boss and Ms. Iizuka... I mean, the teacher and the daughter of a family affiliated with the sixth division, about this?"

In exchange for information, I'll ask them for protection. It's a give-and-take. I only have two acquaintances who might serve as a deterrent, but it's better to have them than not.

"Sure. We'll manage the unit on our side, so you focus on protecting yourself."

"Understood."

If the staff of the third division can mass-produce it, that's good.

If they can find pilots who can operate the mass-produced units, that's even better.

The worst-case scenario is that they can't mass-produce it and can't find pilots, but I can't deal with that.

Actually, it's not my problem.

If they want to take credit, let them.

Just don't involve me.

---

I would realize how naive my thoughts were just two months after this conversation.

The Prototype 2 was stolen. It was inevitable, really.

Thank you for reading.