Chapter 18

I heard that the mass-production prototype had been completed just two months after it was seized, in mid-July.

"Eh? It's already done?"

"Seems so."

"Seems so?"

It's the mass-production model of the machine you built, right? I asked, thinking that, but it seems to be more complicated than I imagined.

"We were only questioned a few times and then released. They probably wanted to claim it as something they built with their own hands."

"Ah, I see."

Indeed, while it is impressive that a prototype can be completed in just two months, the difference in production capabilities between a single company like Saikou Heavy Industries and the military, which can mobilize resources and personnel on a national scale, is significant. The third division faction forcibly seized the prototype, but the upper echelons of the military also desired mass production, so they were not hesitant to cooperate.

Well, it's probably easier than building an aircraft carrier in a month. Probably.

However, no matter the difference in production capabilities, there are things that cannot be obtained. The most significant of these is the technical black box that Saikou Heavy Industries possesses.

Starting with the ratio of magic creatures to machinery in the base, the method of processing artificial muscles that cover the entire body, and the material of the joint drive parts designed to absorb recoil, these are all special technologies that Saikou Heavy Industries keeps secret and does not patent.

Of course, if the prototype were disassembled and thoroughly investigated, some of it could be figured out. However, considering professional ethics and future business relationships—since if it were allowed, other large corporations would also have their weapons copied, leading to inevitable backlash—it cannot be done openly.

Still, if they can produce mass-production models in this form, one would expect them to be unhappy, but there's no such atmosphere from Mr. Saikou. Rather, he seems pleased?

"Indeed, they succeeded in mass production. But the machines they built didn't move."

"Really?"

Probably too difficult for ordinary pilots who are used to standard or beast-type machines.

"From what I understand, they first thought about making it smaller."

"Hmm?"

It's not a bad idea, whether they thought it was too heavy to move or that a smaller size would be better for the nervous system.

"First, the height is five meters, and the weight has been reduced to 20 tons."

What?

"Wouldn't that make it impossible to use heavy artillery to take down large targets in one shot?"

The 30-ton weight of the hybrid type was deemed necessary to perform long-range shooting with heavy artillery to take down large targets in one shot.

While it can feel lighter to the pilot through growth and optimization, the machine itself does not become lighter (it might even become heavier).

In other words, making it lighter would reduce its firepower.

A sniper without firepower is...

"Well, since it doesn't move, there's nothing we can do. As for the heavy artillery, they just need to stop insisting on one-shot kills."

"Is that all?"

Well, 20 tons is still heavier than a standard type. If you consider that it can carry stronger weapons, it's not bad, right?

"Still, it didn't move. Well, they could hold weapons with their upper body, and the lower body could move to some extent, like crawling."

"Huh?"

Crawling makes sense for a beast-type, but just because I and other pilots can accept it doesn't mean the enemy will show mercy.

"Wouldn't they die in a counterattack?"

After all, the reason snipers move after attacking is to avoid counterattacks. The mysterious beams fired by magic creatures are slower than light or lightning, but still faster than regular shells, and they have a blast radius that can blow away a few meters around the impact point.

This means that the trick of storing the machine in a magic crystal and moving on foot after shooting cannot be used.

Therefore, to score points with the hybrid type, it is essential to move sideways and gain a distance of nearly ten meters immediately after shooting.

But just crawling? They'd die.

"Right. But they prioritized movement. At least they could move, so they're probably satisfied with that for now."

"Is that all?"

"That's all. Taking it step by step isn't wrong. Of course, we can't laugh about it either, since we can't find anyone else to operate it besides you."

"Haha."

I can only laugh.

But it's strange to be so formal about a machine I built... No, maybe Mr. Saikou hates the military people who took it more than strangers. That's why he's pleased... no, delighted to see the inferior product they built.

It's not a bad taste, but I can understand his feelings.

They pressured us to take the second prototype, but now they're struggling and have no hope of success.

Yeah, it's a classic NDK case. Mr. Saikou has the right to point and laugh at the military people.

By mocking the military engineers, he seems to have relieved the frustration that had been building up recently.

It's a zero-sum game, but at least it's better than being in a bad mood.

"Oh, right."

As I was thinking this, Mr. Saikou, who had been smiling wickedly, turned serious and spoke to me.

"As I said before, the likelihood of the third division faction causing trouble has increased. You should be careful."

"Why would that happen... Oh, right. I see."

If the mass-production plan led by the third division faction is not going well, it means their reputation is in tatters.

For other divisions that planned to use the success of the mass-production plan but blame them for failure, it's not a big deal. However, for the second division faction, which requested the rapid production of the second prototype and ended up making enemies with Saikou Heavy Industries, it's not a good situation.

In other words, the third division will face criticism from the second division and others for a while.

And my position at the military academy is that of a civilian leaning towards the second division.

Q: What will happen next?

A: I will be targeted by members of the third division faction.

It's not a pleasant prediction, but it's probably not far off.

Incidentally, in Class A, the top student, Mr. Watanabe, the fifth-ranked student, Mr. Kasahara, and the ninth-ranked student, Mr. Kobata, are from the third division faction. That's three out of ten. There are also five or six in Class B.

At this point, it's already clear.

Furthermore, being a civilian is not good. Compared to those who belong to military factions, I stand out unnecessarily and have no backing, making me an easy target for bullying.

Until now, I was probably overlooked due to the superiority of having the prototype taken from me, but that will change. The negative emotions of inferiority, stress, and resentment towards the second division will inevitably lead to something.

Mr. Saikou is warning me. I can't afford to waste this warning.

Jealousy among peers is ugly but necessary. Especially since they are students. If I were to say, "I didn't expect my classmates to do such a thing, so I was unprepared," after receiving a warning, my value would plummet.

A person who can't protect themselves can't be a proper soldier.

(Though it's troublesome, I need to think of a way to deal with it.)

The only saving grace is that it's now summer break.

Incidentally, military academies don't usually have long breaks like during Golden Week.

However, the public outcry over the stark difference in treatment from regular students led to the nominal existence of summer break. Unlike regular students, for us, who are close to the battlefield, taking a long break is literally suicidal.

Therefore, for students at the military academy, summer break means a period where they can train continuously without having to study.

Of course, for students preparing for the "exam war," summer break means a period where they can focus on studying without the distractions of physical education or art, so there's not much difference, but that's another story.

At least during the summer break, I don't need to show up to class, so I won't be targeted by their harassment.

Incidentally, I'm not worried about low-level harassment like damaging my desk, defacing it, or spreading filth.

Why? Because the desk is not my personal property but belongs to the military academy.

Therefore, if anyone tries to do such things, they will be investigated, and it is common knowledge that wasting military property is not tolerated. The students, who aspire to be soldiers, cannot be unaware of this. So, I'm not worried about the desk being tampered with.

For the same reason, my dormitory will not be harmed. The surveillance is even stricter there.

So, if they want to harass me, they will likely target me or my sister directly.

I can't imagine they would harm a child they should protect, but fools exist everywhere, and especially for men with peculiar tastes, Yuna is the perfect target.

"Right. I'll tell her to avoid going out alone during the summer break. And to contact me if any suspicious people show up. Ah, if the security is bribed or influenced by the authority of their families and lets them through, what should we do? First, I'll make sure she contacts me, and we'll need a safe place to hide. I'll also set up traps to prevent entry. Ah, no, it's better to create an opportunity for entry and set up deadly traps there. If someone breaks into the dormitory, it's not a problem if they die."

"(Your thoughts are leaking...) ...I told you to be cautious, but not to this extent."

"Huh? Of course. I'll make sure nothing goes wrong."

There won't be a problem if there are no victims. No one would be foolish enough to say, "I was injured by a trap when I broke in! You're responsible!"

"...Really, be more moderate."

Mr. Saikou is saying something, but it's fine. I'll prepare the best traps and wait for them.

As a result of the military leading the V operation, instead of the G-type, a mass-production G-type was created.

Even General G couldn't help but smile.

Thank you for reading.