Chapter 19

Xiaoming stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter from his mother.

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Standing at the classroom door, I took a deep breath and tightly held the letter containing secrets that my mother had given me. I, along with my sister, am a student. Even though I have become a second lieutenant, which could be considered a full-fledged soldier, socially, I am still just a boy who is about to turn sixteen. No matter how much I try to act mature, to those who have powerful backing, I am nothing more than a mere child.

...I intend to wipe out those who take advantage of this complacency and provoke me.

The faction of the Third Division, which is trying to provoke me, is already in decline from the perspective of others. Of course, just because the high-ranking officials have all died doesn't mean that the family assets will disappear, so they are still wealthy. However, those assets were maintained only because their associates had influence in the upper echelons of the military.

Having lost that influence, they will inevitably start to deplete the inheritance they have accumulated over the years. They might last a few years, but that's all. Knowing this, they are in a hurry to regain their power.

I plan to take advantage of their impatience and set a trap, but the problem is that I can't predict how the authorities will react if they lose their children or subordinates in my trap.

Well, I didn't think I would be held responsible for injuries caused by traps set for illegal intruders, but my sister had a different opinion.

According to her, "There's no need to tell the truth bluntly. They might accuse you of being attacked for no reason and frame you as a criminal."

When I think about it, she's right.

Even though they are in decline, they still hold power and wealth. For them, it would be easy to frame a child like me who has nothing. Moreover, if they get angry after their subordinates or children are hurt, even if it's their own fault, would they choose their means of retaliation? It's highly unlikely.

If they resort to force, it would be easier to deal with. I could just suppress them with violence. But if they use social means to harass and pressure me, I would have no choice but to take drastic action and assassinate the Third Division's associates, even at the cost of my own life.

If I did that, I might die satisfied, but my sister would be treated as the family of a criminal. I can't accept that.

So, I thought about the root cause.

Hmm, there's no need to think too much about it.

Conclusion: It's all the fault of the Third Division's associates. In other words, they need to be eliminated.

Sun Tzu said, "The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting."

For me, victory is not about trapping and defeating the enemy. It's about not being provoked.

If they don't bear a grudge and provoke me, no one will get hurt. If they realize this, it will be easier. There are classmates who are from the Third Division faction but are on good terms with me.

"Is there any way to prevent the Third Division's associates from attacking me?"

"Well, I don't know what to say suddenly..."

The girl who responded with a troubled expression is Muto, a classmate who has become friendly enough to chat casually over the past few months and is from the Third Division faction.

If she could warn the others, at least the classmates would be restrained.

I think it's a great idea that won't harm anyone, but her reaction seems a bit lukewarm.

(Maybe Muto is on their side?)

"Still, if you say that after suggesting killing them with traps or assassinating them, even Muto would be troubled, right?"

As I was wondering whether to take more serious action, Iwata, who was listening, interjected.

"Is that it?"

"That's it."

"Well, that's true."

It seems that's the case.

"There are various factions within the Third Division. ...Is it okay to say this?"

"Yes, please. There are things I can't say myself."

"Alright."

I think it's best to hear it directly from Muto, but that would mean she's leaking information about her family. So, it seems Iwata will explain.

I'm not sure if that's a good idea, but I don't want to cause trouble, so I'll stay quiet for now.

"Got it? First, the Third Division is not a monolithic group."

"Hmm."

"First, there are the Muroguchi family and those who want them to revive. In Class A, that's Kobata and Kasahara. About 70% of the Third Division faction belongs to this group."

I think the 9th seat is the son of the second son of the late Muroguchi general, and the 5th seat is his vassal. It makes sense that there are many people who don't want to be provoked by other factions.

"Then there are those who are not related to the Muroguchi family but want the Third Division to be reestablished. This is about 20% of the faction."

"Right."

"Hmm."

This faction includes families that have some connection to the Third Division or are cooperating with its reorganization, even if they belong to other factions.

While they may seem small in number, their external supporters are mostly on their side, so their actual influence is very strong.

Naturally, they want to gain as much influence as possible by providing support for the reorganization of the Third Division.

Most of the families of the students in Class A, including Iwata's, support this approach.

"Finally, there are those who say, 'At this point, family ties don't matter; we just need to earn military merit.'"

"That's... something."

It's hard to say whether they are brave or simple. As a soldier, it's admirable, but politically, it could be seen as irresponsible.

"Anyway, my family follows the last approach. We don't get involved in other people's conflicts, and we don't want them to get involved with us. The policy is to 'follow the winner' regardless of politics. Other factions see us as earning military merit on our own while they are engaged in political struggles, so we have some freedom, but we are also kept at a distance. Right?"

"Right."

"Interesting."

Muto's confirmation of Iwata's explanation.

Because they don't get involved in other factions' policies, they can't warn them either.

"Of course, I can convey my opinion to them through my family, but the effect... is uncertain."

"It's bound to be uncertain. After all, their faction is the one that most values military merit."

"...Yes."

"Right. That's the case."

For Muto's family, the important thing is for the Third Division faction to earn military merit, not who within the faction does it.

So, they want information to help them earn military merit. They might even be willing to break into my house to get information about the prototype I pilot. Some might even be willing to do that.

Considering this, my suggestion to "eliminate those who provoke me and use traps to destroy intruders" might sound like a provocation to them.

Of course, I don't mean to provoke them. I just want to avoid trouble.

But as long as there are real interests at stake, they won't give up easily. In fact, it might seem like I'm provoking them.

(I didn't expect Muto's family to be the most dangerous. This is serious. I need to stop them first, but I don't know how.)

The situation is too difficult for a mere student to handle.

"Um, I have a proposal to improve the situation. Or rather, a request."

While I was thinking about how to persuade Muto's family, she spoke up, saying she had a request. If she's willing to make a request, it could mean she's willing to help.

(Probably trying to create a favor.)

Yes, it's good to have a kind classmate and lady.

The only response to her kindness is to agree.

"I'll do what I can."

(But I can't leak information. I can't do much, but I can do a little.)

"Then... could you teach me the tricks to operating that machine?"

"Huh?"

I thought it would be something more complicated, but it's just that?

"Hey, you!"

"I know it's an impolite, even an unconventional request. But if you teach me, the others won't have time to bother you. What do you think?"

"...I see."

If I can't operate it, I can ask someone who can. It's a simple solution.

Moreover, the operation of the machine is not a secret. I've taught it to Saiko, and she has taught it to military personnel.

Muto and Iwata might think it's a secret because it's the only machine in the world.

(But I don't think it's a secret.)

Saiko is pleased, but she doesn't want Japan to lose. Also, if more people can operate the mass-produced models, my importance will decrease.

By teaching the tricks, I can create a favor with the Third Division faction and the military, and there's a chance that the mass-produced models will go to the battlefield before me.

Is it more important to monopolize military merit or to ensure my safety? The answer is obvious. Monopolizing military merit is just a hassle.

So, my answer is clear.

"Sure. I'll even share some ideas that my sister and the engineers at Saiko Heavy Industries are working on. With those, you should be able to operate it without any problems."

Seriously. It might make things a bit harder for me, but you'll have to figure that out.

"You!?"

"Is that okay?"

"Yes, and it's for the good of Japan."

"Thank you."

"In return, don't provoke me."

"Of course! I'll do everything I can!"

"Great. We have a deal."

"..."

Iwata seems to want to say something but is holding back, probably because it's a deal between Muto and me, and she can't argue with the good of the country.

To be clear, I'm not just thinking about myself.

This deal was made with Iwata, who is not from the Third Division faction, as a witness. Externally, it will be seen as "I gave valuable information to suppress the Third Division faction's resentment."

This will make the Third Division faction feel that a mere civilian has submitted, and other divisions will see me as a victim of the Third Division faction's threats.

This reputation will benefit me in the future.

Moreover, I was planning to provide the information anyway because I also need the mass-produced models to be operational. So, I'm buying my safety and future at a reasonable price.

(That's a start. Now, which information should I share?)

I was happy that I had secured the safety of my sister and me, and I looked at the delighted Muto and the stern Iwata, deciding which information to share with them, including Iwata.

It seems I've made a good friend.

...Am I still a loner?

The details of the technology I will share will be in the next part.

Thank you for reading.