Chapter 23

With the evaluation exceeding 5000 points, this is the second update of the day.

(Can we win the battle? ... No way.)

Shino, who had simulated the scenario in his mind, imagined the next moment after the deployed troops launched a simultaneous artillery attack, the majority of the artillerymen would be vaporized by the counterattack from the surviving medium-sized monsters.

As is evident from the fact that the artillery units are often referred to as "coffin cannons," the machines used by the artillerymen have no defensive or mobility capabilities; they are only equipped with offensive power.

Moreover, these machines do not have the firepower to defeat a medium-sized monster with a single shot; they can only defeat one with several hits.

Therefore, even in a normal raid, the artillerymen often get wiped out by the counterattack from the monsters that survive the initial artillery attack.

The Second Division has always aimed to prevent this by gathering more artillerymen than the enemy, spreading them out, and launching a simultaneous artillery attack to prevent the enemy from counterattacking. Additionally, they have focused on dispersing the direction of any counterattacks.

However, how does this apply to the current situation?

The fact that the enemy outnumber the artillerymen means that a counterattack is inevitable.

(We can't expect a proper artillery attack under these conditions...)

It is widely known that the accuracy of artillerymen and snipers is significantly higher when they can hide behind cover or armor that can block counterattacks, compared to when they have no means of protection.

This also applies to the artillerymen who operate the "coffin cannons."

(Even in a situation where their safety is somewhat guaranteed, the machines are known for their poor firepower and accuracy. Expecting normal results in a situation where a counterattack is inevitable, meaning a high probability of death, is a mistake.)

As a commander, Shino trusts his subordinates but does not overly rely on them. He is a person who can accept that the impossible is impossible, no matter how much determination they have. Therefore, Shino understood that starting the battle at this stage would be meaningless.

And he was not the only one. The knights, artillerymen, tank crews, and infantry who were on the scene, everyone recognized this.

(If we can't win, we have no choice but to retreat.)

Logically, that's the only option. However, knowing this and actually retreating are two different things.

(Retreat is fine, but can we retreat without fighting at all?)

What Shino is concerned about is not the possibility of being charged with desertion or similar offenses.

The upper echelons of the Second Division understand that retreating to regroup when faced with an unbeatable enemy is also a valid tactic.

Therefore, Shino's concern is whether they can retreat without any casualties.

There is a saying in Sun Tzu's teachings, "Of the thirty-six stratagems, to run away is the best." However, retreat is considered the most difficult tactic on the battlefield, especially when the enemy is already aware of your presence.

(The monsters generally have good eyesight. Since the officers, including myself, can recognize the number of enemies, it is reasonable to assume that the monsters are aware of our presence.)

Abandon hopeful thinking. The logical part of his mind is telling him this.

(Change direction and retreat? Before we can do that, the enemy will start shooting. I don't think we can maintain formation and retreat while being shot at. If the small monsters launch a charge amidst the chaos caused by the shooting, the entire unit will be wiped out. I want to get the knights and their machines out unharmed...)

The small monsters, though only 1 to 3 meters tall, are wild beasts. They are not particularly difficult opponents for the knights, and the tanks can also engage them with conventional weapons.

...If it were a 1-on-1 or 1-on-3 battle.

However, no matter how small they are, if 500 of them attack, the knights will be overwhelmed and devoured. Considering that the machines are large and thus more likely to be targeted by the monsters, it would be overly optimistic to think that they could escape unharmed.

(...We need a rearguard.)

After much consideration, Shino concluded that the best course of action was to retreat, but with a rearguard to ensure the knights could escape unharmed.

The rearguard would consist of the tank and infantry units, which only have conventional weapons. Of course, he did not plan to escape alone; he intended to stay and command until the end.

(Conventional weapons cannot penetrate the barriers of medium or large monsters, so they will remain unharmed. However, if we can reduce the number of small monsters, the damage can be minimized. We should request reinforcements from other divisions at this stage and have them prepare while we engage the enemy. The Sixth and Eighth Divisions, which were originally scheduled to support us, should not take too long. If the three divisions work together, we can win. It all depends on how much time I can buy...)

Shino is the kind of man who, if he can buy even a little time by making a spectacle of himself in front of the enemy, would be willing to enter the enemy ranks in his underwear and detonate dynamite hidden in his undergarments.

"Alright. I will issue an order to the entire army."

For the future of this country, die with me.

This is an order that would send his already despairing subordinates to hell.

He doesn't want to kill them. He doesn't want them to die. But they must accept it. I have accepted it.

Just as Shino was about to issue this order, something unexpected happened.

"It's time. 2099 Special Unit. Initiating the operation."

"Wha?"

Everyone in the command post, including Shino, who had resolved to die with his subordinates, involuntarily exclaimed.

All the intercepting units on the scene are under Shino's command. Therefore, even the artillery cannot fire without his permission.

While it would be understandable for them to fire in panic due to fear, their patience in waiting for orders demonstrates the endurance and excellence of the Second Division.

However, someone suddenly declared the start of the operation.

Even if it were someone other than Shino, they would have been taken aback.

The issue is who issued this order, which could be considered a violation of command...

"2099 Special Unit?"

"It's a code from the military academy. They shouldn't be accepting trainees yet..."

"...It must be the experimental machine."

"Ridiculous!"

"Students violating orders!"

"Driven mad by fear!"

Their feelings are understandable. Even the elite soldiers of the Second Division might lose control due to fear. It's not surprising that the students couldn't handle it. The people in the command post thought this, but they were mistaken.

"...No, he said, 'It's time.'"

"Ah!"

Keita, who belongs to the Special Unit, is nominally under Shino's command, but his actual superior is the commander of the Second Division. Therefore, firing without Shino's order is not a violation of command. Rather, not acting at the predetermined time would be a violation. Thus, Keita had to act, no matter how scared or desperate he was.

To stop him, Shino would have had to order Keita, "The situation has changed. Change the plan and wait for further orders."

In short, Keita acted because the predetermined time had come, while the command post personnel were still reeling from the unexpected event. He was simply following his military duties.

"What...?"

His lack of resolve led to the deaths of the children he should have protected. Furthermore, because he did not issue orders, the intercepting units, unable to fight or retreat, suffered damage from the enemy's counterattack.

(All this is due to my failure to issue orders!)

He was prepared to die. But that was on the condition that he could save his comrades. He did not intend to let them die in vain. But now, it's too late to say that.

"In this situation, there's no choice! We'll take down as many enemies as we can!"

The unit will suffer heavy losses. Those left behind will face difficulties due to his actions. But that doesn't matter.

"We are the elite Second Division, the defenders of the nation. We will not show our backs to the children we should protect and be seen as cowards!"

"Hai!"

As a soldier, no, as an adult, there are things that must be protected. If they must die, they should die protecting them.

Just as Shino was about to issue a new order, the command post personnel witnessed something that defied their understanding.

"All units, prepare for attack... '30M-class silenced!' ... What?"

"Special Lieutenant! The experimental machine's sniper attack silenced a large monster! Another sniper attack during evasive maneuvers! ... 20M-class, silenced!"

"What?"

"After the sniper attack, he jumped to avoid the counterattack, struck again during the evasion, and landed another hit while landing. He is continuing to attack while flying backward! 30M-class and 25M-class, silenced in succession!"

"What?"

"Another 25M-class, silenced!"

"...His sniping is incredibly fast."

"He's countering the counterattacks."

"Their counterattacks... are missing! He accelerated during the jump!"

"Why?"

"Probably using an anchor to pull himself!"

"Another sniper attack!"

"The enemy is in attack formation and cannot evade or defend. He is targeting this weakness."

"Even a large monster will die if it takes a 120mm gliding magic thermite armor-piercing shell to the head."

"I understand the logic, but it doesn't make sense."

"20M-class, silenced!"

(He's strong. Not just in terms of the firepower that can defeat a large monster in one hit, but also in his mental strength. ... He hasn't given up in this desperate battle. He is fighting to win!)

"30M-class and 20M-class, silenced in succession! Only two 10M-class large monsters remain!"

"Only 10M-class? Ah, I see. He was prioritizing the largest of the large monsters."

Of course, while they are all classified as large, the threat level of a 10M-class monster is vastly different from a 30M-class monster. The principle of "size equals strength" in nature also applies to monsters.

Therefore, a 30M-class monster has more muscle, thicker armor, a more intimidating presence, and more contained magic. The scale and power of its attacks are also different.

(Those who were afraid of the scale of the counterattacks from a 30M-class monster can now rest easy thanks to him!)

A 10M-class monster is manageable. While not entirely, at least the scale of its attacks is something the knights and artillerymen have experience with and know how to handle.

Moreover, it's hard to imagine that the person who easily defeated a 30M-class monster would struggle with a 10M-class monster.

As evidence...

"Two 10M-class monsters, silenced!"

(See?)

The report of the downed monsters was delivered almost casually, and Shino couldn't help but smile wryly.

"To defeat ten large monsters in less than ten minutes..."

"No casualties. The only consumption was ammunition and a scorched barrel, right?"

"What a machine!"

"No, it's not just the machine's performance!"

"That's right. It's the result of both the machine and the knight's skills!"

(I was impressed by his battle. I can't blame them. In fact, I might be the most enthusiastic. A commander shouldn't be so passionate, but this time, it's different!)

"Do you think we can win now? Am I the only one?"

"Colonel!"

The somber atmosphere that had enveloped the command post was now gone.

"The child, no, the Special Lieutenant, has eliminated the large monsters. He will now take care of the medium-sized ones. What are we doing? Just watching the lieutenant's performance?"

"Of course not!"

"It's impossible!"

"Let's go!"

"We have witnessed his strength! Now it's our turn to show the power of the elite Second Division!"

"Well said! I feel the same! The troops waiting on the front lines must feel the same! They must!"

"Indeed!"

"Transmit the order to the entire army! Hasten the attack preparations!"

"Understood!"

Shino and the Second Division, who had made a 180-degree turn in their resolve, chose a full-scale offensive instead of leaving a rearguard to retreat. This unexpected large-scale offensive by the monsters, which neither the human nor the monster races had anticipated, would now enter a new phase.