Chapter 24

The time goes back a bit.

"Li, Lieutenant..."

"Yes. This is impossible."

While the staff centered around Shizuno were holding their heads, the expression of the knights who witnessed the unexpected landing of monsters at a closer position was even more distorted by fear.

Naturally so. Unlike Shizuno, who, as a commander, did not directly come into contact with the monsters, they, who had directly engaged in combat with the monsters, knew better than anyone the fear they instilled.

According to the common knowledge of the knights, medium-sized monsters were considered weaker compared to large ones, and the combat ratio set by the general staff was 10 medium-sized monsters (6M class) for 1 large monster (20M class).

However, if you asked a knight who had experienced actual combat which was more terrifying, a single large monster or 10 medium-sized monsters, they would unhesitatingly answer that the latter was more terrifying.

In battle, numbers matter. Numbers are power. Indeed, a wise saying.

Incidentally, the original kill-to-loss ratio for standard-type and medium-sized monsters was 1:2, and for beast-type and medium-sized monsters, it was 2:1.

If you interpret this positively, a standard-type can defeat 2 medium-sized monsters with one unit, and a beast-type can defeat 1 medium-sized monster with 2 units. Conversely, 2 medium-sized monsters can defeat 1 standard-type unit, and 1 medium-sized monster can defeat 2 beast-type units.

Turning to the current situation, there are 133 medium-sized monsters, while the intercepting force has 20 standard-type units and 40 beast-type units.

By the numbers alone, the intercepting force can defeat 40 medium-sized monsters with the standard-type units and 20 with the beast-type units, totaling 60.

This is not even enough to match the originally confirmed 62 monsters, but it was thought that with a few aces and support fire from nearly 100 artillerymen, they could barely manage even with the large monsters included.

Until they saw the actual number of monsters that landed.

"Besides the 10 large monsters, there are over 100 medium-sized monsters. There's no way we can handle this."

Without even needing to cite Lanchester's Square Law, the initial disparity in forces directly affects the survival rate.

In other words, if 62 monsters and 60 units engage in battle, it will be a close and damaging fight for both sides. However, if 133 monsters and 60 units engage, the 60 units will be overwhelmingly crushed.

This would be even more so with the presence of large monsters.

Of course, it is possible to inflict a certain level of damage on the enemy through tactics, individual skill, and coordination. It is possible, but the intercepting force will inevitably suffer significant damage.

In that case, this battle will render future defense impossible.

(Considering this... retreat, right? And leave the regular tank units as the rear guard. In that case, Colonel Shizuno will also stay behind.)

Lieutenant Colonel Sato Taimei, the commander of the knight unit, traced Colonel Shizuno's thoughts and came to this conclusion.

If they cannot win due to numerical inferiority or will suffer significant damage, they should retreat, regroup, and then re-engage. It is possible with the help of other divisions, even if the Second Division alone cannot manage it. Therefore, Shizuno and the others will choose to ensure that the knights and their units, who will form the core of the counterattack, retreat from the battlefield, even if it means their own annihilation.

(I won't let that resolve go to waste!)

'No matter what, I will ensure your escape.'

Because he understands Shizuno's resolve, Sato intends to arrange for a quick retreat from the battlefield. However, he cannot prepare for the retreat before receiving orders from the command center.

If he can save as many subordinates as possible by facing a court-martial himself, he is prepared to accept the dishonor of a retreat in the face of the enemy. However, timing is everything.

In this case, if the knights retreat too quickly, the rear guard units left behind might go berserk, leading to their annihilation as well.

Therefore, Sato is gauging the timing.

The timing for the rear guard units to make the resolve to sacrifice their lives.

The timing for the knights to make the resolve to abandon their comrades who are sacrificing their lives to let them escape.

(Not yet. Not yet.)

'Attention, all personnel, this is a message from the command center.'

(It's here!)

Sato, who must wait for orders even in the extreme situation where every second counts, remains calm.

Amid the surrounding anxiety, the command center's order was heard.

However, the content was significantly different from what Sato had expected.

'All units, prepare for attack. Tank units and artillerymen, fire on the signal. Knight units, prepare shields to protect the artillerymen.'

"Huh?"

(Attack with all units? Knights protecting the artillerymen? Not a retreat?)

It makes sense that the artillerymen would provide covering fire for a retreat and that minimizing their casualties is important. But wouldn't this leave the knights with no chance to escape?

"Lieutenant!"

"What is it!"

Sato, who was confused, was brought back to his senses by Captain Seita, the deputy commander.

"Look over there!"

"Over there? ...What!"

Pointing in the direction Seita indicated, Sato saw a four-legged unit firing a tank-like cannon at a cluster of monsters.

'Gwoh!'

The shell flew straight toward the monsters and penetrated the head of a large one. Whether it's a large monster or not, a headshot means death. So that large monster must have died.

"One shot? No, no! That's not it! Whose unit is that!"

Sato was surprised by the single shot that took down a large monster but immediately realized that this was a violation of orders and questioned the unit's affiliation.

If the knight in that unit had fired because the commander was dazed despite receiving orders, it would be understandable. Sato has the capacity to accept that. However, the command center's order was to fire on the signal. As a member of the military, a soldier should not make independent judgments and attack without orders.

Therefore, Sato released his anger, but it was washed away by the words flowing from the command center.

'Look, everyone! While we were intimidated by the number of monsters, a student took the lead!'

"Huh?"

(Students? What is he talking about?)

"Sir, could that unit be the new model that was brought in for testing?"

"New model? The one that took down four large monsters with a single unit?"

"Probably. According to rumors, it's a unit that only the students who just entered the military academy this year can operate. It's a strange unit with a beast-type lower body and a standard-type upper body..."

"No, that's not it."

Indeed, the lower body is four-legged, but it lacks the fleshy and flexible appearance of a beast-type. Instead, it has a mechanical and spider-like quality. The ordinary upper body mounted on it adds to the eerie appearance.

"What is that thing?"

'Gaaaah!'

While Sato and Seita were talking, the indescribable unit was hopping around, repeatedly sniping and taking down large monsters.

'Ggyah!'

'Do you think we can let children fight and turn our backs on the enemy? I can't do it!'

One shot, one kill. Occasionally, it fires two shots, but it still takes down large monsters smoothly. The bizarre unit.

"Lieutenant!"

"A, ah!"

Regardless of its appearance, it is undoubtedly on their side. Moreover, if the rumors are true, the knight operating it is a student at the military academy, a child.

Realizing this, Sato understood Shizuno's feelings.

Strategic retreat?

Retreat for the future?

Abandon children fighting in front of them and retreat?

Can they proudly say, "I am a soldier"?

Do they have no pride as knights?

"Indeed. Indeed, that's right!"

Given Shizuno's stance, the actions of the child operating the new unit were likely unexpected. At the same time, it is clear that the child did not violate orders out of fear but acted with confidence.

That is the confidence that only a few aces possess: "I won't die here."

'Kyao!'

One shot, and it's dead. Even if they try to counterattack, it's already gone by the next moment.

The way it hops around and one-sidedly kills monsters is like a grim reaper harvesting lives.

"All units, prepare for battle! Don't let a single student fight alone! Show the strength of veterans!"

"Roger!"

'Gato!'

"However, don't act on your own! Wait for orders!"

"Roger!"

Intervening recklessly would disrupt its rhythm. That's why Sato decided to wait for the attack order from the command center.

(Wait. Wait!)

'Buwa!'

(Not yet, not yet!)

While watching the new unit take down large monsters, Sato's posture was not one of anxiety but of restrained heat, as if he was about to rush into battle.