Chapter 38

Certainly. Here is the English translation:

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Of course, or rather, it's not surprising, but powered suits can also be equipped by mech pilots. They don't equip them because they would interfere with operating the mech, but they can be equipped normally. Using the mech is safer and more reliable for killing monsters, so powered suits specifically for pilots haven't been developed, but they can still be equipped.

Therefore, a skilled technician who can apply a bit of ingenuity can create a "powered exoskeleton for pilots," which is not impossible. In fact, some have already been made for specific individuals.

These individuals, who cannot operate mechs due to their insufficient compatibility with magic crystals, still want to fight monsters, so they wear custom-made powered suits.

The difference between mass-produced and custom-made suits is whether they use magic crystals.

It is said that the custom-made suits' users can utilize the characteristic of being able to "wrap their attacks in magic power if they have even a slight compatibility with magic crystals" to fight monsters.

For example, the first division's sword instructor, known as the "Sword Saint," and the second division's Shino Yuuhei have achieved the feat of slaying medium-sized monsters—though they are 5 meters tall—using these custom suits.

From these achievements, custom-made powered suits are not considered useless.

However.

"Indeed, it's a great feat. Wonderful. Even a grumpy guy like me can't help but praise it. But, to put it another way, even a master like the Sword Saint can only defeat 5-meter monsters."

"Yeah, that's true."

No matter how hard they try, humans can't defeat 30-meter monsters. It's a given.

That's why we have mech pilots. Even they find it difficult to take down 30-meter monsters. In fact, it's impossible for a single pilot to do so, except for Keita and the Miyakage model.

"So, most of the military wants you to focus on the mech. I do too."

"Sure. But there are those who don't think that way, right?"

"Yes. They are the corporate conglomerates and the politicians connected to them."

"Entrenched interests, I see. It's straightforward, isn't it?"

"Yeah. They don't think they'll die even if they hinder us. That's why they can do this."

"I see. Then what should we do?"

"There are two things. First, ruin their plans. This can be achieved by adopting the powered suits. And the second is..."

"The second is?"

"...to let the military personnel die."

"Die? You don't mean kill them, right... Ah, I see. If a large number of monsters come, you'll tell them, 'We can't go out because we are testing the powered suits,' right?"

"Exactly. It might be too much as a way to get back at them, but I think it won't work unless we do this much. ...What do you think?"

"Doesn't matter to me. The military isn't uninvolved in this matter. Besides, by leaving these people to do such things at this time, I even think they should suffer a bit."

If it were people like Ito or the students, I would think differently, but since it's not, it's fine. Major Shino and Lieutenant Sato are a bit pitiful, but they aren't the type to die easily, so they should be okay.

"I see."

Mistou seemed somewhat relieved. He might have been worried that I would oppose him because he understood that his actions were unscrupulous.

If I were a righteous protagonist, it might have been a problem, but I'm not.

"Let's get back to the topic. Have you reviewed the lessons from the last major offensive?"

"Of course."

After all, it was a strategy I participated in, even if it was just an experiment.

"Then it's easy to explain. As you know, monster attacks used to occur about every two to three days, but since the major offensive, no attacks have been confirmed. The General Staff estimates that instead of gradually deploying forces to maintain constant tension, the enemy has switched to a strategy of deploying all forces at once to inflict damage on us."

"Yes, that seems to be the case."

I think it's a much more sensible strategy than gradual deployment. Of course, I doubt they can swim across the continent, but it allows them to strike when we are fatigued, which isn't bad.

"According to the prediction, the next major offensive will occur in about half a month to a month."

"Is that so?"

"It's just a prediction, though."

"I see."

I didn't know that much. This is probably due to the difference in the networks between a mere student like me and Mistou.

But if that's the case...

"Then, the people who see us as a hindrance are trying to make us test the powered suits even though they know a large number of monsters will come?"

"Yes. Isn't that stupid?"

"Indeed."

It's nothing but stupid. They can do this because they won't die, but do they not understand how much they will be criticized on the front lines?

...They probably don't.

Their ears probably only hear the voices of their close associates, superiors, and those who bring them benefits, not the voices from the front lines.

The front lines will pay the price. In this world, the front lines are more brutal than in the world I know. The responsible parties will likely be hung out to dry, and in some cases, purged.

(Ah, no. Is that Mistou's plan? Yeah, it's not bad.)

If I were alone, I would normally take revenge on individuals or accidentally hit their homes, but that's about it.

Against organizations like conglomerates or military factions, I would be at a loss.

The military factions will hang out the other military factions.

The retaliation for what the conglomerates have done will also be carried out by the military factions.

I think it's not a bad strategy to maintain the position of being a victim.

Still, I should confirm.

"If a major offensive is expected, won't there be a request for us to deploy?"

Even with preparations, it's always better to have more forces capable of hunting large monsters.

"There has been an inquiry. But it's a formal order."

Mistou waved the document and continued.

"I'm not a soldier, but when I'm here, I'm in the position of a special operations team advisor."

"Hmm, special operations team, you say?"

It's just me and the people from Mistou Heavy Industries.

"It's a common setup for experimental teams."

"Ah, I see."

That's all I can say.

"The important thing isn't the title. Well, titles are important, but this time it's not about that. The important thing is that this is a formal mission given to the special operations team you will lead."

I see.

"Internal inquiries and formal missions. The latter takes precedence, of course."

"Exactly. Moreover, you are generally seen as belonging to the Second Division faction, but officially, you are a pre-deployment student and not actually part of the Second Division. The command authority lies with Ichigaya."

Ichigaya, meaning the Ministry of National Defense. Indeed, if there is command authority over pre-deployment students, it would be here.

"Thus, this mission is a formal one issued by the National Defense Policy Bureau's Operations Policy Division. However, the only detail decided is the deadline, which is until March next year."

"What?"

What do you mean, not decided?

"It means the method is up to you. After all, it's a performance test. You need to consider combat with monsters, so it's not feasible to force you to follow the content decided in a conference room. By the way, the deadline of March next year is simply the end of the fiscal year, not because of any specific operation."

"Ah, I see. Understood."

Combat with monsters can easily lead to death. It's problematic if the content is decided in a conference room without considering the front lines.

From an organizational perspective, normally, those who do not follow orders should be punished, but in this case, not following is the norm. Or rather, it's impossible to follow.

Even if they understand this, the military cannot let those who violate orders go unpunished.

Therefore, they decided to avoid giving detailed orders and instead say, "We won't micromanage, just give us results."

The deadline being the end of the fiscal year is probably to prevent us from stalling for time.

(No, it's just common sense. Perfectionists won't stop unless there are clear deadlines and budgets.)

"…Are you thinking something disrespectful?"

"No, not at all."

It's a fact, so there's no problem.

"…Alright. Anyway, since we have this free hand in everything except the deadline, we should use it."

"True. But with this content, won't we be forced to participate in the defense against the major offensive? What if we are told to prioritize the defense?"

Normally, they would say that, right?

"Of course, we've considered that."

"Can you tell me your plan?"

If it's too unreasonable, I'll refuse. If it's a secret, I'll refuse as well. I know what I'm talking about.

"Of course. …By the way, my family, or rather, the main family, is in the Tohoku region."

"Ah."

Given that it's the Mistou family, it doesn't seem unnatural to imagine it in Yamagata.

"And it's a fairly large family in the local area."

"Of course, it must be."

Otherwise, they wouldn't have the industrial capability to create a company that can participate in the military industry, even without being a conglomerate.

"As you know, Japan currently provides aid to various countries."

"Indeed."

The National Defense Army is actually on expedition in Vietnam and Thailand. I've heard of other aid efforts, though I don't know the specifics.

"Of course, conglomerate companies are involved, but local notables are also involved to some extent."

"Ah, I see."

So, by contributing in this way, Mistou Heavy Industries was able to participate in the military industry.

I understand that. And at this point, I can somewhat grasp what Mistou is trying to say.

"Here's the main point. You know about Far Eastern Russia, right?"

"…I see."

So, Mistou is using Far Eastern Russia in this matter.

That would give me a reason not to participate in the major offensive.

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Thank you for reading.