Chapter 44

Kaita slightly overdid it.

Basically, Kaita Kawakami, as a person, has little interest in anyone other than his sister, Yuna.

Recently, he has been having somewhat decent conversations with classmates like Shoko Igetani, but their importance to him doesn't even come close to Yuna's.

To give an extreme example, if Shoko Igetani were on the verge of death and Yuna were about to fall, Kaita would choose to help Yuna without hesitation.

However, such a stark difference only exists when Yuna is involved. If someone—someone who isn't a threat to him—were about to die in front of him, he would have the conscience to help, provided he is safe—of course.

Part of this is because he doesn't want to feel guilty later, but the main reason is that he wants to be a brother his sister can be proud of.

If he were to be asked whether he could boast to Yuna about abandoning someone—someone who wouldn't cause him any harm—on the verge of death, his conscience and soul would say no.

Therefore, if he has the means and the person in front of him isn't a threat, he has enough common sense and decency to lend a hand.

Of course, he also has the ulterior motive of expecting a favor in return, but that's a natural thing and shouldn't be criticized.

"Ah"

Thus, it might have been inevitable that Kaita was the first to notice it.

Of course, this is because Kaita was hoping that the people on the other side would send it and was paying close attention when it came.

Additionally, the powered suit he was wearing for emergencies was the latest model, and its reception capabilities had improved more than those of the others due to his battles and growth. However, even with all these reasons, if Kaita hadn't been paying attention, he would have overlooked it.

"What's wrong?"

"It's a signal. It was short and only repeated twice, but this is..."

"This is?"

"Probably a distress signal. I'll send the data of the received signal, so please analyze it on the trailer side."

"Got it. Understood. ...Hey. Analyze it quickly!"

"Yes!"

If the signal Kaita received was a distress signal, it would provide a justifiable reason for intervention: "A distress signal was sent from a city under attack by monsters, so we intervened." This would resolve most of the issues they had been discussing. In fact, not intervening would be a problem.

The issue here, however, is not Kaita's feelings but those of the person they are guarding, Takafumi.

As previously mentioned, Kaita has the conscience and decency to help someone who isn't a threat to him. However, if Takafumi decided to avoid the fight, Kaita, who is only provided with a machine and a powered suit, would have no way to argue.

(Well, if it is a distress signal, how should we proceed...)

Fortunately, or perhaps not, Takafumi's feelings were similar to Kaita's.

Takafumi is a parent, and while he prioritizes his hobbies and the company's interests, no father wants to show his children a shameful back.

Could he report to his wife and daughter in Japan that he failed in business because he abandoned a city under attack? Impossible. As a CEO, husband, and father, he would refuse.

Moreover, the morale of his employees cannot be ignored.

A person with a general sense of values would have reservations about abandoning people fighting monsters. Takafumi is proud of the kind of people he has gathered.

He is not enlightened enough to declare, "It's none of our business. We'll abandon that place," in front of them.

Additionally, there is a simpler reason.

The monsters attacking the city might not limit their attacks to the city.

They are about 10 kilometers away, but considering the senses and territorial instincts of wild animals, 10 kilometers is not a safe distance.

Moreover, if we are aware, the monsters are likely aware as well.

Therefore, the monsters attacking the city might recognize us as new prey and attack us.

If we are going to fight anyway, it would be better to coordinate with the forces already fighting in the city. This is a tactically sound strategy.

"President!"

"How is it!?"

"It's here! No doubt about it! It's an official distress signal from the city hall!"

"Good!"

Even if the signal Kaita received was a distress signal, it could have been problematic if it was sent by a civilian or a single soldier. However, since it was sent by the city hall, which means the mayor or someone related to the mayor, it's not a problem.

"Kaita!"

"Yes."

"I'll explain the plan. First, we will join forces with the other combatants, so I want you to head to the city first."

"Huh?"

(While we move to join forces with other military units, I'm supposed to go to the city alone? Am I supposed to shout at a horde of over 1,000 monsters? Are you telling me to die? What authority do you have?)

Kaita has the common sense and decency to help someone who is about to die, but only if his safety is guaranteed.

He certainly doesn't have the righteousness to "risk his life to protect the citizens!" Moreover, if the people to be rescued are not his own citizens but those of another country, how would he feel?

"I refuse."

Naturally, Kaita's answer is no. It would be a loss to sever ties with Takafumi, but his life is more important. Besides, Takafumi is a sponsor, not a superior. He is a civilian.

Kaita is not the type to obediently nod at a civilian's command to "die."

Rather, he is the type who would try to enlighten a civilian who thinks he would follow such a ridiculous order.

"Unfortunately, it seems we will part ways here."

When he returns, he might be questioned, but he can say he was attacked by monsters while entering the city.

After all, there are over a thousand monsters here, and the people from Far Eastern Russia can vouch for the number. There won't be a lack of evidence.

While there are some concerns about future maintenance... well, there are plenty of forces in the country that see the obstruction of the highest heavy industry as a problem. The Second Division would also want to take him in without opposing the zaibatsu-affiliated companies.

(In other words, even if I dispose of them here, I can still survive.)

"Ah! Wait! Don't misunderstand! There is a good reason! I'll explain it now!"

"...I'll listen."

(I want to hear a good reason that I can accept.)

---

"Really. You're too reckless."

"It's a battlefield, after all."

Of course, it's natural to be reckless.

"Yeah, that's true."

Does he understand that I had clear intentions to kill? Mr. Takafumi is trying to explain his intentions behind the order, but if he had done so from the beginning, it would have been better.

If he had said, "Lives are at stake, so move without hesitation!" I would have shot him without hesitation.

"First, you and we haven't done any joint training."

"That's true."

I focused on the growth of my machine and powered suit, so I needed to monopolize the prey. Moreover, the difference in firepower and performance made joint training impossible.

"Even if you don't know this yet, joint operations can become surprisingly fragile with just one foreign element."

"...Is that so?"

Indeed. It's a military common sense, so I understand the logic, but I don't have a real feel for it.

"Especially, the powered suit you are wearing is a new model, and you've already defeated two medium and over thirty small monsters, right?"

"Yes."

"Thus, the capabilities of the powered suit you are wearing, combined with your own magic crystal, are outstanding in this caravan. At least, if you were to fight a small monster one-on-one, you wouldn't lose, right?"

"Maybe."

Isn't that normal? But apparently, ordinary powered suits aren't that strong. They can't even create a magic barrier. So, the difference in whether they can handle magic crystals or not is quite significant in terms of combat power.

"That's why, if we move together with you and our people, with the performance gap and lack of joint training, we would only hinder each other."

"So, that's why I should go ahead, right?"

"Yes."

"Hmm."

I understand his reasoning. But my danger hasn't decreased at all, has it?

"I'm not saying you should fight a thousand monsters at once. Focus on isolated ones, one or two at a time. Even ten at once might be manageable."

"That's a bit of a gray area."

I can probably handle one or two, but ten? It might be possible, or it might not.

But I get what you're saying. It's like 100 against 1, 100 will win, but 1 against 1, 100 times, it's not guaranteed.

In reality, even though there are over a thousand monsters, they aren't organized into a squad or gathered in one place. Mr. Takafumi probably thinks I should target the scattered ones in the city.

I understand that. But, do you realize that, despite your reasons and confidence in my powered suit, you're still sending me into a dangerous situation?

(Well, it's fine this time.)

If there are reasonable reasons and a chance of success, that's fine.

However, I have no intention of dying for Mr. Takafumi's business.

"If it gets too dangerous, I'll run away, okay?"

I'll run away even if you say no.

"Of course. In the worst case, you can abandon the powered suit and use the Mikage-type."

Then, I won't die, right?

"...Hmm."

Yeah. If I have that much permission, I'll accept this for now.

We shouldn't waste time talking and miss the chance to save people.

"Alright, let's move. The signal to end the operation will be given separately. If an unexpected situation arises, use the Mikage-type or escape from the city as I said before."

"...Understood."

The enemy is mostly small monsters. I can choose the targets and timing for my attacks.

In other words, I can launch surprise attacks on whomever I want.

Alright. Let's get to work.

"I'll earn my keep without dying."

---

"He's gone. ...Man, that was scary. Did you see that? He was really trying to kill me."

"Of course. We would have the same reaction if someone suddenly said something like that to us."

"...Really?"

"Really. Even we, who have a relationship with the president, would feel that way. A kid we've known for less than a year would feel even more so."

"...I see."

"Yes. So, President, while it's understandable to be brief, please give such dangerous orders only after building a solid trust relationship. Otherwise, you might really get killed. By us."

"By you guys!?"

"Yeah. We don't want to die as collateral damage."

"Honest guys. Alright. How about the preparations?"

"They're complete."

"Good. Then let's go. We can't just let a kid fight alone."

"Understood!"

Before a battle, don't give ridiculous orders to excited soldiers.

Even commanders can be shot from behind.

Thank you for reading.

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