Chapter 58

### Machine Warrior Battle

As the name suggests, it is a simulated battle conducted to test the skills of machine warriors, by machine warriors, and for machine warriors.

In military schools, there are two types: individual battles and team battles. Individual battles are held in an arena modeled after a 【Duel Arena】, where students compete in a tournament-style event, typically involving A-class warriors, who pilot the Kusanagi-type machines, in one-on-one duels. Team battles, on the other hand, are held in a training ground modeled after a 【Wide Battlefield】, where all students are divided into two teams and engage in a red-versus-white battle.

Both individual and team battles are conducted using actual machines rather than simulators, which provides a highly realistic experience. However, this also means that there are negative aspects, such as the risk of injuries and machine damage.

Despite these negative aspects, the reason these events are conducted using actual machines rather than simulators is not simply because there are not enough simulators, nor is it solely to entertain the audience. The primary reason is the school's intention to expose students, who will be sent to the battlefield after graduation, to the atmosphere of group combat.

Of course, it is true that there are not enough simulators, and the secondary effect of entertaining the audience is not entirely ignored. However, the main reason is to provide students with experience in group combat, the behavior of machines when damaged, and various emergency procedures.

The group battle, involving up to 300 machine warriors, has always been a major attraction. Unfortunately, it has been decided that it will not take place this year.

The reason for this is the current situation of the military.

To be more specific, the military is now in a situation where it must seriously consider the mobilization of students. In such a situation, it is not feasible to allow injuries or machine damage, even if it is for training purposes. Therefore, the team battle has been canceled.

However, the military is in need of artillery warriors and Kusanagi-type machine warriors who can also perform artillery functions, so the Kusanagi-type machine warriors will still participate in individual battles.

It is a rather sad treatment for the Kusanagi-type machines, which are supposed to be the star of the show, but considering that the expected opponents are large monsters, it is a reasonable decision.

(But the problem is me, right?)

Originally, I was supposed to perform a recreational event for the audience using a simulator, but for some reason, I am scheduled to participate using a mass-produced model.

Of course, I will be given an actual mass-produced model to use. There must be some reason for making me use a mass-produced model instead of the prototype I am used to.

(The reason could be to keep information secret, right?)

It's obvious that secret weapons are only meaningful if they remain secret. Therefore, there is no need to openly display them to civilians who are not familiar with military affairs, members of the coexistence faction who may be hiding anywhere, or even the ambassadors of allied countries who may also serve as spies.

If you think about it, it makes sense to keep the main force hidden.

"I believe you understand, but the primary purpose of having you use a mass-produced model is to keep information secret."

"Is that so?"

"Additionally, there is a desire to increase trust in the mass-produced model."

"Trust, you say?"

"Yes. To be more specific..."

According to my teacher, there are many people within the military who doubt the performance of the mass-produced model.

After all, while I managed to take down over ten large monsters with a prototype, the mass-produced models, even when ten were used, failed to take down 24 monsters.

Moreover, the engineers had confidently stated that one mass-produced model could handle three large monsters. The military's lack of trust is understandable given this performance.

Of course, the issue of the operator is a factor. In fact, there was someone who successfully took down two monsters alone. The engineers, when confronted by military officials, cited this person as an example and argued that better results could be achieved with higher skill levels.

"Given this situation, the military also wants to investigate whether the performance of the mass-produced model is really at the level claimed by the engineers."

"I see."

In other words, if I can achieve results using the mass-produced model, it will prove that the engineers' claims are correct, and the mass-produced model will be mass-produced more. Conversely, if I fail to achieve significant results, the engineers' claims will be seen as theoretical, and the mass-production of the mass-produced model will be halted, with the budget allocated to other equipment.

"From the field's perspective, the fact that we managed to take down large monsters, despite significant losses, is certain. Therefore, we are requesting as rapid mass-production as possible, or the development of weapons that can match the mass-produced model."

"That makes sense."

Thanks to the proven performance in actual combat, there is at least some trust. So, at the very least, if they mass-produce the mass-produced model, it would be fine.

Even if they are used as fixed artillery, having 30 mass-produced models would allow us to handle 50 or even 60 large monsters.

Of course, there might be a lack of operators, but it is likely that surviving Hachibou-type and Kusanagi-type machine warriors will be reassigned.

"From the field's perspective, that might be acceptable. But from the rear's perspective, it's not that simple."

"Rear? Ah, budget, right?"

"Exactly."

The Kusanagi-type costs about 20 billion per unit. The Hachibou-type is a bit cheaper but should still cost around 10 billion. The hybrid model, which combines both, could cost over 30 billion per unit even as a mass-produced model.

That's just the base price. Add to that the cost of armaments, ammunition, and the time and money spent training the machine warriors, and the total cost would be at least 40 billion.

(No, considering the rarity of machine warriors, it might be even more?)

In the previous battle, the mass-produced models managed to take down large monsters, but most of them were destroyed in the counterattack. Therefore, at this point, the mass-produced models are evaluated as disposable weapons.

I don't know how much the military values a single machine warrior, but there are few people who would say, "It's fine to use a 40-billion machine as a disposable weapon!" This is especially true for those responsible for supply and accounting, who would find it absolutely unacceptable.

However, the mass-produced models that were destroyed in the previous battle were "most" but not "all." Therefore, I believe that by extracting data from the surviving units and sharing it with others, the survival rate could be improved. Is that not the case?

My seemingly reasonable question was resolved by my teacher's explanation.

"From your perspective, that might seem logical."

"What do you mean by that?"

"The following is confidential. As a lieutenant, you are cleared to know, but it is not information that should be shared with students."

...I didn't want to hear it, but it was too late.

"According to Colonel Shizuno, the issue is being reported as a 'jamming problem,' but in reality, the surviving machine warriors refused to follow the final order for a simultaneous artillery attack."

"Refused?"

They disobeyed the order? No, that's not acceptable.

"They were probably afraid of the counterattack. After all, they had witnessed their comrades being destroyed by the monsters' counterattack before the artillery attack. It's understandable to be terrified by the thought of 'if we fire, we will be killed.' However, as someone who has not experienced a large-scale offensive, I should not be the one to judge."

"That's... true."

What do you think? If they can't operate properly, they will die in the counterattack. I understand the fear, but can an excuse like 'I didn't fire because I was afraid of the counterattack' be accepted while friendly forces are conducting a simultaneous artillery attack?

"Of course, it is a serious violation of military regulations. Punishment is inevitable. However, as I mentioned earlier, the field commander, Colonel Shizuno, has reported it as a 'jamming problem' and is not pursuing it."

"...From the field's perspective, that's the only option, right?"

If friendly forces were treated as deserters before the final battle, morale would plummet, and there might even be a deranged machine warrior who attacks the command center to cover up the evidence.

Considering these factors, it makes sense to frame it as a failure to fire rather than a refusal to fire.

In fact, it was the only option.

"Yes."

My teacher also had a bitter expression. As she mentioned earlier, she has been to the battlefield but not to a large-scale offensive. The same is probably true for most of the National Defense Force.

Therefore, she believes she does not have the right to criticize the machine warriors who did not fire. This is likely the opinion of most military personnel in the National Defense Force.

And Colonel Shizuno, who can criticize those machine warriors, has already made his decision.

So, despite being unhappy, he has no choice but to accept it. I understand that, even though I was not on the field, I do not have the right to criticize.

However, I think the issue of those machine warriors and my question about improving the survival rate are separate.

"The growth and optimization of the machines are not uniform. They change based on the actions and experiences of the machine warriors. I believe you understand this the most, don't you?"

"..."

"The machine warriors in question were originally unable to operate the mass-produced models satisfactorily and were used as fixed artillery. What kind of growth do you think their actions, which were driven by fear at the last moment, would have caused?"

Would the armor become thicker to withstand attacks? Or would the firepower increase to take down enemies before they could counterattack? If the latter, the military should be satisfied with the results, regardless of the circumstances.

Since they are not satisfied and the mass-production of the mass-produced model is in question, it must be...

"It doesn't seem to be a good outcome."

"Yes. The details are unclear, but apparently, the firepower decreased, and the machines became smaller. Of course, the defense and operability remained the same."

"Excuse me?"

Decreased firepower and smaller machines? Unchanged operability despite being smaller? Is that even possible? Well, if my teacher says so, it must be true, but why?

"Apparently, they continued firing until the final artillery attack, so they accumulated some experience. This experience manifested in the worst possible form."

"So, it's not growth but... optimization, right?"

"According to the engineers, that's the case."

Their machines chose not to focus on taking down enemies but on avoiding being targeted. Therefore, they reduced their firepower and became smaller to be less threatening to large monsters.

I see. That is indeed a form of optimization or evolution. However...

"It would be good research material for the engineers. It will provide valuable data for future growth and optimization trends. But what the military needs now is immediate combat capability, not research subjects."

"That's true."

Originally designed to take down large monsters, the mass-produced models are now useless without their essential firepower. Therefore, the data from the surviving units will not contribute to improving survival rates.

"To summarize, there is currently no better immediate combat option than the mass-produced model. It is faster to mass-produce the mass-produced model than to develop and produce new equipment."

"Yes."

"Just 'for now.'"

"Of course, new equipment will be developed, but not immediately. Given these circumstances, the Integrated Headquarters wants to mass-produce the mass-produced model for now."

"Understood."

"Just 'for now.'"

"However, there are concerns about the performance of the mass-produced model, especially from the machine warriors who will be using it. Their evaluation is the worst."

"Of course."

The current fatality rate when fighting seriously is 100%. It's no different from being an artillery warrior. In fact, it might be worse because the target is larger.

"Therefore, you. We want you to prove that the mass-produced model is not a machine that uses up machine warriors. We want you to show that if you can handle the mass-produced model, it can be a capable machine. Specifically, after the individual battles, you will participate in an exhibition match and defeat all other A-class students. By the way, the other students will be using Kusanagi-type machines."

"...Isn't that an overestimation?"

A 1-on-9 battle? That's too much, isn't it?

"Is it? The location is the first training ground, a 5-kilometer radius area modeled after a 【Wide Battlefield]. It should be fine, right?"

I see, that's how it is.

"If that's the case, I think... probably. If the other students haven't customized their machines for long-range sniping, I think I can do it."

"Then there's no problem. Don't hold back; crush them. By the way, this is not a request but an order."

If I crush them, I think it will cause problems in school life after the cultural festival, but...

"Is there a problem?"

"No, no problem. I understand the combat methods for the machine warrior battle."

(Well, if it's an order, I have no choice but to follow it. Besides, I have to protect my sister.)

"Then, that's good. You are dismissed."

"Yes, sir."

I feel bad for my classmates who will be sacrificed, but we are soldiers, after all.

So, if they are angry, they should blame my teacher, not me.

Thank you for reading.