Chapter 78

This is my first post since the announcement of the new AC work.

Command System.

This system is now recognized as essential for operating the mixed-type units, which are now referred to as mass-production or prototype third units.

However, the actual designer and manufacturer, Mostou Heavy Industries, never intentionally incorporated this system into the mixed-type units, nor did they ever claim it was absolutely necessary.

It is simply that among the current operators, only Kawanami Keita can freely manipulate the units, and he has described how he operates them. Additionally, the operators of the Yawata-type units perform similar actions when firing, and for the majority of military personnel who have never operated a unit, the explanation of the operation method by existing operators, such as "connect your nerves" or "think of it as an extension of your limbs," is more difficult to understand than "press this button and it will move like this," which has been ingrained as common knowledge among the relevant parties. In reality, the mixed-type units are designed to be operable without the command system.

At least, that is what Mostou Heavy Industries claims.

However, nowadays, very few people believe this official stance.

Why is the official statement from the manufacturer doubted?

This is because Mostou Heavy Industries itself has not conducted sufficient testing of the mixed-type units, and there are no examples of mass-production units being successfully operated without the command system (with the exception of Lieutenant Kakiyazaki during the Second Major Offensive, but since he and his unit disappeared, there is no clear evidence that he operated without the command system).

Furthermore, among the operators currently undergoing familiarization training with the mass-production units, there are no individuals who can operate the units using traditional methods, which is one of the reasons the official statement from Mostou Heavy Industries is doubted.

Therefore, given that there is a successful example in Keita and that units which do not respond to traditional methods can, with the use of the command system, albeit awkwardly, perform actions such as firing and jumping, it is natural for the relevant parties to conclude that the command system is necessary to operate the mixed-type units.

In this context, it is now said that the essential quality required to operate the mixed-type units is "the mental fortitude to calmly recognize and press the necessary buttons even in life-threatening situations."

"Sure, for ordinary machines, that's how it is. What he says isn't wrong at all."

Takafumi, the president of Mostou Heavy Industries, as an engineer, has no objections to this opinion.

As Keita put it using the example of a car, pressing the accelerator makes it go forward, pressing the brake makes it stop, the gears determine the direction, and turning the steering wheel to the right makes it turn right. That's how a proper machine works.

He also does not deny that calmly performing these actions is important for operating a car.

"But, that's not all. A unit is more than that."

Using the car example again, a car is indeed operated with the accelerator, brake, and steering wheel. However, top drivers say that the key to handling a car well is the "hips." In the context of a unit, this might mean recognizing the unit as an extension of one's body.

"There are other important elements besides the accelerator and brake."

In fact, Keita, the only known success, unconsciously performs many actions, such as adjusting his posture during jumps and landing, which are crucial for smooth operation.

Takafumi considers this unconscious part to be the "hips" necessary for operating the unit.

"Keita can fully use the Mikage-type unit because he can use the 'hips.' But teaching that to others... is difficult."

After all, it's something a genius does unconsciously.

Asking Keita how he operates the unit is like asking a fish how it breathes underwater.

If a fish could recognize and answer the question, it would say, "Just breathe with the gills." Keita's "just press the buttons" is similar.

"Did I go too far?"

Takafumi, as an engineer, takes pride in meticulously designing the steering wheel, accelerator, brake, and gears.

However, he also has doubts: "Did the meticulous design make the 'hips' too important, so that operators who can't use the 'hips' properly can't operate the unit?"

This should have been confirmed during the performance tests of the first prototype, but the test pilot selected for the first prototype was exceptional.

"That guy broke all the rules."

Of course, Takafumi is happy that the "strongest unit" they created has proven effective against large and demonic creatures (though the mass-production units that actually fought the demons were made by other manufacturers), and he is grateful to Keita for making it happen.

He is grateful, but he also feels frustrated that a lot of the data collected from the first prototype has not been fed back into subsequent models because the process was rushed.

"But all that is in the past now."

Takafumi, with a somewhat evil smile, looks at the back of a girl who is about to enter the cockpit of the prototype third unit they have developed.

---

"Target doesn't need to be centered, just switch."

"Target doesn't need to be centered, just switch."

"Target doesn't need to be centered, just switch."

"Target doesn't need to be..."

It was a few days before winter break.

Today, as usual, the person performing shooting drills in the simulator, speaking in a manner reminiscent of a certain legendary boy, is not me, but Itoya-san, who is conducting familiarization training and performance tests for the prototype third unit.

The requirement that the target does not need to be centered is because the military's minimum requirement for the mass-production units is the ability to fire.

As the saying goes, "the best defense is a good offense," and it has been proven that firing a large number of shots can reduce the number of large monsters. Therefore, the military's judgment that the units should at least be able to attack is not wrong.

Of course, no one wants to die from a counterattack, so the ideal is to be able to move immediately after firing and fire again.

Itoya-san is aiming for this, but she understands that it cannot be achieved overnight, so she has no complaints about the shooting training she has been doing for the past few days... or so it seems.

Her eyes look dead, probably because the repetitive training is tough.

Indeed, it is mentally draining. I hope that's the case.

The reason for the ambiguous expression is that there is a literal example of someone who could operate the unit overnight.

That would be me.

However, I am a literal exception.

It should not be compared.

It is not a matter of talent but a matter of fact. In what world is there a child who retains the memories of a past life where they burned their soul in a game created by a certain company?

Moreover, not someone who was afflicted with a blood disease, fought the King of the Ashes, performed stealth kills, or faded, but someone who possesses the skills of a mountain cat or a crow, which would be difficult to find even in a past life.

Therefore, I am not an example. All I can do is give advice, act as a simulator partner, and listen to complaints.

As a battalion commander, I wonder if this is enough, but for now, it seems to be.

"The young ladies are still students, so it's fine if they can do it by the time they graduate."

"Is that all?"

"That's all. After all, there are many other people trying different methods. The military just needs one of them to work."

From the fact that the mixed-type units can already shoot properly, it is clear that they are not like a certain general-purpose humanoid combat unit with a 0.000000001% activation rate, where just turning it on is considered a miracle.

Furthermore, there is still at least two years to experiment, so there is time.

The purpose of our instructional battalion is not to train students to operate the mixed-type units while they are still in school, but to create a curriculum that can produce operators within 2-3 years of military school.

Therefore, if the current training continues and they can operate the units by graduation, that's fine. If not, it's just a matter of finding a different method.

"I see."

Thinking this way, I can understand Mr. Mostou's opinion that there is no need to feel anxious at this stage.

"To be honest, it's better for us if they keep working on it bit by bit, as it gives us more data."

"That would get you punched if you said it to them."

I understand the desire to collect initial data. For Mr. Mostou and the engineers, it's not a bad thing. But for the operators, it sounds like an insult.

Setting aside the delicate relationship between mechanics and operators.

"How are the others doing? Especially the... colonel and Mr. Taguchi, who are using the mass-production units, I imagine they are having a hard time."

"Yeah, those guys."

The reason we are organized as an instructional battalion on this scale is because the commander is a colonel, the deputy is a major, and there are plans for expansion next year. There are multiple divisions involved, and maintenance crews from multiple companies are present due to the units being handled.

Among these, the most problematic is the difference in the affiliations of the mechanics, which prevents us from fully grasping each other's information.

Of course, as main pilots, we, the classmates, exchange information as operators to some extent.

However, there is a "corporate secret" wall between the mass-production unit maintenance crew and Mr. Mostou's team, so technical information is not shared.

As a result, it seems that the colonel and Mr. Taguchi cannot even perform shooting drills properly.

The reason is that they cannot adequately move their lower bodies, which is necessary to counter the recoil and stabilize their posture after firing.

Therefore, if the upper and lower bodies do not work together properly, proper shooting is not possible.

The military's requirement for the ability to shoot is not arbitrary.

Incidentally, the reason Itoya-san can perform shooting, which the colonel cannot, is that she has completely given up on moving her lower body on her own.

Specifically, she focuses the connection on her upper body and uses the automatic functions for the fine adjustments and other tasks that operators usually perform.

If the military personnel knew this, they might say, "If you can do it, do it from the start!" or "Teach us how to do it!" but this is a rough trick possible only with the prototype third unit, which uses a lot of large materials and has stronger and more flexible joints. It cannot be done with the mass-production units, which are mainly made of medium materials, so it is not a useful reference.

Although the data used for the unit's control is based on the data I obtained with the mass-production unit, Mr. Mostou does not seem willing to share the information.

Hiding information among comrades is not a good thing, but I cannot ask them to provide it for free, especially when they have not been asked to do so. Moreover, they have their own pride, so I do not intend to interfere for now.

The colonel said, "Let's try our own methods until spring," and Mr. Taguchi agreed.

Therefore, we do not care about each other's progress, but it seems that the other engineers do.

"The guys are trying to get the first division to include them in the expedition."

"Huh?"

Participating in an expedition without being able to shoot? How is that possible?

"Does that mean only the colonel and Mr. Taguchi will go...?"

I am supposed to stay and defend the capital, right?

I wanted to think so, but reality is cruel.

"The others want to stay in the country, but it's unlikely. You're included too."

"Right."

Yeah, I knew. After all, we are in the same battalion. It would be a problem if they formed their own squad without permission.

"The northern units are hibernating, so this is one of the few opportunities to send you abroad. You are essential for the capital's defense, but they probably think it will be fine during the winter break."

"I see. So they want to use me as insurance when they need to take risks?"

"Exactly."

Insurance, meaning me. I get it.

"For them, it's a chance to connect with the upper echelons of the first division, and if things go well, they can defeat medium-sized monsters and grow or optimize. Moreover, they can see you in action. The first division will have you as a bodyguard. From the outside, it looks like a win-win situation."

"Yeah."

Even if I was sent to the front lines because I was reprimanded by a high-ranking official, the upper echelons of the first division are still important. I can understand why the engineers from the companies want to make connections.

It doesn't seem to benefit me or Mr. Mostou, though.

I feel like a clown... no, a panda.

"Can I refuse?"

"It would be difficult without a good reason."

"Right."

Considering the mission of the instructional battalion, practical training is effective.

Moreover, both the colonel and I belong to the first division.

If a formal order is issued, we cannot refuse.

The only hope is that the upper echelons of the first division, who dislike me for the reason I was reprimanded, might refuse my participation...

"By now, the groundwork should be done. They are probably submitting opinions to your homeroom teacher right now."

"Is that so?"

Did they prioritize having a bodyguard over my feelings?

I can't understand the thinking of the higher-ups.

The colonel hasn't said anything, probably because he is focused on the mass-production units and trying to understand their movements.

Yeah. I can imagine the colonel, who is probably being approached with this proposal right now, holding his head in his hands, but it's probably just my imagination. It must be.

"Target doesn't need to be centered, just switch..."

Which is better: participating in the expedition and fighting real monsters, or pressing switches here with dead eyes?

"Well, it will be what it will be."

Feeling that everything was getting too complicated, I stopped thinking and decided to leave the future to my future self.

Of course, I am not affiliated with the F〇M organization, nor was I asked to promote it. I am just a freelance author who posted because my body demanded it.

By the way... huh?

If a new work is coming out, won't the rights issues become even stricter, making it even less likely for a book deal to come through? The author wondered.

Thank you for reading.