Chapter 84

"President Masa's reputation is well-known to me."

"Haha. A cheeky newcomer, perhaps? Or an insolent bankrupt, maybe?"

"Haha. You're joking."

The man who was exchanging words with Takafumi in a seemingly cheerful manner, Katsunari Ayase, is the regimental commander of one of the three armored regiments in the Fourth Division and the father of Mari Ayase, who is Takafumi's classmate and a subordinate in the Training Battalion.

The Second Armored Regiment led by Katsunari is a unit primarily composed of conventional weapons such as tanks and their accompanying infantry, and in this expedition, they are mainly responsible for base defense.

Given their experience in base defense, they are currently stationed in this port city, Hue, as guests from the homeland are arriving.

Therefore, there is no problem with Katsunari, the regimental commander and a colonel, welcoming Takafumi, who landed in Hue before the Training Battalion and the First Division.

(There is no problem, but there is a sense of discomfort. In fact, it's nothing but discomfort.)

Given the nature of Takafumi's mission, it is true that he needs to be greeted and guided by someone familiar with the area. However, there is no need for Katsunari, a colonel and regimental commander, to welcome Takafumi, who is just a pretend captain and a pretend unit leader, a student.

In fact, under normal circumstances, Takafumi should be the one to go and greet Katsunari.

(But he came from the other side? Even though it's not an emergency? No matter what, it's strange. Of course, if it's said that he came to show consideration for the people from Masa Heavy Industries, one of the manufacturers of the new type of机体 and sponsors, then that would be understandable...)

Indeed, while Masa and his team are excessively eccentric, they are also a group that the military needs to consider.

The recent achievements and the value of the unique technologies they possess far outweigh those of a regimental commander in the expeditionary force. Despite their eccentricity.

So if Katsunari appeared here to get to know Masa, Takafumi would have understood. However, the first person Katsunari greeted was not Masa but Takafumi.

(That's impossible.)

If there are two people, the president of a client company and a test pilot who came with him, which one should be greeted first?

Under normal circumstances, the president of the client company should be greeted first. Not doing so would cause problems.

Yet, Katsunari greeted Takafumi.

It's a simple matter, but Takafumi is not one to not feel a sense of discomfort.

(A mistake? Impossible. Evaluating the daughter's classmate? No, that's not it. A high-ranking officer, a colonel and a regimental commander, would not make such a mistake, nor would he prioritize personal feelings in front of guests.)

If it's not a mistake, then it's intentional. And there is only one reason for Katsunari to prioritize Takafumi over the sponsor.

"It seems, Colonel, that you have something you want me to do. And it's urgent."

"Hmm. Is that so?"

"…Well, I can't say it's not possible."

It's not a metaphor for the depths, but when you try to use someone, they also try to use you.

Observation is also part of that.

Just as Takafumi was trying to gauge Katsunari's intentions, Katsunari was also gauging Takafumi while making small talk with Masa.

Of course, while Takafumi was trying to gauge Katsunari's intentions, Katsunari was gauging Takafumi's character.

(It's helpful that he's quick to talk. But this time, it's too early. Too early.)

It's true that there is something he wants done urgently, but it's also true that it's awkward to ask for a favor before getting to know someone's character.

For Katsunari, he is a colonel and the other is a captain. However, Takafumi is not a direct subordinate, and the division he belongs to is different, making the command structure unclear. Moreover, the president of Masa Heavy Industries, who is in a different position from the military command structure, is also present.

In this situation, it is not possible to forcibly incorporate Takafumi into the command structure.

Furthermore, if he were to ask for a favor without clarifying the command structure, the Fourth Division would owe a favor to other divisions.

Moreover, it would mean leaking information to a civilian, even if they are a sponsor.

Given these circumstances, it is not desirable for Katsunari to ask Takafumi for a favor at this point, regardless of what it is.

(Not desirable, but...)

As the saying goes, "When there's no other choice," the current situation is such that if the timing is missed, everything will be ruined.

(I wanted to confirm his character, but now that my intentions have been seen through, he won't open up unless I reveal the details.)

Katsunari's plan to move Takafumi and the others to his advantage was thwarted from the start due to the eccentricity of a man who maintains a state of near-paranoia.

---

"This place is fine."

After a while, the colonel, who had said, "We shouldn't talk here. Please follow me," led me and Mr. Masa to the base command center of the National Defense Force's base in Hue.

From the fact that he can use this place freely, it seems that Colonel Ayase is also the base commander in addition to being a regimental commander.

I think it's a good thing to have a connection with a high-ranking officer, so I have no complaints about that.

However, that's only if he doesn't have any ulterior motives to use me.

"Captain, as you suspected, there is something I want you to do. Ah, of course, if President Masa finds it too difficult, I have no intention of forcing you."

If it was just me, he would have forced me to do it even if I said it was too difficult. I understand that.

"Of course, no matter how much you force me, I can't do what is physically impossible. Depending on the content of your request, I would appreciate it if you could take that into consideration."

"…Yes, of course."

While Mr. Masa, sitting on the sofa, naturally responded and drove the point home, the colonel, who was sitting at the desk with his elbows on it and his hands folded in front of his mouth, the typical commander's pose.

Me? I'm standing at attention. Is there something wrong?

Isn't Mr. Masa's attitude a bit too big for a base commander? I can't help but think that, but from Mr. Masa's position, it's not wrong.

Incidentally, the military, as an organization, often tells subordinates and engineers to do things that are physically impossible. Therefore, if it's possible to drive the point home, it's better to do so.

Moreover, if Mr. Masa were to show restraint here, there is a possibility that the colonel, who might get carried away, would issue a forced order. So I'm thinking of not touching his attitude.

"So, what is it that the colonel wants from us?"

I emphasize that it is a "request" rather than an "order" to prevent being asked to do something too unreasonable.

It might be an unacceptable act if I were a direct subordinate, but I am not his subordinate. Therefore, I think this kind of trick is acceptable. If it comes to it, I can use Mr. Masa as a shield and run away, so there shouldn't be any problem.

"…Right. Let's get to the point. First, I want you to see this."

What he showed us was an image of a creature, or rather a mythical animal, with the lower body of a lion and the wings and upper body of an eagle.

"A griffin?"

"Yes."

A griffin, known as a griffin, gryph, or lion-eagle in different countries.

In my case, due to my memories from my previous life, I can't help but think of a city that is easily suppressed by armed organizations every time it is liberated, but generally, it is recognized as a divine beast that pulls the chariots of the gods in Greek mythology.

In terms of characteristics, it is known for governing knowledge and gold, and for some reason, it can mate with mares, resulting in the birth of a hippogriff, a creature with the upper body of an eagle and the lower body of a horse, which makes you wonder where the lion part went.

Of course, it is a creature from mythology and does not exist in reality.

It is just a creature with such a setting.

I have no intention of complaining about a setting created by ancient people, but unfortunately, this world is not a kind place where things are resolved with "it's just a setting."

"Does it exist here?"

"Yes. It was originally confirmed to exist in Central Asia, but it has been appearing here for about half a year."

"Size and number?"

"Height is about 6 to 7 meters. Wingspan is around 10 meters when spread."

(That's not really that big…)

"I see. In terms of classification, it's large, no, medium?"

"Hmm? Isn't it barely large just by size?"

"If that's the case, it doesn't explain why they are still surviving."

"Ah, that's true."

The factor in classifying a creature of a subtle size between large and medium is whether the energy it can store due to its size can be converted into an attack. (Incidentally, the distinction between medium and small is whether it has magic power in its body)

Specifically, a 10-meter-class creature can launch an attack powerful enough to vaporize an area upon impact, but a 9.90-meter medium creature cannot.

What is special about 10 meters is still unknown, but that is a job for experts, not me.

Let's get back to the main topic.

"How many are there?"

"The details are unknown, but at least 10 have been confirmed."

More than 10, huh. The exact number is unknown.

Well, that's fine. In short, this is the colonel's request.

"Colonel, you want me to take care of these griffins?"

"Yes. I've heard that the machine you handle is a long-range sniper type. If possible, I want you to deal with them."

Hmm. It seems possible, but…

"I can't say for sure without seeing the real thing, but before that, can I ask you one thing?"

"What is it?"

"Was it impossible for the Fourth Division to handle them?"

To me, it seems like, "I understand that it's difficult to defeat enemies in the sky, but is it really necessary to ask for help to the point of owing a favor to another division?"

"Yes. As you know, conventional weapons don't work on these creatures."

"That's true."

Since they are medium-sized, attacks without magic power don't work.

"Moreover, the 40mm machine gun on the Kusanagi-type is not powerful enough. Even if it hits, it doesn't cause much damage, and if they gain altitude, we can't do anything."

"I see."

They also have a decent amount of durability.

Well, it's just a machine gun, after all. It's as expected.

"What about the Yuiti-type, which has a powerful single shot?"

"Indeed, the Yuiti-type's artillery could have taken them down."

Could have taken them down?

"Is it different now?"

"Yes. To hit them, we need to set up a barrage, but they can see us clearly from their position. They don't enter our range, and now we are taking damage from their attacks from above."

"I see."

Even if the tropical rainforest hides their appearance, if they are surrounded by small or medium creatures, they will die. They need to gather in groups to protect themselves from ground creatures.

But if they gather to protect themselves from ground creatures, the effect of concealment diminishes.

If they run away, it's one thing, but if they are attacked from above while gathered…

Well, they will die.

"Because of this situation, we are currently using the Yashima-type to move and fire artillery to drive away the griffins…"

"Indeed, the Yashima-type, which is specialized in artillery, can avoid counterattacks before they happen and can also operate individually, making it possible to hide in the tropical rainforest and attack. It's perfect for driving away pests."

"Yes, as President Masa said, we can drive them away. However, the Yashima-type is a machine designed for artillery, not for sniping."

"Driving them away doesn't reduce their numbers."

"Exactly."

In other words, the Fourth Division is constantly under threat from above.

Yeah, the stress must be immense.

From what I've heard, it doesn't seem suspicious.

In fact, it seems to be a very precarious situation.

If I don't accept the request, there's a possibility that I could be killed by a stressed-out soldier.

So, personally, I want to accept this request, but I can't make that decision alone.

"What do you think, Mr. Masa?"

I don't know what the others think, but all my achievements are due to the machines and exoskeletons made by Mr. Masa. Moreover, to use the machines, I need Mr. Masa's permission, who is responsible for maintenance. However, Mr. Masa is not a military officer but a company president.

In other words, he has no reason to do something that is not beneficial to his company.

(If he says no… I'll wait for the boss. But in that case, the purpose of coming here first would be lost, but there's no choice.)

If Mr. Masa makes a calm judgment, I'll wait for the boss.

There was a time when I thought that way.

"Nothing of the sort! Kill them! Hunt them down one-sidedly and show the performance of the Kurogane-type I made! Bring me the materials of the griffin-type as well!"

"Y-Yes."

"…What?"

Yeah, that's right.

Calm? What's that, is it delicious? A man who embodies that phrase wouldn't back down here.

Moreover, this is an opportunity for him to sell the machines he made. Of course, his switch is on.

"Colonel, can you guide us to where the griffins appear?"

"Ah, yes. I understand. But…"

Is this okay?

This is fine.

"Before doing anything, we need to see the real thing, don't we?"

"…Yes, that's true."

So, as I felt relieved that my request was accepted, I also felt that Colonel Ayase might have thought, "It's not that easy. Engineers should not be disrespectful on the battlefield," in response to Mr. Masa's dismissive comments about the enemy.

And so, I set out for the area where griffin sightings have been frequent, accompanied by Colonel Ayase, who seemed to have such thoughts.

He's like the nemesis of a certain character.

Thank you for reading.