Chapter 89

―― Mainline Chinese Federation Military Unit ――

Name: Divine Spear

Height: 4 meters

Weight: 10 tons

Armament:

- Super Steel Great Spear

- Super Steel Shield

- 24mm Machine Gun

This unit was created by disassembling and analyzing the Japanese Kunitsuburi-type (Kusanagi-type predecessor)机体 that was captured during a previous war.

The name "Divine Spear" is derived from the fact that its primary armament is a spear over 4 meters long, referencing the renowned spear wielder Li Shuwen, known as the "Six Directions Great Spear."

Although it is smaller than the Kunitsuburi-type and its successor, the Kusanagi-type, due to prioritizing productivity and operability, in reality, it is because the research on magic crystals lagged behind, preventing the incorporation of basic functions such as storage, growth, and synchronization with magic crystals, which are standard in Japanese units. As a result, the focus was on ease of production, operation, movement, and maintenance.

Due to the above reasons, Japanese officials have evaluated it as "less offensive than the Kusanagi-type, less versatile than the reinforced exoskeleton. It cannot perform artillery attacks like the Yuiti-type, nor does it have the mobility of the Hachibou-type. However, its high production rate makes it not bad as a heavy machine for civil engineering rather than as a weapon."

Its production rate is only "higher compared to the Kusanagi-type," and it is not particularly excellent.

The most significant feature is that it can be used even with low magic crystal compatibility, allowing it to far surpass the Kusanagi-type in terms of securing riders.

The Chinese Federation's announced kill ratio is 1:2 against medium-sized monsters, similar to the Kusanagi-type.

However, while the Kusanagi-type targets standard 6-meter medium-sized monsters, the Divine Spear targets 4-meter medium-sized monsters, which are classified as small.

The kill ratios against various units as estimated by the Japanese side are: 1:3 against the Kusanagi-type, 1:2 against the Hachibou-type, and 1:3 against the Yuiti-type.

The poor compatibility with the Yuiti-type is because they are annihilated before they can get close. Of course, if they do get close, they can be easily mowed down, so these numbers are not absolute.

The evaluation from Joushou Takafumi is, "What's the point of creating a unit that is inferior in attack, defense, mobility, and maintenance compared to existing units?" Japanese engineers generally share similar opinions.

Politically, even stepping into the former Chinese Federation's territory is enough to fulfill the minimum requirements for the Vietnamese Empire. If more is desired, the liberated land and people must be handed over to the Chinese Federation, but to obtain the minimum resources, this strategy poses no problems.

Therefore, Nguyen had no intention of overexerting himself.

With clear strategic goals and withdrawal conditions, the Vietnamese Imperial Army became even more impervious to vulnerabilities.

At the core of this army were the Chinese Federation's Divine Spear units.

While there were some performance issues, there was one significant advantage: numbers. For this northern expedition, the Chinese Federation provided approximately 1,000 Divine Spear units, which is double the number of units Japan prepared for the Second Great Offensive (60 Kusanagi-type, 120 Hachibou-type, 310 Yuiti-type, and 10 mass-produced units, totaling 500).

As a noble who had received Japanese units, Nguyen could not help but feel that the quality of the units was clearly inferior, but he did not hesitate.

He believed that numbers could surpass quality.

In reality, numbers are power. Given that quality could not be aligned, focusing on numbers was not wrong.

Additionally, the Divine Spear is not suitable for artillery battles, but in Vietnam, which is covered by tropical rainforests, a smaller unit that is stronger in guerrilla warfare is considered an advantage.

(If we can return with these units intact, our country's defense capabilities will significantly increase!)

Thinking this, Nguyen strongly hoped that the enemy would employ a scorched earth strategy this time.

However, reality was merciless. The choice of the demons was not a scorched earth strategy but immediate response, meaning interception.

The 60,000-strong Vietnamese Imperial Army, which had just stepped into the former Chinese Federation's territory, was immediately met by a swarm of over 30,000 monsters.

Small monsters were hidden in the forest, while large and medium-sized monsters were concealed in the rivers.

By the time Nguyen noticed the absence of animal sounds and the abnormality in the river flow, they were already surrounded.

For the Vietnamese Imperial Army, which did not consider the possibility of immediate interception by the demons, this was a complete ambush.

If they had the concept of aerial reconnaissance, they would not have fallen into such a simple ambush.

However, with the current state of humanity, where bird-type demons and griffins control the skies, the concept of aerial reconnaissance using aircraft does not exist.

Even Japan, which is supposed to be an expert in anti-monster tactics, can only deploy large radar systems. (A certain unit has devised a method of sending Keita to observe, but it has not been put into practical use.)

In any case, the Vietnamese Imperial Army, which was completely surrounded, was instantly placed in a dire situation.

The majority of the monsters surrounding them were small, but there were also medium and large ones.

In numbers, there were about 1,000 medium-sized monsters and about 20 large ones.

At first glance, one might think that it could be manageable, considering Japan's Great Offensive. However, things are not that simple.

The monsters intercepted in Japan had swum across the Japan Sea, naturally being exhausted, with nearly 30% drowning along the way. This fatigue made them vulnerable to one-sided artillery attacks.

In contrast, the monsters gathered to intercept the Vietnamese Army were not exhausted and were even more aggressive due to being kept on standby with food.

Unlike the National Defense Army, which could reduce the number of large monsters with artillery, the Vietnamese Imperial Army had no artillery units capable of effectively attacking medium-sized or larger monsters. While they had artillery units, they were equipped with conventional weapons and were not effective against medium-sized or larger monsters.

In other words, the Vietnamese Imperial Army had no effective countermeasures against the magic artillery attacks from large monsters.

To be precise, there was a method to deal with large monsters: the Divine Spear units could approach and thrust or throw their spears. However, this required closing a certain distance and had no guarantee of success.

While it is harsh to criticize them, few countries have established complete countermeasures against large monsters.

In any case, the Vietnamese Army, which had never encountered large monsters before, had no means to counter the one-sided magic artillery attacks.

The artillery units in the rear were the first to be annihilated by the relentless attacks, followed by the armored units with tanks. The Divine Spear units, which tried to stop the large monsters, were mostly destroyed by medium-sized monster artillery, and the few that reached the large monsters were easily crushed.

The 1,000 Divine Spear units, which were supposed to have the combat power equivalent to 2,000 medium-sized monsters or 200 large ones, had almost completely melted away within 10 minutes, leaving only the units attached to the command post.

The only achievements they managed to achieve before their annihilation were the destruction of a few dozen medium-sized monsters.

"Is this what you call a battle? The Japanese were at an advantage against these things!?"

The National Defense Army would also struggle in the same situation, but there was no one to correct Nguyen's statement.

The issue was not about information; there were more pressing matters at hand.

"General, if we continue like this, we will all be annihilated!"

"I know that!"

Nguyen shouted in response to the Chief of Staff's words. However, the Chief of Staff was not reiterating the obvious.

"Then, what do you intend to do!?"

"What do you mean?"

What could they do, unable to advance or retreat?

Nguyen, almost in despair, shouted, and the Chief of Staff responded with a cold voice.

"Annihilation is not the end. If we continue like this, they will undoubtedly attack our homeland."

"Ah!"

Even if the combat units were annihilated, the supply units in the rear could likely escape. However, that would not be the end. The monsters, seeing the fleeing prey, would naturally pursue them.

How far would the pursuit go? Would they stop at the border? No, they wouldn't.

"Even if we are defeated, it is inevitable. However, to be completely annihilated here is irresponsible, don't you think?"

"…Yes."

There are ways to lose. A complete annihilation with no survivors is one, while a strategic retreat with more than half surviving is another.

As a military man, it was essential to prevent the enemy's pursuit from targeting innocent civilians.

The key to this decision lies in the method of retreat.

"Rearguard, then."

"Understood."

In military strategy, "Thirty-six Stratagems, Retreat is Best" suggests that retreat is a strategy.

However, a strategic retreat is not just fleeing but retreating in an orderly manner.

To achieve this, the soldiers need a certain amount of leeway.

Therefore, a rearguard is needed to buy time and create the necessary conditions for an orderly retreat. This is the role of the rearguard.

"Of course, I will command it."

Nguyen was not one to value his life at this point. If he did, it would tarnish his family name and intensify the anti-nobility movement.

Nguyen decided to sacrifice his life to protect his family name and, by extension, the empire.

"Not that, but how we retreat."

But everyone understood this. The decision to leave the command post as the rearguard was already made.

What the Chief of Staff wanted to convey was different.

"What do you mean? I don't have the luxury to think calmly. Speak clearly."

"Then…"

Understanding Nguyen's frustration, the Chief of Staff pointed to the map and proposed their next move.

"I suggest we lure the majority, at least half, of the enemy towards the Chinese Federation."

The Chief of Staff was not suggesting a method of retreat but a direction.

"…Explain in detail."

"Understood. We were ambushed, but the enemy's intelligence is limited."

While the monsters can hide, it is impossible for tens of thousands to do so.

"…Limited?"

"From the situation, it is clear that there are demons capable of controlling the monsters, but their control has limits."

"What do you mean?"

"It seems there is a pattern to the enemy's attacks."

"Really?"

According to the Chief of Staff, the large monsters initially attacked the artillery and tank units, not because they were seen as threats but because they were attacked and retaliated instinctively.

"Indeed, the Divine Spear units were only targeted when they threw their spears or approached."

"Indeed, that might be true. So, you're saying that the enemy's attacks can be guided?"

"Exactly."

If the units that are attacked first can be guided, it is the same strategy used in the Second Great Offensive by Shizuno.

"If we show a strategic retreat towards the Chinese Federation while counterattacking appropriately, the enemy's attention will be drawn to us. Even if not, the sight of us fleeing in disarray will surely make them pursue us."

"Hmm."

The rearguard was already determined to be pursued by the monsters. The question was which direction to flee.

Normally, it would be towards Vietnam. Nguyen's sacrifice was already decided, but as many soldiers as possible needed to return. To save the rearguard, they should head towards Vietnam, and Nguyen had thought so until now.

However, the Chief of Staff had a different opinion.

"Even if the rearguard is completely annihilated, we should prioritize reducing the number of monsters heading towards the empire."

"Yes. There are Japanese forces near the border. They should be capable of dealing with the reduced number of monsters."

Soldiers exist to protect the people. It is better to reduce the enemy's numbers by sacrificing themselves rather than returning with the enemy in pursuit.

"Indeed. If we have to rely on others to clean up, it's better to leave less of a mess. That's what you mean?"

"Exactly."

"…Not bad."

It was a ruthless decision, but it was the best option available.

Since the situation had already led to relying on the Japanese forces, it was better to reduce their burden.

If this could effectively reduce the damage to Vietnamese civilians, Nguyen had no objections.

Of course, there was also a desire for revenge against the Chinese Federation, which had ravaged the country, but neither Nguyen nor the Chief of Staff mentioned it.

"Alright. Select the units to remain as the rearguard and those to return to the homeland. Set their respective routes. We'll buy time until then."

"Understood."

Afterward, the Vietnamese Imperial Army transitioned to a withdrawal, leaving the rearguard behind.

Nguyen's rearguard successfully lured many monsters by skillfully alternating between attacks and retreats.

They also managed to wound large monsters and reduce the number of medium-sized ones using forest traps and guerrilla tactics. However, they ultimately faced a desperate battle, clashing head-on with the pursuing monsters on a plain near Guangdong Province.

"You will… be my… downfall…"

It is unclear whether Nguyen's final words were directed at the medium-sized monster he took down or had another meaning.

What is widely known is that the swarm of monsters that destroyed the Vietnamese Army did not head towards Vietnam but towards Guangdong Province.

Thank you for reading.

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