Chapter 90

――Kusanagi Type Artillery Combat Specification――

Height: 6 meters

Weight: 22 tons

Armament:

100mm smoothbore cannon

88mm howitzer

Super-steel large shield

The manufacturer is the zaibatsu-affiliated company, Shihira Heavy Industries.

Due to the lessons learned from two major offensives, it was determined that firepower capable of defeating large monsters was more necessary than mobility or versatility. As a result, the unit was hastily manufactured upon urgent requests from various quarters to "prioritize its production."

Compared to the Kusanagi Type, the width is about twice as large.

The armament was already measured to meet the minimum necessary firepower for large-scale combat due to the mass production model, so the cannons manufactured for the mass production model were directly reused to meet the conditions.

The weight is more than double the previous model because modifications were made not only to the drive sections and joints but also throughout the unit to suppress the recoil from the cannons.

As one can imagine from the weight, the unit has completely lost its mobility in exchange for the firepower needed to defeat large monsters.

Furthermore, if it attempts tasks that put a load on the joints, such as civil engineering work, the parts will be damaged by its own weight, making it impossible to use for any purpose other than sniping or artillery fire. Of course, close combat is also impossible.

According to the highest-ranking officer, Uesugi Takafumi, "It's a defective product. By abandoning the Kusanagi Type's greatest strength, versatility, the unit has lost its tactical purpose."

However, from the perspective of the manufacturer, Shihira, this unit is merely "assembled because the military demanded it. It's just a stopgap until the new model, designed for large-scale combat, rolls out," so it might be natural for it to be a defective product.

The kill ratio is 1:1 against large monsters, 1:1 against medium monsters, and 1:1 against small monsters.

Whether it's a large, medium, or small monster, if the artillery hits, it can be defeated, but if it receives a counterattack, it will die. If approached, it can't even defeat medium or small monsters.

That's the kind of unit it is.

Clearly a makeshift creation, but depending on how it's used, it has the firepower to defeat large monsters one-sidedly, so the evaluation from the First Division, which received the prototype for testing during an expedition, is not bad.

――

"Of the 60,000, the majority who belonged to the combat units have been killed. The survivors are the supply units and their direct support units, totaling about 7,000. Literally, a complete defeat. Moreover, the monsters heading this way are approximately 10,000 small, 300 medium, and 6 large."

"What a nuisance. If they were going to die, they should have done so on their own."

"Don't involve us, right? Frankly, I think the same."

"Indeed."

In response to the content announced by Lieutenant General Yubetsuki Shigeru, the chief of staff, Iizaki simply stated what everyone was thinking, and Yubetsuki readily agreed without denying it.

While it might have been more considerate to show some concern given that the allied forces had been defeated, there was only one person in the room who would do such a thing.

(I can understand the urge to complain.)

Even Asaka, the exception, thought that if the people who caused the trouble had died, she would be forced to clean up the mess, and she would want to vent some poison. Moreover, she was in a position where she was also involved.

Therefore, she had no intention of making a statement that would further worsen the already bad atmosphere, such as defending the Vietnamese army.

At this moment, Asaka's mind was focused on one thing: how to handle this situation.

"It's still a large force, even though the numbers have decreased. Do you have any ideas on how to break this situation, Lieutenant General Iizaki?"

"Yes."

"Really? I thought you'd say something like, 'Even if you ask me suddenly...' Oh, you do?"

"Yes."

At first, Asaka thought she had misheard, but when she asked again, Iizaki confirmed that he had a plan.

"Did you anticipate this from the beginning?"

"What do you mean? Even the Chief of Staff didn't think the Vietnamese military's operation would succeed, did you?"

"That's true, but..."

"If that's the case, wouldn't it be natural to prepare a countermeasure?"

The thorough preparation made Asaka wonder if Iizaki had anticipated the Vietnamese army's defeat, but she couldn't argue since she, too, didn't think Nguyen's proposed strategy would succeed.

"The Chief of Staff pointed out to General Nguyen the possibility that the monsters would adopt a scorched earth strategy. Then, it would be natural to also consider an immediate ambush."

"That's true. If they didn't consider a scorched earth strategy or an ambush, what did the Vietnamese military's leadership, including General Nguyen, expect the monsters to do? Frankly, it's hard to understand."

As Iizaki said, a scorched earth strategy typically involves a combination of retreat, ambush, and counterattack. If they could do that, they could also counterattack normally.

To Iizaki, it would be strange not to consider this.

(That hurts to hear.)

Asaka, too, had pointed out the dangers of a scorched earth strategy but hadn't considered an immediate ambush.

Her mind had only considered that if the monsters didn't adopt a scorched earth strategy, they would counterattack in groups.

In other words, if Asaka had led the Vietnamese army, she would have faced the same fate as General Nguyen.

Of course, her staff would have raised concerns, but to what extent they would have been accepted is another matter.

Asaka, self-deprecatingly, and Iizaki, mockingly, observed the state of the Vietnamese army.

The difference between the two in this situation is just one thing: it's not a matter of ability, but of position.

Both Asaka and Iizaki had anticipated the Vietnamese army's defeat from the beginning. However, as a tactical commander, Iizaki had anticipated fighting the monsters that would pursue the retreating Vietnamese army, while Asaka, as a military politician, had been wary of the political ramifications of a failed operation.

It's only natural for Iizaki, who defines himself as a tactical commander, to anticipate the situation that would arise if an ally's operation failed.

"Yubetsuki, please explain."

"Yes. I will explain."

Technically, there's no obligation to explain the operation to Asaka, who is just a guest.

However, considering the return to the home country, it's better not to have any barriers between them.

Moreover, to implement the strategy that Iizaki and his team have devised, the cooperation of the units under the First Division is essential. Therefore, they decided to disclose the plan to Asaka, who is technically an outsider.

---

"The Vietnamese army, which is currently retreating, is heading mostly towards Sapa. The monsters pursuing them are generally following the same route."

Yubetsuki pointed at the map displayed on the screen with a command stick. As expected, no one in the command center, including Iizaki, was panicking.

However, some might find it odd that Yubetsuki is explaining the plan in such a polite manner, but that's a different matter.

Yubetsuki is explaining the plan to Asaka, who is a royal and the Chief of the General Headquarters, so a mere commander has no right to complain.

Despite the subtle tension in the air, Yubetsuki continued his explanation.

"There are two main strategies we can take in this situation. One is an aggressive ambush. We would abandon this area, lure them into multiple directions, and strike when their formation is stretched."

While Nguyen and his team had lured the monsters in a horizontal direction, Iizaki proposed luring them in multiple directions.

Imagine an amoeba-like spread.

"The ability to lure monsters has been proven by their actions so far. Intercepting them would be tactically correct. However, wouldn't that cause civilian casualties?"

"Yes, it would result in significant casualties among the Vietnamese army and civilians who couldn't escape in time."

"That's..."

"On the contrary, that's the objective."

"Ah, I see."

It's not that casualties will happen; they will be caused.

The plan is to lure the monsters into a stretched formation and then defeat them one by one.

The basic strategy of the monsters is for the medium-sized ones, which combine speed and combat power, to lead the charge. Then, the small ones swarm and devour the chaos created by the medium-sized ones.

Therefore, if the initial charge can be withstood, the large monsters, which are slower and thus likely to be at the back, can be targeted first. If this can't be done, there's no chance of winning.

Conversely, if the large monsters are eliminated, the rest will be a mop-up operation.

Of course, the expeditionary force will also suffer, but the losses should be minimized.

This strategy, while ruthless, is a result of the Vietnamese army unnecessarily expanding the front and attracting more enemies. Moreover, for the expeditionary force's officers, the priority is to protect their own subordinates, not the local civilians.

Of course, they might face death by order, but that would be in line with Japan's national interests.

The expeditionary force cannot afford to waste a single soldier on cleaning up the mess created by the Chinese Federation's schemes or the local nobility's pride.

Therefore, it's only natural for the Fourth Division's command, led by Iizaki, to devise a plan that makes the Vietnamese army pay the price while minimizing their own losses.

The main concern is whether a strategy that sacrifices the citizens of an allied country is politically acceptable.

However, this is where Asaka's presence is useful.

In the Vietnamese Empire, a monarchy and aristocratic society, the value of common citizens and nobles is not equal. Naturally, the nobles of the allied country would be prioritized over the common citizens of their own country.

Moreover, Asaka is not just a noble but a royal, a person of such importance that any number of common citizens must be sacrificed to protect her.

Therefore, if Iizaki says he did his best to protect his country's royal, the Vietnamese Empire would have no grounds to complain, no matter how much they might inwardly resent it. In fact, it's such a reasonable argument that they might not even think to complain.

Asaka, as a Japanese military officer, would naturally prioritize her own soldiers over the citizens of another country.

"If that's the only option, there's no choice. I'll speak to the Emperor on your behalf."

"Thank you."

If Asaka's support can suppress criticism from the Vietnamese Empire, such as "abandoning their allies," Iizaki would be grateful. The next step is to implement the plan.

"What about the other option?"

If that's the only option, it must be accepted. However, if there's a way to avoid sacrificing allies, that would be preferable. As a military politician, this is Asaka's genuine sentiment.

The second option is:

"Defensive ambush. We will use this base to the fullest to intercept them."

"I see. That's straightforward."

The area around the base was originally designed for defensive battles, so there are no tropical rainforests where monsters can hide. Radar is also installed to detect enemies, so we can know their numbers and positions.

There's no need to move supplies or sacrifice a significant number of soldiers to lure them.

However, there will be no place to run.

Being visible means the base will be an easy target for the monsters. Ultimately, it will face artillery fire from large and medium monsters, and swarms of small ones.

It will undoubtedly be a fierce battle.

The main problem is when medium and large monsters come together.

The base's defenses are paper-thin against large monsters. Trying to eliminate the large ones first will be hindered by the medium ones. This issue must be addressed to even engage in battle.

"How do you plan to handle that?"

"There are several options, but ultimately, we will rely on the rumored hero."

"Captain Kawakami, I see."

"Yes. Currently, he and his unit are the only ones who can confidently sink large monsters. Of course, his unit and the artillery units you brought will also be involved, but he will be the main force."

Use everything available. That's war.

While Iizaki is pragmatic, he doesn't want to rely on a child. (Regarding the griffin, it was just a test to see if it could work, and he didn't expect it to be so effective)

However, when facing the enemy head-on, there's no room to choose means.

Large monsters are formidable enemies that require everything to be on the line to defeat.

Therefore, even children who should be protected will be used. Even if it means being hated, that's the nature of a soldier.

While a soldier facing the enemy needs the resolve to either die or kill, a commander needs the resolve to efficiently sacrifice allies.

The members of the Fourth Division's command, including Iizaki, have already decided to treat even themselves as pawns if necessary.

"Let's decide. Whether we die or others die."

"Indeed."

Faced with Asaka, who still wavers and lacks resolve, Iizaki's stance as a commander showed no wavering.

Thank you for reading.

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