Chapter 61

In the dim interior of the multi-legged tank, the Iron Spider 17, the tank commander of the Iron Spider Battalion looked at the swarm of Scissor Mantis on the monitor and calmly issued orders.

"Try to direct as many mantises as possible towards us. Start suppression with regular ammunition."

"Understood. Starting suppression with regular ammunition."

The gunner quickly tapped the touch panel in front of him, aimed the machine gun at the group of Scissor Mantis in the distance, and fired.

Even without aiming, the shots hit. There were that many enemies. Once a mantis lays eggs, an overwhelming number of offspring are born. It's even more terrifying when they grow to the size of adults.

The inorganic compound eyes, the carnivorous and powerful mandibles, the scythes that can easily cut through iron pillars, and the densely packed bristles and multiple legs due to their giant size—all of these evoke disgust and fear. That is the Scissor Mantis.

A storm of regular ammunition, neither enchanted nor made of magical metal, rained down on the approaching Scissor Mantis.

The machine gun roared, scattering bullets that dug a meter-wide hole in the ground, sending dirt flying. This was the tank's machine gun. For a civilian, even a graze would turn them into a mass of flesh.

However, the enemy was a monster. Even the young ones were formidable foes, equivalent to D-rank. The Scissor Mantis, enveloped in a magical barrier, treated regular ammunition like mere pinballs. No matter how many attacks they received, they only slightly retreated, and the magical barrier prevented any damage.

But the tank commanders had anticipated this. They weren't lamenting the lack of damage. They were attacking to draw the enemy's hate and direct their targets towards themselves.

"Fire, fire! Don't worry about the remaining ammunition! Use it all! Use magic ammunition on enemies that are about to breach the defense line!"

"Understood!"

The gunner manipulated the lever, skillfully switching between regular and magic ammunition, and took down the approaching Scissor Mantis. Several magic shells shattered the mantises at close range.

"This is Turtle Two. Starting combat."

"This is Turtle Three. Not a single step will be taken here!"

"This is Turtle Four. I've changed my mind, Battalion Commander. I heard you became the battalion commander through connections."

The monitors showed the tanks starting combat in the distance, reporting their readiness and firing their machine guns, blowing away the monstrous mantises.

"That's right. You were the one who told us to start the fire sequence without even going into standby mode."

"That's true. I was surprised when you suddenly ordered us to start the activation sequence."

"Haha, but it was lucky, wasn't it?"

The tank commanders of each vehicle praised the battalion commander, their voices heard over the roar of the machine guns and tank cannons. The battalion commander, who had given the first combat order from Turtle One, led the Iron Spider Battalion.

However, the Imperial Capital Defense Force's Iron Spider Tank Battalion consisted of only ten tanks. It was a small, nominal battalion, and since they didn't move the expensive tanks, it was a position for prestige, and the battalion commander was often criticized for getting the job through connections.

"Quiet! Pay attention so the mantises don't slip through!"

"Understood!"

Shouting at his subordinates, the battalion commander returned his gaze to the monitor. No matter how many he took down, the Scissor Mantis kept coming, climbing over the bodies of their fallen comrades.

"Launch the monster-attracting dummy balloons! Then hit them with 'Flame Spears'!"

"Launching dummy balloons!"

The Iron Spider is a four-man tank, with a driver, gunner, communications officer, and tank commander. The communications officer immediately launched the dummy balloons. Three missiles on the side of the Iron Spider's body flew into the sky, exploded in mid-air, and the spider-shaped balloons inflated and fell into the Scissor Mantis.

Thinking they were food, the mantises swarmed around the balloons, which were quickly covered and disappeared. Seeing that enough had gathered, Turtle One launched the final missile.

Leaving a trail of smoke, the missile hit, and the mantises were engulfed in a vortex of flames. While watching this, Turtle One continued to fire the machine gun, taking down the swarm one by one.

Checking the remaining ammunition on the monitor, the battalion commander raised his head and gave a stern order.

"Alright! Start the charge!"

"Sir! A charge, sir?"

"Yes! We don't have much ammunition left. We'll use this tank as a decoy until reinforcements arrive. Charge!"

"Understood! Charging!"

"Don't worry, the Iron Spider's magical armor will withstand the Scissor Mantis' scythes!"

Issuing orders in a stern voice, the driver started the charge without argument. The Iron Spider was heavily armored. It shouldn't be damaged by just any monster.

"Turtle One, are you charging? Are you out of your mind?"

"You're soldiers, aren't you? There are civilians behind us! Be a shield!"

The battalion commander's shout made the other tank commanders respond with admiration.

"Amazing... You're like a different person. Turtle Three, understood."

"Buy us a drink when we get back. Turtle Four, understood."

"Hey, Turtle Two is following! Cheers to the hero!"

The other Iron Spiders also charged into the swarm of monstrous mantises. As a result, most of the mantises gathered around the Iron Spiders.

The tank's body creaked, and the sound of the Scissor Mantis' scythes scraping against the armor was heard.

While listening to the grating sound of metal, the battalion commander wondered why he was so brave.

Was this what he had planned to do?

Before the party today, the Minister of Military Affairs, Duke Kannagi, had ordered the Iron Spiders to be put on standby, but since they consume magic stones, he ordered them to be completely shut down.

Shutting down the Iron Spider's computer and completely stopping the mana drive would take at least ten minutes to restart. Checking the fire control and other systems would take at least thirty minutes.

Thinking about the worst-case scenario, but also finding it troublesome to restart, the battalion commander argued against the order, and Duke Kannagi, patting him on the shoulder with a smile, invited him to dinner, so he followed the order.

If he deepened his relationship with Duke Kannagi, he could advance quickly. The battalion commander, who had risen through connections and reflected glory, was ambitious and lazy.

...But why? Suddenly, he felt a sense of duty as a soldier. He ordered his subordinates to restart the tanks in case something happened.

Now, he was charging into the heart of the enemy.

"Why... Why am I doing this..."

Doubt and disbelief began to cloud his mind. Such heroic actions were not fitting for him. He should have fled the scene immediately.

"Oh, you decided to become a hero. Don't you remember? As a soldier, you woke up to the justice of helping the weak."

A pleasant female voice whispered in his ear.

"That's right. That's right. I'm going to be a hero. There are many people behind us. We must protect them!"

"That's right. Everyone will praise your bravery."

"That's right. That's right. Everyone, get ready! When the Iron Spider is destroyed, it's time to use your own strength!"

Enraptured by the beautiful voice that melted his brain, the battalion commander gave orders. His subordinates, who were his lackeys, nodded without argument.

They were equipped with 'Magic Armor' for tank soldiers. They were ready to fight outside when the time came.

They were going to be heroes. They were going to save many people.

"We will be heroes."

The driver, who usually flattered and skipped training, showed strong resolve.

"We will be heroes."

The communications officer, who had joined through reflected glory and had an easy job, became stern.

"We will be heroes."

The gunner, who preferred chasing women to firing shells, also declared.

"That's right! We will be heroes! We will save the weak!"

The battalion commander, who was overweight and rarely participated in training, raised his voice with determination.

"Amazing. I'm impressed by your bravery."

A beautiful woman with delicate hands clapped softly, showing a seductive smile.

Shaking slightly, the tank soldiers raised their voices in unison, their hearts as one.

"Moving the tank would have been impossible, and you would have fled, but you are soldiers. Isn't this better for you?"

There was another person in the tank's cockpit. A beautiful woman with golden hair and a seductive figure sat in the reserve seat.

"Terrible. But I think I'm just as bad. Worse than a prophecy, knowing the story."

Frigg chuckled, stood up, ran her fingers through her hair, blew a kiss, and opened the hatch.

"Well, I'll take my leave. Don't worry, you might survive if you're lucky. I hope you don't resent me. After all, it's your job. If you survive, wake up from the dream."

Frigg jumped out and immediately closed the hatch. The Iron Spider was already swarmed by countless Scissor Mantis, trying to destroy it with their scythe-like arms.

Even with heavy armor, the Iron Spider was damaged, and the armor was peeling off. Still, it could hold out for a while. Durability was the selling point of magical weapons. This metal block would keep the monstrous mantises occupied for a while.

"Casting 'Life Control V' on everyone was tough. I need to ask the young lady for extra pay."

Sighing, Frigg kicked a Scissor Mantis larva away and took out a feathered cloak from her item box, wrapping it around her body.

"Eagle Transformation"

Transforming into an eagle, she muttered.

"This is the last order. Oh, what a demanding young lady."

Completing the transformation, she flapped her wings and soared into the sky. Looking down, she saw the Scissor Mantis that had escaped from the Iron Spiders.

"Quite a few have escaped. ...Well, it can't be helped. I did as I was ordered."

Saying this, the eagle Frigg flew away.

Below, the Scissor Mantis that had breached the defense line clashed with adventurers and samurai, mana exploding and metal clashing.