<h4>Chapter 138</h4>
Trantor: “Hakou” Editor: “Weasalopes”
On one of the mountains to the north, far from Awoke.
There was a single beige-colored Knight staring at the southwest while hiding in the terrain.
It was the Old Lady, the guild knight of the Kingdom’s merchant guild.
「To be able to see it from this distance, it’s really terrifying if I say so myself」
I murmured inside the cockpit.
The space that separates the Olddy from the post town where the camp of the Imperial army was located.
It was a very long range where, let alone doing something about the range of long-range magic attacks, an ordinary Knight won’t even be able to confirm the range visually.
But I can see it.
It was so clear, in fact, I can still see the activity of the Empire’s B-ss Knight inside their camp asrge as the illustration on a trump card.
An optical correction magic formation made by the herbivore mechanic was built into the Olddy. Moreover,bining it with my high level magic power operation, I could achieve such an excellent resolution.
(There are quite a lot of them)
It was so much that I don’t feel like counting them.
Dozens of B-ss Knights and several C-ss Knights were moving about in my field of view.
(Oh?)
While I kept looking around, I found the figure of something that possibly an A-ss Knight.
A body line that looks bulgy and looks violent, different from that of a B-ss Knight. There was no doubt about it.
(What should I do?)
My original purpose today was only to subjugate monsters.
Looking into the Empire’s camp was nothing but a side quest. It was also to conduct an implementation test for this optical correction magic formation.
(The test itself waspleted without any problems)
The optical correction magic formation second version upgrade.
It brought upon a very good result.
During the daytime, under the shining sun of early summer. And the fluctuation of the air rising from the ground. It brought a clear image straight to my brain without minding about those things anymore.
(It should be fine to shoot it, right?)
This was the second time I looked into the Empire’s camp from the distance from this ce.
But it was the first time I got a visual on their A-ss Knight.
(It was unlikely that this location would be exposed. Even if it is, I could easily escape with this distance)
The risk is zero.
And it’s well worth trying to see how well the D-rank magic missile works against an A-ss Knight.
(Yosh, let’s shoot it)
I made the Olddy hold the cane rifle and look into the iron sight.
An A-ss Knight was reflected in the center of it.
The moment it turned its back on me, I pulled the trigger in my mind.
***
Time goes back a little, and the stage moves to the post town where the Empire set up their encampment.
This is the ce which Tauro spied upon using the Olddy.
『Bring those here! And carry those materials to the back!』
A B-ss Knight was roared using the external sound system.
Not only the C-ss Knights but the B-ss Knights were also busy working around and urgently setting up facilities the post town didn’t have, like the maintenance area.
「This is all, I guess」
The Marquis signed the document and confirmed it with the soldier as he listened to the noise outside the window.
It was a pain to sign the document since the building shook each time the Knights outside walks.
The Marquis, who wasn’t a pilot, rented a room of a high-ss inn and did paperwork there.
Regarding the actual battle, he left it in his submander’s hand, who was a pilot.
On the other hand, the Marquis was in charge of backup, such as the management of food supply, materials, equipment, and themunication with the home country.
「It’s finally the time, huh」
The next battle on Awoke would be an all-out war for the Kingdom.
If they lost this battle, there should be nothing they can do anymore.
They would lose their power as they retreated, and eventually, the city would be shredded from four sides.
「Afterwards, the Kingdom will perish from the surface of the earth and will only exist in the history book」
And then the position of Imperial Counselor will be mine.
The expeditionary force that immediately formed as soon as the Margrave broke the Kingdom’s border. He was grateful for the good fortune that made him themander of this army, and was proud of hiswork of contacts that brought him this good fortune.
「I’m counting on you」
Outside the window, there is an A-ss Knight who examines the camp.
She was expected to be the first Empire’s female knightmander in the future.
She herself strongly desires it and that is why she participated in this expeditionary force.
「Having an ambition is beautiful」
Her dignified beauty as the one who served as the submander. The source of it definitely came from the ambition she holds.
When the Marquis was thinking about such a thing, a roar suddenly echoed. Making the windows in the office were shattered.
***
A little while before a roaring sound echoed.
She, who was the submander of the expeditionary force, was looking around in the perimeter while riding her A-ss Knight.
High mobility, defense, visibility and an external sound system. If one is going to act on the battlefield, there is no better tool than this.
(The preparation is almostplete)
I confirmed the checklist inside the cockpit.
I unconsciously brushed my ck hair with my left hand.
(The only thing left is to find a timing to advance)
I want to take action as soon as possible once the preparation here is done. Because it wouldn’t do anything good to give the enemy more time.
Assuming the information they gathered was true, firstly, the long-range magical attack will destroy the fake B-ss Knights.
(I should advice His excellency the marquis to make a sortie soon)
I moved my eyes to the building where the marquis office is while thinking so.
There was the figure of the marquis behind the window, and it seemed that he was looking this way.
(I’ve heard it from the rumors but, he’s really an excellent person)
His judgments are quick and are not bound by convention.
As someone to serve, he was someone that didn’t cause a lot of stress.
(I will win this war and climbed to the chair of knightmander)
It might be difficult right away. But the chair of the vicemander is certain.
If so, then themander’s position is not so far away.
(Let’s go to where His excellency is)
It was soon after she thought so and turned the Knight around.
A shock wrapped throughout her body.
Without being able to question what had happened, her consciousness was cut-off forever.
***
「What the hell happened!?」
The marquis ran up to the window to check the situation.
The ss was shattered, and the marquis himself had cuts on several parts of his body, including his face. But it wasn’t something serious.
He checked the situation outside while stepping on the debris.
「Wha!?」
The words got stuck in his throat at the unexpected scene.
An A-ss Knight stood in front of him, with a hole on its chest.
Only the spine remains there. If one were to describe it, it looked like a half-cooked grilled fish.
「An enemy attack?」
He looked around but immediately gave up. Then jumped out of the room to escape.
It was because the giant which its cockpit destroyed slowly fell over his way.
(What is the meaning of this?)
The marquis screamed in his heart while running down the corridor and down the stairs.
『Enemy attack ! Enemy attack !』
The external sound system of a B-ss Knight resounded.
Upon hearing that, a handsome young man who was checking the maintenance status of his unit jumped up to his own A-ss knight and made it stand.
『What happened?』
I came rushing and looked at the surroundings.
When I saw the windows on the buildings, shattered along with its sses, I called out to a B-ss Knight.
『It’s an enemy attack! And the submander got hit!』
I was speechless when I saw the ce he was pointing at.
There was a figure of a Knight with half of its body from the face below buried by a fallen building.
『Submander!』
I raised a scream.
I turned around and hurried to its side.
(Why is… something like this!?)
The A-ss Knight of the submander I respected.
Only its chest and cockpit were destroyed. Looking at its state, there was no way the submander was alive.
(Damn it!)
I hit the inner wall of my cockpit with enough force to damage my fist.
(Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!)
I will never forgive them.
I will definitely catch whoever did this, and show them the same hell.
(I will never forgive youuuuuu!!!)
Just as he swore as such, he was shook by the same violent shock as his supervisor.
『Hi– Hiiii!?』
The B-ss Knight’s pilot was shocked with terror and made the Knight fell on its butt.
The impact caused the ground to shake greatly and broke the stone paving in the area.
But the pilot doesn’t have the leeway to worry about such a thing.
The A-ss Knight of the handsome young man he had a conversation with. The chest part of that Knight was blown off.
It then fell on top of the Knight the submander was riding.
『It’s a long-range magic attack! Their position is unknown! All units, hold you shield towards the outside!』
Another B-ss Knight who rushed over shouted.
It was one of the several captains.
He controlled the disorder and gave out instructions to defend, search, and rescue in rapid session.
『Form a two units group and be alert of the surroundings!』
In addition to the external sound system, he gave out his order using a big gesture.
He was instructing his subordinates to hold a shield toward the outside. However, the person himself has not been fully trained to takemand.
A few moments after he exposed his nk, the upper body of his Knight suddenly exploded.
The broken pieces showered the buildings behind and destroyed them.
『Direction of the attack confirmed! It came from the north!』
It was the opposite direction of where the captain’s Knight got blown off. The B-ss knight shouted, pointing at it while still holding its shield.
Another A-ss Knight came over.
Holding arge shield toward the northeast, he looks around without letting his guard down.
『Where is it!?』
A middle-aged old man roared inside the cockpit.
Only the head part was peeking out from the shield, searching for the enemy using the full capabilities of an A-ss Knight. However, he still couldn’t find them.
(Was it reallying from this direction?)
It was when he began to have a doubt while hiding behind the shield.
『Guh!!』
A magic missile hits the center part of his shield along with the feeling of getting hit by a giant hammer.
After recovering his posture, he tried to reposition his shield again.
(What’s happening? I can’t lift my arm)
From the elbow to the tip of the left arm fell down and couldn’t lift the shield.
He immediately checked for its condition and was terrified.
(The elbow’s joint has been blown off!? It was this powerful even when I defended using my shield, wouldn’t I die if I received that attack directly?)
He wouldn’t be able to defend the next one at this rate.
He quickly made his Knight crawl on the ground.
(B-ss Knights wouldn’t be able to stand it even if they have a shield)
Arriving at that conclusion, he shouted towards the others around him.
『Get down! All units, get down! You’ll be their target if you don’t!』
Every unit immediately followed his orders.
Then, with a loud sound of the earth, a cloud of dust flew up to the sky.
***
「Something like this, I guess」
In the mountains far northeast from the post town.
I spoke to myself inside the Olddy’s cockpit, hidden within the shadow of a rock.
Two A-ss Knights and a captain B-ss Knight. I shot them down using long-range magic attacks.
(To think it was still this powerful against an A-ss Knight even with this distance)
The result was close to ideal.
It was because I knew I could instantly defeat them if I aimed at the cockpit, avoiding the shield.
(But still, zero damage even after defeating two A-ss Knights huh)
No one would believe such a story.
Normally, if you want to achieve the same result in a battle, you would have to mobilize a Knight of the same level.
I once again realized that my magical power is abnormal in this world.
(Well, whatever)
It’s not like I want them to believe me or anything, anyway. Or rather, I don’t want anyone to know about this matter.
I went out with the Olddy today to do my job to subjugate monsters. And only reported as such.
If this could stop the invasion of the Empire, then that’s enough for me.
After thinking such a thing, I shift my mind to another matter.
(As I thought, I don’t feel anything)
It’s about killing a person.
Though even I was surprised myself, this was the first time I directly killed someone.
However, since I did it with a long-range magic attack, I felt nothing about it.
(There’s no feeling like I ranked up, or my mindset changed by killing someone)
I switched my mind and observed the Empire’s camp once again.
I could just go home right now, but I don’t want the Olddy to be spotted.
The dust that had been risen up until now fades away, and the appearance of the Knights crawling on the ground began to appear.
(It doesn’t seem like they found us)
I stroked down my chest in relief and moved to the back of the mountain.
Then I quietly descend the slope onto a narrow highway in the valley.
From there, I moved by hovering at once. The Empire’s camp was on the other side of the mountain so they shouldn’t be able to see us.
(It’s all right. No one knew the Olddy was the one who did that)
Even so, my heart was still beating up fast.
(What should I do if an A-ss Knight like that viscountess went after me?)
I asked myself but I can’t find the answer.
The ability to sense a gaze was my natural enemy.
Suddenly, an enemy emerges from the mountains. While being driven by such fear, the Olddy was running at high speed toward the Royal capital.