God of the Battlefield (1)
God of the Battlefield (1)
"From now on, this 105mm Magical Cannon belongs to Lord Deville."
The massive barrel was finally placed in Dvil's hands.
Bureureureu.
The moment he touched the cold metal barrel, Dvil trembled with ecstasy.
'At last...!'
The regret of not receiving the 155mm gun, yet the electrifying thrill of becoming the first 105mm Magical Cannon master besides Hildea, coexisted within him.
As Dvil was carefully caressing the barrel as if stroking a young daughter, Yuzel, diligently munching on an apple, suddenly caught his eye.
'Come to think of it, who is she?'
Uncommon blue hair, with delicate and gorgeous features.
A youthful air still lingered on her face, but her body was that of a fully mature woman.
Yet she paid absolutely no attention to her surroundings, utterly absorbed solely in snacking.
'That looks delicious.'
Seeing the Honey Apple, Dvil unconsciously swallowed dry saliva.
Piel, noticing this, quickly requisitioned more apples and filled a large basket for him.
"It's a humble Special Meal to commemorate becoming a 105mm Magical Cannon master. Please, enjoy."
"Thank you, Colonel Marshall."
And the moment he took a crunchy bite of the Honey Apple.
With the sweet ecstasy of the concentrated juice spreading through his mouth, fireworks went off in his head.
'Right. Whether you're a Lieutenant General or a Count, is leaving Ainshuvan even living?'
His family, who had followed him due to his transfer, were also completely satisfied with the warm climate of Anvelrum and the rations provided by the Dispatch Unit.
If he were to become independent now and start a new house as a Sword Master?
It would mean going back to the shabby old diet.
No matter how much Piel took care of him, he would no longer be someone under the same roof, so over time he'd be treated as an outsider.
"Heeing, I'm too full to eat any more. What do I do, there's so much left...."
"You can eat more after it digests."
"B-but I want to eat more...!"
Seeing Yuzel stomping her feet in frustration, Dvil almost burst into a chuckle.
Piel spoke.
"Hildea-nim's new weapon will be brought from the main house within a few days."
"Uung, I'm already excited."
***
A new Sword Master.
A bizarre, never-before-seen offensive Magical Device.
But Yuzel was only momentarily surprised; she wasn't very interested.
'What does a lady-in-waiting need to know about that stuff?'
It was thanks to her mindset being calmly re-established in just two days.
'This fruit called apple is so delicious. How can it be so sweet and smell so good? Uaaa, I want to eat more, so why won't more go in?'
Yuzel even entertained the thought, 'Should I throw up and eat again?'
But fearing she'd get severely scolded if caught, she was holding back.
The Palanquin carrying Piel, Hildea, and Yuzel moved to Count Anbelrum's Castle under Luna's guidance.
Yuzel looked at Luna flying beside the palanquin and thought.
'A 7th Class Wind Mage doing palanquin-bearer work, Ainshuvan really is amazing.'
A 7th Class Wind Mage, said to have the most comfortable commute on the continent.
Those who have reached such lofty realms are, fittingly, extremely arrogant and self-centered.
No matter how much lords who wish to travel comfortably by 'flying palanquin' beg, they are refused with a sneer.
「How dare you try to make a 7th Class Mage do the work of a mere soldier!」
They absolutely never oblige except for the palanquin that their own family rides.
Lifting an emperor's palanquin is an insult, but family is the only exception.
'As expected, does Luna-nim already consider the officer-nim family?'
Not knowing that the delicious food came from Piel, Yuzel naturally assumed that was the case.
The palanquin descended upon the Count's Castle.
Elenoa, who had already received word via radio, was waiting in the garden.
"Piel!"
The moment he got off, she beamed a wide smile and hugged him tightly.
Embracing him deeply, she rubbed her cheek against his, sharing the emotion of the reunion.
'Oh my....'
Yuzel's face flushed red.
'A fiancée left behind in his hometown?'
Seeing the passionate embrace, Yuzel misunderstood it that way.
Though later, upon learning they were siblings, her mind became plastered entirely with question marks.
Elenoa was walking arm-in-arm, clinging closely and chattering away.
Yuzel, who was following at the very rear, whispered to Luna, taking advantage of a moment when she was floating along and reaching for the apple basket.
"I thought the two of you were lovers. I've never seen siblings with such affection before."
At that, Luna stared at her intently.
Yuzel panicked, wondering if she had misspoken.
Luna chuckled and gently stroked the head of Yuzel, who was much taller and more mature than herself.
"You, you've got some sense, huh?"
"...Excuse me?"
"I'll package you up nicely the year after next."
"Huh?? Ah...."
***
"I didn't think you'd come this quickly. I thought you'd come around winter."
Noona is so happy.
If I'd known, I would have stopped by more often.
"Since Luna lifts the palanquin with magic, I think I can come by more often now. It took about half a day to get here?"
"Really? I heard Wind Mages won't let even an emperor ride their palanquin unless it's family."
"Hey, the Airborne Unit and I have a bond tighter than family."
Lying down with my head on Noona's lap, eating sliced apples, we caught up on overdue chit-chat.
Down below, Hildea was diligently giving me a deep-tissue massage, kneading firmly.
Noona was also massaging my limbs and upper body firmly with one hand.
'I think I might fall asleep....'
"If you're sleepy, close your eyes for a bit."
"I'll sleep if I fall asleep. Luna, any special issues with the Dispatch Unit?"
There's regular radio reporting, but hearing it face-to-face is different.
"They say the Ivory Whales are detouring more than 6 kilometers away from the coast. Probably because of the bombardment they suffered last time at the 5-kilometer distance."
"From now on, if they aren't landing on our Territory's coast, just let the Elf Legions pass."
"Understood."
"Oh, right, Noona. We got a clue about what the strategic objective of the Elf Legions is. In the south of the Empire, there's a place called the Palace of the Thunder Dragon that even high nobles don't know about...."
After hearing my explanation, Noona turned her head to look at Yuzel.
Yuzel, too full to swallow any more apple, was just rolling a piece around in her mouth without chewing, savoring only the taste.
"Yuzel, she said she overheard conversations among high-ranking imperial family members?"
"Yes, I definitely heard it."
"Huhng, I see. Thank you."
Noona's voice seemed to become slightly meaningful.
Was it just my imagination?
"As it happens, there's a huge disturbance breaking out from Plant Legions in our kingdom's central and southern border areas."
"Is the damage very severe?"
"I can't know in detail because the lords are hushing it up, but seeing that they can't even properly control the refugees, it must be serious. They're gathering in our territory."
I'm already looking forward to the Landris budget.
'Wait, come to think of it, the next budget disbursement day is soon.'
The fact that payday is approaching means, soon....
***
Hildea's 3rd menstrual period hit.
This time, she desperately rejected my helping hand.
"Colonel Piel... I do not wish to show you any more shameful appearances... I was out of my mind the first one or two times... but please, respect my honor...."
Fortunately, Yuzel was there, so I could entrust her with peace of mind.
During the 3 days my beautiful tank was stuck in an inoperable state, groaning in pain, Noona came over to my room every day.
I'd slightly feel the threat of death by suffocation while receiving Mana Massage, and we'd often sleep together.
"How are things with Count Balckenhardt lately?"
"Her chest is still a bit too...."
"What about that Marquis Carlton? Noona would like to meet him once too."
"I'll bring him over later."
"Piel, are you worried that Count Balckenhardt might turn scary and become obsessive if you get together?"
"There's a little of that too."
"From what I see, Count Balckenhardt, unlike other women, probably won't change in a bad way."
"Don't you think the baby might be hungry?"
Just like when we were kids, I also received some girl advice from Noona.
"So, if Count Balckenhardt's chest grows a bit bigger, are you planning to get serious about her?"
"I'll think about it when the time comes."
"To what extent?"
"Hmm... Still, shouldn't they grow to at least Noona's size?"
"Why is our Piel so cute even as he gets older? Huh? Huh?"
"Uuaah... I can't breathe...."
***
Hildea's inoperable debuff was lifted.
Right on cue, the budget arrived.
【Base budget of 30,000,000 is being disbursed.】
【Special Strategy Budget of 5,000,000 is being disbursed.】
【Landris budget of 4,506,370 is being disbursed.】
【Remaining Budget : 65,005,320】
Seeing Hildea's face for the first time in 3 days, she looked quite gaunt.
"Are you alright?"
"Uung... I'm better now."
"You could have at least shown your face. I worried for 3 days."
"...I will never, absolutely never show you that again."
Still, it being the 3rd time, Hildea seemed to have started developing a sense of shame too.
Yuzel must have taken meticulous care of her.
"Uhm, Officer-nim...."
"Huh? What?"
"The sanitary pads, and the toothbrush, and toothpaste, and the body wash, and shampoo... th-those, can I use them too?"
Before I could even say anything, Yuzel's face turned red and she started rambling.
"No, I mean, it's not like it's just greed or anything, it's just that since I never know when I might have to serve you, Officer-nim, if I maintain a meticulously clean state normally, you'd be more satisfied, wouldn't you—that's where it stems from...."
"What's the big deal. Of course you can use them."
"Thank you! Thank you!"
Yuzel, who had been jumping up and down in joy, suddenly shed a tiny tear.
I wondered if she was feeling homesick, but...
"Ah, I really did well to abandon my hometown...."
"...."
Anyway, to celebrate Hildea's revival and to replenish her nutrition, we decided to hold a meat party.
We held the meat party at the same picnic spot we went to last time, with Hildea, Noona, Luna, and Yuzel.
We spun the skewered whole-chicken barbecue around and around.
The giant Tomahawk Steaks that take a long time were just roughly placed over the charcoal.
While patiently enduring the enjoyable wait, we diligently grilled Samgyeopsal and steak and fed the women.
Yuzel didn't stay still and worked hard assisting with the grilling. She was truly a model handmaiden.
"What do I do, what do I... heeing."
"What's wrong, Yuzel?"
"I haven't even tasted that thing called whole-chicken barbecue and that Tomahawk thing, but I'm already full. Heuek!"
"...."
It was late autumn.
***
The day after the meat party.
Noona was busy with count duties.
I moved to the western coast with Hildea, Luna, Yuzel, and Dvil.
"The new weapon, the M777B1 155mm Lightweight Howitzer, has finally arrived!"
"Is that the true name of the 155mm Magical Device?"
"Colonel-nim, it sounds cool."
"I feel immense majesty from the weapon's name."
Yuzel, looking utterly uninterested, was seated on a mat, diligently munching on an apple.
She mustn't gain weight doing that.
【Do you accept the M777B1 155mm Lightweight Howitzer Independent Field Package?】
'Accept.'
The large and beautiful 155mm howitzer revealed itself.
The Ground Control Station and two large fixed-wing drones also appeared alongside it.
MQ-35 V-BAT.
Fixed-wing vertical take-off and landing unmanned reconnaissance aircraft.
It can fly for over 10 hours, transmit reconnaissance footage, and it can even hover!
In line with the Defense Core reorganization philosophy pursuing 100% unmanned systems, the Ground Control Station handles everything from reconnaissance to coordinate observation by itself.
The artillerymen just load, adjust the firing angle as the AI tells them, and press the button.
'But since we're going to fire directly anyway, we'll have to tearfully remove the barrel, I suppose.'
"Hildea-nim, use your Aura Blade."
"W-wait! Colonel Piel! Th-this, cutting this is somehow too much of a waste!"
"Huh?"
"Those two Magical Devices appear to be flying vehicles. Isn't the concept that you fire in the direction they indicate and hit even enemies you can't see?"
"You're correct. It can attack from 24km up to a maximum of 40km."
"You mean those flying Magical Devices help you hit targets at that great distance?"
"That's right."
Thud.
Turning around at the sudden sound of something dropping, Luna was staring blankly with her mouth open, having dropped her half-eaten Mint Choco Cake.
"Colonel Piel, before you cut it up and fire it directly, I want to see the intact offensive capability of this Magical Device!"
Luna, really....
Did you maybe find a bug in your cake?
That can't be.