The Marchioness's Sincerity
The Marchioness's Sincerity
The Mortar Knight Order skillfully deployed their guns under Dvil's command.
After roughly aiming by grabbing the barrel with bare hands and eyeballing it, they pushed shells set to maximum range into the muzzle.
Kwang! Kwang! Kwang! Kwang!
The shells flew accurately towards the flock of wyverns, but.
The sharp-eyed wyverns quickly performed evasive maneuvers and dodged the shells.
Dvil and the knights sighed as they watched the scene.
"Damn it! If only the shell magical devices had eyes and could chase the wyverns, there'd be nothing better!"
"Have you finally gone mad? You're already blowing through 250kg flour-worth artifacts, and now you think magical devices are a joke?"
"Get a grip. No matter how great the Marshall family is, how could they make a magical device shell with eyes that chases wyverns?"
That knight was thoroughly tongue-lashed by his comrades for the crime of one misspoken word.
This time, another knight spoke as if muttering.
"As expected, shooting down a wyvern from beyond 200 meters is impossible..."
"Since they also have eyes, they dodge shells flying from outside 200 meters."
The devilish 200 meters.
A wyvern that enters within that range cannot react to the shell's speed and is shot down immediately.
But outside of it, no matter how precisely aimed, they evade every time by a margin of several meters.
Dvil turned to Rebecca and spoke respectfully.
"4th Army Commander-nim, please."
"Yeah, got it."
Rebecca aimed her heavy machine gun at the sky.
The wyverns, startled by the shell attack, were circling, hesitating between attacking and fleeing.
"We can't let a single one escape."
"Starting with the prepared gunner knight, fire!"
"Fire!"
Kwang! Kwang! Kwang! Kwang!
The shells once again flew swiftly towards the wyverns.
The wyverns narrowly dodged the shells, but the aura bullets flying from the heavy machine gun pierced into the mortar shells.
Kwakwagwang! Kwagwang!
The shells exploded in mid-air, and every wyvern caught in the kill radius plummeted down.
Dvil watched with a refreshed expression and said.
"Phew, someday we should be able to achieve aerial shoot-downs with just shells. Since the 4th Army Commander-nim isn't always with us."
Rebecca clutched her stomach and laughed as if dumbfounded.
"What on earth are you all talking about? You can just wait for them to come within 200 meters and catch them, right?"
"But long-range aerial shoot-down is the dream of our Mortar Knight Order, I tell you."
"It can't be helped. Unless the shell magical device somehow explodes on its own near the wyvern, they see it with their eyes and dodge."
A situation unimaginable in the past.
When facing wyverns, the right of first strike was unconditionally theirs. Because knights don't have wings.
But by using mortars, the knights monopolized the right of first strike instead.
As long as they come within 200 meters, the wyverns can be made to be torn apart instantly.
They could unilaterally beat them down without any bleeding on their side whatsoever.
Dvil looked at the soldiers retrieving the wyvern carcasses that had fallen far away and muttered.
"To be able to unilaterally pound the enemy from an overwhelmingly superior range. Cannon knights truly are gods of the battlefield."
***
No matter how huge a target a wyvern is, I wonder if the knights who hit flying targets with eyeballed 60mm mortars are really human.
"Lieutenant Colonel Piel, we are still lacking. We must be able to shoot down wyverns in mid-air from an even greater distance. We have to consider battlefields where the 4th Army Commander-nim is not present."
"...Just blow them away when they come within 200 meters. Don't obsess over long-range accuracy."
"But isn't it common sense that the farther away you defeat the enemy, the less danger your allies face?"
Anyway, the wyvern air raid warning that rang during the promotion ceremony devolved into target practice like that.
I frowned at the gruesome wyvern carcass, its entire body pierced by shrapnel.
"This one's condition is really bad. The Barkos Trading Company won't like it very much."
Wyvern scales, leather, and bones are worth money.
But a wyvern carcass beaten to death by shells has no value.
"Commander Rebecca-nim."
"Yes, Piel. Why did you call?"
"Are you ready to handle a new gun?"
Rebecca's eyes sparkled.
"For you, Piel, I'm always ready."
***
【Rank: Lieutenant Colonel】
【Position: Duty Officer, Supply Officer, Supply Department Chief】
【Direct Unit: Food Procurement Unit, Independent Combat Company】
【Subordinates: 2,000 / 2,000】
Thanks to having received plenty of subordinates in advance before the promotion, I filled the budget TO without any delay.
【The Lieutenant Colonel's special strategy budget is 2 million.】
The special strategy budget with a limit of 1 million has jumped up to a whopping 2 times. This is so good.
Since I'm a full Lieutenant Colonel and not a temporary one, I can now see in advance the items that can be requested for supply from the next rank, Colonel.
As expected, the 155mm howitzer was there.
【M777B1 155mm Lightweight Howitzer (Colonel)】
【Budget: 4 million】
【Shell (Standard High-Explosive): 1,500】
I can't get used to the unit price no matter how many times I see it.
How is a towed howitzer more expensive than a K9 self-propelled gun?
It's obvious since they plastered it with titanium and aluminum to reduce weight, but still.
'Hildea, sorry. Even if I make Colonel later, let's just keep using the 105mm. There's no budget.'
The 105mm is more than enough to crush and suppress, so there's no need to overextend and get the 155mm.
In my heart, I also want to freely use TOWs, Javelins, and 155mm guns.
But.
'With that money, damn, I could train several more territory residents into mana soldiers.'
No matter how I think about it, focusing on strengthening soldier and knight troops and handing them machetes and mortars is efficient budget management.
'Whenever I have budget to spare someday, I'll really set a date and go on a shopping spree.'
A 155mm towed gun is 4 million.
But I'm a poor Lieutenant Colonel who only receives a total budget of 10 million per month.
My hands can't help but tremble.
Even the 155mm, which has the best budget efficiency among 'Colonel and above possible' weapons, is this much, so there was no need to look at the rest.
"Piel?"
At the sound of Rebecca calling, I quickly selected the anti-materiel sniper rifle (M107).
Pretending to take it out from the subspace bracelet, I summoned the rifle, auxiliary equipment, and ammunition.
'It's an older model than the MK22, but the bullet caliber is much bigger. This kind of thing suits Rebecca.'
The latest sniper rifle MK22 reduced its bullet size for accuracy and recoil reduction.
From Rebecca's perspective, that's actually a regression.
So I chose the older M107.
I was glad the supply cheat didn't retire everything except the latest models like the 155mm towed gun.
"Hmm. It looks much flimsier than the heavy machine gun?"
"It uses the same ammunition. It's a magical device designed to fire one shot at a time to precisely target an objective."
"But you're already hitting precisely with the heavy machine gun now, aren't you?"
"This one is specialized for accurately hitting a single target at long range with single-shot fire."
I assembled the high-magnification scope and loaded the ammunition.
It was worth diligently studying the usage method with the tactical PDA every night.
"Hmm... rather than using something like this, it'd be better to just use the heavy machine gun... Kyaat, what is this?"
Rebecca, who had been holding the sniper rifle indifferently, was startled out of her wits when she looked through the high-magnification telescopic lens.
"Piel! Piel! Distant objects look like they're right in front of my nose! There are lines drawn inside the glass!"
"It's the aiming reticle."
"I want to shoot it! Right now!"
We climbed up onto the defensive wall.
Rebecca aimed the muzzle towards the northern horizon where the elf forces were.
While standing.
'To think I'd see someone shoot an anti-materiel sniper rifle while standing.'
"There's a good target right now. It's a black wolf."
Unlike white wolves that form packs, black wolves travel alone.
"I don't see it?"
"Use your binoculars."
I used the binoculars and looked around, barely managing to find the black wolf.
Looking at the range indicator... distance 4,850m?
"Commander Rebecca-nim. Can you hit this distance...?"
Tang!
Rebecca immediately pulled the trigger.
I could see the trajectory of the aura's afterimage left in the air by the bullet.
"I see. At this distance, the bullet drop is about this much. I've got the hang of it."
"Commander Rebecca-nim?"
Tang!
Without answering me, Rebecca immediately pulled the trigger again.
"Hit!"
You hit that?
With a gun you held for the first time today, right after the first shot?
"Wow, Piel. This is amazing? With the heavy machine gun, it's hard to induce mid-air explosions once the distance exceeds 400 meters, you know? But with this, I feel like I can do it no matter how far it is."
Rebecca stroked the sniper rifle and grinned.
"It's a magical device with a charm of a completely different color from the heavy machine gun. Thank you."
Theoretically, the bullet can fly up to 6, 7 km, but.
Is it humanly possible to hit a target 4,850m away right after a single zeroing shot?
'Come to think of it, wasn't the officially recognized longest hit distance by an Earthling 3.8km?'
Suddenly, I wondered if 4,850m was just a given for Rebecca.
The knights who had been watching us excitedly ran towards the horizon.
A short while later, they returned, dragging the carcass of the black wolf Rebecca had killed.
"..."
I was speechless looking at the carcass.
It wasn't because of its size, which was bigger than a hippo.
I also had the experience of being surrounded by a pack of white wolves when I went on an outdoor reconnaissance with Hildea.
What surprised me was the size of the hole in its torso.
In the black wolf's torso, there was a hole big enough for my head to fit in with room to spare.
The diameter seemed to be about 30cm.
It flew nearly 5 kilometers, so it should have lost almost all its kinetic energy...
"If you grant penetrating power with aura, air resistance decreases significantly, so it can fly much farther. It finishes with an aura explosion at the end."
"Looking at the black wolf carcass, I suddenly understand why mortar shells explode when shot by a bullet."
Seeing a hole this big, even an explosives expert would have no choice but to understand.
What kind of bullet hole is this?
Even if a tank gun armor-piercing shell penetrated through, the hole would probably be smaller than this.
"Piel, if you become a Bow Master, you can do this too. Speaking of which, it seems like our training has been a bit sparse lately. Shall we do it now?"
"Shall we?"
I took out the M4 carbine assault rifle.
It was originally used briefly by Rebecca, but after she got the heavy machine gun, she said she didn't need it and returned it to me.
"Piel, isn't the assault rifle's range too short and its power too weak? How about switching to the heavy machine gun?"
"It's sufficient for self-defense."
Rebecca thought for a moment, then smiled.
"Well, since there will absolutely never be a situation where Piel stands on a dangerous battlefield, I guess you don't need to handle a heavy machine gun. It's just heavy and cumbersome."
I'm glad Rebecca understands my feelings.
In the future as well, no matter what battlefield, I will thoroughly hide myself and cowardly avoid danger.
Strategically, that's the right decision too.
If I die and the supply cheat disappears, that would truly be the worst-case scenario.
"Are you diligently doing basic physical training with Hildea?"
"Yes, we're doing it whenever we get the chance."
"Doesn't she try to teach you swordsmanship?"
"She does. I want to become good at it too. But no matter how much I practice swordsmanship, I just don't improve."
"Piel, you have to shoot guns. We can't let your Bow Master talent rot away."
Come to think of it, shouldn't Rebecca be called a Gun Master now?
Rebecca corrected my posture and taught me how to hit targets well.
Breath control, stable posture, how to feel and utilize the wind and terrain, etc.
"Now all that's left is for you to be able to sense mana."
"Why can't I do it?"
"Uung, don't worry. Piel is just a little slower than others. You'll become a splendid Bow Master. Even if you get impatient, absolutely don't do things like swordsmanship. That's dangerous and not good."
I tried my best not to be conscious of Rebecca's swaying chest.
Every time she adjusted my posture, the sensation of her chest pressing here and there, oh man...
"Have you been thinking about it lately?"
"Huh?"
"Are you pretending not to know? About driving a stake into me."
"Ah, that's..."
"Don't feel pressured, just keep it in mind slowly and leisurely. Our territory is just a little short on food, but everything else is very abundant, you know?"
It certainly looks that way.
I feel like I understand without needing a detailed explanation.
"I told you, I don't care how many concubines Piel takes. Rather, I'm confident I can take good care of them like a big sister, so don't worry about that."
"Cough! Cough!"
I can't get used to that story every time I hear it.
Rebecca suddenly glanced under the defensive wall and asked in a mischievous voice.
"But how on earth did you manage Luna?"
"Huh?"
"It's the first time I've ever seen that woman follow someone around with that kind of face. It's fascinating."
Only then could I see Luna looking up at us from under the defensive wall.
When our eyes met, she smiled brightly and saluted.
Literally the textbook example of a standby-for-orders state.
"Samgyeopsal must really be delicious. To melt the heart of that Luna like that."
At the soft, pressing sensation on my shoulder, my head suddenly went cold.
"The smell of grilling meat was wafting heavily from the Commander-in-Chief's official residence all dawn, that was samgyeopsal, right?"
I don't know why, but suddenly it's cold.