Second Coupling
It felt like the desolation—devoid of even a hint of human life—was carried on the wind itself.
The Frangia Kingdom had lost most of its territory to the bug invasion. Perhaps that was why the ruined city they arrived at presented such a barren landscape. Overgrown weeds and vines gnawed at the buildings, untouched by human hands for so long, and shattered structures dotted the scene as if they'd been right in the heart of a battlefield. The brick-paved streets bore black scorch marks and massive craters, likely from artillery strikes. There had probably been several battles here. Though the city was pathetically wrecked from repeated fighting, it wasn't hard to imagine what it might have looked like in its prime.
The city's vibe resembled pre-modern European towns. No towering skyscrapers like the ones he'd seen in the real world, but plenty of low-rise buildings scattered around—big enough to easily conceal Holy Knights or bugs. Netoru eyed them carefully.
...Plenty good for cover.
The remaining buildings in the ruined city made for solid shields against Holy Knights. Even they would be in danger if hit directly by a Spider's shells—not that a heavy machine gun would do much, but a direct hit was no joke. Especially to the cockpit; that meant instant death for the coupling partners, no chance to react. Their flesh and blood shredded by the shell along with the cockpit itself. The bugs' armaments were threatening enough to warrant endless warnings.
From a modern perspective, it was like facing an armed robber with a gun while wielding just a sword and shield. No, it was reality. They'd lived in an age of swords and magic for hundreds, thousands of years. Then suddenly, monsters with guns and cannons show up. Honestly, this was way overpowered.
That was why units like the 393rd—and all Holy Knight squads—had no regular infantry, just pilots to operate the Knights. Charging foot soldiers with swords and shields against the bugs' barrage? It'd be like medieval peasants throwing themselves at a multi-ton tank. A casual sweep from machine guns would turn dozens, hundreds into meat chunks in seconds. Knight, mage, commoner—everyone was equal before the hail of bullets. Only Holy Knights could fight back.
...At least they don't have fighters. Small mercies.
Luckily, the bugs had no concept of air superiority. If they dominated the skies too, this world would be hopeless. But it was still a world of despair. Human growth had been stunted by magic, leaving Holy Knights armed with nothing but hilariously anachronistic cold weapons. Without them, conquest would have been inevitable long ago.
2.
The mission was straightforward: each squad would ambush near the bugs' infiltration routes and wipe them out in a surprise attack. Fortunately, the bugs were following Rien's predicted path.
─The bug swarm will reach the expected point soon. I'll handle the attack timing, but on-site command goes to each squad leader.
The screen projected in midair tracked the bugs' movements in real time. Before the fight, Netoru checked the enemy intel.
Thirteen artillery Spiders. The rest are all infiltration Centipedes.
It felt like peering at a minimap in a strategy game—enemy info kindly marked on the map. Couldn't be easier for Netoru. That was one of Rien's talents: meticulous, precise data links across wide areas. In a world without radar or satellites, real-time enemy tracking came purely from the commander's magic. The interfaces in Holy Knights processed data the commander gathered and refined—screens logging bug and squad positions live, detailed terrain maps, even backtracking distant artillery fire. All pure mage-commander ability.
The wider the commander's observation range, the safer and smoother the pilots' fights. Commanding a Holy Knight unit wasn't just tactical leadership; it was mastering magic utility like this.
"...Hmm. Impressive."
"What is?"
Karen picked up his absent murmur. Netoru praised Rien honestly.
"Our commander's competent. As a mage, she's solid—no two ways about it."
"...Watch your mouth around the commander."
Netoru shrugged at Karen's words. She sighed self-mockingly, now somewhat used to him.
"Anyway, yeah, you're right—Commander Rien's capable. Way more reliable than the last one."
"Last one?"
The previous commander... Given Rien's age, she couldn't have been in post long.
"Karen. What was the previous commander like?"
"Incompetent."
No hesitation. Her voice had a cold, sunken edge—plenty of bad memories, it seemed.
"What happened? Transferred?"
"...No, he died."
Died? Netoru tilted his head. Commanders rarely died. Pilots fought the bugs on the front lines. Commanders stayed back as living tactical systems.
"How?"
"Fled alone and got eaten. Probably thought we were done for. We nearly were, actually."
"I see..."
A ridiculous end. But common here. Mages were rare, noble possessions. Many were selfish, prideful, with an excessive survival instinct.
Anyway, chit-chat over. Battle was imminent. Karen warned him like always.
"You're sick of hearing it, but last time: my limit's 1000 output. Got it?"
"Yeah, yeah. Relax. You don't trust me at all, huh?"
Limit output: the max power a female pilot could channel through the Holy Knight connection. Karen had collapsed on day one because he'd exceeded hers.
...High limit, good efficiency. Rare find.
It wasn't a mistake. Partly intentional—to gauge her level. Karen passed with flying colors. High output, efficient mana use. Proof her mana nerve system for piloting was top-tier.
Thinking back to day one, she grumbled.
"You... pull that on day one and expect trust? Push past my limit, and I'll burn your mana to shit too."
"Scary."
Female pilots were the engine; males, the fuel supplier. She meant she'd wreck him too. But to him, it was a cute threat. Even if she went all out, it wouldn't faze him. Netoru smirked, eyeing Karen's back as she lay in the cockpit.
────.
As battle loomed, mana flow through their coupling's mana path ramped up—like a car engine revving. Karen tensed, her body filling with power. The fresh, girlish allure of a girl not yet fully matured began to emanate.
...Is she doing this on purpose?
Netoru blinked, head tilted. If it was talent, it was for seduction. Thick black hair cascaded down her unyielding white nape, straight spine, hips perked just so—tempting anyone behind to pounce. He'd been starved for women lately. Nearly a month in the unit had been dull.
─One minute out. Bugs incoming.
Rien's voice snapped him back. Netoru gripped Karen's control stick. She let out a soft moan from the motion, but he ignored it. Time to focus.
─As planned, on-site command for 5th Squad to Netoru. Alright?
"Understood."
5th Squad's role wasn't glamorous. It was mostly young pilots, assigned low-risk spots. Netoru got placed there due to unstable coupling. But his experience landed him temporary squad lead for this op—to evaluate him for permanent. Rien must've seen his squad leader history in his profile.
─...Netoru-hyung. Please take care of us.
As heavy bug footsteps echoed, a boy's voice came over comms—Kanzaki from 5th Squad. The kid listened well after Netoru's efforts to bond lately.
"You too."
Short reply, then Netoru scanned ahead. Hideous bugs emerged with thunderous noise: Centipedes low to the ground on dozens of legs up front, Spiders with cannon turrets following, crossing the city streets. No caution, no cover—just plodding straight ahead. Bugs weren't bright. Vague on strategy or tactics. Overwhelm with numbers and firepower. That brute-force approach was crushing the kingdom.
As the bugs crossed the ambush points...
─Engage.
With the commander's voice, Netoru yanked Karen's stick, moving the Holy Knight.
