On the Road to Phoenix County
Phoenix County. It was the territory that controlled the border region between the Argent Empire and the Vespa Kingdom, encompassing the entire surrounding area and wielding independent military authority as a margrave. In short, if they decided to go rogue, that whole region could become enemy territory in an instant, and if they pushed forward, it would be all over. That made it one of the territories the kingdom fretted over the most, with influence rivaling—even surpassing—that of a ducal house. I'd heard they valued it more highly than the ducal houses themselves.
"But even knowing it's that important, I still don't get how important."
"They cut taxes in half specifically for them and let them handle the rest however they want. Knight orders get dispatched and rotated out constantly, the royal family sends royals to encourage them four times a year, proposes marriages now and then, showers them with gifts—you name it."
They're just handing it all over on a silver platter. Listening to Erica's explanation, it was clear the kingdom was bending over backward to keep them loyal.
"The Phoenix family has repelled major assaults from the Argent Empire three times on their own, so they've got some seriously tough soldiers. And as you heard, they tie bloodlines with the royals pretty often."
I nodded at Mina's words. The Nexia ducal house was one of their branches, and it seemed the Phoenix counts were similar. Though since I'd never heard it stated outright, they probably weren't treated as a branch per se—just had some royal blood mixed in. It was one of those noble traditions everyone in high society knew about, but I couldn't care less.
"Speaking of... you lot are awfully calm. Don't you realize things could go wrong on the way and you might die?"
Professor Reina, sitting in the back, spoke up quietly. She looked uneasy, so I figured it was time to reassure her.
"We've already been through all the explosive surprises early on, so it's safe now."
"The fact that it almost exploded is the problem! It's safe now, right? Inside the golem, I mean!"
Reina's shout echoed through the cramped interior. Mina, looking thoroughly pleased, cracked open the cockpit window with a grin.
"Investing here was definitely the right call."
-Rumble rumble rumble-
The Caterpillar Golem's growl echoed from outside. Mina leaned into the breeze, looking satisfied.
"Why don't we mass-produce these Caterpillar Golems as transports while we're at it? They'd make bank."
"If even the guy who built it hates riding them, what can you do? You gonna ride it yourself?"
"These people know me well enough. Too much hassle."
I chuckled at Mina's response and kept driving. The Caterpillar Golem had been refitted for transport duty. It started a week ago, when we'd been told to head to Phoenix County.
Amazed at the academy's lax rules—show up once and you're good for months—I'd said to Mina:
"We're making three Cyclops to deliver anyway. What if we bring all the materials and technicians to teach them on-site?"
"Who are you and what have you done with Aizen? You, suggesting something that devious? Mocking a saintess, are we?"
Mina had threatened holy magic, but she agreed with my pitch: test weapons and set up mass production tech while we were there. We'd quickly prepped a massive trailer linking to the Caterpillar Golem's frame. Leftover materials made it a breeze.
Roads around the capital and academy were carriage-friendly, but the path to the front lines at Phoenix County? Not a chance. Plus, we had bulky cargo, so mobilizing this beast was the easiest option...
"It's the prototype of prototypes—anyone can pilot it since you pump mana directly into it."
And so, with huge trailers hitched to the Caterpillar Golem, we lumbered along. One carried a Cyclops and the prototype Rodellini Machine Gun. The rest hauled materials for three more Cyclops, plus Mina's merchant caravan and church folks—handpicked elites, she'd insisted. Their gear was loaded too, making the trailers insanely heavy.
I'd worried about the Caterpillar flattening out, but our eager investor had a brainstorm:
"What if we slap float stones on those trailers to lift 'em just a bit off the ground? Make 'em easier to pull?"
"You had that and didn't say so sooner?"
Another material from Mina's stockpile—deployed immediately. Not enough for full levitation, but it shaved some weight off the wheels. Solid win. Problem solved, trip comfy.
"No need to village-hop by carriage or horse... we can go all night, climb mountains... Mass production of this would be terrifying..."
"Bipedal walkers come first, so it's on the back burner."
"Don't forget I said that. Dibs on the contract."
I pretended not to hear Mina. Caterpillars had their chunky charm, sure, but style was all about bipedals. Reina sighed at my casual reply.
"Then I feel like an idiot for pulling an all-nighter prepping..."
"That's why you slept like a baby. Good call splurging on those luxury seats."
Mina sank blissfully into her chair. Erica murmured quietly.
"The saintess, Lady Noel... you all move fast."
"Guilt by association."
"Says the guy who should bow to Mina's action-hero levels?"
Easy to forget, but our first meeting was her sneaking into my dorm. Made me the cute one, right? Reina's deadpan stare said otherwise—no agreement there.
"...I get Aizen's got weird ideas, but yeah, all three of you are action incarnate. The second Phoenix County was decided, you handled expedition prep, handovers, paperwork, public excuses... Even I barely scraped by, and you did it in record time."
"Guess we're all types who had to hustle for ourselves."
Like me farming potatoes and tinkering golems to survive—Mina chased cash, Noel proved she could stand on her own. Made sense they'd vibe with me; similar drives.
"Noel's motives this time feel... different, though."
"Same here."
Right on cue, heavy thuds approached from outside. A Cyclops sidled up tight beside the Caterpillar Golem.
"I'm walking! On two legs—I'm walking!"
Noel was riding it. The frail lady who needed a cane after a short stroll was now joyriding like mad.
"Official reason's scouting the front lines and observing Cyclops mobility tests, but that girl's just here to pilot it herself."
"If it makes her happy..."
Her extreme frailty was a sore spot. She could walk on two legs—not impossible—and had decent arm strength, so maybe some other issue sapped her stamina. She hadn't shared, so I didn't pry. Knowing wouldn't change anything.
Win-win: we tested other pilots' reactions; she got her fix.
"Which is why I'm dragged along too."
The academy couldn't ignore the ducal lady—practically a princess—citing "front-line inspection." Reina had to tag along as escort.
"Not that I minded checking it out myself."
Reina eyed the Cyclops thoughtfully. Then I glanced at the time and nudged Mina.
"How long's Noel been on? Two hours?"
"Time to tell her to hop off. Girl's hooked—wants hours more. Like someone else we know."
"My turn then!"
Erica eyed the Cyclops eagerly. It wasn't just for me and Noel—Erica and Reina took shifts too. Martial types, they mastered controls fast, moving fluidly. Prime test data. Good for everyone.
"Even that fragile girl gains real power once she knows the controls."
Reina stared at the pristine white Cyclops—unpainted, fresh from the forge—with a complicated expression.
"Real combat's the true test. Might be the most crucial run yet. You know that, Aizen?"
"Confident here, but something bugging you?"
"Weapons don't hit peak from the start. Unforeseen flaws could pop up—how fast we fix 'em matters."
Her words struck odd.
"Something I don't know about?"
"You'll see once we're there. But honestly..."
Reina hesitated, relief flickering across her face.
"I'll just say I prefer your golems by a mile."
She's a knight. If rideable golems go mainline, she'd feel it most—yet that endorsement.
"Sounds like the front lines have seen it all."
Not all good, clearly, but no reason to stop. And soon after...
Massive, imposing walls and a moat came into view.
Phoenix County.