7. Orc Subjugation (1)
Creak! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Every time the three Gigants took a step, the ground trembled.
Wayne followed at the rear of the long column, watching the spectacle.
What the hell makes these massive things move?
It was a sight he'd never seen even on Earth, where science and technology were supposedly advanced. Six-meter-tall, hulking 3rd class Gigants walking on two legs. They were just walking, but their wide strides forced the soldiers behind them to jog to keep up.
There were a lot of soldiers too. In the old days, a single knight came with over ten people: apprentice knights, horse handlers, armor bearers, attendants, and servants. Gigants required several times that. Excluding the mech warrior, there were four or five officers, a cavalry of twenty with thirty musketeers and fifty spearmen for escort duty as the basic setup.
On top of that, for maintenance: one three-meter maintenance Gigant, twenty mechanics and parts managers, ten soldiers for exterior and joint cleaning, and twenty for meals and supply transport. Minimum 150 people per Gigant.
Do these massive, powerful machines really need escorts? Wayne wondered. But mech warriors who could fight inside a Gigant for 24 hours straight were rare enough to count on one hand. Most had time limits for piloting. During those breaks, the escorts protected the Gigant and pilot. And since they could break or malfunction on the battlefield, mechanics were essential.
They said 2nd class Gigants, at eight meters tall, and 1st class at ten meters required twice as many soldiers.
These things are basically mobile fortresses.
That was how Wayne defined them.
Of course, other kingdoms' machines were even more demanding. Mana-powered Magic Knights needed extra magic mechanics and wizards for mana parts maintenance. Aura-powered Titans were rare due to scarce aura knights and short piloting times, so they had even more escorts.
Wayne could barely imagine a battlefield where hundreds of Gigants, Magic Knights, and Titans clashed.
Suddenly, Snow Austin—who piloted a Gigant, commanded an armored platoon, and moved 500 people with a single word—seemed even more impressive.
Truth be told, it was too dangerous a mission for Wayne, so the knight commander hadn't approved. But he'd insisted on coming. Such opportunities were rare.
On this trip, I have to win Snow Austin over to my side somehow—or at least shift her view of me to favorable!
Making her an ally had multiple benefits. She was talented enough on her own, but as vice commander of the Blue Knights and prized disciple of Count Boltain—their spiritual pillar and top pick for next commander—it was a no-brainer.
Boltain earned every knight's respect regardless of faction. The Blue Knights currently favored Marquis Frank Stein, but with Adam Stein as heir, more were aligning with him. Current commander Count Termina was nearly seventy and retiring soon, setting up a three-way fight: Boltain, Patrick (Adam's close aide and other vice commander), and Lupiuss (pushing fourth son Renan Stein).
To secure time to build power, Wayne needed Boltain as commander—or at least block Patrick.
Thinking like this... I really feel like the real Wayne now.
Wayne chuckled wryly.
Still, being outside Winchester Castle felt refreshing. No need to watch Adam's every move, no immediate survival threats.
"Young Master Wayne, it's dangerous out here," said Blaster, Wayne's escort knight who'd never spoken first before.
"Why? Worried someone'll kill me?"
"Yes! Have you forgotten the mansion incident? Honestly, if Lord Bran's order had come, I'd have killed you myself."
Wayne chuckled at Blaster's bluntness.
"But you didn't."
"They're people who tried to kill you once. If they try again, isn't now their chance?"
"You're guarding me."
"You trust me?"
"Nope."
Blaster looked bitter.
"Speaking of which, how'd a guy like you become a knight?"
"Pardon? You know nothing about me?"
"Who would I ask? Father sent the Blue Knights to save me and picked you as my escort. That's trustworthy enough, right?"
All Wayne knew from Cassnet's notes: strongest among regular knights and mech warriors, top fighter. No family history.
Blaster nodded at last.
"I'm no noble, no knight family. Started as a soldier."
"Really?" Wayne raised a brow. "Cavalry? Musketeer? Spearman?"
"No. Archer."
"What? Archer?"
Archers were the lowest branch, cheapest pay. Musketeers had replaced them; longer range, rain-proof. Only a few left, soon obsolete.
"How'd an archer become a knight?"
Wayne was genuinely curious. Blaster gazed into the distance.
"Ten years ago, on a day rain poured like a waterfall."
Rain in the Great Forest fell like arrows, stinging bare skin. But amid anomalies, monsters surged. Empire families, knights, soldiers fought desperately. The monster wave lasted days; Gigants rotated well.
Frank Stein and the Blue Knights had held, rotated back to rest—when giant beetles (1-2m) burst from the ground. Weak against Gigants' feet, but brutal for humans.
Fierce fighting everywhere. Then one lunged at Marquis Frank Stein.
Shieeek! Thunk!
An arrow pierced its head with a whoosh. Frank survived by a hair. More arrows followed, piercing bodies. Turns out, two-meter giant Blaster had shot from 100 meters.
He knew no swordplay but swung a big blade with brute strength, cracking shells and splitting torsos.
His feats bought time; Gigants finished them.
"You saved Father—no, the Marquis?"
"Yes. Earned my knighthood then."
A knight was mech warrior rank—not junior officer. Huge promotion.
"Damn! An archer with shots like that—where'd you learn?"
"Father was a hunter; handled bows since childhood."
Wayne figured Blaster's natural strength and senses fit archery perfectly.
"By the way, never heard of bow-wielding Gigants. You know why?"
"No. Once asked the Marquis myself."
"Yeah?"
"No bowstring or frame can withstand Gigant-piercing tension."
"No Gigant bows yet... Make one, hit big."
"Another issue: Firing from inside feels different than eye-balling. Needs tons of training. Better to throw spears or charge with swords first, he said."
Wayne thought differently. Gigant vs. Gigant or Magic Knight was melee. But preemptive shots could hit before close range, gaining edge. Could change warfare.
If others dismissed it, worth trying. And Blaster was perfect test pilot.
"Why not pilot Gigants yourself? Can't sense Odd?"
"Never trained swordplay, barely know Odd. Plus, cockpit's too cramped for my size."
"Huh?"
First time hearing two-meter frame didn't fit.
"If a bow Gigant existed, wouldn't wanna test it?"
"Sure, but..."
Blaster looked skeptical. Wayne added it to his to-do list.
At Snow's order from her Gigant, 7th Platoon halted. Scouts rushed back.
"Over two hundred orcs occupying Ferrary Village."
"Problem is, sporadic outbreaks in other villages and cities. Can't spare forces."
Snow nodded. Without Gigants, subjugating orcs needed too many troops; best to defend.
Argen, 7th Platoon's mech warrior and sub-leader, flexed his Gigant's wrist.
The Gigant raised its sword high.
Slash!
One swing felled a cluster of massive trees. Branches trimmed, logs encircled the area—bam, a sturdy camp with barricades formed instantly.
Wayne entered too.
"Snow, you weren't gonna make me stay outside, right?"
She'd brought the youngest young master reluctantly, but couldn't risk him.
"Prepare a tent for Young Master Wayne!"
"Thanks."
Inside, Wayne inspected the Gigant closely. Touched the surface: hard yet smooth, not rough metal.
Bored after thorough look, he claimed a spot and swung his sword—vertical slashes practiced religiously during the fortnight's travel rests.
Snow approached, impressed.
"Hm. Sword practice matters for Gigant piloting, but focus your mind to sense Odd."
"I know, but knowing and realizing are different. Can't just sense it by focusing."
"Hard to define exactly. When practicing Sir Cassnet's swordsmanship Master taught me, mind sharpens. Persist, and Odd comes naturally."
"Got it. Focus the mind, huh."
Snow hesitated, lips twitching—first duel flashed: sleazy, leering Wayne. But his recent diligence confused her. She spoke.
"Well... At first, focus all senses on your eyes."
"Eyes?"
"Yes. Cadet academy method. Concentrate on one body part; energy flows there from body and nature. Eyes easiest to confirm. Works in Gigant too."
"Eyes, got it. Thanks."
Wayne swung, focusing on his eyes. Recalled Cassnet's eyes turning blue sometimes.
Tough now, but steady practice'll pay off.
Snow shared her know-how, turned away.
Wayne gripped his sword, unleashing terrifying focus. His favorite time. Skipped dinner, kept swinging.
Sunset. Suddenly, his eyes tinted pale green, like watered paint.
"Gasp! Young Master's eyes?!"
Blaster spotted it, bolted to the healer.