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The Hermit’s Scheme

 

Blue sensed something unusual.
It was a feeling that those fighting on the frontlines had also faintly begun to notice.

All the facilities within this Fortress Area were working in their favor.
To the enemy, everything they saw must have appeared as a trap.

Elsewhere, the Familia also became aware of this reality.

「Hey, doesn’t this feel like… that thing from the early days of the war with the Stones?」

「You’re absolutely right. I’m eighty years old, but because I’m so small, I couldn’t be of much help back then. That’s why I remember it so clearly.」

A small hamster-shaped Familia spoke. She was currently inside a support vehicle, a half-tracked car.

「Back then, too, various facilities sided with us. The enemy only had unmanned drones, which is why the Stones started using demi-gods, captured humans, and mercenaries to counter us, forcing the facilities to remain neutral.」

「Why are they helping us now? I mean, it’s great, but still!」

「I don’t know. Back then, we only had construction Silhouettes and motorized vehicles. A huge number of Familia sacrificed their lives to take down the Murders. It was such a barren time.」

The hamster Familia recalled the past with a sorrowful expression.

「I heard about it. After that Development Engineers came from Earth and built armored vehicles and tanks for us, right? Now we even have fighter jets.」

「Yeah. It really looks like the entire Fortress Area itself is on our side. Look at that.」

A crawler crane in the factory district was moving automatically. The vehicle itself was connected via cables, operating autonomously—truly a robot in every sense. No Familia was needed to control it.

The crane had its tip swapped out for a hammer, which it used to attack the enemy. Powered by energy derived from an A-Carbuncle, its armor was as tough as the buildings in the fortress area.

This ordinary piece of heavy machinery was fighting with its own will, without any Familia controlling it.

「Let’s try asking it. Who’s giving them orders? …I’ve confirmed it. The answer came back: ‘Of my own will!’」

「No way!」

「It seems it was at Big Boss’s request! He treated them as friends, so when he asked for their help, they decided to fight based on their own judgment.」

「As a friend?! That’s amazing news! Spread it to everyone.」

「Got it!」

At Big Boss’s command, the very facilities of the Fortress Area had become allies in battle. This news, combined with the information about reinforcements, provided a much-needed morale boost to the frontline soldiers, who had been pushed into a grueling war of attrition after several aces were taken down.

◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

「The two Silhouettes that infiltrated earlier are retreating.」

「What the hell happened… Asia’s Aimer! Why do you look so lifeless?」

Asia’s Aimer’s eyes had died a little when she saw the horde of Panjandrums and walking mines crawling around the sealed district.

「I saw something I really didn’t want to. The sealed district has been contaminated.」

「Contaminated? Was some kind of strange weapon used?!」

Contamination was no small matter. Kou turned back and took Asia’s Aimer by the hand. She snapped out of it, regaining her senses, though she didn’t let go of his hand.

「I’m sorry. I lost it for a second. Uh, by ‘contamination,’ I don’t mean a weird weapon. Well, maybe it is a weird weapon…」

「Calm down.」

「Yeah, thanks.」

The grip in Kou’s hand grew stronger, and neither of them let go.

「An allied Silhouette, the tactical operations Silhouette ‘Merlin,’ has repelled two Corvus all by itself. Vasa has also begun his retreat.」

「I’ve never heard of this Silhouette before, but that’s incredible. To drive off two Corvus like that… What kind of magic did it use to make that possible?」

「That’s exactly why I was so shaken. The Merlin appears to have scattered a large number of Panjandrums and walking mines throughout the sealed district. They attack any enemies they encounter, like wandering monsters.」

The sealed district scene appeared on the monitor of Unit 5. Panjandrums rolled quietly, while the walking mines made eerie sounds as they moved—some even clinging to the ceiling like alien creatures. It was a hellish sight.

It was no wonder Asia’s Aimer had such a grim look in her eyes after seeing that. Kou now understood why. Even he found this scene unsettling.

「Summoning magic, huh? But instead of creatures, it’s summoning Panjandrums. And those are walking mines? So, they’ve turned the sealed district into a dungeon…」

The image evoked thoughts of wandering monsters from a video game, but instead of actual monsters, they were massive spinning-wheel-shaped self-propelled mines and alien-like walking mines.

「A Silhouette worthy of the name Merlin the Magician. Marujin is terrifying.」

「Yeah, terrifying.」

Kou squeezed her hand a bit tighter in agreement, trying to comfort her. Asia’s Aimer, secretly pleased, kept up her frightened act a bit longer.

「We might not be able to get out for a while.」

「That’s not good.」

「I’m fine being alone with you. I brought enough supplies for us to last through some meals.」

Asia’s Aimer gave a shy, slightly embarrassed smile.

「That’s not the problem!」

For some reason, Kou began to panic.

「Yes, yes. I hate to interrupt your fun, but those Panjandrums are equipped with the Merlin System, which keeps them at a safe distance from allied units. It’s a large-scale control system similar to the one loaded on the MCS and is managed under Eirene’s supervision. They won’t attack any units affiliated with Metal Iris or Ulysses.」

Astraea cut in with an exasperated tone.
Kou quickly let go of Asia’s Aimer’s hand and refocused on the monitor, while Asia’s Aimer puffed her cheeks in frustration.

「The Merlin System? Well, that’s a relief, but…」

「I’ll give you the details later. There’s no need to worry about being starved out, and you can swap shifts with other Development Engineers if needed.」

「Ugh…」

「No pouting, Asia’s Aimer.」

「You know, Kou was just bragging about you to me earlier, but now I won’t tell you anything!」

「That’s vital information. Please relay it immediately…」

「Maybe later.」

The communication was mercilessly cut off.

「This is boring.」

「Don’t pout, those are good news.」

Just as they were recovering from the awkward moment, an unexpected communication came through.

「Kou? There’s a message from Marujin!」

「Connect it!」

From the dimly lit MCS, Marujin appeared.
He was a man in a mask, but his outline was unmistakable—it was him.

「Hello, Big Boss.」

As expected, he was using a voice modulator.

「Abel-san, right? Stop hiding behind that mask and show your face!」

His identity was obvious from his facial outline, but Kou’s earnest request was ignored.

「What are you talking about? Anyway, I’ve bought you some time. Asia’s Aimer, the enemy’s aerial targets are focused on the runway. I assume restoration work is still underway, but you need to hurry. We’re holding them off on our end for now, but we could use some help, the Edge Swifts should be able to take off.」

「Understood. I’ll allocate more resources to the runway’s restoration.」

「The forces deployed this time are only meant to buy time. They won’t serve as the decisive weapon for a turnaround. If you can hold out for just one more day… then a reversal might be possible. Big Boss, this is all I can do.」

「Thank you, Marujin. What will happen by tomorrow?」

There must be something important going on. Kou decided to go along with the alias. He was certain that this man was Abel.

「At dawn, hope will appear beyond the horizon, brought by the light of the goddess. It will lead us to victory.」

「That sounds like something straight out of legend, Marujin. Is this force being provided by the goddess Britannia?」

「Indeed. There are comrades who have been guided by her.」

A slight smile appeared at Marujin’s mouth.

「We’ve managed to buy a decent amount of time. The arrival of Metal Iris is only a matter of time. In the meantime, focus on restoring morale and holding out in the chaos of battle. The enemy’s supply lines are thin. They had planned for a short-term engagement after all.」

「Got it. Thanks, Marujin. Should I share this prophecy with everyone?」

「Of course. Until we meet again.」

The communication was cut off.

Kou turned to Asia’s Aimer to continue their conversation.

「Dawn, huh. What do you think it means?」

「Probably the combined forces of John Arms and General Defense will come as reinforcements. But ever since John Arms fell, there hasn’t been a single word from the survivors. Only Admiral George from BAS has been able to communicate with them. It’s probably BAS again…」

「BAS sure likes to use schemes.」

「Totally. Just like that legendary British sabotage unit, the Wheezers and Dodgers.」

「Never heard of them.」

「They were a group that developed things like self-propelled mines and all kinds of crazy weapons. That country’s navy was a little… no, it’s better to leave it at that.」

The small branch of the British Navy, DMWD (Department of Miscellaneous Weapons Development), was famous for putting various inventions and weapons into practical use. While their oddball creations often got the attention, their work on anti-submarine rockets, rocket batteries for ships, and magnetic degaussing systems for mine defense made significant contributions to the Normandy landings.

「Really?」

「Yeah. Your country’s navy was kind of like an offshoot of the British Navy, in a way.」

「No way…」

Kou, who wasn’t very familiar with Earth’s Japanese military history, was left speechless.

「I’d appreciate it if Marujin told us what’s coming in advance.」

「Yeah, I think so too.」

Kou suddenly understood how Barry must have felt.

◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

「Kou-kun… can you hear me?」

「Hyoe-san! I’m glad you’re safe. I’m sorry about Yuzuki-san…」

A communication from Hyoe came through, though his voice lacked its usual strength.

「I can’t talk much about it myself. She was right there, and I couldn’t do a thing. But listen, she lost in a one-on-one duel. For Yuzuki’s sake, let’s not speak of it any further.」

「Understood.」

If it had been a one-on-one fight, Kou wouldn’t have been able to intervene either.

「And now, as pathetic as it sounds, the repairs on the Accipiter are almost done, but I’m in no shape to pilot it. So, Kou-kun… Can you take my place? I can’t fight on the frontlines, but I can still guard the sealed district. If anything happens, I’ll call you right away.」

「But you are hurt! In your condition, fighting is…!」

「I can handle it, especially if I am with Kawakage. It’ll be the two of us. Rushing in without thinking isn’t a bad way to fight, but at times like these, it’s easy to get reckless, even suicidal. It’s better for me to stay put and calm myself down there.」

Kou understood the feeling of becoming reckless, of wanting to throw yourself into battle, even at the cost of your life. Perhaps it was better to trust Hyoe with this task for now.

「Alright. I’ll do it.」

「Make sure you both get some rest, though. Night battles are tough—keep yourselves sharp. Little lady, take care of Kou for me, alright?」

「Yes, leave him to me!」

Hyoe nodded in approval to Aimer’s response before the communication was cut off.

「Kou, Jenny-san, and Kurose-san should be arriving soon. Kurt-san as well—it won’t be long now.」

「Good. Let’s go, Aimer. The prophet said it, right? Hope is on its way.」

「Yeah!」

A sense of hope was beginning to break through. As Kou prepared himself for the upcoming urban night battle, he felt a renewed focus.