DE: Chapter 1 Part 22 – Vanguard, Champion of the Land

(A battle is taking place. Could she come to help?)

The Third Princess, Liliana Calvarta, was confined in a neat and tidy room with only the bare essentials. Even within that room, she could hear the sounds of gunfire and explosions, and the furious shouts of the people.

However, she knew that a rescue at this moment would be extremely dangerous. Why was help coming now, of all times? That thing had been made operational. At this rate, many more people would die again.

“I just wanted to help. That’s all…”

Her murmur faded away, unheard by anyone.

* * *

As we approached the resource processing facility, we were met with a warm welcome from enemy AW and MW units, led by their defense weaponry.

【Time to greet our guests. Give them a loud welcome!】

【Tank unit, commence attack! Fire, fire, fire nonstop!】

【The difference in machines isn’t everything. It’s all about skill making up the rest!】

【Don’t let those damn Elves have their way any longer! Wipe them all out!】

Tank shells and a swarm of rockets came flying at us. We quickly took evasive maneuvers and began closing the distance.

『From Fang-1 to all units. Enemy’s interception is intensifying. Attack while I provide support from above.』

『Got it!』

“Achoo! U-Understood. Is someone talking bad about me?”

Captain Christina’s Delta Saber soared into the sky, unleashing a rain of beams on the enemy AW and MW units. As anti-aircraft guns and intercept missiles were launched, drawing the enemy’s hate towards the Delta Saber, the Fang and Mad squads accelerated and charged straight into the enemy lines.

“I wonder what I’m doing this time. I still feel like there’s no real reason for me to be here.”

A Champer attack helicopter was approaching, so I tried to intercept it, but it was pierced by a beam from above and exploded.

It seemed that there were other fighter planes trying to take off, but they were shot down by the Delta Saber’s beam before they could reach the sky.

“That’s really a one-hit wonder. Honestly, I’m glad I’m not on the enemy’s side.”

Even so, the enemy defense forces desperately launched attacks. However, the performance difference between the AWs were too large to even be considered a fight. Zargan desperately laid down a barrage of bullets, and Madoc tried to maneuver evasively. But the Elves swept everything away.

【Why! Why didn’t the bullets hit it!?】

【I knew it was wrong from the start. It was a mistake to rebel against the Elves.】

【If this continues, we’ll be cornered! Someone help me!】

【This one is going to explode! Aaaaah!】

【We can’t hold the front line any longer! Requesting permission to retreat!】

【This is the command center. Maintain for 360 more seconds. Repeat, maintain for 360 more seconds.】

【If we could, we’d have done it by now‼︎】

However, their resistance was futile as the AW and MW units were pierced by the beam one after another and exploded. The tank’s artillery fire didn’t even seem to hit the highly mobile Delta Saber.

A sense of despair arose in the defense units, but at the command center, an air of composure still lingered.

“Commander, preparations for deployment are complete.”

“I see. Then let’s go. From here on, the command center will be relocated to the【Land Battleship Vanguard】. Everyone, hurry up.”

“Understood.”

Finally, Damraka’s trump card was in play.

* * *

【Damn it! I can’t just retreat after getting beaten like this! I’ll take that Madoc down with me, at the very least!!】

【We’ll follow too! We can’t keep our pride unless we take down at least one of the enemy!】

【That mercenary is clinging to me like a lapdog. I’m going to kill him!】

It’s natural to face opponents you can defeat rather than those you can’t. When the enemy witnessed their allies being destroyed one after another on radar or by sight, it was only natural to want to land at least one strike in return.

Although it was unlucky that they thought I was an opponent they could beat.

“Six enemy AWs units are approaching at 2 o’clock.”

“It would be better if they came from the other side. The Captain usually takes them down before they get close.”

Captain Christina was still providing support for our allies from above. Honestly, I think having the Delta Saber on the battlefield is cheating.

It’s a real-type frame with the power of a super-type built in.

“Enemy machine firing confirmed.”

“I know, so it’s fine. Come on, get a little closer. I’ll give you something good.”

As the enemy units charged forward, spraying fire from their 45mm assault rifles and 45mm submachine guns, I closed the distance while evading and using my shield to defend.

“Target is within the range of the 35mm Gatling gun.”

“I’ll take care of you without shields. Hope you dance well, yeah?”

The moment those words were whispered, the four AW units without shields showed a slight change in their movements. They probably had a sense of danger.

“Unfortunately, it seems like it was a bit too late. You’d better train for your next life.”

I pulled the trigger. Immediately, the barrels of the 35mm Gatling gun began to spin.

“Let’s Party Time.”

A storm of 35mm rounds tore into the enemy units without shields. They scrambled to evade, but I anticipated their movements and fired without hesitation.

【What the hell is this guy?! Isn’t he supposed to be weak?!】

【I’m being targeted?! Someone, help!】

【Charge in! If they can dodge, then just shoot from a range where it will hit! We’ve got the numbers!】

【Hey! Aim at me! I said aim at me, damn it!】

I ignored the shield holder and shot at the other enemy aircraft. Then, the enemy units collapsed while doing a funny dance after being hit by 35mm rounds or exploded.

“Now then, it’s just you guys left. If this is how you fare against Madoc, don’t you think it’s a disgrace to your fallen comrades?”

【You damn monster, aaaah!!】

【Dieeeeeeeee!!】

Abandoning the 45mm assault rifle, they drew their blade and charged in.

“This is gonna be fun. I’ll play along.”

“This is inefficient.”

I also discarded the 35mm Gatling gun and charged in with an axe. Nero charged in too, but I ignored him. As the distance between us closed, the enemy Zargan in front swung their blade.

“I’ll start with you in the back.”

【What!?】

I swung upward, scooping from below, at Zargan’s right arm, which was now holding a 45mm submachine gun. The arm was torn off in an instant, and both it and the submachine gun flew through the air.

Then without hesitation, I swung my axe towards the cockpit.

【S-stop】

A dull metallic clang echoed, and the Zargan froze in place. Witnessing the entire sequence, the last Zargan pilot was gripped by fear.

(This guy… he’s someone you should never mess with.)

As I took a step back, my Madoc’s head turned to look at him. Even though there was almost no difference in performance between my and their AWs, the Zargan pilot couldn’t help but feel it would be better to face the Elf welding the Spear Saber or Delta Saber instead.

And the moment the visor of Madoc glowed, the pilot discarded all shame, screamed, and fled. At that moment, he had no thoughts of avenging his fallen comrades or of fleeing from the enemy; all he wanted was to survive.

Seeing Zargan being abandoned in front of the enemy like that made me lose interest.

“Even though we’re enemies, we did a pretty good job of teamwork. Oh, whatever.”

* * *

It was due to Sergeant Kisaragi’s whim at that moment that the enemy pilot was able to survive. Of course, fleeing from the enemy was a serious crime, but there was no one to reproach him for it.

He re-equipped his 35mm Gatling gun and joined Fang Squad and Mad Squad. They too had destroyed most of the defensive forces and emplacement turrets. Of course, there was no doubt that the enemy’s defensive strength was quite formidable.

And above all, it was simply because the performance of the Delta Saber was beyond standard. That’s all there was to it.

『Situation report from Fang-1.』

『All Fang Squad units are operational.』

『Mad Squadron, likewise, no issues.』

『This is the Ground Force, we will be joining you shortly.』

“Trigger-5, no abnormalities.”

『Yes. Well done, everyone. Now, we just have to wait for the Ground Force to arrive. Maintain a strict vigilance around the area.』

He moved to a distant location for perimeter surveillance. Then, one aircraft approached him. The radar displayed【GXT-001】. In other words, Captain Christina’s Delta Saber approached and landed next to him.

『Good work. You did well.』

“You too. I think my score is the lowest compared to the others, though.”

『That’s not true. Sergeant Kisaragi also won against many opponents. Normally, another kill would have been added to your score, right?』

“It was just a coincidence. I couldn’t pursue because I had let go of my firearm.”

『Then what about the beam gun on your waist?』

“I’m more of a live ammo type.”

They continued to keep watch around the perimeter while casually chatting. It was just about the time when the Ground Force was expected to arrive.

“Vibration detected.”

“Vibration? Is it an earthquake or something?”

“Negative. Response detected near the resource processing facility. Warning: high heat source detected underground.”

“What? Trigger-5 to Fang-1, something’s coming from underground. Stay alert.”

And what he saw three seconds into the future was the ground deep within the resource processing facility slowly beginning to move.

A large hole opened in the ground. Something began to emerge from it. The radar also showed a high heat source. And then, slowly, it revealed itself from beneath the earth.

It was a massive warship. On the upper part of its enormous bifurcated hull were two triple-mounted turrets at the front on either side, and one each on both sides at the rear. Slightly smaller twin-mounted turrets were positioned on either side, two in total. In addition, it was equipped with numerous beam cannons, rapid-fire guns, anti-aircraft guns, missile launchers, and VLS hatches.

Truly a being worthy of being called the ruler of the land. Such an out-of-place, colossal land battleship had appeared right before their eyes.

“No matching data found. Similar data identified.”

“Display the similar data.”

“It corresponds to a revised design once commissioned to Type-From Corporation.”

What was displayed there was the【Vanguard-class Frontline Breakthrough Mobile Twin-Hull Battleship】. There were certainly some minor differences, but they were within the margin of error.

Upon examining its specifications, it was originally designed to move using only tracks, but had been modified to primarily use hover propulsion, with the tracks serving as a backup in case the hover system failed. Apparently, the modification was made due to issues with the slow movement speed when using tracks alone.

However, being a land battleship, its weight was immense, and the hover mobility upgrade reportedly faced significant difficulties, most notably, a lack of sufficient output power.

But it’s highly likely that the current Vanguard has resolved those issues.

“Did these guys open a department store on top of a battleship or something?”

He muttered sarcasm reminiscent of that famous leader, but deep down, he had to admit, it wasn’t entirely wrong to say they had indeed opened a department store atop a battleship.