Chapter 46

【Web Version Complete】Fairy Bullet

I've also posted a new work, so I hope you enjoy it as well.

The guerrilla fleet, preparing for the fortress assault, was receiving the supplies delivered from the headquarters.

Thanks to the supply unit that had preemptively positioned itself along the guerrilla fleet's route, the rendezvous was smoothly achieved.

In the hangar, Mollie was surprised by the delivered supplies.

"It feels strange to receive supplies just as we're about to head to our destination."

To Mollie, it seemed too convenient.

"They're deployed everywhere, so I guess they forcibly redirected the supplies that were originally intended for other places."

Due to the large-scale deployment of allies within the star system for the external war, the headquarters had adjusted and gathered the supplies to dispatch them.

"But the headquarters is really pushing it. The people who had their supplies taken away must be angry, right?"

The fleet that didn't receive the supplies would likely be furious.

"Maybe. But maybe they thought we were being pushed too hard?"

For the sake of the guerrilla fleet involved in the fortress assault, the headquarters had at least prepared the supplies, Emma thought.

Though she didn't know the true intentions of the headquarters and could only imagine.

Emma scanned the hangar.

The lined-up Raccoons were loaded with weapons to the brim.

Clearly overloaded.

Dug and Larry's Raccoons were even equipped with large shields, making it questionable if they could perform at their best.

Seeing the heavily armed Raccoons, Larry and Dug were almost at the point of arguing.

"Attacking the fortress with such a heavy machine is definitely reckless! We should switch to equipment that improves mobility!"

"Even if we improve mobility a little, we'll still be shot down! We have to commit ourselves to this!"

"I don't want to. I'll definitely die!"

As the two were loudly arguing, Emma, who was exasperated, kicked off the floor and flew over to them.

"It's fine, Lieutenant Larry."

"Captain?"

"I'll definitely open a path. If you follow the Atalante, I'll deliver you to the fortress."

Hearing Emma's words, Larry was momentarily speechless—then he realized.

"But what do we do after we reach the fortress!?"

"From there—"

Just as Emma was about to answer, a member of the unit that had arrived with the supplies approached and spoke on her behalf.

"From there, it's our job. It's been a while, Lieutenant. You've become quite reliable since your early days."

A female soldier in a powered suit used by the ground forces removed her helmet and saluted.

Larry noticed her powered suit was black, indicating her affiliation.

Her powered suit had several marks, reminiscent of ancient knight helmets, with an × symbol added.

"Knight Killer... Treasure?"

As Larry was surprised and tried to back away, the female soldier smiled wryly, used to being feared.

"I'm called Treasure wherever I go. Our official name is the Special Ground Forces... but anyway, we will accompany you on this mission. Once you deliver us to the fortress, we'll take care of the rest."

With the special forces sent along with the supplies, Emma was secretly pleased.

After all, they were experts in fortress assaults.

She had once worked with them on a mission and was impressed by their capabilities.

"I'm relieved. By the way, if you're being sent, does that mean the fortress is an important stronghold?"

Is it a high-priority fortress? Her guess turned out to be wrong.

"No. From what I've heard, it's more like a factional dispute. The fortress, which was guarded by the Imperial Army, was easily taken, and they are desperately trying to retake it. The headquarters wanted to leave it as it is, but—"

With the reason for the battle being so trivial, Dug, who was about to fight to the death, crossed his arms and clearly became unhappy.

"Is it just a matter of nobles' pride?"

"That's right. It's not unusual. We've been cleaning up after them many times in this war. Oops, I've said too much. Anyway, we're counting on you, everyone from the Atalante."

As the female soldier walked away, Emma turned to Larry and Dug.

"You don't have to worry about what happens after you reach the fortress."

Larry scratched his head with a complicated look.

"Let's see if we can even get there."

In contrast to Dug, who seemed to have regained his old self, he laughed with a wide mouth.

"Once we get this far, all that's left is to make up our minds."

Larry, though not convinced, seemed to give up on arguing with Dug.

◇

The Valona team was customizing their machines for the fortress assault.

"Ideally, we would install larger boosters, but this is the limit with the available parts."

Ein's choice was the opposite of Emma's, prioritizing high mobility.

The captain's machine, which Ein rode, was originally a high-mobility type, but additional boosters were also installed on the two Valonas of his subordinates.

A team staff member, a mechanic, approached.

"Lieutenant, we've made adjustments for high-mobility combat, but is it really okay to leave it as is? The armaments are minimal to make the machine lighter."

"Once we reach the fortress, the ground forces will take over. Our goal is to destroy the anti-air systems on the fortress surface. We want the machine to be as light as possible, even if the armaments are minimal."

Ein chose this method because he and his two subordinates were excellent.

Though not a knight, Ein was confident in piloting a mobile knight.

After all, he was selected as a test pilot, indicating his high evaluation.

The same applied to his two subordinates.

Ein took off his glasses and looked up at the Valona.

"To think they would deploy such valuable test pilots in a place like this... The Banfield family has become quite sloppy with their expansion."

They shouldn't be deployed in battle, but the organization had become too large and management had become sloppy.

However, Ein was considering another possibility.

"Or maybe it's the pressure from those who want to adopt Nevan..."

Many people were reluctant to switch to the current generation of machines.

Even within the third weapons factory, there was a faction that wanted to adopt Nevan over Valona.

Nevan, being a mobile knight that supported the Banfield family, was cherished by many knights.

The adoption of Valona faced many obstacles.

The mechanic smiled wryly.

"Let's think about those matters after we survive."

"That's right. Even if we think about it, now is not the time. Survival is the priority now."

Ein's gaze was directed at the Raccoon that had been converted to heavy armament.

Ein tried to guess what Emma was thinking, but lacked the information to make a judgment.

"Let's see the skills of the knight known as the Lightning."

◇

The Armored Nevan development team was struggling with the lackluster Rick.

The development leader was explaining to Rick.

"An opportunity to showcase the true potential of the Armored Nevan has arrived, Lieutenant Martin. In a fortress assault, its inherent performance is enough to ensure victory."

The machine was originally designed with additional armor and heavy armament.

The additional boosters also solved the issue of reduced speed.

For the Armored Nevan, this type of battlefield was suitable.

Therefore, no special modifications were necessary.

"Got it. I'll just do what I usually do."

The indifferent response from Rick left the development leader exasperated.

"Deploying you in battle was unexpected, and we are also reluctant. However, if you perform well here, it will bring us closer to adoption. Lieutenant Martin, please survive and bring us valuable data."

"If you want to motivate me, you should tone down the talk about practical benefits. ...But I'll do my best to survive because I don't want to die."

Rick decided to do his best to survive, but he couldn't help but complain.

"Man, I just joined the technical test team, and now I'm suddenly thrown into a war. I really wish they'd cut me some slack."

Seeing Rick, who disliked war, the development leader had a conflicted expression.

"The current head of the Banfield family is known for being belligerent. If you're a Banfield knight, you'll inevitably be involved in wars."

"I became a test pilot because I hate war, but the world is harsh."

Rick continued to grumble until the end.

◇

On the bridge of the Atalante, Allison was visibly uneasy before the fortress assault.

She was trying to appear calm with her arms crossed, but her fingers were tapping her arm continuously.

Tim, unable to bear seeing her, spoke to Allison.

"It seems we are the vanguard for the next fortress assault, Supervisor."

Allison, still facing away from Tim, spoke about the strategy.

"Among this guerrilla fleet, the Atalante is the most favored, so it's a reasonable decision."

Though she called it reasonable, Allison was not convinced.

The guerrilla fleet was positioned at the front for the fortress assault.

However, the Atalante was positioned at the very front among the fleet.

They were assigned the role of the vanguard for the entire army, primarily because they were equipped with the latest mobile knights.

The Atalante itself had just undergone a major renovation and was deemed capable of handling the front.

Being assigned the vanguard role was inevitable, but it was the most burdensome position.

Allison, who wanted to safely navigate through this battle, seemed frustrated that her plans had failed.

Tim, seeing Allison's back, smiled slightly.

"Everything in moderation, Supervisor. If you aim too high, you'll end up with a heavy burden in important situations. Surviving is the best life lesson."

They faced this crisis because they were equipped with the latest mobile knights.

Tim's words were true, but when Allison turned around, her face was filled with anger.

Frowning, she lashed out at Tim.

"That's a typical statement from a colonel who does nothing and leeches off the military."

"..."

"Without taking risks, there are no returns. If you're afraid of dying and want to stay in a safe place, you should have left the military long ago... It's unpleasant to hear life lessons from someone who clings to the military for the paycheck."

Without responding, Tim seemed to lose interest and turned forward.

"Fortunately, this ship is equipped with ace-level knights and a ground force directly under the earl. This is a rare opportunity. ...I will seize victory here and aim higher."

Tim's consolation was unnecessary for Allison.

The bridge crew looked at the defeated Tim with a mix of emotions.

Tim pulled his cap down deeper.

"Do as you please."

【Now Available!】That Otome Game is a Harsh World for Us, Volume 4

【On Sale October 19!】Fairy Bullet - The Mechanized Girl and the Pseudo-Beast Soldier, Volume 1 (Book Edition)