Having rendezvoused with the vehicular unit concealed within the forest near the capital, Kazuya reorganized both the vehicular fleet and the guard unit before setting off towards the fortress city of Nashist.

 

First Squad: Kazuya Chitose and ten others.

 

Second Squad: Lieutenant Colonel Ibuki and ten others.

 

Third Squad: Major Fletcher and ten others.

 

Fourth Squad: Sergeant Funasaka and twenty others.

 

Vehicular Unit:

 

Humvees (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles) × 5

 

M1130 Striker CV Armoured Vehicle (CV – Command Vehicle Variant) × 1

 

M1126 Striker ICV Armoured Vehicle (ICV – Infantry Carrier Vehicle Variant) × 4

 

M1128 Striker MGS Armoured Vehicle (MGS – Mobile Gun System Variant) × 4

 

Type 73 Large Trucks × 5

 

"Departure!"

 

With preparations complete, Kazuya and his comrades set off with high spirits towards Nashist, the theatre of war.

 

Fortress City Nashist.

 

Constructed by the Kingdom of Canaria as a measure against the monsters emerging from the Enigmatic Forest of Elzas, Nashist stands as a bastion against these creatures.

 

At the heart of the circular fortress city stands a colossal castle, surrounded by urban areas and massive walls that deter enemy incursions.

 

The walls, boasting a height of fifteen meters, are robustly built to protect the castle and the urban areas from external threats, forming a triple-layered defense with the castle, walls, urban areas, walls, urban areas, and walls.

 

Moreover, with only two gates per wall, transportation convenience is lacking, but defense becomes more manageable even with limited forces.

 

Nashist has been entrusted to the Rothrek Duchy, one of the three ducal houses within the Kingdom of Canaria, with the current head, Duke Karen Rothrek, overseeing its administration.

 

The fortress city is home to approximately 15,000 soldiers of the royal army, about 5,000 private soldiers of the dukes, thousands of adventurers, and around 150,000 civilians.

 

It had been a full day since Kazuya and his party departed from the capital aiming for the fortress city.

 

After tirelessly riding without rest, they were just an hour away from Nashist when a report came in from the scout team.

 

"Master, we have received a report from the scout team."

 

"What is the content?"

 

"The outermost third wall of the fortress city seems to have fallen. Flames are rising from the urban area, and black smoke fills the sky. Additionally, the imperial forces are relentlessly assaulting the second wall."

 

"...So, the third wall has been breached."

 

"What will you do?"

 

"Please lend me the radio."

 

"Here you go."

 

"Everyone, did you hear the report from the scout team?"

 

Upon contacting each squad leader via radio, Kazuya promptly received responses.

 

"Yes."

 

"Of course."

 

"Yes, heard it."

 

"In that case, you should understand that we need to alter our strategy. First and Second Squads will eliminate the enemy troops that have infiltrated the interior of the third wall and then rendezvous with the defenders of Nashist. Third and Fourth Squads will secure both gates of the third wall. Further instructions will be issued according to the battle situation. That is all."

 

"Understood!!"

 

"Roger!"

 

"Affirmative!"

 

Having received the reassuring responses from the squad leaders, Kazuya ended the communication and returned the radio to Chitose.

 

"Stay safe..."

 

Muttering quietly, Kazuya pondered over a certain individual, gripping his trembling hand tightly as he continued to gaze towards the direction of the unseen fortress city.

Concealed within the densely wooded hills, Kazuya merged with the scout unit, peering through binoculars at the fortress city nestled within the serene plains. There, fierce combat unfolded before his eyes.

"Commander, over there."

"They're putting on quite the show, aren't they?"

Above the fortress city, the dragon knights of the Elzas Magic Empire Army (hereafter referred to as the Imperial Army) soared in all directions, launching attacks with magic and bows. In response, a barrage of arrows and magic projectiles was unleashed from ballistae and archers stationed atop the city walls, while wizards launched magical orbs into the fray.

On the ground, a massive army comprising Imperial infantry, cavalry, musketeers, beastmasters commanding creatures, and the largest contingent of wizards in the Imperial Army, relentlessly assaulted the fortress city's formidable defenses.

In the rear, engineers equipped with catapults, trebuchets, and breech-loading cannon artillery bombarded the second wall of the fortress city with rocks and cannonballs.

In retaliation, the fortress city defenders launched their own projectiles at the Imperial Army, although their numbers paled in comparison to their adversaries.

This was the situation: even before reports reached the capital, the fortress city and the Imperial Army had already engaged in battle. For four days, the fortress city had valiantly withstood the ferocious onslaught of the Imperial Army, fighting a desperate battle alone.

"This won't end well if we don't hurry..."

Observing the completely besieged fortress city, Kazuya muttered, his gaze shifting towards the enemy headquarters.

However, the enemy headquarters lay to the south of the fortress city, while Kazuya stood to the north, making it difficult to discern.

Resigned to this, Kazuya pocketed his binoculars and returned to his unit, descending the hill.

"How was it, my lord? What's the situation?"

"It's dire. Looks like we're in for a fierce battle."

Before engaging in combat, Kazuya summoned as much ammunition and supplies as he could with his abilities and packed them into the Type 73 Large Truck.

"Alright, let's go!"

With preparations complete, Kazuya issued the order.

"We're commencing our operation! Everyone, fulfill your duties!"

"Understood!"

With the command, the engines of the vehicles carrying Kazuya and his comrades roared to life and surged forward.

"They're having it easy, aren't they? Those who went ahead must be enjoying themselves by now..."

"Hey, come on now. We've only just breached the outermost wall. The only ones who might be there now are the females of the demon and beast tribes, who might have ventured too far and been captured during the battle."

"That's fine. After so long in the military, I need to let off some steam."

As soldiers, ordered to secure the captured gate, chatted amongst themselves, one of them noticed something amiss.

"Hey... did we hear anything about reinforcements for the cavalry unit?"

"I haven't heard any such orders. Besides, this is a siege, isn't it? Even if cavalry reinforcements were to arrive now, they'd be pointless."

"If it's not the cavalry unit, then what's that? I can't see clearly through the dust, but it seems to be approaching us."

"Huh?"

When the soldier's companion looked in the direction indicated, a large cloud of dust obscured something approaching the gate.

"What... what the hell is that? I've never seen anything like it!"

As the soldiers began to murmur in confusion, a sudden gust of wind cleared the dust, revealing a rectangular object, unlike anything they had encountered before.

"I don't know what it is, but it's not friendly! Enemies inbound!"

At the captain's shout, the soldiers finally noticed the approaching threat and hastily grabbed their weapons.

"It seems they've noticed us."

Observing the heightened activity among the Imperial forces, Chitose remarked.

"It's unexpected that we could approach so close without being detected."

The Imperial forces were entirely focused on the fortress city, oblivious to Kazuya's unit heading towards it.

Seizing the opportunity, the convoy carrying Kazuya's team raced towards the gate at full speed.

"Then... let's wreak havoc and crush them!"

Fueled by anger, Kazuya rallied his spirits and declared.

The reason for Kazuya's fury lay in the numerous villages near the fortress city, all of which had fallen victim to the atrocities of the Imperial Army (wherein villagers were massacred and brutally displayed, with signs of assault evident).

"Strikers 06 through 09, lob grenades at the Imperial infantry massing near the gate! Other vehicles, attack the encircling enemy forces!"

"Roger that!"

Almost simultaneously with the command, four M1128 Stryker MGS armoured vehicles, each equipped with an M68A1E4 105mm gun, unleashed a volley of grenades towards the targeted infantry.

The thunderous roar of gunfire heralded the impact of the four shells, striking the infantry formation, their shields held up as they prepared to counterattack with swords and spears.

Enveloped in smoke, the Imperial infantry vanished from sight.

As the wind cleared the smoke, what had once been a neatly arranged infantry formation was now replaced by a scene of carnage, with grotesque corpses and hundreds of wounded soldiers moaning in agony.

"What's this?! The ground forces are under attack!"

"What did you say?!"

"Is it enemy reinforcements?! We'll crush them! Forward!"

Finally noticing the anomaly in the ground forces, the dragon knights hastily charged towards Kazuya's group.

"Anti-aircraft combat! Shoot them down!"

At Kazuya's command, a dense barrage of bullets from Humvees and Stryker armoured vehicles, armed with M2 heavy machine guns and GAU-19 Gatling-style heavy machine guns firing 12.7mm rounds, was unleashed.

Bubeh!!"

"Gugeh!!"

Amidst such chaos, the dragon knights who plunged into it caused crimson flowers to bloom in the sky one after another, fluttering down to the ground.

"From here, we penetrate the fortress city! Second Squad, follow me! Third Squad, secure the northern gate! Fourth Squad, secure the southern gate on the opposite side!"

Observing the clearance of the aerial enemies, Kazuya relayed orders to each squad.

"Roger!"

"Understood!"

Upon receiving responses from the squad leaders, Kazuya connected only to Sergeant Funasaka, the leader of the fourth squad, via radio.

"Kazuya here. Respond, Sergeant Funasaka."

"Erm? What is it, General Commander?"

"There's something I need to tell you while we have the chance."

"What might that be?"

"...Honestly, the task of seizing and securing the southern gate assigned to the fourth squad will prove challenging. The enemy's main camp lies 10 kilometers from that gate – we're positioned on the opposite side. Requesting reinforcements won't be feasible immediately... Moreover—"

As Kazuya began speaking to Sergeant Funasaka through the radio from the hatch atop the Striker CV armored vehicle, his words were interrupted, and a response was received.

"With all due respect, we are well aware of that. Hence, General Commander, you've allocated more personnel and vehicles to our squad compared to the others, correct? If you've shown such consideration to our squad, there's no need for hesitation. Besides, we are your subordinates, soldiers—military personnel. If ordered by you, our general commander, it is our duty to follow through. Please, worry not."

As if sensing Kazuya's sentiments, he expressed his gratitude internally before responding to Sergeant Funasaka.

"I see. Then, I'm counting on you."

"Understood. Best of luck, General Commander."

"Ah, likewise, Sergeant."

As Kazuya's Striker CV armored vehicle rode alongside the Humvee, manned by Sergeant Funasaka, he saluted Kazuya. Vehicles assigned to the fourth squad separated from Kazuya's group and sped towards the gate on the opposite side of the fortress city.

Seeing them off, Kazuya and his team proceeded to charge straight towards the visible gate.

"Go! Go! Go! Charge in!"

Amidst the chaos caused by the sudden assault, the first and second squads entered the densely packed fortress city, mercilessly crushing and shooting down enemy soldiers while advancing along the main street at full speed.

The third squad, tasked with securing the gate, halted near the gate and initiated combat.

"Hey, take this! How about that!"

"Master, it's dangerous! Please stay inside!"

Ignoring Chitose's words, Kazuya utilized the M2 heavy machine gun mounted on his Striker CV armored vehicle, firing 12.7mm rounds indiscriminately at Imperial Army soldiers.

Meanwhile, Kazuya and his team reached the gate of the second wall. As the vehicles came to a stop, soldiers inside disembarked and began to clear out enemy troops.

"What the hell are these guys!?"

"Where did they come from!?"

"R-Run!"

The enemy soldiers, suddenly ambushed from behind, panicked and fled.

"W-Wait, you lot!! Fight back!"

"We'll counterattack!"

Although some brave mages and infantry attempted to retaliate against Kazuya and his team, they were swiftly met with concentrated gunfire from the personal weapons of the elite guards—M4A1 carbines and MK48 Mod0 (7.62mm NATO caliber) light machine guns—and were mercilessly turned into sieves, sinking into their own pools of blood.

Just as the enemy soldiers, rattled by Kazuya's assault, attempted to regroup and launch a counterattack...

"Assault!!"

"Uwaaaahhh!"

The gates suddenly swung open, and the defenders of the fortress city poured out like an avalanche, attacking the Imperial Army soldiers to vent their pent-up frustrations.

This proved to be the decisive blow, causing the Imperial Army to collapse and flee in disarray.

After the enemy forces fled, numerous siege towers and battering rams with attached roofs were abandoned in front of the gates.

"Second Squad, secure this area and engage in mopping-up operations against any remaining enemies. First Squad, we're going to meet with Duke Karen Lotrek."

"Roger that."

With the jubilant shouts of victorious soldiers echoing throughout the gatefront, Kazuya left the Second Squad behind and led the First Squad towards the castle at the heart of the fortress city.