Chapter 18 – Observation Tower
One.
These are now blurry memories.
To be precise, I should say it was a memory I tried to forget.
Childhood,
Life at the institution was painful and difficult.
It has to be. The instructors were in a hurry. It was frantic to somehow make even one person a pilot faster and send it to the battlefield.
Abusive language and violence continued on a daily basis.
For Karen, who was born into a wealthy family and lived without shortage, her life at the institution was a series of difficult lives to endure.
After she entered the hospital, she always went to bed with a picture of her deceased parents in her hands. Every night she would rather be like this, she wondered if it would have been better for her to die with her parents to the bugs that day.
But do people get used to it?
As time passed, I made friends who I could rely on, including Natsuo.
At first, I cried, begged, and feared the instructors, but gradually those things disappeared.
After some time, I just got used to life here.
And realized at the same time.
That the instructors who scare the kids are actually just adults who are afraid like us.
They seemed like people who had nothing to fear in the world,
In fact, they were more afraid than anyone.
It’s a war going on outside of institutions.
So when I realized that, all sorts of stories flowed out among the quick-witted kids.
As it is, the kingdom will be destroyed by the bugs,
If you leave the institution, you will die within a few days.
There is no way to win this fight…
Such negative stories continued without stopping. The seniors who were about to be discharged from the institution were also terrified. The same was true of children who boasted excellent grades.
When time passed gradually and I was about to be discharged from the institution. Like the other children, Karen and Natsuo didn’t sleep that night either.
The two held each other’s hands and whispered through the night.
What would happen to the other children who were discharged first? Would he die or would he live? Will we be able to survive?
What kind of troops are we going to go to?
What kind of person is the commander? Who are the seniors?
They must be good people. It will be fine.
Eventually the dreadful night is over,
The two were assigned to Unit 393 in Area 39.
Naturally, it was a series of tensions. I made a promise with Natsuo to somehow not get caught in front of my seniors.
It was because of the instructor’s sincere advice that life in the unit would be difficult if the unit members were mistaken at first.
Although they were devilish people, they were the ones who sent them away saying they were sorry on the day of discharge.
It was frankly funny.
It was obvious that they were trying to alleviate their guilt with an apology at the end.
But I just accepted it. What matters now is the reality right in front of you rather than the past about how the instructors were.
And I know in my heart That I’m not the type to truly hate someone. Maybe it was because of the influence of Natsuo, who was unnecessarily nice to people.
Anyway, the first impression of Unit 393, which arrived like that, was not very good to be honest.
As if it was built in a hurry, the auxiliary facilities were sloppy and outdated. It was such a mess that I wondered if the agency’s training facilities would have been better.
Fortunately, however, unlike the appearance of such units, the people of Unit 393 were not so bad. No, it was rather good.
The first day of being assigned to Unit 393.
“Good good! Everyone, let your face bloom! It’s been a while since cute newcomers came in!”
Click-!
Standing sloppily with the classmates I met today with Natsuo, the oldest and oldest man in the unit took a group photo right after the new recruits arrived.
Before we even knew each other’s names, I suddenly wondered what kind of picture it was, but it was an old military tradition.
And it was something I found out belatedly, but the name of the man holding the camera was Kamijo.
She was the ace pilot of Unit 393.
No, in fact, she might have known it instinctively as soon as she saw it. That he is the center of this unit.
Anyway, it was really fortunate for Karen.
Unlike her instructors, her loose laugh and relaxed atmosphere were close to the ideal adult she dreamed of at the institution. Should I say that I believe in something just by looking at it?
In fact, he was popular. Everyone in the unit liked him. He says that everyone has survived at least once with the help of him in this place.
Maybe that’s why everyone grumbled that it was annoying, but they listened to what he had to say.
And the group photo of the unit members taken on the first day was decorated in the cafeteria in the unit.
Numerous photos lined the walls of the restaurant.
Most of the faces she didn’t know as she was walking around looking at them, but Karen inadvertently relaxed and laughed as she looked at the soldiers in the picture with a gentle atmosphere.
Yeah, a unit like this isn’t bad. It will be fine.
It was a feeling of unexpected luck.
As time passed, Karen gradually got used to her unit life with Natsuo.
2.
On that day, she must have been carrying out her mission with her platoon members as usual.
But where did it go wrong?
Kwaaaaang—!
Explosions and gunshots sound like screams.
The constant shelling made the surrounding dirt floor rise like a fountain.
-Retreat! Retreat! Everyone get out of there quickly! Hey, they look like incompetent bastards! Kamijou, what are you doing! Come out soon too! Do you really intend to die there!?
When I came to my senses from the roar coming from all directions, the commander was giving orders in an urgent voice.
Karen thought, still in her hazy consciousness.
Why was I so stunned?
Perhaps because of the blood loss, her head is not turning.
Besides, her whole body was throbbing. Her lungs ached with every breath she took.
But somehow she remembered her.
… Ah. That’s right. I just got hit by a spider’s cannonball.
Realizing this, Karen hurriedly opened her eyes and looked around her.
The battle was still in progress.
However, Karen’s holy cavalry was incapable of combat. The side of her body had been blown off halfway.
Thanks to that, one of her genital arm was broken on the floor with red blood.
Still, should I say that she was just lucky?
With one of her arms torn off, she somehow survived.
If she had been hit just a little further to the right, she would have exploded right through the cockpit. It seems that Natsuo somehow succeeded in twisting her body at the end.
Let’s get to the idea there.
“… Natsuo?”
Shocked for a moment, Karen looked back at her.
And soon she was relieved. Her coupling partner, Natsuo, was unharmed. It’s just that she’s still losing her mind.
“Natsuo… Wake up soon “
Karen bit her lip as if chewing on her pain and shook Natsuo’s body. Her coupling partner is like this so she can’t move her genitals.
Even though one of her arms is missing, she still has legs, so if only her Natsuo came to her senses, she could move.
But that was then.
──Thump thump thump.
I heard a bug approaching.
Like a giant creature armed with all sorts of weapons, the footsteps were heavy. Karen turned her attention to the owner of her voice, with her firm gestures like a broken doll.
The owner of the sound was 〈 Mantis 〉, armed with terrifying high-frequency blades on both arms bent like a scythe.
Karen shivered as she felt a cold sweat run down her spine. In her dark eyes, I could see Mantis’s blade slowly moving upwards.
The moment it falls down, it dies.
Instead of screaming, Karen’s lips that intuited it flowed out of a collapsed chant.
“… Am I going to die here?”
In fact, I tried to ignore
Death was overflowing all around. The genitals of her men lay shattered in the field. Among them were children who were Karen’s classmates.
Red blood flowed from the body of the holy cavalryman who had been hit by bullets and shells. It’s probably mixed with the flesh and blood of the pilots. It was terrible.
Could this be the battlefield that the instructors truly feared? It was a time when, curiously, I recalled in my head the faces I couldn’t even remember anymore, and I closed my eyes as if accepting the death that would soon come.
—Karen, are you okay?
It wasn’t Mantis’ cold blade that came to Karen, but a warm voice full of worries and concerns.
When she belatedly opened her tightly closed eyes, she saw a genital disease blocking Mantis’ blade.
“… Brother Kamijou.”
-How is Natsuo? Is that guy all right?
While dealing with the attacking Mantis, he first checked Natsuo’s condition. Karen nodded her head.
“Yes. I think I bumped her head a bit, but it’s okay…”
─That’s good. Then wake up quickly and run away. In the meantime, we’ll be keeping an eye on the bugs.
“Yes? Then, Kamijou-chan…”
—Karen. Who are you worrying about about the new baby chick right now? Have you forgotten who we are?
“… “
The final answer was the voice of Sanae-san, Kamijou’s coupling partner. They often boasted that they were the ace couple of Unit 393…
The lively voice was no different than usual.
But Karen knows.
That it’s all acting full of lies.
It has to be.
That’s what he said, but Sanae’s holy cavalry that Kamijou was riding was a mess to anyone’s eyes. The whole body is full of scars. Blood flowed from the holy cavalryman’s body. Neither place is fine.
But you’re going to fight like that? Rather, in a situation where they have to run away too?
Karen pursed her lips.
She must have said something, but she couldn’t.
To be honest, it’s better for the unit if those two escape and survive than Karen and Natsuo, who are new chicks.
But Karen couldn’t bear to speak. She was afraid of dying, so she couldn’t refuse the two of them.
And as if penetrating Karen’s thoughts.
—Karen. Leave this to the adults. I don’t intend to ask non-adults to die in a place like this.
Kamijou said so,
That’s how Karen and Natsuo survived that day.
About half a year after being deployed to Unit 393,
Unfortunately, it was Karen’s birthday.
3.
She had a sad dream.
A selfish memory of being disappointed in myself for being infinitely helpless, but also relieved at the fact that I survived.
Is that why? Even in her unconscious, Karen couldn’t stop her tears from the emotions welling up inside her heart.
But then, Karen felt something hotter than her tears brush the side of her cheek.
Surprised by the heat, when she opened her eyes in a hurry, the first thing that greeted her was pitch-black darkness.
Where is this?
At first she thought she was still dreaming, but the feel of the dampness on her back told her otherwise.
Tossing and turning instinctively at the thought of getting out of here anyway,
“… Wait a minute, don’t move.”
Somewhere, I heard Netoru’s tired voice.
The sound came right in front of me.
From earlier, she felt that something was weighing down her body, but it must have been Netoru’s body.
I don’t know what it is, but let’s stop moving as he said,
“… What?”
Karen groaned in surprise at the touch of her hand passing by her own breasts. Mumbling… She could feel it intentionally squeezed.
No, what is this…
To narrow her eyes in bewilderment,
A few seconds later, Netoru laughed and said.
“Ah, the mistake I just made.”
“… Is it time to play around?”
“But it can’t be helped. It’s too narrow here.”
“Now, wait a minute… Oh… Don’t touch me!”
“I’m sorry, but be patient. Change your stance.”
I don’t know what it is, but I feel like I’m stuck somewhere.
Karen pressed her chest hard, feeling the four Toru’s bodies passing by, raising her mana.
First I need to know where this is.
Then, seeing Karen like that, Netoru said as if he was surprised.
“… What are you Did you know you could do magic?”
“It’s nothing special, it’s basic.”
It’s a knowledge I learned thanks to my once-wealthy parents.
He wasn’t a great wizard like Commander Rien, but he had learned everything that would be useful in life.
—-Light.
Karen chanted her incantation lightly, causing her magic to rise. Soon, a white light bulb formed in her hand.
The darkness receded and the surrounding landscape was revealed.
Only then did Karen feel her frustration disappear, and raised her head. Netoru was wondering what this guy was doing right now.
“… “
And the next moment, Karen had no choice but to stiffen.
It has to be.
Netoru was covered in blood.
“… You.”
And it was not difficult for Karen to realize that the reason was to protect herself.
In a cramped space where light blooms brightly.
Blocking the collapsed piles of dirt with his back, he quietly asked as our eyes met.
“Karen. Are you okay?”
Who is asking the question now?
Karen pursed her lips as the unchanging audacity stifled her speech.
The heat that had awakened her,
It must have been Netoru’s blood.
