Chapitre 24: Chapter 24: No Rest For The Wicked
A full 5 months have passed since the Kingdom of Carkus was conquered and their stay there ordered by the Royal Family, and in that time Leon has led the 422nd, the 1036th, and the 681st infantry battalions to hunt down the last of the Carkus rebels– though most of that time was spent looking for them and getting them to hold still long enough to actually kill them.
That was the hardest part about eliminating an insurgent force– actually finding them. Thankfully, their recruitment methods and operations did not endear them to the locals and many were the helpful tips and directions that Leon and his feelers were given. Skirmishes were frequent and easily won, with larger battles being focused outside of settlements; with infantry squads fighting alongside Armor support to eliminate clusters of resistance. Luckily, these isolated cells were quick to capitulate after losing their more ardent resistance members.
The biggest skirmishes came from the forts and sympathetic towns and villages. For those, sieges and all out military operations were deployed; where microcosms of the large Carkus conquest were reenacted. Armors smashing through the weakest points of their defenses to let infantry overwhelm the shocked rebels within.
But it wasn't all fighting and killing. Leon and the 422nd were sometimes sent to do humanitarian missions at the behest of the Kingdom diplomats– to show that the men and women of Holfort were not all monsters. He does have to remind the boys to not sleep with any women that aren't prostitutes though, but the same can't be said for the 681st and 1036th; where he,more than once, was forced to intervene on their behalf when angry parents and spouses demanded to see certain members of that regiment.
Outside of that, though, Leon has plenty of time to bring his comrades up to snuff. He primarily trains Armor pilots and advises heavily in the use of combined arms– where infantry and Armor operate together to achieve mutually complementary effects. He also spearheads the development of new Armor attachments; primarily detachable 'backpacks' that can house up to 2 infantry squads, and shoulder-mounted cannons to make mobile artillery platforms. He would have recommended additional parts as well, but the lack of proper industrial capability puts a damper in those plans. But he makes do where he can.
In between training, outreach missions, and combat against the Carkussan resistance, time flies. Before he realizes it, the rebel movement is crushed and he has the loyalty of 3 whole infantry regiments and their accompanying Armor wings.
Then, it happened.
=X=X=X=X=X=
"2 weeks ago, the Pocket Kingdom of Lura declared war with the Kingdom following repeated border skirmishes with patrol fleets– claiming them to have illegally crossed the border into Luran territory. Not long after, they sent an invasion force that was repelled. In response to this, His Highness the King has ordered for a full counter-invasion to punish the Lurans for this offense– aiming for the total capture of the nation within 6 months. Effective immediately, the 422nd are to be transferred to the northern region of Holfort– to serve as the vanguard force to this invasion."
Leon and the rest of the 422nd's officers stare at the messenger, garbed in royal colors and reading from an unfurled scroll. He had certainly been expecting reassignment, but…
"A-Another war?" one officer asks, voice faint.
"It hasn't even been a year since we wrapped up the Carkus conflict, how–" another asks.
"I thought we would be rotating home?" a third questions.
"Quiet." Leon shouts. The muttering quiets down, and he turns to the messenger. "Continue."
"Thank you, Lord Marshwell. Recommendations for the regiment's transfer came from Lord Gilbert Rafa Regrave, and many of the present nobles agreed that your expertise would be required for another quick and decisive victory." the messenger turns to Leon. "You in particular, Lord Marshwell, have been ordered to transfer ahead of time to the staging grounds to advise the force invasion commander and lead the opening spearhead into the Luran Kingdom."
"Who will be commander?" Leon asks. "Another Count?"
"You will be placed under the direct command of Marquis Arclight– the King has tasked the Sword Saint to lead the assault and conquest of Lura." the messenger states. "His tactical acumen is matched only by his skill with the blade, though he has stated interest in meeting you and getting a general idea for how you would deal with this invasion."
"Arclight, huh? One of the founding families?" Leon muses. "Well, better him than some incompetent. At least with him, he'll make some effort to make sure this war is as bloodless as possible– despite his predilection towards honor and chivalry."
"You would cast doubt onto one of the founding families?" the messenger arches a brow.
"I would say that honor and chivalry have their time and place– whenever and wherever it is that a large number of lives will not be put in jeopardy." is Leon's curt reply. "But it is not my place to question the wisdom of His Majesty the King in placing the Kingdom's best swordsman in command of an invasion force. I have been ordered, and I will comply." he turns to the 422nd's regiment commander. "Isn't that right, sir?"
"Damn right, Leon." the old man says, grinning. "We finished off the last rebel holdout ages ago anyway– it's up to the bureaucrats and taxmen to fully bring Carkus into the Kingdom. I assume we'll be replaced with another regiment?"
"The 834th, yes." the messenger nods.
"Good. Then we will start preparations to move out immediately." the regiment commander nods.
"Excellent. You make the Kingdom proud with your dedication." the messenger beams, and turns to Leon. "However, Lord Marshwell, your transfer will be expedited– Marquis Arclight desires to meet with you sooner rather than later to get a feel for your character and discuss invasion tactics."
"Even with the fastest ship we have, it'll still take a few weeks to get there." Leon argues.
"Then it's a good thing you'll be taking my ship, yeah?" a familiar figure steps out from around a corner. "Hey Leon~"
"Damn it, Lana…" the young man sighs.
=X=X=X=X=X=
The Little Buzzard looks better now. Gone is the rust and dents, the vessel having undergone repairs and refurbishing in the months since its captain had been knighted. The hull has been smoothed out and painted a bright shade of red with black highlights. On its bow, starboard, and port are familiar logos denoting the vessel's allegiance.
Leon sees the Raven's Nest logo, though the name has been replaced with 'Nielsen Couriers'. He laughs as he walks on.
2 lines of pretty gynoids, stacked blondes one and all in tasteful naval uniforms, salute Hustler One and Leon as they walk aboard. Off to the side, Leon's AC and additional supplies are loaded into the ship's cargo bay by engineers and stevedores– all gynoids. Leon watches the whole operation quietly, not saying a thing until he and Hustler One entered the ship fully and were out of earshot and hidden from direct view.
"So, another war." Leon grumbles. "Thankfully, it's against a smaller country this time so it shouldn't take too long to conquer. And we've got a decent commander too."
"No need for you to practically take over leadership, and all that." the A.I says. "Well. Not completely."
"I refuse to believe that the upper crust of the Holfortan nobility is beyond saving." Leon says flatly. "I've heard good things about this guy– ancestor aside, he might actually be decent at leading."
"We can only hope." Hustler One nods. "Our voyage will take a few days, plenty of time to give your AC that boost system you looted off the Carkussan King."
"Right, that." Leon snaps his fingers. "You couldn't get to my mech after I finished my duel, so it had to be delayed. I'm assuming it'll be a partial overhaul?"
"Yes. just bolting on the boosters and installing fuel lines to your mech is a recipe for disaster." the gynoid shakes its head. "The entire frame will need to be reinforced to account for the added stresses, and your pilot gear will need an update."
"I've been making due with magic reinforcements to my body– that should be enough, right?" Leon asks.
"You can't go wrong with an overabundance of caution." Hustler One shrugs. "Also, we should consider getting you a full Human+ augment. Magic is all well and good, but it would be nice to have an alternative in case you are somehow deprived of it."
Leon stops and looks at the A.I. Curious, Hustler One stops too.
Before it can say or ask anything, Leon tosses it his rucksack and surges in with pure physical speed. With both arms, he hefts the gynoid up in a bridal carry– drawing a surprised sound from it as its gynoid body instinctively clutches around the rucksack it caught a moment earlier.
"Ooh, you've been putting on weight." Leon teases, bouncing the gynoid in his arms. "What are you, 250 kilos? 400?"
"J-Just over 300…" Hustler gawks at him. "What on earth– you're not even using magic!"
"Nope. The muscle growth on me isn't that apparent, either." he chuckles, continuing to walk with the gynoid in his arms. "I'm guessing it's got something to do with my New Human genes interacting with the ambient Kojima particles and them altering my physiology?"
"That's the only possible explanation I'm willing to accept. Anything else would be stupid even by this era's standards." Hustler One notes, trailing its hands along Leon's shoulders and pectorals. "Incredible– the definition and density far exceeds normal human growth. You're heavier than when you were at the start of the Carkus conflict, yet your physical form has only minimally changed. This requires further examination and tests."
"Or we can just chalk it up to things being the result of magic and leave it at that." Leon shrugs. "My old room's still here, right?"
"Mmm…" Hustler One wraps its gynoid body's arms around his shoulders. "I might permit you to share my bed if you let me run some cursory examinations on you."
"Oh?" Leon cocks a brow, but a grin spreads across his face as he nears the door leading into the captain's quarters. "What sort of examination are we talking about here?"
The door slides open with a hiss, permitting Leon entry. Hustler One smirks and leans into his ear.
"A physical to start~" she whispers, and the door closes behind them.
=X=X=X=X=X=
Harvey Fia Arclight beholds the young man standing before him, not even a week since he was summoned here from the newly integrated territory of what used to be the Kingdom of Carkus. Tall and broad-shouldered, hair a deep shade of brown and eyes dark— with focus and discipline and steel that rivals any blade. He has the look of a warrior on him, seasoned and bloodied and ready for more if it meant attaining peace.
"...Just 13." the Marquis shakes his head. "Boys your ages aren't meant to be sent out into the frontlines."
"I'm 14 now, my Lord." He corrects. "But yes. Rarely do people like me have the power to choose what to make for ourselves."
"Hm. Your claims about this 'Forest of Ladies' has the court agitated, Lord Marshwell– to the point that Duke Redgrave assigned his heir to investigate it." Harvey says, watching him for his reaction. "He has found some… concerning information."
"Has he?" the boy asks. No, not boy– he's seen and done things that have wiped away his innocence. He is a young man now. "Well, I do hope justice is duly served in that case."
"As do many in the court." the Marquis nods. "But that is neither here nor there. Forgive my impropriety Lord Marshwell, but I make it a habit to test those I will be working with in the foreseeable future."
"A test, you say." the youth narrows his gaze in thought. Then it brightens. "Ahh. A spar then?"
"You are quick to pick up. Indeed, I would test you in the ring to get a feel for your character." Harvey nods. "After all, to fight is to converse. And in the absence of words, I find that my current conversation partners are much more honest with their intent and goals."
He feels guilty for doing this, for wasting precious time. But it is necessary– he has long tamed the fire of the warrior blood that runs in his veins, but there is no other way to go about this in a manner he can accept. It has to be between him and the boy, man to man, blade against blade; only then would he get a proper feel for the one whom he would be consulting for advice even as he's sent out into the field to fight.
"Oh, how fascinating." Leon laughs. "Alright then Lord Arclight, I will oblige your request. When and where will we be sparring?"
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone