‘This job officially sucks…’
Grumbling under his breath, young Nestor crouched beside the rugged bark of a tree and watched his breath form mist in the chill as the wind hissed through the frosted branches, warning off anyone foolish enough to stand out in the midst of this darkness. Nevertheless, as he was among those assigned to guard duty, his gloved hands were wielding a bow with an arrow already nocked, ready to be launched against an approaching threat. For the last part, he was well aware it was a lackluster weapon by his people’s standards—he didn’t need reminding of that.
The weapons cache behind him was little more than a small crudely dug cave, hidden beneath branches and a dusting of snow. Yet, it contained all that his group managed to scrounge, steal, or smuggle from the neighboring countries. Inside, there was a stack of Civil War-era firearms and some explosives: magic-stone powered firearms, gunpowder-based ones, matchlock, flintlock, and a few bolt-action rifles they’d acquired from a lucky run. There was even an assortment of cold weapons. Standardization was a luxury they simply couldn’t afford.
Nestor muttered under his breath again. How many nights had he spent like this—guarding a pitiful stockpile of weapons in the biting cold, while his comrades lingered in the trees like shadows, scattered throughout the forest on the mountain slope? They were all here to protect the little they had, guarding it from anyone who might stumble upon their operation during the fragile preparation phase of the “Great Destiny” their leaders had promised when they recruited people like him from the nearby villages.
Thinking about it now, his branch was a pretty sad group, but they were the only ones in the area, given how isolated this place was. Some claimed the remoteness worked in their favor for smuggling much-needed but low-tech, low-quality weapons from their sympathizers abroad, while others argued it just cemented their status as one of the shittiest groups in the region.
Anyway, it would probably be just another night staring into darkness until dawn, Nestor thought in irritation. He’d been told to watch this spot, even though his buddy Leo was only a few meters down the slope.
Then, something utterly inexplicable happened. His limbs felt locked into place and his body was paralyzed, frozen not by the cold but by something far more sinister. He tried to scream, but his voice was trapped in his throat, while his lungs themselves were barely able to draw breath. He couldn’t even move his eyes; all he could do was stare straight ahead, locked in the direction he had been looking.
Young Nestor’s consciousness went dark without knowing what came upon him.
…………
After delivering a hit that rendered the helpless young rebel unconscious, a silent figure landed on the snow near Nestor. Clad entirely in white and blending with the frosted forest, they and their companions moved creepily like ghosts as they literally floated down, almost without a sound, and closed in on the unsuspecting weapons cache. From their headgear to the backpack to the gloves and boots, every part of their gear matched the snowy landscape. Even their weapon, a compact-looking rifle with a prominently visible magazine, featured a custom snow camouflage design.
The figure knelt next to Nestor’s limp form, carefully checking his pulse to ensure he was unconscious. They then retrieved a reinforced cord from a pouch and bound his wrists and ankles, tying him tightly before unrolling a black body bag and easing the unconscious rebel into it.
Shortly after, voices crackled through the comm device in their earpiece, connecting them to the rest of the unit.
“All targets neutralized, numbering eight. We’ve secured Point Anton.”
“Understood.”
The figure nodded to themselves, scanning the surroundings. Helped by the device on their headgear, they ensured no other surprises lurked in the darkness. The frigid wind whipped through the trees was the only sound save for the soft crunch of their boots on snow. So far, their raid has been quiet, which is good.
Voices crackled again in the figure’s earpiece.
“Point Boris neutralized, targets numbering five.”
“Point Vasily secured, targets numbering eight.”
“Point Galina under control, targets numbering ten.”
They’ve secured 31 captured rebels. The mission was progressing exactly as planned. Now that the final cache fell, it was time to pull back with their gains.
“Ikaruga Leader to all units. Commence preparations to withdraw. As for the demolition, unleash the wyverns.”
A ripple of acknowledgment ran through the unit. The figure, Ikaruga Leader, quickly hoisted Nestor’s bound body bag over their shoulder and secured it before checking the rest of their gear. They activated the device on their back, which emitted a soft whine and responded to the user’s command by generating a strange force beneath their feet, effortlessly lifting them off the ground as the figure shot upwards, flying into the starless darkness. In addition, as willed by the Ikaruga Leader, the snow around them was magically rearranged using a burst of spell so that it would seem that no one ever stepped foot on there.
Some distance behind the figure, a fiery arc suddenly shot downwards into the targeted weapons cache. The Majestic Demolisher Flame spell, a massive stream of napalm and brilliant orange fire, roared from the demolitionist’s weapon as they hovered midair and cut through the night in an emulation of a wyvern’s fiery breath. The magical flamethrower surged toward the ground, setting everything in its path ablaze and engulfing the landscape in flames. A heavy thud followed as the cache’s volatile contents detonated and released a surge of pent-up energy. The resulting explosions rippled through the night, triggering a chain reaction of blasts that sent shockwaves and heat through the air, flattening nearby trees and setting a portion of the forest alight.
The Ikaruga Leader continued to rise in defiance of the relentless blast of air that buffeted them. Before long, others from the raiding unit joined their leader, rising one after another like specters summoned from the earth below. Soon, the entire fifty-strong raiding unit fully assembled in midair and hurtled southward, each carrying either a bundle of looted goods or a captured rebel. Some glanced back to see the distant glow of explosions illuminating the mountainside. Colors painted the sky in predominantly red, with bursts of green and light blue from detonating magic stones.
By the time dawn broke, the fire of the previous night had dimmed, but its evidence lingered in thick plumes of smoke curling skyward that a biplane on a patrol flight spotted. Much later, the authorities dispatched an armed investigation team to the site and discovered the remnants of the rebel’s weapon caches amidst the craters and steam rising from partially melted snow. However, other than the ‘evidence’ that this separatist weapons cache was destroyed by an attack run using wyverns, they ultimately failed to identify the culprits and the missing rebels guarding the place, baffling both the authorities and rebels alike.
❖⟐❖⟐❖
Around one hour later
Using the cover of pre-dawn darkness and the uninhabited expanse of frozen forests and hills along their route, the 50-strong raiding unit of flying men and their loot traveled at top speed and stayed close to the terrain. This careful approach allowed them to swiftly cross the border undetected into the Sonal Kingdom to the south, completing their mission in the Kingdom of Mu, the Second Civilization Area’s eastern superpower.
The raiding unit glided smoothly into a secluded clearing tucked away in the snow-laden forests of northern Sonal and deactivated their magic backpacks. Awaiting them were their comrades, clad in similar attire and gear, who had parked a line of three snowmobile trucks under the canopy of trees. One of the men standing by stepped forward to Ikaruga Leader.
“Thank you for your hard work. I see you’ve come with a sizable loot.”
“All of the men and some tools. Not bad for our first time.”
Still holding the body bag with a captured rebel inside over their shoulder, the leader responded with a curt nod.
“Load the prisoners and the cargo immediately.”
“Yes, Unit Leader.”
The leader handed his captive to one of the waiting men, who carried the unconscious man to a nearby truck. Meanwhile, other members offloaded their captives and looted goods from the rebel cache, carefully securing them in the reinforced compartments of the snowmobiles. Once the final pieces of cargo were loaded, the Ikaruga Leader boarded one of the trucks, accompanied by two of the raiders. One of them, a sensor, used their abilities to keep watch over the surrounding area.
The driver nodded as the leader settled into their seat.
“All secure, Leader. Ready to move.”
“Good. Let’s go.”
With their precautions set, the convoy began its journey southward. As they moved, the tracks left by both the raiders and the vehicles were magically erased, leaving the terrain as pristine as if no one had passed through. They were thorough, taking every measure to eliminate avoidable risks.
At the end of the convoy’s route stood the backyard of a compound located just beyond the reach of a quiet mining town still caught in slumber. A metal sign adorned the front gate, featuring a stylized rose logo along with the words “GEVAGEL CORPORATION.” To the casual observer, it might have appeared to be a typical Milishian company operating in the area on behalf of the superpower’s interests. However, beneath the corporation’s legitimate business, the compound was actually the hub for the raiders’ covert activities.
…………
The Ikaruga Leader was found unwinding in the vacant basement after completing the mission report and putting his equipment away in the lockers on the far wall. No longer dressed in the concealing gear revealed the person’s physical features, including a thick mop of black hair belonging to a tall man.
At that moment, the faint sound of footsteps approached, and two women entered. As soon as the one with blue eyes and long silver hair saw him sitting and doing nothing, her eyes brightened, and a wide grin spread across her face.
“There you are, Leader!”
“…Hm? What is it, Misurugi?”
“Hehe… I want to thank you for the experience. That mission was… exhilarating! This is exactly the kind of operation I can live for.”
“Hoo…”
The Leader simply hummed and glanced at the other woman. The silver-haired one’s companion, a taller woman with a green streak in her short ebony hair, lightly shrugged and let out a quiet chuckle, while her black eyes glinted with amusement.
“Garima, what do you think of Misurugi?”
“Well…” the black-haired woman began with a measured tone, “while as you can see she can’t stop chattering, I’ll give her credit where it’s due since she executed the mission properly. Covert as we needed, and not a step out of place.”
While the woman in question pouted, the Leader nodded, then turned his attention back to the silver-haired woman.
“Boisterous personality is tolerated as long as it doesn’t compromise our mission. In any case, you adapted quickly to our ways. I see you’re settling in well.”
“Then…”
“Yes. I don’t regret bringing you in.”
“Eeeeeh!? That’s a great relief!”
Although the Ikaruga as a White Lotus covert unit was destined to include members from various countries as Amon expanded his operations to other nations, its founding members were of course the countrymen from Amon’s primary base: Milishians picked from the Order of the Ancients’ operatives already operating their own equipment for almost a decade. As she was a foreigner, being a member of the Hinomawarian Order of the Sun Ring with half the time to train with them, the silver-haired Shizuna R. Misurugi was the most inexperienced member of the unit despite her promising talent. Nevertheless, Ikaruga’s leader Yun Ka-Fai decided to include her in their first mission, with supervision provided by his lieutenant, a Uqbarese mantis beastwoman named Me-Garima-Ba. Even though it was actually a gamble, at least the young woman wasn’t a disappointment.
Shizuna looked at the equipment locker for a second and smirked.
“Still… the White Lotus R&D is no joke. That sonic taser tech is legitimately a very convenient tool.”
When hit by the blast, the targets would be incapacitated for up to a dozen minutes, but excessive exposure could prove fatal. While it had the potential to be lethal on its own or in combination with other weapons, Amon’s strict directive for the operation was clear: he needed the targets alive.
Unnecessarily deviating from the objective for no reason and committing needless murder for sick kicks when the tools made it so easy to execute the plan perfectly, thereby giving no excuse for being stupid, imply problems in comprehending the plan—something the Ikaruga would prefer to avoid as a first impression.
“Huh,” Garima’s eyebrows quirked upwards. “What about the ODM Gear? Don’t you enjoy flying?”
“Oh… don’t worry! That one will never get old.”
The ODM (Omni-Directional Mobility) Gear was a backpack-sized ‘semi-dynamic’ Manadriver utilized by the Holy Milishial Empire’s airborne brigade, special forces units, and Heavenly Vessel pilots. In relation to a parachute, the first two groups used the ODM Gear as their primary equipment, while in the latter’s case it acted as a supplementary tool. By harnessing a sum of magical effects that enables its wielder to take flight at a maximum speed of around 400 km/h, which is twice the speed of a wyvern, it grants them tremendous mobility making personnel equipped with these a perfect rapid response unit.
Due to time constraints, an unfinished design phase, a significant backlog in pedanium equipment production, and the fact that he didn’t really need it, Amon chose not to use this equipment during his raid on the Annonrial communications facility in Gynamo. However, with time having passed and adjustments made to Cauldron Laguz’s schedule, the would-be Ikaruga’s gear received a substantial upgrade before the unit’s deployment to the Second Civilization Area. The upgrade replaced the bulky pack with a sleeker armored plate-like object worn on the back, made possible by incorporating pedanium.
With these enhancements pushing the device’s capabilities to a new height, the Ikaruga could comfortably fly and maintain its flight top speed while covering nearly 1.000 kilometers in a round trip for this mission.
Furthermore, while they ultimately did not take any lives, the Ikaruga was also equipped with new automatic carbines designed for White Lotus usage called the “Ulorder.” Unlike the HME’s service rifle Longsword, which primarily functions as an automatic slugthrower firing rifle cartridges with magical capabilities as a secondary feature, the Ulorder represents an inversion of the Milishian firearm design philosophy. It is specifically optimized to fire powerful energy rounds powered by a Manadriver magazine made of—yes, you guessed it—pedanium, while retaining a secondary ability to fire intermediate cartridges.
Meanwhile, the “demolitionists” responsible for obliterating the rebels’ cache with fake wyvern attacks wielded similarly-behaving GPMGs, the “Ambassador Hell.”
“…So, about the rebels we captured…” Shizuna’s attention returned to the two. “What happens to them now? Are we keeping them imprisoned?”
Ka-Fai, still seated, folded his arms before answering.
“For now, they’re being sedated in a secure room. They will be transported to the Middle Lands in the morning. That’s where the next phase of the plan will take place. The idea is that since the White Lotus Leader can’t always go abroad to expand the White Lotus, we will be the ones who will deliver new collaborators to him. Once it’s complete, these rebels will be returned to Mu and released, now as our allies.”
Shizuna nodded slowly. “Um, okay, Leader, forgive me if this sounds like a stupid question…”
“Hm? What is it?”
“Well, those rebels we captured seemed weak… I mean, their weapons were pretty primitive. So why aren’t we targeting groups like Neo-Anfang right away? Wouldn’t that make a bigger impact?”
“This is our first time using this method. That’s too soon…” Garima commented.
“And it will cause the wrong kind of ‘bigger impact’ if handled carelessly, I’m afraid.”
“Eeh…”
The magical civilizations of the Second Civilization Area which shared sympathies or interests with the Southern Mu separatists were getting increasingly entwined with the Holy Milishial Empire, but if there was no war happening, then there was no war for the Holy Empire to be dragged into. In the campaign against the Devils, the White Lotus’ efforts in the Second Civilization Area were conducted with an overarching objective of preventing a war from ever happening in the first place. Southern Mu hosts a variety of separatist movements, each with its own ideology and goals, and there’s no telling what schemes the Annonrial Empire might be orchestrating in this situation. Even if a seething ethnical powder keg like Southern Mu were to eventually secede, their goal is to ensure it happens as a controlled demolition rather than descending into a violent Second Mu Civil War.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
“We need to verify the effectiveness of our method first. Besides, Neo-Anfang is the strongest separatist force in Mu for a reason, and they’re based in a city far from here. We will deal with them later when our strength is adequate. Simple as that.”
“I see… so, since we lack the strength to completely cover the tracks if someone from Neo-Anfang disappears yet, we build up strength while targeting the small fries that pose low risks. Got it!”
Later, shortly after the sun rose, a Boudica 213 large flying boat carrying the sedated rebels took off from a nearby river and headed to the east, just as Yun Ka-Fai said.
----------------------------------------
December 15, 1616 Central Calendar, 20:00
Belyudra District, Runepolis, Holy Milishial Empire
Ignis decided to take a break from the headache-inducing task of managing the massive upheaval (an understatement, really) following the success of Cauldron Ur’s first operation and its continued positive results. As such, while he waited for the others to join him at a high-end restaurant with a view of the Great Sumter River and the distant Albion Palace for what could be called an unofficial meeting—or consultation, for the lack of a better word—on future policies regarding Cauldron-related things, he retreated to the rooftop smoking area and took a drag.
“There you are! Of course, you’re going to be here~~”
Despite the different lilt, that voice at that moment… it was so familiar to Ignis that he instinctively turned back and widened his eyes.
“Yo—”
“Whoa, whoa, hey!”
A tall elven lady who casually addressed him after appearing out of nowhere scrambled closer to Ignis while flailing her hands, cutting him off. She then proceeded to hiss at him, causing the even taller and leanly muscular-looking Military Affairs Minister of all people to uncharacteristically flinch in embarrassment.
“What is wrong with you!? …Don’t you see my hair is red?”
“Uhh… yes, Miss Novachrono. My… my bad… uhh, you’re arriving earlier than your boss,” Ignis mumbled, hastily removing the cigarette from his mouth and standing awkwardly.
“Yes, here I am. Why are you already smoking? The meeting hasn’t even started yet.”
After shaking off the initial surprise, Ignis cracked a small grin.
“Ah, well… I guess I’ve got a lot on my mind already. Thanks to the prodigy under your care, that is.”
“………”
He quickly raised his hands. “No, no, I didn’t mean it like that!”
The redheaded elf eyed him for a moment, arms crossed, before finally giving a small huff. “Well, not that I don’t know exactly what you mean.”
The conversation lulled for a moment, but Ignis soon leaned back at the railing and reached into his coat pocket for a fresh Lucky Star, offering it to Novachrono with a casual tilt of his head.
“…Want some?”
“………”
There was a brief silence as Novachrono glanced at the cigarette.
“I… yes, please,” she squeaked.
Ignis grinned and snapped his fingers to ignite the tip. With a quick flick of his wrist, he then handed it to the beautiful lady. Novachrono sighed in resignation, taking the cigarette from Ignis’ hand and holding it between her fingers. Joining Ignis on the railing, she let the smoke curl up in the cold evening air and let out a deep sigh.
After taking another drag of his own, Ignis gestured with his chin at Novachrono, who was getting to enjoy the most pleasing aroma of the elite brand.
“Huh… I can’t tell the last time I’ve seen you smoke. You do that often?”
“Only occasionally,” she replied with a slight shrug. “And most definitely not within sight of the younglings.”
Ignis replied dryly. “What younglings… if you’re being too vague like that, even I’m a youngling compared to you.”
“Yes, exactly.”
His words managed to elicit a chuckle from Novachrono. Even humans whose average life expectancy in the Middle Lands could reach 120 years old were but younglings from their perspective. Elves matured at the same rate as humans and the other members of the Five Peoples of the Modern Era, but physically almost stopped aging in their 20s to 30s, staying young and beautiful for most of their centuries-old lifespan. Ignis was pointing out a self-deprecating joke among their species that while their youthful looks were indistinguishable as mature individuals, Novachrono had nearly a century more life experience than him.
“Semantics, Lord Marquis. Semantics.”
“…Well… in any case, it’s pretty admirable how you keep your head on straight amidst all your work. Me? I’ve been a chain smoker since day one of this minister stint.”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Is that why you asked Meteos Roguerider for 500 cigarettes?” Novachrono retorted slyly.
“Wait, that’s—!”
‘Oh, man…’ Ignis coughed and groaned. Of course he told her about that. If not him, then his mentor Robin, or even Bandero. Mischievous scamps.
Fortunately, the episode didn’t last long since Novachrono tapped Ignis on the shoulder with the back of her hand and nodded toward the road below. Her gaze had caught sight of a pale green car rolling into the restaurant’s parking lot. The vibe that particular car emitted, although it was a popular classic made by a certain renowned manufacturer with a prancing horse as its emblem, felt ominous for some reason. Though, she got to admit, Adonis Roguerider has good taste.
“An arriving pale steed… Well, that would be our cue. Let’s go, Lord Marquis.”
Ignis glanced at the car, then at his unfinished cigarette, and sighed. “I guess you’re right.” He stubbed it out on the nearby ashtray stand and adjusted his jacket. Shaking his head with a rueful grin, the Marquis trailed after the redhead inside.
…………
As Meteos and Adonis entered the restaurant, Princess Lugiel who was disguised as their secretary Militiades Novachrono greeted them and ushered them to a private dining suite tucked deep within the building. There, they found Minister Ignis accompanied by another person, whom Meteos encountered face-to-face for the first time in this Third Timeline.
“…these two are the ones I told you about back on the grimoire. Adonis, Meteos, this is one of my friends since we were kids, Valen Gaizengan.”
“It’s an honor, sir.”
“The Ancient Ministry and its partners’ technological advisory group, huh… Likewise. Your inventions have changed so many things…”
The man being introduced was likely an elven Mixticius. His skin tone was too light for a pure dark elf but clearly not a high elf either. His bleached blonde hair was cut short, with bangs covering his forehead from which his golden eyes peeked. His expression was neutral, almost impassive, but this didn’t bother Meteos. In fact, the man’s honesty in not bothering with an artificial façade like a certain irritating Horseman of the Apocalypse reminded him of Cyrus.
While listening to Lugiel introducing them to each other, Meteos didn’t take his eyes off the person, all while wearing a businesslike smile on his face. His eyes were gleaming—no, they’re outright glowing—with anticipation, as they shook hands.
“A short view back to the past. A century ago, Valen here was an Admiral who was selected to join the Imperial Guard and even served as its Supreme Commander. After his time in the Guard, he transitioned into the reserves and was appointed as the Minister of Military Affairs, so he was in fact Ignis’ predecessor. Ever since passing the position, he’s been living on his secluded ranch with his family. That is, until just a week ago, when His Majesty called upon him to command the newly reestablished Imperial Guard Fleet. So, now that the Imperial Guard finally has a proper maritime arm after a very long time, you all can call him a Navarch.”
“Nine times out of ten, I was appointed as a nominal commander…”
At Valen’s pointed remark, all eyes in the room turned to Ignis. As the sitting Minister of Military Affairs, he oversaw personnel appointments and was naturally the primary advisor to the Emperor on the Imperial Guard Fleet’s staffing decisions.
“…It can’t be helped about that one,” Ignis grunted, crossing his arms. “Ship captains, squadron commanders, and crewmen can be appointed from the regulars selected to become Guardsmen, but the requirement from above regarding the overall commander is that they must already be a high-ranking Guardsman. Now, who else is a four-star admiral among the Guardsmen other than Navarch Gaizengan?”
“This situation is lamentable, but we have to make the most of it,” Valen quietly commented.
“…Wait a second, sir! You’re not going to be a Strategos anymore. Aren’t you supposed to be pleased that you actually get to command a naval unit as a Guardsman this time?”
“Hn…”
While Valen did not reply with a discernible reaction to Ignis’ exclamation, Lugiel smirked before she ushered everyone to sit down to start the talk.
“Well… well… I’m sure Valen will not stay a ‘nominal overall commander,’ right?”
“…I’ll strive to live up to His Majesty’s expectations.”
‘Well, that’s good enough, I guess?’ Ignis thought.
But yes, after a period of dissatisfaction that influenced his prior decisions, Valen actually jumped to the call.
Aside from that, the absence of a maritime arm within the Imperial Guard for the past century has led to a significant decline in the number of Guardsmen originating from the Imperial Navy, particularly among high-ranking officers. As of today, Valen Gaizengan is literally the sole four-star admiral among the Guardsmen, whether active or in the reserves.
Other four-star Admirals such as Ernest Kling had either never served in the Imperial Guard, already retired, or in the case of the famous Sagarc Baridero, both. If Valen declined (which he would not), only then would they be considered as second options. Such was the directive from the Emperor.
“Ahem…” Meteos cleared his throat after he took his seat. “As for Navarch Gaizengan, we will fill you in further regarding this arrangement, among other things. I hope you can bear with us.”
He nodded silently to Lugiel, who gave a confirming gesture toward Valen.
“That’s right.”
With one of his eyebrows rising at the phrasing, Valen’s golden eyes flicked toward Meteos, studying the youngling who had spoken with such confidence. However, after mulling about it, he nodded in affirmation.
“…Hm… That’s the reason I’m also here, isn’t it?”
“Thank you very much for your understanding, sir…”
Meteos smiled, his shoulders easing. However, as his body temperature increased, sweat began to soak his undershirt until he cooled down. It was a far more manageable experience than the violent twisting sensation in his stomach and limbs from his previous usage of the Temple of Heaven. Adonis sitting next to him clearly noticed but made no move to ease his younger brother’s discomfort. The Fate’s Rebel’s body had to adjust to his bequeathed power, yet in the end, it was Death’s prerogative whether to help or not.
“Hey.”
Not wanting to delay the talk anymore, Lugiel gently nudged Ignis, who promptly reached for his grimoire-shaped Manadriver from his holster and placed it on the table. With a swift operation, the device sprang to life, casting a glowing holographic chart into the air before them.
“Alright, everyone. For now, here’s the planned structure for the Imperial Guard Fleet. As you can see, we’re going to work with two Carrier Strike Groups and one Surface Strike Group. Which means, two aircraft carriers and four battleships will form the core of this fleet.”
“I see. So, there’s no opposition to this idea?” Adonis asked.
“If anything, if the Imperial Guard Fleet proves successful in this format, we plan to implement it across the Imperial Navy’s numbered fleets in the future. At the very least, the matter can be considered solved for these capital ships. It’s just that when we started talking about escorts, there were protests.”
“Predictable.”
For context, here is the strength of one of the numbered fleets:
First Magic Fleet (31 ships)
- Battleship Squadron 1: 2 × Khazidhea-pattern magic battleships
- Cruiser Squadron 1: 4 × Longinus-pattern magic heavy cruisers
- Cruiser Squadron 8: 4 × Trishula-pattern magic light cruisers
- Small Ship Squadron 1: 5 × Parazonium-pattern small ships
- Small Ship Squadron 8: 5 × Kris-pattern small ships
- Small Ship Squadron 15: 5 × Kris-pattern small ships
- Assault Support Squadron 1: 1 × Ascendant Justice-pattern aircraft carrier, 5 × Parazonium-pattern small ships
Apart from the Zeroth Magic Fleet, the capital ships in the numbered and regional fleets are typically escorted by at least three cruisers of each type, with as many as twenty small ships. The composition of a numbered fleet is heavily battleship-centric, with a carrier and five small ship escorts designated as an “Assault Support Squadron” (whatever the fuck that’s supposed to mean). The Imperial Navy gradually shifting toward an aviation-centered doctrine (with battleships as “tanks”) and planning to double the carriers in the future? Fine, understandable. There’s plenty of evidence for the argument that aviation and guided magic bullets are the future of naval combat.
However, to anyone concerned, expanding and reorganizing the numbered fleets from the current structure into the 2 CSG + 1 SSG structure in the future would require an increase in escort ships. There’s no problem with this one too, since it aligns with plans to remove outdated battleships and cruisers which had become rather redundant in the bloated Regional Fleet Command. These older vessels are being replaced by more capable escort ships (and U-boats) to streamline the organization. There’s also a growing need to replace a larger number of smaller vessels with a smaller number of larger and much more capable vessels.
That’s why, even though the Imperial Guard Fleet was designed as the ultimate example of ships using guided magic bullets as their main weapons, no one outside the White Lotus actually expected the fleet of such ships to contain fewer escorts compared to the current gun-centric fleet. The organization of the Imperial Guard Fleet shown by Ignis was as follows:
Cauldron Weapons Group Experimental Fleet / Imperial Guard Fleet (26 ships)
- Carrier Strike Group “Black Star”
-- 1 × ADOR Type 001 aircraft carrier
-- 2 × ADOR Type 021 cruisers
-- 3 × ADOR Type 031 destroyers
- Carrier Strike Group “Dark Aster”
-- 1 × ADOR Type 001 aircraft carrier
-- 2 × ADOR Type 021 cruisers
-- 3 × ADOR Type 031 destroyers
- Surface Strike Group “Shadow Moon”
-- 4 × ADOR Type 011 magic battleships
-- 4 × ADOR Type 021 cruisers
-- 6 × ADOR Type 031 destroyers
To mask their true nature as pedanium-armored ships, the Cauldron Weapons use “ADOR,” short for “Adamantite-Orichalcum.” Meanwhile, the ships described with the unfamiliar term “destroyer” appeared to be some sort of fleet escort vessels larger than a conventional small ship but still smaller than cruisers. Regardless, the carriers were escorted by too few ships! Whoever orchestrated this must either be incompetent, utterly unhinged, or possess visions beyond the grasp of the average person.
Valen inwardly reflected that this plan reeked of desperation. However, it turned out that the Devil was much, much, much closer than they had realized. Maybe this is a compromise to avoid rocking the boat too much, therefore the Imperial Guard directly under the Emperor’s command was being employed as a sort of safety net. If this ridiculously ambitious experiment succeeded, its benefits would be passed to the regulars once the gap was closed. But if it failed, it would not drag the military down even more.
‘So this is what I’ve gotten myself into…’ the mixed-race elven man lightly frowned. Even after studying it and getting a better understanding of the individual ship’s capabilities, he still found it far too unconventional to believe that His Majesty had actually approved it. Was this a culmination of things found in the ruins? If so, that would certainly explain things.
Meteos smiled knowingly and turned to Valen. “Do you feel the same thing, Navarch Gaizengan, when seeing it for the first time?”
“Yes. At first I thought this plan made no sense. Only after I studied it that ‘breaking common sense’ is exactly this iteration of the Imperial Guard Fleet’s goal.”
Lugiel shook her head. “No, no, it makes sense. Just not to people living in our era.”
Ignis harrumphed. “Yeah… maybe it was supposed to make sense to our descendants in the far future. We happen to receive it decades… or even a hundred years too early.”
‘Future, huh…’
“Of course, I’m an engineer. I know nothing about war… but I don’t do things that will not work. Speaking of which, Navarch Gaizengan, you’ve seen the Megaflare’s testing, right?”
“I have.”
“Naturally, the ships in the Imperial Guard Fleet can be equipped with those devices. Especially the cruisers and destroyers can wield a ridiculous number of them. Upgraded with pedanium, you get a weapon that instantly renders those guided magic bullets I created not too long ago obsolete right here and now.”
Hearing such a declaration again, Ignis shook his head in a daze. It seemed that in the Ancient Ministry, something Meteos Roguerider invented today could easily render his own invention from yesterday obsolete. While this was apparently a somewhat common occurrence in his workplace, it was naturally eerie and shocking to Ignis as an outsider. He was still having a hard time reconciling with the fact that a whole family of them existed. It was insane.
At that moment, Valen’s narrowed eyes turned toward the young man he perceived as an overly confident child. Finally, he understood what had been bothering him.
“…Young man, I have a question for you. What makes you so utterly confident in your words? You speak as if you don’t see this plan will end in failure.”
“Of course, Navarch. I can see the future—literally.”
‘W-what?’
For the first time in years, Valen’s poker face crumbled, his shock evident at the sheer audacity of the response. Snapping to the others sitting at the table, he was even bewildered by a lack of response.
“I don’t understand.”
“Let me tell you my story.”
As the young man recounted his tale, weaving between moments of excitement and solemnity, Valen Gaizengan noticed the ethereal glow in Meteos Roguerider’s eyes reignite. This time, it burned even brighter.
…………
As soon as Meteos revealed his situation, the talk that night continued with Valen mostly listening and responding with a series of questions. Afterward, the newly appointed Navarch got up with a dazed look on his face and headed straight home. Now his predecessor understood what he felt, Ignis thought, as he bid the others farewell and left as well. To get drunk in his office, probably.
Meanwhile, Lugiel was seeing the brothers off in the parking lot.
“All things considered, that went well,” remarked Adonis. The Rogueriders’ eldest child was mostly silent throughout the talk, letting his younger brother take the spotlight.
“Will the Navarch be okay, though?” Meteos muttered.
“I have known Valen since we’re kids. He’s always the stronger-willed one between us. Don’t worry about him, he’ll surely come back stronger next time you meet him. Just you wait.”
Meteos sighed.
‘No wonder his look was so downcast after that. Evidently my own will is far from ‘strong enough.’’
Half-high elf, half-dark elf. Strong mental fortitude of the two combined, surpassing even an Annonrial… It seemed that Valen Gaizengan was born with the best of both worlds.
“Yeah… I’m looking forward to meeting the Navarch again. Meanwhile, Your Highness, he will still need to be informed about our situation. Can you see to it?”
“Of course! You can count on me,” Lugiel patted Meteos on the shoulder with a confident grin. “Take care on your way home, you two.”
Adonis offered her a polite nod before stepping into his car. Meteos followed suit, giving Lugiel one last wave before the door shut. The vehicle whined to life, and they soon found themselves pulling out of the lot and onto the streets.
…………
Tearing his gaze from the passing cityscape outside, Meteos leaned back and pulled out a small Datapoint Ignis had handed him earlier, inserting it into a port on his Manadriver.
“Let’s see what we’ve got here.”
The projected hologram floated in the air on Meteos’ lap, accompanying the two’s drive home with its soft light.
----------------------------------------
>> [CAULDRON UR] IMPERIAL GUARD FLEET CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCE
1. 12 ×ADOR Type 031 Flight I destroyers (MDG-301 to -312)
2. 2 ×ADOR Type 001 aircraft carriers (MAV-01 to -02)
3. 8 ×ADOR Type 021 Flight I cruisers (MCG-201 to -208)
4. 4 ×ADOR Type 011 battleships (MBB-101 to -104)
>> IMPERIAL GUARD FLEET
- Commander-in-Chief: Navarch Valen Gaizengan
- Chief of Staff: Antinavarch Bakarashin Iinodevitch Zol
- Carrier Strike Group “Black Star”
-- Commander: Yponavarch Chrono Batista
-- Aircraft carrier MAV-01 Apollogeist
-- Cruisers MCG-201 Torreana, MCG-202 Du Sanga
-- Destroyers MDG-301 Aracnea Rubor, MDG-302 Verber Rota, MDG-303 Coleoptera Aeneus
- Carrier Strike Group “Dark Aster”
-- Commander: Yponavarch Terezart Maribaron
-- Aircraft carrier MAV-02 Dasmader
-- Cruisers MCG-203 Bardiche, MCG-204 Morgenstern
-- Destroyers MDG-304 Sectio Acuere, MDG-305 Brachypelma Aurantium, MDG-306 Camponotus Maxilla
- Surface Strike Group “Shadow Moon”
-- Commander: Yponavarch Rudolph Tachyon
-- Battleships MBB-101 Tlaloc, MBB-102 Llumu Qhimil, MBB-103 Calaklum, MBB-104 Kukulcan
-- Cruisers MCG-205 Hoplon, MCG-206 Kamtha, MCG-207 Quanda, MCG-208 Korambi
-- Destroyers MDG-307 Taurus Ballista, MDG-308 Skelos Glaucus, MDG-309 Volucris Falco, MDG-310 Stellio Dextera, MDG-311 Hydrozoa Tegula, MDG-312 Potamotrigon Cassis