The enemy tank units advanced.
Seriously, give me a break.
I'd had a feeling it would come to this eventually.
Parcion's economy looked substantial on the surface, but their people were such a nightmare that there was zero profit in an invasion.
This had to be intentional.
This was how they defended themselves—by ensuring they had nothing worth stealing so that even a successful robbery wouldn't actually hurt them.
As a result, their military strategy was generations behind.
Specifically, it was completely unequipped to handle the tactics we had introduced since our arrival.
They did have a drone strategy, of course, but their direction was all wrong.
Ever since the Zork War, we had shifted to strategies that focused heavily on unit compatibility.
In short, whether it’s a street brawl or martial arts, the one who successfully forces their preferred style onto the opponent wins.
Conversely, the tactical repertoire of any single nation isn't actually that broad.
Budgetary constraints are a reality for everyone.
And so, Parcion relied on sophisticated tank tactics.
Was that even viable from a tactical standpoint?
It’s a question most people would ask.
The answer was tied up in their national character... and, more importantly, the issue of funding.
Training drone operators requires massive educational investment.
Assembling the hardware requires proprietary know-how.
You might think, "Why can't they just do it?" but it’s actually one of the most difficult things in the world to pull off.
It’s like working at a restaurant with irrational management and thinking you can just go independent and build the ultimate eatery.
In reality, even in the Galactic Empire, ninety percent of such ventures go bankrupt within ten years.
Since I became King, I’ve studied the military affairs of various nations, consulted with experts, and even written brief reports.
And the more I studied... the more I realized I understood absolutely nothing.
From national administration to law and economics, I eventually reached the conclusion that I was clueless.
The more I tried, the less I understood.
The only thing I was certain of was that Parcion was likely in the same boat of ignorance.
The Chronos Garrison led by Claire launched a merciless drone attack against the Parcion tank units.
It was a simple matter of tactical compatibility—a game of rock-paper-scissors where we held all the winning moves.
Sure, Parcion possessed a massive number of anti-aircraft guns.
However, our technology was simply a step above theirs.
We used spider-type drones to close the distance and disable their mobility.
I call them spider-types, but our flying models had evolved too.
Miniaturized to the size of a mosquito, they were designed to explode and ignite on impact.
While originally intended for assassinations, I found there were much more entertaining ways to use them.
Like blowing up the supplies in the enemy camps.
Burning through their energy packs, live ammunition, and food stores all at once.
If they had just stopped there, it would have been over.
If they had given up after their logistics were destroyed, I could have let them off with just their resignations.
But Parcion did not surrender.
Begging an opponent to surrender is the height of folly, I know.
Even so, we had hoped they would.
But the enemy...
The Parcion Army refused to give up until the very end.
"We have to show some martial prowess, otherwise we’ll be at a disadvantage in the peace negotiations."
"If we don't fight, our tribes and clans will lose face and we'll be ostracized."
"They want us to surrender, so they're stalling to see if we'll cave first."
It wasn't a matter of such understandable logic.
They simply wished to perish along with the era.
They knew it too—that they were a people who no longer had a place in the world to come.
Claire and her team were swift.
Using the list provided by the Lieutenant General, they immediately began a sweep.
Executives of state-owned enterprises.
National politicians.
One by one, high-ranking military officers were hauled away.
Provincial governors and city mayors were arrested without mercy.
It was nothing short of a purge.
The Lieutenant General and his men continued their retreat, suffering defeat after defeat.
The last place they could fall back to was a city controlled by the faction hostile to me.
I mean, if it were the Taikyoku Nation, they would have probably just bombed the place into a scorched field.
The Lieutenant General likely chose that city for the final decisive battle on purpose, hoping for exactly that outcome.
I see right through it...
I’m good at reading things like that. And that’s exactly why I’m going to go break their little script.
"Fairy-san! I’m not happy! Help me out!"
"I love that about you, Leo-kun♪"
I was ready to hijack an exclusive machine and sortie.
Then, I ran into Tatiana.
"Big brother, let's go."
"I'm counting on you."
As I moved further, Rikochi arrived, cracking her neck loudly.
"Let's go, Leo."
Rikochi in this mode... she was so cool. I was falling for her all over again.
Raven-kun and his men were kneeling.
"Your Majesty. We await your orders."
"Imperial Guard, move out!"
One-oh-one arrived next.
"I will protect Shiyun, for sure!"
"I'm counting on you!"
Man, I was genuinely angry!
I didn't give a damn about Parcion's convenient excuses!
Then, I found Charlotte waiting for me.
"I shall provide medical support."
"Please do."
Naturally, I headed straight for the Chronos Army landing field.
The Chronos soldiers saluted as I passed, but an Ogre God Nation non-commissioned officer blocked my path.
"I have strict orders from the First Consort to restrain His Majesty Leo if he is spotted."
"Understood. Let's settle this with a scrap, then."
"If you insist."
Geez! Look at that happy face!
He was wearing a helmet and battle gloves—that was cheating.
I took mine off and handed them to a nearby soldier.
I kicked off my boots, too.
Standing barefoot, I jumped on the spot to test my weight.
Alright, my body wasn't stiff.
The real question was whether my anger would make me tense up too much.
The non-commissioned officer... the Master Sergeant, also removed his gloves and boots.
He clearly had no intention of holding back.
He launched a full-power haymaker right from the start.
I’m an in-fighter.
I ducked under the fist and drove a straight punch into his gut.
Ugh, those abs were like granite!
It felt like punching the tire of an armored vehicle!
"Guh!"
The Master Sergeant froze for a split second.
I followed up immediately with a low kick.
I did it as insurance, just in case he tried to drop an elbow on a middle kick...
Though I also would have hated it if he’d checked the kick with his knee and snapped my leg.
"Hmph!"
He took the hit and grunted.
He threw a front kick back at me.
In a situation like this, the answer is to get close!
I scooped his leg up with my arm and heaved him over.
Chabudai Bomber!
The throw connected, and he hit the ground with his hands to break the fall.
Without a moment's delay, I snapped a kick toward his face...
And stopped it just before contact.
"Can we call this my win? I'm in a bit of a hurry."
"Thank you very much!"
We shook hands.
With the Master Sergeant and his men seeing me off, I boarded the transport aircraft carrying my exclusive machine and took off.
I’m going to ruin their little drama at the very end!
You bastards! Now that you've managed to actually piss me off, I’m going to bury this whole situation in gags!
I’ll force you into a pathetic, unsatisfying conclusion where nothing feels resolved!
I was legitimately fuming.
Damn it! Looking down on me like that!
You Parcion lot, I’m going to make you regret this!
Because I got dragged into your serious "noble sacrifice" bullshit, my neck is stiff from sleeping wrong, my stomach hurts, and my calf is cramping!
Apparently, Charlotte did her back in too, despite her age.
Tatiana’s mouth ulcer won't heal.
Even Alyssa, who became a Sage, is bedridden with a cold.
I will never forgive you!