We finally managed to get close to Planet Mistral.
If you tried to physically approach Duke House Mistral—who, for the record, completely ignored any messages we sent—the Duke Army would usually intercept you around these parts.
This was "for real" information, based on the several times I’d been caught along with my old man.
The only reason we never suffered injuries so severe that even nanomachines couldn't fix them was probably because both my father and Big Brother Dexter were essentially characters in a comedy.
"Heh... Hehehe! Today, I have surpassed my past self! I have successfully approached the Duke House!"
"Don’t shout such pathetic things so loudly, my spouse! I’ll strike you!"
"No, but listen—those guys used to unleash Hound-type Drones on us. My old man and Big Brother Dexter would just ditch me and Big Brother Sam and bolt. Both of them would be crying as those things bit their asses. That’s how I learned to ride a bike back then... and how to steal them, too. ...Hey, Wife, I’m gonna head back to Planet Kamishiro for a second and punch the crap out of my old man and Dexter."
"Just get to your station already!"
"Yes, ma'am."
I climbed into the Jester-exclusive Machine.
Claire hadn't boarded yet. She was likely on the deck handling drone operations. She held an advanced qualification as a First-Class Reconnaissance Drone Operator. Even among the Imperial Guard, no one had a rank that high. Normally, she would be the ultimate unsung hero.
A transmission from Claire came through to the entire crew.
"Displaying drone image analysis results. Officer Academy student Claire, person in charge. Transmitting now."
Images began to populate the screens.
"Planet Mistral. The Duke Army is currently being forced to retreat. We have confirmed that half the planet is already under Zork control. Based on Citizen ID Chip data, it is estimated that half the population has been turned into food."
"And the military?" my wife asked.
"The Duke Army continues its rout. According to their reports to the Empire, they are refusing to use ballistic weaponry, stating that 'any information regarding Leo Kamishiro is untrustworthy.'"
Just how much is my family hated?! Isn't this a bit excessive? So what if our attempts to cozy up to them were a little annoying?
"Um... records of lawsuits and police reports regarding stalking by successive generations of Marquis House Kamishiro are attached as evidence."
"...Um, is this an issue I personally have to take responsibility for?"
"...I think you were just born under an unlucky star," my wife replied.
Please stop pitying me for real. It hurts.
Then, my wife’s face appeared in a floating window.
"Ahem. Let us set aside the matter of Leo's household for now. Leo, you made a promise to everyone, did you not? That you would take back their homes as well. This operation is the first step. The reason I chose Duke House Mistral is not because they are a powerful noble family. It is simply because they are close. Furthermore, this planet is rich in resources. We will use this as a foothold to reclaim the Imperial Capital Planet next. First, your families. My family and His Imperial Majesty the Emperor can come last. His Majesty is a true man; he will likely manage on his own. I, Veronica, promise that we will save your families first! Mine can truly wait until the very end."
Wife! You’re totally planning to eliminate your hated father under the cover of this chaos!
"Ahem. Claire! What are the enemy numbers?"
"Estimated to be four times the amount of Zork that attacked Planet Kamishiro."
"And there you have it, everyone. Do you see? It is not a fight we can win normally. Half the citizens are already dead. It is hopeless... but what if I told you there was a way?"
"There is?"
"Indeed. The Duke Mistral Memorial Museum. Numerous 100-year-old drones are stored there. And not just drones—old-model tanks, planes, and an abundance of weapons as well. And all of them use ballistic weaponry."
"Why would they have all that...?"
"The Duke of Mistral has been known for generations for being frugal—to the point where they never throw away even obsolete military equipment. I hear the Mistral mansion is filled with everything from treasures and documents to old diaries and travel souvenirs."
"That’s just the home of a hoarder..."
"Apparently, once the items in the mansion reach the ceiling, they build a museum and move the things there to display them."
"That is definitely just a hoarder’s house."
"Hush! Do not worry about the details! The point is that those things might save us this time! Listen well! Seize the museum. If we activate those old-model drones, we should be able to fight on equal or better terms!"
To think the key to victory was hidden in a pile of junk... Everyone was probably thinking the same thing.
"But how are we going to infiltrate the planet?"
"I had Ren issue an Identification ID."
"Wait, does Ren even have the authority to do that?"
"Well, about that... she fiddled with the data and..."
"Hacking?!"
Hold on, she can forge identification? She’s a high-level hacker, then...
"Ren is a truly excellent engineer!" my wife declared. "Now then, while the IDs were forged, we will officially inform the Duke House that we are reinforcements before entering, so rest easy."
My wife had just made the least trustworthy statement in the entire universe.
"Now, Lord Groom. Lead the vanguard."
"Yes, ma'am..."
I wasn't exactly feeling motivated. Then, Claire arrived.
"Sorry. I’m taking my station now."
"Gotcha."
Claire climbed in. Once the verniers were equipped, the hatch opened. We were going in from outer space.
"Atmospheric Entry Equipment: All OK."
"Launch!"
The verniers ignited.
"Lord Groom. You understand the hidden objective, yes?"
"Rescuing Ren's family, right?"
"Correct. However, regarding the family, you only need to rescue the Duke. The others are Ren's enemies."
"Roger that."
The machine shot forward. A transmission from Ren came in.
"Leo-kun, let me explain the specs for this unit. Based on what happened last time, I’ve reinforced the joints. Since you seem to like close-quarters combat, I gave you a spear last time, but you said you weren't good with them, right? So, I’ve mounted a War Hammer on the back. It has a recoil-canceling assist."
So a scenario where I’m forced to beat the crap out of things at point-blank range is mandatory, huh...? And "recoil-canceling" at that. It just meant that the moment the impact hit, an explosion triggered in the opposite direction to offset the force. The visibility might be better, but it was still going to be loud as hell.
"Also, since we got our hands on some ores on Planet Kamishiro that weren't available before, I’ve overhauled the firearms. I’ve equipped a Shotgun and a Light Machine Gun. Plus your favorite, the Anti-materiel Rifle."
It’s not my favorite. I only used it because I had no other choice.
"Furthermore, I’ve fundamentally redesigned the energy flow and abolished the dedicated attack lines. Because of that, the overall output is much higher, but please don’t push yourself too hard."
“Don’t do it! Whatever you do, don’t do it!”—is that what she meant?
Imagining Ren's happy face, I flew out into the void of space.