The Crabs took the bait.
You might think they’d be too smart for such a blatant ruse, but no. They fell for it every time.
The Zorks operated on a semi-automated logic. Furthermore, they didn't account for attrition. Since they could be mass-produced as clones, the concept of loss was meaningless to them.
That was why they were easily fooled by a classic... no, an idiotic strategy that a schoolboy could have dreamed up.
A trap? Who cares? We’ll just crush them with numbers!
That was their mindset. It was a tactic only possible due to their overwhelming scale. It would have been impossible for us; if we suffered casualties like that, a revolution would break out and our heads would literally roll.
Those little Crabs came to kill anything that moved. If you were too slow, they’d surround you in an instant and you'd end up in their bellies. Because they knew no fear, they simply kept charging. They trampled over the corpses of their own kind without hesitation. Their marching speed... well, calling it a "march" didn't even cover it.
So, we—whose limiters were also conveniently off—had no choice but to act as the lures.
"This is Leo! I’ve reached the bombing point!"
Honestly, I was just glad the terrain on this planet was weathered gravel. If it had been mud, a jungle, or the kind of sand that swallowed your feet, I never would have been able to keep ahead of them at this speed.
Alright, time for a brief skirmish.
I pulled out my assault rifle and opened fire. Eddy, Isono, Nakajima, and Claire were all using the same weapon. Our job was strictly to stall them. You could argue for machine guns, but when it came to gear that wouldn't hinder a quick retreat, this was our only real option.
While I focused on the task, I spotted Kevin’s drones and the bombers likely piloted by Nina-san and her crew.
"Leo! Evacuate!"
"Everyone, move it!"
This time, it was a standard bombing run. I watched as the shockwaves tore limbs off the Crabs. Kevin’s self-destruct drones were packed with that special poison. With minimal actual firepower, the Zorks began to die off in droves.
And then, we ran again. The purpose of the bombing was to keep the Zorks from retreating.
Finally, we reached the designated operational point.
"This is Leo. I’ve arrived at the operational point."
"This is Edge. We’re on standby at the point as well. The Crab parade has moved! Prince Thomas, your orders?"
"This is Thomas. Edge's Squad and Raven's Squad, commence the assault on the enemy base."
"The Lord Groom shall wait there! Let's go!"
The command came from my Wifey.
That was the plan. In short, the operation involved me luring the Crabs out with my Sexy Decoy Operation. While they were distracted, Edge, the Kamishiro Main House Knight Order, and Thomas’s Imperial Guard would launch their assault.
Muhahahaha!
Who said anything about me charging in? I’m the decoy, baby!
You Zorks! Tremble before the might of a true protagonist's firepower!
Hyah-hah!
"Lord Groom, preparations are complete! Get in the trench!"
We dived into the "trench"—which was really just a ditch dug in a frantic rush by Eddy’s knights and the regular soldiers.
"Here it comes!"
A barrage from the battleships' main cannons rained down from beyond the atmosphere. The soldiers and humanoid fighters deployed their shields, hunkering down in the ditch.
The Crabs were erased.
No matter how much they could nullify pulse rifles, the sheer output of a battleship’s main cannon was on a different scale entirely. Even if they could deflect the physical impact, they couldn't withstand the sudden spike in temperature—especially on a planetary surface. They ignited and burned to ash one after another.
Of course, if we got hit, we were just as dead. But as the saying goes, no risk, no victory.
The bombardment must have only lasted a few minutes, though it felt like half a day to me!
"The shelling is over! Lord Groom!"
A few Crabs still remained.
"Annihilate them!"
"Uooooh!"
We leaped out of the trench. Total slaughter. To be honest, most of them had already lost their legs, so we were just putting them out of their misery.
I was glad we’d cleared the orbital forces first. This reckless plan was only possible because we’d crushed the space-side reinforcements beforehand. In short, it was luck. Though I suppose we’d put in enough effort to earn that luck.
But that luck ran out right then and there.
As we were cleaning up, I heard something approaching at an incredible velocity. By the time the sound registered, it was already upon us.
It was a knight on horseback.
No, that wasn't it. It was a Despair, astride a horse-like giant Zork, bearing down on us.
The bastard charged straight for Nakajima with a spear—no, a lance. I shoved Nakajima out of the way and caught the incoming lance under my arm.
Taking it to go! Take-out!
"Leo-kun! Something's coming in fast!"
"Too late!"
I kicked the Despair’s hand as it tried to swing the lance and throw me off. It faltered for a second! I tried to scuttle up the shaft like a cockroach on a kitchen counter, but it let go of the weapon, and I went tumbling to the ground.
I rolled and bounced. Inside the cockpit, I slammed the back of my head against the seat. Even with the helmet, it hurt like hell.
This opponent had better reflexes than I'd anticipated.
The Despair’s machine was different from the previous ones. It had a sleek, elegant form that reminded me of a suit of plate armor. A knight shouldn't be getting this serious against a clown...
"I am Republic Army Captain Nishina."
"Imperial Army Major Leo Kamishiro."
Formalities complete.
"Hey, are you allowed to leave your post like that?"
"I was never ordered to protect this location."
Great. He could actually hold a conversation. He was a much more advanced individual than Sariel.
Nishina dismounted and drew a sword. It was massive—a greatsword.
"Leo Kamishiro. If I disobey Mother's orders, my comrades will be put to death. I have no personal grudge against you... In fact, I've actually been rooting for you, but I have no choice. This is simply the life of a soldier. Now, draw your blade."
"Yeah, I'm in the same boat. Sorry about this. As long as you Zorks keep attacking the Empire, I have to fight back."
I drew my own sword.
Oh boy. This guy was strong. Like, really strong.
"Uh, Eddy? Sorry, but could you send out a broadcast? Tell everyone absolutely not to interfere."
"...Got it. He's that tough, huh?"
I really hated this. I didn't join the officer academy to fight the strong. I joined because if I made it through, I'd get a bunch of licenses, a steady salary, and free food. My dream was to pass the bar and become a lawyer. Even if that failed, I figured I could coast through life on my certifications! Even my pilot's license was just for the hazard pay!
I never wanted to be a Savior Hero. I never wanted to be the strongest...
But... I had to protect my wives.
I guess I did want to be the strongest after all.
Alright, I was feeling a little motivated now. The tension left my body.
"Ho. Your form is relaxed now. Then I shall do the same."
With those words, Nishina brought his greatsword down on the horse-shaped Zork. The beast was sliced clean in two.
"This is my one-way ticket. Now, let us begin."
Don't let him intimidate you, I told myself, even as sweat began to bead on my forehead.