I launched in my personal machine.
“Edge, you’re in command.”
“Wait, Colonel Eddie! Why me?!”
“Because you’re the best fit.”
Edge was the most level-headed of the group. I knew for a fact he’d been diligently studying strategy. Besides, Alyssa—a Jester—was there with him.
She claimed she was weak compared to Leo or Tatiana, but was that really true?
Leo could bolster the abilities of tens of thousands of soldiers, and in Sage Mode, he wielded terrifying ESP. Tatiana could copy and amplify the powers of other espers. On paper, they were game-breakers, but I suspected their true essence lay elsewhere.
Leo suffered from a massive complex about being a ‘loner.’ In truth, he wasn't really alone; it was just that no one knew how to properly value him. Yet, until the Zork War, no one truly understood him. That lack of understanding must have planted a profound sense of isolation within him.
Tatiana, meanwhile, agonized over being a clone to a degree others couldn't fathom. She was like a junior sister to me. I often wished she would just open up and talk to me about it.
The complex they shared was ‘Solitude.’ Their innate abilities were ‘Cooperative Battle’ and ‘Fake.’
A solitary genius who should have lived out his life unnoticed by the military. A girl born as a clone, destined to play the part of another. That was the core of their being.
Simply put, I believed Jesters weaponized their complexes. The stronger the complex—or rather, the deeper the isolation—the more potent the power they wielded.
Leo had found a family in Veronica-chan, but that probably hadn't fully filled the void. His habit of trying to be the first sacrifice was proof of that. It wasn't just heroism; it was a suicidal impulse born from his complex, a result of undervaluing his own life.
As for Tatiana... that wasn't something that could ever be truly fixed. It was a lifelong burden. I couldn't even begin to imagine what went through her head.
In that regard, Alyssa hadn't been isolated in her secluded village. Compared to the other two, her complex was small. Even if it meant making her stronger, I was against deepening her emotional scars. There was no telling where that would lead. It was entirely possible we’d end up birthing a Demon King even more powerful than Zork.
Actually, I can put that in my report.
Humanoid fighters were approaching from a Taikyoku Nation battleship—not the Dragon, just a standard one. They were the Muei. Speed-specialized units that had sacrificed armor for mobility. This would be my first time facing them.
“Men, fight to your heart’s content!”
“Sir!”
I gave my subordinates a reckless, almost irresponsible command. But for this, it was enough. I didn't feel particularly threatened.
I readied my beam rifle. My style wasn't like Leo’s; I didn't fight to inspire terror. I followed the manual—plain, simple, and by the book. The execution was easy. Aim carefully, then fire. It didn't matter how fast they were. Since the weapon’s projectile speed was effectively instantaneous, there was no need to lead the target. I just had to be precise.
“A kill! Magnificent, My Lord!” Suematsu-san praised me with his usual exaggeration.
“Suematsu-san, keep scattering those missiles! I’m counting on you for defense!”
“By your command de gozaru! Fuhahaha! Behold the prowess of the man hailed as the Bulwark of Anheim!”
That was the first I’d heard of the title. Still, he seemed to be enjoying himself, so I let it slide.
Suematsu-san launched his payload—the mine-scattering missiles. The goal was to pin the enemy down. As long as we could halt their movement, they weren't much of a threat... probably.
The enemy was intelligent; they’d realize their disadvantage if they stayed pinned. Their strategy would have to change.
“Mines deployed de gozaru!”
Immediately, the enemy shifted. They charged. They were forcing a close-quarters engagement.
I gave the signal. “Ogre God Nation! You’re up!”
“Right!”
The Ogre God Nation was home to experts in melee combat. Their armored warrior-type humanoid fighters clashed with the Muei.
One came for me too. Figures. They were definitely picking a fight with the commander.
The enemy was armed with a blue dragon sword. I holstered my rifle and drew my katana—a model co-developed with the Ogre God Nation, specifically the Imperial Swordsmanship Spec.
I took a standard stance. I felt more relaxed now than when I’d been training for the national tournament. There was no unnecessary tension. Unlike Leo, I couldn't pull off the stunt of intentionally leaving openings to bait the enemy, but...
I sheared the charging Muei’s torso clean in two.
“S-So fast!” Suematsu-san shouted in shock.
It wasn't, really. Compared to trying to react to Katori-sensei’s feints—where she used her initial movements, her presence, the air, and even her gaze—this was merely at the level of ‘manageable.’
“Ngh! Here they come!”
Suematsu-san and the others were now fully engaged with the Muei. Naturally, more came for me. Perhaps having seen the first one get cut down, this one feinted with its blue dragon sword and tried to land a kick instead.
Katori-sensei used to say: “Look at that idiot Leo and you’ll see. The moves that look like useless filler, like those kicks? Those are the ones that’ll kill you.”
And since my sparring partner was Leo...
“I’m used to this flavor of bullshit.”
With a single flash, I sliced the leg off. Even then, the machine tried to catch me with a spinning backfist. I severed the arm, then transitioned into an upward slash.
I bisected the unit, then, without even turning around, I impaled the one trying to ambush me from behind.
“The Muei are nothing to fear! Come on! Bring it on!”
Compared to Leo, Katori-sensei, or Mother Zork, these things felt like they were standing still.
Two machines attacked simultaneously. I cut one down, but the other tried to blast me with its rifle at point-blank range. I evaded and cut it down in the same motion.
A transmission came in from Edge. “Enemy ships are within firing range!”
“Open fire!”
Edge, who I’d had repositioning stealthily, opened up on the enemy fleet. His ship was technically for training, but it was a state-of-the-art destroyer. It was anything but weak.
“Fire!”
The enemy ship buckled under the barrage and began to peel away. The humanoid fighters followed, covering the retreat.
“Colonel Eddie of the Galactic Empire. We thank you for the assistance!”
Phew. Glad we were here. Though, to be fair, we did have the numbers.
...It really was the Jester Effect at work.
Once I finish the report, I’ll have to get Veronica-chan and Luna-chan to look it over.