The ears of the Lovely Cat—a machine that was essentially a Perfect Ze*ng with legs and cat ears—began to glow.
Well, it wasn't exactly that, but it was the closest comparison I could make.
Regardless, those ears weren't just for show. Just as the ears on Rikochi's machine served as antennas for a communication relay, the ears on Tatiana's machine functioned as a Barrier Amplification Device.
With this equipment, the time required to deploy the barrier was cut in half. While that put an immense physical strain on the pilot, an ESP Specialization Type was simply on another level. Unlike me, who fainted every time I used my recovery ability once, Tatiana could use her powers repeatedly.
Furthermore, she operated her Floating Batteries using an ESP-linked Thought Controller. At first glance, you'd think, "Whoa, she’s the strongest!" but it was all about having the right mental aptitude.
Apparently, when Tatiana attacked, her mind processed things like: Far right, thirty degrees, fire; Number two, begin retreating to a point thirty degrees diagonally upward...
As for me, my internal monologue was more like: Ah, okay! Yes! Yes, yes, yes, yes! Dodge, feint, boom! My brain was basically wired like a rhythm game player. In other words, I couldn’t use Floating Batteries. I had zero aptitude for them. Ah, yes! Boom, boom!
Well, I might be able to use them in the future, but it was simply impossible with current Imperial Technology. How tragic.
While I was lost in thought, Tatiana thrust her staff into the ground. There was a bit of a history there; development of that staff had hit snag after snag, which delayed its release. That delay was the primary reason we hadn't been able to guarantee Tatiana’s safety until now.
The staff was equipped with a Gunpowder-type Anchor. Once thrust into the earth, a stake was driven down, spreading out underground to secure it in place. Furthermore, the reduction in startup time provided by the amplifier significantly dampened the resulting vibrations.
A massive swarm of Locusts surged toward Tatiana. We fought back with our Bolt Throwers, but we couldn't intercept them all. Still, we didn't need to worry. Tatiana’s Floating Batteries began incinerating the Locusts. Despite the rapid fire, her precision was terrifying. She was incredible.
Incidentally, since most of our Kamishiro Squad members were "rhythm game players" in the head, the number of people with the proper aptitude was abnormally low compared to other units. I only found out after we were tested. There was Kevin, Nina-san, and then maybe Ren. Kevin and Nina-san had no need for Floating Batteries, and Ren was excluded because she insisted it was "easier to just shoot them myself." Since Drone Operators and Snipers were specialized roles, the individuals' preferences took priority.
Ah, yes, yes! Boom-boom-boom-boom!
"Big Brother Leo... you're dodging those Locusts, aren't you? Your movements are so monstrous I don't have any confidence I could copy them..."
Even while grumbling, Tatiana continued to pluck Locusts out of the sky with her Floating Batteries. However, the swarm suddenly shifted their targets to our weapons.
"Leo! My Bolt Thrower's been punctured! It's useless! I'm disengaging!" Eddie shouted.
"Damn it! A Locust got into the finger joints! I can't fire until the Forced Cleaning is finished!" Isono called out as he temporarily pulled back.
Even Tatiana's Floating Batteries were being picked off one by one.
"Dwaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
Well, her machine wasn't going to be shot down, but I could understand why she was panicking.
"Tatiana, focus!"
"I know! Right, here comes the barrier!"
With a heavy thud, the barrier expanded. The Locusts began to drop away. Phew...
I let out a long sigh.
"I know we're not going to die, but this is grueling!"
Imagine dodging attacks coming from every direction in total darkness. Who could put up with this? If the enemy loaded these things with bombs, there would be nothing we could do.
...Wait. That was it.
"Everyone, listen. There’s a high probability that they have weapons out there that are just Locusts loaded with bombs."
"Captain, stop! My head is starting to hurt!" Melissa, who had a catastrophically bad compatibility with the bugs, screamed.
Fair enough. Claire also let out a sigh.
"For once, I don't feel like we can win."
We wouldn't lose, but we couldn't win. That was the problem. In any conflict, the side with the stricter victory conditions is at an overwhelming disadvantage. For the enemy, victory was simply "destroy the planet and slaughter everyone with Locusts." Meanwhile, our victory condition was "protect the residents and rescue them after activating Tatiana’s barrier."
...No, maybe the enemy only needed to stall us. In that case, we might have already lost before the battle even began. Hahaha!
To think that I, of all people, was being toyed with so one-sidedly via Off-board Tactics! Hahaha...
"...I'll slaughter them."
Oops, I said that out loud.
"Uh, this is Luna-chan. Veronica-chan... Leo-kun is seriously pissed off. Please be careful."
"She told on me without a second's delay!"
"L-Lord Groom, calm down! There are still people needing rescue! I'll let you use my lap as a pillow when you get back!"
"I wonder why I'm being treated like a toddler throwing a tantrum?"
"That is because you are at your strongest when your instincts are laid bare..."
"Ooh-ooh-aah-aah! Me want eat banana!"
Getting angry had made me hungry. I didn't want to eat in the cockpit, so I would just have to endure it.
After confirming the area was safe, I loaded my machine onto the transport aircraft and disembarked. Search and rescue activities were being handled by heavy machinery brought in by the next wave of transports. The Brigadier General told me to stay put? Ah, yes.
And so, I opened my Revenge Notebook and began to plot a Harassment Plan. I would absolutely never forgive them for this. I was going to make the Ghouls extinct.
It was almost certain that the Zen God Race was behind the Ghouls. I didn't have any evidence, of course.
"Ahahahaha..."
At this point, evidence didn't matter. While fuming with rage, I contacted the Taikyoku Nation National Broadcasting Producer.
"Yes! Greetings, His Excellency the Grand Duke! What can I do for you to—Dwaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
The producer screamed the moment he saw my face on the monitor.
"Yes, hello. Thank you for your continued support. Well, you see, regarding that matter in the Chronos Nation... yes, we're in the middle of rescue operations. The danger has passed, so why don't you come over now?"
"I'm coming right now!"
Hahaha.
Next, I contacted Latarnia's national broadcaster.
"What is the mat... ter? Dwaaaaaaaaaa!"
"Ahahaha. No, you see, I've finally reached the limit of my patience. Yes, regarding that matter. It's safe now, so please come."
I then held a group conference with the Ogre God Nation, the Battle Dome, and the Galactic Empire's private broadcasters. These were all areas where the Kamishiro Group had significant capital invested.
"Your Excellency the Grand Duke! What a fine day for—Dwaaaaaaa!"
Could they please stop screaming when they saw my face?
"Ahahahaha! Look at this scenery! Honestly, this time I've finally reached my boiling point. So, I have a favor to ask..."
"A-anything you command, Your Excellency!"
Why was everyone suddenly standing at attention?
"So, here's the main point: I want to make a movie. I want both a documentary and a feature film. Don't worry about the money; the Kamishiro Group will handle all the funding."
I was going to show them... what real Off-board Tactics looked like.