Half a day later, I warped the Demon King’s Army to the southern reaches of our territory. We arrived at a vast, open plain that offered an unobstructed view of the horizon. Far across the expanse, a massive force loomed. It was the Technomagic Army, led by the Steel Knight.
I noted that several of their soldiers were equipped with guns—weapons that had become widespread within the Technomagic Kingdom. While I had seized the majority of John Doe’s inventions and thoroughly confiscated his blueprints, the spread of the technology had already taken root. Guns were being manufactured across the land, and it had proven impossible to halt their development entirely.
Now, guns served as the backbone of the Technomagic Kingdom’s military. They were formidable weapons boasting significant range and power; from a mage’s perspective, they were undoubtedly a nightmare to face on the battlefield.
However, the army I had brought was more than a match for them. My Gun Unit deployed in a fan-shaped formation across the flank, wielding firearms developed independently by our Research Institute. In terms of raw performance, our weapons were leagues ahead of theirs. We held the advantage in both quality and the sheer volume of training as well. It was only natural, given that Henry had personally whipped them into shape.
In front of the Gun Unit, our tanks were lined up at regular intervals, their systems primed to fire beams at a moment's notice. Our primary strategy was simple: the tanks would spearhead the advance, and the Gun Unit would follow in their wake, using the massive machines as cover. By utilizing the tanks as mobile shields, we could effectively neutralize incoming arrows and magic from a distance. To ensure this, the tanks were built with reinforced plating so sturdy that most conventional attacks would barely leave a scratch on their armor.
Stationed beside me, apart from the two main units, was a unique vehicle. Its exterior was distinctive, clad in a mixture of scales and carapace. This tank was equipped with three barrels, two of which were magic cannons. The third was a standard tank cannon capable of alternating between live rounds and concentrated beams.
"Kuhahaha! My heart is pounding, I tell you. It is rare to feel such a sense of novelty, indeed," a muffled voice called out from within the modified tank.
The hatch popped open, and Diera poked her head out. She was aboard the modified tank only because she had personally insisted upon it. Just before we marched, Diera had requested permission to use the confiscated machine. It seemed she had grown quite fond of the weapon she and Yura had co-developed. According to her, she had long harbored a desire to pilot it onto a true field of battle.
I had granted her request. The modified tank had yet to see actual combat, and though our analysis had confirmed its high performance specifications, I had been looking for an opportunity to field-test it myself. If Diera wanted to pilot it, I saw no harm in letting her have her way. However, I intended to keep a close watch on her to ensure she didn't get carried away. I would have to be the one to rein her in if she crossed the line.
With that thought in mind, I voiced a concern that had been bothering me. "Do you truly intend to fight from inside that tank until the very end?"
"Of course, indeed! It is not some mere paperweight," she replied.
"You would be far stronger fighting on foot. Why not leave the test run to one of the subordinates?"
When I pointed this out, Diera’s expression shifted to one of sheer disbelief.
"That may be true in a literal sense, but have you no soul? There is such a thing as romance! I will not surrender the controls of the Magic Dragon Rakshasa to anyone. You would do well to learn from me, my boy."
"I shall keep that in mind."
Romance—the aesthetic passion for machinery—was a concept I had never quite grasped. While it wasn't a priority for me, she had piqued my interest enough that I thought I might like to study the appeal of it one day.
Diera, meanwhile, gestured toward me with a finger. "You and that shell of yours are a culmination of romance in their own right. I look forward to seeing you in action."
"Is this romance as well...?"
It was true that the body I occupied now was not that of an undead. I was currently inhabiting a jet-black golem composed of a specialized metal. It was a prototype developed by the Research Institute, a unit recalibrated based on Yura’s dedicated machine. The Institute had presented the golem to me only moments ago as both a field test and a gesture of gratitude for my patronage. I had decided to put it to use immediately.
My physical body remained back in the Royal Capital; I had simply projected my consciousness into the golem. My plan was to gauge the machine’s performance during the opening skirmishes and then switch back to my true form for the finale. Given the caliber of the enemy, this should be more than sufficient. I fully intended to push this golem to its limits.
The two armies glared at one another in a heavy silence. The air was thick with tension, saturated with a palpable killing intent. I narrowed my eyes, focusing on the center of the enemy lines.
Towering over the infantry atop a massive horse was a knight clad in dull-colored armor. In his grasp, he held a weapon that combined the features of a spear and an axe—a long-reached polearm known as a halberd. The knight radiated an overwhelming thirst for battle, emitting an aura of such intensity that even his own allies seemed cowed by it.
That was the Steel Knight, the general of the Technomagic Army.
The Steel Knight had a peculiar history. After sustaining what should have been fatal injuries during his time as a recruit, over half of his body had been replaced with golem components. By circulating blood saturated with high concentrations of magic power, he had attained physical capabilities that rivaled those of monsters, despite being human. Furthermore, he had utilized his unique physiology to hide an arsenal of weapons throughout his prosthetic body. According to eyewitness accounts from previous battles, many of these hidden armaments were nearly impossible to dodge if one wasn't forewarned.
Of course, he didn't rely solely on his mechanical augmentations. His skill with the halberd was remarkable, capable of delivering a relentless barrage of strikes that seamlessly blended offense and defense. Taken together, the Steel Knight was a warrior truly worthy of being called a Hero.
Yet, one detail remained inexplicable. The Steel Knight had only begun to be hailed as a Hero very recently. Before that, he was merely a well-known veteran—strong, certainly, but not a warrior who could turn the tide of a war single-handedly. His rise to legendary strength had been unnervingly sudden.
Did the fierce clashes with the Demon King's Army trigger a rapid evolution? I wondered.
It wasn't impossible, but the explanation felt thin. I suspected there was a specific catalyst behind his growth. I couldn't say for certain what it was, but a nagging feeling tugged at the back of my mind. It wasn't a conclusion based on evidence, but rather a pure, intuitive judgment. However, experience had taught me not to ignore such instincts. There was something about the Steel Knight that demanded caution.
I intended to capture him alive. He needed to be interrogated; as a general of the army, he likely possessed highly classified information. Even if he didn't hold the specific answers I sought, he was bound to know something of value. Either way, questioning him would not be a waste of time.
The Three Heroes appearing all at once... what exactly is happening in this world?
To find the answers, I first had to seize victory in the coming battle.