Chapter 12: I Will Never Become a Slave

The desert of Abydos stretched on with not a single human in sight—only automata and drones that attacked intruders on sight without warning. Cutting through that wasteland were a dozen trucks towing L118 howitzers. Mounted on the bed of the lead truck was a twin 2-pounder pom-pom gun, its constant barrage reducing any machines blocking the road into clouds of sand and metal scraps.

"Some talk of Alexander, and some of Hercules. Of Hector──"

Ahhh, yes, at long last—the Abydos Desert. I was so excited for what came next that I ended up singing. Hifumi in the driver’s seat could definitely hear me, but I didn’t care.

The whole thing started three days ago, when Nagisa summoned me for tea—my first invitation in about ten days.

"Aika-san, during our last tea gathering, I said I would designate you as an officer cadet."

"Yes, you certainly did. As the first-year representative, I have been training diligently so as not to bring shame to the title."

"That is good to hear. Now then, as your first assignment as an officer cadet… or rather, your first duty. I would like you to accompany an outdoor class."

"An outdoor class… Ah, could it be that lesson involving the howitzers?"

Yes—that outdoor class picnic from the Countermeasures Committee arc. The one where we provide supporting fire with howitzers as a way to gain favor with the teacher. I had been extremely interested in that one.

I mean, the class literally gives you a justified excuse to blow Kaiser sky-high. Honestly, I’d wanted to participate from the moment I heard about it, but since it wasn’t my class, I’d been sulking quietly.

"Correct. Due to certain circumstances, a second-year student will also be accompanying the group, so I’d like you to assist her and command the artillery squad."

"Yes, of course. And also…"

The answer was obvious. After readily accepting the assignment, there was just one request—well, something I needed permission for.

"What is it?"

"I would like to test-fire my pom-pom gun. Would that be acceptable?"

When I said that, Nagisa seemed to grasp my intention and smiled gently.

"Of course. It is a desert region with virtually no civilians, so please feel free."

"You have my gratitude, Lady Nagisa."

"Now then, please take good care of the second-year student accompanying you—Ajitani Hifumi-san."

"Please leave her to me."

And with that, I left the room, already excited for what awaited me in three days.

"──With a tow, row, row, row, row, row, for the British Grenadiers!"

After wiping out the attacking drones, automata, and what appeared to be mercenaries hired by Kaiser, we continued driving for a while when—

"…Um, Aika-san! We’re almost there."

"Oh my, we’ve arrived already? Well then."

I reached for the radio I had tossed into the corner of the truck bed and switched it back on.

"We’ve reached the training area. All units, stop your trucks and move into combat positions."

At the order, the howitzer-towing trucks slowed and came to a halt. Students in white Tea Party uniforms climbed down from the cabs and truck beds, beginning their firing preparations.

"Um, Ajitani-senpai. When the preparations are complete, would it be alright if you gave the firing order?"

"I don’t mind, but what about you, Aika-san…?"

"I’d like to do a test firing of my pom-pom gun."

"A-ahaha…"

Yeah, it’s just a test fire. And if some Kaiser soldiers just happen to be standing in front of the barrel, well—total coincidence.

"All units, when your preparations are complete, report to Ajitani Hifumi-senpai. Begin firing on her command."

"Then, I shall take my leave."

"Yes, Aika-san."

After sending out the radio instructions to follow Hifumi’s commands, I handed the device to her, boarded the Royalty-class vehicle, and drove off.

"Enemy sighted! We’re engaging now!"

"Concentrate all forces! Pull in the troops from the north and east—bring in the Northern Anti-Decagrammaton Battalion as well!"

"Yes! …Ah—no, that’s impossible!?"

"What is it? Report!"

"We’ve received word that the eastern unit has already been attacked and is half-destroyed… Additionally, we’ve detected a small hostile force approaching from the north! They intend to engage our troops!"

"H-how—what on earth is happening…!?"

That day, the deep whomp-whomp-whomp of 40mm anti-air shells echoed across the desert—and mixed with it was the voice of a girl singing. For the Kaiser soldiers, that sound would become a lifelong trauma.

"Uwaaaaaagh!?"

"What the hell is that vehicle!? It’s charging straight at us while firing!?"

"When Britain first, at Heaven's command. Arose from──"

The blasts carried enough force to knock out an average student in a single hit. Kaiser’s mercenaries were no different; one after another, they collapsed into the sand, unable to resist.

"──and Guardian Angels sang this strain!"

Her bright, joyful singing rang across the desert, resonating with the thunder of gunfire. The sight of her barreling forward while hammering away with an anti-air autocannon was so grotesquely out of sync with her voice that it invoked genuine terror.

"Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves! Britons never never never shall be slaves! Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves! Britons never never never shall be slaves!!"

And so, the majority of the Kaiser forces on the eastern side were neutralized—by a single anti-air autocannon and one girl. Looking down on the surviving troops as they broke and fled in fear, she laughed.

"O-ho-ho-ho-ho! Serves you right, you filthy loan sharks! The desert is the perfect place for scum like you to rot into scrap!!"

Her triumphant laughter echoed across the Abydos Desert for quite some time.

Meanwhile, at that same moment, the Trinity Vigilante Crew—

"Ajitani Hifumi-sama, all guns are ready. We can fire at any time."

"Y-yes…! Then, aim at the target… and fire!"

At Hifumi’s command, a thunderous boom split the air as the 105mm shells were launched upward.

"We’ve spotted enemies up ahead! Distance two kilometers—contact imminent! Everyone, prepare for engagement…"

Just after Okusora Ayane spotted Kaiser’s troops and relayed the warning to the vanguard—

"!? …Is that…"

"Support fire?"

A thunderous blast erupted ahead, followed by an explosion. Hit directly by what was likely a howitzer shell, the entire enemy unit was rendered combat-incapable in an instant.

"…It’s the L118! Trinity’s towed howitzer! Why is it here…?"

"A-ah… th-that… that was me…"

Responding to Ayane’s bewildered report, a familiar figure spoke over the comms—a girl wearing a paper bag over her head with eyeholes cut out.

"Ah, Hifu—"

"N-no! I am not Hifumi! I am Faust!"

"…"

"Wow, Faust-san! Long time no see! Even though you just said your real name yourself☆"

"E-eh!? Ahh…!"

Hif—Faust flailed in embarrassment after having her slip-up pointed out so casually, but she quickly forced herself back on track.

"T-the L118 is indeed a Trinity towed howitzer, but… i-it has absolutely nothing to do with Trinity General School! I made sure to tell everyone operating it to say the same…"

Then she continued in a tiny voice—one that made it easy to imagine her shrinking even behind the paper bag.

"I-I’m sorry… this is all I can do to help…"

"No, it helped a lot."

"Yes! Thank you so much, Faust-chan!"

"Ahaha… um… e-everyone, g-good luck out there!"

"Ajitani-senpai? Who are you speaking with?"

"Ah, my junior just got back—ending the call!"

"…A charge right after fire support. Classic tactics."

"Yes! The enemy is in disarray from the bombardment. Let’s break through while we can!"

Hifumi’s junior, whose voice slipped onto the radio, piqued their curiosity for a moment. But this was their best chance. Right now, their priority was rescuing the reckless senior who had been prepared to sacrifice herself for them.

◇◇

And so, Abydos High successfully reclaimed Takanashi Hoshino. Kaiser PMC, meanwhile, suffered catastrophic losses—over half its total forces—at the hands of the Foreclosure Task Force, Gehenna’s Prefect Team, Problem Solver 68, the picnic-going Trinity Vigilante Crew, and a certain red-haired girl who charged around the battlefield singing while blasting an anti-air pom-pom gun like a lunatic. The result was the near-total collapse of the Kaiser forces.