Chapter 63: Acht-Acht
10km behind the front line of the Yamato Imperial Army.
It was the location of the Imperial Guard encampment, positioned to protect the Führer, Eryutheia. Infantry and artillery units were deployed in multiple circles surrounding the field command post where Eryutheia was located.
Surrounded by trenches and barbed wire, it was like a makeshift fortress.
Furthermore, even if they manage to break through several lines of defense, there’s the added challenge of the Führer’s Personal Imperial Guard Tank Battalion attacking from the rear.
Breaking through these defenses will not be easy.
However…
That is if their target was the head of the Führer Eryutheia.
It does not mean that all members of the Imperial Guard were well-guarded.
The defensive position on the outer perimeter of the right flank was… A small anti-aircraft emplacement consisting of only four 88mm anti-aircraft guns. It’s just a small garrison and a few artillery pieces.
On the other side, there are about 100 dragon riders rushing to attack. The violence of numbers.
“This is not good… I never expected that an enemy force of this size had managed to break through to our position.”
The maid who serves as the anti-aircraft gun commander is worried about the unexpected situation.
The Yamato Empire had already somewhat anticipated that enemies who could potentially harm the Führer might be able to invade their rear position.
However, what they mainly anticipated was a small unit mainly consisting of cavalry troops targeting rear disruptions, or wild creatures like man-eating birds or wyverns.
With a garrison equipped with machine guns, a small anti-aircraft gun position would be enough to drive them away. Actually, the anti-aircraft gun positions are supposed to be the first to shoot down the flying enemies to protect the Führer.
So, they had been anticipating such a battle.
But the reality was different.
The enemy army, which they thought had collapsed and retreated, turned around making a big detour bypassing the front lines, and attacked our rear line…
Of course, the Imperial Guard is fully prepared to protect the Führer should such an eventuality arise.
The Imperial Guard has enough combat forces, including a tank battalion, to deal with any unforeseen situation in case it happens.
But, there are no guarantees for the lives of these women on the front lines.
The members of the Imperial Guard are a shield to protect Führer Eryutheia, they are not the ones to be protected. As a meat wall, they have to fight with insufficient forces until the main forces come to support them in the rear position.
“The only thing I can rely on is… Just this one.”
The maid stares at a long gun barrel.
It is a 56-caliber 88mm anti-aircraft gun, developed to counter the flying monsters used by the elves.
In principle, it is also considered to be used as an anti-tank gun, equipped with a sight for direct aiming fire and high-velocity armor-piercing shells, but…
The weapon known as the anti-aircraft gun is a new type of weapon that the Yamato Empire has never used before.
It is completely unknown how far it can go.
“The enemy dragon riders approaching at 2 km. ――Are we going to shoot them?”
The Führer is located behind them. We cannot allow ourselves to run away. Perhaps it is their destiny to become the shield of the Führer and to perish here.
The gunners also have a frightened look on their faces.
However…
“…Shoot them. Kill as many giant lizards as possible to protect Her Excellency.”
They decide to do it and start shooting.
This is the first battle of the 88mm anti-aircraft gun, which was later touted as “The Best Anti-Monster Weapon”.
――I see it!
Battine rejoices.
In front of him is a long, mysterious piece of steel――it is none other than the anti-aircraft gun position.
That terrifying metal monster――there’s none here. Finally, we succeeded in breaking into the enemy’s rear.
“I owe you for crushing my army, and I will pay you back with your heads!”
The 100 dragon riders led by Battine began to charge, increasing their speed toward the anti-aircraft gun position.
In their ears, they could hear the loud sound of the 88mm cannon.
High-velocity armor-piercing shells tear through the air in a straight line, then explode.
The first explosion was four. One of the shots hit the dragon riders who were running near the front of the pack and completely smashed into fine bits and pieces.
“That’s an enemy attack!”
“Calm down, there aren’t many of them. We can get through this!”
Battine continued to move forward, while at the same time encouraging his allies who were overcome with fear.
The number of enemies is small, at least they are insignificant in comparison to the main forces of the Yamato Empire that we saw earlier. A hundred dragon riders will surely breakthrough.
However…
A rapid-fire is unleashed from there.
Designed for anti-aircraft use, the 88mm gun has a faster rate of fire than a standard artillery gun. With a rate of fire of 10 shots per minute. Furthermore, its high initial speed, high accuracy, and high firepower allow it to destroy a dragon rider with a single hit.
Each time it bursts into fire, several dragon riders perish.
“W-what incredible power! What accuracy! Is that a magical tool made for killing dragon riders?”
To Battine’s great astonishment, they were so efficient at killing and wounding the dragon riders.
After discovering the anti-aircraft gun position, they had a distance of 2 km to reach it.
It is a distance that could be covered in a few minutes for a dragon rider.
“The enemies… There should be only four of them! Just that many opponents, the dragon riders who rule the plains was…”
Battine can no longer face reality.
Before he knew it, the number of his allies was down to 20. they had been reduced to a mere quarter of their original size.
And then, two more got taken down by the volley. A few seconds later, the volley took three more. As they get closer, the more accurately they hit the target.
However, Battine finally manages to break through the nightmare.
“I may not be able to defeat the enemy general… But, I will have that monster over there die!”
Battine managed to close in on the anti-aircraft gun position to a distance of 100 meters.
“Die!”
He then whips his beloved mount and attacks the commanding maid who is in charge of the encampment. At least, avenge my comrades! It’s an attack of obstinacy.
The commanding maid also stood there, staring down against the oncoming assault.
We have achieved enough military results. I have no regrets even if I die here. Her excellency, the Führer, will avenge on my behalf.
Looking at her attitude, Battine unexpectedly said, “…What a great woman. It would be a shame to kill” he murmured.
Moruro people like strong women.
However, this is a battlefield. There is no mercy, no forgiveness.
Battine’s giant lizard opened its mouth wide at the commanding maid…
The bite never happened.
“Acht-acht! That’s wonderful! I love it!”
The roaring sound of the engine.
The booming sound of the 37mm tank gun.
The dragon riders are not the only ones rushing into the anti-aircraft gun position.
50 tanks of the Armored Battalion of the Imperial Guard, led by the Führer, barely made it to the position in time.
Releasing their firepower to the surviving Battine’s unit.
It would be more than reckless for the surviving dozen or so dragon riders to challenge this tank battalion.
Being hit by countless shells, they faced their final moments.
“Ugh, I failed… Brother Dorjik… Avenge me.”
Battine’s unit was annihilated here.
Several dragon riders tried to flee after witnessing Battine’s death, but they ended up falling prey to the demon lord, who appeared in pursuit and painted the plain red.
Although the Battle of Kursk had some dangerous moments, it ended in a complete victory for the Yamato Empire.
☆☆☆☆☆
“Hey, Eryu-san. What do you mean, I love it. Who is Acht-acht?”
“Wait, Ayame-san. It hurts. Please don’t hug me too hard. I’ll get crushed!”
“Well then, please tell me who Acht-acht is. Otherwise, I am going to order the Imperial Guard to destroy everything in the world out of jealousy, you know?”
“It’s an anti-aircraft gun! That thing over there! Captain Nishi, please say something.”
Seriously, Ayame is always like this… There’s no way I would look at anyone other than Ayame-san.
Hey, Captain Nishi, please help me to stop Ayame-san.
“Chief of the Imperial Guard, please calm down. Your Excellency the Führer too…”
“Captain, this is a matter between me and Eryu-san. Please keep quiet. If you don’t, there will be rumors that ‘you’re doing it’ with the scent that lingers after Eryu-san gets out of the car.”
“Umm… Captain Nishi?”
‘You’re doing it’, doing what exactly? Hey, why is your face so bright red? Surely, you’re not looking at me that way, right?
Captain, why don’t you say something instead of keeping silent?
――”I’m sorry” ? No, you don’t have to apologize, okay?
Hey, do you hear me?
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