Chapter 79: The Empire’s Lightning
The Luna defense garrison has staged a coup.
As a result of the citizens’ participation, the city of Luna fell into great chaos.
It was drenched in blood and screams, with black smoke from the fire and the angry voices of the people. There is no one to extend a hand to the people crawling out from the buildings that were scorched by the bombing. Such a picture of hell.
Amidst that chaos, there were two men who remained absent-mindedly still without getting involved.
“…Something’s wrong beyond the walls, isn’t it?”
“Black smoke is rising, it’s burning.”
“I want to check inside as soon as possible, I’m worried about my family… Or rather, when will the replacement soldiers come?”
The city wall that protects the city of Luna. They are the guards who protect the city gate.
Apparently, their superiors busy with the coup d’état, have completely forgotten about their presence outside the city.
No particular instructions were given to them, but on top of that, there were no replacement soldiers coming either.
Because there is no one to tell them about the situation, they have no choice but to stand in front of the city gate, just worrying about what to do.
But then a strange object rushed in front of them.
The sound of the caterpillar track resounding. Rolling up dust smoke.
“What is that? Is that a new monster?”
“A red circle on a white background… That is Yamato’s flag! That monster is hoisting the Yamato flag.”
While the soldiers were astonished, three tanks raising the flag of the empire rushed straight through the streets toward the city of Luna, while stirring up a cloud of dust… No, could it be a self-propelled gun?
Chi-Ha is equipped with an 88mm gun, King Chi-Ha is equipped with a 120mm cannon, and Sturm Chi-Ha is equipped with a 150mm short-barreled howitzer.
The demonically modified weapons that could be called strange monsters rushed towards Luna.
It is commanded by a man named Michael Wittmann, who is considered the best tank driver in the Empire.
He rides in the Chi-Ha leading the three Chi-Ha tanks, giving instructions to his subordinates.
“It’s a good opportunity to attack. Let’s show them the power of the tank squad.”
“Captain Wittmann, we cannot act arbitrarily…”
“Take a good look at the situation, what are we going to do if we don’t charge and open up the way to that castle now?… Excuse me, I’m a soldier of Yamato. You guard, please open the way.”
Wittmann understood the situation better than anyone and did miss the perfect opportunity.
These Chi-Ha self-propelled artillery units were originally deployed to bombard the city.
Their mission was to sneak ashore in the vicinity of Luna, move close to the city undetected, and prepare for the situation in case the V-3 centipede cannon bombardment failed and the bombing squadron was unable to achieve the expected results.
In the unlikely event that these attacks fail, they will confuse the enemy with bombardment, and once all potential attacks are exhausted, they will use the mobility of Chi-Ha to retreat.
Because it was something that was planned with such an operation in mind, of course, conducting dangerous urban warfare was completely unexpected.
After all, they are only a self-propelled artillery unit.
They are not intended to engage in close combat.
But, however.
Wittmann dared to do it. This is indeed what makes him an excellent tank commander.
In order for the coup to succeed, he decided that it was best for them to rush in and break through the gates of the dictator’s castle with their prided giant cannons.
The Chi-Ha unit temporarily stops in front of the city’s gates, the last bastion that protects the city.
The Yamato soldiers and two guards, including Wittman, who stood on top of the Chi-Ha tank, faced each other for a short while.
The guards were hesitant in front of the three demonically-modified Chi-Ha tanks.
What is this monster? What are we supposed to do? I’ll go report it to my boss, so you stay. No, you stay, I don’t want to be with this monster.
From an Earth person’s perspective, it’s a small, cute little Chi-Ha tank, but from the perspective of the inhabitants of this world, it’s a huge mass of iron roaring and coming at them.
Much scarier than evil monsters. Anyway, it was terrifying.
However, they are the guards who risk their lives to protect the city.
“Soldiers of Yamato, we also have our pride. This gate won’t be opened in the name of the honor of those who defended it.”
With trembling hearts, they are carrying out their minimum duties nervously.
“Well then, allow me to pry it open. Fire the high-explosive shell.”
Wittman’s response to that is an order to fire.
He understood that there was no time for negotiation and that speed was of the essence.
The three demonically modified Chi-Ha tanks fire their enormous cannons all at once.
The city gate is a sturdy 5-meter gate constructed of wood and reinforced with metal.
However, against the Strum Chi-Ha 15cm howitzer, it would simply be blown away in one hit, even if it was used for anti-tank purposes, it was still overkill.
At the same time, the guards near the gate scream, “Nwaaaa!” They screamed and got blown away… It was not a direct hit, so it seems they barely managed to save their life.
“…Captain, the road has been cleared! Are we moving forward?”
“Of course. Now, gentlemen of the guard, please excuse me. All tanks, forward!”
After eliminating the obstacle with a single blow, the Chi-Ha unit continues to push forward.
Until the final objective is crushed.
……Moreover, a few minutes after the Chi-Ha shattered the city gate.
“Fuu… Fuu… How’s that, muscle general! Coming here was the right choice, wasn’t it! With this, I can go to save my wife!”
“Huff… Huff… Your Majesty, don’t overdo it… Cough.”
Three hundred machos are rushing forward to chase after Chi-Ha who are moving as fast as they can.
They are the three hundred of Balka’s finest royal guard.
Their position could be said to be the accompanying infantry of the Chi-Ha tank squad… Well, they are just regular foot soldiers, not mechanized infantry, so they are left behind, unable to keep up with Chi-Ha, a tank that can go up to 40km/h.
It seems that this king had decided that he would be able to meet his wife, who was being held captive by the enemy, sooner if he made a forced landing with a special self-propelled artillery unit of the Yamato Empire, even if it was only a small force, instead of leading his army to march from the Luna border.
……Anyway.
Thus, the Chi-Ha tank squad and Machos enter the city of Luna.
The Chi-Ha runs through Luna’s main street, followed by the machos. The caterpillar tracks of the Chi-Ha tank are tearing up the stone pavement without any care.
Such a lump of iron and a group of macho men. As they march in such a peculiar way, anxious residents gather, wondering what’s happening…
“Ladies and gentlemen, I am Wittmann. I have been ordered by the Empire to assist you! I’m here to help you with your honorable revolution.”
And then the tank commander himself said something along the line, “Oh, the soldiers of Yamato have come to help, hang the evil dictator Julius!” We want you to clear the way.
Some citizens said, “My family was killed by Yamato! By an attack from that silver flying monster!” They seem to have a bad impression of Yamato, who bombarded the city with artillery, but…
“That attack is a divine punishment against the evil dictator. And Yamato, who did it, is the country of God!”
At the urging of their companions, they had no choice but to leave the road.
The fact is that Yamato’s attack, which easily burned down a major city, made them think that it was the work of a god.
And so, the Chi-Ha tank squad arrived at the castle where Julius was holed up, without receiving any significant interference.
“…What the hell is that monster! Somebody kill that monster! This Emperor Julius! You have to protect me!”
Julius, who is yelling in the castle, but… There is no one dares to challenge the Chi-Ha tank squad. The vassals, who were supposed to protect him, turned their backs and left Julius.
“My loyal vassals… Where are my loyal vassals!”
Julius’ grieving scream echoes through the place.
The muscle queen, who is imprisoned in a room nearby, gazes out the battered window and murmurs in disgust, “Hmph, there is no one who would sincerely swear allegiance to a traitor like you.”
And then she said, “More importantly, take a look at that, it’s my husband. He’s a good man, isn’t he?” And she bragged to the other royalty in the same room about her husband coming to her rescue.
And then…
“Alright, target the castle gate, fire”
The main cannon of the Chi-Ha spewing out fire.
The citizens of Luna were awed by the artillery fire that destroyed the sturdy castle gates protecting the castle with a single shot, and they said, “Oh, look, it is the divine strike!” And praise with reverence.
Later, this artillery bombardment will be praised as the “Empire’s Lightning.”
This was the moment when the terrifying destructive power of the Chi-Ha tank spread throughout this world and became a legend, and due to this legend, the Chi-Ha became the tank that represented the Yamato Empire in this world.
The battle comes to an end.
The coup forces, including the Balka troops, begin to storm the castle gates, which have been breached by artillery fire.
The dozen or so Luna vassals who remained in the place tried to make a last stand with the emperor, but they could not defeat the large army of machos and were crushed.
Emperor Julius went to the rooms of the captured royal families and said, “Stay away! If you come any closer, I’ll kill them.” He held the royals hostage with a knife, but…
“You, you’re late!”
“My dear wife! I’m so happy to see you!”
And he is caught in the middle of the fierce hugs of the machos who are so happy to see each other again… “Gyaaak,” he squeaked miserably and was crushed.
Thus, the royal family was freed, and Luna fell.
This was the end of the Luna Empire, and the Luna front was essentially over.
And then, the world begins to move towards the post-war recovery.
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