“Haa….”
A voice that escapes involuntarily.
“Must I wear this?”
While speaking, I look down at my body.
The same pure white color as the Fangju commander set I usually like to wear.
However, the design was completely different.
The faintly visible skin, the widely spread skirt, and the intricately embroidered details all over the clothes.
If I were to describe it in one word, it would probably be a wedding dress.
In other words, this is not on the same level as the frilly skirt or the round blouse I wore the other day, but rather a garment imbued with femininity.
“It’s fine, really. You look amazing in it. Since you’re the protagonist of such a grand event, wouldn’t it be good to show off a beautiful and impressive appearance?”
Cheril smiles and answers.
Protagonist of the grand event.
At those words, a weight settles on my shoulders.
“A military uniform would have been enough…”
“A military uniform is so passé, besides, Madam spent sleepless nights for several days to sew this dress for you to celebrate your victory, Edu!”
“Uh…”
Her words cut off any escape route, making me flinch.
Seeing Cheril’s bright smile as she looks at me, I quietly sigh and accept the reality.
Knock knock.
“Edu, are you ready?”
Freya’s voice comes along with the knock.
“I’ll take her out now.”
Cheril answers for me and turns her head back toward me.
Her gaze is filled with strange emotion.
She reaches out and folds my fidgeting hands together, then kisses them.
“Uh…? Cheril?”
Surprised at the sudden action, I look at Cheril who smiles again.
A different gaze compared to before, one that seems somewhat wistful, as I quietly stare at her face, Cheril’s mouth slowly opens.
“I’m truly grateful to you, Edu, for avenging my parents.”
“Ah…”
That’s when I understand her actions.
The prolonged war that has continued since the invasion.
And war inherently means losing something.
Thus, inevitably, some people end up enduring the pain of war.
Cheril was one of those people.
“…”
Tightness fills my chest.
Relieved that what I did for such people brought a small comfort, I sincerely reply.
“Not at all, it was my duty.”
Saying that, I hold Cheril’s hands and rub my cheeks against them to share warmth.
The special Edu healing technique, the chewy cheek massage!
At my actions, Cheril first opens her eyes wide, then smiles warmly.
“Edu?”
Freya’s voice comes again.
“Shall we go then?”
“Yes.”
She reaches out her arms and lifts me onto her wrist.
As the center of balance wobbles, I grip Cheril’s collar.
And that’s how we step out of the waiting room to see Simonia and Freya dressed in clean uniforms, not much different from usual.
“Wow, so pretty, Edu!”
“That’s right, it suits you well.”
Freya smiling brightly, Simonia extends her hand and strokes my head.
Seeing this, Freya also extends her hand and gently pats my head.
“You’ve worked hard. I’ll take over from here.”
“Yes.”
Cheril gently places me down with careful hands.
Simonia carefully takes over from her and gently lifts my body.
Once more, I grip Simonia’s collar.
“Then, have a good trip.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
After exchanging greetings with Cheril, I head out with Simonia.
Freya drives us to the academy with both Simonia and me in the car.
At the entrance of the academy, there’s a crowd of people gathered.
People holding signs with my name, journalists setting up cameras for interviews, and many others of various kinds.
“Ah, really. They’ve already gathered like this.”
“Should we go through the back door?”
“That seems necessary. Hang on.”
As the vehicle is about to reverse, someone points at us.
“Hey, there! It’s Edu!”
“Really? Gah! It’s Edu!”
“Edu? Edu! A moment please—”
In an instant, a crowd surrounds us.
“Eh-”
At that moment,
“Form the eighteen-person protective circle!”
At the shout, people dressed in white emerge from the crowd, surround us in a circular formation, and form a human wall.
And one man steps forward and bows his head.
“Greetings, Savior…ahem, Edu. Though our humble selves might be unworthy, would you allow us to escort you inside?”
An extremely respectful attitude.
Neither his tone nor actions seem particularly dangerous, but I look between Simonia and Freya to ask their opinions.
“Hmm, it shouldn’t be a big problem, right? Besides, it’s too late to turn the car around now.”
“That’s right, I agree.”
After hearing their answers, I nod.
“Then, would it be alright?”
“The greatest honor, we are truly grateful!!”
The man bows at a right angle.
It’s strange that being escorted inside is considered such a grand matter, but since we are the ones receiving help, I let it slide.
“Alright, forward!”
“One, two, one, two.”
The people in white move perfectly without breaking formation.
Arriving at the restricted entry area within the academy, we finally escape the gathered crowd.
“Thank you.”
“Not at all, even our humble efforts bring joy in assisting the Savior…ahem, Edu.”
Again, the people bow at a right angle.
The man who spoke earlier nods to the others, the people in white also nod, then quickly disappear.
“Hmm?”
What kind of people were they after all?
As I think about that, I feel a sensation on my cheek.
“Hm? Freya?”
“You seemed distracted. We should get ready for the triumph ceremony.”
“Yes.”
The two head toward the back of the academy.
When we arrive there, we see the ground retrieval team and the First Division’s troops already assembled.
At the center is a grand ceremonial vehicle with a unique design.
I can see something jumping around inside the vehicle.
“Mommy! Hurry!”
“Alright.”
Freya and Simonia immediately board the ceremonial vehicle and ascend to the prepared space above.
“Good work, and you look so beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
I bow my head to the president.
“Wow! Small mommy! Beautiful! Sparkling!”
“Really beautiful, Edu.”
“Yes, thank you.”
I also smile kindly at Seoli and Nisia.
“Then, since the eagerly awaited protagonist has arrived, let’s begin.”
The president claps her hands.
Simonia nods and places me on the podium prepared at the front of the ceremonial vehicle.
“Let’s begin!”
“Understood, President. Starting the triumph procession! Everyone, forward—go!”
Hoom-
The procession begins with the military band’s instruments, our convoy slowly proceeding forward.
The Armored Suits, tanks, and Walker machines of the Ground Retrieval Team move ahead with a heavy rumble, followed by our ceremonial vehicle.
Beep-beep-beep-beep—!
Behind us, the rhythmic sound of whistles and precise footfalls.
Soldiers from the Ground Retrieval Team and the First Division follow behind in perfect formation, forming one massive procession heading towards Fangju.
“Edu! Fangju’s hero!”
“Damn, I trusted you!”
“It’s the procession of heroes!”
From all around, cheers and flashes of cameras continue.
There are those whistling to cheer up the atmosphere, and also those holding signs and waving them enthusiastically.
Embarrassing yet, I can’t help but notice the many people who are genuinely cheering and happy for me.
“Waaah!!”
“Edu is cute!”
Even just slightly waving my hand in response draws a large reaction.
‘This…’
It feels good, and above all, it’s fun!
As if naturally, I continue giving fan service.
When I smile and wave my hand, the crowd reacts warmly.
As the procession continues, I spot familiar faces.
“Edu~ congratulations!”
“Hmm, congratulations Edu!”
In front of the Adventurer’s Guild, Liana and Kai wave their hands, and beside them are familiar faces I haven’t seen recently.
“Little Lady, congratulations!”
“Hooh, you were destined for greatness! Incredible!!”
“Hoohoho, magnificent! Lady!”
The Daeshik brothers raise their voices.
Their faces might look fierce no matter when you see them, but they truly are gentle. Greeting them while waving my hand and nodding slightly.
As the procession proceeds past the bustling area of Fangju,
“Edu, congratulations!”
“Thank you, Edu!”
I see Cheril raising her voice and Rises clapping her hands nearby.
After days of sleepless nights, the signs of fatigue are evident, but still, Rises is smiling.
I bow my head to both of them.
A little further ahead, I spot Halfendel and Jo.
“Edu! This old man truly loves you dearly!”
“Congratulations.”
Halfendel displaying excessive affection and Jo responding relatively dryly.
Thus, the procession that traveled around Fangju returns to the academy, and everyone ascends onto the podium prepared in the meantime.
“Then, we will now proceed with the investiture ceremony for the hero who defeated Megabase!”
The announcer’s words ring out, and all eyes are focused on the podium.
The president approaches me, receiving the medal from Freya.
“Thank you for all your hard work, Edu. I am aware this is not the final step, but apart from such matters, I truly want you to know how grateful I am to you.”
“Hehe, that’s enough.”
“Hmm.”
The president smiles and attaches the medal to my chest.
The gold star pattern shines under the artificial lighting, and the applause rapidly escalates.
“WAAAH!!”
“Hero! It’s a new hero for humanity!”
“Edu! Edu!!”
A future that humanity has continually dreamed of but could never reach.
At this first step towards that dream, hope blossoms in everyone’s hearts.
…
In the deep underground chamber.
The tower draped in darkness continuously gives orders.
[Order, Task Force C25 to move to the Strait V8-EF. Conduct search and guard duty.]
[Acknowledged, Task Force C25 moving to V8-EF Strait. Begin search and guard duty.]
The high-level processing unit, unwavering in its actions, steadily builds steps towards victory.
Then, a message is delivered alongside the call.
– Investigation complete.
Short and to the point.
However, upon confirming that message, the high-level processing unit, K1, immediately disconnects its reasoning circuit to automatically perform its tasks and heads toward the ground fortress.
Upon arriving at the dome-shaped space, the five first-generation commander units encircle it.
[Return, report requested.]
At K1’s words, all commander units, except for the subject, focus their gazes on one point.
The spherical-shaped commander unit with many legs and attached radars, among other equipment.
The commander unit, lacking a language module, starts its explanation with lights.
-…(Mega base fell, signaling it with lights).
[!!!]
K1 is astonished.
As if reflecting his sentiments, the emotion module with hardly any allocated memory reacts wildly.
[Question, are there any irregularities with the findings?]
[You know well enough that Tarthargio, the artillery commander, excels in investigation and reconnaissance skills, don’t you?]
While saying this, the first-generation commander unit—Tarthargio, represented by Eisen Lier.
[…]
Realizing the truth, K1’s mouth shuts.
Just when the report abruptly ends and no contact could be established with any forces Mega Base commanded, the worst case scenario that was anticipated comes true.
“Mega base…”.
K1 lost in thought, but as if luxuries such as thinking are extravagant, the other commanders continue speaking.
[Understand now?]
The robot with facial heat vents says.
[For victory, progress, is good. But, your actions are too rigid.]
[Now, does our use have meaning?]
A cylindrical-faced robot chimes in.
[Mega base being defeated likely means a fifty percent loss in our ground forces. There is no time to relax anymore, right?]
A robot with a sleek exterior and a feminine silhouette adds.
[…]
K1 is silent.
Indeed, as the first-generation commanders said, the invasion force under his command suffered significant losses.
Earth Stronghold – Erskwirk.
Land Stronghold – Megabase.
Water Fortress – Andaiseland.
Air Fortress – Blacksky.
Covert Stronghold – Abyssmother.
The invasion force under K1’s command, centered on these five mobile fortresses.
Having lost the air fortress Blacksky and now the land core fortress Megabase, it is essentially an equivalent to losing 40% of their combat power — the worst situation.
Given the current state of affairs, K1 has no choice but to admit that his thoughts were overly confident.
The bugs, the enemy, were strong.
Acknowledging this fact, K1 reflects on his own mistakes.
The ensuing silence.
Then, K1 opens his eyes again.
[Acknowledged, henceforth, the wait order for your units is lifted. Command authority and independent operation authority will be granted.]
[Excellent!]
Eisen Lier jumps from his seat.
[Then, I will gather the remaining survivors from Mega Base’s forces and start moving!]
[I will join Andaiseland.]
The cylindrical robot replies.
[Then, I’ll join Erskwirk.]
…(A signal indicating he will accompany).
[I have no choice but to go to Abyssmother, as the limited air force remaining is on that side.]
As though waiting for it, the first-generation commander units decide their actions.
[Understood, this unit will also begin the analysis and investigation of the bugs.]
K1 firmly resolves.
The steel invaders, Invaders, who tasted the bitterness of defeat, begin to move again.
