I generally like fantasy, but surprisingly, I’m rather eclectic and willing to try anything.
So, I moderately played a game set in Japan during the Bakumatsu period – the samurai action aspect really resonated with me – and within it, there was an event where talismans fell from the sky.
This was an incident where, upon hearing that talismans had descended from heaven onto a certain famous shrine, the citizens regarded it as a sign of good fortune and formed processions, creating quite a commotion. It eventually evolved into something akin to a mass civilian movement. The current situation felt somewhat similar.
“Ah, it’s the Holy One! How truly blessed.”
“Come, this way please! Although humble, we have prepared some drinks and delicacies for you!”
“Thus, we sincerely implore you to bestow your blessings upon our estate and its quadrupedal walkers as well.”
This activity had been transmitted as an “ee ja nai ka” folk movement and tended to trigger uprisings and destructive frenzies. I could only hope it wouldn’t come to that.
As Galatea gathered representatives of struggling manors to appeal for help, the small group she initially formed ended up swelling to an enormous size before anyone noticed.
It started when only Frederick from Brucktmanne followed us, but after fixing three “Savage-45 Type B” universal work loaders, which were the quadrupedal walkers at the neighboring Breadlee Manor – the cause of their malfunction was simply a software bug, by the way – five more people joined us.
One was the son of the headman acting as our petition helper, and the other four were women sent by the headman, who insisted that having a retinue of at least a few people for the knight and holy person would look appropriate.
I was thoroughly perplexed, yet Galatea seemed to want female attendants, so after hearing her plea, I consented. Originally, a Magius Geanaite is assigned one attendant to handle their daily needs, but since they’ve been troubled by the significant physical differences with the Sylvanians, I reluctantly agreed to let her have them.
Looking back, this was probably the turning point. I should’ve declined, saying I had Tech Gob and the Sylvanians.
At the next manor we visited, after fixing a malfunction in their organic conversion furnace and a few farming tools, we were sent seven spear-wielding peasant soldiers who thought twenty guards weren’t enough for protection. And at the one after that, I nearly panicked when women were offered to me. My body might be cybernetic, but even if I could have done “it,” being suddenly put in such a situation was troublesome. It’s not like I’m a stud for the prettiest woman of the estate; really, what were they thinking?
This kept happening again and again, and before I knew it, I was part of an enormous group with carriages and hundreds of followers.
This is fine, right? I don’t want to be thought of as the mastermind of an uprising or a mob and end up hanged.
While worrying about that, we stopped by various manors before entering the state capital of the Exgiel Border Territory.
“Surprisingly pastoral, isn’t it?”
“Captain, there’s a fusion reaction detected. A small fusion route located in the city center.”
“Huh?”
Curious about the odd reaction, I borrowed Selene’s reconnaissance vision. A mid-sized urban area with a population of eight thousand appeared, surrounded by low fences. The predominantly two to three-story buildings were made of stone and wood, but closer to the center, increasingly pre-modern metal structures appeared. Nevertheless, despite its modern touches, it still retained a pastoral charm, somewhat mismatching its nickname of “City of Industry.”
Right at the center of the city stood a fortified structure, encircled by a moat. It was likely the mansion of the Exgiel Border Territory.
However, the town had an unusual vibe—not preparing for war—no, it was completely immersed in festival mood.
Flags and decorations adorned every corner, and the streets bustled with street performers, stalls, and open-air merchants. The pedestrians all wore smiles, as though the city were about to host some grand event.
“What is this?”
“Let’s deploy a reconnaissance drone and gather more information.”
“Please do.”
The information Selene gleaned from her drone’s surveillance revealed that it seemed rumors of “the hero who had retrieved the Great Mother” were spreading, and the town was holding a celebration in our honor.
Still, I had an ominous premonition; the town was heavily patrolled despite the festive atmosphere. The guards were too vigilant for such a supposedly peaceful celebration.
At this point, I called Peter and Ridelberdy.
“Is there something amiss, Master Nozomu?”
“Ah, is it finally time to dispel the gawking crowd who’s treating us as exotic exhibits?”
Both seemed puzzled by my summon, but they gathered close. Away from the crowd, I quietly issued an order: I wanted the Gear Caribou units to stay back from the procession for a while.
“That would leave the chieftain unguarded! ■■■ did you?”
“I’m thinking ahead, wanting a team that can move freely in case of emergencies. Please trust me.”
“But…”
“We’ve had good luck so far. Remember, we successfully retrieved the Great Mother, didn’t we?”
Upon saying that I trusted them, Ridelberdy’s camera-eyes contracted slightly in what seemed to be mild dissatisfaction, then departed to convince the warriors.
“But Master Nozomu, please let me at least…”
“I know you’re worried, but Sylvanians aren’t regarded highly in human settlements. Moreover…”
“Having never been, I’m unfamiliar with the customs.”
So, after explaining the situation, I secretly excused everyone except Galatea and our wolf-like robots from the procession. It was a fortunate stroke that when I told the people around us that I was sending out scouts, they believed me without question.
So now, it was just a question of whether we’d face unexpected challenges or not.
“I am Galatea of Magius Geanaite! Please let us pass!”
“We have been waiting. Please come this way!”
At the sound of Galatea’s name, the guards made way, and we were easily ushered down the grand avenue.
And then, cheers erupted all around, and petals rained down like confetti. It felt like we were triumphant generals returning from battle.
“Galatea, what’s the meaning of this overwhelming welcome?”
“The ‘Great Mother’ once caused a surge of monstrous entities in the frontier region hundreds of years ago, inspiring much fear. I believe it is only natural to welcome us like this.”
Ah, yes. The Sylvanians had prepared for battle upon news of the influx because these aren’t forest-dwelling creatures. Therefore, the Tech Gob engineers must have failed or fled hundreds of years ago, causing this disaster that lingered in fear even to this day.
Thus, we weren’t just being hailed as heroes; we were truly returning triumphant generals.
As we proceeded through the welcoming citizens, several mounted figures galloped out from the city hall.
Ah, those must be some Gear Caribou units. They looked similar to our own wolves but were clearly cheap export models for the Intercalary Republic – the Centaur-02 Type A. These simplified versions, equipped without powered wheels or pseudo-intelligence to enhance maintenance and production, were models I’d often seen in combat.
Thus, it was clearly that we recovered the “Inanna 12,” and much of its equipment is still functional. Seeing that, a smirk crept across my face – the pieces were coming together.
“Ah, Lady Galatea! We have come to guide you.”
“Thank you!”
Our small group was welcomed with four Gear Caribou-mounted knights. Their armor was similar to what Galatea once wore, so they were clearly her colleagues.
We were led toward the mansion amidst a joyous reception… until we were suddenly surrounded and blades were drawn.
“…Ultra-high-pressure blades.”
Upon entering the manor, the group I’d mistakenly assumed were guards unexpectedly drew their weapons and placed their sword tips to my throat. Encircling me, their dull black blades pressed lightly against my neck—sharp enough to cut through even monatomic molecule-coated armor like splitting pumpkins. These were high-density alloy swords forged under extreme pressure, each blade approximately 85 cm long with a monstrous weight of nearly 40 kg.
Their thinness combined sharpness with incredible rigidity. They could pierce through military-grade helmets with repeated swings.
“And opposite that, an anti-cyborg mechanical bow.”
Positioned at the second-floor entrance was a complex mechanical bow that drew a high-tension string with fluid motor-driven assistance. The bow, made of high-density carbon fibers, was so powerful it could only be handled by superhuman capabilities. It fired projectiles with cannon-like force, designed specifically to disable cybernetic soldiers without damaging the ship interior.
It made sense the “Inanna 12” had such a manufacturing plant onboard given its crew’s origins. This explained why these weapons, both capable of countering us in close combat, remained practical even post-landing due to their mass-production potential.
However, without power – and their armors didn’t seem powered – they shouldn’t be capable of wielding these easily. Perhaps this is what defines the Magius Geanaite.
“I see. So, these are the Holy Sword and the Holy Bow. This explains why conventional firearms became obsolete.”
“Captain, this isn’t the time to chat! Those are second-class lethal weapons! Respond accordingly!”
“Calm down, Selene.”
In response to these hostile, abruptly raised weapons, I slowly raised my hands to indicate no ill will.
While the situation wasn’t dire, it was becoming intriguing.
“What kind of rudeness is this! Lower your weapons! This man is…”
“What rudeness is this, Knight Galatea Dodge!”
The knights who might belong to Magius Geanaite attempted to lower their weapons but were rebuked by a loud voice from behind them.
Three figures emerged behind the bowmen.
One was a bald, corpulent man whose opulent, brocade-laden doublet and puffed trousers suggested he was none other than the Exgiel Border Territory’s esteemed lord.
Contrasting sharply was the middle-aged bearded human standing with the knights, clad in Magius Geanaite armor of interlocking diamond plates—his identity was clear.
“Knight Galatea, what explanation do you have for this? This person who claims to possess the sacred relic of the Great Mother and trespassed onto sacred grounds—what is he?”
“To dare violate such sanctity and show no opposition to such an apostate, are you still worthy to call yourself a knight?”
“But, Lord Virgil! Why are you here? Besides, how can you do this to someone who…”
“You’ve returned here to report the heretical possession of the divine relic and its contamination by a non-Gear Priest—what else could it be!”
“I… I came here to…”
Finally, beside the knight named Virgil stood another obese man sporting a garment akin to a Christian cassock but double-buttoned and high-collared, not quite flattering on his stout figure. In his hand, he held a staff decorated with what appeared to be a human skull.
“I cannot ignore someone called the ‘Holy One’ and rallied troops all the way to this industrial city. Such heresy demands his transport back to the Holy City!”
“But…”
“The gathered masses, along with the armor and the Gear Caribou surrounding him, are clear proof, good Knight Galatea!”
His deep, yet sticky voice sent uncomfortable shivers down my spine.
Ah, so it seems the Holy City’s religious authority has fattened itself by preaching holy wars.
Their scheme likely follows this: the lord sends out tax edicts, and in areas with high taxes, they send Gear Priests to squeeze more resources, while in others they extract tributes akin to peanut oil. Then, when they come pleading, they extort large amounts of bribes in exchange for lenient taxation.
It’s the perfect triangle when religion, politics, and military align.
“But this man, Nozomu…”
“Knight Galatea Dodge! If you keep covering for him, you’ll risk being branded a heretic yourself!”
Of course, they were plotting to take the credit for liberating the Great Mother for themselves. They planned to send me to the Holy City as a heretic and impeach the only surviving knight who deserved special honors for this feat.
Wow, what a petty conspiracy.
“Captain, what is your plan?”
“Don’t rush, Selene. Consider this a bonus.”
It’s like getting a free express ticket to the Holy City. Considering this, it doesn’t seem like a waste of time at all.
I silently ordered the Sylvanians and Tech Gob to lay low while I indulged in the experience of captivity for now….
【Planetary Exploration Note】 Anti-Mechanized Human Armament. These weapons were developed by a faction of old humans to combat mechanized humans who could return to the battlefield endlessly, accumulating experience due to their brain casings, which possessed virtual immortality.
Most function primarily by using heavy mass weaponry to destructively crush the brain casings, making them primitive yet highly effective.
I apologize; it seems my prayers to the mechanical fairies weren’t enough, and the connection dropped before I could update.
A Gear Priest is reportedly coming tomorrow to conduct maintenance.
Let’s hope for successful updates around 18:00 on 2024/07/23.
