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On that day, I was commanding on the ground because the dragons were a danger.

“Convey to the waiting Eagle units. No change in orders. When the dragons charge the hill, take off immediately and unleash a bombardment without waiting for further instructions. I know I’m being persistent but it’s crucial that you act promptly. No need for repetition.” (Yuri)

“Understood!” (??)

The messenger saluted sharply and ran towards the carrier pigeons.

The fact that the dragons were proving unexpectedly effective was problematic. I had expected that the limited number of dragons wouldn’t be a major issue, but even just 5 of them had a significant intimidating presence on the battlefield. The Eagle riders were trained in dive bombing but had never performed attacks while being obstructed.

Dive bombing involves accelerating rapidly during the descent. If distracted and missing the timing to pull up, it could result in crashing into the ground.

Thus, I had instructed the eagle units to remain on standby. Despite this, the new cannons we had made were proving more effective than expected. The veteran soldiers hidden in the hill were also fighting valiantly. The problem arose when the cannons ran out. The shells would last until around 3 PM if fired at the current rate, but their impact might change significantly if dragons performed a suicide attack.

Dragons were a significant source of anxiety. The involvement of the Kururuan Dragon Empire became known 16 days ago. We had no prior information and, after landing in Shantinion with a large fleet, they had immediately moved north without establishing a base anywhere. Given their geographical proximity, their involvement shouldn’t have been surprising. I had underestimated the diplomatic capabilities of the Galilia Union, which had managed to draw significant reinforcements even from the Cocolulu religion, which would normally be an enemy.

“How do you think it will turn out? Do you think we can win?” (Myaro)

Myaro, dressed in military uniform, asked.

“I don’t know. It depends on the dragons.” (Yuri)

I had only fought in the air with a spear, so I had no idea how dragons would fare in ground combat. According to descriptions in the Dragon King Chronicles, even dealing with dragons rampaging on the ground incurred substantial casualties. However, that referred to wild dragons. I had heard that dragons raised by humans were weaker compared to their wild counterparts.

The units on the hill were armed with rifles and had also been equipped with long spears resembling fishing harpoons that were hastily made after learning of the Kururuan’s involvement. These spears were designed like a harpoon used by underwater divers, with barbed tips that remain inside the body upon impact and a rope connected to the tip to bind the target to nearby trees.

While this tool seemed reasonable in theory, it was untested in actual combat, so its effectiveness remained uncertain. However, if the dragons could be prevented from charging, we would be in an advantageous position. The cannons were performing excellently.

Eagle-based bombing could drop incendiary bombs weighing about 25 kilograms each. However, each eagle had to return to the rear, land, and resupply after each drop. Considering the round-trip time, eagles could only drop a bomb approximately every 20 minutes, at best. On the other hand, the cannons on the hill could fire 2 shells weighing 22 kilograms each per minute. Though limited in range compared to the eagles, the volume of firepower they delivered was vastly superior.

The 28 cannons, which were our prized secret weapon, had the effectiveness equivalent to hundreds of eagles. If they fell silent, the enemy forces might gain confidence and potentially overwhelm us.

“In the worst-case scenario, what happens?” (Myaro)

“Well, we might lose.” (Yuri)

Originally, the battle was planned with the assumption that both the cannons and the eagles would be fully effective. The enemy forces were larger than anticipated. If everything goes wrong… in the worst-case scenario, victory is not guaranteed.

“I see…” (Myaro)

“Well… if that happens, we’ll just have to try again. It’s frustrating, but we can win next time.” (Yuri)

Two years and three months since taking control of the country might seem long, but it’s relatively short. Maybe, I was in too much of a hurry.

“I suppose we should have waited until the new type of rifled gun was developed and deployed before launching the offensive?” (Myaro)

“It’s a tough call. If we had waited, it would have taken another three to five years. As it stands, we might still win.” (Yuri)

It was embarrassing to admit, but I had failed in the development of the breech-loading rifle I was trying to create. Originally a chemist, once I was freed from various constraints, I could develop freely and managed to create nitrocellulose and sensitive explosives for detonators. Although my knowledge had become somewhat rusty, reviewing my notes helped me recall information, and I was able to come up with ideas for improving purity and production equipment, making progress smoothly.

However, my knowledge in metallurgy and engineering was lacking, and I had no idea how to manufacture high-quality tool steel. As a result, development became a trial-and-error process and ultimately hit a dead end.

Perhaps I was too ambitious. I aimed to make a good weapon, but my insistence on making a breech-loading rifle resulted in a gun with bolts that cracked, firing gases that escaped, and parts that didn’t fit properly, making it unusable. Thus, I decided to create a simpler, larger weapon, which led to the cannons now positioned on the hill.

Cannons don’t require the precision of rifles, and even if some high-temperature gases escape, they don’t burn the shooter’s face.

“If we had waited three more years, the enemy would have recovered from the previous defeat…” (Yuri)

In my mind, I was always concerned with maximizing the benefits of the previous major victory, gained at great cost. It would be too late if the enemy recovered. However, in reality, the enemy’s depleted forces were reinforced by the Kururuan Dragon Empire with dragons as an extra.

“War is truly difficult.” (Yuri)

I muttered to myself.

“Well, it’s the first time I’ve seen you are whining on the battlefield, Yuri-kun.” (Myaro)

Myaro said, almost playfully.

Compared to my tense focus on victory or defeat, Myaro remained calm.

Perhaps for her, her role would remain the same regardless of the outcome.

“Is it whining?” (Yuri)

“Yes, it is. It can’t be heard by the subordinates though.” (Myaro)

Amidst the cannon and gunfire, Myaro’s voice was barely audible. This conversation was likely not heard by soldiers stationed a bit further away.

“Well, having someone who can show whining on the battlefield is a good thing, isn’t it?” (Yuri)

I didn’t think it was a bad thing. There was no point in lying to Myaro about our certainty of victory.

“Am I the only one whom you can vent frustration?” (Myaro)

“Hmm?” (Yuri)

“Are there others for that?” (Myaro)

Why is she asking such a thing?

“I wonder…” (Yuri)

I thought of names like Dolla or Dimitri, who were still commanding elsewhere. However, we were not in a relationship where I could vent frustration. I wouldn’t do that to Shamu or Lily-san wouldn’t either, as there was no point in making them anxious.

“Probably, it’s just Myaro.” (Yuri)

“I see… heh, I’m surprisingly pleased.” (Myaro)

Myaro seemed happy, grinning.

“Well, if you’re happy, that’s good.” (Yuri)

I said, though I didn’t really understand why.

“Ah.” (Myaro)

Myaro, looking up at the sky, murmured softly. Four dragons charged toward the hill.

I had repeatedly warned the troops on the hill to be on guard for this possibility, so they were probably bracing themselves.

Now, let’s see how it goes.

Following the dragon assault, a series of high-pitched trumpet sounds, layering into a continuous overtone amidst the unending gunfire, was heard. That sound didn’t belong to our forces.

The enemy must be preparing a simultaneous offensive. It makes sense. Now is the time.

Looking back, I saw the Eagles launching simultaneously. A number of Eagles filled the sky and headed toward the battlefield. Looking at the enemy’s sky, all six dragon riders were deployed, with no shortage among them.

“Well, let’s see what happens.” (Yuri)

I stood up to make the final command in this decisive battle. If the Eagles lost momentum, it would be fine. If not, and our forces were overwhelmed, I would have to issue orders for a full retreat.

“We will win. Surely.” (Myaro)

Myaro said, offering a comforting word from behind.

“—Maybe.” (Yuri)

Climbing the hastily erected three-meter-high platform, I reached the moment when the Eagles began their descent. The eagles, having been intercepted by the dragons, were diving desperately, relying on their numbers to drop incendiary bombs on every frontline.

The incendiary bombs used by the eagles did not have fuses. The compounds used in fuses, like mercury and chlorate of potassium, were complicated to synthesize and not yet mass-produced, so they were not used. Instead, they had traditional fuses with a slight delay before explosion after hitting the ground. The soldiers had a brief chance to move away after seeing the bombs. However, in the midst of a full-scale assault, it was hard to avoid effectively.

The bombs either embedded into the ground or crushed the heads of running soldiers, then rolled to their feet and exploded intermittently. Dark smoke from unrefined oil billowed from the frontlines. From the top of the platform, it was clear that the assault’s momentum had noticeably waned.

“Switch to a all-out assault! Sound the command!” (Yuri)

Shouting from the platform and waving my hand, the soldiers responded to the command, starting to move and blowing the signaling horn. As the troops began their assault, the cannons on the hill roared back to life, resuming their thunderous cries to shatter the enemy’s remaining morale with iron shot.

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