My unit headed toward the front lines. As an independent unit, we don’t operate under anyone else’s command, but we still receive orders in the form of requests.

“I knew it, but being sent straight into a hot zone like this, it really feels like we’re being hated,” murmured Lieutenant Damien as he confirmed the orders with a look of distaste.

“I think that’s part of it, but the higher-ups probably just want data on the new model as soon as possible,” I replied.

When I say “the higher-ups,” I mean Rafishal, but I didn’t think Damien needed an explanation.

“Still, why Krinaberry? From what I’ve heard, the Nirvana Alliance might join in, so it’s not just the Raddle Axis Alliance we’ll be fighting, but possibly them as well.”

We were heading to Krinaberry, a region considered the central area’s most critical point. It was such an important area that three of the Ten War Gods were already stationed there.

“It doesn’t matter who the opponent is. We fight,” I said.

“Well, that’s true for us, but you’re the empire’s treasure. Well, if things get tough, we’ll just act as your shield,” Damien replied.

“I’m no treasure. I’m just a useless commander…” I murmured.

I couldn’t even protect my friends… The moment Mary died came back to my mind, and I felt my spirits sinking.

“Commander, there’s no such thing as useless humans. Everyone has some kind of talent. The difference between geniuses and ordinary people is just whether or not they realize their talents over the course of their lives,” said Damien, who was probably in his forties, with much more life experience than I had. I could feel the difference in our ways of thinking.

In Krinaberry, I ended up being stationed at a base under the command of Reina, who didn’t think too highly of me. It was a large base, with magic-powered machines numbering around one hundred thousand, but as an independent unit, we were treated like outsiders. To make matters worse, the base commander was Reina. I could already see the endless unreasonable demands she would make, wrapped in various justifications.

“My, my, the exemplary Shirayuki, commander of such a shabby unit? This can only be called a tragedy,” Reina mocked.

“A tragedy? I think it’s a perfectly comfortable and excellent unit,” I replied.

“Is that so? Well then, how about a little errand for you? It should be easy for such an excellent unit, right?” Reina said, handing me a document she had prepared.

Here it comes, I thought. That was probably her goal from the start. Reina handed over the documents.

“There’s an enemy force in this location. If they start heading north, it could be quite troublesome. I’m not asking you to annihilate them, but could you at least reduce their numbers or interfere so they can’t move north? By the way, my army is busy with a different operation, so I won’t be able to send reinforcements.”

The document contained details on the enemy’s strength. I looked at it and replied, “You want my unit to fight a 5,000-strong army alone?”

“Like I said, I’m not asking you to annihilate them. You can use any method you like, so just handle it well.”

To be told to handle it well against an enemy force ten times our size—it was a cruel request…