ALL NOVEL “Wow—— Oh… What the heck is that…?”
I had clearly heard the story. A giant Peroro, about seven or eight stories high, had appeared right in the middle of the city.
But there’s a world of difference between hearing it as a story and seeing it right in front of me.
So when I saw the Perorozira dyed in the colors of the night sky, I couldn’t help but think, ‘I better not make eye contact with Peroro from now on.’ It’s just an inevitability, really.
Sorry, Hifumi.
It’s not that I dislike Peroro, but I feel like I might start disliking it from now on. Especially that grotesquely long, shining tongue—it’s just biologically challenging, you know?
Even the mini Peroros, the size of adult men, are terrifying. Watching those monsters, at least 1.8 meters tall, swarm around, I felt like my mental fortitude was diminishing in real-time.
“It hasn’t been long since it appeared. And you’re telling me to push the front line back?”
The teacher, holding a box of shitdims in one hand, asked me while hurriedly scanning the battlefield. The trust emanating from his sidelong glance felt a bit heavy.
“Yeah. The analysis shows that the area around that false sanctuary is under the influence of waves that cause mutations to human personality and consciousness. Prolonged exposure could lead to irreversible consequences.”
“If we push the front line back here, the defensive range will inevitably widen… Well, there’s no choice.”
As I watched the teacher urgently convey orders, I took a closer look at the situation. The SRT helicopters flying low and the tanks crushing mini Peroros with their firepower suggested that maintaining the front line didn’t seem too difficult.
“So, after we push the front line back? That giant Peroro…”
“Perorozira.”
“…?”
“Yeah?”
The teacher and I exchanged silent glances for a moment, and then he slowly nodded.
“Right, the Perorozira over there isn’t showing any noticeable movements yet. It’s not like just holding position gives us any answers. So, what’s our objective?”
“Ah. Obviously, it’s the destruction of that false sanctuary. Yeah, and we’ll have to deal with the Perorozira in the process.”
“Hold on. So, pulling back the front line means… Ah, I get it now.”
Was it that straightforward for him to understand what we had to do just from my words? The teacher tapped the shitdims box lightly.
Then he naturally executed the task I was about to ask.
“Arona, contact the SRT headquarters. The moment we send the signal, request concentrated fire to clear the battlefield immediately.”
[Yes, teacher!]
“Heueng…”
I decided to mostly ignore Arona’s voice and grabbed my gun. Since the teacher had figured out the plan instantly, I could leave the details to them.
So, at this point, I just needed to help maintain the front line a bit.
…By the way, the teacher’s judgment is really quick, isn’t it?
By pulling back the front line, we would escape the influence of the waves emanating from the false sanctuary. Keeping the front line steady while preventing Peroros from leaking out.
After unleashing a concentrated barrage to sweep the battlefield, we would then deploy our troops. Then, swiftly and decisively, we’d deal with the Perorozira before the color’s influence became too strong and destroy the false sanctuary.
On a summary level, the plan doesn’t seem that difficult, but deriving it without a proper explanation is a different story. Seeing this makes me realize the teacher is not just any ordinary teacher.
Kuaaaang——!
Several Peroros caught in the tank’s main cannon instantly disappeared in a shower of light. However, with the sheer volume of Peroros pouring out, the briefly emptied space quickly returned to normal.
…At this rate, it feels like bailing water with a bucket in the middle of a river. It’s practically invisible.
If other sanctuaries are pouring out this much material, what exactly is C&C battling against right now? It’s a one-man full-scale war against this wave of low-level grunts.
I can’t do anything right now, so I guess I’ll just cheer them on in my mind. But I can’t help but worry a bit.
[Teacher, the northeastern front line is clearly pushed back. But why the sudden change?]
[Eeh? That minor detail isn’t that important, is it? I figured you’d have a plan, teacher. But separate from that… isn’t Mitsuki-chan also curious about the reason?]
Kyoko and Mitsuki’s voices came through the communication.
…The order to pull back the front line was initially my command. I don’t really mind, but it feels a bit like my authority got hijacked.
While the teacher relayed the current situation and plan to them, I stood there, staring blankly at the motionless Perorozira.
And then, I made eye contact with it.
“…?!”
It wasn’t a delusion. Of course, I can’t say for sure it was looking directly at me, but I was certain the Perorozira’s gaze briefly came my way.
I wonder what that giant monster, which is currently doing nothing, is thinking. Honestly, I’m quite curious.
[I fully understand. Alright, teacher. Watch closely as we, the pinnacle of the Heungsinso, demonstrate our skills.]
“Haha. Our dear president Aru of the underworld never disappoints. I trust you completely.”
[Fufufu. You won’t be disappointed, that’s for sure.]
With Aru’s words, we entered the readiness phase for the operation.
As we waited for the students who had pushed back the front lines to give the go-ahead from every direction connecting to the false sanctuary,
[Mika, I’ve received word from Himari of Millennium. C&C has successfully destroyed the false sanctuary they were in charge of!]
“…Wow—oh?”
Good news had reached us. I couldn’t think of better news than this, and naturally, my mind filled with hope.
Was I the only one to hear this? The teacher also seemed to brighten up, clearly surprised.
One of the tasks that was laid out in front of everyone had been neatly resolved. Miraculously, they managed to destroy a false sanctuary by themselves in Millennium, which was certainly a miracle.
Now we had to step up too. Yeah, at least we should place second to save face.
Well, the real reason isn’t some meaningless pride, but based on material damage.
Once that Perorozira starts moving, D.U. will literally become a mess. I mean, the damage will be astronomical once that giant starts rolling around, simply knocking down nearby buildings the moment things escape control.
The idea of clearing the battlefield with concentrated fire right in the city center also came from this reasoning. It’s a result of actively reflecting the opinion that a bit of sacrifice in the initial suppression could reduce the overall damage.
Had this been modern Earth instead of Kivotos, I wouldn’t have been able to make such a decision worrying about property damage or casualties…
But I have the authority to do so, enabling me to carry out such actions as the Student Council President. Plus, there’s hardly any chance of collateral casualties with this level of bombardment.
Right. You can’t let fear of maggots stop you from making more dumplings!
Well, the moment the Perorozira was confirmed, this judgment became a no-risk high reward situation, making me right a hundred times over.
[Teacher, all preparations are complete!]
The moment I heard Arona’s voice, the teacher opened his mouth. Even while issuing orders, the students didn’t lower their guns pointed at the Peroros.
“Everyone, take cover!!!”
As soon as the teacher shouted that, a series of shhhuuu—— sounds echoed. Countless missiles filled the sky.
Not wanting to be brushed aside by the shock of the bombing, I hesitated before taking cover next to a tank. The teacher was making sure all the students were taking cover until the very end.
“Seriously. In times like this, think about your own safety first!”
Who knows who was worrying about whom…
It’s one thing to watch over kids who could bounce back from getting blasted by anti-aircraft fire, but…
But teacher, you can’t be doing that yourself. Is this guy perhaps suffering from a lack of safety awareness?!
Thinking that, I grabbed the teacher’s arm and pulled him toward me. It must have looked hilarious, seeing a manly adult being helplessly dragged by a high school girl.
I dove with the teacher next to the tank, accepting a few bruises. Yeah.
It’s quite the risky timing right now…
“Whoa… Mi—”
Kuaaaang—— Kugu—
Ah, that was indeed close.
The thunderous sound marking the beginning of the bombardment silenced all other sounds. However, the ongoing vibrations let us know the bombardment was still taking place.
[Wow… If you weren’t ‘the Student Council President’, that would have been really dangerous. Teacher, the shitdims box isn’t a magic bullet, you know? If it wasn’t the Student Council President, you would’ve at least suffered a second-degree burn!]
Though my hearing was still muffled, Arona’s voice came through clearly. For some reason, it felt awkward to hear the title “Student Council President.”
Regardless, she was absolutely right, bless her heart. I hope she gives this safety-unaware teacher a good scolding.
But when will the bombardment end? Is there another Mohe-like figure over at SRT headquarters? The teacher mentioned focused fire, but this seems a bit excessive…
Ah, it stopped.
Confirming the vibration had ceased, I stood up. As I turned my gaze, I met the teacher’s eyes, who had blocked his ears.
Now that my hearing had returned, I made a judgment that he probably would be in the same state and mouthed words.
[I’ll be back.]
…It wasn’t exactly the kind of thing you say with the intention of saying “I’m back” later.
Stepping out from the side of the tank, I took in the gradually clearing scene of the city.
Shattered windows and glass shards covered the street. Flames blazed in various places, craters dotted the road, and water gushed as if a pipe had burst.
In a scene of destruction that surpassed typical student squabbles, there was no trace of the Peroros left.
Of course, the sheer volume would surely be replenished quickly, as if Hifumi, who’s wrestling with some smear campaign, shouted “Bring out the Peroros now!”
But right at this moment, the number of Peroros, except for the Perorozira, had definitely hit rock bottom.
From beyond the smoke that had gradually cleared, the massive form of the Perorozira emerged.
Even from this distance, I could tell how huge it was. The Perorozira seemed to clearly acknowledge who had given the order for this bombardment, glaring distinctly in our direction.
Then, its mouth opened…
———!!!
…Though I couldn’t hear it well, the monstrous roar echoed, signaling the start of the full-scale battle against the colorful Perorozira.