CHAPTER 29: THE BATTLE OF TIGERVANIA PART 2

“Panzer Forward!”

Under the command of Führer Eryutheia, the Imperial Guard Tank Battalion, which had been waiting inside Tigervania, marched out from the city gates and began its assault.

They steamrolled their way, raising clouds of dust as they advanced in panzerkeil formation. An overwhelming army of steel.

Furthermore, they were followed by Imperial Guard Infantry Units that were divided into trucks.

These armored units were extracted from the main Imperial Guard Armored Battalions and from the Reconnaissance Regiments of each Division. In addition, the Imperial Guard Motorized Infantry Battalion and the Cavalry Unit were added to create an improvised armored unit.

It was Yamato Empire’s bold plan to break through the enemy’s left flank in one fell swoop with this unit, bring this decisive battle to an end, and eventually pursue and capture the enemy king with the speed of the mechanized units.

The Type 3 Light Tank, is a tank that resembles a combination of the Imperial Japanese tank Ha-go and the French Renault FT-17.

A large number of them rush across the plains of Tigervania.

The Type 99 Light Tanks, an older type of tank, did not participate in this war. All are state-of-the-art Type 3 Light Tanks.

The speed of the Empire’s state-of-the-art armored unit is ―an astonishing 7 kilometers per hour.

Too slow.

Excessively slow.

It’s still faster than walking… And that’s the speed I’m talking about.

　……But it can’t be helped.

To begin with, the Type 3 Light Tank is a World War I-type light tank designed to break through trenches and support infantry, not a tank that utilizes its high speed for blitzkrieg warfare as in World War II.

The maximum speed on rough terrain was equivalent to a jog, which was considered sufficient.

Despite being such a clunky Type 3 Light Tank, it was an invincible mobile fortress in this battle.

“W-what the hell is that… the enemy is?”

“I don’t know… there’s a chunk of steel moving?”

“It’s some kind of golem! Fire your arrows!”

The Yamato Imperial Armored Unit, led by the Führer, is charging toward the left flank of the Beastvania Army. The beastkin soldiers assigned there were terrified of this unknown object.

Not knowing the principle behind it, the lump of iron is moving.

Monkeys-type beastkins frantically shoot arrows at them.

Ordinary cat and dog beastkins have paw pads for their hands.

Compared to human “hands,” the paw is clumsy and while it can hold a weapon, it cannot handle arrows, which require dexterity.
But as monkeys, they are dexterous and can use a variety of weapons.

The monkey unit spreads out and shoots its bows at the incoming tanks.

Countless arrows were being fired…

“…Ayame-san, something hitting the armor. There’s hitting sounds.”

“They are arrows, please don’t show your face out of the cupola, Eryu-san, as it is dangerous.”

Despite hitting the Führer’s tank, which was advancing on the front line, it was easily repelled by the armor…

“Well then, shall we counterattack? All tanks, open fire.”

In return, they are showered with 37mm shells from the main gun.

“It’s not working! The arrows are bouncing off!”

“Retreat! Retreat!”

Under the barrage of gunfire from dozens of tanks, the monkey beastkin’s battle line instantly crumbled, forcing them to retreat.

Up until the start of the war, they would say, “Hmph, I’m going to beat the crap out of those humans!” The monkey tribe chief was so enthusiastic about the attack.

He, too, became weak before this attack and started to retreat with his tail between his legs, saying, “No, no more, we have to run away…”

“Dammit, the left flank is getting pushed!”

“Your Majesty, the enemy’s iron monsters are attacking, kuma! We need to send reinforcements, kuma!”

With the entrance of armored units, the Beastvania army, which had been outmatched to begin with, was quickly falling apart.
Seeing the situation, Lycan II stomped the ground…

“Hey! Sir Bear! Send out whatever reserve force we have!”

“…There are no more, kuma.”

“What the hell!? We have 100,000 men over here!?”

Sir Bear powerlessly shakes his head.

There are no more reserve units anywhere that can be deployed.

After all, they were only about 5 km away from the front line, even on the hill where they had originally set up their main camp. They are well within the range of the artillery of the Yamato Empire.

Nearly all of the Beastvania troops are within the range of the artillery, which means that they are being bombarded and receiving heavy casualties.

Right now, the only intact troops are the Lion Tribe troops led by Lycan II, who had been removed from the Yamato Empire’s attack targets for fear of misfiring on the king.

　……That unit is also acting as a barrier troop and cannot be sent as a reinforcement.

　
At this point, it was only a matter of time before the Beastvania army collapsed.

The artillery fire disrupted the chain of command, and even when they managed to advance, they all fell before the hail of bullets from the machine guns.

Even if they tried to retreat, the barrier troop led by Lycan II was positioned in the rear.

In addition, on the left flank, the Yamato Imperial Armored Force led by the Führer herself continues to advance, launching a flanking attack.

Speaking of the right-wing side, the only side to which they can retreat… There is the sea.

For the convenience of attacking the city of Tigervania, which is adjacent to the sea, it is inevitable that one direction faces the sea.
But now they have completely lost their escape route.

Though the army initially numbered 100,000, its numbers dwindled by 10,000, then 20,000, and already more than half of them had been defeated.

Two hours after the confrontation.

Normally, they would have considered withdrawing long ago, but Lycan II does not have that option.

If we retreat at this point, the reputation of the beastkin race will be at stake. Besides…

“I was supposed to be a great king… There was no way I was going to lose to a human army with less than half of my army!”

His own pride wouldn’t allow him to lose no matter what.

Forward!

Charge ahead! To the front!

Lycan II single-mindedly ordered them to charge.

But no matter how he gives orders, his orders no longer reach the soldiers on the front lines. The network of communication between the armies has been completely cut off by the shelling.

And…

“Y-your Majesty! The furless ape’s steel weapon!”

“W-WHAT!”

A messenger rushes into the main camp with Lycan II. He points to a group of tanks that have broken through the Beastvania lines.

It’s the armored unit led by the Führer.

If this continues, their main camp, even on the rear Lycan II will be in danger…

“It’s humiliating to lose, but… We can’t die here! Sir Bear, we’re retreating!”

The moment his life is in danger, Lycan II instantly abandons his pride that he must not be defeated. He then gives an order to Sir Bear, who stands by his side.

And Sir Bear immediately responded, “Then I will order the front-line soldiers to retreat, kuma!” and reacted to it.

　……however.

“No! I will not allow the army to retreat. You will defend your positions until I flee! Even if we are annihilated!”

“T-that’s… however!”

“One hundred thousand men is certainly a large army, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be regrouped. No matter how many soldiers die, there are always replacements. But this Lycan II cannot be replaced! It’s a more serious problem for me to get captured!”

Just for one person.

His order was for soldiers to lay down their lives to protect the king’s life. That’s the order that Lycan II has chosen to give.

Sir Bear wanted to refuse the order at all costs.

But…

“Sir Bear. If you obey and give the order, I’ll allow you to escape.”

The devil’s words whispered in his ear.

At these words, Sir Bear nodded his head. He had fallen prey to the sweet temptation of Lycan II.

The only thing that comes to his mind is his loving wife and his soon-to-be adult daughter. I can’t die yet…

“Defend to the last! Defend to your death, kuma!”

“Good, that’s the spirit! All right, let’s get the hell out of here!”

“Understood, kuma!”

And then Lycan II and his men leave the main camp taking several entourage and bodyguards with them. His escape is just like an arrow.

The soldiers who are left behind after losing their commanders will find themselves in an even more desperate battle.