The surprise attack that wasn’t really a surprise continued. Historia showed reluctance towards the relentless guerrilla warfare that used a Beast King.

“...Damn it.”

Gunner Corps. A multi-purpose long-range suppression unit led by Historia herself.

Having preemptively attacked, they built a position far in advance and poured out bullets.

By scouting and suppressing, the goal of the Gunner Corps was to delay the enemy's advance until the main force arrived. They scattered the supplied salt bullets generously to repel the opposing force.

With their efforts, even the Progenitor could be repelled, albeit momentarily.

However, the next being that appeared was completely out of their expectations.

｢The King of Dogs?｣

To be frank, if the boy that wielded an invisible sword had burst out, Historia could nod and proceed to confront him directly.

But the King of Dogs, clad in thick armor, was not an existence that could be confronted, nor were they even supposed to. Since there were no bullets to waste, Historia immediately ordered a cease-fire.

Thus, the King of Dogs walked up to the middle of the Gunner Corps at a trot without any hindrance. The Gunner Corps glanced nervously at the King of Dogs. Even if she couldn't harm them, she was a monster that could demolish a base just by floundering her body.

Right when Historia herself approached to drive her away, one of the soldiers raised his finger.

“Major General! On her back!”

Only then did Historia notice something was hanging on the back of the King of Dogs. Right as she was pondering whether to shoot it or not, the bag on her back suddenly swelled up.

It was a tear bomb.

Though only for a moment, the Gunner Corps, who were aiming at the container, screamed in pain; it was because even amidst all this, they had to continue aiming by Historia's thunderous command.

In the meantime, the King of Dogs also seemed to be in pain as she rolled on the ground, but nonetheless, it was they who were hit.

｢We’re being worn down.｣

They took a favorable position and fired unilaterally to pressure the enemy. However, the enemy did not seem to be affected at all, let alone nervous or pressured. Instead, they continued to torment them with all sorts of tricks.

The King of Dogs burst out and barked before returning. Bullets were wasted. Right as the annoyed Historia ordered to shoot only at the Progenitor, the King of Dogs loitered with a black parasol. When she did, the nervous soldiers reflexively shot the special rounds.

If they were told to just observe and not shoot, the real Progenitor finally appeared. People screamed.

Every time this container akin to a random box opened, the nerves of the Gunner Corps stretched and contracted like a rubber band dozens of times, eventually losing their elasticity and hanging limply. As said before, they were being worn down. Mentally.

It was a familiar tactic. Wasn't it one of the doctrines the Military State primarily adopted?

｢I see. So it’s your strategy, Huey. I remember your opinion was that, if involving a gathering of people like an army, psychological warfare could be waged as it is usually done to individuals.｣

The combat doctrine of the Military State was simple. If regular soldiers or officers consumed their Qi or magic, general officers, including the Six Star Generals, would clean up after them. That was all.

At any rate, regular soldiers were a nuisance but still a manageable swarm of flies; that was all they amounted to. At least until Historia appeared.

Historia, who shot guns using Qi Arts, was the last piece the Military State was looking for. With threatening gunfire added to the suppression fire, regular soldiers, once considered expendable, rose to a position where they could be strategically utilized by the Military State.

｢That’s right. Just like how the King of Dogs is being deployed now.｣

Historia became lost in thought as she watched the King of Dogs trudging back.

｢The King of Dogs is harmless. However, since we don’t know what she might carry on her back, we have to be on guard.｣

The King of Dogs probably wouldn't kill people with her own paws. But what did that matter? They don't know what was inside the bag anyway. Because of that, the members of the Gunner Corps had to always remain vigilant.

While the King of Dogs, initially assumed to be a non-combatant, was strategically utilized, their own forces didn't, or rather couldn’t, change anything. As such, it was only natural they would be forced into a defensive position.

｢Heugh. It’s still the same, huh. Just like before, it hurts to have my weaknesses targeted like this….｣

It was right about when she was finished with her thoughts.

Historia was monitoring a container that oddly had a lower chroma than the others. A supply officer approached her with a brief salute.

“Major General. We have run out of bullets….”

“I’ve contacted the signaller. We’ll pick up supplies at the next point.”

“...I shall make sure it is prepared.”

Even the fact that supplies would soon arrive didn't revitalize the officer’s spirits. It was because fundamentally, it wasn't just the ammunition that was depleted.

Mental strength and concentration were also resources that were exhausted.

｢...It’s dangerous. If they burst out now, it would be troublesome.｣

Wrapped in this oppressive tension, Historia smiled in spite of herself. Her body heated up in anticipation of the fight.

***

It was an opportune moment.

The frequency of gunshots had decreased and their reaction to Azzy's appearance was slow. While delayed reactions could be due to issues of reflex, there would also be a psychological reluctance to use bullets. Surely, their ammunition must be depleted.

Combined with the fact that the sun had risen enough, I stood up with a defiant smile.

“It’s almost time. We’ll temporarily halt Azzy’s delivery service. After all, Azzy has already worked hard enough.”

As mentioned, we had thoroughly enjoyed ourselves with the bomb-delivering puppy.

Azzy couldn’t harm humans. If she had a lethal bomb attached to her back, she would run towards areas without humans.

But what about tear gas? A bomb that caused pain without killing humans. Thanks to this, we were able to strategically utilize Azzy, who could not attack humans. And coincidentally, what the Regressor had was also a type of smoke bomb….

“Grrrrrrrrr.”

...Instead, it seemed Azzy had also strategized against me. Startled, I gently spoke as I laid down some precooked meat in front of Azzy.

“Azzy. You’re the best! There’s no other combat dog that can bring about as great of a performance as you!”

“Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.”

Eh? What’s this? I thought this level of praise would make her happy.

She had sneezed so much that her nose had turned red and runny. Her eyes were reddened, but it wasn’t really because it was sensitive from the tear gas. Rather, her eyes were clearly filled with the hostility that came from having triggered her irritation.

I wiped Azzy’s eyes and nose with a damp handkerchief while speaking.

“Here! Eat some meat! I won’t forget your hard work.”

“Grrrrr. Stake. Share.”

“No, seriously. What in the world do you mean by share?”

“Grrrrrr.”

“Okay, okay. Alright. You’re seriously no different from some gangster! Here, I’ll give you shares. Happy? Take care of it yourself!”

“...Woof! It’s 10%!”

No, what? What did she even do to deserve 10% already? And what happens when it reaches 100%?

Before I could confirm with her, Azzy, who had finally relaxed her frown, immediately sat down and started chewing on the meat. Sure, Azzy usually enjoyed dog food quite well, but right now, her face as she chewed the meat looked as if she was gnawing at an enemy.

I guess it's better to go along with what she wants for the time being. Mm.

“If you, pretend not to know later, hate you, okay?”

“...Yeah, okay. Fine. I’ll take good care of you. As if I could ever pretend not to know you, anyway. That won’t happen.”

“Woof!”

Although it seemed she was in a better mood, it was a bit scary not knowing why. Anyway, it was true she worked hard, so I should acknowledge that.

Leaving Azzy sniffling and eating meat, I gestured towards Tyr and the Regressor who had been lying low until now.

“Haven’t we been bending our knees for too long, submitting to the violence of the many? Shall we start our revenge?”

Tyr casually slung a parasol over her shoulder, a furtive smile on her lips.

“Indeed, let us do so. It is time to show those prey, who believe they are safe from darkness when under the sun, my true capabilities.”

The Regressor, who had been calmly gathering strength until now, also finished preparing.

“Let’s hurry and break through. It’ll be much easier once we suppress the Gunmaster.”

Strength was at its peak. Nothing was wasted. On the other hand, the opponents were mere rabble that had been mentally tormented by Azzy.

A perfect opportunity had arrived. On this chessboard, there were two cards, the Regressor and Tyr. Contrastingly, the other side had only one in Historia.

Hahaha. This battle is my victory, Historia. I’m sure you haven’t forgotten that I was the one to perfect your tactics, right? I know your weaknesses all too well!

Witness! The power of being first place is not all for show! One’s swagger, outward appearance, and greatness may be temporary, but rankings are eternal!

***

The door of the container burst open and Tyr advanced alone with her black coffin.

Until now, Azzy had dashed out with Tyr’s parasol about five times. Because of that, those who vowed not to be fooled again watched the pitch-black parasol but chose to wait for now.

However, Tyr’s appearance was different from Azzy's from the very start. The moment she revealed herself under the sun, the soldiers of the Gunner Corps felt as if a fog had descended before their eyes. It was as if the very essence of darkness existing on this land had emerged, sending shivers down the spines of these mere ordinary humans.

Bullets poured down on Tyr, but the current Tyr was slightly different from before.

Darkness streamed out of the floating coffin. Though the darkness had faded a bit as it was under the sun, even that itself was ominous. It was as though the hands of the clock spun wildly the moment the lid opened, thus bringing evening with it.

The bullets, flying with a terrifying noise, could not penetrate the curtain of darkness. Occasionally, a salt bullet would sparkle and cut through the black, but that was all. Due to their previous excessive consumption, it wasn't enough to tear through the veil.

Tyr strode forward as if she had become a tank. Whenever she pushed her way through a space with a single hand, the bullets that couldn't penetrate the veil of darkness were swept aside all at once.

Baaang.

At that moment, a gunshot rang out. The veil whirled as it tore apart, then from behind it, Tyr's head snapped back.

Someone from the Gunner Corps clenched their fist and shouted.

“That’s the Major General’s bullet! How does it taste, you mons…!”

However, his words were cut short. After all, above Tyr's left eyebrow, a spinning bullet was being pushed out by a small whirl of blood, as if to sync the swirling motion.

Just the Gunner Corps member was about to gulp in fright, Tyr, with glowing red eyes, murmured.

“...Monster, you say. I have heard that word far too often to be affected by it anymore.”

Tyr turned her head back. Historia's bullet, unable to even scratch her face, was deflected away.

“Go ahead. You may try. Shoot. The sun is shining brightly. Now, at the time when the hot light curses me, is the only chance that this body would ever be weakened. Let’s see…”

Tyr smirked after a moment of calculation.

“If you shoot a hundred times and multiply that amount by a hundred, you might cause me some trouble.”

Just as she said, the blood burnt by the sunlight had turned pitch-black. If all her blood were to be scorched like this, even Progenitor Tyrkanzyaka would be in danger.

However, that was no more than a handful dredged from an abyssal sea of blood.

Historia lowered her gun with a somber expression.

｢With each shot draining a significant amount of Qi, I can’t win this battle. I’ll be depleted first. especially now that the supply of salt bullets had been exhausted….｣

Having finished her thought, Historia raised two pistols. The heavy guns, loaded in advance, were grasped in her hands. While feeling the cold, heavy metal, Historia spoke.

“I’ll face her until the main force arrives. Form up and retreat.”

“Major General, it is dangerous! We were told never to engage the Progenitor dire…!”

“Then, what else do you want me to do when they’re coming after us? Huh?”

Historia snapped at her soldier irritably as she took a step forward.

Before she could take another step, an ominous energy was felt from above. Historia quickly aimed into the sky and fired.

Bang,

Ting.A short interval between the gunshot and the bullet ricocheting was heard. Immediately afterward, someone fell like a meteor right into the middle of the Gunner Corps.

“Who says you can do that?! Your opponent is me!”

During the moment when all eyes were on Tyr, the Regressor had shot into the sky, before touching down onto the earth with a massive storm. As she landed, she slammed Jizan down, causing both the earth and the ether to churn. Right as the impact of the earthquake and storm shook everyone, thus throwing off their balance…

As if by agreement, the two warriors charged at each other the moment such bedlam fell upon this land. Without a moment's hesitation, they swung their weapons at each other.

Clang.The crossed guns met Chun-aeng. Sparks flew from the clashing steel and the gazes of the two women collided.

“Major General!”

At someone’s call, Historia shouted without looking back.

“Don’t worry about me! Stop the Progenitor!”

“Ha, do you really think you can handle me alone?!”

The Regressor twisted her wrist with a bellow. the invisible sword, riding the trajectory of the pistol, shot towards Historia's face. While distinctly watching the flickering tip of the blade, Historia smirked.

“Alone? That’s my line, cutie.”

Historia suddenly dropped to the ground.

She leaned back, lying parallel to the surface. While balancing precariously in that position, she thrust her opposite leg out. Due to her vanishing from sight, the Regressor’s center of balance leaned forward. As such, she had to hurriedly lift her knee to block the kick.

A refreshing sound that went Boom. The Regressor, sent flying into the air, flipped and landed on the belt. As she clicked her tongue, the Gunmaster approached step by step.

“Rather, do you really think you can survive until the Progenitor arrives?”

In her hands, two pistols with blades attached spun gracefully