by Sato Tsutomu
"Are they actually planning on going to war?"
Hearing Kazama's words, one of the young lieutenants piped up. Based on his age, he must have recently been transferred to this installation.
"I do believe they've always been at war with us since 3 years ago."
The slightly mocking reply came from Yanagi and not Kazama.
Flushed red with shame, the lieutenant who asked the question quickly backed down.
"My apologies. My subordinates are lacking in decorum."
At the very least, he should allow the other side to save face.
"Still, the conclusion is just as Captain Yanagi said. Forget a peace treaty, there wasn't even a ceasefire negotiated between our country and the Great Asian Alliance. Seeing that there is no message detailing their fleet mobilization, it would be safe to assume that they are preparing for an offensive against our country."
Kazama once more supplied additional details.
According to international convention, large scale naval mobilizations that were for non-military purposes required notification for countries within the navigation range.
During an armistice, or simply when both sides stopped fighting, any undisclosed naval mobilization with unclear motivations could be interpreted as one country preparing to commence hostilities once more.
The atmosphere in the conference room grew tense.
"While the enemy has already finished mobilizing their fleet, regrettably, our navy only started mobilizing yesterday. Right now, we are forced to use land or air-based power to hold off the enemy's naval forces."
The atmosphere grew heavier.
"A tough battle is inevitable."
No one could muster a response.
"Thus, in order to break through the current situation, the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion will deploy Strategic-Class magic weaponry. This combat operation has already been approved by the Joint Chiefs."
The personnel from the base examined Kazama with curious and expectant gazes.
"In addition, please allow my unit to requisition the First Observation Room. Furthermore, under the assumption that the attack is successful, then at the same time......"
Kazama's explanation continued.
However, Tatsuya felt that there was no need for him to continue listening in.
His mission was to commence the attack as the 'Strategic-Class magic weaponry', nothing more.
He had already reviewed the fortress's data en route.
The First Observation Room was one of the facilities that used low altitude satellites to observe the enemy shores.
Based on that fact alone, Tatsuya understood what was being done there and what was required of him.
Just like yesterday, Tatsuya was armored in the Mobile Suit, with "Third Eye" in hand, as he stood in the center of the First Observation Room.
The screen before him rendered the images from the satellites into 3-D and allowed observation of the enemy formation from any angle. Based on Tatsuya's specifications, the current projection was from 100 meters out at 30 meters above sea level.
"Special Lieutenant Ooguro, are you prepared?"
Sanada asked.
"Preparations complete. Satellite link in good order."
Tatsuya used his helmet to modify his voice before replying to the orders.
"Material Burst, prepare to fire."
Along with Kazama's voice, Tatsuya hefted "Third Eye".
Zhènhai Naval Port.
The Great Asian Alliance fleet gathered on the other side of Geojedo Base.
On the central battleship, a flag fluttered in the wind on what must be the flagship.
He took aim at that flag.
Using the 3-D image from the satellite as a clue, he began to seek out the information body.
The weight of the battle flag was approximately 1 kg.
"Preparations complete."
He softly whispered.
Within the utter stillness of the room, that was more than enough.
"Material Burst, activate."
"Material Burst, activating."
Repeating Kazama's order, Tatsuya pulled the trigger on Third Eye.
From within Tsushima Base, across the strait, directly into Zhènhai Naval Port.
Tatsuya's magic transformed 1 kg of matter directly into energy.
In accordance with Einstein's Formula, the heat energy equated to approximately 20,000,000 tons of TNT.
The screen darkened.
The excess light caused the safety features on the satellites to kick in.
Which was why they could not see the claws of hell tearing through the earth.
On board the flagship moored at Zhènhai Naval Port, the sun suddenly appeared.
This heat defied any other means of conveyance, not that anyone lived to pass this on to future generations.
High temperatures that ran off the charts evaporated the metal hull into metallic steam.
The rapidly swelling air surpassed mach speed.
Amid the gushing infrared rays, shock waves, and metallic steam, the naval and port facilities vanished.
Anything within the vicinity, be they man or object, was evaporated.
People and objects slightly farther off either detonated or were burnt to ash.
The surface of the ocean was roasted by the scorching temperatures, causing countless steam explosions.
The resulting hurricane and tsunami swallowed Geojedo Base on the opposite shore.
If not for Geojedo serving as a levee, even Tsushima Base and Kyushu would have suffered the wrath of the tsunami.
The destruction was not limited only to Zhènhai Naval Port.
The shock waves struck the neighboring military facilities. Perhaps a blessing in disguise, there were no civilian cities near Zhènhai Naval Port.
After the tyrannic inferno passed on, absolutely nothing remained.
Once satellite imaging was restored, everyone in Tsushima Base held their breath without exception.
Some of the younger officers fled to the toilet to retch.
No one could mock them for their weakness.
Even members from the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion could not hide the paleness of their faces.
For the first time, they beheld with their own eyes what Strategic-Class Magic truly meant.
"Enemy situation?"
After Kazama asked, Fujibayashi frantically swept her eyes back to the observation device.
"Enemy fleet destroyed...... No, completely annihilated. Shall we attack?"
True, occupation would be a simple task now.
However, Kazama shook his head.
"No need. Cancel all subsequent procedures. This operation is over."
"All units, prepare to return!"
At Kazama's order, Yanagi gave the order to retreat.
Tatsuya set Third Eye on the ground.
Hidden beneath the helm, his eyes never wavered in the slightest.
◊ ◊ ◊
The Scorched Halloween.
Future historians would look back upon this day and refer to it as such.
It was a turning point in military history, just as it was a turning point in history.
This was the day that magic was proven to have surpassed mechanical, nuclear, and biological arms.
Bared before all was the truth that magic alone determined the outcome between victory and defeat.
This was the true dawn of history for the race known as Magicians, in all of its high glory and darkest suffering.
Afterword
To all those who also bought "Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei" this time, thank you so much.
To those who are reading this book for the first time, this is also an opportunity for us to get to know each other, so please continue to look after me.
For a light novel, the 7th volume of this series is actually a little risky, what are everyone's thoughts about this? Did you find it interesting?
Although writing in this manner during
the Showa period was not considered to be radical, however writing in such an out-dated manner during current times can only be deemed as being out of fashion, and therefore I am feeling somewhat uneasy about it.
The most exhausting part about this book are the various inserted military movement charts.
(Maps*Military diagrams) are things that I am clueless about in terms of the methods to draw them, and people who actually know what it is supposed to look like will definitely say "What exactly is this?", however please do forgive me with regards to this point.
The one responsible of interposing this time, Ishida-sama, really had a very difficult time.
This time, the protagonist's group has to wear a few different types of combat armor, and because of all my small requests numerous changes have been made to the design.
Although I, the author, feels that the result is really not too bad......That means that it really is not that bad after all.
In addition, volume 7's main feature is the debut of the various different types of "unique skills" As long as the readers feel excited and happy about it, I as the author will also be satisfied.
With that, I will move on to the scheduled advertising of volume 8.
Firstly, volume 8 is expected to be put on sale by this winter. The main theme for volume 8 will still be "Reminiscence".
The main focus will be on some incidents that happened in the past. As compared to the Web version, the contents of the story will also increase substantially.
Next, although those who read this book may already know, an audio drama DVD is already in the works. It will be put on sale together with volume 8.
In fact, it may be even earlier than volume 8. The contents for the audio drama DVD will be compiled from the "Reminiscence" chapters. A newly written short booklet will also be attached with the DVD.
I believe I have already informed everyone in volume 6, but the first volume of the manga version of "Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei" is published in "Monthly GFantasy", and is currently on sale, together with this volume.
Also, the first volume of the spin-off manga series "Mahouka Koukou no Yuutousei" will be released for sale on October 27, and it will be published by Dengeki Daioh. Everyone, please support it as well!
Lastly, maybe there are already people who know about this, but next month's Dengeki Bunko Magazine will serialize something new. The content will be about the sophomore's chapter of life.
It is based on what happens after volume 7. That's why the publishers will want a few interludes, and will work hard to compile it properly.
With the new serialization from Dengeki Bunko, the audio drama DVD, and also Dengeki Bunko's spin-off, from the start of autumn to winter we will be working at full steam, so everyone, please continue to show your support for "Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei".
(Satou Tsutomu)
Translator's Notes and References
↑ BC = Bio-Chemical.
↑ S&D = Search & Destroy.
↑ One of the principal Hindu deities, worshiped as the destroyer and restorer of worlds and in numerous other forms
↑ A famous military general and strategist during the three kingdoms
↑ RTB = Return to base.
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