Episode 274: Grappler
The Quadruped Tank is a simplified, disposable model redesigned based on the operational record of the officially equipped Multi-Legged Tank MLT-E series.
Various functions have been omitted or replaced with simplified models, reducing the total weight to about half that of the original Multi-Legged Tank. This was achieved through thorough weight reduction in areas where strength was not required, and by replacing some parts with high-strength fibers such as Carbon Nanotubes.
Even so, its total weight exceeds 20 tons.
What happens when such an ultra-heavy object crashes into a hastily constructed log fence?
Naturally, it should be no obstacle, and the log fence should be destroyed—but that’s not what happened.
Wood, especially in the direction of its fibers, i.e., vertically, has extremely high strength. In terms of weight ratio, it has about twice the compressive strength of Iron. If you simply collide structures of the same cross-sectional area made with the same weight, the wood wins.
Perhaps due to a bad point of impact, the tip of a shaved log cleverly entered a structurally weak point, and the Quadruped Tank rode up onto the fence at full speed. Unable to withstand the speed and weight, the log broke, but the Quadruped Tank also lost its balance.
The thinly armored abdomen was exposed before the eyes of the Warrior Monks hiding behind.
The thrust Spear pierced the armor like paper, penetrating internal critical components.
“B-18, silenced.”
But that was it. There was not just one Quadruped Tank. Another one blew away the log fence and succeeded in slamming its Legs into a hidden Warrior Monk.
And such scenes occurred at multiple horse barricades. Some Quadruped Tanks were destroyed, while the remaining units used their weight and strength to literally kick away the hidden Warrior Monks.
“Six units incapacitated. Successfully eliminated 13 enemy Warrior Monks.”
“…Well, the damage is within expectations.”
As a result of the 50 Quadruped Tanks, dispersed and charging at 4 horse barricades, facing 20 Warrior Monks, 6 units were lost. They inflicted casualties on 13 opponents, leaving 7 remaining.
However, this was damage caused by close combat. With this, the strength of the opposing Warrior Monks was somewhat understood.
“Their combat capabilities don’t seem to differ much from the Warrior Monks stationed in each town. ＜Iris＞ seems to have judged it within acceptable limits. Selecting to continue the operation.”
Akane’s tension decreased slightly. Eve, glancing sideways to confirm this, stroked Akane’s head.
The Quadruped Tank group destroyed the 4 horse barricades and began running again, chasing after the fleeing Warrior Monks.
Microwaves were received and converted into electricity. The current flowing through the transformer powerfully kicked the Leg motors.
The common AI controlling the Quadruped Tanks learned the characteristics of the horse barricades. It fed back to the network and analyzed the next target. Adjusting the posture at the moment of impact, it slid the tip of the protruding log along the armor. The front Legs pierced the base of the fence, converting the rushing force directly into lifting the fence.
As a result, the log fence, uprooted from its base, was thrown into the air in one blow and shattered.
However, the Warrior Monks, taking advantage of that gap, thrust their Spears into the front armor of the Quadruped Tanks.
The front armor is, of course, the thickest part. Laminated Armor made of ultra-high-tensile steel, ceramics, carbon fiber, and resin-based polymer is pierced by a mere steel Spearhead. It’s the epitome of the unreasonable (fantasy), but the front armor is structured with that in mind.
Below the armor is a buffer space combining multiple internal armors, and being penetrated by a few dozen centimeters has no effect on internal functions. It would be a problem if there were further explosions inside, but fortunately, they don’t seem to have such unreasonable abilities.
While being stabbed with Spears, the Quadruped Tanks used their weight to push forward. They mowed down the Warrior Monks who were trying to escape in a panic with their Legs.
The second collision resulted in minor damage. Out of 16 Warrior Monks, 6 were incapacitated, and 10 escaped.
At this point, there was movement on the Divine Nation side.
The Quadruped Tanks had driven a wedge into the defense line, and they judged that a response was necessary.
From the walls surrounding the Holy Capital, one Warrior Monk, probably a High Priest class, jumped down.
“Here they come.”
This assault was, to a large extent, to lure out this force. To draw out individuals with high combat power and assess their strength.
The Priests encountered in several towns were also powerful units, but they could be eliminated by multiple Multi-Legged Tanks. So, how powerful is the High Priest, who is considered stronger?
“＜Iris＞ has begun assessing combat power.”
The 44 Quadruped Tanks simultaneously stopped advancing and split into 4 teams, each taking a dense formation. If all units gathered, they might be wiped out by some kind of area attack, and if each unit was too far apart, they would be individually destroyed, so this formation was chosen.
The High Priest kicked off the ground.
The moment it looked like that, the High Priest, who had instantly closed the distance of several hundred meters, had already swung the sword in hand.
With that one strike, the Quadruped Tank was completely destroyed. The internal mechanisms were cut in half, and it ceased functioning.
But there was no time to leisurely confirm that.
The adjacent unit immediately slammed its Leg at the approaching High Priest, but of course, the attack was dodged. As if for a mere trifle, the Leg was slashed off, and using that Leg as a foothold, the High Priest jumped diagonally onto the back of the Quadruped Tank on the opposite side, bisecting its torso. The Quadruped Tank, split in front and back, was grounded.
In a matter of 8 seconds.
In just that amount of time, 10 Quadruped Tanks were all cut down.
Overwhelming combat power. Mobility that disregarded the speed of sound, and slashes that ignored the length of the blade.
The group of Quadruped Tanks was annihilated, and the High Priest set its sights on the next prey.
But the 8 seconds were long enough to capture the movement, analyze it, and rewrite the tactical program.
The Leg motors, with their limiters cut, drew out torque beyond their design limits. While evaporating some of the paint and lubricant, the Quadruped Tanks performed maneuvers beyond their limits. The High Priest reflexively swung its sword at the Legs inserted into the predicted movement position. The Legs were split by the slash, but the kinetic energy was not negated. Following inertia, the ultra-heavy object weighing over 1 ton collided with the High Priest as it was.
Such an attack was, of course, parried. The High Priest placed a hand on the flying Legs and smoothly dodged. However, the control AI, predicting that movement, hid another unit swinging its Leg from the blind spot of the Leg.
The High Priest, attacked by the steel Leg from an unexpected position, widened its eyes in astonishment. The sword in hand was not in a suitable position to swing, and the posture was disrupted by dodging the heavy object. Above all, the body was in the air. There was nothing around to serve as a foothold.
In this state, it would be mowed down by the Legs of the Quadruped Tank without being able to take a proper defensive stance.
Collision.
The High Priest flew through the air like a kicked pebble.
But the speed was slow, considering it was a direct hit.
The swung Leg was bent at a sharp angle. The joint where the abnormal load occurred was completely destroyed and could no longer be moved.
The High Priest, rolling on the ground, jumped up.
As far as could be seen, there were no signs of injury.
Apparently, it had defended with one free hand at the moment of impact with the Leg. By grabbing the composite armor with bare hands, deforming it, and converting the impact force into destructive power, it escaped the impact by jumping away.
“Wow.”
Eve couldn’t help but exclaim at the series of collisions.
The Quadruped Tanks, it seemed, were no match.
They had been given considerable performance through weight reduction and motor output enhancement, but it was probably not even close.
“＜Iris＞ has completed the combat power assessment through close combat.”
“Next, shoot.”
Akane muttered.
If it were the protagonist of a cheat fantasy, this much should be a piece of cake!
From here, his meteoric rise begins!