Infinity, Starting to Improve from Arasaka

This unit is neither the spearhead of the 'Trident' pincer attack, nor the Princess's Guard, nor one of the four Holy Knight Orders; it is simply an ordinary army combined arms brigade with a standing armored knight order. Its duty is to cooperate with the main force and continuously use armored mobility to break up and divide the EU coalition forces.

Similar to blitzkrieg, this strategy prevents the enemy from regrouping their scattered forces, further dividing the large encirclement into several smaller ones. Then, in coordination with mechanized infantry divisions, the strategy utilizes unit tactical advantages to eliminate the enemy within each encirclement one by one, achieving annihilation. * The Area 11 Special Task Force also belongs to this category.

This is also why the seventh-generation fighter Lancelot, despite its high status, is often moved quickly via highly mobile drive wheels rather than by dedicated armored transport aircraft.

It requires participation in frequent encounters, encirclement battles, and mopping-up operations of varying intensity.

Upon hearing this, Suzaku Kururugi paused for a moment, looking at the armored vehicle in front of him that was several sizes larger than the [Sunderland] produced in District 11, to the point that the cockpit seemed less conspicuous.

"Um, sir, I'm just a corporal..."

"It's only a matter of time."

The Sunderland pilot spoke with certainty.

"Such complex high-speed horizontal movement is not something that just any Knightmare pilot can do."

Just now, he carefully observed the platinum mech that participated in the suppression and crackdown.

There's no way around it, it's too conspicuous. That flashy paint scheme, and the fact that it's a prototype guide weapon for a seventh-generation fighter jet despite being a civilian with a serial number—clearly, it's not just another civilian cannon fodder.

Moreover, that "Special Dispatch Guidance Technology Department" from District 11 has the background of the Second Prince Schneizel. In addition, after accessing the public database, wow, the surname Kururugi, the only son of the last Prime Minister of District 11 who lost his country.

Could it be that the imperial leadership, seeing the EU's disastrous Suicide Attack, wants to establish a positive example to counter them?

"In Britannia, anyone with ability can achieve great things, Princess Vera rewards and punishments."

He cautioned, "Even if you are a numbered citizen, or even from District 11, the assassination of His Highness Clovis will indeed continue to affect the careers of you honorary Britannia from District 11, but this is European Britannia."

"Prove your loyalty, then make a name for yourself. Warrant officer, that's just the beginning."

Suzaku Kururugi said firmly, "I will prove it."

"That is, you can survive."

The Sunderland pilot remained noncommittal, saying, "Hopefully we'll see you in the Imperial Guard selection at the end of the year."

After saying goodbye, he left.

Suzaku Kururugi fell into deep thought.

The Imperial Guards of the Third Princess Vera...

The term "selection of the vanguard" literally means selecting the best of the best and organizing elite soldiers into an army.

If she is the Third Princess, she is indeed a lord worthy of loyalty and betting on in the eyes of many.

However, he had once received the kindness of a benevolent princess.

Perhaps the princess's power and influence were far inferior to that of the Third Princess, but her golden and Beauty ideals moved him more and made him willing to work for her—to do everything in his power to create a world where no one would lose someone important.

Instead of the arrogant and domineering heir to the throne Emperor Charles.

He had never met the Third Princess, but could glean a glimpse of her from outside opinions alone—a fully enhanced version of Governor Cornelia.

Except for not having a biological sister.

Suzaku Kururugi's reverie didn't last long, drip.

"Miss Cecil."

He connected via video call and looked at the intelligent woman appearing on the control panel screen.

"Good job, Suzaku- kun. I believe you will soon gain the approval of the military and His Highness. Europe is a different battlefield than District 11, so never let your guard down."

"Learn."

With a solemn expression, Suzaku Kururugi said again, "Thank you, Miss Cecil."

The Baltic Campaign was likely the first major battle he participated in since Britannian Army.

It should be said that this applies to the entire Area 11 Special Task Force.

In Japan... in the District 11 archipelago, Suzaku Kururugi, although he had also experienced some large-scale armed conflicts, bandit suppression, and security maintenance, compared to the regularization and scale of the Eastern Europe front, the mobilization of hundreds of thousands of troops, the exaggerated and insane density of firepower, and the application and innovation of tens of thousands of advanced tactical weapons...

The enemy, the European Republic Alliance, is not comparable to the remnants of a defunct island nation.

They are not comparable.

Even Lancelot, without the support of allied forces and various military confrontation systems, can only play a limited role and it is difficult to replicate the District 11 force he displayed against the EU coalition forces.

Unless Doctor Lloyd iterates on [Lancelot] and further improves the machine's performance.

Or perhaps a breakthrough has been achieved in a key technology.

Buzzing—

In mid-air, the hum of the V-TOL transport plane's engine grew louder as it approached. As if on cue, Suzaku Kururugi activated [Lancelot] and looked up. The reality detector accurately captured the specially dispatched transport plane.

At the edge of the side-opening hatch, Earl Lloyd, with a nonchalant and smiling expression, was waving at him.

"You're really swift in your attacks, Suzaku."

With his signature flippant voice, he shouted, "Just received orders: a unit of the Area 11 Special Task Force is to proceed to the G-1 outer perimeter guard post. Suzaku, it's time to prove your worth!"

Suzaku was taken aback, then nodded emphatically.

Just as he was starting up the special rotating core Sakura Stone engine of the [Lancelot] as usual, preparing to use its superior mech to overtake them all, Cecile's voice slowly came through:

"Hey, Suzaku- kun, the intelligence mentioned Alexander, which is the model of 'Hannibal's Spectre.' Even if it's not the WZERO Unit that defeated the Order of Saint Raphael Knights, you've seen the news about the EU continuing to conscript Japanese descendants in Europe into the army, right?"

"What would you do if you encountered a fellow countryman in Europe?"

Suzaku Kururugi paused, his tone hesitant. "I will obey military orders. And I will try to persuade them."

"What if they don't listen, or even take more radical hostile actions?"

Cecile then asked, "What if the generals and staff officers of the G-1 field command were executed by Her Highness Vera?"

A gentle tone, but sharp questions.

Suzaku Kururugi paused for a moment.

He knew perfectly well that this was Miss Cecil's good intention.

He cannot evade these issues; if he mishandles the situation in front of the emperor, all his previous efforts will be in vain...

He moved his lips. "Of course... I'll carry it out."

On the screen, Cecile frowned almost imperceptibly.

But only for a moment.

"I'm sorry to trouble you, Suzaku- kun."

She smiled gently, a hint of alertness in her expression. Beep beep, the video call ended, and the screen switched back.

"..."

Suzaku Kururugi sat motionless in the cockpit for a long time.

He stared at the screen, which had gone completely black.

At last.

Suzaku Kururugi sighed deeply.

Distracted by this, he stopped his hurried actions and instead of rushing to the G-1 Elizabeth to win the race, he set off with his comrades from the Area 11 Special Task Force.

After leaving the border town, the convoy passed through several encirclements and divisions by friendly forces, and then traveled a distance to the southwest.

"Kurugi Mulberry".

A standard Sunderland quietly accelerated and drove alongside the Lancelot.

"Uehara, Furukawa, Kikuchi have all been killed in action."

A strange accent.

"Those Frenchmen used our compatriots as human bombs. In terms of wickedness, they were even worse than the ' Pureblood Faction. But putting everything else aside, their equipment was far superior to that of the Independent Front and the like."

"Ah... may they rest in peace."

Upon hearing this, Suzaku Kururugi's eyes dimmed, and he reached out to rub his temples, revealing a rare look of fatigue on the muscular idiot's face.

Those who died were the first batch of qualified recruits of the Area 11 Special Task Force.

They were all honorary Britannia from the 11th Front.

Let's consider him a veteran, having received training for several years, so his military skills as an infantryman are generally good.

With similar political leanings to Suzaku, when the Third Princess issued the "Anti-EU Coalition WZERO Unit Recruitment Order" to District 11, many people decided to take a chance after seeing the corresponding benefits.

Upon arrival in European Britannia, the week-and-a-half acclimatization training truly delivered on its promise. They weren't used as disposable cannon fodder like the WZERO Unit.

They even offer Knightmare pilot slots.

Being a second-class person is just being a second-class person; being treated as a human being is progress.

As a result, the morale of the Area 11 Special Task Force was very high, and they fought bravely and fiercely. In less than three days, they had already suffered a quarter casualties. If it weren't for the Britannian Army instructors stopping them, they would have launched a full-scale assault.

As for the second, third, and fourth batches... Suzaku didn't know the exact number of casualties.

"Mr. Sekiya. Please live on."

After a long silence, Suzaku Kururugi spoke.

"Ah, let's encourage each other. For the sake of Her Third Princess."

"Oh my, it seems Suzaku- kun has become the backbone of the Area 11 Special Task Force?"

Inside the 'Special Mission' V-TOL transport aircraft cabin, Cecile stood in front of the instrument panel, quite surprised.

"That's normal."

Lloyd crossed his arms and said, "The influence of the son of Prime Minister of a fallen country."

"Everything has two sides. Although the resistance faction sees him as a traitor, the compromise faction, who hope to become an honorable Britannia, is very supportive of him. I think that's why the Third Princess noticed him."

"Well?"

Cecile tilted his head cutely.

"If it's conducive to rule, wouldn't it be even better if that unbroken family of old Japan still had descendants?"

"The Imperial Family? How could that be?"

Lloyd shook his head decisively, grinning with amusement.

"Given Princess Vera's personality, she would not allow any separatist family with an unbroken lineage to exist under her rule."

Lloyd squinted behind his frameless glasses.

The Britannian Royalty is constantly vying for the throne—just like the current Emperor Charles. The Third Princess, Vera, undoubtedly inherited his strong desire for power, actively and even enthusiastically participating in the struggle and conquest.

But who cares?

Lloyd had no interest in dwelling on these trivial topics.

It was simply a hereditary succession within the Britannia family.

He was only interested in technical issues and researching science and technology.

Hmm, I've heard that the Third Princess's private research institute holds quite a few good things...

As he was lost in thought, the roar of the engine sounded again, growing louder as it approached. This time, it seemed particularly intense. Lloyd looked up at the sky to the northeast.

"Are you here yet?"

The buzzing of drones filled the air as a dense swarm of combat armored vehicles, transport planes, gunships, and armed helicopters appeared in the clouds, heading towards the southwest.

"That royal crest... it's Princess Vera's personal machine, wow, it's huge!"

Drawn to the most obviously massive machine among them, Cecile's pupils contracted slightly.

Lloyd, standing beside her, couldn't help but widen his eyes, which were hidden behind his glasses.

"As expected of the princess who is said to have a temperament like a dragon, she still likes big things so much."

G-1 Elizabeth

Not long ago.

The Knightmare standby platform was crowded with researchers dressed in white work clothes.