Morin's Field Modification

Ludwig froze at the question. Then a complicated look crossed his face.

He studied Morin from head to toe, as though searching his face for something.

"So you've thought of that problem too."

Ludwig sighed, then went on:

"I just got back from Brigade Headquarters a few minutes ago. Brigadier General Paul called another emergency meeting. General Paul has already had the battalion commanders copy down your urban warfare tactics and pass them down the ranks! Honestly, that plan was... an eye-opener."

"Wait, they moved that fast?"

"When the fire's at your eyebrows, you move fast."

Ludwig nodded, then changed tack.

"But as you've realized, the biggest flaw in those tactics is that they can't deal with Armored Knights."

"Punching through their frontal armor with field guns is practically impossible. The Order of the Garter's St. George Type 3 has High-Level Enchantment on its main armor, giving it exceptional resistance to kinetic force..."

"And all our shells are high-explosive or shrapnel rounds. They can't inflict structural damage."

"Besides, a skilled Armored Knight pilot reacts far faster than an ordinary person... At a range of a few hundred meters, he can start dodging the instant he sees the muzzle flash. By the time the shell arrives, he's already moved."

"The only weak point is the thinner armor at the rear, but getting behind one in narrow streets... is nearly impossible."

Well, damn...

That meant their artillery was almost useless against enemy Armored Knights.

And judging by Ludwig's description, this world had yet to develop armor-piercing shells. Or perhaps no one had even thought to use artillery against Armored Knights.

Then again, if Armored Knight pilots could dodge the moment they saw a muzzle flash, artillery really would be of little use.

Of course, the low muzzle velocity of current guns was another factor. Once shell velocities improved, that might change...

Morin refused to give up. "Why can the Teutonic Order's weapons—Maces, for example—hurt them?"

Ludwig said, "Because our melee weapons are enchanted too, specifically to break armor. It's magic against magic."

Magic against magic...

Morin turned the words over in his mind, his eyes dimming.

Were ordinary infantry without magic or enchanted weapons doomed to be cannon fodder?

Then, as Morin frantically searched his memory, his eyes lit up.

"I've got an idea. What if there were a weapon that could stick to armor plating and keep burning, with flames that could seep through gaps and seams into the machine..."

"You mean a Molotov cocktail?" Ludwig asked.

"Huh? Someone's already used them?"

"That's right."

Morin was surprised. It seemed the existence of Armored Knights had pushed this world further along in the arms race.

"The International Brigades should know them well. Our infantry used them briefly too, and even the Britannians developed Flame Scrolls to use against our Armored Knights..."

Ludwig paused, then continued:

"But every country has upgraded its newer Armored Knights to counter them. When powered up, the cockpit and critical equipment like the Magitech Power Furnace can be completely sealed off from the outside."

"They also have emergency fire suppression and cooling Magitech Units that can put out flames quickly... Only older-generation Armored Knights are probably vulnerable to Molotov cocktails now."

"Still, Molotov cocktails work well against infantry, especially in the cramped streets of a city. I'd bet the International Brigades are already gathering materials to make them."

Ludwig went on at length, leaving Morin stunned. If even Molotov cocktails were no good, infantry really had no way to handle Armored Knights...

Just as he was at a loss, something caught his eye.

Not far away, a technician held a huge metal funnel, preparing to top up an Armored Knight's coolant.

Wait. A funnel?!

Morin stared at the hollow, cone-shaped piece of metal.

An idea flashed through his mind like lightning.

A term that had changed the history of armored warfare in his world before he crossed over suddenly sprang from the depths of his memory.

"Colonel!"

Morin seized Ludwig's arm. The alarming gleam in his eyes startled him.

"Tell me—if you converted the Order of the Garter's main armor into ordinary steel plate, roughly how thick would it be?!"

Taken aback by Morin's sudden outburst, Ludwig looked at his almost manic excitement and answered instinctively:

"They add Magic Crystal Powder when smelting the main armor plates, then enchant them. They don't look thick, but their effective protection is equivalent to about sixty to seventy millimeters of steel armor."

Far from worried, Morin let out a long breath of relief.

A smile spread across his face—one Ludwig could not begin to understand, and found a little eerie.

"That's enough... Sixty to seventy millimeters... That's enough!"

"Enough for what?" Ludwig was baffled. "Morin, what are you talking about?"

Morin looked up at the bewildered noble colonel and spoke one word at a time.

"Colonel, I think I may have a way to deal with them."

"If you'll help me, I can show you the results in two hours at most."

"What did you say?"

Ludwig frowned, wondering if he had misheard.

"You have a way? To deal with the Order of the Garter's Armored Knights?"

He stared at Morin, his eyes full of doubt. Has the kid lost his mind from all the fighting?

It was astonishing enough for an infantry second lieutenant to propose an entire theory of urban warfare. Now he claimed he could handle the best Armored Knights in the world?

"Morin, I admit you're talented, but this is no time for jokes."

Ludwig's voice turned stern, his expression grave.

"Do you understand what you're saying? That's the Order of the Garter! The pride of the Britannians! War machines that countless magitech technicians and mages poured their hearts into creating!"

"I know."

Morin, however, was unusually calm. His confidence was genuine.

"Colonel, I'm not joking... But I need your help. I need materials and some skilled people."

Ludwig fell silent.

He searched Morin's eyes for the slightest sign of madness or empty boasting.

All he found was composure and resolve.

This young man had commanded troops to drive back a high-ranking mage on the battlefield. In a meeting room, he had devised urban warfare tactics that could change how wars were fought.

Time and again, he had shattered Ludwig's assumptions.

What else was going on inside his head?

Ludwig wrestled with himself. Rationally, Morin's claim sounded like sheer fantasy...

But everything that had happened before made him want to believe.

Things could hardly get worse. The enemy's counterattack was imminent, and they had no answer to its strongest units.

Perhaps... they should try Morin's idea as a last resort?

Even if the gamble failed, they would be no worse off than they were now.

"All right!"

Ludwig gritted his teeth and made his decision.

"I'll take that bet! Tell me what you need. If I can get it, it's yours!"

"Excellent!" Morin perked up. "First, I need shells... At least ten intact 105-millimeter high-explosive shells. I also need plenty of copper—the more, the better. Spent shell casings would be ideal!"

"No problem," Ludwig replied at once. "The artillery has moved up to the south of the city. I'll go myself and take some men. It shouldn't be hard to 'borrow' a few things in the Teutonic Order's name."

"I also need a few experienced artillerymen, preferably veterans who understand how the shells are built."

"That's easy too. I'll 'borrow' them from the artillery battalion while I'm there." Ludwig wasted no time.

"Last, and most important... I need technical specialists."

"Technical specialists?"

"Someone who knows chemistry, and a few skilled craftsmen. Foundry experience would be best."

"That..." Ludwig hesitated. "Our order has magitech technicians, Knight Squires, and pilots, but no specialists like that."

Morin smiled. "Leave that to me."

Less than ten minutes later, Ludwig showed what his standing as an imperial noble and a Teutonic knight could accomplish.

He personally drove one of the order's military trucks, took a few squires, and charged straight into the artillery camp.

When the artillery officers challenged him, he simply revealed that he was with the Teutonic Order.

Then, in a tone that brooked no argument, he announced that this was for "a top-secret weapons test that could decide the outcome of the war," conducted under General Paul's secret orders.

The artillery officers were thoroughly taken aback. They had their doubts, but none dared stop a colonel of the Teutonic Order.

In the end, Ludwig returned with a full load.

The truck carried more than a dozen brand-new 105-millimeter high-explosive shells and two large crates of gleaming brass spent casings. He had also "borrowed" three veteran artillerymen, all looking utterly bewildered.