“Yes… um, we believe it to be the resistance, but we’re still investigating.”

A muscular man in his late thirties with a greatsword thrust into his belt at the waist.

His beard neatly trimmed, versed in martial arts.

A man who embodied the very essence of a soldier, known as the Military God—Zeke Silfield.

Zeke was delivering his report before the video feed.

“Even someone like you, the Military God, what are you dawdling over? Ten machines—do you have any idea how much they cost!”

The voice on the other end belonged to the military’s top brass back home.

“Under Lord Road’s command, we will launch the operation to annihilate the resistance.”

“Heh, sounds interesting. Count me in.”

On the line was a lone woman.

Long golden hair cascading to her waist.

At first glance, she perfectly embodied a stunning princess.

But Zeke broke into uncontrollable cold sweat upon hearing her words.

Her name was Yumir Earthguard.

The first imperial princess, bearer of the epithet Torture Princess—one of the empire’s rulers.

(If Lady Yumir comes… it’ll turn into a massacre…)

Zeke commanded the garrison forces in this sector.

Unless there was overt activity, he generally left the 3rd Class citizens alone.

The occupation was still recent—that was the biggest factor—but this country’s resistance outnumbered those in other colonies by a landslide.

And that was precisely because Zeke hadn’t resorted to forceful extermination.

Kill all who resist without mercy.

That was the empire’s creed, yet Zeke had refrained from such measures.

It stemmed from his own compassion, and with the emperor currently bedridden by illness, there’d been no reprimands—leaving things as they were.

“That concludes the report.”

“Oh, right—one more thing, Zeke.”

“?… Yes?”

“Your daughter, Reina, was it? We’ve prepared a custom machine for her.”

“I… thank you. I’m sure it’ll prove invaluable.”

“I expect great things—from both of you, parent and child alike.”

With that, the transmission ended.

“Reina’s machine has arrived… She’ll be heading to the battlefield now too. Guess it’s time I made up my mind…”

Zeke muttered to himself in his private quarters.

The deadline was drawing near.

“Forgive me, Sakiko. I might not be able to protect this country on my own anymore…”

“Papa, is something wrong?”

Military God Zeke and Ice Princess Reina shared breakfast.

The Silfield family hadn’t originally been nobility.

But their contributions to the military had elevated them to baronet status.

“No… it’s nothing. Actually, there’s something I wanted to ask you.”

“What is it?”

For family talk, it felt oddly formal.

Inevitable, since Reina was adopted.

“I took you in at age ten and gave you every education imaginable. You’ve been drilling KOG for two years now.”

“…Yes.”

Reina rarely spoke with her busy father outside of these meals.

Scarce memories of playtime, or laughing like a normal family.

She understood it was because she was adopted.

Still, she respected Zeke as her father—and if pressed, she’d admit she liked him, trusting him that much.

No matter the chaos of his schedule, he carved out this morning time as best he could. She didn’t hate him for it; she even dreamed of surpassing him in KOG someday.

“I figured no one your age back home could beat you… but you lost, didn’t you?”

“!?… How did you—”

That day, Instructor Alfred had spotted Reina’s defeat in the simulator logs.

In the ranking battles, even maxed-out handicaps couldn’t secure victory against one Kenya Mikazuki. He’d reported it straight to Zeke.

“Well? How was it?”

“…Yes. I’m sorry.”

“Strong, was he?”

“Yes, incredibly so…”

“Stronger than me?”

“…I don’t know.”

(Hm. She doesn’t know…)

Zeke pondered the weight of Reina’s uncertainty.

He’d never revealed his full depths to his daughter. Monthly mock battles, yet he’d never lost—not even struggled.

Reina knew his prowess, yet here she was, unsure.

What that implied…

“His limits are unfathomable… Intriguing. Alright—bring him tonight.”

“Eh!? B-but he’s 2nd Class… you know?”

“I’m aware. I want to see what kind of man he is. You know I’m no bigot.”

“…Understood.”

Zeke didn’t discriminate.

Reina’s own lack of prejudice likely stemmed from her father’s influence.

Why Zeke shunned discrimination? Reina didn’t know.

Publicly decrying it would smack of imperial critique, so he touted meritocracy instead.

As such, plenty of Japanese served in his garrison—but he couldn’t stamp out internal military bias.

“Eh!? To Reina’s dad!?”

“Yes, Papa wants to meet you.”

Today, as usual, Kaguya, Reina, and Kenya ran their after-school KOG drills.

“So, how about dinner tonight?”

“Th-that… you sure it’s fine?”

“Papa’s like me—no pointless discrimination.”

(The military’s top dog… yeah, he always struck me as this epic warrior type.)

“So, is that okay?”

“Sure.”

(I’m technically military-affiliated, so turning it down’s not an option… Wonder what he wants? Did they sniff out the resistance thing?)

“Hey, someone spar with me already. I’m really getting the hang of it now.”

“Shall I take you on, then? Kaguya.”

“Oh, this time I’ll claim victory, Reina.”

Since then, the trio had shared these after-school sessions several times.

Reina’s blunt speech had sparked initial clashes between the pair.

But Kaguya came to see it: Reina harbored no prejudice, no discrimination—only eyes for Kaguya herself.

Unlike other Earthguard folk, she never spat “2nd Class”—always used her name.

Kaguya loathed Earthguard people… but Reina? She couldn’t hate her.

“You two really hit it off…”

“What you said before, Kenya? I get it now. She’s growing stronger.”

Towed by the pair’s elite level, Kaguya—who’d always brimmed with talent—leaped ahead in moments.

Anything’s like that: high-level practice accelerates growth.

Daily sessions with Kenya and Reina? Perfect conditions.

“Next ranking test, we’re taking down everyone.”

With that, the two hopped into the simulators.

Not that they stood a chance against Reina yet—utter defeats awaited.

“Alright, then—your turn, Reina. Me next?”

“Today, I’ll whittle you down by at least ten percent.”

“Can’t wait.”

Reina had grown stronger.

But Kenya had surged even further ahead.

In this world, the KOG he’d once adored had transformed into a lifeline—a weapon for survival.

That resolve propelled him to the next tier.

Talent is the depth of focus, they say.

Kenya’s had plunged deeper still since arriving here.

His ascent outpaced even Reina and Kaguya, the gap widening relentlessly.

A gulf in resolve: the recent op, taking lives, grasping the stakes of mortal combat—Kenya’s was incomparable.

And as he moved to mount the simulator—

“Mind if I watch?”

“Hm?”

A student slipped into the simulator room unannounced.

Blond hair, a touch long for a guy.

Blue eyes. Roughly Kenya’s age.

They crossed paths daily, but never exchanged words.

Because…

“Lo-Lord Road, Your Highness!?”

One of this world’s ruling clan.

Road Earthguard—the empire’s second prince.