前のエピソード――[Chapter 1] Part 1 - A Winning War

　Despite listening intently to the unrealistic broadcast, Shigure isn't exactly interested. He's heard the format endlessly throughout most of his life, more accurately, everyone has. 'Great Operators. We are winning soon. Glory this, glory that'. The same stuff is perpetuated at every chance. People believe it, unsurprisingly,

a result of a massive censorship and propaganda campaign produced by the higher powers. Even though the world's maps and borders were utterly useless only a month into the Nephilim's appearance. Every promise of retaking land never comes to fruition, and people never comment on it.

　Japan prides itself on being the first country to develop Gleipnirs. Not one other coming even close to such technological prowess. Gleipnirs had their predecessors of course, such as 4, 6, and even 8-legged mechs. These falling under various names such as 'Mechanized Gun Platform', 'Mechanized Armoured Howitzer', and 'All Surface - High Mobility Vehicle'. All of which were substantially easier to produce, engineer, and used extensively by UN forces. But Gleipnirs were the first of their kind; bipedal and humanoid. As any prideful nation would, they refuse to recognize and publically declare any shortcomings of their 'Wonder Weapons'.

　Though should one step onto any frontline battlefield, listen to any unregulated story, they would find an utterly overwhelming adversary. An enemy with no regard for its own life, if it has one, and one that can advance indefinitely. Regardless of how 'great' this nation's Operators are, the Nephilim 'menace' is the most trying foe to be faced yet.

　But, it's not to be said that they cannot be killed. That they cannot be opposed and rusted away into earth.

　Here, the Administrative Plaza, was by no means Shigure's destination. Him having to travel a few hundred meters more across Tsuki's jungle of concrete to arrive at the 5th Ceremonial Parade Ground. Waiting for his arrival is expectantly the platoon he'd been assigned to. Run-of-the-mill Armoured Calvary enlistees, nothing exceptional like seasoned Operators. Getting to his location should pose no trouble at all, the well-thought-out infrastructure allowing easy passage, despite the dull brutalist appearance.

　However, there was an almost demeaning factor at play being stationed at Tsuiki. He had seen combat, he had actually held the joysticks of a Gleipnir and other mechs. Instead, he is surrounded by those who haven't the slightest clue what a warzone is truly like. Skirmishes against Nephilim aren't very permitting of infantry support - too much shrapnel and ricocheting lead that poses a risk to life.

　All units engaged with Nephilim forces must be inside armored vehicles, be it Gleipnirs, Mobile Gun Platforms, APCs of sufficient protection levels, or anything to shield their meaty bodies. The logistical problems show themselves immediately. It is significantly easier to negate the presence of infantry entirely than to dance around their protection.

　Essentially, very few of the Japanese military have been exposed to combat. Some lack even basic knowledge of firearms.