I Became a Genius Mechanic at the Academy

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Two days had passed since I promised Gyro.

I demanded an answer from him through a video transmission magic circle, and here’s his reply.

[No matter how I think about it, this is a conspiracy. The moment I appear in court, they’re trying to frame me as a demon. Thankfully, the great King of the Entica Kingdom understood my loyalty. I will not shy away from war against the Empire, if necessary—]

– Beep.

No need to hear more.

For the Empire to declare war and still not send a single commander is a clear sign that Gyro has already taken over the Entica Kingdom.

The kingdom’s key figures are either being manipulated by him, threatened, or have become members of the Demon Church—one of the three.

‘Duke Jorhan is an exception, though.’

However, there were factions that had fiercely resisted him.

The noble faction led by Duke Jorhan.

This faction had strongly demanded Gyro’s attendance, claiming that the kingdom couldn’t become a battlefield.

But those who spoke out for the country were branded as traitors and are currently being hunted.

In the escalating situation, Gyro drew his sword and purged the loyalists of the Entica Kingdom.

As a result, more than half of the noble faction has been brought down by Gyro, and the remaining nobles, united under Duke Jorhan, are resisting in their territories.

And I plan to use Duke Jorhan.

He is the only one who can save the innocent people of the Entica Kingdom, who are on the verge of ruin.

‘Well, I’ve at least secured a justification.’

The worst incident in history where the best talent of the Empire Academy was tried to be corrupted into a demon.

The Empire has identified Gyro as the prime suspect and promised generous rewards if his innocence is proven in court.

But Gyro has refused to attend, even if it means going to war.

It has created a solid justification for the Empire to intervene.

“Support has also been promised from each Grand Duke’s house, so make sure to do a good job. I’ll provide the necessary aid.”

Thus, having gained a justification, I informed the Emperor that I would strike the Entica Kingdom, and he granted permission.

It is said that various noble families, including the Grand Duke’s family, are currently angry over this incident.

The Emperor told me to make good use of the military forces from the families I personally requisitioned.

“Well, for now, I’ll send two legions. I hesitate to hand over overall command to you, so I’ll give it to Elena, who has experience from the Great War seven years ago. You might want to charm her into wielding that command.”

Then the Emperor indirectly handed over overall command to me.

Handing over command to Elena is tantamount to giving it to me, so he told me to manage it properly and then issued the call to assembly.

With all preparations complete, I got ready for departure.

I loaded various war supplies and shells onto the Dreadnought and put it on standby for launch.

Moreover, Gyro has ascended to the rank of ‘Cardinal’ among the members of the Demon Church, so I prepared thoroughly.

I not only enhanced the ‘Devil Suit,’ which has various utility functions but also completed the newly prepared ‘Doom Suit.’

‘This will be my first time using the Doom Suit.’

The Doom Suit is, as the name suggests, designed solely for the destruction of enemies.

While the Devil Suit is a versatile suit maximizing utility, the Doom Suit is made solely for combat.

Thus, the Doom Suit maximizes durability, speed, and strength while stripping away various minor functions.

It’s been enhanced to withstand and retaliate against enemy attacks instead.

However, because it cannot use the various weapons built into the Devil Suit, it lacks firepower.

It even omitted powerful weapons like laser cutters for the suit’s cohesion.

So, I have developed various weapons suitable for the Doom Suit.

In other words, I’ve prepared several versions of weapons for effective communication with demons.

“Eve, let’s go.”

“Okay.”

With all preparations complete, I stepped outside after getting ready.

When I arrived at the port where the Dreadnought was moored, the commanders of Legions 1 and 2, along with Elena, were waiting for me.

We bowed, introduced ourselves, and exchanged simple greetings.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Edgar Fix.”

“I’ve heard much about you. It’s an honor to meet you in person.”

“I’m honored to meet the hero of the Great War. Thank you for your support.”

Well, we roughly spent some time bolstering each other’s accomplishments to strengthen our relationship.

However, after a brief greeting, we went to the operations room, and as I explained the invasion plan, the expressions of the commanders changed dramatically.

As expected from those who have reached the pinnacle of command, their demeanor changed the moment discussions of missions where soldiers’ lives were at stake began.

They started to scrutinize whether there were any flaws in my plan.

However, the plan I devised with Eve took every variable into account, leaving little to debate.

I could answer all the commanders’ questions.

“…Honestly, I’m impressed. You’ve prepared meticulously.”

“Haha, no need to flatter me.”

Thus, the operation to strike the Entica Kingdom from the sea rather than through land passed without issue.

The commanders memorized the basic structure of the operation and their respective duties before dispersing.

Now it was time for the flagship, the Dreadnought, to set out alongside the vessels of Legions 1 and 2.

– Buuuuuu!

The majestic horn of the Dreadnought roared like a giant monster.

At long last, the Empire’s strongest battleship and this operation’s flagship, the Dreadnought, began to move.

The steam turbines roared to life, spinning the propellers beneath the ship.

– Buuuuuu!

It’s time to rescue the Entica Kingdom, which had fallen into the hands of demons.

***

“We stand on the brink of the greatest holy war.”

Inside a massive underground chamber where no light shone.

Gyro’s heavy voice echoed quietly.

The hundreds of followers in the basement had their hands clasped together in prayer, while Gyro continued his speech to them.

“Our war, which seeks to embrace a new world order and evolve into a new humanity, is approaching against the foolish and ugly old humanity, mired in its rotten customs.”

And as in most war speeches, Gyro defined his own forces as good and the opposing forces as evil.

They were the good, seeking to become the ‘new humanity.’

The others were the evil that tried to impede their efforts.

He used that framing to ensnare his followers.

“The hypocrites who cannot be honest about their desires are still powerful. The world still revolves around them, and our aspirations are thwarted at every moment. They try to drag us down as we strive for a new world.”

“Aah… Aahhh…”

“But they will never stop us! The desire to become new humanity is an instinctive urge that lies dormant within every human being, and it cannot be suppressed just because it is restrained!”

“Aah… Aah… Lord of Hell…!”

“Someday, the world will honor our war. As the first new humanity against the ignorant old humanity, we will be remembered.”

As Gyro spoke, he moved to the center of the platform.

At that moment, lights flickered on, illuminating a man lying in the center of the platform.

A man lying down with his hands held in reverence.

That man was none other than the third prince, heralded as the ‘miracle of the Entica Kingdom.’

An outstanding royal who had exhibited exceptional abilities in magic, swordsmanship, character, charisma, and more.

“Aahh, that memory is not of defeat! A history akin to a miracle where we overcame adversity to seize victory! We will be remembered as such history, for the third prince will lead us!”

Then Gyro knelt before the third prince and began to praise him.

Once his swordsmanship teacher, he was the one who dragged his disciple onto the path of evil.

This vile teacher, Gyro, recited the third prince’s accomplishments and proclaimed he would be the vanguard of the new humanity.

“Your roles are crucial! Now more than ever, your strong desires can lead us to salvation! Because ‘He’ must reside in the third prince!”

Gyro intended to have ‘Him’ reside in the third prince.

In other words, the third prince was to be sacrificed instead of Max.

Originally, they sought to bring forth the Grand Duke’s spirit into Max’s body using sacrifices from the kingdom’s people, but with Max dead, the third prince was the only option left.

No wonder—the third prince, due to Gyro’s various schemes and manipulations, had his once-bright life plunged into darkness and had now degenerated into a villain, lost in women and liquor, expressing nothing but rage.

It was deemed sufficient to entertain the powerful feelings of resentment he carried to willingly accept the Grand Duke.

“Now! Begin the ritual! Pay homage to our guardian, His Majesty the Lord of Hell!”

Having concluded a grand speech, Gyro stretched out his arms and urged the ceremony to commence.

Then the followers began to roll their eyes back and chant incantations in the demon’s tongue.

Despite their life force and mana being drained, they continued to recite the incantations like zealous cult followers.

And such events were happening simultaneously in underground chambers across the kingdom.

They had long prepared for the ‘Ritual of Descent’ calling upon the Lord of Hell.

“Thank you. The world will remember you. We will be remembered as the champions of the great holy war!”

So, Gyro encouraged his followers and exited the underground chamber.

With the weapons prepared to turn the tide of this war, all that was left was to buy time.

Gyro hardened his expression and ascended the stairs of the basement.