Girls und panzer: Carolus rex the emperor of steel

With the battle concluded and victory secured, I approached the commander of Viking Fisheries, Kebiko, who remained with her team. The young woman still bore the marks of combat intensity on her face, but she stood firm and proud, keeping her Viking helmet on.

Without hesitation, I extended my hand.

Erik: You fought well, sister.

Kebiko observed my hand for a moment before accepting the gesture with a slight smile.

Kebiko: I expected nothing less from you.

Erik: I hope we meet again on the battlefield.

Kebiko: Yes!!

She tightened her grip on my hand with an excited expression.

The next match was scheduled: Saunders vs. Ooarai, a battle that many academies were eager to see. My teammates and I made our way to the stands to watch the match, settling into a section with a good view of the field.

However, just as we sat down, a group of familiar figures began to surround us.

Katyusha: Erik!!! – She called in a confident and authoritative tone.

Knowing what the small commander wanted, I lowered myself enough for her to climb onto my shoulders while I watched Nonna and Klara sit beside me.

Katyusha: Much better! – She said with a satisfied smile, crossing her arms.

Darjeeling: My, it seems they took the best seats. – She remarked with her usual elegant tone and smile.

Darjeeling sat nearby, with Pekoe beside her, while Rosehip and Assam stood by their side.

Mika: You seem quite popular.

Mika, as always with her kantele, sat on the bench behind me.

Seeing this, Freya, Astrid, Gudrun, and the others decided to give us some space to chat.

With Katyusha comfortably perched on my shoulders and surrounded by some of the most influential commanders in Sensha-dō, I simply leaned back in my seat, enjoying the spectacle as the match between Saunders and Ooarai began.

The stadium's screens prominently displayed Kay, the energetic commander of Saunders, confidently smiling as she delivered her pre-battle speech. On the other side, Miho Nishizumi watched the screen with a serious expression, clearly focused on the battle about to begin.

Darjeeling: I wonder how Ooarai will fare in this match. – She mused, elegantly sipping her tea.

Nonna: They don't have many tanks, but Nishizumi's leadership has proven unpredictable. – She added, arms crossed and eyes fixed on the battlefield.

Katyusha: Pff, poor thing, she's about to be caught in a storm of bullets. – She laughed from atop my shoulders.

I didn't respond immediately. My gaze was fixed on Miho, who adjusted her headset while speaking to her team. She looked nervous, but at the same time, her posture showed no weakness. There was something in her expression that reminded me of Maho, yet with a different spark…

Erik: Even with superior numbers, Saunders is predictable. They rely too much on firepower and the speed of their Shermans. But if Miho truly is Shiho Nishizumi's daughter… then she'll do something unexpected.

Mika smiled slightly from her position behind me.

Mika: Nature always finds a way to balance things out, huh? – She murmured as she gently strummed her kantele.

The screens finally switched to the match's start signal.

Announcer: PANZER VOR!

The tanks' engines roared on the screen, and the battle began with Saunders' characteristic aggressive advance. The radios intercepted by Ooarai were already transmitting unfiltered information, a psychological tactic Alisa had used in the canon.

Klara: Продолжает свой обычный трюк… (She's using her usual trick…) – She murmured.

Ah, so this isn't the first time? – I thought to myself.

As the battle progressed, it became clear that Miho had a strategy in mind. Instead of confronting Saunders head-on, she used the terrain to deceive the enemy, splitting their formation and attacking where they least expected.

The reactions to her maneuver were immediate.

Darjeeling: She's not like her mother, but she knows how to exploit the enemy's mistakes. A cunning commander, without a doubt.

Even Katyusha stopped moving on my shoulders, resting her arms on my head as she watched attentively.

Katyusha: Hoh… Maybe Ooarai isn't as useless as I thought? – She said, raising an eyebrow.

The battle continued, and the tension in the stands grew as Ooarai counterattacked with unexpected strategies.

Without realizing it, my gaze landed on Maho, sitting in another section, watching in complete silence.

She didn't take her eyes off the screen for a second.

Maho's expression was hard to read, but something about it gave me the feeling that she was… proud.

And though no one said it out loud, everyone in the stands knew that Ooarai was proving they weren't just any academy.

The battle ended with Ooarai securing victory, and the crowd erupted in surprise and excitement. Despite the difference in numbers and equipment, Miho Nishizumi's strategy had been enough to overcome Saunders' offensive, making it clear that her leadership was not to be underestimated.

A loud voice rang out among the audience, making it obvious who it was.

Anchovy: Hahaha! Take that!!!

As the broadcast showed Kay congratulating Miho with her characteristic enthusiasm and scolding Alisa for cheating, I leaned back in my seat and let out a small sigh.

Erik: Interesting… – I murmured to myself.

I had noticed several differences in Ooarai compared to the canon I knew. While their overall style still prioritized Miho's flexibility and improvisational thinking, they were adapting to new tactics.

Long-range fire. Ambushes. Camouflage.

Tactics that Carolus Rex had mastered since its inception.

"I'm unknowingly making things harder for myself. I like it." – I thought with a slight smile.

Katyusha crossed her arms on my shoulders.

Katyusha: Heh, they're not bad… but comparing them to Pravda is like comparing vodka to water.

Nonna tilted her head slightly, a small smile forming on her lips.

Erik: Oh really? Because you seemed pretty interested just a moment ago.

The small commander frowned and lightly smacked my head, as if that could hide her curiosity.

Erik: Ah – I playfully protested at her little hit.

Darjeeling, ever elegant, set her teacup on her lap and looked at me with a thoughtful expression.

Darjeeling: It seems Miho Nishizumi has learned a few things from you.

I didn't respond immediately.

I knew I hadn't spoken much with Miho beyond casual encounters, but Carolus Rex's influence was undeniable. During the battle, I noticed Ooarai moving more cautiously, avoiding direct advances and using the environment to their advantage.

That wasn't just Miho's instinct.

Someone on her team had taken notes on our tactics… and they were adapting them.

Mika, who had been idly plucking her kantele, paused for a moment.

Mika: The wind is changing direction… and it seems Miho is learning to sail with it.

Her comment, as always, carried a deeper meaning. And honestly, I both understood her and didn't. In a way, I liked being made to think things through.

Freya, Astrid, and Gudrun returned as the audience's attention began to disperse.

Freya: So, what's next? – She asked, stretching her arms behind her head.

Gudrun: The next matches aren't as interesting. But perhaps we should analyze them… if the commander deems it necessary.

I thought for a moment and looked at the screen.

I had seen enough for now.

My interest wasn't in the upcoming matches but in what this victory meant for Ooarai and how it would affect future battles.

I smiled slightly.

Erik: Let's see what else they can learn from us.

I turn to Nonna, who was sitting beside me, and signal her to switch with me in carrying Katyusha, as I had something else to do.

Erik: "Sorry, Katyusha, but I need to talk to someone," I say with a serious tone in my voice.

Katyusha notices my tone, immediately understanding, and shifts onto Nonna's shoulders.

Katyusha: "Don't take too long!!" she says, pointing at me.

Erik: "It'll just be a moment."

I then stand up from my seat and approach Maho, sitting down beside her.

Erika: "Hey! Who do you think you are to sit next to the commander?!" she protests loudly as she stands up from her seat.

Maho turns to look at her and stops her.

Maho: "Erika, let him be."

Erika understands and sits back down.

Maho: "So, what do you need?"

I notice that her voice is cold, but there's a hint of frustration in it.

Erik: "Doesn't it make you proud?"

Maho: "What do you mean?"

Maho turns to look at me, somewhat confused.

Erik: "I'm talking about Miho... Personally, I'm glad to see her doing well."

Maho stared at me for a moment. Her cold expression didn't change, but there was something in her gaze that told me she understood the weight of my words. She remained silent for a few seconds, as if analyzing what I had just said.

Maho: "You're glad to see her doing well?" Maho repeated, her tone slightly incredulous but still composed. "I don't know if I should feel the same way."

Her voice became tenser, but it wasn't anger—rather, something deeper. A repressed frustration. I knew her feelings toward Miho weren't easy to decipher, but somehow, I could understand the complexity of their situation and that their relationship wasn't simple.

I leaned slightly toward her, trying to soften my tone.

Erik: "I understand. I don't want you to feel pressured. But I don't think you should keep seeing her as an obstacle. At some point, we need to leave the past behind and focus on what we've accomplished, not what divided us."

Maho averted her gaze for a moment, looking ahead, watching as the battle between Saunders and Ooarai faded while the teams began to withdraw and the commentators gave their analysis.

Maho: "What we've accomplished..." she murmured, as if tasting those words. "Maybe you're right. But the past isn't so easily forgotten, Erik. Miho is still an important part of all this, even if we're on opposite sides now."

Erik: "I know. But I've seen you handle things better. And even if you don't say it, I know that sometimes... you see something in her. Something you maybe never wanted to acknowledge."

The conversation hung in the air for a moment, and the atmosphere became heavier, though not uncomfortable. Maho's gaze softened slightly, almost thoughtful. Finally, she sighed.

Maho: "You have a strange way of saying things," she said with a small smile, though her eyes remained serious. "But... I won't lie, there is something about all of this that bothers me. Maybe a part of me still can't accept that she has changed."

Suddenly, something in her tone shifted. Though she was still struggling with her own feelings...

Maho: "What I mean is that deep down... I'm afraid that if I accept Miho has changed, I'll have to face my own weakness." Maho looked straight ahead, as if searching for the right words. "I don't want to seem weak, Erik. I don't want to be seen that way."

Her vulnerability was something she rarely showed, but she was doing it now. And though she maintained her serious façade, her voice trembled slightly, revealing what she truly felt.

Erik: "Maho, you're not weak. You're a strong leader and one of the best strategists I've ever known. Besides, I think our definitions of weakness are very different. To me, weakness isn't expressing your feelings—it's letting them control you. And if you repress them too much, you'll eventually explode, like an overheated tank engine."

A small but sincere smile appeared on her lips. There was still some resistance in her posture, but I felt she was beginning to lower the barriers she had built around herself.

Maho: "Maybe you're right, Erik."

Erik: "Maho, I sincerely think you should talk to Miho. If you don't want your sisterly bond to deteriorate further."

Maho didn't respond immediately. She lowered her gaze slightly, her eyes reflecting a mix of wounded pride and doubt. I knew it wasn't easy for her to accept what I was saying, much less take action.

After a few seconds of silence, she exhaled deeply and fixed her gaze back on the battlefield, where Saunders and Ooarai's teams were now retreating.

Maho: "Talk to her, huh...?" she murmured without looking at me.

Erik: "Yes. I'm not saying you have to do it right now, but sooner or later, it has to happen," I said calmly, not pushing her. "You can't stay trapped in this internal conflict forever."

Maho crossed her arms and closed her eyes for a moment, deep in thought.

Maho: "It's not that simple, Erik. It's not that I don't want to talk to Miho... it's that I don't know what to say to her."

Erik: "Sometimes, you just need to start with a 'hello,'" I replied with a slight smile. "It doesn't have to be complicated. See, even though I did almost the same thing as Miho, I knew that if I didn't talk to you, I would lose your valuable friendship."

Maho let out a barely perceptible snort of laughter and shook her head.

Maho: "You're still just as annoying."

Erik: "And you still won't admit that I'm right."

Maho sighed, but this time, she didn't seem annoyed. There was a hint of resignation on her face, as if, deep down, she knew my words made sense.

Before I could continue the conversation, a familiar voice interrupted the moment.

Katyusha: "Hey, Erik! How much longer are you going to stay there? Katyusha is waiting!"

I turned my head to see Katyusha, still perched on Nonna's shoulders, looking at me impatiently with her arms crossed.

Maho slowly stood up from her seat.

Maho: "I think that's your cue to leave," she said in a neutral tone, though there was a faint hint of amusement in her voice.

Erik: "Looks like it," I replied with a slight nod. "But think about it, Maho. I'm just saying it might be a good time to take the first step."

She didn't respond immediately, but as I turned to leave, I heard her voice, barely a murmur.

Maho: "I'll think about it..."

I didn't want to push her any further. With a smile on my face, I walked back toward Katyusha and the others. As soon as I got close, Katyusha stretched out her arms, clearly expecting me to carry her again.

Katyusha: "It's about time! I thought you were going to stay there all afternoon," she said in an authoritative tone.

Erik: "Sorry, sorry. I just didn't want Maho to feel alone," I replied in a relaxed tone as I easily lifted her and placed her back on my shoulders.

Katyusha: "Hmph! Fine, but don't do it again," she said, giving me a light pat on the head, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Nonna, Klara, Mika, and Darjeeling watched with interest, but none of them commented on it. Nonna, in particular, gave me a subtle look, as if she had already deduced what my conversation with Maho had been about.

With Katyusha comfortably perched on me and surrounded by some of the most influential figures in Sensha-dō, I leaned back in my seat, enjoying the atmosphere.

The tournament continued, and I realized that I wasn't just facing battles on the field but also outside of it. Sensha-dō was more than just strategies and gunfire—it was also a clash of emotions, egos, and bonds that still needed to be rebuilt.

This is a lot for someone who spent most of his life isolated and alone.

I don't know if I'm doing the right thing, but this is something I've wanted to do ever since I watched the series. And even though I know they reconcile in the canon without my help, it still hurt to see her like that, and I wanted to speed things up a little or at least give her some comfort.

I then look at the screen and keep watching the other teams while comfortably discussing tactics with the commanders as they leave when it's their turn.

I set my eyes on the rankings board and notice that we're up against Blue Division next... I don't know where to look; their uniforms are way too revealing.