Chapter 385: Patricia is Here Too

“Boom!”

As the last 50mm shell burst from the barrel, the steel target representing an enemy armored unit in the distance was instantly pierced through.

“This is the aesthetic of heavy firepower… Tsk, but 50mm can only be considered a small water pipe.”

Morin looked highly excited. He even felt the 50mm caliber could no longer satisfy him.

A gun barrel… must be thick, must be long! Hurry up and serve the 75mm, 88mm, 128mm, and 170mm!

Of course, Morin was just thinking about it now. He naturally knew that meals must be eaten one bite at a time.

However, once the path of “armor vs. shell confrontation” is opened, it is very difficult to stop before touching the ceiling.

Therefore, future armored units—not only Armored Knights but also early armored vehicles—would embark on the path of stacking armor.

So, using the identity of a minority shareholder and instruction unit commander to guide the Krupp factory and Rheinmetall to build up technical reserves in advance was perfectly fine…

On the other side, the “Golden Lion” Leonia had obviously not enjoyed herself enough.

During the target practice just now, the warhammer held by the “Valkyrie’s” mechanical arm and the “shaped charge anti-armor weapon” for close-quarters combat weren’t even used.

Because they didn’t enter the close-quarters combat phase at all.

Most targets were smashed by the twin heavy machine guns and 50mm anti-armor gun controlled by Morin while the “Valkyrie” was starting and stopping.

“Is that it?”

Leonia’s voice rang out in Morin’s mind, carrying obvious dissatisfaction and unfulfilled desire.

“These targets couldn’t even make me break a sweat.”

Inside the cockpit, the Grand Master’s body leaned forward slightly, obviously in an extremely excited state.

For a top-tier knight, the process of shooting static targets just now was like scratching an itch through a boot; it couldn’t release the “Valkyrie’s” surging power at all.

So, when she controlled the “Valkyrie” to walk back to the warehouse door, Leonia couldn’t wait to open external communications.

“Master Staudinger, since the basic tests are passed, how about we directly proceed with a practical combat confrontation?”

The group of figures below the “Valkyrie” remained silent for a few seconds, followed by the somewhat broken roar of the old technician:

“Grand Master! This is a prototype! It just finished the first few rounds of basic testing, and you want to go fight? ‘Dual Sympathetic Operation’ is already being used for the first time, what if there’s a malfunction?”

“Precisely because it’s a prototype, it must be tested under extreme conditions.”

Leonia’s reasoning was obviously impeccable.

“The Empire is still in a state of war; we don’t have the time to slowly go through the procedures like in peacetime! Only in high-intensity confrontation can we discover true problems.”

Despite saying so, Morin, sitting in the back seat of the cockpit, couldn’t help snickering inwardly.

He could feel it clearly through the “Sympathy”—this “Golden Lion” wasn’t doing this for test data; she clearly just had an itchy hand…

However… to be honest, Morin wasn’t fully satisfied either.

He also wanted to see to what extent this “Valkyrie” could perform when facing real Armored Knights.

Ultimately, Staudinger couldn’t dissuade his Grand Master.

More than ten minutes later, three “Siegfried Mark 1s” painted in the Teutonic Knights’ black and white livery appeared at the other end of the testing ground.

Morin didn’t know if this counted as some kind of asymmetrical confrontation. One side was the next-generation two-seater prototype, while the other side was three active-duty main battle machines.

“Listen closely, Lieutenant Colonel Morin.”

Leonia’s voice turned cold, and Morin felt her focus after entering combat mode.

“Although it’s a simulated confrontation, the boys across from us won’t show mercy… As the Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights, it would be very embarrassing if I lost. So if that happens, I’ll definitely throw you into the Rhine to feed the fish.”

“Rest assured, Grand Master, I won’t give them… or you, that chance~”

While joking, Morin took a reduced-charge, hollow-warhead training shell sent along by the Krupp factory from the ammo rack the technicians had just replaced by his feet, and shoved it into the breech.

“Before they get close, I’ll send them a welcoming gift first.”

The simulated battle was an encounter. The two sides spotted each other at a distance of about 500 meters—

This was mainly because the training ground near this Teutonic Knights base in Koblenz was too small. Otherwise, this distance would have been enlarged, adding phases where both sides search and maneuver around each other.

“Battle begin!”

As Chief Technician Staudinger in the distance waved a regimental flag violently, the three “Siegfried Mark 1s” opposite immediately scattered, then charged straight over in a triangular combat formation.

The tactics of the three Teutonic Knights against their Grand Master were very clear—close the distance, then use their numerical advantage to gang up on her.

But they obviously underestimated the “Valkyrie’s” firepower projection capability.

“Distance 450… 400… Target on the left, adjust heading XXX!”

Morin’s thoughts flashed through the mental network, and Leonia almost subconsciously fine-tuned the machine’s angle to the left.

Clang!

The sound of the breech locking echoed in the narrow cockpit.

Morin stared at the figure performing serpentine maneuvers boxed in the red ring. Since he had already calibrated the gun during the target practice earlier, all he had to do now was predict, correct, and fire.

Boom!

The 50mm anti-armor gun roared.

The “Siegfried Mark 1” in the distance, which had just executed a lateral tactical maneuver, was hit squarely in the chest the next second. Subsequently, a large amount of white marking powder exploded on its main armor—which meant it had been penetrated.

And according to the parameters of this Krupp gun, penetrating the main armor of current mainstream Armored Knights at a distance of 400 meters was as easy as drinking water.

No one would doubt the power of this strike in actual combat.

“One down!” Morin whistled, his right hand already reaching for the next shell.

“Beautiful shot!”

Leonia praised, immediately accelerating the “Valkyrie’s” charge.

“Leave the rest to me!”

The radiant crystal internal combustion engine on the “Valkyrie’s” back shrieked. This behemoth didn’t choose to retreat; instead, like an enraged lioness, it launched a counter-charge toward the remaining two “Siegfried Mark 1s.”

The distance between both sides rapidly closed.

Facing the “Valkyrie,” which was a size larger yet faster than themselves, the remaining two knights were clearly somewhat flustered.

They tried a pincer attack from the left and right, but Leonia’s operation was simply ghostly.

Moving at high speed, she suddenly performed a sudden stop and change of direction. Using the “Valkyrie’s” astonishing tonnage, she directly rammed through the defense of the enemy machine on the left.

Immediately after, the warhammer on the mechanical arm, though for training use, was still very hefty, and it smashed down with a whistling wind.

Clang!

A massive metallic crash echoed across the training ground.

That “Siegfried Mark 1” was smashed directly into a “stun lock,” and Leonia quickly switched out the training shaped charge anti-armor weapon model, striking it right in the middle of the opponent’s cockpit.

If this were actual combat, the pilot inside would have already been shattered and carbonized by the high-temperature metal jet.

In the blink of an eye, two of the three were gone.

The pilot of the only remaining “Siegfried Mark 1,” seeing he couldn’t escape, somehow associated this with a scene of encountering such an enemy on the battlefield in his mind.

He simply roared in his cockpit and charged up, the shaped charge anti-armor lance in his hand thrusting straight toward the “Valkyrie’s” cockpit.

“Too slow.”

Leonia snorted coldly, controlling the machine to step aside and dodge this deadly strike, while her mechanical arm smoothly clamped down on the opponent’s shoulder.

“Lieutenant Colonel Morin!”

“I’m on it!”

Morin understood implicitly.

At a distance where the two machines were practically face-to-face, he controlled the right artillery muzzle, pressing it directly against the opponent’s cockpit armor.

Of course, Morin didn’t actually fire this shot. After all, this distance was too close; even if training shells were loaded in the chamber, there was still a certain danger.

The knight, who had originally planned to struggle, froze instantly. Looking at that 50mm muzzle which, at this distance, could probably blow a hole straight through the cockpit, he tactfully raised his mechanical arms in surrender.

Overall, except for the unlucky guy who got a shell to the face from Morin during the high-speed approach, both sides stopped before going too far.

The battle ended in less than ten minutes.

However, in Morin’s view, the final simulated combat didn’t reflect too many issues; it merely allowed Leonia to satisfy her craving.

Because she was a top-tier Armored Knight pilot to begin with, the strength gap between her and the others was slightly too large to serve as a reference for average performance.

But no matter what, compared to Leonia previously piloting the “Siegfried Mark 1” and smashing enemy cockpits one by one with a shaped charge anti-armor weapon on the battlefield…

The increase in kill efficiency of the “Valkyrie” prototype was indeed too great.

When the “Valkyrie” returned to the warehouse with the posture of a victor and stood back amidst the scaffolding, Morin and Leonia simultaneously disconnected the mental link.

“Phew…”

As the hatch opened and fresh air rushed in, Morin took off his helmet and found his back already soaked in sweat.

“Lieutenant Colonel Morin, how does it feel?”

Leonia turned her head from the slightly lower pilot’s seat. Her azure eyes flickered with unfulfilled excitement, her cheeks slightly flushed from the thrill.

“Too exhilarating…” Morin slumped in his seat, speaking honestly. “Except for the reloading of the anti-armor gun being a bit troublesome, everything else is simply perfect.”

Leonia looked at his unkempt appearance and couldn’t help laughing out loud, then adopted a demeanor that seemed entirely different from when she was in the “Sympathetic State.”

She boldly reached out and slapped Morin heavily on the thigh.

“It seems we indeed click quite well, Lieutenant Colonel Morin. That last move just now… I didn’t even remind you.”

“That is tacit understanding, Grand Master.” Morin blinked. “Or rather, the intuition of an excellent Weapons Officer when cooperating with a top-tier pilot.”

Leonia shook her head without replying, but the smile on her lips couldn’t be hidden.

“Let’s go. Master Staudinger is probably already waiting down there to start complaining.”

For the next three days, Morin steeped himself in the Koblenz base.

Since he was already considered the ceiling of physical fitness among spellcasters, his main job was to cooperate with Leonia to find bugs in the “Dual Sympathetic Operation.”

They weeded out some unnecessary parts of “Sympathy” that might even affect combat.

For example, the “nude floating” segment was actually quite unnecessary… However, this was considered “underlying logic” and couldn’t be adjusted.

For most of the testing time over the three days, he and Leonia were in a state of dual sympathy, their tacit understanding and synchronization rate soaring as they piloted the “Valkyrie.”

Even Staudinger, who was responsible for recording data, looking at the two nearly identical curves drawn by the probes of the dedicated magitech instrument, couldn’t help taking off his glasses to wipe them, suspecting the instrument was broken.

“This is unscientific…”

The old man muttered: “Even those twin testers weren’t much higher than you two… Could you two… be long-lost siblings?”

Of course, this was definitely impossible.

In addition, through his operations over these days, Morin also found that manually reloading the 50mm armor-piercing shells was actually acceptable. He felt it was awkward mainly because the space was too small to stretch out.

If magitech technicians could continue optimizing ergonomics later, and once the Weapons Officers’ training level went up, the sustained firepower of this anti-armor gun would still be quite good.

It was just that by then, the magitech technicians would need to consider how to stuff more reserve ammo into the limited space…

And Morin, besides acting as a human autoloader and a “Sympathetic Bug Debugger,” also proposed many modification suggestions regarding ergonomics based on his knowledge.

For example, adding a simple assisted slide rail to the ammo storage box, optimizing the positions of the weapon control handles on both sides, or perhaps allowing adjustments based on the Weapons Officer’s habits.

He even suggested adding a cup holder inside the cockpit—although this proposal was ruthlessly rejected by Leonia on the grounds that “this is a battlefield, not a cafe.”

However, the two had a significant disagreement on one issue.

“Camouflage?”

Leonia looked at the sketch Morin handed over, her brows furrowing into a frown.

“Lieutenant Colonel Morin, you want to paint the ‘Valkyrie’… grayish-green? And hang these messy branches and camouflage nets on it?”

“This is called low-visibility battlefield camouflage, Grand Master.”

Morin explained patiently:

“The ‘Valkyrie’ is inherently larger than the ‘Siegfried Mark 1,’ yet it’s a long-range fire support unit. Its advantage lies in that 50mm gun… Since it’s sniping, naturally the less conspicuous it is, the better.”

After all, in Morin’s concept, the main combat method of a two-seater Armored Knight was to utilize the short-distance tactical mobility of the Armored Knight unit—which far exceeded early vehicles—utilize terrain cover, and eliminate enemies with long-range firepower.

The main pilot’s ability to engage in close combat with cold weapons was more like retaining a machine gun on a third-generation fighter jet, preserving some self-preservation capability for emergencies.

After all, not all Teutonic Knights could go full “Dynasty Warriors” (Musou) on the battlefield relying purely on close combat like Leonia.

Otherwise, the Teutonic Knights wouldn’t have been suppressed by the Garter Knights for so long.

But…

“No.”

Leonia refused categorically.

“The generations of glory of the Teutonic Knights do not allow us to hide in the dark like rats.”

She pointed to the majestic machine in the warehouse, her eyes filled with an incurable fanaticism:

“It should be painted in the most striking color, preferably red! Or gold! It should stand in the very center of the battlefield, making the enemy feel terror the instant they see it! Making the warriors of the Teutonic Knights maintain high morale when they see it!”

“But Grand Master, that will make it a target for focused fire…”

“Then we will annihilate all enemies who dare attack us!”

Leonia waved her hand, instantly releasing the aura of the “Golden Lion.”

“As long as its armor is thick enough, its firepower strong enough, and it retains decent mobility, no one can stop its charge!”

Morin opened his mouth, ultimately giving up the thought of persuading this Grand Master.

He realized this was not just a clash of tactical concepts, but a cultural barrier between two worlds.

In this era where the spirit of chivalry had not completely died out, for someone like Leonia, imposing presence and glory were sometimes more important than pure tactical efficiency.

Fine, anyway, I’m not the one getting beat up when the time comes… Morin complained silently in his heart.

However, he estimated that in the short term, he wouldn’t be seeing the scene of an Armored Knight draped in camouflage netting “sniping darkly” with a 50mm anti-armor gun.

The morning of the fourth day, Koblenz train station.

The thin mist of early morning enveloped the platform, and the air carried a hint of chill.

“Well then, I’ll see you off here.”

Leonia stood by the train door. This time she had changed into a sharp uniform, her long blonde hair fluttering slightly in the morning breeze.

“Thank you for your invitation, Grand Master.” Morin smiled, “I’ve had a very pleasant time these past few days.”

“Me too.” Leonia looked at Morin, extending her fist and stopping it in front of him.

Morin immediately understood, extending his fist and bumping hers lightly.

“Looking forward to our next cooperation, Grand Master.”

The curve of Leonia’s lips widened slightly: “There will be opportunities, Lieutenant Colonel Morin. Next time we meet, I hope you can bring me more surprises.”

As the whistle blew, the train slowly started.

Morin sat in the carriage, watching the scenery rapidly moving backward outside the window, his nerves, which had been tense for days, finally relaxing.

“Finally I can rest…”

He leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.

Compared to the DB (Deutsche Bahn) before transmigration, although not as punctual, it could at least get people to their destination within 5 and a half hours… The radiant crystal-powered train in this world took 8-9 hours to travel from Koblenz to Dresden.

And that required praying there were no unscheduled stops in between.

So when the train finally arrived at the Dresden station, it was completely dark.

The instruction unit driver, who had received the telegram during the day, had been waiting for a long time. Morin got into the car, saying impatiently, “To the Falkenstein Estate.”

“Yes, sir.”

The car sped through the night, traversing familiar tree-lined avenues, and finally stopped in front of that carved wrought-iron gate.

“Ian… you guys go back first. You don’t need to pick me up these next few days.”

Morin waved his hand to the driver and orderly, took his luggage, and jumped out of the car.

Head Maid Luna, who had also received the news, was standing at the door holding a storm lantern, seemingly having waited here for a long time.

Seeing Morin get out of the car, a standard smile appeared on her face, and she took Morin’s luggage, guiding him to the vehicle inside the estate.

“Young Master Morin, you are finally back.”

“Good evening, Luna.”

As he got closer and closer to the estate’s main building, Morin’s mood became increasingly excited, his whole person like a volcano about to erupt and spew magma.

“Where’s Sister Cecilia? Is she asleep?”

“Madam is waiting for you in the hall, however…”

Amidst Luna’s snickering, Morin jumped off the carriage before it even came to a complete stop, and walked quickly inside, completely not noticing that Luna hadn’t finished speaking.

Pushing open that heavy oak door, the soft lighting and a wave of warmth instantly dispelled the chill of the early spring night.

The estate maids he encountered along the way also smiled and greeted this Young Master Morin whom they hadn’t seen for a long time.

However, Morin could only nod at them. He obviously had no mind to joke around with these little maids right now.

Before stepping into the hall, Morin had already planned to give Cecilia a hug and pour out his feelings of longing.

“Sister Cecilia, I’m back…”

Morin’s voice stuck in his throat the instant he saw the scene inside the hall.

The picture he had anticipated was this: Cecilia waiting for him alone, asking him whether he wanted to eat first, bathe first, or eat her first—a romantic scene.

However, reality was…

There was not only Cecilia in the hall.

On that massive sofa sat two other figures.

Helga was wearing a somewhat excessively loose nightgown, frowning as she stared at a thick book in her hands.

And on the single sofa on the other side, Patricia, wearing an exquisite light pink tea gown, was looking seriously at Helga, “instructing” her on something.

“This…” Morin’s brain instantly crashed.

What’s the situation?

He wasn’t surprised Helga was here. If worst came to worst, he could think of a way to distract this clumsy girl.

But why was Patricia here too?

Moreover, in this era, this kind of loose, comfortable tea gown, which reduced the restriction of corsets and often used soft fabrics like chiffon, had actually slowly transitioned from afternoon tea attire to loungewear…

This meant Patricia had clearly already moved in!

Before Morin could react, the ears of Helga, who had been burying her head in study, suddenly twitched.

She abruptly raised her head, those eyes hidden beneath her scattered bangs lighting up the instant she saw Morin.

“Boss!!!”

A scream full of surprise.

Immediately after, Morin saw an afterimage rushing toward him.

“Wait, Helga, be careful—”

Bang!

Before his voice faded, Morin felt himself hit head-on by a humanoid cannonball named “Helga.”

Although this girl was an inarticulate “otaku” who liked to bury her head in technology, in front of Morin, her only designated boss, she appeared quite lively.

More fatally, her loose nightgown had spread open somewhat during her run. When she hung entirely onto Morin, that astonishing soft touch instantly filled Morin’s chest.

“Boss, you’re finally back! That new design blueprint of mine is stuck! Hurry and help me think of a solution…”

Helga completely didn’t realize how much of an impact Morin was suffering right now, her mouth still talking endlessly about work matters.

“Helga!!!”

A scream mixed with shame and anger came from the sofa.

Patricia stood up with a “whoosh,” almost spilling the black tea in her hand.

Her delicate little face flushed red. Pointing at the tangled two, her finger trembled.

“Helga! Didn’t I just teach you the etiquette of a lady?! How could you just hug Morin like that! What kind of decency is this!”

“Huh?”

Helga turned her head, looking blankly at the Golden Retriever whose fur was standing on end.

“Didn’t you teach me the correct ‘cheek kissing’ posture this afternoon?”

“Look at this, are you sticking to his cheek?!”

Patricia stamped her foot anxiously, her blonde curls trembling with her movements.

However, when her gaze shifted to Morin, she also instantly calmed down, blushing as she greeted him in a low voice.

“M… welcome back, Morin…”

“Alright, girls.”

A gentle yet authoritative voice rang out. Cecilia slowly stood up, her whole person exuding a composure and elegance unique to mature women.

Morin’s gaze also passed over Helga and the bristling Patricia, finally meeting Cecilia’s grayish-blue eyes.

She merely stood there, and the chaos in the hall was as if a pause button had been pressed.

Helga obediently let go, scratched her head somewhat embarrassedly, and stood aside.

Patricia also hmphed and sat back down on the sofa, only her eyes kept stealing glances at Morin.

Cecilia walked up to Morin with elegant steps. She reached out and gently helped Morin tidy up his clothes that Helga had messed up.

Then she raised her head, those eyes as deep as lake water brimming with smiles.

“Welcome home, Fritz.”