The supervisors finally left, still murmuring among themselves, trying to make sense of what they had witnessed. I, on the other hand, barely had time to relax before I felt her gaze on me.
Monica Lindsworm, my mother.
I wasn't sure if she was smiling or about to execute a death sentence, but the way her eyes analyzed me sent a chill down my spine.
Monica: "Come with me, Erik." —Her tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.
With a resigned sigh, I followed her to her office at the academy.
The atmosphere in the room was heavy. My mother's office was just like her: orderly, efficient, and with no room for distractions. She closed the door calmly and slowly turned to look at me, crossing her arms.
Monica: "I already know about your relationship with the girls from Carolus Rex."
It wasn't a question. It was a statement.
Monica: "I also know about your relationship with Nonna, Klara, Miho, and Maho."
My muscles tensed. Not because I planned to deny it, but because I knew that if my mother was addressing the matter in this way, it meant she already had everything under control.
Monica: "I expected something like this to happen with Miho or Maho… but both at the same time? And adding others into the mix as well."
She leaned slightly over her desk, staring at me.
Monica: "Can you explain to me how you ended up in this situation, Erik?"
I swallowed hard. How could I explain to my mother that, somehow, I had ended up with a harem composed of elite tankers? My mind raced, trying to find an answer that sounded remotely reasonable. But… how could I even explain it?
After a few seconds of silence, I sighed and decided to go with the truth.
Erik: "Honestly… I don't even know how it happened."
My mother blinked once. Then again.
The silence in the room grew heavier.
Erik: "Things just… happened that way. I didn't force it or plan it, but… I don't regret it either."
Monica Lindsworm looked at me as if I had just told her that the sun rose in the west.
Monica: "…Are you fucking kidding me?" —Her tone wasn't angry, just pure disbelief.
I tried not to shrink under her piercing gaze.
She brought a hand to her temple and let out a long sigh, closing her eyes for a moment as if she needed to process all the information.
Monica: "Never mind…" —she finally muttered—. "As long as you don't hurt any of them and you know what you're doing…"
That last part had a particular emphasis, as if she seriously doubted I knew what I was doing.
Could this be the advantage of having been born in Sweden, with a mentality similar to my previous world's?
I cleared my throat and straightened my back.
Erik: "I won't hurt them. I'll take responsibility for everything I do."
My mother studied me with terrifying intensity. Her eyes were cold, calculating, evaluating me as if she could see right through me.
After what felt like an eternity, she let out a smile… bitter, but real.
Monica: "Good. You'd better. Because if you hurt any of them…"
She didn't finish the sentence. She didn't need to.
My mother wasn't someone who made empty threats.
Monica: "That said…" —she shifted her tone slightly, returning to a more formal posture—. "Let's move on to the real reason I called you here."
I immediately became alert. If all of this was just the prelude, then what was coming next had to be important.
Monica: "Erik, what you've achieved with Carolus Rex is impressive. I've seen many Sensha-dō academies, and very few teams manage to achieve this level of cohesion."
I wasn't expecting that kind of recognition from her.
Monica: "However…" —she rested her elbows on the desk and intertwined her fingers— "I don't want you to settle for this."
I frowned.
Erik: "What do you mean?"
My mother looked at me seriously.
Monica: "Carolus Rex has proven to be strong, but in the last tournament, you lost. I know there were external circumstances, but that doesn't change the fact that victory slipped away from you."
Something stirred inside me at the memory of that defeat.
Erik: "I know." —I admitted in a low voice— "And believe me, I don't plan on repeating that result."
My mother nodded in approval.
Monica: "That's why I want you to think about the next step. You must not only train your team… you must prepare for what's to come."
She leaned forward slightly, her eyes locked onto mine.
Monica: "Erik, are you ready to become a true leader?"
The question resonated in my mind.
It wasn't just about Carolus Rex. It wasn't just about Sensha-dō. It was about everything I was building.
My harem. My team. My academy.
This was more than just a competition.
It was the beginning of something much bigger.
And I had no intention of being left behind.
Erik: "Yes."
My mother then flashed a satisfied smile, which told me she was about to reveal the main reason for this meeting.
Monica: "I want you to start entering more varied tournaments. Also, you'll train alongside other academies to improve your tactics against real opponents, not just among yourselves."
She then took a sheet of paper from her desk.
Monica: "Shiho initially sent me a complaint about why both her daughters got romantically involved with you, but it seems Maho convinced her that it was something they both wanted and that it was also beneficial for her academy."
She passed me the paper.
Monica: "She also mentioned that, due to your performance in the tournament, they're offering to sell some of Kuromorimine's tanks, which they plan to replace with newer. So, soon, a cargo will arrive with Panzer IV Hs, two Panthers—though they haven't told which variants yet—a Tiger H1, and the King Tiger you destroyed in your duel with Erika."
Heavy tanks at last? This expands my range of strategies.
Monica: "As for the Strv 103, I plan to lend it to Viking Fisheries Academy due to your good relationship with their leader, Kebiko, and because they'll be using it for another type of tournament."
Erik: "And we won't be participating in that tournament?"
Monica: "Not for now. We'd need more experience, as well as more modern tanks to compete in that category. We'd need the Strv 81, Strv 103C, and Strv 102. In short, we need more tanks from the Cold War era."
Hmm… I suppose that could be achieved if I win more tournaments against other schools and secure more investments for our team.
Monica: "By the way, St. Gloriana, Chi-Ha-Tan, Ooarai, and Pravda are planning a joint training session soon, and they've invited us to participate. But they want us to invite one more academy."
Erik: "I think Blue Division or Saunders would be a good choice."
Silence.
Monica: "You just want to see the cleavage of those Blue Division girls."
Erik: "Yes, but putting my tastes aside, I also see them as capable. Plus, they've started imitating our tactics a little. This would be a great opportunity to teach them properly."
Monica: "If you say so."
She then stamped a document on her desk and handed it to me.
Monica: "The cargo will arrive in about an hour. Deliver this paper to confirm receipt and attach a thank-you letter to Shiho."
I took the sealed document, looking at it for a few seconds before nodding.
Erik: Understood, I'll deliver it as soon as the tanks arrive.
My mother gave only a slight nod, signaling that the meeting was over. I turned to leave her office, but just before closing the door, I heard her voice in a barely audible murmur.
Mónica: He turned out just like you, didn't he?
I didn't see her expression, but the seriousness in her tone sent a pang of curiosity through me. However, I decided not to ask. Some things were better left unexplored… at least for now.
I left my mother's office and headed towards the hangar, where I had to wait for the cargo's arrival. The day was cool, with a light breeze flowing through the academy. In the distance, I could see some teams practicing, making use of their free time to improve their coordination.
However, before I reached my destination, a familiar presence appeared beside me.
Freya: Erik~ —she sang with a mischievous smile.
Before I could react, I felt a soft weight against my arm. Freya had trapped it between her breasts, pressing them against me shamelessly while her eyes sparkled with mischief.
Freya: You look so deep in thought, Commander~ Are you perhaps waiting for someone more interesting than us?
Astrid: Tsk, don't be selfish, Freya —another voice interrupted.
Astrid positioned herself on my other side, pressing against me with a teasing smile. Not only did she press her breasts against my other arm, but without warning, she slid her hand toward my crotch and grabbed me with shameless confidence.
Astrid: Since I won this time… it's my turn —she whispered with a victorious expression.
Erik: Hey! —I reacted with a mix of surprise and resignation—. Could you stop attacking me like this in public?
Freya chuckled softly, while Astrid simply squeezed a little more before letting go with a playful grin.
Astrid: Come on, Erik, you should know by now that we're not shy —she winked—. Besides, you like it, don't you?
I rolled my eyes, deciding not to give her the satisfaction of answering.
Erik: Instead of that, listen to this —I said, changing the subject—. We'll soon be receiving a shipment of new tanks.
Both of them immediately pulled away from me, this time with expressions of surprise and excitement.
Freya: Really?! —Freya asked, her eyes shining with enthusiasm.
Astrid: Finally! I was getting tired of seeing the same old models.
Oh? And what's wrong with the same models?
They exchanged glances before smiling conspiratorially.
Erik: Well, since you're so excited, there's more news you might be interested in.
Freya and Astrid turned toward me attentively, still animated by the arrival of the new tanks.
Erik: First, we're going to participate in joint training sessions with other academies. If we want to enter more advanced tournaments, we're going to need everyone to give their best effort. What we've done so far won't be enough.
Freya crossed her arms with a confident smile.
Freya: Tsk, are you underestimating us, Commander? It wouldn't be the first time we exceed expectations.
Astrid, on the other hand, seemed more excited than defiant.
Astrid: That means there will be interesting battles! I'm totally in.
Erik: Good, because that's not all.
Both raised an eyebrow curiously.
Erik: The Strv 103 will be temporarily loaned to Viking Fisheries Academy.
—What?! —they exclaimed in unison.
Astrid: Why?!
Freya: Well… if it's for our Norwegian sisters, I don't mind that much, but what are they planning to do with it?
Erik: They'll use it for a different kind of tournament, something outside the traditional Sensha-dō category. Besides, I get along well with their leader, Kebiko, and this will strengthen the relationship between our academies.
Astrid placed her hands on her hips and looked at me suspiciously.
Astrid: Hmm… now that you mention it, Kebiko is a bit strange, but she does seem to get along with you.
Freya: Bah, as long as they don't destroy it, I suppose it's fine.
Erik: By the way, for the joint training, we'll be inviting Blue Division.
Silence.
Then, a smirk formed on Astrid's face.
Astrid: Oh… I see. Don't tell me you're inviting them just to stare at their commander's breasts.
Freya let out a giggle while I sighed.
Erik: I won't deny it… but my main reason is that they've been trying to imitate our tactics the most. I want them to improve, and this will be a good opportunity to train them.
Freya: Mhmm… sure, sure.
Astrid: Well, if you "train" them enough, they might even follow you to bed.
Erik: You never miss an opportunity to say something like that, do you?
Astrid shrugged with a mischievous grin.
Freya: Well, setting that aside, I think we have plenty of reasons to celebrate!
Astrid: And this time, you have no escape, Erik.
Something in her tone made it clear that her idea of "celebration" was going to be intense, as when we sat down to wait for the tanks, Astrid, being the shortest, sat on my lap, rubbing her rear against me.
Freya: Hmph.
Freya, on the other hand, sat beside me, intertwining her fingers with mine while Astrid guided my other hand to her stomach.
Gudrun watched with an expression that suggested she couldn't believe what she was seeing, but then she sighed and simply went off to do her duties.
The roar of the cargo plane's engines echoed through the hangar as it descended slowly, its flashing lights illuminating the landing strip. Astrid kept shifting on my lap shamelessly until I decided to grab her by the waist and move her aside firmly.
Erik: Get off, the tanks are coming.
Astrid pouted but didn't argue.
Freya, still holding my hand, stood up gracefully as the metallic sound of the tanks being unloaded grew louder. The first to touch the ground was a Panzer IV H, followed by a Panther A, then a Panther D, a Tiger H1, and finally, the imposing King Tiger I had destroyed in my duel against Erika.
The movement of the tanks being towed echoed through the academy, drawing the attention of several students, especially the official Sensha-dō club members.
The new reinforcements had arrived.
I adjusted my uniform and stepped forward to hand over the document Mónica had given me. It didn't take long for me to notice who was on the other side of the paperwork. Erika Itsumi.
Her expression didn't show surprise, only a certain weariness. She looked at the paper, took it, and sighed.
Erika: Quite a scene I found you in…
Her eyes flickered for a second toward Astrid and Freya before returning to mine.
Erik: You should know they attack me when I least expect it.
Erika simply scoffed.
Erika: The commander mentioned she wants to see you soon and expects you to visit her one of these days. Also, here.
She handed me an envelope. I didn't open it then, but I noticed Kuromorimine's seal on the back.
Erik: Understood. I'll give her my response soon.
For a moment, Erika said nothing. Her eyes lingered on the King Tiger, the one that once belonged to her. Maybe she was remembering her defeat, maybe thinking about the past.
Erik: It was a good match. I liked the way you handled that tank. And since there are no upcoming tournaments or joint training sessions, I hope one day we can duel in another setting besides Sensha-dō.
Erika turned her gaze to me, and after a brief silence, she smirked bitterly.
Erika: Hmph. If that ever happens, don't think it'll be easy for you.
Erik: It never would be.
Without another word, Erika turned and boarded the plane again. The turbines roared, kicking up dust and wind as the aircraft ascended and disappeared into the sky.
I stood for a moment, looking at the envelope in my hand before tucking it into my uniform pocket. Then, I turned to the tanks.
Freya and Astrid stood by my side, gazing at the new war machines with satisfied expressions.
Astrid: We'll need to repair and repaint them.
Freya: Yeah. But once they're ready…
Erik: They'll be our new weapons.
The three of us nodded in unison. The war of strategies was advancing, and with these tanks, Carolus Rex would take its next step toward greatness.
P.S.: Since Astrid performed the best in training, that night, she and her crew took full advantage of their "reward."