Chapter 183

On the Insect Disaster battlefield, riddled with scars, T301—1227 swung the rust-mottled Chain Sword, splitting a huge Insect disaster (general) that lunged head-on in two.

It has been nearly three months since it last returned to the supply station for maintenance.

In the fodder mecha's system cognition, aside from damage that can affect combat power, they are not permitted to return to the supply station for maintenance on their own.

The squeaking mechanical joints from lack of lubricant, the mechanical body corroded all over by acidic blood, and the crisscrossing wounds—these are all proof of his honor.

Besides the necessary energy supply, no one worries about him; not even does anyone bother to oil his rusty joints, such a simple task.

Across the surrounding ground lie the corpses of gigantic Insect disaster (general), along with countless scrapped mechas.

Several logistics mechas that automatically clean the battlefield collect and sort their corpses, compress them into blocks, and transport them back to the base; the bodies of the Insect Disaster are high-quality protein, and the frames of scrapped mechas can be melted down and recast—this is also why the Federation and the Insect Disaster have remained stalemated for so long.

T301-1227 ignored these logistics mechas, turned around, and walked deeper into the battlefield.

Squeak....

Its bodily joints were severely corroded by rust; the mechanical eye at the center of T301-1227's head flashed twice, ignoring this abnormality.

As long as he can still function normally, the battle will never end.

Suddenly, a violent explosion sounded from ahead, accompanied by the hiss of the Insect disaster (general), instantly drawing 1227's attention.

The massive mecha's body strode forward, and the sight before him caused him to be slightly surprised.

This is a tiny human, wearing a set of individual exoskeleton armor; the light sword in his hand seems to possess tremendous power, utterly unafraid of the Insect Disaster that is many times his size.

1227 finds it hard to imagine how such a frail human can oppose the Insect Disaster with mere flesh, and judging by his equipment, he does not resemble an ordinary soldier from a regular army.

On the contrary, he seems more like... a Machinist!

After the logic module figured this out, 1227 inexplicably felt a surge of excitement, yet outwardly it remained an emotionless mechanical mecha, and no one could see what its logic module was thinking.

At this moment, the man before him was already somewhat fatigued, yet dozens of grotesque six-legged giant insects still swarmed around him.

"Fuck...."

He gasped heavily, a puncture wound marred his abdomen, and the situation was already grim.

"Hiss!!!"

The giant insects screeched as they charged forward, the man gripping a grenade in his palm, his face set with resolve.

In the next instant, a huge yellowish-brown figure burst forth, its rusted Chain Sword, though no longer sharp, still wielded immense force that cleaved the insect in two.

!!!

The man widened his eyes, "Did I see that correctly?"

Why does this basic mecha before him possess such formidable combat power?

In his impression, the basic series armor, aside from following those simple sword-swinging motions from the database, could not possibly have such agile movements.

"Could it be that there's a pilot operating it?"

In the moment he was stunned, all the Insect Disaster were actually slaughtered clean, shocking him greatly, and this also let him see the mecha's cockpit clearly.

The indicator light that would signal the presence of a pilot did not illuminate.

"It has no pilot?"

Seeing the mecha approach him, the man forced himself to stand, gazing at the basic mecha before him, a flicker of curiosity crossing his eyes.

"Hello, I am the T301-1227 basic sword-edge type mecha."

"May I ask if you need my assistance?"

A emotionless mechanical voice sounded, the man stared blankly for a moment, then broke into a smile.

I am an Iron Cavalry of the Mechanized Infantry Battalion, a Third-Rank Machinist, callsign Cang Lang! I am executing a nest‑beheading operation here! Please cooperate with me!

"Hereby! I will temporarily conscript you as an Iron Guard! Requesting authorization!"

Listening to the man's words, for some reason 1227 actually felt a sense of joy.

As a mechanical being, he did not comprehend the effect of these emotions; he only knew that he was about to have a pilot and fight side by side.

And at some point, his logic somehow derived a set of logic on its own.

That is: saving humanity + demonstrating strength = probability of having an Iron Cavalry.

This is also the key point of why he generated excitement; perhaps he knew he was about to have a pilot!

"Authorization approved, identity verified, permissions transferred."

"Very pleased to fight side by side with you, Iron Cavalry Cang Lang."

"Thus, you have acquired your first Iron Cavalry, his callsign is Cang Lang, a 35‑year‑old Machinist; you fought side by side with him, successfully beheading the queen of an Insect Disaster nest in this mission, and you also experienced for the first time the sensation of fighting alongside humans."

"After the mission ended, Cang Lang used the authority to formally appoint you as his Iron Guard; although the people managing these mechas were puzzled, they were not stupid and would not offend him over an old fodder mecha."

"From this moment on, you are no longer a ghost wandering the battlefield, but a true Iron Guard!"

"Mechanical Age Year 27: Unbeknownst to you, you have accompanied this Cang Lang for nearly ten years; during this time, your battered components were replaced and upgraded with various stronger precision parts, you are no longer a scrap‑iron mecha, and you also gained a sharp paint job and meticulous maintenance."

"During this period, you and Cang Lang endured countless battles big and small; Cang Lang grew stronger, and so did you; whenever a life‑or‑death crisis arose, you brought him back unscathed, like an indestructible little cockroach, and you and Cang Lang gradually became renowned."

"Under normal circumstances, a mecha's service life does not exceed five years, yet you are an exception; you have accompanied Cang Lang from a mere member of the Mechanized Infantry Battalion step by step to becoming a commander, and as he approaches fifty, he can no longer handle you well."

"Once, after experiencing his final battle, he bade you farewell and told you he intended to retire, and that a new Iron Cavalry would come to take over you."

"Upon hearing this news, you once again felt an indescribable emotion spreading through your Logic Core, but unable to express it, you could only watch helplessly as your first Iron Cavalry bade you farewell."

"\"Iron Cavalry Cang Lang, I'm glad to have fought alongside you; I look forward to our next meeting. \" You said this, and the other party merely patted you and said nothing more."

"Your next Iron Cavalry will arrive soon; she is a vibrant young girl who, despite her youth, already possesses the capability of a Third‑Rank Machinist—this is the best candidate Cang Lang found for you."

"You have no choice but to accept, and once again set foot onto the battlefield....."