◆ Outside the Avangarde Royal Capital ◆
“What did I do?! Let me go!”
“You are suspected of spreading Divils Bacteria. We will restrain you and take you in.”
“Ugh! I can’t move!”
Natchu was bound with something resembling a belt and was being carried on a stretcher. The remaining subordinates were treated similarly. The actions of Sergeant Klein and his men after the accusation were impressive. Even though Natchu was an S-Rank Adventurer, her level exceeded 100. Against such an opponent, even A-Rank or the kingdom’s soldiers would stand no chance based on physical ability alone.
However, a fierce battle with the resisting Natchu never occurred. The situation was resolved simply by a device attached to Sergeant Klein’s arm that released a restraining net. I felt a twinge of unease at the thought of a weapon capable of neutralizing a monster over level 100.
“Thank you for your cooperation, Seigel.”
“I rushed here, but I didn’t do anything.”
“Oh no, you were a great help. Her subordinates were quite troublesome as well. I wonder if my Powered Suit squad could have handled it alone…”
I couldn’t even muster anger at his insincere modesty. They had no reason to respect us, especially with the equipment capable of restraining monsters. The armor Sergeant Klein wore resembled a full-body suit, but its official name was Powered Suit. It gleamed with a metallic shine, and despite its heavy appearance, Klein and his subordinates moved as if unencumbered.
“Where are you taking them?”
“We’ll transport them to Silverwing by small boat. Beyond that, I have no further information.”
“Is that it over there? It looks like a mini version of Silverwing.”
“If we fly through the air, even if they manage to escape their restraints, they won’t have any means of escape.”
“Well, even if she’s S-Rank, she can’t fly.”
“Hohoho, how naive… You’re underestimating the Ten Destroyers of the Kingdom of Metallica, aren’t you?”
I was the only one who felt a sense of danger. While Klein and the others laughed off the absurdity, the actions of the Ten Destroyers had already begun.
“Gah!”
“Zuh…”
That sturdy armor of the Powered Suit was effortlessly torn apart as a figure made a swift entrance. In mere seconds, four people had perished before the small boat. If they had wanted to, they could have done much more. With a light step, the girl clicked her claws and licked her lips.
“Wha—What just happened?!”
“Too bad, the only creatures that lose their vigilance this much are humans.”
“Sergeant Klein! Run!”
“Nya, as expected of the only one who was cautious and prepared.”
Playfully, the girl claimed another life. With a swift flick of her claws, blood sprayed into the air. The performance of the Powered Suit I had just feared was nowhere to be seen. What stood before me was a monster of a girl who surpassed it.
“You… are one of the Ten Destroyers?”
“Correct, nya. I am Maternya, the strongest of the Ten Destroyers.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously, nya.”
Stronger than the World’s Strongest Man, huh? Regardless of the truth, the situation was undeniably desperate. I never expected the Ten Destroyers to appear to rescue their comrades. No, I should have anticipated it. The Royal Capital was filled with adventurers and soldiers from Avangarde, so I had foolishly thought nothing would happen. The opponent was the Ten Destroyers, S-Rank. Were we capable of stopping them?
Now, there were only sixteen of us left, including Sergeant Klein. I couldn’t imagine capturing them with that net. The first instinct that struck me was that I should avoid a fight at all costs. If I allowed them to cut Natchu’s restraints and rescue her, it would be a disaster. With her plump figure swaying, Natchu got off the stretcher and stretched.
“Ah! Maternya-chan, you saved me! Now then…”
Natchu glared at us with a fierce look. Not knowing what she would do made her more dangerous. If it was true that she had spread the bacteria, she would fight in that manner.
“Since you seem suspicious, let me tell you. I was the one who released the bacteria into the water source.”
“Why would you do something so heinous?! If this gets out, Noibranz will be in serious trouble from all the countries!”
“But you can’t win against a virus. No matter how strong you are, there’s no one who can survive being ravaged by bacteria. The strongest in this world is the virus, and they are the most numerous. Those ignorant humans who cling to uncertain idols like magic deserve to die.”
If we were to be infected with even more powerful bacteria, we would be utterly helpless. In fact, if they had been more cunning, we might have died without even realizing it. Why was this woman, so dangerous, allowed to roam free? Metallica must know her past.
“Nfufufufu, now then. You’re quite the handsome one, and it would be a shame to kill you… How shall I end your life?”
“Wait, let me handle this. I want to have the most fun with him.”
“Nfuh, fine by me.”
Seeing the woman who had been so fired up back down so easily made me wonder if she was actually stronger. Or perhaps it was because she had been saved. Either way, it didn’t matter; now that it was one-on-one, what was I supposed to do? The opponent was far above my level; how could I escape from someone like that? What would Rua do? She must have faced situations like this in the Abyss Cave.
Escaping was, in reality, quite difficult. Some might say it’s easy to just run away and regroup, but escaping is a skill in itself. Those with real power know how to escape well. If it were easy to flee from a monster capable of taking your life, it wouldn’t be a struggle. What should I do? What should I do? Seriously, what should I do?
“…’Hound'”
By the time I recognized that Maternya had pounced on me, she was already behind me. She was munching on the flesh of my shoulder, her mouth stained with blood. There was no time to writhe in pain. I had no choice but to wait for her next move without making any sudden movements. No matter how I struggled, I was outmatched in speed, so I had no choice but to counterattack.
“Nya, delicious, nya.”
“W-What are you doing… That’s human flesh! Are you insane?”
“I was born wild, nya. Now I eat anything, nya.”
“A wild child, huh…”
“‘Eagle'”
Maternya leaped, pausing mid-air despite having no wings. I met her rapid descent head-on with my great sword, but of course, I was overpowered. If you live in the wild, can you fly as if you had wings? Well, considering there are girls who can move at unseen speeds, I shouldn’t be surprised.
I shouldn’t last more than a few seconds against someone like her; it wouldn’t be strange if I were dead already. She was toying with me, just like a cat plays with a mouse. Just like that beastkin named Nice I fought once, Seigel was being played with as well.
“Nya? Are you surrendering, nya?”
As I sat on the ground, Maternya licked her lips. I couldn’t even stand up anymore. With my back on the ground, I kept thinking. My mind was solely focused on how to survive. How could I escape this situation? The catgirl was observing the weakened mouse instead of pursuing me. I understood her fighting style now, so it was time to take a gamble.
◆ Avangarde Kingdom, Noibranz Army Garrison ◆
“Genia-san, is that Platiu over there?”
“Yes, it is.”
She was clad in something resembling red armor, but there was no mistaking it was Platiu. It was thicker than the Machine Maiden she wore before, and it felt cold. I couldn’t see her face, but her body shape confirmed it was Platiu.
“Did you make Platiu kill those Noibranz soldiers lying there?”
“That was our doing. Let me introduce you to the close-combat Sword Legion and the long-range Legion Sniper.”
These were the mechanical dolls I had faced in Metallica. They looked far more menacing than before. The Legion with blades all over its body and the one with tube-like arms—was I forced to cooperate to create such things? Genia’s attitude, refusing to explain anything, was starting to irritate me.
“Platiu, it’s me! Can you hear me?”
I shook her shoulders, but there was no response; it was as if she had become entirely mechanical. Just as I was about to remove her red helmet, a slender white hand was placed on my arm.
“Don’t! If you force it off, it will disrupt her brainwaves and affect her mind.”
“Why would you have something so dangerous on her?!”
“Platiu doesn’t belong to you, does she?”
“She doesn’t belong to Corin either!”
“Platiu is a Special-class Adventurer of the Kingdom of Metallica.”
The one who barged in was the mechanical Uncle, Branburm. With his towering height and massive frame, he looked down at me with an imposing presence.
“This is nothing compared to the previous Machine Maiden. That said, the user must undergo appropriate adjustments. Right now, Platiu is only focused on combat, and of course, your words won’t reach her.”
“Are you kidding me?! Why does it have to be like that?!”
“It’s necessary for the Babel Project. We must prepare our forces, no matter what.”
“Force, force, force! That’s all anyone talks about! The Kingdom of Avangarde was the same! They tried to manipulate Adventurers to do their bidding, and we were just pawns! Metallica is no different!”
“Those with exceptional power have obligations. You wouldn’t understand that while you’re still throwing a tantrum like a child.”
My anger was boiling over, and I felt like I might explode. Eeks, Tiferia, everyone had remained silent. Were they afraid of Metallica?
“Everyone can’t possibly accept this, right?!”
“That’s true… but Rua, calm down a bit.”
“Even you, Eeks?! What about Ritta?!”
“W-What about me?! Of course, I can’t accept this!”
“And Tiferia?!”
“I have always worked for the sake of the kingdom.”
I regretted asking. Now that I thought about it, she had attacked Ikana Village under the kingdom’s orders, or rather, under Belmund’s intentions. It was true that my father and the others had gone on a rampage, leading to its destruction, but the fact remains that she had aimed to annihilate it. Usually so aloof, Tiferia stood there, arms crossed, dignified.
“Only in this country would someone like you be left to roam free. It’s an unbelievable situation. In Metallica, they would have already subdued your relatives to bring you under control.”
“Well, if they did something so reckless, they might end up destroyed along with the kingdom. Besides, if anything happens to the kingdom, they would come rushing back, so leaving things as they are is the most stable option.”
“Y-You’re mocking me!”
Branburm and Genia laughed as if discussing the weather, mocking me. Even if it was meant as a joke, it infuriated me. They thought I was someone who would destroy a kingdom.
“Kurinka! Can’t you do something about these people and heal Platiu?!”
“I wonder if regeneration can fix this… As Corin said, if we do something reckless, it could lead to serious consequences.”
“I won’t allow any more interference. If you continue to meddle, be prepared for the consequences.”
“Rua, please hold back. As Corin said, this isn’t just your problem. If we anger Metallica now, it could escalate into an international issue.”
Eeks gently grasped my shoulders, trying to calm me down. Even heroes like him couldn’t do anything about this. What should I do? What can I do? It was true that Platiu wasn’t mine, and perhaps she willingly donned that Machine Maiden armor. That’s why I wanted to hear just one word from her. I wanted to hear her say, “Help me.”
“Platiu… are you in pain?”
“…Ah.”
“Huh?”
“U-uaaaah…”
“W-Wait a minute!”
“Ahhh! U-uaaaah!”
Electricity crackled from her red helmet. I desperately tried to stop Platiu’s small body from convulsing, but Branburm pulled me away.
“She’s still unstable. We need a bit more time for proper operation.”
“Enough already!”
“Guooh!”
I couldn’t hold back any longer and slapped the mechanical Uncle’s solid chest with one hand. Then, I yanked Platiu away from him. Branburm flew farther than I expected, leaving an imprint of my hand on his iron chest as he crashed into the Noibranz army’s tent.
“General Branburm!”
“Oh dear, it seems the cyborg and the new Powered Suit are both ineffective.”
“This isn’t the time for sarcasm, Corin!”
“Are you worried about General Branburm?”
“Let’s calm Rua down! Even a Legion of a thousand wouldn’t be enough!”
“I’m sorry, but I’ve reached my limit too. Genia, Corin… I’m disappointed.”
I wasn’t the only one angry. Kurinka, holding her staff with one hand dangling, had a steely gaze. When Kurinka got genuinely angry, she became quiet, unlike me. I still remembered the shiver I felt when she devoured the precious Momor pudding she had saved since the Abyss Cave.
“Rua, Kurinka. You don’t need to worry about Platiu. I care for her too, and if there are any lasting effects, I will put a stop to this experiment.”
“You don’t need to sugarcoat it…!”
Branburm landed with a heavy thud, sinking his ankles into the ground, smoke billowing from various parts of his mechanical body.
“Let’s calm down, Branburm… You shouldn’t lose your cool and use that.”
“What? I’m just a bit angry. It shouldn’t be a problem to show off a little, right?”
“No, Rua’s actions towards you are a problem, but that’s separate from this. Let’s resolve this peacefully, shall we?”
It sounded like they had some sort of trump card. I had hit him harder than I intended, yet the damage seemed minimal. But Platiu was more important; she was calmer than before but remained completely still. As I touched the part of her face that was against me, I felt something.
“Target… confirmed.”
My palm grew hot, almost burning. Platiu’s body radiated an intense heat, so much so that I instinctively pulled away. A black line on her Machine Maiden armor glowed with an orange river-like flow, something was moving at an alarming speed.
“This is bad… Branburm, the control device!”
“It’s no use. It seems she’s gone berserk.”
“Oh dear, this is troublesome.”
“Corin, if you’re not careful, you could die too, you know?”
“I won’t die. After all, that target isn’t here.”
Corin was right. Platiu unleashed a fierce gust of hot wind from her legs and wings, taking off and disappearing into the distance. She was fast, too fast.
“W-What just happened?!”
“Do you want to know where she’s headed?”
“Where?!”
“Genia, would you care to enlighten her?”
“We need Rua’s help now more than ever.”
“Alright, then I’ll tell you.”
She crossed her arms, looking as if she were enjoying this. I was irritated but forced myself to endure.
“To the Noibranz army. That child is programmed to eliminate them.”
I was struggling to suppress the urge to punch Corin. I had to hold back, hold back.
◆ Shin Report ◆
What is Metallica thinking?
They must have known that doing something like this would provoke the wrath of the two most dangerous beings in the world.
Or could it be that they calculated this too?
I can’t shake off that feeling.
I should have been carving the report here by now,
but instead, I have to report on this bloody scene again.
I need a break.