Kingdom of Kashiram – In Front of the Royal Capital
“A valiant Centaurus has appeared! HP: 6050”
“To the Kingdom of Kashiram! If you resist, you will face annihilation by the Sky Cannon! It’s not too late; show your willingness to surrender to Lady Genia! Uoooh!”
“The Radiant Beast King Leo has appeared! HP: 9300”
“You have no such intention, Centaurus. Look over there at the warriors. Starting with the King, to the left is the Special-class Adventurer Weiss. And those must be the rumored Beastkin.”
Though I rushed here, the Royal Capital was already lined with the Zodiac. Moreover, the King and the Beastkin were brimming with determination. On their side, aside from the prominent leader, there were about ten others. On our side, apart from the muscular King and silver-haired Weiss, there were only Balbus and Nice. It seems they’ve wisely kept the foot soldiers out of the way, considering them a nuisance.
The Centaurus, a fusion of human and horse clad in metal, and the one resembling a lion, whose mane is its charm point, is covered in sharp silver metal. These two are likely to give the King a tough time. The King should at least show a bit of joy at having me, the strongest ally, by his side.
“Balbus, what shall we do?”
“I don’t like that lion-like man.”
“Understood. Then I will handle the rest.”
“It is not merely a resemblance. This Powered Suit is your rightful superior.”
Balbus and the silver lion were already matched up. I’m not sure if Balbus is a lion or something else, but he certainly gets angry.
“Uoooh! I shall negotiate with Lady Genia! If you show your willingness to surrender, I will convey it responsibly! I promise!”
“I have no such intention. Our nation will be protected and built by our own hands.”
“You are Weiss, are you not? A wise man like you must understand that there is no way to stop the Sky Cannon.”
Weiss remained silent at the lion’s words, pointing his spear wordlessly. A cold wind blew between the silver-haired rider atop the strange creature called a Pasib and the half-horse Centaurus. The Pasib scratched the ground with its front legs, while the Centaurus slowly raised its massive spear. That thing is probably going to fly.
“Your Majesty, what will you do? At this rate, we will seriously perish!”
“First, we will scatter these nuisances. Assist me.”
“That’s not how you ask someone for help.”
“Then fine.”
“Ugh, this is so annoying!”
He’s really curt. If he were a bit more honest like me, his outlook on life might change. These guys seem to have only one thing on their minds—the mechanical beings right in front of them.
Still, despite having hated humans so much, here they are, fighting alongside them. What happened to bring about this change? I stared intently at Balbus’s beastly face.
“King, can I leave that Centaurus to you?”
“Weiss has expressed a desire to handle it. There’s no problem.”
“That’s not what I meant… I’m asking if you have the strength to do so.”
“Whether I fight and die is Weiss’s will. I have respected that from the beginning.”
“Hmph… I see, humans are not so different from Beastkin after all.”
I never would have imagined such a conversation happening. The fact that Balbus would smile at a human is truly strange.
“Uoooh! What loyalty! What nobility! It would be a shame to keep you as an enemy! However… we must fight now! For we too have loyalty to Lady Genia!”
“Wait, Centaurus. It seems you are bidding farewell. I shall grant you a moment.”
The lion-like creature raised its front legs in a show of spirit, while the lion restrained it. This isn’t kindness; it’s pure condescension. If it were me, I would take advantage of the moment and launch a surprise attack. These guys really have no sense of the situation.
“Elmera.”
“What is it, Balbus? You want to reform the Phantom?”
“At first, I was helpless against a mere elven girl, and when I was half-subjugated, I wondered when I could strike back.”
“What’s that? I’ll turn the tables on you.”
“However, it is because of you that we have encountered humans in this era. Without you, we would have perished in that dark age ruled by Vandalsia…”
“Don’t remind me of the time I had to endure Vandalsia’s scorn because of you.”
“…I apologize.”
What’s going on? Is this really Balbus? It feels like someone is inside Balbus’s costume. He would never have apologized before. All that pride and bravado turned out to be nothing more than petty self-importance. The Beast King before me has acknowledged his faults.
“I would also like to thank you, Elmera. You have guided us.”
“Hey, keep the compliments to just your fur, okay? Can I pet you?”
“Go ahead.”
Despite her adorable appearance, Nice, the cat Beastkin, harbors a ferocity that surpasses even Balbus. Right now, she’s being petted by me, looking a bit entranced.
As for me, I can only manage this kind of thing to hide my embarrassment. When was the last time someone praised me like this? My sister always praises me, but there hasn’t been anyone else who does. I can’t seem to meet Balbus’s gaze, and he smiles again, just at the corners of his mouth.
“Well, if it weren’t for Rua, it would have all been in vain. That girl’s contributions are significant.”
“However, without a catalyst, nothing begins. Elmera… thank you.”
Oh no, I’m really starting to feel flustered. From an outsider’s perspective, I must look all fidgety. Damn it, if Shin saw me like this, he would definitely write about it in that annoying report. He thinks I don’t notice, but I read everything. I plan to use it as leverage someday.
“Are you ready? I must warn you, I, Leo, consider myself the best among the Zodiac. Even if you all band together, it will be of no concern.”
“Uoooh! This Centaurus prides itself on its mobility in ground combat, unmatched by anything!”
“In small nations, a Centaurus alone may suffice. Know that before you stands an opponent with the combat power of more than one nation.”
“I see, that’s impressive.”
Weiss seems surprisingly able to brush this off. If it were Rua, she would be blushing and retorting. The King, Balbus, and Nice all took their stances, preparing for battle, while I decided to do what I needed to do.
Everyone getting along was something I had wished for from the start. If that’s the case, I can’t let anyone who would ruin it live. I’ll leave this to them and head toward the Royal Capital.
Laputa – Central City Clid
“Uwaaa! We’ve been invaded!”
“Even Metallica’s latest mechs can’t handle this…”
The giant mech in front of Clid was probably the strongest of them all. While I took it down, the airship followed behind me. I couldn’t let my guard down, as they occasionally launched surprise attacks from behind. I was being greatly aided by Kurinka, who was also fighting back. Kurinka’s flames now have the power to take on Metallica’s machines. While the larger ones are tough, she could easily melt down smaller foes like the Garilumps.
“How does something like that even come to be? Hey?”
“With all that power, it’s a shame about the face. Seriously, it looks like a country bumpkin.”
“From what I can see, it relies solely on brute strength, so there should be a way to counter it.”
“I’m just being insulted here…”
“Don’t worry about it; they’re just spouting nonsense.”
“But I feel kind of down about it…”
While I was angry, I also felt a tightness in my chest. When I think about it, we are invading the Kingdom of Metallica and trying to destroy the Sky Cannon. It’s only natural for them to be furious. I hadn’t considered the backlash from the people living here.
The Kingdom of Metallica believes they are right, but I believe I am right. As I thought earlier, it’s impossible to determine who is correct. Both sides believe they are justified. But what if one of us is wrong? What if I am the one who is mistaken?
“It seems you’re deep in thought again, but it’s impossible to do what you want and have everyone agree with you. Right now, we are enemies in the eyes of the Kingdom of Metallica. But if things go as they wish, many people will die.”
“Yeah, that’s true. But are these people really okay with that?”
“That broadcasting system was likely developed solely by Corin. There’s no way there aren’t any supporters for you; their voices are just being completely shut out.”
Teras added his explanation from the airship. Information manipulation—essentially, it means they’re preventing us from hearing the voices that would encourage us. That’s one of their objectives.
“To persevere is no small feat. To achieve something, there is a path you must traverse. If you cannot steady those trembling hands, you will have no choice but to turn back.”
“…Doing what I want is really difficult.”
Escaping from a prison is one thing, but what lies ahead is even more daunting. It’s not just about destroying the Sky Cannon; it’s about enduring what must be endured to achieve our goals. Even if I am wrong, I must believe in my conviction and see it through.
Right now, we are the enemies of Metallica, and I realize I was naive. I thought that sheer strength could overcome any unreasonable obstacle. But there are things that cannot be broken, things that require patience. With that in mind, I must make a decision.
“…I will save the Nation of Kashiram.”
“Of course!”
“Terra! Let’s make a dash for the Metal Tower! Crank the airship’s speed to maximum! No matter what comes, we will protect everyone!”
【Fortress Widow has appeared! HP 14000】
《Whoa! A Fortress Widow!》
《It’s huge!》
《No wonder they spend so much on military expenses… it’s insane!》
Just after I said “no matter what comes,” a gigantic mechanical spider strode into the town, towering over everything. It was truly massive, easily straddling the castle walls and standing alongside Avangarde’s castle. Though it moved its four legs with surprising dexterity, its movements were quite slow.
“I wonder if the townspeople are okay with something like that rampaging around…”
“The ones near our infiltration route must have evacuated to the underground shelters. But that thing is definitely…”
【The Fortress Widow has released Annihilation Widows! 1400 Annihilation Widows have appeared! HP 500】
From its belly, small creatures began to spill out. Tiny mechanical spiders rained down like sandbags, sticking to walls and roads, each scuttling towards us with their many legs.
“Not another big one!”
“This is bad! I just remembered! We need to take care of them quickly! They release deadly poison gas!”
【The Fortress Widow has dispersed Gafbamulgas!】
“Lua-chan! I’m going back inside the airship! I’ll protect everyone!”
Kurinka’s decision was the right one. Just as she entered the airship, a sharp pain surged through my body as if it were being torn apart. I couldn’t stop trembling, my head throbbed, and I felt nauseous.
“Ugh! Wh-what is this? Ugh… damn it…”
“Isn’t it said that even the strongest poison gas developed by Metallica won’t kill you? Just one breath, and it seeps through your skin, leading to cardiac arrest in mere seconds.”
“Corin! How did you manage to charm the council into bringing out such a cursed legacy?”
“What good does that knowledge do you? More importantly, you all will die too.”
“We’re fine over here!”
Yes, Kurinka must be gathering everyone and using the Power of Regeneration to hold it back. If my body is being destroyed, I can just regenerate. But as long as the gas persists, we must continue this, or no one will be saved. As for me, I felt terrible, on the verge of vomiting, with a severe headache and dizziness, as if everything inside me was about to burst out.
“Seriously… this is the worst!”
【Lua has unleashed Sonic Rain!
Dealt 3,506,530 damage to the Fortress Widow! Defeated the Fortress Widow! HP 0/14000
Dealt an average of 5,499,312 damage to the Annihilation Widows! Defeated the Annihilation Widows! HP 0/500】
I obliterated the approaching little spiders with a barrage of Sonic Rain. As the chaotic rain of energy surged through the buildings, I suddenly felt a pang of anxiety—what if someone was caught in the crossfire? Knowing Corin, she might not have evacuated anyone, desperate to make things difficult for me.
“Ugh… haah… I’m still feeling rough…”
“Your complexion is getting better. Gafbamulgas… its name comes from a legendary monster that existed in ancient times. It is said that the plague beast Gafbamul generated gas that claimed countless lives. Even children raised and educated in Metallica know this story.”
“I-I know… I defeated it in the cave… but this is even more powerful and truly painful…”
“Oh, that’s information you haven’t learned. The Abyss Cave… it’s impressive that you managed to keep it hidden from ALEX. Hehe.”
I had no idea what that monster was called, but I said it to sound tough. It had been quite strong, lurking beyond the 50th floor, a grotesque turtle-like creature covered in volcanic bumps. Not only did it release gas, but its various poisons were so potent that I nearly died.
“Everyone, this is the monster. This monster girl can adapt immediately to lethal poison, even if it affects her body. The exact mechanism is unclear, but she likely alters her internal tissues or generates powerful antibodies.”
《What the hell is that…?》
《There was an incident where a gas leak from an experiment killed hundreds… that was about seventy years ago. Even now, the families of the victims continue to protest.》
《Even without inhaling it, it seeps through the skin and kills without any symptoms, right?》
《Then why is she suffering? Why isn’t she dead…?》
《Scary…》
《Please just leave our country…》
《Monster》 《Monster》
《Monster》 《Monster》
Monster, monster, monster—those words echoed in my mind repeatedly. I gripped my sword tightly and staggered to my feet. I made several fast laps around the airship. I wasn’t sure if this would destroy the gas, but I had to check inside the airship just in case.
◆ Airship Bridge ◆
Kurinka was at the center, surrounded by Platiu, Terra, and others we had rescued. They were somehow holding on with the Power of Regeneration. I couldn’t tell if we had destroyed the gas in this area, so for now, I had no choice but to let Kurinka continue her work.
“…Jarmon and the others didn’t make it.”
“I see…”
The Jarmon and Kuharasse we rescued had died from the gas. They were terrible people, and perhaps it was better that they were gone. But knowing that the lives we had saved were snuffed out left a cold emptiness in my heart, like a chilling wind blowing through me.
“Fortunately, the dispersal range of Gafbamulgas isn’t that wide. If it reaches the non-evacuation zone, Corin’s position will be seriously jeopardized. If we can push through to the Metal Tower, we should be fine.”
“…Please.”
“I fear what lies ahead. This is likely just the beginning; it won’t end with something like this. This is her method. She knows exactly how to exploit what you dislike the most.”
“The use of Gafbamulgas has faced severe criticism from a humanitarian perspective within the country. Ultimately, its use was banned, but as usual, the voices of dissent are unheard. Rather, the loudest voices lamenting that they couldn’t kill you, Lua, are shameful for our nation…”
Terra’s command was met with a regretful murmur from a rescued council member. Everyone here wore expressions of deep sorrow.
“Come on, what are you doing? We never know when we’ll be attacked again. At the very least, Lua, you should go outside.”
“…Platiu too.”
“You don’t have to push yourself.”
At Terra’s command, Platiu sulked, her head hanging low. It was good that she had decided to fight, but going unarmed was simply impossible. She buried her face in Kurinka’s chest, looking dejected.
“This is tough, really tough.”
I didn’t intend to voice any weakness. There weren’t any particularly strong monsters, and this shouldn’t be a significant obstacle, yet I felt utterly exhausted. This was exactly what Corin wanted. I felt my resolve wavering as I headed back outside the airship. Following through on what I wanted to do was truly difficult. Until now, I had only trained my body, neglecting my heart. I wondered if it was too late to start training my mental strength now.
◆ Shin Report ◆
This report is in danger of being discovered by the Demon Lord.
Why?
Hah, I’ve been so tired from the intense battles lately. Perhaps that’s why.
I can’t even bear to think that this report is being read by Elmer.
So I end up thinking about things that aren’t even real.
That Lua threw her item pouch to Kurinka in a pinch and saved us.
What is this Gafbamulgas?
If such a thing is used, even the Demon Army could be in jeopardy.
The human’s H is the worst.
I understand a little of the Medias’ feelings now.
Hmm, Gafbabulgas? Garububus?
Hmm?
A strategy to crush Lua’s mental state.
Even I, Shin, cannot remain calm in this situation.
No matter what, if one holds their own heart firmly, they shouldn’t waver even when told a few things. But Lua is just a child, emotionally immature, and in a rebellious phase.
Even if the opponent is a god or picking their nose, she would probably just be like, “Hah,” and look on.
But this time, it’s different.
I need to come up with some encouraging words.
You’re strong, Lua, you’re strong!
No, that’s impossible. I give up.
Monster Compendium
【Valiant Centaurus HP 6050】
Zodiac: Centaurus Powered Suit
A Powered Suit modeled after the Centaurus, which is said to have existed in ancient times with a human upper body and a horse lower body. Its design reflects the characteristics of the legendary creature, concentrating most of its performance on leg power, capable of charging through castle walls with devastating force. The armament consists of a shotgun spear mounted on the right arm and a laser rifle on the left. Its ability to leap and disrupt enemies allows for a wide range of applications. Despite its unique horse-like lower body nearly relegating it to obscurity, it seems a suitable candidate has finally been found.
Light of the Radiant King: Leo
HP: 9300
A Powered Suit modeled after a lion, known as “Hikari Terasu Kigaou.” Among close-combat specialized types, it undoubtedly ranks among the strongest. The suit grants the wearer beast-like reflexes, allowing them to move with such speed and agility that they seem to defy gravity. The laser nails mounted on both arms can create vacuum ruptures with a swing, enabling attacks at distances that are invisible to the naked eye. However, due to the overwhelming specifications, most users have struggled to harness its true potential, leaving it unused for a long time without a compatible wearer.
Fortress Widow
HP: 14000
A fortress capable of housing up to 2000 medium-sized combat machines. Originally developed to disperse Gafbamulgas within enemy lines, Gafbamulgas is a negative intelligence created by the Kingdom of Metallica. Designed not only for simple extermination but also to inflict maximum pain and indiscriminately kill, it has faced significant criticism domestically. The lead researcher behind its development ultimately took their own life after being ostracized, but conspiracy theories whisper of a shadowy figure pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Annihilation Widow
HP: 500
A machine designed to disperse Gafbamulgas over a wider area. Its armor is intentionally thin, with the strategy being that unsuspecting enemies, overconfident in their ability to destroy it, would trigger the release of lethal gas. Ultimately, this machine was never used as a strategic weapon.