◆ Southern Normitz Nation – Taharak Plains – Sky Cannon – Satellite Base ◆
“Hey, how are you doing?!”
【The Fish-Scaled Soldier (Pisces) has appeared! HP 4990】
“I am the chosen elite of the Zodiac. It was decided the moment I was granted this Powered Suit. Your fate is sealed.”
【The Bull-Armored Man (Taurus) has appeared! HP 8700】
“By the orders of Lady Genia! What a surprise!”
【The Twin Stars (Gemini) have appeared! HP 2222】
As I head north across the vast plains, I find myself approaching the bountiful fields of the Royal Capital of Normitz. In this nation, acts that harm nature or mar the landscape have been strictly punished for generations. Yet, there stands a massive sphere protruding from the grasslands, half-buried as if it were a natural formation. This overly simplistic structure is, in fact, the satellite base of the Sky Cannon.
As expected from prior intel, the Zodiac lay in wait there. Knights clad in Powered Suits that emphasize their fish-like scales, a stout figure resembling a bull with gleaming golden horns, and two figures so thin they could only be mistaken for standing poles. They lack facial features—no eyes, no mouth. What on earth are they?
“Pisces, Taurus, Gemini…! To think three of the twelve strongest members of the Zodiac are here!”
“Ikus, you really know your stuff…”
“Ord, those guys are nothing like the Chameleon and Cygnus we fought in the Avangarde Royal Capital. I can sense your frustration.”
“It’s fine. If I die, it’s my own responsibility, so don’t worry about me.”
In terms of combat capability, I’m not the only one here who’s outmatched; Rutna and Rash are also present. Seigel suggested leaving them behind, but Metallica would quickly pinpoint their hiding spots and might use them as hostages. It’s better to keep them close for safety, as Ikus pointed out.
Of course, the individuals in question are furious, fully aware of the situation. Their Powered Suits are immune to magic, and even Lord Hast would be rendered ineffective against them. As for me, I’m not just outmatched; I might be so harmless that I could be ignored entirely.
“Hmm… I see, I see.”
“What is it, Meria? Did you find something concerning? Their strength might rival or even exceed S-Rank, so it would be great if we could discover a weakness.”
“No, that’s not it… It seems there are multiple people here besides us. Could this be a human settlement?”
“You’ve finally stopped correcting yourself…”
【The Monoceros has appeared! HP 2480】
“What, what, what? There are dangerous foes right in front of us! What kind of foolishness is this?!”
A bipedal horse clad in armor, sporting a magnificent horn on its forehead, strides forward with an imposing presence. Is it peeking out like the swan from its neck? Regardless, something feels off. Why does it have such a unique form? If the goal is to enhance combat power, couldn’t it have been designed more simply? I don’t understand mechanical engineering at all, but something about this doesn’t sit right with me.
“Do you understand the situation? I plan to skewer all of you with this horn! Just like this!”
【Monoceros’s Crusher Horn!】
“Yes.”
The scene I recognized was the moment the horned creature tripped over Meria’s foot and fell forward, its horn embedding itself into the ground.
【Meria’s attack! Dealt 5020 damage to Monoceros! Monoceros has been defeated! HP 0/2480】
“Ugh!”
“Yes.”
With that, it collapsed, and Meria delivered an elbow strike to its back. Her slender, white arm proved more effective than the armor of the Powered Suit. The suit shattered from the impact, and the horned creature fell into a position reminiscent of a reverse shrimp, losing consciousness. How many seconds did that take? Even that charge would have been impossible for me to dodge. The speed was such that even knowing it was coming wouldn’t have allowed me to evade it. It was clear that this Powered Suit was specialized for charging.
“What the hell?! What just happened?!”
“Hmph, you were just too reliant on your suit’s performance. A disgrace to the Zodiac.”
“Is this even possible?!”
“When charging, your center of gravity is too unbalanced. That’s why you tripped over Meria’s foot so easily. This could be improved with enhanced reflexes… or, as Elmera would say, through super Enhancement Magic. If magic doesn’t work, then we can defeat them by enhancing ourselves with magic.”
This isn’t just enhancement; it’s beyond any limits of Enhancement Magic I know. An elf, who looks like she struggles with physical combat, took down a member of the Zodiac with a single blow. Magic can turn weaknesses into strengths. If this is magic, then what I know isn’t magic at all. Magic is what makes the impossible possible.
In the stunned atmosphere shared by both allies and foes, Meria calmly explained, her expression troubled, as if something was amiss.
“Is there something wrong?”
“Reckless enhancement can lead to physical ruin. That’s why research focuses on how to reduce strain while enhancing the body… It seems elves are hundreds of years ahead of us.”
Even those called sages in this world are raising their hands in surrender. I thought to myself, maybe this one person is enough.
“Hey, Meria. Is that thing… dead?”
“Don’t worry, Rutna. It has suffered severe spinal damage, so it will never walk again. Of course, if it swears never to cause trouble again, I can heal it.”
“Oh, I see… Hmm…”
“I wonder if Elmera is fighting in a similar way right now.”
As Meria rested her chin on her hand, the three members of the Zodiac began to cautiously close in on their distance.
“Um, I can handle this on my own, so you all should rest over there.”
“We can’t do that.”
I gripped my spear defiantly. Indeed, this battle might be one I could handle alone, perhaps even more so than that person. My presence might be unnecessary. But I’m here out of selfishness—this is my way of repaying the one who changed me, and that’s all it is.
For the first time outside of requests, I genuinely wanted to be of help to someone other than Kou and Bun. That person has Kurinka, and giving a gift feels nonsensical. So this is all I can do; I can’t prepare anything grand, but I want to at least do something. It’s not about whether I can or can’t; it’s about whether I will or won’t. I’ve made countless excuses for not acting in the past. I even thought that if I died here, it would only make that person sad, but my desire to act outweighed that concern. This time, it’s for them.
――――I want to be an adventurer who can stand alongside them, an adventurer they can be proud of.
“I’ve been chasing after that feeling for a long time. But…”
Realizing this came far too late. It would be a lie to say I have no regrets. When I ranked up to B-Rank, the first person I wanted to boast to was that person. I wanted to surpass them, to bask in a sense of superiority. I had made them aware of my feelings, but in the end, I truly liked them. I wanted them to notice me, to see me. The reality is that they had already reached A-Rank, and I felt a sinking sensation deep within me.
Before I knew it, they had someone precious to them. No, it was like that from the start. The bond they shared was something I could never hope to match. I was just a fool, roused by my own feelings.
――――But thanks to that, I was able to reach B-Rank.
So, just because of that, if I do nothing here, it will be the same as before. I won’t make any more predetermined excuses.
“This is a resolution only I can understand.”
――――Even if it’s a love that has long since scattered, for the one I fell for.
“I will at least become a man!”
If I look up, maybe I can do something. The high tuition I’ve paid has been worth it. Farewell, the woman I truly loved. I will make my next love come to fruition.
◆ Metal Tower – Underground Floor 4 ◆
After the gas incident, there have been almost no obstructions. I had expected machines to attack us more than in the prison, but so far, we’ve only been moving through the eerily silent streets. There are no machines at the entrance of the Metal Tower either. The automatic doors opened smoothly, and the emptiness inside the Metal Tower felt even more unsettling.
The elevator in the center, that so-called machine, was definitely not operational. According to Terrace, the core where Corin was located was underground. So, I had no choice but to break through the floor as I descended. If I miscalculated, I might end up destroying something I shouldn’t, which would be dangerous. Eventually, I arrived at this floor, which I had no idea what it was used for.
Desks and chairs, along with terminals, were lined up neatly. The lights were off, casting a dark atmosphere, and it felt like everyone had fled upon our arrival. I had carried Platiu on my back, while Kurinka had carried Terrace here.
“This is the fourth basement level. It’s my first time stepping in here too,” Terrace said.
“Is it a place even you can’t enter, Terrace?” I asked.
“Well, it’s already an area managed by ALEX. There’s no way someone as stubborn as me would be allowed in,” he replied.
“That’s amazing. I have no idea what these boards are even for…” I muttered.
“You should be careful about making careless remarks,” he warned.
《Come to think of it, Avangarde still doesn’t even have terminals, huh?》
《It’s a bad idea to show something like this to primitive people.》
That’s right. Those irritating guys had been hurling insults at us, and I was feeling unusually exhausted from it all. Where were they even watching us from?
“You’ve come quite far. You’re getting close to the core where I am,” Corin’s voice echoed.
“Corin! It’s too late to panic now! I don’t know if you’re planning to conserve your machines to throw at me, but it’s pointless!” I shouted back.
“It’s a waste of resources to have them destroyed, so it’s better not to deploy anything at all,” she retorted.
“If you understand that much, then surrender! You’ve let us invade this far while talking about ALEX!” I pressed.
“Desperation is evident when you resort to such limited vocabulary. It’s a sign that you want me to surrender. Now, keep moving. The structure isn’t confusing, so even a fool can feel at ease,” she taunted.
“Not that I need you to tell me! Everyone, I’ll lead the way, so follow me!” I declared.
Talking to her was genuinely infuriating. I really disliked people who looked down on others just because they were smart. In contrast, Terrace hardly ever got angry, no matter what was said to him. That’s what being an adult is, I suppose. I wanted to be like that too.
“Corin is really annoying! Now that I think about it, I might have had a hard time with Genia too!” I exclaimed.
“Rua-chan, you’re competitive, so maybe you have a bias against people who are either better than you or completely opposite,” Kurinka suggested.
“…What about Platiu?” I asked.
“No, I like Platiu. But saying that means you think you’re smarter than her…” Kurinka replied.
Things were getting messy. I could tell she was grinning behind me, even without looking. She kept leaning in close to peek at me, which was exactly why I found it annoying.
《We’ve invaded the Metal Tower, but is it really okay?》
《You’re not going to fall, are you?》
《Come on… The pride of Metallica’s security is at stake.》
———Snip!
What was that? It sounded like something was cut off.
“It seems like they’ve shut out another inconvenient voice. Until now, they’ve been able to handle things smoothly, but it looks like the criticism has become too much for them to manage. Hehe,” Terrace chuckled.
“So, Corin is panicking then?” I asked.
“She’s a proud woman. Even showing a single bead of cold sweat would be a blow to her pride. You see, her words have been dwindling, right? I can almost picture her grinding her teeth,” he said.
I could sense why Terrace was so calm. He could analyze the state of the opponent, which gave him a sense of composure. Or maybe it was just because he was an adult.
“The fact that the insults toward you are increasing is proof of that. It’s true that deploying security machines is a waste of resources, but they initially deployed them because they believed they could be defeated. If they knew it was a waste, they wouldn’t have done anything from the start. Gafbamulgas was likely their trump card, and the fact that they stopped using it is one of the indicators.”
Despite Terrace’s bluntness, Corin was saying nothing in response. Maybe she was really angry. I had thought she was calm because I couldn’t see her face, but there was another way to interpret it.
“If it weren’t for Kurinka, that gas would have…” I started.
“Why are you feeling down? I’m happy to be able to help you, Rua-chan,” Kurinka said cheerfully.
“S-sorry,” I stammered.
“If we back each other up, we can defend against attacks from unseen angles. We decided to fight together, so there’s nothing more fulfilling than being able to help you…” she said, her cheeks flushing as she gently touched her face.
I couldn’t help but feel my heart flutter more than usual when I saw Kurinka like that. It wasn’t just that she was cute; I had this overwhelming urge to hug her. If it weren’t for that strange broadcast, I would have done it if we were alone.
Speaking of which, I had long since set Terrace down, yet I was still carrying Platiu on my back. I should let her down; she was being too clingy.
“I don’t know what’s waiting for us, so I’ll go ahead and check it out,” I said, trying to suppress the strange impulse.
I placed my hand on the door knob. The moment I opened it, I realized that most doors inside the Metal Tower opened automatically. This one, however, was inconvenient. By the time I recognized the source of my discomfort, it was too late.
As soon as I opened the door, I could only throw my tool bag aside and push Kurinka and the others away, while my body was pulled into the doorway. Unlike when I opened it, this time the door closed automatically. The moment I realized I was trapped, my body began to float in mid-air, swirling aimlessly in the vast space.
———W-what?
I tried to speak, but no sound came out, and I couldn’t even breathe. Fortunately, I had unconsciously held my breath. I couldn’t breathe here, and there was something that kept my body afloat.
“Welcome to the zero-gravity space. Terrace, the former director, must be familiar with this. This is an experimental area of a space colony that recreates outer space,” a voice announced.
“Damn it! I fell for it! Rua, are you okay?!” Terrace shouted.
“Rua-chan! What should we do? The door won’t open!” Kurinka cried.
“If we force it open, we’ll be sucked in too!” Terrace warned.
I could hear their voices, but it was frustrating to realize I had fallen into another trap. I could exert some force to change my direction or move a little, but I could hardly do anything. Thankfully, I had managed to hold my breath, but I didn’t know how long I could last.
“I wonder if the Flash Strike Girl can adapt even in outer space. I’m sure the viewers are curious about that too. Of course, we have also prepared a machine for execution, considering the possibility of you breaking free somehow.”
Suppressing the frustration of being unable to retort, I noticed the so-called execution machine. There stood a humanoid machine, pure white in color. It had no features resembling eyes or a nose, just a smooth iron helmet, and a white mask covering its mouth. Bird feathers sprouted from its ears. The knight’s full armor was shaped to fit a girl’s body, giving it a rounded appearance. Five elongated leaves resembling wings extended from its back. It looked like an angel reminiscent of Zaniel, quietly standing in the space where I struggled to move.
I was certain of it. This was a Machine Maiden, and there was a girl inside. Platiu was definitely there; then who was it?
《Oh, is Princess Kram finally going to fight…?》
《It’s impressive for someone so young to want to fight for her country.》
《She must know the terror of the Flash Strike Girl, yet she’s so brave…》
“As previously announced, today marks Princess Kram’s first battle. After the passing of her parents, the princess has spent lonely days while still thinking about her country. When she made a proposal that left me in disbelief, I naturally opposed it…”
Princess Kram, I had met her once. Younger than Platiu, she was the princess of the Kingdom of Metallica. With beautiful silver hair and an almost expressionless face, she had been a puppet of Genia. That girl had chosen to fight me from inside a Machine Maiden. What was she talking about? It had to be a lie.
“While she holds the throne, the days of feeling powerless must have been painful for her. I am not a devil who can dismiss the princess’s innocent wishes. Thus, I modified the previously used Crimson into this ‘Seraphim.’ This Machine Maiden, which burns far more fiercely than Crimson, is indeed linked to the princess’s desires.”
《She’s about the same age as my child, yet she’s so impressive…》
《This is it, this is it. This is the mirror of a ruler…》
《You won’t find anyone with such potential from a royal family anywhere in the world!》
《I can’t stand it; it’s making me want to cry…》
No, this was a lie. That girl had only nodded along without understanding what Genia was saying. She had lost her parents and had no one to teach her right from wrong. Just like how I had emerged from the Abyss Cave knowing nothing, they were merely using an ignorant child.
“The bloodline of the royal family cannot be denied. Princess Kram has adapted to the Machine Maiden at an unprecedented speed, raising her Synergy Rate to over 99% in a remarkably short time. She is incomparable to previous candidates; I believe this is all due to the strength of her will.”
――――After using Platiu so thoroughly, how dare they say such things now!
There’s no need for further explanation. They claim it’s for execution, but it’s merely to prevent me from escaping. I would undoubtedly save that girl, and in doing so, I would suffocate and die right here. That truly infuriates me about this Corin person.
“While you may have the power to destroy what is unnecessary, you lack the ability to create what is essential. Even monsters need oxygen, and you flail about in front of everyone. You just spouted whatever you wanted to that old man, but from the very beginning, you were my guinea pig. With an intellect akin to that of a primitive beast, you have no right to mock me. You little brat. You should just hide away in the countryside, wallowing in the dirt, never marrying, and end your life in a stinky mess.”
As Terrace said, Corin is indeed angry. She was pretending to be calm, but now that the situation has turned in her favor, her guard has dropped. I can’t help but want to retort. But that can wait.
《Princess! Please defeat the monster!》
《We are with you! Our voices will always reach you!》
《Hey, just die already, you country bumpkin!》
《Die, die, die, die, die!》
《No one needs you!》
【Seraphim has appeared! HP 25,000】
I can’t deny the throbbing sensation gnawing at me. Endure it, Rua. This must be training. Just like the Abyss Cave. I have to save that Princess Kram and escape while I can’t breathe. It’s a grueling trial, one that might even rival the Abyss, but I have no choice. I’ve always done this.
◆ Shin Report ◆
The old hag surprisingly had low stamina.
Honestly, at her age, it’s quite pathetic.
She must have thought she could manage everything with her prized Alex.
Yet, she was completely betrayed by that monster.
Internally, I’m cracking.
Those who write calmly like this end up dying.
That’s the battlefield.
But someone like Rua, when she gets angry, becomes even stronger.
There are indeed such races.
So, I can’t help but conclude that Corin has messed up.
Why is she so desperate to kill Rua?
There shouldn’t be that much merit in it.
The greatness of Alex has already been proven.
Why then?
No need to worry, no need to worry.
So stop gripping that tool bag so tightly, Corin.
Could it be that the secret of the pudding bun has already been discovered?
It hurts, it hurts, ah, ahhh!
Monster Compendium
【Seraphim HP 25,000】
A modified version of Crimson, the final form of the Machine Maiden. It possesses performance that far surpasses Crimson, excelling in all aspects of weaponry. While Crimson was designed to derive appropriate movements from combat data gathered worldwide, this one is entirely dependent on the wearer.
There is no damage to the brain, eliminating even the slight lag of less than 0.01 seconds that existed with Crimson. The system reads brainwaves to instantly reflect thoughts into actions, envisioning a future where even those without combat abilities can engage in battle simply by imagining it.
This is the difference from the Powered Suit, and naturally, the firepower is on an entirely different level. It is also designed for operation in areas inaccessible to humans, and its durability goes without saying. However, the varying Synergy Rates among individuals cannot be ignored, indicating that there are indeed preferences and aptitudes.