It was dawn.
There stood a massive, black shadow in the searing sky filled with azure and orange hue.
That was a Tower. An enormous tower that reached from the surface to the sky.
–A construct called the ‘Heaven’s Pillar’.
Looking down at the land, one would find that pillar piercing through a massive gear, standing tall.
It was Grid Sakuradamon, the highest town in the Multiple Grid Tokyo.
This little city was merely a few kilometers in diameter, and the ‘Heaven’s Pillar’ took up a majority of the land space. Thus, there were no civilians living in the grid.
However, there were people living in within the city walls surrounding the ‘Heaven’s Pillar’ at the center.
For a long time, it housed a traditional family that existed since ancient times, and the people serving them.
There was a deep ditch surrounding the walls, an independent construct that segregated it from Grid Sakuradamon.
Due to the nature of the gears, the gears in this world were destined to continue spinning. However, this place was a rare exception, one that did not move.
And atop this unmoving gear and walls.
There were colors of lush green and water hanging atop the city.
It was not artificial in any way; it was a plaza filled with true nature.
A floating garden.
There was an observatory situated by the garden, where the inside and outside of the Grids could be seen.
–A young girl was standing there.
She was dressed in a faint pink, blouse, a hand-knitted suit, and pump shoes.
Her glossy black hair was reaching down, landing below her waist.
She might appear to be a little brat who just graduated from college and entered society, but her eyes were different.
An ordinary girl would never have such forged, firm-willed black eyes.
Those sharp eyes were staring at the ‘military’ in formation before the city.
–Currently, this ‘palace’ was surrounded.
Houko had a rough understanding of the chaos and crisis that befell this country.
And she knew very well…that she was powerless against it.
“–This really is an unpleasant situation.”
She muttered, reminding herself to pull herself together, and diverted her eyes.
She turned her left wrist, and tugged at her sleeve.
Revealed on her left wrist was a silver watch. It was simple in function, and etched on the surface was a name ‘Marie’, so tiny it was not obvious.
The time was 5.17am.
There was another 43 minutes until the ‘military’ below indicated that they would ‘break through the fortress’.
On February 8, there was a terrorist attack in Akihabara at midnight, and at dawn, an unknown massive weapon appeared.
The electromagnetic weapon caused all functions in Grid Akihabara to fail, and the ‘military’ sent to intercept it was wiped out.
The government released a declaration of emergency, stripped the Prime Minister of his power as leader, suing him with the charges of inciting internal conflict and inviting external scourges. The Defense Minister too was under doubt–
And then, the media took the initiative to release a scoop on the massive weapon.
With that, before the people could recover from the shock of a terrorist incident, they learned that Tokyo has fallen, and in their panic, the grids started to revolt.
The police could not handle the chaos, and requested for the ‘military’ to be mobilized.
But a group of mostly young officers broke off from the ‘military’ right when the command system was in shambles.
They immediately assaulted the the garrisons in Grid Ichigaya, robbed the armory equipment, assaulted Grid Sakuradamon, and surrounded the ‘Palace’.
–That would be a brief summary of the riot that would later be known as ‘The 2/8 Incident’.
“–We can no longer leave this to the higher ups.”
A young captain said as he sat at the negotiating table.”
“The government and ‘military’ are not willing to put in any responsibility in the face of this national crisis. No, leaving that aside, they were pushing the blame from the moment they secretly agreed to the research of electromagnetic technology. This situation is all caused by the higher-ups. The Kyoto Incident, and then this happened–we can no longer remain silent.”
That is correct. Houko thought.
The higher ups had ceased to function, and it was true that they caused this crisis.
The Captain then said,
“We have no time. The threat of the massive weapon still lingers, and the request the Prime Minister made to use the ‘Tall Wand’ has not been retracted. We have to hurry and seize political power, and to negotiate with the massive weapon and other countries. At the same time, we need a symbol to prove that we obtained the power–that will be you, your Highness.”
But this is where the problem lies, Houko thought.
In a certain sense, such a reasoning was correct. Even if they did topple the government with military force, they would simply be seen as starting a rebellion if they did not recognize any actual legitimacy.
The only ones who could prove this legitimacy–no matter the ceremony–were the people of the ‘Palace’, like her.
However, it was not the Emperor who was lying sickly in bed, nor was it the Prince who was still an infant, and it was obvious that she–Princess Houko Hoshinomiya, who officially took over the throne for the time being, would be in charge.
However, how effective would that symbol be–?
The young captain pleaded earnestly,
“This country is already rotten. There is a need to correct! Our intrusion of your chambers is not to be excused, but Princess, please assist us for the sake of this country.
To be honest– Houko thought.
She personally empathized with them, and felt that it was true. If the era was different, or if the situation was a little different, perhaps she would have granted them the Imperial Flag.
However, reality was not as simple and sweet as assumed.
And because of that, her answer was already decided.
“–There is no meaning to that. I shall refuse.”
The young Captain’s face was contorted.
Houko showed an iron-willed stare at the commanders present, and informed them.
“I do advise all parties to cease with such futile actions, return to your squadrons, and maintain your stations. Your actions cannot be pardoned, but I will personally write a letter pleading for leniency, so that your crimes will be reduced.”
“Your Highness! Please think through it!”
“I have. And this is the conclusion of my thoughts.
The Captain’s face reddened, and he muttered, saying,
“We cannot back down now. If you are to refuse no matter what, Princess, we are mentally prepared to get what we want, even if it means by force.”
“I suppose. Do as you please, Captain.”
“…Do you think this is simply a threat?”
“No. You do have your own thoughts, but I do have my thoughts, my responsibilities. I cannot submit.”
All negotiations broke down. They had planned for many pointless negotiations thereafter–but in any case, there was no time.
6am, February 10th–that would be the time when they premeditated their ‘forced entry’.
“–Ah, Your Highness. So you are here?”
Houko heard a voice from the back, and turned around.
Standing there was a frail old man dressed in a suit.
“Mr Kusunoki.”
“You do have to know that acting alone now is dangerous.”
“It is meaningless for them to murder me. Considering their objectives, they will try to abstain from that no matter what.”
Barging into the ‘Palace’ through brute force alone was a perilous act in itself, but if any of the Royal Family was to die as a result, their actions would never, ever be legitimized.
However, the chief servant Kusunoki answered skeptically,
“Perhaps their commander might be as such…but those people driven by a moment of impulse might not be as wise as you are, Your Highness.”
Houko nodded, and had another thought.
“If everyone is wise, such a situation would never have happened, I suppose?”
“I do not know…however, if it is someone of authority like you, Your Highness–”
“Well, that will be hard to say. I am ultimately a powerless girl after all.”
Houko mocked herself, and turned to stare at the lookout.”
She watched the battalion that got into position, and muttered,
“They did that on the assumption that they are in the right.”
“Such a bunch of foolish brutes. They actually intruded upon the ‘Palace’.”
“Perhaps. However, for us to call them fools, we do not have any more capability than they do.”
Upon hearing Houko’s words, chief servant Kusunoki gasped, and asked,
“Your Highness–are you implying that they are in the right?”
“No. I did inform them during the negotiations that it is pointless. There was nothing to discuss the moment they stated a clear threat and ignited a rebellion, however–”
Houko paused, and continued,
“If I am to approve to them and give them legitimacy–what will change?”
“Your Highness, what you are saying is…”
“I am not underestimating my authority, but even if the people do accept, that is just how it looks on the country. To what extent will the other countries…the people controlling that massive weapon accept it?”
“According to the reports, they are the ‘military’ of old Shiga, and this is a coup d’etat on the government…in that case, I do not think they will belittle the Royal Family’s authority, no?”
“–Really? I do doubt that.”
Houko narrowed her eyes, muttering,
“–And speaking of reports.”
“Yes…”
“Have you heard anything of Marie Bell Breguet’s whereabouts?”
Houko asked, and this caused Kusunoki to look conflicted.
“Erm…well, she is someone who appeared to have died, and we cannot track her whereabouts down after all. I would say that I would not have remembered her name until you noticed her photo, Your Highness.”
“However, I can be sure that she’s involved in that Akihabara Terrorist Incident in some way.”
“So you mean that she has some important crux to this?”
“Actually–I do think she is the mastermind.”
Houko exerted more strength into her hand grabbing the railing.
“Even if all the technicians of the JSDF around the ‘Heaven’s Pillar’ are gathered, seizing control of a city’s grid and manipulating it at will is something they cannot do. I do not think the technicians of the Capital Defense Forces can do that either. She is the only technician I know how has such expertise.”
“…I do remember that she was your classmate?”
“Just for a month.”
Her lips showed a smile, saying,
“When I studied in Europe, I was grateful for her reception. I remembered well how petite she was, yet she was brimming with passion like a fireball, filled with a sense of justice, and also the premier technician…”
Kusunoki asked in surprise,
“…Is such a person the mastermind?”
Houko shook her head,
“I do feel that terrorist activity in itself did not make sense. The coup d’etat would have succeeded regardless of that action–no, I would say that it is because of that incident that the people were able to evacuate safely, that nobody perished as a consequence.”
“Then, Your Highness, are you implying that the terrorist incident is of a different intent from this coup d’etat?”
“Yes. Of course, this is just a deduction based on ‘some vague feeling’, but assuming that it is correct…”
Houko paused,
“I cannot help but think that there is still upheavals to be had.”
Of course, that was merely an optimistic, hopeful thinking.
Reality was not as nice as imaginations. Houko knew that well.
No, she assumed that she knew–
–However, Houko did not know.
That in another 10 minutes, or to be precise, 8 minutes and 52 seconds.
Leaving Houko aside, the world would have to realize that such understanding was merely a blissful imagination.
The reality that they were still standing on that imagination.
In other words–The reality was always overriding their imaginations.
At the same time, on the outside.
There was a tense atmosphere filling Grid Sakuradamon.
Soon after, it would be the premeditated ‘forceful assault’.
The passion for a revolution, the agitation before a battle–and the moral dilemma for the savagery they were about to commit.
The heavy atmosphere descended upon the army surrounding the palace, and an interviewing helicopter was peering from afar.
Bitterness–an atmosphere almost everyone present felt.
“Phew…finally, some air after 48 hours, how refreshing. No, even I do not have anything like a respiratory installation. I must say though that despite my vision being filled with such foolish peasants unable to graduate from their mindsets inferior to fleas for thousands of years, this sense of pleasure is valid.”
Closing in from behind–was ‘reality’.
It was a small group of people. Walking right in front was a girl in a black dress and silver hair.
Her footsteps were fast and fleeting, seeming giving off the delight of an elegant dance at any given moment.
Coming out from those fresh blooming lips was a refreshing voice of a silver bell.
The topaz eyes were glittering, and that Automata showcased the sharp verbal jabs that were not heard for a while.
Tailing behind her is a black-haired boy and blond girl, walking at strolling pace.
Right behind them was a young girl in red and white armor..
They casually passed through the center of the road, brazenly moving forward.
The black dress girl walked as she turned to look behind–showing a smile to the boy, a smile even an angel would be smitten with, saying,
“Master Naoto–? Even if I am merely a servant of clockwork, I should have the privilege and restraint to choose who I should be serving. My head is not so wretched to bow down to a simpleton of a single-cell microbe, so please understand my displeasure.”
“Well, yeah, I know, but this is–”
One had to wonder how many times had they repeated this conversation, and the black haired boy nodded lethargically.
However, the girl looked displeased as she continued,
“I understand, Master Naoto. You wish for me to have a clear distinction from a beast who knows nothing of the word ‘etiquette’, and I shall respect your vulgar logic and obey accordingly. I shall repeat however–that I am truly unwilling.”
The boy could hear a voice that was practically hidden in the laughter of flowers, and gave a wry smile as he answered.
“Got it. We need to go all out with this, so just bear with it–I got a reward for you.”
“–I am an object of yours, Master Naoto. To be served with a reward…please do understand your own position.”
Contrary to her words however–only the boy was able to see–the delight from the black dress girl, and then–
“AnchoR…you ready?”
“…Yes. It’s your order, papa–no, a request, so.”
The red and white girl had her head patted by the boy, and nodded.
Finally, the blond girl gave a despondent, wry smile.
“Don’t you guys know what being nervous is…? Will it go well here?”
But contrary to her words, there was no sense of uneasiness to be felt from her words.
It seemed both the boy and the black dress girl understood this, and they beamed, saying,
“Well, Marie, there’s no way RyuZU and AnchoR will fail.”
“Master Marie, are you bored enough to actually ask such a rhetoric? Or is it that your brain of a simpleton is faulty? If Master Naoto says that he can do it, even a problem too great for God will have to back then–of course, this will depend on a certain Miss not committing a blunder and pulling him down.”
“…Well, whatever, I’m not gonna argue with that. Even your spiteful words sound so reliable now.”
And–the blond girl said,
“The enemy’s the one you should be dicing.”
Right in front of them was a barricade formed by miniature automatic weapons and vehicles.
–And in the face of the military perimeter surrounding the ‘capital’, the boy listened keenly, muttering,
“Multi-pedal heavy armor tanks, 18 units, 32 armored soldiers, light and heavy automata…I’m kinda lazy to sort them out, but there’s 68 of them. Including those passengers, there’s 98 soldiers with military prosthetics–”
The boy callously affirmed the number of forces surrounding the place, asking,
“Marie–if we’re going to wipe them out–suppress them with the strongest forces in the world, how long will it take?”
“And not cause any damage to the ‘Palace’? It’s impossible to approach it now, but let me think…”
The blond girl lowered her head to ponder.
The girl was a technician, neither a mercenary or a soldier. Thus, with her personality of a technician, she started estimating based on the capabilities–
“Assuming the many generations of armaments developed by the Breguets, the light armor automata and prosthetics given to a military force experienced in street warfare and suppression, if we send 4 of them and use them to their limit, it’ll take a minimum of 14 minutes.”
Upon hearing this answer that was based on some unbelievable premise, the boy immediately boasted,
“Now then, RyuZU, AnchoR, the time limit will be “7 Minutes”. That should be more than enough, right?”
“…Destroy them, all? I want an order…can I hold back…?”
“Yeah, hold back as much as you want. Don’t kill anyone. That’s absolute.”
–If anyone else was to hear this conversation, what would they think?
Would they laugh it off? Berate them? Any way–
“Anyway, RyuZU, AnchoR–as we planned, do your best to attract their attention. I’ll leave it to you.”
“Understood…now then, if you excuse me.”
–Speaking of which.
This year, there had been a lot of events happening in Japan that never happened before, starting with the failed purge of Kyoto.
The Akihabara Terrorism Announcement, the Akihabara Magnetized Crisis, the Kasumigaseki Meeting, the request to use the ‘Tall Wand’, the Tokyo uprising, the February 9th uprising, the skirmish at Sakuradamon–
Such incidents might be caused by some mastermind steering, plotting, lots of conspiracies…
–Seemingly mocking this.
It was a theater-like crime that would be summarized as everything was committed by a mere terrorist cell.
The final incident that would conclude and be deemed as a common name.
And the first incident–of a series of incidents that would shock the world.
This incident would later be recorded in history as the ‘February 8 Uprising’, or ‘Second Upsilon’.
On this year, this day, this moment, this instance.
Clockwork Year 1016, February 10th, Japan Standard Time, 5.59am in the morning–
A tower was suddenly sliced, and crumbled like a puzzle, attracting the starts of the surrounding people.
And in the sounds of the rumbling collapse, a voice akin to the music box spoke, echoing clearly,
“–Attention please♪”
A black dress girl bowed elegantly in front of the collapsing tower.
And a young red and white girl in armor bashfully mimicked the girl’s actions, bowing.
“Hello, . My name is the first of the Initial-Y series, ‘YourSlave’ RyuZU.”
“E-erm…I’m the fourth unit of the Initial-Y series ‘Trishula’ AnchoR…ni-nice to meet you.”
–This incident started off with the greeting of two automata (legends).
“Currently, I am observing a group of arrogant, pitiful, tragic microbes hurried around by some crude plotting, so listen, it should have been a ridiculous, delightful event–but due to my Master’s orders, and due to some personal matter that happened to me–if I have to be honest, what I will do next is simply carnage.”
“E-erm…please allow me to apologize first…I’m sorry…!”
The black dress girl showed an angelic smile, reaching out two black scythes from deep within her skirt.
And the young red and white girl regretfully drew out massive swords from the solid gears that appeared out of nowhere.
Anyone who heard their introductions–would have doubted their understandings.
However, the black dress girl appeared not to be concerned with such understanding and doubt, maintaining her smile–
“I do not find this impudent, and I am truly unwilling to etch this on those regrettably pitiful, incapable minds, but I do wish that all those who had the fortune of hearing our names and our voices–”
She paused,
“Will taste this along with the dust, and kneel down to exalt us♪”
“So-sorry….!”
–And then, anyone who heard such words were not even allowed to know who they were, let alone resist.
Even if the armored units were to fire off one shut, they would be haplessly crushed and groveled, powerless again this irrationality.
–This day proved the existence of the newest legends, overriding that of the old legends.
Those living on this ‘Clockwork Planet’ had to recall.
Think of where they were standing.
And that was–the so-called reality was always trampling, overriding their imaginations, moving forward.
There was no ‘truth’ in history’, only ‘explanations’…or so someone said.
In any case, this applied even for witnesses to historic events. For example–
Captain Sumitada Hikoshima of the Tokyo ‘military’ Central Intelligence Branch, 28 years old.
He was a young commander, the fastest to rise to this rank.
And the Central Intelligence Branch he belonged to was in charge of dealing with ‘military’ mission information, to assist the other squads in strategy.
This time, the ‘Akihabara Terrorist Incident’ occurred, and an unknown massive weapon appeared,
“–This is a farce, a farce, a farce! Because of this incident, that Okada…!”
Hikoshima angrily slammed his fist onto the table, shaking the simple, cramped commander tent.
His furious uproar too caused the other officers, present at this tent, to gasp.
Lieutenant Okada was his friend, of the same year, part of the Capital Defense Force. He went out to take on the massive weapon…and died in battle.
The command system was erratic, reports conflicting, and Captain Hikoshima, an upstart amongst the younger generation, was driven by the motivation to take revenge for his friend–and then…he learned of the ‘military’ secret.
30 years ago, Grid Shiga was purged; the government discreetly agreed to the research on electromagnetic technology. At this moment, they were trying to manipulate this incident into causing this incident.
–In other words, my friend was killed by the politicians…!
He felt that it was unforgivable, that he should not leave this to the higher ups.
The higher ups were still embroiled in their internal strife, pushing the blame onto each other–he could no longer hope in the higher ups of the ‘military’ anymore, and immediately contacted his peers, whom he could trust.
The young commanders, his peers, were all upstarts as well, and they were friends who had an oath of sake to devote their utmost for this country.
Captain Hikoshima’s fury of justice was burning like fire, stoking the flames in the other officers.
And as a result, there was a rebellion–no, a ‘coup d’etat’.
At first, he was supposed to wait on the response of the Princess as a symbol of their power, and it was disappointing–but his allies did advice it was inevitable that a person like her would have conservative ideas.
Captain Hikoshima also understood very well that seizing political power through military force–was in no way a right thing to be done. He was not justice.
–But with the country in a crisis, the situation was critical. Sometimes, he would have to do things even if it meant subverting justice. Why would she not understand…
As he thought about the real intent of that weapon–and the higher ups simply wasting their time, it was no different from slow suicide. There was a need to collate all authority and fighting strength.
But…why attack the ‘Palace’?
This is too ridiculous–Captain Hikoshima thought, and shook his head.
(Even if I have to pull all the stops, the end makes up for the means! …But, that’s–)
It was simply some futile internal strife. In fact, they had no time and ability to divert so much military force on such a thing. They had to settle this quickly.
The moment of the assault was approaching, and right when Captain Hikoshima was about to shout–at that moment…
An explosion rang.
It was not the only one, for several echoed thereafter.
“What’s going on!? Which idiot started off first–!?”
Those anxious forces started attacking now Having determined this, Captain Hikoshima clicked his tongue.
–This is bad. Even with a premediated declaration, there would be problems in the future if someone started an attack before the command was given.
No, there’s already a huge problem already when some fool started attacking.
“The 7th squad got wiped out! It looks like they were assaulted by the enemy from behind!”
“…What, did you say?”
However, the report from the intel soldier caused the Captain to widen his eyes..
“The automatic cannons on the right wing were destroyed!”
“We lost contact with the second armor forces! 3rd and 4th–no response either!”
“–Impossible. Who are the enemies! Which forces are attacking now!?”
The Captain growled at the communications officer, pondering,
The military higher-ups? Those incompetent fellows were playing kemari with each other, pushing responsibility around.
The mobile police? Impossible. They were already lacking in ability to maintain order, and did not have such capabilities.
The public special forces? Impossible. Their numbers were insufficient in dealing with a ‘military’ force of such scale.
In that case–were they the ‘Palace Guards’? Captain Hikoshima clicked his tongue.
The Palace Guards were the military technicians in charge of managing the ‘Heaven’s Pillar’, and typically, their fighting strength was apparently low.
However, they were the forces in charge of defending the ‘Heaven’s Pillar’–Did we underestimate them?
Maybe they’re using the ‘Heaven’s Pillar’–the Palace, some secret passage underground or something to attack.
Do we finish this quick and easy, and attack from the front while the forces are split?
It’s different from what we planned, but if we can minimize the damage to the palace as much as we can–
“Report on the enemy forces!”
The commander turned to shout, but–
“–Why, how daring of you to actually command me, Mister. It is your free will to not treasure your life, but I do advise you to repent if you assume you have authority over me and annoy me–”
Answering him was a girl’s clear voice–followed by silence.
The crew was sprawled all over the tables, and the massive equipment that were in operation just a while ago was reduced to scrap.
What–when did this happen?
The canvas was sliced and flapping in the wind; one could see the scenery outside.
The Captain’s swimming eyes saw the quad-pedal tanks ‘Komainu’ installed right behind the simple commander tent–severed into oblivion.
Standing on that debris was a girl in black dress.
The girl poked two scythes from beneath her skirt, smiling leisurely.
…
“……Huh?”
Captain Hikoshima’s eyes lost all luster as he blurted out in skepticism.
–It was as though there was a demonstration of something really inexplicable.
“Woah…well, I guess you’re the commander here?”
Captain Hikoshima turned around, and saw a blond girl, seemingly passing by, peek into the tent.
“I understand your feelings though…just think of it as being caught in some natural disaster, okay? Sorry about that.”
The girl seemed to completely empathize with him, and she closed an eye, drawing a cross before her chest.
At this moment, Captain Hikoshima finally gathered all his courage to ask of the intruders’ identities with a trembling voice.
“…Who–are you guys?”
“–Well, to put it nicely, if I have to introduce myself, it’ll be really troublesome…I left a comms estation for you, so mind broadcasting this to the entire military for me? It’ll save time.”
At that moment, an explosion rang.
This time, the roof of the tent was blown up, and at the same time, 3 tanks surrounding them were sliced haplessly.
Causing such a bewildering tragedy–was a young girl in red and white armor, and she suddenly noticed Hikoshima.
“Ah, eh…hello, I’m…AnchoR”
“I’m the older sister RyuZU–of the Initial Y series. My apologies for your futility. Have a nice day.”
Hikoshima witnessed the gang who went off while leaving these words behind.
Captain Sumitada Hikoshima was one of the historical witnesses.
If one was to put his viewpoint into words, how would it be like?
Illogical, unreasonable, brief, abrupt–his revolution, done out of righteous fury, failed without any reason.
Battle? Incident? No–this phenomenon could only be considered as an ‘incident’.
Defining this truth in itself was not the job of a witness–but a historian.
–This scene was like a joke.
It was not a battle; just a one-sided sweep.
It was not a calamity; this irrational phenomenon was with a purpose.
In other words, it was just trampling–the strong trumping over the weak.
“…I knew already…but this is really illogical.”
“This is normal for both RyuZU and AnchoR.”
While Marie pitied the young Captain who appeared to be the captain of this operation, Naoto proudly answered.
Both of them nonchalantly passed the road across the moat protecting the palace, chatting away.
At that moment, the lightly armed automata, which had their weapons aimed at the duo, were instantly crushed.
Immediately afterwards–no, at that instant, an automatic cannon several hundred meters away was similarly destroyed.
It was likely that both were–done in by RyuZU.
Marie could not be certain, since she could not see RyuZU and ANchoR in action.
RyuZU continued to move at high speeds, dismantling all the malice directed at Naoto.
In other words, the devastation done nearby were probably by RyuZU, so for Naoto–
“…Ah, waah…kick…!”
Her voice was a little panicky. Based on deduction, she probably swung the sword, and when unable to respond to a back attack in time, kicked at it–probably. That ‘kick’ she did while trying to hold back as much as she could–
“Hey Naoto…that ‘Komainu’ weighs 3.4 tonnes, you know?”
“Heh~ that’s unexpectedly heavy.”
“Yeah…very heavy. That thing’s flying in the air…it’s funny, isn’t it?”
That 3.4 ton metal block flew in the air, and Marie could not help but let out a dry laugh at that sight.
–The C&S 228 quadra pedal tank, commonly known as the ‘Komainu’.
It was a four legged tank developed together by two of the biggest companies in the country, the ‘Seiko’ and the ‘Citizen’; while they were inferior to the 5 Great Enterprises, the Breguets, Vachrons, Audemars, Pateks, Langes, they did have some of the premier technology in the world.
The main unit the ‘military’ had was probably the ‘A-Un’–perhaps they could not deploy the latest ‘military’ armaments in time because of the sudden coup d’etat.
However–the ‘Komainu’ was still an outstanding unit that was yet to be phased out.
And even Marie, as a technician, was impressed by the design.
It was a manned vehicle, and had all-view vision and inertia absorption system, but it displayed combat mobility comparable to that of a heavily-armed automata, and could move upright through the use of cables. By deliberately abandoning the thrust of the automatic springs and switching to the stored energy function, it was able to deliver a considerable power output over a large surface area.
Notably, its load–it contained the basic armaments of a 120cm cannon, a 30cm Gatling cannon, and could contain another 4 weapons at most. They could even be switched around in battle–but–
“Ah…sorry, papa, mama.”
AnchoR suddenly appeared in front of Naoto and Marie, as though she teleported, and casually swung a hand.
Immediately–there was an explosion in the sky, and after a beat, Marie understood the situation.
–There were two missiles closing in on the duro, and they were easily deflected by AnchoR”s gauntlets far into the air.
Marie turned around, and saw the ‘Komainus’ firing–far away in the distance. The machine was sliced vertically in half, and while the pilot remained speechless, AnchoR did not bother to bow at him.
Having witnessed this, all Marie could do was to give a dry smile.
Certainly, the country’s ‘military’ armaments were not weak in any sense.
For a country that focused mainly on producing local products, its armaments were considered the premier in the world.
But all of that–ended up like this.
“…Hey Naoto, this is really reality, right? Mind pinching me?”
“Okay–hey, why are you beating me up!”
“Seriously, there has to be a limit to how unreasonable this is…”
“Ow…now that’s what I want to say…damn it.”
Having witnessed this maelstrom of a violence, Marie finally understood.
RyuZU was not being humble when she declared herself to be the weakest of the ‘Initial-Y series’.
“…RyuZU is supposed to be the ‘weakest’, and she’s shredding the weapons like paper mache. I should pay attention to this more…”
Recalling back calmly, RyuZU did shred the Vacherons’ latest weaponss ‘Grat’ easily. Having considered that, the massive weapon was an abnormality to be able to block her scythes, and the normal weapons would typically end up like this–this was an illogical logic.
Furthermore…there was the capabilities of AnchoR, dubbed the ’embodiment of the strongest’–
Marie watched AnchoR swing a massive sword to cleave three ‘Komainu’.
“…Hey, Naoto. What kind of combat was ‘Y’ planning for when he gave that kid such powerful fighting strength? –I guess even aliens will go running away after seeing that, right?”
Marie asked with a lethargic voice, and Naoto gave a dumbfounded look, answering,
“Well, it’s to make them run with their tails tucked behind them, right? You really ask too much unnecessary stuff, Marie.”
–And then, at that moment,
“Got it, Marie.”
Naoto, who had his earphones off the entire time, raised his voice,
“That’s the heavy armed automata Type Cz 35C ‘Black Tortoise’–yep, no doubt about it. I found it.”
–Certainly, there was no doubt that it would be fine for them to simply enter the palace just like that.
But that alone was not enough.
They had to crush all the military forces before the enemy retreated.
Based on ‘Naoto’s plan’, they had to do so in an illogical, overwhelming, unreasonable manner–
They had to crush the scene such that even the strongest military forces in the world could nto do so.
–And one more thing.
“Okay, time for the next plan…!”
Marie cupped her head with both hands, seemingly bracing herself as she curled her lips.
She looked up at the sky–seeing numerous media helicopters whirling in the air, boldly getting their scoops on the maelstrom of destruction. Once she saw that one of them had the cameras aimed on them.
She raised her left hand, and swung it hard.
There was a temporary JSDF command post set up in the Palace’s meeting room.
The posh furniture were all taken away, and installed with communications devices and a huge screen.
And the JSDF, still in a somber mood till a while back, was watching the TV visuals on the screen along with the terrified Palace staff.
“–E-everyone, have a look at this unbelievable scene…!”
The reporter’s voice was raised, most likely out of disbelief.
Well, it was to be expected, for it really was unbelievable.
The ‘military’ forces that was surrounding the Palace in the visual just a while back was crushed by ‘a certain something’ they could not comprehend–
“Their identities are unknown! B-but one of them is–ah, it’s that boy! He’s the suspect, Naoto Miura, who declared that he would freeze Akihabara just days ago! Also, according the survivors’ witnesses, there’s also two automata who called themselves the ‘Initial-Y’ units–!”
The young black-haired girl–Houko stared at the screen, and murmured,
“What…is this?”
A young JSDF technical officer answered,
“I-I don’t know…there’s no way any weapon can do such a thing…”
“Is this really realtime visual? Is it possible that it’s doctored?”
While the Princess cautiously asked, the officer immediately answered–
“I suppose not. This does seem to be a live telecast from a public channel. Also, ‘nobody’ has the time, technology, or even the motive to create such a fake image.”
–Of course. To whose benefit will it be to air such a thing? The important thing is that it is happening right under our noses. Anything that can be seen from the palace cannot be bluffed.
“So that means that it is an actual broadcast, no?”
In response to Houko’s affirming words, the officer nodded despite being unable to say anything.
–This isreality.
It was something even Houko forgot–something that trampled over imagination.
She felt intimidated, and turned her eyes to look at the screen–before noticing something.
While the reporter was introducing the boy called Naoto Miura…right beside him was a blond girl looking up at the camera.
The girl’s emerald eyes were glittering as she raised her left hand up high, swinging it.
“–…”
Houko could not help but turn her left hand around.
She had a silver watch, with the name ‘MARIE’ inscribed on the case.
“W-we have an anonymous report! …Huh? Ah, sorry, the-they’re–“
The report thereafter left Houko flabbergasted.
Only she realized that it was a magic spell used to solve everything.
“They are the criminal group who declared the terrorist incident on Grid Akihabara, and created the now running unknown weapon running rampant there…!”
“Fuu…hhaa! Can’t calm down without this after all.”
–The location was one of the buildings flanking the road to the palace.
A girl was looking down from the roof, staring at the frantic scenes, smoking while wearing a rubber suit.
To be precise, she was not a woman, and more technically, she was not human–neither a cyborg, nor an automata.
It was a man whose head was forcibly attached to an automata unit–and someone called his name.
“Vermouth, Naoto found it. The ‘target’s said to be at your 2 o’clock, in one of the 5 units.”
Marie’s voice came from the resonance communicator installed in the mechanical body, notifying him.
He/she leisurely stood up, stretching the arms out, grinning.
“All right, as expected of the little brat I’m in love with. I’ll fuck him in the ass as a reward.”
“–Homosexuality is contagious. That’s what he said.”
Vermouth showed a wry grinned, and continued running down the roof–jumping. He continued to move to the designated place, and Marie asked nervously, hiding her disdained,
“–It’s kinda late to ask this now…but you’re really alright with this?”
Well, this certainly is kinda late–Vermouth chuckled quietly.
“What now? Even you don’t believe in the body you built? Aren’t you just a little bit–”
“Of course I believe in it! I did my best in the adjustments–but that machine isn’t a cyborg body. Understand what I mean? That’s not for human control!”
“–Are you kidding me! You’re shocking me with something I don’t know! In that case, Missy, tell me something. Who’s the one who attached my head to this thing in the first place?”
Vermouth continued to leap off the buildings as he remained spiteful, and Marie was speechless.
–There was no need to mention it, for it was Marie herself who did it. But–
“Relax. This body’s fine with me, you know? You came up with the best work here, Missy.”
It was not a lie. In fact, he was leaping off buildings, and yet there was no impairment to the shock absorbers.
As expected of a love automata, it was sexy and pretty, so much that one could think of a movie star or a top model. Amazingly and luckily for him, the difference felt between this model and Vermouth’s prior prosthetics was kept to the minimum possible. Though the power was inferior from the original high-grade military parts used, but as it was built for dancing, it was able to do flexible movements his original body could not do.
–Right, it was well done, so well done that he could not feel any delay in his reactions.
Even after using so many of the quality parts, nobody could actually make such amazing adjustments.
Truly, this is the work of a genius–Vermouth thought, but did not say it now.
“Well, this thing is a playdoll automata, but there’s actually one big cock at my crotch–”
“I’ll kill you, you know?”
Vermouth’s teasing taunt was met with a frigid response.
“No no no. I’m serious. Why did you put that on me?”
“Like hell I know! It was there already! I don’t want to touch such a filthy thing either!”
Vermouth widened his eyes, seemingly able to see Marie’s blushing face,
“–Hey, you’re kidding, that’s standard equipment? I heard of the rumors, but this is Cool Japan’s regulations? Awesome; no matter the era, Japan’s always living in the future!”
Vermouth cheerfully smirked, but he felt something strange through his communicator–and his attitude changed as a result.
He lit a new cigarette, calmly telling Marie,
“–Want a smoke? It’s nice.”
“That body–even your original body won’t be able to pick out that smell”
Upon hearing Marie question ‘what’s the point of that’, Vermouth merely grimaced. She did not understand.
He continued to jump from one building to another, identifying the target–as that brat had said, there was a squadron of 5 units at his 2 o’clock. He saw the ‘target’ amongst them.
“For example, Missy, even a body of flesh and blood will say that the air’s great, but what does that mean?”
“…”
“Air itself has no smell, right? The idea of great air is just a good atmosphere–that’s all.”
–The heavyarms automata, Type Cz-35C ‘Black Tortoise’.
Built by Seiko, its unique characteristic was a fusion of thick alloy armor and heavy firepower–its arms were equipped with 40 cal cannons, the shoulders equipped with the main cannons–the Thermobaric Busters, and they were equipped with highly intricate Ai. They were amongst the strongest bipedal unmanned weapons in the city.
…They mobilized such a thing for a mere young Captain’s rebellion, and one had to grimace at that.
However, it seemed that they were unable to get enough, so accompanying it was 3 armored ‘Metal Demons’ units and a quadra pedal ‘Komainu’.
Right below him were numerous cyborg foot soldiers and lightly armed automata.
Vermouth looked down at this squad, and thought of ‘Naoto’s request’.
Let’s repeat that again. Don’t kill anyone. Just destroy the ‘Black Tortoise AI’, eliminate all other units.
Is there all that is to the order? Do I add in some fries and drinks to this too?
Vermouth held in his grin. That brat Naoto came up with such an impossible problem for a scumbag like me.
“And then…right now, I feel that tobacco is the best taste.”
–“Nobody else other than you can do this”–
“…so in the end, what was that?”
Marie gave a skeptical question, and Vermouth then leaped off the roof–
He jumped at the 6-storey building opposite him, did a triangle jump down the gaps between the building, and landed.
If you don’t like something, beat them up–he thought of Naoto’s eyes when the latter declared this, exhaled a large puff of smoke, and then beamed, appearing as though he would bite the smoke off.
“–It means that since I have a good smoke, I won’t miss!”
Vermouth smirked, and then charged into the chaotic battlefield from behind the building.
Charging towards a cyborg foot soldier who was on his guard.
Of course, he was spotted.
“Wh-who’s that–”
The cyborg soldier skeptically raised their rifles as he saw this playdoll automata charging in abruptly.
Vermouth immediately closed in on them.
And as he did, he kicked.
The toes kicked the rifle body, and the rifle left the hands of the cyborg.
Vermouth grabbed the rifle that fell out, and then fired a shot, shooting through the cyborg’s right leg.
And in a blink, he fired another 3 shots at the flank of the stunned cyborg.
Vermouth watched the enemy tumble back, and showed a smile, saying,
“How do I look like to you? I want to know to.”
There were 4 shots fired, and this triggered the reactions of the other cyborg soldiers, shouting,
“–it’s the enemy!”
“Ah–good. It’s easy for me when they think of everything as an ‘enemy’, even if it’s some erotic love doll passing by.”
Vermouth guffawed as he was fired upon by the enemy in three directions. However, he did not stop.
Vermouth continued to dodge the hail of bullets with such nifty dance-like footwork.
He ducked into the blind spots of the enemy cyborg foot soldiers and automata, sometimes using them as shields for them to shoot themselves at, and continued to glide around.
They were rifles, but a single shot would be fatal on this playdoll automata–Vermouth continued to sprint however, not showing any fear, only a cynical sneer instead.
And then–
“Lend me your head, kid.”
Vermouth stomped on a cyborg’s head, and leapt.
Right in front of him was an armored soldier–the ‘Metal Demon’.
Vermouth was on the shoulder of the enemy soldier–and it landed about 8m higher, scaling another enemy unit. Such mobility was inferior to a military cyborg, but it far surpassed the capabilities of a human.
Due to the chaotic battlefield, and having lost its enemy, the ‘Metal Demon’ Vermouth was on was looking around, acting wary.
–However, it could not find anyone.
Vermouth knew very well that as long as he remained hidden in this position, he would not be discovered by the 8 cameras on this ‘Metal Demon’.
And he continued to cling onto the extendable arms of the ‘Metal Demon’, opened the hatch that was basically at the back of a human’s neck, and turned the emergency lever to the right.
The ‘Metal Demon’ then stopped. The reverberating sounds of the gears and the cylinders rang, and the pilot hatch suddenly opened like a backpack.
Seated inside was a young man who appeared to have just graduated from officer school.
“…Huh?”
The soldier stared at at Vermouth blankly, and the latter pointed his gun at the soldier’s nose, saying,
“Yo kid, nice driving.Speaking of which, I’m kinda shocked that this is a single-pilot, ya’ know?”
Vermouth steadied his gun with one hand, and stuffed the cigarette in his other hand at the pilot’s mouth.
And then, he grabbed the startled soldier by the head, forcing him to nod.
“I’m exchanging this cigarette for this baby here. Aren’t we friends? Tell me how does it feel to fly in the air later.”
Vermouth prattled on as he pulled the pilot’s lever.
And then–with an explosion, the pilot seat was fired off, and the pilot screamed as he flew into the sky.
“Thank you.”
Vermouth gave a sexy kiss to the pilot, and dug into the pilot seat.
“Now then~–let’s show everyone that I’m a scumbag worthy of that little slut (Naoto)’s expectations.”
Part of the functions was lost because the pilot seat was gone. However, the cockpit was not gone, unlike a fighter jet.
Vermmouth grabbed the severed cables and joystick–that alone allowed him to manipulate the ‘Metal Demon’ system.
If she actually saw his true capabilities–what kind of face would Marie show?
Vermouth pondered as he prepared himself for the next ‘strategy’.
At the same time, he saw the flustered armored units and quadra pedal tanks, sneering,
(Ha–we got some rookies who aren’t any different from amateurs here. They don’t know how to identify any enemy units?)
Despite the armored unit ‘Metal Demon’ being stolen, the enemy did not fight back.
None of them could determine the stolen ‘Metal Demon’ as an enemy and use their weapons, to prevent friendly fire.
Also, the ‘Black Tortoise’ and other automata could not determine enemies on their own.
The only condition when this would change–would be when they were attacked twice.
To put it another way, nobody could shoot at the ‘Metal Demon’ commandeered by Vermouth, except for the foot soldiers’ rifles, until Vermouth shot twice.
In that case, what should he do?
–First, he had to destroy the quadra pedal ‘Komainu’.
Given the armor of the ‘Black Demon’, and in such a state–it would be over if he was targeted.
In that case–
If he could not destroy the ‘Komainu’ in one hit, the Gatling cannons of the ‘Black Tortoise’ would puncture the ‘Black Demon’ the moment he fired a second time. But even so, if he was to take down the ‘Black Tortoise’ in the first hit, if the ‘Komainu’ pilot was to change the enemy detection settings and return to the battlefield–it would really be checkmate.
Then first, he would shoot the ‘Komainu’ down to immobilize it, and then seal the ‘Black Tortoise’.
After that, he would have to finish off the two ‘Black Demon’s before the inevitable concentrated fire.
All that–without killing anyone.
Talk is easy–but it was the toughest mission he had till this point.
However, Vermouth completed his strategy in less than a second, and showed a sneer unbefitting a playdoll automata, thinking,
–This is really, really interesting.
Vermouth kicked the cockpit floor, saying,
“Hey useless scrap–do you know code D3?”
Of course, there was no response.
Now that the pilot seat was fired, the system determined that the unit was ‘unmanned’.
But assuming that there was even a reaction, the system would answer ‘negative’. Besides, that was the command code Vermouth named himself.
“You don’t know? Well, I guess. How about this trick that ghost Princess taught me?”
Having said that, Vermouth started playing with the cables he held with both hands.
The other hands were attached to cylinders that were controlling the ‘Metal Demon’s power output.
Before the operation began, the instruction Marie gave was–
“All limiter out–thrust yourself for my sake, you hear me, you virgin?”
And seemingly in response, the lights of the remaining display glowed.
Shown right in front was a countdown indicating the remaining power output, ‘162 seconds’.
“Ha–only 2 and a half minutes for your first time? Don’t be shy, you quick shooter–I’ll show of some technique that’ll make all Missies cum in 2 minutes–!”
The throbbing machine caused Vermouth to yell agitatedly.
And coming from the resonance communicator was Marie’s disdainful voice,
“…Are you sick with some dirty jokes syndrome or something?”
“Huh? Well, you heard me, Bitch Princess–isn’t that hardboiled?”
“…You serious? If you are, I’m butting in–“
“Hahaha! You’re the one who’s going to get butted in, you kno1!?”
With a callous remark, Vermouth tugged at the wires.
At that moment–the machine heated up in an instant, and the ‘Metal Demon’ began running.
The right arm of the machine grabbed a hyper-frequency blade, charging towards the planned target–the quadra pedal ‘Komainu’–
While it continued to charge at the enemy with maximum speed–Vermouth showed a wry smile.
Both AnchoR and RyuZU–those abnormal automata could easily handle these weapons, a quadra pedal tank was a ‘monster on the battlefield’, even if it was outdated.
It was suicidal to do a frontal assault with merely an armored unit.
But despite not being familiar with the design blueprint like Marie–Vermouth, a veteran on the battlefield, was familiar with the flaws of a multi-legged pedal unit.
There were 3 weaknesses to them.
The assisting AI, the activation springs, and–the cockpit with light armor at the abdomen.
The former two were protected with sturdy armor without exceptions, and with the firepower of the ‘Metal Demon’, it would be insufficient to shoot through.
Thus, the best method would be to–duck below the enemy and kill the pilot.
However–Naoto’s request was ‘not to kill anyone’
And thus, Vermouth chose the ‘4th option’ to eliminate it.
It was a weakness any multi-legged tank—no, any manned unit would have–if they were controlled by people, there would be a controlling bypass to be severed.
Though not as firmly armored as the former two, this part was still protected by sturdy armor.
The only thinner part was–the back waist of the machine.
Right above the pilot seat.
–He was to stab through the armor and destroy the target, and at the same time, not damage the cockpit below.
It was a laughably difficult task–
“–You’re the only one able to do this.”
Vermouth recalled the face the boy showed as he said this, and gave a wry smile.
He pulled the cable, and pushed the joystick down.
Vermouth exerted the thrusters to full power, and at the same time, leaped high into the air.
An activation far beyond the output limit alone caused all parts of the machine to give a malfunctioning warning.
But it did not matter.
The ‘Metal Demon’ adjusted its position in the air, and aimed at the target.
When coupled with the 14.2 ton mass of the machine, he was like a stapler.
He stabbed the blade tip of the high frequency knife into the back of the ‘Komainu’ waist–
“Shiiiiitttt–!!”
The feeling–the machine’s recoil and impact caused Vermouth to swear out loud.
“So haaarrdd you trying to fight against my cock, you shitty dog–?”
The blade was gradually contorted, but Vermouth continued to exert strength without much concern.
And again, Marie’s voice rang from the communicator.
“…I’ll tell you this. Your dirty words–make you completely opposite of being hardboiled.”
“–!?”
That line caused Vermouth gasp in shock, and he swung the hand down before jumping back.
At the same time, he felt the sensation of the blade barely stabbed inside.
And as proof, the ‘Komainu’ legs buckled immediately.
With that, it would not be able to move for a few hours, until its repair.
…But more importantly.
“Hey, wait! It’s a gentleman’s etiquette to flexibly use the words ‘Fuck, Shit, Damn, Bitch’!?”
The right arm that was swung down, exploded as a result, and the landing impact caused the feet to be abnormally affected.
And because of this sequence, all the automata determined Vermouth to be ‘someone to be reidentified as a potential enemy’–and they were staring at him.”
At his feet were the pellet toy gun-like bullets fired from the rifle–which he ignored.
“…Are you born in America? No, even those delinquent films in this era have more elegant lines than you, you know?”
Vermouth seemed to sense the realism in Marie’s disdainful voice.
“–You serious!? That bastard tricked me!? I’m gonna kill that guy if I meet him in the other word.”
He lashed out at his dead ally Amaretto–and was staring at the ‘Black Tortoise’ in front of him.
And then he thought, ‘one more hit’–
If he fired another hit, he would be perforated by the cannons.
And thus, as according to plan, the second target would obviously be–the heavyarms automata ‘Black Tortoise’.
Vermouth grabbed the other blade with his left hand, and accelerated immediately.
He closed in on the ‘Black Tortoise’, ignoring the annoying error alerts–
(–Got you–)
Suddenly, his machine shook violent.
The remaining ‘Black Demon’ unit tackled him, without using any weapons.
Despite not removing the enemy identifier–it could at least tackle with its body.
“This shitty thing–looks like there’s another virgin that knows how to use his brain a little, hey!”
Vermouth gritted his teeth.
Despite both being ‘Metal Demons’, there was no way the enemy could match him in strength when he had the power output removed.
And thus, he could attack the ‘Black Tortoise’ directly while ignoring this enemy, but–
It was impossible for him to ‘simply’ stab through the AI accurately while he was grabbed by this ‘Metal Demon’–so he would have to rid himself of this enemy first.
Vermouth struggled mentally–but for a moment.
“Seriously, is that true? I’m a Napoletana through and through…right! Nationality wise–no I don’t have any nationality nor memories, but that has to be the case!”
“Anyway, you’re just a hoodlum born out of garbage.”
Vermouth braced himself for the second hit if the situation permitted–the final hit on the ‘Metal Demon’.
“Hey bitch! Apologize to all the Italians! You know, Italians are those kind of people–best in the world at racing and playing balls! Of course, that ball play includes the sport on the bed–!”
“Just go and die.”
The activation spring was wrecked, and the ‘Metal Demon’ tumbled to its knees.
But at that moment, Vermouth felt some inorganic killing intent coming in from all directions.
Of course–that included the baby in front of him.
“–Ahh, looks like it’s going as you wish.”
The ‘Black Tortoise’ in front of him pointed the Thermobaric Buster cannons at him.
Just a little graze would have assured his doomsday, let alone a direct his.
“–Vermouth!”
Upon hearing Marie’s voice, Vermouth shuddered.
“Hey bitch! I guess I’m Italian alright! That’s what my soul tells me!”
–Shit! Vermouth hissed as he bared his fangs. He still had a chance.
He pulled at the cables, and let the machine step to the left.
At the next moment, the Thermobaric Buster Cannons of the ‘Black Tortoise’ punctured through the position Vermouth was at–
…I just need to get away from this guy’s firing range!
If it was the cannon of a lightly-armored automata, he could hang on for a little while.
However…
“–Even in this situation, my soul calls me for to act cool in front of a woman!”
Vermouth yelled, and instinctively took a further step left.
Just a moment later, the Gatling cannons fired at where he was.
–That was from the last ‘Metal Demon’ left behind.
“So you finally know how to identify now? But–I’m grateful here, you know?”
–He really was grateful.
Vermouth cackled as he continued to escape left along with the machine.
The enemy Gatling cannons continued to howl, and the continuous cannons pursued the ‘Metal Demon’ Vermouth was piloting.
–But Vermouth quickly got to the side of the ‘Black Tortoise’.
He took up position, hiding himself from the cannons.
The sweeping cannon hits took down the armor of the ‘Black Tortoise’, creating sparks.
And then–
“–If you want to take down something, just take down one. Did you just spend your time in lectures and no actual practice?”
The other ‘Metal Demon’ was deemed to be an enemy by the automata.
–At this point, there were ‘two’ enemies in all.
The ‘Black Tortoise’ AI immediately hesitated for a moment. There were two enemies, so which should it priortize?
A moment of stillness. The time used to simulate.
However–Vermouth curled his lips.
He let the unit duck into the gap, got up the back of the enemy armor from the side, and stabbed his blade hard into the AI installation.
Sparks flew, and the tip sank deep into the armor.
“A fraction of a second’s worth of delay on the battlefield will determine life and death. Have you learned something good, virgin?”
–Certainly, it seemed to have gotten it.
This was the reason why it was said this was a job only Vermouth could do.
Theoretically, Marie too knew.
Where the AI command part was at; the precise positions of the thought system, the control system, the depth, the thinnest part of the armor, the minimum theoretical value required to destroy units.
However, Marie could not execute such theories on the battlefield.
–How much of destruction was the ‘bare minimum’, and how much destruction was ‘overkill’.
Even if the correct values could be calculated, it could not be fulfilled through ‘destruction’ alone.
Besides, it entailed controlling a massive object with a blade 2.5m long, completely differing from compartualized units.
If he was to accidentally destroy the AI along with the machine’s circuits, he would have to repair the parts.
And thus–Vermouth got conceited.
As the little slut Naoto said, I’m the only one able to do this.
–At that instant, a black flash raced by.
All the remaining soldiers present were sliced.
The cyborg soldiers could not move, the automata could not move again, humans and metal scraps were piled as a hill.
The girl landing on that scrap hill–RyuZU, spoke with a mocking voice,
“–Such a ‘despicable’, ‘wretched’ manner of battle. How impressive.”
Upon hearing that, Vermouth gave a wry smile.
He let go of the hostage, and hit the back of the latter’s head to knock him out.
“How understanding of you, Miss Automata…yes yes, call me that with such a ‘pleasurable manner’.”
Naoto, AnchoR and Marie too arrived, and the latter said,
“…I don’t believe this. You did it–with that body…?”
This panting tone contained her own surprise–and relief.
And upon knowing of this, Vermouth felt satisfied, taking a deep breath of smoke.
He then curled his lips, saying,
“–What now, Missy? Were you bothering me over the wireless because you’re worried? Have you fallen for me?”
“Go die already, you pervert. If you failed here, Halter will be in lots of trouble.”
“Huh–I guess? So your real target’s that big brother, huh? I’m stumped. I can’t beat him.”
Vermouth waved his hand, laughing it off,
He said to the back that was running off to the ‘Black Tortoise’,
“–Go confess to him, ‘Missy’. I’ll comfort you if you fail, ‘bitch’.”
I pulled off a miracle for you.
Now it’s your turn to show me how much of a real genius you are, or a self-proclaimed genius of a bitch
Hearing the support coming from the sub-channel, Marie gave a wry smile.
That’s how it is, she thought.
This man is perverted and infuriating, but it does look like he’ll keep his end of the bargain.
“RyuZU, AnchoR, and–Marie, I’ll leave it all to you.”
In response to Naoto’s voice, two pairs of feet leaped off, crossing paths.
RyuZu’s scythe glided through the ‘Black Tortoise’ with its AI destroyed by Vermouth, cutting off the back armor.
AnchoR carried Marie to the exposed internal functions unit, and as she put the latter down–
“…Mama, do your best…!”
“I told you not to call me that.”
Marie muttered, and sighed.
She put the head down, opened up her tools, opened her fists to stretch her fingers, and clench them again.
–She had to let ‘Naoto’s plan’ succeed.
They had to crush all the enemy forces illogically, overwhelmingly, unreasonably, at a speed even the strongest forces in the world could not do.
–And another thing.
Marie continued to work on Halter’s head, pondering about the previous night–
“Attached Halter’s head to a heavy armor automata–are you kidding me!?”
Marie let out a harsh exclamation.
The strategy Naoto briefed them on–no, it was such a ridiculous idea one would wonder if it was a strategy. What Naoto briefed them on was a proposal on what to do with Halter’s cyborg body.
The lack of the presence of the combat veteran Halter was a huge loss. Even so, it would be more perilous to use cheap cyborg parts. In that case, what we just need to do is to capture a ‘military’ main weapon and use it–that was what Naoto said, but…
“…Get this clear already. Don’t tell me you don’t know that a human brain is used to control human body parts! Compatibility wise, a cyborg and an automata are two completely different things!”
Marie rattled on about common sense, but Naoto just felt confused, tilting his head, saying,
“…But I guess uncle can do it?”
“–Just because Halter did pilot an armor unit before? Well, he has the experience, but that’s completely different from connecting his brain to it! Have you scanned your surroundings using ‘complex eyes’? Can you control 8 legs? You got to know that the intel for an artificial skin sensory is completely different from a Touch Sonar! The human brain can’t handle such information.”
“You’re wrong there, Missy.”
Vermouth, connected to the playdoll automata hanging on the rack, interrupted,
“Aren’t you underestimating the brain of a veteran soldier? One so grizzled even the weapons are part of his flesh and blood?”
“…Don’t be stupid. Anything else, such premises–”
“They exist. Lots of them.”
Marie was speechless, and Vermouth mocked her,
“By connecting the brain to a weapon, the machine won’t be restrained by an AI’s rigid simulations, and able to improve on the flaws of a manned unit by preventing control delays. Some were forced to do it–and some did it themselves, you know?”
Lots of them–this line implied that there were lots of such ‘human experimentation’ going on around the world. Marie widened her eyes, exclaiming,
“Are you kidding me!? That’s a violation of human rights–completely illegal, right?”
“Haha–! Now that’s funny! Insisting on human rights on the battlefield? What Goddess would actually respect such a thing? Too bad I didn’t see it before!”
While Marie was left speechless, Vermouth sarcastically laughed, and moved his stare about.
“Anyway–brat, you’re the best maniac out there–did you figure that out while saying that?”
“Ah, I guess so? I heard that uncle’s cyborg body was a ‘prototype’, so I guess it’s likely–”
“Not bad, not bad. Your insight really is on scumbag level! I’m rather surprised that Missy doesn’t know this though.”
“…What are you guys talking about?”
Marie was skeptical because she could not follow the chain of conversation, and asked unhappily.”
Vermouth showed a spiteful sneer, answering her question.
“I did just say it right? The one who did this himself–was brother Halter himself.”
Upon hearing this answer, Marie felt difficulty in breathing, and muttered,
“…You’re kidding, right?”
“I’m rather surprised that you don’t know, Missy. It’s a famous legend in this circle, you know?”
The smile vanished from Vermouth’s face as he said this.
“The legendary mercenary involved in the Scarborough Fair incident. Oberon. Over Work, capable to triggering miracles in dying moments of despair. Anyone who doesn’t know of such are either outsiders or amateurs. That brother–was in the middle of battle when he did that, you know?”
And then–
“He captured a heavy armor automata from the enemy! And connected it! To his head!”
Vermouth sounded really proud of this.
“That brother seemed to have said it before, you know? ‘No simulation device is able to compare to a human brain that survives a battlefield’. The proof of that is that he personally shot down 27 of the same kind of heavy armor automata and lived on.”
Vermouth rattled on as though he was a fan passionately chatting about his favorite team. Upon hearing that, Marie answered him,
“…You’re lying. If such an incident actually happened, there would have been a paper on it.”
“The Scarborough Fair incident was an unofficial operation, and it happened before you were born, Missy. How about I tell you the reason why I’m surprised that the little slut Naoto figured it out and you didn’t–?”
And then–
“I’ll say, Missy. A ‘Prototype’–is in other words, an ‘experimental frame’, right?”
Upon hearing that, Marie actually gasped.
“You get it now? Normally, this is a violation of human rights–but what happens if it just so happened to be a suitable person for the job?”
…Vermouth did not appear to be lying.
To be honest–Marie did not understand why the Breguets actually hired Halter in the first place.
But in that case, it would mean that Halter was a lab rat–
Marie denied it again,
“…It’s impossible theoretically. If a military automata’s information flows into the brain–the brain will break.”
“Yep. That’s the reason why ‘such a weapon’ isn’t mass produced. One of the reasons is that there are many idiots out there who tried to be heroes and connected their brains to a weapon, went crazy, and forgot their own names.”
Vermouth chuckled.
“–Like for example, me?”
Marie stared at Vermouth in shock.
The man who lost everything except for his brain laughed.
“–I did say it before, right? I’m brother’s ‘devoted fan’.”
Marie lowered her head and went silent, pondering–before sighing.
Then, she lifted her head.
“Right, but there’s one condition.You call yourself a fan, so you know the machine Halter connected himself to back then, right?”
“The HS FK2 ‘Oberon–it’s already an old relic back then. This country hasn’t purchased it, and even if you can move it, I don’t think it’ll be useful on the battlefield, you know?”
Vermouth guessed Marie’s intent, and noted beforehand.
Marie was probably wanting to get a machine similar to when Halter succeeded to reduce the risk as much as possible…that was Vermouth’s guess.
But she stared at the air, muttering, pondering for a little while, and slowly nodded.
“–‘Oberon’, right? I see. I think I can accept it a little. This means Halter wasn’t fighting recklessly without any chances of winning.”
“Eh?”
“The ‘Oberon’–is a ‘flawed product’ that has its controls and thought system gathered at the same place. As long as it’s shot in the back, it’ll stop functioning, so there’s an added armor at the back to reinforce it. This causes the machine’s center of gravity to tilt, and to counter that, there’s an excess of weapons loaded on it. It’s a ‘bad work’ as bad as shit.”
Vermouth was speechless, and stared at Marie.
“–Hey, did you memorize the blueprint of all the weapons in the world–”
“Did I remember? Of course I did.”
Marie heartily answered, curling her lips into a smile.
“Don’t underestimate an ex-Meister here, Mr Dutch Wife? Now that it’s like this, maybe we’ll be able to solve this.”
“Eh, and that is?”
Naoto asked in confusion, and Marie explained,
“It’s a flaw that the control and thought systems are gathered at the same spot in the back, but there’s also the advantage of convenience in repairing it. There are a lot of weapons that have such a structure…and there is one with a similar conceptual design to the ‘Oberson’–the Type CZ-35C ‘Black Tortoise’–Naoto, can your magic ears figure out where that ‘Black Tortoise’ is in Tokyo?”
“You called it magic…like hell I know the model. At the very least, I need to hear it move–”
“–You can figure it out just by hearing it?”
Marie gave a serious look as she repeated to confirm,
“–Can you hear it?”
“Yeah. Once it moves, I’ll find it for you.”
Naoto stared at Marie right in the eyes, nodding to confirm. Marie sized up his eyes–saying ‘is that so’, and nodded. At this point, there was no time in doubting this guy.
“So, let’s set up a plan targeting it. Prepare to attach the head to that machine–Vermouth.”
This was the first time Marie called this man in front of her by his name, and she asked,
“So, answer me…what do you think are the chances of succeed?”
Halter had no reaction, and he remained unconscious even when his head was linked to a voice installation. He was in a vegetative state.
Would things go well? Would he really wake up? Right when Marie was feeling uneasy–
“Need me to tell you something good? Miss Marie Bitch Breguet?”
Vermouth showed a defiant smile,
“A soldier lives and dies on a battlefield. Even after becoming a Princess’ baby sitter, the warrior’s blood would never vanish. I dare say that once that big brother smells the scent of battle–”
He paused, and then continued,
“He’ll wake up even when he’s dead–and at the worst, highest mood too.”
–Connect a brain to a heavyarms automata.
Any technician would have laughed it off, saying that it was ‘impossible’. In the face of such a difficult question, Marie too laughed at it.
Vermouth easily stabbed the high frequency blade, fulfilling the mission as planned, and only destroying the AI. His movements were flawless, so precise there was nothing to nitpick.
I see. This guy’s perverted and infuriating, but he doesn’t just have a mouth–looks like he will get the job done completely.
He repaid Naoto’s magic with a miracle.
“Now then…it’s my turn to get to work–”
–30 seconds. That was the time limit Naoto had designated.
30 seconds for them to gather the enemies, and while the enemies continued to increase in numbers and swarm upon Naoto, Marie, Vermouth and the ‘Black Tortoise’ Halter while AnchoR and RYUZU were relied upon to protect them.
“Ehh–I’m taking you down! Piece of cake!”
Marie deliberately put on a front to pump herself up–and with a heinous smirk, she roared.
At that instant–time slowed.
Or at least Marie felt.
The voices vanished, and in her spreading consciousness, she glanced at the situation in front of her.
She threw Halter’s head directly upwards, her arms spread like wings as she laid out her tools.
She repaired the destroyed thought system–2,876 parts in total, by analyzing them, dissecting them, and then–modify the automata control system that was modified prior to this, before Halter lands in her hands another 2.4 seconds later.
–The operation itself was simple. It was tougher for her to fix RyuZU.
But the tension felt was unmatched.
Marie felt her bones creaking, her muscles having goosebumps, her blood boiling.
If she was to make a single misstep, or be wrong in her theory, Halter would never wake up.
Also, this would potentially be the final blow she would personally deal–and might end up killing Halter.
With such fear and pressure, Marie’s lips curled into a bewitching curve.
(–You can do it, Marie. If it’s you, you can do it–!)
The preparations for dismantling and connecting were complete. Soon after, Halter’s head returned to her her hand.
–There was another 27.6 seconds left.
With precision and pace, Marie connected the head to the control system–there was still another 7.6 seconds once the work was done. It took her 6.1 seconds for the nervous system to be tested, 4.9 seconds to adjust the system to a simulation closest to human thoughts, 3.3 seconds for the machine to be reactivated externally, and another 4.1 seconds until Halter awoke again.
It took her a total of 26 seconds. She had only 2 seconds to spare in unforeseen cases.
(–What? I went over by 2 seconds…!)
At that moment, Marie felt as though time had stopped.
Her heart raced. She sensed that the surrounding voices had vanished, that her body temperature was dropping.
Her tension and concentration was raised to the limit, and one felt as though his consciousness had risen, to a place where only RyuZU could reach in this universe.
It was like the ‘Mute Scream’, extending the gap between zero and one second to infinity.
The only difference was–
(I’m so slow–! Hurry up and move…!)
Her body was unable to catch up with that one second stretched to its limits.
It felt as though she was drowning in a sea of tar, her movements so slow and sluggish, frustrating.
–But to Naoto and the other bystanders, it was to a point of magic.
All the spare parts and tools were flying, returning to where they belonged through the pull of gravity–that certainly appeared to be the case.
If such a scene itself was not a ‘miracle’, what else would be?
“…I can’t believe it…hey, Naoto–is that woman really human…?”
Vermouth could not help but mutter and ask, but Naoto answered,
“Yep, that’s a genius. You see it, AnchoR?”
“…More amazing, than, amazing…”
“AnchoR, you shouldn’t be mistaken. That is simply–the limits of an ordinary person.”
AnchoR turned her head around as she dealt with the incoming bombardment assaults of the enemy, and RyuZU–
“….For now.”
Showed a conflicted expression in her tone as she answered–
However, Marie left these external matters far behind her head.
Her consciousness was locked in, so deep in, so sharp, so magnified and intricate.
She recalled Vermouth’s words,
Aren’t you underestimating the brain of a veteran soldier? One so grizzled even the weapons are part of his flesh and blood?”
Yeah Marie thought.
I did underestimate them. Right now, I’m able to understand because I’ve mastered all the machinery I touched. The movement formed by the gears, cylinders, wires, screws, springs, and the parts–I understand them all.
If I have the heart, I can state the types and number of parts involving each section, even their state of deprecation.
No, not just this, this machinery, the massive movement involved–
—And even this city–!!!
(–Uu.)
Her spreading consciousness realized danger.
There was an automatic cannon firing at them from approximately 3km away.
Naoto and the others were busy with the nearby enemies, and did not seem to have realized–
Marie was about to warn, but she was short of breath.
She was unable to breathe, suffocating in the sea of tar. Her body, once in a superhuman activity state, recalled its status as a human, and her clear consciousness was increasingly dulled.
(Not–yet!)
Her work was yet to be done. She needed another second to adjust the control system–it failed. The system needed another two seconds to recover.
There was another 8 seconds left. Marie concentrated her drifting consciousness and continued to work–done!
–Machine reboot, starting.
1, 2, 3–success. Another 3 seconds left.
(–Move. Move move move move move move move–get moving–Halter!)
There was no mistake in her work. That should be the case.
But the machine, with momentum entered, did not respond.
–All she had to do was to wait for Halter to wake up.
The automatic cannon fired. Marie could even sense the bullet accelerating in the barrel.
Why did Naoto not realize it–Marie had such a doubt, but she immediately answered her doubt.
That person–‘could not hear anything faster than supersonic’–at this moment, she realized this.
There was still–1.2 seconds left.
This cannon was aimed so accurately, even Marie was about to laugh at this. This cannon was fired in a straight line at this, and in 1.2 seconds, the cannon would rip and batter Marie’s body, blowing up the opened armor from within, blowing Halter’s brain apart.
Marie clearly saw this future visual–but at that moment–
Her feet shook.
Marie’s extended consciousness was captured back into its original time, and she lost balance.
While the impact swept her to the side and sent her flying, she finally understood, barely.
The machine was slightly shifted to the side–that alone caused the certain fatal cannon to miss like a dream.
And then, the ‘Black Tortoise’ with Halter’s head connected to it spun around massively, as though the earth was twisted around, and with its right arm, skilfully grabbed Marie right when the latter fell off.
And also, it fired the main cannons on the shoulders, the thermobaric cannon vaporized the automatic cannon that was more than 3km away, with such startling precision and speed even for Naoto’s standards–or RyuZU and AnchoR’s standards.
The ‘Black Tortoise’ even ignited flames, without even a single pause, spinning the inner wheels on both legs, racing off–no, it was drifting around in a large curve, firing the 30cm machine gun.
The torrent of bullets were as accurate as a sniper rifle, eliminating the enemies even RyuZU and AnchoR could not fend off.
“–M-mama!”
AnchoR hurriedly ran over to catch Marie while the latter was thrown off by the recoil of the intensive machine’s movements.
But at the same time–the ‘Black Tortoise’ continued to run berserk.
The sub cannons in both hands were spraying shots–no, firing shots wildly as it spun around, using its thick armor and massive legs, sending the surrounding light-armor automata flying.
Marie blankly widened her eyes in shock as she saw the rampage of this demon, muttering,
“…hatler…?”
Coming out from the ‘Black Tortoise’ connected with Halter’s brain was just an artificial killing intent.
He was crushing everything he could see, trampling them, and there was nary an emotion to be felt from within.
“Did I…fail somewhere–”
While Marie asked with a shocked voice, Naoto merely noted blankly,
“Fail? Eh? When did you fail, Marie? That’s uncle alright.”
‘–Eh?”
“I shall explain matters in a way Master Marie, so pitifully lacking in understanding, can do so–or that even a monkey will be able to understand. If you assumed that we are under attack, Master Marie, you should be headed to an optometrist.”
Marie turned around, and found that RyuZU stopped attacking, smiling there as she stood still.
–After a reminder, she realized that they were not attacked by the ‘Black Tortoise’ in any way.
Bu in that case, it was horrifying, what was with the emotionless precision…?
And to prove that, the ‘Black Tortoise’ fired another two shots from the main cannon.
The heavyarms automata several kilometers away were hit directly, vaporizing–and then…
“–Shit…which bastards were attacking me while I’m sleeping?”
Once there was no enemy to be wary of,
The ‘Black Tortoise’–no, Halter finally let out a muzzled voice from the external speakers, howling unhappily.
Upon hearing this, Marie inadvertently blinked with teary eyes, seeming hiding her tears as she exclaimed,
“Halter! Halter, do you hear me!?”
“Ah? …oh Milady. What’s with this situation…wait, what’s with this disgusting vision–compound eyes? Wait, did you connect me to an automata? Look what you’ve done.”
Once Halter understood the situation, the voice changed from anger to disdain, and Marie refuted while teary and smiling,
“Seriously–look what you made me do! What were you doing before this!”
“Oh, sorry…I had a little nap.”
Upon hearing Halter’s words, Marie repeated blankly,
“–Napping…you didn’t respond when I connected to the voice installation because of–”
“Oh, did that happen? No well, my sensors were cut off, so I felt like sleeping for some reason…sorry about that. I really am. It seems I haven’t had such a nice nap for a long time.”
“–”
Marie gave off a dangerous presence, shivering.
So that’s it? This guy doesn’t care about my worry, and just slept, is that it?
–I’m so gonna kill him.
“Missy, I told you, didn’t it? That big brother would wake up–with the worst, highest mood possible.”
While Marie made this dangerous declaration, Vermouth interrupted with a laugh.
“Those soldiers attacked while sleeping on the battlefield will abandon all ‘reason’ at the next moment, and fight back. The body and mind are so tense to the limit–it’s the perfect time to kill. So one of the few things people will abide by on the battlefield–is to forbid night attacks.”
Marie looked bewildered, but unsurprised as she sighed.
And on the other hand, Halter, in the head of the ‘Black Tortoise’ that displayed peerless skill, looked skeptical upon seeing an unfamiliar face, saying,
“–Are you that kid with the head left? What, have you woken up to that kind of interest?”
“Impossible. This is the amazing body your Missy gave me. Don’t judge this by its appearance. There’s a big cock down there. If I like it, I might even fuck that little slut I’m in love with in the ass.”
“–Oh?”
RyuZU spoke with a chilly voice,
“This person, who intends to reach his demonic claws of epic pervertedness at Master Naoto is a homosexual–or I shall correct myself, a homosexual doll?”
The scythes of the death god closed in, but Vermouth continued on with much boldness.
“Calm down, Missy doll. It’s just an expression. I’m just the number one fan hoping to see your master topple this world around.”
“…Is that so? I shall interpret that as an accurate analysis of Master Naoto and spare you. However, if you are you look at my Master Naoto with those lewd eyes–”
“I said that I didn’t, did I. I do like women as any ordinary man will…but too bad you missed the chance. That kid was dressed up as a girl–little girl Naoto wasn’t bad either, you know?”
RyuZU immediately froze.
Like a data automata that was not greased, she turned to look at Naoto with a creaky voice.
“—-Master Naoto, have you finally awakened to such unique fetishes when I ceased to function.”
“I’m used to seeing those eyes from everyone else, but that contemptuous eyes of your are really depressing, RyuZU! It’s a disguise, a disguise!”
“Papa…you were dressed…really cute, you know?”
“—-So, other than me, and that amalgam of that upsized Mister, everyone else saw it?”
RyuZU’s question voice was quivering.
Even Marie could tell the feelings in them.
It was a rare, startling fact, but it appeared that RyuZU–was utterly devastated.”
Marie sighed, and told RyuZU,
“If you don’t mind, the one who dolled Naoto up did take photos. More importantly now is–”
“Understood. I’ll snatch them even if I have I have to kill.”
RyuZU gave a cold expression, cutting Marie off.
And in the face of the pressure from RyuZU’s glare, “Ah, she’s for real” while Marie had such a thought, and was preparing to die–
AnchoR tugged at RyuZU’s sleeve, saying,
“Sister…this…”
She took a few photos out from her pocket, and handed them to RYuZU.
With trembling hands, RyuZU received the photos, looked around, and after some careful observation, embraced the photos in her chest, marvelling away. She quickly kept them within, showing the smile of a Saintess.
“AnchoR–as my sister, you accomplished something really wonderful. You do know you did just save someone’s life, do you not?”
“…Is that mine?”
Marie let out a trembling voice.
AnchoR then beamed at her sister, before reporting,
“And…and, I went on, a date, with papa…I’m really, really happy!”
The smile vanished from RyuZU’s face.
“…Is that so? You’re happy?”
“Uh…erm, um…?”
AnchoR nervously nodded. RyuZU gave a sarcastic smile as she curled her lips, saying,
“Is that so? Now that is wonderful, AnchoR. Next time, if you are to exclude me, I shall deal with it as necessary, so be careful. To be precise, I shall be dealing with it through force.”
“Woah, RyuZU!? I won’t allow you sisters to fight–”
“…So-sorry…but AnchoR doesn’t want to fight…AnchoR probably might end up winning accidentally.”
“What are you saying, AnchoR? The one to be punished will be Master Naoto, of course.”
“–Eh, me!?”
Naoto exclaimed in a squeal.
RyuZU coldly stared at her master, saying,
“It is rather unfortunate, Master Naoto–but the negotiation will be limited to a ‘sisters combo’ at most.”
“I-I”m so sorrrryyy!! I fail as a husband for leaving my wife behind on a date!”
Naoto immediately kowtowed.
Halter watched everything from above, and sighed, saying,
“–I say, isn’t it time for you guys to answer my first question? What’s the situation now?”
Oh yeah. Marie shook her head. As Halter finally returned, she nearly forgot their current predicament. She shook her head, and was about to brief him on everything, but Naoto stood up to cut Marie off–simply answering,
“An interesting situation”–
“We’re going to beat up those idiots who wrecked RyuZU, uncle Halter and the entire Akihabara until they cry, boil them alive. Anyone that gets in our way, send them flying, anyone naggy, shut him up. Just like that.”
–It appeared those words were more than enough. Halter then said.
“I see. Now that’s interesting. I’ll chip in.”
“That’s the reason for that machine. How are you do?”
“No problems–thanks Milady. You did good as always.”
Halter skilfully manipulated the hand of the ‘Black Tortoise’, giving a thumbs up.
Marie looked somewhat nonchalant and somewhat delighted as she looked up at Halter, lfiting her chest as she proudly boasted,
“Of course. Who do you think I am?”
““Haha–now then, Naoto. It looks like you’re the commander now. What’s the order?”
Halter chuckled as he asked.
RyuZU and AnchoR stared at Naoto.
Vermouth did the same, and even Marie too pricked her ears, hoping not to miss out on what Naoto would say.
Naoto, RyuZU, AnchoR, Vermouth, and–Halter.
When she first heard his plan, she found it silly, and even when she decided to take action, found it silly. Even when she actually did so, she found it silly. Even at this point, she felt it was silly.
But at this point, for some reason, it felt that no matter what she could hear from Naoto’s mouth–she could do it all.
All the stares were gathered upon Naoto, who gave a defiant smirk.
He looked around the military that surrounded them, muttering,
“…Right, looks like the remaining forces are gathered around us as planned.”
As long as they left Marie behind and continued to suppress, they would be able to let Marie leave the battlefield, so that she would be able to get to work safely.
That was the reason for Naoto and the others’ intention to delay their assault by 30 seconds.
“First–in the remaining 38 seconds, we’ll eliminate all 378 enemies without killing anyone♪.”
Upon hearing those words, Halter chuckled.
“What’s with that–easy peasy.”
Such words caused everyone present to give a little smile–and then…
–22 seconds.
The gang spent that amount of time eliminating the remaining 378 enemy weapons, machines and threats–
Pointing middle fingers at news helicopters as they stormed in.
The massive gates were opened, and Naoto and the others entered the palace.
The path was wide, the height tall enough for Halter, controlling the heavyarms automata, to stroll in leisurely.
They moved forward in a straight line, finally arriving at the massive hall in the atrium.
A group of people were waiting.
They were dozens of armed JSDF soldiers, watching them with numerous barricades on.
Right behind the soldiers were 2 slightly dated armored soldiers.
It appeared they knew of what happened outside the palace, and there was a fearful atmosphere directed at Naoto and the others, but it was obvious that they had an agitation of not wanting to give up their lives so easily.
Right when Marie was pondering about what to do–
Walking up front from behind the JSDF soldiers–was a young woman.
She waved off the hands of the soldiers blocking, and went right at them.
Marie beamed, Looks like she remembers me” she thought.
“Please wait a moment.” Marie told Naoto and the others, before moving forward.
Both of them stood 2m away from each other, stopping in their tracks.
Marie bowed elegantly,
“–Nice to meet you for the first time Princess Hoshinomiya.”
“Yes…nice to meet you, I suppose. For the first time, we’re meeting each other, Miss Terrorist.”
The woman facing her–Houko too lowered her head elegantly.
After a wordless greeting, Marie continued,
“Now then, I shall give my name. My name is Maribel–manipulated by the worst terrorist in history who caused such a crisis to this country.”
She pointed at the back, indicating it’s him. Naoto, who was pointed at, widened his eyes,
“–H-hey you! You just tried to push the blame right? You left an exit for yourself so that you can blame me if things go wrong now, right!?”
And Marie showed a smile, ignoring the boy who continued to yap behind him.
Houko looked slightly perturbed as she asked,
“Now then, Miss Maribel. Are all of you here due to a reason I imagine?”
“Perhaps it’s a little different.”
Marie shrugged.
“We’re just here to visit for our own purpose.”
Houko frowned, and then asked again.
“…Is that really alright?”
“Of course. That is our choice, our methods…and I suppose you are mistaken, so i shall correct you. The mastermind this time–is really that fool.”
Upon hearing those words, Houko widened her eyes in surprise.
It seemed she realized everything, and lowered her head in apology to Naoto, who was behind Marie.
Houko then lifted her head, speaking in a harsh tone contrasting her demeanour,
“Now then–to the terrorists I am meeting for the first time, I shall express my fury. You have committed a grave crime to destroy my country in an unprecedented matter, and attempted to topple it, which is something I shall never forgive in my life. You also have the intention to threaten me for your own purposes, and I believe such grievous acts will be appropriately retributed.”
Houko glared at Marie and the others with elegance, looking at each of them one by one.
Then, the black eyes showed a firm will, saying,
“Now then, state your cause. With that malicious intent, what do you hope to do to me?”
And answering Houko’s adamant words–was RyuZU.
“About that…it is an emergency, so we shall tidy things up as it is outside. Is that correct, Master Naoto?”
“Yeah, enough of that publicity. I’ll leave the last bit to you just in case.”
Upon hearing Naoto’s words, RyuZU bowed politely, touching the clock in front of her chest.
If she had chosen that method from the method right from the beginning, they would have wiped out the military outside in zero seconds, let alone 7 minutes–but they deliberately chose not to do so.
For that was because…’publicity’ was meant to be obvious and easy to understand.
If nobody could understand, there would be no purpose to the ‘publicity’. However, after an actual ‘impossible’ demonstration of wiping out the outside forces in 7 minutes, at this point–
That ‘one line’ would be most suited as the conclusion, the best ‘finale’ to top things off.
RyuZU’s black dress became a white wedding dress, and her activation words–were–
“–‘Mute Scream’–”
This irrationally did not allow for anyone to understand; the ‘publicity’ began abruptly–and ended.
6 minutes and 48 seconds passed since the initial declaration–and all military forces inside and outside the Palace were completely paralyzed.
“–As reported earlier, the criminal calls himself Naoto Miura–“
This report was broadcasted live to the entire world.
That was a visual the entire Capital, no, all of Japan–the whole world was staring at intently.
The civilians on the streets, the politicians who spent days in meetings, the police and ‘military’ embroiled in meaningless conflicts, and even the foreign enterprises were staring at this report with wide eyes.
Amongst them, the ‘military’ and the Enterprises–were watching this feed solemnly.
It was to be expected.
“Also, according to statements from survivors, we have confirmed two self-proclaimed Initial-Y automata. It is said most of the destruction is caused by those two units–“
That was the main point.
Of course, the forces surrounding the Palace was merely a ragtag bunch of rebels. The core person was an impulsive young chap, still lacking in experience on leading his troops.
And as for equipment, most of them were either for standby use, or were old models.
But, even considering that–
“And I repeat. The criminal group has occupied the Palace for an hour. Currently, there has been no news of any deceased–“
–7 minutes.
To be precise, it was 6 minutes and 48 seconds.
It was a group no more than 10 people, and without causing any dead–they spent that time eliminating two massive forces of ‘military’.
Results wise–Was there anyone world who could accomplish this?
It was easy if one ignored the casualties, or possible if one spent the time to do so.
–But nobody could do this in such a short time.
The more one understood military matters and clockwork technology, the more one could understand this answer.
Furthermore, no matter how many times the interviewing helicopters slowed down and repeated it countless times–none of them was able to determine how the JSDF was wiped out.
That indicated that the criminal group ‘did something’ at a speed without leaving a visual frame.
The ones triggering such a ridiculous phenomenon were the self-proclaimed Initial-Y series.
The legendary automata left behind by that ‘Y’–the one who rebuilt this planet.
Any ordinary person would know that–those were legendary relics, urban legends that never actually existed.
Those who knew technology felt that–if they existed, they were the inheritance of the world.
Those who knew politics knew that–they actually existed, but none of them could be activated.
But the 5 Enterprises, and certain politicians, who knew more classified information that would definitely not be divulged to the public, they understood.
That they existed–and if activated, would be the toughest weapons to deal with.
With that, all their understanding was overwritten, or convicted.
The series of images in the report left no room for doubt. No matter what technology was used, they could not be replicated–that was the proof that the Initial-Y series actually existed.
At this moment, the reporting visuals the entire world was looking at–was suddenly interrupted by static.
And at the same time.
With the Multigrid Tokyo as the core, there was an intense throbbing spreading.
All comms facilities stopped, and the ‘resonance gears’ within spun in a way differing from their settings.
The Core Tower gears regulating the city’s functions moved in a way that never happened before.
It was not a simple malfunction, and neither was it spinning improperly after years of decay. Despite the system running as normal, they just did not abide by the Manager’s instructions.
And so, the Tokyo residents recalled something very similar.
–2 days ago.
While everyone else was helplessly watching the situation develop, a ‘criminal intent’ hijacked TV and radio, sounding so cheerful–
“Laaadddiieesss—annnnndddd—geeennnnttttllleeemen!! And to all the unimportant people, do you remember meeee voice!? Hasn’t it been a while? You miss me, maaaannnnn–
Kept you waiting there. Sorry for keeping you on your seats the past few days! Check it out! I love you all, baby baby baby–!!”
The nightmarish scream, and the face of the boy who yelled this.
Was aired on the screens as the whole world watched on.
“Those massive idiots who fell in love with me the last time and hoping to see my face are in for a treat now! For all the mass idiots requests, I’ll be showing my face for the first time today. Whoopee whoops–! Have you fallen for this pretty boy here!?”
That maniacal, light-hearted voice echoed from the corridor speakers–
And a man was in the communications base, located inside the ruling party headquarters of Grid Kasumigaseki.
“Looks like Professor Marie and the others are having fun there.”
Yuu Karasawa, one of the few who understood the intent of that message, gave a wry smile.
…Professor Marie must be seething now. He thought.
Based on her preferences, this was more of an entertainment genre. She was certainly showing a face she never showed at the ‘Meister Guild’.
If possible, he wanted to personally witness her face at the scene and take a photo for memorabilia, but–
“Work work work–now, goodness, laborers have it tough.”
He stared forward, and there was a plain door.
The sign painted on the door itself was ‘Central Communications Room’.
This room had installations used to carry out long distance communications, the signal reaching even the other end of the world.”
“But no point in complaining. Let’s get to work–as a consultant.”
Though this is beyond my scope of duties–Karasawa took a little breath, exhaling it.
–And then, with all his might, he kicked down the door in front of him.
“–!”
With a loud thud, the door broke.
Karasawa immediately stormed into the room, and a man turned his head around in surprise.
He recognized that face–it was the man who slipped out of the meeting 2 days ago.
“W-who are you!? What are you doing here?”
“Oh dear, that is what I want to ask you instead.”
The man’s face was contorted in an ugly manner due to anxiety.
In contrast, Karasawa was looking relaxed, his lips showing a tender smile.
“May I ask to whom where you communicating to right now–as a consultant♪”
“I-I don’t have an obligation to answer you.”
“Even if I don’t force you to answer. I’ll know immediately by checking the records.”
“You don’t have the right to do that, do you!”
“–Of course I don’t. But at this point, who’ll blame me?”
At that moment, the man’s face changed, and he drew a handgun from his chest.
From that movement, Karasawa understood that thought he was disguised as a body of flesh and blood, this man’s body was obviously a cyborg suited for combat.
With a fluid motion, the man raised the gun, and the trigger was–
“Hey, but speaking of which, I’m kinda sad–really wanna cry–I thought you’ll be weak, but never like that~ besides, it’s useless of you–or am I being too strong here? I’m really sorry!”
With a crisp sound, the handgun dropped onto the floor.
“–Really, it is just as young Naoto Miura said.”
Karasawa maintained his smile as he told the other party.
“You’re battling a Meister with a cyborg body–aren’t you underestimating me right now?”
Karasawa kept the tools he held in both hands, and looked down.
The man, whose prosthetics were immediately dissected in a moment, was sprawled on the floor, growling.
Karasawa raised the gun, saying,
“I’ll give you 3 seconds. Now, if you mind telling me, given that you ‘stole’ the ruling party’s communications systems, who were you communicating with?”
“Ho-how much do you know–?”
“Okay, end of the line.”
Karasawa fired the gun without any hesitation. The bullets hit each of the prosthetic.
“Be grateful here, you know? I do want to finish you off, but because of a certain cute girl’s request, I’m merciful enough to spare your life. I suppose someone else will find you within the 43 hours until your vitals functions are rendered ineffectual. Now then–
Karasawa tossed the now depleted gun aside, muttering to himself, saying,
“Someone obviously not with the government is using the government’s headquarters communications to do something with someone. Please allow me to check–ah, I suppose there is a permit needed?”
Karasawa then grabbed the shirt of the collapsed man.
He showed the ID card towards the visual sensor that had ceased function.
“I’m the consultant hired by the Technical Bureau, Yuu Karasawa. Mind showing me your log?”
Karasawa shook the man violent on the shoulders, forcing the latter to nod, and with a smile, threw the man’s face towards the floor.
“Thank you for your assistance♪”
Karasawa told the unconscious man, and turned around.
He took out a portable terminal from his pocket, and connected to Central in a fluid motion.
While extracting the comms records over the past two hours, he said,
“Ah–on a side note. I’m not an official member of the Technical Bureau. Once you’re determined to have made contact with something, what happens to you doesn’t involve my salary…even if anyone finds out that this place is opened and ‘steals’ it,, it’ll be all deemed as your failure–my apologies.”
At the same time, Karasawa smoothly tapped at the terminal.
While doing so, the communications circuit showed notifications linking to 18 places outside.
“Now then–is this considered doing something within my pay?”
Having stated this boldly, Karasawa hummed as he checked the records.
And at the same time–
“To be honest, this is so flimsy it’s disappointing. I spent all the effort at Akihabara warning everyone of a terrorist attack to ‘lure’ in the enemy, and this is what I get back! Really, everyone’s not showing me any face now, maaaannn–!?”
The chief commander at the Tokyo ‘military’ command headquarters at Grid Ichidaya heard such a crazy broadcast, his face red, his fist shivering.
The surrounding officers were slamming at the table, growling away–but the chief commander held in more fury, fear and apprehension, biting his lips.
–He could not refute.
The massive weapon still occupying Akihabara, and as the word implied, ‘instantly’ controlled the Palace–
How should he refute when the enemy actually backed up his bold words…?
“Right, that’s how it is! If I gotta say, you’re too weak, can’t even take a hit. I’m too lazy to bother going along with my original plan now!”
And this broadcast–upon thinking about the situation that would occur with this broadcast, the Chief Commander inadvertently shivered.
–The matter of electromagnetic weapons was leaked to the entire world.
And coupled with this visual, the whole world knew that an incident happened in Tokyo.
Such a severe threat–even in consideration of the surrounding Asian countries, the ISS members would hurriedly vote to use the ‘Tall Wand’ earliest tonight.
This proposal would require the permission of the Japanese government–but the Prime Minister’s selfish request was yet to be retracted. No, even without that, Japan could not control its own ‘military’, and failed to act in this crisis, so it might be assumed to devoid of government control.
However, the Chief Commander’s thoughts–
“So, let’s try spicing things up here, baby! Come on! Everyone, shake your asses and yell with me, yeah——oh yeah! Thank you! Thank~you everyone! To repay your expectations–! I declare that in 3 hours–“
He was cut off by the criminal.
“We’re gonna let the Multi Grid Tokyo collapse with a boom–! Yeah yeah!!”
In response to this–the ‘military’ headquarters–no, all of Japan froze up.
–3 hours?
The Chief Commander stood up with eyes wide.
3 hours, he said? In such a short time, even the ISS members would be unable to vote to use the ‘Tall Wand’. No, they would be unable to prepare firing ti–
But while he was thinking, his thoughts were cut off,
“Ohh—sorry!! Sorry for being careless in leaving a VIP around. I was too carried away! Hey, come on, VIP–get in!!”
And along with the exaggerated movements of the boy, the camera shook.
Shown there–was a woman tied in rope.
The Chief Commander was very familiar with this woman.
No, every Japanese watching this visual would have seen this woman before.
“–Every person in the country, please calm down and listen to me.
The First Royal Princess, Princess Houko Hoshinomiya.
Probably the noblest of all women in this country, and she was now a pitiful captive.
Her face was pale, blood drained from her face.
But she adamantly lifted her face, and through the camera, spoke to the people.
“They have ‘actually’ controlled Multi Grid Tokyo’s city systems control–the ‘Heaven’s Pillar’. This scene is likely the most powerful evidence.
Upon hearing the Princess’ words–Japan, and even the entire world, was left speechless.
–The ‘Heaven’s Pillar’ of a major city in the world got ‘controlled…?
The one being tied up was the Princess, still giving off a regal vibe, but what she said blew the minds of the people, the ‘military’, all the important people–even the ISS members who were summoned to the headquarters in Switzerland.
Even the common civilians could understand the meaning behind those words.
The terrifying truth, that Japan–and even the fates of the whole of East Asia, was in the hands on those vicious brutes.
–This was no longer a problem pertaining simply to Japan.
It concerned the safety of the world. However, the Princess, still in such a perilous moment, adamantly continued,
“I do request that the ‘military’ do not care about my personal safety and seize the ‘Heaven’s Pillar’ immediately–they are being serious. To all citizens, please calmly obey the instructions of your local police, and leave the Capital Circle–!”
With a brief shriek, the Princess was pulled aside, vanishing from the screen.
Appearing on the screen instead was a boy–Naoto Miura, giving a heinous, contorted face.
“Hey hey hey–!? What now, Princess!? Why are you talking on your own now!? Get too naughty and I’ll tie you in a bondage suit and show you being knocked up with a big cock to the entire country–wait old man! Why are you giving me such weird cue cards! I have a wife and daughter here! It’ll end up disrupting my family here! Ah, yeah. It’s about the the 2 Initial-Y series that were just reported! How about it? They’re cute, right? But you can’t reproduce them for merchandise. I might end up buying them! Do negotiate about that through the firms! Violation of human image rights is a complete no go here!”
–This sudden sequence of broadcasts denied anyone the chance to think of anything.
The woman who appeared on the screen was the first Lady of Japan–despite not having any political power, she was the symbol of the country, and one of the few influential people culturally in the world.
She was acting in place of her ailing father, the Emperor, her importance was as significance as the Queen of England and the president of the United States.
–Yes, a VIP.
No matter whether anyone was a civilian or not, all of them had the same thoughts.
This young, beautiful Princess was captured by the terrorists, yet she remained firm-willed, and even any ordinary civilian and foreigner felt a resonating feeling in their hearts.
And then, they stopped thinking–hastily coming to a conclusion.
“Ah wait! Enough already! I told you not to move. Argh, damn it, now the process’ all messed up! This Princess is a downer! Hey, if you’re gonna be so disobedient, I’ll kill you!”
The boy gleefully said such words.
And all witnessing this had a common thought–that the boy offended something that he should not have, an unforgivable criminal–the ‘rage’ at one person alone expanded massively.
“…I see. This is rather impressive.”
Inside the massive weapon Yatsukahagi’–
Gennai Hirayama silently muttered as he watched the visuals on the giant screen in the control room.
–Their intent was obvious.
They could have shut the Princess up if they wanted everyone to know that they had her as a hostage. There was no need to force her to talk.
However, they allowed her to talk as she wanted–for they did not need to.
–At the very least, it was enough excuse to allow the ‘military’ to intervene in the internal scuffle.
The civilians, who should be in a panic, would more or less obey the police instructions.
And as one could assume, the Princess would then exist as a hostage.
At the very least, no commander would ignore the Princess’ safety and assault the ‘Heaven’s Pillar’.
Even if they were to, the bombardment on the fort would be a final gambit–they would at least wait for 3 hours, to go along with the time limit declared.
During this time, they…no, ‘Y’ would…
Leisurely begin work, have full control of the ‘Heaven’s Pillar’ without anyone’s obstruction.
–And then destroy the ‘Yatsukahagi’ without exception.
After that, the ‘military’ launching the coup d’etat on the government would vanish.
Leaving behind truths beneficial to certain people–
“Ahh, impressive…now we are unable to do anything.”
“M-my Lord! We should at least declare our intentions now!”
The lieutenant stood by the side, exclaiming in shock.
Gennai showed a serene look at the lieutenant, asking,
“Oh…and then what? We have no relation to those people. Our intention is a coup d’etat, like that. Do you think anyone will believe in such nonsense?”
“Th-that is–”
The commander was speechless, but shook his head, saying,
“Bu-but if this keeps up, the capital will collapse in 3 hours. In any case–!”
“Calm down, lieutenant.”
Gennai said.
“Those people have no intention to letting the capital fall. This–is all ‘within exceptions’.
–Yes, they had no such intentions.
Simply put, all they were doing was with the intention to bear all the sins.
Including the Shiga ‘military’–they would bear the sins of the ‘military’, the government, the enterprises, and all the nightmares and malice that shook this country, gather the hearts of the people, and erase their sins.
Their aim was–to save this country.
There was no casualty when they eliminated the ‘military’. Would such people actually cause Tokyo to collapse?
Of course it was a bluff.
–Suddenly, Gennai thought of something.
In Ancient mythology–there was a man who bore all the sins of humanity, and was executed.
He let out something like a groan from his tight lips.
“–First he takes the form of a God, and then now as a Messiah?”
“M-my lord…?”
Gennai ignored the lieutenant’s voice, asking,
“Report–what is the recharge rate now?”
Upon hearing the commander’s composed voice, a communication’s officer frantically replied,
“Y-yes, currently at 72%! M-my lord, how do we deal with this…?”
“Cease all mobility power. Recharge to 82% within 12 minutes.”
All the people on standby in the commander room gave skeptical looks.
–Is there a meaning to recharge at this point?
–We should be escaping from Akihabara right now, right?
Gennai silenced his subordinates with a glare, and muttered,
“Come on–show me how much you have predicted. Have you realized that I have a few tricks left…’Y’?”
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