I arrived at Their Majesties' room. Liam was there too, and depressed.
I told them there was a change of plans; they were surprised, and I asked them to wait for me on the rooftop in 15 minutes.
After leaving their room, I encountered a servant. I told him there was a change in the departure time.
Then, I asked him to bring me a certain article that Ixion informed me was in the treasure vault.
He was reluctant at first, but I told him I had total authority as the Supreme Commander, and he obeyed fearfully.
I headed to my room to change while Ixion prepared everything.
◇
The 15 minutes passed quickly. I was already changed and wearing one of my two rings.
I wanted to recover them since a bastard knight stole them to leave them there.
Fortunately, nothing bad happened; the only problem was that I couldn't find the one I stole from the pirate, only the one I bought, the beautiful blue one.
Their Majesties were in front of me. The Queen was sad while the King... looked at me annoyed. Why is this guy annoyed?
His eyes look at me with ill intent.
I'll ignore him and focus on what's happening now.
"My Queen and... the King, I'm leaving now. When I return, it will be good news for you."
Battler was behind me, and its hatch was open.
Lecia, the Queen, gave me some final words.
"Viscount... may I call you Rudel-kun like Mayer?"
I should feel happy to be called that, but at this moment, Ixion applied a new drug that eliminates all strong emotions.
Without a doubt, tomorrow will be awful for me due to using too much doping.
I responded, "I don't see a problem with that," and boarded Battler while she continued.
"I don't know what will happen there, but I want you to know that the kingdom and everyone thanks you for what you are doing."
I looked at her and then at the King. He's still annoyed for some reason.
While the cabin was closing, I told them.
"That doesn't matter to me; I just want you to fulfill what you promised."
From inside Battler, I observed that her face was sadder because of what I said.
I didn't say goodbye since I was going to return; the only thing I said was:
"Ixion, let's go!"
Battler took off and slowly moved away from the rooftop. Behind me, the robots, drones, and aircraft belonging to the ancient technology came.
The number was 50 aircraft, 150 robots, and 90 drones.
The sky looked gradually black due to their colors as they flew over the capital.
We moved away slowly, and I noticed something strange.
"Ixion. And Brynhild?"
Brynhild, my super-technology aircraft, was not here.
With it, the enemies would fall without the slightest effort.
Ixion was placed in the corresponding space. He spoke to me in a strange tone.
"Master, sorry, but I'll be late."
"You'll be late? Hey, don't try to betray me just now."
"I won't."
"Then?"
Ixion has been weird for a while, but today has been the weirdest day of all since he was quiet even before learning the truth of this world.
"You see... there's a matter I must attend to..."
His voice sounded strange, almost choppy.
"Ixion, I can't understand your voice. Is something wrong?"
"Yes. I am in Brynhild."
I said, surprised.
"You're in Brynhild? But your body is here."
"Master, you forgot that I told you that, being the administrator of all this technology, I have unique access. Do you remember?"
"Yes, and?"
"I can transfer data from my hard drive to other automata under my control. Brynhild is one, so my, let's say consciousness, is in the aircraft right now."
That's surprising; I didn't know that.
"I understand, but why did you do it?"
Ixion was silent momentarily. The capital was no longer visible; I was heading to the Duchy of Kingsfort. To be more exact, to the enemy fleet coming directly here.
"...I have an important matter to attend to."
"What could be more important than what I'm going to do?!" I asked, annoyed, but he...
"...Master, please forgive me. It's something very important that I must attend to as soon as possible. Once I finish with it, I'll go to where you are to end this quickly."
I was puzzled; Ixion is behaving weirdly, very weirdly, in fact.
"...How long do you think you'll take?"
"To be honest, I'm not sure."
"Is Brynhild necessary?"
"It is, very much."
"I understand. You better hurry, or else..."
"You'll turn me into scrap metal?"
I'll definitely get the truth out of you about why you're so mysterious.
"Hurry up."
"Thank you; I left a spare."
"Spare?"
Suddenly, Battler showed a message on a holographic screen.
"And this?"
"I left an artificial consciousness in Battler. It learns every minute; it will be at the level of a child, but it's like a childish version of me. It will be useful for anything. Now, if you'll excuse me—"
The communication cut off.
"Ixion, hey Ixion. Are you there?"
For a few hours now, communication has been failing; I don't know what's going on, but it doesn't matter.
I could see on the coordinates that in 5 minutes, I would arrive at the battlefield.
I prepared the dose I need to relax while Battler flew without my help.
Then, I closed my eyes to prepare myself mentally for the carnage I'm going to cause.
No, to be correct. The massacre I'm going to achieve.
Since I'll teach them with a line of corpses that their best option is to surrender.
I opened my eyes and murmured.
"Today will be a very black day."
◇◇◇
Inside the Royal Palace, minutes after Rudel left.
"Alisa!"
"Run fast!"
"Please stop!"
The girls were escaping through the hallways while fleeing from some guards.
The reason was what happened before.
Alisa and Airi were in the room prepared for them after arriving; they were full of dust and sweat, so someone prepared new uniforms for them.
After changing, Alisa was going out to look for Rudel; she wanted to tell him that what happened a while ago was not a problem for them; they were going to forget it since it's something normal for a man.
Just as Alisa opened the door.
"Huh?"
Some knights were guarding her door; she asked them what was happening.
A knight told her they received orders from Rudel not to let them out.
Alisa thought it was because of what happened until Airi called her.
"Alisa, come look!"
Alisa ran to the window where Airi was; there, both observed how the ships and robots moved away in the same direction.
Something bad was happening was what they thought; it's still a long time before the allies leave under Rudel's command.
Both headed to the door; the knights refused to let them out.
From another window, Airi saw that almost none of Rudel's ships remained in the capital.
Then, Alisa got angry.
She extended her left hand toward the knights and with her right, grabbed Airi's hand.
"Fireball!"
A red magic circle manifested, and from it, a sphere in flames shot out, destroying the door and sending the guards flying.
"Run, Airi!"
With those words, both ran at full speed toward the room where Rudel was.
There were many knights who tried to stop them, but Alisa used her magic to send them flying.
In one of the corridors, they encountered her brother.
"Alisa, what are you doing!"
She asked him while shouting as the knights surrounded them.
"Brother! And Rudel?"
Vayne fell silent, and all he said was:
"Return to your room; he is busy."
Airi shouted.
"Alisa, I can no longer hear the ship engines!"
Hearing that, Alisa raised her left hand, and a large magic circle manifested in the air.
"What are you do—?"
Before her brother or anyone could move.
"Fire Magic: Wrath of Vulcan!"
From the magic circle, small fireballs fell, hitting everyone present except them.
Her brother was hit and flew against a wall.
"Brother, I'm sorry!"
"I'm truly sorry!"
Airi also apologized while, holding hands, they ran to Rudel's room.
They made it, but upon entering, its occupant wasn't there.
They left the room to search aimlessly for Rudel while calling him.
Then, while running down a long corridor.
"Kyah!"
Airi tripped over her own feet, separating from Alisa's hand.
After running a few meters, she realized her hand wasn't holding anything; she turned to look at her friend on the floor.
"Airi!"
Alisa ran to Airi to help her up, but upon doing so...
"Why?"
Airi lifted her face to look at Alisa with an expression of fear.
"Why is there not a single ship of Rudel-san, much less his presence?"
"Alisa, all of this is very strange!"
Airi seemed to panic; Alisa began to tremble since she didn't understand the reason for wanting them locked in their room.
It was then that they heard footsteps approaching.
Both directed their gazes forward; there they found a dejected Liam walking.
"Your Highness!?"
Alisa called him, but Liam didn't respond. Airi stood up, and they watched him walk as if he were dead in life.
Alisa grabbed him to ask him something.
"Your Highness! By any chance, have you seen Rudel?"
Liam only then noticed Alisa and Airi, and unintentionally let out something improper.
"Bradford? He went to fight alone. He said the rest of us weren't needed."
The minds of both froze upon hearing that.
Airi asked Liam, very agitated.
"What does that mean, Your Highness!? Why would Rudel-san do that?"
Liam moved his lips without thinking about what he said.
"...He said he would end this alone, that we are all useless and would delay him, that's why he left alone to fight."
Airi put both hands over her mouth; tears fell on her wrists.
Alisa kept holding Liam.
"Your Highness, that doesn't make sense! Rudel is the Supreme Commander; he can't just leave like that! Why didn't you stop him?"
Liam responded with a lifeless smile while looking at her.
"...Because, he said it was goodbye for us."
At that moment, both Alisa and Airi had the same thought.
Rudel sinking into the sea.
Thinking about it, Airi collapsed on her knees while repeating the same thing.
"It's impossible for Rudel-san to plan to die in combat... he's the kind of person who prefers to flee than die... he has Battler, Brynhild, and Ix-kun on his side."
"Alisa..."
Airi called her friend while her face showed dread and fear.
"Is Rudel-san going to die?"
Alisa, upon hearing her say that, grabbed Liam tightly.
"React once. Stupid crown prince!"
She threw her right fist at his cheek, impacting with force and knocking him to the ground.
Liam didn't know what was happening.
Alisa walked over to him and sat on his chest.
She grabbed his shirt and proceeded to take it out on him.
"For once in your cowardly life, be a man!"
Her fist hit him—the crown prince, the protagonist, the person she swore to serve in the future.
This girl was not the person who was supposed to serve the royal family.
Airi was still scared until she noticed the sound of the blows.
She stood up to stop her.
"Alisa, what are you!"
"I always knew it!"
Airi approached to stop her, but tears fell from Alisa's face with each blow to Liam.
"I... always knew it. No one needed to tell me you hated me! I knew it since my childhood; I never knew what the problem was, but I didn't care since you were going to be king."
More tears fell as the fist descended slowly.
"I tried to love Klein... but he was always distant and dark, and with this... you don't know how happy I am that he was a traitor!"
Her hand now grabbed Liam's shirt.
"I don't ask you for anything... but, for once in your life, act like the prince, damn it!"
Her hand lowered, and Airi looked at her.
"I... love Rudel; I don't want to lose him... I know he will win. And when he does, I'll hug him and kiss him until I'm satisfied."
Her hands trembled because of what she said next.
"If the worst happens... I want to be with him in his last moments. I don't want to live in a world where I can't see his face. You don't know what it's like to love someone so much and not want to lose them!"
Airi heard that and murmured to her friend.
"Alisa, you were so determined... sorry, I didn't imagine you thought like me. Living in a world without Rudel-san is something I don't want to see either."
Alisa wiped her tears and looked at Airi.
"Hehe, we are undoubtedly very stupid girls; we're so desperate for him. But he doesn't tell us his feelings; personally, I didn't even imagine I would act like this for that silly boy."
Both smiled, but Liam...
"Alicelotte, get off me."
Alisa heard Liam speaking with a choppy voice; it must be because his face was a red mess.
Alisa got off him and then apologized. Then, some knights ran to them.
Liam stopped them and, with his swollen face, said.
"Is everything you said about you and Bradford true?"
Alisa nodded about that.
"And what you said about me too."
Without hesitation, she also nodded.
Liam laughed with his swollen face.
"Well, so you were normal after all. I'm happy to know that both you and Bradford are hateful."
Both wanted to respond about what he said.
"I also have someone I love, but it seems my feelings for her are inferior."
Both again wanted to tell him something about that, but his expression was gloomy upon thinking about it.
"That's why I'll prove it; I apologize for being an idiot a while ago. Now, let's prepare to go to Bradford; that hateful guy thinks he can fight without his army. I'll show him the determination of the knights and the royal family of Altfode."
Both were happy to hear that.
"I'll talk to my parents to authorize us to leave."
"Your Highness, I think I should be the one to do it."
"Why?" asked Liam.
"That's because you are an idiot. I'm sorry, but if I don't convince your mother, we'll never leave."
Alisa told Liam he was useless in more than one way. He accepted sadly; Airi approached to heal him while Alisa thought.
(Rudel, I don't know what you plan by going alone, but we'll go help you; just wait, and I pray for your safety.)
The three set out after fixing Liam's face.
◇◇◇
Bacchus had returned to a ship; on that ship was Bandel, who escaped and crashed on the deck.
He didn't exit his mobile knight; he walked using those metallic legs to the cargo section where the other armed units were.
Bacchus and his group were placed at the front with Klein, but upon hearing that their leader returned, the vice-captain flew to see him.
Bandel was still inside his armed unit; Bacchus called him from the outside.
"Young master, are you okay?"
After a while, that man's voice was heard.
"...Bacchus, right? I'm fine, just tired; don't worry about me. More importantly, how is everything over there?"
Bacchus informed him.
"Everyone is awaiting your order; the survivors of that brat's attack want revenge. We are willing to die fighting to sink him."
There was no response from Bandel.
"Young master, if you're not feeling well. We can escape to some distant place and hide there."
"So many years hating the Bismarck's are bad for your health."
"...You're mistaken," said Bandel in a low tone.
"The real culprits are the Kingsfort's; they contacted the Bismarck's and liquidated us. I remember my father once said... that his patron was a horrible man and that he extorted everyone."
Bacchus couldn't believe what he heard.
"If that's true, then the Bismarck's are not our enemies, but the Kingsfort's!"
"Wrong..."
Bandel's voice grew with fury.
"Bacchus, don't you understand? Altfode was always our enemy. All who point at us are, that's why it doesn't matter if we work for the devil; at the end of the day, we'll bite their throat with our poison!"
Bacchus had a sad face upon hearing that; his expression changed to a firm one after asking something.
"Your orders, my captain?"
There was silence until an alarm sounded.
"An enemy fleet is approaching!"
The sailors and soldiers were in position and preparing to fight.
Bacchus wanted to use that opportunity to escape.
But Bandel said some words that left him astonished.
"I only have one order for you and everyone... die for me. Buy me time until my fatigue disappears."
Bacchus placed his hand over his chest.
"As your vice-captain and caretaker since your childhood! I, Bacchus zu Bertre, will never forget the debt to your family after rescuing me from the republic and giving me a roof. I will gladly throw away my life so you have a chance to finish off that brat!"
"..."
There was no response; Bacchus nodded and headed to his armed unit to return to his fleet.
Meanwhile, Bandel inside...
"...I'm sorry. Old friend, but today... no one will manage to return alive."
He was being covered, both him and his armed unit, by a black liquid that seemed to twist as if it were a beating heart.
◇◇◇
After much dialogue with the queen, Alisa finally managed to convince her to allow them to go help Rudel.
There was only one problem: most of the capital's fleets were still evacuating.
Those that weren't were anchored, ready to set sail.
Before communications in general were mysteriously cut off.
They received a message that the remaining nobles with fleets were heading to the battlefield since going from their territories to the capital and then heading to the Duchy of Kingsfort was a waste of time.
Some thought it was a trick to get out of the call.
Alisa, Airi, and the others were on board the royal ship, which they called by the name the machine said.
They were ready, but the number of allies was few; even the student army was gathering.
Liam was ready along with Chlust and Frey in mobile knights belonging to the royal family.
Lecia didn't want to let him go, but fortunately, Rudel's second AI, Bell, was in charge of the ship's security.
At the top of its lungs, if it had any, it shouted.
"I will protect the girls with my life! By the way, these four as well."
Bell spoke of a fourth extra crew member; that person was Erselica.
She wanted to ask Alisa why she was here.
But upon approaching her...
A look almost like an animal's turned in her direction. Airi had the same look; they seemed to meticulously examine every detail of her, even her breathing.
Erselica was frightened to the point of falling to her knees while watching the girls talk to Bell.
"Why can't we contact Rudel?"
"Umm... I don't know. There's strange interference, and I can't even contact Ixion-senpai."
"By the way, Alicelotte?"
"Tell me, Alisa."
"Okay. Alisa, what is Erselica doing here?"
Without even looking at her, Alisa responded.
"She is still the Saint for many. The people, the nobles, or anyone outside the sanctuary or who doesn't belong to the ministers knows she is an impostor. For that reason, seeing her go to the battlefield will boost morale... I hope."
Airi took Alisa's hand.
"I'm sure Rudel will be fine. He is strong, and losing is not part of his character."
Alisa smiled at her.
"That's true. Surely, he must be laughing while defeating them."
Both gave a slight, innocent laugh, but that laugh hid their fear reflected in their trembling arms and legs.
Their true thoughts were:
(Rudel, stay safe until we arrive.)
(Rudel-san, please, stay with us.)
◇
A message sounded.
It was an alert that I had finally found the enemy.
I slept for a while to pass the fatigue effects from this morning.
Upon checking the time, it was 2:36 pm.
Without a doubt, it's been a long day.
But soon everything will end.
Battler informed me that the enemies were sending mobile knights along with small ships.
There were three gigantic ships that were probably the flagships.
The one on the left had the Commonwealth flag, while the one in the center and right had the Kingsfort Household crest.
Surely the head of the house is in the middle. This will be a piece of cake.
I'll cause a massacre by eliminating the one in the middle, and they'll surrender upon seeing that winning is impossible.
I ordered Battler to inform the robots managing the ships along with the drones.
"Kill them mercifully. Ten minutes of massacring them is enough."
I never imagined I'd say that. Am I becoming a monster?
I feel nothing saying I'm going to kill hundreds of people.
I know there's a drug in my body that kills my emotions. And that many of those I'll kill are trash.
But there are probably people like me; those who must do it for their family, friends, lovers, parents who fight for their children. Children who want to protect their parents, and children who hope their parents return.
I'm sorry, but many will not return.
Hate me if you want, despise me if you wish, spit on my name.
But today, you will lose many of your loved ones by my hand.
I feel nothing.
Truly, I am the worst of demons.
Battler informed me that the small ships released a gigantic amount of magical beasts.
I grabbed Battler's controls to get into combat position.
Less than a minute to approach the fleet.
I directed Battler's hands forward.
I pressed a button, and two magic circles manifested in its hands.
The magic circles had circuit lines on them. This wasn't normal magic; it was something Ixion created, artificial magic, and according to him, this is superior to normal magic.
The two circles grew with each passing moment, and Battler put its hands inside.
The circle ran along the arms until reaching its shoulders.
After finishing covering the shoulders, the circle disappeared, and in each hand, it carried two mini machine guns. The shoulders had a large container, each containing 30,000 bullets that can intensely penetrate the target with each second that passes; even at long range, they make them more dangerous.
I aimed both weapons at the mobile knights approaching me; the cannons began to spin slowly until they gained what was necessary to fire at 120 km/h.
The robots also had their machine guns ready.
The drones were ready with embedded rocket launchers.
The ships were showing their cannons.
The enemies were approximately 1300.
In ten minutes, I'll leave 600 or 500 alive to surrender.
Without further interruptions, the massacre began.
I pulled the trigger.
Not even 2 seconds passed, and the cannons launched a rain of bullets so fast I couldn't count them.
The bullets seemed like buzzing mosquitoes.
I watched without interest as the bullets destroyed the magical shields and the mobile knights as if they were crumpled paper.
An enemy tried to flee but was torn apart without leaving a trace.
All enemies ended up the same.
I just pulled the triggers and moved Battler's hands as if it were a game.
Oh, that's right. This world is a disgusting game that makes lives erased just to follow the plot.
Battler showed me how my ships fired nonstop, cannons blowing the smaller ships to pieces.
The floating robots fired at the monsters; the drones supported them, although others also helped me kill soldiers.
Some drones seemed to play with them.
Two mobile knights were grabbed by some drones, and both headed to collide with each other as if they were two drunks driving.
The men inside screamed before colliding and generating an explosion.
Another enemy tried to flee; he was grabbed by two drones, the head and a foot; another drone came and, as if it were cheese, cut him in half.
I said to kill them mercifully and quickly, but they seem to exaggerate something.
The larger ships approached and knocked down a few robots.
It annoyed me; they'll think they have a chance.
I won't allow it!
I ordered Battler to launch the Shining Ones.
It seemed to accept with a beep.
I observed through the drone cameras that the ship decks opened.
Something like a square missile launcher came out.
It had twenty round holes inside.
The content was something like yellow cylinders.
The missile launchers aimed at the steel ships.
"Fire."
I shouted those words without emotion and watched as, one by one, they were launched at the ships.
They spun in the sky while falling.
Some drones approached to show me what was happening.
After spinning for a few seconds, they fell in different zones and, like claws, adjusted themselves not to be removed.
They all fell showing the front; a soldier observed one. Then, a pulsating red light appeared.
Then a second; the soldier used his rifle to touch it; the third came, and the front part opened.
The soldier couldn't know what happened because his consciousness was erased by a huge explosion that destroyed the deck.
Not only there; in all directions where they fell, gigantic explosions happened.
Ship after steel ship inflated like balloons and exploded.
The drones approached a ship that didn't receive damage.
The sailors inside activated magical shields; it was useless since the drones analyzed the shield to find its weakness.
They took out their machine guns and, as if they were balloons, destroyed the shields, leaving red stains where the bullets hit.
Only two minutes had passed, and the casualties were less than 200.
Without a doubt, it will be a very long day.
"Let's speed this up."
I said that and ordered a ship via Battler to direct all the Shining Ones to the center flagship.
I watched as the largest ship on my side directed all the missile launchers at the large steel ship.
A slight thought passed through my head upon seeing it prepare.
(All this happened because I defended Alisa from Klein.)
(If... I hadn't done it, I would never have been involved in this problem. I would never have fought the pirates, I would never have had to kill, and above all, I would live happily in peace.)
(...What an idiot I am! Wishing I hadn't saved Alisa? It's absurd! I swore to protect her and Airi. If I hadn't intervened, she would be suffering or worse things because of that bastard.)
The missile launchers were fired, impacting the Kingsfort flagship.
(According to Erselica, Klein never showed that type of behavior in the game. But in reality, it's another thing.)
(That bastard is trash both as a man and as a human. Personally, I don't care if he lives or not; he would be condemned for this anyway. Both Liam and mainly Alisa will not see that idiot again.)
I watched as the ship exploded, splitting in half.
(That's why I shouted at Siegwald, since Ixion checked his house and discovered things I didn't know. I'm annoyed with him for using his daughter as if she were a pawn, but at the same time, it's thanks to that mistake that she and I can be friends. I also thank Liam; if he weren't an idiot, Airi would be by his side, suffering from great stress.)
The flagship didn't explode totally; the rear part was sinking, but the front part fell into the sea.
It would be bad if they escaped.
I tasked some robots with my machine guns, and now, from the same magic circle as before, I took out a huge bazooka.
I headed to sink that ship.
◇◇◇
Inside the sinking flagship, Klein was in the cockpit holding onto his seat.
"Klein-sama, please help me!"
His servant, Keyes, was holding onto his leg. The other sailors in the cockpit fell due to the explosion.
Klein was covered in blood; he looked at his most loyal servant, who helped him since childhood.
"Let go of me, trash!"
And, with a kick to the face, the servant let go, his nose bleeding as he screamed his name while heading to the flames burning in the sea.
Klein watched him, along with other sailors, burn.
Using all his strength, he managed to climb up.
Thanks to his magical attribute being wind, the broken glass pieces didn't hit him, contrary to the others.
He sat in his chair, which was welded to the floor.
Klein breathed almost like an asthmatic.
His mouth manifested his true thoughts.
"Damn it! Damn, damn, damn! Damn you, field scum!"
Klein was laughing upon seeing that Rudel was his enemy.
He prepared the rail cannons while his ship approached him.
He couldn't do anything since the explosions were faster than them.
Klein screamed things that never came out of the game, his own truth.
"Why is this happening? If only... that bitch Alice hadn't opened her big mouth, both her family and Liam's crown would already be mine!"
"Why does that field trash get in my way!? Why do you ruin what is rightfully mine? My ancestors wanted the crown, that's why they did everything in their favor so that it would belong to them. Why do you get in the way of my greatness!"
Klein watched Battler approach; it had a cannon in its hand.
Rage consumed him from within.
Magic circles formed around Battler; bazooka cannons and ship cannons came out of them, aiming at Klein.
He shouted at the top of his lungs.
"How a miserable peasant like you ruins what is rightfully mine! I'll kill Liam! I'll make mincemeat of your family! I'll rape the whore Alicelotte and that commoner in your face while they torture you, hahahaha!"
The cannons shone, aiming intensely, generating bright lights.
"Don't you know who I am, dirty peasant!? I possess the purest blood of the royal family! I am the heir of the Principality of Kingsfort, I am the son of Franz von Kingsfort!"
It seemed Battler stopped to listen.
"I am Klein—!"
"You are nothing more than a corpse."
A voice was heard inside Battler. Then, hordes of missiles headed to the cockpit where Klein was.
Klein, someone known in the game as Liam's best friend from childhood, his right hand, someone loved by the fans.
Watched as his end, the light of his committed crimes exploded in his face, and with screams of pain. His ship exploded into hundreds of pieces, thus ending his existence.
Battler, after blowing him up, aimed its cannon at a nearby ship, and again a voice was heard.
"...This would never have happened if only you had been kind to Alisa. You could have lived happily with her, but now I'll make sure she is happy as her name indicates. Unlike yours, which means small like your existence."
Shots sounded from the cannons.
◇◇◇
"—Goodbye."
Ixion was talking with Rudel minutes before.
The communication cut off for some reason.
He was in the territory of the island where Rudel found him.
He had gone to the Barony of Bradford to leave a certain important article safe.
Brynhild was anchored there; Ixion's voice was heard on the speakers.
On a large monitor, his red eye appeared on a black screen.
"It's time, it seems."
Brynhild's engines started.
Ixion had become one with his aircraft.
He headed toward the sea below it.
Upon diving, like a submarine without lights, he entered almost into the depths as if searching for something.
Then, he stopped.
He turned on the lights and...
"...Finally."
He was in front of a thing, a mysterious existence, one could say. It wasn't human; it wasn't something made by man.
What Ixion found was...
"I've been looking for you all these months, and you were always hidden here, it seems. If it weren't for the strange frequency I found during the attack on the capital, I wouldn't have found you. Answer. Who are you?"
An enormous black mass that moved as if it were spilled ink.
A yellow eye opened; it had no pupils or irises.
It was yellow like a ball; more eyes opened, observing Brynhild.
"Answer, who are you? Why do you attack my master? Why do the magical beasts have 0.01% of your DNA? And, were you the one who destroyed ancient humanity?"
The strange creature looked at Brynhild until...
"JJJJJiIIIIIoooooooHHHH!!!"
It screamed a strange sound that made the lights flicker.
Ixion remained calm.
"I know it was you behind the commoner insurrections; don't try to deny it. Both they and the master had a strange, almost unidentifiable trace. Interestingly, Irisdina too."
The strange black thing seemed to move; its form was viscous and the size of a whale; it began to form a silhouette with tentacles.
"Those screams you make affect the atmosphere, so communication is impossible."
Something like a manta ray with tentacles and hundreds of eyes looked at Brynhild.
Ixion remained calm.
"...You don't want to answer? Fine."
Until...
"I'll extract the information I need in your autopsy."
He lost his calm, and laser cannons appeared from different sides, focusing on the creature, which lunged at him.
"I won't allow you to dare touch Master Rudel or those girls, you, black thing!"
On the sea surface, strange sounds could be heard. These were accompanied by gigantic explosions that made the water jump as if it were a geyser.
No one imagined that, on that day, the most unimaginable war that could occur would happen.