Read Daily Updated Light Novel, Web Novel, Chinese Novel, Japanese And Korean Novel Online.
Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!? (Light Novel) - Volume 9, Chapter 6: Koutarou's Truth
Volume 9, Chapter 6: Koutarou's Truth
This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml
Part 1
Thursday, February 11
Koutarou had just finished his club activities and was now headed towards Clan's hideout. There was something he wanted to ask her.
This matter was regarding Ruth's marriage. Since he wasn't informed of how the situation was like in the current Forthorthe, he couldn't be of any help to Ruth. He decided to go to Clan to learn more.
“Really, only your personality needs to be sly. You should live someplace brighter and more beautiful, Clan.”
Koutarou complained as he walked up a dark mountain path. Clan's spaceship had been hidden in a mountain area where it wouldn't stand out. And when the day turned dark, it was a rough path to travel.
“Oh yeah, now that I think about it, didn't this bracelet have a flashlight installed into it?”
Koutarou brought the bracelet on his right arm to up to his face. Though he had gotten it from Clan, it should function like Theia and Ruth's. The bracelet had all kinds of convenient functions, one of which was a flashlight.
“Hey, Cradle.”
“You called, my lord.”
When Koutarou called out to the bracelet, the crystal in it began glowing and a hologram of Clan's spaceship appeared in his vision.
Just like Theia and Ruth's bracelets were connected to the Blue Knight, this bracelet was connected to the Cradle. The original function of the bracelet was something similar to a remote control.
“It's dark so―”
“Bertorion.”
And just when Koutarou was about to order the bracelet to turn on the lights, the hologram of the spaceship was replaced with Clan's serious face. It was a call from her.
“...When I'm about to turn on the light because it's dark, a sly face appeared.”
“I really will shoot you with real bullets, Bertorion!”
“There's no need to get so mad. It was just a little greeting.”
“What an unpleasant greeting!”
“Clan, your cute face is being wasted.”
“C-Can I kill you...? I haven't had the urge to kill in a while now...”
The hologram of Clan was shaking her fist in front of her face in rage.
“More importantly, did you want something?”
“Again with the dismissive comment... geeeez!! There's something I wanted to talk about!”
“I'm on my way to your place right now, so can't we just talk there?”
“It's important, that's why I called you!”
“Then hurry up and speak.”
“This is all your fault you know!! Really...”
Clan regained her composure and looked at Koutarou with a serious expression.
“Sorry, Clan. What happened?”
“...That part about you is so unfair.”
Clan finally told Koutarou about Ruth's visit.
Part 2
“Her highness's position marker is just up ahead!”
Using the information displayed on her bracelet, Ruth was heading towards a public park. It was a vast forest park rich in nature that was loved by the inhabitants of Kitsushouharukaze city.
Theia had taken over for Ruth, who was going to be preparing for the dinner, and was guiding Elexis around on Earth. Upon examining Theia's location history, Theia had indeed been guiding him to sightseeing spots around the city. And finally, Theia was for some reason headed this way. But this was an odd spot to be travelling towards as the sun was starting to set. What was even stranger was that even though she had tried to contact Theia, she couldn't get a connection. After entering the park, Theia's position marker had stopped updating.
It could just be a simple system error, but Ruth was preparing for the worst case scenario.
“Your highness, please be safe!”
They were the cases where if Elexis and the military were planning something like what Clan had said or where the military had already learned that Ruth was going to decline in some way.
Even if I decline, there is a chance that I won't have to leave Earth!! If there really is an underlying plot, then there is no way that they haven't accounted for that possibility!! In that case, they must have prepared to strike regardless of where I was!! I was careless!!
The most efficient way to capture Theia was to strike when Ruth wasn't nearby. That's because it would be easier if there were no witnesses from Forthorthe.
Though there was a chance of Ruth leaving Earth if she declined the marriage, it wasn't foolproof. And since relying on a plan that relied on uncertain elements was foolish, there was a need for a more certain plan.
That's why El-sama suddenly came to Earth!! It was to create an opening!!
If her fiancé suddenly appeared, Ruth was sure to be shaken, even by just a little. And because it was just the two of them, the extra work would naturally reduce Ruth's guard around Theia.
Thinking back, just the two of us leaving might have all been part of this plan! I should have spent more time considering the meaning of this situation!
Ruth wanted all of these to just be her needless worries, but the ominous feeling she was getting wouldn't stop. She couldn't think of it as just a simple system error. The only grounds she had to suspect anything were the words of Clan, who had been her enemy just the other day. But what Clan had said had sounded like the truth. And based on Koutarou and Clan's current relationship, she couldn't imagine that Clan would be lying.
If it hadn't been for Clan-sama, it might have been too late... Though it's mortifying, Clan-sama is in a much closer place to Satomi-sama than I am...
Koutarou and Clan had a secret that they hadn't revealed to Theia and Ruth. That fact increased the reliability of Clan's words, while at the same time, left Ruth feeling a little envious of her.
Part 3
Just after Ruth had jumped into the public park—
“Oh my, if it isn't Ruth-sama. Good evening.”
Elexis appeared in front of Ruth. He bowed gracefully while wearing a confident smile.
“El-sama!?”
Ruth on the other hand showed a severe expression. And as Ruth instinctively took a stance, Elexis's expression changed it one of worry.
“Is something the matter, Ruth-sama?”
“Where is her highness!?”
“If it's her highness you are looking for, we separated over there.”
As Elexis said that he pointed out the area behind him. The paved road continued deeper into the park, but it wasn't possible to see further up ahead due to the darkness and trees completely concealing the path. And since it seemed that this darkness was also concealing Theia. Ruth was overcome by an unspeakable uneasiness.
“I was just planning on returning to the ship. That's right, why don't you come with me? There are so many things I would like to show you there.”
In contrast Ruth, Elexis had a bright smile and invited her in a normal fashion.
“That is alright. I have an urgent matter to discuss with her highness, so I will take my leave.”
Ruth turned the invitation down and attempted to calm down the unease brewing inside her as she tried to walk past Elexis. She wanted everything to just be her imagination.
“Oh don't say that.”
However, Elexis grabbed a hold of Ruth's arm as she tried to pass him.
“I would love for you to come with me, Ruth-sama.”
Elexis forcibly pulled Ruth back.
“Kyaaa!?”
Because of her light weight, she was easily swung around and returned to the place she had stood. However, even though what had just happened, Ruth courageously denounced Elexis.
“What is the meaning of this, El-sama!?”
“Why, it's all for the future―”
A boom was heard. Elexis cut himself off in the middle of a sentence. It seemed like an explosion had occurred in the park, and Elexis turned in its direction. The sound had come from deeper into the park. From Ruth's current location, she couldn't see the explosion, but she could see the sky brighten for a moment, and crows were rapidly fleeing from the scene.
“Your highness!!”
Ruth's intuition told her that this explosion was a sign of Theia in danger. At the same time, the explosion made Elexis remove the mask he was wearing.
“Really, I gave them such strict orders not to use their weapons... her highness Theiamillis sure is quite impressive.”
While being amazed at his subordinates’ clumsiness, he admired Theia's struggling.
The five bodyguards that Elexis had brought with him were in reality a special forces unit from the army. Of course they had all gone through rigorous training, but they were forced to use their weapons to capture Theia. For Elexis, that merited some praise.
After an explosion had occurred, it would be hard to continue fooling Ruth, so Elexis decided to remove his mask.
“To think she'd make the special forces use heavy weaponry... if she's that strong, why is she advocating disarmament...”
“El-sama, so you really are...!?”
“Oh, so you were aware of our plans. Splendid. Though still young, as expected from a daughter from the Pardomshiha family.”
Elexis smiled at Ruth with a confident smile. It was an awfully natural smile, as if saying that this was just another normal day in his life.
“Let go of me, you coward!! Are you so hungry for power that you'd even go this far!?”
Ruth's face was flushed in rage as she tried to shake off Elexis' hand.
“What a foolish question. Without power, one can't do anything. I imagine you would realize that right about now.”
However, with such a large difference in physique, Ruth was no match for Elexis's strength. Despite Ruth's struggles, Elexis wasn't budging an inch.
“You'd even go so far as to make needless charitable undertakings, just for this!?”
All Ruth was able to do right now was criticizing Elexis.
“That hurts. Those generous donations were most certainly my real intentions. Large profits are born from a healthy society... I simply felt that if I sided with Elfaria, I wouldn't be able to create a perfect society. That's all.”
It wasn't like Elexis harbored malice against Ruth or Theia. It was just that since he didn't agree with the current politics of Forthorthe, so he had sided with their enemy. That was all there was to it.
“So you're going to demand that Elfaria-sama abdicates by holding her highness hostage!? This is no joke!!”
“I agree. However, the royal families are the ones who have given all the political power to themselves, so this is the only way. As such it is only fair that she becomes our hostage.”
“I won't let you say you have forgotten just what sacrifices the Mastir family has made to support Forthorthe!!”
“I haven't forgotten. However, times have changed. If a part rusts, you have to replace it. Isn't that just logical?”
“Nonsense! Blue Knight, Anti-Personnel Stunner!”
Realizing that she wouldn't be able to beat him in power, Ruth shouted an order into her bracelet. She was going to the Blue Knight's weapon systems to incapacitate Elexis.
“That won't work, Ruth-sama.”
“The network connection has been lost. That instruction cannot be executed.”
“Wha!?”
The bracelet didn't accept the order as usual. Instead, it let out a jarring warning sound and reported that it was unable to carry out the instructions.
“Why!?”
The unexpected development made Ruth's expression stiffen.
“It was a mistake to let us onboard the Blue Knight.”
“I see, so that's when—!”
“Without weapons, both you and her highness are just girls. You never stood a chance.”
Elexis regrettably shook his head. He personally held no ill intentions towards the girls; that was why he seriously pitied Ruth.
“Your only way to not lose would have been to marry me, but in the end, you probably would have lost then too...”
When Elexis had first arrived at the Blue Knight, his five subordinates had set up all kinds of devices on the ship. That allowed them to freely jam communications, wiretap Theia and Ruth's private rooms, and more.
Having learned of Ruth's feelings, Elexis decided on capturing Theia in this empty park. However as he learned that Ruth was approaching, Elexis had left Theia to his subordinates and went out to slow down Ruth.
Theia and Ruth's chances of winning were thrown out the window the moment they failed to notice the devices on their ship.
“Blue Knight, Blue Knight!”
Ruth operated her bracelet and tried all kinds of communication methods to contact the Blue Knight, such as electronic, gravitational and hyperspace communications. However, all she got back was the warning sound from her bracelet. The Blue Knight didn't respond to Ruth despite her best attempts.
“Just give it up. Communications have been completely jammed. Nothing you do will help. Your voice won't reach anyone. Just stop and obey me, please.”
Elexis looked at Ruth with pity in his eyes. That pity had come from his absolute conviction of his own victory.
“If I give up, who else will save her highness!? As if I could ever do that!! I am her highness's knight after all!!”
“To think you can't understand that it's useless... that is regrettable.”
Seeing as Ruth was refusing to give up, Elexis decided to swing his fist. He would knock her unconscious and bring her onboard his own spaceship. Ruth would allow him to make Theia obey.
“Is that so? It wasn't useless.”
However, Ruth wasn't the one struck by a fist. Elexis was. A fist from out of his line of sight struck his cheek.
Having taken a direct hit, Elexis collapsed. At the same time, he lost strength in the hand holding onto Ruth and she regained her freedom. As she turned and looked at the person who had punched Elexis, Ruth's eyes suddenly sparkled.
“Satomi-sama!?”
“Yo, Ruth-san. Your voice reached me.”
Koutarou had been the one to punch Elexis. After hearing the situation from Clan, he had gone out looking for Ruth.
You were a big help, Clan...
Since Koutarou's bracelet was connected to Clan's Cradle and Hazy Moon, he couldn't access Ruth and Theia's location. However, thanks to Ruth using various communication methods, Clan's unmanned observation device managed to determine her location. Clan then conveyed that to Koutarou and led him to the park. Koutarou had only been able to find her because Ruth had refused to give up until the end.
“So Ruth-san, what is going on?”
Koutarou glared at Elexis without letting his guard down and clenched his fists. Elexis had taken some damage from the blow, but he was still conscious. And after lightly shaking his head, he slowly stood up.
“Satomi-sama...”
Seeing Koutarou step in between her and Elexis, Ruth was filled with a deep sense of security.
Ah... he really is the one... As long as he is with me, I will be okay no matter what... He will definitely be able to save her highness...
The crisis hadn't been resolved, and she had no grounds for her beliefs, but Ruth felt relieved and believed that everything would be okay now. She believed in Koutarou, and after wiping away tears from her eyes, she converted those feelings into words.
“Please, lend me your strength, Satomi-sama! I want to save her highness! From all kinds of enemies! And from all kinds of hardships!”
That was the future that would make Ruth the happiest, and it was also her wish.
She no longer had any doubts.
“As you wish, my lady!”
Koutarou responded without any hesitation.
He was able to do so because he had made his resolution a long time ago.
Part 4
After standing up, Elexis had lost his previous calmness. The unexpected interruption had thrown him off his game.
“Curse you... you primitive barbarian...”
Looking at it from Elexis's perspective, it was like a gorilla was interrupting his duel and punched him. Elexis gave Koutarou a glare full of rage.
“Hm...? Hahahaha!”
However, Koutarou began to laugh.
Koutarou was laughing because he had met a person very similar to Elexis. And finding himself in a similar situation as back then, he began laughing even harder. It was obvious that it was a completely different person, but their features were just so similar that Koutarou couldn't keep it in.
“...What are you doing in a place like this, Dextro? You haven't taken a single step forward for 2,000 years...”
As Koutarou laughed, he mumbled to himself in a low voice.
“Dextro...?”
So only Ruth who was next to him could hear it.
Satomi-sama just said Dextro...
Ruth had a vague memory of having heard the name Dextro before. He was a character that appeared in the legend of the Blue Knight. However, he hadn't appeared in Theia's play in the interest of time. So it wasn't a name Koutarou could have known.
Maybe her highness showed him a movie when practicing for the play...?
However, in the end Ruth assumed he had been shown a movie regarding him, and so she turned her focus back on Elexis. She didn't have the time to think of something else.
“What are you mumbling about, neanderthal?”
“Neanderthal? It's been a while since I last heard that.”
Clan, that synchronicity of yours might really exist...
Koutarou remembered what Clan had said and casually approached Elexis. Elexis pulled out a pistol and pointed it towards Koutarou. It was a new model that DKI had developed, and not only did it have little recoil, but it was also a multipurpose gun with the option to load all kinds of bullets. This was one of the products that DKI wanted to sell to the army.
“What does an unarmed neanderthal want?”
An amazed smile appeared on Elexis's lips. It was only obvious that he would smile as white, transparent hexagonal tiles appeared around him. It was a barrier. A bare-handed human wouldn't be able to do anything against him now.
“It's true that I am unarmed, but you shouldn't get too ahead of yourself.”
“That's true. There's a saying in my family to not play around during important events.”
Elexis didn't hesitate to fire towards Koutarou's head.
Looks like you learned a little, Dextro!
However, Koutarou shook his head and dodged the bullet.
“What!?”
Elexis doubted his eyes. He couldn't believe that this gun could miss at close range.
In order to improve the accuracy of Elexis's gun, it didn't fire by pulling a trigger. Instead it sensed the pressure put on the trigger. It reduced the lowered accuracy from having to move your finger and trigger.
In other words, Koutarou couldn't have observes Elexis's movements to dodge. It should be impossible for a human to dodge.
“Your shooting is too honest!”
Koutarou began sprinting to close the distance as quickly as possible.
“Who the hell are you!?”
“I'm the victim!”
Meanwhile, Elexis continued firing. However none of the bullets hit; instead they would graze his cheek, pass under the arm he had casually raised or between his arm and body.
It was a bizarre sight that made it look like Elexis was missing on purpose.
Why, why can't I hit him!?
Elexis started to panic as he continued firing. It was a situation in which the person shooting was the most confused.
Koutarou was able to dodge the bullets thanks to power he had gotten from Sanae. Elexis's aim was very accurate, and the so was the gun’s performance. He didn't have any hesitation like Ruth, and his aim was logical and accurate. That's why his attacks were easier to dodge than anyone else’s.
“A victim you say!?”
“That's right! I'm just a regular civilian that your princess invaded!!”
Koutarou was now right in front of Elexis. Elexis fired one last shot at Koutarou.
However, that bullet flew in a completely different direction. Koutarou's fist struck Elexis in the face and knocked him back onto the ground. The shot had been fired after Koutarou had hit him and he was falling.
“W-What happened!?”
After falling down, Elexis was unable to move. Part of the reason for that was because he was dizzy from the punch, but most of the reason was because he was taken aback in surprise.
Despite being protected by a barrier, Koutarou had punched him. Elexis had no clue what had happened.
“Satomi-sama... you...”
Ruth who had been watching Koutarou from behind on the other saw what happened. Despite having seen it, she was still surprised.
Immediately before El-sama fires, the barrier near the barrel vanishes for a moment! Satomi-sama punched him during that small window! I understand the theory, but just because you understand the theory, it's not that easy to put it into practice!! Just how much training would you have to do to be able to pull off something like that!?
That was a move made possible by the power given to him by Sanae and from his combat experience. Elexis had a habit when he fired his gun. Just before shooting he, would hold his breath, and that showed in his aura. Koutarou's experience told him that was a common trait amongst marksmen. So by swinging his fist at that time, he would be able to strike Elexis before he could fire his gun.
“Ouch, the barrier recovers quickly.”
While Ruth seemed surprised, Koutarou was shaking his right hand in an attempt to ease the pain. That was because he had been repelled by the reformed barrier, but his actions were so carefree that it was hard to believe he had just easily done something so amazing.
“I see, Neanderthal-kun, you aimed for the opening when the barrier was down!”
That was when Elexis realized what had happened. The tactical support computer on him reported on what Koutarou had done.
“But now that I know, there's no need to fear!”
Elexis ejected the magazine loaded into the gun and quickly exchanged it with another.
“All I have to do is attack you with lasers without lowering the barrier!”
The new magazine contained miniature irradiation devices that fired lasers. And by loading those into the pistol, it would be able to shoot lasers. Since it was a prototype, there was a limit to the amount of shots it could fire, but this generality was the selling point of the gun.
“You've surprised me quite a bit, but it looks like I win, Neanderthal-kun!”
After changing his magazine, Elexis ordered the computer to change the barrier settings. Normally, Forthorthe's protective barriers guarded against lasers as well. But Elexis changed that setting to allow lasers to pass through. That meant that he could fire at Koutarou without having to lower his barrier.
“Let me tell you something good.”
“Is this your will? I'm no knight, but I'll at least hear your final words.”
Pointing his gun at Koutarou, Elexis waited for his words. He was absolutely certain of his victory now.
“Unarmed, I have no way of breaking your barrier, and you can attack me all you want. All I can do is run around, but I won't be able to save Theia like that.”
“That's right. You can at least understand that.”
“However―”
Koutarou began running towards Elexis once more.
“Did you get so desperate as to resort to a suicide attack? I guess that is only fitting for a neanderthal.”
Elexis confidently kept his aim at Koutarou. He had no need to defeat Koutarou with this attack. He only needed to buy time, he only had to not lose. There was no chance that an unarmed opponent could break through the barrier. Elexis had been a little surprised over getting punched, but he was still dominant.
“Satomi-sa― Ah...”
At first, Ruth had thought that Koutarou was throwing his life away too. But then she noticed that Koutarou was smiling. It was the exact same kind of smile he would show when he was teasing Yurika.
“―my partner is the slyest of them all.”
Before Elexis could fire, several lights came pouring down from above.
The lights passed through his barrier and struck the gun in his right hand, and the barrier generator on his waist and destroyed them.
“W-What!?”
Elexis was once again taken aback by surprise as the unexpected happened. However, he didn't have much time to be surprised as Koutarou swung his fist down at full force. Without his gun and barrier, Elexis had no way to defend himself and standing still, he was just an easy target.
“Guhah.”
Koutarou's fist buried into Elexis's stomach, and he easily fainted.
Part 5
Having defeated Elexis, Koutarou and Ruth headed deeper into the park while being guided by Clan. While Koutarou was fighting, she had managed to identify the heat sources corresponding to Theia and the five men using her observation device.
“This is as much as I can help. I can't leave any evidence that the Schweiger family was involved.”
If Clan did anything more, there was a high chance that Elexis and the military would find out that she was helping them. This was where her turn ended.
“Thanks, Clan.”
“You just keep owing me more and more, Koutarou.”
“I know, I know.”
“Thank you very much, Clan-sama.”
“Why am I being thanked by Pardomshiha, geez...”
Since Clan wasn't used to associating with people, she was troubled by having someone she wasn't used to thanking her. Dealing with her was not the same as dealing with Koutarou. As a result, the hologram of Clan, created by the bracelet, blushed ever so slightly.
“...I'm confused myself.”
Ruth put her hand on her chest and smiled gently. Ruth's earnest feelings seemed to have an effect on Clan as she smiled embarrassingly.
“One last warning, Koutarou. DKI are trying to sell weapons far more powerful than that gun to the army.”
“So what should I do?”
“I would 'use any method we can'.”
“I understand. Thank you.”
By quoting Koutarou, Clan conveyed the magnitude of the situation to Koutarou. He pulled himself together and began thinking in preparation to the upcoming fight. Seeing Koutarou get so serious, Clan smiled gently.
“...You came back through all those hardships, now protect her until the end, Satomi Koutarou.”
Saying that, Clan terminated the hologram. At the same time, the observation headed back towards the Cradle. The rest was up to Koutarou and Ruth.
Part 6
Not long after Clan had vanished, Koutarou and Ruth reached their destination. There they saw scorched trees and traces of explosions. The sight told them that the fight that had taken place here was fierce.
“Her highness is... there! She's over there, Satomi-sama!”
“Theia.”
A bit away from Koutarou and Ruth, past some trees, was a spaceship even smaller than Clan's Cradle. It was about the size of a large truck. Right next to the ship were the five men, and they were carrying Theia. She seemed to be unconscious and one of the men were carrying her over his shoulder. Theia looked like a doll being carried by the large man.
“Oh no, if we don't hurry they'll take her away!”
“So there's no time for petty tricks, huh...”
Theia would be stuffed into the spaceship any time now. If they just stood around and waited, she would be taken away. However, Koutarou and Ruth only had the weapons for self-defense that Clan had left behind. They couldn't use any powerful weapons that would tip the men of that Clan was involved. So facing five men from a special forces team with cutting edge technology would be difficult. They had been able to do something about Elexis because he was on his own, but not even Koutarou could dodge all attacks if the five men decided to attack him with lasers at the same time.
They had to go right now, but they stood no chance of winning as it was. There was no time to call for backup, and having reached a standstill, Koutarou mumbled the words Clan had mentioned.
“Use any method we can, huh...”
They were the words that Koutarou spoken when facing off against Maxfern. Just like now, back then they were also at a standstill. So Koutarou had told Clan to be ready to use their last resort. That's what using any method meant.
Back then, Clan's last resort was the super-space-time repulsion shell. Then what is my last resort...?
And when Koutarou had just reached that thought, Ruth spoke to him.
“Satomi-sama, I'll act as a decoy and draw them away. Meanwhile, please save her highness. I'm sure you can do it, so please, save her highness!”
Ruth couldn't wait any longer and quickly explained her plan. However it was a dangerous plan with almost no chance of Ruth surviving.
“Ruth-san...”
Koutarou definitely understood Ruth's determination. He didn't even need to look at her aura. It was obvious just with one look at her face.
Ruth is prepared to even die for this. She wants to save Theia, even if she were to die, because she would regret it if she didn't. Because she can't be happy without Theia...
“Here I go! I'll leave the rest to you!”
Ruth didn't fear her own death, because she knew that even if she died, Koutarou would definitely save Theia. And when faced with Ruth's determination, Koutarou made up his mind.
There's no meaning in keeping the secret if it will lead to Ruth's death. And I'm sure her majesty will forgive me for using it in this situation. It's for the sake of the people her majesty fought to protect after all!
Koutarou was prepared to use any means necessary to protect Ruth and Theia.
“...Please wait, Ruth-san.”
Koutarou grabbed a hold of Ruth's shoulder as she was about to rush forward and called her back.
“Satomi-sama?”
Having suddenly been stopped, Ruth gave Koutarou a puzzled glance.
“Ruth-san... if possible I'd like you not to mention what you'll see from now on to anyone else.”
Koutarou smiled at Ruth. It was his normal smile; though awkward, it was an earnest smile without anything hiding behind it. It was the smile Ruth loved to see.
“Satomi...sama?”
Ruth didn't understand the meaning behind Koutarou's smile so she instinctively questioned him. However, instead of answering her, Koutarou thrust his right hand forward.
“Cradle, give me my sword.”
“As you wish, my lord.”
The gem on the bracelet Koutarou was wearing blinked repeatedly and executed his order.
Satomi-sama's sword? Saguratin should be onboard the Blue Knight right now... And his face... I've never seen Satomi-sama with such an expression before...
It was the expression Koutarou made when he compelled himself to fight. This was the first time Ruth had ever seen him make that expression.
“Come, Signaltin.”
“Call sign confirmed, coordinate axis fixed. Commencing transfer of Signaltin.”
“Wha―?”
Before Ruth could even be surprised by the name of the sword Koutarou had whispered, the transfer had commenced.
Just in front of Koutarou's extended right hand, a black hole about ten centimeters in diameter appeared. From that hole, a sword still in its sheath appeared. The sword had a complex design that made use of many curves. The white and silver colors blended together and it looked as graceful as a work of art. Without hesitation, Koutarou stuck his hand into the black hole, grabbed a hold of the sword’s handle and pulled it out.
The moment Koutarou grabbed a hold of the handle, the sword began releasing a pure-white glow. The sword covered everything around it in light. It was almost as bright as the sun.
“What is this sword!? Alaia's crest is engraved on the handle!! And the royal family's crest is engraved on the sheath!!”
The most and second most famous crests were engraved into the sword. Those were the royal family's crest using the goddess of dawn as its motif and Alaia's personal crest using silvery white snow as its motif.
Despite the powerful white glow, the crests shone beautifully as if making their presence known.
“Your excellency, Blue Knight, this ship, the Cradle, will pray for your fortune and glory in place of the nation of Forthorthe.”
“...Thank you.”
Koutarou was stood in the center of the light, holding the sword in both hands. In his right hand was the handle, and in his left the sheath. Koutarou turned back to Ruth and spoke out to her.
“Ruth-san.”
“Signal...tin? And your excellency, Blue Knight...?”
Ruth was unable to respond to Koutarou as she was just so surprised by this development.
It's a replica... no, it's too well made for that... and this light... and why did the Cradle call Satomi-sama, Blue Knight... A code name? No, this is...
Without waiting for Ruth's reply, Koutarou smiled and continued speaking.
“I... will protect everyone's future with my life, and these two swords.”
And it wasn't just Ruth and Theia. Koutarou wanted to protect everyone who suffered in his presence. He couldn't protect everyone in the world, for he was no god, but he at least wanted to make those who had made him smile, smile in return.
That was Koutarou's oath, and his wish.
Koutarou had returned from the past Forthorthe to fulfill that oath.
“So let's go, Ruth-san. Theia is waiting.”
“U...Uhm...”
Koutarou pulled Signaltin from its sheath as Ruth struggled to come up with something to say.
Its silvery white blade seemingly responded to Koutarou's feelings as it shot out its white light.
Part 7
The title of special forces wasn't just for show. By the time the white light appeared, the five men noticed that danger was approaching them. It was probably their intuition as pros telling them that an irregular situation had occurred.
So the men in black carrying beam cannons, barriers and more of the likes, vigilantly waited for the enemy to show himself.
“It's just one neanderthal and the Pardomshiha daughter...?”
“The neanderthal has a knight sword, and the girl has a small arms for self-defense.”
“Are they insane...?”
However, in contrary to their intuition, the oncoming enemy was just far too weak. Upon confirming their enemies’ appearances, they believed their intuition had been wrong. They didn't believe that their enemies, Koutarou and Ruth, stood a chance at beating them.
To them it seemed like their enemies had gone mad. Not only were the enemies in less numbers than them, but they were challenging the special forces with just an old knight's sword and a small arms for self-defense. The special forces assumed that their enemies were driven into a suicide attack because of their excessive loyalty.
That's why they chose not to use the powerful weaponry they had stored on their spaceship. They believed they would win with the equipment they had on them. This wasn't them letting their guard down; it was a very natural judgment in the world they lived in.
“What do we do, Captain?”
“Kill the neanderthal. And capture the girl as planned.”
“I thought so...”
“But what happened to Elexis-sama? He should have moved to intercept the girl... did they miss each other?”
Out of the five men, three of them stepped forward carrying large guns. They had determined that these three would be enough to deal with Koutarou and Ruth. The remaining two got to work on other jobs. The captain would confirm Elexis's safety, and the other one was placing Theia inside the spaceship.
Seeing what the five were up to, Koutarou let out a sigh of relief.
Phew, they all stayed here... Now we at least have a chance to win...
What Koutarou feared the most was that the special forces would leave behind some people to fight Koutarou and Ruth while the rest took Theia away. Fortunately for him that hadn't happened. With just two opponents and Elexis missing, they had decided to remain.
“Still... the quality of Forthorthe's soldiers sure have dropped... Flair-dono would cry...”
Koutarou was thankful for the situation, but his old friend would surely grieve at this. Koutarou found this humorous and he turned to face the men.
“S-Satomi-sama, you can't attack them from the front!”
“It's okay, leave this to me. Ruth-san, I want you to save Theia when you find an opening.”
“Satomi-sama!?”
Koutarou left the worried Ruth behind and casually stepped forward. Seeing that, the men began laughing.
“What? It looks like he seriously wants to fight us.”
“Let him do as he pleases.”
“That's true. If we shoot him dead before he could swing his sword he'll never get to rest in peace.”
Despite Koutarou approaching the men with a sword in hand, they remained confident. They were convinced that an old sword would never be able to break through their barriers. So they were planning on letting Koutarou to attack as he pleased.
“Hey, neanderthal kid. Just go ahead and attack. Show us those sword skills you've practiced.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. Give it your all.”
“Are you fine with my all?”
“Yeah.”
“Alright, then I'll take you up on your word.”
Koutarou glared at the three men in front of him while simultaneously focusing and heightening his spiritual energy. At the same time, he sent his intentions to the sword and released its magic power.
Sorry, but I'll defeat you before you get the chance to fire those guns!
Having finished his preparations, Koutarou dashed forward.
“Wait! Kill him right now! He's―”
The captain shouted at the same time Koutarou rushed forward. The captain’s face was pale. He had just received a report about Koutarou from Elexis who had just woken up.
“Captain?”
But in the end, the three men never got the chance to fire their guns.
With a single swing, the barrier generators on their waists exploded. The barrier had generated tiles to block the sword, but the damage taken easily exceeded the generators tolerance, causing the generator to fry.
“What!?”
“Uwaaah!!”
“C-Captain!?”
Surprised, the three were knocked off balance and they were now full of openings. Seeing that, Koutarou swung Signaltin without hesitation. Without their barriers, the men took the attack and were sent flying.
“...Relax, I used the back of the sword. You'd never be able to rest in peace if you died before being able to shoot.”
The three had been blown away by the shockwave magic covering the sword. They fell to the ground and were unable to move, but their lives weren't in any danger. The shockwave had been adjusted so that it wouldn't kill them.
“Who is this guy!?”
“Captain!?”
“Don't just stare! Fire!!”
“Y-Yes sir!!”
Having lost three allies in an instant, the remaining two hurriedly aimed towards Koutarou. It wasn't until their allies had been knocked out that they realized that the boy in front of them wasn't a normal boy.
The men fired, but what came out of their guns weren't normal bullets, but torrents of yellow light. They were heavy metal particles given a high amount of energy. Their weapons were mass produced beam rifles.
The power and speed of these rifles were greatly inferior to that which Clan used, but they were possible to mass produce, and they were cheap. When given to a squad, these would be more efficient overall. On top of that, they were easier to maintain than older models, and had been designed to function in all environments. This was yet another weapon that DKI wanted to sell to the military.
“It's probably a good weapon... but in the end they're mass-produced...”
Koutarou swung his sword horizontally and hit the oncoming beams.
As he did, the two beams were snuffed out like a fire on a candle. Koutarou had experience facing Clan's high performance rifle, so he wouldn't lose to lower quality, mass produced weapons.
“He cut them! He seriously cut the beams!”
“A-A monster, this guy's not human!”
“How rude, you two, seriously...”
Beams didn't work, and their barriers wouldn't protect them.
Koutarou completely destroyed their common sense, leaving the two men in a state of panic. It was like they were witnessing a paranormal phenomenon.
“I'm not the amazing one. The amazing ones are the ones lending me these powers.”
Koutarou, though amazed, readied his sword. After he had swung it once more, the frightened men had lost consciousness.
Part 8
After confirming that all the men were unconscious, Koutarou dropped his shoulders.
“Phew...”
No matter how often it happened, Koutarou couldn't get used to having killing intent directed at him, even if it was from someone he could beat.
“How could this be... with just that sword, he finished it in an instant...”
While Koutarou was feeling relief, Ruth's heart was pounding faster and faster. She couldn't believe what had happened in front of her eyes. It was as if she had witnessed a fairy tale.
Satomi-sama was strong before... but this is far above that... and he's not even wearing his armor...
All Koutarou had was a single sword; a sword that hadn't been created using modern science. It really was just a sword. Despite that, Koutarou had swiftly dispatched of five heavily armed men.
“Signaltin... Blue Knight... Could it really be...”
Ruth's glance was drawn to the sword in Koutarou's hand.
It was a knight's sword shining silvery white. Its power was certainly not inferior to modern science. That graceful sword, shaped like a traditional Forthorthe knight sword, shone as though it was a real magical sword.
Magic... that's right, Yurika-sama's cane!!
That was when Ruth remembered something. It was regarding the real magical cane that Yurika had gotten. After Koutarou had returned, he gave that cane to Yurika as a souvenir. That cane really was magical, and Ruth had confirmed its effect personally several times. So there was a high chance that Koutarou's sword also was a magical sword.
If that sword really is a magical sword, and if it really is Signaltin... then that would mean...
Ruth thought of a certain hypothesis. It was far out there, and was comparable to dreams and fantasies. Compared to this, the hypothesis about Koutarou and Clan travelling to the past was nothing.
However, Ruth began feeling like that was the truth. Various circumstantial evidence was backing her up. And Ruth herself also wanted it to be true. When she thought about that, Ruth's heart began throbbing.
“Ruth-san, Theia...”
“R-Right.”
However, she could ask him for the truth later. Koutarou wouldn't run. Right now she had to save Theia. Ruth pulled herself together and chased after Koutarou to the hatch of the spaceship.
“There she is!”
“Your highness!”
Theia had been put down right next to the entrance. Since the hatch had been left open, the wind blowing in was gently moving her skirt. Since the man carrying her had hurried to join the fight, he had left her here.
“Thank goodness, her highness is alright.”
Ruth let out a sigh of relief and wiped away her tears. She had been so worried that when she saw that Theia was safe, she almost collapsed onto the floor out of sheer relief.
Theia was still unconscious, but her complexion was fine and she didn't seem to be injured. Elexis's subordinates had at least been somewhat courteous to the princess. Based on this, it was only a question of time before Theia woke up.
“Ruth-san, let's carry Theia out of here.”
“Let's do that.”
Though their enemies were defeated, they weren't dead. It was necessary to move to a different place quickly. Koutarou picked up Theia and decided to return to room 106 for now. In that room there were a lot of people that would help protect Theia and Ruth.
Koutarou returned Signaltin to its sheath and shouldered Theia's small body.
Ruth was helping him out, but she was somewhat spaced out as she stared at the crest on the sword.
No matter how I look at it, this really is...
After confirming that Theia was safe, the sword was the last remaining problem to Ruth.
“...Hm?”
That might not have been the reason why, but Koutarou was the first to notice a new enemy approaching.
“Not good... someone's coming.”
After exiting through the hatch and walking down the road in the park for a moment, Koutarou sensed an approaching enemy.
“Satomi-sama?”
“Is he still planning on fighting...”
Elexis was the one approaching them. There was still some distance between them, but Koutarou could sense his aura. It seemed like he had woken up and was headed this way.
“Alert message. High-density energy reaction detected. A small, hostile, mobile weapon is approaching. Please retreat immediately. Based on the enemy's total energy when compared to current equipment, chance of victory is estimated to be 4%.”
And what Koutarou felt was backed up by an alert message from his bracelet.
“A mobile weapon!?”
“Ruth-san, please take care of Theia.”
Koutarou put Theia down and leaned her against a nearby tree.
“What about you, Satomi-sama!?”
“I'll go defeat that mobile weapon or whatever.”
Considering the speed at which Elexis's aura was moving, they wouldn't be able to run away. And as long as the mobile weapon's sensors weren't broken, they wouldn't be able to hide. Koutarou determined that he had to defeat the mobile weapon.
“You can't, Satomi-sama!! No matter how strong you might be, that is too dangerous!! You at least need to wear your armor!!”
When she heard Koutarou's decision, Ruth began to panic. Though it was small, a mobile weapon would have weaponry, like explosives, that could attack a wide area. With that, it wouldn't matter how quick Koutarou was, he would still take damage. Ruth couldn't imagine that Koutarou could win, and believed that the only chance to win was to retreat.
“Not a problem, I should be fine.”
“What's your basis for that!?”
Ruth's voice was close to a scream. She couldn't easily believe that Koutarou would be fine.
“Basis... that's true. Cradle, please collate the combat data.”
“Please set a condition.”
“What would be easier, facing Alunaya, or facing this enemy without armor?”
“Under that condition, chances of victory is estimated to be 280% higher than against Alunaya.”
“See?”
The bracelet, or more accurately the Cradle, gave a prediction Koutarou was expecting. His chances of victory against the mobile weapon was almost three times as high as against Alunaya.
“Don't give me that!! Why is your chance of winning higher than against Yurika-sama in a costume!?”
“It's okay.”
Koutarou smiled and drew his sword.
“I have fought against the real one.”
“Eh? The real one?”
The moment after Koutarou readied his sword, Elexis appeared. The mobile weapon destroyed the surrounding trees and entered the open area around the spaceship. The mobile weapon stood at about five meters tall. It was small for Forthorthe standards, but it was large enough against humans. Despite being covered in the darkness of night, it stood out from its surroundings.
Elexis's amplified voice came from the speakers of the mobile weapon.
“I won't let you escape, neanderthal. Leave the ladies behind.”
Elexis was sitting in the cockpit in the upper part of the mobile weapon. His face could be seen through the transparent windshield.
“Hey, Dextro... you really love that thing, don't you...”
Despite facing the mobile weapon, Koutarou wasn't surprised. He even smiled as he looked up at Elexis.
“...Your personality seems to have improved a little, but you're still the same...”
“What are you smiling for?”
“Oh, no reason. I was just thinking that your toy looks strong.”
This mobile weapon had a characteristic appearance. It had a stocky figure of a person. The most accurate description would be that it looked like a muscular knight wearing heavy armor.
To think I'd face this thing again...
Koutarou had experience of fighting against a magical, steel giant. The mobile weapon that Elexis was controlling was very similar to that. Seeing its appearance, Koutarou felt nostalgic.
“It's strong. In the future, this will become a staple merchandise for our corporation. Once we release it, please buy one.”
“Yeah, I think I'll do just that.”
Koutarou pointed the tip of his sword towards the giant. Koutarou was less than two meters tall, facing a giant over five meters tall. The giant was almost three times as tall. Normally, Koutarou wouldn't stand a chance, but this time Elexis wouldn't let his guard down. Sitting in the cockpit, he sent a sharp glance towards Koutarou.
“I never could have imagined having to use this against a human. But since you surpass reason, I've decided to use the pride of our corporation.”
“You were the CEO, right?”
“Yeah. But rest easy, Neanderthal-kun. If you can defeat this, I won't be laying a hand on you for a while.”
“You won't make any business you'd lose out on... is it?”
“Precisely!”
Koutarou and Elexis smiled at each other.
That was when the booster on the giant's body suddenly activated, and the giant came flying towards Koutarou. With its size, the giant wasn't suited for walking. Instead, it would fly in the sky by manipulating gravity. And when rapid acceleration was necessary, it would use boosters. It worked the same way Koutarou's armor did.
“I'm happy to hear that! You really haven't changed at all!”
Koutarou rushed with his sword in hand. His speed wasn't comparable to the giant, but it was exceptionally fast for a human. This was all thanks to the spiritual energy and magic power he was using.
“How about this!?”
While moving rapidly, the giant fired the large gun on its left arm.
The giant fired a canister shot that spread into small bullets covering about a meter in area, and assaulted Koutarou.
“Oh!”
Koutarou rolled forward and passed under the bullets. At that time, a few bullets grazed Koutarou, but the sword’s magic protected him and reflected them.
It looks like he can dodge canister shots. However—!
Koutarou swiftly got up and rushed towards the giant again. He wasn't as good at controlling the sword’s magic power as Alaia was, so relying on the sword to protect him was dangerous. In order to not get shot, he had to get in closer.
“Exceptionally dodged! Very impressive!”
After firing a couple of canister shots at Koutarou, Elexis determined that he wouldn't be able to hit him and swiftly changed his method of attack. His next weapon was an axe for melee combat. To Koutarou, it looked like a huge axe, but to the giant it was but a small weapon. As a result, the giant would be able to swing it around swiftly. And the area it could strike was wide. Combined with the length of its arms, it could reach up to three meters. Elexis assumed that he would be able to hit Koutarou with this.
“It is an honor to be praised!!”
Koutarou accepted his challenge. Since he wanted to attack with his sword, this was his big chance.
The giant set the boosters thrust to max and charged while Koutarou braced himself. The distance between the two shortened in a moment. The giant's attack reached Koutarou first.
“Take thiiiis!!”
The giant swung its long right arm horizontally and the axe quickly approached Koutarou. With its heavy weight and speed, Koutarou would be dead even if something other than the axe hit him. It was an incredibly dangerous attack to Koutarou who wasn't wearing any protection.
“I won't get hit by something like this!”
Koutarou quickly jumped to escape and the axe passed under his feet. And using his momentum from jumping, Koutarou moved to attack the giant.
“I thought you'd do that, Neanderthal-kun!”
However, that's what Elexis had wanted. The giant pointed the gun on its left arm at Koutarou in the air. In the air there was no way he could dodge the canister shot. This was all according to Elexis' plan.
“Oh crap! Signaltin, I'm counting on you!”
The giant fired. And at the same time, Signaltin began glowing. Koutarou unleashed Signaltin's magic power. He created a barrier and kicked it. Through that, Koutarou was able to change the direction he was moving and just barely dodged the canister shot. The next moment, the canister shot crushed the barrier Signaltin had created.
“Really, you just do the unimaginable. You just jumped mid-air, didn't you?”
“Yeah. Despite my looks, I can move my body around quite well.”
In contrast to its looks, the giant quickly changed its direction. By the time Koutarou landed and readied his sword, the giant already had its weapon pointed at him.
“However it's about time I use a more powerful attack. Besides, I've completed my goal.”
“Your goal?”
“Satomi-sama! The soldiers!”
It wasn't until Koutarou heard Ruth's voice that he finalize caught on to Elexis's real goal.
I see, so he did it to let his subordinates escape! I got tricked by Dextro's face!
Two additional soldiers that had been hiding somewhere had carried the other five into the spaceship. Elexis had attacked to buy time for his subordinates.
“So you're buying time again... you're surprisingly caring for your subordinates.”
“I don't know about that. The most important thing for us is to not leave any evidence that we were involved behind. It's not to kill you or capture the ladies.”
While Elexis was distracting Koutarou, his subordinates were making preparations to retreat. But that would be meaningless if they left any evidence behind.
Well played... With this, even if I defeat him, we'll only escape the danger for a moment...
The systems on the Blue Knight, including the bracelets, were being scrambled, leaving behind no recordings that could be used as proof. The devices on the ship would self-destruct, and the soldiers that could serve as witnesses had been carried onboard the spaceship.
The only proof that would remain were the recordings on Koutarou's bracelet, but unskillfully announcing that would only put Clan in a difficult position. Clan was personally cooperating with Koutarou, but her Schweiger family were hostile with Theia's Mastir family. So Clan couldn't make any decisions that would have a negative impact on her family, and Koutarou didn't want to force that on her.
“My only miscalculation was not taking into the account the existence of an irregular like you.”
The weapons on the giant's shoulders were pointed towards Koutarou. On its right shoulder was a large beam cannon and on its left shoulder was a multi-purpose missile launcher that could fire up to eight shots at once. They were the most destructive weapons on this giant.
“If possible, I'd like to get rid of that irregular right here.”
“Aren't I an irregular because you can't get rid of me?”
“That certainly might be the reason!”
While Elexis was still speaking he fired the missiles. These missiles were guided using the target's heat signature and by camera. Having been fixed on their target, the missiles chased after Koutarou as if they were alive.
“Damnit!”
Koutarou was planning on getting as close to the missiles as possible before dodging, but they exploded a few meters before they reached him.
This method of attack was known as a proximity fuze. The missile exploded as it was still approaching the target and was intended to deal damage over a wider area. Not even Koutarou could dodge that attack.
“Satomi-sama!!”
Ruth let out a scream. Koutarou had been caught in the missiles explosion. It was a wide area attack that Ruth had been fearing. Not even Koutarou would be in one piece after that. Ruth was protecting Theia from the blast while feeling something similar to despair.
“Satomi-sama! Satomi-sama!!”
A cloud of dust shrouded the area where Koutarou had been. Since the explosion had been so close to the ground, a large part of it had been scooped out and thrown into the air, blocking all sight. However, the cold winter wind slowly blew it away.
And once the cloud of dust had been blown away, Ruth could see Koutarou lying wounded at the bottom of the hole that had been carved into the ground.
“Noooooooooooo!! Satomi-sama!!”
Upon spotting Koutarou, Ruth let out another scream. To her, something that should never happened just did.
“As expected, not even you could do anything about that...”
Next the beam cannon started moving. The turrets motor roar as it pointed the cannon towards Koutarou. Elexis was planning on finishing him off with this.
“Farewell, Neanderthal-kun. You put up a good fight.”
“Stop it, don't kill Satomi-samaaaa!!”
Koutarou would die. The Koutarou who was supporting Theia and Ruth's dream. His death would almost be the same as the world ending to Ruth. Her screams were from the pain of her soul being torn apart.
However, Ruth's screams didn't reach Elexis, and he calmly pulled the trigger. The enormous amount of power generated by the giant was turned into a powerful beam and a giant spear of light attacked Koutarou.
The hole created by the missiles was widened even more by the beam. The soil was once again kicked up and created another cloud of dust, covering Koutarou.
“Satomi-sama! Please answer me, Satomi-samaaaa!!”
Ruth was screaming and crying like a child. She was so frustrated that she couldn't leave Theia's side. She wanted to run up towards Koutarou and save him even now, but she couldn't leave Theia behind. All she could do was scream and cry.
“Well then, that gets rid off the irregular. All that's left is―”
“...Keep talking. I'm an irregular because you can't get rid of me.”
At that moment, the giant's right arm and leg were cut off.
“W-What!?”
Having lost its support, the giant fell to its right, with a surprised Elexis still in it.
And as it fell, the left arm and leg were cut off as well.
As it collapsed on the ground, the giant was without limbs and defenseless.
“Hah... it's finally over.”
The one that had cut off the giant's limbs was Koutarou, who was for some reason right next to it. Koutarou swung his sword and sent the oil on it flying, then pointed the sword towards the cockpit.
“Surrender. You've lost.”
“Satomi-sama!! Y-You're alright!!”
Ruth screamed out one last time. However, unlike before, this was a scream of joy.
“How!? Why are you standing there!? I just killed you!!”
Elexis's face was distorted by his surprise. Koutarou who he had just killed was standing in front of him. It was like he was having a nightmare.
“The me you shot just now was what you would call a hologram.”
“I see! You hid when the missiles exploded and left a substitute behind!”
“Yeah. As a result, my clothes are a wreck. How are you going to make up for this?”
Koutarou had been caught in the missiles blast, but he hadn't taken enough damage to be incapacitated. The only damage was his scorched clothes and a few burns and bruises on his body. Signaltin, and the defensive spell Yurika had cast on him beforehand had barely been enough to save him. This was thanks to the missiles’ proximity fuze. If they had exploded on contact, he would have taken far more damage.
Koutarou then used the kicked up dirt and hid himself. He also created an illusion of himself using Signaltin. Since Koutarou wasn't as good as Alaia at controlling Signaltin, the illusion he made was a simple one that couldn't move. However, that was more than enough to emulate an injured Koutarou.
And while Elexis was distracted by the illusion, Koutarou snuck up on the giant and cut off its limbs. In other words, the wide area attack that Elexis was sure would bring him victory had instead been the reason for his defeat.
As expected from magical girl Yurika. To think a real magical girl would be this reliable...
Yurika had become a real magical girl very recently, and to Koutarou, Yurika was now more reliable than ever. She was so reliable to the point that Koutarou was planning on offering her dinner for several days.
“...So losing sight of Quick-kun was the end of my luck, huh. For the time being, I'll give you one my suits at a later time.”
“That's a big help.”
“That said, can I hear your name? I want to know the name of the man who bested me.”
Elexis accepted his defeat and smiled wryly while dropping his shoulders.
“It's Koutarou.”
“Koutarou, huh. It's an odd name, but I'll remember it.”
“Now then, give up without a fight. You've lost.”
The tip of Koutarou's sword touched the cockpit’s windshield. However, Elexis shook his head and smiled.
“It's true that I have lost, but I can't surrender. I'm a CEO with a lot of employees.”
Suddenly the giant began spewing out a large amount of smoke. The white smoke quickly filled the area and Koutarou's vision was blocked.
“What!? A smoke screen!?”
And in the moment that Koutarou was distracted by the smoke screen, a loud explosive sound could be heard.
“Let's meet again, Koutarou-kun!”
That explosion was the sound of the giant's ejection seat activating.
The seat and Elexis was launched high up into the sky. And he was picked up by the spaceship that had left before anyone knew it.
In this situation Koutarou couldn't chase after them, and by the time the smokescreen cleared, Elexis and the others were far out of his reach.
“...Well, I guess you're still as shrewd as you were 2,000 years ago, Dextro.”
Koutarou sighed as he followed the spaceship with his eyes.
After activating the ejection seat, the giant was enveloped in an intense flame. It burned up its body and left behind no evidence.
And with that, there was no evidence left behind. And the fact that Theia and Ruth were attacked by the military and DKI was completely covered up. They had appeared without warning and left without leaving any evidence. They were a hard opponent to fight against.
“...What a troublesome enemy...”
Koutarou ground his teeth while the fires from the giant lit up the area. Elexis's retreat was so well done that he instinctively found himself doing that.
