Published at 17th of August 2019 9:00 am

Volume 16, Chapter 5: The Ends of Ambition

This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml

Part 1

Sunday, July 4

The battle between Theia's surface troops and the radical faction soldiers protecting the earthquake weapon, Earth Dragon, was going back and forth.

The surface troops consisted of Theia, Ruth, Shizuka, Maki, the Sun Rangers and 80 conservative faction soldiers for a total of 89. This was a considerable force, but the enemy had more than twice their numbers. First of all they had close to 100 normal soldiers. Then there was also about another 100 mechanical soldiers and assault vehicles. The latter was on the offensive, putting the surface troops in a very dangerous situation.

Fortunately, the surface troops consisted of those who excelled at fighting several enemies. There was of course Theia and Ruth who could fight using space battleship weaponry, but there was also Shizuka who could fight against many on her own if she assumed her half-dragon form. Maki could use her mind manipulation magic to confuse the enemy, making them unable to use the full extent of their strength. As a result the battle was progressing evenly despite the enemy's numerical advantage.

“Ruth, have you been able to pinpoint Earth Dragon's location!?”

Theia called out to Ruth as she targeted a large tank with her large caliber beam cannon. This tank was an unmanned automated vehicle, and the moment it detected the energy from Theia's beam cannon it activated its barrier.

“Your highness, I can't detect the energy that Earth Dragon should be radiating. Considering its size, that should not be possible.”

“How insolent!”

Theia repeatedly fired off beams. While the tank could withstand one shot, it couldn't withstand the second and third. The strongest land based weapon hadn't considered that it might be attacked by space based weaponry. The tank's turret was blown off and its movement stopped.

“I believe it is being shielded to keep us from detecting it.”

“...So they know what we're after... curse you, Elexis...”

In order to break free from this situation, Theia wanted to destroy Earth Dragon by bombarding it with the Blue Knight's main weaponry. However, bombardment from space stood out quite considerably, so she wanted to finish it in a single attack. For that reason, they needed to pinpoint Earth Dragon's location.

The unmanned fighters that Ruth was controlling had the ability to detect and analyze energy radiated from its surroundings. Using that ability, it should be possible to locate Earth Dragon even from outside the building.

However, when Ruth tried examining it, she couldn't detect any energy from the building believed to be containing Earth Dragon. Since not even electromagnetic radiation from basic electronic equipment could be detected, it was likely that the building contained its radiation.

This meant that the building had been made on the basis that it would go up against Forthorthe's scientific analysis, but it was a possibility if Elexis was involved.

“I also have bad news, your highness.”

Theia could see Ruth in the corner of her eye, manipulating her unmanned fighters to take hits for their allies. The barrier created by the fighters working together was powerful, and it repelled the bullets fired from the automated, heavy machine guns.

“Did something happen to Koutarou and the others!?”

Theia's expression froze. She wasn't worried for her own fight, but for Koutarou and the others who were out of her reach.

“No, that's not it. The battle underground ended in Master's and in our victory. However, one of the enemy officers escape and is headed this way. It is someone we have fought before, a man called Shijima Tayuma.”

“That awfully vile man huh...”

Theia frowned as she remembered Tayuma. It wasn't just Theia, but none of the girls of room 106 thought well of him. He was someone that wouldn't hesitate to attack civilians. Since Theia had been like that in the past as well, she felt very unpleasant as he reminded her of her foolishness.

“Not good, if he's coming here after losing, he can only have one goal.”

Theia also understood what he was trying to do. He would indiscriminately use the earthquake weapon to destroy those he didn't like. It was an attack that the Theia of the past would also make.

That's right... my invasion was wrong... however, thanks to everyone else I was able to correct myself... I have to stop him!

Tayuma's desires was like a ghost of Theia's past. Because she felt like that, she was determined to stop Tayuma's ambition at all costs.

“Your highness, is something the matter?”

“There's no time to be dawdling around. We're forcibly breaking through.”

As Theia said that she exchanged her weapon to a rapidly firing paralysis gun and fired at nearby radical faction soldiers. Her aim was accurate and the bullets were headed straight towards their bodies.

However, the bullets were blocked by the soldiers' barriers. But Theia had taken that into consideration.

“Haaah!”

With the firing stopping the soldiers in their tracks, Shizuka thrust forward. She was using the Fire Dragon Emperor's powers to transform into a half-dragon form, and was now even stronger than usual. Her powerful kick sent all soldiers in its path flying. Spiritual energy barriers were useless in front of her.

“I would love to hurry this up!”

Shizuka supported Theia's opinion as she looked for the next enemy to defeat. There was a time limit to Shizuka's power. While she was stronger than anyone else, she ran out of fuel quick. And once she used up her powers, her weight increased. In order to avoid that, she had to end this as quickly as she could.

“I think that's good too. It seems like reinforcements keep on coming, and there's a limit to my magic as well.”

As a voice came through Theia's bracelet, Maki appeared quite far ahead. At the same time, her 20 conservative faction soldiers appeared as well, and began attacking together with her. Their target was the squad commander in the rear and the soldiers around him. The goal was to confuse the enemy by sneaking around them and attacking their commander.

“Please attack! We Sun Rangers will serve as the rear guard!”

The Sun Rangers were restraining the enemy through gunfire and bought time for Maki's squad to fall back. Thus all of the surface troops came to an agreement.

“Alright, then it's decided! Ruth, I'm using Combat Dress!”

“Combat Dress? But it is still in its test stage...”

“If I don't use it now, when will I!”

“As you wish, my princess. Transferring the Combat Dress.”

Ruth operated her bracelet and a large space-time hole appeared behind Theia. The Combat Dress the two were talking about was Theia's new weapon. This new weapon was a machine that covered about half of Theia's body, and had a resemblance to a dress. The pure white and gold colors strengthened that impression.

The Combat Dress covered Theia's body and began tightening up. At the same time, Theia's bracelet began blinking as it began communicating with the dress.

“Engaging Legendary Weapon System series 02, Combat Dress. The dress has been put under control of the bracelet. Princess, select your accessory.”

“Assault Red.”

“As you wish, my princess.”

A red line was added to the Combat Dress, and several weapons appeared from black holes. The newly appeared arms attached to the dress' hard points prepared for this scenario. Theia now wore a white dress with streaks of red and gold, with large cannons by her shoulders, missile launchers by her waist, a large caliber beam rifle on her right arm and a recoil-less pile driver on her left arm. This was Theia's new weapon, the Combat Dress.

Strictly speaking the Combat Dress wasn't in itself a weapon. It simply allowed Theia to fly through a flight unit on her back and served as a hard point base for the various weapons to attach to. Since the actual weapons were the same as they were before, her actual attack power hadn't changed. But wearing this dress she could use multiple weapons at the same time, and she got far more mobile.

When Theia summoned her weapons, it was difficult for her to move them around. There were some weapons that moved on their own, but there were few of those, and since they moved at various speeds it was difficult to get them to properly cooperate with her. So there, Theia made this Combat Dress. She gave it the ability of flight and fixed the weaponry to it. By doing that she could freely fly around with her weaponry. At the same time, the restrictions on the weapons lessened. In other words, the dress changed Theia into a small fighter plane.

Through the power of gravity control and boosters, Theia's body lifted up from the ground. At the same time, the safety devices on her weapons were removed. Theia was now a beast that had been unleashed. A golden king of beasts with both power and speed.

“Men, follow me!”

Quick to act, Theia charged towards the radical faction troops in front of her. Her royal crest that had been engraved into the dress stood out, even from afar.

“Leave the big threats to me! Don't bother with the small fry! Advance!”

“Theia-chan is as hasty as always...”

“Let's go, Kasagi-san.”

“I'm sorry for causing everyone trouble.”

Shizuka, Maki and Ruth chased after Theia. Behind them were the Sun Rangers and the conservative faction soldiers. This was the decisive moment for the surface troop's battle.

Part 2

The anti-material guns that Theia was firing had enough power to pierce through the barriers of the tanks and destroy them completely. If people had been inside it would have been terrible, but fortunately, they were automated vehicles. Theia could bombard them without concern.

“That makes eight!”

Theia's bombardment destroyed yet another tank. The battle was progressing very one-sidedly as the tanks were unable to shoot at Theia who was freely flying through the air. They were easy targets to Theia.

“Your highness, gunfire is coming from the two o'clock direction!”

“Whoops.”

However, she couldn't let her guard down. Since the soldiers and mechanical soldiers were using handheld firearms, they could target Theia. That said, they weren't using anti-air weaponry, so accuracy was low and so was the power. Ruth would also restrain the enemy forces with her unmanned fighters at appropriate times, leaving Theia unhurt.

“We're going to keep on pushing!”

Theia destroyed powerful weapons one after another as she advanced. On the battlefield she stood out very much. Many of the radical faction soldiers were completely focusing on her as she flew through the air at high speeds destroying the major threats.

“Everyone, take care not to split up!”

“Thank you, people from the surface.”

“Surface and underground doesn't matter! Let's just hurry on.”

“Yes.”

The conservative faction soldiers pushed up the path that Theia had carved for them. The Sun Rangers headed to the back of them and served as the rear guard. The conservative faction soldiers and the Sun Rangers protected each other as they continued on ahead. Thinking of them as an anti-invasion squad and invaders from the underground, this was a bizarre spectacle. However, no one here thought it was strange as they were all working together to destroy Earth Dragon.

“Hey, Aika-san.”

Shizuka looked over the conservative faction soldiers and the Sun Rangers as she was running. A smile formed on her lips and she liked what she was seeing.

“When you look at them like that, don't you feel like Kiriha-san's invasion of the surface succeeded a long time ago?”

“You're right, it certainly feels that way...”

People from the surface and the underground held hands as they were working together towards a common goal. Neither side was attempting to rule over the other. They all respected and helped each other. It was the result of Kiriha's long, hard-fought invasion. It hadn't been a mistake to protect the pride of both parties.

“That's why we have to win this battle.”

“You're absolutely right, Aika-san. Justice always wins!”

Strangely enough, Shizuka spoke the same words Tayuma did. However, their meaning greatly differed. And now was the time to protect those differences. Shizuka and Maki took those feelings to heart as they continued running. The entrance to the building was right in front of them.

Since Earth Dragon was inside this building it had been built extra strong. That was also true for the main gate as a thick metallic door blocked intruders from entering. However, after the joints had been shot by beams several times each, followed up by a recoilless pile driver, not even the strongest of doors could endure. Before the steam exhausted from the pile driver could condense, the door fell inwards towards the building.

“We've finally reached it...”

As expected, Theia was the first to step inside the building. Up until this point, Theia hadn't taken a single hit, as a result, her Combat Dress was still white as always.

“Ruth, how does it look?”

“I have a reaction. But it's still shielded, so all I can tell is that it's forward.”

The hologram that Ruth was projecting from her bracelet showed a large circle drawn. That circle represented Earth Dragon's expected position, but it wasn't all that reliable.

“For starters, we only need to go straight forward? I like it when it's simple to understand.”

“You're right. That might be just like us.”

Shizuka and Maki nodded at each other. Aside from Ruth, the girls of room 106 gathered here all preferred simple thinking. To them, only having to move forward was a welcome development.

“Devil Princess-san, we can't afford to take our time!”

“Hurry, Devil-neechan!”

The Sun Rangers who were serving as the rear guard took cover inside the building and were fighting against the radical faction forces. The enemy were chasing after Theia and were pouring in towards the building.

“Alright, let's go men! Keep up with me!”

“Theia-san is so reliable at times like these.”

“Before she had a strange force behind her, but now its working for her in a good way.”

“Her highness is maturing after all.”

Theia and the others soon took action once more. With Theia at the front again, they ran down a passage. Since they would be able to get a more accurate reading on Earth Dragon's location the closer they got, nothing good would come from standing around.

“You've finally made it inside, princess Theiamillis.”

That was when Elexis' voice could be heard from a speaker in the passage. When she heard that voice, Theia didn't stop, but her expression grew more severe.

“What is it, Elexis!”

“It's the host's duty to invite his guests. Well, it might be a little ill-mannered to do so through speakers though.”

“Quit spouting your nonsense!”

“For the time being, I have prepared a little entertainment. Please enjoy.”

Elexis' sounded awfully cheerful. He had an atmosphere to him as if he really was inviting guests into his home. That might really be his intentions, but Theia and the others felt nothing but enmity towards him.

“We don't have the time to play around with you. We're in a rush.”

“Then please reach me within eight minutes.”

“What a detestable fellow, just you wait, I'll be over there to punch you soon!”

Theia was getting irritated. She didn't like Elexis' playful attitude nor the time limit he had given them. Theia understood that he meant that the earthquake weapon might possibly be used at this moment, but she didn't understand his motive for telling them. Since she didn't believe he was actually advising her, she only felt like he was making a fool of her.

“I will await your arrival.”

With that, Elexis stopped speaking. At almost the same time, Shizuka, with her strengthened senses, felt the presence of something approaching them.

“Theia-chan, something is coming. It's just around that corner.”

“I'm detecting many metal and energy reactions, I believe it's automated weaponry intended to defend the building.”

“So this is the so called entertainment...”

Before long, Elexis' automated weapons appeared from around the corner. It was a crowd of robots like the clay dolls and haniwas, wearing armor. They were of a luxurious make, having been created through the underground's spiritual energy technology and Forthorthe's science, while also having magic imbued into it. They were specially made robots designed to defend truly important sites.

“...Not good... they're robots, the magic I specialize in hardly works on these...”

Maki frowned as she saw the robots. She specialized in mind manipulation, which had little effect against that without a mind of its own. In other words, she would have to fight without relying on her expertise. It was a rough fight for Maki, but that wasn't the only problem.

“Fu, fufu, fufufufu.”

Ruth's low laughter echoed through the passage. Ruth was normally quiet and serious, and her laugh was cuter. That's why nobody could hide their shivers as they heard this strangely oppressive laughter.

“I've fo~und yo~u.”

Before anyone knew it, Ruth was holding a metallic handle in each hand.

A glowing blade slowly rose from those handles. This was a treasure that Ruth always kept on her at all times. The swords of light that her ancestor Flairhan used in the legends of the Blue Knight, two beam swords.

“Vice captain?”

“Not good! Ruth, keep it together!”

“I am keeping it together, your highness. I am well aware of the situation, oh yes, very aware.”

“Aa~h, I'm staying out of this.”

“...I am really glad that Master isn't here...”

Ruth swung her beam swords around like a tornado. Nothing caught in that tornado would survive, that was how sharp her swordsmanship felt.

“...If he had seen some specimens this big, Master would certainly be captivated by them...”

Ruth stopped rotating and glared at the group of robots. A dangerous light filled her eyes.

“That's why I will send you to hell together with the rest of these things before Master sees you!! Hercules-chaaaan!!”

Ruth was exuding a strange obsession. The target of that obsession were the automated weapons that happened to have the shape of beetles. In front of that overwhelming pressure, the robots beetles that should have been simple mindless robots instinctively flinched and stepped backwards.

“Divine retributioooon!!”

Ruth charged in with her two beam swords. Her movements were completely different from normal, as she moved like a predator and with overwhelming speed.

“It can't be helped, men, support Ruth!”

Theia hurriedly began giving Ruth covering fire. She couldn't abandon her childhood friend in this dangerous situation.

“...I don't think she needs support.”

Shizuka smiled wryly.

Ruth had a talent for the sword thanks to her lineage. Moreover, she never missed a day of training, so her physical strength and capability had risen. The only reason she wasn't suited for fighting was because of her peaceful attitude. So once Ruth spotted the beetles, she lost her temper and removed the problem with her personality. Transforming her into a master swordsman. Right now, she was without a doubt above Koutarou when it came to swordsmanship.

Knowing that, Shizuka smiled. However, there was still the one in a million chance, and nobody knew what would happen with Ruth enraged. So Shizuka chased after Ruth with movements surpassing the limits of man.

“So the vice captain is actually really strong with the sword...”

Maki felt admiration as she cast reinforcement and defensive spells on the two that charged in.

Maki respected Ruth as an excellent superior, but that was only respect for her ability to gather and analyze information. But right now, Ruth was swinging her two beam swords and fought splendidly. Seeing that, Maki reevaluated her opinion of Ruth. Her standing as someone from a distinguished family of knights wasn't just for show.

“...It's just when she's going up against beetles though.”

In contrast to Maki, Theia was dumbfounded. As her childhood friend, Theia knew better than anyone that Ruth was incredibly scary when she was angry. However, she felt like Ruth went too far when beetles were involved. That was just how much Ruth loved Koutarou, but her expression of love was a bit too extreme. Theia was normally extreme herself, but she had an old outlook for expressions of love.

“You still continue coming!!”

Whilst being supported by Theia and the conservative faction soldiers, Ruth destroyed beetle robots one after another. Facing her ruthless attacks with the beam swords, the robots were unable to do anything as they were dismantled. Only remains of robots were left behind Ruth. She mowed down the robots like a real tornado.

“...O-Oh? Why am I holding beam swords...?”

In total there had been 36 beetle robots blocking the passage. However, Ruth had destroyed all of them in just over three minutes.

Part 3

Thanks to Ruth's unexpected performance, Theia and the others managed to get near Earth Dragon before the time limit.

“Your highness, there's no doubt. Earth Dragon is just past this door.”

“I see. Men, you did well to get all this way! We're almost there now!”

The results of the energy analysis indicated that Earth Dragon was just past the door in front of them. As long as they destroyed that, their long day would come to an end. The conclusion was right before them.

“I know that it's rough. However, we're one push away! We'll destroy Earth Dragon and return triumphantly! Are you ready, men!!”

Without waiting for her allies' reply, Theia use her cannons and pile driver to destroy the door. Her allies' morale was high so there was no need to wait for their response. They were covered in wounds, and their clothes were dirtied, but knowing that their battle was about to end, their feelings were uplifted. Without forgetting their strong sense of duty, they jumped into the room.

“Welcome, princess Theiamillis. And everyone else too.”

Elexis' bright voice welcomed the troops. Elexis was sitting in front of a giant device, that looked like a building, in the center of the room. That gigantic device was Earth Dragon that Theia and the others had to destroy.

“Elexis!”

“...Such a bare faced lie. You're far from welcoming.”

Upon seeing Elexis' face, Ruth's and Theia's expression grew stern. To Ruth, Elexis was her former fiancé who conspired together with her rivals. To Theia, he was someone who had been after hers, Koutarou's and her friends' lives.

“How harsh.”

Elexis still had his confident smile. However, this wasn't because he had a means of defeating Theia and the others. He truly welcomed them in.

Indiscriminate destruction won't bring anything. I'm truly glad you came, princess Theiamillis, Ruthkania-sama...

According to Elexis' sense of beauty, senseless destruction of the surface and underground was undesirable. While restoration followed destruction, it wasn't efficient to restore something after completely destroying it. Destruction without creation, destruction simply for the sake of destruction was something that Elexis detested. However, since he had a contract with the radical faction to supply them with technology, he had to do what he was told. Now Theia and the others had appeared in front of him, which was why he welcomed them.

“Elexis was it!? Where is Maya-sama!?”

Maki held different feelings from Theia and Ruth. If she came here, she might meet with her master. That personal desire of hers served a stronger driving force than her sense of duty. That's why Maki spat out her words at Elexis.

“So you're Maki... You're serious and strong minded, just like she said.”

“I'm not here to play with words! Where is Maya-sama!? She's here right!?”

“She's―”

Elexis was about to honestly answer Maki's question. He had promised to tell her when she came after all. However before he could, he was interrupted by someone else's voice.

“I'm here, Maki.”

Maya herself appeared in the room. She had been underground for a while, but she had returned right now.

“Maya-sama!?”

When she saw her, Maki's eyes opened wide. Maya was Maki's savior and her master who taught her magic. She was also the previous Darkness Navy. While they were now enemies, Maya was a special existence who she couldn't ignore.

“You're hasty as always, Maki... I even told you I'd prepare a stage for us to fight.”

Maya felt the same way about Maki. While fate had turned this apprentice master pair into enemies, Maya had no intention of denying their relationship up until then. The People of the Earth's radical faction denied their history underground, and abhorred the conservative faction. Maya's and Maki's relationship was clearly distinct from that.

“Are you planning on destroying the surface and the underground, Maya-sama!?”

“I don't really have any intentions to do that... but my accomplice seems to, so I probably will end up doing so.”

“That's right!”

One more appeared in the room. It was Shijima Tayuma. The radical faction commander who had escaped from the underground with Maya.

“The surface and the underground will be destroyed and a new history will rise from the ruins! The People of the Earth will reclaim their home and lead mankind to the next stage! What a brilliant history it will become!”

Tayuma was set on using Earth Dragon. By spreading mass destruction throughout the underground and surface, the People of the Earth will be forcibly dragged into war. Doing that will remove the meaning of the People of the Earth fighting amongst themselves. Doing that would allow for Maguz to return and with him in the center, a new order would be constructed. A correct rule by those superior which the inferior would obey. A bright future supposedly awaited the People of the Earth.

Achieving that future was justice. And for the sake of that justice, any and all means were allowed. The sacrifices created from the use of Earth Dragon was but a small problem for the great cause.

“We won't let you, evil invader! We Sun Rangers will stop you for the future of both the surface and the underground!”

As Red Shine bravely spoke, the five Sun Rangers took a stance. Their appearances wasn't as awkward as they had been before, but was now the unmistakable appearances of heroes.

“The sun will light up our future!”

“Fuhahaha, if you want a bright future then just shut up and watch! Well, either way you're already too late! Earth Dragon is already activating! You were too late!”

Tayuma grinned a laughed triumphantly. The time limit Elexis had mentioned was almost up. Once it had finished charging, Earth Dragon would activate, and this battle would end with massive sacrifices on both the surface and the underground.

“Sorry for keep you waiting, Theiamillis-san.”

“I was running out of patience, hand it over to me!”

“I'm already working on it.”

However, Theia hadn't given up yet. She was talking to Clan about something.

“What are you trying to do little girl!? Even if you attack now, you won't be able to destroy Earth Dragon before it activates!!”

Small attacks wouldn't stop the earthquake weapon now. Even if everyone joined up to attack, they wouldn't make it. Tayuma who was convinced of the radical faction's victory sneered at Theia.

“No, we've won.”

“What!? What's the point of a loser barking now!?”

“Your highness, the coordinates have been input into the fire control system.”

“Fool, did you think that what you see is all there was to my power!?”

Theia smiled. It was a violent predatory grin she'd only show to her enemies. That wasn't the smile of a loser, but of a beast.

“Blue Knight, bombard the surface coordinates! Give them a taste of your main weaponry!!”

“As you wish, my princess.”

Since the people on the surface weren't stupid, repeated attacks from space would cause them to notice the Blue Knight. That's why the Blue Knight only had one shot at bombarding. And in that one shot they had to make sure they destroyed Earth Dragon. For that reason, Theia and the others needed to get closer to the weapon so they could send the geographical data to Clan who would calculate the bombardment point. And now, the steel knight floating in space swung down its sword towards the surface.

Rather than a sound, it was more like a shock-wave and vibrations. The main weaponry that the Blue Knight had fired was a massive beam cannon. The fired beam came from straight above and pierced through the roof of the building and through Earth Dragon. Since the beam far surpassed the speed of sound, the air moved at supersonic speeds and created a shockwave. As the beam impacted, the ground shook violently. It was like an earthquake had struck.

“W-What is this!?”

While being shaken by the shockwave and vibrations, Tayuma stood aghast. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. A massive pillar of light had pierced through the ceiling and Earth Dragon. The pillar of light had only appeared for a short moment, but the results of it was anything but minor. Black smoke rose from the hole the pillar of light had torn up, and it was obvious that the inside had suffered massive devastation. In fact, the control computer was screaming that Earth Dragon had lost its function.

“Just what is going on!? Is this truly reality!?”

Tayuma stepped backwards and fell onto his butt. Tayuma couldn't believe it, and admitting this to be reality was the same as Tayuma admitting that the radical faction had lost. It was only obvious he couldn't accept it.

“There was neither an explosion nor any spreading. The results are just as Clan-sama simulated.”

“Splendid indeed. Well done, Clan.”

“This might sound strange coming from me but... I can't forgive someone who would attack their own home country. I'd help as much as I could.”

Blue Knight's bombardment had been elaborately calculated by Clan.

Since Earth Dragon was a weapon intended to create a massive earthquake it stored extraordinary amounts of energy. When bombarding, one had to take care not to cause an explosion.

After analyzing the blueprints they had found in the factory yesterday, Clan had determined where to shoot to avoid causing an explosion while causing it to lose function. Once Theia and Ruth determined Earth Dragon's position, Clan obtained the data needed and she forwarded it to the Blue Knight. Clan's calculations were accurate and the fired beam caused Earth Dragon to cease function and it also didn't cause any secondary damage.

“How does it look Elexis.”

“It's no use. They've hit both the magical power and spiritual energy converters. With this it won't be able to properly move due to insufficient energy. Even if we activated it... it would only have an intensity of two on the Richter scale.”

Elexis who was operating the control computer dropped his shoulders as he gave up. What the Blue Knight had shot was the part that converted magical power into spiritual energy, it was essentially the heart of Earth Dragon. According to Elexis it would take at least two weeks to repair. Earth Dragon had practically been rendered useless.

“N-No way, I won't accept this kind of result!”

“Woah.”

Tayuma pushed Elexis aside and began messing around with the computer. Elexis made room for Tayuma and dropped his shoulders once more as he looked at Maya. Maya herself smiled wryly and tilted her head. Unable to accept reality, Tayuma desperately tried to revive Earth Dragon but Elexis and Maya knew that his efforts were in vain and that the results were just as the two had expected.

“Damnit! Why, why won't it work!!”

Tayuma hit the panel he was operating. The panel broke and was rendered unusable, but it wasn't really a problem since Earth Dragon wouldn't move anyways.

“Why does everyone side with them!? We're the ones who are right!! This is just the oppressed trying to reclaim their rights!!”

Tayuma finally accepted the reality that Earth Dragon had been destroyed, but his feelings were still rampaging. Tayuma couldn't accept that they had lost.

“Surrender, Tayuma!”

“There will be no surrender! We are prideful People of the Earth!”

Tayuma clearly rejected Theia's demand of surrender. He would rather choose death than be humiliated. Tayuma and Kiriha were the opposite on everything, except for their pride.

“Elexis, Maya, can't we do something!? Is this it for the radical faction!? Do we have no choice but to vanish as we're chained to the underground!?”

The days of glory should have begun from this point on. The People of the Earth would return to under the sun and they would prosper for all eternity under their ruler, Maguz. That would then lead all of mankind to the next stage.

Yet that future was about to be sealed away. At this rate they would have to return to the darkness or merge with the people on the surface and vanish. Both ways seemed like ruin to Tayuma, so he continued struggling to avoid that conclusion.

“...There is one way.”

“Maya?”

Elexis looked at Maya, who had suggested an alternative to Earth Dragon, with a perplexed expression. He hadn't heard anything about this.

“That's it! I'm counting on you!”

In contrast, Tayuma had a pleased expression. He wanted to rely on any hope he could. Regardless of the outcome, as it was better than losing to the conservative faction.

“However, I can't guarantee your safety. With that you might win, but you won't come out unharmed.”

“I don't care! Losing here is the same as dying anyways! I would gladly give my life for the glory of the People of the Earth!”

“If you have that kind of resolution, I'll do it.”

Maya raised her right arm over her head. As she did, her magical power began flowing out from the miniature cane built into her right arm. And using that overflowing magical power, she called forth even more magical power. That magical power was what they would have used to create an earthquake with Earth Dragon. Enough magical power to shake the earth had gathered.

“Not good! We have to stop Maya-sama!”

The magician Maki knew just how terrifying that much magical power was. It was clear that just causing it to explode would cause something terrible. That's why Maki transformed her cane into a sword and charged Maya. Since she was using magic to strengthen her body she moved as quickly as a bullet and she instantly closed in on Maya. Maki raised her glowing red sword and swung it down towards Maya.

“Maya!”

However, before the sword reached Maya, Elexis stepped in front of her to cover her. He used the barrier generation device he was wearing to protect Maya.

Maki's sword and Elexis' barrier collided. Unable to withstand Maki's blow, Elexis' barrier collapsed. It had exceeded its damage tolerance and the generation device broke down. Since it wasn't the kind of barrier used in armor, it couldn't withstand Maki's attack.

“Move!”

“Woah!?”

Maki pushed away Elexis and attacked Maya again.

“Permanent Metamorphose – Modifier – Over Drive.”

However, Maya finished her spell before Maki could attack. All of the magical power that Maya was manipulating poured into Tayuma.

“Kyaa!?”

The aftereffect of the activated spell blew Maki away. That was just how massive the magical power that Maya was controlling was. Tayuma who was now in the center of that magical power didn't know what was happening.

“M-My body is hot!! Maya, what is this!?”

Enveloped in orange light, Tayuma anxiously looked around him. Since he had no knowledge of magic, he felt some fear regarding this unknown phenomenon.

“Tayuma, your body is changing into something else. Imagine what you desire. The spell will respond to it.”

“So that's how it is! Fuhahaha, I can tell that there's an enormous power inside of me!”

By understanding and accepting the situation he was in, the magical power started flowing into his body. His body began glowing orange as he absorbed the magic. And once he had absorbed all of the magical power, the glow reached the point where no one could look straight at it.

“I can win, with this I can win!! I have obtained the ultimate power!! I have become the true supreme existence!!”

What Tayuma desired was immortality and omnipotence, and finally overwhelming power to force others to obey him. They were the three required elements for a dictator to rule forever.

Tayuma's body grew stronger in accordance to his ambitions. The orange colored magical power altered his body and made it larger. In that process, the armor he was wearing broke. However he no longer needed armor. He had gained a power that far surpassed his armor.

“Maya, what did you do to him?”

“I allowed him to freely use the magical power that had been gathered within Earth Dragon. Nothing more, nothing less. He's free to do whatever he wishes. His appearance is what he himself desired.”

Elexis and Maya gazed at Tayuma who was transmogrifying together. Even as they talked, Tayuma's body swelled greatly. He was already over ten meters tall. Tayuma's desire for power didn't know when to stop.

“I see. But Maya... why did you feel like helping him again? I thought you didn't like the way he did things.”

“I still don't. However, if he's going to take the risk himself it's not as bad. And besides, we've known each other for a long time.”

“So it's something like your final parting gift?”

“Oh? Do I look like someone that is so considerate?”

“Yes. I also like that strange sense of obligation you have.”

There, the two turned their back on Tayuma. They were going to leave this to him while they escaped. They already fulfilled their obligations to them. The rest was Tayuma's problem, and besides, the two had their own goals. Now was the time for them to leave.

“Are you serious? I'm sure you've tricked a lot of women with that side of you― what's this!?”

However shortly after the two had started walking away, Maya sensed a strange presence behind her and hurriedly turned around. Her eyes shot wide open in surprise. She saw Tayuma, but his appearance had far exceeded Maya's expectations.

“What!?”

Noticing Maya's behavior, Elexis turned around as well. As he did, he too saw Tayuma's appearance. The light from Tayuma's body had at some point changed from an orange light. Though calling the light black might be wrong, that was the only way it looked like to Elexis. Inside that black light, the giant Tayuma was changing from human into something else, seemingly a four-legged beast.

“I don't know what he did, but Tayuma is summoning power from a higher dimension!”

“A higher dimension's power?”

“I think it's the power of a god or a devil! Or he himself might be trying to turn into one! Either way, this is dangerous, we should get away from here right now! Air!”

“Okay, let's go!”

Maya and Elexis turned their back on Tayuma again. They didn't know what he was trying to become, but it was clear that staying her could only have a negative outcome.

Maya hadn't been the only one to notice the abnormality with Tayuma. Once he surpassed ten meters in length, Theia ordered her allies to retreat. The room where Earth Dragon was in was large, but it was still too small for them to run away from a giant, and once Tayuma's body began emitting black light, she didn't hesitate to order a retreat. He was now an unknown opponent, and his gigantic figure was over ten meters tall. If they were going to fight, they would need to do so in a more open place.

“A-Aika-san, what is happening to that Tayuma person!?”

The half-dragon Shizuka noticed the abnormality with Tayuma right away, and because she did her confusion was far from small.

“It seems like Maya-sama used the magical power within Earth Dragon to transform him... but during the transformation it seems like some other power has begun influencing him... it seems like he's turning into an unexpected monster...”

Maki was puzzled too. While the magical power was vast, Maya had only used a transformation spell. The activated magical power had been the correct orange color, but for some reason the power changed to black during the transformation... an impossible event when it came to normal magic. However, Maki recognized this impossible event.

That black magical power... it looks like when I stole the power of room 106, but... could this be the same...?

The black power enveloping Tayuma looked familiar to Maki. Last year, when Maki attacked room 106 for the first time, she had managed to gain control of a fraction of the power gathered there. The color of the magical power at that time was black.

But why is that here... no, it's too rash to assume they're the same... but it's the truth that a massive amount of magical power and a twisted desire has summoned forth a similar power... could I have been turned into a monster as well...?

Back then, Maki had come into contact with black magical power, though at a smaller scale. She also felt a lot of hatred and anger. If Maki had used the magical power on herself rather than others, she might have transformed into a monster like Tayuma. She felt chills just thinking about it.

“What is it Maki? You're falling behind.”

“Theiamillis-san...”

Deep in thought, Maki's running speed slowed down. Noticing that, Theia grabbed Maki's hand and began running together with her. Feeling the warmth from Theia's hand, Maki let out a sigh of relief.

The current me is alright... I won't become absorbed by that!

In the past when Maki had come into contact with the black magical power, Theia had bombarded her with the Blue Knight. But now, Theia worried about her when she was feeling anxious and held her hand. Hate begets hate and friendship begets friendship. Knowing that she no longer had any fear, she squeezed Theia's hand back and increased her running speed.

Theia and the others encountered several squads of radical faction soldiers before they could reach the exit of the base. However they knew that Maguz had lost, that Earth Dragon had been destroyed and that an unknown monster had appeared inside the building. Moreover, their chain of command was in disarray, so they didn't know what to do. They decided to stay a certain distance away from Theia and the others and escape the building. They wanted to avoid the risk of battling against Theia and the others when they didn't understand the situation. The radicals had families too, and they wanted to avoid dying for no reason. Of course, Theia and the others wanted to get away as quickly as possible so they didn't attack.

“Phew... we finally made it outside.”

“Ah!?”

“Kenichi, where are you going!? That monster is coming!!”

Once they got outside the building, Red Shine parted with the others in the group. Blue Shine hurriedly tried to stop him but he didn't return.

“There are injured people here! Help me out!”

Red Shine had parted with the others because he had found injured people that couldn't move. Since it would be dangerous leaving them be right now, he had rushed over to help.

“But Kenichi-niichan, those are radical faction soldiers.”

“And what about it!?”

The other four Sun Rangers hesitated for a moment because the injured were radical faction soldiers. However, after Red scolded them, they soon came to his side. That was when many conservative faction soldiers joined them.

“Sun Rangers, we'll help too.”

“That'll help!”

The Sun Rangers and conservative faction soldiers worked together to carry the injured. Since there weren't that many injured, there wasn't much of a problem. The one to stand out the most at this time was Yellow Shine. He carried an injured on each shoulder. That was when one of the conservative faction soldiers looked up at him with admiration and called out to him.

“...You Sun Rangers are a strange bunch.”

“How so?”

“To think you'd help not only us conservatives but also these radicals...”

“Ahaha, that's thanks to Kenicihi-kun's influence.”

“Red-san's?”

“When we'd do something that would make children cry, Kenichi-kun would get furious.”

“Make kids cry... you really are heroes of justice.”

“We always strive to become that. Now, let's go! We can't fall behind!”

“Yes!”

Having picked up the injured, they began running away. While they should have supposedly slowed down from carrying injured people, their steps were surprisingly light.

Part 4

¨The outside of the building was bright. While they were still in the cave, there was a large light in place of the sun, so it was actually brighter than inside the building. Theia and the others continued running while lit up by that strong light, but they stopped half ways to the exit.

“Maki, how does it look?”

“He should be coming out soon. His magical power is still increasing.”

“The problem is how big he'll be when he gets out...”

Theia and the others had stopped because they were going to intercept Tayuma here. If they continued escaping, Tayuma would follow suit and reach the surface. If that happened it was clear that there would be a lot of casualties. So Theia and the others had to defeat Tayuma here.

“I've got a reaction on the sonic sensor! Your highness, he's coming!”

The next moment, the front half of the base collapsed together with a roaring sound. With that, Theia and the others could see Earth Dragon from where they were standing. And from the rubble of the collapsed building, something was slowly standing up.

“How could this be...”

“What is that!? He's over 50 meters no matter how you look at it!!”

Theia was at a loss for words and Shizuka screamed. That was only natural as what stood up was just too large. Since he was able to cover Earth Dragon which was right behind him, it was clear that he was over 50 meters tall just like Shizuka had said.

“According to the observation results he is 55 meters tall. His weight seems to be around 3,000 tons but because of gravitational interference I can't get an accurate figure.”

What had once been Tayuma had now transformed into a black hound. His sharp fangs and claws, and muscular body gave him the silhouette of a hunting dog. That alone was a surprise, but his size was abnormal. The black hound far exceeded the size of living creatures. Alunaya who resided within Shizuka was also quite large, but this was twice his size.

“...What a monstrous dog... it at least seems his loyalty towards Maguz was real...”

According to Maki, Tayuma had transformed into the appearance he himself desired. In that case, Tayuma might have chosen the appearance of a dog as a display of his loyalty. Theia believed that while Tayuma's soul was stained by elitism and dictatorship, his loyalty towards Maguz was the real deal.

“However, we can't let him prove his loyalty! Blue Knight, bombard the surface 15 meters south of the previous coordinates!”

Theia ordered her spaceship to bombard the black hound. Just one glance at his gigantic stature was enough to tell that the black hound's strength was beyond common sense. So Theia wanted to defeat him before he started moving.

“Please wait, your highness! If you bombard the surface so many times then the people of this planet will―”

“Now isn't the time for that Ruth! Believe in me!”

However, that was a big gamble. Repeated bombardments would attract the attention of the people on Earth. Theia was of course well aware of that. However, she believed the bombardment was needed, regardless of the risk.

“Fire! Blue Knight!”

“As you wish, my princess.”

Theia pushed away Ruth's objections and forced the bombardment. Ruth didn't try stopping Theia any further. She understood that Theia had put some proper thought behind her actions.

The air trembled as the second bombardment arrived. The beam opened up another hole near the first one and poured down on the black hound.

“Gaaaaaaaaa!!”

However, the black hound wouldn't go down without a fight. After roaring, a disc made from black energy appeared above it. It was a shield created using the black magical power. The shield stood in the way of the oncoming beam.

That was when something unexpected happened. The black shield reflected the beam like a mirror reflects light.

“It was reflected!?”

“Your highness, the beam is headed towards the Blue Knight!”

“Impossible!”

The beam travelled back the same route it came and hit the Blue Knight.

“The Blue Knight automatically deployed its distortion field, there is no damage.”

“Theiamillis-san, it seems like that dog twisted space to change the direction of the beam.”

“...Geez... what outrageous things he can do...”

Theia smiled wryly at Clan's explanation. While there hadn't been any direct damage, if the Blue Knight's main weaponry wouldn't work, it was hard to imagine normal attacks would. That meant that Theia's power wouldn't be able to defeat the black hound.

“Fuhahaha, that won't work! I'm the strongest! I've obtained an invincible body and I have become one of the chosen ones!!”

Tayuma's body endured an attack that could destroy Earth Dragon in a single hit. Unable to hide his excitement for his new power that surpassed his own expectations, Tayuma instinctively let out cheers of joy.

“I will crush you, and make a new world! The powerless surface dwellers won't be able to stop me!!”

His voice didn't come from his throat. Having become a dog, his throat lost the ability to use human speech. Instead his voice spread throughout the area using magic.

“...You fool. Even if you've gotten a large power, who would obey you when you look like that...”

Theia looked at the black hound, at Tayuma, with pity in her eyes. Looking back at history, there had been no cases where rule through fear had lasted for long. Tayuma's current appearance couldn't be seen as anything but a symbol of fear. So even if he were to rule the surface, he wouldn't last for long. Both Forthorthe's and Earth's history proved that.

“...Having obtained a great strength, you've closed the path to rule on your own...”

Victory was no longer an option for Tayuma. Even if he beat Theia and the others, and ruled the surface, it wouldn't be anything but a short-term victory. Theia thought that was just so pitiful. However, she was happy at the same time. People would be happier if they remained unaware that their future had been closed off.

“Maki, don't you have any counter measures?”

However, Theia had no intentions of being dragged down with Tayuma after he had chosen ruin on his own. She would defeat him. There, Theia sought Maki's advice as it seemed like physical attacks wouldn't work.

“Either we could dispel the magic or break through with spiritual energy.”

Seeing the black hound twist space with a spell, they could either dispel the magic itself, or attack using spiritual energy which was less affected by the twisted space.

“I think only Kasagi-san can fight against him right now.”

“Eh? M-Me!?”

“More accurately she means me. I'm going at this with all my might, Shizuka!”

The Fire Dragon Emperor Alunaya far surpassed the human limits when it came to both magical power and spiritual energy. The only way to overcome this situation was to have Alunaya go all out.

“I guess we have too... do it, uncle!”

Shizuka steeled herself. While she would end up in a bothersome state if Alunaya used up all of his magical energy, now wasn't the time to be concerned with that. If they left the black hound be, the surface would become a mess.

“...I just hope I alone will be enough...”

Alunaya activated his stored magical power and enveloped Shizuka's body, and using her body as the core, he created his own gigantic body using magical power. At this stage, Alunaya was in control of her body while Shizuka's mind would give advice. In other words, they had control of their body when it came to their own sizes. Thus Shizuka turned into a red dragon over 20 meters tall and caused the ground to shake as she landed.

“Looking at him like this he sure is spectacular. This is the first time I've seen a land-dwelling creature larger than me.”

Facing the black hound, Alunaya instinctively sighed. Alunaya was close to the physical limit of land-based creatures. Yet this black hound was twice his size. It was an abnormal gigantic body forcibly created through magic. Since this existence was outside of the rules of nature, even Alunaya couldn't hide his surprise.

“Uncle, we have to hurry.”

“You're right, I can't just be surprised.”

Alunaya couldn't maintain his dragon body for that long. He had to finish this before he ran out of magical power. Alunaya took a deep breath and took one step forward towards the black hound. And just as Alunaya was about to throw himself towards the black hound, something happened.

“Please wait, Alunaya-san.”

“Oh, princess Clan?”

“Reinforcements, Bertorion, has come.”

“Curse you Blue Knight... you've left me behind to go ride something so fun-looking again.”

Passing through one of the holes in the ceiling, an airframe with very sharp angles flew into the large cave. While it might have been 20 meters big, that was only its longest part, and it was far too small to compete with the 50 meter tall black hound. The signs and characters engraved into the airframe belonged to the People of the Earth. This airframe was a mobile weapon intended for air battles that the conservative faction had developed just in case.

Part 5

Upon entering the cave, the surroundings grew bright. Since they had been flying through the night for a while now, the sudden light stung Koutarou's eyes.

“Ho-, applying the filter Ho-”

“We'll remove it when your eyes have gotten used to it Ho-. Don't worry Ho-”

However,, Karama and Korama who were attached to the airframe's computer lowered the brightness of the monitor, which helped Koutarou's eyes adjust.

“So that's Tayuma, huh... he's completely turned into a monster.”

“I'm sure its a sign that he wanted great power, and to show it.”

Thanks to Clan's detailed reports, Koutarou and Kiriha knew what had been going on inside the cave. That's why they had come over on this airframe.

“Koutarou, it looks like Yurika joined up with Theia and the others.”

Sanae who was sitting on the operators seat reported on Yurika's whereabouts. Koutarou looked at the monitor near Sanae and saw Yurika and Theia and the others happily reuniting. It was footage from a camera attached to the outside of the airframe.

“Good, it looks like everyone is okay.”

Harumi showed a smile of relief as she saw everyone was still full of energy.

There were a total of four humans on this airframe. First there was Kiriha who was sitting on the pilot's seat. She was in charge of controlling the airframe. Next, Sanae was sitting on the operator's seat. However, Sanae was simply sitting there, Karama and Korama were the ones doing the actual work. Since the haniwas were directly connected to the computer this airframe didn't need an operator. The remaining two, Koutarou and Harumi, were sitting on spare seats. The two were so-called passengers and were unrelated when it came to controlling this airframe.

Kiriha and her two haniwas were in control of this airframe. That was the design in mind when it was being developed.

While one might be fooled by their cheerful personalities, these two haniwas that had served the Kurano family for generations had accumulated a huge amount of combat data. Therefore, giving them appropriate armament, they would be able to fight incredibly effectively. And this mobile weapon was that 'appropriate armament'. It was a warfare module the haniwas would use in the case of large-scale combat.

That warfare module had been given the name O-hime. This airframe that had been given the name of the goddess of creation was the conservative faction's ace in the hole. Their goddess of hope that would allow them to witness the sunrise of tomorrow.

“But we can't get carried away Ho-. The output isn't increasing Ho-”

“Our souls aren't enough Ho-. We're a hundred years too early Ho-”

However, this airframe was still incomplete. As a result, the main systems and spiritual energy generator couldn't be turned on. It was currently moving using its subsystem and a standard generator, and it was only barely able to fly. While it wasn't too far off, it wasn't in a state where it could be used to fight.

The reason why the main systems and spiritual energy generator couldn't activate was simple... because there wasn't enough spiritual energy. The spiritual energy of the two haniwas serving Kiriha wasn't enough to awaken the systems. At this rate, the airframe would prove useless with its only use being to crash into the enemy.

“Don't worry, that's why Sanae is onboard.”

“Me? Why?”

With the topic having suddenly turned to her, Sanae blinked in confusion. The haniwas, on the other hand, knew just what she meant and began dancing cheerfully like they'd already won.

“I see, as expected of Nee-san. Ho! I never thought of that Ho!”

“With Sanae-chan's maiden powers it might move Ho-”

“Sanae, could you touch the magatama in front of you and transform into Kabutonga?”

“Sure... but would that do something about the design error?”

“Probably. Please, Sanae.”

“Okay.... Traaa~nsform!! Kabutongaaa!!”

Along with an energetic cheer, Sanae's body was wrapped in a vast amount of spiritual energy. It's massive density turned a portion of it into light and caused Sanae's body to glow. What Kiriha meant by transforming into Kabutonga wasn't to have her change her outfit, but to enhance her physical strength with her spiritual energy.

“It's coming, it's coming online Ho-!”

“The main systems have activated Ho-!”

Sanae's vast spiritual energy passed through the magatama and into O-hime's systems. That was when the panels that had been inactive began lighting up one after another.

“It works Ho! The spiritual energy generator is active!”

“Its output is rising, it's gone critical, it is now self-sufficient Ho-”

As the spiritual energy generator began moving, the airframe vibrated a little.

At first it was a gradual vibration similar to a human's pulse, but it soon hastened into something more like an alarm bell. Once the vibration reached a certain point, the shake stopped all at once. The vibration control device was cancelling the vibrations.

“Output is still increasing, 30... 40... 50... switching the generator from normal power to spiritual energy Ho!”

“Ane-go!”

“Yes! Mode change, change O-hime from cruise mode to combat mode!”

“Roger Ho-!”

“Leave it to us Ho-!”

O-hime had two modes of operation. One was a cruise mode where most functions were limited. The other was the combat mode which required an enormous output of energy from the spiritual energy generator.

“Let's go everyone, make sure you're strapped in!”

Kiriha changed O-hime into combat mode and removed all restrictions. As a result, its speed rapidly increased and it moved in a complex way similar to a roller coaster.

Part 6

Since he had once been Tayuma, the black hound had knowledge about O-hime that was approaching. It was information gained through Maguz. That's why he knew that Kiriha was onboard the moment he saw it.

“You've come, Kurano's daughter! You dare stand before me again!”

The giant black hound shook his body and roared. It was a roar so loud that it shook the entire cave. Tayuma's voice could be heard from that roar, but since he had lost the ability to use human speech, it was spread through the use of magic.

“As long as you would harm people, I will stand in your path as many times as I have!”

“Harm people? You're wrong, I am trying to lead the People of the Earth! To reclaim our former days of glory!”

“You haven't noticed!? You are trampling the people that you are trying to lead!!”

“What!?”

The black hound looked down at his feet for the first time. Many corpses lied buried in the rubble of the collapsed building. They were all radical faction soldiers that had been entrusted to defend the building.

“You are not trying to lead anyone! You are only using them as a footstep!”

“What about it!? I am a chosen ruler! Together with Maguz-sama I will rule everything! I decide who lives and who dies!”

However, the black hound, Tayuma, had no remorse over killing his own allies. Having transformed into a magical beast due to his distorted wish and gained enormous power, he single-mindedly strived to fulfill his own desires. To Tayuma, the radical faction's justice, his loyalty to Maguz and his ideals of dictatorship were nothing more but tools to justify himself. He would bring it out when he had to, and put it away when it got in his way. He was now a horribly distorted personification of selfishness.

“...Have you degenerated this far, Tayuma...”

Kiriha couldn't help but feel disappointment in Tayuma. Maguz also had distorted, insane, thoughts, but he still felt a connection to the other radical faction soldiers. While he had twisted goals and thoughts, he still had the pride of a leader. But Tayuma did not have that. He did everything for himself. If there was a truth he didn't like, he would use any means to force it away. Against a person like that, words had no effect. Kiriha felt her own limit and decided to defeat Tayuma.

“Kurano's daughter, I decide if you live or die as well! And you will die hereee!!”

The black hound roared again. As he did, several black orbs appeared around his body. Once the black hound roared once more, the orbs charged straight at O-hime. They were energy balls created using the black magical power.

“I won't let you! This world is not your playground!”

Kiriha piloted O-hime to evade the oncoming black orbs. O-hime moved like a roller coaster and the contrails it left behind were like the rails.

“Come on, what's the matter!”

While Kiriha evaded the black orbs, the black hound created new orbs constantly with no end in sight. As a result, Kiriha had to constantly focus on evading.

“Emergency alert Ho! The spiritual energy generator is becoming unstable Ho-”

“At this busy time!?”

And then additional problems piled on. Having sortied with the incomplete O-hime, troubles occurred as it was suddenly forced to fly at full power. As a result, O-hime's movements became much simpler as abnormalities occurred in the generator, leaving O-hime without the power needed to make drastic turns.

“Fuahahahaha, dieeeee!!”

Black orbs assaulted O-hime in that state. Their numbers were twice of what they had been before. The black hound was going to use this chance to completely destroy O-hime. At this rate most of the orbs would score a direct hit. The black hound had the power to reflect the Blue Knight's beam, so if this many orbs were to hit, O-hime would be completely blown away without leaving a trace of its existence.

“Restarting the spiritual energy generator Ho!”

“Sanae-chan, please Ho-!”

“Guuutsss!”

There, Sanae still sitting on the operator's seat raised her spiritual energy and sent in a vast quantity of spiritual energy into O-hime, waking up the generator.

With the generator activated, O-hime began accelerating rapidly, with the help of Sanae's spiritual energy, its speed went even faster than before. As a result they left most of the assaulting black orbs in the dust.

“Not good Ho!”

“There's one globe we just can't evade Ho!”

But there was just far too many orbs and they couldn't shake off one of them. The orb charged towards O-hime at full speed.

However in the end, the black orb didn't hit O-hime. An ultra high temperature flame had evaporated the orb before it could hit.

“It's our ally Ho!”

“It's the monster uncle Ho!”

The haniwas displayed the origin of the flames on the computer's monitor. There they saw a crimson dragon flapping his large wings.

“Alunaya-dono!”

“Blue Knight, I shall fight with you.”

While they were some distance away, Alunaya's voice came from the crest on Koutarou’s right hand. The Fire Dragon Emperor Alunaya had come to help Koutarou and the others. In this situation, having someone with great power like Alunaya helping was really reassuring.

“Curse you, over and over again...”

The black hound raised an irritated voice seeing Alunaya and O-hime line up next to each other. Tayuma couldn't conceal his anger as certain victory was stripped from his grasp. Since similar things had happened several times today, he was especially angry.

“Now it's our turn! Open the port to the Spiritual Energy Cannon!”

“Yes Ho-! Transmitting power to the cannon, five seconds until fully charged!”

“Sanae-chan, we're counting on you again Ho-”

“More spirit?”

“No, not that Ho-. You can guide the cannon with spiritual energy Ho-”

“I don't really get it, but I only need to hit him right?”

“Yes Ho-”

Being a warfare module for the haniwas, O-hime was of course armed. Its main weaponry was the Spiritual Energy Cannon. O-hime had two of this weapon installed into it. This weapon was a beam weapon that directly fired the massive amounts of spiritual energy being generated. Since the fired beam was raw spiritual energy it should work on the black hound.

“Alunaya-dono, we'll attack first! Please back us up!”

“Understood.”

Alunaya could fly fast for a living creature, but it was slower than O-hime. So the highly maneuverable O-hime would take the front and Alunaya would cover for them.

“We're charging in! Fire the cannon as we pass by!”

Typically speaking, energy weapons lost power the further they had to travel. So Kiriha decided to make use of O-hime's mobility to bombard the black hound from point blank.

“Sanae, please!”

“Roger that! Sparkling Sanae-chan Cannon charged up to 120%!”

Kiriha accelerated towards the black hound. In response the black hound created black orbs in an attempt to keep O-hime away. Standard weaponry had no effect on the black hound nor the orbs so Kiriha would need to evade it at all costs with her piloting skills.

No matter how much power you've gained, your mind is still human...

Having transformed into a black hound, Tayuma had obtained massive powers and an accurate perception; however the mind controlling it was still that of a human. Kiriha read Tayuma's habits and evaded the orbs by moving around bewilderingly.

With Alunaya covering them from orbs that they couldn't fully evade, O-hime closed in on the black hound without getting hit.

“Now, Sanae!”

“Hiiiiit hiiiim!!”

Fire spewed from the two Spiritual Energy Cannons. These weapons which were directly connected to the generator of O-hime held exceptional power. While they can't be repeatedly fired, their power is comparable to the Blue Knight's secondary weaponry.

“As if I'd let you!!”

The black hound created a jet black shield to protect itself like it had from the Blue Knight's attack. However, that was where something unexpected happened. The two beams changed their trajectories as if they had a will of their own and went around the shield to directly impact the black hound's body. This was thanks to Sanae's guiding.

“Guhaaaaaaa!?”

Suffering direct hits from the beams, the black hound let out a roar of pain. A large hole opened where the beam had hit and a large amount of blood came pouring out. The beams had more of an effect than expected.

“It's working Ho! But this is bad Ho!”

“A new barrier has come out Ho! It's black, but it looks like a Spiritual Energy Field Ho!”

A black fog spread out as if to cover the black hound's body. It was a new means of defense that the black hound had devised after being unable to stop the attack with his shield. If the haniwas were correct it was a spiritual energy barrier, but it was pitch black unlike the yellow colored barrier the haniwas used. As a result the black hound looked even more eerie.

“What!?”

Blood drained from Kiriha's face. If the black beast was being protected with shields against both magic and spiritual energy there was nothing they could do. When it came to total energy, the black hound overwhelmed them, so if two energies of the same type collided, the black hound would come out on top.

“What do you mean!? He wasn't just strengthened by Maya's magic!?”

“Satomi-kun, that Tayuma person has knowledge about spiritual energy devices, so I think he has recreated them using ma― Kyaaa!?”

A big impact shook O-hime. Kiriha hadn't been the only one aiming for her opponent as they passed by each other. The black hound fired an orb he had prepared before hand towards the rear of O-hime as it passed by.

“The Spiritual Energy Field has collapsed! The first and second layer of armor on the starboard rear side have suffered serious damage, but it was just the primary armor Ho!”

“We're barely safe, but we're out if another one hits Ho! Be careful Ho!”

Fortunately, O-hime had survived the blow. They were lucky that O-hime had a barrier of its own and that only a single orb had hit. However, this kind of luck wouldn't last forever. If the same thing happened again, they would be shot down for sure.

“Sanae, please!”

“Leave it to me!”

Kiriha turned O-hime around and fired the Spiritual Energy Cannon at the black hound again. Though there was a bit of distance, the beams easily diffused and disappeared as they came into contact with the new barrier.

“Karama, Korama, how does it look!?”

“Calculations complete Ho! I've been able to calculate the field's strength from that attack Ho!”

“We're in a pinch Ho! Even if we fire from point blank with maximum power, we can't break through that field Ho!”

The second attack was performed to decide on how they would fight. The results looked bad and even if they continued to try and bombard the black hound, there was no hopes for victory.

“Kiriha-san, what do we do!?”

“If we fight individually we have no chance of winning. We'll need to work together.”

“...It'll be hard.”

“I know. But we can't let that up on the surface.”

Koutarou and Kiriha both understood the situation. In order to defeat the black hound they would need to walk a very thin line. But even then they couldn't allow the black hound up on the surface. The two nodded and made their final gamble.

Part 7

The plan Kiriha had thought up was extremely rash, and well suited to be called a final gamble. That's why when Koutarou conveyed the plan to Theia and the others, what he got as a response was dumbfoundedness.

“Are you an idiot?”

“Would you rather I act smart and let that up on the surface?”

“Well, that's true, but...”

“We have to try something. Please help.”

“Okay. But don't forget.”

“Forget what?”

“That there are many that would grieve if you four were to die.”

“I'll keep that in mind.”

The plan Kiriha had come up with put the four onboard O-hime in the greatest risk. That's why Theia worried for their safety.

“The other side is okay. All that's left is us.”

After finishing talking to Theia, Koutarou stood up from his seat. He had an important job to do. As Koutarou headed to leave the cockpit, Kiriha called out to his back.

“I'm sorry for making you do something like this, Koutarou.”

Kiriha spoke with an apologetic tone. She couldn't stand that the plan she had devised put Koutarou in danger. However, she had no choice if she wanted to protect everyone. She hated herself for having created a situation where she would have to see Koutarou off.

“Don't worry about it.”

Koutarou on the other hand seemed carefree. A person he treasured said she needed him. So Koutarou would do it. If he didn't he might be able to stay safe, but he would surely regret it. Perhaps even more than if he were to die. Knowing that, he had no problems accepting this risk.

“Aren't you scared? If you fail you'll―”

“That's true for anyone when that time comes. In that kind of situation, you wouldn't say anything irresponsible.”

“Koutarou...”

“Besides, I've decided to believe.”

As Koutarou opened the hatch to the cockpit, Koutarou turned around for a moment and smiled at Kiriha. Seeing his expression, Kiriha felt just how determined Koutarou was.

“That our future definitely won't be a dark one.”

That was something the girls of room 106 had told Koutarou. Treasuring someone meant believing in their future with them. You don't just have to protect their lives and promises with them. It doesn't matter what you do. The most important thing of all was hoping in a future together in the process of it all. And those emotions were properly conveyed to Kiriha.

“Then I will believe as well. That yours and mine, and everyone else's future will be a shining bright.”

That's why Kiriha saw Koutarou off with a smile.

There was no way this was the end.

Kiriha's and everyone's happy days would begin from now.

That was what Kiriha now firmly believed.

Having exited the cockpit, Koutarou went on to leave O-hime. Using his armor's gravity control he walked on the airframe itself. His goal was O-hime's nose. Being 20 meters, it didn't take long for Koutarou to reach it.

“That said, this still is reckless.”

With Koutarou walking on top of the airframe, O-hime's velocity dropped quite a bit. But even then it was still several hundred kilometers per hour. While he wasn't blown away thanks to his gravity control and barrier, this was normally a place you wouldn't stand on. The cutting sound of winds past the barrier were already thunderously loud.

“It's not like this is the first time.”

“That's true.”

As Koutarou got into position, Sanae-chan clung onto his back, leaving Sanae-san behind in the cockpit. As Sanae clung onto Koutarou, O-hime made a sharp turn and the black hound came into sight. That black hound, Tayuma, had two barriers around his body, with many spheres floating around him, as he waited for O-hime and Alunaya to come. Having confirmed that, Koutarou extended both hands towards the black hound.

“Blue Knight, give me my swords.”

“As you wish, my lord.”

“Come! Signaltin! Saguratin!”

“Call sign confirmed, coordinate axis fixed. Commencing transfer of Signaltin and Saguratin.”

A black hole appeared in front each of Koutarou's hands. One sword appeared from each of the holes. From the right hole was the silvery sword Signaltin. From the left hole was the golden Saguratin. They were the swords Koutarou used.

“It is possible to use Garb of Lord.”

“Give me that too.”

“As you wish, my lord.”

Having grabbed a sword in each hand, another six holes appeared. What appeared from those was GOL split into six parts. The parts flew out from the holes and merged with Koutarou's armor.

“Master, this ship, the Blue Knight, will pray for your fortune and glory in place of the nation of Forthorthe. And Princess Theiamillis and Guardian Knight Ruthkania both await your safe return from the bottom of their hearts.”

Communications with the Blue Knight ended with a message from Ruth.

“Thank you.”

Koutarou gave his thanks to the message and readied his swords. He held Signaltin in his right hand forward, and Saguratin in his left hand slightly behind it. The tips of both swords were pointed towards the black hound.

“Theia, how does it look on your end?”

With his own preparations complete, Koutarou called out to his friends.

“There are no problems. We had some problems with getting the timing right but it looks like it will work out.”

“How about Alunaya-dono?”

“I only have to rampage, so my job is easy. Though Shizuka is crying that her weight will increase.”

“I'll comfort her later.”

“Please do.”

With his friends preparations also complete, Koutarou finished by calling Kiriha.

“Kiriha-san, the preparations are done.”

“I understand. I'll be ready in just a moment as well.”

As Koutarou reported that preparations were complete, Kiriha replied with a firm voice. As expected, since this would determine the faith of the People of the Earth she couldn't hide her tension.

“Don't get too over eager, you're not just too kind, but you're too serious too.”

“You're the only one who'd say that.”

“You can rely on others every once in awhile too.”

“I'll do just that.”

Some of the tension left Kiriha's voice. Satisfied by that, Koutarou glared at the black hound in front of him. The black hound was about 50 meters tall, but when it came to length he reached almost 100. The black hound was about five times bigger than O-hime. It was like an adult and a child. It wasn't someone they could beat if they went at him from the front. Koutarou and the others had to gather their strength to stand a chance.

“Koutarou, my preparations are done as well.”

“Then let's start.”

“Everyone, here we go! This will put an end to all of it!”

Along with her powerful declaration, Kiriha began accelerating O-hime. Her target was of course the black hound. Kiriha charged at him with O-hime at full speed.

“So you're coming, Kurano's daughter! I don't know what you're planning on doing, but it's all useless! I am stronger than anything! Not even the goddess of creation could defeat me!”

The black hound slammed one of his large legs down as if to threaten Kiriha. The black hound and O-hime were some hundred meters apart, but with O-hime's speed it wouldn't take many seconds to reach the black hound.

“Maki-chan!”

“Yes!”

“Magic Shield – Modifier – Effective Time Twice!”

“Greater Lightning Reflexes!”

As Kiriha charged in, two spells were cast on Koutarou. They were cast by Yurika and Maki and increased his armor's defenses and Koutarou's reflexes. Both were needed to protect him.

In that moment, O-hime reached the speed of sound and broke through the sound barrier. The roaring sound created by this shook the entire cave and enlarged the holes in the ceiling.

“Then I shall go too.”

Using that as his signal, Alunaya took action as well. A blue light suddenly enveloped his crimson body. It was a magical light that Alunaya had activated. The light grew stronger and stronger and eventually covered Alunaya's entire body.

“Here I come.”

The blue light suddenly vanished and Alunaya who should have been inside had vanished as well.

“W-What!? Why is he here!?”

“Isn't that obvious! It's to defeat you!”

Alunaya had used a teleportation spell. Using that spell, he had jumped inside of the barrier to challenge the black hound to close-combat.

“I was surprised by your sudden appearance but in the end this is the extent of your powers huh!”

“Nuuuuu!!”

However, in close-combat, Alunaya was at a disadvantage from the very beginning. Being half the hound's size, there was a clear gap in power. There was also a limit to how much magical power he could use, so filling that gap with magic was difficult.

“How foolish, to think you'd challenge me with such weak powers!!”

Because of the overwhelming difference in physical strength and weight, Alunaya was easily shaken off. The black hound distanced himself and was going to finish Alunaya off with his black orbs.

“You are the foolish one... No, that girl's head just might be too sharp..”

“What!?”

“Tayumaaaa!!”

That was when Kiriha flew past Alunaya and charged towards the black hound.

“It's no use! Your attacks have no effect on me!!”

The black hound sneered at Kiriha. His magical and spiritual energy barriers were sturdy and had the power to block any attacks Kiriha and the others could use. That's why there shouldn't be any problems even if O-hime was charging him.

“I don't know about that! A few seconds ago, nothing we could do would have any effect!!”

“What are you say― What!? How!?”

Something impossible happened in front of the black hound. The barrier had indeed stopped O-hime's charge. But the supposedly stopped O-hime was gradually pushing through the barrier.

“What did you do!?”

“I haven't done anything. This is your doing, Tayuma.”

“Mine!?”

“That's right. It's nothing special. You undid your own barrier. To throw away Alunaya that is.”

This was the reason why Alunaya had challenged Tayuma to close-combat.

If Alunaya made it inside the barriers, the black hound would without a doubt throw him out of it. Taking plasma flames at that close of a range, even the black hound would take serious damage. And in order to throw Alunaya out, part of the barriers needed to be undone for a moment. All of that was part of Kiriha's plan.

And before the barriers could completely recover, O-hime would charge in through the gap. Koutarou was standing on the nose of O-hime, wielding his two swords. The two swords were gradually dissolving the barriers.

If the barriers had been complete, the two swords probably wouldn't have stood a chance. But thanks to Alunaya, the barriers had been opened. In other words, this was a strategic victory for Kiriha.

“So that's how! However, I haven't lost yet!”

The black hound ordered the black orbs floating around to attack. O-hime had stopped moving to break through the barrier. If it gets attacked now, it would definitely be destroyed.

“...Winning in the true sense of the word is not allowing for your opponent to realize that they have lost until the very end.”

However, the black hound had already fallen for Kiriha's trap. As the black orbs were sent towards O-hime a bright flash occurred, blinding the black hound. It was a flash that Harumi, still onboard O-hime, had created.

“Guaaaa!?”

The black hound himself was the one guiding the black orbs. Having suddenly lost his sight, he was unable to lead them towards O-hime. As a result, the majority of the orbs flew into unrelated directions. A few remained on a collision course with O-hime, but Alunaya erased those with his flames.

“Theiamillis-san, the space distortion rate has fallen. Attacks should be able to hit now.”

“So it's finally time for the star's appearance.”

Theia had waited for this moment from the very start. While Theia's attack power was high, her weapons wouldn't work until the jet black shield was broken. However, now the black hound's impregnable defenses were on the verge of collapse. With a fearless smile, Theia ordered Ruth.

“Ruth, we're using the Blue Knight's anti-surface missiles.”

“What about the settings, your highness?”

“Leave guidance to optics and gravity, AI will be in charge of the detonation. I'll leave the other parameters to you.”

“As you wish, my princess.”

Eight space-time holes appeared around Theia. The next moment a missile flew out from each of the holes. The missiles were far bigger than Theia. These were powerful missiles normally used against bases or large-scale weaponry.

“Greater Enhance Weapon – Modifier – Multiple Targets.”

“Anti-Magic Shield – Modifier – Area Effect Large.”

Yurika and Maki cast spells on that group of missiles. Maki used a spell to increase their attack power and Yurika used a spell to protect them. The already powerful missiles grew even stronger thanks to the effects of the spells and flew straight towards the black hound.

“...You might think...”

While seeing the missiles off as their rockets ignited, Theia folded her arms and spoke.

“That we look dangerous, having powerful weapons or capable of using magic.”

The orbs rushed towards the missiles to shoot them down. However, the missiles were not that big and they had a defensive spell cast on top of them. As a result only two of them were destroyed. The remaining six soared through the air and directly struck the black hound in an instant.

“But in reality, the most dangerous one is Kiriha. While she has almost no power of her own, she comes up with these extraordinary ideas, one after another.”

The black hounds barrier had weakened but still functioned to a degree. As a result, two of the six missiles were redirected and sent flying back towards Theia and the others.

“If it's Kiriha, she might be able to beat 100 armed men with a stick.”

However, the returning missiles changed direction once more on their own. Being guided weaponry, all they had to do was rely on their guidance. The jet black shield was close to invincible against beams, laser and bullets, but less so against missiles.

“I'm glad Kiriha-sama is on our side. It would be a nightmare to go up against her...”

Having made it through the jet black shield, the group of missiles headed towards the next layer of defense. It was a spiritual energy barrier made from a black fog. However, spiritual energy barriers tended to be quite weak against physical attacks. There, the AI ordered the missiles to detonate before coming into contact with the barrier.

“You're not kidding. I'm sure he feels the same way right about now.”

Amongst the two redirected missiles, only one managed to make it back. As a result, five missiles exploded near the black hound. These missiles had been designed to direct all of their explosive force forwards, and while these missiles were powerful to begin with, with the help of magic they were even more so, and these explosions now assaulted the black hound. The group of missiles turned into five spears of flames and pierced through the black mist and the black hound himself.

Part 8

The black hound, Tayuma, couldn't believe what had happened to himself. He was supposed to have obtained great power and transcended the powers of man. In fact, he was overwhelming all his enemies. They were easy to destroy were he to fight them one by one. Yet Tayuma had been struck by an attack and had fallen to the ground. The damage taken was severe and he couldn't even create a barrier to protect himself.

“It can't be... this can't be reality! I've obtained great power!! I was chosen by god to be a ruler!!”

Tayuma screamed out, not because of his injured body but because of his injured pride. He would rather die than not have everything go his way. For that sake he had obtained power to fulfill his selfish desires. Yet he had still fallen, and that reality seriously hurt his pride.

“This is some kind of mistake, this can't be happening! It's all a mistake!!”

In order to protect his pride, Tayuma tried his best to stand up. He could still stand his body's pain. He had to beat down his enemies to wipe away the harm done to his pride. The black hound's body obeyed his will and staggeringly got up.

“Tayuma, you still plan on fighting?”

Kiriha who was looking at him from her cockpit inside O-hime felt like he was no longer in a state where he could fight. And him choosing to fight once more wouldn't affect the overall outcome. As a pacifist, Kiriha didn't want to fight any more.

“Of course I will! I'm the ruler!! I won't ever back down!! I won't cajole anyone!! Because I am a hero of the People of the Earth!!”

However, Tayuma was set on protecting his pride. Not the pride of the People of the Earth, but his own.

Before, Kiriha and Daiha had refused to surrender because it might affect the outcome of the battle. What they protected were the People of the Earth, and the pride of not betraying their own comrades. That's why if the conditions had been different, Kiriha and Daiha might have surrendered.

But that wasn't the case for Tayuma. He would rather die than accept defeat. He was like a child that would flip over a game board because he hated losing. Tayuma would probably never surrender regardless of the situation.

In the end, Tayuma was just a child. That's why he was desperately searching for a method to avoid losing even now. He moved his dog head around in an attempt to find something he could use to turn the tables.

“T-That's right!! You were here!!”

What Tayuma found were the radical faction soldiers that had been guarding the building. The soldiers hadn't joined in the battle, but rather watched over it from a distance.

“What are you doing! Hurry up and fight! Protect me, kill them!”

There were still plenty of soldiers left. If they were to attack Theia and the others, the situation might be overturned.

“Aaahhhh, the monster turned this way!!”

“Isn't he after us!?”

“We'll be killed!! Just like the second platoon!!”

However, the soldiers didn't try fighting. In fact, they did the opposite as they ran away in all directions in fear. Not a single one remained to fight for Tayuma.

“Where are you going!? Stay and fight!! Did you get scared of the enemy!?”

Tayuma didn't understand what was going on. Just a while ago, the soldiers had moved like a part of his body whenever he gave them orders. The respect, loyalty and tinge of fear they directed towards him felt comfortable. However, that didn't happen now. Instead they scrambled to get away. All Tayuma could imagine was that they couldn't hear his voice, or that they had gotten scared of the conservative faction.

“You don't understand, Tayuma?”

Kiriha knew just what the soldiers were so scared of. She also felt it was pitiful that Tayuma couldn't.

“The soldiers... are afraid of you.”

Tayuma's voice had reached the soldiers. He had enough magical power for that. However, they didn't know that voice belonged to the monster in front of them. Since they didn't know Tayuma had transformed into a monster, they ran away, scared of the giant, roaring hound. What was worse that they had witnessed the black hound trampling their allies when it broke out from the building. That's why the thought that the black hound was on their side never entered their minds. They had only been observing the battle in hopes that the black hound that had killed their allies would be defeated.

“You're lying!! I am a ruler!! A hero of the People of the Earth that will lead mankind together with Maguz-sama!! And they fear me!?”

“If you cared even the slightest for your allies, this wouldn't have happened. Yet you chased after your own justice and power. That's why no one will obey you.”

When Maya had given Tayuma power, he had only thought about himself. That's why he chose a massive body and frightening appearance. It was the image of Tayuma's rule. The appearance that embodied violence and fear. The soldiers couldn't stand it and ran away.

That's why Kiriha believed that if Tayuma had held back on his power a little and shown some consideration to his allies, he might have become a ruler in the true meaning of the word.

“Lies, all lies!! You guys, stop running!! Come back and fight!!”

Tayuma repeatedly called for the soldiers. However his shouts turned into roars in the hound's throat. To the soldiers it was the howl of a devil. Tayuma's voice was erased by that howl and was unable to reach the soldiers' hearts.

“I will execute all of those that will not obey the ruler of absolute justice! I can still forgive you now, so come back and fight!”

Having gained the black magical power, Tayuma accomplished his ideal rule in an instant. However in the blink of an eye, the heart of the people left him and his rule collapsed. Tayuma had only been a hero or a ruler for a few minutes. It was all too transient.

“You don't understand even after I have said this much!? Then die!! All of you die!!”

Tayuma spit black flames from his mouth and attacked the escaping radical faction soldiers.

He might have already lost his sanity. Despite having power fit for a ruler, he couldn't win against Kiriha and his allies were running away. He didn't like anything of it. That's why he wasn't even aware that he was attacking his own side. He was simply trying to deny all of reality.

“Kiriha-san!”

“I know!”

Koutarou's voice coming from the comms happened at almost the exact same time as Kiriha sharply turned with O-hime. She was going to protect the radical faction soldiers. Though they had been enemies just a moment ago, the radical faction were still People of the Earth.

“Karama, Korama, remove the limiter from the Spiritual Energy Cannon!”

“Roger Ho!”

“But it will break right away Ho!”

“That's fine! I am not alone!”

Those words were the defining difference between Kiriha and Tayuma. Kiriha loved people. She knew the meaning of loving and being loved. That's why people followed her. Theia and the others, the Sun Rangers and the conservative faction soldiers all followed her. They were all moving to protect the radical faction soldiers before Kiriha could say anything. On top of that, the radical faction soldiers that hadn't been attacked joined in as well. They also wanted to save their allies.

“Why!? Why don't you obey me!? Why obey that girl!? Don't misunderstand, I'm the stronger one! I'm the amazing one! Swear loyalty to me!!”

The peoples actions rubbed Tayuma the wrong way. All of the people there now rejected Tayuma. Or more accurately, they affirmed someone other than Tayuma. The reason for their rejection of Tayuma was as a result of wanting to protect their allies.

Part 9

Surprisingly enough, standing at the front of the people were the Sun Rangers. Being an official anti-invader squad, they had received official training, including training in rescue and first aid. Amongst the people present, they were the most skilled and they were taking the lead in treating the injured.

“Daisaku, can you help me move that rubble? There are people under it.”

“Okay. Kotarou-kun, can you help Megu-chan in my place?”

“Hayato-niichan, can you carry this person on your own?”

“Leave it to me. I'm stronger than I look, I'll be fine.”

“Okay, so leave Megumi-neechan to me.”

“Thanks, Kotarou-kun. Can you clean that person's wounds?”

“Kenichi-kun, let's go.”

“Yeah, let's!”

Theia and those not injured were protecting the Sun Rangers and the others. They were carrying rifles and fired at the approaching black hound.

“Hey, Theia-chan, do guns even work against someone that big?”

“We can save thinking about that until later. Or would you rather we run away without doing anything and let them die?”

“...I understand. I'll work hard too.”

“Vice-captain, are you sure we should have given the radical faction weapons too?”

“Let's think about who they are after we've survived.”

“You're right. I'll think about it then.”

Those who protect and those who are being protected, their standpoints varied. The conservative faction, the radical faction, underground people, magicians, aliens. All kinds of people stood there without any difference between them. Who they were was no longer a problem. They would protect those around them in order to save as many lives as possible.

“Why does no one listen to what I say!? Don't you understand that I am an absolute existence!?”

Tayuma grinded his teeth as he looked at the people. Not wanting to accept what he was seeing, he spat out black flames towards them.

“You don't get it at all. Tayuma, you're a good for nothing whining about nothing going your way.”

O-hime stood in the way of the flames. Koutarou who was standing on the nose of O-hime swung Signaltin and erased the black flames. Signaltin broke down the magic making up the flames.

“Brat, everything started going wrong when you appeared! It's all your fault! If only you weren't here!!”

“Now it's my fault? You're not even going to consider reflecting on your own actions?”

“I am justice! Absolute justice does not require reflection!”

“...There really is no saving you...”

Koutarou sharply glared at Tayuma and readied his two swords. He wouldn't allow Tayuma to do anything else. He wouldn't let him touch Kiriha, or anyone else. A fierce anger surfaced inside of Koutarou as he faced Tayuma.

“You're the one who can't be saved! Dieee!!”

Tayuma felt the same way, and the selfish anger inside of him turned into black flames and was spewed from his mouth.

“Kiriha-san!”

“Here we go, Koutarou!!”

The next moment, O-hime charged towards Tayuma. O-hime flew at full speed as it bombarded using the Spiritual Energy Cannon. It was a continuous bombardment far faster than before thanks to the limiter being removed. It was only a matter of time before the circuits of the cannon fried. However, Koutarou made his next move before that happened.

“Satomi-kun, attack whenever you like! I'll match your timing!”

“Koutarou, Love Love Sanae-chan Sword is charged to 500%! Feelings wise!”

“Blue Knight, allow me to lend you my remaining magical power. I'll pour into the crest.”

“Karama, Korama, reverse the spiritual energy generator circuit! Supply Koutarou with energy through Sanae.”

“Got it!”

“Leave it to us Ho-!”

The two swords in Koutarou's hands began glowing. It was a dazzling silver and gold light. However, for some reason that light had a gentleness and warmth to it. It was the opposite of what could be felt from the black flames.

“Die, die, dieee!! Fall before the great ruler!!”

Grudge, jealousy, hate, greed, insanity, and many more dark feelings shone in Tayuma's eyes. The black flames that he spewed were like his exposed soul.

“Alone, no matter how great power you've obtained! Or what you intend to do with that power!”

Koutarou raised both swords above his head at the same time. Silver and golden light stretched from his sword and extended towards the surface. After ascending for several hundred meters they spiralled together and formed a single pillar of light. The gold and silver colored mixed together shone as brightly as the sun.

“You are no match against the hundreds of us!!”

Koutarou then swung the swords down towards Tayuma. As he did, the pillar of light fell down towards Tayuma. It was a sword of light formed from the power of many. The light of dawn that would tear up the darkness.

“This is a lieeee!!”

Tayuma screamed. The flames he spat out were erased in the blink of an eye. He tried creating another barrier, but the magical power itself that he needed was erased by the light.

The power of the sword of light exceeded Koutarou's and the others powers. Even if Koutarou's and the others energy was gathered, the total energy of that sword of light was in a different league. It was a power that responded to the calls of their gathered power. Or it might be like Koutarou had said that it was the light of hope born from the people desperate to survive.

“I stand at the top of all things, I will become the great ruler!! The name Shijima Tayuma will be engraved in the annals of history!!”

“Don't worry. That wish will come true. You will be recorded in history... as a bad example that is.”

“Uaaaaaaaaaaa!!”

The sword of light swung down on him. The light had no attack power whatsoever. However, it was very effective against the black magical power that Tayuma was using. Tayuma's black hound body was created through that black magical power. As the light came into contact with his body, they were both annihilated and Tayuma's body was erased.

Part 10

Since Tayuma's body had been completely changed by magic, once his magical power was counteracted by the light, his body was completely dissolved and he lost form. However, his obsession with living barely kept him existing in the world of the living.

“Haa... Haa... Haa... I refuse, to die... Haa... Haa...”

Having lost his body and existed only as a soul, as a ghost, Tayuma didn't need to breathe. But his obsession with living made him do so. As such he had a ragged breath as if he had barely escaped with his life.

“...I won't die... Haa, Haa... I'll survive, a-and stage my comeback. I'll eventually kill, Kurano's daughter, and that brat with my own hands... Haa, Haa...”

That strong grudge, desire to live, and obsession with power were more than enough to allow him to exist as a ghost. At this rate it seemed like he would be able to become an evil spirit and realize his desires.

“...”

“Hmm? Who is that, calling for me...?”

That was when Tayuma turned around as he felt like someone was calling for him.

“There's no one here... oh, what's this?”

There was no one behind him, but instead there was something strange. It was a small, black whirlpool floating in the air. The whirlpool was only a few centimeters big at first, but it gradually grew bigger. As Tayuma peered into it, confused, it was already close to a meter in size.

“...What is this... I can tell it's a whirlpool, but...”

With a perplexed expression on his face, Tayuma heard a voice once more.

“...”

“Eh? Is this whirlpool talking? Or is someone inside?”

“...”

“Collecting? What are you talking about?”

“...”

“A reaction to the alteration of the principle of causality? Replenishing expended energy? Don't tell me that. That has nothing to do with me.”

“...”

“Quit messing around! I have things I have to do! I'll kill them and― Uwaaaaaa, stop, stop it!!”

The black whirlpool began spinning faster and dragged Tayuma's body in. At first he had resisted, but as the speed went up, the strength of the force dragging him in increased.

Finally, Tayuma was dragged into the whirlpool. The ever growing whirlpool was now over ten meters big and Tayuma spun around the whirlpool as he was slowly dragged towards the center.

“Noooo, Maguz-samaaa!! Kurano's daughter!! I don't care who, someone save me!! No!! I want to continue living!!”

Tayuma desperately struggled to break free from the whirlpool, but its force was overwhelming and his efforts were in vain. He repeatedly screamed for help, but no one appeared in response to his calls. Tayuma slowly fell towards the center of the whirlpool.

“I... I don't... want to―”

Reaching the center, Tayuma suddenly disappeared. Having reached the center he was dragged under. Tayuma was dragged into somewhere not here and completely vanished from this world.

“...”

Having dragged Tayuma in, the whirlpool began shrinking. From ten meters to five, and eventually reaching a few centimeters. From there, the whirlpool vanished in an instant. Either it shrunk to the point where it could no longer be seen or it simply disappeared. All that was clear was that the black whirlpool took Tayuma out of this world.

Tayuma probably didn't even have the time to realize what had happened to him. However, that might have been for the better. He was probably happier not knowing that he had died.

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