Chapter 571 |
Defensive Battle of All Worlds ⑰ Loooooveeeee!!
Author’s Note: I couldn’t wipe the discomfort with what I wrote so I took one more week for a rewrite. Because of that too this chapter has 14,000 words. I’m telling you readers this for rough estimate of how long it will take to finish reading. Best regards!
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The time was around right after the attacks on all the worlds started simultaneously.
「I give up. I don’t think I can remember this at all……」
At the machine world “Coltran”. Jasper was walking through a corridor of the facility that in the past was Mother’s base called the Heaven. His gaze was looking down on the document in his hand while scratching his head with an expression of resignation.
Many combinations of dots and lines were lined up there. Each had comment written to explain what did they mean.
「There’s no need for the governor to remember everything perfectly. You just need to train radio operator specialist for this.」
The one who said that with a wry smile was a woman called Jessica. She was the technology research laboratory member who Hajime and others ran into. Her distinctive trait was her tightly tied black hair and white coat.
「A-aa, yeah」
Jasper looked really conflicted. In contrast Jessica’s expression and light sigh were filled with a lot of admiration.
Intermittent signal communicator――so to say it was a communicator that used “Morse code”.
Mother’s technology had already surpassed even earth’s wireless technology and even transmission using thought or other medium was possible, because of that Coltran only had super advanced communication technology, also the majority of them were self-destructed by Mother.
And so, currently at Coltran the common way to broadcast information was by manpower, or using “speaking tube” that was a pain to lay out everywhere.
But, by using this intermittent signal communicator, long range communication became possible although there was a need to set up cable to connect the communicators.
It was without a doubt a great invetion even at earth. If something like that was thought up by a girl who was still just ten years old then it was definitely something that deserved every admiration it could get.
「She’s really a prodigy. So much so that I can’t even feel jealous toward her as a fellow researcher.」
「No no, that girl also said so right? She just thought it up coincidentally. You know, she saw people signaling each other by waving flags, or using light when it’s night, and from there she wondered if it’s possible to achieve communication if the way of waving flag or lighting light is given regularity.」
「Yes, certainly the idea is simple. Now that you mention it, it even made me wonder why I myself never even thought up about it before.」
「Right?」
Jasper got a bit of cold sweat inside his heart.
Actually inside Listy’s secret underground workshop, there was already wired communicator that enabled conversation, in other words a telephone prototype that used telephone line, but as expected it would be bad to publish that at this juncture, but the current Coltran still absolutely needed a method for long range communication. When she discussed that with Hajime and co, they mentioned this Morse code.
Because it was just as Jessica said, the idea itself was simple and could be thought up by anyone.
But, in reality, that perception had to be regarded as a little naïve.
This world wasn’t just simply an undeveloped world. It was a world where everything was controlled.
The meaning of that, the effect was heavy. For everything to be controlled meant for everything’s spontaneity to be rejected. Even if there was “thought” there was no “will”. To possess such thing wasn’t allowed.
For Mother, the power of imagination and creativity that human possessed were the greatest enemy.
The mankind of the machine world had been thoroughly suppressed in that respect. Although they had been getting used to the act of imagining and creating quite much in these five years, they could be said to be still in the beginning stage.
That was exactly why, Listy’s flexible way of thinking stood out.
「It’s exactly that, governor.」
「There? Where?」
「”Now that you mention it”, that means we can’t think of it unless we have been told. But, Listy-san think things up even without being told. Her power of imagination isn’t ordinary.」
「W-well, she’s a brat after all. Of course she’s more flexible than us adult.」
Keep it up, me. Do the “pretend not to know!!” that you heave learned in these five years with your all!!
The dangerousness in multiple meaning of his little sister that he came to know in the secret underground workshop.
Thanks to Hajime the workshop itself would absolutely never be found. He could be sure of that. Even if there was human blunder like getting tailed to the location, there would still be no risk of discovery.
But, when he thought of his duty as governor who should spend every effort for the good of Coltran’s development, he couldn’t make the decision of not publishing Listy’s inventions at all.
It was also already too late to make up a fictive inventor. There were already a lot of people who knew Listy as an inventor. If she suddenly didn’t produce any new invention or the quality dropped from this point, it would instead caused other people to suspect something.
Perhaps she actually has even more amazing inventions, but the governor faction is keeping those secret, people might thought.
And most of all, he had just promised to not make light of his little sister’s determination of wanting to be of use to Coltran.
That was why, they quickly tested publishing the inventions bit by bit with something inferior compared to Listy’s actual invention like this but……
「That might be so. But, Listy-san being an extremely valuable talent is a fact that cannot be ignored by all means. We should be more attentive to her safety even more than before……I’ve been giving this advice many times even before this.」
「Uu」
Jessica-san’s eyes were really pointed. Her cheeks were a bit puffing. I, am displeased, her expression declared.
Also, she was a type of woman with sharp looking eyes, so she tended to be regarded as someone with harsh personality, and in fact she was the type of person who clearly said what ought to be said, but in reality she was a considerate person and sometimes she made a cute childish expression……that was the opinion of her colleagues (especially the male staffs).
In short, the number of man aiming at Jessica was quite a lot, but even that charm didn’t work against the one who was in Jessica’s heart.
「Yeaaah, but it’s that mad dog girl herself who absolutely refuse having guard or anything like that.」
Jasper only smiled wryly without any particular reaction toward Jessica’s behavior. Jessica herself also didn’t make such look with any ulterior motive so her expression immediately changed and she sighed.
「This isn’t the time to say anything like that. I’m aware that Listy-san is strong but……there’s also the matter of the faction opposing you growing in power.」
「I know. That’s why Mindy and others are usually getting guarded.」
「Then, Listy-san should also」
「Yeaaah, I think she’ll be fine. Rather, it might be the attacker who won’t be alright if they try something with Listy.」
「Geez! Governor! Just what do you think Listy-san is! She’s still just a little girl!」
The “duel” that little girl displayed was still fresh in Jasper’s mind. It was seriously crazy! Too~~~tally crazy! It’s impossible he said, impossible. If that girl started using her weapons without holding back any, even a fully armed battalion of the guards wouldn’t be able to stop her.
Not to mention, right now Hajime had given her several artifacts for just in case.
Their agreement with G10 would be rendered null if they were used openly, but conversely speaking, if they were used secretly and during life-threatening situation, that combat capability would be supported even more by artifacts.
Listy was thoroughly familiar with the underground as a salvager. Someone who got lured into the depth of darkness and carelessly chased after her wouldn’t come out to the surface anymore……Jasper could easily imagine such scenario.
(Scaryyy)
Perhaps, there was no being in Coltran right now who could harm Listy. What a terrifying person my little sis is……Jasper thought with a shiver.
「And yet, you’re also permitting her to go to the plant……」
「Because if I didn’t allow her to ride the regular flight, that girl would definitely run off by herself. It feels like she would suddenly vanish one day without even telling us or even leaving any hint of what route she’s using.」
「Uu……I can’t deny that……」
Plant――it was the manufacturing plant of the sky machine soldier in a mountain region located around 400 km west from Coltran.
Of course, on the surface Mother was still the mother of Coltra, while the sky machine soldiers were “invaders”, and there was no connection between the two. Other than Jasper family, there was nobody who knew of the fact that the battle was the worst fixed match in history.
Also, in preparation of the worst case & for giving Hajime present, G10 had also gathered every bit of the material of liquid metal inside the plant.
And so, it was a “working factory from the previous age”, an incredibly previous ruin but, what was the purpose of the factory, what was it creating, what else it could create, or rather it looked like it had been working until just recently and there wasn’t any sign of deterioration, why? Right now they were still investigating the plant in that stage.
Rather, right now rather than the factory, the development of the frontier village that was built there as the investigation base might be more prioritized.
(When G10’s class start, she won’t leave Coltran for the time being instead. I understand her feeling of wanting to take a look at a working facility from the previous age while she can because G10 is going with boss at his trip. And if it’s Listy, she might also be able to make use of the factory to create 400 km of cable.)
The regular flight to the plant could only be done using their precious large transport helicopter. Of course, there was also how the fuel for it was also precious so they couldn’t frequently come and go from there.
The introduction of intermittent signal communicator was urgently needed so they could communicate back and forth.
Because of such circumstance too, he permitted Listy’s going to the plant at the end.
(By no means I was scared of Listy after boss and others left, yup.)
Listy herself was just filled to the brim with motivation and hope.
It was so much so that her eyes were blazing hot. Those were the eyes of a beast hungering for knowledge. He felt like getting tossed in front of a hungry wolf.
Furthermore, her luggage had been perfectly sorted and she had even prepared a transportation method by her own strength (apparently she built it while getting advised by Hajime during his stay there).
If he tried to forcefully keep her here, she might forcefully tear him a new one. He wouldn’t say what would be torn.
(Boss, seriously thank youuu. For persuading Listy to listen to what I tell her. She has gotten infinitely better! Even like that! Also, thank you for the stomach medicinee! Come here again before I run out!!)
Hajime was becoming a drug provider of stomach medicine lately. Along with the expansion of his connection, the customers seeking stomach medicine were also increasing without end.
「Governor? Governor, are you listening?」
「Aa? Aa, what was it again?」
Apparently he had unconsciously stopped walking and looked up at the ceiling. For some reason the corridor turned transparent and the blue sky surfaced in his mind, and further the image of Hajime giving him a thumb up with a nice smile also appeared.
In addition,
――Alpha Medicine’s medicine is safe and reassuring with tremendous effect! For the sake of your healthy tomorrow! Alpha Medicinee~~~♪
He wondered why. It felt like he was hearing a line that sounded like an advertisement together with a pleasant-sounding music……
Jasper who had no knowledge of commercial didn’t understand. He shook his head, surely it was just his imagination.
「Governor……you must be tired. Please, feel free to rest already for today.」
「No, I’m fine and dandy though?」
「That’s why I’m telling you. Please take a break for one week, no, for one month! You were staring at empty air again and your expression kept changing one after another……are you seeing something-」
I can’t bear to watch this anymore, seeing the governor breaking down! Jessica-san pleaded looking like she would burst to tears.
It seemed she was recalling when Hajime and co turned themselves invisible using perception blocker. Jasper talking to empty air inside a corridor where there was nobody, or him calling his family as “those people” or “boss”……
「No no no! It’s a misunderstanding! I was just thinking for a bit!」
「But, in the end Paolo-kun is like that even now! Even though he was a really obedient and good kid, now she keeps speaking passionately to the female staffs so they wear super tight outfit-」
「I’m sorry! Our kid is a perverted brat!」
「Thinking back now, Listy-san ran away also because of an unknown impulse pushing her-」
「That’s actually not that far off the mark though-」
「As I thought-」
「Ah, dammit-!?」
Jessica-san’s eyebrows climbed up sharply. She caught Jasper’s arm into a hug.
「Come, let’s go home. I’ll contact Mindy-san so she will come here to pick you up. Leave the work to me. I’ll take care of it.」
「It’s fine! I’m telling you it’s fine! Mindy is also busy! Okay!?」
「……Is that why, you also mentioned that you “want a pretty wife”?」
「I told you about that it’s just a misunderstanding though!?」
「That’s right……at the very least it’s not anything that is my concern. What the governor want is a pretty lady after all……」
「No, I think Jessica is super beautiful though.」
「Ehh」
「Eh」
She was holding his arm. In other words, their faces were relatively near.
Jessica-san’s face puffed red from the governor’s unexpected words.
Jasper-san was confused by Jessica’s unexpected reaction because he was a dense man who didn’t notice Jessica’s feeling for him at the slightest.
The two stared at each other……
As expected even Jasper gradually turned red from the strange atmosphere. Seeing his reaction even Jessica’s eyes started to moisten……
「Uwaaaaaaaaaah, governooooorrr!!」
「「T-this isn’t how it looks likeeeee!!?」」
Suddenly, several staffs burst out from the corner ahead of the corridor. Jasper and Jessica jumped and separated from each other in a flash while making excuse.
「「「「「Ruuuuuunn!!」」」」」
「「Yes?」」
They looked desperate. They were even running toward them in desperation.
Jasper and Jessica unconsciously forgot the awkward atmosphere just a moment ago and let out some stupid voices. Both narrowed their eyes while feeling bewildered. Right after that.
*Gasha gasha gasha gasha* They could hear some loud noises.
And then, chasing behind the staffs from the corridor corner,
「「Yeees!!?」」
A sight of a robot with only its upper half crawling with just its arms entered their sight.
Just its upper body was two meters in height. Its width was as wide as three adults standing together. Multiple cords were trailing behind from its stomach like entrails, its warped head was lolling left and right, and the mechanical sound of its motor sounded like a discordant groaning sound as it crawled forward with a terrific speed.
It was just like a thriller movie. Or rather, a horror.
「Uwaaaaaaah!!」
「Kyaaaaaaaah!!」
Jasper and Jessica screamed and turned around. The staffs just caught up to them at that moment and they all ran together with all their strength.
「Why!? Why is it attacking!? Nobody should know how to order it properly and it couldn’t move properly wasn’t it!?」
「We don’t know! It wasn’t even connected to electricity, and yet it suddenly started moving!!」
「It was chained and shackled and yet it tore them all apart!!」
「It’s everything that was sent here from the plant! The body and all the limbs, all are moving!!」
What the hell with that, Jasper thought in confusion even while feeling the instinctual sense of danger from the clanking sound approaching from behind.
His confusion was natural. And, it was a confusion of different nature from the staffs.
Because what was researched was machinery that seemed to be factory worker robot that was discovered and collected from the plant.
It went without saying, G10 had finished investigating the plant. Then, even though it was just a factory worker robot it was under Mother’s control and G10 had finished inspecting the safety of any such robot. The truly dangerous robots weren’t left alone and should have been destroyed, in other words, what was left behind was definitely only things that had been judged to be safe as well useful to be humanity’s research material.
Did the staff put in some bad switch or something during the research? But, for all the body parts to move now……
In any case.
「What about other staffs!? Anyone injured!?」
「Some got punched hard……we don’t know how are they doing!」
「Everyone scattered on their own……aah shit. We forgot to ring the alarm!!」
It couldn’t be helped. For the researchers, a robot that they couldn’t properly activate and showed no sign of movement until now suddenly started moving, and not only that, it attacked them. It was only natural for everyone to run away at full speed.
Fortunately, that robot wasn’t a soldier robot so it wasn’t armed, furthermore it was in the middle of being researched so it was in a half-dismantled state.
It went without saying, the soldier robots had been thoroughly disposed. Everything was collected and disposed under the excuse of “Mother’s dying wish” that had to be absolutely followed. It was something that absolutely had to be done so nobody would learn what was inside.
Also, the soldier robots outside the heaven were generally also made to self-destruct with the same system.
That was why, what was in Coltran right now was only some machines and vehicles that avoided self-destruct, simple machines that had been repaired, and factory machines that were transported here from the plant.
If this was a rampage of armed machine……Jasper shivered imagining it.
「Anyway, let’s evacuate to the shelter――」
The alarm finally rang at that point. It seemed someone activated it. Or perhaps the guards had noticed the abnormality and took action.
But, apparently that was a bit bad for the mind in this emergency situation.
「Kyaah」
「Jessica!!?」
Coupled with the extreme nervousness, the loud ringing alarm seemed to cause Jessica’s body to react with a jerk and she stumbled. She fell on the floor.
Jasper quickly stopped running and turned around. The other staffs also stopped several meters ahead and turned pale.
「Go!!」
She yelled reflexively. She was yelling at the same time as she fell. It was as though she knew what Jasper would do.
And sure enough.
「Get up quickly!」
「Governor! Don’t!」
「Run!」
Yes, Jasper was the governor. The leader of mankind. His life was heavier than anybody else in this place.
And yet he didn’t even listen to the staffs’ yells. He rushed toward Jessica without any hesitation.
There was no joy or relieve in Jessica’s expression. Rather, there was only despair.
She could hear the crawling sound. She knew without even looking. The rampaging robot had gotten that close.
Even though Jasper should be able to see that, even though it was Jasper who should be protected in this place.
Look, he passed her and showed her his back. He stood on the robot’s way and protected Jessica behind him.
He was that kind of person.
Her blunder killed the governor. That was exactly the thing that pushed Jessica into despair.
「Dammit, stoooooopp!!」
Jasper drew out the handgun behind his waist that he was told to carry for his protection and fired at the approaching robot repeatedly.
But, the opponent outclassed him. It wasn’t a thug. But a mass of metal.
It didn’t stop. It didn’t even falter.
And then, it raised its giant arm like a hammer before Jasper――
「――tsu」
「Governor!!」
Jessica immediately moved to push Jasper away. Jasper also turned to push Jessica away.
It resulted in both hugging each other head on. They were entangled together and rolled――
A second.
Two seconds.
「「――?」」
They blinked because they felt no impact at all. They stared at each other from a distance where their nose tips touched before they fearfully turned their eyes.
They found the robot freezing with its arm still raised.
「G-governor! Jessica-san! Are you two safe!?」
「Governor really, you’re just too reckless!!」
「Forget about that, what happened? Why is it stopped? Do any of you did something?」
Jasper stood up while holding up Jessica. He turned toward the robot with wary eyes while asking question sharply.
His usual meekness, his atmosphere that felt somewhat pathetic and pitiful to other people weren’t anywhere to be found. His voice was filled with commanding spirit that made anyone reflexively straightened themselves.
「N-no! We didn’t do anything!」
「It stopped by itself!」
The staffs shook their head.
Then noisy footsteps of humans came next. 「Governor! Are you alright!?」 The security guards came running into view.
「Report!」
「W-we don’t know! We first prioritized your safety and came here――」
「Got it. Then first let’s confirm the situation. Contact each group with the speaking tube! Spread the warning too! Be wary against all machines! I’ll return to my office. And guard the research staffs too. The researchers are too investigate the cause of this quickly. At the same time I don’t care even if you destroy all the machines, but take away their ability to move at least. I’m counting on you guys.」
「「「「「Y-yes sir!!」」」」」
「「「Understood!!」」」
Everyone straightened up from the rush of orders. Then they all rushed to carry out the governor’s command.
Jasper took three guards and Jessica with him to his office in hurry.
「Umm, governor. Don’t do something like that again」
「I know」
It was just words. This person would do that again if the same thing happened anyway. He moved not using his head but his heart.
Jessica’s face looked troubled, but, her fingers touched the hem of Jasper’s clothes just a little.
「But, thank you so much. For protecting me」
「Yeah」
His respond was curt. But, there was no way she could feel displeased when looking at his tense expression that was different from usual.
She guessed that his mind must be full with various contingencies and withdrew. The guards were similarly feeling the reliability from Jasper’s governor expression and once again calmed down their hearts that were shaken from the inexplicable situation. They refocused on their duty.
Then, as for that reliable governor.
『Jasper, Jasper. Can you hear? I’m talking into your brain directly right now.』
『Awawawawah, what is, h-how is……why is G10’s voice-, this is really déjà vu-』
He was super shaken up inside his heart. He was simply having his mind distracted by something else.
It couldn’t be helped. Because right after he gave instructions, G10’s voice suddenly rang inside his head.
Certainly from the start G10 had the communication method that directly reached someone’s brain. But, that was a short range communication. It wasn’t a communication method to directly reach someone from the holy land Shaia to Coltran.
That was why, when advising Jaspar it would be kept at minimum only using the device inside the secret underground of Jasper’s house that required biometric authentication and only at the required time.
And yet, the voice was resounding inside his brain directly like in the past. It shook him too.
Because of that he replied late and G10 repeated 『Can you hear me?』 again. In the end G10 said 『……Strange. I should be connected and yet there’s no reply from Jasper. As expected I’m not able to use the Holy Tree-sama’s power well? Or perhaps, Jasper is in some kind of unexpected situation-』 with voice that started sounding gradually anxious.
He didn’t really get it, but it seemed the connection to his brain was through the power of the Holy Tree. Jasper only understood that point and somehow calmed himself down.
「No no, I can hear you!」
「Yes? Governor?」
「Ah, no, wrong! Just now, I wanted to ask whether you can hear something!」
「! Aa, I can certainly hear footsteps. You have good hearing, governor.」
Jessica and the guards looked dubious, but some other staffs and guards showed up coincidentally from a corner at that moment. They sighed in relieve and admiration.
But, they then noticed that some people were mixed in among the group. They were from a different faction, though not to the degree that they could be called as anti-governor. It caused their expressions to become slightly displeased.
It was a man with remarkably large build, unshaven face, and very belligerent looking eyes. He was accompanied by several of his followers.
Their group liked to try taking advantage of the governor’s meekness to make some kind of demand, or improving their own position, or making clear of the difference in their status toward former low layer residents, and so on.
They also often raised their voices angrily. The people who looked up to the governor in general disliked this group.
Even though they were usually haughty, they were all looking pale right now. Most likely they had gotten dragged into the robot’s rampage.
It was a bit refreshing seeing them like that, but the bearded man――the leader of the other faction named Vasak raised his eyes glaringly as soon as he found Jasper. Seeing that caused Jessica and others to look displeased as expected.
But in contrast to that situation around him, the conversation between Jasper and G10 continued inside his head.
『Sorry G10. I was a bit shaken. Can you hear me like this?』
『It’s no problem, Jasper. Are you safe?』
『Yeah, I’m safe. But……』
『I’m sensing the life signals over there. Currently there’s no life lost at Coltran as well as the plant.』
『I-I see, that’s great……or rather, that’s awesome! So you can even sense something like that!』
『Yes, with Holy Tree-sama’s power――』
「Oi, Jasper! What the hell is going on! As I thought it’s because you give the researchers too much freedom that this happened――」
「So you’re safe, Vasak. Has the machine stopped?」
「Y-yeah. It suddenly stopped――wait, that’s not it! Don’t change the subject! Your naivety cause this――」
「Leave it for later. First is confirming the situation. Anything else to report?」
「――kh」
「Y-yes, there is! Reporting!」
『As expected from the avatar huh. I heard about it a little from boss and the others. ……Even so, for G10 to contact me directly like this……as expected, this isn’t something like human error or accident but something going on right?』
『I’ll explain plainly. Please listen carefully.』
Jasper headed to his office while confirming the situation with the people that he ran into. Of course, he was also doing “telepathic communication” with G10 at the same time.
It was quite a hard thing to do and his conversation’s tempo tended to be delayed. His brain capacity was quickly screaming due to the amount of information entering in from the conversation with people around him and the conversation inside his head.
He was desperate. Therefore he had no composure. His usual pathetic and pitiful atmosphere showed no trace at all, nor his usual way of talking that showed respect to the other party, nor his humbleness, nor even a smile.
His eyes were sharp. It was like, he had returned to that day when he fought to the end at the frontline while inspiring everyone.
The spirit of ruler, perhaps it ought to be called that.
Vasak and others who wanted to complain were repeatedly opening and closing their mouths like goldfish seeking for air. However, in the end they couldn’t say anything. They were completely swallowed by the atmosphere Jasper was exuding. It was like the fact that he was at a different level than them was thrust at them, no, like they were reminded of the fact.
『Haha, I don’t get it at all』
「I understand the situation.」
The completely opposite words from his thought came out in reality.
G10’s explanation of the situation was something that completely went over Jasper’s common sense and understanding.
At the same time, from the reports of his subordinates who linked up with him one after another, he understood that the situation wasn’t limited to just the researched robots. The same thing was also happening at the mountain foot of Coltran, throwing the city into chaos.
According to the reports, the machines provided to the people for construction and farming as well as the vehicles for transportation were apparently also running wild. It resulted in a great number of injured people.
Apparently that was none other than the ability of the “void god” expanding at the outer space right now. It could take over and manipulate machineries that were loaded with electronics or something.
『Anyway first thanks, G10. You stopped it.』
『No, my apologies for taking a bit too long, Jasper.』
The governor had fallen silent and only giving one word reply, however not a single people gave him look of confusion or irritation.
They interpreted it as Jasper sorting out his thought. So rather, they all were holding back from doing anything that might disturb him. Even Vasak and his followers were staying quiet.
It must be thanks to the trust and achievement that he had accumulated in these five years. Jasper too took advantage of that without any reservation.
『Anyway, G10 and Yue-san and others are doing something about that “void god” thing somehow right?』
『Yes. But, Jasper, there’s something that I have to tell you first no matter what.』
『Something to tell me?』
『For a while after this, all the humans in this world will fall asleep temporarily.』
『W-what do you mean?』
Jasper was shaken. G10 told him.
What was the best way to protect the people of Coltran?
Simply put there was one ultimate way to do that.
That was to move all the people to Tortus where Yue was residing.
It was feasible enough to do with the power of G10 who was now the avatar and Yue. After all the population of the machine world was the fewest among all the worlds excluding the calamity world. Using Japan as comparison, the population here was fewer than a town at countryside.
In addition, humans here only lived in two places, Coltran and the frontier village near the plant. The population distribution here was extremely limited.
Naturally it wasn’t impossible to evacuate all of them to a safe area like Tortus that was under Yue’s protection, and most of all they could secure their safety reliably with that. Also they thought that this was the best way, in preparation of “a certain worst situation”.
『The evacuation will begin as soon as Yue-sama’s preparation is finished. Until then I will protect everyone to the end. No matter what happen, even if I have to sacrifice this body, I swear I will protect everyone’s daily life and tranquility without fail. I won’t even allow anyone to perceive the existence of external enemy.』
『……G10』
The deep determination and resolve were conveyed to him. Even while feeling like he would drown from the thick stream of information, Jasper looked like he wanted to say something for a moment.
But, G10 too must be dealing with the situation even at this moment. He could feel that G10 was gradually losing leeway to connect with him. For now he kept his mouth shut to listen to the story.
『This is, also my selfishness.』
『Selfishness? You mean about making everyone unconscious?』
『Yes……』
Why was G10 not only evacuating everyone, but also putting them to sleep?
Because she didn’t want the people of Coltran to learn about other worlds’ existences and also how they could be protected by supernatural power.
Humans weaving history from zero with their own will, their own thinking, their own choice, making trial and error, and accumulating achievements one by one.
That was the new era of Coltran.
A newly born world that had rid themselves from total control, and currently learning the meaning of “freedom”.
Knowing about the existence of other worlds and supernatural beings protecting them might become a kind of deadly poison toward that.
She didn’t want them to think that they had “something to depend on” when push came to shove.
『If I ask, it’s even possible to erase their memory. But, that’s……something that I don’t want to do.』
『Certainly, in that case it’s better to put them to sleep right from the start.』
The current humanity was the result of memory alteration. At the same time, the current humanity had also been liberated from the fate of having their memory toyed freely by others.
It was only natural for G10 to not want to meddle with the memories of the people of machine world even if it was to protect them.
『I see. So we won’t know anything and return back to our daily life like nothing had happened after everything is over. And, for you to tell me that……aa, I’ll have to carry the truth again huh?』
『Yes……I’m really sorry to always make you carry the heavy burden. Of course, I don’t mind if you share the truth to Mindy and others though……』
『Well, it can’t be helped. As expected there’s nothing that can be done with everyone feeling something is wrong later. It’s needed for someone to make up some reason about what happen.』
『……Can you do it?』
『Yeah. That’s my role. That’s the way of living that I chose by my own will. Leave it to me.』
Even though no word came from G10, her thought was conveyed. It was the feeling of trust toward Jasper.
The office came into view. A lot of people had already gathered in front of the room. Everyone was waiting impatiently for the governor’s arrival. Some of his family were also among the crowd.
「Nii-san!」
「Mindy」
「It’s a disaster outside! Really thick mist suddenly appeared out of nowhere! It’s so thick that you can’t even see the area around Coltran at all! And yet, the mist is really thin only inside the city……something’s strange!!」
『There’s no need to worry. It’s one of the defensive measures.』
「『Got it.』」
He replied at the same time to Mindy and G10 with voice and thought. The surrounding held their breath seeing the governor’s calm and composed behavior. Mindy herself was also staring with wide-eyed amazement.
G10 said 『Then I’m counting on you』 and was about to cut the communication. But Jasper entered his office while calling 『Wait』 at her.
『Let me just say this』
『What is it, Jasper』
『Hey, G10. Can you stop already with mentioning “even at the cost of my life” every time?』
『……Jasper?』
Jasper walked toward the office’s balcony. Following behind him, his subordinates entered inside the office like a flood.
Seeing Coltran enveloped in thick mist that was visible over the balcony, everyone held their breath. They all were unsettled, made noise, and their eyes wavered with anxiety.
What’s this, how does this happen. Just what’s happening, everyone spoke with voices trembling from anxiety and fear.
The thick mist was abnormal. It was unnaturally white and enveloped Coltran completely until the mountain peak high at the sky. And yet, the foot of the mountain was faintly visible. Just as Mindy said, the mist only faintly entered inside the city.
Even without looking it was plain as day that the citizens must be shaken up.
Everyone looked like they wanted to say something to Jasper, but seeing the back of Governor Jasper quietly taking in the view of outside caused even any murmur to stop and shut their mouths.
Wordless pressure. It was like they were swallowed by a pressure that couldn’t be described with spoken words.
『You mentioned about heavy burden. Yeah, that’s right. The truth is heavy yeah. These five years, I somehow managed as leader while desperately tricking everyone that only my skill in deceiving has gotten really good. It’s a real pain for my stomach, and problems are piling up recently that it feels like my mind will go crazy. This governor position seriously ain’t for me.』
『……』
『And yet, I’m thinking I’ll keep doing my best for ten or even twenty more years. I can think let’s work hard even at this hard to understand situation. G10, that’s because of your existence.』
『Me? Certainly, I’m able to offer you various advices but……』
『Wrong, that ain’t it.』
『……?』
A being who had fought hard all by her lonesome for two hundred years, had done everything she could, over and over and over to the end. And the result of that was to be “dead without even seeing the result” or “her dream cannot come true”.
『My friend is working hard to reach the best happy end, so I gonna do it too. Seeing you makes me think that.』
『……』
The sense of G10 holding her breath from Jasper’s words was conveyed. 『Friend……』 That whisper was conveyed too.
『You resolved yourself to self-destruct, but everyone said “live” to such you right? For what Listy worked so hard like that?』
『……So that, I can become Avenst even just by a day earlier, isn’t it.』
A warrior who had given their all to the end wouldn’t simply end with accomplishing their mission, but also to be one day rewarded in the greatest way.
That in itself was the greatest hope of Jasper and others.
They lived in the reality where they didn’t really get rewarded no matter how hard they worked, even so there was an existence who proved that “you will be rewarded if you work hard”.
Just how great of a pillar for the heart that was for the people who knew of the truth?
『Ain’t nobody gonna be happy if their friend die to protect them. Rather……it might just break their heart yeah?』
『……That’s awful. Now I can’t die even if I’m dead.』
『Yeah. If you’re gonna protect us to the death anyway, then mean it as “protecting us even if you gotta kill all the enemies”.』
『Fufu, I guess so. No, it’s exactly as you say, Jasper. That’s my intention from the start.』
『Whoops, that so. Then it’s my misunderstanding huh. Forget it then.』
Don’t easily choose to sacrifice yourself. Struggle to survive till the very end. Fight to make yourself happy.
Such thought that was filled with deep friendship reached her. It resounded in G10’s soul.
Spontaneously, G10’s memory area replayed the record of her masters in the past, her comrades in arms. Their figures overlapped with Jasper.
She wondered why. Even though her energy storage was already being filled to an unprecedented degree from receiving the Holy Tree’s divine protection, she could feel strength that couldn’t be described with words welling up inside her.
『Aa, and also. The current us who have our hands full just from living day to day are undeniably weak, so we gonna let ourselves be protected quietly so we at least won’t be a drag, no objection there. But see――』
A blazing hot thought flowed in from Jasper.
It was as though he was saying, Even if we’re useless, even if it’s hopeless, ain’t no way I’ll just die without fighting. Ain’t no fucking way we gonna just die without knowing anything!
『When it’s really needed, let us fight together with you properly. Just like that time.』
『Yes, Jasper. Definitely.』
At that time, it would surely a time where there was really nothing that could be done.
That was exactly why, G10 surely wouldn’t just protect and hide Jasper and others anymore.
『We are comrade in arms after all, it’s only natural.』
『Heh. Later then, G10. Do your best. As for me I’ll just keep this up moderately.』
For some reason the image that they shared was of a fist bump.
The thought communication was severed with that image as the last thing.
Jasper took a deep breath, and let a second passed.
Then he turned around. He could see how his anxious subordinates where some were even looking pleadingly at him held their breath once more.
Because Jasper was smiling faintly. As though, he was telling them that there was nothing to worry about.
「Please make preparation for a broadcast to the whole city.」
His voice was calm. Even though the situation was unprecedented, it was like there was no wavering in his voice.
The young man who received his gaze shot up into a straight posture as though he had just gotten shocked with electricity. Everyone else also got caught up by his energy and straightened up.
「R-roger that」
The subordinate youth hurriedly rushed to the neighboring room from inside the office. Meanwhile Jasper turned his gaze to Mindy. His eyes were signaling her to match his story.
Normally such eye signal wouldn’t get through. But he was convinced that Mindy would get it if it was her. Mindy’s lips slightly tightened.
「Is there anyone who fell ill from this mist?」
「There’s none. Just in case I’ve checked with all places I can reach with the voice tube, including the medical facility at the lower city, but there’s nobody who said that they fell ill, including people who had returned from the mist.」
Jessica and others were surprised. To think that the investigation had reached that far. Of course, Mindy hadn’t done that. It was true that she had questioned several medical facilities, but she didn’t receive any report from people who returned from inside the thick mist.
But, judging from Jasper’s look, he must wanted her to say that, and that the mist must be actually harmless. She guessed that and matched his story.
By any chance, perhaps she had also guessed about his communication with G10. She looked like she had even understood the direction Jasper wanted to bring the story toward.
What a really capable little sister. Jasper sent her his applause inside his heart.
Also, the male guard beside Mindy was making a bewildered expression that said 「Eh, since when!?」 but he ignored it for now.
「The thick mist is harmless. That’s a good news. Then researchers, I don’t care who. Give me your theory how this mist and the rampage of the machines can be connected.」
The researchers all looked at each other in confusion. Jessica asked a question as their representative.
「Theory, is it? But, we’re going to do the investigation only after this……」
「We can worry about the fact later. I’m asking you guys to make up a theory that anybody can comprehend, in order to reassure everyone in Coltran “now”.」
The staffs’ eyes widened. While they all were wracking their brain of what Jasper meant, Mindy showed her understanding and added.
「Everyone is worried. Because the “unknown” is scary.」
「Ah, so it’s……something like that」
Jessica reached understanding next. Jasper nodded.
「In these five years, we have progressed through a world without Mother fumblingly. Like someone blind wandering inside complete darkness. But, it wasn’t actually pitch dark for us. We have light called future, hope.」
That was why, they could move forward. They could do their best even after being thrown out to a directionless world.
This was the same. This wasn’t a completely unknown situation. At the very least the governor administration had conjecture about the situation. Just by showing that would become a definite “light” for the people.
「It’s just a temporary light that’s slightly better than none at all though. Also make announcement of “defense readiness”. Open the shelters in each area. Notify the citizens that they’re temporarily conscripted. I permit temporary lending of weapons to them.」
Jasper’s gaze moved to the captain of the guards. The captain unconsciously gulped from the gaze’s sharpness and the order he was given.
Because it was an emergency respond that had never been activated even once during these five years. It was a plan formulated for really just in the worst case.
「I-is something coming? To attack us?」
「I don’t know. Nobody has ever predicted this kind of abnormal situation. Perhaps there are survivors of the “invader”, or perhaps this is a result of relic from the previous era going wild due to something. That’s why, we need to prepare.」
「Certainly, about the mist too……it was said that Mother controlled even the weather to protect Coltran. It might not be strange that there’s a relic that can do the same thing……」
Jasper nodded to Mindy’s nice assist and his expression suddenly softened.
「Of course, it’s also possible that there’s nothing at all.」
It was precisely at that time the preparation for the broadcast――arrangement so voice from the governor administration could reach the whole Coltran by combining the speaking tube with megaphone――seemed to have finished. The subordinate youth’s face peeked out from the door and gave a thumb up.
「At that time I’ll have no choice but to say “The governor(Me) is a real scaredy cat which caused trouble to everyone! Sooorry!!” and bow in apology. ……You guys will apologize together with me right?」
「Governor……」
Apologizing alone is scary……Jasper said pathetically. It softened the tense atmosphere inside the office by several degrees. As though he had planned for that,
「We still don’t know anything at all about this world. That’s why, it ain’t strange no matter what happen. Unexpectedly, this might be the actual “nature” yeah? I don’t get the difficult things but, there might really be a factor that cause the machines to malfunction from this ain’t it?」
He nonchalantly guided their thought. He pretended ignorance and put on a dumb expression, while talking like he really only spoke whatever came to mind――while holding expectation for his subordinates.
The one who answered his expectation first before everybody else was Jessica. She looked like she got a sudden realization and quickly raised her hand.
「Governor! Let’s go with that!」
「That? Which?」
「The mist. The naturally forming mist create electricity like thunder cloud, and it’s covering this whole area. Because of that the machines malfunction……no, I’m sorry. That’s a bit forced……maybe it’s magnetic field’s influence throwing the electronics into chaos……no, that one is odder……」
「Nice, Jessica! That’s good! It’s enough! Even someone illiterate can easily imagine the picture! After all we all were born and raised under thundercloud!」
「B-but, explaining it like that will cause contradiction with machine working properly even under thundercloud……」
「Mother was with us then. But she isn’t right now! That’s why malfunction might occur! The theory is sound! You shed light on darkness!」
「I-I’m honored」
Everyone else was also nodding. Only the researchers were muttering 「Certainly it’s unthinkable that this is from coincidences on top of coincidences. We need to investigate the connection」 with a serious look, but for the time being there was no objection raised against Jessica’s suggestion.
Even though from the start the objective had been to reach this conclusion, the atmosphere felt like it was Jessica who came up with the idea. But, Jasper didn’t breath a word of it. Perhaps it should be said that Jasper had truly grown.
「Yosh. Everyone, we’re going all out. It’s fine. If it’s us than we’ll be able to overcome any kind of situation!! Put in you all into it!!」
The first order for defense readiness in a world without Mother, the open for all shelters and evacuation order, and then situation explanation……
In order to accomplish those, Jasper once more gave detailed order to the people of each department, and then he headed to the neighboring room to broadcast his announcement to the whole city in order to reassure the people as much as possible.
The people in the office watched that back together as though it had been arranged beforehand.
The governor had given them their order. They had to rush out of the office immediately to do their job but……
「Be self-aware already. For us the “light inside darkness” isn’t the future or even hope――it’s you.」
The words that someone muttered faintly resounded inside the room.
No objection came from anywhere. Even from the people of different faction.
Before the abnormal situation, before Governor Jasper’s true worth, the hearts of all the men and women there became one once more.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
「Doooooooryaaaaaaah!!!」
A loud shout of fighting spirit surged.
*GAANN* Violent impact and clash of metals, the noise of collision echoed through.
One side was a humanoid robot wearing a largely expanding skirt. It had no head, and it had four arms (though one was half broken, and one more was lost). It had the same float system like G10.
Against it, was a bulky and heavy vehicle (?). The robot (?) was rushing with a tackle from the front.
If an example had to be made, its appearance was like the turret part of a tank was replaced with the upper body of humanoid robot.
*Gya Gya Gya Gya Gyah* The noise of caterpillar track plowing the ground battered the eardrum. It pushed the opponent in one go to the wall because the floating system caused it unable to brace itself on the ground.
Another thunderous roar and impact resounded.
And then, with voice volume that didn’t lose against that,
「Dieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!」
Violent language.
It came from the humanoid tank, or more accurately from the war cry of Listy who was riding on the back of that humanoid part. Her body was fixed by a belt on the open-type driving seat that was only surrounded by iron bars. Her hands were wearing gloves, no, they should be called as gauntlets instead, which were connected to the humanoid robot with many cords.
Her foot floored the gas pedal to continuously run the frame. With that she pushed the enemy to the wall while raising her right arm and clenched.
The linked robot also lifted its right arm, and the huge chainsaw put in the place of its hand made a heinous sound while rotating.
It swung down. The floating type robot immediately raised its arms. *GIIIIIII* Grating sound burst out and sparks scattered around blindingly.
「Stop resistingggg!!」
Listy pulled back her left arm and clenched it too. This time the robot’s left arm moved in respond and at the same time it started sparking brightly. And then the arm immediately launched a body blow that gouged the opponent’s frame. The electric punch splendidly hit the floating robot’s side.
The electricity seemed to have effect. Or perhaps it was simply the impact of the body blow. It was unknown which was causing the effect but, in any case, the arm that was sawed until half-way by the chainsaw suddenly dropped down listlessly.
With that out of the way, naturally the chainsaw reached the opponent’s chest. Sparks scattered blindingly once more even while the chest armor――although the plate wasn’t so thick and solid to becalled an armor――was torn apart. The inside was also getting hacked apart into broken bits.
The floating robot was spasming for a second. Then it became completely limp while its damaged parts were sparking.
「Yossha!!」
Listy made a small guts pose. Her robot also made guts pose in conjunction, but there was charm from that pose due to how opposite it was to the wickedness of its appearance.
But, it looked like the situation wouldn’t give her time to digest the joy of victory.
「L-Listyyyyyy!!」
「AA?」
Listy turned around with thuggishness that if Myuu saw it, she would act like a big sis and scolded her 「You’re thuggish nano!! Bad-」.
What entered her sight was a dimly lit workshop because the light was dead with only emergency lamp working.
It was terribly spacious. The height of the ceiling might reach a hundred meters. Even if you looked left and right and forward, the wall wasn’t visible.
It was because of various machineries big and small crowding the space, with belt conveyors and pipes extending here and there which blocked the sight, but even with those taken out of the equation the interior was truly wide.
It was the interior of the “plant” that was located on a mountain district where a part of its surface and inside had been entirely gouged out.
And then, at the entrance of that indoor space, no, perhaps it ought to be called as the service entrance. In front of the huge double door that was more than ten meters tall were dozens of men and women huddling together.
They were pressing their bodies to the limit on the door. Their faces were turning white from confusion and fear.
A group of floating humanoid robot were approaching the group from the opposite side before her eyes.
「What the hell with thatttt-」
Listy too also raised her voice in confusion. She opened the crackling fist to stop its electricity function and grabbed the floating robot near her, then she threw it at its comrade.
The floating robot’s mobility was high. But, it seemed that it couldn’t go fast. Its power was also not that much. Most likely they were worker robot that specialized in detailed work.
That was their analysis before this and it seemed to be correct. So the group of floating robots couldn’t really dodge or block and got mowed down like bowling pins from the thrown robot.
「S-shit. Why is it closed!!」
「This one also can’t open!! Whyyy-」
The young men and women in work clothes who were still in their late teenage were desperately trying to open the door. But, it was a huge metal door. It wouldn’t open unless it was operated from the console.
That huge door itself also had a three-meter tall door that was likely to be exclusive entrance for the worker robots, but it was a sliding door with no handle. As expected it couldn’t be opened by human strength.
They could only bang on the door with their fists desperately, while yelling 「Open the door!」「Can’t anyone do something from over there-」 to their friends who might be outside at the other side.
「Calm down」
Listy ran toward them at that point. She took position in front of the small door and activated her chainsaw while staring sharply at the door.
(Setting aside if it’s from outside, the thickness of the inner wall where the cables are running doesn’t amount to much. Then, if I cut the power supply cable……)
Mother too didn’t anticipate that this place would be attacked. After all, this was a world where human couldn’t possibly have the strength, and in the first place it was a plant for sky machine soldier. It had enough fighting strength. There was no necessity to construct the building solidly like a fortress.
That was why, even Listy’s chainsaw that was for metal was strong enough to cut the wall.
But, it would take too much time to pierce until the outside and carve out an exit.
That was exactly why she dealt only the required damage to the required place!
(That’s what Oto――Onii-san would do!)
「Here!」
She estimated the spot and thrust her chainsaw. Loud noise and sparks scattered. The researchers who were dispatched here hurriedly took some distance away from it.
「Listy! Those guys are-」
「Q-quick!!」
「Don’t rush me! Or rather, if you guys have time to panic then go grab some weapons!」
「「Weapons?」」
「What are those crowbar and hammer hanging on your waists!?」
「「They are tools though!?」」
「What are tools for!!」
「「They’re for work thoughh!?」」
It seemed that crowbar and hammer were weapon in Listy’s perception. There, a sinister sound came from above.
「Something worse coming-」
「Noooooo, I don’t want to dieeeeeee」
Its appearance was, more or less like a crab maybe. It had four arms, and each was attached with a rotating blade, a burner, electric discharge device, and a drill.
Various tools were stored inside the box on its back. Most likely it was a worker robot for repairing the inside of the factory with a function to freely exchange its parts to deal with various situation――that was the possibility that they could think about this type.
Such robot was emerging in great number. From the ceiling to the pillar, or perhaps from pillar to pillar. They were approaching like spiders weaving through the gaps of the equipment and machines of the factory.
「Why, why is something like this happeningggg!!」
Yeah, really, why? Listy muttered inside her heart while tearing the wall and splendidly severing the cable in one strike.
(There’s no way G10 would blunder. What’s going on?)
There was no way G10 would just ignore machines attacking mankind. Much less leading something like that to this land, there was no way she would do that.
It was really sudden. They were just exploring and investigating the inside of the factory like usual. They also weren’t fiddling with the console recklessly because it was in working condition. At the very least there wasn’t any plan for that in today’s work schedule.
Did someone ignore that and touch the console? But, would the left open door got closed completely and the work robots attacked them all at once just because of that?
Or else was there some kind of electric trap installed and it activated when it detected human? No, that was exactly the thing that G10 couldn’t possibly miss……
Her body kept moving without faltering even while her brain was working. Listy pressed the switch to change the left hand’s function from electricity to magnetism, turning the fist into a powerful magnet.
She stuck it to the metal door and slid it aside with full driving force.
*Gigigi-* The door was moving bit by bit.
「Start go through from the smaller guy first!!」
「Listy! You’re really one amazing girl!!」
「I love you Listy-channn!!」
The one with slim body squeezed through the gap to outside first. Although, there were twenty-odd people inside the factory. It would take a bit of time for everyone to get out.
「As expected from the governor’s little sister! I thought I saw him at first when you came for us here!」
「Hmph」
Listy huffed to hide her embarrassment.
Yes, originally there were more people inside this place. There must be nearly a hundred of them.
The majority managed to escape outside before the door closed completely. This place was a working relic. Evacuating right away when unexpected working was found out in case for the worst was the instruction that Jasper had thoroughly lectured into them.
But, this factory was simply spacious. Naturally there were also people who were too deep inside that they didn’t make it in time for escaping.
When she heard that, even though she had managed to escape outside, Listy voluntarily leaped back into the factory before the door closed completely.
Of course, it was partly because she didn’t think there was any danger inside as someone who knew the truth. The rampage of the robots was completely outside her expectation.
She was simply rushing back in just in case, thinking that she would be able to deal with any kind of accident if it was her riding on this frame.
It resulted in her saving more than twenty of her comrades.
「I’ll buy time! Get out quickly!」
After opening the door to width that was enough for people to get out one by one, Listy immediately turned her frame around.
She blocked the rotating blade of the crab-shaped repair robot that jumped down from above using her chainsaw. Without pause her chainsaw kept mowing aside and once again blew away the floating robot approaching from the side.
「Shit, this one isn’t build for battle. If only I know this would happen, I’d load up more weapo――I mean more inventions in this thing!!」
Yes, this frame that was like a humanoid robot attached on a tank was Listy’s invention. While Hajime was staying here, to the end it was mainly just Listy who worked on it with Hajime only giving advice at most, even so this frame was still a memorable invention that was finished and suitable for practical use through their joint effort.
Also, from a glance it could be seen as a vicious weapon but that wasn’t the case at all. To the end it was just for work.
The left arm that was flooded with electricity was for assisting with work through applying electric current and magnetism. The chainsaw was simply just for dismantling. It was attached with caterpillar track only for test drive on mountain district. By no means they intended to use it as tank.
And the plant’s scale was as could be seen. As expected there was limit with just human strength to travel and work inside it. Right now the work here was only done at the surface level like mapping the factory on the whole or investigating various places. If anything the development of the pioneer village was more prioritized, but in the future actual heavy machinery and machinery to assist with the working in the factory would be required.
This frame was allowed to be brought here at the open for test drive in preparation for that.
It went without saying, this frame was also Listy’s ride for in case Jasper didn’t give her permission to go to the plant.
Of course, it drove Jasper to his wit’s end.
But, so far as it went, it was just an existing vehicle fused with humanoid robot frame, furthermore the control wasn’t with electronic control but with puppeteering method. If anything it was a primitive type.
They tried secretly showing it to just Jessica but, the frame’s working was within understandable enough range (although, Jessica was making face of incomprehension toward the inventor Listy like when an ordinary person was looking at a genius) so, well, guess it would be fine to give her the okay for the future effort too……Jasper judged.
Getting back on topic(Let’s just forget about that matter).
「In addition it doesn’t even has self-destruct installed!! Big bro, I’ll make you regret it!!」
How uncool! How defective! I’m ashamed! It was as though she was saying htat. She was really Hajime’s daughter. Also, Jessica-san who said 「Whaaat’s this?」 when she noticed the self-destruct mechanism, Jasper who made her took it off with a serious face and reported it to Mindy after that, and Mindy who scolded her and gave her spanking until she cried, Good Job.
「Listy!」
The floating robots wrestled her. Even as she kept hacking them apart with her chainsaw, two more, the second, than the third clung on her.
She burned the crab robot with her left hand’s electric discharge and it started smoking and rolled over, but the number didn’t lie. She couldn’t keep up.
Other crab robots also dropped one after another to wrestle her down. The outside of the iron bars surrounding her was completely filled with mono eyes shining ominously.
The rotating blades and burners were cutting apart or melting down the bars.
At the same time, four of the five small lamps under her feet were dying down. Right now the fifth was starting to blink. Her frame’s battery was running out.
It was already the limit. But,
「Listy! That’s enough!」
She succeeded in buying time.
Several of the bars were plucked away. A floating robot was putting in its arm from the gap.
Before the hand grabbed Listy, she made the frame backed away while sliding back her seat. And then she unlocked the iron plate beneath her and pulled it up.
「Oto――Onii-san said that self-destruct and escape mechanism are absolutely necessary(Romance)!」
*Thump* Listy escaped right underneath the vehicle. The floating robot’s arm grabbed at empty air in vain.
Listy followed the backing movement of her frame to hide between the caterpillar tracks. At the end she used the small size of her body to perform head sliding below the floating robot.
Like that she slid through the door’s gap and escaped splendidly.
A second later, Listy turned toward the stopping frame. The floating robot was sandwiched between the door and the frame. Listy took out some kind of button.
A cable was extending through the door’s gap toward the frame. She carried it out at the same time with her escape.
「He also said, keep some spare ammo――I mean, spare battery till the end, was it?」
*Click* Instantly, powerful electrical discharge was generated from the frame to all directions.
The self-destruct mechanism was uninstalled. But, she wasn’t told to remove the self-destroying device too. Electrical discharge would fly to the surrounding during that self-destroying no matter what, that’s all. It seemed that what happened here.
The robots surrounding the frame were all downed. The wreckages of the robots miraculously formed a barricade that blocked the door’s gap.
「We can buy a bit of time with this. Let’s run now while we can and hide somewhere――」
This was a mountain district. There were hiding places everywhere like cave or valley. Of course, it was still far from being safe but, in any case they needed to get away from the plan to have some time to think.
For now they should link up with everyone in the pioneering village first. The people who got away first should have informed the people there, so they should meet up somewhere……Listy focused her thought on that as she turned around,
「Ah……」
Her voice slipped out.
The more than twenty people she allowed to escape ahead of her was huddling together into one cluster. In front of them were nearly thirty robots.
It seemed the robot went ahead of them. Perhaps these were the transportation robots to carry heavy metal material. Actually these were the complete version of the robot that was chasing around Jasper and others at the same time right now at Coltran. So many of them were lined up in a row. Their massive lower body that looked like elephant’s legs took a step forward *thump* with a loud sound.
「L-Listy……」
One female researcher looked back over her shoulder. Her expression was twitching from fear. Listy instantly made her decision when she saw those eyes.
「Not yet!!」
「Listy!?」
The first call was surely a plead. The second call was asking to stop, and also regret.
It was a horribly regretful voice that because of her pleading, a girl far younger than her decided to step forward.
(Sorry, I can’t keep the promise!!)
She apologized inside her heart to everyone who believed in her. She instantly resolved herself to throw away the future that she dreamed of.
That was the heaviest price that Listy could pay. Because it was an act that betrayed the trust of Hajime and Jasper and others on her, and a decision that disqualified her to call G10 as her teacher.
Yes, she decided to rely on the artifacts that Hajime entrusted to her in case the worst happened. She decided to protect everyone with a barrier artifact, then fight using offensive artifact to buy time so everyone could escape.
It went without saying, those artifacts weren’t handed to her for protecting other people. Keeping them concealed was the absolute conditions of her receiving them.
If it was Hajime and others than perhaps they would take this situation into consideration and gave her allowance.
But, she didn’t take action with that as the premise. Listy herself wouldn’t tolerate such spoiled mentality.
That was why, at the very least Listy rushed forward with the resolve of losing her treasured future. 「Don’t!」「Stop-」 The adults screamed but she ignored them. She shook off the hands reaching at her.
「It doesn’t worth people’s lives!!」
She blocked the way. She spread out her arms as though to offer herself to block the way.
She placed her absolute trust on the “protection” that was given to her from that person she loved and respected.
She stared straight at the approaching huge metal fist that filled her field of vision.
And then,
『Good grief, child like you is really just……』
「!」
The metal fist stopped still. It was just around 30 cm away from Listy’s face.
「Tea, cher……?」
Surely there was nobody that heard her small murmur. Other than G10 who was connected to her with the Holy Tree’s power.
『Listy, listen well.』
G10 gave her no chance to say anything and told her of the emergency situation.
For the time being, Listy ignored the people behind her who were still freezing and looking at the suddenly stopped robots with trepidation. She pretended to investigate the robots while listening to G10.
Like that, Listy who finished listening to the same explanation like what Jasper received,
『Got it. For now I’ll return to the pioneer village and calm down everyone there so they don’t panic. But, it’s a bit unfortunate.』
However, even while showing understanding of the situation unlike Jasper, for some reason she also showed a slightly dejected look.
『Unfortunate……is it?』
『Yeah. It hasn’t been three days since I came here. The situation is like this, so we’ll definitely get called back to Coltran for the moment. No matter what kind of explanation big bro made up, I don’t think I’ll be able to come to the plant for the time being. ……I want to look around the plant a bit more. Ah, but it’s great harvest that I could see the robots moving around, so I guess I shouldn’t ask for even more.』
『Good grief, child like you really is just……』
Listy wondered why. Even though G10 didn’t have any hand, she got the image that G10 was holding her head in her wit’s end.
『The world is an unprecedented danger right now you know?』
『But, there’s no way they can beat Oto――Ani-san and others. Void gods aren’t a big deal.』
She spoke like she was saying the natural providence. She had zero tension and sense of danger. For Listy, that seemed to be a done deal.
G10 couldn’t say anything anymore facing that absolutely confidence.
『Rather than that……sorry, teacher. I was about to use artifacts in front of other people. You can boil or grill me as you like. I’m prepared!!』
『Being too resolved might be your flaw instead.』
If Hajime and others heard those words just now they would surely point to G10 that those words were a total boomerang against herself. Even though the lesson still hadn’t started, these two were already like real teacher and student.
There, a noisy atmosphere came from behind. What is it this time!? Listy thought while noises that could only come from people who were mentally at the limit rose here and there.
Thick mist. White mist started enveloping the surrounding area suddenly. Their field of vision was gradually getting blocked.
「This is――」
『Please be at ease. There’s no problem.』
Right after that, Listy felt something passing through her as though it directly reached her heart. The sensation felt like a breeze passing through inside her body.
『I think it’s called “Soul Repose”. This is her magic for calming the mind. This mist too.』
『That’s……I see』
Listy took a really deep breath. She put her strength into her voice and yelled 「Everyone! Let’s go back to the village for now! We gotta meet up with everyone there!」.
The men and women who were at a daze because their hearts had also calmed down returned to their senses with a gasp when they heard her. 「Certainly!」 They nodded at each other and jogged toward the village even while fearfully or warily looking at the stopped robots.
「Come on, you too Listy-chan! We might get lost if we don’t reach the village before the mist gets thicker.」
The female researcher from before extended her hand. She must be offering to hold her hand so they wouldn’t separate.
It was a bit embarrassing, but seeing the woman’s hand slightly shaking, Listy took it without really complaining.
And then, she strongly gripped that hand,
「It’s fine. There’s nothing to worry.」
She said,
『Ani-san’s wife came to help after all.』
And she muttered inside her heart.
She did that while looking up at the female researcher. *Grin*, she smiled strongly even though in this situation.
For some reason the female researcher’s face blushed red.
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It must be a shocking sight if seen from space.
Perhaps it would look like a super huge typhoon suddenly came into being. Or perhaps, because unlike typhoon there was no swirling and there was also no eye of the typhoon so it would look like a part of the planet was a whitespace.
It wholly covered Coltran and the plant that were separated by 400 km of distance, and also double than distance around it――it had the total diameter of 800 km. It was a super wide ranged “pure white mist”.
「Fuu……the barrier is finished.」
A small mutter faintly resounded in a completely unknown spot inside that pure white thick mist.
The originator who created this “pure white mist” that was a barrier was Aiko.
Like usual, she had new equipment.
To put it bluntly, it was “white witch” equipment.
A characteristic pointy hat with brim that was far wider than shoulder width along with limp and winding tip part, fish tail type robe with cuffs that were wider than the wearer’s torso, frilly bouse and miniskirt, thin tights, short boots with the tips curling up……and all of them were pure white.
And then, a gently floating broom (as expected it was also white) where she was sitting on sideways.
She was a flawless witch. Though perhaps she ought to be called as “witch girl” thanks to her dainty body and childish face……
Anyway, that was her new combat outfit. Her hair color was also changing to white color like snow as proof of the activation of her apostle mode, so the nickname “white witch” really suited her with such appearance.
(Even so, being told that witch style suit me because I’m a female magician who create sea of trees……certainly I made a request and said it would be delightful if I have a robe that allow me to blend into mist but still……)
This feels like cosplay……Aiko thought while feeling like she couldn’t calm down at all. In fact, when she tried it out in her apostle mode, Hajime started a photoshoot in high spirits so the feeling became even stronger than necessary.
(W-well, it wasn’t a bad feeling to be told a lot that it looks good on me or I look adorable though……)
Or rather from the middle she only had memory of herself also getting into the mood and made a lot of poses. She got a bit awakened from the great feeling of the person she loved showering her with praises and focusing completely on her or something.
Rather, nearing the end she did things like making slightly lewd pose, or intentionally disheveling her clothes to seduce――
「Just what am I rememberingggggg!!」
She regained her sanity with a self-slap (enchanted with “Soul Repose”)!!
Aiko who got dejected by herself took a deep breath.
Right after that, shining bright spheres floated up around her. They started circling around Aiko gently like planets.
「Anyway, I need to lay the groundwork for attack before the enemies can reach the sea of trees……」
This time, the “sea of trees manifestation” was only around Coltran and the plant. As expected deploying the sea of trees throughout the whole 800 km diameter would take too much time.
She detected multiple reactions through the thick mist. It looked like the “void god” that appeared at the outer space was used as bait while a group that ought to be called as “void god force” immediately descended to the surface.
Their class was around 4 it seemed. But their number was great. The thick mist’s “confusion effect” seemed to take effect so far, so their straight advance toward Coltran was currently showing signs of walking astray.
She made the preparation to fire super wide range magic toward them.
「――Fifth Limit Break」
Aiko’s power swelled up slowly but certainly.
「――Imagine, imagine it strongly. To “absolutely protect”」
Aiko closed her eyes, placed her hands on the broom, and muttered as though to persuade herself, or perhaps to hypnotize herself.
That was Aiko’s new magic.
Perhaps it ought to be named something like soul magic “Thought Wave”. The principle was simple. Using magic that ought to be called as the powerful version of the application of soul magic “Telepathy”, she pushed her own thought into the opponent to throw their thought into chaos.
In the case this time, she loosed the thought wave of absolutely protecting the people of Coltran to the beings that were trying to devour the people of Coltran.
What happened as the result?
Contradiction in thought. Their thought became horribly disordered from the contradiction that they had to protect the one that they wanted to harm.
The will to attack the beings in the side of Coltran’s protection wavered altogether. Hesitation formed, and not only that, depending on the situation they would hinder their allies who managed to suppress their confusion and showed the will to attack, or even became shield to stop their ally’s attack.
Let’s be blunt.
This was “thought erosion” or perhaps “contamination” that was close to being “brainwashing”. From the enemy’s perspective that was.
Perhaps because of her inherent personality, Aiko had no aptitude with this magic and was unable to use it until now.
It went without saying that impairment due to personality could be overcome with overwhelming technique. She obtained that technique from thoroughly mastering soul magic in order to be able to create perfect clone.
The result of that was being displayed right now.
「――”I will absolutely, protect the people of this world――!!”」
Faint pink ripples, no, waves of light that ought to be called as tsunami instead were surging to all directions through the world of thick mist.
――I love Hajime-kunnnnnnn!!
Even such intense thought came along the ride.
「……」
――Loo~~oo~~vee~~eeeeeeeeeeee!!
As though to represent ripples, it was released many times like waves in the middle of the activation.
――Love love love love love loveeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!
Aiko’s expression was turning red *Kyuu~~*.
――Looo~~~~~~~~~~~
The raging waves of thought showered the “void gods” on the ground. Their thoughts 『W-WE ALL……L-L-L-, LO, LOLO, LOVE HAJIME-KUNNNNNNN????』 became absurdly messed up.
――Veee~~~~~~~~~~~!!!!
Aiko noticed that through the thick mist and her eyes opened wide in bewilderment.
「E-Eeeeeeeeeeeeeh!?」
Her thought became absurdly messed up.
This was her first time using the magic in actual battle, on top of that the heaped up buffs like the apostle mode and the Limit Breaks made the condition different compared to her training.
But, she even half-hypnotized herself to amplify “The strong feeling that I ought to harbor right now”. Even if it was “a strong feeling that she was harboring regularly”, normally it wouldn’t go off on its own to rewrite the formula that formed the magic.
Then, why was something like this happening?
There was one thing that she could consider as the cause.
Her feeling toward Hajime rose multiplicatively due to the alignment magic and the shackle of her self-restrain was unconsciously undone. In short, she couldn’t control her habitual feeling and it spilled out.
In other words.
It was mostly Kaori-san’s fault. Alignment magic, it was terrifying.
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AN: Thank you very much for reading this every time.
Thank you very much too for the thoughts, opinions, and reports about misspelling and omitted words.
I’m thinking that I want to write Aiko’s side a bit more next week too. Depending on the length it might dig into the chapter of the next world.
※Meme introduction
– Keep spare ammo till the end
From Zaied of [Full Metal Panic]. The [Wind Blows at Home] arc, even though it’s a painful and bitter part, I like that episode. It really leaves an impression even among the whole series.
– Aiko’s new combat outfit’s image model
From the outfit of Elaina-san of [Wandering Witch].
– Loooooveeeeee!
From Fiona of chapter 21 of [Spy X Family]. The original is also good but I think the way she yell at the anime also came out nicely.
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