Chương 155: Chapter A-9:”Dark Clouds over Eln Continent 3″

While remaining vigilant of the surroundings so as to avoid attacks at any time. In the midst of falling, Lilna summoned her open-top car by autopilot. The vehicle that arrived was scarred and battered from constant abuse, looking almost like a wreck. But its performance had not yet faltered. As soon as she got in and accelerated, a shrill alarm began to ring. The city's emergency level jumped to maximum at once.

"To think the day would come when I would be the one being hunted..." Holding the steering wheel, she muttered to herself with a sorrowful expression. Lowering her altitude to use buildings as cover, she moved outward from the Central District. She knew each Trive Gate and entrance to the underground would have already been sealed by the security system. When she was the hunter, these systems were reassuring. Now that she was the prey, they were nothing but a nightmare. The only salvation was that Zacklay was gone.

The coordination of the encirclement had dropped significantly. Thanks to that, she had managed to escape without being shot down—so far. That's right. Zacklay is no longer here. If he were alive, he might have been an enemy. But ironically, his death was now allowing her to survive. And Tranity, too... If she were here, her Long-Distance Transfer would have made this escape effortless. Remembering the two of them again, Lilna felt a sharp pang in her chest.

While dodging flying bullets and shells, she drove toward the Outer Perimeter Gate. It was a reckless gamble, but she had no other choice. As she reached the outer wall, she entered the concentrated deployment zone of 《Phanon》. This was why escaping Diesnatura from the ground was considered an act of utter madness. Countless muzzles locked onto her car simultaneously. A fierce, concentrated bombardment was released from every angle. A torrent of beams, dyeing her vision bright red, converged on the car—.

In an instant, her beloved vehicle was evaporated without a trace. Of course, Lilna was not one to be taken down so easily. Just before the beams collided, she had leaped to the ground using 《Passtrive》. Without a moment to catch her breath, she sprinted toward the gate through the back alleys. But without her accelerator, 《Thrupter》, her movements lacked their usual fluid speed. She had slowed down to a point where she could be surrounded by sheer numbers. Finally, the Dieclan members closed in on her.

Civilians joined the circle, watching with a morbid curiosity." Traitor!"

"Kill her!"

"And we actually believed in you!"

"Die, Lilna!" A chorus of hatred erupted. Even though she knew this was the result of the CPD's psychological manipulation. Even though she knew it wasn't their true hearts speaking. Her own heart was breaking. She lowered her eyes, her face twisted in pain.

"All units! Fire! Shoot her down!" At the command of a familiar voice, a hail of bullets flew. Despite the pain, she raised her face resolutely. Glaring forward with clear blue eyes, she steeled herself. If I die here, who will clear the names of my comrades? Who will return these people to their true selves? Do you expect me to leave it all to Yu and the others? That would be cowardice! I cannot afford to die! Lilna steeled her resolve to face her former allies.

Dodging bullets aimed at her head, she charged into the Dieclan ranks without drawing her blade. Even without 《Deatress》, her special-made limbs and armor were incredibly sturdy. As long as her head wasn't hit, no wound would be immediately fatal. But every time a bullet sparked against her body, her soul felt the sting. As she reached the front ranks, she used 《Passtrive》 to gain as much distance as possible. Because Plato's attack had disabled her Buster Trive Mode, she couldn't perform continuous warps.

It was a desperate, calculated decision. But even that was a drop in the bucket. In an instant, she was buried under a tide of angry mobs and police.

"Don't come near me!" Finally, she was pinned by the sheer violence of numbers. Arms grabbed her. Legs clung to her. In this state, even 《Passtrive》 was useless—anyone touching her would simply be warped along with her. Then, from somewhere, the mob drew their Slaith blades. Lilna's eyes widened. As several Natura slashed at her simultaneously, she realized she was truly about to be killed. She was forced to make a choice." 《Inclear》. Shifting to Combat Mode." The light blades slid from her gauntlets with a hiss.

The automated system message sounded cruelly cold in her ears." Stop it! Please...! Don't make me do this!" Without her barrier, even she was overwhelmed by the crowd. When Yu first arrived in this world, he had faced numbers too, but the Natura then were normal. Now, they were fanatics who had discarded their own lives, attacking her without mercy. If I don't fight, I die. Even as her mechanical heart screamed, Lilna couldn't stop her blades. Finally, the first victim fell.

A man screamed as his hand was severed at the wrist. The crowd erupted in a frenzy.

"Look! She attacked a fellow Natura!"

"Traitor! Monster!"

"Kill her! Don't let her live!" She had to keep swinging. If she hesitated for even a second, she would be the one torn apart.

"Get away! I beg you... Get away! I don't want to kill you!" But the mob, turned into mindless thugs, attacked without flinching. Advancing was impossible. She didn't even know how many she had cut down. If she used 《Frazor》, she could clear the area instantly. But the resulting pile of corpses would be unforgivable. She couldn't bring herself to do it.

"Don't come near... Stop...! Why... why is this happening... Stop it...!" Each time her blade met resistance, she felt a heavy wedge driven into her soul. It was a battle of pure torture. But just as it seemed the nightmare would never end. The crowd suddenly split like a retreating wave. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Appearing from the back were three figures Lilna knew all too well. They stood in combat stances, facing her." Steargol... Zeed...

Even Brinda..." Her voice was weak, but she didn't have the strength to care. Her eyes swayed with sorrow. Steargol, the massive man, slammed his log-like arms together with a heavy gashan. He spoke in a formal, booming tone.

"I never thought the day would come when I'd point these fists at the Captain." Beside him, the old-fashioned Zeed and the green-haired Brinda continued.

"To think Lilna, who fought harder than anyone for Natura, would do this..."

"A traitorous Captain. What a tragic sound." Lilna knew that in her weakened state, facing three special-type colleagues at once was a death sentence. But more than that, the fact that her closest friends were here to kill her was the final blow. A dry, hollow laugh escaped her lips.

"Ha... ha, ha. I see. You guys, too, huh..." She didn't lower her blades, but her spirit was on the verge of shattering. Only a tragic sense of mission kept her upright. Zeed's mouth opened wide. Lilna, having fought beside him for years, knew what was coming. Heat Ray Attack. I must dodge. Her mind knew it. But her body felt like lead. It wouldn't move. The next moment, a beam of terrifying heat was released. It streaked toward her as she stood frozen. And—. It didn't hit her.

Instead, the beam mowed down the feet of the mob behind her, rooting them out. The molten metal of the ground flowed like liquid, pinning the fanatics in place. Despair vanished from Lilna's face, replaced by shock. By the time she realized she'd been tricked. Zeed was wearing a sly, mischievous grin." Go, Captain Lilna. We'll hold them here."

"Zeed...! You idiot!" Lilna wanted to scream. If she could shed tears, she would have wept then and there. Steargol, no longer needing to play the part of the hunter, let out a hearty laugh.

"We never really cared much about the government or the organization, you know." He slammed his Power Arm into the ground, sending a shockwave that tore up the metal street. Dozens of Natura were tossed into the air like leaves." We followed you because we liked you, Captain! Always have!"

"Steargol...!" Brinda, standing calmly beside them, activated her specialized gas device.

"I don't know the full story. But knowing you, I'm sure there's a reason. A reason for Tranity, too..." A cloud of special gas that corroded Natura joints sprayed in all directions—except toward her allies. Natura collapsed everywhere, their bodies seizing up. The area of effect was massive.

"I've opened one of the gates and made sure it won't close immediately. The nuisances are taken care of, and there's a car waiting. Run." Lilna's eyes wavered. She understood. The three of them intended to let "only" her escape. This was their final stand. Naturally, she wanted to take them with her. But in her condition, they would all die. Outside Diesnatura lay vast hilly plains with no cover. To reach the safety of the Nirei Forest, someone had to stay and blunt the pursuit.

Specifically, someone had to suppress Plato, the invincible sniper. She closed her eyes, her resolve hardening.

"Steargol, Zeed, Brinda. I thank you. And as your Captain, I order you." She put her entire soul into the command." Don't die. Once I'm gone, you must escape too. Do you hear me? Do not die!""" Roger!"" With their spirited reply ringing in her ears, Lilna sprinted toward the gate. The enemy tried to follow, but the three held them back. Using 《Passtrive》, she vanished into the darkness beyond the gate. Once her figure was gone. Steargol laughed, a sound of grim acceptance.

He looked out at the mob of over ten thousand closing in and shrugged.

"Well then. We said that, but... frankly, this is going to be tough. The Captain asks the impossible, as usual."

"Kukkukku. Indeed. But then, she always did."

"Gahahaha! True enough!... And Plato will be here soon, too."

"Right...

'Eliminate her,' he says. I didn't want to see Lilna with such a sad face."

"Alright. Let's give him a punch he'll never forget! Maybe it'll wake him up!"

"I'm usually fed up with your rough ways, Steargol... but this time, I fully agree." The army was reorganizing. The enemy was ready.

"Let's do this flashily! I don't know how long we'll last, but let's give 'em hell!"

"You won't be fighting alone. I've got your back, Steargol." Back to back, the two shared a fearless grin. Brinda poked their shoulders.

"Hey, don't forget me in your 'manly friendship' moment."

"Oops! Sorry, Brinda! You're always so graceful, I almost missed you."

"I'll take that as a compliment." They felt strangely at peace. Compared to Zacklay and Tranity, who died alone. Being able to die fighting alongside comrades was a mercy. Steargol thought for a moment.

"... If it's Yu. Can we trust him with the Captain?"

"Who knows. But he's a strange one. He'll do right by her."

"I still resent him for shooting me," Brinda pouted.

"But... he didn't kill me in the end." At that moment, the dam broke. The mob surged forward.

"Seems the idle talk is over..."

"They're eager to taste my gas."

" Now, let's begin! Dielevats' Last Stand!" With Steargol's roar, the three threw themselves into the abyss of battle. Lilna floored the accelerator. Far behind her, she could see pillars of fire rising higher than the city walls. Then, slowly, the flames subsided. Silence returned. The worst ending had likely come. Lilna slammed her fist against the steering wheel. The horn blared emptily. I knew it. I knew it. In that situation, there was no hope for Steargol, Zeed, or Brinda. Even though I knew...!

I chose to leave them... I had to. Regret filled her mind like a poison. My fault. Everything is my fault. If only I had been stronger! If only I had noticed the truth sooner!

"Everyone... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry...!" It was late at night. I felt a surge of killing intent that I remembered all too well and bolted upright. I transformed into a man and rushed to the source. In a deserted back alley, she was standing alone. She looked terrible. She was barely holding herself upright. She must have crawled here on the verge of death." Lilna... Oh god...! You're in pieces!"

"Heh... I thought... you'd notice me if I did this..." She gave a self-mocking smile. The power that usually radiated from her eyes had vanished. In its place was a fragile sadness, the look of someone who had lost the will to live. My heart ached with worry.

"Hold on! What happened?"

"... I failed. My comrades... they're all... gone..." Her strength gave out, and she stumbled. I rushed forward and caught her, supporting her with my one good arm. Her long hair brushed against my face. Leaning into me powerlessly, she whispered her biting regret.

"Ha... I'm so helpless. At the moment it mattered most... I was just saved. I couldn't do anything..." It hit me then. She's just like me...

"Hey, Yu... Those who died... Those left behind... is it always this painful?"

"Lilna..." She spun her words slowly, blaming herself with every breath.

"I killed so many who didn't deserve it... The Humites will hate me forever." I felt her jaw tighten against my neck.

"The one I believed in most... betrayed me so easily." Plato. I didn't know what to say. She buried her face in my shoulder.

"The Natura I wanted to protect... I had to kill them too... My friends... they just slip through my fingers, one after another..." She was on the verge of shattering. I was afraid that if I let go, she would never stand up again.

"Why, Yu? Why did it come to this? What should I have done? What do I do now? I don't know... I don't know..." I couldn't hold back anymore. I hugged her with everything I had. I just wanted to hold her." It's okay! It's okay... You don't have to carry this alone. You don't have to be responsible for everything...!" I could feel her trembling through my skin. I held her tighter, trying to absorb the pain.

"I've been there! I've had so many things go wrong... countless times! I've made the wrong choices... I've failed to save the people I loved... over and over again!" We're the same. I see it now. You're no different from me! I've always thought the same—that if I had just been stronger, things would be different. Everyone lives with regret. It's not just you! You don't have to punish yourself like this!

"So... it's okay. Some things are beyond our control. You can stop being so strong. You can rely on me. The pain, the guilt... you can share it. It's okay to be weak."

"... Who can I rely on? I have... nothing left..."

"I can't replace your friends. But... will I do? Maybe I can help you, even just a little." Lilna pushed me back, startled. She looked at me as if I were something impossible.

"How can you be so naive? You know who cut off that arm, don't you? Don't you hate me...?" I glanced at my empty left shoulder and spoke nonchalantly.

"It's fine. It'll probably grow back eventually." Probably once I go to the next world, anyway. Thinking it was a dark joke, Lilna let out a long sigh.

"Hah... being with you... it really does drive me crazy."

"If it gets you out of this mood, then I'm glad I can drive you crazy."

"Hmph. Indeed." She seemed to have regained a tiny spark of life.

"Then... forget what I do next. Promise."

"Understood. Another debt, then?"

"... Fine." I knew she needed to let it out without feeling ashamed. Burying her face in my chest, Lilna wailed. Though she couldn't shed tears, she cried with her entire soul. With a voiceless voice, she repented. She called the names of her friends over and over. Until she had poured out every drop of her grief, I simply stroked her head gently.