Chương 173: Chapter 53: “Elntia Independence War 3”

Lilna and I can display our strength fully in one-on-one combat. However, fighting against an overwhelming number of opponents was a bit tough for us. We don't possess techniques that are both effective against many and easy to use. I have to transform into a woman each time and manage with limited mana. Meanwhile, Lilna's 《Frazor》 is powerful, but it would drag the surroundings into the destruction. 《Selphanon》 is strong, but because it's a major technique, it can't be fired repeatedly.

On the other hand, Steargol is a close-quarters combat type like Lilna and me. But he can target and destroy a wide area using his Power Arms. Zeed and Brinda, judging from their original functions, specialize in group battles and medium-to-long ranges. As expected, fighting isn't just about simple strength. Those three may not match Lilna in simple combat power, but they can do things that she and I cannot. In fact, with the addition of the three members of Dielevats, the battle situation improved visibly.

The ferocity of the Prelions, which had been pressing down on us as if to crush us, was cleanly chipped away by the wide-range attacks unleashed by each of the three. Even if they tried to escape into the air, the mysterious gas used by Brinda mercilessly knocked them down. Prelions whose movements were stopped were significantly easier to deal with. At this point, morale rose greatly, and the coordination of the reorganized units was demonstrated to the fullest.

Ironically, the Slaughter Angels had turned into pitiful existences that were merely being slaughtered themselves.... Yeah. This is a task for the future. Even in a world like this where magic is rarely usable, it's necessary to have at least one effective attack method for one-vs-many situations. Besides, if I can't deal satisfactorily with enemies just because they fly up a bit, I still have a long way to go.

Watching the three's success from the side, I thought about such things while biting my lip at my own inadequacy. Once the visible range was mostly cleaned up, we decided to split the unit into two as planned. Since the three from Dielevats said they would take the lead in suppressing the Central Factory and the Central Processing Plant. I changed my plan and decided to head for the suppression of the Dieclan Headquarters with Lilna.

We decided to plan countermeasures together for the Geal-Fendas-Baragion, which we hadn't seen yet. Asty also said she would follow me and joined the Third Unit. After that, the suppression of the headquarters itself was achieved without much difficulty. Once we reached the interior of the base, they couldn't send large numbers against us at once indoors. Since we only had to defeat them individually, it was an unmatched situation for Lilna and me.

Thanks to the precise support of the sniper team led by Asty, the headquarters fell into our hands without any casualties.

"Take those with severe injuries to the infirmary. Everyone else, immediately begin recovering useful equipment." Lilna shouted orders from the makeshift operations command room. I was in the same room, but I decided to sit on a nearby bench and rest my body. Since I'm exhausted from continuous fighting, it's better to rest when I can. Just as everyone found their roles and started moving, Lilna walked up and spoke to me.

"Now we can finally take countermeasures."

"Finally."

"Even you seem a bit worn out, as expected."

"Unlike you, I'm flesh and blood, you know." When I shrugged and chuckled slightly, she smiled back in the same way. With just a hint of irony.

"Sorry for being a tireless machine woman."

"Haha. I didn't say anything was wrong with that." Once the situation calmed down a bit. I suddenly wondered about Lenks and Will, who must be confronting each other in the universe far above. I looked up at the ceiling vaguely.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Just wondering how things are going over there." It seems she took it in a different meaning. Rather, it would be natural to think so.

"It seems Lasla is doing well on her end too."

"That's good to hear." While giving a vague reply, I continued my thoughts. Will must have done something again. The explosion that suddenly occurred underground at the Central Factory—I can only think so. But—if he wanted to kill us, he could have easily done so during that explosion.

'That's true.'

"Me" nodded too. Far from that, he could have blown up Diesnatura entirely. Yet he dared not to. That part bothers me.

'What is he thinking...?'

'I have no idea either...' With just one person, he causes situations that could destroy the world. That's right. He hasn't destroyed the world yet. Even though he should be able to do it anytime if he wanted. If he wanted to, with just one person. Yes. Just one person. That phrase echoed in my head. That's why. That's why I just can't bring myself to like the unreasonable strength of the FabLs. Absurd power merely granted by the Star Pulse. Even if we desperately join forces, we fall far short of even one of them.

The logic of overwhelming power prevails. Only for them. It feels like being mocked from far above, and I don't like it. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

'We're always being pushed around, aren't we? Us.'

'Really.' Our fates are being toyed with by the whims of Transcendents whose thoughts we can't understand. It's like having a nuclear weapon pressed against our throats. A hand is always on the launch button. But... I can't say much about others either. The same power dwells within me. A power that is mostly uncontrollable and has an even worse nature. I'm not strong enough to complain, and I use whatever I can use, but. If I could avoid relying on such terrifying power, nothing would be better.

It's like a bomb that could go off at any moment. If this fully explodes—'What will happen to me and you, I wonder.'

'I won't let that happen.'

'I know. But...' Judging from my experience so far, I feel like nothing good will come of it.

"You seem deep in thought. If you don't mind, I'll listen." Lilna had sat next to me before I noticed, peering into my eyes with concern. I always have"Me" listen to my stories, but if I can rely on a person, it's better to rely on them. I decided to speak honestly.

"... There is a tremendous power sleeping within me that even I can't control well. It's that power I let go out of control once when I fought you."

"That, huh..." Remembering it, Lilna lightly rubbed the area of her stomach where she was punched back then. Looking into her eyes, I continued.

"When I couldn't control that power. I just started thinking that maybe the one who would mess up this world might be me, having lost my proper reason." When I took revenge on my relatives as a child. The awakening in the floating city Edel. The rampage in Diesnatura. In every instance I can think of immediately, I had no proper reason left. I don't know what I might do myself.

"Is it that much of a power?" She didn't laugh it off as ridiculous but listened seriously. I nodded.

"It is. In terms of potential alone, something far more terrifying than anything in this world is sleeping inside." Faced with a strong enemy, won't I be swallowed by this power? That was my worry. If I do that, I might be able to win against Baragion alone. But I couldn't help feeling that I would lose something more important in return. I decided to explain simply. About my ability. About the World of Heart and the power dwelling there.

"If this power goes out of control again..."

"It will be fine." Lilna gripped my hand firmly. Startled, I looked at her, and her eyes seemed gentler than usual. Even though it should be made of metal, it felt warm like a human hand.

"If something happens to you, I will stop you then. Absolutely."

"... You will?" She nodded reliably. Showing a gesture of thinking a little, she spun words with a calm demeanor.

"Listening to your story, I somehow understood too. I'm going to say something very strange now, but please listen."

"Yeah."

"... Actually, since a little while ago, occasionally. Yu, your emotions have started to transmit faintly to me."

"What?" Hearing something so unexpected, I was dumbfounded. Perhaps expecting this reaction, she smiled lightly and continued without minding.

"Since then, my movements have clearly improved. As if added onto my original specs."

"Such a thing..."

"Yes. And once I realized it, it's not just me." Glancing at the door leading outside the room for a few moments, she returned her gaze to me.

"The movements of the Humites have also improved considerably. You might not know well, though."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. Originally, they were a group that struggled even against regular Dieclan soldiers. Thinking normally, there was no way they could match Prelions, which are far stronger. Yet, they are fighting satisfactorily to this extent." I hadn't noticed at all until she said it. I just assumed it was managing somehow because everyone was doing their best. But thinking calmly, it's certainly not a battle that can be managed just by spirit.

"The fact that casualties are low is surely thanks to the mysterious power you possess."

"My power..."

"That's right. You said it. That the manifestation of ability depends on the state of the heart. And that the connection of hearts turns into real power." I said it. I certainly said so. But I thought that was just a story between me and"Me". Lilna told me.

"Right now, towards one big battle, everyone is united in their thoughts. That connection uses the 'World of Heart' you possess as a core, and is giving us the power to fight. Probably." She said, "At least, isn't it wonderful to think so?" and placed her hand on my shoulder. Before I knew it, the distance had become so close that our bodies were about to touch. Her mouth was curved softly upward, contrary to her usual sternly tightened line.

Her blue eyes carried heat somewhere, staring at me intently as if seeing through my heart. When I became conscious that that smile was directed only at me. Even at a time like this, my heart skipped a beat.

"So, Yu. Don't think only about bad things. You can use that power for wonderful things. I think any power depends on how you use it."

"Certainly... you're right."

"Don't lose to such power. Don't be swayed. Master it instead. You can surely do it someday."

"... Thank you. I feel much better."

"After all, you defeated me, even if it was a fluke. I'd be troubled if you couldn't do at least that much." Having said that much unabashedly, perhaps she remembered and felt embarrassed. She hurriedly turned her face away. I thought she had a cute side. Watching her like that, I felt my chest becoming hot.

'She said something nice.'

'Yeah.' Really, thank you. You saved me. Lilna. It's as you say. If I avoid it because it's a terrifying power, it will stay like that forever. Surely, in this battle, I must be able to master my ability more actively than ever before. If I don't, I just had a premonition that I would lose. It's a move Will has played again. I don't think the same old way will work. Until now, regarding ability, I've relied solely on Lenks and "Me". But I realized it after using power many times on this journey in this world.

That's no good. Lenks isn't always around.

"Me" is a resident of the 'World of Heart'. Her existence itself is essentially subordinate to the ability. She is the best support role I could ask for, but there is inevitably a limit to what she can do.

'Because I was pathetic, I made you go through only painful experiences.'

'No. I was pathetic too. But it seems we finally grasped it a little.'

'That's right.' To truly control the ability, first of all, I myself must stand firm. I myself must clearly go beyond the framework of a human and decide to use the power. The resolve to control and use the power that I've only been swayed by until now. To protect what I really want to protect.... Will I become a monster? That worry is always there. Even now. But. If I have a strong heart not to lose to the power. And if I have someone's support. I should be able to remain human.

'Yeah. Surely it will be okay.' Let's believe so. Let's have the courage to take another step and the resolve to shoulder the risk. While continuing to join forces with"Me" as before. I looked firmly into her eyes and held out my right hand.

"Lilna. Please. Lend me your strength. If I'm with you, I feel like I can do my best." Lilna blinked her eyes as if slightly surprised, but returned my right hand with a genuinely happy smile.

"I will gladly be your strength. If I can be of help to you." When we exchanged a firm handshake, I clearly felt a warm power surging within me. Through the World of Heart, our hearts communicated. Lilna's affection, resolve for battle, various emotions mixed together and flowed smoothly into me. I was surprised. Because our emotions had never communicated so clearly until now. I didn't know when I became so deeply connected with her. Lilna, who was so hostile, feels so close now. I was happy about that.

Reading my determination, she stroked the armor on her chest with her left hand, chuckling softly.

"It seems you are ready."

"Yeah. I'll try." Just as the atmosphere was getting good, the door banged open, and a man jumped in energetically.

"Lilna-san! Maintenance of the Digridders is complete!"

"Ah, ah. Understood. I'm coming right away—Yu. There is something I want to show you a little." She gave me a signal with her eyes. Guided by her, I left the command room. Following her to a hangar that was exceptionally large compared to other buildings, I was blown away by what I saw there. What was there was a humanoid robot about a dozen meters high by estimation. There were no uselessly angular decorations, and the design was like a Natura—or rather, a Prelion simply enlarged.

A giant beam rifle was attached to its right arm, and there was a flat hole on its left arm that looked like it would emit a giant light blade. About twenty of such things were lined up in an orderly manner. After looking over them carefully, Lilna turned around and explained briefly.

"Mobile Weapon Digridder. It's a mechanism that allows Natura to move it freely like their own body by connecting electronically. In other words, it's like a giant Natura shell."

"I didn't know such things existed." Ignoring my admiration, she was thinking about how to use them.

"Since Humites can't handle these, we have no choice but to have the underground guys ride them."

"You won't ride one, Lilna?" She shook her head quietly.

"Because I'm stronger without using it. You know my alias, right?" She smiled self-deprecatingly with a "Hmph," but there was no gloom anywhere. She seemed proud to be a combat weapon now. After that, I was also introduced to something called an Anti-Large Weapon Armored Vehicle that seats four. As usual, this one flies through the sky at high speed and is equipped with something that significantly enhanced the red laser cannon 《Phanon》.

Although it probably won't reach the level of 《Selphanon》, considerable power could be expected. Once the equipment was ready, everyone gathered again. The three main forces, Steargol, Zeed, and Brinda, had also returned from the Fourth Unit, which had completely suppressed the Central Factory and Central Processing Plant. Furthermore, after a while, those with experience operating Digridders were dispatched from the underground.

They said they were former military Natura who were saved by Kudin when they were about to be disposed of due to injury malfunctions. We plan the operation against Baragion. It's obvious that it's meaningless for mere infantry to face a super-giant weapon. Therefore, most of them were asked to continue participating in the battle for the capital commanded by Lasla. Those heading to battle against Him were decided as the following forces.

As the First Force, those with weapon-class ability—that is, everyone from Dielevats and me. As the Second Force, elites riding the Anti-Large Weapon Armored Vehicles. Asty is also included here. As the Third Force, the Mobile Weapon Digridders. With these three forces, we will intercept the Scorched-Earth Destruction Weapon. As a war potential, it's precarious, but this is the best we can do. We must win no matter what.

Before long, information came in that a giant enemy shadow of the hundred-meter class was approaching at high speed from far south. Thirty Anti-Large Weapon Armored Vehicles and twenty Digridders immediately began advancing south from the Central District.