We were pushing towards the power reactor, and once we were moving down the passage near the outer wall because of the passage.

'You're really close to it, aren't you!

　I ask Luxion, and he replies as usual.

''No problem. Still, it's an internal structure that is difficult to understand. It lacks functional beauty.''

　Maybe it's because it's a fortress built by the newcomers, or maybe it really doesn't have any functional beauty.

　Luxion's complaining doesn't stop.

''Mostly, there is a lot of waste and this is not enough space--master!

　As soon as I moved back from the spot, the imperial armors broke through the wall and invaded.

''We've found you, intruders!

　It looks like they cut a hole in the outer wall and forced their way in through it.

"Tsk!

　Greg quickly jumps out and defeats the enemy and Julius sees the hole that the Imperial soldiers have invaded.

'Not good. The enemy is gathering.'

　A hole opens up and you can see the view outside.

　A few airships.

　And armor and monsters - lots of them.

"These guys don't do anything crazy.

'It's hard to deal with these numbers, isn't it?

　The enemy is gathering for this place.

　Then Brad stepped in front of us.

Then it's my turn to go out here. I'm sure you'll find that my plane is very good at dealing with a large number of people.

　The lance-shaped drone carried on its back could be controlled remotely.

　It was certainly suitable for dealing with a large number of people.

'Fool!　Can I leave you alone in here? You, in here--

　I swallow the word "weakest".

　But it was Brad himself who took over my words.

'Weakest, right?　I understand it myself. That's why I'm buying myself some time here.'

　Thanks to Brad's determination.

'You guys, why do you really only do things like this - okay, if it looks like you're not going to make it, run.

"You're going to have to be flattered that I'm catching up with you there.

　As we were about to move, Luxion said, 'I'll leave the drones in support,' and the drones with containers on their backs took up positions around Brad.

　Then Ziruk stopped moving.

'Rion-kun - and your highness. I'm sure you're not comfortable with Brad-kun alone. I'll stay here as well.''

　Julius's milk brother, Zilk, who was supposed to be Julius's milk brother and never leave his side, said such a thing.

　Julius also gives permission.

''Do as you please.''

'I'll let you do that. I don't want the enemy streaming in from here.

　A jilk with a large rifle at the ready shoots out the enemies who are quickly approaching.

　He called out to me.

''Excuse me, but please take care of your highness.''

You asked me to take care of him.

　When Julius heard this, he complained.

'What do you guys think I am? --Lion, let's go. We can't waste time.''

　Greg calls out to them.

'Don't you die!'

　They laughed.

'You are the ones.'

"Your highnesses will be careful.

◇

　Outside the fortress, the two men were clearing out the enemies that were rushing toward the hole in the wall.

　Brad sent his six lances flying and let the monsters charge and pierce them.

　Then he himself would take on the armor of the Empire with his lance.

''d*mn!''

　Among the enemies attacking us was Ace, who was being pushed hard.

'I won't let you guys kill my family!

　The soldiers of the Imperial Guard knew what the battle was all about.

　Brad raised his voice.

''We can't afford to lose this one either, yes, I see!

　He fired the gun planted in his left arm close to his opponent's cockpit, and the enemy fell away.

　When the lance-shaped drone returns, it mounts on the back of the aircraft and begins to charge.

　Brad looked at the enemies that were gathering one by one.

'Where the hell do these guys come from?

　A Zilk with a rifle at the ready shoots through the bridge of an enemy airship.

　As soon as he did so, he also destroyed the cannon and rendered one of the ships inoperable.

''Anyway, we'll hold them off here. If you and Leon-kun stop the power reactor, the enemy will stop fighting as well.

　But I was also worried.

'I hope they stop,'

　Even if the reason for war disappears, it doesn't mean they won't charge in desperation.

　Besides, we didn't fight the war on our own.

　I was worried about the situation on our side.

　From what I saw and heard, the Royal Army had already lost over two hundred ships.

''Is it because of the Republic and the Dukes of Fan-Os that they've managed to hold out?　Totally, it's a delicate feeling.

　From the perspective of Brad's parents' family, who have been tormented by the Duke of Fanouse for many years, it's a situation that can't be honestly rejoiced.

''It seems that the Republic's Serge-kun is also doing well.

He did?

　Brad was a little surprised when the monsters rushed in, deploying a magic circle and blowing them away with wide area attack magic.

(I want to go help them, but on the other hand, we'd also like to have reinforcements. Sorry, but we'll just have to let them endure.)

　Brad and Ziruk were struggling to hold on as many enemies rushed in.

◇

　On board the Ricornu.

　Libya, holding her chest and sweating, was breathing erratically.

'Hey, my voice.'

　Claire takes the voices heard on the battlefield in stride and assists her in extracting the information she needs.

　With tears in her eyes, Angel rubs Libya's back as she endures the pain.

"Libya, take it easy. Get some rest when you're tired.

　Livia shook her head.

'If I don't do my best here, I won't be able to help you, Leon.

　Libya was enduring tears and could collapse at any moment.

　Marie looked at Arcadia.

'My brothers, we're going to make it, aren't we?

　You want them to come back safely.

　That was the same feeling we all had.

　Then an image appeared in the air.

　It was Gilbert who was projected on it.

'Angel!　We have assembled a fleet. From this, we will go forward.'

Oh, brother?　What are you talking about!

'Your father's airship has been sunk. We need someone to step forward and take command. We can't keep relying on the Republic and House VanAust to keep it going.

　The large airship that passes by Ricorne is an airship owned by the Redgrave family that Gilbert is boarding.

　One after another, the airships of the Kingdom's air force follow, filling in for the crumbling vanguard.

　Gilbert asks Angier to do something for him.

'When I die, I will ask you to be the guardian of the Redgrave family. Your children can take over if need be.''

Brother!

'That's the path you've chosen!　-- even your family, and you have a duty to protect your country at the expense of your family. Don't forget that.''

　Angier turned over.

　Then he quickly looked up and his face was his normal expression.

''Good luck to you.''

"That's my sister.

　The Royal Army had already sunk nearly three hundred ships.

　Numerous airships had been sunk by the Imperial Army as well, but they would not retreat from each other.

　Normally, this was the scene where the kingdom would have admitted defeat and retreated, but defeat here would mean death.

　They did not retreat from each other.

　Libya, who is holding her chest, stands up and looks ahead.

'Forward - we'll go forward, too.

　Cleare was surprised.

''Livia-chan!

''Ricorne will step forward and protect everyone in the kingdom. If she doesn't - I'll be the one -''

　A distressed Livia pressed her chest.

　Angel rested his forehead against Livia's.

'You don't do anything reckless either,'

　Then he looks around at the faces on board.

'I will bring Ricorne forward. Those who wish to disembark, get out at once.

　Noel raises his hands in a small pose of surrender.

'Are you kidding?　I'm not going down there now.

　Humelia also held hands with Kyle and showed him a nod.

　Kara, who is hugging Marie's arm, also nods that she won't run away, trembling.

　Then Marier smiles.

'I was just saying that if you hadn't told me, I would have charged in.

　'I'm not sure,' says Angier to Marier, who replies with his chest out, narrowing his eyes.

'I'll step forward, but I never said anything about charging.

◇

　Zilk was watching the movement of the kingdom's army while dealing with the monsters.

''They've brought the rear fleet forward? If this is the case, the kingdom's side has been cornered.''

　In terms of strength, the kingdom's side was at a disadvantage.

　The reason why they have it is because of Rion and - thanks to the artificial intelligences that are lending us their power.

　Since the drones were dealing with a troublesome enemy, the damage to the kingdom's side was less than expected.

　However, those drones also fell one by one.

　Zilk pointed his handgun at the enemy's armor that had closed the distance and shot through the cockpit.

　Then he threw his rifle away.

'I'll replace it.'

　As he says this, the drones that were carrying the container prepare a replacement rifle.

　Receiving the rifle, Zilk holds it up.

　An image arrives from the scope attached to the rifle.

　I look at the magnified image and hold my breath.

　As I pull the trigger, two of the Imperial armor that had been flying towards us fall through with a single bullet.

　I immediately look for the next enemy and pull the trigger in the same way.

''Totally--I'm disgusted.

　I thought I wasn't afraid of war.

　Fighting is what knights do.

　But after experiencing the battlefield so many times, he realizes that there is no such thing as war.

　It's not something to be fought for," he said.

I guess I'm better suited to doing paperwork.

　If we survive, we'll try to find a way to avoid war as much as possible already.

　Fortunately, the next king is pacifism.

(No, not pacifism. Just naive.)

　But I don't hate those kings either.

(What it lacks, its subjects make up for. That's all there is to it.)

　I'll help in any way I can.

(For the sake of a happy life with Marie!)

　With that thought, I pull the trigger.

◇

　As we move through the interior of Arcadia, we find a route that leads to a power reactor.

　There are a lot of forces deployed there, but we force our way through with allogants.

'Get out of the way!'

　After destroying the enemy's armor one by one, I pushed forward and found knights in magical clothing waiting for me.

Master, the armor!

There's a group here.

　The leader of the magic-clad knights speaks out.

''I didn't expect you to really come here.

　As I composed myself, Greg and Julius stepped in front of me.

'Rion, you need to calm down a bit!

Get your supply. We'll take care of him.

　There are three magic-armored knights facing the two of them.

　If one of them could take on one plane alone, they would be able to get through it - but unfortunately, there is no time to spare.

The main gun is ready to fire. If we don't finish this soon, our allies will be harmed.

That's right. --Luxion, the enhancement drug.

Master, you can't do that!

That's an order!

　Luxion looks down and obeys my orders.

''--Yes. Reinforcing agent will be administered. You have nine minutes, fifty-eight seconds to administer the counteragent.

　A needle shot from the backpack on my back and the liquid entered my body.

'Kaha!'

　My body is rapidly heating up and my vision in front of me is getting narrower and narrower.

　I can't breathe because of the pain, and I'm drooling.

　But after a while, I suddenly feel better.

　In addition to the feeling of expanded vision, I feel as if I can do anything.

　My body gets stronger.

　My heart feels like it's beating harder than usual.

　I wipe the drool off my face.

'Both of you, back off.'

''Rion!''

　As you push Greg aside and step forward, the knight in magic clothing in front of you starts to say something.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.　I'm an Imperial Knight, second in line to the--

　He came forward but wasn't interested.

'Sorry. Not interested.

Alloganth's limiter is lifted.

　Because my body can't take it, the arogants are equipped with a limiter.

　The limiters are a safety device.

　I had set a limit on the Allogants so that it wouldn't become a burden on the pilot.

　The effect of the drug was so great that even if it was deactivated, there was no problem.

''Nah!''

　Before the magician tried to pick up the weapon, Aroganz grabbed the enemy's head.

　And then he swung his battle axe down and was neatly cut in two.

''Two more to go!''

　The flow around us feels slow.

　A panicked enemy pulls out his sword and points it at me, but Aroganz squeezes it and places his palm on the enemy.

''Impact.''

　The second plane blew up and threw the battle axe at the remaining one as it showed its back to escape.

　In front of the Aroganz, whose hands were empty, were the armor that the demons were leading in front of him.

　Their numbers filled the passage, making it impossible to see ahead. Quite a few of them.

''If they run, we won't chase them.''

　He wanted them to run away, but the enemy pushed down his fears and came at Aroganz.

'Don't be afraid!　'Show me what the Empire will do!'
"Wait for Master Finn to arrive!
'I'm not letting you go beyond this point!

　I gripped the control stick tightly in front of the oncoming Imperial armor.

　I hear a creaking sound.

　I put more force into it than usual.

　But--.

"d*mn it!

　--I thought I was crying, but what I was seeing was blood.

　Apparently, it's true that it's hard on the body.

'Master, get the neutralizer!'

No. We'll beat these guys and move on!

　He turned the allogants towards the soldiers of the Empire and destroyed them all.