Outside of Arcadia, the kingdom's army was beginning to push in.

　That was because some of the enemy had returned to the inside of the fortress.

　With Leon and the others charging into the interior of Arcadia, the Imperial side's command was beginning to be disrupted.

　Gilbert, who had been watching the situation from the bridge, immediately coordinated with his surrounding allies to launch an offensive against the Imperial forces.

''Don't miss this opportunity!　Keep pushing!

　The two sides are going at each other's best and the rate of wear and tear is a ridiculous number.

　In a normal war, there is no doubt that they would have retreated from each other.

　But in this battle, they didn't retreat from each other.

　The captain says to Gilbert.

'Sir Gilbert, please stand down!　You are the heir to House Redgrave!　Now that we don't know if Master Vince is safe, we need him to survive!

　Gilbert didn't back down when he heard that opinion.

'If I run away here, I will be disgraced to the last generation. 'You want to bring shame on me!'

Some shame to be endured!

I don't think so.

　As they were arguing, a white aircraft passed by in front of them.

　The sight of it slicing through and defeating the monsters was truly beautiful--.

''That was my prey!　That's a score for me to win!'
"My sword's in first!

　The Redgrave family's airship was being refurbished and had a monitor on it.

　The two men wearing strange masks were projected on it.

　However, when Gilbert heard the voices, he had an idea who they were.

　He held his forehead and fell to his knees.

　The panicked captain of the ship was worried for Gilbert's safety.

'Master Gilbert!'

But no problem. More importantly, captain--can you get a shot at those two planes?

What?

　Gilbert looked at the masked knights fighting and brawling in front of him and became expressionless.

'Don't you think one shot would be a misfire?'

No, you can't. I'm on your side!

　Gilbert makes a bitter face.

'I know!'

(What in the world are you thinking, coming out here?)

　Two voices come from the monitor.

'Who the hell are you, really?　We'll get you when we get back!'

"You'll be sorry you ever crossed me!

　Sadly, the two masked knights - they didn't seem to know each other at all.

　Gilbert had a headache.

◇

　Arcadia's power reactor.

　The opponent I was fighting there was Finn, who was doped up just like me.

　We're both in a state where we're outperforming each other's aircraft performance.

　In terms of performance--is Brave's superior?

'Is this the kind of opponent Aroganz would lose to? I haven't seen you since old Black Knight.

　I remember the Black Knight.

　He's a former hero of the duchy, an old man who pushed me to the bitter end when I let my guard down.

　If it wasn't for the experience I had then, I'm sure Finn would have defeated me by now.

'I won't let you destroy the power reactor!

　Finn swings a large sword at you, and when you catch it, you lose power and are slammed into the wall.

　As I slam into the wall, several red spheres emerge from Brave's body.

　I knew right away from experience that this was not good.

'Luxion!

"Shields are being deployed on armored surface.

　The fireball released from the red sphere burned the allogants.

　Not only did it burn the allogants, but it also burned and melted the walls around it.

　Thanks to that, it became easier to move.

''There's a reason why we can't lose over here either!

That's your problem!

　Finn was blown away when Aroganz extended his left arm and created a shockwave.

　But he retreated from himself, or perhaps he did little damage.

　This time, he attacked from here.

　The great sword that I paid to the side cleave, Finn flicked off and kicked at me.

''You bad-footed bastard!

You can't beat me!

　He kicks me and jumps backwards, but when I release the laser, Finn charges at me with his shield at the ready.

　His shield is burned by the laser, but he doesn't seem bothered by it.

'Let's just get this over with!'

　As he stepped on the pedal, Allogantz increased his speed.

　Similarly, Brave also increased his speed.

　It flapped its bat-like wings wide and followed us.

　If I aimed at its wings and shot a laser at it, Finn used his shield and great sword as a shield to prevent it.

　And then he shoots a fireball at me as I'm being chased.

''It's a tracking-type magic. The number is--81!''

Shoot him down!

　Schwerdt deals with them with lasers, but they are too numerous and large to shoot down.

　Schwerdt also calculates how much energy is left in Schwerdt's energy and Luxion takes care of it, but the energy dwindles too quickly when dealing with Finn.

　When he slashed a single fireball that came around with his greatsword, Brave caught up with him as he stopped moving.

Tsk!

　He kicks at Finn as he gets closer and grabs Aroganz's leg with his left hand.

'Shh!'

　By the time I realized it was too late, the Brave had destroyed Aroganz's leg.

'Purge the right leg.'

f*ck you!

　Looking at the surface of the Brave, blood vessels were pulsing and floating on the surface.

'You drugged the Brave to the brave?

'No, it's linked to the pilot and seems to be affected.

　He must be taking it pretty hard. He's got a lot of focus on me.

　And then one possibility occurred to me.

　I turn my gaze to the power reactor.

"I'm sorry, but the ground has been kind to me.

　Finn, who was chasing after me, couldn't see his surroundings very well, probably due to the effects of the drugs.

'Rion!　I'll end this!'

　Flames spewed from the great sword Finn was holding, converging and growing even larger.

　The Brave wielding it came closer.

'Shoot whatever you can!

Copy that.

　As they ran away, firing lasers at each other, the scene around them flowed ridiculously fast.

　They were flying around the cylindrical space between each other, fighting fiercely.

　If I hadn't been reinforced with drugs, I'm sure I wouldn't have been able to keep up.

　As I was running away, Finn would bite me wherever I went.

'Finn--you were stronger than me,'

　It's just - you've been too reckless.

　When I was cornered, Finn raised the flaming great sword he was holding - and swung it down without hesitation.

''This is the end!

Hey, buddy, no!

　When Brave stopped him, it was too late.

'Shh, shh!'

　Finn also noticed and tried to stop the big sword - but I used my left arm to force him to swing it down.

　I grabbed the stopped great sword with my left hand and forced him to swing it down.

'Finn - your mistake was not checking the effects of that potion. You've lost a bit of perspective, huh!

　The drug Finn used was certainly effective.

　But I was losing my vision.

　I was so focused on me, the enemy, that I couldn't see my surroundings.

　Since I was connected to the magical creatures, the effect of that was showing up in my magical equipment and my partner, Brave, was also slow to notice.

　The place where I was trapped is the power reactor pillar itself.

　Finn's great sword had pierced the power furnace, and the pillar was creaking, as if the heat had reached the inside.

　Cracks appeared and a strange sound could be heard.

　It sounded like a scream.

''Master, the destruction of the power reactor is not over.''

　Hearing Luxion's voice, I push aside the stunned Finn and thrust the great sword I have in my hand.

''Do it!''

"Yes!

　The great sword receives an impact from his right arm and an explosion occurs inside the power reactor as it is.

''There's more!''

"Not even the great sword of Adamantis can withstand it.

Do your best!　We're going to completely destroy it here!

"Huh!　--Yes, sir!

　His right arm, which generated a shockwave, erupted in fire, and then the great sword shattered as well.

　But it was successful.

　The pillar swelled up from within, and then cracked from where it had been cracked.

　Red particles were blown out with great force, and the generated wind also blew Aroganz away.

　The red swollen column dissolved as it was.

　The surrounding area was dyed red and nothing could be seen.

''What happened!

We've successfully destroyed the power reactor. However, the power reactor is still melting. It's too dangerous for you to stay here!

Then we must evacuate immediately.

　When I pressed my mouth down, I coughed up a lot of blood along with a cough.

''Master!　The neutralizer--

　Less than ten minutes had passed since the medication was administered.

　I still had a few minutes left, but my body didn't seem to last as long as I did first.

'Ha, I should have worked out more.

I request the use of a neutralizing agent!

I'm sorry, Luxion, but I can't.

　He grabbed the control stick and moved the allogants, and the great sword swung down to where he had been.

　The Brave with Finn on board was pouring liquid out of the twin eyes as if it was shedding tears.

''Rion, how dare you.''

Finn--I win.

'Whoa!'

　I move up to get away from the screaming fins that are coming towards me.

　Luxion explains the status of the armament.

'My right arm is not moving. As for the left arm, the part of the arm that generates the shock wave has been burned and cannot be attacked. Master, that's all. Administer the neutralizing agent!''

It's not over yet!

　I had Schwerdt shoot a laser at him and cut a hole in the ceiling.

　After making several holes, I saw the sky.

He's out?

Arcadia, we're losing power. Commence drop.

　Fire was spewing out of the hole we'd popped out of.

　Out of it comes a Brave with its armor burned out.

　I rant to Schwert.

'Thank you for everything. --I'm sorry, Shwert.

　Luxion guessed what I wanted to do, and then he disengaged Shwert and turned to Finn.

'Purge the Schwert. Remote control.'

　Schwerdt picks up speed and charges at Brave, stabbing him in the torso area and sending him flying straight away.

　The Brave lets out a scream of grief, but it's not for its own pain, but for its partner.

'Ah, buddy!

"Kaha!

　The tip of the Schwerdt was impaled on the body part of the magic armor.

　The pilot couldn't be safe.

　The Brave seemed to be unable to move anymore as it hit the building on the deck and came to a stop.

　Aroganz landed on the Arcadia's deck and then approached Finn.

　With only one leg, Aroganz floated dizzy and unsteady.

'Master, we've already had more than enough. Administer the neutralizer!'

　When I hear Luxion's panicked voice, I hold my mouth again.

　I cough up a large amount of blood.

''Master!''

Oh, take your time. The neutralizer--now.

◇

　I couldn't see what was happening to me.

　But there was no doubt that it was blood spitting out of his mouth.

　Finn heard the sound of Aroganz's approaching footsteps.

　His eyes were blurry and he couldn't see clearly.

''-- Kurosuke, are you okay?''

　When I called out to him, Brave had a tearful voice.

'I'm sorry, buddy. I--I didn't--I didn't protect my partner.

　Finn smiled and thanked Brave, who looked frustrated, with a smile.

'You're an idiot. You're the reason I've been able to fight this far. I--I'm--I'm grateful to you, Kuro--Brave.'

　When I call his name at the end, Brave cries out.

'Just call me Kurosuke. --Partner?''

　Finn couldn't speak as it was, with a smile on his face.

　He looked at the running lights.

　I saw a scene that I missed terribly.

　It was the sister of his previous life - a clear figure.

(Ah, yes. She had this face. She had a cute smile, and she looked really happy when I came to visit her.)

　He thought his sister's vibe was similar to Mia's, but she looked a lot like her figure, too.

　Then Finn spilled a single tear.

(I - I lied again. I'm sorry, Mia. I didn't keep my promise--)

　When the light disappeared from Finn's eyes, Brave cried.

''Buddy, oh!''

◇

　As I approached Brave, Finn seemed to be dead already.

　Red tears were flowing from Brave's twin eyes.

　Luxion called out to Brave like that.

''--Do you still want to fight?''

　The Brave doesn't seem to have the will to fight.

"I can't fight without a partner. And besides, I'm--I'm done.

　Gradually, Brave's body collapses.

　Then Brave gives me Finn's words.

'Leon, I have a message for you from my partner. My partner - he said he wouldn't hold a grudge if you killed him. He said it was mutual.

Yeah?

　He couldn't speak well.

　Even with the neutralizing agent, his body was a wreck.

　As he collapsed, Brave said.

'I'm not so sure about that. After all, there is still a core of Arcadia to manage. I hate that guy, though.'

　Brave pointed to the great sword lying around.

　I knew what he meant and picked it up.

　Seeing Aroganz's figure, Brave laughed.

'Buddy--I'm going to be--now, too--over there--'

　The gray, crumbling Brave left nothing in its place as the wind swept it away.

　Not even Finn's corpse.

''--Finn.''

　I'm crying.

　I don't deserve it.

　Luxion warns me.

'Master, it's not over yet. If what you just said is true, there is still a core of Arcadia left. I don't think it can be regenerated, but destruction is a priority. We must tell our allies.'

　All we have to do is destroy the core and there will be no problems left.

'--I guess so. Let's get this over with.

　Just when I thought it was all over, there was a red particle of light streaming out of the hole we had popped out of, somewhere.

　They weren't being swept away by the wind, but seemed to be absorbed somewhere else.

''-- There's an individual that's rapidly absorbing the magic element.

　The great sword he got from Finn is gripped tightly in Aroganz's left hand.

''Your enemies are too wayward, aren't they?

　Apparently this battle is not over yet.