Chapter 65

★★★ Anastasia ★★★

Holding such a thing in secret—this was Anastasia's honest reaction.

"How about it? This is the empire's pride and final weapon, the strategic airship 'Abundance of the Sky.'"

The emperor, looking pleased, led Anastasia through the interior of the flying aircraft carrier 'Abundance of the Sky.' The reason he remained calm despite the sudden dark shadow that enveloped the empire's sky and the descent of large, eerie creatures from a blood-red space was likely due to this strategic airship. While 'Moonflower' was a beautifully swift airship, 'Abundance of the Sky' was an ungainly but large and powerful one. It required at least 100 personnel to operate.

"Having conquered the 'Labyrinth of Fear' and the 'Labyrinth of Hatred,' to end up in this situation. On the other hand, this is the perfect opportunity to test the power of 'Abundance of the Sky.'"

The emperor, accompanied not only by Anastasia but also by many ministers, arrived at the VIP room located above the command room. From there, they could overlook the many people working in the command room and see the battle with the Sea Anemone through the magic-reinforced glass on the front.

The military airships launched a barrage of cannon fire, sending flames into the Sea Anemone's body and the serpents, causing the giant creature to wriggle in discomfort, and cheers rose from the ministers. The emperor intended to joke about "watching the giant monster hunt" with the ministers. Anastasia was called here merely to add a touch of elegance, a mere "ornament."

Wearing a culotte skirt and long boots suitable for riding, and a jacket with anti-blade processing, she had also wrapped a bandage around her throat and tied a scarf over it to avoid any sense of discomfort to others.

(Still, what is this feeling...?)

However, Anastasia was overwhelmed by a bad premonition. Indeed, the airship fleet of the Lev Magic Empire was an unparalleled military force in this world. There were nearly 40 airships equipped with cannons, and no other country could shower as many cannonballs as they did.

"Our army is the strongest."

"We could even say it's the best in the world."

The ministers spoke excitedly.

(But... isn't it ineffective against that monster...?)

The root of Anastasia's premonition was this doubt. The purple body fluid was scattered, and the serpents were falling to the ground, but the Sea Anemone was still alive, and the number of serpents did not seem to be decreasing. The black smoke from the cannon fire obscured the view, but the Sea Anemone did not appear to be on the verge of death.

Kiiin.

At that moment, a ringing sound was heard. The people present also looked puzzled, so it wasn't just Anastasia who heard it.

"Ah, the snakes are falling!"

One of the ministers pointed and shouted, and indeed, a large number of snakes were seen falling from the Sea Anemone, wriggling and slithering over debris and buildings.

"Hehe, this is an anticlimactic end, isn't it?"

"Spreading snakes at the end is the most troublesome thing."

"Let's contact the ground forces."

Such words were exchanged, but Anastasia still felt that the Sea Anemone—now just a blood-soaked giant trunk—was still alive.

"I want to drag that monster down. It's unsettling that it's growing from the sky."

Just as the emperor voiced this natural question, the Sea Anemone lifted the head of the snake that had fallen and turned it toward the airship fleet.

Kaa——————.

Even from a distance, Anastasia felt as if her eyes were seared by the intense light emitted. The light that shot diagonally upward engulfed more than ten airships, pierced through the clouds, and disappeared into the sky.

"W-What just happened?"

"My eyes, my eyes hurt!"

"Someone, protect His Majesty!"

Both the command room and the VIP room were enveloped in chaos. When Anastasia opened her eyes, which were still blinking, she saw the giant trunk drooping. As it descended to the ground, it plunged into the cluster of serpents it had dropped and began to devour them. The gruesome scene made her feel nauseous. But the problem was that the drooping trunk was gradually swelling—converting the serpents it had eaten into its own strength.

"Fire the main cannon of 'Abundance of the Sky'!"

The emperor shouted, and the commander downstairs turned around.

"H-However, Your Majesty, the main cannon's test operation is not yet complete..."

"Even if it's a bit off target, it will be fine as long as it can whittle down that massive body. Do it immediately!"

"Hai!"

The crew began to move busily, and the deck below opened, revealing a massive cannon turret. The blue-white patterns on the surface of the cannon barrel indicated that it was a magic cannon. It was the same type of high-energy cannon that the Sea Anemone had used earlier, without any solid ammunition.

"Oh..."

Someone gasped as the surroundings suddenly darkened, and only the emergency lights remained on.

'The main cannon is being powered by 85% of the ship's magic energy.'

The operator's announcement was heard.

'Magic control system is functioning normally... Main cannon energy is 15% charged, locking onto the giant creature in front. 40% charged, 15 seconds until firing.'

Not only the cannon barrel but the entire turret began to emit a blue-white light. Anastasia, the ministers, and the emperor all stared at the main cannon. But they were not the only ones who noticed.

"The enemy has noticed!"

The Sea Anemone, which had been feasting on the serpents, suddenly turned its head toward them. A hole was visible at the tip, with numerous white teeth protruding like spikes. It was designed to swallow and crush its prey. Light gathered in the depths of the hole—indicating that it was about to attack.

"Hurry, fire!"

'5 seconds. 4, 3, 2, 1.'

As the commander shouted "Fire!" the main cannon glowed, and a blue-white light was launched toward the trunk hanging from the red sky. A deafening explosion echoed, and 'Abundance of the Sky' itself was pushed back several meters by the recoil. As a result, the accuracy decreased, and the right half of the trunk was hit, causing a loud explosion. On the other hand, the energy wave released by the Sea Anemone missed the command room but opened a large hole in the ship's hull, causing 'Abundance of the Sky' to shake violently. Screams echoed through the command room, and alarms sounded due to the severe attack. Anastasia clung to the nearby railing, trying to hold on.

She might fall, the enemy wasn't defeated, what would happen—her thoughts were in turmoil, but at that moment, she remembered:

(Where is Raiji...?)

She thought of the boy who had tried to cure her unique condition and had been injured in the process. Despite the misunderstandings caused by Polina and the soldiers protecting her, he had still worried about her.

(For Raiji's sake, I can't... I can't die here!)

With wide eyes, she saw the 'Abundance of the Sky' tilted to one side, and the giant trunk, half of which had been torn off. And—why was it here?

Amid the chaos of the military airships, a beautiful silver ship stood calmly. 'Moonflower' was on the opposite side of the trunk. On its deck—despite the danger of the strong wind—stood a single figure.

(...A woman...?)

The black cloak, a symbol of the sky pirates, fluttered in the darkness, and beneath it was not just a 'lady' but a violet combat suit. The strong wind blew her long, golden hair, which was tied back. Her purple eyes, which symbolized her refusal to yield to anyone, were fixed on the giant monster, still hanging despite being torn.

At that moment, the girl's voice, which Anastasia could not hear, spoke:

—Ah, what a mess...

The girl's expression was completely out of place in this situation—

She smiled.

A defiant, arrogant, and inexplicable smile, as if to say that the creature before her was nothing.

—Die, you big brute.

In her hand, she held a black blade like the darkness itself. Above it, the blade of the 'Shadow King,' capable of decapitating a dragon, appeared. The blade fell, creating a scene that seemed to come from a myth or legend. It was not just the Sea Anemone that was cut; the darkness in the sky and the blood-red space were also sliced, and the moon appeared. In the moonlight, the giant body of the Sea Anemone fell to the ground, and a torrent of body fluid rained down from the cut in the sky.

Finally, she reappears. If you've been waiting, please support me with a "Bookmark" and a "Review"!