Chapter 36

Princess Heltrauda stood on the flagship of the Principality's fleet.

In the princess's private quarters, Heltrude stood beside Heltrauda.

"Please don't summon the Guardian of the Earth, Sister. With the Guardians of the Sky and Sea, we can achieve our goal."

"Rauda... I've put you in a difficult position. If I had this magic flute..."

Heltrauda shook her head.

"One of us had to bear this burden. The moment you failed, it was decided that I would head for the kingdom next."

Heltrude gripped the magic flute and shed tears.

If the true power of the magic flute were used, the price would be the user's life.

In exchange, one could summon a super-large guardian.

"Rauda, I don't understand anymore."

Heltrude's words left Heltrauda without a clear answer.

It was meaningless now.

"Even if Queen Mileine's words were true, we cannot stop. We must sink the kingdom and seize the floating stones to raise the continent—this is what the principality needs to become a true great power."

The reason the principality wanted to sink the kingdom was to obtain the floating stones that kept the kingdom's land afloat.

To bring those stones back and expand their territory.

For the principality, which could not win by fair means, such a forceful method was necessary to become a great power.

"Are we right?"

"I can't judge. Once everything is over, I can only entrust the rest to you."

Their parents had died in an accident.

There were other royals, but only the two of them had been taught the oral traditions and education necessary to be heirs.

One of them had to survive and lead the country.

"...Sister, how did you spend your time in the kingdom?"

Heltrude had little time left to talk with her sister.

She wanted to have a pleasant conversation.

"I was at a place called an academy. I attended as an exchange student. It was worse than I imagined."

Heltrude was shocked by the scene of female students parading around with slaves and looking down on male students, a scene she knew about.

"That rogue knight was bowing to women too."

"The rogue knight who defeated Bandel? How did the kingdom become like that? I heard that in the days when the principality was a duchy, it was no different from us."

"Yes. It's a strange country. They even send airships to go on adventures for girls. The island where I found the enchanted right arm was an elf island."

Seeing Rauda's eyes light up, Heltrude told her about the adventure.

The ducal family originally came from a lineage of adventurers.

They grew up hearing such stories from a young age.

When Heltrude finished speaking, Rauda was smiling.

"You went on an adventure. I envy you. I don't have much time left."

"Rauda."

Heltrude felt pity for her sister, but time was running out.

A knight reported.

"Princess Heltrauda! The kingdom's army is approaching!"

Rauda's expression changed from that of a child to a cold one.

"I'll go immediately. ...Sister, if I fall, I entrust the rest to you."

The capital—just a short distance from the center of the continent.

Once they arrived, everything would be over.

Heltrude smiled at her sister, but tears were streaming down her face.

"Leave it to me. And I'll be right beside you."

"I'm counting on you, Sister."

◇

I had Arroganz sit on the deck.

In the cockpit, I whistled bravely at the scene in front of me.

"What is that size?"

Below the super-large monster, the principality's fleet was as if it were being protected.

It was accompanying the monster as it slowly headed for the capital.

'Target is within range.'

The super-large monster was a huge, multi-eyed, multi-armed creature shrouded in clouds. Many of its large eyes turned toward the kingdom's army.

Along with the kingdom's airships following behind the partner, they were about to launch an assault on the principality's army.

The super-large monster extended one of its hands toward us.

'Target is approaching.'

"Let's go!"

In response to my words, the hollowed-out Luxion muttered, 'Understood.' There was no usual snark, only the bare minimum of conversation.

'Missile launch.'

A missile was launched from the partner's missile launcher.

It hit the super-large monster's hand straight on, causing a huge explosion and blowing off the large hand.

The hand, which could have crushed the partner, turned into black smoke.

"Let's keep firing!"

'Commence firing.'

The partner's cannons fired, causing huge explosions when they hit the super-large monster. Missiles were launched one after another, blowing off its arms.

As the bow changed direction, the partner accelerated.

'Enemy fleet has changed formation.'

"Too slow!"

The final boss, which we were proud of, had its arm blown off and was hurriedly preparing to counterattack.

Was the communication situation bad on their side too, making them slow?

The airships following behind the partner were carrying family and friends.

Currently, these were the best-performing airships.

On the deck, I stood up, aimed my rifle, and shot at the monsters flying around the principality's fleet. The task of dealing with the thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, of monsters was left to those other than the partner.

The partner was busy attacking the super-large monster.

The ship-to-ship combat and monster extermination had to be left to the allied ships.

As the distance to the enemy closed, the bombardment began.

The monsters were shot down and turned into black smoke.

Shells were fired at the partner one after another, but they bounced off without causing much damage.

The barrier deployed to protect the airships deflected everything.

The mainstream airships had cannons lined up on their sides, presenting their bellies to the enemy.

"Break through."

As the partner approached the principality's fleet, the allied ships behind it fired their bow-mounted cannons one after another.

A magical barrier was deployed around the principality's ships, but they were shot down and sank.

"These are the latest models. Don't think you can defend with just that!"

As allied ships sank, armor units emerged one after another.

An airship appeared, presenting its side to block the partner's path.

It fired all its cannons at once, but the partner deflected them all.

"You can't stop me with just that. Besides, I'm good at ramming."

The partner's bow rammed into the side of the airship, bending it into a U-shape.

It continued to move forward, severing the airship and causing it to fall apart.

"Once we're in close, it's ours."

We were already directly under the super-large monster.

In this state, we shouldn't receive any attacks from the super-large monster!

The kingdom's airships, which were rushing in one after another, launched armor units, and the two armies entered a chaotic battle.

"First stage cleared."

Several missiles were launched from the partner, hitting the super-large monster and turning it into black smoke with explosions.

The swirling clouds absorbed the black smoke, becoming even darker and larger.

The early morning assault had turned the bright sky into a thick, black cloud cover.

From those black clouds, the super-large monster reappeared as if it had come back to life.

All of its multi-eyed eyes were focused on the partner.

"It revives so quickly. I'll keep attacking to stop its movements."

'—Enemy approaching.'

The partner landed on the deck, and the principality's armor units approached Arroganz.

'I found you, rogue knight!'

"Rogue? Don't act like you're the only one who hasn't strayed from the path!"

You, who are coming to kill me, and I, who am about to kill you, are both in the same boat.

I aimed my rifle and pulled the trigger, hitting the abdomen and rolling on the deck.

Looking up, I saw that airships and armor units were surrounding the partner.

I aimed my rifle at the airship above and pulled the trigger, hitting the engine and causing it to spout fire. It fell toward the partner but was deflected by the barrier, leaving no damage.

A voice with static was heard.

'Destroy it with armor!'

'If I defeat him, I'll be promoted!'

'I got you!'

Holding an axe in my left hand, I slashed at the approaching armor unit.

I cut from the right shoulder to the abdomen, immediately realizing the pilot couldn't survive.

Luxion pointed out to me.

'Your reaction is slow.'

"Yeah!"

I brought the axe down on the head of another unit, the blade reaching the torso but getting stuck, so I let go of the axe.

I shot down the third unit with rifle bullets and equipped a new weapon in my left hand.

"—I'm counting on you."

I glanced at Weiss once and then looked up at the sky and took off.

◇

In Weiss's bridge.

The kingdom's army, which had launched a surprise attack on the principality's army, was engaged in a fierce battle.

Ange, who was watching the scene, supported Livia, who was trembling.

"Livia, take a break."

Livia shook her head, tears streaming down her face. She held her head with both hands, and her breathing was erratic.

"It's painful. Why do they fight? It's so painful... Why?"

Ange was at a loss for an answer.

"…Why, I wonder."

She knew the answer.

Ange had learned the answer, but when she saw it with her own eyes, she couldn't understand it.

Livia pressed her hand to her chest, and Marie entered.

"Hey! The enemy is gathering around this ship too!"

Wearing the attire of a saint, Marie was scolded by Ange.

"Be quiet!"

"Y-Yes!"

"There are also escort ships around us. Besides, this ship won't sink easily."

Clare, who was floating around, nodded.

"The biggest threat is the super-large monster above. This ship can't be sunk by any other airships. By the way, are you two ready? And Marie too."

Marie, who was treated as an afterthought, looked unhappy but was silent, perhaps out of fear of Ange.

Ange supported Livia and spoke to her gently.

"Livia, let's end this war quickly. Can you do it?"

Livia nodded through tears and clasped her hands in front of her chest.

She took on a posture as if praying, and Ange imitated her.

(What is this? My chest feels tight. And... I'm sad, and tears are... )

Voices were heard around her.

"Help! I don't want to die!"

"Mom, help!"

"That's why I didn't want to go to war."

Feeling the lives that were fading away, Ange's chest also felt tight.

(Are you... feeling this all along?)

Clare's voice was heard.

"Is it resonance? The ship is reacting to Olivia's ability. It's a mysterious function. I don't think it was in the manual."

Marie opened her mouth wide and shouted.

"No! A huge monster is coming from the front!"

A huge monster was approaching with its mouth wide open.

Clare muttered, 'Hmm,' and the monster was blown away by Weiss's main cannon.

"Marie, you need to use your power too. It seems the two of you alone aren't enough."

"Huh? What should I do?"

"Just imitate the two of them."

Marie hurriedly imitated the two and started praying, and Weiss shook.

It was as if it was about to unleash its full power.

Ange looked up at the ceiling and spread her hands.

(…Warm light is overflowing. And, it's calming.)

What came to mind was a scene from the summer vacation—when the three of them talked on the way back from the hot springs.

I wish those days could continue forever, she thought.

◇

After cutting down the approaching monster, I turned around.

The surrounding armor units and airships stopped moving.

The battle ceased, and the monsters were being blown away.

Warm light enveloped the battlefield, emanating from Weiss.

"—Is this the ultimate weapon?"

As the monsters were eliminated by the light, the super-large monster in the sky closed its eyes and crossed its many arms to protect itself.

However, its massive body turned into black smoke and disappeared due to the light.

"Is this the end?"

Many armor units dropped the weapons they were holding.

The communication situation improved, and the thick clouds covering the sky were swept away, revealing a blue sky.

"Love is amazing! —!"

I tried to laugh, but my fighting spirit was quickly fading.

What I felt was fear. It was as if my fighting spirit had been forcibly taken away.

A voice was heard.

(Stop fighting. I... don't want to see this kind of war. Please, stop the fighting!)

It was Livia's voice.

"I see, this is Livia's true—"

Livia's voice resonates well with people's hearts.

Even without profound words, Livia's words can touch people's hearts.

Livia's voice came from Weiss.

(Stop it. If we continue, many people will be sacrificed. Please stop the fighting.)

If the war could end with such words, it would be easy.

It wouldn't be easy, but the desire for the war to truly end was seeping into my heart.

The hollowed-out Luxion muttered.

'Spiritual attack detected.'

Yes, what a powerful attack.

Livia's ability, enhanced by Weiss, was incredibly vicious.

The principality's knights, who had hated the kingdom, were dropping their weapons and listening to Livia's voice.

What a joke! Can it really end like this? ...Such feelings melted away in front of Livia's sad heart.

And what I saw was a familiar memory from my previous life.

Looking up at the super-large monster emitting an eerie sound and disappearing, I muttered.

"...What a terrible attack."

I thought this power should not be used.

◇

From the flagship of the principality's army, Heltrauda watched the scene.

Tears streamed down her face.

"...Why do you suffer for us? Stop. You should be our enemies. Don't be sad!"

Livia's pain seeped into her heart, making her chest feel heavy.

The people around her were either stunned or sitting on the ground, crying.

Their fighting spirit was being taken away.

"Is this... Is this how you want us to forget our grudges? Is this how?"

She felt frustrated.

But her desire for revenge was being taken away.

Gradually, she began to doubt whether they were right.

Heltrude hugged Heltrauda.

"Rauda, let's end it. The Guardian of the Sky has disappeared."

Heltrauda shook her head.

"No. No. If this ends, I don't know why I'm risking my life. I... I have to fight!"

Gripping the magic flute, Heltrauda wanted to fight, but her heart resisted.

She couldn't hate the ones she should hate.

She couldn't stand up.

"—Cowardly. The kingdom, doing something like this, is really the worst. Not allowing us to hate or resent, taking away even the will to fight. Then, why did I risk my life?"

Hugging the crying Heltrauda, Heltrude was also crying.

"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry for making you do this in my place."

The Guardian of the Sky disappeared.

The magic flute Heltrauda was holding shattered.

"...No. How could the Guardian of the Sea lose too?"

Gradually losing her vitality, Heltrauda's consciousness faded in her sister's arms.

"Rauda!"

"Sister... It's scary, but warm."

Due to Livia's ability, all the fear was gradually disappearing, and she felt enveloped in warmth.

Her will to fight was taken away, and Rauda's face became peaceful.

"I'm sorry, Sister. ...I left you alone."

Rauda closed her eyes.

Heltrude's sad crying could be heard, but it gradually faded away.

◇

Standing beside Heltrude was Bandel.

Heltrude, who was crying, gradually began to laugh.

"Princess."

"Bandel. I'm strange. I should be sad, but my heart is warm and happy. Even though Rauda died, I'm not allowed to be sad."

Bandel put his hand on her shoulder, saying, "Leave it to me. I'll settle everything."

"Bandel?"

The effect of the enchanted right arm made Bandel immune to the mental attack.

"Come, give me your orders while you still have the will to fight."

Heltrude was at a loss. Her face reminded her of when she was a child.

"Princess!"

"...Bandel, go. Show the principality's pride."

Nodding, Bandel walked away proudly.

Stepping outside, he pressed his hand to his mouth and coughed.

His palm was stained red with blood.

"You've held on well."

He looked at his right arm, grateful for his body.

"An ominous right arm. But with this, I can fight that rogue knight. —I must sink that ship of the kingdom."

Seeing the white ship in the