Chương 174: Chapter 54: “Threat Level: Scorched Earth 1”

I didn't get inside the armored vehicle but rode on top of it instead. Lilna, Steargol, Zeed, and Brinda were doing the same. That way, if a battle broke out, we could save the trouble of exiting the vehicle and be ready to move immediately. Just a few minutes after we left the outer walls of Diesnatura and moved outward, a single black dot appeared far in the distance. The dot gradually increased in size. It didn't take much time to determine that it was indeed the incoming Geal-Fendas-Baragion.

'Target acquired! At current speed, we expect to make contact in approximately five minutes!' By the time that report came in over the comms, I had already firmly locked onto its figure and was observing it closely. It was still far away, so I could only see a humanoid outline, not the fine details. Should I transform into a woman and confirm its detailed appearance? The magic I'm about to use consumes almost no mana, so there's no need to worry. See through the distance.

《Arlcumber Scope》 Magnifying it a bit, the figure of a giant humanoid weapon emerged clearly. Unlike the white Slaughter Angel Prelions, it had a pitch-black, sturdy, masculine physique. Its design was rugged, like a warrior wearing full plate armor. Based on jet-black metal that seemed to suck in even darkness, with yellow lines running here and there around the joints, it possessed a truly ominous appearance. What was characteristic was the black spherical part on its chest.

It was semi-transparent, occupying the majority of the chest area alone, attached in a way that it was buried there. It certainly looked like a main component, but I couldn't judge what function it governed just by looking. Also, I confirmed that giant gun barrels were attached all over its body. Their appearance made it obvious they were going to shoot something, and just a quick glance revealed twelve of them mounted on the front alone.

It had black wings on its back as well, and it seemed to be jetting something from there and its feet, heading towards us at high speed. There should still be a considerable distance between us and the enemy. Despite that, the fact that it looks this big with just a slight magnification means— In reality, it is terrifyingly huge. It must be the size of a mountain. I've fought dragons and legendary unicorns before, but this is huge even compared to them.

Compared to the mobile weapon Digridder running in front, it would probably be like an adult and a baby. The armored vehicle I was riding on seemed as small and unreliable as a bean. Do I have to fight such a gargantuan thing now? I gulped audibly. Hm. Why did it stop suddenly? Suddenly, the Baragion, which had been flying, stopped dead in its tracks. There was still quite a distance between us. Then, the black spherical part on its chest began to fill with a pure white shine. No way.

Are you saying it intends to launch something already!? I couldn't sense that energy directly. Something that was neither Qi nor magic. But my intuition told me without a doubt that this was bad. I hurriedly grabbed the communicator and called out to everyone.

"Everyone! Watch out! The enemy is trying to do some—" Eh— If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Before I could even consciously register it. My allies, and the capital behind us. With overwhelming force enough to swallow everything. My entire field of vision was about to be painted over in blinding white. [Lenks's Perspective]"What's wrong? Aren't you going to save them?"

Will stared at me sharply without letting his guard down, wearing an endlessly hateful smirk. He really is a bastard who's good at mocking people.

"If you'd let me go obediently, I'd be happy to go right now."

"If you want to make that planet our battlefield, go ahead and do as you please." This bastard...! He really pisses me off. But... we FabLs cannot exchange serious blows on Elntia. Without even waiting for Baragion, the entire world would be broken into a mess. Baragion is dangerous, but we are overwhelmingly worse.... Having too much power is also a problem. I can't get serious lightly. However, nothing will progress even if we continue this staring contest.

Rather, the situation is only getting worse by the moment. It's certain that Baragion is too troublesome an opponent for Yu and the others. That thing is'Scorched-Earth Class'...! It's in a completely different dimension of strength from what should naturally exist in that world. What's most troublesome is the main cannon— 《Geal》. The effect of that demonic weapon bearing its name is Matter Annihilation. By forcibly converting mass into energy, it completely erases things from this world without a trace.

Not a sophisticated method like blowing it into another dimension, but "daring" to choose this direct method of erasure is demonic. If the annihilated matter itself is the primary damage, that's just the beginning. Matter converted into massive energy simultaneously causes further devastating secondary destruction. It has enough destructive power to easily wipe out two or three mega-cities together. And this tremendous energy rages elsewhere too.

It induces explosive nuclear reactions in the surrounding matter that barely escaped annihilation. A truly terrifying amount of radiation is generated and scattered. This radiation invites ultra-long-term tertiary damage. In other words, those Baragions are the culprits that turned that planet, which used to be so beautiful, into a dead star. When I was chased around in Diesnatura or wherever, I already knew the level of the guys in that world. They aren't opponents that locals can handle.

Even if Yu, who can't use FabL powers properly yet, leads his friends and fights normally, it's not a question of winning or losing. At this rate, everyone will be erased together! I have to take care of it somehow! But this guy in front of me will never allow that. Even though he does whatever he likes, he says my intervention is a rule violation? Stop screwing around.... Tch. Damn it. I can't move. If I make even a slight move, he intends to kill me thoroughly.

This bastard knows that just by being here as a deterrent, it's enough. And he's right. Acting all cool with that calm face. I had no choice but to lower my clenched fist helplessly. In the midst of an explosive standoff. While directing most of my consciousness towards Will, I directed a part of it towards Elntia. Geal-Fendas-Baragion is still driving its massive body at high speed towards the capital where Yu is. There is no time left until it reaches Diesnatura.

I couldn't hold back the intense impatience rushing in anymore. Finally forgetting to feign calmness, I raised my voice.

"Are you serious!? What are you planning to do by smashing such a dangerous thing into them now! It's not the stage to make them fight yet, is it!?" Will didn't care at all, just smiling amusedly to himself.

"I told you, didn't I? If he breaks, I don't mind that either. I just want to see a little. What kind of reaction Yu will show, and how he will change."

"Do you think I'll allow such a thing?"

"Kukuku. So do as you please. I'll just do as I please too." And he added ostentatiously.

"Well, we both don't want to destroy a planet pointlessly, do we?"

"Kh...! You..." It was at that moment. A spine-chilling shudder ran through me. Baragion stopped its feet—and of all things, it was trying to fire its main cannon right away. Bastard...! Already!? Will must have noticed it at the same time. He distorted the corners of his mouth further in delight.

"Is it okay? Leaving it alone. They will die, you know."

"... Daaamn it!" I had no leeway to think about consequences anymore. Forgetting myself, I used teleportation. Glaring sharply at the light of ruin attacking Yu, I stood in front of her. Glancing back for just an instant, she stood frozen with her eyes wide open in shock, her face pale. The maximum-scale matter annihilation wave was approaching within reach. Like hell I'll let you!

"Uoooooooooooooooooooh!" Simultaneous with the scream, I use 《Rebellion》. I erase the nature of matter annihilation from the ruinous bombardment, reverse its trajectory, and shoot it back towards the enemy's main cannon. That was an offense and defense of just a split second—"You showed—an opening." Oh sh—! Just when I felt a chilling killing intent from right behind me— A heavy impact pierced through me. By the time I thought the taste of thick blood spread in my mouth, it was already too late.

Looking down, there was a gruesome hole in the area of my heart. A fatal wound. Damn... it... I fall helplessly. Catching the figure of Will looking down at me laughing loudly in the corner of my vision. [Yu's Perspective] Where is this... Ground...? Am I... collapsed... I don't want to think about anything. If I let go of everything like this, I can become at ease. The sensation of death. How many times has it been? I've completely gotten used to such things.

"Hang—" In my fading consciousness, I heard someone calling me. Opening my eyes faintly, I saw a black-haired girl clinging to me desperately while shedding tears. Heh. You really are. Even your crying face... looks just like... Yuna...

"Lenks! Hang in there! Lenks!"

"Ha, ha... Sorry... I messed up..."

"Thank you for saving me. Hey! Hang in there!" Hey, hey. What kind of face are you making? I'll come back to life even if I die anyway. You... worry about someone like me... so earnestly. Good grief. Really. I squeeze out my last strength. 《Tolerance Limit Break》 No good... It doesn't work as well as usual. I thought I'd leave at least a parting gift, but... I don't have the spare energy to use my ability satisfactorily anymore, huh.

"Sor... ry... I leave the rest... to you..." I burn the sight of Yu nodding powerfully into my eyes—