Chapter 418: Desire, and the [Sovereign]’s Strength.

(Author: continuing from the last chapter, this one isn’t from Touya’s POV.)

The ground flew past under its feet. The Vernier thrusters on the Dragoon’s back and waist gave it even further acceleration.

From its back, it drew out two crystal kodachis. The Fake that Zeno was riding in also swung the dark golden sword held in its right hand towards the oncoming Dragoon.

With a dull and heavy *gakiin* sound, the sword and the kodachi clashed together.

“Mu..!”

Ende raised a shocked exclamation in his mind. The crystal materials are made from the bodies of Phrases. Plus, these kodachis were also strengthened by Touya’s stupidly large magic power; the fact that they’re stopped so easily was something he could scarcely have imagined.

With a flowing motion, he swung the kodachi held in his other hand down, but it was blocked by the shield this time. It seems like the shield is made from the same material as the sword.

“That sword and shield, they’re not normal, are they?”

“Kuku, exactly. They’re specially made with Yura’s help. It irks me to owe him a debt with this, though.”

Ende could also see a strange “aura” wrapped around that sword and shield with his eyes. He can feel something sinister from that swaying, heat-haze like aura.

“.. I didn’t have this kind of ability before, though..”

Ende muttered with a wry smile. Is this the [Dependant Trait] Touya mentioned about before? It’s absurd even if it’s his own body.

If this really is a [Dependant Trait] then there’s no doubt that he got it from his master, the Martial God. While tasting a weird feeling where he can’t be sure if he’s happy about it or not, Ende took some distance from the Fake in front of him.

“First would be dragging that guy out of that piece of junk, I guess.”

Ende pushed the Dragoon into full throttle once again and went on the offensive. Slice and move away, slice and move away; he’s repeating hit & away attacks.

Such attacks utilizing the Dragoon’s mobility are its forte. While slowly piling up small damages, it looks for a window of opportunity to deal a big hit.

“Hah! Lukewarm. It’s too lukewarm, brat! You won’t be able to cut me with that kind of puny attacks no matter how long it takes!”

Towards the Dragoon’s arm that was swinging a kodachi to attack, a shield bash struck with perfect timing. The shield did not hit the blade; it went past that and bashed the arm directly.

Aiming at the head of the Dragoon which lost its balance due to the sudden impact, the dark gold sword was swung in a horizontal slash.

“Kuh!”

Ende barely dodged the sword by making the Dragoon’s body drop down at the last second. Well, to be exact, he didn’t dodge it completely; the right antenna horn was cut off.

While still in the crouching position, he shifted the gear on both legs to reverse and moved backwards at a high speed.

“Think you can run!?”

The Fake Zeno was piloting threw its shield at the retreating Dragoon. The thrown shield rotated at high speed, and broke apart one of the wheels on the right leg.

“-Tto!”

Due to its right leg suddenly failing to work, the Dragoon, losing its balance, fell onto the ground. Zeno’s Fake rushed in, aiming for that opportunity, and swung its sword down from up high.

“Kuh!”

Ende barely managed to parry it with a kodachi, but the Dragoon’s arm frames started emitting strained sounds at the power pushing against it.

In the first place, in order to achieve the Dragoon’s high mobility, its weight is light, and its frames aren’t made to be as tough as standard models. The hit & away attacks seen earlier is its basic combat method, and it cannot stand head-on against a powerful opponent.

“What happened! Don’t tell me this is the end from you? Let me enjoy this more!”

“Be it Gira or this guy, it sure is tiring to keep combat-classes company.. Sorry, Mel. Could you lend me your power for a bit?”

“Of course. This can also be said to be my battle, after all.”

“Mu?”

The Dragoon let go of both kodachis it was holding, and dropped them to the ground.

The next moment, crystals appeared on the Dragoon from the elbow up, and covered its two forearms. The ice-like clear crystal completely covered the Dragoon’s arms, and formed gauntlets with two sharp protrusions at the knuckles on each hand. In the same way, a layer of crystal coating also formed on its legs from the knee to the shin.

“[Crystal Armament], huh. This is more like it.”

By switching their mind to a battle-ready state, the Phrase’s ruler-classes can strengthen their bodies with crystals. Normally, they are only able to use that on themselves, and doing it on others, or even inorganic things, are unthinkable unless you have the power of the [Sovereign].

If it’s just things like creating crystal formations and enclosing an opponent with it, then even Zeno can do them. However, there’s no way he can change them to various shapes depending on the situation, and give them special effects or strengthen them.

The ruler-class’ power to control crystals, [Crystal Art]; the [Sovereign], Mel, was a genius in that field.

Ever since he began serving under that [Sovereign], Zeno had been holding a small flame in his heart.

His younger brother seems to have wanted to take in the power of [Sovereign] for himself and become the next [Sovereign], but Zeno is different.

He wanted to crush the [Sovereign], who was a genius to the degree of creating a technique to cross over the walls of dimensions and travel to other worlds, with his own strength. While showing his power to the world, he would fight, and at the end, he would crush her core to powder and scatter it to the wind; that was his thought.

He does not hate her. Rather, his emotion is actually close to admiration and longing. She was a supreme existence. That’s why, he wanted to break such an existence himself; this twisted desire embedded itself in Zeno.

However, that [Sovereign] had suddenly disappeared from Phrasia one day. The sense of loss he tasted that day could never be expressed in words.

That’s why, at least in regards to how he was able to meet with the [Sovereign] again like this, Zeno was thankful to the man called Yura from the bottom of his heart.

That’s why, he must first get rid of the nuisances that would get between him and his fight with the [Sovereign]. He must get rid of this brat piloting the machine in front of him.

The Fake Zeno was piloting swung its sword down towards the bare-handed Dragoon.

With a high-pitched *gakin*, the Fake’s sword was stopped by the Dragoon’s gauntlet.

“Mu!?”

“Now then, from here on, you’ll be facing the techniques taught to me directly by Shishou.”

With an entangling motion, the Fake’s sword-wielding hand was grabbed by the Dragoon’s left hand, and while pulling it in, the right hand landed a solid hit on the elbow below. With a dull breaking sound, Zeno’s Fake’s right elbow was destroyed.

Even for the Fakes, it seems that they still have weak armor on the joints. In order to replicate the human-like movements, that is something unavoidable.

However, since they’re still variants, they can regenerate. For normal Fakes, their regeneration comes from the golden skeletons riding them, but the spiked Fakes piloted by Zeno and the Phrase ruler-classes need the ruler-classes to take on that role.

In the first place, the variants are “variants” of Phrases. There’s no way the Phrase ruler- classes can’t manage something the golden skeletons can do.

However, Phrases and variants are similar and different at the same time. It’s unavoidable that the regeneration doesn’t go as smoothly as it would for their own bodies.

And, it would bring shame to his master if Ende cannot grasp such an opportunity.

“Bushin-ryu Higi, Shinra Rasensho.”

The Dragoon’s palm strike, clad in a spiral of light and infused with a slight amount of divinity, lunged towards the Fake’s cockpit.

“Nuguh!?”

Zeno guarded against it with his remaining left hand at the last second. It was a move he made following an instinctual sense of danger; this time, that sense which was cultivated in countless battles saved him.

While the impact sound was tremendous, Zeno could only feel a light impact on the Fake’s left arm. However, the left arm that the Fake guarded with collapsed quietly like it was made of sand.

“It missed, huh..”

“What is that power..!”

“Secret.”

Even if Ende is a god’s dependant who can control divinity, as he is only barely a beginner, he still cannot call this power his own yet. It’s something closer to a borrowed power for him. However, as the dependant of the Martial God, someone who perfected the art of fighting while manipulating [Ki], he was thoroughly trained on that aspect as well. To the point of it being excessive.

“I was originally not good at fighting with a weapon anyway. I only used weapons because the Dragoon’s specs make it most effective at that kind of fighting style, to begin with.”

If he used the Dragoon, which is weak at directly hitting opponents, with the Bushin-ryu fighting style, the Dragoon’s fists would break way before the enemy is defeated.

There’s a vast difference between the Dragoon and a close combat-specialized model like Elze’s Gerhilde. If he wanted to fight in a similar fashion to Gerhilde, he would have to ask for major remodelling for the Dragoon. And Ende also rather liked the Dragoon as it is, and refused the opportunity when it was brought up, saying that it probably doesn’t need the remodelling.

Even if it’s the Dragoon which is weak at close combat, with Mel’s [Crystal Armament] as support, it can be used by Ende to show his original fighting style. Plus, it’s now durable enough to even withstand having divinity injected into it.

Ende judged that it’s fine even if he goes overboard a little. Well, having said that, at Ende’s current level he can probably use divinity only one more time.

The Fake’s broken right arm regenerated into the shape of a sword. It seems that Zeno raised the speed by simplifying the part to be regenerated.

The bladed right arm made a slash at the Dragoon. The Dragoon received it with the gauntlet made from [Crystal Armament], but right there, an unforeseen attack came towards it.

“Eat this!”

Suddenly, from the Fake’s visor-like eyes, blinding light was released.

“Kuh!?”

The monitor inside the cockpit was suddenly washed over with white light, and Ende lost sight of the Fake for an instant due to that.

The next instant, after the monitor returned to normal, the figure of the Fake, thrusting its right arm towards the Dragoon like a spear, was shown upon it.

The aim was at the cockpit. Sensing that, Ende took evasive actions; due to that, the golden blade missed the cockpit, and instead plunged deep into the Dragoon’s left shoulder.

“Tch.”

Zeno tried to pull out the blade, but he somehow couldn’t. When he turned to look, the tip of the sword had been covered with crystal, and it was affixed to the Dragoon with that. It was the power of Mel through her [Crystal Armament].

“And now it’s my turn. Receive it well.”

“Oh cr..!”

“Bushin-ryu Higi, Shinra Rasensho.”

Another palm strike clad in divinity landed on the now-unguarded body of the Fake.

While it was the same light hit as before, Zeno’s Fake, leaving the still-trapped right arm on the Dragoon, flew backwards while breaking apart.

After bouncing on the ground several times, the Fake turned into pieces of rubble, and did not move again.

“Plugging my eyes is unfair, don’t you think.”

Having his divinity used up, Ende muttered to himself inside the ragged Dragoon. His Shishou, the Martial God, is probably, no definitely watching that battle just now. That battle couldn’t be said to be of a passing grade no matter how he thought about it. There’s definitely going to

be a special training menu from hell waiting for him after this. When Ende thought about that, he started to feel depressed.

historical

However, this has not yet ended.

Inside the monitor, the figure of Zeno could be seen climbing out from the broken-apart Fake. He looks to be unharmed.

“O [Sovereign]! The one who had thrown away our [Phrasia], O [Sovereign] of the Phrase! Please, grant me my final desire!”

The red crystals clad around Zeno began to grow. Like an armor, it covered his body, and reformed into a spiked, sinister-looking form.

This is Zeno’s [Crystal Armament]. His fight has not yet ended. No, to him, the fighting using the Fake which wasn’t even his own body could instead only be called the entrée.

“I shall handle this from here on. Please watch me, Endymion.”

“It’s a weird feeling leaving everything to a girl at the end, but..”

While saying that, Ende, who knew that he can’t stop Mel, obediently opened the Dragoon’s cockpit hatch.

Mel lightly kicked off the hatch door, and jumped into the air.

She made a soft descent, as if controlling the gravity placed on her, and landed without any mishaps.

Nei and Rize rushed to her sides.

“Nei, Rize. Do not interfere. Allow me to finish everything.”

“However, Mel-sama..!”

“As the former [Sovereign], I cannot turn my back and run on a challenge. And.. I am slightly looking forward to battling for the first time in a long while too.”

Smiling lightly, Mel started walking. Directly ahead stood Zeno in his [Crystal Armament].

Ice-blue crystals began covering the body of Mel as she was slowly walking forward. An armor with an elegant form and delicateness, like wearing a dress made of ice, appeared on her body. Furthermore, a thorny vine-like crystal structure wrapped itself around her entire body. Her figure could be likened to a blue rose given human form.

Mel’s feet stopped. Red and blue stood facing each other.

“Words are no longer needed between us. Allow me to destroy that vessel, O [Sovereign].”

“If you can. I have thrown away my name and authority as [Sovereign], but I have not thrown away my powers. Please enjoy them well as you break into nothingness.”

Mel replied without changing her expression to the fiercely-smiling Zeno.

“That’s exactly what I want!”

While laughing madly, Zeno charged forward. Turning his two arms into swords, Zeno jumped and assaulted Mel with blades of crimson.

“[Prisma Rose].”

The vines wrapped around Mel moved, turning into several layers of protective nets and blocking Zeno’s attack. These vines are controlled by Mel’s will, and can move freely, acting as both offensive and defensive tools.

The vines, which smoothly entangled themselves onto Zeno’s arms, were swung wildly, slamming him mercilessly onto the ground.

Zeno’s right arm was cut off. The versatile vines, like throwing away trash, threw the severed right arm far away.

“Kuhahahahaha!”

While laughing, Zeno stood back up, and released several red crystal arrows from his remaining left hand.

With nary a change in her expression, Mel struck the arrows down with the crystal vines she manipulated. However, when the arrows fell onto the ground, they suddenly caused huge explosions.

Together with a huge sound, the ground blasted open with Mel in the center. Dust clouds were blown up, and the area became hidden behind them, but a gust of wind immediately cleared that away.

When the dust settled, at the same place, the figure of an unharmed Mel could be seen standing calmly.

Zeno, whose right arm had regenerated, charged towards that Mel once again. The regenerated right arm turned into the figure of a large spear, and headed towards Mel in a straight line, fully intent on piercing her through.

“I’ve got you!”

The instant Zeno saw the tip of the spear disappear into Mel’s chest, her figure vanished.

Mel, who instantly reappeared behind Zeno, manipulated countless vines and restrained Zeno in the blink of an eye. The thorns that were on the vines entangled around Zeno lengthened, and pierced into his body of red crystal.

A single vine is raised high up into the sky.

“[Prisma Guillotine].”

A hatchet-like blade that appeared at the end of the raised vine split Zeno into two halves horizontally.

And once again, Mel threw Zeno’s bisected body onto the ground like it was trash.

While his body broke apart, Zeno’s heart was filled with fear and joy. The fear of being crushed by the overwhelming power of the [Sovereign], and the joy of savoring this experience.

“Kuhahahaha! This is it! Battles must be something like this, or it won’t be fun! The joy of standing up against an opponent stronger than you, facing death at every turn, holding the desire to win in your heart! Marvelous! This, this is my destiny!”

“As expected, I cannot understand you.”

While propping himself up with just his arms, Zeno regenerated his lower body. Mel did not try to attack him, but just stood there and watched that.

Zeno’s body, which was completely regenerated after a few seconds, grew one size bigger, and began transforming into something like a crystal beastman. At his throat, the red [core] which was glowing brighter than normal could be seen.

Zeno’s eyes are already bloodshot, without any trace of sanity left. Seeing that from inside the Dragoon through a monitor, Ende felt that that man must’ve been seeking a place to die. Mel should’ve sensed it as well.

“[Supreme Crystal Armament].. Very well. I shall receive it.”

“Gaaaaaaah!”

Raising a yell like that of a wild beast’s, Zeno charged towards Mel.

The core at his throat is releasing a blinding amount of light. Everything Zeno has is being released and poured into this battle. This strike is one which focused his stamina, willpower, even all of his life force; a final gamble.

A high-pitched sound of destruction rang out in the area.

Eventually, the area went silent again; what Ende’s group saw was the figure of Mel, firmly receiving that strike of Zeno’s with her left hand.

Her hand has nary a scratch on it.

Mel then slowly gripped Zeno’s fist tighter with her hand, and crushed it without a change in countenance.

“I hope you are satisfied.”

Zeno did not answer. [Supreme Crystal Armament], to the Phrase’s ruler-classes, is an armor of death that can only be worn through shaving their own life away to the limit. He’s most likely no longer conscious.

From the back of Mel, who closed her eyes, a single vine shot out and pierced through Zeno’s throat. The marble-sized core was destroyed and became dust, and together with that, the existence that was once known as the Phrase’s general broke down into pieces physically.

The life of a single ruler-class, who knew nothing besides battle, has ended here.

Turning on her heels, Mel began walking back to her comrades. The former [Sovereign] of the Phrase did not turn back to look at the remains of what was once her subordinate even once.

- Pixel