Counter:Side IF - BOOK III: Legacy of the Voice

While Yubin finished his work and was going back to home. he saw something shiny on the ground as he sighed. “What is it?” so he picked up. ‘Watch? But this looks like… .'

It's a Counter Watch. not just a normal wristwatch.

As he realized that, without any hesitation he took out his phone and reported. and nothing else was on his mind.

The next day morning, someone actually gave a phone call to Yubin, saying, he will visit to take it. in the afternoon a middle-aged man in Toga arrived, asked robots in Latin, then finally approached Yubin and said in very fluent Korean, weirdly enough.

“I called you in the morning… .” The man passed the Administratorate certificate. the office wasn't busy since no other person was there. After looking at his face and the paper, Yubin gave the Counter Watch in a small plastic bag to him. “Here, the Counter Watch you were looking for.”

The man said. “My gratitude. but… .” Yubin turned his head and asked. “What is it?”

"This is a Counter Watch. When you acquired it, you could assume it as your possession. Why didn't you do that?"

“Well, I don’t know. “This is just my job, anyway.”

“So out of duty and responsibility you made this decision?”

"You probably can say that, I guess. This is what I'm supposed to do anyway."

The man in Toga clearly seemed to be impressed by his action.

"Thank you for your service. I'll leave, then."

“Take care.”

As he left Yubin looked at his back and thought. ‘After the foundation of Administratorate, I have seen a lot of people from different cultures but… never saw a man wearing Roman Toga.'

Nothing particularly special happened on that day. at night Yubin had a dinner with Amy and Jisoo, then just went to home. then he had a very strange dream… .

“Yubin, Yubin!”

Something kept poking Yubin's arms.

“Hmm… ugh….” Rubbing his eyes Yubin woke up and yawned. then as he turned his eyes to that, he saw the strange black rectangular machine which kept pushing him with its claws.

Yubin said. “W-What is this?”

“Oh, it’s just me. Your boss.”

"What? My boss? What are you even talking about?"

"Stop babbling nonsense and get to work. I had a high opinion of you after reading The New Age but maybe I was completely wrong about that."

… With that word, the so-called boss left the room.

Being struck dumb, Yubin only could make a funny face. What even is this unfamiliar place? As he looked around and his own body then he was surprised again. "W-What the heck? My hands look like drawn images!" then suddenly someone gave a knocking and came in: it was Karin and she put the coffee on his desk. “What are you doing? You ran out of ideas again?”

“Wait…who are you again?”

"What? What are you even talking about? This isn't time for stupid jokes, Yubin. Don't you get it? We still have a lot of work to do."

“II see. sorry….”

Her face was too serious so Yubin couldn't ask anything further.

Then Karin went back to her desk and was writing something with her keyboard. then moments later she snapped out and hit the keyboard loudly, then pulled her hair.

‘What is she even doing… ?'

Yubin felt curious and quietly went to Karin's desk and saw what she was doing. judging by the context on the monitor there are two main characters named Jake and Mina defeating some boss monsters.

'Is this about video game story…?'

But Yubin couldn't understand anything. Of course, only a few minutes ago he woke up in this place… and didn't even know what's the name of it. Karin, perhaps undergoing severe stress from the lack of creativity, put her head down on the desk.

'I mean, it's just writing. why would that be so hard…?'

Yubin never could understand such pain of being mediocre a creator since writing all felt too easy for him… anyway, since he really couldn't know what to do so he said in a very careful tone.

"I… I think I need to go bathroom. so…."

"…………."

Karin didn't even say anything as if she was dead. so Yubin left the room.

'What even is this place…?'

The place apparently looked like some sort of gaming company. However there were people looked like cartoon characters greeting Yubin in friendly attitude, which confused Yubin even more.

"…How do they even know me anyway? This is strange… huh?"

"Oh, there you are! Yubin, what the hell are you even doing in here?!"

Then all of a sudden there was a purple-haired kid who pulled off his ear.

"That hurts! What are you doing?"

"Where the heck have you been?! we can't make any progress since your writing team is so slow!"

"Wait… I don't even know what are you even talking about… hey, get off from me!"

"Oh, if I let you go then where would you go anyway? no, you must come!"

Rosaria kept pulling his ear and brought him to the other room.

There was Edel too, awaiting them.

"I see… I see…. so you've come, Yubin. though we understand the concept of this Clareth El Arcadena, but we didn't get any crucial details such his skill names or movesets."

"Right?! like, what the hell is this document anyway? I dare to say, there is no communication between the teams, like, at all!" Out of annoyance Rosaria threw the paper at Yubin's face.

"Ah…." Then he picked up and read through all that. What they said seemed to be right and he need to fill the blank. for some reason, Yubin now got a strange feeling of inspiration.

"Then I need to just fill them whatever I want, right? cool names for cool attacks?"

Rosaria leered at Yubin. "I don't really care whether it's cool or not. just say anything. we don't have time, and Doma would get angry if I'm taking long time."

Then with a mysterious smile Yubin closed his eyes and said. "Hmhmhm… hahaha…. then how about this? this Clareth's unique and awesome sword… and his signature move… Yong-A Hwa-Ryong Myeol-Gup(Argentum: Destructive Sign of Fiery Drake)!"

Rosaria, clearly unimpressed, just pulled off her phone and wrote that down. then, Edle opened her eyes wide and said. "Uh, Yubin? I think he's like a medieval prince…."

Yubin just ignored her and said the next one. "His ultimate move… Cheon-Gang… Yeok-Il-Seom(Great Slash of Unbreakable Heaven)!" and then Rosaria asked again. "So, did I hear correctly? Yonga Hwaryongmeyolgup, and Cheongang Yeokilseom?"

Though it was come from his excellent and ingenious poetic talent but Rosaria looked as if… boring. shocked by it, Yubin said in a rather defeated voice. "…Yes, that's it." Then Rosaria sighed and left the room.

"You surely have exotic taste… your vocabulary choices make me feel that my knowledges expanding….' Edel seems to be very… distracted? unfocused? it was hard to tell.

"Hey, can I ask something…?"

"…Yes?"

Though Yubin said that but he really had no clue how to deliver his questions. where is this place? or why am I here? something like that would lead to nothing to normal people without any context.

While he was thinking about something like that in hesitation, someone suddenly opened the door and came in.

"W-What?" Yubin turned his head. Air-headed Edel just kept looking at Yubin. A blonde girl was there.

"There you are! Yubin, right? Also not a native to this world?"

Her presence shook his mind clear and Yubin answered in a hurry. "I am Na Yubin, yes!" also her body doesn't look like anime images either. he instantly could feel this person is the only one who can help him. Lara smiled and explained.

"Someone called me to escort Mr. Yubin! but I couldn't check properly… sorry for the minor inconvenience! you're literally controlling the body of the Yubin who's sleeping right now!"

"…What? I'm sleeping now but controlling myself…?"

"Oh no, we don't have time for this! then follow me, please!"

As soon as she finished her words, Lara immediately grabbed his arm and dashed out.

But that was too fast. couldn't handle such speed, Yubin shouted. "W-Wait… where are we even going… no! slow down, slow the heck down! and this isn't like I'm following you, you're literally picking up me! Stop itttt- Heeeeeeyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!" but he couldn't even say anything clearly and only could see a lot of colorful lights passing through his visions and lost his consciousness….

Later.

When Yubin opened his eyes, again he was in somewhere he couldn't recognize. in the white room where everything felt rather cold and mysterious yet safe, he looked around and finally noticed he was in some sort of space ship.

He wasn't alone. There was the same man in a Toga whom Yubin saw in the afternoon. he sat at the same desk and was reading a book. Yubin mumbled. "De… Bello… Gallico?" and the man noticed, he put a bookmark on the page and closed the book.

"Are you awake?"

"Wait, aren't you that person who dropped the Counter Watch? What are you doing in here?"

"Oh, Indeed I am. Also, that was intentional."

He looked very similar to one of those Roman marble busts. the man pulled the Counter Watch and put it on the desk.

"This Counter Watch was forged only to assist you. but I do have one question before giving it."

"What does that even mean? You… created a Counter Watch? And just to give it to me?"

"Exactly. Of course, if you don't want it then you don't need to take it. anyway… do you realize that there are many worlds other than your universe?"

Then Yubin remembered the strange place and those people: The world filled with bright and soft pastel colors, everything looked like fairytale and cheerful drawings.

"So you mean… that strange dimension is…."

The man shook his head and said. "I asked her to escort you politely. And If he declines my invitation then end it there. But that's our Lara… she was being herself again. I apologize."

Though Yubin was annoyed a little bit but the man was serious and embarassed in his attitude, so he just decided to forget it.

"No… no, it's okay. I don't mind it that much."

"Unfortunate that was but I'm glad that you understood me."

Then the man said.

"Do you know that the counterpart of yourself in the other universe was chosen as Adversarius?"

"Adversarius? I don't know what that word means."

"It refers to those who assumed the role of hero standing against the Dark Lords. Though there was none in here."

"So you mean, that other me in a different world is stronger than myself here."

Yubin glanced at the Counter Watch. "I'm not even a Counter. So, are you suggesting that I should become that Adversarius by taking this Counter Watch?" then the man said. "No, not exactly. Your world already has one. But since she's not in the state for executing her responsibility…."

Hmm….

Yubin was more curious about the man himself so asked. "Wait… you said that in your world there was no Adversarius. Wouldn't you need it?" Yubin contiuned. "And where are we even now?"

The man gave a gesture with his hand. Gracefully the ship they boarded rotated, Yubin could see the sun, earth and, moon through the window. Finally he could lay his eyes on the mars that terraforming had been finished.

"Wow, amazing…."

Yubin surprised. Indeed he was in the space, but felt rather peaceful and serene.

"Obviously we don't need such weapons. We conquered everything through campagins."

"I can't even find a word…."

"The true power of humanity is what you behold right now."

"But, what about the invasions from the Countersides then? there were other ruined desolate universes fallen by The Corruptors…."

Then the man was reminded the fact that he's not Adversarius. "Of course, you know not much since you hadn't been deeply associated with the Administratorate in your world. Maybe we should talk about the truth first… what's the Qlippoth, and even the Dark Lords behind of all."

Twenty minutes later….

He explained everything to Yubin and saw his face was changed, made expressions of horror and shock but also awe.

Yubin asked.

"N-No way it's possible. So you're actually telling those mighty Dark Lords were defeated by your army? and you found the Anti Corruption Waves and used against them? How did you even do that?"

"Just think it simply. What is war, anyway? To kill, or to be killed. And using Strategy or Tactics to make it happen. Dark Lords or not, it didn't matter. Since it could be killed, we did it by our hands."

"Doesn't matter? What are you talking about? How can you even speak that out so easily?"

"Your perspective is rather foreign to me. It's not something can be thought as easy or hard. it's only about whether it's possible or impossible."

Then the man gave a command to the ship's computer, brought the hologram on the desk.

"What is this?"

"There were three factors ensured victory. the first was that we could discover the immunity cells from my own body and researched. the second was that our Legionarii of Roman Republic are all armed with Anti-Matter rifles which could destroy literally anything in the physical dimensions. the third was that including this Junius-Class warship, all fleet used the Dark Matter and Dark Energy cannons."

"Dark Matter? Dark Energy? You mean that something couldn't be observed?"

"Yes."

"Then how can you defeat those Dark Lords with those?"

"Because they couldn't see what was coming to them."

Then Yubin said. "You mean they couldn't dodge them?" The man nodded. "Of course, we took the formation from afar, Legionarii were ready to fire the enemy when they'd come closer, and ships just bombarded those Dark Matter and Dark Energy them from a distance. not only they couldn't avoid but they were destroyed immediately."

Yubin asked. "Who are you guys anyway? No… wait, didn't you mention Roman Republic?"

The man closed his eyes for a moment, then tapped the table with his finger. then the map of earth was manifested on the surface. "I'd like to ask, the technologies in your world couldn't reach this level?" Yubin thought shortly and replied. "I'm merely an officer of Korean government so can't tell everything, but I think they didn't yet."

"Can you tell why the histories of our worlds are so different divergently?"

"What can I even say? I don't even know yours."

"Then allow me to ask you: What exactly was required to make the consequence of our world?"

"That maybe…."

"Don't try to take it too hard. just see mankind as something unified whole. putting yourself in a position of something like undying immortal who is meant to guide humanity, what do you want to do?"

Yubin listened to that and pondered for a while then realized. "If I be the will of mankind itself… then I'd immediately ceaseall conflicts between human races and prompting the advancement of technology, scientific understanding so that we can build more powerful ships and arm our men with better weapons to prepare the battle against Dark Lords."

Then Yubin immediately learned from what he said. this impression… it felt so similar to what he read long before in the book that is Plato's Republic.

"That is the true power of humanity, as it is what mankind must have to become."

"…All of you could figure that out it too early."

"The potential what the mankind could pull off was already witnessed in the age of Alexandros of Macedonia. Human race already organized an army in the dawn of history and learned how the competition and conquest worked… ruled all what they saw, including the nature or the planet itself. this, Counterside, is nothing but another challenge that Human Reason must have to conquer."

The man continued. "No Greeks at that time dared to dream the future to win against Persian Empire. but they realized that. From that time, mankind could know the true spirit what made themselves: they can change the destiny and the world itself."

It surely gave such convincing impression to Yubin. He genuinely felt like one of those Romans who was inspired by conquest and war itself. Yubin asked.

"Then in this world your empire still exists? In my world they were divided into Western and Eastern Empires and both were fallen long time ago."

The man said. "We could observe few worlds having such history. But in our universe, we could achieve the unification of mankind in AVC 1505. We could buy more than a thousand years before the first invasion of Corruptors from their Counterside."

"This is the one order and system for mankind, as all of us deserve so." The voice of man sounded like as if he remembers everything like own memory.

"Who are you then?"

"I am Caesar Augustus Germanicus. the son of Augustus who was the adopted son of Julius Caesar himself. and the first thing when I did after the succession was…." He continued. "Just like Augustus did to Caesar, I also venerated him, and subdued everything related with Germans. not just for the people but their Valhalla and the last Valkyrie as well, forced to be incorporated to Rome."

'Hmm? He speaks like that about own father?' His tone felt rather awkward but it was lesser important.

"Wait, how can you still be alive then? What… exactly are you? something like Dark Lord? or…?"

"Romans reached divinity with their own powers, so do I. but not just for that. though we couldn't get Adversarius for our world but we had an Administrator."

"And that was you."

"Indeed."

Finally Yubin understood everything. In this universe the Romans conquered everything and eventually the entire planet fell under their order. But even after that, they kept pushed themselves for tireless improvement and throughout millennium they improved and organized their military against Dark Lords.

Perhaps this world represents the ideal scenario for humanity in struggles against Countersides. The man who gave the perfect answer… now is in front of Yubin's eyes.

"Humanity can win against The Corruptors even without Counters…." Yubin looked both Germanicus and the Counterwatch. The man told. "This equiptment was made just for you."

"You mean you created this? In our world at some point there were people who obtained there Counter Watches. Were they all come from here?"

"No. After we slew all the Dark Lords, we somehow picked up one of those. Didn't even realize something like this existed. With reverse-engineering we could recreate this tools… though we manufactured several models and sent them to other dimensions to help other world, not even us clarified its origin."

"What? Why do you even send Counter Watches to the other worlds then? Why do you do testing?"

Then Germanicus leaned his back to the chair and said. "Human race had been evolved from primitive animals enslaved by barbaric desires of disgusting ungrateful nature. When the man disrupts the order for own motivation, it will become nothing more than a degenerate beast. We… or rather I, actually hesitate to intervene other worlds since what would be caused from our decisions."

He looked at the void of space through the window as he said. "In many universes there were people who surrendered themselves to the evil without self-restraint. Have you heard of the Ring of Gyges?"

"So you're afraid of the evil who abuses the power of Counter."

"Certainly. and because of so, I actually wanted to have conversation with you once. and hereby I can convince myself that you're a trustworthy, steadfast friend who can use its power for the good of mankind. you will help your world, with this Counter Watch. As great as the human reason is, let our enemy know the might of man, just like that us conquerors changed the reality or even more the fate and destiny itself."

"But what's the reason for you doing this? Didn't you say that there is Adversaria in our world? wouldn't it be better to help her more than me?"

"It's not an option at this point."

"What? Why not?"

Germanicus answered.

"There is an only fallen Adversaria left in your world."

Clearly it wasn't mere rumor when they're talking about the chairman of Alphatrix had relationships with several lovers. one of them was the white-haired lady from Gronia and she had a daughter. that girl, however, was a very peculiar individual as she had the eyes filled with void.

It's not about the lady but about the girl, if people had to notice about anything. She never was interested in anything and barely gave attention to other people, and didn't even really read or write anything. The only thing what she was interested just toys, disassembling and looking through its structure and reconstruct again.

Since that was her precious daughter was paying her mind, thus her mother gave a lot of gifts like that. For whatever reason that seemed to be her hobby, though it was hard to assume anything what she was thinking.

The other thing what came to her mind was the night sky. Ever since she looked at the radiant moon, she came out and looked above. At first her mother felt delighted and relieved for her behavior since she looked like normal girl like other average kids, however after a few weeks she saw that her daughter acting like dismantle it with her hand like the toys, that really felt rather creepy and startled.

When she turned eight she finally began to speak. they never could hear her voice and when finally catching the sound coming out from her mouth, it never felt like something coming out from the living person but rather whispering from oblivion as if shaking winds from the abyss.

But not only that what made them so flipped was that seemingly she could see through the minds of other people and never it went wrong. this girl, also, could look through any book memorized its all contents in a moment. when someone tried to ask something, then she just gave answer immediately even before they told the question.

'That girl can read your mind.'

That was reason why their family shunned the girl. Unlike normal houses full of intrigue and secrecy was behind them, so they never could like that girl, mostly out of fear.

When the chairman fell ill, the lady took her and went to Gronia again. However, since she was the most beloved woman among his lovers, thus concerning inheritance issues they sent the assassins.

Which turned out to be a failure. they said, "She didn't react even when her mother and her other families were killed. when we tried to shoot her she suddenly disappeared. we searched the whole area for weeks but we failed to find her."

They blockaded all the entrances and never saw anyone left. the whole circumstance was rather suspicious.

And the girl, was never died.

When the assassins appeared from nowhere, though she immediately could see through their minds and intention to murder her, without any emotions she just looked at them. But from whatever fate decided to grant this strange destiny, on her finger suddenly the golden ring was manifested.

Counter.

That moment, was the first time when the girl opened her eyes wide, and surprised by something she couldn't expect or understand happened. they never could see her. and after when the assassins left, she then removed the ring and noticed people could see her now. That Ring, certainly gave her the ability to make her like a ghost that couldn't be touched nor seen.

To begin with her life the girl was like something never alive yet now there was no despair or fear within.

Then, she just roamed around aimlessly. the desolate land by restless civil wars, raiders and gangs ran amok and the military factions were sacking and killing anything against them, and even though the Corruptors to doom them all were knocking the door from afar still the greedy and selfish men were fighting with each other in pursuit of desire and personal gains. they were nothing more than demons to her eyes.

This was nothing of her opinion but just what they were as she could see through their minds.

"It'd be better for all to be perished…."

The name of the girl was Ga-eun.

"Whom are you even talking with, Human."

As if the destroyed robots thrown away and piled from the pitch-black bottom in the junkyard that is the sight of Administratorate HQ, giant fans were making huge noises which gave no impression but the ruins of despair. Horizon, who collected many machinery parts, looked at Yubin and said to him.

"It is an urgent matter to rescue Rita and Dash. I require your support for this matter." though she spoke in a calm manner but throwing the scrap metal to next Yubin, expressing her dissatisfaction. Exactly, she was here to find the dimensional coordinate tracker.

When Yubin visited Horizon he suggested that they might find the complex device designed for such purpose and convinced her to work together. but when she acted like this, it really annoyed Yubin and he shouted at her. "Excuse me? I'm talking with Administrator himself. it's an important call so I'd appreciate if you're being quiet for a moment."

"That man literally blew everything even though he commanded the powerful army and fleet. Can't you see what happened here? What are you even expecting?"

Ignoring her grumbles, Yubin continued to speak through his phone.

"…So, do you know who she is?"

"You may not know but there are streamers in the other universes who are being active as a streamer. she certainly looks identical to Ga-eun of HRT Berry."

"What the… so are you saying a mere internet streamer destroyed here?"

"No. she's different from Ga-eun of any other worlds, just like you're different from the counterpart of other universes. Her existence came from its own consequences and is a unique individual."

Without saying a word Yubin looked at Horizon and asked.

"I'm curious. Is that woman stronger than me?"

"Her counterparts in other universe are not. but Ga-eun here is rather difficult to measure. just by looking at the video you sent me she's masterful for utilizing her ability and mobility. it's hard to assume but she's equal to you as Adversarius of other universe… I will say."

"Then what would you do when you're meeting with her?"

"I already got enough evidence that she's cooperating with the Replacers. We must take out of her."

"Is that so."

Thud!

As they were speaking to each other, out of frustration Horizon threw another metal plate next to Yubin. "What the fuck!" That really startled Yubin and yelled, Horizon only reacted by lighting the devices upon her head and pretending to clean her ear with her finger. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't even know you were here. since you were not contributing anything, your presence was rather forgettable."

"……."

Yubin, felt a bit challenged, out of anger he crumpled his face and extended the burning wings.

"You seem busy, Yubin."

His hand was still squeezing the phone as he lowered his arm but as Yubin heard the voice of Administrator he took a deep breath as he closed his eyes, then he opened them and replied in a quite voice again.

"Don't worry about it. just some nauseating acquaintance is interrupting me."

"Nauseating, you said? how unfortunate that I only have deafened, obnoxious, pretentious acquaintance."

"……."

Without withdrawing his flaming wings Yubin only leered at Horizon who just threw another broken piece of machinery. Assuming the situation behind the phone, Administrator said.

"It might be better to focus on your own job now."

"…Come to think of it that I forgot to ask this because of that whining tin-can. do you believe me as a friend?"

"Certainly."

Then Yubin smiled as if sighed and said.

"Then there won't be anything to hide to each other. one of the Dark Lords finally arrived in our world. Gha'agsheblah… though she's benign in the other universe but in here, she's plotting something."

His opinion was rather a bit off and Administrator asked.

"What do you even mean that she's benign in the other universe?"

"Oh, well… I went to the video gaming company of the other universe, and Rosaria in that universe works in the programming department, Edel was in the art team."

"……?"

It didn't really make any sense and he tilted his head. Yubin asked to silenced Administrator.

"Whatever that was, can you deal with the issues in there?"

"What about you?"

"We… are occupied and acting according to the plan, to recover the world taken by our enemy."

"So you're trying to save those two first."

Administrator exactly pointed that out so Yubin chuckled and replied.

"Well, you obviously knew everything already. but as you are indeed competent I feel a bit safe now."

"Don't give me too much praises."

As they were having a conversation, Horizon stepped over abandoned machines and came closer, sighed as she was telling Yubin. "In the end I'm the one who's doing all the work. Do you mind? At all?"

Recognizing the part what she held is the one what they were looking for, Yubin said. "Oh… sorry, but you actually discovered it correctly." and he spoke to Administrator. "Anyway, I think we shall leave for now."

"Wait… I have one last thing to say."

"And what is that?"

"Beware the pirates of the sea of Countersides who are called the Scavenger."

Yubin lightly laughed.

"I appreciate your concern but we probably wouldn't encounter with them so it will be totally fine. also, I think I need your permission to use Ash Savior since it's the property of Administratorate… would it be okay, isn't it?"

"Ash Savior? not Razangriff? …Do as you wish. no, I will just give it to you."

"Thank you… and, good luck to you."

"You too."

With that, Yubin hung up the phone. though in their conversation Yubin reported to him about the Dark Lords but Administrator already knew their whereabouts and activities but just checking whether he was giving the correct information or not. and certainly Yubin in this world was reliable.

Putting both elbows on the desk as he crossed and resting his face at the intertwined fingers, Administrator looked at the monitors and muttered. "Pendragon, and Gha'agsheblah…. intriguing."

Gronia, at the same time.

Nothing but the cradle of doom, once the rebels and the government fought and each time when one of them was winning they suffered division within their own faction, throughout endless struggle they became nothing more than unwilling gangs. Not even trying to fight or protect their citizen from Corruptors, without any discipline or morale they let the monsters run around freely like wild animals while being busy fighting with each other.

Bang, with that sound, a Corruptor which ran around like a dog died with it. Without any remorse a Woman put it in the pocket again and looked at the watch as she leaned her back against the wall. After ten minutes, more or less, from above she could feel someone's presence.

Putting both hands in the pockets, Revenant asked quietly.

"Jane?"

With that, A woman who held a knife in her hand jumped from the roof.

"You came earlier."

"It's my habit of waiting someone."

With hesitation Revenant asked.

"Do you know what happened to my mother?"

"She's doing fine, very fine. here, your letter. You see, if you're worried that much then you can always go there and meet her face."

Revenant softly grinned when she took her mother's letter from Jane.

"Korea… is so distanced from here. and I don't remember anyone can do my job instead."

"……."

Jane seemed to say something but she just gave up.

"Then again, why are you chasing them to this disgusting hell anyway?"

"Well, I have nothing else to do anyway…."

It's not like Revenant herself cracked something about Jane anyway. but she just knew long before that they felt very similar to each other. the only difference is that Revenant herself was fighting to protect her family, and Jane was fighting to avenge her family.

But that's not an appropriate subject to discuss about. Revenant pulled out the disk from her coat pocket.

"What, do you still use Compact Disc?"

"I like it's antic impression."

Jane gave a friendly smile while she put it in the bag. "Can't argue with that." and to Jane who was waving her hand and as she was leaving, Revenant said in a lonely voice. "Don't die. I don't want to lose familiar face."

Then, Jane stood and replied as she slightly turned her face. "Lady, you should talk something like that to boys." Then Revenant chuckled and replied. "I'm not sure why it feels so comfortable about you."

"You know, I'm not into girls."

"Oh, that's sad."

Revenant laughed jokingly and asked.

"But… what are you going to do now? It's not something you can do anything with yourself."

Jane didn't say anything and turned her back and walked away. for a while, Leah stared at her back then turned around… suddenly from a distance Jane told her. "I'm not doing it by myself. just manipulating others."

Hearing that Revenant looked back but she was gone already. like always she only said what she wanted and left with that. Leah muttered as she smiled dimly. "When she does that, it still looks like a child."

Meanwhile, Administrator was in England with others.

The house of Pendragon that its history climbs back to the era of Karl and Karloman who threw the contest for the legacy of his father, and went on the crusade with famous Richard the Lionheart, unending living legends invited the Coffin Company to their manor.

As it could be easily assumed their house did look like a castle rather, not humble cottage. They were greeted by Ryan who gave an impression of polite butler, who guided them through the flower garden which they had to walk through for ten minutes, and finally they met the househead who was drinking tea graciously.

"Salutations, friends." After taking a sip of her tea, the lady of Pendragon politely lowered her head.

Elizabeth Pendragon, the young lady of Pendragon family and the current leader of Prydwen Institution, wouldn't give her attention to the petty Taskforce like Coffin but Administrator manipulated the circumstance by asking Karin since she was personally close to Lisa.

Lily poured sweet tea into the cup. and Lycoris looked slightly upset as she glared at everyone.

'Tch… if it wasn't that perverted Karin, I wouldn't be here with this embarrassing maid outfit.'

And, Lily recognized Olympian and hailed. watching her serenely moving her body, Administrator responded by making a gesture with the machine. But Lycoris didn't even care, crossed her arms.

'So it's her fate to become a maid whether there is Mark Finley or not….'

Come to think of it, Karin promised as she casually smiled to send her informant… that was Lycoris which was unexpected. anyhow, next to Morgan who gripped his rifle and looked at them, there was a blonde guy in a pitch-black suit taking off his sunglasses while counting the personnels.

"…This is strange, there were only nine in the list." Apparent combatants who were Olympian, Hansol, Eddie, Charlie, Jessica but as he looked at others it's all rather unreliable girls.

"So they're like crews of the ship, isn't it? like operators."

Then Olympian answered with the distorted voice of Administrator. "No, they're also part of our combat teams. I can control the ship itself even though no one is in it."

"That's quite handy… wait, that means you're deploying those young ladies on the field?"

Morgan said half-seriously to him. "Burnett, you were hired around at their age. don't you remember?"

"No, that's different. I seriously wished to make the world that young boys like me don't have to fight. after my dad passed, if it wasn't the institution and Lisa I'd become no more than a thug. man, kids nowadays don't know their lives are precious."

"That…." Dorothy tried to say something but could make an assumption from his words. Roy tilted. "Yeah?"

…….

Dorothy turned her head. "No, nothing."

Perhaps she thought it's deeper than what she'd argue with. Vaguely thinking, if she'd grow up more but young kids like her saying that she tries to help others, would rather feel bitter.

Elizabeth rested her chin while put down the sweet tea on the table and looked at the member. 'Just like Roy said, it's mish-mash of experienced veterans and innocent kids… it really doesn't feel happy when you had to admit this is indeed merciless and cruel times.'

Then she clapped and instructed Ryan. "Sir Ferrier, I expect you to give them the crucial information and explanations about the operation." Then he replied. "Since it's hot outside it might be appropriate to have a discussion inside…."

"That shall be good."

Elizabeth ordered Morgan as she stood from the seat. "Sir Morgan, check the system of Albion and making a preparation for departure. as soon as the briefing is over, we will launch the ship."

"Understood."

Lifting his back from the wall, Roy said. "Lisa, I will get my shield too."

"…Do you have to?"

"Why wouldn't I, while all you are fighting?"

"But you had a headache a few minutes ago, weren't you?"

Roy talked back as he wore the sunglasses, as he pushed his hair to cover his forehead. "Isn't our opponent is that Gha'agsheblah?! I will go, don't even try to stop me, chief." Out of annoyance he still was touching his head.

"…It's my fault… sorry."

No one could hear Lisa's muttering. She just slightly dropped her head and let out a sigh.

Not that particularly anyone did care about their interaction but since it was so different from the other universes, Administrator just squinted, had no idea what's the relationship between them.

They followed Ryan and walked to the second floor of the Pendragon manor.

The room was vast that even Olympian could get into easily. They could see the rose garden, the mountain, and a medieval fortress from afar through the window. that looked very strange as it was where otherworldly malicious smogs were spread from.

"Please, we hope you enjoy the drink."

In an elengant manner Lily politely brought the expensive looking glass cups of liquid colored with an alluring yet eccentric impression. Hansol took one and said. "Thank you." to look at his side, Lycoris also served people while making a shameful face.

After everyone took their juices, Ryan clapped and began. "We are truly honored to work together with the famous Coffin Company. as many of you already guessed, the presenting danger is none other than… that."

Obviously it's related with Corruptors. dark mist surrounded the old castle.

Doesn't really mind her age, Ryan asked Lion in a respectful tone. "Though we delivered all the crucial informaion before we made a deal… but I want to listen to your thoughts, Miss Liona. you shall face many level 2 or 3 Corruptors. How do you make an approach in this matter?"

"Eh? that… I…." When suddenly everyone looked at her, couldn't think anything so Liona just dropped her head and muttered. "I… I don't know. I will just do my best…!"

"Then what would you do, Miss Skia?" Skia just made '?' sign on her headgear, silenced. And when he asked Dorothy, she just replied as if she didn't even care. "I don't know. aren't we just going there and fighting anyway? I heared you guys are strong too, wasn't it?" Ryan laughed. "Well, Well. such bravery isn't too bad. I like it."

"Next… what do you think, Mr. Charlie?" When Charlie was about to say something, Eddie cleared his throat and answered instead. "He's my teammate so I will answer. so, as you can see we're just mercs and not even Counters. we already are in the agreement with our boss, that we're contracted in terms that being supporters, not front line fighters."

His tone, and his voice, all seemed to be rather intense as if arguing with him. this was from his habit as a mercenary. "So what's the point for asking any of this? do you want to request some brilliant tactics in your mind? like the formation that sending us to the forward?"

Ryan said nothing and looked at Eddie seriously. 'The kids don't look like they can understand commands in the field, but this guy knows the basics at least.'

"Don't worry about it, We're just discussing the matter before the operation."

"…No offense. We mercs are used to make such unpleasant arguments."

"Well, well. none taken, no problem."

Then Ryan looked at both Lucid and Aki and Hansol.

"Heard you are the Counters…." And he asked Lucid. "What would you do when a level 3 Corruptor appears in front of you?"

"I-I'm sorry… I have to run in that situation, for my role is working together with Jessica and control or interrupt level 1 or 2 Corruptor incoming."

That's new. she can control Corruptor?

Eyes wide opened, Ryan tried to confirm. "Is that even possible?" Lucid smiled broadly and nodded. "Since the president completely cured my body so… I can do it, more than before!"

"……." Olympian didn't say anything but just moving its own machine parts.

"Well, that's surprising. then… how about Miss Aki?"

Aki stuttered because of the pressure she felt. "I-I… uh… ha, haha… I, too, same as Lucid. just working with Eddie and others, attack the Corruptors approaching…."

"Hmm…? Oh! So you're good enough to intercept the Corruptors to protect him?"

'No… rather they're protecting me."

Ryan turned his head to Hansol. "And you?"

Hansol met his eyes and felt something inside, and gave the serious answer.

"On my honor of knight, this mission is another challenge to me. I shall overcome even if it's level 3 Corruptor."

"……."

As he gave a stern reply in imagination for the British chevalier, no one reacted but silenced.

'…Huh?'

Hansol, out of inspiration in the fact that he stepped into the palatial room of historic Pendragon house, only could see everyone just looking at him without saying anything.

'What, shouldn't I have said that? no way….'

But in fact, they were just having their own thoughts.

'Why does he always pretend like that? or wait… yes, since he has the enough skill so can act like that.' Dorothy looked at Hansol in a complicate face of feeling stupid and jealous.

'He is indeed strong from the moment when we laid our eyes on him. So, really something like knight actually does exist in modern time? maybe there are orders which have maintained such traditions?' Eddie only could guess since he hadn't listened anything much yet.

'Coffin Company was well-known due to the S rank counter Hilde and she had a student… according to the intel that Karin sent, this man actually won against the level 3 Corruptor as well. very intriguing, Korean pupil who has the German master….' Elizabeth was thinking something like that.

"Interesting! a knight from Korea, not something we can see everyday." Ryan expressed his opinion freely. "Of course, we have seen many swordsmen, Chineses wielding Jian or Japaneses wielding Katana. wonder what kinds of technique will Korean Swordsman show us!"

Elizabeth kept being silent while standing behind everyone. 'So this is how it's like… if that Hilde was here then maybe… Hilde and Hansol, with the machine in here charge together.'

Then she looked at Olympian. 'This machine can put up a good fight against level 4 Counters, and the video that Karin sent was showing its superb mobility and endurability and power… but….'

She made a face filled with huge stress and biting own nail. 'But… our opponent is the Dark Lord herself. what should we do…? even with this machine, the Dark Lord is….'

Olympian glanced at Elizabeth through its red lens. Ryan dusted his hands off as he was speaking. "Then I guess we finished our little interview in here. So, Coffin company prefers the formation that Sir Hansol and the president himself attacks in the front line, while the rest is covering them from the rear…." and turned his head to Eddie and smiled. "A good company for thinking about everyone's safety."

Though this is the first mission after joining this company… Eddie just nodded with a serious face.

"I propose the strategy like this. ADS Albion will take us, ADS Coffin will take you, taking a defensive stance to bombard the walls until they're breached. since the president can easily handle even the level 4 Corruptors, sooner or later their defense will collapse. if that happened, probably the powerful Corruptors will spring out from inside…."

Administrator expected him to say so and there wasn't any critical flaw. "Since Albion had the stealth ability, so Prydwen will launch a sneak attack on their side or back. That's what you're saying?" Upon hearing that Ryan made a surprised face and then smiled. "Well, Well. Didn't really expect you'd know that. Then there is no need to explain further, aren't we? I assume you'd agree with-"

But at that moment.

"Wait."

Elizabeth kept biting her nail and she looked very concerned. just staring at the floor she contemplated about something.

"What is it now, milady?"

"Sir Ferrior, wouldn't it be better to honestly tell them what they're facing against rather than just sending them blindly to the undefeatable foe?"

"…But isn't this the operation what you came up with?"

"And I do worry because of that. Our opponent… she is…."

Not just for her own life but everyone's fate is depending on this.

…And she may repeat such a mistake again.

"If we were still having the old voice on our side…."

Without any words Administrator stared at her then moved Olympian's lens to her.

"…Before we reach here I already finished the investigation. Dark Lord Gha'agsheblah who lurked in the shadow of human world and used many names, one of them is Edel Meitner…." Elizabeth looked back at Olympian. "How did you know…?"

"You don't need to doubt yourself. Yet if I'd be allowed to give advice…."

"Yes?"

"At this point the Dark Lords never made frontal assaults. Clearly it's not the time for them. Even then, Edel alone kept causing trouble which only means there is a reason related with something personal which can be proven as her weakness as well. I'd ask, do you like Chess?"

Most of them in the room couldn't understand what they were talking about, but Elizabeth knew and said. "What could possibly she aim for? I cannot even guess. though every data we collected indicates that they were related with our institution itself… Weakness is not one of them."

"I'm not talking about that. in Chess, you don't have to defeat Queen, just capturing King to win."

"Then what's this subject that Edel is obsessed with…?"

"It's hard to tell but probably Miss Regina that she's trying to protect. if we can take her from the Dark Lord then perhaps we could place ourselves in the position that can make a negotiation."

……?

Something felt strange.

'This machine… how does it know who the Regina is?'

She's not the person who had not particularly known to the public. Even then there is almost no one besides the Institution who knows she's related with Eckhart's Society.

But that wasn't important for now since whoever they are, it is determined to stop the Dark Lord with her.

"Miss MacCready, you said? Could she be the key in this situation…?"

She can't be sure about this.

But after a moment of pondering she decided as there was no choice. "Very well, then just like the suggestion that Sir Ferrier proposed, we'd like to initiate this operation and give the orders in the field. If you don't mind, I'd like to execute our plan immediately."

Dark Lord is what they were facing and that clearly made her nervous.

…And the time wasn't on her side as well.

Whatever the enemy is trying to do, the vile mist has been spread more and more in this area.

While they were walking down the spiral stairway, Olympian asked Elizabeth. "So you also hired Flora maid as well…." Then she replied to the president who's making clanking noises of metals. "Don't underestimate them just because they dressed like servants." And then Elizabeth sighed. "It is unfortunate that Veronica couldn't come with us. you also could have seen her capabilities."

'…….'

Administrator didn't mean that. Though, it's rather unexpected for Elizabeth that she couldn't catch that Lily acted rather differently towards Olympian even though she's rather perceptive individual.

Anyhow the Personnels of Coffin boarded ADS Coffin, Elizabeth and others boarded ADS Albion.

Ten minutes later….

While they were on the way, they met a man and a girl on the floating chair in the sky. Certainly looked very surreal and Elizabeth called the president and the ships were stopped, from ADS Coffin Olympian out.

"What are you doing in here, Rosaria."

Elizabeth in the bridge of the ship heard the name of her and squinted. 'Rosaria?'

Though the Prydwen Institution collected enough data throughout millennia about Gha'agsheblah or the strength of Dark Lords but never heard of Asmodeus. that much the truths of them were still hidden beyond the mystery.

Rosaria made her pompous face with an arrogant laugh. "Edel seemed to be plotting something very interesting… *Giggle* *Giggle* so I tried to warn you to not be distracted by other girls!" Administrator said like as if he barely cared about her. "I get it, so you can leave now. We're busy."

Rosaria bounced her legs to the throne and shook her head. "No, I can't yet. if I let you go like this then the show will become uninteresting! you do also know what I dislike, don't you?" As hearing that Administrator tapped the arm of the chair then answered. "…Pineapple Pizzas?"

"Oh? Correct! I-I mean, wait, no, that's not an important issue right now!"

"…What's not important is you in here."

"Why are you being so mean?! I'm trying to help you a little, you know?"

Administrator sighed. But since the mic wasn't off so Olympian itself made the same sound. hearing this somehow that really made Rosaria annoyed and she kicked it. but….

"Ku… ouch, that hurts!"

Floating still, Olympian didn't make any reaction and then just turned itself to the ship as it said.

"Like I said we're about to fight against Edel. You can watch us while eating that stupid Pineapple Pizza in your room."

"W-Wait! I actually did mean it when I said I wanted to help! You don't even know what she's doing?!"

Then Olympian turned back, and looking at him giving attention again, Rosaria made a satisfied smile. "Hmm, Hmm…." After a moment of silence Rosaria continued. "Do you happen to know that Dark Lords, too, love mortals?"

…Feeling pointless, Administrator didn't really want to bother anymore so rotated the machine. "I don't know since I'm not a mortal. bye now."

"HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why are you so cold to me?! What did I do wrong to you?! Doma, help! I'm not talking about myself, it's about Edel! and the Old Voice too!"

Then Doma, who was waving his waist like a snake out of a pot when you're playing the flute, made a somewhat unhappy face and turned into the bats and changed into human form and lowered his head to Olympian.

"I'm terribly sorry to bother you like this but could we take your precious time a little more?"

"…You surely do have a hard time, aren't you?"

"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, YOU IDIOTS!!!!!!"

Again, Administrator just turned his machine, approached Rosaria and asked. "So you mean that I can ask?" Then Rosaria jokingly said. "Hmm? Never thought you'd be so curious about me. What shall it be? three sizes? type of man what I'd like? or the present what I want to receive?"

"Who cares about something like that… anyway, why did you mention the Old Voice all of a sudden?"

"What?"

"I asked why did you say about the Old Voice."

Then Rosaria seemingly gave the reaction that she couldn't understand the point of question itself. "Weren't you going there because of it? That little Pendragon called you because of it as well."

Clearly something doesn't really connect in their conversation, Administrator asked again. "You were saying it's about Edel. We're doing it because of her, nothing else."

"Wait… What do you know about The Old Voice then?"

Administrator clearly felt something is a bit off and mumbled. "It's… obviously…."

Then, Rosaria suddenly remembered something and laughed as she rested her elbow on the arm of the throne. "Wait, wait! you don't have to tell! I forgot you're the Administrator who came from the different world, so there are quite many things unfamiliar in this world!"

"What…?"

"*Cackle* *Cackle* Ahahaha, Ahahahahahah-!! Well, at first I tried to help you but I actually cherish your fresh reactions more than anything, so sorry!"

Doma made a very disgusting face as if he drank the blood of dirty pigs while he looked down on Rosaria making strange laughter. Clearly Rosaria couldn't see it… only Administrator witnessed.

"Wait… you mean there is different The Old Voice that I don't know?"

"I don't know either! really! I will not tell!"

Seemingly not being aware of what the two men next to her looking at her, Rosaria kept smiling immaturely. "So fun, this is the best! Edel, you gave me the highest stimulation!"

After laughing like that for a few minutes, she said to Doma. "Let us go home, Steward."

Looking at them Administrator mumbled in an annoyed voice. "What was even the point of this anyway…."

Before she departed, Rosaria stopped and turned her throne back. "Hmm… but then again this really doesn't feel like the attitude or behavior of the true heroine. Good! I guess I can give you a hint to make the better game. So! You're level-headed so I'm sure this will be enough. Say, why they took the name of Pendragon, can you guess?"

"*Cackle* *Cackle* Hahahaha, Ahahahaha-!!!!" Then as if rode on a rocket Rosaria disappeared very quickly… Doma sighed and turned into the bats, relatively very slowly followed her.

"……."

With complicate feelings Olympian returned to ADS Coffin. On the screen of Coffin's bridge Elizabeth from ADS Albion showed her face. She observed everything through the window as she put her hands on the control panel and when it came back, asked."

"President, who are they anyway?"

"A fool and her butler."

Elizabeth asked in an uncertain mood.

"…Am I allowed to understand in that way?"

"They're not particularly threatening at a moment… it maybe so."

Elizabeth sighed and gave an order.

"…Anyway, we're expecting you to attack right now. if the Dark Lord appears, we shall act together."

"Wait."

As Olympian said that, she asked. "What is it?"

"……." Thinking about something then Olympian said. "No, it's fine. I will land on the ground and shoot them. When you catch their vulnerability, attack either Edel or Regina." Then Elizabeth closed the line after she spoke this: "That shall be it, Good luck to you."

While ADS Coffin was at full speed by the command of Administrator, Eddie and Hansol came.

"Boss, so what would you do?" Eddie said while he reloaded his pistol."

"It'd be better for me to breach the wall alone. Though you couldn't detect them yet but we're already surrounded by enemies and they'd come from every direction. everyone must wait in the ship and shoot down anything coming."

"You really know what you're doing, I like that." As he smiled and put the gun at his waist, raising his rifle again. "Then who would take the command while you're down there?"

"I will give orders through the ship itself."

"Right, you're a machine. forgot about that. then I will tell Charlie and Jessica to prepare."

Eddie left the bridge. Hansol silenced for a moment so Olympian asked. "Do you have anything to say?" Hansol crossed his arms, then was rubbing his chin while he looked outside, he asked.

"You were talking with that strange girl… but the conversation was a bit awkward about that The Old Voice, wasn't it?

The president replied while it looked out the window. "She mentioned Pendragon and why they chose the name. I want you to guess about it." Hansol couldn't have a hunch. "No… I don't know. Arthur's father had that name but nothing else."

"…Perhaps Hilde didn't teach you this. The Word came from two other words, Pen and Dragon. Old Britannians used it as the meaning of Great Chieftain."

"Oh, you mean England itself. wait… isn't that awkward then? there would be numerous so-called Great Chieftains but they took it as family name?"

Certainly Hansol, as Korean, seemed to be rather unfamiliar to foreign cultures….

"…You knew that Arthur himself was a Roman, are you not?"

"My master said the same thing. and she actually saw him in person too…."

"Wait… what?"

No, Hilde is… or maybe because she's the different one from other universes?

'Well, it doesn't matter.'

Administrator decided to give a rough explanation anyway.

"You probably know that very well. though I said it means Great Chieftain, but isn't it strange? Dragon."

"Huh? Come to think of it…."

"To Welsh people the word dragon was meant Chieftain. in their times it wasn't meant the winged beast."

"Oh… really?"

Though he read that Arthurian tales multiple times but he never heard of this.

"Rosaria said The Old Voice was there. I do believe she's not lying for something like this. so what it would be?"

"I can't really say, it's unsure."

"Deducing doesn't require psychic abilities. see, it's something weaker than Edel if her influence can subdue it. and something related with Elizabeth."

"Maybe it's like a mage, like Merlin…? No, that's probably not."

"……."

Administrator rested his chin and pondered shortly.

"That girl suggested that I need to think about its name. Pendragon… should it have to be related with the name then literally Elizabeth herself ought to be in there. but it's not.'

'But what if it's meaning the dragon itself? but can it be true? rather, Edel commands the countless Corruptors and she doesn't need to particularly require more minions. Rosaria said Dark Lords too have affection upon Mortals. maybe it's something what she's interested?"

His assumption actually was very close to the truth yet even if it wasn't nothing changed. he said.

"We're at the designation point. Let us move."

"Oh, it's about time."

Olympian went to the catapult of the ship with Hansol. When he tried to drop with Olympian, he ordered Hansol. "You, too, wait here and look after everyone. especially Lucid, I didn't recommend but she said she wanted to help and follow us no matter what." Hansol looked Olympian and nodded. "Understood, sir."

"Good."

Thick and black, disgusting river flew beneath the war machine, in the forest where the trees countless guarding the fortress of vile mist the solemn sun couldn't intervene its power over down.

There the Dark Lord of old tales be hiding was a rather inspiring notion if one could ignore the ominous sight that all the birds and animals ran away. Olympian, soon fell like a meteor.

It made heavy machinery noises and boosting down gently.

Surely his anticipation was correct, when Olympian was on the ground then from the Corruptors looked like maggots were raised.

"Pre… Pare… The Ritual…."

"L-Lake of… K-Knowledges…."

Squishing.

If any combatants came down with it, then immediately they would have been surrounded.

But obviously Administrator knew that and he just sent down Olympian. and they can even do no damage: without any interference it just ignored everything and marched forward.

'If we lose ADS Coffin then we can't continue the operation. and that Edel is our enemy in the end… we don't even know what would she even have in her sleeve.'

Aiming at the castle from afar Administrator thought.

'Yet we're not in the position to rush ourselves. however the current armament of Olympian isn't enough to demolish walls fast enough, it might take more than half hour. then….'

Olympian launched a bombardment on the towers. and then it ran around the forest with astonishing speed as it crushed all the trees in the way, circled around the old castle. after shot the four towers of each corner, it rode the ship and swapped Phalanx Missiles to Super Napalm.

"Wow, Boss, so you're finally using that?" Charlie, who attained quite intimating knowledge about firearms, looked Olympian equipped with the weapon and asked. "They shall burn, mercilessly." With heavy stepping sounds Olympian went to the catapult again.

"Nice! I really love this company!" As Charlie let out an excited voice from behind, Administrator landed the Olympian again. with clanking noise the Napalm weapon was ready.

'I poked it a little to test the structure and the weakest part was… the north-west part.'

As if skating on the ground, boosting very fast, Olympian jumped above the trees. and when it was about to shoot the Napalm Launcher….

Khaaaaaaaaaaaagh--!!

Like piercing the celestial space, Administrator somehow felt the danger from intuition he canceled the movement and turned the machine to the source of the scream. there it was, the beast flying, recognized by Administrator….

It really was the dragon, like the living illusion. such mystical species hadn't been seen to mankind for millennia was now approaching ADS Coffin.

'If I had Phalanx Missiles rather than Napalm then probably I could have put up the good fight….'

Though the fact that he needed to face the real dragon doesn't matter, Olympian flew towards the winged beast while instructed Eddie through the speaker of the ship. "Eddie, do you see the dragon? I will hold its back, prepare to fire the heavy weapons to it."

"Copied." Eddie felt rather bizarre when he actually communicated to this machine.

Still the president controls the situation really well, and he too followed an order naturally.

Eddie turned his head and spoke to the employees in the ship. "As you heard, our boss said he will wrestle with the dragon. we can just blow its gut with Bazookas and Missiles."

He looked through the eyes of everyone and continued. "Hansol, Aki, Dorothy, Skia, Liona. we will shoot it, so can you guys reload the firearms we used?"

Hansol said. "Understood." Aki who stood next to him nodded without a word.

"Well… that's an easy job for us, I think." Dorothy replied as she scratched her cheek. Liona seemed to be slightly anxious since she had no experience like this, but Skia just looked back at him with a blank face.

"I'm counting on you guys." Eddie said.

As her name wasn't heard, Lucid asked in a hesitating tone. "Umm… what should I do?"

"You're just good to watch us. Boss said that we shouldn't give you complicate instruction."

"Oh… I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it."

Then again….

It surely becomes harder and harder. Aki sighed after she saw the dragon outside.

Eddie shouted with a deep, low voice. "Good. now everyone, go to your position!"

There, Olympian grabbed the Black Dragon which the redness was shown on its scales and surpressed it outside.

But Administrator made an angry face and looked both Olympian and the Dragon on the screen.

'…Though I did not replace its engine with Ultimate Reactor yet never expected to be insufficient at strength against the enemy like this.'

Unlike his calculation he couldn't completely stop it.

But whatever that was, he partly succeeded and he only needed to move the ship in parallel.

Administrator rested his chin and questioned to himself. '…But is this dragon really related with them?'

'If it's so then something not wasn't Corruptor was Corrupted by Edel.'

'However that brings more mystery. if that's the truth then why does she even do this?'

Looking through the monitor screen he saw Eddie and his teammates raised their heavy weapons and others brought the missiles, with an expressionless face Administrator turned the ship.

But at that moment, something even Administrator couldn't expect happened.

ADS Albion suddenly charged as it turned off the stealth field.

"What…? What's the meaning of this? Why are you acting now?!"

Rather Administrator was surprised by this and raised his voice. Then, from Albion Elizabeth jumped out and stepped on the forehead of the dragon, and thrusted into it with the sword she held.

"Didn't you agree you would attack Edel or Regina?"

Then Elizabeth answered as she flipped her hair.

"Changing the plan. We couldn't be sure… but seriously, this Gha'agsheblah is indeed the Dark Lord of the Society, cunning and cruel… they knew all about us and turned against Prydwen itself."

"Then that sword must be…."

"In the past, there was a hero who became the leader of the all dragons of the west, and his blood is flowing inside me as well. This sword is the legacy and promise from that age. even though the Divine Beast corrupted, with this sword he might regain his senses."

"…Divine Corruptor…, and Divine Beast…."

Even before the age of Romans when mankind reached the Divinity by their own power, on regions of earth there were Ancient Species which was blessed by the Divinity. Examples like Orochi in Japan or Ganesha of India could be mentioned, and the Dragon of Northern Europe is also one of them.

'At some point mankind forgot how to use and reach Divinity by themselves. and the Divine Beasts as well in the most universes related with Countersides….'

'Wait… Divinity? is that what Edel trying to manipulate?'

When Administrator thought that much then from Olympian he could catch something really weird. that dragon who was struck by the sword on its forehead, opening its eyes wide and raising its body temperature rapidly and intensely. this couldn't be known by Elizabeth or others and only Administrator could notice by mechanical scanning.

"Something isn't right, pull back now!"

Shouting that, Administrator withdrew ADS Coffin. by sudden movement everyone in the ship flopped on the floor but no one was hurt. Only the Elizabeth in front of them wasted her time, clenching that sword, didn't know what to do with it.

"What are you even doing?! Go back to Albion!"

"W-Wait, I can't…!"

Then Dragon, closed its eyes then opening again, spitting fires on the ground and twisted its whole body.

By that force Olympian was bounced off. Administrator looked at the monitor and muttered. "Overheating… You're using technique like a machine rather than a life form, aren't you? Gaining more power and energy by warming your own body… indeed."

Administrator correctly saw through it, as the dragon that buffed its own muscles and shook off Olympian.

"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaa--!!" Elizabeth couldn't do anything but hung as she grabbed the sword stuck.

Then, the dragon gripped ADS Albion with its claws, then descended as it folded its wings.

"…Why does it fall? Wait…!"

To the lake both were dropped. and the dragon released giant firebreath when Olympian tried to chase it so he had no choice but dodge it: with Overheating it could have dealt significant damage.

However, after that they could hear nothing from it.

'What happened in there? Did it just try to slam the ship on the ground?'

As Olympian submerged it could see the warp gate to the other dimensions. whether it's the dragon itself or Edel, either of them cast this and took ADS Albion.

'…The situation suddenly became critical. Originally we were in the position that provoking safely from a distance but now I'm forced to choose either to abandon Prydwen or assault the castle in order to rescue them. but I can't afford to lose Elizabeth and her institution….'

Thinking for a while, Administrator pulled ADS Coffin and called Hansol through the ship's speaker.

"That dragon moved into other dimensions with Prydwen's ship. however I do not expect they went that far since the Dragon came to defend the fortification. for that matter, Hansol, can you go in there and help Elizabeth?"

Jessica asked. "Umm, I think you're the most powerful one in here…." Olympian answered. "The Dark Lord is still in the castle. I need to defend the ship."

"Understood."

"Then go with Aki and Lucid, Dorothy and Skia and Liona to seek Albion."

Administrator pushed ADS Coffin's head into the warp gate. Beyond that it looked like a dungeon of medieval landscape, unknown. Hansol stepped its ground and asked. "I'm a bit worried… shouldn't the others just wait in there?"

'They're asking too much, aren't they?'

When the superior gives an order, he expects no other words than obedience usually.

But Administrator doesn't really care as it is his natural personality. there is no leader who could be acknowledged only by the position itself. what really important is individuals understanding how decisions were made or from what perspective such judgments were taken. from the times of Roman Legions they can truly support their commander when they are finally convinced their leader is truly capable and competent.

"Dorothy's fast so she can seek out the way, and Skia can communicate with her gear. and Liona can destroy the obstacles which even you cannot break."

"I see now… Yes, sir."

Aki who was shaking and stepped down from the ship, and Lucid who makes jokes with Dorothy and her friends as if she's a bit enjoying this. Hansol swung his sword a few times and led the way.

Seeing that through the monitor, Administrator called Skia. "Do you read me, Skia?" Then like a rabbit she talked back quietly. "Loud and clear, Boss." Administrator instructed. "It's dark in there so always light the way, and do whatever he said. Don't worry, I'm watching you." Skia made 'O' sign on her headgear.

Meanwhile, somewhere….

It's not unclear whether it's in the obscure area where Hansol went, or the fortress of the forest.

In the space surrounded by purple-colored bricks, very thick smoke filled the entire room and multi-colored fires were dancing on the candles on top of very exotic and old furnitures.

Edel grabbed and moving around some random book, then giggled as she looked at Regina who has darkened eyes filled with no emotion or spirit but void, as if dead.

"O… my Regina. Soon, our time for eternity will be granted which I yearned for a long time…. I cannot even tell how many preparations were made to safely conduct these rituals…."

Like a frozen and broken doll, Regina sat down on the chair with no response.

Put down the book at the desk in front of her, Edel mumbled. with creepy eyes she embraced Regina, muttering in a disgusting, perverted voice unlike her refined and polished attitude before.

"It feels… so good… so cold… my Regina…."

Looking at the Dark Lord, Rivet smiled mysteriously.

"…What is it, Rivet?"

"Huh? No. I mean… would she be really happy with this? I'm just curious."

"It's not your business, merc."

She gave a rather uninterested or even threatening voice unlike her attitude towards Regina.

"Well, mercenary I am. but not hired by you, rather Regina."

"I failed to see the reason why are you still in here. You had my permission to leave already."

"No… our contract has not been terminated yet. I'd be here so. Are we good?"

Her smile, her morale, her behavior or attitude, everything is rather foreign in this place. Edel said nothing then gave a quiet smile.

"My Regina adored you. You can be a good companion when she will awake again afresh."

"Yup, I think so!"

And then Rivet said urgently.

"I need to go toilet, so…."

Without any malice, Edel said. "It's okay if you never return." watching her leaving, Edel grabbed the book on the desk again and muttered.

"Prydwen… they're coming. since they gave us such a magnificent gift, it'd be rude if we don't repay." Talking to themselves, Edel walked outside, beyond darkness.

At the same time, Hansol and others….

In the dungeon there were the monsters something rather different from ordinary Corruptors, like Merman or Zombie or Skeleton.

What is this place anyway? they walked a while and they saw a giant bat as well….

"How can we even find them…? Do you have any idea? or did Administrator make another order?"

Hansol asked Skia as he jumped and struck down the Skeleton holding the whip.

"…He didn't. I keep reporting though…."

"This is a problem, isn't it?"

Then randomly, out of nowhere a Fleaman hopped and running towards them. when he tried to stab it, like mocking Hansol he dodged and jumped away. then, Dorothy jumped and kicked it out in the air. dusting her hands off, Dorothy said to Hansol.

"Are they Corruptors too? We never have seen them before."

Hansol crossed his arms and looked around.

"No… I never felt any Corruption Waves from them. Where are we really? Do you really think the dragon and giant ship are here anyway?"

Lucid told as she closed her eyes. "Even I can't sense it… I tried to feel the Corruption Ray what the Dragon emitted, I can't…." Then, through Skia Administrator asked. "Can't you find any clue yet?"

Lucid reported. "We couldn't. it's strange… because I can easily feel… or rather can't ignore the uneasy presence of such powerful Corruptors. Maybe we're in the wrong direction…?"

Administrator intertwined his fingers and contemplated.

'What even is happening right now? The dragon took Albion with itself. And, it's confirmed that Lucid's sensitivity is trustworthy and she could feel the Dragon's presence outside unlike in this dimension. how?'

'If all is true….'

…….

'There is the easy way for Corruptors to not release the Corruption Wave. Slay them… but, would Edel plan such giant Dragon to be destroyed as soon as I sent Hansol? it's extremely probable that Edel only wanted the Divinity and not enslaving the dragon itself since she has countless minions already.'

'If not… she reverted the Corruption of the dragon itself? but why would she even do that?'

Considering everything in every angle the answer was not revealed easily then finally Administrator could reach the truth. And he called Hansol at once.

"Hansol, return to ship immediately!"

"Affirmative. But… why? What happened?"

'You did it, Gha'agsheblah…. I can give that.'

Administrator finally caught what exactly happened. Edel, probably cast two giant portals, when the dragon fell into the first warp gate she immediately closed it. and if the second warp gate is remained there, it may deceive Administrator's eyes as if they went through that.

'It really doesn't matter. This only means both the dragon and ADS Albion are there. Probably they're still alive so I need to move quick.'

"The dragon and the ship are not in there. Probably under the castle itself. this warpgate wouldn't be cast off soon but make haste. I will save Prydwen myself!"

"Understood!"

As everyone heard the order of Administrator they followed Hansol. but Lucid stopped there and looked at the giant Corruptor bat.

"What's wrong, Lucid?"

"Umm…."

Lucid mumbled something while looked at it. then said to Hansol.

"I have something to do, please."

"What? But I can't just leave you here…."

As Hansol made a troubled face, Lucid confidently smiled.

"I promise, I will follow you soon."

"Whatever that is, please hurry."

…Administrator also heard this conversation but he didn't think too much.

He needed to act now.

Then Olympian which was still dived entered the ADS Coffin. closing the door, releasing the water outside then open the door of inner block then walked to the armory. Since Napalm Launcher could hurt allies when it fights inside the structure, so he tried to change the weapon again.

'I tried not to use this weapon at this stage of the game…. since it's the only Legacy-Device class munition in here.'

The Devil Claw.

This giant weapon has two great pincers(fingers) in both arms and can create the plasma sphere and maintain it, which even could damage the Dark Lords reasonably. But the critical flaw is that Olympian in the current state lacks energy so can't keep it for more than a minute.

"To use this means I'm revealing all my hand. I'll admit, Edel… You're good as you forced me to use all I have this early."

Administrator made a very infuriated face without realizing it, he quickly changed the equipment and maneuvered Olympian to go outside.

The surface of a calm lake suddenly broke when black colossal Olympian soared, and it did boost horizontally toward the old castle. Full speed ahead, it held out both claws and crushed itself into the wall. The stone walls were literally collapsed.

Administrator moved Olympian and ran amok as it destroys even the inner walls, desperately tried to find the source of this whole dark mists. maybe underground where the scanning doesn't reach, that's the place where both the dragon and ADS Albion were there, he shoveled up the claws. With the noise of metals clashing each other, when he scratched the dirt it revealed the shelter.

"Of course… she's known for elaborate schemes. Building a massive hideout like this isn't out of her character as well."

Then Administrator activated the Devil Claw. two seconds later, two spheres of blue plasma spheres were charged. Fearsome they were even the air around them looked distorted. With that, Olympian punched the ceiling.

like melted plastic they were torn apart, and Administrator quickly turned them off. Olympian merely can use this for another fifty seconds. Then, with its Pincers stretching the entrance, it went inside.

Soon it caught the Corruption Wave signals down there.

"Of course, this shelter blocked it…."

Administrator opened the channel to Albion. He anticipated that Prydwen couldn't be defeated that fast and Lily was there too.

"Do you read me, Albion?! I reached the underground of the castle!"

The noises of reloading the magazine, then after the screen became clear and he could see Lycoris.

"Master?! I-I mean, President! What, how could you get in here? and castle? underground?"

"The dragon took all of you with Albion through the lake and the portal to here, the shelter beneath the castle."

"What? Really? I thought this is a trap of that whatever Dark Lord and we're in the random Counterside…."

While they were talking to each other, Administrator saw a maddened monster that the tentacles grew out from its eyeholes and mouth behind her and shouted.

"Lycoris, look out behind you!"

"W-What? Hyaaaaaah?!"

She was very startled and hurried to pick up the spear leaned against the wall, more than that the bullet from the side was faster. with a bang noise the monster fell, Lily quietly approached.

"Thank you… you saved my life."

"Lycoris, a maid shouldn't let down her guard at any point."

'…I think it's not the job for maids to fight against monsters though….'

"Anyway, I have something to report to Master, so would you please help others?"

"Okay, I will. Finish it quickly!"

After she hung the spear on her back, she went outside as she held a shotgun.

"Lily? So what happened?"

"Albion was landed here. though its condition is rather fine, but we're surrounded by the Corruptors."

"If it's fine then why don't you launch the ship and get out from here?"

"The Dark Lord is here. If we try that then she might destroy the ship itself…."

At that moment they can hear the ices were breaking repeatedly.

"What's happening there?"

"Sir Burnett threw a duel with the target, Regina MacCready."

"They're fighting?! What happened to others?"

"No one is wounded or killed in action yet."

After finished scanning he could see the situation too.

As if died the Dragon lay down on the ground, ADS Albion was next to it. No more hiding herself Edel was there and releasing threatening manititude of Corruption Wave.

Administrator said as he closed the line. "Hang in there, I'm going!"

Three minutes later….

Roy leered at Regina as he panted. Holding the black giant wall-like shield with left hand and leaned to it, but already it seemed like he reached his limit. On the other hand, Regina looked at him with her blank, dead eyes and sent the floating ice shards around her.

Cold needles flew from every angle.

Yet he had a shield. Blocking itself wasn't that hard.

With ting sounds, those projectiles hit the surface of the shield. Yet Roy grabbed his forehead and let out a painful breath. stepping on the ice chunks, he muttered. "Damn it… not this time…!"

Like a doll, Regina only looked at Burnett and didn't say anything. When Edel raised her hands from afar then Regina herself followed exactly the same thing.

"Y-You fool! What are you doing?!" Elizabeth threw her body and pushed Roy from his position. on there, a giant ice spike suddenly appeared and thrust above. Both fell on the ground with a thud. Roy, who gritted his teeth, tried to stand but he could hardly do so because of his headache.

Lisa desperately shook her. "Roy, Roy…! Are you alright?!"

They never could expect this.

Regina wasn't a Counter this much strong. Perhaps the Dark Lord did something to her body, her power is beyond what Prydwen Institution could handle, unlike the past. Everyone expected that Roy can subdue Regina but it was not.

"T-This damn Corruption Waves…!"

"Why did you follow us from the beginning?! You should have waited at home!"

Just like in the past, as if crying little girl Lisa told that. Roy squinted. "How can I just wait in the base when the leader is dealing with a crisis? Argh…." And he couldn't bear the pain so closed his eyes.

"…I knew this would be happened…."

Elizabeth tried to raise Roy as she grabbed him. "I knew this would be happened so tried to stop you…!"

But they can't.

Not just for Roy but she herself was very exhausted.

…And, even at this moment the foes kept coming closer.

Morgan kept shooting but as the battle was almost over, closed his eyes and muttered. "It's not so bad to fight till death." Ryan also nodded silently as if accepting death.

The more they kill, the more was coming.

And, when they took out the foes in one direction, they stood again from underground.

Lyricos shouted with an annoyed voice to the two old men. "No, seriously! You two already lived long enough so can act like Zen, but not us! Where are the skills you accumulated from your prime?!"

At that time.

Suddenly Edel stepped forward and flipped her finger.

"Stop."

With that, the animated corpses that the tentacles were growing from the eyes and mouths were stood there at once. Although they looked like having no intelligence and seemed to listen to nothing, yet from her capability that completely rules this grotesque chaos gave inexplicable pressure.

"Suddenly it made us curious." She looked at Elizabeth.

"…What?"

"It won't matter since we already won. You… the descendent of Pendragon, care to explain about that blade?"

"And why should I?"

Then the Dark Lord smiled a darkened warm and soft smile, extended the physique of shadow. with the gaze out of this world, and the unheard sounds coming out from her mouth. From their surfaces something bizarre and ugly danced like madness.

"No, you don't have to tell, if you're too tired. in the end your existence… your wisdom and knowledge… all shall become one with us."

"……."

Elizabeth let out a deep sigh and began to open her lips. There was nothing else to do.

"That sword… is called Quietus. Came back to the legend about three legendary heroes who defeated the Dark Lord Korax. it's the signature of one of the three heroes, and our dynasty guarded this artifact."

And then Edel glanced at the sword stuck in the head of the dragon who was panting like a trapped bear as if about to die, muttered.

"Quietus… that sounds very familiar… Ah! So it's the sword used by Batarus. but why is it here?"

"…Baratus?"

"So it's hard to understand. You never heard of him? Then what did you think this weapon was?"

Elizabeth couldn't understand or even guess what she's saying so after a hesitation she told.

"This artifact… is… evidence of the promises with the dragons who yielded to our ancestral knight."

"History becomes legend, legend becomes myth, and myth becomes oblivion. And such process is rather unstable. That really isn't the romantic story in truth, and so is this subject."

"B-But then…?"

Being shocked by that, Elizabeth looked at the dragon. Edel continued.

"Gentle lizard he might be, so he granted forgiveness to the descendants of his enemies."

"Enemy…? You mean… This sword is one of the Dragon Slayers?"

"No, it's more than that."

Edel, as if doing teleport, she suddenly hid into darkness and from shadows afar she walked out and poked the sword as she explained.

"Quietus Est… In Latin it means the man is dead. likewise, the word itself means the cause of death. or… power of death, in this case."

Edel gripped the handle of the sword.

Then immediately, green flames of hatred burnt her palm.

As she couldn't feel pain, she pulled her hand and rubbed on her shirt. "Of course… it rejects me. obviously. by any chance, do you know how many God Slayers - something can even kill the beings with Divinity - existed? Wolvesbane, Excalibur, and…."

Elizabeth gave a strange reaction. "W-Wait, you mean that Excalibur actually existed?"

While looking at her hand soon regenerating, Edel heard Lisa's words and chuckled and put the stretched index finger on her lips and said. "Hmm? *giggle* you're rather cynical considering you're the successor of that legendary Pendragon, aren't you?"

"Then what even is that sword…?"

"Didn't you already tell? It's the weapon that killed the Dark Lord."

Then as if playing around, Edel touched the blade of Quietus with her index finger. then immediately it became rotten like it was melted or burning by eternal hatred, as if feeling sharp pain Edel grumbled. her withered finger fell, and she blew a few times. then a few seconds later her finger grew back.

A moment of silence.

Edel lost her interest again, and turned her body and looked around. then Elizabeth asked again.

"That was an intriguing conversation. Then would you give the answer for my question as well?"

"It'd be only fair. What do you inquire?"

"Why did you even abduct The Old Voice and corrupt him? Dark Lord Gha'agsheblah is already powerful enough so she doesn't need to manipulate the Divine Beast."

"That's because…."

When Edel raised her head and tried to give an answer, there was the giant warmachine fallen as broke the ceiling and coming at incredible speed from afar.

"W-What is that? President? How could he…?!" Roy gasped. Lily muttered and approached from behind. "Fufu, he surely comes quick as he promised."

'…No one died yet. and Albion seemed to be fine indeed.'

Edel turned her head to Olympian slowly.

Ftoom!

As soon as it approached its Devil Claw pinched her whole body and then smashed the Dark Lord to the wall. it generated a massive crater on the surface.

"W-We won?!" Lycoris shouted excitedly.

But it didn't stop at there. Olympian immediately activated the Plasma Generators of Devil Claw, as if trying to vaporize her it poured all the energy for it. By insane firepower, the underground shelter of abyss itself brightened with the blue illumination.

This sight certainly gave a surprise to Ryan. "What is this power…?! And he called he's even to mere level 4 Corruptors?!" Morgan also said while he rummaged in his pocket. "So the cavalry has come, just like the movie."

But desperately Administrator clamored.

"No, It's not even enough! Get back to Albion and run now!" and he continued. "Only for thirty seconds I can hold him, leave, while this monster can't do anything!"

"Huh? What?" Morgan paused and couldn't lit his cigar by that. Lycoris said. "You heard it right? Move! You acted like an old man giving up everything just before and now why are you pretending you're cool?" From afar Lily supported Roy with Elizabeth, and they all boarded ADS Albion.

"20… 19… 18… 17…."

Administrator counted in an agitated voice, Albion launched without getting interrupted, and towards the roof it fired its beam cannon. as rocks and scrap metals fell, they could see the clean azure sky.

"10… 9… 8… 7…."

Albion floated still for a moment, then turned on the stealth field then immediately soared and got out there safely. While all this was happening, the Dark Lord couldn't do anything.

'…Surely it's one of the Dark Lords. I cannot even kill her with this yet.'

Though from the design this Devil Claw could destroy those Demon Lords, but Olympian itself couldn't have enough level of energy to make the full power. In the end it just halted her and inflicted no wounds.

"5… 4… 3…!"

As Administrator pulled back Olympian, the plasma spheres exploded and the black warmachine itself followed the path that Albion went. and then, bounced off from the plasma energies Edel blankly lay down on the ground then shook her head and got up.

She muttered then.

"Unfortunate, aren't they? After this short test we could bless them the eternal life."

Edel turned her head to the dragon panting and glinted her eyes.

"Bring them back to me, now."

Then, as if a Zombie raising its posture like pushing arms against the ground, it roared as he rested its wings on the floor then ascended.

In the dire situation, Administrator recollected his thought as he maneuvered Olympian to fly in the same direction to ADS Albion.

'We lost.'

'There is absolutely no way to defeat them. Now, we must retreat to minimize the casualties!'

As he did admit it and tried to open the line to ADS Albion, from behind horrifying screech spread and the massive sounds of wings flapping were heard. He said to himself. "The Dragon! Edel, you insignificant…!"

Administrator turned Olympian to it and stretched the Devil Claw's pincers. Charging in the tilted angle, it gripped the Divine Corruptor's body. but….

Kiaaaaaaaaaaaagh--!!

As soon as its movement was blocked, The dragon pulled its head to its stomach, raised its body temperature again. did it do this again just to shake off Olympian just like before? but Administrator instinctively felt something omnious, threw the dragon and made a distance.

The dragon roared again, and it was no mere Overheating this time! Through his scales there were burning fires like molten lava flowing, and it exhibited thick veins. looking this massive volcanic island floating in the air, Administrator relieved for knowing his judgment was correct, then immediately shouted as it launched itself to the direction that ADS Albion went.

"This isn't good, Albion has no power to stop this!"

Administrator boosted Olympian at full speed and chased, fired cannons but it could do no damage at all.

"Am I losing Prydwen in here?! Wait… something is coming!"

At that exact moment.

A Corruptor? or maybe a giant bat? whatever that was, Administrator could see Lucid and Hansol on its back. Hansol said to Lucid as he clenched his sword.

"I'm very sorry for asking something this dangerous, but…!"

But Lucid seemed rather enjoying this by herself, and raised her voice like riding a roller coaster.

"It's okay, I wanted to be help for everyone!"

Then Hansol stretched the sword held by right hand, passed the foot of dragon and scratched it. Then, as if taking extreme pain, the dragon slowed down itself and rotated its body.

"…Strange. even the cannon wasn't effective."

Administrator looked at Hansol who maneuvered the bat in a slanted angle and slashed the foe as if brushing it, in a surprised face, and understood it.

"Right, he's not aiming its scales but arteries!"

Without realizing he stood up from his chair, and then he sat on it as muttered. "Hansol… though he couldn't know who was he dealing with but made a correct respond. He did very well." Then, he kept watching Hansol on the monitor.

"K-Kiyah! It's too hot!"

"Are you okay, Lucid?!"

"…Yes, I'm counter too, Don't worry!"

Hansol kept slashing off the thick arteries and veins, the dragon twisted its whole body and fired huge energy breaths everywhere in frenzy. That only made itself easy prey. but, Hansol looked at his own sword with a concerned face.

Because its blade was melting away.

As soon as it crossed his mind how should he deal with this enemy, but obviously this is so-called Divine Beast that can cover its whole body with magma. of course it's not push-over. Soon, the blade was broken.

"Damn it… no!" Hansole muttered, and even Lucid was distracted by that.

And the dragon didn't miss its chance. meeting the eyes of the annoying bat, it inhaled and about to open its mouth towards it.

"Ah, A-Ah…!"

Lucid knew they were in the big trouble and about to die because of her, with a pale face she grabbed the bat tightly. but the….

Kh----aaaaa!

Suddenly, out of nowhere something crashed into the giant body of the dragon, and its neck twisted and threw a firebreath upwards. It was Albion revealing itself as the stealth fields were gone. immediately, Olympian approached the bat and said. "Hansol, ride on me!"

"What?!"

"You need another blade and there is one!"

Although almost its whole body was wrapped up by volcanic fires but the head was different since it could hurt his brain. Jumping on the Olympian, Hansol mumbled in a hesitating voice.

"B-But, even Elizabeth couldn't handle that sword…!"

"Does she look like a swordswoman? The only one worthy in here is you, become the true knight!"

Saying that, Olympian rushed towards the falling dragon in incredible speed.

Lucid encouraged them with a jolly face as she looking them flying. "Go! Boss, Hansol! You can do it!" The bat what she's riding was sweating, let out a sigh of relief.

The dragon soon fixed his posture and out of anger, it tried to bite the head of Albion. but there Olympian suddenly came, to its forehead Hansol stepped, and then grabbed the handle of Quietus.

With that, as if resonating the green energy enveloped the blade.

"Am I seeing it right?!" From the bridge Elizabeth opened her eyes wide and looked at Hansol. "The legend was true, then. the sword chooses the fighter, and lending its power to him with the green fires…!"

On the head of the dragon, Hansol shouted as he pulled off sword, went to trance.

"AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!"

And thrust it again!

The moments of silent lasted long which felt like its heart pounding.

And, from its body inside massive light of green hatred, like eating the red flames it grew rapidly, then blasted away all in an explosion!

With that, both the dragon and ADS Albion crashed into the ground.

A few seconds later….

The collision created ear-breaking sound, loud enough that itself felt like raised dust. After it was blown away Elizabeth came out from the ship.

The Old Voice, Guardian of Pendragon.

From the mythological age in Western Europe these were the one of ancient species that taught wisdom and knowledge to mankind.

But now it was about to make farewell.

"Miss Pendragon." Hansol called her.

The young warrior stretched out his hand holding the handle of Quietus.

"……."

Elizabeth gently closed her eyes then opened mildly and said. "Sir Hansol, the sword is yours now."

By unexpected response, Hansol opened his eyes wide. "But your family kept this sword for ages…."

"Only you can handle that artifact in our era."

"However…."

"My dynasty is merely the guardians. You are the chosen one now."

Then, the dragon next to them quietly said as it panted weakly.

"…Nust wo ni qiilaan fen kos duaan."

Both Elizabeth and Hansol turned their heads and looked at the dragon who now be released from Corruption.

"Pahlok joorre, Hin kah fen kos bonaar…."

"The Old Voice…?"

"…Hin sil fen nahkip bahloki, Meyye. Tahrodiis aanne. Him hinde pah liiv! Zu'u hin daan."

Mumbling something, perhaps the language of dragons, it gleamed the glowing irides, let out a voice in an impression of a wise old man.

"No… It may not be."

Hansol, out of surprise he reacted as he turned his blade towards the dragon. But Elizabeth stretched her arm to stop him and asked.

"Great tutor, can you recognize me?"

"……."

After made a deep growling breath, it slowly turned its eyes to Lisa. "I do now so… the young heir of glorious Pendragon."

But the dragon coughed blood from mortal wound inflicted.

So he's really dying.

Elizaeth could feel it, and wiped her tears with her sleeve.

"This was the only fate granted to me from long before. my friends had been left this world long before… like them I also need to relinquish the birthright blessed."

"……."

"Alas, heiress. Do you know why the Dark Lord of Knowledge plotted this?"

Elizabeth couldn't say anything. So the dragon told. "Within this body… Divinity of Ancient Species was her aim from the very beginning. Though it serves no purpose to Dark Lords: Perhaps that vile creature tried to bestow it to her servant. She carried the ritual of it."

Administrator finally could understand what was this all about.

The reason why Rosaria gave a hint that even Dark Lord loves a mortal, and the intention of Edel.

But as if knowing its own heart was failing, Dragon forced to open its eyes.

"But…! Divinity is the power that only can be released by the will of individual. Even though the Dark Lord tried to bend my will by Corrupting me… my determination was resolved even long before. And that was not failed, even though I was under her influence."

"…How could this be happening?"

"Now, the honorable heiress of Pendragon, You shall succeed my name and power."

Like that.

The Divine Beast cast a spell that creating Runes floating its scale then mixed with bright sunlight and blue aura of Divinity which were all released and gently flew to Lisa and circled a little bit. Her body soon was absorbing all and become one with them, growing the wings of light.

"You may call this as your destiny."

"…Destiny, you said?"

"Just like in the past that your ancestor left something on this world… I, too, must have to do so. it's the fate that the one who commands the divinity. Now, young Pendragon, you're the guardian of sky now. Protect this world with honor and glory."

With that world, the dragon's body slowly faded away into nothingness.

As its body lost the Divinity so as if it wasn't even there from the beginning, it was just vanished.

"……."

"Our Prydwen Institution… no, we, will never forget your teachings. great tutor."

Lisa couldn't hold herself and finally burst her tears.

She flopped down and cried, and Morgan and Ryan and Roy came to her.

With silence they saluted in awe. Throughout a millennium, from the shadow he was acted as the mastermind who guided them against sinister force of darkness threatened mankind but now they lost him permanently.

Hansol and Olympian couldn't say anything but watching them.

A few moments later.

Elizabeth finally made up her mind and stood, and talked to Olympian.

"The admirable guide of the Insititution, The Old Voice went missing a few years ago: Just today we could reunite only to be seperated eternally."

"So you could never guess that Gha'agsheblah could do this."

"Yes. When you and the giant Corruptor fought each other… I couldn't believe my own eyes that was The Old Voice… Huh?!"

At that time.

The force of evil surrounded the area, with the surged darkness.

The presence of Dark Lord overwhelmed all Counters in there, Elizabeth couldn't ignore.

Hansol also felt an unfamiliar coldness from behind and turned his head. at there Regina who looked back at them with darkened eyes, and Edel who held her like a doll.

"I planned with very careful preparation… well, this is one of the possible outcomes in expectation too."

Ice shards floated around Regina like in force of mysterious spells. as they flew to Hansol, he reactively swung Quietus against them.

With infinite and limitless hatred burning, the blade released green five projectiles and they literally exploded Regina's attack and rushed toward Regina. Edel grabbed her and dodged to the side quickly.

As it failed to land on the enemy, the trees behind them were hit. Then, as if those trees were withered and collapsed as if something never should exist: As if plants screaming it disintegrated so violently nothing was left in there.

Edel leered at Hansol as if she's looking at something so horrible and disgusting. '…I forgot. that accursed sword… didn't think there could be anyone who can use it…!'

Never, never considered there could be anyone who can use that abomination in this era.

Administrator also remembered. 'That sword… literally imbues the consequence of death….'

'Right, Quietus. something similar to Staff of Oblivion. but how could every piece come together?'

While everyone was surprised but even Hansol himself couldn't believe his own power. he saw the trajectory with a blank face. '…What the… What even is this thing?'

It's… Insanely strong.

As if something shouldn't even exist in this world. That rather gave him fear.

"Wielding the unthinkable anger… though we could tolerate that petty electric massager, yet how arrogant of you to use such barbaric monstrosity against us…."

"It was called Devil Claw. not mere massager."

Ignoring the word of Olympian, Edel made a shadowy vile face. then, from her the tide of darkness swelled and spread throughout the forest. within that darkness… or on its surface there were countless mouths appeared, making the incomprehensible sounds of mass: some were crazed by pleasures; some were screamed by pains; and many others couldn't be identified.

And, even the thick tentacles sprang from the ground and surrounded her enemy.

"Well… What should you do now?"

Put Regina on the rock, Edel made an ecstatic face revealing her mind, mixed with savant-like cognitive cumulativeness and nothing but macabreness of deceptive and beguiled. But then….

All of sudden, for the above there were solemn lights rained down on the ground as it vanquished the dark clouds. The disgusting tentacles twisted and lurked into the ground again. Edel, raised her head.

At there Serapel descending, The Fallen Seraphim herself, with two Dominions.

"Pull back, Gha'agsheblah."

"What is it now, Seraphim? this isn't your business."

Igorning Edel, Serapel pointed her finger at Regina, then fired a beam of strange color. then at once the colors in her eyes reverted back.

"…What's the meaning of this?"

Unlike before she was making a very unpleasant voice: Till this point she maintained her composure and though it was just voice but her tone was rather polite; but now as soon as she witnessing her rival interferes she crumpled her face and emitted hostility.

But feeling no pressure at all, Serapel gave a warning.

"We all signed the treaty that includes the clause that Dark Lords must not desire Divinity."

"Though you yourself are not Divine Corruptor? What's the point for that in the world where there not many Dark Lords left…?"

"You shall be my enemy if you wish to break it… I can't wait you to teach me the ultimate pain and pleasure you earned through the forbidden knowledges… Fu… Fufufufu…."

Then Serapel threw a laugh, maddening as her mind. "Fufufufu… Ahahahaha!!!!"

Everyone beneath her could know for some reason.

Though this Angel looked like an emissary of good as she revealed herself with the light of sky….

…Something about her was horribly twisted. They could see absolute madness come from her broken mind.

'What a foul, disgusting bastard of Dark Lords….'

Making a loathsome expression, Edel turned her back and allowed herself to be swallowed by the darkness grown beneath her.

"Hmm… indeed, there is no reason left for us to exchange words. I will remember this, Seraphim."

Then, just left Regina there, Edel was gone.

Confirming she was disappeared, Serapel herself didn't care about anyone on the ground she ascended to the sky above again.

Roy made a serious face and clenched his shield, but when everyone was just gone then sighed with relief. "I couldn't expect Gha'agsheblah would retreat…. But what was the angel just now?"

Ryan said. "If I dare to guess then it might be another Dark Lord we couldn't encounter yet."

"…Come to think of it, she refered to as Divine Corruptor. Damn it, as if one isn't enough…."

Morgan took a cigarette out from his pocket and lit it. "Yet it's fortunate, at least Prydwen has a personnel who can use that shield…."

"You mean this thing?"

"That shield, Prydwen, is Anti-Divinity device. well, it probably will work."

"What, are you joking? This is just a shield. What can you even possibly do against something in the air."

'Prydwen… Anti-Divinity?'

Strangely, this isn't something even Administrator heard of.

'…Whatever.' Olympian looked around. Lycoris who hates smoke so making a unpleasant face, and Lily who pulled out a handkerchief and wiped out her face.

And, Regina, just lay down there.

It's rather strange since Edel cherished her more than anything but she still left her like this.

'Olympian isn't good enough for now to deal with Dark Lord and no one probably could damage her… except Quietus. if that sword wasn't here then we couldn't even fight back.'

As Edel outrightly cursed it, that weapon can even kill the Dark Lord.

With that at least both side have a power to determine own victory. but it was more than that.

'Since Serapel came out from nowhere and pushed back Edel's Corruptors, she had no choice but run. Because she tried to surround us and attack from every angle, but as soon as she lost her minions, probably she had no tactics to use.'

As he deduced it was true: If Hansol outrightly chased Edel then there was no way that Edel can't do anything more than defending herself; and even Serapel could turn into an enemy.

'But this doesn't explain all. Why Serapel broke the hypnosis casted on Regina?'

Obviously the two has no relationship whatsoever. Probably….

'Not that I know any of the details, but they had treaties which I could never see in any other universes. Serapel mentioned the clause… perhaps there was something about Counters as well?'

If one is allowed to guess then that's the only way.

'Maybe all this is too complicate… it's not like any worlds that I have seen. Old Voice is the position of Administrator and not… this Divine Beast. and the ancient species were helping mortals?'

But whatever all that was….

Olympian gently picked up Regina with its pincer. Elizabeth crossed her arms and asked.

"What would you do with that woman?"

"There are many things to ask. She will be under our protection."

"Protect? MacCready is one of the Eckhart. And deeply related with the Dark Lord…."

Being carried on top of Black Olympian, Regina, who fluttered her snow-white cold hairs, was stared in Lisa's much colder eyes. But Administrator ensured.

"She herself is not a bad person. I assure you."

"……."

Lisa shook her head gently and said. "Then, in the name of Prydwen we'd grant you the right of questioning the captive." Olympian silently made a gesture of affirmation.

And to Hansol Olympian turned its lens and thought. 'This battle was rather difficult and dangerous indeed… at first I intended to capture Regina and tried to negotiate with Edel….'

It never went in that way and combined with very stranger factors, the process developed in chaotic sequences.

'That was Dark Lord, nonetheless. but now we have the tool to deal with them… and didn't expect that was no other than Quietus….'

And Administrator looked at Quietus held by Hansol that still radiating extreme and excessive hatred from its blade. '…was here to be used.' Even through the monitor such otherworldly hostility could be felt.

However….

Unlike Administrator, Hansol felt rather uneasy about this power. Because no matter how much he looked, it only felt like something never should exist.

'Just like now Hansol's power is at Shiyoon or Mina's caliber. The problem is about whether he's able to absolutely control his own being or not….'

…But we can think about this later.

To look up the sky was so bright and serene as if everything happened today was dream. Acrossing the spread clouds ADS Coffin slowly approached. Within it there were others who watched over everything gave cheeres and praises in excited voices to Olympian and others who sat down there tired.

What are Yubin and others doing right now? anyhow, Administrator believed he's going to take care of his job very well since it's Na Yubin after all. thinking something like that, they boarded ADS Coffin.

Meanwhile, Horizon and Yubin tried to rescue Rita and Dash in the specific Counterside but they were pursued by The Scavengers from nowhere. Since they were dealing with the urgent issue so didn't want to be interrupted, tried to run away from them.

But even if ADS Ash Savior jumped in the random coordinates, they still could follow.

Horizon sighed and said in a rather expressive voice. "You're rather having poor navigation, Human. They're still close." It looked like she was a little bit annoyed.

Yubin didn't answer. just thought.

'How they could even know we're coming here? I don't think this is a mere coincidence.'

'And it's very suspicious about them. No technology can track down like this."

'We're literally jumping to random dimensions ourselves don't know: after warp leaving no information behind. And they're still doing this?'

'Even considering the data received from Germanicus, even they can't build a ship like that. then….'

Yubin looked around the inside ship and muttered.

"Maybe… no. It's very certain there must be some kind of transmitter in this ship."

"What are you even mumbling, Human. I advise you to focus on driving." As if a woman whining while sitting on a side seat Horizon said. Yubin ignored her and lost in his own thoughts.

'But even if that's true, why are they even chasing us? Do they even know who we are in the first place?'

'This ship was preserved and just there in the destroyed HQ. We just launched this ship today.'

'I assume there is a some device kept sending our location but that's… certainly….'

'They want nothing in the ship. but it's not like they could expect specifically us to us this ship.'

Kept deducing and Yubin saw something crossed his mind which felt like the truth.

'That's right. There is no artifact like a cargo in here neither. That only means… what allowed them to pursue us is….'

If they wanted anything in the ship then when they could install such device in the ship, they'd already taken that. but it's not. and the Six Wings never have encountered Dimensional Ship Matador as well. everything indicates….

Her.

"Horizon."

"What is it now, Human?"

Yubin glared at Horizon with the suspicious eyes. "Were you actually telling the truth? Did you have no other motivation than just saving your friends?"

"What are you even talking about?"

"I'm very certain about this. They follow us… no, you."

"Are you crazy, human? Your logic leaps too wildly that machine like me cannot compute."

"Even though you do have CPU Brain but not particularly brilliant than humans, aren't you? We warped to random coordinates that no ship existing can follow us. That means there is a device that telling where we are in this ship. Yes, the ship which was left alone for decades."

"…Okay?"

"Can you even guess what they're seeking for? If they wanted anything then they could take anything already as soon as they found this ship. Not just for that, they don't know us. Because we Six Wings don't know them neither. And this ship contains no valuable artifacts too. So it's you-"

Then, as if stopping Yubin's word, Matador's harpoon pierced ADS Ash Savior.

Horizon stopped listening and with a disdain cold look she told to Yubin.

"Didn't I say you'd better be focusing on driving?"

"……"

Yubin let out a sigh and looked outside the window as he made the flaming wings on his back.

"Well, whatever that was we should have to fight, aren't we? Though Administrator warned about them…."

Then, Amy who was just sitting and resting her back of head in both hands on the head of chair while blowing a bubble gum, and Jisoo who closed her eyes and mediated turned their heads to them and said.

"Finally! There is nothing we can do when they're picking on a fight like this, Commander?"

"Hmph… both mind and sword have to be practiced frequently. Otherwise they'll get rusted."

Then Horizon smiled.

"Six Wings… so you guys are, at least, not pathetic cowards who'd get scared by mere pirates. so, what now?"

Yubin looked at the harpoon.

"We can easily cut that off but… that won't change a thing. Rather we must get on this thing and assault their ship, and breaking it down, and resume our move. That shall be the best."

Yubin gave an order to Jisoo. "Jisoo, you should wait here and when I give a signal then initiate the warp sequence. Others, follow me."

Jisoo looked rather disappointed because she couldn't fight. "Understood, sir."

Then Amy, like skating off the ground, both hands in the pockets of a pink jacket politely zipped up, said.

"Then I shall go first! We're good to walk on that, right?" Like nineties American street girl she laughed cheerfully. Tapping a steel pipe on left palm Horizon also walked away.

"Interesting… Pirates of Countersides."

Yubin seemingly subtly looking forward this as he'd test his strength, he smiled quietly and followed.

Between the abandoned and destroyed buildings on the completely broken Other World, two giant ships were advanced very quickly with the harpoon connecting both. Amy skillfully rode on that and out, Horizon cautiously focused on the balance, and Yubin just flew and passed them with his wing.

Extending flaming Catastrophe Blade from his right hand, Yubin slashed the wall of Matador like cheese.

Inside he could see a man in the black heavy armor holding a great hammer. Just by looking at it, he certainly gave unusual charisma unlike ordinary mercenaries.

"I heard they'll send a woman."

So he was right.

Yubin tried to confirm as he already assumed so.

"You're referring to a white-haired girl in a red jacket and having two floating accessories on her head."

"How did you know?"

"Easy guess. The reason why you're chasing us is not the ship, not cargo nor us… but her."

"Clever man, I'd give that. However if you knew it then why wouldn't you throw her away and escape?"

Then Yubin answered as he cast another energy blade on his left hand.

"We're no villain. Why would we betray our friend?"

"Interesting. Trust is the value cherished in any group."

"So, a pirate talks about trust…."

"Hmm… you pointed out but that sounds a little bit funny. Yet it's an undeniable truth."

Anyhow Rojo raised his giant hammer and swung a few times. "I want to make one thing clear. The robot has nothing to do with me. It's just an order from our boss." Then Yubin asked. "Why do you even need her anyway?"

"Because I don't hate you, I will give you an answer. More than the machine itself, the boss has some business about the program itself."

'Perhaps they do know what Simurgh is….'

In the data that Germanicus gave to him, there was the information about other worlds along with his own universe. Simurgh was a machine, so-called an Apostle of the Demonlord.

Only then Yubin finally could confirm.

Their boss must be….

"Can't allow that, unfortunately. she's a bit annoying, but we never abandon our friends."

"I haven't seen anyone foul who speaks such things. Come, I will be your opponent."

"No… It's not me who's going to face you.

Yubin made a dry laugh as he pointed Amy standing next to him, pouting her cheeks and put her hand on his shoulder. Horizon turned her head to see her as well.

"It's been a while that she played around, She's saying…."

Deep breathing. Maybe he sighed or just exhaled, unsure.

Rojo tapped his hammer like doing it with an umbrella. "Who is her? She looks like your sister."

Amy smiled and said. "Sister? Oh, that's cute. Then, is it okay for me going first?"

Then she jumped immediately, kicking the right wall, then stepped on the ceiling, then to Rojo's back she bounced.

"You will definitely enjoy this, I've better techniques than Commander or Jisoo!"

Just like a girl doing a flashy performance on the street she made a bright smile. Rojo looked at her tracks and then approached as he making heavy feet sounds. "To absolutely overwhelming strength, technique doesn't matter."

"Then, the first shot!" Amy snapped her finger with a wink. then, suddenly threads were raised and bound him.

"Not bad… actually. to ordinary opponents this will work." Rojo said and then grunted, spread his arms wide and broke out. "But attacks like this won't work on someone like me."

"How about this?" This time, Amy kept throwing Yoyos. But not even wielding his hammer and took a few hits, then Rojo finally swung and broke one.

"You might do well against Corruptors, young lady."

"Oh, great. didn't even expect you'd crash it by one hit… that's a shame. I really want one of those Legacy Devices." Amy talked herself as if saying to Yubin while ran around the room. Yubin raised his hand and shrugged. "I haven't seen one."

"Just make one, then. Whatever… I'll be serious now, bro."

Then Amy put one yoyo between the index and middle fingers, and the other on the ring and pinky fingers, and did the same to the other hand, and threw them on the ground. As if roping the floor they rolled. Rojo tried to crush one of them with his foot but failed. and Amy herself, like Bishop at that time, making footstep noises and bouncing the wall and ceiling and floor, ran like crazy.

"……." Felt something dangerous, Rojo raised his hammer and smashed it to the ground. All the yoyos just stopped and fell. "I don't know what kind of setup you tried to make…."

And immediately.

Actually those Yoyos were nothing but deception for trying to make him wide open by surprising him with suddenly springing up.

And that move what Rojo made was what Amy wanted as he's now vulnerable. Amy who was spinning yoyos in her ten fingers, as soon as she caught his motion, threw them all to tie up Rojo's neck and shoulder and arm and wrist and knee and ankle.

"Hmm…? What the-?!"

Rojo was surprised and tried to move his body but it felt very stiff and could not move at all. And not just for that, when he moved the one part of the body then the other moved for some reason.

"Well, Corruptors have varied body structures so it's hard… but I've done so many times with humans, so!"

Amy made Rojo hit himself like moving a marionette, gently hitting his own head.

"I won, right?" then she dropped from above like a cat.

"Hmph…." Rojo couldn't say anything.

Then, from behind some giant machine came as it shook the ground itself.

"Were you done playing? Maybe you forgot the order for bringing Horizon to me."

The machine looked rather rough but also very complicated as countless gadget parts were attached to it.

From its cyan lighting eye somehow you could feel the presence of… human. But how? anyway the machine approached Rojo and cut down the threads with small lasers.

"That voice… are you Ember?"

"……."

It looked at Horizon then silenced. after a moment it said.

"Long time no see, Horizon…. I asked about destiny and fate to you. Did you get the answer?"

She definitely is the one who created Horizon. With confused eyes Horizon asked.

"Ember… why were you in that body? But how? No… that's not important now. Why were you seeking me?"

Then Evolve One just accelerated the engines within and responded.

"The answer what you will get is depending on your skills. Shoot me with everything you got, because I will not hold back.

Then, all of sudden with extreme speed it launched its body on Horizon. With banging sound, both Horizon and Evolve One flew outside. Yubin barely dodged that and he followed as he lit his flame wings.

"Horizon! You okay?!" Illuminating Ctarstophe Blades on both hands, Yubin tried to catch Horizon in the air but she released the light and turned into whiteness.

Then, from nowhere with incredible speed white machines came.

Simrugh in her awakened form. Horizon gleamed its blue eyes and said.

"You seem to be serious, Ember… Though not sure what's even this all about, I'll give you a first-handed lesson that unlike Cyborg the pure program doesn't take jokes like this." Spreading her wing parts, Horizon aimed her gun and fired.

Yubin dodged all missiles Evolve One blasted. but they were homing missiles so still followed Yubin, however only to be shot down by Horizon's support.

"You were a poor driver but I expect you be not a poor fighter, Human."

No, what?

How was that even my fault?

"No… are you serious? They came after you. They didn't chase us or the ship but they only could track down your body."

"…*Sighed*".

Horizon just kept firing at Evolve One and ignored Yubin.

This rather made Yubin annoyed and he gave up arguing with this, and turned his eyes to Evolve One.

'Wait… a machine?"

As if rushing towards the eternal disaster, connected two ships by harpoon were heading to endless nowhere. And the three, Evolve One, Horizon, Yubin, they also flew at the same speed. in the background they could see countless destroyed buildings passing.

'Then perhaps…!'

Pondered shortly, Yubin as if kicking the air, he rushed to Evolve One.

What he was thinking now, one of his strongest techniques used against Bishop. Against machines, it could expect an effect similar to EMP weapon.

'But Horizon is there too: So I must be cautious to make no friendly fire. Also, unlike other techniques this move works as releasing the charged energy waves… I have to get closer while making a preparation.'

Yubin said to Horizon. "Horizon, I have a suggestion to defeat it."

"What complicate order do you wish to make?"

"Just make a distance from me. This attack is dangerous to you as well."

"…Understood. You're quite confident about that, aren't you human?"

Yubin, expecting to take a hit, he blocked his face with the energy blade and tried to rush on Evolve One. Some of the bullets were deflected but he could slight pain in the gut or legs which he couldn't cover.

"Khh…!"

Non-Counters would have been died immediately.

But even the ordinary Counters would have been deeply wounded by this powered minigun.

However Yubin is a chosen Counter who received a Counter Watch by the god of the other world, Germanicus. This equipment was also designed for specifically him. ultimately he's far exceeding any other S rank Counters.

Evolve One shifted to the side and passed Yubin. At that moment, Yubin tried to thrust and slash it when they got close, though it was hit but it couldn't deeply pierce to the core because of the size of it.

Though it really doesn't matter since keep damaging and dismantle the outer parts will reveal its core… thought so but Yubin saw Evolve One was regenerating.

'This is a machine. But rejuvenating?'

So it wasn't elected as the leader of Scavenger for nothing.

'Troublesome enemy indeed… and I need to get close. But…."

Evolve One made rapid acceleration from Matador to Ash Savior, and landed on top of the deck then jumping again to fire bullets at Yubin and Horizon.

Yubin had the best mobility among thethree since he moved like as if walking in the air.

However, he was the slowest among the three as well.

Speed itself is not the most important factor: Concerning the ranged stance firepower and precision are the most important; Because it just needs to shoot down; But now it made one-sided battle; It's required to approach enemy but couldn't engage at all.

"You seem to have a hard time, Human. May I lend my hand?"

Though they were acting obnoxiously to each other before, now Horizon as a comrade seriously asked.

But Yubin, out of defiance, didn't say anything and kept chasing Evolve One, repeating landing on the both ships then leaping, over and over.

About two minutes they kept doing that.

Horizon couldn't get any response so just stayed out of them and kept shooting, but it's the Evolve One that even recovering the damage caused by Catastrophe Blade which cut down its armor.

Causing no significant damages, nonetheless she was just as same as hasn't done anything.

Evolve One barely gave attention to Horizon and rather focused Yubin as well.

Now Yubin got bruised considerably, but thinking he felt like what it would do, suddenly opening his eyes wide and shouted as he stretched his right arm.

"You can't run away anymore!"

Swung his arm greatly, threw the energy blade from his right hand, which was landed on Evolve One's eye!

Though it looked like he had been running around like being toyed.

He actually observed the maneuver of Evolve One.

So with intuition he aimed where Evolve One would move. and that actually was correct. As Yubin saw the blade pierced his enemy, at once he expanded his wings and as if tackling with his whole body he flew.

"…Grrr…!"

Seeing Yubin coming towards itself, Evolve One tried to dodge. But Yubin yelled as he was approaching faster. "I said you can't escape!" and as if throwing his right fist he opened his palm. Catastrophe Blade stuck exploded, and by that, with the sound of blowing away Evolve One fell on Matador.

"It's over, Lightning Earthquake!!!"

With a verily angry expression, Yubin stepped on Evolve One and released the electronic shockwaves.

Perhaps he went too much.

Overwhelming force of electricity dominated the whole area and not just for Evolve One, but also Matador and Ash Savior itself, crashed on the ground altogether. Their racing on the broken world was finally stopped, raising huge dust and ringing bizarre sounds….

"You were indeed powerful. I'll give that, Ember… no, Evolve One.

To the left and right the dust was blown away, the man was revealed that heading the tip of a blazing energy blade extended from his hand downwards. "Unlike those cyborg pirates you are pure machine… may you attain more powers yet in turn that might give you a new weakness."

But, The lens of his enemy still shows the blue light.

'……?'

Yubin stepped back and cautiously. "That… wasn't enough?"

And then Evolve One stood again with a flash, shooting a beam suddenly. As it was expected, Yubin bounced his feet and deflected with his energy blade.

Evolve One said.

"A man who can use pulse energy with own body… intriguing. Is that Counter's ability?"

"One of my techniques, of course. but still it makes curious… aren't you a machine?"

"What a mediocrity. It which claims the true machine means something beyond of such weakness."

Yubin crumpled his face again as he drew the Catastrophe Blades. "So we must have to see the end, I just tried to let you go even if I won…."

And at that time, suddenly the windows of Matador's deck opened and some gadgets were connected to the leg part of Evolve One. At the same time, pulling back the harpoon from Ash Savior the ship lifted.

'…What?'

Maybe it just gave up?

Not knowing what it's trying to do so Yubin kept being alerted. Its lens saw him, but looking at it apparently Evolve One was thinking something else: And its concern was on Horizon.

"……."

Just like Yubin guessed, Evolve One talked at Horizon… the word doesn't feel like directed to Yubin.

"Do you think there are the powers which can overcome the destiny or fate?"

Floating like a white-dwarf in space Horizon she was and aimed her gun at Evolve One. "I'm a machine, Ember. I do not have such thing from birth."

"You're ignorant."

With that, suddenly from the air the light reflected and thin lines were raised. Yubin shouted. "Wait… something is coming, Horizon, cut them off!" But when Horizon tried to react then it was all late. that was threads: Like what Amy used; And just like her attack it completely roped out and then after it attacked with electrocity shocks through the lines.

"Guh, Gaaah, Aaaaah…!" Horizon couldn't do anything.

Yubin, cautiously made a distance, and tried to threw the energy blades at it to cut off the threads. but after doing that multiple times he finally saw that just like Evolve One itself the lines were reconstructed.

'This is… it uses something similar to what Amy used….'

'No, not just for that. it copied my move just because I used it once. and then… this thing, combined our techniques and exploiting to create synergy as well?!'

Evolve One said. "Always advancing, Always progressive… and I will make the evolution even beyond the transcending. But what about you, Horizon? This is my destiny. but only the fate dominates you. and you think that's your own destiny.

Horizon was about to break as lightning kept her immobilized.

"E-Ember… you…!"

"I will let you know what you must have to learn, your true destiny… and the power to change our fates all…!"

And the sky itself thundered as whole, with this Amy came out from the ship and urgently asked.

"C-Commaner, what happened? What's this…?!"

"Pull back, Amy!"

While kept using power against Evolve One, when it saw Amy then it fired mini gun against her.

Then, kicked the ground and bouncing off to Amy and grabbed her to save her from Evolve One's attacks, Yubin successfully dodged all the bullets. But that's what it wanted.

"…Right, shouldn't have done that!"

"What? Wait, what's happening? Why Horizon is there…?"

There was nothing left to interfere it, So Evolve One pulled off all the threads and gravitated Horizon to Matador and initiated warp sequence.

"Horizon, No!" As Yubin yelled, exhausted Horizon said in very desperate voice. "No… it's okay, human. You should seek my friends instead. Please don't try to find me-"

Then, with her Matador just vanished from the space….

Landing on the doomed world slowly while helding Amy, then hitting a wall with his fist and made a furious face.

But nothing they could do right now.

Unlike Scavengers they don't have any technology or equipment that tracking her down.

Jisoo opened the window of the bridge and said. "Horizon… we lost her."

"……."

"Commander, just like her asked, we have to hurry to save the other two…."

"……."

"Commander… that was rather hard fight, was it? You seemed to be tired." Amy worried about him.

Yubin closed his eyes and felt mixed emotions, but soon he calmed himself and stretched his back and said.

"That's right. Though what use she has to them but… nonetheless we must find her friends first."

Mistake itself isn't important.

Anyone can do that.

What's more important is the will to fix it. "And… maybe, Administrator will let us know about the means to chase those pirates down. Like she wished, we will go now." Yubin completely regained his composure.

Anyway, seeing his face both Amy and Jisoo were relieved.

At the same time.

Somewhere, a forgotten Counterside, the ground where the rocks and peddles were laid out messy, a building looked like a lonely factory stood out. the grim scenery of atmosphere that dry sky gave certainly sensational mood, as if the last haven at the shores of hell.

It was an abandoned garrison of that world which was long before they doomed. After Wilbur's betrayal, how much times were passed…. Though they sent a distress signal after they fixed with the mechanical parts of the drone controlled by Horizon….

No one came to rescue.

They actually used the emergency power and desperately made a movement but she knew what'd be happened.

From the very beginning, there was no hope. No one comes here anyway.

Their original world and its Administratorate was almost fallen, and they barely gave resistance against The Replacers to slow down Synthetic Corruption Waves from the Lost Ships.

It's not the same situation like years before when the Taskforces could venture freely.

However….

As long as she lives, she never can give up.

Even if sacrificing herself this child must be saved. That's what she wanted.

The child deserves a love….

Love that she couldn't get from anyone.

So, even if she's going to fall into a hell, she wants to save this kid.

Because of that….

Rita couldn't give up. even though there was, almost no chance of it.

But, that's same for Dash as well.

At the outside there she was who tried to stand against a massive Corruptor with her scythe, as if sacrificing her own life she will never allow them to approach Rita, like a loyal dog trying to protect her master.

"Grrr……!"

She stared at the Corruptor which has grotesque huge claw, and clenched her scythe again.

But since she, too, was tired too much, couldn't do anything. as if using a staff she fixed it on the ground and leaned her body to it.

"No… I want to move… I must move…."

"Kggggaaa, Gaaaagak!!"

As Dash stopped, the Corruptor slapped her cheek.

Like a spinning top Dash rolled her whole body and was thrown away. But she was alive, barely, and wiping blood out and her mouth, she forced herself to stand.

As if making a vicious smile, the Corruptor looked at Dash and slowly approached.

"What should I do… can I really do nothing by alone?"

And just like a rodent looked up and wiggling its tail, Dash swung her little scythe.

Then she said to herself. "……That's not right. No, I will do it."

But even she herself could know.

Already she lost too much strength and her scythe felt too heavy.

Despair.

However Dash couldn't give up till the end.

“No… I can’t fall… Because… I already knew everything. What kind of people my parents were, and why sis tried to take me… That’s right, I must endure!”

Then the Corruptor raised its claw and thrashed downwards. This time, Dash rather thrust the hand of the scythe to the ground and crouched quickly. Because of that, as if just hitting a nail to the ground the Corruptor's attack couldn't hurt her.

“I did it… !”

But, with that attack it literally was stuck and couldn't pull it off.

“… What? No, no!”

And Dash doesn't even have any strength left to put more.

The Corruptor muttered and walked to her. “Guoooooooooo… .” as if getting in the way, it just smacked the scythe and threw it to the side.

Now, it tried to deliver a death to knelt Dash.

Dropped her head she only muttered herself, with a tear streamed down through her cheek.

“Sis… I’m… Sorry… .”

The giant claw of the corruptor covered the sky. and there was no strength left to her.

lay down like that, with no light could be seen, buried her face on the ground… as if the abyss of shadow embraced her her her her her her her.

“I… … was just a burden to you till the end… … .”

Finally she closed her eyes, expecting her death.

“But Sis… You must be happy… .”

As she mumbled so, suddenly the darkness was split in half.

The corpse of the corruptor fell to the left and right of her. A woman with an eye-patch stood and behind her there was a light, she held a sword dropping a blood of the monster. On the sky, the giant ship peacefully illuminated Jisoo and Dash and the building itself like the moon, as if searching something with handlight.

She touched Dash's chin and raised it, then with her handkerchief she gently wiped out her eyes. "Are you Rita? or Dash? Anyway, you look younger than I expected. But it's fine. I'm here to help."

Tearing down the dark clouds and descended the ship itself… looked like a god to Dash. And, this lady who killed the Corruptor which was seen like nothing but overwhelming evil who tormented her also felt like an angel to Dash. Whoever they are, or whatever they be, surely feeling that there are still people left to support others only with goodwill… Dash was relieved and cried in happiness.

‘Look, sis… I was right, in the end.'

‘You always said that… I shouldn't trust people. but… it's not like there are only bad people in the world… and there must be a second chance for everyone… !'

Dash wiped out her tears and waved her hand to Yubin and Amy who looked down from ADS Ash Savior.

'And also, I never doubted that we, too, would have our second chance!'

-- EP.III END