Chapter 92

Creak….

The elevator descending to the ark.

Inside, everyone is scanning the surroundings with tense expressions.

We considered the idea of making two trips between the ground and the ark due to the considerable amount of equipment we needed to transport, but thankfully…

Thanks to the enhancement of the collection after defeating Earth Eater, we could now carry more gear than before, eliminating the need for multiple trips.

“Nisia, hold on a moment.”

“Mm.”

Seeking her understanding, I focus my thoughts.

Aronight and Dainselip—raiders of formidable strength.

To take on these two beasts, we would need firepower capable of dealing them damage.

Fortunately, I possess the bare minimum conditions to confront them.

‘Skill Unlock – Colossus.’

– You have unlocked Colossus using 4 skill points.

The pinnacle of a robot summoner’s abilities, the armored summons.

The six-meter-tall giant is finally in my grasp, a card I can now wield freely.

But this isn’t enough.

To properly prepare, I must unlock the type of the armored summons, the most crucial element for battling these beasts.

‘Unlock Colossus Type – Firepower Module.’

– You have unlocked the Firepower Module type of Colossus using 8 skill points.

The unique attribute of armored summons, type.

The type can be likened to clothing for these summons.

Just as summer and winter clothes differ, armored summons showcase distinct features and advantages based on the type chosen.

The Firepower type boasts high firepower and defense.

The Mobility type emphasizes high agility and speed.

The Normal type offers balanced combat prowess without extreme inclinations.

Understanding these elements allows one to push the combat efficiency of the armored summons beyond 100%.

And now, we need pure firepower.

If the attack doesn’t land, everything is pointless.

As I ponder this, a loud sound echoes.

Boom.

The elevator trembles and stops.

“I’ll take the lead.”

With that, Ryuje readies their gear.

A large scythe appears, and she strides forward, operating the control panel affixed to the wall.

A high-pitched beep sounds, and the wall-like surface slowly splits open, revealing light spilling through the gap.

Contrasting the bright, vivid lighting associated with the ark, the oppressive dark-red hue and noxious, unidentified smell reach our nostrils.

“Let’s move.”

At Freya’s command, we nod and the soldiers quickly disembark from the elevator.

Nisia, looking a little tense, follows the group.

Upon stepping outside, the landscape spreads before us.

We see the sixth ark in a pitiful state, engulfed in flames.

“Let’s move to a lower area first.”

“Yes, let’s go.”

With those words, the party quickens their pace while Ryuje and Freya stand guard at the forefront.

Reaching a suitable expanse where one can hide the body, Freya turns to me.

“Release the collection.”

One by one, the weapons and machinery appear.

Majestic tanks, war machines with reverse-jointed legs, and now familiar assault armored suits.

“Oh…”

“Woo.”

For a moment, the tension fades as the soldiers express their admiration in various ways.

Once all the equipment is out, the soldiers mount their gear, and all the forces prepare.

Two tank detachments, one high-mobility walker detachment, and two armored suit detachments compose our strength.

In that state, we await while, from afar, something stirs and approaches.

Judging by their equipment, it appears to be the small infiltration team we were just discussing.

A middle-aged man who seems to be the most experienced salutes, and Freya nods in acknowledgment.

“Commander, have you come again?”

The middle-aged man, seemingly familiar, asks.

“The ark has been attacked; I couldn’t just sit by, right? How’s the situation?”

“Essentially, both downtown and the residential areas have been wiped out. We searched thoroughly with drones, but no signs of any biological activity were detected.”

“Damn bastards….”

Freya mutters under her breath, anger evident in her voice.

“Still, there is some hope. The fiend only ravaged the high-density residential areas and hasn’t yet attacked the academy or administrative facilities.”

“What? It attacked the residential area first? Not the Central side?”

Central—the term for a zone within the ark densely packed with administrative offices, essentially the heart of the ark.

In short, it is a critical area that would undoubtedly be targeted in an attack.

“Yes, indeed.”

“…”

Freya pauses to think.

Her gaze shifts towards Ryuje.

“What do you think?”

“It’s uncertain, but there must be a reason for their actions.”

Freya nods in agreement.

“The fiend’s location?”

“It is currently wandering downtown but slowly moving toward the academy.”

The middle-aged man operates his bio-terminal, projecting a hologram above his wrist.

Through Freya’s shoulder, we see the large creature slowly moving from the city center.

The ship-like elongated body, entirely coated with thick armor, is unmistakable.

The prominent turret extending forward splits at the ends, resembling an ant’s mandibles.

And the red stripe running across its torso signifies it is Dainselip, one of the twin fiends.

“Edu, do you recognize it?”

“It’s Dainselip. Its armaments match what I described earlier.”

Freya nods at my reply, her gaze shifting back to the middle-aged man.

“Is this fiend all we face? What about the other one?”

“All that has been confirmed is its presence.”

“Hmm…”

She ponders for a moment.

“Director? What’s the plan?”

“There seems to be some scheme, but we don’t have much choice, do we?”

“…That’s true.”

Freya, nodding heavily, issues her command.

“Alright, let’s split the group into two. I, along with Director, and the tank detachment, will deal with the fiend. Edu, Nisia, and the rest of the troops will head to the academy and Central to rescue any survivors.”

A classic division of forces.

But I shook my head.

“No, I’ll deal with it.”

“Eh? Are you going alone, Edu?”

“I won’t be alone.”

With that, I extend my hand toward empty space.

“Heavy summon—Colossus. Type: Firepower module.”

– MP will be consumed to summon the equipped Firepower module summon.

Mana flows out of my body, gathering in the air to form a mass, swirling furiously.

Blue sparks fly in every direction.

The circular mass rapidly expands, taking on a humanoid shape, gradually becoming distinct.

Angular, rugged hands, fierce cylinders and ducts that pump out gray steam.

Covers drape over connected wiring, and atop that, black and thick armor plates are added.

The Colossus stands—6 meters tall.

Unlike its slightly crude and mechanical former appearance, it now bears a stout, armored form reminiscent of a medieval knight, equipped with various armaments.

A steel black knight serving a small girl stands on the ground.

“That’s why.”

I tap Colossus.

“Wha?”

“Wow.”

Surprised Freya and amazed Ryuje.

Regaining her composure, Freya questions me.

“But Edu, going alone is too risky.”

“It’s okay. As I said earlier, no one knows more about this beast or can respond better than me.”

“…”

She falls silent.

“Also, there’s a reason for this. You both remember what we mentioned earlier, don’t you? That they’re twins.”

“Yes, I remember.”

“Dainselip’s absence of its sibling, Aronlight, keeps worrying me, so I’ll rely on both of you if anything happens.”

“I understand your point, but will you truly be able to handle it alone?”

Ryuje, serious, asks.

Even as I look at his face, I nod.

“Regardless of the difficulty, I must succeed.”

I state firmly, glancing at Nisia.

Understanding my thoughts, she solemnly nods.

Witnessing this, Ryuje sighs quietly.

“There’s no helping it. But since you’ve said this, if you return injured, I’ll scold you harshly!”

“Aha, I’ll do my best.”

With that, Freya gives me a tight embrace.

“Alright, see you later.”

“Yes, be careful as well.”

“Yeah, Commander?”

“That’s right, let’s go.”

Signaling to the troops, Ryuje and Freya move off.

Watching them recede, Nisia and I approach Colossus.

Creaking sound.

Colossus lowers its left hand as we approach.

Stepping onto its palm, its arm slowly lifts, stopping at Colossus’ chest.

With a hissing sound, the front armor plate opens, revealing the sleek pilot seat inside, something I’ve only seen in simulations.

‘Wow!’

Under normal circumstances, I’d marvel at it for a while, but I don’t have the luxury now.

Thus, with Nisia’s help, I quickly settle into the cockpit.

In AOE, there are two ways to handle armor summons.

There’s the autonomous mode where you give orders for it to fight independently, and the piloting mode where you directly control the summon.

Though autonomous combat mode isn’t bad, it’s more stable to use piloting mode when there’s a difference in the specs between allies and enemies like now.

“Hmm.”

I extend my hand toward the control stick.

The solid feel of the control stick… uh?

Fumbling around.

No matter how hard I try, it’s out of reach. At that moment, I become aware of the limits of this body.

In AOE, the physical limitations of the body weren’t perfectly implemented due to gameplay reasons.

But reality is cruel.

I’m sitting on the chair, and I can’t even reach the control stick!

I finally managed to summon the robot, but now I can’t control it?

As I’m lost in thought, Nisia’s head peeks in.

“Uh, Edu, what’s up?”

My eyes light up.

Wait, if I can’t do it, Nisia can!

We were originally planning for her to climb in with me, so how about letting her operate it this time?

“Nisia, would you like to come in for a moment?”