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Clockwork Planet Vol 3 Chapter 2
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Clockwork Planet Vol 3 Chapter 2

[CLOCKWORK PLANET V3] CHAPTER 2 – 05:17 – DISASTER

It was dawn.

There stood a massive, black shadow in the searing sky filled with azure and orange hue.

That was a Tower. An enormous tower that reached from the surface to the sky.

–A construct called the ‘Heaven’s Pillar’.

Looking down at the land, one would find that pillar piercing through a massive gear, standing tall.

It was Grid Sakuradamon, the highest town in the Multiple Grid Tokyo.

This little city was merely a few kilometers in diameter, and the ‘Heaven’s Pillar’ took up a majority of the land space. Thus, there were no civilians living in the grid.

However, there were people living in within the city walls surrounding the ‘Heaven’s Pillar’ at the center.

For a long time, it housed a traditional family that existed since ancient times, and the people serving them.

There was a deep ditch surrounding the walls, an independent construct that segregated it from Grid Sakuradamon.

Due to the nature of the gears, the gears in this world were destined to continue spinning. However, this place was a rare exception, one that did not move.

And atop this unmoving gear and walls.

There were colors of lush green and water hanging atop the city.

It was not artificial in any way; it was a plaza filled with true nature.

A floating garden.

There was an observatory situated by the garden, where the inside and outside of the Grids could be seen.

–A young girl was standing there.

She was dressed in a faint pink, blouse, a hand-knitted suit, and pump shoes.

Her glossy black hair was reaching down, landing below her waist.

She might appear to be a little brat who just graduated from college and entered society, but her eyes were different.

An ordinary girl would never have such forged, firm-willed black eyes.

Those sharp eyes were staring at the ‘military’ in formation before the city.

–Currently, this ‘palace’ was surrounded.

 

Houko had a rough understanding of the chaos and crisis that befell this country.

And she knew very well…that she was powerless against it.

“–This really is an unpleasant situation.”

She muttered, reminding herself to pull herself together, and diverted her eyes.

She turned her left wrist, and tugged at her sleeve.

Revealed on her left wrist was a silver watch. It was simple in function, and etched on the surface was a name ‘Marie’, so tiny it was not obvious.

The time was 5.17am.

There was another 43 minutes until the ‘military’ below indicated that they would ‘break through the fortress’.

 

On February 8, there was a terrorist attack in Akihabara at midnight, and at dawn, an unknown massive weapon appeared.

The electromagnetic weapon caused all functions in Grid Akihabara to fail, and the ‘military’ sent to intercept it was wiped out.

The government released a declaration of emergency, stripped the Prime Minister of his power as leader, suing him with the charges of inciting internal conflict and inviting external scourges. The Defense Minister too was under doubt–

And then, the media took the initiative to release a scoop on the massive weapon.

With that, before the people could recover from the shock of a terrorist incident, they learned that Tokyo has fallen, and in their panic, the grids started to revolt.

The police could not handle the chaos, and requested for the ‘military’ to be mobilized.

But a group of mostly young officers broke off from the ‘military’ right when the command system was in shambles.

They immediately assaulted the the garrisons in Grid Ichigaya, robbed the armory equipment, assaulted Grid Sakuradamon, and surrounded the ‘Palace’.

–That would be a brief summary of the riot that would later be known as ‘The 2/8 Incident’.

“–We can no longer leave this to the higher ups.”

A young captain said as he sat at the negotiating table.”

“The government and ‘military’ are not willing to put in any responsibility in the face of this national crisis. No, leaving that aside, they were pushing the blame from the moment they secretly agreed to the research of electromagnetic technology. This situation is all caused by the higher-ups. The Kyoto Incident, and then this happened–we can no longer remain silent.”

That is correct. Houko thought.

The higher ups had ceased to function, and it was true that they caused this crisis.

The Captain then said,

“We have no time. The threat of the massive weapon still lingers, and the request the Prime Minister made to use the ‘Tall Wand’ has not been retracted. We have to hurry and seize political power, and to negotiate with the massive weapon and other countries. At the same time, we need a symbol to prove that we obtained the power–that will be you, your Highness.”

But this is where the problem lies, Houko thought.

In a certain sense, such a reasoning was correct. Even if they did topple the government with military force, they would simply be seen as starting a rebellion if they did not recognize any actual legitimacy.

The only ones who could prove this legitimacy–no matter the ceremony–were the people of the ‘Palace’, like her.

However, it was not the Emperor who was lying sickly in bed, nor was it the Prince who was still an infant, and it was obvious that she–Princess Houko Hoshinomiya, who officially took over the throne for the time being, would be in charge.

However, how effective would that symbol be–?

The young captain pleaded earnestly,

“This country is already rotten. There is a need to correct! Our intrusion of your chambers is not to be excused, but Princess, please assist us for the sake of this country.

To be honest– Houko thought.

She personally empathized with them, and felt that it was true. If the era was different, or if the situation was a little different, perhaps she would have granted them the Imperial Flag.

However, reality was not as simple and sweet as assumed.

And because of that, her answer was already decided.

“–There is no meaning to that. I shall refuse.”

The young Captain’s face was contorted.

Houko showed an iron-willed stare at the commanders present, and informed them.

“I do advise all parties to cease with such futile actions, return to your squadrons, and maintain your stations. Your actions cannot be pardoned, but I will personally write a letter pleading for leniency, so that your crimes will be reduced.”

“Your Highness! Please think through it!”

“I have. And this is the conclusion of my thoughts.

The Captain’s face reddened, and he muttered, saying,

“We cannot back down now. If you are to refuse no matter what, Princess, we are mentally prepared to get what we want, even if it means by force.”

“I suppose. Do as you please, Captain.”

“…Do you think this is simply a threat?”

“No. You do have your own thoughts, but I do have my thoughts, my responsibilities. I cannot submit.”

All negotiations broke down. They had planned for many pointless negotiations thereafter–but in any case, there was no time.

6am, February 10th–that would be the time when they premeditated their ‘forced entry’.

 

“–Ah, Your Highness. So you are here?”

Houko heard a voice from the back, and turned around.

Standing there was a frail old man dressed in a suit.

“Mr Kusunoki.”

“You do have to know that acting alone now is dangerous.”

“It is meaningless for them to murder me. Considering their objectives, they will try to abstain from that no matter what.”

Barging into the ‘Palace’ through brute force alone was a perilous act in itself, but if any of the Royal Family was to die as a result, their actions would never, ever be legitimized.

However, the chief servant Kusunoki answered skeptically,

“Perhaps their commander might be as such…but those people driven by a moment of impulse might not be as wise as you are, Your Highness.”

Houko nodded, and had another thought.

“If everyone is wise, such a situation would never have happened, I suppose?”

“I do not know…however, if it is someone of authority like you, Your Highness–”

“Well, that will be hard to say. I am ultimately a powerless girl after all.”

Houko mocked herself, and turned to stare at the lookout.”

She watched the battalion that got into position, and muttered,

“They did that on the assumption that they are in the right.”

“Such a bunch of foolish brutes. They actually intruded upon the ‘Palace’.”

“Perhaps. However, for us to call them fools, we do not have any more capability than they do.”

Upon hearing Houko’s words, chief servant Kusunoki gasped, and asked,

“Your Highness–are you implying that they are in the right?”

“No. I did inform them during the negotiations that it is pointless. There was nothing to discuss the moment they stated a clear threat and ignited a rebellion, however–”

Houko paused, and continued,

“If I am to approve to them and give them legitimacy–what will change?”

“Your Highness, what you are saying is…”

“I am not underestimating my authority, but even if the people do accept, that is just how it looks on the country. To what extent will the other countries…the people controlling that massive weapon accept it?”

“According to the reports, they are the ‘military’ of old Shiga, and this is a coup d’etat on the government…in that case, I do not think they will belittle the Royal Family’s authority, no?”

“–Really? I do doubt that.”

Houko narrowed her eyes, muttering,

“–And speaking of reports.”

“Yes…”

“Have you heard anything of Marie Bell Breguet’s whereabouts?”

Houko asked, and this caused Kusunoki to look conflicted.

“Erm…well, she is someone who appeared to have died, and we cannot track her whereabouts down after all. I would say that I would not have remembered her name until you noticed her photo, Your Highness.”

“However, I can be sure that she’s involved in that Akihabara Terrorist Incident in some way.”

“So you mean that she has some important crux to this?”

“Actually–I do think she is the mastermind.”

Houko exerted more strength into her hand grabbing the railing.

“Even if all the technicians of the JSDF around the ‘Heaven’s Pillar’ are gathered, seizing control of a city’s grid and manipulating it at will is something they cannot do. I do not think the technicians of the Capital Defense Forces can do that either. She is the only technician I know how has such expertise.”

“…I do remember that she was your classmate?”

“Just for a month.”

Her lips showed a smile, saying,

“When I studied in Europe, I was grateful for her reception. I remembered well how petite she was, yet she was brimming with passion like a fireball, filled with a sense of justice, and also the premier technician…”

Kusunoki asked in surprise,

“…Is such a person the mastermind?”

Houko shook her head,

“I do feel that terrorist activity in itself did not make sense. The coup d’etat would have succeeded regardless of that action–no, I would say that it is because of that incident that the people were able to evacuate safely, that nobody perished as a consequence.”

“Then, Your Highness, are you implying that the terrorist incident is of a different intent from this coup d’etat?”

“Yes. Of course, this is just a deduction based on ‘some vague feeling’, but assuming that it is correct…”

Houko paused,

“I cannot help but think that there is still upheavals to be had.”

Of course, that was merely an optimistic, hopeful thinking.

Reality was not as nice as imaginations. Houko knew that well.

No, she assumed that she knew–

 

–However, Houko did not know.

That in another 10 minutes, or to be precise, 8 minutes and 52 seconds.

Leaving Houko aside, the world would have to realize that such understanding was merely a blissful imagination.

The reality that they were still standing on that imagination.

 

In other words–The reality was always overriding their imaginations.

 

At the same time, on the outside.

There was a tense atmosphere filling Grid Sakuradamon.

Soon after, it would be the premeditated ‘forceful assault’.

The passion for a revolution, the agitation before a battle–and the moral dilemma for the savagery they were about to commit.

The heavy atmosphere descended upon the army surrounding the palace, and an interviewing helicopter was peering from afar.

Bitterness–an atmosphere almost everyone present felt.

 

“Phew…finally, some air after 48 hours, how refreshing. No, even I do not have anything like a respiratory installation. I must say though that despite my vision being filled with such foolish peasants unable to graduate from their mindsets inferior to fleas for thousands of years, this sense of pleasure is valid.”

Closing in from behind–was ‘reality’.

It was a small group of people. Walking right in front was a girl in a black dress and silver hair.

Her footsteps were fast and fleeting, seeming giving off the delight of an elegant dance at any given moment.

Coming out from those fresh blooming lips was a refreshing voice of a silver bell.

The topaz eyes were glittering, and that Automata showcased the sharp verbal jabs that were not heard for a while.

Tailing behind her is a black-haired boy and blond girl, walking at strolling pace.

Right behind them was a young girl in red and white armor..

They casually passed through the center of the road, brazenly moving forward.

The black dress girl walked as she turned to look behind–showing a smile to the boy, a smile even an angel would be smitten with, saying,

“Master Naoto–? Even if I am merely a servant of clockwork, I should have the privilege and restraint to choose who I should be serving. My head is not so wretched to bow down to a simpleton of a single-cell microbe, so please understand my displeasure.”

“Well, yeah, I know, but this is–”

One had to wonder how many times had they repeated this conversation, and the black haired boy nodded lethargically.

However, the girl looked displeased as she continued,

“I understand, Master Naoto. You wish for me to have a clear distinction from a beast who knows nothing of the word ‘etiquette’, and I shall respect your vulgar logic and obey accordingly. I shall repeat however–that I am truly unwilling.”

The boy could hear a voice that was practically hidden in the laughter of flowers, and gave a wry smile as he answered.

“Got it. We need to go all out with this, so just bear with it–I got a reward for you.”

“–I am an object of yours, Master Naoto. To be served with a reward…please do understand your own position.”

Contrary to her words however–only the boy was able to see–the delight from the black dress girl, and then–

“AnchoR…you ready?”

“…Yes. It’s your order, papa–no, a request, so.”

The red and white girl had her head patted by the boy, and nodded.

Finally, the blond girl gave a despondent, wry smile.

“Don’t you guys know what being nervous is…? Will it go well here?”

But contrary to her words, there was no sense of uneasiness to be felt from her words.

It seemed both the boy and the black dress girl understood this, and they beamed, saying,

“Well, Marie, there’s no way RyuZU and AnchoR will fail.”

“Master Marie, are you bored enough to actually ask such a rhetoric? Or is it that your brain of a simpleton is faulty? If Master Naoto says that he can do it, even a problem too great for God will have to back then–of course, this will depend on a certain Miss not committing a blunder and pulling him down.”

“…Well, whatever, I’m not gonna argue with that. Even your spiteful words sound so reliable now.”

And–the blond girl said,

“The enemy’s the one you should be dicing.”

 

Right in front of them was a barricade formed by miniature automatic weapons and vehicles.

–And in the face of the military perimeter surrounding the ‘capital’, the boy listened keenly, muttering,

“Multi-pedal heavy armor tanks, 18 units, 32 armored soldiers, light and heavy automata…I’m kinda lazy to sort them out, but there’s 68 of them. Including those passengers, there’s 98 soldiers with military prosthetics–”

The boy callously affirmed the number of forces surrounding the place, asking,

“Marie–if we’re going to wipe them out–suppress them with the strongest forces in the world, how long will it take?”

“And not cause any damage to the ‘Palace’? It’s impossible to approach it now, but let me think…”

The blond girl lowered her head to ponder.

The girl was a technician, neither a mercenary or a soldier. Thus, with her personality of a technician, she started estimating based on the capabilities–

“Assuming the many generations of armaments developed by the Breguets, the light armor automata and prosthetics given to a military force experienced in street warfare and suppression, if we send 4 of them and use them to their limit, it’ll take a minimum of 14 minutes.”

Upon hearing this answer that was based on some unbelievable premise, the boy immediately boasted,

“Now then, RyuZU, AnchoR, the time limit will be “7 Minutes”. That should be more than enough, right?”

“…Destroy them, all? I want an order…can I hold back…?”

“Yeah, hold back as much as you want. Don’t kill anyone. That’s absolute.”

–If anyone else was to hear this conversation, what would they think?

Would they laugh it off? Berate them? Any way–

“Anyway, RyuZU, AnchoR–as we planned, do your best to attract their attention. I’ll leave it to you.”

“Understood…now then, if you excuse me.”

 

–Speaking of which.

This year, there had been a lot of events happening in Japan that never happened before, starting with the failed purge of Kyoto.

The Akihabara Terrorism Announcement, the Akihabara Magnetized Crisis, the Kasumigaseki Meeting, the request to use the ‘Tall Wand’, the Tokyo uprising, the February 9th uprising, the skirmish at Sakuradamon–

Such incidents might be caused by some mastermind steering, plotting, lots of conspiracies…

–Seemingly mocking this.

It was a theater-like crime that would be summarized as everything was committed by a mere terrorist cell.

The final incident that would conclude and be deemed as a common name.

And the first incident–of a series of incidents that would shock the world.

This incident would later be recorded in history as the ‘February 8 Uprising’, or ‘Second Upsilon’.

On this year, this day, this moment, this instance.

Clockwork Year 1016, February 10th, Japan Standard Time, 5.59am in the morning–

 

A tower was suddenly sliced, and crumbled like a puzzle, attracting the starts of the surrounding people.

And in the sounds of the rumbling collapse, a voice akin to the music box spoke, echoing clearly,

“–Attention please♪”

A black dress girl bowed elegantly in front of the collapsing tower.

And a young red and white girl in armor bashfully mimicked the girl’s actions, bowing.

 

“Hello, . My name is the first of the Initial-Y series, ‘YourSlave’ RyuZU.”

“E-erm…I’m the fourth unit of the Initial-Y series ‘Trishula’ AnchoR…ni-nice to meet you.”

 

–This incident started off with the greeting of two automata (legends).

“Currently, I am observing a group of arrogant, pitiful, tragic microbes hurried around by some crude plotting, so listen, it should have been a ridiculous, delightful event–but due to my Master’s orders, and due to some personal matter that happened to me–if I have to be honest, what I will do next is simply carnage.”

“E-erm…please allow me to apologize first…I’m sorry…!”

The black dress girl showed an angelic smile, reaching out two black scythes from deep within her skirt.

And the young red and white girl regretfully drew out massive swords from the solid gears that appeared out of nowhere.

Anyone who heard their introductions–would have doubted their understandings.

However, the black dress girl appeared not to be concerned with such understanding and doubt, maintaining her smile–

“I do not find this impudent, and I am truly unwilling to etch this on those regrettably pitiful, incapable minds, but I do wish that all those who had the fortune of hearing our names and our voices–”

She paused,

“Will taste this along with the dust, and kneel down to exalt us♪”

“So-sorry….!”

–And then, anyone who heard such words were not even allowed to know who they were, let alone resist.

Even if the armored units were to fire off one shut, they would be haplessly crushed and groveled, powerless again this irrationality.

 

–This day proved the existence of the newest legends, overriding that of the old legends.

Those living on this ‘Clockwork Planet’ had to recall.

Think of where they were standing.

And that was–the so-called reality was always trampling, overriding their imaginations, moving forward.

 

There was no ‘truth’ in history’, only ‘explanations’…or so someone said.

In any case, this applied even for witnesses to historic events. For example–

 

Captain Sumitada Hikoshima of the Tokyo ‘military’ Central Intelligence Branch, 28 years old.

He was a young commander, the fastest to rise to this rank.

And the Central Intelligence Branch he belonged to was in charge of dealing with ‘military’ mission information, to assist the other squads in strategy.

This time, the ‘Akihabara Terrorist Incident’ occurred, and an unknown massive weapon appeared,

“–This is a farce, a farce, a farce! Because of this incident, that Okada…!”

Hikoshima angrily slammed his fist onto the table, shaking the simple, cramped commander tent.

His furious uproar too caused the other officers, present at this tent, to gasp.

Lieutenant Okada was his friend, of the same year, part of the Capital Defense Force. He went out to take on the massive weapon…and died in battle.

The command system was erratic, reports conflicting, and Captain Hikoshima, an upstart amongst the younger generation, was driven by the motivation to take revenge for his friend–and then…he learned of the ‘military’ secret.

30 years ago, Grid Shiga was purged; the government discreetly agreed to the research on electromagnetic technology. At this moment, they were trying to manipulate this incident into causing this incident.

–In other words, my friend was killed by the politicians…!

He felt that it was unforgivable, that he should not leave this to the higher ups.

The higher ups were still embroiled in their internal strife, pushing the blame onto each other–he could no longer hope in the higher ups of the ‘military’ anymore, and immediately contacted his peers, whom he could trust.

The young commanders, his peers, were all upstarts as well, and they were friends who had an oath of sake to devote their utmost for this country.

Captain Hikoshima’s fury of justice was burning like fire, stoking the flames in the other officers.

And as a result, there was a rebellion–no, a ‘coup d’etat’.

At first, he was supposed to wait on the response of the Princess as a symbol of their power, and it was disappointing–but his allies did advice it was inevitable that a person like her would have conservative ideas.

Captain Hikoshima also understood very well that seizing political power through military force–was in no way a right thing to be done. He was not justice.

–But with the country in a crisis, the situation was critical. Sometimes, he would have to do things even if it meant subverting justice. Why would she not understand…

As he thought about the real intent of that weapon–and the higher ups simply wasting their time, it was no different from slow suicide. There was a need to collate all authority and fighting strength.

But…why attack the ‘Palace’?

This is too ridiculous–Captain Hikoshima thought, and shook his head.

(Even if I have to pull all the stops, the end makes up for the means! …But, that’s–)

It was simply some futile internal strife. In fact, they had no time and ability to divert so much military force on such a thing. They had to settle this quickly.

The moment of the assault was approaching, and right when Captain Hikoshima was about to shout–at that moment…

 

An explosion rang.

It was not the only one, for several echoed thereafter.

“What’s going on!? Which idiot started off first–!?”

Those anxious forces started attacking now Having determined this, Captain Hikoshima clicked his tongue.

–This is bad. Even with a premediated declaration, there would be problems in the future if someone started an attack before the command was given.

No, there’s already a huge problem already when some fool started attacking.

“The 7th squad got wiped out! It looks like they were assaulted by the enemy from behind!”

“…What, did you say?”

However, the report from the intel soldier caused the Captain to widen his eyes..

“The automatic cannons on the right wing were destroyed!”

“We lost contact with the second armor forces! 3rd and 4th–no response either!”

“–Impossible. Who are the enemies! Which forces are attacking now!?”

The Captain growled at the communications officer, pondering,

The military higher-ups? Those incompetent fellows were playing kemari with each other, pushing responsibility around.

The mobile police? Impossible. They were already lacking in ability to maintain order, and did not have such capabilities.

The public special forces? Impossible. Their numbers were insufficient in dealing with a ‘military’ force of such scale.

In that case–were they the ‘Palace Guards’? Captain Hikoshima clicked his tongue.

The Palace Guards were the military technicians in charge of managing the ‘Heaven’s Pillar’, and typically, their fighting strength was apparently low.

However, they were the forces in charge of defending the ‘Heaven’s Pillar’–Did we underestimate them?

Maybe they’re using the ‘Heaven’s Pillar’–the Palace, some secret passage underground or something to attack.

Do we finish this quick and easy, and attack from the front while the forces are split?

It’s different from what we planned, but if we can minimize the damage to the palace as much as we can–

“Report on the enemy forces!”

The commander turned to shout, but–

 

“–Why, how daring of you to actually command me, Mister. It is your free will to not treasure your life, but I do advise you to repent if you assume you have authority over me and annoy me–”

 

Answering him was a girl’s clear voice–followed by silence.

The crew was sprawled all over the tables, and the massive equipment that were in operation just a while ago was reduced to scrap.

What–when did this happen?

The canvas was sliced and flapping in the wind; one could see the scenery outside.

The Captain’s swimming eyes saw the quad-pedal tanks ‘Komainu’ installed right behind the simple commander tent–severed into oblivion.

Standing on that debris was a girl in black dress.

The girl poked two scythes from beneath her skirt, smiling leisurely.

“……Huh?”

Captain Hikoshima’s eyes lost all luster as he blurted out in skepticism.

–It was as though there was a demonstration of something really inexplicable.

“Woah…well, I guess you’re the commander here?”

Captain Hikoshima turned around, and saw a blond girl, seemingly passing by, peek into the tent.

“I understand your feelings though…just think of it as being caught in some natural disaster, okay? Sorry about that.”

The girl seemed to completely empathize with him, and she closed an eye, drawing a cross before her chest.

At this moment, Captain Hikoshima finally gathered all his courage to ask of the intruders’ identities with a trembling voice.

“…Who–are you guys?”

“–Well, to put it nicely, if I have to introduce myself, it’ll be really troublesome…I left a comms estation for you, so mind broadcasting this to the entire military for me? It’ll save time.”

At that moment, an explosion rang.

This time, the roof of the tent was blown up, and at the same time, 3 tanks surrounding them were sliced haplessly.

Causing such a bewildering tragedy–was a young girl in red and white armor, and she suddenly noticed Hikoshima.

“Ah, eh…hello, I’m…AnchoR”

“I’m the older sister RyuZU–of the Initial Y series. My apologies for your futility. Have a nice day.”

Hikoshima witnessed the gang who went off while leaving these words behind.

 

Captain Sumitada Hikoshima was one of the historical witnesses.

If one was to put his viewpoint into words, how would it be like?

Illogical, unreasonable, brief, abrupt–his revolution, done out of righteous fury, failed without any reason.

Battle? Incident? No–this phenomenon could only be considered as an ‘incident’.

Defining this truth in itself was not the job of a witness–but a historian.

 

–This scene was like a joke.

It was not a battle; just a one-sided sweep.

It was not a calamity; this irrational phenomenon was with a purpose.

In other words, it was just trampling–the strong trumping over the weak.

“…I knew already…but this is really illogical.”

“This is normal for both RyuZU and AnchoR.”

While Marie pitied the young Captain who appeared to be the captain of this operation, Naoto proudly answered.

Both of them nonchalantly passed the road across the moat protecting the palace, chatting away.

At that moment, the lightly armed automata, which had their weapons aimed at the duo, were instantly crushed.

Immediately afterwards–no, at that instant, an automatic cannon several hundred meters away was similarly destroyed.

It was likely that both were–done in by RyuZU.

Marie could not be certain, since she could not see RyuZU and ANchoR in action.

RyuZU continued to move at high speeds, dismantling all the malice directed at Naoto.

In other words, the devastation done nearby were probably by RyuZU, so for Naoto–

“…Ah, waah…kick…!”

Her voice was a little panicky. Based on deduction, she probably swung the sword, and when unable to respond to a back attack in time, kicked at it–probably. That ‘kick’ she did while trying to hold back as much as she could–

“Hey Naoto…that ‘Komainu’ weighs 3.4 tonnes, you know?”

“Heh~ that’s unexpectedly heavy.”

“Yeah…very heavy. That thing’s flying in the air…it’s funny, isn’t it?”

That 3.4 ton metal block flew in the air, and Marie could not help but let out a dry laugh at that sight.

–The C&S 228 quadra pedal tank, commonly known as the ‘Komainu’.

It was a four legged tank developed together by two of the biggest companies in the country, the ‘Seiko’ and the ‘Citizen’; while they were inferior to the 5 Great Enterprises, the Breguets, Vachrons, Audemars, Pateks, Langes, they did have some of the premier technology in the world.

The main unit the ‘military’ had was probably the ‘A-Un’–perhaps they could not deploy the latest ‘military’ armaments in time because of the sudden coup d’etat.

However–the ‘Komainu’ was still an outstanding unit that was yet to be phased out.

And even Marie, as a technician, was impressed by the design.

It was a manned vehicle, and had all-view vision and inertia absorption system, but it displayed combat mobility comparable to that of a heavily-armed automata, and could move upright through the use of cables. By deliberately abandoning the thrust of the automatic springs and switching to the stored energy function, it was able to deliver a considerable power output over a large surface area.

Notably, its load–it contained the basic armaments of a 120cm cannon, a 30cm Gatling cannon, and could contain another 4 weapons at most. They could even be switched around in battle–but–

“Ah…sorry, papa, mama.”

AnchoR suddenly appeared in front of Naoto and Marie, as though she teleported, and casually swung a hand.

Immediately–there was an explosion in the sky, and after a beat, Marie understood the situation.

–There were two missiles closing in on the duro, and they were easily deflected by AnchoR”s gauntlets far into the air.

Marie turned around, and saw the ‘Komainus’ firing–far away in the distance. The machine was sliced vertically in half, and while the pilot remained speechless, AnchoR did not bother to bow at him.

Having witnessed this, all Marie could do was to give a dry smile.

Certainly, the country’s ‘military’ armaments were not weak in any sense.

For a country that focused mainly on producing local products, its armaments were considered the premier in the world.

But all of that–ended up like this.

 

“…Hey Naoto, this is really reality, right? Mind pinching me?”

“Okay–hey, why are you beating me up!”

“Seriously, there has to be a limit to how unreasonable this is…”

“Ow…now that’s what I want to say…damn it.”

Having witnessed this maelstrom of a violence, Marie finally understood.

RyuZU was not being humble when she declared herself to be the weakest of the ‘Initial-Y series’.

“…RyuZU is supposed to be the ‘weakest’, and she’s shredding the weapons like paper mache. I should pay attention to this more…”

Recalling back calmly, RyuZU did shred the Vacherons’ latest weaponss ‘Grat’ easily. Having considered that, the massive weapon was an abnormality to be able to block her scythes, and the normal weapons would typically end up like this–this was an illogical logic.

Furthermore…there was the capabilities of AnchoR, dubbed the ’embodiment of the strongest’–

Marie watched AnchoR swing a massive sword to cleave three ‘Komainu’.

“…Hey, Naoto. What kind of combat was ‘Y’ planning for when he gave that kid such powerful fighting strength? –I guess even aliens will go running away after seeing that, right?”

Marie asked with a lethargic voice, and Naoto gave a dumbfounded look, answering,

“Well, it’s to make them run with their tails tucked behind them, right? You really ask too much unnecessary stuff, Marie.”

 

–And then, at that moment,

“Got it, Marie.”

Naoto, who had his earphones off the entire time, raised his voice,

“That’s the heavy armed automata Type Cz 35C ‘Black Tortoise’–yep, no doubt about it. I found it.”

–Certainly, there was no doubt that it would be fine for them to simply enter the palace just like that.

But that alone was not enough.

They had to crush all the military forces before the enemy retreated.

Based on ‘Naoto’s plan’, they had to do so in an illogical, overwhelming, unreasonable manner–

They had to crush the scene such that even the strongest military forces in the world could nto do so.

–And one more thing.

“Okay, time for the next plan…!”

Marie cupped her head with both hands, seemingly bracing herself as she curled her lips.

She looked up at the sky–seeing numerous media helicopters whirling in the air, boldly getting their scoops on the maelstrom of destruction. Once she saw that one of them had the cameras aimed on them.

She raised her left hand, and swung it hard.

 

There was a temporary JSDF command post set up in the Palace’s meeting room.

The posh furniture were all taken away, and installed with communications devices and a huge screen.

And the JSDF, still in a somber mood till a while back, was watching the TV visuals on the screen along with the terrified Palace staff.

“–E-everyone, have a look at this unbelievable scene…!”

The reporter’s voice was raised, most likely out of disbelief.

Well, it was to be expected, for it really was unbelievable.

The ‘military’ forces that was surrounding the Palace in the visual just a while back was crushed by ‘a certain something’ they could not comprehend–

“Their identities are unknown! B-but one of them is–ah, it’s that boy! He’s the suspect, Naoto Miura, who declared that he would freeze Akihabara just days ago! Also, according the survivors’ witnesses, there’s also two automata who called themselves the ‘Initial-Y’ units–!”

The young black-haired girl–Houko stared at the screen, and murmured,

“What…is this?”

A young JSDF technical officer answered,

“I-I don’t know…there’s no way any weapon can do such a thing…”

“Is this really realtime visual? Is it possible that it’s doctored?”

While the Princess cautiously asked, the officer immediately answered–

“I suppose not. This does seem to be a live telecast from a public channel. Also, ‘nobody’ has the time, technology, or even the motive to create such a fake image.”

–Of course. To whose benefit will it be to air such a thing? The important thing is that it is happening right under our noses. Anything that can be seen from the palace cannot be bluffed.

“So that means that it is an actual broadcast, no?”

In response to Houko’s affirming words, the officer nodded despite being unable to say anything.

–This isreality.

It was something even Houko forgot–something that trampled over imagination.

She felt intimidated, and turned her eyes to look at the screen–before noticing something.

While the reporter was introducing the boy called Naoto Miura…right beside him was a blond girl looking up at the camera.

The girl’s emerald eyes were glittering as she raised her left hand up high, swinging it.

“–…”

Houko could not help but turn her left hand around.

She had a silver watch, with the name ‘MARIE’ inscribed on the case.

“W-we have an anonymous report! …Huh? Ah, sorry, the-they’re–“

The report thereafter left Houko flabbergasted.

Only she realized that it was a magic spell used to solve everything.

 

“They are the criminal group who declared the terrorist incident on Grid Akihabara, and created the now running unknown weapon running rampant there…!”

 

“Fuu…hhaa! Can’t calm down without this after all.”

–The location was one of the buildings flanking the road to the palace.

A girl was looking down from the roof, staring at the frantic scenes, smoking while wearing a rubber suit.

To be precise, she was not a woman, and more technically, she was not human–neither a cyborg, nor an automata.

It was a man whose head was forcibly attached to an automata unit–and someone called his name.

 

“Vermouth, Naoto found it. The ‘target’s said to be at your 2 o’clock, in one of the 5 units.”

Marie’s voice came from the resonance communicator installed in the mechanical body, notifying him.

He/she leisurely stood up, stretching the arms out, grinning.

“All right, as expected of the little brat I’m in love with. I’ll fuck him in the ass as a reward.”

“–Homosexuality is contagious. That’s what he said.”

Vermouth showed a wry grinned, and continued running down the roof–jumping. He continued to move to the designated place, and Marie asked nervously, hiding her disdained,

“–It’s kinda late to ask this now…but you’re really alright with this?”

Well, this certainly is kinda late–Vermouth chuckled quietly.

“What now? Even you don’t believe in the body you built? Aren’t you just a little bit–”

“Of course I believe in it! I did my best in the adjustments–but that machine isn’t a cyborg body. Understand what I mean? That’s not for human control!”

“–Are you kidding me! You’re shocking me with something I don’t know! In that case, Missy, tell me something. Who’s the one who attached my head to this thing in the first place?”

Vermouth continued to leap off the buildings as he remained spiteful, and Marie was speechless.

–There was no need to mention it, for it was Marie herself who did it. But–

“Relax. This body’s fine with me, you know? You came up with the best work here, Missy.”

It was not a lie. In fact, he was leaping off buildings, and yet there was no impairment to the shock absorbers.

As expected of a love automata, it was sexy and pretty, so much that one could think of a movie star or a top model. Amazingly and luckily for him, the difference felt between this model and Vermouth’s prior prosthetics was kept to the minimum possible. Though the power was inferior from the original high-grade military parts used, but as it was built for dancing, it was able to do flexible movements his original body could not do.

–Right, it was well done, so well done that he could not feel any delay in his reactions.

Even after using so many of the quality parts, nobody could actually make such amazing adjustments.

Truly, this is the work of a genius–Vermouth thought, but did not say it now.

“Well, this thing is a playdoll automata, but there’s actually one big cock at my crotch–”

“I’ll kill you, you know?”

Vermouth’s teasing taunt was met with a frigid response.

“No no no. I’m serious. Why did you put that on me?”

“Like hell I know! It was there already! I don’t want to touch such a filthy thing either!”

Vermouth widened his eyes, seemingly able to see Marie’s blushing face,

“–Hey, you’re kidding, that’s standard equipment? I heard of the rumors, but this is Cool Japan’s regulations? Awesome; no matter the era, Japan’s always living in the future!”

Vermouth cheerfully smirked, but he felt something strange through his communicator–and his attitude changed as a result.

He lit a new cigarette, calmly telling Marie,

“–Want a smoke? It’s nice.”

“That body–even your original body won’t be able to pick out that smell”

Upon hearing Marie question ‘what’s the point of that’, Vermouth merely grimaced. She did not understand.

He continued to jump from one building to another, identifying the target–as that brat had said, there was a squadron of 5 units at his 2 o’clock. He saw the ‘target’ amongst them.

“For example, Missy, even a body of flesh and blood will say that the air’s great, but what does that mean?”

“…”

“Air itself has no smell, right? The idea of great air is just a good atmosphere–that’s all.”

–The heavyarms automata, Type Cz-35C ‘Black Tortoise’.

Built by Seiko, its unique characteristic was a fusion of thick alloy armor and heavy firepower–its arms were equipped with 40 cal cannons, the shoulders equipped with the main cannons–the Thermobaric Busters, and they were equipped with highly intricate Ai. They were amongst the strongest bipedal unmanned weapons in the city.

…They mobilized such a thing for a mere young Captain’s rebellion, and one had to grimace at that.

However, it seemed that they were unable to get enough, so accompanying it was 3 armored ‘Metal Demons’ units and a quadra pedal ‘Komainu’.

Right below him were numerous cyborg foot soldiers and lightly armed automata.

Vermouth looked down at this squad, and thought of ‘Naoto’s request’.

 

Let’s repeat that again. Don’t kill anyone. Just destroy the ‘Black Tortoise AI’, eliminate all other units.

Is there all that is to the order? Do I add in some fries and drinks to this too?

 

Vermouth held in his grin. That brat Naoto came up with such an impossible problem for a scumbag like me.

“And then…right now, I feel that tobacco is the best taste.”

–“Nobody else other than you can do this”–

“…so in the end, what was that?”

Marie gave a skeptical question, and Vermouth then leaped off the roof–

He jumped at the 6-storey building opposite him, did a triangle jump down the gaps between the building, and landed.

If you don’t like something, beat them up–he thought of Naoto’s eyes when the latter declared this, exhaled a large puff of smoke, and then beamed, appearing as though he would bite the smoke off.

“–It means that since I have a good smoke, I won’t miss!”

Vermouth smirked, and then charged into the chaotic battlefield from behind the building.

Charging towards a cyborg foot soldier who was on his guard.

Of course, he was spotted.

“Wh-who’s that–”

The cyborg soldier skeptically raised their rifles as he saw this playdoll automata charging in abruptly.

Vermouth immediately closed in on them.

And as he did, he kicked.

The toes kicked the rifle body, and the rifle left the hands of the cyborg.

Vermouth grabbed the rifle that fell out, and then fired a shot, shooting through the cyborg’s right leg.

And in a blink, he fired another 3 shots at the flank of the stunned cyborg.

Vermouth watched the enemy tumble back, and showed a smile, saying,

“How do I look like to you? I want to know to.”

There were 4 shots fired, and this triggered the reactions of the other cyborg soldiers, shouting,

“–it’s the enemy!”

“Ah–good. It’s easy for me when they think of everything as an ‘enemy’, even if it’s some erotic love doll passing by.”

Vermouth guffawed as he was fired upon by the enemy in three directions. However, he did not stop.

Vermouth continued to dodge the hail of bullets with such nifty dance-like footwork.

He ducked into the blind spots of the enemy cyborg foot soldiers and automata, sometimes using them as shields for them to shoot themselves at, and continued to glide around.

They were rifles, but a single shot would be fatal on this playdoll automata–Vermouth continued to sprint however, not showing any fear, only a cynical sneer instead.

And then–

“Lend me your head, kid.”

Vermouth stomped on a cyborg’s head, and leapt.

Right in front of him was an armored soldier–the ‘Metal Demon’.

Vermouth was on the shoulder of the enemy soldier–and it landed about 8m higher, scaling another enemy unit. Such mobility was inferior to a military cyborg, but it far surpassed the capabilities of a human.

Due to the chaotic battlefield, and having lost its enemy, the ‘Metal Demon’ Vermouth was on was looking around, acting wary.

–However, it could not find anyone.

Vermouth knew very well that as long as he remained hidden in this position, he would not be discovered by the 8 cameras on this ‘Metal Demon’.

And he continued to cling onto the extendable arms of the ‘Metal Demon’, opened the hatch that was basically at the back of a human’s neck, and turned the emergency lever to the right.

The ‘Metal Demon’ then stopped. The reverberating sounds of the gears and the cylinders rang, and the pilot hatch suddenly opened like a backpack.

Seated inside was a young man who appeared to have just graduated from officer school.

“…Huh?”

The soldier stared at at Vermouth blankly, and the latter pointed his gun at the soldier’s nose, saying,

“Yo kid, nice driving.Speaking of which, I’m kinda shocked that this is a single-pilot, ya’ know?”

Vermouth steadied his gun with one hand, and stuffed the cigarette in his other hand at the pilot’s mouth.

And then, he grabbed the startled soldier by the head, forcing him to nod.

“I’m exchanging this cigarette for this baby here. Aren’t we friends? Tell me how does it feel to fly in the air later.”

Vermouth prattled on as he pulled the pilot’s lever.

And then–with an explosion, the pilot seat was fired off, and the pilot screamed as he flew into the sky.

“Thank you.”

Vermouth gave a sexy kiss to the pilot, and dug into the pilot seat.

“Now then~–let’s show everyone that I’m a scumbag worthy of that little slut (Naoto)’s expectations.”

Part of the functions was lost because the pilot seat was gone. However, the cockpit was not gone, unlike a fighter jet.

Vermmouth grabbed the severed cables and joystick–that alone allowed him to manipulate the ‘Metal Demon’ system.

If she actually saw his true capabilities–what kind of face would Marie show?

Vermouth pondered as he prepared himself for the next ‘strategy’.

At the same time, he saw the flustered armored units and quadra pedal tanks, sneering,

(Ha–we got some rookies who aren’t any different from amateurs here. They don’t know how to identify any enemy units?)

Despite the armored unit ‘Metal Demon’ being stolen, the enemy did not fight back.

None of them could determine the stolen ‘Metal Demon’ as an enemy and use their weapons, to prevent friendly fire.

Also, the ‘Black Tortoise’ and other automata could not determine enemies on their own.

The only condition when this would change–would be when they were attacked twice.

To put it another way, nobody could shoot at the ‘Metal Demon’ commandeered by Vermouth, except for the foot soldiers’ rifles, until Vermouth shot twice.

In that case, what should he do?

 

–First, he had to destroy the quadra pedal ‘Komainu’.

Given the armor of the ‘Black Demon’, and in such a state–it would be over if he was targeted.

In that case–

If he could not destroy the ‘Komainu’ in one hit, the Gatling cannons of the ‘Black Tortoise’ would puncture the ‘Black Demon’ the moment he fired a second time. But even so, if he was to take down the ‘Black Tortoise’ in the first hit, if the ‘Komainu’ pilot was to change the enemy detection settings and return to the battlefield–it would really be checkmate.

Then first, he would shoot the ‘Komainu’ down to immobilize it, and then seal the ‘Black Tortoise’.

After that, he would have to finish off the two ‘Black Demon’s before the inevitable concentrated fire.

All that–without killing anyone.

Talk is easy–but it was the toughest mission he had till this point.

However, Vermouth completed his strategy in less than a second, and showed a sneer unbefitting a playdoll automata, thinking,

–This is really, really interesting.

 

Vermouth kicked the cockpit floor, saying,

“Hey useless scrap–do you know code D3?”

Of course, there was no response.

Now that the pilot seat was fired, the system determined that the unit was ‘unmanned’.

But assuming that there was even a reaction, the system would answer ‘negative’. Besides, that was the command code Vermouth named himself.

“You don’t know? Well, I guess. How about this trick that ghost Princess taught me?”

Having said that, Vermouth started playing with the cables he held with both hands.

The other hands were attached to cylinders that were controlling the ‘Metal Demon’s power output.

Before the operation began, the instruction Marie gave was–

“All limiter out–thrust yourself for my sake, you hear me, you virgin?”

And seemingly in response, the lights of the remaining display glowed.

Shown right in front was a countdown indicating the remaining power output, ‘162 seconds’.

“Ha–only 2 and a half minutes for your first time? Don’t be shy, you quick shooter–I’ll show of some technique that’ll make all Missies cum in 2 minutes–!”

The throbbing machine caused Vermouth to yell agitatedly.

And coming from the resonance communicator was Marie’s disdainful voice,

“…Are you sick with some dirty jokes syndrome or something?”

“Huh? Well, you heard me, Bitch Princess–isn’t that hardboiled?”

“…You serious? If you are, I’m butting in–“

“Hahaha! You’re the one who’s going to get butted in, you kno1!?”

With a callous remark, Vermouth tugged at the wires.

At that moment–the machine heated up in an instant, and the ‘Metal Demon’ began running.

The right arm of the machine grabbed a hyper-frequency blade, charging towards the planned target–the quadra pedal ‘Komainu’–

While it continued to charge at the enemy with maximum speed–Vermouth showed a wry smile.

Both AnchoR and RyuZU–those abnormal automata could easily handle these weapons, a quadra pedal tank was a ‘monster on the battlefield’, even if it was outdated.

It was suicidal to do a frontal assault with merely an armored unit.

But despite not being familiar with the design blueprint like Marie–Vermouth, a veteran on the battlefield, was familiar with the flaws of a multi-legged pedal unit.

There were 3 weaknesses to them.

The assisting AI, the activation springs, and–the cockpit with light armor at the abdomen.

The former two were protected with sturdy armor without exceptions, and with the firepower of the ‘Metal Demon’, it would be insufficient to shoot through.

Thus, the best method would be to–duck below the enemy and kill the pilot.

However–Naoto’s request was ‘not to kill anyone’

And thus, Vermouth chose the ‘4th option’ to eliminate it.

It was a weakness any multi-legged tank—no, any manned unit would have–if they were controlled by people, there would be a controlling bypass to be severed.

Though not as firmly armored as the former two, this part was still protected by sturdy armor.

The only thinner part was–the back waist of the machine.

Right above the pilot seat.

–He was to stab through the armor and destroy the target, and at the same time, not damage the cockpit below.

It was a laughably difficult task–

“–You’re the only one able to do this.”

Vermouth recalled the face the boy showed as he said this, and gave a wry smile.

He pulled the cable, and pushed the joystick down.

Vermouth exerted the thrusters to full power, and at the same time, leaped high into the air.

An activation far beyond the output limit alone caused all parts of the machine to give a malfunctioning warning.

But it did not matter.

The ‘Metal Demon’ adjusted its position in the air, and aimed at the target.

When coupled with the 14.2 ton mass of the machine, he was like a stapler.

He stabbed the blade tip of the high frequency knife into the back of the ‘Komainu’ waist–

“Shiiiiitttt–!!”

The feeling–the machine’s recoil and impact caused Vermouth to swear out loud.

“So haaarrdd you trying to fight against my cock, you shitty dog–?”

The blade was gradually contorted, but Vermouth continued to exert strength without much concern.

And again, Marie’s voice rang from the communicator.

“…I’ll tell you this. Your dirty words–make you completely opposite of being hardboiled.”

“–!?”

That line caused Vermouth gasp in shock, and he swung the hand down before jumping back.

At the same time, he felt the sensation of the blade barely stabbed inside.

And as proof, the ‘Komainu’ legs buckled immediately.

With that, it would not be able to move for a few hours, until its repair.

…But more importantly.

“Hey, wait! It’s a gentleman’s etiquette to flexibly use the words ‘Fuck, Shit, Damn, Bitch’!?”

The right arm that was swung down, exploded as a result, and the landing impact caused the feet to be abnormally affected.

And because of this sequence, all the automata determined Vermouth to be ‘someone to be reidentified as a potential enemy’–and they were staring at him.”

At his feet were the pellet toy gun-like bullets fired from the rifle–which he ignored.

“…Are you born in America? No, even those delinquent films in this era have more elegant lines than you, you know?”

Vermouth seemed to sense the realism in Marie’s disdainful voice.

“–You serious!? That bastard tricked me!? I’m gonna kill that guy if I meet him in the other word.”

He lashed out at his dead ally Amaretto–and was staring at the ‘Black Tortoise’ in front of him.

And then he thought, ‘one more hit’–

If he fired another hit, he would be perforated by the cannons.

And thus, as according to plan, the second target would obviously be–the heavyarms automata ‘Black Tortoise’.

Vermouth grabbed the other blade with his left hand, and accelerated immediately.

He closed in on the ‘Black Tortoise’, ignoring the annoying error alerts–

(–Got you–)

Suddenly, his machine shook violent.

The remaining ‘Black Demon’ unit tackled him, without using any weapons.

Despite not removing the enemy identifier–it could at least tackle with its body.

“This shitty thing–looks like there’s another virgin tha

Chapter end

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