Book 16 Chapter 41
Science VS Supernatural Abilities,
Ain's technology is the best in the world (8)
The colossal cruiser-class Model 4, 'Beonil', which had guarded the first floor of Mu Rondel (Beacon 4), was finally defeated and sank into a heap of scrap metal.
The cruiser-class was a colossal machine operated by the first Ains in the mythical era, boasting incomparable power and performance to modern colossal machines, using reactors provided by <The Ones Who Came>.
The reason the Hero's Party struggled with this was clear.
It was the absence of the Hero's Party's mage, their main cannon. There was also no Holy Sword's power to fill Rin's void.
However, the reason they could defeat it was also clear.
The archer Kieas and the White Lance Bow Serwebon, who could act as a secondary cannon while simultaneously fulfilling the role of a main cannon.
The priestess Fride, who deftly wielded flames and freely commanded the Genesis Canticles, and her partner Pipi's swift vision-disrupting ability.
And the power of Experiment 2641, Demon Slayer Link, who could contend with the cruiser-class colossal machine's power with pure physical strength.
"If either Ristana or Rin had been here, we would have finished this quickly, but it ended up taking quite a bit of our time and stamina."
Fride said, exhaling a long plume of cigarette smoke.
Sticky brain matter oozed from various pieces of scrap metal scattered as the cruiser-class was crushed.
To operate this ancient colossal machine, an immeasurable number of atonement sacrifices were required.
"Damn those bastards, I need to go see the surface soon…"
Link rummaged through the scrap metal, then gathered the atonement sacrifices, mangled and exploded when the colossal machine was shot down, in both hands and brought them before Fride.
"Link, Link, Link."
Was it a request to comfort their spirits, the sorrow they must have endured to become like this?
Unlike Rin, she couldn't understand it precisely, but Fride vaguely recognized the unspoken resonance in Link's voice and eyes.
Where the soul departs, the spirit remains. Fride learned how to see spirits from the Fire Dragon Bel'Dakhidoon.
- Through the warmth of spirits, one can glimpse the emotions the deceased held during their lives. Behold, this spirit is like a candle about to extinguish, while that spirit is fierce like a fire engulfing an entire mountain. The former is a life steeped in sorrow and pain, and the latter is a life filled with joy.
Finishing this teaching, the Fire Dragon had urged:
- As the corruption of the abyss violates the order of creation, it is impossible to turn all spirits into flames.
- Then, is looking into spirits meaningless?
- However, it is possible to comfort those spirits and guide them to the paradise of creation. To truly mourn all the suffering in this world and lead them to the rest of light, that shall be your mission from now on.
Fride hung her pipe on her belt, and even took off her pointed hat respectfully at her feet to show reverence.
"Kieas, go down first. Link and I will finish this quickly and follow."
Then, gathering her hands and kneeling, she sent down the flames of life onto the remnants of death, conveying their pain to the parents of creation and relaying the comfort of creation back to them.
"In the place you are about to go, there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain… in the paradise of light that the corruption of the abyss dares not violate…"
* * *
"Crazy."
The Grade 0 artifact Pavelkhan is classified not as a 'ride-on' type but as an 'wearable' colossal machine.
"Isn't that just too cool?"
This is also called an enhanced exoskeleton, where instead of a separate cockpit, mechanical limbs augment the Ains' unique child-like physique to six feet, assisting in combat.
"To have the presence of mind to recognize and even express the beauty of this equipment amidst the tension of an impending battle, that's impressive."
It is said that the background for the emergence of this technology was that against the immortals under <The Forgotten Kings>, also known as 'old nobles', the colossal machine's proud massiveness did not act as an advantage but as a vulnerability.
"Your information is already organized in my database. Rin of the Ossarius School. You're known by the moniker 'modernity's greatest genius mage'."
Indeed, in the military regulations of the mythical era, all forces except Grade 1 and 1.5 commanders (the Holy Elmine Knights and the Three Divine Dragons) were forbidden from direct engagement with the 'old nobles'.
"Your upbringing and your mindset as a scholar who pursues the interpretation of providence are suited not for 'that side' but for 'this side'. Just like Nils."
However, if someone who had lived from the mythical era to the present day were to see this Pavelkhan, they would say, 'This is a bit different from what I knew?'
"Hmph…"
This is because the old reactor was lost, and all the mechanical circuits had to be connected to a new reactor. And that reactor refers to a storage device installed on the back armor.
What does it store?
Exactly 102 brains in total.
Brains infested with [King's Flesh] are stored in test tubes, providing power to Pavelkhan through a filter.
"You and I are kindred spirits. The weak create terms like 'inhumane' to belittle us in order to protect themselves, but if you look at history, it was precisely our kind who spearheaded progress."
Is that all?
Greta Visor even excavated and equipped weapons that had been lost during the course of the mythical era's wars.
It would be no exaggeration to say that the potential of this modified Pavelkhan is even greater than when it was used by the first Meister Guenther.
"Let us achieve the world's final progress together. Let's end this war that the old humanity couldn't finish, and establish achievements that even the first Meister or the progenitor of magic couldn't accomplish."
Rin was greatly flustered by the appearance of an unexpected formidable opponent.
'Crazy… Didn't this guy craft his persona too well?'
It was also a time for him to reflect on his own immaturity, having loosely fit everything into the vague outline of being the 'strongest mage'.
'This is what the strongest mercenary is like. To truly be the strongest, one must be able to spout such lines casually! Note to self.'
As someone who dreamed of being the strongest mage, he should have matched the strongest mercenary's lines, but he hadn't thought of anything specific, which put him in a difficult position.
'What should I do?'
Snorts or scoffs wouldn't lead to a conversation. In that case, it seemed better to admit his own shortcomings here and just respond honestly.
"To summarize in one line, it sounds like you want to team up with me, but I'm sorry, that's absolutely not happening, so give up."
The advancement of magic, the development of the world… none of that mattered to him. The Dean always emphasized it, but he had never shown much interest.
"If I were to ask for the logical reason to reach that conclusion?"
All his life, what he wanted was…
Throughout his life, what he wished for was…
"A logical reason, hmm, if I have to answer…"
To receive praise from Dean Atlante just one more time.
That alone was enough.
And that feeling remained unchanged even now.
"Because if I did, Dean would scold me."
He had decided it on the day he thrashed Ken Serman in the [4-Star Selection]. He would never do anything to make the Dean sad again.
So, he unleashes his magic power.
Therefore, in resonance with his fighting spirit, the Ossarius rosary unfolds brilliantly.
"Extremely regrettable."
Pavelkhan also entered combat stance, emitting a chilling mechanical sound that made one's bones tremble.
"<The Ones Who Came> were revered as god-like beings and became objects of faith due to their immense power."
As the optical helmet, previously tilted upwards, settled onto its head and emitted light, the photon cannon emitters on both shoulders simultaneously opened.
"Witness now, here, the advent of a new era's god."