7

Sorry I’m late. Shoulder… shoulder…

“What’s this about?”

I call out to Elexia, who steps from the shadows of the hangar.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to intrude, but the way that machine moves—just couldn’t help staring.”

“Is that so? Training on your own?”

“Yeah. Routine. These knights around here are too lazy. Gotta keep up the standard, even if it’s just me.”

Elexia says it, a sheen of sweat on her brow, her bangs plastered to her forehead.

She’s been at it for a while.

“Elexia, long time no see.”

“Huh… that voice. Batis? What’re you doing here in Abnomyle?”

“Was told I’d get stronger riding this thing. And… yeah. I think they’re right.”

“Elexia? What about you?”

Perfect chance, I figure. I ask her to join in.

“I appreciate the invitation, but I doubt even Abnomyle would hand this thing over so easily?”

“Just use mine.”

I say that, then crack open the cockpit hatch and stick my head out.

We’ve fought enough already. And knowing Elexia’s skill—well, fighting her directly’s one way. But watching from the outside? That tells you more.

“Y-you’re Lord Eld? I suspected as much from your movements, but I never thought you’d be a Guard Knight…”

“Don’t bother with honorifics. I’m actually younger than you.”

“But…”

“Fine in front of people. But when it’s just us? Lighten up. I prefer it that way.”

“Ah, then I’ll take your kindness at face value.”

“So, what’s it gonna be?”

“Of course I want to.”

“Got it. That’s the plan. Batis’s the opponent.”

All right. Well, I’ve been wanting to tangle with you, Miss Elekshia, ever since I first saw your machine.

I leap from the cockpit, and just like that, Elekshia vaults onto her mech.

Hmm. Magic’s the same kind as mine. Smooth, too—just that one motion tells me her skill with enchantments is top-tier.

“Abnomyle maneuver complete. Hmm. Still pretty stiff. Reaction’s slow.”

Guess everyone feels that way when they’re used to Armunale. Which is exactly why it’s good.

“Alright, start it then. I’m on the hangar roof—don’t you worry.”

“Got it. Then, Batis, let’s go.”

“Yeah, let’s!”

Both machines move at once. First thing, we clash swords head-on.

Then a couple more strikes, then step back to distance.

She’d probably got a good handle on the machine’s capabilities by now. This was where real skill showed—no more playing around.

“Hah!”

“Here!”

The two machines move again. Batis charges forward once more, but Elekshia slides sideways, circling around to strike Batis’s flank.

Batis instantly shifts the machine’s angle to counter, but Elekshia piles on with relentless attacks.

A kick to the legs, a shoulder check that knocks the arm aside, a deliberate step forward to block the blade—each move was sharp, practical, built from years of slipping through battlefields unseen.

Aggressive. Bold. But still, every move had its safety net.

When Batis lunged forward, throwing off his balance, I tipped the Elexia unit the same way in an instant—right onto him, pinning him down.

If he tried to roll and recover, I’d just stay mounted, pressing him flat.

Would’ve been a bit steamy, if this were two people fighting. Shame it’s both Abnomyle units. No romance in it—none at all.

But that’s better!

With the mount secured, Elexia swings her fists in quick succession.

Each punch lands on shoulders, the cockpit—places that’ll hurt the most, weaken the foe.

Stupid to go for the head here, like in a human fight. Abnomyle’s main camera’s up top, sure—but it’s got multiple secondary monitors. Even if the head’s destroyed, the worst that happens is a flicker. Combat’s not affected one bit.

But if you knock the shoulder and twist the joint, movement gets stiff. If you hit the cockpit and shake the pilot hard, that’s just an opening waiting to happen.

Still, it’s the machine that fights—people just steer it.

That’s the kind of fighting I understand.

“Daaah! Ms. Elekcia, you’re going too far!”

Batis, completely frozen, raises a protest.

“What’s wrong? If you don’t go all out, how’s it training? Come on, one more round.”

“No, no, no—this one’s got a twisted joint! Can’t move right at all!”

“Huh… yeah, I suppose repairing takes time. That’s the machine’s weakness, isn’t it?”

Even humans need time to heal, you know? Well, training’s different—once the exhaustion fades, you can fight again. Still, different kind of lesson.

“Alright, that’s enough for today.”

"Yeah... feels a bit lacking, but still a proper lesson, I’d say."

"Then how about sticking with me a little longer?"

To the one who felt unsatisfied—Elexia—I suggested continuing the training.

"What’s the plan?"

"Can’t practice real combat with swords or magic lately."

"Hey, Eld, cut it out. Elexia’s not messing around."

"Exactly what I need."

I didn’t survive Rene’s killing intent and skin-cutting drills for nothing. A little tension’s what makes it worthwhile.

"Y’all are all just battle fanatics, huh?"

"Just know how important training is."

"That’s right, Batis. I just like the feeling of getting stronger through it."

"Enough already. I’ll go fix the machine."

"Got it. Tell the maintenance crew I’m sorry for the trouble. I’ll come back for mine later."

"Here we go."

Batis rose from the machine and headed back toward the hangar.

Watching him go, I leapt from the hangar roof and took up my sword.

There she already stood—ready, poised.

"Eld, can I ask you something?"

"Hm?"

"Am I to take this as my trial, then?"

"Ah. So you noticed."

"Rumors had been floating around. I never thought I’d get this chance."

"Batis recommended you. Be grateful. But it’s not decided yet."

"True. I’ve just been given a chance. So I’ll thank Batis and give it my all!"

Elexia raised her sword. And then—

"Windyarize, Decaple Installation. Open!"

As she spoke, wind swirled around her.

Dust kicked up from the earlier fight swirled in the air like a whirlwind, scattering outward in gusts.

Ten-layered multi-singing, huh. I could only manage six at max—still, women’s multitasking is insane.

“Active Wing, Sectorple Installation, Air Thruster, Sectorple Installation. Double Open!”

I chanted right away, pulling every last ounce of mobility I could muster.

“Here I come!”

“Bring it!”

A soft *thump* echoed as my feet pushed off the ground.

Right after, Elexia appeared right beside me.

I instinctively raised my sword, blocking her horizontal slash and leaping back.

The impact hit me like slamming into a wall—still, I held my stance with Active Wing, eyes locked on Elexia.

She didn’t hesitate.

She leaps after me—swings down her blade with no hesitation. No doubt in her strike. She means to cut me open.

But I didn’t train under Rene for nothing.

I catch her blade mid-landing, slide it along my own like water over stone.

“Hmph.”

“You’re not getting off that easy!”

I push her back with my counter-cut—then she’s already gone, darting sideways again, blade flashing.

Hmm. Windyraize… pretty much mirrors my magic. And from the way her sword feels when I block—wind clings to it like a second skin.

Movement. Attack. Both boosted at once.

And she’s layering it tenfold with that multi-maneuver technique. Must be brutal on the body. Guess that’s why she’s so sharp—years of training that’d leave most people flat on their backs.

but if you can’t move, what’s the point, really…

“Alright, then, next one’s my turn.”

Not my strong suit, but this is a selection trial. Gotta watch how they’re guarding, too.

Stepped forward—this time, I’m moving around to her side.

Elexia kept up without a hitch. Good eye for motion. Even if your body’s moving, you can’t block what you can’t see.

But—

I kicked off the ground again, lunged straight back, spun around, and slipped behind her.

From a side stance to a rear attack—how’d you block that?

“Blasto-off!”

Elexia chanted. The wind clinging to her surged outward in a gale, shoving me back.

Strong wind, sure—but not strong enough to stop me. Still… that gave her just enough time to react.

Elexia twisted her body further in that moment, catching my downward swing.

I was surprised at the hardness when my blade struck.

Elexia had just broken her magic seal—there shouldn’t have been any protection on her body. Yet this firmness… must be the result of her disciplined training.

It felt like the final shape of endless effort. At that moment, I decided—she’d be joining the Special Unit.

So from here on out, I’d just spar with her for training’s sake.

“Damn. Perfectly caught.”

“Me too—I haven’t used this move in a while. Fighting a knight with real weight makes training a real joy.”

“Same here.”

I stepped back from Elexia, settling into my stance.

Lower the tip just a hair from level, shift my feet slightly forward and back, open them to shoulder width. Shoulders loose—no tension—focus every ounce of awareness on her, nothing else, just her, every twitch, every shift.

This is my stance. The peak of my skill. The thing that kept every attack but Rayla’s from touching me by the end of third year at the Academy.

“Come on, hit me from anywhere.”

“Here I go!”

Again, she’s a blur of wind—launching herself.

From the way her feet move, she’s coming straight in. The waver of her blade’s tip tells me she’s aiming a horizontal slash.

So the counter’s clear—

I keep my sword pointed straight ahead, watch her blade close in, calm as a stone.

I thrust my blade out, lightly tap hers, let her momentum guide my motion, and slowly steer her attack off course.

But her sword speed was faster than I’d imagined.

I saw the parry wouldn’t make it in time, so I just tilted my head back a fraction—her blade grazed the tip of my nose.

But that wasn’t all. Her knee strike came flying in, straight for my solar plexus—right knee.

I pivoted on my right foot, sliding my left foot back. Twisted my body, dodging the knee strike while keeping an eye on the sword as it swung past.

The blade stayed in her left hand. If she kept going, she’d slice my arm open with the remaining edge.

So I raised my arm, turned the sword upside down, and blocked.

“Still going to dodge this one?”

She laughed, slipping past me from behind.

And in that moment, I reset my stance.

“Eld! Dinner’s ready!”

I only noticed that voice when I saw Elexia’s sword caught by someone other than me.

And there she was, right in front of me—Ange, smiling.

Hair tied up with a ribbon, as always, wearing her maid’s uniform.

Except for one thing that didn’t belong on a maid’s uniform: the sword she held in her right hand.

“Ah… already that time, huh?”

Guess I got so caught up in the match I’d forgotten how much time had passed. Realizing that, my stomach grumbled—right on cue.

“You’re…?”

Elexia’s eyes snapped wide open, stunned—she’d just caught that sword as if it were nothing.

Nice to meet you. First Guard Armunale Battalion, Eld’s unit. I’m Ange, the support maid. Sorry to interrupt your training—lunch is ready, so I came to call you. But you didn’t seem to notice, so I… well, I had to stop you a bit more firmly than planned.”

Ange sheathed her sword and bowed with careful precision.

“Ah, right. Elekisia Kruztroad, commander of the Eleventh Armunale Battalion. Sorry—but what was that move just now? It felt like you completely blocked my strike.”

“Deeply sorry, but support maid sword techniques are strictly confidential. I can’t reveal them, even to you.”

“S-sorry. Then there’s nothing I can do…”

Elekisia looked genuinely disappointed.

After a moment’s pause, she muttered quietly, almost to herself.

“I should become a support maid, too…”

“Then I couldn’t pick you for the elite squad anymore.”

“S-so that’s a problem!”

“Then give up. You’re passed, at least. I’ll send the summons later—just take it, okay?”

“R-right, got it. Thanks, Eld Captain!”

“Yeah. Well, I’m off for lunch, so don’t be late bringing the unit back. Ange, bring me food to my room, will ya?”

“Yesssir, I’ll bring it right over.”

Ange skipped back with a smile.

I watched her go, then climbed into the machine and powered it up.

Two days later, a few wagons rolled into the base. Attached to them were the disassembled parts of the Armunale—my machines, in pieces.

I rushed straight to the hangar, threw my arms around the parts waiting to be assembled.

“Ah… this feeling, this texture—long time no touch! Yeah, Armunale’s the best!”

“Eld Captain, you’re making a mess—don’t rub your cheek on my parts!”

“Oops, sorry, sorry.”

I step back from the crane, scolded by Orell.

Then the princess arrives, flanked by her attendants.

I drop to one knee, bowing my head.

“Don’t bother. Relax.”

“Huh—yes, ma’am!”

I straighten up, and the princess speaks.

“You’re finally here.”

“Yes. Just need to finish assembly and make adjustments.”

“Have you selected the crew?”

“Yes. Not announced yet, but we’ve already sent word in secret. Both squads are prepping for deployment. Announcement can wait.”

“Got it. Then once you’re ready, I’ll need you out there.”

“Leave it to me. I’ll make sure we meet Lady Ines’s expectations.”

“Then if you do, I’ll have to give you a reward. What would you like?”

The Second Princess smiles sweetly, finger under her chin, head tilted.

“Mmm, then I’ll give you my handmade badge-embroidered uniform.”

“…Just out of curiosity—what kind of badge is it?”

“Hmm… how about a rose?”

“Huh. Not bad for you. Quite the mature choice.”

A rose’d look right at home on a plain white uniform, I reckon.

Honestly, I thought you’d be shoving some phallus or vulva design in there again.

“Fufu, I’m always evolving. Stick this badge right in the middle of your trousers and you’ll hear ‘No way! Absolutely not!’”

“Really, you’re so spoiled.”

She shrugs, laughing softly. The attendants beside her suppress giggles, shoulders trembling.

“You lot aren’t laughing, are you!? What if the princess’s knights all sprout roses between their legs!? Revolution might break out from the knight corps, you know!?”

Yeah, maybe I’ll start it myself.

No, if that happened, I’d definitely start it. I’d be the one to start it.

“Huh, still your usual self, I see. Well, I’m off then—leave the rest to you.”

“Really, you must stop joking around.”

“Half of it’s not even a joke, you know.”

“Hey, wait a second—!”

By the time I turned around, the princess and her ladies-in-waiting had already bolted through the hatch, laughing all the way.

Those rascals—lately, they’ve been getting contaminated by the princess’s wildness…

I thought, I’d better tighten things up somewhere, once and for all. And I looked up at the Armunale, still being assembled.