12

"System check complete. All subsystems green. Generator normal, balancer operating smoothly. OK. Standing up now—clear the area."

"You lot! Get back!"

Orell waved his hand, urging the maintenance crew to retreat, matching my words.

Once I confirmed they’d cleared the机身 via monitor, I boosted the generator output and took control of the machine.

Slowly, the机体 lowered its feet from the carrier and began to rise upright.

The monitor’s view climbed higher, and the familiar scenery came back into focus.

"How’s it look! Any issues?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary at the moment."

The sun was nearing the grasslands, painting everything in red. And there, one Armunale stood tall.

The body was standard royal-issue, but the left arm was entirely borrowed from the Empire.

The right leg armor had also been swapped out—part of it replaced with Imperial parts. The white paint, layered over deep green, let just a hint of the undercoat show through.

Crooked machine.

Looks-wise, my old one might’ve been crooked too—but this one, built from an enemy’s parts, carried a deeper kind of crookedness. Not just in shape. In soul.

“Feels off, doesn’t it?”

Karine’s frowning up at it, like she can sense it.

Oréal nods along, same expression.

“Still don’t like Imperial parts. Slight mismatch in specs—real pain to adjust.”

“Nah, that’s not it… if you’re gonna say that, I had to deal with *that* cockpit! Wires all over the place, and I had to rewrite the entire code for the physics engine—sensboard, I mean—just to get it working!”

Couldn’t be helped, now could it? Added another lever when there was only one to begin with. And shoved into a cockpit so packed tight it’s like you’re sitting inside a sausage casing.

Two voices drift in from outside.

I stay in the pilot’s seat, ears tuned to their bickering, eyes on my own hands.

Two control levers in my grip. Their ends aren’t attached to the usual side console—no, they’re up top.

Two rods stretch from the ceiling, connected to the levers. So we’re basically hanging in midair.

The levers pivot on joints mounted to the rods—some kind of system that reads their range of motion and feeds it into the machine. Honestly, I’m amazed they pulled this off in a single day.

And on the right side—where the levers used to be—new monitors and buttons have been slapped on.

Good thing the monitors are more now—can check the ground and rear much more closely than before. Full manual’s out of the question, but half-manual should work just fine. With this control system, I’m almost tempted to just copy it straight over to the next machine. Though, in that case, I’d have to order more from the craftsmen again.

“Alright, then—let’s start the test run.”

Cutting short their bickering, I finish checking the feel of the buttons, levers, and pedals, then signal around me.

“Got it! First, walking—no time to waste, so if it’s all clear, let’s go straight ahead!”

“Say something if anything’s wrong!”

“Got it.”

I tug the lever and take my first step.

☆

A heavy thud echoes through the room, like someone slamming a table.

The man sitting in the chair flinches at the sound—just a twitch, but he keeps his voice smooth.

“Hmm. Seems you’re in quite a hurry.”

“Huh? You think I’ve got a reason to calm down?”

Rozet stands across the table, glaring at him.

Her dress is torn in places, her hair a mess. Not the kind of look she’d ever show the world—she’s clenching her fist so hard on the table it’s trembling.

The guards around them shift slightly, hands near their weapons, ready.

“Answer me, and next time I’ll break your jaw.”

“Hmph. Let’s ask a question.”

“What’s this retreat business? You really think you’re just gonna run back home like a whipped dog after all this? No fight, no pride?”

“…We’ve got no choice.”

In an instant, Rizet grabbed the man by the collar and swung her fist. But her punch was blocked by the surrounding soldiers, and she was dragged down, pinned, and restrained.

“Let go! You spineless wretch—I won’t feel right until I’ve knocked you flat!”

“Captain Rizet, you’d do well to calm yourself. If you lash out now, driven by rage, you’ll lose more of your men. And what awaits you then? Only the truth: your entire unit wiped out, the base lost. That outcome? Not a choice we’d ever make. Or… can you really tell your men to die? You’re their captain, aren’t you? You led them here. Can you look them in the eye and say, *‘Die’*?”

“That’s… I can’t—”

No reply came. Of course not. They’d eaten from the same pot, laughed together, fought over men, shared moments—sometimes with more than one at a time.

Not a chance. Not even if my mouth split wide open, I couldn’t tell a crew like that to go and die.

“Impossible. Of course it is. I feel the same. How could I possibly order my own soldiers—right here, right now—to die pointlessly? But now, there’s still a way for them to survive. What’s there to hesitate about when choosing that path?”

The commander rose from his chair and declared once more, facing Rizet.

“We abandon Kamentaria Base. At dawn, we break out through the East Gate with every last man. All units, prepare for immediate departure. And the sabotage team—act as instructed. This is my decision.”

The soldiers holding Rizet released her, then snapped into imperial salutes.

“Rizet.”

“…Understood.”

Rizet lay face-down on the carpet, clenching her fist so tight her knuckles went white.

Rizet knew, deep down, that she should pull back from here. She’d done it before—on the battlefield, without letting her emotions drag her forward.

But when the commander told her to abandon Kamentaria Base and retreat the entire army… something snapped. Blood rushed to her head. Heat boiled up inside, so fierce she thought she’d burst. And before she knew it, she was grabbing the commander by the collar.

Never in all her days as a mercenary had she done anything so reckless.

She didn’t even understand why she’d done it. Still carrying that foggy, restless feeling, Rizet walked toward the hangar where her mecha was stored.

Inside, her crew sprang to their feet, rushing toward her at once.

“Commander! Ran out of toner—can I borrow some?”

“Commander, what was that all about? Why’d you just run off? Was it the outhouse?”

"Captain, you’re too busy! I want time to play!"

My womb’s aching for a man!

"Y'know, you lot..."

The lightness in her subordinates’ voices—unbelievable, given the battlefield, surrounded by enemies—made Rézette sigh. Yet, right now, that lightness brought her joy.

You heard the commander’s orders, didn’t you? If you want playtime, finish it quick before nightfall! And the toner— I’ll lend it to you later!

Yay! I love you, Captain!

It’s already night, you said “by night”!? And tomorrow’s sunrise is when we’re pulling out, right!? No time to mess around, isn’t there!?

I can fix it while we’re at it, if push comes to shove!

"Alright, just get to work!"

Rizeet gives them a sharp shout, cutting through their endless chatter.

They scattered off like spiders’ eggs blown apart—pffft—and each went back to their own tasks.

After watching them go, Rizet stepped out of the storage hangar, thinking she’d catch a bit of sleep for tomorrow—when a woman called her back.

“Captain… can I have a word?”

“Telesena? What is it?”

“Not here. Too noisy. Come with me.”

“Huh?”

Rizet tilted her head, following Telesena as she walked ahead.

They walked a little further, until they reached a stable tucked away in a quiet corner of the base.

The horses were already asleep, and the air was still, wrapped in silence.

“Captain… no, Rizet. What’s it you’re really after right now?”

“Haven’t heard my name like that in ages.”

They’d grown up together. Raised in the same village, pushed out to make room, endured twists and turns—only to finally form this mercenary company.

Rizet fights with Armunale. Telesena handles the company’s gold.

Both were indispensable—so deeply bound now that calling them a fate-sharing pair wasn’t too much.

“Don’t lie.”

“…Huh. Guess I can’t hide it after all.”

Staring straight into her eyes, Rizet sighed.

“Yeah, I know. Not like me at all. Getting worked up over a dead man.”

She’d seen men she’d held in battle die in the next fight a hundred times over.

But never before had she felt sorrow like this. Never once had she been angry.

Back when she was the pleasure-seeking Rizet, she’d just moved on—no more than a shrug, a quick glance at the next man, or a grin at the next fight.

“Yeah, you should just—”

She was about to smile and say she’d push through tomorrow’s escape plan, that everything would be fine—when a sharp, dry crack echoed through the air.

And a jolt of sharp, stinging pain spread across Rizet’s cheek.

“Rizet… who are you? Why did you start this mercenary band? Where’s that promise you made me—when you first called me?”

“Words…”

Still pressing a hand to her cheek, Rizet tried to remember.

‘I want to have fun. I want to live straight and true. I don’t want to keep holding it all in, just like this. So I’ll make a place where I can live like that! Hey, Teleseena, come on—why don’t you join me? Let’s make a life worth living, just being women, just being happy!’

“Are you living like that now? Lying to yourself, smiling like that—so that’s your idea of fun?”

“But… I’m the captain, so I have to… my subordinates…”

We didn’t follow you because we thought you’d protect us—no, everyone came because they looked up to your way of living! Of course we’re scared of dying. Of course we don’t want to die! But… I want to have fun with you more than anything else! So what good is it, then, if you’re just going to suffer in silence?

So what was I supposed to do, huh! Should I have just charged in like that? Or maybe I should’ve punched the commander and flown out of the base on my own!

No! That’s not what I’m saying! I’m listening to how you feel! What does Rizette of Pleasure want to do now that Lord Kansas is dead!

"Something like that—"

That’s already decided.

I wanna smash that bastard to pieces! I hate him—what do you expect? I’ve gone and fallen for the lord, dead serious this time! How the hell am I supposed to switch off? I can’t calm down unless I kill him!

By the time I realized it, big fat tears were rolling down Rizette’s cheeks.

Never happened before. This was the first time I’d ever truly loved someone. I’d played around with lovers, slept with plenty of men—nothing serious. But never, not once, had I felt like this.

In the mercenary company, some had left to marry their sweethearts. I’d waved them off with a smile.

But deep down, I never got it. Was clinging to one man really happiness?

Then I met Kansas. Fought beside him. Spent one night together. And for the first time, I understood what love really meant.

I want to be by his side. I want to call his name. I want to hear his voice.

But that wish—no, it couldn’t come true anymore.

“Then what’s the point of asking? That’s what you should be thinking about. Don’t worry, everyone’s right behind you. Right?”

Teresena slowly turned her head back. From the shadows of the building, figures emerged one by one.

“You guys…”

Her comrades from the mercenary group. They should’ve been fixing the hangar, yet here they were, eyes red, noses sniffling.

“Huh—! We’re fine! Do whatever you want, Captain!”

“I’ll do my best! I’ll fix it all!”

“I’ll even hold back tonight! Let’s get revenge together!”

“That’s right! We won’t forgive whoever ruined the Captain’s first love!”

Chanting their vows, they raised their arms with a wild “Aye-aye-oh!”

Watching them, Lissette realized—she’d been wrong all along.

She’d been about to thank them—those girls who’d shown her the way—when she stopped herself.

Felt wrong. Not like her. So she shaped the words that belonged in this moment.

“Hey you lot! You think you can slack off and peek? If the machines aren’t fixed by tomorrow, your pay’s getting cut!”

‘No way!’

They all dashed off at once, and she watched them go. Just her and Thérèse left behind.

“Thanks. Finally figured it out.”

“’Cause you never actually fell in love properly. This isn’t my job, you know. Don’t go making more work for me, okay?”

“Sorry. Well then, time to change the plan—just a little. To live like me.”

Lissette adjusted her retreat—just a hair—so her heart could come first.

◇

“Made it just in time.”

With the crooked frame beside me, I arrived in Camentria. The sun was rising now.

The sun rose—just in time. At the same moment, the assault on Camentria began.

Batis, who’d finished fixing the frame before me, had already relayed the princess’s order to the main body.

‘Attack Camentria at dawn. Reclaim the base with all forces.’

We made it just in time. That’s thanks to Oreel and the maintenance crew—working their fingers to the bone. I’ll repay that debt in full, somehow.

The preparations were done. The troops buzzed with sudden energy. And over there—something was stirring in the enemy base too. You could feel it in the air. The place was noisy.

Then—there it was. The sun crested the horizon.

“Full assault—go!”

Following Jade’s command, every unit surged forward. At the same moment, the base gates swung open— and the Abnomyle force poured out in a coordinated strike.

But… something felt off. The scale of the base, the number of troops that had pulled back from that last battle— this felt like too few. Too few to be real. Like they were just… playing at war.

But whatever. If they’re showing up, we’ll just smash ’em.

I pressed down on the foot pedal, and the machine surged forward toward Camentria.

Right after, a massive beam of light shot up from Camentria, so bright it swallowed the sky, already starting to lighten.