Book 6: Chapter 55/89 An encounter in the Demonic Forest

Warning!!! This is not from Web Novel.

--Back to the three months ago. After the defeat of red demonic beast that commanding the bug-type demonic beast, and the time where Ikaruga has fall to the ground.

Ikaruga who was barely reached the ground safely from the fallen bug-type demonic beast which had been chasing him. When it was crushed after failing down, a liquid like fluid splashed to the surrounding on the impact. The magic that had been supporting the giant body was already lost in the same time after its life has ended. The corpse becomes brittle, and the contents were scattered all over the place, then began to evaporate at once.

It has formed an Acid Cloud in a tremendous momentum and swallowing Ikaruga as a whole. Now that the Magi Jet Thruster which known as the best propelling system has lost its function, and there’s no other ways for Ikaruga to escape the death cloud.

“This is the worst! If I don’t escape soon, I would be melted sooner or later”

Then, Ernesti is trying to make Ikaruga run but after a few steps, it got on its knees.

“What. This is bad, the Crystal Tissue is・・・・”

In order to protect himself, he shut off the external air intake and switch it to internal ones. However, its not like the whole Silhouette Knight’s body has completely sealed off. The Acid Cloud was easily invaded the inner part, and damaged the Crystal Tissue first.

Even though Ikaruga was called as the first generation of Eastern Mode’s Silhouette Knight, the durability of each one Crystal Tissue are still remain same despite being upgraded into the Strand Type which certainly improved the overall durability. And it can be said it was unexpected to be able to function in the middle of the corrosive atmosphere.

To make matters worse, it doesn’t mean the lost function of Crystal Tissue is only damaging the driving system. In short, the Crystal Tissue is responsible to store a mana in the Silhouette Knight.

When the huge partial of Crystal Tissue has been lost by the corrosive atmosphere, on the other hand the enormous mana that Ikaruga had been stored are being depleted at once. In this worst-case scenario, no one ever imagined the structural defects of the Silhouette Knight have been exposed.

While it can’t stand up, the itching-like Ikaruga’s exterior began to peeled off. In the same time, the Capacity Frame has lost functioning, and Ikaruga lost its little remaining mana again.

The situation will soon to be getting worse.

Losing a large amount of mana means that there is a problem on the enhanced magic which was used for strengthening Ikaruga’s body.

Unfortunately, the air intake to the heart furnace is closed to prevent the corrosive atmosphere. Even the overwhelming mana supply that known as Ikaruga has lost from now.

Without knowing when will Ikaruga began to collapse. Even the prideful strongest knight runner was no longer able to operate one finger. And just sit and wait until everything began to collapse.

“・・・・・I can’t move it. I wonder if it still has a proper shape left. Moreover, I can’t even get out from this”

The surrounding area is covered by the corrosive atmosphere. Although, Eru didn’t really know it was accompanied by a strong toxic, either way the result will be same if it exposed to an acid.

He even can’t escape from here. When the pilot’s seat began collapsing, that would be his last moment.

“・・・・・Haa. So, this is the end”

When Eru takes a long deep breath, he leisurely sinking himself into the seat. Now the cloud has completely covered him, while Ikaruga just waiting for its last moment, there’s no sign of resistance left on him.

“Oh, this is not good. At this rate, I can’t fulfill my promise to my mother. It seems I can’t show to her since I had already made the Wind Carrier”

He suddenly raised his eyebrows after remembering something. There’s a promise he hasn’t fulfilled yet. And he began to bet everything to find a way on this unexpected possibility.

However, the situation is still ruthless.

There is a loud noise coming from the machine. The strengthening magic finally getting weaker, and the corrosive atmosphere has reached the inner skeleton. Without any delay, it would eventually reach his last protection.

“At least, everything will be over. I’m sorry Ikaruga. I just still wanted to more, and always to run wild with you”

While patting the keypad, he muttered it by showing a small smile.

“At least, at least I was happy to be with you till the end. In the first place, I had already died once, and this time I’ll die while piloting a robot. I’m just glad”

Died while piloting a robot.

Eventually, the destination of this mecha otaku was always be here. It just this time has come by pure chance. It’s not like he was prepared for it, in a certain way he is always seeking this place.

Ernesti Echavalier has lived with the robot and died with the robot--.

--However.

For instance, when Eru already giving up on everything, there’s someone who absolutely will not tolerate it. Several lights of bullets come from the sky as if it was ready to break his sentimental feeling. An attack which come from Silhouette Arms. After the bullets touching the ground, by following the script, an explosion has occurred. The barrage equal to the OverdSpell that causing a tremendous blast along with hole that had been pierced on.

Not just only that. A long and continuous barrage still comes in a short moment. Although, it can be said if it goes bad, even Ikaruga would be blown away, though the ones who has released the barrage doesn’t seems to hold back at all.

Now the Acid Cloud covering Ikaruga has blown away, a cleared hole has opened. On the straight line, the shape of half-man and fish can be seen.

“Give!! Eru-kun!! Back!! To!! Meeee!!””

It is none other than Adeltrud who ride the Syrphirne.

By deploying the Magi Jet Thruster to the limit while releasing the ether on the etheric levitator, she has rapidly descended the altitude.

“I finndd you!! Heeree I coommee!!”

After discovering Ikaruga which had almost turn into a wreckage, this time she began to decelerate rapidly. While supplying ether on the etheric levitator, the fins stabilizer had been deployed widely to reduce the air resistance. Then adjusting the speed and return like she was ramming the Acid Cloud. On that moment, she ejected the equipped twin anchor.

While pulling the long silver light, the thread-like tow flying in the air. It has an iron-like shape on the tip and it can grab an object. With Addy operating technique, it can fly freely in the air and arrives at the damaged Ikaruga to bites strongly into the brittle body armor.

Syrphirne has begun to pull up the tow while ascending. Hence lifting Ikaruga’s body in the short moment and quickly escaped from the clouds.

Although she smiled in satisfaction, soon it turns into clouded state.

“Ah, aaahh!?・・・・・Noo!!”

Even though it looked like has worked well, but that just the end of it. The barrages were certainly blow off the surrounding Acid Cloud. However, it was not completely blowing them all, there’s a thin cloud still remained in there.

Yet, the thin Acid Cloud were plenty enough to melt the fragile Silver Nerve’s tow.

After seeing the damaged silver wire, Syrphirne began to turn around in a high speed. At the same time, the etheric levitator has released the ether to descend again. On that moment, the last towline has been disconnected, and Ikaruga’s body was thrown into the air.

“I won’t let you!!”

Syrphirne began to accelerate at full throttle and aiming to the Ikaruga’s body. Before it fell back again into the Acid Cloud, Syrphirne successfully catch Ikaruga’s body by rushing to the side. Addy somehow trying to rise the altitude, but・・・

“It won’t rise!? Why!? Shii-chan please! Just a little more!!”

It doesn’t stop descending, and Syrphirne was facing the ground while keep falling.

She might not know about this, but this was due to one of Undinestarle’s flaw. Or rather, it can be said it was one of etheric levitator deficiency. The principle of this device is to create a floating force field by supplying an enough amount of high purity ether to make the machine able to float.

But when the supplying and discharging were repeated in an instant, the ether density inside the vessel will become unstable, as the result, it won’t able to create enough floating force field. And without floating force field assistance, the Undinestarle cannot soar high to the sky.

Fortunately, rather than rushing toward the Acid Cloud, Syrphirne was able to jump out from the cloud’s range because of the acceleration to catch up with Ikaruga. But the situation is quite different to relax yet. After all, the altitude still continues to fall and now the ground is already before the eyes. The Wind Knight won’t able to soar high by only using the propulsion system and Fins Stabilizer. While Addy looked at the approaching ground, she braces herself with determination.

She moves Syrphirne and hold Ikaruga tightly. From there she prepared to hold her breath.

“Shii-chan, please・・・・! Please protect Eru-kun!!”

By operating the rest of ether supplier, the large amount of ether floating force field is capable to climb them up. Afterward, twisting the body and let the Syrphirne fly in reverse state.

“I’m sorry!”

Before the impact, Addy has activated the Gear Ejector. The pilot’s seat that located on the back is separated in an instant, and the compressed gas had ejected her into the air.

Ejection is one of the hellish training before getting into the machine. She immediately spreads the Descend Rad’s arms and hold in the air. After stabilizing her posture, she was looking for Syrphirne first.

Just around that time, Syrphirne was already crashed down on the ground. Because of the reverse flying, Syrphirne was able to protect Ikaruga just before the impact to the ground. While tearing down the trees and scraping the ground under its own momentum, the dust cloud begins to smear out. The armor is blown away from the body, the crystal’s fragments are scattered all over place, and the unbearable sound can be heard on the surrounding.

It’s not strange if the machine was shattered into pieces if it crashed on that such momentum. However, beyond the dust cloud, Syrphirne managed to stop the momentum while holding Ikaruga’s body firmly.

Even though the floating force field was lost its function due to unstable ether, in the end, it has regained its little strength after the forced supply. In the aftermath of the effect, the floating force field was able to perform as the shock absorber, and reducing the damage of the frame.

However, because it was scrapping above the ground surface. The damage is so serious and almost same like it had being shoot down. Especially when the early rammed shoulder to the upper body damage is pretty serious, probably it was already distorted on the inner skeleton part.

Furthermore, the lower body was not left unscratched, there’s a rainbow-colored light spouted from place to place. With the impact, the etheric levitator is damaged, and the inner ether are leaking out. It seems, Syrphirne won’t able to dance in the sky again.

But, on its arm.

It was proudly holding the Ikaruga’s body, which had been protecting by sacrificing itself.

◆

Addy flies in the sky using the Aero Thrust magic and arrived to the Syrphirne side. Without getting out from the Descend Rad armor, she ran to the Ikaruga that being held in the arms.

As she tries to climb up the body, she began to tremble after seeing Ikaruga’s grave damage. The exterior was next to nothing, above of all, the Crystal Tissue have been dissolved, and even the inner skeleton was already exposed. It’s reminded like a corpse that had been covered by the leaf, and surely in terrific state.

Nonetheless, she began to shook her head and leaving aside the bad precognition. Her objective is not Ikaruga itself. No matter how damaged the machine is. As long the chest part has still remained, there’s a possibility the ‘content’ was also safe.

When she runs upward the Ikaruga’s wreckage, she is trying to knock the distorted armor that had been dissolved by the acid.

“Eru-kun! Eru-kun! Are you okay!? Are you still alive!? Please, respond to my call!!・・・For crying of loud! Get out of my way!!”

Although she was calling him, soon it become too bothersome. Immediately, when she tried to pull the Gunn Staff, she shoots a magic without reserve. The fragile chest part has blown away by the fire ball in one hit, and leaving a deep black hole inside.

The light coming from the forest, illuminating the internal pilot’s seat. When Addy looked into it, there’s a figure of Eru with his eyes closed and in fetal position. At first glance, it doesn’t look like he is injured or anything. Addy leans out to him and make sure everything is fine.

“Eru-kun, please be safe・・・・uwa”

From the face, she hit something somewhat elastic and transparent while being held down near Eru side. Addy immediately notice the trick. That is mass of compressed air created by Air Suspension magic. And one of the magic that had been created by Eru which supporting the maneuverability. If something like this was here that means.

By the time Addy was watching over the mass of compressed air, it began to squeeze slowly. In front of her who sit closely to him, Eru has began to open his eyes and start to move.

“・・・・Umu, that was one of terrible tremor. Is that you Addy? I see, you come to save me. I narrowly become a mince meat back then・・・・here・・we go”

Before saying anything, Addy is gone hugging him like she was jumping away. When she was embracing him without holding anything back, a strange voice can be heard on Eru’s mouth.

“I’m glad・・・・・Eru-kun, is alive. Is still alive・・・・! Eru-kun, Eru-kun・・・・!”

“W-wait, I can’t breathe. It’s fine, I’m really okay. So please, hold back a little, or I die・・・・・”

While wiping her tears, there like a crushed frog-like sound every time Addy strongly hugs Eru. In the end, she needs a lot of time to settle down.

“Fuu, I thought I was gonna die ・・・・”

“Uuu, Eru-kun, Eru-kun. I thought it was over. I’m glad, I’m on time・・・・・uuu, this fluffy sensation, its feel good ehehe”

Although the power is loosening, it doesn’t seem she want to release Eru at the moment. She is busily poked his cheeks and patting him while cuddling. Sometimes, there’s liquid-like fluid that falls into Eru’s cheek. When Eru hugged Addy back, he strokes like he was caressing her hair.

“It’s okay. I’m still alive. Because the one who have saved me it’s you Addy”

“Yes・・・・”

“Listen Addy, have you forgotten that I asked you to protect the ship. In the end, you came along with me”

“Even so!”