Book 8: Chapter 114: Determine Your Purpose

“But hey, that’s it. What a weird look you have on your face.” David roared, arms folded.

The people who belonged to the majority of the Silver Phoenix Knights had familiar faces, but the newcomers were unique. Among them was a giant. The Little Magician, Parl Marga, was sitting in a divine way. The main participants in the venue were the Goblin Clan. (From Parl’s point of view, this broadly included the Silver Phoenix Knights.)

“giants… It’s amazing, but if you understand the language, we can be friends, unlike with Demon Beasts.”

Edgar looked up at her.

Next to them, Dietrich, leaning against the wall, said, “The future, hey. Frankly, as far as we’re concerned, now that we’ve found Ernesti, we’d like to leave quickly.”

The members of the Silver Phoenix Knights all showed their agreement. They had come after Eru and Addy, so it can be said that their main purpose had already been achieved.

“Please wait.”

There was a knight in an unfamiliar guise whom called out there. His equipment was a combination of Demon Beast fur and shells and there weren’t many materials such as cloth. The design was also constructed in a way not seen in the west, including the Kingdom of Fremevira. This was Zachariah, the knight of the Goblin Clan.

“People of the West! People of this Flying Ship and it’s Legendary Silhouette Knight Warriors within, I have something to ask you. Please, could you at least listen to me first?”

He was the only goblin tribesman there. Depending on whether he could persuade the Silver Phoenix Knights here, the path that the Goblin Tribe would follow in the future would change greatly. A strong sense of a man on a mission came to the surface now in the serious face of the man standing there…

As the members looked at each other, Dietrich silently urged him to continue.

“As you have already heard, we, the little demon tribe, were once known as the forest cutters. We are the descendants of those who were called Expedition Force. The old attempt failed, and our ancestors were able to survive by becoming slaves of the giants. There was no other choice but to live in a forest full of demon beasts.”

Zachariah looked around at them and spoke wistfully.

“We’ve endured a long time. But it is not eternal. From now on, I hope to change history. The battles of the members of the giant race, the hubris of the Rubel clan. The time is finally right and we cannot let this opportunity pass us by. That’s why I am asking for your help, my distant brothers and sisters. Here, we have the power to make it possible!”

The members of the group whispered to each other as he made an impassioned speech. The appeal was truly pressing, but they were not ready to make an immediate decision. Most importantly, they did not see the life of the goblin clan directly. The enthusiasm for the words of Zachariah were not fully shared.

“You are certainly the descendants of the Forest Cutting Expeditionary Force. In addition, if it is true that they are suffering, I would like to help you…”

Edgar looked up beside him, a simmering look on his face. The little mage only glanced about with her four eyes, wondering what he might be thinking about. Fighting against the giants, he hadn’t really felt that point yet either. The existence of the giant itself was phenomenal, but the fact that he didn’t have a bad impression of the first magician he met had a big influence.

“Yes, but… What are you going to do, Ernesti? You must have seen both the giants and the goblins. I’d like to hear your decision.”

“Yes,” he said. I’m going to join the fight.”

Dietrich’s eyes narrowed slightly when he heard Ernesti’s plain answer. There was no negative tinge to it. He turned away from the wall.

“Well, I expected that. You were with the giant lady in the first place, you know. Then there’s no pros and cons, we, the Silver Phoenix Knights, are at the will of the Commander……”

“No, wait.”

Just as he was about to conclude, Eru interrupted his words. To Dietrich, who blinked his eyes, Eru stated once and for all.

“Me and Addy are the only ones who will participate in the Battle of the giants. There’s no need for everyone to join us.”

An air of dismay ran through the hold of the ship. Eyes wide in a circle, Dietrich froze as he stared at Eru’s face. It was Edgar who started to move first.

“…… What do you mean, Ernesti?”

“Yeah. You gotta take everybody with you, man. I mean, we can’t just ditch you.”

Even the master was flustered with a jittery expression. The Silver Phoenix Knights were a group founded for Ernesti. To battle and to develop technology was their primary job. The Knights would follow him in the direction he had indicated. That should have been the form it had taken so far. Eru thought for a moment, then looked up.

“After we crashed into the forest, we met the giants and the little mages. It was a mess, but we lent our strength to each other and survived in the forest.”

He turned around and looked up at the little mage. Her four eyes stared at him silently.

“The fight against the Rubel clan was originally an internal conflict within the giant clans. Even the little mages didn’t ask us to fight them. But there are things I can’t forgive them for. I owe a debt, and I have a reason to fight. But that’s none of your business. You don’t need to be involved in extra battles.”

Addy came over to the little magician and thumped his chest.

“We are part of the Karreus clan, too, aren’t we? I’m not going to stop you here!”

“Master. I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, you should be grateful.”

Edgar opened his mouth as the group members pondered.

“Then what about our forces? Ernesti, we know your power well, but a giant is like a phantom knight. What can you do with just two people joining?”

“There is still Kasasagi. It has a strange shape, but it is the one made with the body of Ikaruga. It’s powerful enough to fight alongside the giants.”

At that moment, Dietrich, who had been frozen, comes back with a long exhale.

“I see. It’s not always easy to know whether you’re being selfish or disciplined. I don’t know what’s going on…”

There was a murmur, and voices of discussion sprang up everywhere. The destination of the Silver Phoenix Knights was left to each person’s will. The fickle knight commander sent a question to them, and they all began to search for their own answers. In response to that, Zachariah became impatient.

“Please, Wait, Mr. Ernesti. You have a reason to fight, then why don’t you order us to do so?! Here are the Knights you lead. I don’t doubt your power, but surely you won’t let this much of it sit idle!” (So… I’d love input, should I switch things fully to include the Japanese honorifics? i.e. Ernesti-sama as opposed to “Mr.” as google and bing are fond of?)

From his point of view, he wanted not only Eru, but all of the Silver Phoenix Knights’ combat abilities. He could not have them decide lightly on his personal whims. However, it was also true that he didn’t have enough materials to convince this mysterious group of people. Relief came from an unexpected source. Out of the murmur, Edgar’s voice asked.

“Ernesti, what would happen if the entire Order joined the fight? What’s it worth to us in there?”

“…the giants and us. These two species that lived apart from each other have met like this. We can no longer pretend that we didn’t see this. So what’s the next step in our relationship? Well, we could take each other’s hands, as you can see, but the Rubel clan is a bit rough around the edges. It’s too much. After all, they regard the small demon tribe as their slaves. It’s not impossible to compete with them if you have a phantom knight, but it’s just a lot of work…” Eru replied, thinking.

“Huge, human. We need to show our strength in building relationships with them. That’s what it’s all about.”

“That’s right. For both, the People of the West and the Goblins, as well as for the future, there is no way we’re just going to sit on the sidelines here!”

The people and the giants. For now, the forest still separates them. Nevertheless, now that they are clearly aware of each other’s existence, it is unlikely that they will remain this way forever. More than anything else, man has a flying vessel, a Levitateship. Now, there is a powerful machine and it was recognized as such. (A powerful machine called a “powerful machine”. Oh my word…)

In addition, it wasn’t just that this was a fight. This was a battle which was completely irrelevant for the humans of the West. The reason is that the goblin clan was caught up in the middle of the vortex. Zachariah had gained momentum, but the reaction he received from the squad did not live up to his expectations.

“Well, it can’t be helped. It’s too late for the leader to do whatever he likes.”

“What do you think? You don’t have time to just wait around.”

“I’m interested in the giant’s fighting ability. Are they stronger than the demon beasts?”

“Second company, you’re too much like battle freaks.”

“It’s okay, Parl, because I can help you!”

“You…”

“Hey, hey, hey, get away from me!”

“Parl… She’s my disciple, so I won’t allow her to look at me weirdly.”

“You are so arrogant!?”

Their interests and movements are all over the place. Is this really the way to unite as a group of knights? He was in a gloomy mood as well as experiencing disbelief. His earnest wish for the future of the goblin family was also empty. The Silver Phoenix Knights had begun to move exactly as they pleased.

“Hmm. Then let’s do this. I’ll follow our little leader without permission. Those who want to come with me should do so. The rest of you should have a way out. If possible, it would be better if we had a base.”

“Oh, I know a good place to establish your base.”

“We’ll take it there, then.”

“Yes, sir. We’ll take control of the base ourselves!”

“The first and second companies will be divided first. Then the blacksmith team is next.”

“I’ll work on the kid’s machine. I’ll follow you.”

“Boss, I’ll just split up the maintenance crew.”

“Yeah, you got it.”

Thus, the policy of the Silver Phoenix Knights was decided. There were generally two pairs, divided into those who would follow Eru and those who would build their base. Of course, the flying ships would also be assigned to each of them. Once the policy is decided, the rest is easy. The members of the group had begun chatting among themselves.

“I wonder if we can get a supply of food here.”

“I’m afraid we’re going to be here for quite a while.”

“Can’t we ask the giants to do it?”

“I mean, are you going to eat a demon beast?”

“It was delicious.”

“The commander is getting all muscular…”

Amidst the hustle and bustle, Zachariah was the only one who was dismayed by the existence of the Silver Phoenix Knights. What on earth is this? Isn’t a knightly order a controlled group? Why do each of them behave as they please? The knights or cavalrymen of the goblin clan is a privileged class, as well as the Mystic Knight. They have an obligation to influence King Oberon.

Under the rule of will, selfishness is not permitted. To begin with, there was a limit to the number of phantom knight positions and there were not a few people who aimed at that chair either. There should be no opportunity to show an opening.

He casually turned to Eru, holding back his dizziness.

“Mr. Ernesti, you are the head of the Knights! Why do you allow selfishness like this!?”

There seems to be no doubt that Eru is long. is the chief. This is because everyone in the Order is reacting to his words. But it’s hard to believe that he’s leading them.

“Of course, I’ll lead if I need to. But that’s not the case now.”

“So fluent!?”

He bit his lip. With so much power that it could even determine the course of battle, the wielders were completely selfish and unwilling to take care of themselves. We can’t lose. At this rate, it was going to be difficult to even cooperate with the people of the west. He quietly left the place. Behind him, the clamor that the knights would give continued without end.

Then the company commanders discussed and drafted a specific course of action. In the midst of all this, the master, who had quickly finished assigning the blacksmith team, came to Eru with an important consultation.

“Oh, boy. Are you going to use Kasasagi as it is?”

“I’m going to do that… Oh, could you possibly mean…?”

“Well, you know what? I saw that it was busted, and I’ve got a whole bunch of spare parts for the Ikaruga. It’ll take a while to assemble, but we can fix it.”

Unusually, Eru froze with a pouting expression on his face. The boss held the impression that it was worth bringing the parts along, just to see this expression.

Eru, who had a little restart, turned his neck around awkwardly. He stops moving as he looks up at the phantom knight sitting in the corner of his eye, with only it’s upper body.

“What are you going to do? I never thought this was going to happen. Are you going to leave Ikaruga alone?”

“Well, um. Oh…… that.”

Eru wandered between the Kasasagi and Ikaruga parts, like a demon. Ikaruga is the partner he desired and created with all his might. But even with the Kasasagi, he is no different from his buddy who shared his pain and suffering, and also possesses a very special function. It was a terrifying problem. At both ends of the balance, equally valuable things were piled up.

“In order to move Ikaruga, the Behemoth Heart is required. But Kasasagi can’t move without it, either. Both require large amounts of magical power to keep them functioning…”

Yes, and only one can be moved. It was the ultimate choice. When Eru who was deep in thought, finally began to tremble a little, the boss called out to him.

“Well then, I think it’s okay to move the function of that Kasasagi to Ikaruga. Leave it to me, kid. I’m a blacksmith of the Silver Phoenix Knights, right? I’ll make sure it’s done right.”

Eru’s eyes widened and he looked back at David, looking more trapped than he had ever seen him before. The boss involuntarily took a step back.

“I’m going to use the Kasasagi as it is. Of course, I know the ability of the boss more than anyone. But now we have to take the little mage with us. I can’t afford to wait for a major renovation.”

Eru made the decision like he thought he was going to be cut. The biggest feature of the Kasasagi, the Ether Ring Generator, is a very special device. Because it is made by the body, it is in the state that it moves by force only by output, and both the principle and structure are understood only by Ernesti. It would be a difficult thing for even the most dedicated master to grasp.

Furthermore, Ikaruga’s chassis had been pushed to the extreme to achieve overwhelming combat capabilities, and there is no room left to accommodate this many features. If he wanted all the features of both, he would need a completely new chassis. Despite his understanding, the boss couldn’t suppress a sigh.

“After all, I brought Ikaruga with me. This guy is the face of the Order. This is one thing the the Kasasagi can’t afford to do.”

“It’s only until I get back to Fremevira. When I get back I can think more calmly…”

“All right. Then I’ve decided!”

There, Addy interrupted him. She pointed to the parts of Ikaruga with a smirk and turned to Eru.

“If you won’t use it, Eru, then I can use the Ikaruga!”

“Addy?”

Eru was taken aback by the unexpected suggestion.

“Remember, Eru… We used Ikaruga and Sylphiette’s parts to make the Kasasagi, but there’s still a whole heart left. Right?”

“Yes, that’s right. It would have been impossible for us to prepare a structure for another machine with the materials we had on hand.”

To make the Kasasagi, he used the safe parts. Still, the lower half of the body had to given up on. As a result, the heart of Sylphiette remained in the village.

“That’s why I’m going to use Sylphie’s heart to move Ikaruga. What do you think?”

When the boss heard Addy’s suggestion, he stroked his chin in thought, but eventually his brows furrowed.

“The furnace on the Sylphiette was a popular model, wasn’t it? That’s a little harsh. Without the Emperor’s heart, we won’t be able to support Ikaruga’s ridiculous power consumption.”

“Oh, I see… I thought it was a good idea.”

Addy let her fingers wander around in frustration. The boss calculated something for a while after that, but eventually nodded with a snort.

“But it’s not impossible. It’s just a matter of figuring it out. You can’t just blow through things like a kid using it. It’s going to be limited in many ways.”

“Well, then, I can do it.”

“I see. It’s no use keeping him asleep like this. Then, I’d like to ask Addy to take care of Ikaruga from here.”

Eru nods. Addy jumped at him with a small leap.

“I’ll take care of it. I’ll keep Ikaruga firmly in hand until I give it back to Eru! Yes, yes, that’s what wives do, too.”

“Well, I… Yes, erm, yes. I’ll ask you to take care of Ikaruga.”

The boss secretly poked Dietrich beside him as he watched Addy swoon and peck his cheek from afar.

“I’m not sure what happened to you. What the hell is wrong with you? Ah… wife or whatever, the hell is wrong with you?”

“Ernesti is so far away that he may have finally gone into a strange place.”

“It’s too late… I’m sorry.”

They both shrugged their shoulders. Addy hugged Eru to her heart’s content.

___________

The wind blew through the upper deck of Izumo. In a place where few people visited, Zachariah, could be found. He looked about and made sure no one was around, then took a tube from his pocket. He twisted the stopper open and waited for a moment before a small insect crawled out from inside. It was a beetle, clicking and snapping its jaws.

When he clicked his tongue in his characteristic tone, the insect stopped meekly at the end of the tube. He clucked his tongue again as he quickly strapped a sentence to its body. The bug spread its wings and soared into the sky with a vague, iridescent phosphorescent glow.

“I beg you. The people of the West are out of my control. I need the help of the Little King…”

The little insect quickly disappeared into the sky, and it became difficult to find. He put the tube back in his pocket and turned around. He stopped moving with a jolt when he noticed a figure there.

“I see. So this is what you guys call a means of communication.”

It is Ernesti. Zachariah closed his mouth once and slowly reopened it.

“…… Were you watching? But you didn’t stop it, did you?”

“Yes. I agreed that you would be a liaison. It’s only natural to keep in touch. If there is anything else you would like to know, just let me know. I will guide you as best I can.”

Leaving a soft smile behind, Eru walked back. Seeing him go, Zachariah wiped away the sweat he hadn’t known was there but a moment ago.

The only thing that matters is the fact that you can’t get rid of it. What is this order? The people of the west, all of them, what are they thinking…?

He will be troubled by problems that he can’t solve for sure.

Thus, the fate of the giants and the goblin clan began to be entangled in the fate of the Silver and Phoenix Knights as they did as they pleased. Unbeknownst to the parties involved, the situation was becoming more and more confusing.