CH 282

Wicked Star Vs the New 4 Heavenly 3

“Shoot me!”

Without questioning Kisei’s words, Schleer activated the anchor on one leg and made a sharp turn, pointing her shoulder-mounted blaster cannon at [Ex-Caliburn]. The IFF system was blaring an alarm as she was pointing her weapon at an ally but she ignored it and pulled the trigger.

An arrow of light traveling at sunlight speed flies out at the same moment the high-pitched gunshot rang out. As it flew toward Kisei, he batted the beam away with his photon saber. The repulsive force of the beam repels each other and a heavy impact runs through the machine. Deviated from its intended target, the high-powered beam headed toward the [Geis Kampfer] which was about to strike the [Ex-Caliburn] from below.

“!?”

Even the clone was surprised by such an unexpected attack. Unable to even take an evasive maneuver, the beam hit the [Kampfer] directly at its waist. The [Geist] series may boast its power and speed but its armor is not particularly different from those of other high-performance strikers. In an instant, the [Kampfer]’s lower body exploded into pieces.

A half-destroyed drum-shaped part rolled out from the upper of the [Kampfer] which slammed into the reinforced concrete road below. It was the phase-transition turbine……a striker’s main power source. Naturally, with such an important part destroyed, the [Kampfer] has already been completely incapacitated.

“It’s down! Master, do it!”

“Of course!”

Kisei nodded and started accelerating at full throttle. The troublesome close-combat specialist was already out of commission. Moreover, exploiting the moment when his enemies’ formation collapsed would greatly bring the battle to his advantage.

“[Geist Kampfer] incapacitated. Pilot: Vier’s status unknown. Adjusting battle strategy.”

However, despite having their comrade shot down, the [Geist Jaeger]’s movement remains calm. With cold precision, the muzzles of the organ cannons unleash a devastating barrage toward Kisei.

“What an unlovable bunch!”

Diaroze muttered while clicking her tongue. The clones’ emotions were suppressed so it would be difficult to agitate them.

Even so, Kisei slips through the barrage with small turns. The stray bullets hit the mass driver, causing some dangerous discharge. Diaroze looked down at the rail below with some expectations that it might be enough to render the mass driver unusable but unfortunately, other than some scraped paint, there was no damage.

“No choice but to use that giant blaster cannon to destroy that thing huh……”

Aside from a well-placed concentrated fire, it appears that the giant cannon the [Geist Artillerie] is carrying would be needed to destroy the mass driver. Diaroze’s gaze wandered in search of the [Artillerie], hoping that they could bait an attack from it.

“Master!”

The moment she spotted the [Geist Artillerie], she saw crimson light gathering on the muzzle of its weapon. However, a moment before Diaroze’s voice could reach his ear, Kisei was already yanking back his control stick. After a brief moment, a torrent of super-charged beams passed through the place where the [Ex-Caliburn] was. The scattered particles bubbled the pure white armor of the [Ex-Caliburn] with popping sounds ringing inside the cockpit.

To add insult to injury, the line of fire was just slightly off the mass driver. It appears that their opponent’s aim was extremely calculated. Considering the cold composure of the clone soldiers, baiting an attack from them doesn’t seem to be a viable strategy. Truly some nasty opponents.

“There’s no other way but to take them down one by one huh!”

The moment Kisei shouted while avoiding the barrage from the enemy’s organ cannons. Suddenly, the armored dome began to move with a heavy sound. Dust and dry ice pebbles rain down from above.

“Ugh! No good, the preparation process was already done huh!?”

The reason why the armored dome is opening can only be one. The Empress is now ready to make her escape. Since the Empress’s figure couldn’t be spotted here, it was safe to assume that she will come in through one of the gates to get on the rail. It was the moment when Diaroze’s gaze turned toward a gate.

“……!? Oh no…….”

At the same time Kisei’s voice rang out, a new striker appeared behind [Ex-Caliburn]. The striker was colored black&white with auxiliary arms. It appears like it had been concealing its presence using optical camouflage equipment. The new [Geist] series thrusts at the back of the [Ex-Caliburn].

Kisei managed to move away to avoid a direct hit but he was too late and the silver blade pierced the base of the [Ex-Caliburn]’s right shoulder. The electrical wires inside were severe and hydraulic oil started spewing out like blood from the cracked armor plate.

“They got me one……!”

Kisei immediately kicked the chest of the new [Geist] and took some distance. Without looking back, he fired the anti-ship grenade launcher while performing a somersault. The new [Geist[] couldn’t move due to the impact from the kick and couldn’t avoid the missile. With a direct hit on its abdomen, it suffers the same fate as the [Kampfer] with its upper and lower body torn apart in two different directions.

The damage from its surprise attack would at most the [Ex-Caliburn]’s right arm useless while the new [Geist] was shot down so it’s not a bad result. However, the opening it created can be fatal.

“Kisei! The Empress!”

From the gate, a black-gold Zenith straddling a ride booster dashed out. Schleer tried to tell him but currently, there’s no one that has enough leeway to intercept the Empress from getting to the injection chamber.

Unobstructed, the Empress raced toward the mass driver on her ride booster.

“Kuhahahaha! The victory is mine!”

The Empress’s voice could be heard through the radio. Just like that, the black-gold Zenith was launched by the mass driver and flew away with ferocious force. The acceleration power the mass driver provided was enough for her to break through the atmosphere and no one here would be able to intercept her in time.

“UGGHHHHHH!! That woman, she got away!!”

Diaroze raises her voice in anger while Kisei, Schleer, and Valentina can not even afford to do that as they have their hands full dealing with the clones.

Diaroze was the only one who was hatefully glaring at the back of the Empress as she disappeared into the sky……but, at that moment, a red beam suddenly flew from the surface and accurately hit the Empress’s ride booster.

“UWAHHHH!”

The ride booster immediately explode and the Empress’s pathetic scream could be heard through the comm channel.

“Phew………..the last laugh is mine.”

“……Liren!?”

That’s right, the ace sniper of the old 4 Heavenly, the [Heavenly Eye]…….Liren Slaine.