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Gilbert had no hesitation in introducing himself as a veteran of Tactical Combat. After being discharged, the only thing he could do with his broken body was play virtual reality games, so he invested all his time, aside from eating and sleeping, into Tactical Combat.

Achieving 100% completion wasn’t something that could be done with mere effort—it required obsessive persistence and determination. The fact that this achievement led him to this world gave him a somewhat hollow feeling, but it wasn’t entirely bad.

Playing Tactical Combat almost felt like living a second life, and meeting the actual living, breathing characters was both incredibly interesting and enjoyable.

As such, it was no exaggeration to say Gilbert had seen all the settings in Tactical Combat. While human memory has its limits, he at least knew the major events and key settings by heart.

However, he had no idea that Fressia was the princess of the ancient Eldorado Empire. Information about her could only be obtained by clearing sub-scenarios, and even then, it was limited to the fact that she was an ultra-artificial spirit created by the Eldorado Empire, which had mastered advanced magic engineering.

The reason for her creation was to activate the Colossus, Tactical Combat’s official Tier-0 Colossal Mech. Ordinary artificial spirits couldn’t handle the burden of piloting such a mech.

With a desired outcome and a clear reason, it was up to the magic engineers to make it happen. After countless trials, Fressia was born and became the dedicated artificial spirit for the Colossus. That was all Gilbert knew.

But Fressia was the princess of that ancient Eldorado civilization? The story was moving way too fast.

“I don’t get it. So, you were originally human?”

“Quick on the uptake, as expected. I was hoping to see a more disbelieving reaction.”

Seeing Fressia’s sly smile, Gilbert felt a bit amused. It seemed she sensed that he fully believed her.

“I just didn’t think you’d spout nonsense. You’re the rational type.”

“Compliments won’t get you gifts.”

Her slightly flushed cheeks suggested she was embarrassed by Gilbert’s praise.

This kind of thing often happened when he played Tactical Combat. They’d bicker like old friends, but when he complimented her, she’d get flustered and shy.

Even though it was just in-game, considering this world was based on that game, Fressia’s reaction made sense.

“Anyway, as I said, I was originally human.”

“*Was* human.”

“As you know, I’m an artificial spirit now.”

Was it mockery? Or self-deprecation? Gilbert couldn’t shake the thought that Fressia’s smile seemed self-destructive.

“I was both a princess and a magic engineer. The best in the empire, in fact.”

“Quite the fitting profession.”

“I told you, compliments won’t get you gifts.”

This time, she didn’t blush but glared at Gilbert as if telling him not to interrupt.

Gilbert shrugged, signaling her to continue.

“Back then, Eldorado was a superpower that dominated the continent. We waged wars of conquest against all nations and won, thanks to the Colossal Mechs.”

Gilbert recalled the settings of Tactical Combat. Politicians and magic engineers, who loved taking credit, exaggerated their achievements by claiming they had invented the Colossal Mech technology, even though they had merely rediscovered it from ancient ruins.

Restoring lost technology from a fallen civilization was already a great feat, but humans always get excited over being the “first” or “original.”

Combined with political reasons and a thirst for honor, they announced that they had invented the Colossal Mech in the modern era, but that wasn’t the truth.

The Colossal Mech was first invented during Fressia’s time as princess—the now-fallen Eldorado era. The Tier-0 Colossus of Tactical Combat was also created during that time.

“And I was the one in charge of the basic design of that Colossal Mech.”

“So, you’re saying you were the developer of the Colossal Mech?”

“Exactly. I gathered the best magic engineers of the continent at the time and created the first Colossal Mech.”

This was astonishing.

Technological progress usually builds on knowledge accumulated over generations, but it’s always a singular genius who pushes it forward.

Every era has its prodigy, and Fressia was that genius during the Eldorado era.

Having experienced her in both Tactical Combat and this world, Gilbert easily accepted this fact.

“You might not understand, but after the first Colossal Mech was made and mass-produced, I developed a certain ambition. It’s the kind of ambition every magic engineer would have.”

Fressia’s ambition was lofty but valuable.

As a magic engineer, she aimed to create the greatest Colossal Mech of all time.

With this simple yet profound goal, she began her development. As a result, the performance of the Colossal Mechs improved dramatically over time.

Magic engineers praised Fressia, but she herself wasn’t satisfied.

“Is this the best? No way.”

Like an obsession, she repeated these words and immersed herself in research and development.

Ten years after the first Colossal Mech was developed, she created the ultimate Colossal Mech: the Colossus.

“I can confidently say the Colossus is the best. No existing artificial spirit could bring out 100% of its performance.”

“Then the next step would be developing an artificial spirit, right?”

“Exactly. But that’s as far as I got. My time was limited.”

Fressia twisted the ends of her hair with a bitter expression. Gilbert realized what she meant by “limited time.”

“Were you sick?”

“Sharp as ever. I didn’t want to say it outright, but yes.”

Gilbert didn’t respond. It was as if Fressia, proving the saying that geniuses die young, had completed the Colossus and then fallen ill.

Her obsessive dedication to research might have contributed to her death.

Suddenly, Gilbert looked at Fressia. If she had died, what did it mean that she was now an artificial spirit?

A chill ran down his spine. A thought crossed his mind.

“You figured it out, didn’t you?”

Fressia’s eyes curved into crescents, as if confirming his thoughts.

“Was it your will?”

“Yes. Creating the greatest Colossal Mech means being able to fully replicate its performance. If I just made it but couldn’t use it properly, could I really call it complete? So, I did it. I used my own soul as material to create an artificial spirit.”

Her sly smile sent shivers down Gilbert’s spine.

Fressia, the ultra-artificial spirit of Tactical Combat, had used her own soul to create an artificial spirit.

The only accurate way to describe this was “a mad magic engineer.”

***

Fressia felt an indescribable emotion as she watched Gilbert quietly observing her.

It was hard to put into words, but if she had to define it, it was a feeling of joy or amusement.

When she first saw Gilbert, she had felt nothing but displeasure. How had things come to this?

There were many reasons.

His unwavering conviction was dazzling, and his resolute determination without any backtracking was quite appealing.

People with such traits usually blended well with groups and became focal points in times of crisis. Any lord would find it attractive to have someone who could unite soldiers in dire moments.

But the decisive reason Fressia took a liking to Gilbert wasn’t his conviction or determination.

She was a princess, but also a magic engineer—a person so obsessed with magic engineering that she even sacrificed her soul to create the perfect Colossal Mech on the brink of death.

While she could feel the same emotions as others, they were low on her priority list. Even after becoming an artificial spirit for an immeasurable amount of time, her sole purpose was to create the greatest Colossal Mech.

The reason Fressia, with her unconventional goal, felt joy or amusement toward Gilbert was simple.

It was his talent for piloting Colossal Mechs.

The reason she immediately formed a contract with Ian, who had awakened her, was also due to his piloting talent. After sensing his unique skill, Synchronization, through their contact, she didn’t hesitate to form a contract with him.

The reason Fressia had endured for so long was the same as why she became an artificial spirit.

Her insane obsession with creating the greatest Colossal Mech.

She had succeeded in creating the greatest Colossal Mech and the greatest artificial spirit, but there was no Colossal Mech Knight who could perfectly handle it.

Even the renowned Lion King, Terodamas, couldn’t fully utilize the Colossus. While he was undoubtedly talented, that alone wasn’t enough to control the Colossus.

That’s why Fressia chose to sleep, only to be awakened by Ian after a long time. Ian’s talent hadn’t fully blossomed yet, but she saw enough potential.

With her support, he could grow to a level where he could fully utilize the Colossus.

The foundation for the greatest Colossal Mech she had longed for had finally been laid.

However, Fressia’s expectations were completely overturned after meeting Gilbert. His skills seemed superior to Ian’s, and she sensed he had already reached a certain level.

Still, she believed that with her support, Ian could eventually surpass Gilbert.

When she told Ian this, it wasn’t just to encourage him. Ian’s unique skill, Synchronization, was incredibly special and rare—perhaps one-of-a-kind.

She firmly believed that time would solve everything, but that belief shattered the moment she started working with Gilbert.

The uniqueness of Synchronization? The belief that time would solve everything?

It all became meaningless.

Gilbert was already a genius on the verge of perfection, possessing a unique skill even she couldn’t fully comprehend.

The battles they fought together were etched deep in her mind and heart, refusing to fade.

Recently, she had been told she seemed distracted around Ian, and it was all because of this.

Especially after this war, these thoughts became even more pronounced.

How could he use her, who had formed a formal contract, so casually? His piloting skills, which had reached a pinnacle, were also incredibly fascinating. Even their bickering conversations piqued her interest.

Was that why?

Lately, she had started comparing Ian, who often disappointed her, to Gilbert.

She shook her head to dismiss the thought, but it came so naturally.

Fressia twisted the ends of her hair and stared intently at Gilbert, lost in thought.

His absorbed expression amused her.

As she watched him, she felt that a decisive moment would come soon.

Though the direction would be determined not by her, but by Ian.

 

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