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The faint light of dawn settled over Banneret. It seemed as if a gloomy aura lingered, as if aware of the tragedy about to unfold.

Bandike, ready to sacrifice himself for freedom or for the citizens, looked at his revolutionary comrades with resolute eyes. They were already prepared for death.

What kind of heart led them to join the Resistance? What kind of heart brought them here? Even though he was in the same position, he couldn’t easily guess. He knew well that everyone had their own circumstances.

“Comrades of the revolution.”

Perhaps because it was morning, Bandike’s voice, heavy with emotion, echoed across the open ground. But the Resistance members gathered there knew that the weight in their leader’s voice wasn’t just because of the morning.

They knew their future was being blocked, their dreams thwarted. That’s why his voice choked with emotion.

“The scoundrels who don’t understand our noble cause have come outside Banneret. They’ve brought Colossal Mechs to trample our purity. They are the Empire’s brutal blades, obstacles blocking our revolution. How can we not lament this?”

The members’ throats tightened at their leader’s heartfelt words. Their cause was noble. They couldn’t stand by and watch commoners oppressed by nobles, so they banded together to form the Resistance. Inspired by the Republic of Respublika, which had achieved revolution and established a republic, they too dreamed.

A paradise where commoners weren’t oppressed. For that alone, they rose as warriors of the revolution.

“We’ve staked our lives. Even if we become fireflies on a summer night, flickering out, if we can achieve this great cause, I can go with a smile.”

Tears welled in Bandike’s eyes. The Resistance members listening to his final speech also had reddened eyes.

*Ah, how sad this is.*

*Ah, how heartbreaking this is.*

“Comrades. Even if our cause is defeated today, the flames of revolution we’ve ignited must not be extinguished. Comrades, survive. If even one of us survives, carry on this cause. Pass on our will, our mission to create a better world, to future generations and beyond.”

*Comrades. Comrades.*

“In our next life, let us meet in a better world.”

The members chanted, and Bandike concluded his speech. With determined expressions, they boarded their Colossal Mechs and raised the protective barrier around Banneret.

In the distance, the Empire’s punitive force appeared.

The final struggle was about to begin.

***

As dawn broke, the punitive force members boarded their supplied Colossal Mechs. Gilbert, too, boarded the mech provided to the Imperial Knights and equipped the pre-prepared CT-777.

[Colossal Mech synchronization in progress.]

[Synchronization complete. Formal contract confirmed with Knight Gilbert Lion Heart.]

[Confirmation complete. Colossal Mech is operational, Knight.]

Though it didn’t feel as seamless as when his characteristic skill “Your Mech is Awesome” activated, the formal contract was distinctly different from a temporary one. The previously clunky mech operation improved noticeably.

He particularly liked the high-level self-awareness of CT-777, which was far superior to generic artificial spirits.

[I will brief you on the mission. First, suppress the Resistance. Second, capture the Resistance leader alive.]

“It won’t be easy.”

[There is no combat record for the Knight, so success probability cannot be calculated. Once sufficient combat data is accumulated, I will calculate it.]

“Then, I’ll leave it to you.”

After finishing his conversation with CT, Gilbert waited for the deployment signal. Soon, Seraphina’s flagship took the lead.

[Colossal Mech operators, clear the path. Wishing you all good fortune.]

The deployment order came through the punitive force’s shared magic communication channel. Gilbert gripped the controls and closely followed Seraphina. Around her, the 3rd Knight Brigade’s Colossal Mechs formed a protective escort.

As Gilbert reached the center of Banneret, the concealment magic dissipated. The morning sunlight illuminated the Colossal Mechs.

[Multiple Colossal Mechs ahead. Grade 4 and above.]

This was where a high-level artificial spirit excelled. It briefed the pilot on the situation without needing explicit commands, cutting the mental load by more than half.

Gilbert clashed with the first Resistance Colossal Mech. The mana core spun rapidly, supplying mana to CT-777, which used it to analyze the battlefield and relay information to Gilbert.

[Fire Spear deployment detected in the rear. Move right at high speed!]

As CT-777 shouted, Gilbert activated the left mana booster, dodging three Fire Spears. Even for his Colossal Mech, taking a direct hit from a Grade 4 or above Fire Spear was risky. His preference for lightweight mechs meant even one hit would significantly deplete his mana barrier.

When the three Fire Spears missed, surrounding Resistance mechs charged with iron swords.

Four in sight ahead.

Before CT-777 could warn him, Gilbert deflected the first sword with his shoulder armor and thrust his mana-infused sword roughly.

*Clang!*

Though the sword bounced off the mana barrier, the sheer force of the iron sword’s thrust still delivered a shock. The charging mech was sent flying.

Without a moment to spare, Gilbert deflected the second and third strikes simultaneously, then twisted to evade the fourth. As the enemy mech passed by, he unleashed a multi-shot fireball into its side.

*Boom boom boom!*

Even though multi-shot fireballs were slower and used for suppression, at close range, they packed enough punch. The attack shredded more than half of the Resistance mech’s mana barrier, forcing it to retreat with high-speed maneuvering.

Gilbert wanted to pursue but held back. Doing so would draw concentrated fire.

The mech whose sword had been deflected charged again, attacking from both left and right. Dodging backward would leave him vulnerable to the mech he’d just driven off.

There was only one way.

Gilbert’s eyes flashed as he pulled the controls. The Colossal Mech shot forward with a burst of mana boosters.

He slipped through the gap between the crossing swords, the heavy iron blades grazing his mech’s head.

“What kind of monster is this?!”

This was the shared thought of the Resistance members facing Gilbert. Despite piloting the same mechs, keeping up with him felt impossible. Even firing their mana guns, they only managed to deflect or dodge his attacks. Enchanted spells yielded the same results.

*Boom!*

One comrade’s cockpit was torn apart as his mana barrier failed. The sight of the surging golden mana was terrifying.

“Die, you bastard!”

Screaming to overcome the fear of death, one member charged. Others followed, but the result was the same. Swords slashed, enchanted spells severed limbs.

The screaming member pulled the controls, but his legless mech flailed on the ground. The last thing he saw was a massive sword piercing his cockpit.

*Thud!*

After taking down the first five mechs, Gilbert surveyed the battlefield. Allied mechs had taken some damage, but thanks to the Royal Knights Brigade, there were no casualties yet.

[Knight. A Colossal Mech presumed to be the Resistance leader’s flagship is located 700 meters ahead.]

“Pursue.”

[Confirmed.]

The mana boosters roared as Gilbert shot forward. His mission was to capture the Resistance leader alive.

His sudden appearance startled the Resistance members guarding their leader. They tried to block him, but his golden sword cut them down like straw.

No one here could stop Gilbert, who fought like a battlefield avatar. With CT-777 analyzing his combat style and briefing him on unexpected attacks, he was unstoppable.

But there were too many enemy mechs.

[Gilbert, I’ll clear your path!]

Professor Briana’s communication came through as her Winter Sword—Ice Spike shattered two mechs blocking him. Its precision surpassed what Gilbert had used in previous assessments.

[Priest! Go now!]

Seraphina’s voice urged him as she swung her mana-infused sword, cutting down the remaining mechs. Gilbert accelerated, the sudden pressure no issue for his robust physique.

He maintained the acceleration, sword pointed at the ground, until his mech reached maximum speed. The Resistance leader’s mech was right in front of him.

*Winter Sword—Blizzard Slash.*

He slashed diagonally, passing the mech. A cold wind swept through as if the air itself had been cut.

*Crash!*

The heavy sound of the leader’s mech collapsing echoed as its legs were severed. Gilbert’s mech, glowing red, looked down at the fallen leader’s mech.

 

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