Chapter 158

Rumble…..

The heavy sound of tracks echoes through the desolate battlefield.

Vibrations traveling through the earth announced the approach of the enemy, but no one reacts.

“Crap…!”

“How…?”

Sighs escaping from various sections of the third defensive line.

Fear stirs within the hearts of the people, and a heavy atmosphere spreads like an epidemic across the battlefield.

Meanwhile, an anomaly occurs on the flank of the defense line.

A special detachment of the Invaders, hidden by optical camouflage, enters the battlefield.

[Confirmed, deployment of forces.]

Living up to the name ‘mother ship,’ bots and armored units flood out of the open Arsenal.

The Invader Legion advances, their crimson sensors glowing, following the offensive route carved out by the Megabase.

A hammer of steel rapidly approaches the third defense line.

In sync with this, the battleships positioned around the Megabase increase their speed, and large armored vehicles akin to super-heavy tanks move to the front.

In this moment of life and death,

Anxiety-laden voices escape from the Command Bridge of the Iason as this situation is observed.

“That attack… and still intact?!?”

“Wha- that thing’s unreal.”

Edward’s wide eyes and Jenny, who blinks repeatedly, unable to believe the sight before her.

Others, too, though silent, clearly show their panic on their faces, confirmed by Sita as she lightly bites her lip.

‘Impossible defense combined with an enemy special detachment…’

After some quick deliberation, Sita turns her head toward Edu.

“Edu, it’s time to retreat and wait for the next opportunity…”

But Sita’s mouth, which began to suggest a retreat, naturally halts.

“…Sis?”

Edu, who sports a faint smile.

In the instant that expression is met, anxiety that had been slowly rising within Sita melts away like snow.

“Sita, did you call?”

“…No. Do you… have a plan, by any chance?”

“Of course, everything’s going according to plan.”

A short answer.

Still, upon hearing that reply, all signs of anxiety quickly vanish from the faces of everyone on the Command Bridge.

“Edu, really? Everything’s going according to plan?”

“Yeah, it seems like everyone’s mistaken, but the reason we were throwing nukes and dragon’s breath at that thing wasn’t to destroy the Megabase with them.”

A soft explanation.

But because of the content, everyone’s eyes widen upon hearing Edu’s words.

“Then why such actions…?”

“I had to take out its field barrier first to land a proper blow, which is why. Look closely; there’s no barrier around it anymore, right?”

“Hmm, now that you mention it…”

The greatest obstacle to the Megabase offensive: the field barrier.

This barrier technology aimed for and achieved its peak and ultimate form, having excellent defense with the ability to carefully adjust the output area and strength of the barrier, resulting in superior fuel efficiency as a deceptive protective shield.

By equipping multiple field barriers on the Megabase and switching them around as one reaches its limit, this was the primary tactic.

However, all of the Megabase’s field barriers ceased operation due to overheating from nuclear attacks, dragon bombardments, and even debris from the orbital station.

“Now you understand? It’s not fine, it’s like a knight with its armor stripped.”

Edu snapping her fingers.

A round face adorned with a self-assured smile.

This was an action brimming with the confidence of victory.

“…Edu, is it really possible?”

“Of course, trust me.”

Edu nodded and looked forward.

[Edu, are you listening?]

A mature-looking woman with a fiery red mane and sharp fangs appears on the Command Bridge’s screen, exuding an untamed vibe.

“I’m listening, Freya.”

[Everything’s going according to Edu’s plan, so from now on, advance all forces to draw the enemy’s attention.]

“Yes, please take care of it.”

[It’s the start now. Both of you, be careful.]

[Yeah, don’t get hurt, alright?]

The screen shows the principal and Simonia.

These two are the reserve forces prepared for unforeseen variables.

In this situation, they need to handle the enemy’s special detachments.

“You two be careful as well.”

[Don’t worry about us. Aren’t we merely facing foot soldiers at most?]

[Yeah, the dangerous part is on your side.]

“…”

Even though the enemy has a considerable fleet with capital ships, thinking of the two of them as mere foot soldiers seems like an exaggeration, but recalling their skills quells such thoughts.

[Then, see you later.]

[Alright, see you.]

[Sure.]

“Yep, see you later.”

In the flagship, the Crimson Lion.

After finishing the conversation with Edu, Freya clears her throat and extends her hand toward the front.

“Charge, the entire fleet!”

“Charge! Attack!”

Woo-waaah…

The attack signal echoes across the battlefield.

Flames spew simultaneously from the engines of the spaceships that had been stopped on the defense line, and the fleet advances.

[Rush! Increase speed!!]

[Advance, advance!!]

The powerful strides of the Walker army.

Tanks zip past their side, and armored suit teams leap from the inner defenses and tail the armored forces.

[Alert, enemy forces approaching.]

The report from the battleship as it identifies the approaching fleet and armored groups heading toward them.

[???]

The Megabase’s thought process momentarily halts.

– Unthinkable.

A cold conclusion drawn about the enemies who’ve suddenly charged at them, abandoning the defense line despite having succumbed to their own strategic weapons attacks, though still having superior power.

Could they be giving up because their flanks are exposed?

Various assumptions float through the Megabase’s thought process, but regardless, the Megabase doesn’t forget to issue orders.

[Order, commence firing.]

[Understood.]

The battleships and super-heavy tanks simultaneously begin firing.

In sync with the flames erupting from the front ranks, Freya raises her voice.

“Fire! Attack!”

“Fire!!”

The simultaneous eruption of flames from spaceships and armored units.

Rains of destruction fall toward the leading edges of both sides.

Explosions erupt, scattering soil and debris everywhere.

[Charge.]

At the Megabase’s command, medium tanks surpass the super-heavy tanks, and medium tanks follow behind, continuing their advance.

A tide of steel.

[Lads, they’re coming! Stay low and keep firing!]

[Yes, Commander!]

Following the commander’s orders, the tanks begin firing, and Invader tanks respond with their own barrages.

Artillery shells fly toward each other.

Struck tanks tumble across the ground, and flames and dark smoke rise from various spots.

[What a mess!]

[Idiot! Don’t go ahead too much!]

Thus shouting, the Walker commander.

Replenished missile pods simultaneously burst into flames, engulfing the Invader ranks in fire.

The scorched earth.

In the center of the flames, dark shadows move, stepping over destroyed vehicles as the Invaders advance.

[Damn it! Instead of hitting on women, wouldn’t you rather be popular with them?]

[Forget the nonsense and keep shooting!]

[Already doing it!]

Tanks quickly strike the exposed enemy front lines.

An approaching enemy medium tank is pierced by artillery fire, seemingly engulfed in flames before exploding.

The next medium tank reveals itself beyond the explosion.

The tank’s dark gun barrel moves toward the tank commander.

“Shit, they’ve locked onto us! Ammo ready?”

“Not yet!”

“Damn, turn the tank body! We’ll deflect it at a ‘tea time’ angle!!”

“Got it!”

The infinite tracks move in separate directions.

At the same moment the angle aligns toward the enemy tank, flames erupt from the gun barrel.

Creeeeak!!

“Urrrgghh!”

“Ah?!”

With a great sound, the projectile ricocheting off the side of the tank flies far away, but the shock rattles through the vehicle, making the tank’s commander mentally disoriented.

Meanwhile, another vehicle emerges beside the tank that just fired.

The tank commander regains clarity instantly upon seeing it.

“Sweet candies, is our ammo ready!?”

“All set!”

“Good, fire!!”

Bang!!

Flames burst from the tank cannon.

A hole appears in the tank targeting us, and flames erupt from the engine section.

“Yeah! Who’s next? Bring it on!!”

The tank commander’s confident shout.

Then, the shattered remnants of the tank are roughly shoved aside as the Invader super-heavy tank steps forward.

“What the-!!”

“What’s this ‘change’ nonsense!”

“Hey you bastards, how about we fight fair!?”

[You and your mouth!]

The Walker commander raises his voice, slightly adjusts the angle of the missile pods, then fires.

A missile curves in its trajectory and strikes down on the rear portion of the super-heavy tank.

An explosion erupts, and flames spike from the engine section, but the super-heavy tank continues its advance as if nothing happened.

The gun barrels aim toward the two.

“Damn it! I haven’t even finished my last words yet!”

[Use that time to dodge!]

“Right! Move, dammit!”

“Already moving!”

The vehicle moves following the acceleration of the tank commander’s vehicle.

“Shit! We’re done for! I don’t want to die cooped up in this tin can with some guy!”

“Neither do I!”

A cry that is more than just a cry.

[Firing commenced.]

As flames were about to burst from the gun barrel of the super-heavy tank, a missile from above strikes it.

[!?]

The super-heavy tank caught in flames comes to a sudden stop.

“Ah? We’re alive!”

As the tank commander exclaims with relief, a familiar voice echoes within the tank.

[You seem to still be alive, comrade. I’ve returned.]

“Bloody hell!! I love you, Air Force bastards!!”

[Acknowledged, but let me decline the confession. I’m fond of women, you see.]

The pilot jokes as he salutes the ground with one hand while flying towards the battlefield.

Soon, several hundred fighters burst swiftly through the gaps between the ships, and the squadron commander swiftly returns to position.

Alright, we’re supporting the ground forces! Engage!!

[Received!]

Explosions occur everywhere.

Knights of the skies traverse the battlefield, attacking the Invader armored forces.

Anti-aircraft vehicles relentlessly fire towards them.

However, the seasoned fighter pilots, trained with experience and live combat, evade the attacks with spectacular maneuvers.

[Advance.]

As the sight of friendly forces retreating unfolds, the battleship comes forward.

“We’re moving too! Charge!”

In response to this movement, a cruiser comes forward, begins firing at the projecting battleship.

Artillery fire exchanged indiscriminately.

“Keep pushing! Ahead!”

Freya’s command as the fleet continues to advance.

At that moment, thunder echoes across the battlefield.

A linear plasma artillery attack.

A spear of destruction fired from Megabase rips through the battleship’s barrier and pierces its hull.

Boom, Kabang!

An explosion occurring inside the battleship.

“Ugh… quick situation assessment, slow retreat!”

The captain wipes blood flowing from his forehead and issues an order.

Meanwhile, another barrage.

This time, the hull of the cruiser is pierced, leading to a large explosion causing the ship to lose thrust and plummet to the ground.

The final attack targeting two destroyers simultaneously.

The Megabase, erasing the fleet in one swift motion.

“What firepower is this…!”

Captain Freya grimaces in astonishment at that moment when the face awaiting her appears on the Command Bridge’s screen.

A small and round appearance resembling a doll, a young girl.

“Thank you for your hard work, I’m coming now!”

“Edu!”

The Iason slicing across the sky.

[???]

Megabase expresses surprise upon recognizing the white ship once again advancing towards it.

– Unthinkable.

The situation where this white ship lacks firepower to pose a threat has already been proven.

Yet, it was suspicious that the ship continued to charge despite this knowledge, but it was judged that this small vessel wouldn’t affect the battle situation.

[Order, intercept the enemy force first.]

[Confirmed.]

Ignoring the white ship was the decision Megabase made.

However, that was precisely Edu’s tactic.

“Collection release!!!”

With Edu’s cry, light begins to condense above the white ship.

The light quickly takes form and gradually solidifies.

[…?!!]

In the moment Megabase hesitates at the sight of this unprecedented phenomenon, the light forms a complete shape.

It’s a giant.

A white giant bearing clear traces of bullet marks and scorches appears on the ship.

The Zero Titan, Zeus.

A weapon created to overthrow despair but humbly accepted its end for the hope of humanity’s future.

The forgotten giant now confronts its old nemesis once again.

[Order, intercept all units-]

At last, Megabase realizes something is wrong.

But, what seemed like a rational judgment momentarily leads to irreparable consequences.

“Hmm.”

Closing my eyes.

Channeling all my mana to infuse the titan atop the Iason, focusing my mind.

A peculiar sensation of levitation ensues, and soon my vision merges with the Titan.

The rapidly approaching Megabase.

Despite sensing the crisis, its attempt to charge energy into the plasma cannon was too late.

Raising both arms behind my back, I call out the names of weapons that have never been used.

“Armament activation, Astrapae, Keraunos.”

[Please input the identification code.]

Zeus’ notification echoes in my mind.

“Aine Wendel, Nam Hyun-woo, Ring Ring, we all hereby swear that we will fight till the end for humanity’s future.”

I quietly affirm the forgotten vow shared only among the heroes.

[Identity confirmed. Initiating Astrapae, Keraunos. Truly, welcome back.]

The welcome for heroes who cannot return.

The dead do not return.

But, as a substitute, their unfulfilled aspirations can surely be fulfilled by someone else.

I inhale, then slowly exhale.

Gigantic weapons akin to spears are firmly secured in the hands of Zeus.

But this is no ordinary weapon.

It’s the embodiment of the hopes of the many and the aspirations of those who fell in times past, left unachieved by those heroes.

At that moment, a flash of light shoots out from Megabase.

The thunderous sound that strikes the ears and the impact upon the Titan.

Due to the mana infusion for control, part of the impact is transmitted, causing a throbbing pain in my head.

“Ugh!?”

“Edu!?”

“Sis!!”

Nishia and Sita approach me.

“Both of you, thank you. I think I can handle this alone.”

While standing up on my own, I swipe my nose.

Due to over-exertion on various fronts, blood flows from my nose again, and a headache lingers, but mentally I feel calm and my mind remains crystal clear.

“Ah… Edu? You-”

Nishia’s voice calling Edu.

Her eyes meet Edu’s, and in Nishia’s reflection, she sees Edu’s eyes glowing with a rainbow-like light.

Meanwhile, Megabase has drawn near.

Edu glares at the Megabase and softly utters.

“You know what? You tin can.”

Pulling my arms back.

The white giant mimicking my movements.

“Titans… were originally created to take you down!!!”

I thrust both arms forward.

The iridescent light flowing through my eyes reacts to my emotions, becoming clearer, and the white giant’s arms reach out to touch the old nemesis through the eons.

Kabooom!!

The dull sound reverberates across the battlefield.

Two massive spears pierce through Megabase’s plasma cannons and delve into its insides.

And Zeus’ notification resonates in my head.

[Target contact confirmed, activating Astrapae, Keraunos.]

A somewhat measured tone.

[Congratulations on mission completion to all of you.]

With these words, the energy contained within the white giant flows into Megabase.

An extremely high-output current, worthy of the name ‘lightning,’ surging in.

[!!?]

Even the insulation designed with such precautions is easily bypassed as the current ferociously ravages through Megabase’s interiors, advancing deeper.

[Error, impossible, error problem-]

Desperately resisting, Megabase tries to escape the all-enveloping current by slipping into the backup circuits, but it’s merely buying time.

The current, destroying all it encounters.

The wave of destruction reaches the spot where Megabase had hidden.

[Error, error! Error!! This cannot be!!! Bug-]

The control circuit burns out instantly.

With a “Bang!” sound, the collapse begins.

The collapsing orbit.

As the balance is lost, the outer armor panel unable to bear the tipping weight collapses, the internal systems shattering and twisting.

Kabooom, Kabooom!

Explosions erupting everywhere.

In this situation, the excessively sturdy outer armor traps the explosive shockwaves within, accelerating the collapse.

Kaboom!!, Perroooong!! Kabooang!!

It’s the natural result.

Having lost the key apparatus required to move its massive body, the Megabase is now nothing but an unbalanced block of steel.

I retract Zeus’ arms.

“Iason! Let’s withdraw!”

[Withdrawing.]

Iason swiftly turns its bow.

Even as we move, explosions continue, and the chain reaction starting from the bottom finally reaches the top where the plasma cannons were.

Peerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrroooomgh!!!

An explosion that shakes the ground.

Black smoke and debris scatter in all directions, and the fortress of despair, enveloped in flames.

At the same time, all Invader forces commanded by the Megabase cease operation.

Guns pointing at the ground, the terrifyingly glowing sensor lights on all units go dark.

Only then do the people, who had been fighting relentlessly, notice the change in the battlefield and gaze at the Megabase.

“Oh, ohhh…!”

“Could it be…!”

Smiles bloom on people’s faces.

Toward them approaches the white spaceship, and atop it stands a white giant proudly raising both arms high.

The meaning of this gesture is singular.

Victory.

“Wowwwwwwwwwwww!!!”

Without any prompting, people cheer.

Voices rise in unison, their faces brimming with true hope.

The supposedly invincible fortress that boasted of invincibility against humanity.

The symbol of despair ends here.

I draw Zeus’ arms back.

“Iason! Let’s withdraw!”

[Withdrawing.]

Iason swiftly turns its bow.

As we move, explosions continue, and the chain reaction starting from the bottom finally reaches the top where the plasma cannons were.

Peerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrroooomgh!!!

An explosion that shakes the ground.

Black smoke and debris scatter in all directions, and the fortress of despair, engulfed in flames.

At the same time, all Invader forces commanded by the Megabase cease operation.

Guns pointing at the ground, the terrifyingly glowing sensor lights on all units go dark.

Only then do the people, who had been fighting relentlessly, notice the change in the battlefield and gaze at the Megabase.

“Oh, ohhh…!”

“Could it be…!”

Smiles bloom on people’s faces.

Toward them approaches the white spaceship, and atop it stands a white giant proudly raising both arms high.

The meaning of this gesture is singular.

Victory.

“Wowwwwwwwwwwww!!!”

Without any prompting, people cheer.

Voices rise in unison, their faces brimming with true hope.

The supposedly invincible fortress that boasted of invincibility against humanity.

The symbol of despair ends here.