Chapter 49
[space_man][space_man]In contrast to Revia, who was relieved and stroking her chest in the viewing stands while looking down at the people who were still talking about something after the match, Lise, who had witnessed the Knight King’s skill for the first time, was twitching her cheeks.
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[space_man][space_man]”…Dino-kun, are you seriously planning to win against that?”
[space_man][space_man]”Of course, if there’s a chance to cross blades in an officially recognized setting.”
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[space_man][space_man]She knew that the blue-haired knight was diligently training every day, and his toned, muscular physique was to her liking, but she doubted if he had the ability to fight on par with the inhuman Knight King.
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[space_man][space_man]”Maybe, the only one who could fight him on equal terms would be Lloyd-san?”
[space_man][space_man]”Why are you saying things like Eleia, Revia…?”
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[space_man][space_man]”Well, if it were her, she’d say, ‘My brother is unmatched!’ wouldn’t she?”
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[space_man][space_man]Lise sighed inwardly again at her partner, who frowned for a moment as he looked at his childhood friend mimicking Eleia’s voice.
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[space_man][space_man]’Geez, you’re competitive with her too?’
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[space_man][space_man]His Cervas family was a local noble family that had served the third Knight King, and was a knightly family that stood alongside the Lunavadis family, who were of Rare Human origin and had often produced swordsmanship instructors.
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[space_man][space_man]While Lloyd’s father, a skilled swordsman, had chosen the path of pottery, saying he was “untalented in mastering martial arts,” Dino’s father had a high reputation. He had confronted a large Aberration leading his subordinates before the introduction of giant knights, protecting a border city at the cost of his life as a knight.
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[space_man][space_man]When it came to their sons’ generation, the situation was reversed. Lloyd was considered a more skilled swordsman than his father, while Dino had no remarkable achievements, giving the former the upper hand.
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[space_man][space_man]’Until a little while ago, it was a trivial matter…’
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[space_man][space_man]Now, as they were in a life-or-death relationship piloting the same Clawsolas, she needed to support her partner, who was like a troublesome younger brother.
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[space_man][space_man]”First, we need to successfully subjugate the Glow Beetles as part of familiarizing ourselves with the dedicated Clawsolas.”
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[space_man][space_man]The day before yesterday, a report had been delivered to the royal castle from a merchant convoy that had come to the capital via the Wigress Wetlands. They had reported seeing giant beetles equivalent to a medium-sized Aberration, about 8 meters tall. The deployment of the Clawsolas L-type Modified “Guardia,” which had completed its performance evaluation tests, had already been decided.
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[space_man][space_man]A little while after the two pilots parted ways with Revia and the others and headed to the workshop, which was under expansion construction, to prepare, the modified Clawsolas and Clawsolas Unit 4 left the royal capital Asia together.
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[space_man][space_man]Since this time they were dealing with stray monsters, it wouldn’t be a large-scale battle. Also, since there were no infantry or rear support units accompanying the two Clawsolas, they were able to utilize the Clawsolas’ travel speed and reach the area in question in about an hour.
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[space_man][space_man]After entering the wetlands, Dino’s Clawsolas, equipped with a reactive medium shield on its left arm, took the lead, followed by Unit 4, carrying an iron spear.
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[space_man][space_man]『It seems we’ll be encountering the subjugation target soon… Are you alright?』
[space_man][space_man]『The Clawsolas’ condition is excellent, Dino-san.』
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[space_man][space_man]Rain, who had been a squire until recently, replied nervously, but what the blue-haired knight wanted to know was more about her own condition.
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[space_man][space_man]Since the Knight King had switched Clawsolas, this would be Rain’s first real battle after being chosen as the exclusive pilot of Unit 4. Even someone as careless as Dino must have been concerned.
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[space_man][space_man]『It’s just unorganized monsters we’re dealing with, so let’s not get too worked up.』
[space_man][space_man]『I appreciate your concern, but since I’ve been entrusted with His Majesty’s former Clawsolas…』
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[space_man][space_man]Sensing her partner’s wry smile at her apprehensive tone, Lise, who was in charge of controlling the Guardia’s magic, teased her from the side.
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[space_man][space_man]『If you think about it, that Clawsolas originally belonged to Dino-kun, so you don’t need to be so formal.』
[space_man][space_man]『… You’re right, I feel more at ease now.』
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[space_man][space_man]『Hehe, Johan-kun too, right?』
[space_man][space_man]『Yes, I’ll do my best in moderation!』
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[space_man][space_man]Dino felt something was amiss as he listened to the young mage assigned to Unit 4 reply cheerfully, but he kept silent and swallowed his objections.
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[space_man][space_man]’If it helps things go smoothly, I don’t mind…’
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[space_man][space_man]After deciding that, he continued walking the Clawsolas for a while, and the figures of three giant beetles floating in the distance appeared on the pseudo eyeballs.
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[space_man][space_man]Although they were only medium-sized Aberrations, their troublesome aspect was their ability to fly. Their wide range of movement meant that if left alone, they would cause damage to nearby villages and towns. Even in combat using giant knights, they couldn’t be careless.
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[space_man][space_man]Therefore, the standard tactic was to approach them as stealthily as possible and shoot them down with magic. However, perhaps sensing the increasing magical power, the Glow Beetles’ characteristic multiple blue eyes turned red.
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[space_man][space_man]””GISHAaaaaaa――!!””
[space_man][space_man]『Tch, fire!』
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[space_man][space_man]In response to Dino’s curt clicking of his tongue, Lise responded. In conjunction with the activation of the light attribute magic installed in the Clawsolas Guardia, Johan, following Rain’s call, also unleashed the wind attribute magic of Clawsolas Unit 4.
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[space_man][space_man]『Pierce them, Light Shrapnel!』
[space_man][space_man]『Rip them apart, Wind Formation!』
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[space_man][space_man]Immediately after the range attack magic, which prioritized hitting the target, was launched from the outstretched arm of each Clawsolas, the alerted giant beetles scattered in mid-air…
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[space_man][space_man]However, they couldn’t dodge the shrapnel scattered by the exploding light spheres or the countless small wind blades that flew forward, and multiple wounds were carved into their hard shells and other parts.
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[space_man][space_man]””GIUuuuuuu!!””
[space_man][space_man]”Giii!?”
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[space_man][space_man]Unfortunately, the giant beetle that tried to escape upwards suffered a fatal wound to its soft abdomen. It crouched on the ground, struggling without regard for the bleeding. Meanwhile, the remaining two, enraged by the invasion of their territory, lunged at the giant knights.