Torn Asunder by War, A Sword Saint for Tomorrow X The Knight Wizards!! – Chapter 68

Chapter 68: But It Is Still a Victory
  『Hey, Claude… Does it seem like Bel-chan wants to fight?』
  『Yeah, it feels that way.』
  
  Suddenly, the output of the Magic Furnace increased. Before I knew it, it had suppressed the onslaught of the Mono-Eye Knight, deflecting the black blade without overloading the Clawsolas.
  
  In addition, I could feel something like the “pride of a being created for battle” emanating from my mount, Belphegor.
  
  『Whoa, the Clawsolas output has exceeded its limit. It might not last long…』
  『… Is this the influence of the autonomous Magic Core adjusted by the twin elves?』
  
  For some reason, the Forest People’s Hidden Village hadn’t lost the technology of central control. Jax-hancho had also assessed that it could improve overall performance, so we installed the amber core provided during the pact into the King’s personal Clawsolas.
  
  While confirming that there was no other reason for it, I dodged a shoulder tackle to my right side and turned around. At that moment, the Mono-Eye Knight, which had been braking suddenly, swung its sword horizontally while turning.
  
  『Whoaah!』
  『Tch!』
  
  If I clashed head-on, the difference in mass would cause my saber to be snapped by the greatsword. So, I dodged at the last moment and made the attack miss. Then, I stepped into the enemy Clawsolas’s pocket and thrust my saber sharply at its head… But once again, the tip of my blade was deflected by the armor of the right hand, which had been removed from the weapon.
  
  『Those movements are comparable to those of the “Mechanical Magi.”』
  『I’m honored.』
  
  The skeletal knight briefly exchanged words and made the Mono-Eye Knight perform a circular step. I dodged the slash, which was swung with centrifugal force, by jumping backward. As soon as I landed, I activated the Burst Mechanism in my left arm.
  
  The arm, which had been folded by the explosion of pure condensed magic, instantly unfolded. I grabbed the enemy Clawsolas’s right arm with my outstretched left hand and pulled it closer.
  
  『Nnh!?』
  『Seiyaaa!』
  
  I aimed for the gap created by the unconventional attack and swung my saber, which I had pulled up to my left shoulder, towards its neck… However, my full-powered blow was blocked by a black shield of indeterminate shape that suddenly appeared.
  
  『Ugh, not again!』
  『But you can’t do that repeatedly!』
  
  While the magic shield that had fulfilled its role was shattering, I continued to pull the opponent closer by the arm I was still gripping and kneed the enemy Clawsolas in the solar plexus.
  
  Without a moment’s delay, I followed up with a hook punch with my right fist, which was gripping the hilt of my sword. I slipped past the defense of the left arm, which was reflexively raised, and landed a heavy blow on the defenseless side of the head.
  
  『Guh, how impudent!』
  
  The Mono-Eye Knight, which had taken a beating, distanced itself to sword-fighting range. It tried to unleash a slash from its side, but I deliberately activated Belphegor’s back Burst Mechanism and rammed into it with all my might.
  
  『Take this!』
  『What!?』
  
  I seized the initiative and closed the distance before the enemy Clawsolas’s sword gained momentum. My right side was gouged somewhat by the crude black blade, but I managed to thrust my saber into the chest armor.
  
  A fierce metallic screech echoed. The magic-forged blade broke from the base, but… The tip deeply pierced the area near the cockpit, inflicting damage that rendered the enemy Clawsolas unable to continue fighting.
  
  『Hah, I’ll concede this victory to you.』
  『That’s… Just a sour grapes excuse, isn’t it?』
  
  Revia let out an exasperated voice, ignoring the fact that we had won by a narrow margin. The “Mechanical Magi” Algol scattered magic fluid from the damaged area and retreated. A large Aberration appeared as if to replace it.
  
  However, the tide of the battle was turning in favor of the allied forces, mainly the Lichtea Principality, despite casualties on both sides. The Aberrations quickly retreated under the cover of floating Clawsolas units that were scattering small magic bullets from low altitude in the rear.
  
  『… A reckless pursuit would be a mistake.』
  『Yeah, we’re exhausted too.』
  
  When I cautiously surveyed the area with the Clawsolas’s pseudo eyeballs, I saw several giant knights lying on the ground. I understood that it would be difficult to immediately transition into a pursuit.
  
  Unfortunately, our own Clawsolas units, the second and third, were also severely damaged and grounded. The fourth unit was moderately damaged, its half-destroyed left arm hanging limply.
  
  『… Rain, can you still move?』
  『Yes, if it’s just to return. But more importantly…』
  
  Her Clawsolas approached the second unit as she replied absentmindedly. She tried to open the warped chest armor from the outside to check on her friend’s safety, but… Her right arm, left in hesitation, wouldn’t move. Dino’s modified Clawsolas, unable to watch any longer, placed its steel palm beside hers.
  
  『Lise and I will check. You two fall back.』
  『It’s probably too much of a shock for you and Johan-kun.』
  
  『… Thank you for your concern.』
  『Ugh, I’m so sorry.』
  
  Rain and the others moved their Clawsolas with somewhat sluggish movements. In their place, the blue-haired knight knelt his Guardia on one knee and unlocked the chest armor of the fallen Clawsolas.
  
  The deformed armor wouldn’t open with just that, so he forcibly peeled it off and peered into the cockpit with his pseudo eyeballs.
  
  『… Confirming the deaths of Knight Berald and Mage Serano.』
  『I see…』
  
  Considering the damage to the Clawsolas, I closed my eyes upon receiving the expected report and offered a silent prayer.
  Unless it’s a fairy tale, it’s inevitable that there will be casualties among our own in a war. Although our losses are minor compared to the Principality, where nearly half of their giant knights have fallen… I can’t just accept it.
  
  ‘Getting used to it would probably be unacceptable as a leader.’
  
  My silent self-admonition was transmitted to Revia, who was riding with me, through the nerve nodes in the Clawsolas’s artificial muscles. Her comforting thoughts seeped into my core. Just then, Lloyd and the others, who had been waiting for the right moment, also gave their report.
  
  『It seems Zacks and Linea from the third unit used Teleportation Magic Sealing Stones.』
  『I think they’re probably among the Principality’s regiment soldiers.』
  
  『So, we have two casualties…』
  『But it is still a victory. It is our duty to honor them.』
  
  Commander Xenos picked up on my unintentional words and gestured towards the soldiers of the Principality’s First Regiment, who were gradually regaining their spirits after successfully halting the large-scale invasion of the “Hour of Ruin” that had been ongoing for several days.
  
  The Aberration forces, whose main objectives were destruction and the construction of Spirit Gates, bypassed the besieged city of Radiole, where all key points had been destroyed, and returned to the Rhone-Alpes region of the former Francia Kingdom, as reported by the scout unit a few days later.
  
  With that, our dispatch of reinforcements to our allies came to an end. After receiving supplies and repairs from the combined maintenance and Transport Corps that had joined us, we, who had been guests of the Principality’s army, set off on our journey home.