HPDBC Chapter 53
Chapter 53
The ground shook with the thunder of cannons and explosions. Incessant warning broadcasts blared. The sound of automatic armors moving filled the air. The battle had begun suddenly, accompanied by a cacophony of noise.
[Enemy attack! Enemy attack!] [Right flank under attack by suspected [Spindle of Eternity]!] [All artillery units to positions! Positions!] [Fire at intruders!!]
Vrrrrmmm――! Beep――! Thud― Clank, clank!
< Svart Industrial High School > students deployed the magical weapons they had developed without hesitation.
As triggers were pulled and activation devices initiated, weapons launched projectiles towards suspected enemy hiding spots. Red ether projectiles illuminated the sky, firing frantically into the darkness of the wilderness.
Boom――! Tututututututu!!
It looked like a crimson downpour falling from the dark sky.
Under the rain of red ether, Dark elf girls fired magical weapons indiscriminately.
According to President Andrea's orders, dark elves in magical armor were stationed in their positions. They sensed that something had begun, but ironically, few knew the exact situation.
Feeling an unconscious sense of crisis, they pulled the triggers of their heavy ether machine guns, shouting as they fired into the air.
Voices of confused < Svart Industrial High School > students filled the chaos.
“What’s going on?! Are we attacking now?! President Andrea said we were just holding out!!” “I don’t know, why are you asking me?!!” “They said it’s an enemy attack!! [Spindle of Eternity] is attacking!!” “Enemy attack?! Why would [Spindle of Eternity] attack us?!” “I don’t know!! I don’t know―!!”
Excitement from the sudden start of the battle. Their entire bodies trembled, hearts pounding. Ragged breaths of dark elf students gasping for air. Their voices grew louder due to shortness of breath.
“Aaaah!! I didn’t think we’d actually have to shoot!!” “Hurry!! Get the ‘sleek armor’ started!! What if they come here!!” “I’m trying my best, seriously―!!” “Damn!!!”
A dark elf girl, eyes gleaming, shouted while gripping the machine gun handles. She glanced around frantically, trying to spot traces of the purple ether.
“Where is it?! Has anyone seen the purple?!” “I don’t know!! Just shoot everything in front of you!!”
Boom――! Tututututututu!!
“Guys!! I got the orders!!”
Orders came from a beastman aristocrat in command. An armored girl who received precise attack orders from the communication officer shouted.
“Right ridge!! Aim and fire at the right ridge!!” “Where do I aim?! I can’t see!!” “Just turn the barrel and shoot, shoot, shoot!!” “Aaaaaaah―!!”
Boom――! Tututututututu!!
Some fired without receiving orders, while others followed ever-changing instructions from the commanders, sending magical projectiles haphazardly. They soared through the air, resembling a red Milky Way.
‘I hope Rota is hiding well...’
Under the red Milky Way, I was running at full speed, carrying Freya on my back. Ether lights flashed through the air with each step I took.
Tap tap tap tap―!
Dodging through numerous fire paths. Weapons aimed at my head missed. I sprinted through a world that moved in slow motion.
Tap tap tap tap―!
I moved smoothly through the battlefield as if on a leisurely walk. Occasionally, I stepped lightly on the shoulders of dark elf students, using them as stepping stones.
Tap―!
A group of astonished dark elves passed beneath my feet.
-What was that?! -Who is that pink blur?! How is it so fast?! -That’s [Spindle of Eternity] on its back!!
Leaving behind the cries of dozens of dark elf girls, I headed towards the next target.
“Let's go―☆”
Holding the busy chanting Freya, I twisted my body slightly.
Swoosh―! Boom―!@@@@
A distant machine gunshot aimed at us missed. I had sensed the danger for some time, so dodging wasn't too difficult.
-Damn...!! It dodged that?! -What is it?!
I couldn't help but chuckle at the panicked < Svart Industrial High School > students.
‘Just see, run, and dodge...’
I usually racked my brains like Zhuge Liang, but now, following someone else's lead, I realized how relaxing and leisurely it was.
‘If only the world were peaceful...’
Using my brain was exhausting. Though I lived as a strategist in chaotic times, I truly desired a life following orders.
‘Freya seems to trust my physical skills...’
Freya must have completely trusted my presence detection ability. She paid no attention to me, mechanically preparing her skill behind me.
“[Spindle of Eternity], activate, maximum range, precise strike.” “Yes♪ Tea time under a purple shower―☆”
[Spindle of Eternity] was ready to activate again.
‘Now, where should we unleash this?’
With a surprisingly calm mind, I planned our route. I moved through the battlefield, letting Freya automatically unleash her attacks.
This division of labor was incredibly convenient.
‘Dividing attacks and movement between us makes my mind free. Unlike Albit’s team, which must carefully plan escape routes, we just distract and charge.’
I sighed internally, secretly complaining. Freya was just as reckless.
‘She’s just as brute with her power.’
The violence of mass... sheer firepower. A terrifying display of destruction. An ideal manifestation of a magician-type ether ability.
‘But without physical enhancements, she’s a weak kitten when unable to prepare her skills...’
Contemplating this, I smelled the burnt scent of debris and asked Freya. We needed to keep moving to disrupt the encirclement over several kilometers.
“Where to next...”
At that moment, A loud noise erupted from the debris. It was an armored automaton. It rose with its black, massive body and golden markings.
Wooooom――
The automated armored doll readied itself. Miraculously surviving among the destroyed dozens.
Despite the relentless bombardment, it remained connected to the dungeon gate and blessing cables. Even in a half-charged state, it operated like a phone on a charging cable.
‘I moved fast to prevent this...’
The automaton, with its 3-meter imposing frame, stared at us menacingly.
“...” “...”
Freya tapped my shoulder, suggesting,
“L-Let’s just avoid it. [Spindle of Eternity] needs time... it won’t chase us far, being tethered...” “...” “L-Let’s move, rogue.” “...”
Well. That’s a bit... It looks like it could be taken down in one shot. Running feels... undignified. If it rampages towards Albit’s team...
“...”
Hesitation...
I glanced at the cracked core of the automaton. It leaked ether blessings dangerously.
‘Just one shot...’
I gently set Freya down. She screamed in panic.
“Y-You crazy pink horse...?!” “Hehe―☆ Even without ether skills, there are moments when a girl must stand her ground―♪” “Y-You crazy...!”
Ignoring her rude remarks, I picked up a discarded black helmet, wearing it. Lowering the visor, I slowly advanced.
‘Go wild again! Unbreakable physique! This body, at the peak of solo character growth, will not break!’
Resolving thus, I took a stance reminiscent of a sprinter. Wrapping faint ether around my helmet, I prepared to launch.
Thud―!
The massive automaton moved first. It charged menacingly like a moving fortress.
“...!”
I gathered focus in my head, pushing off with a powerful stride.
Tap!
A shockwave burst from my feet, shaking the air. Air resistance struck me like wind. I charged towards the automaton like a human missile.
Launching a Pretty☆Missile.
Swooooosh――!
Wind whistled through the visor slits... impact approached. I clenched my teeth.
Approaching impact. I shot through like a bullet.
Crunch! Crunch! Boom――!
Momentary darkness. And then visible sky. The sound of a collapsing automaton...
‘Hehe, done.’
I had destroyed the automaton using the ether concentrated in the helmet. A legendary tale I wanted to share with someone.
Tap tap! I landed lightly, imitating a gymnast's pose, ready to boast to Freya.
But then... an odd sensation hit my body.
‘Ether depletion? No...?’
A warm, familiar. Golden aura seeped from the automaton's core. Like dandelion fluff, faint lights approached me.
“...!”
As they touched my body, Thoughts of the original Clara came to mind. For my sake, the girl accepted the name Urd. Urd's smiling face in the stars flashed by.
-Keep going―☆
‘I’m... recovering.’
Familiar ether recovery blessing. Not as much as before, but enough for a fight. Enough to wield 2nd stage ether freely.
“You’re insane... recovering from injuries... how far will your recklessness go...”
Freya looked at me with astonishment, speaking in disbelief.