I steadily guided the black Aluminare towards valley while running around in the forest. If possible, I would like to pushed it down into the valley, but when I saw the opponents maneuvering technique, somehow it was unlikely that I be able to do it. It would be a battle between Aluminares as expected.

Hey, its time to give up

As if I could do that. What about you? How about you give up

Its the captains order, I cant disobey him!

Although you are the one piloting the machine

If he threatens them using the Aluminare, he would be able to control all the underlings. By the way, Im surprised that the one riding the Aluminare was not the captain. Is he really that trustworthy or was the captains piloting skill that bad?. Well, that guy sure was skillful.

Its because things such as supplies and maintenance are left to the underlings. If I betray him, Ill just probably be cornered right away. But, if I do not betray him, he will let me join on a lot of fun battles. So theres no reason to betray him, right?

Youre a battle freak!!

That phrase sound fun. I will call myself that from now on. Battle Freak Felouche, please take care of me until you die

I wont introduce myself here!!!!

You dont have to since I already know. Eldo-kun!

A large number of Ice Spears emerged around the Aluminare. Each one of the spears was probably 5 meters long. Even if just one of those grazes me, I will be turned into a lump of meat.

Well, because its an anti-Aluminare magic system I guess its to be expected.

Go!

Shit!

Ice spears rained down on the forest with a rumbling sound and smashed the trees like breaking twig with creaking sound. And then, one of the trees fell down in front of me and blocked my path.

I jumped towards the sky to avoid it.

I can finally see you!

As soon as the Aluminare discovered me, it extended its arm. At this rate, I would get caught. But it wont be easy to catch me.

[Air Block], [Quintuple Setup]. [Start]!

Starting from my feet, several blocks appeared in the air. Using them as foothold, I evaded the Aluminares hand with [AERO THRUSTER].

From the point of view of my opponent, it would seem like I was running in the sky.

Even the guy that calls himself Felouche raised a voice full of surprise.

Amazing! Its really amazing yo! Its the first time Ive seen a child evade like this!

I am doing this with my life at stake! Our resolve are different!

Ha Ha, well then, do your best to flee some more!

Unfortunately, the game of tag ends here!

I had finally arrived.

I twisted my body and glared at the black Aluminare, and I said to it while falling from the sky.

From here on out, the real fight begins!

What are you talking I see

Felouche must have noticed something, since he stopped the Aluminare.

As I keep falling, I head towards the valley.

I was adjusting the falling direction with [Active Wing], aiming at the machine that I finally managed to boot up yesterday.

Using [Pinpoint Cyclone] along the way to decelerate my falling speed, I plunged into the cockpit.

Although doing actual combat suddenly is bad for you, just endure it for me

Closing the cockpits hatch, I opened the fuel valve and pressed the start button.

No anomaly in the various meters, remaining fuel was 10 percent, a sector of the monitors is out of order. Although there are a lot of dents in the left shoulder and the feet, it wont affect the battle too much.

I would like to say that all joints are all green but unfortunately they are all yellow. The Aluminares monitor shows that the whole body stability is bright yellow, however!

Aluminare, launch!

Stepping on the pedal, the generator revved up, and I pushed the launch button.

All systems of the Aluminare woke up and it leaned greatly while I was operating the foot accordingly as it creaked.

Lets go!

I jump with full power from the stored energy on the legs. It was just a simple jump. But with the height of the Aluminare, I was able to grasp the edge of the valley.

I grabbed cliff with the right hand, and hooked my foot to it so i could step onto the cliff once more.

While the cliff was crumbling and collapsing, my machine jumped up again.

I looked up to the sky. The usual cliff cant be seen from both ends of the screen.

If I looked down, the screen would be filled up the the vast forest. And the black Aluminare can see this machine.

I aimed a kick while falling towards the black Aluminare.

That black guy dodged it with a back step.

Finally, I too can fight!

Is that your machine!? So the thing that the captain was looking for really existed!

I repaired this machine from scratch! Like hell would I hand it over to you bastards!

Ill have to take it even if I had to kill you!

Black came to me and stuck out its sword. He was precisely aiming at the cockpit. But wait

Arent you supposed to take me alive?!

If I can secure the machine then the captain will overlook it

While fending off the stretched out sword, I rushed into his chest.

There are no weapon in this machine. Since there was none, I should steal it.

Reaching into the spare sword that has been equipped to the opponents hip. I only grabbed empty air.

Oops, that was dangerous. I wont let you steal it.

Tsk, you did notice it huh?

You dont seem that knowledgeable about the machines magic, Ill end this quickly.

Like Id let you do that

The opponent had both swords in his hands. While Im facing him with one unarmed hand. If this were a game, I would had gave up already because it was impossible. But unfortunately this was reality. Since this was the case, I better come up with way to overturn this situation or it will end up into real life version GAME OVER.

Although this is way too thrilling!

I kept thinking about ways to overturn this situation, while dodging the sword strikes that aims for the cockpit.

For the time being it was necessary to block off the enemys swords and deal considerable damage to the enemys fuselage, which will force him to retreat. The fighting here is so loud now. The other villages below should be able to see this battle. In other words, if I can make him withdraw once, there wont be a second time

Since if there was a second time, it would be an all-out war between the National Army and the Group of the black Aluminare. As to be expected, even them wouldnt dare do something so reckless.

Argh

The sword grazed my right arm and the armor around there fell off. The machine does not move like I had imagined. The reason being this was my first time piloting it, and too much wear on the joints.

Add that little by little and an operational lag will surface.

As expected, your mobility is not good

Its because I only did emergency repair

Just give up quickly

I refuse

Youre stubborn. I want to quickly finish this boring fight!

After dodging the sword that was thrust towards me, another one was already approaching.

I wont be able to avoid in time.

I completely gave up dodging it. In order to avoid a fatal strike, I squatted down. The head was blown off and the top movable monitor became useless immediately.

Isnt there something I can do?!

Because I heard the history surrounding this village from the Village Chief, I knew that this machine came from the period of the north-south civil war. I could easily tell that it was a machine built for war, so one or two attack magic should have been written!

If you do not want to sleep again, show me your guts!

I drove a shoulder tackle towards the black Aluminare while trying to stand up.

It would be indeed hard to dodge at point-blank range after swinging ones swords with both hands.

Two Aluminares fell down within the forest while mowing down trees with a big crash.

That hurts!

Thats my line!

Due to the fact the seat belt was rotten, it could not be used. So there was nothing to secure my body! In such condition, my face slammed hard on the monitor. I probably had a nosebleed already, but its not the time to care about such things.

With a desperate tackle, I was able to take the mount position. My hands wont miss from here.

I reached out with my right hand, grabbed the enemys head, and pulled it with all my might.

The tubes that connects the head was exposed together with a creaking sound, and it snapped because it exceeded the durability.

This is payback for the camera.

Just when I thought so, my machine feel down after receiving an impact shock from the left side.

Uh-oh, the captain will be mad at me

The impact was caused by the black Aluminares punch as he discarded the sword.

I wasnt able to properly guard because there was no left arm. But I cant ask for too much. If I have to do without then, so be it, I just have to fight in a way that will offset that.

The black Aluminare tried to swing down the sword on his left hand while I was trying to stand up, I broke his balance by swiping his leg.

I was also able to recover as he regained his balance.

The black Aluminare checks the location of the sword that was supposed to be on his right hand, it was on the location where I tackled him. I guess he dropped it from the impact. Well I dont have to worry that hell be able to use it suddenly.

I think its time to get serious. Im gonna be amazed if you survive

What?

As soon as the black Aluminare prepared its sword, flames started to envelop the sword. Furthermore, the ice spears from a while ago appeared around the machine.

So thats what he meant by being serious?!

I suddenly shorten the distance between me and the opponent. I also noticed earlier that that ice spears travels in a straight line without any homing function. In that case, as long as I can properly see the tip of the spear, I can dodge the attack. After that, Ill just stop the enemys sword.

Sure enough, he launched the ice spears at once and passed right beside me and pierced the ground behind me.

I stared at the sword that was raised above head, assessed the trajectory of the swing, and moved my arm.

I stopped the enemys arm with by grabbing it with my machines arm held it like a pole However, this was not good enough. The enemys right hand was still free.

The right hand moved as expected, throwing a punch aim at the cockpit. I repelled it with a knee strike.

Although my machine lost its balance and was about fall, I grabbed tightly at the enemys left arm and somehow it managed to support my weight. Because the enemy doesnt want to get dragged down with me, the attack slowed down.

The arm that was struck by the knee was swung downward, but it doesnt have enough force behind it to strip off my armor.

Just the noise of the impact was transmitted.

Your fighting style is interesting! Youre different from those magic shooting crowd out there!

Thanks for the praise! Its because I cant use any magic!

Aluminares magic can be activated just by pressing the button, but there are magic that I must not activate without passing through the appropriate process.

The mic and speaker for example, no matter was was the condition the engine, activating it at the touch of a button will not cause any adverse effect, so its safe. But magic spells such as flame enveloping the sword or ice spears appearing around the machine are quite capable of damaging my machine depending on the situation.

So, in order to maintain a safe condition, activation restraint has been implemented.

Like right now, in close quarter combat, the ice spears cannot be used. Since I was holding one of his arm, the enemy had no choice but to use physical skills.

Anti-personnel magic lacks power anyway.

I was correcting the stance of my machine by moving the right hand away and released my hold. I escaped from the enemys downward swing trajectory. At the same time, I rammed my freed right hand between the gap in the enemys chest armor.

What!?

If I peel the armor, youll be exposed!

I wont let you do that!

The enemy released his sword and pin down the shoulder of my machine with both hands.

If this situation continues, itll become a contest of strength. I am in complete disadvantage with just one arm. I understood my predicament.

But, if I make use of that.

The black Aluminare forcibly pushed off my machine. Using its power, I whole-heatedly threw him behind me.

No matter how good his piloting skills are, its irrelevant. I was a mere simple fall on its back. But it was that reason that it was powerful. All the weight was supported by the hand that was jammed between the gap in the armor.

It was for that reason the phenomenon occurred

Wha!?

The strategy worked

The armor was resistant against shocks coming in from the outside. Its because it was securely mounted on the body from the outside. On the contrary, it was surprisingly weak against force applied from within. It was the same for my machine. The Aluminare frame blueprint was written on the basic introduction. So I knew the fact that my machine was almost not that much different from how the armor was mounted on newer machines.

The armor of the black Aluminare wasnt able to handle the weight of my Aluminare where Im hanging on with my machines fingers. About three fingers of my machine got busted by the shock, but there was no helping it.

The sphere shaped cockpit and the generator in the internal frame got exposed.

With this, even ordinary magic will penetrate

The Aluminare resist magic with its armor. But there was only a piece of steel plate underneath the armor which is only 10cm thick Beyond that are the monitors that lined up.

My machine doesnt have a weapon. So I had to tear off the enemys armor so that my own personal attack can penetrate.

Both the cockpit and generator are exposed. Do you still want to fight?

Ah, damn. Dont make the captain angry..

Its better if we end this with just this much damage

Youre right, but. Will you return my armor first. It will incur serious financial losses if I dont have it

The black Aluminare took the opportunity to moved back away, and moved back further after dispelling the ice spears.

I can say that the Aluminare cannot continue to fight any longer. But If I add another blow to the generator, it would completely be inoperable. It seems that it was avoiding such risks.

After confirming that there was enough distance, I went to the place were the armor fell off and picked it up. I also took the sword and the broken head.

You know, it was great that youre here

Then go back already

Haa, Im going to

We are approaching the village as we are retreating slowly. I never took my eyes from the enemys machine however.

As we approached the village, I checked the condition of the village by zooming in the monitor. Anjou was fighting with the captain and the others over there.

What are you doing Anjou!?

Youre already done Eldo-kun?!

Felouch, what happened to the machine? As for your situation.

Im sorry captain. I was defeated. Fighting a little bit more would have been really bad

When Felouche said so, he operated the hands of his machine and pointed it towards the abdomen of the machine.

The captain was so shock, that it can be seen through the monitor, after seeing the exposed generator from the torn off internal armor.

Captain, I advise that we withdraw

It cant be helped then. Wake up you maggots! We are leaving! Anybody who can, must pickup a sleeping maggot! At any rate, these guys will not chase us!

The armored men simultaneously withdrew as the command of the captain. The retreat was professionally done as they were trained bandits.

The even didnt left behind anything that was valuable to themselves. If their comrade was impossible to pick up, they went to retrieve the swords and armors only.

Do not chase them Anjou

I understand. More than that, youre in a terrible shape Eldo-kun! Your nose is bleeding!

I opened up the hatch when I saw Anjou was climbing up to the cockpit using [Flare Booster]. When Anjou came inside, she raised her voice in surprise when she saw my condition.

Oh well, I was running around the forest at full speed and rolled over the ground.

My clothes were tattered and Im quite badly bruised.

I breathe out a big sigh as I leaned on the seat. Honestly Im so stressed and exhausted. I just want to go home and sleep.

Dont mind the scratches, it will heal before long

It might be so, butHmmp, dont make me worry more

Sorry for worrying you. By the way, speaking about that, why were you in a fight? Didnt I told you to barricade yourselves in the Village Chiefs house?

But, but..

Anjou looked away while puffing her cheeks.

Ill just poke those cheeks to let the air out for now.

Hmmp, stop teasing me..

Huh? Whats wrong?

Anjou tilts her head and looked confusingly lost while looking at me.

Eldo-kun, your eyes are open

Of course its open if you are awake

No not that, your eyes are wide open!

Eh? Seriously?

My eyelids were certainly wide open when I touched my face to check.

This is-

It may be because you were excited while piloting the Aluminare

Anyhow, in addition to having launched it at full power the first time, there was also the battle. If I think about it now, during the time I was fighting, I was completely under high tension and felt a little bit of fear, Surprisingly, I couldnt say the same about Felouche.

Hah, it will return back to normal in a day

Its better if you dont return back to normal! You look way cooler this way!

Really? Is it because of the glinting eye I had inherited from my father?

Not at all, Eldo-kuns eyes gives a very gentle feeling

Even is said that now

I felt like it will return back to normal if I sleep, I dont have any way to prevent it.

Eldo-chan! Anjou-chan!

Eldo, Anjou!

You two!

Anjou and I exchanged glances when we heard the voices calling us from a distance.

I saw my father and the rest running towards here. It seems that these guys saw the withdrawal of the bandits from the house.

And they said

Eldo, you come down and sit down here!

Anjou too should do aseiza!

Its good that both of you are safe

Papa demanded that I do a seiza with an angry look that can probably kill a person. Anjous mother looked like a demon while she made Anjou to sit in a sieza. And the Village Chief, Mama and the rest of the villagers burst out in tears as they were overcame with emotion.

Still Im tired and would like to go home and sleep but.. Good gracious, the time where I will be able to take a break will be far off.

The broken Aluminare and its group where moving through the forest.

Their stride was heavy and their mood was gloomy. Among them, only Felouche was smiling pleasantly in the cockpit.

The captain came up to hear the details of what had happened, but he grimaced after seeing it.

You look very happy even though you failed

They gained nothing on the operation this time, plus they had a damaged Aluminare. High Magia Liquid was already very expensive, and the operating cost of one machine was very high. If they are going to fill up the tank, the cost would be equivalent to feeding everyone in Eldos village for one year.

They incurred heavy financial losses on this operation. Even so, it was on a level that they cant do anything about it.

Felouche just smiled when he saw the captain glaring at him.

Yeah, I honestly did not think I would be able to enjoy it

I didnt think that you would be defeated. Did he had a great machine?

The reason why they gave the machine to Felouche was because his piloting skills was the best among them. It had been confirmed by the past Aluminare battle they fought so far. The captain wasnt able to believe that Felouche was defeated.

His machine was in the very worst condition

Left arm was missing from the shoulder, and cannot activate any magic. All joint parts was tattered as it can be seen that there was lag in control or bad information transfer.

If the opponent was a normal pilot who learned Aluminare piloting skills from the country, then Felouche might be able to capture the machine without any damage.

But Eldos piloting skills refused to yield to Felouche.

Did I mention Eldo-kun? He knew how to fight with an Aluminare. He was like he had gone through endless combat and finally became a veteran pilot, as he was able to use the Aluminare to its full potential

And you got defeated by that?

I did not intend to lose. I would have won if we kept going. But I think there was chance that this generator will get damage though

Dont say that he won then

For me it is a win if you fight and survive. I can fight more in doing so

Remembering the fight just a short while ago, Felouches smile was turning into something like ecstasy.

The Aluminare is an instrument. Therefore, you shouldnt think of it as a person. You can still fight if an arm was cut, You can remain calm if a finger was broken.

When Eldo realized that an attack was unavoidable, he took an immediate action to avoid the worst by sacrificing the head.

That was not an easy thing to do.

What do you sacrifice to minimize the damage? How much damage can you take to keep fighting? If you can fight while taking that into consideration, then that will be the first the Aluminare real power can manifest

That kid was able to do all that?

Doing that much is not possible

Even through it was through a monitor, receiving a sword right on the face on a whim was not normal. Even Felouche didnt knew if he will be able to make that judgment right away. If only for that moment, he thought that he was lower than Eldo in terms of skills.

Felouche cant stop laughing because of that.

He will surely become a knight

A knight was a special name given only to a Aluminare pilot unit.

Captain

What is it?

Lets leave Fay Tal and go to Aubade Empire Our losses was great this time around, if we become a mercenary under the direct control of the empire, we can save on repair cost

Hmm.

The captain was also thinking about that. The Aubade Empire was the neighbor of Fay Tal Kingdom. That country was always pursuing the lands of Fay Tal that there are always skirmishes. They had unique system where they accept mercenary units as part of their armed forces in order to guarantee their war potential.

If they go to Aubade with their Aluminare, they will certainly be received with special treatment. The empire will replenish their fuel and repair the machine.

There was no conflict with the rules of de Liverpool.

But that also means that they will have to fight for the interest of the country.

After showing a hesitating attitude, the captain decided.

Right, Ill accept your suggestion Felouche

Great!

However, you have to win next time. I will drag you down from the machine if you lose

Please leave it to me. Ah, Im so looking forward to it. Ill be certainly able to kill Eldo-kun!

Seeing Felouche smiling, the captain gave a sigh and went down from the Aluminare.