Currently, the Knightmare frames of the Holy Britannian Empire are still fourth-generation Glasgow units, with performance rated D-minus among D-minuses. Yang Hui was afraid the machine might fall apart if he applied even a little too much force.
However, Cornelia's Knight Order certainly wouldn't be using mass-produced Glasgows. Instead, they employed specially enhanced custom machines for the Knight Order, much like the Gloucester—a modified Knight Order variant of the fifth-generation Sutherland. The modified Glasgow now possessed performance on par with the fifth-generation Sutherland, but… it was still just a D-grade machine. Yang Hui still had to be careful while piloting it.
Seated in the Knight Order's custom Glasgow, Yang Hui began checking all the unit's systems: "Energy output system normal… weapon systems normal… propulsion normal… all systems normal… Hmm… what a piece of junk."
After reviewing the Glasgow's entire system, Yang Hui couldn't help but curse. The frame, armor, armaments—none of it impressed him. The only thing remotely interesting was this world's unique Sakuradaite-powered system.
Yang Hui had encountered Sakuradaite before—a unique energy ore that served as an excellent clean energy source. It produced energy without any pollution, and once depleted, it left behind no residue whatsoever, existing purely as a solid energy medium.
But that was about it. Aside from being clean, it had no other redeeming qualities. Its energy output was far inferior to GN Drives, Minovsky Reactors, or Ahab Reactors. Combined with the current era's inefficient energy engine systems, the power output was lackluster, wasting a significant amount of energy during operation.
"Still, it's not without its merits. At least the controls are simple." Yang Hui observed the straightforward cockpit and control panel. Even the unimpressive GMs and Zaku Is were more complex than Knightmares.
"Your Highness Yang Hui, are you prepared?" Gilbert Durandal's machine stood ready on the dueling grounds, rifle in hand, poised for battle. As a knight, he never underestimated any opponent—especially not one who had just insulted Cornelia's honor.
"Just about."
"Please select your weapon of choice."
"As for weapons…" Yang Hui piloted the Knightmare toward the weapon rack, his gaze completely bypassing the imposing-looking lance. Instead, he picked up a carbon alloy combat knife and a submachine gun before returning to face Gilbert. "...This'll do."
"A combat knife and submachine gun?" Gilbert, ever the exemplary knight favored by Cornelia, immediately recognized that Yang Hui was no pampered noble brat from the palace. He clearly had some combat experience.
In the Holy Britannian Empire, knighthood wasn't just a status or military rank—it was also a sport. Every noble was required to master horsemanship and marksmanship, so Gilbert had no doubt that Yang Hui, as a member of the imperial family, knew how to wield a knightly lance.
Yet he had deliberately avoided the majestic lance, opting instead for weapons nobles considered "barbaric"—a combat knife and firearm.
Ironically, these two weapons were the most practical for actual combat. The submachine gun provided ranged firepower, while the combat knife was the most versatile melee weapon—far more compact and agile than a knightly lance.
The knight's lance may look imposing, but on the battlefield, its excessive length and weight make it cumbersome and easily countered. Unless wielded by a true master of the spear, it often becomes the wielder's downfall.
"Elder Sister Cornelia, we may begin," Yang Hui addressed Cornelia.
"Mm." Cornelia nodded, raising her right hand before chopping it downward decisively. "Begin!"
The moment her hand fell, Gilbert's Mobile Suit sprang into action with the most fundamental spear technique—a straight thrust.
"Strike first to gain advantage!"
Gilbert immediately adopted an aggressive stance. Armed only with the knight's lance, he knew Yang Hui's submachine gun would suppress him if distance opened between them.
But the next instant froze him in shock—Yang Hui's Knightmare loomed ever larger in his vision as his own charging lance tip hurtled toward it with unstoppable momentum. Yang Hui's machine stood motionless, as if paralyzed by fear.
Gilbert hadn't underestimated Yang Hui, hence committing fully to this strike. Yet... precisely because of this, his opening move became a killing blow aimed directly at the cockpit in the Knightmare's chest.
Should this thrust land, he'd become the criminal who murdered a prince—a capital offense even in a fair Duel, beyond even Cornelia's power to pardon.
"Damn it! Your Highness Yang Hui! Dodge now—!"
At that critical moment, Yang Hui's machine moved. A slight sidestep. His right hand holding the saber rose to intercept the lance's flank. A subtle wrist tilt sent the slender blade effortlessly deflecting the massive spear, leaving Gilbert's Knightmare completely exposed.
Simultaneously, Yang Hui's Knightmare crouched into a sweeping leg kick that toppled Gilbert's machine. As his own unit pivoted with the motion, inertia carried the saber straight into the neck joint of his opponent's Mobile Suit. A flash of steel—and the head came clean off.
"CRASH—"
Gilbert's headless machine collapsed heavily, kicking up clouds of dust. Then...
"Yang Hui wins! Cease fire!"
Cornelia's face paled as she immediately declared the Duel's outcome to stop the fight. Yang Hui's Knightmare now stood with one foot planted on Gilbert's abdominal armor, submachine gun trained on the cockpit. From this position, Gilbert couldn't possibly eject—one trigger pull meant certain death.
"BANG BANG BANG BANG..."
Yet Yang Hui seemed not to hear, his expression calm as he fired relentlessly. Muzzle flashes spat fury while a storm of bullets churned the air, the resulting dust cloud obscuring all vision.
"YANG HUI! STOP THIS INSTANT!"
The barrage forced Cornelia to maintain distance, her furious roar transmitted through the comms. Gilbert was a Knight she highly valued, intended as a future right-hand man. She couldn't allow Yang Hui to kill him.
"Relax, Elder Sister."
Yang Hui's voice came through the headset, dripping with casual amusement.
"YANG HUI! DO YOU REALIZE WHAT YOU'VE DONE!?"
"Tch. To think the Iron-Blooded General would lose composure over some young Knight—quite the spectacle." Yang Hui's teasing tone carried deliberate, disappointed sarcasm.
"You! Hmm? Wait—no explosion!" Cornelia, worthy of being the empire's youngest female general who had risen to command the African theater before even turning twenty, immediately sensed something amiss.
A Knightmare being strafed at such close range by a submachine gun should have exploded—yet it hadn't. That could only mean...
In the desert, dust and wind were plentiful. A hot gust swept through, clearing the smoke that had obscured Yang Hui and Gilbert's Knightmares. Gilbert's unit remained in the same position, lying motionless, while Yang Hui's now stood with arms crossed beside it.
As for the earlier barrage of gunfire...
"Your Highness Cornelia, look!"
"What!?"
The aerial footage revealed that Yang Hui's shots hadn't struck Gilbert's Knightmare at all. Instead, every bullet had cleanly traced the outline of the machine's frame without hitting it.
"This—!" Cornelia stared at Yang Hui in shock as he emerged from his Knightmare and walked toward her, not a drop of sweat on his brow, his expression as calm as still water—as if what he had just done was utterly mundane.
But Cornelia herself was an elite Knightmare pilot. She knew full well how difficult every single move Yang Hui had executed was—so much so that even she might not have been able to pull it off. His piloting skills were undoubtedly superior to hers!
"Dalton, check on Gilbert," Cornelia ordered her Knight without taking her eyes off Yang Hui.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Dalton and the others, equally concerned about Gilbert's prolonged silence, hurried to inspect the situation. Cornelia and Yang Hui stood facing each other, her gaze sharp with wariness and unease.
"You've hidden far more than I expected. There's no way this is your first time piloting a Knightmare," Cornelia stated flatly. She refused to believe anyone could perform so brilliantly on their first try.
"I didn't lie, Sister. It really is my first time. My movements within the palace are easily verifiable," Yang Hui shrugged. It was technically true—after all, a Knightmare wasn't an MS.
"Impossible."
"Check for yourself."
"...I will."
"Your Highness Cornelia," Dalton returned and reported, "Gilbert is unharmed—merely unconscious."
"Understood. Take him to the infirmary."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Come with me," Cornelia said to Yang Hui.
"Of course."
Under Cornelia's lead, Yang Hui and Regene Regetta arrived at her private office.
"You—out," Cornelia commanded Regene Regetta.
But Regene didn't so much as glance at her, standing obediently behind Yang Hui instead.
"Oh? Well-trained," Cornelia remarked, unoffended. She found herself impressed—both by Regene's loyalty to Yang Hui and by Yang Hui's control over his subordinate.
"You flatter me, Sister. You may leave for now."
"Yes."
As expected, Yang Hui's order was the only thing that could make Regene Regetta act—even if Cornelia was Yang Hui's elder sister and currently his superior, it still wouldn't suffice.
After Regene Regetta left, Cornelia finally spoke to Yang Hui. "Father sent you to Africa for more than simple reasons, didn't he?"
"Pretty much. The old man isn't too pleased with the progress on the African front," Yang Hui shrugged.
"Hah, you're the only one who dares to be so disrespectful toward His Majesty," Cornelia remarked, amused by Yang Hui's casual reference to the Britannian Emperor.
"Well, it's not like he'll ever know."
"Don't be so sure."
"Are you going to snitch, Sis?"
"Of course not."
"Then it's fine."
"Alright, enough of that. Back to business—are you planning to head straight to the frontlines?"
"Of course. I told you, I'm not here for a vacation."
"You're strong, but you should know that the battlefield is a graveyard for heroes."
"I know."
"...What do you need?" Cornelia could tell Yang Hui wasn't reckless. He wouldn't charge into battle just to show off his skills—he must have a plan to achieve results while ensuring his own safety.
"Two Mobile Suits from the Knight Order."
"Two?"
"For my maid."
"Oh? Interesting. But... is that all?"
"It's enough. Not just anyone can be my subordinate." At that moment, Yang Hui radiated unparalleled confidence and pride.
"...Understood."
"By the way, Sis, I recall there's an independent R&D division here, right?"
"Of course. What are you planning?"
"Just a little idea."
(End of Chapter)