The sheer intimidation radiating from that machine was immense. It was only natural—combining the already imposing frames of the Daizengar, Aussenseiter, and Soulgain into a single unit.
Perhaps this patchwork behemoth truly embodied the name Rapiésage, a term evoking stitched-together remnants.
"You're quick, Vindel. How's System XN holding up?"
"Normal transfers are stable."
"That's Soulgain, isn't it? Though the details look quite different."
Lamia chimed in unexpectedly, eavesdropping on my conversation with Vindel.
"Indeed, the base frame is unmistakably Soulgain."
Her stunned reaction hit just the right spot, so I gave her a brief rundown on the Trinity Gain.
"Angurg. Is that W17 at the controls?"
"Affirmative. Lemon's probably filled you in, but the transfer's caused some... amusing side effects. Don't yell right off the bat, got it?"
I figured the quirky tone would entertain me but overwhelm the ever-serious Vindel, so I warned him ahead of time.
Vindel, puzzled by my words but complying, patched through a secure line to Angurg. Linked to both units myself, I overheard their exchange crystal clear.
"Lord Vindel, that machine... it couldn't have possibly finished completing, could it? I mean, like, totally done and stuff?"
"...What? Lemon's little plaything daring to address me like—"
"Easy now. I just said it. Language circuits got fried in the transfer. Obsess over phrasing, and your blood pressure's gonna spike."
If Lemon were here instead of Vindel, she'd be over the moon—more amused than anything. But Vindel? His rigid sense of propriety left him nothing but irritated.
"W17, speak to me like you do Axel. It's fine."
"Understood... Lord Vindel. That machine loaded with System XN... it looks stable, but don't tell me it's actually complete?"
"Exactly. As you can see, normal transfer functions are flawless."
"So the main force is mobilizing?"
"That's right. Expect more orders from here on. Lemon has high hopes for you. Don't let her down."
It was a question for Vindel, but with his blood boiling, who knew what he'd snap? I stepped in to answer.
"Yeah, got it. More importantly, this prolonged delay in engaging feels off. We should clash once—thoughts?"
"A doll issuing orders to me, eh? Still, we've come this far for Trinity's field test. W17, you're with me. And frankly, even if it's a glitch, having a puppet mouth off like that grates."
"My apologies."
"Heh, Lemon would've loved this, but pity it's me instead."
Vindel's rare lapse in composure—uncharacteristic for his usual cool demeanor—drew a smirk from me.
"Axel, enough. And Zeola, Sergeant—you fall back for now."
"B-But sir, that prevents me from fulfilling my orders!"
Zeola, naturally eager to fight herself, couldn't hide her frustration at Vindel's command.
...Wait. In the original script, wasn't I supposed to withdraw alongside Zeola here too?
"Vindel, what about me?"
"You don't fixate on anyone specific. You'll manage."
"Huh, high praise from you, Vindel. Rare. Zeola, follow orders. Think it through—decide which command takes priority. On your own."
"Captain Axel?"
Zeola shot me a dubious look at my words, but before she could respond, Vindel cut in.
"I'll give you another chance later. Obey me this time. Understood?"
"Acknowledged... Lat, sorry I couldn't bring you back."
She muttered softly, then unleashed the blistering speed of her high-mobility combat frame, vanishing from the battlefield.
A few units deploying from Hagane and the upgraded Hiryu moved to pursue, but the Bildfalke was already gone.
"With System XN restored, we can finally move. By our hands, the gates of Aguyieus shall open once more. We won't repeat the blunder from before—not against Hagane or Hiryu Kai's rabble."
"Federation Special Ops Shadow Mirror Commander, Colonel Vindel Mauser. Come—time for that field test, right? I'm in a foul mood. Watching your lot stirs noise in my nerves. No hard feelings, whatever happens!"
Not me, but Lamia reacted to Vindel's almost-slip of irritation. Rare emotion from her—self-awareness solidifying, just like in the original.
"Funny talk from a doll, W17. Axel, I'll handle the puppet. Command's yours."
"Got it. All units, stick with me and Beowulf—or Vindel and W17. Any interlopers, stop them cold."
"Acknowledged."
The mass-produced W units responded in unison.
"Alright, Beowulf—let's go!"
I targeted Alt Eisen, deploying both Lanze Kanones on its sides.
Alt Eisen's armor is insanely thick, perfect for these high-impact shots...!
I yanked the frame back on instinct. Almost simultaneously, a Final Beam from Irm's Grungust gouged the ground where Glowseiver had stood, kicking up a massive dust cloud.
"Hey now. Still owe you from last time, and here you are flirting with someone else? Tsk tsk."
That tone—spot-on Jonathan Kazahara from the other world.
"Hmph. Sounds just like your old man."
"What!? You know my dad!?"
"Who knows. Slowpokes like you suit these guys better. Randlion, harass it. Prioritize evasion, buy time—no aggressive plays."
The two Randlions obeyed, swarming Grungust like gnats, peppering it with machine cannons and homing missiles while darting nimbly.
A glance at the monitors: Trinity Gain clashing blades—its Mirage Sword against a repurposed spare from Weiss Ritter's Five Greatswords. Elains and mass-produced Gespenst Mk-IIs intercepted Albade, Cybuster, and Asterion mid-lunge.
Further out, our allies were already engaging enemy squads.
"Defeat you, and you'll answer our questions, right?!"
Brit's Huckebein Mk-II fired its Photon Rifle my way. Hard to distinguish in the chaos from Ryoto's Mk-III, so I went by voice.
"Sorry, but you're not the target today. Spar sometime later?"
Short booster bursts evaded the Photon Rifle, leaving it in the dust...
"Tch—again?!"
T-LINK pinged something homing in from behind toward Glowseiver. I banked hard to dodge... but it looped mid-air, pursuing relentlessly.
"Apologies, but I have questions for you too. Can't let you slip away!"
Ryoto's Huckebein Mk-III—Fang Slasher, then? Confirming the cruciform blur spinning at high speed, its psionic guidance made it a nightmare.
"But if I see it coming!"
Vulcan pods on Glowseiver's head unit unleashed a barrage. Ryoto diverted the Fang Slasher psychically to block, but anticipating let me nail it nonstop. Even weak vulcans add up...
"No way?!"
Ignoring Ryoto's shock at his shattered weapon, I ditched the pair.
Lucky for us—their Huckebeins lack Tesla Drives. Once I outflew them in the sky, no catching up.
"Kept you waiting, Beowulf!"
"You too, huh? No holding back!"
Alt Eisen's triple machine cannon spat fire from its left arm, but I was long gone, Chronos boosters blasting me clear.
"Think that'll hit? Naive!"
Beam gatlings and linear railgun barrels extended. I snatched Gun Rapier from the rack, locking all three.
"Thick armor or not—survive this?!"
Slender beams lanced from Gun Rapier; a storm from the gatlings; and amid the roar, the railgun zeroed on Alt Eisen's joints with surgical precision.
Even Kyosuke Nanbu couldn't evade all three with that heavy PT. Armor chipped away second by second.
He didn't know Glowseiver—unavoidable—but kiting a shoot-first frame like this? Rookie mistake.
This side's Kyosuke outskills most pilots, but lacks the menace of the other world's Beowulf. Growth potential, sure—but first, taste despair!
"Phantom—"
"Axel, stand down."
Not enemy fire—Vindel's comm halted my Phantom launch.
A quick check: Trinity Gain hurling Aussenseiter shields—Schulter Platten—with beam edges at Cybuster and Asterion, holding them off.
"...Whew. Break-in over?"
I'd nearly let emotion take the wheel, but this skirmish was Vindel's chance to feel out Trinity and gauge Hiryu Kai/Hagane's strength firsthand. Deep breath—calm.
"Yes, got the measure. Trinity's acclimating well. Objective complete—withdraw."
"Roger. All units, form on Trinity. Stay in the transfer field."
My allies regrouped around Trinity Gain. Enemies mirrored, facing us down.
Alt Eisen took the worst damage—but all superficial, testament to its plating and Kyosuke's piloting.
"Withdraw. System XN—activate."
Vindel's order bloomed the transfer field. Leaving the howling foes behind, we jumped near Rhinozerus.
Name: Axel Almer
LV: 28
PP: 35
Melee: 218
Shooting: 236
Skill: 228
Defense: 225
Evasion: 253
Hit: 275
SP: 366
Ace Bonus: SP Boost (Consume SP to enhance slime performance)
Growth Type: All-Rounder / SpecialAir: SGround: SSea: BSpace: ASpirit: Accelerate (SP4) / Effort (SP8) / Focus (SP16) / Sure Hit (SP20) / Awaken (SP32) / ???
Skills: EXP Up / SP Boost (SP Up Lv.9 & SP Regen & Concentration) / Psychokinesis LV.10 / Attacker / Gunfight LV.9 / Infight LV.8 / ??? / ??? / ??? / ??? / ??? / ???
Kills: 134
-------------------------------
Hello everyone!
I've already posted 30 new chapters on Patreon!
If you like the story and want to reaad more, please visit my patreon. Every support is very meaningful!
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you very much!