Next is a very difficult boss fight. As a former pilot of the Undead Knight, Rei's combat ability is clearly terrifying.
Especially after being modified into a Shepherd, its current combat power is off the charts.
Basically, if heavy armor takes one hit, it is totaled and needs to be repaired immediately.
Furthermore, every mech has to take turns tanking damage; relying on just one guy to hold the front line definitely will not work.
Fortunately, during the battle, one can also receive support from fido and Commander Lena.
To defeat Rei, the members of the Second Corps are almost sacrificing their lives to fill the gap; these fully autonomous allied units are advancing one by one to their deaths.
Fortunately, Rei did not trigger an AOE, so it is possible to preserve the output of the remaining 5 members of the Vanguard squad by constantly exploding and sacrificing units.
The battle lasted a long time, and after reloading about twice, Yamada Masaharu finally succeeded in defeating Rei.
...
Finally, entering the cutscene:
Hum!
Shin is piloting his mech, rapidly approaching Rei.
That massive guy, clearly more than twice the size of his own, makes Shin's mech look like a tiny speck in front of it.
A crawler, a four-legged spider, something like that.
After some evolution and upgrades, I did not expect this guy to still be so ugly.
He leaped across the ground, but the next second, he was repelled by the opponent's mechanical leg.
Bang!
Shin was hit and fell to the ground.
Immediately after, several pairs of huge liquid metal arms grew out of Rei's mech, pinning Shin's Destroyer firmly to the ground.
After being suppressed several times, Shin had already fainted.
"Captain Nouzen! Can you hear me, Captain Nouzen! Please wake up!"
Hearing everyone shouting from the other end of the synchronization, Lena also started shouting.
Wake up, get out of there, go take care of that heavy tank type. These reminders based on the current situation are not reasons that can move him.
Lena knows very well. She had noticed it long ago. Therefore, she will definitely succeed, and she must succeed.
At that time, that night, Shin, with a heart-wrenching, sorrowful tone, said that he wanted to kill his brother.
The reason Shin, who actually did not want to fight his brother at all, insisted on a direct confrontation with Rei.
"Aren't you going to mourn your brother! —— Shin!"
...
Shin suddenly woke up, then his eyes sharpened. He instantly operated the four-legged spider-like Destroyer mech, bounced off the ground, dodged Rei's attack, and then climbed up its body.
On the back, it was the place hit by the missile Lena fired earlier, but it was an unexploded bomb. It tore a gap in the back armor, just enough to insert the cannon barrel.
The hind legs stepped firmly, shattering the entire ground. The steel body wailed repeatedly, and the violent impact penetrated the central processing system, causing it to crash and leaving Rei's thoughts in a blank state.
But he still followed the instincts of a combat machine, continuously firing shells at the surroundings. The little bugs around seemed to have fled. The processing system and sensors gradually recovered.
Subsequently, Rei saw it. Right behind him, the "Undertaker," which had gotten up at some point, pointed its muzzle right here.
When Shin fainted, he seemed to have cut his forehead. Because of the bleeding, his left eye could not open. The sensation in his body was also very detached. It was difficult to move. His head was dazed, making it hard to think.
The auxiliary screen was destroyed, and the cockpit appeared somewhat dim. Shin pressed his left hand against his still-hazy head, his body leaning powerlessly against the inner wall, just reaching out to grip the control stick, his eyes fixed on the screen.
He seemed to have been awakened by someone, but the effects of the fainting were still severe, and he could not figure out what had happened for the moment. He did not know why he was still alive, nor did he know the situation around him.
Shin only knew that both he and the "Undertaker" unit were not dead yet. And the brother he hoped to bury with his own hands was right in front of him.
His once-fainted body at least still had the strength to hold the control stick and pull the trigger. That was enough.
"... Shin."
The voice of the Undead sounded. It was the voice of his brother who had long since died. It was the same as the last time he heard it, the voice of his brother who stayed alone in a corner of this battlefield and did not forgive himself until the very end.
When he first heard that voice in the lament of the Undead, he made up his mind that he must find his brother and send him away with his own hands.
"Shin."
"Shin."
The voice of the Undead sounded again.
Shin did not actually find the ceaseless calling of "The Legion" scary at all. Instead, he felt sympathy. Because they were just borrowing the words of the dead, just using that mechanical language that could not be understood, constantly lamenting their desire to return.
Those dead who lost their homeland and bodies, who should have returned to the underworld after death but could not, crying out that they did not want to die. Their dying words were borrowed by the army of the Undead called "The Legion" to lament their desire to return.
Shin could not watch his brother remain among this group of Undead while he flew away alone. To be taken away after death, imprisoned in a combat machine equivalent to an Undead, constantly calling for his brother.
Shin swore he must find his head, confront him, destroy him, and then bury him properly. For this goal, Shin went to the battlefield. For this goal, he fought for five long years.
There was no responsibility to bear, and no sin to repay. Although he understood this principle. But regarding the sin his brother finally bestowed upon him, regarding the Undead of his brother who did not forget to call him before dying... He still had to thoroughly settle things to move forward.
Aiming complete. The muzzle was aimed at the middle of the steel-colored armor blocking his front, at that gap he had split open.
"Farewell."
"Brother!"
Shin pulled the trigger.
In the entire scene, the sound came to an abrupt stop. And at the same time, Yamada Masaharu's heart skipped a beat.
Boom!
Before Rei's mech was about to explode, his arm, formed by liquid nano-metal, gently reached forward and cupped his younger brother's face. Then it covered Shin's mech and gently pushed it away.
Boom! A huge explosion sound.
Shin, who would have died together with his brother in the explosion, was protected by the dead Undead, Rei Nouzen, in this way.
...
Just at this moment, Yamada Masaharu realized — — although his brother had become a Shepherd and lost his sanity, he still loved his younger brother from the bottom of his heart.
Everything he did before, seemingly crazy and reckless aggression, was actually just wanting to protect Shin and snatch his own younger brother from the hands of those white-skinned pigs of San Magnolia. That is all.
Even after he was hit, when the self-destruct system was about to explode, he still gently and firmly pushed Shin away with his liquid metal arm.
...
Wuwuwu, I'm really crying to death...
...
[Chapter 41: The Final Place That Can Be Reached]
After the great battle with the Shepherd Rei ended, the 86s repelled another attack from the Imperial Legion and returned to the 86 zone.
It is just that the situation is different from before. This time, behind them, there is no longer the minefield set up by San Magnolia to prevent the 86s from escaping and rebelling. Behind them are the people who firmly support them.
After the previous great battle, within the Republic of San Magnolia, people witnessed the existence of the 86s; they are living, breathing humans. Just like the white-haired race, they are humans with flesh and blood, needing survival and dignity.
They are not drones without names, only having code names. They are the great warriors of the Republic; to defend the country and protect the people in the rear, they spared no sacrifice and rushed to the front line.
In the 86 district, countless people sacrificed their lives. They are all worthy of being remembered by history. They are the most lovable people in the world, the greatest defenders, and the most admirable warriors.
Without their sacrifice, there would not be the peace in the rear now. It was precisely from the day of [The Iron Curtain Burns] that people faced the existence of the 86s squarely, and San Magnolia no longer only selected colored races to fight on the front line.
Countless white-haired race volunteers were enlisted, following one after another, becoming an important force in resisting the Empire and recovering lost territory. Seeing this scene, Yamada Masaharu was almost moved to tears. That feeling is hard to describe in words. He just felt a fire burning in his chest.
...
Everything is moving towards the most hopeful, best tomorrow. However, this is not over.
In the month after the Iron Curtain burning day, the military of San Magnolia conducted a trial for all members of the Second Corps in the Eastern Theater. Because they [betrayed their own country and threatened the country with its destruction, this is a great treason], Hazawa and the others were sentenced to death, only it was carried out secretly.
Nani?! Seeing this, Yamada Masaharu was completely shocked. What are these shameless white-skinned pigs doing? Is this how they treat their heroes?
Seriously, in the entire game, Corps Commander Hazawa is Yamada's favorite person. Although he looks a bit young, he showed extremely high combat proficiency, and at the same time, he is very courageous and wise. It is precisely because of him that the 86s could be known by people, and it was possible to promote the subsequent full mobilization, regardless of whether they were the white-haired race or colored races, treating them all equally on the battlefield.
What a remarkable act this is. However, to end up with such a fate, it is truly hard for people to accept.
...
Doing things like [mutiny] and [violating orders] will definitely be held accountable. Corps Commander Hazawa of the Second Corps is a good example. In the end, the five of them, including Shin, made a decision — — it seems there is nothing left worth protecting. Since we are all going to die, we want to choose our own way of dying.
So, they left the front line, ignored the [recall letter] issued from the Imperial Capital, and left resolutely towards the distance, away from San Magnolia, heading deeper into the Empire. The 5 people headed to the distance, looking for their place of death.
At this point, whether Lena apologizes or blames herself has no meaning to them, so she could not think of what to say. Even so, she still spoke subconsciously: "Don't leave me alone."
Lena, who understood what she had said after a beat, froze in place. Why didn't she say anything else, but specifically said don't leave me? Not only is it shameless, but she also could not understand the meaning.
On the other hand, Shin and the others heard this, but smiled gently. Lena realized at this moment that this was the first time they had shown her a true smile. A soft smile mixed with a little bitterness. It was just like the expression an older brother or sister would have when they are starting elementary school today, and they encounter their young sister who is constantly acting spoiled, saying that she wants to go too.
"Ah! That sounds great."
Leiden laughed. Just like a beast galloping on the wilderness, relying only on its own and its companions' strength, tough and proud.
"That's true. We weren't driven away, but actively embarked on a journey. We can go wherever we want to go."
Their attention shifted from Lena to the road ahead. Everyone's eyes and thoughts flew towards the future ahead again.
Lena held her breath gently. The emotions transmitted through the synchronization were not determination, nor composure. If one were to give an example, it would be like seeing the sparkling blue sea under a clear sky for the first time. It is also like a child who is brought to a boundless, spring-filled grassland and told they can run and play to their heart's content.
Uncontrollable excitement and pure joy. It is as if they have been looking forward to it for a long time and could not wait a single moment longer. Ah, ah. How can I stop them? No matter what words are used, they cannot hold back their footsteps.
For them, so-called freedom. Lena now understands that even if it is just choosing the place to die and the road along the way, this degree of freedom is still so respectable and so precious.
Discovering that Lena had silently accepted this farewell, they stepped forward again. And in the end, facing Lena, who understood but was still emotionally unable to accept it, Shin smiled gently. That was the first time Lena felt him smile so peacefully. Carefree, without a trace of gloom. "We'll take our leave first, Major."
The synchronization quietly disconnected. Five light spots quietly disappeared. Having left the control range, the object settings for the sensory synchronization were also erased. In this way, there would never be a chance to meet again. Tears overflowed, continuously falling from her eyes, unable to stop the sobs surging from her throat; Lena lay on the computer console, crying loudly.
...
In the game, the song sung by Ayumi Hamasaki rang out. And on the television, in the distant dim yellow sky, there was a beautiful sunset glow. A flock of wild geese flapped their wings and flew into the distance. Not many, not few, exactly 5. The game has ended here, and immediately after, bullet comments appeared on the screen: [THE END]
...
Nani?! Seeing this, Yamada Masaharu was completely stunned. It's over?
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