The main force of the Duchy's army moved alongside the Guardian of the Sky.
Hiltrauda stood before a single elderly knight.
That old knight, whose right arm was covered by something black, was Vandel—a former Black Knight.
Hiltrauda addressed Vandel, who knelt before her, in a cold tone.
"I told you I couldn't grant permission to sortie, didn't I?"
Vandel remained silent. A senior official nearby explained the reason for the objection.
"Lord Vandel, if the Kingdom attacks, they'll charge straight at our main force. We need you to deal with that Heretical Knight there."
Hiltrauda narrowed her eyes.
*(The Demon Gear's right arm... So in the end, Vandel is the only one who could use it.)*
More than ten people had already sacrificed themselves in the attempt to select a knight who could wield the Demon Gear's right arm. In the end, Vandel was the only one the parasitic arm had latched onto and allowed to survive.
A slit opened in Vandel's black right arm, and from within, an eye appeared, scanning the surroundings.
He looked like nothing so much as something corroded by an alien presence.
Vandel covered the eye with his left hand and apologized.
"Forgive me. I still haven't gained complete control over it. Princess Hiltrauda, please—grant me permission to rescue my lady—Lady Hiltrude."
"The rescue team has already been dispatched. Are you trying to flee from a rematch with the Heretical Knight?"
The Duchy had anticipated that if the Kingdom committed to an all-out battle, they would charge at the main force.
They wouldn't be able to contend with the Guardian of the Sky.
Therefore, they believed the Kingdom would most likely mount a charge with Leon at the forefront. Just as the Kingdom's communications were poor, so too were the Duchy army's. They were on guard, but had no way of knowing when the Kingdom would strike.
"With me, I can rescue the princess with certainty."
At Vandel's words, Hiltrauda let out a small laugh.
"You were always her favorite, after all. Well, the rescue team is already out. No harm in letting someone go check on the results."
Despite the senior officials' objections, Hiltrauda paid them no mind.
Vandel rose to his feet.
"Then I shall sortie immediately."
"I'll have a fast airship prepared for you."
"That won't be necessary. This body—rather, a single suit of armor will suffice. An airship would only slow me down."
Hiltrauda watched Vandel's retreating figure as he left the room. The senior officials behind her were breaking into cold sweat with fear.
Their gazes were fixed on his right arm.
The discolored black arm was grotesque, and Vandel's own eyes were bloodshot.
"So that's part of the Lost Item—the Demon Gear? It looks like a monster."
Hiltrauda leaned back against the armrest of her chair.
"It's been said to grant tremendous power at the cost of the user's life, but I never expected I'd actually see the real thing."
"Can he defeat the Heretical Knight?"
"He'll win. And even if he doesn't, we won't be the ones to lose."
Hiltrauda closed her eyes.
*(Sister, please be safe. Vandel is coming for you.)*
◇
The sky above the royal capital.
The battle had ended, and airships were gradually gathering.
On the deck of the Partner stood friends who had arrived by airship from their territories.
Raymond gazed at the royal capital in disbelief.
"It's completely wrecked."
"Well, there's not much you can do when attacked from the sky."
"Can we really win this? We're being attacked by thirty ships and we're already in this state?"
Facing my worried friends, I tried to cheer them up.
"Don't think I'd go into battle without a secret plan. I've prepared properly. Look."
Their gaze followed—and there it was: a gleaming white airship that had risen from underground.
The royal ship.
Luxion had named it, because I couldn't be bothered.
The name was **Weiss**—apparently it meant "white" or something to that effect in Luxion's words. It really suited it. I'd like to ask what "Allegance" meant too.
It probably had a meaning that suited me just as well.
"That airship is the secret weapon?"
"It's smaller than the Partner."
"Is it carrying some kind of incredible weapon?"
My friends showed interest but complained that it was smaller than the Partner. The airship itself didn't match the Partner's performance.
But Livia and Ange were aboard it.
If those two, who had confirmed their love for each other, were riding it, then that airship would surely unleash a tremendous power.
...Still, it was a complicated feeling.
So the two of them loved each other... What would become of my position?
Daniel looked at me with concern.
"You look pale. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Anyway, once we've resupplied, I'll explain what comes next—"
As we talked, something crashed toward the palace.
What was that? I hurriedly checked with Luxion.
"What's happening?!"
*"Currently assessing the situation."*
His response was slower than usual, and it didn't quite feel like Luxion.
"Deploy Allegance."
*"Resupply and maintenance are underway. Please wait approximately ten minutes."*
He wasn't even being flexible.
Looking toward the palace, smoke was rising.
◇
The one walking through the palace was Vandel.
In his left hand, he held the Magic Flute that had been kept under strict guard in the treasury. In his right, he grabbed his own greatsword—a massive blade designed for an Armor, forged from a special metal called Adamantite.
Holding a greatsword larger than his own body, the corner of his mouth curled upward.
"Partner, I've come to pick you up. It's just a bonus that the princess is here too."
With that, he slung it over his shoulder, only to find the Kingdom's knights blocking his way.
"Who goes there!"
"Drop your weapon and surrender!"
Through the hole Vandel had punched in the palace wall, floating Kingdom Armor suits could be seen.
The knights aimed their muzzles at him and pulled the triggers, but something invisible seemed to shield Vandel, as the bullets ricocheted away.
Multiple eyes opened across his right arm, darting about as they scanned the surroundings.
The knights recoiled at the sight.
"Mo—monster! Open fire!"
An Armor suit also entered the palace, attempting to restrain Vandel.
But Vandel leaped at it in the flesh, greatsword in one hand, and swung wildly.
The Armor was cleaved in two, and the knights along with it.
In an instant, the fight was over. Vandel looked down at the fallen knights.
"Pathetic lot. Now then, I need to find the princess."
The eyes on his right arm darted about, then all of them focused on a single spot.
"So, she's over here."
Vandel pressed forward, cutting down knights and soldiers as he went, until he reached the room where Hiltrude was being held.
He threw the door open, and there was Hiltrude, unharmed.
"Princess!"
Every eye on his right arm closed at once.
"Vandel? Why are you here? I heard the Duchy army had been defeated."
The Duchy army that had launched the attack had indeed been defeated.
Vandel was bitter about it.
"What a sorry bunch. They couldn't protect you and lost to a pack of Kingdom cowards. Come now, let's return together. Princess Hiltrauda is waiting for you."
"...Lauda?"
Vandel handed the Magic Flute to Hiltrude. As she took it, she witnessed an unbelievable sight.
"Princess, please step back."
His right arm suddenly swelled, engulfed Vandel entirely, and then took the form of an Armor suit.
The form was—somewhat reminiscent of Allegance.
But where that one was sleek and mechanical, this was grotesque and organic. Bat-like wings, a reptilian tail, spines jutting from the surface.
Instead of mechanical sounds, the thudding of a beating heart could be heard.
"Vandel—could it be, that right arm—"
It was the spiky black right arm of the Armor that Hiltrude had seized and sent to the Duchy.
Hiltrude understood what it meant, and tears streamed down her face.
That, at least, made Vandel a little happy.
*(Please don't shed tears for my sake, Princess.)*
"Why are you using such a thing?!"
Vandel's voice, merged with the Armor, was muffled.
*"Princess—this old man's final act of service. Please, climb aboard."*
He extended his left hand. Hiltrude climbed on, and Vandel burst out of the palace.
A multitude of Armor suits were waiting for him, but—
*"You Kingdom trash! You're no match for me. Go fetch the Heretical Knight!"*
Protecting Hiltrude, he soared through the sky, destroying Kingdom Armor after Armor with the greatsword in his right hand as he fled.
Vandel spotted the Partner, but with Hiltrude in his left hand, his priority was getting her back.
He could also see Leon on the deck, but he decided to leave that fight for another time.
*"Bartfort! I'm taking the princess back."*
Vandel grinned as he looked at Leon's frustrated expression.
*"I'll settle things with you soon enough."*
The Kingdom army did not dispatch a pursuit force as Vandel made his escape.
◇
Hiltrude and the Magic Flute had both been taken.
Or rather—I had seen that rampaging black Armor suit somewhere before. The fact that I couldn't remember where was driving me crazy.
I stood with my arms crossed, thinking, when my second brother smacked me on the head.
"Don't zone out!"
"Ow! I wasn't sleeping!"
Rubbing my head, I looked at the airships floating around the Partner.
Friends bound by contract had come to reinforce us.
The sky above the royal capital held other Kingdom airships as well.
The lords who had rushed to the scene—nearly two hundred airships stood in formation.
My father watched the spectacle with a tense expression.
"No one told me Leon was leading this fleet. What the hell is going on?"
From his perspective, he'd arrived to find his son made supreme commander. It was no wonder he was stunned.
"I sort of stumbled into the role of commander through momentum and enthusiasm."
"You don't just stumble into that! Normally, you can't!"
My second brother slumped his shoulders in exasperation.
"So? How are we supposed to beat the Duchy army? I saw them from a distance—can we really take down monsters that huge?"
I looked at the white ship floating at the center of the airship fleet—Weiss.
"I don't fight battles I can't win. I've prepared my trump card properly."
My father gave me a skeptical look.
"Angelica and Olivia? You're putting those two on the battlefield? No way. Absolutely not. You love those two, don't you?"
...Don't say any more than that.
"I need those two, no matter what."
My father wasn't convinced. But since I insisted it was necessary, he relented.
"You'd better protect them absolutely. If those two die here, you'll regret it."
My father really did see through things, didn't he?
My second brother was also looking at me with concern, so I smiled and answered.
"I know."
Cutting into our family conversation was Marie, shaking her head.
"Wait. Why do I have to board this ship?"
"It's obvious, isn't it? We're charging the enemy with the Partner at the front. You're going to be my shield, so get to work."
I forcibly stripped her of the Saintess's equipment from the reluctant temple—well, confiscated it.
I needed her to earn her keep.
My second brother and father tilted their heads.
"Who's this?"
"I don't know either."
"This one? She's the Saintess. I was thinking of using her as a shield when we charge."
The two of them looked at me with expressions that said *no way.*
"Making a girl your shield—how pathetic, as your father."
"Buzz off. I'm the type who'll use anyone, even family. Naturally, I'm going to put this one to work too."
"You're the worst!"
I flicked Marie on the head, then fixed her with a serious look.
"Work like your life depends on it—because it does. Do that, and I'll help negotiate for your life."
Marie held her head, tears in her eyes.
"If I die here, it's all meaningless!"
"How the hell should I know! You owe a debt of responsibility, and you're going to pay it even if it kills you. If you run, I'll kill you myself. I'll chase you to the ends of the earth."
Marie hung her head, but I couldn't think of any other way to earn her reprieve. If we lost, she'd die. And even if we won, she was a criminal who had deceived the entire temple as the fraudulent Saintess.
At the very least, she had to fight for her life—
"Marie, don't look so anxious."
A brilliantly colored Armor suit descended onto the deck.
Seeing the red armor, I wanted to click my tongue.
"What are you guys doing here—"
Red, blue, purple, green—the four pilots revealed themselves and gathered around Marie.
"This Greg Fou Seberg will protect you."
Greg, brimming with confidence, brought Marie to tears.
"You guys—"
"I'd hate to be forgotten as well."
Chris removed his glasses and smiled at Marie.
"As long as we're here, everything will be fine."
Brad swept his bangs back with a flourish, striking a pose, while Jilk extended his hand to Marie.
"Marie-san, this time we'll be by your side. You're not alone."
"Everyone... I, I—"
And then, an Armor suit descended onto the bridge of the Partner.
"Let me join as well!"
The gleaming white Armor suit fluttered a blue cape in the wind.
I looked up and thought:
"...No. Go home."
The chest armor opened, and out stepped a masked knight.
It was unmistakably Prince Julius.
A tight-fitting pilot suit, a mask, and a cape to boot. What exactly are you trying to do?
Drop the ridiculous getup. It's embarrassing.
But—
"Who is he?"
Jilk, who was supposed to be Prince Julius's childhood friend and closest companion, looked genuinely stunned. No way—right? He was just reading the room and pretending not to recognize him?
Greg stepped in front of Marie, shielding her.
His guard was fully raised.
"Masked man! What are you here for?!"
...Huh?
I looked around. Everyone had looks of genuine surprise and wariness. My father and second brother were overwhelmed trying to follow the situation, while the other four were truly shocked.
Chris had even drawn his sword.
"Marie, fall back."
"Huh? But that's Ju—"
Brad conjured flames in both hands, ready to fight at a moment's notice.
What is wrong with you people! That is obviously Prince Julius!
The masked Julius leaped down before us.
While the four remained on guard, he landed elegantly, slowly stood—and introduced himself.
"You want to know who I am? You may call me... the Masked Knight."
"The Masked Knight?"
Jilk, startled, aimed his pistol at the self-proclaimed Masked Knight, and I truly wanted to cry.
"Yes. I was moved by your fighting spirit. Allow me to offer what little help I can—Wh-what are you doing! Viscount Bartfort, let go of me!"
"Shut up and get over here, you idiot."
I threw my arm around the Masked Knight's neck, pulled him away from the others, and ducked behind cover so we were alone.
I reached for the mask, but Julius caught it with both hands, protecting it.
"What are you doing here, Your Highness?"
"N-no! I am not some noble person called Prince Julius. I am simply a knight who, for personal reasons, cannot show his face—but who has chosen to join this battle. I am not Prince Julius."
...Am I being made a fool of?
"Go home."
"W-wait! Viscount Bartfort, isn't this a time when every bit of fighting power counts?!"
"I can't use some suspicious unknown. Now go."
"W-wait! F-fine!"
With that, Julius removed his mask, showing me his face.
"...I'm Julius."
"Yeah, I know. I knew it was you."
"What?! My disguise was supposed to be perfect!"
"Are you mocking me? Or is everyone around you just that stupid to you?"
"Fine. Then I'll tell you the truth—just to you. I'm joining this battle too."
"Exit's that way."
I pointed toward the way out, and the idiot latched onto me.
"Please! I want to fight alongside everyone!"
"If you die, that becomes my responsibility!"
"That's exactly why I wore the mask!"
So what if you wore a mask?
"Go home!"
"Absolutely not!"
If I sent him back like this, wouldn't he just follow and get himself killed anyway? Having turned him into a clueless prince, he was far too dangerous.
What on earth was I supposed to do?
My gaze drifted, and there was Weiss.
—Alright, then I'd just have to consolidate everyone in one place.
I'd put him on Weiss as an escort for Livia and Ange. That was where defenses were strongest, giving him the highest chance of survival.
But if I told him to fall back, he'd just grumble and complain.
"...You're serious?"
"Of course."
"Then I'm putting you in the most dangerous spot."
"The vanguard? Hmph, you know what you're doing, Bartfort."
I wanted to punch the grinning look off his face, but now was the time for restraint.
"Don't be stupid. The crux of this operation is Weiss—the royal ship. We're using the royal ship to take down that colossal monster. It's the spot the enemy will target first."
Julius's expression turned serious.
And if I put Marie there too, he'd defend her with his life.
"I'm putting Marie on board as well. It's the most dangerous place, where the enemy will press hardest. Do you have the resolve for that?"
Behind the mask, a smile crept across Julius's lips.
"Allow me, then, Supreme Commander."
The idiot was useful after all.
Marie would be dragged along too, but if it meant keeping that group of five in check, I could tolerate it.
"Alright. Get to Weiss."
"Ah, I'll live up to your expectations. ...Incidentally, I jumped down on impulse—how exactly do I get up to where the Armor suits are stored?"
The Masked Knight stood gazing up at his Armor, contemplating how to reach it.
...Too stupid for words.
◇
The bridge of Weiss.
Livia and Ange were watching a strange sight.
"Um... Lu-kun?"
Floating before them was a support AI identical to Luxion except for its appearance: a white sphere with a single blue eye.
Its voice was an electronic tone close to female.
*"Not bad. Not great, either. I'm what you'd call a familiar, and I've been ordered to manage this airship."*
Ange was surprised.
"Something like that is possible?"
*"This is a rather old model of ship, but with the device installed, it's certainly doable. In fact, the only crew aboard are you two and your escorts."*
Livia reached out to touch the familiar that resembled Luxion.
"What's your name?"
*"That's a tough one. A number would be so dull—why don't you call me 'Claire'?"*
"Claire?"
*"Whatever you'd like. By the way, that cantankerous Luxion certainly had a fondness for you two. I'll make sure to protect you properly."*
Ange lowered her head, and Claire tilted slightly, looking puzzled.
"What's wrong, Angelica?"
"...Can I get in touch with Leon? If we depart like this, I won't be able to tell him how I feel."
*"Your feelings for the Master? Understood. I'll connect you."*
"Huh?"
At Claire's words, an image appeared in the air.
Leon was there.
A masked figure kept flickering into view, but neither Livia nor Ange paid it any mind.
"Leon!"
"Leon, that is—um!"
*"Hm? What's this?"*
The masked man pushed Leon aside and filled the entire screen with his face.
The two women loudly demanded that the masked man move.
"You strange person, move out of the way!"
"What kind of outfit is that? What's with that bizarre mask and cape? And the bodysuit? Are you a pervert? Just step aside and let Leon through already!"
The dejected masked man disappeared from the screen, and Leon wore an indescribable expression.
He'd caught sight of the two and was clearing his throat awkwardly, looking uncomfortable.
*"Um, well... What is it?"*
Livia placed a hand over her heart.
"Leon, I have something to tell you!"
*"I have a meeting to attend, so keep it brief if you would."*
As Leon listened, Ange steadied her breathing.
"It's about what happened before. Actually, there's something I absolutely need to—"
But before she could finish, Greg cut in.
*"Hey, where did that Masked Knight go? I need to confirm his face—huh? Wh-what is this?!"*
Greg's face filled the screen, and Ange's temples throbbed with rage.
Then came Jilk, Brad, and Chris.
All of them waving at Livia and Ange.
*"This is incredible. I can see your faces and hear your voices too."*
*"We're heading your way, so wait for us."*
*"Marie's coming too, so get things ready."*
They'd barged in on the conversation, and on top of that were telling them to prepare for Marie. Ange was furious and slammed her fist into the screen.
"You lot, back off! We have something to tell Leon!"
The image crackled with static and vanished.
"Ah!"
Livia looked at Claire, who waved her single blue eye side to side.
*"Communications are poor. I can't maintain the connection any longer."*
As Livia hung her head, Ange gripped her hand.
"It'll be alright. We'll definitely tell him how we feel—both of us together."
"...Yes."
Claire addressed the two of them in a teasing tone.
*"My, how passionate. You truly deserve to be called real lovebirds. But it's almost time to depart."*
Livia turned forward.
"It's an incredible sight."
Two hundred airships had begun to move, setting out for the decisive battle with the Duchy.
*"It's almost entirely a ragtag fleet with no real coordination. They've got the numbers, but if we can actually win this, it'll be a miracle."*
"A miracle... If it's Leon, he can make it happen."
*"You're right. You can't help but place your faith in that guy."*
It was Claire who supplemented their knowledge of the decisive battle.
*"It seems the battle will take place above a large lake. They've been drawing seawater up to the area—it connects to the underside of the earth."*
Livia pressed her hand to her chest.
"A battle above a lake?"
*"That's right. The odds of survival if you fall are higher that way."*
Fighting above a lake meant that even if you fell, there was a chance you'd survive. For that reason, aerial battles were frequently held over bodies of water.
Even though Livia understood the logic, she couldn't quite accept it.
"The water will get polluted."
Debris from the fighting would fall into the lake and taint it. It was a nuisance for the people living in the surrounding area.
*"...This time, it's a fight to the death. I'm sorry, but we can't afford to worry about that. Once it's all over, I'll send people to help with the restoration."*
A small airship detached from the Partner at the head of the fleet and approached Weiss.
Onboard were the Masked Knight and the others.
◇
Alone on the deck.
Having issued instructions to Luxion's empty shell, I turned to face forward.
In the distance, thick clouds loomed—within a day, the battle with the Duchy would begin.
*"My trump card is right here. I never wanted to bring those two into a war, though."*
If I had regrets, there were plenty.
Couldn't I have done things better?
For instance, if I'd used Luxion to gather information, the story probably wouldn't have gone this far off the rails.
There would have been no need for me to become supreme commander in the first place.
And ultimately, this was nothing more than a ragtag fleet that could only mount a desperate charge.
"...Oh."
One thing occurred to me.
That mask Julius had been wearing—it was a character from the game. He was fairly prominent, but in the end, it was never revealed who he actually was.
In the game, it wasn't Julius either.
He had a somewhat theatrical manner and seemed like a bumbling but powerful type.
Still, it was nice to remember, but it wasn't exactly important.
*"But I can't believe he'd actually show up wearing that mask."*
The Masked Knight—who on earth was the real deal?
◇
The palace.
Roland was searching for something in the hidden room behind his own chambers.
"I-it's not here! My transformation set is gone! The key to the custom-ordered Armor is missing too! W-who would do something like this... Mylene! It must be that old hag!"
As Roland fumed, the very Mylene he'd accused appeared at his door.
"Your Majesty! Have you seen Julius?"
Roland, caught with his hidden room exposed, turned around in a panic.
"Julius?! He's n-not here, but... Y-you're not surprised?"
Mylene, having seen Roland's hidden room, wore a look of utter exasperation.
"I already knew about this secret room. I just didn't know what was inside. More importantly—Julius. I can't find him anywhere."
Roland slumped his shoulders.
"You knew? M-my secret room... But as for Julius, I haven't a clue. Isn't he sulking in his room?"
"If he were, I wouldn't be asking. He takes after you, you know. I'm worried he might have gone and done something foolish."
That's when it dawned on Roland.
"—Wait. Does Julius also know about my room's secret?"
"Of course. He reported to me that he found it when he was a child."
Upon hearing this, Roland dashed out of his room in a panic.
"Your Majesty! What's wrong?!"
"Julius! That boy must have taken my transformation set and Armor!"
Mylene's face went pale.
"Why on earth do you have such things?!"
"It's for romance!"