CH 276

The Great Melee 3

The Battleships are practically brushing each other while firing their turrets. Around them, strikers wielding swords and spears are engaging in fierce melee combat. The situation that forced both sides to go at each other with highly destructive weapons at close range has caused horrific damage to both friends and foes. The bottom of the basin which has become their battlefield is ridden with scrap metal drenched in oily substance like a mass grave filled with corpses.

“This is horrible…….”

As a mercenary, Kisei has witnessed many battlefields but such a bizarre battle is the first for him. One could call it a great melee.

“It’s messed up, I know. I wouldn’t blame anyone who gets sick of fighting after this!”

Saki complained but she was jumped by a [Renion]. As expected of a semi-Zenith machine, its speed was abnormal.

“Tsk!”

Seeing the approaching blade of its longsword, Saki reflexively unleashed her electromagnetic slash. Her sword shot out of the scabbard like a bullet with purple sparks, cutting her opponent’s longsword in the middle.

“Ugh!”

However, that alone was not enough to stop the [Renion]’s charge. With the same momentum, the [Renion] rammed into Saki’s [Dainsleif]. A violent shock shook her cockpit, making Saki’s eyes roll back for a moment.

The [Ex-Caliburn] quickly approached to help her. Just like Saki, the Imperial Guard who tackled her was also briefly knocked out and couldn’t respond to that. A pile bunker pierced the [Renion]’s abdomen before it could put up any resistance. The [Renion] convulsed before limping and crashing to the ground.

“My bad!”

Shaking her dizzy head, Saki apologized. Vuld is a race that boasts its toughness so she only suffered a mild concussion and no other injuries.

“Don’t worry about it!”

Ten meters tall giants are fighting each other in the darkness with a raging dust storm. Such collisions were happening all over the place.

“But there’s so many here. Isn’t this more than what the recon team’s report said?”

Of course, the situation is what it is. Even a recon vessel with top-of-the-line detection equipment would not be able to spot most enemies in such an environment. Still, there are still too many enemies here. They even have battleships firing at each other above them.

“The majority of the surviving Noredian force on this planet is probably in this basin. It would be one thing if they want to surrender but if they still want to keep fighting then they will want to regroup or they won’t be able to put up a fight.”

“The battle here is pretty flashy. The scattered enemies are probably gathering here. They’re like moths flying into flame.”

Saki snorted and kept her eyes on the surroundings. She doesn’t want to show more of her pathetic side in front of Kisei.

“It’s nice that the enemies are coming to us but this battle won’t end unless we take the Empress. Isn’t that right, Diaroze?”

The one who chimed in was Valentina. Her [Colebrand] is also charred and there are scratches all over its frame. She must have gone through a fairly intense melee as well.

“Certainly, if we can capture the Empress then these rebels(?) would be more docile. I agree, we need to secure her as soon as possible.”

The problem is that they don’t know where the Empress is hiding. The surrendered faction told them that they would notify them as soon as they spotted the Empress and they’ve also started looking for her but so far there’s no report from them at all.

“Maybe, the Empress is not here? I think the Empress’s personal striker should be very conspicuous. No matter how poor the visibility here is, the odd that no one spotted her so far is……..”

Schleer groaned as her face paled at the possibility.

“Using this battle as a diversion and run…….Mother, no, the Empress would do that.”

“I agree. I agreed but…..it’s also possible that it’s what she wants us to think too. Pretending to run away, messing with our search net, and using the opening to withdraw…..that’s also something she’s likely to do.”

“True. The Empress is certainly cunning. We should always assume that she has her ways to outwit us.”

Even as Diaroze and Valentina are discussing the possibilities, the battlefield continues to get worse. A battleship above them suddenly exploded, creating a pillar of fire, illuminating the whole basin for a moment. Kisei couldn’t help but hold his head.

“……even so, we can’t afford to entertain this quagmire of a situation forever. Half-measure will not do us any good right now. Even if it’s a gamble, we should decide on a clear plan right?”

“It’s rare for you to be assertive like this. What do you think Schleer? How about we ask My Love to search the outer edge of the basin? If it’s him, he should be able to more or less rely on his sense.”

In the middle of a melee, it would be unreasonable to ask him to find someone with his senses but it would be a different story if there were no enemies around. If the Empress intends to hide herself, there will not be many escorts around her. If it’s Kisei then he should be able to sniff out a suspicious group right away.

“Eh? Unnnn, I think I can do that but.”

With a frown, Kisei started to ponder. It’s certainly not impossible for him but he’s a little reluctant to leave the battlefield. Even a good pilot like Saki just got jumped earlier after all. If possible, he wants to remain here to support his allies.

“Then please do. There’s no one other than My Love who can do this after all.”

“……that’s true. Then Kisei, we will leave searching for the Empress to you.”

After a moment of thinking, Schleer agreed to the plan. There’s her rational side too but a part of her also wants Kisei to be away from the battlefield where people are dying left and right. Even right now, his mind should already be pretty exhausted by all the death so far.

“B, But…….”

Kisei replied hesitantly but Diaroze gently patted his head.

With a short sigh, he made his decision.

“I understand. Let’s go.”

“Alright, you can leave escorting My Love to me.”

Valentina puffed up her plump chest and smiled. Schleer was taken aback with her face twitching for a moment but she quickly retorted.

“Very well. But I’m going too.”

She can’t leave Kisei alone and this melee battle is harsh for her striker since it’s specialized in long-range bombardment.

Escorting her husband, keeping Valentina in check, and using it as a pretext to leave a battle where she’s at a disadvantage. Three birds with one stone.

“The commander herself is leaving the front line huh……”

Diaroze grumbled with an exasperated expression but Schleer simply ignored her.