Mental Rebirth: The World's Savior Was Not Me, but My Childhood Friend and Stalker - Chapter 28: Ancient Mechanical Giant God
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- Mental Rebirth: The World's Savior Was Not Me, but My Childhood Friend and Stalker
- Chapter 28: Ancient Mechanical Giant God
I must do something; I need to act fast. Filled with urgency, I joined back with the others.
“What are you doing!? Do you want to die doing something like that!?” “I couldn’t just sit around when Touko might have been dead!!”
Mei immediately yelled at me upon meeting, and I couldn’t help but respond angrily, surprising both her and myself. I quickly regained my composure.
“I’m sorry for yelling, Mei… I was just a bit heated.” “No, it’s my fault. I misjudged the Savior’s intentions.”
Does she think I’m quick-tempered…? It’s regrettable, but this exchange was inevitable. Mei was probably just worried about me.
“The Savior seems to be hiding his embarrassment. You must love Touko-sama, don’t you.”
What?
“Haaaah? What are you talking about? How could you even think that? Do you know how much trouble, no, annoyance… no, hardship she’s caused me??? I don’t like her at all!! We’re just childhood friends bound by a rotten fate!! I just went to see her because it would be unpleasant if she died, you know? What are you, a middle schooler who starts rumors about liking any girl you see? Don’t you dare say that in front of Touko, okay?? My oblivious classmates teased me even before coming to this world, and it’s almost become an accepted fact!!”
“Yes, I’ll be careful next time.”
Mei nodded meekly, perhaps intimidated by my strong tone. A roaring sound echoed. No, this is not the time for such things. Touko is still risking her life in battle; we don’t have time for this farce.
“More importantly, Mei! We need to do something about that weapon! The bio-unit or something, isn’t there a way!?”
“I have been observing it too. Despite its enormous size, it resembles an automaton powered by a magic reactor. At its core, pulsating like a heart is the power reactor… no, the bio-unit, where Treson is located.”
Mei pointed at the upper part of the giant humanoid weapon, which was heavily armored and hard to attack.
I looked around the city. When we arrived here, there were ballistae on the city walls for defeating external enemies. If we use those…
“Attacking with a ballista is useless. It’s clear from watching Touko-sama’s battle. Her physical strength far exceeds that of a ballista’s shot, yet minimal damage is inflicted. Breaking through the armor is impossible.”
Her analysis was calm and logical. Likely, even explosives wouldn’t work.
A giant automaton. That’s how Mei described it. In essence, it’s like a giant humanoid robot. The term ‘bio-unit’ suggests a typical piloted mechanism… If that’s the case…
“Mei, can we use the cannons we saw in this city?”
“Yes, there are several deployed, and they should be ready for use. However, like the ballista, I doubt they’ll be effective.”
If they can be used, that’s all that matters. I ignored Mei’s objections and asked her to lead me to where the cannons were deployed.
“Using a cannon is pointless. It won’t work. I understand you want to help Touko-sama, but it might hinder her.”
“Who said I’m going to attack with it? I’ll use this cannon… to launch myself! And then cling onto that giant weapon!”
If it’s a giant robot, there must be a way to enter once I’m attached to it. It’s an antique; there must be some wear and tear.
“That’s ridiculous! You’ll die the moment you’re launched!?”
“You said so yourself. A skilled mage can prevent explosions with defensive magic. So, can’t you protect me from getting hurt?”
Mei was startled by my words. After a moment of silence, it was clear it was possible.
“No, even so, the risk is too high! Even if you cling to the giant weapon… it will surely attack. It’s certain death!”
“But I can’t just stand by and do nothing! I made a promise to deal with that giant weapon!!”
I made a promise. I can’t betray it. Not again. Again…? I was confused by my thoughts, but it was trivial. What’s important now is stopping that weapon as soon as possible.
“Even if we use the cannon, finding someone who can use the magic you mentioned is not easy! Please reconsider!!”
It was a fundamental problem. It would take too long to find such a person now. The guild might have someone, but it’s uncertain.
“Um… I can use that defensive magic. It’s a basic technique, nothing to brag about, but…”
Lubre timidly raised her hand. Defensive magic is basic, not rare for those with some skill. But to prevent explosives… it’s different this time. Lubre is an Elder Elf with immense magical power. Even basic spells become powerful in her hands, much like the Demon Lord’s.
“You’re going to do it… Sigh… It’s dangerous to leave that weapon unchecked… but losing you here as the Savior…”
Mei, grumbling, proceeded with the preparations for firing the cannon. Lubre was desperately casting defensive magic on me. It took some time, unlike the Demon Lord’s instantaneous spells.
The cannon was loaded with gunpowder. I got inside. It smelled strongly of gunpowder. Obviously…
The cannon was adjusted, aiming at the giant weapon. After fine-tuning, we targeted it when Touko’s attack slowed it down. A powerful blow landed. The big weapon was unharmed but staggered. In an instant, with a blast, I was launched.
“Yuusha!? To think you’d cling to that… Understood!”
With the explosion, I saw a figure. It was Yuusha, clinging onto the giant weapon despite the awkwardness. Touko realized his intention to infiltrate and destroy the bio-unit directly.
“Woah! I’m going to die! This is bad, so bad!”
Somehow, I managed to cling onto the giant weapon, though I was nearly shaken off due to the violent shaking. I pulled my nearly torn-off arm, found a protrusion, and finally stabilized. But any shift in the giant’s posture could send me plummeting instantly. Conscious of its humanoid form, I carefully planned my route to avoid fatal positions.
I mocked myself for this recklessness. Climbing the giant weapon’s body like rock climbing, I braced for sudden vibrations. Touko had landed another blow, the vibration resonating directly.
Treson finally noticed the diminutive being clinging to his body. The self-proclaimed Savior, a blight on the Demon Lord.
“What do you think you’re doing, lower life form? Get off! Do not dare touch my noble body!!”
He tried to shake me off. Touko didn’t miss this chance, quickly closing in to cling onto the giant weapon herself.
“I see! The main target is you, woman! But too bad, even if this pathetic fraud clings on, it’s no issue. But you’re different! I won’t let you get close!!”
Even as the gunfire blew her away, Touko kept her eyes on Yuusha. The earlier movement hadn’t shaken him off and was steadily climbing.
“But how pitiful you are, woman! Despite your great power, to follow such a lowly creature a fraud!
To serve under such a powerless, incompetent nobody! Let me tell you something good: that man is not the savior you think he is! He’s just a weakling!! An incapable person is less capable than an ordinary person!! A mere blabbermouth, a worm!!! Trash!!! Sadly, you’re following such a person!!!”
These words echoed throughout the city of Luftla. And as if in agreement, the people of the city murmured. Those who had seen the incident with the Demon Lord at the guild started talking. Yes, that savior must indeed be a fake. It’s so sad for that woman to be following him. Voices of sympathy rose. She’s being deceived. Tricked by a smooth-talking fraud, a tragic heroine is being used.
“Silence!!! You, who know nothing about Yuusha, don’t dare speak about him as if you do!!! Yuusha taught me!! Changed by Yuusha!!! Even if he’s not the savior with the mission to defeat the Demon Lord, as you say!! To me, Yuusha has always been my savior!!! Don’t… don’t… so easily…!! Don’t speak words that defile my relationship with Yuusha!!!”
The fist swung down is caught.
─── How foolish. Until now, this woman only dodged or struck back. I thought she had strength comparable to this Titan, but she didn’t have enough power to counter it fully.
But in reality, the fist, like a rock, is caught by Touko’s fingers. I can’t move. It’s as if a giant monster has grabbed me. No, this sensation is more familiar. The same as what I felt in that castle.
The same aura as the Demon Lord. Now, I am confronting another Demon Lord.
“Hii…!!”
An involuntary scream escapes. I quickly detach my arm. The giant arm comes off, releasing Touko from her restraint.
“There’s no need for you to understand anything about Yuusha. Not just you. Even if everyone denies Yuusha, I will always affirm him, no matter what. So you can die here.”
─── I’m going to be killed. Treson braced for death. Elder Elves have long lives and rarely feel the threat of death due to their superior magical power. Yet, he is now terribly afraid. Who is this woman…?
I must escape. The Demon Lord will be pleased if I at least bring back the ancient weapon as a souvenir. That’s what I thought when I tried to issue the retreat command, but something unusual happened.
“Gah…! What’s…!!”
I can’t control my body. No, my will can’t intervene in the ancient weapon. It starts moving on its own. The purged right shoulder moves independently, aiming at the enemy before me… the terrifying black-haired woman.
In an instant, the world is filled with a flash of light.