Chapter 32: An Iron Angel’s Supremacy

Luzi couldn’t hide her amazement.

"The Young Master... He actually seems to be putting up a fight."

Sinclair, however, seemed to brace himself.

A bead of sweat slowly rolled down his face.

"Not for long, he won’t."

His expression became serious.

"Miss Seraphina is about to step up her game."

Inside the Type-Vanguard, Arthur couldn’t help but grin.

He was excited.

For the first time since the spar had begun, he felt like he was actually winning.

Then—

Seraphina’s expression suddenly changed.

She looked genuinely annoyed.

"Young... Master..."

Her voice became colder.

"Enough."

The silver aura surrounding her body suddenly intensified.

BOOM!

Seraphina thrust her sword forward.

The sheer force behind the movement sent the Type-Vanguard flying backward.

Arthur’s eyes widened.

"Whoa!"

Before he could stabilize himself, Seraphina’s body began producing strange metallic structures.

Silver liquid flowed from her arms and shoulders, rapidly forming several massive cannons.

This was an ability inherent only to Iron Angels, and one of the reasons they were the main military force: creating constructs from the metals they produced from their bodies.

Naturally, these constructs could either be basic weapons or complex machinery.

Basic weapons were just that—basic weapons. Any Iron Angel could create one.

But for victory in many battles, Iron Angels were tasked with learning and perfectly remembering the entire blueprints of complex machinery.

Naturally, it wasn’t a feat a human mind could easily accomplish, so it wasn’t unheard of for them to get cybernetic implants that gave them photographic memory.

The cannons extended outward from her body, their barrels glowing with concentrated energy.

Arthur’s grin returned.

"Heh."

He steadied the Type-Vanguard in midair.

...She’s using cannons now?

Arthur’s crimson eyes flickered.

With Genesis, I should be able to dodge those easily.

Then...

〘WARNING.〙

Arthur froze.

〘Five minutes have elapsed since activation of Deductive Probing EX.〙

His expression changed.

〘The recommended safety threshold has been exceeded.〙

〘Continued usage may result in severe neural backlash.〙

〘Immediate deactivation is advised.〙

Arthur’s expression became uneasy.

"...Neural damage?"

He hesitated.

Then he sighed.

"Fine."

He couldn’t afford to risk damaging his brain just for a spar.

"Deactivate Deductive Probing."

〘Deductive Probing EX deactivated.〙

The crimson circuitry surrounding Arthur’s eyes immediately faded.

The red rings disappeared from his pupils.

Arthur exhaled.

"Much better."

He glanced toward Seraphina.

And immediately froze.

He had completely forgotten about the cannons.

"...Oh, shit."

Seraphina’s silver cannons were already aimed directly at him.

Arthur’s eyes widened.

"Wait—"

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Several concentrated blasts of energy erupted from the cannons.

They struck the Type-Vanguard head-on.

"FUCK!"

Agis’ entire body violently vibrated.

ZZZZT!

Electric currents surged across the Mecha’s frame.

The Type-Vanguard’s limbs spasmed uncontrollably as the electromagnetic force tore through its systems.

Arthur was thrown backward inside the cockpit.

"What the hell?!"

Agis staggered.

Its knees buckled.

BOOM!

The massive Mecha crashed down onto both knees.

Arthur’s body lurched forward from the impact.

Then—

The cockpit opening suddenly shifted.

Arthur was thrown out of the opening and tumbled toward the ground.

"WHOA—!"

He hit the ground hard.

"...God damn it."

Genesis and Eclipsion immediately spoke in his mind.

〘Master, are you alright?〙

〘Master, have you sustained any injuries?〙

Arthur straightened himself.

"I’m fine."

He rolled his ankle slightly.

"Although... I think I might have bruised my ankle from that sudden fall."

Before he could think any further, Seraphina swiftly transformed back into her human form.

She approached him with an annoyed expression.

"Young Master."

Arthur looked at her.

"I told you your life could be in danger, and all you could focus on was settling a score."

Arthur blinked.

"My life was in danger?"

Seraphina stared at him.

"Yes!"

She grabbed him by the arm and began pulling him away from the arena.

"Something strange happened during our spar."

Her expression became more serious.

"It would be best if we leave while you still seem to be alright."

Arthur frowned.

"Something strange happened?"

He glanced back toward the arena.

...Genesis.

〘Yes, Master?〙

...Did you catch a glimpse of what Seraphina is talking about?

Genesis became strangely quiet.

Then, in an unusually awkward tone, she responded.

〘Umm...〙

〘She must be referring to what happened when you activated your skill.〙

Arthur raised an eyebrow.

...What exactly happened?

Genesis hesitated.

〘I had to look through a crack in space to forcibly obtain information about your target and grant the effects of the skill.〙

〘In order to properly observe the Mortal Realm, a sufficiently large spatial crack had to be opened.〙

Arthur stared blankly for a moment.

So...

He slowly processed what she had said.

...You’re saying she saw the VFX?

Genesis paused.

〘Uhh... you could say that.〙

Arthur winced.

He hadn’t even considered it.

The special effects accompanying his skills weren’t merely visual effects that existed for the player’s benefit.

They were actual phenomena within the game world.

And apparently, the NPCs could perceive them now.

Arthur sighed.

...So when I use a skill, they can actually see all the crazy shit that happens?

He glanced toward Seraphina.

This could become troublesome.

He might have to think twice before using certain skills in the future.

Otherwise...

He could end up creating unnecessary drama every time he activated one.

For now, however, he would just play along.

It would be far simpler than exposing the fact that the phenomenon was caused by a Divine-grade item he somehow possessed, especially when House Ashbourne had no record of possessing one or even the means to afford it.

As they left the arena, Sir Sinclair turned toward the engineers.

"Bring the Mecha back into the hangar."

The engineers immediately nodded.

"Yes, Sir."

"And run a complete diagnostic on every system," Sinclair added. "I want to make sure everything is still operational after that little stunt."

"Understood."

"Check the armor integrity, weapons, thrusters, and internal systems. Don’t overlook anything."

"Yes, Sir Sinclair."

Luzi, who was beside him, couldn’t believe what she had just witnessed.

"So Iron Angels are really that strong?"

Sinclair smiled.

"The Young Master actually put up a good fight. I’m impressed."

Luzi nodded.

"Yes, he was amazing. If things had gone a little better, he might have even won."

Sinclair burst out laughing.

"Won?"

He shook his head.

"Not a chance."

He turned toward his assistant.

"My assistant, Luzi dear, I know you’ve studied under me for as long as you were young. You should take this as another piece of advice from your mentor."

Luzi blinked.

"What?"

Sinclair’s expression became serious.

"No other beings in the cosmos, apart from a Hollow, can challenge the strength of an Iron Angel."

He glanced toward the arena where the battle had just taken place.

"Technology and science can make leaps and bounds, but against overwhelming power..."

He paused.

"All tactics are meaningless."

Both of them then glanced at Arthur as he was being pulled away by Miss Seraphina.

She soon freed his hand, giving him an earful, causing him to scratch the back of his head.