Chapter 80 Part 1: Returning Kingfisher
Chapter 80 Part 1: Returning Kingfisher
Long time ago, the first giant fell to this world.
The beast started rampaging in the center of the newly formed world but soon enough died from severe exhaustion. Soon enough, giants started to fall all over the world, nearly driving the newly created humanity to the point of extinction.
Not many things are known about that first civilization. But they certainly existed on a whole different plain than the current humankind.
Giants and Humans…… Eventually they learned to coexist and fuse together…… By inserting themselves into the cores of the giants, humankind learned to harness their might and power all for themselves. Nearly two hundred years after the war with the giants –– called the “Nephilim War” –– humanity completely adopted the giants into their systems and daily lives.
“Nephilim Company” is the organization that prides itself on being the closest to the first humans from the days of the first war, controlling the most giants and utilizing their power to gather resources and keep society in check.
The giants are also the center of the “Holy Religion”, an organization which by the order of the “Pope” deploys “Holy Knights” piloting the giants and hunting down all “Heretics” who would dare to oppose the one and true faith.
“Giant Killers” are the organization from the opposite side of the barricade…… a united human front that serves only one purpose: to dispose of all the giants.
“Nephilim Company”, “Holy Religion” and “Giant Killers”…… Those three organizations keep the fragile balance of the world in check up to this day.
「Good morning, Rust-sama.」
「………… Nhh.」
It was five o’clock in the morning, and the girl returned the greeting with a low grunt. The place was the dock where her favorite machine was being kept. Riding the elevator, the girl looked up at the strangely shaped giant with a motif of gently flickering flame painted all over its frame.
This giant, who for some strange reason was calling itself “Hiyokrenri”, was in fact a Nephilim, and supposedly the strongest one at that.
This here “Nephilim” was a medium-sized biped equipped with laser Gatling gun on its right shoulder, missile pod on its left leg, laser sword tucked to its waist, and two pairs of double blades on its back. It was a frame that was mainly designated to engage enemies in close-quarters.
It was also equipped with boosters on its back, as well as left arm and right leg which allowed for some really tricky and complicated maneuvers, and it was the use of that feature that was making it the strongest. At least that’s what Rust thought about it.
「Ah, morning, Rust. You’re early today as well.」
「…… Mold, you’re five minutes late.」
There was a boy who appeared in the place where only certified personnel were allowed to enter. His physique was sturdy and strong, but the way in which he was talking and walking was giving off a rather soft impression. A boy who was such a walking contradiction called out to her with a voice that was way younger than he looked.
「You say that, but it’s only five minutes, so what’s wrong…… I, better stop, talking for now……」
「Let’s get down to business at once.」
「Sure, sure…… What settings would you like today?」
The boy shrugs his shoulders to the words of the “Queen of Dawn”. Rust got that nickname because she was always up and running between five and seven o’clock in the morning. Then the boy asks her about the details of the mock battle she would prefer.
「I feel like doing a Duel today……」
「So why do you need me for it? Aren’t duels essentially one-on-one?」
「Analysis and navigation…… That is your job.」
「As you wish, Your Majesty…… Wait just a moment, I will get the Puppet up and running in no time…… Ouch! Ouch! Stop kicking my shin, please!」
The reason for why the girl was kicking the boy’s shin was the fact that he didn’t finish the maintenance of the Puppet, a smaller version of the “Nephilim” that could be installed onto the main frame and support the pilot, in time.
「You should think about maintenance like that in advance……!」
「B, but! Yesterday’s club activities were taking really long and it was so late by the time they were over!」
「Geez……」
After she finally stopped kicking his shin, the boy got up and started performing the maintenance of the Puppet on the double.
When Rust and Mold went to the Pilot’s Entrance of the “Nephilim Company” they realized that there was a commotion amongst other pilots and their operators.
「Is there some sort of a problem?」
「Hm? Ooouh! If it isn’t the Phoenix! Just look at that thing over there!」
Phoenix was the title that Rust received during a certain company event from the CEO alongside a huge cash bonus after she managed to defend her top spot within the pilots rankings five times in a row. It was a title derived from the unique paint job of her Nephilim. But that was not why the place was so lively. The eyes of everyone in the room were currently directed towards the holographic projector displaying the battle that was taking place right now.
「This is……」
「…… “King’s Gambit”, the 3rd place in the Pilot’s Ranking, piloted by the “Useless Knight”.」
The Nephilim was equipped with lots of long range equipment and radars, and was overwhelming its enemies at an astonishing speed while maintaining a safe distance from them at the same time. It was the “King’s Gambit”, which was always sure to win after landing a successful first blow in combat and following that up with murderous firepower and precision.
Of course, being a long distance type of frame was kind of a disadvantage in one-on-one duels. However, the frame and its pilot wouldn’t be placed third in the rankings if they weren’t able to cope with that disadvantage and be able to handle their opponents even at close range. The things that decided the rankings of the pilots were their overall skill and the ability to put all of their experience to good use.
But right now, the monitor was displaying a scene where the “King’s Gambit” was currently being pushed back with ease.