Mobuseka Volume 13 Chapter 18

This is MTL. So, I cannot guarantee that the translation 100% contextually accurate or appropriate.

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Chapter 18 "The Truth of the Emperor"

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Part 1

Inside the shaking fortress, Finn arrives at the command center.

To his surprise, the command center had been destroyed and there were holes in the ceiling.

Soldiers were lying on the ground, and among them was Moritz, holding his cane and crying.

"Your Majesty?"

As Finn approaches, Moritz notices and wipes away his tears.

"Finn? Are you alive? Everything is my responsibility. Arcadia led me into killing my father. It's all my fault."

Moritz, in despair, looked as if he would take his own life.

Although Finn was angry about the assassination of Karl, he looked at Moritz's hand.

The cane that was being held was Karl's favorite thing that he used on a regular basis.

"That's the old man's cane."

Moritz holds out the cane to Finn as he approaches.

"You were my father's favorite. I don't need it anymore. You can keep it."

Upon receiving the cane, Finn recalls that he has seen Karl use it many times.

"——This is"

When the ornament part was moved, the jewel part emitted light.

Karl's image is projected in front of them as a hologram.

"Father!?"

To Moritz's surprise, Finn calmly tells him.

"This is a recorded video. He won't respond when spoken to."

As Moritz was hanging his head, Karl, who was in the recorded video, opened his mouth.

[Is it Moritz watching this or someone else? Or maybe it's Finn brat. Whoever is watching is unclear —— but I have decided to leave a message on this cane at the moment of my death.]

Karl seemed to have put a message on the cane just before his death.

Finn was amazed at the mechanism of being able to leave a message with the thought, but he was also nostalgic at the sight of Karl.

[My idiot son Moritz was seduced by a magical creature and assassinated me. He did not even listen to me, he was a fool who jumped to a hasty conclusion.]

Moritz was abused, but he was unable to say anything back and was once again hung up.

[What I had in mind was a peaceful solution to the long-standing conflict between the old humans and the new humans.]

At the truth that was told, Moritz looked at Finn.

"Did you know?"

"No, it's the first time I've heard of it. In the first place, I've learned about survival competition later"

Karl in the record continues.

[There are many lost items in the Holy Magic Empire of Voldenowa. In the process of investigating these records, I have learned that the wars of long ago are not over. I realized that we will soon be fighting for survival between the descendants of new humans and the descendants of old humans.]

In the Empire with a lot of lost items, Karl seems to have noticed this fact quickly.

And he seems to have been scratching his head over this issue.

[I thought of using military force to solve the problem, but that would be too ruthless. I was troubled and decided that if there was someone worthy of my trust in the Kingdom of Horfalt, I would join hands with him to solve this problem.]

Moritz was surprised to learn that, like himself, he was initially trying to win the war.

The same goes for Finn.

"I can't believe the old man thought that far ahead."

Usually he just seemed like a man who doted on Mia, so Finn didn't think he was thinking this way behind the scenes.

[——And then there was someone in the kingdom I could trust. I thought I could choose to work together to solve the problem, not by force.]

Moritz sobs.

"If I hadn't been tempted by Arcadia——"

[I don't know if we could have joined hands because my idiot son interfered in the process. I hope, if possible, that you will choose a peaceful solution. ——And if my idiot son is still alive, I have a message for him.]

When Moritz raises his head, Karl smiles.

"Actually, I have an illegitimate child. She is a lovely little girl named Milialis —— Mia. Tell him to arrange for her to live in peace and not to get involved in the bloody quarrels of the imperial family. And if that brat Finn is still alive, tell him that if he makes Mia cry, I'll haunt him."

Both Finn and Moritz have their cheeks twitch when Karl talks about Mia at the end.

"Old man, even at a time like this. It ruins the message in various ways."

"And lastly, I want you to tell my stupid son. I forgive you."

"Eh?"

Moritz opens his eyes and his eyes meet Karl's recorded video.

[It pains me to think of the hard decisions you will have to make. But you can't escape the responsibility. Moritz, you have to take all the responsibility. ——But as a parent, I will forget that you killed me.]

Moritz was sobbing, with tears streaming down his face.

[Let's just say Milialis is watching this video. My little girl, I loved you. Speaking of how much I loved you——]

The images gradually become blurred, probably because Karl's consciousness has been lost.

He must have gathered all his strength at the moment of his death to leave this recorded video.

As the video was fading, there was a message to Finn at the end.

[Brat——No, Finn. Please make Mia happy.]

When the video cuts off, Finn clenches his fists in tears.

"You don't have to tell me."

Moritz slowly stands up and looks at Finn.

"Finn, I still have a job left to do. You do your part."

"Your Majesty?"

"Hurry up and go to Milialis. That girl thought you were dead, and Arcadia has taken her in."

"Wha!?"

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Part 2

As the battle with Mia continued, I was desperately thinking about how to save her.

Once a person is taken in by a magic equipment that has lost its core, it can no longer be turned back into a human being.

Conversely, if there is a core, it can still be returned to humans.

"There should be a possibility."

I didn't feel any pain now.

My whole body was screaming, but with the drug I no longer felt pain.

It's really outrageous drug because it allows you to fight even when you're dying.

Mia, facing me, turns her hatred on me.

"I will not forgive you, never!"

"Haa! I'm not asking for forgiveness. Look, the battle is already won. Now all I have to do is pull the core out of you and destroy it, and there's nothing to worry about!"

"You were a friend of Knight-sama!"

"He came to kill me, too, though! It's over now. You should stay out of it. Otherwise, Finn will have died for nothing. He risked his life to make you live, and now you're going to waste it all!"

If you provoke her, Mia-chan will react innocently.

"How can I remain silent when someone I love is killed in front of my eyes? And you don't have to kill him!"

Mia-chan's words pierce my heart.

I didn't want to kill him either! How much easier it would be if I could say that.

"The person who is responsible is the one who takes responsibility. There is no reason to keep an Empire hero alive. He was thinking the same thing."

"This man!"

Even if Arcadia sank, he would have fought to the end.

——For Mia-chan, who is right in front of me.

It's the same for me. If I throw the fight away because I can't win —— how do I explain that to the people who got involved in this fight and died?

I guess I am an ordinary person who is bound by something invisible, such as society or something.

The world is so over that even such an ordinary person has no choice but to move.

"You don't need to be in this! Now give me the core!"

"No way I will listen to you"

In a situation where the core of Arcadia is still alive, dying is not an option.

——And the war is over. This is a bonus.

Forcing myself to move, I maneuvered Aroganz and raised the longsword from below.

As I keep my distance from Mia-chan, Luxion tells me the results of the analysis.

[Master, I have confirmed the location of the core. If we can pierce it with pinpoint accuracy, we can separate it from the person.]

"Mia-chan can be saved, right?"

[There is a chance that she will be saved, but if it misses even slightly, it will pierce her body's vital organs.]

What a tricky position for the core to be in, I thought, but on second thought, it could be said to be protecting a vital point.

But the idea of aiming near the vital points of the human body is terrifying.

Especially in the size of the armor, the target is too small.

"With Arroganz, that's impossible."

If I thrust Brave's longsword into Mia-chan's tiny body, it would kill her instantly.

Naturally, other weapons are also out of the question.

I patted the control stick of Arroganz and then gripped it tightly.

As I turn toward Mia, she points both of her hands at me and shoots magic at me.

The reddish-black mass of energy bursts and diffuses as it is shot out.

I head toward her while avoiding the spread of those, but Arroganz can't avoid them and they pierce through.

Using Brave's longsword as a shield, I advanced, but it was almost at its limit.

Arroganz was spewing fire and discharging from the equipment in the cockpit.

I let Arroganz throw away the longsword and grabbed Mia-chan with both hands.

[Purge the hatch!]

Working in perfect harmony, Luxion opened the hatch at the perfect time.

The hatch in front of me blew open, and the wind came in.

My body was freed from the seat and I quickly grabbed the rifle that was lying beside me.

When I left the cockpit, Mia-chan had just forced herself out of Arroganz's hands.

The fingers on Arroganz's left hand were easily torn off, and she threw them at me.

When Mia-chan looked at me, she was startled for a moment —— and then immediately wrinkled her brow.

I was terrified for a moment that the face of a cute girl could be changed so much by hatred.

She gritted her teeth, and that cute face of hers looked like a ferocious beast.

It's no wonder. I had done that much.

"So you come out!"

Mia-chan points her right hand at me and tries to release her magic..

Quickly, Luxion stepped in front of me and deployed a shield, and my vision was engulfed in flames.

Black flames spread beyond the shield.

[Master, I can't hold it! The shield energy will run out in five seconds!]

"Five seconds is enough."

As I held up my rifle, Luxion's assist displayed on my scope where I was aiming.

Luxion can see where Mia-chan is on the other side of the black flames.

Pulling the trigger, it tore through Luxion's shield from the inside, piercing through the black flames and opening a hole there.

A hole opened in the black flame, and Mia-chan was blown backwards, pierced by a bullet.

The black armor attached to her body was also stripped away, and her silver body crumbled with a cracking sound.

"It's a nice rifle. I had Luxion modify it for me, a rare item, specially made."

When the black flame disappears, I attach a bayonet to my rifle and approach Mia-chan.

Next to Mia-chan lying on her back, a black ball approaches me, crawling toward me with its small hands.

[How dare you, to Princess-sama —— I'll take you guys with me!]

Luxion floated around my right shoulder, but it was less stable or more unsteady than usual.

[The sub-unit's battery is nearing its limit. Master, the shield energy has also run out. Please finish him off quickly.]

"Got it."

I readied my rifle and pulled the trigger without hesitation.

[Igyaah!]

As the bullets hit Arcadia, it writhed in agony, spurting out black liquid.

From its condition, I was sure that I had given it an effective blow.

I fired several shots, but the magic creature, which seemed to be the core of Arcadia, did not die.

"So stubborn"

As I was about to replace the magazine, the magical creature swelled up and turned its single big eye on me.

Bloodshot eyes. Eyes stained with black hatred.

[Only youuuu!]

Arcadia grows sharp spines from its body and points them all at me.

Just as I was thinking this was bad, Luxion jumped forward to protect me.

When large, sharp thorns —— black, cone-shaped objects about sixty centimeters in size came flying towards us, Luxion deflected most of them.

[I won't let you kill Master!]

Most of the attacks were deflected by Luxion's body.

He was trying desperately to protect me while denting the body.

Across from Luxion, Arcadia was smiling wickedly.

[Too bad for you, scrap metal. ——Look behind you.]

Luxion immediately turned around and looked at me.

I look at my chest.

Something black and sharp cone-shaped had pierced my right chest area.

Even the backpack on my back came off and fell off.

I dropped the rifle I was holding.

Strangely enough, there was no pain, but this body was honest and blood was running from my mouth.

[Master?]

Luxion looked trembling, but I guess my eyes were already out of focus.

My body, which was already over the limit, was losing strength.

Behind Luxion, Arcadia was laughing.

He seems to be happy that he was able to finish me off.

[I'm going to destroy everything! Your country alone —— I'm going to wipe it out! There's no way to stop it now!]

The main body of Arcadia moved slowly and was about to release its main cannon as if to exert its last strength.

The magic element overflowed from Arcadia's body and was sucked into the reddish-black sphere that appeared in the sky above.

If this continues, the main gun will be fired.

"——There's no way I'd let you do that."

I put my left hand behind my waist and pulled out a dagger.

With a trembling hand, I pointed my dagger at Arcadia, but he was laughing.

[What are you going to do with a weapon like that?]

He probably thought my actions were a useless resistance.

"I took it out because I was going to do something."

When I moved the mechanism on the hilt, the dagger's blade shot out and pierced Arcadia's large eye.

When the magic in the blade is activated, it explodes inside Arcadia.

"A hidden knife or a dagger? A special magic tool would work, right?"

I say this while spitting blood, but Arcadia didn't hear a word I said.

[IgyAAaaAAaaAAAAAaaa!?]

Black liquid spurted from its large eyes, giving off a burnt smell.

However, it seemed the command had been received by the main body of Arcadia, as it stored its remaining energy in its main cannon, preparing to fire.

I fell to my knees.

Arcadia was laughing as black liquid spurted out from all over its body.

[Gyahahahaha! Looks like you couldn't finish me off!]

I failed at the very last moment.

"D-Damn it——"

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Part 3

On the bridge of the Licorne, Livia and Ange had collapsed, having exhausted their strength.

Livia had exerted all her strength, and Licorne was also discharging from its equipment, as if it had reached its limit.

Creare was giving instructions.

[Hurry up and hold on to the sacred tree! That's where the escape device is!]

The part where the Sacred Tree sapling was transplanted provided a way out of Licorne.

Only the sacred tree could be separated at any time.

Noel was carrying Livia on her back, while Yumeria and Kara were carrying Ange.

Kyle prepares the escape device at the sacred tree.

Meanwhile, Marie was the only one standing there blankly, gazing out the window.

While looking out the window, a reddish-black ball appeared in the sky above Arcadia.

They were about to fire the main gun again.

Licorne was picking up the conversation between Leon and the others, and Marie heard where it was directed.

Noel called out to Marie while shedding tears.

"Marie-chan, hurry up and come here!"

Noel must have been upset when Leon collapsed.

Marie smiled as she saw her friend acting bravely.

As Marie slowly approaches the escape device, Kyle and Kara extend their hands to her.

"Goshujin-sama, hurry up!"

"Marie-sama, let's run away now!"

Seeing the two of them looking like they were about to cry, Marie let go of her cane —— and reached out both hands to grab theirs.

Marie utters her thanks to the two of them.

"Thanks for everything you guys have done for me. For loving someone like me, so much! Thank you. I had a lot of fun thanks to you two."

While the two of them were stunned, Marie let go of her hand.

A glass-like object unfolds as if enveloping the sacred tree.

Two people inside are hurriedly banging on the glass, but no sound can be heard.

They are desperately trying to communicate something, but no voices are heard.

Marie looks at Creare.

Only Creare's voice can be heard through Licorne's communication device.

[——Are you sure?]

Marie picked up her wand, put it on her shoulder, and smiled.

"I should at least clean up my brother's mess for the last time. Next time I see him again, I'm going to use this as material to extort him. ——So just go on and save my brother."

Creare understood what Marie was talking about.

[Marie-chan is really the best little sister. ——Escape.]

Having said all that, the sacred tree's young trees as well as Creare and the others who rode in slowly sink away.

Noel is stunned and Yumeria is crying profusely.

Kyle and Kara were crying and yelling something, but Marie smiled and waved.

Then, when everyone had escaped and she was left alone, Marie muttered.

"Don't screw it up, stupid brother."

Turning around and looking ahead, she saw that the main gun was about to be fired.

She speaks to Licorne.

"You're going to have to fight alongside me."

Licorne's mechanical voice was heard.

[Change ownership to Marie. Please give instructions.]

Marie slammed the stone butt of the saint's staff in both hands into the floor with a mighty thud.

Marie's hair sways as she begins to shine faintly.

She emitted a sparkling glow, and magic power overflowed around her.

She emitted a sacred radiance —— that rivaled even Livia's.

"I'll block the enemy's attack. Move in front of him!"

[Understood.]

As Licorne swayed and moved to the front of the main gun turret, Marie spoke to the staff she was clutching.

"Please. Lend me your strength. Let me protect them"

As if in response to Marie's voice, the saint's staff, necklace, and bracelet also shone.

In front of Licorne, three large magic circles are deployed on top of each other.

To block the main gun, Marie deployed three magic barriers.

Then, the main gun of the Arcadia is fired.

The destination was the continent of the Kingdom of Horfalt.

Immediately, a reddish-black light enveloped the area in front of her, and the first of the magic barriers was easily broken.

Licorne also began to shake violently, making a nasty noise like metal crumbling.

Marie stood clutching her cane as she endured the shaking.

"Don't you dare —— underestimating meeee!!"

The magic circle glows brightly and its power increases, but the second shield is also broken.

Marie recalled how things were up until now.

(I'm really no good, right?)

She remembered the second life she had gained after being reincarnated.

And she has relied on her big brother since her previous life.

She has always been a trouble to him.

But her big brother always protected her.

Sometimes she was angry, but still, in retrospect, she was proud of her brother.

She was too embarrassed to say it out loud, but Marie loved her big brother.

The last shield was cracked, and Licorne was also breathing fire from every part.

Equipment on board was blown apart and the ship filled with smoke.

In the midst of it all, Marie looked only forward, tears streaming down her face.

"I ruined your life, so now I will protect you. So, aniki —— you'd better keep living for me."

Marie is convinced in her mind.

(I see, maybe my second life was probably to help aniki.)

In her first life, Marie had caused Leon a lot of trouble.

The second life is the same.

But when she realized she had been of use in the end, Marie felt like she had fulfilled her role.

Satisfied, Marie smiles.

"Hard-working idiot big brother, now enjoy your life."

The saint's tools have reached their limit and are shattered into pieces.

Then, the third shield was broken, and Marie's consciousness faded as Licorne was engulfed in light.

She had accepted her fate to be engulfed and vaporized by the reddish-black light.

The last sight she saw was of herself being blown away —— and women who looked like Livia and Ange embracing her.

They embrace Marie as if to protect her, and then Licorne is engulfed by the light —— explodes, evaporates and disappears.

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Part 4

Licorne withstood Arcadia's last attack.

In exchange, Licorne was also blown away, but Luxion tells me.

[Angelica, Livia, Noel, Yumeria, Kyle, Kara —— and Creare are confirmed to have escaped. Marie's safety is unknown.]

What is Marie doing?

It'll be pointless if you're dead.

In the afterlife——Our parents would be pissed at me.

"I-Idiot. You're being reckless——so——why?"

I was looking at Arcadia at the end of my line of sight.

No words, just floating.

After a while, it looks at us and yells.

[Stand in our way forever! Don't you dirty old human descendants come out now and pretend to be the rulers! This planet, Earth, belongs to the new humans!]

It was screaming, but it didn't have enough strength left to get angry at us.

I tried to get up, but my body wouldn't move.

Then Luxion said.

[Master, the preparations are ready.]

"Hehe, I guess you're the one I can rely on in the end."

I couldn't speak.

At the very end, I was glad I had a trump card left.

Arcadia grew spines again.

[I'll tear both of you to pieces! W-What?!]

I looked at the scene before me in amazement.

"Arro——ganz?"

Arroganz grabbed Arcadia in a hug as he slammed himself against it, then pulled it away from us.

Thrusters erupted until they burned and pushed the resisting Arcadia into the air.

Arcadia was being squeezed in and out and was getting impatient.

[L-Let go, you scrap metal!]

Arcadia shot thorns into it, stripped the armor, pierced it, and battered it, but Arroganz did not let it go.

Arroganz turned its head towards me, and its twin eyes flashed for the last time.

In this situation, there is no way that Luxion would have allowed Arroganz to act in a way that made no sense.

In other words, it was a voluntary action by Arroganz.

Although I had heard that it was equipped with a simple artificial intelligence, it still dutifully said its final farewell.

"Thank you —— Arroganz."

Luxion also seemed to be respectful of Arroganz's actions.

Not wanting to waste this opportunity, he moved immediately.

[I appreciate it, Arroganz. ——Now firing the main gun]

The main body of the Luxion, which was the first to sink, emerges from the water after emergency repairs.

The main body of the Luxion, with its bow protruding from the surface of the sea, fires its main gun directly under the Arcadia.

The blue-white light of the main gun piercing Arcadia looked like a pillar stretching to the heavens to me.

In the light, there was also an Arroganz who grabbed the magic creature.

I reach out my hand——Arroganz looks at us, unable to keep his shape, and disappears into dust.

Thank you for sticking with me this far. You were my partner too.

After saying goodbye to Arroganz, I hear Arcadia's final words from the light.

[Hoow daare youuuu!]

The core of Arcadia, pierced by the main gun of Luxion's main body, disappears, and the main body, the fortress, falls as if crumbling with most of its parts lost.

I watched the scene while leaning against the rubble on the deck.