＜Infinite Dendrogram＞

□■Winter Orb Prison

…………

After a short time since Rascal was put in a dungeon, he noticed the sound of battle echoing from the ground.

You can hear the gunshots of magic firearms, which he often treats as merchandise, and the screams and doomsday demons of people.

(The guards are fighting something? But... it looks like there's been a lot of casualties.)

With that much equipment, the hardened guards will not be able to confront the opponent, and the civilian population will suffer many casualties.

Did Zachariah infiltrate the city?

The UBM of Recovery Beads was unlocked.

Or maybe the purpose (...) of Rascal's arrival in this city has been set in motion.

But after thinking about it, I noticed the strangeness of the sound on the ground.

(...... the sound of the attack is only a magic firearm? No way, the guards are killing civilians?)

Judging by the sound alone, that's impossible.

(I'd like to escape or fly a drone to check......)

There's a Hugo in the cell across the street, where Rascal's been waiting.

He seemed to be surprised by what was happening on the ground, too, but if Rascal made any suspicious moves, he would have noticed.

Rascal thinks we should get rid of it first, but we can't.

(Extensive [freezing] that depends on the number of fellow killers... it's our natural enemy. If I moved around, I would become a snake.... if you let Maiden out, she might not even know who I am, so I can't choose the means)

Here's a little bit of Rascal's mistake.

I knew that Hugo was a user of the [Freeze] ability in the fight against Emily in Cortana, and I knew that I could prevent it if I wasn't exposed to the [Ertraum] battle.

In this explanation from the Hugo himself, I understand that the number of killings depends on the power and that Maiden can search for it.

However, I didn't know the disadvantage of "I can't use the skill itself without [Maggia]".

Therefore, Rascal recognized Hugo as a "skill user who can [freeze] himself whenever he likes."

(However, it is necessary to escape as soon as possible. somehow I can create an opportunity......)

When I thought about it, the door leading to the prison was opened.

As you can see, the impatient guards are looking around the prison.

As soon as he confirmed that Rascal and Hugo were in the cell, he returned to his heel.

"Um, what happened..."

"You guys just stay quiet!"

Cutting off Hugo's enquiries, the guards try to close the prison doors.

However, he suddenly looked up at the right side of the door...... if Rascal's memory is correct, there is a staircase that leads to the ground.

"What..."

Then, the bewildering voice of the guard near the door was forcibly interrupted, and the head that was uttering the words turned into a beehive.

In a sudden change of scenario, Hugo loses his words, and Rascal secretly takes the cogs out of his sigil.

Footsteps can be heard from upstairs as the body collapses.

…………

Coming down the stairs was the same Powered Suit as the guards who had just been shot.

However, not only Rascal but also Hugo would have realized that the sole wasn't decent.

Because the sole had no contents (...).

The part where the human face was supposed to be exposed was empty.

It moved on its own, shooting down the guards.

…………

Light streams in from the sole towards the dead guard.

The light itself is beautiful, but it's too creepy to be fantastic.

What is more creepy is that the body rose shortly after.

If you look at it, you can see the wound that was there when he was shot to death. Strangely enough, the Powered Suit was repaired.

([I am the deity] 's skill as well)

Rascal's magical healing abilities, including Machine, remind him of his Job Ability.

At the same time, I was half convinced that this phenomenon could be attributed to the beads of recovery.

The light completely repairs the damage to the corpse and the Powered Suit.

Then, he points his muzzle at the cell with all the corpses and powered suits standing up.

In that way, there was a glimpse of an unspoken intention to increase the number of "companions".

--However, the two used their turns (...) too much to practice the behavior.

At some point, the mechanical electromagnetic cell was stored in a gear ---deus-ex-machina's [Junk Box] and disappeared.

And around Rascal, who was freed, there were more than a dozen drones suspended from the firearms of earlier civilizations.

"-Shooting"

They turned two bodies into hives before the corpses and the Powered Suit shot.

Eh!?

Hugo was still stunned by the rapid turn of events.

Since the mechanism was connected internally, his electromagnetic cell had also disappeared due to the containment.

I don't know what's going on with Hugo.

"Um... what about this drone and the prison?"

"... I can do more than investigate in the danger zone."

"I see..."

When I tried to convince Hugo not to lie, even if it was a little bit painful, I was convinced. I guess you're thinking about "I wonder if I'm a Tian with a special weapon."

Although I thought that the deceived Rascal was "too honest and easy to be deceived", I was convinced that (...) he was being sent to the scene like this.

"Well......"

Rascal observed the two that he had just shot down.

They were destroyed and scattered with metal and flesh, but they were still moving.

Grab one of the scattered debris and let it touch the gear in your hand.

(Deus Ex Machina can't contain...?)

Rascal remembers this feeling.

It wasn't a purely mechanical golem, but a kind of hatred... it was the same type that turned into a monster. Even Deus Ex Machina can't store things and monsters that have been placed under the influence of such other forces.

…………

Unexpected light emerged from the two beehives, and they began to recover from their wounds.

They are trying to regain movement by connecting wiring and muscles little by little.

(If you're trying to repair it, it's not the type of object monsters that levitate and attack people. Is this... a type that hijacks control?)

Rascal overwrites the damage with more shots as he thinks about it.

Destruction that exceeds the healing speed is added by the drone.

(... by the way, I used a drone, but I don't have any problems. Unaffected by light. Is the control of the drone via Deus Ex Machina, or is it erased as an "error" by [Kagami] 's skill?... there is SP wastage, so I think the latter is the case)

[Machine God] 's [Rewind Weapon] is a skill that repairs machines just like this light, but apart from that, [Maintenance Free] is a skill that crushes errors.

When an error occurs, the SP is consumed to automatically improve it.

In other words, if the seizure of control rights is included in the error, Rascal can render it harmless.

Of course, SP is draining, but it is almost proportional to the SP auto-recovery equipment provided by Makina, so if you use the SP recovery item in a fold, there will be no problem.

As I continued to attack, the light weakened and the corpse and the Powered Suit became a wreckage that could not be healed.

Is the amount of healing finite?

After the light had completely disappeared, I was able to retract some of the debris without any problems if it touched the gear.

That light is the ability to affect itself, and it is predicted that the amount of energy that can be used for recovery and operation will change depending on the amount of light that lived.

(In other words, the Great Gen of Light is close to immortality?)

Rascal was uncomfortable, but now he has something to do.

"Why are you doing this..."

"It must be the liberation of this city's pearls." It's the same as Cortana. "



"We'll go outside and gather information." You can move on your own will, too. "

"Eh, hey...!?"

With a short word, Rascal rushed out onto the stairs leading to the outside.

(I don't want to get caught up in my skills or find out who Maiden really is)

Rascal is most wary of the Hugo, not the UBM.

We need to distance ourselves while the Hugo is still in chaos and Maiden is still out.

Then Rascal will notice as soon as he's on the ground.

The light emitted by the Powered Suit just now is beginning to fill this sector.

For a moment, Rascal also cooled his liver, but was not deprived of the control of the following drone.

".... All right."

After confirming that the weapon could not be hijacked in the light, I called Third Nix and boarded.

Reassured by escaping the threat of Hell's Gate in a hermetically sealed cockpit, he was moved from the prison perimeter to distance himself from Hugo.

"Third Nix is fine."... nh? "

At that time, I noticed that there was an incoming call to the communication device in the cockpit of [Third Nix].

The opponent was... a support member assigned to Cardina's capital, [Illusion King] Richter.

We'll confirm that and get out of the communication immediately.

Hello, it's me. Richter. Thank goodness you're finally connected. ”

"By contacting you, you mean that the situation here is irrelevant to Draghnomad... and the Congress, right?"

{Yes, there was a flashy movement here......}

What Lichtel told me was the official announcement of Cardina's side, which Gray had heard on the radio around the same time.

(The essence of the Zeta that stole the beads was unknown... the seizure of control rights and the Winter Orb, which introduced a large amount of original equipment. And Cardina's proclamation... it's too much of an engagement. Also (...), that chairman's plot)

Cases like this one are rare, but this is not the first time such a plot has been made.

National Union of Cities Cardina. Each mayor's response to their bundled congressional chair, La Plus Fantasma, is roughly divided into three parts.

First of all, it should be seen as a "business and interest partner" like Douglas Coin of Cortana.

It depends on who you see as an enemy, and who you see as a trading partner, but it's like going out with a Cardina.

Next, a pattern worshipped as a "believing prophet" that is common in Parliament.

If you are under the umbrella of a witch who uses the future vision, you will overcome many dangers and bring wealth. Those who think so and follow the Speaker.

And the pattern of rejecting the chairman as "dangerous" like this winter orb.

Those who understand that the direction of the chair will never produce undesirable results for themselves or for more people, and who take measures to fight it... will be crushed.

(The doomsday dealer came, < UBM > 's liberation and combo, and the designation of the enemy country. Compared to the past, it is too harsh.... what were you so vigilant about?)

Rascal thought of the purpose of his visit to the city, and thought it might be the reason... but it didn't seem to be the only one.

(This is not Cardina anymore.... I see. The [Letter of Undertaking] with the Yellow River that she told me about...)

And remembering that Laputa was coming, Rascal arrived at his answer.

Apparently, I was in a lot of trouble.

"... continue to gather information"

Roger that.

Then I cut off the communication with Lichtel and thought about what I should do.

Escape like this or explore the secrets of the Winter Orb.

Cardina's conspiracy and the liberation of UBM itself are a big deal for Rascal and IF.

Just like the [Ertraum] power reactor, Rascal came here because he had a weapon (...) that he could not ignore, such as [destroy or steal, otherwise it would be troublesome later].

You don't have to take risks with Cardina or UBM.

(... the current situation is too risky. Unfortunately, immediate retreat is preferred)

With Zekus's return, Zekus finally began his full-fledged activities.

At that time, I can't be sent to "prison" because I was practically running the organization.

Best of all, it's about Emily.

It's time to leave.

With that, Rascal exhaled and called Makina out of the gear.

Makina fits in the back seat of Rascal's double seat.

"Makina. I'm sorry to hear about your duel weapon (...), but I'm going to retreat." I'll take control of the plane. "

The [Third Nix] was able to move just Rascal by renovation, but only Makina could control it with its limit performance. It simply goes beyond Rascal's maneuvering skills.

With the indeterminate and dangerous elements of Cardina and UBM chewing on, escape combat is up to Makina's most trusted piloting skills.

"...... Machina?"

However, there was no response from her.

There is no usual light talk, and there is no mechanical situation analysis.

When Rascal looked back in doubt,

――――

The expressionless (...) Makina strangled him with her right hand.

The impact dropped Rascal's hat into the cockpit,

─ ─ The sound of megiri and hard objects crushing and breaking echoed in the cockpit.

"...... Maki, Na......"

Rascal, who remained grabbed by the neck, was stunned by the sight.

He stared at her right hand, which strangled him...

Rascal's neck, who was not in the vanguard, was easily broken, and his right hand was filled with strength.

My right hand was... broken before I broke his neck (...).

Makina's left hand and the prosthetic hand of the machine are grabbing the thumb of her right hand.

He folds his thumb, which was supposed to break Rascal's neck, in the unknown direction, so that he can't crush his neck.

I destroyed my own hand... but I stopped it from harming my husband.

"... explain it to me"

"Detecting erosion to the aircraft"

Makina answered in a mechanical tone without moving her expression or opening her mouth.

Rascal also understands the meaning of the word.

First of all, it's definitely the effect of the light that manipulated the Powered Suit.

But I checked with her before I called her in.

I checked with the drone, and even Third Nix was fine.

I called Makina because I wanted to make sure she was safe.

"It's a kind of virus."

A pseudo soul is formed inside an object filled with light in this space.

Any object that does not own a 'soul' will be taken over by the body. "

Makina... [Agate Designer] once operated an [Astral Manipulator] as a modified weapon that processed non-entities and phantoms.

Therefore, her eyes had the same ability to see the Phantom as [Hades King], and now she was confirming the energy of [Fusanshen], who was moving close to the Phantom within herself.

Everything but creatures is under < UBM > 's control?

"Answer capture.

To be precise, a body that does not have a "soul" and has a mechanism to move on its own.

Those that do not have an operating mechanism cannot be operated. "

And she herself has a working mechanism... a thing that doesn't have a [soul].

The Flagman's Brilliant Ball Man...... The Brilliant Ball series is not spiritual, but formed by mechanical artificial intelligence.

Therefore, no matter how intelligent you are, you can't escape the power of [Fusanshen].

My prosthetic arm and Third Nix are working normally, though?

The Maintenance Free of Vehicle God is suppressing the erosion of the virus.

The description was almost identical to Rascal's own analysis.

That's why I don't know.

"... then why are you like that?"

Rascal's biggest question, Makina had the answer.

"The erosion of the non-mechanical parts inside the machine...... was confirmed in the simulated organism (......).

Not eligible for Maintenance Free. Unremovable (...) "

In order to bring the appearance and structure closer to people, Brilliant Dome people also use simulated biological parts on their skin and some important parts.

That's why we can't distinguish ourselves from humans unless we dare to create parts that are different from humans, such as spherical joints.

However, those parts... through parts that cannot be repaired by the ability to repair machines, the power of [Fusanshen] is eroding Makina.

At that time, not only the power suit but also the body of the guard (...) seemed to be eroding the light.

The normalized mechanical part, the invaded biological part, and its interlocking are the current machinas.

"Hmm......"

With Makina's explanation, Rascal also understands the desperate situation.

The underground opposing Powered Suit was out of control if destroyed until the eroded light was exhausted.

But I couldn't use that technique against Makina.

Since vital parts are also used as biological parts, if we destroy them... Rascal can't cure Makina either.

"... my beautiful girl points have become avenged!"

…………

Makina, who had returned to her usual tone, said so as to tease herself.

But Rascal never laughed, nor did he put in the Tsukkumi as usual.

I was just looking at Makina with a serious expression on my face.

On the other hand, Makina...... her skin, which was controlled by [Fusanshen], remained expressionless.

If I leave the effect zone, will it be lifted?

――――

Machina didn't answer the question.

Makina's silence in no way implies affirmation.

In nine out of ten, Makina decided that it would not heal (...).

Makina's body remained like this...... and she was a slave to [Fusanshen].

"This source of light is powerful. If you leave it like this... it might erode until you wedge me into another weapon."

As long as we are in this light-filled space trying to retract Makina again, the light will flow into the already eroded Makina.

If the light accumulates without normalization, it may eventually result in an error that exceeds even the Qi Divine skill.

If that happens, the Makina that is now preserved will disappear, and we will be deprived of control of other weapons... Rascal's life will be lost.

And even if she leaves here, her already eroded body won't be free.

Therefore, she made one decision.

"Master, do you remember when you picked me up?"

"..... ahh"

"It's the opposite of that." Please keep detaching me from Deus Ex Machina. "

It was synonymous with... [Please break it].

The day it all began. She didn't care who owned it, but she chose to join with Deus Ex Machina to become Rascal's to keep her from stopping.

But now, on the contrary, I'm trying to stop myself for Rascal so I don't lose my ownership.

…………

It is the most risk-free choice.

Without even a Makina Week Point, you can move in this light without any problems.

We can't build new weapons, but we already have enough.

In addition to the control unit of [Tetra Glamaton], it is possible to substitute it to some extent with the apple that Zekus is with, and it may be discovered from the new.

The risk of loss of Makina is considerably lower than Rascal's death penalty.

Therefore, Rascal should choose it, as he did when he decided to withdraw...

"That's bullshit"

--He denied the choice.

"Master...?"

"Listen to me, you're mine (...)"

Rascal wrapped Makina's hands around his neck with both his hands.

"You have no right." I'll decide what to do with you..... "

The language is arrogant.

However, Makina correctly understood the emotions contained in her words.

"But, but..."

”Hun... what happens if I defeat Daiyuan (...) in this erosion?”

"... it might stop, but that's..."

If you defeat the source of the light, the accumulation of new light will stop.

The already eroded light will disappear and the Makina may be released.

However, the reward for success is not certain.

Above all, it was a monster with so much power... to take on the power of one city.

Moreover, it was now a Winter Orb that became the centerpiece of the conspiracy.

You can't be safe with Rascal.

"You stay asleep for a while." ― ― ― I'll put a piece on it.

Still - he had already made up his mind.

"Master..."

Makina kept her expression from moving by her own will, but her voice trembled.

Is that an elaborate program... or did it sprout before the program?

But it is still imprisoned, and that is why her Lord decided to challenge.

"I'll have you work for me later."

"... yes, I'll be waiting for you."

With those words, Machina was retracted into the gear.

Or it could be the last conversation.

In order not to do so... he moves.

"[Third Nix], reset in solo mode. I can handle the firearms control as much as I can."

The display in the cockpit flashes according to the instructions, and the aircraft also raises its roar.

It is the beating of a weapon that obeys the will of the Lord, and it is also the shaking of a dragon warrior who wants to save the existence that can be called his mother.

"I don't know how much, but..."

Rascal picked up the hat that fell into the cockpit and put it back on.

Moving forward through the monitor... I looked at the slaves of light (Powered Suit) who prevented me from going there.

And he also declares.

"I'll tell you whose thing (woman) I put my hand on."

─ ― In response to his words, the dragon's roar of mechanical tricks roared.

To be continued