A Vengeful Retribution

Chapter 19: The Gospel

3rd POV

Tabane clasped her hands together, her face lighting up with pride. "Oh, everyone! You're not going to believe it, but my dear, sweet Houki-chan's new IS, the Akatsubaki, is the first operational 4th-generation IS!"

Her voice carried a smug tone that made it clear she was enjoying the shock written all over the others' faces.

Rin: (Eyes wide) "F-fourth gen?! But... the nations are still barely scratching the surface with prototypes! How is this even possible?!"

Charlotte: "I thought it was just rumors. Something about integrating next-gen tech and exceeding the performance benchmarks of 3rd gens... but this is real?"

Cecilia: (Frowning slightly) "It's quite unfair, isn't it? To think the first 4th gen IS is just handed over like a gift."

Ichika: (Scratching his head) "What's the big deal about 4th gen? I mean, aren't all IS just... well, really advanced?"

The girls collectively sighed, but it was Tabane who answered, placing her hands on her hips and shaking her head dramatically.

Tabane: "Oh, Ichika, Ichika... sweet, clueless Ichika. A 4th-generation IS isn't just advanced—it's revolutionary! Akatsubaki isn't bound by the same limitations your 3rd gens have. It has unparalleled energy efficiency, adaptive combat capabilities, and an entirely new layer of synchronization with the pilot. It's like comparing a racehorse to a kid's bicycle. No contest!"

Houki blushed slightly at her sister's words but maintained her composed stance.

Yap, leaning casually against a nearby tree, stayed silent. His thoughts, however, were running in overdrive.

Prototype 4th gens... he mused. If nations are still testing theirs and struggling to make them operational, what exactly has Tabane done with this Akatsubaki? How far does its tech leap ahead of everyone else's? And more importantly... what's the gap between Houki's new toy and SoVR?

His gaze shifted slightly, watching Houki from the corner of his eye. She looked confident—perhaps bolstered by Tabane's enthusiastic praise.

If Akatsubaki is everything Tabane says it is, this won't just be an advantage for Houki. This could change everything.

Tabane, meanwhile, was still bragging, her tone a mix of cheerfulness and arrogance. "And you know what's best about Akatsubaki? It's not just strong—it's elegant. Unlike some... ahem brutish designs. No offense, Yap!" She winked at him.

Yap glanced at her with a raised eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "None taken, Tabane. Though, you might want to reconsider the 'brutish' comment. Sometimes brute force does the job better than elegance."

Tabane giggled, clearly unfazed. "Oh, we'll see about that, won't we? Houki-chan's going to show the world what true innovation looks like!"

Houki looked down, slightly flustered. "Sis, you're making this a bigger deal than it needs to be..." she mumbled, though part of her seemed to enjoy the attention.

As the group absorbed the revelation, Yap's eyes narrowed slightly. A 4th gen isn't just a machine. It's a statement. A warning. If this is what Tabane's cooked up, what else has she been hiding?

Ichika approached Yap, his tone hesitant but curious. "Hey, Yap... I know Tabane kinda dumbed down how powerful 4th gens really are, but..."

Yap snapped out of his thoughts, his gaze shifting to Ichika. "Yeah? What's on your mind?"

Ichika scratched the back of his head. "I mean, you know more about this stuff than I do. How much stronger are 4th gens compared to what we're using? Like, in real terms."