knights and magic Lightnovel

ch9

The sound of timbre cracking can be heard repeatedly. The source is the mountain of mass― the carcass of the Land Emperor.
When the Behemoth died, the mana supply powering the physical boost magic stoped. The massive body over eighty metres in length couldn’t withstand its own weight and collapsed on itself. The shell armour that suffered countless cracks during the course of battle crumbles, the struts holding the body up crumbles one by one, the height falls slowly. The lower half of its body that supports the heavier weigh is in shambles.
The Jantunen garrison Knights cheers as the giant beast crumbles further, shooting their Silhouette Arms into the air with pride.
But the Knights suffered serious casualties. That's why the ones who survived have to sing their victory song loudly as a tribute to those who fell in battle.
Some distance from the Knights, three Silhouette Knights are advancing. Among the band of Karrdator Knights, these three has a different appearance and stands out from the crowd.
One is the command Silhouette Knight 'Sordwort' piloted by the commander Philip. Compared to the Karrdators that focus on practicality, it has a prominent regal appearance and is covered in plate armour.
Besides him is the vice commander's 'Cardiaria', a Karrdator that has been reinforced.
Behind them is the training machine from Laihiala Pilot Academy, 'Earlecumber'. Its appearance is crude, but it is covered in pure white armour, giving it a different aesthetic compared to Karrdator.
They walked pass the Behemoth that is still crumbling and approached their target. The closer they got, the clearer the pieces with red paint.
―Scattered around here were the remains of the Silhouette Knight Guyale.
The first thing Philip, who was leading the way saw was Guyale's right arm. Its skeletal structure was broken and it was bent out of shape. The trio glanced at it and continued without a word, finally reaching their main objective. The torso without its head and limbs, the armour was in shambles, the crystal tissue has been utterly destroyed. The armour protecting the chest cavity has caved in, the whole torso is misshapen. The strong frontal armour was a twisted lump, showing how strong the impact was.
I did think it will be like this... From the looks of things, the Knight runner inside... It's hopeless...
No one made a sound, thinking about the same thing. They had some hope, but if the impact shatters the torso, it is impossible for the pilot to survive.
Philip and Gottfried stares silently at the holo monitor. The scarlet Knight from Laihiala Pilot Academy fought the Behemoth to the last breath to protect its juniors. Compared to the Knights who were on the verge of collapse, it was on the very frontlines. It battled the giant beast like a burning torch of courage, taking down the Behemoth with its life. Philip wondered what the pilot was like. The pilot should be a student, but his future is immeasurable. He had the skills to take down a Behemoth, the virtuous attitudes to risk his life for others, and the indomitable spirit to overcome the odds. He possessed the three characteristics a Knight should have. Philip had not converse with him before, but Philip gives a silent prayer for the hero who sacrificed himself honourably.
Earlecumber moved ahead and kneels beside Guyale.
Earlecumber's front armour opens with the sound of compressed air jetting out. Edgar stands on the armour, silently looking at the remains for a while before saying
"Di... I am late, but I still want to apologise... back then, I thought you abandoned us and escaped."
Unlike his calm tone, Edgar's expression was twisted with regret.
"I lost all respect for you at that moment... But I empathise with you too. The scenario was too dire then, I told myself 'Di won't work with us in this situation'. But... You came back."
Edgar’s clenched fists are trembling.
"And, so... Sorry Dietrich. I don't know why you were hiding your real strength. Even so, you sacrificed yourself to save us..."
Edgar's monologue was interrupted by an explosion. Shortly after, Guyale's chest armour flew into the sky before him.
The chest armour flew and made an arc through the sky and rolls loudly when it lands.
The three robots followed the movement of the chest armour that blasted off, and looked back at the remains by their feet. A short figure climbs out from the cockpit as they watched in awe.
"The front armour couldn’t open because it was bent out of shape. That took some effort to get out... Eh? What's wrong everyone?"
"... Huh?"