“And at the same time, I bid you farewell, because there is no possibility that you will leave this place alive.”

  For the first time since this battle began, I could see a hint of caution in my enemies. They had realized this was no longer a game—or at least not for them—because I was having a great deal of fun.

  The three who were in the best condition regrouped around the armor with the great axe, which was still regenerating. I suppose it was to keep me from finishing it off while it was weak. They seemed hesitant to take any rash action; an intelligent move.

  As for me, I decided to search my hypercube for a weapon that would let me make the most of my new abilities.

  I quickly passed over classic weapons like swords and spears, as well as common firearms and energy weapons. Partly because I had already used most of them and they were low on ammunition or damaged, and partly because I wanted to see what I was capable of now.

  I kept scrolling down, ignoring my enemies’ growing nervousness, until something in particular caught my attention: Dual Energy Kusarigama. I have no idea what that is, but it’s classified among long-range weapons, with a note that says, “perfect for keeping multiple enemies at bay.” Sounds interesting; I’ll give it a try.

  I reached into the storage and pulled out two short batons, a little longer than a pair of drumsticks. They’re made of some metal alloy—nothing particularly remarkable—with just a button in the center and energy emitters on both ends. I took one in each hand.

  “Yeah, they feel good. I think this should activate them,” I said as I pressed the button on the grip.

  Immediately, a blue energy blade sprouted from the tip. Not very long—almost the same size as the handle—but instead of pointing upward, as one might expect, it jutted out to the side, like a sharp hook. It looked like it would be great for cutting grass. I did the same with the other one, producing another curved energy blade.

  “Wow, it looks useful, but it still doesn’t seem like a long-range weapon. If anything, I’d say it’s more for very close combat; like a pair of knives,” I said as I made a few slashes, already starting to analyze the weapon’s capabilities.

  I quickly noticed that the buttons could be pushed upward. I decided to activate them, and to my surprise, an energy chain burst out from the lower end, extending until it connected to the second baton. It seems it can be extended and retracted at will.

  “Ohh! This is getting exciting!” I exclaimed happily.

  I began slashing at the air, throwing the blades and pulling them back by yanking the chain. I wrapped it around a tree and then pulled, splitting it in half. It seems the chain itself is also incredibly sharp.

  “Wait, wait, I’ve got it!” I said, struck by a sudden epiphany.

  I spun the chain rapidly, turning it into a large, bright-blue circular saw, which I hurled toward the trees, carving out a huge circular swath of forest. Slowly, the gigantic trees began to crash down one after another.

  It seems like a powerful weapon, though extremely difficult to use. I’d even say that if I didn’t have my sovereignty activated, I would have already been cut in half by my own weapon.

  “I get it now. This is going to be very interesting; and it’ll look amazing on video,” I said with a grin as I kept the energy chain spinning. “Well, I’m ready. How about you?” I shouted at my enemies.

  I watched as the axe unit had already fully recovered. What monsters! Even so, they didn’t look particularly eager to fight. It seems my little demonstration made them more than a bit nervous.

  “For monsters, I greatly admire how you helped your comrade recover. Though, for everything you’ve done to my race, I’ll trample your efforts; and I’m going to kill it first,” I shouted through the transmitter with a wide smile.

  Determined not to drag things out any longer, the energy in my thrusters erupted, and I shot toward them like a lightning bolt. With no other option—and somewhat enraged by my comments—the four figures began to glow with a golden radiance and flew out to meet me.

  Several golden energy shots came at me even before we clashed. Hmm, if I dodge them, I’ll end up in a bad position. In response, I spun the chain at high speed, once again creating an energy pinwheel and placing it in front of me. As expected, my calculations were correct, and the pinwheel’s energy was able to stop the impacts.

  I answered the attack by sending one of the sickles flying toward the shooter, forcing it to hurriedly leap out of the path of my weapon.

  Even with the shooter neutralized, the rest of my enemies wouldn’t give me a moment’s respite. The sword unit was already almost in front of me. I countered with a swift pendulum motion that sent the second blade toward it, aiming for its head. His reaction was much faster than expected, shifting its sword strike to cut the chain in midair.

  Great move, but one second too slow.

  The first blade had already returned to my hand. Calmly, I pressed the button on the grip twice in an almost imperceptible instant. In that fraction of a second, the energy chain shut off, causing its sword to cut nothing but air. In the very next instant, it reignited, allowing the chain to continue its path unimpeded, coiling around its head, which went flying with a sharp yank.

  As I watched their leader stagger about like a headless chicken, I considered whether or not to deliver the finishing blow; but I’m a man of my word. I set it aside for now and turned my gaze to my prey, which, without making me wait even a second, appeared wielding its great axe.

  “I love punctual people,” I said, filled with satisfaction.

  I once again sent the chain flying toward it in a wide swing, but proving they were still skilled enemies, it dodged it at the last second, letting it pass behind it.

  In response, I spun the second blade rapidly. The armor, already aware of what it could do, stopped and set its great axe to the side, ready to block the cut. It’s a rather thick weapon, surely difficult to cut through. The good thing is, that won’t be necessary.

  “You shouldn’t have stopped,” I told it as I watched its back.

  Before it could turn around or even comprehend my words, an energy hook appeared over its shoulder and drove into its chest, near where a person’s heart would be.

  It didn’t seem to understand what had happened, which was only natural, since all of it occurred behind its back. When it thought it’d dodged the attack, the chain didn’t stop, but continued along its trajectory until it struck one of the planet’s gigantic trees, wrapping around it, and with a pendulum motion, swung forward again, striking at the exact height where the golden armor had stopped.

  My thrusters erupted with an extremely powerful spin, yanking the chain, which buried itself deep into its hull, dragging it backward like a doll and slamming it against the tree. With a quick movement, the chain wrapped around it, binding it to the trunk as it began to crush and tear apart its armor.

  “Mmm, I was hoping to cut you in half, but I didn’t account for the thickness of the tree. I was careless,” I said while quickly reviewing my calculations. “Ah! I forgot to change the subtraction sign to an addition. It happens.”

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  As I was thinking about what to do next, a great golden comet came flying toward me, trying to crush me with its mass.

  I performed a backward somersault, barely avoiding the massive golden armor, which looked more like an enraged beast than an enemy.

  I ended up upside down in midair, watching its head pass just centimeters from mine. I smiled at the sight. Maybe I can fix this little mistake. Before it could fly past me, I hooked my second blade around its very thick neck. That should do nicely.

  I landed safely on the ground and witnessed the spectacle I had set in motion. The sheer mass of my enemy prevented it from stopping its charge, even though it knew something was wrong. With a single violent yank, the chain went taut and tightened around its neck, which began to be severed; but once again, beyond my calculations, the sheer force proved too much, and the chain snapped.

  “Damn it, that was close! Well, at least that’s one less.”

  I said as I turned my gaze to the other end of the chain, where the tree fell to the ground completely split in two, leaving only the unit standing; who, in the very next second, collapsed beside it. Well, to be more precise, its upper half fell, while its lower half, separated right at the level of the cockpit, remained propped against the stump.

  Slowly, both parts began to break apart into the now-familiar golden particles.

  “And with that, there are only three left,” I said as I turned back to look at my stunned enemies.

  Truth be told, it’s an incredible feeling. That these damn armors, which until recently had been having fun with me, now felt fear in the very depths of their being is intoxicating. Still, I don’t know if I’m just too much of a perfectionist, but the last two errors in my calculations are bothering me.

  “Come on, Rob, focus!” I muttered, giving myself a couple of slaps on the face.

  I placed my hands back on the controls, but I realized the grip wasn’t the same anymore. Was it slippery? I lifted my hand in confusion, and my eyes widened in surprise for the first time since I activated my Sovereignty.

  “Blood?” I exclaimed in disbelief.

  What was happening? Where was the blood coming from? Despite my astonishing mental capacity, I found myself frozen by this inexplicable fact. I shut off the central display to see my reflection and find the cause.

  What reflected on the dark surface of the screen left me cold: there was no wound, and yet a bit of blood had begun to flow from my nose and eyes.

  “But what the…?” I felt a sudden weakness that nearly made me lose my balance inside my Cadejos. What’s happening to me? Some kind of mental attack? Poison? Some unknown local disease? A flood of possibilities raced through my accelerated mind in an instant. “Agh!” I let out a groan as my analysis was interrupted by a sudden headache and loss of balance. Fortunately, I managed to keep my armor from falling at the last moment, but I still ended up kneeling on the ground.

  I have to calm down. I tried to relax for a moment. Fortunately, my enemies hesitated to approach, preferring to regroup and regenerate first. After the beating I gave them, they were probably suspecting some kind of trick.

  “Calm down, calm down,” I repeated to myself, trying to steady my breathing.

  It seemed to help, as the pain faded for an instant. My reprieve didn’t last long, however, because I slowly began to hear a voice in the distance that gradually grew clearer.

  [Rob… Ro… Rob]

  “…Princess?”

  Suddenly, as if triggered by my words, a figure inside the cockpit began to come into focus. A girl with white hair and white clothes stood before me, her hands on my shoulders, kind of as if trying to shake me awake. I don’t think that’s possible without a body.

  [You reckless idiot, snap out of it already!!]

  The Princess’s figure and voice finally became clear as she—was she insulting me? She sounded angry, even with her flat tone. Her eyes looked at me with a mix of disapproval and anger, and… maybe a hint of concern? I’d like to believe so. Whatever it was, I was still glad to see her.

  “I’m listening, Princess… Where were you? What’s happening to me?” I asked, feeling a bit dizzy.

  [You finally respond, you hopeless idiot! I didn’t go anywhere, I was here the whole time. Remember we connected? I’m in your mind, not in the cockpit. Besides, you’re the one who stopped listening to me] she scolded vehemently.

  “…Me?” I let out, dumbfounded.

  [Of course you! It was supposed to be a small enhancement. Instead, you went and brute-forced the connection with no restraint at all, ignoring every single limitation.]

  I get it now. The enhancement was so massive that I lost myself in it, blinded by a sudden enlightenment and borrowed strength. How embarrassing! I acted like a rookie pilot on his first connection with the circlet.

  “Did it go to my head?” I asked, somewhat embarrassed.

  [Did it go to your head?!! That doesn’t even begin to cover it. You created a Sovereignty! And immediately stopped listening to me. You got lost in that world!]

  She yelled at me while tugging on my ear. Can I even feel pain? Well, if we’re connected, it’d be easy for her to send those signals straight to my mind.

  “Yeah, I was inspired,” I said, rubbing my hair in embarrassment.

  [That’s not a compliment! You almost fried your brain. The processor helps, but the calculations still run through your mind. It’s like taking your little portable device and plugging it straight into an Ether reactor to charge it! The most optimistic outcome would be it blowing to pieces.]

  Wow, she’s really angry; or at least, the Princess version of angry. It’s like watching a little hamster bite your finger: you know it’s mad, but it’s hard to take it seriously. Though if I said that, she’d just get even angrier.

  The best option would be to shut down the connection immediately so I could recover, but… I turned around and saw my enemies, who were already starting to sense that something wasn’t quite right.

  “Princess,” I interrupted her seriously. “How long do you think I can withstand the connection?”

  [And you still want to keep going! Did you hear a word I said?] she snapped, yanking my ear even harder.

  My, like the good ol’ days. But I can’t let myself get distracted. I looked at her with seriousness, and after a few moments, she stopped and let go.

  […One minute at full capacity. That’s all you can endure. And don’t start trying to extend that time with some foolish heroic act. After that, the connection will collapse on its own, because your mind won’t be able to sustain it.]

  “One minute, huh?”

  [Do you think you can finish them?]

  I ran some quick calculations of my chances, enduring the growing migraine.

  “No. Maybe the one with the energy weapon, but the heavy one and the one with the sword are going to need a bit more work.”

  It’s not enough. Not nearly enough. The moment the connection cuts out, it’ll be the end for me against the remaining two. There has to be another way.

  I punished my poor mind again, searching for a quick path that would let us win in under a minute… Wait, win?

  “I can’t defeat them in that short time, but we can win,” I said confidently.

  The Princess looked at me for a few seconds with those big eyes, until she sighed and said:

  […Once again, I can’t understand your plans, but I can feel that you have faith in them; so I’ll have faith in you.]

  I smiled when I heard her answer.

  “That’s the spirit.” I turned toward the three armors that were already beginning to surround me. “Well then, gentlemen, we’ll have to finish this little dance sooner than expected,” I shouted as I took off toward the mountaintop.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I could see how my unexpected move left them unsure of what to do. They exchanged brief glances, then took off after me while opening fire. Huh, it took them longer than I’d estimated to realize where I was headed; but I won’t complain. Those few moments let me climb a significant portion of the mountain.

  The enemy kept firing at me relentlessly, but I didn’t have the time or spare processing capacity to deal with them, so I decided to ignore the damage. Surprisingly, not a single shot managed to hit me; they struck all around me, doing nothing more than kicking up dust and chunks of rock. They seemed a bit nervous. That means I’m heading in the right direction.

  The harassment intensified as we pierced the reddish, storm-laden clouds surrounding the summit. My Cadejos trembled as the powerful pulsing waves of the storm battered its hull, but I couldn’t stop. There was no turning back now. I accelerated even more until I finally broke through the dense layer, bringing the summit within reach.

  Before my eyes unfolded the crimson core, glowing with the intensity of blood, suspended in the midst of a furious vortex that rose to the very limits of this giant graveyard. Lightning and dark tendrils coiled around it, tearing apart anything that dared come close.

  I smiled as I saw my destination within reach at last: our long-sought objective.

  I suppose at some point we forgot, focusing on defeating the enemies guarding it, confusing the means with the end. But now that time is running out, our only chance is to destroy the profane altar, taking advantage of the fact that its guardians made the foolish mistake of abandoning it.

  Maybe I can’t defeat them all, but if I destroy the core, the storm will dissipate, allowing us to pull back and receive reinforcements. We’ll see how tough they are when they face an entire fleet from the kingdom.

  Without wasting any more time, I pulled a gigantic shock hammer from my inventory. I powered it up and hefted it in my hands. It began to tremble, generating powerful shockwaves that shattered anything that came near them. It’s a technology that’s somewhat difficult to control and apply, but for such a primitive use as this, it was perfect.

  As I approached the vortex, I could feel a force beginning to slowly suck me toward its crimson heart. I was forced to dig my legs into the mountaintop to avoid being swallowed by the whirl.

  [Careful, they’re close already!] the Princess warned me.

  Behind me, my pursuers finally appeared; but it was already too late.

  I took a bit of momentum and leapt with all my strength into the eye of the vortex, unleashing a brutal blow toward the core. Shockwaves slammed into the storm’s tendrils that crossed its path in an attempt to protect the crimson heart. Sparks and waves of scarlet energy erupted everywhere, until at last the vortex yielded before such overwhelming force.

  “Damn it.”

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