The owner of that voice finally appeared.
Clad entirely in white, with short silver hair and a seemingly cheerful smile, the young Liberi boy before them looked innocent and harmless.
…If you ignored the large group of Reunion soldiers standing behind him.
"Mephisto. What are you doing here?"
Kingslayer spoke coldly. Though they were both officers of Reunion, she clearly didn't like him.
"Just a few bugs that happened to fly in. Is that really worth your effort?"
The white-haired boy laughed heartily, completely unfazed by Kingslayer's unfriendly tone.
"If I remember correctly, you're supposed to be in charge of the central power sector, right? Why not leave them to me instead?"
Kingslayer said nothing.
To be honest, she didn't particularly care whether the Rhodes Island operators lived or died—But she had no interest in watching Mephisto run wild on the battlefield.
Anyone who had ever seen how Mephisto used his Originium Arts wouldn't hold even the slightest bit of goodwill toward this boy.
(Only Faust can tolerate this freak…)
Kingslayer cast a deep look at Mephisto, said nothing more, and turned to leave the battlefield.
Some of the Reunion troops under her command withdrew with her.
(What the hell is going on...?)
Amiya, Ace, and Dobermann exchanged glances—each of them seeing the same confusion in the others' eyes.
"Ah ah, Kingslayer really is rude. She didn't even introduce herself before leaving… Please allow me to apologize on her behalf."
Mephisto spoke as if making small talk, completely unconcerned.
"As for me—you may call me Mephisto."
"I suggest you remember my name, because soon… none of you will be able to remember anything at all~"
"Watch out! The Doctor is in danger!"
Almost the instant Mephisto's words fell, a crossbow bolt shot out from a sharp angle, aimed directly at the Doctor—who was in the middle of preparing defensive orders.
But Ace had sensed the danger one step ahead of everyone.
With lightning speed, he threw up his shield in front of the Doctor, deflecting the bolt and shielding the previously exposed flank with his body.
The "Doctor" he protected simply stared blankly ahead, eyes fixed on the battlefield.
——— Scene Break ———
Who am I? Where am I?
That question had been bothering me ever since I woke up.
Everyone seems unsure of my name, but they all like to call me "Doctor."Though I have no idea what exactly I'm a "doctor" of.
They're all fighting so hard—And I seem to have a knack for battlefield coordination, so I help out where I can.Especially because this Cautus girl named Amiya seems a bit overwhelmed in that area.
She saved my life.Though I can't repay her romantically for… obvious reasons, I can at least try to help however I'm able.
It's just that… it seems we're surrounded.
The tall Operator with sunglasses pulled me behind him and shielded me from an incoming attack.If no one had stepped in, based on the angle that crossbow bolt flew in, my brains would probably be splattered across the pavement by now.
Everyone calls him Ace.
He's shouting something at me—But I can't hear a thing.
I cover my ears, trying to dull the pain.My head… it hurts so much!
Enemies—some I've seen before, others completely new—are pouring in from all directions.Their assault is like a tidal wave, threatening to drown our entire team.
I want to help.But even basic coordination feels beyond me right now.
I know I can't let them down…But the pounding in my skull makes every movement a struggle.
(What should I… do?)
——— Scene Break ———
Ace gasped for breath.
As one of Rhodes Island's most experienced senior Defenders, he excelled not just in holding the line, but in battlefield command as well.
So even though he blocked the strike aimed at the Doctor, the squad's situation had only worsened.
This attack was clearly a probe—And his reaction had only confirmed how important the Doctor was—And how utterly defenseless she was.
If the enemy commander was smart, they'd keep aiming sneak attacks at the Doctor.
And that meant Ace would have no choice but to stay by her side constantly, unable to oversee the front line or give orders.
Worst of all… from the start of this engagement, the Doctor had been acting strangely.
Gone was the calm, masterful strategist who coordinated battles like a game of chess—Now, she looked like someone gripped by fear of death and violence.An ordinary civilian.
But Ace knew—The Doctor wasn't like this before.
(Again!)
Clang!
He sprang from cover, smashing his shield into the air—A crossbow bolt, laced with magical energy to reduce deflection, screeched against his shield before falling uselessly to the ground.
Even though he was on the defensive, Ace could only grit his teeth and endure.There was no other choice.
He had faced this kind of crisis many times—But back then, there was always a commander behind him.One who, no matter what, always led them to victory.
Now… that person was still there.But she was so fragile.
He didn't know whether this was a blessing—Or a curse.
Maybe, as Scout had once said,the Doctor was never meant to return to Rhodes Island—to Babel.Maybe she should have gone on to live a normal life.Or maybe…
She should've stayed in that "coffin."And never come back.
The tall Defender looked out across the battlefield with growing concern.
In the distance, Reunion squads were cutting through the scattered Rhodes Island Operators—And shadows flitted across the rooftops—Snipers. Lots of them.
Right now, E1, E2, and E3 were trapped in a total deadlock.