For most people, the words would be gibberish.
But to Raul, Raji, and Mizuho (creators of the Chrono Engine), they clicked like a key in a lock.
"…Wh…at…?" "No way… Even if the engine was designed for that, we shouldn't have reached it yet… Or maybe the probability—"
Raul recovered first. "You're saying… we crossed time and space?"
Axel gave a slow clap.
"Exactly. You three jumped from our side to this one. You broke the frame of the world itself."
"So this is a parallel world—a parallel universe?" Raji asked.
"Sharp, Raji. That's it."
"But how do you prove it?"
"Check the data. This world looks like ours… but it isn't."
"Even if it's true," Mizuho cut in, "why us?"
"That mystery object that appeared," Raji said. "The engine went berserk in sync. Maybe it flung us here."
Mizuho sucked in a breath.
Axel let the silence settle. Enough exposition. Gilliam and Lamia would arrive soon—per script. He could wait, chat, let the plot roll.
But Raul's combat reflexes were pathetic. One more fight like that and he'd be scrap. Better to force-feed him experience now. Conveniently, Axel had already been hunting Excellence on the other side. A rematch? Seamless.
"I've told you everything I know. Believe it or not—your call. My interest? The machine that transcends worlds. Excellence. Let's pick up where we left off. For me—six months ago. For you—ten minutes. Hand it over."
Raul exploded.
"Don't give me that crap! You attacked Fiona—the girl who idolized you—and now you want the damn mech!?"
"War's a tide. I've lost plenty of comrades in mine."
Barison. Martin. Kirono. Their faces flickered across his mind.
"Choose, Raul. Same two options as before. Surrender quietly—your lives are guaranteed. Or…"
"Or you'll shoot us down like Fiona!?"
"Regrettably, yes."
"Then the answer's obvious! I fight—for Fiona, for Excellence, for everything!"
"Good. Let's dance."
Both machines surged skyward. Axel fired Fire Daggers from his chest vents—warning shots and containment.
"Like that will hit!"
Raul's wrist-mounted machine cannons shredded the multi-warhead missiles mid-flight.
"Not bad. Then try this."
Gun Rapier deployed—linear railgun barrel unfolding. A storm of beams boxed Raul in, herding him.
"Falling for a trap like that? You've got a long way to go."
The railgun cracked. Every slug grazed Excellence—never hit.
"Damn it—are you toying with me!?"
"Raul!" Raji barked. "That unit's a ranged specialist. Keep distance and you lose. Close in!"
"Got it!"
Excellence Flyer rocketed forward, plasma sword igniting.
"True—Growsavior prefers guns. But close quarters?" Adaman Halberd—activate!
The scythe flared to life. Raul streaked in—hit-and-run, slashing as he passed.
"Too slow!"
Axel parried with the blade, sparks exploding.
"Tch—"
Raul looped for another strike.
"Same move twice?"
Axel sidestepped, swept the haft low—caught Excellence's ankle. High-speed flight + tripped leg = catastrophic spin.
"UWAAAAAAAHH!"
Thrusters fired wildly; the machine plummeted.
"RAUL-SAN!"
Mizuho's scream. But Raul was a test pilot—barely yanked control at the last second, skidding to a rough landing.
"Handling's solid. I'll give you that."
"Shut up—this time for real!"
Excellence lunged again— —but Axel's sensors pinged.
"Sorry, Raul. Guests first."
"Guests?"
Two signatures materialized: Angelg and Gespenst Type-RV. Lamia and Gilliam.
Gilliam's voice crackled—open channel, Axel included.
"This is Major Gilliam Yeager, Earth Federation Army. Identify yourself."
"Federation!? So you're not with Axel-san!?"
"Axel-san… Anyway—no. We oppose Shadow-Mirror. We're here to assist."
"Roger! Thank you!"
Alliance locked.
"Heh. Helios—didn't expect to see you here. Luck's on my side."
"Axel Almer. One question before we start. What is your goal?"
"Vindel already told you."
"Ouka Nagisa, Zeola Schweitzer, Dr. Cuervo Cello—they defected during Operation Plantagenet. We spoke at length. You walk with Vindel… but your endgame differs. Am I wrong?"
Damn. Defection meant leaks. No point spilling his real plan here.
"They were useless as Boosted Children. Agira would've killed them. Our world thrives on struggle. A few irregularities like them? No issue."
"Captain…?" Lamia murmured.
She knew him too well—years together. Dangerous to keep talking.
"W17—no, Lamia Loveless. You're not Shadow-Mirror anymore. You don't get to call me Captain."
Gun Rapier aimed at Angelg.
One thing first.
"Lamia—Beowulf. Dead?"
"Alive… unfortunately. Critically wounded. Out of action permanently. Alt Eisen's scrap—faster to build a new one."
Lamia. You've grown a self, but you're still half-baked. If someone close died, you wouldn't sound so calm. Lemon would call it "room for growth" and smile.
"One worry gone… if you're telling the truth. You're still a doll playing human."
"What do you mean, Captain?"
"Want to be real? Think. Decide. Act. Enough talk. Time to fight."
Left hand: Gun Rapier. Right: Adaman Halberd.
"Unlike with Raul, it's 1 vs 3 now. No holding back. That okay?"
"Axel-san—do we have to do this?"
Axel grinned.
"You want Excellence safe from us? Beat me."
"He's right," Gilliam said. "The man's a monster pilot. 1 vs 3 and we're still at a disadvantage. We go all-out."
"Exactly, Helios. You need to get stronger—or you won't beat me, the Inspectors, or the Einst."
"Then Captain… let's end this!"
Angelg drew Mirage Sword. Excellence Flyer ignited plasma blade. Behind them, Gespenst RV locked its M90 assault rifle.
The sky ignited.
Axel Almer LV: 30 PP: 140 Melee: 226 Shooting: 244 Skill: 236 Defense: 233 Evasion: 261 Accuracy: 283 SP: 382
Ace Bonus: SP Boost (Spend SP to enhance Slime performance) Growth Type: All-Rounder / Special
Terrain: Space: S Land: S Sea: B Universe: A
Spirit Commands:
Accelerate (SP 4) Effort (SP 8) Focus (SP 16) Guaranteed Hit (SP 20) Awakening (SP 32) ???
Skills:
EXP Up SP Boost (Lv.9 SP Up & Regen & Focus) Psychokinesis Lv.10 Attacker Gunfight Lv.9 Infight Lv.8 ??? (x7)
Kills: 151
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