𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟒: 𝐘𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐢𝐰𝐚 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐤𝐲𝐨
Chihaya was removing the wires attached to the trees.
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“Phew, that was scary. . . . . .”
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Her voice was still trembling.
She had anticipated that the enemy drones might descend from the sky. If his drones were destroyed, there might be a chance to retreat, but Chihaya would be grateful if combat could be avoided.
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However, she had taken precautions, assuming the enemy drones was intent on destroying the All-Rounder.
That was the wire strung all around.
This wire, although attached to the trees, was barely fixed. Simply put, there wasn’t enough time to secure it, but there was another reason.
To restrict the enemy’s landing site.
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The wires, sent flying by the explosion of compressed hydrogen cylinders, would catch on the branches of the trees, ensnaring the descending enemy aircraft.
The enemy aircraft might know about the wires from drone footage, but the positions of the wires sent flying by the explosion would be unconfirmed due to the rising snow and dust caused by the blast.
In other words, the enemy drones would naturally have no choice but to land at a spot with fewer wires. If that direction was limited, Chihaya’s All-Rounder could face the enemy drones head-on.
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However, the enemy might not think that far, so Chihaya had oriented the area with fewer wires towards the Unison Human-Machine Technology base. Even without the enemy drone, she intended to run straight through and intrude on the base.
As a result, although she was surprised to see an enemy drones in front of her, aiming their gun, she managed to escape destruction thanks to the dead body of a fern-legged scorpion that she had prepared as a precaution.
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She secured the unidentifiable remains of the enemy drones with the removed wires.
The enemy drones’ remains were riddled with holes. She didn’t know how resilient the Order series Actanoid was, so she shot it thoroughly. It might have exploded by igniting the fuel in the thrusters, but that was better than having her mech broken.
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“That should do it.”
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When she notified that she would carry the enemy drones’ remains to the Unison Human-Machine Technology base, an immediate reply came.
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“Uh, the black box? I think it’s safe.”
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She didn’t understand the structure of the Order series Actanoid.
For now, once she brought it to the base, the professionals would probably dismantle and examine it.
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When Chihaya brought the enemy drones to the base, an appraisal was carried out immediately.
She was asked to attend and record the disassembly and appraisal process.
The appraisal result was released at dawn.
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“. . . . . . $34,870?”
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A decent price for one wrecked mech.
The sale amount was about the same as a nearly intact Lannoid series Conductor and a heavily damaged Leaf Sprinter.
However, if she could have captured it in better condition, it wouldn’t have been less than $139,480. Moreover, the request for compressed hydrogen cylinders was unfulfilled. The expenses would be covered, but the requested compressed hydrogen cylinders had completely blown away.
If told that the compensation for the compressed hydrogen cylinders would be offset, Chihaya had only one response.
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“I’ll sell it. . . . . .”
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Although the substantial deposit was exhilarating, the critical request was a failure. Moreover, the record of defeating an Order series Actanoid with an All-Rounder would remain on her account.
That meant that combat-related requests would be prioritized more than ever on the request bulletin board.
She felt like she had won the match but lost the game.
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“Why. . . . . .”
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Plodding along, Chihaya’s All-Rounder, illuminated by the morning sun, left the base.
She ascended to the top of the Wagawa upstream mountain range, took a few pictures, then descended in the opposite direction from the base, heading towards the shooting spot.
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While descending the mountain, her smartphone informs her of a bank transfer from Unison Human-Machine Technology.
Unbeknownst to her, the savings have exceeded $69,000. A delightful figure to look at. It’s an amount that can make you scoff at life, but the way she earned it was the problem.
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“I want to earn money more peacefully, but I feel like I’m always selling Actanoids that I’ve destroyed in battle. . . . . .”
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It’s like the act of a bandit.
Wondering how it came to this, she kept moving the All-Rounder.
Then, she arrived at the shooting spot at Yumiiwa Genkyo.
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“Wow. . . . . . .”
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The breathtaking view instantly lifted her previously downcast mood.
Numerous strange rocks eroded into arch shapes, lined up, and although part of the natural landscape, it reminded her of giant ruins somewhere. Streams of blue rivers that must have eroded the strange rocks flowed, filled with a solemn and pure calm atmosphere. Trees that had grown freely, blooming beautiful peach-colored flowers, seemed to symbolize the peaceful time that had flowed into this land.
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“It’s beautiful. . . . . .I want to live in a place like this, and retire.”
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Fed up with fighting, Chihaya aimed her camera at the stunning view.
𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝟏
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