𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟐: 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞
Chihaya was positioned on the middle slope of a mountain, slightly to the north behind the wire formation.
She was observing the movements of the Actanoids on the battlefield. The All-Rounder that Chihaya controlled held up the head of a collected Lannoid-series Jackalope with both hands, sharing the view with the main monitor.
It was in a state of holding up a replacement head because the original head had been blown off.
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“It’s, scary, isn’t it. . . . . .”
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Overlooking the battlefield, Chihaya murmurs to herself.
She can’t fully grasp the details of the battle taking place in the forest. But occasionally, she can gauge some developments from the figures glimpsed through the gaps in the branches and the distribution of gunshots.
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The Order Actor, with the Trigger Happy at the lead, are charging and overwhelming a group of camouflaged Actanoids with assault rifles and heavy machine guns.
The camouflaged group consists mostly of lightly armored units, quickly losing formation in a head-on clash. They are probably people who usually scatter and attack while hiding.
The camouflaged group that has had its center broken through fears friendly fire and can’t make use of firepower, and gets crushed without being able to flee into the wire formation set by Chihaya.
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The Order Actor side seems to be taking some damage as well, but the following units are collecting the damaged units and defending them with heavy armor.
Being composed solely of Order-series Actanoids, which are a culmination of the latest technology, they ensure not to be captured. Their movements are quite trained.
Several camouflaged Actanoids manage to escape, but many of them are significantly damaged, making a return to the front line hopeless.
If they were a civilian clan, they would have no choice but to retreat to preserve the units.
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The Order Actor who drove off the camouflaged group are reorganizing their formation.
The Order Actor’s target seems to be the heavy-armored unit engaged in battle with the Renegade Warrior. Despite being bewildered by the Renegade Warriors’ mobility and stealth, the heavy-armored unit is gradually tightening the encirclement.
Chihaya recognizes the corporate logo engraved on the units.
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“Kaien Heavy Industries. . . . . .”
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She knew from a news site article that a major corporate clan was targeting the Renegade Warrior, but seeing the scene was somewhat surprising.
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“AI control, really, wonder if it’s true. . . . . .”
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Regardless of the incredulous Chihaya, the battle continues.
The Order Actor seem to plan to crush the Kaien Squad from outside their range. They don’t get too close, instead shooting at part of the Renegade Warrior encirclement.
The Kaien Squad appears to be struggling to secure the Lannoid series. Considering the radio wave conditions in the Spear Mountain Range, losing the Lannoid series would mean they can no longer fight.
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For Chihaya, she can expect significant profit if both sides crush each other and leave many units behind. If there are luxury items like Lannoid series among them, even better.
However, Chihaya was puzzled by the Kaien Squad’s actions.
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“They could just, run away, instead of, fighting. . . . . .”
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Unaware that she’s the one who blocked the escape route with wires, Chihaya mutters.
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“But where is the Renegade Warrior?”
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If the Renegade Warrior were lively, collecting damaged units would not be a priority. She tries to find the location of the battlefield by moving the Jackalope’s head, intending to pinpoint it now.
It should be within the Kaien Squad’s encirclement, but its whereabouts are entirely hidden.
Did it retreat, or is it aiming for the fisherman’s gain like herself?
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Chihaya, who couldn’t fully believe the story of AI control, thought that there was no way that the Renegade Warrior would show itself in this situation if it was being controlled by a person.
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“Ah, that mecha, looks like it could be worth some money. . . . . .Fu-he he.”
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The moment she counted her chickens before they were hatched, a heavy Rounder model Actanoid known as Keeper from the Kaien Squad exploded on the battlefield.
Just when she thought it was a waste, the camera on the Jackalope captured the image of the Renegade Warrior.
Responding to the explosion or hiding in the forest, the Renegade Warrior is aiming a bow and arrow in the direction of the explosion.
Whenever a grenade explosion occurs, it immediately responds, and it seemed to respond even when the heavy machine gun of the Trigger Happy was spitting fire.
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“. . . . . .Reacts to sound? Yeah, that’s scary. I understand.”
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Maybe it’s just as frightened as she is. Maybe blowing off the head of her own All-Rounder with an arrow was meant to be a preemptive strike against pursuers.
If that’s a misunderstanding, maybe calling out with a loudspeaker might clear it up.
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“Co, Communication disorder, can’t do it, no.”
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Fu-he he, letting out a pathetic laugh, Chihaya continues to capture the Renegade Warrior on the Jackalope’s camera.
All that’s left is to wait until the battle is over. Good things come to those who wait. A good saying.
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Just as she was thinking this, the Renegade Warrior moved.
Boldly cutting into the battlefield between the Kaien Squad and the Order Actor, it lunges at the Trigger Happy with a sword.
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“Ye, Yep, it’s on their side after all. . . . . .”
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Chihaya, who had hoped the Renegade Warrior might be like her, is disappointed to see its aggressive moves.
Whether it has a grudge against the Trigger Happy or not, the Renegade Warrior keeps attacking, ignoring other mechs.
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If the Renegade Warrior is destroyed on the battlefield, it will become a battle for possession with the Kaien Squad. Perhaps disliking this, the Trigger Happy moves to lure the Renegade Warrior away from the battlefield, firing its heavy machine gun at the surrounding Kaien Squad as a diversion.
The rest of the Order Actor who have the same intention as the Trigger Happy cut in between the pursuing Kaien Squad.
So far, so good. What’s important for Chihaya is where the Trigger Happy is escaping to.
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Turning its back on the battlefield, the Trigger Happy started running towards the middle of the mountain where Chihaya’s All-Rounder was hiding.
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“――What?!”
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Chihaya, who had been watching the battle and drinking barley tea, let out a foolish scream and began operating her All-Rounder.
There’s no way she will fight back. Of course, she will run.
Chihaya’s All-Rounder, leaving behind the head of the Jackalope, starts running away from the battlefield.
She heads for a route that goes around the middle of the mountain to the other side, avoiding exposing herself at the mountain’s peak.
The back camera shows the area where the wire formation is.
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The Trigger Happy is avoiding the wire traps with her unusual agility. Originally, most of the wires are tied to balloon-like dummy grenades, so they won’t explode even if the Renegade Warrior touches them.
Chihaya was beginning to understand the Trigger Happy’s movements and thought she might have planned to use this against the Renegade Warrior, but the Trigger Happy abruptly changes her course.
For some reason, he’s heading toward Chihaya’s All-Rounder.
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“Why?!”
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She quickly changes the All-Rounder’s course. She doesn’t want to stand in the direct line of the Trigger Happy and her companions.
However, it seems that the Trigger Happy knows Chihaya’s All-Rounder’s exact position through an observation drone floating in the air.
With clear intent, she is pursuing Chihaya’s All-Rounder.
Originally, the All-Rounder’s speed can’t escape from the Trigger Happy.
Realizing that she has no choice but to confront her, Chihaya, half-crying, readies her assault rifle on the All-Rounder.
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“Y, You intend to pay your respects, right?! Like in a Yankee manga! Like in a Yankee manga!!”
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