"What's happening here! Ever since the defensive barrier was breached, Contestant Alde has been completely on the back foot!"
"Indeed. Once close combat began, Contestant Alde has been thoroughly overwhelmed, losing all the composure he showed at the start. His strongest asset was clearly that defensive barrier—in terms of pure output, he simply can't match the monstrous strength of the Tyrant!"
The commentators' bewildered exclamations and speculative remarks echoed from the broadcast booth.
The audience erupted in cheers once more. Many who had bet on Roy's victory had no desire to see Alde gain the upper hand. When Roy initially struggled to breach the defensive barrier, some spectators had already begun cursing aloud. Now that Roy dominated the fight, these same spectators cheered as if in ecstasy.
The situation aligned precisely with the commentators' analysis.
"Give up. Even as machines go, your pure output can't match mine."
Roy effortlessly caught the massive hammer Alde had hurled from a distance and flung it back with equal force, forcing Alde to dodge hastily.
Both Alde and Rimcy, as automaton combatants, were formidable. Their bodies alone were constructed from the world's most durable special alloys—even Julis's flames would struggle to damage them. Yet Roy had shattered them with a single punch.
In terms of raw power or defense, neither could hope to surpass Roy.
Their only noteworthy feature was their defensive barrier capability—technology that rivaled large-scale stage defenses. The fact that Ernesta had miniaturized such a system for Alde's use was nothing short of groundbreaking, a scientific achievement unparalleled in the world.
But with their barrier now compromised, Alde and Rimcy stood no chance. Even their AI learning capabilities couldn't instantly devise a countermeasure against Roy. A few more repetitions of his barrier-breaking technique would seal their defeat.
For the pinnacle of modern scientific achievement to be so thoroughly outmatched in basic output by a human like Roy was almost laughable.
"Hahaha... It seems you're right!"
Alde rose to his feet once more, laughing heartily as he openly acknowledged his inferiority to Roy.
"Truly terrifying—how could a Genestellar like you even exist? Your physical prowess is downright monstrous! But we're not done yet! The time has come, Rimcy—deploy it!"
Still more tricks up their sleeves?
Rather than fear, Roy felt exhilaration.
Excellent! Show me just how capable you really are!
The more advanced your functions, the more qualified you'll be as future Pal!
"Roy, incoming ambush!" Claudia's warning rang out from behind.
At that moment, Rimcy, hovering in the sky, raised both arms as if receiving a signal. Her twin cannons merged, transforming into a single massive barrel as wide as a human head.
"Ruinshalef Mode Wolkenbruch—maximum output!"
A massive energy bullet wobbled out of the cannon barrel before suddenly exploding with a bang, fracturing into thousands of smaller projectiles that rained down like a storm!
Countless energy bullets enveloped over half the stage in their attack range. Claudia's expression tightened as she swiftly retreated backward while warning Roy. Against this many projectiles, even using stardust energy for defense wouldn't be enough to block them all—taking even one direct hit would significantly impair combat effectiveness.
Roy's eyebrows lifted slightly as he instantly entered the "Insight" state. It was as if he'd gained a bird's-eye view, perceiving every single projectile within his surroundings with perfect clarity. In a flash, he drew the activator at his waist. A green light shimmered as his energy blade whirled like a tempest, deflecting all incoming bullets.
This move was likely meant to hinder their advance—probably to prevent them from interrupting their trump card. Though in truth, he had no intention of stopping them anyway.
"Though I hate this with every fiber of my being, we've got no choice now. Let's go!"
Taking advantage of the projectile barrage blocking their path, Rimcy flew above Alde.
"ACM components, first external armor, all Orga Lux armaments excluded... transferring maximum control authority."
"Oooh! Here it comes, here it comes, here it comes! Finally! Initiating connection!"
Rimcy's equipment began detaching—not just her flight pack and armor plating, but even the armaments on her arms separated and flew toward Alde as if drawn by magnets.
"W-what the hell are they doing?!"
"I swear this scene will haunt me for a whole year—this is straight out of a mecha anime fusion sequence! The romance of it all!"
Countless screams erupted from the commentators' booth and throughout the stadium.
In that single moment, the excitement of tens of thousands of spectators was ignited.
Meanwhile, those who had bet on Roy's team turned pale at the sight. Even Julis and the others watching from the preparation room immediately changed expressions.
"Bwahahaha! Our fusion is complete!"
The moment the energy bullet rain ended, Alde's booming laughter echoed across the arena.
Amid the roaring cheers, Alde emerged from a steam-like haze. His shoulders split wide open as the flight pack separated into two sections, bridging the gaps. Orga Lux armaments and armor plates layered onto his arms and legs like reinforcements.
His eyes glowed intensely, the green light radiating from his body shifting into a vivid blue.
"This is our true form! The first time we've used it in this Festa! Well then, shall we begin round three?"
Alde's entire body erupted with steam-like blue light as he roared provocatively, unable to contain his excitement. His massive frame had grown several times bulkier, now standing over three meters tall.
"Enough talk. Bring it on!"
Roy narrowed his eyes, sensing a dangerous aura from this new Alde. He shifted into a stance for the first time in the match, one foot forward.
The instant he spoke, a wall-like mass of machinery appeared right before Roy's eyes.
Roy's eyes bulged as he instantly crossed his arms in front of his chest.
BOOM——!!!
The massive hammer, carrying kinetic energy akin to a meteor, slammed into Roy's arms like an unstoppable divine weapon descending from the heavens.
For a moment, Roy felt as if he'd been hit by a speeding train. Excruciating pain shot through his arms, threatening to snap them. His defensive stance lasted only an instant before collapsing completely. The colossal hammer sent him flying backward until he crashed against the defensive barrier and came to a stop.
"WAHAHAHA! How about that? This is my full power! Even so, can you still claim your output surpasses mine?"
Alde laughed heartily, his momentary frustration as a robot who'd been struck completely vanishing as his pride swelled boundlessly.
With an empty-handed grasping motion, the giant hammer flew back to him like a signal-responsive drone. A mere flick of his wrist sent out gale-force winds capable of blowing people away.
"Huff..."
Roy straightened up, exhaling lightly as he flexed his arms. Thanks to his timely defense, nothing was broken.
"Impressive! I'm growing fonder of you by the minute!"
Roy gazed at Alde, who resembled a celestial weapon incarnate, his face breaking into a radiant smile.
"However, thanks to that last hit, I've completely figured you out now!"
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