?
Schwarzer looked at the card that appeared in her consciousness space, inspecting it from all sides, and confirmed that it was indeed a piece of core data.
No? Why?
Einzig was also considered a major character, so it was reasonable to obtain core data from him, but why so quickly...
Could this really be considered a "major impact"? He just understood after she said a few casual words?
Schwarzer looked at the spot where Einzig had vanished, unconsciously clenching the hand holding the chess piece, a nameless frustration burning within her.
'Just a moment ago, you said you'd do anything to get core data, but now that you have it, you're not happy.' The System, finally understanding what had transpired, silently grumbled at Schwarzer's reaction.
After a brief silence, Schwarzer still put away the core data. She deeply understood the disparity between individuals.
Alright, she admitted she was jealous. Machine Ex Machina, after all, were complete beings, unlike her, a half-souled individual who couldn't compare.
But it didn't matter; as long as she could recover her soul fragments, everything would be fine!
Now it was time to continue with the plan. She merely needed to swiftly defeat the Flügel, forcing them to their knees, and thus capture the attention of the War God Artosh.
"Send me the location of Avant Heim, System."
"Alright, alright, it's already been shared to your database."
"But are you sure you're going alone? The Machine Ex Machina's individual combat capabilities aren't particularly strong."
"[Affirmative]I alone am enough, and only this way can I guarantee capturing Artosh's attention."
The core data brought by the Vanishing Dragon was slowly leaking away; even if she didn't use it, it would only last a few days. By then, she would only be able to maintain the bare minimum of emotions. It was better to go all out.
Without any conscious action, she instinctively opened a spatial tunnel, and Schwarzer drifted backward into it, vanishing from her spot.
...
There was still a long time until the end of the Great War. Without the interference of humans, who had become phantoms led by Riku, the war continued day after day, numbing all.
However, for some, war was not a sad affair, but rather a source of amusement.
"How boring. Ever since the Vanishing Dragon was wiped out by those pieces of scrap metal, there haven't been any opponents worth paying attention to. They've all hidden away."
At Avant Heim, the Flügel's stronghold, a bored Jibril lay sprawled on a floating platform.
At this point in time, the war had not yet reached its climax. The final weapons of the Earthborn and Elves were still under development, and the Vanishing Dragon had also perished in its battle with the Machine Ex Machina.
There were few beings left worthy of the Flügel's subjugation, and they had no opportunity to act, naturally leading to their idleness.
"Just get used to it, nya. Master hasn't given any new orders recently, nya."
A similarly bored Azriel offered comfort, though her habit of adding "nya" to every sentence left Jibril speechless.
The Flügel, possessing angelic appearances, were in fact a race created by the War God, fervent in their love for slaughter. Their greatest pastime was to subjugate the strong and collect their heads; more than angels, they resembled demons.
Jibril, as a special individual among the Flügel, would even cruelly destroy an entire city with a 'Heaven's Strike' just for being affected by anti-flight magic while passing by.
Though she verbally complained of boredom, such days were actually the norm. Powerful opponents were rare, and Jibril was merely speaking casually.
Just as she was about to head out for a casual stroll, as usual, an unfamiliar surge of magic erupted within Avant Heim, and a voice echoed from outside.
"[Announcement]This unit is named Schwarzer. Hereby, I issue a challenge to the War God Artosh..."
The voice from outside pierced through Avant Heim's shell; its interior was an independent world, yet Schwarzer's voice resonated directly within that world, echoing ceaselessly.
Azriel and Jibril were momentarily stunned; they had genuinely never witnessed such a situation.
"This self-designation... is it those pieces of scrap metal?" Jibril, regaining her composure, pondered for a moment.
Then, a terrifying smile stretched across her lips. She had never heard the name Schwarzer before, or rather, the Machine Ex Machina having names? That sounded far too interesting.
"How dare she, how dare she... how dare she provoke Master, nya! That is truly disrespectful, nya!"
In contrast, Azriel beside her was uncharacteristically furious. To her, Schwarzer openly declaring war on the War God was an insult.
Azriel vanished from her spot in an instant, teleporting to the outside at a speed Jibril couldn't possibly follow.
'She really is angry, it seems.' Jibril knew well that the seemingly frivolous Azriel was, in fact, the strongest being among the Flügel.
Within Avant Heim, the heads of Machine Ex Machina were considered prime collectibles by the Flügel.
Because this world had an unwritten rule: unless you genuinely sought death, never provoke the Machine Ex Machina. Thus, even the Flügel dared not strike at them.
However, at this moment, with the opponent provoking them right at their doorstep, Azriel could not possibly tolerate it. Even if it meant sacrificing herself, she would uphold her Master's dignity!
Azriel had originally expected to encounter a vast, overwhelming mass of Machine Ex Machina; that was how they usually appeared when engaging in battle. Individual Machine Ex Machina were not to be feared, but in great numbers, it was a different story.
However, only a single Machine Ex Machina appeared before her. The Flügel's senses informed her that there were no other Machine Ex Machina individuals within a hundred kilometers.
"What?~ Have the pieces of scrap metal finally broken down? Coming alone to die, nya." She laughed exasperatedly upon confirming the fact that the opponent was alone.
So, she had summoned the strongest Flügel? Well, that was fine. Schwarzer looked at her without fear.
"[Analysis]Confirming opponent's identity: Flügel First Unit – Azriel. Battle calculation... Win probability 99.9%..."
"[Judgment]Defeat her, and attract the attention of the War God Artosh."
Schwarzer analyzed without reservation. Though it was a soft whisper, Azriel heard it perfectly clearly.
"Huh?" Azriel gasped. Was this retribution for her usual catchphrases and cat-like demeanor?
Jibril, who had also arrived, heard the opponent's words. Her face was filled with confusion, as if her halo might twist into a question mark.
"You boastful piece of scrap metal! Today, you shall repay the insult to me with your life!"
Jibril could tell she was truly enraged; for the first time in a long while, her verbal tic was absent.
As the Flügel's original and strongest individual, Azriel was someone few could defeat, and that certainly did not include the Machine Ex Machina.
An isolated Machine Ex Machina individual versus the strongest Flügel individual – who was truly more powerful?
Jibril shook her head slightly; the answer was obvious.
It seemed such a rare collectible had nothing to do with her. She sighed inwardly.
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