Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: 8. Mecha God Chronicle - Third Apocalypse (4)
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Hikardo's fan club for Mecha God Chronicle—which doubled as a gathering of its most obsessive stalkers—went by the name "My Struggle."
Originally, the group had formed out of sheer frustration over the fact that Mecha God Chronicle aired only once a week.
But now, with the episode count pushing past 25, it had ballooned into the capital's most powerful organization.
In the old days, it was just a bunch of drunken louts pounding beers at the tavern.
These days, though? Nobles, Imperial Academy cadets, mages, even university professors—people from every walk of life had signed up.
The reason was simple.
It was fun.
And they couldn't suppress the burning desire to talk about Mecha God Chronicle all night with like-minded fans.
So today, as always, "My Struggle" was packed to the brim.
"Alright, then. As announced beforehand, I have one important announcement to make."
The man who led the group—known to some as the "Führer"—opened his mouth to speak. Hikardo.
"Lately, everyone here knows how bad the infighting among our comrades has gotten."
Hikardo let out a deep sigh as he scanned the room.
It was plain as day to him.
Even now, as their supreme leader was about to drop major news, people were snarling at each other like wild dogs.
And why? Over the pettiest reason imaginable: they disagreed.
Honestly, Hikardo couldn't wrap his head around why they treated each other like the murderers of their parents.
He'd tried to stop it countless times before, but he always failed.
Would humans ever truly understand one another?
With a gloomy expression, Hikardo continued.
"I've been watching quietly for weeks now, and I've decided I can't stand by any longer. That's why I've organized this debate today to resolve it once and for all."
With that, he called up representatives from each faction to the stage.
"I hope this debate helps us move past the hate and understand each other a little better. Without further ado, let the 47th Debate on 'Who is the True Heroine of Mecha God Chronicle?' begin!"
Clap clap clap.
That kicked things off, and the leaders of the factions backing heroine contenders Saya, Eirin, and Chloe all jumped in.
"No long speeches. Frankly, anyone who doesn't think Saya is the true heroine must have something wrong with their head."
"...Hah?"
"You done talking, Professor Hermione?"
Once the loudest critic of Mecha God Chronicle, Professor Hermione had since undergone a second ascension into its staunchest fan. She struck first.
"Everyone here watched episode 25, right? And in that episode, it's crystal clear: Saya is the one true heroine."
"...What?"
"In 25, Kai voluntarily awakened Unit Zero to save Saya and ascended to godhood. That's a total departure from all the times Unit Zero rampaged when he was in danger. Meaning? Kai's feelings for Saya are so powerful they can awaken a god."
Professor Hermione smirked at the leaders of the Eirin and Chloe camps.
They just ground their teeth, speechless—because deep down, they knew she had a point.
But their love for their favorites burned even hotter, so they had no choice but to fight back.
"...Fine, I'll grant you that. Episode 25's heroine was Saya. But Professor, aren't you overlooking something crucial?"
"Crucial? What?"
"Saya has a fatal flaw that makes her unfit as the true heroine from the start."
With that, Evangelin von Tieria—head of the Eirin faction—pulled a recording artifact from her bosom.
"This captured a scene from episode 14. Führer, may I use it as evidence?"
"Granted."
At Hikardo's approval, Evangelin activated the artifact.
"This is Kai reminiscing about his little sister. Notice how her face is deliberately blurred. But if you pause at the right frame—"
She froze it and showed everyone.
"G-Gasp!"
"N-No way!"
The whole room gasped in shock.
Because the frozen image of Kai's sister looked exactly like...
"S-Saya?"
"My god. Saya's actually Kai's sister?"
...Saya. Everyone's Saya.
The eye and hair colors differed, but otherwise, they could pass for identical twins.
"Th-That's just coincidence."
"Coincidence? You think the Mecha God Chronicle director would make a mistake like that?"
"..."
"Remember Saya's monologue in episode 19, watching Kai suffer?"
Of course they did.
The Saya squad still ranked it #1 best quote in the series.
"...Kai. I can't do anything while you're suffering like this. Seeing you sad makes me sad, but no tears come from my eyes. Am I... just a doll after all...?"
"She calls herself a doll. So isn't Saya modeled after Kai's sister? Not human at all?"
Evangelin gloated triumphantly.
"If this theory holds, Saya's a clone of his sister. Making her the heroine? That's straight-up unethical!"
"N-No...!"
Professor Hermione gnashed her teeth at Evangelin's words, but sadly, she had no counterargument.
Unable to win logically, all that was left was a dogfight.
"Eirin doesn't have a mental illness—she's just too pure and delicate! You filthy incest lovers!"
"Kai and Saya's bond isn't dirty like you perverts imagine—it's pure and platonic! You idiots!"
They'd started hoping for understanding, but soon they were back to tearing each other apart.
"...Hah."
As Hikardo sighed and moved to stop it,
"F-Führer! Emergency news!"
One of the members rushed up, panting, and whispered in his ear.
"...What did you say?"
Hikardo's face drained of color in an instant.
This was no mere debate—something monumental had happened. He shot to his feet.
"Comrades! Pause the debate! I have urgent news for you all!"
The snarling Saya squad and Eirin squad halted and turned to him.
"Word just came from one of our guys in the palace. Some nobles ganged up and pressured His Majesty the Emperor. As a result, episode 26 of Mecha God Chronicle has leaked to them!"
"What?!"
"Is that for real?!"
It was unbelievable.
Nobles pressuring the Emperor to watch episode 26 early?
"This... This is an atrocity that should never exist in this world. Everyone's waiting eagerly for 26, and some power-hungry elites use their influence to hog it first?!"
Tremble.
Hikardo couldn't contain his rage; his fist shook.
"What happens if a handful of nobles monopolize it? They'll spoil the plot everywhere, no doubt. That's guaranteed!"
"M-My god. People cruel enough to do that exist?"
"Unbelievable. How can someone in human skin stoop so low..."
Everyone's minds raced with horrors.
His Majesty, the biggest victim, tormented by those who'd seen 26 first.
- Stop, please. Don't tell Us about episode 26.
- Hmm, my throat's so dry. Anyone care to fetch me some water?
- If someone gives me a limited-edition Mecha God plamo, maybe I'll share 26?
And those vile nobles wouldn't stop at torturing the Emperor.
As Hikardo said, they'd spoil it for commoners too, satisfying their base urges!
"Those envious—no, evil bastards!"
"We have to stop them! No spoilers, not on my watch!"
Hikardo nodded along with the uproar.
"Exactly. As president of the Mecha God Chronicle fan club, I declare this a critical emergency. I'll do everything to resolve it. For that, Saya squad and Eirin squad must set aside your feud and unite."
Nod.
His words rang so true, heads nodded unconsciously.
"To that end, I'm renaming our group from 'Stop Petty Nitpicking' to 'Soviet' for now. And I swear: until the spoilers are crushed, my red heart will pulse with revolutionary fervor!"
"Woooah! Long live the Soviet!"
Hikardo's stirring speech intoxicated them without a drop of booze.
"Eirin squad will cooperate with Saya squad for the greater good."
"No choice. Temporary alliance this time."
"We haven't forgiven you. Follow our lead."
"Details later... Incoming! No—charge!"
And so, a dangerously potent alliance was born.