Chapter 345: Blazing Flames of the Battlefield[R-18] (63)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 345: Blazing Flames of the Battlefield[R-18] (63)
The hangar bay descended into chaos in an instant. Amid the sound of gunfire and the blare of alarms, we rushed toward the Astrea without a moment’s hesitation.
We crossed the battlefield-like floor, stepping over spent casings and debris, and passed through the boarding gate of the massive warship.
Inside, our forces were subduing the remaining Federation soldiers, forcing them to their knees.
Just then, a man in a formal uniform approached us.
“It’s been a while, Adele Licencia.”
Adele offered him a short smile.
“It has, Captain.”
“The situation is not good. We need to head to the bridge immediately.”
“Understood.”
She gave a curt nod and started walking with him. I followed close behind Adele, quickening my pace.
As we practically ran down the corridor, an internal broadcast echoed through the ship.
[Control over all sectors of the Astrea has been secured. Commencing emergency launch sequence. All remaining personnel, board immediately and return to your posts.]
We arrived at the bridge shortly after. The captain’s expression soured as he turned to Adele.
“A report just came in. The Federation’s main forces are en route. We have to get the Astrea airborne now.”
Adele nodded decisively.
“I understand. Captain, please begin the launch procedure immediately.”
“Right away.”
He quickly issued orders while operating a terminal.
“Transfer all Federation forces not allied with us off the warship at once.”
Adele turned to our group and said, “Pilots, please prepare for combat. However, all of your previous units were confiscated by the Federation, so you’ll have to use different ones.”
Sheryl, Lisa, Oh Hyun, and Mason all nodded in unison. Then, she quietly turned her head toward me.
“Oppa, please follow me.”
I was just about to follow her out of the bridge when it happened.
—Bang!
A sudden gunshot.
A shout erupted from behind us, followed by the sound of something collapsing.
“You damn traitors…!”
A man wearing the rank insignia of a Federation major, who had been subdued, had seized an opportunity to snatch a soldier’s weapon and pull the trigger.
—Bang! Bang!
“Urk…”
The captain clutched his chest and staggered, crashing into a chair before crumpling to the floor. The terminal slipped from his fingertips and rolled across the ground as his body collapsed in a pool of blood.
“Captain!”
The bridge was thrown into pandemonium. Adele rushed to his side, grabbing him as she yelled, “Medic! Requesting emergency support to the bridge! Now!”
Soldiers subdued the major and dragged him away, but the captain’s condition looked critical. The only person who could operate the Astrea had just been struck down before our eyes.
Someone muttered in despair.
“What do we do…? The captain…”
I turned my gaze to Elena.
“Major Elena.”
She looked at me, surprised.
“Right now, you’re the only one. The only one who can fly this warship.”
“This ship… its structure is a little different from the ones I know. I can’t guarantee I can operate it perfectly.”
“It’s fine. You’re the only one who can take command in this situation.”
Elena took a moment to compose herself, then lifted her head.
“…I’ll do it.”
She immediately announced the change of command over the ship’s internal broadcast.
“This is Elena Eisenhardt. As of this moment, I am assuming temporary command of the Astrea.”
At her words, the crew members on the bridge nodded in unison, immediately taking their positions and getting to work.
Simultaneously, the main monitor on the bridge split into multiple screens, displaying the entire ship’s status in real-time.
“Switching power systems. Reactor pressure normal. Navigation systems online… Main thruster preheating initiated!”
“T-minus 60 seconds to main thruster ignition.”
“Preparing to disengage docking clamps.”
“Hangar bays 3 and 4 initiating independent operation. Disengaging shields.”
“Departure route secured! Commencing forward port departure procedure!”
Sub-panels on the bridge ceiling opened, and output device modules deployed upwards.
A low-frequency vibration rumbled from below deck as the ship’s hull began to tremble slowly.
“Main propulsion engine at 45% capacity. Gravity control device normal. Inertial dampening module, no anomalies!”
“Hangar bay quarantine lifted. Vertical launch platform initialization complete.”
A vibration rose from the lower part of the ship. The platform, buried deep underground, began to ascend. The concrete roof retracted, revealing the sky beyond.
“Opening upper sluice. Securing atmospheric escape route.”
Elena sat tensely in the command chair, issuing orders.
“Gravity control device at full power. Thruster preheat at 85%. All hands, secure your seats. Brace for launch impact!”
“T-minus 20 seconds. Atmospheric entry route secured.”
“Main thruster, prepare for ignition.”
[Ignition in… 10… 9… 8…]
—KWAAAAANG!!
Flames engulfed the hangar as the Astrea’s massive hull lifted vertically, shaking the very earth.
“Approaching acceleration threshold. Deploying heat shields. Atmospheric friction tolerance secured.”
The Astrea soared into the sky.
“Seo-yun Oppa. We should get moving, too.”
Adele said quietly. I nodded and followed her. We arrived at the heart of the Astrea, a deep sector that seemed completely sealed off from the outside. A massive metal door opened, revealing a space that was empty and silent.
“Is this… a hangar?”
Adele nodded at my absentminded question.
“This is the first hangar bay. It’s a dedicated area for custom units.”
Adele walked slowly toward the interior, adding to her explanation.
“It’s empty because the development of the custom units isn’t finished yet.”
“So that’s why it’s so deserted.”
“Yes. However, one unit is complete. Follow me.”
When she reached the deepest end of the hangar, she raised her hand with a blank expression and placed her palm on a wall panel.
—Beeeeep.
The biometric scanner activated, a red light scanning her palm. After a brief moment of silence, the wall began to slowly part with a heavy mechanical groan.
—Kuuuuuuung…
The space beyond was revealed. There, standing silently, was a single mobile weapon.
Its composite armor was painted black.
A faint red light pulsed between the sleek frame and its armor plates.
“This is…”
Adele spoke quietly from my side.
“It’s a custom unit designed for you, Seo-yun Oppa. Its official designation is… Titan Edge.”
“…Titan Edge?”
“It’s the prototype for the Titan Class strategic frame developed by Licencia… and the only customized unit made just for you.”
Adele stopped in front of the machine and slowly raised her head.
“It’s the origin of the Titan Class, and at the same time, its final form. Its computational structure is similar to the Requiem’s, but… its response rate, internal energy circulation efficiency, and shock-resistant design are all superior. I analyzed your combat style and tailored everything to it.”
I silently looked up at the massive weapon with its red eyes. It had the heavy presence of a living beast holding its breath.
Adele turned her gaze to me.
“I heard… that’s what they’re calling you these days. The ‘Knight of the Apocalypse.’”
I frowned.
“…Hah. I guess that cheesy nickname has spread over here, too.”
Adele let out a small laugh.
“You don’t like it?”
“Want me to be honest? It’s cheesy. I’d rather be called ‘Calamity’ or ‘Butcher.’”
“Those are even cheesier. I still like the other one better.”
Adele smiled softly and continued.
“And it reminds me of a passage from the scriptures. The one who descends from the heavens when the end of the world approaches, who guides death, destroys order… and ushers in a new age.”
“Hah… well, if you want, I’ll use whatever.”
“Hehe, if you dislike it that much, you can just keep using the name Requiem.”
“I’d prefer that.”
Just then, Elena’s urgent voice echoed through the ship.
[This is the bridge! Federation units and their fleet are blocking our entry path in the upper orbit!]
Adele turned her head toward me.
“Well then… Sir Knight of the Apocalypse. It’s your time to shine.”
“How about a little victory kiss before I go?”
Adele silently approached me. She gently cupped my cheek. Her lips descended, soft and quiet.
—Chu.
Her lips parted from mine with a soft sound.
“I’ll give you a bigger present when you come back.”
I smiled faintly and gave her one last look.
“Alright. I’ll look forward to it.”
Then I turned around and leaped into the machine in a single bound. The cockpit hatch opened automatically, and I slipped inside.
I leaned back into the seat and placed both hands on the interface in front of the controls.
【 Unit Name: Requiem – Titan-01 】
【 Serial Code: Titan-Class Strategic Frame – RQM Titan-01 】
【 Pilot ID: Jin Seo-yun 】
【 Control System: Tactical Manual + Assist Mode 】
【 Auxiliary System: TITAN SYSTEM 】
▶ Commencing startup sequence...
‣ Computational Core Activation … Complete
‣ External Joint Feedback … Full-Body Synchronization Rate 99.2%
‣ Connecting to Licencia Custom Tactical OS … Integrated Match Complete
‣ Titan System Computation Module … Secondary Amplification Circuit on Standby
‣ Output Safeties Released … Reactor Output Climbing
‣ Internal Energy Circulation Circuit Stabilized
“Oh, this feels heavy.”
The feedback that traveled from my fingertips on the control stick was thrilling.
Just then, the communication channel opened.
[Bridge Comms Channel 2 Open — Operator: Sakurai Hina]
[This is the Astrea, Operator Sakurai Hina. All pilots, standby for launch. The Federation is currently blocking the Astrea’s advance trajectory. Five cruisers and twelve confirmed mobile weapons.]
“Hina. Your voice sounds more mature than I remember.”
[Hehe, you think so?]
“There, that sounded like your old self.”
[That’s because you’re teasing me.]
I chuckled lightly and scanned the tactical screen on the HUD.
“Anyway, is that all of them?”
[No. Besides the Federation forces currently blocking our path, additional troops are deploying from a nearby spaceport. Multiple fleets and mobile weapons are approaching our position.]
“So… we’ll have to punch straight through them.”
Elena’s voice came through instead of Hina’s.
[Seo-yun, besides your unit, the Astrea has no other mobile weapons capable of a proper fight. The units used by Colonel Sheryl and the other combatants were all taken by the Federation, so they’re all in Hound series units. The only machine on this ship that can deliver real firepower… is you.]
“It’s fine. I’m all I need.”
[…Still, don’t get cocky. This is the Federation’s home turf. No matter what kind of monster you are, they are not an enemy to be underestimated.]
“I know.”
I could almost hear Elena sighing over the comms. Then another voice came through.
[All pilots ready for launch. Hangar lift commencing ascent.]
KWAAANG—!
Along with the ship-wide announcement, the hangar lift began to rise slowly.
“Alright. Then… shall we clear a path?”
I released the first stage of the unit’s output. The lower body frame pressed against the ground, and the massive main thrusters began to glow red.
[TITAN SYSTEM, activating omnidirectional response prediction, deploying virtual targeting simulation.]
“Requiem MK2, launching.”