Chapter 210: A Rigged Game
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 210: A Rigged Game
“Nyaaaak! Kyaaaaaak!”
“Grk…! The cat!”
“Go, go! That’s my Nabi!”
Sharp claws flashed. Historia met Nabi’s ferocious assault with her weapon, the gunblade.
Screeeech! The clash of claw against blade. Naturally, the claws had the upper hand. The gunblade’s edge chipped, and scratches marred its barrel. It was made of the Military State’s prized level 4 alchemic steel, but it was simply outmatched.
After all, Nabi was a Beast King—and not just any, but the renowned and powerful Cat King.
Pure physical strength could not overcome a Beast King, not even for the Daughter of the Military State. Just when it seemed she was holding her ground, Historia’s arms trembled, and she was pushed back.
‘What are you planning, Huey? If you send a Beast King into a rampage, you’ll be in danger too. Are you trusting in that armor of yours?’
But Nabi, surprisingly, paid me no mind. With the sharp, gleaming gunblade threatening her, she had no reason to look my way.
Whenever Nabi found a spare moment and turned her head, I would freeze and pretend to be a doll. After a moment of suspicious scrutiny, she would turn back and focus all her efforts on Historia again.
‘Beasts are sensitive to stimuli. A loud noise or an injury should make it back off.’
The gunblade slid off a claw and scratched Nabi’s paw. Protected by fur, her paws were both weapons and shields. The wound was shallow.
Accepting the risk, Historia pushed forward with more force, thrusting her weapon. At the same time, she focused her Qi, channeling it into the blade before firing the gun.
Explosive Discharge Domain, Air Wave.
A close-range shockwave, formed by compressing the air in the barrel into a projectile, blasted through Nabi’s fur and tore at her skin. Startled by the explosive sound, Nabi’s fur stood on end.
But she didn’t retreat. Instead, her hostility only intensified as she lunged at Historia.
A powerful blow sent Historia flying. Her whole body creaked like a doll.
Knocked away, Historia landed on her feet with an incredible sense of balance.
‘She’s not backing down… Strange. None of my plans are working. Huey, is this your doing too?’
Nope. The Human Regime made her that way. You should have rooted them out sooner.
‘Hah. This is dangerous. With the injuries from before, and firing my gun all day since this morning… my Qi is running on empty.’
Her swaying body looked precarious. Historia barely managed to steady her disobedient limbs, her eyes fixed on the charging Nabi. Nabi, who had no hesitation in using her paws, continued to press Historia with her claws and forelimbs as weapons.
Historia’s form wavered in a storm of fur and claws. She tried to exploit openings with kicks, fired surprise shots, and attempted to confuse her foe with chains and blades.
But Nabi either dodged with her beastly instincts or simply endured the attacks and struck back.
Historia was a technician, a combat expert who could pull off all sorts of tricks with her innate sense. But her opponent was a bad matchup.
A Beast King who pressed forward with overwhelming power while evading killing intent and threats with animal instinct. Perhaps with more time she could win, but for now, she couldn't defeat a Beast King. Moreover, unlike dogs, cats… have no hesitation when they attack.
‘I’m going to die.’
For a moment, the word “death” flashed through Historia’s mind. Then, her thoughts immediately turned to me with resentment.
‘You really are trying to kill me, Huey.’
Along with that bitter feeling, her gun barrel now aimed at me.
Huh? Why me all of a sudden? Don’t tell me she plans on taking me with her?
‘This much… just endure it. It’s my last tantrum.’
She had no leeway to attack me while fighting Nabi. This was, quite literally, a strike that threw her life away. It was practically a suicide attack.
I quickly twisted my body, but Historia’s muzzle followed me precisely. I could see my thigh in her sights.
Bang.
The bullet flew straight for me. But just before it was fired, a shadow blocked my path. It was Azzy, a piece of cloth in her mouth.
“Woof!”
Azzy, who had declared she would protect me, swatted the bullet away with a flick of her head.
It was a fight between humans, and the attack wasn’t meant to be lethal, so it would have been fine even if she hadn’t blocked it. But Azzy protected me of her own will.
And Historia, her goal thwarted at the last second by the Dog King, let out a short sigh.
“…Ah.”
Nabi pounced on her.
Historia was now all but rolling on the ground. She couldn’t even regain her posture. Her hair and clothes were a mess, and her consciousness was fading.
To finish her off, Nabi strode forward with the majestic gait of a victor. Drunk on victory, her expression was almost refreshed. Her extended claws glinted ominously.
‘Is this… the end?’
Just as both Nabi and Historia sensed the end…
Azzy moved.
“Woof woof.”
“Nyahak! Nya, nya?”
In an instant, Azzy stepped in front of Historia, stopping Nabi. Nabi hissed irritably, but when Azzy bared her teeth and growled, she flinched and backed away.
Nabi cried out in protest.
“Nyaa! Nyaa! Nyaa!”
“Woof, woof. Grrrr.”
“Nya…! Nya!”
I couldn’t understand what they were saying, but I figured that was normal, right? I took the stance of a complete bystander and simply watched the dog and cat converse.
“Nyaaaaa! Everything is so stressful-nya! You stupid doggy…!”
Finally giving up on finishing off Historia, Nabi narrowed her vertical pupils and whipped her head toward me. Her indiscriminate aggression was now directed my way.
I may not be able to read a beast’s mind, but I know when to be scared of one.
Nabi—she’s about to attack me!
Nabi crouched, ready to spring at me. And just as she was about to leap, her body coiled like a spring…
Azzy, who had crept up unnoticed, clamped her jaws tightly around Nabi’s ankle. Caught mid-leap, Nabi slammed headfirst into the ground. A disheveled Nabi shouted irritably.
“Nyahak! Again! You’re interfering again-nya!”
“Woof. Nom nom.”
“Nyaaaaa! Nyaaaaaa! Don’t bite me-nya!”
Her jaw strength was greater than most bear traps. Caught in her grip, Nabi threw a fit, looking wronged and annoyed, but she also cried piteously, as if she were in pain and scared.
Good. I’ve made good use of you, Nabi. Time for your reward.
I took out one of the spare mana herbs I’d brought and lit it. As soon as the familiar scent wafted out, Nabi’s face brightened noticeably.
“Tired? Here, be a good girl again.”
“Nya? Nya!”
Even with her ankle caught, Nabi stretched her body out, trying to snatch the mana herb. I gave Azzy a look, and she stealthily released Nabi’s ankle. Regardless, Nabi trotted after the mana herb. I held it in my hand, gently luring her all the way to the box. I tossed the smoking herb inside, and Nabi zipped into the box after it.
Smoke rose from inside the box. Nabi, seemingly uncomfortable with something, tapped the walls with her paws. I nodded and quickly shut the lid.
And silence was restored. The smoking cat had returned to its box, and the world was at peace again.
Completely drained, Historia stared blankly at the box.
“…Hah. Right. I forgot. A Beast King would never fully take anyone’s side… of course.”
She was right. The Beast Kings are conceptual beings.
I’m not a beastkin, so there was no way an agitated Nabi would ignore only me. I was only spared from being a target for a moment because I stood still like a steel mannequin.
Likewise, though Azzy is unusually cooperative with me for some reason, she is still the Dog King. She wouldn’t tolerate a mere cat trying to kill a human. If Historia had given up all resistance, Azzy would have protected her.
The Military State knew this as well. That’s why they never bothered to fight the Beast Kings with their full strength. Unless the beasts became hostile toward the Progenitor, who reeked of blood, they wouldn’t take our side and fight against the State.
But, like me, there are always better ways to use them.
It’s because you’re unnecessarily strong. Try being weak like me. If you’d given up resisting from the start and left it to Azzy, you wouldn’t be so exhausted.
In any case, Historia was a wreck after her consecutive battles with Nabi. I, still in perfect condition, clanked my plate armor and spoke confidently.
“Give up. Right now, their side seems to be overextending themselves just because of you.”
While the Regressor and Prelvior faced off against Tyr and Sunderspear, the Gunner Corps and the Generals were trying to cross the battlefield to get over here.
For now, Tyr and the Regressor, who have the advantage in this matchup, are holding them back. But if even one of them gets through, I’ll have to face a one-on-one fight with a general enraged by the danger the Daughter of the Military State is in. Unfortunately, without any preparation, I can’t even stall for time.
I have to make her give up now.
“…Hah. After killing them all. You want me to give up here?”
“Honestly, you can escape whenever you want, can’t you? All you have to do is jump off the belt.”
That must have been in the Military State’s book of operations. If you can’t hold the front of the Meta Conveyor Belt, throw yourself off it. That would make it difficult for our small group to pursue.
If we did give chase, the distance to their main force would close much faster, wasting our time to escape. It would give them a huge advantage.
“If you, in your battered state, jump off, the Gunner Corps and the Generals will retreat with you. You’ll be safe, and we’ll be safe. Isn’t that a win-win?”
“…No. Not at all.”
But Historia rejected my proposal, forcing her exhausted body to stand before me. With a trembling arm, she pointed at me.
“After all the trouble I went through to find this lead… you want me to just let you go? If I lose you here, the military authorities might give up the chase entirely. I can’t let that happen.”
So stubborn.
But I’d pretty much expected this. Of course, I had another proposal ready for just this occasion.
And for me, it’s much better if she accepts this one.
“Then there’s another way, Ria. How about it? Want to hear it?”
“…Coming from you, none of your proposals have ever been decent.”
“You’re not going to listen?”
“Stop testing the waters and just say it.”
‘Funny, coming from the one who let herself be deceived, then turned around and deceived me right back.’
I knew it. Like a salesman recommending a fine product, I made my proposal to Historia in a very gentle tone.