Meanwhile—
Yorktown, Enterprise, and Illustrious continued mingling naturally among the nobles while quietly gathering more information regarding the royal family, the Sacred Tree, and Pierre's political allies.
And unfortunately—
Their beauty attracted attention constantly.
Especially Yorktown.
Her calm elegance and graceful posture drew the eyes of numerous nobles throughout the ballroom without even trying.
Most only admired from afar.
Some attempted conversation.
Others stared too long.
Which increasingly irritated Enterprise.
Then eventually—
One nobleman finally approached directly.
A young aristocrat dressed in expensive formal wear stepped toward Yorktown confidently while holding a wine glass loosely in one hand.
"Lady."
He bowed politely.
"May I accompany you for the evening?"
Yorktown politely smiled.
Elegant.
Refined.
But emotionally distant.
"Forgive us."
Then calmly—
"We are already loyal to our beloved."
The nobleman blinked slightly afterward.
"Oh?"
Then softly laughing—
"Then why would such beautiful ladies attend a gathering like this if not to seek companionship?"
Illustrious' smile immediately thinned slightly.
Enterprise's eyes quietly narrowed.
Yorktown however remained perfectly composed.
"Companionship?"
Her voice stayed gentle.
"Please do not mistake us for women seeking shallow attention."
The nobleman quickly raised his hands.
"I meant no offense, Lady."
Then smiling again—
"How could someone so beautiful possibly remain ignored?"
Yorktown's expression barely changed.
"Please refrain from cheap praise."
Then quietly—
"Compliments hold no value unless they come from the person we love."
The nobleman visibly stiffened afterward.
Enterprise meanwhile quietly stepped slightly closer beside Yorktown.
Protective.
Cold.
Silent pressure immediately filled the atmosphere.
The nobleman finally noticed it.
Still—
His pride clearly felt wounded.
"Lady…"
Then lower—
"You may regret rejecting me."
For the first time—
Yorktown's gentle smile disappeared completely.
The atmosphere instantly became colder.
Because unlike ordinary noblewomen—
Yorktown had once commanded fleets during war.
And the calm pressure she radiated when displeased felt genuinely intimidating.
"You mistake something important."
Her voice remained soft.
But now—
Dangerously soft.
"We are being polite."
Then finally—
"Leave."
The nobleman visibly paled slightly afterward.
Even Illustrious softly smiled while sipping her tea.
"My…"
Then gently—
"You truly should listen."
Enterprise meanwhile never once stopped staring at him.
The nobleman finally stepped backward afterward before leaving stiffly among the crowd.
The moment he disappeared—
Illustrious softly sighed.
"How exhausting."
Enterprise crossed her arms afterward.
"These nobles grow irritating quickly."
Yorktown however quietly looked toward the ballroom entrance. She feels Yuuki's warmth in her heart.
His love... and his light.
"…I miss Commander already."
That single sentence immediately softened the atmosphere again.
Illustrious softly laughed.
"My…"
"Now that is true affection. Now I miss him."
Enterprise quietly looked away afterward.
"…Agreed."
And honestly—
Compared to the arrogant nobles surrounding them—
Yuuki's sincerity felt infinitely more precious to all three women now.
======================
Yuuki quietly hid himself behind one of the castle's outer stone walls while the operation continued across the communication network.
Then—
The Mark 86 armor rapidly assembled around his body.
Nanomachines surged outward in streams of metallic light while red-and-gold plating locked into place around him piece by piece.
Helmet.
Chestplate.
Repulsor systems.
Flight stabilizers.
The full Iron Man armor completed within seconds.
Inside the helmet, tactical systems immediately synchronized.
Cocoa's information regarding the Sacred Tree location projected across his HUD.
MOUNTAIN REGION DETECTED
POSSIBLE TEMPLE STRUCTURE IDENTIFIED
Yuuki activated stealth mode immediately afterward.
The armor shimmered before optical camouflage concealed him completely.
Then—
He launched skyward silently.
The Mark 86 flew across the hidden island at extreme speed while remaining nearly invisible beneath the dawn skies.
Below him—
The masquerade wedding continued peacefully.
Completely unaware of the infiltration unfolding beneath its surface.
Within minutes—
Yuuki reached the mountain region overlooking the island.
He landed silently upon an open stone pathway leading toward ancient ruins hidden near the summit.
The place felt old.
Sacred.
Ancient architecture stretched around the mountainside while weathered stone pillars and forgotten stairways led toward deeper temple structures ahead.
Yet strangely—
No guards existed.
No patrols.
No soldiers.
Which honestly made sense.
Nobody would willingly climb a sacred mountain merely to guard ruins people already feared.
Yuuki slowly stepped forward while scanning the surroundings carefully.
Then—
A voice suddenly echoed behind him.
"To think that fate hath brought us together."
The voice sounded calm.
Gentle.
Almost amused.
"Truly…"
"…the threads of destiny are most enigmatic, are they not?"
Yuuki instantly turned.
Repulsor systems charged immediately.
Golden energy flared brightly within his palm cannons while the armor locked onto the unknown target.
Standing there—
Was the wandering monk.
Long silver hair flowed gently beneath the mountain winds while her white-and-black robes swayed softly around her. A blue patterned haori rested over her shoulders while the strange circular apparatus behind her emitted faint spiritual light.
Unlike most people—
Yuuki did not jump in surprise.
He simply raised the repulsor cannon directly toward her calmly.
The charging sound immediately intensified.
The monk visibly startled slightly seeing the weapon systems power up.
Yuuki's voice remained cold beneath the helmet.
"Who are you?"
The repulsor glow intensified further.
"Give me one good reason not to shoot you."
The monk slowly raised her hands peacefully.
"Please calm thyself, O great hero."
Her teal eyes quietly observed the terrifying weapon aimed at her.
"I am not thine enemy."
The Mark 86's repulsor systems continued growing louder.
Energy levels climbing steadily.
The monk softly exhaled afterward.
"I am but a clone."
Then quietly—
"A mere reflection of my original self."
Her expression remained strangely calm.
"To destroy me would not fulfill thy purpose."
Then gently—
"For I am merely an instrument."
Yuuki stared silently for several moments afterward.
Then dryly—
"You really speak like an ancient literature textbook."
The monk blinked.
"…Pardon?"
"Never mind."
The repulsor cannon remained fully charged.
Golden energy illuminated the ancient mountain ruins while the Mark 86 armor continuously analyzed the strange monk before him.
"Are you here to fight me?"
Then more seriously—
"Or are you guarding this Sacred Tree?"
The silver-haired monk lowered her gaze softly before answering.
"Nay…"
"This humble one beareth no title of guardian."
The mountain winds gently swayed her robes as she continued.
"In truth…"
"…our purposes align more closely than thou mightst believe."
Yuuki did not lower the weapon.
The repulsor whined louder.
The monk calmly continued despite the cannon aimed directly at her.
"This one seeketh the Sacred Tree for the selfsame reason as thee."
Then softly—
"To uncover its purpose."
Yuuki narrowed his eyes behind the helmet.
"You said you were a clone."
"Aye."
The monk placed one hand against her chest politely.
"This form before thee is but a shadow."
"A mere vessel shaped from fragments of the original."
Then quietly—
"My true self remaineth elsewhere."
Yuuki's HUD continuously scanned her body structure.
Strange energy readings.
Non-human biological signatures.
And something oddly artificial hidden beneath it all.
The monk slowly looked toward the distant skies.
"She gathereth knowledge regarding the ending of this world."
Then softly—
"The ruin that draweth ever nearer."
Yuuki finally spoke again.
"You talk like someone who already knows humanity is doomed."
The monk smiled faintly.
"Doom hath long stalked mankind, noble warrior."
"Yet still doth humanity resist."
Then unexpectedly—
She bowed her head slightly toward him.
"In truth…"
"Even my original possesseth no might capable of overcoming thee."
Yuuki blinked once.
"…That's a hell of a statement."
The monk calmly shook her head.
"Nay."
"Tis merely truth."
Her teal eyes quietly observed the glowing Mark 86 armor.
"We are but pale imitations before such overwhelming strength."
Then quietly—
"Cheap reflections."
Yuuki finally lowered the repulsor slightly.
Not fully.
But enough to show he was listening now.
"You're not a shipgirl."
"Nay."
The monk's answer came gently.
Then after several moments—
"I am what this age nameth…"
Her voice softened strangely.
"…a Nikke."
Silence filled the ancient ruins afterward.
Even Yuuki visibly paused behind the helmet.
"…You're a Nikke?"
"Aye."
"Yet unlike the maidens who follow thee…"
She slowly closed her eyes.
"…this one walketh a far different path."
Then softly—
"A path stained with ruin, memory, and eternity."
"Oh…"
Yuuki slowly raised the repulsor cannon toward her again.
"So you already know what I'm doing here."
The golden energy around his palm brightened immediately.
"That makes you a liability."
The silver-haired monk quietly watched the weapon aimed toward her chest without panic.
Only calmness remained upon her face.
"Ah…"
Then softly—
"It seemeth the great warrior possesseth little trust toward this humble one."
Yuuki's voice remained flat beneath the helmet.
"A random monk appears in the middle of sacred ruins."
Then colder—
"She somehow knows about me."
The repulsor glow intensified further.
"So give me one reason not to vaporize you."
The monk slowly lowered her head politely.
"This one is called Nayuta."
The mountain winds gently stirred around her as she continued.
"The Fourth Member of the Forerunners."
Yuuki immediately answered dryly.
"I have absolutely no idea who that is."
Nayuta blinked once.
"…A fair response."
Then calmly—
"We are remnants born of the legendary Goddess Squad."
Her expression became quieter afterward.
"Those who once upheld the sacred duty of reclaiming the surface from ruin."
Yuuki's visor quietly analyzed her body language while she continued speaking.
"Though called a singular organization…"
"…the Pioneers walk separate paths."
"Each pursueth her own purpose."
"Each holdeth differing beliefs."
Yuuki crossed his armored arms slightly.
"So former Goddess Squad members."
Then skeptically—
"A group that doesn't actually function like a group."
Nayuta surprisingly nodded immediately.
"Thou graspeth the matter swiftly."
Then softly—
"A most accurate assessment."
Yuuki still looked unconvinced.
"And somehow you expect me to trust you."
"Nay."
Nayuta quietly shook her head.
"Trust cannot be demanded."
Then gently—
"It may only be earned."
The mountain atmosphere fell silent briefly afterward.
Then Nayuta spoke again.
"Thus…"
"…this one bringeth forth a proposal."
Yuuki's eyes narrowed.
"You need me."
"Aye."
The answer came without hesitation.
Yuuki remained completely still.
"…Explain."
Nayuta softly lifted the strange gourd hanging beside her waist.
Unlike ordinary equipment—
The object emitted faint spiritual and technological energy simultaneously.
"My original self differeth from ordinary beings."
Then carefully—
"Rather than existing within a singular body…"
"…she divideth herself."
Yuuki quietly listened while tactical systems continued recording everything.
"Numerous copies of mine original wander across the world."
"Each thinketh independently."
"Each acteth freely."
"Yet all remain fragments of the same self."
Yuuki blinked once.
"…You duplicated yourself across the planet."
"Aye."
Then softly—
"Our memories and collected knowledge are preserved through NIMPH transfer."
Nayuta gently tapped the gourd beside her.
"Within these vessels resteth the true storage of our accumulated information."
"Not within the brain."
Yuuki's expression sharpened slightly hearing that.
Because unlike mystical nonsense—
That suddenly sounded dangerously technological.
Nayuta continued calmly.
"When two vessels meet…"
"…their gathered knowledge may be exchanged."
"Thus do mine copies wander the ruined world independently."
"Gathering truth."
"Observing civilizations."
"Studying threats."
Then quietly—
"And preserving memory against extinction."
Yuuki finally lowered the repulsor cannon slightly further afterward.
Not because he trusted her yet—
But because he realized something important.
Nayuta wasn't insane.
She was operating like a distributed intelligence network disguised beneath spiritual mysticism.
And honestly—
That made her significantly more dangerous than expected.
Nayuta quietly stood beneath the ancient ruins while the winds of the mountain swept through her silver hair.
Then softly—
"This one knoweth of thee, O great warrior."
Yuuki remained silent behind the Mark 86 helmet.
The repulsor cannon still glowed faintly in his palm.
Nayuta continued calmly.
"I witnessed thy descent unto this world."
"Machines beyond mine understanding falling from the heavens."
Then gently—
"Thou gathered shipgirls unto thy banner."
"Thou destroyed an island consumed by Sirens."
"Thou commandeth a faction surpassing both Nikkes and shipgirls alike."
Her teal eyes quietly observed the armored figure before her.
"A man capable of destroying the world…"
Then softer—
"…yet chooseth not to do so."
Yuuki's visor quietly dimmed slightly while listening.
Nayuta lowered her gaze respectfully afterward.
"This one would not dare attempt battle against thee."
"Even mine original understandeth this truth."
Then slightly amused—
"Thou seemeth utterly unafraid of me."
Yuuki answered immediately.
"You haven't given me a reason to be afraid yet."
Nayuta softly smiled.
"A fair answer."
Then thoughtfully—
"This one hath observed thee recruit Nikkes unto thy cause."
"Ade."
"Soda."
Then more quietly—
"And upon hearing Neon's voice…"
"…I inferred the presence of Anis and Rapi as well."
Yuuki did not deny it.
Which itself became confirmation enough.
Nayuta gently lifted the strange gourd hanging beside her waist again.
"This one possesseth information."
Then calmly—
"A library that walketh."
"Knowledge of lands."
"Kingdoms."
"Continents."
"Threats."
"Ruins."
"Magic."
"Machines."
Her eyes quietly sharpened afterward.
"Knowledge that may prove valuable unto thee."
Yuuki crossed his armored arms.
"In exchange?"
Then bluntly—
"Gathering intelligence on the Global Defense Initiative?"
His voice carried little emotion.
"You've already seen my fleet."
"Even if you told your allies about us…"
Then colder—
"It wouldn't place you above us."
Nayuta immediately shook her head gently.
"Ah…"
Then softly—
"O great hero, thou misunderstandest this one."
She slowly stepped closer across the ancient stone path.
"I seek not power over thee."
"Nor dominion over thy faction."
Then quietly—
"I seek sanctuary."
The mountain winds fell strangely silent afterward.
"If thy home might become a haven for mine original…"
Her expression softened slightly.
"…then this one would gladly work beside thee."
Then more seriously—
"Great Hero."
"Thou standeth within the very eye of the tempest."
Her teal eyes met the glowing gaze of the Iron Man helmet directly.
"Take heed that thou lose not thy center…"
"…lest the storm sweep thee away."
Yuuki quietly stared at her for several moments afterward.
Not because of fear.
But because—
For the first time—
Someone outside his own faction truly understood what kind of existence he represented in this world.
Then Yuuki finally spoke again.
"So."
"You want protection."
"Aye."
Nayuta nodded calmly.
"If mine original may operate beneath the safety of thy banner…"
"Then in return—"
She gently placed one hand over her chest.
"This one shall offer knowledge."
"Information regarding this world."
"Civilizations unknown unto thee."
"Continents thy feet have yet to tread upon."
Then softly—
"Thou arrived in this world but two weeks past."
"Thus…"
"…thy understanding remaineth incomplete."
Yuuki quietly considered her words afterward.
And honestly—
She wasn't wrong.
The GDI possessed overwhelming military superiority.
But information?
Knowledge of this world?
Politics?
Magic?
Hidden powers?
Those remained dangerously lacking.
Meanwhile—
Nayuta calmly stood before him without hostility.
Without fear.
Offering cooperation instead.
A wandering Nikke clone network operating across the entire world.
Honestly—
The proposal was absurdly valuable.
Nayuta quietly lowered her gaze beneath the mountain winds.
"Shouldst thou possess no measure of trust toward this one…"
Then gently—
"…let us part upon peaceful terms."
Her expression remained calm.
"At the very least, this one hath learned never to make foe of thee."
Then softly—
"The warrior who surpasseth both Sirens and Raptures alike."
Yuuki remained silent behind the glowing helmet while listening.
Nayuta slowly continued.
"Furthermore…"
"This one possesseth knowledge regarding scattered Nikkes throughout the world."
"Hidden enclaves."
"Lost survivors."
"Bastion Cubes."
Then more importantly—
"Even pathways leading unto the Ark itself."
Yuuki's visor flickered slightly.
That immediately caught his attention.
Nayuta gently lifted the gourd beside her waist again.
"My NIMPH may sense the presence of nearby Nikkes."
"Distance mattereth little."
Then softly—
"And thou…"
"…requirest Nikkes."
Yuuki finally exhaled quietly afterward.
"You drive a hard bargain, Miss Nayuta."
The monk gently shook her head.
"Simply Nayuta, O great hero."
Silence lingered briefly among the ancient ruins afterward.
Then Yuuki finally lowered the repulsor cannon completely.
"Very well."
Nayuta quietly looked up.
"Relay information regarding your original."
Then calmly—
"We'll retrieve her once we locate her."
The monk visibly relaxed slightly afterward.
Yuuki continued firmly.
"I'll guarantee your safety within GDI territory."
Then colder—
"But I don't tolerate betrayal."
Nayuta immediately bowed respectfully.
"This one would never commit such folly."
Then honestly—
"I am Pioneer."
"I think with mine own will."
"But betrayal against power such as thine…"
She softly shook her head.
"…would be madness."
Yuuki nodded once.
"Then consider yourself a temporary ally."
"Until we retrieve your original."
Then more quietly—
"Afterward, I'll welcome you properly."
Nayuta softly smiled afterward.
Yet moments later—
Her expression shifted slightly into confusion.
"However…"
"This one cannot perceive the NIMPH signatures of Rapi, Anis, Neon, Ade, nor Soda."
Then carefully—
"Yet Cocoa's signal remaineth perfectly clear."
Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"NIMPH cannot be concealed."
Then quietly—
"How didst thou accomplish such a thing?"
Yuuki stood silently for several moments.
Then unexpectedly—
"I'll tell you."
Nayuta blinked slightly.
"Because you already revealed something extremely important about yourself."
Yuuki's expression remained calm under the helmet.
"My blood is abnormal."
Then quietly—
"The night before…"
"…Rapi and the others ingested it."
Nayuta's teal eyes widened slightly.
"…Intriguing."
Yuuki crossed his arms.
"Their NIMPH systems changed completely afterward."
Then more seriously—
"They gained total control over their own NIMPH."
"No external authority."
"No Ark restrictions."
"No forced obedience."
Nayuta quietly stared at him now with genuine surprise.
Yuuki continued.
"Their Nikke powers became entirely their own."
Then carefully—
"In exchange…"
"…their cubes connected to my heart."
The mountain winds fell silent again.
Nayuta softly repeated the words.
"…Connected unto thy heart?"
"Aye."
Yuuki quietly nodded.
"It's something we only discovered last night."
"They can feel my emotions."
"I can feel theirs."
Then more quietly—
"The removal of NIMPH restrictions also restored their suppressed human memories."
"Allowing them to fully accept both their past lives and their existence as Nikkes."
Nayuta slowly processed the implications.
"So…"
"…thy blood severeth the chains binding them unto the Ark?"
"Yes."
Yuuki's expression hardened slightly.
"Their NIMPH belongs solely to them now."
"They're no longer forced to obey restrictions against harming humans either."
Nayuta quietly observed him afterward.
"Then…"
"…is this not merely another form of binding?"
Yuuki answered immediately.
"No."
Then calmly—
"They obey me because they choose to."
The mountain atmosphere grew heavier afterward.
Yuuki's voice remained steady.
"My orders are simple."
"Protect the GDI."
"Protect each other."
"Protect innocent people under our care."
Then colder—
"But if someone threatens my people…"
"…they will fight back."
Nayuta quietly looked into his eyes afterward.
Yuuki continued.
"If you're about to accuse me of using them…"
He softly shook his head.
"…then you misunderstand something important."
The repulsor systems around the Mark 86 quietly dimmed.
"I could dominate this world if I wanted."
Then quietly—
"So ask yourself."
"If power alone was my goal…"
"…why would I bother saving anyone?"
Silence.
Only the mountain winds answered briefly afterward.
Nayuta slowly lowered her gaze.
"…Thou truly art a storm beyond mine comprehension."
Then softly—
"A force this one cannot fully read."
Her eyes quietly lifted toward him again.
"But…"
Hope slowly entered her voice for the first time.
"If thou canst free them…"
"…perhaps thou couldst free me as well."
Yuuki immediately answered.
"It would connect you to me too."
Nayuta's answer came without hesitation.
"…Far preferable."
Then quietly—
"Better to be bound unto one who valueth Nikkes…"
"…than unto the humans who abandoned them."
The winds gently moved through the ancient ruins once more.
Nayuta softly smiled afterward.
"The Counters."
"The maids."
"They look upon thee with genuine admiration."
Then more quietly—
"This one understandeth why."
The Mark 86 helmet slowly dissolved into streams of nanomachines before retracting completely around Yuuki's neck.
For the first time—
Nayuta properly saw his face beneath the armor.
The wandering monk quietly blinked.
"…Ah."
The winds softly moved through the ruins while she observed him silently.
"So this be the visage hidden beneath the mantle of the great hero."
Then unexpectedly—
"Thou possesseth a remarkably charming appearance."
Yuuki immediately sighed.
"Yeah."
Then dryly—
"The shipgirls and Nikkes keep saying the same thing."
"I see…"
A faint amused smile appeared on Nayuta's face afterward.
Then Yuuki gestured toward the ancient temple entrance ahead.
"Shall we?"
Nayuta tilted her head slightly.
"What meanest thou, O great hero?"
"Entering the ruins."
The monk visibly looked surprised.
"Thou wouldst permit this humble one to accompany thee?"
Yuuki simply began walking forward.
"Come on."
Nayuta quietly followed beside him afterward while her staff gently tapped against the ancient stone pathways.
"To speak truthfully…"
"This humble one originally intended to complete this task alone."
Then softly—
"To present the Sacred Tree unto thee as a gesture of good faith."
Yuuki glanced toward her briefly.
"Sorry for ruining your dramatic quest completion."
Nayuta unexpectedly laughed quietly.
"Nay."
"There existeth no offense within this one's heart."
Then more quietly—
"This humble one genuinely desireth to free Cocoa and the shipgirls from this accursed place."
Her expression slowly darkened slightly afterward.
"If the Sacred Tree may be disabled…"
"…then perhaps change might finally reach this forsaken island."
The deeper they walked into the ruins—
The older the atmosphere became.
Ancient murals lined the walls.
Roots pierced through broken stone ceilings.
Faint glowing symbols illuminated hidden pathways beneath the mountain.
Nayuta quietly continued speaking while walking beside him.
"The people of this island have hidden beneath false protection for far too long."
"They commit wickedness believing themselves untouchable."
"Shielded from Sirens."
"Shielded from Raptures."
Then colder—
"Shielded from consequence."
Yuuki quietly listened while tactical scanners mapped the ruins continuously.
Nayuta softly lowered her gaze.
"This one hath witnessed many vile acts committed here."
"Cruelty."
"Greed."
"Trafficking."
"Abuse."
Her hands gently tightened around her staff.
"This one shall not personally bestow judgment upon them…"
Then more quietly—
"But if the Sacred Tree falleth…"
"…then the heavens themselves may decide their fate."
Yuuki slowly nodded afterward.
"Honestly?"
Then calmly—
"Good call."
Nayuta glanced toward him.
"Even I don't want to unleash the full GDI against this place."
His voice remained steady.
"But…"
"…we can still save the innocent."
Then quietly—
"The children know nothing about the sins of their elders."
The atmosphere fell quieter afterward.
"So if judgment descends on this island…"
Yuuki looked toward the distant skies beyond the ruined temple ceiling.
"…then I hope the heavens protect those who deserve it."
Nayuta quietly stared at him for several moments afterward.
Then softly—
"Thou truly art a hero."
Yuuki immediately shook his head.
"No."
Then more simply—
"I'm just someone trying to do the right thing."
For the first time since meeting him—
Nayuta genuinely smiled.
Then together—
The wandering Nikke and the armored commander walked deeper into the ancient ruins beneath the mountain.
======================
Inside the Daedalus command center—
Yuuki's interaction with Nayuta did not go unnoticed.
The holographic displays projected live reconnaissance feeds directly across the operation room while multiple tactical windows tracked Yuuki's biometrics, armor systems, and external surroundings simultaneously.
Which unfortunately meant—
Everyone watched the conversation with the mysterious monk in real time.
Akagi immediately narrowed her eyes dangerously while gripping her chair arm.
"Kiiii…"
Then louder—
"Who is that woman?!"
Her tails visibly fluffed in irritation afterward.
Akagi immediately bit her handkerchief dramatically while staring at the screen.
"Shikikan-sama is speaking privately with another woman on a mountain…"
Then emotionally—
"Akagi wishes to deploy the bombers immediately and remove the pest!"
Kaga calmly sipped tea beside her.
"That is precisely why Commander refused to authorize unrestricted weapons control to you, Nee-sama."
Akagi visibly pouted.
"Hmph…"
Then lower—
"She appeared out of nowhere…"
Wales meanwhile observed the feed more calmly.
The Royal Navy battleship leaned slightly closer toward the holographic display while analyzing Nayuta carefully.
"That woman was clearly waiting for him."
Then thoughtfully—
"I wonder what she said that caused Lord Commander to lower his guard."
Avrora softly crossed her arms afterward while watching Nayuta's unusual appearance.
"Beloved seem oddly comfortable around her."
Then gently—
"And for a wandering monk…"
"…she dresses rather strangely."
San Diego meanwhile looked completely lost.
"I honestly don't understand half of what they're talking about."
Then proudly—
"But Commander making friends with random monks sounds normal at this point."
Eldridge quietly floated nearby while staring at the screen.
"…Monk…"
Nobody really knew if she was agreeing or simply repeating the word.
Meanwhile Vestal calmly continued monitoring Yuuki's biometrics from the medical console.
"I am sure Commander understands what he is doing."
Then softly—
"He would not lower his weapon carelessly."
Around the room—
The Bulins continued running everywhere energetically despite the tense operation.
"Buliiin!"
"Buli buli!"
One accidentally climbed onto Sandy's chair while another attempted pressing holographic buttons before Vestal immediately panicked.
"No touching expensive systems."
Akagi however still looked deeply dissatisfied while glaring at Nayuta through the screen.
"…She called him great hero."
Then suspiciously—
"And Shikikan-sama removed his helmet for her."
Kaga quietly looked away afterward.
"…You are focusing on the wrong details."
"Those ARE the important details!"
Meanwhile—
Several girls quietly noticed something else entirely.
Yuuki had lowered his guard around Nayuta surprisingly quickly.
Not fully.
But enough.
Which meant—
For someone as cautious as Yuuki—
He genuinely sensed no hostility from her.
And honestly—
That alone made the girls even more curious about the mysterious wandering Nikke monk.
======================
Rapi, Anis, Takao, and Atago continued silently eliminating isolated patrols throughout the upper castle corridors.
The strategy remained simple.
Do not eliminate entire squads at once.
Do not leave obvious signs.
Make guards disappear slowly enough that suspicion would not immediately escalate into full lockdown.
Takao quietly observed another patrol route through her scope.
"Two guards approaching west corridor."
Atago calmly aligned the VSD drone under her control.
"Understood."
Pfft.
Pfft.
Both guards collapsed quietly moments later before disappearing behind pillars and curtains.
Meanwhile—
Inside the fifth floor chamber—
The Da'at Yichud armor finally completed synchronization around Belfast, Ade, and Soda.
Golden cloaks formed behind them while stealth-capable hoods concealed their armored visors beneath elegant shadows.
Even Hipper stared silently now.
To her—
It genuinely looked like sorcery.
Advanced nanotechnology beyond her comprehension.
The moment the stealth systems activated—
The three maids vanished completely.
Cocoa visibly tightened her grip around Hipper instinctively.
"…They disappeared…"
Only Belfast's calm voice remained.
"Ladies."
Then quietly through the communication line—
"Do not fire until we provide the signal."
Outside the room—
Additional armored guards rapidly approached the fifth floor after discovering missing patrol units.
Heavy footsteps echoed through the corridor.
One guard immediately kicked open the chamber door.
The armored men stormed inside aggressively.
"The shipgirl is secured!"
Another immediately scanned the room.
"Where are the servants?!"
Cocoa and Hipper instinctively held onto each other tighter.
Then—
Movement.
Invisible figures suddenly emerged from thin air.
The stealth systems shimmered briefly as Belfast, Ade, and Soda revealed themselves directly among the guards.
Before the soldiers could even fully react—
Pfft.
Pfft.
Pfft.
Three synchronized tranquilizer shots struck instantly.
One guard collapsed against the wall.
Another dropped beside the doorway.
The third barely managed to raise his weapon before Soda swept behind him and shot him point-blank with another dart.
Outside the room—
Rapi and Anis immediately secured the corridor.
Pfft.
Pfft.
Two guards collapsed before they even reached the doorway.
Takao eliminated another further down the staircase.
Atago quietly disabled the final reinforcement attempting to flee.
Within seconds—
The entire response unit had been neutralized.
Silence returned to the fifth floor once more.
Only unconscious guards littered the hallways now.
Inside the chamber—
Cocoa stared in complete disbelief.
"…Amazing…"
Ade softly smiled while helping Hipper stand carefully.
"Master's technology is incredible, right?"
Soda proudly nodded afterward.
"We're super strong now."
Belfast meanwhile calmly checked the tactical display inside her visor.
Then quietly—
"We move immediately."
Because despite the successful defense—
The castle would not remain unaware forever.
Belfast immediately opened the dimensional storage cube Yuuki had entrusted to her earlier.
A faint spatial distortion appeared beside her hand before several compact items materialized from within.
Medical supplies.
Additional ammunition.
Emergency tools.
Then finally—
A folded silver-gray cloak.
Cocoa blinked curiously.
"What is that…?"
Belfast calmly unfolded the material afterward.
At first glance—
It looked almost ordinary.
Until faint hexagonal patterns shimmered across the fabric surface like liquid light.
Meanwhile Ade and Soda carefully helped Hipper onto a wheelchair retrieved from the storage cube as well.
Hipper still looked weak, but at least now she no longer needed to force herself to stand.
Belfast gently draped the strange cloak over both Hipper and Cocoa afterward.
The effect activated instantly.
The fabric shimmered briefly—
Then both girls vanished completely.
Even their outlines disappeared.
Only the wheelchair wheels remained faintly visible for a moment before adaptive camouflage concealed those too.
Cocoa's startled voice immediately echoed from beneath the cloak.
"…What?!"
Hipper herself looked genuinely stunned.
"…Invisible?"
Belfast calmly adjusted the cloak positioning afterward.
"This is an invisibility cloak."
Then more professionally—
"A nanofiber-responsive concealment material developed personally by Master."
The hidden fabric subtly shifted colors while synchronizing with surrounding light and environment automatically.
"Able to refract visual detection completely."
Then gently—
"Those beneath it cannot be perceived normally."
Cocoa quietly looked down at herself despite being unable to see her own body anymore.
"…This feels unreal…"
Soda proudly smiled afterward.
"Master makes a lot of impossible things."
Ade nodded immediately.
"At this point we stopped questioning it."
Belfast softly placed one hand upon the wheelchair handle.
"The cloak is large enough to conceal both of you safely."
Then more seriously—
"Remain close and silent."
Her golden visor softly illuminated beneath the hood afterward.
Anis chambered another round into the Vervack R59 Pierce sniper rifle afterward.
"Heh…"
Then confidently—
"Good thing we got the scary maid squad."
Belfast began pushing the concealed wheelchair toward the hallway exit afterward while Ade and Soda moved beside her under active stealth camouflage.
Three invisible armored maids escorting two hidden fugitives through a fantasy castle honestly sounded absurd.
And yet—
It was somehow working frighteningly well.
======================
The sniper teams quietly continued eliminating isolated guards throughout the castle corridors.
Every neutralized patrol created larger blind spots within the palace security network.
And because of that—
Neon's group moved through the fourth floor with increasing ease.
Takao's tranquilizer shots quietly removed staircase guards.
Atago disabled rotating patrol units near the servant wings.
Rapi and Anis secured hallway intersections from above.
The entire castle slowly fell apart without realizing it.
Which allowed Neon, Nimi, Unicorn, and Laffey to finally reach the designated chamber.
Several servants exited the room moments beforehand carrying cosmetics and wedding preparations.
The girls immediately seized the opportunity.
Sneaking inside silently before the door fully closed.
Inside—
Javelin sat quietly before a large mirror wearing an elegant white wedding dress.
Beautiful.
Yet heartbreaking.
Her hands trembled slightly while she desperately tried holding back tears.
The room felt less like bridal preparation—
And more like someone awaiting execution.
Then suddenly—
"Javelin!"
The destroyer instantly turned around.
And froze completely.
"…Nimi?"
Her eyes widened further seeing the others.
"Laffey… Unicorn?!"
The next moment—
Javelin immediately rushed toward them before tightly hugging the two destroyers and a carrier while finally breaking down crying.
"I missed you all so much…"
Her voice trembled badly.
"I don't want to get married like this…"
Nimi immediately hugged her back tightly.
"We've got you now."
Then gently—
"Do not worry anymore."
Laffey softly nodded while patting Javelin's shoulder.
"…Safe now."
Unicorn herself looked emotional already.
"We came to save you…"
Javelin however suddenly froze again afterward.
Then shakily—
"…Wait."
She looked directly at Nimi.
"Nimi…"
Her eyes trembled slightly.
"You died twelve years ago…"
Then quietly—
"How are you alive?"
Nimi softened slightly afterward.
"I was rescued."
Then proudly—
"By Herr Kommandant."
Javelin blinked several times.
"…Commander?"
Nimi gently shook her head.
"Not the old Commander."
Then carefully—
"A new one."
"One from an unknown faction."
"He met Lady Yorktown and Laffey two weeks ago."
Then softly—
"He is the one leading the operation to save you, Frau Eugen, Frau Hipper, and Cocoa."
Javelin looked completely overwhelmed now.
"…Someone came to save us… Isn't he the one who called to us?"
The other girls nodded and Javelin shed tears again. "Thank god, he heard our voices."
Neon proudly stepped forward afterward.
"And he's awesome."
Then dramatically posing—
"Also introducing myself!"
She pointed proudly at herself.
"Neon!"
Then energetically—
"Elite Counter Squad Nikke and lover of overwhelming firepower!"
Javelin blinked.
"…Firepower? Nikke?"
Nimi sighed immediately.
"She is obsessed with guns."
"HEY."
Neon immediately pointed accusingly.
"I am passionate about advanced tactical weapon systems."
Laffey quietly spoke beside her.
"…Gun nut."
Unicorn softly nodded.
"…Very much."
"Traitors."
Despite everything—
Javelin actually laughed weakly for the first time in what felt like forever.
And honestly—
That alone made the entire infiltration worth it for the girls.
"Come on!"
Neon immediately moved toward her excitedly.
"Let's get you out of here!"
But Javelin suddenly hesitated.
Her expression immediately filled with fear again.
"…I can't."
The girls paused.
Javelin quietly lowered her gaze.
"Pierre plans to marry me this afternoon…"
Then shakily—
"After Eugen's ceremony."
Her hands trembled against the wedding dress fabric.
"If I disappear now…"
"…he'll use the Sacred Tree."
Fear visibly entered her eyes afterward.
"He can kill us…"
Nimi immediately stepped closer.
"Herr Kommandant is already searching for the Sacred Tree."
Then firmly—
"He intends to disable the curse binding all of you here."
Javelin visibly froze.
"…Disable it?"
Then suddenly worried—
"But if he does that…"
Her voice lowered further.
"…the barrier protecting the island will disappear."
Everyone fell briefly silent afterward.
Because they all understood exactly what that meant.
No more protection from Sirens.
No more protection from Raptures.
No more sanctuary.
The island would become vulnerable to the outside world again.
But then—
Laffey quietly stepped closer and held Javelin's hand.
"…None of that matters."
Her sleepy eyes remained unusually serious.
"…We're taking you home."
Unicorn nodded immediately afterward.
"You don't deserve to stay here…"
Neon crossed her arms proudly.
"Besides."
Then dramatically—
"Commander's already decided to save you."
"As if we're gonna leave empty-handed now."
Javelin's eyes slowly trembled again afterward.
Not from fear this time.
But relief.
Real relief.
The kind she had almost forgotten existed.
Then finally—
"…Please."
Her voice broke slightly.
"Please take me away from this place…"
Then more quietly—
"Nimi…"
"Laffey…"
"Unicorn…"
"…Neon…"
Nimi immediately squeezed her hand gently.
"We will."
Neon immediately pointed dramatically toward the doorway afterward.
"All right!"
Then proudly—
"Let's steal the bride!"
Nimi instantly groaned.
"Please stop making it sound criminal."
"It IS criminal."
"…Fair point."
Laffey quietly looked toward the hallway afterward.
"…Reunion later."
Then softly—
"…Escape now."
Nimi immediately retrieved another folded concealment cloak from the dimensional cube Yuuki had supplied them earlier.
The same adaptive nanofiber invisibility material Belfast used upstairs.
Javelin blinked in confusion.
"…What is that?"
"Advanced technology."
Then calmly—
"Please stand close."
Nimi unfolded the cloak over all five girls.
The nanofiber immediately activated.
Light bent around them.
Their bodies shimmered briefly—
Then vanished completely.
Even Javelin gasped softly afterward.
"…Invisible…"
Neon proudly whispered afterward.
"Commander's toys are awesome."
Then Nimi quietly transmitted through the communication network.
"Everyone."
Her voice carried relief for the first time since the mission began.
"We found Javelin."
Then firmly—
"Beginning extraction now."
"Approaching fourth floor."
Belfast's calm voice echoed through the communication network while she pushed the concealed wheelchair carefully through the servant corridors alongside Ade and Soda.
The extraction route had already been mapped through Neon's captured surveillance systems.
Fastest path.
Lowest guard concentration.
Direct access toward the service elevators leading into the kitchen district below.
The moment Belfast's group turned the corridor corner—
They immediately found the invisible cluster of smaller girls waiting nearby.
Though only faint distortions in the air revealed their positions.
Belfast softly sighed afterward.
"You took rather long."
Neon immediately complained from beneath the invisibility cloak.
"We were busy committing tactical rescue operations."
Nimi corrected instantly.
"You were looting magical equipment."
"That too."
Belfast decided not to address that sentence.
Instead—
Her gaze shifted toward the hidden figure beneath the cloak.
"Lady Javelin."
Javelin's emotional voice immediately answered.
"…Lady Belfast?"
The head maid's expression softened slightly.
"We shall speak properly later."
Then more professionally—
"Move immediately."
Ade quietly checked hallway security through her visor afterward.
"Route remains clear."
Soda nodded quickly.
"No guards nearby."
Belfast immediately continued.
"We shall use the service elevator."
A tactical route appeared across everyone's shared HUD.
"Direct descent toward the kitchen level."
Then calmly—
"From there, we proceed straight toward the harbor extraction point."
Javelin quietly looked toward the hidden wheelchair beside them.
"…Is Lady Hipper here too?"
"Yes."
Cocoa's invisible voice answered softly beneath the cloak.
"We found her first."
Javelin visibly looked relieved hearing that.
Meanwhile—
Far across the castle ballroom district—
Yorktown, Enterprise, and Illustrious finally withdrew from noble interactions after gathering enough intelligence.
The moment they reached an isolated servant chamber—
The three women immediately began preparing for combat extraction.
Elegant dresses were carefully removed and folded.
Because despite the emergency—
None of them intended to abandon the expensive gifts Yuuki personally bought for them back in Magellan.
Especially not Illustrious.
"My…"
She gently placed her dress into the dimensional cube afterward.
"I would cry if this became damaged."
Enterprise quietly activated her armor system next.
The advanced combat suit rapidly assembled around her body while tactical systems synchronized instantly.
Yorktown followed shortly afterward.
Then Illustrious.
Within moments—
The three noble ladies transformed into stealth-equipped combat operatives.
Their armor systems activated.
Optical camouflage shimmered across them.
Then all three vanished completely.
Enterprise immediately loaded the tactical route Belfast provided.
"We move to support extraction."
Yorktown quietly nodded.
"Commander's route through the mountain remains isolated."
Then more seriously—
"We secure everyone else first."
Illustrious softly smiled beneath her hidden visor.
"My…"
Then warmly—
"Master truly gathered quite the adorable rescue squad."
And honestly—
At this point—
A stealth operation involving invisible armored maids, shipgirls, destroyers, and Nikkes escorting hidden brides through a fantasy castle had somehow become completely normal to everyone involved.
And honestly—
Nobody had time left to question how absurd the situation truly was.
The extraction groups quickly moved through the hidden service routes beneath the castle while the sniper teams continuously secured corridors and eliminated isolated patrols ahead of them.
Every movement remained synchronized.
Every route carefully monitored.
Every escape path prepared in advance.
Eventually—
The groups successfully rendezvoused within one of the castle's lower garden sections near the harbor pathways.
Moonflowers and trimmed hedges surrounded the area beautifully while decorative fountains quietly masked the sounds of movement.
More importantly—
The sniper teams had already cleared the area beforehand.
Several unconscious guards remained hidden beneath bushes and maintenance sheds nearby thanks to Atago, Takao, Rapi, and Anis.
The moment the invisible cloaks briefly lowered within the secured zone—
Javelin immediately widened her eyes.
Because standing there—
Already armored beneath stealth-capable combat suits—
Were three familiar legendary carriers.
"Lady Yorktown…?"
Her voice trembled slightly.
"Lady Enterprise?"
Then emotionally—
"Lady Illustrious?"
Yorktown softly smiled afterward.
"It is good to see you again, Javelin."
Enterprise quietly nodded.
"You endured well."
Illustrious gently stepped closer afterward.
"My…"
Then warmly—
"You truly are adorable."
Javelin visibly looked overwhelmed again.
Because suddenly—
So many shipgirls she thought long gone were standing here alive before her.
Not broken.
Not enslaved.
Not hopeless.
Alive.
Together.
And rescuing her.
Yorktown gently placed one hand upon her shoulder afterward.
"We shall properly catch up later."
Then calmly—
"Right now, we must return to the hovercraft."
Ade suddenly looked around afterward.
"…What about Master?"
The word itself still sounded unfamiliar coming from her.
Enterprise immediately answered.
"He is currently investigating the Sacred Tree ruins."
Then more seriously—
"He asked us to prioritize extraction."
Illustrious softly smiled afterward.
"Trust him."
Then gently—
"Master rarely fails at impossible things."
Javelin quietly looked toward the distant mountain afterward.
Somewhere beyond the castle—
The mysterious commander who orchestrated all of this was currently confronting the source of their suffering alone.
Yet strangely—
Just hearing everyone speak about him filled her with reassurance instead of fear.
Yorktown quietly spoke again.
"We need to move."
Her gaze shifted toward the invisible wheelchair beneath the cloak.
"Lady Hipper requires immediate medical treatment."
At that—
Everyone refocused immediately.
Because despite the successful rescue—
The operation was far from over yet.
There was still one bride left awaiting to be stolen.
======================
Yuuki and Nayuta slowly ventured deeper into the ancient ruins beneath the mountain.
The atmosphere grew older with every step.
Broken pillars lined the pathways.
Ancient roots pierced through cracked stone floors.
Faint glowing inscriptions illuminated sections of the walls like forgotten warnings left behind by civilizations long erased from history.
Nayuta quietly observed the surrounding structures carefully.
"Take heed, O great hero."
Her soft voice echoed gently through the ruins.
"These halls have endured for countless ages."
Then lower—
"Who knoweth how many traps slumber beneath these stones…"
"…awaiting those foolish enough to disturb them?"
Yuuki's tactical HUD continuously scanned ahead.
Energy signatures.
Pressure shifts.
Hidden cavities.
And honestly—
The ruins genuinely looked dangerous.
"Hm."
Then calmly—
"You're probably right."
He glanced toward the dark pathways ahead.
"Any idea what kind of traps we're dealing with?"
Nayuta softly shook her head.
"This humble one possesseth only fragments of knowledge."
Then carefully—
"We must tread cautiously."
Yuuki immediately answered.
"We don't have time for cautious."
Nayuta blinked slightly afterward.
Then Yuuki suddenly turned toward her fully.
"Do you trust me?"
The question clearly caught her off guard.
"…What causeth thee to ask such a thing, O great hero?"
Yuuki repeated himself calmly.
"Do you trust me?"
The wandering monk quietly fell silent.
The ruins themselves seemed to hold their breath around them.
Then finally—
Nayuta slowly nodded.
"…Aye."
Then more softly—
"This one believeth in thee."
"O great hero."
Yuuki immediately accessed his holographic interface afterward.
A compact circular device materialized into his hand through nanotech storage.
Without hesitation—
He gently placed it against the upper section of Nayuta's chest near her collarbone.
The device activated instantly.
Silver nanomachines rapidly expanded outward around her body.
A thin transparent layer formed across her robes, skin, face, and even hair like compressed liquid crystal.
The protective field shimmered faintly around her for several moments before stabilizing completely.
Nayuta visibly looked stunned.
"…O great hero."
She slowly looked at her own hands.
"What manner of miracle is this?"
Yuuki calmly answered while checking the system synchronization.
"Anti-Bobby Suit."
Then more casually—
"It's basically a cheating device."
Nayuta tilted her head slightly.
"…Cheating?"
Yuuki nodded.
"The suit creates an ultra-dense nanomachine barrier around your body."
Then simply—
"It makes you invulnerable."
The monk visibly froze afterward.
"…Invulnerable?"
"Pretty much."
Yuuki continued walking deeper into the ruins afterward.
"No physical damage."
"No penetration."
"No environmental harm."
"Nothing gets through until the power source runs dry."
Nayuta quietly stared at the transparent barrier surrounding her body in disbelief.
"…Such power…"
Yuuki shrugged lightly.
"The Ark reactor attached to it powers the whole thing."
Then calmly—
"So unless the reactor empties or needs recharging…"
"…you're basically untouchable."
For the first time since meeting him—
Nayuta genuinely looked shaken.
Not fearful.
Awestruck.
Because even advanced Nikke technology did not approach something this absurd.
Then softly—
"O great hero…"
She looked toward him carefully.
"What of thyself?"
Yuuki glanced back briefly.
"What about me?"
"…Art thou not vulnerable whilst protecting this one?"
Yuuki blinked once.
Then slightly amused—
"You're worried about me?"
Nayuta quietly lowered her gaze.
"…Aye."
Yuuki softly laughed afterward.
"I'm always wearing one."
Then casually—
"My suit activates automatically."
His expression remained calm.
"So ambushes…"
"…assassinations…"
"…or sudden betrayal…"
The glowing eyes of the Mark 86 helmet faintly brightened again.
"…are mostly irrelevant problems."
"The suit doesn't enhance your strength or grant flashy powers or anything dramatic like that."
Yuuki casually walked deeper into the ruins while explaining the system.
"It just makes you invulnerable."
Then simply—
"No damage can harm you."
Nayuta quietly followed beside him while observing the transparent nanomachine layer surrounding her body.
Yuuki continued calmly.
"Bullets."
"Blades."
"Explosions."
"Poison."
"Fire."
Then dryly—
"You could probably fire a rocket launcher at your own feet and survive."
Nayuta softly blinked.
"…Ah…"
Honestly—
She sounded genuinely speechless now.
Yuuki glanced toward her briefly.
"Though there's one limitation."
Nayuta quietly listened.
"The suit only functions while connected to me."
Then more seriously—
"If you move too far away, the reactor disables automatically."
"The core detaches and returns to me."
Yuuki shrugged lightly afterward.
"Mostly to prevent people from running away with impossible technology."
Nayuta immediately lowered her head respectfully.
"Fear not, O great hero."
"This humble one would never—"
Yuuki interrupted calmly.
"I know."
The monk paused slightly.
Yuuki's expression softened a little afterward.
"You probably think I don't trust you fully yet."
Then honestly—
"I do."
That answer genuinely surprised her.
"Which is exactly why I entrusted you with something this powerful."
For a moment—
Nayuta simply quietly stared at him.
Then softly—
"This humble one…"
"…thanketh thee sincerely."
Yuuki simply gestured forward afterward.
"Come on."
Then casually—
"Let's go bully ancient ruins."
And honestly—
That statement became painfully accurate.
The moment they continued deeper into the temple pathways—
The traps activated almost immediately.
Click.
Poison darts erupted from hidden wall compartments at lethal speeds.
Nayuta visibly flinched instinctively.
Yet—
Tink.
Tink.
Tink.
The darts harmlessly bounced off the nanomachine barrier without even scratching the surface.
Yuuki didn't even slow down walking.
Further ahead—
Ancient pressure plates activated massive falling spike traps from the ceiling.
Gigantic stone pillars crashed downward directly toward them.
Nayuta instinctively looked upward—
Then froze.
Because the enormous debris shattered apart the moment it struck the invisible barrier around them.
The impact simply stopped.
Completely.
As though the world itself refused to touch them.
The two casually kept walking through the collapsing ruins afterward.
Then—
Rumble.
A gigantic stone boulder rolled violently down one of the corridors directly toward them.
Nayuta immediately recognized it as an ancient crushing trap.
Yuuki however simply continued walking normally.
"…O great hero?"
The boulder slammed directly into them—
—and exploded apart instead.
Stone fragments scattered harmlessly throughout the corridor while the pair remained completely untouched.
Nayuta slowly looked around afterward.
"…This truly is absurd."
Then suddenly—
WHOOSH.
Hidden flame traps erupted across the hallway.
Ancient fire engulfed both of them completely.
Yuuki casually walked through the inferno like it didn't exist.
Nayuta followed shortly afterward.
Not a single strand of hair burned.
Not even warmth reached her skin.
Further traps triggered constantly now.
Spikes.
Collapsing floors.
Explosive runes.
Swinging blades.
Ancient magical mechanisms.
None of it mattered.
The anti-bobby suits ignored everything.
Even Nayuta herself gradually stopped reacting to danger entirely.
Eventually—
She simply walked calmly beside Yuuki while traps detonated uselessly around them.
Honestly—
It was horrifyingly unfair.
The ancient ruins designed to kill intruders had effectively become meaningless.
And somehow—
Watching Yuuki casually brute-force thousands of years of deadly temple engineering through sheer technological nonsense felt deeply fitting for him.
The deeper they ventured into the ruins—
The more vicious the ancient traps became.
Clearly—
The creators never intended anyone to reach the Sacred Tree alive.
Eventually—
Yuuki and Nayuta entered a massive chamber lined entirely with enormous blackened spikes stretching across the floor below.
The room itself felt wrong immediately.
Ancient mechanisms groaned beneath the walls while violent winds howled from countless hidden openings surrounding the chamber.
Nayuta immediately understood the trap.
"…A vacuum chamber."
The moment they stepped forward—
The winds intensified violently.
A powerful suction force erupted from the walls, strong enough to rip ordinary humans directly off the pathway and impale them upon the spikes below instantly.
Even armored soldiers would likely die here.
The pressure alone felt overwhelming.
Yet—
Yuuki and Nayuta simply kept walking normally.
The invisible nanomachine barriers around them completely ignored the environmental force.
Their feet never slipped.
Their bodies never moved.
The hurricane-level suction may as well not have existed at all.
Nayuta quietly stared around the deadly chamber while calmly walking beside him.
"…Remarkable."
Then softly—
"If this humble one possessed such protection permanently…"
Her teal eyes observed the lethal ruins around them.
"…one could walk this world without fear."
Yuuki immediately answered without slowing down.
"Don't get too comfortable."
Nayuta glanced toward him curiously.
"The anti-bobby system only lasts about an hour."
Then casually—
"After that, it requires roughly two hours to recharge through ambient ion absorption."
Nayuta blinked slightly.
"…Ah."
"So even divine armor possesseth limitations."
Yuuki shrugged.
"Everything does."
Then dryly—
"Mine just happen to be extremely unfair."
The monk unexpectedly laughed quietly afterward.
"Aye."
Then while casually walking through a death trap capable of slaughtering entire armies—
"This one findeth thy honesty refreshing."
Meanwhile—
Massive ancient blades suddenly swung down from the ceiling directly toward them.
The weapons shattered instantly upon impact with the nanomachine barriers.
Neither Yuuki nor Nayuta even flinched anymore.
At this point—
The ruins themselves honestly felt offended.
Eventually—
The two reached another chamber deeper beneath the ruins.
Unlike the previous traps—
This room resembled a completely sealed stone box.
No visible exits.
No pathways.
Only ancient carvings covering the walls.
Then suddenly—
The ceiling opened.
Dozens of serpents immediately dropped directly onto them.
Large black snakes wrapped around their bodies aggressively before attempting to bite exposed skin.
Yet the moment their fangs touched the nanomachine barriers—
ZZZT.
Violent electrical discharge erupted instantly.
The snakes convulsed before collapsing lifelessly onto the floor.
Moments later—
Swarming flesh-eating insects poured from hidden cracks in the walls.
Thousands of them.
The creatures surged toward Yuuki and Nayuta like a living wave.
Then—
ZZZZT.
Every single insect exploded into ash the moment they touched the defensive field.
Within seconds—
The floor became littered with dead bugs and electrocuted snakes.
Yuuki quietly stared at the aftermath.
"…What a complete waste of snakes and bugs."
Nayuta softly looked downward afterward.
"This humble one almost pitieth the poor creatures."
Then suddenly—
RUMBLE.
The entire chamber violently shifted.
Ancient gears activated behind the walls while massive stone slabs began sliding inward from both sides.
A crushing chamber.
Designed to slowly compress intruders into paste.
Nayuta immediately recognized the mechanism.
"…Ah."
Then calmly—
"It seeketh to crush us."
Yuuki simply gestured casually.
"Raise your arms."
Nayuta blinked.
"…Like this?"
She lifted both hands outward slightly just as the walls slammed inward—
—and stopped completely upon touching her barrier.
The crushing mechanism strained violently.
Ancient gears screamed beneath the pressure.
But the anti-bobby suit refused to yield even a single centimeter.
Because from the perspective of the nanomachine barrier—
Nayuta had effectively become immovable.
Then—
CRACK.
The ancient gears behind the walls shattered apart violently.
Metal supports snapped.
Mechanisms exploded.
Stone structures fractured throughout the chamber until the crushing trap completely collapsed permanently.
Silence followed afterward.
Yuuki casually lowered his hands.
"Well."
"That solves the issue."
Nayuta slowly stared at the destroyed chamber surrounding them.
"…This suit granteth tremendous strength as well?"
Yuuki immediately shook his head.
"Nope."
Then calmly—
"Your defense is simply so absurdly high that the walls physically can't crush you."
He lightly tapped the transparent barrier around her arm afterward.
"The system absorbs impact automatically."
Then casually—
"So even falling from ridiculous heights probably wouldn't kill you."
Nayuta quietly processed the implications.
"…Absurd."
Yuuki looked around at the destroyed trap mechanisms scattered everywhere.
Then honestly—
"I'm starting to feel bad for whoever built this place."
Because thousands of years of deadly engineering had effectively become meaningless against one ridiculous piece of GDI technology.
Eventually—
The two reached a gigantic chasm stretching across the ruins.
No visible bridge.
No pathways.
Only darkness far below.
Ancient winds howled upward from the abyss beneath them.
Nayuta quietly stared across the impossible gap.
"…I presume this wondrous armor shall somehow trivialize this obstacle as well?"
Yuuki looked at the gap briefly.
Then casually—
"Nope."
Nayuta blinked.
"…Ah."
Before she could question further—
Yuuki suddenly wrapped one arm around her waist.
"Hold on."
The monk visibly stiffened instantly.
"…O-O great hero?"
Then—
WHOOOOOSH.
The Mark 86 repulsor thrusters ignited beneath his feet.
Golden light erupted throughout the chamber as Yuuki launched both of them directly across the chasm effortlessly.
Nayuta's robes fluttered violently beneath the sudden acceleration while ancient winds rushed past them.
Within seconds—
They landed safely before the next doorway.
The wandering monk quietly stared at him afterward.
"…Thou canst simply fly."
Yuuki shrugged lightly.
"Yeah."
Then casually—
"I probably should've done that from the start."
Nayuta softly covered her face briefly.
"…This humble one suddenly understandeth why the ruins stand no chance against thee."
The deeper chambers afterward became increasingly absurd.
Traps activated endlessly around them.
Spike floors.
Exploding walls.
Poison darts.
Flame torrents.
Swinging axes.
Collapsing ceilings.
Rolling boulders.
Ancient magical seals.
None of it mattered.
The anti-bobby suits rendered every mechanism completely irrelevant.
Eventually—
They entered the final chamber.
And the ruins seemingly gave up pretending subtlety mattered anymore.
Every trap activated simultaneously.
Massive spikes erupted upward from the floor.
Poison darts flooded the air like storms.
Gigantic boulders crashed from above.
Then suddenly—
Water violently poured into the chamber from hidden reservoirs.
Within moments—
The room completely flooded.
Nayuta calmly stood underwater beside Yuuki while observing the chamber fill completely.
Her nanomachine barrier filtered oxygen directly around her automatically.
Meanwhile—
The Mark 86 armor converted oxygen from surrounding water into breathable air internally.
Then—
Several enormous electric eels emerged from the flooded darkness below.
The creatures aggressively lunged toward them.
Only to immediately electrocute themselves against the nanomachine barriers.
Dead eels floated upward moments later.
Yuuki quietly stared at them.
"…Poor things."
Nayuta slowly looked around the completely failed death chamber surrounding them.
Then softly—
"Under ordinary circumstances…"
Her voice echoed strangely through the flooded ruins.
"…this adventure would have greatly excited this one."
Then quietly—
"But now…"
Yuuki lightly laughed afterward.
"Welcome to my life, Nayuta."
The monk unexpectedly smiled beneath the water afterward.
Because honestly—
Walking unharmed through ancient death traps beside an absurdly overpowered armored commander had somehow become strangely enjoyable.
Eventually—
Yuuki and Nayuta finally emerged from the flooded death chamber and entered the deepest section of the ruins.
The atmosphere changed immediately.
The air felt calmer here.
Ancient.
Sacred.
Unlike the trap-filled pathways before—
This chamber remained completely untouched.
At the very center of the room stood a single small tree planted within an elevated circular altar.
Its leaves shimmered softly with a platinum glow beneath the ancient light surrounding the chamber.
Yet despite all the legends surrounding it—
The tree itself looked surprisingly ordinary.
Small.
Almost delicate.
Like a simple houseplant.
Yuuki quietly stared at it afterward.
"So that's the Sacred Tree?"
Nayuta softly observed it as well.
"It would appear so."
Yuuki tilted his head slightly.
"…Honestly?"
"Doesn't look very impressive."
The moment those words left his mouth—
RUMBLE.
The chamber violently shook.
Ancient stone circles surrounding the room illuminated instantly while enormous constructs rose from beneath the floor.
Massive armored golems emerged one by one around them.
Stone giants wielding colossal axes and ancient weapons.
Their glowing eyes immediately locked onto the intruders.
Yuuki's visor brightened slightly.
"…Hoh."
Then amused—
"Golems really exist."
Nayuta's expression sharpened immediately.
"These guardians possess tremendous strength, O great hero."
One golem instantly swung its gigantic axe downward toward Nayuta—
Only for Yuuki to casually deploy an energy shield with one arm.
BOOOOM.
The weapon slammed against the barrier uselessly.
At the same time—
Another golem attacked Nayuta directly from behind.
The monk simply raised one hand instinctively.
The massive axe struck the anti-bobby barrier—
—and stopped completely.
The weapon itself shattered apart afterward from the force reversal.
Nayuta quietly stared at the broken axe fragments falling around her.
"…This suit truly defies reason."
Yuuki sighed afterward.
"All right."
Then casually—
"Let's end this."
The Mark 86 shoulder pods opened instantly.
Micro-missiles launched simultaneously while repulsor cannons fired brilliant beams of energy across the chamber.
BOOOOM.
BOOOOM.
BOOOOM.
Multiple golems exploded apart immediately.
One missile directly struck another construct before Yuuki physically landed atop it with enhanced thrusters—
—and the entire golem detonated beneath him.
Stone debris scattered throughout the chamber.
"That was easy."
Nayuta quietly watched the destruction afterward.
Then softly—
"This humble one feeleth immense pity for these guardians."
Honestly—
The ruins had absolutely no chance against him.
One final golem still remained standing near the Sacred Tree.
Yuuki tilted his head slightly before raising one hand.
A strange beam weapon formed along his gauntlet.
Blue temporal energy gathered rapidly.
Nayuta quietly observed curiously.
Then—
VWOOOOOM.
The chrono beam struck the golem directly.
The construct froze mid-motion.
Then silently disappeared entirely from existence.
Not destroyed.
Gone.
As though erased from time itself.
Nayuta visibly blinked.
"…What manner of sorcery was that?"
Yuuki casually lowered his arm.
"Chrono weapon."
Then thoughtfully—
"Vergil would absolutely love these things."
Nayuta tilted her head.
"…Vergil?"
"Vice Commander of the Global Defense Initiative."
Then casually—
"He's the dangerous science gremlin."
Nayuta softly nodded despite understanding very little of that sentence.
Meanwhile—
Yuuki's visor detected unusual energy signatures scattered among the destroyed golems.
Several glowing crystals rolled across the chamber floor.
Power cores.
Ancient energy sources.
Yuuki immediately crouched down and began collecting them.
"These might be useful."
The crystals vanished into dimensional storage afterward.
"Sending them to Philadelphia later."
Eventually—
The two finally approached the small platinum-leafed tree itself.
Up close—
The Sacred Tree radiated strange energy unlike anything either of them had encountered before.
Not purely magical.
Not technological either.
Something in between.
Yuuki quietly stared at it.
"So this is the Sacred Tree…"
Nayuta softly looked toward him afterward.
"O great hero…"
"What shall we do with it?"
But before either could act—
A voice suddenly echoed throughout the chamber itself.
Ancient.
Calm.
Gentle.
"Who art thou…"
"…O travelers?"