Observing the Proone soldiers closely, I spotted a specific unit providing leadership to the rest.
Actually, after seeing the carnage we were causing, the free participants shifted their focus to the Proone. It seemed they’d decided fighting the aliens was a better deal than facing us.
Their coordination was trash, though—nothing more than a disorganized mob. They couldn't break through the Proone’s tight formation.
Still, their interference managed to separate the crowd from the group fighting Nakajima. This was my chance to save him.
I closed the distance at Roller Dash Full Throttle.
"Special delivery from hell!"
I slammed into them with a shoulder tackle. A Skull Mace went flying.
Hahaha! Power! Power solves everything!
"Leo-kun, what are you even saying...?" Melissa asked.
"Just felt right!"
"Nakajima! I’m here to help!"
"Wahhh! Leooooo!"
Wailing like a baby, Nakajima caught a Spiked Iron Ball mid-air and yanked it toward him.
"W-What?!"
He drove a knee strike into the head of the staggering Proone, then wound up his hammer.
"S-Stop!"
"Let’s play ball! ...You’re the ball!"
Home run.
That was... unpleasant to watch.
Well, Nakajima was fine. Next up was Melissa...
"It's over."
She’d already wiped out two teams. As expected of a descendant of the Samurai warrior race.
Finally, it was time to take down the last Prince Team...
"Take thaaaaaat!"
Ah, Saria beat me to it. His machine was beaten to a pulp, but his opponent was in even worse shape.
"Whooo! I beat my First Elder Brother!"
His faceplate was mangled. He’d taken some heavy hits, and one of his horns was snapped off.
But the crowd loved it.
"Prince Saria is back!"
"The Genius Prince has come to save the motherland!"
"Long live Lady Saria!"
"You’re quite the celebrity," I noted. "What was all that talk about being a 'misfit'?"
Saria turned on me, ready to argue. "The youngest child is always the one whose baby photos get brought up forever! Do you understand?! Do you know the pain of having footage of you at age three used against you constantly?!"
Ah... yeah, I got it. It was like going back to your parents’ house and having them bring up your elementary school pranks for the thousandth time. Even the Empire's news broadcasts footage of my idiotic childhood without permission.
Once you get down to my Wifey’s age, though, there isn't even any footage left...
"I totally get it. Like the time I brought home a jackal or rode on a wolf's back."
"I don't know what those creatures are, but I can tell you were a lunatic even then."
Harsh.
"Anyway, let’s finish off the Proone!"
Secret Art: Change the Subject to Avoid Responsibility!
We advanced slowly toward the Proone and the crowd surrounding them. Naturally, we put Saria front and center.
"Saria, say something."
"Eh... Leo-san, you do it. You're used to this, aren't you?"
"Hard pass."
"You're so annoying!"
"Shut up and get out there!"
I pushed him forward by the shoulder. I’d considered kicking his ass, but I showed some restraint. Go me!
"...I am Saria! Listen up, you Proone! How dare you treat my homeland like a toy! You will pay! Feel the wrath of the Ogre God Race!"
As Saria made his declaration, the mob split apart, clearing a path. They knelt on both sides. This was the moment a new Great King was born.
But the Proone were also a group of experienced swindlers. They tried to talk their way out of it with sophistry.
"Everyone, do not be deceived! Prince Saria has made a secret pact to make us a vassal state of the Galactic Empire!"
Typical.
"We didn't," I stated flatly.
"Liar! You're an invader defying the gods!"
"It's too far away."
"What?"
"Outer space is too far. Overextending territory is how countries die. Our only desire is a friendly relationship with the Ogre God Nation. We don't want to domesticate you like cattle, and we aren't looking for pointless wars."
"Hahaha! The mask slips! You swindler! There's no such thing as a 'friendly relationship' in this galaxy! It’s eat or be eaten! We will devour this galaxy whole! We will feast upon every living thing!"
Figures. He finally said the quiet part out loud.
Saria charged without a word. He’d snapped.
I ran with him. So did Melissa, Eddie, and Nakajima. The only one missing was that idiot Isono.
"Die!"
A Proone with a shield raised a massive Morning Star. I lopped off the hand holding the weapon, and Saria plunged his sword home. Melissa decapitated another Proone further back. Eddie cut his down without a fuss.
The fallen Proone soldiers were beaten to a pulp by the general participants. The pilots stood no chance.
Saria leveled his sword at the last, most ornate machine.
"I-I surren—"
He didn't give them the chance. Saria cut the commander down.
"Everyone! Now we drive the Proone from our lands!"
"YEAAAAHHH!"
The whole place was running on pure momentum. Then, the Former Great King appeared on the giant displays.
"Well done, Saria! The new Great King! I shall join you!"
"It's the Former Great King!"
"The Strongest Great King in History is coming!"
In the end, the Proone were just bad at diplomacy. They had underestimated the Ogre God Nation's sense that strength forgives all. Conversely, if you're weak, you're invisible.
And the people of the Ogre God Nation move based on Yankee logic. No one follows a weak prince. And besides... who the hell would be happy about being shipped off as meat?! Idiots! I’ll kill you all!
The Former Great King and Saria’s forces flooded into the Royal Capital. The stationed Proone forces were being pulverized.
Propelled by the strength of their leader, the combat power of the Ogre God people likely spiked. Saria’s Alpha Male Aptitude was currently off the charts. After all, he was the Ace Pilot who Conquered the Masochist-spec Simulator Solo Mode.
With the succession passing from the aging king to the vibrant new one, the pack's power had skyrocketed. The stationed Proone were now just sitting ducks.
We watched them with fond eyes before withdrawing to the dining hall for a rest. We sat back and ate snacks while watching the Palace burn.
And they lived happily ever after.
Well, it’ll be peaceful until the Proone start their retaliation, at least.