Sent flying by Henry’s blow, the Steel Knight tumbled across the ground. When his momentum finally died, he stood up as if nothing had happened.
A viscous blend of magic power and blood spilled from the hole in his stomach, but the flow quickly slowed to a mere seep. An internal hemostatic function had triggered to seal the breach. It appeared similar mechanisms were installed throughout his entire frame; the design clearly prioritized longevity in battle. I could already imagine the Research Institute Director’s glee if she were allowed to study such a specimen.
The Steel Knight aimed his remaining arm toward the Demon King’s Army. Simultaneously, the limb from his elbow down detached and fell away, revealing a metallic cylinder built into the stump.
(A small tank cannon.)
I identified it instantly. Based on the construction and the magic formula, there was no mistaking it. As I expected, magic power converged within the barrel and erupted as a concentrated beam of light.
He was aiming for the main body of the Demon King’s Army. At that level of intensity, it would punch through standard defense magic without a second thought. It likely represented the peak of his offensive output.
I triggered a spatial transfer, warping the golem I was piloting directly into the beam’s path. Though my main body remained in the Royal Capital, such a feat was well within my capabilities. I experienced no difficulty in the execution of my magic.
I deployed the golem's internal magic swords and infused them with miasma. A standard machine would have likely corroded under the influence of such darkness, but this specific prototype had been treated with specialized coatings. Having acquired a sufficient degree of miasma resistance, it operated without a hitch.
I swung the magic swords down against the approaching light. The severed beam split, its trajectory shifting violently as it cascaded harmlessly into the sky. The Demon King’s Army behind me remained untouched.
"Hmm."
I inspected the magic swords. The blades were already fracturing, beginning to dissipate into particles of light from the tips. The magic formula had been unable to withstand the sheer pressure of the beam. Furthermore, the arm I used for the slash had been slightly shaved down; the beam must have grazed the plating during the cut.
I had intended to avoid a direct hit, but the slight delay inherent in remote operation had caused a misalignment. A mere hair’s breadth of difference, yet in battle, such margins decided life and death. I made a mental note to have the Research Institute improve the golem’s precision maneuverability.
"Boss, sorry about that. You saved my skin."
"It is of no consequence. It is my duty to protect my subordinates," I replied with a slight shake of the golem's head.
Henry had performed his role admirably. There was no reason to reprimand him. I had always intended to intervene depending on how the situation developed, and since I had identified areas for the golem's improvement, the exchange had been productive.
"Leave the rest to me. You and the others focus on pursuing the Technomagic Army."
"Understood. Give us a shout if things get hairy."
Henry obeyed my instructions without protest. In truth, Henry likely could have defeated the Steel Knight on his own. I couldn't envision a scenario where he would be truly cornered; he was more than capable of grasping victory without sustaining major injuries.
However, my direct involvement ensured a certain outcome. It made it easier to minimize collateral damage to our forces and allowed for an overwhelming response to any unforeseen variables. Henry had weighed his own desires against his responsibilities and suppressed his urge to fight. Because he understood that his cooperation would lead to a swifter victory for the Demon King’s Army, he entrusted the conclusion of this duel to me.
(He, too, is maturing as a commander.)
The Demon King’s Army pivoted, making a wide detour to fall upon the Technomagic Army’s rear. The Steel Knight did not move to stop them. He remained rooted to the spot, his gaze fixed solely on me. He realized that if he attempted to strike at the retreating army, he would leave himself wide open to my attack. He was pinned. It was exactly as I had planned.
"……"
"……"
We faced one another in the sweltering silence until he made the first move. The Steel Knight unleashed a rapid succession of beams from his arm. I closed the distance, weaving through the barrage.
As I advanced, I triggered the golem's chest plates to slide open, firing an artillery shell from the internal rack. This was a special shell designed for formula destruction—a new weapon recommended by the Director. Against an opponent like the Steel Knight, who was entirely dependent on his golem integration, its effects would be catastrophic. A direct hit would likely leave him incapacitated in an instant.
The Steel Knight stepped forward and readied his halberd, clearly intending to deflect the projectile. Given his performance thus far, I had no doubt he could execute the maneuver.
(—I will not permit it.)
I invoked my magic, using a localized gust of wind to suddenly accelerate the special shell. The projectile blurred, whistling past the halberd before the Knight could react. Realizing his defense had failed, he tried to throw himself into an evasion.
I anticipated the movement and warped directly behind him. I reached out with both arms, locking him in a crushing grip while anchoring him with restraining magic.
The special shell slammed into the Steel Knight’s right leg. Metal fragments sprayed into the air as the limb was torn from its socket and fell to the dirt.
In that same instant, a heavy impact jolted my golem's abdomen. I looked down to see the head of a halberd protruding from my chassis. The Steel Knight had thrust the weapon backward through the existing hole in his own torso to impale me. It was a vicious counterattack that capitalized on our forced proximity.
However, it was merely a final struggle. The special shell had landed. Formula destruction had already begun to take hold. No matter his resolve, his systems would not function much longer.
(Though, of course, I will not be careless.)
I began to drain the magic power directly from the Steel Knight. As his golem components began to fail, his resistance weakened at an exponential rate. I hooked an arm under his jaw to force his head up and gripped the halberd to lock it in place, systematically stripping away his ability to move.
The Steel Knight fought back with frantic intensity. He slammed his elbows into my chassis and repeatedly drove his knees into my frame, trying to break my stance. When those efforts were rebuffed, he began to radiate holy attribute light from his entire body. His internal formulas were attempting to erode my armor.
Then, multiple ports across his body opened, launching several chained blades. These, too, were wreathed in the holy attribute. The chains performed a fluid mid-air arc before burying themselves in my back one after another, attempting to flood my systems with holy energy.
The golem’s frame groaned under the assault, but the damage remained superficial. It was not enough to halt my movements. This machine had been built with an emphasis on durability, specifically anticipating that I would be the pilot. My usual body would have been shattered by such an onslaught, but this prototype held firm.
The Steel Knight had clearly been outfitted with holy attribute armaments specifically to counter the undead. Unfortunately for him, the effect was negligible here. The golem’s physical shell even served to insulate my soul from the holy energy's influence.
(To mount such an offensive without being a mage is commendable, but I am not so easily overcome.)
Maintaining my composure, I finished draining his magic power. The Steel Knight let out a faint, ragged groan before his body went limp and he slipped into unconsciousness.
I meticulously bound the Knight, ensuring he was thoroughly restrained. Then, I systematically removed his remaining artificial limbs. They were components he did not require for interrogation, and their removal would not result in his death.
He was barely clinging to life. The golem components were providing life support, a high-performance emergency function designed to keep him alive even when his magic reserves were utterly depleted. It was forcibly wringing magic power out of him by placing a severe burden on his biological heart. It would undoubtedly shorten his lifespan, but he wouldn't expire today or tomorrow. It would suffice for my questioning.
(Now then, how fares the rest of the field?)
I looked toward the horizon. The battle had become entirely one-sided. The shattered remnants of the Technomagic Army were being swept away like dust. Though a few formidable warriors remained among them, Henry was cutting them down without mercy. He truly was the pinnacle of human martial arts; not a soul in the Demon King’s Army could match him in pure physical combat.
(This should quell the ambitions of the surrounding nations.)
The Steel Knight, the man who had achieved legendary status during the recapture war, had been neutralized with ease. His army was effectively nonexistent. The nations that had been emboldened by his success would now think twice before trespassing into the Demon King’s Domain.
In the time we've bought, I will extract everything the Steel Knight knows. I must formulate a plan to deal with the man who calls himself a Demigod. My work for this campaign was far from finished.