“Kenya, can you hear me?”

“Yes!”

This was out over the ocean.

From the Earthguard Empire to Japan took only half a day by airship.

But with Takemikazuchi—at the speed Tanaka had modified it for—it would take just two or three hours to arrive.

A speed that surpassed the sound barrier.

Takemikazuchi’s flight form resembled a spear slicing through the sky.

It was an adaptation of holding both swords like a shield, enabling long-distance supersonic flight.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have much energy to spare. Factoring in the round trip, you’ll only have one or two hours of operation time there. Settle things within that window and get back.”

“…Understood.”

“Also, avoid using open chat. It could give away that you’re Japanese. Got it?”

“…Roger.”

Takemikazuchi hadn’t received any resupply since the Empire Sword Martial Festival.

Flying at maximum output for top speed consumed energy at a ferocious rate.

Even so, the fact that it could fight at full throttle for nearly half a day was thanks to Tanaka’s research.

“Kenya, I hesitate to say this…”

“What is it?”

“I’m Japanese. I wish for the Earthguard Empire’s defeat. Even so, I want Zeke and Reina to survive. Please… save them.”

Tanaka’s wish was a contradiction.

His goal—and the Resistance’s goal—boiled down to reclaiming Japan.

In that case, he should wish for the Military God’s defeat, for Reina’s defeat.

Yet his emotions wouldn’t allow it.

“…Tanaka… It’s okay. I’ll save them!”

“…I’m counting on you.”

And with that, Kenya pushed the speed even higher. Land came into view in the distance.

It was old Tokyo—the current battlefield.

Kenya headed straight for the battlefield where Kaguya and Reina were fighting.

…

“That machine… Reina!”

Kenya arrived at the battlefield, searching based on Reina’s IFF signal.

What he saw was a single machine: Reina, clutching the general’s mech.

And a blue machine poised to impale Reina’s.

The moment he took in the scene, lightning struck.

“Get out of the wayyy!!”

A straight-line KOG blast sent it flying, and a white bolt plummeted earthward, smashing the white lotus spear aside.

“!? …What the!?”

In the dust-choked battlefield, Byakuren strained her eyes.

She hadn’t grasped what happened in that instant—only that something had knocked her spear away.

As the smoke cleared, a white giant emerged.

“That’s… from that footage… Road’s knight! Sword Silfield!”

The moment Byakuren laid eyes on the white KOG, she understood.

It was the one that had defeated Osiris in that video.

She scooped up her fallen spear and took her stance.

“So you’re the one who broke Osiris. A worthy opponent!”

Seeing Byakuren ready her spear, Kenya muttered alone in his cockpit.

“You did this…?”

Kenya’s gaze fixed on Zeke’s machine.

From Reina’s state and the machine’s markings, he knew Zeke was inside.

But it wasn’t moving. Seeing the spear buried deep in its back, Kenya understood.

He slowly raised his sword.

Gripping the control stick tighter.

Aware that battle was upon him now, he unleashed waves of killing intent.

“!!!!!!!!???”

Byakuren, Thor, Kaguya—all who saw it sounded alarms.

All three instantly pulled back, drenched in sweat, faces pale, breaths ragged.

They retreated far beyond Kenya’s range at full speed.

It felt like an iron grip crushing their hearts, primal survival instincts taking over.

“All Asia 13 Gods! Assemble immediately!!”

“Thunder God Squadron, to me!!”

Byakuren and Thor shouted in unison.

Byakuren called for all of Asia’s main forces.

Thor summoned her entire unit—EU’s top echelon.

Even so, the chills and cold sweat wouldn’t stop.

Just looking at that white machine flooded them with visions of death.

“What the hell is this guy?! Byakuren! What is he?!”

Thor screamed.

“…This is Sword Silfield. The machine of the man who defeated Osiris at the Empire Sword Martial Festival and became the Empire’s strongest knight.”

“I know that! I’m asking about this pressure!”

“Yeah, I thought Osiris had just gotten rusty, but I’ve reconsidered. This guy’s the one who beat him—with power that surpasses Osiris. You feel it too, right?”

“Yeah, painfully so. …I’ve never felt this hopeless about winning. We have to overwhelm with numbers—strategic level. One-on-one is impossible; he wouldn’t last seconds.”

“Hate to admit it, but… yeah, I feel it too. It’s been ages since I felt fear on the battlefield. I’m assembling the unit now. No clue if he’ll wait, though…”

Byakuren and Thor couldn’t move.

Kaguya was the same.

“Scary… What… is this machine…?”

She lost her words, frozen in place.

The elites understood—precisely because they had power.

Their opponent was on a whole different plane.

A being that had reached unimaginable heights.

A being at the pinnacle of martial prowess.

…

“You did this…?”

Kenya quietly nursed his rage, but his priority now was…

He switched to the Earthguard military’s dedicated channel, as Tanaka advised—no open chat, which ignored sides.

No telling who knew about him, and he couldn’t abandon the Sword Silfield name yet.

While his pressure froze Byakuren and the others, he rushed to Reina and Zeke.

“Reina! You okay?!”

“Kenya… Papa… Papa’s…”

“We need to treat him quick! He might still be alive!”

Kenya grasped the situation in an instant.

He had to save Zeke—but this was a battlefield.

Secure safety first. As he pondered options…

It happened then.

“*Cough* *cough*! Mikazuki…?”

“Zeke?!”

“Papa?!”

Zeke’s eyes fluttered open in a raspy voice.

Reina and Kenya sighed in relief for a split second—then lost their voices at his next words.

“To make it quick: I’m done for. This wound’s fatal…”

“No way…”

“Liar! Liar! No! I don’t want this!!”

“Listen, Reina!”

Zeke bellowed at Reina, who wailed and refused to hear him.

The ever-gentle father yelling for the first time—his desperate cry silenced her.

“Mikazuki, two favors. The front’s collapsed. Can’t rally it. I’m issuing a full retreat now. Buy us that time. You get it by now—they’re not evil.”

“Yes, I do.”

“It’s crazy, I know. But you can.”

“…I can. If it’s me.”

Kenya focused to catch Zeke’s final words.

“…Yeah. And one more. …Personal request, sorry…”

“Anything.”

“Heh. Right. Then, my son… make my daughter happy.”

Zeke’s plea was his wish for Kenya.

His feelings for the one daughter he was leaving behind.

Kenya answered straight and clear.

“…Yes. Even if it costs my life. I’ll make Reina happy.”

“Knew you’d say that. Reina… sorry. You came to save me… surprised, but… happy. Sorry. Ended up losing anyway.”

“No… If I’d been… stronger!”

“It’s fine, Reina. Just my turn.”

“Papa! I remember everything! You’re… my real papa! Everything! Even Mama!”

“…Reina, yeah. Wanted to talk more about your mom, apologize… No time. One last request. Hear me.”

“…Mmm.”

“Don’t hate them. Don’t continue the chain of hatred. Fighting for me with hate… I couldn’t rest. I’ve taken their families, their treasures too. My turn now. That’s how eras change. So… please. Don’t get consumed by revenge.”

“S-Sob… But… I can’t forgive…”

“Reina, time will heal it… Don’t forget. Selfish, but… no time. Sorry.”

Zeke cut the line.

“Papa? Papa! I still have things to say! Papa! I lo—”

Zeke switched to the all-forces channel and broadcast his final order.

“To all Earthguard forces in the 13th District! We abandon this sector!! Retreat full speed to home territory! Straight ahead, no detours! Maximize survivors!!”

Everyone obeyed Zeke’s command, retreating in a straight line.

“Papa! No! No!”

Even so, Reina wouldn’t leave Zeke’s side. His subordinates approached to drag her away.

She resisted fiercely, refusing to budge. Kenya drew his sword.

“Reina… sorry.”

“Kenya?! What—!”

Kenya struck Aphrodite once, shutting it down.

With a sharp *snap*, Aphrodite went silent.

He figured words wouldn’t move her now—forcing her away was kinder.

“Kenya! No! Stop! Please!”

The disabled Aphrodite was carried off by several of Zeke’s KOGs.

Zeke reconnected with Kenya.

“Sorry, Mikazuki. Making you the bad guy… *cough*…”

“…No, I’ll apologize later—till she forgives me. Gotta make her happy.”

“Heh. Then… the rest… is up to you…”

“Yes.”

“Good son I got… Wanted a son myself. Raise him strict, make him stronger than me—world’s strongest knight. Dream was… But in the end… such a fine son… Thank… you… Ke… nya…”

“Ye…s, I thought of you… like my real fa…ther…”

“……”

“Zeke? Zeke!!”

But his calls went unanswered.

Zeke, clinging to the last, breathed his final breath that day.

The Military God who fought to protect until the end died guarding his daughter.

To the very last, Zeke died true to himself.

His way of life etched deep into Kenya—like a true father.

Kenya recalled the warm back that had carried him, his heart tearing.

Even briefly, like a real father, Kenya had loved Zeke.

Loved him as if receiving a father’s love.

Wanted more time together, more laughs.

But that warm back was gone.

“Papa…”

Tears blurred his controls.

Even so.

Kenya bowed his head to Zeke, then launched skyward.

Slowly raising his sword two-handed, facing forward.

The scene blurred through endless tears, vision obscured.

Even so, he stared straight ahead.

He had a duty entrusted.

“Zeke, leave it to me. I’ll let every last Earthguard soldier escape. And of course, I’ll make Reina happy.”

A lone knight facing tens of thousands of deploying KOGs.

Before him: knights in yellow, blue, red.

Behind them: over fifty thousand KOGs.

The world’s strongest knight, fulfilling his final charge.

“I’ll show ’em! Your son—the world’s strongest—is gonna!!”

He stood against the world.