Chapter 407 - 407: New Form
Despite being a powerful warrior, Michael wasn't a person who let his strength get to his head. He was rarely pushed to the brink, and usually, even then, he had some kind of backup plan to enact.
That was the image the crew held of him.
With the arrival of the recently rescued felines, along with the transportation vehicles they had pillaged, the crew had gathered at the camp's gates to welcome them.
Only to be startled when, out of nowhere, Cyberfang's once powerful frame, now reduced to a ruin of its former self, carved a trail before coming to a complete stop. Large parts of its body were covered in clear blood, shed by the ants the mechanical beast had slaughtered along the way.
Michael, blood-soaked and unconscious with one hand still gripping Devil, rested in his jaws.
"Goddamn it!" With a curse, Richard was the first to rush forward.
Stepping into Cyberfang's open jaw, he pulled out Michael's body.
"Boss! Are you alright? What happened?!"
No answer came. Since the source of Michael's wounds was unknown, Richard didn't shake him, fearing it might worsen his condition.
Shifting his gaze, Richard gazed at Devil in his sword form.
Usually, the soul weapon was capable of assuming his true form at will even without Michael's approval. Though sadly, Devil wasn't capable of responding either.
The rest of the crew approached in a heartbeat.
Claire went toward the figure of the mechanical beast. This wasn't the first time the beast had been reduced to rubble. The last time was after the fight with the giant sentient AI.
Just like before, as long as the AI chip was intact, the consciousness of Cyberfang could still be salvaged… They would just need to grant him another body.
Since Michael was unresponsive, and the same applied to his soul weapon. Cyberfang's AI chip was the only way the crew could be informed about what had transpired.
Constructing a new body for the beast was a lengthy and expensive procedure. Doing so in the hollow valley was impossible, both due to lack of manpower and necessary facilities.
That was why, without any hesitation, Claire inserted the AI chip into her personal pristine mecha.
The transfer of data was initiated instantly. Though this was Cyberfang's first time operating a humanoid mecha rather than his old tiger-like body, he needed time to adjust.
"What happened?" Victoria asked while assessing Michael's condition.
Getting familiar with his new body could be dealt with later… Cyberfang concluded before beginning to give the crew a rundown of what had occurred.
Naturally, the crew was shocked. Not only did Eleanora have a way to disturb souls so severely, but her methods had proven monstrously effective against both Michael and Devil.
Cyberfang finished recalling the events. Before anyone in the crew could say anything, the ground beneath their feet started to tremble violently.
"Ants!" Ava frowned angrily, still regretting that she had left Michael alone with Cyberfang to deal with the enemy Lord.
It appeared that after the end of Michael's battle with Eleanora, even if she herself hadn't followed his trail, the numerous ants were another matter.
Tracking Cyberfang's path, they had found the well-hidden feline camp and were on the verge of attacking!
Immediately, Victoria's leadership instincts took hold. Michael might be unresponsive, but his life wasn't in danger.
But the felines in the camp were another matter.
"However brief their training might have been, it's time for them to put their training into real practice." Victoria exclaimed, giving one order after the next.
News of the incoming attack spread among the felines. At the same time, the decision of Michael's crew became apparent to the locals.
They were going to hold their ground and encouraged everyone who could fight to do the same.
Naturally, everybody responded to the call to arms.
Fortunately, the cars the squad had pillaged earlier were full of firearms, enough to arm most. With the felines positioned along the camp's walls, their chances of death were minimized.
Everybody rushed to the fortifications, eager to defend, with one exception. Ruby, having volunteered, carried Michael's body deep into the safety of the camp. With her saliva having healing properties, she was the most qualified to aid him.
Under normal circumstances, she wouldn't have missed a chance to fight shoulder to shoulder with her brethren… Yet the only reason she had reached so far in the first place was because of Michael and everything else second.
There was no trace of hesitation in her graceful movements. Healing him took priority over everything else in her mind.
Although the crew's lessons had been brief, their efforts became apparent with a single glance. In mere minutes, the felines had assumed positions, moving onto the camp's walls. Armed with either rifles or bows, depending on their choice.
On the ground in front of the walls, the crew stood with the camp's scouts. Being the strongest, their job was to prevent any foe from getting too close.
The crew was agitated for obvious reasons. It was rare for them to defend Michael, since usually it was the other way around, but they weren't willing to let their leader down!
Notably, the felines mirrored their resolve.
Michael's contributions to the camp were widely known. So when they saw his battered body being carried to safety by Ruby, the strongest feline among them and one many regarded as their queen, their spirits ignited with purpose.
They had lost far too much already! Unwilling to remain oppressed, they would be striking back with full force!
"Prepare!" Victoria ordered, her voice echoing across the camp, breaking the tense silence filled with the sound of approaching footsteps.
A considerable number of giant ants marched past the trees like an army, all focused on the camp. In their eyes, the felines were nothing but food for their queen. Willing to die just to accelerate the power of their ruler, they charged as one.
"Thank heavens that Bryce isn't here." Claire said, a soft sigh of relief escaping her as she glanced at Mr. BunBun, the plush her grandfather had given her.
[Affirmative. Without the presence of your grandfather, you will be able to focus better on the battle.]
Cyberfang's steady voice echoed in the cockpit, startling Claire slightly.
"For a moment, I forgot you were here…" She admitted with a giggle. Usually, when inside her mecha, she was accustomed to silence. The presence of another, even an AI, would take some time to get used to.
[Forgive my blunder. I will make an effort not to break your concentration.]
Claire shook her head. "It's fine. This is new for you too. If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask."
Appreciating the offer, Cyberfang made use of it immediately.
[Then if I may ask, why do you keep Mr. BunBun between your thighs? Squeezing the plush with your legs does not aid your combat effectiveness, no matter how many simulations I run.]
"..."
Claire's face flushed a deep rosy red. This was a secret she had kept for a long time. Saying that the plush reminded her of Michael would only worsen things.
"E—Every human tends to have at least one hidden trait they never want to reveal." She stuttered awkwardly. "S—So never share this with anyone! Especially with Michael! Don't lie to him, just… never bring the topic up."
The AI was puzzled, yet complied nonetheless.
[Understood.]
Getting her breathing under control, Claire focused on the approaching ants, flaring her lance upright.
"Have you braced yourself for your first fight in this form?" She asked.
[Ready when you are.]