Chapter 418 - 418: More Than A Machine
Michael wasn't the least bit happy about the outcome.
However, his clouded mind wasn't able to articulate an argument strong enough to change Robert's stance and make him turn back.
In the end, piloting Cyberfang with Robert flying beside him, they surged toward the Monarch, eager to save Ruby.
The mech's rockets flared forward. The projectiles targeted the Royal Champions, who had taken firm hold of Ruby.
Sadly, they were unable to reach their goal, colliding with other ants that got in their way.
Robert's attempts also proved futile. The Lord failed to generate enough energy to cast any meaningful attacks to slow the ants down.
"Shit."
Michael's forehead dripped with sweat. If the forces holding him back weren't enough, the aura of the nearing Monarch clashed with him like a tidal wave.
This was neither the first nor the second time he had been assaulted by such a vile presence. But due to his wounded state, the accumulated pressure built up to an agonizing level.
Had it not been for Cyberfang's assistance, who was largely in control of the mecha, Michael would have collapsed long ago, unable to continue.
A few seconds later, the worst came.
Since Ruby was struggling, the Royal Champions carrying her had fallen behind the others. Meanwhile, those carrying the weaker felines were much faster, reaching the Monarch's colossal figure first.
Flying over the monstrous creature, they surged above its massive maw before dropping the felines.
Frightened to the very core, they struggled, flailing their limbs in every direction in the hope of grabbing something to break their fall.
Opening its jaws wide, the Monarch let the felines enter the depths of its mouth before its maw clamped shut, devouring them in a single bite.
Clearly delighted by consuming a life rather than mere spiritual crystals, the numerous tentacles of the Hreh'tar writhed in pure pleasure.
The Monarch's contentment was a stark contrast to the despair Michael felt. If they didn't hurry and save Ruby, this was the fate that awaited her!
Robert also bore an expression of pure horror.
While Eleanora, in turn, had a wide smile on her face.
Her goal was to torment Michael to the fullest extent of her ability. That was her reason for charging toward Ruby, even though it would have resulted in her inevitable death.
But now she understood there was no need!
The cruelest punishment Eleanora could think of was to force Michael to watch his precious feline companion being torn apart and devoured right before his very eyes while he was completely powerless to stop it!
With her aim having been changed, her actions shifted accordingly.
Her blind gaze turned toward Robert and Michael, who were still in a desperate chase.
Halting abruptly, she abandoned her advancement.
"This is as far as you go!" She bellowed, relying on her soul weapon to worsen the condition of their souls.
Additionally, she focused on the nearby Royal Champions. It took a lot from her, but in the end, she regained control over them.
Suddenly, a large portion of the golden ants halted their advance. Dropping the felines they had been dragging toward their deaths, they turned toward Robert and Michael, eager to stop them.
"Despair!" Eleanora laughed. "Today you will witness your precious companion suffer the same fate you condemned my dear Alexia to!"
Absolute Lord Eleanora, along with the hundred Royal Champions, each comparable to a Grandmaster, all under her control, stood amidst the sky like an impenetrable wall. Behind them, Ruby was slowly being dragged toward the hungry Monarch.
Before Michael could utter a word, Robert beat him to the punch.
"Michael…" The man spoke in a hoarse voice. "Eleanora is our biggest obstacle… leave her to me. While I distract her, you slip past the golden ants and head toward Ruby."
Michael gritted his teeth. Robert was beyond exhausted and only a Transcendent Lord, while Eleanora still seemed full of vigor and was an Absolute Lord, a full stage above him.
Yet no matter the angle one looked at the situation from, there didn't appear to be another alternative.
Reluctantly, Michael accelerated his speed, dipping the altitude of the mecha with the goal of passing beneath the Royal Champions.
Eleanora's eyes narrowed. Noticing his plan, she commanded the ants under her control to interrupt the pristine mecha.
Though she was unable to join them, Robert pounced on her the next moment.
"You aren't getting past me!" Robert declared with unwavering determination.
Meanwhile, Michael and Cyberfang struggled severely as the powerful ants attacked with their sharp limbs from every angle.
Slaying them all was out of the question. Not only would it take too much time, but there was no guarantee that they could actually eliminate them all, given Michael's condition.
The interior of the mecha where Michael was located began to glow red. The integrity of the structure had reached critical levels.
Regardless of how fast they moved, they were unable to shake off the Royal Champions.
If things continued like this, the mecha was going to be destroyed, and Ruby was really going to die!
[Lethal threat detected. Adjusting parameters. Calculating wind velocity. Evaluating projectile mass.]
Suddenly, the hatch of the cockpit opened and a mechanical hand forcibly dragged Michael out of the pilot position.
"Cyberfang?! What are you doing?!" Michael shouted.
[Prioritizing the safety of my Elder Sister, over an expendable AI algorithm.]
Cyberfang answered, his visual sensors focusing on his Master for one last time, his free hand giving a thumbs-up.
[Trust me.]
Before Michael was able to voice any objection, Cyberfang hurled him toward the Royal Champions carrying Ruby.
Under the relentless onslaught of countless enemies, Cyberfang's frame groaned under the pressure, moments away from being reduced to ruin.
If no precautions were taken, the Royal Champions would inevitably turn their attention to Michael next.
[Initiating self-destruction…]
The mecha's core flared with blinding light, its sensors fixed unwaveringly on the retreating figure of Michael.
[Glory to Mankind.]
In the next heartbeat, the core detonated in a violent explosion, obliterating the nearest Royal Champions and crippling the rest, leaving them too damaged to continue the pursuit.