Agreement for Peace and Ceasefire
「First, let’s exchange the MCSs carrying each side’s hostages.」
「Understood.」
Unit 5 pulled out the damaged MCS of Castor from the Corvus, while the Bogatyri carefully removed the MCS from the Accipiter.
The MCS, designed for easy swapping between units even during combat, made the task straightforward—especially for a Silhouette, for whom such work was effortless.
Each side placed the MCS on the ground and slid it towards the other. Unit 5 caught Hyoue’s MCS, while the Bogatyri caught the damaged MCS in return.
「Hyoue-san!」
「Sorry for the trouble.」
Vasa cautiously opened the hatch of the MCS. Inside was Shuuji’s uninjured body, slumped but intact. After confirming its state, he casually retrieved the device containing the Kaleidolith stored in the back seat and tossed it in the direction of Unit 5. Satisfied, he nodded and closed the hatch once more.
「I’ll be keeping the Accipiter for preservation purposes.」
Though he claimed it was for preservation, Vasa couldn’t hide his delight at obtaining the Accipiter. He would undoubtedly analyze its structure in detail later. The prospect of discovering just how much it had been refined compared to the last one he acquired filled him with excitement.
「Cheh. Fine. I lost, so take it.」
This was the second Accipiter Hyoue had lost to the Stones. Even Hyoue himself couldn’t help but feel exhausted by the situation. Part of their new technology was now in the enemy’s hands.
「With the exchange of prisoners, the peace agreement is now formalized. Next, we’ll confirm the ceasefire agreement. Is that acceptable, Commander Barry?」
「Indeed it is, Vasa.」
The peace agreement had been finalized. Currently, both armies were still engaged in combat. The next step would be to confirm the ceasefire agreement and issue directives. Finally, they could reach this crucial stage.
This marked the first peace achieved through a victory against the Stones in the over thirty-year-long war. It would undoubtedly be remembered as a monumental chapter in history.
「Let’s issue an immediate announcement of the ceasefire agreement. How about setting the ceasefire directive for thirty minutes from now on both sides?」
This was a large-scale war that had engulfed half the continent. Implementing an instant cessation of hostilities was unrealistic. Both sides would need some time to adjust.
「That sounds reasonable. I have no objections.」
Both parties were seasoned military personnel, and negotiations proceeded smoothly.
Vasa had already conceded defeat. Wasting time haggling over conditions was not an option he could afford.
Barry was confident that the process of ending the war was proceeding steadily.
「The withdrawal of all Argoforce units from this region will be completed within two weeks.」
「What? You could probably manage it in ten days.」
Barry retorted, attempting to push the issue out of sheer stubbornness.
「We are the defeated side. Accepting that much is reasonable.」
Vasa agreed without hesitation. He had likely proposed two weeks to allow for a margin of error.
「Then we’ll establish a communication and negotiation liaison starting tomorrow. Detailed adjustments and coordination will be handled by that department.」
「We have no objections. We’ll create a similar department to respond accordingly.」
「That concludes the discussion. I’ll be taking my leave now.」
Carrying the Accipiter, the Bogatyri turned and left.
A stray thought crossed Kou’s mind as he observed the wide-open Vasa.
It would be easy to take aim and shoot, but doing so would only plunge the war into chaos once again. After a brief pause, he dismissed the idea.
Prioritizing peace was the right course of action. Besides, Unit 5 had sustained considerable damage—it wasn’t worth jeopardizing everything now.
「Is it really over?」
Even he couldn’t fully believe it. The events had unfolded so rapidly after Castor’s defeat.
「It’s over, Big Boss. And it’s all thanks to you.」
Even hearing that, it didn’t quite sink in.
「The declaration to formally end the war will come after the ceasefire. Phew, I’ve had enough of these monumental responsibilities.」
「Entrusting it to you was the right decision, Barry.」
Jenny said with a smile. She was honestly happy with her decision to make Barry the commander. If she was still in command Ulisses wouldn’t have been formed, she was sure of it.
「You’ll owe me plenty of thanks later. Now, let’s get started on the preparations.」
Barry refocused, steeling himself once again.
◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
Unit 5 still remained amidst the ruins.
The underground junkyard—the place where it all began.
The familiar Silhouettes remained just as they were. A Bear and an Elephant, and the piles of scrap he had tested his sword on.
「This is where it all started, huh?」
「Indeed.」
Hyoue was seated in the rear seat of Unit 5.
「By the way, I heard you took down that Mantis-type Keres with just a greatsword? Trying to do that with one of the first Lanius prototypes is insane!」
It had been a much simpler machine equipped with nothing but artificial muscles—not the armored muscle currently in use. It had no defensive properties whatsoever, and it had been left to rust in a scrapyard for years.
At that time, taking down a Mantis-type equipped with a railgun required at least three Silhouettes. The sheer recklessness of it was evident.
「Don’t bring that up now, please.」
Kou could only answer with a wry smile at Hyoue’s exasperation. He recalled the intense training he’d undergone with Master.
「I heard Asia’s voice, met Master, and found Unit 5. That’s why I’m alive today.」
「Normally, people can’t hear my voice, you know. Maybe our wavelengths matched? In the end, though, I was the one who was saved!」
Asia appeared on the monitor, smiling warmly.
「Hey, Girlie. I’ve got something I’d like to ask you about.」
「Oh? That’s rare, Hyoue. What’s on your mind?」
Asia’s image materialized on the screen.
「I was wondering if we could bring an A-Carbuncle here and rebuild the Defense Dome. Eventually, other transferees will show up here again. With it, we’d be able to protect them too.」
「That’s a great idea! The underground facilities are still operational, after all.」
The underground facility was powered by a standard A-Spinel, the same type used for Silhouettes and tanks. While not nearly as durable as an A-Carbuncle, the system had kept the facility functional. It was no exaggeration to say that this functionality had saved Kou’s life.
Several A-Carbuncles had already been salvaged from the downed aerial carriers, so implementing the plan wouldn’t be an issue.
「We can even build a shelter here now. That’s totally doable! I love it. There haven’t been any Defense Domes rebuilt until now, and this would be the perfect place for the first one!」
Asia seemed genuinely thrilled. This was the place where she and Kou first crossed paths, where their fates intertwined. It was also the place where Kou had made a promise to her—a promise he had already fulfilled.
「But that’s something for later, Kou. For now, head back to Astraea. Everyone’s waiting for you there.」
「Understood. Tell them I’ll be back soon.」
「Got it!」
For Kou, his home was Astraea.
「Well then, let’s head back… to where we belong.」
「Yes, but… just for a moment.」
Unit 5 carried Yuzuki’s sword, reclaimed from Corvus.
「Can we leave Yuzuki-san’s sword here?」
「Why here?」
Hyoue asked, looking at the seemingly empty spot.
「This is where I found Unit 5.」
It felt like the place closest to Shuuji—not his physical body, but something deeper, more intangible.
「I see. Go ahead and place it there. Please.」
Hyoue shared the sentiment. As he watched, memories of his grandson speaking to Unit 5 during its construction came flooding back. Unbidden tears welled in his eyes.
Unit 5 gently placed the sword on the ground.
「I’ll be back soon.」
「So will I.」
It felt as though they were conversing with the two who were no longer in this world.
Unit 5 rose to the surface once more, moving forward at a steady pace before transitioning into flight. Its destination was Astraea—Kou’s home.
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