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The Pinnacle Reached After Challenging the Unreasonable and Pursuing Inefficiency Part 1

 

Unit 5 and Raimund’s machine arrived at the target location almost simultaneously.

The battle was likely being broadcasted by both armies. In particular, Trireme had set up a global live stream.

「Enemy silhouette confirmed. It’s a Cherubim-class codename Asmodel.」

「Understood.」

This meant it was a formidable opponent. In the Interplanetary War era when the Silhouette was built, the Cherubim-class was considered to have the second-best performance in battle. Kou had come to this battle with the intention of playing the role of the last boss, however, compared to Unit 5, the enemy’s machine resembled a final boss far more.

Meanwhile, Raimund was searching for Unit 5.

He was aware that it was flying just above the ocean’s surface, skimming the waves at low altitude.

Asmodel’s radar performance was on another level entirely. Raimund could practically track the enemy’s movements as if holding them in his hand.

「Target acquired. Engaging the enemy.」

As soon as the target entered firing range, he unleashed his main weapon, a rifle-shaped, portable charged particle beam cannon.

Even a single direct hit carried a destructive force of 300 megajoules. Unlike a laser, there was no need for continuous targeting or prolonged exposure.

The particle beam vaporized upon contact with the ocean surface. This was precisely why Unit 5 appeared to be skimming just above the waterline, flying at a cruising speed of roughly 100 kilometers per hour.

Raimund couldn’t believe his eyes. What he saw visually was a massive, whale-like shadow moving rapidly underwater.

「Underwater? So, it’s countering optical weaponry? Primitive, but effective!」

Charged particle cannons already suffered from reduced power in the atmosphere or over water. When striking the ocean surface, the particles would scatter, nullifying their effectiveness.

Checking the speedometer, Raimund noted that the machine underwater was still maintaining over fifty knots.

「It’s traveling at an incredible speed while submerged. Is that Silhouette capable of high-speed maneuvering underwater?」

For a jet engine reliant on atmospheric air combustion, underwater operation would be almost impossible.

However, Unit 5 employed thrusters utilizing a detonation engine system that harnessed blast waves. With the proper modifications, this allowed functionality even underwater.

Asmodel’s thrusters, on the other hand, used a propulsion system that converted atmospheric gases into plasma. While it could adapt to underwater activities by plasma-fying seawater, Raimund had never imagined that a Silhouette designed with modern technology could achieve anything similar.

「Have they advanced this far… Has today’s Silhouette technology truly reached the level of the Interplanetary War era?」

Though visible on radar, the machine was nearly impossible to spot with the naked eye. Its blue coloration blended seamlessly with the ocean, functioning like natural camouflage.

Raimund focused on the shimmering sea surface, tracking the rapidly moving shadow below as it darted through the water.

An explosion erupted from Asmodel’s right leg.

A single strike had caused a fracture in the armor—just one hit.

Zooming in on the ocean surface, Raimund saw the muzzle of a D-rifle protruding from beneath the waves.

「You little—!」

He fired the charged particle beam cannon once again. This time, it only created a massive spray of water, obscuring his view.

The chaotic plume of water interfered with visibility, making it difficult to track Unit 5. Just as Raimund switched to relying on radar to pursue the target, it happened.

Bursting out of the spray like a rocket, Unit 5 ascended vertically, switching its weapon to a blade mid-flight.

It streaked past Asmodel in one swift motion and soared into the sky.

A sharp sound of slicing echoed, followed by the distinct roar of a sonic boom. A moment later, Asmodel’s left arm was severed, flying through the air.

「What just happened? What is that speed?!」

Asmodel’s plasma propulsion system was optimized for high-speed combat. Even within the atmosphere and close to the ground, it could reach speeds of 1,500 kilometers per hour—Mach 1.2. Compared to the Angel’s 500 kilometers per hour, it was a staggering difference.

Yet, Unit 5—a Silhouette made in the current era that should be inferior in all aspects—had surpassed even Asmodel’s capabilities.

Still, Asmodel was not outmatched so easily. Using its right arm, it carefully aimed and locked onto Unit 5, preparing for a decisive strike. The charged particle beam cannon hit Unit 5 directly, its energy dispersing in a radiant burst of light.

The damage, however, was minimal. In contrast, Unit 5’s liquid-metal projectiles struck Asmodel in quick succession, steadily accumulating damage. Even if the first shot was blocked, the second and subsequent hits began to penetrate, causing internal harm.

「Ugh! Damn it!」

Panic overtook Raimund. The enemy machine that had been overhead was no longer there.

Unit 5 was now far away, out of reach. Without hesitation, Raimund deployed the twin anti-air lasers from Asmodel’s backpack and fired both simultaneously.

The lasers chased after Unit 5 as it maneuvered to evade, following its movements with uncanny precision.

「Homing lasers, huh?」

Kou smirked faintly. It was just as he’d heard from Astraea. Naturally, light itself cannot home in on targets, nor is it something one can easily dodge. The contraction behind the ‘homing lasers’ was a targeting marker and a dual-phase laser system.

Unit 5 had been locked onto, and a targeting marker was now actively tracking it. Before the lasers’ high-energy beams were fired, a preliminary laser carved an ‘air tunnel’, marking the trajectory.

This dual-phase laser system worked by having the targeting marker pursue the moving target, with the air tunnel adapting to its movement. The resulting laser beam followed the tunnel’s path, making it appear as though the lasers were homing in on their target in graceful arcs.

The CX-type ultra-large thrusters propelled the Unit 5 to astonishing speeds, reaching over 2,200 kilometers per hour—Mach 1.8. For a humanoid weapon, this was an utterly unreasonable speed, breaching the limits of what was thought possible.

The anti-air laser beam struck Unit 5’s side thruster, which was acting as a makeshift shield. However, the beam scattered harmlessly upon impact.

「Why won’t the laser beam work? Is such armor even possible with current technology?」

Raimund shouted, frustration boiling over.

「The principle is the same as the layered nano-ceramic armor used in Antique Silhouettes. Though the technology used in Antique Silhouettes is far superior. It looks like Japanese lamellar armor, doesn’t it? Each individual tile is made of anti-optical, molecular-dispersing nano-ceramic.」

This armor design was inspired by the composite ceramic-restrained armor used in tanks from Kou’s homeland.

The principle was similar: ceramic layers designed to counter munitions were sealed under high pressure within titanium containers for additional armor. These were then arranged in a block-like tile structure, providing both reduced weight and enhanced durability.

「Still, it can’t be invincible!」

The strength of lasers lay in their ability to fire repeatedly. Raimund unleashed the full power of the twin anti-air lasers, firing in rapid succession. A barrage of countless laser beams rained down on Unit 5.

Unit 5 became engulfed in a storm of dazzling light, the lasers seemingly swallowed by a burst of scattering energy.

「What would you do if I were invincible?」

Outis quipped provocatively, his tone dripping with confidence.

Naturally, he didn’t believe in such a notion himself, but he had resolved to deliver bold words, no matter the situation.

「It’s… it’s not a barrier. If it’s some kind of special nano-material field, it should be penetrable!」

Raimund exclaimed, grasping for an explanation.

「It’s nothing of the sort. It’s an adjustable fragmentation defense system designed specifically against lasers. It disperses coherent light using fragments akin to microscopic mirrors.」

「Adjustable fragmentation?」

Raimund’s confusion was justified. The adjustable fragmentation defense mechanism was an advanced anti-air system developed in Kou’s homeland. It deployed countless metallic fragments made of materials like metallic glass—tiny reflective particles designed to scatter coherent laser beams.

「This is my father’s ingenuity at work. Don’t underestimate it.」

Kou declared with pride.

Arges created this defense system by employing metallic glass-based warheads combined with a 3D chiral medium. Each particle acted as a minuscule mirror, forming a reflective barrier of fragmentation shards around Unit 5. This metallic powder scattered concentrated laser beams, creating the appearance of the unit being cloaked in lightning.

The dispersed laser beams lost their focus and destructive potential. Even when the fragments vaporized under the heat of the lasers, the resulting energy diffusion further neutralized the beam’s ability to reach the machine’s armor.

Using magnetic fields, the adjustable fragments could be retained around the unit for a limited time. The glowing cloud resembled a radiant aura, lending Unit 5 an almost divine, thunderous appearance.

The adjustable fragmentation field was also effective against charged particle beams and missiles. However, it had its drawbacks: limited usage and exorbitant production costs. It was, without a doubt, a mechanism intended for final battles or desperate situations.