Shinji Matou at Your Service

The phrase "Isn't it just a XXXX? Watch me XXXX it!" is borrowed from the Gundam UC series, a famous line from its indisputable protagonist, Amuro Ray. The original line goes, "Isn't it just a piece of rock? Watch me push it back with my Gundam!"

This was Amuro's declaration as he pushed back the asteroid base Axis, which his rival Char was trying to crash into Earth. Amazingly, with the power of the Psycoframe, he managed to push the asteroid away.

This phrase is often used to describe someone going beyond their limits, breaking the mold, or accomplishing the impossible.

Shinji, who was now fully fired up with his steel soul, had also entered such a state. The black-and-white Lady Windup dragged a trail of blue particles behind her as she charged toward the crimson tree guarded by a forest of trees—the True Crimson Core!

Of course, he wasn't planning to push it back; he was planning to destroy it!

However, while Shinji wanted to play the role of Amuro Ray, the True Crimson Core wasn't some inanimate asteroid like Axis. Despite lacking a personality, it was still a living being with strong survival instincts.

Sensing the rapidly approaching threat to its life, the Crimson Core, which had been rooted to the ground and integrated with the otherworldly environment, suddenly uprooted itself and began moving like an octopus, using its massive roots to walk.

But instead of turning to face its threat for a final stand, it moved in the opposite direction—

Toward the core of the Forest of Einnashe, a haven for countless subordinates, ruled by the vampiric Phantasmal Species, the Seventh of the Dead Apostle Ancestors—the second generation Arcueid, who far surpassed her predecessor.

It was running away.

That's right, it was fleeing!

This was the true survival instinct at work, the natural drive to seek advantage and avoid danger.

Why stay and die if it couldn't defeat Lady Windup? It's not an ordinary tree; it can move, and it certainly wasn't slow. The trees in the Forest of Einnashe could be classified as a mobile and fast-moving.

If it were just running away, that would be one thing, but it's a tree. There's no way it could outrun a specialized Gundam, a professional war machine like Lady Windup.

But it wasn't just the Crimson Core running away; the entire 50-kilometer diameter of the Forest of Einnashe was its ally and shield. While the Crimson Core fled, other trees, under its control, moved to block the Lady Windup. Although Shinji's piloting pushed her to perform beyond expectations, she still couldn't fly, and breaking through the trees took time.

With each moment, the Crimson Core got further away, its distance growing despite Shinji's best efforts. Frustrated by the growing gap, he couldn't help but curse.

"FXXK, MXXXXR FXXK!"

He cursed both mentally and verbally, not caring if anyone could hear or if he was in sync with the others. His cursing drew glances from Ciel and Caren, who were still savoring their golden curry and even caused Merem to frown, whose essence leaned more towards fairy tales and purity. The Lady Windup, in her sync state with Shinji, followed suit—

"FXXK, MXXXXR FXXK!"

"Hey, Matou Shinji!"

Merem finally couldn't stay silent, even dropping his usual honorific of Knight.

"Rude cursing won't solve the problem; it will only make you more agitated."

"Sorry."

With that reminder, Shinji quickly calmed down.

"Do you have any better ideas? Like a flying daemon or something?"

"I do, but you saw what happened to the bird swarm earlier. Any ordinary daemon would meet the same fate as the King of the Land. And for certain reasons, the King of the Sky can't approach the ground."

Though it sounded like an excuse, it was the truth.

Merem's Four Great Daemons were supposedly as powerful as the Dead Apostle Ancestors, but each had its weaknesses. The Rat King on the left arm was extremely weak, Lady Windup on the right arm was clumsy, and the King of the Land on the right leg had nothing but size and strength. The last one, the King of the Sky on the left leg, was very capable and was considered a king among kings, a weapon of ultimate battle.

But as its name implies, the King of the Sky could only rule the skies, not the ground. Once its wings touched the ground, it would dissolve into nothingness, along with the daemon itself—perhaps the fate of all skywalkers. For Merem, using the King of the Sky was too costly, and in the forest environment, it would be an extreme waste, entering only to immediately retreat.

"So there's nothing we can do? You have so many mystical treasures on you; isn't there anything you can use?"

Shinji knew he was being a bit harsh, but with the prize within his grasp slipping away, he couldn't help himself.

Merem understood and didn't take offense. He explained:

"No, I don't. Most of my combat power comes from my daemons; I'm not particularly strong myself. The treasures I carry are mostly for defense and recovery. I have some offensive ones, but they're all meant for small targets. To be honest, I've never expected to lose in a large-scale battle to anyone other than my master or the Second Magician—or maybe the White Beast, the pet of the Black Blood's Moon Princess."

These are not your ordinary opponents but the true pinnacle of the planet, beings of a different order from other Dead Apostles.

"And besides, Knight, our agreement was for you to lead the attack while I merely guide the way. I've brought you here, so now it's time for you to show your strength. Someone who could kill the Night of Wallachia surely has more up their sleeve than this. You don't need to worry about Ciel or Caren; their abilities don't suit battles of this scale. As for me, I have no interest in the fruit. There's no need to hold back on our account."

Merem's voice was sincere, and his words made sense. This wasn't the time to hold back. If things continued this way, they might never catch up, even after the Forest of Einnashe finished its feeding. Once it retreated underground, it would take another 50 years before they could confront it again.

Even though 50 years isn't long for Arcueid, and Shinji was confident he'd still be around, he didn't want the princess to spend that time in a dull slumber.

Since their encounter in the Millennium Castle, ever since his magic had intertwined with Marble Phantasm, giving him a glimpse of that unforgettable night of pain, he knew he couldn't just leave the Pure White Princess alone.

He, Matou Shinji, didn't want Arcueid Brunestud to sleep in loneliness and cold.

"Merem Solomon, can I trust you?" he asked one last time.

"In all matters unrelated to the princess, you cannot. But in all things concerning her, you absolutely can."

As expected, that was his answer.

"Then, if I fail, I'll leave it to you."