Chapter 42 Battle on the Sea

Under the sky filled with grey clouds, an endless sea stretched out to the horizon. Lights danced on the surface of the water, and in a particular area, a large ship fired countless bullets and missiles in a specific direction. The turbulent sea became a battleground as the ship engaged in a fierce conflict, the echoes of gunfire and explosions resonating across the water.

The ship originated from the Military base of the past, now transformed into the Sea City. It wasn't far from the flooded city and had been repaired by the Resistance Group to be used in the ongoing battle against the machine life forms.

This massive carrier battleship, unlike a typical carrier, was equipped with multiple naval guns. One particular naval gun, boasting three barrels, began to shoot, emitting sparks of fire as dust spread around. Projectiles were released from the gun, hurtling towards the massive machine life form. Simultaneously, the rest of the naval guns followed suit, unleashing their firepower against the formidable enemy. The sea became a theater of war as the ship engaged in a fierce struggle to defend against the encroaching machine life forms.

*Bang!*

*Bang!*

*Bang!*

Countless missiles and cannons were shooting to the whale like machine life form as it body was floating on the sea surface. It have three big red eyes, one left, one right and one in the middle of the head. Under those big eyes were five small eyes and large mouth with razor tooth.

The countless missiles hit it but there wasn't even damage left on it as the defense of it was too good. Not only it was fine, it even release laser beams from its fish like forehead. It also have EMP Shield and YoRHa flying units couldn't use getting close to it and satellite laser couldn't aim and shoot because of it. 

There were many flyer type machine life forms which were flying on the sky as they shooting at the multiple flying Mecha. They were soldiers from YoRHa base and the leader was 2B. All of them were engaging with the flayer in the sky. 

In the middle of the battle the Goliath type flayer was releasing many flayer machine life forms. And some time it attack to YoRHa flying units with its laser. 2B get behind it back and slash it with mecha's sword as the machine life form was cut in half. A while later it explode and fallen to the sea.

*Booom!*

Not long afer that a laser beam pass behind 2B and luckily they was able to dodge it fast as the corrupt energies was strengthen her not only her even flying units which were mecha were also strengthen considerably as the corrupt energies were flooding the whole YoRHa base.

The sea rages with ferocity as towering waves crash against the metallic underbelly of the whale-like machine life form. The air is thick with the acrid scent of saltwater and the ominous hum of the machine's pulsating energy. 

"All units, this is 2B. We've got a behemoth in the water, and its EMP unit is wreaking havoc on our targeting systems. A1, A5, 3B, 4B, D1, form up! We need to neutralize that EMP, or we won't make it out of here." 2B said.

"Copy that, 2B. I've got eyes on the target." A1 said.

"These random laser beams are making it impossible to get a lock. I can't shoot blind!" One of them shouted.

"Agreed, D1. A1, any ideas on how to handle that EMP unit?" 3B said.

"We can't get accurate shots with that EMP jamming us. A5, 4B, I need you on its tail. We're going to take out that EMP unit together. The rest of you, cover our backs and watch for those lasers." 2B said.

The mechas maneuver in a synchronized dance, avoiding the erratic laser beams that erupt from the machine life form's body. A1, A5, and 4B position themselves behind the colossal adversary, their weapons at the ready.

"2B, we're in position. EMP unit locked on. Ready to engage." A5 said.

"On my mark... 3, 2, 1, FIRE." 2B give command.

The Mechas unleash a barrage of focused energy blasts at the EMP unit on the machine life form's back. The sea roils beneath them as the behemoth thrashes in response to the assault.

"Direct hit! But it's not enough to take it out." A4 said.

"Keep the pressure on! A1, 3B, 1D, cover them! We're going in for another round."

They regroup, weaving through the machine life form's laser onslaught. The battle intensifies as they strive to disable the EMP unit and turn the tide in their favor.

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As the salty sea breeze whispers through the abandoned military base, remnants of a bygone era stand frozen in time. Along the shoreline, warships, once formidable vessels of power, now lie dormant in the harbor, their hulls untouched by rust, an eerie testament to the passage of over a thousand years. The metallic sheen of their iron surfaces reflects the ghostly echoes of a time when the seas were commanded by human hands.

Despite the maritime graveyard, modern structures emerge like sentinels of a forgotten future. These buildings, starkly different from the utilitarian design of a traditional military base, bear the unmistakable mark of a civilization built for civilians. Now, however, they stand weathered and worn, windows shattered and walls adorned with the graffiti of time.

The city, encased in walls built from the remnants of a once-flourishing society, stands as a defiant fortress against the encroaching threat of machine life forms. The walls, though battered and scarred, bear the imprints of countless battles, each gouge and dent telling a story of resilience and tenacity.

As the sea laps against the silent shore and the wind carries the whispers of a long-forgotten past, the androids prepare for the inevitable clash with the mechanical invaders. The juxtaposition of ancient warships, decaying modern buildings, and the futuristic presence of the android defenders creates a scene of haunting beauty, where the remnants of human civilization persist in the face of an uncertain future

On the wall, a beautiful girl with blue hair stood, observing the battlefield, now transformed into an icy expanse resembling a frozen wasteland. Upon her arrival, the battle seemed on the brink of defeat, but she effortlessly eliminated all the machine life forms. Only a few remained, having breached the city, and they too were swiftly dealt with by the androids.

(Esdeath's POV)

"Sigh... I came here to fight machine life forms, but they were so weak that I could destroy them easily," I said, gazing at the ice-covered field where the remnants of the machines lay as frozen metal pieces.

"It's not exciting... no blood and flesh…" I muttered under my breath as I jumped down from the wall.

"Thanks for helping us. If you hadn't come here, we might have already perished in this battle."

"Yes, thank you for helping us."

I turned to the individuals who had expressed their gratitude and saw two female androids. Clad in military attire that appeared worn and old, it seemed that women led most Resistance groups. YoRHa shared a similar leadership structure, as Lucia and Saya had explained to me. They mentioned something about issues with male frames, but I didn't pay much attention about it. 

'Hmm... Forget it.'

"It's okay... they were just weaklings."

"Ah... yes..."

They exchanged wry smiles. To them, the machine life forms were a formidable threat, but for me, they were mere weaklings. Despite their gratitude, the androids knew the difficulty of facing such a large number of machines, enough to overturn the entire city. However, I found it boring, considering the most powerful machine life forms were only a few Goliath bipeds.

"Where were YoRHa soldiers? They must have already reached here."

"Ah, yes. They already have. But we received a signal that a massive machine life form was heading toward us from the sea. So, we dispatched the battle ship we managed to repair."

"Yes, YoRHa soldiers followed them there as well, as there were no machine life forms marching here at that time," the leader explained, nodding in confirmation.

"So, you mean machine life forms were marching here after they left?"

"No."

"Hmm? What do you mean no?" I inquired, raising my right eyebrow.

"They just appeared out of nowhere after we sent the teams there."

Are the red girls controlling the machine life forms directly?

"I see... How strange… So, what did you find from the sea?"

"About that... the connection was cut off when machine life forms attacked here. We're trying to reconnect for backup, but we couldn't establish a connection. That's what happened. For now, we're trying to connect with them," the leader replied.

'Hmm... Should I go there? There doesn't seem to be an attack here again. But just in case, I will stay here for now.'

"Leader!" a male android shouted.

"Please excuse us," she told me, who nodded in acknowledgment.

The two androids approached the male android, engaging in conversation. I surveyed the surroundings, discovering many androids assisting each other, carrying or repairing injured comrades.

Lucia had instructed them to collect the bodies of machine life forms. Following her orders, I decided to store them in the Gate of Babylon. With a wave of my hand, golden ripples appeared on the battlefield, swiftly collecting the machine remains, leaving only the androids' corpses. While some androids were surprised, they seemed informed about such occurrences. Although I normally wouldn't care, Lucia had advised against storing androids, so I respected their practices.

Turning my attention back to the Resistance leader, I overheard them discussing a Goliath-type sea machine life form. After a few moments, the leader displayed a shocked expression.

"The signal was back, and they told us they have been engaging with a super huge Goliath-type sea machine life form. They also said an EMP shield was covering it, making it difficult to kill."

"EMP Shield?"

"Yes. Also, from the information YoRHa soldiers told us, that thing appeared about 320 years ago. When it reached land, it unleashed a devastating electromagnetic wave attack, annihilating all androids in the vicinity at that time."

"So, we are doomed if that thing reaches here," the leader said solemnly.

'Interesting... I might be able to go all out with that thing… Hmm… Lucia might like the machine core from that thing,' I thought to myself.

"Do you know the location?" I walked towards them and inquired.

"Ah, yes. I do. Are you planning to go there?" The leader turned to me and asked. Upon my nod, she led me to the main building of the base and provided directions. I installed them into the flying unit and headed towards the battlefield.

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(General POV)

On the ship, countless naval guns fired at the whale-like machine life form. Inside the captain's cabin, many androids communicated with YoRHa flying units and others who were shooting at the machine life forms from the ship.

"EMP unit destroyed!" one of the androids said.

"The defense is too thick. We can't destroy it easily. Shoot it in its mouth!" the captain of the ship said.

"But it doesn't open, though? Wait, it's opening its mouth now!" one of the androids said.

"Hmm… it seems like it's in pain."

"Is it because of the destroyed EMP unit? Can machine life forms even feel pain?"

"Who cares if it can feel pain. Shoot it in the mouth!"

As soon as the order was received, all the naval guns and missiles were aimed at the machine life form's mouth.

*Bang!*

*Bang!*

*Bang!*

*Bang!*

*Roar!*

The whale-like machine life form roared as it rose from the sea surface.

Everyone was speechless as they saw the massive machine life form starting to stand up from the sea. It still had a fish-like face with three big red machine eyes and small five eyes underneath. The body was long, as if it were a worm, and it stood up with its two long legs. It also had four long arms in the shape of a worm, and there were three yellow eyes under its belly and four on its back.

Suddenly, the uppermost yellow eye from its back started to rise as its active EMP shield. Yes, those yellow eyes were EMP units installed on its body. As soon as it rose, the machine life form started to release electromagnetic waves multiple times from its body.

"!? Electromagnetic waves have been released!" they heard that warning from the communication tool used by one of the YoRHa Flying units.

Not long after that, it reached them and killed the androids with its EMP shock waves. Since it only reached almost half of the carrier ship, the ship was still able to move, but the naval guns hit by electromagnetic waves stopped working.

*Sigh*

"That was close," said the captain of the ship.

"40% of our troops were killed," another android reported.

"Okay, carry them back and check if the naval guns can still be repaired. We will back off to a safe range from its EMP attack," the captain said.

"Understood."

"We were just lucky that it was still far from us. How are we supposed to kill it when it lands on the shore?" the captain said in a low tone to himself.

However, those EMP waves couldn't damage YoRHa Flying units because of the corrupt energies covering the mecha. After all, the entire YoRHa base and all mechanic items and units were already tainted with corrupt energies.

When Esdeath reached the battlefield, the whale-like machine life form was starting to rise up from the sea as its first EMP unit from its back was destroyed, revealing its true form.

"Hmm… this is interesting."

Esdeath jumped off from the Flying unit as she landed on the sea. The waters under her feet started to freeze, forming an ice floor for her to stand on.

Since the battle had been engaging for quite some time, the ammo was almost gone, and YoRHa soldiers were fighting with melee weapons. The sea machine life form, codenamed 'Grun,' was attempting to hit YoRHa Flying units with its four arms, but it couldn't reach them due to its slow speed.

(A/N: I will use the 'Grun' name for the Goliath of Sea Machine life form. Well, the name was 'Grun' when I searched on Google as well.)

Esdeath walked toward Grun, using her ice abilities. The sea around Grun started to freeze, creating a solid ice floor. Because of Grun's massive strength, the ice couldn't affect it instantly. When Esdeath reached a certain distance from Grun, she unleashed her ice abilities fully.

The frozen sea around Grun became more solid, forming a floating ice landscape. Snow began to fall from the sky, creating a wintry scene. Androids noticed the change and their eyes turned to the blue-haired girl standing not far from Grun, the Goliath Sea machine life form.

"It's the creator's wife!"

The exclamation echoed through the tension-filled air as the androids spotted Esdeath on the battlefield. A sense of hope and confidence surged among them at the sight of her formidable presence.

"Ha! We can win easily now!"

The androids, emboldened by Esdeath's arrival, exchanged glances, their determination solidifying. However, the machine life form, Grun, seemingly enraged by the audacity of the androids, lunged at Esdeath with a ferocious attack.

The machine's massive form tried to smash Esdeath, but as if it were privy to the androids' words, it redirected its fury toward her. The impact was tremendous, shattering the ice floor beneath and sending water splashing in all directions. In the aftermath, Esdeath seemed to have disappeared.

As Grun withdrew its hand, confusion gripped the battlefield. The androids searched for any sign of their ally, fearing the worst. Yet, to their astonishment, Esdeath materialized, untouched and unharmed. The fractured ice floor swiftly reconnected, as if the destructive impact had been a mere figment of the imagination.

The androids exchanged stunned glances, realizing that Esdeath wielded a power beyond their understanding, a force that could manipulate not just the outcome of battles but the very fabric of the battlefield itself. 

The machine life form, now faced with an adversary of unparalleled skill and mystique, roared in frustration, setting the stage for a confrontation that transcended the ordinary boundaries of warfare.

Grun roared in anger, determined to crush its formidable adversary. Yet, as it prepared to strike again, a sudden spectacle unfolded. Ice pillars sprang from all directions of the fractured floor, thrusting towards Grun. 

The impact was powerful, but the machine life form's defenses held firm, and the pillars failed to penetrate its robust body. Undeterred, Esdeath channeled her powers into creating a massive ice golem, a colossal figure with a faceless head and two imposing arms. 

The golem, tethered to the ice floor, emerged in front of Grun, with Esdeath perched atop, orchestrating its every movement. In an instant, the golem delivered a thunderous punch to Grun's fish-like face.

*Bang!*

Grun's face recoiled, shock waves echoing through the battlefield. The relentless assault continued as the golem swung its other hand, striking Grun from another angle. Roaring in frustration, Grun attempted to retaliate, swinging its long arms to crush the ice golem.

But Esdeath's mastery over the ice golem proved to be a formidable force. The golem caught Grun's hands, its own icy appendages cracking from the strain. Yet, Esdeath swiftly healed the damage, maintaining her control over the situation. Grun's remaining two hands were rendered useless in the icy grip.

In a surprising twist, sharp ice pillars emerged from Grun's back, homing in on the vulnerable EMP unit. The pillars struck with precision, shattering the EMP unit to pieces. Grun roared in pain and anger, attempting to retaliate with its remaining hands.

However, in this moment of distraction, YoRHa soldiers seized the opportunity. They attacked the other EMP unit, rising from Grun's back. The battlefield became a symphony of clashes, with Esdeath and Grun locked in a titanic struggle, while YoRHa soldiers worked diligently to dismantle the machine life form's defenses.

On the Resistance ship, androids watched the unfolding spectacle with a mix of excitement and disbelief. The intensity of the battle surpassed their expectations, and they braced themselves for the unpredictable turns that awaited them.

Grun, in a moment of cunning, redirected its attention and unleashed a laser beam from its forehead, targeting the ice golem's head. Esdeath, reacting with swift determination, began to don a pair of ethereal gloves. 

The gloves, gradually becoming visible with dark and light-blue hues, marked the activation of a formidable Rank-S equipment. Bright-light-blue nails materialized at the tips of each finger – the embodiment of the 'Claws of Ice Devil.' 

Esdeath prepared to utilize the 'Extreme Reflection' skill to counter the impending laser beam. However, before she could execute the skill, a human silhouette materialized in front of her, intercepting the lethal attack. It was Saeko.

*Swing!*

*Bang!*

Silence enveloped the moment as Saeko successfully redirected the laser attack, saving the ice golem from imminent destruction. Esdeath, slightly taken aback, looked at Saeko with a mix of surprise and curiosity.

"What are you doing here, Saeko?"

Saeko, her stance unwavering, turned her head slightly to meet Esdeath's gaze.

"Eh… Because the attack was coming?"

"Aren't you supposed to be at a location called Winter City?" Esdeath inquired, her right eyebrow arching ever so slightly.

"Yeah… but that was boring, so I came here."

A moment of silent exchange passed between the two powerful women, both warriors in their own right, facing the unforeseen twist in the battle. 

The androids and soldiers on the battlefield observed the scene, bewildered by Saeko's unexpected arrival and equally baffled by her nonchalant response.

*Roar!*

The two of them turned back to the Sea machine life form, Grun, when it roared loudly. Grun roared as its arms broke free from the golem's grip and attempted to smash the golem again.

"We will talk about that later," Saeko said, and Esdeath nodded.

The two of them jumped off from the Golem's head and attacked Grun's head. Normally, they couldn't damage Grun's head since it had EMP shield and high defense, but Esdeath and Saeko had S-tier weapons, allowing them to damage Grun.

Saeko stabbed the right eye of Grun, and Esdeath clawed out another eye. Grun roared loudly in anger, and Saeko jumped, rolling backward, and executed the 'Zekken Mukyuu Sandan' skill. The dark-black laser beam shot into Grun's mouth, passing through its whole body and destroying all inner machines.

Esdeath grabbed the empty air as she stood on Grun's head and used the 'Frostbite Grasp' skill from her equipment. The entire body of Grun instantly froze. 

When the 'Frostbite Grasp' skill was used, the target's whole body would instantly freeze, no matter how far the target tried to escape. However, the target must be damaged by the 'Claws of Ice Devil'.

The battlefield fell silent as the sea machine life form was destroyed. Many cracks appeared, and metal parts began to fall onto the ice floor, including a Large machine core. Esdeath stored all of those in the Gate of Babylon as she landed on the ice floor, and the same went for Saeko. 

"We were able to kill it!" an android said.

"It's the creators' wives who killed it, not you," one of the androids remarked.

"Doesn't matter, in the end, we won," he replied.

"I never thought we'd make it through. The odds were stacked against us from the beginning."

"The casualties... It's a miracle we made it out with as few as we did."

"Yeah… Finally… we are close to winning this endless war…" the ship captain said.

The androids chatted on the ship, relieved to have fought and won against such formidable machine life forms. In the past, whenever creatures like Grun appeared, they always faced defeat. But not anymore.

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(A/N: I think the chapter was quite long. XD)