“...Did it work?”
As the wind scattered the dust, Elexis could see Koutarou lying in a small crater created by the attack. According to the sensors it wasn't a hologram, but the real one. That was when Elexis was finally able to relax. He had bested Koutarou.
Would I have won if Koutarou was the kind of man that only thought about himself... I'm glad he was a very humane human...
Having overcome the most dangerous part, Elexis felt deeply relieved. In terms of individual strength, he was nowhere near Koutarou's level. That's why, if Koutarou had chosen to abandon the girls, he might have been the one lying collapsed instead. That was the risk of this plan, but Elexis had placed his trust in Koutarou's personality and chosen this plan. Though it sounded bizarre, Elexis was rewarded for his belief.
“U-Uhh...”
That was when the collapsed Koutarou's hand moved slightly.
“He's still alive after all that?!”
Looking through his monitor, Elexis couldn't believe his eyes. He quickly opened up the hatch to the pilot seat and confirmed it with his own eyes. But there was no mistaking it.
“How could that be...”
The Motor Knights beams had all been direct hits. Koutarou's barrier had overheated in an instant and the ten beams should have burnt him to a crisp. Even the net that had enveloped Koutarou had been burnt away without leaving a trace behind. But Koutarou had survived, and what's more, he was trying to get up on his feet. Elexis couldn't believe what he was seeing.
“I-I can't lose... N-not when everyone, is in danger...”
Signaltin had protected Koutarou. Sensing that his life was in danger, Signaltin unleashed its magical power to save him. And in return, Signaltin's glow had weakened considerably. Its glow was less than a third of what it usually was. Both it and Koutarou were exhausted.
“U-Uuaaaaahh!”
Koutarou squeezed out what strength he had left. Using Signaltin as support, he stood up.
I have to protect everyone, no matter what!
He couldn't stay collapsed. He couldn't give up those girls. He wanted to save them, even at the cost of his own life. That strong emotion was what let Koutarou stand back up.
“E-Elexis... I'll be, taking everyone back...”
After standing up, Koutarou glared at Elexis. His whole body was hurting, but the fire in his eyes was still present. It was so fierce that Elexis instinctively held his breath.
“...Splendid, Koutarou-kun. I truly wish to have a friend like you. But your wish won't be fulfilled. You have lost”
Elexis controlled Warlord and pointed the sword in its right hand at Koutarou's throat. Even as he did that, Koutarou couldn't do anything. Standing up was the best he could do.
“Not yet... not...”
“If you can't accept it then look behind you”
With the sword still at Koutarou's throat, Elexis indicated the back of Koutarou using his left hand.
“Your precious friends are already under our control. There's no longer any need to fight. Drop your weapon. That is the best for everyone”
Koutarou looked behind him as he was told. There, he saw the coup d'état soldiers around the area where the girls from room 106 laid collapsed. They had reached the girls while Koutarou was on the ground.
“...Everyone... I, didn't make it...”
Koutarou felt a strong sense of despair as he stood in place and stared at the girls who had collapsed. One of coup d'état soldiers approached the girls. The soldier was looking at all of the girls’ faces, until he reached Sanae.
“...! …!”
It was too far away for Koutarou to hear, but the soldier was cursing at Sanae. He pulled on the still unconscious Sanae's hair to forcibly lift her up before kicking her. Her thin, delicate body fell to the ground like a ragdoll. The soldier had been attacked by Sanae during the battle before and retaliated.
“Sanae?!”
The soldiers' retaliation didn't end there. They began using violence against the other girls as well.
“Elexis! Stop them right now! What grudge would they have with the girls?!”
Koutarou hurriedly turned back to Elexis and desperately appealed to him to stop the soldiers. Elexis was the person in charge, and he should have the authority and responsibility to stop them.