Not long after Clan had vanished, Koutarou and Ruth reached their destination. There they saw scorched trees and traces of explosions. The sight told them that the fight that had taken place here was fierce.
“Her highness is... there! She's over there, Satomi-sama!”
“Theia.”
A bit away from Koutarou and Ruth, past some trees, was a spaceship even smaller than Clan's Cradle. It was about the size of a large truck. Right next to the ship were the five men, and they were carrying Theia. She seemed to be unconscious and one of the men were carrying her over his shoulder. Theia looked like a doll being carried by the large man.
“Oh no, if we don't hurry they'll take her away!”
“So there's no time for petty tricks, huh...”
Theia would be stuffed into the spaceship any time now. If they just stood around and waited, she would be taken away. However, Koutarou and Ruth only had the weapons for self-defense that Clan had left behind. They couldn't use any powerful weapons that would tip the men of that Clan was involved. So facing five men from a special forces team with cutting edge technology would be difficult. They had been able to do something about Elexis because he was on his own, but not even Koutarou could dodge all attacks if the five men decided to attack him with lasers at the same time.
They had to go right now, but they stood no chance of winning as it was. There was no time to call for backup, and having reached a standstill, Koutarou mumbled the words Clan had mentioned.
“Use any method we can, huh...”
They were the words that Koutarou spoken when facing off against Maxfern. Just like now, back then they were also at a standstill. So Koutarou had told Clan to be ready to use their last resort. That's what using any method meant.
Back then, Clan's last resort was the super-space-time repulsion shell. Then what is my last resort...?
And when Koutarou had just reached that thought, Ruth spoke to him.
“Satomi-sama, I'll act as a decoy and draw them away. Meanwhile, please save her highness. I'm sure you can do it, so please, save her highness!”
Ruth couldn't wait any longer and quickly explained her plan. However it was a dangerous plan with almost no chance of Ruth surviving.
“Ruth-san...”
Koutarou definitely understood Ruth's determination. He didn't even need to look at her aura. It was obvious just with one look at her face.
Ruth is prepared to even die for this. She wants to save Theia, even if she were to die, because she would regret it if she didn't. Because she can't be happy without Theia...
“Here I go! I'll leave the rest to you!”
Ruth didn't fear her own death, because she knew that even if she died, Koutarou would definitely save Theia. And when faced with Ruth's determination, Koutarou made up his mind.
There's no meaning in keeping the secret if it will lead to Ruth's death. And I'm sure her majesty will forgive me for using it in this situation. It's for the sake of the people her majesty fought to protect after all!
Koutarou was prepared to use any means necessary to protect Ruth and Theia.
“...Please wait, Ruth-san.”
Koutarou grabbed a hold of Ruth's shoulder as she was about to rush forward and called her back.
“Satomi-sama?”
Having suddenly been stopped, Ruth gave Koutarou a puzzled glance.
“Ruth-san... if possible I'd like you not to mention what you'll see from now on to anyone else.”
Koutarou smiled at Ruth. It was his normal smile; though awkward, it was an earnest smile without anything hiding behind it. It was the smile Ruth loved to see.
“Satomi...sama?”
Ruth didn't understand the meaning behind Koutarou's smile so she instinctively questioned him. However, instead of answering her, Koutarou thrust his right hand forward.
“Cradle, give me my sword.”
“As you wish, my lord.”
The gem on the bracelet Koutarou was wearing blinked repeatedly and executed his order.
Satomi-sama's sword? Saguratin should be onboard the Blue Knight right now... And his face... I've never seen Satomi-sama with such an expression before...
It was the expression Koutarou made when he compelled himself to fight. This was the first time Ruth had ever seen him make that expression.