The battle was progressing in the coup d'état army's favor. More accurately speaking, the coup d'état army had the advantage from the start. Things had only gone smoothly for Theia and Ruth because they had fallen for the enemy's plan.
The Blue Knight hadn't been fully repaired in the first place, and now it had suffered additional damage by the fighters and battleship. It was now floating in space, damaged all over. The hull was scorched black and the hull was torn up in several places, revealing the insides. It no longer had the beautiful blue appearance it had before.
“...Did the battle on the ground end I wonder...”
Theia mumbled in a quiet voice as she gazed at the moon floating in the center of the monitor. The image of the moon that had gone through image processing was shining beautifully.
“Most likely. And considering that the coup d'état army is not recommending a surrender, then Satomi-sama and the others most likely won.”
Ruth said as she gazed at the moon with Theia.
Apart from the moon, there were several other bits of information floating on the monitor. The damage the ship had taken. The enemies surrounding them. The artificial intelligence that suggested them to immediately retreat. They were all warnings, nothing which would serve as a plus for Theia and Ruth.
Theia and Ruth already knew that they had no chance of winning. Since they could only guess what had happened on the surface, they couldn't stop fighting. That's why they were gazing at the moon, and Earth which should be on the other side.
“That is our only saving grace.”
“Elfaria-sama is safe. Let's leave the rest to Satomi-sama. He will surely protect her majesty.”
“Yes... He is the knight of a legendary princess like myself after all. I am sure he will be able to protect my mother.”
Theia smiled at Ruth, tilted her control stick and made the Blue Knight turn around. As she did, the enemy ships appeared in place of the moon. The fighters protected by the defensive ship, the battleship behind that and the carrier in the very back. Compared to the heavily damaged Blue Knight, the enemy fleet was practically unharmed.
“Ruth, set up automatic control once manual control of the ship is interrupted.”
“Our destination?”
“The moon.”
“...Yes.”
The moment Ruth replied, tears streamed down her cheeks. She knew that Theia was going to make her final attack. And she knew how Theia felt. While fulfilling her duty as a princess until the end, she wanted to indulge in her own emotions in her final moments. Ruth was painfully aware of Theia felt, because she was the same.
“The setup is complete.”
“Then let's go. We'll show them how princess Theiamillis and her guardian knight Ruthkania fights until the end!”
“Yes, let's!”
Theia's and Ruth's expressions changed into that of a princess and a knight. They would fight until the very end.