The newly-created Silhouette Knight, the Telestale,
was found to have a flaw: its mana rapidly drained.
Unless this problem was fixed, it couldn't be used in actual combat.
Ernesti and his friends attempted to come up with a fix.
Basically, the increased output means decreased fuel efficiency.
But altering the Ether Reactor, which gives it the mana,
is essentially impossible.
Can we just increase the mana storage capacity?
We'd need to increase the amount of Crystal Tissue,
but more muscle would mean more output,
and so more mana expended.
So we're right back where we started?
Isn't this kind of thing your specialty, Ernie?
Is it?
That's right!
The thing where it doesn't have to look like a human.
It doesn't have to be muscle, right?
Or does it?
No, that's right.
If we're interested in mana storage capacity,
then the form doesn't matter.
But having you tell me that is very frustrating, Addy.
You're so mean, Ernie!
Chapter 4:
Good, good...
Okay, stop!
Hey, what are you adding to our gears?
Just wait and find out!
Kid, Addy, are you ready?
Yeah.
Then here I go.
Firing wire anchor!
The chain equipment worked!
Okay, on to the next improvement!
This is a weapon called a Scorpius,
made with the Strand-Type Crystal Tissue.
It would be faster for you to use it than for me to explain how it works.
Yeah.
Like this?
Fire!
Yes!
Wow!
We shouldn't be firing this thing in town.
Kid, you can fire multiple shots, too.
Seriously?
It's an automatic-fire siege weapon!
Amazing!
Are you planning on besieging any castles?
And wait, what were you planning on using these for?
Creativity, and challenging yourself,
are wonderful things on their own, don't you think?
He wasn't planning on using them for anything, huh?
Meanwhile, the plan to increase the amount of Crystal Tissue had encountered problems.
It looks so dumb!
It's fat!
It's too heavy.
It needs to get lighter.
Maybe some kind of external pack?
The balance is totally different than before!
Sheesh! What a selfish machine.
Splitting the continent of Zetterlund in two is the Aubigne Mountains.
To the west of the mountains lies the western kingdoms, the so-called Occident,
and to the east, us, the Kingdom of Fremmevilla.
We're connected to the Great Bocuse Forest,
where the Demon Beasts originate.
It looks like I'll just have to consider the Telestale complete for now.
And my next step will be...
I wanted to speak to you about this new unit.
I had told myself to expect nothing more than an improvement to the Salodreah.
But this is something completely different, yes?
Yes.
It is, without doubt, a new unit.
Ernie, is this what you intend to show His Majesty?
No, he wanted the best.
I need to give it everything I have to offer.
You've still got more to give?
The Telestale is a foundation, you could say.
I need to build an even more splendid castle on top of it.
That's what it's going to take to shock the king.
Oh my... I think I might die of shock first.
But I should pass on some form of report.
Maybe not to his majesty,
but at least to the lab.
The Silhouette Knight Laboratory...
The government organization that researches Silhouette Knights, right?
That's fine with me.
Lauri's concern was about the effect the new unit would have on the lab.
Silhouette Knight development was normally a major government project.
When they learned that a single Knight Runner student had done it,
how would the lab respond?
He couldn't imagine.
Hey, what do we do?
About what?
Our promise with Dad!
Isn't now the time?
When we promised to tell him if Ernie did something amazing?
That's right.
If we don't know how the lab will react,
it might be better to tell them.
That's right!
We don't want them taking credit for Ernie's work!
This is for Marquis Dixgard.
Of course, sir.
Understood. I'll bring all the students involved together immediately.
Are we getting a reward?
I hope they won't get mad at us.
Is this all the students involved in the creation of the new Silhouette Knight?
We are knights of the Order of the Scarlet Rabbit, sent by Marquis Dixgard.
I am the commander, Morten Fredholm.
The marquis?
The marquis has taken an interest in the new Silhouette Knight
and wishes to see it himself.
And so we'd like you to send all of these new units to Fort Casadesus,
along with sufficient personnel to operate them, immediately.
This is obviously terrible weather for operating Silhouette Knights.
You want them anyway?
Of course.
I've got a bad feeling about this.
That's impossible!
Kid, you idiot! Idiot!
What are you doing?
But unfortunately, Kid's feeling was correct.
A shaker worm?
What is that huge thing?
I've never seen a shaker worm like that!
It must be the biggest one around here, huh?
Why are you so calm?
These demon beasts lurk in the ground.
They're difficult to deal with,
but if you listen to the sound of their movements, you can predict where they'll go!
Welcome!
You take care of him, please!
Helvi! Dietrich! We'll use quad-link mode!
Roger!
Fire!
What power!
Now! Charge!
Tch!
Glad to hear it.
If the new unit's so weak a shaker worm can down it, we don't want it.
It looks like something too important for those demon beast guards to have.
But boss,
they say not even a single ant can get into Fort Casadesus.
Once they're inside,
even we from the Order of the Bronze Fang won't be able to get to them.
Idiot.
Your problem is that you're trying to do things by force.
Use your head.
Just like that cursed bait.
I need more Ernie in my life.
I haven't hugged him for a week!
Did Father pass on the message?
I mean, why's the marquis coming instead of His Majesty?
Don't ask me.
It was your idea to tell him!
You wrote that it was an amazing new thing!
No! It's super-amazing!
They're here!
They're back!
You're right!
Anything new, guy?
If any of the tools are getting rusty, you're gonna pay!
Boss!
Welcome back!
Where's Ernie?
About that...
Edgar?
Where's Ernie?
He and the Telestale stayed behind with Marquis Dixgard.
Fort Casadesus
How did you feel about the power of the new units?
In terms of speed, output, and firepower...
They're vastly superior to the Kaldatoahs.
I have no choice but to give them extremely high marks.
"He made something super-amazing," huh?
Either way, the new units will be of great benefit to the nation.
We must treat them appropriately.
Yes, sir.
The predecessor to the current Kaldatoah was the Salodreah.
It took 300 years for
the one to replace the other.
Compared to that, Ernesti Echevalier spent far too little time.
If His Majesty hears this, he'll be overjoyed.
That would pose a problem.
It seems that I must learn the truth for myself after all.
Excuse me.
Stephania?
What is this?
I need to talk to you.
Can you clear the room?
How's school?
No, how did you get here from Laihiala?
I need to talk to you.
Very well.
What is it you want to talk about?
What's going on here?
I want a straight answer.
What did you tell the Marquis?
It's been a while, hasn't it?
Ernesti Echevalier?
I'm honored to see you again, Marquis Dixgard.
I want to hear what you have to say...
About the new unit.
And so by utilizing this newly-created Strand-Type Crystal Tissue,
the Telestale was able to gain 1.5 times the output of existing units.
Please look at the document you're holding.
As I said before,
the flaw in the Telestale is its running time.
And I still think there're improvements to be made in terms of production cost.
We can expect improvement in regard to those two points in the future.
But...
The most important part, the Ether Reactor,
must still use existing technology.
That's what makes it hard to do anything more.
I beg your understanding here.
This concludes my explanation of the new unit
and its future development plans.
Do you have any questions?
Of course.
Go ahead.
I've been given full authority over the new unit.
In other words,
I will be in full control of all evaluations and decisions regarding the project.
I will give that explanation to His Majesty himself.
There're no problems with that, right?
No, that's good.
What?
It means I don't have to give His Majesty the same explanation, right?
Please take care of the rest.
Of course, if you have any new questions,
I'll be happy to answer them.
You're okay with this?
Okay with what?
Honor. Position. Rewards.
Your future!
All of it!
I don't understand.
What do you intend to do now?
I'm still only a first-year student at the Knight Runner middle school.
First, I need to get to high school and graduate.
Stop lying to me!
Do you understand what you've done?
Developed a new unit...
Don't make it sound so simple!
It feels stupid to even explain this,
but I'll do it anyway!
Listen!
Ever since the founding of Fremmevilla,
no, since the dawn of history,
no individual has created the design for a new Silhouette Knight!
Look at that!
The development of a Silhouette Knight is a major endeavor!
It is only possible with huge amounts of personnel and time!
And you make it look easy,
and then request access to Ether Reactor technology, a national secret!
Why are you even trying to act like a normal child?
No, what His Majesty will be seeing won't be the Telestale,
but another...
Another?
You're not done yet?
Of course!
I intend to show His Majesty the best machine I can make!
The best, you say?
Yes.
Did you see that, Knut?
The Crystal Tissue could only support even weights before,
but now it can hold eleven!
I can see the light!
Your lordship, you intend to continue?
Of course?
How could I aim for anything but my best?
Why?
Why do all this?
It's my hobby.
Your hobby.
That's right.
I'm satisfied.
In other words, you sent Ernie to meet the marquis himself?
That's right.
Oh, I guess we don't need to worry, then.
Why?
It's Ernie we're talking about.
I'd be more worried about the marquis.
No, you three should be more worried about yourselves.
I haven't heard anything about school being canceled...
First, let's hear what you have to say for yourselves.
Marquis Dixgard, if I'm going to entrust you with everything,
perhaps it's best tell you all of my future plans.
Look at this.
There's more?
What are you talking about?
This is the original plan!
This is what I believe makes me worthy of learning about the Ether Reactor technology.
All right, moving on...
- Several Days Later -
So I'll...
He's so late!
Why isn't Ernie back?
Is he getting along that well with the marquis?
Does he like Casadesus more Laihiala?
Probably because there're no girls who won't shut up there.
How mean!
Boss, you jerk!
Shaggy-head!
Shaggy-head?
But it's been way too long if he's just explaining the Telestale to the marquis.
That's right.
It's been too long!
I'll go and talk to him!
I'll tell him to come back!
I'll take him back by force if I have to!
Do you realize how long that'll take on foot?
There are demon beasts...
I've got my Silhouette Gear!
I can run faster than a horse,
and it's armed!
That's right!
You can't do that.
Ernesti is there at the official invitation of the marquis.
You won't be allowed to take him back without a proper reason.
You say that, Edgar,
but you were whining about losing the Telestale too, weren't you?
The Earlcumber is a good machine,
but you like the new one too, right?
That's true, but...
This is a different matter.
The school's job and my individual feelings are...
Hey, Dietrich, we haven't finished overhauling it yet, have we?
It?
You mean the Guair?
It's equipped with sub-arms and the Strand-Type, too.
You could say it's a new unit, too.
Once the overhaul's done, it won't be staying here.
All new units are going to the marquis, after all.
I see.
That's right.
Which means we need to send the new unit to Fort Casadesus.
With our own hands!
That's just fine.
Let's go get Ernesti together!
Thanks, boss!
Several days later,
at Darie Village, located near Fort Casadesus...
Distress signal from Darie Village!
Multiple duel-class demon beasts have appeared!
Red, just like I thought.
This is what too much peace does to you.
They don't suspect a thing.
We're getting started, too.
It's been a long time since we've had a war.
Let's make it a good one.
A demon beast attack was not an unusual event in Fremmevilla.
At this point in time, Ernesti had no way to know
that this was part of a world-shaking event.
Next time: "Hide & Seek!"
Chapter 5:
An evil shadow is calling me!