The Knights of the Silver Phoenix, led by Ernesti,
brought their new mech, the Tzendolg,
as well as three Silhouette Knights equipped with new weapons
to the mock battle with the lab
at the Capital City of Kankkunen.
The Order of the Silver Phoenix is here, in answer to your majesty's orders!
Damn that brat!
Chapter 7:
Look at that, Tuva.
The Silhouette Knight is shaped like a horse and rider.
That explains why the Guardian Ambassador called us.
I thought it would be boring, fighting kids,
but this will be fun.
I will introduce you all properly.
This is Ernesti Echevalier,
designer of the new units,
and the Commander of the Silver Phoenix.
That's him?
The one who invented the first new Silhouette Knight in a century?
What a genius!
He looks like a child to me...
It would be an insult to these valiant warriors to speak anymore.
Both sides, prepare!
I think his majesty wants to see the fight more than anybody.
In order to even the match,
the four Silver Phoenix units, including the Tzendolg,
were paired against six Kaldatoah Darschs.
So just like standard practice,
one mounted rider is worth three infantry.
That's for humans, right?
And they're using enhanced Telestales.
This seems like it could go against us.
I can't wait to see how the lab adjusted the Telestales!
I know!
Let's have them give us a ride later!
Y-Yeah...
I'm jealous that you're no different than usual.
So how do we fight?
Do we fight three of them?
I've got an idea about that!
Well, would you take a look at that?
Fremmevilla's been up to some amazing stuff while I was gone.
Prince, it's dangerous to be here!
Please come back!
I haven't been back home in a while, and a party is about to start.
I can't miss it, can I?
But, Prince Emrys!
Is everyone ready?
Begin!
Here they come! Platoon two, you take the rider!
Roger!
No need to be afraid!
There are three of us and one of it!
We'll handle it just like a demon beast!
Activating Magius Jet Thruster.
Deploying from stored position.
Initiating air intake and compression.
Charge!
The Silhouette Knight...
...is flying?
Zerxes, he's after you!
I won't let him!
He dodged?
Wow!
Silhouette Knights flying at the speed of a magic bullet?
There's one!
Now there are just two for us to take!
Here we go, Tzen!
They're so fast!
Split the unit?
Yes. If we want to take advantage of the Tzendolg's speed,
it's the only way.
Of course, they'll split in two as well.
And when that happens,
I'll catch them off guard by launching a preemptive attack on the unit heading for the Tzendolg.
You're going to do that?
Yes.
But Edgar and D, I'll need you to hang in there with a numbers disadvantage.
No need to worry about that.
I have a powerful shield named Edgar!
Its defenses are so powerful!
And my Guair will rip open the enemy!
So he's more powerful?
What?
Lightning Flail!
Edra! Let go of the shield!
Not bad!
They have the upper hand for now...
So the Silver Phoenix begins with an advantage?
But Ernesti himself seems to have stopped.
I don't know what kind of trick he used,
but that must've drained an incredible amount of mana!
Now, then...
I was prepared for this to a degree,
but I didn't expect to be down to below 20% mana already.
I need to let it rest for a minute to get my mana back.
It hit!
Damn it!
They really are the best the Aruvans have to offer.
They're getting used to the movements of the horse and rider-type already.
If you consider it a Demon Beast, not a Silhouette Knight...
They're nothing!
Rip them apart, Guair.
What accurate swordsmanship!
The Silver Phoenix mech seems to have more power, but...
But my Darsch is easier to control!
The Aruvans are living up to their reputation!
I guess they won't be easy to beat!
It must take a lot of your focus to take on a mech that's like a bucking bronco.
In other words, the more time passes,
the more it drains the Knight Runner!
The lab's machines are steady and firm,
while the Silver Phoenix's are diamonds in the rough.
If they were horses, they would be a swift horse and a bucking bronco, I suppose.
Now then, who will taste the fruits of victory?
Addy, charge once more!
Roger!
Philia, it's coming!
I know!
I'll hit it with all my mana I've got left!
What?
I'm out of mana!
And I'm so close!
Edra! He's slowing down!
Now!
Understood!
Everyone, don't forget about me, okay?
The same trick won't work twice!
It's not the same trick!
Now I'm getting serious!
Can Silhouette Knights really move like that?
Checkmate.
Enough!
I have seen the power of the new units.
And Knight Runners, that was a splendid battle!
What's his name?
Ernesti Echevalier, I believe.
An interesting guy!
If it weren't for the lack of mana, I would've been in danger.
Next time, I want to fight you in the same mech you're using.
No, it wasn't the machine's fault I lost.
It was my own lack of experience.
Humility is a virtue,
but you should just take a compliment from a knight.
Thank you!
Sheesh. So it was a draw, huh?
There's a lot of work left to do.
We took out two!
Yes! Wonderful, you two!
Ernesti Echevalier!
Who's that?
No idea.
He looks like a lab Knightsmith.
How is that knight-and-rider working?
How can something that big have four legs working in unison?
What kind of secret are you hiding?
Tell me!
That's a great question!
Actually, it includes two Ether Reactors.
Two?
Yes, that would explain it...
And how does that blue one go so fast?
And what was that metal thing the white one fired?
The Toybox's high-maneuverability structure is called a Magius Jet Thruster.
And as for the Lightning Flail,
I'll send the Silhouette Gear that was the basic model to the lab!
That would be wonderful!
The Kaldatoah Darsch was wonderful!
They're getting so excited...
How did you manage to balance the mobility with the endurance?
So he's just like the Commander, huh?
That was the most difficult part,
They really love their Silhouette Knights...
but you can take part of the Crystal Tissue...
It looks like it turned out just like your majesty wanted.
Ernesti's designs are revolutionary,
but far too unpolished.
Even the greatest ore cannot show its value unless refined.
And you want the lab to do the polishing.
To remake their prototypes.
I'm counting on you, Olver.
Someday we'll be taking him to the village.
As Guardian Ambassador, I will share your words with the village.
Workshop Chief Geist, I'll come to your lab someday so we can talk!
Come on, it's time to talk to the king!
Young brats...
I still won't let you beat me!
I didn't realize there was such passion left within me...
Two months have passed since the mock battle.
The lab completed the Kaldetole, a design based off the Kaldatoah Darsch,
and began mass production.
Meanwhile, the Silver Phoenix Knights developed the Tzendolimble,
a one-person version of the Tzendolg,
So you can just tilt your body and then jerk it back,
further enhancing its fighting power!
and it'll work fine!
Sorry, I didn't get that at all.
Crown Prince Leotamus
Hey, Grandpa, Dad,
I'm back.
I was training the Knights,
Prince Emrys
and I got a little passionate.
While I was away for a bit,
they've been slacking off, haven't they?
The Kaldetole is a great machine, though, isn't it?
Every man loves a new...
Emrys, shut up and sit down.
Did you learn to talk like that in Kuschpercha?
Sheesh, what was Martina doing?
It's all right.
I called you here for a reason:
I've been king of this kingdom for 36 years.
It's been long enough.
I will turn the role of king over to Leotamus.
Grandpa...
Western Year 1280.
Ambrosius, the Lion King,
gave up kingship,
and the new king, Leotamus, was coronated.
In the same year, at Laihiala Academy...
A lot happened,
but we graduated from middle school, huh?
Even after all the trouble we caused.
We barely even took any classes.
Maybe they're just glad to be rid of us.
Laihiala Knight Runners Academy, thank you for everything!
After their graduation,
the Silver Phoenix Knights were moved to the newly constructed Fort Orobesius.
Soon afterwards...
Summoned to Kankkunen?
You're here, Ernesti!
Man, you really are tiny.
I suppose so...
I'm honored to meet you, Prince Emrys.
I heard you were studying in the kingdom of Kuschpercha.
My dad's taking the throne,
so I needed to be home.
Now, Ernesti, I have a request of you...
Can you make me a Silhouette Knight?
Certainly, but...
You already have a wonderful unit named the Reidis ol Vila.
That is the King's Silhouette Knight.
It became Leotamus's the moment he ascended to the throne.
I may be retired,
but with no Silhouette Knight, I can't entertain myself.
And so I thought I'd have you make me one.
Then make one for me, too!
Can you make two?
Of course.
So what would you like?
Hmm...
Well, what's most important is power.
Right.
And then power!
Right.
And also power!
I see...
A muscle-brain?
Any preferences for how it'll look?
I want something that looks super-strong,
so I can call myself a lion, like Grandpa.
Will that work?
I'll leave it to you.
Do as you like, as long as it's not too unbalanced.
Understood!
I'll prepare something worthy of the prince and former king!
Ernie looks so happy.
They returned to Orobesius and began to work on Silhouette Knights for Ambrosius and Emrys.
And the seasons passed,
and their units were completed.
What do you think?
They're called the Goldleo and Jilbatiga.
As you requested, they're both very powerful,
but their defense is strong, as well.
Both of you are very important to Fremmevilla.
Great! I like it!
A golden lion and a silver tiger!
Okay! I suppose...
Then...
I'll take this one!
Hey, now. Think about your age.
You wouldn't want a flashy one like this.
And you're far too inexperienced to call yourself a lion.
If you're a sheep inside,
you're an embarrassment to the royal family.
Let's have a match, Grandpa.
I'll show you what I learned in Kuschpercha!
So you intend to take it with a show of force?
Very well.
I'll show you the difference in our strengths.
Um... well...
I knew they were muscle-brains.
I'm not holding back, you know.
Taste my power before you leave this Earth!
That would mean he'd die...
Yeah! Yeah!
Here I go!
His skill with the spear is incredible, huh?
Is he really 60?
How amazing was he when he was young?
He was probably a first class Knight Runner, too.
I heard that prince Emrys looks just like the former king when he was his age.
I can't even imagine that now.
When he led his armies,
the last king would fight alongside his soldiers with his spear,
leading the charge himself.
Once our unit was attacked by a huge mass of Demon Beasts.
Prince, I'll open a way through!
At least you can make it out!
What are you talking about?
No matter where we look, the enemy's right in front of us!
What more could a Knight Runner ask for?
And in fact, he broke through the enemy without losing a single one of us.
They say that a man's position changes him.
But I'm glad he did change.
It must've been difficult for you, huh?
If that hadn't been a training weapon,
I would've gone down a long time ago.
That's my grandpa.
There's no opening for me to attack.
I won't get an answer by thinking!
Victory lies within the blade!
You were in such a hurry to attack that you're not watching your feet!
You're mine!
Not yet!
What?
He fired his back weapons to avoid being slammed into the ground?
Splendid work, Grandson.
In the end, it comes down to fighting spirit!
It seems you trained hard in Kuschpercha, huh?
Grandpa, you held back, didn't you?
Don't be stupid.
I'm just getting old.
The Golden Lion is yours!
Take it!
I can't embarrass myself in the Goldleo I won from my grandpa!
He's all fired up!
It looks hot in there...
Ernesti.
Yes?
The other unit, the Jilbatiga, is a match for the Goldleo, right?
Of course.
The only difference is their appearance.
Very well, then.
Grandpa, I'm going to do this!
Was this his plan?
That Prince Emrys would be better off whether he won or lost?
One who would stop the journey has appeared.
A whispering evil lies upon the forest.
Understood.
I shall send a rider.
Next Time: "Secret & Quest!"
Chapter 8:
The world's mysteries call me!