Deep breath!

Pull left!

Clench! Push right! "Hrrgh!"

"Haaa!" Exhale. Inhale. "Getter! Beam!"

"Double Tomahaaaaaawk! Boooomerang!"

"Holy shit!" I cursed while prematurely ending the Getter Beam. I barely managed to move Black Getter enough away from the thrown double tomahawks, ones that had blades which were as big as my Getter Robo was tall. The thing that threw it was a simulated version of a Getter Robo D2, proper scaling and all.

When you hear the words "Mass Production" in terms of mecha, you would normally imagine that they would be pushovers. Nothing but cannon fodder to make the main character or the antagonist look good by ripping them to pieces, usually with an accompanying musical score that amplifies the experience.

I wanted to rip apart the animation studios who conditioned me to think like that! D2 was not a pushover! It was at least as fast as Black Getter and was way stronger because of the sheer difference in mass that it had. The second it popped its bat-like wings when the fight started, I knew that I was in trouble.

"God dammit!" I continued to curse, reaching to Black Getter's waist to pull out its new weapons. A pair of four barreled gatling machine canons unfurled from their compact form, one in each hand. I aimed it squarely at the face of my foe and held down the triggers of the guns. The shots hit but didn't even show any visible damage on the red paint.

"Getaaaaaaaaa! Beeeeeamu!"

"Hrrragh!" I pulled hard on the levers while clenching again to deal with the sudden increase of my weight, Black Getter flying zig-zag to avoid the pink death beam that was coming out of the emitter on D2's head.

"Tomahawk!" I yelled out in desperation. Black Getter pulled out a tomahawk and I threw it at the face of my enemy. It stopped firing the getter beam but I had to groan when it just slapped away the incoming weapon out of the air like it was nothing. The wings on its back flapped once and I immediately tried to fly away from it. The sound of the sky being sliced open was the only warning before D2 appeared, flying parallel to Black Getter. It pulled out another tomahawk and tried to swing at me.

"Fuuuuuck!" Forcing Black Getter into an immediate stop to avoid the hit was a very bad idea. My vision blacked out for a few seconds and I just desperately started pulling and pushing levers to try to keep myself moving even though I didn't know where anything was. Colors and spots swam in front of my face, the feeling of falling was the only thing I was sure of. I couldn't keep this up much longer. Come on Leon, think! This thing could do everything I could and was way bigger than Black Getter! There had to be a way around it!

Sadly, my opponent didn't afford me enough time to think of another strategy.

"Double Getter Beaaaaam!" I yelled out in panic when a red blob suddenly appeared in front of my blurry vision. Red and pink light flew at it but it just blocked both with its forearms and crashed itself into me.

Warning lights started flashing everywhere as sparks flew out in front of me. My vision finally cleared enough to realize that D2 was using the buzzsaws in its forearms to cut into Black Getter. I tried to push and pull at the levers to get something going but it was too late as everything went black. The message that the mission was a failure appeared in front of me.

Please do not feel too bad about the loss. You are not used to fighting something that is equal or superior to yourself. The only other time you attempted was against Gilgilgan.

"Doesn't make it sting any less." I muttered while burying my face in my hands. It was a complete stomping. I had no chance in hell against that thing. Was this what I had to look forward to?

It does not. However, context is needed here. I highly doubt that the refurbished Getter Robo D2 that the Principality will field will be anywhere near as capable as the fully functioning unit you just faced. Additionally, whoever will be piloting it would not have the same talent, training, and experience as the pilot AI that you faced.

That made me blink. It was weird that the D2 was actually calling out attacks that didn't sound like it came from a synthesized voice. "So whose AI did I go up against anyway?"

I loaded a toned down AI of Ryoma Nagare into the simulated Getter Robo D2. The piloting experience they had in Getter Robo G translated well to the mass production unit.

"Isn't that one of the original Getter Team members, Professor Jin's friend, and the guy my ship is named after?" I asked in growing horror at what I was really up against in that short fight.

Correct on all counts.

"Why did you think it was a good idea for me to face the D2 being piloted by a monster like that?!" I couldn't help but yell out. No wonder I couldn't do anything against it, I was fighting a full-sized Getter Robo that had the AI of one of their legendary pilots. Just how hard would it have gone if the AI wasn't toned down? I shuddered at the thought.

Because if you can hold your own against even a simplified version of Ryoma Nagare, then you will be able to face anything Fanoss can deploy against you. This includes any possible summoned Hundred Demon Mechanized Beasts.

"Any ideas on how Black Getter can damage D2 though? Nothing seemed to be working." I pointed out. Getter Tomahawk, Getter Beam, Getter Razor, none of them did enough damage that I could take advantage of without getting immediately torn to pieces in retaliation.

I am currently making recalibrations on Black Getter F based on the data you have provided with this simulation. The changes will be reflected the next time you face Getter Robo D2 in the simulator. Further adjustments will be made based on subsequent bouts.

I groaned at that. It made sense that I had to practice fighting against the thing we knew was going to attack Holfort at some point. It didn't make it feel any less like a mecha version of a FromSoft game. Wait, wasn't that just Armored Core? I shook my head to clear my thoughts, I must have still been reeling from getting tossed around.

"We need Deirdre." I finally said. Having her fighting alongside me if the D2 we end up facing was anywhere near what I just lost against would be just fantastic.

Construction on the new Getter Robo is proceeding on schedule. We should have more than enough time to complete it before Miss Deirdre's birthday. I shall also import its data into the simulator once it is complete and calibrated to her specifications.

I nodded with a smile. That was good. The rest of summer break should give her enough time to break it in and set it to the way she liked it. I then tapped on the armrest of the simulator's pilot seat when I finally realized something. "How the hell do you make this thing simulate g-force anyway?"

Don't worry about it.

Yeah, I should have expected that answer.

…

Angie's dad finally managed to schedule us some official time to speak with Mylene in her office and we decided to just tell her everything. That meant that I brought along Angie, Livia, Clarice, Hertrude, and Yumeria for the talk. To that end, I just managed to finish explaining the truth about what happened on Elven Island, Fanoss' involvement in all the recent monster attacks, and the fact that they have a flute that can summon Enemies of Humanity as well as unearthed an old Getter Robo. Hertrude and Yumeria filled in the blanks and answered any additional questions Mylene had on the matter.

Control was out handling other things, mainly giving Deirdre her new pilot suit. She was probably already wearing it and spending some quality time in the simulator against D2. I wouldn't put it past her to be able to beat it after enough time to learn the fight.

"You know," the Queen of Holfort started as she looked at all of us sitting in her office. "I thought that we were going to have a very different conversation when you came here with all these girls."

I furrowed my brows when she said that. Then I saw how she was looking at me and finally caught on to the meaning. "What?! No! I would die!"

"Only in your dreams, Leon~" Hertrude teased with a grin.

"Inheritor Leon is adamant that I keep from offering myself to him in bed." Yumeria added with a nod. My lovers just laughed at the humor at my expense.

We then proceeded to talk about the possibility of traitors in the Holfort nobility. In particular, the group that Hertrude spoke about.

"Hmm…" Mylene hummed in consideration after we finished explaining that part.

"So, Forest of Ladies." I started, really hoping that she could shed some light on the matter. "Do you know anything about them?"

"A cabal of noblewomen that has existed for decades, all from the middle ranks, conspiring to manipulate and undermine the authority of men from the same ranks. Even going so far setting up doomed marriages that would pay out well for them should their new spouses die in the battlefield." We were all silent at the rather comprehensive description of a supposedly secret organization.

"We have no actionable proof, but the Crown is well aware of them." She added with a frustrated sigh.

Angie leaned forward, looking very interested at what Mylene knew. "Do you know who the members are?"

"Only suspicions."

"I would have thought that you would be more alarmed about what my country has been up to." Hertrude pointed out with a raised brow. That was a good point. Fanoss' capabilities and actions should have already caused great concern, especially with the history the two nations had.

"Oh, I am very alarmed. I have just learned how to hide it well." Mylene answered with a much more tense smile. She then turned to me with the same smile. "So, any other world shattering revelations you all wanted to share with me?"

"You are not native to this country, as Leon has told me. But how versed are you about the story of their saint?" Well, that certainly counted as one of those.

"Why is Livia speaking in that accent and why does she look like she has religious looking accessories?" The queen asked as Anne displayed the necklace around her neck and the bracelet around her wrist.

"Those are the Saint's Necklace and Saint's Bracelet." Mylene's eyes widened when she heard what they were. I couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction before continuing the explanation. "You are currently speaking to the previous Saint, Anne. Livia lets her use her body to interact with the outside world."

"...what?" The others gave her patient smiles as she processed what I just told her.

"Welcome to our world, Mylene." I added with a shrug. It took her a few minutes to steady herself and finally be able to speak clearly.

"And here I thought that you being reborn from another world was the most shocking thing you could tell me. Why do you keep getting wrapped up in things like this?" She asked, giving me a withering look that I just shrugged at. I didn't know either!

"I wouldn't complain. It was one such contrivance that eventually led to the two of you meeting." Anne pointed out and Mylene just nodded to her in acquiescence. She then blinked and groaned in a rather un-queen-like manner.

"What's wrong?" I had to ask in concern.

"I just remembered what Roland said before he handed me a list of mansions that he said people didn't know about." I cringed at the reminder of what King Shitlord told me at the end of our dungeon dive. He was actually serious about that?! "He told me that it was a reward for being entertained by an old ghost."

"I still desperately wish to kill that man." Anne muttered in an unamused tone of voice.

"Get in line." Mylene's quip didn't surprise us in the least considering the workload that King Shitlord kept piling on her.

"I shall do what needs to be done and mobilize my own intelligence network on the matter of the Forest of Ladies. If they truly are treasonous, then I shall relish in unmasking them." Mylene told us, getting back on topic. She set her gaze on the girls and hummed in thought. "To that end, I would like to ask for assistance from Angie, Clarice, and Princess Hertrude."

She smiled at the surprised expressions of the three girls. "Investigating a conspiracy and managing my day-to-day is something I cannot handle by myself. I shall introduce you three to my trusted aides and you shall help them in uncovering this conspiracy."

"It would be our pleasure, Queen Mylene." Hertrude immediately responded, with Angie and Clarice nodding in agreement.

"And you Livia…Saintess Anne?" Mylene asked hesitantly.

"Livia now, your Majesty." Livia answered with a smile. Yeah, Mylene was going to need some time to get used to that.

"That is so strange…" She said as much before shaking her head and continuing with a stern voice. "If you wish to claim the staff, then you will need to go to the Temple directly and undergo their trial. However, if you do so, you will be publicly outed as the Saintess. Your life will never be normal again."

"My life hasn't been normal since I met Leon." Livia told her with a sideways glance to me.

"Hey!" Everyone else giggled at the teasing, even Yumeria looked amused by it.

"I can't imagine myself living any other life. I'll do it. I promised Anne as well. Whatever is waiting for us when we reclaim her staff, we'll face it together." Livia added with a confidence she never had at the start of her first year. Her voice then shifted to let Anne answer as well.

" ."

"If that's it for the official reason for your visit, I would like to ask Yumeria and Princess Hertrude to return to the Academy first." We all looked at each other at the rather specific call out. Mylene continued with a gesture towards the door. "I shall have my personal guards escort them there."

"So, any reason why you want just the four of us here?" I asked after both girls were escorted away by four very serious looking knights. Before Mylene could answer, we all turned to Livia when she started taking off the Saint Relics.

"Anne said that she would allow us privacy, if we're going to talk about what she thinks we will be talking about." I was about to ask what she was talking about when Mylene reached over to hold one of Angie's and Clarice's hands in her own.

"Allow me to apologize to you both. I should have handled revealing my involvement with Leon with more tact." Our eyes widened at what she was saying, except for Livia who was just smiling at the unfolding scene. "I was just so happy. I can't even describe the joy I felt when he accepted me. The elation I felt was something I thought I would never feel outside loving my precious children."

"You don't have to apolo-" Livia's kind words were interrupted by a surprisingly stern voice.

"She has to. As the queen, an adult, and a woman." Angie scolded our mutual lover before turning to Clarice. The two of them had a silent conversation by way of some form of mysterious female telepathy and nodded to each other. She then turned back to Mylene with a smile. "We accept your apology, Queen Mylene."

"Honestly, we were more mad about Leon not being the one to tell us about it." Clarice cut in with a grin, the rest of them giggling when she gently elbowed by side.

"Awww! Don't pout, Leon. You all already forgave each other." I was not pouting, Livia! How dare you insinuate that!

"I can finally say this with full conviction in front of you all." Mylene happily said as she turned to me. I couldn't help but blush when she cupped my face and looked at me with just the most beautiful smile I have ever seen. "I love you, Leon Fou Bartfort, with as much of myself as I can give."

I opened my mouth to respond when I finally realized something. My eyes widened and I could feel myself suddenly give a look of horror.

"Leon? What's wrong?" Mylene asked in sudden alarm, the other girls also looked very concerned. "If that was too much, then I'm–"

I grabbed her hands and shook my head as she suddenly looked remorseful for her declaration.

It wasn't that.

It wasn't her.

Not at all.

"What's going on Leon?" Clarice asked when I still didn't talk. I gently took Mylene's hands off my face and I slowly turned to look at each one of them there with me.

"I've never actually told any of you that I love you, have I?" I softly asked in shock and disgust at myself.

Things became a bit more hectic after that question.

…

"Big brother! We have a major complica–what the fuck happened to you?" I sighed at Marie's sudden disbelief. I managed to take a shower and change into a new set of clothes when I returned to the Academy. Sadly, the love bites on my neck that my four lovers inflicted on me earlier that day were still visible and were probably going to stick around for a day or so.

Maybe I should wear my pilot suit's scarf tomorrow during classes?

It was already dark and Control suddenly told me once I was done changing that Marie urgently needed to speak with me.

"Turns out that I've never actually told any of my four lovers that I loved them. Once I did, well…" I trailed off, not really feeling the need to elaborate the rest of what happened that afternoon.

My sister hummed and nodded at me. "Right, I never actually asked who the mysterious fourth woman you have actually is."

"Queen Mylene." Well, that was a lot of complicated expressions on Marie's face. It was pretty funny to look at. She was about to say something when I raised a hand and elaborated on a couple of important things. "Julius already knows and is weirdly okay with it. King Shitlo–Roland also knows and doesn't care."

"I need to freak out about that sometime in the future once it fully sinks in." Marie muttered before shaking her head and leaning at the camera. "Fuck that for now, something else happened here!"

I sighed and gestured for her to proceed. "Okay, lay it on me."

"Remember that tiny plant that Julius and the others found in a dungeon?" I raised an eyebrow at the question. I nodded, she had told me about the weird drop that the boys and their new friend got from the chimera they fought.

"Well, they've all been taking turns taking care of it." I had to admit, the image of the five of them taking care of a plant was pretty adorable. Marie continued and the feeling changed into something more tiring. "This morning, when they were doting on it and talking about what it would grow into, it suddenly started glowing really brightly."

"So it's a magic plant?" I asked, did it suddenly give them the power to throw fireballs at will or something?

"It's worse than a magic plant. The five of them suddenly had markings on the back of their right hand." A magic plant in the Alzer Republic that can give hand markings had a very specific connotation.

A very problematic connotation.

"Marie, you better not be telling me what I think you're about to tell me." Marie winced and gave me a helpless shrug.

"We asked Louise about it and apparently they all have a fragment of the Sacred Tree Guardian Crest on them. She then took all five of them with her to have a meeting with her father about it." She told me, confirming my worst fear. Out of literally anything that could have dropped for them, the boys just had to hit the one jackpot they didn't need to hit. "They're still at their estate right now."

"So what you are saying is that the tiny plant they found is a baby Sacred Tree?" I slowly asked, already imagining the headaches that this was going to cause for us.

"Louise called it a Sacred Tree sapling and it is apparently the first time in decades that someone found one that didn't immediately wither away to nothing." Marie's tone also reflected the way I felt. Shit, a lot of people in Alzer probably won't be happy about this.

"How does that affect things over there?" My sister pulled at her blonde hair with my question.

"I don't know!" She whined.

"Any other world shattering revelations you'd like to share with me before we both try to sleep this off?" I asked tiredly, borrowing Mylene's words from earlier. Marie suddenly perked up and clapped at my question, looking like she did when she thought that she did something really clever.

"Oh yeah, I invited Louise and her brother over for the summer."

I was kidding!