Chapter 67: The Security Restrictions of the Mecha Girl

“If this is our final stand… every battle maiden has an energy safety limit; when their energy falls below that threshold, their bodily functions become restricted. But, in truth, the safety limit isn’t set at the lowest possible point—there’s still enough energy left below it to unleash a burst capable of crossing several kilometers.”

Clearly, when it came to the state of the mecha girls, Zhuang Xiaosi understood better than anyone. It wasn’t just because she was the strike team commander; much of what others didn’t know, she had learned through direct connection with the mainframe. Though her emotions in other areas seemed repressed and faint, her thirst for knowledge was almost indistinguishable from that of an ordinary human.

“In that case, I think I have an idea.” After hearing Zhuang Xiaosi’s explanation, Zhuang Xiaoyuan’s eyes gleamed with a sudden spark. She’d thought of a plan—one that could carve a clear path for the mecha girls' final dash to the base. But at this moment, her own energy reserves might not be enough…

“What idea?” Now, the moment of truth had come. Most mecha girls were already too depleted to break free from the demonic encirclement. To minimize losses, Zhuang Xiaosi was even considering letting those with the most remaining energy break off and retreat first. Of course, if there were a way for everyone to escape safely, she would welcome it wholeheartedly.

“My arsenal includes a railgun.” She didn’t elaborate; Zhuang Xiaoyuan simply stated her first equipped weapon. With Zhuang Xiaosi’s analytical mind, she would surely grasp what Zhuang Xiaoyuan meant in an instant.

“A railgun? Hmm, if that’s what you’re thinking—it could work. But why would you even equip such an impractical weapon…” As expected, Zhuang Xiaosi caught the unspoken meaning, her eyes lighting up slightly. Yet, when she looked at Zhuang Xiaoyuan, her gaze grew a touch peculiar.

“Hey, it’s a man’s romance,” Zhuang Xiaoyuan replied with an awkward laugh, turning away and brushing off the question.

She knew well that in the pragmatic mindset of a mecha girl, choosing to equip a weapon that could basically only be used once was foolish—none of them would ever carry such a useless armament, no matter how powerful it was.

For electromagnetic attacks, there were portable, compact electromagnetic cannons. So Zhuang Xiaoyuan’s choice of the heavy railgun made her seem even more unusual in their eyes…

“Well, this time your useless weapon is coming in handy. We owe you for that.” Even Zhuang Xiaosi, who rarely expressed emotion, now wore the expression of someone witnessing an oddity. Yet, in this moment, she was grateful for Zhuang Xiaoyuan’s eccentric taste.

“Ha, see? I told you I’m awesome.” Though her face remained blank as usual, Zhuang Xiaoyuan flashed a smug look, as if silently begging, “Praise me, go on, praise me!”

“…Zhuang Xiaoyuan, you really are strange.” Zhuang Xiaosi glanced at her over-the-top expression in silence and tossed out the remark, “You’re weird,” before moving on, unfazed by Zhuang Xiaoyuan’s sudden petrified reaction, to issue the next set of orders.

“All units, prepare for reduced speed and landing. Hold your positions.” With Zhuang Xiaosi’s command, the mecha girls unconditionally obeyed, slowing down and descending to the ground. Those on the periphery dutifully began sweeping away the surrounding demons. No matter what fate awaited them next, their movements were unwavering.

“All units, stand by. Prepare to break limits and make your final sprint at any moment.” Once the perimeter was cleared and the formation established, Zhuang Xiaosi issued the final command. It truly was the last—if they succeeded, most would fall into short-term hibernation; if they failed… the outcome was beyond doubt.

“Ready. Let’s begin.” After everyone had prepared for a sudden burst of speed, Zhuang Xiaosi turned to address Zhuang Xiaoyuan.

“Alright.” With a brief response, Zhuang Xiaoyuan opened her personal arsenal and dragged out the railgun she’d only used once before—in a simulated drill. Dropping it to the ground, it immediately left a sizable crater.

With this weight, it was no wonder none of the mecha girls carried it. Even if stored in a personal arsenal, it would still affect their mobility to some degree. The spatial folding technology of the arsenal only reduced the weapon’s weight, not eliminated it entirely.

“I’ll charge it; you fire. Once the path is open… it’s all up to you.” As soon as the railgun hit the ground, Zhuang Xiaosi approached the charging port, connecting and beginning to transfer energy.

“…Alright. Leave it to me.” After a brief pause, Zhuang Xiaoyuan didn’t refuse. After prolonged combat, her own energy reserves were nearly exhausted—not enough to fully charge the railgun. But she was confident that the remaining energy would suffice to carry Zhuang Xiaosi out.

As Zhuang Xiaosi’s energy transferred into the railgun, its indicator began to light up, bar by bar. Energy surged; Zhuang Xiaoyuan flipped the switch, and between the twin black barrels, electromagnetic fields started to coalesce.

When Zhuang Xiaosi’s eyes began to emit a faint red warning glow indicating her energy was at its minimum, the railgun’s power was finally full. Without hesitation, Zhuang Xiaoyuan aimed in the preset direction and pressed the trigger.

With a sizzling roar, the orange electromagnetic beam burst from the railgun’s muzzle, plunging straight into the demon horde, arcing slightly as it soared into the sky. Any demon in its path was instantly vaporized by the searing orange beam.

The firing angle had been precisely calculated—spanning exactly three thousand eight hundred meters. Beyond that, the beam would pass above the heads of the general-class demons, so there was no risk of hitting their fellow mecha girls holding the front line.

“All units, lift restrictions. Accelerate! This is the final sprint!” Shouting to the mecha girls behind, Zhuang Xiaoyuan scooped up the now powerless Zhuang Xiaosi. Her rear thrusters ignited at full force, speeding along the path the railgun had carved.

With nearly all the ammunition in her personal arsenal spent, and the massive railgun abandoned on the ground, Zhuang Xiaoyuan felt as if she’d finally shed a heavy burden. Her speed soared, surging forward in a final dash.