Machina Arcanis: Two Worlds Collided
Chapter 119. System Awakened

Cubie somehow dissolved into the control panel. After a few seconds, the system rang out, “Access granted!”

Zetius’s eyes widened. He shook his head a few times, trying to dispel the incredulity.

“Zetius!” The familiar voice rang out — more articulate than before. Judging by the tone, it was definitely Cubie. How is she able to bypass the system when I couldn’t?

The screen booted up. The interface appeared as it normally would, the blue HUD glow painting the cockpit in light.

“C-Cubie?! Did you just bypass the system on your own?” Zetius stammered. His fingers hovered hesitantly outside the glove controllers.

“Yes! I somehow gained authority over the Armatus system — well, let’s just say we’re 100% operational!” Cubie replied. Her tone was notably more mature.

Thinking quickly, Zetius pushed aside his doubts. “Cubie, can you find Rhok?” he asked.

“Searching now. Rhok Wagner is your former ally, currently a platinum-ranked knight...” She paused for a few seconds.

Zetius watched the screen. “What is it, Cubie? What’ve you got?” he asked eagerly. A glimmer of hope flickered in his red eyes.

A map flashed across the HUD, showing Rhok drifting further away. Another high-intensity signature appeared — a large cruiser closing in on his location.

Cubie added matter-of-factly, “According to the data, Rhok Wagner is being retrieved by the battle cruiser Santose V from the Agrian continent. Registration number: B-C-12001A.”

“Damn it...” Zetius muttered, brushing his thumb along his lower lip. “Cubie, can we chase after him?” he blurted.

“Analysis: yes... and no. They will definitely reach him first. If you pursue with the maximum of six Armatus units, you’ll likely be overwhelmed by the enemy’s forces,” she replied flatly.

Zetius raised an eyebrow. She hadn’t stuttered once. She used to struggle to form full sentences — now she sounded like an advanced AI.

“Hades...” he muttered to himself, exasperated. “How many Armatus units are on the Santose V?” he asked, his mind racing, though his resolve to pursue Rhok wavered.

“The Santose V is almost a kilometre in length, with a hangar capacity of up to one thousand units.”

“There’s no way I could take on an entire warband,” Zetius groaned. “How certain is this info? Are you sure?” he asked again, needing reassurance. He thought the cruiser he was on now was massive, but compared to Santose V, it dwarfed into a puny bot.

“This is definitive,” Cubie replied sharply.

The blue glow bathed his sorrow. He believed her — and the HUD. His vengeance and guilt crept into his heart, dulling the thrill of the hunt.

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A voice broke through his thoughts. “Zetius, come on. We still need to save this situation around.”

It was Friederich, one of his dearest friends. He stood before him, his sharp features outlined by the dim light, a hand stretched out from the open cockpit.

Zetius nodded and took his hand. His palm was rough with calluses — hands forged from practice.

“Thanks for the reminder,” Zetius said, pulling himself from the cockpit. He and Friederich exchanged a brief smile. Cubie hovered above his head, now in standby.

“Any time, Zetius. You might’ve forgotten — you’re not alone anymore.” Friederich’s words struck deep, pushing the fury from Zetius’s heart.

A faint smile tugged at his lips. “Thanks, Friederich. You’re always the cool breeze on a hot summer’s day,” Zetius replied, as they stepped down from the Armatus unit.

***

As Zetius and Friederich made their way back from the hangar towards the mid chamber, a thick voice rang out.

“I’ll rip your heart out!” Undoubtedly, it was Ziyue interrogating a prisoner of war in her cruel fashion. The poor soul was the Silver knight she had knocked out earlier.

“P-Please... I’m the only commanding knight left...” the silver knight pleaded. He was on his knees as Ziyue yanked on his collar. His right arm guard had been removed, disabling his plasma cannon.

Zetius studied her closely. Her tattered cloak now revealed her hidden hourglass figure. Yet her skin showed no sign of lacerations — no bleeding. She appeared almost fully operational.

She’s... really busty under that cloak, Zetius noted, eyes involuntarily darting away.

Ziyue noticed his glance but chose not to respond.

Aurelia stood before the prisoner, posture reverent, like a radiant sun goddess.

“Take us to the main bridge,” she commanded firmly.

The silver knight tilted his head to meet her gaze. “W-What?” he stammered, confusion spreading across his face.

Aurelia swept her gaze across the room. Her expression was calm, dignified.

“I’m going to take over the cruiser,” she declared.

Zetius nodded. He believed in her wholeheartedly. “Let’s get back to Solis Aeternum,” he said.

A spark of hope shone in her fiery red eyes as she exhaled, “Yes... Home,” she muttered.

Ziyue stepped beside Zetius. “If that’s your decision, I’ll tag along to ensure your safety, princess. I doubt Celestius Vivian would fuss about it. After all, Empress Nohrell of Dunkelheit is no more,” she stated calmly. Her tone was logical — almost psychopathic in its detachment.

As Ziyue clasped Aurelia’s shoulder, Aurelia let out a surprised yelp at the uncharacteristic gesture. “Huh?” she uttered.

“Nothing, princess. Let’s get you home.”

Zetius exchanged a knowing nod with Friederich as they approached Aurelia. Towering over her, he spoke with quiet resolve.

“Then we’ll be your blades, Princess.” His words carried complete assurance.

***

A frantic clatter of boots echoed along the metal floor of the main hallway. The dim light illuminated their path toward the main automatic door, explosion-proof.

Ziyue cautiously led the charge, pushing the Silver knight ahead. Following closely was Aurelia, flanked by her two striking companions.

“Open the door! Don’t try anything funny, or else!” Ziyue barked, shoving the man forward. She was possibly the most terrifying woman Zetius had ever met. A dark aura seemed to emanate from her presence.

The silver knight begrudgingly obeyed, inputting the code on the panel. After a few beeps, the hydraulic mechanism hissed, and the door slid open.

Inside, a room filled with murmurs and concerned whispers fell into stunned silence as all eyes turned to face them.

The bronze knights stationed at the accessway reacted instantly, twisting their plasma cannons—

“Halt!” the silver knight called out sharply, stopping them mid-motion. They froze on the spot.

“Disarm!” Ziyue commanded with authority.

The guards exchanged uncertain glances before the silver knight gave a solemn nod. With a few metallic clangs, they dropped their armguards to the floor. Occasional whispers trickled through the cruiser officers as tension filled the room.