Chapter 644: Others?!
Marshal Julian thought he had prepared enough.
As someone who had piloted a mecha like the one he’d received from Luca, he assumed he could at least predict a few things about Duke Leander’s new mecha.
It was just... what was he supposed to do when it turned out to be an entirely different classification?
A biomecha.
Apparently, it was like a fully spiritual mecha—only better.
"Wait, are you saying it’s another guardian mecha?!"
"Not quite, Uncle," Xavier replied calmly. "But since you all know about Sid from back then, it’d be easier to understand the concept of biomechas."
Easier to hear, maybe. Because yes, everyone in the room knew about the Imperial Heirloom, Sid. But easier to stomach? Not at all. Not when their brains were collectively trying to figure out how in Solaris they were supposed to explain something like this.
An advanced, semi-organic mecha that integrated bio-components with traditional mecha structures. Like Sid, the Guardian Mecha, biomechas carried the terrifying advantage of reflecting the traits of their components.
Which meant virtually no delay, a make that reflected the toughness and unique characteristics of the materials used on it, and the ability to handle bloodline abilities unique to mechas created with a series of connections that allowed for them.
Honestly, that alone had the operative wondering if he should even still be in the room.
Shadows like them were usually present for about ninety-nine percent of the time, but something of this magnitude felt like a secret as big as an inheritance. Usually, they weren’t supposed to hear things like this. Sure, they had core-based pacts binding their silence and loyalty, but even so... he felt his ears probably weren’t supposed to be hearing this live.
Because... what was this?!
Well, Marshal Julian and the Imperial couple would also like to know.
Finally, Emperor Xavian asked, "Then, son, what makes it different from a fully spiritual mecha?"
He remembered, very clearly, just how many people had sacrificed to protect Sid’s existence, and how Sid, in turn, had been tirelessly protecting the Empire since his awakening.
Xavier’s response was steady. "Because, unlike the legend of fully spiritual mechas, biomechas have their own reactors, capable of storing and circulating spiritual energy separate from the pilot’s input. As such, Sid, who could only function when directly piloted, could now function autonomously."
The room went still.
"More importantly," Xavier added, "biomechas don’t require forming a permanent spiritual bond to operate. That removes the issue of having to sever bonds."
"!!!"
Shaken. Luca watched them all look shaken to their very toes.
But to Xavier, this was understandable. After all, that had always been Sid’s greatest drawback. Not because it was his fault, but because of how the world turned out to be. A mecha that guzzled spiritual energy in a land nearly devoid of it couldn’t have been more ironic.
And of course, Xavier could relate to his father’s shock.
The main reason he had never bonded with Sid was due to the lingering complications. Severing a spiritual bond once it was formed, just to pass down the heirloom, had always meant tragedy unless the previous owner had died.
So, to those who knew the history of guardian mechas, what Xavier had just said was tantamount to declaring that they had managed to break the most devastating restriction of all.
The Emperor’s voice trembled. "Then upstairs..."
"Ah, no, Your Majesty," Luca quickly said, realizing from their faces that they might be thinking the mecha upstairs was also sentient. He waved his hands nervously. "Unfortunately, Papa’s mecha isn’t sentient. But if a biomecha happens to be so, it could act autonomously like the others!"
He said it with a note of regret, but to the listeners, who were already slack-jawed, it was like someone had struck a gong in their heads.
The word.
"Others."
There were others?
Oh, there were.
There were several others.
Marshal Julian actually felt his knees weaken. His hand went to the table like it might hold him steady, but even the wood felt untrustworthy in this moment.
And he wasn’t the only one.
The Empress, who was trying not to imagine an incoming tsunami, raised her hand firmly. "Okay, wait. We understand a little now, but I think we should only talk about this after making use of a pact."
"A pact?" Luca blinked curiously.
Xavier explained smoothly, "It’s something similar to the Seal of Thorns."
"What?!" Luca’s eyes grew round. "Isn’t that too much?" He, of course, understood and appreciated the concern, but something like the Seal of Thorns for family? Wasn’t that too much?
"Luca, my dear, we’re not aware of that Seal in particular," Empress Gisella said carefully, "but I assure you, the information you’ve revealed already seems to warrant it." In fact, the worried woman thought even five different pacts won’t be enough for this.
She didn’t want to name what she suspected outright, because then it might be confirmed. And she didn’t want to leave the children unprotected when it was clear they were only scratching the surface of this explanation.
Even so, her heart squeezed as she thought of her son. She could already see why Xavier had made the painful choice to keep everything to himself. If she had been in his position, how many souls would she have allowed to hear such truths?
And yet here they were. Having what was clearly the highest-level meeting possible. In the medical bay, of all places.
"Then if it’s just a pact," Luca asked softly, "can’t it be one that I can make?"
Xavier stilled. His brows furrowed faintly as he looked at Luca. "Only if you’re sure. I don’t want you pressured into it just because."
But Luca smiled, eyes glowing with sincerity. "The people you trust with your life are essentially trusted with mine, right? So how could it be something to hesitate about?"
"..."
Empress Gisella nearly dropped her composure. The exchange was so blinding that it hurt to look at. Such trust. Such openness. It was beautiful.
And yet... it was one thing to look at it. It was another thing to be given that same benefit.
How was she supposed to move on from today’s experiences?
It began with Emperor Xavian asking cautiously, "Would this be enough to secure those who need to be secured?"
Xavier nodded. "Yes. It is the highest form."
By now, the ruling monarchs knew better and trusted that Xavier would know best, and they agreed immediately after hearing the weight of this promise.
And so it began.
Luca, cheeks pink but eyes firm, lifted his hand.
One by one, the Empress, the Emperor, Marshal Julian, and—shockingly—even the operative extended their smallest fingers as instructed.
When their pinkies linked with Luca’s, a faint glow sparked to life, the light sealing vows of mutual protection and secrecy in place.
Emperor Xavian felt so stirred that even after the glow faded, he couldn’t lower his pinky. His hand trembled, his throat tight.
The others were the same. The glow had bound them, and it seemed impossible to put their hands down, as if the weight of the promise was something sacred.
And then it happened.
When it came time to link with the operative, Luca tilted his head curiously. "Hello. I’m Luca. May I ask your name before we make a pact?"
The operative froze. For a shadow whose very existence was built on anonymity, the question pierced through like an arrow.
His throat bobbed as he struggled for words. Finally, in a rough whisper, he answered, "...Uno."
"Uno," Luca repeated gently, with a smile as if greeting an old friend. "It’s nice to meet you."
Uno’s throat closed up. His eyes burned, and he thought for the first time in years that he might actually cry.
By the end of it, Xavier wanted to bury his face in his hands.
Because around him, everyone—his parents, the Marshal, and even Uno—sat straighter, their backs ramrod stiff, their pinkies still awkwardly outstretched.
It looked less like a pact and more like they were all in some strange competition to see who could hold their finger up the longest.