Ice Palace (Part 2)

The battle between Vektor and the "Villain of Evil" continues. After deflecting several lasers with his sword, Vektor finally manages to get close to the robot. However, since he can't defeat it using the Burning Silver, he decides to just jump up to the weapon and rip it off with his own strength.

Even though this attack has a somewhat painful result due to the fall to the ground that occurred after disarming the opponent, Vektor technically manages to defeat the "Villain of Evil" once again.

The winner stands up as he recovers and then raises the Burning Silver, pointing it towards his opponent:

"Alright, now surrender! You are completely unarmed. You have no choice but to give up!"

"H- How humiliating... Damn it!"

However, after cornering his opponent, Vektor hears the walls of the Ice Palace cracking. He then realizes that the cracks extend all the way to the ice ceiling, which begins to collapse. The corner of the room threatens to collapse over Yuko, who tries to undo her ice wall to escape in time. Unable to react in time, Vektor only shouts:

"Watch out!"

By the time Yuko manages to break through the ice wall, it is too late. A large chunk of the ceiling falls on her head. However, instead of simply hitting Yuko's head and knocking her unconscious, the ice is cut in half by a glowing blue blade, and the two halves fall to the ground without hurting anyone.

That blue glow disappears from the blade of Kder's Sword, as the legendary swordsman's presence is finally noticed by Vektor and Yuko. Vektor lets out a sigh of relief as he says, with a tone of jealousy:

"Looks like the hero saved the day once again..."

Still a little confused, Yuko thanks Kder:

"T- Thank you so much... You saved me."

"I see you're fine... What happened here?"

"Well... Vektor was fighting against that person..."

Yuko points to the robot, but whoever was piloting it has already fled the battlefield. On his seat, he left a letter with the following message:

"Don't think this is the end of me! One day I shall return and finally have my long-awaited revenge! Mwahahahaha!!!

–Signed, Villain of Evil"

Upon reading this message, Vektor can only ask himself:

"Seriously, what's this guy's problem...?"

Kder starts a conversation with Vektor:

"What should we do about this robot? Do you want me to try destroying it?"

"Nah, that would just get the beach dirty for no reason. Let's just leave this here until that guy comes back for it or someone from the village decides what to do with it when they find it. But anyway, what are you doing here, Kder? I know you usually show up conveniently, but this time it was really surprising."

"I came running here after seeing the smoke from where I was standing near the Arsenal of Shadow."

"Arsenal of Shadow...? Ah! It's that place Mitsuko told me to find her. Damn, I forgot about that part..."

"If you still want to see her, know that she's still there, after all I passed by the arsenal a few minutes ago."

"That's good. Could you tell me where I should go to get there?"

"Just head to the Kageki Caves, the Arsenal of Shadow is at the base of the mountain. However, before that you should take this girl to her home."

"Don't worry. I got a mini-airship with two seats, I can take her home with it."

"I appreciate your cooperation. Then, I leave the rest in your hands."

"Will you keep looking for Maken?"

"Yes, just for a little longer. I also have to repair the damage my clothes suffered in the battle at the altar. After that, I will patrol the city. In a few hours, I will again provide assistance if necessary."

"Thanks so much for the help."

Kder runs off as usual, leaving Vektor and Yuko alone in the Ice Palace. Without any idea what to say, Vektor simply says to Yuko:

"...Well, I guess it's all over here. It's time to go home. I'll give you a ride."

"Okay, thanks."

"Will anyone complain about what happened to the palace?"

"Soon this place will melt, and it will rebuild perfectly tomorrow, so don't worry about it."

"That's a relief, then. Could you return my backpack?"

After putting the Burning Silver back in its scabbard and taking his backpack back, Vektor leaves the Ice Palace through one of the holes of melted ice left in the room's walls, being followed by Yuko.

Vektor and Yuko calmly walk together towards the royal mini-airship. Trying to be discreet, Vektor spends a few seconds admiring Yuko's beauty as he walks, but his voice ends up leaking after forcing his silence for so long:

"Ah..."

"Hm?"

"A- Ah! It's nothing..."

"Oh ,sorry..."

"...

(Damn it! What did I do?! Now the mood got really awkward! I can't keep things like this for much longer. I'll try to chat a little...)

Eh... C- Can I ask you something?"

"Oh... Of course."

"Well, I... I still didn't get why you went to the Ice Palace..."

"Ah, okay... Well, how can I explain it... I guess it was to remind me of my childhood..."

"Nostalgia?"

"You could say so... That palace reminds me of the time when a certain relative of mine used to play with me there..."

"And you can't do that anymore?"

"That's right... He disappeared when I was a child..."

"Oh... I'm really sorry..."

"That's okay, it was a long time ago. I just visit the palace every now and then to get a taste of my childhood."

"A- Ah, so that's why...

(Now the mood got even more awkward because of me! I should have just keep my mouth shut!)"

"...Hey, is that the vehicle you were talking about?"

"Y- Yeah, it is!

(Phew! Finally the awkwardness is over!)"

The two of them finally get in the royal mini-airship, which begins to fly towards the Haidora Village. Yuko is sitting in the back seat while Vektor attentively searches for the Arsenal of Shadow without losing control...

"...That's it, I found it! Now I know where I have to go after I take Yuko home. Speaking of which..."

Silently, Vektor looks back to see how Yuko is doing, and for a few moments he is mesmerized by Yuko's bright gaze, which is fixed on the surface. Smiling, Vektor continues to drive without saying a word.

"I could spend the entire day admiring a radiant face like that... But what can I do, I have a journey to complete. Not long now... Only one more apprentice left."

As the royal mini-airship flies over Netern Island, Kder keeps running towards Etykiran City...

"...I did it again. Just like in the battle on Kder Island, I was able to do it instinctively. I hope I'll be able to control this ability soon to use it consciously..."

Vektor lands the royal mini-airship on the same grassy area as before and then descends along with Yuko, who says:

"Thank you so much for all your help."

"A- Ah, it was nothing. In the end, all I did was causing trouble. I hope this ride was enough for you to forgive me."

"You don't have to regret anything, today was a fun day. I hope I can meet you again someday."

"Well, about that... I kinda need to see you again pretty soon."

"Hm? What do you mean?"

"I'm looking for the Etykiran apprentices, so..."

"O- Oh! So that's why, I see..."

"(What a disappointed look... Did I say something wrong...?)

W- Well, Sych can explain the details to you later. I have to visit somewhere else soon."

"Sych?"

"Sych is a friend of mine. I'm going to visit him now, and as soon as I do this, I'll tell him to visit you and explain all the situation."

"Ah, okay. In that case, I'll see you another time..."

"Bye..."

With this awkward conclusion, the two of them go on their separate ways. Yuko walks to her house while Vektor walks to the inn where Sych is waiting for him.