At this moment, Kira finally noticed the situation over here. He was stunned to see a GAT-X suddenly appear in the center of the battlefield.
"That Mobile Suit is not the enemy! Kira!"
Cagalli's voice reached him just as Forbidden launched its attack.
He Kui's beam claws collided with the opponent's scythe.
The weapon treated to resist beam attacks clashed with the lightsaber, and soon, with a powerful strike, it broke through the lightsaber's defense and continued to cut downwards.
"Die!"
The enemy pilot's voice sounded crazed as it surged into the cockpit.
"Not yet."
Saying this, He Kui withdrew his body, dodging the fatal blow, but his hand holding the beam sword shield was unfortunately severed.
"Run!"
He Kui managed to say to Cagalli behind him before he tightly embraced Forbidden at close range.
At the same time, he activated the Mobile Suit's self-destruct button.
However, Forbidden reacted quickly; although he had embraced it tightly, there was still a high-energy plasma cannon in its chest.
In an instant, it tore through the cockpit of the GAT-X.
Although the Mobile Suit exploded, the detonation's energy storage time was too short, and the blast did not have enough power to breach the opponent's TP armor.
Seeing this, Cagalli furrowed her brows. Although he was a stranger she had never met, there was something familiar about that feeling.
That was also the reason she had just called Kira for help.
But now, it was too late to say anything.
"This Mobile Suit is too strong. Cagalli, you need to retreat!"
Director Erica reminded from the bridge.
Although Cagalli had technically snuck out on her own this time, there were indeed hidden operations from Sahak behind it.
That was why Cagalli was on such a dangerous front line.
What they were supposed to do was naturally unnecessary to elaborate.
But she couldn't allow Cagalli to die.
"I know!"
Cagalli replied and then pushed the throttle to the max.
Just as that person had said, in shallow waters, the opponent could not match her speed.
But how did he know that?
Besides needing analytical skills, he should also have some understanding of the scale system, right? This question did not linger in her mind for long. Driven by curiosity and the desire to call for help, Cagalli chose not to return to the Archangel but instead headed towards a coastline near a small town.
On the other side, under a high-performance telescope, He Kui let out a sigh of relief upon seeing this.
As long as he was up there, there was still hope.
Thinking of the Aegis's full power beneath him, he jumped off the building and activated the simple gliding device on his back, flying towards the coastline.
Before long, Cagalli reached her destination, and Aegis also appeared there.
At this moment, the sun loungers and many umbrellas on the beach were scattered and overturned by the aftermath of the battle.
In the chaotic battlefield, no one paid attention to this place, which held no strategic significance.
"Are you a mercenary too?" Cagalli asked the masked girl in front of her.
"Yes."
"How many of you are there?"
If they had many people and were strong, they might be able to help Orb.
This was also one of the reasons Cagalli rushed over.
"Only me."
"."
Hearing Aegis's answer, Cagalli opened the cockpit door.
"Your mercenary group only has two people!?!"
Cagalli looked at him in disbelief, her eyes wide.
"Well, to be precise, it's just me."
After all, the Haro and GAT-X had just heroically sacrificed themselves.
He should stop piloting GAT-X in the future.
Every time, he ended up as cannon fodder.
"Sorry."
Hearing He Kui's words, Cagalli, thinking he was concerned about the death of the pilot in that GAT-X, lowered her gaze.
"It's fine, but this isn't a place to talk."
As he spoke, He Kui agilely jumped into the cockpit position.
"Ah."
"Then, Miss Cagalli, do you want to get down?"
While speaking, He Kui was also considering whether throwing her down would be safer.
"Don't!"
"Alright then."
Even if he threw her down, judging by her appearance, she would probably find a way to get back to the battlefield.
"Princess, you really don't have to push yourself so hard. You're a princess, not a soldier. It's fine to go to the battlefield, but besides this battlefield, there are many other places that need you too."
Cagalli's words, commanding and uplifting the morale, were much more effective than just charging in.
"I—"
Cagalli, who initially wanted to retort, found herself at a loss for words.
"Okay, let's go together, but you have to listen to me."
".Okay."
Although she wanted to ask why, upon hearing He Kui's serious tone, the girl nodded in agreement.
The cockpit door quickly closed again, and He Kui took full control of the Mobile Suit.
His operation felt completely familiar; after all, he had piloted the Raider-type Assault many times before.
Seeing He Kui operate even more skillfully than her, the girl was momentarily stunned.
"What's your name? Have you piloted the Assault before?"
"Aegis, I've piloted it."
"You are Aegis!"
Cagalli looked at the cloaked figure in surprise, feeling a bit slow on the uptake.
"Yes, I am Aegis."
"Then He Kui."
"I also take on mercenary jobs, but this matter—"
Aegis said, placing a finger on his mask to signal for silence.
"He Kui doesn't want others to know."
"Alright."
Cagalli nodded, feeling warm inside.
After all, to be able to hire someone with the elite Red Uniform's strength, He Kui must have paid a considerable price.
It was all to protect her. A warmth she had never felt from any other man besides her father began to fill Cagalli's entire being, starting from her heart.
"Limiter released, manual operation mode activated."
He Kui adjusted the natural human system used by Cagalli.
The Mobile Suit quickly stood up.
Cagalli watched He Kui's speed, which was no less than Kira's, and was left dumbfounded.
"You're so fast."
Cagalli's unintentional remark sounded incredibly awkward to He Kui.
"Not really, it's not that fast."
After giving a vague reply, the Assault submerged into the water.
The scale-type motor was incredibly fast, especially after He Kui released the limiter, making it even quicker than when Cagalli was in control.
"Whoa."
The rapid acceleration knocked the girl, who was half-standing beside He Kui, directly against Aegis.
Her soft skin acted as a cushion, alleviating Cagalli's pain.
"Sorry!"
Seeing Cagalli trying to struggle to stand up, He Kui helplessly placed a hand on her slender shoulder.
"Just stay like this."
".Okay."
Since they were both girls, it didn't seem to matter much.
"Your cloak smells so bad."
It really did smell bad; after all, he had come up from the sea without cleaning up, just trudging along.
Although He Kui couldn't smell it, it
would be strange if it didn't smell.
"Bear with it."
"Okay."
"But since you're going to protect me, you have to drive them all away!"
Seeing that they were about to return to the main battlefield, Cagalli became serious.
"I know."
This was a response he had anticipated.
(End of Chapter)