Phantom City

 

The day Echidna had foretold arrived.

At the forested foot of Mount Etna, the trees had been cleared to make way for an improvised forward base. Hastily constructed, it served as a makeshift encampment in preparation for the assault.

Kryptos and Silhouettes bustled about in organized chaos.

「We have visual confirmation of a large Teras. It’s approaching our sector.」

Morgan’s voice echoed across the base. The perimeter alert network had detected it.

Silhouettes and Cu Siths lined up in formation, ready to intercept.

「Projecting surveillance footage now.」

The image of the massive Teras appeared on screen.

「It appears to be a quadrupedal mobile mothership. But… that shape…」

「Hard to mistake that silhouette.」

Standing behind Kou was Asia, still in her avatar—likely on alert for something unseen.

「Even I recognize it. That’s Cerberus.」

The projection showed a four-legged walking warship—its form unmistakably canine, with three enormous heads.

「That’s not the real issue, Kou.」

「I know. I’ve seen that hull before. The starship that served as Cerberus base was a Kimon-class starship.」

Indeed, the Teras bore a striking resemblance to the triple-hulled Kimon-class.

「Never thought we’d face off against a Kimon-class. Its modular structure seems to be a perfect match for Cerberus’ monstrous form.」

Astraea delivered a calm assessment of the Cerberus.

「If it’s the Kimon-class that was stationed in Planet Libya… then it’s likely the Miltiades, named after the ancient Greek general.」

「That’s the most probable candidate.」

Many warships from the Interplanetary War Era had been named after figures from ancient Greece. Miltiades was no exception.

And now, for Kou, it had become nothing less than Cerberus itself.

「So even the Kimon-class has turned against us.」

「It has changed, and now it’s a Mythology Weapon. Expect heavy firepower. Confirming additional large Teras now. Projecting footage.」

Another quadrupedal mothership approached from a different direction—this one had two heads.

Overhead, an enormous silhouette soared through the sky—a massive, gold-scaled dragon-shaped Teras, gleaming in the light.

「Those are Echidna’s brood. They are quite easy to identify. The canine with two heads is Orthrus—the two-headed watchdog of Hades. The flying one is Ladon—the dragon who guarded the golden apples.」

「Orthrus is probably based on a dual-hull starship. Ladon, I’d wager, is based on a cruiser, although I don’t recognize its model.」

「These are seriously bad news!」

「I am aware. She has come in full force.」

Morgan relayed the next report:

「Enemy bombardment has commenced.」

「Status of the base?!」

The surface housed temporary structures designed to contain large Kryptos like Seth and Garuda, as well as land-based support units like the Cat Siths. Many work Silhouettes were present too.

「Impact confirmed. The enemy is carpet bombing us.」

Morgan remained unshaken as the screen showed the base erupting in explosions one after another.

◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

「Check the damage report.」

Kou’s voice was tight with tension. Morgan replied with a smile.

「Zero damage. All systems normal.」

「I see.」

Kou nodded, reassured. He had entrusted all command functions of the base to Morgan.

After all, the base hadn’t even existed until yesterday.

「My name is Morgan le Fay—also known as the Mirage, Fata Morgana. A feat like this is nothing for me.」

Explosions rocked the landscape.

Silhouettes were sent flying. Dog- and cat-type Eidolons scattered. Madou Kashas tumbled.

Even the personnel stationed outside were thrown to the ground.

Yet, as each of them hit the earth… they vanished.

「This illusion’s too realistic!」

Asia sounded more exasperated than impressed.

「The truly terrifying ones are the people who came from Earth. The mind behind this idea is none other than Marujin-sama.」

「—Analysis complete. This derives from an event from World War II. A British magician created massive illusions—phantom armies and cities—to deceive the enemy. Entire fake fleets, rail lines, and communication records were fabricated. Their greatest feat was the illusion cast over the port of Alexandria, which supposedly saved it from aerial bombardment. Though debated, the magician’s exploits have become legend.」

「Any magician whose tricks are seen through is second-rate. This plan is highly effective against Mythology Weapons that operate within visible range.」

「A strategy of pure deception… That’s a very British strategy. Fits you well, Morgan.」

「Outis. Did you say something just now?」

「Er—nope?」

Realizing his slip, Kou winced. Asia, behind him, stifled a laugh.

「The base personnel are all hidden within a compact encampment. Initiating counteroffensive.」

At Morgan’s command, Eri rose to her feet.

「Understood. Trireme Fleet—surface!」

From beneath the sea, the Trireme fleet emerged.

Realm’s port operated through an underground facility, much like the rest of the subterranean factories.

「Starships are a bad match against Mythology Weapons that behave like living creatures. We will never win unless we master irregular tactics as a conventional force.」

Standing beside Eri, Kinukawa surveyed the fleet with a calm gaze.

「Leave the command of the ships to me. Asia, I’m counting on you.」

Aimer said this to Asia, who smiled in return.

「Without you, I feel like I lost my limbs, Aimer. But leave it to me!」

「Thank you, Asia.」

A deep bond now connected Aimer and Asia. The connection between Asia and her priestess, Aimer, was so strong that Asia could connect with her even in sealed locations.

「Base Defense Force—assume formation.」

「You got it.」

Riding atop Hayataro, Kurose inside his Dragon Slayer answered.

He had been entrusted with leading the base’s defense.

From various points in the forest, Agathodaimons launched into the air, scanning the perimeter.

Lurking in the shadows, a massive spinning wheel waited for its moment to strike—its rear bristling with countless gleaming golden eyes. Their narrow pupils marked them as feline.

「Ugh… I suck at silhouette combat…」

Matt groaned from inside his Lanius Type-C.

「It’s okay, Matt-san. Arthur and I have your back.」

「Indeed. This battle marks the first step in reclaiming Libya.」

Flack and Arthur were part of the infiltration team.

「Everyone… thank you.」

In Flack’s rear seat, Libya herself bowed her head in gratitude.

「Nya!」

Bastet let out an encouraging cry.

「It’s about time. Right. We’re coming too—leave it to us!」

With a roar, a Kasha darted from the shadows, followed by a crowd of Cat Siths.

「We’re takin’ point, boys! Charge!」

「Hell yeah!」

Dozens—no, over a hundred—Kashas surged forward, rolling toward Echidna’s position.

「That many of them… really?」

Watching the incoming tide via a projected feed, even Echidna couldn’t hide a trace of reluctance.

 

TN:
About Cerberus, Orthrus, and Ladon. These three mythological beings are famous beings from Greek Mythology. The three of them were sons of Echidna and Typhon, and are mostly known for their role as antagonists in Heracles’ Twelve Labors—the trials Heracles had to perform as penance for killing his own family.

Orthrus appears in the Tenth Labor as guardian of the red cattle of the three-bodied giant Geryon.

Ladon appears on the Eleventh Labor, as the guardian of the Golden Apples of immortality. By the way, Ladon is a serpentine dragon, not the typical western dragon.

Cerberus appears on the Twelfth and final Labor, where its capture is the objective of the trial itself. As Cerberus was the guardian of the gates of Hades, Heracles not only had to capture it, but also convince Hades to let him capture it.