Chapter 461 - The Final Stand on the Borderline
Multiple enemy teams had formed a joint front, setting up a defensive line just outside the Safe Area.
I think they’re managing to do this without prior coordination, but even so, I’m impressed by their bold alliance. In a situation where anyone could turn traitor at any moment, it’s a tough choice to rely on each other. If it fails, the consequences could be dire.
On the flip side, it’s also a testament to the prowess of Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy. It’s a last-ditch effort, a desperate move that had to be made. If it weren’t, they wouldn’t stand a chance. That’s the only way they could do it.
If I were part of the enemy team, I might have attempted something similar. It’s a high-stakes gamble.
This is the final round, the championship match.
Some might say that if you lose but put on a good show, the memories of the game are enough. However, if you aim to win, you must employ any means necessary within the rules. Forming alliances is a common tactic that anyone could think of.
But it’s still naive. There’s a noticeable amount of determination, but that’s all it is. Just numbers won’t create any pressure, and they certainly won’t close the gap in skill.
I’m actually hoping for their determination and tactics to push my team to their limits. Honestly, our school hasn’t faced a real challenge until the final stages. We’ve had it easy.
Even if I want them to win, objectively speaking, the games have been boring. Winning an easy fight is expected. While I’ll praise them for their victory, there’s no surprise or excitement.
To fully showcase the training and skills they’ve honed, they need to be pushed to the brink. Otherwise, it would be a waste.
It’s great that they won, and it’s a good result, but I wish the battles were more engaging.
If I could, I’d almost give advice to the enemy teams... but then again, it’s their fight to win or lose.
"Hmm? That’s fine."
It took a while, but finally, some fire was lit under a few of the enemy teams.
Instead of hesitating, their Magic Dolls started to tackle the reckless attacks from Hermira’s and Harriet’s dolls. They weren’t using weapons or shields but were pinning them down with sheer determination. That’s the only way to stop those two dolls. They’ve understood the tactic.
"This is an intense battle! The teams are putting their all against Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy’s two Magic Dolls!"
The first few attacks were handled without issue. However, continuous attacks from all directions, even with a significant skill gap, are hard to manage.
If they were human, they could use magic to counter, but these are inflexible Magic Dolls. With all-out attacks, even the weaker side can see a way to victory.
The short but fierce battle continued.
The two dolls served as decoys, drawing in a significant number of enemies, and in exchange for multiple victories, they were disabled.
"President, we’re sorry. We’ve done all we can."
"No, that was perfect. There’s nothing more we could have asked for. Leave the rest to us."
That’s right. Asking for more would be unrealistic. They could have survived if the enemy was weaker, but this is the championship stage. Even in defeat, they can be proud of their full effort.
"Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy has entered the Safe Area! At this moment, it looks like six teams have secured a position inside!"
Six teams are now in the safe zone. The other five teams didn’t join the all-out attack and are either observing or fortifying their defenses.
"We’re going to hinder the teams pursuing us!"
"Deploy in a horizontal formation. The Flagship Machine might be trying to flank us, but we’ll stop them here!"
"Alright!"
We’ve broken through their defensive line and entered the Safe Area. Now, it’s the opposite: the teams that were on the outside must break through our defense or face defeat. The Flagship Machine, at the very least, must cross the line in time. This is the decisive moment.
But it’s far from over. The game is at a critical point.
"Hermira, I’m worried about the teams spectating from the Safe Area. I’ll leave that to you to keep an eye on!"
"Of course. I’ll cover the rear."
They’re not using a single line formation, as it would make the Flagship Machine too obvious. Instead, two additional dolls are slightly behind, making it unclear which one is the Flagship Machine.
Still, the target is almost known. Once it’s clear, they’ll move.
"Here it comes! The teams outside the Safe Area are making their move!"
Just as the announcer’s excited voice suggests, they are indeed moving.
There are few teams left. With over ten minutes until the next Safe Area is announced, including the interval, and considering this Safe Area is in the northeast of the battlefield, if the next one is far away, Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy will have a significant advantage in securing the new position.
Witnessing our perfect defense, the future is almost predictable. If it comes to that, other teams have no chance. The outcome is easy to imagine.
For the other teams, this is their moment to act.
"Maintain the defensive line until time runs out! We must eliminate the teams outside the Safe Area!"
"Hang in there, it’s almost over!"
"Alright!"
The battle at the boundary line of the Safe Area intensifies.
The teams outside must break through or lose. They’re desperate to find a way in.
For the teams inside, this is their best chance to defeat Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy. With the likely Flagship Machine identified, they have no choice but to attack.
For the teams outside, the strategy is simple. If I were them, I’d line up my dolls with shields and push through with numbers. They don’t need to destroy us; just pushing the suspected Flagship Machine out of the Safe Area would be enough to secure a win.
This is the perfect opportunity. If they miss it, they won’t win. They know that. They’re the last remaining teams after all.
Now, the battle is between Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy and the rest.
Every team is attacking our dolls, launching a multi-front assault from inside and outside the Safe Area.
Despite the reduced numbers, the battlefield is finally heating up. All teams are putting everything on the line, and the battles are getting interesting.
This is the final stage.
"With this, the intensity of the teams’ movements has escalated! There’s not a single passive team left!"
The battles between Hermira’s and Harriet’s dolls likely provided a blueprint for the enemy teams. Even against a much stronger opponent, there’s a way to counter. It’s about throwing caution to the wind and using sheer determination.
You don’t have to be afraid of losing; you just need the will and determination to attack in numbers. The real battle began when the teams stopped thinking about self-preservation.
"The horizontal formation can’t hold! It’s collapsing!"
"President, we can’t hold them back on this side!"
"They’re attacking again! Edith Squad, the third doll has stopped! They’re surrounding us!"
"Chelsea Squad, four dolls stopped! We can’t cover them all! They’re pushing through! If this continues..."
"What do we do, Hermira? Should we retreat and regroup?"
Hermira seems hesitant. Mildree is right; retreating might give them a chance to reorganize.
However, the pride of being a champion, the ‘king’s battle’, as I always say, is making the decision difficult.
...Yeah, maybe a little nudge would help. It might give her the hint she needs.
"Hermira!"
When I call out, everyone looks at me. But my voice is only that one word.
Then I point at my wrist. It’s a silent command to mind the time.
"Ah, right... The time limit for the Safe Area is almost up! We’ll move now to lure the enemy, so protect my Flagship Machine!"
Everyone exchanges glances at the sudden order.
But it’s fine. Thanks to all the practice, they understand the situation and act quickly.
"Got it. Everyone! We’ll temporarily leave the Safe Area but return at the last second!"
"Edith Squad, three dolls from the right flank will be decoys!"
"Three dolls from Chelsea Squad will also be decoys from the left flank!"
"Alright, five dolls from the main force will act as skirmishers! We’ll disrupt and pull all teams out of the Safe Area!"
"Alright!"
Every team is fully committed to defeating us. The enemy is getting too heated, probably because they’re finally managing to take down our seemingly invincible dolls. They’re overconfident, and I get it.
But in their excitement, most of them are forgetting about the time limit, which is less than a minute away.
"The Magic Dolls of the teams are falling one after another! This is a fierce and fitting final battle!"
Good commentary. He’s probably deliberately avoiding mentioning the time limit.
He would have mentioned it if many teams were moving, but now, with the intense battle at the boundary, he can’t afford to distract them.
Our dolls, which have been holding the line like a rock, are suddenly on the move.
The enemy teams, who had been charging recklessly, must have been confused for a moment. They thought we were retreating. They wouldn’t let us go.
Each of our dolls, under attack from the outside, retreats temporarily and maneuvers around the enemy, crisscrossing and breaking through.
Hermira and the central group, who had been pushed back, use this momentum to move outside the Safe Area. To the enemy, this would seem like a successful strategy.
But they can’t afford to let us go. Killing Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy’s Flagship Machine is the ultimate prize.
None of the teams can ignore us. Driven by their battle spirit, they pursue us relentlessly, lured by the decoys.
The decoys will likely fall. The enemy is attacking with all their might, and they’re outnumbered.
But that’s fine. This is the final stage, and there’s no time to think about the future.
"Edith, how’s the rear?"
"They’re following us!"
"We can hold on a bit longer. Once we’ve lured them far enough... Okay, here! Mildree!"
"Full speed ahead! We’ll turn left and head back to the Safe Area!"
We’ll pretend to retreat, luring the enemy far enough, and then return at a speed they can’t match.
At first, they’ll chase us full throttle, but once they realize they can’t catch us, they’ll start to calm down.
They’ll eventually realize the situation, though a bit late.
Now, all the lured teams will race back to the Safe Area.
With just a few seconds left, we’ll see if any teams can make it back in time.
Will any of them besides us manage to make it?