I Became a Genius Mechanic at the Academy

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Finally, that moment has arrived.

With Demon Gates opening simultaneously around the world, the prologue to destruction begins with demons pouring forth.

However, at first, the leaders of various nations were confident.

Edgar Fix, the descendant of the Heavenly Being, had warned them countless times about the demon invasion.

Furthermore, the introduction of mechanized units globally had equipped them with formidable military power.

“This, this is… absolutely hopeless…”

But while they had made some preparations, they were not entirely ready.

Moreover, many nations had thought Edgar’s warning of ‘the Day of Destruction’ was merely a political ruse for the Empire’s expansion.

Having merely increased their military strength by adopting new technologies, they were almost entirely unprepared for a large-scale demonic invasion.

“Contact Edgar Fix immediately! Request reinforcements!”

“B-but Your Majesty… didn’t we nullify the agreement with Count Fix two months ago? The portals connected to Count Fix’s territory have all been dismantled…”

As a crisis descended upon them due to the large-scale demon invasion, the leaders of the world sought help from Edgar.

However, after the conspiracy theory that ‘Count Fix, the Empire’s lackey, is trying to dominate the world’ spread,

Nations around the world halted their interactions with Count Fix.

Above all, as the citizens praised Count Fix over their own kings, many were blinded by jealousy and rejected Count Fix.

“Damn it! At least try to contact him! There has to be a way for him to get here quickly!”

“Yes!”

However, in a state where every nation had firmly closed its doors, the only person who could lend a helping hand was Count Fix of the Empire.

The king of the Altusen Kingdom, left with no choice, contacted Edgar through a communication crystal.

-Paatt!

[Your Majesty, long time no see. I hope you have been well─]

“F-Fix! I’m getting straight to the point since time is of the essence! Our kingdom is on the brink of collapse! In three days at most, this royal castle will also fall!”

[Hmm… Alright.]

“We need reinforcements immediately! If you help this time, I will surely repay you one day!”

The king of the Altusen Kingdom pleaded desperately for immediate reinforcements.

However, Edgar shrugged as if to say, “What are you talking about?”

[Oh? Well, that’s a bit…]

“…Huh?”

[No. How far is it from here to there? How am I supposed to get there in three days? With tens of thousands of troops, no less.]

“B-but… with your abilities, I’m sure there must be a way…”

[Well… I suppose I could do something about it.]

“Hahaha! I knew it! Then we can send reinforcements right away─!”

[But I don’t have any specific reason to send them, do I?]

“…Huh?”

[It’s quite an economically costly endeavor to send troops from here to there. And without even offering to cover the expenses…]

“N-no! Didn’t you send help without charge in the past when requested!”

[That was when we had an agreement, wasn’t it? You unilaterally broke it two months ago.]

“Th-that’s…”

[I’m sorry. I’ve come to enjoy my time at the hot springs, so I must take my leave. I hope Your Majesty’s wisdom saves the kingdom from this crisis. Farewell.]

-BEEP.

“…”

Silence fell in the room.

The courtiers gathered in the Altusen Kingdom stared blankly at the communication crystal.

Could Count Fix really refuse to help…?

“I-it’s over then?”

It was utterly unexpected.

Who was Count Fix?

Wasn’t he the descendant of the Heavenly Being who would do anything for world unity and peace?

The messages he spread throughout the world.

The advanced technologies he disseminated.

The innovative systems and humanities he introduced.

Wasn’t all of that meant to prepare for a situation like this?

The one who had always warned about destruction and fostered vigilance was now cutting off communication just to enjoy a hot spring…

“I told you so! I said we could never break the agreement with Count Fix!”

At that moment, one of the pro-Fix ministers pointed a finger at the opposition.

The opposition’s representative met him head-on.

“Shut up! Are you saying we should leave the nation’s defenses open for foreign armies to invade at any time?!”

“Count Fix is a hero! He’s the descendant of the Heavenly Being sent to save the world!”

“Hah! He’s just a human! How can we know what dark intentions may lie beneath!”

“There’s sincerity behind what he’s shown us!”

“But what if that sincerity is merely a guise to control this nation?”

“It’s that overflowing distrust that led us to this disaster!”

The ministers of the Altusen Kingdom began to raise their voices and argue.

The king let out a deep sigh and rubbed his forehead.

He then told his aide to try contacting Count Fix once more.

No matter how he thought about it, he didn’t believe that Count would turn his back on them like this.

-BEEP.

[Hmm? I thought the conversation was over, what’s going on?]

Edgar Fix, enjoying wine in the hot spring, listened.

The king stared blankly at the scene for a moment before saying to Edgar,

“…Please help us. The costs incurred from your deployment will all be borne by me.”

[…Yes? Isn’t that a given? We’re talking about a life-or-death struggle here, how could I not charge for expenses?]

“…Th-then, does that mean you’ll help?”

[…No?]

“W-why…?”

[Why should I risk my life down there? It’s not even an allied nation.]

“But, but! You have the duty to protect humanity, you are a Heavenly Being!”

[Oh, was I under such an obligation? I didn’t know that. Thank you for enlightening me. But I have a more important duty: to enjoy my hot springs and cleanse my mind and body.]

[Ed, who’s that? By the way, this place is amazing~~♥]

At that moment, a female voice burst out from the video transmission crystal.

Enya, clad in a bathrobe, had appeared.

“…A-Are you serious right now! What’s the meaning of you frolicking and enjoying hot springs with women at a time like this!”

The king could no longer contain his anger and exploded.

However, when Isabella showed up afterward, the king became speechless again.

He was at a loss for words at how she treated him like a neighborhood uncle.

[Who’s having a tantrum this early in the morning? Ed, just hang up. Let’s just enjoy the hot springs together♥]

The beauties laughed and approached Edgar.

Laughing heartily, Edgar turned back to the crystal to finish the call.

Finally, Edgar said,

[As you can see, this is my leisure time. It’s a crucial time spent with my precious ones, so I’ll be disconnecting now.]

Just as Edgar was about to hang up,

The furious king suddenly raised his voice and shouted.

“How dare you disrespect me!!!”

[Wow, that startled me.]

“W-what did you…! Do you not know the manners of the nobility? Do you think you can disrespect me without consequence?!”

[Ha ha ha. Discussing noble manners? That’s amusing.]

“…What?”

[You were the first to violate manners. After we formed an agreement, I provided the portal setup and infrastructure—all for free. I even shared various technologies to help boost the economy.]

“…”

[But y’all unilaterally broke the agreement. Didn’t you devour all the infrastructure I set up?]

The king swallowed hard and hung his head.

He had unilaterally notified Edgar of the contract’s termination and consumed all the infrastructure.

He had fallen for the words of the ministers who spoke of Edgar Fix trying to consume this nation with the portals and infrastructure.

“Th-this… it was just…!”

[Sorry, but I can’t help you now. I’ll need to take my leave.]

But at that moment,

A beautiful woman with emerald hair entered.

Charlotte of the Verdian family.

She blushed as she entered the hot spring.

She naturally settled into Edgar’s embrace, pushing Isabella aside.

Isabella’s expression hardened.

[Ha ha ha, well, I’ll be hanging up now. I have the important duty of enjoying the hot springs. Good luck!]

With that, Edgar patted Isabella’s head, whose face was frozen in surprise, and ended the conversation.

The communication was cut off with Isabella’s face turning red.

-BEEP.

Thus, the second call ended.

Following this, the ministers of the kingdom began to split into two factions and argue about unilaterally breaking the agreement.

As the crisis escalated the following day,

The king, after bringing the anti-Fix ministers to their knees, attempted to call again.

In this way, a connection was made with Edgar, who was grilling pork belly.

[Your Majesty, are you still well? As you can see, it’s meal time, so I can’t chat long.]

“…I got excited yesterday. I should have first apologized for our country unilaterally breaking the agreement.”

As the king said this, he looked at the anti-Fix ministers with a cold glare.

When the crystal showed the anti-Fix ministers kneeling, they began to apologize and bow.

Their apologies came wrapped in various flowery phrases but ultimately conveyed their foolishness.

“…As you can see, the ministers are deeply remorseful. My judgment was clouded… Please forgive me. I desperately need your help.”

The king, feigning a sorrowful expression, apologized.

However, Edgar pretended not to hear and continued to eat the wraps Isabella made for him.

He praised her skill, commenting that she made the Korean-style wraps exceptionally well.

As Isabella’s face flushed with joy, Enya and Charlotte’s eyes lit up.

“…Count Fix?”

[Ah. Pffft. Pardon. I’m too stuffed to speak. (Your Majesty, just a moment. My mouth is full.)]

[-Gulp. Gulp. Gulp. Gulp. Gulp. Gulp. Gulp.]

“…”

While Edgar savored the wraps, finally swallowing the contents, he looked at the crystal and said,

[Well, I did enjoy the apology relay. But you didn’t think a mere apology would suffice, did you?]

“…Huh?”

[You’ll need to give something to convince me to help. Just providing me clean lettuce with two pieces of meat on it, grilled garlic, and kimchi for a wrap wouldn’t be enough.]

“…Are you asking for compensation? If so, I can certainly pay you well! For this cost to come here, your army─”

[No, that won’t matter. We would be far from close. 17 trillion Orden, can you manage that?]

17 trillion Orden.

The moment the king heard that, his expression hardened.

The Altusen Kingdom’s entire yearly budget was at most 27 billion, how could he possibly repay 17 trillion?

“To demand that amount… is akin to saying you won’t help at all…?”

[No, I could assist. If you could pay me with something else.]

“Something else…?”

[Yes. The Altusen Kingdom would need to become a vassal of the Empire.]

“…!!”

The room erupted in commotion.

To be told to submit to the Empire was essentially telling them to sell their nation.

At that moment, Edgar added,

[Of course, I will acknowledge your autonomy. Your rightful royal powers will be respected, and your systems for maintaining the nation will be recognized. But that will be under the Empire’s control.]

The king’s hands trembled.

He spoke through clenched teeth.

“Ultimately, you show your greedy intentions. Was this your plan from the beginning?”

[…Heh heh. You may think that way if you wish. My promise to respect the Autonomy of the Altusen Kingdom is a sort of mercy, given that the Altusen royal family has managed the country well until now.]

“…Hah. Mercy, you say?”

[Yes. Because your kingdom can no longer withstand the demon invasion. Even if I lead all my troops to garrison here, there will inevitably be limits. Since there is no infrastructure. Ultimately, all that remains is destruction.]

“…”

[There’s only one remaining option: to relocate the entire nation. To a haven fully equipped with all necessary infrastructure and resources.]

The king bit his lower lip.

Could he truly trust Edgar Fix?

Could there really exist a sanctuary that could accommodate the two million people of his kingdom?

And how could he move such a large population?

[You seem skeptical. Watch closely.]

At that moment, Edgar signaled to Eve, who began to play a holographic video while munching on a bone.

It was a portrayal of the exterior and interior of the fortress Edgar had prepared.

“This, this is…”

[Yes. This place is impenetrable. It has been prepared for a long time.]

“…But how can we migrate so many people there…?”

[Just wait a moment.]

Edgar rose from his seat.

Isabella also stood up after finishing a cup of water.

Enya shoved six pieces of meat into her mouth before standing.

Charlotte, ensuring that the lettuce didn’t wilt, also stood up.

As they all followed Edgar, he pressed a button on his chest and his suit began to automatically gear up.

When Edgar, now suited up, looked at the crystal, he said,

[Please look above.]

“…Above?”

The king looked up.

All he saw was the palace ceiling.

“What’s up there… a ceiling… outside…?”

Just as he was about to argue with the crystal, the screen caught his attention.

Amidst clouds, Edgar stood on a massive land made of steel.

[Watch closely. I will go there now.]

With that, Edgar jumped off the deck of the air carrier.

Isabella, Enya, and Charlotte, all suited up according to their unique styles, followed Edgar and jumped off as well.

As they descended and the altitude decreased, revealing the royal palace of the Altusen Kingdom, Edgar unleashed a barrage of repulsor beams.

Kwareung!

As the palace’s ceiling collapsed, Edgar landed in the very center of it.

Rising from the impact, Edgar pointed to the gaping sky.

[We can take everyone. That’s how our air carrier is designed.]

The king gazed up with his mouth agape at the enormous shadow casting over the entirety of the kingdom’s capital.

It was a colossal air carrier, as if the earth had risen into the sky, evoking awe.

[Make your choice. A majority of the citizens of the Altusen Kingdom already boarded my ark. Will you go with them, or will you await the end of the Altusen dynasty here?]

The king looked at Edgar, now in his suit, with a blank expression.

Indeed, this man was a descendant of the Heavenly Beings.

As the king finally nodded, Edgar gave orders to all troops aboard the carrier.

[As of now, the Altusen Kingdom has become a part of the Empire. All militaries, assist in driving out the demons and rescue the citizens of Altusen Kingdom.]

-KUGUGUGUGU!

The air carrier responded to Edgar’s orders with a deep rumbling of its engines as it began to descend.

The emperor, watching Edgar with arms crossed on the deck, chuckled softly to himself.

“Heh. Looks like he’s doing all the impressive stuff himself.”

He then turned to move towards the ‘refuge chamber’ he had set up for the two million refugees.