Karakuri Circus

What's the weakness of his weapon?

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

He stopped.

Well, of course. Obviously he can use both arms.

This won't be easy.

He shoots 9 times from each arm.

I can't get close.

Let it bloom or let it wither

The setting sun ignites the horizon

And the gears turn

When the horn blows, the flames dance

The story waits for no-one

Off they go, the gears are churning

A red past chases after you

The jester's smile

What's behind the mask?

You can't erase the scars

No matter how they burn

Let it bloom or let it wither

The setting sun ignites the horizon

Alone in the depths of the night

Let out a cry that can cut through fate

That's the cue to begin

The curtain is rising, it's time to dance

Everybody sheds tears at the end

So hold them in now and keep going

Until the day the curtain falls

The gears will keep turning

#23 The demon's return

Your rotation axis is losing balance already.

Your molybdenum steel alloy is like paper compared to my cross carbon.

I'm not done yet!

See? Undone in a second.

Damn it.

Too slow.

It was much too easy to beat you. I couldn't even answer your question.

But since we're here, I'll tell you.

Why I've sided with Lord Faceless.

It's simple.

Earth is the most magnificent planet in this universe.

And I couldn't bear the irrationality of how humans live on it.

This is a beautiful planet.

But on it lives a certain species.

One that contributes nothing and devours everything.

Humans.

I realize now.

The earth can remain beautiful only if humans disappear from it.

You see? Humans must first be immobilized.

Once that happens, they will finally be of some use.

As food for the automata who will clean the earth up.

But the automata say that shirogane blood is nasty.

So you're good for nothing at all.

My, my.

You fool.

What's wrong, puppeteer?

Les Mains Vertes Foncées shoots blasts of pressurized air.

No ammo to run out of.

Thanks for telling me.

But I'm a professional assassin.

This is my job, I can't run away from it.

My only chance is when he changes arms.

But his moves aren't impossibly fast.

The automata's golden rule? What's that?

Ashihana, you said you couldn't win against the automata.

But the golden rule is your answer.

The key to winning.

I don't get it.

Originally,

automata were made as clowns to bring fear and suffering upon humans.

That means humans are their audience.

The audience must be able to see them.

You mean, they can't move at a speed we can't see.

Exactly, not as long as humans are the audience.

But if people hold weapons or ride tanks, they cease to be an audience.

I see.

That's why shiroganes fight with marionettes.

Because marionettes aren't weapons.

Right. That means as long as you fight using marionettes,

the automata can only move at a human-like speed.

That's why you can win against the automata.

I sure don't feel like I can.

But I'll give it a try!

Your marionette moves likes it's dancing.

Not bad.

6, 7, 8, 9.

Now!

Not so fast, puppeteer.

This is where I wanted you!

Up in mid-air!

You think so?

He moved?

You did well human, but not well enough.

Damn it!

Pathetic. Here, have it back.

There you go.

According to Tom, Harry is pretty big.

How do you plan to carry it?

Fou's given orders.

Ashihana and George will transport it.

Blood! Fresh blood for everyone!

How could you!

I can't hear you, you bug.

Let's stomp them all.

-Stop! -As if I would...

It's just a human!

A human? Wrong.

He's no human...

No human could be as strong as that.

What the heck are you?

I'm a demon.

Are you all okay? I'm glad you're still alive.

I'm Narumi.

Yes, I know.

Excuse us, but we don't have any time, Miss Helen.

Do you know where Harry is?

We can't let the automata get their hands on it.

Down that hall.

Narumi, I'll stay here.

I'll keep the automata away. You get Harry.

They're still not giving up?

They should just hand Harry over, don't you think?

Right, Blom Blom Low?

Take it easy, Drill September.

Gotta hand it to them.

They're only humans, but they've used their brains.

They're pretty smart.

Modifying the machine to emit waves that nullify the ZONAPHA bug.

Since we live on fluids made with the ZONAPHA bug,

we can't get close to it.

A true master researcher of ZONAPHA.

Doctor, the magnetic field is growing smaller.

I know.

But Lord Faceless is going to be mad at us.

We need to hurry and take it home.

That's why I'm sitting here waiting.

The limit situation Jaspers wrote about in this book is closing in on them.

It's a situation they can't do anything about.

Nobody's coming to help. It's the end for them.

The battery is going to die.

Don't give up.

Remember when this institute was on the verge of destruction?

The man who fought by himself to save the children.

We must be like him.

What is your name, puppeteer?

It's Ashihana. Why do you ask?

You were quite skilled as a puppeteer.