Levius Cromwell. Total hyper steam capacity...
9,500.05 cc.
What?! That's impossible!
Gone over the amount? You're joking...
Damn! We've got to do it all over again...!
Bill, what happened?
It failed. I failed. Me of all people!
What was the cause?
Eh? What?!
Promotion bout regulations are unlike that of normal matches.
The hyper steam capacity goes up to 9500cc and there's also more Agartha water.
I was extra careful with the fine-tuning but...
Is it the pressurized wall treatment? An error in the multistage ventilation?
No, it can't be... Where is it? Shit.
You have been working without sleep...
Sorry. I let you take everything on yourself...
No matter what I say, they'd only be excuses.
There's still time until the next check.
I'll have it readjusted by then.
EPISODE 9 CAN YOU MAKE THE DEADLINE?
Valve wrench, 2mm.
-Here. -2mm!
My bad. Let's see...
Enough, give me some space.
But, don't you need some help?
You're needlessly costing us time!
Please.
Sorry...
Not quite the usual quibbling four-eyes.
There's no use getting frustrated now...
Ah, I'll get it.
Okay. And?
I see. Got it.
It seems that AJ's check has finished.
So, how'd it go?
The materials and operation of the parts passed,
and the total hyper steam capacity was 9498.25cc.
You mean...
She passed the check on her first try.
An abundance of funds combined with the best engineers, huh.
But wait! They've modified parts for military use, right?! So--
Slandering an opponent without proof can get you disqualified.
But this is just...
Criticizing the result is the same as criticizing the system.
We must follow the rules.
The second check starts tomorrow at 8 a.m. I can still figure this out.
Okay, all the arm parts are as measured. So it's in the armor after all...
Levius, go get some rest.
But...
Don't worry, I'll stay with him. You just focus on the match.
Okay.
Levius' camp seems to be struggling quite a bit.
It can't be helped, with only one engineer.
There's more to it.
Promotional bouts have a maximum of three inspections.
If you fail to pass the first inspection, two more inspections are granted but...
failing on the first try leads to mistakes and you dig yourself into a hole.
The pressure an engineer faces is incomparable with a regular match.
Levius Cromwell. Total hyper steam capacity, 9,500.02 cc.
This exceeds competition rules.
Maybe you're trying to get it too close. If you leave a bit more room...
You know how hyper-steam works! Victory can depend on just 0.01 cc!
I know that but...
And most of it is used just on his arm. There is no room to begin with.
Sorry to interrupt. The third inspection is at 5 p.m...
Bloody hell...
Can you make the deadline? If you're forfeiting--
I'll be finished by that time. No matter what.
Hey, hairy pig.
Huh?
By any chance, are you thinking that now might be a good time to forfeit?
You're right.
I knew it. If that's the case--
But now that we've come this far, I want to help Levius win.
I want him to save AJ... and see Levius happy.
W-What's this? Finally made up your mind? It's about time, hairy pig!
Put a sock in it, little girl.
That'll do it...
This will surely work!
Shit!
Still time. Once more...
Let's take off the armor.
What?
We have to reduce the armor.
Levius, you...
Reducing the outer armor will reduce the total steam amount, right?
There's no way you can do that! You're facing AJ!
I mean, without the armor our plan won't to work!
I'll take the solar plexus part off and take AJ's punches with my side armor.
What? If you mess up the timing even slightly, you'll die!
It's fine, I'll pull it off.
Cut the rubbish! That's just impossible!
It's not impossible.
Huh? How can you say that?
Because you and Malcolm helped me.
So, I know I'll pull it off. No matter what.
Levius...
Zack, you're the trainer. I need you to approve it...
Right, I know...
No... Absolutely not!
It's mental! It's like committing suicide!
Zack, please! Make him stop!
Zack, listen. C'mon, please! Zack! It's too dangerous!!
It's way too risky! Zack!
Hey! Zack!
Do it, Bill.
Got it.
Allow me to report.
Levius' camp also passed the regulation inspection just earlier.
He's currently standing by at his lodge until the bout.
AJ's tune-up has finished without issue. We are awaiting you.
The two melodies overlap and intersect
as they are elevated to a song of ecstasy and lamentation...
I shall savor this...
Here.
Sorry about the inspection...
Nonsense, everybody gets nervous.
I've been having the runs for a while too.
I couldn't send him out at his best... I've failed him as an engineer.
I'm the one who owes an apology.
I got you mixed up in this mess and pushed all of the burden on you.
Do you remember?
Huh?
Back when we met.
I had just started as a cut man in the underground scene.
Yeah, I remember. I'll never know why an upper-class kid took a job like that.
I left home and had no money. It paid well and let me learn medicine.
No other jobs were like that.
Then you got mixed up with some hoodlums. Just brilliant.
True.
They beat the crap out of me and almost took my hard-earned money too.
But, there stepped in...
the underground boxing star of the time.
I wouldn't say star.
Well, I was popular enough to get as many cheers as Levius does now.
Huh?
Tad bit of a stretch, huh?
You saved me back then, when I was just a total stranger.
You helped me too.
You noticed the thing with this eye. You saved my life.
Now we're square. I'm here of my own free will.
Bill...
Enough talk about you getting me mixed up in this and burdening me.
Same to you.
Well, about time to get going.
This is the bout of a lifetime. Let's give Levius the support he needs.
I was planning to do that anyway.
Bloody hell! What a killjoy!
You're way too close!
Come on! We're a team!
What's that have to do with hanging on me...
For cryin' out loud, shush your mush. Come on. Let's go!
Natalia.
Should we get going?
Yeah, probably.
Levius...
What is it?
I know it's too late to say this and you've worked so hard for this bout,
but still...
Don't do this...
Natalia...
You're fighting with reduced armor against AJ? It's too risky.
If the timing is even just a bit off...
I know th--
I mean, there's gotta be some other way to rescue AJ.
But, I...
I understand how you feel. At least, I want to...
But...
But what good is it gonna do if you die?
I'll be okay.
No, you won't. Even if you don't die,
if you lose, you'll be Clown's...
It's alright, I've resolved myself.
Even if you're alright, I'm not alright!
I'm scared, Levius. I felt like...
we'd finally become a family...
So, don't go.
Please don't go.
Thank you, Natalia.
You are...
my family.
Levius...
Levius! It's time! Let's go!
What is it? Everything all right?
Let's go, Uncle.
W-What the heck?
The great Ms. Natalia just accepted you as family, and you...
Ouch...
Levius!
Knock that little girl out!
This certainly is quite the show.
I've heard the earnings are the highest to date...
I do wish to see more cards like this.
The odds are out!
Levius is 3.25 and AJ is 1.75!
AJ has the advantage!
What a turn out!
You sure we're getting in?
Who's gonna win?
Gotta be AJ, she beat that Hugo.
Any more tickets?!
-I'll buy 'em! -Sell to me!
Please!
Darn it!
Outside again?!
I really wish I could see it live!
What is she doing? Damn Natalia! The match is starting!
Please don't go...
Why's she gotta do this now... Does she have the runs too?
Don't take hits on the solar plexus, where the armor was removed.
If the medics are slow, your life could be in danger.
I got it...
I'm in no position to act high and mighty, but I'm sorry for the extra burden...
Bill,
I'd be lost without you.
You're as weird as ever.
Cripes! We're gonna have to leave without her.
This is it, Levius.
Yeah.
It's funny...
That right arm you couldn't even move when we met...
is now reaching out to help someone.
Your fist used to be so small.
You've grown so much.
Thanks to you, Uncle.
All right!
The training! Remember the training! You trained hard, I know you can win this!
Right.
Keep your feet moving. Focus. Keep your senses sharp!
Focus... Senses...
Just one chance. When AJ left-hooks, take it, parry and counter. Spin hook!
Left hook... Counter... One chance...
Listen, it's the shoulder blade. You need to strike this point.
Lose a battle to win the war. You can do it. I know you can!
Grab this by the horns!
Grasp it! Win!
Win!
The Metal Boxing Association sanctioned Grade 2 promotion bout shall now begin!
On the west side!
Grade 3, ranked 7th!
Levius Cromwell!
Look at Levius' arm!
Oh my gosh, he's so hot!
Next, on the east side!
Grade 3, ranked 22nd!
AJ Langdon!
AJ!
Why isn't she coming out?
What's the matter?
What? What's going on?
-Hurry up and show your face! -AJ!
Get out here already!
Hey!
Clown...
What a pompous bugger...
-A mask? -Who's that?
Philistines...
At least show some decorum, before the frenzy begins.
-Hey is that... -Amethyst's...?
It can't be? Why...
Huh? Who is he?
Very good.
The muse prefers silence.