"Rhode, you scared us half to death!" Everyone got up from the ground, while Lilia patted her chest and spoke to Rhode, still shaken.
The others gathered around as well.
"Yeah, first that explosion, and now another one." Kienlo shook her little leopard head. "I really don't understand why you humans love explosions so much."
Sally looked thoughtful. "But I feel like I've seen this explosion somewhere before... right! During that race, your car exploded like this when you crossed the finish line!"
At Sally's words, everyone wore an expression of sudden understanding.
So Rhode had planned all of this.
He had already been testing this "self-destructing robot" back during the race, specifically to deal with troublesome opponents like Oto.
"The Earl really does think far ahead."
"He must have anticipated the skills the enemy leader would use in battle, too. Truly impressive."
"Of course. That Oto looked formidable, but he never stood a chance against the Earl!"
"Exactly. With Earl Rhode's abilities, he's probably already built plenty of robots like this. Blowing up one is nothing."
"By the way, the Earl shouted 'D.Va loves you!' just now. What did that mean? Was it the detonation command...?"
Everyone chattered away, while Rhode suffered in silence.
I only self-destructed because I had no choice!
Building a Magic Mech like that took time, effort, and materials. Who would willingly blow it up unless there was absolutely no other option?
Of course, adding a self-destruct mechanism to Blue Melancholy had indeed been inspired by the race. It counted as his final trump card, too. After all, the detonation of an Energy Crystal really did pack an astonishing punch.
He just hadn't expected to play that trump card so soon, taking Blue Melancholy down along with Oto.
My materials, my crystals, my money!...
But