Emerging from the Transition Gate in the Hercules Star System were hundreds of 800m-long vanguard units, and eight large straight cylinders that appeared to be work ships about 5,000 meters long and 1,000 meters high.
Half of the vanguard units were attacking Fortress Kerviel, while the other half were approaching the planet Alcaeus. The one ship that showed a Magic Element Engineâs reaction, and the eight cylinders that the Daemon King Theia described as work ships, headed toward the star.
A rough representation of the appearance of the vanguard units is that of a metallic jellyfish.
When Ćizumiâs soldiers regained consciousness, they scrunched up their faces at what they witnessed and, as a conditioned reflex, put their hands on the triggers of their artillery fire. The Daemons did not lend their help, however, and the fighter crafts powered by the magic engine did not operate.
In response, YĂșnlĂĄn ordered them to wait and see via communication.
âCommander-in-Chief YĂșnlĂĄn to all forces of Ćizumi. Those who have appeared are allies. Do not interfere with their actions.â
Even YĂșnlĂĄn, who had given the order, was not convinced that the unknown group was on their side.
All YĂșnlĂĄn understood was the fact that Mariel, the Daemon Emperor who had contracted with him, collaborated with the Daemon King Theia, who ruled over the area connected by the gate, and had invited the group that Theia had a contract with.
Mariel is an ally of YĂșnlĂĄn, her contractor. This is because the Spirits and Daemons used by tens of billions of human beings have consistently sided with their contractors, and they have a decent track record.
However, while Mariel is an ally of YĂșnlĂĄn, the contractor, she is not an ally of humanity as a whole, not even of other Daemons.
After all, Mariel ate the Daemon King Nixe, who was contracted by Ishidor, the leader of Hercules. In addition, she used all but the 5.6 billion people of Ćizumi as a bargaining chip, seeking the cooperation of the Daemon King Theia.
The reason why YĂșnlĂĄn doesnât stop this terrifying turn of events is because he knows that Mariel is working for YĂșnlĂĄn, her contractor.
YĂșnlĂĄn of Ćizumi has been led by Yuen and Ishidor since the destruction of their home planet.
The people of Ćizumi were thrown out into the harsh environment of the planet Alcaeus. And in the defense of the Hercules Star System, a billion people from Ćizumi and HonyĆ were used as disposable pawns.
Marielâs selling out the Herculeans on the planet Alcaeus is very convenient for Ćizumi, which has been reduced to a subordinate position. It canât be said that it is an act against the allied partner, but it is the other party that lost faith first.
After all, Ćizumi has committed 650 million of its 1 billion fighter crafts to this defensive battle. Of the 6.25 billion survivors, 650 million were lost. HonyĆ also has 350 million people out of 1.12 billion survivors, and most of them are dead.
Since this was done, YĂșnlĂĄn thought that even if they retaliated, it would be karmic retribution.
And Mariel, having given YĂșnlĂĄn a clear explanation, took another action.
ăYĂșnlĂĄn, Iâve received a communication from the other party, so Iâll connect you. The translation between humanity and the five Goetian tribes has been completed with the first contact with Master Theia. Also, since the Goetians are quantum-thinking beings, I have adapted their appearance to that of humans.ă
ăOkay, connect me.ă
Normally he would have complained about not being consulted beforehand, but this was an emergency.
As YĂșnlĂĄn replied, a woman in a black sailor suit appeared on the communications screen of the Central Command Center. Next to her is a red-haired woman with upturned eyes and a winning look.
Seeing YĂșnlĂĄn and the Daemon Emperor Mariel beside him, the woman in the sailor suit greeted YĂșnlĂĄn in a pleasing manner.
[Nice to meet you. My name is Dahlia, a Count-level Thinker of the Gremory tribe, which spans 26,000 light years of the Andromeda Galaxy.]
The total area of humanityâs territory, including the Monarchy and Tenka, is less than 2,000 light-years.
YĂșnlĂĄn, who could not imagine such a vast territory, returned the greeting calmly, wondering if the other party was trying to show its civilizational superiority.
âIt is my pleasure to establish first contact. I am XÇShu YĂșnlĂĄnUn ran, the contractor of the Daemon Emperor Mariel, who created the realm of this star system, and the leader of 5.6 billion people. It seems that Mariel has discussed it with Theia, the Daemon King over there, so Iâll be in your care.â
[With pleasure.]
YĂșnlĂĄnâs words made Dahliaâs face turn pale.
YĂșnlĂĄn was suspicious of the quantum thought vessel that had changed its expression, but Mariel altered the other partyâs appearance to make it easier for YĂșnlĂĄn to understand. Interpreting that Mariel would reproduce even the most trivial changes, YĂșnlĂĄn thought that she might really have turned pale and made the first move.
âThe Daemon Emperor Mariel has disposed of the Daemon King who had made a contract with Ishidor, the leader of the Herculeans. Our relationship with Hercules has already broken down. Will you help ensure the safety of the people of Ćizumi?â
[Understood. First of all, I will need the information necessary to fulfill your request.]
When Dahlia heard that the Daemon King had been dealt with, her face turned pale and she kept an eye on the Daemon floating next to her, and received information about the Ćizumi people from Mariel.
Meanwhile, the 360 metal jellyfish-like vessels, each about 800 meters long, approaching the planet Alcaeus, were changing shape, with only one showing the output response of the magic elemental engine.
It spread its tentacles wide behind the direction of travel to form a ring, and as it increased the output reaction of its magic elemental engine, it created an energy reaction within the ring.
Eventually, a light erupted out, and a new metal jellyfish flew out of the ring.
âHas the ship become a Transition Gate!?â
The one that jumped out emitted a new magic reaction immediately after its appearance. YĂșnlĂĄn was astonished to see the observation results projected on the screen of the Central Command Center.
If a ship with a magic element engine can be used as a Transition Gate, it will be possible to travel anywhere in the galaxy at high speed. Having been shown the technological prowess of a civilization far ahead of humanity, YĂșnlĂĄn was terrified by the power of the other party.
While YĂșnlĂĄn was in shock, communication from Dahlia was briefly lost.
When the communication was restored, a woman, this time not Dahlia, appeared on the communication screen.
It was a petite woman in a black dress, with ultramarine hair. Beside her was a shy, brown-haired woman with drooping eyes who appeared to be a Daemon.
[Nice to meet you, Sir YĂșnlĂĄn. I am Adreana, a Duke-level thinker of Gremory. Dahlia from before has already transferred her consciousness to the pursuit team. I have taken over the correspondence from now on. Thank you for your cooperation.]
âBy transfer, you mean sent to a body to pursue Fortress Kerviel?â
[Yes. We transfer the thought vessel to the ship carrying the surrounding miasma generators. You awaken on a different ship every time the command ship is destroyed, though the Daemons will not follow a thinking vessel that has not signed a limited contract.]
YĂșnlĂĄn was forced to make further upward revisions to the advanced level of the other civilization.
If a quantized body could be placed on each ship and awakened each time it was destroyed, it would not die in battle unless it was obliterated. Moreover, if they leave a backup at home, they can be resurrected even if the fleet they sent is destroyed. In other words, they have long since achieved immortality. Even if the Daemons donât follow them.
On the other hand, there seems to be a downside to being a quantum thought vessel.
The Daemons are active with the magic and miasma of the Contractor. Gremory and the other tribes cannot provide that, and they are conditioned under a limited contract.
[The Daemon crystal we desire depends on the will of Lady Theia. Therefore, in accordance with Lady Theiaâs oracle, we will cooperate with Sir YĂșnlĂĄn, who is a direct contractor of the Daemon Emperor Mariel.]
âWe understand the relationship with each other. We look forward to working with you.â
Having made the power imbalance between the two known, due to the overwhelming technological difference, Adreana sought to establish a cooperative relationship as per Daemon policy. It was not YĂșnlĂĄn or Gremory who led the situation, but the Daemon Emperor Mariel and the Daemon King Theia.
When YĂșnlĂĄn expressed his understanding and willingness to agree, Adreana nodded slightly with a solemn expression.
[As the Duke of Gremory, I would like to congratulate you on establishing a relationship between Gremory and Sir YĂșnlĂĄn. Now, due to the changing situation, we will begin the process of isolating the group led by Sir YĂșnlĂĄn from the rest of the group for their own safety.]
Shortly after Adreanaâs announcement, the shape of the eight work ships heading for the Hercules Star changed.
The eight ships, which had been connected in a circle in space, expanded the size of the circle while stretching long and thin.
Originally a large straight cylinder about 5,000 meters long and 1,000 meters high, it continued to grow in a series of flat lines, resulting in the creation of a giant ring.
The ring remained in the space between the Hercules Star and the planet Alcaeus and was connected to one of the ships exhibiting the output reaction of the magic element engine. As the magic element conversion reaction of the magic element engine became stronger, the inside of the giant ring began to emit a strong light.
âA large number of new objects are appearing inside the giant ring. Eight of them seem to be the same size as the cylinders that came out of the Transition Gate, and a number of 800-meter-class objects are also transferring.â
The report from the Central Command Center made YĂșnlĂĄn stiffen, but he also had doubts.
(Why didnât they use the transition gate in the star system that they should have used earlier?)
The power balance resulting from the difference in technology between the Daemons and Gremory is considered superior on the Daemon side. Otherwise, Gremory wouldnât call the Daemon King Theia by her title, and they wouldnât obey the decisions of the Daemons.
Then why doesnât Gremory use the Daemon Transition Gate, which is far superior to theirs?
Was it because they couldnât spare the miasma to be used, or was the work ship sent from a sector that was not connected to the Transition Gate? Whatever the case may be, he assumed that Gremory was also inadequate.
From YĂșnlĂĄnâs point of view, however, they have technology that is as close to universal as possible. A part of it was about to be demonstrated by the eight newly appearing work ships.
Half of the eight ships surrounding the planet Alcaeus were stationary in the sky, and the other half began their descent into the atmosphere. Then a flash of light came from one of the stationary work ships in space.
âWe have observed what appears to be coherent irradiation of directional electromagnetic waves from the straight cylinder to the ground. It appears that the dwarven planetary defense system has been obliterated.â
After the flash, the anti-space defenses deployed on the planetâs surface have been destroyed, leaving a huge hole in the ground. Numerous weapons are instantly reduced to rubble.
The surface had also been pierced by several large holes, and four ships, or half of the work ships that descended to the ground, had gone through the large holes.
[Sir YĂșnlĂĄn, please tell the group you are leading not to interfere with us. If they interfere, we may automatically subdue them. It is possible to roughly distinguish between Tenka, the former Coalition, and Hercules, but the distinction between Ćizumi and HonyĆ is insufficient, and there may be discrepancies in the degree of adjustment.]
YĂșnlĂĄn nodded and immediately ordered his subordinates.
âGeneral WÄi, order all troops immediately. Have the Communications Department send out emergency messages to the residents. The people of Ćizumi should raise the flag of Ćizumi, temporarily separate themselves from other groups, and not interfere with the actions of the objects that appear.â
The identification information on the Ćizumi people provided by Mariel includes the identification data of the information terminal owned by the Ćizumi people, the registered places of residence, and the information on the spies who had infiltrated HonyĆ.
It should be possible to roughly identify them, but there are some subjects that are difficult to identify, such as couples and children of Ćizumi and HonyĆ residents, dual citizens, and families of spies with HonyĆ nationality. Normally, YĂșnlĂĄn would have taken this into account, but the speed at which the Gremory was moving was so great that YĂșnlĂĄn had no time to react.
The four work ships that had not penetrated underground had already reached the above-ground settlements where 5.6 billion Ćizumi people, 770 million HonyĆ people, and 800 million former Coalition people who remained in Hercules at the time of the defeat of the former Coalition lived.
When a work ship lands on the continent, it instantly spits out three types of objects.
They were metal robots with thick spider-like legs, each about 1 meter in size (small), 10 meters in size (medium), and 100 meters in size (large). The number of spiders was enormous, and so many were ejected that one might suspect that liquid had spilled from the work ship.
Each of the metal spiders that flew out began to take flight and spread at high speed to the active areas of the Ćizumi, HonyĆ, and former Coalition people.
Among these flying objects, the medium and large ones shone, and the weapon groups and android soldiers that had been overlooked by the work ships remaining above were instantly destroyed or turned into balls of flame.
Without needing to take data, the ground forces and Gremoryâs robots are no match at all.
After eliminating the obstacles, the robots broke down the walls and doors of the buildings and entered the interior, and began to seize the HonyĆ people.
Smaller robots changed shape and entangled themselves with the humans, which were then grabbed and carried away by other smaller robots. Then, like flying creatures that have caught their prey and brought it back to their nest, they grabbed an object and flew back to the work ship.
The robots also carried various objects that existed in the living quarters of the HonyĆ people. Almost everything, from furniture and clothes, to tools, machines, vehicles, and even the outer walls of buildings, was grabbed and carried away one after another.
It was like a human digging up a nest of ants with a shovel and transferring them into a breeding box.
In this case, the breeding boxes were probably work ships. The Central Command Centerâs analysis of the work ships calculated that even the volume of a single ship could hold 40 million large robots, 40 billion medium robots, and 26 trillion small robots simultaneously, yet only about one-tenth of the total interior space would be used.
Eight ships have been deployed, and if they continue to increase in number, about 100 billion people will easily fit inside.
By the time the work-ship landed on the continent, the soil and atmospheric components would have been analyzed, and the ecology would have been studied immediately, so the breeding boxes, designed to house humans, not insects, would soon be ready.
The thought of humans being bred by jellyfish made YĂșnlĂĄn feel nauseous.
[According to the information we have received from Daemon Emperor Mariel, one of the priority targets, the Herculean leader, Ishidor Azarova, has been captured. Is this individual necessary?]
The instantaneous capture of Ishidor reminded YĂșnlĂĄn of the difference in the level of technology that separated them.
ăIf Zeahild, the Daemon King of the Tenka Star System, asked us to close the gate to the Milky Way Galaxy, we would not be able to deal with the Monarchy of Diete and the Spirits. Weâve cut off communication, so letâs just pretend he died in the throes of battle. Just to be on the safe side, I wonder if Gremory will take matters into their own hands. Or should I say âtentaclesâ in this case?ă
At Marielâs flippant remark, Unran remained expressionless and silent.