Demigods
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Translator: SFBaka
Editor: Thor’s Stone
A huge spaceship was flying toward the location of the X463 Fortress Area.
However, such a large ship was ferrying a mere three people.
「Y’think they’re finally gonna recycle us into raw materials or something?」
Bardo jokingly asked Alberto.
There have been no reprisals meted out against them until now after all.
「Perhaps they think we still have some use?」
The two men were essentially in the same boat regarding the matter. However, Bardo still remained unaware of just exactly what was sealed within the forbidden area.
The two of them were waiting in the control center’s guest room. After a while, three people finally walked inside the room.
Their complexions were as white and smooth as the finest marble. There were two men and one woman. They were clad in pure white robes.
The three then sat on the prepared chairs and moved their gazes to Bardo and Alberto.
「Welcome, exalted Hemitheos. I hope you find yourselves in a good mood after coming all the way here.」
Hemitheos. They were humans with the consciousness of Stones installed into them.
They were dispatched by the human management department under the Stones, the Areopagus Council.
The man sitting in the middle of the trio sneered.
「On the contrary, we are quite upset. It’s because we were dispatched here to meet with the incompetents who failed to stop an enemy Development Engineer from intruding into this place.」
「You must be jesting, sir. We did fail to stop the Development Engineer and his companions, but they did eventually retreat. As evidence, this Fortress Area hasn’t self-destructed.」
Alberto objected to the other party’s words.
「I’m tired of listening to the ramblings of ignoramuses. There will be no more excuses. You have all certainly failed us.」
「I suppose it’s because those intruders ended up rescuing Asia. Or, to be exact, a part of her data.」
The robed man squinted his eyes in response to Alberto’s words. Bardo’s mouth hung open in utter surprise. He did not suspect such a thing at all. This was the first time he’d heard that Asia was actually confined to the Fortress Area they were assigned to guard.
It was easy for Alberto to come to such a conclusion. The news of Asia’s rescue circulated widely within the allied human forces. Then it was only natural to surmise that said rescue took place during the attack on Fortress Area X463.
The sealed area had contained Asia within it, and it was the intruding Development Engineer who eventually freed her.
He had heard that the groups that participated were a mercenary outfit called Metal Iris and another similar group that was centered around Familiars called Storm Hound. If so, the number of tanks employed by the intruders that day could be easily explained.
「Judging from the reaction of the mercenary over there, it seems you’re the only one who managed to guess the truth, Alberto.」
「It seems that way. Everyone else here is puzzled about why we weren’t blown sky-high by the self-destruct protocol.」
「Hmph. This saves me the trouble of explaining, I suppose. Ignorant as you may be, it seems you’re at least not that stupid. Her escaping was cleverly masked by Asia. She’s a super AI created by Sophia after all. Doing that much is exceedingly easy for her.」
「But in the end, it was only a fraction of Asia that was freed. Isn’t she still not an opponent for you mighty Hemitheos?」
「Just how long do you think we devoted to completely sealing Asia up, you ignoramus!?」
The sole woman of the trio suddenly yelled in an outburst.
「Do not kick up such a fuss. It is unbecoming.」
The man chided the woman, and she turned silent after giving Alberto an angry glare.
「Now that Asia has been recovered, our efforts of more than a hundred years have been rendered moot. Thus, we will have to change our plans. We will have you work to the utmost for us from here on out.」
「Understood. What would you have us do?」
「You always try to employ tactics that your enemies dislike and have trouble with the most in battle. Isn’t that right, mercenary?」
Bardo, who was suddenly called out, reflexively nodded in response.
「The plan has no demerit for you people at all. After all, we will henceforth broaden the scope of human autonomy and make their lives even more affluent and comfortable.」
「Huh?」
Bardo stupidly gawked when he heard the other party’s words. None of the others paid him any attention.
「We will also invite the humans who treasure their lives and want to survive to our side. We will then have them fight for us. –This is something Asia hates to see the most. Let us have humans kill each other, shall we?」
「T-That’s–」
「Of course, we will have them work together with Murders. We anticipate that the overall strength of the enemy forces to improve dramatically from here on out. We have to take that into account and employ proper countermeasures.」
「Specifically?」
Alberto inquired with his eyes shining with the light of fanaticism. This was the development he wished for the most.
「We will plunder resources until there is nothing left for the enemy to rely on.」
The man in the center’s lips curled, displaying a derisive grin.
「Hakunon, Is it really alright to tell them all these?」
The man addressed as Hakunon turned to the woman beside him.
「In any case, they would have to serve in the forefront of the war eventually. I’m sure they will prove themselves useful. Am I right in expecting that much out of you?」
The last question was addressed to Alberto and Bardo.
「But, of course.」
Alberto readily replied in the affirmative. After all, the rewards will be plenty enough for them to risk their lives.
「We have more than enough military strength on our end. We will also eventually mobilize the creations you are so proud of.」
「Nothing would make me happier.」
Alberto again answered readily, but he was inwardly thinking about other things.
It is because he can still see things from the point of view of an outsider that he was able to realize a few points.
The resources of the Stones weren’t as steady as they made them out to be either. Good examples were A-Spinels and A-Carbuncles, which were the most strategically important resources.
These two can only be obtained through the residential facilities under human control. In other words, the Stones can only either cut down on their own stockpiles or plunder from the enemy in order to maintain a solid frontline in the Nemesis warfront.
This was what ultimately led Planet Libya to destruction. No. It is exactly because they have already devastated one planet and placed it under their control that the actions of the Stones seemed even more conspicuous in Alberto’s eyes. If their only goal was to take control of a planet, then it was certainly an option for them to settle for Libya alone.
However, they insisted on taking control of the Super AI for some sort of mysterious purpose.
Even under relatively normal circumstances, the unmanned weapons they employed prioritized destructive actions over anything else.
In Alberto’s opinion, this was proof that the Stones were getting increasingly impatient.
「You are on standby until the council issues you new orders. Try to enhance your strength for now until that time comes.」
「Yes!」
The two men reverently bowed toward the three Hemitheos. In any case, they managed to keep their lives this time.
The three guests left the room and returned to their spaceship.
「It looks like the situation ain’t good.」
「They’re planning on expanding the autonomy of humans under them after all. Well, there’s nothing bad about it for me though.」
「I already have an inkling about what’s gonna happen once this current precarious balance breaks down.」
The two were already anticipating a great upheaval.
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