Astraea’s Confusion
「Arthur and Morgan couldn’t do this on their own?」
「They couldn’t just reactivate this place without human intervention. And the reactivation process for such a critical facility isn’t something even an A-rank Development Engineer could handle.」
「A super AI reduced to wreckage, a facility AI without human presence, and a half-destroyed Silhouette with no means to act could never do such a thing. And no human, regardless of rank or title, is permitted to enter this place.」
Morgan muttered sorrowfully. This place, the designated most critical sealed zone, was utterly off-limits to humans.
「So, only ‘one who is no one’ can enter?」
「Yes. Because this concerns Libya-sama as well, we borrowed the power of Polymetis-sama to monitor the events happening in the system. We are fully aware of the events of the Asia War and the Dignity War. We have been awaiting your arrival.」
There were those who had been waiting for Kou’s arrival, unbeknownst to him. That fact alone made his journey to Planet Libya worthwhile. Kou felt certain of it.
「Then first, I should fulfill the role expected of me. What do I need to do, Asia?」
「Call upon Okeanos. Declare the reactivation of Realm and the establishment of Branch Avalon here. That should place it under the same classification as Albion.」
Kou raised his voice towards the void.
「Okeanos. I wish to reactivate the factory called Realm and establish a new branch for BAS Corporation, Branch Avalon. What is required?」
「Request confirmed. You meet the conditions for establishing a Transferee Corporation. The AI designated as Polymetis has verified a BAS-affiliated Silhouette. The construction and manufacturing of new weapon plans are approved. Henceforth, you may operate as Branch Avalon. Entry to the designated most critical sealed zone shall be permitted only to vessels affiliated with Trireme.」
「Thank you, Okeanos.」
The process went smoothly, but suddenly, Kou snapped back to reality.
「Huh? Avalon-affiliated Silhouettes and new weapon construction and manufacturing plans?」
「Arthur is already registered with BAS Corporation.」
「Wait, what?」
Asia, caught off guard, instinctively asked in surprise.
「Given that Merlin is affiliated with them and that Transferee Corporation has Silhouettes named after the Knights of the Round Table, would it not be more unnatural for Arthur not to be included?」
「Well… when you put it that way…」
Kou was bewildered by the unexpected turn of events. He couldn’t shake the feeling that this might be a dangerous combination.
「There are so many things we need to verify. Feels like we’re being swept up in their pace.」
「We have no intention of deceiving you, Asia-sama, Outis-sama. I swear upon the name of Morgan.」
「Shouldn’t you swear upon both the names of Arthur and Morgan?」
Morgan’s avatar simply smiled gently.
「Ugh… This is definitely suspicious!」
Asia muttered, but Kou ignored her and murmured to himself.
「What’s next?」
Sensing his words, Polymetis began flashing. Asia suddenly raised her head in realization.
「Oh… Right. This is the most important part. Kou, get ready.」
「For what?」
「That would be—」
◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
「Can you hear me, Astraea? This is Unit 5. Asia and I are fine.」
Kou’s transmission reached the CIC aboard the Astraea, throwing the ship into a frenzy.
Prompted by Polymetis, they had decided to make urgent contact.
From the perspective of the Astraea’s crew, it was as if Kou and Asia had been forcibly abducted, so they had been worried about their safety.
「No issues on our end. Apologies for the delayed communication. We wanted to contact you guys first. How is your situation?」
「We’re relieved to hear you’re safe. No issues here either. The Trireme fleet has successfully regrouped at the Fortress Area ruins under Kryptos’ protection and has begun interacting with the locals and the Mythology Weapons.」
「Good. Keep proceeding as planned. What about the Izumo? I heard it was engaged in combat with the Kakodaimon…」
「So, those unmanned weapons resembling primeval lifeforms are called Kakodaimon? The Izumo has safely regrouped with us. Kurose managed to single-handedly destroy the enemy Teras’ core.」
「I see. We need to share information. First, we’ve learned the details of Project Classical Walpurgis Night. Asia is sending the data now. Second, about the Kakodaimon—they are undoubtedly a class of unmanned weapons used as cannon fodder by the Teras. They have the same origin, but their base makes them inferior products.」
「Data received… Where are you, and what exactly are you doing? This information is incredible! It confirms that the ones who created Teras were not Libya, but Typhon.」
Outside the ship, Libya was actively engaging with the locals, it seemed she had easily earned the admiration from both humans and Kryptos alike.
「That’s right. Typhon has already gone dormant, but we still need to defeat Echidna, who acts according to its will. And Echidna… is actually a Mythology Weapon born of a fragment of Libya’s main core. That’s why we are establishing a base here.」
「Building a base? On Planet Libya? Just what are you doing?」
「Where should I even start? We made contact with Morgan, the AI of an ancient facility that has become a Mythology Weapon. Then, we discovered an Another Level Silhouette from the Pioneering era, got some assistance from a unit similar to Arges, and finally stumbled upon the remnants of Hephaestus, who was destroyed during the Pioneering era…」
「Wait. Hold on. How can you say ‘there are no issues’ after all that?」
Astraea’s expression had completely gone blank. Aki and Nyanta’s faces twitched in disbelief. With just that one sentence, Kou had dropped multiple impossible-level revelations.
And the last statement—about Hephaestus—was particularly shocking. Information about Hephaestus was top-secret, something that should never be intercepted by unauthorized individuals.
「Indeed, that’s something best kept strictly within this ship. But how did things even end up like this?」
「Uh… it just kind of happened…?」
Kou had no real way to answer that question.
「Asia?」
Realizing that Kou was incapable of providing a coherent explanation, Astraea immediately redirected the question to Asia.
「How did so many major events happen all at once under your watch?」
「Uh… Honestly, I have no idea either?」
「Don’t play dumb. Drop the act.」
Astraea’s voice remained calm, but the sheer pressure behind it was overwhelming.
「You’re scary. Alright, alright. I’ll send the report.」
With that, Asia transmitted the prepared report to Astraea.
「—How does something like this even happen? This is beyond expectations.」
Even after analyzing the report, Astraea’s expression remained unchanged.
「Well, even if you ask me that… I don’t know?」
「Understood. So, you are establishing a human stronghold there?」
「That’s right. If things go well, we should be able to protect the people currently under the Kryptos’ care as well. We might even be able to establish a reasonable level of military force.」
This time, Kou answered. He couldn’t return just yet.
「Understood. It will still take some time before you can return, then.」
「Yeah. Honestly, even we are struggling to keep up with how fast things are unfolding.」
「I feel the same way. In that case, I have a request: please maintain frequent communication. Especially you, Asia.」
「Got it!」
「You do realize that events of this scale—where even you are discovering things for the first time—should not be happening at all, correct?」
「Well, living long enough does come with surprises.」
The ancient super AI, having existed for over twenty thousand years, spoke with a deep sense of emotion.
「Please don’t say it so sentimentally. The revelations about Hephaestus and Athena have shaken my very purpose of existence.」
For Astraea, the successor to Hephaestus and Athena, these were unprecedented revelations. Even if the current Astraea was just a mere terminal of the original, it was still a shocking truth.
「Tell that to Prometheus instead!」
「Oh, I will. Of course. For now, I’ll be disconnecting the transmission.」
Astraea ended the communication and turned to Nyanta and Aki, who were watching with worried expressions.
「They’re safe. There’s no need to worry. However, there are so many incidents happening that I don’t even want to explain them all. I need your counsel… This situation is unbelievable.」
If Astraea were human, she would undoubtedly appear confused and flustered. No one had ever seen Astraea in such a state before.
「Astraea, are you okay, nya?!」
「If it helps, we’re here to listen!」
The two were stunned—Astraea, always composed and calculating, had actually reached her breaking point.
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