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Deus Ex Machina part 2

All Oedipus could do was glare at Outis, his face twisted in an ugly expression of rage and humiliation.

「Not a word to say? Is the world an ancient Greek theater for you? To think your only solution is waiting for a Deus Ex Machina! Is your solution praying to god while waiting helplessly for a miracle?!」

The ancient Greek theatrical device Apò mēkhanēs theós—or better known by the Latin phrase Deus Ex Machina that Outis had mentioned—was a method used to resolve a story’s deadlock. A large crane would lower a ‘god’ onto the stage to intervene and bring the drama to a close, much like the modern ‘it was all a dream’ resolution.

The Mercenary Association plan amounted to something similar: not a god, but a super AI deity that would somehow resolve everything. Until that intervention, they had been stalling for time, engaging in a stalemate against the Stones, while wasting efforts on internal struggles with various factions and Fortress Areas.

「We prepared various plans for different contingencies. If humanity were to collapse, surrender would naturally be one of the options.」

Oedipus retorted, his tone defensive, almost defiant. How could anyone blame them for considering surrender against the Stones, an adversary with such overwhelming military power?

「You dare to say that while sitting comfortably aboard your space battleships which see no use except as glorified yachts? Have you ever fought against the Murders? Even now, there are people being killed who are not even allowed the choice to surrender. You’ve just admitted that all you’ve cared about is saving yourselves.」

「…」

Oedipus seemed to visibly age at that moment, his face haggard, words failing him. The reality was undeniable—the Murders didn’t negotiate, didn’t understand human language, and slaughtered living beings without hesitation.

If the Mercenary Association surrendered and used their battleships as leverage, the headquarters, and their mercenary forces might survive. But across the other continents, battles with the Murders continued unabated.

To Kou, Vasa’s actions seemed far easier to comprehend. At least Vasa had sought to demonstrate his usefulness to the Stones, aiming to protect both the super AI Asia and humanity through his efforts.

In contrast, the headquarters had clearly been using humanity as bargaining chips in their game of self-preservation.

Judging by Oedipus’s silent, defeated demeanor, Kou thought to himself, I made it in time.

It was clear why Okeanos was favorable toward Kou. This trial itself was the embodiment of a Deus Ex Machina. The drama had reached its conclusion thanks to Okeanos’ approval.

Okeanos had been silently waiting, observing humanity, expecting someone to rise up. His direct communication with Kou made this abundantly clear.

On one side, there was Vasa, aligned with the Stones, reverently placing faith in super AIs as humanity’s guiding hand. On the other, the Mercenary Association clung to the hope of divine intervention by those same super AIs.

What a bitter irony, Kou thought with an inward sigh.

「Outis, are you planning to monopolize the military power of Metal Iris and Ulysses?」

Oedipus, desperate to shift the topic away from the headquarters’ lack of a plan, abruptly redirected the discussion toward Outis.

「I don’t plan to monopolize anything, I’ll leave the decision of following me to their own will. I intend to fight only with those who share the same ideals. For now, Trireme has only a handful of members.」

「Wait a moment! At least give us some time to decide where we stand!」

The conversation was progressing rapidly, and Barry, the commander of Metal Iris, interjected. Reading Kou’s intentions, he faked neutrality, but he was starting to feel anxious.

「Trireme intends to fight with volunteers only, some members of Metal Iris may choose to remain with the Mercenary Association. I encourage neutrality for those undecided.」

「Damn you Kou… I expected he would do something like this, but…」

Jenny muttered, clearly enraged. Even Hyoe’s typically expressionless gaze carried a chilling edge.

But Kou couldn’t back down now. He was launching a new organization, setting the stage to challenge the very system of governance on this planet. He didn’t want to drag Metal Iris or Ulysses into this fight unnecessarily.

「Show us the current roster of Trireme members. That’ll help us make an informed decision, won’t it?」

Barry suggested. He needed to buy time—Kou was moving too fast.

「Send it to us as well. Other than you, they should still technically belong to the Mercenary Association.」

Oedipus chimed in too, seizing the opportunity.

Kou nodded and turned to Asia.

「Asia, would you mind? It’s the names I just entered into the terminal, along with the machines.」

「It’s ready. Sending now.」

Moments later, the roster of Trireme personnel was transmitted to both Oedipus and Barry. Barry’s eyes widened as he scanned the list.

The roster consisted of:

• Aimer
• Nyanta
• Aki
• Voy
• Three Hora-class ships
• The industrial robot Arges
• The household assistant robot Ponko

Beyond these, it was simply a list of named working machines.

「You… you’re serious? Are you seriously planning to recruit people and wage a war with this?」

Oedipus was now convinced: the man before him was nothing short of a madman. The roster consisted of only four individuals with valid IDs—the rest were just machines.

Barry was left speechless.

「Of course.」

「Hahaha! And what is this Arges? An industrial robot? Even a household assistant? Are you seriously planning to march into war leading a group of maintenance machines and helper robots that aren’t even Telema AIs?」

He couldn’t help but laugh aloud. The mere thought of someone waging war with a fleet of industrial machines was too absurd not to find amusing.

「Arges is someone I revere as a father figure, a being of ancient wisdom. I will not permit someone like you to ridicule him.」

Kou’s words were laced with anger, and for a moment, Oedipus fell silent. He realized the man was entirely serious.

「If no human volunteers step forward, then I will rely on my friends—those in Fortress Area P336 and the Silhouette Base machines—to join forces and fight against you.」

Kou felt a pang of guilt for involving the industrial machines, knowing it wasn’t their battle to fight. But this was no time for regret. He needed to demonstrate his commitment to fighting with only volunteers.

「So, you’re telling me you’ll fight us with only willing volunteers, no more?」

「That’s right. I won’t go back on my word.」

「I’ll hold you to that, Commander-in-Chief Barry, I’ll accept your proposal. The battle will commence in twenty-four hours. Everyone must decide whether to join one side or the other within twelve hours. Anyone who doesn’t declare their allegiance or fails to do so within the time limit will be considered neutral and will not participate in the conflict. Agreed?」

「One condition to add. The safety of those choosing to transfer sides must be guaranteed. No punishment for defecting to the opposing faction will be tolerated. Add this clause.」

「Fair enough. Twelve hours from now, each side will send large ships to the designated meeting points to collect their members. Neither side will engage in hostilities during the transfer.」

It seemed Barry had succeeded in buying time. Establishing a neutral faction was a shrewd move, creating space for those hesitant to commit.

「Hear me mercenaries of Metal Iris and its associated underground forces.」

The difference between the Mercenary Association and Trireme was stark, and Oedipus wasted no time highlighting it.

「To those who choose to fight for the Mercenary Association: individual mercenaries will receive ten thousand minas. Leaders of large underground forces will be paid one million minas. Corporations will receive exclusive contracts with us, a minimum of ten million minas in funding, and preferential treatment in the placement of Fortress Areas under the new administration. Rest assured, these terms apply equally to Familia, Therianthropes, and Nereids.」

Barry’s face turned pale at the sheer scale of the offer. It was a brazen, overwhelming display of wealth and power—a blunt move to buy loyalty with staggering sums of money. And the Mercenary Association had more than enough resources to make good on the promise.

「As for Trireme, your forces are strictly volunteers. If any of the Familia join us for the money, you’ll have no grounds to complain.」

Familia might not care for wealth themselves, but the same couldn’t always be said for those who depended on them. That was the weak point Oedipus was aiming for. The same applied to the Therianthropes. As for the Nereids, they were human—money was a universal motivator for them.

「Of course.」

Kou replied with a faint smile.

This conflict was, in a sense, a fight he had started. While he didn’t want to involve Metal Iris or Ulysses in the battle, he knew they might choose to participate regardless. Some might even feel slighted for not being included as part of Trireme’s initial lineup.

But it wasn’t that simple. Both factions were now large organizations, and Kou couldn’t recklessly commit every member without considering the broader consequences for their rank-and-file.

Even so, he thought, there would likely be many Familia who would stand by him. All he could do was trust in the comrades who had fought alongside him before.