Panjandrums are More than Enough for the Likes of You part 2
「Aubade Force? A ragtag group of second-rate corporations, you mean?」
The A rank Development Engineers of Ulysses exchanged uneasy glances. Even they seemed unfamiliar with the existence of the Aubade Force.
「As expected, you’ve seen through us. It’s true. We lack any A rank Development Engineers. However!」
Oedipus couldn’t help but laugh aloud at Marujin’s bold claim that there were no A rank Development Engineers among their ranks.
Marujin, savoring the moment, dramatically raised a finger.
「BAS Corporation, Atou Group, Gogyou Heavy Industries, and General Arms. Do not belittle us as a ragtag collection of minor companies, for we are those who have gathered under the vast ocean of Okeanos.」
Kou was left speechless, while Oedipus’s expression turned deadly serious.
These were not ordinary companies. They were some of the largest and most powerful corporations on Planet Asia—possessing production capabilities and economic strength that far exceeded even companies led by A rank Development Engineers. These were not companies that could be bought off with money alone.
The reactions from the A rank Development Engineers varied widely. Some were angry, others smirked wryly, while others simply fumed in frustration. It was clear they genuinely had no knowledge of this alliance.
Why such massive corporations had pledged themselves as Outis’s private army—let alone with the endorsement of Okeanos—was utterly baffling.
And the one most terrified by this unexpected development might very well have been Kou himself.
「What… what is this…?」
Oedipus stammered, utterly at a loss for words at the revelation of this unprecedented coalition of corporate giants.
From a distant vantage point, another group watched the scene unfold with a mix of pity and resignation.
「It’s over. The Mercenary Association Headquarters is done for.」
「Indeed,」
Hermes said with a sly grin, while Vasa sighed at the grim fate awaiting their adversaries.
The corporations aligned with Aubade Force had previously forced the mighty Argonautai Oceanic Fleet into retreat. That they now served directly under Asia’s Knight was an entirely unexpected development.
「Okeanos, all our personnel are transferring to Trireme. We will henceforth act as Outis’s direct army.」
Marujin declared.
「Acknowledged. Your declaration has been processed. Aubade Force, proceed with your operations as planned.」
「Thank you. And now, farewell, dear Headquarters of the Mercenary Association. I look forward to seeing you next on the battlefield.」
The masked man flashed a wicked smile, and the broadcast cut off.
「Hmph. How foolish to reveal your trump card so early in the game. Companies without A rank Development Engineers are hardly worth fearing. We’ll easily take control of the P336 Fortress Area and use that momentum to seize Silhouette Base. Asia will naturally fall back into our hands as a result.」
「I can only hear the howling of a defeated dog. Your defeat is set in stone, you should surrender while you still can. Why don’t you crawl into the depths of the ocean and stay there? Planet Asia and the Mercenary Association operate just fine without you.」
Outis’ words struck a nerve. Even when Headquarters disappeared, the Mercenary Organization continued to manage the planet’s administration effectively.
Bringing up such a topic cut straight to the heart of Headquarters’ raison d’être. The conversation had taken a dangerous turn, threatening their already tenuous position. Realizing this, Oedipus decided to end the dialogue abruptly.
「Your words are impressive, at least. Even after the fighting begins, we’ll still accept your surrender—if you decide quickly enough.」
With that, Oedipus ended the communication. The global broadcast was over. It was now a full-scale war between the Mercenary Association Headquarters and their directly controlled Underground Forces and the newly established organization Trireme.
Okeanos’ presence faded too, leaving Kou to silently offer his thanks. In response, he felt a gentle wave of acknowledgment, almost as if Okeanos had replied.
Even after the broadcast had ended, Asia and Astraea clung tightly to Kou, leaving him unable to move.
◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
「What did you think of my performance, Eirene?」
「Perfect! I didn’t think Okeanos would go so far as to introduce us personally!」
「Well then, everyone, we’ll head to space ahead of you. We’ll coordinate later.」
With a courteous bow, Abel ended the communication.
Eirene, having joined in the conversation, delightedly celebrated before sending an apology through the broadcast.
「I’m sorry, everyone. I couldn’t give you a choice.」
「What are you saying, my goddess? A fight to protect freedom and dignity—no American could hear those words and remain indifferent!」
「Spoken like a true French!」
「Surely Britain cannot shy away from a battle to defend the dignity of our friends, can we?」
「Burning with the cause of freedom and dignity! Even Gogyou Headquarters is in an uproar over this!」
The Mercenary association had clearly taken advantage of Metal Iris’s weakened state after their battle with the Stones, hoping to claim an opportunistic victory.
Yet the Trireme’s justification—protecting freedom and dignity—had driven Aubade Force’s morale to its peak.
Still excited Robin muttered.
「And let’s not forget. Despite their overwhelming power, the Mercenary Association Headquarters abandoned Jack, who gave everything to save Planet Asia. That betrayal alone makes them unforgivable. And Jack himself made Outis his successor with his last breath.」
Robin remembered Jack’s final moments, the determination blazing in his eyes. That memory struck a deep chord in his heart.
Robin now felt certain his judgment had been correct, especially after witnessing the exchange between Outis and the Mercenary Association Headquarters.
「Thank you, everyone. The world now sees us as the direct forces of the Big Boss, and we’ve swiftly established ourselves as part of the new organization. Stand tall! We are the first to rise in the name of freedom and dignity!」
Eirene was utterly pleased, basking in the spotlight that Aubade Force had drawn across the planet.
「This is truly the guidance of a goddess!」
「This cause resonates with our history and homeland. Let us give thanks to the goddess who has guided us this far.」
The captains and crew alike showered Eirene with praise, their voices echoing throughout the fleet.
「Oh, you’re all overdoing it. The real genius here is Outis. I never imagined he’d pull something like this off at this exact moment.」
Eirene’s eternal mischievous grin grew even wider.
「This is the birth of a third faction. To bring about a regime change a powerful administrative body capable of challenging both the Stones and the Mercenary Association is necessary. If this were just another organizational shuffle, it would eventually rot and collapse. But the creation of Trireme foresees even that failure and takes steps to prevent it. I don’t know who orchestrated this, but it’s masterful. I doubt this is entirely Outis’ idea.」
「Was it not you, Eirene?」
「Nope. I was preparing something similar, but I thought it would take more time to come together. Whoever created such a seamless flow of events deserves credit. It aligns almost perfectly with my vision, as if they’d read my mind. Maybe it was Okeanos.」
At that moment, two sudden outbursts broke through the conversation.
「Whoa! Kelly just sent me a furious message! How dare you keep me out of the loop!」
Robin wailed.
Even Robin, typically unflappable, couldn’t stand up to Kelly.
「I received a message from Kinukawa-san too! Please direct all complaints to headquarters! I have nothing to do with this!」
Robin and Eri were frantically handling the barrage of protest communications.
「Humans have it tough, don’t they?」
Eirene commented with mild amusement.
「Eirene. Oh, little mischievous Eirene, may I have a word with you?」
「Hii! Ah! Astraea-neesan! What are you doing here?! Weren’t you loyally serving by the Big Boss’s side?!」
「Don’t be silly. Who do you think I am? I can handle parallel processing of this level easily, holding a conversation with you while maintaining my projection with Kou is easy. Now, answer me! Tell me everything you’ve been hiding!」
「You’re angry?! Wait, wait! There’s a very deep reason for all this!」
Thus, each of them was caught up in their own tangled web of excuses, scrambling to placate those demanding answers.
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