Translator: Alpha0210
As far as Residue could determine, there were a total of twelve passengers on this spacecraft.
The being that could be called the captain was A-One, who had first revealed himself. In other words, he was the one responsible for this vessel and the entity that possessed the most information. To put it another way, it ant that the other machines could be completely destroyed without issue.
"It is finished, Your Majesty."
A restrained voice was heard from beyond the door.
Residue stopped observing the view outside and left the storage room.
The cockpit was elegantly organized. It was not exactly an expression fitting for a situation where suppression had been completed, but anyway, that was Residue's impression.
Not a single machine was intact; all of their limbs had been severed, yet the cut surfaces were so clean that not even a fragnt of tal could be seen.
Additionally, the severed arms were stacked neatly in one place, and the legs in another, giving the illusion that the chanical parts had been disassembled and organized.
[What is... what is the aning of this?]
A-One spoke in a flustered voice.
Could a machine be flustered? Residue’s answer was “Maybe yes, maybe no.” It could be a machine advanced enough to possess emotions, but this reaction might also simply be a programd response.
So instead of staring into that tin-can-like face, Residue focused on the faint electromagnetic waves emitting from A-One.
Compared to before, it seed slightly shaken.
It could be a trick, but the possibility that it was genuinely shaken couldn’t be ruled out.
So Residue abruptly asked.
“Are you subordinates of Futurix?”
[……!]
At that mont, the signal surged explosively. The reaction was so simple that Residue felt sowhat let down.
“Were these ones puppets of Futurix? I recall you ntioned being affiliated with an organization called the Grand Galactic Alliance.”
“Perhaps the two powers have joined forces. At least, they hadn’t when I last assessed the situation. For now, there are two possibilities to consider.”
Just as Residue continued speaking-
The bodies of the chanical soldiers, which had been making clanking noises, suddenly exploded almost simultaneously.
But just a step ahead of that, Agolet struck the ground with his shield.
Thud!
A translucent and solid barrier appeared. It could simply be called a shield.
Uniquely, instead of protecting Residue or Agolet, the shield enveloped the bodies of the exploding machines, an exceptionally accurate response. From the start, neither of them were the type to be hard by such explosions, so the barrier was deployed to protect the already secured spaceship.
The machine fragnts, flas, and shockwaves were trapped within the barrier without spreading. Amidst the flickering flas, the barrier gradually shrank in size, and accordingly, the internal vortex compressed further until it finally vanished with a soft “pop.”
“Should I have stopped the self-destruct?”
Agolet said, slinging his shield back over his shoulder.
"They were just small fry anyway. They probably did not know much."
Residue began checking the condition of the spaceship. Although all the pilots were dead, there didn’t seem to be a problem, possibly due to an installed autopilot system.
Residue sat in the pilot seat and operated the control pad as he spoke.
“Anyway, to continue, there is the possibility that so factions within the Grand Galactic Alliance were recruited by Futurix. Of course, the probability isn’t that high. The chance that those particular ‘factions’ happened to be right above us in the closest airspace is slim.”
“Then the second possibility is more likely.”
“That’s right.”
Tap.
As the operation was completed, a hologram screen displayed soone’s face.
“It’s the case where the Grand Galactic Alliance officially ford an alliance with Futurix. …What happened while I was unconscious? Kiel Marlgol.”
[…….]
On the other side of the hologram appeared the leader of the Grand Galactic Alliance, Kiel Marlgol.
***
[You noticed later than I expected.]
Kiel said.
Residue carefully observed the face on the screen, filled with static. Was it possible he had been subjected to mind control or brainwashing? It wouldn’t be strange if Futurix possessed such technological capabilities… but through the screen, Residue couldn’t be certain.
The video quality was simply too poor.
Perhaps even this noise was sothing Kiel intended.
[You’re right. Our Grand Galactic Alliance has ford an alliance with the City of the Future.]
Kiel said in a calm voice.
[And we’ve decided to obstruct your actions as much as possible.]
“That’s not a choice befitting of you. Didn’t I already tell you? That among the Twelve Void Lords, there is Hide. This is sothing I learned relatively recently, but Futurix is highly likely to be Hide among the Void Lords.”
[Even so, the knowledge that the Void Lord called ‘Futurix’ possesses doesn’t disappear. Especially when you consider the nature of Hide. Wouldn’t you agree?]
“……”
[Are you aware? That there exists a docunt recording every detail of how the Half King ca into being.]
Only then did Residue understand Kiel’s intent.
"You are saying you made a deal with him in exchange for that record?"
[That is correct.]
If that were the case, then this oddly confident attitude made sense.
From the beginning, Kiel’s goal had always been singular.
To give birth, with his own hands, to a perfect being, one comparable to or even surpassing the Rulers. For that, he wouldn’t hesitate to use any ans necessary.
Residue felt more disappointnt than betrayal. The intelligence capabilities of the Grand Galactic Alliance were a powerful card that could have been of great use in the current situation.
[I don’t bear any great grudge against you.]
“……”
[But since it’s co to this, I have no choice but to thoroughly obstruct you. You said you’re heading to the King’s Castle? I don’t know the reason yet, but… you won’t reach that place so easily.]
“The reason? It’s not sothing I can’t tell you. I’m going to et the Half King.”
Residue revealed his purpose simply.
“You already know how the world is turning, so I’ll skip the tedious explanations… If you’re the leader of the Grand Galactic Alliance, you’re at least qualified to sit at the end of the conference table. So show up at the King’s Castle too.”
[A conference? End of the table? What are you talking about?]
“I’m planning to hold the largest-scale conference in history. A final gathering to prepare counterasures against Destruction… I’ve summoned every useful individual. Not just the Void Lords, but also the Four Knights and all the Rulers will be participating.”
Kiel fell silent, seemingly flustered.
[…That’s absurd. There’s no way those beings would gather in one place.]
“Their behavioral principles are simple. Bringing them together isn’t all that difficult. What’s important is how we respond afterward. If nothing else, we must bring the Half King to that eting. When the worst-case scenario occurs, we’ll need soone who can exert control.”
[…Without the Half King, you’re saying we might suffer catastrophic damage before we even get the chance to fight against Destruction. Are you threatening ?]
“Finally, it seems you’re starting to listen.”
Residue said with a short laugh.
“If you get in my way, the world is finished. It ans the greater cause is on my side.”
[…….]
“Think carefully, Kiel. Just because you’ve received data about the Half King, can you imdiately create the transcendental being you want? No. Countless trials and errors will follow. What you need most right now is ti.”
Kiel was a man who could be reasoned with.
That’s why Residue knew that saying more than necessary would only be counterproductive. Now that he’d said enough, all he had to do was wait. Until this man finished thinking.
[…….]
Kiel said nothing, giving Residue an unreadable look.
Beep- And the screen went dark.
Vrrrrrrr...
The next mont, Residue realized the spaceship's trajectory was changing. It seed the vessel was making a wide turn to go in the opposite direction, and Agolet, sensing this, spoke.
“What shall we do, Your Majesty?”
“There’s nothing to be done. Now we just wait, and this spaceship will guide us to the King’s Castle.”
“Can we trust it?”
“He didn’t say anything in the end and turned off the screen. That was his silent affirmation.”
“…I feel that’s a rather convenient interpretation.”
“Well, if it cos to it, I’ll use One Step Through Ti and Space.”
“……”
Agolet seed to be thinking deeply about sothing.
Residue wondered if he still doubted Kiel, but then Agolet spoke up and asked sothing completely unexpected.
“The one who just showed up… is he the ruler of the Grand Galactic Alliance?”
“He’s referred to as the leader, but yes, that’s about right.”
“By any chance… is his race called ‘Petmic’?”
“Hm? I’m not sure. I don’t know what his race is called.”
“……”
Agolet fell silent for a mont, then spoke again.
“Could it be that this Kiel is……”
[Ho, ho, ho!]
It was at that mont that an unwelco voice intruded.
***
The mont the fragnted laughter was heard, both Residue and Agolet were taken aback simultaneously.
Even with their razor-sharp senses, they had failed to notice the presence of a third party. That was a more serious matter than it seed.
[Ooooh, I see. I get it no Only now can I finally see your thoughts and intentionssss.]
The elongated voice was one they had heard once before.
Destruction, the voice of the Negotiator.
This repulsive creature was, shockingly, flowing out from Residue’s shoulder, forming a sinister shape like smoke.
As the creature let out a wide grin, Agolet once again swung his sword.
Swish!
The radiant blade once again slashed through the Negotiator, but Agolet felt no sensation of success in his attack.
“…Your Majesty. Be on guard. If I’m to erase that thing for good, I may have to show a bit of my true self.”
[You should stopppp. A-go-let.]
The voice called out Agolet’s na in a choppy, crawling tone.
Agolet felt like a grotesque maggot was crawling along the nape of his neck.
[I won’t die until my role is overrr. That’s what I ammmm. You mustn’t try to judge by your petty common senseeee.]
The Negotiator chuckled low and continued speaking.
[And another thing, you’re both mistaken. I’m not your enemy.]
“Even though you’re Destruction?”
[Ohhh, Re-si-due. Of all people, you’re not in a position to say that. Haven’t you already tad one Destruction?]
“……”
So he knows quite a lot. Truly a troubleso one in many ways.
Even his unpleasant speech and disgusting appearance might be intentional. Inducing discomfort, forcibly disrupting the opponent’s composure. If this being’s true identity really was that of a “Negotiator,” then that alone could grant him an advantage.
Look at that.
Even the ever-composed Agolet couldn’t hide his discomfort in front of this thing.
“If you wanted to play the spy, you chose the wrong character model. A blonde beauty batting her eyelashes might barely be acceptable, but your face is just plain revolting.”
“Perhaps making a worst possible first impression is part of the strategy. Then, if we co to trust him and he betrays us… it would be the worst-case scenario.”
“……”
It was Agolet who said it, but since Residue had approached him with a similar plan once, he couldn’t help but feel a strange awkwardness. It almost felt like a jab.
“Well then, he’ll first need to prove his usefulness.”
[Ho, ho, ho……! The worst-case scenario? The worst-case scenario……!]
Destruction repeated Agolet’s words and burst into a shrill laugh.
That laughter went beyond re unpleasantness and began to have a tangible negative effect on the surroundings. The cockpit lights began to flicker, and the ship itself started to creak.
[Re-si-due. You probably haven’t even imagined what the true worst-case scenario really is…….]
Though Agolet had initiated the conversation, the being was clearly speaking to Residue. From their very first encounter, this creature had shown an unusual interest in Residue.
Why?
“I always consider the worst possible outcos. I don’t necessarily prepare solutions, but… I inherited so of the original owner of this body’s tendencies.”
At that mont, Destruction’s laughter changed.
This ti, it was far more mocking in tone.
[Then let present one possibility. A possibility you’ve never even considered.]
“Your Majesty, you need not listen.”
“Wait a mont.”
Residue raised a hand to calm Agolet, sensing sothing.
[Have you finished pondering your identity? Are you now certain of who and what you truly are……?]
Residue gave a short, bitter laugh.
“Bringing up an outdated line of thought, are you?”
[Nooo. It’s different. What I’m talking about… is the day. Re-si-due.]
“The day?”
[That place called the ‘Outside,’ where your master left you.]
“……”
At that mont, Residue’s expression changed. For the first ti, Agolet saw that ever-composed Residue wear such a look.
[You may think the lingering remnant of the Lightning God remained, and that Lukas Trowman left… But what if that wasn’t the truth? What if everything you rember is a fabricated lie……?]
“What nonsense are you-”
[What if the truth was the complete opposite……. On that day, in that place, it wasn’t you who was left behind, but the ‘remnant’… and you were rely overlaid with the Lightning God’s personality.]
Destruction laughed.
[What if you are still Lukas Trowman?]
*****
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