Ch.242There’s still a lot to do ahead of us.

# Chapter 242: We Have a Lot to Do Going Forward

However, the issues piled before us—including the settlement of the Aethernian people—were too complex to be resolved by just the opinions of the five of us (four people + one machine) present.

So we decided to call in the high officials who were resting outside the conference room, along with Admiral Lüchou’s adjutants from the Annihilation Fleet, to have a proper discussion.

“That seems fine.”

“I see no issues with that either, so let’s proceed.”

With both of our Dragon Lords in agreement, there shouldn’t be any problems.

But just as we were about to exchange ideas and begin the meeting—

-Ding-a-ling♪

[Pause]

[Quest: Establish an Aethernian Government-in-Exile]

[Though only a shell remains, the Holy Empire of Aethernia is still a Pioneer Empire, even in decay.]

[With its leadership and fleet forces intact, and its citizens safe, wouldn’t such a nation seek opportunities for reconstruction anywhere it can?]

[And if you provide such an opportunity, the Aethernians will never betray your goodwill.]

[Objective 1: Have at least 100 million Aethernian refugees within the player’s empire]

[Objective 2: Provide a planet for Aethernians to inhabit (only paradise planets qualify, size irrelevant)]

[Objective 3: Bring the legitimate leader of the Holy Empire of Aethernia into imperial territory] (Completed)

[Objective 4: Increase goodwill toward the Holy Empire of Aethernia within the Holy Seveli Empire]

[Reward: +100 goodwill from the Holy Empire of Aethernia toward the Holy Seveli Empire, partial access to Dark Age technology, ability to request support from Aethernia’s Annihilation Fleet]

‘Hmm.’

Just as we were about to start the meeting, a quest popped up. I wanted to frown, but seeing the incredibly sweet rewards, I made up my mind.

[Resume]

‘Well, let’s give it a try.’

————————————–

Perhaps thanks to our thorough exchange of opinions and the direct briefing by Admiral Lüchou and myself to prevent any unsightly political maneuvering…

The meeting was proceeding in an unusually bright, healthy manner for Seveli, without any shouting—quite unlike our usual style.

Of course, this wasn’t solely due to our coordination efforts.

I suspected it had more to do with the presence of Maria, the Saint of Aethernia and current leader of the Holy Empire of Aethernia, sitting with us.

Perhaps it was also because she had just been consecutively shocked by Arthraia and me.

“So… Admiral Lüchou? Is the fleet’s movement route in this section normally classified?”

“It is.”

“Ah, I see…”

-Whispers-

“Why is he giving such short answers?”

“Hmm… he didn’t seem like that kind of person before.”

Unlike earlier, he was now giving extremely brief answers, twisting his body to avoid being caught in any trap.

“Then am I correct in understanding that the Holy Empire of Aethernia, home of the great Pioneers, has not perished?”

“That’s right, child.”

“Additionally, are you requesting the help of our Holy Seveli Empire—no, ISTO—to rescue your Aethernian brethren who might still remain?”

“Correct, you possess excellent intelligence.”

Meanwhile, Maria was listening attentively to the high officials’ words, maintaining an exceptionally friendly attitude that seemed to shine even brighter.

———————————————-

As the meeting continued, we were able to draft a preliminary report that could be presented to our Holy Seveli Empire and later to ISTO.

The ministerial-level officials who reviewed this draft were putting their heads together in deep contemplation.

“Hmm, so the Aethernian capital planetary system is estimated to have over 100,000 giant cosmic monsters inhabiting it.”

“That’s just an estimate. They say the monsters are packed so densely they not only cover the planet’s surface but have increased the thickness of its crust.”

Naturally, their greatest concern was the estimated 100,000+ cosmic monsters that had been dropped like bombs on the Aethernian capital system.

“Is this really a problem?”

“Indeed, aren’t the unmanned fleets from Aethernia working hard to contain them?”

“Hmm.”

The choice made by Aethernia’s leadership before the catastrophe…

Unmanned fleets pouring out from automated shipyards in Aethernia’s outer regions were acting as barriers, preventing the monsters from spreading elsewhere.

“We nearly had another Warlord situation in the eastern galaxy.”

“Indeed.”

“Have you seen the simulation results from the Diplomatic Execution Planet’s hatred intelligence?”

“Ah, you mean the one showing that if not for those measures, the entire Aethernian territory would have been devoured, followed by simultaneous invasions of neighboring countries?”

“The results were astonishing, chilling even.”

Thanks to their actions, a galaxy-wide catastrophe had been averted.

As a result, goodwill toward the Holy Empire of Aethernia—which had sacrificed itself to save the galaxy from crisis—began to take root in the hearts of the Seveli high officials in the conference room.

————————————–

After the meeting concluded and we naturally returned to the Diplomatic Execution Planet…

[Event: Goodwill Increase]

[Goodwill toward the Holy Empire of Aethernia has increased within the Holy Seveli Empire.]

Sitting on the sofa in my private office, I was enjoying the event message alerts flying in from all directions.

‘Mmm, delicious.’

Of course, Riel tilted her head in confusion at my behavior and expressed her doubts.

“Minister, I’m curious about something. May I ask you a question?”

“As long as it’s nothing strange.”

“Why are you working so hard on goodwill toward Aethernia, even deploying purification units?”

At Riel’s words, I realized I hadn’t yet explained my plan to her.

The plan to recruit forces for a raid against our dog-like Emperor, and all the preparations for it.

Of course, I couldn’t have told Riel about it in the conference room full of “targets” as it would have exposed everything.

So I nodded and began calmly explaining the plan to her.

After hearing my full explanation, Riel said:

“…The timing is just perfect, isn’t it?”

“Right?”

“Yes.”

Riel nodded at my attempt to both complete the quest and simultaneously try to create a dream team to deal with the Emperor, but she continued:

“But Minister, since I was kicked out as an outsider in the middle, I didn’t hear properly… Are Aethernia’s unmanned fleets continuously regenerating?”

“Ah, you mean that.”

Since Riel admitted she hadn’t heard that part, I tapped the table with my finger and explained:

“No, according to Maria and Admiral Lüchou… the resources stockpiled in the unmanned automated shipyards are limited.”

“I see.”

“The problem is that the unmanned fleets aren’t very capable, so once the shipyards’ resources are depleted, the defense line will be breached.”

“Ah… Minister, is that why you’re trying to bring the Aethernian survivors into our empire?”

I nodded a couple of times at Riel’s question.

“If they’re going to be wiped out by monsters anyway, we might as well take them in and strengthen our empire.”

Of course, in a normal, typical country—unless it was an unusual case like Zeltech—refugees would naturally flow to neighboring countries.

‘But we have jump drives…!’

And not the “degraded” jump drives that users use in the game, but “genuine” jump drives equipped on numerous fleets used by the Pioneer Empires.

As I was thinking this, Riel spent some time in contemplation before making a gesture of realization and speaking to me:

“Wait a minute, Minister… you’re not planning to just leave those cosmic monsters rampaging, are you?!”

“…”

“Isn’t that extremely dangerous? You might lose all the goodwill you’ve built up if something goes wrong!”

In response to Riel’s urgent tone, I quietly displayed the quest message:

[Quest: Establish an Aethernian Government-in-Exile]

[Though only a shell remains, the Holy Empire of Aethernia is still a Pioneer Empire, even in decay.]

[With its leadership and fleet forces intact, and its citizens safe, wouldn’t such a nation seek opportunities for reconstruction anywhere it can?]

[And if you provide such an opportunity, the Aethernians will never betray your goodwill.]

[Objective 1: Have at least 100 million Aethernian refugees within the player’s empire]

[Objective 2: Provide a planet for Aethernians to inhabit (only paradise planets qualify, size irrelevant)]

[Objective 3: Bring the legitimate leader of the Holy Empire of Aethernia into imperial territory] (Completed)

[Objective 4: Increase goodwill toward the Holy Empire of Aethernia within the Holy Seveli Empire] (Completed)

[Reward: +100 goodwill from the Holy Empire of Aethernia toward the Holy Seveli Empire, partial access to Dark Age technology, ability to request support from Aethernia’s Annihilation Fleet]

Noticing that another objective had been completed, I nodded and said to Riel:

“I have a precise plan. Would you like to hear it?”