Ch.249The Great Invasion (2)

    Amid everyone’s frozen expressions, only Ireh analyzed the data with a bright face.

    “The situation is favorable for us. Many of the foreign entities have been filtered out by the traps.”

    “How many?”

    “About half.”

    “That many?”

    No matter how many traps we produced, isn’t that number too dramatic?

    “I have damage records collected from previous encounters. I predicted the enemy’s scale based on that. There will be errors, but it’s much closer to the actual figures than having no data at all.”

    Ireh shifted her gaze to the soldiers and officials as she spoke.

    “According to statistical analysis, the foreign entities’ planetary occupation speed per unit time follows the Fibonacci sequence. They’ve recently occupied three planetary systems, so there’s a high probability that five will be next.”

    She continued her explanation while pointing at the operation map displayed in the air.

    “Pastel, Crutoon, Mahva, South Encry, Seilen. All are strategic points with flourishing civilizations. We should establish our first line of defense connecting these planetary systems. If it’s breached, the casualties will become uncontrollable.”

    “My goodness.”

    Deputy Minister Alos asked in surprise.

    “Head of House Rheinland, who exactly is this woman?”

    “Ireh Hazlen. My junior from the Physics Department. She’s brilliant.”

    “What remarkable insight.”

    Alos extended his hand.

    “I’m Alos Padremont, Third Deputy Minister of Defense. Pleased to meet you.”

    “Ah, I’m…”

    Ireh, who had been confident just moments ago, wilted like a sick plant. Alos looked puzzled. I stepped in to explain.

    “Ms. Hazlen has trauma regarding men. Conversation is fine, but she’s extremely averse to physical contact.”

    “I see. I apologize.”

    Alos withdrew his hand.

    “Actually, our military has been making the same predictions that Ms. Hazlen just shared. As you mentioned before, we’ve stationed the Great Omega class inspectors who were on standby at each planetary system.”

    “Good.”

    I finally felt some relief. When I first heard the report, I thought our initial response had been delayed.

    Ireh and I continued our advisory role as scientists.

    “Even though most enemies have been filtered out by the traps, their numbers are still significant. Such numbers cannot move in unison without leadership. There must be a commander-type foreign entity.”

    “Are you saying a commander has appeared in the Darwin system?”

    “Yes. Astronomical observations indicate so.”

    Tap-tap-tap!

    The journalists in the corner began frantically tapping on their screens.

    This was the moment the Queen’s existence was revealed to the world.

    After glancing at them, I continued.

    “It would be ideal to take out the leader, but unfortunately, our technology doesn’t extend that far. Given the situation, we should focus on restoring the Aether Belt.”

    “How long do you think the restoration will take?”

    I held up three fingers. Alos tilted his head.

    “Three years?”

    I shook my head.

    “Three months.”

    “…Is that possible? It would be difficult without investing a considerable amount of money.”

    “If it’s not enough, I’ll use my family’s fortune if necessary.”

    The deputy minister’s mouth fell open.

    Tap-tap-tap-tap!

    The journalists’ typing speed increased noticeably.

    ***

    The evacuation of civilians from the Delaus planetary system was complete.

    Delaus was on the frontline but not a strategic point. It was merely a place with an unusually high number of observatories for studying foreign entities and black holes.

    I disembarked from the shuttle with Sonia and Ireh.

    “Is this Pastel?”

    “Yes, it’s the third planet. It has abundant water and a developed marine ecosystem. There are quite a few power plants and research facilities, and it’s a decent tourist destination as well.”

    Pastel.

    A planet with a gentle-sounding name.

    But there was an uncomfortable fact: it was the next predicted attack point for the foreign entities.

    Perhaps for this reason, the entry checkpoints were asymmetrical, even though it wasn’t certain if the enemy would come. There were more people leaving the planet than entering.

    I met Seti here.

    “Why did you evacuate here of all places?”

    “Because they’re targeting me. If I’m in a different planetary system, their attack point might change. That would only increase confusion.”

    Variables should be controlled when possible.

    “You’re using yourself as bait, aren’t you?”

    “Is there a better method than this?”

    “Well…”

    “I’ll be fine, Seti. I won’t die.”

    It wasn’t like I came alone anyway.

    Not only were Sonia and Ireh here, but Rustila and Zernya were also scheduled to arrive, albeit on different shuttles.

    “Where are your wives, brother?”

    “They’ll arrive soon.”

    I let out a heavy sigh.

    Somehow, the time spent apart from my wives was getting longer. It was because of those damned occupational differences.

    “Anyone watching would think you’re having affairs.”

    “What are you suddenly talking about?”

    “Look around you.”

    I did as she said. Sonia and Ireh were glaring at each other from both sides. Seti smirked.

    “Player.”

    “Tsk, watch your language.”

    I checked Ireh’s reaction. Contrary to my expectations, she just chuckled it off. It was actually Sonia who had stiffened.

    “Am I… supposed to be the young master’s wife?”

    “It’s just a joke.”

    Seti quickly changed the subject.

    “So, you decided to form an Aether Belt restoration team with our family’s assets?”

    “Yeah.”

    “What happened to the government budget?”

    “It’s not just one hole; the entire southern belt is gone. You think the government’s pocket change is enough to restore it?”

    Naturally, Seti’s face went blank.

    “You crazy bastard!”

    The next moment, a merciless slap came flying. I was struck hard on the back. It stung like I’d been exposed to ultraviolet rays for hours.

    “Ow! Ow! Oww! It hurts! I said it hurts!”

    “If you decide to use our family fortune without consulting anyone! The country will! Think! Our family is a pushover! Is this how the head of our house acts?!”

    “Ow! Wait, listen! Listen to me!”

    “Fine, let’s hear it.”

    I answered, gasping for breath.

    “We need to end this quickly, even if it costs a fortune.”

    “Why?”

    “The Darwin system entities multiply like crazy. As time passes… we get depleted while their numbers increase. We need to end this early.”

    Seti swallowed hard. She knew too. House Rheinland had been fighting Darwin system foreign entities for a long time. Those creatures persistently replicated and wouldn’t be easily eliminated.

    If we couldn’t remove them, the right answer was to build a wall to keep them out.

    “It’s the most cost-effective and certain method.”

    “I see. So, three months?”

    “Yeah.”

    “Can you do it?”

    “Of course.”

    In truth, three months isn’t a generous timeframe. It’s rather tight.

    Restoring the Aether Belt requires patience. It’s like painting a building using the vast expanse of space as your canvas.

    Yet I set such a tight schedule because of graduation.

    In about three months, I’ll complete my integrated master’s and doctoral program. After completion, I need to write my dissertation.

    My goodness, graduating just one year after enrollment.

    It would be impossible on Earth, but theoretically possible here. And I will make it actually possible. That’s the only way I can become Ireh’s advisor when she enters graduate school.

    Ireh is a student with considerable talent. I can’t hand her over to Professor Feynman, no matter how great he is.

    Anyway, to manage this crazy schedule, I needed to end the war quickly too.

    “Sister, if something happens to me, you become the head of the house.”

    “Why are you suddenly raising death flags?”

    “We have to consider every possibility.”

    At that moment, Seti clung to me.

    “I’m too anxious. Let’s just go home together. I’ll provide all the support needed for a quick belt restoration, so you can focus on research from a safe place. Oh, I can’t leave my brother in such a dangerous place.”

    I was touched.

    Despite her usual sharpness, it showed we weren’t related by blood for nothing.

    But just as Seti worried about me, I was worried about Rustila, so I couldn’t back down any further.

    After detaching my sister, I answered.

    “This place is a strategic point leading to the Rheinland planetary system. It absolutely cannot fall. So I’ll stop them here.”

    “You… you’re so damn weak.”

    “Who said I’d fight directly?”

    Boom, boom, boom.

    Spaceships landed one after another at the spaceport. Simultaneously, my status window updated.

    [— Effect of ‘Great Triangle (Lv.5)’ is applied.]

    “They’re here.”

    “W-who?”

    “Your new sisters-in-law.”

    Heavily armed inspectors and medical officers disembarked from each spaceship. Two of them had particularly familiar faces.

    The one in the black power suit was Rustila.

    The one in a white coat with a medical service armband was Zernya.

    Both of them waved slightly when they saw me, then left to attend to their duties. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the time for casual conversation.

    But one thing was clear.

    [— <Mental Power Sharing> has been activated.]

    [— Maximum Pron value of allies within 10km of you is fixed at NULL.]

    A new effect of the ‘Great Triangle’ skill.

    Some skills gain additional effects beyond their original ones when they exceed certain levels. In the case of ‘Great Triangle,’ it now allows sharing the combined mental power of allies within its area.

    “Infinite…”

    Ireh murmured.

    ***

    Exactly two days later.

    As predicted, the Queen’s army invaded Pastel.

    [“Midhrma. Do as you’ve done before. Drain them all dry with Pron.”]

    Midhrma.

    One of Queen Aurora’s direct avatar bodies, a dark gray sea turtle with a head shaped like a duodenum filled with worms.

    Standing tens of meters tall, it possessed the ability to contaminate air it directly touched with Pron.

    Undoubtedly the first avatar body the Queen sends when terraforming a planet.

    However, upon arrival, Midhrma couldn’t help but be surprised.

    “This pressure… an avatar body.”

    “Everyone, prepare for battle!”

    It had intended to drive humans to madness and death.

    Yet somehow, despite already using its ability, everyone seemed fine without any signs of insanity.


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