Ch.257Sacrifice (2)

I was worried about Seti. That guy, I wondered if he was too busy running his company to know about this.

“You said the Seilen planetary system has been breached.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Next is the Briga planetary system.”

Briga. The hub of transportation and logistics connecting the south and west. Beyond it are two minor planetary systems and an asteroid belt, and beyond those lies the Rheinland planetary system.

“Briga is our last line of defense. It absolutely must not fall.”

The soldier spoke with tension in his voice.

“Fortunately, the west has agreed to support our regional defense forces.”

“Phew.”

That was somewhat welcome news.

The Laniakea Federation is, as the name suggests, a federation. Therefore, there are federal forces that protect the entire territory, and separately, regional defense forces that protect each sector.

When a regional defense force that normally defends only one area is dispatched to another sector, it means the situation is urgent.

“However, the Western Defense Force doesn’t have a Great Omega. So they’ve decided to draft one from here, the Pastel planetary system.”

“…Hmm.”

I take back my words about welcome news. This is very troubling.

“You mean you’re taking either Virgo or Infantry, correct?”

“Yes, we’ve decided to bring Virgo, who specializes in suppressing Darwin’s Legion. Your… wife.”

“This is problematic.”

“I apologize. It’s not my decision, but from high command.”

I couldn’t blindly oppose it. Protecting the Briga planetary system was directly connected to my own safety. Moreover, the survival of humanity was at stake.

This time, I was caught between a rock and a hard place. The Queen had played her move well.

“I understand. May I ask your name?”

“David. David McDowell.”

“Lieutenant McDowell, since we’ve met like this, how about having a meal together when the war ends?”

“Yes, of course!”

The lieutenant left with a brightened expression.

Whirr.

As soon as the automatic door closed, a hollow sigh escaped me. Ireh noticed the meaning behind my sigh.

“I don’t think you’re worried about being separated from your wife… it’s because of the Great Triangle, right?”

“Yes.”

Rustila, Zernya, and Ireh. The three of them needed to be within the same planetary system at minimum. They needed to be close to each other to benefit from the Great Triangle’s effect.

In other words, sending Rustila away meant that Zernya and Ireh would have to go with her.

“The alien gods are making life difficult not just for my wives but for you too, Ireh. Damn it…”

“I’m fine. Zernya and Rustila probably feel the same way. Besides, isn’t there something more important?”

I nodded.

“Phosphorus wasn’t visible in that photo earlier.”

“That’s right.”

Phosphorus.

As the name suggests, it’s phosphorus. Atomic number 15, element symbol P. The component found in matches and white phosphorus bombs.

As you might guess from the name, it looks like a ball of fire. It’s among the strongest of the Queen’s avatar bodies, has tricky attack patterns, and even has the special quality of deflecting Ireh’s spirit bullets.

“I think the Queen has planted a decoy. She’s sending all her strong avatar bodies except Phosphorus toward Briga to weaken the Pastel planetary system’s forces. If we don’t send a Great Omega from here, the Rheinland planetary system will be breached.”

I had been wondering what the Queen was up to.

It seems this has all been reconnaissance until now.

Her main strategy of “quick decisive battle” was just beginning.

Ireh said:

“…Eidel, this isn’t going to work. Let’s leave Pastel. We should go to the Rheinland planetary system and regroup.”

“We can’t.”

“If we stay here, you could die!”

Despite Ireh’s outburst, I shook my head.

“Do you know what’s scary about this? Whether I leave the Pastel planetary system or not, it’s dangerous either way.”

“What do you mean…? Oh.”

“You know why I’m here. As a joke, I’m basically a totem. Just having the head of House Rheinland here gives strength to the soldiers.”

Morale is extremely important in war. Humans are beings who grow by consuming the future. High morale is blind hope for the future.

Usually, military morale is directly connected to whether the commander-in-chief is present or not. An army whose command center has fled is no different from a lost child at an amusement park.

In that sense, although I was a civilian, I was ironically the core of the military.

“My father also worked as a military doctor on the southern front. Why do you think the head of House Rheinland did that? It was to reassure the soldiers. Because Rheinland was holding firm, they could fight with peace of mind.”

“…”

“If I leave even for a moment, we could lose Pastel. Then the planetary systems on either side would be exposed. If the remaining systems fall, the entire south would be conquered.”

“…Sorry, I guess my perspective was too narrow for a moment.”

Ireh sat down, holding her forehead. A sigh like smoke escaped from her lips.

“Eidel, I’m most afraid of you dying.”

“Me too.”

“I wish I could stay by your side.”

“I appreciate just hearing you say that.”

I glanced at Sonia. Sonia stepped forward and bowed her head.

“Ms. Hazlen, please don’t worry. I, Sonia, will protect the young master and the scientists along with the soldiers here.”

“Can you really do it?”

“Yes, even if I have to sacrifice myself.”

***

Within just a few hours, Rustila, Zernya, and Ireh boarded the orbital ascent vessel. I embraced my two wives to say a temporary farewell.

“Don’t any of you die. Don’t get hurt either.”

“Meanie.”

Zernya replied with a pout. Rustila waved with a bitter expression, and Ireh couldn’t bring herself to smile until the moment of departure.

[— The effect of ‘Great Triangle (Lv.6)’ has disappeared.]

Everyone left.

Not just the three of them. Other capable swordsmen were also dispatched to save the Briga planetary system.

The total military strength of the Pastel planetary system had decreased by 20% from before. This made me anxious. I went to see Naiere to discuss it.

“I’m worried that a strong avatar body might take advantage of this gap to attack Pastel.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you no matter what happens.”

Naiere made bold promises, but she seemed quite worried herself. Her emerald eyes were trembling slightly.

A soldier, especially a commander, should never say or do anything that might disturb the troops’ morale.

I monitored the situation over the next few days. The offensive against the Pastel planetary system continued, but its intensity gradually weakened. One day, only monsters appeared without any avatar bodies.

After arriving at Briga, Ireh began taking down avatar bodies one after another. This was possible because she knew the attack patterns of the major avatar bodies well.

[Took down thirteen today. Thanks for the coins.]

I asked if everything was alright.

[No one’s hurt here, so don’t worry. How about you?]

I replied that there were no problems. That ended our conversation for the day.

I also kept in touch with Seti. When he first heard the news, he seemed quite shocked and rambled, but now he had regained his usual composure. Seti was quite worried about me and Rustila.

[Damn alien gods are making it impossible to expand business]

Additionally, Seti was very angry that the Briga planetary system, a logistics hub, had turned into a battlefield. I heard he had lost money on stocks for the first time.

The fact that he lost money despite having the God of Wealth and Investment as his constellation is evidence that the situation in the south is not good.

Anyway, a month passed in this atmosphere.

One day, while walking down the corridor, I overheard a swordsman guarding the laboratory say:

“Is the war going to end like this?”

The alien gods were retreating. Such hopeful rumors were spreading through the barracks.

The military high command still remained vigilant. However, they couldn’t completely control the discipline of every soldier.

“Did you hear the news report today? They say we’ve basically succeeded in defending Briga. Apparently, the avatar bodies are withdrawing.”

“I heard support came from the north and east too? Then we’ve definitely won.”

“Damn, it’s been long! Finally, I can go home!”

The restoration ship was essentially complete, with only the launch phase remaining. If we restore the Aether Belt like this, the Queen won’t be able to invade this place for several years no matter how hard she tries.

Victory seemed so close, yet my anxiety worsened with each passing day. I thought it was even less intense during the Shamplawi incident.

One day, Ireh sent a message before going to sleep.

[Eidel, Rustila said she has a bad feeling about this week. The three of us will return by tomorrow.]

I asked if that was okay.

[It’s fine. We’ve already taken down most of the strong avatar bodies.]

I could feel somewhat relieved.

“Young master, I’ve prepared your bedding. Please come this way.”

Sonia said, patting the bed. I rubbed my eyes and let out a yawn.

The past month, no, more than three months had been tough.

I know we shouldn’t completely let our guard down yet. But there’s such a thing as a person’s condition. My body was screaming for rest because I was so tired.

“Lie down comfortably. As I always say, if anything happens tonight, I, Sonia, will report immediately and protect you.”

“Thank you.”

As soon as I surrendered my body to the bed, my eyelids drooped. So this is what it feels like to sleep with both legs stretched out. I couldn’t thank the soldiers enough.

Sonia also lay down beside me, intertwining her shoulders and legs with mine. She patted me with a satisfied smile.

“Young Master Eidel.”

“Yes?”

“The war will end soon, and the day I become like a human is not far off.”

“…What does the second part mean?”

“My mother alien god is conducting research. On the immortal cells, a characteristic of Darwin’s Legion. If we study the principle of cells that induce proliferation even in inorganic materials, even I could have red blood flowing like silk.”

“Cartesia is doing such research?”

“You didn’t know?”

Cartesia never talks about her research, that’s why. I was wondering why she’d been quiet lately, but it turns out she was trying to help Sonia.

Here’s the question.

I understand making Sonia, who is close to me, into an avatar body to protect me. But why is there a need to make Sonia human?

[— The God of Wisdom and Curiosity snickers.]

Considering how she usually talks about pregnancy, it’s probably related to that.

Let me think back. What was Cartesia’s goal?

It was death.

She was bound by “restraint” and couldn’t leave this galaxy for her entire life. She can’t die even if she wants to. In human terms, it’s like being stuck in a tiny studio apartment for life.

For someone as curious as her, it’s too cruel.

Although she never said it directly, Cartesia gave me hints several times. To make a graviton bomb and shoot it at her. Please let her find peace.

But what does that research have to do with making Sonia’s body capable of pregnancy?

“…”

I don’t know.

It’s not something I can figure out right now.

I put aside my idle thoughts and completely cleared my mind.

The intercom rang, and I heard a knocking sound.

– Head of House Rheinland, it’s an emergency! Please open the door quickly!

I jumped up. I hurriedly grabbed the calipers I had placed at my bedside and shook my head. Sonia also got up, drawing her tool.

“What’s happening?”

– Monster attack! Several have infiltrated the research facility!

Damn it. Trouble at the very end.

“Who are you?”

– Lieutenant David McDowell! Please open the door!

“Wait a moment.”

Just as I was about to press the button:

“Young master, wait.”

“Why?”

“Something doesn’t feel right.”

Sonia blocked me. Cartesia also chimed in.

[“Don’t open it. There’s something dangerous outside the door.”]