Ch.275You thought Jim was spending money recklessly? (2)

# Chapter 275: “Did You Think Jim Was Spending Money Recklessly?” (2)

Though intense anger was surging through me, I couldn’t just sit there doing nothing.

Since everything was in a paused state anyway, I took a moment to calm my rage.

No, actually I spent what felt like about a week in a daze.

‘Alright, that should be enough.’

After quietly collecting myself, I began reading the message again.

[After measuring the fact that psionic waves were spreading from Belkadur, the investigation team, including members of the Purification Squad, naturally sought ways to block it.]

[Unfortunately, it has been a scientific conclusion for ages that psionic waves themselves can penetrate any material.]

[And the Empire lacked sufficient resources to destroy the satellite.]

[The absurd revelation was the reason they discovered the satellite was a psionic wave emitter.]

‘The reason?’

[During the Purification Squad’s investigation, they found that massive budgets and capital, known to have been spent as the late Emperor’s “entertainment expenses” during his lifetime…]

[Had been channeled into the satellite’s construction through a meticulous money laundering process.]

[The problem is that no matter how hard they searched, there were no records of exactly how much capital was used or how it was spent.]

[Additionally, most of the companies and personnel known to have participated in the work have already disappeared.]

[Naturally, no internal blueprints exist either, and at best, they found only a brief evaluation that someone seems to have left behind.]

[“It would be impossible to destroy this powerful emitter satellite fortress with the firepower of the current era.”]

[However, unless the satellite is destroyed or at least its capability as an emitter is neutralized…]

[It was all too obvious that the front lines would inevitably collapse under the overwhelming numbers of the endless Kirsanid Scourge hordes.]

[Option 1: We must find a way to neutralize the satellite somehow! (Linked event proceeds)]

[Option 2: Then we should divert the forces meant to destroy the satellite to the front lines. (Linked event proceeds)]

‘Hmmmm…’

Of course, against that lunatic former Emperor and the seemingly unlimited numbers of the Kirsanid Scourge, committing just 6,000 troops and 4 forces now?

How is that any different from pouring clean water by the bucketful into a muddy lake and hoping it will become clear?

So after a brief moment of consideration—and I mean truly brief, not the 3-4 hours of deliberation I usually write about—

‘Obviously option 1.’

[Option 1: We must find a way to neutralize the satellite somehow! (Linked event proceeds)]<Selected

After making my clean selection, I decided to unpause.

[Pause Released]

———————————————–

Of course, just choosing an option didn’t immediately provide me with a solution that could turn the situation around.

“Ugh, the concerns continue.”

“That’s right, no one could have known the Emperor would reverse-exploit his own corruption, investing all his gambling funds and entertainment expenses into that thing.”

That damn Emperor bastard.

The fact that this was revealed was ultimately because the Emperor was broadcasting his identity in all directions as he advanced.

I suspect some of the Emperor’s loyalists planted within the Empire had a change of heart.

If he had acted just a bit more cautiously, we probably would have taken longer to discover that the satellite was a psionic wave emitter.

‘Oh god, how dreadful.’

While I was internally venting all sorts of frustrations, the Diplomatic Enforcement Ministry, including Riel and myself, was trying to come up with ways to remove the psionic wave emitter on Belkadur.

Although these thoughts of ours were soon…

Abandoned after realizing, thanks to the efforts of the Purification Squad members who were practically cheat keys when it came to intelligence, that the satellite itself was the psionic wave emitter.

“Minister, it seems appropriate to say that everything in the satellite except its surface and crust is a psionic wave emitter.”

“…”

I could feel my jaw dropping at this insane sci-fi scale.

“What exactly does that mean?”

“It’s as the report states. Moreover, if you dig just a bit deeper from the satellite’s surface… there are massive armored plates installed with various shock absorption equipment.”

“You can essentially think of the satellite itself as a massive fortress, Minister.”

Wow! A Death Star!

…No, that’s not it.

This meant that an enormous amount of funds, enough to make the Empire stagger, had been poured into this one satellite.

I asked about the possibility of orbital bombardment using the fleet, Levia, and Ash, as I had thought earlier.

“Impossible.”

“Even if more than 100,000 ships conducted orbital bombardment, they would barely scratch the satellite’s surface crust.”

Hearing the words of the observing officer from the Ministry of Defense participating in the meeting, I couldn’t help but shake my head.

‘How on earth are we supposed to deal with this damned satellite?’

Of course, if it was just about destroying the satellite itself, there was one suggestion that came up.

“If the Ether Dragon’s main body crashed into the satellite at maximum speed, it could shatter the satellite.”

Someone suggested ramming Eternia’s Saint, who was currently on standby at the Imperial Palace for emergencies, but…

“Do you realize the Ether Dragon’s main body wouldn’t survive that impact either?”

“…”

“Get this bastard out of here.”

“Minister! Please forgive me!!”

Since the person who boldly suggested using our allied power’s leader as a kamikaze against the satellite was clearly not normal…

I sent him straight down to the basement of the Diplomatic Enforcement Ministry.

Then I continued the meeting, pondering over and over again.

—————————————

But even until the end of the meeting, no proper solution emerged.

Finally, after the meeting ended and I returned to my office…

I flopped down on my favorite sofa and began to contemplate various approaches.

‘How to attack the inside of the satellite, that is the question.’

Even if I mobilized all the forces at my disposal, I couldn’t see a way to attack that satellite.

‘No matter how much we pound the satellite’s surface, the massive armor plates and shock absorbers beneath the crust will prevent any damage to the psionic wave emitter hidden inside.’

And internal infiltration wasn’t possible either.

If such a method existed, the Purification Squad would have already infiltrated and taken care of it, so there was no point in assuming that option.

‘What should I really do?’

Part of me truly wanted to recall all the fleets from the front lines and have them pound the satellite to pieces, but…

Since I knew better than anyone that such a reckless act was impossible…

I felt my temples throbbing as I suffered from immense pain.

“Minister, would you like something to drink?”

“Ugh… yes, bring me something.”

Seeing my condition, Riel brought me something, but…

“Here you go!”

“…”

Looking at this malicious AI bringing coffee to someone suffering from a headache…

Even in this stressful situation, I naturally started to consider pulling out the etiquette injection rod I always kept in my pocket.

Of course, since Riel couldn’t be unaware of my situation…

Naturally taking a step back, Riel urgently exclaimed:

“Just a moment, Minister! This is decaffeinated, so it has nothing to do with your headache!”

“…”

At Riel’s desperate words, I gave a suspicious look but took a small sip of the coffee.

“…Hmm, it’s true.”

Realizing that Riel was telling the truth, I began to savor the coffee with a more generous attitude.

“Phew… not bad.”

“I’m still lacking in skill though. After the war ends, I’m thinking of going to Gaia in Ishadur to learn how to brew coffee properly.”

“Not a bad idea.”

I nodded at those words, trying to find a moment of peace with the decaffeinated coffee when…

‘…Wait, Gaia?’

At that moment, I was shocked by a thought that crossed my mind.

‘No way, the solution to the problem was right in front of me, and I was being stupid.’

After organizing my thoughts so simply, I carefully put down the coffee cup.

“Riel, I’ve finally thought of a way to crush that damn satellite.”

I declared with a confident attitude that I had found a way to smash the former Emperor’s final big insult.