episode_0018

Fafnir.

Since I am from Earth, I know very well where the nuclear power plant is located.

A monster from mythology.

As an evil dragon, an evil demon dragon is defeated by the hero of the Dragon Slayer Sword.

Those who are from Earth and are interested in Earth’s mythology will think of that name, but those who were born in a colony in the space century will think of a completely different origin.

Fafnir, the beast of creation.

He was the guardian god of the ether bus.

Like Fenrir, who previously appeared in the Starlight Colony area, most of the names of the beasts of creation originate from mythological beasts.

So where is Fafnir now?

Because it existed, it no longer exists.

Just as the legendary warrior did, the beast of creation was defeated over a hundred years ago, and a body was created based on the ‘ether bus’ extracted from the heart of the beast.

Dragon Killer, [Balmung].

It is a giant robot that is about 60 meters tall, and it is a super-type machine that carries a large sword as long as its body.

A single aircraft possesses infinite energy and utilizes it to the extent of deploying the colony’s main power source and protective shield.

And that colony is not the Starlight Colony, but the ‘Leo Colony’, which is famous for having the strongest defense power in the Zodiac Alliance.

A separate colony that has absolutely nothing to do with Starlight Colony.

So I thought.

What kind of person is this headmaster named Fafnir?

If I were to use a name related to the beast of creation as a second name, perhaps the Ether Bus stored in this colony would be…

‘Actually, I hope so.’

In the basement of Starlight Colony, or to be exact, the Academy, a 60m tall super robot sleeps.

I hope my guess is correct.

If that’s not the case, in what I think is the ‘worst case’ case, I would probably-

Beep beep beep.

A phone call came in.

It’s not an unknown number, it’s a ‘registered’ number, but it’s my first call.

It’s even a video call.

“Hu.”

I sat down on a chair at the instructor’s desk, corrected my posture, and took the video call.

“This is Trev Cloud, instructor of the Starlight Academy Special Forces Green Camp Team B.”

[Wow, what a surprise.]

“…….”

The person on the other end of the video call was a young man with a very young voice.

At first glance, it feels like he’s my ‘peer’.

You shouldn’t judge people based on their voice alone, but for some reason, I felt like they were people who had lived indoors all this time rather than people who had fallen on the field.

[Excuse me. I saw and heard it, but I was startled when I saw the mask.]

“……I’m sorry. If I take it off, I can’t make a phone call via video.”

[no. Huh.]

The voice is heard.

The problem is that there are no people in sight.

Are you trying to hide your identity?

[Even though there is a mask, this is my first time seeing you face to face like this. nice to meet you My name is Fafnir Starlight, Chairman of the Starlight Foundation and Academy Principal.]

“…….”

[Something, a problem?]

“…Excuse me.”

Even as a principal, I need to talk about this.

“It’s not for me to say anything as I’m wearing a mask, but I can’t see my face.”

[……yes?]

“The screen is black. I can’t see anything.”

[The screen… Oh, wait.]

The principal clicked the mouse as if he was embarrassed, and then the screen changed.

[phew. sorry. This is because of incorrect settings.]

“…….”

The face appeared as is.

Although he has a cold appearance that is somewhat similar to Vice Principal Stella, the most unique thing about him is his gray hair and long, flowing hair.

And round glasses.

Between them are gray eyes that look a little naive.

[Let me say hello again. This is Fafnir Starlight.]

“Yes, nice to meet you. Principal.”

[yes. Well, there are many things I want to tell you, and I also have many things I want to ask…]

Principal Fafnir placed his hands under his chin and clasped them.

[Rather than talking as a principal and instructor, I would like to talk as a Colony Ace and a ‘former Top Gun.’]

“…Under the Colony Agreement, I am obligated to keep secrets.”

I shaped the receiver with my hands.

“If you really want to talk about it, you should turn off all automatic recording functions on your electronic devices and talk in person, in person.”

[I was already planning to meet in person and talk, but it just worked out. Can we meet right now?]

“Yes.”

Just in case, I’ve already prepared everything to go out.

[Then go out.]

As soon as the phone hung up, I went straight out of my dorm.

The hallway of the instructor’s dormitory was eerie, and I slowly walked out, following the lights shining in the distance.

“I was waiting.”

“Captain.”

In the parking lot, Captain Edmund, wearing a different ‘uniform’ than usual, was waiting for me with a black car.

“Go right away. There will be no problem with security. Rather, you should protect security.”

“Before I go, let me ask you one question.”

I stood right in front of Captain Edmund before opening the passenger door.

“Is that here, the heart of Balmung? Otherwise…”

“I can’t say anything about that either. You have to see it for yourself and make your own judgment. Because….”

Captain Edmund shrugged his shoulders.

“Only you can know that, right?”

“…….”

* * *

The car turns around for a while and enters the garage of a shabby factory.

Rattling, rattling.

The car went straight down in the dark.

It was probably an elevator in the shape of a garage, and I had a strong feeling that it was trying to take me to the basement of the colony.

“Usually when you see something like this in movies, there are black masks on their faces and men in black suits on either side.”

“It’s so confidential that you can’t mobilize people to do that.”

“It’s confidential. I haven’t even told you that I’m doing anything else. Can you show it to me?”

“Because I know you and recommended you.”

“……I have no intention of backing down, but if it were just one case, I would run away.”

I pointed to my eyes and then to my heart.

“Even if it’s ugly, it’s not as bad as ‘that guy’.”

“…….”

“Captain.”

“Let’s go in first.”

Rattling.

The descent stops.

The captain opened the car door and got out of the car, and I immediately got out of the passenger seat and walked forward, following the lights that glowed softly in the darkness.

Clap, clap, clap.

I hear the sound of metal walking.

It feels like there is quite a bit of space under the floor.

“Close your eyes for a moment.”

I closed my eyes at Captain Edmund’s words.

Flashing.

Soon a bright light flashed.

I very slowly opened my eyes and took in the brighter light, and after a while I was able to look around.

“…It’s an underground dock.”

“Okay. A place in Starlight Colony where the number of people who know of its existence can be counted on one hand. Where the ‘Ether Bus’ is stored.”

When Captain Edmund pointed to the opposite direction, the sound of wheels began to be heard there.

“And that person is the leader of this Starlight Colony, Fafnir Starlight.”

“…Ah.”

“Haha, this. Nice to meet you.”

Rattling, rattling.

With the sound of wheels dragging, Fafnir Starlight approaches me along the iron passage.

“The legs….”

“Somehow it ended up like this.”

There is no lower body.

To be precise, both legs are bare, below the thighs.

The white suit pants obviously took up all the space up to my feet, but I was wearing a visor and could faintly see a small etheric light shining gently between the fibers.

“Well, thanks to science and medical technology, there is no problem with walking.”

Fafnir stands up slowly, holding the handle of the wheelchair.

Soon the inside of his pants began to sparkle with etheric light, and Fafnir walked very slowly towards me and stretched out his hand.

“This is the third time I’ve greeted you so it’s a little awkward to greet you again, but it’s an honor to meet you. Guardian of the solar system.”

“…….”

“There is no problem with the Zodiac Agreement. Haha.”

“…Then, first of all, what about that tinnitus? I am Trev Cloud, nothing more, nothing less.”

“But.”

Fafnir gave me a sparkling gaze that made me feel burdened.

“Do you know a man named ‘Hahm Jeongwoon’?”

“……I know.”

I’m lightly waving the outstretched hand that I’m not holding, sending unspoken pressure.

Trev, Cloud.

Traps, luck.

Well, in space, names written in Chinese characters are no longer used.

“……Nice to meet you, Principal.”

“Hehe. It’s really nice to meet you. You will be able to receive help from the guardian who protected the solar system.”

“It’s just an old piece of trash that can’t even ride in a mecha.”

As I held Fafnir’s hand with those words, his eyes wavered for a moment.

“You must have heard enough about that from Captain Edmund, isn’t that right?”

“…No. I heard enough, I understood enough. Just….”

“If you want to respect me, just treat me as I am. Principal.”

“…Yes. Okay.”

Fafnir nodded, holding my hand tightly with both hands.

“Then let me introduce it. The ether bus stored by our colony. Flowed from Earth into space, stored in Starlight Colony…no.”

Fafnir stretched his hand to the side and snapped his fingers as if he was in pain.

“This curse is ‘parasitic’ on Starlight Colony.”

“…….”

Down on the dock.

A crystal that seemed to be over 30 meters long was occupying space like a ‘tower’.

A sticky green that makes you feel ominous just by looking at it.

that-

“……Phew.”

I was able to erase all my anxiety at once.

“What is it? Olive Moon, Peridot Ether.”

I was truly glad.

“I thought it was ‘mine’ again.”

Because it’s not blue.