episode_0377

After completing all procedures, the little Violets scattered across the country. One thing became clear: their satellite system could no longer detect or track us.

“I can’t be seen! I’m transparent!”

“Transparent Violet!”

No. 9676 boasted, lifting both arms and spinning.

It was truly as she said. Not just a simple feeling or perception distortion, but the little Violets were also difficult to capture with cameras and various optical equipment.

An Awakened one with particularly sensitive senses might detect us, but if we held our breath and stayed still, we wouldn’t be caught.

“Strange… what was that presence just now?”

It was the same now. The member of the Containment Enforcement Unit patrolling the chaotic Stalemate Corridor noticed our presence but couldn’t find us.

Each time the opaque mechanical visor swept around, I felt as if something invisible was brushing past me. Was it an electromagnetic wave?

“Be careful! Don’t move too openly, or you might get caught!”

Since the Nemosys Protocol wasn’t active, they couldn’t see us even when we were crouching right in front of them.

In any case, the measurements and experiments conducted by the research team who arrived in the Red Zone proceeded quickly. The measurement data showed that our bodies were now in a state where the virus would not automatically track or activate.

Furthermore, it became easier to identify the strange signals constantly emanating from somewhere far up in the sky.

Previously, our bodies would automatically react and send feedback to that satellite, but now, perhaps because my magic pattern had changed slightly, there was no reaction.

In fact, I wasn’t sure if it was intentional, but it seemed like I could control such fine details.

“Anyway, the surveillance network in space can’t see us anymore!”

After a few careful confirmations, we were confident that the vaccine had succeeded.

If the vaccine had been ineffective, the Foundation or other clans’ combat units would have rushed over by now.

Thanks to this, we were able to return to Rustroom after only a few weeks.

“It’s almost the first semester of second year, isn’t it? A new semester is starting!”

“Weren’t we still fighting? Classes…”

Daphne’s concerns were valid, but now it was definitely not a problem.

“Well, I can do both!”

I heard that the clan members had searched around the various academies where I had hidden my clones, like hunting mice.

Fortunately, nothing major happened. Perhaps because I had buried them at multiple academies to use as teleportation points, it seemed to have dispersed their suspicion.

“It’s a relief they didn’t suspect the Principal-nim!”

I didn’t know how precise their detection system was, but I could confirm that they could grasp the approximate locations. I would have to make sure Aegis Academy didn’t get further entangled in this matter.

First, I needed to plan carefully.

To avoid being caught again.

Since I and the others hadn’t been idle either, the priority was to destroy the satellite launching and surveillance system first.

“…What’s certain is that, as you said, we have to strike them down in one blow. Before the Foundation can draw in other clans and the Federal Army.”

“Right! We won’t be caught again!”

Irene said that the interactions and activities between the Foundation and other closely connected clans were gradually decreasing.

“The Foundation is currently focused on damage recovery. Though they’ve figured out that large-scale funds and personnel are disappearing from somewhere else.”

“That’s the problem.”

I didn’t know what for, but it seemed they weren’t completely off guard.

If so, we needed to move first before they could pull any more tricks.

The last time, by dragging things out and giving them a chance to counterattack, our Violets were chased out of civilization and forced into a primitive existence.

“Life without running water and electricity! It’s terrible!”

We couldn’t be caught by Luminexa’s schemes again, who dared to banish us to the Red Zone. We had to crush them definitively, just like with Magnabys.

And we had the ability to do so.

For example, like the Violet currently infiltrating the home of a Luminexa executive.

“Wow! Rich houses are different!”

I, little Violet No. 7755, nonchalantly surveyed the living room and then threw myself onto the sofa.

Inside, someone who looked like a housekeeper was washing dishes, and a robot vacuum cleaner moved around the living room. I wandered around as if it were my own house.

It wasn’t extravagant or flashy, but it was neat and spacious, typical of a well-off household.

“The Chief Financial Officer must have a lot of money…”

Wandering around the house made me thirsty.

I calmly and quietly opened the refrigerator, took out an unknown can, and drank it. It was fizzy and bitter. It seemed like beer.

Blech, not my taste.

“It tastes bad…”

I roughly put the can into my inventory and plopped down on the living room sofa.

The housekeeper turned her head for a moment and then looked bewildered without understanding why.

The refrigerator door was open, after all. She still hadn’t noticed my presence at all.

Our stealth was perfect, apart from a few problems.

“Hey! Why do you keep stealing food?!”

The bodies and minds of the little Violets were far from the word “self-control.” Even with our Violet’s genius intellect, being in those tiny bodies caused big problems. Our thoughts gradually became simpler, turning us into fools obsessed with snacks.

“This isn’t stealing! It’s Violet-style resource requisition.”

“Right! Right! It’s a strategy to consume the enemies’ resources and bring us benefits, right?”

That sounded quite plausible… No. What was I even saying?

“Anyway, stop it from now on!”

When the little Violets infiltrated major facilities or homes, the first thing they did was plant clones. Then, without fail, they would explore the house, and before I knew it, I would find myself rummaging through cupboards or refrigerators. Requisitioning snacks became a daily routine.

“You want to eat? Then just take it out of your multidimensional bag!”

“But stolen food tastes better!”

An emergency Violet meeting was hastily convened and completely banned the unauthorized consumption of food by the little Violets.

“Aww…”

The good news was that the little mes were appropriately subtle, only taking what they could without being caught. There would be no trouble. Considering there had been no problems with infiltration so far.

Among the places the little Violets infiltrated were airfields. If they moved discreetly at night, no one discovered them. All they had to do was slip into the open doors of transport planes or airships and stay still.

The little Violets, huddled among the cargo, grinned.

“We’re getting a free ride!”

The Violets, embarking on a free journey, spread out everywhere by air. Just as migratory birds travel with the wind each season, the movements of the scattered mes were captured through the network, drawing specific trajectories.

“This is just an airfield! It’s a civilian airport.”

“This is a base I’ve never seen before? Suspicious!”

The procession and direction of the Violets who set foot in various places linked with the navigation data from the airships and aircraft our allies had gathered and previously shot down, heading to even more locations. They would secretly plug in hacking devices to check, and if the previously confirmed registration information matched, they would board.

“Okay, this is it, right? I’m getting on!”

I diligently deployed myself. No. 4551 hid in an unknown large ship, and No. 3451 arrived at an underground base stacked with massive missiles.

“What is this? Ballistic missiles?”

No. 6732 landed at an unfamiliar airport.

Its location corresponded to the northern sector of Rustroom. From the vast airport, unfamiliar aircraft soared high into the sky beyond.

“Single-stage orbital launchers…”

Though there were only one or two, I was filled with awe watching the spacecraft rocket upward at astonishing speeds.

But what drew the greatest attention from our Violets was something else. Even a gun with poor accuracy would hit the target once or twice if fired many times. As a result of continuously infiltrating airships believed to be moving along predicted routes, we reached the place we were looking for.

“Found it.”

The airship No. 667 was on moved along the predicted path, allowing us to discover the big secret they were hiding. I, who was squeezed between boxes eating a chocolate bar, was drawn by the changing scenery outside the window and headed towards the small window.

And what I saw outside was…

“It’s a sea base!”

As we cut through the thick fog, massive sea bases appeared outside the window.

The Foundation’s secret fortress was a gigantic military base created by intertwining tiny reefs, artificial islands built upon them, and ships and platforms that floated by some unknown principle. Impressive antennas and radars rose from the top, and beneath them were dense structures piled like metallic pancakes.

—Whirr!

Having disembarked from the airship, I opened my backpack, took out a camouflage cloak, and put it on.

Then I stealthily sneaked past surveillance cameras and sensors. Following people’s hurried footsteps, the first thing I noticed were androids of an unfamiliar shape.

“Wow! Look there! Sister Violet!”

If previous robots were machines composed of motors and hydraulic systems, these new ones were distinctly different. Their bodies were larger, and their limbs were covered in a material that resembled fibers or muscles, appearing both soft and strong.

“It must be a new model!”

Weapons larger and stranger in shape than any we had previously encountered moved about everywhere.

Were these the means they were preparing in addition to the Corvus Infection?

I simply blinked at the magnificent scale.

“No. 667! Focus, we need to wreck the Foundation’s archives. Don’t forget your mission!”

“Okay, I got it!”

I replied to Command’s instruction and opened my backpack again.

Rats waiting inside sniffed and poked their heads out, then scurried away silently.

“Everyone, are you doing well?”

I thought of the people I hadn’t seen while living outside. Ariel and her children were being well taken care of by Lucian, and Enrica had finished preparations to move into the dormitory this time. Our allies were also fully prepared as always, without any damage.

“Yes, of course!”

All that remained was my choice and will.

I turned my gaze to the center of the sea base. A colossal hole, like a sinkhole, had opened in the middle of the black sea. Beyond that void, seemingly created by some force, was filled with hazy steam. Though the vertically descending hole was filled with steam, my enhanced vision could faintly discern a massive golden object connected by countless pipes and wires beyond the steam.

“What is that?”

Well, I’d find out soon enough.

The Foundation would soon be like a fool who couldn’t even manage their own pockets.

What we lost in the last raid had been somewhat replenished.

It’s time to end this.

“Let’s move.”