BXBX NOVEL Chapter 83: Prohiden (2)
Chapter 83: Prohiden (2)
"Stealth Minefield’s annihilation confirmed."
"Two Division-Class Kaiju reactions confirmed in Delta B-2241 sector. Uncertain if that\'s all."
Beep-
"Confirmed complete retreat until the Delta C-1540 Colony."
"Beginning installation of 5th Defense Line."
"4th Defense Line is also being reinforced. 72nd Fleet Division deployment complete."
"Sector Delta C clear. No Kaiju visible so far."
Beep-Aria continued manipulating the hologram screen without stopping her hand movements while listening to their reports.
Of all times.
To think this would happen when Master was away.
Beep-
Where did the problem arise? They should have been sufficiently prepared.
The 1st Territorial Expansion was completed safely, and they were currently preparing for the 2nd Territorial Expansion.
Territorial Expansion wasn’t completed simply by planting a flag.
A space would only be incorporated into the Galactic Empire\'s territory when the Kaiju Appearance Detection System, Interception System, and Astral Signal Management System to prevent unauthorized Warps in advance were all installed and completed.
This time, considering it was beyond the Barrier, they even installed the Automatic Interception Colony \'KAI\'.
Yet, as if mocking this, Kaiju at the scale of a legion appeared near the Barrier.
"I guess Kaiju really can\'t be taken lightly after all."
Aria\'s brow furrowed.
She had spoken so confidently to Master.
As such, it was more than a little damaging to her pride.
This surprise attack by the Kaiju was no different from hitting the Galactic Empire from behind. There had been almost no Legion-Class Kaiju activity in the past few decades.
What caused them to move?
Is it because of the Empire\'s advance beyond the Barrier?
But if that were the case, the Galactic Empire seemed to have retreated without much resistance when expanding its territory recently.
How to put it… It was not that there was no resistance, but more that there were no fatal counterattacks enough to escalate the situation, so to speak?
Was it because they were too careless because of that?
No. Rather, it might be because they weren\'t careless and gave it their all that this happened.
With most of the Galactic Empire\'s Heroes deployed to the front lines, they might be aiming for the absence of Heroes. Moreover, even Master is absent.
So, the current surprise attack by the Kaiju Legion could be said to be a rather painful attack from the Empire\'s perspective.
Well... Still.
Of course, this only applied to the line outside the Barrier. The Defense Line installed inside the Barrier couldn’t be broken through with just one legion.
-A communication connection request has come from Grand Duchess Camilla.
Aria immediately accepted the communication.
A communication from one of the Great Heroes. It was welcome news.
Beep-
"It\'s been a while, Camilla."
-Ssaek, ssaek.
Camilla\'s figure wearing a gas mask appeared beyond the screen.
-It\'s been... a while.
"Unlike then, you seem to have lost your spirit. Where did the Camilla-chan who used to corner Maxien go?"
-Sh-Shut up!
"By the way, you\'re aware of the situation, right?"
-Y-Yeah....
"It\'s not the time to laugh and joke around."
-That\'s right.
"Does this mean you\'re contacting us because...?"
-Yeah.... I\'ll, go.
"Hmm."
There was a green-haired woman with a hood on the screen.
Although her expression couldn\'t be seen properly due to the gas mask covering her nose and mouth, there was no fear in her eyes despite knowing the current situation.
"Will you be alright? No. 17 is absolutely not an opponent to be taken lightly."
-I-I know that too.
How could she not know?
A Named Entity.
Just being on the Empire\'s Named Kaiju list meant it was no ordinary being. However, \'Prohiden\' was a whopping Double Number.
What\'s more terrifying is that it had the Number 17.
Number 17.
One of the highest-ranking Entities even among Double Numberings.
Double Numbers were on a different level after the 50s.
After the 50s, the difference could be clearly felt between them even if the number changed by just one.
Moreover, if it was Number 17...
It was closer to a Single Number than a Double Number.
An opponent that was impossible to face alone.
"You\'re in a rear position, aren\'t you? It\'s too dangerous to go out without other Heroes in the vanguard."
-T-That punk M-Maxien did it too, though....
"The Double Numbering Duchess Maxien managed to defeat alone was only No. 48. Besides, she is exceptionally skilled in that area. This is not a good opponent to face just out of a sense of competition."
-I-I know that too.
Did she truly understand properly? It was a whopping No. 17, after all.
An opponent that couldn’t be mentioned lightly even as a joke.
"Even though you know, you..."
-Wh-What else can I do?
"..."
-I-If the Galactic Empire falls apart, h-he\'ll be sad.
"Hmm."
-E-Eut!
"Is it the power of love?"
-E-Eek! It\'s not like that! I-I just feel sorry for him, that\'s all!
"Fufu. I understand. Then, I\'ll leave it to you. Please avoid engagement as much as possible and just keep them in check."
Given Camilla\'s characteristics, she should be able to handle it well as long as she doesn\'t let them close the distance.
-O-Okay.
"Still, please use proper honorifics when referring to His Majesty."
-E-Euk! O-Okay....
Hmm.
It was certainly true that if Camilla Bashatiret stepped in, it would reduce the burden on the Empire.
Given the characteristics of her ability, she wouldn’t go out alone.
Although she couldn\'t bring her fleet under her command right away due to the urgent return, when she went out to battle, she would lead an elite fleet.
That was her real ability that made her revered as a Great Hero of the Galactic Empire.
Yes. With her, there\'s nothing to worry about.
"What a relief. I was wondering what to do."
Just having a single Great Hero deployed extremely increased stability.
By the way, when will Master return?
***Just the rumor that Camilla Bashatiret was joining brought vigor to the battlefield.
"Hold on! We just need to hold on! Lady Camilla is coming!"
"Is this all you\'ve got! Pull yourselves together!"
"Don\'t give up! We just need to reach the backup point. Everyone, stay alert!"
"Hold on somehow! If we just hold on, the Empire will gain ten times the time! Delay as much as possible until we solidify the defense line!"
Everyone started to gain strength. They just needed to hold on until she arrived!
Just a little more!
Just one more enemy!
Camilla was the most battlefield-specialized ability user among the Great Heroes.
Naturally, her joining was something to welcome with open arms for the soldiers active on the front lines.
Zzzt-
However, there were things that couldn\'t be done with will alone. If everyone could overcome trials with will alone, there would have been no wars in human history.
[This is Delta B-7258. The location of M-Sight is currently unknown. However... at least 3 Division-Class Kaiju are surrounding us, and no ultra-large Kaiju types are visible.]
Zzzt-
[Reporting that the colony\'s main resources and personnel have safely completed evacuation.]
Zzzt-
[This is Delta B Command Room. ...Will you be alright, Colonel?]
Zzzt-
Those communicating now knew. The one relaying the colony\'s last moments couldn\'t retreat.
The person in charge of Delta B-7258 voluntarily stayed behind alone to fulfill his duty until the very end.
[...So it was you, Major. Haha.]
[Colonel...]
[Please take care of my family on Planet Isengard.]
Zzzt-
[...I salute you, Colonel, for fulfilling your responsibility to the very end. Please don\'t worry about your family. Thanks to you, and only you, they will live in a safe place, more abundantly than anyone else. I will personally ensure they are looked after until the end.]
[Thank... you. Then... goodbye.]
Click-
When he pressed the cold metal button, the communication connection was cut off. This was necessary to prevent communication contamination from M-Sight.
He wanted to leave more final words, but.
"Hoo...."
Hundreds of screens connected to the colony were disconnected one by one and destroyed. In the glimpses of visible screens, Kaiju were breaching the colony\'s defense systems.
He reached into his chest pocket and pulled out a faded photograph. It had turned yellow from being taken out and looked at every time he went out.
"Don\'t forgive your father. And I\'m sorry, honey."
Zzzt- Pop!
Zzzt- Pop!
The more disconnected monitors there were, the closer death approached. As he was taking in the Kaiju legion through the few remaining screens...
"!!"
Something caught his eye.
Is that...?
A Named Entity not in the reports?
His pupils trembled finely.
The impact of just one Named Entity is indescribable. The appearance of an entity that hadn\'t been reported until now implied many things.
But had God perhaps not abandoned him just yet?
Flash-
A fierce beam of light fell, drawing a strange curve above the Kaiju legion.
Boom-
As if it wasn\'t too far away, the aftermath of the explosion reached the colony\'s main control room.
Kuung- Thud- Thud-
The beams of light increased one by one.
The Colonel could realize something.
"Ah...!"
Camilla Bashatiret.
It was her.
Kuguung- Kuung- Thud-
Beams of light fell like rain, and soon the main cannons formed a fire net, striking the enemy camp.
Flash-
Flashes that couldn\'t be fully captured on screen burst out all over the battlefield, dyeing the screens white.
Zzzt-
[Is there anyone still left?]
Ah...! O’ God!
The Colonel felt an indescribable excitement as he received the communication.
Zzzt-
[Th-This is Colonel Matteo, the person in charge of Colony Delta B-7258.]
[Mhm. Good work.]
The voice of a little girl.
But he received great comfort from that voice.
Camilla Bashatiret.
Head of the Executive Department.
Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Special Task Force.
Camilla, a Great Hero of the Galactic Empire, had arrived.
Flash-
Ultra-long-distance sniping, from a distance that couldn\'t even be estimated, shot down the Named Types positioned among the Kaiju legion.
Flash- Boom-
But was that all? No.
The Kaiju waves began to be swept away by the movement of a fleet moving like a single organism.
Only then could Colonel Matteo wipe his face with trembling hands.
[Th-Thank you!]
Zzzt-
[Don\'t mention it.]
With this attack, the Galactic Empire\'s first proper counterattack in this raid had begun.
***"Hmm."
Countless red dots formed a three-dimensional battle formation in front of Camilla\'s eyes.
Accordingly, she busily manipulated the panel, inputting the fleet\'s movement routes and attack timings down to the minute.
Manually commanding the entire fleet from a distance?
Some might say it\'s impossible, but for her, it was a different story.
Of course, the detailed movements would be handled by the crew on board.
"This one is in the way, huh?"
The Ether weapon fixed above her shoulder began to concentrate ultra-high-density Ether.
"Hmm. This one is also in the way. This one will be for the next shot..."
The moment a satisfied smile appeared on the lips of the little girl muttering softly.
A flash of Ether covered the surroundings.
The hearts of 24 Named Type Kaiju and a Triple Numbering Kaiju in its path were pierced through.
And at that moment…
Somewhere in a secluded part of the battlefield…
A Kaiju that had been closing its eyes opened them, revealing a glow that radiated purple light.