Chapter 211

While keeping an eye on the surrounding strait, we set about repairing Incheon Port with the equipment from Fangju that we had brought along.

Mr. Dmitri and the Russian Navy joined the Human Liberation Army, and since a naval operation base was now needed, this was the action we took.

We straightened the leaning communication tower, repaired or demolished and rebuilt the collapsed port facilities, and thoroughly overhauled the port.

“These go to Warehouse No. 3, these to Warehouse No. 5.”

“Confirmed.”

“Let’s hurry up!”

This kind of work always requires a lot of manual labor, but with my marionettes and automatons, plus the help of the Russian Navy and the people at the port, the restoration work proceeded smoothly.

After the thorough repairs, the eerie atmosphere of the port completely disappeared, and Incheon Port took on a proper appearance as a naval base.

Even after establishing this base, we remained at the port on standby in case of an unexpected Invader attack, but no matter how long we waited, there was no sign of an attack.

Our supplies were running low, and since we had already set up a minimal safety system while rebuilding the port, we left Incheon Port to move the citizens to Fangju.

“Then, Mr. Dmitri, see you soon. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Yes, please return safely, Commander Edu.”

I flinch at the respectful response and again at the title ‘Commander.’

“You don’t have to elevate me so much.”

“It’s not elevating you. Isn’t Commander Edu now officially our commander? It’s just a title fitting your position.”

“Right!”

The Russian Navy admirals echo Mr. Dmitri’s words.

Anyway, since it was clear my opinion wouldn’t be accepted no matter how much I argued, I decided to let it go.

“Then, I’ll head out. Everyone, take care!”

“Yes. All personnel, salute the Commander.”

The admirals salute in unison at Mr. Dmitri’s order.

I return the salute and head back to Argonaut.

“Alright, let’s set sail! Let’s go carefully!”

“We’re departing! The destination is the Forward Base. Since many people are on board, please maintain strict vigilance!”

Sita repeats and elaborates on my instructions.

A short while later, the white leviathan departs the port and heads out into the vast wilderness.

Argonaut moves cautiously through unclaimed territory, avoiding the regions of the three factions and sticking to safe routes.

Despite taking a longer path, thanks to the meticulous route we chose, we return to the Forward Base without encountering any enemies.

“Then, Mr. Balder, I’ll leave the refugees in your hands.”

“Yes, please leave it to me.”

Since handling such matters suits experienced Mr. Balder, I leave the refugees in his charge and head to the Obelisk with Bungbungi to report.

Upon entering the General Commander’s office, Freya greets me.

“Edu, you’ve worked hard! I hear your talks with the Russians went well?”

“Yes, the Russian Navy agreed to work with us.”

“Good job, as always. Nothing bad happens when I leave things in your hands.”

Freya ruffles my hair gently.

Warmth spreads through me, and my lips part involuntarily.

“Hehe.”

“Then, let’s hear the details?”

“Yes!”

I report what happened recently, summarizing key points to avoid making it too long.

But Freya’s reaction was much more intense than I had anticipated.

She rises abruptly from her seat, alarmed.

“What? Fortress-class enemies recently?! You fought against those again? That wasn’t mentioned in your last report!”

I scratch my cheek and avert my gaze as Freya points this out.

“That’s because…I thought you’d be really surprised…”

In reality, I was quite caught off guard as well.

My meager excuse didn’t sway her, and Freya’s gaze continues to fix on me sternly.

“Hehe…”

I glance around cautiously.

After a few rounds of this, Freya sighs deeply and places her hand on my head.

“Haa… Edu, you really have a talent for scaring people. Are you hurt anywhere?”

“I’m fine!”

I exaggerate my movements to show my health, but Freya ignores it, inspecting my body thoroughly instead.

“Auu, auuu…”

Though ticklish, I squirm slightly, but Freya’s examination is relentless.

After thoroughly checking me, she suddenly spreads her arms and pulls me into a tight embrace.

“Eh, Freya?”

“Looks like there’s really no damage. That’s fortunate.”

Freya pats my back.

Her ample bosom presses against me, conveying soft resistance and warmth. Her pure concern and worry flow through my body.

“Thank you.”

“Mm.”

Freya pulls back.

She shifts her demeanor back from the sisterly worry to the commander carrying humanity’s hopes.

“Then, returning to the topic… Edu, the people you’ve brought over will need support, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Mm, leave that to us. We still have some leftover resources from when Edu rescued people from the aliens last time.”

“Thank you.”

I bow my head in respect.

“No need to be so formal, even labor forces we can utilize will be beneficial to us.”

She says, while stroking my hair.

As I enjoy the warmth transmitted through my hair, Freya speaks seriously.

“Still, the mention of first-generation commanders… Are they starting to move actively?”

“Yes, we need to be more cautious about the Invaders’ movements from now on.”

While we’ve been cautious until now, I mentioned this because the Invaders commanded by the first-generation commanders are extremely dangerous.

In other words, no matter how careful we’re being, it’s not enough.

“Right, let’s do that. I’ll inform the principal and the others, ensuring everyone is ready.”

“Yes.”

“Then, Edu, what do you plan to do next?”

“I’ll keep an eye on the situation for a while.”

The original plan was to join the Asia-Pacific Fleet immediately, but given the attacks by Bonaparte and the appearance of AbyssMother, it’s clear the Invaders highly monitor our moves.

In such a situation, if we inadvertently provoke them, there’s no telling what sudden actions they might take.

Therefore, the best course of action is not to take unnecessary risks but to wait for their attention to divert elsewhere and then seize the opportunity during a lapse in their guard.

“Understood. So, you have some time?”

“Yes, is there anything you need me to do?”

“That time you went to the industrial area and eliminated the Cryptids?”

“That’s right.”

The events there allowed me to fully understand Seol and Ryong’s abilities, and I gained a loyal Cryptid army.

“Has anything happened there?”

“Since then, Cryptids have appeared again. Fortunately, the recovery team sensed something strange and returned, or it could have been a major issue.”

“Eh? More Cryptids?”

“Yes.”

That’s odd. I had thoroughly cleaned out the cave, leading the friendly ones away and eliminating all enemies…

Freya must have understood my thoughts because she added,

“I don’t think Edu would lie about something like that. Perhaps it’s a new reinforcement from the enemy?”

“Reinforcement… Ah.”

At Freya’s words, an image of a particular Cryptid comes to mind.

“Could they have used a Gigantomachus Worm to transport troops underground?”

A Grade-7 dangerous large Cryptid organism, the Gigantomachus Worm.

The massive worm with a thick exoskeleton can move freely underground.

If this one had tunneled through and infiltrated through the pathway, it would make sense why Cryptids reappeared in the supposedly vacant cave.

“Did you think of something?”

“Yes, I’ll check it out.”

“Can I ask you to do that? Let me know if you need anything.”

Freya’s request.

“I’ll be fine without help, I have a plan.”

“Good?”

“Yes.”

Several hypotheses related to the recent identification function I gained, and now I’m eager to check and confirm these theories.

“Leave it to me!”

…

In the icy cavern, deep in the lowest part of the deep cave, the Brain stays silent.

For dozens of days, the search has continued.

But despite all these efforts, completing the Queen’s directive remains elusive.

The den, where they attempted to gather information, shows no trace at all.

Of course, they didn’t come up with nothing, but the problem is that the found clues only deepened the mystery rather than providing answers.

The only clue the Brain discovered.

They were the remains of a slaughtered command entity and the smaller group that seemed to follow it.

The corpses were scattered, as if they had been isolated throughout the cave and annihilated.

This was already a strange occurrence, but what troubled Brain even more were the distinct traces left on the bodies.

The Brain examines the remains again.

It is certain.

These were not marks made by something other than them but by Cryptids like them.

The problem was that if it had been an attack by a wild Cryptid group, there should have been signs of battle from the outside, not traces inside without any external signs.

The Brain thinks hard.

At that moment, the ground shakes.

Koooom…

Startled, the Brain looks around.

Soon enough, the image of a suspicious entity that appeared above the cave through the swarm consciousness reaches him.

A white, oval-shaped spacecraft with wing-like appendages on both sides.

Since it was neither particularly large nor threatening, Brain’s hand that had started to raise to order an interception hesitates and stops.

…

The Brain, recalling that his Queen had recently been enraged by the consumption of troops, decided after some thought to gather his forces into the cave to avoid unnecessary losses.

The small girl watching this from above.

“Looks like they’re all holed up in there?”

“The radar shows that. They seem to have retreated inside to standby.”

“Hum, just as planned.”

The girl lifts her small hand high.

“Summon the Armor, Scythe! Equip me with close-combat modules!”

Mana flows out of her body, and a 12-meter tall cyclopean giant appears before her eyes.

Although the angular, thick armor plating remained, focusing on practicality over appearance, the previously mounted arms designed for mass firepower were entirely different now.

The rippling gas vents gleam.

The large calibre shotguns slung over both shoulders are aimed forward.

Rrrrrk…

A beast knight bursts out beside Scythe.

Behind them, an army of Cryptids forms a surrounding net around the city.

Kiyyyaa!!

Grrrr!!

“Alright! Everyone, stop!”

The Cryptids halt precisely at Sooli’s command.

“Mom! We’re all set!”

“Yes, thank you, Seol.”

Alright, let’s confirm then.