Chapter 112

The white, stately atmosphere of the Chronos mansion.

Inside that building, in a quiet reception room, two people face each other.

With white hair pulled back into a ponytail and elongated ears that show the traits of his race.

His sharp suit maintains a crisp shape, exuding elegance.

Edu’s friend and also the class president, Clarissa, is the grandson of Harpendel Chronos.

Hilton Jo.

On the sofa across from him lies a man, almost reclining lazily.

A emaciated figure that resembles a skin-tight, dried-up mummy.

Yet this man is a young tycoon who is almost entirely responsible for the food production of Fangju.

Hilton Jo.

The two, who had met the previous day in the building with Edu, now face each other in the mansion.

“So, Hilton. You decided to support Edu, huh?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Jo replies flatly.

“Hmm. It’s not surprising that you would make such a judgment considering the child’s extraordinary talent, but on the other hand, it does feel a bit excessive.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, isn’t the help a bit too extravagant for a negative reaction?”

He has drastically increased the quantity that can be purchased at a price almost equivalent to cost.

It’s a stance that is hard to see for an ordinary businessman, essentially stating that Jo himself would bear the loss.

Because of this, Harpendel harbored doubts and asked about his intentions, but Jo simply shrugged as if it was nothing.

“You don’t have to worry so much; I have no intention of betraying you or saying anything different later.”

A calm response.

But there is no indication of a lie.

If that’s the case—

“Hmm, is it because of the Fangju government?”

“That’s correct.”

Jo answers immediately.

“From what I’ve learned, it seems that Miss Edu has had a particularly bad relationship with and experienced many conflicts with government officials.”

After saying this, Jo turns the question back to Harpendel.

“And recently, there have been rumors circulating in Fangju… wasn’t it Miss Edu who secretly spread information to keep the government in check, as Chancellor Ryeoju?”

“Perhaps that’s so.”

“Just as I thought.”

A brief silence, and a faint smile spreads across Jo’s face.

Jo is currently under severe interference from the Fangju government due to his area of responsibility.

Because of that, he cannot have any good feelings toward the Fangju government.

In such a situation, when someone who shares his understanding—Edu—appeared, he decided to create a connection and work together through planned actions.

And Jo’s plan has successfully succeeded.

“But did you really need to confirm her abilities?”

“There’s always a chance, and besides, it was just a hobby too.”

Jo’s only pleasure.

That was collecting the legacies and various tools of companies that have now disappeared.

“You’re still cautious.”

“I can’t afford to be otherwise.”

Jo shrugs again.

“Anyway, has that cleared up some of your curiosity? I didn’t feel the need to tell Miss Edu the truth, so I just brushed over it.”

“Right. I understand that part, but what is the reason for your sudden visit?”

“Obviously, it’s to assist Miss Edu.”

“Hmm?”

Harpendel leans slightly forward, adopting a serious expression at Jo’s words.

“Tell me.”

“I believe Miss Edu is involved in something quite interesting. There’s talk of her using those fallen ones as soldiers… have you heard about it?”

Harpendel nods in response to Jo’s question.

“Yes, I heard that from Edu. What of it?”

“I think the concept isn’t bad, but there are some rough parts to it, and I intend to help fill those gaps.”

“Rough parts?”

“Yes, are you aware of the three basic human desires?”

Harpendel raises an eyebrow at Jo’s words.

“What’s that baseless story about?”

“As you mentioned, it’s a narrative without academic or scientific basis. However, it has spread widely and continues to be used for a reason.”

“Hm.”

Pause for a moment as he ponders, and then Harpendel nods.

“Go on.”

“Sleep, hunger, and sexual desire. Well, in the case of sexual desire, some argue it can be categorized as a passage of waste, but that’s not the important part.”

Clearing his throat, Jo continues.

“What’s lacking for the fallen?”

“Indeed, is that what you mean?”

“Yes. For the time being, with Miss Edu and the internal supporters, control is maintained, but as you know, they are born raiders.”

A serious gaze.

“And that kind of life is stimulating, primal, and instinctual.”

“So, that’s sexual desire?”

“Exactly. The other two elements must already be satisfied, and humans are beings that can destroy themselves while indulged in color.”

Harpendel nods, recalling ancient history at Jo’s words.

“Then how do you plan to satisfy their desires?”

“I intend to use automatons produced for that purpose.”

Automatons.

Machines designed to mimic humans, and indeed, some of them possess the functions Jo mentioned.

“I understand what you mean, so how can I assist?”

“I’ll prepare the materials and facilities needed for production, so please take care of the transportation of discreet personnel and items and keep the government from catching on by disrupting the information.”

A rather difficult proposal.

However, it was something the long-established Chronos family could easily manage.

“Understood, you can leave it to me.”

“Yes, I will be counting on you.”

“Hmm.”

The conversation is coming to a close.

“Then I’ll take my leave—”

Just as Jo is about to rise from his seat, Harpendel raises his hand to stop him.

With a gentle smile on his face.

The elderly elven gentleman slowly opens his mouth.

“Hilton, please wait a moment.”

“Do you have more to say?”

“Yes. I wanted to make a wonderful suggestion seeing you working hard.”

“A suggestion, you say?”

Harpendel nods at Jo’s reaction.

“Have you heard of the Nongnongdan?”

….

Midtown.

The largest and most densely populated residential area among the various districts of Fangju.

Riding on a Bungbungi, we slowly make our way through the vast shopping area at its center.

“Aww!”

Seoli, with shining round eyes, looks around at her surroundings.

Supporting her with both hands, Nisia follows behind me.

“Hey, that person….”

“Isn’t that the little hero?”

Whispers from the crowd.

Hearing the murmurs, others also turn to look, and I can feel the attention of those around us.

If we stay here any longer, we’ll become the center of attention.

“Nisia, Bungbungi. Let’s move quickly.”

“Okay.”

[ Beep. /⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝]

The two of them comply with my suggestion.

After going a good distance, our destination comes into view.

A round dome-shaped building nestled between linear structures.

Near the transparent windows, mannequins striking glamorous poses in colorful attire are illuminated by dazzling lights.

Ms. Lyses’s boutique – Diamand Core.

Despite not having visited since I came here with Mili and Sita under Ms. Lianna’s guidance, it feels oddly nostalgic.

“Edu, is that it?”

“Yeah.”

I respond to Nisia’s question while taking in the surroundings.

Various vehicles densely parked, reflecting its popularity.

Beyond those cars, the reason Nisia and I came here becomes apparent.

A mature woman draped in the red uniform of the 1st Legion, wearing a long coat, stands slightly away from the building.

Scales peculiar to reptilian beastmen are prominently visible on her cheeks.

“Ms. Simonia.”

As I call her name and approach, Simonia turns her body toward us.

Upon confirming our presence, she starts walking over slowly.

“Edu, you’ve come.”

“Yes, did you wait long?”

“No, not that long.”

With that, Simonia turns her head back.

Her gaze directed to the two soldiers who are silently maintaining their position beside her.

“Then you two should go back.”

“Apologies, but we cannot comply with that order, Commander.”

The soldiers openly refuse Simonia’s directive.

“Huh?”

Her tongue flicks out.

As her eyebrows and face twitch simultaneously and her hand moves toward her sunglasses, the two soldiers quickly sense the unusual atmosphere and add hurriedly.

“W-we’ve been ordered by the General not to stray far from the Commander.”

“That’s right, Commander. Our circumstances are a bit….”

The two soldiers plead.

The oppressive atmosphere emanating from Simonia gradually lessens.

“…tch.”

Clicking her tongue, she looks back at us.

“I have no choice, then. Can these fools come along as well?”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

I turn my face to look at Nisia.

She nods in affirmation, and Seoli, who was beside her, stares at Nisia before quickly looking down.

“Aww, boo!”

Seoli smiles happily, mimicking our actions.

After giving her head a gentle pat, I turn to Simonia.

“Shall we go in together?”

“Sure.”

….

A murky underground hall.

A deep darkness is dimly illuminated by red lights, and the noise from mechanical devices echoes ominously.

In the center of a cold iron cocoon stands an alien tower.

As usual, a high-level processing unit directing the Invaders with numerous commands receives a report.

[ Report, E005 train legion returning. The operation was about half successful, data secured and model loss. Requesting instructions. ]

The E005 train legion.

The high-level processing unit reacts immediately to the return of the entity responsible for burning down the 6th Fangju.

[ Confirmed, please send relevant data. ]

[ Good, I will send the collected data. ]

A multitude of information flows in from a distance.

Among it, there are images of burning Fangju and humans being swept away by bombardments, as well as everything that took place in the 6th Fangju, including Daen Slayf engaging in combat with unknown weaponry.

[ Data verification. ]

Amidst the countless pieces of information, the high-level processing unit focuses on a certain section.

What it zeroes in on is the Daen Slayf being destroyed after a fierce battle and the unidentified humanoid weapon that caused that outcome.

No matter how specialized Daen Slayf is as an artillery weapon, it is clear that it held an overwhelming advantage over its humanoid counterpart.

Yet that weapon defeated Daen Slayf.

Simultaneously, a clear conviction emerges in the thoughts of the high-level processing unit.

– It’s a bug.

The high-level processing unit rechecks the data.

As a precaution, surveillance devices hidden above the skies of Fangju.

Amidst the detailed recorded footage, what the high-level processing unit had been yearning for finally reveals itself.

The unknown weapon that battled Daen Slayf manifests in mid-air, with two silhouettes visible before it.

– The ability to summon or create weapons.

Having analyzed the ability, the high-level processing unit refocuses on the screen.

A human larva with long grayish-white fur and a human with black fur, while they look ordinary at first glance, the high-level processing unit had no doubt.

– One of them is a bug, or possibly both are bugs.

In the footage, the faces of Edu and Nisia emerge.

The information of the two is recorded at the very top of the classified threat level by the high-level processing unit, and the merciless invaders finally confront their rivals.