Chapter 126

The thunderous roar echoes.

A massive shockwave penetrates the interior lining, reaching the ground and sending up a colossal column of earth.

The room trembles violently from the spreading impact.

In front of us, Chancellor Ryeoju and Freya stand, with three summoned creatures positioned on either side of them.

A brief silence.

As the dust settles, an alert sounds in my mind.

– Warning, insufficient mana to maintain the summoned creatures. Colossus’s summon is being canceled.

The giant’s fist dissipates into mana.

In the center of the large fissure that forms beneath it, the heavily damaged Eisen Lier becomes visible.

[ Critical damage to the main propulsion system. All mobility and combat armaments lost. External armor and fuselage damage have exceeded their threshold. ]

The sound of a self-diagnostic process.

After completing all inspections, Eisen Lier’s head turns slowly in our direction.

The green light in its eyes flickers irregularly.

[ There can be no excuse for such a complete defeat! Truly, it was a magnificent fight, our adversaries! ]

A voice resonates loudly, echoing the sentiment of the entity.

[ Then, let us meet on the next battlefield. ]

As the light in its eyes dims, its body slowly topples backward and ceases to move.

Its sudden departure is just as abrupt as its arrival.

However, there is no reason for Chancellor Ryeoju and Freya to trust the enemy’s words, so naturally, they do not lower their guard.

Their heads turn slightly to look at me.

“Hmm.”

After confirming Eisen Lier’s state, they give a nod indicating it’s safe to lower the defenses.

Only then do Chancellor Ryeoju and Freya relax, and Nisia shifts her gear while letting out a sigh.

“Huh?”

Seoli, who doesn’t understand the situation, sucks on her fingers while her eyes gleam.

“Well done, under the circumstances.”

Chancellor Ryeoju sighs.

“You’ve worked hard, Edu has as well.”

Freya approaches me, gently patting my head.

The warmth transmitted through her hand gradually eases the tension that had stiffened my body.

“I’ve merely done my duty.”

“No, that’s not true, Lady Edu.”

Raban’s voice comes from behind.

Turning around, I see Raban and his subordinates bowing to us as if they’d been waiting.

“Thank you for bravely fighting against the enemy amid such a crisis and protecting us.”

“Thank you!!!”

A chorus of gratitude echoes through the disheveled command room.

Feeling a bit awkward, I scratch my cheek when Freya’s voice reaches me.

“Still, did we at least clear one of them away…?”

A gaze directed toward the pile of scrap metal that was once Eisen Lier.

“No, not quite.”

“Eh? Not quite?”

“Yes. As mentioned in the information I provided earlier… This entity can possess multiple bodies and switch them as needed.”

While not entirely identical, this is a capability exclusive to invaders sharing some characteristics with machinery.

After hearing my explanation, Chancellor Ryeoju narrows his eyes.

“…Raban, did you fail to read through the details provided by Edu thoroughly?”

“No, no! I did read it, but there was just too much information to fully memorize yet.”

Freya hurriedly defends herself.

Indeed, with the multitude of tasks she has commanding the Ground Reclamation Division, she probably hasn’t had much spare time.

Understanding this, I continue.

“Most likely, this body was either a diversionary dummy or a degraded mass-produced version compared to the original.”

“Hmm, so you’re saying the real body is elsewhere?”

“Highly probable?”

Not being entirely certain, I answer this way, while Freya tilts her head and poses another question.

“Still, Edu, surely not all of those creatures can switch bodies like that, can they?”

“No, not all of them can.”

The fact that this ability is possible doesn’t mean everyone can do it.

This isn’t unique to AOE; it holds true for Earth’s reality as well.

Even if all humans are the same species, there’s no guarantee that what person A can do, person B can do as well.

“He is simply an exception, and this isn’t purely an advantage.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. For instance, what do you think would happen if your body and the Chancellor’s were switched?”

At my question, Freya falls into contemplation.

Though it’s unclear what she’s thinking, her smile and nod seem suspicious.

“Cheeky!”

“…No, that wasn’t what I intended to ask, Freya.”

Her cheeks redden slightly in response to my correction.

“Hem…”

“Let me elaborate further. Though you and the Chancellor might appear similar in height and age group, there are actually significant differences in physical capability, right?”

“Right?”

“And so, switching bodies would feel akin to putting down familiar tools and starting with new ones.”

“Ah, I see what you mean.”

Freya nods in understanding.

Just then, footsteps echo from the corridor, and fully armed soldiers rush in to the command room.

One group carries reinforced exoskeletons, while another group wears unique suits and gear.

Recognizing Raban, all of them salute.

[Commander, reinforcements have arrived! Where are the enemies?]

“The enemies that infiltrated here have been dealt with by these individuals. However, there may still be others remaining, so please check other areas.”

[Understood, Commander!]

After saluting again, the soldiers leave in small groups.

“Hmm. Now that the situation appears settled, let’s discuss what we learned earlier.”

“Yes, Mr. Raban. Do you have a moment?”

“Yes, please speak.”

…

Meanwhile,

Simonia strides briskly through the vast and desolate corridors of a grand mansion after returning from the third ark.

Two soldiers follow her.

Her steps stop in front of a large door, reaching for the handle before hesitating and knocking instead.

– Enter.

The door creaks open.

Simonia steps inside.

The soldiers respectfully wait behind her and only close the door after confirming she is fully inside.

The room, despite its ample space, is eerily empty with no furniture or items.

Simonia moves forward and stops in front of a desk filled with documents.

“Father.”

“Did you successfully deliver the item as ordered?”

“…Yes.”

The mid-aged snake hybrid never once glances at his long-unseen daughter but gazes intently at a holographic screen as he speaks only business.

His angular jaw, grayish eyebrows, and rigid expression give him a more mechanical than human demeanor.

Moss Hallet.

He is the former commander of the First Regiment, one of the four marshals and Simonia’s father.

“Then you may leave.”

“…I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“This order regarding the Second Regiment… just what exactly are you preparing for?”

Moss’s gaze shifts from the hologram.

The vertically slit golden eyes focus on Simonia.

The cold stare aimed at his daughter can scarcely be considered human, but Simonia is already accustomed to it.

“Where did you hear about the Second Regiment?”

“I learned of it by chance.”

“You didn’t… eliminate them, did you?”

“…”

Simonia’s silence suggests an affirmative, causing Moss’s features to contort in anger.

“Foolishness…”

“Are you not going to tell me?”

“That’s none of your concern. Everything I do is for the prosperity of our species.”

“I see.”

Moss states this definitively.

Simonia responds indifferently, having not expected much to begin with, but Moss shows no reaction.

“Is that all you wanted to ask?”

“Yes.”

“Then go.”

Simonia bows and leaves the room.

The exchange between father and daughter was so official, so cold, it hardly felt like a familial conversation at all.

“Did you have a good talk?”

“…I’m a bit tired. I’ll rest in my room for a while.”

“Understood.”

Moss dismisses the waiting subordinates with these words and moves forward.

After quite a journey, Simonia finally reaches her room and slowly opens the door.

“…”

A simple room containing just a bed, a desk, a wardrobe, and a drawer.

Without even the simplest doll or pretty carpet, this was the place where Simonia spent her childhood.

She walks over to the bed and falls down on it.

“Ah…”

Sighing and gazing listlessly at the ceiling for a while, she gets up and starts feeling around beneath the mattress.

Click.

A small box appears in her hands.

Inside, she finds two small stuffed dolls when she opens it.

Despite the button eyes and frayed stitches, these dolls are hardly well-made.

Yet, Simonia holds them dear, her face transforming from a poised woman into an innocent young girl’s.

“Miriam…”

Calling out the name she could no longer use outside, Simonia tightly embraces the dolls.

A tear rolls down her cheek and onto the pillow.

A brief reunion.

Simonia finds warmth even from the cold dolls.

Carefully slipping the dolls into her coat’s inner pocket, she slowly gets up from the bed.

“For the prosperity of our species.”

Simonia contemplates Moss’s words.

Her mind reels with recent events, and the image of a small girl comes to mind.

The serpent people, long subjected to discrimination and hatred.

So deep-rooted and dark was the discrimination that their survival decisions were often met with loathing and betrayal.

Yet there was one little girl who, instead of offering cheap sympathy or condescension, treated her purely and genuinely, with respect as a person.

A short-lived connection, but somehow, Simonia felt an inexplicable draw towards that small girl.

“So, you are saying that it’s alright as long as it’s for the sake of our race?”

Her face lights up with a defiant smile.

Making her decision, Simonia leaves the room, leaving behind only a hollow, empty little box in the chilly room.

…

“Thankfully, it turned out to be nothing serious.”

“That’s good.”

The smooth preparations after informing Raban about the Parasite threat proceeded without a hitch.

To avoid spreading unnecessary panic, the investigation conducted among the soldiers with proper justification concluded thankfully with no issues detected.

“Ugh… I’m dying….”

Vanessa slouches, wobbly.

“Vanessa, you’ve worked hard.”

“Edu~”

Calling my name, she grabs hold of my arm.

Sluggishly pulled into her embrace, I’m pressed against Vanessa who hugs me tightly with both arms.

The firm recoil from her bust presses against my shoulder as I slightly raise my head.

There, Vanessa’s relaxed and carefree face meets my gaze.

“Eh, Vanessa?”

“The Commander said embracing others like this was healing, but it really does feel good…”

Feeling the warmth shared, Vanessa’s head rests gently on my head.

Embracing her seems trivial, and since her hard work deserves some comfort, I quietly accept the situation.

A moment of peace.

Chancellor Ryeoju returns after conversing with Raban.

“So, it seems the issues here have been resolved for now.”

“Did the discussion go well?”

“Yes, the Second Regiment has pledged to remain neutral. Initially, only Villen and his few followers were in contact with the government, and it seems the rest are not involved.”

Chancellor Ryeoju explains, to which Freya nods understandingly.

“So, what do you plan to do?”

“Hmm.”

Chancellor Ryeoju ponders momentarily.

Upon reopening his eyes, determination is evident in his gaze.

“With the sword already drawn, there is no stopping now.”

His voice is solemn.

“Let us head to the government.”