Chapter 148

The long corridor inside the vessel.

As we proceeded, the aliens’ gazes converged on our group.

…

Their antennae twitched, some heads moved lifelessly following our motions.

The soldiers with limited information mostly glared with hostility; the non-commissioned officers, reading the atmosphere, stayed alert; and the officers, who knew the full situation, looked at us with eyes filled with fear.

Despite all these gazes, we rode the Bungbungi proudly and marched on.

After covering some distance, our guide stopped in front of a large door and knocked, raising their voice toward the room.

“…Admiral, the guests have arrived.”

– Bring them in.

“Yes.”

The guide operated the terminal by the door.

The large door opened, revealing the aliens who had been waiting for us inside.

On the right side of the great table sat the aliens in luxurious attire.

Our group took the opposite side of the table, naturally facing them.

“…Then, let’s start the conversation.”

The Admiral of the Fourth Interstellar Navigation Fleet, Gelang, spoke first.

His head slowly turned toward me.

“You’ve sent us some videos. What’s the meaning behind it?”

“Interpretation is up to you. To us, it just looks like the well-deserved end of those arrogant invaders, but maybe it looks different from your perspective.”

…

A short silence.

“…So, why exactly have you summoned us here for a discussion?”

“I thought we could use the privilege of the victor to make a few requests.”

While smiling broadly, I extended my hand toward Gelang.

“Could you spare a couple of your ships?”

“What!?”

Another alien rose up, raising their voice.

Their shiny skin and bulging eyes gave the impression of dim-wittedness, but their face, despite their carp-like appearance, hid a fiery temper.

“Are you seriously suggesting such a thing!? How dare you, an inferior native organism, covet the fleet of the Empire!”

“So which part of the Empire won against those ‘inferior native organisms’?!”

Simonia cut in, flicking her tongue.

“Are you daring to mock the Imperial Army?!”

“It’s not mockery, it’s fact. If it bothers you, you should have won.”

With those words containing the truth of the world, she shrugged and shot a piercing glance at them.

“Urgh…!”

The alien, trying to respond to that but unable to find the words, fell back into their chair.

Looking much more disheartened now.

“…Don’t you have plenty of ships already?”

“Oh come on, what are you talking about?”

Smirking, I tapped the table.

Though it seemed like a meaningless gesture, all alien eyes turned toward my finger.

“Didn’t you say the nearby fleet and follow-up forces are coming soon? I’ve heard that, you know?”

While saying that, I cast a look at Gelang.

“…”

Gelang, under my gaze, sat steadily as if showing no reaction, but upon closer inspection, his trembling body and antennae betrayed him.

“So can we have the ships?”

“…That’s an unreasonable request. There has never been an instance in the history of the Empire where we handed over our weapons to a native organism.”

“Is that so?”

I tilted my head as if really not knowing.

“But isn’t it also true that quite a few ‘never-before events’ have happened on this planet, in the history of your empire? Adding one more line doesn’t seem like that big of a deal, does it?”

“What!!”

The carp-faced alien stood up again.

At that moment, a fist slammed onto the table.

Bang.

The large table wobbled and shook.

“Because Eju has been trying to explain nicely so far, it seems you are under some sort of misconception-”

Freya, entering a complete battle state, glared fiercely at the aliens.

“This isn’t a negotiation, it’s a notification. You should know by now you don’t have a choice, right?”

“My point is, someone looking at it might think you’re riding high.”

Simonia chimed in.

Did those words sting their pride? The carp-faced alien yelled in rage.

“Notification!? Our fleet has never been defeated!!”

“Yeah, but you’ve also never won against the invaders and cryptids, right? You’re too busy dealing with attacks from them, aren’t you?”

“T, that’s…!!”

Suddenly taken aback by the valid argument.

But that reaction was fleeting; the alien, regaining their senses, raised their voice again.

“That’s only temporary! Our fleet can surely navigate through this situation, just like always!!”

“You have an awful lot of confidence.”

A voice echoing solemnly through the room.

“If you’re that confident, maybe we could fight again, and it wouldn’t be such a bad idea.”

A hand reached out toward the sky.

A dazzling flash of light and a mechanical construct was gripped in the hand of the principal, transforming into the shape of a large scythe.

“Huh?!”

“Sss…!”

The aliens flinched at the principal’s sudden drawing of a weapon.

“Bringing weapons into such a place! What a rude and disrespectful move!”

“Yes! Savage behavior unprecedented-”

“Disrespectful? Savage?”

Simonia cut off the alien’s critique and burst into laughter.

Her tongue flickered as she spoke with frigid indifference.

“Do creatures who know the meaning of disrespect invade planets and devour other species? Don’t talk nonsense.”

“Truly, that’s exactly right.”

The principal slowly lowered the great scythe, its tip pointing toward the aliens.

“Or, would you prefer to start right now? The thought of cutting down the commander-less and disordered invaders would make for a fine diversion.”

“…”

The aliens, who had been raising their voices, became as mute honey-soaked bears, their heads deeply bowed in avoidance.

Afraid, so afraid.

Gelang, checking his subordinates’ posture, spoke up.

“…What about rejecting?”

“Of course there’s no such option. If you’re looking forward to meeting the 3rd and 1st fleets that went ahead, you could go that way too.”

The situation after the 3rd Interstellar Navigation Fleet and the 1st Interstellar Navigation Fleet were wiped out hung heavily over Gelang and the 4th Interstellar Navigation Fleet like a dark cloud.

“…”

Gelang bowed his head.

Quivering body.

After deliberating for a while, Gelang raised his head again to look at me.

“…We accept.”

“Admiral!? What nonsense is this!”

The carp-faced alien stood up again.

“We must not yield to these creatures! There must be some way out!”

“Way? If you have a great plan, why don’t you share it now?”

Gelang’s response left the alien momentarily stunned.

“No, that’s just…”

Stammering and shifting his eyes around, the carp-faced alien was interrupted by Gelang continuing.

“Our fleet is under attack from two sides. The reinforcements we were supposed to count on were obliterated in incompetence, and the only ones left on this planet are us. Isn’t that right?”

“That’s, true…”

“Exactly. In that situation, do you intend to add another enemy to our rear? This isn’t about tarnishing the glory of the Empire. We must face reality.”

“…”

Confronted with Gelang’s logical argument, the carp-faced alien offered no rebuttal and quietly sat down.

A brief silence.

Gelang looked at us again and spoke.

“So, let me ask, how many ships do you want?”

“All your battleships and cruisers, please. You’re not really using them much on the front lines anyway, right? Mostly smaller ships, so it wouldn’t matter much, would it?”

Gelang flinched.

“How…?”

“We have excellent informants.”

You know, like the knowledge from AOE, that kind of scam-level informant.

Thinking this while looking at Gelang, I noticed his antennae trembling.

“Hmm…”

“I, this! Robbers!”

“Excuse me, robbers? How about ‘voluntary donation’ instead?”

“Will you be giving them?”

“…Isn’t your release of the prisoners earlier also a ploy to buy time before attacking the 1st fleet?”

“Yes, so, what’s your answer?”

After a prolonged silence prompted by consecutive inquiries, Gelang finally nodded weakly.

Confirming this, I clapped my hands.

“Great! Just so you know, if you try to escape into space or retreat, we’ll chase you.”

“…Alright, understood. That’s all your business, then?”

“No, it’s just the beginning.”

“…?”

Gelang’s trembling antennae.

Thinking why they’re so alarmed about this small thing, I went ahead and laid out the pre-prepared terms.

“First, set free all of our captured kin. Also, we’d like some equipment listed here. Finally, send us some soldiers when we call.”

“That’s… practically asking for surrender!!”

The carp-faced alien raised their voice once more.

“Isn’t that the intent? Do you have a problem with it?”

“How could we accept such disgrace? There’s no reason why we should endure this-”

“Troubled by this? Let’s fight again. I’m confident.”

Swishing the air.

After the 3rd fleet, then the 1st fleet—both were wiped out. Our morale is truly at its highest point.

Of course, when dealing with the 1st fleet, we did deceive them, but due to geographical issues, the full power of the ballistic missiles wasn’t utilized.

But, the 4th fleet is on the ground, correct?

And soon, the remnants of the 1st fleet’s might will also be absorbed here.

In short, even if they try, they can’t lose.

“…”

The carp-like alien was rendered mute again.

Gelang, under the same gaze, let out a deep sigh and made one final resistance attempt.

“…As you know, the escort fleet and follow-up fleet will be arriving soon. When that happens-”

“Pfft, big talking about something that hasn’t even happened yet is futile. So, are you confident you can hold out until your amazing escort and follow-up fleets arrive?”

“…”

A silent Gelang.

Though alien in appearance, their emotions were hard to gauge accurately, but if they were human, they probably would’ve been shivering violently from humiliation, correct?

“Then, we’ll take it that you’ve accepted. Shall we go?”

“Yes, let’s go.”

“Don’t push your luck.”

“Quick delivery would be appreciated?”

The group led by Edu hurriedly exited.

Gelang’s body began to sway slowly as he stared at their retreating backs.

“Ughh!”

A convulsing body.

“Admiral!?!”

The subordinates who detected the change called out to Gelang, but their voices did not reach him. The overwhelming humiliation and anger eventually surpassed his limits.

“Arrgh!”

His body stiffened suddenly.

Gelang’s body collapsed sideways.

“Admiral!!”

“The Admiral has fainted again!! Medic!!”