Chapter 152

The Wikut Manor.

In truth, the title of “manor” was rather grandiose for this house, but thanks to someone’s boastful beginning, it quickly spread throughout all of Sunrise Street.

“““Young Master, have you returned?”””

Upon receiving the news of Wikut’s return, all automata within the manor bowed their heads in unison toward him.

“Yeah, where are my parents?”

The automata blinked in surprise; it was rather unexpected that Wikut would respond so ordinarily.

But only for a moment, as the automaton that appeared to hold the highest rank stepped forward.

“The two of them have gone to a social gathering which started this afternoon. They will return-”

“Got it, thanks.”

After confirming what he needed, Wikut rushed into the manor.

“…Young Master?”

The automata were perplexed by actions and attitudes so unlike Wikut’s usual behavior.

But despite these doubts, they each had duties to attend to, so the gathered automata dispersed to their respective stations.

“Huff, huff, huff.”

Meanwhile, Wikut ran through the manor, breathing heavily.

After a long run, he arrived before a study revered by his father, whom he admired deeply.

A domain exclusive to his father, a place he hadn’t freely entered since childhood.

While in ordinary circumstances, he would have hesitated to enter, a pressing need to resolve the doubts he’d gathered from the internet drove him forward.

Creak…

Wikut entered the study.

Though it was an older memory, one thing stood out vividly in his mind:

The conversation about a book he had shared with his father in this very study.

“Chekhman, take a look at this.”

Seated in his chair, his father held up a book.

“What is it?”

“Hmm?”

“No, my apologies, Father.”

“Indeed, mind your words.”

The young me surely received this stern reprimand from father.

“This book testifies to our family’s long history and noble lineage. When the time is right, I’ll let you see it.”

“Wow-”

Curiosity and anticipation.

The book, viewed through these emotions, had a crimson cover like it was made of blood, adorned with an elegant gold embossing.

Its distinct appearance lingered vividly despite the passage of time.

“A red book, a red book…”

Scanning rapidly, Wikut noticed a familiar red cover deep within the bookshelf.

Quickly snatching it, he saw:

– Basics of Investment / Written by Kim Sundal.

“Shit!”

Wikut threw the book aside and scanned the shelves again.

Concentrating deeply, he searched once more for the red book among the tightly packed collection, but…

– Basics of Coins / Written by Kim Bongdal.

– Basics of Speculation / Written by Kim Chundal.

“Aaargh!”

Once more, Wikut hurled the book.

“Why does he keep this kind of stuff?!”

Distrust began to creep toward his father in his mind, but suddenly, a small question arose.

“Hang on, did Father pull the book from the shelf back then?”

Recalling the memory, he envisioned his father seated in the chair and then found himself almost hypnotized, walking toward the desk.

There, in the bottom drawer he uncovered at last, was the thing he sought:

The cover, resembling blood, with its elegant gold adornment.

No doubt about it.

“Finally!”

Trembling slightly, Wikut picked up the book.

Just as he was about to open it, his body froze and his action halted.

“…”

Time flowed slowly.

Even with an uncontrollable curiosity, Wikut felt the last bit of resistance against doing what had been strictly forbidden by the family. Yet, having come this far, stopping didn’t sit well with him either.

Closing his eyes tightly and taking a deep breath, Wikut opened the book in one swift motion.

His eyes, which had been closed, slowly opened and upon confirming the contents of the book, Wikut’s pupils expanded drastically.

“This is…!!”

…

Tap-tap-tap.

A man with a slightly flushed face hurried toward a field command post.

Two stars shone on his chest, marking his rank as a brigadier general.

A faint smell of alcohol wafted from his lips, though it was quite a common sight on the 2nd defensive line, now effectively the front line after the first one fell.

Fear of the unknown death, no matter how strong a soldier, left people worn out.

“Commander, you’ve arrived?”

“Hey, why did you suddenly call me?”

The man responded with a rude belch.

Yet, the soldiers, non-commissioned officers, and officers within the field command post barely reacted, having become accustomed to his behavior.

“The Megabase’s advance has stopped.”

“…What? That can? Is that information reliable?”

“The reconnaissance drones have confirmed it multiple times. It’s certain.”

The deputy commander signaled to a soldier who activated the screen within the command post.

A massive, black bulk filled the screen—an imposing pyramid-like structure that grabbed attention but bore no deeper resemblance to an actual pyramid.

A mass killer of innumerable humans, a burner of countless cities, and the vanguard of the Invader invasion that heralded the end of the old world.

The Megabase.

“Hmm…”

As the deputy commander stated, the colossal structure in the screen was simply standing still, a change from its usual slow but steady advancement.

The commander carefully examined the screen and spoke.

“Wait, is it receiving supplies?”

While pointing to several black cables extending from the Megabase on-screen, the commander asked.

“It seems so, but isn’t the number of cables abnormally high compared to before?”

The deputy commander glanced at the soldier while answering.

A holographic screen floated next to the main screen, showing a past video of the Megabase receiving supplies.

It was indeed dropping cables, but the numbers were drastically different.

Whereas the previous instances only involved single-digit cables, the current view showed at least over 50 cables extending from the Megabase.

Moreover, the excessive number of supply vehicles added to the growing sense of unease.

“Indeed.”

The commander tapped his forehead and shook his head, his previously hazy eyes suddenly sharpening.

“What are they scheming?”

While staring at the enemy through the screen.

After much deliberation, the commander spoke carefully.

“…Contact the forward base and the 3rd defensive line. It’s obvious they’re planning something, so let them prepare for-”

At that moment.

“Huh?”

A soldier monitoring the radar let out a short murmur of confusion, drawing the commander’s eyes toward him.

“What’s wrong?”

“Something is peculiar. A massive energy reaction beyond the mountain range-”

“Energy reaction?”

As soon as the soldier explained, the fragments of information in the commander’s mind came together.

The Megabase’s sudden halt, too many cables for resupply, the connected vehicles, and now, the energy reaction.

“Impossible!”

“Commander?”

“Incoming enemy bombardment!! Everyone prepare!!!”

A flash erupted beyond the mountains.

Rumble-rumble-rumble–

The thunder followed a beat later.

The light of destruction, which had wiped out countless cities and people, now fired once more toward humanity.

Crash!

Plasma shots advancing, melting and burning everything in their path.

But this attack was different.

Not a single shot, but a continuous, unbroken wave of destruction, fueled by the energy from all the connected vehicles.

Mountains vanish completely.

“Enemy energy keeps increasing!! Approaching us at high speed!!”

“Such madness!!!”

The commander dashed out from the command post.

In his eyes, the mountain melted away and a white line of light raced toward them.

“Everybody evacuate! Move out!!!”

Urgent cries.

Meanwhile, the last mountains melted and plasma shots pierced through the center of the second defensive line.

…

All eyes gathered in front of the locker room.

– Gua, are you okay?

– Yes, it really suits you.

A soft, trembling voice from Edu could be heard, followed by the kind push on Edu’s back from Seri.

The door slowly opened.

Edu, freshly dressed, revealed herself.

Her long silver hair flowed freely, paired with a cute frilled skirt and a roundish blouse, portraying a tiny girl.

Her slightly blushed face and hesitant stance were so unlike the victorious battlefield commander that they perfectly matched her age and demeanor.

“Uh, what do you think…?”

A cautious question.

Edu had tried on women’s clothing several times at Liese’s request, and could justify it as a gesture of gratitude.

But this current action was fundamentally different and Edu felt embarrassed about it.

Everyone nodded at her bashful demeanor.

“It really suits you.”

“Cute! It fits you well, Edu!”

“…Definitely fine, maybe more embellishments could be added?”

The adults gave their approving words.

“Little Mom! You’re beautiful!”

“Edu, you’re so pretty!”

Solei jumping around with joy and Nisia constantly nodding her head while gleaming with delight.

Seeing people’s responses better than expected, Edu’s face broke out in an awkward but genuine smile.

“Hehe, thank you all. Thank you Solei and Nisia too.”

“Yeah!”

A warm conversation ensued.

At that moment, a clanking sound echoed from the corridor, and the door they were standing near was rudely thrown open.

[Commander!]

An armored soldier with reinforced red gloves burst into the room, causing Simonia’s brow to furrow.

“What is it? I specifically said not to disturb me-”

[This is no time for that! The second defensive line…!!]

“What? The second defensive line?”