Chapter 179

Episode 179. The Fall of the Eastern Fleet (2)

****

A pillar of water surged upwards.

The sky descended to meet it.

The whirlpool that had been spinning the massive 100,000-ton warship gradually rose, now moving the clouds as if a new typhoon had formed.

Gray, or perhaps dark blue tentacles stretched out from the sea like a dragon rising. White steam spread from the heated seawater.

The sudden gathering storm seemed to set off firecrackers, continuously emitting sharp flashes of light. The storm was directly above.

There was no gap between the lightning and the thunder.

And then. A figure clad in a dark diving suit, with mechanical wings spread, descended onto the deck of the aircraft carrier and spoke.

**”Kneel.”**

The warship froze.

The thousands of souls guarding the mighty iron beast, the engines that burned with unquenchable fire—all seemed to tense at its appearance…….

Blue Rose-0.

During the Battle of the Aden Gulf, the navies of 40 nations gathered to subdue the monster of Aden.

Even the Foundation’s Eastern Fleet would find it impossible to face Blue Rose-0, summoned by Dr. Kim.

****

Administrator Acacia was tearing at their hair. From the beginning, the target had been Dr. Kim.

After fighting six fake Dr. Kims, the real Dr. Kim had walked right into their hands……. Yet, no one, not a single member of the Eastern Fleet, stepped forward to fight Dr. Kim.

“The target is right in front of us!”

No one answered Acasia’s words. The officers and generals of the Eastern Fleet silently placed their hands on their foreheads and bowed their heads.

“Do something!”

Still, no answer.

It was breached too easily. The Foundation’s Eastern Fleet aircraft carrier should have been humanity’s strongest fortress.

The Foundation’s aircraft carrier was equipped with thousands of armed crew members, a Reality Anchoring Device, a Causality Distortion Device, magical protective measures, and a Royal Guard capable of killing even gods.

But none of that mattered.

Because the humans meant to defend the fortress had all laid down their weapons and surrendered. No matter how powerful the weapons, they were meaningless.

“Launch the anti-submarine helicopters! Aim the Vulcan cannons and snipe! What have we been fighting all this time if not……. Royal Guard! Go capture that monster!”

The Royal Guard didn’t kneel, but they also remained silent, standing still and staring at Acasia.

Acasia finally drew a pistol.

“Even if we run! Accelerate the aircraft carrier to maximum speed. If we can just shake it off the deck, we can launch the fighters and capture it—”

Acasia pointed the gun at the faces of the surrounding soldiers, but they only flinched, taking no action or answering.

Something appeared on the observation window of the bridge as rain poured down. A monster with wings spread, wearing a gas mask. The monster swung something, and cracks began to form on the bulletproof glass of the bridge’s observation window.

The Foundation’s strongest Special Forces, four units, were annihilated just fighting the fakes. But the real one was on a completely different level.

A being that used ancient gods as hunting dogs, changed terrain and weather with a gesture, and was worshipped not by mere humans but by gods themselves.

****

Tap. Tap, tap, tap.

I set the gas mask aside and walked to the bridge with my Clockwork Wings folded. The sound of my wet footsteps echoed.

The people inside the aircraft carrier were kneeling, hands on their foreheads.

The situation was over.

“Seoul Branch Director Kim Bari. As of now, I am taking command of the Foundation’s Eastern Fleet.”

“What—”

Only one person answered. The soldiers who appeared to be the Administrator’s Royal Guard, the Foundation Navy’s generals, none of them answered.

Only one person on the bridge didn’t kneel before me……. Or so I thought.

The soldiers in full gear, who seemed to be the Administrator’s Royal Guard, stood silently, and among them was a woman in a suit.

That must be Administrator Acasia.

Only one person in a black suit answered. Short black hair, a face like a marble statue, ageless.

That’s the one.

“You walked right into prison! Now—”

“Your acting needs work.”

Cosmos’s Golden Magic Circle bound Acasia. I stabbed Acasia with the greatsword given by Chilheuk, pinning them to the wall.

Did they not want to fight?

They probably still had some means left. Like the crew of the aircraft carrier who had knelt, they simply had no will to fight.

Red blood seeped out, but the life force couldn’t flow, clinging to the black blade. As if drawn by the power, or perhaps thirsting for blood.

“Creature.”

“No parent can defeat their child.”

I pulled out the greatsword, and Administrator Acasia collapsed to the floor. The situation was over. I sat in the commander’s seat on the bridge and looked around.

“I am the senior commanding officer on this site. Acting 12th Administrator Dr. Kim, I will now take command of the Eastern Fleet.”

A deathly silence enveloped the bridge. Only the sound of crashing waves and the storm outside the ship could be heard.

“What are you doing? Get back to work.”

The humans on the bridge rose from their kneeling positions and slowly returned to their posts.

Only Acasia’s Royal Guard remained, standing like stone statues, staring at me.

Though their faceless, expressionless appearance gave me chills, I crossed my legs in Acasia’s seat and looked at them.

“Are you the Administrator’s Royal Guard……. You too, make your choice. If you turn away now, I’ll let you live.”

After a moment of hesitation, Acasia’s Royal Guard also sheathed their weapons and returned to their positions.

The Popos also took their places around me, forming a surveillance net. With that, the situation was settled. I looked around Acasia’s seat.

The area around Acasia’s seat was set up like a command center. Multiple display screens, holographic devices, and even a regular computer.

I grabbed a microphone.

“This is Dr. Kim. To all Foundation personnel and affiliates on the Korean Peninsula: The rebellion has been suppressed, and Administrator Acasia is dead. Those fighting for Acasia, cease your meaningless hostilities.”

****

[※ Due to a continent-scale disaster threatening the Foundation, an emergency meeting of the East Asia Administrator Council has been convened. Your understanding is appreciated. ※]

[Host: Acting Administrator Kim Bari]

[※ Failure to respond to this communication within 3 minutes without just cause will result in the issuance of an extermination order, treating you as a hostile force or contaminated group within the Foundation. ※]

The response was immediate.

Well. The Foundation Headquarters’ extermination orders are no joke, after all.

The Shanghai Branch connected via video call within 20 seconds, and other Directors hurriedly joined the call. Looks like everyone’s here.

They probably didn’t have time to bring interpreters, but with simultaneous translation available, it shouldn’t be a big issue.

[Shanghai: Sorry, but what’s going on?]

They looked like they’d just woken up.

“Time is short. A few hours ago, Administrator Acasia attempted to destroy Foundation facilities and eliminate key personnel. Fortunately, the rebellion was quickly suppressed.”

[Tokyo: That’s a relief.]

“I am currently serving as Acting Administrator and have taken command of the Eastern Fleet. If anyone has objections to my decisions, please voice them now.”

The game of perception begins.

For them, it’s a prisoner’s dilemma.

If all seven Directors refuse to cooperate with me, there’s nothing I can do. But if even one defects, the ranks will inevitably crumble.

If one or two raise objections, I could consider an extermination order. Just as Administrator Acasia had planned to do to me.

“Tokyo Branch Director.”

[Tokyo: Uh, shouldn’t we hear an explanation first…….]

“No need to worry. I am in control of the current situation. Bunker-buster bombers and the Administrator’s Royal Guard are on standby.”

[Tokyo: No objections.]

These are the ones who said the Foundation Headquarters doesn’t exist.

In a way, they’re right. Often, the assistance or threats from the Foundation Headquarters have no tangible form.

Of course, precisely because it’s intangible, they should be more cautious and assume the worst. Seems like they’ve finally understood that.

“Shanghai Branch Director.”

[Shanghai: No objections.]

“Osaka Branch Director.”

[Osaka: No objections.]

“Vladivostok Branch Director.”

[Vladivostok: No objections.]

“Hong Kong Branch Director.”

[Hong Kong: No objections.]

“Kuala Lumpur Branch Director.”

[Kuala Lumpur: No objections.]

“Then I take it there are no objections from anyone. The Foundation is on the brink of civil war, but if the seven of us can present a united front, there shouldn’t be any major issues.”

There was no answer.

“As your superior, I will also strive to protect your rights and interests.”

The Director’s meeting is over.

Now……. It’s time to see the Administrators.