Chapter 186

A military vehicle heading towards the outskirts, passing through Fangju’s premier wealthy district, Sunrise Street.

Amidst the lush trees, a white, gothic-style building comes into view.

It’s the Chronos Mansion, the home of my classmate Clarissa and old Mr. Halfpandle.

The vehicle stops at the gate, and Ms. Simonia, who got out first, opens my door and offers me a hand up.

“Shall I carry you or give you a piggyback ride?”

“I’ll take the piggyback, please.”

“Alright, then.”

I undo my seatbelt and squirm my way onto Simonia’s back.

As I peek over her shoulder, Headmaid Hilda greets us humbly from the mansion’s entrance.

“Welcome, the two of you.”

Hilda, with her healthy brown complexion, bows deeply.

I nod and greet her, “Hello, Hilda.”

“Hey, is the old man inside the mansion?”

Hilda nods at Simonia’s question.

“Yes, he’s in his study. Shall I escort you?”

“Sure.”

“Understood, please follow me.”

Hilda walks ahead, and Simonia follows her closely.

As I look around the magnificent interiors of the mansion, a question forms in my mind.

“Miss Simonia, I have a question.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Why exactly are we visiting Old Mr. Halfpandle?”

Turning to look at me, Simonia flashes a playful grin.

“There’s a reason I need to see that old man.”

In the middle of our conversation, Hilda stops and knocks on a large door.

“Knock, knock.”

“Master, the guests have arrived.”

– Hilda? Did she just call us guests?

“Yes, Master Edu and Miss Simonia have come to visit.”

– Oh!

Footsteps quickly approach.

Hilda moves aside, and the closed doors swing open, revealing a familiar face.

Dressed impeccably in a dashing black suit, the elderly elf gentleman, Halfpandle Chronos.

“Edu! You’ve come to see this old man—”

“Not now, old man. We don’t have time for that.”

Simonia interrupts the old man as he approaches with outstretched arms.

“Hmm? What might that mean?”

“We have things to do, so can we cut straight to the chase?”

At Simonia’s words, Old Halfpandle taps his chin thoughtfully before nodding.

“That’s understandable. However, if the discussion is expected to be long, wouldn’t it be better to have it inside?”

“No, it won’t be a long discussion.”

“Then, please, go ahead and speak.”

“Old man, remember the other funds you set aside besides the money I gave you last time? I need that.”

“Hm?”

Halfpandle’s eyebrows twitch.

Was it an unexpected request? The atmosphere around Halfpandle shifts from a grandfatherly demeanor to that of a calculating merchant.

After staring silently at Simonia for a long while, he finally speaks.

“…You are not someone driven by greed or money-obsessed. So there must be a reason you’ve brought this up. Would you care to explain it?”

“Nothing I wouldn’t share. You know about Edu and me chasing the president into the Outland, right?”

“Yes, Chancellor Ryeoju informed me of that.”

“It’s about that. We’ve toppled the president, but it doesn’t feel like it’s over. We want to prepare for any further moves.”

“Ho ho.”

Halfpandle’s eyes light up with interest.

“Please explain further.”

“Inside the Fangju area, we can monitor movements, but the Outland is difficult to manage fully. So, I want to use the money to create collaborators.”

“Collaborators? Are you planning to bribe the residents of the Outland?”

“Somewhat, but it’s more efficient than that.”

“That’s what I was getting to. I plan to set an example showing how cooperation can be beneficial.”

“Ah, indeed that is your intention.”

Halfpandle nods in understanding.

But setting examples—could she mean that?

“By setting examples, you’re aiming to instill the idea in the hearts of the Outland dwellers that cooperating with us would also benefit them?”

“Right, as usual, Edu picks up on things quickly, huh?”

Simonia glances at me with a teasing flick of her tongue.

“Once an impression is formed, it doesn’t change easily, especially if it’s linked to improving their tough living conditions.”

“So, you need money because there’s no clearer reward than money for those struggling, correct?”

“That’s right. No matter how cautious we are, it’s impossible to deceive everyone. A few coins can turn some Outlanders into our eyes and ears out there.”

A much more rational approach than installing surveillance equipment in the Outlands or stationing large military forces.

But it’s not without its problems.

“But if the Outland people gather intelligence, how will they contact us?”

“Therefore, my subordinates will move only initially. Afterward, I’ll entrust it to the Explorer’s Guild and set up branch offices. After all, the local Guildmaster is close to Edu, isn’t that right?”

The faces of Ms. Leanna and Mr. Kai come to mind, and I instinctively bow.

“Yes.”

“Also, the Outlanders might find it easier to deal with explorers rather than soldiers.”

“That’s true.”

Despite her brusque tone, it’s a well-thought-out method that considers the Outlanders’ needs.

Simonia’s gaze returns to Mr. Halfpandle.

“So, what do you say? Can you help?”

“Of course. When would you need this money?”

“First, I need to bring in my subordinates, so I’ll need it by tomorrow, please.”

“Understood.”

The conversation flowed smoothly.

Then, a notification sounds.

[Sender Freya: We’ve received a message.]

“Hmm?”

A sudden call.

After confirming no one else is around, I respond to the ID.

“Can you connect it?”

[Code verified, connecting you with Freya.]

A holographic screen pops up, revealing the striking red-haired Freya, radiating a wild beauty.

“Freya.”

[Edu! Where are you right now?]

Her urgent voice.

“I’m at Mr. Halfpandle’s place. Is something wrong?”

[Dial me in at the forward base right away if you have time. It’s urgent.]

Unlike the usual Freya, her alarmed emotional state suggests something serious is about to happen. I nod understandingly.

“Yes, I’ll come right away.”

[I’ll be waiting. Thanks.]

The transmission is cut quickly.

I tap Simonia’s shoulder and speak.

“Ms. Simonia, let’s head to the forward base. It seems something serious has happened.”

“Alright.”

“Mr. Halfpandle, I’ll visit another day.”

“Goodbye, Edu. Be careful.”

As he approaches, the old man affectionately pats my head.

After a quick exchange, we board Jason, which has been waiting on the dock, and head towards the forward base.

The atmosphere at the forward base is tense.

Upon moving straight into the command room of the Obelisk, a voice from inside the room can be heard.

Simonia knocks at the door with her free hand while I remain piggybacked.

“Freya, we’ve arrived.”

– Edu? Come in!

“Alright.”

Simonia opens the door, and a familiar voice greets us.

“You’ve arrived, Edu.”

“Yes, Chancellor.”

In the room, Chancellor Ryeoju appears with a serious expression. Beside Freya stands Grandpa Rye, who leads the 5th Division and the Fortress Commander of the 2nd Division, Laban, who was absent before.

The four human leaders were gathered.

“Edu, since the situation is urgent, let’s cut straight to the point. Do you remember the alien story we discussed last time?”

“Yes, about them exchanging information with some external entity?”

“Correct, and this time, new information from satellites we’ve placed in orbit has come in.”

A holographic screen projects on the center table, revealing the space filled with gold-hued ships of the Ustansha Empire.

A quick count shows that the fleet surpasses the previously invading interstellar fleet in size. It was an even larger army compared to the one seen in Act Two.

But what most caught my attention was the shape of the ships.

Though there were many sleek, curved designs, the predominant type was a simple spherical ship, favored by the Empire for reliability and experience.

Even more prominently, at the core of the fleet, ships painted in the symbolic colors of the Empire represented the Imperial Guard.

“The next wave of the enemy’s fleet has arrived.”

“Correct. Given the immense scale of the enemy, we were discussing our response, what are your thoughts, Edu?”

“Hmm.”

Tapping my cheeks thoughtfully, I organize my thoughts.

Our initial strategy was to focus on strengthening our internal structure while waiting for the right opportunity, and I still believe in that approach. However, the unexpected scale of the Ustansha Empire’s forces on Earth poses a problem.

Although we’ve significantly increased our strength by capturing ships from the First, Third, and Fourth Interstellar Armadas, compared to this fleet, our forces are like a speck of dust.

“Definitely, the size makes it impossible to counter through strategy or tactics.”

“Hmm, the numbers are overwhelming, indeed…”

The Chancellor nods in agreement.

The difference in quantity affects all types of combat. Furthermore, this numerical advantage can support flexible strategies.

At worst, some sections of the enemy fleet might distract us while the bulk of their fleet could march directly towards the forward base.

To prevent it, the enemy’s movements must be limited.

“Then, we should limit the enemy’s movement?”

“So you propose limiting the enemy’s movements?”

“Isn’t that possible?”

The Chancellor and Freya both look surprised as they echo my thoughts.

I grin and raise a V-sign at them.

“Yes, I have a great idea!”