Chapter 201

Squish squish.

The sound of footsteps echoes in the underground prison.

Fully armed soldiers with reinforced exoskeletons approach the cell inside, on alert.

The soldiers exchange glances as they finish their final checks with their destination ahead.

When a signal comes from the commanding soldier, four soldiers quickly move forward, aiming their firearms into the cell.

“Hey, you two robots! Raise your hands above your heads and slowly come out!”

The directive is directed at the two female robots sitting quietly inside the cell, leaning against the wall.

Despite the somewhat coercive order thrust at them along with the firearms, the maid robots show no reaction.

“Hey! Answer me!”

The squad leader raises his voice again.

But there is no response.

As he turns to exchange glances with the soldiers, the squad leader opens the cell door, and the soldiers enter first.

In the tense atmosphere, one soldier approaches the maid robot, bending down to lift its chin to check its face.

“Hmm…? Squad leader, I think you should see this in person.”

“What’s wrong?”

The squad leader approaches the soldier cautiously.

“It seems to be non-functional.”

“What?”

The soldier lifts the robot’s face instead of answering.

The squad leader stares into the dim, unfocused gaze of the maid robot.

“Hmph… Smith.”

“Yes, squad leader.”

The named soldier immediately puts away his firearm and taps the device attached to his wrist.

An equipment resembling a periscope rises from his shoulder.

The soldier and the squad leader step back, and light emitted from the device beams towards the two robots.

“How is it?”

“Lieutenant’s words are accurate. Both are confirmed to be in a powered-down state.”

“Hmm…”

It hasn’t been long since they took them into custody, yet these unidentified robots have decided to stop functioning on their own.

Feeling uneasy, the squad leader frowns.

“What will you do, squad leader?”

“…To prevent problems, we should remove the power sources from the robots and request an investigation from the research facility. Report to the command center immediately.”

“Yes!”

The soldier snaps a salute and exits the prison.

Reports about the suspicious robots reach Freya after passing through the decision-makers in succession.

“Suspicious robots?”

[Yes, Commander. What should we do?]

Freya falls into thought.

Since the last invader incursion, the Chancellor has significantly increased the alert level, and with the government under control, the worries about enemy incursions are low.

The forward base has also maintained a high level of alertness, so it is not a concern.

“You said you were going to investigate that robot from now on?”

[That’s correct.]

“Then contact me separately after that’s done, let each gate know what has happened, and contact Simonia so we can prepare.”

[Yes, Commander.]

The communication cuts off.

Rolling up her sleeves to check the time, Freya exits the Commander’s office and proceeds.

Upon arriving at the forward base’s flight deck, she sees a large ship shaped like a great blade, with broad wings resembling a square prism.

On either side are structures resembling an inverted V, and unique large wings attached to the top, sides, and bottom of the ship.

At the top of the ship, above the highest point, a white ship, Jason, which Edu used to pilot, slowly descends.

Clank.

The sound of metal locking together echoes as the two ships adjust their heights and bond into one.

“Oh, Commander! You’re here?”

A messy-haired woman draped in a white gown approaches Freya—Banetta.

“Is this completed?”

“Yes. Our humanity’s first monumental spaceship, not of alien origin, the Argonaut. The launch is complete.”

“You’ve worked hard. What about the other ships?”

“They’re under construction in order. For now, we need to gather data from operating this ship and its sister ship to create designs suitable for mass production.”

Freya nods at Banetta’s explanation.

“I’ll leave that part to you. For now, I’ll be on this ship and moving with Edu, right?”

“Yes, because if any issues arise, I will have to respond. But when do you plan to hand this over to Edu?”

“Maybe three days from now? There are preparations to be made in various aspects.”

“In that case, I’ll have everything ready by then.”

“Okay.”

….

Noon.

The transport ship lands on the forward base’s flight deck.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Not at all, it was an honor to host you even for a short time, Lieutenant Edu!”

“Oh, you don’t have to go that far.”

After greeting the pilot, Edu steps off the transport ship with Bungbungi, and the massive white ship, Argonaut, comes into view.

“Whoa—?!”

An exclamation escapes involuntarily.

“Wow, it’s really beautiful…”

From behind, Nisia’s voice of admiration can be heard, and at that moment, someone tugs at my sleeve.

Turning around, I meet a gaze in the air.

Seoli, with sparkling eyes, raises her right hand to point at the Argonaut.

“Little mom! Little mom! The ship has grown really big!! Can the ship grow like Seoli?”

A question filled with the child’s innocence.

In a way, it has indeed grown, so I nod and respond.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Wow! The ship is just like Seoli!!”

Seoli jumps up and down in joy.

Ryong, hiding behind me, hasn’t said anything, but it’s evident from her gaze fixed on the Argonaut that she is quite curious.

As I quietly look up at the Argonaut, someone waves frantically from the other side.

“Edu, over here!”

“Freya.”

“You arrived a little early. Did you have any inconveniences traveling on the transport ship?”

“It was fine.”

“Good, should we head out now? Everyone’s waiting.”

“Yes.”

I follow Freya as she leads the way.

Occupying one side of the flight deck is the Argonaut, and a group of people and automatons is lined up underneath it.

Behind them, the latest models of armored suits, weapons, and tanks are lined up.

As we approach, the people and automatons salute simultaneously.

“Welcome.”

“You came early?”

Chancellor Ryeoju and Simonia greet us from the platform.

“Yes, we departed a bit early.”

“Good, shall we start immediately?”

Simonia’s gaze shifts to Freya, who nods, and then Freya speaks up.

“Then let’s begin the founding ceremony!”

“Let’s start the founding ceremony! Everyone, stand by! Salute the Commander!”

Once again, the soldiers and automatons salute.

Freya moves forward, clears her throat, and raises her voice.

“Men, it has been a long time since we lost our land, our lives, and our future to the invaders. But does that mean defeat? No!”

“For all this time, we have been striving to reclaim what we lost. It’s also undeniable that many heroes bled during this process, and many have lost their precious ones.”

Some people’s faces darken.

The atmosphere slightly sinks.

However, that atmosphere quickly changes with Freya’s next shout.

“Then, were those sacrifices and dedications in vain? No! You all know that the efforts we’ve made have not been in vain, and here, Lieutenant Edu has proven it with results!!”

“In the past, we defeated our greatest enemy that shattered the world!! A despair that no one thought could be overcome was broken by the efforts and dedication of a small girl, and by your courage together!!!”

The atmosphere shifts.

Hope shines on people’s faces.

“But this is not the end, it’s the beginning! We must use this victory as a stepping stone to aim for greater victories!!”

“You will assist Lieutenant Edu and become the vanguard for that great victory, inheriting the will of the heroes of the past!! That’s why this ship has been named Argonaut.”

Freya’s hand is raised sharply.

“That’s why I dare, to give you a name that has long been forgotten. You are no longer the Ground Retrieval Unit!”

“Human Liberation Army. Yes! You will be the first unit of the reconstructed Human Liberation Army, a symbol of liberation containing the hopes of all!!”

“We will reclaim our land, our lives, and our lost future!! Let’s march together!!!”

“““““Waaaaah!!!!”””””

Cheers resound.

The automatons clap along and a fiery warmth settles in everyone’s hearts.

Freya steps back, looking towards me.

“Wow… You really speak well.”

“The Commander has to speak at this level. Now, Edu, it’s your role. Go well.”

“We will guard this place well, so be careful out there.”

“Are you really okay alone?”

Freya, the Chancellor, and Simonia react in various ways.

“Yes, please don’t worry and leave it to me. I’ll return with amazing reinforcements!”

After exchanging goodbyes, I pat Bungbungi.

“Bungbungi, can you move ahead?”

[Beeep. /⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝]

As I step forward to the platform, eyes gather towards me.

Raising one hand high towards the people, I shout in a loud voice.

“Human Liberation Army Special Tactical Fleet, Argonaut. Setting sail!”

““““Waaaaah!!!””””