Chapter 209

Bering Sea.

A sea that connects the Arctic Ocean to the Pacific, serving as a gateway from the Pacific to the Arctic.

Above this sea, still bearing the clear traces of battles, the Invaders’ surface fleet quietly holds its position.

“So you pulled back the troops?”

In response to Commander Bonaparte’s cylindrical-faced question, his counterpart, the feminine-silhouetted first-generation commander Ravelia, visible on the screen, reacts.

“Yes. Unexpected variables kept appearing, and as the situation changed, we took action.”

“…Though I don’t necessarily think there’s a problem with that thought, it’s been merely ten minutes, hasn’t it? Had we just held on, our fleet would have arrived, and the operation would have gone according to plan.”

“I was aware of that as well, but if the losses outweighed what we’d gain by holding on for ten minutes, then holding on would be meaningless, wouldn’t it?”

Bonaparte tilts his head at Ravelia’s response.

“What do you mean?”

“Exactly that. The bugs—no, wasn’t it you who referred to her as a Witch? At any rate, her strength far exceeds our expectations.”

Ravelia transmits the video, and upon confirming it, Bonaparte abruptly stands from his seat—an action uncharacteristic of someone who rarely reveals emotion.

If anything, this only underscores the surprise and fear Bonaparte is currently feeling, which doesn’t escape Ravelia, even across the screen.

“That…!”

“You haven’t looked surprised in a while. Yes, that’s our army—or rather, something that used to be our army.”

The imagery displayed reveals a horde of ground units densely covering the white battleships’ upper decks.

At first glance, it might seem like a desperate maneuver, but the problem is that these ground units are also Invaders.

Apart from their sensors turning a different shade of blue, they are unmistakably the ground legions under Megabase’s command.

“What is going on here? What has happened?”

“I don’t know the full details either, but considering that this happened after it appeared on the ship and when it summoned other humanoid weapons, I’m pretty certain this is the Witch’s doing.”

“…”

Bonaparte lowers his gaze and falls silent before speaking again to Ravelia across the screen.

“I understand. There’s nothing we can do about this.”

“Then what do you plan to do?”

“In light of confirming this Witch possesses an unknown power, approaching her as we are would be too dangerous. It would be best to update the higher processing units and inform other commanders about monitoring the situation.”

Bonaparte’s cautious advice receives a nod of agreement from Ravelia.

“I agree. Losing Megabase and having the alien forces attack us now, provoking any more enemies isn’t wise.”

“Right. So, can we leave the monitoring of these to you while we retreat the fleet?”

“I’ll take care of it. That’s my specialty, after all.”

“Hmm.”

The screen goes dark as Ravelia signs off.

Commander Bonaparte issues the orders to the fleet.

“We’re returning.”

“Acknowledged. Course reversal. Maximum speed.”

The Invader surface fleet pivots in a wide arc, violently pushing aside floating debris as the black fleet retraces its steps.

Much later, when the glowing red backs of the sensors had shrunk to the size of nails in the starlit sky,

“Looks like they’ve gone?”

“Seems that way. Should we keep watching for a bit more?”

“Hmm… No, I don’t think they’ll come back now that they’ve gone so far. Let’s go.”

“Got it!”

On the cliff overlooking the strait, two figures, one child-sized and one adult, emerge from the shadows.

“Summon, Almas!”

The mana flowing out of her body condenses in the air, quickly taking the form of a giant knight with steel wings and a backpack.

“Wow, it’s pretty amazing when you think about it. Didn’t really catch all the details in the heat of battle.”

A purely admiring tone from Bogeoni.

That praise subtly inflates the other’s pride.

“Hem, that’s right.”

“But, with those arms and legs, can you even control it?”

“…”

This question stabs directly at a sore spot.

The previously raised pride is quickly curtailed.

“…There might be a bit of a lag, but it works when I issue commands.”

“Ah, that’s pretty convenient.”

After saying that, Bogeoni suddenly slumps in disappointment.

“What’s with that?”

“Not fair. Some people get dragged around like slaves being an alien, while others just have awesome powers and chill, making me feel totally deprived.”

Not being able to reach Bogeoni’s shoulder, a firm tap is given to the leg instead.

The smile of a victor emerges.

“You should’ve prepared better.”

“No! In this world, having your truck fall apart or character merging has become outdated clichés! Who expected to get involved with this sort of thing!?”

“Life is about real experience, Bogeoni.”

“Ahhh!! Let me cry!! TS!! Beautiful girl!! Wahh!! If I were you, the Arctic would already be destroyed by now!”

Bogeoni suddenly lets out a loud roar.

“Hey! Don’t shout such nonsense! And why are you so fixated on the Arctic?”

“Tsk. You’re still inexperienced, Edu.”

“What?”

“Using the passion of lesbianism to destroy all the world’s Arctics—that’s the wish of the TS Brigade, isn’t it?”

“…”

But, what’s the polar bear’s crime?

At any rate, it feels like Bogeoni’s empty chatter would go on day and night if I let it continue, so I preemptively stop him and urge him forward.

“Get on.”

“Alright!”

Bogeoni and I climb into Almas’ control cockpit.

Next, we head towards the sea where remnants of the Invader fleet’s wreckage still lie.

“So, what are you trying to do?”

“You’ll see when we get there.”

“Hmm?”

The reason why we had been hiding here traces back a little earlier.

During our southward journey after the battle to link up with the Ecranoplan fleet, Bogeoni had mentioned something to me.

“Kind of unexpected.”

“What?”

“This is the same world as where you were doing your AOE stuff before, right?”

“Right?”

The world is not exactly identical, but acknowledging the thought, I nod.

“But I haven’t really seen you focus on growth like those who usually possess some sort of obsession when they merge into the world they know.”

“Uh…”

The light tone suggested it was more curiosity than a serious question.

However, it reminded me that I hadn’t been properly checking my stat window or notifications recently.

It’s true that I was quite busy, but even taking that into account, this sense of unease about it lingered.

“Might be getting too used to life here?”

While speculating, I summoned my ID to check my stats.

“ID, show me the stat window.”

[Code verification confirmed. Displaying Status.]

——————————————————–

LV. 94 Edu NumbersDay *(■)

[ HP 103 / 103 ] *(■)

[ MP 4945 / 4945 ] *(■)

[ ST 95 / 95]

ATK 80 *(■) / DEF 75 / RES 10

STR 10 *(■)

DEX 12 *(■)

INT 1642 *(Growth Bonus x6)

CHA 1484 *(Growth Bonus x6)

CON 20 *(■)

LUK 1428 *(Growth Bonus x6)

SP 0 / SK 146 / EXP 348425

Appearance Features *(■)

Character Features *(■)

Bonuses *(■)

Achievements *(■)

——————————————————–

“Hmm?”

My stats have increased quite substantially while I was distracted.

Checking the notification window revealed, amidst many level-up notifications and small achievement rewards, a new one.

– Liberated 10% of Earth’s territory from ‘Invaders.’ Reward: ‘Collection’ upgraded.

“Whoa?”

But that notification wasn’t alone.

– Liberated 20% of Earth’s territory from ‘Invaders.’ Reward: ‘Collection’ upgraded.

– Liberated 30% of Earth’s territory from ‘Invaders.’ Reward: ‘Collection’ upgraded.

Two more variations of the same kind appeared.

Considering this, it felt like the inside of the Collection had expanded compared to before.

And suddenly, an intriguing thought came to mind.

“Huh? Could this mean I might even fit a ship in there?”

“Showing me something amazing, I guess?”

The confused voice of Bogeoni, seated in the cockpit, asks.

“Hang on, Almas, can you get closer to that one?”

Pointing at part of a ship’s bow sticking out of the water and giving the order.

The distance closed quickly.

Assisted by Bogeoni, I moved to Almas’s hand by opening the cockpit.

Almas slowly moved its arm to bring us close to the ship.

Then the anticipated notification rings.

-Notification: You can use the ‘Collection’ function. Would you like to use it?

“Yes, I will.”

-Using the ‘Collection’ function.

The exposed ship bow is engulfed in light, vanishing instantly.

-Collection completed. SB-L-03 Shark-class stealth destroyer stored in Collection.

Another notification rang.

“Eh?”

Bogeoni voices his bewilderment.

Meanwhile, the expected notification came.

-Notification: You can use limited effects of ‘Collection’ on SB-L-03 Shark-class stealth destroyer. Would you like to use it?

“Yes, I will.”

-Ability ‘Army of Iron’ activated: Increased protection and rough weather penetration of SB-L-03 Shark-class destroyer.

-Ability ‘Eternal War’ activated: Repairs SB-L-03 Shark-class destroyer.

-Ability ‘Mechanical Host’ activated: Equipped SB-L-03 Shark-class destroyer with circuitry and enhanced mobility.

-Ability ‘Rains of Destruction’ activated: Enhanced firepower and reloaded ammunition for SB-L-03 Shark-class destroyer.

-Ability ‘Tracer of the Wasteland’ activated: Improved energy efficiency and maximum speed for SB-L-03 Shark-class destroyer.

Consecutive notifications sounded.

After confirming they’ve ended, I stretch and shout loudly.

“Release Collection!”

-Deactivating ‘Collection’ function. Unstoring one item. Releasing SB-L-03 Shark-class destroyer from Collection.

A massive ship, bathed in light, emerges once again.

Not as pristine as the Clarent tank was after my previous modifications, the ship, which earlier looked like scrap metal, now seems alive, directing its blue sensors toward us.

[SB-L-03 Shark-class destroyer acknowledges… awaiting orders, Commander.]

The courteous tone leaves Bogeoni speechless, his jaw dropped.

“How’s that? Amazing, right?”

“…You stink.”

“You stink? What-”

Before finishing, a pungent smell hits my nose.

“Hey! You really farted!!”