Chapter 216
Chapter 216
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 216
Chapter Title: Ep. 216
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"You've returned?"
PS-111 greeted us as we arrived back at the nest. Sky Mother and No. 26 were nowhere to be seen.
[Zzuzu zzuzuzu zuzu zzuzuzuzu zzuzuzu (Anything happen? Run into any enemies?)]
"No encounters with organisms identified as 'Galleron.' The main controller is aboard the Cult clan's cruiser."
[Zzuzuzu zzuzuzuzu zuzu zzuzuzu (Good to hear. Sky Mother still not back?)]
"'Middle Child' departed for reconnaissance and has not returned."
It seemed PS-111 was guarding the nest while No. 26 protected the Gallerons on the cruiser. Sky Mother had gone to monitor the Aud Grad pack and hadn't come back yet.
I set down a few pupae I'd been carrying into the nest.
"What is that?"
[Zzuzuzu zzuzu zuzu zzuzu zzuzu zzuzuzuzu (Pupae made by Hellside Hornets. Want to try one?)]
"Judged to be an intriguing organic compound."
[Zzuzu zzuzuzu zzuzuzuzu zzuzuzuzu (There's liquid inside, so just suck it up)]
"Understood."
PS-111 approached the pupa, extending its slender legs.
It deftly sliced into the pupa with a blade-tipped leg. Then it splayed open a hand tipped with hook-like claws and pressed it against the spilling liquid.
Having consumed the Star Union-made energy absorption device 'Blood River,' it occasionally fed like this. I wondered if it could even taste anything, but it didn't seem to care.
"It contains large quantities of nutrients essential for survival. Can more of these organic compounds be acquired in bulk?"
[Zzuzuzu zzuzu zzuzuzuzu (This is all I brought)]
"Recommend securing additional organic compounds in the future."
The first time I'd drunk from a pupa, I'd felt my wounds healing—not just my imagination. As it analyzed, they were packed with nutrients.
It made sense, in a way. They were made by melting down live creatures whole and fermenting them.
[Zzuzuzu zzuzu zzuzuzuzu (Should take some to the cruiser too)]
｢Little kin｣ ｢Food?｣
[Zzu (Yeah)]
It had been over a day and a half since the Gallerons holed up in the cruiser. With Green Galleron pursuit squads possibly nearby, they weren't venturing out to hunt.
The cruiser still held plenty of the Cult crew's combat rations, but they weren't suitable for Gallerons. They'd been starving this whole time.
'If they starve to death, that's a huge loss.'
I'd brought the Blue Gallerons to win over Adhai and Ham Ort's remnants. I hadn't even collected on saving their lives yet—I had no intention of letting them die now.
Adhai, unaware of my motives, was delighted to see me looking after them.
｢Little kin｣ ｢Hunger｣ ｢Relief｣ ｢Adult｣ ｢Duty｣ ｢Me｣ ｢Adult｣ ｢Kin｣ ｢Food｣ ｢Deliver｣
[Zzuzu zzuzuzu zzuzuzu zzuzuzu (Yeah. Just take this and this)]
｢No problem｣
Even after leaving PS-111 at the nest, it kept chattering away. Just like a few days ago, it seemed eager to be a good adult for the young hatchlings—separate from its feelings toward the kin that abandoned it.
'Maybe it's trying to erase the painful memories.'
I humored Adhai's chatter as we crossed the forest together. Soon, the ivory cruiser came into view among the trees. I could sense the Cult crew, implanted with parasites, moving inside.
｢Big sibling safe!｣
No. 26 detected me too and sent a pulse from within the hull. Moments later, it bounced out from the open hangar.
'Huh?'
The approaching No. 26 was hugging five blue-scaled Gallerons. The 2-meter-plus Blue Gallerons were buried deep in the 10-meter pink jellyfish body, looking utterly relaxed, like babes in their mother's embrace.
[Zzuzu (What's that?)]
｢Flap-flap babies said they were hungry, so I fed them!｣
[Zzuzu (Fed them?)]
Sure enough, the Blue Gallerons' tentacles were stabbed into the psychic power pooled atop No. 26's body, just as it said.
'Feeding them psychic power?'
The slender tentacles periodically swelled like straws, clearly sucking it in.
'Not impossible, if I think about it.'
No. 26 had rapidly grown by absorbing psychic power from a dead Seed Demon. Transferring power to fellow psychic Gallerons seemed entirely feasible.
'Their scale colors look different too...'
Looking closer, the Blue Gallerons nestled against No. 26 had an odd hue. Mostly blue, but streaked with green stripes.
[Zzuzuzu zzuzuzu (Were they always like that?)]
｢Don't know｣
Adhai tilted its head curiously at the hatchlings too.
Then Ham Ort's group emerged from behind No. 26: White Galleron Nel Germa and the three Green Gallerons it brought.
I offered them the pupae I'd carried. No. 26 finally noticed the ones in my arms and tendrils and asked.
｢What's that?｣
[Zzuzuzu zzuzu zzuzuzuzu zzuzuzuzu (Food. Brought it for everyone)]
｢Looks weird.｣
｢Shape｣ ｢Funny｣ ｢But｣ ｢Sweet goodness｣
Adhai's words piqued its interest, and it extended a tentacle to coil around a pupa. Unfurling a section not wrapped around the Blue Gallerons like a cloth, it gulped the whole thing down.
Inside its translucent pink body, the pupa dissolved, spilling liquid. Absorbing it made No. 26's body sparkle like a disco ball.
｢Tasty!｣
Once it started eating, the other Gallerons took interest too. The moment they all tasted it, their eyes curved into crescent moons.
｢Thanks｣ ｢Grace｣ ｢Won't forget｣
Nel Germa gave me a polite greeting after a quick taste, passing the rest to the hatchlings. The Green Gallerons beside it eyed me sheepishly before sending grateful thought waves.
'Not really something to be thanked for.'
It wasn't free, after all. I planned to get full payback later.
After delivering food to the Gallerons, I returned to the nest to recover from my injuries. Around nightfall, Sky Mother returned.
She brought two crucial pieces of information.
One: The Aud Grad pack was on the move. Twelve White Gallerons had left the nest together.
My plan was to pick off the hunting White Gallerons before hitting the nest. Adhai needed to eat them to grow.
'I need their genetic essence too.'
That part was going as planned, but the second bit was trouble.
[Zzuzuzu zzuzuzuzu (Ham Ort's still alive?)]
｢Yeah. Saw other Gallerons moving it.｣
She nodded as we all gathered.
According to Sky Mother, Adhai's dam was still clinging to life. Barely, more like.
Hearing of Ham Ort's survival, Nel Germa and the three Green Gallerons grew visibly agitated. They wanted to rescue their former leader somehow.
'Hmm.'
Things just got complicated.
For starters, I wasn't their pack leader. I hadn't bested them in combat. Protecting them and bringing food helped, but it wouldn't turn them fully against their old boss.
'In time, maybe they'd follow me...'
But not right now—that was pointless speculation.
Still, abandoning Ham Ort to die was problematic too. It was the only Galleron who knew Adhai's secret. There was still plenty of info to extract.
"How about rescuing it when we raid the nest after picking them off one by one?"
｢Dunno. Injuries looked severe—might not last that long.｣
And we didn't have much time anyway. The Pure White Queen lay abandoned with grave wounds. Tough as White Gallerons were, it might hold a day or two, but beyond that? Uncertain.
'What to do.'
Truth be told, the answer was obvious.
The nest still crawled with enemies. Rescuing Ham Ort meant fighting through them—basically all-out war. Not the strategy for our overwhelming disadvantage.
But openly ditching Ham Ort was another issue.
It could sour Nel Germa and the Greens against us. They'd follow my lead, sure, but not resist outright.
'Even at their best, we struggle—half-hearted attitudes would be disastrous.'
As I pondered the best move, Adhai approached me.
｢Big adult｣ ｢Ham Ort｣ ｢Worry｣ ｢Unneeded｣
[Zzuzu (Huh?)]
｢Me｣ ｢Confirm｣ ｢Ham Ort｣ ｢Strong｣ ｢Kin｣ ｢Compare｣ ｢Impossible｣ ｢Pain｣ ｢Overcome｣ ｢Possible｣ ｢Me｣ ｢Believe｣ ｢Survival｣ ｢Possible｣
Ham Ort was strong enough to endure, Adhai insisted.
｢Star's daughter｣ ｢Right｣
｢Agree｣
The other Gallerons voiced agreement with Adhai—Ham Ort's daughter and their prophesied savior.
[Zzuzuzu (You sure?)]
Understanding my loaded question, Adhai nodded.
｢Fine｣
[Zzu (Okay)]
I knew its intent. Smart as it was, it had quickly sensed my dilemma and stepped up to convince the Gallerons for me.
But despite the act, unease lingered in its eyes—proof of its love-hate for its dam.
'Ham Ort has to stay alive until the kid's heart heals.'
Not Black Dragon Aud Grad, but its abandoned child Adhai would decide Ham Ort's fate.
Anyway, thanks to Adhai, our course was set: Take out the hunting White Gallerons first, then rescue Ham Ort ASAP.
｢Nel Germa｣ ｢Hunting ground｣ ｢Knows｣
[Zzuzu zzuzu zzuzuzuzu zuzu zzuzuzu (Good. Head there first)]
For the White Galleron hunt: Adhai, me, No. 26, Nel Germa—just the four of us. Sky Mother on surveillance, PS-111 guarding the cruiser.
"The Cult fleet systems are complex, but with crew aboard, mobilization poses no issue."
[Zzuzu zzuzuzu zzuzuzuzu (Just in case—thanks)]
"Understood."
With preparations complete, we readied to move out.
Before departing, I pulled Sky Mother aside. It felt bad sending her off again right after she returned.
｢Sorry. But ground fighting's way better than aerial combat for me.｣
[Zzuzuzu zzuzuzuzu (Glad to hear it)]
｢Who knows how many apologies from you Morphs this makes.｣
[Zzuzuzu zzuzuzu zuzu zzuzuzuzu zuzu zzuzuzuzu zzuzuzu (Saying that, you really seem okay)]
｢Oh, if you snag any Galleron hearts, save 'em for me.｣
[Zzuzuzu zzuzuzu (Will do. Be careful)]
Instead of words, she winked one eye and vanished into the darkness.
After seeing her off, I hoisted No. 26 onto my back and soared into the sky. Adhai and Nel Germa, waiting for me, dipped their heads in greeting.
｢Hunting ground｣ ｢This way｣
We followed Nel Germa's lead at top speed. Time was life in a divide-and-conquer op.
We flew on silently for a while, slicing through the storm-cloud night sky. Then Nel Germa, in the lead, began slowing.
｢Close｣ ｢Hunting ground｣
｢Me｣ ｢Kin｣ ｢Power｣ ｢One｣ ｢Sense｣
[Zzuzuzu zzuzuzu (How close?)]
｢Power｣ ｢Faint｣ ｢Distance｣ ｢Far｣
We eased our pace at Adhai's words.
'Just one enemy. Lucky.'
Usually two or three together, but this was a surprise. Still, I asked both Gallerons to keep watch.
Hiding in the clouds, I sensed psychic power near the ground. It detected ours too—its movements quickened sharply.
'It noticed.'
[Zzuzu zzuzu (Hit it now)]
｢Agree｣
[Zzuzuzu (Hold on tight)]
｢Got it!｣
I warned No. 26 and adjusted my wings for a dive. Nel Germa and Adhai stuck right beside me without missing a beat.
A white dot hurtled across the pitch-black forest below at terrifying speed.
The White Galleron fleeing from us.
I predicted its path and fired a standard psychic breath. Purple power gathered in the tentacles at its head, neck, and jaw erupted as a beam.
Trees and earth ahead of it split with a boom. Dodging my shot by a hair, it tried super-acceleration.
But I wasn't alone. Nel Germa beside me spat two psychic breaths.
The enemy acrobatically evaded one falling purple bolt. The other nearly shredded its wing, but it whiffed— the foe twisted back, countering with its own breath.
Two white dragon-like eyes met as purple beams clashed midair.
Thunderous roar—distant lightning or their power colliding—echoed across the area.
Realizing Nel Germa outmatched it, the enemy canceled the evasion and fled anew. But Adhai, closing in, unleashed a barrage of its signature energy-bullet psychic breaths.
Like machine-gun fire, Adhai's shots raced toward it. This time, it couldn't fully dodge—three tore into one wing.
It could fly no more and plummeted into the forest heart.
'Got it.'
Confirming the crash, I landed with Adhai and Nel Germa amid shattered trees. A white Galleron lay sprawled there.
'Smaller than expected.'
Bigger than Greens or Adhai, but dwarfed by Nel Germa. Freshly White, as rumored.
'Should still work to grow Adhai, right?'
Feeding it would confirm.
I approached the Aud Grad pack Galleron. It just glared at me.
Scared? Only its wing broken—rest intact. A belligerent Galleron would've charged already.
'Timid one?'
Then it sent a thought wave.
｢You｣ ｢Black kin?｣
[Zzu (Huh?)]
｢Trap｣ ｢Sprung｣
'Trap?'
The instant I registered the thought, my body shriveled in dread.
Air grew heavy, Aimorph super-senses screaming like alarms.
Unlike Predator Sense's foresight, this raw intensity I'd felt once before.
'When the imperial mothership fired the Cosmic Bolt.'
Just like facing planet-scorching power.
Something overwhelmingly mighty was targeting my life.
I wasn't alone in sensing it.
｢Black kin?｣ ｢Big adult!｣ ｢Danger!｣
｢Boss｣ ｢Near!｣ ｢Danger!｣ ｢Danger!｣ ｢Danger!｣
Turning, Adhai and Nel Germa trembled in panic.
No. 26 on my back unleashed psychic power silently too. Fins and tentacles sprouted fully; 'Terror of the Deep' activated.
'No. 26?'
Its body size unchanged on my back, but fully armed. I'd never seen it this guarded.
｢Aud Grad!｣ ｢Great Aud Grad!｣ ｢Here!｣
The moment Nel Germa screamed the thought,
Beyond the cloud blanket overhead loomed a colossal shadow. A massive black dragon with two wings.
'Aud Grad!'
King of the Galleron nest. Ruler of this planet.
Adhai's father, the Black Tyrant—Aud Grad had arrived.