Chapter 330
Chapter 330
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 330
Chapter Title: Assault on the Water Fortress
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"Yes, that's correct. Recently, multiple warriors have sighted Outspacer bio-ships near the border."
"That human named Sihyun Yujin—after I looked into him, it turns out he's gained quite a reputation for eliminating the Emperor's political enemies and hunting monsters."
"Is that so?"
Kisos's connections weren't limited to within the Empire. He had informants among the upper echelons like the Noble Capitals, as well as pirates like the Space Dogs, spanning various sectors.
Thanks to that, it wasn't hard to confirm just how notorious a figure Sihyun, the shadow behind Akira, truly was.
"I thought it was just rumors at first. But as expected, Alshas, you have a good eye."
"Thank you. Truth be told, I only learned about him because Senior Nern introduced me."
"Captain Nern, eh. I hoped he'd stick around, but I didn't expect him to leave with you. Such a shame."
"He said he wanted to observe Sihyun Yujin's journey a bit longer. He plans to return to the Empire once it's over."
"He sounds like a promising informant. Keep in touch with him."
Kisos exchanged a few more brief words with Alshas before ending the call.
'The universe is about to get chaotic again.'
The last major Outspacer offensive had been just 30 years ago. Alshas and Nern, the ones he'd just spoken to, had been mere warriors back then.
Outspacer assaults typically followed rest periods of over 200 years. By all rights, the next one shouldn't happen for another 170 years.
Of course, records showed occasional Outspacer appearances during rest periods. But those were small-scale raids by a handful of individuals, hardly qualifying as a full offensive.
'They say this Queen is a peculiar specimen. This could be trouble.'
It was a point raised by both the Temple Guardians and the Priests of the Eye of Revelation. The new leader that emerged after the Great Queen died 30 years ago was reportedly a highly intelligent variant. Its capacity for strategic thinking—unlike other specimens—had already been reported to the council multiple times.
'If another major offensive happens, the Empire will suffer heavy losses.'
Given the Empire's current strength, it wouldn't fall, but a large-scale war would lead to significant decline.
'Not until the other great powers act as shields, that is.'
That was why he was backing Sihyun to replace Mega Corp's Emperor—their CEO. Forming alliances with Empire-friendly factions would ease the burden of security threats.
'I hope it works out.'
In the now-silent office, he downed the rest of the liquor in his glass. As the strong Cult brew entered his frail body, a rush of heat surged through him.
Kisos stepped out onto the balcony for some fresh air.
The cityscape under the night sun unfolded before his eyes. Thanks to the dreamlike light from the natural phenomenon, some called Berzan 02 a red gem.
It was a vista worthy of the name. The only way to protect it was for his plans to come to fruition. Staring at the night view, Kisos reaffirmed his resolve.
"Hm?"
As he gazed at the deep wine-red sky, something odd caught his eye.
A small dot like a star gleamed in the flawless heavens. At first, he thought it was a shuttle, but no. For it to be visible from here, it had to be the size of a small-to-medium destroyer.
The problem was that this was the Water Fortress.
Destroyers couldn't roam freely inside the biodome.
"!"
A sudden roar made Kisos duck instinctively.
The defensive ship cannons installed throughout the dome opened fire in unison.
Thousands, tens of thousands of shooting stars streaked across the red night sky.
They hurtled toward the suspicious flyer.
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According to Isabel's records, Kisos was the head of a major faction in the Imperial Council. There was a brief note on his faction too: they emphasized trade and diplomacy.
Cults were inherently insular by nature, but that didn't mean there weren't internationalist factions. In the game, diplomacy-focused factions would spawn randomly in the council.
What defined these factions was their immense wealth. Their leaders even more so. They had enough money to invite the planetary governor—the highest authority—to banquets. Kisos was probably the richest person on Berzan 02.
So where would the ultimate tycoon live?
The Water Fortress resembled an orbital structure, with the entire city covered by a hemispherical dome.
At its center stood the old command tower. Once a defense headquarters, it now served as quarters for the governor and high officials.
An artificial waterfall cascaded down its side, visible from anywhere in the city. Water drawn from deep underground flowed along the tower's exterior, a marvel enabled by gravity manipulators.
Hovering above the water-wrapped old tower was a lavish sky mansion, overlooking the entire Water Fortress. That was Kisos's residence.
Like a luxury hotel on a lake, access to Kisos's mansion was shuttle-only.
Of course, not just any shuttle. Only invited elites and their attendants could enter.
Normally, I'd have used 'Mimicry Organ' and 'Parasite Swarm' for a stealthy approach, but not now.
Without parasites, infiltration would take far more time. If caught midway, it'd be the same mess as with Alcady.
So this time, I decided to strike first.
«Are we going to punish the bad humans?»
«Together» «Hunt» «It's» «Been» «Ages»
"We must rescue Little Brother."
After emerging from the mansion with the kids, I immediately released the 'Clever Weakling' state. The energy densely stored in my body burst outward.
My frame, mere meters tall, reverted to its colossal true form: 40 meters high, 60 meters long. Shifting from a centaur-like build to bipedal, I stood tall on two legs.
The mansion that once seemed vast now looked like a toy. No building in this sector reached my eye level.
«Grrr...»
«Gruk.»
My freed heads thrashed, surveying the cityscape. My right tail—tipped with claws—and left tail—bearing the bio-cannon—swept over the mansion.
'Feels good.'
The combat arms were wrecked from the parasite seal, but luckily, the wing arms were fine.
I lowered my heads so No. 26 and PS-111 could climb aboard.
«Whoa! Huge! So high!»
"I will assist with full power."
With the kids aboard, I spread my wings wide. The air vibrated like millions of beasts roaring.
[Zuzuzu (Hold tight)]
A wing flap sent me rocketing upward with immense force. The dome's translucent wall rushed closer at blinding speed.
Below, the mansion lay in ruins, obliterated. The wingbeat's backlash had demolished not just Roberts's place but neighboring homes too.
«Flap flap amazing!»
No. 26's excited waves tickled my monster tentacles. It had spread them like a net, gripping my horns securely.
Adhai and Sky Mother trailed behind me in the sky.
«As» «Expected» «Big» «Bro» «This» «Form» «Love» «It»
The white-and-red Galleron flapped its four wings gracefully. It seemed thrilled to soar freely in the vast sky.
«It's been ages since either of us flew.»
Sky Mother, back in griffon mode, sent out thought waves. Her hidden agate wings, now free, sliced through the crimson darkness.
'Everyone seems fine.'
After checking the kids, I eyed the city center. A small mansion floated above the inverted waterfall by the old command tower.
'Let's end this fast.'
Now that I'd revealed my true form, speed was key. Every minute raised the odds of enemy rankers mounting a perfect counter. While they still thought I was dead, I needed to inflict maximum damage.
I set my course and flapped. Each powerful beat propelled me forward like lightning. Black mist billowed continuously from my body's bio-pipes.
'Anyone seeing me wrapped in 'Dark Veil' would think a storm cloud was on the move.'
As my body merged into the black cloud, clamor erupted from below. Citywide sirens wailed, and tens of thousands of energy blasts converged from afar.
'Defense systems activated.'
Right on schedule. The Cult defenders had spotted me and opened fire.
Psychic beams tore at the storm cloud. Each rivaled a Green Galleron's psychic breath, but they were useless without hitting. The 'Dark Veil' jammed detection, keeping every beam at bay.
Adhai, Sky Mother, and I wove expertly through the psychic barrage.
«Flap flap fun!»
«This» «Easy»
«Without Dark Veil, it'd be a hassle.»
"Enemies approaching. Everyone, stay alert."
As PS-111 warned, patrol fighters and frigates closed in.
'I could scatter Gremlin Moss to wipe them, but no need.'
I extended erosion tentacles toward the incoming frigates. Six tendrils, longer than my body, shot out like arrows.
The foes piercing the cloud startled at the sudden tentacles. They veered desperately, but too late. Spiked tips clamped onto their hulls.
Confirming contact, I slammed the frigates downward. Damaged wings and engines offered no resistance as they plummeted into skyscrapers.
Explosions echoed distantly, followed by collapsing structures. The ground must be pandemonium by now.
Fighters, far nimbler than frigates, dodged my tentacles. A few idiots evaded into my heads' grasp. My feral left and right heads crunched them mercilessly.
"Kyaa...!"
Faint screams vanished amid the blasts.
Witnessing allies' demise, survivors pulled back to reform ranks. For peace-era soldiers, it was decent, but they overlooked something.
The monster in the clouds wasn't just me.
Fastest among us, Adhai dove into their midst, cloaked in absolute-defense 'Red Armor'. Not fully mastered—covering only wings, head, and upper body—but enough to block attacks.
It used back wings as shields against beams, then rammed headfirst like a spear. Punching holes in ships indiscriminately, it resembled an indestructible missile.
Sky Mother in griffon form couldn't match its speed but methodically culled foes. Her forepaws, thrice a man's head in size, were threats alone.
Plus, her beak gripped a slender spear. The 'Priest's Golden Spear', sharpening with blood, rendered ship shields meaningless. Fighters shattered on contact; frigates lasted minutes at best.
No. 26 and PS-111 on my back joined eagerly. No. 26 redirected incoming shots; PS-111 sniped with implanted Demolishers.
'Perfect.'
Everyone fought brilliantly.
We carved through piled wreckage, pressing forward.
As my target clarified, retaliation intensified. Ground AA batteries fired beams—futile.
The goal was close. Time for my ace weapon.
The three monster tentacles on my heads drew in power. Dragonforce—no, beyond—surged behind them. Charged tendrils locked on targets.
Ready, I unleashed.
Three psychic breaths lanced toward designated points: the gravity devices sustaining the massive waterfall.
My breaths never missed.
The devices' destruction barely registered amid what followed.
In this spacefaring age, nature's laws still reigned. Water from km-high falls now obeyed physics.
Like biblical floods, torrents crashed over the Cult city. The awe-inspiring cascade became cataclysm. Buildings, Cults, hoverboats, AA guns—none withstood the deluge.
With defenses crippled, I landed atop the sky mansion unscathed.
Defenses activated instantly, unleashing salvoes. Mimicking Adhai, I wrapped wings around myself.
Auxiliary organs scanned the interior frantically.
'Still not moving.'
To be precise, there was movement, but not as expected. A ranker would've confronted me by now.
'Prepping some weapon?'
If so, I couldn't let them.
I charged psychic breath immediately and fired at the mansion.
Three heads' combined might was devastating. The mansion vaporized; its gravity-sustained platform plummeted.
I landed amid the crash. Wing gusts parted the floodwaters. The adjacent old command building collapsed as a bonus.
'Still not coming out?'
Probing the waters yielded no ranker signature. The strongest psychic inside was gone.
The implication was clear.
'Bust.'