Good Fortune That Rolled In on Its Own
Good Fortune That Rolled In on Its Own
According to the strict yet highly flexible laws of the Infinite Human Empire, only the Infinite Human Empire—the sole nation composed exclusively of humanity—is permitted to include "Human" in its official name.
'Well, there are occasional cases where 3rd Class Citizen organizations that don't even know of humanity's existence use such a name, but...'
The number of humans exceeds the stars visible in Earth's night sky, and the number of 3rd Class Citizens residing in the galaxies they inhabit is greater still.
Unlike 2nd Class Citizens, for whom clearly perceiving humanity's existence is a basic prerequisite, 3rd Class Citizens are far more often completely unaware that humans exist.
This was because there were far more humans who simply left the 3rd Class Citizens in their owned galaxies alone to observe them, rather than actually interacting with them.
At any rate, in such cases, it was judged that there was no intent, so no punishment was handed down.
'Are those bastards that kind of 3rd Class Citizen?'
There is no possibility of them being aliens.
Before even considering the absurd name "Human Alliance," ever since humanity ventured into space, they had searched not only our universe but countless multidimensional universes, and no naturally occurring intelligent life existed besides humanity.
If you searched through parallel worlds the results might be a bit different, but anyway.
Above all, although the language they used was mixed with somewhat archaic vocabulary and a modified accent, it was clearly Human Standard Language.
Thus, it was reasonable to regard them as 3rd Class Citizens.
'3rd Class Citizens invading human private property at will and even making threats?'
"How dare they..."
Tia beside me also seemed enraged by their actions, glaring at the fleet beyond the screen with sharp, murderous eyes.
This was not at a level that could be passed off as ignorance; it was a clear violation of the law.
However much human rights—or rights in general—existed, the imperial law paranoia-level refused to tolerate creations rebelling against their creators.
It was due to an incident that happened a very long time ago, but that wasn't important right now, anyway.
'However, I am a merciful and sweet human.'
Right, if they don't know, they can make a mistake.
So for now, I decided to make them aware that I am a human.
Normally, this is enough to resolve things.
Generally, not just genetically and mentally, but the very laws of the universe itself had been calibrated so that 3rd Class and 2nd Class Citizens would feel boundless awe and loyalty simply by perceiving a human.
-Cheolkeok-cheolkeok!!
I moved my player avatar, which was almost never used due to the fleet battle game concept.
The avatar in the form of a humanoid robot, which had been connected near the main planet's inner core to the main server room controlling all facilities on this planet, disconnected and immediately crossed through space.
-Kung!!
And the avatar that crossed through space descended right in front of the exposed bridge on the exterior of the largest ship, which appeared to be the enemy's flagship.
Even though an avatar barely the size of a human had merely landed, the hull shook—perhaps because the ship's performance was garbage.
-!!!!
-!!??!!
Beyond the glass window revealing the bridge's interior, a woman who seemed to be the fleet's commander and her crew members could be seen acting flustered.
-Cheok
Following my control, the avatar extended its palm toward the people inside the ship.
[Hear me, 3rd Class Citizens. I am a 1st Class Citizen of the great Infinite Human Empire, 'Omega Primus.' This space you are currently trespassing upon is my private domain reserved for my amusement, and the threats and hostile acts you are committing against me are a clear illegal act according to the strict laws of the Empire. Vacate my private domain immediately. Do so, and I shall leave this minor impudence unquestioned.]
'Yeah, they should get it by now.'
While speaking, I subtly released a fraction of my presence toward the 3rd Class Citizens (?) inside the ship.
Normally, even for 3rd Class Citizens who don't know of humanity's existence, because they lack the free will to rebel against humans in the first place, the moment they feel a human's presence and hear their voice, they are bound to instantly feel boundless awe and submit.
'Unless they're 2nd Class Citizens or 3rd Class Citizens who received special processing, that is...'
In any case, my measures were quite merciful.
Normally in a situation like this, any other human would have gotten angry and immediately reported the 3rd Class Citizens to the [Empire Sub-Entity Management Bureau], where if they were unlucky, they'd face life hard labor or being turned into biological parts, and if they were lucky, immediate liquidation.
"Ah, to bestow mercy even upon such pathetic beings who denied their very reason for existence as creations.... As expected of my seobang-nim!!"
See, even Tia is praising my mercy, isn't she?
So now, feeling extreme self-hatred and rage at having dared to commit impudence against their creator, they will be deeply moved by my mercy and retreat...
-Kung!!!
"Or not?"
Instead of retreating, they launched several drone-like things to attack my avatar and knock it off the ship's surface.
And as soon as the avatar fell off the ship—
-Uwoooong!!
Hundreds of gun muzzles crafted with disgustingly primitive technology began to glow as they aimed toward the avatar's location.
These fucking bastards...
◆◆◆
'Yulia V Republica', admiral of the glorious Human Alliance Expeditionary Fleet and member of the Republica Royal Family, could not believe the reality unfolding right before her eyes.
-Uwoooong!!!
-Paaaaang!!
"E-Enemy humanoid craft, energy release!! Analysis impossible!! I-It isn't even detected on the sensors!!"
"What!? What do you mean it isn't detected!? Nothing is detected from an attack generating that much aftermath!?"
"I-It's literally as I said!! Not a single anomaly is observed on any sensor or measuring device!!"
-Pajijik!!
"The drones hit by the enemy energy lost connection and ceased operation!!"
"D-Danger!! The energy wave is about to strike the ship...!!"
-Kuuuuung!!!
-Uwoooong!!
"S-Hit!! All ship systems lost!!"
"All systems are down!! We can't control the ship!!"
"What kind of nonsense is this...!!?"
The reason was simple.
It was because of the humanoid machine floating in outer space that had turned hundreds of ships into space scrap in an instant just by emitting a single wave of energy in front of their eyes.
She and her fleet were helplessly defeated by an incomprehensible, unfathomable power.
'Why on earth did things turn out like this...?'
At first, everything was smooth sailing.
Around the time the core universe, possessing 20 billion planets ruled by the Human Alliance, was gradually feeling population pressure and resource depletion due to the limits of habitable planets.
The existence of new universes beyond space was proven and discovered.
Most universes were relatively small compared to the core universe, about the size of a single planetary system, but when overwhelmingly massive ones that overturned conventional common sense—
literally universes of infinite size—were discovered, all the people of the Alliance cheered.
Since the Alliance had possessed a strong pioneering spirit since ancient times before the Cosmic Unification War, the discovery of a vast new universe ignited a fire in their hearts,
and this soon led to an expedition toward the new universe.
Thus, receiving the blessings of the Alliance's people, the Expeditionary Fleet led by Yulia was established.
After its creation, before heading to the giant universe, the Expeditionary Fleet invaded small-scale universes as a test, subjugating primitive human civilizations that had not even advanced into space yet and planting the Alliance's flag.
Thanks to such experiences, the Expeditionary Fleet was full of confidence even for their first grand universe expedition.
Unfortunately, however, what they encountered on the planet of the giant universe they first arrived at was not a primitive civilization like before.
A planet covered in endless, massive factories and military facilities.
And an enormous number of fleets completely blackening its surface.
Clearly, it was a civilization with technology that appeared equal to or superior to the Human Alliance.
It was an unpredicted situation, and normally, if they encountered a civilization of this level, according to the manual they should have immediately ceased hostile actions and switched their mission to negotiation and exchange.
However...
'Something is strange... Why did I, and why did we, make such a judgment?'
The moment Yulia and the members of the fleet faced that civilization, their reason blurred, and they were seized by an incomprehensible hostility and disgust.
As if devoured by something primordial, deeper than instinct itself.
Driven by that emotion, Yulia immediately ordered combat readiness, and the fleet members obeyed the order without the slightest suspicion.
And then,
-Kung!!
Once again, the humanoid machine landed in front of the flagship's bridge where she and her key staff were, proving just how foolish and stupid their actions had been.
-Uwoooong
As if it had no intention of ending things with the incomprehensible warning from just a moment ago, it approached right up to the bridge window,
and those trapped inside the coffin named a ship—where everything from ship controls to power had completely stopped—could only watch that scene helplessly.
And the moment the approaching machine touched the bridge window, which possessed a strength greater than steel,
-Ssuuk!!
"Heok!?"
"H-Hiik..."
like a phantom, it passed straight through the glass window and stepped right inside the bridge,
and feeling terror at that sight, several crew members hid their bodies.
However, not everyone was submerged in fear.
"D-Die!!"
The moment Yulia and most of the crew saw it, they felt that abnormal hostility and disgust once again,
and Yulia was the first before anyone else to draw a pistol from the holster at her waist and point it at the humanoid machine.
And then—
-Tang!!
She fired immediately without hesitation.
As the fleet commander and a daughter of a royal family holding top-tier wealth within the Alliance—though unable to intervene in politics—the pistol she held was by no means ordinary.
From the pistol body itself to the bullet's propellant, it was the pinnacle of technology integrating cutting-edge tech and craftsmen's touch.
This single small pistol possessed firepower rivaling the main gun of a small starship, and the bullet was equipped with a rocket-type propellant and target-tracking system.
The warhead was even coated with an anti-energy coating, making it a formidable weapon capable of easily penetrating most energy-based shields.
However—
-Seureureuk
before that bullet could even reach the enemy, it suddenly vanished into thin air.
Not a figure of speech, but literally, the bullet itself completely vanished.
The moment Yulia and the crew were shocked by that incomprehensible sight,
-Teok!
"What!?"
the pistol that had undeniably been in her hand suddenly appeared in the hand of the humanoid machine.
Yulia immediately looked down at her hand, but there was nothing there except an empty palm.
[A projectile weapon using gunpowder-based propellant? On top of that, a primitive energy interference coating... Disgusting to the point of barbarism.]
The machine evaluated as it examined the pistol that concentrated the essence of Alliance technology.
It was a pistol designed with a security mechanism to immediately self-destruct if held by anyone other than its owner, yet even as the humanoid machine held and examined it, the security system failed to trigger.
By this point, anyone would have given up and attempted surrender or dialogue, but the disgust and hostility eating away at Yulia's inner self did not allow it.
"What are you waiting for!! Fire!!"
Yulia immediately ordered the crew to attack,
and following that order, the crew tried to attack using their weapons or supernatural powers called psychic abilities, but—
-Cheok
-Cheolpudeok!!
the moment the humanoid machine raised its hand, all the crew members lost consciousness and collapsed onto the floor like puppets with their strings cut.
And,
[3rd Class Citizen, I have many things to ask of you.]
"Hik..."
As the machine, glaring directly at Yulia with its ominous red lens glowing wickedly, uttered an incomprehensible title and reached its hand out toward her, that vision was the last thing before Yulia's mind plunged into darkness.