Chapter 300: Blazing Flames of the Battlefield[R-18] (18)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 300: Blazing Flames of the Battlefield[R-18] (18)
The Arsenos Council.
Beneath an arched ceiling, crimson lights cast a soft glow over the council chamber. A massive round table sat in the center of the room, where the twelve council members representing their respective nations were seated in order.
Javier sat in the chairman's seat.
Before him, a projected hologram displayed data secured from the G-13 Zone, along with footage of an unidentified weapon dock.
“This meeting will now come to order.”
At Javier’s brief declaration, the optical panels on the chamber walls lit up in unison, displaying related information in the air.
[Codename: OBSIDIAN]
[Model: Classified / Uncategorized]
[Output: A+ or higher]
[Main Armaments]
- Main Cannon - Graviton Flux Buster
- Plasma Entropic Blades
- Quad-Rail Mass Driver System
[Defense Systems]
- AMR-A Frame (Adaptive Magnetic Field Reactive Armor)
- Stealth-Mode 'Shadowdrop'
[Other]
- Autonomous Battlefield Combat AI (Level 6 or higher)
A white-haired female council member seated to the left was the first to speak.
“For a weapon of this scale to have been concealed in the heart of a colony… this is a clear violation of the treaty.”
“We have trusted the neutrality of the neutral nations until now. But this is—”
Another council member continued.
“A betrayal. To think the neutral nations and the Earth Federation have been secretly preparing something like this…”
A murmur rippled through the chamber. From the center of it all, Javier spoke quietly.
“We can no longer stand by and watch this situation unfold.”
His voice was low but firm.
“Obsidian. If this weapon is actually activated, we will have no way to prevent another Yurabe-3. We do not know how the Federation will use it.”
Javier slowly rose from his seat.
“And… the other neutral nations cannot be allowed to simply observe, either.”
“Just a moment.”
A council member raised his hand.
“Chairman, are you suggesting that the neutral nations actively aided the Federation in this matter?”
“That is correct. Look at the weapon that was built in Elbaite!”
Javier’s gaze swept across the entire chamber.
“We must issue a warning now. Not just to the Federation, but to the neutral parties who have been helping them from behind the scenes. We must draw a clear line on this occasion.”
At his words, a few council members nodded, while others narrowed their eyes in silence.
“…Chairman Javier.”
One of the moderate council members spoke cautiously.
“However, if this decision turns the neutral nations against us as well, we risk overextending our front lines.”
A quiet stillness fell over the chamber.
Soon, a middle-aged male council member sitting at the far right spoke with a heavy tone.
“Chairman, even as a means of warning… making enemies of both the Federation and the neutral nations at the same time is dangerous. The front will become too wide.”
“Javier. We all understand your anger.”
The white-haired female council member looked up again.
“But Arsenos is not yet prepared for an all-out war. We must also consider diplomatic measures.”
At that, Javier slowly stood up.
His eyes were cold and hard.
“Diplomacy? What have we gained from them through diplomacy?”
On the optical panel, satellite footage from the Yurabe-3 massacre began to play. A burning city, fallen civilians, and the Federation’s flag rising over collapsed buildings.
Javier’s voice rang out, merciless.
“They are no longer opponents who can be reasoned with. The more we hesitate, the more people they will kill.”
He extended a hand and pointed at the screen.
“Obsidian. This is not a simple weapon. It is a tool of war that will enable their next ‘Yurabe.’”
His gaze turned to the entire chamber as he spoke.
“We will make an example of all the neutral nations. And the operation… has already begun.”
The hardline council members stood up in support of his statement, while the moderates, aghast, were stunned by the thought of more people dying.
Immediately after the meeting, Javier quietly left the council headquarters.
Alone, without a single attendant.
From the outside, it was a small, unremarkable estate on the outskirts.
The artificial garden, typical of a neutral colony, the old exterior walls, and the modest appearance made him look like a ‘man of integrity.’
But the truth, as always, lay underground.
With a familiar motion, Javier pushed aside a fixed piece of furniture on the wall.
Behind it was a hidden biometric panel.
—Beep.
[Fingerprint Confirmed]
[Iris Authentication Complete]
[Genetic Signature: Match]
A steel door opened heavily, and a metal platform automatically extended downwards.
“Hah…”
He slung his coat over his shoulder and slowly descended into the basement.
One step at a time, his footsteps silent.
The place he arrived at was a secret underground space of a scale no one could have imagined.
Gilded sculptures, walls lined with priceless art and rare minerals.
Dozens of luxurious vaults.
The name ‘Javier’ was more than just the leader of Arsenos; for decades, he had been a titan who moved the world.
He walked toward a large holo-screen installed in the center of a wall.
When he placed his palm on it, a signal icon appeared on the screen, and a connection tone sounded.
—Beep… Beep…
[Security Authentication Complete]
[Classified Channel: Activated]
The screen lit up.
A vast conference room.
Several figures sat in their own shielded spaces.
Their ages, nationalities, and languages were different, but they shared one thing in common.
They were the beings who orchestrated the world from the shadows. Beings who existed above nations, who used even war as a tool for profit.
“It’s been a while, Javier.”
A low, heavy voice echoed through the speaker.
With those words, the gazes of each figure, previously hidden in darkness, turned toward the center.
Javier gave a short nod in response.
“It’s been a while, everyone.”
His tone was completely different from the restrained moderation he showed at the council.
The cold nature of a true ruler, hidden at the edge of his words. This was the real Javier.
“Everything has proceeded according to plan. I have successfully received the location of Obsidian, its internal structure, and all related data.”
He took out a cigarette. Without lighting it, he rolled it slowly between his fingertips and continued.
“Now… it is time to move to the next phase.”
At that moment, another screen lit up, and a voice emerged.
“Javier. As you well know, the core of this plan is the elimination of Adele Licencia. You must ensure that part is handled with absolute certainty.”
Javier was silent for a moment before replying quietly.
“Do not worry about that. I have already deployed a special fleet. It won’t take long to clean up.”
“Haha… As expected of Javier.”
Another figure laughed in agreement, and soon another voice quietly added.
“How is the internal situation? Isn’t the Arsenos Council still divided between moderates and hardliners?”
Javier smiled slowly.
“Yurabe-3 changed everything. The young hardline council members are giving me their full support. They believe it’s their own will… but in reality, they are all just pawns moving in the palm of my hand.”
“Well done. We must continue to fan the flames of war. Even within the Earth Federation, the number of those advocating for reconciliation is growing. Before the balance is disturbed… you must play the decisive role.”
Javier nodded slowly.
“That too will be resolved soon.”
*
I was escorting Adele Licencia, leading Hina, Kim Su-hyeon, and the security guards toward the hangar area where our cruiser was docked.
Just then—
—RUUUMBLE!!
The ground shook. The ceiling trembled slightly, and a vibration traveled up through the soles of my feet.
An alarm immediately blared from Adele Licencia’s terminal.
—BEEP-BEEP-BEEP!
She stopped walking and picked up her terminal. A brief silence. Then, in a low, firm voice, she called out.
“…Su-hyeon.”
Kim Su-hyeon reflexively looked up. Her expression was already grim.
Looking at the terminal screen, she said curtly.
“It’s not G-14. The real one… was G-13.”
Adele narrowed her eyes, staring at the information on the terminal for a few seconds before muttering under her breath.
“We were completely deceived… G-14 was a fake. The traces of the technology leak, all the information, it was all bait to divert our attention.”
Kim Su-hyeon spoke with a guilt-ridden expression.
“……I apologize.”
But Adele just shook her head lightly and looked at her.
“No. Su-hyeon, it’s not your fault. If anything—”
She pressed her lips together firmly and closed the terminal.
“This is proof that there’s an ‘enemy’ hidden among us.”
I quietly approached her side.
“The important thing now is to move quickly. Let’s head to the hangar.”
“Right.”
*
Fortunately, we reached the hangar where the cruiser was waiting without incident.
However, another problem awaited us.
“This area is currently under lockdown. All access, including for civilians, is prohibited.”
Blocking our path was none other than the Elbaite Self-Defense Force.
Soldiers in neutral nation uniforms had formed a defensive line, fully armed, with automated turrets fixed to the walls.
Adele Licencia stepped forward and spoke firmly.
“I am a diplomatic representative with a treaty with the neutral nations. I entered through official procedures before this incident occurred, and I am now attempting to return to my country to protect the lives of my people.”
The Self-Defense Force officer, without removing his helmet, replied in a formal tone.
“The colony has been elevated to a quasi-wartime state. All airspace is sealed, and personnel from the Licencia Group are no exception.”
At his words, Hina frowned.
“This is… blatant political oppression.”
Kim Su-hyeon also nodded quietly.
“Blocking us from leaving now isn’t a simple safety measure. It means someone is doing this intentionally.”
I stepped back and took a quiet breath.
This situation is getting messy.
This wasn’t a simple security alert or a procedural response. This was a move prepared in advance, specifically to stop us.
At that point, all the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. Someone was using this entire colony of Elbaite as their chessboard.
I turned my head and whispered quietly in Adele’s ear.
“My lady, if you don’t make a decision now, it will be too late.”
After a short silence, she spoke.
“……I authorize a forceful breakthrough. However, keep casualties to a minimum.”
“Order confirmed.”
I slowly raised my hand, signaling to Kim Su-hyeon and Hina.
Both sides readied their weapons simultaneously, and the security personnel moved to provide backup.
But just then—
—BOOOOM!!
Beyond the glass, on the opposite side of the hangar, a massive explosion erupted.
The sound of the blast was followed by the shriek of tearing metal, tangled screams, and a shockwave that shook the entire building.
And through the parting red smoke, it revealed itself.
“……My god.”
Someone let out a small gasp, and I instinctively held my breath.
Behind the debris from the explosion.
A giant mobile weapon with a metallic exterior that reflected the light was slowly raising its head.
It wasn’t just its size. Its very form… was overwhelming.
Thick armor plates and fluorescent core lines, with red circuits running along its frame, pulsed like a living heart.
Adele muttered.
“……What is that?”
Her words echoed the question on everyone’s mind. Even the Self-Defense Force soldiers froze completely the moment they saw it.
The soldiers holding their weapons stopped in their tracks, and one even dropped his rifle.
An overwhelming presence and a silhouette so precise it was ominous.
The red core flickered as it slowly booted up, and the machine rose into the air.
And then.
—KABOOOM!!
A volley of fire erupted in an instant. A crimson, high-temperature plasma beam cut through the air and struck the ground.
Beneath it, a part of the city that was hit literally evaporated.
Buildings, roads, people.
In an instant, everything was engulfed in the crimson heat, vanishing without a trace.
At that moment, an emergency alarm blared throughout the colony.
[Warning! Warning! High-energy reaction detected within the colony!]
[Caution! Damage sustained to the colony's tertiary outer wall shielding!]
[Malfunction in Gravity Stabilizer Axis 1!]
“……We’re screwed.”
I grit my teeth. This wasn’t just a battle. It felt like an intentional act to destroy the colony itself.
Hina trembled and cried out.
“Oppa, are we all going to die here?!”
Kim Su-hyeon grit her teeth and shouted at Adele.
“My lady! We must escape immediately!”
Adele stared for a moment at the city burning beyond the wall, then nodded.