Planet-Eroding Monster Subjugation Battle
From a human perspective, it was an endlessly vast plain stretching beyond the horizon. Waves of grass rippling in the wind. Silver stalks bowing their heads. A spotless, clear sky. Up to that point, it was an ordinary plain—but a massive flower bud was utterly ruining the scenic beauty.
About the size of an apartment from my previous life in the 21st century, this red bud had blackened and cracked the surrounding earth. Like a malignant tumor sprouting from the ground, it was emitting a faint stench and dripping slime. A planet-eroding monster, they called it. Was it really just a pimple on the planet's skin?
Anyone could see it was no ordinary sight. Of course, the commanders of the unit sent to eliminate it wore nonchalant expressions.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, will you be taking direct command?"
"If I make a mistake or poor judgment, please point it out."
"Worry not, Your Highness. Failure is but experience."
A conversation between a seasoned general and Crown Prince Leon. Beatrix, who had been listening, chimed in.
"Oppa, but is this subjugation being broadcast to the people-wa yo?"
"Huh? Of course. It's a planet-eroding monster, isn't it? They can get a better look at the power of your summons too..."
"Indeed. So that's why the avatars contracted with the goddess are gathered here."
The subjugation force staring at the red flower bud wasn't composed solely of the planetary defense troops. The avatars contracted with the local constellation, the Ruler of Crimson Beauty, were warming up as well. It was a live broadcast meant to showcase overwhelming victory, after all. They were few in number but looked like veterans. The gear they wore seemed extraordinary too—was that the nano suit? This was all part of a publicity campaign to demonstrate the power of avatars contracted with a planet spirit.
"To subjugate the initial stage of a planet-eroding monster with such meager forces and budget... This is truly the grace of our goddess. Commence real-time video transmission. All units, prepare for battle! Activate the grid-form nano-fence!"
1,527,358 viewers
At the crown prince's shout, a translucent barrier isolated a section of the great plain. It seemed to descend from the sky—or rise from the ground. From my AI information entity's viewpoint, it was hard to see clearly. Should I zoom in a bit more?
"Directional erosion-blockade cannons, fire all at once."
"Fire!"
BOOM! KABOOM!!!KABANG!
The lined-up soldiers operated their machines, unleashing beams of light that struck the flower bud dead-on. Strangely, it didn't explode as expected. Instead, a massive boom kicked up dust, followed by a grotesque screech—SKREEEEEE—as the bud slowly opened. Like a demon's maw unhinging. Long tentacles dripping green fluid burst forth from within.
At that moment, the crown prince's gaze shifted to the avatars waiting on one side. The battle-geared avatars charged toward the flower bud.
"Bite that monster to death-wa yo! Kaiser!!!"
GRRRRRR!!!
Beatrix's summoned hunting dog—my avatar's summon—joined them.
The avatars contracted with the constellation Ruler of Crimson Beauty began battling the monster. Some transformed their bodies into red gems. Others manifested objects to swing around. Straight out of a superhero movie—superhumans injected with enhancement serums or cyborgs with prosthetic bodies. But fundamentally different from modified humans. It was entertaining to watch ordinary humans wielding fragments of transcendent authority.
And among them was Beatrix's summoned hunting dog.
GRRRRR!SPLURT—
"Kaiser! Cut off all the tentacles first-wa yo!"
The planetary citizens watched the avatars' exploits—led by Beatrix—like a movie, relaxed and entertained. They had no idea the subjugation force had a fleet on standby for emergencies or was ready to insert short ads at any moment.
SLASH—SPLOOSH!
Most were just awed by the flashy abilities of the Red Goddess's avatars and Beatrix's summon as they fought.
The constellation Whispering Star Cluster requests an explanation of the planet-eroding monster.
"Hmm. For now, this one's mid-tier danger among planet-eroding monsters-wa yo. By Super Galactic Empire Federation standards, it could fully erode a planet in 6 months to a year."
Beatrix gave a detailed explanation to my offhand question. The Federation's database classified these monsters by type, kind, and threat level. Some summoned others when damaged, others self-destructed. There were even stealthy ones tricky in space.
The constellation Whispering Star Cluster expresses gratitude for the second avatar's explanation.
"Hmph! This much is basic knowledge at the Imperial Academy-wa yo. I must work harder for early graduation from Kairon Planet-wa yo."
Early graduation from Kairon Planet was her goal? Yuna's cohort had a few early grads too. It felt like mandatory officer academies or military service—better to finish early.
"Beatrix. Sorry to interrupt your chat with the constellation, but we need to do something about your summon."
"Oppa?"
I turned the fixed screen on Beatrix toward elsewhere. There lay the half-dismembered flower bud monster, with the hunting dog buried headfirst in it, devouring away.
Crunch crunch—nom nom.
"What should we do? Subdue it?"
"Hmm. Erosion monster corpses are valuable for research, so we need to stop it."
"Isn't it Her Highness's summon? Let's just catch it..."
GRRRRLLL...!
The dog was devouring the monster at a demonic pace. Avatars trying to grab it met fierce resistance, their shouts echoing.
Flash—crunch crunch.
"Can't we just wound its legs and grab it?!"
"No way! It's Her Highness's summon!"
"But it's using space jumps to steal monster corpses for snacks!"
GRRRRRRLLL!!! WOOF WOOF!!!!
"Don't eat-wa yo! I said don't eat-wa yo! I fed you yesterday, why-wa yo! Kaiser!!!"
Against superhuman avatars, the dog leaped through space, tearing into the flower bud. The Red Goddess's avatars tried to subdue the princess's summon to preserve the research corpse. Beatrix struggled to control her own summon.
Viewers clutched their stomachs watching the farce live.
The constellation Whispering Star Cluster consoles the second avatar.
"Make Kaiser listen to me-wa yo! My looord!!"
What a mess.
Despite the somewhat sloppy end to the subjugation, the emperor of the Balhar Empire wore a satisfied smile. Seated before him was Beatrix, looking somewhat drained. After much coaxing, they'd finally stopped the summon from eating the corpse.
"You did splendidly, Beatrix!"
"......"
"The Red Goddess's avatars capturing the monster, and even they struggling to subdue your summon. That's more than enough to showcase avatar prowess!"
As he said. The Balhar Empire's subjugation footage caused quite a stir. Advanced military tech was similar across Super Galactic Empire Federation planets. Any planetary government could handle an immature planet-eroding monster. Broadcasting the subjugation live—potentially boring—was for boasting and promoting the avatars.
"I was curious what you had in mind by joining, but you had a plan. Hahaha!"
A horrific monster that could doom a planet if fully grown. Crushed effortlessly by multiple avatars' overwhelming power. Then Beatrix's summon desecrating its corpse like a toy. The playful subjugation perfectly achieved the goal of showcasing avatars and promoting the planet.
"Even the loose control of your summon ended up helping."
Beatrix's face soured at the emperor's words.
"Yet after all this time, it's still hard to control. Fascinating. We supplied gear and materials to win over summoning creatures' favor."
"It seemed to prefer monster corpses far more-wa yo..."
The constellation Whispering Star Cluster suggests trying to tame it with monster corpses.
"...That's exactly it-wa yo!"
"Hm?!"