02 The King of Terminus II

"Indeed, that does not contradict our objective."

Jin speaks, licking dry lips.

Preventing the Laitera Project.

The Third Fleet's current paramount goal is that.

To achieve it, the most direct method is reclaiming Mio—Jin deliberately avoided considering any alternative strategy.

"Yet we need not cooperate with them either."

The Third Fleet is undeniably depleted.

Still, it remains capable of confronting the Second Fleet—and parts of the defense force under Harold's command.

"We shall fight the lawless, the Second Fleet, as we are."

The slight tremor comes not from Seven—but from his colleagues behind.

Kou, silent until now, voices criticism through the direct channel.

'Hey, Instructor. You saying we fight alone? That’s pretty harsh…?'

"Sasamori Lieutenant. Keep your mouth shut."

『But you know』

『You’re being questioned』

Jin’s sharp warning coincided with Seven’s laugh.

『Ah. As the young hero there says, hero. Your valor is admirable—yet also a flaw』

『Wha—』

Kou’s composure wavered. The transmission, meant solely for Jin, had been intercepted.

Jin showed little surprise. He had expected as much.

Once before, Mio had intruded on Jin’s Leopard’s communication channel.

She had also forced open gates at other training facilities.

Perhaps, for the Terminus people, tampering with electronic systems was not difficult.

『The wounds from the battle with “Starter” run deep. Yes. And the attacks by the lawless afterward—like blades driven into those wounds』

『You were watching』

Jin asked, his tone flat, as if Seven had witnessed it all firsthand.

'Ah. Among the old kin, she is the strongest. To challenge her would be worth observing. We sent the girls to witness it.'

Thus, somewhere within that sector, the people of Terminus had been watching—like spectators at a spectacle.

Not a pleasant thought.

'Our combat strength is no insignificant matter... you know that as well as I do?'

Eight years ago, when Jin was reminded of having killed each other, he could not help but nod.

He understood the strength in question.

The Black Knight—the embodiment of maximum force—was the one his mind unconsciously sought.

If she were to turn her blade against them now.

Only one would remain standing.

'That is the issue.'

Jin maintained the most careful tone he could, pointing out the central problem.

We once crushed each other. That memory remains vivid within us. To suggest cooperation with such an opponent provokes resistance.

From Jin's perspective, the crew of *Gay Volke* seemed to have formed a better working rapport.

There was likely also the fact that there was no other way for them to return to the Third Fleet.

"Moreover"

Jin tells the most important thing.

"Cooperate to reclaim your successor, Mio. That much is acceptable. But after that?"

The previous cooperative framework did not encompass what came after.

Jin reaffirms his resolve.

I won't hand over my daughter.

Even if a fight were to break out here and now, so be it.

How far that thought truly reached.

Sevens lets out a laugh once more.

"Edelweiss... hm. Not a bad name."

—Hah—

‘Ah. No need to tense up like that. He’s merely stating something utterly ordinary.’

‘But—’

‘Ah. Your earnestness is admirable, yet also a flaw. It’s fine.’

Edelweiss released her grip on the Long Sword.

Jin understood now—among Terminus’s people, even rudeness had a concept.

‘That was the matter at hand. Ah. Naturally, a parent would be concerned about such a child… As I said earlier, I have no intention of taking it from you.’

‘…That contradicts what you said before. Aren’t you worried about lacking an heir?’

‘Worried. But— I have the luxury of waiting for your lifespan to end.’

A sudden blow to the head.

Sevens’s lifespan was five hundred years. At around three hundred and fifty now, he had nearly one hundred and fifty years left.

Jin… even pushing hard, would likely not survive beyond fifty.

And Mio?

‘Mio… that child—’

Ah. This is a harsh truth for you. That child is the same as me. The same lifespan, as well.

His daughter will live for the next five hundred years.

In a hundred years, all the people we know now will be dead.

Left behind—just one person.

Like a version of myself from ten years ago.

Time as a human may be spent among humans... but afterward, you must return to our side. That is the only condition we ask you to uphold in exchange for cooperation.

The other side hinges on the survival of the species.

That would mean making compromises of that extent without limit.

This condition is not unfavorable for Jin, at least for now.

After reclaiming Mio, the worst possible future—where the shared enemy would vanish, leading to a contest for dominance between the Terminans and Mio's people—was averted.

At the same time, he could not stop himself from darkening at the thought of the inevitable fate awaiting the girl.

Even setting those aside.

That won't do.

Jin does not think ill of himself.

But as for the Third Fleet, that still won’t do.

“The rulers claim they are not ASID. But to us, they remain the same. The enemy that attacks vessels traveling through this cosmos.”

That is the shared understanding. It cannot be changed.

“If we are to cooperate, there must be tangible benefit. Otherwise, persuasion fails.”

Saying this with finality, Seven pauses, then speaks again.

‘This planet is too vast for us alone.’

‘…?’

Jin is taken aback by the sudden shift to geography.

But his surprise deepens at the next words.

‘If you wish to relocate to vacant land, we are prepared to accept you.’

‘Settle on this planet…?’

That is the long-standing aspiration of a fleet traveling through space.

A stable settlement, untouched by ASID incursion. Humanity has journeyed for generations in search of such a place.

Ah. There are a few Hagure, but their forces should be no obstacle if the heroes’ strength is brought to bear. We can handle those arriving from the void as well.

In other words, what Seven is saying.

"To live together on this planet...?"

Ah. To put it plainly, that is the outcome. Ah, it was a spontaneous idea, but not a bad one, I think. I would be able to stay by that child’s side.

Seven appears to have suggested it on a whim, yet its feasibility seems unproblematic.

We can speak to one another like this. Though we once clashed in tragic misunderstanding... well, isn’t that true among your own as well?

The words echo through Jin. He recalls how conflicts among humanity itself had occurred many times before, back on their homeworld.

Fights that had risked extinction, fought again and again.

Compared to that, a single battle shared with another feels insignificant.

‘Ah. Well. What about this condition? If we proceed this way, perhaps we can suppress opposition within your group.’

Jin realized, belatedly.

The对方 was of the Terminus people. A variant of ASID, previously believed to be incapable of communication.

Engaging in dialogue with them—this would not end without consequence.

Worse, if things went awry, they might be etching their name into history.

Whether it would be a name of glory or infamy—was now determined by their next actions.

‘...Regarding that, I must take it back for consideration. I cannot answer on my own.’

‘Ah. Yes, that’s reasonable. Indeed, please think it over thoroughly. We will not hesitate to invest effort in joining forces with you.’

Jin noted something in that statement.

‘...Why.’

‘Ah. What do you mean by that?’

‘Why do you insist on cooperating with us? If you chose, you could have reclaimed Mio by yourselves, the Terminus people alone.’

Doing so would eliminate the need for troublesome conditions and land transfers.

Why cooperate with humanity?

‘Ah. Simple… We are afraid.’

‘…Afraid?’

‘Even the mindless Hugre… perhaps that fear is what has chosen eternity.’

Something all of ASID fears.

Jin feels fear just hearing it, swallows hard, and asks.

‘What could possibly inspire such fear?’

‘Ah. The inevitable end. Something that will bring closure to all of existence. I only know it through legend.’

Even Seven knows it only by hearsay. That is why fear grows unchecked.

‘Still— the First Terminus was certain it would come. The Hugre are no longer worthy to fight alongside. Their beast form cannot match it. Seeking a new companion, then… is not natural?’

A queen wielding immense power, yet fearful of something still.

The universe where such things lie dormant is vast, Jin thought.