20: Incident on the *Limes Tsuno* ※

This chapter is told from Vee's perspective.

"This is, Vrijianiira-sama..."

"Captain. We've assessed this as an abnormal situation and have come to investigate. Please explain the circumstances."

Led by two members of the patrol unit, I moved to the command room, holding my notes and accompanied by Sata-san.

On the monitor, footage is being transmitted from team members exploring the interior of a sky pirate ship equipped with a ramming spike—self-proclaimed as the "Lymstusuno." In addition, several individuals, including the captain, are present there.

However, among those monitors, some only display sandstorms—enough to make it seem as though something had happened to the team member who owned the camera.

"Explaining might take longer than just showing you the image."

Understood.

One of the monitors switches over.

It seems to show what the encounter subject saw.

"This... is terrible."

"If you just look at the overall shape, it's a crab."

"It's a remarkably blasphemous crab."

The image displayed shows a giant crab nearly two meters tall.

However, its pincers have blasters mounted on the inner sides, and its exoskeleton is made of an artificial humanoid's body, making it extremely sturdy.

And up to this point, it's just a large crab... but as the note suggests, the protruding eye area has transformed into a human upper body, and within its occasionally open mouth, countless human brains are visible.

Moreover, the bubbles expelled from its mouth take the form of human faces, which latch onto any creature they touch, seemingly immobilizing them.

In the end, it was confirmed via camera and audio that the person behind the camera was caught in an endless stream of bubbles, had their neck cut with scissors, and their head eaten.

This is clearly an artificial lifeform that shouldn't exist, built using an obviously illegal mod.

"Can we take it down?"

"We can't be certain. Due to interference from an unknown source, both our ship and the pirate vessel are currently locked in position, and this immobilization also acts as a defensive barrier, making escape impossible and preventing us from being shot down by attacks from other ships. However, the shield of that crab-like creature is as strong as that of a carrier-based aircraft, and it feels unusually resilient—possibly due to additional modifications. If we're restricted to weapons portable by individuals, defeating it would require considerable time and likely significant casualties, and even then, we can't guarantee success."

"Is that so."

I now understand the opponent's identity.

Regarding the current situation, the patrol unit that boarded the 'Limes Tsumo' is currently assembling a defensive line in front of our ship's communication通道.

According to drone reconnaissance, we'll likely engage the enemy very soon... but whether we can defeat them remains uncertain.

Still, joining the front line wouldn't be much help for us.

Let's assist elsewhere instead.

"Note: Have we identified the source of the position-locking mod?"

"From what we've traced... it seems that crab is indeed the origin."

Right now, the most troublesome issue is the position-locking mod itself, more so than that crab.

Because of this mod, we can't even escape, nor receive support from other ships.

I thought if there was another source besides that crab, we might have a chance... but it doesn't seem to be that simple.

"That crab... it feels a bit too much on our side, doesn't it..."

"Satā, what do you mean by 'the other side'?"

Then, as I thought there might be nothing else, Satā mutters while staring into the void.

I quietly prompt him to continue.

"Ah, I can't go into details... But to put it simply, I'll say this: it's an opponent whose fatal incident collapse could happen at any moment."

"……You know, the reports from the现场 personnel mentioned an unusually sweet smell. Lady Vee."

"I see."

I haven't yet learned Satā's true identity, but judging from the existence of Grade Ex classified information and their past actions, I can make a reasonable guess.

They're humanoid in size, but a cosmic monster—an entity with its own unique operating system.

If such a being is on our side, then that crab-like creature must be something closely related to a cosmic monster as well.

Yet, a catastrophic failure event... that's quite clumsy, isn't it?

Worst case, the entire one-light-year radius might vanish.

It might not come to that, but we definitely need to resolve the situation quickly.

"Is there anything we can do?"

"I'm sorry, Vee-sama. The memo only instructs us to relay our words to the others and ask them to prepare a solution afterward."

"Ah... well, it's not entirely impossible. It'll just be a shot in the dark."

Still, the memo offers no actual solution.

Even if we're all wiped out, the information can still be preserved, so the worst-case scenario can be avoided, I suppose.

Sata-san seems to have... something.

I'll show you something on the information terminal.

"Additional features and enhanced physical abilities granted by the master's approval? Quite an unusual system. It's rare for the manufacturer to impose such restrictions even after the employment period has ended."

"My abilities have issues if left unlimited in an individual's possession."

"That... might be true, I suppose."

It seems he hasn't fully utilized his powers as a cosmic monster up until now.

Given that he managed to take control of the space pirate ship single-handedly, one can truly sense the sheer magnitude of his capabilities... But if he were to unlock even greater power, it's certainly necessary for someone to take primary responsibility and maintain control over him.

"Captain! We've engaged the creature we were expecting!"

"Prepare the barrage! Don't let it get close under any circumstances!!"

Unfortunately, there's no time to read the details on what exactly can be accomplished through ability activation.

The monitor displays the familiar crab, captured from multiple slightly angled viewpoints, shooting blasters and bubbles toward us.

So, after quickly reading the activation method, I move toward Sata.

"Then, Sata..."

"Yeah."

When Sata knelt down, I placed my hand on the yōkai tattoo at the back of his neck.

Three things are required.

Mutual consent, the master touching Sata's tattoo, and my declaration of name.

"In the name of Vilijanira En Banalagenruuto P Banalashido, I authorize the release of the true power of Sata Common Sekteks L Seiryō. Grant your strength to resolve this crisis."

"Got it... huh?"

But it seems there was an unexpected twist, as Satā's expression turned utterly bewildered.

"En?"

"Yes, En."

"Not a Marquess or Count, but the Imperial Family (En)?"

"Yes. But the details will have to wait for later."

Apparently, the fact that I'm being treated as an illegitimate child of the current emperor—and acknowledged as such—was completely beyond his expectations.

"So, is there some problem with me using the name En?"

"There is a malfunction in that the output is coming out earlier than scheduled, Your Highness."

Meanwhile, it seems his abilities' activation varies depending on his master's status.

"……"

"I will proceed with backing up the memo."

As Memo diligently prepares for the worst, ensuring only she survives, an awkward silence settles between me and Satā-san.

I never imagined that the imperial status, designed as a countermeasure against noble officials, would turn against us like this.

Satā-san squints as if I weren’t even worth noticing.

“For now, prepare everyone to survive in space for a short time—tighten the preparations as much as possible. If we make a mistake, the ship will be destroyed.”

“Captain! Emergency—evacuate all personnel for extravehicular activity!”

“!? Understood! The frontline crew is already prepared, so if the crew inside can manage it, we’ll be set!”

We'll either quickly change from our regular clothes into space suits or activate the dedicated mod.

The ship itself will lower its bulkheads, ensuring that even if some compartments are breached, it won't be a critical issue.

Meanwhile, Sata pulls her right arm back into a punching stance... and a strangely sweet scent begins to fill the air around her.

"Preparation complete, Lady Virijianira!"

"Sata!"

"Got it."

And just as preparations were complete... it was the moment Sata thrust her arm forward.

"«««!?!»»»"

The space warped, and on the monitor displaying the outside scene, numerous sucker-tipped tentacles emerged. The creature thrust forward like a spear, stretching, stretching... piercing the *Lymstsun*, a ship supposedly unbreakable due to its reinforced structure, impaling the crab inside, crushing it, and continuing relentlessly to destroy the vessel... the crab was smashed clear out into the open space beyond the ship.

"Master Vee!"

"Damn it! All hands! Fire!!"

And under my command, the patrol vessel unleashed a coordinated barrage.

The crab, possessing only a shipboard-class shield at best, was obliterated into cosmic dust.