65: Where does the threat come from?

"Yeah, confirmed. The threat is approaching."

"Yes."

Vilijanila nods in response to my words.

"The scale is unknown."

"Yes, I don't know. It could be targeting me alone, or someone else entirely, or it could be as widespread as it was during the Grogrobeta system incident—any scenario is possible."

"Also, the timing is unclear."

"Yeah, I don't know."

"In short, I'll note it as usual."

Yeah, just like Memoquxi said—it's the usual Vilijanira prophecy.

The scale, type, and timing of the threat are all unclear, but it's coming at us relentlessly, and we can't afford to ignore it.

"But this time, the trigger is clear."

"That's right. Upon arriving at the guide colony in the Flaretanbo system, I was questioned about the creature known as the Cosmic Monster Blackfall Shark, and at that moment my precognition began warning me of imminent danger. I therefore firmly refused to exercise the naming rights, which I knew would inevitably summon peril, and I sensed the threat intensifying whenever I tried to disseminate information. Thus, it's safe to conclude that there's definitely some connection between us and the Cosmic Monster Blackfall Shark."

"I see."

Given that the threat began manifesting from the moment I started sharing information, the likelihood of a connection with the Cosmic Monster Blackfall Shark is very high.

"But from what I've seen, the Cosmic Monster Blackfall Shark isn't your typical space monster that emerges into normal space. Both the Patrol Force and the Imperial Army will first need to establish observation capabilities. That means the next opportunity for interference won't come for at least a month—whether or not that falls within Vee's foresight is uncertain, but I doubt it will."

"You're right. It's odd that precognition is warning of a threat. And now that I'm recalling the pattern of precognition warning of danger... it seems to increase whenever I make moves that draw someone's attention."

"I see."

But if the cosmic monster Black Foul Shark itself is unlikely to act... then the threat itself might indeed be separate.

In fact, given this situation...

"Isn't this basically saying that the threat recognizes Vee, who came to deliver information about the cosmic monster, and attacks as a result? We don't know the exact motive, but—"

"That's probably—"

It's conceivable with Vee-sama, given how foolish people flock to someone just for their appearance. The real issue, however, is that even with Memo and Sata-sama present, there's someone Vee-sama unconsciously perceives as a threat.

"...Yes, that is certainly true."

Vilijani tried to deny it, but that was surely the most likely explanation.

A peer noble who falls head over heels for Vilijani at first sight and tries to claim her as their own just because they share the same viscount rank—such a scenario is extremely unlikely, but I can't say it's impossible.

More troubling, though, is exactly what the memo says: even if I and Memo are together, and Vilijani regains her original noble title, she’s still considered a threat.

At this point, a simple output would just be on par with the Grogrobeta system incident, and if the enemy is playing dirty, we can expect them to pull out some truly troublesome tactics.

Yeah, we can't afford to let our guard down.

"Let me check the local news from the Flaretanbo system."

"Yes, there might be something worth noting."

"Please wait a moment. Here it is. Lord Vee, Lord Sata."

Let me take a quick look.

Hmm, first of all, the Flaretanbo system is...

Only one planet, Flaretanbo 1, is habitable by ordinary people.

Near Flaretanbo 1, there is one primal colony shaped like a sea urchin.

Several sub-colonies also exist.

Including the one we're currently in, there are... three guide colonies?

One heading to the Glorgrobeta star system, one to the Niliani-Potz star system, and the other... it hasn't been abandoned, but it's no longer usable?

And there's something odd about it, too.

Well, that doesn't seem relevant right now.

Anyway, the news.

"Top story: Cosmic monster named Blackfall Shark has appeared."

"Of course."

"Well, when it involves an entire star system, it's usually considered serious."

The top story involves us too.

"The next news report appears to be about a series of bizarre murders occurring on the surface of Planet Flaretanbo One. We've confirmed this with our intelligence unit—the victims have had their eyes surgically removed while still alive."

"Seriously, this is clearly..."

"Ah, the direction of the threat seems to be narrowing down quite a bit now. So, this is definitely connected... yes."

The next news... is a case of a series of bizarre murders in the Vanilla Space Empire, which is quite rare in that the identity of the perpetrator remains unknown.

Apparently, on the planet Flaretanbo, a series of gruesome murders has occurred, in which victims are killed with their eyes gouged out while still alive. The culprit remains at large, with no capture attempts succeeding, and the number of victims continues to rise.

Currently, there are 17 confirmed fatalities.

Yeah, it seems the real threat was something else after all.

"But this is unusual. Normally, even if the crime scene itself isn't captured on camera, analyzing footage from the scene and its surroundings would easily allow us to identify the suspect. Once we have a suspect, the case wouldn't take long to solve."

You're right. Hiding from the Empire's current technological prowess would be quite difficult for an individual, unless they were part of an organization like the 'Black Roots'...

Perhaps that very thing is what I subconsciously perceive as a threat.

A type of criminal who ensures their own safety not by creating situations where force cannot easily be applied, but through some other strategy.

Or perhaps they belong to some organization, relying on its guidelines to ensure their safety.

Ah, indeed, such methods or organizations could prove troublesome.

Still, it seems caution is definitely necessary.

Afterward, I reviewed other news items—such as rice harvests on the planet Flaretanbo, bustling amusement facilities, and updates regarding the Grogrobeta star system—but found no particularly suspicious reports.