68: Star System That Alien Monsters Dislike

"Could the Sw of the Flaretanbo system affect alien monsters?"

"Yeah. After checking it casually over the past three days, it's not just 'possibly'—it's definite. The influence of the Flaretanbo system's Sw..."

"Please provide more specific details, Master Sata."

Now, it had been exactly two days since arriving at the guide colony of the Flaretanbo system.

That meant the inquiry regarding the encounter with the cosmic monster Blackfoalshark had concluded, along with the brief examination of me and Virijianira conducted in between.

Well, neither the inquiry nor the examination had amounted to much.

As for the inquiry, I didn’t have anything new to add from my side, and I simply answered the questions posed by the other party in a straightforward manner.

As the preliminary inspection was truly straightforward, I simply concluded that developing new technology was indeed necessary.

Right now, I'm waiting for the spaceship bound for Planet Flaretanbo 1 to arrive at the port.

And since there's no one around to hear, I decided to speak about what I'm sensing regarding the Sw of the Flaretanbo system.

"The Sw in the Flaretanbo system causes liquids exceeding a certain volume to form spherical shapes that don't mix with other liquids. Right?"

"Yeah, that's right. And?"

"Well, this Sw seems to have quite a significant effect on living organisms. It doesn't affect this puppet body much, but the main body—well, it causes considerable discomfort. I'd even say I don't really want to stay here for long."

My main body is located in the Ether Space.

Therefore, I could eliminate the influence from this real space, if I wanted to—there's no limit to how much I could remove.

Conversely, if I chose to accept it, I could. So I tried accepting it, and well… it was truly unpleasant.

"Your OS, Lord Sata, should differ from 'Vanilla OS,' yet even so?"

"Still, I suppose. Maybe it's because the Sw has grown so complex and enlarged that we can't even tell how it was created—apparently, it's now functioning normally across most operating systems."

Perhaps the blood vessels have turned into spherical shapes, disrupting the exchange of oxygen and nutrients, and causing pressure on the nerves?

Of course, since full application wasn't carried out, the blood vessels and cells didn't actually rupture, but still, the discomfort was real.

Also, even if my main body were colony-sized, the terminal blood vessels should be no different from those in humans... I assume.

Likewise, other cosmic monsters probably aren't much different in that regard.

So, if it works on me, it should have at least some effect on other cosmic monsters as well.

"Then, if that's the kind of domain where Sw is generating discomfort... well, if it's a type of cosmic monster without intelligence, it would probably avoid approaching altogether."

"..."

Moreover, it's probably because the substance in question isn't water but a liquid. If there's enough of it—like liquid nitrogen or lava—it would still form a sphere. So, even a space monster that uses such substances as a medium to transport nutrients could potentially benefit from it.

Viljagani and Mekoshi seemed to have inferred various things from my words.

Well, if there's evidence that the Sw in the Flaretanbo system was developed to counter cosmic monsters, and the records from the early colonization period have been lost, and there's no doubt that some major upheaval occurred... then the conclusion is fairly obvious.

"So, the Sw in the Flaretanbo system was created to resist cosmic monsters, is that right?"

"Actually, it's the opposite. The upheaval during the early colonization period was caused by the cosmic monsters themselves."

"Well, there's no actual evidence. It's just speculation based on a single cosmic monster influenced by Sw."

There's no evidence to confirm it.

But there's no evidence to deny it either.

"By the way, Sat. How does Sw in the Flaretanbo system affect hyperspace?"

"Seems like it does. That's why I think the cosmic monster Blackfall Shark doesn't come near the Sw zone of the Flaretanbo system."

"I see. That's why you're discussing this here right now. This information would be favorable for Lord Flaretanbo."

"There's some truth to that."

The one thing we can be certain of is that a mindless cosmic monster wouldn't approach the Flaretanbo system at all.

Even if one did, it would likely alter its course before getting too close.

"Still, as long as I'm here in person, it's not absolutely safe, you know."

"That's true. If it were absolutely safe, there would probably be some records left."

"So, depending on size or biology, Sw might not be effective?"

Moreover, the Sw in the Flaretanbo system only affects liquids exceeding a certain volume. Therefore, if the medium for nutrient transmission is not liquid—such as gas or direct energy transfer—or if interactions occur solely through liquids below that volume threshold, the effect can be completely neutralized.

And if we consider the possibility of mitigating or rejecting effects due to differences in operating systems, having the means to disable them like I do, ignoring discomfort, or simply possessing overwhelming power... well, in the end, one is still powerless.

"Either way, I'll inform the count. And the intelligence unit... and the technical division as well."

"Yes, I'll send the information."

"I'm counting on you."

Meanwhile, as we were talking, I noticed a single spacecraft approaching the guide colony.

It seems the pick-up boat has arrived.