91: Seiryō Colony

"Well, it's been a while since I've come back here."

The teleportation completed safely.

I appeared in the private room prepared for me by Seiryō Corporation within the colony.

"...Has it grown bigger?"

Indeed, Seiryō Corporation has constructed massive colonies in interstellar space—regions that don't belong to any particular star system—equipped to provide everything needed for living: food, shelter, and clothing—and uses them as bases.

This is because the primary operation—examining and researching the mod—requires such strict precautions to minimize damage in case of an incident rupture.

Thus, it is located more than one light-year away from even the nearest Hiraltra Tsubame star system, and would be nearly impossible to reach without the use of guide beacons.

And this is the Seiryō Colony, the headquarters of the Seiryō Corporation... From what I can see with my main body, it seems to have grown larger than it was a year or so ago, when I last saw it.

No, it's definitely bigger.

It used to be about the same size as my main body, but now it's slightly larger.

Does that mean operations are going smoothly?

Well, if there are no problems, then that's fine.

'Ah ah, to the transmigrant: For the record, please state your name and purpose.'

'This is it. Sata Common Sateks L. Seiryō. I've come seeking support regarding the case I'm currently involved in. Could you please relay this to Dr. Mizeon?'

The room I'm in now is locked from the outside, and once inside, I can't exit unless someone unlocks it from the outside.

That's because there might still be someone else with transference abilities besides me.

Incidentally, any object of human size that undergoes transference near the Seiryō Colony gets sent here regardless of the mechanism involved. This technology was one of the results obtained from studying the cosmic monster—me.

"Support? You?"

"Yes, that's right. I've determined it's necessary for certainty. Shall we proceed with the explanation as is?"

"No, I'll show myself over there. There's a risk of eavesdropping if the microphone is in between us."

"Understood."

After a brief pause, the door to the room opened, and Dr. Mizeon appeared, wearing a lab coat.

Dr. Mizeon was the woman who had worked on researching and inspecting the mods related to the creation and education of artificial humans—before I was born.

After I was born, the focus shifted to researching and educating about a cosmic monster named Satā, as well as studying and developing the mods created or manufactured based on that research.

In short, Dr. Mizeon could practically be considered my mother.

"Long time no see, Satā. I heard you’ve become a guard for Princess Vilijianira."

"Long time no see, Dr. Mizeon."

Dr. Mizeon greets me with the same cheerful, bright demeanor as the last time we met.

In response, I stiffly return his greeting, keeping my distance.

Why so?

"Ah, I see. It must be urgent. Let me ask about the circumstances."

"Yes."

That’s all it takes for Dr. Mizeon to understand that this is something important and time-sensitive.

So I immediately came to inquire about the current events occurring in the Flare-Tanbo system... how Magnelina has turned into a cosmic monster targeting the life of Vilijanira, how Magnelina's eradication has reached a point where they would not hesitate to sacrifice entire planets, and whether there is any reliable method to definitively eliminate Magnelina.

Hmm, I see. Humans being attacked by cosmic monsters... Well, given Satā's example, it's not exactly unusual.

Generally speaking, that would be considered abnormal. Are there any universal countermeasures against cosmic monsters?

"There's no way. You should know that best yourself, right? If the operating systems differ, the fundamental rules are different. There's no guaranteed countermeasure that'll work absolutely. And if we're talking about human-sized ones, within the range Seiryō Corporation has documented, it's only the third case. You're asking me out of the blue—there's nothing."

"Ah, I guess that makes sense..."

So there really wasn't a universal countermeasure against cosmic monsters.

Well, I'd secretly thought that was unlikely too.

"Huh? Third one?"

"Recently, there was a delivery by a group called the 'Sky Raiders,' and that was just a fake. They've already been eliminated, though. Anyway..."

"Oh, yes."

It slipped by too easily, but apparently, some survivors from the Giga洛克 Sky Raiders, who had attacked the Seiryō Colony, were still around.

Namu San.

Unfortunately, even a year ago, this colony's defense capabilities were stronger than my combat ability.

How could a space pirate like them possibly stand a chance?

"If you have a surefire way to defeat them, you must already have it on hand. Why not use it?"

"There's no way it'll work. That weapon's designed for slightly larger alien monsters or spaceships, not for fighting humans. And depending on how it reacts, it might end up causing the opposite of the intended result."

"Hmm... So you're not cutting it there—does that mean Sata's really taken a liking to Princess Vilijanira, and even the Flaretanbo system?"

"I won't deny the first point. Vi is, well, she gives off this sparkling, radiant vibe. Just looking at her makes me want to protect her. So, given that Vi is trying to protect something, I can't possibly harm it carelessly."

"I see, I see."

Dr. Mizeon fiddled with the terminal in hand, continuing our conversation without wrapping it up.

Not ending the talk suggests there's something else on his mind.

"Dr. Mizeon. I've brought what you requested."

"I understand. Just leave it here."

"Already...?"

"Well, if you're coming to ask me directly instead of running away, and you're in a hurry, then I already have a pretty good idea of what this is about."

Two items were brought into the room.

One was a device shaped like a tray.

The other one is a ring, apparently made from a part of the main unit I once provided.

"So, this is the latest model portable alien monster detection radar, and the wristband that controls the range of your thing."

"I suppose you've been researching the former for quite a while, but I'm surprised you made the latter too..."

"I researched both because I needed them both. I didn't make it specially for you. Besides..."

"Besides...?"

"Both are still in the research and development phase. There's no denying they have issues with accuracy and stability. Especially the latter—under no circumstances should it be used more than once. In the worst case, it could explode even more violently."

"……I understand. Still, I'm happy."

There's no doubt both are necessary.

The first can help locate Maegurinia, and the second can compensate for its shortcomings.

So I'm going to take both of them….

"Ah, of course it's not free. You must write and send a report after use. Also, please allow us to take a small sample from the main body, the suction cup, the ink, and the membrane."

"Yes."

Restricted.

Taking samples aside, the report... If I write it at my usual level, researchers from Seiryō Corporation will start sending questions, or even demand a repeat test...

"By the way, I've already reviewed the simplified inspections of the mods sent to various companies since Satā left the Seiryō Colony. Please go over them and write your report. Well, you can do it after this matter is settled—it's not urgent. The content isn't off the mark, and it's already contributing to the company's performance. But research progresses day by day, so you should always keep your antennae up for the latest developments. Don't you agree?"

"pity..."

My stomach contracted and made a strange noise.

"Satā, when you come back next time, bring Princess Virijianira with you. There should be plenty of sightseeing value here, after all."

"Sōdesunē."

And so, after what felt like ten or even dozens of hours of mental exhaustion, despite only one hour passing in real time, I ended up transferring to the Flaretanbo star system, carrying two items and their handling instructions.

By the way.

Dr. Mizeon's appearance is so similar to the humanoid form that Satu usually takes that one might as well say she's a female version of Satu.

After all, Satu used her as the model when crafting her dolls—naturally, they'd resemble one another.