100: Post-incident procedures with Lord Flaretanbo ※

This story is told from Vee's perspective.

"Apologies for the delay, Lord Flaretanbo."

"No, it's perfectly fine. I arrived on time, Vilijanira."

After leaving Satu, who was groaning in the rest room, I, along with Memo and Jojalis, moved to the cockpit of the 'Pumpkin Witch' and initiated communication with Lord Flaretanbo, who was currently on Planet Flaretanbo 1.

"We're sending you the current observation data. If conditions proceed as predicted, the impact should disappear by tomorrow."

"That's good news. There's nothing better than having no influence from the 'Blank OS' domain."

This communication serves as a routine update, providing data to confirm that the 'Pumpkin Witch' is carrying out its mission without issue.

It also serves as an opportunity to demonstrate complete honesty—there are no secrets or hidden agendas—requiring as much transparency as possible in the response.

"Then, from our side as well. Straight to the point: we have rejected the request to evacuate from the Flaretanbo system, proposed by Lady Vilijianira and her group."

"Are you sure this is wise?"

"What kind of nonsense is this—demanding evacuation from us? Lady Vilijianira and her followers merely handled a situation we ourselves could not manage, and their results are worthy of praise, not scorn. To claim that someone incapable of understanding such power must evacuate—it would be nothing short of bringing shame upon the entire empire."

Thank you, Count Flaretanbo. Still, I can understand the fears of those demanding our evacuation. It's true that, had things gone wrong, the entire star system could have been affected."

"Thank you for your consideration. Simply hearing those words will reassure most of them. They fear what they cannot understand, after all."

We don't need to evacuate.

In that case, once we've confirmed the disappearance of the 'Blank OS' area, we can proceed to tourism and auditing.

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

"... "

"I understand. Just wait a moment."

"Is something the matter?"

Count Flaretanbo responds to a voice coming from off-screen.

Then turns toward us.

It seems he has something he wants to ask.

"A subordinate has asked about the fact that the 'Blank OS' region extended along the hyperspace space indicated by the guide beacon on the abandoned guide colony. They'd also like to hear your thoughts on the matter, Satā-sama."

"Ah, that point, huh. I was curious about it too, so I asked Satā. If you'd like, I can answer based on his response."

"Please do."

I respond to the question.

According to Satā, once the phenomenon rupture cannon was fired, the guide beacon activated and, due to the spatial distortion caused by the phenomenon rupture reaching through the beacon, the phenomenon rupture likely occurred along the hyperspace, following its path.

That meant...

"In other words, despite being an old guide colony that should have been abandoned and left untouched for ages, the guide beacon was in a state where it could be easily reactivated—even by someone with little knowledge—within just a few minutes."

"That's a headache-inducing situation... And what's worse, we can no longer verify whether it was truly like that or not."

"Yeah, that's right. According to Sata, even if Maeglinia had already slipped into hyperspace by the time the event collapse cannon was fired, they’re certain they’d still have eliminated it. They specifically built the mod that way."

"I see. That’s truly fortunate... While someone using a guide beacon might be able to handle it here, it’s become clear that facing the cosmic monster head-on would require an enormous cost."

In addition, Sata also said this.

If Megalina were to survive that situation, it would be necessary to alter her OS so drastically that she would no longer be recognized as the same entity, not just physically separating her body.

That was the case.

Since even Satya, who possesses knowledge, says it's impossible, there's no need to consider the possibility that Maeglinia is still alive.

"By the way, Count Flaretanbo. What lies in the star system once connected by the destroyed guide beacon?"

"It appears to be a nest of cosmic monsters, based on observations made with the faster-than-light telescope. When I saw multiple planet-sized cosmic monsters on screen, even I was shaken to my core..."

"A nest of cosmic monsters... Could it be the same one from the tea party..."

"Yes, this is the star system that Professor Viridianiola discovered and has been observing. Whether due to its location or some other factor... one thing is certain: it's not a system humanity should venture into. So, the idea that someone might have already stepped into such a system is, quite frankly, enough to give me a headache."

"I see. Perhaps this matter runs deeper than we initially thought."

It seems the star system connected to that guide colony is extremely hazardous.

Someone secretly moving in and out of such a dangerous system... smuggling, a shortcut, sheer recklessness, or perhaps even the 'Cosmic Monster Cult'... Regardless of the reason, it all reeks of trouble.

"Shall we inform the Emperor about this?"

We've already contacted the Emperor through intelligence units other than Lord Vilijanila. Since this concerns the Cosmic Monster, it would be problematic not to inform His Majesty. So, if for some reason the Emperor hasn't been notified yet, I kindly ask that you take care of it.

Understood.

In matters of information transmission, there's no need to worry.

There's no one who'd benefit from hiding such information.

"Then, Lord Virijianira. Once we confirm the disappearance of the 'Blank OS' domain, we shall proceed accordingly."

"Understood. I will inform you immediately upon confirming its disappearance."

With that, my communication with Count Flaretanbo came to an end.

"Uuuu... Just let me off with providing data, please—no need for improvement suggestions, just the requests themselves. I know some things can only be measured or analyzed on-site, but still... the end is in sight, yet so far away..."

"Satā-sama, are you regressing to childhood behavior?"

"I can't make sense of what's even written here."

"Let's prepare tea and something sweet, just in case. Note to self."

By the way, when we returned to the rest room, there was Satō, muttering to herself, staring into space, yet her fingers never paused on the keyboard, moving smoothly and steadily.

It seems the report required by Seiryō Corporation is quite demanding, and since the recipient is someone Satō greatly respects, she's clearly struggling with it quite a bit.

It's unfortunate, but all we can do to help is organize the data and offer some distraction... Sata, please keep pushing forward.

It seems you've made progress since earlier, at least.

11/19 Correction of typo