183: The Fifth Primeval Colony

"...Really, the Third Primeval Colony and the Fifth Primeval Colony have connected... "

"This is the power of the cosmic monster. The Imperial Army... no, the power of those allied with Lady Vilijanira..."

The machine intelligences gathered at both bases are stunned, but I’ve successfully connected the base of the machine intelligences in the Third Primeval Colony to the one in the Fifth Primeval Colony through the gate I created.

"This time, the alignment is just right, isn't it?"

"It's not just right—it was deliberately matched. I put a lot of thought into it, including the approach route."

"Thank you, Satā-sama. It seems the data isn't damaged after all."

"Yeah. With this, we should be able to properly retrieve the data using the 'Hetero Mirror'."

With that settled, we proceeded normally.

Normally, a move between Prime Colonies would take a full day—though not quite that long, still requiring at least half a day including formalities. Yet we managed it in just an hour or so.

For safety's sake, we kept the gate closed afterward.

You never know what kind of problems might arise if you leave it open for too long.

"So, what were we supposed to do next?"

That’s a bit off track, but let’s recall what we did from the moment we left the hotel until we moved to the Fifth Primordial Colony.

First, we contacted the nobles ruling the Sibra Smith system, the machine intelligences cooperating with them, and various security and law enforcement agencies.

The message contained offers of cooperation, specific details, the fact that we'd be moving using highly specialized and classified technology, and various other particulars—though frankly, the main point was simply aligning the story so that it wouldn't raise suspicion that we, who should have been in the Third Primordial Colony, were actually in the Fifth Primordial Colony.

With the communication concluded, we decided to use, as the location to connect the gate, a secure facility managed by mechanical intelligences—certainly the most reliable place where no evidence could possibly leak outside. We then moved to that location.

We actually connected the gate... well, it was extremely difficult.

When contacting the Fifth Primeval Colony from Ether Space, I had to be very careful with trajectory and precision, making sure not to erase the OS response I sensed through the "Hisonkyō"—something that seemed to belong to a cosmic monster.

I also took great care in adjusting direction, so that no accident like the previous transfer would occur.

Thanks to all this, I'm now resting mentally, sitting on a nearby chair.

"Yeah... Memo, Joharis."

"Understood."

"Got it."

"Then I'll slowly move away from the Fifth Primeval Colony."

Now, the first thing to do at the Fifth Primeval Colony is an investigation using the 'Anomaly Mirror.'

Well, naturally.

That's exactly why we're here.

"Measurement complete. Displaying results."

"Definitely clear now—distance is close, that's for sure."

The survey seems to be finished.

Memoqui operates the machine, displaying a hologram showing the fifth Primordial Colony from the outside, followed by another hologram focusing on a specific part.

"Different reaction from another OS, but it's appearing suddenly, just like yesterday."

"It really feels like it's popping out of nowhere."

"And the detected response suddenly raises a rod-like object above its head, swings it down, moves slightly at high speed, then... disappears."

This... is really showing fine details.

While we can't determine facial features or exact height, the movements it's making are clear enough to understand.

"Note: Just to confirm, does the time and location match the crime scene?"

"They match. So we can assume this incident was committed by someone using a different OS."

Hmm, hmm.

The possibility that this was actually unrelated to the case has now been ruled out.

Well then, that's that.

At first glance, it looks like the height is around 180 centimeters, and the rod-like object is roughly one meter long.

And it really did kill the opponent with just a single swing.

Being able to figure this out is quite convenient.

"So, it's basically a space monster?"

"Most likely."

"Well, there's no way a human being could move at that speed."

"True. With no eyewitnesses, it's definitely not human."

However, it's precisely because the 'Hishui Mirror' is so convenient that the abnormality in movement after the crime became apparent.

According to the 'Hishui Mirror' data, this thing is running at nearly 100 meters per second.

Converted to the speed of sound in a standard gaseous environment, that's roughly Mach 0.3.

Even with physical enhancement mods alone, that's impossible; it's extremely difficult even with cybernetic enhancements or powered suits, and definitely not something a bare-handed human could achieve.

To put it more precisely, running at such a speed should have caused noticeable damage from air pressure around the area, yet there's no sign of that, nor any witness accounts.

It's plausible that they escaped before the investigation net was fully formed, but that still stands out as extraordinarily abnormal—almost like a statistical anomaly.

Yeah, just from this alone, it's clear we shouldn't consider them a normal human being anymore.

"Lord Viridiani. May we share this information with the investigative agency?"

"Feel free. However, please inform them that since the investigation employs a specialized mod, the evidence cannot be used in court."

"Understood."

Well, regardless.

By this point, my alert level has already skyrocketed.

After all, the opponent can sprint at the speed of sound without being noticed by bystanders, and cleave a victim in half with a single strike that ignores shields.

Even if I, Mekoshi, and Joharis are spared, it's certain I could see it if Vilijianira were targeted—but depending on the position and timing, it might be impossible to react in time.

I should stay on high alert, just in case the attack comes at any time or place.