275: Suppression Begins

"Who... what is this... gurgle!?"

"Ghh...!?"

"What... can't move..."

"Perfect."

The situation shifted.

An unidentified force launched an attack on the Vanilla Sid mod research facility, while simultaneously striking large shopping centers and government facilities—as if playing the role of a firebreaker or a diversionary tactic.

This attack is quite massive, with numerous casualties already reported—so much so that it's hardly an exaggeration to say it's openly challenging even the Emperor, not just the nobles in charge of this district.

"Joharis. Investigate carefully."

"I understand."

"W-what are you even—wait, hold on, wait a minute!?"

"What kind of humiliation is this!?"

With that, the four of us moved forward to subdue the attackers.

First, I subdued the attackers nearest to us using my gravity control mod, while Meemox and I kept watch on the surroundings. Meanwhile, Joharlis began stripping off the attackers' clothes.

"Sat. Is this it?"

"That's it. Don't touch it. If you do, Joharlis will be taken over."

After removing several layers, we discovered a metal necklace, worn directly against the skin.

I'll just touch it to check... Yeah, it's a mind-control device mixed with Magatsuki powder.

"Then, Sata. Destroy it."

"Got it."

So I sprayed ink onto it, neutralizing the mod.

Then, I shoved a ball made from the tubers of Heikyo Morely grown in the greenhouse, mixed with various spices, into his mouth and forced him to swallow it, forcibly bringing him back to his senses.

"Alright, are you conscious now? Can you remember who you are, where you are, and what you were doing?"

"A-ah... yes..."

As he regained his senses, Villigianira proceeded to confirm his name, age, and whether he could recall his memories.

It seemed this individual had, several days prior, been given a necklace made of Magatsuki powder and, under orders from an unknown party, had led an artificial human—something not of his own household—here.

And so, while carrying out sabotage activities, we were subdued by them.

"……"

Vilijanila, having learned these interrogation results, wore a troubled expression.

But then again, this was unavoidable.

First, regarding the attack itself, our suppression was gradually progressing.

The enemy had sent human puppets controlled by Magatsuki powder as squad leaders, and artificial humans trained only in combat as regular troops, launching an assault on the Vanilla Side mod research facility and its surroundings. However, our forces were steadily growing over time, while theirs were only diminishing.

From my main body's perspective, it wasn't even a real fight—calling the attack a failure would be an understatement.

That said, what really matters is why the attack took place and how things will unfold from here...

Yeah, it's at a level even I can tell something's off.

It would be strange if you didn't think something was off about Viridianilla.

It seems more likely that the master unit of Magatsuki is in Fuuna's possession, rather than Prince Shinkubirimzo. If it were the prince or a noble under his command, the execution would have been far less sloppy.

"It feels less like organized action and more like they're operating under the assumption that failure is inevitable. To put it bluntly, it seems their goal is simply to create victims and drive a wedge between the various parties involved."

"I agree. While searching through the camera data from this area, it seems they're prioritizing assassinations of high-profile individuals over theft of valuables or destruction of specific items."

"Guess we're getting to that kind of conversation after all. If they didn't want their main base found, coming here to destroy the 'Hetero Mirror' wouldn't make sense."

It seemed our four opinions had mostly aligned.

The mastermind behind the attack wasn't Prince Synkubirimzo, but Funaka.

Considering it, Funaka holds the entire Magatsuki in their possession and possesses a wide range of abilities, so naturally having the highest authority, such as command rights, isn't unreasonable at all.

The true aim of the attack wasn't the 'Hetero Mirror,' but rather causing damage itself. It was perfectly convenient if the attacker died, and equally convenient if casualties resulted from the attack—truly infuriating.

It could be said that this suit better fits the mysterious Funaqa than even Prince Shinkubilimum, who holds a royal position.

I've heard Funaqa enjoys seeing relationships between people deteriorate and fall apart—making it even more fitting.

"Then... ah, Prince Hebikane Kara and Prince Shinkubilimum both entered this sector almost simultaneously from different directions. Looks like reinforcements."

Is that so? Then, shall we apprehend as many suspects as possible and hand them over to Lord Hebbi? If we hand them over to Prince Synquibirim, they might try to destroy the evidence.

And at that moment, His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince and Prince Syunkubirimu arrived, leading their respective followers into the sector.

The goal is the same—subduing the attackers—but the approach is entirely different.

To put it precisely, His Highness the Crown Prince is acting purely to resolve the situation, while Prince Syunkubirimu... is likely manipulating circumstances—possibly even covering up evidence—in a way that suits his own interests.

Of course, this is just my perspective from my own position and that of Virijanira, so my interpretation might be biased.

"Master Vee. We've secured personnel and tractors for detention, and have completed the containment after disarming the subjects."

Understood. Then let's move forward. Sata.

Ah. Knocking them all down one after another.

Anyway.

If the attacker is a manipulated human and the other side prefers them to be dead, then subduing them without killing would be the most unpleasant option for the opponent.

The gravity-control-based suppression mod, developed precisely because objects cannot be recklessly broken, is what thrives in such situations.

With that in mind, we neutralize the attackers while pressing forward.