281: Planet Vanilla Sid P3

"Looks like it's coming into view."

I move through the ether space, drawing closer to Planet Vanilla Sid P3.

Planet Vanilla Sid P3 was literally stripped bare during the early days of the Vanilla Space Empire's expansion into the cosmos, harvested entirely for resources.

Now, only the crust remains—its core completely gone.

It's like an eggshell left behind after a large hole has been punched through it and numerous cracks have formed—just the outer layer remains.

Naturally unsuitable for human habitation, and visited only by a very small number of tourists, with only a few small colonies scattered nearby.

Imperial forces stationed there are truly few in number.

"Surprisingly thick, isn't it?"

"According to the notes, they've kept just enough structural integrity to prevent collapse due to their own weight, so some sections are said to resemble a maze."

I moved through the crust of Planet Vanilla Side P3, approaching the core.

The crust's thickness... somewhere between ten and dozens of kilometers.

Thicker than I expected, and occasionally, I spotted holes as if something had been digging through it.

Moreover, entry through the large hole directly leading to the center was blocked by Vilijaniira.

So that must be why.

"Preparing to emerge at the core."

『Yes.』

And just as if confirming my thoughts, it was located near the center of Planet Vanilla Sid P3—positioned in a spot invisible from the large hole that directly connected to the outside.

"Hm? Hnnnnn～?"

It stood beside an unfamiliar polyhedral object, without wearing a spacesuit.

I couldn't see its face since I appeared behind it, but I could tell it had bright red hair and was wearing a coat made of random, haphazardly stitched pieces of various animal hides.

"Strange... a disruption has appeared in what was otherwise a smooth, almost infuriatingly orderly flow. It's not the crimson shade—it moves predictably. Not deep red either; even if it were to betray us now, that wouldn't cause any real disturbance. Could it be gold and its surroundings? No, it doesn't seem to be behaving oddly at all..."

Sweet... a voice with a sweet, melodic tone.

Yet, if you put it in your mouth, the bitterness and harshness are so intense that you immediately realize the sweetness is nothing but a lie—sharp, acrid, and scorching your tongue.

Though it's a vacuum with no air to carry sound, the fact that the voice reaches me is already supernatural. But more than that, the voice alone makes it clear that this presence is utterly alien.

There's no doubt—this is Funa ka.

"Then... ah, a maiden and sacrifice of Viridian. The woman with repulsive, repulsive eyes, dragging the silt-dredging ventus, huh～"

And he felt it.

His exact location had not yet been recognized.

But Funaka had already sensed his presence, and in just a few seconds, this creature would achieve its goal and flee.

"Vee!"

"Anytime you're ready!"

That's why I materialized my powered suit right behind Funaka, and as soon as it appeared, my suit's right arm—previously pulled back in readiness—shot forward straight at Funaka, aiming to knock her off her feet.

"!?!"

"Oh well, what a bother... Seriously, what a real pain...!"

Just as I made contact with Funaka,

my right arm shattered and was blown apart.

Not an explosion, not a severing—my body was scattered, stripped of the very elements essential to binding cells together, the same elements required for molecular and atomic cohesion.

"I never planned on being seen by you all here. Ah, plans unraveling. Discord spreading. Bonds that should have formed through smooth progression now twisted... nnngghh!? Tch, I can't take this anymore...!!"

I put some distance between myself and them.

At the same time, I checked my own condition, including my core body.

No abnormalities in my core body, none in Vee and the others either. My powered suit is fine except for my right arm, which... I can't seem to regenerate properly.

So instead of trying to regenerate it, I'll create a new one while analyzing the opponent's mod—no, their OS—from the destroyed right arm.

Haaah～～～… Well then, shall I introduce myself? Princess Vilijanira En Bananageng, daughter of His Imperial Majesty. And then, the cosmic monster of dredging, Satā Komon Sēteks. Hehehehe, it seems we had quite the falling-out before coming near me—how childish, I can't help but get excited. Ah, my apologies, I haven't even given my name yet.

Funaqa spoke as she slowly turned toward us.

In that moment, instinctively, I restricted the connection between my powered suit and my true body, and locked the gateway linking to the Ether Space so that Viridiana would not accidentally gaze directly at it.

"My name is Funaqa=Conplarex. A splinter god who adores the concept of discord, arrived from beyond this world."

Funaqa's face... was truly just an ordinary, unremarkable human face.

Yet the expression on that face was a twisted grin, as if he couldn't contain his delight at this very moment.

Just by looking at that expression, one could tell.

This one was absolutely an incompatible enemy.

There was no choice but to defeat, kill, and destroy him.

"Aaaah, splendid hostility. With utmost respect for that magnificent enmity, and to weave and then shatter the bond between you and me, allow me to make a proposal, don't you think so~?"

"A proposal?"

Funaka pulled out a slender object, lit the tip, and brought the unlit end to his mouth.

A cigarette, perhaps?

His right arm still wasn't healed.

So, buying time, I responded to Funaka's words.

Vee too was nodding, trying to grasp the situation a little better.

Leave me behind and run away. If you do, I promise I won't pursue you here.

The words spoken by Funa ka, as smoke coiled around his lips, were anything but acceptable.

Hit him hard, Satā!

"Uwaaah!"

So I slammed my unharmed left hand into Funaka's face.

05/14 Correction of Typographical Errors