286: Commencing response

"Alright! First wave of countermeasures!"

『……Understood. Proceeding immediately!』

Viljaganiira continues buying time against the cosmic monster Shuu for one minute.

First, the mod designed to prevent the worst-case scenario is completed.

I immediately apply it to the powered suit, and Viljaganiira, having quickly loaded the hastily prepared manual, moves exactly as I intended.

『First one, launching.』

From my hand, the powered suit released a solid sphere composed of crushed corms of Hekyomoryu, my ink, and a custom-modified enhancement, hardened into form.

The sphere was launched into space and, after traveling for a while, its position relative to the nearby planet Vanilla Sid P3 became fixed.

「「「!?」」」

"What happened? The normal sequence has been disrupted."

The effect was dramatic.

Among the cosmic monsters near the sphere, those that had taken on the form of the sphere itself gradually turned black and shattered apart, coming to a complete stop.

Those resembling fish also slowed down noticeably, their movements visibly decelerating.

But above all, what was most significant was that the event rupture no longer occurred—making it impossible to explode, even if one wanted to.

And this change seemed to have caught Funa Ka completely off guard.

Even the instructions from Funa Ka, mixed in with the cosmic monster Shuu, showed signs of hesitation.

"Second, third, fourth..."

"Vee-sama. I'll provide a map showing where to launch the third and subsequent ones."

"Please do. Memo."

Seizing the opportunity presented by that hesitation, I continued producing phenomenon collapse seals, and following Memokushi's instructions, Vilijanira launched them to their designated locations.

As I continued increasing their number, the range of the ink spheres gradually expanded, spreading out like a cage...

"Based on the reaction of the 'Hetero Water Mirror,' they're already trying to escape beyond the spheres' range. We need to hurry. Vee-sama, Satra."

"I know. This is the tenth one. There shouldn't be any problems."

It seems they won't be sealed off so easily.

Even with Funaka's orders, the space monster Shuu refuses to step inside the ink sphere's range, apparently judging it unwise to be trapped here on its own initiative.

There are individuals trying to escape.

We're also too few to contain those who've begun multiplying from the spaceship.

This part simply can't be handled by us alone—there's just not enough manpower.

'Uh-oh! They're getting away...'

There's no way Doctor Mizeon and the Imperial Army aren't working together.

That's why the individual we couldn't contain escaped beyond the cage meant to imprison the core I was trying to create... and was instantly pierced by something flying in from Imperial Star Vanilla Sid, vanishing without causing an explosion due to event horizon collapse.

And this phenomenon didn't just happen once or twice—it continued on and on.

"Wait, I mean... even if we set Dr. Mizeon aside, isn't the imperial army moving too quickly?"

There was a message from Dr. Mizeon. Apparently, there was a live-fire cannon aimed toward Planet Vanilla Sid P3, and apparently, it was easily possible to equip a modified version based on Lord Sata's mod onto the cannon shell.

"‘……’"

The words of Memokushi hint at the involvement of some creator... but we're wise enough to stay silent.

Moreover, according to the specifications sent by Dr. Mizeon, the support attacks coming from Tei-sei Vanilla Sid and the surrounding colonies toward us can only defeat the space monster Shuu if they land a direct hit—otherwise, they’re ineffective.

The ones multiplying from the spacecraft can be relied upon, but we’ll have to handle the ones growing from the core ourselves.

'Sata'

"I understand. The mod to completely destroy the space monster Shuu and its core is already ready."

Well, since we won’t be the ones in trouble, let's take it positively.

First, the mod to counter the space monster Shuu has already been completed.

If we apply it and land the attack, the Space Monster Shuu won't be able to cause spacetime collapse—and will die.

Since the current Space Monster Shuu exists in a state similar to an energy lifeform, it will literally vanish without a trace.

"Vee-sama. We're at the final point. What shall we do?"

"...I'll open it deliberately. If we seal it completely, we won't be able to predict the opponent's actions. So, Satu."

Understood. I'll adjust the range, gradually expanding it into a cylindrical shape.

The confinement is nearly complete.

It seems Viridianiara, wary of the fully enclosed cosmic monster Shu attempting a forced breakout, has deliberately left it slightly open, opting instead to focus on interception.

Then, I should move to support that strategy.

"Satou. Considering the shape of the cosmic monster Shu, I'd recommend making the structure more winding or adding zigzag patterns rather than keeping it cylindrical. Sending data now."

"Is that so? Then I'll go with that."

Accordingly, I adjusted the shape of the interception point to match Joaharis's suggestion.

It seems that by continuously monitoring the movements of the cosmic monster Shuu through the 'Hisonkyō,' Joaharis has figured out Shuu's swimming abilities—though he can't make use of them, he's come up with a way to ensure Shuu won't dare break through the range of the ink sphere.

"Good, it's ready. Let's adapt to it."

"Vee-sama. The cosmic monster Shuu and the others will be arriving shortly."

"Vee-sama. Even if we miss the target, the Imperial Army is on standby, so please don't worry."

"...Yes."

At that moment, the mod for combating the cosmic monster Shuu was completed and applied.

The ink coating on my limbs and the tips of my tentacles, previously black, shifted to a vivid teal—almost identical to the phosphorescent glow surrounding Viridianiela's eyes.

"Break through! Break through!! Avenge yourselves!!"

Never forgive! Never forgive!! Never forgive the human who slaughtered me!! Eradicate them completely!!

Then, here we go!

And, wielding the powered suit controlled by Viridianiara, I charged toward the swarm of cosmic monsters known as Shuu, having slowed down after exiting the maze of ink spheres.

05/19 Correction of Typographical Errors