313: Lethal Bug Bomber

"S-such incredible destructive power..."

Total mass of 11 grams, a mixture of 13 different objects, with 17 modifications applied in a specific order to specific objects, going through 19 steps—this triggers an event breakdown, releasing energy with uneven intensity capable of blowing apart a planet. The most troublesome test subject the Seiryō Corporation has ever faced. In-house nickname... 'Fatal Bug Bomber.' I've never used it myself before, but yeah, it's seriously dangerous.

The planet, torn apart within the mantle, scattered toward the Siltrilich system.

Joharis skillfully dodged the debris using the 'Shake Border,' but the other spacecraft... well, the imperial warships seem to be handling it fine, remaining calm and composed.

In contrast, the warships from the Siltrilich system were in ruins—their shields shattered by scattered crustal fragments, their hulls crushed, and one after another exploding in rapid succession.

"But thanks to Sata, the planet cannon has been destroyed. Now is the time to take our next move."

"Vee-sama. I'll display the external camera footage."

"Please do."

Now, there were several reasons why I brought out this dangerous item—what I call the 'Fatal Bug Bomber.'

First, I needed to destroy the planet cannon quickly and reliably.

Second, I wanted to trigger the phenomenon known as event collapse.

Third, I wanted to demonstrate that we also possess the means to destroy a planet.

It's only because the first option exists that the second and third become viable—and only because we've used them do we gain their benefits. But once we've used them, we should make the most of what's possible.

So, Vilijanila checks the surrounding conditions via the external camera, while I also scan the entire Siltrilirichi system.

"Found it."

And just like that, both Vilijanila and I found it simultaneously.

A massive amount of energy, generated as a result of the catastrophic event known as the phenomenon rupture, was primarily used to destroy the planet and the planetary cannon. However, a portion of this energy was cleverly harnessed by exploiting the discord between mods, drawn non-destructively to two locations within the star system.

One location is a specific spot on the surface of Siltrilirichi-1, likely a facility used to sustain and operate the Funaka OS.

The other figure stands in a corner of the asteroid belt, a lone silhouette atop one of the countless asteroids—essentially, the location of Funaka.

"Commander Dragstarck. We've located the enemy's critical base. Please proceed with handling it."

"Understood. How about you, Vilegianira?"

"We'll deal with Funaka ourselves. Stay clear of the area—there's danger nearby."

"Understood."

Orders flowed from Vilegianira to Dragstarck, and from Dragstarck to each ship in the fleet.

Once the orders were received, the imperial fleet's battleships split into two groups—one to keep the remaining Siltrilich vessels occupied, and another to seize and destroy ground-based facilities—before moving out.

All ships are equipped with the mod to prevent interference from Funakos, and units conducting ground operations have it deployed at the individual personnel level, but these measures are not absolute and their effectiveness is time-limited.

Whether they’ll make it in time will ultimately depend on their efforts.

"Satu."

"I know."

Meanwhile, our side begins its operation.

Moving the 'Shake Border' into the ether space, the Viridianiela swiftly took their seats in the cockpit designed to control my powered suit and activated it.

At the same moment, I materialized my powered suit right next to Funaka.

"Aaaahh～～! Yes! Wonderful! Trivian!! I've never experienced such a delicious contradiction before!! It's clearly the work of a bottom-dwelling scavenger, yet even knowing that—I can't help but savor it!! No, precisely because I know it, I can't resist!!"

Even though I was right nearby in my powered suit, Funaka was completely absorbed in sucking in the energy generated by the phenomenon rupture.

His expression was nothing short of ecstasy, arms wide open as he greedily inhaled the energy directly.

Looking at this scene, one can't help but realize:

Even though Funaka resembles a human, there's no doubt he is not human.

And yet, the phenomenon of planetary destruction was nothing short of irresistible bait for Funaka—something he understood perfectly well was merely a means to anchor his existence within the star system, yet still too tempting to resist.

"Ah, is that so? Then pay the price with your life."

"!?"

Without hesitation, I strike Funaka with all my might.

The self-defense mechanism that seemed to disassemble him was already accounted for—completely ineffective.

The sensation of impact was unchanged from before.

Funaka was hurled into another nearby asteroid, creating a crater—but it seems he himself suffered almost no damage.

"Ah, so you've come at last. Priestess of Bentos. I would've liked to savor this discord a little longer, but now that it's come to this... I'll lose my base... Wait, what?"

But apparently, he decided it wasn't wise to fight here any longer.

Funaka attempted to teleport... but nothing happened.

As expected.

"Huh? Hnnn? Why can't I teleport? What's this dissonance in the spatial connection?"

"Seemed to have worked, even if it was just imitation."

"Worked? Don't be ridiculous. Even something like Bentos's scheme—my strength alone should've forced it through... Wait, no!?"

I'm sorry, but I'd like to request interference with, or rather, intervention in the VanillOS and FunakaOS spreading across the Siltrilich System and its surroundings. Something similar to the recent superluminal navigation lockdown that occurred in the Vanilla Sid System.

"!?"

Since we've interfered with Vanilla OS through official channels, we've set restrictions that prevent faster-than-light travel.

There's no possibility of Funaka breaking.

After all, it's not me who's interfering— it's Chirarizumu = Konpuraekusu.

Still, I'm the one who's making the request for interference...

"Well then, I won't allow you to escape like this. Die."

"...I see. So if you want to survive, you must defeat Bentos. That's what you're saying, right?"

If I lose, Funaka can escape.

That's the simple truth of it.

06/14 Correction of typo