Chapter 122: A Small Stream Becomes Great

What Dawson did was deliver a schematic of Heaven Hailou to the underground network.

The underground residents then devised a strategy to breach Heaven Hailou based on that schematic. Afterward, they concluded it was impossible due to the presence of the escort fleet.

These events were negligible in the grand scale of Orion Arm—so brief they might as well have never occurred.

Yet everything, simply by existing, exerts influence.

And a small influence can serve as a catalyst for a greater one.

As the old Earth saying went: the flutter of a butterfly’s wing could eventually trigger a great storm.

"Still, this is going too far."

It was ten days after Dawson released the information onto the network.

Before Dawson, a spatial projection monitor displayed a scene. A group labeled as extremists dissatisfied with the SU government delivered a statement.

‘We have concluded that the SU government acts foolishly by abandoning its people—solely because of the existence of Heaven Hailou. We are certain that Heaven Hailou must be destroyed.’

This resistance organization, founded based on religious groups from the Earth era.

It operates with the stated goal of reviving faith, concerned that belief has faded among many people in the current spacefaring era.

Why does such an organization loudly demand the destruction of Heaven Hailou?

It stems from a simple, base desire.

The S.U. government claims to allow individual religious freedom, but appears to grant no favors to religious organizations.

Not only that. Whenever a religious organization seems likely to grow large, it has repeatedly conducted forced investigations, seeking evidence of wrongdoing to dismantle it.

The Tenshin Koudan is said in information networks to be a survivor of a religious organization previously crushed by the government.

Evidence of wrongdoing likely included fabricated charges. At the very least, the members of the Tenshin Koudan seem to believe that.

Perhaps. But humans tend to turn to wrongdoing once they gain power or authority. Seeing survivors turn to terrorism, the evidence might have been legitimate after all.

Dawson found Oine's sharp observation plausible.

While the two spoke, the Tenshin Koudan's speech continued.

—The government is considering abandoning its abandonment policy. However, leaving the Heaven Hailou in place in this manner still leaves the possibility of renewed abandonment. To prevent such a future, those who agree with our position are urged to stand. Those who agree should locate our religious symbol and make contact. We are waiting.

The broadcast ended with an image of the Tenshin Koudan's mark: a square box with a circular halo floating above it.

"Bold words, but no concrete proposals. What do you think, Oine, about this speech?"

"Yes. The most likely explanation is that they're trying to attract new followers."

The disruption of Heaven Hailou was mentioned, but the core purpose was recruitment, you’re suggesting?

The Tenshin Koudan is known as an extremist religious organization. It is widely believed that it lacks the military capability to breach Heaven Hailou or its protective fleet. Therefore, recruiting individuals dissatisfied with the government as members is the most feasible path to expand the organization.

A classic case of promise-driven fraud.

They set an unachievable goal. Then they demand support because they want to achieve it. They keep soliciting more personnel and supplies, claiming it’s still insufficient. Yet they never take action. Eventually, they redirect the gathered people and resources toward another objective.

Oine considered whether the Tenshin Koudan might be operating under this fraud.

Dawson, however, held a different opinion.

"No. I think the Tenshin Koudan is serious about destroying the Heaven Hailou. I've heard the key to deception is remaining unseen by most. If too many people witness it, someone sharp-eyed or sharp-eared will notice the scheme and expose it."

"So broadcasting this footage across the cosmic information network goes against that principle."

"Considering that point, one can predict what the Tenshin Koudan is trying to achieve by releasing the footage."

"Trying to achieve?"

"Didn't Oine just say the Tenshin Koudan lacks military force? They're gathering that force."

"…Just from this single broadcast?"

Oine looked skeptical.

Dawson, however, was certain he was correct.

There are many entities dissatisfied with the government, just like the Tenshin Koudan. They do not coalesce into a large force because they avoid drawing government attention and because of ideological differences. But under a single representative, for a short-term, singular objective—wouldn’t they gather?

In this case, the government’s attention is focused solely on the Tenshin Koudan. And they would set aside ideological differences until the destruction of Heaven Hailou is complete. If that’s the case, it’s plausible.

After securing Oine’s agreement, Dawson suddenly appeared to notice something, then grimaced as if enduring a headache.

A sudden, unpleasant feeling. What if Chicken Ball and the corporations join in the destruction of Heaven Hailou?

That… is possible.

Oine seemed to realize the same possibility, her expression showing concern.

"Not Chicken Ball, but the aristocratic faction from Amato Imperial Japan, isn't that right?"

"They've produced nothing since arriving at the Orion Arm. Lieutenant Jinku earned recognition in the prior SU Space Navy engagement, but dividing that credit among the other two leaves it effectively worthless."

"Therefore, targeting Heaven Hailou—the device advancing into the Amato Arm—could yield sufficient merit."

"Even corporations see value in Heaven Hailou. Standard long-range jumps require extended travel time to reach destination, but spatial distortion-type jump rings achieve instantaneous transit. Their utility in transport and trade is substantial."

"Attempting to seize the opportunity presented by the destruction of Heaven Hailou, gathering its structure and operational data to develop a new spatial jump ring independently, is what you're suggesting."

This conversation remained speculative.

Yet both felt a strong sense that such a future was plausible.

"What would you do, Dawson, if that actually came to pass?"

"I have no intention of joining some suspicious religion like Tenshin Koudan. If I must choose, I’d lead the effort to destroy Heaven Hailou myself."

"So you won’t participate?"

"I won’t participate. But I might still use whatever arises. Though, that’s only if it actually happens."

Immediately after Dawson established his precautionary stance, a communication arrived at the Sparrow Hawk’s bridge from the administrative chamber of Chicken Ball.