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Chapter 378: Swarm
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With a fluctuation in the fabric of space, there now stood a hand-sized little girl with an orange pair of frills on her one-piece dress and skirt.
“…..”
[Oh, is that another Universe Spirit? So young!]
Gaia was surprised when Siva pulled out Lily. A few stars glittered around her head and her pair of eyes was even a cross-star, shining brightly.
Her tongue even stuck out to lick her lips.
[Sooooo adorable!!! I wanna eat her! I bet she tastes like chocolate marshmallow!]
“Control yourself.”
[Er… erhm…. A-apologies, My Lord. I lost to my inner self.]
“….”
Afraid of his thoughts going somewhere nice, a forced firing of the initial process of guessing what that inner self was made Siva’s face show a soulless expression.
Siva ignored the Elf and studied the NavPix-Lily which was a prototype of the final goal.
“Aside from her looks, everything seems to be normal, I guess. Although it’s still unable to use our intended function, it’s at least 50% there. It doesn’t even weight much despite the materials that we used in it.”
[It’s our master piece although there seems to be some unforeseen changes when installing the personality algorithm we designed. These colors on her body are all brought forth by the personality algorithm itself as if a preferential. It has integrated a default functionality of blending the Grey Rock and the Nano-Alloy materials in a very balanced harmony of functionality. The SS-Generator seems to work beyond the simulated predictions as initially intended.]
Cortana was proud of her.
‘Show me the stats.’
D-D-DRING!!
====================================
«NavPix – Lily»
Type: Equipment
Rarity: S
Weight Units: 3 we
Inventory Slots: 6 slots
Durability: 100/100%
Materials: Glandanium Alloy, Black Ironwood Alloy, Tesla Coil, NanoTech, Grey Rock, Black Rock
Manufacturer: Siva
Item Description:
An incomplete version of an attempt to create a new form of life from scratch and poor resources, but aimed to express unique functionalities to the person which the personality-AI installed in NavPix is bound to.
Mechanical Functions:
*Independent PASSIVE SS-Generator
*Independent PASSIVE Absolute Domain
*Independent PASSIVE Auricle Scan
*Independent PASSIVE Communications Link
*External Independent Options Panel
*Options Panel Access (optional)
*Personal Organizer Functionality
*NavPix Independent Personality Growth
*Objective Programmable Loyalty Functionality
*Independent PASSIVE SS-Generator
>> Output: 5% of MAX equipment capacity
>> Requires one [boost] per 24hrs
*Independent PASSIVE Absolute Domain
>> MAX range: 600m radius
*Independent PASSIVE Auricle Scan
>> Features 9 auxiliary sensorial functionalities
____> Orbitual visual scanning: 250MP quality
____> Olfactory sensory and atomic scanning
____> Infrared–UV visual-radio transceiver
____> Radial map displacement scanning ability
____> Integrated atmospheric scanning
____> integrated auditory radial mapping
____> integrated [Item Analyzer]
____>
____>
>> MAX range: 600m radius
*Independent PASSIVE Communications Link
>> MAX range: 30km
[External Independent Options Panel]
Allows NavPix to have its own Options Panel and use it better to give its owner more freedom and support-oriented functionalities.
[Options Panel Access] (optional)
—can be turned ON and OFF—
Allows NavPix to access its owner’s Options Panel and helps to shorten navigational access time delays. Very useful especially during battles and quick decision moments.
[Personal Organizer Functionality]
NavPix can be brought outside RPG: Terroa and will retain most of its abilities as a NavPix. It can also manifest through Real@D rendering on few selected areas that had such installed features.
[NavPix Independent Personality Growth]
The AI of the NavPix begins at an age appropriate to be graded as somewhere between 3 or 4 years old and thus can grow in accordance to the owner’s activities.
[Objective Programmable Loyalty Functionality]
NavPix can be transferred to another owner as long as the original owner allows it to and with the NavPix agreeing with the ownership transferral.
====================================
‘It’s way beyond the projected features!’
But Siva’s reaction, well, should he say, I should have expected it?
The finished product, the “NavPix-Lily”, is a bit of a distance off from what Siva originally saw in the finished blueprint.
‘The functions have improved, especially the SS-Generator, but it’s still far off from my final intended objective. Still, these features really are still better than the estimated projections for a prototype design.’
The SS-Generator….
It improved the projected passive [Auricle Scan] and [Absolute Domain] by 20%, making them 600m-wide simultaneously.
‘This could be credited to the independent SS-Generator’s high output functions that even with the poor boosting from the Spark Grenade is able to produce a power level that makes use of its high-grade material’s capabilities.’
Because [Tesla Coils] are the highest-grade any person could wish for on a super conductor. As the design of the S-Generator was already one-of-its-kind because of its revolutionary concept and with Siva’s unbridled pursuit for perfection, with this material, it was even boosted further.
‘But these colors…’
Right now, “Lily” had three colors on her.
Green hair, orange dress, and a fair pinkish skin color… “Lily” looked like a real little girl from a French fashion show. Though those colors had different shades on them, they still belonged on the same spectrum.
But what made Siva stunned was her face.
It has Cortana all over it.
‘Yep. I should have expected it.’
[Boss, should I prioritize developing the anger emotional algorithm or the ‘despair’ algorithm? I can clearly hear your thoughts about my taste.]
Siva could only sigh.
Cortana’s ‘replies’ were all emotionless reactions that he himself had approved from the first day they’ve met.
She may sound sarcastic or humorous at times, or even cold and detached on a few occasions, but it was all for the sake of stabilizing Siva’s mental and emotional tendencies… pointing her replies and reactions to the ‘real’ and ‘rational’ side of his train of thoughts. This way, his brain would work on ways and directions even he wouldn’t expect at times.
And since Siva knew that one of Cortana’s core primary objectives was to stabilize all his violent tendencies, Siva fully understood that if Cortana wasn’t here, he wouldn’t be this strong now and obtain all these benefits.
Siva accepted that within these short few days that they shared, Cortana had become the larger part of all his strengths.
[I can read your thoughts, boss.]
‘…..’
Despite feeling embarrassed, Siva still focused one of his thoughts while looking at the NavPix standing on his palm.
Lily really looked like a cute little girl but her face was a direct cousin of her cat…. “(||_||)” with her twin tails on both sides of her head —a [magical girl] was on top of Siva’s palm.
(AN: Google: *not the adult* Mahou Shoujou)
“Nya?”
As if to ask if that was her cousin, the cat purred at his feet, rubbing its head on his leg.
“Grrrrrr…”
“Munyaaaaaa!!”
Siva growled playfully, the cat’s hairs rose and it ran behind Cortana, visually frightened by him.
Cortana picked up the cat and stroked its fur to ease its fright, hugging it.
[Isn’t she cute?]
Siva stared eye to eye with the child and when he inclined his head sideways, the little girl, Lily, did the same action.
When he inclined the other way, she did as well.
When he blinked, she blinked in turn.
When he nodded, she nodded back.
When he made a thumb’s up, she did the same.
It was adorable.
[Kyaaaaa…]
There was a wild cry not too far away from Siva.
It was a drooling Elf.
Lily was like an innocent child, mimicking all his actions, learning, adapting, and word for word functioning in the manner she was intended.
She was adorable.
Then, when he smiled, Lily stared blankly at him, a deadpan expression not making a move or any other action.
“!@^/#)%$&(!#”
Just now a thought flashed on Siva’s mind—
[Eh? Boss, is that something a child should be inheriting from their parents?]
—he had just thought that Lily ‘really came from Cortana’ in his mind.
He was just being sarcastic. If he did entertain that train of thought, then it might even imply as Lily being Cortana’s and Maki’s child.
It was an unthinkable notion so he deleted it on his mind immediately.
“Anyways, Gaia, since you’re here, you should also find this chance to reorganize The Temple and since we’ve already made a promise with the current Grand Elder Mage that we will train Scion to be his successor, then until we find a better inheritor to the post, we will act the part of our promise. That said… please teach Scion magic while you also fix the deteriorating internal structure of your organization.”
With a (forced) realignment of facial muscles, Gaia made a slight bow.
[I will follow Lord’s command.]
She was now back to her usual self with a voice layered with Mana to make it more mesmerizing and angelically soothing to the senses.
“With regards to our current predicament, I will leave you with reorganizing an action force that will supplement our front line and support lines with Barrier Magic and Healing Magic. Can’t you organize the Circle of Magi to mobilize?”
[I apologize, My Lord, the situation in the Inner Continents are much complicated than what the people in the Surface Continents are aware of.]
Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
“So in short, The Alliance is a broken pot, is it?”
[As a matter of fact, yes it is. You can see it with the situation of the Humans right now. Although they are a large part of what the Alliance stands for, the Terrans in the surface, most especially the ones in the Inner Continents, are all bias for them stepping in the sanctuary of Terra.]
Discrimination.
Siva understood it very clearly.
‘I wonder how Maki is doing right now? So it’s actually a blessing to them that I brought the two of them here for an upgrade. If I knew, I should have asked for more benefit and resources.’
Siva couldn’t help clicking his tongue.
Meanwhile Siva gave orders to Cortana, ‘Show me the PNF task palette.”
Current Processes:
1) SS-Generator 1000pcs: (0.01%)
2) Dáinsleif: (1.2%)
3) Rewloola (retrofit part number 2 of 23): 1.9%
4) Smasher Tower SS-Generator retrofits: 41%
5) ------
6) PNF (third part) Synchronization: 24%
7) PNF (third part) Synchronization: 24%
8) PNF (third part) Synchronization: 24%
9) PNF (third part) Synchronization: 24%
10) PNF (third part) Synchronization: 24%
Siva’s Portable Nano-Furnace (PNF) has been fixed with an additional PNF so its functionality was increased up to five times. Now, however, as Siva had always wanted, he managed to take another PNF from the Humans’ factory and fit it to his PNF-II which is now in 24% of synching.
‘In 15 minutes, it’s already in 24% that leaves me with another 45 minutes or so to completion.’
Right now, Siva was capable of multi-tasking five equipment production into the PNF but he’s not using the last one for emergencies.
If he chooses to focus only on a single task like how he did with Lily, then the speed of completion of a single task in the PNF will be five times faster than normal until the third part of the PNF that was just installed fully synched.
—but still, just the third part? I thought…
Siva couldn’t brush off a weird feeling. All this time, he thought that with the third PNF installed to the original, he could maximize the output. So now, seeing that it was just a third part, perhaps there was still a fourth or even a fifth.
‘Cortana... focus all our production resources on Dáinsleif and the Rewloola’s new parts. Oh wait, just how many SS-Generators have we finished so far?’
[We already have 11 so far sir.]
‘Install them all with the [Auricle Scan], [Absolute Domain], and [Comms Link] functionality. Create a reactionary network that will trigger [Absolute Domain] when something with our authorization code is within their range. Maximize the [Auricle Scan] with second priority for the [Comms Link] functionality and make it at least greater in range than a NavPix to optimize energy consumption.’
[Mission established. Displaying parameters…]
BLINK!!!
Siva gave a nod, studying the prototype drawing in front of him along with its expected item stats.
‘To improve the drone, fit them with the nano-compound from the Light Rock and Grey Rock materials we got from the girls’ haul. As for the [Absolute Domain], set deployment range from 10 to 15m radius so it will mask them from the scans of both Terran and Plasma Technologies.’
[Blueprint updated. Showing results….]
BLINK!!!
‘Hmm... one last adjustment... Add all remaining cameras from the spy gadgets we confiscated from Draco at least one on each. These will be our eyes in the sky. Set range for the [Absolute Domain] to be 80% focused on lateral as well as downward diffusion and 20% on overhead, with the camera rotation focus on 70% overhead and lateral probing, and 30% on terrain. Finish these preparations within the shortest time limit. We’ll need all of them in this upcoming battle.’
[Equipping modulated parameters. Displaying finalized blueprint.]
BLINK!!!
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«Liberty Drones»
Type: Equipment
Rarity: Rare
Weight Units: 8 we
Inventory Slots: 4 slots
Durability: 100/100%
Materials: Glandanium Alloy, Black Ironwood Alloy, Tesla Coil, NanoTech, Grey Rock
Manufacturer: Siva
Item Description:
Stationary drones assembled and disassembled when required. It provides support for a certain series of equipment items during activation and also serves as a repeater for a signal. Because it doesn’t have any other programmed functions, the energy supply is maximized and the energy consumption is optimized to always be at barest of the minimum for its operations. A prototype test machine that can be altered into a NavPix.
Mechanical Functions:
*Independent PASSIVE SS-Generator
*Independent PASSIVE Absolute Domain
*Independent PASSIVE Auricle Scan
*Independent PASSIVE Communications Link
*Independent PASSIVE SS-Generator
>> Output: 5% of MAX equipment capacity
>> Requires one [boost] per 48hrs
*Independent PASSIVE Absolute Domain
>> MAX range: 1km
*Independent PASSIVE Auricle Scan
>> Features 9 auxiliary sensorial functionalities
____> Orbitual visual scanning: 250MP quality
____> Olfactory sensory and atomic scanning
____> Infrared–UV visual-radio transceiver
____> Radial map displacement scanning ability
____> Integrated atmospheric scanning
____> integrated auditory radial mapping
____> integrated [Item Analyzer]
____>
____>
>> MAX range: 1km
*Independent PASSIVE Communications Link
>> MAX range: 30km
====================================
‘Begin adjustments.’
Upon the command, the task palette is updated and on the fifth slot showed an item “Liberty Drone (1/11): 1%” in a blink of an eye.
[Estimated completion time in 330 seconds.]
—five and a half minutes…
Siva was concerned.
‘With a 1km [Absolute Domain] range, I can use the [Comms Link] to reinforce any place that will require a help. The problem now is whether we will get support from The Alliance or not.’
The issue of discrimination was evident. Even if the Humans are a large part in the victory of the War of the Braves 56 years ago, there is still a very clear discrimination with treatments of the Terrans against Humans.
‘Jeremiah being established may have been the biggest fuel for this discrimination.’
Heroes?
The Original Terrans, yes, but the Humans were weaker than Terrans and only their technology and the Five Braves were the only exceptional ones that earned the respect of the Terrans.
Heck, if they brought something everlasting like the [Runes] then perhaps they’d be treated in a way more different than the current situation.
Alas, the Humans are not only weak. Aside from their technology, they can’t even bring in any other things that will significantly increase the Terrans’ impression of them.
In fact, they even bought their refugees!
The Five Braves may have been heroes of the war back then, but the rest of the Humans are all weak and even selfish, drowning in the false impression that their Five Braves’ glory extends down to them, the refugees.
Only a few of them can see the bigger picture and that’s the reason why they are only allowed to ‘wake up’ in Jeremiah, nowhere else.
‘But in the end, looking at the larger picture, the Terrans consisted 99% of the war effort in that war 56 years ago. The five humans who led the war —or at least what I know— focused all their effort on defeating one single enemy. They still sacrificed so much Terran blood who fought along with them. With the coronation of Lunette, Jeremiah declared Humans as the main effort of the victory. With the rest of the supporters of the five joining hands in the establishment of the Kingdom, it made Jeremiah the strongest nation in Terroa back then. Now though, it became very evident that the Humans were shunned in the passing of time. Pity, only with the treatment of The Teacher being warmer with the Humans did the Terrans gave them consideration.’
—was it for dad or for me?
Because both of them were there in that War of the Braves back then.
—Janus probably made it for me.
—he probably knew that in case I recover my memories in favour of his arrangements, I will be able to uncover what had happened in that war after I was forcefully logged out.
Siva didn’t know all that post-war stuff but given his intelligence, experience, Cortana’s analyses, and his observations, together with the facts he had heard and seen until now, it wasn’t that hard of a task to deduce all this from the given clues.
In the end, the reason why the Humans, without the Five Braves, is still being given face in The Alliance, is because the Terrans are still in need of the ‘products’ they produce.
—again, another of Janus’s arrangements!
‘They are being treated like a cow for milking.’
It was indeed a pity.
‘And here I am, taking their lifeblood from them and even bullying them. I am so evil.’
For some reason, Siva made a chuckle when his thoughts run through here, making Gaia blink.
He pocketed Lily back to his inventory and then reorganized his thoughts, focusing on their current situation.
—especially to the task at hand.
The actual size of the SS-Generator is not even half-large of a balled fist. Now that it was further enhanced by using Tesla Coil as an intensifier for its overall functionality, a [Super Standalone Generator] alone was enough to power all of Siva’s puppets and not worry about regulating and even limiting their energy consumption like how it was with a single BMA’s core previously.
In addition, Siva planned for these 1000 [cores] to act as a static drone fixed in place around the planet, so that he doesn’t have to always worry for his puppets ever jumping out of the water in times when it matters most.
(AN: water = Absolute Domain)
If we use math…
(AN: Geezer’s Mice!!! Here we go…)
Drone static [Absolute Domain]
= 1km
= 5% of power output (limited by [boost] material which is the Spark Grenade (E-Stun Grenade))
1 km = 5%
In short, with the SS-Generator, a 10km area can be filled directly and since there are 1000 of them in cue, even if he failed to find a more suitable power booster for the SS-Generator than the Spark Grenade, with just the 2,000km area covered by [Absolute Domain], it was hard for these BMA-puppets to jump out of their water, considering that with the [Comms Link] having 50km radius, Siva wouldn’t be stupid enough to not know where the boundary of his [Absolute Domain] is located.
(Math: Liberty Drone’s absolute domain is 1km in range, and there are 1000 of them; “range” = radius; so in terms of diameter, that’s 2km, thus 2km x 1000pcs of Liberty Drones on production cue is a 2000km-wide Absolute Domain)
(AN: seriously, I hate math… did I get it right?)
This is talking purely of technological aspects. It was yet to be installed a receptor that can detect and measure Mana.
‘With the 1st-gen towers as my secret weapons, it would be really hard for me to not be able to roam around the planet.’
Just like how he had planned it before, those 1st-gen signal towers he’d previously designed were all just prototypes.
But it doesn’t mean they will be discarded.
It should be remembered that those towers are made up of concentrated Black Ironwood Alloy.
Just their bodies alone are already a weapon in itself so the puppets guarding them wouldn’t be running out of anything that can be used to bash the skulls of their opponents.
What Siva wanted all this time was to be able to control any of his puppets from a single location in any place and time in Terroa.
But who would have thought that Maki actually beat him on the same concept already?
‘Well, after all, Maki is from the humans. What I know and can comprehend are all things that he should have been able to process at the least.’
While Maki was still in the Continent of Heartilia, he was still able to control his Armored Bodies in their secret facility whenever and wherever.
‘Cortana said that there was a very strong AI that has been maintaining the firewall of all the signal towers of The Alliance, and even progressively improves it over and over again… I just didn’t expect that powerful AI to be Maki himself.’
(AN: refer to Vol_6 Chapters 74 and 75)
Siva can’t equip his puppets with an independent SS-Generator.
One SS-Generator alone can power up his host of BMA-Puppets. To fit them all with an energy core was unnecessary extravagance.
So, what he needed is to optimize the [core] as much as possible and search for a better energy booster than an E-Stun (Spark) Grenade to give the SS-Generator a chance to fully utilize its maximum potential.
‘For now, this would do.’
Siva was satisfied with Cortana’s assistance. If he were to do the rest of the work himself, it will take him at least an hour to do all of the required adjustments on the programming. But with her in the task, everything regarding programming and adjustment of functionality according to his need and prescriptions had all become easy.
It saved him so much time that he can focus his mind to other tasks such as consolidating all his priorities and readjusting his plans.
*****
“Hm?”
At the end of his analysis of his strength, a call came from Maki. His face and his voice clearly indicated the gravity of the news he carried.
[They’re swarming.]
“I already— wait, what? Swarming? How big?”
Siva’s heart was going on a spasm. He expected the invasion to be big but not as big as it would induce the demons to swarm up.
If all the Generals had already found their hosts, it’s only a matter of time when they would attack Terroa with full force.
That is, if they are able to call upon their armada from the greater dark of the stars.
[So far, they’re nearing a hundred thousand.]
“That’s big.” His expression became graver.
[I’ve already sent the distress signal. Can you go to the colony?]
Siva thought for a moment, planning. Eventually, he gave a nod and said, “I’ll just prepare here for a bit. How long do we have until they fall?”
[That’s what I actually found strange. Right now, they’re just swarming.]
“How much preparations have you done?”
[Almost 70% of our maximum capacity.]
Maki paused and stared at him, but before he could speak more, Siva interrupted what he was about to say.
“The Dragon Blood is my secret and although it may look abundant, it can’t be used willy-nilly or it would lose all its essence and even get it contaminated with negative energy… we can’t always let just anyone use it.”
Of course only half of it are true with the only fact being that with the state the heart is in, Siva can only use it at least ten times a day.
He already used it for the six of them.
Later on, he was also planning to make Scion and Gaia bath in it.
Finally, he was planning to refine Little Blacky’s body in it as well. He can’t risk it.
Maki believed him. Or rather, he had no choice but to believe him since Siva was the owner of the Dragon Blood pool.
Since they already swore an oath, their minds were focused on a single mission and that is to defend the Humans. Right now, the Colony can be considered a crippled giant monster.
On its glory days, it was the most glorious war vessel but now, it wasn’t even 20% in its ability to wage war. It was now a colony.
Considering that the Humans doesn’t have any other place to go, they have no choice but to fight it out and defend their home to the best of their abilities.
“Give me an estimate of their size.”
[With the size and courses of where their swarm is coming from, it’s about an hour or so before they actually begin their fall.]
“Then we can use this time to maximize all our preparation. What’s the Alliance’s response?”
Maki paused, [Angry.]
“Hmp. I thought so. Tell them that the Circle of Magi is calling an emergency meeting. I’ll make the preparations of it on my side.”
[I’ll be in touch.]
The call ended and Siva remained in thought.
“Every minute counts.”
It’s been 30 minutes since Siva had taken away the lifeblood of the Humans. Given that they’re already in a brink of war again in an hour, he had to use this time to do all what he can to do.
He then faced Gaia, “You heard what Maki said earlier; we are in the brink of another war again so make the call and make those Terrans sound the horn or alarm.”
[Yes.]
Siva wanted to tell her to make Pistareen hurry with his investigation. Given the situation, it was even harder for them to survive if the Demon Armada continues to swarm and increase their force’s numbers.
‘There was even a chance that in order to divide our forces, they will attack multiple places while focusing effort to the colony. Diversion tactic.’
[What about you My Lord?]
“I need to visit the facilities and see how many of these people have worked hard within the last few days I’m gone. We will need their hauls of monsters in the incoming war effort.”
[Alright. Ah, by the way, can I visit the little lass?]
“Who? Eleanor?”
—he felt awkward about that.
Eleanor was a mature woman with an enchanting feminine charm. To call her little lass is…
Siva paused his train of thoughts looking at the Elf’s sparkling expectant eyes.
“We will need all the hands we can get so make her prepare as well…” a cold intent drew on his face. “Go.”
[Thank you, My Lord.]
Gaia bowed candidly and didn’t dally any further, curtsying and vanishing with a flash.
Her destination was the castle, Apus Epirus.
~~FUUUUUU!!!
With a gentle breeze of the sound akin to that of an ocean wave, Akhenaton materialized behind Siva on his black suit swallow-tail butler uniform.
“My Lord.”
“How is the progress of the missions in these last two days?”
There was doubt earlier when Siva appeared in a hurry with six other people but Akhenaton now fully sensed that Siva’s aura of dignity, his aura of a ruler, his presence that exuded majesty and an overwhelming invisible might that can deter even an Immortal, have all increased in intensity by hundreds of folds!
It may not be visually evident, but just the way he breathes have changed as well.
I could feel power!
Frightening, terrifying…. power!!
Siva was naturally emitting a natural dignity of a God who had tasted both bitter and sweet lives.
The strong revere the strong. Akhenaton could feel that sticking around his lord would lead him to not only his freedom but also unprecedented glory that could fulfill the thirst of his path!
Akhenaton gave a short report and Siva couldn’t help frowning. The more he heard, the more he thought that perhaps he had set his bars too high with the point system.
But then again, these were all already shallowed estimates that included timidity and pressure on the members’ part.
.
.
================================
Is this the storm they were waiting?
================================
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Next Chapter: war preparations…
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