Living a Maiden Game in Hard Mode

Chapter 122 – Encounter of Intergalactic Civilizations

Carrying the Administrative Intellect ‘Valak 773’, a member of the advanced alien civilizations, Fortress Kerviel was headed for the Orias Star System, which belonged to Crocell, one of the same Tri-Clan Confederation as Uvall.

It was thanks to Lulu that an unknown entity possessed by an advanced alien civilization was placed inside Fortress Kerviel, which is directly linked to Hart’s life and death.

The White Dwarf Star 773, where Valak 773 was located, temporarily became Lulu’s realm.

Having territorialized the star system, Lulu has taken control of all functions of the accompanying Valak 773 and is manipulating it to prevent Hart from being harmed.

Within your own realm, eliminate the threat to your contractor. This was the common sense of the spirits, and Lulu eliminated the threats to Hart with impunity.

Thus the Administrative Intellect of an advanced alien civilization was aboard Fortress Kerviel.

「Lord Amakawa, your dignified form embodies the beauty and grotesque nature of Goetia.」

Valak 773, who had been ordered by Emperor Uvall to present a favorable impression of Uvall, made such a proclamation.

Goetia’s appearance is similar to that of jellyfish from the perspective of humans, so it will inevitably create a psychological sense of distance. And humanity seen from the perspective of Goetia would give the same impression.

In order to address the problems that impede collaboration, Lulu, the spirit who mediates between the two, transforms the Goetia projected on the human side into a human form, and the form sent to Goetia into a Goetian jellyfish.

Therefore, Hart looks like a very dignified black jellyfish… apparently. Even if he is praised for having thicker-than-standard tentacles, Hart is not at all pleased.

Valak 773, on the other hand, has been transformed into a brown-haired female college student wearing a long-sleeved kimono and hakama. If she were to be praised for having a “cute little face,” she would inevitably feel the same way as Hart when praised for his tentacles.

For the time being, Hart gave a bland reply.

“Appreciated. But as electronic thought vessels, couldn’t your avatars be changed at will?”

「No. The Goetians have their own unique information that forms the basis of their avatars, and they cannot deviate from that. If a physical body existed, it will reproduce the appearance to be roughly similar. Therefore, individual identification is also possible through the appearance of the avatar.」

“So, since they no longer have bodies, there is no longer any discrimination based on physical characteristics?”

Lulu’s translation was successful, but Hart sensed a discrepancy with Goetia’s common sense. Of course, the common sense of the other party, who had continued their civilization as quantum thinkers for more than 100,000 years, couldn’t be entirely consistent with Hart’s.

「Being attracted to unique information that you do not have is not discrimination, but complementation. There is no absolute superiority or inferiority, because what each individual lacks or seeks is different.」

In other words, there is no superiority between the lover of large breasts and the lover of small breasts, Hart interpreted the argument that Linnell and others had given up on.

「However, the impressions of other closely related species are different. The antagonism that has existed since before the advent of civilization has imprinted itself on our perceptions of each other. Goetia’s sensibilities are incompatible with a Tri-Clan Confederation, or even with a master-slave relationship between the Gremory and Sitri.」

Nonetheless, since they could still form an alliance, Hart judged them to be a reasonably intelligent group, capable of overcoming even a genetic level of dislike for the sake of their cause.

But even so, they were at war, so he couldn’t help but think that it was inevitable that intelligent life forms would fight.

“I understand Goetia’s perception of us and the potential for cooperation with humanity. I would like you to tell us about the Orias Star System we are heading for.”

「Understood. The Orias star is an A-type main-sequence star with a mass about twice that of your Sun. As in the Andromeda Galaxy, the Milky Way also has a low percentage of A-type main-sequence stars.」

“That’s true. Thanks to the strong luminosity of the fixed stars, it is easy to determine our course.”

When Valak 773 spoke of the Sun, it was Lulu, acting as an intermediary, that automatically translated the language to make it easier for Hart to understand, not that 773 actually knew about the Sun.

Automatic language translation is a technology that humans also possess. And Lulu’s automatic translation is considered to be an extension of that technology. Still, she is likely erring on the side of caution and keeping the technology within the bounds of what Hart can understand.

「The mass of the Orisis Star System is also large, with a mass equivalent to 10,000 Earths, not including the stars. This rare star system was used to set up gates to connect very long distances, making it a relay star system for the surrounding space sectors.」

“Like a provincial city?”

「Yes. Therefore, it will be one of the star systems where the three tribes can gather. As long as there are no problems, they should already be there.」

“Is that so? As we have physical bodies, we are unable to perform gate-type jump navigation. I apologize for the slow movement speed.”

The fastest human being in modern times is about 4000 light years one way in about a year.

Before the advent of Spirits, the speed of interstellar travel by humans was about 1000 light years one way in about a year.

If one person who has a contract with a spirit operates a magic elemental engine, the speed will double, and if several people continue to jump 24 hours a day without a break, the speed will double again.

However, if the number of magic engine operators is reduced to two, it is reasonable for the military to operate twice as many ships, so the advance speed of the large army will be halved.

Considering the advance of a large army, 2,000 light-years one way in about one year would be reasonable.

And Fortress Kerviel can travel 10,000 light-years one way in about a year.

However, even if a tortoise’s walking speed is doubled by medication and quintupled by prejudice to defeat the rabbit, it is still only a tortoise and cannot beat the flying speed of a crane.

Hart, moving at the speed of a tortoise, apologized for keeping the other party, the Crane, with whom he had proposed negotiations, waiting.

Valak 773, on the other hand, smiled and replied that there was no problem.

「In terms of non-gate travel speed, it is comparable to Gremory’s use of Daemons. Even from Goetia’s point of view, it is revolutionary in terms of the speed at which it can move into a space where an ally’s gate has not been placed.」

The word “revolutionary” came as a surprise to Hart.

He had thought that a scientific civilization as advanced as Goetia would have technology that exceeded the speed of light in addition to gate-type jump navigation.

However, if the only way to exceed the speed of light is through gated jump navigation, it makes sense that the current Goetia has only advanced to about a quarter of the Andromeda Galaxy.

Gated jump navigation cannot be used if there are no gates at the departure and arrival points. To reach an ungated region of space first, one would have to travel at less than the speed of light.

Goetia established an interstellar civilization approximately 134,000 years ago.

At that time, the space where the gate-installation unit arrived from the mother planet at sublight was the furthest point Goetia had ever reached. The reason they cannot reach the disk of the Andromeda Galaxy 260,000 light-years away is based on this rule.

The Andromeda Galaxy has far more stars than the Milky Way.

If you can reach these promising stars with the power of the Magic Element Engines and the Spirits, the three clans can expect a significant increase in military strength and recovery from the inferiority.

Since only Gremory could break through the light barrier, the fact that the Spirits could make it possible for the three tribes would be a breakthrough.

「The movement of the magic element engines is not only useful for military affairs, but also for securing resources.」

After receiving a straightforward explanation, Hart was convinced, and at the same time, he was impressed by the high level of intelligence Valak 773 possessed, which revealed the situation of the three tribes in detail.

The Tri-Clan Confederation negotiating with Hart would like to extract favorable terms.

To that end, some believe that it is better not to tell them the value of the things they want in order to gain an advantage in the negotiations.

However, Valak 773 decided that building a relationship of trust with Hart would ultimately lead to the greatest gain.

Humanity and Goetia, a scientific civilization without magic and miasma, can continue to have a long-term complementary relationship. Valak 773 believed this and showed Hart what Goetia wanted.

(Magic and science can complement each other, but the precedent of science is tremendous.)

For Goetia, Valak 773 was just one of the lesser White Dwarf Administrative Intellect deployed in the region.

For the Monarchy of Diete, it could become an all-powerful Artificial Intelligence.

A single Valak 773 could supplement a wide range of political, administrative, military, and star system management functions.

For humanity, Goetia is like Linnell, an artificial intelligence that is overwhelmingly ahead of its time.

The improvised countermeasure is the same as against Linnell: the use of Spirits.

Even if the Artificial Intelligence attempts to take over humanity, it would be impossible in the Eight Star Systems of the Monarchy, where the realms of the Spirit King exist, and ships passing through the higher dimensional space that is the Spirit World can also negate electronic domination.

With Gremory trying to destroy them, and the three tribes wanting to have countermeasures against Daemons, they should not misplace their priorities while the threat exists.

And even if the Gremory problem is solved, the Daemons also exist in other galaxies and Goetia alone cannot destroy them, so they cannot lose their cooperative relationship with humanity who is working with the Spirits.

Humanity loses actual experience as generations change, but Goetia, which has no lifespan and is probably better at communicating information, will not forget, so it can continue to work with them.

Hart was more concerned about the descendants of humanity than about the Tri-Clan Confederation. Since he cannot take care of them after his death, he has no choice but to entrust the distant future to his descendants.

“I think the complementary relationship between humanity and Goetia would be desirable. Details are negotiable.”

Either way, Hart was sure they could come to an agreement.

After 240 hours of leaping through high-dimensional space, Hart arrived at the Orias Star System, which had been designated for the negotiations.

Upon arrival, Valak 773 shared the information it had exchanged with Hart during the journey with the Tri-Clan Confederation.

「From Valak 773, will share the information brought to the Tri-Clan Confederation from Fleet Admiral Amakawa, the Chief Military Officer of the Diete Monarchy Army in the Milky Way Galaxy.」

It was done at the speed of light and distributed to the negotiators chosen by the three tribes.

Hart did not need to explain how he intended to close the Transition Gate of the Ten-to-Star System in the Milky Way and establish a bridgehead in the Andromeda Galaxy.

The negotiators were not in the stellar center of the Orias Star System.

When Fortress Kerviel was about to head for a planet in the Orias Star System, the communication was immediately returned.

『Papa. The screen projection is not sufficient to convey the transmitted information, so I will change the method.』

『Okay. I’ll leave it to you.』

He didn’t know what kind of communication it would be, but he believed it would be better than screen projection, so he left the method to Lulu.

Then the surrounding area suddenly darkened, and the command center where Hart was sitting turned into a deep-sea-like world.

As Hart quickly looked around, he saw a masked nobleman, a benevolent girl in a light cherry-colored dress, and a girl in a sailor suit with a mischievous smile.

Even without introducing themselves, the three of them seemed to have titles floating in front of them.

Crocell: Marquis-level Thinker, Funeral AlmarosUvall: Duke-level Thinker, Hymn PamelaLeraje: Marquis-level Thinker, Resonant Ornias

Hart, on the other hand, was curious as to how he himself would be conveyed.

Valak 773 had sent the details, but if it dared to simplify things, it would be “Diete: Duke and Marquis, Fleet Admiral Amakawa “.

Just as he was thinking that if the enemy nation gave him a second name, it might be “Eradication” or “Star Destruction” or something like that, Almaros, who appeared to be a masked nobleman, called out to him.

「We understand the situation. Let’s proceed with mutual cooperation. The Orias Star System may be territorialized. The Ten-to realm must be destroyed as soon as possible. We urgently request this.」

The requested items were projected in front of Almaros as he said these words.

The captured Dahlia warshipSpirit crystals that can be provided, mainly on the same level as GremoryHumanity’s magic element engine and related technologies

Justifications have also been added below the displayed list.

The personnel of the Tri-Clan Confederation would make provisional contracts with the Spirits, jump to other star systems, and from there call for reinforcements to the Orias Star System through the gate connected by the magic element engine.

The purpose of calling for reinforcements was to defend the Orias Star System, which would be targeted by Gremory, and to assist in the conquest of the Ten-to Star System.

Hart was impressed that the other party was much faster than he was, and made a quick decision.

「Very well. I’ll provide Daria’s warship, the human magic element engine in the fortress, and the related technology. Lulu, please provide the spirit crystals you can.」

『Sure. But we can’t afford it right now. First, as a provisional measure, we will prepare crystals that can be used for ten years even if there is no supply of magic power. In the future, they will be supplied from the Milky Way Galaxy, or they will be produced while recovering energy here.』

Hart didn’t give detailed instructions, but Lulu, understanding his intentions, immediately showed possible numbers.

Limited function C-class crystals, 100 million units (single ship warp possible)Limited function D-class crystals, 1 billion units (Multidimensional Magic Conversion Communication Wave possible)

Looking at the numbers, Hart thought that it might be a little difficult for the three tribes.

There were trillions of stars in the Andromeda Galaxy, and the Tri-Clan Confederation, which controlled one-eighth of them, would probably reach hundreds of billions of stars.

If they were to be distributed for transmission and reception of the gate connecting the stars, they would need a reasonable amount of D-class crystals.

However, Maya needs to create two King-class Advanced Spirits after conquering Ten-to. She absorbed energy from the Daemon Emperor of the Hercules Star System, but the energy required for the attack is unknown.

Since Lulu will remain in the Andromeda Galaxy and open the gate, there is no leeway.

Hart looked at the other negotiators, wondering if this would be all right.

「I would like to confirm. How much supply can we expect in the future?」

『Even if the conquest of the Ten-to Star System leaves us no room for maneuver, I believe that if we move the former Coalition members in the Machaon Star System to Andromeda and increase their numbers, we will be able to provide a steady supply of the same amount each year. The more people there are, the more we can supply.』

At Lulu’s supplementary explanation, which was heard by all three parties, Almaros made a nodding gesture.

Lulu might have easily translated it for Hart, but Hymn Pamela and Resonant Ornias, who were present, embodied their own surprise and understanding.

「This is far beyond our expectations. It should be possible to overcome the current situation. In response to this, we will provide technical support commensurate with the spirit crystals. If there are other requests, we will be open to negotiation. Due to the importance of this project, I myself will be appointed as Crocell’s exclusive representative.」

Almaros’ decision was followed by two other tribes.

「From Uvall, I, Pamela, will accompany and serve Lord Amakawa for many years to come.」

「From Leraje, I, Ornias, a Marquis-level thinker, will assume the post.」

After Pamela, who spoke with loving eyes, Ornias also made a declaration. Then Ornias added a few words.

「The reason why each of the three tribes dispatched a representative is that the Monarchy of Diete and each of the three clans will form an independent cooperative system. There is an insurance policy so that even if there is a disagreement with one of the tribes due to the common sense of civilizations, there will not be a break in negotiations. I hope you will understand.」

“Thank you very much for your consideration.”

Hart established negotiations with the three tribes, feeling at ease with the fact that he was being led by someone smarter than he was.