Chapter 290 ·Turning point(53)

Turning 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󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄁󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄀󠄁󠄀󠄂point(53)

"......!"

The moment I heard that name, I jerked my head up. As soon as Orca uttered the word 'Ulkazir,' the air vibrated in fine tremors. An echo, like a whisper, rang in my ears.

"Just now...."

I remained extremely alert and quickly checked my physical condition. I was so startled that all my senses were bristling with tension. Orca acted calm, as if expecting this very reaction from me.

"... What's going on?"

「The name. Precisely speaking, a real name contains Mystery. Merely mentioning the name causes the Mystery it holds to leak out.」

"Mystery leaking out, huh...."

I already knew that the 'Era of Purity' the pureblood supremacists had so passionately talked about was actually an era of Mystery.

And Lobelia had once told us that the era's regression had begun. The era of Mystery that the Pilgrims had ended was being revived, because of the plan she had carried out over eons.

The current disaster had also occurred due to that very Mystery. Perhaps because of this, my image of Mystery was extremely complex.

I knew that the supernatural power I handled was a type of Mystery. After all, what we call Mystery, like our technology, is a power whose meaning changes depending on who, how, where, and why it is used. I managed to accept this, but if not, I might have regarded it as something absolutely negative, something that should be erased without exception.

「This mention was unavoidable for the sake of smooth explanation, but it is necessary to exercise caution in the future. If you mention a name, they will sense the remnant Mystery that spreads through the air like a kind of signal, and recognize the one who spoke the name.」

"... It won't be good if they notice me, then."

I recalled what Lobelia had told me. She had said that the reason I'd survived so far while always carrying Sprout around was because Sprout blocked the 'gaze.'

At the time, I had scoffed at the notion, wondering what was so important about a mere gaze, but after seeing the air tremble just because Orca spoke the name, I changed my mind.

That's how strong the effect was from just calling its name. If the gazes of all those things Lobelia once called stars were to turn on me, it would surely bring every kind of ill fate imaginable—too many to simply call it 'not good.'

The giant being I saw in a vision was still crystal clear in my memory. Now, that vision had become reality.

When the Invasion Tree broke Archive's seal and revealed itself on the surface, I still remembered how my body stiffened under the bizarre signature that spread in all directions. For the first time, I let my spear hang slack in my hand. I had been crushed by its overwhelming presence and lost my will to fight.

Until I became strong enough to withstand that presence, it would be best to avoid attracting attention. That's probably why Sprout was straining its meager strength just to shield me. I reminded myself of my own shortcomings.

「Affirmative. Those beings named Invasion Tree were the core of the era of Mystery. The highest-level administrators, once called Pilgrims, tried to drive those beings out completely, but only some were destroyed, and the rest could only be sealed. This machine does not know why. Only the highest-level administrators are privy to that information.」

Suddenly, I recalled the records I saw in the observation post. The records of the Pilgrims said that the only thing they could do was prepare as much as possible. Resolving the issue would be up to us. Sealing them was probably related to that.

「Currently, the seal has been released. The era of Mystery is being revived—Correction. The regression of the era is now unavoidable. They will stop at nothing to secure their place as complete beings and will try to destroy this current era by any means.」

"... Figures. I bet they're furious, too."

「Affirmative. Being recognized means becoming a target. Even though you are relatively strong, it seems you would not be able to withstand that pressure for now.」

"......."

I couldn't deny it, so I simply shut my mouth.

「That's why this machine is only attempting to have this conversation when you are conscious alone. The more people who know, the higher the risk.」

So that's why Orca didn't propose this conversation when everyone was there, but waited until now. It was a relief that I hadn't forced myself to lie in bed when I couldn't sleep anyway. Now I realized there were things more important than simply assessing the situation.

"If you'd wanted to alert us, you could've told everyone. But you didn't. Or rather, you couldn't, right? You only seemed to recognize the Invasion Tree after it manifested."

「Affirmative. The information about that being was locked to prevent the true name from being revealed as much as possible. This machine knew that something important was sealed in Archive, but didn't have permission to speak of it.」

"I read records at the observation post in the region that was disguised as Mithrim Montes—in particular, records left there said that the pureblood supremacists underground tried to manipulate a being named Nox."

The Pilgrim's intervention stopped their plot, but the records showed that the Pilgrims as a group weren't able to resolve it completely, either.

In retrospect, it seems more like they chose not to act, even though they had the power, but that's not the point to dwell on now.

"If Roxy became your pilot, that information should've been transferred over, so even with that, the restriction wasn't lifted? Weren't those plots sealed in the deep levels of Archive, like level 8 or 9—anyway, that's where the seal holding the Invasion Tree was?"

Orca fell silent at my words. After a quick flicker from the visual sensor, she answered.

「You may find reason to doubt this machine. However, this machine holds great pride as the independent crisis management program of Sky Whale, the Guardian of Titan—」

"No, no, it isn't about that. You've helped us countless times, and I've survived more than once thanks to you, Orca. I'm not a bad guy like that."

I waved my hands hurriedly. While I didn't fully trust the Pilgrims, I did trust Orca, at least for now, so I set aside my suspicions.

Orca was now a major part of our overall combat power. I wasn't sure whether to call her 'her' or 'the guy,' but if she were lost, our already low chances of escaping Titan would plummet further. That's how important she had become.

"I get it if there's info you can't disclose to the rest, but at least tell me. I'm already too wrapped up in this to back out."

「Understood.」

"You can use the satellite gravity cannon now, unlike before. ... Right? That's how it is now? You didn't shoot it and then get completely wrecked, did you?"

That would have been a complete disaster. I looked to Orca, hoping desperately that wasn't the case. Thankfully, she didn't say anything negative.

「Affirmative. Currently, the satellite gravity cannon is charging energy needed for firing via the collapse drive. Also, due to the activation of an emergency protocol, this machine has gained temporary control authority over the satellite gravity cannon.」

I was about to feel relieved, but Orca hadn't finished speaking.

「However, since the first shot was fired as a forced launch through an unstable sequence, the collapse drive has taken severe damage. This means the energy recharge rate is significantly reduced.」

"Hmm... So how long until the next shot?"

I asked, feeling uneasy. Having control of the satellite gravity cannon—no, with Orca in charge—was good, but if the weapon itself wasn't ready, it meant nothing.

「If you want to fire at a strength capable of delivering a meaningful blow to the Invasion Tree, the next shot will be possible in five days, fourteen hours, and twenty-nine minutes.」

Nearly six days. If we were to survive, that was a span just possible to hang on for. If we could end things with that, we could manage, but I knew better than to expect things to go smoothly.

"I'm sure I can't finish it in just one shot, right?"

「Affirmative. It will be a significant blow, not complete destruction. The output needed to push it to the brink of annihilation cannot be achieved with the current state of the satellite gravity cannon. It would be possible if repaired, but we lack materials and technology for that now. Repair is not possible.」

Even with contemporary technology, the collapse drive is only theoretical and not feasible. Isolated on Titan, there was no way we could possibly fix the satellite gravity cannon.

I sighed, then asked, "... Then, after one shot, how long until the next?"

「Approximately eight days after firing, a second shot is possible. That's for another significant blow.」

"...... It takes even longer. Is that because the collapse drive's damaged?"

「Affirmative.」

In the end, we couldn't just rely on the satellite gravity cannon. Lasting six days would be hard enough, let alone waiting another eight beyond that. And even if we survived, it wouldn't solve things.

"Should we attack with the gravity cannon before going in, or use it to cover our retreat so the enemy can't follow? We've been out of sync before, but now we can coordinate, so timing is important...."

While I was simulating possible scenarios with my arms crossed, Orca spoke again.

「Immediately after firing, a second shot is possible within tens of minutes.」

"What? Really?"

「Assuming you're willing to risk destroying the satellite gravity cannon. After a shot, energy charged in the collapse drive is released, but due to efficiency issues, not all energy focuses on the cannon; some disperses around the satellite gravity cannon. If the collapse drive is overdriven to recapture that scattered energy, the output will be lower, but firing is still possible.」

Of course, nothing came easy. My nerves frazzled, I guzzled water from my nutrition pack. Then, a thought occurred: "It doesn't matter if it gets destroyed, does it?"

The satellite gravity cannon was impressive technology. But could we really take it to Earth? Orca had said the control authority gained was only temporary, meant for use here on Titan. Just to be sure, I asked.

"We can't move the satellite gravity cannon to Earth, can we?"

「The satellite gravity cannon in Titan's orbit cannot be relocated. What this machine has is only control authority for the cannon itself, not for its location.」

"Then it doesn't matter if it gets destroyed. It's a shame, but we can't afford to worry about it right now."

I did worry that perhaps someday a massive repair bill would come our way, but for now, the fire at our feet took precedence. If that ever happened, I'd think about it then.

"Eh? It's really okay, right?"

「... The materials and technology used for the satellite gravity cannon are nearly impossible to obtain in the current era. Its value is inestimable.」

"If the Pilgrims complain, I'll get scolded with you. I can definitely do at least that much."

Orca gazed at me for a moment and then nodded. Though she seemed to do so reluctantly, she gave her consent.

"Alright—then let's cooperate as best we can. Your goal is to silence the Invasion Tree that's been unsealed, and ours is to escape here, which means fighting it head-on."

「... Affirmative.」

An invisible framework had just been laid out. It was incomplete and exhausting, but I believed a path would emerge as we worked things out step by step.

"Orca, before we regroup, sort out as much data as you can and tell us everything you're able to disclose. You don't need to tell us the true names. Instead, can you provide details on the Invasion Tree's structure, weaknesses, and any unique traits?"

「Affirmative. Those details can be shown even now.」

"I probably won't understand it anyway. Send it to Licorice first, not me. She probably knows a lot about the Invasion Tree. She's inheriting Lobelia's knowledge now, after all. Oh, but keep this a secret from Celestia and Nadia. I don't want the atmosphere around here getting any tenser."

「Confirmed. That is judged to be appropriate.」

Though ideally, I would rather avoid using knowledge inherited from Lobelia, knowing Licorice's personality, she wouldn't hold back. Once she set her mind on something, she saw it through.

As the conversation wound down, I suddenly became curious about the materials used for the satellite gravity cannon.

"Orca, the collapse drive in the satellite gravity cannon—does it really use an actual black hole? That's what the theory says, at least."

「I can't speak on that. Public theory says so, but details about the structure of the collapse drive in the satellite gravity cannon are outside of this machine's information access. However, Archive contains a note.」

"What kind of note?"

「It says the Invasion Tree's core, the momentum core, was used as a material. The momentum core is a condensed form of the Mystery the Invasion Tree holds. Presumably, that core is the key material for the collapse drive. That's why I said it cannot be procured in the present era. Even if it's possible to destroy, extracting that special material intact is another thing entirely.」

"Come to think of it...."

I recalled seeing a black orb forming over the Invasion Tree. The color of the energy beams of the gravity cannon and the Invasion Tree resembled each other as well.

「The Invasion Tree takes root in phase space. The momentum core keeps the axis of phase space fixed. When the main body maintaining that core is destroyed, the momentum core is destroyed as well.」

"Speaking of dimensions—it reminds me of a technology called 'dimension coating' where special particles are applied to circuits to block Blue Crystal's signature. Is this related, or... not?"

Even though I didn't state it plainly, Orca understood my context.

「Dimension coating. Technology designed to prevent Blue Crystal's special signature from damaging internal precision circuits. As you suspect, this was technology handed down by the Pilgrims. However, it is imperfect. It works, but its effects are not permanent and it must be reapplied regularly as a consumable.」

According to Orca, the special particles used for it originate from the Invasion Tree's main body, refined dozens of times until harmless to humans.

「The particles preserved in Archive are a limited resource, so only barely enough is used to pass the baseline criteria.」

Dimension coating is only meant to block the signature of Blue Crystal. Judging by its properties, one would think it could be useful elsewhere, but it's been concluded there's no other effect. That keeps the consumption manageable. That's why the technology remains imperfect.

"... No wonder it's so expensive."

I shook my head. I'd long been grumbling about how supplying Carry with enough for its circuits was backbreaking, but now that I knew the raw material, I could only accept the high price.

"Invasion Tree... ... Wait. Orca, then this thing is also an Invasion Tree, isn't it?"

I picked up the container holding the limp Sprout. It may have looked like this now, but it was in the same category as the giant being I'd once seen in a vision. It was only weak because it had just been born.

If anything, this was what could be called a young Tree, unlike that other thing.

"That Invasion Tree is watched with such wariness, but this one isn't. Why is that?"

「This machine cannot make that judgement about this specimen. No related data in Archive. If you want a new entry, a sample or the original is needed.」

Orca regarded Sprout and the Invasion Tree as completely different entities, despite recognizing they share the same root. I didn't know whether that was just because Orca was a machine, or if there was another reason.

"What's the benefit if I register it?"

「Archive's main system will analyze any registered specimen. Through that process, its risk level can be measured, and its potential glimpsed.」

"Hmm..."

「The highest-level administrators are probably already aware of unregistered specimens' existence. They may take an interest. They may request to take possession of the unregistered specimen for a period.」

I stared at Sprout in my hand. Was it just my imagination, or did Sprout's leaves tremble pitifully? It felt like it was asking if I was really going to hand it over.

Don't worry, I thought, just get your strength back.

But even so, Sprout did not let go of its doubt. Although not much time had passed since we met and ended up like this, I wondered if our trust was really this shallow as I raised an eyebrow.

Only then did Sprout finally relax its tense leaves and let down its guard.

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