Chapter 270: Simulated Universe: Swarm Disaster 『 Part Eleven 』
「 "In short, the fall of Tayzzyronth appears directly linked to the 『 Preservation 』. I suspect only that colossal hammer, wreathed in divine power, could have pierced the body of another god. Yet, the full tapestry of history is surely far more complex than this; it is truly difficult for me to ascertain the methods by which Star Gods engage in combat…" 」
「 ..... 」
〜DanMachi World〜
In the dim, subterranean chamber of the church, Hestia swung her pale legs back and forth, perched atop a wooden crate as she muttered,
"The Star God of 『 Preservation 』 used the hammer in his hand to simply bonk another Star God to death?"
She tilted her head, her twin black ponytails cascading over her shoulders.
"Isn't that a bit too… plain?"
Bell sat cross-legged on the floor, looking up at the goddess beside him.
"Then, Kami-sama, what do you think a battle between Star Gods should look like?"
"Mmm…"
The goddess puffed out her cheeks, tracing shapes in the air with her finger.
"They are Star Gods, you know! The battle scenes should be magnificent, right? Like, one strike of the hammer causing aftershocks that shatter countless billions of stars, or something like that!"
"Huh? Then what exactly would he be preserving…"
Bell scratched his head.
"I actually feel that battles between Star Gods might not be so bombastic. They represent their respective Paths. Just as the ascension of the 「Propagation」 was but a fleeting instant, I believe His fall might also have been instantaneous."
Hestia rested her chin in her hands, pondering.
"You mean to say, Qlipoth might have ended the battle with a single hammer strike, directly knocking the very concept of 『 Propagation 』 out of existence?"
"I can't be certain about that…"
Bell looked up, gazing at the endless wall within the sky.
"The concept of 『 Propagation 』 surely still exists. Just as after a Star God falls, the universe still contains rapidly multiplying swarms—but perhaps it was sealed by the Star God of 『 Preservation 』? Like smashing His physical form into pieces, and then sealing them one by one…"
"But isn't that method a bit unstable? What if someone picks up a fragment of the 『 Propagation 』 corpse and tries to use the residual power inside to do bad things?"
"Kami-sama, it's not certain anyone would find them…"
Bell mumbled softly.
"And if they really did find one, we'd just have to hope they're a good person, right?"
—
「 A peculiar odor permeated the tavern.
Stelle sat on a wooden stool in the corner, staring at the mug of ale before her, in which a fluorescent beetle was marinating. The insect's wings slowly unfurled in the amber liquid, resembling some form of grotesque art.
Beyond the cup in front of her, there were even more people researching how to infuse alcohol with insects born from the Swarm Disaster—by the counter, a scholar wearing a monocle rolled up his sleeves, fished a juvenile True Sting out of a vat where it had been soaking for quite some time, and then casually poured a cup of bug wine, offering it to Stelle: "Hey, buddy, trust me… this stuff is incredibly nourishing."
"…Thanks." Stelle silently pushed the cup further away.
"Now you are a member of the Masked Fools." Herta's voice rang out beside her. Stelle turned her head to see Herta's holographic projection fiddling with that True Sting being used for wine. She pursed her lips: "According to records, the 『 Elation 』 also participated in this war of the Aeons. Those followers, the Masked Fools, naturally wouldn't miss out on this kind of cosmic-level amusement."
"This involves Aha, too? Did They also take a swing at the 『 Propagation 』?"
Herta shrugged her shoulders. "That, I do not know. However, you can glean some truth from the actions of the Masked Fools."
As the two spoke, Stelle noticed something strange appearing in the wine cup before her. Chaotic, indistinct ripples stirred within the liquor; it wasn't just her, the same image appeared in the cups of the other Fools as well.
Some said the ripples meant "add more cumin to the bug barbecue," while others claimed it was the silent accusation of the 『 Propagation 』… In short, the people in the tavern argued about it for three days and three nights, finally concluding that this was a revelation from Aha—"Stop drinking, and go assist Aeons!"
But how to get there was also a problem. Fortunately, a master of ideas proposed that they could steal a gondola belonging to the Mourning Actors.
"We're all on the Path of 『 Elation 』; isn't the word 'steal' a bit inappropriate?" Stelle corrected with righteous solemnity. "Clearly, it's borrowing! We're all family here; saying 'steal' makes us sound like strangers, doesn't it?"
"Oh, oh, oh! This buddy has great insight!" The leading Masked Fool revealed an expression of admiration and waved a large hand. "Let's go! We're going to borrow their gondola!"
"Stelle… I've discovered you also have quite the potential to be a Masked Fool." Herta silently rubbed her forehead. "But these Masked Fools really are loose, aren't they?"
(Translator-kun: A masked fool with a Sith Dualsaber incoming...)
In the blink of an eye, Stelle found herself aboard an interstellar vessel—this was likely the gondola the Fools had spoken of.
The ship was bustling with activity. On the way to help the Star Gods, this vessel had gathered enthusiastic individuals from many Star God factions, and even Nameless were present. But as Stelle counted and recounted, she realized that the only ones missing were the Masked Fools.
—Those guys had long since bolted, giving away this large ship along with their absence. 」
「 ..... 」
〜Vought Cinematic Universe, The Boys Worldline〜
"These Masked Fools are absolute fucking cowards. Although I appreciate their taste in liquor, pulling a stunt like this… they fucking deserve to die."
Soldier Boy raised a glass of whiskey, staring coldly at the teeming crowd on the ship.
Butcher, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, pulled a smug grin.
"Come off it. I actually find these lunatics quite to my taste."
He exhaled a smoke ring.
"Conning a bunch of self-righteous idiots into marching to their deaths while they hide in the back to watch the show—that move is simply diabolical! I'm almost falling in love with these bastards."
Conning…
Butcher glanced at Soldier Boy beside him, suddenly realizing that the Masked Fools' script seemed applicable to him and Soldier Boy as well.
The smile on his face deepened.
"But having said that, even if these guys wanted to help the Star Gods, what could they do with their power? Serve as rations for those bugs? Or get smashed by the Amber Lord's hammer in passing?"
Soldier Boy said.
"Who knows? Maybe act as 'war correspondents'?"
"Oh, if you put it that way, I get it… That's actually pretty fucking important. Back when I fought bravely in Normandy, when I fought the Nazis… it was those war correspondents who preserved the footage of my battles."
"Right…"
Butcher rubbed his temples, feeling a headache starting to split his skull.
This bastard was about to start spouting bullshit again, talking about his fabricated macho-man show experiences as if they were real history.
A real talent, that one. The problem was, it wasn't convenient to expose him right now; he still needed him to deal with that cunt Homelander…
—
( Translator-kun: Kudos to Author-san. This 'Simulated Universe: Swarm Disaster' segment is really hard to write; if you don't know the deep lore of the Swarm Disaster, it's quite difficult to craft the descriptions and dialogue. Author-san even added some original dialogue that isn't in the game. Here, Simulated Universe: Swarm Disaster/Secrets, if you want to check the summary of Swarm Disaster. )