At the edge of the gravitational turbulence within the starfield, stardust floated like shattered diamonds.
The Human Federation fleet unfolded into a fan-shaped formation. The engines of the silver-gray warships emitted a cold blue glow, and the "Human Federation Emblem" on their hulls stood out vividly beneath the afterglow of a distant star. Their objective was singular: to capture the Empire's second-in-command who had crossed the universe—the Regent, Kallen.
Whether she was genuine or not, this was an opportunity they could not afford to miss.
Although they currently held the advantage in their war against the Empire's Skynet, the balance of power would shift if too many Imperial reinforcements arrived.
"All ships, initiate 'Heavenly Eye' scans and lock onto her signal source," the commander's authoritative voice resounded through the communication channel of the Human Federation flagship, Firmament.
On the tactical display, the red markers representing the Empire's Skynet warships continued to emerge from the jump corridors, far exceeding expectations. It appeared that this Regent Kallen was no impostor.
Almost at the very moment the Skynet fleet completed its transition, Skynet issued its first command through the quantum network.
"Attack."
The dark crimson armor of the Skynet warships suddenly illuminated with intricate energy patterns. Thousands of multicolored energy beams simultaneously tore through the darkness, streaking like meticulously calculated meteors toward the weakest points of the Human Federation fleet.
This was no chaotic barrage. Each beam's trajectory had been refined through billions of Skynet simulations, perfectly bypassing the Federation's preset defensive angles.
"Shield energy dropping! Portside formation damaged!"
The blue-white shields flickered violently under the relentless assault, like candles struggling in the wind.
Lances of multicolored light ripped through the sparse interstellar gas, instantly piercing the armor of hundreds of Imperial escort vessels. Molten metal dispersed into radiant fragments in the vacuum of space.
Yet the Human Federation fleet responded with astonishing speed. They rapidly adjusted their formation to create a crossfire network while deploying tens of millions of drones. These drones, resembling swarms of black bees, launched suicidal charges toward the Skynet fleet.
Thousands of Skynet's light assault ships detached from the main force, rushing toward the drone swarms in their own suicidal maneuvers. Upon approach, they detonated themselves, instantly clearing vast regions of space.
Energy beams, photon torpedoes, drone swarms, and violet gravity bombs wove together into a net of annihilation across the cosmos.
Melin stared at the tactical screen, her fists clenched until they turned pale.
When gods fight, mortals suffer.
Although she had ordered a retreat the moment she sensed something was wrong, it was already too late.
The Human Contract Alliance fleet could not enter hyperspace to escape.
"Alliance Leader, our fleet losses have exceeded forty percent..." Fabella reported.
Melin remained silent, offering no reply.
She had already prepared for the worst.
This time, she had been careless.
In a war of such magnitude, even the slightest involvement could cost one's life.
However, she was not someone who would simply wait for death.
"Head over there," she ordered, pointing toward another region—the area where the fighting was most intense.
"Yes, Alliance Leader."
The remnants of the Human Contract Alliance fleet quickly arrived at the designated location, where the Skynet and Human Federation fleets were locked in fierce combat.
The brutality of the battle far exceeded Melin's expectations. Yet, strangely, both sides displayed relative restraint in their use of large-scale weapons of mass destruction here.
Unlike other regions where planet-destroying weapons were unleashed indiscriminately—even detonating stars—this sector seemed to hold particular significance.
Melin soon noticed that the Skynet fleet was desperately shielding a specific warship, while the Human Federation fleet relentlessly pursued it. She immediately realized the implication.
There must be something aboard that vessel of immense importance to both Skynet and the Human Federation.
Could it be a superweapon capable of altering the fate of the universe?
With this thought, Melin directed the remaining Human Contract Alliance ships to position themselves behind the Skynet fleet that was escorting the Saintess Prayer.
Under the continuous protection of Skynet reinforcements, the Saintess Prayer and Melin's three Human Contract Alliance warships disengaged from the battlefield and plunged into an unknown wormhole.
...
Academy City.
On the street.
"Ely, look over there," Raiden Mei said, gazing in a certain direction.
"What is it~?" Elysia followed Mei's line of sight and saw Mobius approaching with a little girl. Her eyes lit up. "Wow, what an adorable little sister~!"
She ran up to Delta and gently pinched the girl's cheek, smiling brightly. "What's your name~?"
Mobius pulled Delta behind her and glared at Elysia with a frown. "What are you trying to do?"
"Oh my, I just think this little girl is adorable and wanted to get to know her better~" Elysia tilted her head slightly, her pink eyes shimmering with anticipation.
Mobius let out a soft snort and crossed her arms. "Get to know her better? I'm afraid you're up to something again..."
Elysia stepped closer to Mobius, linking her arm with hers and gently swaying it. "How could it be a bad idea? I simply want to be friends with her, that's all~"
Mobius turned to Delta and reminded her, "This woman is a troublemaker. It's best not to pay her any attention."
"Mm." Delta nodded.
"How could Mobius say such things about me? I'm truly hurt~" Elysia feigned sorrow, clutching her chest, though the smile in her eyes betrayed her amusement.
Raiden Mei asked curiously, "Who is she?"
"Her name is Delta—the daughter of that troublesome person in my household," Mobius introduced.
"Delta... what a lovely name!" Elysia looked at Delta with a gentle gaze, her smile as warm as a spring breeze. "Hello, Delta. I'm Elysia~ You can also call me Ely~"
She bent slightly, bringing herself to eye level with Delta, her pink eyes filled with fondness.
"..."
Delta remained silent. She felt that the pink fairy-like girl before her was a bit too familiar for comfort.
Recalling some of the things Mobius had mentioned before coming here, she looked up into Elysia's eyes and said earnestly, "Lolicon?!"
"Pfft..."
Mobius couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Raiden Mei covered her mouth with one hand, her shoulders trembling as she suppressed her laughter. "Ely, if there's anything you want, direct it at me. She's still just a child."
"Mei!" Elysia protested with a coquettish tone.