As he sank his body into the crimson liquid, the sensation felt like being trapped at the bottom of a swamp, filling him with discomfort that never faded no matter how much time passed. Bregud Falk could never grow accustomed to it. Still, he understood the reality that this HM would recognize only specific individuals as its Master.
At that moment, a signal echoed through the liquid world surrounding him—the notice that full neural connection and consciousness integration had been completed.
"Are you ready?"
A woman's voice, slightly muffled through the fluid, called out to him.
"I am prepared. However, I cannot accept that our Seventh Mobile Infantry is being used as a diversion for the Third Operations Unit. Shouldn't their role be to support our combat operations, not the other way around?"
Bregud's dissatisfaction flowed freely through his mind. At this moment, his body—completely naked, not even a thread covering him—remained suspended within the liquid. Due to the fusion with the HM, the particles composing his body had partially decomposed, causing a state of permeability. Half of his body had become translucent.
"I already explained this."
His female superior spoke again with a weary tone, repeating what she had said several times before.
"The primary objective of Solomon is to secure the Core. Long before Terra was created—no, even before that, in a time far preceding the creation of the universe—today's assault had already been decided. Within that plan, the Third Operations Unit is responsible for protecting our Core, while we act in support and perform diversionary maneuvers to increase its survival rate. If the Core were to be pierced by the enemy even once, Solomon would permanently lose a crucial means.You are part of an essential process. Be aware of that."
Her voice naturally grew sharper, as it always did. Bregud half-listened, letting her words pass through one ear, and lightly moved his right arm. At that instant, a thunderous vibration resounded through the liquid, causing it to tremble.
"The synchronization appears to be optimal."
He reported the compatibility with the HM, deliberately shifting the topic.