After conducting a simple physical check on Schwi.
The Research Division enthusiastically scanned a large amount of data, preparing to immediately begin research on the Lösen algorithm once they returned.
"Mm..."
Looking at Schwi in her dormant state, Setsuna suddenly had some other ideas.
He reached out and placed his hand on her body.
Vmm—
The scan results from earlier had already been uploaded into the shipboard AI. At this moment, the internal structure of this Ex-Machina analysis unit was completely visible to him.
The authority of the Herrscher of Reason was driven, constructing new modules inside her body with unimaginable precision.
Reactors, energy shield devices, portable high-energy weapons...
After being disconnected from the Ex-Machina network, Schwi could only use 47 out of 27,451 weapons. Setsuna planned to give her a small upgrade.
Beep—
A few minutes later.
Schwi opened her amber eyes once more and rebooted.
She sat up, looking somewhat confused.
"Analysis: unidentified objects detected within this unit."
"Assessment: not destructive devices. Re-evaluating unit status."
"Unit speed increased by approximately 577.6%, maximum load increased by 257%. Energy supply method has changed. Acquired 12 new weapon types."
"Unknown equipment detected. Analyzing..."
A look of confusion appeared on Schwi's face.
"Commander? It seems there are some strange things inside Schwi's body. Did you put them in?"
"...Can you not phrase it in such an erotic way?"
Setsuna rubbed her head.
"I replaced part of your equipment with advanced systems used by the Angeloids. Your individual combat power was too weak."
"Your power supply has been switched to a reactor. It's far more stable than Spirits (Elementals). In addition, you now have a personal portable shield and small starship-grade weapons."
"This way, at least when you encounter other higher races, you'll have some self-defense capability. As for further upgrades, we'll talk about it after we get back."
"..."
A stream of data flashed through Schwi's eyes as she conducted a detailed scan of herself.
"Conclusion: this unit's performance has been enhanced. After database comparison, it exceeds all analysis units and combat sub-individuals."
"Schwi expresses gratitude to the Commander."
She stood on her tiptoes and lightly kissed Setsuna on the cheek.
"Huh?!"
Setsuna froze.
"According to this unit's analysis, this is the best way for a young girl to express gratitude."
"If the Commander wishes to pursue a further relationship, this unit can also accept it."
"...Although that function has not been installed."
Schwi answered rigidly.
Setsuna chuckled and gently knocked her on the head.
"Change the way you speak. Make it more natural."
"Acknowledged... initiating personality simulation..."
"Optimal personality matrix selected: unfamiliar girl who has just joined the Starsea Empire."
Schwi's expression was still mostly blank, but there was noticeably more emotion in her voice.
"Thank you, Commander big brother~"
"That's more like it."
"Oh, Jibril is still locked in her room. If you have nothing to do, you can go play with her. Little Jibril can't beat you right now, mm."
...
"So, next question. How do we deal with the Ex-Machina?"
While the other squads were campaigning across the world.
Gudako raised a soul-searching question to Setsuna.
Most races such as the Elves, Seiren, and Werebeasts could be taken down through a mix of coercion and incentives.
Send the imperial fleet over their heads. Those willing to surrender were brought back to swear loyalty to the Commander. Those unwilling were beaten until they were willing.
The Ex-Machina situation was rather special.
As Schwi's original race, they never took the initiative to attack. They only retaliated when attacked.
They were created by the gods for the sole purpose of answering questions. The logic of a mechanical civilization was fundamentally different from that of carbon-based civilizations.
"Isn't it just a mere intelligent machine civilization?"
"I'll just hack into the Ex-Machina's central processor, modify the commands, and make myself the command unit."
Grey patted her chest and guaranteed it.
"Or let the Commander handle it? Doesn't he have the authority of the Herrscher of Corruption? Perfectly matched. It works on mechanical bodies too."
"You can even corrupt the Herrscher of Sentience. Brute force miracles. Taking down the entire Ex-Machina shouldn't be hard, right?"
"Mm..."
Setsuna thought about it.
In theory, both methods would work, but he felt there had to be another way besides violent cracking.
"By the way, do you know which Old Deus created the Ex-Machina?"
"Come on. Let's go find her."
...
[Hyperdimensional Expansion of the Eternal Snowfall]
High above the sky.
The starship entered hyperdimensional mode. Everything in three-dimensional space became distorted, and Disboard itself began to look strange.
From the hyperdimensional perspective, they gained the ability to observe lower-dimensional worlds from higher dimensions. Past, present, and future, as well as everything hidden within the world, had nowhere to hide.
"Oh?"
"Are we going to the future or the past? I remember there are several targets in the future..."
Grey glanced at the list on the holographic interface and marked several names.
"No. What we're looking for is someone in another dimension."
Whoosh—
The starship traveled through the bizarre, distorted void dimension for a moment, then descended into a strange space.
Although it was also part of Disboard, strictly speaking it did not belong to the three-dimensional world.
Around them was nothing but pure nothingness, with grotesque light refracted from sky and ground alike.
It was impossible to determine the exact location. The coordinate axes of three-dimensional space were completely inapplicable here.
An ink bottle decorated with ornate black brush patterns, filled with blue-violet ink, quietly floated in the space.
"This is the true body of the Old Deus of Doubt, Holou."
Setsuna landed beside it.
An Old Deus born in ancient times, Holou originally created the Ex-Machina to answer her own questions.
At the very beginning, there were only four machines for observation, analysis, verification, and correspondence, along with a single machine that commanded and coordinated the four.
After countless years of evolution, they became the Ex-Machina's analysis units, design units, observation units, and more.
However, she was not satisfied with the Ex-Machina, who had no heart. What she desired were beings capable of answering infinite questions. Machines possessed intelligence, but lacked a "heart".
In despair, Holou denied herself, pierced her own divine core, and entered an inactivated state.
"Uh... wanting to commit suicide directly? She really is imaginative. Fits the title of the God of Doubt."
Grey clicked her tongue.
"You should've said so earlier. I could've gone to play with her. Physics, chemistry, astronomy, or three thousand six hundred techniques are all fine."
"..."
"Holou isn't dead. Old Deus are born from concepts. Even if their divine core is pierced, it's only equivalent to entering a dormant state."
"Perfect. Let's abduct an Old Deus."
Setsuna reached out and activated Herrscher authority, pouring energy into it.
The slumbering divine core was activated.
A loli wearing shrine maiden-style clothing gradually manifested.
Her outfit was brightly colored and ornate. She wore a white frilled hat adorned with an orange-yellow ribbon, with a traditional fox-shaped Japanese mask hanging on the left side.
She had purple bangs, with long hair behind her fading from blue into green. She was barefoot, her eyes vacant and tinged with confusion.
"Question: who am I?..."
The God of Doubt could not understand her own reawakening, looking around in a daze.
She had never seen Setsuna or any of the others before.
"Welcome back to Disboard, God of Doubt Holou."
Setsuna gently patted her head.
"...Holou?"
"Denial. I do not have such a name..."
The confused loli god blinked and shook her head.
After countless eras of slumber, she was trying hard to clear her mind.
"Ahem—"
Grey cleared her throat and moved closer with concern.
"You're awake?"
"What? You can't remember your true identity?"
"Mm, ah..."
Holou nodded instinctively.
"Oh, that's great."
Whoosh—
Grey projected a contract, grabbed Holou's small hand, and was about to press it down for a handprint.
"Actually, you're the Commander's pet and plush ball. Six hundred million years ago, you signed a deed of sale with us."
"The contract just expired. Be good now. Let's renew it."
"???"
Holou: "Huh?"