"Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
"Filling up the sky so far.
"Hanging high and shining bright,
"Like a million eyes at night~"
In a distant star system, young children ran and skipped along the streets, gazing up at the sky as they sang a familiar nursery rhyme.
The stars above were blinking at them.
Twinkling and flashing, one of them suddenly burst into brilliant radiance, illuminating a stretch of the night sky before plunging into darkness again, as if it had closed its eyes.
From one end of the heavens to the other, the stars seemed to greet them in sequence—one after another, patch after patch, flickering in turn.
With more advanced astronomical equipment, one could even see Photoids carving long luminous trails through the cosmos, like a meteor shower flying in reverse across the sky.
The sight drew bursts of excited cries from the children. So the song was true after all.
The stars really did blink.
Unfortunately, no matter how long they stared at the sky, the stars that had closed their eyes never lit up again.
Pier Point—the headquarters of the Interastral Peace Corporation.
The seven most powerful members of the board, along with the heads of the Marketing Development Department, the Business Consolidation Department, the Building Materials Logistics Department, and other divisions, stood frozen before the star map.
A chill rose from beneath their feet, crawling up their spines. They shuddered involuntarily.
What they had originally thought to be nothing more than a minor episode in market expansion—an uncooperative civilization—
They would simply dismantle the opponent's economic system, then merge and absorb it, just as they had done countless times before.
But from the very moment the war began, everything spiraled completely out of control.
"The Halo System has detected a Starsea Empire fleet!"
"Garilo-I has encountered the Starsea Empire fleet!! Requesting reinforcements... bzz—[Signal Lost]"
"Varunixi-II is under attack... No!! The sun!!—"
Alarms from the front lines rang out one after another. Yet after sounding for only a short while, they fell silent. On the star map, the systems they represented were extinguished as well.
How many systems had been destroyed by now?
Dozens? Hundreds? ... Merely watching the incoming reports was enough to make one's heart tremble.
No matter how vast the Interastral Peace Corporation was, it could not sustain such devastation.
"We need to reassess the strength of the Starsea Empire and formulate a new battle plan."
"The enemy possesses over thirty Emanator-level combatants. Considering the Starsea Empire's homeland, the number may be even higher."
After barely regaining his composure, Oswaldo Schneider repeated this unbelievable conclusion.
"...Higher—how much higher?"
The head of the Technology Department asked hoarsely.
"..."
Another stretch of silence followed. No one knew the situation in the Starsea Empire's homeland. Topaz and Jade's ships were still en route.
Had they known in advance that the opponent possessed thirty Emanators, the IPC would never have declared war on the Starsea Empire.
At most, they would have conducted business as they did with the Xianzhou Alliance. Even if the Starsea Empire refused to settle transactions using credit points, that would have been acceptable.
But it was too late.
From the moment the IPC issued twelve hundred economic sanctions against the Starsea Empire and rejected two proposals from the Sophon, the conflict had become irreconcilable.
"Under an optimistic estimate, they may have deployed most of their active forces to attack us, leaving relatively few Emanator-level combatants in their homeland~"
Oswaldo pondered for a moment.
"However, we cannot rule out the possibility that they are conserving strength, stationing the majority of their forces at home."
"In that case... they might have several times the number of Emanator-level combatants we are currently facing."
"Twice? Three times? Five times?"
With every number spoken, the executives felt the veins in their temples twitch.
"Ten times," Oswaldo answered.
"We must consider the worst-case scenario. The Starsea Empire may possess over three hundred Emanator-level combatants."
Hiss—
The opulent corporate hall fell utterly silent.
Fear spread once more.
Three hundred Emanators—such a figure was already approaching the limits of ordinary imagination.
A civilization wielding such overwhelming military power, yet confined to a single solar system—unbelievable.
Even the Interastral Peace Corporation, whose influence spans countless galaxies, could count their Emanators on one hand.
"Of course, this is merely the worst possibility. We must account for extreme scenarios when revising our strategy."
Oswaldo steadied the room.
"Our task now is to determine how to continue this war against the Starsea Empire—and three hundred Emanators."
Though shaken by the staggering revelation, these corporate elites—among the foremost figures in the universe—forced themselves to discard unnecessary emotions and began earnestly considering countermeasures.
Swish—
Data from the front lines was transmitted.
Thanks to the close cooperation between the IPC's Technology Department and the Intelligentsia Guild, scholars from the Guild rapidly analyzed the available intelligence.
"Their method of destroying star systems is exceedingly simple. Their weapons accelerate a mass point to near light speed, utilizing relative velocity and near-infinite effective mass to annihilate celestial bodies."
"From a physics standpoint, it is a stroke of genius. Simple. Practical. Effective. Their materials science and physics must be extraordinarily advanced."
A holographic interface opened, projecting a blue-haired scholar.
Veritas Ratio did not withhold his admiration for the Photoids. He held no particular stance—he merely pursued knowledge, serving as a technical consultant.
"Can they be intercepted?" Oswaldo asked.
"In theory, yes. In practice, extremely difficult. Their kinetic energy is sufficient to pierce a star. To intercept a Photoid would require dozens of times that magnitude of force."
"Altering its trajectory might be slightly easier. But remember this—the success rate of defending against a Photoid is either 0% or 100%."
Through powerful force-field interference or other means, one might deflect its course.
Across distances measured in billions of kilometers, shifting its angle by even a single degree would be enough to save an entire system.
But the risk was enormous.
For the attacker, failure could occur countless times. If one Photoid strike failed, they could simply launch more.
The Photoid launcher had already become standard equipment for the Starsea Empire fleet—even the smaller shipgirls possessed them.
The defender, however, had only one chance.
Whether the Photoid struck the star or a planet, everything would be over.
"Hiss..."
The department heads exchanged glances.
It felt as though they were playing an unimaginably cruel game—one where the stakes were utterly unequal and the probability of victory approached zero.
"If we cannot defend against Photoids, we must consider alternative plans."
"Evacuate fleets, preserve corporate assets, construct shelters."
Oswaldo deliberated briefly.
After eliminating unrealistic options, few strategies remained.
"Withdraw all fleets, trade convoys, and personnel from the six star regions closest to the front lines. Bring as many corporate assets as possible."
"Abandon all spaceports and trade hubs. Contract our defensive perimeter."
"What?"
Facing the stunned expressions of board members, he gestured across the star map.
"The Starsea Empire fleet is targeting the IPC specifically. They will not conduct indiscriminate attacks."
"Once we consolidate our fleets, we can fortify key systems and concentrate our forces to engage them."
Indeed, the Starsea Empire fleet showed little interest in minor civilizations under corporate administration. Their primary targets were IPC trade ports, military garrisons, and departmental branches.
After a full withdrawal, they likely would not trouble those planets.
"How many systems must we abandon?" asked Taravan, head of the Building Materials Logistics Department.
"Given their speed... these," Oswaldo circled a region on the star map.
"Hiss—"
Cold sweat broke out again.
They could no longer calculate the war's cost-benefit ratio. The losses were already astronomical.
As for dividing spoils of war—it was no longer even worth contemplating.
Survival at any cost was enough.
"As you propose, we can contract our defenses and fortify key systems."
"But what about those thirty—or more—Emanators? We will eventually have to face them directly."
Another executive spoke.
"By concentrating fleets and personnel, we can secure a clear numerical advantage," Oswaldo replied.
Including corporate mercenaries, they could mobilize hundreds of thousands—perhaps even millions—of warships.
And that was merely the force currently available.
With resources drawn from countless galaxies under its control, the Interastral Peace Corporation could potentially mobilize tens of millions of warships, each capable of destroying an entire city at minimum. That was precisely why no civilization dared provoke the IPC lightly.
They had merely been caught off guard
With sufficient preparation, perhaps they could contend with the Starsea Empire fleet on the interstellar battlefield.
After all, the enemy had only thirty ships—several orders of magnitude fewer.
"Additionally, to counter a greater number of Emanators, we must rely on higher-level power."
"..."
The executives stiffened.
To possess power surpassing Emanators, to maintain ties with the IPC, and to be potentially persuaded to intervene—only two entities came to mind.
The founder of the Interastral Peace Corporation, the lifetime director who had traversed the cosmos for over seven hundred Amber Eras—Louis Fleming.
And the Aeon of Preservation—the Amber Lord.
...
Two standard hours later.
All members of the board unanimously approved Oswaldo's three operational plans.
With a great enemy at the gates, departments that had previously been at odds were forced to unite.
"First, the Interastral Peace Corporation will immediately abandon the border star clusters. After extracting as many corporate assets as possible, all forces will withdraw to the vicinity of Jumu and Pier Point, consolidating the fleet's strength."
"Second, report to Mr. Louis Fleming. The chairman will not turn a blind eye to the IPC's crisis. At the same time, we must find a way to request the Amber Lord's protection."
The predecessor of the Interastral Peace Corporation had been the Amber Lord's Support Team, voluntarily supplying construction materials and resources for the Amber Lord's grand undertaking. Over the long ages, it had gradually grown and prospered.
The IPC's corporate spirit had always remained the same—"Everything for the Amber Lord."
Unfortunately, the Aeon of Preservation Themselves paid little attention to this. They had never once made use of any of the materials provided by the IPC.
Unlike the Xianzhou Alliance, which could casually call upon The Hunt to crush its enemies, the IPC could not think of any method that would compel Qlipoth to personally intervene.
The only tangible proof of their connection to the Amber Lord was that the IPC housed several Emanators of Preservation within its ranks. They had indeed received the Aeon's gaze.
"Director Taravan and Director Diamond, please collaborate with the Intelligentsia Guild to seek a method of communicating with the Amber Lord and beseech Their assistance."
Oswaldo only regretted that he himself was not an Emanator of Preservation, despite his fervent and publicly acknowledged devotion to the Amber Lord.
"Understood."
Diamond nodded.
"For the Amber Lord's great undertaking, the IPC is willing to dedicate everything."
"Third, at key stellar nodes, we will rely upon the power of Preservation and the Amber Lord's miracles to intercept the Starsea Empire fleet."
"This... may be called the Shelter Plan."
Oswaldo marked a position on the star map.
The Subspace Crystalline Barrier and Celestial Comet Wall forged by Qlipoth spanned billions of light-years in scale—a true interstellar great wall and a natural barrier.
No matter how devastating the Photoids were, they could not shake the power of an Aeon.
If they could use this as cover, prepare in advance, and concentrate their strength, it was not impossible to engage the Starsea Empire fleet in battle.
"Mm..."
The proposal quickly gained approval from the board and department heads.
"The Building Materials Logistics Department will mobilize all available resources to construct shelters and gravitational interference devices within the star systems, reducing the destructive power and accuracy of the Photoids."
"Understood," Taravan replied.
Now that they had analyzed the Photoids' method of attack, they could at least implement practical countermeasures.
Even if the probability of interception was low, the IPC's immense financial resources allowed it to recklessly pile on materials and fortify key systems.
"Additionally... though it may not be very realistic, we can also contact other factions and request their assistance."
...
In the depths of space, the Interastral Peace Corporation mobilized all its strength.
Across most of the star regions under its control, a massive evacuation began.
Corporate armed fleets and security personnel retreated en masse toward the rear. From each system, they took everything that could be taken.
Ore, local specialties, mining and exploration equipment, even the private collections of executives.
Ship after ship of resources followed the fleets as they withdrew to more distant regions.
As for what would happen to the planets left behind without material support, the IPC did not concern itself.
This was to preserve strength—and to minimize losses should those systems fall into enemy hands.
Meanwhile, in star systems far from the border, the Building Materials Logistics Department launched large-scale engineering projects at several critical nodes.
Defensive fortifications were erected. Gravitational interference devices were installed.
There, they would assemble their forces and do everything possible to intercept the Starsea Empire fleet.
Bzz—
"Ura!!—"
The Northern Union Fleet streaked across the stars at superluminal speed. One star after another blossomed and shattered behind them.
No matter how efficient the devastation, the Interastral Peace Corporation was, after all, a colossal enterprise spanning the cosmos—vast in scale and resources.
It would not collapse in mere moments.
The fleet divided into several squads, advancing deeper inward. Shipboard AI precisely locked onto targets light-years away.
"Oh? Scorched-earth tactics?"
"Planning to run?"
Bzz... BOOM!!—
Tachyon Lances erupted with brilliance surpassing that of stars, crossing entire systems to reduce fleeing corporate convoys to annihilation.
There was no time to react. The lance was a weapon of the stellar age. The instant it fired, it had already traversed billions of kilometers to strike its target.
From afar, countless multicolored streaks of piercing light carved across the night sky.
Clack—
The lower hangar bays of the starships opened. Thousands upon thousands of Angeloids spread their wings and descended to launch planetary landing operations.
With most corporate personnel having already fled, only the unlucky few who failed to evacuate remained. Ground combat proceeded with extreme efficiency.
Entire planets were subdued in moments.
"Ah?! ..."
The inhabitants stared blankly at the Angeloids. Under corporate governance for countless years, they had never encountered such a scenario.
Whoosh—
BOOM!!!—
In another squadron.
A distant sun was shattered by a Photoid launched from a nanomachine warship. The shockwave from stellar collapse swept across most of the system.
The corporate branch stationed there was completely obliterated in the stellar eruption.
"Tsk, tsk..."
Grey glanced at the star map and shook her head. The IPC was moving quickly. By abandoning certain regions, they had bought time for more distant systems to evacuate.
"Running to avoid a beating is the correct choice. But are you planning to use shelters and fight us in trench warfare? That's not a good habit, you know... tsk."
"Let me see... the next system is..."
Just as she led the fleet toward its next target—
Bzz—
Space trembled.
Sensors aboard the starships immediately began malfunctioning. Energy readings spiked sharply.
"What?!"
For a brief instant, the nanomachine consciousness felt as though it had entered an unknown realm.
All around was boundless void.
At a higher dimension, a towering god gazed down upon her.
Their body was immense. Silver-white hair flowed around him. Their skin was dark. They wore long robes. Upon Their chest was a massive golden wound from which thick golden blood flowed.
Nanook—the Aeon of Destruction.
They had witnessed everything that transpired within this supercluster.
Countless worlds had been annihilated beneath the Starsea Empire fleet. Stars shattered. Planets were reduced to dust.
Though there had yet to be a feat on the scale of an entire galaxy's destruction, the innumerable star systems already erased—and those still being consumed with every passing second—were more than enough to draw Nanook's gaze.
Even if all the Lord Ravagers combined their efforts, the worlds they had destroyed over the past several thousand Amber Eras would not equal those erased by this single fleet.
Among them, Grey was unquestionably the most outstanding. The aesthetic beauty of stellar annihilation stirred Nanook.
Bzz—
With that gaze, an immense power descended.
The Aeon of Destruction intended to bestow power upon her—to elevate her into Their Emanator.
This was the gaze of an Aeon. For ordinary beings, it would be the highest honor.
"Uh... I can understand why you've taken a liking to me. Your Lord Ravagers are honestly too incompetent—inefficient and weak."
Grey scratched her head.
"But I refuse. Get lost!!!"
Swish—
Her form trembled. A portion of grey nanocloud separated from her body, encapsulating the power of Destruction.
Gray Tempest was, in essence, composed of endless nanomachines. She could detach any part of herself at will.
Smack!—
She sealed the separated nanocloud containing the destructive power inside a container and tossed it aside.
"I'll ascend to godhood on my own. Who wants to be your dog?!"
"?"
The Aeon had clearly not anticipated this outcome.
Nous could grant mechanical life the status of Emanator. Nanook could do the same.
Unfortunately, nanomachines were entirely different from conventional artificial intelligence.
The Aeon cast Their gaze upon Gray Tempest.
Grey responded by raising a middle finger at Them.
...
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