I Reincarnated as the Captain of a Battleship in a Robot Anime, but at This Rate, I’m Going to Be Assassinated – Chapter 13

Chapter 13: The Revealed Backstory’s Truth Is So Headache-Inducing, I Want You to Tell Me How to Deal With It
[space_man][space_man]”Let go of me! Pervert! You gorilla!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Anish, while being held under Iron’s arm like a kitten, was still trying to bite him. In a sense, she was just like her anime counterpart, and Shougo was impressed.
[space_man][space_man]She was a spirited girl with a strong sense of justice, though her short temper and tendency to pick fights could be considered flaws. In the original anime, she was injured in the first episode. Although she was supposed to be a pilot candidate, her injury naturally prevented that. She often clashed with the protagonist.
[space_man][space_man]Honestly, she barely made any moves as a heroine. However, that was because she was worried about Yuuki, the protagonist, who should have been completely removed from battle.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’But she’s exactly like in the anime. Well, it’s only natural, I guess.’
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Anish continued to protest. Yuuki was trying to appease her with words like “Stop it,” but naturally, a strong-willed and spirited girl wouldn’t listen to such things.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”First of all! That person over there wasn’t from a shipping company!? And the person over here is definitely not a soldier! Moreover, he’s from the Earth Forces! Why are you here!? And you were fighting in space just now!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]She spoke with such intensity that everyone present, including Shougo, was momentarily stunned.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Good grief…… I don’t mind a tomboyish spitfire, but she’s so noisy. Isn’t Adamant spoiling her too much?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Lopes wondered what to do, stroking her chin as she assessed the young boy and girl held by Iron.
[space_man][space_man]She had no intention of harming them.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”This is Byblos! Grandpa won’t tell me anything, strange packages arrive, and then this situation! You guys, I don’t know if you’re Grandpa’s customers or something……”
[space_man][space_man]”Anish, stop it. It’s obvious we’re the ones in the wrong. Besides, if you’re a soldier, using that kind of language will affect the reputation of the security forces, don’t you think?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Yuuki, this boy, had a characteristic of being cool, or rather, surprisingly objective.
[space_man][space_man]However, even he showed his inherent boyish indecisiveness, for better or worse, amidst the tension of constantly fighting for his life.
[space_man][space_man]He could only remain this calm during peacetime.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Whose side are you on!?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]In this case, Anish’s words were somewhat justified.
[space_man][space_man]Except for the part where they were eavesdropping.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Anish!? Why are you here!?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]More people appeared, further complicating the situation.
[space_man][space_man]It was Adamant. He was accompanied by several others. Most of them were members of the Planetary Autonomous Council, with indifferent expressions. Among them were two who seemed to be high-ranking officers of the security forces.
[space_man][space_man]At the same time, there was an old man with white hair and a young man standing beside him as if attending to him.
[space_man][space_man]Shougo recognized the old man.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’It’s the Doctor. Dr. Phoenix…… The developer of Trismegistus, and a traitor to New Balance…… Also, the old geezer who’s treated like a trickster for not telling the whole truth.’
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]In a sense, he was the man responsible for everything.
[space_man][space_man]To begin with, the story wouldn’t have started if this old man hadn’t developed Trismegistus, so it’s a pointless complaint, but in the anime, he didn’t talk about important things, only muttering meaningful things, and he seemed to know everything about Trismegistus but didn’t say anything.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]He might have intended to explain everything in detail towards the end, but that’s not how a canceled OVA works.
[space_man][space_man]Some of the settings he didn’t explain were unexpectedly revealed by Anferu.
[space_man][space_man]To begin with, it feels like many things could have been resolved if this man had explained various things.
[space_man][space_man]Also, another thing that bothered him was the man accompanying the Doctor. A young man with blond hair. Quite handsome, he thought. Probably in his early twenties.
[space_man][space_man]He had a noticeable appearance, but Shougo didn’t remember such a character in the anime.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Grandpa!? And even the instructor……”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Putting that aside, Anish seemed to have calmed down a bit, perhaps because a series of people she couldn’t easily defy had appeared one after another. However, her eyes, filled with curiosity and hostility, were still directed towards them.
[space_man][space_man]Yuuki, on the other hand, seemed somewhat relieved.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Candidate Anish…… I thought you might do something like this someday. And you even involved the part-timer.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]One of the instructors began to cautiously warn Anish, mindful of Adamant’s presence.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”But, well, I was curious…… There’s a rumor that there was a battle in space. Even though we’re candidates, it’s not fair that we were excluded from the scramble and left without an explanation. Besides, in this situation, it’s impossible not to stand out, isn’t it?”
[space_man][space_man]”Anish, this is an important matter concerning Byblos. Please don’t make a big deal out of it.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Adamant intervened as well, and it seemed like the conversation was going to drag on.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Excuse me?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]So, Shougo wanted to move the conversation along quickly, and he coughed theatrically to gather attention. Then, everyone’s gaze pierced him, and he felt overwhelmed.
[space_man][space_man]He had experienced a similar situation on the Mirandora, but he still wasn’t used to it.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Time is of the essence. I want to discuss Trismegistus, the current situation with New Balance, and how you rebels intend to move forward as soon as possible.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]He had seen it on TV once. If you want to move a conversation forward quickly and smoothly, you should ask a question that leads to the answer. Shougo didn’t know if this was the case.
[space_man][space_man]He didn’t know, but as someone who knew this world in the form of an anime, he simply wanted to move forward.
[space_man][space_man]He couldn’t escape from this position anyway, so he had to do everything he could.
[space_man][space_man]Right now, even the time it took to slowly move to the conference room was frustrating for Shougo. He just wanted to continue the conversation.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”You, are you Lieutenant Commander Jowain…… Why is Anferu’s right-hand man here?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]As a result of Shougo’s statement, Dr. Phoenix and the blond man were looking at him in shock. It was only natural. They were former New Balance. They should know Jowain’s reputation.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Dr. Phoenix. You made a mistake. The higher-ups already know that you brought Trismegistus to this planet. You underestimated New Balance’s intelligence network. That’s why Anferu is trying to dispose of Trismegistus, even if it means destroying this planet.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]These words were deliberate. The operational data had probably already been conveyed to Adamant and the other representatives, as well as the rebels, but it seemed that the others were not yet aware of it.
[space_man][space_man]Yuuki and Anish, in particular, were shocked to the point of turning pale.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”D-destroy the planet……!?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]It was Yuuki.
[space_man][space_man]Originally, Jowain was the man who killed his family and friends. But that history had been erased.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”That’s right, boy. But I have no intention of doing such a thing. I have no intention of carrying out such an order, and I have no intention of obeying Anferu anymore. No, this operation has finally given me an excuse to leave him. I’ve figured out a way to drag that man out of his military chair.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The more accomplices, the better. It’s better to involve as many people as possible.
[space_man][space_man]Right now, it was only the Mirandora crew, but Shougo had the simple idea of gaining more supporters by revealing everything here.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”We’ll take down Anferu. It’s about time Commander Fauden retired as well. The current New Balance is distorted. I’ve surrendered with various gifts, you see. Let’s see, Captain Lopes, Representative Adamant. We fought against the New Balance forces in space for that purpose, didn’t we?”
[space_man][space_man]”Th-that’s true, but……”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]This time, the attention was focused on Adamant.
[space_man][space_man]He stammered and could only nod.
[space_man][space_man]The conversation wouldn’t progress like this, so Shougo took the lead again.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Since we’ve fired the Planet Killer at the enemy ship and caused a gravitational anomaly, they can’t easily invade using warp. However, there are plenty of other ways. And for some reason, Anferu is obsessed with Trismegistus. This operation was essentially caused by that. Dr. Phoenix, I’d like you to explain. Why did you, a military scientist of New Balance, betray the organization and hand over Trismegistus to the rebels? Moreover, Captain Lopes told me that it’s something that shouldn’t be used in battle. Isn’t it a new weapon?”
[space_man][space_man]”……”
[space_man][space_man]”Silent?”
[space_man][space_man]”Lieutenant Commander, I will explain that.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The blond man stepped forward and said this, as Dr. Phoenix was clearly trying to remain silent.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Percy!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Dr. Phoenix tried to stop him, Percy, but Percy spoke before that.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I am Technical Captain Percy Lightmilia, Lieutenant Commander. Trismegistus was indeed created as a new weapon. However, it no longer fits within the framework of a mobile weapon. I’ll omit the technical and specialized details, but it can change the battlefield on its own. Not just the Planet Killer. It can neutralize superweapons like nuclear weapons and electromagnetic pulses, and eventually…… it can even destroy a planet.”
[space_man][space_man]”……That’s not all. Neutralizing weapons of mass destruction, if you have enough numbers, you can do anything.”
[space_man][space_man]”You’re sharp. Trismegistus uses nanomachines. Originally, they were just meant to reduce maintenance, but they’re more than that. They have functions that even we couldn’t predict.”
[space_man][space_man]”I doubt you’re going to tell me a story like it can’t stop self-proliferating, or that it’s used for environmental improvement, like in old movies, are you?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Shougo felt a bit disgusted when he heard about nanomachines.
[space_man][space_man]It’s not just limited to robot anime, but it’s a setting that’s treated as very convenient in science fiction. Sometimes, it feels like they’re going beyond the scope of nanomachines and running wild.
[space_man][space_man]But that was the question. Nanomachines. Was there such a setting in this anime?
[space_man][space_man]He didn’t remember such a thing being mentioned.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”……You’re really sharp. Strictly speaking, it’s not self-proliferation…… it’s replication.”
[space_man][space_man]”What’s the difference?”
[space_man][space_man]”……One day, Trismegistus created a machine. It’s a puppet machine about thirty centimeters tall.”
[space_man][space_man]”Huh?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]A puppet machine. In other words, a pet robot. In robot anime, they often appear as icon characters or comedic relief.
[space_man][space_man]Come to think of it, he felt like there was something like that. It was treated as a recording medium that held data essential for Trismegistus’s maintenance.
[space_man][space_man]If he remembered correctly, its name was…… Thoth.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Is that all?”
[space_man][space_man]”Yes, and we don’t know when or how it happened. But the armor material is the same as Trismegistus. One day, it suddenly appeared in Trismegistus’s cockpit.”
[space_man][space_man]”Eh, that’s scary.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]He blurted it out without thinking.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Do you understand? Something is suddenly born. It’s created. What does this mean……?”
[space_man][space_man]”It means that Trismegistus might be able to mass-produce itself, right?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]It was Yuuki who stated Percy’s conclusion.
[space_man][space_man]He probably blurted it out unintentionally as well. After saying it, he blushed slightly and lowered his head.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Th-that’s right! And that’s not all……!”
[space_man][space_man]”Percy! That’s enough! Anyway, Trismegistus will be terrifying if it falls into the hands of New Balance. If the data gets out, it will be mass-produced!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Dr. Phoenix forcibly cut off the conversation.
[space_man][space_man]However, Shougo’s mind was racing with a certain thought because of Percy and Yuuki’s words.
[space_man][space_man]It was because he was, in a sense, an otaku, and because he had some knowledge of science fiction, and above all, because the list of common settings in robot anime and science fiction had come together like a puzzle.
[space_man][space_man]As a result, he reached a conclusion. It was:
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’……Trismegistus can create itself. By mass-producing small machines, it can further increase its speed. It’s not like it’s going to multiply like planarians or amoebas, wriggling like living creatures…… It physically creates them…… exponentially…… Wait, isn’t that an incredibly dangerous thing?’