I Reincarnated as the Captain of a Battleship in a Robot Anime, but at This Rate, I’m Going to Be Assassinated – Chapter 47

Chapter 47: What’s Needed to Rule the World is Fear, Power, a Pure Heart, and an Empty Future
[space_man][space_man]Whether or not the occult art of hypnotism, which can manipulate people at will, exists in this world is a matter of debate. However, human psychology is a mysterious thing, and the act of brainwashing itself does exist.
[space_man][space_man]And the phenomenon of falling prey to its tricks, entrusting one’s free will to others or ideologies to the utmost limit, and simply believing in them blindly has been proven throughout history, both in the East and the West.
[space_man][space_man]It can take the form of religion, or it can occur in communities like families. Sometimes even in relationships between young children……
[space_man][space_man]The fact that the human spirit can be so easily controlled is a fact that humanity itself is not fully aware of.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]That’s why the officer who pulled the trigger tries to steady his trembling hands, head, and vision, looking around. No one says anything. They were just dumbfounded.
[space_man][space_man]Control. It exists as an absolute within the military. Orders from superiors. Instructions from headquarters. Pressure from those around you, a sense of mission, ambition…… something that’s a mixture of all of these things drives you.
[space_man][space_man]It was such a trivial thing, putting just a little bit of force on his index finger.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Well done.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]A man’s hand is placed on the trembling officer’s shoulder.
[space_man][space_man]The young officer looked at the hand, and following it, looked up at the old man’s face.
[space_man][space_man]His own leader. A hero. A man to be respected. He looked up at Fauden, the Commander-in-Chief of New Balance.
[space_man][space_man]The old man, with an expressionless face, was staring at something far away, at what had become wreckage.
[space_man][space_man]Those who were there followed his gaze. There were no words. Silence…… No, emptiness floated there.
[space_man][space_man]All that could be heard was the sound of the engine.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”The first step of the Noah Project has now begun. You have opened the curtain on this grand beginning with the pull of the trigger.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Fauden doesn’t laugh. He simply states the facts as they are.
[space_man][space_man]He flipped his ceremonial uniform’s mantle and sat down in the commander’s seat of the Babel Cannon’s firing and control tower.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”The microphone.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Then, in a tone as if he were urging them to do their usual paperwork, he gave instructions to the dumbfounded people.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Didn’t you hear? Give the microphone to Commander-in-Chief Fauden. It’s a broadcast to all ships!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]When Anferu’s roar echoed beside Fauden, a tense atmosphere spread, and the officers’ movements became lively.
[space_man][space_man]Amidst the bustle, Fauden took the microphone in his hand.
[space_man][space_man]In a monotonous, emotionless, yet somehow magnanimous tone, Fauden spoke.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I believe I understand the emotions you are all feeling as you look upon this scene. Yes, the Babel Cannon has shot through the Al Minar’s light-gathering lens colony. As a result, this sector will revert to its original frigid planet. Hundreds, thousands of lives will be lost. Yes, this is mass murder.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Murder. Upon hearing that word, many would stop moving.
[space_man][space_man]But no one points it out. That’s because something beyond such understanding is happening right there.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Of course, the blame for this slaughter rests entirely with me. The one who pulled the trigger, those who were involved in the adjustment and development of Babel, bear no responsibility. I promise you that. However, the fact is that you have all played a part in mass murder. That is an evil thing. But!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Here, for the first time, Fauden’s voice rose.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”The symbol of bloated wealth, the Al-Minar which consumed most of Earth’s resources and continues to do so, has disappeared in this very moment. What does this mean? Liberation. Humanity will come to realize that the fantasy of planetary development is just an illusion supported by a giant lump of iron! So what do we do? Rebuild it again?! Gather resources from Earth, from colonial planets that can’t even properly develop, just to chase the light and build that thing again?! And then, blinded by its success, move on to the next, and the next, consuming new resources and discarding them again?! No! Look at the scene that unfolds behind the excuse of development that we have been pushing forward with! It’s an existence that has destroyed the environment of our mother planet and even tormented those who live there! Space development, a sweet-sounding phrase, but only a select few can suck its sweet nectar. Harsh planetary development forces an even harsher life on others, and they use the excuse of it being a frontier to greedily consume more money, more resources!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]His words were unreasonable, but no one could stop him.
[space_man][space_man]Why? Because they, at least those who were there, had followed the orders of this old man who was spouting grandiose nonsense and had rained death upon the sector.
[space_man][space_man]That fact wouldn’t allow them to make excuses.
[space_man][space_man]It’s a form of control. A kind of solidarity, like a wedge, had been driven between them, sharing the undeniable fact that they could not let go of each other.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”This slaughter is a manifestation of my beliefs, but I do not wish for the extinction of humanity. However, if we continue with planetary development as it is, the Earth’s resources will soon be depleted. The fools say that’s why we need planetary development. Don’t be ridiculous. Humans who can’t even properly manage their mother planet have the audacity to try and control other planets. You should all be aware of the fact that, in the end, more money and materials were poured into the maintenance of that light-gathering lens than the construction costs, more than the profits. The resources of various developed planets were also eventually poured into Al Minar. What this means is simple. It’s because fools who only think of their own desires turn a blind eye to this and continue for the sake of momentary pleasure. In other words, I want to say that humanity is still too immature to enjoy such pleasures.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]At that moment, there was a click.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”You bastard!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Anferu roared again.
[space_man][space_man]At the end of his glare, the officer who had pulled the trigger was there, his face pale, holding a gun. The muzzle was pointed at Fauden.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Y-You……!”
[space_man][space_man]”Oh, you point a gun at me? That is the right emotion.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Fauden stood up, stopped Anferu, and stared at the officer pointing the gun.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”What’s the matter? Pull the trigger. The one standing here is a mass murderer. If you kill me here and now, you will be a hero. You will undoubtedly die here, but you will make a name for yourself. But do you think that name will be etched in eternity?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The place is quiet.
[space_man][space_man]He was still pointing the gun.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Humanity has not yet reached the level of mentality and evolution necessary to live long and eternally. Have you ever considered what would happen if I died here, and the fools took my place to lead the military, to govern politics, to do whatever they wanted?”
[space_man][space_man]”At l-least, they wouldn’t commit such mass murder……!”
[space_man][space_man]”Pff, hahahaha!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]For the first time, Fauden laughed.
[space_man][space_man]As if he were looking at something comical. Even with the muzzle pointed at him, Fauden still laughs.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Have you ever counted the number of people dying on Earth at this very moment? The number of people who are sent to undeveloped planets without proper equipment and die from overwork, starvation, or illness? I am here to put an end to that. It is the current government that is promoting it, gamblers who are blinded by the illusion of the frontier spirit and cannot see reality. So, go ahead and kill me. And then go along with the foolish dreams of such fools. What’s the matter? Why don’t you shoot?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Click, click, click, Fauden slowly walked towards the officer pointing the gun.
[space_man][space_man]And even as the muzzle got close enough to touch his heart, he continued to speak.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”If you kill me here and now, there will be a momentary peace. But those who are stained with desire, aiming for my position, will start fighting. I hope there are no fools here who cannot understand what that would entail?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]With that, Fauden looked around.
[space_man][space_man]No one said anything.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I intend to give meaning to the slaughter you have committed. But that means taking responsibility. It means walking alongside my evil deeds. Those who cannot agree with this are free to leave. I will overlook it until you leave this sector. But when we meet again, you will be enemies. I will crush you completely. You will learn that this is the natural consequence. However, if you understand my ideal of walking this blood-stained path with me, aiming for the permanent peace of humanity, its true awakening, and creating a humanity that can truly take flight from Earth, then walk with me. This wicked act will prompt the purification of humanity and put everything in order. Humanity has grown arrogant to the point where it must feel pain. Someone needs to inflict that pain, and someone needs to be that pain. You are not mere murderers. You may leave a stain on your names. But the fact that you have preserved all of humanity for eternity will be etched in history. That is what the Noah Project is all about. Humanity will return to its mother planet and must endure the great flood within the ark. We are the flood brought about by God’s will. We will wash away the wicked, erase their sins, and entrust everything to the gentle and pure humans who remain. I want you to think of yourselves as chosen!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]His words instilled a sense of elitism even more than a sense of mission. Those with sound minds would not agree with this…… but the current situation could not be called sound.
[space_man][space_man]Faced with the fact that they had caused the worst slaughter in human history, many of them had no choice but to obey, either to escape from reality, to justify their actions, or perhaps some were genuinely moved by Fauden’s words.
[space_man][space_man]Because what awaited them was the weight of being murderers, and that was the truth.
[space_man][space_man]Before long, the young officer who had been pointing the gun collapsed on the spot, releasing his weapon.
[space_man][space_man]Fauden looked down at him and turned on his heel.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”The rebels will be coming soon. Anferu, take command.”
[space_man][space_man]”Yes, sir. But what about you, Commander-in-Chief……?”
[space_man][space_man]”I have things I must do. I’m going to Goetia.”
[space_man][space_man]”Goetia?”
[space_man][space_man]”It’s a god. A failed one, though.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Leaving those words behind, Fauden left the control room.
[space_man][space_man]The old man walking alone down the long, long corridor……
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”They are also trash that should be discarded.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]He muttered such words.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’The flawed humans who cannot make the choice to defeat me, who can only rely on others. I don’t need weak-hearted people who cannot believe in their own choices.’
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The essence of the Noah Project is that it will function without problems even if he falls.
[space_man][space_man]Of course, there are elements of uncertainty. But that’s how life is. That’s how fate is. Even a god cannot overturn it.
[space_man][space_man]Humanity has been driven to a point where it must push itself.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’Trismegistus…… Goetia…… It doesn’t matter which god wins. The one that survives is the superior being. The new god. The true being that will guide humanity. If that increases, only the good will survive among humanity. And if a strong person appears who can defeat the god…… that should be the true evolution of humanity. If one of them exists, they will instinctively preserve themselves. As a god, and as a living being.’
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The old man simply walks on into the darkness.
[space_man][space_man]And then……
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’Deus ex machina…… When humanity overcomes the rule by a mechanical god…… If that’s impossible, then we have no value in living.’