I Reincarnated as the Captain of a Battleship in a Robot Anime, but at This Rate, I’m Going to Be Assassinated – Chapter 48

Chapter 48: If We Could Even Slightly Consider the Feelings of Those Crushed by Ideals, the World Would Be a Little Better
[space_man][space_man]The unrest spread to the Rebel Army as well.
[space_man][space_man]Inside the Mirandora, the reaction to what had just happened was tremendous, with many of the crew stunned, and the same could be said for the Savona and other ships following them.
[space_man][space_man]At the same time, Shougo disciplined himself to remain calm. No, the overly shocking event seemed to have cleared his head of confusion, and he was trying to figure out why that man had done such a foolish thing.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I have a bad feeling about this.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The destruction of the Al Minar Sector’s condensing lens was one thing, but even more frightening was the existence of the enormous strategic weapon that carried it out and the human who executed it. The word “deterrent” had disappeared. Seeing that it had already been used, one had to acknowledge the fact that such a thing did not exist.
[space_man][space_man]It was the fact that that giant weapon of destruction could be pointed at them at their whim.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”……Major Kes.”
[space_man][space_man]”Yes.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Even Kes seemed to be at a loss for words at the act that was taking place before his eyes.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”If there had been some kind of misunderstanding, it could have been us there, and we could have been the ones pulling the trigger. What would you think then?”
[space_man][space_man]”……I would be terrified. I would regret doing something I didn’t want to believe, I would be terrified, and I would shut down.”
[space_man][space_man]”I think so too. The officers who were present at that scene…… No, those who belong to New Balance, those who cooperate with them, those in weak positions…… They would have no choice but to obey.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The fact that they had been complicit in wrongdoing was enough to force people to obey.
[space_man][space_man]Because, while the process and purpose were different, the act of rebellion against New Balance that he had committed was also similar in meaning.
[space_man][space_man]It blocked the escape route, making it impossible to escape what had already been done, and forced them to cooperate with the momentum.
[space_man][space_man]In that sense, what he and Commander Fauden were doing was the same. However, the scale was different.
[space_man][space_man]At least he did not condone mass murder. He wanted to believe that was a big difference.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Damn it……! That can’t be all!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Shougo spun his thoughts further. He felt for some reason that such a huge weapon was just a facade. This was evident from the fleet that had suddenly appeared in the Al Minar Sector. Besides, there was something that Thoth was afraid of.
[space_man][space_man]What could be deduced from this was……
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”There may be something close to Trismegistus on the enemy side.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]It wasn’t a whim. Hadn’t they done the act of warping an impossible distance in an instant? They had made it possible with the power of a single machine.
[space_man][space_man]And the developer of that machine was now under the enemy’s control.
[space_man][space_man]No…… Maybe not. Shougo came to a new thought.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’Trismegistus replicates itself…… Then, can we say for sure that the Trismegistus we have now is not a replica?’
[space_man][space_man]『Jowain-kanchou』
[space_man][space_man]”……! What is it!?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]His thoughts were interrupted.
[space_man][space_man]It was a communication from Captain Lopes.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]『Well, I was wondering what to do. If we were to follow our emotions now, we’d want to storm the sector right away, but with this unrest spreading, I don’t think we stand a chance. Even if we were to join up with the friendly fleet.』
[space_man][space_man]”I agree. That act is unforgivable, but it’s not wise to head there now. That Big Cannon is a threat, and I don’t think that’s all they have up their sleeves……”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]However, it was a situation where they needed to rendezvous with the fleet in question and discuss it there.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Anyway, we have to join up with the Rebel Army now. I’m sure the enemy is not in step either, but I don’t want to be subjected to a desperate suicide attack.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]That was Shougo’s fear.
[space_man][space_man]The enemy’s new weapons were scary, but a desperate situation where they couldn’t retreat was even scarier.
[space_man][space_man]If Commander Fauden had thought that far ahead, he would be exploiting human psychology in a nasty way.
[space_man][space_man]Fear is contagious. And the imposed sense of solidarity, however distorted, creates a strong bond…… To break it, you have to defeat the top, the knot, but it’s difficult to get to that knot.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]『That man…… I have to kill him no matter what…… I’ve realized that again now.』
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Lopes’ words felt sincere.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’That’s right, doing something like that will only give the opposition a clear reason. It will make people rise up and say that such an act should not be allowed. It should be an act that strangles him, but……’
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]In fact, whether it was himself or Lopes…… He was sure that everyone here was thinking that Fauden must be defeated. There was momentary fear and confusion, but with time, it would turn into anger and hatred, and become power.
[space_man][space_man]It shouldn’t be limited to the Rebel Army. The evil deeds of New Balance that they had been broadcasting up until now. This would reinforce the scenario in which the populace would recognize New Balance as evil and aim to overthrow it.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’No, was it intentional? Did he deliberately show something terrifying and threaten that this is what would happen if they opposed him?’
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The symbol of humanity’s hope. Shattering a successful example of space exploration.
[space_man][space_man]It was the man who had achieved it who did it, an unbelievable act.
[space_man][space_man]The sight of him doing it without hesitation was eerie. What would people who had no power to fight think when they saw that? The rebellious thoughts that had sprouted might be crushed.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Captain Lopes, I feel the same way. That man…… must be defeated no matter what. That’s why I want to make thorough preparations. First, let’s rendezvous. And then…… we’ll reorganize our forces and strategy. I don’t think a weapon like that can be fired repeatedly. I don’t think they’ll be able to fire a second shot at any faction right away, but……”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]They should both have time.
[space_man][space_man]First, they would work out a strategy there.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]『Is that appropriate……? I understand. First, we’ll rendezvous with our allies. Those guys wouldn’t be stupid enough to launch a surprise attack either. They’ll be in a state of shock.』
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]With that, Lopes ended the communication.
[space_man][space_man]Staring at the blackened monitor, Shougo suddenly thought.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’The fact that Commander Fauden destroyed Al Minar…… It’s like it’s been revealed that he was the one who made Franny do that too……’
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]He didn’t want to believe it in the back of his mind, but he had learned that the man had no qualms about killing his own daughter.
[space_man][space_man]It was a shock. He had thought that even if they were enemies, even if they were ideologues, there was parental affection. But he was confronted with the fact that such a thing did not exist.
[space_man][space_man]If so, what would Franny, his own daughter, think?
[space_man][space_man]It was unimaginable.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”That alone is unforgivable…… A parent who causes trouble for their child.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]What she would have to bear from now on was the weight of being the daughter of the worst mass murderer in human history.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I, I want to kill someone for the first time……!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Shougo didn’t care if anyone heard his mutterings.
[space_man][space_man]Because it was his honest and true feelings.
[space_man][space_man]
✼✼✼
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The situation had been conveyed to the pilots as well. There was unrest, but at the same time, the pilots, who were combatants, were beginning to rouse themselves. They could not forgive such an outrageous act.
[space_man][space_man]The one who was raising his voice the most was Mark. He was a rough and violent man, but he had his own aesthetics. He enjoyed fighting, but he didn’t kill needlessly, and there were lines that shouldn’t be crossed in war. There was no point in tormenting the defenseless, and he had a certain sense of justice that would not allow such a pointless act as massacre.
[space_man][space_man]The same was true for the other pilots, and regardless of the outcome, the atmosphere of rebelling against the organization and trying to rectify it as a self-purifying action, the decent thought of wanting to help the civilians, had meshed well, creating an atmosphere where they could be the good guys.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”We were soldiers, even if it was in the past. And we were part of New Balance. So we have to clean up that stupid act, and we have to free our comrades who are being forced to obey.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Mark’s words were filled with passion.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Even so, there are guys who will shoot bullets at us. That can’t be helped. Kill them. We want to survive too. But if we crush the enemy’s top brass early on, eliminate the chain of command, and end the fight, there won’t be any such exchanges. Well, it’s not going to be that easy, but at least have that kind of mindset. I don’t know how our fleet will move, but a big battle is expected. But there’s no need to die in that nonsensical battle that that stupid Fauden started. We just need to quickly put an end to the fool’s antics.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Mark couldn’t understand complicated ideologies, and he didn’t intend to.
[space_man][space_man]He simply didn’t like what Fauden had done.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’But more than that, you’re going to try to kill your own kid? You’re crazy.’
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Strangely enough, Mark, like Shougo, understood that Fauden’s actions were a betrayal of his own daughter.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’I’ll leave babysitting the kid to another kid……’
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Thinking that, Mark glanced at the Trismegistus.
[space_man][space_man]Yuuki and Thoth were not there, and neither was Anish. He had kicked Yuuki’s ass right after the broadcast and sent him to check on Franny.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Humph, from a boring peacekeeping mission to a civilian massacre operation, and now we’re rebelling against the organization, and the organization in question is shamelessly committing mass murder…… And we’re going to stand up to stop it…… What an interesting life.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]But he didn’t think it was a bad life at all.
[space_man][space_man]Mark was a true battle maniac. It was just that he understood where to direct that consciousness.
[space_man][space_man]He also had a cause. He could unleash his power to his heart’s content. In a way, he was probably more suited to being a space pirate like this than being in the military.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I don’t know what kind of complicated reasons there are, but you’re the biggest prey in my life, Commander Fauden. I’m sorry for your daughter.”
[space_man][space_man]
✼✼✼
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Yuuki was bewildered.
[space_man][space_man]He had been ordered to go check on Franny, and when he went looking for her, she was found much sooner than he expected. However, Franny grabbed Yuuki’s hand and looked him straight in the eye and said,
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Please let me ride in the Trismegistus. I’m going to kill my father.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]There was no sign of the fluffy girl, no trace of the distraught girl, only an expression that conveyed a strong will.
[space_man][space_man]Yuuki was convinced that it wasn’t out of desperation.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”He’s not human anymore. He’s doing something shameful as a human being. He’s just making excuses, saying it’s a mission or something, and getting drunk on himself. There’s no telling what will happen if we leave a man like that alone. As the only one related to him by blood, I have to defeat him. So please let me ride.”
[space_man][space_man]”Franny, but that’s very dangerous and scary, isn’t it?”
[space_man][space_man]”I don’t care. I’m on a warship. Besides, if you let me ride, you’ll be motivated not to let me die, won’t you?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]That was a bullseye.
[space_man][space_man]That was the kind of boy Yuuki was.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Why don’t you let her ride?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]What was surprising was that Anish, who seemed like she would oppose this kind of thing, readily agreed.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Everyone has things they have to do. Besides, no woman can just stand by and watch after something like that, can she?”
[space_man][space_man]”Yes, that’s right. I’m going to make my father pay for a lot of things. For messing up my life so much. Thanks to him, I can’t live in the light of day anymore.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]She said it casually, but Yuuki thought it was a tremendous fact.
[space_man][space_man]No matter what, Franny would be subjected to unpleasant prejudices.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Until I stop my father, I’ll be any kind of palanquin. That aside, I’m going to kill my father. I’ll kill him with my own hands if I can. He was the one who made the first move. Then he can’t complain if I retaliate.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Franny squeezed Yuuki’s hand tightly again.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Please, Yuuki. You promised me, didn’t you? That you’d take me home, to my father. Please keep that promise. Otherwise, I won’t be able to move on. If everything goes well, I might even offer myself to you?”
[space_man][space_man]”Hey, why are you suddenly connecting it to such a stupid story?”
[space_man][space_man]”Oh my, because I can’t live in the outside world anymore. I can’t have a proper romance.”
[space_man][space_man]”Hey, you’re supposed to be saying something cool, but why are you thinking like that afterwards!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]And so began another meaningless quarrel between the two girls.
[space_man][space_man]No…… Maybe Franny couldn’t even have such a meaningless quarrel with anyone else anymore.
[space_man][space_man]Yuuki thought it was sad.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’That’s why we have to defeat him.’
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Yuuki also set his sights on the enemy.