Chapter 50: It’s Quite Amusing To Provoke the Arrogant, Self-Important Bunch, but It’s Also Life-Threatening
  It wasn’t a certainty. It was almost like a joke, but if this world was a robot anime, and the machine they currently possessed, the Trismegistus, was the main mecha, and it possessed tremendous power, then Shougo had a sort of meta-thought that maybe those things would coincide nicely with the will to use it to somehow fix the world.
  But it wasn’t something to place importance on. It was just a matter of being happy if it could happen, and he had no intention of relying on it entirely.
  It’s a matter of course, but until that power can be controlled, it’s not something that can be relied upon.
  
  However, the Trismegistus, its core machine Thoth, was showing clear fear and vigilance. At the same time, this machine with a will is faithful to its instincts, and probably has the idea of wanting to simply put into practice its survival instincts, self-evolution, and the desire to test its own power, which is likely programmed at its core.
  It seems contradictory, but it’s not as if humans don’t sometimes show such aspects.
  I want to try it, I want to know what I can do, driven by my curiosity. That’s also an instinct.
  The Trismegistus is pure in a way, and to put it bluntly, somewhat childish.
  Yes, if he’s also a child…… By the time such a thought crossed his mind, Shougo’s vision was no longer displaying the distorted scenery of warp space but that of the universe.
  
  “Warp out. Confirming coordinates.”
  
  Navigation Officer Faran also ended up following along without disembarking.
  His quick work is a great help.
  
  “Right on the money, just before the Al Minar Sector…… Captain, I suggest we shift to inertial navigation.”
  
  From Faran’s report, Shougo understood that his first gamble had been successful.
  
  “No, we’ll enter the sector at maximum speed as we are. Did Thoth’s power have an effect after all? Or…… did they invite us? Assume alert posture, radar at maximum sensitivity. Clart, inform the destroyers as well.”
  “Understood.”
  
  What could be gleaned from the sector information displayed on the main monitor was that they were right under the nose of Al Minar. It was a location that was barely outside the fleet’s radar network, but the warp reaction would be detected sooner or later.
  
  “Listen up, don’t even think about defeating the enemy. What we’re doing is provocation. There’s no need to k*ll needlessly. Operators, call out to the enemy on open channels. There might be someone who responds to that. However, counterattacks are permitted. Got it? Your own safety comes first. This is not the place for a decisive battle.”
  
  Under Shougo’s command, the Mirandora accelerated its improved hull, utilizing its performance to the fullest.
  
  “Let’s surprise them first. Prepare to launch long-range missiles. Scatter them randomly.”
  
  The Mirandora, which had not only its main guns but also its missile launch tubes increased, possessed a loading capacity comparable to a missile ship. Countless missiles were launched from the missile launch tubes on all four sides of the bow. The escorting destroyers were not equipped with long-range missiles, but their job comes after this.
  Rather, missiles and beams are not important. What’s needed is speed and maneuverability.
  
  『Captain Jowain, wouldn’t it be a good idea to launch dummy balloons as well?』
  
  Shougo immediately responded to Lopes’ suggestion.
  
  “Good idea. After the second barrage of missiles, deploy the balloon ships as well. After that, we’ll correct our trajectory to get right above the enemy fleet.”
  
  Huge balloons were launched, inflating like elongated, rounded toy boats. They couldn’t deceive radar, but human eyes surprisingly prioritize physical interference. Even if it doesn’t show up on radar, having a foreign object in the periphery of your vision dulls your thinking.
  
  “The enemy’s harassing fire will come, but don’t get hit. We’ll use the bow beam barrier after we’ve plunged into the enemy formation.”
  
  Even if it’s a barrier, it’s not invincible. Considering energy consumption, it’s not actually something that should be used frequently. But the defensive power it provides is attractive, and the fact that it can withstand a fleet’s beam volley even with a single ship is exceptional.
  However, if it were to receive such an attack, the barrier would become unusable in one go. That’s why the anti-beam smoke was more important.
  
  “Enemy fleet counterattack, incoming.”
  
  A few seconds after Kes’ report, slender beams ran through the place where Shougo and the others had been just moments before. They were the remnants of beams that had attenuated with distance.
  Even something like that would cause significant damage to the armor if it hit. It was the right decision to take evasive action.
  
  “Teurugia squad, prepare for sortie! Once we charge into the middle, go wild! How’s the Trismegistus doing? If you can launch a preemptive jamming attack, go ahead and do it!”
  
  The three fleets carried out their charge into the enemy fleet, which was deployed in countless numbers.
  The enemy, too, seemed to have been unable to anticipate the immediate appearance of the Mirandora and the others, and there was visible confusion. Their movements were like those of people who had been attacked by a large fleet.
  Shougo felt that this was a drawback of keeping the super-spec machine a secret.
  
  ‘If they had a monster on par with the Trismegistus on their side, and they hadn’t properly shared its performance with their allies, this is what would happen. If they had been told that the enemy also had that possibility, they wouldn’t have been this confused.’
  
  It’s a flaw of secrecy.
  But the frightening thing about group behavior is that it shares and mitigates such individual anxieties as a whole. At the same time, the enemy has two commanders. Even if they’re rotten, they have charisma. If they manage to regroup with that, it’s us who will be at a disadvantage. How much we can stir things up before that was crucial.
  
  “Pay attention to the Big Cannon’s movements. And that s*itty old geezer Phoenix might pull out some other strange invention. Keep that in mind and stir things up!”
  
  The Mirandora’s main guns fired a volley. They pierced through several ships, but didn’t manage to sink them. That’s because they were reducing the beam output and firing randomly.
  At the same time, Shougo opened the open channel.
  
  “We are the Space Pirates Hermes! We’ve come to pick a fight with those who commit atrocities! Now, let’s have your commanders come out. There’s someone here who’s itching to punch your faces!”
  
  Along with those words, the lead in the communication shifted from Shougo to Franny.
  However, she was not on the b*idge. That’s because she had moved to the Trismegistus, to Yuuki.
  Yuri had also been evacuated to the captain’s cabin.
  
  『–I am Franny Fauden.』
  
  The girl’s voice echoed across the battlefield.
  
  『I won’t say anything complicated. Father, I will k*ll you. You’re the one who came to k*ll me. I’ll claim self-defense. Besides, I no longer call the murderer who did this to my homeland my father. Be prepared, Blau Fauden……!』
  
  ***
  
  “Teki Teki Teki! This is bad!”
  “What’s Thoth so excited about?”
  
  Inside the Trismegistus’ cockpit, Yuuki started up the machine while pushing aside the agitated Thoth.
  It was in surprisingly good condition. It had been perfectly repaired at the fortress base, and even had additional equipment developed. Yuuki didn’t know how effective the near-rush job would be, but the machine’s display was all green nonetheless. He had no choice but to trust it.
  But the problem was Thoth, who served as the brain, rather than the body. If he were a living creature, he would be bristling with excitement.
  
  “Goetia…… what is it? Is it your enemy?”
  “Goetia is a type of magic that’s the polar opposite of Teurugia, right?”
  “Huh?”
  
  Franny, who had ended up boarding with him, chimed in while wearing a spacesuit.
  Franny, clinging to the space in the back seat, said that while adjusting her posture. Two people in the narrow cockpit. It was originally not a structure designed for that.
  Yuuki felt Franny’s breath, different from Anish’s.
  
  “I studied religious studies in university a long time ago. Teurugia and Goetia are names of magic, with Teurugia being good magic and Goetia being evil magic.”
  “University?”
  “I skipped grades.”
  
  Franny answered as if it were a matter of course, just for that moment.
  It’s an act that only the rich are allowed. In that case, this girl is considerably smarter than me.
  
  “Ah…… but why such a fantastical story?”
  
  Yuuki tilted his head, wondering if they would teach such romantic notions in university.
  
  “Who knows? That’s what ancient religions are like, and I think the military and scientists, following that example, are surprisingly romantic and name things like that for good luck.”
  “I don’t really get it, but if Thoth is wary of Goetia, and it’s bad magic, then it’s the enemy.”
  “It’s probably my father. In other words, he has some kind of hidden card.”
  “I can imagine that.”
  『Yuuki, are you ready?』
  
  Anish’s call came in midway.
  
  “I’m fine. Thoth is excited too, but we should be able to do it.”
  『Good. I’ll provide support, so you make sure to handle that machine properly, okay?』
  “I know. Anish, don’t be reckless either. This Trismegistus is equipped for defense, so if things get dangerous……”
  『I’m your Senpai. I won overwhelmingly in the Rabi Reivu mock battles, didn’t I?』
  “Got it. Don’t be reckless. I’ll be lonely if you’re gone.”
  『Ah, me too. I don’t want to d*e over something this stupid. Well then, make sure you protect the princess properly. See ya.』
  
  The communication cut off with a click.
  Then Franny chuckled from behind.
  
  “How heartwarming. Are you two going out after all?”
  “We’re not. I’m being bullied.”
  “Then shall we share a consolation kiss?”
  “I don’t like that kind of self-destructive behavior. If you like me, I want you to be natural.”
  “My, my.”
  
  Somehow, Yuuki understood how to handle Franny.
  I think she’s cute. More than that, she’s a pitiful girl. Franny is…… a child abandoned by her parents. I might not be able to understand her deep psychology.
  
  ‘This girl…… is trying to do something reckless. If that’s the case, I have to stay by her side and stop her.’
  
  Even if she doesn’t have parents, she needs friends.
  And it’s fine if it’s me and Anish who become them. Otherwise, she’ll be lonely.
  She must understand that herself, but she probably doesn’t know how to close the distance.
  That’s why…… I have to protect her.
  
  『All units, launch! Trismegistus, you’re lagging behind!』
  “Yes! Yuuki Shijima, launching in the Trismegistus!”
  
  The heavily equipped Trismegistus took off into the chaotic space.
  Right behind it was Anish.
  Mark’s unit was ahead of them. Units were also launching from the other two destroyers.
  
  “I should try using the beam knuckle’s barrier too, but before that……”
  
  Yuuki grabbed Thoth, who was floating in zero gravity.
  
  “Thoth, if there are enemies, you do your best too. You don’t want to be defeated, right? There are a lot of annoying people here. Jamming at maximum sensitivity. Don’t k*ll them. Just hindering them is enough. The ones who can still move after that are the enemies.”
  “Goetia!”
  “Yeah, Goetia. I don’t know what it is, but it’s the enemy, and probably in that huge cannon…… but don’t take it seriously for now.”
  
  Particles leaked out from various parts of the Trismegistus as it dashed, shimmering like s*ooting stars.
  The Trismegistus’ jamming wasn’t yet at the level where it could control everything. Still, it was nothing to cause malfunctions in machines. Even if it was just for a few seconds, if functions like lock-on were to stop, it would become a major opening.
  
  “Crush the engines and use them as shields……!”
  
  The Trismegistus, carrying a huge beam barrier generator. When its fist was enveloped in the light of the beam, it deployed, as if to crush the main booster of the battleship it had captured in front of it.
  As if it had been gouged out and crushed, a part of the battleship’s rear disappeared, causing repeated small explosions and rendering it immobile. An increase in immobile ships meant an increase in things that could be used as shields.
  
  ‘I seem to have a rather bad personality.’
  
  And, unintentionally, it was a pirate-like way of fighting.