Chapter 84: Prohiden (3)

Chapter 84: Prohiden (3)

***No. 17 Prohiden.

Even among the 10s, Prohiden's presence was by no means light.

Originally, the academic consensus was that Kaiju only evolved as designed from birth. The theory was that even Higher Order Entities had limits to their growth and didn't exceed their designed range.

However.

There was an incident that overturned such academic announcements.

That was Prohiden's first debut.

Prohiden, who had been registered as No. 9986, entered the Triple Numbering in just a few years.

That alone surprised everyone in academia, but...

-You're saying it gained an additional Unique Ability?

-A Kaiju that grows so rapidly... And an adult at that...

-This is clearly an Irregular. It's an impossible growth rate.

-We must eliminate it. As quickly as possible.

-Still, there should be limits to its growth, right? Once they leave the Larval Stage and become full adults, there's almost no growth.

-Who knows. It might not be a full adult yet.

-It doesn't make sense data-wise.

-Perhaps... it might be in the process of evolving into a Complete Form.

-Complete Form...

-It's too early to discuss that. It's just a theory.

-Is there any other way to explain the current situation?

Higher Order Kaiju went through 3 stages of evolution: Larval, Subadult, and Adult. The Complete Form was merely a theoretical realm that took into account Single Numbers.

Even the act of researching Single Numbers wasn't easy.

At any rate, the academic opinion converged on one point.

That creature must be dealt with.

There was no opposition to this.

However, humanity had always been on the defensive against Kaiju, and taking an offensive stance such as invading their home base was nearly impossible.

-We need to prepare ambushes at all points where it's expected to appear. So we can intercept it at any time.

-We need to install an permanently-connected emergency communication network and respond organically.

-The cost won't be small.

-Is cost the issue right now?

-Even the Galactic Empire isn't infinite.

-Still, we need to raise the priority on this issue even if we have to push ourselves. It's too dangerous. A Kaiju that grows so rapidly...

-Hmm. Even so, there are already many dangerous Entities among Double Numberings. Aren't we currently lacking in preparation for them as well?

-That's true, but...

While such debates were going back and forth, and preparations were being made to surely eliminate it...

-It has appeared on Planet Stella of the Asteria race.

-What? Is that true?

-M-Mmm!

-After not being seen for a while...

-Isn't this rather an opportunity?

-If it's Planet Stella, even it shouldn't be able to do anything.

-We can trust the Asterians.

-Rather, we should provide additional support to prevent it from escaping...

However, unbelievably, Planet Stella fell before they could even lift a finger.

Prohiden, who single-handedly brought one of the most powerful cosmic races, the Asteria, to near extinction, was subsequently registered as a Double Number.

Its unbelievable growth rate instilled a sense of crisis in the Galactic Empire's upper echelons, and they belatedly tried to kill it, but...

In the Lüpir Star System Operation, where the Single Number Subjugation Campaign commenced, the bastard managed to achieve something and killed the Double Number 17 'Soiati', who was also a Kaiju, before disappearing quietly.

Thus, the Galactic Empire had no choice but to place Prohiden in the vacant 17th position.

It was also irregular for a Higher Order Kaiju to kill another Higher Order Entity.

Including its absurd growth rate, it was an anomalous being even among all sorts of Kaiju.

It was too dangerous. How much it had grown had not been accurately revealed until now.

However, after witnessing scenes where it seemed to receive orders from other Double Numbers, they could only speculate that it hadn’t reached the level of Single Numbers, also called the Complete Form.

Moreover, as if it had some restrictions, it particularly didn't touch civilians. This also became a reason for lowering the Galactic Empire's vigilance, but...

An Irregular was still an Irregular.

From the Galactic Empire's perspective, Prohiden was an existence as irritating as a thorn in their foot.

Of course, Camilla would know these facts, so she would only keep it in check from ultra-long distances, avoiding engagement as much as possible.

The Heroes who were at the front lines had started to return one by one, and Aria had finished her own preparations, so there shouldn't be any worries.

It should have been so, but...

***Beep- Beep-

Beep- Beep-

Sharp mechanical sounds ringing regularly in sync with heartbeats.

Although he clearly said so, Aria could tell that Karlstein intended to use the 'Weapon No. 0'.

How could she not know after all the years they've spent together?

'Weapon No. 0' was a weapon used even in the Single Number Subjugation Campaign.

It was Karlstein's Exclusive Ether Weapon that took at least a year to recharge for reuse.

[...Understood.]

Aria could understand Karlstein's will.

In fact, such a large force wasn't necessary to hunt down just one Legion-Class group of Kaiju.

Nevertheless, Karlstein's decisive action was...

It was probably the minimum courtesy for a Great Hero who had protected the Galactic Empire.

Karlstein strode out of the Imperial Palace without hesitation.

***Beep- Beep-

Bubble- Bubble-

The silent recovery room after Karlstein left.

Swoosh-

As the door to the recovery room opened, a silver-haired woman in uniform entered.

Clack- Clack-

Where she stopped was in front of the recovery capsule containing Camilla Bashatiret.

Aria folded her arms and gave a sideways glance.

Beep- Beep-

She gazed at the green-haired girl who had suffered severe injuries.

At that moment.

The girl slowly opened her eyes.

Bubble- Bubble-

Bubble- Bubble-

Bubbles rose from Camilla's mouth.

"Haah...."

As Aria manipulated the panel, a change occurred in the respirator inside the capsule, and the girl's voice could be heard.

[D-Did he leave?]

"He should be in the midst of preparing for the expedition by now."

[Keung! Th-Thank you.]

"It was partly my mistake too. I should have prepared more perfectly."

[No. B-Because of me, we....]

Camilla, looking gloomy but also embarrassed.

Aria let out a small sigh at that.

"Haah. I granted your request, but Master has probably already noticed to some extent."

[Hueek?]

"Master is never one to be foolish."

[S-So embarrassing!]

Aria shook her head.

"Still, your injuries aren't light."

[Th-This much will heal quickly!]

"Anyway, you heard him, right?"

[E-Eut!]

Although her mind was hazy due to the ongoing drug administration, Camilla clearly remembered.

That moment when he showed anger for her sake.

Bubble- Bubble-

Suddenly, bubbles rapidly formed from her mouth, and her face turned red enough to be visible even through the glass.

"At any rate."

[....]

"Do not forget you owe me one."

[O-Okay.]

"Anyway, get plenty of rest for now. You need to recover quickly to help Master, don't you?"

[Y-Yeah....]

Leaving behind Camilla who had fallen asleep, Aria shook her head and left the recovery room.

Although Camilla had thrown a childish tantrum out of embarrassment, her injuries weren't light, to the extent that it would be believable if she were said to be in a coma.

That was why there was some leeway given.

Of course, there was no disagreement about having created a small secret from Master, but...

Everything is for Master's sake.

There was not the slightest fluctuation on Aria's face.