"I want to pilot a Gundam! I want to pilot a super Gundam that's 150 billion light-years tall—"
"I'd settle for one the size of the entire galaxy first!!~"
Gudako threw herself onto Setsuna's back, tapping away at the holographic interface.
As for the order in which to conquer the remaining worlds, every department—and every individual—had their own demands.
Some wanted to capture more wetware and fuel for the Synaptic Lathe.
Some wanted to bring back the one hundred and three thousand little yellow books to enrich the Imperial Library.
And then there were people like her, who purely wanted to find a ridiculously cool new toy to play with.
Thud—
Setsuna knocked her lightly on the head and pulled her off his back.
"Behave yourself!!!"
"The Engineering Division and the Research Division are at least being reasonable. You're going a bit too far."
"Guh..."
"I just want to pilot a new unit! Don't you want to? We could each swap to an even stronger Gundam..."
Ritsuka Fujimaru puffed out her cheeks, looking unconvinced.
"Wasn't it called Super Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann or something? ...Or you could lend me the Old God Evangelion Nyarlathotep Type-I again for a bit."
She reached over and teased Unicorn, who was standing nearby.
"Didn't the Commander give you a Unicorn Gundam before? Want to upgrade it a little?"
"...As long as it's from big brother, I like it..."
Unicorn hugged Yuu-chan and replied softly.
"...Don't try to use other people to pressure me."
The two exchanged a few lines of their usual banter.
"Commander, what are your plans?"
Richelieu asked.
"Mm..."
"Let's put Ritsuka Fujimaru's terrible idea aside for now. We'll prioritize the needs of the Research Division and Engineering Division."
Setsuna glanced at the star map.
"Let's head to Engineering first. We'll start with something simpler."
...
Hum—
The ship descended onto the Starbase.
Standing on the platform and looking down, one could see the blazing sun stretching endlessly below. Around it was a layer of alloy "clouds."
They were composed of countless operational platforms, forming a skeletal framework that encircled the star. Their scale was carefully controlled so as not to interfere with sunlight, while continuously drawing energy from the stellar body.
"That's a Dyson Swarm."
"Its energy output is enough to power the entire Starbase, and it's relatively easy to construct."
Purifier floated over on her rigging to welcome everyone.
"Most star systems are suitable for building a Dyson Swarm. As for a Dyson Sphere? We've always felt its artistic value exceeds its practical use."
"Whoa..."
Even though it was only a relatively lightweight stellar megastructure, witnessing it up close was still breathtaking.
The Siren girls led Setsuna and the others into the stellar research facility.
"Commander, I knew you were the best. You'll definitely satisfy our request first, meow~"
Akashi immediately rushed over and began acting cute.
At the same time, she projected the structural diagram of a stellar-scale megastructure.
Its configuration somewhat resembled a Dyson Sphere. It enveloped the star in layered shells, each nested within another, composed of countless computational networks.
"We're planning to select a suitable star system and construct a new Galactic Wonder. Mm, this one is a stellar-scale quantum computer."
"It wraps around the entire star with a shell-like network, using the star itself as its energy source. Its computational power can reach the Millennium tier, so we've named it Millennium Stars."
"The only tiny issue... is that we need an extremely massive O-class star, and an additional requisition of six million Bulins."
She looked exactly like a designer presenting a proposal and waiting for budget approval.
Circling around Setsuna, she enthusiastically explained the greatness of this new megastructure.
"...Millennium tier?"
Gudako heard this strange unit for the first time and began counting on her fingers.
"Ones, tens, hundreds, thousands... trillion, quadrillion... Our warships are equipped with terawatt kinetic cannons, right? What kind of unit is Millennium?"
"Ten to the forty-seventh power."
Purifier replied concisely.
"Huh?!"
Several shipgirls nearby were startled as well.
"Did you just install some kind of megastructure expansion mod yourselves...?"
Setsuna felt something about this design was oddly familiar.
"Uh, we do have a few other immature megastructure proposals. Some were brainstormed by the little lolis in Engineering."
"Like Birch World, Quasi-Stellar Obliterator, Alderson Disk... they're still in the feasibility verification stage."
Purifier answered.
"...Genius."
"I'm not opposed to constructing megastructures, but can you tell me the necessity of this one? Is it really worth submitting a special report to me?"
Setsuna thought for a moment.
"If we're performing Rules of Reality-level calculations, the Synaptic Lathe should handle that. This seems a bit small for that. For regular use, an asteroid-scale computation array would be more convenient."
"Well..."
The wide-eyed girl summoned several Sirens and unfolded more data on the holographic display.
"Previously, using the Ex-Machina as our research blueprint, we began large-scale data input operations in the capital."
"We've digitized most weapons and skills, storing them in database form to establish the Starsea Empire's Armament Database."
"Later, we discovered that some skills are far too complex. With our current methods, we can't fully parse them. And even when we can, ordinary computational capacity isn't enough to manifest them."
"So we need a more powerful processing unit to assist our work."
After returning from the No Game No Life world, the Research Division had been dedicated to recording everyone's abilities within the Starsea Empire in digital format.
The goal was to build a shared arsenal system like that of the Ex-Machina.
Ordinary swordsmanship, magic, and standard beam-type Noble Phantasms were relatively easy to analyze. But once it came to Tohru, the Spirit of Origin, or Nyarlathotep, their abilities were completely beyond comprehension.
Let alone reproducing them with False Epigraphy—just parsing them was already difficult.
"Oh, so you just need a supercomputer to help process the data."
Setsuna understood.
"Approved. I'll sign off on it later. Let the Astronomy Department select the appropriate star system for megastructure construction."
"Ehehe!"
The wide-eyed girl gave Setsuna an enthusiastic hug.
"By the way, we can showcase a phased research result."
Snap—
She snapped her fingers.
A petite girl with dark hair stepped forward. She wore an orange robe, and a mechanical tail extended behind her.
It was one of the Ex-Machina they had picked up in the No Game No Life world.
"Schwi... greets the Commander."
Schwi's voice was ethereal as she bowed slightly.
"During this period, we've comprehensively upgraded Schwi's equipment and connected her to the Starsea Empire's central database."
"Commander, if you're heading to other worlds, you can bring Schwi along to test her new capabilities. She won't disappoint you."
Purifier sounded extremely confident.
"Mm..."
"Schwi is now very strong. Schwi can assist the Commander."
She nodded.
"Combat power analysis... Schwi exceeds the combined total combat power of the entire Ex-Machina, as well as that of the Flügel."
"Huh? Seriously?"
Gudako looked at the small girl in surprise.
Jibril, even more displeased, knocked twice on Schwi's head.
"Scrap metal, do you know what you're saying? Hm?"
"I've undergone genetic enhancement. And you? Just you?"
"Mm."
Streams of information flickered across Schwi's eyes.
"Data parsing complete."
"Under conditions where neither side receives external assistance, Schwi can defeat ten Ritsuka Fujimarus and fifteen Jibrils simultaneously within five minutes."
"???"
...
On the training grounds of the Starbase.
Shipgirls and girls crowded around the perimeter, eager to see just how powerful the Research Division's painstakingly developed "False Epigraphy" system truly was.
Schwi stood opposite Jibril and Gudako.
Faced with provocation from what she once considered "scrap metal," Jibril found it utterly unacceptable.
Gudako was equally dismissive of Schwi's claim that she could defeat ten versions of herself.
"Come on. Let me see what new toys Engineering installed for you."
Gudako pulled out a scroll and projected the Strelizia's frame.
Hum—
Countless complex lines of code and data flickered across Schwi's eyes.
[Linked to Starsea Empire Central Database]
[Lösen · Imperial Armament Database loaded.]
With her calm, indifferent voice, an ocean of data poured into her processor.
Clack!!—
Three pairs of weaponized wings, each dozens of meters long and resembling steel wings, unfolded behind her. She rose into the air, looking somewhat similar to how Ex-Machina deployed their armament modules in the past.
"The Imperial Armament Database currently contains over 320,000 recorded skills and weapons. Anyone connected to the database can use them, meow."
"Of course, the power and type available depend on the user's computational capacity. Schwi can utilize over 290,000 of them, meow."
Akashi casually took on the role of commentator.
The original Ex-Machina database had 27,000 types of armaments. The Starsea Empire's collection was dozens of times greater—and this was only a portion of what had been recorded.
As more worlds were conquered, the database would only continue to expand.
"Come on!!—"
Jibril beat her wings and launched a blitz attack at a speed nearly imperceptible to the naked eye.
[False Epigraphy · Self Time Acceleration]
Hum—
Everything in the world slowed in Schwi's perception. She lightly sidestepped the strike.
Even if her reaction speed could not match Jibril's, she could rely on parsed magic to bring both sides to the same level of speed.
"Is that Shalltear's magic? Or Tohru's? ..."
The anomaly was immediately noticed.
Swish—
Schwi raised her hand. Countless streams of information parsed across the device behind her.
[False Epigraphy · Noble Phantasm · Excalibur]
A golden greatsword materialized in her hand via holographic projection and cleaved forward.
Boom!!—
A golden beam cannon surged into the sky, sweeping across more than half the training field and forming a massive golden cross in midair.
"Whoa, isn't that the King of Knights' skill?!—"
Before Jibril and Gudako could even finish exclaiming, more attacks followed in rapid succession.
[False Epigraphy · Uranus System Super-High-Temperature Plasma Compression Anti-Ship Cannon]
Clack-clack-clack—
Mobile artillery platforms like those of Ikaros unfolded beside her. Projected high-energy weapons poured fire downward in a relentless barrage.
Boom—
Boom!!—
The two barely managed to evade the dense coverage.
[False Epigraphy · Super-Tier Magic · Fallen Down]
[False Epigraphy · Ice Storm General]
She weaved through the air. With every skill she invoked, the computational devices around her rapidly projected and manifested the corresponding effects.
Crack!—
A blazing energy beam condensed in the sky.
At the same time, frigid air erupted from the ground, instantly freezing the training field.
Ice and snow gathered into countless frost cavalry, charging forward with weapons in hand.
Boom!!
Jibril swept away the icy soldiers with Heavenly Smite. Gudako deployed a shield to block the super-tier magic, then looked up—
[False Epigraphy · Noble Phantasm · Roar, My Rage!!]
[False Epigraphy · Super Gravity Cannon Type-I]
[False Epigraphy · Far Cry]
Boom!—
Dragonfire and torrents of energy crashed down together.
"Hey!? What the hell is all this?!—"
Jibril felt like she wasn't fighting Schwi alone. She was fighting countless squads of the Starsea Empire.
It was like running a gauntlet against the King of Knights, Jeanne Alter, Ikaros, Esdeath, and many others.
Schwi summoned all sorts of bizarre skills at will, suppressing them so thoroughly they could barely lift their heads.
It was clearly two against one, yet she felt as though she were being ganged up on by half the Empire.
"Skills projected through False Epigraphy can reach up to about seventy percent of the original's power. While perfect replication isn't possible, the sheer quantity makes up for it."
Purifier crossed her arms as she spoke.
"Even when facing enemies of the same level—or several levels stronger—you can find counter-skills in the database."
"Additionally, Ex-Machina possess another trait. Their immense computational power allows them to copy, analyze, and reproduce attacks they've suffered."
"In other words, theoretically any opponent's skills can be replicated as well. Of course, with the Ex-Machina's previous computational limits, the monsters across the multiverse were far beyond their scope."
"That's why we need even greater processing power—to parse even more abilities."
"Hiss—"
The girls watching felt their blood boil with excitement.
"So we can use it in the future too?"
"Mm-hm. Ordinary people's computational power is slightly inferior to mechanical intelligences. But if you master your manifestation devices and others' skills, your strength should rise several tiers."
The wide-eyed girl thought for a moment.
"..."
Under Schwi's overwhelming firepower, Jibril and Gudako had no temper left to show.
"That's enough already!!!"
Gudako raised Strelizia's shield and charged forward with the Queen Pike in hand.
The next instant—
[False Epigraphy · Absolute Defense Circle (Aegis)]
[True Epigraphy · Star-Slayer]
Schwi projected a defensive barrier, blocking the attack.
Then she manifested a main cannon of impressive scale.
Hum...
The main cannon unleashed power surpassing even a Tachyon Lance.
It was a weapon forged by converging Far Cry, Áka Si Anse, and the Starsea Empire's own technologies.
Because it was an original Ex-Machina ability, it was classified as [True Epigraphy], not [False Epigraphy].
BOOM!!—
A tremendous torrent of energy shook the entire training ground. Even one side of the Starbase trembled slightly.
The two were slammed to the ground, unable to rise.
From engagement to defeat, not even two minutes had passed.
After only a few exchanges, Gudako and Jibril were both knocked flat by Schwi.
"When facing multiple attackers, Schwi would select even higher-output weapons from the Armament Database, such as Photoids, to strike surrounding targets."
Schwi's voice remained soft and even.
"However, that would damage the Starbase, so Schwi did not adopt that tactic. Otherwise, victory would have been achieved twenty-three seconds earlier."
"???"
"Isn't she basically a walking super armory now?!"
Gudako's gaze toward Schwi completely changed.
"That's the idea. Our modifications to Schwi were quite successful, meow."
"All her equipment is the most advanced in the Starsea Empire. There are even experimental devices installed, meow."
Akashi crossed her arms proudly.
"...Approved."
Setsuna rubbed Schwi's head.
"You'll follow me from now on."
"Schwi, understood."
She nodded.
"Waaahhh—"
With tears in her eyes, Jibril threw herself onto Setsuna.
"Master, I can't even beat scrap metal now? You're not really going to stew me with mushrooms, are you? Waaahhh—"
"It's fine. You have functions Schwi doesn't."
A certain shameless Siren added helpfully.
"???"
"I need Schwi's exact same weapons installed on Strelizia immediately!!!"
Gudako instantly found the key point.
"Mm... Then perhaps the Commander could approve a bit more budget and Bulins for us, meow? We'll complete mass deployment in the shortest possible time, meow!!"
Akashi reverted to her profiteer expression.
"With Millennium Stars, forget ordinary Noble Phantasms and skills—we might even reproduce portions of Outer Gods' abilities, nya!!!"
"?"
"Why are you revealing your true colors again?!"
...
Half an hour later.
Setsuna departed from the Starbase with Schwi.
"You'll operate alongside Ikaros from now on. You'll be permanently stationed aboard the Eternal Snowfall."
"Schwi understands."
As a mechanical lifeform, she was far easier to deploy than an ordinary person.
"Increase Engineering's Bulin allocation by another twelve million. Have them complete Millennium Stars as quickly as possible."
"No resource restrictions. Sophon will coordinate."
After witnessing Schwi's results, he had indeed developed a strong interest in the Armament Database.
"Yes—"
Sophon bowed in acknowledgment.
"Next... let's go take a look at their long-range expedition plan."
"May this journey ultimately reach— Wait, where are we?"
—
—
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