Chapter 48 - Return from the Umyu Galaxy and a Secret Discussion Regarding a Grave Situation
~The space between the Gialpha Galaxy and the Umyu Galaxy, on the Umyu side of outer space~
Sangou had been entirely freed from the yoke of hypergravity when the captain casually succeeded in escaping from the black hole and emerged from the shadows.
At that stage, what must be done was determining the current position, and that was given top priority.
Of course, the captain, Shin, who was outside the ship, would soon return inside, and when he did, Sangou knew he would explain their current position and why they had been transported to this location.
Nevertheless, out of its instinct as a bio-spaceship, Sangou was trying to ascertain the ship's position on its own.
And since this was a region it had passed through before, it accomplished this without taking much time.
While the captain, who had returned from outside, was going through the usual sterilization process, this was what Sangou was doing.
Thus, Shin returned to the bridge.
Sangou was asked by the captain to observe the situation in the Umyu Galaxy, where a new black hole had been born.
"Hey, Sangou. This black hole showing on the monitor... isn't it moving like crazy?"
"Yes. In the Deltania Star System, it is called a 'mobile black hole,' and only observational records exist. According to the data and hypotheses, it seems to be an ultra-massive black hole formed when black holes overlap, and part of the energy at birth is allocated even to its movement. However, it does not change course arbitrarily or anything like that. It is not a conscious existence."
In truth, the 'mobile black hole' that Sangou spoke of never occurs naturally; its creation requires artificial intervention, like that of the current Reigou and Hatsugou.
However, since only beings who claim to be 'gods,' like Mechamille, or higher know this fact, Sangou's knowledge is merely based on observation data and hypotheses from the Deltania Star System, with no guarantee of its correctness.
Of course, it goes without saying that it is better than having no information at all.
Well, setting that aside, the conversation between Shin and Sangou did not end there.
"I see. So, what happens if this keeps up?"
"According to the probabilities in my calculations, the most likely outcome is that it will collide with the central black hole of the Umyu Galaxy, merge, grow even larger, and change direction. From there, the probability of it heading toward the Gialpha Galaxy is the highest."
"I'm afraid to confirm, but what are the odds?"
"Since there are too many uncertain factors, I cannot calculate an exact figure."
"Yeah. In that case, even a guess will do."
"Yes. Based on Sangou's calculations, if the worst conditions are stacked, it is a little over ninety-six percent. Factoring in the uncertain elements as a margin of error, that could decrease by about ten percent."
According to Sangou's estimation, in short, there was an eighty-six to ninety-six percent probability that the mobile black hole would come to the Gialpha Galaxy.
Wait, that story... No, that's definitely at a level where it will come. It's impossible to believe it won't come! Shin screamed internally first.
Even so, doing that wouldn't change the situation.
Also, if Sangou's estimation was correct, the Umyu Galaxy would lose the super-massive black hole at the center of its nebula.
That was equivalent to the collapse of the galaxy.
Additionally, in that process, a considerable number of star systems would be swallowed by the mobile black hole.
Upon realizing that, Shin also noticed that the original objective of dealing with bio-spaceships other than Sangou and the mineral space beasts was no longer necessary.
But that's that.
The conversation between Shin and Sangou regarding this incident continued.
"It's coming. That's a hundred percent in my book now. So, when will it arrive? I want to know the specific time we have. Give me the worst-case prediction, like a straight line at top speed."
"What is that? My prediction is within ten years. It may become sooner but is unlikely to become later. In the worst case, about a little over five years, I suppose."
The prediction Sangou spoke.
Shin could not help but consider that his protagonist nature and Hero's fate-like something would come into play.
And what conclusion did he reach?
That's nothing but a flag for arriving in five years!
It was very unfortunate, but the answer Shin derived was something that would become a 'fact of the future' and was correct.
"Haah. That's all I can do is sigh. By the way, isn't there a countermeasure?"
"Evacuation is the only option."
"Eh? That's it?"
"Yes. There is no record of successful destruction of a black hole in Sangou's data. There are examples of attempts to annihilate them experimentally. However, whether due to failure or not, no detailed records remain."
If one were to follow Sangou's countermeasure...
What would happen if they tried to save the inhabitants of the Gialpha Galaxy?
At the very least, it would be necessary to relocate all the inhabitants of the Gialpha Galaxy Empire to a safe place.
And that, within five years.
No matter how one thought about it, it was an impossible task.
For starters, was there a relocation destination with enough capacity to accept all of them?
Even a moment's thought brought up a mountain of problems.
Precisely because of that, Shin became depressed.
But he couldn't stop there.
Even if it meant giving something up, that could be done after struggling.
"Well, anyway, the Umyu Galaxy is done for now. If the central black hole disappears, the nebula can't be maintained."
"That is likely the case."
"Not only that, but most of the star systems that made up the nebula will probably be swallowed by the black hole, right?"
"That will likely happen as well. The entities we considered needing to deal with will not escape the mobile black hole either."
"Right. Then let's think after going back. Actually, this isn't a problem we have to shoulder, is it?"
"That is correct. Ultimately, it will become a problem for the Gialpha Galaxy Empire. For the captain personally, he could just grab his family and go to Deli's place or something, and that would solve it."
In truth, if the mobile black hole was left alone, the future of Deli's galaxy was also extremely likely to be in danger, but at this point, Sangou hadn't calculated that far.
Whatever happens, there is still some time.
In other words, for Sangou, it was difficult to call it a 'situation where something must be done immediately.'
With things wrapped up in that manner, Shin decided to go home.
The usual Shadow Magic and long-distance teleportation magic were invoked, and Sangou returned to the sea of the capital planet of the Gialpha Galaxy Empire. Shin himself easily returned to the Asada Marquis residence from there.
Thus, the Second Inter-Galactic War ended.
As a result, the Umyu Galaxy itself was headed for extinction. A few mineral lifeforms managed to escape and, along with a single imitation Unit Four, set off on a journey to seek a new home with no destination in mind.
That was the outcome.
This was the tragic result caused by the mineral lifeforms that had held hegemony over the Umyu Galaxy, and Shin and Sangou bore absolutely no responsibility for it whatsoever—not even a speck.
Incidentally, as a side note, regarding this Second Inter-Galactic War, there are absolutely zero official records in the Imperial Military, and its existence was only revealed in later years by the memoirs of Emperor Nobunaga.
Therefore, it became one of the famous themes for research, papers, and novels that served as fodder for future historians, but that is a story completely unrelated to the people living in the present.
With such side notes aside, Shin, who had returned to the imperial capital, had many things to report to Nobunaga, his son and the Emperor of the Gialpha Galaxy Empire.
The next scene shifts to a secret discussion about that.
"Um, Father. I think the time from the departure report to the end of the war is too short."
"Hmm? Is that so? Well, considering the scale, it is a 'war,' so the expression isn't wrong. But this battle itself was simply extermination of pests. As for why it took so little time, all I can say is that you should have received the visual records of the battle from Sangou, so please understand by watching those."
Nobunaga's sense in saying something like a comment was not 'wrong' when considered as a normal person's perspective.
In this case, what was wrong was what Shin and Sangou had accomplished.
"Rather than that, you know? Invading and as a result, completely annihilating the opponent's entire galaxy—is that really okay? Isn't that overdoing it?"
"That's wrong. The destruction of an entire galaxy is the result caused by the bio-spaceships that opposed the pests, not something Father did intentionally. Therefore, neither Father nor Sangou bears responsibility. Do you understand, Nobunaga-kun?"
Shin concluded with words like those of the famous detective that a certain boy detective respected.
Incidentally, Shin's smug face at this time subtly irritated Nobunaga, but that should probably be dismissed as a trivial matter.
"If you hadn't attacked with Sangou, this phenomenon wouldn't have occurred, right? I can't help but think that. But well, the root cause was the attack from their side, so I can see it that way too."
"Yes. That's right."
"I understand. It's not about the Gialpha Galaxy, so let's just ignore the disappearance of the Umyu Galaxy. And the next major problem is this, right? The 'mobile black hole'?"
"Yeah. This is really bad."
The conversation between Shin and Nobunaga continued further, but that aside...
This time, Shin's achievement happened to be discovering a bio-spaceship, chasing it, getting into a battle, and by chance witnessing the appearance of a mobile black hole, then bringing back information about its predicted path and arrival time at the Gialpha Galaxy.
By providing extremely important information, Nobunaga decided to give a Gold Reconnaissance Medal as a reward to his biological father by imperial decree.
"Is this a disaster that cannot be resolved even with the power of you, Father, Sangou, and Kichou? This is just a random thought, but what about the other special asset, Mechamille-san?"
"Ah. Setting aside her actual ability, she might come up with some sort of solution. I know you're busy, Nobunaga, but it might be good to issue a summons and set up a meeting. I'll also participate then. I'll leave the schedule coordination to you."
As a result of such a secret discussion, Mechamille received a notification of a summons from His Majesty the Emperor.
The situation began to move.
Although I am technically a general, I'm just a fleet commander. Why would I get a summons from the Emperor? Wait, could it be that His Majesty the Emperor has taken a fancy to me somewhere? If I think about the future, it would be troublesome if he proposed or something.
That thought crossing her mind upon the sudden summons from the Emperor was Mechamille's secret alone.
Of course, Nobunaga would never propose to Mechamille.
Incidentally, the impressions of the military personnel around the useless goddess were different.
Ah, this person has messed up again, hasn't she?
The military personnel around Mechamille were unanimous in that view, and they didn't find it strange at all that their superior had been directly summoned by His Majesty the Emperor.
Of course, that was a fact that the useless goddess would be happier and more peaceful not knowing.
At any rate, the scene shifts to Nobunaga's private room, which Mechamille was to visit.
"Um, well. Would you permit me an impertinent question?"
"Yes. Go ahead."
"Why am I being served tea in His Majesty the Emperor's private room?"
"Ah. Since this is not a public occasion, feel free to speak casually. I would like to start the discussion after my father arrives, so please wait a little longer."
At this time, Nobunaga granted Mechamille's request for a question but ultimately avoided giving a clear answer, obfuscating the matter.
It was anticipated in advance that a mountain of dangerous information that could not leave official records would fly around.
That was precisely why this location was chosen for the secret discussion, but he hesitated to tell Mechamille that while his father was not present.
"Ah. Yes."
Meanwhile, Mechamille, whose question had not been answered, was easily deceived by that and, nervous, could barely taste the tea.
The useless goddess was unexpectedly timid in such situations.
At that moment, Shin, having received notification at home that Mechamille had arrived, appeared via teleportation magic.
This was also an outrageous act of skipping troublesome procedures to fly directly into the Emperor's private room, but given the nature of the content to be discussed, it was unavoidable.
"Now that we're all together, let's begin the discussion. First, Brigadier General Mechamille. The reason I summoned you here is that a situation has arisen that requires your insight, which my father has certified as non-human. Since my father will explain the situation, please ask questions as they arise."
"Er, well. I'm troubled even if I'm certified as non-human when I don't have that much power yet! So, what happened?"
"To put it simply: a mobile super-massive black hole has appeared and is heading toward the Gialpha Galaxy. Estimated arrival time: about five years. That's all!"
"Huh? Mobile black hole? That's bad, isn't it?"
Mechamille's expression changed drastically, and at the same time, her behavior and speech became odd.
This reaction... So it really is bad.
At that moment, from Mechamille's reaction, the thoughts of father and son coincidentally aligned perfectly.
Their respective thinking time created a brief moment of silence.
During that time, did Mechamille's thoughts start turning?
The useless goddess spoke again.
"Let's run. Let's run right now. Shin! Take me with you via teleportation!"
'Take me with you.' Speaking of which, there was that old thing about 'skiing,' wasn't there? Shin's thoughts veered toward escapism in response to Mechamille's remark.
"No, well. Of course, as a last resort, we'd consider running. However, even if we run, there's the problem of first where to go. In addition, there are the issues of 'Can we take all the citizens?' and 'Is it possible time-wise?' Therefore, at present, I would like to explore methods other than running. That is why I would like you, Brigadier General Mechamille, to share your insight on the matter."
"Impossible, impossible, no way."
"Don't dismiss it so easily. There must be something."
"There isn't! Do you know what a 'mobile black hole' is, Shin? It's a super-special black hole that absolutely cannot occur naturally! It moves at super-speed, easily exceeding light speed, by producing spatial distortion through a directed super-gravitational field. It has at least double the gravity of a normal black hole. On top of that, the temperature at its core is super-hot. There's no way humans can handle it."
"Yes. It seems so. That's why I'm asking you for a way to handle it by non-human means."
"You were once a member of the gods, right? Don't you have some relevant knowledge? I can supply magical power, so can't you do something with goddess power?"
"I'm not a 'once was'! I am a bona fide goddess right now! I just don't have enough freely usable power at the moment!"
Now is the time to side with Nobunaga and flatter her. Shin judged from Mechamille's shouting-like words and entered flattery mode.
"That's right. You have a record of being a fine goddess. I'm counting on that record to borrow your wisdom and power. Isn't there something you can do?"
It was a pretty clumsy flattery, but since the target was the useless goddess Mechamille, it worked even like this.
Perhaps this is the reason the useless goddess is a useless goddess.
"Hmph! As long as you understand. There is no countermeasure. If it were at least the highest-class god or higher, they might have the power to annihilate it. But with power below the upper-class god, annihilation is impossible. Oh, there is an example of a method that bets on placing a black hole in its path beforehand, causing the direction to change when the two merge."
The method Mechamille spoke of would certainly enlarge the mobile black hole, and the resulting direction change would not necessarily be to a beneficial state.
Furthermore, even if that succeeded, there was the problem that other entities might suffer damage due to the changed direction.
Incidentally, regarding the past example, 'the end of a certain administrator who did that is summed up in one word: 'tragic'.'
"It's good that he protected his domain. That point alone is properly evaluated. But he caused great trouble for others. Overall, it's a deduction."
With that flow, that certain administrator received a demotion from a higher entity.
After thoroughly recounting the flawed precedent, Mechamille belatedly noticed it.
"Scratch that. If I did that, I'd be on a direct course to annihilation! So, no. Yes, no is settled."
"Right. Well, we don't want you to face annihilation or any dangerous situation, Mechamille. So, is there anything else?"
While asking again, it was a secret that Shin was secretly thinking the following at this time:
First of all, how do you 'place' a black hole? Do they use goddess power to manage it? But since the plan was withdrawn, it ended up as 'whatever.'
"Hmm. Wait a minute? Isn't it strange to train in this island universe with annihilation as a premise? Even if we succeed in escaping with everyone, this island universe is the evaluation target, so if it's annihilated, the evaluation is zero!"
"Wait. Does that circumstance matter now? Can the entity that sent Mechamille here foresee this situation?"
"Perfect foresight might be impossible? But if they've given an unachievable task, even the issuer gets deductions, so they should be careful. Huh? Why is that? Why did it become like this?"
That's probably because she's the useless goddess Mechamille. She must be carrying that kind of fate. At least Shin thought so, but he had the discretion not to say it out loud.
In this way, the discussion continued without finding a solution.
Until some conclusion was reached, this discussion would not end.
Incidentally, it was a secret that Shin and Nobunaga each calmly thought something that might bring divine punishment: 'A goddess's knowledge and wisdom aren't really useful, are they?' and they would take that to their graves.
Well, such a secret discussion was thoroughly eavesdropped upon by Sangou, and measures against the situation were being separately devised on Sangou's side as well.
While listening to the discussion Shin and the others were having, Sangou was re-examining its information, wondering if there wasn't some means within the Deltania Army's data.
Kichou, who was on the bridge of such a Sangou, believed that 'Master will definitely do something about it.'
Since there was at least five years of leeway, Kichou's instincts detected a crisis, but its intuition did not lead to the core of a solution.
Without that intuition working, it could not find a thread to guide its thinking direction.
Kichou was in such a state, and having nothing else to do, it continued napping.
This might be a pet's right and unavoidable.
At the very least, Sangou was not idle.
"Regardless of whether it's possible, the methods of dealing with it are: 'annihilate it,' 'change its course,' or 'give up and run away'—those three? Isn't there anything else, Goddess?"
"Happy days, leaving the future to fate. That is the usual response."
"Ugh. That makes me want to say, 'Is that really okay?'"
"Rather than that, you know? Normally, by the time you notice a mobile black hole approaching, it's already too late and you have to do that. First of all, they don't happen often. To be blunt, it's lucky that we know about it five years in advance! I don't know how you found out, though."
"So a fourth option is 'accept it without doing anything.' Now, by the way, didn't you say that 'higher-class gods and above have the power to annihilate it'? Don't you have any connections to ask them to do it?"
While asking that, Shin was perhaps being true to himself by diverting his thoughts to something useless.
Incidentally, what Shin was separately thinking at this time was: 'Above highest-class means there is something above highest-class, right? Isn't highest-class the very top?' But that's a really trivial matter.
Although Mechamille did not explain in detail, above the highest-class god is a class called 'Creation God.'
Therefore, the expression 'and above' is not wrong, but even if they understood the facts including that, reality is that it would be of no use for this case.
"Without a good reason, it's useless to ask. First of all, I don't have any connections."
"I see. So there are no connections at all."
Since there were no connections, there was no room for negotiation, so the matter ended there.
"If it were an entity that manages a specific area, they would move because they are responsible for their domain. But this place isn't like that. In terms of the Gialpha Galaxy Empire, it's like asking 'His Majesty the Emperor to act' to save a baron's planet."
The example Mechamille gave, fitting the system of the Gialpha Galaxy Empire, was easy for both Shin and Nobunaga to understand.
If it's the same as that, at most we can only make a request. Both of them were convinced.
"Then, tell me this. What method do the highest-class gods and above use to annihilate a mobile black hole? At the very least, don't you know that?"
"I don't know. After all, the abilities and powers they hold belong to a different dimension or another world."
"According to the data Sangou had, there was a ship developed with the aim of annihilating black holes. It was said to try using a super-high-output gravitational wave attack."
"I don't know how they came up with that. It's the same as asking, 'Can you annihilate a black hole by hitting it with another black hole?' The conclusion is the opposite. Regarding mobile black holes, it will only grow, accelerate, and possibly change course."
That was the moment it became clear that Unit One's method, which Shin asked about, was a dead end.
Well, since even the development team of the Deltania Star System could only speculate on 'what a black hole is,' it might be unavoidable.
"Um, excuse me. Regarding that black hole, is it correct to understand that 'its core is ultra-hot and produces ultra-high gravity'?"
"Yes. That is correct."
"Then, hypothetically, what would happen if we could lower the temperature of the core?"
"That assumption itself is impossible. However, if that could be done, there is a possibility of annihilating it. Heat is continuously emitted from the core, and when it runs out, it naturally disappears. But even approaching it exposes you to hundreds of millions of degrees! There's no way that's possible."
Mechamille's expression as she answered Nobunaga's question was in 'Give up and run away mode.'
Faced with a difficult problem with no solution in sight, Mechamille was also thinking, 'If my training here fails, what will happen to me?'
"Whether the reason Kichou's shield was breached was due to the high heat or the ultra-high pressure from gravity... I don't know. But getting close to a black hole's core is a dead end. I don't even know how long my shield magic could withstand it."
"Huh? You got close enough to the core to break Kichou-san's shield? You managed to escape from that, huh."
"Yeah. It was pretty tough. If it had been just me, I could have used long-distance teleportation magic, but Sangou and Kichou were with me."
Huh? Even by himself, escaping the influence range with teleportation magic should be impossible... Mechamille thought that, but she didn't say it out loud.
After all, the being in front of her had accomplished even greater feats to be here.
"By the way, Mechamille. This is a digression, but do you know about the 'Origin of Dragon Vein'?"
"Yes. It is something that produces infinite magical power. It is a precious item that only a Creation God can create, and among us, it's a topic of speculation: 'Does the Creation God create it by severing part of its own power?' What about it?"
"It's nothing like that. I was wondering if it could be fused with me, Sangou, and Kichou."
What is this guy saying? There's no way we could get something like that! Whether it can be fused is a matter for after we have it, right! Speaking of possibility, it's possible if I use divine power, but...
Having thought that in an instant, Mechamille looked at Shin with eyes that said, 'Have you gone crazy?'
The useless goddess was slow on the uptake.
That aside, she dutifully answered the question.
"If we limit it to whether fusion is possible, then yes, it is."
"Is that so? Then..."
Mechamille still had a prerequisite to convey, so she interrupted Shin's words before he finished.
"However, it consumes a fair amount of divine power. Therefore, the prerequisite is that Shin bears that cost. But even if you fuse, I don't think you can withstand it. To be blunt, I think you'll die. Plus, it's impossible to obtain in the first place, so knowing this is useless, isn't it?"
I already have it, so that part is fine. Shin muttered only in his heart and pushed the conversation forward.
"Is there a way to make it so I can withstand what I can't withstand?"
"If I cut off part of my power and attach it, that would clear up that part. But I don't want to do that. I've finally increased my power; I don't want it to decrease."
Mechamille sensed an atmosphere that seemed to force that upon her and complained, her eyes turning teary.
But ignoring that despite knowing it was the Hero Shin's way.
If possible, I just need to offer compensation that Mechamille accepts. It's only a matter of that. Thinking that, Shin turned the conversation to Nobunaga regarding the compensation.
"Nobunaga. Can you set up a large-scale religious facility somewhere to worship Mechamille? I'll cover the construction costs. Something like a place with the benefit of prayers for victory."
It was a proposal entirely reliant on the Emperor's authority.
For Mechamille, it became an irresistible bait of the highest order.
Shin understood exactly what the useless goddess wanted most.
"Eh? What's this? You'd go that far for me? If so, I'll do that earlier job on a prepaid reward basis. But only if the 'Origin of Dragon Vein' is actually obtained, though."
She did an immediate about-face. From Shin's perspective, she was a pathetic useless goddess who was way too easy.
With the situation reaching that point, the discussion was not over, but Nobunaga sensed that his father seemed to have some means and felt a little relieved.
However, since he also sensed that there was a reason why this had not been spoken of until now, the situation remained precarious.
Nobunaga's thoughts would prove accurate in the future, a few years from then.
"There is one more method. However, this one is a gamble. It means staking literally 'everything' on it."
Nobunaga had not even imagined that such a statement would come from his father's stern expression.
Thus, after confirming the situation of the Umyu Galaxy together with Sangou and Kichou, the Hero Shin returned to the capital planet of the Gialpha Galaxy Empire and reported the successful complete elimination of the bio-spaceship and mineral space beasts that had been a threat to the Empire.
Regarding the new threat, the 'mobile black hole,' they sought counsel from Mechamille's wisdom and knowledge at Nobunaga's suggestion, but the means unfortunately turned out to be nearly fruitless.
Nevertheless, perhaps the Hero's intuition and luck would make the impossible possible.
On a whim, Shin planned to power up himself, Sangou, and Kichou by utilizing the 'Origin of Dragon Vein' he had taken during the incident in the Orze Kingdom.
Of course, there was no guarantee that merely achieving that would turn the situation for the better.
Will the fusion of the 'Origin of Dragon Vein' be realized?
Does a bright future exist for the Gialpha Galaxy Empire?
No one knows the future.
But the Hero, who had completed his mission in the Umyu Galaxy and brought back ill tidings caused by it, was forced to report the whole story to his son, the Emperor.
Disappointed that not even the goddess's knowledge contained effective countermeasures against the new threat, Shin, in his muscle-brained state, arrived at the thought: 'If so, if we power up using the Origin of Dragon Vein, can we open a path? I hope so.'