n

n

n

"Arians, huh...

"

nWallace had never seen a member of their race before because of their connection with the Empire.

nAt most, he had seen their photos and read some books about their creations.

nThe most popular on their creations was the Raze Drive that helps not only their allies during interstellar space travel but also the space pirates on their operations.

nThat's right, the Raze Drive was one of the most affordable technologies that don't have many restrictions to acquire. As long as one possesses the money, anyone can purchase it themselves. They don't discriminate people aside from that...

nThis was the reason why even though they are the weakest race under the empire's rule, there was a lot of organization willing to protect their people even if they are outside their territory.

nAs the two mid-size spaceship approaches the asteroid, Ace tried to get more information from Avalon about the background of this race. He didn't want to base all his understanding with them using his stock knowledge.

n

"How about the language they speak?

"

n Education is part of their system. Their race speaks all the languages of the Major Races.

n

"Very good... Have you found any pattern on their space mines?

"

n Negative. There was no time pattern or placement pattern. The space mines were just being scattered everywhere. However, it was observed that the release of these space mines was all in a hurry as if they were out of time.

n

"Mhmm...

"

nAce tried to think of the possible reasons.

n'Are those space mines expired or something? Instead of placing traps, it feels like they were just throwing it away...'

nIt wasn't like their ship was about to sink and needed to unload things... They were not in the water.

nReleasing those explosive things might also be due to some problems they've found on those space mines. It may even be about to explode within their spacecraft and they have to remove it quickly to avoid an internal explosion.

nAnyway, he can only imagine all of this in the meantime while they were still traveling in their direction.

nThe two battleships were already cloaked with 3 layers of Stealth System so Ace was sure that the Arians would not be capable of detecting them unless he did something that would reveal their location like firing weapons or launching out the Mech Frames or automatons inside.

nAt this time, Ace was now wearing one of his bio-armors and was entirely ready for a fight. However, he doesn't intend to fight in the front lines and was only wearing it for safety and to hide his identity.

nBeep!

n The Transcendence is now in line with the Asteroid's path.

n

"Very well... Continue in this direction... Let the Excellence stay on its path.

"

nAce paused for a bit after saying this. He was making sure that he didn't miss any detail about their current plan to confront the enemy spacecraft.

n

"Avalon, have you simulated enough?

"

n 46 Simulations Completed.

n

"How much energy do you think we need to destroy them completely?

"

n 35% of our Mana Reserves and 10% from our Ion-Sting Reactor.

n

"That much, huh...

"

nAce somewhat expected that obliterating the Asteroid would consume a large part of their energy but to spend so much for a single enemy spacecraft only proves that they were still lacking...

n

"I guess we can try to completely immobilize this Asteroid first... Make the Excellence prepare for the isolation barrier...

"

n Affirmative.

nOf course, it wasn't the Excellence itself that would cast the mana spell for the Isolation Barrier but it will be the task of the Mech Frames that were mounted inside.

nLater on, they will have to sortie and lead the attack.

nAlthough Ace asked Avalon to simulate the destruction of the asteroid by using their positron blaster cannons, it doesn't mean that he already decided to just fire it on them.

nApparently, he wanted to capture the people inside or at least let Avalon or Veda hack into their system. The latter might actually be the best option as they wanted to find accurate information.

nThe success of this operation would depend on whether they can immobilize or eliminate all the crews inside the enemy ship.

nIf it can't be done, they will have to change their plans and obliterate the whole thing without any question.

n

"Avalon, let's increase our speed. It's better to meet these people far away from the planet.

"

n Affirmative.

nThe A.I. dutifully complied.

nThe spaceship's thrusters fully activated. Although it increases the chance of being discovered, it was only by a small amount. They were still within the acceptable range.

nIn the meantime, Ace relaxed his mind after confirming their status.

nHe actually felt a bit sleepy. Although his body was genetically enhanced, he has been working non-stop in the past few days.

nNow that he was out in space and at the comfort of his spaceship, he felt truly relaxed and decided to take a nap. Anyway, he was still far away from the enemy.

nThe mini-investigators controlled by Avalon were also constantly monitoring the Asteroid and he would be immediately informed.

nAny emergencies in the Earth will also be handled by Avalon and Veda so he wouldn't be disturbed unless the Arians were already within their sight.

n***

n

"Is there something wrong?

"

nA deep voice from a middle-aged looking man echoed within the small room.

n

"Master... I'm just worried. I've talked to... one of my subordinates at the southern continent a while ago--

"

n

"You did what?!

"

n

"Err... Right... I have a special method to communicate with them. I supposed that yours aren't working?

"

n

"That's right... I've been troubled for a while now since I'm unable to contact the Manor... Sigh~ I'm worried that your seniors will be bullied if I did not return for such a long time. It would be worse if they thought that I was dead...

"

n

"Eh? Master... You are a Grand Arcanist... Who would dare to offend your apprentices or the Manor itself?

"

n

"Hmph... The powerful Clans were capable of doing so... Even your Ravencroft Clan can offend other country's Grand Sage...

"

nSir Slaine shakes his head after saying this. He glanced at Wallace and noticed that the young man was stunned after hearing his words...

n'What did my father's clan do to a Grand Sage?' is what he wanted to ask but an irritating voice was suddenly heard directly from their minds.

n

"Come here... I think I've evolved your Divine Sense! Hahaha! I'm awesome!

"

nThe master and apprentice looked at each other after recognizing the voice. It seems that they have to meet the Celestial Being.

nSlaine already forgot to ask what Wallace was worrying about as they went out of their room to meet the Celestial.

nThe room they were at was built on the floating island itself caused by Mana Calamity.

nRight now, their island was approaching several more floating islands that were parked at the edge of the northern continent like they were some sort of vehicle.

nThere was one thing in common in each of these floating islands except the one that they were riding on, there were people living on it and their numbers aren't few.

nThese people were the natives of the northern continent who had their ancestors worked for Prince Zamphail or Aeolia...

n