My Children Swarm the Cosmos – Chapter 35.1

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟓: 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧 (5)

Xenotera spreads. Tendrils rise above it, and egg cases swell. The dead are broken down and returned to the colony, while the living scurry about, continuing their lives.

The devastated colony is once more dominated by the colossal structure that is Berne, the leader.

Phlegeth looks up at Berne and asks,

“Berne. I thought you were a coward, you know.”

“Why would you think that of me?”

“Because you don’t stand on the front lines. You’re rooted to the ground, unable to move, and you have no offensive capabilities of your own. This has led me to believe that you are weak.”

“I fear nothing, however, so long as it is for the sake of our master and our species.”

“You are rational, calm, and brave. I have learned much from you this battle, thanks to that.”

“Phlegeth-nim, you are a brave and noble leader.”

“But I was reckless. I nearly got myself killed out of a desire for revenge. Our master does not know it, but he must know. The number of mistakes I made during the battle. Perhaps you and I should switch places.”

“Master keeps you in your current position because you are more important than I am, Phlegeth-nim.”

Phlegeth’s crimson eyes dim somewhat.

“I apologize for thinking of you as a coward. I hope you can forgive me, Berne.”

“My memories are mostly gone, and this body is one I was reborn into. I do not know what the leader Berne was like before I died, but if he and I pursued the same things, he probably would have said this.”

He is Berne, yet he is not Berne.

Even so, Berne responds to Phlegeth.

“I am moved that Phlegeth-nim would ask for my forgiveness, a lesser leader than yourself. And I heard Phlegeth-nim’s roars as he raged at my death, just before I lost consciousness.”

“. . .”

“I am in no position to forgive Phlegeth-nim. On the contrary, I should express my gratitude to you. My deepest thanks to you, Phlegeth-nim, for respecting me and for your anger at my death.”

Berne is a leader designed to lead the largest number of swarms, and he is the embodiment of the species’ transcendent consciousness.

Thus, Berne does not fear anything, does not feel anger at anything, and does not grieve for anything.

This is Berne’s strength and the source of his bravery.

“Thank you, Berne.”

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

November 4th. The wounded colony takes stock of its victory.

The chimeraz destroyed a task force consisting of Apoptology and Main Fleet ships from the Darwin Foundation. This must have dealt a serious blow to Darwin Foundation, especially since they killed and shot down every single straggler that tried to retreat and report back.

It was a risky battle in which both sides’ home bases were destroyed, but they emerged victorious. They achieved a great victory at great risk.

Kreion and Ludwig are in the colony’s empty hatchery. Seven pods rest in the center of the sleek, sealed space.

“Darwin Foundation is no longer a threat to me.”

“Might there not be Balor-class bioweapons left somewhere. . .?”

“We captured and absorbed two Balor-class bioweapons that were on board the Apoptology. Phlegeth’s swarm had no trouble capturing them, so if there are any others out there, they’re nothing to worry about.”

The chimeraz have very good combat compatibility against Darwin Foundation’s bioweapons. A large number of Necro-class and Legion-class chimeraz easily capture Foundation Balor-class bioweapons.

“I see. . . I understand. . .”

Kreion steps up to one of the pods and checks the terminal.

「. . .Brain download 86% complete」

「. . .Accessing experimental subject data」

「Experimental subject name: Gnox」

「Sex: Male」

「Age: 15」

「Abilities: Cell control, Networking specialization」

“The first experimental subject to wake up will be a member of our species who will handle the evolution and network system.”

“A leader who will become a pillar for the adjutants, like Anima-nim. . .?”

“If they are a chimeraz experimental subject in a human body made by Darwin Foundation, then probably. Treat them the same way you would treat Anima.”

“I understand. . .”

Kreion connected a special colony blood vessel to each of the seven pods and supplied them with electricity. The batteries built into the pods were not enough.

Next is the storage room.

It is filled with human belongings plundered from the Apoptology and the pursuer fleet, and Ludwig’s Hydras are in the process of sorting the loot by type.

Kreion walks over to where the miscellaneous items are piled up and points at something that looks like a rectangular machine.

“Take this out separately and put it in Gnox’s room.”

“What is it for. . .?”

“It’s the command ship’s computing device. I’m going to fill Gnox’s room with things related to computers.”

“Gnox-nim, who will wake up in three days, will be pleased. . .”

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