Normally, a war between different worlds was fairly impossible. Especially if the two sides were too far from each other. But if the worlds involved were Sage Worlds, it's not impossible.
That's why, upon showing my Level 3 Earth Energy before threatening them with war because of their unauthorized invasion of this Mortal World, they fell into a dilemma.
According to the scar-faced Transcendent, they're just a detached fleet from Samsara's exploration troops. If they became the trigger of a war between two Sage Worlds, their lives wouldn't be enough to pay for their upcoming loss.
Well, it's a bluff on my part and I was fairly confident that they would bite it.
I was the proof of my Sage World's existence and its connection to this world. Entering this world stealthily allowed me to fool them that I came from a Portal.
Furthermore, if there's the existence of a Portal, they would now think that sending more experts at the same level or stronger than me was fairly within reason.
They couldn't risk their whole fleet being wiped out because the commander or the tactical officer decided to be on the offensive.
In any case, they also wouldn't be able to just retreat without retrieving what they came here for… or at least, find information where the source of that signal disappeared to.
And that's why I easily predicted what their final decision would be.
"Alright. For courtesy's sake, let's introduce each other. I'm Kuramoto Daisuke. You can refer to me as the Guardian of this Mortal World. As for the name of my Sage World, I am instructed not to reveal it. It will be a crime to do so. You see, the Sages of my World are too strict." I wryly smiled. Although most of it was a lie, I said it all with believable expression and gesture. From my side, my Companions also played along as they introduced themselves as my subordinates and partners.
Ah. Right.
Using Elemental Energy, I generated a hovering room, much like what Arland did when I first met him in the World of Elements.
I made it rather luxurious, flaunting a part of my Energy Control and putting the scar-faced Transcendent and his companion or rather, the one he's communicating with, in awe.
It's a woman with curly but long black hair and fair skin wearing the same military uniform with fewer accolades pinned on her chest. She had sharp brown eyes adorned by a pair of glasses. She clearly had an intellectual vibe around her.
She's a peak Rank 2 Transcendent on my estimate and the pair of glasses she's wearing was a piece of technology, probably produced from a Psyche-type World. As to what kind of function it possessed, I had no idea.
Anyway, once they came to a decision, she showed up minutes later from one part of this world.
That's the reason why I didn't see her when we infiltrated their Space Vessel, she's already on the surface, directing their personnel responsible to search for that golden statue.
Well, since I sent my Companions to subdue the Transcendents from their fleet, Sofiel who was probably fighting her also showed up on her tail.
Even though Sofiel should be one of the few among my Companions that already went past the threshold of Rank 3 Transcendent in terms of UPL, the woman apparently stood her ground against her. That goes to show how capable she is. She might become a fleet commander herself if she managed to breakthrough to Rank 3 Transcendent.
Nonetheless, that didn't mean Sofiel was weak. Their fight didn't even last for more than a minute before the woman fled from the battle to reach this place.
"Zalim Parekh." The scar-faced Transcendent introduced himself. "A fleet commander from the Samsara Cosmic Exploration Brigade."
He still kept his head high. I guess he's really proud of his background. He even repeated the name of their brigade as though he was trying to intimidate me with it again.
Too bad for him, that's still not going to work. Besides, I'm confident that their main force is too far away from here. Otherwise, they won't sit down like this here.
"I am Rani Sardar. His second-in-command. I apologize if we mistook this Mortal World for an independent one. Truly, we have no idea."
Contrary to the scar-faced Transcendent, the glasses woman acted in humility as he apologized to me. At least, her pretty head wasn't full of muscles like this commander.
I accepted their introduction and went on to the main business. We're still pressed for time so… As much as possible, I wanted to resolve this one quickly and get information from these guys.
"Hmm. But from what I heard, you're aware that this world had just repelled an Invasive World's forces, right? Doesn't that give out the information that some other forces helped them?"
Upon hearing that, the scar-faced Transcendent almost jumped at his seat. He was shocked because that information should be something I was unaware of. I heard it from him in that Space Vessel, after all.
He quickly reined in his shock though, perhaps thinking that I got the information from somewhere else.
"Truthfully, we scanned the world and found no traces of connection to a higher world. It's an oversight on our part." While maintaining an apologetic stance, Rani explained. The scar-faced Transcendent left the talking to her. However, if we arrive at something that needs a decision, he'll do that part.
"Hmm. Be that as it may… The connection is intentionally made faint for some kind of purpose. The Invasive World that attacked this world also failed to notice it."
"Purpose?"
"It's something even I am not privy to. And even if I am, I have no obligation to tell you."
"But you risk this kind of situation!"
"True. However, we only have to stop you before it spirals down to the worst situation, am I right?"
"Ugh. Correct. Then… what's going to happen now?"
"Let's see. I ordered for your Transcendents to be apprehended not killed. And they should be done with it by now." Revealing that with a smile made the two sitting in front of us startled.
Rani even contacted those outside the World's atmosphere to confirm. A few seconds later, she closed her eyes and exhaled, accepting that what I said was true.
Well, I already heard Yuko and the others' messages. The World's Will was even rejoicing so this was all according to the plan.
"Although the denizens of this world are mostly Mortals, I care for them like they're my offspring. Their population already dwindled because of the prior invasion. And now, you also killed them. I can't say I can let you off with it. Will you be able to offer reparations?"
"… They attacked my subordinates!" It was the scar-faced Transcendent who tried to defend their actions.
Really, it seemed I overestimated his capabilities as a commander. He's really a musclehead.
"No. They're defending their world. Is this how the Samsara Cosmic Exploration Brigade works? Are you trying to compete with the Invasive Worlds in killing natives?"
"Ugh… Fleet Commander Zalim, please leave this to me." Rani stopped him before staring straight at me. She fixed her glasses like those anime characters before continuing, "We can pay for the damages but I will ask for Master Kuramoto to help us with something…"
As expected, she's going with this route.
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