The Arsenos Council.
Beneath the arched ceiling, a soft red light illuminated the conference room. A massive circular table stood in the center of the hall, and the twelve Arsenos council members, representing their respective nations, took their seats in turn.
Javier sat in the chairman's seat.
Before him, a projected holographic screen displayed data secured from Sector G-13 and footage of an unidentified weapon dock.
"The meeting will now commence."
As Javier made his brief declaration, the optical panels on the conference room walls simultaneously lit up, displaying relevant information in the air.
[CODE NAME: OBSIDIAN]
[MODEL: CLASSIFIED / UNCLASSIFIABLE]
[OUTPUT: A+ OR HIGHER]
[MAIN ARMAMENT]
-High Flux Graviton Cannon (Main Cannon - Graviton Flux Buster)
-Wide-Area Thermal Plasma Diffusion Blade (Plasma Entropic Blades)
-Railgun Composite Pod (Quad-Rail Mass Driver System)
[DEFENSE SYSTEM]
-Adaptive Magnetic Field Reactive Armor (AMR-A Frame)
-Stealth-Mode 'Shadowdrop'
[OTHER]
-Autonomous Battlefield Combat AI Installed (Level 6 or higher)
The white-haired female council member seated on the left was the first to speak.
"A weapon of this scale, concealed in the heart of a colony... is a clear violation of the treaty."
"We have always trusted the neutrality of neutral nations. But this is-"
Another council member continued.
"It's a betrayal. To think that neutral nations and the Earth Federation have been secretly preparing something like this..."
The conference hall buzzed with murmurs. And at its center, Javier quietly opened his mouth.
"We can no longer stand by and observe this situation."
His voice was low but resolute.
"Obsidian. If this weapon becomes operational, there will be no way to stop another Yurabe-3. We don't know how the Federation intends to use this weapon."
Javier slowly rose from his seat.
"And... other neutral nations cannot simply stand by either."
"Hold on."
A council member raised a hand.
"Are you saying, Mr. Chairman, that you believe the neutral nations actively assisted the Federation in this incident?"
"That is correct. Just look at that weapon, manufactured in Elbyte!"
Javier turned his gaze, sweeping across the entire conference hall.
"We must issue a warning now. Not only to the Federation, but also to the neutrals who have been aiding them from behind the scenes. We must clearly define the boundaries at this opportunity."
At his words, some council members nodded, while others narrowed their eyes in silence.
"...Chairman Javier."
One of the moderate council members spoke cautiously.
"However, if this decision turns neutral nations into our enemies as well, there is a risk of the front lines becoming excessively wide."
A quiet silence fell over the conference room for a moment.
Soon, a middle-aged male council member seated at the far right spoke heavily.
"Chairman, even as a means of warning... turning both the Federation and neutral nations into enemies simultaneously is dangerous right now. The front lines will become too broad."
"Javier. We all understand your anger."
The white-haired female council member raised her head again.
"But Arsenos is not yet prepared for an all-out war. Diplomatic means must also be considered."
At her words, Javier slowly rose from his seat.
His gaze was cold and firm.
"Diplomacy? What have we gained from those bastards through diplomacy?"
On the optical panel, satellite footage from the Yurabe-3 massacre began to play. Burning cities, fallen civilians, the Federation's flag flying over collapsed buildings.
Javier's voice echoed chillingly.
"They are no longer opponents who can be reasoned with through words. The more we shrink back, the more people they will kill."
He stretched out his hand and pointed at the screen.
"Obsidian. This is not just a weapon. It is a tool of war that will enable their next 'Yurabe'."
He turned his gaze to the entire conference hall and spoke.
"We will make an example of all neutral nations. And the operation... has already begun."
The hardline council members stepped forward, supporting his statement, while the moderate council members looked aghast, despairing over the people who would die again.
Immediately after the meeting, Javier quietly left the Council headquarters.
Alone, without a single attendant.
From the outside, it was a small, unremarkable suburban mansion.
The artificial garden, old exterior walls, and modest appearance, characteristic of a neutral colony, made him seem like an 'incorruptible leader'.
However, the truth is always underground.
With practiced movements, Javier slid aside a fixed piece of furniture on the wall.
Behind it, a hidden biometric panel.
-Beep.
[FINGERPRINT CONFIRMED]
[IRIS AUTHENTICATION COMPLETE]
[GENETIC SIGNATURE: MATCH]
The heavy iron door slowly opened, and a metal platform automatically extended downwards.
"Hoo..."
He took off his coat, draped it over his shoulder, and slowly descended into the underground.
One step at a time, with silent footsteps.
And where he arrived was a secret underground space of unimaginable scale.
Gold-plated sculptures, artworks and rare minerals filling the walls.
Dozens of luxurious vaults.
The name 'Javier' was, before being a leader of Arsenos, that of a magnate who had moved the world for decades.
He walked to the large holo-screen installed in the center of the wall.
As he placed his thumb on it, a signal icon appeared on the screen, and a connection tone rang out.
-Doo... Doo...
[SECURITY AUTHENTICATION COMPLETE]
[CLASSIFIED CHANNEL: ACTIVATED]
The screen brightened.
A massive conference room.
Various figures sat in their shielded compartments.
Their ages, nationalities, and languages differed, but they shared one commonality.
Beings who orchestrated the world from the shadows. Those who existed above nations, using even war as a tool for profit.
"It's been a long time, Javier."
A low, weighty voice resonated through the speaker.
With those words, the gazes of everyone in the darkness simultaneously turned towards the center.
Javier nodded briefly in response.
"It has been a long time, indeed, everyone."
His tone was entirely different from the restrained moderation he displayed in the council.
The true nature of a cold, powerful figure, hidden at the end of his words. This was the real Javier.
"It proceeded as planned. We successfully received the location, internal structure, and related data of Obsidian."
He pulled out a cigarette. Without lighting it, he slowly rolled the cigarette between his fingers as he continued.
"Now... it's time to move on to the next phase."
At that moment, light illuminated another screen, and a voice flowed out.
"Javier. As you well know, the core of this plan is the elimination of Adele Licencia. That part must be handled with absolute certainty."
Javier was silent for a moment, then quietly replied.
"Don't worry about that. I've already deployed a special fleet. It won't take long to clean up."
"Haha... Indeed, just like Javier."
Another figure laughed in agreement, and soon another voice quietly added.
"How is the internal cleanup progressing? Isn't the Arsenos Council still divided into moderates and hardliners?"
Javier slowly smiled.
"Yurabe-3 changed everything. The young hardline council members are giving me their full support. They believe it's their own will, but... in truth, they are all just chess pieces moving in my hand."
"Well done. We must continue to fan the flames of war like this. More and more people within the Earth Federation are advocating for reconciliation. Before the balance is disturbed... you must play a decisive role."
Javier slowly nodded.
"That will also be resolved soon."
***
I was escorting Adele Licencia, leading Hina, Kim Soohyun, and the bodyguards towards the hangar bay where our cruiser was waiting.
At that moment-
-Kwoooong!!
The ground rumbled. The ceiling trembled slightly, and vibrations traveled up my body from beneath the floor.
Immediately after, a warning sound blared from Adele Licencia's terminal.
-Peereereerik!
She stopped walking and picked up her terminal. A brief silence. Then, she quietly called out in a low, firm voice.
"...Soohyun."
Kim Soohyun instinctively looked up. Her eyes were already unusual.
She looked at the terminal screen and spoke briefly.
"It's not G-14. The real one... was G-13."
Adele narrowed her eyes, staring at the information on the terminal for a few seconds, then muttered softly.
"We were completely deceived... G-14 was a fake. The traces of technological leakage, all the information, were just bait to divert our attention."
Kim Soohyun spoke with a hint of guilt in her eyes.
"......I apologize."
But Adele lightly shook her head and looked at her.
"No. Soohyun, it's not your fault. Rather-"
She pressed her lips firmly together and closed the terminal.
"This is proof that there's an 'enemy' hidden within us."
I quietly approached her side.
"What's important now is to move quickly. Let's head to the hangar."
"Yes."
***
Fortunately, we safely reached the hangar where the cruiser was on standby.
However, another problem awaited us.
"This sector is currently under control. All entry, including civilians, is prohibited."
Blocking our path were none other than the Elbyte Autonomous Forces.
Soldiers in neutral nation uniforms had established a defensive line, fully armed, and automated turrets were fixed to the walls.
Adele Licencia stepped forward and spoke resolutely.
"I am a diplomatic representative who has signed an agreement with the neutral nations. I entered through official procedures before this situation occurred, and I am now returning to protect the lives of my compatriots."
The Autonomous Forces officer replied in a formal voice, without removing his helmet.
"The colony has currently been elevated to a semi-war state. All airspace is sealed, and personnel from the Licencia Group are no exception."
At his words, Hina frowned.
"This is... clear political oppression."
Kim Soohyun also quietly nodded.
"Blocking us from leaving now isn't just a simple safety measure. It means someone intended this."
I stepped back and quietly inhaled.
'The situation is getting chaotic.'
This wasn't mere vigilance or procedural response. This was clearly a move prepared in advance to stop us.
At that point, all the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. Someone was using this entire Elbyte as their chessboard.
I turned my head and quietly whispered into Adele's ear.
"Young Lady, if you don't make a decision now, it will be irreversible."
After a brief silence, she opened her mouth.
"......I authorize a forced breakthrough. However, minimize casualties."
"Order confirmed."
I slowly raised my hand, signaling Kim Soohyun and Hina.
Both sides simultaneously prepared their armaments, and the security personnel also began to move, backing them up.
But then-
-Kwaaaang!!
Beyond the glass, a massive explosion erupted from the opposite side of the hangar.
Following the explosion, the sound of metal tearing, tangled screams, and a shockwave shook the entire building.
And cutting through the red smoke, it revealed itself.
"......My God."
Someone let out a small gasp, and I, too, unconsciously held my breath.
Behind the debris revealed by the explosion.
A colossal mobile weapon with a light-reflecting metallic exterior was slowly raising its head.
It wasn't just because of its size. Its very form... was overwhelming.
Thick armor plating and fluorescent core lines, red circuits flowing along the hull, pulsed like a living heart.
Adele murmured.
"......What is that?"
That question was soon everyone's. Even the Autonomous Forces froze completely the moment they saw it.
Soldiers holding weapons all stopped in their tracks, and some even dropped the rifles in their hands.
Overwhelming weight and an ominously precise silhouette.
The red core flickered, slowly booting up, and above it, the machine ascended into the sky.
And then.
-Kwaaaang!!
A barrage of fire erupted in an instant. Red, high-temperature plasma cut through the air and struck the ground directly.
Below it, a part of the attacked city literally evaporated.
Buildings, roads, people.
All were instantly engulfed in red heat and vanished without a trace.
At that moment, an emergency alert blared throughout the colony.
[WARNING! WARNING! HIGH-OUTPUT ENERGY RESPONSE DETECTED WITHIN COLONY!]
[CAUTION! DAMAGE DETECTED TO COLONY OUTER WALL THIRD SHIELDING LAYER!]
[GRAVITY STABILIZER AXIS 1 MALFUNCTION!]
"......We're screwed."
I gritted my teeth. This wasn't just a battle. It felt as if the intention was to destroy the colony itself.
Hina trembled and cried out.
"Oppa, are we going to die together like this?!"
Kim Soohyun gritted her teeth and shouted at Adele.
"Young Lady! We must evacuate immediately!"
Adele briefly looked at the burning city beyond the wall, then nodded.