“So, there’s a problem in the Astral dimension?”

“Yes, Master.”

The Astral dimension, used for actual warp travel, serves as a wormhole dimension through which signals and data flow for the [Dimensional Integration Community]. Unlike the clear distances and coordinates of three-dimensional space, this mysterious dimension can’t be charted and remains largely unknown—even the Galactic Empire only uses a small part of it for warp.

Aria’s calm, measured voice continued.

“It seems that while a community user was meddling with the item transfer system, it collided with a server being tested by Minister Makia and Vice Minister Kalen.”

“And of course, it just had to connect near the ‘Barrier,’ creating a whole new set of problems.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“The Barrier…”

The Barrier referred to the boundary between the uncharted outer universe, beyond Kalstein’s control, and the currently developed universe. In theory, the Empire could colonize it—terraforming and settling planets was relatively straightforward. However, crossing the so-called Barrier led to sporadic encounters with hostile alien life forms that defied human understanding.

These creatures evolved endlessly and harbored relentless hostility toward humanity. No force could withstand their ceaseless assault forever. The Barrier, a massive, Astral attribute-based veil, was of utmost importance for the Empire and humanity’s survival. Any issue with it was not something to take lightly. Fortunately, thanks to Aria’s quick action, the problem remained temporary—only a few monsters had emerged near the Barrier and required elimination.

“So, there are beings out there capable of tampering with the passage we constructed?”

“It seems this was all ‘accidental’ due to various circumstances aligning. What would you like to do?”

“What do you think? We’ll take care of the Barrier first, then cut this problem off at its root. Open the gate.”

“Preparing warp gate activation.”

*Rumble…*

With a steely expression, Kalstein made his way somewhere within the Imperial Palace.

“Are you coming along?”

Without even turning his head, Kalstein addressed Maxien, who was following behind.

“Of course.”

“It’ll be helpful to have an extra hand.”

Behind him, unseen, Maxien allowed herself a small smile.

With that, their conversation ended.

Kalstein arrived at the hangar and boarded his 2,000-ton Core Ship. The 100-meter-long vessel glowed blue as it rose into the air. The Core Ship, his personal flagship, required neither an operator nor a navigator, as it was fully controlled by Aria.

*Whirr…*

As Kalstein took his seat, robotic arms emerged from the floor and ceiling, securing suit parts to his body.

*Hiss—Click—Click.*

Hydraulics released pressure as the suit components locked in place, gradually enveloping him.

Once he donned his 7-star-grade enhancement suit, Agenta, it resonated with his body, unleashing an immense energy. This specialized full-body suit was designed for the use of Ether weapons.

*Whirr…*

A red light flashed.

It was as though he held the planet within his grasp.

The Core Ship rose from the palace on Terra, the capital planet housing the Imperial Palace of the Galactic Empire. Ascending vertically, it was absorbed into the docking bay of a colossal spacecraft stationed high in the sky. As the ship’s stealth functions deactivated, various mechanical arms extended and connected to the Core Ship.

*Whirr—Click—Click.*

The complex machinery completed the docking process, sparking a flurry of activity across the massive vessel, which housed over 20,000 crew members.

*Whine…*

This was the Imperial Warship, a behemoth Kalstein only boarded for official missions.

*Rumble…*

The towering 2,400-meter-high, 8,500-meter-long space warship began to soar towards the warp gate orbiting near the planet Terra.

---

*Boom!*

Red energy waves rippled around Kalstein, clad in his full-body suit, creating powerful surges. At the same time, an alien life form several times larger than the Imperial Warship split apart, spewing black blood.

*Grrrrroooooar!*

In the silent expanse of space, there should have been no sound, but the reverberations emanating from the monstrous creature seemed to echo as if it were screaming in agony. The colossal Titan-type creature began to disintegrate, turning to cosmic dust in its final moments.

“Ha… It’s a relief there wasn’t a Mother Plant. I didn’t expect to encounter a giant monster.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“I can’t wait to lie down in bed.”

Turning his head, Kalstein saw Maxien, dressed in a 6-star-grade enhancement suit, wielding twelve colossal beams of light, slicing through medium and small-sized monsters like they were nothing. Starlight shimmered softly from the beams, almost like her hair.

“She… seems to be enjoying herself…”

“...Perhaps it’s just your imagination.”

For most humans, even approaching these monsters would invoke a severe chill and overwhelming terror. Only Kalstein, due to his unique physical traits, felt little more than mild discomfort.

But even he didn’t revel in the fight as Maxien seemed to.

Unaware of Kalstein’s subtle gaze, Maxien destroyed another mid-sized creature and scanned her surroundings.

“Oh…”

She caught sight of the Titan, a named monster designated with the code name “Titan,” disintegrating to cosmic dust in a single blow from the Emperor.

Was this even possible?

Her body heated up with awe as she gazed at the sight.

“Amazing…”

There was no other way to describe what she was witnessing.

Large monsters weren’t simply oversized—they boasted overwhelming defenses and resistance, their sheer nature akin to a completely different species. Comparing a standard creature to them was like comparing an ant to an elephant.

And this was a named type.

The Emperor had obliterated a creature with such unparalleled defenses with a single strike. Her vision grew faint with admiration.

Shaking off her thoughts, she resolved to fully savor this rare opportunity to stand on the same battlefield as Emperor Kalstein.

The twelve beams of light thickened and danced in intricate patterns.

---

“Looks like it’s almost over.”

All around Kalstein, the remains of creatures—shattered shells and floating flesh—drifted like air. His fleet spread out, gathering and incinerating the remaining monster debris.

It wasn’t completely over yet.

Countless smaller creatures, from human-sized ones to those as large as two-story buildings, still swarmed about. However, he was unconcerned.

Thousands of thin beams of light fired from the 300 ships in his fleet, incinerating the remaining monsters.

He didn’t need to personally engage with the small and microscopic creatures; his ships could easily handle them. Nor did he need to be involved in cleanup efforts.

“Four large creatures, 722 mid-large creatures, 7,868 medium creatures, and 247,333 small-medium creatures have been eliminated.”

The damaged Barrier was observed to be slowly healing and returning to its original state.

“I’m glad that ended quickly.”

On the scale of a cosmic battlefield, this could barely even be called a skirmish.

“Thanks to Grand Duke Maxien, we were able to wrap this up quickly.”

“That’s… true.”

Despite the unsettling glint of intensity in her eyes, her skills were unmatched.

If he had had to clear this battlefield alone, he would likely have been running around, sleepless, for days.

“Yes, Maxien should be put to work!”

“…”

Aria remained silent at Kalstein’s remark.

As he chuckled, something crossed Kalstein’s mind.

“Hmm? Oh…”

In his line of sight, he noticed Kaisha Winsler, known as “Only There for the Magic,” standing on edge as she warily eyed the massage chair, as if facing a predator. Her gaze was incredibly complex.

“But that’s not what’s important right now.”

Kalstein hadn’t forgotten the culprit that forced him into this mission.

“How should we handle it?”

“We don’t need to let this happen and then clean up afterward.”

Kalstein’s gaze, as he spoke from within his suit, was cold beyond measure—a far cry from the playful leader his community knew.

He was the Emperor of the Galactic Empire.

As Emperor, he knew precisely what needed to be done and what decisions to make, without an ounce of hesitation.

In these moments, there was no division between his civic personality and his role as the Empire’s iron-willed ruler.

Kalstein was capable of such resolve.

“I authorize Nova.”

“…Understood.”

The death of a star, the explosion of a star.

With that command, Kalstein had unleashed Nova, the Galactic Empire’s most powerful and devastating weapon.