**[The preparations are already complete.]**

"..."

Indeed, it wasn't an incorrect statement.

With a single word from him, a great war would begin across the universe.

With the call of the Fallen Planet, the fleets near the barrier would begin to cross it, and the Galactic Empire's forces would march forward, destroying planets in their path and exterminating the monsters.

The administrative system of the Galactic Empire would immediately shift to a wartime structure, and all military factories in the empire's direct territory would operate 24/7, 365 days a year.

The human factions outside the Galactic Empire, the Space Pirates Union 'Sparrow' and the super-corporation alliance 'Mighty Corpor,' would face the pressure of the 4th and 5th legions, while the automatic interception system 'KAI'—a product of the Galactic Empire's ambitious preparation—would be activated.

**[One word, and it will start.]**

Aria's voice was calm, without any fluctuations. It was hard to believe that she was speaking about humanity’s fate with such composure.

The Galactic Empire was already excessively prepared for this.

"..."

However, was that enough?

It wasn’t a matter of doubting success or failure. No matter how much time it took, the Galactic Empire would always manage to overcome it as it had done in the past.

The issue wasn’t victory. It was the process and the aftermath.

This was reality. It wasn’t like a game where the ending is achieved with a single phrase like "Clear."

It was impossible to end a war without any casualties. Naturally, not every battle would result in a victory.

With each decision, countless lives would be wiped out. No one knew how much blood would be spilled.

One couldn’t afford to underestimate the monsters.

Moreover, the current decision might mark the beginning of a war that could last for thousands of years.

Even the Galactic Empire couldn’t stay intact if the war dragged on endlessly.

So, advancing beyond the barrier couldn’t just be a reckless decision made on a whim.

Once a decision was made, there was no turning back.

Therefore, no matter how much he thought about it...

**“It’s too soon.”**

It would be better to wait for a more perfect, more secure victory. Even if they won, he would need to consider what would come after.

The aftermath and how to handle it—he would bear the responsibility for it all, forever.

**“Furthermore, we may be under the illusion that we know everything about these monsters.”**

**[That’s...]**

Even Aria had no response to that.

**“What about the new ones that have been discovered?”**

The silver moth-like creatures. What were they called again? Sephiroth?

Of course, the ones he had seen in person hadn’t been too impressive. But to assume that all of them were like that would be a mistake. If that was all they were, the monsters wouldn’t even care.

With the information he had heard from Birdel, this was an easily anticipated possibility.

**“Hmm.”**

Right now, unstable astral signals were being detected near the barrier, but there was nothing they could do from here.

Thanks to that, the potential value of the [Dimensional Integration Community] continued to rise endlessly.

However, the study of astral dimensions was still far from complete.

The conclusion reached by synthesizing all of this?

**Wait.**

It had to be, but...

**“…?”**

**[A message from the deputy administrator has arrived.]**

**-(Demon King Birdel): There’s something I need to report.]**

...

As he listened to her report, his thoughts began to shift.

---

**Meanwhile, Namgung Jin was returning after descending from the main temple.**

**“Haha, aren’t you the leader?”**

**“?”**

An elderly man blocked his path.

**“It’s been a while.”**

"..."

Few people would dare to speak so casually to the head of the Martial Alliance.

And the elderly man in front of him was someone of that caliber.

He was the Northern Star Sword Master, Nung Do-gun, often called the Emperor's hidden sword.

He rarely left the imperial palace, as rumors went...

**“Did you come all the way to the New Faith alone?”**

Known for both his skill and reputation, Nung Do-gun was the strongest in the imperial palace. If he had ambitions in the martial world, there were rumors that he would be the number one.

He was almost like the one who created the invincible fortress by himself.

But why was such an old man here in the New Faith?

**“Well, this is good. I was feeling lonely. Let’s go together.”**

**“Haha, I have a certain status, so my duties are rather busy...”**

**“I suspect you are not unrelated to this matter. His Majesty seems quite displeased.”**

This old man...!

The way he brought up the Emperor made it seem like an attempt at coercion.

Well, his skill was undeniable, but there was no one in the central plains who would openly defy the Emperor's will.

Had he come out so simply to see his sister?

Namgung Jin had left most of his equipment behind.

**“If you insist, I’ll go with you.”**

Sure. There’s no way he could leave the haughty old man from the imperial family alone with his sister.

**“This is different from the rumors. You came alone into enemy territory like this.”**

**“The head of the Martial Alliance would never be intimidated.”**

**“Hmm... it seems there’s more to this than that.”**

The superficial conflict between the New Faith and the Martial Alliance had its limits.

It was likely that the bond between Namgung Jin and the leader of the New Faith was known to many.

**“The alliance between the Martial Alliance and the New Faith... His Majesty will surely worry.”**

At Nung Do-gun’s words, Namgung Jin’s expression soured.

**“Isn’t it an inviolable alliance?”**

**“Haha. That’s something the martial world could only handle with some stirrings.”**

"..."

Namgung Jin’s right hand reached for the sword at his waist.

He always carried his sword with him.

But the old man merely looked at him with meaningful eyes.

**“I don’t mind pulling it out. Is it the Formless Divine Sword? I’ve lived enough. If I could erase the martial world with my life, I’d say it’s a fair price.”**

"..."

**“The Martial Alliance? To the imperial family, they’re just local nobles, aren’t they?”**

"..."

**“Martial artists tend to look down on a million imperial soldiers.”**

**“!!”**

**“Have you ever imagined what a million looks like?”**

The old man raised his finger and pointed to a mountain in the distance.

**“From here to there, would you think it could be filled with a million people?”**

"..."

**“Well, a few strong martial artists are indeed extraordinary. But would the imperial family be afraid of them?”**

The old man shook his head.

**“No. I can tell just by looking at myself. The imperial foxes and serpents are not afraid of me.”**

His eyes, which had not slowed in pace, became serious.

**“It’s not just about strength. Everyone has desires. And with desires, there are weaknesses. Or perhaps there’s something they want to protect. Just like your Namgung family.”**

The old man smiled lightly.

**“Opposing the imperial family is like fighting the whole world. Haha.”**

"..."

**“You’ve never seen a proper army, have you?”**

"..."

**“So don’t make a foolish choice.”**

The old man finished his sentence and walked towards the main temple.

"..."

Namgung Jin stood still for a moment before hurrying to follow.

Ah, Nung Do-gun, a commoner with a life, no matter how many lives he had.

How foolish could one be to be satisfied with that?

But he couldn’t blame him.

No matter how much you explain to a frog in a well, it will never imagine the vastness of the universe.

Now, he didn’t know what would happen.

The fact that this old man had left the palace meant the imperial family had made up its mind.

**‘What is he planning?!’**

As Namgung Jin rushed to follow the old man, a woman had already blocked his path.

**“Huh?”**

She looked strangely familiar...

A woman with one side of her hair white and the other black stood in front of Nung Do-gun.

**“You want to see a proper army? How should we go about that?”**

**“Oh... is this the newly appointed leader of the New Faith?”**

**“Uh... this voice?”**

Cold sweat formed on Namgung Jin’s forehead.

Ah... he knew.

It was Birdel. He had seen her face when he taught her martial arts.

But even then, he hadn’t been sure.

**“What...?”**

She was too different.

Could a person’s appearance change 180 degrees?

Sure, her features were still the same, but how could she be this different?

Her appearance, once resembling a deep abyss, now resembled a beautiful landscape painting.

Yes, if he had to describe it, she looked like a towering tree in a picturesque landscape.

Beauty. Mystery. Calmness. Transcendence. Liberation. Nature.

Was this all an illusion?

There was an odd sense of dissonance from her voice.

It felt so different from before...

Her eyes were also much redder than he remembered.

And even her tone had changed.

Could a person change this much?

He felt life emanating from the woman who had once been so indifferent to

 the world.

It was like oil paints mixing with a monochrome ink painting.

No wonder Namgung Jin hadn’t recognized her.

**“Haha. You came out to meet this old man. I’m touched.”**

Nung Do-gun laughed heartily, scanning the woman in front of him.

**“I never imagined the new leader of the New Faith would be such a beautiful woman.”**

Well, old man.

It wasn’t that she wasn’t beautiful.

But she wasn’t someone to be treated so casually!

**“Sister, did you... dye your hair?”**

Sure, dimensional shops had dye available.

And where was the armor she always wore? Now, she looked like she was just in everyday clothes.

It was far removed from the world’s current time period.

**“Enough with the jokes.”**

Nung Do-gun froze at her words.

**“Haha. Jokes? Was that a joke? You’re the one joking, talking about armies.”**

Nung Do-gun’s face turned serious, like he had placed the weight of the imperial authority on his shoulders.

**“The best way to understand an army is to face it directly, isn’t it?”**

Nung Do-gun must have realized that the woman in front of him wasn’t ordinary. Her boldness, bringing up the imperial army and acting with such force, was telling.

But...

**“Hmm... that sounds good.”**

**“What?”**

**“I wanted to learn a bit about war. This worked out well. I’m a bit lacking in that area...”**

To learn about war?

**“Are you crazy? Is that something you should say? You martial people...”**

**“Hmm? Didn’t you come here to fight us?”**

**“Th- that’s!”**

**“Anyway, I look forward to it. I had a feeling a big war was coming soon, and this is perfect. We might have to get involved. I’ve already trained them enough...”**

Her voice was so calm, as if preparing for war was nothing.

Meanwhile, Namgung Jin was sweating coldly.

This was so different.

Was this really the same person?

What had happened in such a short time?

And... a war?

Namgung Jin remembered the New Faith’s warriors, practicing on their sky boards.

What exactly is she planning, sister?!