No. 17 Prohiden.

Even among the top 10, the presence of Prohiden was anything but insignificant.

It was generally accepted in academic circles that monsters evolve only within the boundaries of their initial design. Even high-ranking creatures are supposed to grow within the limits set by their design and reach a plateau.

However...

Something happened that overturned this established theory.

That something was Prohiden’s debut.

Initially registered as No. 9986, Prohiden entered the triple-numbering tier in just a few short years.

That alone was enough to shock the entire academic community, but...

• "Has it gained a new ability?"
• "A monster growing this fast? And it’s already an adult..."
• "This is clearly irregular. It’s growing at an insane rate."
• "It must be eliminated. As quickly as possible."
• "But there must be some limit to its growth. Once it transitions to a full adult, it won’t evolve much further."
• "Perhaps it’s not even fully mature yet."
• "Data-wise, that doesn’t make sense."
• "Maybe... it’s evolving into its final form."
• "Final form..."
• "That’s still too early to discuss. It’s just a theory."
• "Isn’t there no other explanation for the current situation?"

High-ranking monsters evolve in three stages: larval, sub-adult, and adult. The final form is purely a theoretical concept, based on single-numbered entities.

Single-numbered monsters have been hard to study, so much so that research on them is practically impossible.

But in the end, the academic community came to a unanimous conclusion.

This monster must be dealt with.

There was no opposition to this conclusion.

However, humanity had always been on the defensive against monsters, and launching an aggressive offensive, like invading their home base, was nearly impossible.

• "We need to set up ambushes at all the likely spawn points. Be ready to intercept at any moment."
• "We’ll need to install a constant emergency communication network and ensure a coordinated response."
• "But the cost... it will be significant."
• "Is the cost really the problem here?"
• "Even the Galactic Empire isn’t limitless."
• "Still, this issue must take priority. A monster that grows this quickly is far too dangerous."
• "Hmm, but there are already dangerous entities in the double-numbering category. Aren’t we also lacking preparation for them?"
• "That may be true, but..."

Despite this ongoing debate, they were preparing to deal with the threat for sure.

Then...

• "The monster has appeared on the Asterian species' Stella planet."
• "What? Is that true?"
• "Hmm!"
• "It’s been a while since it showed up..."
• "Isn’t this an opportunity?"
• "On Stella? It won’t be able to do much there."
• "If it’s the Asterians, we can trust them."
• "We should provide additional support to prevent it from escaping..."

But unbelievably, before they could even act, Stella was overrun.

Prohiden, who had single-handedly annihilated one of the most powerful space-faring species, the Asterians, was soon listed in the double-numbering category.

Its unbelievable growth rate sent a shockwave through the upper echelons of the Galactic Empire. Plans to kill it were made, but during the Lufir Sector operation, in a single raid, Prohiden achieved something extraordinary. It killed another double-numbered monster, No. 17 Soyati, and vanished without a trace.

With that, the Galactic Empire had no choice but to elevate Prohiden to fill the vacant spot of No. 17.

It was also irregular for a high-ranking monster to kill another high-ranking one.

Prohiden was unlike any other monster, exhibiting an insane growth rate that made it stand out even among the most powerful of its kind.

It was far too dangerous. The exact extent of its growth remained uncertain.

However, after observing it seemingly receiving commands from other double-numbered entities, it was speculated that it hadn’t yet reached the single-number "final form."

Moreover, it appeared to have some restrictions—it didn’t harm civilians, which lowered the Empire’s guard to some extent.

Irregulars are just... irregular.

From the perspective of the Galactic Empire, Prohiden was a thorn in their side, like a sharp thorn in the heel.

Of course, Camilla knew this too, which is why she would only focus on containment from a long distance, avoiding direct combat whenever possible.

The heroes, who had been on the frontlines, began returning one by one, and Aria had also completed her preparations, so there was no cause for concern.

At least, that was what they believed.

***

Beep— Beep—
Beep— Beep—

Sharp mechanical sounds rang out in rhythm with the beating of a heart.

Karlstein looked down at the girl submerged in the white capsule, the liquid surrounding her.

Beep— Beep—

The green-haired woman, half-naked and attached to a respirator, was submerged in the liquid, creating bubbles with each breath.

Beep— Beep—
Bubbling— Bubbling—

The girl, with her left arm severed and a large hole in her abdomen, showed no sign of waking up.

"Camilla..."
Why was this happening to her?

Camilla, like Maxien, had been with him for a long time.

Unlike Maxien, who displayed sharp aristocratic dignity even in official settings, Camilla had always been someone who couldn’t quite control the distance between herself and others, whether in public or private.

• "Karl! Let’s play one more round! You can win next time!"
• "Hehe."
• "Go away!"
• "I-I can do it too!"
• "Hee-hee."

To Karlstein, Camilla had been like a younger sister.

And now, seeing her lying in the capsule, unable to even open her eyes, filled him with rage.

"Ugh..."

A faint red hue flashed across Karlstein’s breath.

"Who did this to her?"

[It was No. 17 Prohiden.]

Amid the stillness of the recovery room, which was heavily protected by the palace, Aria's voice came through.

"Camilla wouldn’t have rushed into combat recklessly."

The atmosphere grew tense with his anger, and the recovery room trembled slightly.

[Master, please calm down. It’s not good for Camilla.]

At Aria’s calm voice, the pressure rising from Karlstein slowly dissipated.

The opponent was No. 17 Prohiden.

Even Karlstein would have had a hard time dealing with such a high-ranking entity alone.

[We were overwhelmingly winning the battle… but...]
"Was it a trap?"
[It’s not certain.]
"..."
The uncertainty meant there was a significant possibility of it being true.

"Still, Camilla could have safely retreated, couldn’t she?"
[Camilla pushed herself too hard to evacuate the fleet...]
"Just as I thought."

Beep— Beep—

Karlstein’s gaze darkened.

She had always been so caring.

"She wasn’t specifically targeted, was she...? What’s the situation with the others?"
[Currently, Prohiden and other special entities have disappeared, and their exact locations are unknown.]
"M-Site..."

To the Galactic Empire, these Named entities were even more troublesome than regular monsters.

"We can’t even use Nova near the barrier."

There were so many restrictions.

"Still, we need to take action."
[What should we prepare for?]

Karlstein gently stroked the capsule.

"Gather all available forces."

[Understood.]

"Call them to assemble."

[We will begin preparations.]

Karlstein turned away from the capsule and walked towards the exit.

"Prepare Weapon No. 0."
[That...]

Ether weapons have unique code numbers.

Karlstein Babylon, in particular, was known for using various unique Ether-based weapons.

[The aftereffects will be considerable.]
"It’s just a precaution."
[Master...]

Though the words were calm, Aria knew exactly what Karlstein was planning.

After all, they had spent so much time together—how could she not know?

Weapon No. 0 was a weapon he had used in the single-numbered raid.

It was an Ether-based weapon that took at least a year to recharge for reuse.

[Understood.]

Aria understood Karlstein’s resolve.

In reality, hunting a monster legion of that size didn’t require such a large force.

But Karlstein’s swift action was, after all, a show of respect for a great hero who had protected the Galactic Empire.

Without hesitation, Karlstein left the palace.

***

Beep— Beep—
Bubbling— Bubbling—

The silence in the recovery room after Karlstein’s departure.

Skrk—

The door to the recovery room opened, and a silver-haired woman in uniform walked inside.

Clack— Clack—

She stopped in front of the recovery capsule containing Camilla Bashatiret.

Aria, arms crossed, shot a sharp look at the woman.

Beep— Beep—

The girl with green hair, badly injured.

Then, the girl slowly opened her eyes.

Blink— Blink—
Bubbling— Bubbling—

Bubbles rose from Camilla’s mouth.

"Ha..."

Aria manipulated the panel, and the respirator inside the capsule adjusted. Soon, Camilla's voice could be heard.

[H-Have I... gone?]
"By now, preparations for departure should be in full swing."
[Ugh! Th-thank you.]
"It was my mistake too. I should have prepared better."
[No, no... it's just because of me...]

Camilla, looking embarrassed while still pouting.

Aria let out a small sigh.

"Hah. I granted your request, but the Master probably already has an inkling of what happened."
[Huh?]
"The Master is never foolish."
[S-so embarrassing!]

Aria shook her head.

"Still, your injuries aren't light."
[This... is nothing, I’ll heal quickly!]
"Anyway, you heard me, right?"
[Ugh, ugh!]

Though the medication made her somewhat dazed, Camilla clearly remembered the moment when he had gotten angry for her.

Bubbling— Bubbling—

Suddenly, large bubbles began forming rapidly from her mouth, and even through the glass, her face could be seen turning red.

"Anyway."
[....]
"Don't forget that you owe me a debt."
[Oh, I got it.]
"Now, rest for a while. You’ll need to recover quickly to help with the Master’s work, right?"
[Ugh, yeah....]

Leaving Camilla, who had fallen back asleep, Aria shook her head and left the recovery room.

Though Camilla had acted shy and embarrassed, Aria couldn’t deny that her injuries were serious enough that unconsciousness was believable.

That was why she’d allowed it to slide somewhat.

Of course, she had no objections about keeping a small secret from the Master.

Everything was for the Master.

Aria’s face showed no hint of hesitation.