Crackle crackle—
Under the technician's operation, a clear 3D projection of Earth instantly appeared above the conference table.
"General Esdeath, please look. This is the sinkhole our legion discovered in central Eurasia on this world. Its area covers the entirety of Central Asia and nearly half of Siberia, exceeding seven million square kilometers..."
As he spoke, the 3D projection began to rotate and zoom in, finally stopping over the central region of the Eurasian continent.
After more than a decade of groundwater seepage and accumulated rainfall, the sinkhole had already transformed into the largest inland lake in the world. Yet the sense of discord remained.
The massive impact ring along the edge of the sinkhole was clearly visible even to the naked eye from outer space—terrifying and grotesque, like a festering tumor growing upon an angel's beautiful face.
Of course, to the killers of the Holy Selene Empire's military, such a sight was hardly rare. Whether or not it was everyday fare, they had certainly seen it many times before.
Destruction confined to a single planet—this level of devastation meant little. What scene had the Astartes Legions not witnessed?
Exterminatus? Which legion had not carried it out?
The only difference lay in frequency and scale—whether occasional or routine.
Painting a "tumor" across your planet's surface was trivial.
"Glass-burning," "planetary craniotomy," "core-targeted demolition"... none of it was beyond consideration.
Provoke them far enough, and they would provide you with the full-service treatment from start to finish.
Even someone like Roboute—considered relatively mild-tempered among the Astartes Legion Commanders—would grow irritable and order orbital bombardment when faced with those who had Showa-era staff-brain rot, ranting about banzai, honorable death, assassination, and divine punishment.
In that regard, the Fourth Legion Iron Warriors, the Sixth Legion Space Wolves, the Eighth Legion Night Lords, the Eleventh Legion Executioners, the Twelfth Legion World Eaters, and the Fourteenth Legion Death Guard were especially notorious for their volatility.
Compared to the more moderate Thirteenth Legion Ultramarines, who at least attempted negotiation, those six legions were outright wild.
Talk?
Impossible.
The hot-blooded veterans considered themselves too blunt to persuade by virtue. It was far simpler to persuade by force.
The usual approach was straightforward—cannons to the face.
Surrender?
If yes—excellent. A wise man submits to circumstances. Reward them. The original ruling structure would largely be preserved, the world incorporated into the legion's recruitment network, and taxation would begin.
What? Refuse to surrender? Daring to make demands?!!
Crackle crackle— a thorough beating first. A full course of "five labors and seven injuries," then ask again: surrender or not?
If they surrendered after that—fine. Standard procedure. Incorporated as a conquered world under the legion's banner—but the previous ruling structure would be completely overturned and rebuilt from scratch.
Still refuse?
Then there was nothing left to say. They would not even bother asking again.
Attack—until every resistor was dead.
Even this so-called "magnanimity" existed only to highlight Her Majesty Selene's benevolence. Under the regulations of the General Staff, these irritable Astartes were restrained.
Otherwise, the officials of the General Staff deeply suspected that these so-called "honey badgers" would really hand out Honkai fission warheads as opening gifts.
"General, it's very strange. Judging by destruction on this scale, they should possess the capability to leave the planet. Yet strangely, we have found no signs of space activity on surrounding planets..."
The technician's grave tone went entirely unheard by Esdeath.
Her ice-blue eyes were fixed upon the sinkhole that had obliterated all of Central Asia.
"This wasn't caused by your orbital bombardment. The timing doesn't match. And it couldn't have formed naturally—there are no signs of natural evolution. In other words, it was man-made."
Esdeath lifted her head and looked calmly at Roboute.
"Mm. Correct. Possessing destructive power on this scale—whether in terms of power systems or technological level—they must have something unique. It would be an excellent supplement to the Empire."
"More importantly, according to the Honkai Cube's resonance, within the peripheral gaps of this world, there exists a peculiar neighboring realm. There seem to be signs of life within it."
As he spoke—
Bzzzz—!
A purple-red radiance instantly illuminated the entire conference room. Roboute held the legion-exclusive Honkai Cube in one hand, violet light flashing in his eyes.
"Because of that—transcendent lifeforms, continent-level weapons... their existence makes it difficult for me to deploy large-scale Astartes conquest operations."
Esdeath's perspective was always unconventional.
"If that destruction was caused by a lifeform... then it must be very strong. I'd love to fight it."
"Hahaha... General Esdeath, your reputation is well deserved."
Shaking his head with a laugh, Roboute withdrew the cube and braced both hands against the conference table.
"Launching full legion-scale warfare from the outset would no longer be a matter of harvesting victory. They might choose mutual destruction. And then we would gain nothing—an empty effort."
The technology, the transcendent beings, the industrial capacity—Roboute coveted them.
Winning was certain.
But the world itself might be destroyed in the process. Forget recruitment—whether the planet would even remain intact was questionable.
"So, Legion Commander Roboute, by applying to the Empire for the Imperial Assassination Unit, you intend to conduct infiltration operations to determine the true situation of this world?"
Esdeath crossed her arms, clearly intrigued.
"Yes. My Astartes warriors are not suited for infiltration. The Imperial Auxilia and Servitor Army lack sufficient capability. Only the Imperial Assassination Unit possesses both."
The Inquisition could also do it—but that was not within their formal duties. Roboute had no desire to trouble Sebas, the Supreme Grand Inquisitor, over such a matter.
"I simply did not expect General Esdeath to come personally. It is an honor for our Thirteenth Legion."
Nodding, Esdeath asked directly, "When do we move?"
"At any time. Please follow me."
Knowing Esdeath's impatient temperament, Roboute did not indulge in further discussion and led the way.
Esdeath and the Special Jaegers Unit followed him through heavy metal gates one after another.
As they walked, they observed the various combat spaceports within the Astartes legion's floating fortress.
Numerous transport vessels of the Thirteenth Legion came and went, unloading massive containers—most filled with military living supplies, a minority marked with special symbols: ☣ and ☢.
Soon, they arrived at a bustling yet orderly trans-spatial boarding operations hall.
At the far end of the hall stood several glaring portals.
Or rather, calling them "portals" was imprecise. The accurate term would be irregularly rotating vortices—like holes torn in opaque black cloth, surrounded by pitch darkness and laced with faint purple-red Honkai particles.
"Calibration complete. As previously discussed—if it takes too long, I will launch a direct assault regardless of whether it destroys this world. Spending excessive time on a single world is inefficient. The Great Crusade continues. I cannot fall behind my brothers."
"Then, General Esdeath, I wish you good fortune. I await your report. Based on your findings, I will determine the appropriate conquest strategy."
Roboute extended his right hand.
Thud.
"Of course."
Esdeath bumped her hand lightly against the thick power-gauntlet covering his.
Turning her head, she said, "Cornelia, as planned. When I create a disturbance, you will seize the opportunity to infiltrate."
Without hesitation, Esdeath stepped into the trans-spatial vortex.
Bzzzz—!
...
Japan Archipelago, Tengu City. Raizen High School, Class 2-4.
It was a bright spring morning. Sunlight dispelled the chill of night, warming the skin and carrying the scent of spring. Once again, it was the season when all things—ahem—reproduce.
Inside the classroom, Hiroto Tonomachi was complaining to his best friend, Itsuka Shidou, about the recent surge of Spacequakes.
"Itsuka, what a tragedy. Because of these frequent Spacequakes, the destiny I sensed has been severed once again."
Leaning against Shidou's desk, the black spiky-haired Hiroto Tonomachi pressed down on his hair, looking utterly miserable.
"Huh? Destiny again? Don't tell me the bishoujo game you were going to buy is sold out because of Spacequake disruptions."
Fingers interlocked on his desk, wearing the Raizen High School uniform, blue short hair slightly tousled, Shidou lowered his head, voice heavy, tea-colored eyes gleaming like a certain famous detective.
"Uh..."
"As expected."
Seeing Tonomachi freeze up and sweat awkwardly, Shidou understood.
At the epicenter of a Spacequake, buildings and surface facilities were obliterated like the mouth of a volcano. The surrounding area would inevitably suffer heavy damage as well.
Under such circumstances, it was no wonder Tonomachi's game was sold out.
Spirits... They're not doing it on purpose. But having to fall in love to save them—that's just ridiculous.
Thinking of the lively troublemakers at home, Shidou covered his face and sighed deeply. He was exhausted in both body and mind.
"Hey, why are you sighing?"
Clearly, Tonomachi assumed Shidou was sighing for his sake.
Just as the two were joking around—
Woooong—woooong—!!
A piercing alarm echoed across Tengu City.
In an instant, the students enjoying the quiet break between classes fell silent, eyes wide.
"Again?!"
Following the alarm came the Spacequake warning broadcast over the classroom speakers.
"This is not a drill. Repeat, this is not a drill! Precursory tremors have been observed. A Spacequake is predicted. Students and residents in the vicinity, proceed immediately to the nearest shelter. Repeat..."
The warning filled the classroom with fear.
"Spacequake warning! Students, proceed quickly to the shelters—"
Bang!
The classroom door burst open as a petite young female teacher in pink rushed in anxiously.
"Everyone stay calm! Don't forget 'Push, Crouch, Run'—no pushing! No crouching! No running!"
"Yes!"
Though tense and uneasy, none of the students fell into panic.
After all, ever since the Eurasian Sky Disaster and the South Kanto Sky Disaster thirty years ago, they had undergone evacuation drills from kindergarten onward—so frequently they were nearly sick of them.
"Shidou!"
At that moment, a beautiful girl with knee-length black hair and crystal-like violet eyes hurried over.
"Yeah."
Shidou stood up and nodded firmly.
Then, from the miniature earpiece at his ear, came his sister's voice.
"Shidou! Get ready—a new Spirit..."
...
"Warning! Warning!! All residents in the surrounding area, proceed immediately to the nearest shelter! Repeat—"
"Repeating—please—bzzt—bzzt—"
The effects of years of evacuation training were evident. Soon, once-bustling Tengu City lay deserted. The streets were empty, save for the blaring alarms.
Until, at a certain moment—
Above the sea outside Tengu City, under the clear sky, a black dot suddenly appeared.
Bzzzz—!!
The black dot rapidly expanded, transforming into a seemingly tangible purple-black waterspout.
Even before it touched down, the hurricane it stirred swept across the sea, raising monstrous waves. It was merely a fluctuation of power—yet it already caused immense destruction.
Then, the "waterspout" descended.
Its scale surpassed every single Spacequake of the past twenty years.
Upon impact, it resembled an inverted purple-black bowl.
One second later—
BOOOOOOM—!!
The purple-black sphere expanded violently. Seawater vaporized instantly. Coastal embankments vanished in an instant. Everything in its path was pulverized and scattered, thunderous detonations rolling outward in all directions.
The deafening roar continued without end. Even Shidou and the others dozens of kilometers away in the city center heard it clearly.
Rumble rumble—!
The Spacequake's affected range expanded at terrifying speed, spreading from the outskirts into the city within mere breaths. Several nearby buildings were swallowed by sand and smoke.
Vaguely, one could see entire structures crushed like biscuits beneath the purple-black force.
Abandoned vehicles lining the streets were torn apart. Even trains shielded beneath reinforced metal walls were not spared.
Under such a scale of Spacequake, shelters were like tofu—shattered by invisible brute force. Faintly, from beneath the purple-black energy-covered city, screams echoed.
Time passed—how long, none could say.
At last, the Spacequake ceased its expansion.
A stunning ice-blue figure slowly descended onto the seabed, now resembling a vast impact crater.
"What is this energy wrapping around me...? Quite the unique welcome."