Episode 3: Space is Vast!
What Kazuma and the others witnessed upon arriving at Kurashige Industries was footage of the recent battle projected onto a large screen.
Scenes of the Amanotorifune fighting a lone battle, small ships rampaging freely, and finally, Kazuma seemingly self-destructing, were being shown, and for some reason, the place was enveloped in a vortex of emotion.
“Ugh, no matter how many times I watch it, I cry~”
“This is the best, the absolute best…”
“I’m glad I was born in this era…”
“We have to pass this down to our children and grandchildren’s generations.”
“I’m gonna get burnout syndrome.”
“Give us something new.”
“Aliens, please come again.”
“Space monsters would be fine next time, too, you know?”
“We need to scout for idols…!”
“Next time, we’ll make the words ‘OKAERINASAI’ float over Earth!”
“The return of the warriors…!”
“I want them to make a theme song!”
“Anime adaptation, please!”
Apparently, they had been taking time off work recently to hold these screenings.
Although they were repairing the Amanotorifune and building new robots, the recent war seemed to linger in their hearts, and they weren’t fully focused on their work.
“Alright, alright! Perfect timing. Looks like everyone’s here! We will now begin a lecture on space by Momoko-chan! Everyone, listen attentively!”
At an incredible speed, the otaku lined up in front of Momoko.
Their speed and precision were such that even an army would be put to shame.
People with an otaku disposition can probably exert more than their usual strength when it comes to things that pique their interest.
“…That’s an astounding level of command, isn’t it?”
“Everyone’s just being honest with their feelings.”
“Is that so…”
She didn’t want to admit it, but it was a fact that they had saved the world.
The thought of so many people similar to Kazuma was enough to give her a headache, but since they weren’t as troublesome as him, she decided to turn a blind eye.
“Everything I am about to tell you is factual, so I will not accept any objections, refutations, or complaints. Understood?”
“Yes!”
Having received a vigorous reply from everyone, Momoko cleared her throat once and began to share the truths Kazuma and the others didn’t know, which she had heard from the aliens.
“First, the official name of the aliens who came to invade Earth this time is the Papipo Alien. Among the hundreds of millions of alien species in the universe, they are a high-ranking race, and their Combat Power and civilization level are said to be near the top.”
It was a ridiculous name, but Momoko was only speaking the truth.
Kazuma, too, didn’t sense that Momoko was lying, so he quietly listened for her to continue.
“Furthermore… the aliens belong to something called the Interstellar Alliance, and they have apparently entered into agreements through numerous treaties. Unfortunately, Earth was not a member of the Interstellar Alliance, which is why this invasion occurred.”
It sounded like a rather self-serving story, but it was said to have been established hundreds of millions of years ago, back when humanity hadn’t even been born on Earth, so it couldn’t be helped.
“And this will probably be the most exciting part. Space monsters are real!”
There was thunderous applause.
Hearing that space monsters were real, Kazuma and the others pumped their fists in the air, getting extremely excited.
“Please calm down. I’ll continue speaking.”
Still eager to hear more, Kazuma and the others quickly quieted down.
Seeing their obedient reaction, Momoko wished they were always like this as she continued speaking.
“Regarding the space monsters I just mentioned, it’s unknown how many there are. It seems even the Papipo Alien haven’t grasped everything about the universe. Also, this is something of a concern… but there are apparently aliens in the universe that one must never provoke: the Geppeler Aliens, the Dikeos Aliens, and the Jingat Aliens. There’s a strict rule that you must never pick a fight with these three species.”
Just as everyone was wondering how strong they were, Momoko quickly provided the answer.
“Kazuma-san. Please listen carefully. Each of these three species is said to be capable of destroying an entire planet single-handedly. While it’s not confirmed, the most astounding case observed by the Papipo Alien was when a Geppeler Alien appeared on the battlefield of a large-scale conflict called the Interstellar War and ended the battle all by themself.”
“Th-that’s insane…!”
“However, according to the Papipo Alien, their Combat Power is said to be equivalent to yours, Kazuma-san.”
“Ooh! I’m on par with the titans of space!”
“Fortunately, the three species I just mentioned seem to prefer acting alone and don’t usually flock together, but…”
“But?”
“It seems they cooperate in the face of powerful enemies. They have a strong sense of camaraderie, are deeply loyal, and uphold justice. They are said to be fundamentally gentle and don’t particularly like conflict. However, if their family or comrades are harmed, they will rage like a wildfire, and we were told to be prepared for a planet or two to be lost if that happens.”
“Ooh~, sounds like we could be friends.”
“Indeed. With you, Kazuma-san, it might be possible.”
They were aliens who had a sensibility close to Kazuma’s.
Perhaps they might hit it off.
Let’s just hope he doesn’t start a fight that could wipe out a planet, if possible.
Though, space is vast, and it’s uncertain if they’d even meet in their lifetime.
“I have a really bad feeling about this~”
“What a coincidence. Me too.”
“They’ll probably meet somewhere, somehow.”
“Not probably, they definitely will.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because this incident has surely made him known throughout the universe.”
“Ah, that’s right…”
In the near future, just as Sakura Hakanai said, Kazuma will likely meet them. Those yet unseen powerful foes.
What will happen then?
That, no one yet knows.
“That aside, what about them?”
“Let’s just leave them be. They’re beyond our control.”
At the end of their gazes were the otaku, their excitement yet to cool.
Having heard Momoko’s talk, their creative drive seemed to have welled up, and the otaku were full of enthusiasm.
Their breathing was heavy, their eyes bloodshot red; it was a state where an ordinary person would undoubtedly call the police if they saw them.
“I’m overflowing with inspiration—!”
“Space monsters! Aliens! An unknown world!”
“Wonderful! This world is still full of possibilities!”
“Quick, quick, let me make weapons!”
“Snort! Snort!”
“Idols aren’t enough! Ace pilots! Humans who have surpassed humanity! Ah, there are too many people I need to find, it’s troubling!”
“Infinite possibilities. Unknown threats… Ah, this is the best.”
“The Geppeler Aliens, are they perhaps red or something?”
“The Dikeos Aliens, don’t they protect the peace of the universe or something?”
“The Jingat Aliens, are they concepts or something, I wonder?”
They had an aura that would make ordinary people a bit hesitant to approach.
Momoko thought it would be safest to leave them as they were, but it was clear that a runaway Kurashige Industries would do something outrageous.
They had Modified Fiend Hawaii, secretly built a spaceship, and were concealing weapons.
Just in case, Momoko decided to give a warning to the excited employees.
“Just to be clear, you must report, communicate, and consult. Acting on your own authority is not permitted.”
The employees all replied properly, but with Kazuma, a mass of unauthorized actions, present, not much could be expected.
He’ll obediently listen to what he’s told, but if he goes on a rampage, he’s more uncontrollable than anyone.
Being physically the strongest and mentally close to a child, he’s practically invincible, so there’s no way to deal with him other than scolding him after a problem occurs. He’s an incorrigible existence.
“What’s wrong, Momoko-chan? Why are you staring at me like that?”
“Oh, it’s nothing…”
Like a large dog tilting its head, Kazuma, understanding nothing, simply watched Momoko sigh.
Seeing Kazuma’s reaction, Momoko, as if giving up on him ever listening, let out another big sigh.
“Is there any point in us staying here any longer?”
“Guess not. Everyone seems fired up.”
“Well then, shall we head back?”
“Sounds like a plan~”
The employees, whose creative drive had been sparked by Momoko’s talk, returned to their respective workstations and began working hard to give form to the ideas that came to mind.
Thinking they would only be a hindrance to the work if they stayed any longer, Kazuma and the others left Kurashige Industries.