Chapter Summaries

Ernest told Xiao Ran that Gaius would provide Transformation Technology but refused to share its core Bio-FOLD Wave Detection Technology. Xiao Ran accepted the decision and offered compensation for the technology, then asked how the goddess selection was progressing.

• Ernest arrived at Xiao Ran's manor to deliver Gaius's decision about the two technologies.
• Xiao Ran eased Ernest's nervousness and welcomed him as a friend despite his visit as Gaius's representative.
• Ernest reported that Gaius would give Xiao Ran Transformation Technology for free but would not provide Bio-FOLD Wave Detection Technology.
• Xiao Ran accepted the refusal and said he would compensate Gaius after his people evaluated Transformation Technology.
• Ernest agreed to ask Gaius's management whether it had further demands, then said the goddess selection had found no suitable candidates yet.

Xiao Ran learned that VAJRA bacteria might be linked to Berserk Syndrome and raised the fleet to second-level alert while ordering investigations into Valkyrie, Gaius, and an unknown fighter squad. The chapter ended with him sealing the Space Gate and preparing the Steel Dragon Squad as he continued to investigate the threat.

• Xiao Ran assigned Luo and El-Elf to inspect Ernest’s technology and told them to pay Gaius extra, while El-Elf offered to steal the technology if negotiations failed.
• Luo and El-Elf told Xiao Ran that VAJRA bacteria had been found in Berserk Syndrome patients, and Durandal suspected modified bacteria or singing had triggered the condition.
• Xiao Ran considered the risk that singing could affect VAJRA and ordered targeted investigations into Valkyrie and Gaius, along with Kane’s investigation of the unknown fighter squad in El-Sahar.
• Xiao Ran ordered the fleet into second-level alert, told Lanka to stay ready, sealed the Space Gate, and directed El-Elf to obtain Gaius’s biological FOLD Wave detection technology.
• Xiao Ran told Luo to warn the other visitors to be careful, bring the ships and mechs, and prepare the Steel Dragon Squad.

Xiao Ran suspected that an unfamiliar storyline had begun, but the modified VAJRA bacteria and Berserk Syndrome made it a threat to the fleet rather than a routine crisis. He ordered investigations and preparations while Durandal continued researching, leaving the fleet on alert as intelligence teams focused on the new songstresses and Valkyrie.

• Xiao Ran concluded that the newly appeared songstress, Niangniang Shop, and other clues pointed to an unfamiliar new storyline with enemies he could not predict.
• After learning that Berserk Syndrome was likely artificially created and connected to modified VAJRA bacteria, Xiao Ran worried it might spread to the fleet and the insectoid race.
• Xiao Ran decided that Sheryl and Lanka were not enough protection and that the fleet needed more songstresses as safeguards and combat support.
• Xiao Ran sent El-Elf to steal the other side's FOLD biological Detection Technology, ordered Kane to investigate the Unknown Faction's Variable Fighter squad, and tasked El-Elf with investigating Valkyrie and Gaius.
• Xiao Ran placed the fleet on combat readiness, ordered the Steel Dragon Squad to stand by, and had Durandal continue researching Berserk Syndrome.
• Kane's magical agents began investigating Brishigaman, while El-Elf remained on Laguna Planet to focus on Gaius and Valkyrie.

Xiao Ran learned that Valkyrie had selected a new member: a young woman who had secretly left the Kingdom of Windermere to join the human-side team. Intrigued by her and Mei Yun, he said he would stay on Laguna Planet and investigate them while Sheryl continued building ties with Valkyrie.

• Xiao Ran oversaw ongoing preparations and investigations while spending his days with his family on Laguna Planet.
• Sheryl’s relationship with Valkyrie improved as she tried to recruit the team to the fleet.
• Sheryl told Xiao Ran that Valkyrie’s new member was a shy, determined Windermere girl whose heart-shaped RUNE flashed when she became nervous.
• Sheryl teased Xiao Ran about being interested in Mei Yun, and he admitted that he wanted to learn more about Mei Yun and the new girl.
• Xiao Ran said he had sent Kane and El-Elf to investigate and would remain on Laguna Planet so he could meet Valkyrie himself.

Xiao Ran supported Sheryl’s efforts to train Freyja and Valkyrie while El-Elf and Luo continued their work around Laguna. Luo reported that he had finished analyzing two technologies, but explained that neither was as useful for military purposes as Xiao Ran had hoped.

• Sheryl took Freyja under her guidance and continued teaching Valkyrie, while Xiao Ran supported her efforts and monitored the team.
• El-Elf investigated Gaius and Valkyrie, infiltrated Elysion to retrieve information for Xiao Ran, and spent his spare time touring Laguna with the Demon Envoy Princess.
• Luo completed his analysis of Transformation Technology and Bio-FOLD Wave Detection Technology and produced samples.
• Luo explained that Transformation Technology was an upgraded civilian costume-changing system that could not meet military standards, while Bio-FOLD Wave detection adapted existing technology to scan the human body.

Luo warned Xiao Ran and El-Elf that the Burning Legion’s Technology Departments had focused so heavily on military applications that they were neglecting civilian and commercial innovation. Xiao Ran agreed the imbalance threatened the legion’s future and backed Luo’s proposal to recruit imaginative Technicians and expand non-military research.

• Luo told Xiao Ran that the legion’s Technology Departments had become focused almost entirely on military technology and battlefield performance.
• Luo warned that neglecting civilian and commercial research was narrowing the legion’s technological development and could eventually bring progress to a halt.
• Luo used Personal Terminals and Sheryl’s microphone as examples of civilian technologies abandoned because they were not suited to military use.
• Xiao Ran admitted he had overlooked the problem and agreed that the legion needed to change its approach.
• Luo proposed recruiting imaginative Technicians from every territory and aggressively poaching talent in the current world.

Xiao Ran and Luo planned to reform the Legion’s technology system by acquiring diversified companies and establishing a civilian-focused company under Angelo. El-Elf then revealed that Gaius’s mysterious leader, LADY.M, had emerged after a transmission linked to the vanished first Immigrant Fleet, leaving her identity uncertain.

• Luo explained to Xiao Ran that the Legion’s military-focused technological development risked limiting the territory’s future and civilian applications.
• Xiao Ran decided to reform the technology system, acquire diversified companies, and establish a new company focused on non-military technologies.
• Xiao Ran proposed separating L.A.I and having Angelo lead the new company, while Luo agreed to contact him and approach other companies.
• El-Elf reported that Gaius had grown rapidly under LADY.M, who appeared after the original company received a subspace transmission matching the vanished first Immigrant Fleet’s signal.
• El-Elf named Lynn Minmay and Hayase Masa as possible identities for LADY.M while continuing his investigation.

Xiao Ran discussed the First Immigrant Fleet signal, Gaius, and Valkyrie with El-Elf and Luo, then assigned further investigations and arranged to find former Valkyrie member Grey. After they left, Sheryl invited Xiao Ran to Freya’s welcome gathering and a Valkyrie concert where she would appear as a mystery guest.

• Xiao Ran questioned El-Elf about the possibility that Gaius’s hidden leader, LADY.M, was connected to the missing First Immigrant Fleet, but decided not to pursue her identity aggressively.
• Xiao Ran ordered El-Elf to investigate Gaius and the fleet’s disappearance without making direct contact, and told Angelo to approach Gaius on L.A.I’s behalf with an offer to acquire it.
• El-Elf reported that Miku Ginumeru had no memory of her experiences three years earlier and that former Valkyrie member Grey had left after suffering psychological trauma from the battlefield.
• Xiao Ran told El-Elf to locate Grey and send her to the fleet, then dismissed El-Elf and Luo and told Luo to rest.
• Sheryl came to Xiao Ran, told him Freya had finished training, and invited him to Freya’s welcome gathering and the upcoming Valkyrie concert.

Xiao Ran attended the Valkyries' welcome party for Freya at the Niangniang Shop with Sheryl and Saki. After Ernest received him and led him to a seat, Xiao Ran asked for beer and local snacks while Hayate watched him and Aiba Shinyo.

• Xiao Ran arrived at the Niangniang Shop with Sheryl and Saki, and the guests focused their attention on Sheryl and Freya.
• Ernest greeted Xiao Ran and led him away from Freya so she could remain the center of attention.
• Miyoshi Meiya, Aiba Shinyo, Moses, and Billy followed Sheryl and Xiao Ran into the shop as Hayate noticed Aiba acting like Xiao Ran's dutiful guard.
• Ernest seated Xiao Ran and asked what he wanted to drink.
• Xiao Ran ordered beer and Laguna Planet snacks, then told Aiba Shinyo and Billy to sit down.

Xiao Ran met Freya and Hayate at the Niangniang Shop, learned how deeply Windermere respected him, and encouraged the new songstress-and-pilot pair. Afterward, he suspected the events belonged to a new Super Dimension Fortress storyline and ordered an envoy to gather information about the Kingdom of Windermere.

• Sheryl brought Xiao Ran to a table with Saki, Makina, Rena, Freya, Mirage, and Hayate, and Freya nervously greeted him as Lord Xiao Ran.
• Freya told Hayate that Xiao Ran had protected Windermere and supported its people, while Xiao Ran and Sheryl downplayed his role and eased Freya's nerves.
• Xiao Ran invited Freya to visit his fleet and learned that Hayate was her new Delta Squad partner and Guardian.
• Xiao Ran suggested that Freya and Hayate might create a legend together, then left the group to walk alone by the shore.
• Xiao Ran suspected the situation was part of a new Super Dimension Fortress storyline and ordered the Burning Legion to send an envoy to Windermere and summon Flying Eagle.

Xiao Ran ordered Kane to investigate whether the Kingdom of Windermere was connected to the Berserk Syndrome outbreaks and the modified VAJRA virus, while worrying that a hidden mastermind might target the fleet. He then met Mei Yun, discussed singing and his own unusual eyes, and left her intrigued by his claim that he had evolved beyond a normal human.

• Xiao Ran decided to send Kane to the Kingdom of Windermere to investigate its possible connection to the Berserk Syndrome outbreaks and the VAJRA virus.
• Xiao Ran considered the risk that a greater hidden force was behind the outbreaks and might ultimately target the fleet.
• Mei Yun approached Xiao Ran after he heard her singing and teased him for seeing her nearly naked.
• Xiao Ran gave Mei Yun his coat and told her that she could sing simply because she loved singing.
• Mei Yun asked about Xiao Ran's sunglasses, and he revealed his glowing, inhuman eyes before describing himself as evolved beyond a normal human.

Xiao Ran spoke with Mei Yun after finding her by the beach, then returned to the Niangniang Shop and agreed that Sheryl could join Valkyrie's next concert. He also decided to pilot a Variable Fighter and partner with Sheryl, leaving Yao Bacania unsure how well he could fly.

• Mei Yun calmly spoke with Xiao Ran by the beach and left wearing the clothes he lent her.
• Xiao Ran returned to the pavilion, where Sheryl asked about his missing jacket, and he said he had lent it to Mei Yun.
• Sheryl told Xiao Ran that Valkyrie wanted her as a guest at their next concert, and he agreed.
• Xiao Ran told Yao Bacania that he would pilot the sixth fighter and serve as Sheryl's Variable Fighter partner.
• Yao Bacania agreed to coordinate Gaius with Xiao Ran's security team but privately doubted his piloting ability.

Feiying arrived at Xiao Ran’s estate on Laguna Planet to accompany him to the Valkyries’ concert, where he expected trouble to break out. Xiao Ran and Mwu considered whether Windermere was behind the Berserk Syndrome and whether the Brishigaman Cluster’s unusual planets had been deliberately created.

• Feiying arrived from the fleet and landed at Xiao Ran’s estate, where Xiao Ran asked it to accompany him to the concert and adjust its armor color.
• Feiying clarified that it would not be performing onstage, then went to bathe in the ocean while Xiao Ran told Mwu he expected trouble at Freya’s debut concert.
• Xiao Ran explained that he suspected the mysterious Variable Fighter squad might avoid acting if the Burning Legion came along, and he wondered whether Windermere was involved.
• Mwu told Xiao Ran that the planets in the Brishigaman Cluster had unusually uniform, extreme environments, prompting him to consider whether the cluster had been deliberately created.

Xiao Ran boarded the Aethel with Sheryl and considered the Brishigaman Cluster’s mysteries and the Fleet Territory’s lack of reliable intelligence. He resolved to exert firmer control over the Unified Government as his group’s advanced fighters arrived aboard the ship.

• Xiao Ran reflected on Mwu’s suspicion that the Brishigaman Cluster concealed a secret and recognized that the Fleet Territory had neglected intelligence gathering across the galaxy.
• Xiao Ran decided to take control of key Unified Government departments and place more loyal people within its ranks after returning to the Fleet Territory.
• Arad arranged connected dormitories aboard the Aethel for Xiao Ran, Sheryl, and their group.
• Moses, Billy, Miyoshi Meiya, and Saki Maski piloted their customized Guardian Variable Fighters and VF-30 aboard the Aethel, while El-Elf remained on Laguna Planet.
• The three Guardians, VF-30, and a special Falcon landed on the Aethel and attracted the attention of the ship’s crew.

Kane told Cruze and the Burning Legion's core members that Berserk Syndrome was triggered by modified VAJRA bacteria and might be part of a galaxy-wide conspiracy. He suspected a hidden force had used Previous Civilization Ruins and that the Integration government might be concealing what it knew, while Cruze decided to go to Earth.

• Kane asked Cruze for support because his investigation into Berserk Syndrome had uncovered a vast conspiracy he could not prove alone.
• Cruze assembled the Burning Legion's core members for a multi-party call, while Kane explained that contacting Xiao Ran would expose their discussion to Gaius.
• Kane revealed that Durandal had found VAJRA bacteria in captured Berserk Syndrome patients from El Shahar Star.
• Kane explained that a modified, contagious form of VAJRA bacteria stayed dormant until activated and then caused Berserk Syndrome.
• Kane said a force may have spread the bacteria using Previous Civilization Ruins in the Brishigaman Cluster and suspected the Integration government had concealed information about the Ruins.
• Cruze said he would go to Earth personally.

Kane assigned Cruze and several others to investigate Earth Unified, uncover its secrets about the Brishigaman Cluster, and prepare for a possible takeover, while Zengar, Elsam, and Ingram were sent to assess the Kingdom of Windermere. Xiao Ran remained unaware of their plans as he explored the Aethel on its way to Andor Star.

• Kane tasked Cruze with purging Earth Unified's dissatisfied leadership, investigating its actions in the Brishigaman Cluster, and preparing for the fleet to take control of Unified.
• Cruze recruited Yuzes, Char, Shirakawa Shuu, Giliam, and Naza to accompany him, and Kane said the intelligence mission could not be postponed.
• Kane sent Zengar, Elsam, and Ingram to visit the Kingdom of Windermere and assess its situation.
• The remaining members searched the Brishigaman Cluster for Previous Civilization ruins and studied ways to spread the modified bacteria.
• Xiao Ran traveled aboard the Aethel toward Andor Star, discussed concert preparations with Sheryl, and explored the ship.
• Xiao Ran reached the hangar and watched a crowd of Delta Squad, Valkyrie Squad, and crew members chatting.

Xiao Ran arrived as Delta Squad members explained the VF-30’s reputation and compared it with the other fighters, while Feiying secretly reacted to their praise. The chapter ended with Feiying confronting Chuck after he dismissed it as a mere symbol of Xiao Ran’s status.

• A bridge crew girl questioned whether the VF-30 was stronger than the eagle-headed fighter, and Feiying secretly enjoyed her praise.
• Chuck praised the VF-30 as a legendary dream machine and explained its performance, rarity, and influence on the VF-31.
• Chuck described the other fighters as battlefield machines and suggested the eagle-headed fighter was only a symbol of Xiao Ran’s status.
• Mirage spotted Xiao Ran, and the gathered crowd turned to salute him.
• Feiying projected a robot behind Chuck and challenged him to a one-handed, one-legged comparison.

Xiao Ran introduced Flying Eagle as a powerful Super AI and reassured the Aethel crew that it was a safe, living guardian. As crew members began warming to Flying Eagle, Arad and Yao Bacania decided to report its existence to Captain Ernest.

• Flying Eagle frightened Chuck with a holographic projection, and Xiao Ran explained that it was a custom Super AI fighter far more powerful than the 30 model.
• Makina and Rena reacted with surprise to Flying Eagle's ability to speak, while Flying Eagle insisted it was a Super AI rather than an ordinary artificial intelligence.
• Xiao Ran explained that Flying Eagle was a safe new form of life and asked it not to frighten people or complain about its restraints.
• Rena, Makina, and Chuck offered to clean Flying Eagle, encouraging other curious crew members to approach it.
• Arad and Yao Bacania watched the hangar footage and planned to report Flying Eagle's presence and capabilities to Captain Ernest.

Kane and Xiao Ran prepared for Valkyrie’s concert on Andor Star, suspecting it might draw out the people behind a possible threat. After Valkyrie launched, Xiao Ran and Sheryl set out with their guards to watch over the performers.

• Kane arrived at Andor Star ahead of Xiao Ran and concealed his warship while waiting for the concert.
• Xiao Ran and Sheryl met Mei Yun and Valkyrie, and Mei Yun explained that Xiao Ran had fought the GALAXY Fleet and the Vajra as a powerful pilot.
• Sheryl encouraged Freya before Valkyrie and Delta Squad launched from the Aethel toward Andor Star.
• Xiao Ran joined Miyoshi Meiya, Billy, Moses, Saki Maski, and Aiba Shinyo, and they prepared to depart early to protect Valkyrie.

Xiao Ran and Sheryl watched Freya’s debut concert while preparing to bring the Valkyries and Delta Squad under their command. When Bio-FOLD Wave activity and FOLD Jumps were detected on Andor Star, they rushed toward the planet and heard a song that Sheryl thought felt familiar.

• Gaius staff watched Aiba Shinyo transform into Iron Man and fly away beside the Eagle as Xiao Ran and Sheryl launched toward the concert.
• Sheryl watched Freya and the Valkyries perform, while Xiao Ran said he planned to take control of the Unified Government and acquire shares in galactic conglomerates and technology companies.
• Moses reported active Bio-FOLD Wave reactions and FOLD Jump fluctuations on Andor Star, prompting Xiao Ran and the others to rush toward the planet.
• Sheryl said the song coming from Andor Star made her feel sad and reminded her of another song she had heard before.