With the Tirillo people's cooperation, the technical personnel aboard the Dawn Angel completely took control of the massive fortress in just one hour.
The Dawn Angel's resident science officer later reported to Queen Brunhild that although the Alliance had built the enormous fortress for the Tirillo people two hundred and thirty years ago, it contained quite a few original technologies and designs. Given some time and technical support from home, he was confident he could make a modest contribution to the Empire's technological treasury.
Brunhild was pleased and promised to notify the Palace of Wisdom and the Institute of Celestial Engineering. But after seeing the science officer off, she turned to her chief of staff and said, "See? This is what the stagnation of the universe looks like. This fortress was built over two hundred years ago, and it still has technology we haven't mastered. That's not normal. Think about it: even my Dawn Angel is two tiers more advanced than the Tirillo ship, but is there really any fundamental difference between them?"
That sounded a little overdramatic. One ship was sleek and triangular, the other a long, castle-like vessel. Just from their appearance, they looked like they belonged in entirely different genres.
Chief of Staff Ostana smiled. "I can't say whether the universe has stagnated, Your Majesty, but I do know that you're becoming more and more like him."
"...Ostana, your sense of humor seems to be getting more and more sophisticated!"
Before King Suluca's gaze could turn dangerous, the chief of staff swiftly put away her teasing and added, solemnly, "Of course, I mean that you've been positively influenced by him, and your understanding of the universe is becoming clearer. Though, even now, I'm not sure whether that's a good thing."
Brunhild scoffed. "I've already invested ten million