Seaborn.
Literal meaning: offspring of the sea.
The culprit that caused the fall of several cities in Aegir, the strongest nation in Terra, did not originally appear in such a grotesque manner.
Many years ago, when Aegir first encountered them, his understanding of them was merely --
Common pests in algae fields.
Yes, at that time, the Seaborn had not yet evolved into a complete form.
Entrusted with the mission of transforming the planet by Precivilization, they spread throughout every corner of the ocean in the form of tiny organisms.
At that time, several "Firstborn" were still alive, and their "Heart of Corruption" had not yet awakened.
Those "algae worms" that dedicate their bodies to the ocean and become its nourishment may be their original form.
Until the proliferating Seaborn filled Aegir's ecological monitoring unit, the two sides that should never have met finally did.
As research into this mysterious "algae-like creature" deepened, an ailing scholar named Aegir became aware of the horror of the Seaborn.
Their adaptability is astonishing; no matter how harsh the environment, given time, they can overcome it.
Oculatus reported this intelligence, and after a brief period of attention, everything quickly returned to normal.
Aegir's arrogance remained unchanged.
They are creations of "God," how could mere "algae and insects" possibly overthrow them?
Oculatus was worried about the arrogance of his fellow citizens, but he was also full of curiosity about this new creature.
Are they also creations of "God"?
Driven by his dedication as a researcher, he continued his research despite the advice of his colleagues.
However, his physical ailments made it difficult for him to continue his work, and just then... a bold idea came to him.
The needle pierced the insect's abdominal cavity and then its own dry skin, instantly leaving a dark blue mark.
He was urgently summoned, and the consuls denounced his madness.
Aegir society has long been so advanced that robots have replaced most of production, and people realize their self-worth by creating art.
Human experimentation... has long been a taboo subject to condemnation.
Oculatus should have been dismissed, but his noticeably improved health drew attention.
The study was restarted, Oculatus explained the dangers of the Seaborn to the consuls:
"Their ability to achieve such dramatic evolution in such a short time... if we don't take it seriously... it will inevitably lead to an irreparable disaster sooner or later!"
In response to his desperate cries, the consuls replied—
"For hundreds of years, no one has dared to say that the Aegir cannot do anything."
The old man's warning was ignored, Aegir's latest definition of Seaborn became "a hybrid organism with medicinal value."
Despairing of the arrogance of his fellow countrymen, Oculatus decided to act alone.
But he forgot that when he decided to face this problem alone...
He too became a member of "arrogance".
The banned gene-editing technology was ultimately used on Seaborn...
At this point--
The seeds of arrogance sank into the abyss, and who knows how many years later, they will transform into Deep Blue Tree that devours the world.
"You've been here for three days now, my captain!"
Inside the Great Library of Aegir, Laurentina leaned against a bookshelf, fiddling with her hair, and glanced helplessly at her captain beside her.
"If there's nothing to do, you can train; at the very least, you should learn more."
Gladiia held up the book in her hand, and the mechanical arm hanging from the ceiling automatically took it and returned it.
"Does this house the most comprehensive collection of books in Aegir, or... have you read them all?"
"You've seen them all?"
Laurentina didn't seem to care and picked up a weapon from the side to wipe it clean.
Normally, weapons shouldn't be brought into such places, but Aegir now has no time to concern himself with such trivial matters.
"I've only seen about 20%."
Laurentina —this place held all of Aegir's knowledge.
20%?
She certainly didn't believe Gladiia was lying. As Aegir certified as "omnipotent," the other woman might truly be capable of doing so...
"Alright, alright~ Now that you've seen so much, what are you looking for now?"
Laurentina decided to change the subject; she didn't want to go out now.
Those close-up photos are still floating in the sky above the city; the Abyssal Hunters has gone from a hero to a laughing stock.
Although most people restrained themselves, the hunters could occasionally hear snickers from the shadows.
During this period, face masks became Aegir's best-selling product.
Laurentina glanced at the mask around her waist, her shoulders slumping in disappointment.
Her beautiful appearance has always been a source of pride for her, not out of narcissism, but because it is a fact widely recognized by her compatriots.
But now... this fact is shrouded in shadow.
Thinking of those comical smiling faces, Laurentina couldn't help but grit her teeth.
The slight sound made Gladiia sigh softly.
"I've come here to rediscover our enemy."
She answered the previous question.
"We have always underestimated our opponents, both in the past and now."
Gladiia rubbed her temples. The more she investigated, the more terrifying the Seaborn problem became.
Abyssal Hunters were supposed to be a shackle to restrain the disorderly evolution of the Seaborn, but now it seems... they have become a catalyst pushing them toward conflict.
But this knowledge is right there in the big library, so why has no one noticed it?
Was it because of Aegir's arrogance?
Gladiia closed her eyes.
That might be a factor, but more importantly...
She walked outside, and Laurentina, startled, instinctively followed.
"You're not going to investigate anymore?"
"No need, that's not the problem."
Gladiia quickened her pace and tilted her head slightly.
"Contact other team members, not just the second team."
"All?"
Laurentina was taken aback; this was, in a sense, an overreach of authority.
The captain's mother was a consul, so she was indeed aware of the matter.
However, it was Aegir fact that the two had a strained relationship.
"You don't mean to...?"
Hearing the team members' tone, which was filled with worry yet barely concealed eagerness, Gladiia couldn't help but sigh.
"I'm worried there's a mole within Aegir."
"A mole?"
Laurentina frowned, not because she doubted her captain's judgment, but because she found it hard to believe.
"What is their goal? To overthrow the regime?"
Laurentina at her own hypothetical statement.
It's not arrogance; the Aegir today have long since transcended base desires.
Here, everyone can fully unleash their talents.
Officials are in their positions because of their competence, not through political deals.
"No, it's a mole within Seaborn."
Gladiia's answer was even more perplexing.
"Captain, are you kidding me?"
Laurentina couldn't help but lick her lips, as if she were a shark smelling blood.
"You don't actually believe that Seaborn has evolved into a human and infiltrated the city, do you?"
"A joke..." Gladiia's voice was as cold as ice. "Do you think this is a joke?"
"Indeed... it's not funny at all."
Laurentina her weapon tighter, Gladiia quickened her pace.
"It's less likely that they've evolved into humans; it's more probable that someone has sided with Seaborn."
Gladiia couldn't help but think of Ulpianus's disappearance. She knew the man and didn't believe he could be the mole.
But he really did disappear.
"Beneath the surface of the sea in Aegir, perhaps tentacles that should not exist lurk."
As they reached the exit and parted ways, Laurentina asked:
"What reason should I give to call up other teams?"
Tell them...
Gladiia's figure blurred for a moment, vanished with the wind, and her echo lingered:
"The culprit who caused the disappearance of the third captain has been found."
"Wait! The director is currently investigating... You can't go in!"
Bang--!
The gate, along with part of the wall, flew off, and the guard swallowed hard.
"If His Excellency the Governor knew..."
"Then let her come to me."
Gladiia barged straight in, heading straight for the deepest laboratory.
Before I even stepped inside, a warm, gentle voice came from within:
"This isn't like you. Is it because of those... [Special Seaborn] outside that you're being disturbed?"
Gladiia's breath hitched, and she quickly shook off the discordant images in her mind, coldly looking at the newcomer.
"Brandus, you know why I'm here."
Brandus's expression remained unchanged, still displaying his gentle demeanor.
"You want to know about the research progress on those [Special Seaborn]? No problem, I'll be right there..."
Boom--!
The long spear standing before him made Brandus sigh.
"This doesn't fit your tactical aesthetics."
"Look at the view outside."
Gladiia easily pulled the long spear from the metal crevice and held it to the side of her opponent's neck.
"All etiquette should give way to Aegir's survival."
"..."
Brandus looked directly into Gladiia's eyes, as if he had seen something, and suddenly smiled.
"It seems you've done a thorough investigation."
This was almost an admission, Gladiia's expression darkened further.
What are your grievances about Aegir now?
No, of course not.
Brandus shook his head, his expression gentle.
"I love Aegir as much as you and as much as Ulpianus do."
"These words, coming from a traitor, are utterly unconvincing."
Gladiia tightened her grip, forcing him to turn around.
"Take me to your lab!"
Brandus offered no resistance and calmly stated:
"Gladiia, don't you understand the truth now that you know it?"
"I am partly to blame for the current situation, but I am not entirely to blame."
"It is Aegir's arrogance, it is Aegir's folly!"
Brandus's voice was filled with heartache, Gladiia could sense the genuine emotion in him.
That's why she became even more confused.
"You, who received higher education in Aegir and know everything about Aegir, have betrayed us."
What made you agree with them? Or is it...?
Gladiia increased the pressure in her hand, eliciting a muffled groan from her opponent.
"You were a traitor from the very beginning."
"Hahaha..."
Brandus laughed, a sorrowful laugh.
"Traitor... Aegir is the traitor."
Gladiia's eyebrow twitched. She had considered this possibility, but wasn't sure.
"Just how many accomplices do you have...?"
"Don't you understand, my compatriots?"
Brandus pushed open the door, and the two entered the laboratory.
There were no test subjects as Gladiia had anticipated; everything was exactly the same as during her last visit.
"No one ever truly betrayed us; everyone was doing their part to make Aegir a better place."
"You call letting those monsters slaughter your own people 'better'?"
Gladiia couldn't help but sneer, Brandus's face darkened.
"This is a necessary sacrifice... When it is all over, I will return to silence with them."
Gladiia felt a surge of irritation. She had to admit that her mind had been disturbed by the other person's words.
"The hunters are gathering, and as their creator, you know their power."
"Whatever your plans may be, it's time to end them now."
Gladiia released Brandus, gesturing for him to show her the contents of the research.
"Gladiia..."
Brandus didn't move; instead, he turned around and asked a question:
Do you consider yourself arrogant?
"My confidence stems from my understanding of my own abilities..."
Gladiia did not deny it.
Is she arrogant?
Of course, the Aegir in the sea are all arrogant.
They used to believe they were creations of "God," but after exploring the ruins and learning the truth, they were not discouraged.
Instead, they are working even harder to develop technology and create their own value through art.
Compared to other land-based countries, Aegir's society was like paradise.
They have every right to be arrogant.
Brandus did not respond, but pulled open a drawer—the contents of which made Gladiia recoil sharply.
"You just left it here without any protection?!"
The item in the drawer was nothing unusual; it was a mass of blood-red slime-like substance, identical to the one floating above Aegir.
"You are afraid."
Brandus carefully picked it up, as if it were a sacred object.
"Fear of this harmless god..."
"God? Are you really insane?"
Gladiia felt a chill, but Brandus shook his head.
"Perhaps the original Seaborn didn't deserve this title, but perhaps gods truly exist..."
He kneaded the Seaborn in his hands without any respect, as if he were playing with a lump of clay.
"That god endowed them with incredible power—[absorbing all kinetic energy and converting it into energy], Divine Miracle that transcends the laws of physics!"
Brandus suddenly burst into tears, Gladiia couldn't help but step back again.
At this moment, the seemingly harmless scholar before her terrified her more than the deep-sea monster.
"Do you understand? Do you understand?!"
Brandus held Seaborn up to his eyes, tears streaming down his face.
Seaborn extended his tentacles and gently wiped away the tears from the corner of his eyes.
Brandus finally burst into tears.
"They are Miracle! Miracle bestowed by God!"
"You've seen those documents, haven't you? You must have!"
He wept, pouring out his despair to Gladiia:
"Our creators [the gods] have all perished in calamity; how then can we continue our civilization?"
"They are gifts left by God to civilization, the Ark that allows civilization to continue, and should be our closest companions!"
"But what about us?!"
Brandus took a step forward, Gladiia instinctively stepped back.
It wasn't fear, but shock.
Brandus is a genius; no one in this position is stupid.
That's why she was even more shocked, but also even more furious.
"Aegir has been working tirelessly to solve that problem, you should know that!"
"Yes... yes... but how long will it take us to catch up with the gods?"
Brandus's voice was filled with despair.
"Even if we inherit the legacy of the gods, and our weapons are powerful enough to destroy the entire continent, so what?"
He looked at Gladiia and posed a question:
"How long has it been since Aegir has had a truly innovative work? I'm not referring to art."
Gladiia frowned:
"The technology we've discovered hasn't been fully utilized yet; we should..."
"But those were nothing more than God's toys."
Brandus stopped crying, his voice hoarse.
"I saw in the information I was interpreting..."
[God travels around the planets, observing their birth and destruction, until His own people call Him back.]
He grabbed at his hair, ruffling the already messy strands into a ball.
"To treat the destruction of planets as a game! Even such a god was destroyed by calamity... and we, we have not even been able to leave our mark on a god!"
He looked at Gladiia, and his empty eyes suddenly lit up with light:
"I feel despair, for Aegir, and for this world..."
So you chose Seaborn.
Gladiia seemed to understand, but understanding does not equate to agreement.
"To abandon one's human identity and choose to become a beast...?"
"No! How do you define [a person]?!"
Brandus' face turned red:
"Compared to the gods of Precivilization, how are we different from beasts?"
He held the Seaborn aloft; it wriggled in his palm, seemingly puzzled.
"The evolutionary capabilities of the Seaborn far exceed your imagination! The technology we've researched for hundreds of years, they can adapt to in just a few months! This proves that our path is wrong!"
"You're crazy..."
Gladiia's anger subsided, replaced by pity in her eyes.
Brandus smiled wryly upon hearing this:
"Maybe... maybe I really am crazy."
"When Maritus showed me their possibilities, I, like you, insisted, but look!"
Brandus strode forward, attempting to hand Seaborn to Gladiia.
The latter's face darkened, and he instinctively swung his weapon, intending to sweep him away.
However, the moment of contact, all kinetic energy is absorbed.
Seaborn completely unharmed.
Gladiia remained silent, Brandus, like a child sharing a toy with a playmate, eagerly handed over the Seaborn.
This time, Gladiia did not back down.
She gazed at the jelly-like creation before her, lost in thought.
If there truly is a God... why does He coldly watch this tragedy unfold?
But if there is no God, then what is this "Divine Miracle" that violates the fundamental laws of the universe?
"You see their potential, right?!"
Seaborn suddenly trembled violently, Brandus panicked as he pulled it back into his palm and gently soothed it.
"That terrifying evolutionary ability, combined with this [Divine Miracle], they are the embryos of a god..."
Gladiia felt exhausted. She was convinced the scholar had gone mad.
And she herself...
"Any speculation must undergo rigorous scientific verification before it can be established."
Gladiia remained resolute and began to subdue her opponent.
"Your idea is ultimately just speculation. Perhaps this so-called [Divine Miracle] has limitations, and nothing has been confirmed by concrete data."
Brandus did not resist, but continued to soothe the increasingly trembling Seaborn.
"Because of your cowardice or unfounded assumptions, you have abandoned your humanity, and even..."
Gladiia glanced at a group photo on the desk—a group of scholars, including Ulpianus and Brandus.
"You even betrayed your best friend."
No! I didn't!
Brandus suddenly became agitated:
"I gave him the best choice! It was an opportunity to face God!"
"God does not exist."
Gladiia, unwilling to listen to the madman's ramblings any longer, simply bound Brandus's hands, causing Seaborn to roll to the ground.
"It exists! At least Seaborn's god exists!"
"The god of Seaborn..."
Gladiia paused, then responded coldly:
"If He truly exists, Aegir will surely kill..."
Buzz--!!!
The piercing alarm blared throughout the city, Gladiia whirled around—this was the highest alarm concerning the survival of Aegir!
[All hunters assemble at Exit 3; all soldiers prepare for battle.]