"The universe beyond the planet?"
That answer left everyone exchanging glances. Even Jibril looked confused.
But although they did not understand the significance of that assertion, when Roland calmly voiced it, the people who normally argued fiercely over arms production all fell silent in unison.
It was just like when Roland had first brought the Ex-Machina back and had them participate directly in communication and production among the races.
Even though they knew that the Ex-Machina's arrival would improve efficiency but also risk exposing their races' information, no one dared question it.
As long as it was Roland's decision, every race would obey unconditionally.
This authority, undiminished from top to bottom, was also part of what allowed the Alliance to prepare so quickly. Otherwise, even the simple question of whether the new warships should carry more Elven magic components or more Dwarven Spirit Garment parts would have been enough to keep the two races arguing for months.
A direct order from Roland made that process much simpler.
Reason, unease, and even logic itself were things to consider only after the task was done.
Roland had vaguely noticed this strange atmosphere as well. Perhaps because he was the first Old Deus to involve himself so closely in the races' internal affairs, almost none of the resistance he had imagined before establishing the Alliance had materialized.
After all, compared with Cairneas, who contentedly gave up all effort and lived as a Retired Emperor, or Okan, who was as kindly as a grandfather next door but likewise seemed more like a technical expert, Roland seemed more like a god than any other Old Deus.
He issued decrees and displayed his power; he was mighty, beautiful, ageless, and immortal.
Knowing that someone like this was leading them, coupled with the anxiety before the approaching