Chapter_10_Planetary_Fusion

“So, I’d like to ask… Your name is Fordiano Luca Sasuke, correct? Since that’s quite long, I’ll call you Luca like your friends do. What are you doing here?”

Irina called out to him. However, instead of answering, the traveler—Luca (Fordiano Luca Sasuke)—pointed into the distance.

“Look. Over there.”

His voice carried a slight accent for the Duchy of Feylosia’s language, infused with a peculiar fervor. It was a tone mixed with the excitement of witnessing something beyond human comprehension, combined with the fear of being swallowed by it.

Irina and Silvia stood directly behind Luca (Fordiano Luca Sasuke), unable to see what lay beyond his gaze, only the clear sky and Luca’s figure visible to them. The two proceeded cautiously, checking their footing as they moved around to a slightly elevated position on the mountaintop. Then, finally, their view opened up.

The profound blue sky suddenly expanded, and the thick sea of clouds retreated far below. In the depths of the clear sky, within the faint drifting light, the sight of a massive planet slowly but surely attempting to merge with the Fusion Continent—Abysion—emerged.

It was overwhelmingly vast and mighty. Irina and Silvia involuntarily gasped at the scene of such immense scale. Now they understood, if only a little, the reason for the excitement and fear that dwelt in the traveler’s voice.

Though it should have been tens of thousands of kilometers away, it was so enormous that it seemed as if they could reach out and touch it. The planet’s outline spread as if to cover the sky itself, with subtle ridges and valleys emerging in such detail they could be seen with the naked eye. At the boundary where it collided with the Fusion Continent, iridescent shimmers appeared and disappeared, occasionally emitting thunder-like flashes before vanishing.

From time to time, from the far distance, faint low groans similar to earthquakes could be heard. It might have been the sound of the planet’s surface grinding against the junction points of the Fusion Continent (Abysion), or perhaps the “lament” this continent emitted when accepting a new world. As if the very air was being stretched, both sound and light spread with heavy, dull vibrations, like transmissions through deep water.

Meanwhile, at the edge of Irina’s vision, Luca maintained a mysterious tranquility. His gaze seemed directed not at that planet, but beyond—toward the great unknown destiny that would arrive after the fusion. One world inhabited by thousands upon thousands of living beings was now confluencing as if being swallowed by this continent. And here it would carve new history. The grand spectacle was mythical, yet at the same time carried an almost suffocating sense of reality.

“Amazing…”

Irina involuntarily let out a voice. It was neither joy nor fear, but an instinctive exclamation of being overwhelmed by sheer magnitude. The continent absorbing a star, growing once more, spreading further into chaos. To think such an inconceivable event was happening right before their eyes left them simply overwhelmed.

After a period of silence, Luca finally spoke. But his words didn’t answer Irina’s question; he merely murmured a single phrase.

“…If I stay here, I can witness everything. Isn’t that so?”

That voice sounded infinitely distant, yet closer than the breathing of the man who should have been right beside them. As if mingling the faint madness possessed only by those who had gazed too long upon things not of this world with the premonition of a saint. Luca’s profile and the figure of the planet attempting to fill the sky—Irina was beginning to lose track of which was more mystical.

The breath of Silvia standing nearby could be heard trembling slightly.

“…I had seen it in books and materials, but actually seeing it…”

Overwhelmed by the spectacle, Silvia spoke softly. The Fusion Continent (Abysion) had already existed for an inconceivable length of time. The continent had absorbed numerous planets, repeating fusions. Moreover, a single fusion occurred over periods spanning hundreds of years or more. The opportunity to directly witness this process during one’s lifetime was almost nonexistent, compounded by the vastness of the Fusion Continent (Abysion).

“When stars fuse with the Fusion Continent (Abysion), Amalgam Stones are born there. These ores, containing enormous energy, enrich this continent but simultaneously breed conflict.”

At Luca’s words, the two looked more carefully. Countless flying warships were deployed around the planet. Fleets from various nations, including the Duchy of Feylosia, were swarming over the Amalgam Stones. The location where the planet was attempting to fuse crossed the borders of multiple countries, causing the interests of each nation to intersect and tensions to rise.

“This must be the planetary fusion we’ve been hearing about for years,” Irina murmured quietly. “Because they’re gathering armies from the surrounding areas, the borders near House Vassines have become even more vulnerable.”

Her gaze reflected the distant lights of the warships as it sank. As if realizing that even this moment was merely part of history’s great waves.

Silvia gazed at her profile and quietly exhaled. “The seeds of conflict never run out, do they?”

Irina shook her head. “With this many forces involved, clashes somewhere are inevitable. Everyone holds up their ideals, but reality doesn’t work out so well.”

Luca remained silent for a while. When he turned his gaze into the distance, at some point a flying warship was quietly advancing above the black mountain range. Though distant, it was flying much closer to them than that planet. Would that warship also head into that endless strife?

When Irina slowly returned her gaze to Luca, he murmured softly.

“…For us who differ in everything from language, thought, race, to appearance, understanding each other might truly be a pipe dream.”

As he murmured this, Luca had eyes that looked somewhere distant. On the traveler’s profile floated a light too quiet to be called resignation, yet one that had never lost hope. Each time they sensed his pale fur and gentle breathing, Irina and the others couldn’t help but harbor complex feelings in their hearts. The distance between them and this being of different form and culture seemed to suddenly widen.

Irina opened her lips as if searching for words, but Luca suddenly moved his ears and turned toward the two.

“By the way, young ladies, why have you come to such a high mountaintop? It seems unusual for lovely ladies like yourselves to visit this area.”

It was a reasonable question. Irina considered how much she could trust the traveler before her, but while keeping secret the recurring dreams, their content, the words “Schwarz Noir,” and the old book, she briefly explained to Luca about the word “Seve***.”

“I see, so you’re traveling to pursue the mystery of that dream. How interesting indeed. Grasslands, a small stream at the bottom of deep water. A woman in white clothes sinking. I’m completely at a loss about these parts.”

“However, that word ‘Seve***’… I feel like it’s a word I know.” Luca continued, slowly choosing his words.

Irina and the others held their breath. Did Luca know something?

“As far as I know, there aren’t many names or words that begin with ‘Seve.’ However,” Luca directed his gaze into the distance for a moment, carefully weaving his words.

“Many ancient legends have been passed down on this continent. They are considered legends, but I interpret them as history itself, transformed through eternal time. The creation of this Fusion Continent (Abysion), the first era when numerous races, gods and demons, even machines intermingled—those memories remain. ‘Seve***’ is probably the one who created all of these, the god of creation.”

“…‘Severa.’”

The moment Luca spoke that name, a roar tore through the sky.

Blinding flashes scorched the mountain slopes, explosions spreading in a chain reaction. The earth shook, shattered rocks scattering like bullets. Hot winds raged, gunpowder smoke clouding their vision.

“…! It’s bombardment, my lady!”

Silvia reflexively pulled Luca’s arm while Irina lowered herself to shield the two. The roar pierced their ears as surrounding rocks crumbled and fell.

Luca slowly raised his face.

“Oh my…”

The flying warship floating in the distance turned, opening its gun ports again. Its movements seemed as if it had predetermined its target. Irina’s expression grew stern.

“It can’t be… That flying warship from earlier. That’s Storm-class…! It’s those in red garb…!”

Despite the situation, Luca quietly observed the flying warship, seeming to calmly analyze its movements.

“The next bombardment is coming! We must leave here immediately!”

At Irina’s voice, Silvia reacted instantly, placing her fingers to her temple.

“Mirzet 500, emergency summon!”

Blue fine text appeared in Silvia’s eyes. When the remote communication signal was transmitted, a heavy roar echoed from deep in the valley.

Cutting through the mist, the silver streamlined Mirzet 500 came racing. Its multi-legged mechanism glided across the rocky surface, front lights shining brilliantly.

“Get in!”

Irina opened the door. However, Luca didn’t move an inch, calmly watching the warship.

“…Lord Luca!”

Silvia called out in a slightly angry voice while unhesitatingly embracing his body. At that moment, a soft sensation touched Luca’s body. Luca’s expression didn’t change, but his body trembled slightly and his gaze wandered for just an instant. Silvia’s movements were unwavering as she firmly lifted him up. Though her strength was reliable, for Luca it was a closeness he hadn’t experienced in a long time.

“My my, so I’m escaping with you ladies. Still, you are quite strong.”

The next moment, Silvia supported Luca’s body without hesitation and quickly pushed him into the vehicle.

“Flight mode, activate!”

The vehicle vibrated slightly as boosters deployed from below. At that moment, the second shot was unleashed.

With a roar, the ground surface was engulfed in explosive flames, blown debris grazing the Mirzet 500’s armor.

“Accelerating!”

When Silvia pulled the control stick, the Mirzet 500 lifted lightly, then in the next moment shot upward with jet propulsion. Breaking through dark clouds, grazing through artillery rain, it rapidly gained altitude.

Luca glanced at the warship while settling into his seat.

“Well well, there was an old saying about companions on a journey and compassion in the world…”

Even as he continued speaking, the warship’s shadow slowly turned, apparently beginning preparations for new bombardment. Confirming this, Irina gave brief instructions.

“Increase altitude, Silvia!”

“Understood, my lady!”

When Silvia pulled the control stick, the Mirzet 500 accelerated further, slipping into the dark clouds.

The world of flames and black smoke receded, and ahead spread the curtain of night.

Luca slowly closed his eyes and quietly exhaled.

“…I wonder where we’ll drift to.”

The Mirzet 500 disappeared as if melting into the darkness of night.