Him and their stars.

Chapter 2175 Who Says Mortals Can't Beat Extraordinary Beings?

As the Silent One ventured deeper into the passage, in a cabin a hundred meters from the core control room, a sharp sword light swept across like a crescent moon, cleaving a monster resembling a mammoth in two, which then fell in opposite directions.

Where the monster had tusks, more than a dozen octopus-like tentacles extended out, flexible and powerful, yet seemingly covered with special mechanical structures. Even though its main body was cut in two by a sword, these tentacles continued to writhe wildly, as if each one possessed its own vitality and life.

However, before they could continue their evil deeds, the Marines, freed from their spiritual control, swarmed forward, brandishing various knives, spears, halberds, axes, hooks, and forks, and began to smash them.

As it turned out, the threat posed by these tentacles diminished dramatically after losing their physical support. Their outer shells were smashed to pieces, resembling splattered flesh and blood. The illusory flesh exposed beneath the metal shells began to melt away under everyone's close scrutiny.

A person, unarmed and only wearing a white mecha, even moved closer, operating a hovering recorder to film while simultaneously operating on their terminal, presumably conducting a very detailed scientific analysis.

Gongsun Qing watched the other person work, then flicked his wrist to shake off the remaining ash from the sword blade.

Despite a few scorch marks on her unremarkable, form-fitting power suit, her posture remained as upright as a pine tree. For a psionicist who had fought her way to the Saint level with a sword, the Emblem Machine was no longer of any use, unless it was a specially made artifact disguised as an Emblem Machine.

“Professor?” she asked.

Professor Eddington, the chief science officer behind the mecha, responded: "Structural homology samples are scarce and cannot be determined, but the gravitational wavelength match exceeds 87%... The energy signature also matches. These mechanical tentacles and the reaction of that thing outside are homologous. They are not native monsters summoned directly from the virtual realm, but more like offspring or cellular derivatives actively released by that behemoth."

Gongsun Qing pondered for a moment: "Are you saying that this might not be ordinary virtual realm pollution, but rather an organized and purposeful proactive attack?"

"I can't say much about the other virtual monsters, but these... yes, these guys with mechanical structures attached to them, all have a highly consistent pattern of action, heading directly towards the ship's energy core and central control core. Their goal is clear: to seize control of the Silent Ship."

"Using virtual environment pollution to cover up the attack target?" Gongsun Qing nodded again, feeling that he had discovered a blind spot.

Are you treating me like some kind of elite advisor? The professor said helplessly, "That's hard to say. After all, I've never worked in combat units. I can only warn you to be careful from a scientific perspective. Miss Gongsun, that monster doesn't act on instinct alone. Whether it's conscious or pre-programmed, it's definitely not something to be trifled with."

Gongsun Qing suddenly realized his mistake: "So that's how it is! This is also a trap. That monster is after the Silent Ship!"

The professor looked at the Sword Saint and was speechless for a moment.

“However, at least for now, this wave of enemy attacks has been repelled,” said the Sword Saint.

"Do you really need to ask me about something like this?" Professor Eddington nodded. "The unknown energy data inside the ship is approaching equilibrium. There might be similar intrusions later, but at least for now, it's fine. However, these remaining mechanical fragments are quite strange. They seem to contain a large number of computing units, and in an arrangement I've never seen before... Wait, leave me some!"

Professor Eddington let out a lament.

But then, the Bifang robots that had just been fighting alongside the Marines suddenly burst open their furry, round "faces," revealing gaping mouths and nimble, predatory tongues that began to shred and clatter over the shattered mechanical components scattered on the ground. The transformation was so drastic, it was as if Hakimi, who had always been by their side, had suddenly turned into a Flerken; the scene was quite impactful.

Even though everyone already knew that these round robots could seamlessly switch between being pets and deadly combat robots, they were still stunned by the scene.

Before they could react, they had almost completely swallowed up the mechanical units left behind by the enemy.

Professor Eddington was devastated, but before he could say anything, he heard the terminal notification tone. He glanced at it and couldn't look away.

"I see. The most efficient mechanical analysis in the world is to let nanomachines eat them... Hmm, break them down and digest them? That's amazing!"

The chief science officer on the Silent Ship entered excellent researcher mode, while Gongsun Qing began reporting to the bridge: "The last intruder in the ship's interior area has been eliminated. The virtual realm contamination has temporarily subsided under the influence of that force, and the spiritual environment is stabilizing."

Her voice was clear and steady as she looked up at the top of the passageway, her gaze seemingly able to penetrate the layers of decks and see the magnificent and spectacular charge of the Star Knights: "I request immediate action, to ride the Star Dragon and rendezvous with the main force to support Your Excellency the Commander."

On the bridge, Eleanor Bonaparte turned her head to look out the huge panoramic porthole on her right, towards the enemy's direction. There lay the core of a mysterious battlefield composed of Star Knights and Void Realm monsters, but with her mortal eyes, she could only vaguely make out some barely perceptible flashes.

"Colonel Wayne from the Enterprise has indeed reported that the Commander has returned..."

As for how the commander, who was supposed to be beheaded at Dragon's Palace, ended up here, Ms. Bonaparte said she really didn't understand psionicists.

"Yes, that blue light that guides everything, that is him."

"I can't see anything," Eleanor thought, but replied anyway, "Your proposal is approved, Miss Gongsun."

Captain Nemo immediately added, "The six star dragons in the dragon's nest are all in high spirits and ready to be deployed at any time."

“Very well, then let’s take that Crimson Steed. It’s a mature Flamewing Dragon, the fastest.” After saying that, Gongsun Qing closed the communication and hurried off to the lower dragon nest.

Miss Sword Saint has always been the type who can maximize her action points.

Of course, it can't be considered a dragon's nest, but rather a ceremonial vessel that's more like a nested doll.

Just now, some monsters from the Void Realm "jumped" directly into the dragon's nest, only to be thoroughly trampled by the rested Star Dragons. Compared to their handlers—who are currently prisoners—the Star Dragons have a much stronger sense of belonging.

On the bridge, Captain Nemo was a little conflicted: "Isn't that Red Steed Madam...Ms. Li, ah no, Colonel Li's mount?"

That's true, but we don't have time to dwell on that now.

At that very moment, an encrypted communication signal was also transmitted directly into the Silent One's command chain: "Arc cannons cease firing. All secondary light spears, prepare to focus fire on the marked targets on the behemoth's body. Now!"

Needless to say, this encrypted communication could only have come from His Excellency the Commander.

"Stop the arc cannon?" Eleanor hesitated for a moment.

Captain Nemo said, "Colonel Wayne from the Enterprise just reported that His Excellency the Commander has indeed set out personally and is currently charging at that behemoth. Perhaps he needs my precise fire as cover?"

“Indeed, we can’t rule out that possibility.” Eleanor frowned. “I just feel…”

"feel?"

"No, it's nothing. Just follow the commander's orders."

Eleanor instinctively felt that the command didn't sound like Yu Lian's tone, and besides, even when he gave orders, he preferred to speak rather than write them down, but she also felt that perhaps she was just being paranoid.

After all, the commander-in-chief has already personally led the charge, so it's reasonable that he doesn't have time to explain.

She refocused her attention on the battlefield: "How far are we from our target?"

"0.4! Still pulling away, the target is trying to get away from us." "Then go for it. Active shields concentrated on the starboard side. All light spear secondary cannons on the starboard side begin charging."

"Insufficient personnel! Only 8 gun bays are ready to be started immediately. Should we move the personnel from the main gun positions to the secondary gun positions?"

"Approved! Instruct the robots to begin guiding their movement! Also, immediately assess the damage to the warship."

"The four secondary wounds in the left D region have healed, while the primary wound at the tail is still repairing. There is currently some mechanical corrosive force affecting the nanorobot's movement. A comprehensive analysis by the Science Department is needed."

"in addition,"

"From A1 to A4 on the starboard side, the light spear cannons A8 and A9 have completed charging and are ready to fire! In addition, a new function has been discovered at the terminal: the main body of the ion secondary cannon is also made of nanomachines, and it can be converted into a light spear cannon with a little energy."

"There's such a function? Does that mean it can't fire automatically?"

"The shipboard central control terminal says that gunners are still needed to maintain basic continuity and safety."

"...Tell them to hurry. Also, if the ship's security personnel have already dealt with the immediate threat, they can go to the gun positions to provide support. They can always lend a hand. Ina? Call Colonel Ina Shirica at the main gun position."

"I am currently in the B1 positron cannon chamber, which can also transform into a light spear. It requires 2 energy units. Do you approve?"

"go a head!"

After all, the massive Silent Ship only had a little over 20,000 personnel, including the Marines. The fact that it could exert such combat power was already due to the Silent Ship's high level of automation. But at this point, manpower was still insufficient.

Eleanor would like the ship to be more automated, but that's not something she can change at her own will.

Once her orders were relayed, the entire crew on the bridge began operating at full speed and capacity, like factory machines rushing to complete a project. Commands and instructions were repeated one after another, and everyone's attention was highly focused, with no one noticing the sweat dripping from their foreheads.

They were even busier than when they were fighting monsters.

However, perhaps it was the clear, melodious sonata that had just flashed through everyone's minds that changed their attitude from tense and solemn focus to high spirits and ambition.

They were all focused, but relaxation was a completely different matter.

Everyone trusted their commander, trusted the warship, trusted each other, and trusted that victory would surely be theirs.

As for the indescribable mechanical behemoth opposite, isn't it just a defeated foe? The so-called destructive pressure brought by its own power is nothing but impotent rage.

Perhaps seeing the Silent One approaching, the behemoth felt it was being underestimated and immediately became enraged, letting out a silent, spiritual roar.

The mechanical spikes on its back, undulating like rugged mountain ranges, suddenly lit up, and dark gray energy rapidly gathered in the deepest part of the steepest fluctuations.

This colossal beast in the virtual realm seemed to have countless volcanoes about to erupt from its back, about to unleash a destructive torrent of negative energy from the subspace upon the tiny humans who dared to challenge it.

"The virtual realm reaction is intensifying!"

"Four high-energy reactions are converging! The power exceeds 10 terabytes and is still increasing!"

"This poses a danger to our own active shield!"

This wasn't just dangerous, it was beyond the fortress cannons! The captain swallowed hard: "Your Excellency, we..."

Before Mr. Nemo could offer any advice, Eleanor waved her hand forcefully: "It's just a virtual realm. Merging with the main world in this kind of subspace isn't so easy. Keep going! Get the active shields ready to engage!"

Her commands were calm and swift; this mere "mortal" seemed quite familiar with the illusory realm. However, this wasn't a particularly important issue.

What about the starboard side?

"The twelve gates are ready!"

"No need to wait any longer, launch immediately!"

Just as the energy beams at the tips of those thorns were about to reach their peak, the more than ten light spear secondary cannons on the starboard side of the warship, which had finally been fully prepared under the overloaded operation of all the crew members, suddenly unleashed a fierce salvo!
A dozen straight, purplish-red beams tore through the void, and under the precise guidance of the gunners, they were densely fired at the base of the thorns on the back of the behemoth, where the energy reaction was most intense and the thorns had just lit up!

This is no longer the indiscriminate, area-of-effect suppression of the previous Arc Cannon, but a surgical-style precise kill!

Even in space warfare, such a brilliant shot can only be achieved by maintaining a relatively short distance.

However, this was merely a prelude. Eleanor Bonaparte herself was not entirely satisfied.

"Don't stop! Bring the boat closer to me!"

"Move closer! Keep firing! Keep shooting!" The captain was also provoked. After all, someone as excellent as him could fluctuate infinitely between being the most ferocious and the most cowardly.

As for Anne, who was at the helm, she had already begun her operation. She even managed to evade another round of enemy fire with the Silent Ship.

To be fair, our fierce artillery barrage disrupted the movements of this steel behemoth, making its counterattacks much less frequent.

But all that could be seen was a continuous explosion on the back of the giant beast, like a series of fireworks that had been forcibly extinguished.

The newly gathered gray energy went out of control and dissipated under the impact of the light spear, triggering a series of internal explosions. Several of the thickest spikes even broke in the violent explosions, and the massive mechanical structure twisted and disintegrated, turning into countless fragments that were thrown into the cold starry sky.

However, those steel fragments only flew a short distance before dissolving into particles, as if they were captured and devoured by the negative energy of the illusory realm.

The beast's silent roar seemed to come to an abrupt halt. The energy attack, which was only halfway gathered, was abruptly interrupted, and the resulting backlash caused its massive body to shudder violently, its movements becoming noticeably stiff and chaotic.

It attempted to readjust its posture and lock onto its target, but the Silent One's light spears and cannon fire were like a persistent, insidious attack, relentlessly bombarding its energy nodes and relentlessly suppressing its attempts to retaliate.

On the bridge, Eleanor stared intently at the tactical screen, watching the peak value representing the subspace energy response fluctuate violently and rapidly decay under the fierce and dense bombardment. Her tightly pursed lips finally relaxed slightly.

"Well done! Who says mortal weapons can't handle something like this?" Eleanor was quite pleased.
Compared to the Enlightened Ones' advanced technology of stable arc cannons, the light spear is indeed more in line with the description of a "mortal weapon".

"Ina, it's time!" Eleanor thought. She had just picked up the communicator, about to ask if the transformation was complete, when she received a report from her subordinates: "Main guns are firing."