Once all ten flags on the flag platform had been pulled out, the first event was officially over.
For the Imperial Military Academy and its supporters, it had been an explosively successful year. For the other schools, however, the story was different.
Aside from Poseidon, which had somehow managed to snag one flag and could at least count that as a modest harvest, it would have been a lie to say the other military academies’ competitors weren’t disappointed.
That said, the top rankings in the flag-snatching event had always been monopolized by the four powerhouse schools. Only a handful of competitors ever managed to break through and seize one of the lower-ranking positions. As a result, ordinary military academies had never placed too much importance on winning flags.
Their priority throughout the event was simply to eliminate Zerg and clear out their opponents while accumulating as many points as possible.
To reduce the possibility of the four powerhouses sweeping all the top rankings, the organizing committee had adjusted the weighting system many years ago.
Therefore, those who failed to obtain a flag in this event could still potentially rank near the top overall once the entire mecha league was over. This was also the committee’s way of supporting and encouraging military academies outside the Big Four.
Just then, a notification from the organizing committee came through.
“The competitor access route is temporarily unavailable due to technical difficulties. All competitors are to assemble at the flag platform within half an hour. The organizing committee will arrange a transport ship to take everyone out.”
“Repeating: any competitor who fails to arrive at the designated location within the time limit will have XX points deducted.”
Those who had immediately lost all desire to head for the flag platform upon learning that it had been cleared out—or who had been entertaining other plans—cursed furiously and had no choice but to race there at full speed.
Fortunately, the competition was already over. There was no longer any need for the competitors to attack one another, so their mechas could simply fly straight over. Even those with slower movement speeds or who were farther away would have no trouble arriving in time.
In fact, ten minutes after the announcement was issued, nearly every competitor—eliminated or otherwise—had arrived.
The handful who truly could not make it for one reason or another did not matter.
A moment ago, everyone had been fighting as though the sky were falling. Now they were gathered together with nothing to do, which was more than a little awkward.
Especially with that painful scene on the flag platform.
Someone soon grew impatient. “Tch! When is the organizing committee’s ship getting here? I’m sick of looking at those smug faces from the Imperial Military Academy.”
One of the Imperial competitors gave a derisive laugh. “You couldn’t stand seeing us at the top, and yet you’ve been looking at it for years.”
The competitors below were furious. Someone muttered, “As if you didn’t just sit back and benefit from everyone else’s efforts.”
The Imperial competitor fell silent.
Come to think of it, this was the only year when they really did feel terribly guilty for doing nothing.
Pei Liang glanced down at the competitors below and revealed a mischievous smile.
“Since we have nothing else to do, why don’t we rehearse our answers for the media interviews later?”
After every event, the media would inevitably swarm the competitors to ask about their thoughts and feelings—especially those who had left a strong impression during the competition.
Although many of the people present had not obtained a flag, that did not necessarily mean their overall performances had been unimpressive.
In particular, with the Imperial Military Academy practically having its entire team slack off and relying entirely on the self-proclaimed S-ranker, their performances might even have looked more outstanding by comparison.
Most young warriors were happy to show off their strength and charm.
Alphas were generally flamboyant by nature, so they were quite interested in the media interviews to come.
At that, the others immediately perked up and began speaking with exaggerated sincerity.
“You’re in first place. The media will be dying to interview you.”
“Why don’t you give us your acceptance speech?”
Pei Liang put on an honored expression. “Me?”
“I’ve actually been thinking about it all along. Since everyone wants me to go first, I won’t hold back.”
She then walked to the center of the flag platform and looked down at the competitors. She had not even said anything yet, but her expression had suddenly taken on an unmistakably punchable quality.
Then Pei Liang opened her mouth and said, “First of all, I’d like to thank all my fellow students for graciously allowing me to take first place. Although none of you actually contributed to my victory, your very existence laid the foundation for my achievement.”
Anyone with a brain could tell what she meant. Wasn’t she saying that they were all cannon fodder beneath her feet, allowing her to claim first place? If she had been the only person there, calling herself first would not have made much sense, so she was lowering herself to graciously thank them for existing.
She had barely begun speaking, and she was already infuriating enough to make people want to leap at her.
The competitors present stared at her, their teeth itching with irritation.
But she was not finished.
“Since this is my first time participating in the mecha league, I feel incredibly honored to have achieved such results in the very first event. There are so many people I need to thank, and so many people with whom I’d like to share this joy.”
“First, I’d like to thank the Imperial Military Academy for nurturing me, and Chairman Richter. He stood firm against all opposition and gave me a precious place on the team, making this record-breaking moment possible.”
As she spoke, she raised the flag in her hand toward the screen, as though she were holding up an Oscar.
“Chairman, you can now proudly tell everyone who questioned your decision that you made a wise and farsighted choice.”
She continued, “Next, I’d like to thank Brian.”
Brian was startled and looked at Pei Liang, suddenly seized by a sense of foreboding.
Sure enough, the next moment she said, “When I entered the league for the first time, I looked around in confusion, with no idea where to begin.”
“Just as I was lost and helpless, Brian arrived. He dispelled the fog in my heart and gave me confidence and direction. Over the following days, he guided me from the perspective of an experienced competitor. Without him, I, Pei Liang, would never have advanced with such unstoppable momentum.”
“I’d also like to thank Senior Hodgson. When he discovered that Brian had abandoned his own academy’s plans to selflessly help a competitor from another school, he not only refrained from reprimanding him, but was also moved by Brian’s enthusiasm and joined him in supporting a junior.”
“The warmth and sense of responsibility shown by these two seniors touched me deeply. The entire Empire should be proud to have such noble warriors.”
Everyone turned to look at Brian and Hodgson in unison, their expressions indescribable.
Then, one by one, their faces took on a look of sudden realization.
So that was what happened. That idiot Brian must have been provoked before entering the event, then rushed off to pick a fight with Pei Liang the moment he got inside.
After that, there could only have been one outcome: he had been beaten to a pulp, used as cannon fodder, and then, upon running into Hodgson, the two of them had joined forces—not to escape their predicament, but to drag another person into it.
It was enough to make the listener weep and the witness mourn.
Brian and Hodgson had been publicly stripped bare and put on trial before everyone’s eyes. Even the people from Ares could barely lift their heads.
Seeing this, the other military academies suddenly felt much better. After all, compared to them, Ares was the one truly suffering.
Pei Liang continued, “But the person I’m most grateful to—”
She moved around the crowd, her gaze settling on one particular person.
“Lance, my little brother.”
Lancelot was caught off guard, his expression revealing his surprise.
His sister continued, “You’re the reason I can still feel the companionship and warmth of family on this cold, unfamiliar planet. Without you, even if I had taken first place, the joy of that achievement would have been greatly diminished.”
“Thank you. Truly, thank you for being here.”
Lance’s face instantly turned red. He had never expected this woman to make such a nauseatingly mushy confession in front of a live audience.
The delicate, beautiful young man’s face and ears turned the color of cooked shrimp. He glared at her, then stammered in a flustered attempt to sound stern, “W-What are you talking about? We’re still live!”
But everyone present—and countless viewers watching from home—was dumbfounded.
The two of them had addressed each other as older sister and younger brother more than once along the way, though it was usually Pei Liang doing so, and that woman always used a teasing tone.
As for Lancelot, on the rare occasions he had used those terms, the circumstances had been too urgent for anyone to hear clearly.
When Pei Liang had called him her younger brother just now, everyone had assumed she meant it in terms of age. But after hearing what came next, it was obvious that wasn’t the case at all.
Family? Could these two actually be biological siblings?
The internet exploded—
“Sibling? Are they the kind of siblings I’m thinking of?”
“But one is from Imperial Star and the other is from Neptune. They don’t even share the same bloodline, do they? Didn’t they say that nobles of pure Eastern descent rarely married outside their own bloodline?”
“Ahem! Because I had a stake in the matter, I couldn’t say this outright before, but I’ve been dying to spill it. Since she’s revealed it herself, I can finally speak. Actually, Pei Liang’s mother was a notorious social butterfly in Imperial Star’s upper circles. Despite being an Omega, Madam Pei lacked the loyalty and devotion expected of one.”
“Lancelot is the illegitimate son of Madam Pei and a noble from Neptune. So, by blood, the two of them really are biological siblings.”
“Thanks for the scoop. He’s still just as irritating, though.”
“Lancelot clearly has half Eastern blood. So that’s the explanation.”
The internet reveled in the scandalous revelations surrounding the most conspicuous contestants of this year’s competition. But the people at the top were looking at things from an entirely different angle.
The bigwigs of Poseidon Military Academy watched Lancelot thoughtfully.
They were quite familiar with Lancelot’s background and knew about the relationship between the two of them.
However, it seemed they might need to reassess the influence their blood ties could bring.
At the very least, Pei Liang’s willingness to give up sweeping all ten flags showed just how much she cared for her younger brother.
As a result, Poseidon—the alma mater of her younger brother—had gained a great deal of invisible competitive leverage.
But just as the internet’s frenzy was beginning to build, Pei Liang once again showed everyone how effortlessly she could sway the emotions of an entire crowd.
She continued, “Finally, I’d like to thank all the viewers for your support.”
“Thank you all for doubting me before the match. Thank you for your eager pessimism, which pushed my odds to a historic high and gave everyone who bet on me a tremendous opportunity to profit.”
Everyone assumed she was trying to get her revenge on the viewers and rub her victory in their faces. Plenty of people who hadn’t bet on her were already regretting it bitterly, but talking about the high returns without mentioning the high risk was still a bit unfair.
Then Pei Liang continued, “Which means the several hundred million I bet should probably multiply my total wealth several times over.”
She faced the camera with utter sincerity.
“I’m truly grateful.”
The audience: “…”
“Holy crap.”
“Damn! Is she trying to make the entire internet hate her?”
“My mom just asked why I look like I’ve been force-fed ten tons of freshly squeezed lemon juice.”
“Where’s the bookmaker? Get out here! Is this thing telling the truth?”
“It’s true. I just went and checked the rankings. There really is a secret pre-match bet. Several hundred million!”
For a moment, the entire internet sank into a state of helpless exhaustion at the realization that they themselves had somehow become the clowns.
At last, one of the contestants below couldn’t take it anymore.
“Ahhh! When are we finally getting out of here? Didn’t you say half an hour? Is this woman done running her mouth yet?”
Someone else joined in. “Where’s the committee’s ship? I never want to look at that woman’s smug face again.”
The contestants below directed a wave of furious complaints at the Imperial Military Academy’s contingent.
Then Pei Liang’s expression changed.
The smug, triumphant smile vanished from her face. Her eyes became deep and dangerous. Her presence was so overwhelming that nearly everyone, both inside and outside the arena, was being led by her every move.
The abrupt change sent a chill through the crowd. Emotionally, it felt like a sudden drop in a horror movie.
The smile on Pei Liang’s face even took on a hint of ferocity, making people’s scalps prickle.
In a light, drifting voice, she said, “Oh? When are we leaving the arena?”
“Once everything that shouldn’t be leaving the arena is dead, everyone can go.”
Most people didn’t understand what she meant, but quite a few immediately went on high alert.
Unfortunately, it was already too late.
In an instant, the committee’s ship used its spatial-jump technology to appear directly above the flag platform.
Before anyone had time to celebrate, the enormous ship unleashed a massive artificial downpour.
Ordinary ships naturally didn’t have such a function, but the committee’s rescue ship contained a considerable amount of liquid metal and carried the empire’s top mecha engineers. Modifying the most primitive aircraft irrigation system took less than a minute.
The rain came down hard and fast. It was so sudden that no one had time to dodge, and the droplets struck their bodies with enough force to sting.
But precisely because of the unexpected attack, many of the creatures hiding among them were caught off guard and exposed.
Their bodies began to change as well. Some transformed into terrifying monsters, while others appeared to have something trying to claw its way out from inside them.
The ship immediately locked onto every one of the abnormal “people.”
In the next moment, dozens of mechas were launched from the ship. Every one of them was piloted by a genuine Imperial soldier with extensive experience fighting the insectoids.
Their presence alone set them worlds apart from the military academy students. Their movements were sharp and decisive, without the slightest hesitation, and nothing could distract them from their objective.
They divided up their assignments in an instant and coordinated with perfect efficiency. The moment they landed, they began slaughtering the insectoids that had tried to conceal themselves inside human bodies and blend into human society after the competition ended.
The students present were stunned as the situation changed in the blink of an eye.
If not for that sudden torrential rain, no one would ever have imagined that some of the people standing beside them—people who, only moments ago, had been joining them in mocking and condemning that woman on the platform—had already been infected.
Everyone was horrified.
Teresa finally understood why Pei Liang had pulled her into the woods earlier.
She looked back at Pei Liang with a complicated expression. This conspiracy, one that had been impossible for anyone to anticipate, had apparently been nothing more than a trivial matter in her hands.
Not only were the students stunned—even the military leaders and the spectators watching from outside were left speechless.
“When were those people infected?”
“I have no idea! I’m losing my mind. One of the contestants was my idol, and I watched him without blinking the entire time. When did he get infected?”
【This is terrifying. If these parasitized people aren’t identified on Battlefield Planet and are allowed to return to human society while everyone remains oblivious, the consequences are simply unimaginable.】
【And that’s not all. These Zerg can parasitize contestants without anyone noticing. Even if the military realizes later that their natural enemy is the mosquito-repelling grass found everywhere on Battlefield Planet, judging from what happened during Pei Liang’s cranial surgery, it isn’t hard to imagine that, in order to evade inspection, the Zerg may very well transfer to new hosts.】
How many planets had the contestants come from? And what about the staff, reporters, fans, and ordinary people they might have encountered while out shopping?
Once the competition ended, these people could scatter across the entire universe. Anyone with half a brain could see that if the parasites transferred hosts, the empire would have to pay an enormous price to root them all out.
And how many sacrifices would have to be made along the way?
【So Pei Liang wasn’t just running her mouth and showing off earlier. She was buying time?】
【Obviously. You can tell she was helping direct the operation.】
【I’m done. I’m seriously done. I’m not a fan of Imperial Military Academy, and I don’t even appreciate her style. That woman also cost me a fortune in bets, but I honestly can’t stop myself from becoming her fan.】
【Having soldiers like this in the empire makes me feel so safe.】
【Big Sis Pei Liang, come at me head-on.】
【Um… does she mind Alphas? Because I’m starting to feel like there aren’t that many obstacles to getting together with a woman after all.】
The parasitic Zerg came in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Even the more powerful ones had essentially been blasted in the face with a handful of lime powder after being drenched by the “rain.”
No matter how formidable their combat abilities were, they had been greatly weakened for the moment. The mecha warriors quickly harvested them, and the battle soon entered its final stages.
There were two particularly cunning Zerg. The moment they realized something was wrong, they immediately equipped themselves with mecha, suffering little from the attack.
They had also stayed on the outskirts the entire time. Seeing that the situation was turning against them, they dove into the jungle and tried to escape.
But a silver-gray mecha descended from the sky. It did not wield any dazzling weapons; it simply landed before the two mecha with overwhelming force.
The two mecha were some distance apart. The moment their path was blocked, they instantly decided to split up and flee.
But the silver-gray mecha was unbelievably fast, and its reactions were ruthlessly decisive. It grabbed one of the mecha by the neck as easily as an adult choking a baby. The difference in strength was on entirely different levels, and no amount of struggling could break free.
Still gripping one mecha by the neck, it instantly moved in front of the other. Using the mecha in its hand as a hammer, it smashed the two machines’ heads together.
The powerful mecha armor caved inward under the tremendous force. Then a blade sprang from its forearm, coated in green liquid.
With one slash at each target, the blade easily pierced through the mecha and injected the green fluid into the bodies of the people operating them.
The parasitic Zerg let out unwilling, shrill screeches and tried to launch a sneak attack through the gaps in the mecha.
But the other machine simply swept out a hand and snatched the skulking creatures up by the roots, killing them with a single blow.
Pei Liang whistled when she saw this.
As expected of a future interstellar society—there really were strong people everywhere.
She had only recently crossed into this world, and her body had yet to fully synchronize with her soul. Moreover, the original owner’s natural aptitude placed certain limits on her.
Her body would gradually adapt to the strength of her soul, but in such a short time, the weaknesses of this body were still quite apparent. So Pei Liang truly didn’t dare claim that she was invincible.
Her martial arts mastery might be exquisite, but the techniques and experience developed by countless warriors through their struggles against the Zerg were no joke, either.
At least when someone of Richter’s caliber—a soldier of the imperial military—fought in mecha form, Pei Liang had to admit that dealing with him would still be somewhat troublesome at her current level.
She couldn’t help whistling again.
Richter turned around. Seeing that the battle had entered its final stage, he stored away his mecha.
Then he caught sight of Pei Liang, and her eyes lit up. The tip of her nose even began to feel warm.
Usually, she saw their chairman dressed in a suit, radiating the deranged corporate-slave aura of an overworked executive. But now he was in a combat uniform aboard the ship. That physique, that build, that collision of strength and aesthetics—
And the way the explosive pheromones of a mature man were restrained beneath a tight, fully enclosed combat suit, creating an air of abstinent sensuality…
There was only one word for it: irresistible.
When Richter saw Pei Liang, he was still wearing that calm, unhurried air of an elite.
In his deep, sexy voice, he said to Pei Liang, “You did very well this time.”
Pei Liang smiled. “I did—very well?”
She shook her head. “You haven’t seen me at my best yet.”
Richter gave a derisive laugh. “I don’t dislike arrogant people. As long as their abilities are enough to match their arrogance, I’ll look forward to seeing what you can do.”
“Pei Liang.”
Richter now fully recognized Pei Liang’s abilities. In particular, considering her age—and the fact that even he could not see where her limits lay—she was truly extraordinary.
Watching such a powerful monster take shape step by step was a very exciting prospect.
Although he had not been there in person, Richter had watched the entire event without looking away. He even possessed a broader view of the battlefield than Pei Liang herself.
Yet even with his veteran experience in dealing with the Zerg, he had not realized the problem so quickly, much less found a solution in an instant.
There was also something about what Pei Liang had said earlier, when she attacked the parasitized student from Imperial Military Academy, that had caught his attention.
Thus, Richter seemed either not to have noticed the deeper meaning in Pei Liang’s words, or simply not to care.
Pei Liang, however, had drawn her own conclusions.
Her eyes never left him. It was almost bordering on rudeness, but Richter only glanced at her without displaying much emotion, as though he were accustomed to being watched.
He looked intimidating enough, but Pei Liang suddenly realized that this man was unexpectedly… simple.
By then, Richter had already reached the center of the arena. The parasitic Zerg had been completely wiped out, but many of the surrounding students were still shaken.
When they saw him appear, every student—whether or not they was under his command—felt inexplicably reassured.
Richter’s powerful voice rang out from the center of the arena. “Contestants, thank you for your outstanding performances. In the events to come, I ask that everyone continue to give it their all.”
“For now, please board the ships in an orderly fashion. We are officially evacuating.”
After witnessing that terrifying scene, the people present immediately remembered the students who had been eliminated.
“Chairman Richter, what about the students who were eliminated and couldn’t continue on their own? How are they doing?”
Earlier, no one had thought much of eliminating them and leaving them where they were to await rescue. Only now did they realize that those students might have been parasitized by unknown Zerg while waiting there.
Richter replied, “The contestants who had not yet regrouped have already been rescued by designated personnel and boarded the ships ahead of us.”
Only then did everyone let out a sigh of relief.
Then the students from Imperial Military Academy cheered, “Let’s go! Back to the arena for interviews~”
The contestants who remembered Pei Liang’s maddeningly smug interview performance just moments ago: “...”
