Celestia said with a smirk, "That's the fruit of a Stage IV Civilization."
"What do you mean it's the fruit of a Stage IV Civilization..."
When a civilization awakens its intelligence and starts to blossom, it would be considered a Stage I Civilization. Actually, I didn't know clearly the standards for the different stages of civilizations. Some say that the standards were set at the discovery of fire, but in actual fact, there were also some who say that the fundamental criterion was the use of planetary energy. However, it wasn't a confirmed hypothesis.
Anyway, when such advanced intellectuals had set up an information system and network that covered most or the entire planet, they would be considered a Stage II Civilization. In Earth's terms, it would be equivalent to the discovery of the internet and radio waves.
Following that, they would be able to advance to Stage III Civilization when they managed to leave their planet and succeed in interstellar and intergalaxy travels. In the case of my hometown, Earth-34, we only barely managed to reach the moon, so we had yet to advance to Stage III Civilization. We were basically around the peak of Stage II Civilization.
And Stage IV Civilization was...
"Oh, for your information, our Leonhardt Empire is still at Stage III Civilization."
"Hmm? Then wouldn't it be better to take this and research it instead of giving it to me as a gift? You might even be able to obtain some sort of technological clue to advance to the next stage of civilization." I asked.
Celestia shook her head.
"You fool, if it was so easy to advance to the next civilization stage, why would everyone be so concerned about it? That's basically the same as saying that a person from the Middle Ages would be able to gain some sort of knowledge if he got his hands on a semiconductor and analyzed it."
In other words, if a civilization didn't have an adequate level of infrastructure or knowledge, even if they were to get their hands on an item from a superior civilization, it would be of little use. The knowledge gap between each stage of civilization went beyond 100 to 200 years, so it was impossible to get some sort of clue through analyzing. Hence, it meant that the only possible way to use the fruit was…
Wiiiiingggg---
I could hear a soft mechanical sound as I listened carefully. It felt like the revolver was made entirely of metal, but the inner parts looked quite intricate.
"Erm, Imperial Princess-nim. The fact that he is able to use Shadow Stalker…"
"Hmmm… It's nothing like that. But it's confidential, so don't ask any further."
"Understood."
Diana bowed her head without prying further. Seeing Diana's reaction, I asked, "What do you mean? Is this something that can't be used by a random person?"
"It was a gift presented to His Majesty the Emperor, so that's a given. You can't use it unless you're a royalty."
"I see."
I nodded without any sort of changes in my expression because I already knew that the existences of civilizations based on machinery or science would find it hard to go against me due to the godly status of the God of Civilization and Information.
'Even a Gigas -- an invention as an integration of science and magic -- could only obey me. Needless to say, a pure machinery would definitely not be able to go against me.'
I accepted the gift naturally and examined the Shadow Stalker.
Thor Workshop
Versatile and Talented, Shadow Stalker
'What's with this human-like title?'
I looked at the title of Shadow Stalker as I was fascinated, and the method to use Shadow Stalker naturally entered my mind.
"Hmm."
"Huh? What's wrong? Is there some sort of problem?"
"No. This is pretty good."
I took off the luxury watch on my arm that Sepi — the coordinator — had used to accessorize me and put Shadow Stalker in its place. Just then…
Wiiiiingggg- Chakak!
Shadow Stalker was quickly reassembled in a matter of seconds and instantly turned into a stylishly-designed metal watch, wrapping around my wrist. It looked quite classy with its black glow.
"Ouuuh, it's like a kind of Transformers."
"What's that?"
"Oh my? You don't have that here? Or is it forgotten because it's such a classic movie?"
Unlike my teasing words, Diana's expression was serious. She even looked a little confused.
"… Imperial Princess-nim."
"I told you not to ask any further, didn't I?"
Celestia shook her head lightly to shut Diana up before looking at me. I nodded my head.
"Alright then, let's go now."
"Do you need me to explain how to use it?"
Upon seeing Celestia looking at me warily, I smiled.
"You already know I don't need it, so why ask? Thank you for the gift."
"Don't mention it. Ahh, we really don't have any more time now. I'll change in a jiffy, so sit down for a while."
Celestia turned around and left the room. Diana followed after her and before I knew it, I was left alone in the room.
It was then.
Tatak--
"Hmm?"
I thought the air was wavering, and a man wearing a metal vest armor with his arms out in the open, appeared. I was very familiar with the gray hair hanging down his head and the handsomely defined features on his face.
"Ares?"
Ohhhh! I succeeded!
Looking intimidating at first glance, Ares' face brightened up. However, immediately after that, he fixed his expression as if he was taken by surprise, and his expression distorted.
You punk-ass bastard! Don't you know how to at least contact me once?
"What? You said yourself that you'd be standing by while orbiting around the satellite."
But you should still keep in touch! I can't send my vision down because of the interference from the Imperial Capital, but if there is a medium, I can still talk!
"A medium… Ahaaaa."
I raised my left arm and looked at Shadow Stalker. This was most probably not just a weapon, but it also seemed to have a communication function.
Well anyway, I don't have time, so please put in a word with the watch. Fortunately, it is just a simple artificial intelligence that does not have an ego, so I can grab a spot.
I tilted my head at Ares who was in a hurry.
"You want to grab a spot? And what do you want me to talk to it about?"
Nothing much. Tell it to open up its defenses.
I nodded upon hearing Ares' words. I didn't know what he was talking about, but he wouldn't do anything that would be harmful to me.
"Open up your defenses, Shadow Stalker."
Pooof!
Ares disappeared in an instant. However, that did not mean that it had become quiet.
Nice! It's a success.
"What the? Is it the King of All Armaments?"
If I had to put it into words, then yes.
Fascinatingly, I could hear Ares' voice inside me. It felt a little different from the Spiritual Speech that I heard thus far. It felt like it was some kind of signal traveling up my bones and conveyed directly to my brain.
Ooooh, despite being so small in size, there's quite a lot of functions. It also has a pairing function… Nice, it can also recognize Udjat.
Ares muttered to himself for some time and then appeared in my field of sight.
"Oh, what is this? I can see you only through the glasses," I said as I took off Udjat and wore it back on.
Udjat was broken previously because of the bloodlust from Celestia's fans but had restored to its original condition with its self-restoration function. I looked at Ares through the glasses; he was making a triumphant expression.
Great, since we have this, it is possible for us to have perfect communication without being caught by the Imperial family or the surveillance systems.
'I can just talk like this?'
As I spoke quietly in my mind, Ares nodded his head.
Yes, that's all you have to do. And...
Clack.
Ares mumbled some more and activated the function. However, just then, the door opened. I thought it was Celestia, but instead, a yellow-haired young girl with a small frame and dressed in a work uniform entered. It was the same work uniform as when she groomed my hair earlier.
"I'm here to do a final check on your style."
"Ahhh, thank you. Was your name Remy?"
"Yes, have a seat please."
The mood was a little different from before when she was smiling brightly. Remy straightened my hair to make a slightly more formal hairstyle. I left my hair in her good hands and closed my eyes for a while. Then, I handed over the luxurious watch that I had taken off.
"You came at a good time. Can you take this back?"
"No problem. But why do you have a new watch..."
"Cel gave it to me as a gift."
I didn't say anything out of the ordinary, but Remy's hands stopped moving.
"What's this? Are you done?"
"You… Whoo. Whoo."
I found it strange that she was taking deep breaths. What? Was it that shocking that I received some gifts?
However, Remy whispered in my ear before I could ask further.
"…Don't get me wrong."
"Hmm?" I questioned upon hearing Remy's cold voice.
Her scissors were still held close to my hair and it was an awkward position for me to turn around. Then, Remy said, "What... What's happening right now is necessary. The Imperial Princess-nim..."
As if she was holding it in all along, Remy continued speaking like she was slowly unraveling her inner thoughts.
"Imperial Princess-nim doesn't love you."
Her voice was choppy, and it was even filled with resentment. For a moment, I was curious as to why she was showing her emotions so blatantly, but I didn't see a need to put in the effort to figure that out.
"Why are you saying something obvious?"
I let out a laugh instantly.
Remy spoke as if the fact that Celestia didn't love me was a secret. However, I did not find her demeanor displeasing, instead, I found it fascinating. Do I really look that stupid in her eyes?
'Love? What a load of bullshit.'
Celestia had never looked at me with that kind of gaze; not when we first met, nor when we gradually became closer. Most importantly, even till the moment when we escaped through the hardships together, she had never looked at me that way.
Of course, she liked me.
However, I already knew that. The positive feelings she had for me was definitely not the kind that was directed towards the opposite sex.
- I was determined to make it happen even if I die, and I've lived while gritting my teeth... What a pathetic ending this is.
I recalled her words during the "erased time", the complicated gaze she showed when Adam appeared and destroyed more than half of Golden Rose, including the Imperial Capital, and massacred the transcendents that were inside.
I didn't know anything about the situation she was going through. I had no idea of how she grew up, why she had no background despite her position as an Imperial Princess, and why she had to escape from the Imperial family even if she had to do something like an idol that was unbefitting of her.
Neither do I know why she joined the army by her own accord and lived on the battlefield.
'Come to think of it, I really don't know anything about her.'
Perhaps it was a given because I myself didn't want to know those things. I could see titles; I could have gotten all the information there was to know about her if I had enough time, but I didn't do so.
"Something ob-...obvious?"
"Yes, you'll probably hear the gist of things soon, but... I just signed a contract with her for a while, so I'll break up with her as soon as things get sorted out. We don't even have feelings of love between us anyways."
"Between the two of you? There's no feelings of love between the two of you? You don't love her?"
For a moment, I was bewildered by her tone which carried a hint of anger. I nodded. Looking at the situation, I didn't think there was anything more to do to my hair anyway, so I stood up.
"I'm only helping her for a while because I am indebted to her, so you don't have to be so sensitive about it. I am..."
"Don't be ridiculous!"
"...?"
As I turned my head to the sudden shouting, I could see Remy shouting at me, her face red with fury.
"You don't love her? Even when you married her? How could you not love her! She's... the Imperial Princess!"
"…Remy."
Remy stopped instantly as if she was frozen upon hearing someone called her name. Celestia was behind her, and she walked towards us silently.
"I'm keeping an eye on you."
"Imperial Princess-nim, I-..."
"I don't want to see you around for a while."
"..."
Remy was dazed for a while and looked as if her whole world had collapsed. She barely managed to gather herself together and left the room.
Celestia then apologized, "I'm sorry."
"Yes, you should be sorry. I can't believe you didn't solve your woman problems when you're going to get married."
"That's... I'm sorry. I didn't think Remy, the most gentle of them all, would do this. I have nothing to say."
I shook my head at the sight of her bowing her head continuously.
"It's alright. The gazes of your fans were tens of times scarier than this. It's a bit sad to be resented by a cute girl, but I can't do anything about it."
"Ughh, I'm sorry. They are really too..."
Beep!
Just as she was about to complete her sentence, a mechanical beep suddenly rang. Celestia's expression stiffened.
"It's about time we head out."
"Alright. Let's go see the faces of the other royal family members."
I nodded because I didn't really want to keep the conversation going any longer. Was it because I obtained a weapon? Compared to how nervous I was at the beginning, I was feeling much more mentally stable. Celestia wore an elegant black dress with a simple design, and as I reached out my hand, she naturally held it.
"But be careful. Just like how it was when I was reading the reports earlier..."
She was walking slowly, and said, "This is a different kind of war."
We went to the main council room. It was a new battlefield that we had to go through.