Jin’s Doppel, Jin D, opened its eyes on the central bridge of the Adriana.
"Welcome back, My Lord."
"Taisei, status report?"
The management brain, Taisei, briefed Jin on the current situation.
"Everything is proceeding as scheduled. We plan to deploy the Aegis in one hour."
"Good. And the fragments?"
"We have reconfirmed the neutralization of the large, medium, and small-class fragments. If any risks remain, they would be the micro-class ones."
"I thought as much."
Jin suspected that some would inevitably slip through.
"We’ll continue to use the reconnaissance spaceships to search for them until the very last second. After that, we’ll have to rely on the units stationed on Ars."
"Understood."
An hour passed in the blink of an eye.
"All right. Deploy the Aegis."
"Acknowledged."
The Adriana deployed the Aegis toward the extra-large-class fragment. Behind the shield lay the planet Ars.
It was now 4:00 AM, October 15, Hourai Island time.
The fragment was projected to pass at a distance of 130,000 kilometers from Ars. Since the impact of its passage would be felt around that window, the next fifteen minutes would be the deciding factor.
Other fragments began passing by around the same time. Considering their spread, Jin determined that the next six hours would be the most critical period.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Oh!"
A cry echoed through the night sky of the Shouro Empire. It came from an astronomical officer serving at the Royal Palace.
"The stars are falling... It is exactly as the Lord of Kunlun predicted."
That night, everyone from the Empress to the high-ranking officials had remained awake, their eyes fixed on the sky. Naturally, they were shielded by magical barriers.
Lines of light carved through the dark sky as the stars fell.
One, two, three... In an instant, they became an uncountable torrent of light.
"Th-This is...!"
"Truly, had we not been warned, we would have thought this the end of days."
"A hauntingly beautiful sight."
It was a spectacle that made one feel as if every star in the heavens was descending.
Within the capital, Loizart, knights patrolled the streets, keeping a watchful eye to ensure the residents who witnessed the sight did not fall into a panic.
"This is... I expected it, but it is truly something else...!"
Reinhard stood before his mansion, Rankenhaus, gazing up at the heavens.
"No abnormalities within the territory!"
Reports arrived from the patrolling soldiers.
It seemed that explaining in advance that these were not actual stars, but merely fragments of one decorating the sky, had been effective.
That night, only three injuries were reported in the Shouro Empire. All of them were individuals who had been walking while looking up at the shooting stars and had either tripped or fallen into a river.
＊ ＊ ＊
The same view was witnessed across the world.
In the Celuroa Kingdom:
"Knowing there is no danger, it is a magnificent sight."
"Indeed, Your Majesty."
In the Franz Kingdom:
"Oh, this is..."
"It is a sight more terrifying than it is beautiful."
"I-Is it truly not the end of the world!?"
The King and the ministers alike looked up at the night sky, their words a mixture of admiration and dread.
In Asunt, the capital of the Kingdom of Egerea:
"So this is the light emitted by fragments of a star?"
"It seems that is what Jin-sama said, Your Highness."
"To think each of those is a fragment only about the size of a fingernail. It’s astonishing."
In Blue Land, within the Kingdom of Egerea:
"If we hadn't heard about this from Jin, I might have tried to flee."
"True. Though running would have been futile no matter where we went."
"Still, it is a sight that is both terrifying and beautiful, isn't it?"
"It is. And the residents all seem to be staying calm, which is the most important thing."
In Port Rock Town, within the Kingdom of Elias:
"Quite a sight, Marcia."
"It really is, Father."
The light of the meteors reflected off the sea, making it appear as if the world were filled with shimmering grains of light. It was a solemn, majestic scene.
At the Royal Palace of the Klein Kingdom:
"Hmm, so this is the scenery created by star fragments."
"That is correct, Father."
"It isn't hard to imagine that if this had happened without warning, people would believe the world was ending."
"However, because we issued notifications and have the Royal Ritters and other soldiers patrolling the towns, the residents remain calm."
"Umu. We must be grateful to the Lord of Kunlun."
In the capital, Alban:
"Captain, no abnormalities here."
"Good. Since everyone was informed, no one is panicking."
"Yes. Though many households are watching the sky from their windows."
"Well, that much is only natural."
In Toka Village:
"Lord, is it really going to be all right?"
"Yes, please rest easy. The Lord of Kunlun is protecting us."
"If you say so... then I'll believe it."
"Hehe, I'm sure the people in the next village over are enjoying the view right now."
＊ ＊ _＊
"Grandmother, look! It's incredible!"
"It really is."
"They call it a 'meteor storm.'"
"To think Jin is taking care of all this."
"Well, it is Onii-chan."
In Kaina Village, the residents had gathered at Jin Castle as a precaution, watching the night sky in small clusters.
"Onii-chan said this scenery is caused by tiny star fragments that he judged weren't dangerous."
"Weren't they only about the size of a fingernail?"
"Yeah. If they were any bigger, they might not burn up in the atmosphere and could hit the ground. That would cause real damage!"
"Hanna, you're so smart. It's all thanks to Jin."
"Mm, I love reading his books....Ah!"
"Ohh!"
"Incredible!"
At that moment, an especially bright meteor, a fireball, sliced through the night sky. For a brief second, its radiance outshone even Uni, the moon, as it set in the west.
＊ ＊ ＊
"That one was a bit large."
At an altitude of 100,000 meters above Kaina Village, Reiko was aboard Pegasus 1, dealing with the slightly larger fragments mixed among the micro-class debris. She used the transporter cannon to target and eliminate any pieces large enough to potentially survive atmospheric entry.
"About five hours remaining."
Maintaining such high focus for that long would be impossible for a human, but for an automata like Reiko, it was no trouble at all. These were Jin's orders, and she was determined to protect Kaina Village—his second home—until the end.