"What was that!?"
"It is likely the fire-attribute spell 'Fireball (Flame Ball),'" replied Laojun.
Fireball (Flame Ball) was a high-tier, mid-level fire-attribute spell. It was a superior version of the standard Fireball, reaching temperatures of over 1,000 degrees Celsius.
"They’re actually firing those things?"
A third of the flying disc was scorched, and it plummeted into the sea.
"It appears the armaments of the Disaster are primarily magic-based weapons," Laojun noted.
"Looks that way."
The armaments of Hourai Island were often a combination of magic and physical force. Whether they would be effective against the massive Disaster remained to be seen until they put them to the test.
"My Lord, please evacuate to the Adriana with Elsa-sama and the rest of the Jin Family."
"What’s this about, Laojun?"
"There is a possibility that the Disaster's weaponry includes something capable of triggering an Ether Stampede. Moreover, it could be on a scale that covers the entirety of Ars."
"..."
"Fortunately, the residents of Kaina Village are not magi, so they should be unaffected by an Ether Stampede."
However, many members of the Jin Family were magi, and Laojun asserted that their lives could not be guaranteed if an Ether Stampede occurred.
"Mmm..."
"Even if an Ether Stampede occurs, there should be no effect above the stratosphere, in outer space. Please, evacuate. No, I ask that you direct our forces from the bridge of the Adriana."
"Directing them from the Adriana, huh..."
"Yes. Furthermore, if the Invader spaceship attached to the Disaster attempts to escape, only the Adriana is fast enough to pursue it."
"If you put it that way, I can't really argue. All right, I'll do as you say."
Jin gave instructions to Laojun and gathered everyone in the Jin Family aboard the Adriana. He naturally felt conflicted about the fate of everyone else, but Jin was not omnipotent.
"Our first priority is to prevent an Ether Stampede from happening at all," Jin said.
"That is correct."
"Once this mess is over, I'll consult with the Central Brain on Onogoro Island and the brain in the mobile base."
"That might be a wise course of action. Since Marikka-san's safety is at stake, I am sure they will cooperate."
"Right."
After exchanging those words, Jin teleported to the Adriana. The entire Jin Family was already gathered there.
"Jin, I heard the situation from Taisei," Reinhard said, being the first to speak.
"We heard that you were worried about us, Jin-sama," added Berche, who was cradling Juliana.
"But goodness, where exactly are we? It feels a bit awkward for just us to be whisked away like this," Martha said.
"Grandmother, this is space. It's way, way above the sky," Hanna explained in simple terms, though it was unclear if Martha truly understood the concept.
After all, there were no windows in their current location, so they had no visual cues to tell them where they were. They would have believed it even if they were told they were still somewhere on Ars.
"The situation is as Laojun explained. There's an enemy that could potentially destroy the world, and we're trying to stop them. I had everyone come here so we could fight without having to worry about your safety."
Jin summarized the background in a way that was easy for Martha and Mine to understand.
"Of course, I have no intention of letting them lay a finger on us. But if anything—even a one-in-a-billion chance—were to happen, I'd never forgive myself. That's why I asked you all to come here."
Following that explanation, no one had any further objections.
"If you want to see what's happening for yourselves, come to the central bridge."
"In that case, I think I'll go," someone said.
Following Jin's lead, the Jin Family—Reinhard, Berche and Juliana, Hanna, Martha, Saki, Goose, Louis (Count Kuzuma), Beena, Marcia, Rodrigo, Toa, Stearena, Vivienne, Lishia, Sion, Marikka, Milowina, Mine, and Elsa—headed for the bridge. In truth, the central bridge was also the safest place on the entire ship.
"My Lord, everyone, welcome aboard the Adriana."
"Wh-What? A voice!?" Martha was startled immediately.
"Grandmother, that's Taisei. It's the magi-brain that manages this ship."
"O-Oh, I see... Is that so?"
"Please make yourselves comfortable."
At Taisei's invitation, chairs rose up from the floor. There were exactly enough for everyone present.
"This is the view outside."
The surrounding space was projected onto the massive magi-screen at the front.
"Wow... so beautiful."
"Th-This is incredible."
"Haa..."
"I... I'm at a losh for wordsh," Marikka whispered.
The group, seeing the cosmos for the first time, was overwhelmed by the sight. Jin thought idly in the back of his mind about the poet who had once described it as "various jewels scattered across a field of jet-black velvet."
"Now then, we have to check what's happening on Ars."
Jin moved in front of a slightly smaller magi-screen. Elsa and Reinhard followed close behind him.
"Let us see, too," Reinhard said.
"I can't let Jin-nii carry the entire burden alone," Elsa added.
"Thanks."
Jin and the others focused their attention on the magi-screen.
The two flying discs had been completely silenced.
[What primitive flying craft.]
The Central Brain of the Disaster sneered as it monitored the outcome. It then broadcast a declaration.
[We shall proceed to conquer this world as planned. Try to stop us if you can. If you do, we shall show no mercy.]
The base appeared to have some form of external speaker, as the voice echoed across the surrounding waters.
"How arrogant," someone muttered.
"Yeah, he's certainly straightforward about his intentions."
Aboard the Adriana, Jin and the others were indignant.
"We have to stop him, no matter what."
Just then, a transmission came in from Laojun.
"My Lord, it appears the mobile base has retreated to a safe zone."
"Good. Cruisers, commence long-range bombardment."
"Understood."
The three cruisers that had been deployed in advance—the Azusa, Katsura, and Yodo—turned their port sides toward the Disaster and fired a synchronized volley.
The distance between the fleets was ten kilometers. They were using armor-piercing shells.
Twenty-seven shells—nine cannons from each of the three ships—were launched at subsonic speeds. Every single one of them struck the Disaster unerringly.
A massive vibration shuddered through the Disaster.