Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Fang Zheng couldn’t help but admit, Britannia’s Commander had some skill.

Upon realizing that her subordinates couldn’t stop Fang Zheng and the others, Cornelia immediately changed her strategy, dispersing her troops to block the mecha forces elsewhere, leaving Fang Zheng and his group untouched.

Although logically, Fang Zheng could just swagger directly into the command center, it held no meaning for him. Originally, Fang Zheng’s plan was to lead Asuna and Black Cat in breaking through the enemy defenses, then lead the troops to occupy the Governor’s Office, and subsequently seize the entire Tokyo Concession.

However, the current situation was entirely beyond Fang Zheng’s expectations. Britannia completely abandoned blocking the three of them and instead targeted the larger force in the rear, leaving Fang Zheng helpless.

Simply relying on the three of them to occupy the Governor’s Office was meaningless, as battlefield command decisions were made on-site by the Commander. If Fang Zheng wanted to achieve victory in one move, he had no choice but to employ a decapitation tactic. However...…

”Whew———!”

Watching a purple mecha with a white cloak roaring past from the sky, launching an attack on the rear mecha forces, Fang Zheng shrugged helplessly.

Even the Commander himself was on the front line, what significance did a decapitation strategy hold? Even if he massacred everyone in the Governor’s Office, it wouldn’t hinder the Britannian Army whatsoever.

”This is bullying, isn’t it, Mr. Fang Zheng.”

Watching the Britannian mecha flying back and forth in the sky, Black Cat’s brows furrowed deeply. After honing her skills and battling the Reapers over time, the girl, usually full of youthful arrogance, had gradually matured.

”Should we play hardball?”

”Leave it to me to handle.”

Glancing at the airborne mecha swarm, Fang Zheng was slightly irritated. It felt like, even though he had cornered them, they still refused to surrender and even wanted to disgust him further. While victory was assured, it was unsettling.

”Do we need to deploy the warship?”

Asuna asked worriedly, knowing that Fang Zheng had previously stipulated they wouldn’t easily deploy the warship unless things were dire. So despite frequent battles, they’ve never called for warship support so far.

”Not necessary.”

Yet Fang Zheng shook his head.

”I have a better way… Asuna, Black Cat, lead the troops to withdraw temporarily, prepare for air defense, leave the rest to me.”

”Understood!”

Upon receiving Fang Zheng’s orders, Asuna and Black Cat nodded promptly, then swiftly turned and retreated to regroup the troops. Fang Zheng glanced at the Britannian mechas flaunting in the sky, snorting softly.

He knew the opponent was targeting his weak spots, and this time the Chinese Federation’s surprise attack didn’t involve moving the air forces. In truth, there’s no way to deploy air or naval forces now. Since, on surface level, this was merely Japan’s exiled government attempting to ’recover lost lands,’ the Chinese Federation couldn’t blatantly intervene.

By all means, only after Zeqidun successfully occupied the Tokyo Concession could the nation declare restoration and request Chinese Federation’s support—if he couldn’t achieve this, the Federation’s forces couldn’t blatantly cross borders.

Since this would imply outright war with Britannia.

In the current global trend of ’human unification’ by the Earth Federation, such level of warfare wouldn’t be permitted.

Although the Restoration Army’s MS are equipped with air defense weapons, the opposing team was clearly an elite force—had it not been elite, they would’ve been shot down instantly, instead of flaunting around.

Luckily, Fang Zheng had long considered this issue, and had made preparations before setting out.

As the two left, Fang Zheng activated his personal terminal, quickly contacting Belfast.

”Did you bring back the stuff?”

”Yes, brought back, Commander, the Insect Queen said it was modulated according to your instructions.”

”Good.”

Hearing Belfast’s response, Fang Zheng nodded in satisfaction. Currently, there’s several Insect Queens within the swarm, Mirune oversees the broader situation, Lulana focuses on enhancements and modifications, yet to Fang Zheng, this Insect Queen named Niadra suits him best.

Mainly because… she listens.

Indeed, Mirune embodies typical Zerg mindset, always considering the best efficiency for the swarm, not approving of Fang Zheng’s frequent gene modifications or specialized Zerg units easily. Often requiring Fang Zheng’s threats to modify Jumping Bugs into Pikachu before complying.

Lulana, on the other hand, is a typical swarm artist; artists tend to have unconventional thinking. Several times, after Lulana completed modifying units, Fang Zheng himself couldn’t even recognize them, leading him to suspect he stated the wrong requirements. In short, letting Lulana be creative is fine, but giving detailed modification orders doesn’t work.

This Niadra, however, follows orders properly; whatever she’s asked to do, she does, hence Fang Zheng favors her, considering keeping her close henceforth.

Of course, it’ll depend on her mission’s success this time.

”Alright, release it.”

”Yes, Commander.”

After receiving Fang Zheng’s orders, Belfast, hovering invisibly in mid-air, nodded. She then turned and gestured. The next moment, Belfast’s ship hatch opened, followed by an insect egg tumbling out, descending toward the ground.

During its descent, the insect egg began swelling and twisting, then with a ”snap,” it broke open.

Moments later, a massive shadow of tens of meters emerged, vanishing into the clouds in a blink of an eye.

”Keep attacking, don’t halt your steps, prevent their advance!!”

After fending off another Restoration Army mecha assault, Cornelia maneuvered her mecha into the sky, while vigilantly scanning her surroundings.

As predicted, the Restoration Army’s advance had been stalled; as long as their main force couldn’t enter the Governor’s Office, the rest posed no problem. But this wasn’t easy for Cornelia either.

Reflecting on this, Cornelia glanced at her mecha’s left leg, where it had been severed at the knee. Unlike others, Cornelia specialized in melee combat. Yet now she dared not engage closely, for earlier, during her dive attack, a girl wielding a sickle suddenly appeared before her. Had Cornelia not reacted swiftly, she’d have been defeated by now.

Fortunately, they didn’t seem able to fly.

Hence, Cornelia could only remain airborne, sniping ground forces while seeking a decisive moment. However, suddenly a terrified voice emerged on the communication channel.

”Lady Cornelia, not good, there’s a creature! We’ve been attacked by a creature!”

”What?”

Upon hearing her subordinate’s report, Cornelia frowned.

”What kind of creature, be specific!”

However, only chaotic screams answered her.

”Don’t come closer, creature, creature, ugh———!!”

After a scream, the communication channel fell silent.

”Squad Five, what happened? Squad Five, respond!!”

By now, Cornelia was thoroughly tense, rapidly climbing while carefully scanning her surroundings. At this moment, Cornelia noticed something.

Why has the sky darkened?

She raised her head, looking skyward, surprised to find dense clouds surrounding her, sporadically flashing with lightning and thunder, foreshadowing an impending storm.

This is...…

But before Cornelia could ponder further, she suddenly saw a shadow in the clouds fleetingly, followed by a gigantic creature bursting out toward her.

It had a serpentine body, eagle-like claws, and a head resembling a giant lizard, its entire form emitted a golden radiance, with antler-like horns visible atop!

What is this creature?!

Witnessing this, Cornelia was taken aback; before she could react, the ”creature” roared angrily, raising its claws to pounce on her!