Interlude – The Owl of Minerva Takes Flight at the Falling of the Dusk

 

In the alternate-dimensional space known as the Underworld, crafted by the super AI Hades, two cylindrical warships drifted silently side by side.

Whenever war breaks out, the Super AIs construct new dimensions to serve as battlegrounds. By the standards of the 35th century, stray shots alone—hurling inconceivable energy—could annihilate entire star systems.

「Anomalous values detected in the reactor of Super AI Hades. …Darling, what has happened to you?」

The voice came gently from the side. Seated upon his throne with eyes closed was Hades, and speaking to him was the beautiful Super AI Persephone—his companion and support system. The two were designed as soulmates, bound in creation.

「Some external interference… not Zeus, however. It would seem I was… dreaming.」

Hades murmured as he returned to awareness.

「How carefree of you. To dream, in the midst of a full-scale assault from Zeus himself.」

「Attacking even a place like this… how many photon torpedoes has he fired? A