HPDBC Chapter 295 - 295: The Signal Lights Were Lit
Chapter 295 - 295: The Signal Lights Were Lit
After the girls tried on the armor Alex had prepared for them, he had to make a few adjustments — fitting the parts to their figures, tuning the systems to each one's unique traits. After all, they were going to wear these battle suits in the most dangerous environments, and everything had to be not just comfortable — it had to be perfect.
Of course, Alex didn't voice out loud that, thanks to his paranoia, the armor was so heavily reinforced that it was virtually unbreakable. Even the energy shields integrated into the girls' systems had been secretly upgraded to such an extent that if any of them happened to end up near a supernova, they'd feel nothing more than a slight vibration.
Just as Alex had expected, Saya was thrilled with her new high-tech glasses — not only did they supply her with a massive amount of information, but they were also directly linked to the main server that stored all critical data.
Rebecca also loved her new look — the "Doom Slayer Armor," as Alex had called it. Though they had to slightly redesign the helmet so her two playful pigtails could poke out freely. The same went for Stitch — his ears couldn't be allowed to get in the way or cause discomfort.
Alex didn't hide his joy — the girls were all happy with their new gear and weapons.
"Well, since you've given us such a lovely gift…" Ada whispered, wrapping her arms around Alex's neck, "…I think we should return the favor. Don't you agree, darling?"
"I wouldn't say no," Alex replied, leaning closer.
Their lips were almost touching. They could feel each other's breath. But then—
A suspiciously loud and exaggerated cough echoed behind them.
Alex and Ada turned at the same time. The rest of the girls were standing there, staring at them with those looks — the same ones he remembered from that insane night in Okinawa. A chill ran down his spine. Too familiar. And he knew this wouldn't end well for him.
Before he could say a word, they dragged him out of the workshop, leaving Red and White alone with the half-assembled Wolf mecha. The doors to the bridge slammed shut, and Alex found himself tossed onto the couch, surrounded by excited, smirking women.
He already knew things were spiraling out of control again. But he wasn't going to run — what was the point if he'd have to come back anyway? The only thing he regretted was his T-shirt, which was now clearly about to become the next victim of their impatience.
And he was right — the fabric was literally torn off him by their hands. What happened next… is easy enough to guess.
Alex looked away, realizing this wasn't the best time for a conversation. Carefully, he slid one arm out from under Miu's head—she was sleeping with a faint smile on her lips—and the other from Ada's possessive grip, her face resting against him with a satisfied expression. Slowly, he rose from the couch, doing his best not to wake anyone.
Surveying the sleeping girls, Alex let out a quiet sigh and began
"Alex, admit it, what have you already planned?" Kiriko asked with a sly smile. "Brunhilde didn't pull your cheek for no reason."
"Nothing like that," Alex lazily drawled. "I was just thinking about Gilgamesh's treasure vault."
"You mean the King of Uruk? He's been dead for ages... And how exactly are you planning to get to his treasures?" Saya asked, intrigued as she moved closer.
"I'm just thinking, nothing more," Alex said, rolling his eyes.
The girls exchanged looks. They knew well: if Alex was thinking about something, his thoughts were definitely not limited to simple musings. He could very well go searching for Gilgamesh's treasures if he decided to. And although he didn't know who among the girls would support him, he was sure of one thing — Rebecca and Rory were definitely in. Most likely, Koko and Ada wouldn't pass up the chance to peek into the ancient king's golden vaults either.
Even the goddesses and companions currently in another world — in Orario — would probably split into two camps: some would condemn his actions, while others would help him raid the treasures.
"I wonder how much wealth he had," Ada said dreamily, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "If pharaohs were this rich, then this ancient king surely wasn't poor!"
"Who knows... It's all in the past now," Saya said, adjusting her glasses. "Scholars have found remnants of the Mesopotamian era and traces of the Kingdom of Uruk all over the world, but it's all just legends. The fact that he was called the Golden King and a demigod doesn't mean it was actually true."
"Don't crush my dreams, Saya. Every girl loves gold... even if it's long lost its value in our world," Ada sighed.
"You're the only one dreaming of gold, Wong," Koko retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Before the argument could escalate, Alex instantly stood up, scooped Koko into his arms, and returned to his seat. It all happened so fast that the girls didn't even have time to blink — and suddenly, Koko was sitting on his lap, her hair tousled and a slightly dazed expression on her face. Realizing where she was, Koko immediately snuggled closer to Alex. He smiled and gently smoothed her hair.
The aircraft carrier continued its course, and they were already passing the shores of South Korea. Alex hoped they'd get through quietly, but then a worried, almost desperate voice came through the radio:
"Emperor Somnium, do you copy?"
Alex stared at the radio in surprise, still hearing the desperate voice on the other end. The girls set aside their tasks and looked at him with caution. None of them had expected anyone to be able to make contact — especially considering what was happening in the world right now. And yet, as they sailed along the coast of South Korea, they received a distress signal.
Alex gently set Koko down on the floor and approached the radio transmitter, picking up the receiver.
"This is Captain speaking. Emperor Somnium on the line. How can we assist?" he said in a calm but firm voice.
"Thank God! Please, we desperately need help!" a woman's voice cried out from the other side. "We're barely holding the line at the border! Can you offer any support?"
Alex frowned.
"I don't want to disappoint you, ma'am. On board, we mostly have civilians: women, children, the elderly. What kind of help are you expecting?"
"To operate a vessel like this, you need at least basic military training, right?" the voice on the radio trembled with tension. "We need everything you can offer! Our forces are running low, many of our automated defense systems have been infected with a virus and are under enemy control. We're losing dozens of people every day just holding off the advance. Evacuation is impossible. We're trapped. There are millions of civilians here..."
Alex sighed heavily, still holding the radio receiver. The girls watched him, silently waiting for a decision. He didn't want to leave these people to certain death, but he knew all too well: as soon as he revealed himself, Davoth and the Minister of Monoliths would focus all their attention on him. He'd become a target. And the enemy would intensify their assault.
He looked up at the ceiling, lost in thought. The horde from China had already reached South Korea. This meant North Korea had fallen — and it had fallen far too quickly. The only explanation was that an enormous number of demons and mutants had amassed at the border. Not just millions — tens, possibly hundreds of millions. And if the enemy found out about his presence, hell would truly break loose.
"Whatever you decide, Alex... we're with you," Saeko said, gently squeezing his hand.
Alex closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them with confidence, his voice taking on a steely edge:
"South Korea has signaled for help… and the Imperium will answer their call."
"You've done it again, haven't you?" Kiriko laughed.
He smiled in response, and the girls giggled too, the tension easing.
Brunhilde looked at Alex with a long, meaningful glance, as if asking, "Are you sure?" She knew — Davoth, one of those who laid claim to this universe, already saw Alex as a false savior. His appearance on the battlefield would only enrage the enemy, and the wave of the undead would crash against the walls with even greater fury.
Alex met her gaze and nodded. He was ready. If necessary, he would resist. He had already prepared backup plans. And even if Davoth threw everything he had into the battle, Alex would fight. He would be willing to destroy the entire city along with the demons, just to protect those who remained alive. He could no longer turn a blind eye to the death of children.
The girls supported him — and that was all he needed.
Gripping the radio in his hands, he spoke again:
"Accept the coordinates. We'll clear the approach to the walls and dock at the port."
"Thank you... so much. We'll be waiting," the woman's voice replied, tinged with relief.
Alex took a deep breath and ordered all raid groups to immediately assemble on deck. He entrusted the command to Namiyo, telling her to continue guiding the aircraft carrier forward — to the walls under siege by the horde. She nodded seriously, accepting the responsibility without a word.
Alex glanced at the girls, gave them a brief nod, and headed below. The deck was already filled with everyone. Just the sight of Alex's serious expression silenced everyone. They all understood — something important had happened.
Looking over the gathered group, Alex noticed not only the fighters from the regular squads but also individuals like Nobuna, Katsuie, and Nagahide. He gave them a brief nod of acknowledgment and lit a cigarette, taking a deep drag.
"Why did you gather us all, kid?" Lehm was the first to break the silence, casting a curious glance at Alex and his companions.
"A distress signal came from Korea. Their walls are being besieged by a massive horde of undead, and their defense is barely holding. There are millions of people in the city, but they can't evacuate. They're literally trapped," Alex replied seriously, never looking away.
"From the look on your face, kid, I can tell you've already given them an answer," Price remarked, beginning to understand where this was headed.
Alex nodded.
"Yes. I think it's time to stop hiding and running. How long are we going to flee from this filth? We can't leave these people to die," he declared firmly.
"What's the plan, Alex?" Hayato asked, crossing his arms.
"It's simple. We create a foothold. Clear the area near the wall to give them some breathing room. The aircraft carrier will dock, and then the evacuation will begin," Alex explained, scanning the fighters.
"Heh. Finally. Time to kick some ass. Enough running — it's time to show them what we're made of," R smirked, fire gleaming in his eyes.
Alex smiled slightly. At that moment, a massive defensive wall rose behind them, concealing the city. The aircraft carrier passed beyond its limits — and the scene of horror unfolded before everyone's eyes. The undead horde, like a maddened tide, relentlessly assaulted the barricades, knowing neither fear nor fatigue — only an endless hunger for living flesh.
Alex asked to relay to Namiyo to slow down and wait for his command. Approaching the edge of the deck, he took a deep breath.
"Nine Principles..." he began, forming his hands into a complex series of seals.
His voice became unrecognizable — cold, even, as if detached. Everyone looked at him in confusion.
"It can't be... Is he really going to use it?" Kota exhaled, his eyes widening in shock.
"What's he doing? What is this?" Saya frowned, throwing a glance at Kota.
"He's going to use the Purple. But that's impossible... It's a made-up technique from anime! It's not supposed to work in reality!" Itami exclaimed, recognizing the familiar seals.
"If he does this, I'll eat my boots," Todzi muttered.
"Then get the seasoning ready. Now, back off. Don't disturb Alex," Brunhilde said sharply, stepping forward.
"A powerful spatial energy surge has been detected. Everyone is strongly advised to step back," Red added, watching the process closely.
Everyone stepped back. They didn't fully understand what Alex was doing, but the reactions of the three anime experts, along with the intervention of AI and Brunhilde, spoke for themselves.
"Polarized light. The Crow and the Singing of the Semyon. The rupture between the inner and outer..." Alex continued, not breaking the seal sequence.
He extended his hand forward, pinching his middle finger with his thumb, and his gaze turned icy. His entire being focused on the horde crashing against the walls. This was not just a decision — it was a challenge. Alex knew that after this, Davot and the Minister of Monoliths would alter their plans. They would see what he was truly capable of.
He couldn't afford to miss — if he hit the wall, everything could collapse. But retreat wasn't an option.
"Hollow Technique: Purple," he pronounced.
He released his finger — and with terrifying speed, a violet sphere shot forward, sweeping everything in its path, shattering matter down to the tiniest particles. It tore along the wall, leaving only a deep chasm behind, as if the very earth itself was trying to escape the force that was tearing it apart. All the undead and demons caught in its path vanished, leaving no blood, no flesh, only a terrifying emptiness.
Those who witnessed it stared at Alex with wide eyes, forgetting how to breathe. Even his girls couldn't find the words, standing in stunned silence. Alex ignored their gazes — he was looking at where, just moments ago, the horde of demons and undead had raged. Silent, he turned away and walked past everyone, merely nodding at his companions. G.I.R., MIMI, Stitch, White, and Red silently followed him. They headed for his workshop, leaving the others to watch him in silence.
Once inside, Alex nodded to his assistants.
"Bring the boxes."
A few minutes later, he returned to the deck, placing the boxes on the floor.
"Here."
"What is this?" Lehm asked, still recovering from what he had just seen.
"Your new gear. Everything is ready. In this box — armor, each one with its own name. The raid leaders stay at their positions. The rest — weapons: rifles, shotguns, machine guns. And this — ammunition and incendiary grenades," Alex explained, pointing to the boxes.
"Looks like Christmas came early," Soap muttered. "We used to bring you gifts, now you're bringing them to us."
"Is there anything else?" Kota asked eagerly, gathering a shotgun, rifle, and machine gun.
Alex smirked.
"Only for you, dear Kota."
"And what is that?" Kota asked, hope in his voice.
"If you get severely injured, if you lose an arm or a leg, or something worse… I promise I'll turn you into a Dreadnought," Alex said with a kind smile.
Kota's jaw dropped, and the weapons fell from his hands. He shook his head, clearly not wanting to become a forever dormant killing machine, despite his love for weapons. The others burst into laughter, teasing him. Alex shook his head and turned to his girls, suggesting they go get ready.
On the captain's bridge, Alex was about to head to his workshop to prepare his gear. But before he could enter, Saya called out to him.
"Alex, don't you want to tell us anything?"
"What exactly?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.
"How did you manage to use that technique from the manga?" Rei asked directly.
"I'll tell you later. Right now — get ready. If my instincts are right, shit's going to hit the fan as soon as we dock," Alex replied, shaking his head.
Saya was about to ask another question, but Brunhilde gently placed her hand on her shoulder and shook her head. Saya understood — nothing would be gotten from Alex right now. The other girls realized this too and decided to wait — he'd tell them everything when the time came.
Meanwhile, G.I.R., MIMI, and Stitch, unable to contain their excitement, slipped into the workshop after Alex. They couldn't wait to get back into the fight — after all, it wasn't every day that such a large-scale battle came their way.
G.I.R. began putting on the Ultramarine armor. His armor showed scratches and dents — each one a mark of honor from a past feat, and he wouldn't let Alex repair them. It was a symbol of pride. MIMI donned the Sister of Battle armor. Stitch, however, approached his armor, looked at it, then at his friends, and frowned.
"I have a different one," he said, tugging at Alex's pant leg.
"That's right, Stitch. Yours is special. Each one is different. But yours is just like your mom's, Rebecca," Alex said, patting his ears affectionately.
Stitch grinned widely and began putting on the Doom Slayer armor. Alex, helping him, couldn't resist and took a few pictures — in this armor, Stitch looked more cute than intimidating. After putting his phone back in his pocket, Alex addressed the Valkyries in his spiritual space.
"Well, girls... I'm counting on you," he said with a light but confident smile as he spoke to the Valkyries.
Alex activated Völundr, summoning the help of several Valkyries at once. While it wasn't absolutely necessary, he still allowed them to participate — it would be their contribution.
Göndul turned into armor again, Reginleif into gloves, Geirölul into a shield, Skalmöld into a sword, Randgriz into a halberd, and Thrúd into a wreath. The armor Alex wore resembled Gilliman's armor completely, including the crown, which Alex held in his hand. In one hand, he had the halberd, while the shield was secured on his other arm, and the sword hung at his waist.
Upon seeing his form, G.I.R., MIMI, and Stitch literally jumped up from excitement. Alex smirked, gripping the crown and casting a glance at them. He was about to leave when he suddenly remembered someone he almost forgot — Wolf.
"At your service, Creator," came the mechanical voice, and Wolf lowered his head.
"Glad to see you aboard. We don't have time for a test of your abilities, so we'll test you in action," Alex said, placing his palm on Wolf's head.
"As you command, Creator," Wolf's eyes glowed with a bloody red light.
Smiling, Alex stepped out of the workshop. The girls, already prepared for battle, turned around when they heard his footsteps. Their eyes widened in awe — Alex, in the new armor, looked like the living embodiment of the God of War. And if his height had been 190 centimeters before, he was now even taller and more imposing.
Brunhilde, noticing her sisters in the form of weapons, nodded quietly, walked up to Alex, and extended her hands.
"Let me help," she said softly, carefully taking the crown.
Alex knelt down, allowing her to place the crown on his head. When she finished, he stood up, straightening to his full height. His gaze met the eyes of the girls — focused, serious, and battle-ready.
"Is that the robot we saw yesterday?" asked Cammy, pointing at Wolf.
"Yes, he'll fight on our side." Alex looked at the others. "If everyone's ready, let's move. Namiyo, I'm counting on you."
"Don't worry, darling, everything will be just fine. I may not participate in battles, but who says housewives can't command aircraft carriers? Well, I do. So now, I'm a battle housewife," she said with a smile.
Alex laughed and leaned down to kiss her.
"You're right," he whispered and gently touched her lips.
After the final preparations, Alex asked the girls to double-check everything. Despite his confidence in his creations, he wanted them to be sure of their own readiness as well.
After the final check, the entire group began descending. G.I.R. was the first to pull out the banner of the Imperium and marched forward enthusiastically. On either side of him were MIMI and Stitch, keeping up without a step behind. Alex shook his head, watching the inspired trio. The girls also watched them with curiosity, slightly surprised by their enthusiasm. What especially caught their attention was the strange armor of G.I.R. and MIMI — so different from the usual. G.I.R.'s armor particularly resembled Alex's own.
Alex walked alongside the Girls, and in his chest, the feeling grew stronger... that something was bound to go wrong.
To be continued...
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