Elegy from Another World

Inside the tactical compartment of the Dreil, the atmosphere was heavy and focused. On the holographic projection, several key areas of R-Muthko's massive, constantly shifting data model were highlighted. After repeated simulations and based on the combat data brought back by Norilsk, we finally finalized a seemingly feasible, but extremely demanding, operational plan.

"The core challenge lies in its regenerative ability." Edseysis pointed to the simulated wound healing process on the model. "Any form of attack, as long as it is not enough to completely annihilate it instantly, will instead create a wound that becomes a 'nutrient source' for it to absorb surrounding data energy and accelerate its regeneration."

"Therefore, we can't use the conventional 'destructive' approach," I continued, pointing to a spot on the model marked "purification zone." "Our strategy is 'infectious purification.' We'll utilize the white flower's nectar to neutralize its aggression and render it inert."

Mia Reilly flew close to the holographic image and used a thin beam of light to simulate tactics: "The plan is as follows: First, the main guns of Noriljung or the Ringband will conduct a precise 'window-opening' attack on specific non-core areas of R-Mutko, creating a sufficiently large, temporary wound."

The grains of sand on M-Tini Guquela's abdomen flowed with her thoughts, and she added, "At the moment the wound appeared and R-Mutko began to instinctively absorb the surrounding substances to repair itself, she precisely delivered highly concentrated white flower nectar into the wound."

"It's like spraying a super-effective insecticide on a rotting tree," I summarized. "The nectar will seep back through its absorption channels, 'purifying' it from the inside out, causing some of its tissues to lose activity and aggression. We don't need to eliminate it all at once; we just need to gradually erode it through multiple, multi-point 'injection purifications,' weakening it as a whole, and eventually making it inert."

The advantage of this approach is that it avoids a direct confrontation with the massive size and regenerative capacity of R-Mutko. The disadvantage is that it is extremely dependent on the supply and precision of nectar delivery, and it may take a long time.

"Then, the most urgent task at hand," Mia Leili looked at me, "is to stockpile enough nectar."

All eyes were on me.

So, in the days that followed, I became a veritable "flower seedbed." To maximize the yield of white flowers, I was almost constantly immersed in a specially made nutrient solution tank, maintaining continuous contact between my body and water to stimulate the white flowers to grow and bloom. Soon, my neck, arms, torso, thighs, and ankles were covered with layers upon layers of tiny white flowers, emitting a soft white light and a delicate fragrance. I looked like a walking, overly profusely blooming flowering tree.

To be honest, the process was... extremely boring. I couldn't engage in strenuous activity, and most of the time I could only lie or sit quietly, feeling the subtle tingling sensation under my skin, watching the white flowers silently bloom. The persistent burning transformed this continuous, mild stimulation into a kind of constant, warm pleasure, which wasn't unpleasant, just monotonous enough to make me anxious.

To kill time, I could only access the simple pixel RPG game I had previously created for Noreljun. Controlling the crude pixelated character, fighting monsters, leveling up, and exploring in the virtual world became my only pastime during this "flowering period." Occasionally, Noreljun would also log on, and our pixelated characters could even team up to run a dungeon. He would rampage through the game, roaring "Submit to this king!" while I silently provided healing and support from the sidelines, creating a rather bizarrely funny scene.

Time slipped by quietly in this peculiar state of "production." Mia Leili carefully collected ripe nectar each day, concentrating and purifying it. Noreljung, meanwhile, would occasionally pilot a small airship to harass R-Mutko, bringing back more real-time data and constantly honing the accuracy of her "window-opening" attacks. Under Edseysis's guidance, M-Tini Guquera became increasingly proficient in controlling the Ringband.

A week later, we finally accumulated a certain amount of concentrated nectar. It was dispensed into some specially made projectors with miniature propulsion devices, shimmering with a warm, pearly luster.

I stepped out of the nutrient solution tank, looked at the hard-won "ammunition" in the container, and took a deep breath.

"Preparations complete." I looked at my companions, who were all ready to go—the warlike Norrieljung, the nervous Mia Reilly, the resolute M-Tini Guquera, and Edseysis and Little Paradox, who were providing remote support.

"Then," I said in a deep voice, "'Operation Purification' shall begin!"