After unlocking genetic technology,
Setsuna conveniently built a biological laboratory next to Akashi's workshop for Sumire Muroto.
He also assigned several Bulins to assist her and take care of her daily needs.
With this, the base's technological research sectors were finally complete.
Engineering, physics, and other technological fields were traditionally the expertise of the shipgirls, and their technical proficiency was exceptionally high.
For magic, Lucoa, Mio, Tohru, and others were in charge.
Now, with Sumire Muroto collaborating with the Siren girls on biological gene technology, the foundation for three major ascension paths had essentially been established.
Unfortunately, they had yet to come into contact with psionics, the void, or other obscure fields.
For the women and young girls at the base, mechanical ascension—turning into metallic constructs—was not particularly appealing.
Thus, Gudako, Kisara Tendo, and others placed great hopes on biological gene technology.
At the medical center, inside the genetic modification chamber,
Setsuna led the few remaining ordinary humans to undergo genetic enhancement.
Ritsuka Fujimaru, the trio from the Black Bullet world, and the Butterfly Sisters, who had been brought over from the Demon Slayer world in earlier years, were all present.
Behind them stood several young women in kimono, whom Setsuna found somewhat familiar.
"Oh, Tamayo, Mitsuri Kanroji… Oh, Nezuko, and your sister Hanako is here too?"
After conquering the Demon Slayer world, its management had been entirely entrusted to Ning Hai and Ping Hai.
Setsuna had given the two sisters a task: whenever they transported supplies back and forth, they were to bring along a few well-known characters from the original story if the opportunity arose.
For those in that world, the Starsea Alliance was an immensely powerful and enigmatic suzerain state, and being granted the chance to live in its capital was considered the highest honor.
Moreover, the living conditions here far surpassed those of the Demon Slayer world.
Over time, more people from that world had arrived.
However, their presence was relatively subdued, and they had mostly lived alongside the earlier-arrived Butterfly sisters.
—In the interdimensional empire, coming from the same world essentially made one a fellow countryman.
"It's been a while. How have you been lately?"
Setsuna asked casually.
"Lord Setsuna… Y-You… Hello."
"We have been doing very well, thank you."
Kanae, speaking on behalf of the Demon Slayer girls, bowed respectfully to Setsuna.
Her expression was filled with reverence, and her demeanor was deeply respectful.
By now, this Commander had become someone far beyond her reach.
As one of the earliest arrivals, she had personally witnessed how a small city—Constantinople—expanded into a massive metropolis of five million people.
Dragon girls, Spirits, Heroic Spirits, and countless magical beings gathered here, while shipgirls ventured from the oceans into space.
Aerospace bases, spacecraft, Sundial Array… Every new advancement within the base constantly pushed the limits of her imagination.
The newcomers from the Demon Slayer world had once believed that Muzan Kibutsuji was an overwhelming force.
But after living in Constantinople for some time, they realized that even a random passerby on the street could likely beat the Demon King into the ground.
Their self-trained swordsmanship and breathing techniques were utterly insignificant in the presence of Heroic Spirits who also wielded swords.
"..."
The others lowered their heads, their expressions tinged with apprehension.
This was the leader of the suzerain state!
Unlike the shipgirls who regularly gathered around the Commander or Gudako, who was completely carefree, they possessed no superhuman abilities.
Standing before Setsuna, they didn't even dare to speak loudly.
"Don't be nervous."
"Genetic enhancement is just a small benefit for you all. Live well in the capital—I have tasks for you in the future."
Setsuna patted Nezuko on the shoulder.
Since Muzan had died early, she had never turned into a demon. She had probably been found by Ning Hai during one of her trips selling charcoal.
"Those who are older, join Seitenshi in taking care of the young girls from the Black Bullet world. Those who are younger, go to school with them."
"If you're interested in magic, visit the library—there are plenty of valuable resources there."
"Th-Thank you, Commander…"
The Demon Slayer girls nodded timidly.
Afterward, under the arrangements of Purifier and Sumire Muroto, they, along with Seitenshi, Kisara Tendo, and Miori Shiba, each lay down inside the cryo-chambers.
Observer operated the control panel for a while before turning to the group.
"Since you are older, your bodies can handle a higher capacity of superpower factors—approximately 15 to 20 units. Each of you should be able to integrate three superpower factors without any issues."
"What type of enhancements do you need?"
"..."
"I'll go with agility and recovery enhancement."
Kanae responded without hesitation.
"We want the dolphin factor. Otherwise, teaching those young children would be too exhausting…"
Seitenshi and Miori Shiba thought for a moment.
Considering the genius young girls were capable of completing middle and high school curricula in just two months,
if they didn't enhance their intelligence, it wouldn't be long before they found themselves being taught by their own students.
"And you?"
Observer looked at Gudako, who was lying inside the cryo-chamber.
She found this Chaldean individual far more amusing than the other ordinary humans.
"I already told you—intelligence is useless. Anyway, the Commander is basically my external brain."
"I'm using all my cost to enhance strength, agility, and recovery."
Gudako pouted as she responded.
"…Alright, that's your choice."
Setsuna tapped on the glass, signaling the start of the procedure.
Click—
After Sumire Muroto and Purifier finished preparing the superpower factors, they administered different serums to each person.
A few hours later.
The cryo-chambers opened, and the anesthesia wore off.
Everyone sat up with astonished expressions, slowly standing with a sense of disorientation.
It had been much quicker than expected—easier than even a surgical procedure.
All they had to do was lie inside, be placed under hypnosis, and have the genetic serum injected into their bodies.
"Mm… I feel like I've gotten stronger."
Kanae drew her katana.
Holding her breath and focusing her mind, she swiftly unleashed several crescent-shaped slashes in all directions, leaving behind traces resembling plum blossom petals.
Both her strength and speed had significantly improved.
Although she was still far from being able to match Heroic Spirits or shipgirls of starship-class with a mere human body, she had undeniably become much stronger than before.
The other Demon Slayer girls, who were accustomed to wielding swords and practicing breathing techniques, experienced similar sensations.
The enhancements brought by biological gene modification were comprehensive—speed, strength, agility… even their senses had become noticeably sharper.
"Hmm… With the regenerative abilities from the planarian factor, you should be able to use Equinoctial Vermilion Eye freely without any issues."
"But if you want to become even stronger, I'd still recommend studying knowledge from other worlds."
Setsuna patted Kanae's shoulder.
"Thank you."
"If there's any task you need us for in the future, please don't hesitate to command us… Though our abilities are limited, we will do our best."
She led the group in another respectful bow.
The way she looked at Setsuna was now filled with admiration akin to gazing up at an insurmountable mountain.
"Alright. If there's work suited for you, I'll arrange it."
"For now, get some rest. There will be a few days of adjustment after genetic enhancement."
Richelieu nodded.
She helped them gather their belongings and escorted them out.
"Eh…"
As she was leaving, Kanae let out a quiet sigh.
She turned back, glancing enviously at Richelieu and Yat Sen.
The two accompanying shipgirls exuded an extraordinary presence, meticulously managing all affairs and ensuring the Commander's needs were always taken care of.
"It's a pity… there are just too many exceptional women by Setsuna's side."
"We need to intensify our training as well…"
"…"
After Seitenshi, Kisara Tendo, and Miori Shiba sat up,
they rubbed their temples.
To better manage and care for the young girls, they had been implanted with the dolphin factor along with other intelligence-enhancing superpower factors.
As designated personnel in Setsuna's logistics division,
the immediate effect was an all-around improvement in memory and comprehension.
They could even recall the names and faces of all the children they had ever met, achieving photographic memory without relying on any external aids.
"This is incredible…"
"Uh… I feel like a flood of information just rushed into my brain. Is this… my past memories?!"
Miori Shiba pressed a hand against her head,
her expression somewhat bewildered.
Memories she had long forgotten now resurfaced like a movie playing in her mind.
"That's how superpower factors work. Young children don't have much memory to begin with, so it's fine, but you will need some time to adjust."
"Just get a good night's sleep. The Commander still has work for you later."
Observer casually tossed the three of them a small vial of medicine.
"…"
Finally, when Gudako emerged from the cryo-chamber, dressed in a white blouse and black miniskirt, she moved her arms and legs, testing the strength coursing through her body.
Swoosh—
She suddenly threw a punch into the air. The force carried a sharp gust, leaving a deep imprint on the wall with its sheer impact.
Under the combined effects of multiple superpower factors, in terms of pure physical strength alone, she was now far more outrageous than even a magically enhanced Muscle Devil Rin Tohsaka.
"Commander, I feel overflowing with Power!!!!"
Gudako instantly became excited and charged straight toward Setsuna.
"My Chaldea Master is invincible!!!"
The sheer force she exerted was enough to send a heavy-duty dump truck flying on impact.
Boom—
Setsuna calmly pressed two fingers against her forehead, stopping Gudako in her tracks. He raised an eyebrow.
"Invincible?"
"Then I must be the heavens. No—our fleet comes from beyond the heavens… Now behave yourself!"
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