Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

For the following weeks, Rain maintained a vigilant watch on the colossal planetary defense system that was ahead. Despite the heightened tension and anticipation, nothing really happened. The interconnected planets, along with the rotating cannon at their center, maintained their strategic position, seemingly unmoved by the vessel's approach.

However, Rain's attempts to analyze the four planets and the cannon's base with greater detail were met with frustration. The dense mana-rich atmosphere enveloping the planets acted as a natural barrier, obstructing hisattempts to gather more information. The impenetrable magical shield made it clear that the adversaries were well-versed in safeguarding their secrets.

As Rain considered the limitations imposed by the thick mana atmosphere, a realization struck him. The cannon at the center, capable of launching meteors and wielding immense power, might have an even more formidable capability. If it could harness the mana from all four planets simultaneously, it would pose an unprecedented threat.

"I can never take a break, huh?" Rain thought and then sighed.

"Most likely, if that is possible, they will only use the cannon when we are really close," Sakaki said. "Even at the speed of light, if we realize the attack ten seconds before they can reach us, we can dodge it. However, to cross that much distance, we would need at least half an hour… it should be plenty enough time for them to recharge the cannon."

"We need another defensive measure," Maxime said. "That is, if their cannon isn't massive in scope as well. It might consume many times more mana, but the barrel of the cannon is even larger than our vessel, so…"

"There is a chance that we might be unable to dodge it anyway," Rain shrugged. "Fantastic, we just need to stock up more mana to defend ourselves."

Naturally, that strategy wasn't the best… far from it. The Star vessel gained speed, but since it had less mass, it didn't gain the ability to store more mana. It would be surrpising if they could survive the attack of mana of a cannon of that escale. Rain didn't want to bet things on such plan with low success rates.

Rain found himself locked in a mental fight, trying to devise countermeasures for the dangerous threat posed by the planetary defense system. The realization that their adversaries held such advanced and destructive capabilities weighed heavily on his mind.

In moments of solitude, Rain questioned his own judgment. How could he have embarked on a journey through the cosmos, seeking answers, without considering the possibility of encountering a civilization with such overwhelming firepower? His thoughts spiraled into a self-critical loop, and he couldn't shake the feeling of stupidity.

"Stoooopid…" Rain said.

The mere mention of a "death star" had once been a joke, a playful comparison to the colossal cannon at the center of the planetary defense system. Yet, as the gravity of the situation sank in, Rain acknowledged that the threat they faced was no laughing matter.

While the cannon may not be as advanced as the infamous Death Star, it possessed the potential to evolve into a similarly devastating force over time.

The weight of responsibility pressed down on Rain's shoulders as he grappled with the implications of their discovery. The group had ventured into the unknown, seeking answers to cosmic mysteries, only to encounter a force that could potentially obliterate them… all that made him recall once more how his pride had been completely destroyed by the dragon god.

"Sakaki, can we try to create another layer of domain to serve as a disguise for us?" Rain asked. "I am having a hard time thinking that we can come up with proper defensive measures for something of that scale."

"Well, that should be possible if you rewrite the core of the vessel with the help of Regis and the demihumans," Sakaki said. "Still, that will only increase our mana consumption by a large margin. "At the same time, we will only be invisible to the naked eye. We will still be a large mass of energy moving around… it will be even easier to detect us."

"I suppose so…" Rain thought and then sighed. "I guess there is no easy solution for this… the best option is to disarm that massive cannon and to do that..."

Despite the mind-boggling scale of the planetary defense system and the advanced technology wielded by their targets, Rain found himself considering a strategy that seemed almost comically straightforward – a covert infiltration to disable the colossal cannon.

The irony of resorting to such a basic tactic in the vastness of space wasn't lost on Rain, but he knew that sometimes simplicity held its own kind of brilliance.

As the group discussed the plan, Rain emphasized the need for precision and stealth. Their target was a weapon of unimaginable power, and a direct confrontation seemed not only impractical but also potentially disastrous. Instead, they decided to leverage their strengths in magic and strategic thinking to outmaneuver the technologically advanced civilization.

"All right, this will do it… I just have to make everyone train using the exploration suits as much as possible," Rain thought. "Fighting with them will require a lot of skill, as well…"

Rain called for an urgent meeting to share his idea. As the team gathered, he outlined his plan without engaging in much dialogue. He explained that leaving the vessel and infiltrating the enemy base was the key to gaining an advantage. However, he stressed the need for discretion – they couldn't afford to bring everyone.

Only the most skilled fighters, particularly those proficient in melee combat, and those who had mastered the exploration suits, would be selected. The limited number was crucial to avoid drawing unwanted attention. Rain emphasized the importance of precision, skill, and trust among the chosen few.

The room absorbed the information in tense silence, each team member understanding the significance of the mission. With a nod from Rain, the meeting concluded, leaving the selected individuals to prepare for the perilous task ahead.