「Leave everything about the land and buildings to me! So please, make sure to come back, okay?」
With a smile, Chris said goodbye to us, and after also bidding farewell to Earl Dareinwald, we headed for the Gateway. Our destination was the Holy Vuelzarus Empire. Specifically, the Neeparc Star System. It was an imperial territory located five systems away from the Dexer system, which was the central system of Earl Dareinwald's territory, via the hyperlane. The Neeparc Star System was the closest star system with a Gateway.
「We're heading to the Neeparc Prime Colony first, right?」
「Yes, my Lord. I should be able to contact my homeland from the main colony in a system with a Gateway. Once I contact them, they will probably send a party to pick us up.」
「They will send people to pick us up?」
「Yes, Mimi-san. Strictly speaking, they won't send people to pick us up, but replacements for our people dispatched to the Grakkan Empire. You see, our nation restricts trade and ship traffic with outsiders. Regular connections with the Empire's Gateway don't happen often, so when a connection is available, we take the opportunity to transfer diplomatic personnel and occasional trade ships all at once.」
While en route to the Neeparc System, we gathered everyone in the Black Lotus's lounge and had a discussion led by Kugi about the journey to the Holy Vuelzarus Empire.
「Why do they restrict movement like that?」
「Well, Tina-san, I'm not entirely sure, but from what I've heard, it's supposedly to avoid being viewed with unnecessary suspicion by other nations.」
「???」
Everyone tilted their heads at Kugi's explanation, and so did I. Restricting travel to avoid being viewed with suspicion by other countries? It just doesn't make sense to me.
「Um, you see, our nation's ships, weapons, and soldiers are quite different compared to other nations…」
「I see…?」
I can't say I completely understand what Kugi is saying. The Holy Vuelzarus Empire is known for its psionic technology, so if their ships incorporate that, it makes sense that their design and performance would differ significantly from ships built with conventional technology.
「Are we going to be okay? We won't end up in a situation where once we go in, we can't come back out, right?」
「I think it should be fine. If they provoke someone like my Lord, who is a visitor from a higher world, there's a chance our nation will be destroyed if things go wrong.」
「That's a pretty alarming thing to say out of the blue.」
「Ah, I'm still a bit skeptical myself, but it seems that if someone like me dies after being mentally pushed to the brink, a catastrophe that could destroy multiple star systems will occur.」
「Haha, that's a pretty grand-scale story… Wait, you're joking, right?」
Dr. Shouko laughed at what I said, but as soon as she saw the serious expressions on both mine and Kugi's faces, her smile faded, and reflexively asked again. Kugi had a straight face, and I probably looked just as serious.
「…This is news to me.」
Ah, crap, Elma's voice sounds irritated. Now that I think about it, we didn't talk to anyone about this, we talked about this several times, but we must have been alone all those times.
「Well, I still don't fully believe it yet. I'm still about 85% believe, 15% skeptical, maybe?」
「That means you almost believe it. You should really report something that important to your partner, don't you think?」
「Yes, I agree. I'm sorry.」
Since this was clearly my fault, I apologized sincerely. Information regarding my origins is fairly sensitive, so I understand why Kugi couldn't explain it to Elma and the rest of the crew.
「To clarify, I'm not originally from this world, or rather, this universe? Dimension? I'm from what Kugi and the people of the Holy Vuelzarus Empire refer to as a higher world, and I possess immense psionic power. Supposedly, if I were to die in a state of overwhelming anger, hatred, or despair, the resulting release of that psionic power could cause a catastrophic event. At minimum, it could wipe out an entire star system, and at worst, it could destroy multiple systems.」
「The scale is so ridiculous that is hard to believe. Just how much energy are we talking about here? 」
「Supernova explosions are said to have an energy output between 10^48 and 10^52 joules, so I'd estimate it would be somewhere between that range or even several times greater.」
Mei answered, dead serious, in response to Neve's exasperated question.
I understand that it was a massive amount of energy, but honestly, I can't grasp the reality of those numbers at all.
「Are you sure you're okay, Boss? You're not going to explode suddenly, right?」
「Well, I can't guarantee that some god-like entity, if they exist, won't suddenly make me explode, but I think I'm probably fine… Dr. Shouko's check-ups haven't shown any signs that I'm on the verge of spontaneously blowing up.」
「Yeah, no signs of that so far. But keep in mind, I can only examine you within the realm of science. When it comes to psionic technology, I'm practically useless.」
Dr. Shouko said this, raising her hands slightly as if accepting defeat, while wearing a wry smile.
She says that, but I know better. Dr. Shouko has been making progress analyzing my genetic material, looking for the factors responsible for the manifestation of psionic abilities, and has already begun dabbling in psionic technology to try and identify them.
「Well, even if I'm carrying this 'bomb,' it seems it only goes off when I die. And honestly, worrying about what happens after I'm dead feels like a waste of time. Also, unless I'm in an extremely bad state of mind when I die, it shouldn't trigger.」
「Wait, is Kugi actually here to keep an eye on you to make sure you don't go off?」
Elma shot a suspicious glare at Kugi when this thought suddenly occurred to her. Hey, you don't say things like that to others, even if you think it's true.
「Yes, that is correct. However, that's not the only reason. As I mentioned earlier, my Lord's unfortunate arrival in this world was caused by our nation's past actions, and I was sent to atone for that. But now, those reasons are no longer my primary motivation. I stay by my Lord's side because I wish to. Even if I return to the homeland and my duty is officially lifted, I have no intention of leaving his side.」
Kugi affirmed Elma's suspicions but made her own stance clear, standing tall with her fox ears perked up, looking directly at Elma with unwavering determination. Perhaps taken aback by Kugi's intensity, Elma gave a wry smile, raised both hands in surrender, and backed off.
「Okay, okay, Kugi, I get it. I'm sorry for doubting you.」
「There is no need to apologize, as your question was perfectly reasonable… but…」
Kugi's expression changed from a solemn one into one of uncertainty as she glanced at me.
Noticing her unease, I took her small, cool, and slightly sweaty hand into mine, wrapping both of my hands around it.
「I have no intention of letting you go now either, Kugi. Especially if that's how you feel. So, there's nothing to worry about. If it comes down to it, I'll just kidnap you and escape from the Holy Vuelzarus Empire.」
As I said this, Kugi's fox ears began to twitch happily, and her fluffy tails started wagging energetically. Tears welled up in her eyes, and I pulled out a handkerchief from my jacket pocket to gently wipe them away.
「Ahh, so hot, so hot. Mei-han, can you lower the temperature of the air conditioning a bit?」
「Right away.」
「Hmm, I sense a strong wave of love…!」
「Looks like it's Kugi's victory today, huh?」
「Well, since she'll be our biggest ally over there, I guess we'll let her have this one.」
As they said this, the rest of the crew gradually dispersed, leaving me and Kugi alone. Hey, don't you think you guys are being a bit too obvious?
「Ahh… maybe I should rest for a bit.」
「…Yes, my Lord.」
Kugi murmured softly, pressing close as I pulled her in, and we both sank into the sofa.
It's still too early in the day to head back to my room, but this is a good opportunity. Maybe I should take this time to ask her more about the Holy Vuelzarus Empire.