NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 102
In the space surrounding the resource planet Zerad, many pirates engage in hijacking merchants’ supplies. There are several reasons for this. One is that the planet Zerad is a remote world at the edge of Galaxy α14. While it is a resource-rich planet, it doesn’t hold vast quantities of rare minerals, nor is it strategically important. As a result, the government rarely sends patrols to this sector.
Though currently, Governor Angreus is stationed on Zerad, attempting to reorganize the local military forces, there’s little enthusiasm or skill among the troops stationed here. After all, it’s a defense force guarding a planet at the far end of the galaxy, existing more out of inertia than necessity.
Thus, the Zerad region has become a haven for space pirates. Many pirates not only operate here but also establish hideouts in this relatively unprotected sector. However…
“The Eternal Witch is hiding somewhere on Zerad… that’s been a rumor for ages. The government controls most means of escape from the planet, and even if someone wanted to hire pirates to flee, the witch’s high bounty and the rumors about her immortality have deterred many.”
“Plenty of pirates have come here seeking to capture the witch and rise in status. Even in Bozon, there are many hunting her.”
She is known as the greatest treasure in the universe. Besides the pirates, bounty hunters, and even legitimate organizations who explore unknown planets are searching for the witch, Nias.
At the same time, Nias is both a criminal and the key to immortality. Many view her as someone who can grant eternal life.
(Immortality… Could that really be considered a treasure?)
While it felt uncomfortable to think of her as an object, I had to admit that, if eternal youth was the only thing people focused on, then calling her the greatest treasure in the galaxy wasn’t entirely wrong.
This meant that many more people were hunting her than I had initially imagined.
—
Gons and the Sears group, who oppose Governor Angreus’s forces, had decided to cooperate with the forthcoming invasion by the Sakura Empire in two weeks. Already, they were stockpiling weapons and supplies, hastily preparing for the conflict.
It seemed that no one could stop this momentum. While the government forces had caught wind of Sears’ militarization, they still had no idea that the Sakura Empire was involved. They viewed it as a mere rebellion that would be easily quashed.
“I never would have thought that the Sakura Empire would personally intervene.”
After finishing our dealings with Gons, Rene and I boarded the skewt again and headed back to the lab where Nias was waiting. Now that I was riding the skewt for the second time, I was getting more used to it, and the initial fear was somewhat subsiding. But still, zooming across the rugged terrain at high speeds, with no rails to guide us, felt like a terrifying roller coaster ride.
Even so, thanks to the fear suppression provided by the Access Gear, I could hold a conversation with Rene as she drove.
“I thought this had nothing to do with me… but it looks like I was wrong.”
“You couldn’t have known. Even I’m surprised by this turn of events.”
According to Gons’s information, the forces of the Sakura Empire were being led by a member of the Saioji clan, Minato Saioji. He is said to be a direct descendant of the Saioji family from our time, now serving as a military officer commanding the empire’s First Space Fleet.
Nias had once mentioned that Minato was also responsible for leading the empire’s military during its last invasion, in which they conquered two planets.
Incredibly, Minato was still in his mid-twenties according to the public profiles available on the internet—a terrifyingly capable individual.
“What are the chances of Governor Angreus’s forces winning?”
“None. Not a chance. The Sakura Empire is deploying a top-of-the-line warship, accompanied by four heavy cruisers. We don’t even know how many other ships are following them.”
“And Angreus’s forces?”
“They have a single cruiser, built over a century ago, along with a handful of frigates. Do you think they can win this battle?”
Hearing Rene’s assessment, I could clearly see how hopeless the situation was.
“And if the battle drags on, they might even send in an additional carrier strike group led by the supercarrier Hiryuu… Why would they deploy such overwhelming force against a backwater planet like this?”
The Hiryuu, a massive space carrier renowned across multiple galaxies, was known as one of the largest ships in the Sakura Empire’s fleet. Apparently, the Sakura Empire had a tradition of naming their ships after those from Earth’s World War II era, so the Hiryuu likely had a historical counterpart.
The Hiryuu had gained a legendary reputation through its victories during the empire’s many conquests. With over 600 fighter aircraft onboard, it was known as a “supercarrier,” but many also referred to it as a “space fortress.”
For a moment, I couldn’t help but think, *Is this like the Death St—?* No, probably more like Macross.
Rene brought me back to reality, muttering something about it being excessive. Even to an amateur like me, the disparity in forces was so overwhelming that it hardly seemed like a battle at all.
The only possible silver lining was that, with such a stark difference in strength, Zerad’s ruling nation, the Holy Roifana Kingdom, might surrender unconditionally upon receiving the declaration of war. This would minimize the chance of us getting caught up in the conflict.
“But if the Sakura Empire’s forces are here to hunt Nias…”
“Then there’s no way we could escape. These aren’t just some half-hearted local troops—they’re a superpower.”
Rene’s voice was tinged with resignation and sorrow as she spoke quietly.