NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 108
“…I have a rough understanding of the situation. I’ll make sure to let her know as well.”
After my meeting with Yuzu and the other agents of the Sakura Empire, I boarded the vehicle they had arranged, bound for the hotel they had prepared for me.
However, that would leave Rene, who had accompanied me to the Star Capital, all alone. So, I headed to the first-floor lobby where she was waiting and explained the situation to her.
“They’ll send someone to take you back outside the Star Capital, but it looks like I have to head straight to the hotel.”
Yuzu, one of the Sakura Empire’s agents and a bodyguard of the Saioji family, seemed to be in charge of overseeing the activities of the other agents operating in the Star Capital. Apparently, there were dozens of other agents active within the capital as well.
However, since the Sakura Empire’s agents had already brought the influential Sears under their umbrella, they were able to operate freely in the capital.
The hotel I was heading to had also been arranged by Sears or Yuzu.
“…Still, it’s incredible that the Sakura Empire’s agents already knew about her… I’ve heard of the family with the peculiar abilities called ‘Miko,’ but to think they had such extensive knowledge… it’s almost like a clairvoyant ability.”
The thing that surprised Rene the most from my explanation was that Yuzu and her team not only knew about me but were also aware of Nias, the Eternal Witch, who was accompanying me.
Yuzu and Eri hadn’t explained how they had obtained that information, only that they would provide more details at the hotel. Rene seemed to believe that it was likely the work of the “Miko” of the Fuji family.
“The Miko of the Fuji family from the Sakura Empire… In other nations, they’re known as war goddesses or demons who can see through everything. It’s rumored that the Miko’s powers were key in the Sakura Empire becoming the rulers of the galaxy.”
“Is that so? I’ll have to ask about that too.”
Fortunately, the Sakura Empire didn’t seem too fixated on Nias.
They seemed to know about the wars sparked by her immortality technology, but apparently, the Sakura Empire had something akin to, if not full immortality, a method of dramatically extending one’s lifespan.
“Longevity medicine, huh… A medicine to extend one’s life. No wonder they’re not obsessed with her technology.”
“Apparently, all the high-ranking officials of the Empire take it. So while they may not live forever, they do enjoy significantly longer lifespans.”
Ordinarily, one would expect the Empire to pursue Nias like the Roifana Holy Kingdom, which sought her out desperately for her immortality technology. However, since the Sakura Empire already possessed a medicine that granted long life, they weren’t as fixated on it.
They were interested enough to make an offer, but they didn’t seem inclined to abduct her.
“Defection, huh… I never thought she’d have such an opportunity.”
“I think it would be wise for her to accept it.”
There were still many unknowns, but it was clear that people like Yuzu from the Sakura Empire were prioritizing me. Their approach was so forward that it was almost unsettling.
For example, they seemed willing to manage Zerad as an autonomous territory, but if Nias stayed here and I asked for their protection, they would manage it as a directly governed region instead. Their willingness to accommodate was overwhelming.
They also mentioned that they would do everything within their power to assist me. While I appreciated the gesture, I couldn’t help but feel a bit disoriented.
“…Well, at least they seem to respect you. Isn’t that a good thing?”
“Yeah, I guess so…”
Being treated with respect is certainly preferable to being treated like an object, but it’s hard to get used to this kind of treatment after everything.
“At least I’ll have something good to report to her. Though, I’m not sure how you feel about that.”
The “her” in question was, of course, Nias. While the Sakura Empire wasn’t actively hunting her down, this was still Zerad, and there was no telling what could happen.
“Lord Allen, the vehicle is ready.”
“Understood… Rene, I’m counting on you.”
“Of course. If anything happens, send me a message. I’ll take care of it right away.”
As I was talking to Rene at the corner of the building’s first-floor lobby, Yuzu came to fetch me, signaling that everything was prepared.
At the entrance, a few guards holding large rifles were watching us.
Through the glass, I could see the street outside, where a sports car-like vehicle hovered slightly above the ground, flanked by what looked like military-grade transport vehicles.
The sight made both me and Rene chuckle wryly.