Chapter 761

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 761: A Great Story (1)

A brilliant white light covered the surroundings.

It was a light so intense that no one present dared to open their eyes.

—Uwaaaagh!

In the case of Nema, who was using the 'Passage' for the first time, it was enough to make him let out an unsightly scream.

Then, finally.

Swoosh!

Along with a brief sense of discomfort, the light blinding their vision cleared all at once, and a familiar landscape unfolded outside the steering room's window.

The brilliant universe, where countless stars vied to shine, revealed itself once again.

—...Huh.

Meanwhile, Nema was slumped on the floor, his pupils half unfocused.

—D-don't tell me we just passed through a black hole...?

"Can't you tell by looking?"

As Yeongwoo pointed out the window, Mantero made his report right on time.

—Captain, we have arrived in the Hezara Galaxy.

Then, bringing up a galactic map in the air, he elaborated.

—Our current location is outside the galactic boundary; we have not yet reached the detection network of the governing authority.

"So this is the only moment we can comfortably make our plans."

There were broadly three things they needed to do in the Hezara Galaxy.

First, sell the ship wreckage.

Second, search for the legacy of Yugui Moga.

Third, release Neheren Salzeo and Kengdal Subua.

And to resolve the first and third missions among these, they needed to visit the governing authority of the Hezara Galaxy and obtain information about this place first.

This was because the galactic map currently floating in the air only displayed the locations of the planets, with absolutely no information regarding their names or characteristics.

'Ah, and there's one more thing. I have to create a great story.'

Why a story about beating up civil servants was considered 'great' was unknown, but he couldn't dare lie to the black holes, so he would have to keep his promise.

'Even so, assaulting civil servants right off the bat is a bit much.'

Just how was he supposed to 'appropriately' fight civil servants here?

As Yeongwoo stared out the window, lost in thought, Mushio Tare, who had somehow noticed his troubled state, quietly approached.

—The most difficult problem has been solved, so why do you look so deeply troubled?

"We may have passed through the black hole safely, but now I have to fight civil servants here. Because I made a promise to the black holes."

—Yes. I suppose it would come to that.

"But it makes no sense to beat up civil servants for absolutely no reason, right?"

At that, Jiseon tilted her head in surprise.

—What in the world is going on? I never thought I'd hear such a common-sense remark come out of your mouth.

"Just because I'm a villain doesn't mean I can live completely without thinking."

Then, Yeongwoo added his true feelings.

"Besides, if I mess with civil servants the wrong way, I might end up in prison. But I'm not yet ready to fight the Kaujo regular forces."

—Well. I doubt the Kaujo would dispatch forces just to catch you. You're not quite that big of a deal yet, are you?

As Jiseon mocked her son, Mushio, who had been listening, carefully chimed in.

—Facing the Kaujo directly is by no means an easy matter, but it is necessary to be cautious.

Then, Mushio also turned his head toward the universe outside the window, following Yeongwoo's gaze.

—Let us go to the governing authority first. It won't be too late to decide after seeing the atmosphere there.

"True, since we need to acquire information about this place first anyway."

As Yeongwoo nodded in agreement, Mantero, seeing this, took the helm and changed the direction of the Earth Ship.

—Then, I will move us toward the area marked with the government insignia.

The governing authority of the Hezara Galaxy.

Just what kind of place was it?

The consensus between Mantero and Mushio was that it would be an autonomous agency.

"An autonomous agency...? Isn't this place also under the jurisdiction of the Cosmic Government anyway? What does it even mean to be autonomous there?"

At Yeongwoo's question, Mantero spoke while gripping the control stick.

—No matter how much of a government it is, it cannot manage every part of this massive universe.

"I suppose so? There would be limits to manpower, too."

—Therefore, a significant number of galaxies are managed by autonomous agencies. Literally, they are minor governments that are relatively free from the central government's control.

"But they still belong to the government, right? And they actually possess public power."

—Of course. In order to manage a galaxy, the central government's system is essential, so regardless of their true intentions, they have no choice but to remain fully loyal to the government.

"Regardless of their true intentions...? What does that mean?"

—Not all heads of autonomous agencies originate from the government. In reality, there are more than a few cases where they are families that have long survived in their respective galaxies.

"What. A regular family can just transform into a government agency?"

As Yeongwoo's mouth dropped wide open, Mantero nodded.

—That is correct. It is inevitable. There simply aren't enough civil servants to dispatch all across the universe. Moreover, taking control of a single galaxy is by no means an easy feat.

"Then does that mean Hezara might also be under the management of an autonomous agency with civilian origins?"

—The possibility is certainly there. Conversely, there is also the probability that they are civil servants who have gained partial independence from the central government.

"It's somehow complicated. Anyway, even if they have civilian origins, they are correctly classified as civil servants right now, right?"

—That is correct. Even if they are an autonomous agency, as long as they are legally governing a galaxy, they are classified as civil servants.

At that moment, as if it had been waiting for this very instance, the Anti-Government Pistol raised its index finger.

× That means there are plenty of bastards to shoot dead.

"Right. Coincidentally, we have a lot of anti-civil servant sniper equipment, so if we have a choice, fighting civil servants is definitely advantageous."

While Yeongwoo was saying this, Mushio pointed out toward the far side of the window.

—A detection line, is it. Quite impressive.

In the spot Mushio pointed to, a long band seemingly made of light was stretched out vertically.

It was as if some sort of boundary line had been drawn.

"A detection line? What's that now?"

—The moment we cross into its interior, a great deal of information will be transmitted to Hezara's management department. Generally, it would be about the size, speed, and number of the intruding objects.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

"The size of the intruding objects...? Then it'll be impossible for them not to know that a Planetary Ship has arrived in Hezara."

—Even without that, it would have been only a matter of time before they recognized our presence anyway. Because it is impossible to remain anchored while perfectly hiding a ship of this size.

To this, Mantero added his opinion.

—It seems certain that the government agency here pays a great deal of attention to galaxy management. Not only is a detection line itself an expensive installation, but the maintenance costs are also quite formidable.

Along with these words, as the Earth Ship passed through the detection line, a large hologram appeared ahead, displaying a guiding message.

[Do not draw your swords. Disarm your naval guns. Hezara does not pry into the personal details of well-mannered visitors.]

[Welcome to the safe and peaceful Hezara.]

"Oho... Seems like we found the right place, doesn't it? Isn't it perfect as a refuge?"

As Yeongwoo said this and turned to look toward Salzeo's group, Neheren stared at the message in question with a sour expression.

—T-that may be true, but... you are far from well-mannered.

"I might be, but since you're a pretty well-educated guy, I'm sure you can behave yourself here."

Yeongwoo shrugged, then asked Mantero, who was at the helm.

"Where are we going now?"

—There are only three locations in Hezara where information is publicly revealed on the map.

Subsequently, as Mantero brought up the map of Hezara that the Earth Ship currently possessed, only three solitary dots could be seen shining against a pitch-black background.

And floating above each dot was some sort of crest.

—What you are looking at now is the crest of Hezara's governing authority. Usually, the central government's crest is used exactly as is, but this place has a bit of its own personality.

"So I can just think of it as a highly independent local government, right?"

—That is correct.

"Then which of those three places should we head to?"

—Normally, in this kind of situation, it is common sense to seek out the central administrative district, but...

As Mantero, true to his royal background, tried to guide them through common-sense procedures, Mushio, who hailed from a pirate background, slightly raised his arm and interjected.

—When will we ever make it all the way to the center? That all takes time too. If we simply visit the nearest administrative district to obtain information, and then go about doing what we need to do, they will come looking for us on their own.

"Come looking for us on their own? You mean the Hezara government?"

—Of course. Are we not a Planetary Ship? With an entire planetary system on the move, roaming about their galaxy, there is no way the government wouldn't come to investigate.

"This is a much more appealing option."

As Yeongwoo ultimately intended to walk the path of a ruffian even in Hezara, Mantero made a troubled face.

—Did you not say you would refrain from doing evil deeds in Hezara?

"That's why I haven't done anything evil yet, have I."

—We are a Planetary Ship. From the perspective of a frontier autonomous agency, we are a powerhouse that is difficult for them to recklessly lay a hand on. At the same time, we are also an unknown entity. Therefore, if we do not show a cooperative attitude...

Mantero's explanation was that this in itself could be an act of violence.

Of course, it was far too weak an argument to persuade Yeongwoo.

"Ah, that is too soft a way of thinking. You do know you are currently holding the position of captain on a bandit ship, right?"

Even so, he had no intention of completely ignoring Mantero's opinion.

"However, I do partially agree that our insensitive attitude could act as violence against the other party. So, I will cooperate with the Hezara side to some extent."

—By cooperation, you mean...?

"We'll go to the nearest administrative district, obtain basic information, and spare the civil servants there as much as possible. As long as they don't commit an excessive breach of etiquette."

Ultimately, it meant he would make the Hezara side personally come find him.

To this, Mushio added a comment.

—Sometimes, local governments need to be kept on their toes as well. We can use this opportunity to see just how solid Hezara's safety and peacekeeping systems really are.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]