Chapter 764

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 764: A Great Story (4)

Greatness cannot be stolen, nor can it be feigned.

Even Yeongwoo, an unprecedented cosmic blockhead, couldn't answer "yes" even as a bluff when asked if he was great.

It was because, through his experiences in the past universe, he had partially awakened to what 'greatness' truly was.

And so, deep within his heart, he had come to revere 'greatness'.

-Quite the impressive... I see. A planetary ship is certainly an impressive, no... a marvelous entity.

Administrative District Officer Upte bowed his head once again.

Then, looking at the Keniscita, he asked cautiously.

-As for your other companions.......

At that, Mushio Tarae from inside the ship spoke to Yeongwoo.

-It seems it is time for you to step out now.

It meant there was no need to show their full force to the Hezara side.

So, Yeongwoo completely pulled his body out of the Keniscita and landed on the ground.

Ku-oong!

And along with this, the outer plates of the Keniscita closed, switching to a locked state.

Mushio intended to wait right there in his spot for the ship's master.

-Ah.

Realizing the other party's intentions, Upte let out a short sound once again.

Then, after looking around the chaotic downtown area, he asked Yeongwoo.

-How may I assist you?

He judged that there must be a reason why a planetary ship master had personally visited the administrative district of the autonomous government.

At this, Yeongwoo blinked a few times before looking at the central tower soaring high in the distance.

"Ah, it's nothing major. I came to get a detailed map of Hezara."

When Yeongwoo said this, Upte forced a smile and brought his hand to his waist.

Seu-euk.

Then, simultaneously with his movement, the Anti-Government Pistol that had been lying flat near Yeongwoo's shoulder stood up, extending its index finger.

× Hey, don't try any funny business. What are you trying to pull out?

It was because it had detected a mechanical device hidden behind the toad's body.

"What's wrong? This guy isn't even a combatant."

As Yeongwoo soothed the pistol as if telling it to calm down, Upte froze, his eyes widening.

-It's... It's not a weapon.

He knew something was attached near the planetary ship master's shoulder, but he hadn't expected it to be a talking pistol.

"Not a weapon? But it seems it's a machine large enough for my crazy pistol to care about, huh?"

-...It is not that large. However, the battery's output is quite strong.

With that, he sent a glance toward Yeongwoo, asking if it was okay to finish his movement.

-I swear it is not a weapon.

"Then what is it?"

-It is work equipment equipped with a few functions. Most notably, it has a visitor registration function.

"Take it out first."

When Yeongwoo finally nodded, Upte moved his arm very slowly.

Seu-euk.

Then, he pulled out a wide iron plate from behind his waist.

-Through this, I can grant you, Ship Master, a temporary visitor status, and also show you basic information about Hezara.

"It's like a work tablet."

-First, I must ask... do you truly only need a map?

He seemed not to believe that a planetary ship master had dropped by Hezara merely for travel.

And in truth, Yeongwoo hadn't come here to play either.

Because he had at least three things to accomplish.

First, selling the ship wreckage.

Second, searching for the legacy of Yugui Moga.

Third, releasing Neheren Salzeo and Kengdal Subua.

So Yeongwoo scratched his forehead, and told a part of the truth exactly as it was.

"I have something to sell. A kind of scrap metal."

-By scrap metal... do you mean general alloys? If you could be a bit more specific, I will also be able to assist you further.

"I don't know well either. I happened to fight a famous fleet, and they left behind some wreckage as they crumbled. So it probably includes a fair amount of Katangdal too."

-...I see.

Ship wreckage containing Katangdal.

The implications of this were terrifying.

Because a fleet composed of high-grade ships enough to leave Katangdal in their wreckage meant they were at least a prestigious family on the scale of a galaxy group.

In other words, this planetary ship master before his eyes was on his way back from annihilating a massive fleet somewhere.

-There is an exchange that handles Katangdal here in Hezara as well. I will mark it separately on the map for you, Mr. Jeong Yeongwoo.

"Thanks."

-Do you have any other information you specifically need?

At this, Yeongwoo thought of Neheren Salzeo.

"I am looking for a planet with a low crime rate. I might take a rest there for a while, you see."

-Ah.

Upte made an awkward expression.

From the standpoint of a government pursuing galactic peace, the possibility that a planetary ship master—who was bound to be a headache—might stay here was terrible news.

"Why, is that a bit troublesome?"

-N-not at all. However, our galaxy is not very suitable as a resort. Especially for a planetary ship master to take a rest, even more so.

"I'll be the judge of that, so just mark down the recommended areas."

Then, Upte pulled up a map on the tablet in his hand and overlaid some data onto it.

-The basic map also contains rough information on each planet, but in addition to this, I will mark the planets with the lowest crime rates, as well as the planets not recommended for visitation.

"Not recommended for visitation?"

-Not only are their crime rates high, but they are also areas where unauthorized visitors frequently hide.

Then, Upte opened his hand and projected the emblem of the Hezara government.

Paa-at!

-This is a special visitor mark guaranteed by our Hezara government. If you carry this around, you won't face any inconveniences in most areas.

"Then those non-recommended areas you mentioned earlier must be the areas that aren't part of 'most areas'."

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

-Yes. Although officers are dispatched to non-recommended areas as well, we do not guarantee the resolution of any problems that occur there.

Simply put, it meant there were planets in Hezara where public power didn't properly reach.

"For all that talk about safety and peace and whatnot, here isn't much different from anywhere else."

-It is a matter of proportions. On average, the accident rate in Hezara is very low compared to other galaxies.

"Hmm."

Regardless, for Yeongwoo, who had to release Neheren and Kengdal here, it wasn't bad news.

"Ah, and lastly."

When Yeongwoo spat out the word 'lastly', Upte breathed a slight sigh of relief.

-Please speak.

"There's a planet called Pareshik here, right?"

-......!

As soon as the name Pareshik left Yeongwoo's lips, Upte's eyes grew wide again.

-Pareshik... is there a particular reason you are seeking that place?

"Looks like that's another troublesome place too. From what I know, it's just a planet with some ruins."

-Yes. There are various kinds of ruins, but in the case of Pareshik, it is an ancient battlefield.

"Right. I haven't ever experienced a huge war yet. So I'm dropping by this and that battlefield."

As Yeongwoo gave a rough excuse, unable to bring himself to reveal that he was looking for the legacy of a great one, Upte stared into the air with a still-awkward face.

-...I see. However, coincidentally, Pareshik is also one of the non-recommended areas for visitation. The visitor mark will hold no meaning there.

Then, cautiously studying Yeongwoo's reaction anew, he quietly added his next words.

-Of course, who would dare block the path of a planetary ship master... but I hope that, if possible, there will be no major disturbances.

In truth, on a government level, they should have prevented Yeongwoo's visit to Pareshik, but lacking the capability to do so, it was a euphemistic request asking him not to cause a massive accident.

To this, Yeongwoo also willingly nodded his head.

"I didn't come here to cause trouble. It's much more comfortable for me to quietly finish my business and leave, too."

-...Very well. Then, is there anything else you need?

"Nothing more for now. Is the map all done?"

As Yeongwoo asked while looking at the tablet in Upte's hand, Upte soon pulled out a circular device smaller than a palm from his pocket.

-Yes. All the data you requested has been extracted. From now on, this device will aid you in your travels, Mr. Jeong Yeongwoo.

Then, he added his following words in a very serious tone.

-The hospitality provided here today was done at the discretion of Administrative District 02-3. We will convey this fact to Hezara's central government, and also attach it to the Hezara mark we are issuing you now.

"What exactly does that mean?"

-It means that, perhaps, the Hezara central government might try to see you once more, Mr. Jeong Yeongwoo. Of course, if there are no major disturbances, we will not be curious about anything.

"It means if I cause too big of an accident, some much unfriendlier guys will come looking for me."

-.......

At Yeongwoo's conclusion, Upte substituted his answer by quietly bowing his head.

So Yeongwoo also gave a slight nod, accepting Upte's farewell.

"I think I roughly know how this place operates. Anyway, you've worked hard. There won't be any more incidents of me causing damage to this administrative district in the future."

-I am honored by your words. Then, now.......

Upte stole a glance at the Keniscita.

It was no different from a plea asking him to please leave now.

So Yeongwoo picked up the map device Upte offered with both hands, and then slowly turned around.

Then, even before Yeongwoo gave a signal, the Keniscita's outer plating opened back up, creating an entrance.

-May you always be at peace......!

From behind Yeongwoo, who had stepped into the Keniscita, Upte's voice rang out faintly.

Subsequently, as Yeongwoo fully brought his body inside the ship, the Godial cover sealed the entrance tight, cutting off the connection with the outside.

"I landed so noisily for no reason. They were pretty nice guys, better than I thought."

As Yeongwoo spoke while scratching his nose, Mushio Tarae in the cockpit observed Upte's side through a hologram screen.

-For someone belonging to the government, he was quite a flexible individual. Anyway, by bowing his waist a few times, he managed to prevent further damage, so they also gained a huge benefit.

"Living as a civil servant really isn't easy."

-However, you will also meet civil servants you want to kill someday. Have you decided on our next destination?

At Mushio's question, Yeongwoo examined the device handed over by Upte.

"It seems Pareshik is quite a problematic planet. They didn't recommend visiting it."

-Naturally, outlaws only profit when they do things the government does not recommend.

"He said if we act too loudly, Hezara's central government will make a move. So I should release that Salzeo guy first in a suitable place."

-I suppose it would be right to drop our guest off before we get chased by angry civil servants.

At this, Yeongwoo suddenly recalled that Mushio had a background as a space pirate.

"You were a pirate once. Did you ever get chased by the government back then?"

Then Mushio looked back, and spoke in a very nonchalant tone.

-I suffered more pursuits while serving the Black Flash than when I was a pirate.

"What? How could that be?"

-Because the Black Flash's duel opponents included numerous high-ranking civil servants.

"For instance......?"

-There was once a time when he dueled a high-ranking official of the National Tax Service, claiming the taxes were too excessive.

"What?"

It was a story that made his ears perk up.

"And? Did the taxes get reduced?"

At this, Mushio shook his head.

-He ultimately won the duel, but he could not reduce the taxes. Rather, it resulted in even a special task force from the National Tax Service being included in the list of pursuers hunting the Black Flash.

"An anecdote I should deeply keep in mind."

-Therefore, I believe that you too, Ship Master, will come to have countless pursuers. Perhaps today is the day you take the first step towards that.

As Mushio pulled the control stick after ending with these words, the Keniscita was once again shot up into the unpredictable universe.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]