Chapter 191
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 191
The Tajiruns, a race of merchants, had a complex political landscape. Their treaties and diplomatic relations with various nations and species were too convoluted to summarize in just a few words.
Even so, I could quickly grasp what made the Menoa Family so peculiar. They held a unique position, even among the Tajiruns.
Tajirun families, whose livelihood was commerce, strove to maintain friendly relations with other nations and groups. Because of this, the Bellato Federation recognized the influence of the Tajirun race, going so far as to establish a separate autonomous district for them.
However, the Menoa Family did not belong to this autonomous district. On the contrary, the Bellato Federation avoided establishing official relations with them, publicly ostracizing and shunning the family.
Human trafficking.
This was because the Menoa Family's primary commodity was people.
In truth, human trafficking was a widespread and major industry. Many groups and species on Planet Novas had no qualms about slavery.
However, the core values championed by the Bellato Federation were equality and freedom. They could hardly recognize the Menoa Family officially while championing such slogans.
Hummmm.
The low hum of the aerial vehicle's engine vibrated intermittently through the floor.
Japa and I were traveling in a six-seater aerial vehicle. As it was Japa's personal transport, the interior was cozy and luxurious. Judging by the thickness of the windows and metal plating, its defensive capabilities seemed formidable as well.
"...The Menoa Family operates from a residential mothership and periodically relocates. They have many enemies, after all."
Japa continued his explanation of the Menoa Family. I listened intently, committing his words to memory.
"Is that why they're more obsessed with private armies than other families?"
"Indeed. The Menoa Elite Guard traditionally has two Elite Guard Captains, commanding two separate units. Since one of those units was completely wiped out this time, they will likely act with caution until the next generation of the Elite Guard is trained."
Hearing this made me realize just how massive a blow the Menoa Family had suffered. They had lost half their military strength.
Japa Trading’s losses weren't light either. If things had gone slightly worse, everything Japa had built would have gone up in smoke.
The Menoa Family had even tried to kill Anguis Regina, a major asset of Japa Trading. Had they succeeded, Japa Trading would have been crippled.
"They want you dead that badly. Can you really guarantee your safety inside Menoa territory?"
Japa was heading to the Menoa Family with only me and ten Equesians. If the Menoa Family decided to make a move, he would die.
"I am here to strike a deal. They have authorized my visit. Trust is paramount to a merchant. If they kill me, the Menoa Family will fall with me. No one would do business with people who lure guests in only to murder them—especially not among the Tajiruns."
"So it's like how even sworn enemies don't kill envoys and ambassadors."
"It's a baseline of trust, an unwritten rule. It feels a bit odd saying this myself, but hoyot... the vast majority of Tajiruns are insidious and cunning. Many will do absolutely anything for profit. Without at least this bare minimum of trust and rules, it would be utter chaos. By human moral standards, our race is crawling with 'evil' people."
"Intriguing. Evil pacifists."
I rested my elbow on the armrest and propped up my chin, tilting my head.
"To be precise, we are closer to non-violent. Just because one dislikes violence doesn't make them good or kind. Much like myself."
Japa had a way of saying things that cut right to the core.
To be honest, conversations with him were quite enjoyable. His cold, realistic worldview and sharp self-awareness amused me.
"Evildoers who complain about how bad violence is usually just commit their evil through other means. They use complex systems and laws that the uneducated and poor can barely comprehend. Since technological advancement makes it hard to privatize and monopolize violence... they privatize and monopolize systems and laws instead."
"A bold statement for an Imperial soldier, hoyoyoot."
Japa chuckled.
"Because I am a soldier."
I sounded like a highly subversive reactionary.
Yet, I still missed the Imperial Guard and the Imperial Army. Being an Imperial soldier suited me perfectly. Roaming the battlefield alongside loyal soldiers, performing meritorious deeds, winning victories to earn promotions, receiving better equipment, and fighting the Empire's enemies.
Just imagining it was exhilarating. It was a fulfilling life, with never a dull moment.
Though things went terribly awry at some point...
I imagined myself growing up smoothly as an Imperial soldier. It was purely hypothetical, but... I probably would have risen to a fairly high rank. If my ideology hadn't been corrupted, I would have become a magnificent Sword of the Empire. A sharp, sturdy, and unwavering blade, the instability of my cadet days melted away and forged into steel.
Now, I was dull, rusted, and creaking. Even I didn't know what kind of blade I was anymore. My self-awareness was muddled. I'd steel my resolve, only for it to waver and change moments later.
"There won't be any time to sleep once we arrive, so you should get some rest now."
With those final words, Japa fell silent. I nodded and closed my eyes.
* * *
The aerial vehicle arrived at the region where the Menoa Family was stationed.
Below, a vast, low-lying forest stretched out, dotted with puddles and ponds like scattered ink drops. Though it was a wetland, the cool climate kept it from feeling like an unpleasantly dense tropical rainforest.
"This is where the borders of Kora and Bellato meet. Hmm, the location itself is technically Bellato territory."
Japa said, looking at a hologram map.
There were three aerial vehicles belonging to Japa Trading. One carried Japa and me; the other two carried the Equesians.
In the center of the wetlands rose a dry, rounded hill. Anchored there was a circular spaceship, more than spacious enough to serve as a mobile residence.
The spaceship was large enough to house hundreds of people—a literal mobile mansion. Aside from the mothership, three smaller residential vessels, like detached villas, hovered nearby.
I observed Japa's expression. He stared silently at the mothership outside the window. His feelings must have been incredibly complicated.
Four other aerial vehicles had arrived before us. Judging by their colors and designs, they belonged to different factions.
"They are members of other families and officials from the Bellato Federation. They've come as notaries."
Japa explained. They had been paid a fee to officially notarize Japa's visit. If Japa were to be murdered in Menoa territory, they would make it public.
Japa approached the notaries to go through the paperwork.
Meanwhile, I stared at the Menoa mothership. Its scale was so massive that I couldn't take in its entire width in a single glance.
Intellectually, I knew this. Although many species lived on Planet Novas, not many were actually indigenous. Humanity, the dominant species on Planet Novas, were immigrants themselves.
But I was born on Planet Novas. I had never once thought of myself as an immigrant or an outsider. My home was, first and foremost, Planet Novas and the Empire.
Our ancestors must have arrived on giant vessels and colony ships like this.
I had yet to experience interstellar flight. I had never even imagined what it would feel like to travel between stars, nor had I ever been curious.
"The procedures are complete. Let us head inside. Ah, make sure you have your translator device. Not all Tajiruns are as fluent in human languages as I am, hoyooo."
Japa said, taking the lead. I checked the weapons strapped to my chest and waist, then followed a step behind him.
Whirrrrr!
A section of the Menoa mothership's hull slid open and lowered. The interior of the wall was fitted with stairs, making for an easy ascent.
Clank, clank.
At the top of the stairs stood two members of the Menoa Elite Guard. They stood on sentry duty in a disciplined posture, watching us.
Japa, myself, and the ten Equesians stepped inside the Menoa mothership.
Screeech! Thud!
Once we were all inside, the door slowly shut.
A long corridor stretched out before us, wide enough for vehicles to pass through. Since it was a residential vessel, such a wide passageway was likely necessary to move goods.
Unlike the stark exterior, the interior featured many nature-friendly decorations. Unidentified vines stretched along the walls for long distances.
Shhh.
As we reached the end of the entryway, a door slid open. A Tajirun was waiting to greet us.
...Their clothes are all baggy, and they look so similar it's hard to tell them apart.
As is often the case with alien species, it was difficult for an outsider to distinguish between individuals. The visual cues used to identify others varied from species to species.
From a human perspective, telling Tajiruns apart was quite a challenge.
—It's been a while, Japa.
Through my translator, the name sounded like 'Japa,' but listening closely, it was actually the peculiar name 'Jaspiekedera.' Hmm, perhaps that's a common name among the Tajiruns or the Menoa Family.
—Have you been well, Lisanda?
The name came through Japa's pre-registered translator. 'Lisanda' was another name so long and peculiar it would be tedious to explain.
Japa had seven siblings. Including himself, there were eight of them. They were the direct descendants of the main family and currently formed the core of the Menoa Family.
I stood silently behind him, observing.
—You are quite bold. I never expected an exile like you to return as a self-proclaimed guest.
—There is a saying in Bellato: 'To catch a beast, one must enter its den.'
The phrasing seemed slightly off, but whatever. Japa was subtly revealing his ambition.
—I suppose you enjoyed life in Border City.
—I had my achievements. I'm quite an authority figure over there. Are you familiar with the saying, 'Better to be the head of a snake than the tail of a dragon'?
The words exchanged between Lisanda and Japa were laced with thorns. They weren't even trying to hide it, openly taking jabs at each other.
—Impressive, Japa. When you were exiled, I thought you wouldn't last a few days. You were always so dull and lacking. Ah, you don't take offense, do you? It was a fact that you were stupid.
—I, too, find my past self pathetic. Being kicked out was a blessing in disguise. Some people only realize what they are capable of when they're backed into a corner.
Japa spoke the phrase 'blessing in disguise' in the human tongue.
—A b-blessing? Are you mocking me right now? Someone like you?
Lisanda grew agitated over something so minor.
He's playing with her.
I could see why Lisanda had come to greet him. She was likely the weakest of Japa's siblings—the type to act as a lackey for a powerful sibling, scraping up whatever scraps fell her way.
—The reason you were exiled was—!
—What good comes from airing such dishonorable matters in public? We have other species present.
Japa quickly cut Lisanda off.
I was also curious about why Japa had been exiled. Since he had brought me all this way, he might as well have told me, but Japa kept it hidden to the very end.
—How shameless. I really wanted to see you burn to death.
—It was the innocent soldiers who burned to death. Did you really think I wouldn't prepare any countermeasures? I still find it hard to believe the family approved that attack. It was an incredibly sloppy decision. Utterly foolish. It dragged the family's prestige through the mud, as well.
Emotions were running high. Lisanda flicked her tongue and glared at Japa.
—Do you think you're safe just because you're a guest? You didn't even have your personal bodyguard wear a combat suit.
—Is the Menoa Family the type to invite a guest only to murder them? And... this person beside me is far more dangerous than you think. The moment his leash—me—is removed, he is more than capable of turning this entire place into a wasteland. Do you think I'm the only one in danger? The Menoa Family has let a bomb in human form into its own home.
Lisanda's gaze locked onto me. Her vertical pupils narrowed. I shrugged, playing along.
"...Tick, tock."
I wagged my index finger back and forth, mimicking the ticking of a clock. I am a time bomb, ahem.