The Capital's Majesty
Approximately two days after the attack, Hwa-ryun arrived at Centrium, the Empire's central planet. While some nations in Endless Universe possessed capitals, the Empire's sheer scale had led it to designate an entire planet as its capital, around which everything else revolved. Upon reaching the space station, Hwa-ryun was overwhelmed by Centrium's grandeur. Having spent her time since starting the game at a remote military academy, she finally understood why the Empire stood as the most powerful nation in the universe.
"This is... truly impressive."
"Haha, everyone who visits the imperial capital for the first time reacts the same way. You're no exception."
Countless ships lined the docks, dwarfing anything she had seen at the academy's station. Gigano-class vessels—the largest she had encountered until now—were so numerous they seemed commonplace. She also spotted Grand-class ships and, scattered among them, the rare General-class carriers. The space station itself was enormous; from above, it resembled a city dozens of times larger than Incheon Airport.
Arpa naturally fell into step beside her and began explaining the schedule.
"First, we'll head to the imperial palace. His Majesty will personally offer words of encouragement to the newly commissioned officers who achieved outstanding results—including you. Think of it as a simple appointment ceremony."
"The Emperor himself?"
"Honestly, it's more of a ceremonial display than a real appointment. You can think of it as a social gathering. Nobles and power brokers from the outer planets attend to build connections, and central nobles gather regularly as well. This event is one of several held throughout the year."
"Understood. Is there anything I need to prepare?"
"Just bring your dress uniform. Even if it's mostly for show, the main purpose is to honor the military personnel, including you. Though... I must admit, I'd like to see you in a dress sometime. Haha."
"...Your jokes are excessive, sir."
"We'll go to the lodging first. After tomorrow's ceremony, we'll depart immediately for Brunhild Planet."
Riding a vehicle resembling a subway train from the space station, Hwa-ryun felt a sense of wonder. Whether it used magnetic levitation or some other power source, the craft moved without the slightest vibration, yet the view from the windows made its incredible speed obvious. Experiencing the Empire's technology firsthand, Hwa-ryun reflected on her role in Endless Universe and resolved to master these advancements as well.
Arpa's group proceeded directly to the Empire's military medical facility to have their injuries from the attack examined. Hwa-ryun was cleared without issue, but several squad members remained for treatment. The rest headed straight to the hotel, where they finally enjoyed a brief respite—Hwa-ryun included.
The more she researched the Omega Empire, the more impressed she became. The same held true for the Federation opposing it and the neutral planets maintaining their independence. Determined to gather intelligence for Kang-hyun's sake, Hwa-ryun had honed her information-gathering skills at the academy. Now, with access to top-tier devices, she collected vast amounts of data as if being rewarded for her efforts.
Sipping the finest wine in her futuristic hotel room, Hwa-ryun pondered Endless Universe's potential success and once again marveled at just how extraordinary her senior, Na Yu-ran, truly was.
"If this launches officially... it could shatter National One's revenue records."
Manipulating her device and organizing translucent windows visible only to her, Hwa-ryun continued her research and information gathering until dawn, when sleep finally claimed her.
The next day, while checking her dress uniform after receiving Arpa's summons, her device chimed with an incoming call.
"It's time, Lieutenant Hwa-ryun. Come down to the hotel lobby."
"Understood, Lord Arpa."
When Hwa-ryun arrived in the lobby, Arpa regarded her in the dress uniform and offered a compliment.
"The uniform suits you well, Lieutenant Hwa-ryun. I'm looking forward to seeing you in a dress as well. Haha."
"...Thank you. Your formal attire suits you as well, Lord Arpa."
"Thank you. Let's move."
"Yes."
Leaving the hotel, they boarded a vehicle resembling a limousine but floating through the air without wheels. Hwa-ryun rode with Arpa toward the imperial palace.
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"This is the imperial palace."
The palace took the form of a massive pyramid, entirely unlike the architecture of the Central Plains. Arriving in the self-levitating limousine, Hwa-ryun gazed upon the Omega Empire's palace, where humanity's vision of future technology was on full display, and wondered where Cindy and Su-a might be staying.
We agreed not to discuss the game much in reality, but... this is rather intriguing.
Arpa extended his hand—calloused and far larger than her own.
"Lieutenant Hwa-ryun, would you do me the honor of escorting me?"
"...Gladly, Vice Corps Commander."
"Haha. Thank you."
After passing the security check at the palace entrance, Hwa-ryun placed her pale, slender hand in Arpa's palm. For a moment, she studied his hand before thinking to herself:
It's different from my brother-in-law's hand... but not unpleasant.
This was the first time she had held a man's hand since starting Endless Universe. Compared to the men she had known before, Arpa's hand felt impossibly large and powerful. A faint sense of guilt stirred within her as she grasped a hand that was not Kang-hyun's, yet she entered the palace alongside him.
Inside, Hwa-ryun joined the other officers and nobles in the central hall for the commissioning ceremony. The word "Emperor" briefly brought Heon Baek-young to mind—the man who, despite using contraception, had been the first to accept a man other than Yoo Kang-hyun. Though he was merely an NPC in a game, he had left a deep impression on her.
However, the Empire's Emperor was nothing like she had imagined. He possessed dignity and authority, yet he did not strike her as someone capable of leading the universe's most powerful nation.
"His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Leihar von Omega IV, and Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Ariel von Omega, are now entering!"
At the herald's announcement, the Emperor and Empress appeared. When Hwa-ryun saw the Empress standing beside her husband, she caught her breath. The woman's beauty was breathtaking. Drawing from her experience with Changcheon Murim, Hwa-ryun immediately recognized her as a key conquest target essential to progressing through the game.
With violet hair, sharp purple eyes, and an elegant dress that accentuated her voluptuous figure—particularly her massive breasts—the Empress radiated an overwhelming presence. Many nobles gazed at her with undisguised desire.
She's not quite on par with my sister... but she's an incredibly beautiful NPC.
"What has you so entranced? Kukuk."
"...She is truly beautiful. But... not as much as the people I know."
"...People, plural. How intriguing."
"You may meet them someday. I'm certain of it."
"I look forward to it."
After the Emperor's lengthy speech, the predictable commissioning ceremony concluded swiftly. The subsequent proceedings moved efficiently, and soon the banquet began. As evening had already passed, guests enjoyed food and drinks while nobles circulated to advance their political agendas. This was familiar territory for Hwa-ryun, who had attended many such events in Changcheon Murim.
She accompanied Arpa in greeting the nobles. His position was even higher than she had realized; with the Epsilon Legion's commander absent, Arpa's role had grown significantly in importance.
Come to think of it... who is the commander of the Epsilon Legion?
Information on military personnel was restricted from public channels due to security protocols, so she couldn't access it even with her device. Still, she would naturally learn the answer tomorrow, so it wasn't a pressing concern.
The social gathering continued until dawn. When Arpa briefly stepped away, numerous nobles approached Hwa-ryun to request dances—dukes, marquesses, counts, barons, viscounts, and their heirs alike. She politely declined them all with a blank expression. Fortunately, while they resented Arpa's presence, none sought retaliation.
As the party wound down and many nobles departed, Arpa mentioned having business to attend to and left as well. Hwa-ryun stepped outside into the empty garden and began strolling through it.
Admiring the flora of this new world, she paused upon hearing faint moans from the garden's center.
"Hngh... ha... Lord Arpa... haa..."
Somehow, this situation feels familiar... Sigh.
She sighed and turned to leave, only to notice a slight dampness in her lower garments.
"?!... Why all of a sudden...?"
Unbeknownst to her, the pent-up sexual desire from being separated from Kang-hyun had triggered the adult game's system, causing her body to react without her awareness.
After a moment's hesitation, curiosity about the source of the moans prompted her to move quietly toward the sound. It wasn't difficult to locate. The noises grew clearer as she approached a secluded area of the garden.
Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap!
"Huuu! M-more♥!! Hngh!"
"Even a noblewoman's cunt is just as vulgar! Kuhahaha!"
"Kyaaah!"
Squelch... drip...
Squelch! Squelch! Squelch!
Hiding behind foliage to observe, Hwa-ryun covered her mouth in shock. The man was none other than her superior, Arpa—and the woman was the Empress she had seen only moments ago. Arpa gripped Empress Ariel's body roughly, their movements producing wet, obscene sounds as her fluids dripped down his legs.
?!?! What... what is this???
Confronted with an unimaginable scene, Hwa-ryun's mind went blank.