Chapter 147
Chapter 147
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: A Rare Day Off
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# 147
I never imagined I could whip up something with this level of polish.
It was like the heavens were aligning—ideas flashing into my head and slotting perfectly together.
“The virtual simulation’s done. I couldn’t actually fabricate it since I don’t have the equipment here.”
“We can do it right here. If animal trials succeed, we can jump straight to clinicals. Build a factory, and we might start production in under three months.”
“...We haven’t even started yet. Isn’t that jumping the gun?”
I asked, a bit worried.
Even though I’d produced something I rated highly myself, I couldn’t shake the anxiety that it might just be a figment of my imagination until I showed it to Fontana.
Plus, this was medicine.
Any potential side effects meant we’d need extended clinical trials, more depth, and a wider range of cases.
“Jumping the gun? President, have some confidence in yourself. This isn’t like last time’s basic concepts—the theoretical completion here is flawless. If I hadn’t known better, I’d have thought it was already in commercialization trials.”
Fontana said that, then turned back to the documents.
“There’s a lot of other good stuff here too. A few we should start researching right away.”
“Need more research staff?”
“Yeah. The problem is I’m worried it’ll get annoying. Announce this, and it’ll be chaos again.”
Common trauma or illness? Manageable.
But layer on alien contamination, and treatment difficulty skyrockets.
If we could effectively neutralize that contamination, soldier survival rates would soar.
The trauma med did the same.
Sure, labeled a “trauma” treatment, but it excelled at internal injuries and detoxification too.
Effects were immediate, usage simple.
Drink it, apply to the wound—harmless either way.
Shared components with the contamination neutralizer meant synergy if used together, making it another huge boost to survival rates.
‘Yeah, it’ll cause a storm.’
And that wasn’t all.
These could double as civilian meds.
Contamination neutralizers would be a godsend for civilians suffering contamination or retired soldiers. The trauma treatment? A pricey but essential first-aid staple.
Now I was starting to worry.
The energy amplifier had no competition—a whole new dimension.
But pharma? A brutal battlefield where heavyweights fought over the pie for ages.
Luckily, the mutant corp dominating pharma had crumbled recently.
Now second-tier firms, suppressed before, were scavenging the scraps, bulking up, and sniping at each other.
‘Not too much pushback, hopefully.’
They’d be shocked to hear Salmon Lab encroaching on their turf.
Without early sabotage, efficacy alone could carve out market share.
“Hmm? What’ll you do?”
“One more favor, Director.”
I grinned sheepishly, and Fontana’s face fell.
“...Sigh. I can hear the workload piling up.”
“Take a vacation. People need to rest.”
“The guy who thinks that dumps this on me.”
“Haha, it can wait. Your health comes first.”
“Easy for you...”
Fontana shot me a glare, but a smile lingered on his lips.
His hands were already busy running simulations—born scientist through and through.
*
After two days wrapping up business, we headed to York Planet.
Biggest goal on Terra? Secured—all the energy amplifiers for secondary batteries.
Military supply versions boosted 40%; ours, 60% cutting-edge, handcrafted one by one with the lab’s meager gear.
Next: Haul them to Monarchu Dock Station for refit.
Higher output meant bulkier units—tedious work and redesigns ahead—but Yuri Monarch accepted gladly.
“Leonard!!”
“Bro.”
“You’re here! No trouble on the way? Heart dropped when I heard about the incident, but seeing you safe... relief.”
We docked, and Yuri Monarch rushed over, practically flying, enveloping me.
Words poured like machine-gun fire.
‘After all I’ve done for him.’
Last time, Yuri had asked a favor.
Score a 5th-grade or higher hatchery core for a presumed Behemoth-class battleship.
Fulfill it, and the finished ship was mine.
No skin off my back.
House Monarch hadn’t lost their tech entirely.
Just lacked facilities to use it—and their expertise topped any other house.
Yuri’s plan: Upgrade those facilities with advanced tech.
Viable odds.
So I handed over cores from Qubillion and Paradaisos.
One early 5th-grade; the other, a 6th-grade boosted by infected lord power.
No wonder Yuri was buzzing.
“This is it!”
I showed him the energy amplifiers.
“Big, right?”
“Nah, not that bad. Shrink the shock-absorption gaps a bit, and it’ll fit.”
He proved why he was a Meister.
Pulled up the ship’s blueprints on-site and tweaked them flawlessly.
‘That easy...?’
Ship designs are insanely complex and precise.
Even from House Monarch, it was impressive.
“For security, we’ll head to the inner dock. Takes time, so come back later.”
“Can’t watch?”
“No issue, but boring. All repetitive grunt work.”
“Ah, then...”
“Don’t sweat it. This much between us?”
Yuri grinned.
“Come see that later.”
“...Oh, that?”
“Way different from last time. Smooth sailing, done in three years?”
“Great.”
“You benefit most. It’s yours now.”
Following Yuri, I piloted into the inner dock.
My old Sheila-class sat docked nearby.
“Fixed that one already. Need to scoot midway? She’s yours.”
“No issues?”
“Issues? Beat to hell. No way a seven-month-new model.”
“Haha...”
No words.
This ship saw nonstop combat.
Multiple incidents daily routine; high-grade hatchery raids meant endless hits.
Barriers aren’t invincible.
They don’t absorb everything.
Unchecked cumulative damage twists the hull.
‘Maintenance crew wasn’t exaggerating.’
No wonder their faces always looked drained.
*
Arrived York Planet, greeted by a leisurely morning for once.
Slept three whole hours, opened the window—birdsong flooded my ears.
Soothing; I listened awhile until the door burst open.
“Lemon! Up?”
Roje.
Dressed to head out already, raring to go.
“What’s with the morning racket.”
Merdi followed, looking sharp-edged—probably woken by Roje’s stomping.
But spotting me, she flinched.
“Why’re you half-naked?”
“...Huh?”
Only then did I realize: just in underwear.
First time skipping the sleep pod for a real bed in ages—I’d forgotten stripping down.
“Put something on, quick.”
“Hey, this is my room.”
If it bugs you, leave. Why stand there griping?
Roje was straight-up admiring, grinning.
“Nice bod. Not even chubby.”
“...Not bad.”
I grabbed clothes, dressed, headed out.
Servants spotted us, bowed greetings.
Nodded back, made for the dining hall.
‘Quiet.’
This was a annex at the main estate.
Annex or not, bigger than a luxury country home, with vast gardens.
Planned to stay elsewhere at first, but they insisted—no letting visiting kin crash outside.
Good call, ultimately.
Fully separate space: No awkward faces unless we ventured out. Pure relaxation.
“Feels like ages since real rest.”
First true vacation since arriving this world.
Gazing at the green fields and trees out front soothed my soul.
“...Ack!”
Roje suddenly leaped, pouncing something by the stream.
She lifted it carefully: frog.
“Look at this.”
“Don’t torment it. Let go.”
“Eek! Tongue-attacked me.”
Chaos erupted.
Roje poking the frog’s belly got her nose licked.
Merdi scowled since spotting it; when Roje’s dropped frog leaped at her face, she reflexively unleashed psyker power.
Frog electrocution ended the brief mayhem.
“Tasty, huh?”
“...You eat that?”
“Try some, Merdi. Want a leg?”
“Nah, I’m good.”
I took the proffered leg beside protesting Merdi, popped it in.
“Tasty. Delicacy.”
“Right?”
Perfectly crisped.
But Merdi watching us had an odd look.
Subtle mix of emotions.
“Hungry? Let’s eat.”
“...Not that!”
Breakfast at the annex, then off the main estate.
Waiting chauffeur loaded us, drove to downtown.
Pure sightseeing today—no work—back to annex after.
“Look over there!”
Roje’s excited voice rang nonstop.
Thrilled by the outing, extra bouncy.
Merdi barely sniped today either.
‘Rest, huh...’
Trying to unwind after constant tension felt vacant, awkward.
Unaccustomed.
Today was booked solid originally.
Tour Horizon Space Aviation school, check incoming supplies—pre-launch to-do mountain.
Roje made this possible.
“Heehee!”
Downtown, car stopped.
Walking, Roje hooked my arm.
Glanced: Other arm dragging Merdi.
“Let’s go!”
“Uncomfy. Let go.”
“Nope. We’re one today. No skipping, Merdi.”
Stubborn shake of the head.
Merdi twisted free a few times, then gave up, relented.
“Where to?”
“Everywhere in sight!”
Roje probably saw the city as treasure island.
Grew up isolated rural pre-academy—plausible.
Few urban chances since, but not enough to indulge fully.
“...Sigh, just don’t act too country.”
Merdi met my eyes, nodded reluctantly.
“Yay!”
Roje whooped, hauling us along by force.
Then: whirlwind.
Anywhere catching her eye, she dragged us in. Merdi spotted interests? Inspected, bought without hesitation.
Without attendants, I’d be suffocating under bags by now.
Everyone stamina monsters—out since dawn, past lunch, no quit.
“What’s up? Gut clock busted?”
“Oh yeah!”
Roje clutched her stomach at Merdi’s words.
Sent me pleading puppy eyes.
“Lemon, hungry...”
“Top floor. Good spot.”
Servant tailing us booked it ahead—not my prep, but if ready, fine.
But at the restaurant... awkward encounter.
“Long time.”
Veil Monarch, dining in the corner, greeted first.