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Chapter 636: Tehen (1)
“Are these lunatics seriously threatening a planet-ship?”
As Yeongwoo frowned, Earth shrugged her shoulders.
『Well… they have the power to back it up? You said they’re a family that’s extrely famous across the universe.』
Salzeo.
A prestigious cosmic house infamous for always taking revenge, no matter what.
The fact that they had already chased them all the way to Tehen in less than a day ant they were that enraged.
In other words, the mont they returned to Tehen, a battle was almost guaranteed.
“We’ve never fought a fleet battle before… Is it really okay if our first opponent is Salzeo…?”
Jeonggu voiced his opinion in a worry-filled tone.
And it was a very valid concern.
Weren’t they in the middle of deliberately running away precisely because it was too early to face Salzeo’s fleet head-on?
—You’re going to fight Salzeo already? That’s suicide. It’s unfortunate for Tehen, but it’d be better to ignore that threat. Send them different coordinates and tell them to fight you there instead. That should at least buy you so ti.
The arms dealer Koatu also expressed great concern about engaging Salzeo.
Jiseon, on the other hand, said,
—No, you’re suggesting we run away even though Tehen is being held hostage? The only reason they’re furious is purely because of us.
“That’s true.”
All Tehen had done in this whole affair was grant the request of Yeongwoo’s party, who had shown up unilaterally.
Thanks to Yeongwoo they had regained Madam Kanaph Izori, but if the entire planet were destroyed in the end, what would be the point?
—It’s not like we’re guaranteed to lose if we go. We should at least try fighting once. Abandoning Tehen and running away makes no sense.
Unlike Koatu, Jiseon strongly insisted on heading to Tehen.
They had already caused trouble for Tehen as it was; they couldn’t just leave everyone there to die.
Of course, the final decision rested with Yeongwoo.
“I don’t want Tehen to be destroyed either. But throwing our lives away aninglessly isn’t wise either.”
After saying this, Yeongwoo asked Mantero, who had been silently occupying the captain’s seat:
“What do you think, Acting Captain? Do we have any chance of winning if we clash with Salzeo’s fleet?”
Mantero rose from the captain’s chair and looked out into space.
—This is only my inference, but the fleet stationed at Tehen is unlikely to be Salzeo’s main force.
“Not the main force?”
—Yes. Ti-wise, there’s no way their main fleet could already have arrived at Tehen. It’s probably an advance detachnt from a branch near the Ryuupa Galaxy, where Tehen belongs.
“An advance detachnt… Then would it be around the sa level as the vanguard we encountered last ti?”
—I’m not thoroughly familiar with Salzeo’s overall strength, so it’s hard to predict that far. But it will certainly be smaller than their main force. That doesn’t an they’ll be an easy opponent, though.
“Then… what are the odds that we can run away mid-battle?”
—There’s a relay tunnel open in Ryupa, so if we chain together several interstellar jumps, we should be able to shake off an advance force.
In other words, victory in battle was uncertain, but escape was possible.
—However… if we end up in full retreat, the aftermath will fall upon Tehen. And even if we do win…
Since the Earth-Ship couldn’t remain docked at Tehen forever, Salzeo’s retaliation would one day fall upon Tehen regardless.
That was why Yeongwoo could only nod.
“Tehen is basically finished either way. For people on Salzeo’s level, a small planet like Tehen isn’t much of an obstacle.”
—Then what are you planning to do?
At this, Yeongwoo shrugged.
“What choice do we have? Let’s take everyone aboard.”
—Excuse …?
—What do you an by ‘take everyone’?
Mantero and Jiseon both exclaid in surprise at the sa ti.
Yeongwoo, however, remained calm.
“If we leave them behind, they’re as good as dead anyway, right? Tehen has quite a few ship technicians too, so let’s just bring them in. In the end, all that remains is land.”
At those words, everyone present gaped.
It was a bold decision that was impossible not to be shocked by, yet it also made sense.
“You said they’re already struggling just to get by, didn’t you? Of course, abandoning their ho planet won’t be pleasant, but it’s better than having their entire lineage wiped out.”
At this, Earth rolled her eyes once and said:
『If we really do that, territory won’t be a problem. Tehen’s population isn’t that large to begin with.』
“So Earth is about to gain a Frog Domain.”
Following Seoul’s Guro District, where the Red-Foot tribe had settled, a second non-human residential zone was about to be created.
“Contact Tehen first. Tell them to gather all residents in one place.”
『Understood. This will beco our first rescue operation in history.』
A rescue operation.
At Earth’s choice of words, the tense expressions on everyone’s faces eased slightly.
After all, “rescue operation” sounded far more hopeful than “charging into certain death.”
—A rescue operation… not bad. In any case, isn’t that more righteous than robbery?
As Jiseon let out a faint smile while saying this, Yeongwoo gave Mantero an order.
“Then let’s head straight to Tehen. Find a black hole that leads there. Let’s barge in instantly and catch them off guard.”
—Understood. I’ll start searching for a route imdiately.
* * *
Returning to Tehen.
They would first clash with Salzeo’s fleet, but in an ergency they would evacuate Tehen’s residents.
Once a plan of sorts had been established, Yeongwoo felt his mind grow considerably lighter.
On top of that, the black hole that led directly near Tehen wasn’t far from their current location.
—It’s a black hole called Serdai. It has a na as well this ti.
Mantero found the black hole quickly, and Yeongwoo imdiately gave the departure order.
“Let’s go right away. Full speed.”
—Understood.
With Mantero’s reply, the Earth-Ship once again began cutting through space.
“By the way, Acting Captain, will you really be okay? You’re basically handling this entire battle alone.”
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—I’ve never fought a fleet engagent with a planet-ship, but I do have considerable experience with standard fleet combat.
“Oh, really?”
—Fleet combat experience and nurous combat flights are basic qualifications for a chief navigator.
“Ah, right. You used to be a royal navigator.”
Mantero.
Chief Navigator of the Delcen Royal Family.
Perhaps Yeongwoo had been underestimating Mantero too much.
After all, he was soone the royal family had entrusted with heavy responsibilities.
He was even the one a prince had chosen as the aide to help him escape.
“Then all that’s left is to hope the fleet stationed at Tehen is small.”
—That’s right. They couldn’t have sent their main force in ti, but they likely brought enough troops to make capture possible.
“Capture us?”
—Since we landed a direct hit on the vanguard commander’s ship… they’ll definitely want to see our faces in person. And also—
“What else is there?”
—During the last engagent, they may have noticed that we didn’t have any secondary guns. We didn’t use them even once.
That was only natural, since they truly hadn’t had any secondary guns.
“Ah, then isn’t that actually good for us? In the anti we’ve stocked up on tons of secondary guns, so we’re much stronger than they expect, right?”
—I can only hope so. There’s a chance Salzeo is misjudging us.
Mantero chose his words with great caution.
Yeongwoo, on the other hand, was barely worried at all.
“This is a good chance to test how practical ramming is too. We even reinforced the shields, so it’s perfect timing.”
—…….
While exchanging this out-of-sync conversation, the Earth-Ship flew for about two more hours.
Until it reached the black hole Serdai, located on the outskirts of the Pemu Galaxy.
Serdai looked almost identical in appearance to the black holes they had seen before, but it was slightly smaller.
“Am I imagining things? It feels a bit smaller than the other black holes.”
—Black holes do vary significantly in size.
“Then since it’s smaller, maybe its personality will be less temperantal…?”
—…That I can’t say. But I don’t think there’s any correlation.
“Then the fastest way is to et it. Move straight ahead.”
—Understood.
Following Yeongwoo’s instructions, the Earth-Ship entered Serdai’s domain, and just like before, the surroundings were instantly dyed in darkness.
Swoooooosh!
It was then that a circular statue appeared in the distance.
‘Ah, so each black hole has its own symbol.’
The pattern was starting to beco clear.
It was possible only because this was already their third contact with black holes.
“Um… sir, are you there?”
In the darkness, Yeongwoo called out toward the distant statue.
Then—
Rrrrk.
The circular statue rotated backward, revealing the figure of the black hole Serdai seated on the opposite side.
‘Ah, it was a throne.’
What Yeongwoo had thought was a statue was actually the back of a throne.
However, while the overall shape of the chair was heavy like a throne, it had none of the ornate patterns one would expect.
● So you are the one who carries a celestial body upon your back. I had heard of you long ago.
Serdai was a pitch-black spider covered in short fur, clutching the throne with eight legs.
“Y-You’ve… heard of ?”
At the unexpected line, Yeongwoo blinked.
Serdai’s eight eyes shone white as it spoke.
● You made a promise… to Tesache, did you not?
“Ah.”
Yeongwoo pressed his forehead.
Rumors of that oath he had to keep every hundred years had already spread this far.
‘Don’t tell all black holes know about this?’
While Yeongwoo was thinking that, Serdai continued.
● Then the reason you have co to us must also be because you need a ‘passage.’
“…Yes, that’s right, sir.”
Serdai then recited the very words Yeongwoo had been worried about.
● In that case, make a promise with us as well.
“A promise…?”
● Every hundred years, co visit us too, and tell us an interesting story.
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