SWNOVELXO Chapter 136
By midday, the battle that had started in the morning had largely concluded. Just six hours after the war began, the Holy Kingdom of Roifana offered an unconditional surrender to the invading Sakura Imperial Kingdom.
Meanwhile, on the resource planet Zerad, the battlefield for this conflict, the initial clash had left the Zerad government forces devastated. Their commanding officer, Governor-General Angraeus, had gone MIA (Missing in Action). This collapse led the planet’s capital defense forces to capitulate. Even before the formal surrender was announced by the leaders on the capital planet, Colonel Syrup, the orchestrator of the coup and deputy governor, declared the subjugation of the capital city in a public speech.
“…Incredible. The entire sky is covered with spaceships.”
Hovering over the skies of the capital city, centered around the towering orbital elevator that stretched like a pillar of light into the heavens, were massive warships of the Sakura Imperial Kingdom.
While Yuzu and Eri—imperial citizens—went about their tasks unperturbed, the hotel’s Zerad-native staff occasionally stole glances upward, evidently as distracted as I was by the awe-inspiring view.
According to Yuzu, high-ranking officials from the Imperial Kingdom had already descended to Zerad and were conducting negotiations at the planetary administration building.
The residential Area 1, where Hotel Rose (and I) were located, had been placed under direct imperial control. It seemed my near future involved being discreetly escorted by Yuzu and Eri off-planet and into space.
“Lord Nias is also expected to ascend to space soon. Would you like to meet him beforehand?”
The forced relocation and exploitation of the planet’s populace for mining had earned the Zerad government the disdain of the majority labor class, who comprised the bulk of its population. With the government’s downfall, these people rejoiced, celebrating the removal of what they considered a thorn in their side.
While the post-war cleanup was well underway on the surface, behind the scenes, a secretive evacuation plan was being orchestrated for Nias—dubbed the “Eternal Witch”—and myself. Apparently, Nias was to ascend to space ahead of me.
“What about Renekt?”
Having not seen Nias for over a month, I felt a desire to meet her before her departure. After requesting Yuzu arrange such an opportunity, I turned to Eri, now standing in for the absent Yuzu, and inquired about another acquaintance: Renekt.
“Oh, Lord Renekt has decided to remain on this planet,” Eri replied after a brief pause. Glancing at her terminal, she added, “I’ve heard she intends to join the newly formed Zerad government military as an officer.”
“A soldier?”
“Yes. From what I understand, Lord Renekt declined offers to join us as a senior agent, despite her connections with you and Lady Nias. Instead, she requested a position as a noncommissioned officer in the new Zerad government military.”
Eri explained that initially, Renekt had been approached with a senior officer offer, given her association with me and her evident skills. However, she had turned it down, expressing a wish to contribute to the newly established Zerad military instead.
“The Gaia Lizard species to which Lord Renekt belongs isn’t exactly unique to Zerad but is rare,” Eri continued thoughtfully. “Perhaps she felt a certain obligation or resolve regarding her future here.”
“I suppose that makes sense.”
After all, Nias and I are both human.
Though differing in language, culture, and appearance, we share a common species, capable of marriage and procreation. Renekt’s species, the Gaia Lizards, however, are far less populous and largely confined to Zerad and neighboring planets. In distant systems like the α12 galaxy, humanoid reptilian species are scarce, making her an anomaly.
Whether or not Renekt felt this way, I couldn’t deny she would likely feel out of place elsewhere.
Though our impending separation felt abrupt, it wasn’t as if we’d be saying a final goodbye. With access to communication devices like the Access Gear and the Moon Gate’s teleportation capabilities, visiting each other would be a simple matter.
The thought eased the unease in my heart, clearing away the lingering melancholy.
(…I’ve really grown attached, haven’t I?)
It had only been a month since meeting Nias and Renekt.
In terms of familiarity, the mercenary group from Asphial’s world had been with me far longer. Yet, whether due to the complete isolation I felt upon arriving in this future world or the secrets we’d shared—like sheltering a galactic fugitive—it felt as though I’d formed an unusually strong bond with them in such a short time.
(Maybe Renekt really is the closest thing I have to a true friend here.)
Colleagues like Saioji and Akira were just that—colleagues. Even Sakakibara, though amicable, held a status so far removed from mine that calling him a friend felt wrong.
Aria and Eurua were practically family, while KAEDE was more of a loyal attendant.
Renekt, however, was different. Among my acquaintances, she stood as a peer, someone I could call a friend without reservations.
“In all honesty, it’s rare for non-humans to hold officer positions in a national military,” Eri said frankly. “From a pragmatic standpoint, her new role as a mid-ranking officer in the Zerad government military is a wise choice, avoiding backlash while holding a respectable position.”
“…”
Eri’s candidness about the latent prejudice against non-humans in the Imperial Kingdom wasn’t unwelcome, though it left a bitter taste.
The discrimination wasn’t overt slavery as it was under Zerad’s previous regime, but the barriers to non-humans achieving prominence were clearly still present.
I could only nod silently, acknowledging this reality as I absorbed her words.