[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 506: Earthlings (3)

"A 'great warrior'? You're quite the amusing one,"

Herisa laughed heartily at Yeongwoo’s words.

Apparently, her version of "Earth" also had the word "great warrior."

"You must’ve had fun teasing the aliens with that. But I’m content with the title of Chancellor."

She let Yeongwoo’s statement flow past like water.

Meanwhile, Yeongwoo couldn’t take his eyes off the stack of money on the table and muttered as if hypnotized,

"Indeed... Lady He— I mean, Chancellor Herisa."

Then he quickly collected himself.

"I heard you go around collecting Earthlings."

He was bringing up what Via had told him earlier.

At this, Herisa laughed loudly again, covering her mouth halfway with her multicolored prosthetic arm.

"You really do have a talent for storytelling. But rather than ‘collecting,’ I’d say I observe them. My fellow Earthlings."

"Observe your kind?"

"Of course. Aren’t you curious, Mr. Yeongwoo? About how other Earthlings scattered throughout the universe are living?"

As she said this, Herisa swept her non-prosthetic arm to the side.

Immediately, the metal walls surrounding them turned transparent, revealing the view of outer space.

Fwaaah—!

"In this vast and harsh universe... to learn that we weren’t the only humans out there—it was a shocking revelation for me."

As she pronounced “vast and harsh universe,” her prosthetic hand reflexively flicked its index finger.

From that, Yeongwoo could tell that her right arm hadn’t been replaced with a mysterious prosthetic for pleasant reasons.

It was likely connected to that "harsh universe" she just spoke of.

So Yeongwoo decided to hold off on asking about the prosthetic for now and instead played along with her words.

After all, the 5 billion in front of him made that easy.

"I… only realized after coming here that the inhabitants of other Earths are all human too."

"Fascinating, isn’t it?"

Herisa looked at Yeongwoo intently.

Then, shifting her gaze back toward space, she continued.

"But not every Earth is connected to the universe. Most of the Earths I found were in a locked state."

"Locked?"

"They hadn’t undergone the planetary trials yet. So they weren’t connected to the universe, and we couldn’t make contact either."

According to her, such Earths usually had underdeveloped civilizations or were still in eras before humans had even emerged.

"Then what happened to the other Earths that were unlocked?"

Of course, Yeongwoo could already guess, based on what Via had told him.

Herisa soon confirmed his assumption.

"Unfortunately, most of them either lost their planetary sovereignty or were wiped out during the planetary trials."

"..."

"As a species, humans don’t have particularly superior physical capabilities."

So even if they passed the planetary trials, they often lost their sovereignty in the process of opening their world to the universe—that was her explanation.

"Then the other humans working here on this station… they're essentially refugees."

"Yes. More than half of them come from different Earths. I tried to save as many as I could… but it wasn’t easy."

Feeding and housing people costs an enormous amount of money.

And ferrying all those people through a treacherous universe requires immense power.

‘In a broad sense, she really is caring for her kin.’

A businesswoman earning money to rescue humans scattered across the cosmos... In a way, Chancellor Herisa was a remarkably virtuous person.

"Then... you came looking for me as part of this ‘observing fellow Earthlings’ mission?"

When Yeongwoo asked this, Herisa’s expression turned more complex than before.

"I only learned of your planet-ship's departure by chance. We were using a planet in the lower galaxy as a supply base at the time."

"Ah."

Hearing this, Yeongwoo finally understood why Herisa hadn’t been present when the noble families of the lower galaxy had gathered.

Her family wasn’t rooted in that region of the galaxy to begin with.

"I come from an Earth far, far away—much farther than you’d expect. And I’ve been traveling for a long time."

She added that she had already been moving toward the galaxy containing Yeongwoo’s Earth long ago, which was why she was able to arrive so quickly.

"Typical ships and stations, unlike planet-ships, can’t travel across star systems quickly or repeatedly."

"So even using relay zones, you’d still have to move slowly?"

"That’s a simple way to put it. Regular ships can only make repeated jumps within planetary systems."

So realistically, it’s common to mix planetary, stellar, and—under special conditions—galactic travel to get around.

That’s also why no one has ever experienced the entirety of the universe.

"...Then even you haven’t observed every Earth in the universe."

"Of course not. The Earths I’ve discovered are just a tiny fraction."

"How many have you found so far?"

He threw out a guess—maybe around ten.

But the answer that came back far surpassed his expectations.

"One hundred and forty-eight."

"...What?"

"In the past 41 years, I’ve discovered 148 Earths."

Then she pointed her multicolored prosthetic at Yeongwoo.

"And now, I suppose you make the 149th. Though technically, it's still 148 planets."

She was pointing out that Yeongwoo’s Earth was a planet-ship.

"...That’s insane."

"I’ve spent my whole life looking for Earths. So to me, 148 is natural. What’s truly insane is—"

Herisa stopped mid-sentence, raised her chin slightly, and gestured toward Yeongwoo.

"What? What is?"

"You. And your planet-ship. You’re the truly unbelievable one. Out of all the Earths I’ve encountered, yours is by far the most extraordinary."

"But you’re an Earthling too. You’ve already seen and done so much..."

"I’ve lived in this universe for 41 years. But how long has it been for you?"

"..."

Yeongwoo had no response.

His own Earth, |l||I-Earth, was just finishing its 9th day since the reset.

"That’s why I had to meet you. I was dying to know what kind of person this Earthling was."

Herisa finally revealed her true thoughts.

"And I was curious about the future of your planet-ship. There are still many people inside it, aren’t there?"

That was likely her real reason.

Her life’s mission was to find Earthlings scattered across the universe and care for them.

And this time, she’d found an Earth that wasn’t made up of refugees.

An Earth that had evolved into a planet-ship thanks to the leadership of a single individual.

‘So that’s why she came to meet me first, instead of contacting the residents. My character directly affects the well-being of everyone aboard.’

By now, Yeongwoo was starting to understand.

This meeting wasn’t just prompted by Herisa’s blind compassion for her kind.

‘Wait a sec… Did she call me here planning to kill me if necessary?’

Come to think of it, it was odd that no one, not even Via, had stepped foot inside the chancellor’s office.

This room was a meeting room—and also potentially an execution chamber.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, Herisa didn’t seem to have any hostile intent at the moment.

Perhaps Yeongwoo simply hadn’t reached the threshold of what she considered “evil.”

‘But I mean… I’m basically a glorified bandit.’

If she found out that the owner of the planet-ship planned to keep feeding its people through charity-disguised robbery…

"Hmm."

Yeongwoo cleared his throat and glanced around the dark interior of the chancellor’s office.

"By the way… I heard about another Earthling. Have you met this person, Chancellor?"

Yeongwoo subtly changed the topic, and luckily, Herisa played along.

"The one they say robs cargo at the edges of the universe?"

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

She referred to him clearly as that person.

"That person? You’ve met them?"

Of course, there was no way someone like her, who had spent 41 years searching for Earthlings, wouldn’t know the borderland tale even Yeongwoo had heard of.

But contrary to expectations, Herisa shook her head from side to side.

“He’s someone I’d very much like to meet someday… but I’ve never seen him in person.”

“You’ve been searching for Earthlings for 41 years, and yet you’ve never met him?”

At that, a phrase similar to what the delivery driver had said spilled from Herisa’s lips.

“The borderlands of the universe are as vast as the universe’s diameter. Even if I had spent my entire life looking only for that person in the borderlands instead of Earth, it wouldn’t have been easy.”

“Tch.”

Yeongwoo was overcome with a sense of futility.

That meant someone even more exceptional than him could exist among Earthlings in the universe.

How powerful must one be to rob travelers in the borderlands of the universe?

And to still be alive while doing it.

Yeongwoo decided to ask something that had been on his mind for a while.

“What exactly is this ‘borderland of the universe’? I’ve heard people talk about upper and lower universes.”

Herisa had lived through this universe 41 years longer than he had.

So Yeongwoo assumed she would know the answer.

And soon, she began to speak.

“Don’t bother thinking about the upper universe. Even in a lifetime of voyaging, you won’t manage to explore even a fraction of the lower universe.”

“But still, the upper universe… it exists, doesn’t it?”

“It’s not like a neatly divided upper and lower half of a galaxy. It’s more of a concept.”

“…A concept?”

“It’s not that the universe is split in two. Rather, there exists another realm that’s incredibly difficult to access. The beings of the universe just call that the upper universe.”

“Yet there’s a border?”

“It’s a part of space that cannot be crossed. That entire area is the borderland. Strictly speaking, it’s not even a ‘line’—just an unimaginably vast region.”

But since no one could pass through it, no one really knew what lay beyond it—that was Herisa’s explanation.

“But I heard there’s a delivery system that crosses to the upper universe?”

That was something Yeongwoo had heard directly from the space courier York.

Herisa let out a small laugh.

“Only transcendental beings can go into and come back from the upper universe. So most people guess that the world of the transcendents lies beyond the border. And perhaps…”

“There’s more?”

“They may be there as well.”

“Ah.”

Even Yeongwoo had to admit—that made sense.

“So ordinary people of the universe can’t cross the border?”

“Sometimes, rarely, delivery is conducted under the command of a transcendent. But I’ve never heard of anyone who crossed over and came back.”

“So only couriers with no intention of returning would accept that job.”

“They take it on for their family, their clan. But even that opportunity only comes once in several centuries, if that.”

Space was complicated.

Yeongwoo felt his mind spinning.

“And that’s why I believe—”

Herisa continued her thought.

“That person who supposedly lives in the borderlands is searching for a way into the upper universe.”

“…Why?”

“Maybe he’s looking for something. I’d love to meet him and ask directly… but since I don’t know how to break through the border myself, I’d just have everything taken from me.”

She smiled, the relaxed smile unique to the strong.

She didn’t seem to believe she’d lose, even if she met the infamous figure of the borderlands.

So Yeongwoo judged that now was the right time to talk about money.

“You’re already strong, already have so much. Why are you investing such a large sum in me?”

The best answer would have been ‘as a trust fund for the 149th Earthling,’ but reality was never that kind.

“Ah, that’s because I have a favor to ask. It’s something only a planetary ship master can do.”

“…And what is it?”

With that, Herisa pulled out a crimson envelope from her coat.

Rustle.

It was sealed with a multicolored wax stamp and looked as red as blood.

“Just take this to the coordinates I’ve specified and read its contents to the person there. Do that, and the 5 billion karmas are yours.”

“All I have to do is read the letter?”

Sensing something suspicious, Yeongwoo reached to open the envelope, but Herisa waved a hand to stop him.

“You mustn’t open the letter until you reach the destination. That’s a basic condition.”

“This is clearly shady.”

“It is shady.”

“…?”

“You think you’re the only crafty one in the universe? I’m human too. Compared to other species, we’re physically inferior. I’ve made it to where I am through sheer will and cunning.”

Then she pointed at the envelope with the tip of her prosthetic index finger.

“Once you read that letter at the designated location to the designated person, you’ll be in considerable danger.”

“That’s not something you say to the person doing the job.”

“But someone like you—no, someone who’s the master of a planetary ship—can handle it. That’s why I’m giving you the job.”

“You can’t even tell me what’s in the letter?”

“That’s what the 5 billion is for.”

“You…!”

He wanted to smash the table and storm out right then, but the table currently held bonds worth 5 billion karmas.

“That bond matures the moment you complete my request. So you won’t be cheated out of the money.”

“But I still have to do something completely unpredictable.”

“Aren’t you the embodiment of unpredictability in this universe?”

“…!”

She knew more about him than he expected.

And Yeongwoo couldn’t refute her final remark.

“The water you requested will arrive soon. If you’re going to take the investment, at least have a glass before you go.”

“And if I decline?”

“Then you’re free to go home. Still, if fate allows, I’m sure we’ll meet again.”

And sure enough, the office door opened, and Via Deroche came in carrying a tray with a glass of water on it.

“Make your decision. I’ll give you plenty of time.”

Herisa sank deep into her chair.

And in front of Yeongwoo, a full glass of water was placed.

If he drank it, he would be accepting the mission: to read an ominous letter in exchange for 5 billion karmas—an unpredictable task.

“…Damn it.”

Of course, Yeongwoo didn’t hesitate for long.

“Space sure dries your throat faster.”

And with that, he downed the glass in a single gulp.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]