ALL NOVEL Chapter 138
The orbital elevator ascended with a deep rumbling sound, climbing at an almost terrifying speed. Through the crystal-clear walls surrounding it, the vast expanse of the planet Zerad’s surface stretched out below, a landscape of reddish-brown terrain slowly curving into a sphere. The horizon, where sky and land met, glowed faintly, as if bathed in a pale blue halo.
Looking upward, the infinite darkness of space greeted the eye, with the orbital elevator’s central column radiating outward like an umbrella. Surrounding it, the Star Shield shimmered like an aurora, creating an ethereal, dreamlike panorama.
“So, this is space…”
For someone like me, who had grown up in the modern era, space had always seemed like an exclusive realm. Only a privileged few—billionaires or those who passed grueling aptitude tests—could venture beyond the atmosphere. Though private companies had recently begun to make strides toward commercial space travel, it still felt like a distant reality for someone like me.
“In this era as well, not many people travel to space. While it’s not difficult to get there if you have the money, most people never leave the planet they were born on, barring special circumstances,” Yuzu explained.
At the summit of the orbital elevator, a spherical structure floated as if inflated like a balloon. Surrounding it, massive Imperial starships docked in orderly formation.
“Is that so?” I asked.
“Yes. While space is awe-inspiring, it doesn’t hold a uniquely transformative experience for most people. That said, in the Empire’s primary schools, students take part in a program that involves riding the orbital elevator to space. This experience inspires many children to dream of becoming interplanetary transport captains or joining the Imperial Space Navy.”
Inside the spherical structure at the elevator’s peak, a sprawling space akin to a modern airport stretched out, with numerous gates lined up in neat rows. The ceiling displayed fan-shaped holograms showing flight schedules, though all flights were marked as canceled.
For now, I found myself in what could only be described as a high-end VIP lounge, sipping on a drink while gazing at the planet Zerad below. Since the spaceport was located far beyond the stratosphere, the planet’s outline was distinctly visible—its reddish terrain and smaller size made it resemble Mars more than Earth.
Separating the spaceport from Zerad itself was the Star Shield, an advanced barrier that gave the view an otherworldly quality, different from what I had imagined. Yet, the sight was undeniably breathtaking.
“Soon, Commander Minato will arrive,” Yuzu announced.
“Understood. You should head over to report to Eri. She’s in Block 3.”
As I marveled at the view, a man in an unfamiliar military uniform approached with a brisk, purposeful stride. The uniform was predominantly white with accents of blue and gold, adorned with medals and insignia that indicated his rank. His presence, combined with his imposing physique and rugged features, immediately identified him as an experienced Imperial officer.
Despite the man’s intimidating appearance, Yuzu addressed him with calm authority and issued her instructions without hesitation.
“—Understood,” Yuzu turned to me. “Allen-sama, please prepare to move to the designated venue.”
“Got it,” I replied, rising from the plush chair to follow her lead.
The Zerad Spaceport was divided into three primary tiers: the spaceport itself, a commercial district, and accommodations. Its unique layout, only possible in the weightlessness of space, was a labyrinth. Following Yuzu, I navigated through a maze of escalators that spiraled like a spider’s web, moving up and down to reach the commercial area.
The commercial zone resembled a futuristic shopping mall, with countless stores lined along pristine walkways, benches for weary shoppers, and impeccably clean floors. The ceiling stretched so high it was impossible to discern its entirety, layered with multiple levels of shops grouped by theme.
“Wow, that’s a Japanese restaurant!” I exclaimed, spotting a traditional-looking establishment.
“Japanese cuisine, along with French, Italian, and Chinese, has been a staple of humanity since before the era of space colonization,” Yuzu explained. “Although the recipes have evolved over time, the roots of these culinary traditions remain unchanged.”
Indeed, the first restaurant I visited with Rene in the star city had been a Chinese eatery. Even after millennia, food culture had expanded and diversified across the vast cosmos, yet its original sources endured. That explained the existence of a Japanese restaurant even in the Roifana Holy Kingdom, a place with no direct ties to Japan, just as there were Chinese restaurants in the star city.