ALL NOVEL Chapter 90
“The state of the city—how was it? I’ve heard recently that a new governor arrived from the Holy Capital.”
“Yes, the third Holy Knight General of Angreus. Apparently, he was demoted and sent to Zerad after losing a political power struggle back in the Holy Capital. From what I’ve heard, he’s quite notorious for his arrogant attitude.”
It seemed that a high-ranking official from the ruling state had recently arrived in the city closest to Nias’ research facility. The third Holy Knight General of Angreus—what a name straight out of a fantasy novel—but according to Nias, this person held considerable authority in the government that controlled Planet Zerad.
He had lost a political struggle and was demoted. Considering that even Nias and Rene had heard about this, it must have been quite a well-known story. If even ordinary citizens knew, it was clear that this man was being treated as a political loser, sent off to a remote place like this. And with a prideful personality, it wasn’t hard to imagine what someone like him might do in such circumstances.
“A janitor from the Wemail people who worked at the Star Office was slashed down in a fit of rage on the spot. Apparently, it was because the janitor continued working without bowing or kneeling in the governor’s presence.”
“Wow, that’s… really tyrannical.”
The Wemail people were a group who had been sent to Zerad after the planet became habitable. They originally lived on another planet, but after losing their homeland in a war, they were brought here and treated almost like slaves.
“Nias, this isn’t someone else’s problem. You’re in quite a dangerous position too.”
“Huh? Me too?”
Unlike in Asphial, the concept of human rights didn’t seem to exist for slaves in this world. They were treated like disposable pawns, with little regard for their well-being. While Rene explained this to me and Nias, we both listened, initially thinking it didn’t concern us. But, according to Rene, Nias couldn’t afford to be so detached from the situation.
“Indeed. Even though your exact whereabouts aren’t known, it’s a fact that you’re on this planet. The newly appointed Governor Angreus might try to capture you as a way to redeem himself and return to the Holy Capital.”
“Ugh…”
“Actually, the bounty on your head has gone up—ONLY ALIVE. Even after two hundred years, the government is still after you.”
“Whoa, they’re offering a promotion to first-class citizen status and a lifetime annual payout of 50 million Mayzels to whoever captures me.”
As Rene spoke, Nias pulled out a handheld device from the pocket of her lab coat and checked the information.
“Only alive, huh? Even after 200 years, they still haven’t managed to develop the anti-aging technology you’re hiding?”
“They haven’t been able to, which is exactly why they’re still after me.”
“The Holy King is already 90 years old this year, close to the age when he could pass away at any moment. Your value will only increase.”
As Rene concluded the conversation, we decided to head back inside the research facility to continue the discussion.
—
“The language of the Sakura Imperial Nation, huh? That country is one of the most powerful in the galaxy, but it’s still rare to hear its old language in these parts.”
“Apparently, he’s from a parallel world or maybe even traveled through time. It’s hard to believe, but after seeing all the evidence, I think it’s true.”
“…What exactly is this Sakura Imperial Nation?”
After the three of us returned to the main room of the research facility, where we had been before Rene arrived, I reintroduced myself, and Nias began explaining things to Rene.
The Sakura Imperial Nation… Given that I was speaking in Japanese, it wasn’t hard to imagine it being a far-future version of Japan.
“The Sakura Imperial Nation is said to have originated from one of the major powers on Earth during the era of space colonization. As the name suggests, the nation is ruled by an Emperor, and the imperial family has apparently existed in an unbroken line since ancient times on Earth. Five noble families—the Saiōji, Akimiya, Mikasa, Tōjō, and Fuji families—hold significant power in the government, making it one of the most powerful nations in the galaxy.”
“These noble families are so powerful that each of them controls more resources than many small countries. In fact, the Saiōji family, which is considered the most prominent, recently conquered two small nations.”
“Saiōji family…?”
The words that came out of Nias’ and Rene’s mouths were unmistakably familiar. Based on everything I’d heard, it was clear that the Sakura Imperial Nation was the far-future version of Japan, but…
“No way, *that* Saiōji family? You must be joking.”
“You know about the Saiōji family, Allen?”
Know them? I’m working under the head of the Saiōji family and her daughter, even as we speak. But I wasn’t sure if I should share that with these two just yet.
While it could just be a coincidence, the Saiōji family is still incredibly influential in modern-day Earth as a global corporation. It wouldn’t be surprising if that influence persisted thousands of years into the future, assuming humanity still existed.
“…I do know them, but I’m not sure if it’s the same Saiōji family I’m thinking of. I might be mistaken, so could you tell me more about them?”
For now, I needed to gather more information, so I asked Nias and Rene to elaborate on the Saiōji family, one of the leading houses of the Sakura Imperial Nation.