LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 321
Even in a world where giant spaceships roam the universe and colossal warp gates have appeared in every country and region, there aren’t that many Earthlings who have actually used such things.
In fact, people from countries that were once classified as developed hardly enjoyed such benefits.
They were simply holding onto their privileges at a national level by Earth standards, and naturally, they resisted joining the federation, which would require them to give up those privileges in an instant.
They embraced companies like Noir Corporation, which, although immoral, possessed sufficient scale and technology. They offered tax evasion and various conveniences, tolerating the mischief these companies might engage in as long as they operated within the land.
Whether people thought about it was another matter, but it was certainly effective.
The federation had to move cautiously. No matter how much they contacted less developed areas, there were limits on movement.
Since they had to maintain a semblance of being ‘democratic’, they couldn’t just forcefully subjugate or swallow up a nation, and the rights to develop that land weren’t solely in the hands of the federation.
The countries that were socially and lawlessly chaotic. Developing areas with a technological foundation—or rather, societal foundation—that was lagging behind would require a tremendous amount of time and cost. It wasn’t something that could be accomplished in just a few years. Even if the foundation was laid, it would take more time for everyone living there to benefit.
Rather, from their perspective, it was the developed nations they should be partnering with. Hence, that ‘balancing act’ worked. After all, once they joined the federation, it would be possible to quickly ‘federate’ through the existing infrastructure.
Ironically, because of this reality, there weren’t many Earthlings who could freely leave Earth. The federation, on the surface, maintained diplomatic relations with no-contact nations.
So, this was my first time on such a giant spaceship.
“We’re all doing this for the first time.”
And sadly, none of us had been on a ship like this before. Even the magical girls had no reason to go to another planet. No, in a sense, it was better not to leave.
We had to be here for when Noir Corporation stirred up trouble, so we could step in.
“But I know the structure. It’s not this ship specifically, but I’m familiar with the standard structures used by many spaceships.”
Jua said.
“I’ve done my research too,” she added.
“… me too,” I mumbled.
I glanced at Jua, Yeon-woo, and Chae-yeon, and the three had their own proud expressions.
“Well, even if it looks like this, we’re affiliated with the federation,” Seo-hee said.
“There was a time when they told us that we might have to fight on a ship someday, and I received training before you came.”
“Why didn’t I get that training?”
“When we just started being magical girls, Noir and the federation were clashing much more violently. The federation had no idea what a line was and was just wasting their energy, while we were busy thinking about what novel thing we could do next after clashing with those reckless guys.”
“Ah.”
That made sense.
Even though Noir Corporation built a large department store from the first to the third floor of their headquarters and made charitable donations and sold useful products, the image didn’t easily get better. People remembered how the Noir Corporation ran around wildly trying to figure out just how far they could stretch the line during that first year.
“By the way, what about you, Jua?”
“Oh, I studied warp technology. I’ve been doing it for years now.”
Ah, I see.
I understood.
Thud.
I felt the ship move once more.
“Then, I’ll leave navigation to you.”
“Yes, where should we go?”
“Well, I suppose where there might be others is the bridge.”
The most important place on the ship. I didn’t know how many crew members were necessary to move such a large vessel, but it probably wasn’t just two people cruising around like it was a car.
However, among all those people, the most important ones must surely be at the controls.
So, let’s find the one steering this ship and gather some information. Whether that person is here or somewhere else.
The three seniors nodded along with Jua.
We took off together.
*
We broke through the door and entered the bridge, but there was nothing in sight.
“Fully automated…?” Yeon-woo muttered.
“… that’s tough,” Chae-yeon replied.
“Navigating solely with artificial intelligence is illegal. There has to be a human present to make clear judgments and distinguish whether the ship is a wreck or not.”
“But still.”
There was no one in the bridge of the flying ship—
[Ha.]
And then, that sound reached our ears.
[So, you’ve managed to get this far. It’s too late, though.]
“…….”
I frowned and looked up at the ceiling. The voice echoed from all directions. It was probably broadcasting from wherever someone had taken over a control room.
[We’ve already ascended to a point where warp travel is possible. No matter how much you struggle, we will navigate to our destination. Well, if you want, feel free to break the ship. If you want to fry in the middle of space or suffocate, that’s entirely up to you.]
Destination.
I had a hunch about where that destination was.
It was probably Jupiter. The Jupiter where Pang-pang was hiding.
The opposing party likely already had the information. After all, they must have been someone high up in the company.
Someone high enough to orchestrate a coup.
Honestly, all over, my body ached. I was somewhat worn out.
But strangely, listening to that voice made me slowly regain my strength.
“… you’re here, aren’t you?”
I called out with a voice full of longing.
“It’s you. You’re here, aren’t you?”
Watching us from somewhere.
I gripped the hammer tightly and spoke.
“You can’t just walk away from this.”
Logically speaking, it might not be ‘all’, but—
Up until the coup, whatever the objective might be, the former chairman would have been leading everything. Only after overturning that would the company have fallen into that guy’s hands.
But what do I care about that?
I just despise that.
Not just that, but everything from before as well. Given that that was Pang-pang’s grandmother, I might think about it for a bit, but there’s nothing to consider about this guy, right?
They might be trying to hijack the company using Pang-pang. Perhaps they’ve set the security system to only recognize the chairman’s direct descendants.
It was indeed all Noir Corporation’s fault, but this guy was the one who messed it up, ruining a situation that could have been resolved comfortably through careful consideration.
“Oh, right.”
And one more thing.
There was something I was horribly curious about.
“You. Was it you who caused that explosion?”
[…….]
There was no answer.
And that silence spoke volumes more than any excuse could.
Lies breed lies. No matter how perfect a lie seems, it’s common sense that nowadays, statements from people in high corporate ranks end up being plastered everywhere.
Even if they deny it now, that denial would merely create further denials. Besides, the other party had instigated a coup.
Of course, there would be lots of suspicion. Do they think we’re wearing cameras or something right now?
Yet because of that, I was convinced.
It was that guy.
“… I can’t just let this go.”
I said.
“Even if I’m not a perfectly righteous person, I know that human lives matter.”
Well, that makes sense.
According to James, the people who instigated the coup were those who prioritize ‘short-term gains’ and ‘immediate benefits.’
And that benefit was to suck blood from Earthlings.
What on Earth does that ‘long-term perspective’ look like for James to believe we’d take it seriously? But anyway, that side is at least worse than them.
Even if a little is lost to sell out everything, they wouldn’t think there was a problem at all.
[It’s just talk.]
In the end, without answering a single one of my questions, a voice came from the speaker.
[You’ve illegally trespassed into a critical area of Noir Corporation, so from here on out, I’m in the right.]
“We both know that’s not true.”
I said.
Yet, there was no response.
Clank.
The left and right walls of the bridge opened up.
And then from inside—
Aliens literally poured out.
All of them looked like Earthlings.
[Ah, right, that’s true.]
Just before the aliens charged at us, the voice spoke.
[I’ve prepared a very special gift for you. I’ll show you if you come this far. Well, it wouldn’t matter if you didn’t see it.]
If it didn’t matter, they wouldn’t have prepared it.
I looked at Ha-yoon.
Ha-yoon smiled slightly at the corner of her mouth and drew her sword.
That smile was a bit intimidating.
Unlike me, the other magical girls didn’t butt into the conversation. Everyone seemed deep in thought. Even Ji-hye, who had just joined us.
However, even though everyone had somehow arrived at their own conclusions, it seemed there was no one among us who thought positively of the opposing side.
Well, this is quite something.
It seems that trash over there won’t end with just one hit from me.
How pitiful.