Chapter 191
The Tajirun, a rcantile race, had a complex political landscape. Their agreents and diplomatic relations with various nations and races could not be easily summarized in a few words.
However, even I quickly recognized the uniqueness of the noa Family. Among the Tajirun, the noa Family held a particularly distinct position.
Most Tajirun families, whose livelihood revolved around economic activities, made efforts to maintain friendly relations with other nations and factions. As a result, the Bellato Federation acknowledged the influence of the Tajirun race to the extent of granting them an autonomous district.
Yet, the noa Family did not belong to the Tajirun Autonomous District. On the contrary, the Bellato Federation outwardly ostracized the noa Family and refrained from establishing official relations with them.
‘Human trafficking.’
It was because the noa Family’s primary trade was in ‘people.’
Human trafficking was a prevalent and major industry in reality. There were many groups and races on Planet Novus that had no qualms about slavery.
However, among the values the Bellato Federation upheld were equality and freedom. They could not publicly recognize the noa Family while proclaiming equality and freedom.
Wooong.
The intermittent hum of the aerial vehicle’s engine resonated through the floor.
Jafa and I were traveling in a six-seater aerial vehicle. Since it was Jafa’s personal vehicle, the interior was cozy and luxurious. Judging by the thickness of the windows and tal plating, its defense capabilities seed formidable.
“...The noa Family operates a residential mothership and relocates periodically. They have many enemies, after all.”
Jafa continued explaining the noa Family. I listened intently, engraving his words into my mind.
“So that’s why they’re more obsessed with their private military than other families?”
“Exactly. The noa Guard has always had two Guard Commanders. Their forces are also divided into two units. Since one of their units was annihilated this ti, they’ll act cautiously until they finish training the next guard force.”
Hearing this made it clear just how severe the noa Family’s losses were. They had lost half their fighting force.
‘Jafa Trading Company’s losses weren’t minor either. If things had gone wrong, everything Jafa built could have crumbled.’
The noa Family had even attempted to kill Anguis Regina, a significant asset of Jafa Trading Company. If they had succeeded, Jafa Trading Company would have taken a major hit.
“They’re trying so hard to kill you. Can you guarantee your safety within the noa Family?”
Jafa was heading to the noa Family with only and ten Equessians. If the noa Family decided to go all out, Jafa would die.
“I’m here to do business. They’ve also approved my visit. For a rchant, trust is everything. If they kill , the noa Family will fall with . No one wants to trade with those who lure in guests only to kill them. Especially not within the Tajirun.”
“So it’s like how even nations that are sworn enemies don’t kill envoys or ambassadors.”
“This is the bare minimum level of trust—an unwritten rule, so to speak. I hesitate to say it myself, but... Hoyot... Most Tajirun are devious and cunning. Many will do anything for profit. If there were no basic trust or rules, it would be utter chaos. From a human moral standpoint, this place is crawling with ‘villains.’”
“Interesting. Villainous pacifists, huh?”
Resting my chin on my arm against the armrest, I tilted my head.
“To be precise, they’re closer to non-violent opportunists. Just because they don’t favor violence doesn’t an they’re good or kind. Just like .”
Jafa occasionally made remarks that cut straight to the heart of the matter.
To be honest, I found conversations with Jafa quite enjoyable. His cold, pragmatic view of reality, his self-criticism, and his self-awareness amused .
“Villains who preach against violence usually commit evil through other ans. They exploit complex laws and systems that the poor and uneducated can’t easily grasp. Since technological advancents have made it difficult to privatize and monopolize violence... they privatize and monopolize laws and institutions instead.”
“That’s quite a bold statent for an Imperial soldier, Hoyoyot.”
Jafa laughed.
“I am a soldier.”
I spoke like a dangerously seditious rebel.
But deep down, I still missed the Imperial Guard and the Imperial Army. Being an Imperial soldier suited perfectly. Marching across battlefields with loyal comrades, earning rits, rising through the ranks, receiving better equipnt, and fighting the Empire’s enemies—
Just imagining it was thrilling. A fulfilling life with no room for boredom.
‘Sowhere along the way, things took a major turn...’
I pictured the version of myself who had continued serving as an Imperial soldier without issue. It was just speculation, but... I would’ve climbed quite high in the ranks. If my ideology had remained unchanged, I would’ve beco an outstanding sword of the Empire. A blade that had sharpened away even the uncertainties of my cadet days—honed, unyielding, and unwavering.
But now, I was dull, rusted, and creaking. Even I wasn’t sure what kind of sword I had beco. My self-awareness was hazy. One mont, I steeled my resolve, only to waver and change my judgnt the next.
“If you sleep now, you’ll be well-rested. There won’t be ti to sleep once we arrive.”
With those final words, Jafa didn’t speak to again. I nodded and closed my eyes.
* * *
The aerial vehicle arrived at the region where the noa Family was stationed.
Looking down, I saw an expansive stretch of low forest, dotted here and there with small ponds and waterholes like scattered ink drops. It was a wetland, but the cool climate prevented it from feeling like a stifling, overgrown tropical jungle.
“This is where the borders of Corite and Bellato et. Hmm... Technically, it’s within Bellato territory,” Jafa said, glancing at a holographic map.
There were three aerial vehicles belonging to Jafa Trading Company. One carried Jafa and , while the other two transported the Equessians.
At the center of the wetland, a gently sloping dry hill stood. Docked there was a large, circular spaceship—easily livable, a proper residential vessel.
The ship was massive, capable of housing hundreds of people. It was, in essence, a mobile mansion. Surrounding the mothership were three smaller ships, like annexes.
I observed Jafa’s expression. He was staring out the window at the mothership, silent. His emotions must have been incredibly complex.
Four other aerial vehicles had arrived before us. Judging by their colors and designs, they belonged to different factions and groups.
“Those are mbers of other families and officials from the Bellato Federation. They’re here as notaries.”
Jafa explained. These officials had accepted a fee to formally certify Jafa’s visit to the noa Family. If Jafa were to be killed within the noa territory, they would publicize it.
Jafa approached the notaries and handled the paperwork.
In the anti, I kept my eyes fixed on the noa mothership. It was so large that I couldn’t take in its full width at once.
I understood the reality of it in my mind—Planet Novus was ho to many races, yet true native species were scarce. Even humanity, the dominant race on Novus, were originally immigrants.
But I was born on Planet Novus. I had never once thought of myself as an immigrant or an outsider. My holand had always been Novus and the Empire.
‘Our ancestors must have arrived on massive ships like this.’
I had never experienced interstellar travel. I had never even imagined what it would feel like to journey between stars, nor had I ever been curious about it.
“The procedures are complete. Let’s head in. Ah, don’t forget your translator. Not all Tajirun are as fluent in human languages as I am, hoyooo.”
Jafa took the lead. I checked the weapons strapped to my chest and waist, then followed a step behind him.
Giiiiiiing!
A section of the noa mothership’s outer wall opened and lowered to the ground. Inside the wall, a staircase had been installed, making it easy to climb up at a steady pace.
Clank, clank.
At the top of the stairs stood two noa Guards. Assigned to sentry duty, they stood rigidly, watching us with disciplined composure.
Jafa, I, and the ten Equessians entered the noa mothership.
Creeeak! Clunk!
Once we were all inside, the door slowly closed.
A long corridor stretched ahead, wide enough for vehicles to pass through. Since this was a residential ship, it made sense to have corridors of this width to facilitate the movent of goods.
Unlike the exterior, the interior was adorned with many nature-friendly decorations. Unknown vines extended along the walls in long, tangled patterns.
Beeep.
At the end of the entryway, a door slid open. A Tajirun stood waiting to greet us.
‘...Their loose-fitting clothing and similar appearances make it hard to tell them apart.’
As with many alien species, distinguishing individuals was often difficult for outsiders. Each race had different perceptual cues for recognizing mbers of their own kind.
For humans, identifying individual Tajirun was particularly challenging.
—It’s been a while, Jafa.
My translator rendered the na as “Jafa,” but when I listened closely, the actual pronunciation was sothing like Jaspiekedera—an unusually long na. Perhaps it was a common na among the Tajirun or within the noa Family.
—Have you been well, Lisanda?
Jafa had pre-registered the na for his translation device. Lisanda’s actual na was also long and unusual, to the point where it seed tedious to even try rembering it.
Jafa had seven siblings. Including himself, that made eight. They were the direct lineage of the main family and currently ford the core of the noa Family.
I stood silently in the background, watching the situation unfold with a detached gaze.
—You’re quite bold. I didn’t expect you to co back as a guest after being exiled.
—There’s a saying on the Bellato side: To catch a beast, one must enter its den.
It sounded a little off, but whatever. Jafa subtly revealed his ambition.
—It seems you’ve enjoyed your ti in Border City.
—I’ve had my share of success. Over there, I’m considered a figure of power. Are you familiar with the saying, Better to be the head of a snake than the tail of a dragon?
There was an undeniable sharpness in the words exchanged between Lisanda and Jafa. They didn’t even bother to hide their barbs, openly jabbing at each other.
—Impressive, Jafa. When we exiled you, I thought you wouldn’t last more than a few days before dying. You were always dull and lacking. Ah, you’re not taking offense, are you? After all, you were an idiot.
—I also find my past self pathetic. Being exiled turned out to be a blessing in disguise. So only realize what they’re capable of when they’re backed into a corner.
Jafa used the human phrase blessing in disguise in his speech.
—W-What? A blessing? Are you mocking right now? You of all people?
Lisanda flared up, visibly shaken by sothing so trivial.
‘He’s toying with her.’
I could guess why Lisanda was the one sent to greet us. She was likely the weakest among Jafa’s siblings—a lackey who survived by licking up scraps from the stronger ones.
—You were exiled because...!
—Is there any benefit in speaking of disgraceful matters out loud? There are outsiders here.
Jafa swiftly cut Lisanda off.
I was curious about Jafa’s exile as well. He had brought all the way here, so he could have at least shared the reason, but he was stubbornly keeping it hidden.
—How shaless. I really wanted to see you burn to death.
—The ones who burned to death were innocent soldiers. Did you really think I wouldn’t make any preparations? Even now, I can’t believe the family approved that attack. It was a poorly thought-out decision. Absolutely foolish. It disgraced the family’s reputation.
The tension was rising. Lisanda flicked her tongue, glaring at Jafa.
—You think you’re safe just because you’re a guest? I see your personal guards aren’t even wearing combat gear.
—Since when has the noa Family been one to invite guests only to kill them? And... The man beside is far more dangerous than you realize. The mont my leash on him is loosened, he could turn this place into a wasteland. Do you really think I’m the only one at risk? The noa Family has just invited a human bomb into its ho.
Lisanda’s gaze landed on . Her vertical pupils narrowed.
I shrugged and added to Jafa’s words.
“...Tick, tick.”
I wagged my index finger side to side, mimicking the ticking of a clock.
I was a ticking ti bomb. Hmph.
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