by Yoo Seong
What was he talking about? Ark’s expression said he didn’t understand.
“But wasn’t the antimatter reaction detected from that box?”
“Yes, there was an antimatter reaction.”
“If there was an antimatter reaction then why did you say there is no relation to antimatter?”
“It makes sense. The box contained Mist Uranium.”
“Mist Uranium?”
“It will take too long if I tell you the details so I’ll say it simply. Mist Uranium is a by-product made from the process of forming antimatter. In other words, it is natural to contain an antimatter residue. It is why the wavelength of antimatter was sensed. Mist Uranium is failed scraps but it possesses 90% of the same structure as antimatter. Even the energy wavelength emitted is the same. The research centre could notice the difference immediately but the energy measuring instrument of a spaceship would think it was antimatter.”
Ark felt drained.
He entered the investigation team, went through all that trouble and finally obtained the box. And he openly entered Istana while being escorted by the Council and Galactic Federation. He thought the whole thing was over. Yet now it was fake? He went through all that in vain?
“But there is something! That Mist something! Wouldn’t it be useful somewhere?”
“Mist Uranium. Yes, it isn’t useless but the value is small. I previously told you that the 3 powers researched antimatter a long time ago. There wasn’t any success but they managed to reach the stage just prior to it. The Galactic Federation, Rama and Aschulat were able to produce the Mist Uranium. However, making Mist Uranium with 90% of the structure of antimatter requires materials such as lead and gold. Mist Uranium as a purpose but it can’t be compared to the large number of resources wasted. But……”
“But?”
“It is different if we’re talking about a different value.”
Martin smiled and continued.
“The box with the Mist Uranium also contains a memory chip with information about the carrier called Uranus. Thanks to this, we learnt the whole story behind this event.”
“Details behind this event?”
“Like I said before, Mist Uranium has its own uses. It is used to form a warp portal. Currently the 3 powers uses a warp portal that travels an average of 1,000~1,500 light years in 1 hour. Even we take advantage of the flow of the universe, the limit of our present warp voyage is 2,500 light years in 1 hours.”
Once again, a warp movement wouldn’t always have the same speed. When a spaceship entered a portal, a huge flow existed in this dimension like an ocean current. This was called a Universe Stream. The speed of a warp journey was influenced by this Universe Stream.
If they took advantage of this flow, the speed when moving would increase by 2~4 times. This was the reason why warp journeys took different amounts of time despite the distance being similar.
Martin’s explanation continued.
“But Mist Uranium can be used to greatly reduce the time of a warp voyage. It is possible to sail 10,000 light years in 1 hour.”
“Wah! That’s amazing!”
Ark had an exaggerated reaction. But he had no interest in warping.
Ark just wanted to know the value of Mist Uranium. The value of his compensation would depend on the Mist Uranium. So Ark needed the Mist Uranium to be amazing. Martin clearly knew his feelings.
Martin laughed and shook his head.
“It is amazing. But the problem is the resources required to make Mist Uranium. Currently the spaceships use ether as fuel for warp travel. However, travelling 30,000 light years will consume 1 kilogram of Mist Uranium. And 1 kilogram of Mist Uranium costs approximately 120,000 gold.”
Ark’s mouth dropped open at Martin’s explanation. Fuel that required 120,000 gold to move 30,000 light years! It was a material that couldn’t be called energy.
“It is natural since Mist Uranium is a by-product of the difficult antimatter creation. It is also dangerous. Even if Mist Uranium is a by-product, it still possesses 90% of the same structure as antimatter. It has an influence on the Universe Stream so there is no telling how the space will be distorted. You have confirmed its power. It is enough to destroy a small black hole. That alone is a sufficient threat to the galaxy.”
“But why is Mist Uranium used?”
In the end, Mist Uranium was an unnecessarily expensive and dangerous material. But why? What use would they have for it other than warp travel?
“It is a show.”
“A show?”
“Before you brought the box, the 3 countries believed that Organization X possessed antimatter. And Mist Uranium is a by-product that doesn’t have the power of real antimatter. We’re going to use the Mist Uranium you obtained from Organization X to make it seem like we possess antimatter.”
“What will that gain?”
“A state.”
Martin briefly replied.
“According to the memory chip obtained from Uranus, Organization X is related to the terrorist organization called Tree of Life. Tree of Life was an organization that opposed the spread of androids throughout the galaxy and committed acts of terrorism. However, the secret organization was investigated and destroyed. This incident was a scam by the Tree of Life.”
“A scam?”
“This is the statement contained in the memory chip.”
Martin manipulated the Nymphe and 3D images appeared.
-We are Tree of Life, the guardians of true life.
The life the Great God granted is precious. It is the same for life and death.
Life and death is under the providence of the Great God and all creatures are obligated to abide by this. But is that actually reality? The ignorant races of the galaxy forgot the Great God and created mechanical life forms for their convenience. The devil’s machine called a Fairy was even made to defy death.
This act is a blasphemy against the Great God!
The Tree of Life has denounced such behaviour and is declaring the establishment of an independent state. We have already obtained the power of antimatter due to the will of the Great God.
I don’t need to explain what that means.
This is the last warning we will send to you.
Any races that interfere with our independence will be punished by the Great God. But if you abandon your wasteful desire and destroy the machines and Fairy then you will be accepted at any time.
This was the story behind the magic event. Organization X was the terrorist organization called Tree of Life. Tree of Life intended to build a new state on the space frontier. To accomplish this, they came up with antimatter.
The 3 powers already knew the danger of antimatter. If the Tree of Life already developed antimatter then the 3 powers couldn’t mess with them. A terrorist organization possessing nuclear weapons couldn’t be easily touched. But the 3 powers couldn’t believe it.
It was due to the existence of antimatter that the 3 powers assembled the investigation teams and destroyed Uranus. If they really had antimatter then they would’ve destroyed the investigation teams to threaten the 3 powers. They used the Mist Uranium that cost 120,000 gold to move 30,000 light years.
Even if they possessed antimatter, the 3 powers thought that they could wipe out the Tree of Life if they wanted to. However, currently the 3 powers were in a rivalry. There was no power that wanted to come forward first to receive massive damage from the Tree of Life. No, there could also be a situation where one of the powers could join forces with the Tree of Life. The Tree of Life was against machines but they could use antimatter to build a strong, independent state.
But those were just big words. Mist Uranium was just a by produce of antimatter. Uranus had been smashed by the investigation teams of the 3 powers.
“The Tree of Life would be totally destroyed with this.”
Martin said with a joyous expression. Ark also nodded with a pleased expression.
“Then I did you a service.”
“Yes you did. A very big service. Thanks to you, the Galactic Federation managed to obtain the Bellin Constellation.”
“Eh? Bellin Constellation?”
Why did the subject suddenly jump to that? Martin laughed at Ark’s confused expression and continued.
“The only ones who know that you brought Mist Uranium is His Majesty and us. The Rama, Aschulat and even Marquis Jyubel doesn’t know about it. How could I let such a good chance run away?”
Ark heard some shocking words. When Ark picked up the quest item, Hawk wasn’t the only one watching the situation. The Rama and Aschulat investigation teams were also there.
Of course, no one knew that the box contained Mist Uranium. The Rama and Aschulat naturally thought that antimatter was in the box. And that fact was delivered to the Rama and Aschulat special envoys who showed up when the carrier sunk.
“Ambassadors flew to both nations and threatened them.”
“Threatened?”
“Antimatter is something that can throw off the balance of the galaxy. So a special treaty was signed that no one would develop it. If anyone intended to research antimatter then it would be war….and so on, they all made a lot of noise but no one was sincere. No matter what, the Galactic Federation ended up in possession of antimatter. So they wanted to hear an answer. That the Galactic Federation has no intention of using the antimatter. The ambassadors from the 2 states want to watch the antimatter box be permanently sealed.”
Of course it wasn’t for free.
“The Rama decided to hand over the planets they occupied in the Bellin Constellation. And the Aschulat promised some profit from trading. The price was a little expensive but the ambassadors for both states were willing to pay it.”
Of course they would pay it. The Rama and Aschulat thought that antimatter was in the box. They would pay anything to stop the Galactic Federation from studying the antimatter and weaponizing it.
‘But even so……’
This wasn’t a small matter. As expected from Marquis Martin. He was on a different standard from the average NPC. In addition, obtained the planets in the Bellin Constellation and trade profit wasn’t the only benefits.
The antimatter was sealed up but it still belonged to the Galactic Federation. This fact would become a considerable burden to the Rama and Aschulat from now on. It was the same for Martin’s rival, Marquis Jyubel.
The military managing the antimatter would have a great influence on future diplomacy with the Rama and Aschulat. In a sense, it meant that Marquis Martin controlled the political power of the Galactic Federation.
Due to Ark bringing the box, Marquis Martin took advantage of it to gain a huge advantage over the Aschulat and Rama and secured the helm of the Galactic Federation. Therefore, Marquis Martin was the one who gained the most benefits.
But Ark had no interest in what Marquis Martin received. Marquis Martin received what he could get. That world was unrelated to Ark.
There was one part Ark didn’t understand. Ark didn’t need to know these facts. He didn’t understand why Marquis Martin explained secrets that only the Emperor should know.
“I don’t know why you’re telling me this.”
Marquis Martin laughed and answered.
“It is necessary for you to know this because of what you’ll receive.”
————————————————————————–
‘In other words…..’
Ark looked at Marquis Martin standing away from him.
In the end, he was going to receive compensation from the Emperor worth the false antimatter. So he wanted to run around and bark like a dog. He wanted to say something.
Ark went through all the trouble but Marquis Martin was the one who received the most. But Martin was a NPC. In particular, he was a generous NPC who treated Ark well. And he could receive compensation thanks to Marquis Martin. Their relationship was one of mutual profit.
Just as Ark was thinking this.
“His Majesty is here!”
The guards shouted in loud voices. A red curtain parted and a chair in the form of a capsule floated in the air. The person sitting down in the chair was a wealthy elderly man. The elderly man was covered in wrinkles but it was hard to tell how old he was.
Needless to say, he was the Emperor of the Galactic Federation! He was the Emperor of 270 planets and approximately 12 billion people.
The nobles simultaneously bowed to the Emperor once he appeared. The Emperor surveyed the nobles before nodding and beginning to talk.
“Raise your heads.”
The microphone attached to the floating chair amplified his voice through the hall.
“My heart is very satisfied seeing the nobles who support the Galactic Federation gathered in one place. In addition, I’m very pleased to hear about the Galactic Federation’s achievements in the space frontier. You probably already know the reason we’re gathered here today. The people who have devoted themselves to the Galactic Federation deserve to receive gratitude. They have proven their qualifications. I’m representing the 12 billion subjects of the Galactic Federation to praise their achievements and give them fitting rewards.”
“Waaaaahhhhh!”
Overflowing applause came from the nobles.
Of course, the ones who clapped more sincerely were the nobles belonging to Marquis Martin’s military faction. The rest of the nobles in the political faction clapped with depressed expressions. But the Emperor didn’t bear a grudge.
No, the Emperor was also looking at Hawk with a gloomy expression. The Emperor recommended Hawk as leader of the investigation team in order to gain an advantage over the political and military factions. But contrary to the Emperor’s expectations, Ark was the one who brought it. Marquis Martin’s position rose so he was forced to become depressed.
However Ark didn’t pay attention to it. The event was already settled, no matter the result. And Ark was the one who gained the most merit. Whether he liked it or not, the Emperor promised to give a reward to Ark.
“The most accomplished person Ark, step forward.”
And Ark was called. Ark approached the Emperor and kneeled down.
“Ark, you deserve respect for your courage and resourcefulness to solve numerous difficulties that threatened the safety of the Galactic Federation. Your achievements are worthy of praise. I bestow upon you the title of Viscount.”
The Emperor’s voice resounded through the hall.
-You have been awarded the title of a noble from the Emperor of the Galactic Federation.
Ark-nim has risen to a 1st class citizen by becoming a noble (Viscount).
By default, the Galactic Federation is a republic. However, the nobles of the Galactic Federation are a class system to efficiently manage a large area. Nobles belong to the top ranking group of citizens and will be given more preferential treatment. You can own territory in the Galactic Federation and will have priority when trading, investments and economic activities etc.
Only nobles can build a sector into a city.
However, this privilege comes with responsibilities. Nobles need to submit to the Emperor’s commands and serve the Galactic Federation.
+Your rise in social status means that you have acquired the right to enter areas 1~2.
+ Your status rise means a 15% discount is applied to all dealings.
+ Your status rise gives you the right to own real estate in the city.
+ Your status rise means you can use the luxury Star Gate at a discounted rate.
+ You have gained an additional 5,000 Fame. 8,000 Galactic Federation contribution has been acquired.
The compensation given to Ark was a noble’s title! In the beginning, he was a prisoner and shovelling snow on the -50 degrees Beltana and now he gained the status of a noble.
A rapid rise! He could now gain benefits from that rise.
His access to areas 3~4 increased to areas 1~2. It meant he could come and go from a wider area without any restric
tions.
In fact, he hadn’t felt the effect of this yet. But that feeling changed when he went to the library. When browsing the materials, there were tons of places he couldn’t access on other planets. It was common sense for users in Galaxian to use their privilege to monopolize specific hunting grounds.
The right to the luxury Star meant he could gain access to a wider area. It was possible to gain an extra 10% discount for all commercial transactions. Well his sector was still far from growing into a city….
“This is a small gift from the Emperor of the Galactic Federation.”
A guard approached with a small box. The box opened and 5 jewels caught the eye.
-Diamond
A gemstone with the value of 1,000 gold.
Diamonds could be changed for 1,000 gold at the shop at any time! There was 5 of them. 5,000 gold. It was 5 times the compensation received for the
He received a 3,000 gold deposit but he had already used that on the Silver Star. And there were repairs scheduled for the damage dealt by the carrier. But was that all? Slayer, Leon, Melina, Kaya, Sadain and Park were mercenaries. If he subtracted that then there was nothing remaining. But it wasn’t necessary to worry.
In addition, the diamonds weren’t the only compensation. A golden memory card was near the diamond! Ark inserted the memory card into his Nymphe and the information window popped up.
-The Emperor of the Galactic Federation has granted you a territory!
Planet Name: Ikyullos Planet Rating: Lv. 3
Territory Range: The entire planet of Ikyullos.
Territory Administrator: Ark (The Agent: Dark Eden)
* You have been registered as the permanent lord of the planet Ikyullos and have the power over all judicial matters as an agent of the Galactic Federation. In addition, all resources on the planet will be given to the lord. The type of planet that will develop depends on the judgement of the lord. However, a certain amount of the income obtained from the territory will be paid to the Galactic Federation as tax. In return, the territory will be protected from all threats.
