Ch.68Instilling tension into your relaxed state.

# Chapter 68: Injecting Tension into Your Relaxed Self

Three months have passed since our loyal faction’s(?) smuggling activities were dealt with.

“It’s quite bustling, isn’t it?”

“Indeed it is.”

Through the screen, we were sipping coffee while watching the news about the Empire’s economy soaring daily due to an unexpected construction boom.

Of course, this construction boom was none other than the development of the Warp Gate Network that the Empire was pushing forward as a national project.

At first, everyone showed negative reactions because of the astronomical costs involved, but…

“Isn’t it fascinating, Riel?”

“What is?”

“Those who were openly negative before have now transformed into fervent supporters.”

Just as I said, after the gate was completed in the Basik planetary system, the physical center of the Empire.

And when it successfully connected to the gates in the south and north, all the negative reactions that had persisted until then suddenly subsided.

“It’s all thanks to you, Minister. You preemptively caught all the troublemakers.”

“Hmm.”

As Riel pointed out, I should acknowledge that I did have some part in it.

Lost in such thoughts, we continued our casual conversation.

Having finished our coffee, we were about to clean up and move on to our next task.

[Next breaking news: A fleet transporting gate construction materials was attacked by pirate ships, but all attackers were repelled.]

Hearing this intriguing news, we exchanged opinions about it while continuing our work.

Though by “exchanging opinions,” I mean…

“What fools. How could they think of attacking a fleet with just three decrepit pirate ships?”

“Indeed.”

It was merely gossip during our tea break in the middle of work, enjoying another cup of coffee.

However, Alina, who had come to assist us with our work, shook her cyborg head in disagreement.

“This is not a situation to be taken lightly, Mr. Flesh Chunk.”

“…?”

At my puzzled expression, Alina projected a hologram from her cyborg eyes and began explaining the situation.

“Recently, pirate activity has been increasing throughout the galaxy.”

I could see red dots representing pirates moving actively in large numbers across various parts of the galaxy.

“Because of this, reports about pirate movements are being submitted to the Galactic Federation, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Gendarmerie are requesting support from departments with armed forces.”

“That’s right. Recently, the Ministry of Internal Affairs recommended that nobles use their private armies to patrol their territories.”

“Hmm…”

Hearing this, I felt somewhat confused.

‘An event where pirates cause disturbances? Was there such a thing?’

Having been in this world for nearly 15 years now, my memories of events from my previous life were becoming increasingly vague…

But no matter how much I searched through those fading memories, there was no such event.

‘I think there were events where pirates would suddenly appear demanding tolls or plundering resources.’

However, it was difficult to see how such events would match the current situation in reality.

Actually, according to my recollection, such events didn’t exist in either the original game or any mods I had installed.

[Time Pause]

So I decided to pause time for the first time in a while and take a long period to think.

After what felt like several hours, I could only conclude that this was another one of those “our-style reality applications” or whatever.

‘It’s already mind-breaking enough when events proceed according to the game, but this damn our-style event…!’

However, realizing this didn’t change anything at the moment.

Neither I nor the Diplomatic Enforcement Ministry could do anything with this knowledge.

[Time Pause Released]

I immediately released the time pause and shrugged my shoulders, saying nonchalantly:

“So what? They’re just pirates. We can just go and crush them, right?”

“Well… I suppose so?”

At my words, both Riel and even Alina agreed that was indeed the case.

And so, we all just moved on from the matter as if it wasn’t important.

But not long after, I came to regret that decision.

Just a week after that conversation.

A report about the “Lord of War” who had raised an army by gathering numerous pirates and mercenaries from the opposite side of the galaxy was sent directly to my terminal.

[Event: Warning from the Galactic Federation]

[Reports continue to reach the Galactic Federation from pioneer colonies in the eastern galaxy about suspicious pirate movements.]

[There are also rumors that many mercenary fleets from across the galaxy are converging on that area.]

[Some mercenaries are even breaking contracts with their employers to head toward that region.]

[The Galactic Federation plans to form an investigation team to assess the severity of the situation.]

[Event Chain in Progress…]

[Additional Event Triggered]

[Event: The Call of the Warlord]

[In the unexplored Borcalnos planetary system, where vagabonds, pirates, mercenaries, and unregistered individuals have gathered since ancient times, a man calling himself the Lord of War, or Warlord, is rallying numerous pirates under a single banner.]

[The Warlord has been urging pirates and mercenaries spread throughout the galaxy that now is the time to unite and show their strength to the galaxy.]

[Pirates captivated by his charisma continue to turn their ships toward Borcalnos.]

[Event Chain in Progress…]

[Additional Event Triggered]

[Event: The Lord of War]

[Judging that sufficient forces have gathered in Borcalnos, the Warlord has finally raised the flag of rebellion, leading numerous pirates and mercenaries.]

[His goal seems to be treating all nations and species in the galaxy equally under his banner.]

[Many nations are watching this situation with interest, wondering how it will affect the galaxy.]

And while I was too busy to deal with it…

I realized that some bizarre event chain was progressing on its own.

——————————-

At the same time.

The place where the Warlord raised his army was none other than the eastern part of the galaxy.

That is, the center of the former Kerzin Federation’s hegemony.

“Pirates daring to talk about rebellion? What nonsense.”

“Spouting such ridiculous words.”

Although their leaders Kerzin and Zeltech had been crushed by Prosnack…

Thanks to being in the rear, they suffered minimal damage and even developed through war profiteering.

For the Sir Citizen Federation and the Mekt-Fuks Corporate Association, the Warlord’s rebellion was nothing more than child’s play.

“No matter how many they are, pirates are still pirates.”

“Indeed.”

“If we just send a patrol fleet, they’ll fumble among themselves and be annihilated.”

Therefore, the nations that belonged to the former Kerzin Hegemony.

Among them, the Sir Citizen Federation, being closest to the Warlord’s territory, immediately mobilized a fleet to intercept and teach the pirates a lesson, but…

“Weaklings♡ Slowpokes who can’t even maneuver a fleet♡ So weak♡ Die♡”

“Arrrgh…!”

The once-proud punitive force was instantly turned to cosmic dust by the ruthless pirates.

“Is that really the Sir Citizen Federation…?”

“How disappointing. I’m no longer a Sir fan.”

Perhaps because they were suddenly treated as a pathetic nation that donated a fleet to mere pirates.

The leader of the Sir Citizen Federation, as if unable to remain idle in such a situation.

This time mobilized a regular fleet normally deployed only in interstate wars to subjugate the pirates…

—————————-

…with only such fragmentary information being transmitted, I was feeling quite frustrated.

“Minister, honestly, the opposite side of the galaxy is tens of thousands of light-years away. Don’t you realize how fortunate we are to receive even this much information in real-time?”

Of course, the moment I uttered those words.

Riel immediately bombarded me with factual violence, so I decided not to express any more opinions on the matter.

Of course, if we invested more time and money here, more diverse information would come to hand, but…

“Pirates are humans too, and they can sometimes exert power that transcends the laws.”

“Haha, perhaps there might be psychonic ability users among them.”

Unfortunately, perhaps because the Holy Seveli Empire where I was located was tens of thousands of light-years away from where this so-called Warlord was rampaging.

“More urgently, shouldn’t we focus on creating the list of immigrants heading to the newly established paradise planet, or rather, moon?”

“Indeed. Although the planet is small, its environment is perfect.”

The leadership of the Holy Seveli Empire seemed far more interested in how to cultivate a small moon than in countermeasures against the Warlord.

However, this atmosphere could not last long.