Younger Disguise
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T/N: Hey guys, sorry for not posting, my laptop broke, literally and it was beyond repair so I had to get a new one which took me sometime to select. I will be uploading at least 5 chapters this week.
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“The exterior is crispy, while the interior is fluffy. The melting butter is just perfect!”
Naomi exclaimed in amazement as she ate the soft toast.
“What’s on this salad?” she asked.
“Tuna… fish preserved in oil… I’m not sure,” Rudy replied.
“And the dressing is delicious,” Naomi added.
“It’s Thousand Island dressing.”
“How do you make it?”
“I bought it, I don’t know how to make it.”
It seems that Naomi was impressed with the tuna salad. She finished her meal and enjoyed the coffee Rudy had poured for her.
“At first, I thought it was poison when I took a sip, but once you get used to it, it’s delicious,” she remarked.
Unbeknownst to Naomi, the coffee she was drinking had four packets of sweet syrup, a sweetener she couldn’t usually get her hands on. Rudy, who preferred black coffee, frowned at the empty syrup containers, finding it too sweet.
“So, about that labyrinth… I mean, spaceship. What’s it like inside?” Naomi asked.
“Naomi… have you never been inside it before?”
“When I participated in the subjugation, we lured the spotted beast out and fought it outside…”
According to Naomi’s account, the spaceship was discovered by adventurers exploring the forest eight years ago. The adventurers entered the ship and encountered the spotted beast. They fought, but the spotted beast killed half of their companions, leaving them crawling back in a desperate state.
Upon hearing the story from those adventurers, others believed that if such a powerful monster existed, there must be incredible treasures to be found. Many people attempted to challenge the spaceship and were killed by the spotted beast.
As the rumors spread, nobles volunteered to subjugate the spotted beast, accompanied by numerous private soldiers. Naomi was hired for money and joined as a mercenary.
Thinking that fighting inside the spaceship would be disadvantageous due to darkness and narrow spaces, the soldiers successfully lured the spotted beast outside. However, even fighting outside, the spotted beast, immune to physical attacks and magic, killed many, resulting in their retreat.
Only six out of 35 private soldiers survived, and half of the hired 50 mercenaries and adventurers, including Naomi, survived. The noble, though alive, lost all of his wealth.
Afterward, it was discovered that the spotted beast, which couldn’t be harmed by physical attacks or magic, was one of the monsters that nearly wiped out humanity 800 years ago. Since then, no one dared to approach the spaceship.
“Rudy is amazing for defeating such a ferocious spotted beast all by himself,” Naomi said, her mouth curving into a smirk.
“…800 years ago,” Rudy muttered.
“That’s right. Based on yesterday’s conversation, you mentioned that the monster from 800 years ago might have come from outer space,” Naomi said, recalling their previous discussion.
Rudy nodded in response to Naomi’s remark.
“It’s just my speculation, but what if that spotted beast also came from outer space?”
In response to that question, Rudy crossed his arms. He began speaking, recalling what he had learned about the spotted beast in the past.
“…It’s likely that you’re right. In the present era… productivity… is low, so it’s no longer used… But in the past, there were enemies, combat organisms. Perhaps, it was that.”
“I thought so. By the way, how long is the lifespan of those combat organisms?”
“…For the long-lived ones, they can live up to around 1,200 years.”
Naomi blinked in surprise at Rudy’s response.
“They sure do live quite a long time.”
“Do they?”
“Well, think about it. They can live for the same amount of time as the history of humanity on this planet.”
“Indeed, that may be true…”
The Galactic Empire has a history of over 60,000 years. Therefore, Rudy didn’t consider himself as living for such a long time.
“Could it be that living in space extends one’s lifespan?”
“…There’s no point of comparison with this planet. How old are you, Naomi?”
“I don’t know if it’s considered a straightforward question to ask a woman’s age in this culture, but… well, I don’t mind. I’m 28.”
“Twenty-eight…”
“You’re young. Rudy murmured in surprise at the unexpected age.
“So, how about you?” Naomi asked.
“I’m 81 years old.”
“Bu-ha!” Naomi exclaimed.
As soon as Rudy answered, Naomi spewed out the coffee she had in her mouth.
“Cough, cough… Eighty-one?! You’re way too old to look young!”
Rudy shrugged in response to Naomi’s astonishment.
In front of him, a drone with an arm was holding a cloth and meticulously wiping the dirty table.
“When I was born… I had anti-aging surgery. I will live for 500 years,” Rudy explained.
“That’s a really long life!” Naomi exclaimed.
“When I was born, my job was already decided. I was chosen for transportation work. That’s why… I have longevity due to anti-aging,” Rudy elaborated.
“Do your parents not say anything about it? Being born with a job already decided?” Naomi asked.
“I don’t have parents. I’m from the Empire, but I was born through artificial insemination,” Rudy replied.
“What is that?” Naomi asked, unable to comprehend artificial insemination.
Rudy proceeded to explain artificial insemination to Naomi.
“So basically, you were born not from parents but in a test tube, and you were raised with tools?” Naomi summarized.
“That’s right,” Rudy nodded.
“…The universe is far beyond my imagination. But, how should I put it… From my perspective, not having parents feels lonely,” Naomi expressed.
“Everyone around me is the same. So I don’t feel lonely. Besides, there’s a bigger issue… the issue before that. The universe is too vast. I don’t have the opportunity to meet people,” Rudy explained.
“You don’t meet people?” Naomi asked.
“As long as I live in space, I rarely get to meet people,” Rudy clarified.
“Don’t you meet people through business transactions or something?” Naomi inquired.
“I don’t meet them in person. We communicate through the net,” Rudy replied.
“The net? Like exchanging letters?” Naomi asked.
Naomi speculated that the internet might be like a form of letters, relying on her intuition.
Rudy pondered what letters were and recalled a distant history where people used pen and paper to communicate with each other over long distances.
“Letters… I guess that’s probably a good analogy,” Rudy agreed.
“It feels too convenient, but at the same time empty. And not having the freedom to choose your occupation, having it decided the moment you’re born, is, how should I put it, unfortunate? No, that’s not it… I wouldn’t go as far as calling it unfortunate, but I can’t understand it, and it doesn’t sit right with me,” Naomi expressed, scrunching her face in thought.
Rudy shook his head in response to her words.
“It’s not like you’re forced to stick with the predetermined occupation. However, the government support disappears,” Rudy explained.
“Support?” Naomi asked.
“The space vessel loan support, job placement assistance, tax deductions… all of that disappears. It can be tough. But if you have something you want to do, it’s only natural to face a challenging environment, right?” Rudy replied.
“I see. Still, even in the harshest circumstances, I would choose freedom,” Naomi stated.
Upon hearing Naomi’s remark, Rudy wondered if she was a masochist.
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