319: Epilogue

Today's update features two chapters.

This is the second chapter.

Imperial Year 2590.

The Ether Universe Kingdom is established, formally seceding from the Vanilla Universe Empire.

The Ether Universe Kingdom, equipped with a different operating system than the Vanilla Universe Empire, steadily expands by开拓ing new star systems, leaving the stagnant growth of the Vanilla Universe Empire behind.

The new materials, new life forms, and new cultures discovered due to the difference in operating systems became indispensable to the development of the Ether Universe Kingdom.

Moreover, they brought a fresh breeze to the stagnant Vanilla Universe Empire.

As a result, relations between the two nations remained strong, with continuous exchange of people and goods, allowing both to flourish together.

■■■■■

"That may be desirable indefinitely... but well, you've been adapting to human society long enough, so you can probably guess what's coming?"

"Extremely reluctantly."

It was now the 2900th year of the Empire... or perhaps a little more.

More than three centuries had passed since the founding of the Ether Cosmic Kingdom, and with things having settled down considerably, I had come to Imperial Planet Vanilla City.

"In the end, the Empire couldn't crush Funaka's budding rebellion, could it? No, rather, it was you who wouldn't allow it to be completely eradicated. Chilarizm."

"With this matter, I did absolutely nothing. I knew perfectly well that even without action, it couldn't be crushed completely. And if it had been crushed, that would have been the kind of event that truly ended the world."

Vilijanira is gone.

She passed away 200 years ago.

There's nothing we can do about it—after all, we're ordinary humans and they're cosmic monsters.

Since the children, or rather, the descendants, are ruling the Ether Universe Kingdom with dignity, we should accept that as sufficient.

"Hmm... a time of turmoil, it seems."

"That's right. The gods of the Vanilla Universe Empire are set to be replaced by me personally. If they're reasonable, they should get along peacefully."

I took a sip of the tea Mebokshi had prepared, then let out a sigh.

At the same time, I recall the nations that succeeded in expanding into space over the past 300 years and obtained different operating systems.

Among them are countries that were not only aggressive but also dogmatic or violent.

Therefore, the future of space will inevitably be turbulent.

"If they're sane, then fine. If not, I don't care."

"Lord Sata. It's said that education is handled by the Great Mother, so the fundamentals should be fine."

"Still, it'd be nice if that were the case..."

Still, regardless of how chaotic the universe might become, I've come to believe that conflicts between humans should be resolved by humans themselves—this has been my stance for the past few decades.

If I were to get involved in anything, it would be if the alien monster from the other universe stepped forward.

"Well then, thank you for the meal. This is my payment—my ink."

"Yeah, thanks for the meal. Man, I can feel the tension and doubt flickering through you."

When I stepped away from Chirarizumu, I transferred to the spaceship piloted by Joharis, accompanied by Memokushi.

"Back already, Sat? So, what's the plan now?"

"For now, let's head out for some good food. That's always the first priority."

"Got it."

"I'll be your escort."

With that, the spaceship launched toward a nearby colony, and I began pondering what to have for today's meal.

"So, what will I have for today's meal?"

And thus, I conclude my journey through the Satavi Empire in space.

Thank you sincerely for reading until the end.

Bonus

The final scene with Satat and the others.

Satat: Guardian deity of the Ether Universe Kingdom. Usually found scavenging delicious food in the city, an ageless freelance writer. Despite the arrival of a turbulent era, his duties in that regard remained mostly unchanged.

Memoqsi: Satā's attendant. Since he keeps replacing his parts, he's full of life and shows no signs of slowing down. Incidentally, he's also the Great Mother of mechanical intelligence in the Ether Universe Kingdom.

Joharhis: Satā's personal driver. Slimes without nuclei seemed to lack the concept of lifespan altogether, as long as they received sufficient nutrition. Perhaps due to Joharhis's influence, the Ether Universe Kingdom has a slightly higher proportion of human-like slimes.

Vilijanira: First Queen of the Ether Kingdom. Physically, she is undoubtedly dead. Still, the Sata clan occasionally sense her presence. Incidentally, she has two sons and three daughters with Sata. Additionally, one child was born to Sata, who is in charge of the greenhouse, though that one has reportedly fled to establish a different nation.