133 Expedition Arc 18 Imperial Cultural Level

"Since the evidence footage’s already uploaded to the imperial database, you can just look at it—clear as day?"

I was getting sick of being questioned over and over again, same thing, again and again.

I get that the Emperor being seriously injured is a big deal—but I can’t buy chasing rumors when the proof’s right in front of me.

Kyle and I were being interrogated under the guise of a "situation explanation," locked away separately.

Like I'm some imperial assassination attempt suspect.

It all started with a single word from the Prime Minister.

"There’s testimony that Prince Akira is a spy for Neahyume. He might have been plotting to assassinate His Imperial Majesty."

You're kidding, right?

The only explanation I can think of is that someone tried to cover up their massive failure—having their fleet infested by Neahyume—by spreading baseless rumors.

The fact that a figure of the Chancellor’s stature publicly spouted such idiotic rumors completely flipped the public’s perception of me—from hero to instant backlash.

I was genuinely shocked by how low the populace’s intelligence really is.

“So if you want to assassinate the Emperor, just throw the Neahyume at him head-on and let him die in battle.

I’ve personally killed nearly a million Neahyume—more than half the invading force, right?

So why on earth would I be the enemy’s spy?”

That’s what “speechless with disbelief” means.

The Empire possesses interstellar travel technology, yet the cultural maturity and general intelligence of its people are stuck somewhere around medieval Earth.

Maybe it’s better to say they’ve been handed interstellar travel tech while still living in the Middle Ages.

How does someone in the Chancellor’s position even think they can judge something based on gossip alone? What exactly do they think their influence is worth, anyway?

Judging things on personal likes and dislikes? Pulling out faction logic? That’s just plain beneath the dignity of the situation.

And the common folk—do they flip sides the moment the Chancellor gets criticized? Is that called thought manipulation or mass mobilization? Seems a little too simplistic, doesn’t it?

Where did the honest reaction go after watching the footage? Just blindly follow the Chancellor’s take and turn on someone else? So all that personal feeling before was a lie?

I finally get it.

The Empire wasn’t built from scratch. It seized power and civilization from the old Empire.

So all the so-called “civilization” the Empire uses? It’s just loot from the old one. Not something the current Empire actually created.

That’s why the culture and public mindset are still light-years away from real science-based advancement.

Barbarians wiped out the civilized, stole their culture, and now run a star-spanning nation with nothing but barbaric ways.

So I’m not surprised I used the Tactical Weapon Integration Control System to feed you info.

Science civilization’s stuck in a black box—knows only how to use things, never tries to improve or innovate.

It’s like hitting the jackpot if your DNA came preloaded with rare heritage.

Funny thing—Gale, who was running genetic experiments, was also a descendant of the old empire.

People in the current empire can serve as assistants, sure—but they can’t lead experiments from original ideas.

“Cut it out. I’m getting annoyed. No evidence? No cooperation.

If you’re gonna insult me without proof, I’m challenging the Chancellor to a duel!”

“Is it really okay to say that? Even princes can be pushed to talk… you know, by the right kind of method?”

The interrogator, riding the Chancellor’s authority, threatens me.

The “right kind of method” means torture.

I’ve had enough of this nonsense.

"Can I take that as a challenge? No backing down now, not even for the Chancellor himself?"

"Hmph. You’re not getting out of here anyway. You can’t possibly fight bare-handed."

"Got it."

『Did you record this conversation?』

『Yes.』

I send a signal through my wristband. My Personal Ship responds.

『Good. Initiating transfer. Destination: Personal Ship CIC. Assume combat readiness.』

I’m instantly transferred to my Personal Ship’s CIC.

My Personal Ship carries a Leap Bullet—a dimension-hopping (warp) projectile.

I realized I could apply its dimensional jump function to enable individual transfers. That’s how I made it work.

Jane and Miyu are already on standby aboard the new frigate.

『Jane, Miyu. Let’s go back. Stay inside the Dimensional Storage Vault for a bit while we warp.』

『Got it.』 『Mm.』

The new frigate vanishes once it enters the Dimensional Storage Vault’s effective range.

It’s inside the Dimensional Storage Vault now.

『Kyle, you alright?』

『I’m fine. I’m done explaining. You don’t get to interrogate me like some common criminal.』

『Akira-sama, please take me with you.』

A new voice cuts in—Steff, interrupting Kyle’s transmission.

Looks like she’s come aboard her Personal Ship.

『Exactly. Look after my sister. You’re her husband—she could be taken hostage, forced to confess, used as leverage against you.』

『Understood. So you’re saying I’ll have to topple the Chancellor if you keep dragging this out? Fine. I’ll make you pay the cost.』

『Yes.』

If the culture’s medieval, we’ll play by medieval rules.

You keep spreading lies like that, you’ll have to answer for it—along with the Third Prince, when it comes down to it.

Thanks for the read and the bookmark.

It really keeps me going—would be great if you could give it a quick upvote down below.

I messed up the name of my wife who’s in the Imperial Capital, so I’m correcting it. Carrie → Jane