Above Your Head

Chapter 82: A Bouquet of Roses (1)

The Great War was a highly reliable simulation and had sold tens of billions of copies throughout the universe.

By developing The Great War, the Leonhardt Empire gained tremendous profits and fame. Their presence was clearly imprinted in the minds of hundreds of different forces in the Great Universe. Unless it was a galaxy in close proximity, it would be difficult even for an Empire-class force to achieve such an achievement.

As such, the Leonhardt Empire managed The Great War as some sort of national project. The Department of Combat Technology was established, and a manager was directly appointed by the Imperial household to further develop the system. Hence, that was why the detailed data of The Great War was considered a national secret and it was not easily accessible. For that reason, the technical staff who discovered Dae-ha from the new high-score notification ultimately made a mistake and perceived him as an electronic-type Ability user instead of a pilot.

The only thing the technical staff could confirm at the site was the stage-clear announcement and the scores.

Their only job was to recruit pilot candidates according to their scores and report the details to their superiors. They couldn't directly check the combat records themselves as it would be an overstep of the boundaries of their authority. The combat records contained the fighting methods and habits of the pilot. They would also show the weakness, the Achilles' Heel of the pilot in question. So the technical staff had to go by the books instead of their own judgement for the recruitment of the pilot candidates. The combat records would then be encrypted and sent to the headquarters.

And now…

"Now now, if all of you have seen it, say something."

The combat records had finally arrived at the headquarters and it was disclosed by the Department of Combat Technology.

"Hmm..."

"Don't just groan, say something. What do you think about this?"

"No, wait a minute. Hmm. This is… surprising. It looks like… he's really playing The Great War though?"

"I don't know what his Ability is, but it's out of the ordinary. There wasn't even a single error found on the main server."

"There were precedents of The Great War's system being rigged, but this is really on another level. He didn't show any hint of awkwardness at all and he was battling it out as if it was second nature to him. Moreover, take a look at this technique... This is an Ability that was created by fusing at least three Abilities. He wouldn't be able to bring this sort of details alive if he didn't have an intelligence-type Ability."

The three old men in the room filled with all kinds of equipment were frantically looking through the battle records. They weren't just looking at the recorded video, they were also checking the system that was used in the room.

The middle-aged blonde man seated in the center of the room pathetically shook his head at the three old men's actions.

"…Stop running away and analyze it properly. Do you want to lose your jobs?"

"Huhh, but... Hohoho."

"No, no matter how I look at it, this is...."

"How did he even score 1.28 billion points…"

All three old men forced a laugh as they couldn't believe their eyes. They were trying to keep their calm somehow, but their eyes were shaking. An old man with long ears and blue hair asked on behalf of the three men.

"Surely, you're not saying this is the actual game replay, right?"

"Of course it is. In the first place, does it make sense that without messing around with the system commands, the combat records could be manipulated? No, even if it was possible, why would someone do that?"

Since the distant past, there had been countless times where someone tried to hack the already developed system from the outside. Attacking had always been easier to do than defending, and even if the system was created by pooling a huge amount of resources and manpower, there was always the possibility of it being breached by an unexpected attack.

However, the current situation was completely different. It wasn't just a single part, instead, the whole game play was natural. Furthermore, if the cause and effect were aligned, it would be reasonable to think of it as a normal play and not a manipulation of the system.

"But even so… Aren't his points pretty abnormal? Besides, that kind of unbelievable play is impossible even for a Gigant Master. Even the greatest genius wouldn't be able to handle all those Abilities at a master-level."

It wasn't anything special for Koreans to speak English. Learning a foreign language wasn't easy, but if someone puts in time and effort, they would be able to speak the language at the standards of a native speaker. Likewise, there was nothing to be surprised about speaking three languages. If someone had an aptitude for linguistic studies, it wasn't that uncommon to be able to become proficient with four or even five languages at the standards of a native speaker.

However, what Dae-ha had demonstrated was humanly impossible.

"Moreover, look at this record! His Ability is different everyday! Except for the ones that overlap, it's confirmed that he was handling somewhere around 50 Abilities! And what the hell is with these techniques? Using the soul power of the Iron Heart as if it was magic power in his heart. Besides, how old is he?"

"I heard he's lived less than 20 years."

"That's right, 20 years! Is this even something possible to do at that age?"

If you had a linguistic talent and if there was a supporting environment, it was possible to speak two languages at the level of a native speaker at the tender age of 20. However, what if a five year-old boy could freely speak 200 languages and not just two or ten languages? What if he had a complete understanding of the meaning and nuance of all the words in that particular language?

That wouldn't be a matter of talent. It would be a strange thing. Because... the short life he had lived was too short to make such great history.

"With the way things have unfolded, we need to first summon him and confirm how all this is possible!"

It was a heated reaction unbefitting of their usual gentle appearance. The combat records they received were so shocking that it made them react that way. If the contents of the combat records were true, Dae-ha might be able to rewrite the history of wars throughout the whole universe.

Seeing them so excited, the incumbent Minister of the Department of Combat Technology, Rosta Leonhardt, muttered.

"Since we're on the topic… He happens to be on the way here."

"What do you mean 'here'? He's coming to the headquarters?"

"No, he's going to the Imperial Capital."

"…What are you talking about? An outsider is heading to the Imperial Capital directly? There are so many old bastards there who lose their cool at those who possess a bloodline. Is that even possible?"

One of the three men asked with an expression that seemed to say that he couldn't understand the reason behind it. It was a sensitive topic, but he didn't show any hesitation. Although Rosta Leonhardt was a member of the Imperial family, all three of them were Great Wizards who had received enlightenment of the world and were treated with great respect even within the Imperial court.

Rosta explained, "Of course it is. No, to be exact, he has to."

"What are you talking about?"

Rosta laughed at the sight of the three curious old men. Then, he waved his hand and a letter appeared in the empty mid-air. The old man with a pair of horns widened his eyes when he saw the inscription on the envelope.

"The sender is... the Queen of Starlight."

"Ughh. You're using that nickname for a baby girl who's young enough to be your granddaughter?"

"Of course! She's still the Queen nonetheless!"

Upon the sight of the horned-old man shouting vehemently, the bald old man next to him muttered, "Haha, you didn't know? He got plenty of bromide for your niece too."

"Really? This old bastard. Please act your age."

"Hohoho. No matter what you say, my love for the Queen will not dissipate. No, wait, but why are you suddenly taking out the Queen's letter? Are you perhaps going to give it to me?"

"…"

"Hoho, I'm kidding. Anyways, what's it really about?"

"It's nothing. It's just a letter asking if I can officiate."

The old man with horns tilted his head at the sudden remark.

"Whose wedding?"

"Who else?" Rosta chuckled and dropped a bombshell remark that no one had imagined, "Of course it's her own."

*

Thuckkk.

"Are you awake?"

"...Ahh. Yes."

"Enjoy your meal."

I broke out in a cold sweat at the respectful greeting. Needless to say, it was a face I didn't recognize. Even though it's been a while since I lived in the Albatross ship, I didn't recognize the faces of all the crew members. Yet, today alone, I was saluted by dozens of people.

"I'm telling you, you don't have to be so uncomfortable at everything. I'm doing this out of gratitude."

"No, even so, I'm not even a soldier."

"Even if you're not a soldier, you're still a war hero."

"...Are you going to act that way too?"

"But it's true."

I sighed deeply while listening to Bo-ram and Dong-min. After I subdued Rising Storm and lost consciousness, I slept for more than a month. What was even more surprising was that Albatross activated Astral Drive for the whole month and was flying towards the Imperial Capital of the Leonhardt Empire. I didn't know where Leonhardt Empire was, but we would have already crossed more than five or six galaxies within that one month.

'I wonder what's going on at school...'

I sighed, but I had already come too far to worry about school. Back on Earth, I was plainly going to school and back everyday, but after coming to the universe, I piloted huge robots and fought aliens everyday. There was such a stark difference that it felt foreign.

"By the way, how are you feeling? You've been lying down for a long time."

"Ahhh. Maybe because I rested well, I feel rather refreshed. But I didn't expect I would sleep for a month. I'm starving."

"Hmm, but then again, no matter how good the nutritional supplements are, they're not food. Fortunately, Albatross has been restored to a certain extent, so the food is pretty good."

"What's good?"

"It's something that's not on Earth, but it's a soup that has something similar to dumplings in it. They call it Talta. It's really nice. It's easy to digest too... Hmm?"

Bo-ram was happily chattering away when she suddenly stopped. As I turned around my head wondering why she stopped, I could sense the people making a fuss from far away.

"Ohhh… Oh my God."

"She's the Queen indeed."

"She's beautiful..."

I could hear soft whispers. They were all staring at the same place and it made me wonder what was going on as well. So I followed their gazes and looked to where they were looking.

And I spotted her.

"Oh…"

She was the Imperial Princess of the Leonhardt Empire as well as the girl with the grandiose title of Space Idol attached to her name. Celestia was walking over lightly as if she was weightless. It went without saying that she was a great beauty.

In fact, I've always known. Her blue hair seemed as if it carried the essence of the sea, her eyes sparkled in blue just like her hair and her skin was jade white. Her appearance looked like the masterpiece of an outstanding master craftsman. More so than anyone else, she looked as though she walked out of an anime. [1] Even I, who hated meddlesome affairs, was dangerously entranced by her appearance.

But now that I woke up after a month, I realized that I had no idea who she truly was.

"…Oh my God, she's beautiful."

Celestia's beauty took even Bo-ram's breath away. Bo-ram's voice was full of admiration without a trace of jealousy. After knowing Celestia for so long, there was no reason to keep thinking that she was beautiful. There were no words needed, nor was there any need to be surprised; her beauty was a fact that was a foregone conclusion. But despite having such a thought process, I felt that Celestia was so beautiful that I couldn't even remember what she looked like usually.

'I see.' Then, I realized. 'She has never dressed herself up before.'

Celestia had spent most of her time in combat gear and her hair was either casually tied up, or let down. Most of all, she had never put on makeup. She was always without make-up. Even so, she was so beautiful that no one realized it. Her natural beauty, charisma, and the unique aura that surrounded her always made her shine.

Nonetheless, she was walking over, all dressed up and she even had makeup on. Like a warrior going to battle, from her outfit to her makeup, and finally her hairstyle, it felt like she was putting all her effort into it.

'I have no choice but to admit it.'

She was beautiful. She had the unique innocence and cheerfulness of a young girl, but at the same time, she also had the elegant vibe of a mature woman. She was radiating in a brilliant light like flower buds that scattered in full bloom; it was as if her visage of a gorgeous beauty and that of a haughty beauty had fused into one. Her appearance was surreal enough for me to think that my surrounding reality was shattering in shock.

Clack. Clack.

Celestia strided proudly as if the gazes of the crowd of people didn't faze her at all. However, she was holding something in her hand.

"What is that? A bouquet of flowers?"

"A bouquet of roses? And it's even gold in colour. Don't tell me that's..."

"Who is it! Who gave her the bouquet?"

"No, that aside, did the Imperial Princess-nim accept that?"

"Who the hell is the person who gave her the bouquet?"

The crew members were making a commotion at the fact that Celestia might have accepted someone's confession. But they were mistaken. She didn't receive the bouquet of flowers from anyone.

"Did you sleep well?" Walking past the crew members in a hubbub, Celestia muttered with a gorgeous smile. Then, she stuck out the bouquet of roses.

I reached my hand out to her...

"Huh?"

"Huhhhhhhhh?!"

"Whaaaat?"

I grabbed her and got out from the restaurant.

1. The original raws translates literally to "More so than anyone else, Celestia's beauty matched the expression "like a drawing". I tweaked the expression a little for better understanding.