A Road Flows Together With A Traveler 4

The Meta Conveyor Belt was like a river of flowing land. It was the main artery of the Military State, carrying countless cargoes.

However, apart from being a highly convenient means of logistics transportation, if asked whether it was a good means of public transportation, one could not help but tilt their head in puzzlement.

The flowing land subtly split and rejoined at every bend, directly transmitting the shock to the body. Moreover, it was exposed to weather conditions like rain and wind without any protection and one could not simply get off midway but was forced to travel only along the predetermined route.

On top of that, after adding the strict inspections at major facilities, characteristic of the Military State, in reality, only newly assigned soldiers and people from cities near the Belt ended up traveling on the Meta Conveyor Belt.

As such, even when I went behind the windbreak, there were only a few people. In fact, there were actually more containers in sight than humans.

Hello! Nice to meet you!

When I headed behind the windbreak, I saw about five travelers huddled together. An old military engineer with wrinkles all over his face, a mother and son holding hands tightly, a newly commissioned medical officer, and.

The number of travelers has increased! It wont be boring now! Hey, Gand! Make some room!

I am a Captain. How could you unhesitatingly behave in such an informal manner?

One of the Military States Six Star Generals, General Patraxion, the Sunderspear.

And his adjutant and disciple, Colonel Gand.

These guys were crazy. Why was someone like a General here? Shouldnt he be leading an entire corps? No, even that would be lacking for someone of his stature.

While I was reading some memories, the General gestured to the Colonel.

Colonel Gand, with his eyes opened sharply, glanced at the Captain. After sizing up the stiff Captain from head to toe, Colonel Gand whispered to General Patraxion, lowering his voice.

Master. Werent we supposed to keep our identities hidden while on vacation? If you show such an attitude to someone with the rank of a Captai-

For fucks sake. Stop whispering while sticking so disgustingly close. It gives me the creeps.

Colonel Gand, who was rebuked right in his face, frowned for a moment. Taking a few steps back, he somehow relayed a message to the General in a voice that couldnt be heard from here.

[Hoooo. So, that man might not know. But the Captain is clearly aware of our identity and doesnt know what to do.]

Tsk. Is it also a problem to be too famous? I wanted to reveal my identity later with a Surprise!.

[Youre the most famous person among the Six Star Generals. How could she not know. Now, please decide on our approach and concept. We can either reveal it or keep our stories consistent.]

Lay bare? Kiss? You brat, arent you showing too much ulterior motive just because youre an old bachelor? Haha!1 The direct translation is actually Lay bare and Kiss. Its a play on words; a double entendre. The Colonel means to say that they should either reveal their identities or keep their stories consistent. But the General jokingly interprets the words differently to make him seem horny and desperate.

[Are you an old coot? Cut the bullshit and please just make sure the Captain doesnt spill anything about us.]

The General grumbled to the irritated Colonel Gand.

I cant even joke around. Your reactions are no fun.

[Youre the one whos no fun Keuk. Even if its from Master, a rotten joke is still a rotten joke!]

Alright, alright.

The General snapped his fingers and looked at the Captain. His lips moved ever so slightly.

At the same time, the Captain flinched hard.

The wind stopped. At the same time, General Patraxions voice reached the Captain directly, literally jumping over space!

Even the atmosphere and the fierce wind were under control, a magic only possible by someone who had reached the pinnacle of Heaven Qi Arts.

[Look here, Captain. Keep our identity a secret, will you? Were actually on vacation, you see!]

It was coercion that wasnt coercion, a command that wasnt a command; a simple signaller like the Captain could never defy such an order.

Before the demands of a Star General, the Captain barely moved her stiff head.

Affirmative. I have confirmed.

[That doesnt mean we have the time or energy for honorifics and signs of respect to you, so just act adequately less stiff. Interact more freely with people. Dont ruin the mood by acting condescendingly, just because youre a Captain.]

Wow. What a miraculous technique. Hes clearly speaking, but I cant hear his voice at all. Its only the Captain who can hear this voice and respond.

He definitely seems to be a melee combatant. I guess when someone is at the level of the Six Generals, they can use all kinds of extraordinary techniques. Ahhhh, Im envious. Why cant I get some cheat-like skills?

Now then! Come on! Get over here! Were going to be traveling together for a long while, so we might as well sit comfortably!

Anyway

The person in question was one of the Six Star Generals of the Military State. Though he was a bit whimsical, it would be very troublesome if he discovered that I came from the Abyss. Not only was it a given that I would be interrogated, but there was also a chance of immediate execution.

He was hiding his identity right now, but when thinking about the reason he applied for vacation at this time He must be highly interested in the information about the Abyss.

I had to somehow divert this dumb Captains attention away from me. I grabbed the Captains hand; a shiver of hesitation ran through her entire body.

Bbey! Why are you standing there in a daze? Were going to be together with these people for a few days. You should greet them!

I approached while firmly holding the Captains hand.

The military engineer and the medical officer stood up and briefly saluted upon seeing the Captains uniform. Meanwhile, the civilian-looking mother, holding her son, crouched down as if scared. I smiled warmly at these individuals.

Hey, dont be so nervous! Our Bbey might wear a fancy ensign, but shes a nice kid who couldnt even kill a chirping chick! Shes just a bit stiff is all! Isnt that right, Bbey?

At my bright smile, the Captain couldnt possibly deny it and awkwardly wore a smile of her own.

A.Affirmative. That isright.

Aw, look how nervous you are! Its okay! You should talk and mingle with people in times like these!

Please dontmind me.

General Patraxion is here. Its better to remain quietbut, I cant inform him about this!

Nah, we cant remain silent. Whether we like it or not, we have to spend at least a day together you know? Its better to be noisy to divert their attention.

Secrets were supposed to be buried in noise, not silence. Showing a flustered attitude right now would seem more suspicious.

Okay, since its come to this

Bbey. Youve become too rigid after youve been commissioned. Before, you used to always waddle around and chase after me, saying Oppa, Oppa.

?!

As I spoke with teary eyes, the Captain stiffly turned her head like a golem.

This damned person just had to make such jokes even in this predicament! Are you incapable of being satisfied in any situation unless you make a shitty joke?!

Well, I guess since youve become more successful than your Oppa, you dont want to acknowledge an embarrassing brother like me anymore. Sob, sob.

For a lifetime! I dont want to acknowledge you for a lifetime! If I could, I would want to forget everything I have ever known about you! Everything!

Its okay, everyone. Shes just been struggling under my incompetence since we were young. Shes stiff because shes nervous, so please treat her gently. She really is a kind-hearted kid.

Dont make me laugh! How long do you think Ill be swayed by your jokes?!

What do you mean how long? Wouldnt it be until we part ways? Theres no reason not to use a fake identity, you know?

Moreover

Hey! Thats not right! Even if he is a shitty brother, thats no way to behave! I guess we just have to do this! Lets take this opportunity to reconcile! Try calling him Oppa!

The meddlesome General rejoiced and played along. Though his adjutant sighed and grasped his forehead, it didnt seem like he would step in for the Captain.

! Ididnt hear properly?

I said why dont you just take this opportunity to reconcile with your brother! Earlier, you two seemed so close!

Uh, um.

Her trembling lips looked pitiful. But she couldnt refuse the request of a Star General. After shutting her lips tightly, the Captain clenched her trembling hands and spoke.

S-Stop.Oppa.

WOAH! To think I would hear Oppa again in my lifetime!

As I began clapping with teary eyes, applause broke out. Even the adjutant, who was acting all cool, eventually smiled warmly.

The General pounded my shoulder and cheered enthusiastically.

You should also become a brother that your younger sister can be proud of! That is your duty and that is what family is supposed to be!

Thank you, Hyung-nim. Its all thanks to you!

The General didnt seem displeased by the overly familiar title.

Hyung-nim? Hahaha! Look at this guy! Hes so smooth with it! Sit here! Having someone as sociable as Little Brother around will make this journey far from boring!

Its an honor!

I waddled behind the General, following him. The Captain, who was watching my withdrawing back, continued to think even while wearing a look of disbelief.

This isnt the time for this. Even though he is on vacation, General Patraxion is the First Star of this nation. A self-made man who single-handedly brought down a kingdom.

Though her worries seemed like an overreaction, considering the identity of the General before me, even this felt insufficient. The Six Star Generals of the Military State were those at an unfathomably high position even among the General Officers, who were called monsters. They werent just war machines, but walking embodiments of war itself.

They were world-renowned powerhouses; just heading towards the border was enough to make neighboring countries go on high alert.

Perhaps its even possible for our identities to be guessed just through casual conversation! If that happens, I will not be able to protect you!

However, that worry proved to be unfounded.

Ill ask you seriously, Little Brother. Answer truthfully. Depending on thiswe might become enemies.

The General, with his hands clasped under his chin, glanced at me with eyes that bore all the sorrows of the world; those eyes could not be more heavily weighed down.

The first topic brought up by General Patraxion after seating me was

Which is a better weapon, a gun or a spear?

A discussion about weapons.

Upon his words, everyone around put their hands to their face and began to ponder deeply. The General, who had raised the topic, spoke first.

Ill state my position first. I am in favor of spears. Of course, Im not trying to coerce anyone, so feel free to express your own opinions.

As if we could. Since everyone remained silent, the General scratched his head before calling out to the biggest pushover here his own subordinate.

Yo! Gand! What do you think?

I am currently cleaning my spear.

Thats why Im asking! How is the spear? Do you think its better than a gun?

Gand, glancing at the General, indifferently replied while tending to his spear.

I cant possibly spit on my own face and insult myself. I will choose the spear as well.

When he said as such, the General clicked his tongue, grumbling in annoyance.

Chet. What a boring guy.

Crack. His hand gripping the spear shaft tightened. Colonel Gand gritted his teeth and responded.

I take it back. I dont know about anything else, but one thing Im sure of is that every single person who uses a spear has a rotten character.

Doesnt that include you?

If I am able to spit in the face of Master, I will gladly drench my own face as well.

After Colonel Gands statement, no one dared to speak rashly. Right as everyone was just looking around, trying to read the room, the child in his mothers arms raised his hand and shouted.

I choose the gun!

As was the case with mothers of bold children, she hurriedly tried to cover her childs mouth, utterly flustered. However, the General was quicker and asked while waving his hands.

Little guy! Why do you think so?

Because its cool! Like how it goes Bang! and then Flick!

Thats right! Indeed, in terms of threatening or deterring the enemy, a gun is a good weapon!

The General heartily laughed, seemingly pleased with the spirited answer. The pure opinion of the child reopened the conversation. The old military engineer raised his hand to voice his opinion.

I shall vote for the gun. A kingdom, which was the country of spear wielders, was destroyed at the hands of gunmen. That means the gun is better doesnt it?

The medical officer, who had been sitting quietly all this time, also chimed in.

I think the spear is better.

Oh? Why is that?

Because a spear wound is much more brutal and harder to treat than a gunshot wound. Unlike a bullet that rips through flesh, gets stuck in muscle, or lodges in bones, a spear crushes flesh and muscle and even breaks bones.

The medical officer fiddled with the first aid kid by his side. Only someone who had seen such horrific injuries could offer such a weighted opinion.

Hm. The medical officers opinion has a sense of reality! Now, what about you, Little Bro?

Was it finally my turn? While I cleared my throat and prepared a long-winded speech, the Captain looked at me with an expectant gaze.

General Patraxion is a master of the spear, known by the moniker Sunderspear. It would be better to speak in favor of the spear in front of him. You might not know this fact, but still, youre not completely oblivious. Im sure you were able to read the room. Youll agree with the Generals opinion. I believe in you.

Okay. I heard you loud and clear. I confidently stated with shining eyes.

Without a doubt, its the gun.

Howso! How do you always choose the most terrible options?!

I really liked how the Captain was looking at me. Simultaneously, the Generals eyes also shone challengingly, eager to hear my opinion.

Ho? Why is that?

He was known as the Sunderspear, a moniker given for reaching the pinnacle of that realm. And in front of that man, a legendary spearman who had severed the fate of a kingdom, I proudly insisted and argued about my perspective on weaponry.

First, the range. You can crawl and jump around all you want, but in the end, a spears range is only as long as the spear itself. On the other hand, a guns range is tens, even hundreds of times longer. That alone makes a significant, overwhelming difference. The only advantage of a spear, its range, becomes completely insignificant in front of a gun.

Ho?

The Sunderspear, faced with direct denial of the spear, mumbled slightly in dissatisfaction.

But arent guns also ineffective at long ranges? If its just a bit more distant, they cant pierce even a slightly trained persons muscles, and if they have Qi Deflection, even a bullet shot point-blank can be bounced off.

You cant tackle this topic based on people who use Qi Arts. If so, a spear can even be caught barehanded by a Qi Practitioner.

But unlike bullets, a spear can be infused with Qi. It can tear through the bare hands trying to catch it and pierce the body.

This too was a statement from someone with actual experience.

General Patraxion, known as the Sunderspear, led his troops and personally turned enemies into skewered meat. Countless had tried to block, deflect, or catch his spear, but none could boast of such an achievement.

After all, even those who tried to just show a pretense of catching his spear were nothing more than prospective corpses that received the spear with their bodies.

But, you see, about that I innocently retorted, tilting my head.

But isnt that just because Qi Arts is strong, not because the spear is?

Pfft.

The General turned his head with a fearsome expression. The Sunderspears adjutant and fellow spear wielder, Colonel Gand, brushed his mouth with his hand, maintaining a poker face.

That traitorous fucker. I might just have to excommunicate him.

To ease the Generals displeasure, I lightly listed some disadvantages of guns.

Well, I admit its not omnipotent or all-powerful. A gun isnt very effective against armored people. Using high-level alchemic steel for disposable bullets doesnt make sense, but they still wrap themselves in shiny high-quality armor anyway. Its true theres a severe difference.

But even considering all that, you still think guns are better?

Of course. The range is everything in a weapon. Even if a thousand warriors charge, only eight can fight at once, but if there are a thousand archers, one would have to block a thousand arrows, right? Numerical superiority directly translates into combat power!

Look at this guy. He sounds like some great war analyst. Anyone would think youve experienced war firsthand.

General Patraxion grumbled with a grumpy face. I scratched my head and smiled vaguely.

Hahaha. I just like to imagine such things. Thinking about giving orders as a General makes my heart race with excitement.

Hmph. You wouldnt think that if you actually did it.

Im actually curious whether Id feel that way, so I want to try it myself. In reality, I would probably be nothing more than a clumsy, incompetent soldier from the rank and file, though. But even considering that, I prefer guns. Cant it be used even when the enemy is far away?

It wasnt a lie. After all, to make a convincing story, you needed to mix in some truth to make it seem more real.

I truly did think guns were good weapons.

Because I was more afraid of guns than spears.

As a Mind Reader, it was rare for me to get completely blindsided and hit by a spear, but the chance of getting hit by an unseen bullet was always present. When I saw someone shoot without even knowing where their bullet was heading, it really made me dislike being a Mind Reader.

To think that I wouldnt be able to dodge it even though I read their thoughts. Didnt it seem somewhat unfair? I had once twisted my body to the right, reading their intention to aim for my heart, which was on the left. However, despite such knowledge, a bullet still grazed my right ear. Was that even a fight? Was it truly a fight to have my life threatened by a fool who didnt even know where their bullet was aimed?

Well, anyway.

Very good. I have listened well to your opinion on weaponry, Little Brother.

Unable to remain broad-minded, the General glared at me with determination. Meanwhile, I just shrugged my shoulders and shifted the blame.

Its not entirely my opinion. Most of the detailed content was things I heard from my younger sister, after all.

Ho? Both of you siblings, like peas in a pod, said such things, huh.

?! Negative! NegATIVE! NEGATIVE!

The Captain, who was suddenly singled out, could only sound alarm bells in her mind.

Footnotes:1 The direct translation is actually Lay bare and Kiss. Its a play on words; a double entendre. The Colonel means to say that they should either reveal their identities or keep their stories consistent. But the General jokingly interprets the words differently to make him seem horny and desperate.