Epilogue: A Future Full of Things to Do
Tiberius was experiencing a bizarre sensation—like the onset of seasickness. Though there was no physical turbulence inside the ship, it felt as though they were riding small, intermittent swells.
Many spacers never grow accustomed to this warp sensation. The Imperial Navy has been working on countermeasures for warp sickness, but Lillian knows it will take at least twenty years for any real progress.
Yet, in just four years, warp distances will expand dramatically, making 100 or even 200 light-years a strategic possibility.
By sixty years later, even a 1,000-light-year journey would become feasible with just a few warps.
Compared to the present, where safety concerns limit jumps to 10 or 20 light-years, the difference is staggering.
“—Full system check. Maintain perimeter vigilance. Confirm shield deployment.”
Weltall’s orders echoed through the dimly lit bridge.
“Short-range warp successful. Test distance: 1 million kilometers cleared.”
First, a trial run—a short-range warp, not yet light-years.
Mirei’s voice trembled as she reported, tears welling up by the end.
“W-We did it! We actually warped! We can warp now!”
Cowen leaped from his seat, his whole body radiating joy.
A full week had passed since their battle with the three-ship fleet. In that time, Tiberius had been attacked twice—both times by what appeared to be unmanned drones. Neither posed any real threat.
The assaults felt half-hearted, almost perfunctory. Whether that was sheer luck or the momentum from their earlier decisive victory, no one could say.
Perhaps because the warp drive had avoided damage in this timeline, repairs progressed far faster than expected.
Still, long-distance warps remained out of reach. This short-range test was a one-time trial. Afterward, the drive required further maintenance—not every stressed component had been fully repaired.
Even so, the mere fact that they could warp was cause for genuine celebration.
With repeated adjustments, once long-distance warps became viable, their return to Earth would be all but assured.
Of course, they couldn’t let their guard down. Everyone knew that.
But knowing didn’t make this joy any easier to suppress.
Even Weltall, seated in the captain’s chair, seemed to share the sentiment. For the first time in days, he slumped back, tension draining from his body.
He exhaled deeply, smiled faintly, and locked eyes with Richard standing beside him.
Richard, ever expressionless, gave a small nod.
“How long until the warp drive is fully adjusted?” Richard asked Debonair—
a request to relay the question to engineering.
“For short-range warps, about three hours. If we complete four more short jumps without issues, long-range will be possible.”
“Understood. Tell engineering and maintenance to begin adjustments immediately.”
As Richard relayed the order, Weltall added,
“Now that we can warp, we’ve gained a way to evade combat. Until adjustments are complete, remain vigilant—but I authorize the postponed celebration. Inform the entire ship. Once our first historic long-range warp is complete, we’ll make it a grand one.”
The announcement sent students across Tiberius into cheers.
Seeing this, Lillian finally felt the weight on her shoulders lift.
Everything was going well.
Too well, perhaps? Well, no matter.
Tiberius would return home just as history recorded—with no casualties, less damage than before, and a major victory under its belt.
But they couldn’t relax. The enemy might strike precisely because of this moment.
“Hm…?”
Lillian reached for her console, checking the monitors.
They were skilled, but still kids. They needed rest somewhere…
That was her last thought before her consciousness flickered out.
Just before, she’d heard a voice—Debonair’s? Mirei’s? Cowen the joker’s? Or—
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“Stress.”
Lillian woke eight hours later—or so she was told. However, this was inside a sleep capsule prepared in the medical bay. Setting aside physical injuries, it’s a device that refreshes mental strain and promises quality sleep. Though it was boasted as equipment that could provide the equivalent quality of six hours of sleep in just one hour, in cases like this where mental stress needed to be resolved at its root, the device’s refresh function had to be used at a leisurely pace, requiring six to eight hours of sleep.
It’s a device that could certainly be criticized for being the complete opposite of its advertised claims, but since simply taking time with it serves as a basic treatment, it ultimately ends up being deployed on all Imperial vessels.
“You were under extreme stress. How do you feel?”
When Lillian next opened her eyes, the first sight that greeted her was Frim’s pure white hair.
As the capsule opened with a hiss of escaping air, she felt a slight chill. Though still in her uniform, this was likely due to the sleep capsule. Perhaps her body temperature had dropped from sleeping for so long, though this wasn’t supposed to be a cryogenic sleep device.
“I don’t think it’s bad.”
The sensation of stress being relieved is difficult to perceive.
“How did the short-distance warp experiment go?”
“Haa…”
Frim let out a small sigh.
From Lillian’s perspective, it was a “why that reaction?” kind of moment.
“I had a feeling you might be like this, but you’re a worrywart just like Stella. Don’t worry. Now, let’s see… we’ve conducted two more short-distance warps since you collapsed, so next would be preparation for a long-distance one, ideally.”
Frim spoke while recording the vital data displayed on the device next to the capsule.
“Any enemy attacks?”
“None so far. Personally, I don’t think they’ll come back… I mean, we gave them quite a thrashing. Or rather, that’s the source of your stress. You worry too much about everything. It’s necessary to some extent, but Lillian, you’re trying to shoulder everything yourself.”
Was that casual, somewhat dismissive response a reaction to her unchanging attitude?
And that observation about trying to shoulder everything—it felt like a pinpoint strike on a slightly painful spot.
Still, it’s not like she had anyone to consult with.
“I’ll be careful. But you know, that’s just how the first bridge is.”
“There you go again… Anyway, the medical chief has strictly ordered me to give you a sedative and one more day of rest.”
“Alright. I get it. I’ll rest. Hey, don’t get angry yourself. You’ll end up in the same state.”
“Mmm…”
Having no comeback to that, Frim’s cheeks flushed slightly as she looked away.
“Why are there so many people like this…”
“It’s because you’re earnest. And kind.”
“Please don’t change the subject.”
“I’m just telling the truth.”
Seemingly resigned to having every comment smoothly countered, Frim stopped nagging.
“I need to record this in your chart, so I have some questions… Do you know what’s causing your stress…?”
After that, Lillian underwent some routine examinations and psychological tests. It was only natural that no issues were found.
After Frim compiled everything in the chart, she remained silent for a while before raising her face with newfound resolve.
“Um… about the other day, I apologize for the unseemly display.”
“Ah… that. I was surprised. Why? I was startled, but…”
“Well, it’s just that… that person is treated as the acting executive officer, and is someone with expectations on him, right? Plus he’s one of the popular students at school. And I got into a fight with someone like that and slapped his face.”
“You’re siblings, right?”
When Lillian asked this while glancing around cautiously, Frim showed a slightly surprised expression but quickly nodded.
“Richard told you, I see. I wasn’t planning to hide it, but there wasn’t any particular need to mention it.”
“Well, that makes sense. There’s that saying about fighting being a sign of closeness, and I don’t think a relationship where you can express your true feelings is a bad thing.”
“It’s not that good…”
Frim’s eyes seemed to be looking somewhere distant.
“Do you dislike him?”
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Thanks for the chapters. BTW & JFYI, this ch is currently linked/posted as “V4 epilogue 1” on NU
can you help me report the issue to novelupdate?