*Note: I finally started to write my original novel after months developening the world! Don't worry about the schedule, it will be the same as always and I only write one chapter. I'll start to publish it when I have like 10 or 15 chapters, so there is still some time before I start publishing it, but I wanted you to know about it anyway. I'll keep you updated as the publication date approaches.
...
"Women again? What's wrong with this galaxy and women? This is starting to feel like a poorly told meme," I said.
It's always the same: nobles who love power, money, and women. I know that under normal circumstances this is common — I like women too — but… why do they never seem to treat them fairly?
"Mmm, many have been corrupted by power and money. They see themselves in an important position, with near-total immunity. When someone sees themselves like that, the chances of them becoming corrupt are very high. And what does the majority like most? That's right — beautiful women, a harem. It's one of the most common things," Nemesis said.
"But having a harem doesn't mean you can treat women like slaves. That's wrong," I said with a frown.
What would it cost them to treat women like people? With respect, which is what they deserve, and not like simple objects to collect for pleasure.
"I agree with you, but… your case is very special. In general, in a harem there is a main wife and concubines. The main wife is the one who manages the harem and gives orders, but in most cases, the concubines don't submit and fight for the position of first wife. On the surface they are obedient, but inside they are always scheming. I've even seen concubines murder wives just to obtain the position of first wife," Nemesis explained.
While we were talking, the car started moving and, of course, we followed it.
"Why so much competition?" I asked.
"For power. The position of first wife means being the one with the most authority after the husband. She gets greater wealth, greater freedom, and the only thing they have to give in return are their bodies… I already told you, your harem is an unusual case. In fact, even after all the time I've spent living on Earth, I don't fully understand your situation. When I came to Earth, I thought I would see competition between your women, but what I saw was harmony and peace — a harem that treats each other with respect and affection, as if they were blood sisters, with everything that implies. When I saw that, I was genuinely surprised," Nemesis said.
"…Yeah, mine is strange. I wonder why," I nodded.
She's right. Even on Earth, in times when nobles ruled and polygamy was common… what Nemesis said was true. But… why does a society so advanced, with technology light years ahead of ours, have such an archaic system that we left behind centuries ago? I simply couldn't understand it.
"I have my theories, but… we'll have to leave that for later. It looks like we've arrived," Nemesis said.
I looked at the car, which was beginning to slow down. We were now in what seemed to be… another warehouse? Honestly, there was no difference from the previous warehouse we saw.
"Another warehouse?" I asked.
"Were you expecting something more elegant in a place like this?" Nemesis said.
"Something like that…" I nodded.
"Anyway, they seem to be getting ready to move. Let's follow them," Nemesis said.
The men had gotten out of the car and were entering the huge warehouse with those large suitcases full of Dorolio, surely ready to be sold.
"Alright, let's go," I nodded.
We then passed through the wall and followed the men. The inside of the warehouse was literally a warehouse like those on Earth, but futuristic, with robots and machines autonomously loading all the packages at impressive speed. However, although I would have liked to see more of this futuristic warehouse, our mission was different, so I continued following those men alongside Nemesis.
The men walked down a long hallway until they reached some stairs that seemed to lead to a second floor, which the men didn't hesitate to climb. The second floor wasn't big at all — there was only a small hallway and a door at the end.
When they arrived, the men knocked on the door.
"Come in," a voice said from behind the door.
The men opened the door cautiously and entered.
"Let's go, I think this is the end of our path," Nemesis said.
"Yes," I nodded.
We both passed through the wall and entered the room. The room was completely different from the warehouse below — it looked like a luxurious office that didn't fit with this place. On the other side of the desk was a thin man in a suit, with his hair combed back, black, and a large scar running across half his face and right eye, which were covered by glasses. They were probably for appearance or had another function. Lala had told me that technology already existed to cure blindness and vision problems, whether from birth or not, so I doubt it was out of necessity. The man looked human except for his entirely green skin and small horns protruding from his head.
"Sir, here is what you ordered!" the men said.
"Good. Leave them on my desk and get out immediately," the man said.
The man wasn't alone. Beside him was a bald, burly man — very burly — who looked very similar to a human but with the height of a first-grade child despite his adult face. On both sides there were several suited men who also looked like small children but with muscular bodies and weapons. There were also two women behind the bald man — l**** who were almost naked, on all fours with dog chains around their necks and collars.
Of course, the green-skinned man also had several suited men who, compared to the bald man's, looked like elementary school kids trying to face a muscular adult.
"The bald man is Lavidus… Dita's father," Nemesis said.
For a moment I was stunned by Nemesis's words. Dita's father was here to buy illegal Dorolio? What kind of father did Dita have?
"Looks like this time we've hit the jackpot. As they say on Earth: 'Two birds with one stone.' That Gid won't be assigning me another job for a long time after this," Nemesis said.
I was still quite surprised by what Nemesis had told me, but I forced myself to stay calm.
After the five men delivered the suitcases, they left immediately without looking back.
"Now that we're alone… here you go, 10kg of Dorolio, fully refined," the man said.
"Come on, you're very cold, Mr. Larkos. Aren't I a frequent client? Why don't you offer me something while we chat?" Lavidus asked.
"This is business, Mr. Lavidus. I'm not here to make friends. We're just a buyer and a seller. Refrain from treating me as if I were your friend," Larkos said.
Lavidus's bodyguards raised their eyebrows, but after a hand gesture from Lavidus, they quickly lowered them.
"Fine. Give me the Dorolio and I'll leave," Lavidus said.
He had wanted to try to befriend him to get a small discount, but since he wasn't willing, he didn't want to force it. Besides, they were in enemy territory — it wasn't wise to provoke Larkos.
"First the credits," Larkos said, frowning.
"Smagson," Lavidus said.
"Yes," the man known as Smagson nodded.
He was one of his bodyguards. There wasn't much to note.
Smagson handed over a dark red credit card-like device to Larkos.
"Good. If everything is in order, the transaction is complete," Larkos said.
Then, surprisingly, he pressed a small button hidden in his glasses and a light fell on the card. The light seemed to analyze the card, but it only lasted a couple of seconds before disappearing.
"It's all good. You can take it," Larkos said.
"Oops, it's our time to interfere. Ready?" Nemesis said.
"Ready," I nodded.
Just as Lavidus ordered his bodyguards to pick up the suitcases…
"I don't think today is your day, Larkos," Nemesis said.
"WHO'S THERE?!" the bodyguards shouted.
They quickly drew their weapons and looked around.
"Don't bother. It won't work," Nemesis said.
"If you're so brave, I doubt you mind showing your face, right?" Larkos said.
"Of course not," Nemesis replied.
Suddenly, a green light briefly illuminated the entire place. When the light faded, Nemesis and Akira could be seen — the latter transformed into Diamondhead. After all, Akira wasn't sure if Big Chill could withstand bullets, so to be safe, he transformed into an alien that was almost 100% guaranteed to handle it.
"WHO ARE YOU?! IDENTIFY YOURSELVES IMMEDIATELY AND EXPLAIN HOW YOU GOT HERE! ONLY THEN WILL YOU BE ABLE TO LEAVE WITH YOUR LIVES!" one of the bodyguards shouted.
But at that moment, Larkos, who had remained calm like Lavidus, widened his eyes in surprise.
"IT CAN'T BE! HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT SHE'S HERE?!" Lavidus exclaimed in terror.
Lavidus stepped back, terrified by the person in front of him. Of course they didn't recognize Akira, but they did recognize the girl who looked like a harmless doll beside him.
"IMPOSSIBLE! WHAT IS THE GRIM REAPER DOING HERE?!" Lavidus exclaimed.
Upon hearing the name, even the bodyguards stepped back in terror.
"The Grim Reaper?" I asked, confused.
"That's what some fools call me," Nemesis said.
"Nemesis, the Grim Reaper! How did you get in here?" Larkos said.
He was clearly nervous and terrified, but he forced himself to remain calm.
"Larkos, you are under arrest for theft and illegal trafficking of Dorolio. It would be best if you surrender peacefully and offer no resistance, or it will be worse. And you…" she said, looking at Lavidus.
"M-me?" Lavidus asked, pale with fear.
"Yes, you. You are also under arrest for illegal trafficking of Dorolio. Surrender peacefully or face the consequences," Nemesis said.
None of them knew what to do because they knew that the Grim Reaper was literally invincible and immune to weapons. That was a fact everyone in the galaxy knew. But… who was the guy next to her?
"Arrested? Are you working for the police now?" Larkos asked.
"That's none of your business. Surrender peacefully or don't… honestly, I prefer the second option," Nemesis said with a smile.
"Fine, I'll surrender, but first I'd like to know who that being next to you is. I don't think that's too much to ask from someone who's about to be arrested. Right?" Larkos said.
"He's my fiancé. And now that you know, surrender," Nemesis said.
Upon hearing that, everyone present almost fainted from surprise.
"THE GRIM REAPER'S FIANCÉ?! IMPOSSIBLE! EVERYONE KNOWS YOU HAVE NO INTEREST IN MEN!" Lavidus said.
"Because none of them deserved my admiration and attention. None of them were worthy of me. But he is, so I became his woman. As a woman, it's inevitable to have a weakness for exceptional men, and he is one. Having said all that, surrender already. This stupid question game is starting to annoy me, and if you keep it up, I won't give you the chance to surrender peacefully anymore," Nemesis said, irritated.
No one knew what to do or say — everyone except Larkos, who had come up with an idea. Her fiancé? Perfect. It was impossible to harm the Grim Reaper, but her fiancé was another story. Yes, he knew that after what he was about to do, death probably awaited him, but after all the crimes he had committed, he was going to be sentenced to death anyway. Dying like this, at least he could say he died at the hands of one of the most powerful beings in the galaxy and had even hurt her — not physically, but emotionally. It would be a grand death!
"SHOOT THE MAN NEXT TO HER, NOW!" Larkos ordered.
The bodyguards understood their boss's intentions and began firing at Akira, but to everyone's surprise, Nemesis didn't even flinch.
Seeing that he was about to be bombarded by a rain of bullets, Akira stomped on the ground and, at almost imperceptible speed, a shield made of what appeared to be crystal formed in front of him and Nemesis. Although neither of them needed it, it looked much cooler this way.
The bullets — which weren't really bullets but highly destructive energy beams with lethality dozens of times superior to Earth's weapons (the less destructive ones like pistols, machine guns, snipers, etc.) — impacted against the crystal wall, but it suffered no damage. Only a few small scratches remained after the barrage of shots.
"Do you really think weapons can hurt me? You're quite foolish," Akira said angrily.