Interstellar Age

It had been many years since Erich last stepped foot on this starship. And the memories he had of it were nothing but delightful. In fact, if Erich was being honest, simply being in Lunaria's presence on board this shape filled him with the desire to make love to her as if they were still engaged in such a relationship.

But this was a new life, one he had started over as a result of his special abilities. Many things were different in this life, and some things were the same. For example, Lunaria was as beautiful as she had ever been. Even now when she was glaring at Erich as if he had somehow offended her.

Despite her angry expression, Lunaria still played the role of a proper host, offering Erich food and drink in exchange for his time. Something Erich was pleased to take part in, especially since it had been ages since he dined on such fine Elven cuisine.

Lunaria was curious. By the looks of it, Erich was not only accustomed to Elven food but also had a proper understanding of its quality. Because his words confirmed this immediately after taking a bite from the fine cuisine.

"Cooked to perfection, thank you, Lu- Your majesty..."

Even Celestia was slightly curious about how Erich seemed to be so well accustomed to the dishes of her species homeworld. Because there were no records of Erich ever stepping foot on Alfheim, and the only place you could get Alfheim cuisine in the entire galaxy was in the world itself.

Ultimately, Lunaria broke the awkward silence between her and her daughter, more curious about this bunker Erich mentioned, than she was about anything else.

"About this bunker?"

Erich did not immediately respond to this obvious attempt to shift the conversation, instead he drank from the fine alcoholic spirits that looked like molten gold, before commenting on his lack of honesty towards the Alfheim Empress.

"Empress... I haven't been entirely honest with you, or anyone else for that matter. While I said we found a bunker containing ancient Elven technology that was a lie. There are only two people in this universe who know the truth about our victory. That would be the Supreme Leader and myself... I am more than willing to share with you our secrets, but you have to promise not to tell anyone. I know your word is worth more than the Empire itself, so I trust you wholeheartedly..."

Lunaria and Celestia's golden eyes widened instantly... It had been eons since a living being had been able to successfully lie to Lunaria. Even now she did not know if this was the truth, or if the bunker was the truth, because by all means both appeared to have been as such.

It took a second for Lunaria to form the words with her mouth, but ultimately she gave voice to them, her tone slightly shrill as she did so.

"You dare lie to this Empress? I should have your head!"

Erich however smiled warmly at the woman, knowing that even if she may act tough, she was not coldhearted enough to execute Erich simply for lying to her. But he did not want to provoke the woman, even in private, and thus he gave her an out.

"By all means, you are free to do so. Trust me when I say I'll be back, and bothersome to you soon enough. And before you say you're the one who gave my species the resurrection technology, I should inform you that even if you hit the kills witch on me to permanently wipe me, I have my own means of returning. Something that ties into the secret which I kept away from the public eye. I am willing to offer these secrets to you, but you must swear never to repeat a word of them outside this room."

Once more Lunaria was flabbergasted by Erich's words, and his confidence in them. She was just about to throw a fit when her daughter grabbed hold of her shoulder and calmed her with a solemn tone in her voice.

"Mother... I think you should listen to what Marshal Jaeger has to say here... I think it is very important... And I don't know how it's possible, but he seems to know you, and how you will react..."

Erich continued to shamelessly eat the meal that Lunaria provided him with, while she discussed this matter with her daughter.

"I have the same feeling... Alright, I'm curious. Erich, tell me your secret, I swear on my life, and that of my daughter's that whatever you have to say will never leave this room!"

Erich calmly placed his fork and knife down, and wiped his mouth with his napkin before sitting upright, and saying his biggest secret aloud, one that stunned both Lunaria and Celestia into silence.

"I have an advanced artificial intelligence in my possession... She is the reason the Empire's technology has jumped from that of a Sub-Galactic Power to a Galactic power and in a mere span of five years.

That is also why if you kill me I will simply be resurrected, even if you try to wipe me. She will simply bring me back with her own copies of my DNA and memories... And she will do so in a superior body..."

Erich had just admitted to being in possession of the most dangerous form of technology in existence, one that the entire galaxy feared from the bottom of their hearts. To admit to this was to not only forfeit his life, but to forfeit the lives of his entire civilization. And he had done so to one of the four sovereigns who implemented this law eons ago.

It took several seconds for Lunaria and Celestia to actually think through what had just occurred. They were almost in a trancelike state as they stared at Erich in complete and total disbelief for several awkward moments. And when the silence was finally broken, Lunaria posed a single question.

"And why would you admit this to me?"

Erich smiled. It was a genuine and warm smile, one devoid of anything but his honest emotions. His words however shocked both Lunaria and her daughter more than anything possible could.

"Because I love you...."