Chapter 334: The Situation
An older Riken reclined on a beach chair, a patterned fisherman’s hat shielding his weathered face from the harsh light of the star above.
He had clearly spent a long time here; his pale blue Riken skin had darkened to a bluish-brown under the relentless sun.
The faint hum of engines broke the serene ambiance. The elderly Riken tilted his hat slightly to peer at the sky and caught sight of two gunships flying overhead. A flicker of confusion crossed his mind. This secluded retreat was no place for military gunships—had something happened?
He chuckled to himself, brushing the thought away. What did it matter to him? He had been retired for years. The events of his term had drained him even while he was still in his prime. After stepping down, he resigned from all other roles, opting for a life of quiet solitude.
For a long time, he had deliberately avoided news from the outside world, finding comfort in ignorance. He reasoned that it was better this way—he had gone from a tall figure of authority to a humble retiree. Why burden himself with cares? Sunbathing was far more pleasant.
Suddenly, the sound of heavy footsteps approached. On this beach, Rikens either went barefoot or wore sandals, neither of which made such weighty noises.
The sound grew closer, his unease mounting. In this deserted stretch of sand, he was the only Riken present. Coupled with the earlier sighting of military gunships, a sense of foreboding crept over him.
The footsteps stopped next to his chair.
“Of course,” he muttered to himself. Although his eyes remained hidden beneath the brim of his hat, he knew the visitors had come for him.