Rebirth of the Interstellar Pope <Mecha>

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Rufeite reflected on his recent experiences with a heavy heart. I was wrong. My biggest mistake was assuming that Anno would definitely accept me and fall in love with me. Anno's words made it clear that I might have to face the prospect of being single for a long, long time.

As they traversed the vastness of space, they approached a remarkable commercial galaxy known as Hades. Its capital, Jindi, aptly named the Golden Empire, gleamed like a jewel against the backdrop of the cosmos.

Hades was renowned as the commercial center and financial leader of the interstellar realm. In fact, even the United Nations capital, Galan, paled in comparison to the bustling cities on the fringes of Hades. Here, wealth flowed like a river, and the inhabitants were not only affluent but also incredibly astute, with a refined appreciation for the art of living.

In stark contrast to Jialan, the citizens of Hades shunned the virtual internet. They reveled in the tactile pleasure of handmade goods and sought to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature. This commitment to the environment was evident everywhere, as every resident willingly contributed to the city's greening efforts. In Hades, green spaces flourished, covering an impressive 40% of the area, creating a vibrant and lush landscape.

To maintain this ecological balance, energy-consuming space shuttles equipped with warp capabilities were banned from the city. Only the specially designated shuttles provided by the Jindi Chamber of Commerce were permitted to ferry travelers from one planet to another, ensuring that the natural beauty of Hades remained unspoiled and thriving.

As soon as Anno approached Hades, he sensed a distinctive energy in the galaxy. Unlike many others that thrived on natural ecosystems, Hades was not simply a vibrant space but one defined by the vigorous presence of its inhabitants. Here, people actively cultivated the land, planting trees and reclaiming wasteland, while banning many energy-consuming machines. The vitality of this galaxy was palpable, infused with a communal dedication to preserving its beauty.

His first impression of Hades was overwhelmingly positive-a city bursting with life and livability.

Rufeite piloted their ship, Michael, as it descended toward Hades's helipad. A soft female voice greeted them, "Please verify your identity."

"Bolait, the chief director's advisory secretary of Bolai Company," Rufeite responded confidently.

"Authentication passed. Welcome back, Master Tianjiao," the voice replied warmly.

"Thank you," Rufeite said politely, as the navigation system automatically plotted their course. He leaned back, crossing his long legs and adding, "It's a great place to live, but the cost of living is high." He turned to Anno, curiosity sparking in his eyes. "By the way, how much money do you have?"

Anno paused, reflecting on his relationship with money. As Pope, he received no salary but never lacked for anything. After his rebirth, his identity as Picasso came with various living subsidies from the United Nations. Since then, he hadn't really spent any money, having been accustomed to a life without financial concerns.

"You can check your biological electronic table," Rufeite suggested.

At that moment, Anno remembered the device on his wrist. He summoned the program and was met with a series of numbers. Rufeite leaned over to glimpse the display, his grin turning mischievous. "That doesn't seem like enough to stay in Jindi's hotel for three nights."

Confused, Anno blinked, unsure why Rufeite's statement felt significant.

In a swift change of topic, Rufeite proposed, "If you let me kiss you, I'll cover all the expenses for this trip."