Free Merchant Fleet

The journey from the Galla Stellar Province, where Shinosuke and the others departed, to their destination, the Sirius Stellar Province, takes about a week using a single space jump combined with high-speed travel.

Moreover, along the way, there are numerous routes where space jumps and high-speed travel aren't possible, meaning most of the journey must be made through normal navigation.

"Alright, we'll need to proceed at normal speed for a while. Let's get the familiar maneuvers done during this time."

Even if it's a cutting-edge vessel with highly advanced automation and easy maneuverability, becoming fully proficient still requires getting used to it.

To understand the ship's quirks and characteristics, it's necessary to experiment with various maneuvers.

Markus responded to Shinosuke's words by checking the surrounding space.

"Understood, Captain Shinosuke. There are no vessels navigating in the nearby area."

Upon receiving Markus's report, Shinosuke reached for the throttle lever.

"Confirming surrounding safety. Commencing familiar maneuvers. Output at 80 percent!"

Shinosuke pushed the throttle lever forward.

The ship surged forward with sudden acceleration.

Once sufficient speed was achieved, he twisted the control stick and kicked the foot pedals, repeating high-speed maneuvers.

Though no match for fighter craft carried by large warships or aircraft carriers, the Cerberus was a combat vessel known for its high maneuverability.

Responding obediently to Shinosuke's controls.

"Good, enter combat maneuvering."

"Understood. Unlocking the weapon control system. Activating the main cannon, bow laser cannon, and directional laser rapid-fire cannons."

The main cannon mounted at the Cerberus's bow activates, and the two rapid-fire cannons stored on either side of the bow extend outward.

This is why the ship, capable of firing in every direction with its rapid-fire cannons and equipped with heavy artillery and high mobility, was named the three-headed hellhound Cerberus.

Shinonsuke adjusted the glass-type monitor over his glasses.

The glass-type monitor displays target information such as position on its lens, detects the wearer's gaze, and allows locking onto any target at will.

"Designate nearby asteroids and space debris as virtual targets."

Shinonsuke continued maneuvering while locking onto the small asteroids and space debris surrounding him.

It was pointless to waste energy and missiles, and although there were no ships nearby, he couldn't just recklessly fire off cannon shots, so he merely locked onto the targets. Still, Cerberus demonstrated the capabilities Shinonsuke had expected.

"…Good. Maneuvering practice complete. A fine ship—responds just as I hoped."

Shinonsuke pulled back the throttle to slow down, then removed the glass-type monitor.

Even Shinonsuke, who has poor eyesight and wears glasses, can use this glass monitor without any particular strain.

"Already stored the data from our recent maneuvering exercise into the main system. From now on, Captain Shinonsuke's ship-handling responsiveness should improve even further."

Shinonsuke nodded in agreement with Marks' report.

"Well, no matter how advanced a learning system it is, it can't outperform my own ship-handling skills, so I must keep improving....Anyway, there's something I need to tell Marks."

"Yes, what is it?"

"I... please stop calling me 'Captain Shinonsuke.'"

"But I am your possession."

"...I see. You really think that way, don't you?"

"What do you mean?"

Markus tilts his head at Shinonsuke, who is silently convinced.

"Back when we met yesterday, you hesitated for a split second when I offered my hand, didn't you? That's when I first felt something was off."

"You noticed, huh? It's rare for someone to extend a handshake to a doll. I froze for 0.65 seconds."

Though Shinonsuke and Markus had only just met yesterday, a significant misunderstanding had already formed between them.

Shinonsuke shrugged his shoulders.

"I see Mark as a partner who shares my burdens and joys, not as property. That's why I'm speaking to him so casually. That's why, once we arrive at the Saulius Stellar Province, I plan to file your human rights application and put you to work as crew on this ship."

"Then shouldn't honorifics be even more important?"

"Calling me 'sama' would make me uncomfortable. Please, don't do that."

Having been told as much by Shinnosuke, Marks had no choice but to comply, so he began searching for an alternative.

"Understood. From now on, I'll refer to you not as my owner, but as my employer—Master."

Shinnosuke frowned at Marks's alternative suggestion.

"That still doesn't quite feel right..."

Yet Marks stood firm and would not yield.

"No, we still need to clearly maintain our respective positions. Besides, I've already overwritten the new designation data into main memory."

Shinnosuke couldn't help but chuckle at Marks's reply.

"Markus, you're quite the stubborn one, aren't you?"

"Yes. Dolls aren't naturally flexible, so please forgive me for that."

Shinnosuke snorted, unsure whether Marks was being sincere or joking.

Hmph, well whatever. Anyway, we gotta secure a steady income first. Once we reach Sirius, we won’t be able to pick our jobs for a while.

Understood. Incidentally, since I am a fully mechanized structure without biological components, I only require a replacement of my energy cartridge every ten days, and the cartridge can be recharged. In terms of cost, it's only about one-fifth that of my master's food expenses.

"None of that matters. Don't say things that drain my motivation."

Shin nosuke adjusted the course toward the Sirius Stellar Region.

Afterward, Shin Nosuke and the others smoothly continued their voyage and arrived at the central colony orbiting Planet Peline, the capital planet of the Sirius Stellar Region, as planned.

This central colony housed the administrative and judicial institutions of the Sirius Stellar Region, and it was also home to the headquarters of the merchant fleet union Shin Nosuke intended to register with, making it the region's de facto core.

Shin Nosuke transmitted Kerberos's data to the colony's harbor authority.

"Harbor Control Center, this is XD-F00 Kerberos, requesting docking permission."

Shin Nosuke's docking request was promptly approved.

"Control Center here. XD-F00 Kerberos, permission granted to dock at Dock 25 within the 25th Colony. Limit your approach speed to 20. We will now transmit a laser beacon—follow the beacon signal to dock."

"Understood."

"Upon docking, you will undergo registration inspection. Please follow the instructions of the dock personnel."

Shin Nosuke slowed the ship's speed and entered the designated dock.

Once the Cerberus was secured onto the designated dock and locked in place, the main airlock door opened, and the ship was pulled into the dock.

The dock where they had docked was quite large, with around six vessels moored there—including large and medium-sized ships—while numerous workers conducted inspections and checks.

After confirming that the ship had been securely moored, Shin Nosuke shut down the ship's systems, took Mark's hand, and exited the vessel.

Presented the ship's basic data—excluding confidential manufacturer details—to the officer waiting for the inspection, and supervised the inspection to verify that the vessel did not exceed the armament allowed for a recognized civilian escort vessel.

A civilian escort vessel is permitted only armament equivalent to that of a destroyer, and any more powerful weaponry is not allowed.

The Kerberos was built as a light destroyer, but since it failed to meet performance requirements, it was classified as a corvette. As a result, it passed inspection without issue and could immediately begin work once registered with the Free Merchant Guild.

Shinonsuke and Marks decided to head straight for the Free Merchant Guild's office.

"For now, let's just handle the greetings and registration procedures today."

"Understood."

Shinonsuke walking alongside Marks toward the guild's office.

He'd heard it would take about thirty minutes on foot from the Harbor Authority Management Center to the Free Merchant Guild's office.

While the orbital transit system, a convenient transportation option within the colony, could get them there in just ten minutes, they decided to take their time—enjoying a leisurely stroll through the colony's streets, which would soon become their base of operations.

"There's a headquarters for the 2nd Fleet stationed here in this colony, but Master, aren't you unfamiliar with this colony?"

"The 2nd Fleet oversees only two states—Salius and Iruku. Even though I'm part of the fleet, I was assigned to the frontier patrol unit, and my primary posting was Iruku Stellar Province. I've only come to this colony on two occasions: once during an investigation, and again to complete my discharge paperwork. Neither time allowed me any leisure to sightsee."

As I spoke, I walked along, sipping a drink I’d bought from the store inside the harbor office.

Though I’d wanted coffee, I happened to notice this tea, celebrated as a local specialty, and decided to try it—yet the unfamiliar fruit-like flavor was far too strong for Shinosuke’s taste.

"Doesn’t suit your palate?"

My partner, walking beside me, asked, but of course, that didn’t mean they’d take the rest of it.

"This is too sweet for tea. And it's warm. If it were hot or cold, I could manage, but this is just... peculiar..."

By the time Shinnozuke reached the Free Merchant Guild, he still hadn't finished the tea. He arrived at the guild's counter holding the tea bottle in one hand.

"I'd like to register as a free merchant. Is this the right place for the procedure?"

He approached the nearest available counter and addressed the clerk.

"Yes, new registration, correct?"

The young female clerk at the reception counter flashed Shinosuke a broad, sales-oriented smile.

"I've just arrived at this colony today. I own my own ship and would like to start trading here."

"Understood. Please send your information and your ship's data to this terminal here."

As she placed a receiving terminal on the counter, the clerk studied Shinosuke closely.

"Since you're wearing a captain's uniform, do you have the qualifications for escort duties and command of a vessel?"

"Yes. I command a corvette-class ship. Shinosuke Kashimura."

Nodding as he responded to the officer, Shinosuke transmitted the data.

After reviewing the received data on the terminal, the officer looked at Shinosuke again.

"Allow me to introduce myself properly—Lina Quest, from the Sirius Stellar District Free Merchant Fleet Association."

The officer, identified as Lina, reviewed Shinosuke's detailed records.

"Shinosuke Kashimura, former captain of the interstellar military. Security escort duties: Class C. Trade operations: Class E. Passenger and cargo transport: Class E... Owned vessel: XD-F00 by Syokouji Industry, a Corvette, named Cerberus. Remarkable—this isn't just a civilian ship retrofitted; it's a genuine military vessel, isn't it? You certainly managed to acquire something impressive."

Lina lets out a surprised gasp.

"Yeah, well... it's fine."

"It's okay. I won't pry unnecessarily. We have the official ship registry from Sykouji Industries, after all. More importantly, having a vessel with escort duties certification and its own combat ship is quite rare—welcome aboard."

Hastily tapping the terminal to secure Shinosuke's registration, eager not to lose him.

"Representative is Mr. Kashimura... and this doll, Mr. Marks, will be treated as part of the ship's crew, correct?"

"Yes, Marks is my partner. Please register him as crew and apply for his rights as well."

"Understood. Marks' credentials—excuse me, capabilities—will grant him crew rights with just a registration through our guild....Yes, it's complete."

The efficient clerk, Linah, smoothly handled the paperwork, completing both Shinnosuke's registration as a free merchant and Marks' rights application without pause.

Afterward, since they were to get the guild registration certificate for Shinnosuke and Marks, they decided to sit and wait on the bench placed in the reception lobby.

There was a drink vending machine in the lobby, but Shinnosuke still hadn't finished his current tea.

"Why don't you just dispose of that and buy a new one?"

Shinnosuke shrugged in response to Marks' slightly exasperated comment.

"That's true, but the problem is... I can still drink this tea, you know..."

He put it in his mouth as he spoke, but it still felt awkward and unnatural.

As I was spending time on such empty moments, Lina came running over.

Your two registration cards are ready.

Handing over the card while saying so.

You can start working with this union registration certificate and Shinosuke's qualification certificate.

"Also, the dedicated dock for Mr. Kashimura's ship has been decided. Since Mr. Kashimura's vessel is an armed escort ship, it will be stored in a sealed dock within the colony rather than at an external docking station. The fee is high—500,000 Rets per week—but this is due to security regulations, so we kindly ask for your understanding. Dock No. 11 will be designated as Mr. Kashimura's exclusive dock, so please move the ship there later."

"I understand. Thank you very much."

Rina raised an eyebrow, surprised, as Shinosuke thanked her for the certificate.

"？...Something wrong?"

Seeing Shinosuke tilt his head in confusion, Rina quickly forced a smile.

"Aah, sorry. I just... was a bit surprised, that's all..."

"What was?"

"Um, people with escort ship operational qualifications tend to come across as rough or a bit intimidating. So, hearing such a gentle tone from someone who looks like Kasimura-san is surprisingly unexpected..."

Rina subtly mocks Shinnosuke's appearance without realizing it, but Shinnosuke remains unaware.

"Yeah, you mean this tone? It's just a habit from my days in the military. Back then, it was a strict hierarchical society, so constantly worrying about how to speak to superiors or subordinates would've been exhausting. That's why I'd stick to this tone during work. My natural way of speaking is actually quite casual and laid-back."

"Is that so...? Then I'd really appreciate it if you'd just be your natural self, Kasimura-san. It'd make things much easier for me."

Shinnosuke gives a wry smile as Rina leans in close.

"That's probably something we can figure out later."

In any case, Shinnosuke had officially become a free merchant.

Having completed all the necessary procedures, Shinnosuke stood up to head back to Cerberus.

"Oh, that synthetic fruit tea..."

Rina noticed the bottle of tea Shinnosuke was holding and spoke up.

"I was told it's a specialty of this colony when we docked at the inspection dock. But it just wasn't to my taste."

Shinonsuke casually tossed the empty bottle into the trash can.

Rina made a face, clearly astonished.

"That's certainly a local specialty, but it's not what you think. Some people drink it for health, but have you tasted the flavor? At least it's bearable if it's hot or cold, but at the port authority, they deliberately keep the tea warm and offer it to newcomers arriving at the colony. It's a prank from the port authority—'local specialty' style."

Shinonsuke stood there, utterly taken in by the colony's welcome, his shoulders slumping in disbelief.

"Such a trivial thing... idiotic... "

Markus observed Shinonsuke's dejected expression through the dual cameras on his head.

"You were laughing, weren't you?"

"Absolutely not. I am not equipped with emotional functions."

"No, you definitely laughed. Even without emotions, you laughed instinctively."

"Master, your statements are incoherent."

Lina, watching their exchange, couldn't help but burst out laughing.