First Train Ride

Shinnosuke decided to take on a new job, and promptly set about completing the contract procedures.

"Loading the cargo will take place tomorrow, and departure is the day after. There are no special handling instructions for the grain seeds being transported this time. Since they're packed in dedicated containers, strict temperature control and other measures aren't necessary, though the acceptable temperature range is between minus 20 degrees and plus 80 degrees. Normal pressurized conditions are fine."

Confirm the shipment details and contract terms, then approve and complete the contract procedures.

All that remained was to prepare and set off toward the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth.

"Then, I'm off."

"Yes, good luck, Shinnosuke-san."

With Lina's smile accompanying him, Shinnosuke left the guild.

When Shinnosuke returned to the dock, the installation of the Cerberus's gatling cannon was nearly complete, with only final adjustments left to do. The replenished missiles had arrived, and the loading process was underway.

Since payment arrangements were finally settled, I promptly paid the sales representative at Cyberjoe Industry for the gatling cannon and missiles.

Once the cargo was loaded, all that remained was to set sail.

Two days later, the repaired and fully resupplied Cerberus set course toward the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth, as planned.

"It'll take two space jumps to reach the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth, and even then it's a two-week journey one way. Since it's our first voyage, let's not let our guard down."

"Understood, Master. Incidentally, I don't really have a 'guard' to let down..."

"Seven days to the first jump point, then three days of normal travel, followed by the second jump, and another four days."

Sinosuke double-checks the route, ignoring Marks.

After exiting the control zone of the central colony in the Salius Province, Cerberus continued its journey without any further incidents and arrived at the first jump point.

"Alright, here we are—our first space jump."

"Affirmative. Coordinate calculations are complete. Destination coordinates are locked in. We can proceed at any time."

"Understood. Accelerate the ship to jump insertion speed."

Shinosuke sharply pushed the throttle lever forward.

The Cerberus accelerated to near its limit.

"Reached jump insertion speed. Jump point approaching. Countdown starting: five, four, three, two, one..."

"Alright! Waaah—"

"Jump insertion!"

The Cerberus entered its first spatial jump.

There are three methods of spacecraft navigation.

Conventional navigation, guided either by the pilot or an automated flight system.

Ultra-high-speed navigation, traveling in a straight line to the destination at a speed far exceeding conventional travel.

And spatial jumps, instantly moving between two points by leaping through space.

Spaceships utilize these three methods to navigate.

Even though the universe is vast, there are many regions where navigation is impossible due to phenomena such as abnormal gravitational zones and magnetic fields, imposing restrictions on the routes where spaceships can travel.

Moreover, due to the extreme speed of hyper-velocity travel, neither the pilot nor the ship's automated control system can react in time, requiring a completely clear path straight ahead. Even the slightest collision with an asteroid, space debris, or another spacecraft would result in a catastrophic disaster.

On the other hand, hyperspace jumps require precise coordinate calculations between the departure and destination points, and the spatial conditions at both locations must be compatible; as a result, the regions where hyperspace jumps are possible are even more limited than those suitable for the other two navigation methods.

Although the regions where superluminal travel and hyperspace jumps are possible are gradually expanding through observations by military and route monitoring vessels, they still cover only a tiny fraction of the vastness of space.

In other words, because faster-than-light travel and spatial jumps are subject to numerous limitations and are by no means a universal solution, spacecraft must spend most of their journey traveling at normal speeds through space.

That said, although there are various restrictions, once a spatial jump is made, the vessel can reach its destination instantly.

The region between the first and second spatial jump points has no inhabited planets or colonies nearby. If an accident were to occur, even if a distress signal were sent, help would be unlikely to arrive—making it a dangerous area.

Even so, Shinosuke and the others reach the next spatial jump point without any incidents.

"Arrived at the second spatial jump point. Coordinate calculation complete. Coordinates locked."

Understood. Accelerating to jump speed.

Countdown: 5, 4, 3, 2,...

Alright...

Jump sequence initiated!

...Whoosh!

The Kerberos performed its second space jump.

Having launched from Salius and completed two space jumps, the Kerberos arrived at the orbital station colony located on the capital planet of the Damra Stellar Federation.

Having handed over the cargo delivered by the merchant fleet of the Damra Stellar Federation's orbital station colony and completed the contract procedures, Shinnosuke immediately set about trading rare metals.

Still, as a complete novice who had only recently become a free trader, Shinnosuke had no leads or contacts.

"Perhaps it's better to find a buyer through the guild after all."

"Yes, that would likely be less risky."

Thus, ShinnoSuke and Marks returned to Cerberus after informing the Merchant Guild about their search for a buyer for the rare metals.

A contact expressing interest in a deal arrived within half a day.

"Who exactly is this contact?"

Marks consulted the database in response to ShinnoSuke's question.

"Layered Commerce. In the Damura Stellar Cluster Commonwealth, they're a mid-sized trading company primarily dealing in rare metals and other energy resources. They don't have a great reputation among independent merchants."

ShinnoSuke checks the data as well, noting that while they're not outright anti-social, their shady business practices have earned them a notably poor reputation.

"Isn't this a bit too tough a negotiation partner for our first deal?"

"You're right. But as of now, we haven't received any other offers from alternative companies. It's possible that Layered Trading Company is working behind the scenes. Still, if no other companies have shown interest, we're left with only two options—meet with Layered Trading Company or give up and head back."

It's a steep challenge for our first negotiation, but since I've decided to live as a free merchant, encountering such partners is unavoidable.

"It's better to try and fail than to do nothing and gain nothing. Since I don't have any capital invested—thanks to the rare metals I received from Mr. Glenn—I can't really lose anything. Then, I might as well give it a shot."

Shinnosuke made up his mind to proceed with negotiations with Layered Commerce.

"Understood. I'll set up an appointment."

After Marks made contact, they were promptly invited to meet immediately, so they decided to head straight to Layered Commerce as requested.

Layered Commerce had its office about a ten-minute walk from the Merchant Fleet Consortium.

Though the exterior looked old and worn, inside it was spotlessly clean and well-maintained, with a female-type doll stationed near the entrance to greet visitors.

"Kashimura, free merchant of the Acneria Galaxy Federation's Salius Stellar Province. I've come for negotiations."

Since they had entered the other party's territory, the negotiation had already begun.

Shin nosuke, maintaining a professional demeanor, signaled the waiting doll to relay the message.

"Understood. You are Mr. Shin nosuke Kasimura, correct? I will escort you."

Upon being led into the reception room, he found a single middle-aged man waiting there.

"Welcome, Mr. Kasimura. It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Layard, president of this trading company."

The president himself had come to greet him—unexpected indeed.

Yet he made no effort to hide the unpleasant smirk on his face, eyeing Shinosuke as if appraising his worth.

"Kasimura, a free merchant of the Acneria Galaxy Federation's Salius Stellar Province."

"Welcome. Please, have a seat and make yourself comfortable."

Exchanging polite, neutral greetings, he sat on the offered sofa—but there was no way he could relax.

Incidentally, Marks didn't need to sit or make himself comfortable, so he stood behind Shinnosuke.

The doll from earlier brought coffee and set it in front of Shinnosuke.

Whether the extra cup prepared for Marks—someone who neither drank coffee nor ate anything at all—was a gesture of intimidation or thoughtful consideration was impossible to tell.

(As expected, this won't be straightforward.)

As a free merchant, Shinnosuke's first business negotiation had officially begun.