Board of Inquiry verdict

A few days after the inquiry committee meeting, the verdict regarding Walter and Iris was decided, and the results were sent to Shinosuke.

Upon reviewing the data, the verdict for Walter was:

【Unanimous decision by all inquiry committee members that Walter's conduct was inappropriate】

【Prohibition from serving as a guard vessel within the Akneria Free Merchant Fleet Association】

【Revocation of escort vessel qualification due to the prohibition on escort vessel operations】

【Disarming of escort vessels held, due to revocation of qualification】

were decided; however, since Walter was detained by the Coastal Defense Force and his escort vessel was seized as evidence, the disciplinary measures were put on hold until the investigation results from the Coastal Defense Force are finalized.

Regarding the ruling on Iris,

【The inquiry committee determined Iris's response to be appropriate, with four votes in favor, one against, and one abstention.】

【While Iris's response was deemed appropriate, room for improvement was acknowledged, leading to a decision for operational guidance from the head of the Free Merchant Association.】

【The Free Merchant Association will review its operations to promote smoother information sharing with registered free merchants.】

In effect, this resulted in a decision of no further action.

Shin nosuke shrugs upon seeing the data.

" Well, it's an expected decision, isn't it."

Shin nosuke had anticipated this outcome.

While he judged Iris's actions as inappropriate, holding her accountable solely on this basis would have been excessive and unfair.

Still, there was concern that if Shin nosuke himself also deemed Iris's actions proper, the inquiry committee would lose its purpose.

In any case, Shin nosuke's role in the inquiry committee has now come to an end.

Whether or not Glen and the others proceed with a lawsuit for damages will be their own decision after receiving the committee's verdict—something Shin nosuke certainly doesn't need to concern himself with.

Regaining his composure, Shin nosuke turned his attention to his next task.

"Now, our work is progressing smoothly for the moment, but it's far from secure. As free merchants, we must accumulate experience and build a solid track record. Let's immediately get started on our next assignment."

Shin Nosuke speaking before Marks and Celia on the bridge of Cerberus.

"Are you referring to the escort mission as our new task?"

Shin Nosuke shook his head in response to Celia's question.

"I'm planning to try something different this time."

"Does that mean we'll be handling transportation duties?"

Shin Nosuke shook his head in response to Marks' question.

"No, the payload of Cerberus makes pure transportation work unprofitable. This time, I'd like to try our hand at trade."

"Trade?"

"Yeah, I tried something like that before, but that was just selling rare metals I got from Mr. Glen—hardly true trade. So this time, I'm going to buy goods and sell them elsewhere. Let's take on real trade."

"So, it's still rare metal trade, then?"

"That's right. If we're aiming for a decent profit with around thirty tons, rare metals are the way to go."

Ciel, listening with a blank expression to Shinnosuke and Marks's conversation, is filled with both excitement and anxiety about the new job ahead.

Shinnosuke then places a serious challenge before Ciel.

"This time, we'll be trading all the way to the Damura Constellation Commonwealth. I want you to handle navigation control and communications to the Damura Constellation Commonwealth, Celia."

"Eh? Eh... eh? Me?"

Ciel flusters at the sudden request.

"That's right—trust it to Celia."

I only have experience with flight control simulations at school and navigation practice in nearby space zones. Suddenly expecting me to apply this in real situations is impossible.

Freaking out all over the place.

"Even if you say it's sudden, Cerberus isn't a training vessel, so there's no choice but to practice in real situations. Just go ahead and try it boldly if it's your first time. Don't worry about failing—Marks is here on Cerberus. If Serah makes a mistake, Marks will correct it instantly."

"Yes, with my processing capabilities, it's easily manageable. Feel free to fail as much as you like. Either way, it'll be valuable experience for Serah."

Even shy Serah would be motivated by words like that from Shinosuke and Marks.

After all, she had come aboard the Kerberos as an apprentice precisely because she wanted to become a proper sailor—she wanted to live up to Shinosuke and Marks, who had accepted her.

"I... I understand. I'm not confident, but I'll do my best."

With that, her approach for this mission was set.

Now, she would need to secure the rare metals required for the goods.

Since Sheyla was setting the course to the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth, Shinnosuke and Marks decided to go out to procure the materials.

Arriving at the merchant fleet association to acquire rare metals, Shinnosuke and his companions gathered information on rare metal trading rates using terminals in the commodity trading floor.

"Rare metals come in various types, but those with highly fluctuating prices are too risky. Let's prioritize safety this time."

"You're right. In that case, perhaps rare metals No. 625 and No. 1247? Their prices are stable, so profits may be small, but they shouldn't drop sharply either."

The two of them narrow down on several rare metals, all of which they can afford with their current reserves.

It's a relief they don't need to rely on debt or accounts payable—(in fact, Shinnosuke can't do margin trading anyway due to insufficient track record).

Even if the transaction fails, it doesn't seem they'll incur any debt.

"Then, probably five tons of No. 625 and fifteen tons of No. 1247."

Having decided on the goods to purchase, Shinnosuke completes the rare metal procurement procedures at the commodity trading counter.

Once they declare their intention to engage in trade to the free merchant service desk, preparations will be complete.

When the two people moved from the commodity trading floor to the free merchant service desk, Rinna noticed Shinnosuke and waved him over.

"Hello, Shinnosuke-san, Marks-san. Shinnosuke-san, congratulations on your recent investigation committee duty—you must have been exhausted."

"Not at all. I didn’t do anything particularly important. That said, I seem to have caused quite a stir with my utterly tone-deaf remarks."

"To be honest, I was surprised that you even deemed Iris unfit. But after hearing Shinnosuke's words, I truly understood. His remarks to Iris made me reflect deeply on my own work....Actually, I was the one who chose to abstain from judging suitability during that review committee meeting. After hearing Shinnosuke's story, I did waver and considered making an inappropriate judgment myself, but in the end, I just couldn't bring myself to do it. So, I decided to abstain."

Is that so?

"But thanks to Shin nosuke's comments, we've been greatly helped. It reminded us front desk staff not to become too accustomed to our work, and Iris has begun creating her own manual after receiving guidance on improving operations, making efforts to prioritize her relationship with the sailors."

Hearing Rina's words, Shinosuke felt a great sense of relief.

"I really hope that, not just with Iris, but also between our free merchants and the guild staff, we can build a smooth and trustworthy relationship."

Shinosuke took responsibility for his own judgment and words, and had no regrets—but still, he knew it was a fact that he had harshly confronted Iris. Because of that, he couldn't help but worry about how she was doing afterward.

"That's right. It'd be great if our efforts could lead to safety and peace of mind....Oops, I drifted off-topic before even hearing your story. So, are you looking for work today?"

"No, I'm actually considering trying my hand at trade. I've just acquired some rare metals. I plan to travel to the Damura Star Cluster Republic for rare metal transactions."

"I see. In that case... what time is your departure scheduled for?"

Lina begins operating her terminal while listening to Shinosuke's explanation.

"Since the delivery and loading of the rare metals are scheduled for tomorrow, departure will be early the day after tomorrow, around 7 a.m."

"Understood... Yes, Shinosuke-san's work schedule has been successfully registered."

Finishing her task while maintaining conversation.

Indeed, Lina is an excellent receptionist.

Thus, all arrangements for the new assignment have been completed.