Urgent and Top Secret Request

"That's right. Negotiating elsewhere probably wouldn't change the price much."

Layered's confident expression was too clumsy, even if his intention was to mislead Shinnosuke.

"So, you're saying it's pointless to go through all that trouble?"

"I wouldn't go that far, but I believe doing business with us is best for Lord Kashimura."

It seems Layered has no intention of letting Shinnosuke engage in trade with outsiders under any circumstances.

This led Shinnosuke to wonder about one thing.

"Why is Layered Company so determined to deal exclusively with me?"

Shinnosuke's business operations, in terms of transportation and trade, are no more than those of a micro-enterprise at best.

He couldn't understand why Layered Company was so fixated on him.

"We aren't focusing exclusively on Mr. Kashimura. Our company deeply values all of our important business partners equally, and we treat every client—including Mr. Kashimura—with the same level of care."

"Nevertheless, considering the scale of Layered Company, wouldn't our business together be insignificant in comparison?"

"Still, even small profits add up over time to become significant. Moreover, what I value most in my dealings with Mr. Kashimura isn't the volume of transactions, but their reliability."

"Reliability?"

"Yes, for now it seems Mr. Kashimura is pursuing rare metal trade on a whim, but once it gets on track, it will be a major opportunity for us. If we trade with Mr. Kashimura, there may be times when he could bring us goods we need. That would be incredibly helpful to us. After all, Mr. Kashimura's ships are excellent escort vessels."

"I see. There aren't many pirates willing to hassle a single escort vessel on its own, then."

The true intention of the Layered Company was finally becoming clear.

Though Shin nosuke's Cerberus couldn't carry more than thirty tons of cargo, making it unsuitable for regular transport, the situation was different when it came to direct rare metal trading.

Moreover, if such cargo is escorted by a heavily armed escort vessel, the risk of being attacked by space pirates and having the rare metals stolen is extremely low.

In other words, Layared Corporation wishes to establish regular direct trade with Shinnosuke.

We at Layared Corporation greatly value our long-standing relationship with Mr. Kashimura. However, if we proceed with this, we cannot adjust the transaction price each time. Even if we take care to avoid any disadvantage to Mr. Kashimura, we cannot propose prices that significantly deviate from market value. We would appreciate your understanding on this matter... That said,

"But?"

At this point, Layared revealed their trump card.

Regarding Rare Metal No. 1247, we're currently conducting a small-scale research project jointly with an energy industry company we do business with. While we haven't reached any concrete conclusions yet, if you could support us through our collaboration and transaction, I believe we could offer you a modest return. Please consider this a small advance investment—it would be greatly appreciated.

With that, Layared arranged five small gems in a row on the table.

The five gems—red, orange, pale pink, blue, and green—were each crafted into rings, necklaces, and earrings.

"Are these really gems?"

"Yes. They were made from waste material left behind after extracting energy-containing substances from item No. 1247. They're a type of diamond."

"You're saying these were made from waste?"

Holding them in hand, each one displayed vivid color while maintaining extremely high transparency.

Even Shinosuke, who knew nothing about jewelry, could tell it was of exceptional quality.

"Yes, the scrap material numbered 1247 contains carbon fiber and is processed into industrial-grade diamonds. However, we're currently researching how to transform these into gem-quality diamonds. It started as a bit of a playful experiment, but we've managed to create something quite interesting. Through innovative techniques in processing and coloring, these diamonds emit light when placed in the dark or submerged in water. The effect is quite beautiful, and we're now advancing our research with the goal of commercializing them."

When I briefly dipped the glass into water, each layer emitted light in its respective color, beautifully illuminating the glass, just as Layered had said.

"Ah, I see. Quite fascinating."

"Yes. Although the processing cost is still too high for commercialization, I'll soon bring a product to market."

Layered's trump card was as powerful as a joker.

He had revealed confidential information to Shinosuke, placing him in a situation where refusal would be difficult.

This was nothing short of coercion disguised as a business negotiation.

Although this deal felt like it was being manipulated entirely by Layered, it was still a tempting proposition for Shinosuke.

By securing the rare metals Layered desired, Shinosuke could make a low-risk, stable transaction.

Even if expanding operations in the future, it's wise to have at least one stable route.

Whether the gemstone commercialization will succeed remains uncertain, but even without that, it's still a favorable proposition.

"Understood. We'll proceed as you wish. However, my primary duty is escort vessel operations, so I won't be able to visit frequently."

"That's perfectly fine. If you notify us in advance, we'll inform you of the items we require."

The deal was finalized.

In the end, Layared came out on top once again, but for Shinnosuke, it was still a favorable deal.

If judged generously, this could almost be seen as a draw that leaned heavily toward defeat.

Moreover, in addition to that, he received five types of gems as samples.

"Please give them to someone you think would appreciate them, and research their reaction."

He'd been asked to conduct market research, but Shinnosuke had no one in mind to whom he'd actually give gems.

Honestly, the only thing that comes to mind is trouble if clumsy Shinnosuke actually gave expensive gems to five women at once.

"Who even knows what to do with something like this?"

Shinnosuke muttered as he returned to Cerberus.

Incidentally, he'd tried to give one to Seira,

but she declined, saying,

"Rings interfere with terminal operations, earrings get in the way of the headset, and I don't need a necklace."

We had generally succeeded in this trade, delivered the rare metals, and made a reasonable profit, so we were preparing to head back to the Sirius Stellar Province, when an urgent message arrived on Shinonosuke's terminal from the Damlar Star Cluster Commonwealth Merchant Fleet Association.

They requested our immediate presence at their headquarters.

"It seems we've received an urgent request from the Sirius Stellar Province Merchant Fleet Association. Let's go see them right away."

Shinonosuke and the others decide to head toward the Merchant Fleet Association.

Upon arriving at the Merchant Fleet Association of the Damura Star Cluster Kingdom, Shinonosuke and the others are greeted by staff and led to a separate room.

They are taken to a high-speed communication chamber installed at each Merchant Fleet Association.

This facility enables direct communication with merchant associations from allied nations and serves as a special communications center primarily used during emergencies.

When Shinosuke and the others entered the communications room, two figures awaited them on the monitor: Rinna and the president of the Salius Stellar District Merchant Guild.

Mr. Shinosuke, I'm sorry to disturb you at work, but I have an urgent request to make...

I'm fine. I've finished my work here. What's going on?

A request sent via ultra-high-speed communication to Shin nosuke, who is currently here on the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth for work.

This is no ordinary matter,

"In fact, we urgently need to send a escort vessel to the 6325 Stellar Confederation, but it would take too long coming from Sirius. However, from the location where Mr. Shin nosuke and the others are currently stationed, we can reach the capital colony of the 6325 Stellar Confederation in just five days at the shortest. I'm terribly sorry to ask such a sudden favor, but I'd like Mr. Shin nosuke and the others to immediately head to the capital colony of the 6325 Stellar Confederation."

"6325 Stellar Confederation? What do you want us to do?"

Lina looked at the union leader beside her in response to Shinosuke's question.

The union leader nodded silently.

After taking a breath, Lina opened her mouth with a determined look.

We need asylum support. Please send the Cerberus to retrieve the daughter of the Lord of the Ringlund family, who has fled from the Rimlia Galactic Empire to the 6325 Star Union, and provide asylum all the way to the Salius Stellar Province within the Akeria Galactic Federation. This is an emergency confidential request from the Merchant Guild, and it is our top priority."

Just when I thought trade was going smoothly, an incredibly troublesome job suddenly came my way.