Slip through the tracking grasp

"Space jump complete. No ship signatures detected nearby."

"Understood. Immediately leaving this sector. Let's gain as much time and distance as possible."

The Kerberos immediately departed the area after completing its space jump.

Although space jump points are limited, each point is vast, making it difficult to narrow down exactly which coordinate within the point the jump will emerge from.

Even if the jump point is vast, spreading a wide surveillance net across it increases the likelihood of detection.

To avoid that, we must quickly exit the spatial jump point and blend into the darkness of space.

"Although we're heading toward Acnelia along the shortest route, we won't move in a straight line. We'll retreat slightly first, then take a detour. The goal is to throw off the enemy's sight and timing."

The route Shinosuke indicated involved retreating backward from the point where the spatial jump was disengaged, then proceeding along the very edge of the navigable space zone.

"Um, this route goes slightly outside the navigable space zone, doesn't it?"

Seyra voiced her concern while checking the navigation chart. Indeed, the path ahead included segments that barely extended beyond the edge of the navigable space zone.

"Even though it's outside the navigable space zone, it's not an area where we'd be crushed by gravitational waves. It's regions with high asteroid density or electromagnetic interference that disables our instruments—neither of which would pose a problem for Kerberos or us, given our capabilities."

Mireena listened with a nod to Shinosuke's explanation, but her expression betrayed her urge to interject.

Ignoring Seira's concern and Millena's expectations, Shinosuke turned Kerberos to deceive their course.

Shinosuke's plan had worked—having disguised their trajectory, they had traveled unchallenged for two days, progressing smoothly. Now, they were navigating through the asteroid belt, having left the safe航行 zone behind.

The asteroid density was high, making it a hazardous zone requiring advanced navigation skills merely to pass through. Yet, they pressed forward, weaving through the asteroid forest thanks to Marks' precise course setting and Shinosuke's skillful piloting.

Amidst this, Seira's contributions were particularly remarkable.

While Marks was reading the endless expanse of asteroids ahead, simultaneously running multiple complex calculations and guiding Shinosuke with precise course adjustments, Seira stared wide-eyed at the radar monitor, never missing the faintest signal that briefly appeared at the very edge of the radar's detection range, immediately reporting its location.

Whether the signal was from pursuers or not was irrelevant.

Whether it was pursuers chasing Milina, another vessel, or merely space debris, the key was to detect it as quickly as possible and disengage before being detected in turn.

"Radar contact. Bearing 9-15. Distance 260 (9 o'clock, 15 degrees below. Distance 260)....Contact lost."

"Understood. Alter course 20 degrees to the right. Proceed while hiding in the shadow of the asteroid cluster ahead on the starboard bow."

Understood. Adjusting course and updating data.

It was natural for Shinnosuke and Marks to work in tandem, but under the tense circumstances, Seira was rapidly growing, assisting Shinnosuke and the others.

Of course, there would have been instances where Seira misidentified radar contacts, but she had also managed to escape danger ahead of the pursuers' patrols.

Thanks to Seira's skillful maneuvers, the Cerberus managed to break through several asteroid belts and electromagnetic zones, reaching the edge of international space.

"Alright, we made it this far without issues..."

"Ah, Master..."

"Ah... I messed up."

Markus reacted to Shinosuke's words, followed a moment later by Shinosuke himself.

"Um, what's wrong?"

"Did something happen?"

Seira and Milena tilted their heads in confusion.

"Ahh... I just made a comment I wasn't supposed to say a moment ago."

"???"

Seira and Milena tilted their heads even further at Shinosuke's words.

"I just said, 'Things have been going smoothly this far.' That's a violation of the unofficial Acneria Space Fleet Regulation No. 8."

"Uh...?"

The two women exchanged confused glances, unable to understand Shinosuke's explanation.

"What on earth are you talking about?"

"That's why saying 'we've been doing well so far' directly implies 'things won't go smoothly from here,' and someone who makes that statement can even become a target for private punishment by fellow crew members."

Indeed, Shinosuke's words were touching the very taboo phrase that brings bad luck.

"Really, how absurd. Isn't that just an unfounded, nonsensical claim?"

Milena replied, dumbfounded, but Shinosuke shook his head seriously.

"This isn't nonsense. These are words of power passed down since ancient times, when humanity was bound by gravity."

Shinosuke said something even more absurd.

Seyla, like Milena, was utterly stunned, her gaze dropping to the radar monitor.

Then she blinked in disbelief.

"…No way… Radar contact three! Bearing six plus or minus zero. Distance three hundred, approaching rapidly."

Three contacts rapidly approaching from behind the Cerberus.

They've locked onto us.

"Still some distance—let's get out of here!"

Shin nosuke slammed the throttle lever forward, accelerating the Cerberus while sharply turning the control yoke to the right, executing a hard turn to starboard.

"Um, aren't we supposed to just run straight?"

Since they're pursuing us from behind without concealing their presence despite still being at a distance, it means they're not trying to catch up to us, but rather forcing us into a trap. There's a net ahead! The likelihood of combat has increased, but we must do our best to avoid it. Serah, keep the radar range as is, switch to active radar, and focus on forward surveillance.

Understood.

The Cerberus pushed its speed to the limit under normal cruising conditions.

"Ugh! What exactly is this 'informal military regulation' you're talking about? And why the eighth one? What was the first one, then?"

"It's 'I'll get married when I get back.' By the way, the second one is 'Leave it to me—go ahead without me.'"

Mireena suddenly shouted in surprise at the sudden emergency, while Shinnosuke replied,操控ing the Cerberus.

"What kind of ominous phrase is that, with such a powerful effect?!"

In the midst of this exchange, the radar detected a new signal.

Seira shouted.

"New radar contact. Moving from bearing 10 to 12. Eight contacts scattered within a ±15 degree vertical range, attempting to block our course."

"Understood! Attempting to break through the enemy encirclement, but combat is unavoidable. Prepare for battle."

The bridge instantly tensed with alertness.