Unexpected Lady

"What on earth is this about?"

The day after mysterious historical data was sent, the job applicant herself showed up unannounced at Shinnosuke's place.

Sitting in front of Shinnosuke in the office at the edge of the dock is Miliena.

"I came for an interview, naturally, because I wish to be hired at your establishment, Master Shinnosuke."

Miliena speaks as if it were perfectly ordinary, but Shinnosuke has absolutely no idea what she's talking about.

No, um... we're not currently recruiting crew members, are we?

I understand, that's exactly why I came here in person to ask you directly.

I'm finding Milina's words more and more incomprehensible.

Um, right now our ship has enough crew members...

"Isn't that right now? Won't we need a co-pilot in the future?"

I'm not denying that possibility, but does Miss Millena hold a vessel navigation license?

"I don't have a commercial license, but I do hold a private cruiser license. So, if you'd be willing to hire me as an apprentice navigator right now, and then permanently once I've obtained the commercial certification in the future, that would be perfectly fine."

An unexpected request to be hired as a trainee navigator.

Just as Seyra's apprenticeship had barely ended, she's demanding we hire another trainee.

"Anyway, what happened to you and Marcelus?"

"I've entrusted Marcelus and the others with managing the newly acquired mansion. Since I brought valuables and other assets from the empire, I was able to afford hiring all four of them, so I personally hired them."

"If you have that much wealth, wouldn't Milena-sama not need to work so hard?"

"Oh, labor is noble. Even someone as ignorant of the world as I am possesses that much sensibility. Besides, it's best if Marcel and I don't spend time together, so it's convenient that I'm hired by you, Shinnosuke-sama."

"Why shouldn't I be with Marcel?"

Shinnosuke had, in the course of his conversation with Milena, accidentally asked a question from which there was no turning back.

"Oh? You didn't know? Marcel and I are being targeted by the Empire."

"Wha—?"

"Well, I officially renounced my claim to the throne and fled into exile, so the Empire doesn't really see me as a threat anymore. But Marcel is different. He's a man who betrayed the Imperial court, after all."

"…Wait! (This is information I shouldn't be hearing!) Um, Milena-san..."

Marcel was the official sent by the imperial court when I awakened, my overseer. Yet he sensed the ominous atmosphere within the court and betrayed the empire to protect me.

There are things in this world better left unknown.

Yet Milena ended up telling Shinnosuke.

She clearly had every intention of dragging Shinnosuke into it.

"Miss Milena, shouldn't something like this be kept from an ordinary free merchant like me?"

"Oh? How naive of you. Isn't it clear that my relationship with Master Shinnosuke is quite close?"

(What kind of relationship is that...?)

"Besides, I've ensured Marcel's safety thoroughly. So there's no need for Master Shinnosuke to worry at all."

Apparently, Milina acquired a mansion located in the central district of the Salius Stellar Province's central colony— an area densely packed with military headquarters, the 2nd Fleet Command, the Central Police Department, and other key facilities. It was once a private residence for high-ranking military officials.

In other words, the surrounding area enjoys exceptional security, making it far too risky to target Marcel's group.

Then, all the more reason why Miliena shouldn't have to take on a dangerous escort vessel, don't you think?

It's not necessary for us to be destroyers, but what matters most is that we're embarking on a long voyage. Although the chances of either Marcelus or myself being targeted are low, if we're together, we'd be attacked as a pair. That's why we must ensure we're not targeted at the same time.

"What is the reason?"

"I'm a fugitive, so I won't engage in any actions that harm the Rimuria Galactic Empire under international law. But if the Empire breaks the law, plotting to eliminate me or Marcelus and carrying out that plan... then, unless both of us are taken at once, the survivor will expose the Empire's core secret—the truth about the awakened abilities within the imperial court—to the entire world."

Milena dropped a shocking revelation.

Going on any further with Milena won't end well—indeed, it's already too late.

There's no way to undo the fact that Shinnosuke now knows.

"You're a clever one, Milena-san, making me carry such a heavy truth."

Though a hint of anger stirred within him, Shinnosuke remained composed.

He pondered what choice to make in response to the difficult dilemma Milena had forced upon him.

"It's not a big deal. The likelihood of us being targeted is extremely low."

"That's precisely the problem. Whether good or bad, 'low probability' means 'high likelihood of occurrence'."

"What do you mean by that?"

"It's stipulated in the unofficial military regulations of the Akneria Galactic Federation Space Force."

"Airship military? What odd regulations. But well, it's truly fine. I mentioned this specifically because I didn't want to keep secrets from you, Shinosuke-sama, who's about to take flight into space with us."

"Such matters should be brought up after you're officially hired."

"Oh? Won't you hire me?"

Milena tilts her head, genuinely bewildered.

She doesn't seem to have considered the possibility of being turned down at all.

"Such confidence you have."

"It's not confidence. I simply know it."

Milena's forehead eye opened wide.

"I know I'll be aboard Shinosuke-sama's ship."

Perhaps due to her abilities, she wore an expression brimming with certainty.

"However, I haven't made my decision yet. In fact, I'm currently pondering how best to refuse."

"Oh? Then wouldn't that make Seira rather pitiful?"

Milena suddenly changed her approach.

Sera? Why would that be?

After all, during the long voyage, isn't it difficult for the young Seira-san to be surrounded only by Shinonosuke-sama and Marks, with no other women around? Wouldn't having one more female crew member be better for Seira-san's mental well-being?

Suddenly confronted with something realistic, Shinosuke slightly flinches.

Milena's eyes on her forehead did not miss it.

"That was a very reasonable suggestion, wasn't it? Come now, let's make a decision. I'll certainly be of great help."

Milena's mind-reading ability.

While foresight is one thing, having her mind-reading ability activated puts one at a severe disadvantage in negotiations—virtually no chance of winning.

Shinosuke sighs.

"As an apprentice, my salary will be half of the standard rate for a fourth-class crew member. And I won't use my abilities without your approval, both for myself and for Seira. If you agree to these terms..."

"No problem at all. I look forward to working with you....By the way, I understand you won't use your abilities on Shinnosuke-sama and Seira-san, but what about Marks?"

"It doesn't matter to me. In fact, if you can read minds, go ahead and try it."

Shinosuke had completely lost to Milina.