Escort Convoy 1

Two days later, Shinosuke arrived at the Guild accompanied by Milena.

Thirty-seven free merchants who were crew members of C-class or higher escort vessels had gathered in the Guild's briefing room.

Although there were other C-class or higher members in the Guild, over half were occupied with other jobs, so only this number could attend.

Among the attending free merchants were Zany, Dug, and Ira.

Everyone wore tense expressions, anticipating a large-scale mission.

Before the free merchants stood Darcis, the guild's representative responsible for handling requests.

Each free merchant, including Lina, had their assigned guild staff member gathered as well.

Thank you all, free merchants, for gathering here despite the sudden summons. Today, we’ve convened because the guild is taking the lead in launching a large-scale escort mission, and we’re gathering to recruit participants.

Darcis surveyed the briefing room, took a breath, and spoke again.

The convoy we're escorting consists of refugees fleeing from the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth. The evacuation fleet is set to depart from the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth toward the Acneria Galactic Federation, coordinated with the deployment of our fleet. There are approximately ten to twenty ships in each of several dozen convoys. Although the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth will also provide escort vessels, their numbers are insufficient. The Acneria Federation will dispatch escorts not only from our Salius Stellar Province but also from the Acneria, Garla, Liras, and Iluk Stellar Provinces. However, since the Salius Stellar Province borders the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth, it will be our unit that departs first to provide protection.

A wave of unease ripples through the briefing room, meeting the unexpectedly difficult nature of the mission.

Although international law prohibits attacking or seizing civilian ships evacuating refugees from conflict zones, such laws are rarely upheld.

It's easy to imagine how an invading military force might justify its actions by claiming that a civilian vessel was actually concealing a high-ranking official attempting to flee, or that it was suspected of transporting weapons.

Moreover, ships carrying refugees who have fled with whatever possessions they could gather become prime targets for space pirates.

It goes without saying that guarding a convoy targeted by military forces and space pirates is a life-threatening job.

"I need to confirm—how many escort vessels does the Salius Stellar District Federation plan to dispatch from their alliance?"

Zanny stood up and asked Dalcis.

Approximately four convoys, totaling around fifty ships, are scheduled to head toward the Salius Stellar District. Therefore, we're planning to form five groups of five ships each, making a minimum of twenty escort vessels. One group of five ships will accompany each convoy as direct protection, while another group will serve as reserve forces and mobile units. We'd greatly appreciate it if more than twenty escort vessels could be provided, but if that number isn't met, we'll be selecting the necessary vessels ourselves.

As he spoke, Dalsis sent sharp, peculiar glances of pressure toward several independent merchants, including Shinnosuke.

It was as if he were silently implying, 'Don't you dare refuse.'

Considering Dalsis's explanation, the pressure of his stare, the data delivered to their individual terminals, and the reward amount, each merchant evaluated whether or not to accept the task.

Subsequently, confirmation was made regarding acceptance or rejection of the request, resulting in 25 independent merchants declaring their willingness to accept the task.

Regardless of Darsis's pressure, Shinosuke decided to take on the job as previously agreed upon with the guild. Among the other merchants who accepted the request were Zani, Dag, and Ira.

As a result, the twenty-five volunteers, including Shinnosuke and Milena, headed toward their assigned ships to escort the refugee convoy, preparing to set sail immediately.

Shinnosuke and Milena quickly returned to the Cerberus and hurried to prepare for immediate departure.

"Thank you for listening to my request, Shinnosuke-sama."

Milena expressed her gratitude for accepting the guild's request.

I didn't just accept the request because of Milena's wishes. As for Marks, well, it was Milena and Sera who expressed hope on behalf of the Damaran Star Cluster Kingdom's people, and I decided to take on the job based on my own calculations as a free merchant. The reward offered was actually higher than I had anticipated—definitely a worthwhile job for the risks involved.

Though Shin nosuke speaks coldly, Milena seems to understand his true intentions.

"Lord Shin nosuke, you're terrible at lying."

"I didn't intend to lie, really."

"Haha, let's just leave it at that."

While Shin nosuke and Milena were speaking like this, suddenly noticing, Rinna was looking at Shin nosuke with an expression as if she wanted to say something.

"Milena, go back to Cerberus and start preparations for departure with Marks and the others."

Milena, having heard Shinnosuke's words, seemed to understand everything perfectly, yet said nothing tactless.

"Understood. I'll return to Cerberus ahead of you."

With that, Milena left the group, walking ahead.

In the meantime, Rina approached Shinnosuke.

"Shinnosuke-san, please be careful. Come back safely... please..."

Rina looked up at Shinnosuke with an intense expression, trying to hide her anxious look, her usual calm replaced by rare seriousness.

"Understood. I'm off."

Rina's anxiety swelled further at Shinnosuke's brief reply.

She fully grasped that this convoy escort mission was extremely dangerous, and deep down, she didn't want Shinnosuke to go.

Yet, as a union staff member who had entrusted him with the job, she couldn't possibly stop him.

"Shinnosuke-san... Please be careful....Goodbye."

Shinnosuke responded to Rina's brightest smile with a salute.

When Shinnosuke returned to Cerberus, Marks and the others were already preparing for departure.

"Master, the ship's inspection is complete."

"All departure procedures are finished. We can set sail at any time, just by sending the departure request."

Nodding after hearing Marks and Seira's report, Shinnosuke acknowledged their readiness.

Understood. This mission involves escorting a convoy of refugees fleeing from the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth. It's a dangerous and difficult task, but since we've taken it on, we must see it through to completion. Everyone, are you ready?

Marks, Seira, and Milena responded with salutes to Shinnosuke's words.