Planet Librina

Fubuki, descending onto Planet Librina, approached the port of the surface city, Aldenda.

Even Seira, who had been engrossed in conversation with Yan and Kujira, returned to her original duties as a communications controller, seizing the opportunity to gain experience at a rare port on the planet.

"Arranda Harbor Control Center, this is the escort vessel Fubuki, affiliated with the Aknelia Galactic Federation's Salius Stellar District Free Merchant Ship Consortium. We are transporting supplies to Librina. Please grant us permission to dock."

"This is Arranda Harbor Control Center. Permission granted. Please dock at Pier 2, Terminal 5."

"Understood....Shin nosuke, we've received docking permission."

After confirming the docking location, Shinosuke landed Fubuki in the sea.

The reason is that Arranda's port, being accessible to both spacecraft and水上 vessels, requires spacecraft to navigate the port's managed area just like水上 vessels, moving across the sea.

Even though it's a rule, it's strange to think of a spaceship floating on water.

Sirei murmured softly, watching other watercraft come and go at the harbor.

"Well, the water resistance does slow us down, but from the harbor management's point of view, we're actually more efficient. Of course, if you're out at sea for too long, newcomers might get seasick."

"Seasick? But there's no shaking at all, is there?"

"That's exactly the trap."

As they exchanged light-hearted banter, they sailed into the harbor of Arenda.

Arenda's harbor was a bustling port, with numerous ships, including Fubuki, coming and going. Around the harbor, naval vessels of the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth Navy, stationed in Librina, stood on alert.

"A navy on a single-nation planet? And given it's wartime, but still, the security seems overly strict."

"You're right about that."

Milena and Seira tilted their heads in unison.

Just because there are no opposing forces on the planet doesn't mean we don't need land, sea, and air forces—the military is essential for defense. For example, the combat vessels deployed nearby are capable of naval combat, but they're primarily focused on guarding against invasions from space.

"That's true. The missile launchers and main guns have quite a high elevation angle, don't they?"

"Ah, don't underestimate them just because they float on a planet's water. Of course, they intercept enemy ships entering the atmosphere, but another key role is supporting allied ships fighting enemy vessels in planetary orbit."

"Are they targeting enemies in space from the sea?"

"Yeah, they're a real threat. You're locked in combat with an enemy ship in orbit, and then suddenly you get hit from directly below. Fixed coastal batteries you can anticipate, but naval vessels can move freely—truly troublesome. I experienced that firsthand during training back when I was in the military. Caught between forces from space and the planet's surface, my unit took unnecessary casualties. We barely managed to retreat the fleet and land on the planet, only to be thoroughly beaten by the air and naval forces..."

Milena and Seira show surprised expressions at Shinnosuke's words.

"Even Shinnosuke-sama made such a mistake?"

"I'm surprised. I thought Shinnosuke-san could handle any situation."

Shinnosuke, hearing those words, is the one who feels surprised.

Well, that was back when I was still a very inexperienced lieutenant....Anyway, are both of you thinking of me like the main character of a story? If I were really that amazing, I wouldn't keep wrecking ships, let alone sinking them over and over again.

Markus reacts to Shinosuke's words.

"Master's performance at the officer academy wasn't exactly outstanding. His grades were just 'adequate'—nothing remarkable, no late-bloomer arc, no dramatic rise from mediocrity. Hardly the kind of background that makes for an interesting hero."

"Hey, Markus!"

"Now, now, we're not exactly close, are we? But I truly respect my Master, despite everything."

"Let me ask you one thing—where exactly is your heart, anyway?"

"Ah... probably in the chest, the main memory, right?"

"Hey!"

Mireena and Seira exchanged glances after hearing Shinosuke and Marks's exchange.

"You're right about that..."

"True, I do complete my tasks, but there's also a lot of damage involved... Shinosuke may be my savior, but he's not exactly a hero in the story sense..."

"I completely agree."

Shinosuke, thoroughly scolded and worn down, gave up the argument and fell silent, docking Fuuki at the designated terminal.

Waiting for Shinosuke and the others upon landing was an official from Damura Star Cluster's pharmaceutical company, Locks Pharmaceuticals.

"We've been expecting you, Mr. Kashimura. We're truly grateful that you've taken on our request under these circumstances."

Shin nosuke reciprocates the outstretched hand and shakes it firmly.

"That's my job, but I'm glad we arrived safely."

The attendant nods, then glances back at the workers behind him.

"Apologies for the rush upon arrival, but may we proceed with unloading procedures right away?"

Shinnosuke nods, then transmits the cargo information—pharmaceutical raw materials—to the attendant's terminal and instructs Marks to supervise the unloading operation.

"Marks, I'm counting on you to handle the rear."

"Understood."

Having confirmed that the operation has begun, the attendant looks back at Shinnosuke.

"The unloading operation will take about two to three hours, but the subsequent procedures will take another two hours or so. The work will be completed by late afternoon. By the way, have you gentlemen decided on your accommodation yet? If not, we can arrange it for you."

Shinnosuke shook his head in response to the attendant's offer.

"No, I have more work ahead of me. I plan to set sail immediately after completing the delivery."

"That sounds quite busy," the attendant remarked.

"It's good that free merchants are busy. Though, I wouldn't exactly call a boom like wartime prosperity a positive thing."

"You're right about that. Still, even if you're setting sail right away, it'll take several hours. How about resting at our office and having a cup of tea?"

"That sounds good. I'd like to hear more about various matters, and I'd be grateful for the hospitality."

As he turned around, only Miliena stood behind Shinosuke.

Celia is completely absorbed in observing the sea alongside Sanders and Yan.

"Are you part of the crew? You seem quite interested in the ocean."

"She's never seen a planet's surface before, so this is her first time seeing the sea. Plus, she saw a group of whales on the way here, so she's clearly captivated by both the ocean and whales."

The attendant listening chuckled.

"That's right? In that case, why don't we invite those people aboard one of our company's boats for a whale-watching tour? While we can't offer the kind of service a professional leisure operator would provide, we can certainly guide you for a whale-watching experience?"

Upon hearing Rock's Pharmaceutical's proposal, Seira jumped up, delighted.