Arrival at the Sacred Kingdom of Seigle

"Seigle Sacred Kingdom Holy Inspection Corps! This spatial zone is our nation's exclusive economic space. Vessels engaged in combat must immediately cease hostilities and follow our guidance! Vessels not transmitting navigation identification signals must immediately send such signals! Any vessel that fails to transmit a navigation signal, refuses our guidance, or attempts to flee will be classified as a criminal vessel and targeted for attack!"

Upon receiving a warning from the Sacred Inspection Fleet, Shinonosuke slowed down Fubuki and shut down the fire control system.

"Aliisa, relay the warning to Tsukikage and Big Bear as well."

"Understood."

Once Shinonosuke's group demonstrated their compliance with the warning, ten ships from the Sacred Inspection Fleet launched a pursuit of the fleeing pirate vessel.

All were cutting-edge high-speed destroyers, making it utterly impossible for the pirate vessel to escape.

Should they attempt to flee or resist, they would be mercilessly sunk.

With this, Shinonosuke's group had finally escaped the danger of the pirate route.

"Connect us to the fleet of the Inspection Corps."

"Understood... Communication with the forward fleet has been established. Please proceed."

This is Captain Shinosuke Kashimura of the Hiryu-class frigate Fujiki, affiliated with the Akneria Galactic Federation's Salius Stellar Province Free Merchant Ship Association. Our vessel and its accompanying ships were attacked by space pirates during a escort mission.

"This is Major Iflood, Commander of the 3rd Fleet, Holy监察 Corps of the Seegul Holy Nation. I received your distress and combat signals and have come to rescue you... However, even though the area is known as a notorious pirate route, I've never heard of a ship being attacked by space pirates four times. Do you have any idea why you might have been targeted? For example, could there be cargo on board beyond what was officially declared?"

Captain Efloud's question seemed less like suspicion toward Shinnosuke and the others, and more like genuine confusion about why they had been repeatedly attacked by space pirates.

"There's no way we'd have anything unlisted. We only carry the minerals we've officially declared."

Seyla and Milena, standing beside Shinnosuke, exchanged exasperated looks and shook their heads.

((We definitely have a reason...))

Well, I can't imagine a high-ranking merchant with B-level security clearance and C-level passenger and cargo transport and trade qualifications resorting to such tricks, but still, it's our duty. May we inspect the cargo? After the inspection, we'll escort you to your destination—the Holy Capital.

Understood. Thank you in advance. Please feel free to review it thoroughly.

After the inspection, Shinnosuke and the others were escorted by a holy监察 corps destroyer toward the holy capital of Seigul Sacred Nation.

Shinnosuke and the group had finally reached the threshold of the holy capital of the Seigul Sacred Nation.

"This is the holy capital of the Seigul Sacred Nation...?"

"Simply majestic," she said.

The holy capital of the Seigul Sacred Nation, home to its central temple complex, is not a planet but a massive space colony. Yet before them stretched a scene so awe-inspiring that the term "space colony" felt inadequate, leaving Seyra and Milena utterly captivated.

If one were to describe the holy capital of the Seigul Sacred Nation in a single phrase, it would be a temple floating in space—no, a fortress-city adrift among the stars.

Rather than a typical space colony made of combined large modules or layered tiers, it appeared as if a castle or city from the surface of a planet had simply been lifted into space, its scale easily surpassing several times that of the central colony of the Salius Stellar Province, glowing silver from end to end.

Among the crew of the Fubuki, both Seira and Miliena are followers of the Seigul faith, yet this was their first time visiting the Seigul Sacred Nation.

"This is the holy capital of the Seigul Sacred Nation—a great city housing a million residents and capable of welcoming an equal number of pilgrims and free merchants."

Shinonsuke, though not a follower of the Seigul faith, explained, having visited the Seigul Sacred Nation during friendly space voyages in the old space military era.

"Since we're here, I'd like to visit the main temple as a souvenir."

"I'd like to see it too," Miliena added.

The two seemed more like sightseers than devout pilgrims.

"Since we have time, go ahead and take a look."

" Yes, we'd really like to go," they both said in unison.

The Seigul faith reveres Seigul, the goddess of compassion, who accepts all.

Because of the goddess's teachings, which impose no strict rules, many pilgrims visiting the holy city seem to do so more for sightseeing than spiritual reasons, and even followers of other religions face no issue when coming to visit the central temple out of curiosity.

It is precisely due to such a tolerant and open-minded doctrine that the Seigul faith has flourished since ancient times, spreading its teachings throughout the entire universe.

"Visiting the main temple is nice, but we won't be able to do that until we've docked in the Holy City. Serah, please request docking permission."

"Understood. Transmitting data to the Seigul Holy City Harbor Authority... Docking permission granted. Designated berth: 82nd dock. Please follow the beacon to enter."

At the designated point, the massive gate of the dock opened, emitting navigation beacons for docking.

Shinnosuke locked onto the beacon and steered Fubuki toward the assigned dock.

Big Bear and Tsukikage followed closely behind.

At last, they had arrived at the Sacred Country of Seiguru.