A New Current

Returning to the central colony of the Salius Province, Shinosuke once again reviewed the financial status of the Kashimura Company.

The company's basic expenses primarily include maintenance and management fees for the escort vessels, dock usage fees paid to the guild, crew salaries and living expenses, as well as various taxes and guild dues to the merchant guild.

Additional expenses include energy and ammunition for escort vessels, as well as repair costs when damage occurs.

As for revenue, the main sources are rewards from escort and transport missions, and contract fees from providing data to Skyward Industry through Fubuki.

Occasional profits from trade are also added to this.

As of now, although we just bought the used ship Tsukikage, we've also received some temporary income, resulting in a fairly substantial net profit for the guild. We could afford to acquire another used escort vessel and still have money left over.

"That said, I don't plan to waste money on a new ship anytime soon..."

The guild has only just been established, and we're currently operating with our two ships, Fubuki and Tsukikage.

I have no intention of squandering our hard-earned profits by aggressively expanding our business further.

Since our regular work is already dangerous enough, I plan to proceed steadily with our trade without taking any major risks just yet.

"I completely agree. It's crucial right now to solidify our newly established trading company. We still have much room to grow."

"I also think so. Now is the perfect time to settle our work into a steady rhythm and build a reliable business."

Milena, the guild's legal officer, and Seira, newly appointed as the accounting officer, both agreed with Shinnosuke's perspective.

With our immediate strategy now set, there's no need to rush things.

Since Fuuki and Tsukikage have only just returned from the Sacred Kingdom of Seigul, and are currently undergoing inspections and maintenance, we won't be able to take on any work for another few days.

Thus, until the ship's maintenance is complete, everyone decided to spend their free time as they wished.

Since Shinnosuke didn't know how to spend his break, he was considering heading to the guild to check the rare metal market prices when an email with an unknown sender appeared on Shinnosuke's terminal.

"One hour from now. On the running track at Central Sports Park, beside the vending machine made by Likuru Drinks. Alone."

The message is one-sided—specifying time, location, and demanding he come alone.

While it's unclear who's trying to make contact, Shinnosuke himself has no business with such a person.

Though ignoring it would be perfectly acceptable, going to check it out is also a viable option.

Even if he chooses to ignore it, the fact that they're using such a roundabout method of contact suggests they'll likely try another way to reach him soon.

Shinnosuke decided to head over to the designated Central Sports Park, killing two birds with one stone by taking a walk.

Five minutes before the designated time, Shinnosuke sat on the specified bench, sipping synthetic fruit tea.

Although several vending machines are installed along the running track in this park, this is the only one that sells synthetic fruit tea.

Scattered among the park's running track were people jogging or walking, enjoying the refreshingly crisp afternoon breeze—artificial, generated by the colony's air conditioning system.

...Clank!

Following the sound of a drink being dispensed from the vending machine behind him, someone sat down on the bench facing him.

"Although it's good that you arrived on time, why the uniform? If you'd read my message, you should have understood I wanted to make contact in secret."

A voice I recognized.

Her slightly rapid breathing was likely an act to blend in, pretending to be running.

"You're the one who wanted to meet in secret. It means nothing to me. And if you went to the trouble of summoning me here, it probably isn't anything good. I don't see the point in changing clothes just for something like that."

Understood. We have no intention of engaging in unnecessary exchanges. Let's get straight to the point: Mr. Kashimura, you are in imminent danger.

"Is it another one of those military factions trying to arrest me again?"

"No, it's not your arrest they're after. They're targeting your life itself."

This is certainly the last thing I need.

"Yet sending a military unit to kill a civilian seems like an excessive risk, and hardly cost-effective, doesn't it?"

"You're right—openly dispatching a military unit to eliminate you simply isn't feasible. Even if we sent a small special operations team, the risk to whoever ordered the operation would be far too great. While secret units remain hidden from the outside world, senior officers within the military would easily be able to track their actions. If an opposing senior officer found out, it would mean ruin for the one who authorized it."

Shinosuke sighed.

Why would someone want to kill me? Back in the days of the Space Fleet, there were officers who found my inflexible nature annoying, but surely not enough to warrant murder. Now that I'm a free merchant, I have no ties to the military at all, so why would they target me?

"I can't go into details about that, but Kasimura has been unknowingly accumulating the ill will of certain military personnel. To them, Kasimura's very existence—especially now that he's a free merchant, and even more so as a guardship crew member for a free merchant—seems nothing short of an unbearable nuisance."

"That's quite a nuisance. Can't you handle it on your end?"

I am acting under the orders of Admiral Allenbal, Commander of the Second Fleet. However, this matter is proving to be quite deeply rooted, and requires utmost caution. For the time being, please manage it through your own efforts, Mr. Kashimura.

"So the mastermind behind this is Allenbal, the principal... You've named the culprit quite casually, I must say."

"That's just the order from your esteemed commander. He said, 'If Lieutenant Colonel Kashimura returns to the military, it'll be simple enough.'"

Shin nosuke chuckled, tossing the empty synthetic fruit tea bottle toward the recycling bin.

"I'd rather not hear that. Please convey my thanks to the principal—no, I mean your esteemed commander."

"Understood. I'll pass that along."

With those words, Lieutenant Selica Crouse of the Space Force Intelligence Division, still in her training gear, calmly returned to the running track as if nothing had happened.

After watching Crouse leave, Shinnosuke stood up, picked up the synthetic fruit tea bottle that had fallen from the recycling bin, and placed it back inside.

"Looks like things are getting complicated."

Markus had quietly appeared behind Shinnosuke.

Shinnosuke had come alone, as instructed, but Markus, who was sharing Shinnosuke's terminal data under certain conditions, had followed along on his own and was keeping watch on the surroundings—something Shinnosuke hadn't known about.

"Well, it might end up causing trouble for the other crew members too... But to survive the storm of discipline led by General Allenbal and still end up in this state—Captain, no, now Major, his luck is so extraordinary it's almost admirable. I wish I could learn a thing or two about that kind of fortune."

"Master, you're utterly unrelated to luck in every sense, wouldn't you say?"

"What do you mean by that, Marks?"

"That's exactly what I mean. In your case, fate's scales always tip toward what you don't want to happen."

"I can't quite accept that, but it's surprising coming from you, Marks—using the word 'fate' at all."

"Yes, I suppose. I don't acknowledge fate or such uncertain things myself."

"Always spouting nonsense again. You're mocking me, aren't you?"

"That's nonsense. I'm simply choosing the most appropriate words, even if they're inappropriate, to keep my conversation with my master smooth."

"That's exactly what I mean when I say you're mocking me. Remember that."

"I see no need to record anything that would suggest I'm mocking my master."

"Truly...."

Shinonsuke and Marks left Central Sports Park.

It's just before the year ends, but this is the final post of 2023.

Thank you.

I'd be happy if you'd continue to support me in 2024 as well.