There's no need for prolonged presence.

What Shinnosuke and the others brought were medicines and medical system equipment, ordered from Wesley's corporation. According to publicly available information, these medicines and supplies appear to be intended for civilian use.

It's uncertain what would happen if the colony fell into the Empire's hands, but that is beyond the scope of what Shinnosuke and the others should be involved in—indeed, it's something they cannot be involved in from the start.

Having completed their contractual duties, if there was a crisis looming over this colony, there was no reason to stay. After finishing unloading and all necessary procedures, Shinnosuke and the others decided to head back as soon as possible.

Fubuki and Tsukikage, having departed from Wesley Central Colony, had no urgency now that their work was done, so there was no need to cut through the battlefield.

Instead, they headed in the opposite direction of the battlefield, making a wide detour to leave the orbital zone.

"Good, we've cleared the combat zone. Let's proceed carefully toward international space. Mirina, I'm entrusting you with monitoring the surrounding space."

"Understood."

"Sera, leave the route selection to Mirina's surveillance data."

"Got it."

By fully utilizing Fubuki's alert system, Shinnosuke and the others successfully avoided all dangers and safely exited the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth, reaching international space after their first spatial jump.

Two days of smooth navigation through international space had passed.

On the second day, an anomaly occurred.

"Contact! Eighteen unidentified vessels have deployed at the very edge of our detection range—bearings one and ten."

Fubuki's radar detected numerous suspicious vessels.

"Understood. They're far away—since they're right at the edge of Fubuki's detection range, they probably haven't picked up on us. Miriena, our radar mode is passive, correct?"

"Of course. We won't make the mistake of giving ourselves away."

Shin nosuke analyzed the suspicious vessels' positions and intentions.

Given that they're scattered widely across international space, there's no doubt they're space pirates.

If there are eighteen of them, their target isn't something small like us—likely a convoy or larger fleet.

"Since they're positioned far off the usual route, they're probably lying in wait, with scouts tracking down their prey."

"Shin Nosuke, what should we do? Should we change course to avoid being spotted?"

Shin Nosuke shook his head in response to Seira's question.

No, let's keep going. We won't be detected by their sensors if we continue like this, and even if we are caught, they won't interfere with us if they have another target in mind.

Fubuki's radar detection range is in a league of its own compared to ordinary ships.

It was in a completely different league from the kind of radar a regular space pirate would possess.

There shouldn't be any problem continuing this way, and at the very least, we won't be caught off guard by the opponent.

Still, to be absolutely certain, Shinosuke cuts off the engines of Fubuki and Tsukikage as they pass through the most vulnerable point near the space pirates, gliding through on inertia alone.

"We've exited the detection range of the suspicious vessel. There are no signs of being detected."

"Good, let's just pass through. Their target should be ahead. If we make contact, we'll relay the information. If they request it, we can temporarily take on escort duties."

Shin nosuke restarted the engine and pressed forward.

After traveling for about three hours,

"Position 12, civilian convoy approaching."

Ryoko confirmed the radar monitor upon Milena's report.

Twelve ships were approaching.

"Is this our target? Serah, can you identify the convoy's affiliation? Let's inform them that pirates are lying in wait."

"Understood. Cross-referencing identification signals... Hmm... Affiliated with the Akneria Galactic Federation, Gara Stellar District—cargo convoy operated by Syokouji Transport."

The approaching convoy was a fleet belonging to Syokouji Transport, a logistics company under the Syokouji Company umbrella.

"A convoy from Syokouji Transport... This isn't our call then."

Shin nosuke shrugged, making Seira and Milliena tilt their heads in confusion.

"Shin nosuke-san, what do you mean by that?"

"Trust me, you'll see when we actually make contact."

Eventually, they closed to a communicable distance from the Syokouji Transport convoy.

"Serah, connect us to the convoy— I'll speak directly."

"Understood. Connection established. You may proceed."

Shinonosuke transmits a message toward the convoy.

"This is Captain Kasimura of the escort vessel Fukubuki, affiliated with the Akeria Galactic Federation's Salius Stellar Province Free Merchant Ship Association. I have information regarding space pirates."

"This is the first cargo convoy of Syokouji Transport, Syokouji speaking. Shinonosuke, it's been a while."

The face of the convoy's representative, a stout middle-aged man, appeared on the monitor.

Though he was a portly man in his middle years, his tone toward Shinonosuke was unusually familiar.

Seeing this, Celia and Milena looked at Shinonosuke, who then gave them a playful smile.

"It's been a while, brother-in-law. How have you been? Your sister has been complaining about all sorts of things."

"Hahaha, every time I return, Emilia gives me a scolding, but I just can't resist the thrill of being on the front lines."

The man displayed on the monitor was Howard Saitoji, husband of Shinosuke's sister Emilia Saitoji and the managing director of Saitoji Transport.

Though he holds a leadership position within the company, he's also a peculiar man who leads convoys across the galaxy.

By the time they had finished speaking, the image of the Saitoji convoy appeared on the monitor.

Four large cargo ships, five medium cargo ships, and three armed corvette-class escort vessels.

Seeing one of them, Ceyla and Milena both gasped in surprise.

"“Wait? Cerberus?”"