The Responsibility of a Free Merchant

Having decided to speak with Kokona aboard the Fukuki's ship, Shinnosuke explained the matter to the soldiers guarding the dock, Fukuki and Tsukikage.

He had expected to be questioned extensively, but was told without any further comment that he and his companions were free to do as they pleased.

With that in mind, Shinnosuke began to lead Kokona aboard the Fukuki's vessel, when he was suddenly called out from behind.

"What are you planning to do with our sister?!"

When he turned around, there stood Tack, Kokona's younger brother.

"Tack, I told you to stay home. I'll handle this conversation with them—go back home now."

Though reproached by Kokona, Tack showed no intention of backing down.

"I came after her because I was worried about my sister! Hey, you—what are you planning to do with her?!"

Tack glared at him with clear hostility, as if ready to bite at any moment.

Shinnosuke stepped forward toward Tack.

Don't say something so rude. I was just listening because your sister said she had something to talk about. How about you join us? I'll listen to your story too, and I'll treat you to tea and sweets.

With a light, teasing tone, Tack hesitated but still nodded, putting on a show of confidence.

I'll go and do it! I'm not scared of you guys at all!

Shin nosuke grinned and led the two of them into the harbor.

Despite being overwhelmed by the imposing presence of the moored Fukubi and Tsukikage, Kokona and Tack followed Shin Nosuke.

Just as Andy and Ellen were inspecting the exterior of Tsukikage, Andy paused his work upon seeing the two newcomers Shin Nosuke had brought (mainly Kokona).

"....Cat ears... I wish I had those."

Hearing Andy's mutter, Elen sighed in exasperation and kicked him in the rear.

"Ow! What the heck are you doing?"

Ignoring the two of them, Shin Nosuke guided Kokona and Tack into Fubuki's ship.

For now, after Seira had prepared tea—non-synthetic fruit tea—and snacks in Fubuki's mess hall, Shin Nosuke began questioning the two.

As expected, Coco and Tack are siblings whose father was an immigrant worker.

Their mother reportedly passed away shortly after giving birth to Tack.

Growing up in the slums of another galactic nation, the Coco siblings endured a life of poverty, their father unable to secure stable employment due to their status as part of the underclass.

About three years ago, seeking work, the Coco siblings immigrated to the Polux Duchy via the Rimuria Galactic Empire through an immigration broker. The father found work as a miner, and Coco secured a job at a workers' cafeteria.

However, in Polux, the working conditions for immigrant laborers were harsh and deteriorating, with miners frequently dying or being injured in accidents, and many falling seriously ill due to grueling labor.

However, due to the war between the Rimuria Galactic Empire and the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth, the supply of parts for mining machinery was disrupted, causing operations to halt at several work sites.

As a result, workers had been experiencing reduced burdens—yet just as this improvement began, Shinnosuke and the others arrived with new mining machinery.

If you take back the machine you brought, my father and the others will be forced into even harsher labor. I'm begging you—please take the machine back with you. Otherwise, my father and the others will be worked to death.

Tack appeals to Shinosuke.

CocoNa seems to understand that Tack's request is utterly impossible to fulfill, as her wish is entirely different from Tack's.

"Please... take my father and my siblings and me out of this country. I know this is an unreasonable request, and I know it's cowardly to flee while leaving others behind in the same situation, but I just want to live a humble, happy life with my family."

Shinosuke listened to the two, arms crossed, deep in thought.

Mireena beside him also closed her eyes, as if pondering something deeply.

Cielo, standing beside the opposite side, looked up at Shinosuke.

"Shinosuke-san, can't you do something?"

It seemed Cielo wanted to help the two after hearing about Coco and the others.

Typical of Cielo's kind-hearted nature.

Upon hearing Cielo's words, Mireena also opened her eyes and looked at Shinosuke.

Mireena also wished to save Coco and the others, but seemed to have another thought in mind, waiting for Shinosuke's decision.

For a moment, Shinosuke appeared to be deep in thought, but he wasn’t truly troubled.

Shinosuke’s answer had been decided from the beginning.

“Impossible.”

Coco, Tack, and Seira’s expressions darkened at Shinosuke’s words.

Mireena seemed to have anticipated Shinosuke’s decision.

"First, regarding Tack's request—we can't just return without delivering the goods we were hired to transport. Free merchants have responsibilities of their own; breaking a contract would cause serious losses, and worse, it would damage our reputation."

Tack erupted in anger upon hearing Shinosuke's words.

"Are you seriously going to sacrifice my father and the others just for something like that! Do you not care at all about who gets hurt as long as you make money?"

Shin nosuke fixed his gaze on Tack.

Though he wasn't glaring, the young Tack faltered under the intensity of his stare.

"You seem to have misunderstood. We didn't come here to force your father and the others to work or suffer. We're simply transporting goods as requested by the Duchy of Polruke."

"But if it's because of the goods you brought, then Father and the others are forced to work!"

"If that's the case, then it's a problem for Polruke. Improving and maintaining working conditions is Polruke's responsibility, not ours as free merchants. Though Tack is still young and may not understand, you mustn't mistake the essence of the matter."

"......"

Tack was speechless, lowering his head.

Tack seems vaguely aware that he's making unreasonable demands of Shinosuke.

"And as for you, Kokona. I'll consider your request, but the hurdles are still high."

"What exactly is it? Of course, I'll pay—though I can't do so right away, I'll definitely settle it."

Kokona's eyes sparkled with hope, but this wasn't going to be an easy deal.

"I hold the qualifications to operate passenger transport, and since I was planning to return empty-handed anyway, if you'd like to travel on my ship as a passenger, I can offer a heavily discounted fare. However, there's another issue."

"?"

"The issue of obtaining exit permission from the Duchy of Polouks and entry permission into your destination country."

"That is..."

"Since you came here as an immigrant via brokers, passing through Rimuria, isn't there some kind of restriction imposed on you within this country?"

...Yes.

If we take someone out of the country without permission, that's a crime—and we'd become criminals ourselves. As a legitimate businessman, I can't engage in such actions. There's also the option of seeking asylum, but that requires coordination and procedures with a country willing to accept us. I don't believe you're capable of handling those challenges, do you?"

Even Coco looks down, unable to meet their gaze.

Seyla pleads with him, begging him to do something, but as a free merchant, he knows there are limits to what can be done.

Then Shinnosuke strikes at the heart of the matter.

"Frankly, don't you think your father never wanted something like this?"