Shinnosuke Awakens

Alicia Estoney's movements, though refined like those of an aristocrat from the imperial court, carried no trace of pretentiousness—gentle and unassuming.

Perhaps because Milena had her third eye open in a show of restraint, Alicia, despite being an awakened one, kept her third eye closed.

After politely greeting Shinnosuke, Alicia began chatting warmly with Milena, the two of them engrossed in lively conversation.

In the meantime, Shinnosuke informed the captains about their upcoming schedule and security precautions aboard the ship, then decided to return to the bridge.

After that, they continued sailing smoothly and successfully entered the Rimuria Galactic Empire's territory.

"Sera, transmit the ship's identification signal and distress rescue signal at maximum power."

"Understood."

Even though this is a free navigation zone within the Rimuria Galactic Empire's territory, the presence of a warship registered under the Akeria Galactic Federation—a nation currently in tense relations with the Empire—naturally risks raising suspicion among Imperial military forces or coastal defense units. Therefore, it's essential to clearly state the vessel's purpose for navigation.

Even so, they remain in the outermost edge of the vast Empire's territory, where there are no nearby inhabited planets or colonies.

Fubuki alone had still not triggered the Empire's patrol net, and there was no sign of contact from the Empire's side.

That changed on the second day after entering Empire territory.

Seira detected an anomaly on the radar.

"Wide-range radar has picked up a response. Five vessels are rapidly approaching. They're closing in on our ship from all sides... They're transmitting a signal—demanding we stop."

"Do you know their affiliation?"

"Verifying... Confirmed. They are the coastal patrol force of the Rymiria Galactic Empire."

"Understood. We'll follow their instructions. Relay that response to them."

"Understood."

After confirming that Seira had sent a communication confirming their compliance with the stop order, Shinnosuke brought the ship to a halt. Miliena then approached him beside the ship.

"Lord Shinnosuke, please be careful."

"What do you mean?"

The coastal defense force responsible for this region is directly under the First Prince of the Empire. Since it's under the First Prince's direct command, this sector has naturally been relatively peaceful. However, the First Prince is focused solely on expanding his own fleet and pays little attention to the coastal defense force, which is meant to maintain order. Despite this, the defense force considers peace in the sector their own achievement and has developed a rather careless attitude.

In short, the coast guard responsible for this sector is apparently riding on the prestige of the First Prince, becoming quite authoritative.

"Anyway, I'd rather avoid unnecessary trouble here. Unless something serious happens, I'll just comply quietly."

As he was saying this, Fubuki found herself surrounded by five patrol ships.

"...I don't know, but these ships have way too many unnecessary protrusions."

Shin nosuke couldn't help muttering as he looked at the patrol ships encircling Fubuki.

That's because the patrol ships surrounding Fubuki are strikingly conspicuous, clad in brilliant silver armor with ornate, elaborate designs—completely unlike the practical, battle-ready warships of the Empire.

They look like vessels straight out of a symbol of authoritarianism.

"This is the Shooting Star, flagship of the Rimlia Galactic Empire's Coastal Defense Fleet, 24th Patrol Squadron. This sector is under Rimlia Galactic Empire sovereignty. State your rank, name, and purpose of navigation!"

Even though this is imperial territory, they're sailing through a free navigation zone, transmitting not only the internationally recognized distress signal but also an identification signal—yet still being greeted with such a demand.

Shinnosuke sighed, but decided to reply himself.

"This is Captain Shinnosuke Kashimura of the escort vessel Fujiki, affiliated with the Sirius Stellar District Free Merchant Fleet of the Acneria Galactic Federation. I have come to this sector after rescuing the crew and passengers of your civilian vessel Blue Dolphin, who were stranded and adrift in international space. I hereby request the transfer of the rescued individuals."

『We are aware of that.』

(Do you understand? Then why did you ask?)

It seems to be exactly as Miliena said.

The coast guard captain is acting arrogantly.

"Then I repeat my request. Please promptly accept the rescued individuals. We also wish to quickly leave imperial territory and return to Akneria."

『That is impossible.』

"Wha—?"

『You will accompany us as we are, and undergo questioning at our base.』

This is utterly unreasonable.

It is excessively disrespectful to demand that we submit to questioning without any suspicion of crime, especially toward a foreign vessel that has just rescued imperial citizens.

『We do not recognize the necessity of accompanying your vessel to your base, nor do we accept the need for interrogation. Please promptly accept the rescued individuals.』

"We'll accept the rescued individuals, but only after our vessel has docked at our base."

Utterly futile.

Shin nosuke glanced at Milena beside him.

"Are they planning to bring us to their base and then make petty demands or even try to extort a bribe?"

"About right, I'd say. Truly lamentable."

There was no way he could waste time on such a pointless farce.

"I repeat once more. We have committed no violation of your country's laws whatsoever. We merely rescued your distressed vessel in accordance with international law. We likewise demand compliance with the law from your side."

"According to intelligence, your ship is reportedly carrying refugees from our country among your crew. Therefore, you are suspected of harboring a criminal."

Shinonsuke was utterly appalled.

This accusation is utterly outrageous.

"Indeed, our vessel does have refugees from your country among the crew, but every aspect of their asylum, including their presence here, complies fully with the law. Therefore, this does not constitute harboring a criminal. This is clearly stated in international law....However, since you insist, even if unjustified, if you suspect us, we will not accompany you to the base, but we will allow inspection of our ship. At the same time, we kindly request permission to receive the distressed individuals."

"Hmph, fine. I'll compromise. We're boarding now—follow our instructions exactly."

Utterly disrespectful and utterly hopeless.

Shin nosuke stopped trying to appease them.

I'll make this clear: you, as the commander of a foreign nation's legal authority, don't need me to explain this, but the interior of this ship is considered territory of the Acnelia Galactic Federation under international law. Anyone boarding this vessel must comply with Acnelia Galactic Federation law and the ship's regulations. Therefore, we will conduct inspections while armed for self-defense. Don't worry—so long as you follow my orders, we have no intention of using our weapons aboard the ship.

"That is unacceptable. If you refuse inspection, we will seize your vessel by force."

"Wha—seize?"

Even if they're acting recklessly within their own territory, this is going too far.

This isn't a matter for a single squad leader to decide, and if they carry out such an action, it will undoubtedly become an international incident.

"Comply with our orders without futile resistance. It's in your best interest."

They're clearly letting pride override reason.

Pfft...

"Wha—?"

At that moment, a sound like something snapping echoed in the air—though neither Seira nor Miliena could actually hear it.

"Aw, come on, don't be such a pain! It's your fault for being all lovey-dovey that we had to come all the way out here! Hand over the people on the upper deck already! No use arguing back and forth—just accept it already!"

"Ugh, I'm furious! It's because you've been dragging your feet that we've ended up having to come all the way out here! We want to hand over the people in the rear cargo hold right away. There's no point in arguing back and forth—just accept it already!"

Seira and Millena are both stunned into silence by Shinosuke's sudden outburst of strange words.

"Eh? Shinosuke-sama? What are you saying... Eh?!"

"What? Eh? Scary, scary... Marks-san!"

Terrified, Seira called out for help to Marks through the ship's internal radio.

『Ah, that's just the accent from Master's hometown—the Torchi G region of the Iluk Star District. The Master tends to slip into his natural dialect when he's annoyed, even if there's no real danger. Just ignore it; it's harmless.』

In reality, Shinnosuke originally had a strong Tochigi accent, and since entering the officer academy, he had consciously tried to eliminate his regional dialect to communicate more smoothly with others.

As a result, even in everyday speech, his language became stiff and formal—but when he gets frustrated and reaches his limit of patience, his natural, unfiltered speech inevitably slips out.

However, when truly in crisis during combat, Shinosuke remains calm and never loses his composure—his accent only emerges during fruitless arguments, what could be described as shouting matches, much like petty bickering.

"Quit talkin' big—just accept it already, you damn dork!"

Quit wasting time with your nonsense and accept it already—dimwits!

Though Shinosuke speaks rapidly with a distinctive intonation, his dialect—though incomprehensible to most—is actually a regional variation derived from Galactic Standard. Therefore, on imperial ships, Shinosuke’s dialect is simultaneously translated into Galactic Standard, ensuring his words are accurately conveyed.

Though the final words were malicious, even when translated into Galactic Standard, Shinosuke’s rapid-fire delivery overwhelmed the imperial captain, leaving him momentarily subdued.

‘Y-Yes, understood. We’ll accept the survivors immediately.’

At last, the imperial coast guard acknowledged the need to receive the survivors.