New Discovery

Yatagarasu and Fubuki returned to the Salius Stellar Province, but since Yatagarasu had a contract with Psychoj Industries for inspection, maintenance, and data retrieval, they docked at Psychoj's facility instead of Shinnosuke's.

"Originally, our dock can only fit two ships, but they offer maintenance at a low cost and have high security—so it's actually a relief."

After docking at Psychoj Industries' shipyard and handing over the voyage data to the technicians, Shinnosuke requested to be connected with Hankus to secure a new ship for Aila—but first, there was something he needed to take care of.

Reporting to the Union and the Space Environment Agency.

"Aila, I'm sorry, but you'll need to accompany me to report to the Space Environment Agency. We'll need your firsthand account as a party involved."

Understood. Well, it goes without saying.

After that, Shinnosuke and the others reported to the Free Merchant Fleet about Aila's rescue and their encounter with the unknown creature, and immediately set out to visit the Space Environment Agency's Sanders and Yan.

Shinnosuke and Aila, along with Marks and Milena, visited the Space Environment Agency.

Fortunately, both Sanders and Yan were present, allowing them to meet without delay.

"...This is unbelievable. I never thought a creature like this could exist in outer space."

Yang exclaimed in shock upon reviewing the submitted data and various videos.

"Even researchers studying space whales, like yourself, don't know about this species?"

Yang nodded in response to Shinosuke's question.

As we've entrusted Kasumura with the investigation, space whales themselves remain unknown entities to us—full of mysteries yet to be uncovered. The only other known life forms capable of surviving in outer space are microbes attached to asteroid surfaces. This is undoubtedly a brand-new discovery.

"If we call this organism a space jellyfish, its advanced camouflage, resilient outer layer enabling aggression, and social communication abilities— if such a creature exists alongside the space whales, it suggests that countless other life forms may be thriving throughout the universe, unknown to us humans. This is a historic breakthrough."

Yang and Sanders spoke with undisguised excitement.

However, Shinosuke has a different concern.

"Although this discovery of the cosmic jellyfish might have been accidental, considering the incident with the cosmic whales and the recent changes in the asteroid belt, isn't something significant happening in this universe?"

That's right. Not only the protrusion of that asteroid belt, but I think it's also extraordinary that I managed to receive the communication signal from a territory-conscious space jellyfish.

Sandars and the others nodded in response to Shinosuke and Ira's words.

"We also suspect that some environmental change may be occurring in space. We would like to continue requesting your cooperation in future, starting with the study of cosmic whales—how does that sound?"

"If it's just something done on the side of regular duties, that's perfectly fine."

"That will be sufficient."

Ira interjected as she listened to Shinosuke and Sandars' conversation.

"If that's the case, then I can help out too. Though, that would be after we've acquired a new vessel."

"That would be a great help. Thank you very much."

Shinosuke and the others had finished reporting everything they needed to.

There was no need to stay any longer.

"Then, I'll be taking my leave."

"Ah, wait a moment. There's one thing I need to confirm..."

Yan called out to Shinosuke and the others as they were about to stand up after completing their report and data submission.

"Is there something wrong?"

"Yes. Given that ships entering the territory of the space jellyfish may be attacked, and that the space jellyfish communicate using signals similar to distress calls, I believe we need to swiftly release our findings after completing the necessary investigation. Since this is such a significant discovery, the discoverer would naturally gain great honor, so we should disclose their identity, don't you think?"

If a new species of extraterrestrial life is discovered, it would certainly be a historic breakthrough, and the discoverer's name might even be recorded in academic records.

However, Shinosuke and Ira looked at each other and spoke in unison.

"Please, we'll pass. You can fabricate the discoverer's identity however you like."

Shinosuke and Ira requested that Yan's group exercise discretion, as they were more concerned about the potential professional repercussions of gaining fame than about leaving a mark in history.

"Understood. We'll take care of it on our end."

With Sanders having promised to handle it, once the report to the Space Environment Agency was complete, the next step would be securing Ira a new ship.

Shinosuke and Ira decided to head toward Sai Kou Ji Industry.

Thank you! I am honored to have received the Comic Adaptation Award at the Izumi Shobo Web Novel Prize this time.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved and to all the readers who have supported this work.