Escape

Fubuki broke through the Limerian fleet's blockade and launched into international space.

Although she was briefly pursued by the Limerian fleet shortly after exceeding her evacuation deadline, the pursuit was immediately halted.

For the Limerian Galactic Empire, allowing a single civilian vessel to escape despite encircling it with dozens of ships—and then escalating to a full-scale chase across international space to recapture it—was a complete humiliation for a major power.

Perhaps they had intended to leave things be had she evacuated within the deadline, so showing a bit of leniency might have been their way of preserving face while still maintaining dignity.

"That ship, still as annoying as ever, huh."

Bellroza smiles as she watches Fusuki depart from the bridge of the Black Rose, flagship of the Black Rose Fleet.

"Was it really alright to let her go like this? That kind of civilian vessel would be no trouble to sink, after all?"

Bellroza shrugs and shakes her head in response to her副官 Zackbarn's words.

"What's the point in getting worked up over just one civilian ship? Let it be for now."

"But isn't that captain the one who endangered Lady Bellroza's life?"

"What are you talking about? I've never had anything to do with that ship. The man captured the space pirate Velvet—she's a completely different person. Besides, that woman is already dead."

"I see. My deepest apologies."

"Well, I'll admit it's annoying to have been bested, but there's no need to press the matter further."

"Understood."

"...And listen, Zackburn. Since you don't know that man, let me enlighten you. He's not some petty space opera superhero, and that ship, no matter how good its specs are, is just an ordinary spaceship—not some invincible vessel convenient for your purposes. It can be damaged if struck, and of course it can be sunk. That much is certain. But think of it like a venomous snake. As long as you don't reach out toward it, it won't bite you often. But step on it the wrong way, and it'll strike instantly. If you recklessly try to handle it halfway, you'll definitely drag down several ships with you. If you truly need to sink it, you must either crush its head with utmost care, or swallow it whole with overwhelming force. Right now, I could do that. But I'm no longer in a position to act as I please, so for now, I have no intention of sending my precious subordinates to hunt a venomous snake with their bare hands. Remember that."

"As you command, I shall keep it firmly in mind."

Black Rose turned around and returned to imperial territory.

Fubuki, having safely escaped imperial territory and shaken off pursuit.

Ash, who had been continuously steering Fubuki, now switched control with Millena.

"Millena, I'm leaving the rest to you."

"Yes, you've done well."

Ash left the co-pilot's seat, stretching her shoulders and straightening her back.

"Shin nosuke, this ship is really something. I mean, compared to the outdated Corvette I used to fly or even the coast guard patrol boats—this is a whole different level. It just feels like a ship built with a true lover's passion and attention to detail."

Shin nosuke nodded in agreement with Ash's remarks.

"Well, Fubuki is an experimental vessel for the Yukikaze-class development. The R&D division at Sai Kou Ji Industries is, in a good way, full of eccentrics. When building experimental or test ships, they deliberately leave room for growth in performance while refusing to compromise on the ship itself. In fact, they aim even higher, pushing the limits under strict constraints."

"Well, if this were mass-produced as-is, it'd definitely have a unique character. As a military vessel, that could be seen as a drawback. If someone like Shinnosuke or me can fully adapt to its quirks, the ship's performance can be fully realized—but if not, those quirks could become a hindrance instead. In that sense, Shinnosuke and Fubuki, or me and Fubuki, are a great match. So does that mean Shinnosuke and I are just as compatible?"

Shinnosuke felt a chill run down his spine as Ash casually winked and walked away across the bridge.

Milena and Seira stared at Shinnosuke with narrowed eyes.

"Master Shinnosuke, my compatibility with Fubuki is perfect, I assure you."

"Um, I also feel really at ease in Fubuki's operator seat... you know..."

For some reason, they both seemed to be burning with a strange competitive spark.

"Oh wow, Shinnosuke, you're quite the ladies' man, aren't you?"

Seeing that expression, Shi-on teases Shinno-suke, who shrugs in response.

"Sure, I'm popular with Milina and the others, but being all over the place with Ash is a bit much."

"Don't worry, Ash loves girls—'and' guys too, actually. Their range is just totally broken."

Though uncertain what was acceptable and somewhat unsettling in its revelation, Mireina and Seira, who had been listening to the trivial conversation between the two in a natural flow, failed to catch Shinnosuke's significant remark—something they would never have said under normal circumstances.

Later, Fubuki rendezvoused with Tsukikage, who had been waiting in the international orbital zone.

This is because the supplies we had prepared with ample margin are running low due to an unexpected increase in refugees and the ongoing round-trips to the Rimlia Galactic Empire, making it necessary to transfer everyone to Tsukikage.

Upon arriving at the convergence point, Tsukikage and the shield vessel were waiting there.

The two ships were as scheduled, but there was also the silhouette of a civilian passenger ship.

Mr. Shinosuke, a crisis has occurred.

Andy's transmission had indicated that continuing like this would not allow the work to end peacefully.