All vessels of Kasimura Company mobilized

Having completed the escort mission request and preparations for metal trade, Shinnosuke, set to depart tomorrow, visited the Free Merchant Ship Association with Seira to obtain the latest navigation information.

This mission involves escorting five cargo ships belonging to the Villet Imperial Trading company, a corporation from the Rimlia Galactic Empire, from the Sirius Stellar Province to the capital colony of the 6325 Stellar Federation, en route to the imperial capital of the Rimlia Galactic Empire. However, the route contains numerous hazardous zones.

First, the path to the 6325 Stellar Federation is scattered with asteroid belts, limiting the navigable space.

The route from 6325 to the Lymeria Galactic Empire is prone to communication failures at numerous points.

Moreover, it's a dangerous passage where you never know when or where you might encounter space pirates, across every sector of space.

Navigating this unfamiliar and perilous route, while escorting a convoy, means that having as much information as possible is never a waste.

"The route to the 6325 Star Union is extending into the asteroid belt, isn't it? We need to choose our path carefully..."

Seyla, now a seasoned navigation control operator, was transmitting the latest route data from her terminal to the Yatagarasu's control system. Indeed, as Seyla had noted, the asteroid belt's reach along the route to the 6325 Star Union had expanded significantly.

"This asteroid belt, that's where the scary one is, right?"

"Space jellyfish. Come to think of it, the nickname used by the Space Route Bureau for warnings is literally 'Space Jellyfish'."

"Yeah, it's easy to understand, I guess. But it's kind of simplistic—too blunt, really."

"But it does have a proper scientific name, right? I asked Yan, and apparently they tried to name it after the discoverer, but that was rejected."

The space jellyfish discovered by Shinosuke and his team in the asteroid belt was apparently a major breakthrough in astrobiology, and the biologist-turned-spaceway official Yan had suggested incorporating Shinosuke's name into its scientific name—but Shinosuke firmly rejected the idea.

"Of course it's obvious. I wouldn't let them name it something like 'Meteo Tentaculus Kasimura' or 'Shin Tentaculus Medusa'! I flat-out refused. In the end, it settled on 'Meteo Tentaculus Red Eye,' I guess."

As the two finished their data collection and started heading back to the dock, they were approached by a man.

"Excuse me—may I speak with Mr. Kasimura?"

Around fifty years old, Shinosuke and Seira exchanged glances upon being suddenly addressed.

"Yes, I'm Kasimura."

The man bowed deeply upon hearing Shinosuke's reply.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Villet. I run a trading business in the Rimlia Galactic Empire and am the chairman of Villet Imperial Trading."

The man who introduced himself as Villet was the chairman of Villet Imperial Trading, responsible for escorting the convoy starting tomorrow.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Shinnosuke Kashimura from Kashimura Trading. This is my crew member, Seira Star."

Seira, introduced by Shinnosuke, hastily bowed her head.

Villet courteously replied in kind.

"We just arrived here yesterday. We came today to handle the procurement and loading procedures, and upon hearing that Mr. Kashimura was here, we thought it only polite to offer our greetings."

"That's very thoughtful of you. Likewise, it's a pleasure to meet you....But you're telling me the chairman himself led the fleet all the way from the Rimlia Galactic Empire?"

Villet shrugged and smiled.

Well, I suppose you could call me chairman, but we're just a small trading company with only ten cargo ships. If I don't personally rush around to source goods, our business wouldn't survive. We've had to tighten our budget so much that when we came here empty-handed, we had no escort at all—truly a frightening experience. But when returning with goods, we can't possibly go without protection. That's why the representative from your guild kindly introduced me as someone quite capable, Mr. Kasimura.

It was likely Rina who introduced Shinnosuke, but the overpraise made my spine itch.

"I can't judge my own competence, but I'll personally ensure your safety with my three escort vessels."

Villet nodded, clearly satisfied with Shinnosuke's words.

"That's a great relief. I truly appreciate your assistance."

After exchanging formal greetings, Villet decided to part ways, noting that the preparations for tomorrow's departure still remained unfinished, and that Shinnosuke also needed to prepare for the next day.

From tomorrow onward, they would embark on a long expedition, escorting Villet's fleet all the way to the Rimuria Galactic Empire.

And early the following morning, the three escort vessels of the Kashimura Corporation made their first full-scale deployment.

The flagship, Shinnosuke's Yatagarasu, would serve as the command vessel for the escort force.

The second ship is Ash's Akatsuki, carefully positioned under Andy's guidance.

The third ship is Ash's Fubuki.

After the three ships departed the dock, they headed toward the rendezvous point with the Villet Imperial Trading Company's convoy.