Arrival at the 6325 Stellar Alliance

Yatagarasu emerged from the spatial jump.

"Spacial jump complete. No anomalies detected in the surrounding space. The Villet fleet will emerge from the jump shortly. Maintain surrounding vigilance!"

"...Understood."

Syunosuke maintained alert status upon receiving Seira's report, though he appeared uneasy, as if something still didn't sit right.

"Villet fleet has exited warp. Following them, Tsukikage and Fubuki are exiting warp as well."

This sector is just outside the exclusive economic zone of the 6325 Stellar Confederation, where military forces and coast guard units maintain vigilance, making it rare for space pirates to appear.

By this point, they should reach their designated waypoint—the 6325 Stellar Confederation's capital colony—without issue.

Yet Syunosuke's expression remains grim.

"Lord Syunosuke, what's wrong?"

Milena notices something off about Syunosuke's demeanor.

"No... it's just that something important seems to be missing... The jump through space—wasn't it me who was piloting?"

"What are you talking about? You've been at the controls ever since we passed through the asteroid belt."

Syunosuke tilts his head.

"Did I say anything during the space jump? Anything like a battle cry...?"

Milena and Seira tilted their heads upon hearing Syunosuke's words.

"Master Syunosuke, what exactly are you...?"

"Syunosuke-san, what's wrong?"

Both were equally puzzled by the sudden question—neither could recall every casual remark made in daily life.

"Please don't worry about it. It's just Master's unavoidable fate, or perhaps a kind of curse."

"「「???」」"

"By the way, during the earlier spatial leap, Master was focused on piloting and surrounding surveillance. As I have no interest in your actions at that time, I did not record them."

Hearing Marks's words, Shinnosuke sagged his shoulders in disappointment.

After that, they continued their journey smoothly and safely entered the territory of the 6325 Star Union, passing into the control zone of the capital colony.

"6325 Star Union Capital Colony Harbor Control Center. This is the escort vessel Yatagarasu, along with three ships, from the Cassimura Trading Company of the Salius Stellar Province, Free Merchant Fleet of the Aknelia Galactic Federation. We are currently on escort duty for a cargo convoy from the Rimlia Galactic Empire's Villet Imperial Trading Company. Requesting docking permission."

"Harbor Control Center here, understood. Please proceed to your designated docking bay."

Shin nosuke and the others arrived safely at the relay station.

Since Villet's fleet was scheduled to stay at this colony for three days, Shin nosuke decided to resupply and complete their other task—dealing in metals—within that time.

This was the same metal transaction they had failed at previously: Metal No. 35.

After assigning the resupply arrangements to Marks and others, Shin nosuke set out with Milina and Seira to conduct the transaction.

The counterpart was MC12 Corporation and Kelenz 32 Trading, with whom they had previously conducted a transaction—though it had failed—nonetheless maintaining contact.

The product this time was 300 tons of Metal No. 35.

Upon arrival, the transaction price was confirmed, and unlike last time, the price had stabilized, so significant profit couldn't be expected. Still, it was a reliable transaction that would yield a reasonable return.

After negotiating with both companies, MC12 and Kelenz 32 both offered terms that were, at least, acceptable.

The result was not one of satisfaction, but rather a subtle sense of acceptance—neither company reduced their transaction price, and after deducting the purchase cost and various expenses, they could only expect a modest profit.

Although this was a relatively small metal transaction of only 300 tons, it was carried out as a side task alongside security operations. Had it been a standalone job without the security component, the effort required would have far outweighed the benefits.

If we're going to make the same deal, we should at least fill up to Tukikage's maximum capacity, and ideally load Fubuki to full as well.

"No time for negotiation, and the terms are satisfactory—let's just go with this for now."

"You're being overly modest. If you'd left the bargaining to me, I could've gotten a better deal."

From a merchant's perspective, Milena's right.

Shinnosuke may be considered reliable as a merchant, but viewed another way, he's overly lacking in ambition.

He had managed to expand the trading company without suffering any major failures, thanks to his lack of ambition—but according to Milena, he could have easily added two more ships by now if he had been bolder in taking risks.

"Well, I never received formal training as a merchant. I'm best suited to focusing on escort duties, and handling other matters as a side pursuit is just about right."

"You really have no ambition at all. I think you could stand to be a bit more driven."

"I-I see, but that's exactly what makes Shinonosuke-san so like himself. He's always thinking about us crew members. I'm perfectly fine with things just as they are."

Seyla tries to support Shinonosuke, but Milena leans close to Seyla's ear, whispering so Shinonosuke can't hear.

Being practical is fine, but don't you think it's okay to be more ambitious and driven in your personal life?

"Huh? That means...?"

Think about it—how long has it been since we became Crew of Shinnosuke-sama? Have we made any real progress? All we've done is go on a few dates. If we keep this up, we'll be old ladies before Shinnosuke-sama even notices us!

"T-That's a problem!"

"Isn't it about time Shinnozuke-sama became a bit more assertive? I mean..."

"But if Shinnozuke-sama turns more assertive, won't our rivals increase? For example, if he expands his business and adds more escort ships, there's sure to be more women around him. I don't know whether Shinnozuke-sama has good or bad luck with women—really, it's hard to tell."

"That's true... I suppose so."

Shin nosuke gives the two people whispering a puzzled look.

What are the two of you whispering about?

"It's nothing at all!" she said.

That's right, we were talking about our future prospects!

That's right. I mean, our future, or maybe our destiny...

After hearing the words of the two people, Shin nosuke nodded deeply.

I see. The two of you are truly dependable.

You're greatly mistaken.

(We can't keep going like this...)

After concluding transactions with both MC12 and Kelenz32, Shinnosuke found himself dragged around by Milena and Seira, who took him out for meals, shopping, and various other outings.

A temporary moment at the 6325 Stellar Alliance.

It was a fleeting moment of peace before the fate awaiting Shinosuke and the others.