Through the storm of artillery fire

"Serah, relay to all ships to transmit navigation identification signals at maximum power. Make them recognize us as civilian vessels!"

"Understood!"

Imperial warships are continuously warping in from surrounding space, engaging the Imperial fleet deployed nearby, but Shinnosuke and the others are right in the middle of it all.

There's nothing we can do but rely on the adherence to international law, which is effectively meaningless, forbidding the involvement of civilian vessels during combat.

"From Yatagarasu to Elephant A3, confirmation needed. We are currently exposed to an emergency situation, but is it acceptable to proceed as originally planned regarding the convoy's destination and escort mission?"

The civil war dividing the empire had begun, but amidst this, it was necessary to confirm the stance of Villet Imperial Trading, a company within the Rimlia Galactic Empire.

"This is Elephant A3. Our objective remains unchanged. Please continue escorting us to the capital city."

"Understood. We will continue with the escort mission."

After ending the communication, Shinosuke reconsidered their current situation once more.

When Shinosuke's group entered imperial territory, numerous imperial warships had gathered, standing guard.

The fact that a fleet claiming to be the Sacred Lymria Empire had declared war indicated that Shinosuke likely understood that the Lymria Galactic Empire too harbored the embers of civil conflict.

Considering that even the civilian noble families' private fleets, such as the Ringlund family's fleet—which typically only guards their own territory and rarely takes on other missions—have been placed on alert, the Lymria Galactic Empire might possess fewer combat forces compared to the Sacred Lymria Empire.

"Combat in the surrounding space is intensifying, but we can't determine which fleet belongs to which side."

Markus, analyzing the situation from the central operations station, reports.

"Stay calm. Each ship focuses on convoy escort. Maintain our current course and proceed toward our destination."

Advancing through the battlefield while keeping the formation—Fubuki in front, Yatagarasu above, and Tsukikage at the rear—each vessel shields the convoy with escort ships when stray fire approaches.

"Markus, can you handle the energy shield management for me?"

Shin nosuke was in command of the escort fleet, and he entrusted the controls of Yatagarasu to Milena, but Milena lacked combat experience, making ship handling difficult.

"Leave it to me. Please focus solely on piloting."

"I'm counting on you."

As they advanced through the battlefield, attacks raining down on the convoy grew more frequent.

The situation has escalated beyond mere stray fire.

"As reported by Ceyla, a group of about twenty units is now paralleling our convoy and launching attacks—clearly targeting us."

Indeed, as Ceyla had stated, approximately twenty units were now actively attacking the convoy.

Understood. Escort vessels will position themselves on the starboard side of the Villet convoy and absorb attacks with their energy shields. Since we're facing military forces, refrain from counterattacks and focus solely on defense. However, commanders may engage if necessary to protect the escorted vessel, their own ship, or allied ships, at their own discretion.

"Tsukikage, understood."

"Fubuki, understood."

If Virett's convoy heading toward the capital is being targeted, the attackers must be from the Holy Rimlia Empire.

(Perhaps to prevent the cargo from being delivered...)

Since they're openly attacking, it means the cargo aboard Virett's convoy could be military supplies for the Empire, and the Holy Rimlia Empire regards Virett's civilian convoy as an enemy.

Of course, the same applies to Shinnosuke's escort team, who are currently on guard duty.

The request to Shinnosuke's trading company, which operates powerful military vessels.

A deliberate choice to conduct the procedure using paper documents rather than digital data exchange.

There are various matters that come to mind, but since the request was accepted with full awareness of those implications, there's no point in commenting further.

Regardless of any situation that may arise, the task must be completed as promised.

The enemy's attack is concentrating on this vessel!

Ciel cries out.

Even a fool would realize that the Yatagarasu is the flagship of the enemy commander.

It's only natural that Yatagarasu becomes the priority attack target.

It doesn't matter. Do not break the defensive formation of the escort fleet.

Shin nosuke remains calm, but amidst the concentrated enemy assault, Milina and Sera feel utterly exposed, as if they're barely alive.

The energy shield is nearing its limit.

"If we keep going like this, the energy shield won't hold! Changing the ship's orientation!"

"Milina, wait!"

"Concentrate the shield on the bow—right flank turn."

Concentrating the shield on the heavily armored bow would indeed provide greater defense.

At the exact moment Milina tried to turn the helm, Shinosuke instantly switched control of the ship to the pilot's seat he was sitting in.

"I HUBB!! Abort turn!"

Milina flinched at Shinosuke's sharp command and reflexively released the helm.

"Th—You HUBB!"

Turning during an attack is too dangerous.

Shinosuke regained control of the ship and halted the turn, maintaining the escort formation.