The new ship proceeded cautiously two

Shinonsuke and the others move to Psychoj Industry to check the ship Hankus had been scouting.

An Aranami-class transport ship?

Hanks was picking up another currently in-use fleet transport vessel of the Space Force—the Aranami-class transport ship.

A transport ship serving as a successor to the Gekkou-class, equipped with a 1,300-ton payload and the same emergency booster system as the Gekkou-class.

"We do have this ship in stock, so we can deliver it promptly. As a successor to the Gekkou-class, transitioning to this vessel should be seamless."

Indeed, switching from the Tsukikage would pose no issues at all.

Moreover, this ship is fully armed.

While slightly cheaper than the Orca-class, it's still not secondhand, so it remains quite expensive—enough to leave Andy frozen in shock.

"Is this a brand-new vessel?"

Yes, this vessel was kept in reserve specifically to be quickly replenished in case of losses within the Space Fleet, but there are also other units in stock, so that’s not an issue. I don’t believe it would fall short when compared to the Orca-class Pirenee FC currently under consideration by Mr. Kashimura. As for performance, each ship has its own strengths and weaknesses; please make your judgment based on the vessel’s characteristics and what Mr. Kashimura is looking for.

As Hank said, comparing the Orca-class and the Aranami-type, each has its own strengths and weaknesses, but both are fascinating vessels.

"Well, the new transport escort ship's captain will be Andy, so let Andy make the decision."

"......Huh?! O-Oh, me?!"

Andy, suddenly snapped out of his shock, leapt up in surprise.

"There's no point in me deciding since I'm not even the captain. Andy, who'll actually be using it, should make the choice."

"But..."

"Or should we let Eren decide?"

"If you want me to decide, I'll just flip a coin—it's easier that way."

Encouraged by Eren, Andy finally made up his mind.

"O-Okay, I get it... but can I have a moment to think about it first?"

He had made up his mind, but couldn't bring himself to make the final decision.

He decided to hold off for now and temporarily halt the operation.

Two days later, Shinnosuke, having made his decision, had already placed the order for a new escort vessel and was preparing to set sail toward Aknelia's capital.

Still, the cargo had already been loaded, and all that remained was awaiting the arrival of the transportation manager before departure.

"Shinosuke-san, please be careful out there. Don't eat anything strange or you'll end up with a stomachache."

Mark, please keep a close eye on Shinnosuke-sama so he doesn't get taken in by some city woman with bad intentions.

Seyla and Milena are worrying about something completely unfounded, despite planning to conduct training navigation starting tomorrow.

Sorry to keep you waiting! Well then, shall we be off?

Shin nosuke, Miliena, and Seira turned toward the cheerful voice.

There stood Rina, a union employee holding a large travel suitcase.

"Wait!!"

"Rina Quest, head of transportation management. Shin nosuke, Marks, please take care of me."

Rina grinned mischievously.

"Shin nosuke! What's this all about? I didn't know anything about this!"

"I didn't either..."

"You've been tricked! Not by a city woman, but by a union woman? How embarrassing!"

"Have I really been tricked?"

Shin nosuke is cornered by the two, but he's the most confused of all.

"Didn't you realize it, Master? It was obvious from Rinah's demeanor during the procedure. I assumed you'd noticed it as a natural progression."

"Markus, you should've told me beforehand!"

"That's right!"

The two turn their anger toward Markus, but Markus remains impassive.

"There's nothing I can do about it. It's your fault for not noticing."

"Markus, you—!"

"The departure time is here, you know."

Markus easily dodging Shinosuke's reproach.

"That's right! Come on, let's go!"

"Wait a minute!"

Lina takes Shinosuke's hand and starts walking toward the Yatagarasu.

"Just wait! You won't get off so easily when you get back!"

"That's right! You're going to explain yourself properly!"

It was unclear whose words the two, unable to say they would follow now, had thrown out—whether aimed at Shinnosuke or Rina.

Only Shinnosuke remained confused.

Overcoming all the turmoil, the Yatagarasu's departure preparations were finally complete.

Now that things had reached this point, Shinnosuke regained his composure and began the launch sequence.

"Departure preparations complete. The launch platform will now move."

"Understood... Wait, what are those two doing?"

Glancing at the external monitor, he saw Millena and Seira both biting down on white handkerchiefs as they watched the launch.

"Perhaps they're expressing their current emotions through this act, aiming to implant guilt in the master. In simpler terms, it's jealousy."

"...Seriously, what are they doing?"

Behind Shinosuke, who was sighing in exasperation, Rinna seated temporarily in the co-pilot's seat chuckled quietly.

Though Shinosuke had done nothing wrong, he set off toward Akneria's capital, burdened by guilt.