A精心策划的晚宴

Shin nosuke and Marks were led by Rina and the staff into a private room at the restaurant.

There, they were greeted by an impressive lineup of guests.

(What the hell is this, Marks? What's going on?)

(These are the family members from Linah's Quest family, right? Her grandfather is a member of the Federal Parliament, her father is a senior bureaucrat at the Ministry of Justice, her brother works for the Space Navigation Bureau, and her sister is a bureaucrat at the Finance Bureau. And her mother is a housewife, right?)

(Why are they here?)

(How would I know? It's Linah's plan. Well, I did somewhat anticipate something like this.)

(What?!)

(There's no way Linah would pick a place with a dress code to lure the Master. And now she's dragging me into it, making me wear this outfit. It's all part of her plan.)

(If you predicted it, why didn't you tell me?)

(My prediction accuracy was only 74.8 percent—not definitive enough to warrant reporting.)

(74.8? You did that on purpose, didn't you? I'll remember this later!)

(The meaning of the words 'later' and 'remember' is unclear. I don't recognize the need to keep them in mind.)

Just a mere four seconds ago.

The highly efficient yet utterly trivial exchange of information through silent, super-fast communication between Shinnosuke and Marks.

Still, Shinnosuke was aware of the situation and immediately straightened his back, saluting.

"Free Merchant Shinnosuke Kashimura, affiliated with the Salius Stellar District Free Merchant Guild."

No matter whether they were a federal parliamentarian or a high-ranking bureaucrat, as long as they maintained proper etiquette and stood tall, there was no reason to feel intimidated.

Seeing Shinno's confident and dignified posture, Lina's grandfather smiled gently, while her father appeared impressed.

For some reason, Lina was wearing a smug expression.

"This is Miles Quest, Lina's grandfather. I've heard from my granddaughter that you're an exceptionally skilled sailor. Since Lina has always been so helpful, I've invited you as a token of my gratitude. There's no need for formality—feel free to relax and enjoy the meal."

"Yes, sir! I'm honored!"

Though the atmosphere was initially formal, once the meal began, the mood quickly relaxed and time passed smoothly.

"Kashimura-san is truly impressive—recent messages from my daughter are always about Kashimura-san. I heard you and Mr. Marks started a business together and, in no time at all, expanded to include a ship and crew, establishing a trading company."

"Well, I'm a former soldier with no experience in business, so I've been stumbling through various mistakes but managing to keep going. Just recently, I even sank the ship I was assigned to. No human casualties, but I've already sunk two ships now—so I can't exactly say I'm doing well.

Still, despite the setbacks, the business keeps growing, and everyone on board, including Mr. Marks, is highly capable. So, Shinosuke, you're the most impressive one here."

The mother is mainly the one initiating conversation, to which Shinosuke responds, while Rinna proudly adds her own remarks.

The other family members merely chime in occasionally, listening to the exchange; it is clearly the mother who holds the reins and dominates the atmosphere.

I had worried that I might end up getting absorbed into the Quest family, but it seems neither Rinna nor her family had such intentions, so the conversation never delved too deeply into personal matters.

The atmosphere changed after the meal ended.

"Syunosuke, I'd like to have a private conversation with you for a moment—would that be alright?"

Accepting Miles' request, Syunosuke agreed and the two moved to a separate room.

Sitting across from each other and sipping post-meal coffee, the two began.

"Rinna mentioned it too—didn't you pass by a fleet of the Space Navy on your way here?"

"Yes. Three fleets have departed along that route. If fleets have also launched from other star provinces, then at least two more fleets are in motion. I believe the main fleets are only the 6th, 9th, and the 2nd Fleet stationed at the Sirius Star Province."

Miles nods in response to Shinosuke's answer.

You're quite the former Metaverse Military officer. So, Kasimura, what's your take on the current movements of the space military?

Miles, questioning as if testing.

A federal congress member couldn't possibly be unaware of the space fleet's deployment purpose.

This is a rather dangerous question.

"Well, judging by the fleet's formation, something unpleasant is undoubtedly underway, but I'm afraid I can't specify exactly what it is."

Shinonsuke's notion of "something unpleasant" was likely grounded in reality, but as a mere independent merchant, he hesitated to speak such things to a federal congress member.

"I asked something strange. Please forgive me. I was worried about Lina working at Salius, and I ended up asking you something unnecessary while you're by her side."

"It's no problem at all."

Miles took a sip of coffee.

"May I ask one more thing, while I'm being rude?"

"That depends on the question."

"If something bad were to happen, as you see it, what would you prioritize protecting?"

Shin nosuke answers without hesitation to Miles's vague question.

"As a free merchant, protecting my crew and the merchant guild comes first. But as a sailor, my judgment would be different."

"How do you decide between the two?"

"It depends on the situation at hand. I strive to make the best choice in any circumstance. I do make mistakes in judgment sometimes, but I've managed to avoid fatal errors and lived to see today."

"You have a truly admirable mindset. You must have made some good choices throughout your life."

"‘Life is a series of choices’ is my guiding principle. Even if you make a wrong choice, as long as you don’t make another one down the line, you’ll manage to get through."

Miles nodded deeply.

I really like you. I'd love to say I want you as Linna's son-in-law, but that's something she and you should decide for yourselves. Still, thinking about the future, it gives me some peace of mind knowing you'll be close to Linna—someone I can trust.

"I'm a bit uncomfortable with such high expectations."

"Well, don't worry about it. It's just my own personal hopes, after all."

This time, Shinosuke shrugged his shoulders.

Miles is undoubtedly Reina's grandfather, and Reina's personality is remarkably similar to Miles's.