The Burden of Thoughts

We've arrived at the planet Moldabait, so this escort mission is complete.

Of course, there are still dangers on the return journey. However, each cargo ship either receives separate transport requests or returns empty, with departure times staggered. If escort is needed, a new individual request must be made. It seems Ira and Leg have been assigned to escort duties on the return trip.

As for Shinosuke and the others, they decided to prioritize their negotiations with Layered Company first, leaving the return journey to be discussed afterward.

These negotiations are no trivial matter.

Layered is a man of utmost sincerity—but not in a human sense, rather in the sincerity of a businessman.

He weighs not his own interests, but those of his company and his trading partner, maintaining a balance so slight it's barely perceptible, while still advancing his company's advantage.

Yet he ensures his trading partner also benefits, thereby building a good relationship.

To achieve this, he is an extremely cold and cunning man.

Shin nosuke had conducted numerous transactions with Layered over the years, amassing considerable profits each time—yet in the end, he had always been manipulated by Layered.

This time, he had resolved himself to the fact that it wouldn’t be so simple...

“Huh? Where’s Layered?”

Before Shin nosuke stood a man claiming to be the manager of Layered Company’s Mordabite division.

He was accompanied by an M-028TX-type doll identical to Stella, Layered's secretary.

"Given the current circumstances, the chairman is extremely busy, so I will be handling the negotiations with Mr. Kashimura this time."

The offered price for the rare metal acquisition was slightly below the midpoint between the lowest and highest amounts Shinnosuke had anticipated.

Given that the man before him was a manager at Layered Corporation, he must be quite the capable individual.

A sense of ease was evident in the man's eyes as he looked at Shinnosuke.

The acquisition price could potentially increase depending on the negotiation, but even that was likely within the other party's expectations.

Shinnosuke felt completely read, yet this time he chose to avoid a complicated negotiation and accept the offer presented by the other side.

Mireena, sitting beside him, wore a discontented expression, but to Shinnosuke, this was a deliberate choice that appeared like a defeat.

Shinnosuke, having concluded the negotiation in unexpectedly short time, walked along the coastline toward the harbor where Yatagarasu was docked, gazing at the sea. Since Mireena was in a bad mood, he decided to make a small detour on the way back, spotting a pleasant terrace-style café that jutted out over the ocean, and suggested they stop for tea.

Master Shinosuke, you're just an ordinary independent merchant. How could you sign a contract without standing your ground, letting the other party take advantage of you?

After taking a sip of the offered tea, Milena looked up at Shinosuke with a dull stare, paying no mind to the scenic view before her.

"The Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth is still unstable, so this time, it's fine. The important thing with negotiations is just being able to carry them over to the next time. Besides, I try my best not to get too greedy when it comes to business."

"That's very much in line with your usual style, Your Excellency, though I must say it's rather unlike a free merchant."

"As long as we're not taking a loss, the business is going well. And regarding this negotiation, since Layered didn't show up this time, I see it as a step forward in our relationship with Layered Enterprises..."

"What do you mean by that?"

There might be some truth to the idea that wartime chaos made free movement difficult. Still, if it was about business, Layered would have surely stepped forward despite some risks. That Layered entrusted our negotiations to a subordinate suggests they've gained a certain level of trust, making it unnecessary for the chairman to appear in person anymore.

Milena gave a slightly surprised expression after hearing Shinnosuke's words.

"You're quite optimistic, aren't you?... Well, I suppose that might actually be true."

Mirena sighed softly, then suddenly looked back at Shinnosuke as if recalling something.

"By the way, Shinnosuke-sama, speaking of which, I'd like to talk to you about Cera."

"Cera?"

"Yes. About this recent job—Cera must have been quite shocked, I imagine."

Well, that's probably true. But this is something Serah has to overcome, and if anyone can do it, it's Serah.

Milena stared intently into Shinosuke's eyes and nodded.

"Master Shinosuke treats Serah as a capable crew member and a fully-fledged sailor. That's important for her growth, but Serah is still just a girl in her teens. Isn't it also necessary to treat her like a proper teenage girl sometimes, with kindness and gentleness?"

I understand what Milena is trying to say.

"True, but asking that of me... that's another matter."

I understand, but whether I can actually do it is another question.

"You're right, it's wrong to expect that from you... Well, never mind. I'll take care of it on my end."

"I'm sorry."

"Now that's one favor owed to me."

Milena gave a mischievous smile.

After concluding the business negotiations with Layered Company and finishing up all the subsequent procedures, the night before departure, set for tomorrow.

At the dock where Yatagarasu was moored, Shinnosuke casually gazed at the night sky when Seira descended from Yatagarasu and hurried over to him.

"Shinnosuke-san, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Hmm? What is it?"

Seira's expression seemed somewhat relieved.

"I've thought about it and come to my own conclusion, but I wanted to run it by you..."

If it's an answer Serah came to after thinking it through, I don't see a problem, but asking is fine too.

Sera stood beside Shinosuke and looked up at the night sky together with him.

"I've grown this far by interacting with many people and learning countless things from them. It's incredible, isn't it? Not just from you, Shinosuke, Marks, and Millena, but from Orion and the others aboard the ship, from sailors I've never met in person but only communicated with, and even from those who fought us and now lie scattered across the cosmos—truly, I've learned so much from them all."

A thoughtful and gentle thought, just like Sera.

"Isn't that a noble thought?"

Ciel shook her head in response to Shinosuke's words.

"I don't think so. I wish I could say I'm carrying on the will of everyone who scattered across the cosmos, but honestly, I can't bear that burden. Besides, I can't possibly inherit the will of those space pirates."

"That's certainly true."

"That's why I've decided to remember all of you—like how there was a kind captain from Orion, or how there was such a dangerous and troublesome pirate. Even though I'll meet many more people throughout my long life, I'm confident in my memory, so I won't forget any of you."

"Typical of Serah, really."

"Yes! And I'll study even more, and become a proper sailor!"

Shin nosuke nods.

"I'm counting on you. If anything ever happens to me, don't forget about me, okay?"

Hearing Shin nosuke's sly remark, Seira glares at him.

"No way! You shouldn't say something like that, even as a joke! Especially you, Shinnosuke—please be more careful with your words! And if anything were to happen to Shinnosuke, I'm on the same boat, so I'd be in the same danger too!"

Shinosuke winced at Seira's scolding, letting out a forced smile.