A peaceful journey

After concluding his transaction with Layered Corporation, Shinnosuke set off on his return journey, but with no suitable work available, all three ships returned empty-handed.

With no space pirates daring to challenge three armed escort vessels, the journey back proceeded smoothly as Shinnosuke entrusted the captain's duties to Millyna—using the voyage as training to earn her captain's qualification.

Millyna has already completed the practical experience required for captain's certification, so once she passes the exam, she will officially be eligible for the captain's duties. Given her abilities, the chance of her failing the exam is virtually nonexistent.

"Next, scenario 12."

Markus entered the scenario into the system upon Shinno's command overseeing the training voyage.

A fictional enemy ship, nonexistent on any monitor, appeared on the screens.

"Radar contact! We're under surprise attack from two high-speed suspicious vessels. The escorted cargo ship Holybell has been hit. It avoided sinking, but its speed has dropped to thirty percent."

Milena nodded in response to Seira's report, quickly assessing the situation and issuing orders to the fleet.

"Understood. All ships, transmit distress and combat alerts. Holybell, maintain your current course."

"Holybell acknowledges."

"Fuuki, deal with the suspicious vessel. Since you've already been attacked first, self-defense is justified—no need for warnings. However, don't pursue too aggressively; stay within range of your escort target, Holybell."

"Fuuki understands. Counterattack is underway!"

Protecting the escorted vessel is the escort ship's duty.

Milina issues her orders accordingly.

"Fuuki has sunk one enemy vessel and severely damaged another! The damaged enemy ship has sent a distress signal, requesting rescue."

This time, the scenario is a bit more devious.

"What's the enemy ship's condition?"

"The engine is severely damaged and it's unable to move. Being a small vessel, it's dead in the water, and its life support systems will reach their limit in about five hours. There are no nearby ships, such as coast guard vessels, in the vicinity."

Mireina's expression grows tense.

"Prepare for rescue operations. Fubuki will approach the distressed vessel, deploy emergency markers while assessing the situation. Marks and Lord Shinnosuke will transfer to Fubuki, and once Fubuki has forcibly boarded, the three of you will secure the ship and rescue the survivors."

"Fubuki understands. Approaching the vessel now."

Since this is a training exercise, Shinnosuke and Marks won't deliberately transfer to Fubuki, but since Shinnosuke is leaving the ship, Millie will take over piloting duties.

"Fubuki is approaching the vessel."

At the sound of Seira's report, Millie's eye on her forehead snapped open.

"Abort! Fubuki, get away immediately!"

"Understood! Maintaining distance from the target vessel..."

"The target vessel has self-destructed! Fubuki sustained no damage."

"Phew... I'm glad that worked out."

Milena let out a deep sigh, narrowly avoiding disaster.

"Confirmed, scenario concluded."

With Shinosuke's announcement, the drill ended.

"That was close. I suppose my judgment was a bit too lenient. Maybe a 60-point score?"

Milena evaluated herself after the training.

"No, no actual damage was done. I think you could've scored higher—probably around 80 points."

In real situations, there is no definitive correct answer.

There is only the outcome of the choice made, and with that outcome comes some form of responsibility.

If space pirates attacked during a security mission, it would be acceptable not to prioritize rescuing the protected party. And if one judged that rescue was possible, then attempting it would not be wrong.

In this case, Milena judged rescue to be possible, and managed to avoid the subsequent crisis by a narrow margin.

In the end, Milena's judgment wasn't incorrect.

"But to be able to foresee even anomalies in the simulation—your abilities are truly impressive, Milena."

Milena shrugged at Marks' impressed remark.

"I've gained experience as a sailor over the years, so it's not anything extraordinary. Besides, this time it was less about foresight and more about reading minds? Or perhaps a bit of both?"

Shinonsuke and Marks exchanged glances.

"This time, it's not foresight based on simulation. Rather, it's the scenarios that Shinonsuke-sama and the others imagined—so it's easy to picture there being some deliberately tricky traps hidden within."

Everyone on the bridge chuckled at Miliana's words.

"...Huh? Marks, did you just laugh?"

"No, I didn't laugh."

Even after enduring several deliberately malicious simulations, Shinosuke and the others safely returned to the central colony of Planet Perea in the Salius Province.

Upon returning and reporting to the Free Merchant Fleet Association, they were greeted by Rinna’s unchanged smile.

“Welcome back, Shinosuke-san. You must be exhausted.”

After completing the usual procedures, all that remained was rest.

Yatagarasu, Fubuki, and Holy Bell all require maintenance, so the crew will have at least two weeks off.

Since all the merchant fleet's escort vessels are undergoing maintenance, they can't take on any temporary jobs, so there's no need to worry about Glen's sudden mining invitation.

And when time permits, there's only one thing Shinosuke will do.

"Alright, Marks! Time for a thorough ship-wide cleaning!"

"Ah, but all the ships are in the maintenance dock."

"..."

Shinosuke, still clueless about how to spend his vacation, was at a loss.

For the following two weeks, Shinosuke was dragged around on dates with Millena, Seira, and Rina, cleaning the dock if there were no ships, living a hectic life.

And during this vacation, Millena took the exam to earn her captain's qualification.

"Then, I'll be back shortly."

Millena, as casual as ever, heading out for what seemed like just a quick errand.

There's no way he'd fail the exam unless some miracle happened.

Shin nosuke lived such days.

They were calm days that could never last forever—days that weren't allowed to continue.