Freedom of career choice even in the vast universe

The war between the Rimulia Galactic Empire, the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth, the Sacred Rimulia Empire, and the Akneria Galactic Federation has finally come to an end.

The war that spread across the entire territory of the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth left immense casualties and dealt a severe blow to its economy. However, with the liberation of the imprisoned prince and his subsequent return to the throne, and with support from nations including the Akneria Galactic Federation, the Commonwealth is steadily advancing on the path to recovery.

On the other hand, regarding the Rimulian Galactic Empire, Emperor William, as he had stated, took responsibility for the war and held an unprecedented national referendum to seek the people's trust.

As a result, receiving widespread support from the populace, the Rimulian Galactic Empire was allowed to continue to exist, and under Emperor William's leadership, the nation began rebuilding. However, naturally, the Empire's responsibility for the war would never disappear.

Its military strength was decimated by the invasion of the Damura Constellation Commonwealth and the subsequent civil war, and its economy suffered greatly from the reparations imposed on the Damura Constellation Commonwealth.

Now, although the Rimurian Galactic Empire maintains its original territory, it has become significantly weakened militarily and economically, reduced to the power level of a minor state. Emperor William is now tirelessly working to improve relations with neighboring countries in order to protect the nation.

Thus, although the war had involved numerous galactic nations and required immense sacrifice, within the vast expanse of the infinite cosmos where countless galactic nations existed, it was merely a minor regional conflict.

Three months after the war ended,

a message was sent to the Sirius Stellar Province, the Free Merchant Fleet Association.

The sender was the Merchant Association of the Sol Democratic Republic.

The inquiry, originating from the Sol Democratic Republic—far removed from the Akrinia Galactic Federation, with no diplomatic ties or faster-than-light communication links—traveled through the communication systems of numerous galactic nations and took a full month to reach the Sirius Stellar Province Free Merchant Fleet Association.

The inquiry, which required such extensive effort and time, was a verification of identity concerning a certain independent merchant.

Although it would take another month for the inquiry's response to reach the Sol Democratic Republic, there were those who began acting without waiting.

Three months have passed since Shinnosuke and Marks went missing. We had found no clues whatsoever—until now! The whereabouts of Shinnosuke and Marks have finally been confirmed! They are located far away in the Sol Democratic Republic, an immense distance of approximately eight months' travel from here, with the vast, impassable region known as the Dark Great Canal lying in between. Nevertheless, I must go to retrieve Shinnosuke and Marks, no matter what!

Behind the panting Milena, a new escort vessel of the Kasimura Corporation is preparing to depart.

The eighth ship of the latest-generation frigate class, Murasame.

This vessel, newly constructed and still unnamed, was originally slated to be assigned to the Imperial Navy's 2nd Fleet, but the Kasimura Corporation seized it from the Imperial Navy through every means at their disposal, including Milena's full influence.

With Milena having named this high-performance escort vessel 'Kaguya,' it can effortlessly traverse the Dark Great Canal, which would otherwise be impossible for ships with inferior spatial jump capabilities.

"Milena-san, please take care of Shinnosuke for me!"

"Leave the guild to me. I'll make sure to earn enough until Shinnosuke returns."

While Milena goes to retrieve Shinnosuke, Andy and Ash's team remain in the Salius Stellar Province to continue their regular duties.

"I'm not giving up on Shinnosuke, either!"

Seira and Madelia accompany Milena.

Seira, who always feels competitive toward Milena, naturally joins the mission. This time, due to the long-distance voyage, Madelia also boards Kaguya to go fetch her "Master."

I'm not staying silent either! If it's come to this, what's the point of holding back with two people like this!

And then, there's one more.

Rina, a union staff member, also boards the Kaguya to coordinate communications with the opposing merchant fleet.

This was the result of Rina forcefully insisting upon it to the union leader and Milena and the others.

I won't let Lord Shinnosuke escape either! I'll chase him to the ends of the universe!

Thus, Milena and the other three women set off on a journey through the vast universe to greet Shinno-suke—and, incidentally, Marks.

At that moment, completely unaware of what was unfolding, Shinno-suke and Marks were sailing toward the Sol Democratic Republic's capital colony after completing their cargo escort mission.

The two were aboard an old, outdated Corvette.

Although Shinonske and the others were thrown all the way to the Sol Democratic Republic due to the Nightmare's rampage, they managed to escape aboard a shuttle just before the Nightmare sank, and were rescued by the Sol Democratic Republic's coast guard after receiving their distress signal—barely surviving against all odds.

Although Shinosuke had sustained severe injuries, miraculously avoiding blindness in his right eye and the loss of his limbs, he fully recovered after a month in the hospital and was able to return to his life as a free trader, using the personal assets preserved in his personal data as capital.

Meanwhile, Marks, whose consciousness had been reduced to just a main memory, successfully transferred his mind into a new body and returned as Shinosuke's partner.

Shinosuke and Marks, having lost Nightmare, needed to work and earn money to return to the Akneria Galactic Federation.

However, with medical expenses for Shinnosuke and the cost of Marks' body, Shinnosuke's finances had grown thin. Unable to afford a new ship for work, he was forced to take out a loan to purchase an old, secondhand Corvette from a coast guard surplus sale, using his remaining assets as a down payment.

It's outdated, but this ship isn't bad at all.

In the Sol Democratic Republic, synthetic fruit tea isn't available, so Shinosuke reluctantly grips the steering wheel with one hand while sipping coffee.

Compared to the escort vessel he's previously sailed, this ship is leagues behind—yet Shinosuke is satisfied.

After all, any shortfall in performance can be made up by Shinosuke and Marks's skill.

"I agree with the ship's assessment, but I have one complaint."

Markus, unusually voicing a complaint.

Looking at the operator's seat, Markus is a small doll only reaching Shinosuke's waist height—Chibi Markus.

Though its mechanical body remains as rigid and artificial as ever, lacking a biological exoskeleton, it's actually a companion-type doll designed for children's educational support.

Since the doll is too small to reach the control panel from the operator's seat, it can't sit on the chair and instead stands in front of the panel to perform various operations.

"There's nothing we can do—there were few affordable, transplant-ready bodies available that could handle your vast memory capacity."

"Then wouldn't the other body on the list have been a better choice? That one was 175 centimeters tall—perfect for operating ship systems without any issues."

Shin nosuke shrugged and smiled at the protesting Chibimarks.

"I don't want a female-type Markus with a biological exosuit. Please, no more 'nice figure' female Markuses. If you go that route, I'll end up calling her 'Markus-nee,' and I'm not comfortable with that at all—it goes against my principles."

"You're still talking nonsense as usual."

"And besides, try bringing back a female-type Markus sister. You'll end up getting dismantled by those three, piece by piece."

"...I'd really appreciate it if you spared me that."

Shinnosuke and Markus continuing their pointless chatter endlessly.

Yet their partnership remains as strong as ever.

"Alright, let's keep working hard, pay off the loan, and head back to Acneria as soon as possible."

"Understood, Master."

"Then let's hurry back to the guild for the next job! Prepare for spatial teleportation. Let's go, Waa—"

"Master, the spatial teleportation energy charge isn't ready yet."

"What?!"

An endless vast universe.

The hardships of the free merchant Shinosuke Kashimura continue.

After two years and five months of continuous effort, this work has now reached its conclusion.

This story has become my longest work to date, and thanks to your kind support, it has even been adapted into a manga. All of this is thanks to each and every one of you who read it and stood by me.

Incidentally, as for future plans, I intend to continue the ongoing serialization of "Freedom of Job Choice: The Adventurer Courier," while also beginning work on a new novel.

I already have a concept ready for the new work, and I plan to start serializing it soon, so I’d be delighted if you could check it out when you get the chance.

Lastly, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who read this work.

Thank you so much.