19: A Contract for the Future

"I'm sorry, but this is just how the rules are."

"No, no, I understand this is necessary."

Now that decontamination and disinfection were complete, I moved to the patrol vessel.

"……"

There they were—Vilijanira and Memokushi, both of whom had the patrol unit positioned behind them, just like me.

When I noticed Memokushi, we quickly exchanged a glance, then I smiled at Vilijanira as well, meeting her gaze.

I believe we’ll manage this smoothly—let me make sure I match her rhythm.

"Good work, Sata."

"An outstanding performance, Sata-sama."

"I’m honored by your praise. Vilijanira-sama, Memokushi."

I knelt before Vilijanira and lowered my head.

The gesture was as if a knight were paying homage, leaving no doubt to any onlooker who held the higher position.

Meanwhile, Memokushi sent me information through my data terminal. I reviewed it not on my device here, but on the main unit, enabling me to share intelligence with the patrol team without being detected.

Well, the patrol team seems to be turning a blind eye, almost as if they're deliberately letting me and Viridianiara meet, so I'd say it's leaning more toward Viridianiara's side... but that's just the surface level, the facade.

From the patrol team's perspective, officially speaking, there's still no absolute guarantee that I'm not a sky pirate, nor can they be certain of my safety.

But honestly, given that Vilijaniara is involved, they're probably hoping I won't get dragged into any trouble—especially since the official business has already been settled.

If Vilijaniara is exactly as I suspect.

"So, did my abilities meet your expectations?"

"Yes, of course. Please take care of me from now on, Satā."

Now, regarding the information sent by Meqoshi...

First, all the crew members of the *Tsumebakei* are safe.

Me, Vilijaniira, and Memokushi will, after completing the initial exploration of the pirate ship—combined with interrogation and rescue operations—move to the guide colony in the Grogrobeta system aboard a patrol vessel.

The crew of the *Tsumebakei* will remain aboard their ship and move to the guide colony in the Grogrobeta system once emergency repairs are completed.

The pirate ship will be towed by a patrol unit once its reconnaissance mission is complete.

The surviving pirates are already securely detained in holding cells aboard the ship.

And here's what matters most to me.

Having managed to seize control of the pirate ship—complete with a combat android manufacturing facility—on my own, I unfortunately qualify as a dangerous individual.

If things go as normal, I should be released after a routine interrogation... but if I happen to run into something unusual, that's definitely going to cause trouble.

Even without that, given how this incident has made me highly sought after, I'm certain I'll receive invitations—some of them from odd sources.

Refusing all of these invitations completely, even with Seiryō Corporation's influence, is bound to be a hassle.

To avoid such troublesome situations, the quickest and most reliable solution is to secure protection under someone's authority in advance.

Yes... as the documents sent by Memokushi indicate, becoming a subordinate of Vilijanira, who is both an intelligence officer in the Imperial Army and holds noble status, is the most effective and immediate countermeasure.

"Exactly. You can call me Vee in everyday conversation. I'm traveling under a concealed identity, after all."

"Understood. Vee..."

With that, I'll leave the troublesome matters to Viridianiola.

I spoke with utmost respect, imbuing the words with sincere intent... but wait?

Viridianiola looks utterly dissatisfied.

Ah, I see. That's how it is.

"Ahem. Got it, Vee. Is this better?"

With that, I adjusted my tone.

Now speaking to someone of equal standing, using a more casual and familiar manner of address.

"Yes, that's fine. This way, it looks like the reporter is moving around with a partner. Oh, and please keep this matter off the record, officers of the patrol unit."

"Understood!"

Well, that would indeed be more convenient.

Still, to an outsider, it'll probably just look like a noble lady walking with a maid robot and a robotic bodyguard.

"Whispering (Master Sata, I'll explain the minor details later when I have time.)"

(Whispering) "Understood. I'll rely on you from now on."

While Vilijanira—Vee was smiling at the patrol unit members with a commanding air, I quickly exchanged notes with Mequxi, making the bare minimum of arrangements.

For now... I'll attribute the credit for capturing the sky pirate ship to Vee, my commanding officer. That means Vee's achievement is effectively the intelligence unit's victory.

As a result, I'll receive proper recognition and possibly a reward, but this matter will quietly conclude without any public acknowledgment.

Going forward, I'll be Vee's bodyguard and general assistant, publicly posing as a fellow journalist.

Since my activities with Vee were already similar in nature, there won't be much change in my outward duties. And as for the behind-the-scenes aspects, there's no need to worry much about them.

Yeah, it's a contract shaped by circumstances, but it doesn't seem like a bad arrangement.

"Vee, sorry, but once your official adoption is confirmed, please register with us as well. Registration is mandatory once you become a human-like being under a master's care."

You're right. It would probably be better to confirm it for sure.

I remove the bandana around my neck.

Below it is a tatoos of a yōkai, indicating that I am a Seiryō-made android, and the yōkai's front paw—the tiger's arm—has become my unique code.

By reading this with an information terminal, I officially become contracted to Vee, and I'll be able to do all sorts of things... but I'll get into those details later.

Just like how I don't need to know the specifics of the intelligence unit's duties right now.

"Confirmed, registration complete."

"We've also verified in the records that Satā-sama's master has now become Vee-sama."

And so, registration is swiftly completed.

"Alright, now that's done...!?!"

"Satā?"

Now that we're just waiting until we reach the guide colony in the Grogrobeta system, I can relax.

But my instincts suddenly picked up on a bad feeling, and I couldn't help glaring toward the source—the area on the space pirate ship I'd subdued, where the artificial human manufacturing device was located.

"Vee-sama. The patrol unit members as well. It seems we're facing an emergency."

"Memo?"

Memo also seemed to have noticed something unusual from a different direction.

Staring sharply ahead, facing the same direction as me.

"Master Sata. You did completely destroy the artificial human manufacturing device, didn't you? And you secured the ship thoroughly, right?"

"There wasn't enough time to claim either was flawless or perfect. But at least I made sure nothing would go wrong—no sudden phenomenon collapse or explosion—just in case."

"……. I understand that an extremely abnormal situation has occurred. Please provide details on the circumstances. Memo, Satra."

Hmm, how should I explain this anyway?

All I can sense is that something interfered using spatial teleportation.

Well, I guess I'll just explain it as I perceive it.

"First off, what I sensed was something spatially teleporting near the artificial human manufacturing device on the sky pirate ship, and that something interfered with it, that's about all I can say."

"I've confirmed the notes stating that both the sky pirate ship and our vessel have been subjected to interference from a mysterious entity via modding, resulting in our current coordinates being locked in place, separation becoming impossible, and external rescue no longer feasible."

"...Understood. Let's continue assessing the situation. Personnel from the patrol unit, please guide us to the location of the officer in charge of the ship search. This is a request from the Imperial Military Intelligence Division."

"Yes! Understood immediately!"

"Please come this way!!"

I began moving forward, following right behind Vee.