70: 'Pumpkin Witch' ※

This chapter is told from Vee's perspective.

"Autopilot's been set. We should be near the planetary zone of Flaretanbo 1 by morning."

"Good work. Just to confirm—should we be safe during the journey?"

Joharis, wearing a small powered suit designed for slimes, entered the rest room.

I greet him, sipping the tea he brought me in the rest room.

I'm fine, really. The asteroid, colonies, and other spacecraft are properly avoided, and we've confirmed the space pirates are behaving themselves. Besides, this ship is a custom model designed for transporting VIPs. Its shields are rated at grade 7, military-grade, with a double-core system. Space pirates won't even be able to touch it—just hiding from it would be enough to outrun even the latest warships.

"Sata? Memo?"

"I'm not lying. From what I've seen, it's far more than just a decent ship."

"I agree with Sata. I do have some concerns about the control system being simplified AI, but aside from that, it's much safer than a poorly built battleship."

"I see."

Well then, this vessel... 'Pumpkin Witch'—even with its ostensible purpose as a noble transport, it still appears to be an outstanding spacecraft.

The expression on Memo's face remains unchanged, but judging from Satā's slightly shifting eyes and mouth, the vessel must have exceptional defensive and stealth capabilities.

Incidentally, the fact that it uses a military-grade Shield Mod level 7 means the shield is far stronger than a standard Grade 3 Blaster Mod—so powerful that even a Grade 3 mod would be completely ineffective against it.

Moreover, being double-core means that even if one shield is destroyed, a second shield immediately deploys, effectively preventing any damage.

This design is difficult to maintain and costly to procure... yet how is it that a ship like this ended up in the hands of the espionage unit in the Flaretanbo system?

I don't know the reason... but if it exists, then let's make good use of it for now.

"Anyway, let me show you around the ship. You can use the bedrooms and kitchen freely as long as you don't make them too messy—though the real highlight of the 'Pumpkin Witch' isn't those areas, you know."

Later, Satā told me that this ship's armor paint features a color-changing mod, and its interior is equipped with various countermeasures against radar.

Therefore, if they wanted to, they could deploy optical camouflage by changing the ship's current orange paint to a darker color, or slip past radar networks set up by the Imperial Army, mercenaries, or space pirates.

That would be quite a risky statement, though—unless their company, 'Eniwear Two,' isn't actually a front for the Imperial Army's intelligence unit.

"This is the star attraction of 'Pumpkin Witch'—a dressing room that can elegantly transform anyone! Just look at all these dresses and suits! And the accessories are top-notch too."

"Wow, there are so many outfits here. The cosmetics selection is also impressive."

"All the makeup products you'd need are here. This should be more than enough."

"Amazing variety indeed."

So, I've been brought here by Johalis to the dressing room.

Of course, there are countless garments, accessories, and cosmetics neatly arranged, along with up-to-date and near-updated information on costumes, long-standing etiquette guidelines, and several machines placed side by side.

With such a comprehensive selection available, it would be entirely feasible to quickly assemble a proper outfit if the need suddenly arose.

"Whoa. Look at that—there's even a universal duplicator, and it's unlimited."

"There's one available. We keep common raw materials stocked, so as long as we have blueprints, we can produce most items excluding mods."

"Even with mods, if it's something common like a shield mod or environmental stabilization mod... No, this isn't ordinary. This is a Grade 6 mod. We have some water-repellent mods too, and—naturally—there's even a cartridge that includes a blaster mod."

"Amazing, isn't it? 'Pumpkin Witch.'"

"This ship is so advanced it's beyond impressive—practically too much for stubborn minds to comprehend."

The duplicator is a machine capable of producing almost anything, given the original materials and design schematics. Because it can also be used for weapon manufacturing, its installation requires permission and strict regulations.

Yet, the one installed on the 'Pumpkin Witch'... judging by Sata's reaction, it seems capable of producing weapons as well.

And regarding mods, there are certainly several others besides the blaster mod that could potentially be used as weapons, depending on how they're applied.

……

This ship is advertised as a noble transport, but in light of incidents like yesterday's rocket corn terrorist attempt, isn't it more likely designed to handle the entire operation—from pre-mission preparation to direct insertion of special forces into enemy strongholds?

Mr. Johalis said he could make anyone look elegant and transformed, but with the power of this ship, it feels like anyone could be turned into a proper warrior just by equipping them.

"Master Sata."

"Hm? Ah, right. Got it. I'll be stepping out for a bit."

Sata, having been told something in a note here, steps out of the dressing room.

It's not just because of gender considerations preventing him from staying inside—it seems there's more to it than that.

That said, I don’t have the luxury to worry about what exactly the memo is asking me right now.

After all...

"Then, Your Grace Vee."

"Yes, I understand. Let’s adjust your attire—neither drawing unnecessary attention nor causing trouble, yet maintaining the dignity of the Flaretanbo Marquess and the royal family, keeping it within reasonable bounds as befits the Vanillagenroot Viscount family, and ensuring it contributes to solving the notorious serial murder case."

A tea gathering can also become a battlefield, where words are exchanged like sharp blades.

Though, given the purpose for which I was invited this time, such a scenario shouldn't arise—still, that doesn't mean one can afford to be unprepared.

It's not a place one should approach alone, without any prior preparation.

Nevertheless, I shall do my best to prepare thoroughly and face it with readiness.

I am a member of the Baron Vanillagene Root family, recognized as an illegitimate child by His Majesty the Emperor.

10/26 Correction of typo