114: Arrival at the Nelianipotts System

『The Sexy Majima is about to conclude its faster-than-light travel and transition from hyperspace to real space. Crew members should prepare for the impact, surrounding changes, and the scan being conducted from the Nelianipotts System's guide colony.』

『Nothing unusual, I hope.』

『Yes, nothing unusual at all.』

『Good. I can't stand the constant warnings every time we arrive.』

The journey from the Flaretanbo System to the Nelianipotts System seems to have passed without incident.

Yeah, no incidents at all—that's great.

I'm not saying I'm immune to trouble, but it's ridiculous and annoying every single time we arrive, getting attacked by space pirates or monster beasts. I can't take it anymore.

"Back. Our ship will enter the Sw range of the Nelianipotts system in three minutes, and at the same time, we'll be scanned by the guide colony in the Nelianipotts system."

"Oh, oh...?"

"Sat? Are you okay?"

"Sat-sama?"

"No, no, I just saw something on the main screen that startled me. Wow, this system is really bustling..."

The surrounding scenery shifted from the golden hue and faint iridescent membrane characteristic of hyperspace to the endless, pitch-black cosmos of real space, dotted with the twinkling stars unique to it.

Yet, in the Nelianipotts system, the words "quiet" and "space" seem utterly incompatible.

What my main body's gaze perceived was a line formed by countless colonies of various sizes, planets illuminated by artificial lighting even in areas untouched by stellar light, and an endless stream of spacecraft moving between them.

Among all the star systems I've visited, the Grogrobeta system had the busiest traffic of spacecraft, but the movement of vessels in the Nelianipotts system was incomparable in scale.

There were truly an unimaginable number of spacecraft flying through the skies.

When I mentioned such a sight, the response I received from Vilijaniira and the others was this:

"Ah, I see. That's a scene only someone like Sata could perceive. It's a little envious, to be honest."

I see what you mean. By the way, Miss Sata. The Nelianipotts system is so densely populated that automated navigation is strongly recommended for spacecraft travel. I believe you'll be fine, but please make sure your main body isn't spotted. It could lead to unforeseen accidents.

as they say.

Yeah, I'll be careful about the precautions for Memokushi.

Even if it shows up by accident, it might cause traffic accidents or congestion.

'Entering the Sw region of the Narianipotts system shortly.'

'Oh.'

Now, here's a common little game that's often played when entering the Narianipotts system from another star system—so common, it's practically a tradition.

To prepare, have one extra drink containing caffeine for each person—tea, coffee, or certain energy drinks, for example.

'Well then.'

'Yeah.'

Nili and I down the coffee we had prepared in one go.

Ugh, the freshly brewed coffee, at just the right temperature, slides down into my stomach, spreading its aroma and bitterness through my mouth and nose.

But what matters here isn't the taste—it's the fact that we've consumed something containing caffeine.

And according to the theory of the Niliyanipots system in the Niliyanipots star system, certain molecules containing caffeine begin to glow.

So, what happens when you combine these two?

"This is quite interesting. It might seem indecent to some people, so it can only be done in a private setting, among close ones."

The drink glows inside the stomach, causing parts of the body—especially the mouth—to emit rainbow-colored light.

Of course, the extra coffee prepared beforehand also behaves the same way.

The brightness isn't extreme, but it glows beautifully.

Thus, Viridianila is smiling beautifully, her mouth glowing with radiant light.

Yes, Viridianila is.

"……. Sat? Um, I drank it, right?"

"……. Is this, in a way, a problem?"

"……. Ah, yeah, this might be a problem."

Yes, my mouth isn't glowing at all.

The cause is... well, it's pretty simple.

"The strength of Sw isn't that great, or rather, it can't handle different operating systems—anyway, it just feels completely disabled..."

"Not even a sweet smell remains, so it really does feel like it's just been turned off entirely."

"I see. That means certain substances could pass through without being detected by Sw, which is definitely a problem."

It seems the Sw system in the Niriyanipotts system can't interfere with anything—even inside my body or mouth.

Well, considering the variety of molecules involved, the need to avoid harming different species, and the primary industries in this star system, it's definitely true that the current version of Sw is more practical than a powerful one... But if the local law enforcement finds out, it'll definitely cause all sorts of trouble.

"Sat, please conduct the verification internally and send the report to the intelligence unit upon completion. However, add a note specifying that the notification to the security enforcement agencies should only be made after we've left the Neriani-Potz system."

"Noted. I'll take care of it."

"Scanning of the Neriani-Potz system's guide colony is starting."

For now, I'll follow Vilijanira's instructions and prepare the report.

In addition, the scan received from the guide colony, of course, revealed no issues whatsoever.

Born in the Neriani-Potz system: "Wait, energy drinks weren't supposed to glow!?"

Born in the Flaretanbo system: "Wait, the ocean was just one big mass of water!?"

Born in the Grogrobeta system: "Plants growing? That's slow!"

Born in the Hiratratsumi system: "Huh? Why can't I float properly? What's going on?"

Born in the??? system: "It's inconvenient not being able to tell where people are!"

This is the world of this story—where misunderstandings about the difference in Sw lead to such situations.