129: You can't ride a horse you can't control.

Nirianipots Asteroid Belt Cup, Fighter 16-Hour Endurance Race — 16 hours have passed since the start, meaning the race has ended.

The winner was Team Fastestranse.

As expected, they maintained a dominant position throughout the race, ultimately entering a clear solo lead in the final stretch, as if to say they had no rivals left.

Out of 32 participating teams, 18 completed the race.

Although there were some minor injuries, no serious injuries occurred.

No major accidents that affected the race took place either.

In short, at least on the surface, everything ended without incident.

"Finally arrived, huh?"

"Really, finally. I was getting impatient."

"Yeah. And the ones who showed up are intelligence operatives...?"

Well, if things are moving like that on the surface, naturally, events are also unfolding behind the scenes where we are.

Data on incidents that occurred during the race and the criminal organizations apprehended alongside them had gathered in Vilijanila's hands, and the total number seemed quite substantial.

Among them was the cargo ship I had eliminated, packed with explosives.

"Hmm? Oh, really? That's strange. Why would the intelligence unit show up openly, even though I reported it to the police?"

"Timing-wise, it's reasonable—whether they intervened or are adjusting the investigation's direction... Well, as long as they handle it properly, there shouldn't be an issue, right?"

"That's right. If they're going to handle it properly, we don't need to interfere. They seem to be limiting the interrogation to just the bare minimum over video feed."

Right now, a spacecraft has arrived near that cargo ship to investigate what exactly happened there.

Affiliated with the intelligence unit.

However, since they appear to be officially part of the Imperial Army... if they're specialized in investigating suspicious incidents, that shouldn't be an issue. At least it would be better than being a sycophant to the Vilijanira.

The real problem arises if they start covering things up.

"Sat, the item in question?"

"Of course it's planted. It's a transmitter exploiting my unique traits—so the only ones likely to notice would be Seiryō Corporation or the mastermind behind the fake space monster."

"Guess we'll have to wonder if it'll be properly disposed of—what a hassle."

Countermeasures have already been taken.

The dummy, disguised as cargo ship armor plating—more like debris mixed in—can be found just as easily as Virijanila's hair ornament, wherever it may have gone.

If they bring it back to base and start investigating properly, we'll withdraw immediately to avoid misunderstanding. But if not... then it's just another issue to handle.

Incidentally, the scope of the伪装 extends beyond appearance—it also affects mods, SW, and the OS. Unless examined with specialized equipment, the only things you'd be able to identify visually are likely the Viridianiola or the space monster.

"Then I'll go to the rest room to be interrogated. If they're from the intelligence unit, they'll already know about my eyes and Satā's abilities, so they shouldn't be able to catch me off guard."

"Leave 'Sexy Miazuma' at the base colony. It'll take some time, so let's call it a day for now."

"I'll head back to the Sw investigation. Should be able to wrap up the initial part soon, I think."

By the way, Vilijanira and Joharis slept soundly once during the time it took me to shoot down the cargo ship and end the race.

That's why we rested whenever we could, since both the race and the investigation took time.

With that in mind, as we watched the Fastestrans returning at FTL speed toward Race Colony and beginning its triumphant return on the monitor, our ship, the Sexy Miizuma, which carried us, headed back to the base colony.

Upon our return to the base colony, there were three notable matters.

"Free movement permitted? Are you certain this is acceptable?"

"You don’t seem interested in listening to what we have to say. Then do as you please. But if anything happens, you’ll bear full responsibility—don’t expect any support from us."

"Understood. Then we’ll proceed as we see fit."

First, the intelligence officer stationed at Vanillapress, Viridiana, has decided to abandon us.

We’ll grant you the results, but you’ll carry all the responsibility.

If you interfere, we’ll treat you as a criminal.

If you want information, figure it out yourself.

That's what they said.

Hmm, well, not really a problem, I suppose.

They've simply decided they can't fully control this situation on their own—might even be a sign of competence.

"The cargo ship wreckage seems to have been properly transported to the colony."

"Hopefully it'll be properly investigated from here on out."

"From the looks of it, there shouldn't be any issues."

The second, the intelligence unit sent to recover the explosive-laden cargo ship, seems to be doing their job properly—they collected all the debris and returned directly to our colony, as planned.

They docked at a proper Imperial military dock, and there's no sign of the wreckage amount being unnaturally reduced.

At least for now, there are no issues to report.

"Wha—!? We've been outmaneuvered..."

"Huh? Memokushi?"

"Memokushi?"

"What's wrong?"

The third eye, Memokushi, regained consciousness.

Yet the expression on his face was far more irritable than anything a mechanical intelligence should be.

"Vee-sama. Reporting. It appears an heretical mechanical intelligence is involved in this matter."

"……!?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"Hmph, things are getting serious now..."

And the report itself was something hard to believe at first glance... or rather, something he desperately didn't want to believe.