293: Departing from the Warehouse Colony to Imperial Planet Vanilla Sid

"Thank you very much, Lady Virijianira. We all pray that your journey to Imperial Planet Vanilla Sid proceeds without incident."

"Thank you."

With these words exchanged, the Carnival Viper departs from the final warehouse colony.

Thus concludes the week-long inspection of warehouse colonies within the Vanilla Sid system.

"Haa... It's finally over."

"Good work, Vee."

"Vee-sama. This is mint tea made with freshly harvested mint from Ether Space. Please enjoy."

"Thank you both."

With the surrounding eyes finally gone, Viridianila relaxed and sank deeply into the sofa.

Taking a sip of the mint tea, she exhaled.

"Still, going around all eight warehouse colonies located at the outer edge of the Vanilla Sid system just to make sure I couldn't remember where I'd hidden the marker for my transfer destination—well, that was quite the exhausting task."

"Absolutely. That said, inspecting the warehouse colonies was necessary from a strategic standpoint, and it was easier being away from the capital planet Vanilla Sid. So overall, the inspection was definitely worthwhile."

"Miss Vee. These are today's tea snacks... vanilla-flavored cookies."

"I'll have them. Note that down."

The Carnival Viper is currently en route to Imperial Planet Vanilla Sid.

Arrival is scheduled for tomorrow morning.

Since we're able to streamline the tedious pre-landing procedures thanks to Virijianiara's position, that's not an issue. The only concern now is whether anything unusual occurs during the journey... From what I can see with the main systems, there are no anomalies.

"Satu. How's the main body doing? You should have been slashed by Funaqa's attack."

"No issues with the wounds—fully healed, no scars left. The pain is gone, too. I even ran specialized tests, including a custom mod designed specifically for Funaqa-related diagnostics. Nothing abnormal found, so you can rest easy."

"I see. I'm relieved."

My wounds have been fully treated.

We've analyzed the Funaqa OS encountered during the 'Imperial Star Vanilla Shield Simultaneous Multiple Attacks,' applied a diagnostic mod based on that analysis, and confirmed that Funaqa's interference is impossible—so there's no issue whatsoever.

Moreover, while Viridiana was asleep, Your Majesty and I worked together using this diagnostic mod and an interference-elimination mod to remove any remaining traces of Funaqa's influence within the Imperial Star Vanilla Shield... but that, too, remains a secret.

Thanks to this secret, I was also able to secure an escape route unknown even to Virijanira.

Besides, not telling Virijanira is intentional—sometimes ignorance is a strength.

Especially when it comes to having an escape route in an emergency.

"Oh?... Lady Vee, a message from Tarkotton."

"From Tarkotton?"

"?"

A message has just arrived for Virijanira, and her information terminal activates.

Well, Tarkotton... right, the daughter of Baron Simewkars.

She was the one who brought information at the matchmaking ball, and later, when I found out, she was a classmate of Virijanira from university—someone considered quite outstanding.

Given that it's a message from someone like Tarkotton, it's probably some kind of information.

"...Well, I suppose if it's just a message between me and Tarkotton, it's not unusual for her to send something like this..."

"How shall I proceed?"

"Please send a standard reply expressing congratulations."

"Understood."

Yet Vilijanira's expression upon reading the message was utterly unreadable.

Hmm, if I had to force a description... well, it's a celebratory occasion, so sending congratulations is perfectly appropriate. But still, there's a subtle, nagging unease, as if something's lodged between my teeth—just a minor worry, but unmistakable.

It's an extremely delicate feeling.

"Vee. What kind of message was that?"

"It was a message saying Tarkotton has become engaged."

"I see. Congratulations on that."

"Yes. Incidentally, the fiancée is Lady Halwattoe Shimiahkehako."

"Hmm, hmm."

I do recall Halwattoe-san.

I remember seeing her with Tarkotton at the matchmaking ball.

I didn't expect them to have such a relationship, though.

Incidentally, with the Empire's technology, it's not particularly difficult to become male after birth, or for two women to have a child together, so there's no issue—legally or socially—with women marrying each other.

Even if they're from races vastly different from humans, as long as they're willing, they can have children. As long as the individuals involved are in agreement and meet the necessary conditions, there's absolutely no problem.

Yet I can't fathom why Vilegianiira is making such a subtle expression.

"Moreover, following the incident a few days ago, Tarkotton has taken control of the Lord Simewkars family. Though this is only temporary, it seems Tarkotton intends to pass the leadership of the Simewkars family to his sister in the future."

"I see. I see?"

I just can't figure out what exactly Vilegianiira finds peculiar.

So I tilt my head in confusion...

"I believe Tarkotton probably obtained some kind of information. That's why he took action to make effective use of it. I don't know exactly what the information was, but... once we return to Imperial Star Vanilla Sid, the situation should start to unfold."

"I agree with Vee-sama on this. Otherwise, it's hard to imagine Tarkotton going through the trouble of sending a message only as significant as announcing his engagement."

"Ah, I see. Just this alone is enough to serve as a warning... Remarkable, noble of the Empire."

"Sata. In this case, what's truly impressive is Tarkotton alone. Probably, the information she obtained is something even the intelligence unit hasn't grasped—or something they deliberately concealed."

"Y-yeah... I see..."

Seems the rest period will last until we reach Imperial Planet Vanilla Sid.

I don't know what's going to happen, but I've decided to heighten my vigilance.

To be honest, just who exactly is Lady Tarkotton... She can't possibly be an ordinary noblewoman, let alone the head of a noble house.

I'm afraid, so I'll keep my distance.