301: 'Tamaimazekawa'

"Madam Vilijianira, and you as well, please come this way. I shall guide you to the commander."

"Thank you very much."

Something seems to be amiss at 'Tamaimazekawa.'

Thus, we follow the imperial soldiers guiding us, remaining alert, as we make our way deeper into the battleship.

The battleship we're currently on, 'Tamaimazekawa,' is an enormous spacecraft, so vast that its size is nearly comparable to my main body.

Because of its immense scale, the dock where the 'Shakeborder' landed contains not only the 'Shakeborder' but also several smaller spacecraft, and it is fully equipped with sufficient repair facilities.

Yeah, I knew that, but the 'Tamaimazekawa' is like a town equipped with enough weaponry to be a mobile colony.

"It will take some time, I suppose."

"Yes. As you saw during docking, this vessel is extremely large. So even just moving it will take considerable time."

But the 'Tamaimazekawa' isn't a town.

That's why children aren't visible, and movement between different sections of the ship requires using dedicated trams, with strict restrictions in place. There are also people keeping a close watch, making sure no suspicious individuals are present.

The level of security is completely different... no, actually, it feels just a bit too strict.

Just as Viridianiara said, something's definitely going to happen.

"Here we are. I've brought Viridianiara as requested!"

"Understood."

And so, after moving for a while,

we seemed to have finally arrived at our destination.

The room we were led into was... slightly narrow. While there was enough space for all four of us, it still gave off a subtle sense of confinement.

Also, the door felt unusually thick... and the ventilation grates seemed unusually secure.

Inside the room, waiting for us, was a man named Dragstarque, the one we'd just greeted over communication earlier.

The atmosphere felt strangely tense.

It was as if they were prepared to fight to the death, if necessary.

"Then let us formally greet each other."

"Yes, indeed."

Vilijanira and Dragstarque exchange greetings.

Then we introduce ourselves.

"Is that so? I've come here at the Emperor's direct order. This is truly a fortunate development. The nobleman in question is among those to be apprehended. Though, with the Emperor's decree in place, the title itself should hold no weight, there are still those who stubbornly follow noble rank above all else. It's reassuring to know such individuals can be restrained."

"I'm glad you put it that way."

Dragstarque seemed pleased by Vilijanira's high standing.

It's just... there's something they're hiding, or rather... I can't quite put it into words...

"Then, Dragstarque-sama. What happened aboard this ship? You and everyone else seem unusually on edge..."

"...You realize that, do you?"

"Yes. Even considering we're en route to our mission site, the level of alertness feels excessive for there to be nothing amiss. And my instincts tell me there's some kind of threat aboard the vessel."

"..."

Hmm, even I can tell that Dragstarque is clearly troubled.

Given his title, he's clearly a nobleman... yet his expression seems unusually candid.

Or perhaps he lacks the composure to conceal his emotions?

Either way, I can't afford to be careless here.

All I can do is wait.

"Madam Vilijanila. We have heard that your attendant—no, your fiancé, Satu—has been identified as a cosmic beast. Furthermore, we understand you possess rare herbs. Would you be willing to present them here?"

"Satya"

I could hand it over, but I'll have to decline providing it. My herbs affect the use of the blaster mod when consumed. I can't risk giving them to a soldier—no one knows when or where they might use a blaster mod.

"... I see. At least, it seems different from what we've had so far."

Huh? It feels like a bit of energy has slipped away from the Dragstar Crew.

"Lord Viridiani. Let me be direct. You are the third group."

"Uh...? Yeah?"

Viljaniela tilted her head at Dragstar's words, letting out a voice rarely heard.

In response, Dragstarck projected some kind of video onto his personal information terminal.

What was reflected there was....

"I can't forgive this! I can't forgive this! I can't forgive this! I'm the princess! I'm the daughter of the Emperor! How dare they lock me away in this dim, solitary cell—this is absolutely unforgivable!!"

Vilijanira shouting, stamping her feet in frustration.

"……"

Then, she just stared blankly at the ceiling, dazed and unresponsive.

"Um, this is…"

As you can see, approximately 24 hours ago and 12 hours ago, suspicious individuals claiming to be Vilijanira joined our fleet. Ah, regarding the followers, this is them."

There, on screen, were two each of us—myself, Memokushi, and Joharis, all looking similar to us but subtly different in mannerisms.

And, unfortunately, there's another issue... Besides you, there are also impostors appearing. Yes, several soldiers with identical faces and IDs have been spotted here at this location, 'Tamaimazekawa.'

...

One thing is certain: the root cause is Funaqua.

That much I could firmly assert.

06/02 Correction of Typographical Errors