125 Expedition Arc 10 Re-invasion 1

"This is, in a way, illegal entry. If I don’t hide the fact that the dimension jump (warp) drive has been upgraded, I can’t explain it..."

I was scratching my head, trying to figure out how to account for the two people who had no record of entering the Imperial Capital.

I couldn’t possibly let the Empire—potential threats even to me—and the princes know about a dimension jump (warp) acceleration device that could shift the tide of war.

If I said they’d been together from the start, I’d be accused of bringing a bride to the battlefield.

Jane might be plausible as a guard, but Miu? That one was hopeless.

"Should I just take them back and drop them off?"

"No! I’m not leaving!"

Miu, usually silent, suddenly made her will unmistakably clear.

I felt it—this wasn’t something to ignore.

I rubbed my temple.

The moment you arrived at the Imperial Capital and docked your Personal Ship in the royal-exclusive hangar, there should’ve been a security check confirming no one else was aboard.

Awkward. And yet, two people were on board. That’s too suspicious.

Still, it’d make more sense to leave a record of arriving at the Imperial Capital via the Dimensional Jump Gate.

“Let’s sneak you to the neighboring star system. Then take a new vessel from the Dimensional Storage Vault and use the Dimensional Jump Gate to get here.

I’ll say you followed me. That way, we can be together.”

“Got it.”

Miu beamed at me with a radiant smile.

The sight of my wife smiling like that made my heart skip a beat.

“Passing through the Dimensional Jump Gate takes half a day. No time to waste. Let’s go now.”

I initiated a stealth warp jump to the neighboring star system.

I pulled two newly commissioned ships from the Dimensional Storage Vault, pre-loaded with two people, and sent them straight back via dimensional jump (warp).

All that’s left is for the two of them to enter the Imperial Capital through the Dimensional Jump Gate.

No one’s gonna care that we logged arrival in the neighboring star system instead of the Imperial Capital.

If they find out? Just hint at the backdoor technique. Easy.

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

I was staying in the room prepared for me by the Emperor’s steward.

Looks like a guest chamber in the Emperor’s stronghold.

Haven’t seen the Emperor since then… but can I really just pretend the whole marriage thing never happened?

Nope. Not gonna work.

The next morning, Jane and Ayame arrived in the Imperial Capital.

Since Jane claimed to be the wife of the Sixth Prince, a query came my way.

I confirmed it was her, and she was smoothly granted entry into the Imperial Capital.

Docking goes straight to a royal-exclusive berth.

Well, right next to my Personal Ship. Plenty of room there—even ten or so cruisers could fit with space to spare.

After all, it's big enough to comfortably dock a 2-kilometer-class battleship.

Even if I parked a dummy ship alongside my real one, nobody’d notice the shift in positioning.

The berth’s gotten so lazy, they’ve turned off artificial gravity just to make boarding and disembarking easier.

Probably because I keep popping in via dimensional comm—whatever, just do whatever you want.

Of course, Jane and Miu do the same, floating through the air to get off the ship.

The access point lets you climb up to the dock, so we use the official entrance.

When I arrived to pick them up, the two were just stepping through the bulkhead door.

The bulkhead door’s an airlock, so once you’re inside, artificial gravity kicks in automatically.

The outer door seals shut—there’s a slow, deliberate pull of gravity kicking in as you wait for the air pressure to stabilize.

By the time the inner door opens and you step inside the facility, standard gravity’s already there. Thoughtful touch, that.

The two of them spotted me and lunged straight for my chest.

“Here,” “Here he is.”

“Good to see you.”

We played the part—long-separated husband and wife, just like we’d planned.

Now, should I introduce them to the Emperor?

If I do, would “bodyguard wife” or “pet wife” fit better?

“Pet wife” sounds… off, doesn’t it?

Should I ask Kyle about that?

Before I could think it through, a comms pulse hit my wristband.

『Akira, where are you? Enemy’s back—second wave hit Sector 8.』

『I’m at the hangar.』

『Then emergency launch—head for 8B system. Their invasion’s a two-stage operation.』

『What about the Emperor and the regular forces?』

"Prepping for launch, but it'll take a week to reach the 8A system."

"No, that's too slow. I can't face the ambush alone."

"They're still three light-years away. With their dimension-hopping ability, three jumps—three days. You can still make it."

"Are you kidding? That's a terrible lottery ticket!"

"Sorry. You're the only one who can save the 8B system."

"If I can have the authority to retreat, then I'll go."

"Of course."

The transmission cuts out. I turn to Jane and Miyu, giving orders.

"Stay here. The only way to the battlefield is through my Personal Ship's dimension-hopping."

"We could all go if we enter the Dimensional Storage Vault."

"No. They're ten thousand strong. If I take you both, we won't be able to make a quick escape."

"So I'm just dead weight, huh?"

"Frankly, we'll get crushed between the two of you. That's ten thousand strong. Can't hold the line."

"I get it. I'll stay. Jane too."

Jane probably wants to protect me as her guard.

But Miu broke.

"Trust me. If it's dangerous, we run. Just cause chaos before we go."

"Okay. I trust you."

"Got it."

I hand the two of them over to the emperor's steward.

Then Kyle radios in. Countdown to launch?

『I hate that I’m sending you to your death, so I’ll tell you a secret even the emperor hasn’t revealed.

Your bride-to-be is my twin sister. We’ll be brothers-in-law. When you get back, we’re throwing a proper wedding feast.』

Right. So I’m marrying the emperor’s daughter when I get home.

Kyle… that’s a death flag. Definitely.

I initiated a dimensional leap—warp—toward the 8B system with my Personal Ship.

Thank you for breaking through 6,100 pts.

Your ratings and bookmarks keep me going.