Episode 106: Request for Assignment

Dawson was en route to a vessel that was not the Sparrow Hawk, in response to a specific request.

Two others accompanied him.

One was Oine, his partner since he began working as a pirate.

The other was Makoto, a newly graduated officer academy cadet serving aboard the Mozu.

Makoto's presence seemed an unusual pairing, especially given Oine's background.

There was, however, a valid reason for Makoto's inclusion.

'Following the recent engagement, the Mozu sustained damage and requires repair. While the ship is inoperable, we request that Lieutenant Makoto be entrusted to Special Lieutenant Dawson.'

The request came from Jinku, Captain of the Mozu. Dawson initially intended to refuse. But when Jinku asked that Makoto be brought along on the mission, Dawson agreed to take him.

Dawson reluctantly accepted the situation. Makoto was a junior from the Officer Academy, and since they had shared a connection, Dawson found it acceptable if the mission served as part of Makoto’s training.

"Since you’ll be helping with a request, make yourself useful."

"Yes, of course. I’ll prove myself useful to Special Lieutenant Dawson!"

Dawson felt momentarily overwhelmed by Makoto’s direct gaze.

Apparently, Makoto viewed Dawson as a hero who had rescued him during a crisis, and always looked at him with respect.

That gaze unsettled Dawson, who was aware of his own flaws and found it irritating.

"No need to get so worked up. And remember—we’re privateers, not military. Don’t use rank."

"Then… um. Dawson—senior?"

Makoto’s attempt to use a casual name had failed.

"Senior works, if it’s easier for you."

Then I’ll call you Dawson-senior!

The words, radiating joy from every part of his body, made Dawson briefly envision Makoto’s form as that of a dog.

He stared intently at Makoto’s actual shape to dispel the illusion—military-style short, slightly wavy black hair, thick but short eyebrows, eyes and nose and mouth of a size and arrangement suited to a smile—but even that appearance failed to dispel the canine impression.

Dawson suppressed a grimace at the corners of his eyes and looked away from Makoto, then spoke the purpose of their current movement.

“We were requested by Chicken Ball to separate and go independent as a Private Military Company. Tactical Consultant.”

“Teach mercenaries how to fight?”

Mercenaries, you see, are former pirates. They are experienced in fighting with a single ship or a small group. But they lack confidence in fleet battles exceeding one hundred vessels. That is why we were called upon—to resolve that uncertainty.

Makoto nodded with a hum, and Oine interjected at that moment.

"The Private Military Company receives support from corporate sources. They will provide naval vessels for training. Though pirates are skilled with pirate ships, they are unaccustomed to operating warships. That is precisely where Dawson is expected to contribute."

"Still, actual warships have not been deployed. The training this time will rely on electronic tactical simulators."

"Excellent work at the Officer Academy, Dawson senior. You're a master of the strategy board—perfectly suited for this role."

Oine showed interest at Makoto's comment.

"Is Dawson really a master?"

"Of course. One of the final exams at the Officer Academy is a knockout tournament on the strategy board, pitting students against each other. It's said the results determine graduation ranking. Dawson senior won every match despite being given increasingly unfavorable conditions. His performance inspired students from common backgrounds—those who had always lost to noble-born peers or noble-favoring instructors—to find defiance and courage in their hearts."

Makoto spoke, recalling the past with a tone like that of a storyteller.

Dawson, however, wore a faint expression of regret.

"In the end, I lost the final match. I don’t want to be praised too freely for that."

"What are you saying! That battle was a draw, practically speaking!"

"I conceded defeat myself. It was a loss, nothing else."

"No. The opponent was the current Imperial Heir. Maximum interference was set against you, Dawson senior. You broke through nearly all of it. You fought despite the disadvantage in ship class. Then you surrendered. Under the same conditions, you would have won. There’s no doubt about it!"

Makoto’s voice rose in excitement. Dawson gestured for calm.

"Conditions are never equal on the battlefield. If you couldn’t win with full effort, you must accept the result."

Because Dawson acknowledged defeat, Makoto reluctantly returned to the previous topic, his tone bitter.

"Ultimately, Dawson-senpai, whether considering instructors or cadets at the Officer Academy, your skill on the strategy board is quite high."

Makoto's tone conveyed his belief that Dawson was the strongest.

Yet Dawson himself knew it was only within the confines of the Officer Academy—there were countless others who surpassed him.

"Regardless, you did what I did—play the strategy board in your graduation exam. An experienced person should be able to teach mercenaries."

"Even if you're not a top performer like Dawson-senpai?"

"Their opponent is a former pirate. They may know how to maneuver up to twenty pirate ships, but they do not know how to command fifty warships. Treat them as new cadets entering the Officer Academy."

"That seems manageable. But the opponent is a former pirate. Would someone that age actually listen obediently?"

"There is concern, but if we use the Amato Imperial Japan method, obedience can be secured. Against a pirate, that approach works well."

"Force them to recognize our authority through strength. In that case, it should be manageable."

Makoto's face lit with determination. He immediately entered the tactical board's strategic recall.

Dawson continued piloting the vessel. Observing Makoto's demeanor, he concluded this assignment might be easier than expected.