Chapter 155: Direct View
Three battleships arrived from Amato Imperial Japan.
Their names were ≪Okuhodaka≫, ≪Yagongen≫, and ≪Midatba≫. ≪Okuhodaka≫ and ≪Yagongen≫ were newly built battleships affiliated with the Military Faction. ≪Midatba≫ was an older battleship affiliated with the Aristocracy Faction.
"Just seeing the three of them reveals the intentions of Amato Imperial Japan’s leaders."
"The Military Faction believes in victory this time. The Aristocracy Faction appears willing to assist, but hopes for failure."
If that is their intent, Dawson decided to severely strain ≪Midatba≫ in the upcoming battle against the SU Space Fleet.
There is also the intent of retaliation, but placing uncooperative entities in dangerous positions and making them believe they will die if they do not comply is the most efficient method.
Regardless, three battleships responded to the request for support. It was appropriate for Dawson to make the greeting.
When attempting to arrange the meeting, two battleships refused.
"Um—≪Hakugongen≫ says if you have time for greetings, you should devise more tactics. And ≪Mida Tsukuri≫ says it dislikes being ordered around by someone of lower rank than itself, like Dawson."
The original communication was likely more tactful, but Dawson smiled faintly at the report translated by Beela.
"Only ≪Okihotaka≫ is willing to meet?"
Looks like it. I'm looking forward to meeting the person I've heard so much about.
"Are you talking about me?"
Dawson felt unease in the section labeled 'conversation,' not 'rumor' or 'report.'
And by instinct, he sensed that he was known not for his actions in the Orion Arm.
A battleship would have been a possible training destination for the top three students at the Officer Academy. If that is the case, then the person I am referring to would be—
The noble-born sons and daughters who were three and four when Dawson graduated—certainly irrelevant. After all, having been defeated by Dawson himself, they bore the stain of losing to an orphan despite their noble birth. They would likely avoid mentioning it altogether.
The number of candidates narrows to one.
That idiot prince. I won't tolerate him spreading strange rumors.
Dawson had no desire to meet him at all, but circumstances left no choice. He boarded the battleship *Okihotaka* via a short-range spacecraft.
Upon entering the *Okihotaka*, he was escorted without ceremony to the captain's quarters.
When Dawson announced his rank of Special Lieutenant and his assumed title of Pirate Fleet Commander, two figures—presumably the captain and first officer—awaited him.
Looking at the middle-aged man in the Amida-style helmet, Dawson discarded his formal officer demeanor.
"You look like a predator facing prey. I’ll entertain you in simulated combat on the strategy board or in ship maneuvers—but no further."
Dawson spoke with insolence. The middle-aged man in the Amida helmet smiled faintly.
"Hah. I see. More of a firebrand than I was told. You don’t suppose I’d be angry enough to return to Amato Imperial Japan with you—along with Mount Ōhotaka?"
"If you have no intention of fighting, then go back. I wanted the battleship’s决战炮 for an easy victory. But even without it, we’ll manage."
"Confident, aren’t you? What kind of means would let you win without that决战炮?"
"I could lecture you here, but do you really want to hear it?"
Dawson and the man in the Amida helmet spoke, their eyes locked in a silent challenge, neither looking away.
The male officer beside them, likely the first officer, looked uneasy.
"Special Lieutenant Dawson and Major Alma. What good is it if our allies quarrel?"
Neither Dawson nor Major Alma broke eye contact as they answered, their gaze still fixed on each other.
"Not confrontation. I'm showing my stance. That I have the strength to maintain it."
"This monk has a similar temperament. Until he actually bites, there's no difference from playful wrestling."
Dawson approached slowly, maintaining eye contact with Major Alma. He closed the distance until his hand was within striking range, then raised his right hand steadily. The motion was not for striking, but for a handshake.
Alma's second-in-command reacted sharply to Dawson's movement. He misinterpreted it as an imminent assault.
Major Alma, however, accepted Dawson's outstretched hand without hesitation, a faint smirk forming on his face as he acknowledged the gesture.
Captain Sasaki Alma of the Akahotaka. Stubborn, but I’ll fight under your command. Mess up, and I’ll take command from you myself.
I only need the battle cannon’s power from the Akahotaka. The captain’s presence is unnecessary.
Hahahaha. You’ve got a sharp tongue, you damn brat.
A coward with nothing in his brain but intimidation.
A fool who thinks he’s something just because he’s from the imperial family and beat a cadet at the Officer Academy.
I don’t know what that idiot said, but thinking you know me just from his words—that’s the idea of a fool.
The grip of their clasped hands is so tight that the sound of bones creaking barely holds back a snap.
The two of them seemed less mismatched and more perfectly aligned, their synergy amplifying the tension. To the副長 observing from the side, it felt like oil on fire—like the relationship between nitroglycerin and nitroglycol, the raw components of dynamite.