Episode 38 – Go Between

“Negotiating and forming alliances, yeah.”

Settsu chewed on Meilia’s words.

“Wouldn’t that be possible without me going to the Imperial City?”
“If we were only to form an alliance, that would be sufficient, of course. Like the Federation and the Kingdom. However, I believe there is much more to be gained by having you come to the Imperial Capital.”
“Like what?”

Setsuo asked, thinking that there would be a reason why Setsuo would want to go to the Imperial City.

“There are rumors that Count Vayel’s death was caused by an attack from an ally.”
“Rumor?”

I don’t think they are really talking about it as a rumor. It must be that they are just talking about it as a rumor.

Settsu doesn’t have enough information to determine what the facts are. I wonder if the imperial army has anything to go on.

“Yes. If it is true, it means that there is a traitor in the imperial army. If I were to guess their aim, they would want to avoid strengthening the relationship between the Empire and the fortress. I believe that His Excellency could lure them by daring to come to the Imperial City and make an appeal.”
“I see. What if I still don’t want to go to the Imperial City?”
“Do what you want. I’m not going to force you to do anything. I’ll just have to go back to the Imperial City alone and lonely.”

Meilia said plainly.

I might as well take this one, Setsu thought.

I am no longer interested in the title. But at this point, it is important to keep close ties with the Empire, and I feel that I cannot leave my father’s death behind.

“All right. Let’s think about going.”

The Imperial City is a tiger pit. We have to carefully consider how to ensure its safety.

“I was hoping you would say that.”
“There’s a lot that won’t work without me, so I’ll give you a formal answer later.”
“You can give your answer to the proper messenger. I’m just here to give you a message and see who you are.”
“Didn’t you have a role to play in convincing me?”
“I’m not saying it didn’t happen at all, but if I had to say no, I would have just concluded that’s who he was. Oh, and there is one other point about the terms of the alliance that I am authorized to make.”
“Just one point?
“Alliances are traditionally formed in marriage.”
“Marriage?”
“It’s a formality that is out of place in this day and age, and this is only if you want me to.”

He felt like he had been taken by surprise from a ridiculous direction. Settsu decided to let this surprise attack pass. There’s no need to be seriously swayed by something you don’t even know how serious it is.

“Your Highness, please stop teasing me. The trust that can only be secured by marriage is too prehistoric.”
“I agree.”

Meilia nodded, her expression smiling, but I couldn’t tell how serious she was.

“Then stay here at your leisure until the messenger arrives. Mitsuki, please prepare a room for Her Highness.”
“Yes, my lord.”

Settsu saw Meilia and the captain off outside the office. From there, he left it to Mitsuki and her army of androids to guide them.

He went back to his desk, sat down, and rested his back against it.

“Mitsuki.”

When I called out, the communication screen opened and Mitsuki appeared.

“Am I right in assuming it’s real?”
“I’ve cross-checked the data with everything I know beforehand, and I’m 99% sure it’s the First Imperial Princess herself.”
“Yes. Any news on the captain’s end?”
“It wasn’t within our knowledge. We’re requesting confirmation from Glorious Fleet.”
“Thank you.”

What should I do now? Setsu decided to think about it for a while. What would be his goal? This is a person I can’t trust, as they say.

Three days later, Setsuko and Mitsuki visited a man named Norad-Schwein.

He was originally a member of the army of an independent imperialist country. The Valentien Republic, a nation located close to the Federation territory, was ready to fight against the invading Federation forces.

Schvein took part in the battle as a squadron commander of the Valentien Republic fleet.

The Valentien Republic fleet boldly challenged the Federation fleet, which was several times the size of the Valentien Republic fleet, and was defeated. As the most senior commander of the surviving squadron, Schweben returned to his home planet with a group of defeated soldiers, but what awaited him was a heartbreaking reality.

The Republic’s top brass and high-ranking officials who had ordered the fleet to sail had all fled the country. Not only that, but the opposition leader who had been calling for unconditional surrender had become the acting president, and he was preparing an order to cut the fleet loose.

According to him.

[The Republic Fleet is a traitor who was so overconfident in its own strength that it decided to fight on its own and was even defeated. You must be executed immediately.]

The fleet was flooded with soldiers who wanted to take them into custody.

There was no one who would accept the execution graciously. However, they could not fight against their homeland. The defeated fleet was forced to flee their home planet without being able to resupply.

The fleet was on the verge of meeting up with the fortress after their escape, and now they were here. Even now that the Federation forces had withdrawn, they seemed to have no intention of returning to their homeland.

“I would have come to you if you had asked me to.”

As he greeted Settsu, Schwein showed Settsu the courtesy of a superior officer.

There are a few others like Schwein who have left their homeland to join the fortress, but Setsuko thinks that he may be the only one who has taken the stance of obeying Setsuko without any implication.

“It’s outrageous that you would call the Commander.”

Settsu called Shvein by his title as a term of respect. As an elder, Settsu does not lose respect for Shvein. He knows very well that underneath the surface there is the slander of a child who has acquired the powerful toy of a fortress and is getting carried away.

“As a self-proclaimed garrison fleet, it’s only natural that we come to you when you call us.”

Schwein and the rest of the breakaway fleet are currently working to become a fortress garrison fleet. They are not pirates, and they are not a national army, but they are trying to create their own status.

The Settos do not allow the garrison fleet to be called by that name at the moment. This is the reason why Schwein uses the term “self”.

One of the reasons Setsu visited us was that if we called on him, he might think we were one step closer to becoming a “garrison fleet”. The other reason is more serious, though.

Setsueto and Shvein sat down on the sofa facing each other and quickly got down to business.

“Actually, I have a favor to ask the Commander.”
“Anything I can do to help.”

Schwein nodded like a hawk.

“I would like you to be the acting fortress commander.”

The first thing that came to Schweben’s face was doubt and confusion.

“Deputy, you say?”
“In about ten days, I will leave the fortress and head for the Imperial City. The time until I return will be around two months. In the meantime, I would like you to take care of the fortress.”

Shvein crossed his arms thoughtfully.

After collecting his thoughts for a moment, he opened his mouth again.

“May I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
“Are there any limitations on the authority of the acting fortress commander?”
“Some prohibitions will be enforced. And one more thing, the fortress will reject the order only if the two representatives of the nations’ fleet and the pirate fleet are in agreement.”
“By two, do you mean Admiral Vetsia and Admiral Glorius?”
“That’s right.”

They were the two people in their respective forces whom Setsueto trusted the most. Schwein also seemed to have a firm grasp of the situation.

“I understand. So, why me?”

That question had been expected.

“Because I don’t have many allies.”

Settsu replied straightforwardly.

Schweyn’s gaze became entwined with mine as he tried to figure out the truth behind it.

“…… ally, are you low?”
“Not many.”

Settsu affirmed.

“Do I count as one of your allies?”
“To be honest, I don’t count you right now. But I’m planning on doing so.”
“You’re honest.”
“You will not gain any allies if you are not honest.
“Well. So that’s your way of getting by.”

For the first time, Schweben’s mask of a calm commander came off a little.

“I don’t think it’s much of a skill. But I think honesty is the beginning of trust.”
“I think you’re right, too. I see what you mean. One last thing, if I may?”
“Go ahead.”
“How much does it pay?”

Shvein made a circle with the fingers of his right hand.

“How much do you want?”
“Yes, it is. The position of Acting Commander of the Space Fortress did not exist in my original country, but considering that it was the Acting Commander of the Fleet, the Lieutenant General was in charge of it. Therefore, I would like to receive 1.3 million Imperial dollars per month as the equivalent of the Lieutenant General’s salary.”
“All right.”

Settsu accepted the offer with two words.

The fortress currently has a good amount of reserves, as it rents out sections of the outer spaceport to stores for rent. While there are things coming in, there are not many things going out.

“Thank you. Although I am not strong enough, I will serve as acting commander.”
“Thank you, Commander. Now, may I have a quick word with you?”

Shvein chuckled.

“What is it? What is it?”
“Yeah. Mitski, explain the situation.”

Mitsuki, who had been waiting behind Settsu, opened her mouth.

“Yes. I’ll explain it to you. Exactly three hours and sixteen minutes ago, an incident occurred.”

It was a wasteful choice of words for Mitsuki.

“What’s the case?”
“Her Imperial Highness Meilia-Suirezi-Quirk, the First Imperial Princess of the Empire, who was staying in our fortress, was kidnapped along with her small ship while traveling in the vicinity of the fortress.”
“…… royal daughter? Abduction?”
“Yes, sir. It’s the case of the abduction of the princess.”
“No, no, wait a minute.”

Shvain is fuming. The surprise attack was successful. Settsu smiled inwardly. He was annoyed by the fact that they came at him under the guise of a garrison fleet, so this kind of counterattack was fine.

“I’m not waiting.”

Mitsuki cut Schvein off quickly and continued her explanation.

“The kidnappers have now left the main system at warp. The pirates are being pursued by the Dawn Cannon and several other ships belonging to the Imperial Unofficial Operations Unit.”
“I’ll be in pursuit of them shortly. In the meantime, please take care of the fortress.”
“What, out of the blue?”
“Mitski will give you the necessary explanation about the fortress. I’m going to go now, as every second counts. Mitsuki, I’ll leave the rest to you.”

Settsu got up from the couch.

“You’re in charge.”

Shvain’s mind still hadn’t caught up with the situation. He watched Settsu walk out of the room with a blank stare.

“…… Can I take this as a sign of hope and trust?”

Shvain was left behind.

“Herr Schwein.”
“Yes.”

Schvein straightened up when Mitsuki called him. What’s next? I’m not sure I’m ready for this.

“Rest assured there are no matters that require the Deputy Commander’s judgment at this time.”
“That was very, very good.”

Schweben patted his chest and called his secretary who was waiting in another room. First, he thought, he would have a cup of tea to calm his mind.

TN: Sometimes I laugh at how poorly edited these chapters are. Then I cry at how long it would take to properly edit them. No regrets!