Chapter 141

[Yeah, did I say anything wrong?]

[Isn’t there not a single correct thing! I have always given my all for the glory and victory of the Empire! How dare you-]

[Plan to say I was insulted? Your actions were the insult!]

The conversation between Rigerda and Gelang grew more intense.

While excitedly observing their heated exchange, I munch on chocolate instead of popcorn.

[What am I supposed to have done? I haven’t done anything at all!]

[Right, you didn’t do anything.]

[Exactly! I didn’t do an..ything…?]

Rigerda suddenly looks startled and flusters as Gelang unexpectedly agrees.

[What’s with the surprise? Isn’t the problem precisely that you did nothing?]

[What do you mean…?]

[Early in the conquest operation, our 4th Interstellar Navigation Fleet and the 3rd Interstellar Navigation Fleet descended onto this planet first. You don’t forget that, do you?]

Gelang spoke in an aggressively accusatory tone, grinding his jaw.

In response to his words, Rigerda nodded her head up and down in agreement.

[It was all for the glory of the Empire, and something the 3rd Fleet and we had to endure, but looking back now, there’s something strange. I’m noticing.]

[…Something strange?]

[Exactly. Why didn’t the 1st Fleet, which has the most power, lead the charge? That’s the question.]

Gelang’s antennae trembled violently.

At his words, Rigerda clearly flinches as if hit by something.

Oh, this is getting interesting!

[Rigerda Admiral, how about speaking honestly now? What were you thinking when you handed over the glorious lead to us and the 3rd Fleet? What exactly were you planning?]

[Nonsense about planning! I absolutely didn’t plan anything! I simply offered the lead with goodwill, yet you’re putting me in this position-]

[LIES!!]

Gelang bellows like a roaring lion.

Rigerda’s words are cut off by the immense impact.

[Then what about this message?]

Gelang points directly at Rigerda while speaking, and a holographic window appears beside him.

Alien characters appear on it.

Though it’s a gaming-based allowance, since the aliens use Hangul (Korean script) anyway, I sneak a read of the content.

——————————————————–

– Admiral, it seems that the 3rd Interstellar Navigation Fleet and the 4th Interstellar Navigation Fleet encountered indigenous organisms and suffered great damage.

– As expected, huh? Have all the ships that descended onto the planet’s surface retreat to the outside.

– Yes, understood.

——————————————————–

There weren’t any indicators of who said what, but the situation painted in my mind.

Gelang begins speaking again.

[This is a message obtained from your fleet’s database. What do you have to say about it?]

[What? Obtained from our fleet’s database? Why do you have it!! This is essentially an act of espionage- ]

[Stop deflecting the issue by playing dumb, Rigerda!! Isn’t this exactly what you’ve been doing too?!]

[…Ahem.]

Rigerda shuts her mouth at Gelang’s outburst.

[S, so what? How is that evidence? There’s nothing in there suggesting I plotted anything!]

[Are you blind, with no antennae to assist your sight? Can’t you see that “as expected” phrase?]

[…..]

Ah! A factual punch from Player Gelang!

Oh! Player Rigerda can’t continue!

[…Alright, to be honest. It’s true I had certain thoughts, but I absolutely had no ill intent-]

[Grand Admiral.]

Startled!

Even though it’s just a hologram, it’s clear that Rigerda is flustered from Gelang’s words.

[I’ve heard your promotion isn’t far off, Rigerda. So, to keep it from harming your record, you used our fleet and the 3rd Interstellar Navigation Fleet, didn’t you?]

[…]

Ah! Another factual punch from Player Gelang!

Player Rigerda is losing her composure!

As I munch on chocolate, I keep watching.

[Hmph, look at you, clamping your mouth shut. Why, can’t you even come up with an excuse?]

Gelang mocks her, and Rigerda merely stirs her lips.

[Plus, when our fleet requested support, you continued to respond tepidly, and you even ignored the support requests from the 3rd Interstellar Navigation Fleet, didn’t you!! You heartless wretch!]

[T, that’s…! Hey!! If you were in my situation, you would’ve acted the same way! You’re just too good at portraying yourself, aren’t you!?]

[Don’t lump me in with someone like you!!]

Completely forgetting about the negotiations, the two alien admirals continue their heated argument.

Wow, they’re fighting hard.

Keep it up, keep fighting! Fight and win, it’s not for us aliens… or just keep it up!

When I was rooting for them in my heart, Rigerda made a crucial slip-up.

[Anyway, the Guard Fleet and the follow-up fleet will arrive soon!! You can last until then, can’t you- ]

Rigerda’s words burst out, unable to contain her anger.

[?!]

Gelang’s antennae react with a jolt, and on the contrary, a smile naturally appears on my face.

[…Ah, ah?]

Realizing her verbal blunder, Rigerda widens her eyes and shuts her mouth, but once spoken words can’t be taken back.

[Oh, so the follow-up fleet and the Guard Fleet will arrive soon. That’s why you were enduring, huh?]

[A, no, that’s… ]

[Rigerda!! You dumb bastard!!]

Stammering Rigerda and Gelang losing his cool.

In truth, I also knew the enemy reinforcements were coming, but the information about the Guard Fleet being involved was a definite gain.

‘Seems even the Empire’s folks act out of flow like Invaders or Cryptids.’

Because the Guard Fleet isn’t typically included in the support teams that arrive during this period.

[Thank you for the information?]

Saying that, I flash a mischievous smile, turning Rigerda’s complexion ashen.

[Rigerda! Y, you son of a…! You dumb bastard!!!]

Unable to contain his rage, Gelang trembles all over, then suddenly stops.

His figure abruptly falls backward, and Gelang disappears.

A brief silence ensues as another alien voice sounds from the destroyer belonging to the 4th Interstellar Navigation Fleet.

[Admiral Gelang has lost consciousness. Shall we conclude negotiations here?]

[Ah, no. That- ]

Rigerda hesitates, glancing at me.

Although it didn’t feel much like a negotiation, the purpose of this was to understand their dynamics anyway.

Judging from the results, the amount of information we obtained was overwhelming, so I nod in agreement.

[Yes, let’s do that.]

[Then, I’ll take my leave.]

The destroyer belonging to the 4th Interstellar Navigation Fleet promptly turns and departs.

[?!]

Is it because I retreated so smoothly that Rigerda looks at me with a bewildered gaze.

[Wait a moment. We haven’t- ]

[We can talk about it later, right?]

[This is different from what was previously demanded! What about our prisoners- ]

[Prisoners? Are you curious about them, I wonder?]

[…]

The subtle mockery causes her to frown.

But that’s all Rigerda can do.

[Well, you’ll find out soon.]

[…?? Find out soon?]

[Then I’ll see you again later.]

[Wait a moment! We haven’t finished talking- ]

Slipping off my headphones, the officer nods.

The officer, understanding my intent, turns off the equipment and the person who had been waiting in the corner approaches me.

The princess-carrying begins again.

Though slightly embarrassing, my embarrassment isn’t important right now, so I speak to the officer while being carried.

“Then, tell the Command Bridge to head back to the Forward Base. There’s nothing else to see here.”

“Understood, Colonel!”

…

After the enjoyable popcorn negotiation ended, we returned to the Forward Base.

I’m carried into the main command room of the Obelisk, still in Jel’s arms.

[Edju, I came-]

Freya stops speaking mid-sentence and widens her eyes.

Freya quickly stands up from the chair, steps briskly toward me, and extends her hands toward Jel.

[…? What are you doing?]

“I also want to hold him.”

Freya makes an expression indicating she’s feeling lightheaded while strongly pressuring with no words.

After Gel nods, Jel hands me over to Freya without me giving any orders.

Huh, I didn’t even have a chance to object!

[Hmph.]

Before I could say anything, Freya scoops me up.

The feeling of cold metal transforms into soft, warm skin, giving a peculiar sense of comfort.

Uh, this feeling… shouldn’t I be embarrassed? But why does it feel good?

[Ah, this feels good too.]

Freya said this while embracing my small body, like how animals express affection, and rubs her cheeks against mine.

A gentle warmth is transmitted through my cheeks.

[Halt it there Freya, don’t we have more pressing matters to discuss?]

[Yes.]

Freya returns to her seat.

But she doesn’t let me go.

“So, Edju, how did the discussion go?”

“I gained a lot of useful information. Toric really caused chaos by arguing among themselves?”

“Ho. I didn’t expect that alien to help so much. Unexpected?”

“That’s right.”

I didn’t really expect much from sending them, but the sowing of discord worked surprisingly well.

“And we also got good information.”

“Good information?”

“Yes, the follow-up fleet and the Guard Fleet are coming apparently?”

“Whaat?!!”

Freya and the Commander gasp in surprise.

“Hold on, Edju, isn’t that good information bad?”

“Um? It’s good information. We know who’s coming, so we can counter them and crush them.”

[… ]

The Commander and Freya stare blankly at my face, blinking eyes.

“Is there something wrong? Did I say something incorrect?”

“…No, no. It’s just that I couldn’t keep up with your way of thinking as if we’ve already won.”

“Me too.”

“I know. We’ve already won.”

We might find it tough to win right away.

But that’s something that’ll all resolve once we dismantle more alien ships this time.

[… ]

The two of them stared at me again.

“I’ll show you that in the future.”

I smile slyly.

After all, they say if you know your enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.

And right now, this is exactly that situation.

“Then, let’s proceed to the next operation.”

Hehe, you alien fellows, time for more ship requisitioning!