Chapter 140

A moment before the three destroyers would face each other.

Inside the destroyer’s command bridge cutting across the wilderness sat a girl with long silver hair.

Her childlike figure and youthful appearance made her seem somewhat overshadowed, yet her striking beauty radiated even so.

Her strong personality didn’t quite fit with the warship, but the major insignia pinned on her chest proved she was no ordinary child.

“Major.”

“Yes, Captain. What do you need?”

Edu responded to the call.

“I suppose it might seem strange to say this after agreeing to support the mission…”

The Captain trailing off.

“Can we really trust those guys?”

“The Ustansha?”

“Yes. Please don’t take this as doubting your skills, but aren’t they unreliable invaders?”

The Captain quickly added, seeming worried I might take the question the wrong way.

Not that I’m that sensitive.

“I know you didn’t mean it that way. And I somewhat agree with you.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, we can’t really trust invaders. I’m not trusting them, I’m trusting the situation they are in.”

Finally relaxing her expression.

“Guess I was speaking without fully understanding your thoughts.”

“No, others would likely see it as troublesome too.”

We are moving the destroyer because the aliens requested negotiations.

While I know everything about the Ustansha situation and understand it’s safe, others might just see this as an unnecessary risk.

“How much longer until we reach the destination?”

“Not long.”

“Then I should prepare too. Summon Reinforced Humanoid, Kyul!”

Mana flowing out of me.

Kyul, the summoned being with a feminine silhouette and two plate-like appendages resembling hair on the back of its head, appears.

Stretching her arms out, Kyul, understanding my intent, approaches me to-

“Hm?”

Instead of offering her back, Kyul extends her arms, gently lifting my body and drawing me into her embrace.

It was the position commonly known as the “princess carry.”

To be more precise, it was more akin to how a parent would cradle a swaddled baby than the typical princess carry.

“…Kyul, this is embarrassing. Can’t you just let me ride on your back?”

Kyul shaking her head.

As I watched, Kyul carefully spoke up while continuously shaking her head.

“Does this mean it’s correct?”

She nodded.

“…”

I was taken aback by this unprecedented resistance from the summoned being.

Or should I even call it resistance?

While I was lost in thought, people’s gazes began to focus on me.

Soldiers and officers smiling gently.

Their reactions reminded me of how people look at real children, making my awareness sharp.

Ah, how embarrassing.

“I, let’s leave here first.”

Kyul nods and leaves the command bridge.

“Over here.”

Guiding Kyul, we head towards the destination.

While passing through the corridors, I met a few soldiers and officers with serious expressions, but their faces softened after exchanging greetings with me.

And some people even pulled something out of their pockets to offer!

“Ah, Major, where are you going? It’s nothing special, but would you like some chocolate from supplies?”

“That’s not a child, but… I do like chocolates.”

Mmm.

“Major, nice to meet you! What are you eating?”

“Got some chocolates.”

While melting the chocolate in my mouth, speaking caused my pronunciation to slur.

“Candy? How about this one? It’s newly out from Fangju and very popular.”

“Ah.”

Couldn’t resist new stuff.

Mmm.

Though I wonder how that soldier got the newly released candy from Fangju.

While pondering, enjoying the snacks I received, Kyul arrives at the destination.

Upon entering the room where a flat circular platform was surrounded by soldiers and officers, everyone saluted in unison.

Even though they had serious faces just moments ago, they softened quickly.

Hmm, unusually effective.

“Have you arrived? All preparations are complete.”

“Thanks for the work. Should I stand in the center?”

“Yes.”

Giving instructions to Kyul, I head towards the center of the apparatus.

After setting me down and stepping back, Kyul.

“Then, we shall activate the equipment.”

When the computer turned on, a humming sound filled the room, and the platform emitted light.

“You might feel a slight dizziness at first, but blinking a few times should help.”

“Understood.”

A sensation as though something was overlayed over my eyes.

As warned by the officer, I felt a strange sensation, but quickly blinked as instructed.

Blinkblinkblink.

My vision flickered like a dying lamp.

After a short while, the scenery before my eyes stabilized.

Along with what I was seeing, the landscape in front of the destroyer fleet was faintly visible superimposed on my view.

“Wow? This is quite amazing.”

“Everyone has a similar reaction at first. Though, it’s not ideal for prolonged use.”

The officer supplementing.

“Then, we’ll gradually switch to the forward view. Raise your hand if you feel any headache.”

“Understood.”

The scenery visible through my eyes slowly faded, while the external view gradually became clearer.

Wow, so cool!

Just then, a voice echoed in the room.

[This is the command bridge, transmitting. Expect to arrive at the destination within 1 minute. All crew members maintain maximum alertness for any situation. End transmission.]

“Major, did you hear that?”

“Yes, I did.”

Now, this is a crucial turning point.

Patting my cheeks to stay sharp and focusing on the screen overlayed on my vision.

While doing so, our ship stopped between the enemy destroyers, and soon holograms began to appear in front of the opposing destroyer.

First on the left, an alien with tentacles on a face resembling a sea captain from my favorite pirate movie.

And on the right, an alien with a body covered in chitin, resembling an ant.

‘Left is fleet 1, right is fleet 4.’

Admiral Ligerda of the 1st Interstellar Fleet.

Admiral Gelang of the 4th Interstellar Fleet.

After confirming the opponents and waiting silently, the officer’s voice reached me.

“Then, we will project our hologram as well.”

A short silence.

“The hologram projection is active, Major. You may speak freely now.”

I nod slightly in response.

It’s strange that I didn’t feel any change.

While wondering about that, Ligerda spoke first.

[…Then, let’s begin the discussion.]

A cautious voice.

But I saw his gaze flicker while glancing at Gelang.

What’s going on?

“Yes, since we aren’t close enough to make pleasantries, let’s get straight to the matter.”

[Yes, since we aren’t close enough to make pleasantries, let’s get straight to the matter.]

Ah, now my voice echoed twice.

Confused by the unfamiliar sensation, I pointed at my ear towards the officer.

Realizing something, the officer quickly came over and placed what looked like headphones on my ears.

[Hold on, one two one two. This should be fine now.]

After confirming my voice wouldn’t echo twice, I spoke.

[So, what will you do about the prisoners?]

[Wasn’t our condition to release all prisoners in exchange for freeing all occupied lands?]

[Yes.]

[Understood. Let’s start by releasing prisoners while we withdraw sequentially-]

At that moment, another voice rang out.

[Unreasonable.]

Gelang interrupting Ligerda and joining the conversation.

[Why should our fleet act like that? And why is the 1st Fleet leading this discussion when they don’t even have occupied territories?]

Sharp reactions.

Startled by his almost adversarial attitude, Ligerda also opened wide eyes and stared at Gelang.

[…Admiral Gelang, it seems there’s some misunderstanding. I merely want to resolve this situation. Haven’t I already discussed this with you?]

Gelang attempting to calm down Ligerda.

But Gelang’s response was far from what Ligerda expected.

[Discussion? What discussion?]

[Didn’t I send you a message?]

[Don’t know anything about it.]

[Hmm?]

Miscommunication.

Actually, after sending the video to Gelang, Ligerda repeatedly sent videos and messages to share information about upcoming actions.

Unfortunately, Gelang never confirmed these messages.

Instead, the mothership’s captain received them all, intending to forward the information to Gelang-

‘Won’t listen to the coward’s story!’

‘Admiral, still, the information-‘

‘Tsk! I said I don’t want to hear it! Stop it!’

Resulting in a situation similar to “reading while chewing.”

Unaware of these details, Ligerda’s mind was filled with confusion.

‘Why is he acting like this? Weren’t we planning to pretend to release occupied territories while only freeing the prisoners? What is he thinking…!’

Frustrated, Ligerda frowned.

Watching the entire situation, Edu’s lips quietly curved upwards.

‘Oh, this is getting interesting.’

[…Admiral Gelang, please reconsider. Didn’t I send you the necessary information? Sticking to the plan would-]

[Didn’t I say I haven’t heard of it? Furthermore, the 4th Interstellar Fleet will never consider handing over territories soaked with the blood of our empire soldiers!]

[No. That, a little…!]

The frustrated octopus-like figure and the firm pumpkin-like alien.

Observing the situation silently, I felt this might be the right time to interject and spoke up.

[Um, if it’s difficult to release the occupied territories, other compensation might work, right?]

[Other compensation? What do you mean?]

Gelang responding immediately.

[No, we should-]

Ligerda muttering something from behind, but Gelang ignored it completely and only looked at me.

[For instance…ships, perhaps?]

[Ships?]

At those words, Gelang paused in thought.

Are the 1st Interstellar Fleet dangerous? If so, perhaps it would be safer for me and the 4th Interstellar Fleet to weaken them slightly during this opportunity?

Making a decision, Gelang turned his head.

His gaze was directed at Ligerda’s face.

[Then, this could work in our favor.]

[…Admiral Gelang?]

[Isn’t the power of the 1st Interstellar Fleet sufficient? What do you think about generously donating a few ships for the sake of our fellow empire soldiers and recovering the prisoners?]

‘Hmm.’

Though silently, I applauded inside for Gelang not only voicing what I wanted to say but also skillfully advancing the conversation.

However, why is Gelang acting like this based on what Toric told him?

Curious, I tilted my head, and then watched the previously dazed Ligerda slowly lower her head.

Tentacles twitching.

From that reaction, I realized one fact.

‘Gotcha.’

Ligerda raising her head.

A loud shout echoed across the wilderness.

[Are you calling this conversation? Admiral Gelang! Are you an imperial soldier or a rebel!?]

[What!? Rebel!? The rebel is you, Ligerda!!]

And Gelang responded, raising his voice as if he’d been waiting for this moment.

[About the broken mouth!!]

[Our species’ mouth is naturally broken?!]

[You, you! Immature individual…!]

[Do I even contribute to someone so immature!? Moreover, I’m not devious like you!!]

[Devious!? Am I devious right now!?]

The two aliens raising their voices.

Watching their figures silently, I quietly extended my hand to the side.

“Major? What is it?”

“Popcorn, please hurry and bring some.”

“Huh? Popcorn?”

“Yes.”

Who hasn’t heard the saying that the most entertaining things in the world are watching fights and watching people with disabilities?

Currently, I couldn’t agree more with that statement.

Ah, this is pure gold—how am I supposed to restrain myself without popcorn!