DE: Chapter 1 Part 12 – Sap of Knowing

Three days have passed since receiving supplies from Vermouth. However, not only the people from Sectorial, we couldn’t see even a hair of space pirates. At most, we only passed by general ships or patrol fleets.

“It’s so peaceful~. Look, Nero, this is what I look like when I am too bored!”

“I have confirmed your appearance. However, please stop spinning me.”

“Oh, so you can keep up with this rotation. That’s quite good. Well, how about this!”

I was so bored that I started spinning the black spherical combat AI, which I named Nero, at high speed in the zero-gravity waiting room. However, whether it was because Nero’s sensors are good or not, it was effortlessly keeping up with me.

Incidentally, I asked an Elven mechanic to add a voice to the AI, and he agreed. But I got scolded a lot in return.

What? Why did I get scolded? Apparently, it was because I had removed the limiter on my Zargan before fighting with it in my last battle. And apparently, the smell of the engine burning from being forcefully spun was unbearable.

I apologized, of course, but also proudly declared that I would continue to remove the limiter during fights. The mechanic, feeling helpless, advised me to buy a mecha with better maneuver.

“Well, you know—high-mobility types are expensive. To be honest, they cost several times more than the Zargan. Do you think I’m a regular soldier or what?”

“Nero is unaware of the Master’s combat abilities. However, if the mechanics recommended it, then it might be worth considering. Now, please stop spinning.”

“I’ll think about it once I have enough credits. And as for the spinning, try stopping it yourself. Show me Nero’s power in this zero-gravity space.”

“I do not possess any arms or legs, so it’s impossible for me.”

“Seems like you’re completely useless.”

“I agree.”

“That was hilarious, wasn’t it? Ha ha ha ha!”

I was enjoying a conversation like this with Nero. So far, there were no signs of it freezing.

“Does Nero have any problem somewhere?”

“Negative. The self-diagnostic program shows normal.”

“Hmm. Well, if you don’t have any problem, that’s good. Seems like it was a pretty good deal.”

“Yes. They offered a huge discount without considering the loss.”

“That’s great. In that case, I’m even more glad I bought Nero.”

After killing time with Nero for a while, we mercenaries were called to the briefing room.

In the briefing room, all the other mercenaries and Captain Christina, along with her subordinates, had already gathered.

“Eh? I’m late again. You guys are so quick to act.”

“You’re the one who’s slow. I’m surprised you’ve survived this long.”

“Well, I’m lucky.”

“Hah! Don’t lie and say you’ve survived just by luck. I figured it out during the last battle. You’d be better off joining a pilot operating a light machine.”

“Huh? Matching with Jumbo is seriously depressing. In that case, I’ll just ride a Fortnight.”

“You brat. Stop always acting as if you don’t care.”

“Then why don’t you just join me if you care?”

“We don’t have a Fortnight, so that’s impossible.”

Captain Christina and the Elf soldiers were watching our exchange with a sharp glare.

“Hmph. You guys are too lax. I admit you certainly possess the skills. But do you really think that’s enough to survive in the future?”

“See, Lieutenant Burgess, you’re being scolded. Represent our mercenary squad and make a big move!”

“No, I think that was aimed at you.”

“No one’s name was spoken, so I refuse to admit it was directed at me. Okay, Mr. Maskman, I choose you!”

“I’m really trying my best to keep my hands off you.”

“I won’t let you escape easily. If you think of running away, I’ll rip that mask off you!”

“Hey, stop it, you brat. Seriously, don’t actually try to take it off.”

“Sergeant Kisaragi is really too carefree.”

Captain Christina stood frozen in her place, as if unable to believe she was completely ignored. Gradually, a wrinkle appeared on her forehead, and her gaze became sharper.

“Sergeant Kisaragi! I’m talking to you! Just because you’re a bit skilled don’t get too cocky.”

“Sorry to keep you waiting, everyone. I’ll start the briefing now.”

At the perfect timing, Colonel Cecilia arrived. She glanced at Captain Christina, then immediately directed her gaze to everyone.

The briefing room went dark, and the operation details were displayed on the monitor.

“We will now begin Operation Eagle Arrow. The objective is to launch an attack on the space station of Sectorial. The location is the Mararakan sector, an asteroid belt that was once used for resource mining. We believe that several of their high-ranking executives are located in this area.”

“You believe so. We need reliable information.”

“This strategy is to confirm the speculation. The plan is quite simple. First, a fleet centered around the battleship Albireo will conduct space gunfire. After that, the AW unit will advance from both wings. As for the center, we will continue the bombardment.”

Even though it’s just an asteroid belt, a space base built on it would likely be very sturdy. Moreover, there should be several beam artillery and anti-aircraft guns installed on top of the numerous rocks.

“The objective of this operation is to capture the executives or secure information about Princess Liliana. For that purpose, an assault by the ground forces will also be carried out. During this, Our top priority will be to protect the ground forces.”

“And what if the fleet is attacked at that time?”

“You can ignore it. Protect the ground forces over us. Prioritize securing information about Princess Liliana over the fleet.”

At that moment, Colonel Cecilia’s expression showed resolve. It was a look of someone willing to risk her life.

“Hoho, not bad. You have quite a good look on your face. I like it. It’s not really my type, but I’ll give it my all more than ever before. Of course, starting from today.”

“Unfortunately, I have a fiance. Once this rescue is over we may get married.”

“Nooooo! No no no! Don’t say any more. Don’t try to set up a death flag!”

“What’s with that death flag? I’m just…”

“I get it. Save the rest of your words for after everything is over.”

Everyone around me looked at me strangely, but I didn’t care. I was actually glad I was able to stop it here.

“The operation will begin in twelve hours. Ensure that all preparations are completed by then. And of course, coordination with each other is also necessary.”

It seemed like Colonel Cecilia was having trouble coordinating the mercenary unit with the Elf unit. Then, after Colonel Cecilia and her subordinates left, we mercenaries were left with Captain Christina and her subordinates.

“Anyway, brat. What are you going to do? Depending on the situation, there’s a high chance we’ll abandon you.”

“You value cooperation, right? Leave it to me. I’ll get serious this time, and also refrain from playing alone.”

“Oh really? Then will you team up with me?”

“Our machas are too different, so it’s impossible. If it were possible, I would have already teamed up with either Second Lieutenant Mikuni or First Lieutenant Burgess.”

It’s been a while, so you might have forgotten that Second Lieutenant Mikuni is Mr. Maskman. Don’t worry, I also called him by his name after a long time.

“It can’t be helped. Although I’m worried, I’ll just bear it somehow.”

“I’m fine with it. Since we are cooperating, I can concentrate on sniping with peace of mind.”

“As expected, a true nobleman knows how to speak. Mr. Maskman should really learn from First Lieutenant Burgess.”

“The boomerang is on your way.”

“So noisy.”

For the time being, the mercenary unit has been agreed upon. The problem was Captain Christina and her subordinates. As I thought that, I turned my gaze towards them, and realized that they were already glaring at me. Then, they approached me as they spoke.

“I guess we’ve settled the matters. There’s only one thing we have to say to you mercenaries: don’t get in our way.”

“Oh? That’s quite a bold way of speaking. If I remember correctly, it was a Delta Saber, wasn’t it? Even though you were using such a high-performance machine, it seems the combat results were fewer than those of the mass-produced Zargan.”

“Hmph. In the end, it’s just that you were lucky. Besides, I don’t trust you mercenaries at all.”

“Well then, do your best next time. A high-performance macha losing to a mere mass-produced one is nothing but a laughing matter.”

“You! Don’t get too cocky just because you’re a mercenary!”

“Hey, it’s your higher-ups who hired us, the mercenaries, right? In other words, they think you’re not strong enough on your own. Think about it for a second. Are those long ears just for decoration?”

“It’s pretty funny that, despite your large size, you’re riding such a small machine.”

“How dare you! How dare you trying to find faults with my ship!”

Captain Christina and Lieutenant Churi’s argument escalated with other Elves and Jumbo joining in, turning almost into a brawl. I took out Nero and spoke to it while showing it the scene.

“Listen, Nero. That’s what they call a battle of acorns. By the way, an acorn is one kind of nut, and the size of each nut is almost the same.”

“Understood. So, you mean that they are of equal strength, then?”

“Exactly. And in the previous battle, I achieved the highest number of kills.”

“I see. Understood. As expected of you, Master.”

“From today on, you will call me a Super Ace, okay?”

“Super Ace.”

“…I guess I should stop now.”

As I was talking to Nero, the surroundings had gotten strangely quiet. When I casually looked around, everyone was glaring at us.

“Nero, report the current situation.”

“Currently, the Master’s words and actions have created many enemies. It seems the future endeavour is going to be very dangerous.”

“So it’s the result of my own actions. I guess you’re getting rusty.”

“My body is unable to get rusty. Also, both my body and the internal precision machinery are fully coated, so I’m completely unaffected by rust.”

“I know.”

As we were having this conversation, Captain Christina approached and began scolding me.

“If you’re using such a crappy AI, I have even less reason to want to team up with you. Just make sure you don’t waste all your luck in the next battle. It’d be bad luck if the Lucky Boy gets shot down.”

With that, Captain Christina and her subordinates left the briefing room.

“Why can’t you just stop saying things like that? You’re only going to make more enemies If you continue that behaviour.”

Lieutenant Churi also left with those words.

“Really. If you want to die, go ahead and die somewhere else.”

Captain Aaron also said in a mocking tone before leaving.

“…..”

“Sergeant, I expected you to be a bit smarter.”

Lieutenant Mikuni said nothing, while Lieutenant Burgess said with a look of disappointment before leaving. Then, it was just Nero and me left.

“…I know.”

And with that, I spun Nero on my index finger.

Mararakan Sector, Asteroid Belt, Space Base of Sectorial.

From one of the observation towers in the asteroid belt, I was looking out at the universe where Sectorial’s combatants were scattered.

【Ahhh… Damn, I’m so unlucky. I know I should have bet then.】

【What an idiot. You must have forgotten that you’ve never won a bet before.】

【I thought I’d win this time. But I’ll surely win next time!】

【Wahahaha. You said the same thing before that. You’re just going to lose again.】

The low-ranking soldiers were chatting about trivial things. Meanwhile, the sensor detected something abnormal.

【Eh? What’s this? A warp hole reaction? Who the hell is the idiot warping to a place like this?】

【What’s the distance?】

【It’s quite a distance away. At this range, we can just stay on alert.】

【Well, they’re just here to test their courage or just someone messing around. Hey, if there’s a woman on board, why don’t we capture her?】

【That sounds good. With this, it looks like we won’t have to listen to John and Mike’s bickering for a while.】

And in the next moment, numerous beams, massive clusters of energy, lit up the universe. At the same time, rocks from the asteroid belt, along with naval guns and missile launchers, exploded into fragments.

【Enemy attack! We’re under attack from unidentified forces! What’s the distance?】

Before he could finish his sentence, a blue beam evaporated the observation tower and the people inside.