DE: Chapter 1 Part 5 – High Reward + Full Payment in Advance = Danger Flag

The battle began to shift in the middle phase. The Union fleet’s flagship, the super battleship Altair. The bow of the ship was equipped with a super-energy contraction cannon.

The Union fleet and the AW unit cleared a path to secure Altair’s firing line. Noticing this movement, the mercenary fleet launched a concentrated attack on Altair, but it was all thwarted by its thick defensive shields.

In this era, the larger the battleship, the more energy capacity it unnecessarily accumulated, increasing its durability and firepower. Of course, the likelihood of being hit was higher, but as long as the damage could be prevented, it wasn’t a problem.

Although there were various other disadvantages, if you are in an environment where you can maintain a super battleship, it was as if one had already obtained a symbol of power.

It could truly be said that this was the result of the times moving forward.

As soon as the mercenary fleet judged that the attacks were ineffective, they took evasive action. However, there was one fleet that did not move.

That was the Elf fleet.

“A high-energy reaction has been detected from the enemy flagship, Altair. The deployment of an energy contraction cannon has also been confirmed.”

“Understood. In that case, let’s settle this as well. Deploy the prototype gravity cannon.”

“Preparing to deploy the prototype gravity cannon.”

The flagship of the Elf fleet was slightly larger than our Flagship Gruff. In comparison, the super battleship Altair was about three to four times the size of the Flagship Gruff.

The bow of the Elf battleship splitted into a four-pronged shape. At the same time, black lightning crackled, and an ominous mass of pitch-black energy began to form. It gradually grew larger, causing the Union and mercenary fleets to sense an impending doom.

【High-energy reaction has been detected from the enemy battleship. This… the energy density is rapidly rising.】

【How is the charge for the contraction cannon progressing?】

【Charge rate is at 40%.】

【Launch attack the enemy fleet in front at 50%.】

【What about the other fleets?】

【We can crush the rest with sheer numbers. If we bring Altair to the front, there will be no problem.】

The Captain of Altair judged that the Elf fleet was about to do something. Therefore, the logical course of action was to crush them before they could do anything. It was a natural response.

However, when he checked the battle status monitor, he saw that the mercenary fleet was distancing itself from the Elf fleet. Furthermore, their own alarms were triggered due to an abnormal energy reaction.

【That’s enough. Fire the super energy contraction cannon.】

【But it will be completely charged in 20 seconds.】

【Doesn’t matter. There is no change in the orders. Fire the super energy contraction cannon!】

【Understood. Preparing to fire the super energy contraction cannon.】

A tremendous force, in the form of massive energy, was unleashed from the Flagship Altair, heading towards the Elf fleet. At the same time, from the Elf fleet’s battleship, a huge, ominous, pitch-black mass of enormous energy was fired in return.

The attacks from both sides collided. The black mass gradually grew larger, seemingly absorbing the super energy compression cannon’s blast, and continued advancing toward the Union fleet.

“What… don’t tell me they’re thinking of absorbing the energy beam?”

The unexpected turn of events made it difficult to fully assess the situation. Then, just before the black mass collided with the Flagship Altair, something changed.

The black mass suddenly exploded, discharging electricity, and surged in size, swallowing the bow of the Flagship Altair. Not only that, but it began to absorb the nearby destroyers, cruisers, and even the AW units surrounding Altair. As this unfolded, alarms started blaring from the instruments on our side as well.

“Notice to all units. A powerful gravitational wave has been detected emanating from that black mass. Be cautious and avoid getting drawn in. Those near the mass within the Union fleet will likely not survive.”

“In other words, they’ve unleashed quite a brutal attack. And it’s even affecting us. This is the result of them meddling with the Elves’ kin. Well, well, I’m feeling a bit sorry for the Union Company.”

And the black mass continued to engulf the Union fleet, but suddenly, a massive explosion occurred. The shockwave from the explosion was tremendous, and debris and other objects came crashing toward the Union fleet.

Moreover, this happened while they were being pulled in by the powerful gravitational wave. Even though they were the enemy, it was a situation that made one sympathize with them.

Incidentally, fragments were also flying toward the mercenary fleet at a high speed, so they hurriedly began intercepting them.

Needless to say, this attack was the decisive blow toward the Union Fleet. The Flagship Altair was more than half-destroyed and was no longer capable of command or function.

Furthermore, the Union fleet’s operators and soldiers, who had just witnessed the nightmarish sight of their comrades being swallowed by the black mass, completely lost their will to fight. As a result, the Union Fleet declared its surrender to the Elf Fleet and the Mercenary Fleet.

***

As a result of this battle, a considerable sum was extracted from the Union Company. I don’t know the details, nor am I interested, but it seems that the conflict between the Union Company and the Elves is still ongoing.

“I wish they would just hurry up and hand over their compatriots already. Given the circumstances, if it’s made public in a clumsy way, the Union Company might fall to the level of a small business. Surrendering is probably better than being dismantled, though.”

While I was resting in my room and pondering the future of the Union Company, I was suddenly called by my terminal. I wondered who it was, it was from the Chairman.

I stared at the terminal for a while, then casually tossed it aside and threw myself onto the bed.

“Sorry, Chairman. I fell asleep and didn’t notice. So please forgive me ♡”

I added a heart symbol at the end, so it should be fine. Thinking that, I started to operate another terminal, contemplating whether I should watch a more mature and adult movie. Just then, the ship’s intercom broadcast started.

《Sergeant Shu Kisaragi, report to the Chairman’s office immediately. I repeat, report to the Chairman’s office immediately. If you do not arrive within three minutes, your bonus will be cut.》

“Oh, come on! I love you, Chairman! Don’t be so mean~ Come on~”

“Then you should have come when I asked in the beginning. Ugh, dealing with you is exhausting.”

“Are you okay, Chairman? Do you need some headache medicine?”

“I have my own, so no need.”

I immediately headed to the Chairman’s office after hearing the announcement over the ship’s intercom. Honestly, what a seriously dedicated employee I am.

“I’m going to assign you to the next mission. The client is none other than those Elves.”

“I decline. Thank you for your offer.”

I turned on my heel and was about to leave the Chairman’s office. Just as I reached the door and was about to open it.

“If you accept the request, the full amount will be paid upfront. After that, I’ll give you a special bonus. Of course, that will be upfront as well. The amount for the request is on this terminal. Come check it.”

“…Wait a moment.”

I moonwalked back to check the terminal on the Chairman’s desk. Then, I looked over the amount for the request.

“One, ten, hundred, thousand… one hundred thousand… one million… ten million credits⁉︎ Is this really the full amount upfront?!”

“It’s not a lie. However, this mission may take longer than expected. Therefore, it seems they plan to hire the Aces from various mercenary companies.”

“Ace… I’m an Ace now?”

“You shot down a destroyer all by yourself the other day. And the name ‘Lucky Boy’ isn’t just for show.”

“Well, I’ll admit I’m indeed a lucky man.”

If it’s just a matter of being a lucky man, that’s fine. In fact, it’s much better if they think of me as just a lucky person. If the truth about the gift gets out, my livelihood as a mercenary would be over.

“Which other mercenaries will I be working with?”

“Apparently, there are four more coming. It looks like each of them has latched onto the advance payment.”

“And the company will get some as a commission. Whoo! It’s a WIN-WIN for both the Chairman and me. But there’s just one thing that’s bothering me.”

“It must be the amount. Since it’s an advance payment after all. As for the details of the job, it’s a rescue mission of an important individual.”

I checked the details of the job on the terminal. It clearly said rescuing an important individual, but there was not a single mention of who it was or how many people were involved. Not even the most basic personal information was provided.

“Maybe an Elf boss screwed up or got caught. Personally, I think it would be easier in the long run if they just messed up themselves.”

“I don’t want to give any information to the outside world. In other words, it comes with a lot of risk. Kisaragi, don’t do anything reckless.”

The Chairman’s expression was unusually stiff. Apparently, the Chairman was trying to be considerate in his own way. Well, I don’t particularly mind.

“Oh, how weird. The Chairman is worried about me. Tomorrow, the debris will likely hit the Smile Dog’s fleet. Farewell, Chairman, rest in peace.”

“Don’t kill people without permission. You idiot. Also, those people are leaving tomorrow.”

“That’s quite sudden. With the high advance payment, it’s already raised the flag, and on top of that, more trouble is being added. I hate that it now has become even more troublesome.”

“I don’t know what flag you’re talking about, but it’s true that there’s a high possibility the situation could become dangerous. Also, they told me to prepare our own aircraft. It seems they’re trying to prevent any leakage of their technology as much as possible.”

“Preventing technology leaks? Hahaha! Elves sure know how to make people laugh! It’s too late after flaunting all that technology.”

They probably have their own concerns. But once they’ve exposed it in public, being targeted is inevitable. Whether it’s thugs, corporations, or even the government stepping in with force, anything could happen.

“Well, I guess things will be what they are.”

“Yeah. Since you know, prepare.”

“Oh, there’s one last thing I don’t understand, should I ask?”

“What is it?”

“Why did you accept this request? It’s really suspicious.”

The request the Elves brought this time. While the details were unclear, they’ve offered an outrageous sum of money. And on top of that, it was an advance payment.

It was certainly an enticing offer, but with that comes double the danger. No matter how greedy the Chairman is, he should understand that.

“…..This is just me talking to myself, they told me that if I refused, I’ll go down the same path as the Union Company, I couldn’t refuse.”

“Wow, that’s pretty ruthless. I understand for now. Sergeant Shu Kisaragi, will now begin preparations for the next mission.”

“…Sorry.”

I ignored the Chairman muttering to himself and left the office.

But maybe the Chairman was getting old. He even started talking to himself.

What? You’re saying he wasn’t talking to himself? No, no, the Chairman himself said it was just him talking to himself earlier. I’ll be a bit kinder the next time we meet.

“Oh, what a kind young man I am!”

A request from the Elves. A joint cooperation with other mercenaries. And intervention in the dark world of human trafficking.

That just goes to show how the Elves must be running out of options.

They’re trying to gather all the usable forces, even by force.

Well, I guess it’s better than nothing, considering the huge reward that’s on the table.

“Yeah. It’s gonna be more than just a big deal.”

Even so, I have no choice but to go. After all, I took the job because I was dazzled by the promise of that huge reward.