Elf!? Why an Elf!?

"Whoah…"

The Trading Colony [Termaine Prime] I was currently at was a Torustype… nah, it would be easier to picture if I described it as a Doughnuttype. Anyways, it's a Doughnut-type space colony.

The colony was designed to continuously rotate, and the resulting

centrifugal force, in turn, generates artificial gravity. Since the gravity was

generated by centrifugal force, the outer areas of the "doughnut" serve as

the main living zone of the colony.

"Hm. This is certainly an impressive sight."

When you move your gaze towards a certain direction, you'd be able to

witness the ground going upwards; seemingly without end. If you look

towards the "sky", you could see a ceiling made of glass-like material and

part of the colony's central hub showing in the distance. Sprouting from the

colony's surface were several elevators. Their appearance was akin to the

spokes of a bicycle tire.

Considering the existence of these elevator "spokes" connected to the

central hub of this space colony, it may be more appropriate to call it a

bicycle tire-type rather than a doughnut-type.

"Mm. Alright."

After thoroughly enjoying the sight of the colony's interior, I started to

casually stroll about. Most of the people around me were giving me strange

looks, but I can't help it, man. I'm seeing all of these for the first time in

person after all.

But, in any case, it wasn't good to be too laid back. The state of public

order within this colony can be considered "normal". If I take the public

order situation of my former home, in other words, Japan, and apply it as a

standard, it would be considered "ideal" in this world. Well, you'd get a

sense for the state of public security in this place if you consider the fact

that an outsider like me was allowed to carry a laser gun and show it off

without any trouble.

Moreover, the only area an outsider like me was allowed to visit was an

area called the 3rd Block. You couldn't exactly call it a slum, but the

security was apparently the worst. I really don't want to stay here too long.

All of the guys who took glances at me here had this sort of "rough"

atmosphere about them. They seemed to be some small-time thugs and

quickly disappeared into the back alleys sporting somewhat regretful

expressions the moment they spotted my laser gun. Guess this laser gun

really was an effective deterrent.

"Hey there, newbie. You got a pretty good gun on you huh?"

The moment my nerves somewhat settled down after experiencing the

intimidation effect of my laser gun, I was suddenly called out to from

behind.

When I turned around, I saw a beautiful silver-haired girl staring back at

me.

She sported a level of beauty I've never experienced before. She had even

facial features and a short bob composed of extremely thin strands of

silvery hair. She had a slim but shapely build, with not a single ounce of

extra fat on.

But her most striking feature was the pair of pointy ears poking out of her

silver hair. Elf? An elf in Space? I thought this was a sci-fi setting? Why'd

you suddenly spring Fantasy out on me man? Stella Online didn't have a

race like this, as far as I remember…

But, come to think of it, pointy-eared aliens in sci-fi worlds was kinda a

standard thing too huh? It's actually nothing to get so worked up about after

all.

And her clothes… how should I put this? They look pretty soldier-like and

seemed quite rugged.

Although she looked like an elf, she didn't have much skin exposure and

didn't wear a fluttery outfit. She wore pants that looked pretty sturdy and

practical and a plain white shirt enveloped by a tough-looking jacket. She

also sported a hip holster that held a laser gun of a smaller model compared

to mine.

"What's with you? You've been staring me down for quite a while."

"Uh, if you were suddenly called out to by a stranger, you'd normally be

wary right? It's sort of common sense."

"I suppose so. But I'm not a suspicious person. You can tell just from

looking, right? I'm a mercenary just like you!"

The merc-style silver-haired elf girl then raised her chest while sporting a

cheery grin. Her chest size… doesn't seem so special huh. That said, it

wasn't like she was completely flat or anything. Was this a world which

denied the rights of elves to sport substantial frontal assets? Nah, I can't just

generalize by taking this unfortunate looking space elf as a standard.

"Hey, just where do you think you're looking at?"

The unfortunate looking space elf noticed the direction of my gaze and

covered up her meager chest with her hands while sporting a grumpy

expression.

"I was just looking at those lacking breasts you seem to be so proud of

Miss. What of it?"

"'What of it?', he says. You've got quite some guts there, don't you

newbie," the unfortunate space elf glared menacingly at me and made a

dangerous looking smile. Oh boy. Looks like making her angry was a bad

idea. She's got a laser gun with her and all.

"At any rate, how did you determine that I was a newcomer? Do I have

something on me which indicates such a status?"

"Well first, stop it with your fake polite language. It's making me have

goosebumps."

"Kay. So?"

"Well, that laser gun you have on your shoulder pegs you right away as a

mercenary."

"I see."

She's right. Looking closely, there didn't seem to be anyone else wearing

rugged pants and stuffy jackets like me and the disappointing elf.

Everybody else was wearing thin, refreshing looking clothes. We really did

stand out from the rest of the crowd because of our outfits.

"And also, you were strangely taken by the appearance of the colony's

interior right? It's standard behaviour by bumpkins who'd just started

travelling away from their hometowns."

"I see. This disappointing space elf-san sure is smart."

"What did you just say?"

"Oh, nothing really. So, what's my smart mercenary-senpai want from me?"

For just an instant, I got assaulted by overflowing killing intent. Guess it's

truly dangerous to point out the cruel truth to people with smallish breasts. I

better be more careful next time.

"...Hmm. Well, no matter. I actually have too much free time on my

hands right now, you see."

"Ha~ah?"

"I noticed the Sector Defense Forces making some suspicious movements

lately, but I don't have any definite info, so I ended up quite free. It really

looks like something's up, so leaving the colony isn't an option. But this

colony doesn't have anything interesting in it. So I'm really bored out of my

mind."

"...And so?"

"So I just happened to notice a newbie-looking boy loitering around without

a care. I just went over to tease you a bit."

"I see."

Guess I kinda understood but kinda didn't at the same time. Well, since

she's the one who came over to me, let's make the most out of it. I'll get to

obtain some more info. The other person could kill some time. It's a winwin relationship.

"Okay then. Let's kill some time by taking me to a place where we can buy

some grub senpai."

"Eh, what should I do? The food shops here don't have any alcohol so

they're not interesting."

Alcohol? Booze huh…

That reminds me, don't I still have the containers with the brewed liquor I

got from those pirates inside my cargo bay? They won't sell for much

anyway, and I don't particularly like drinking myself… Guess I'll use that.

"I have one container full of brewed liquor I plundered from some pirates

inside my ship's cargo bay."

"He~e. So?"

"I'll give it to you. Just take me to a convenience store or something in

exchange. Also, I'd be happy if you could answer my questions and give

me some appropriate advice as a senpai."

"Fumu…"

The disappointing space elf tilted her head sideways in thought, and finally

nodded after a few moments.

"I suppose that will be fine. I'd be able to stave off some boredom, and

getting to drink some alcohol is definitely a tempting proposal. Agreed. In

return, I shall tell you all about the ins and outs of being a mercenary. I,

your 'Senpai', will do so for you!"

This disappointing space elf strangely emphasized that "senpai" part huh.

Oh well. I don't really mind her putting on airs as a great senior or

something. Her looks weren't half-bad and her reactions were pretty

interesting, so it's all good.

"OK, then it's a deal. Uh, we do exchanges through terminals, right? I'll

register you on mine, so give me your I.D."

"Alright. But if you use it for something bad, I'll immediately block you."

We took out our portable data terminals and exchanged contact I.D. info.

Looks like this girl's name was Elma. Since we've exchanged I.D.s, it's

now possible to trade goods between ships using the terminals.

"Hm. So you're Hiro. Such a simple sounding name."

"Get off my case. And Elma's a pretty simple sounding name too y'know."

"Mine's got one more character than yours." 1

"Yup. You're right, huh."

Why do I seem to enjoy teasing this girl so much? I actually have a smug

grin plastered on my face right now. Maybe I was feeling a bit more lonely

than I thought and relished her company.

I immediately operated my terminal and sent the container with the alcohol

to Elma's ship. The transaction was immediately approved and the booze

was successfully transferred.

"Just how exactly do goods get transferred over with this?"

"You didn't know? You can access the material transport system via

connecting to the hangar network. You can freely exchange goods by

making use of this material transport system."

"Hm. I see."

Looks like the process of unloading goods and cargo in this era is

completely automated huh. The use of human labor in order to unload

things from ships has been abolished.

"How long have you been an active mercenary Elma?"

"Five years. If you remain active for five years, you're already considered a

veteran in our circles."

"Hm, that so."

If she's been active as a mercenary for five years, then she'd started her

career before Stella Online went live. In a certain sense, she really was my

senior.

"I see. You're really my senpai huh. I'll be in your care then."

"Well, aren't you suddenly all nice and proper? Ma~a, it's certainly good to

give appropriate respect to your elders."

"Elder?"

"Even though I look like this, I'm already 53 years old this year."

"...You're purposely making yourself look young!?"

I can only see a young girl not even twenty before me.

"We only live a little longer than you humans. No matter how long-lived a

person from your race is, they'd only reach about 150 years old. We,

however, live for at least 500."

"I see. So it's the difference between races… It's been five years since you

began your mercenary career, so you would have been 48 years old when

you first started out. Just what kind of lifestyle did you lead before

becoming one?"

"D- Does that even matter!? Trying to dig up a mercenary's past is a great

breach of manners, I'll have you know!"

Elma seems to have lost her cool after hearing my question. She kept

scolding away while jabbing her index finger in my direction. Looks like I

poked the hornet's nest. I raised both hands to indicate my surrender.

"I get it. I won't ask about it, alright? I'm sorry for letting my curiosity get

the better of me. But, considering how strongly you reacted, I'm guessing

there's something about your past which would spell trouble if it gets found

out huh?"

"Uuuh… We- Well, it's good that you understand."

Looks like it was something really troublesome. I don't want to get overly

involved in something like that, so I'll try not to bring it up again.

I lined myself up beside Elma, who just recovered her composure and

started walking, and asked about things related to mercenary work. I had

this earlier impression of her as a disappointing space elf so I was a little

concerned about what she would discuss with me, but the contents turned

out to be quite informative.

"If you want to take on a request, be sure to run it through the Mercenary

Guild first. More so if you don't want to get into any sort of trouble."

"The Mercenary Guild huh. Oh yeah. Guess I'll have to get myself

registered soon."

"Ha~a! Apart from being a complete newbie, you're also unregistered? Get

yourself registered properly before concerning yourself with supplies, you

idiot!"

"Ah, yes. I'm sorry."

My jacket was grabbed with surprising force, and I was dragged back to the

area we were at before. Looks like the office of the Mercenary Guild was

located near the elevator leading to the hangar bay. Elma angrily explained

just how dangerous the standing of an unregistered mercenary was on the

way.

It seems that an unregistered mercenary unaffiliated with a guild would be

treated no better than a criminal if one messes up, apart from being unable

to claim any mission rewards. In some cases, one might even be refused

port entry.

"Man, that's harsh."

"Well of course it is! Unknown individuals unaffiliated with any

organization wandering around with a ship powerful enough to seriously

damage or destroy a space colony or station would, of course, be treated

with maximum caution! That's just common sense! How in the world did

you manage to not get in trouble until now!?"

"We~ll, there's sort of a story worthy of a bucket-full of tears behind my

current circumstances y'see."

I continued to be dragged away by Elma while I talked about some stupid

stuff, and we finally reached the Mercenary Guild office. Guess I'll have to

explain my circumstances all over again.

Still, this place was a hundred times more beautiful than the image of a

Mercenary Guild I had in my head.

The floor was made of some unknown, glossy material. There were a

number of seats with comfy looking cushions lined up in what seems to be

a waiting area. Beyond them were several counters.

Each counter had an information display on top of them. The number of

people inside was quite sparse. Is business not doing so hot perhaps?

"Doesn't this seem more like a government office than a mercenary guild

office?"

"It's somewhat similar. C'mon. Let's go to the reception counter."

"Understood, big sis."

I was dragged by Elma all the way to the reception counter.