Request Completion, Payment, and Rewards

"…Good morning."

"Ou. How about you wash your face and freshen up first?"

"Okay."

Elma went out of the break room while yawning. Major Serena was as

persistent as ever, but since I've already been taken for a ride once, I didn't

bite the bait carelessly this time. I kept dodging the issue and told her I had

other business to attend to before dropping the call.

And I contacted Mimi, May, and the mechanic sisters while making sure

not to disturb Elma and told them to gather at the break room for a meeting.

In any case, we finally completed the transport request and earned a total of

1,500,000 Enels. We got that much probably due to the fact that this was a

pretty dangerous sector as well as our fast delivery speed. However, we did

get scolded by the guild staff for engaging in combat while still carrying the

cargo we're supposed to deliver.

Mm. But it can't be helped y'know! I think we weren't really in any danger

for the most part because we warped out to somewhere well within the

range of the imperial fleet's support fire, but I'll try to be more careful next

time. If the situation allows it, that is.

I feel bad for the Commerce Guild, but in the end, my main affiliation is

with the Mercenary Guild. I definitely won't miss out on battles that'll net

me lots of rewards. If they find that disagreeable, then I'll just have to

continue with the trading side-gig without their support.

The good thing about delivery jobs is that they're fairly simple. You just

carry the cargo and deliver it to somewhere to make a tidy profit while

performing some interstellar trading on the side. You can definitely amass a

fortune if you do it long enough. Or rather, why are they still complaining

in the first place? I mean, I did deliver the goods safely and made it way

earlier than the specified deadline to boot.

I sent a reply to the Commerce Guild with those sentiments.

[It's not that we don't trust your capabilities. We just made a suggestion

with the usual business practices in mind. We will still count on you to

fulfill jobs from us in the future. We're looking forward to a healthy

working relationship with you.]

That was the reply that they sent back. Hm? Why the sudden change in

tune? Did they underestimate Mimi when they saw that she was a young

girl and thought they could get away with a little intimidation? Man, there

sure are a lot of troublesome characters out there.

[You sure are scary, boss.]

A message popped up on the app from an account with an avatar of an

anthropomorphic cartoon character that looked like a red spanner. It should

be from Tina.

[Well, we can't have them underestimating us mercenaries after all. If we

just turned tail from that battle and insisted on just delivering the goods,

we'll be looked down upon by other mercenaries as well.]

An avatar of a cartoon one-eyed alien nodding repeatedly while crossing its

arms popped out next. I told her to freshen up, but she actually joined the

convo from the bathroom? Was she brushing her teeth as well or

something?

[The mercenary business is also quite complicated, isn't it?]

This time, the message was from an account with a blue hammer cartoon

character avatar. This one should be Whisker. But the avatar characters of

the sisters looked like super-deformed macho uncles, so it felt quite

awkward. Why the heck are they using such avatars anyway?

[Uu… I slipped up on my first assignment, Hiro-sama.]

An avatar resembling a cartoon rendition of a squirrel-creature mixed with a

cat slumped down in dejection. Well, lots of folks judge other people by

looks alone, so it really can't be helped. Maybe her atmosphere would

change if she wore glasses. How about I get a pair of non-prescription

glasses for Mimi next time. Then she'll change into a reliable-looking

secretary… Nah, it wouldn't work. Mimi looked like your cute girl-nextdoor type no matter what she wore after all.

"It's fine. Don't let it get to you. Just face everything with a smile next time.

It'll be alright."

"Yes…"

"And you did manage to make a tidy profit from selling the goods we

brought, right? You don't have to feel ashamed about anything."

"…Yes!"

The goods we brought sold like hotcakes, it seems. Customers came in

droves as soon as they put up the goods for sale, and they emptied our

entire stock pretty quickly. Our total profits from trading this time were

330,000 Enels. After discussing with her, it was decided that Mimi's bonus

will be 3% of the total profits, so she'll have a cut of 9,900 Enels this time.

My share will be 320,100 Enels.

And as for the 1.5 million Enel payment we got for completing the delivery

request, we decided to base everyone's cut on the usual percentages, so

Mimi will get 15,000 Enels. Elma will get 45,000 Enels. My share will be

1,440,000 Enels.

So my total share this time will be 1,760,000 Enels, all in all. A part of it

will go to the maintenance costs of the ships, port fees, as well as

everyone's daily living expenses. The port fees aren't a joke y'know. The

Lotus was a fairly large ship, so the fee for it is significantly higher than

Krishna's.

By the way, the mechanic sisters won't be getting a cut this time. They

would only receive a bonus if they played an active part in fulfilling a job,

so most of the time, they'll only get a cut from the money earned from

selling the salvaged parts of defeated pirate ships or the pirate ships

themselves.

"So, um, there's a request from the major… or rather, from the imperial

military."

"Well, it depends on how much they're offering, I guess."

"Yeah, that's how it is after all huh. They still haven't contacted us again,

right?"

"Yes. The imperial military still hasn't reached out to us as of now."

I checked with May, who was now standing right behind me, but it looks

like the accounting department of the imperial military still hasn't contacted

us yet.

"Does it usually take this long?"

"Perhaps they are having a hard time deciding the final amount since there

is no precedent."

"No precedent? But isn't it common for mercenaries to intervene in military

battles and ask for rewards after?"

It was common for mercenary players to plunge right into active battlefields

and fish for profits. That's how I earned most of the money for equipment

and ship upgrades back when I was just starting out in SOL.

"I believe the problem is that the weight of the merits you raised is far too

valuable, Master. You did manage to almost singlehandedly tip the battle in

the imperial military's favor after all."

"You basically went for a crazy kamikaze charge and came out laughing,

after all, you dolt."

I don't think I did anything that reckless though. I left enough of a safety

margin y'know. And it's all backed by solid experience. I did get shot down

a lot before I managed to get the hang of it back when I was playing SOL

though… But, yeah. I guess people from this dimension wouldn't normally

get the hang of the maneuvers I employed like I did since one miss would

lead to their deaths for real. If you get struck down in the middle of a crystal

lifeform swarm here, you'll just end up being consumed.

"Master destroyed four large-type crystal lifeforms, thereby greatly

undermining their capability to rapidly field units in battle, and attracted a

large number of small and medium-types in order to herd them to the

imperial defense fleet's bombardment range. Although I believe the

imperial military still suffered losses, they were greatly mitigated due to

your actions. Those achievements are enough for you to be conferred full

military honors and an honorary noble peerage, I believe."

"Eeeeh!?"

"Yep. You might be awarded a medal of honor and granted the title of an

honorary knight."

"…Can I actually refuse?"

Getting some monetary compensation and a medal isn't much of a problem.

But getting an honorary title totally smells like trouble. Geh. Somehow, I

got a vision of a black-haired young noble girl waving at me with a

suggestive smile.

I didn't really hate being with Chris, but becoming a noble will just cause

me some major hassles, so I'd rather not have anything to do with it at all.

Ugh. Now I'm getting a vision of Chris and Major Serena forcefully pulling

each of my hands.

When it comes to power and influence, it seems that House Holz, which

was headed by a marquis, had an edge over the Daleinwald House, which

was only headed by an earl. But there's also the fact that Chris and I once

shared the same bed. Of course, I didn't lay a hand on Chris at all, but I

kinda feel like if that terrifying granpa earl ever got wind of it, he'll come

chasing after me with swords in hand and force me to take responsibility.

But wait! Didn't Major Serena stay on my ship that one time as well? She

was the one who boarded the ship unannounced of course. And she even

got drunk and made a mess. If she ever managed to record that particular

incident, she'll have solid evidence to use against me, and it'll turn into a

big mess for sure.

"Given Hiro-sama's goal, wouldn't it be convenient for you if you gained a

title?"

"Boss's goal?"

"He wants to purchase a detached house with a garden on a residential

planet and live there."

"That's definitely one heck of a goal."

In addition to purchasing a house, you'd also need first-class citizenship in

order to live on a planet within the empire. If you get knighted, you'd

automatically be given first-class citizenship, and you would also be able to

purchase a lot and a house on a planet at a lower price than usual.

"Well, I guess it's true that I'll be one step closer to my goal if I accept the

title… Geh! Why are we talking like it's already a done deal anyway?

There's no need to dwell on that right now!"

"Running away from reality isn't a solution y'know."

"There's no need to worry about something that hasn't happened yet. It's

ridiculous to be stressed out by something that's still not set in stone. And

anyway, Major Serena should know full well that I don't like being tied

down like that. She should be aware that forcing me into such a thing will

just put a dent in our current relationship."

"That's true as well."

Mimi nodded at my words. I'm right, aren't I? And if worse comes to

worst, I could always just run away. I have absolutely no intention of

abandoning a carefree mercenary life. I'll gladly accept a medal if it didn't

have any strings attached though.

"That's such a waste. I think it would be awesome if you became a noble,

boss."

"Rising to a noble status from being a commoner is the ideal success story

for most imperial citizens, isn't it, sis?"

The mechanic sisters were talking like it was that simple, but was becoming

a noble really all that great? You'd gain lots of benefits, of course, but

you'll also be burdened with loads of responsibilities. I don't think I'll be

able to continue living as a carefree merc if that ever happens.

"I'm not good at socializing with uppity folks, so becoming a noble is

definitely a no-go."

"Ara. It's not like attending social parties is all there is to being a noble you

know. And knights may be classified as nobles, but they are still treated as

half-commoners by the rest of noble society, so they're not that well

regarded."

"I don't feel like being looked down upon due to my noble rank as well.

Instead of something stuffy like that, I'd rather raise my mercenary rank to

Platinum."

"And you think that goal would be any easier to achieve…? But hold on a

bit. Why are you so against becoming a noble anyway? Do you have any

unpleasant memories regarding it?"

"Unpleasant memories…? Nah, it's nothing like that. I just think it's more

trouble than it's worth. It just doesn't click with me, y'know."

"Who knows. You might get to like it once you become one."

"Ugh… Let's just stop. This talk is over! Discussion end."

"Eeeh "

Tina pursed her lips in a pout. You're just having a blast by making fun of

me, aren't you? I'll remember this.

"Oh, it seems the accounting department of the imperial military already

contacted the Mercenary Guild."

"Oooh! That's some great timing, ain't it? What did they say?"

"Um… Your efforts in the previous battle greatly contributed to our victory

against the enemy forces and saved the lives of countless soldiers. In

recognition of your achievements, we grant you a prize of 3,000,000 Enels

and the Silver Sword Wings Assault medal."

"I have absolutely no idea about that Silver Sword Wings Assault medal or

whatever, but 3 million Enels ain't bad at all."

I'm not sure if it's a fair amount, but it's quite a lot regardless. In Japanese

Yen, it would be about 300 million. If it was on Earth, it would be enough

to last me a lifetime.

"But compared to that 3 mil, the Silver Sword Wings Assault medal's a lot

more surprising, ain't it?"

"I'm not familiar with it after all… Is it that amazing? It sure sounds fancy

though."

I was more interested in the design. Will it look like a sword with a wingshaped sword guard? Or maybe a fighter unit with sword-shaped wings.

"It's the same as what Mimi-sama read aloud earlier. It is a medal awarded

to those who greatly contributed to a battle or battles involving the imperial

military and saved the lives of many soldiers. According to the records in

the database, it has been 12 years and 7 months since such a medal has been

awarded to a mercenary in the Graccan empire. Only a total of 17

mercenaries have received such an award in the entire history of the empire,

including you, Master."

"I see… Hm? Then what about the battle at Termaine system…? Uh, no, I

guess that one doesn't count huh."

I did raise similar achievements when we were in the Termaine system, but

I did so by using a Singing Crystal, which was considered an illegal item.

They couldn't possibly recognize me for that because using a Singing

Crystal in order to win a battle can be considered as unethical employment

of a weapon of mass destruction and violates certain rules of war.

"So, does it have any special benefits attached to it?"

"Within the Graccan empire, the recipient of such a medal will be treated

the same as a nobleman with the title of Knight."

"You look like you've swallowed something disgusting, but it's fine

y'know. It's not like you've really become a noble anyway. He'll also

receive a yearly pension, right?"

"Yes. Master will be receiving a 150,000 Enel pension per year."

"That's… Ain't that too stingy?"

You can't even upgrade a Zabuton ship with that kind of money. How

awkward.

"No, it isn't."

"It's just that your sense of value for money is really out there, boss. You'll

be able to live it large without working for the rest of your life if you get

150,000 yearly y'know."

Whisker and Tina shot me down immediately. I see… That's how it is, huh.

These mechanic sisters have the common sense of normal citizens living in

this world after all. Yeah. Come to think of it, a yearly pension of

15,000,000 Yen does sound quite a lot.

"I won't get dragged into anything troublesome if I accept it, right?"

"Yes, I believe it's okay, Master."

"Okay then. Go ahead and tell them we gladly accept, Mimi."

"U-Understood…"

Mimi fiddled with her tablet terminal nervously and started composing a

reply. The rewards seemed excellent for the most part. That just leaves the

new request. Judging from this, I think we can expect it to be worthwhile as

well.