Imperial Capital Grakkis

The Black Lotus with Krishna stationed inside finally headed for the central

system where the imperial capital was located together with Major Serena

and her Independent Anti-Pirate Mobile Fleet. Of course, I continued my

training under Mei in order to ensure I could survive even if I faced an

attack by Drawn Sword faction-affiliated nobles.

There were quite a few nights where I coughed up blood before completely

passing out whenever I went to bed. And due to the torment I experienced

constantly, I don't even remember a single instance where I was able to get

a good night's sleep these past few days. I even had to continue wearing my

VR gear in bed. It ended up messing my sense of time. And before I knew

it, ten days had already passed.

"Man, it really is gigantic huh."

"It's so big."

"That sure is amazing. It's our first time seeing it as well."

"Un, it's really huge. I think there's still room to reduce its size without

compromising its functions though."

Although the last comment from Whisker was a bit off-target, we continued

to marvel at the gigantic gateway located in the Neeparc system. We

supposedly passed through the Dexer system, which was Chris's home

system, but thanks to me constantly being beaten up by Mei, I didn't realize

it at all. But we just passed through anyway, so it's not like we could stop

over for a visit.

"So we're gonna warp straight to the imperial capital using the gateway,

right?"

"That's right. Thanks to the gateway network, even the far-away imperial

capital feels so near."

"That's only if you're one of the people who can freely use the gateway,

right?"

"Well, yes, I guess."

Elma shrugged her shoulders after I pointed that particular detail out.

A gateway that allows you to jump several tens of thousands of lightyears

in an instant truly was convenient, but it wasn't freely available to

everyone. Even nobles would need some particular permits to pass through

them, and ordinary citizens such as merchants or mercenaries rarely get the

chance to make use of them on their own.

Its use was also heavily restricted in SOL, and I hardly have any memories

of using it to travel during my time playing the game. It's said that you'd be

able to gain more opportunities by cozying up to the space empires who

manage their respective gateway networks, but I was just your typical solo

merc, and I didn't have any meaningful connections in-game whatsoever.

"In the first place, not a lot of people are able to travel out of the colony

they were born into. For them, the imperial capital is certainly a very distant

place."

"That's right. The people who commonly get to travel outside their home

colonies are those working for interstellar companies like us or those in the

trade business."

"There's also those from the military. I wonder how most people end up

becoming mercenaries though?"

"Oh, uh, I think there's something like a mercenary training school. I'm not

really familiar with it though."

I think I heard something like that when I applied to the Guild. Well, there's

probably not a lot of people who decide to become mercenaries just for the

thrills. If I didn't have Krishna, I would probably just find myself a nice

colony to settle on as well.

"How did you end up becoming a mercenary anyway, Boss?"

"…Um, I just sort of went with the flow, I guess."

When I woke up after my unfortunate 'accident', I was already inside

Krishna which was floating in outer space. I was then immediately attacked

by pirates and killed them in retaliation… After that, I just said whatever

and decided to become a mercenary. That's the story I told them. This cover

story was all thanks to Elma.

"Went with the flow… Oh, right. Come to think of it, you said you have

amnesia, right Boss? I'm sorry."

"It's not something to apologize for. I actually think I'm pretty lucky, all

things considered."

After all, I did end up meeting Mimi, Elma, Mei, Chris, Tina, Whisker, and

Major Serena– No, not the major. Not the major! Anyway, I ended up

meeting everyone when I came here. As for Doc Shouko… Yeah, just

remembering her makes my behind feel weirdly itchy. Ugh.

"Oh, the line's moving. It looks like it's our turn."

"I sure am looking forward to it. I wonder what going through a gateway

feels like?"

"It's really exciting, isn't it, big sis?"

You might feel excited now, but you'll feel sorry you did later guys. I

glanced at Mimi and found her sending a warm gaze toward the mechanic

sisters as well. Hahaha, I remember Mimi was also this excited when we

first came through a gate.

The fleet moved forward and plunged into the distorted space that gave off

a mysterious glow nestled between the huge metallic structures. The sight

of the leading corvettes and destroyers getting engulfed in that mysterious

light and disappearing was truly a surreal view.

"O-Ooooh… Here it comes, Whisker."

"B-Big sis…"

The mechanic sisters held hands as they watched the distorted space come

nearer and nearer through the holo-display.

The cruisers also got engulfed and disappeared.

And then–

"Eh? It's over?"

"…That was too abrupt."

Yep. There's no booming sound you'd hear from activating the FTL Drive.

There are no colorful and psychedelic sights like what you'd see when

traveling through a hyperspace tunnel. To put it simply, it's like the image

on the holo-display just changed.

"Well, this is what you'd call a true warp."

"Hee… That's kinda cool."

"I'm not clear on the theory, but it truly is amazing. Un, I can't afford to

lose to just this though."

Tina kept saying how cool it was, but ain't Whisker's thoughts flying off in

a completely different direction? Sometimes, I found that I couldn't really

get what goes through Whisker's head. Whisker goes into full engineer

mode from time to time and says some pretty radical stuff.

"Well, in any case, we've managed to arrive safely. Welcome to the central

system of the Graccan Empire. My home town, the imperial capital

Grakkis, is located over there."

"Nn…?"

When I saw the image on the holo-display, I couldn't help but wrinkle my

brows.

Judging from what I could see, the object in the distance was definitely

shaped like a planet. However, its surface didn't show the presence of seas,

and furthermore, I couldn't find anything that seemed even remotely

natural. Manmade structures completely covered the surface of the planet.

"An ecumenopolis…? So they were able to realize such a thing here…?"

"Ara, you sure know some really ancient terms. These days, it's just simply

called a planet-city."

"I see… So when you say imperial capital, you're actually referring to

that?"

"That's right. That planet-city is precisely the imperial capital, Grakkis.

Welcome everyone, to the center of the empire; the blossoming capital."

Elma displayed a gentle smile and welcomed us with a flourish.

Before descending onto the imperial planet-city, we decided to head over to

the Grakkis Secundus colony first. It was one of several large colonies

present in the system. There, our cargo would be checked and we would

undergo several inspections and procedures before we could obtain

permission to land on Grakkis.

In other words, the Grakkis Secundus colony acts similar to a city gate that

we need to go through before we are able to enter the imperial city. It's said

that the merchants who are responsible for the circulation of goods and

materials in the system spent most of their dealings in colonies like it.

Why? It's because landing directly on the imperial planet-city required

extensive procedures and checks, and the cost of staying was also

apparently quite expensive. Well, it wasn't as expensive as staying on a

resort planet of course.

"So what should we do now?"

After we docked on the colony, we all came to the Lotus's dining room with

Mei. I proceeded to blurt out that question as soon as we plopped down on

our seats.

I know a ship captain should show initiative at times like this, but since I

was semi-forced to come here by Major Serena and the power of the state

backing her up, I didn't really hold any initiative at all.

I think it's mostly Major Serena's fault for bringing us here but not handing

out any additional instructions afterward. Nah, maybe it's not that Major

Serena didn't give us any instructions intentionally, but that she didn't have

any chance to give us any further instructions in the first place. That's

probably it.

"Major Serena said that all the procedures related to the award ceremony

would be entirely handled by the military, including our landing permits.

My personal recommendation is to visit this colony's Mercenary Guild

branch first."

"Mercenary Guild? Oh yeah. Major Serena did say I better rely on the

Mercenary Guild more once we arrive at the imperial capital huh. Um, but

I'm not exactly sure what I need to rely on them for."

"You should be able to ask the details after you pay them a visit. The

Mercenary Guild branches located in the central system should possess the

appropriate know-how about how mercenaries should conduct themselves

in the presence of nobles."

"I see?"

Well, it's Mei's recommendation after all. I'm sure it'll be useful.

"Okay then. I'll pay them a visit. Do you want to come with me, guys?"

"Alright. We have to buy some formal dresses anyway. Let's ask the

Mercenary Guild for shop recommendations later."

"Uu, a formal dress huh…"

Mimi, who was apparently no good with the fluttery and fancy formal

dresses, had a bitter look on her face. She may not like it herself, but I still

think they look perfect on her. Yeah.

"We're coming too–"

"Big sis, we still have to hand over our reports to the company branch

office."

"Eh? Ain't it fine to play around just for a little bit?"

"I'm sorry, but I personally don't have a hobby of listening to hateful

sarcasm."

"Uu… The bunch in the imperial capital are super prudes after all."

It looks like the mechanic sisters had some business with the Space Dwerg

branch over here. However, judging from their tone, they seem to have a

problem with their colleagues in the capital.

Is it that? They were all dwarves, but they were actually part of different

competing factions or something? It kinda felt like that. I better not ask.

"What about you, Mei?"

"I will be staying inside the ship. I will contact you right away in case

something happens, so do not worry and feel free to go about on your

business, Master."

"Understood. I'm counting on you then."

"Yes, please leave it to me."

Mei displayed a subtle smile. Un. Mei's expressions have become nicer

recently. You'd fail to notice if you didn't pay close attention though.

"Okay then. Let's go–"

"Wait just a moment, buster. First, go to your room and wear your Silver

Sword Wings Assault medal."

"…Do I have to?"

"You do. It would make explaining our circumstances easier later on, so go

and retrieve it already. Go on. Scoot."

"Yeah…"

"You look cooler if you have it on, Hiro-sama."

"Ugh."

In the end, Mimi and Elma pushed me into wearing that gaudy medal on my

chest. We headed for the Mercenary Guild with my noble-issue swords

strapped to my waist as well. Why? Isn't a laser gun more than enough?