Reunion Part 1
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Translator: SFBaka
Editor: Thor’s Stone
It’s been a few days since that incident.
No one talked about it, and everything went on normally as if nothing happened. Kou and the others also care to mention it among themselves either.
However, the naval bombardment that day was still officially recorded.
Asia secretly did all the formalities, and only a report of a test firing experiment was filed, so there were no further problems.
「I got contacted by Asia. She said she ended up test firing the newly installed main cannon of the Aristides. The shooter being unnamed is funny.」
Jenny announced with a laugh.
Currently, all of the people closely involved with Kou were gathered inside the combat command center of the Aristides.
Some of them asked about the naval bombardment and were shown videos taken by the Familiars.
「You guys don’t have to worry about anything. If I was there, I would probably beat them up too.」
「Umu. I wouldn’t hesitate to shoot either.」
Veins bulged on Jenny’s beautiful face and Rick didn’t hide his anger.
「Ou. I would have given permission to fire too.」
Barry also saw the video. A young child being hit by broken glass was definitely unacceptable. He inwardly mused that if he was present at that time, he would have tried to kill those creeps too.
「The three of them were mercenaries piloting Grizzlies. They would have failed the interview anyway. They’re the kind of guys who think of Nereids and Therianthropes as slaves. So, of course, they wouldn’t pass.」
「That’s good.」
Kou stroked his chest in relief. As expected, they would have failed the interview.
「They should have already escaped from Fortress Area P336 and are wandering around. Before long, they’ll probably join the Stones. So it’s possible we’d meet them in the battlefield sooner or later. Don’t let your guard down, Kou.」
「Why is that?」
「Familiars will never forgive those who’ve earned Asia’s ire. They no longer have any place on humanity’s side. If they just picked a fight, Asia would not have intervened. What touched Asia’s bottom line was Aimer being attacked and that bastard trying to play the victim while being the real criminal all along. Also, he tried to use the Familiars to socially eliminate you.」
Rick gave a detailed explanation.
「They won’t be able to communicate with Familiars anymore.」
「I can’t really imagine something like that……」
「It will be terribly inconvenient. The animals in cities will never help them out again.」
Jenny also thought about the three’s fate. She didn’t sympathize with them one bit, but she could imagine how miserable their situation would be.
「If I meet them on the battlefield, I’ll settle everything properly. You’re always helping me out, everyone. I’m sorry.」
If they did meet as enemies, Kou was sure he would be able to cut them down without hesitation. Or rather, that was something he actually wished for.
「What are you saying? It’s a bit unpleasant.」
Blue lightly laughed.
「Everyone here is always gonna be on your side. I’m sure Asia feels the same too.」
『Right.』
Asia also joined in and gave her piece.
「Oh, Asia. Is the move to this place going smoothly?」
Jenny knew the situation and addressed Asia normally.
『Un! And Kou’s guests – his real guests – have already arrived! Them coming over will make this place even more steady!』
「So they’re here.」
The friends Kou wished to reunite with have finally arrived.
The transport plane landed, and a young man and woman got off of it. However, the young woman was wearing a military uniform, and the young man sported a Gothic dress.
It was Fu Jialing and Matty who have transferred over from Skunk Technologies.
「Jialing! Matt! I’m glad you guys are here!」
「Yeah! Just who was the absurd person who suddenly decided to start a transferee company and then wanted us to go manage it with him, huh?」
「Jialing, It’s too late to say something like that now. Hey there, Kou. Thanks for calling us over!」
The two were delighted to meet their good friend again.
The two were brought to the Aristides first and introduced to the main members of Metal Iris.
The two seemed nervous, but they were already familiar with Jenny and Aki. They gradually got to know the others as well.
『Welcome! I’m Asia. Jialing and Matt, right? Nice to meet you two!』
Asia jumped into the conversation.
The Metal Iris members in the Aristides were already used to her presence.
「Did you say Asia?! Whoah! Um, nice to meet you too. I’m very honored.」
「Thank you for always taking care of our boss and Kou……」
Planetary management AI Asia. She was a Super AI who protects and cares for humankind.
Even though Super AIs didn’t like to be referred to as gods and goddesses, people still couldn’t help but treat them as one. That’s just how much they have contributed to the continued existence of humankind.
And one such Super AI has just directly called Jialing and Matt by their names. It was no wonder they were so moved.
『Don’t be all stiff, kay? I’m actually staying here. So I need your power, guys.』
「Yes! I’ll serve you with my life!」
「I’m going to do my very best!」
The beautiful young man who was dressed as a woman gave a dignified salute that Kou had never seen him do before. As a Development Engineer, it was a great honor to directly hear Asia’s voice.
Jialing was so nervous that she nearly bit her tongue.
『You guys are being too enthusiastic. Fufu. Let’s get along. Just ask Kou about what you guys are tasked to do. See you again!』
After saying her parting words, Asia disappeared.
「We’ll be in your care from now on, everyone from Metal Iris.」
「Don’t act all formal on us, okay? You guys are Kou’s friends, right? Let’s take it easy!」
Barry laughed loudly and strongly patted Matty’s shoulder.
「Kou? You haven’t told us Asia was here you know?」
「Ara. You didn’t even tell them such an important thing, Boss?」
「Boss!?」
「Boss?」
The two new arrivals weren’t told anything apart from the establishment of the new transferee company.
Seeing the two gazing at him questioningly, Kou couldn’t help but turn away.
Kou decided to take them to another room to explain all the details.
「It’s a really easy job, guys! We’ll be all set once we start and run transferee companies in order to protect Asia who’s staying in this Fortress Area!」
「Right, right. Very simple and easy.」
「Like heck, it is–!」
Kou got yelled at by the furious Jialing.
The three of them were currently inside the lounge of the Aristides.
「Kou, it isn’t a good habit to always downplay everything.」
Matty gave advice to Kou in a serious atmosphere. After all, Kou should be the one who knows best just how important a task they’d be undertaking.
「Is it really something that major?」
「Just exactly how many transferee companies are you planning to establish in this place anyway?」
「Well, there are the two companies I’ll have each of you manage, then there’s Kurt Maschinenbau’s new branch. So that makes it three companies, I guess.」
「Just where will we get a Fortress Area that can house all three of those transferee companies?! And the Mercenary Association will get on our case you know?」
Although it still depended on their scale, the Mercenary Association generally didn’t want multiple transferee companies to be concentrated in a single Fortress Area.
That’s because of the risk of mismanagement and the fear of the creation of centralized power.
In principle, a Fortress Area may only house one transferee company’s headquarters.
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