556 「…Huh? Wh-What’s with the Sudden Outburst?!」
「That’s what we were talking about.」
「I was wondering what you were whispering about so secretively with the guild branch chief…」
When I rejoined the group and gave a brief summary of my conversation with the guild branch chief, Elma gave me a wry smile.
「So Serena-san is considered retired by the public.」
「But you’re not completely retired, right?」
「That’s correct. I’m currently in the reserves. If I’m called up, I’d return to active duty as an Imperial officer. Though, in my case, I’m a noble officer. Even if I weren’t in the reserves and officially left the military, I would still be summoned if the situation demands it.」
Serena shrugged as she spoke, holding a cup of soft drink in her hand. Even the heavy drinkers among us had opted for soft drinks today—it seems everyone has the sense to take it easy for once.
「So if war breaks out, you’re obligated to fight.」
「It’s the first duty expected of a noble. Especially someone like me, with experience as a fleet commander—I’d be among the first summoned.」
「I see… But Serena-sama, you’re thinking of joining my lord’s mercenary work, aren’t you?」
「That’s my hope, yes. Whether or not it becomes reality will depend on discussions between the heads of our houses. If I do join, I’d also need a ship prepared, but unfortunately, my personal finances are a little…」
Serena’s expression turned a little awkward. Well, the Imperial Space Navy doesn’t exactly pay top Enel. At least from what I’ve heard, it’s not enough to just casually buy a starship. I don’t know what a mid-level officer earns, but there’s no way they are getting paid a hundred thousand Enels a month.
Come to think of it, when I taught how to fight against pirates to the crew of the Independent Mobile Anti-Pirate Fleet, she bought a decoy transport ship without batting an eye. Was that not from her personal funds? Maybe she had to beg her family for help back then.
Thinking about it that way… she’s kind of like a swan. Elegant and composed above the water, but paddling like mad underneath.
「What’s with that look?」
「No deep meaning. I was just thinking how cute you are, Serena.」
「…Huh? Wh-What’s with the sudden outburst?!」
My comment must’ve caught her off guard—Serena blushed and instinctively pulled away. Honestly, getting that kind of reaction stings a little. Sure, maybe I was being a little abrupt, but still.
「Hmph… Hiro-sama.」
「You’re cute too, Mimi. Of course.」
「Boss, what ‘bout me?」
「Tina-chan is super cute too, yay.」
「You’re just spoutin’ off whatever, huh?」
Tina said that and chucked something that looked suspiciously like a neon-green fried potato at me. I caught it and popped it into my mouth.
Hey, don’t play with your food. That’s bad manners.
「Anyway, assuming Serena does get a ship, the real question is what kind. We’ve got enough firepower with the Black Lotus and its EML, and the Antlion is specialized for catching pirates with its gravity jammer. If we’re adding one more to balance the lineup, what kind of ship would fit best?」
「If I’m piloting it solo and complementing that lineup… perhaps a destroyer would be good. What we lack is the firepower to take on pirate bases and larger ships.」
「That makes sense, but a destroyer’s upkeep costs are no joke… It’d definitely take more maintenance than the Black Lotus. Tina and Wiska would work themselves to death.」
Sure enough, the two of them froze with wide eyes the moment “destroyer” was mentioned. A brand-new, low-maintenance destroyer might be manageable, but if we end up with an old rust bucket… the maintenance alone would be a nightmare.
「If we plan to expand the mercenary group, we’re going to need more crew. Especially if we add a large ship.」
「Yeah. Expanding the team any further is gonna be tough.」
「Hiro-kun’s little Hiro-kun won’t even have time to rest—it’ll get worn out, y’know?」
「Captain, I’m fine with more crew, but you better stick to a fair rotation, okay?」
「That’s not what I meant.」
…Though, maybe that is kind of what I meant. It’d be tricky to add any male crew members at this point—every member of our crew is basically my wife. So, realistically, any new additions would be female.
Not that there’s an official rule saying everyone has to become my wife or anything… but still.
「Even if we wanted to expand, finding the right people isn’t easy. So I don’t think we need to rush the whole new-ship thing for now.」
「Most of us in the crew can’t really fight without a ship. It’s just Elma-san, Mei-san, and Kugi-san who can go into battle on foot. If Serena-sam—er, Serena-san joins us, that’d be a huge boost.」
「I’m happy to hear that from you, Mimi-sam—Mimi-san. But I’m a sailor, after all. I want to pilot a ship and fight alongside you all.」
Serena clenched her fist as she spoke with passion
Honestly, I get where she’s coming from. If we want to make the most of her abilities… Ah, actually, there is a ship class that would suit her perfectly. The question is whether we can actually get one.
「I already have a potential candidate in mind for Serena’s ship. But before anything else, we should get her registered with the mercenary guild.」
「Agreed. Since I’ve come all the way to the guild, I’d like to make it official.」
‘Fuuun!’ Serena let out a determined snort.
It seemed she was serious about piloting her own ship, so naturally, she wanted to be formally registered as a mercenary. When it was my turn, they threw me straight into the simulator. I wonder what they’ll do for Serena?
Thanks for the chapter! Awesome translation! May God bless you!
Thanks for the treat.
Thanks for the chapter, today is my birthday and this was actually one of the great timings I had for content I enjoy
Happy Belated Birthday!🎂🎂
If the fxxking Emperor can call-up Serena (and haro) for military service because they are noble officers, isn’t there a conflict of interest because as a merc, the empire suppose to pay for their service at market price?
They’d still have to pay Hiro market price, as he’s an honorary noble (ie. The household he was born into doesn’t collect taxpayer money as part of its existence). So, by marrying Serena, who is a noble from birth and thus grew up on taxpayer money, if she gets drafted, Hiro would likely tag along and get paid for it since Serena would arrange for his payment as is only fair. And to get ahead of this potential follow-up question: Chris, being the heir to the Darrenwald territory, is probably protected from being drafted because she’s the heir. If she were not—if she hypothetically had an older sibling who was heir—she would probably be at risk of getting drafted, too. Sucks when I can only make one or two posts a month before I get 403 forbidden errors.
Serena, yes. Hiro, depends. He may be an honorable noble, but he’s not affiliate w/ the military (as in that he didn’t held any military rank nor active as one). So, if called for duty, he’ll be more than likely to do it as a mercenary +/- like during the Iximal House Downfall arc
Thanks for the chapter
I’ll be curious to see just what kind of Piloting Skill Serena even has, though with her enhancements she might be decent from a purely technical standpoint
That’s a good question, I am of the belief that she will fail “Spectacularly”, seeing as they need to find a reason to keep her from feeling too OP as a wife. Each wife in his crew has strengths and weaknesses. I think the author will go with the whole “Clumsy” pilot thing to keep her in line with each other girl in his crew.
her military job was more a fleet management over piloting so yes, I can see her not having great skills as a pilot, though she does have body enhancements so she might not be too bad, I just hope that she does not get the noble’s exclusive flying coffin know she can hold her own as a raiding party.
@3Raymondo
Maybe a Capital Ship? Like you said, she’s more of fleet managing type instead of a pilot. Give her a good crew and she’ll be able to manage it perfectly