Chapter 18

This time, Mob (John) has an extremely minor role.

But this is the essence of being a mob character!

Upon returning to the gate management colony, the first thing to do is to refuel and replenish ammunition, and check all parts.

If there are any damaged areas, you need to decide whether you can fix them yourself or if they need to be taken to the dock.

After that, you need to submit the recording device for a check of your combat results.

If you don’t do this, you won’t receive your reward, so it’s best to report properly as a good mercenary.

Fortunately, the 7th Fleet will take over the security for the next 4 hours until the exchange operation ends, so once the refueling, checking, and submission are done, you can take it easy.

I thought that, but then I received instructions from the Mercenary Guild to gather in the hall for a commendation ceremony for the recent battle.

In the hall, not only the mercenaries who participated, but also the staff of the management colony, the mercenaries who came to the rescue, and the people from "Crystal Weed" who happened to be there, as well as some high-ranking officials from the 7th Fleet with a few subordinates, were gathered.

Sitting in the chairs, a few people, including the head of gate management, went up on the stage and said,

"Thank you all for gathering here. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to the recent unexpected pirate attack."

First, the head of gate management thanked us.

Next, a cool-looking middle-aged man in glasses and a suit came forward.

"Hello, I am Walbrey, the branch manager of the Mercenary Guild Kazzak branch. As a result of your efforts this time, a special allowance will be given to all of you by the Mercenary Guild. Among you, the person who performed the best will receive a special award and a certificate of appreciation."

The moment Mr. Walbrey said that, Mr. Arrogant stood up confidently.

However, Mr. Walbrey announced,

"Scoona Noswell, please come forward."

When Noswell went up on the stage,

"You participated in the battle despite not being a mercenary and recorded the highest number of enemy downed. For your contributions, we present you with a special award and a certificate of appreciation. Please accept them."

"Thank you very much."

As Noswell received the special award and certificate, thunderous applause filled the hall.

However, someone objected to this scene.

"Hey, wait! That’s not right! Why is she the ace?!"

It was Mr. Arrogant.

He seemed unable to accept that he wasn’t the ace.

"Why do you think you are the ace?"

In contrast to Mr. Arrogant’s anger, Mr. Walbrey remained calm.

"Because I have the highest number of enemy downed!"

When Mr. Arrogant made this claim, Mr. Walbrey opened a universal terminal and announced his number of enemy downed.

"Your number of enemy downed is 89 drones and 77 small craft."

"See! I’m definitely the ace!"

Mr. Arrogant looked smug.

"Compared to that, Scoona Noswell’s number of enemy downed is 182 drones, 146 small craft, 2 medium combat ships, and 4 large combat ships.

Her number of drones and small craft is double yours, and she also sank 2 medium combat ships and 4 large combat ships. Her total number of enemy downed is definitely higher than yours."

However, the number of enemy downed announced by Mr. Walbrey for Noswell was on a different scale.

"Lies!"

Mr. Arrogant immediately denied the fact.

"Unfortunately, it’s the truth. The recording device only records the facts."

"It’s not! You must have tampered with it!"

"Also, you have the fact that you led the pirate group here. You know there will be an investigation into that, right?"

"It’s not my responsibility!"

In response to Mr. Walbrey’s point, Mr. Arrogant could only shout back.

Mr. Walbrey put away his universal terminal and turned to Mr. Arrogant.

"One of the limited rules of the Mercenary Guild is:

'When a large and dangerous pirate group is discovered, do not attack recklessly to find their base. Instead, follow or report them. However, if you are attacked or encounter a robbery, this rule does not apply,' and the Grimmleap Pirate Group falls under this rule.

However, you ignored this and attacked the Grimmleap Pirate Group.

Claiming you were attacked or encountered a robbery doesn’t hold up, as the scouts who discovered and followed the pirate group recorded your actions."

Mr. Walbrey ignored Mr. Arrogant’s protests and calmly presented the facts.

"Even so, we managed to destroy them, didn’t we?!"

"That’s a result of hindsight. If we had lost, the lives of all the mercenaries, colony staff, and the people from 'Crystal Weed' who happened to be there, as well as the stability of this gate, would have been lost. The parts could have been sold to various places. However, the bigger issue is that you went out to look for pirates on your own, despite the regulation that you cannot leave the colony during standby and rest periods. As a result, you will face significant penalties."

Mr. Arrogant gritted his teeth at Mr. Walbrey’s words but noticed his partner standing silently beside him.

So, he urged her to defend him,

"Damn it! This is a joke! Hey, Fino! Say something in my defense!"

"I don’t have to protect an unrelated person like you."

She responded with a cold stare and a dismissive tone.

"What? What are you saying? You’re my servant, right?!"

Mr. Arrogant clearly stated.

He wanted her to remember her place.

"I am no longer your servant. I asked your father, the viscount, to release me from my duties, and he agreed."

However, Miss Fino remained indifferent and bluntly stated the facts.

"Does a servant defy their master?!"

"Technically, my master is your father, the viscount, not you. I have already reported your misconduct in detail, and the viscount kindly granted my request."

"Even so, you’re a mercenary too! You’ll face penalties, right? You have to take the blame for me!"

"I am no longer a mercenary, so I have no such obligation. Besides, I didn’t violate any regulations."

"What? We’re a team! You’ll face penalties too!"

Mr. Arrogant tried to push all the penalties onto Miss Fino, and the anger in the eyes of the surrounding mercenaries, especially the women, began to rise.

Just before the anger exploded, Mr. Walbrey intervened.

"That’s true, but the penalties only apply to you."

"What?"

Everyone was confused by Mr. Walbrey’s words.

"First, you left the colony on your own, leaving her behind.

When you were searching for pirates, it was time for her next shift.

However, without a spaceship, she couldn’t perform her security duties.

But during her first shift, she was properly on board a ship registered to her.

You probably registered her as the owner to avoid the hassle of various procedures.

As a result, it appears that her ship was stolen by someone else.

However, since the thief was you, her teammate, she will face penalties.

So, she asked other mercenaries with different shifts to lend her a ship to perform her security duties.

Unfortunately, they refused.

So, she decided to work on debris removal for free.

Debris removal is a nerve-wracking job.

It’s a dangerous task to go out into space in a spacesuit.

The hourly wage is 10,000 credits, double the 5,000 credits for security work. She did this work for free.

Considering all these factors, the Mercenary Guild Kazzak branch has determined that the penalties imposed on Miss Fino Foldep have been fulfilled."

Mr. Walbrey turned to Miss Fino and smiled lightly.

"On the other hand, you abandoned your post without permission, stole a ship registered to someone else, and put many people in danger. You will face the appropriate penalties."

The moment Mr. Walbrey said this, Mr. Arrogant was restrained by guild staff.

However, his anger was directed more at Miss Fino leaving him.

"Fino, this is a joke! What can you do without me?!"

"I’ve been scouted as a mechanic by 'Crystal Weed.'"

Miss Fino moved to the 'Crystal Weed' members.

She looked genuinely happy.

"What? Then I’ll come with you!"

Mr. Arrogant used another mysterious phrase.

You were scouted, not him.

Then, Noswell stood in front of Mr. Arrogant and said,

"Sorry, but 'Crystal Weed' doesn’t need someone as arrogant and unable to work in a team as you."

Of course, Mr. Arrogant, who couldn’t accept this, brought up his father’s title.

"Shut up! I’m the viscount’s son. 'Yes, and your father has given us permission to ignore any mention of his family name, as you are no longer part of the family.'"

But that no longer held any weight.

"No... It’s a lie... It’s a lie!"

As he was dragged away by the staff, Mr. Arrogant’s face showed a despair he had never experienced before.

"I apologize for the inconvenience. As you all know, the 7th Fleet will take over the security for the next 4 hours until the exchange operation ends, including the removal of debris. Please rest until the mission is over."

Mr. Walbrey smiled and concluded the meeting.

In any case, the gate guard mission, which had many twists and turns, was nearing its end.

I thought Mr. Arrogant (Fidic Ruttondan) was the protagonist,

but in reality, the protagonist was the girl, Miss Fino Foldep.

Thank you for your comments, feedback, and any corrections.