Chapter 19

After the tumultuous award ceremony, I was hit by a wave of exhaustion.

So, I decided to take a two-hour nap and headed towards the accommodation facility.

Incidentally, Miss Fino’s actions and decisions were met with a storm of praise from everyone present.

According to what I heard from the members of the same guild as "Mr. I," the evaluation of "Mr. I" seemed to be "He has good skills for a newcomer, but he’s a selfish noble, typical of those with a bad head."

Thinking about it, compared to treating even unrelated people as his servants, the hero is still somewhat better.

Though it could also be said that the direction of his nuisance is different.

Then, from a lounge along the way, I heard a familiar voice.

"Fantastic! Miss Nosweil! You are indeed a remarkable woman!"

"Oh, thank you..."

In the lounge, the hero was holding Nosweil’s hand, looking quite moved.

It seemed he had participated in the recent reinforcements.

Though Nosweil looked quite taken aback...

Thinking about it, maybe the hero and Nosweil are targets for Rosweize’s conquest?

After all, they both look good and are skilled.

Anyway, to avoid being a nuisance, I decided to quickly pass by.

I arrived at the accommodation facility without incident, took a bath, and was about to take a nap when a visitor arrived.

"Excuse me?"

The visitor was Nosweil.

Just like the first time, we headed towards the garden outside the building.

"So, what is it you need?"

"I wanted to thank you for your support on the battlefield. Can I ask why?"

The reason is obvious.

"If you were injured or, by some mistake, shot down, I would be held responsible just for knowing you."

It’s all for my own benefit.

Though it might sound heartless to her, it’s better than being misunderstood.

"Ahaha... sorry, for some reason."

"I’m used to it, so it’s fine."

She seems to understand the influence she has and what kind of articles the media writes.

"By the way... is it okay for me to receive the special bonus and certificate of appreciation from the Mercenary Guild?"

She asked, looking somewhat anxious.

Her expression when she was on the stage a few minutes ago was quite confused.

It’s unusual to award someone who is clearly not part of the organization, and it wouldn’t be surprising if they were seen as taking the spotlight.

"Probably, it’s an instruction from the noble sponsors of the guild you belong to, 'Crystal Weed.'

'A professional planet tracer, who happened to be involved, defeated vicious space pirates in a real battlefield, more effectively than professional mercenaries.'

The promotional effect of this is tremendous.

Additionally, the Mercenary Guild might be showing their generosity to encourage new memberships.

Though there might be other intentions from the military or something, I don’t know."

While it’s just a guess, this is probably why the Mercenary Guild awarded her the special bonus and certificate of appreciation.

Furthermore, because she is a famous and beautiful person, the lack of complaints from anyone other than "Mr. I" might be a coincidence or intentional.

Anyway, I thought the conversation was over.

But then she spoke up.

"Hey, Uzos, can you join our team...?"

It was the same recruitment talk from before.

But knowing my thoughts, she quickly withdrew it.

This is where I differ from Rior Bearnnext.

"No, I’m sorry, but it’s not possible. Not as much as 'Mr. I,' but mercenaries are all self-centered and free-spirited. The Mercenary Guild is just right for me."

When I politely declined, she looked a bit sad but quickly changed her expression.

"At least, can you come and watch my race? Preferably the Grand Champion Race."

"Isn’t that the biggest race? The ticket competition must be fierce."

To be honest, it’s a super platinum ticket.

It’s probably already sold out.

At that moment, she received a call on her generic terminal.

"Sorry, I forgot about the strategy meeting for the next race."

She hurriedly put away her terminal.

"If I can get a ticket, let’s meet at the race! See you!"

"Sure, if I can get a ticket."

She left with a polite farewell.

We probably won’t meet again.

She’s up in the clouds, no, in the galaxy.

After the conversation with Nosweil, I was about to return to the accommodation facility when,

"Hey, you!"

I was confronted by the hero.

I had something to say.

"Just so you know, I was here first."

I didn’t follow you to harass you.

You came here.

I have no reason to be complained to.

However, the hero had a different reason for confronting me.

"Why were you talking to Miss Nosweil?!"

Ah, this is it.

A fanatical fan.

If you saw us together before, you should understand!

But I did nothing wrong.

She just came to thank me for helping her on the battlefield.

"I helped her on the battlefield. We just happened to meet, and she came to thank me."

However, the hero wouldn’t believe that she came to thank me.

Then, I should make him believe.

"Even so, don’t talk to someone like you!"

"But then she can’t say thank you, can she?"

"Tell her manager!"

"But her manager is on the ship and not here..."

I underestimated him.

It seems that just talking to her is unacceptable, regardless of the content.

Since she’s not a noble lady, talking to her shouldn’t be a problem.

Fanatical fans don’t understand logic.

"Anyway, don’t get close to her! Don’t talk to her! Don’t look at her! Don’t let her talk to you! Got it?!"

No, it’s impossible not to look at her or let her talk to me.

I thought he might attack me again, but he didn’t this time.

Probably, he was in a hurry to find Nosweil.

After that, nothing else happened, and I was able to complete the request and return home after taking a nap.

Heroine Side: Scoona Nosweil

I was rejected again...

With his ability to judge situations and see the battlefield, he could have been a great help in races and future activities.

I understand why he doesn’t want to get close to me, given his character and position.

Approaching a woman with fanatical fans and media attention would cause a lot of trouble.

We both survived that incident, but he didn’t get much media attention.

The reason, to put it bluntly, is his appearance.

For the media, a big high school girl with a decent appearance or a handsome noble with a story is more appealing for sales and ratings.

It seems he’s happy with the result, as he doesn’t like being in the spotlight.

Thinking about this, when I returned to "Seed 1,"

"Welcome back! How did it go?"

Aero, another planet race pilot, greeted me.

"I was rejected again."

"Too bad. I really wanted that 'eye.'"

"He was rejected because of the 'eye.'"

Actually, after observing John Uzos’s movements, several of us, including her, decided to try to recruit him.

During the diversion operation using our base as bait, he was the most effective, aside from the silver and yellow-green helmeted and all-black machines.

He easily destroyed several of the combat ships I was remotely controlling.

My comrades were also impressed by his 'eye' and movements.

"That '千里眼' (千里 eye). 'Tactical eye,' right? With that, races and operations would be much easier."

Aero sighed regretfully.

"Hey, Scoona, did you try using your looks?"

Then, she looked at me with a dissatisfied gaze and said something outrageous.

"No! I wouldn’t do that! Besides, he didn’t seem interested."

I’m not lacking in confidence in my appearance or figure.

I’ve felt the gaze of people who tried to get close to me at race venues and parties.

But I didn’t feel that kind of gaze from him.

Rather, it was more like the gaze one gives to art or paintings.

"Your unnecessarily large and erotic body... That otaku mercenary... Who is he!? Or is he just a wimp?"

Aero, looking thoughtful, started to make gestures as if rubbing her chest.

"Don’t call my body erotic!"

Aero is a bright and cute girl, but she can be extremely vulgar in certain directions.

"Well, forcing it won’t end well. If you want to persuade him sincerely, I can help you coordinate your underwear, you know♪"

"No way!"

It’s pointless to do that when there’s no chance.

A bit frustrating, but...

I held my head and headed to the conference room with Aero.

Heroine Side: End

Thank you for your comments, opinions, and any typo reports.