Chapter 37

The day after witnessing the moment when Hero-kun recovered.

I was able to spend a rare fulfilling day.

After waking up and having breakfast, I did the laundry and then cleaned the room and took out the trash.

By the time I finished, the laundry was done, so I folded it and put it away in the closet.

After that, once I finished the day's grocery shopping, all that was left was to indulge in anime.

I binge-watched the theatrical versions of "Demon Slayer" and "Curse Slayer," as well as "Such a Wonderful Otherworld for Happiness - Season 3," which I had been saving up.

However, I knew that after such a perfect day, a gloomy half-day would follow.

I was happy that the ship was back, but I had to take it to the guild's docking area.

Usually, it wouldn't be a big deal, but the fact that I felt so anxious just because Uncle Loanz wasn't there was worrying.

In the worst-case scenario (if Uncle Loanz retired or was fired), Mr. Zeistoll is a competent worker, so I could ask him to handle the reception.

There might be some drawbacks, though.

There are other male receptionists, but they are few in number, and most of them are handsome, so female mercenaries usually stick to them, making it hard to talk to them.

Anyway, to dock the ship at the docking area, I just needed to talk to the manager and complete the procedures.

The next day.

I went to the "Dorg Maintenance Factory" to pick up the ship.

"Good afternoon."

"Hey, it's ready. The cost is the usual."

Mr. Dorg, who was repairing something, replied.

"Then, please let me handle the payment."

"Ah, sure."

Mr. Dorg's wife took care of the reception.

Despite being called "Dwarf" by the neighbors and mechanics due to her small, muscular build, protruding belly, and bearded face, she is undoubtedly a beautiful woman even now.

She must have been quite popular when she was younger.

Apparently, she was the one who initiated the relationship.

While I was making the payment, Mr. Dorg dropped a bomb.

"By the way, the manufacturer of that engine has stopped production. So, once the repair parts run out, you should consider a replacement."

"Wh-What!? I thought the manufacturer was doing well... I can't make an engine myself, you know."

"Try not to break it, then."

My ship, the "Patchwork," was originally a used item I bought from this store, and I modified it by replacing and attaching various parts to make up for what was missing or to reinforce it.

However, the engine is something I can't mess with, so I had to use the original.

So, if it breaks, I'll have to replace it as Mr. Dorg suggested.

I'll have to be even more careful from now on.

After picking up the ship from Mr. Dorg, I headed straight to the mercenary guild's docking area.

"ECIM-987072, John Uzoz here. Requesting landing permission."

"This is the Mercenary Guild Itz Branch Control Tower. Landing permission granted. Land at J-910."

"Roger."

Following the instructions, I landed, and a staff member on the ground approached me.

"Thanks a lot. You really are different from the others."

"No, no. I'm just a perennial knight."

The staff member was flattering me, so I gently declined.

"Rank doesn't matter."

The staff member shook his head and began to speak seriously.

"Our docking area is managed by us staff based on the number of ships, convenience, and ease of landing and takeoff.

Skilled pilots understand this and park their ships exactly where we instruct, and they do it neatly.

However, inexperienced pilots park in the instructed spots but do it messily.

Some show-offs don't park where we tell them to. They want to park at their favorite numbers or lucky numbers.

The 'Black Demon' and our ace, the 'Feathered Helmet,' park neatly and precisely where we tell them to."

It seems they have a lot of trouble.

"Why don't you spread the word?"

If the word gets out, the self-proclaimed skilled pilots will compete to follow the instructions and park neatly.

However, the staff member shook his head again.

"This is our facility management staff's subjective standard. If the source of the rumor is known, those people won't listen."

The staff member smiled sadly.

Perhaps he had tried to spread the rumor before but was ignored for the reason he mentioned.

To leave the mercenary guild's facility from the docking area, I had to go through the guild building.

If no one bothered me, it would be a simple task.

However, that didn't happen.

Suddenly, my bracelet terminal rang.

I immediately moved to a bench in a less crowded area and sat down to take the call.

Incidentally, the caller was Rosweisse.

At least it wasn't a real person.

"Hello? Is something wrong?"

"It's been a while, Captain Uzoz. I have a small favor to ask."

"I have a bad feeling, so I'll decline."

Rosweisse's requests are never good.

"Why? You haven't even said what it is yet."

"I just have a bad feeling."

"Please listen to me, at least!"

"Alright, alright..."

If I set the call to be blocked, she would probably call again, so it's better to hear her out to end the trouble quickly.

"Actually, I want to order an android. Do you know any good places?"

"I'm not an expert on androids, so I only know the big companies. You should be able to find that information easily, right, Rosweisse?"

"Can you tell me about any hidden gems in the back alleys?"

Unfortunately, I'm not very knowledgeable about androids.

Besides, I'm not her partner, so it's awkward to be asked such questions.

"Shouldn't you ask your partner for that?"

"She's studying for a promotion exam right now."

"Didn't she reject the unconditional promotion to the bishop rank?"

"She wants to take the exam properly to avoid any special treatment that could cause trouble."

That's right. Lambert Reigras, known as "The Arrogant One," quickly rose to the knight rank due to his various achievements and was offered an unconditional promotion to the bishop rank.

However, he declined and said he wanted to take the exam properly, which became a famous story.

I was a bit impressed by his seriousness.

"Anyway, what do you need an android for?"

"Of course, to create a remote-controlled body for me."

I had a vague idea from the moment she asked, but hearing it clearly made me more anxious.

If it were made with ancient technology, it would be amazing, but that's probably impossible.

"Anyway, I can't help you with that. I suggest you look at medical equipment sites. Androids are widely used in medical settings, so there should be a lot of information. You could also try asking on android fetish sites."

"Is that so? I'll check those out. Thank you for your advice. See you later."

With that, Rosweisse ended the call.

I can only hope that her plans are delayed as much as possible.

If that body is completed and she starts talking to me, it could lead to my downfall.

The footsteps of bad things are gradually getting closer for a nobody like me.

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