Chapter 4

Unexpectedly, it received good reviews, so it has been decided to be serialized.

The first two episodes are almost the same as the one-shot.

Thanks to your feedback, I have re-edited it.

I have changed the characters' surnames.

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After the battle ended, the Baron Zeimas did not hold the mercenaries responsible but demanded an apology and a substantial compensation from the Bakaho family. Thanks to this, the mercenaries employed by the Bakaho family were able to receive supplies at the Bakaho family's base.

However, my ship, being a second-hand and modified one, cannot repeatedly use that technique, so I need to either put it in the dock or overhaul it myself.

The reward has already been paid, and I can leave anytime, but I usually wait until the end to leave.

If everyone rushes to leave and starts fighting or has an accident, it would be terrible.

I might be seen as a coward, but it's better than being hated or causing an accident.

As I was about to watch the ships leave, I suddenly received a communication.

"Okay, who is it?"

"I am the small combat ship WVS-09 Rosweiss. Are you Mr. John Uzus, the captain of the ship 'Patchwork' and a mercenary?"

The person on the screen was a stunningly beautiful blonde with blue eyes.

A type of person who would never talk to you unless it was for a sales pitch, reception, or a honey trap.

Receiving a communication from such a person, especially someone I don't know, can only mean bad news.

"Yes... that's correct, but what do you want?"

I could have said no, but it would be pointless since they already knew my call number.

"Yes. To be straightforward, would you like to switch to me?"

"Huh?"

What is this person saying?

Switch?

I've never had a lover in my life, so there's no way I can switch.

Noticing my expression, Rosweiss continued.

"I am the small combat ship WVS-09 Rosweiss, a sentient superweapon excavated from the ruins of an ancient civilization."

"Huh?"

What is this beautiful woman on the screen saying?

A sentient superweapon?

If that's true, it's an incredible thing!

If it were to be sold, it would fetch an astronomical price.

However, even if I hear such a story, I can't easily believe it.

Moreover,

"Hold on! Even if that's true, you already have a partner, right?"

Thinking about it, 'Rosweiss' is the name of that arrogant guy's ship.

How can a ship betray its owner?

"My current crew member, Lambert Reigras, is, to put it bluntly, a coward who only talks big!"

The sentient superweapon Rosweiss looked angry.

"He boasts about being the strongest mercenary and claims no one can pilot a ship faster than him, but in reality, he became a mercenary just a week ago, and today was his first battle! Moreover, he had never piloted a ship except in training simulations!"

"Still, it's impressive that he managed to attract so many enemy ships and escape without being shot down."

That arrogant guy was a newbie...

Well, since he's on the protagonist's side, I think he must have some hidden potential that allowed him to achieve such results.

However, Rosweiss looked displeased.

"He fainted and wet himself when the barrier was hit by a beam during the battle."

She said this matter-of-factly.

I guess he really didn't like being wet...

"Well... it happens to new recruits."

"How about you, Mr. Uzus?"

"Well, I didn't faint or wet myself. Regardless of the results."

"In other words, as a mercenary and a warrior, you have more potential than him!"

"I don't know about that. He might still have potential to grow."

Rosweiss, getting excited, pressed on.

"Anyway! I am hundreds of times more powerful than your ship! If you switch to me, glory and prosperity will be yours!"

"Sure, I'd want a ship that amazing."

"Right, right, right!"

Indeed, a sentient superweapon excavated from the ruins of an ancient civilization would have incredible performance, capable of fighting not just current combat ships but even entire fleets.

With such a ship, I could achieve great success as a mercenary.

So, I said,

"But I refuse!"

Of course, I refused.

No way!

If someone like me had such an amazing ship, I'd immediately be targeted!

"You're a waste of such a treasure. We can use it effectively."

"Are you threatening her to do what you want? Release her immediately!"

In the worst case, I might be attacked when I leave the ship.

So, I refuse.

It's beyond my capabilities, and I don't have the right to handle it.

Such a ship should be handled by a handsome or beautiful protagonist.

"That's why I have no intention of riding you. Please work hard with your current partner."

"Why not?! I am the strongest and most invincible ship in the galaxy right now! You can earn a lot of money!"

Rosweiss desperately tried to highlight her strengths, but to me, they were all weaknesses.

If the ship is that strong, it means I'd be sent to more brutal battlefields and targeted by enemies.

As I've said before, such things should be handled by a handsome or beautiful protagonist.

A creepy otaku mercenary like me shouldn't bear such a burden.

"Anyway, I don't need you. Please work hard with the arrogant guy."

"Just wait! Please consider it..."

I cut off the communication.

If someone like me had such a ship, I can only imagine the horrors I'd face.

A mercenary's life is uncertain.

Overestimating oneself, getting cocky, or standing out too much can shorten one's life.

That's why having equipment and an environment that match one's capabilities is important.

For a nobody like me to survive on the battlefield, I need to be inconspicuous, act cowardly, and not seek glory.

Only a handsome or beautiful protagonist can survive by standing out, acting bravely, and enjoying glory and prosperity.

A nobody shouldn't seek such things.

Understanding one's place increases the chances of survival on the battlefield.

---

Just as I was thinking about this, the outside suddenly became noisy.

Wondering what was happening, I looked outside and saw:

"Are you kidding me! I'm your owner! Why do I have to be kicked out!"

"I don't want to be owned by someone who fainted and wet himself on my ship after the first shot!"

"What... you! Are you kidding me!"

It seems Rosweiss and the arrogant guy are fighting.

Despite being quite far away, their voices are clearly audible.

Their statements are quite dangerous.

The others probably don't know that Rosweiss is the ship's AI, so they must think it's a couple's argument.

Moreover, it sounds like they are exposing intimate details, which is even worse.

The best thing to do is to stay out of it.

Because of their argument, the departure of the ships has been delayed, so I decided to leave the base now.

I got permission from the control tower, moved my ship slowly towards the exit, and accelerated past the noisy docking area, leaving the Bakaho family's base behind.

Now! I need to finish the overhaul quickly and head straight to the anime shop!

I have changed the last part.

The one-shot part is now complete.

From now on, it will be updated irregularly.

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

I apologize for the inconvenience and trouble I have caused.

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Regarding the expression "役者不足" (actor shortage):

It is grammatically correct to use "力不足" (lack of strength).

This term was originally a coined phrase used among actors.

Assigning a trivial role to a talented actor is called "役不足" (actor shortage).

Conversely, assigning a major role to an untalented actor is called "役者不足" (actor shortage).

I used this term as a way for the protagonist to humbly describe himself in his mind.

In other words,

"I know it's different, but I like using this expression."

Of course, if it is inappropriate, I will not use it.

Thank you to those who pointed out my mistake.