Chapter 57

After finishing lunch, the next place to go was already decided.

"I hope the data card for the remake of 'Noisy Planet' comes out soon."

"No, it just started airing, so it's still impossible. But there should be something like 'The Demon Slayer's Sword: Dream Brothel Edition.'"

"When is the new issue of 'Pirates Straw Hat' coming out?"

We headed to Mashitomobiru, the holy ground for otaku on this planet, where various shops, including the anime shop 'Animember,' were densely packed, to buy manga, novels, anime, and doujinshi.

The time spent chatting about our favorite anime and manga with the three of us was incredibly enjoyable.

We might be considered failures as adults, but we couldn't stop.

Currently, 'Animember' was selling new doujinshi from the Comic Festival, so our main goal was to purchase those.

We also visited the recycling shop 'Seizaban' to search for rare doujinshi.

We ended up spending about four hours, even though it was basically just shopping.

Thanks to that, we all got what we wanted and left Mashitomobiru with smiles on our faces, by which time it was already evening, and people were either heading home from work or going out for drinks.

None of us drink alcohol, and we were eager to read the manga and novels we had bought, so we were heading to the nearest station when a loud voice echoed.

Looking over, we saw a man in his forties standing on an upside-down beer case, holding a shoulder-mounted speaker and giving a street speech.

Behind him, several posters with bold designs were plastered on a partition, and a few men and women were distributing flyers.

"What's that?"

At a scene we had never seen before, I couldn't help but speak out.

"It's a group trying to liberate their invaded homeland. They're trying to take advantage of the current weak emperor to gain independence and, if possible, destroy the empire."

Mr. Crus explained, and upon listening to the speech, it was indeed about how the current emperor is weak, and now is the time for colonized countries to rise up and gain independence.

"They might start a coup..."

"Could be a good time for mercenaries to earn some money."

Hearing my muttered words, Mr. Crus asked with a serious tone.

Indeed, based on the content, the possibility of a coup is very high.

As a mercenary, it could be a good time to earn money.

However, my answer was already decided.

"Sorry, but I'd rather deal with weak pirates, escort transport ships, or handle petty disputes among nobles."

"That's a typical answer from Mr. Uzos."

Given my profession, there's a possibility of being forcibly conscripted, so Mr. Crus was probably worried about me.

At that moment, Gonzalez, looking at a flyer he had picked up, said something shocking.

"I saw these posters in my neighborhood too..."

"Where?"

"How reckless!"

Mr. Crus and I couldn't help but exclaim.

Gonzalez's neighborhood, the 'Dark Market Shopping Street,' is a place known for middle school syndrome.

Even if famous companies or government-related posters were put up, they would be peeled off or torn up by the next day.

Sometimes, they would even be remade to look even more middle school syndrome-like.

However, companies have become more thoughtful recently and use middle school syndrome-like posters specifically for this shopping street.

For example: Nutritional drink → Beast fluid that surpasses the limits of the body.

It takes quite a bit of nerve to put up posters in that Dark Market Shopping Street.

"Well, the next day, they were invaded by the meat shop's poster: 'The Sea Beast Drowned in White Turbidity Descends! The Red Shell of Silence and the Red Shell of Infinity!'"

As expected.

Moreover, from the content, it seems to be crab and shrimp cream croquettes.

That meat shop is still aggressive.

Next time I visit Gonzalez's place, I'll try to buy some.

Regardless of the naming, their croquettes are really delicious.

The next day after such a fun holiday,

I went to the Mercenary Guild to collect the reward for the terrorist mission.

Usually, I use a third of the reward to pay off my debt, but this time, I decided to send half.

By doing so, the debt that my father was unfairly burdened with, including interest, would be fully paid off.

This would finally lift the weight off my shoulders.

"The reward for this mission is 4 million credits. Is the usual method of collection fine?"

However, the reward I was supposed to receive seemed strange.

It should normally be around 2.5 to 3.5 million credits, but it was significantly higher.

"Doesn't the amount seem different?"

Feeling uneasy, I asked Mr. Loanz.

"The soldiers, whether dispatched or stationed, caused some trouble. This is probably an apology or a bribe to keep things quiet."

"Since it led to a court-martial, it's hard to keep things quiet."

"Just take it. It's not like you'll be accused of embezzlement with just one or two people."

I received an ambiguous answer that was both reassuring and unsettling.

Well, since it's the Earl of Icoral, he probably wouldn't set a trap for us mercenaries.

"Then, I'll take all the information this time. And I want this one."

I showed him the request for the weak pirate mission I had found earlier.

"Even with a large sum, you still choose work. I'm impressed."

"You never know when you'll need money."

"So, a safe and weak pirate mission, huh?"

After receiving the reward, I completed the request procedures and obtained the necessary information, then left the guild and went to the usual bank to transfer half of the reward to my father's account.

Actually, there are ATMs inside the Mercenary Guild building, but using them means you have money, which attracts people in need, so no one uses them.

It is said that they are being proposed for removal.

After that, I returned to the guild, got on my ship, the 'Patchwork,' and set out to deal with the pirates.

By the way, the information about them is so trivial that even if I asked Gonzalez, he probably wouldn't have any information. The information from the guild is enough.

But I mustn't let my guard down.

Excerpt from the speech:

"Everyone passing by. Do you know what this planet, this place, is supposed to be?

The planet Itz in the Pout Galaxy?

No!

It is the capital planet of the Galactic Democratic Republic!

The Galactic Empire has repeatedly invaded and now controls 80% of the territory inhabited by humans and other intelligent life forms.

Currently, the invasion wars have stopped because the previous emperor halted them, and the current emperor continues this policy.

But!

There's no guarantee that the next or future emperors won't start the invasion wars again! How can we avoid this foolish war?

By having the countries that were invaded and colonized in the past gain independence, restore their pride, weaken the empire's power, and make the empire weaker!

The various powers wielded by the empire are not originally the empire's but ours!

Let's expel the arrogant and tyrannical nobles and those who call themselves 'pure-blooded citizens' from our planet and country, and reclaim the Galactic Democratic Republic!"

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