Chapter 80

Well, first, I need to consult with Oyaji.

I could go directly to the catalog manufacturer, but they would definitely push the latest trendy models on me, and I really dislike that.

I walked to Oyaji's shop, "Drog Maintenance Factory."

"Hello~"

As I called out and entered the factory, Oyaji and the employees were working busily.

"Hey, it's rare to see you without a ship. Did it get blown up or something?"

He stopped his work, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and spoke to me.

I usually only come here for ship-related matters, so I usually arrive by ship, which is why he said that as a joke.

However, this time it wasn't a joke.

"Yes. I happened to be off the ship when it was hit by cannon fire and exploded..."

"What?! ...Well, at least you're alive, so that's a plus..."

"I'm sorry... I was just helping out on a ship that I've been working on..."

"Indeed. I'm glad I don't have to maintain your cyborg body. Well, maybe that would make you more handsome!"

Oyaji was incredibly surprised, but he was glad I was safe.

I don't think I need to be teased about not being handsome.

"So, this is it, right?"

Oyaji showed me a page from the pamphlet of Ioffs Corporation's "Norte Gereume."

"Various manufacturers have left these, saying, 'If you see a ship that needs replacing, show it to them.'"

"Can I order it?"

"Sure. Of course, you want a good radar, right?"

"Of course!"

"Then I'll find a better one than before. I'll let you know when it arrives. Payment will be then. And you'll want adjustments after the purchase, right?"

"Thank you! I'll also borrow the space and tools. And I'll look for a radar too."

Since I left the ship purchase to Oyaji, I'll thoroughly search for a radar.

I'm not going to skimp on money.

If the one Oyaji finds has better performance, I'll go with that.

Since the ship search ended unexpectedly quickly, I had some time.

So I decided to go for a purification ritual.

Although it might seem unscientific in an era where spaceships fly, I believe that shrines, temples, churches, and sanctuaries still exist and perform various religious rituals because they offer some kind of benefit.

So, among the facilities on the planet Itts, I decided to visit the Taka-no-miya Shrine, which is famous among anime fans as the model for the home of a character from "Bless★Comet."

The priest accepted my sudden request for a purification ritual, I paid the initial offering (the cost of the ritual), and received the purification.

Although it was exciting to be at the holy site of my favorite anime and to see a real shrine maiden, I managed to stay calm because I really wanted a purification ritual.

Incidentally, they sold both regular amulets and anime collaboration amulets, but of course, I bought the full set of the collaboration amulets and also bought a regular amulet for warding off evil.

I hope this will help ward off some evil.

If it were someone like Arthur, this would be the place for a dramatic encounter with a shrine maiden, but not for me.

After ordering the ship from Oyaji and getting the purification at the shrine, it was around lunchtime.

So I went to a fast food restaurant, had a quick lunch, and then headed to "Animember" and "Seiza Ban" at the same time.

After all, I had to replace the various manga, light novels, and anime data cards that had turned to ash.

New releases are easy to get, but old ones are quite difficult.

With a glimmer of hope, I entered "Seiza Ban" and searched for the items that had turned to ash. I found "My Sister, My Little Sister" and "I Don't Have Any Friends," but not "Cowgirl Swing" and "Limit Break Galunbalun."

I might be able to order them at "Animember" if they are still in stock.

"Assassin×Family" is a new release, so I got it immediately, and I was able to order "Limit Break Galunbalun," but not "Cowgirl Swing."

While looking for something new, I ran into Gonzales at "Animember."

He wasn't wearing his usual lab coat but a stylish casual jacket.

"Hey, it's been a while since we met here."

"We used to run into each other a lot when we were students."

It's a rather sad story that the places we go to when we have free time haven't changed since our student days.

"What are you buying?"

"Actually, I'm replacing the items I brought to my workplace for entertainment that turned to ash."

Gonzales was surprised for a moment at my words but then said,

"Since you're buying, you must be safe."

And he returned to his usual self.

"How about you?"

"I'm looking for doujin novels of 'Titan Trooper' and 'Silver Summoner' and reserving anime data cards for 'Assassin×Family.'"

"Oh! I should do that too."

When I asked him in return, he reminded me of something I needed to do, so we both reserved the anime data cards for "Assassin×Family" and left "Animember."

After leaving "Animember," Gonzales and I walked the same route to the nearest station.

This is a road we often walked during our student days.

During the walk, we usually start with some trivial conversation.

"Actually, I was planning to visit your place tomorrow."

"Information?"

"No, more accurately, your shop and the ship-related stores in the shopping district. I need a radar. I used to get a good mass-produced one, but this time I want something better, of course, a mass-produced one."

The conditions are quite strict, so I was going to gather information from Gonzales and visit those stores.

Then Gonzales suggested,

"If that's the case, a good store has recently opened. We still have time, so why don't we go there? They say good things come to those who act quickly."

After thinking for a moment, I decided to go with Gonzales' suggestion and head to the Dark Market Shopping District.

The atmosphere of the Dark Market Shopping District is as usual, but it becomes even more suspicious as the sun starts to set.

The sign at the meat shop reads, "The value of those born from oil mud has halved!"

The people walking around are varied, some smiling slyly, some muttering to themselves.

While seeing such scenes, Gonzales led me to a place that looked like a junkyard, with the entrance door barely visible amidst the piles of ships, appliances, computers, droids, cars, weapons, and their parts and remains. It was called "Cure's Garage for Repair and Recycling," a recycling shop that seemed to fit the Dark Market Shopping District.

However, the inside was quite clean, with recycled large terminals, general-purpose terminals, appliances, and weapons neatly displayed.

In the back of the store, a young and beautiful woman with short bobbed blonde hair, green eyes, brown skin, and a height of 150 cm, wearing a yellow jumpsuit and a pair of shaded goggles, greeted us.

"Welcome! Repair, buyback, or shopping. What can I do for you?"

She welcomed us with a smile.

Is having brown skin, blonde hair, and green eyes a minority...?

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