Chapter 83

This is the newly completed ship, but the problem is the name.

The previous ship was made from various parts, so I was torn between "Hatchpatch (miscellaneous)," "Patchwork (patched together)," and "Franken." I ultimately decided on "Patchwork" because it sounded more elegant in terms of how it rolls off the tongue.

However, this time, since I’ve tinkered with the control systems and it’s a completely new ship, I thought about giving it a different name. Changing the ship’s name implies buying a new ship, which means spending a significant amount of money.

Such information would be quickly picked up by the gold diggers lurking around the guild’s ATM, and they would come asking for money even if we’re not acquaintances.

In fact, the total cost was 4,319,000 credits, including the base price of 3,850,000 credits, modification costs of 420,000 credits, and 49,000 credits for the rental and labor fees.

Adding the radar cost of 2,300,000 credits and the interior decoration cost of 931,000 credits, the total amount I spent to get a new ship was 7,450,000 credits.

For the name, I considered "Insurance" because I bought it with insurance money, and "A" as a code name for a prototype, but the former would clearly reveal that I got the insurance money, and the latter could lead to a self-proclaimed protagonist with a gun demanding the ship, thinking it’s a high-performance prototype. So, I rejected both.

Therefore, I thought it would be better to keep the impression as it was and decided not to change the name.

The armaments are the same quantum beams and proton torpedoes I ordered before, so the impression should remain unchanged.

I thanked the old man, the lady, and the factory workers and paid the final 49,000 credits for the rental and labor fees.

Before heading to the guild’s docking area, I bought a large amount of water and food at a bulk market.

In case of an immediate departure, it’s always good to be prepared.

Of course, I also went to "Animen" and "Seizaban" to get the latest issue of "Ultimate Road," data cards for the fourth season of the anime, and various doujinshi.

Taking the previous tragedy as a lesson, I purchased a "Guard Box," a storage container as sturdy as a black box, and stored everything inside.

I docked the ship at the guild’s docking area and went to the reception to talk to Uncle Loans.

"Long time no see."

"Yeah. Your ship is ready. What name will you give it?"

"I’ll keep it as 'Patchwork.'"

"I wanted to say it’s a waste, but lions will come around…"

Normally, he would say hyenas, but according to Uncle Loans, "Actually, hyenas are skilled hunters who work in teams to bring down prey, which lions then steal. Since hyenas can’t beat lions, they have no choice but to eat the leftovers. So, I call those who steal others' benefits lions."

"Then, please register the name."

"Sure thing."

Uncle Loans started the registration process, and as I looked at the list of requests, the emergency declaration email notification rang out from everyone’s devices, including mine.

The content was that the anti-emperor faction had launched a coup and attacked and occupied the planet Gatohaga in the Sakiuiyo Baron’s territory.

The Sakiuiyo Baron fought desperately to save the surviving citizens from the initial attack and managed to evacuate them on three large transport ships.

However, the anti-emperor faction pursued and tried to sink them.

Fortunately, the 7th Fleet of the Central Fleet, which happened to be nearby and received the Sakiuiyo Baron’s SOS, arrived in time to rescue them.

The details were provided by the surviving Sakiuiyo Baroness.

The Sakiuiyo Baron, who risked his life to protect the citizens, was awarded the title of Count and the "Brilliant Blade Dragon Medal" by the emperor for his bravery and outstanding service.

At the same time, the private soldiers, garrison troops, and volunteer soldiers who fought alongside him were given the title of "Dragon Tooth Soldiers."

From this moment on, a state of emergency would be declared throughout the empire in four hours.

After reading this, Uncle Loans and I were speechless for a moment.

"This is serious. The Mercenary Guild will definitely receive a request."

"The city will probably go into panic. I’m glad I did my shopping early…"

The mercenaries around us started getting excited about the potential earnings, and the staff began to worry about their lives.

Still, why did they issue an emergency declaration?

Normally, they would keep it secret from the public until it was resolved and then report it.

"Right now, the guild hasn’t received any orders. It might be better to go somewhere you can go now."

So, I said,

"Then, I’ll go back home for a bit."

I took his advice and left the guild.

☆ ☆ ☆

【Side: Third-person perspective from the female emperor and the powerholders’ side】

A few hours before the emergency declaration was issued.

In a large conference room inside the imperial palace on the capital planet Hein, the young woman’s angry voice echoed.

"You scoundrels! I never thought you would take such a reckless action. If you have a grudge against me, you should have targeted me alone!"

The young woman, with silver-blue hair, pitch-black eyes, and fair skin, glared at the report on the table and slammed her hand on it.

"Currently, the anti-emperor faction has not advanced further due to the 7th Fleet of the Central Fleet, which arrived first on the scene."

The man in the position of prime minister relayed the information to the woman, who was visibly angry.

"Admiral Tonteed, who was feared as a 'demon god' by pirates, lives up to his reputation."

"Let’s send reinforcements while they are being held back!"

"It would be better to keep it secret from the public until it is resolved."

The attendees of the meeting each suggested their own strategies.

"We must thank Baron Sakiuiyo, who risked his life to evacuate the citizens."

The young empress, Armelia Frannodol Ouvors, closed her eyes and offered a brief prayer.

At that moment, a communication request was received in the conference room.

Everyone, suspicious of who it could be, watched as the prime minister answered the call.

"This is the conference room inside the imperial palace on the capital planet Hein. Who are you!?"

However, the middle-aged man with a mustache who appeared in the hologram ignored the prime minister and spoke directly to the empress.

"It’s been a while, Empress Armelia."

The moment she saw his face, the empress’s expression twisted.

"Filard Vastorg, Duke! You are the mastermind!"

"Indeed. But my actions are for the good of the empire. The 'foolish law' that your father, the previous emperor, enacted, which stripped the nobility of their authority, has caused us, the legitimate nobility, to suffer."

His tone was polite, but his expression and voice clearly showed his disdain for the empress.

"It’s the 'Imperial Domain Improvement Act'!"

The empress, whose father’s law was being denigrated, corrected him with a raised voice.

The duke ignored her and continued.

"Despite my repeated advice, there has been no sign of improvement.

Therefore, we have begun to act to restore the dignity of the legitimate nobility and have purged the lower nobility and their territories who did not agree with us. We plan to continue this."

The duke stroked his mustache with satisfaction.

"Since you still do not fully understand the concept of legitimate nobility, you would not want the citizens in your territories to be killed, would you?"

The duke’s reference to the citizens as resources caused everyone in the room to be stunned and filled with intense anger.

"I do not wish to kill more citizens.

However, if you ignore our will, we will have to continue the slaughter.

If you understand our will, you will receive the punishment for neglecting us, the legitimate nobility.

If you understand our will, you will step down from the throne and appoint me as the next emperor!

If not, we will continue to slaughter more citizens. Take your time to consider it."

The duke cut the communication with a smug smile.

His arrogant words left everyone speechless for a moment.

"Unrest elements should have been thoroughly eliminated!"

The silence was broken by the planetary defense fleet’s commander, Admiral Sorlock Mauston.

"We must immediately form a strike force and eliminate those fools!"

The old general, who was just entering his senior years, was red-faced and breathing heavily.

"Calm down, old man. They might not be all of them. We need to investigate further."

"Moreover, it seems the Nekirelma Star Kingdom is involved behind the scenes."

"Those shameless cowards?!"

"Cowards can do unpredictable things when cornered. That’s why we need to stay calm."

The commander of the Central Fleet and the 1st Fleet, Grand Admiral Jack Bardoe Breskin, and the prime minister, Duke Terry Rangis Ouvors, tried to calm the excited old general.

At that moment, the empress, who had been silent, spoke.

"I will go to the front lines."

"Your Highness! You cannot!"

The old general, who had also served as her protector during her childhood, tried to stop her.

"Don’t worry. I will take the guard and other fleets with me, and I will leave the rear to Duke Ouvors."

"Indeed, if it’s the Duke…"

"Uncle. Can you do it?"

The empress called out to the old man standing behind her in the conference room.

The old man stepped forward and said,

"Leave it to me, Your Highness. I will guard the rear with my old bones. First, let’s issue a state of emergency nationwide, including to the nobility. Only soldiers and mercenaries will be allowed to move."

He bowed respectfully and immediately proposed what needed to be done.

"Will you inform the citizens? And the nobility too…"

His proposal, clearly different from the usual response, made everyone tilt their heads.

However, the duke smiled and said,

"To eliminate any concerns."

★ ★ ★

It ended up being longer than I intended.

I would appreciate any comments, feedback, or reports of typos.