Chapter 9

Yesterday, after encountering an unpleasant person, I must have accumulated a lot of stress.

I had intended to just check the website, but ended up browsing video streams until it was 2 AM, and when I finally went to bed and woke up, it was already noon.

"I have to go today since I missed it yesterday..."

Today, I plan to go to the anime shop "Animember" where I was supposed to go yesterday to buy the next volume of a new release and some doujinshi.

I also plan to explore new anime data cards and books to read.

By the way, I want to dig up some old works, so I might stop by "Seizaban" as well.

"Should I eat lunch out?"

While washing my face, I started thinking about where to have lunch.

If I had woken up a bit earlier, I could have made lunch, but since I have plans to go out at this time, it's better to clean up and then go out to eat during a less busy time.

With that in mind, I started cleaning the room.

My goal is to never let my room become a mess.

The apartment I live in is specifically rented to mercenaries, and they are quite flexible with things like rent payment deadlines and room customization.

However, if the rent is unpaid and there is no contact for six months, it is assumed that the tenant has died, and everything in the room will be sold and disposed of.

If there is a family member who can be contacted, it seems that it would be a matter for discussion.

My ship is stored in the mercenary guild's docking area, so there's no problem there.

The apartment I rent is a 1LDK with a bathroom and toilet.

There are also 2LDK and 3LDK types available.

Since I don't expect any guests, I have a bed in the living room.

The only room is a library and PC room where I neatly store my manga, novels, doujinshi, and anime data cards.

I don't play sleazy games because they make me feel empty, and I don't buy figures because they scare me when lined up.

So, apart from the PC room, my place is actually quite normal.

It's a bit messy since I'm a single man, but I absolutely do not let it become a mess.

Actually, I shouldn't let it become a mess.

There was a guy who lived in a messy room before, and even after repeated warnings, he didn't improve, so while he was at work, everything in his room was sold off.

Incidentally, this is clearly stated in the contract, so he couldn't complain.

After finishing the cleaning and changing into clean clothes, I headed to the anime shop "Animember."

"Animember" is located in the Masitomo Building in the downtown area, which also houses various anime, hobby, trading card, and game shops, including "Seizaban."

Since it was lunchtime, there weren't many customers in "Animember."

Incidentally, the staff are half androids and half humans, and some of them wear costumes while serving customers.

The androids can change their body parts to look like characters.

Currently, the popular ones are Konezu and Chouka from "Demon Slayer."

I searched for and bought new releases of my favorite light novels, manga, and doujinshi, and then enjoyed digging up old works at "Seizaban." After a leisurely stroll through various floors, I left the Masitomo Building.

After that, I had lunch at a fast-food restaurant where the crowd had thinned out a bit, and then returned home before heading to the mercenary guild.

The reason was that I received a special summons, commonly known as a "red paper," during lunch.

This is something the mercenary guild can issue to all its members, and unless you have a valid reason such as being on another job, being injured, sick, pregnant (for women), giving birth, undergoing long-term repairs on your combat ship, or being in mourning, you must respond.

It seems this summons was issued to all mercenary guilds in the Pouto sector.

There are penalties for ignoring or refusing it.

So, I prepared to leave immediately and went to the guild.

"Hey."

"Hey, you're late."

"I was eating lunch, so I was surprised. What's the reason for the red paper?"

"You'll hear the details from the military in the briefing in 30 minutes, but it seems we're supposed to do some reconnaissance for a major pirate hunt."

When I asked the old man Loanz about the reason for the summons, I got a very unpleasant response.

After 30 minutes, the summoned mercenaries were moved to a hall used for ceremonies.

There, I saw the figures of Ikiriflag and Hero.

That means...

"Long time no see, Captain Wuzos♪"

"Figures you'd show up..."

I received a communication from Rosweisse, the small combat ship WVS-09, which is a sentient superweapon excavated from the ruins of an ancient civilization and owned by Ikiriflag.

I don't know why it connected despite being on my blacklist.

"Have you considered switching to me?"

My wrist terminal has a small projection display, and Rosweisse's obvious smile appeared on it.

"I already declined that before. And since you're here, you're still with that Ikiriflag, right?"

When I conveyed my decision and pointed out her current situation,

"I'm just putting up with him because he begged me, but I can abandon him anytime," she replied with a rather cruel statement.

As expected, Rosweisse can't be trusted.

If she switches to me because I'm more capable than Ikiriflag, she would switch to someone more capable than me if they came along.

"Alright, the briefing will start now! Listen up, mercenaries!"

While we were talking, a large, muscular military officer appeared on the giant projection display and shouted at us.

If he were actually in front of us, some might have challenged him.

I thought he would explain the operation, but that wasn't the case.

"Let me explain."

Instead, a famous propagandist, Lieutenant Priscilla Hyliart, who, like Rior Bearnex, is known for her propaganda work, stepped up to the podium.

She is the daughter of General Raskoz Hyliart, one of the most capable generals in the Imperial Army, and serves as the deputy commander of the Imperial Guard.

With her black hair, purple eyes, fair skin, and beauty, most men would be captivated.

Moreover, she is said to be even more skilled in operational command and logistics than her father.

She is perfect for propaganda.

"The request for you mercenaries this time is to secure a beachhead for the assault on the Kaides pirate base. This operation is crucial for eliminating the powerful and dangerous Kaides pirates."

Lieutenant Hyliart explained with a serious expression.

"I don't like that woman," Rosweisse grumbled about Lieutenant Hyliart.

Actually, there are people who react to Lieutenant Hyliart the way Rosweisse does.

In a way, while Lieutenant Hyliart behaves as a military officer, she has a somewhat endearing and persuasive aura, and she is very good at making requests and dealing with people.

Moreover, it feels like she was born with these skills.

To put it negatively, she is a naturally manipulative woman.

Probably, she is just being serious, which is a rather pitiful situation.

But she has no connection to me, and I have no interest in her.

"By the way, we have received strong reinforcements for this operation."

Lieutenant Hyliart pointed to a man in a custom-made black pilot suit.

"You mercenaries should know him. He is one of the 12 King-ranked mercenaries in the entire mercenary guild, Albert Circlewood!"

The man in the black pilot suit raised his hand slightly.

His ranking is impressive...

Thank you!

The mob mercenary who was supposed to take a day off but was only given a half-day off

Please don't comment on the name of the anime shop...

I appreciate any feedback, comments, or typo reports.