I Woke Up Piloting the Strongest Starship, so I Became a Space Mercenary-Chapter 545: 「Is This Some Kind of Harassment?」

Now then, with Kugi—well, Tamamo was the real target—safely rescued, the ones in trouble were the Holy Vuelzarus Empire. This whole affair—abduction, brainwashing, and a failed human sacrifice—was a major screw-up on their part.

A monumental screw-up, at that.

I mean, I’m just a mercenary. Sure, I’ve got a flashy medal and an honorary viscount title to my name, but at the end of the day, I’m just a merc, nothing else. Well, technically I’m a Platinum Ranker, which does carry some weight even among mercenaries, but still.

Normally, the Holy Vuelzarus Empire wouldn’t care less about someone in my position—whether I’m a Platinum Ranker or even a noble from another empire. They were a semi-isolationist nation, with everything from economy to resource production handled entirely within their borders. They didn’t even use mercenaries via the guild system.

But apparently, things weren’t so simple when it came to me.

For religious—or maybe ideological—reasons, I was someone they considered a figure to be protected… or rather, atoned for. According to their belief, their ancestors were the reason people like me—so-called ‘visitors’—even came into existence. Whether that’s true or not, I’ve got no way of knowing, but they believe it.

Their core belief was centered around atoning for the sins of their ancestors that nearly destroyed the universe and left it in its current imperfect, frayed state. That’s the big picture, anyway.

As part of that atonement, they offered me a shrine maiden—Kugi. A woman handpicked, polished, and raised by the entire nation of the Holy Vuelzarus Empire. Honestly, there probably isn’t a more ‘expensive’ way to apologize.

Now flip the situation from their perspective. They offered up Kugi, someone practically symbolic of their national atonement, to me—a representative of the sins they seek to repent for. And then someone tried to take her away. Worse, they tried to sacrifice her for real.

And it was their own people. People who were supposed to walk the same path of atonement. And from an objective standpoint—though maybe not in their own eyes—they did it purely to satisfy their personal ambitions.

According to their excuse, they wanted to revive a strong emperor, reunite and empower the people of the Holy Empire, and push forward as a unified force… but attacking me and Kugi would obviously provoke a backlash from my part, that in the worst case could end with their core star system and their main planet—Vehl—blown away by a psionic supernova, so their logic doesn’t sustain itself, really.

Long story short, here’s the result:

「We… we don’t know how to even begin apologizing. We are truly, truly, truly sorry…」

Kugi and I were now seated deep within the Great Shrine—formerly Tamamo’s quarters—facing a huge group of Vuelzarus officials, all groveling before us. The place looked like an extravagant inner sanctum, regal and serene.

From what I could tell, the people gathered here were high-ranking officials from all aspects of the Empire’s religious, governmental, and military bodies. Kugi, now dressed in ceremonial shrine maiden robes two tiers fancier than usual, was seated next to me, looking down on the crowd with a frozen smile and a pale face. Understandable—these are folks she’d normally never even be allowed to see.

Honestly, I am in a bind too. We’d just finished the departure ceremony, and now this. We were gonna be delayed again.

「Look, all this dramatic apologizing just makes it awkward for us… Isn’t staging a whole spectacle like this just to make yourselves feel better kind of rude, too?」

Even if they are trying to show their sincerity, forcing your version of an apology on someone becomes self-satisfaction. Especially if it’s not even something the other party wants.

「Your words sting true. Nevertheless, we cannot let this grave mistake go unaddressed. We humbly beg your forgiveness.」

「Yeah, well… fine, apology accepted. Can we call it a day then?」

「Ah, if you’ll permit—one more matter. We cannot, in good conscience, end this with only apologies. Hiro-dono, we hear you’ve made quite a name for yourself as a mercenary. Might we offer a full fleet squadron under your command—」

「Don’t be ridiculous. How would I even maintain that? What about fuel? Repairs? How many ships and people are you thinking of sending? Just paying the upkeep would drain me dry. Is this some kind of harassment?」

「Oh, but we would, of course, cover all expenses.」

「Still a no. I’m a Grakkan Empire honorary viscount and the fiancé of the future Countess Dareinwald. Walking around with a Vuelzarus war fleet at my back is a nonstarter. Use your heads, seriously.」

Sure, it’d broaden my range of operations—but politically, it’d be a complete nonstarter. I’d rather not have something I literally can’t use forced on me.

「Then… might we dispatch a few personal guards instead? All female, of course.」

「Tempting. But no. It’s true my crew’s weak in melee, and getting some close-combat monsters would help, but… probably not gonna work.」

「May I ask why not?」

The question came from a burly man with dog—or maybe wolf—ears. A grizzled military type with a katana-like blade resting at his side. He was probably in charge of the military officers.

「Well, I try to run a clean merc business. I avoid dirty work and mostly deal with space pirates. But that means when I do engage, I don’t hold back. I show no mercy. Even if they’re on their knees begging, I still take them out. I kill with my own hands in close quarters if I have to. And I expect my close-combat team to do the same. Could your guards do that?」

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The man’s face twisted into a bitter grimace.

There it is—the issue. The Holy Empire military officers are trained to protect, not to kill. Unless their opponent is evenly matched or an obvious monster, they hesitate to take lives. They can fight if they have to, but that mindset makes them useless for mercenary work. I’d love some eye candy on board, sure—but I’d be just as liable to get them emotionally wrecked trying to force them into combat.

They’d be great as bodyguards for the crew, no doubt. But in a merc unit? They’d have nothing to do during travel or ship battles. They’d just eat, sit, and wait. Not a life I’d want to force on them. Better to buy some high-end military combat bots if I need support. At least those can be thrown away in a pinch.

This kind of thing ultimately comes down to the Holy Empire people’s beliefs and ideals. Even Kugi didn’t unleash any of her aggressive Spiritual Power until she and the rest of the crew were in actual danger from Earl Ixamal.

「Um… what about, uh, gold or goods…?」

「That’s probably the best idea. A new ship would be a pain.」

I’m sure Vuelzarus’ ships are top-tier, but if only Kugi and I can operate them, they’re not exactly useful. Even sending a full crew with the ship would be more hassle than it’s worth. Black Lotus still has a slot in the hangar for a small ship, but I’d rather save that for any captured vessels down the line.

「Then… we shall proceed with that route…」

「Great. While you’re at it, I’d appreciate some of your products that aren’t normally available on the market.」

「Understood. We’ll begin preparations immediately, so please allow us a bit more time.」

「Got it. And thanks to everyone here. I know you all have duties, and I appreciate you taking the time for us. Your apology more than got through.」

As I spoke, the assembled officials raised their heads, visibly relieved—some exhaling deeply. I wonder if old feudal lords saw this kind of thing a lot?

Still, wasn’t this all way too over the top? Like, ridiculously so? Then again… even a one-in-a-billion chance of me blowing up here probably scares the crap out of them. I’ll just have to grin and bear it until I’m out of this country, huh.