episode_0038

Belzero Karmail, seated in the admiral’s chair, gazed at the star map displayed on the holographic screen.

“Hmm.”

She nodded, snorting softly.

“Admiral-nim.”

A man, seemingly her adjutant, cautiously approached her and bowed.

“A report just came in from Blackfang, captain of the Warp Hound.”

A smile graced Belzero’s lips.

Without taking her eyes off the screen, she spoke.

“Report.”

“Yes, Admiral-nim. They successfully plundered the target, Nova Seed.”

The holographic screen switched, displaying a short combat log video sent by the Warp Hound.

The moment the transport ship that had received the container took off, dozens of energy bombardments flew in from off-screen, engulfing the vessel.

It crashed amidst violent explosions.

The video ended with the Warp Hound’s mechs recovering the container.

“Things are going according to plan.”

Belzero nodded, seemingly satisfied.

“So, where is the Nova Seed now? Is it heading straight to the auction house?”

“Yes. Captain Blackfang intends to personally present it at the auction.”

As the adjutant was about to continue his report, Belzero raised a hand, stopping him.

Her eyes narrowed, as if observing the previous combat scene in detail.

‘What was that mech?’

She returned to the beginning of the video and zoomed in.

A dark red mech, with a ridiculously large… Pile Bunker on its right arm?

It was a peculiar weapon.

“Were there any other unusual occurrences? For instance, an unexpected disruptor?”

“I was just about to tell you. There was a dark red custom mech, engaged in combat with Nessus Corporation’s mechs, just before our recovery team was annihilated.”

“Hmph, really?”

It matched the characteristics of the mech in the video.

“Is there any combat footage from then?”

“I apologize, but that far…”

The adjutant seemed troubled by the question.

‘Could it be him?’

Belzero’s eyebrow twitched subtly.

She hadn’t forgotten the incident at Titan’s Graveyard.

The one who piloted a 3rd-generation mass-produced Bugbear and destroyed the Aegis.

Since it happened in the same area at the same time, it was a reasonable conjecture.

“Blackfang said that mech annihilated the Nessus unit. However, when the Warp Hound attacked the transport ship, that mech no longer participated in the battle and quietly left the battlefield.”

Belzero was silent for a moment.

“We assume it was either a third party hostile to Nessus, or another mercenary hired by Valentine.”

“Any detailed information about that mech?”

“It’s currently under investigation.”

Belzero stroked her chin with a slender finger.

The corners of her red lips lifted slightly.

“Interesting.”

She murmured quietly.

“Very interesting. Valentine, a corporate lackey, was hiding such a capable card. By the way, any news on that Bugbear that interfered with us?”

The adjutant replied with a nervous expression.

“Ah, yes, Admiral-nim. The intelligence team and pursuit squad are currently intensively searching the area presumed to be its last destination.”

He added, just in case she might be displeased.

“The unfamiliar geography of this planet is causing a temporary setback, but I expect to deliver good news soon.”

“Is that so.”

Belzero replied briefly, but her mind was complex.

“You’ve done well, you may go. I’ll receive the auction house report directly from Blackfang.”

“Understood.”

*******

I disengaged from the battlefield, igniting Asura’s boosters to a minimum.

Behind me, the flames of the crashing transport ship and the pirates circling its vicinity, seemingly sifting through the debris.

How much time had passed?

When I judged that I was sufficiently far from the combat zone, an urgent communication came in from Valentine.

His voice trembled with anxiety and impatience.

[Contact with the recovery team has been completely lost. Did something happen?]

I paused for a moment.

Should I tell him the truth?

But if I revealed the Warp Hound’s attack, he would surely hold me accountable, or perhaps make an unreasonable request.

It was obvious he’d lose his temper and rage if the goods were snatched right from under his nose.

Even if he offered a huge reward, I intended to refuse.

Pushing my mech’s current state would be suicidal.

“I’m not sure, Mr. Valentine. I handed the goods over to the recovery team precisely as promised.”

[Contact, why is there no contact? They were reliable men! Are you hiding something?]

“Mr. Valentine, I completed my mission. Moreover, my mech suffered more damage than expected dealing with those unexpected Nessus bastards.”

Through the comms, I heard Valentine’s heavy breathing.

He seemed to want to argue further, but then he let out a deep sigh and spoke in a resigned voice.

[Alright, I seem to have gotten too excited. How could a capable pilot like you lie? I will pay the remuneration for completing the request. However, regarding this matter, I’d like to meet you in person to discuss it in detail.]

Meet in person? In this situation? He definitely had an ulterior motive.

[I’m not blaming you, Mr. Kang Jin-woo. I have another request I can entrust to your skills.]

“Alright, let’s do that.”

An uneasy feeling remained, but I accepted his offer.

I arrived at Terminus Station only after the sun had set and night had fallen.

It had truly been a long day.

It hadn’t even been a week since the Icarus incident, and I’d endured one difficult situation after another.

‘I just want to rest.’

My entire body ached from the aftermath of the intense battle.

I needed rest.

It was a night when I desperately longed for Madam Judy’s greasy food and a cold beer.

I parked Asura in its designated hangar and, pulling my stiff body, climbed out of the cockpit.

As I was about to head to the management office to pay the hangar usage fee, a man in a uniform approached me and saluted.

“Are you Mr. Kang Jin-woo?”

“Yes, I am. And you are?”

“I’ve come at Kaien-nim’s command.”

The man took out what looked like a mercenary ID card from his pocket and handed it to me.

“It’s a small gift from Kaien-nim. You’ve been registered as a regular mercenary for Terminus, and she said you won’t have to pay the hangar usage fee for the time being.”

“Really?”

Her unexpected favor made me take the card.

What was Kaien thinking?

There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

“Please tell her I said thank you.”

After the man saluted and disappeared, I immediately headed to Scarlet’s workshop.

The blaring rock music was still playing, and she was engrossed in working on another mech.

As if she knew I had entered, she waved cheerfully from the lift.

“Oh, you’re back alive? So, who modified your mech for you? How’s the performance?”

Scarlet boasted as she descended from the lift.

“The performance was amazing. By the way, have you eaten?”

“No, not yet.”

Scarlet wiped away her sweat and said,

“Let’s go grab some food.”

“What? From your expression, it looks like you have something you want to say?”

Scarlet chuckled, eyeing me up and down.

“Kaien-ssi gave me a mercenary ID card.”

“Oh, that? She already told me about it.”

“I’m curious about Kaien-ssi.”

“What? Are you into that kind of thing? An Ajumma, and one without an eye…”

Scarlet misunderstood my truncated words, which had come out awkwardly.

“I’m not talking about romance, but about information here. Kaien-ssi knows this place inside and out, doesn’t she?”

“Yes, she’s a veteran, a true veteran.”

She nodded and said,

“So, you want me to call Kaien?”

“Well, something like that. She even gave me free hangar fees out of consideration. I should repay her.”

“Hmm, alright.”

Scarlet untied the hair tie holding her red hair.

“I’ll go wash up.”

“Ah, okay.”

Several tens of minutes later, Scarlet reappeared in a relatively clean sleeveless outfit.

Aside from the grease marks being gone from her face, she looked the same as before.

“Kaien’s already here, she said.”

“Madam Judy’s?”

“Where else would it be?”

We immediately headed to Madam Judy’s restaurant.

“Welcome. To think you’d call first. Quite the gentleman, aren’t you?”

Kaien said with a bright smile.

‘An Ajumma?’

Watching her sitting with her legs crossed, Scarlet’s words came to mind.

She looked young for an Ajumma.

“You’re staring right through me.”

Kaien rested her chin on her hand, looking at me and chuckling.

“Ah, I apologize.”

I must have stared too intently without realizing it.

“Is that true?”

Scarlet jabbed my side with her finger, her tone somewhat disappointed.

“It’s not like that.”

“You shouldn’t mess with someone who’s already married.”

‘Ah, she’s married?’

So that’s why she called her Ajumma.

No matter how young she looks, is she treated as an Ajumma once she’s married?

“I’ve already ordered the food.”

No sooner had Kaien finished speaking than Madam Judy brought the food to our table.

A thick steak sizzling wonderfully, appetizing homemade sausages, and a mountain of French fries.

In front of Scarlet was, as expected, a chocolate shake, and in front of Kaien and me, beer.

“Let’s talk while we eat. You wouldn’t have just invited me to eat out of simple goodwill, would you?”

Kaien was quick-witted.

Was this the experience of a Terminus security supervisor?

“You caught me.”

While eating, I briefly explained what happened today.

Alexander Valentine’s request, the Nessus Corporation’s Stinger Squad I encountered there.

And about the pirate group called Warp Hound, who appeared at the last moment and shot down the transport ship.

“…Is what I heard true? You annihilated Nessus mechs in that chaos and came back alive?”

Kaien clicked her tongue, as if disbelieving.

“I missed one, though.”

“Scarlet was right. You really seem like a madman.”

“Wow, you came back alive from all that chaos? That’s all thanks to my modifications, hmm.”

Scarlet said, taking a long sip of her chocolate shake.

“Anyway, it was a good choice to retreat without engaging the Warp Hound in that situation.”

Kaien nodded and said,

“Alexander… that old man will have a tough time. He lost the goods right before his eyes.”

There wasn’t a hint of sympathy in her voice.

“Warp Hound, they’re particularly vicious among Redveil’s subordinates.”

“I see.”

“I wonder how their intelligence is so excellent, those Redveil bastards.”

Kaien frowned, her face seeming to hold a story.

“They primarily plunder transport ships from poorly secured independent planets or secret corporate trade goods, selling them in illegal auction houses to turn a profit. It’s highly likely this incident will be disposed of in the same way.”

She set down her beer glass and said,

“Is Valentine a trustworthy person? He said he wants to meet me face-to-face to talk.”

“Hmm.”

Kaien rolled one eye, as if finding it difficult to answer.

“It’s hard to define precisely. He’s a very calculating old man. If he thinks someone is weak, he’ll trample them. If he thinks someone is strong, he’ll cling to them no matter what.”

“So, he’s a materialist?”

“Exactly. Anyway, he must have judged you as strong to call you, so don’t be too wary. But don’t get too deeply involved either. With people like that, it’s best to just use them and then get out.”

“Thank you for the advice.”

After finishing our meal, we stood up.

Of course, I paid the bill.

Kaien said her goodbyes and turned to leave, leaving Scarlet and me standing in front of the restaurant.

“Now that I have money, I should sleep in an amazing accommodation.”

“Really? Want me to recommend an amazing accommodation?”

Scarlet said with a giggle.

“Oh, really? That’d be great.”

Who would refuse a local’s recommendation?

“Follow me.”

And where we arrived was…

“Scarlet? This is your workshop.”

“Exactly! It’s an amazing accommodation!”

She put her hands on her hips, as if proud.