Ch.85I’ve never had a colleague like you.

# Chapter 85: I’ve Never Had a Comrade Like You

Naturally, the news about collaboration with Prosnack, of all nations, was causing countless murmurs among the personnel of the Holy Sebelli Empire.

“Conducting a joint operation with Prosnack?”

“I’ve heard of capturing and killing those bastards, but working together? That’s a first.”

Of course, the other side felt the same way.

“Those bastards… Fall in line!”

“Cooperating with those who lack sufficient marine spirit won’t be easy.”

Watching this scene, I felt doubts creeping in about whether this operation would proceed smoothly.

Then Riel approached me quietly and asked with utter bewilderment:

“Minister, since when have we been in a collaborative relationship with Prosnack?”

I responded to Riel’s question with remarkable composure.

“Starting today.”

“Huh?”

Riel blurted out in surprise at the suddenness of it all.

Ignoring Riel’s reaction, I stepped onto the platform in the basement and addressed the huddled group.

“I understand everyone’s confusion about this situation. It’s bound to be awkward, especially since we once had guns pointed at each other.”

“…”

“But for this mission—searching for and acquiring the Dark Age vessel—I’d like everyone to set aside past memories.”

“Minister, does this mean we’ll be going with those marine fellows to acquire this so-called ghost ship?”

When one of the Purification Unit members raised his hand and asked, I nodded in response.

“That’s correct.”

Perhaps encouraged by my willingness to take questions, not only the Purification Unit members but also some from the Prosnack Marines began raising their hands.

Of course, it would be impossible to answer all those questions, so for fairness, I decided to take just one more question from the Marines’ side.

“We haven’t been told much either, but how long will this cooperation last?”

Unlike their earlier outbursts about “bastards” and “falling in line,” this surprisingly measured and normal tone almost made me burst into inappropriate laughter.

[Pause]

[Resume]

After collecting myself with a quick mental pause, I looked at the Marine who had asked the question and replied:

“The duration is still undetermined. Although we’ve agreed to cooperate, we haven’t yet received approval from our Emperor.”

“…”

“By the way, are you telling me you rushed here in the embassy truck without knowing anything?”

“That’s right. The Supreme Commander’s daughter gave the order, so we had to follow it.”

Well, what can I say?

The moment I made eye contact with the Marine who said that…

‘That look! That look!’

I recognized that familiar gaze I see daily among the Purification Unit members.

That distinctive gleam of madness born from loyalty so thorough it borders on fanaticism.

Seeing that, I suddenly thought of an excellent way to unite these two grumbling groups.

“I see. Then you’re fully loyal to the Prosnack diplomatic ambassador I spoke with.”

“Yes, sir!”

I threw out the bait, and they took it immediately.

Nodding, I raised my terminal toward the Marines and said:

“Then look at this. It’s a message sent to me by Prosnack’s Ambassador Jad Samiya Halabi’dus.”

“What…”

“As of today, you’ve been sold to us here, so keep quiet and follow my orders.”

“…”

‘Samiya has sold you out.’

When I said something to that effect, I could see the Marines’ hardened gazes becoming deeply unsettled.

‘Maybe I pulled too much aggro.’

Thinking I might have severely undermined the Prosnack ambassador’s command authority over these Marines, I immediately tried to correct my statement.

“Ah, wait—”

“Ambassador Samiya has spoken! We have been given a great mission!”

“At last, unlike other ordinary Marines, we have been recognized as true spirited Marines by Lady Samiya herself!”

But throwing my concerns into the trash, they began their own internal corrections just like the people next to them.

“…Yes, that works.”

Nodding in satisfaction, I turned my gaze away from the Marines who were busy praising the Prosnack ambassador among themselves.

Then I looked at the Purification Unit members huddled together on the other side.

And these guys too, perhaps stimulated by the Marines’ behavior…

-Sparkle sparkle-

“…”

These guys, a mixed bunch of all sorts of alien species without a single similar one among them.

All staring at me silently with doe-like sparkling eyes. I sighed deeply and said:

“Yes… you too.”

And as if triggered by my words, the Purification Unit members also began fanatical praise directed at me, just like the Marines.

“Minister Arto!”

“For the Boss!”

“Captaaaaain!!!”

“For Lady Samiyaaaaa!!!”

“Hmmm.”

As the basement suddenly transformed into something like a cult gathering, I nodded with satisfaction and then:

“Riel, I’ll leave the rest to you.”

“What the hell? You create these cultists and then dump them on me? How am I supposed to handle this?”

I quickly handed the situation over to Riel and decided to leave immediately.

“I have a duty to report to His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Wouldn’t the Emperor understand if you reported via video call at a time like this?”

“No, I must report to His Majesty in person…!”

Although in the process, I could feel Riel’s eyes filling with a desire for heresy.

‘Sorry, Riel, but isn’t this precisely when humanity’s friend, an AI humanoid, should make sacrifices?’

Vowing never to forget Riel’s sacrifice, I promptly departed on the shuttle waiting above to report directly to Artlaia.

————————–

After arriving at the Imperial Palace.

Being escorted to Artlaia’s private chamber by the Imperial Guards.

This and that, whisper whisper, murmur murmur.

Starting from discovering the mysterious ghost ship, to the cozy date(?) with the Prosnack ambassador where I learned about the Pioneer Empire.

Along with how we somehow ended up cooperating with Prosnack, and how their Marines were conducting some kind of cult activities with the Purification Unit in the basement of the Diplomatic Enforcement Ministry.

After I reported everything I had experienced and remembered in detail, Artlaia’s expression began to show extremely complicated feelings.

“I seeeee…”

“I understand how you feel. Honestly, I didn’t expect us to form a cooperative relationship with Prosnack either.”

“…”

“I’d rather not say this, but this kind of situation could potentially become an international issue if mishandled.”

“I know, I know.”

How complicated must she feel?

For Artlaia, the Prosnack Federation had been considered a mortal enemy since her coronation until now.

Yet today, from the mouth of her most trusted retainer (presumably me), she learns that we’re receiving help from that very enemy.

“Nngh…”

Every time Artlaia groaned and shook her head, the two pouches symbolizing overflowing intelligence and motherhood swayed…

It was hard to imagine how much anguish was swirling in her head right now.

But no matter how great Artlaia’s anger toward Prosnack might be.

As the sole emperor ruling the vast interstellar Holy Sebelli Empire.

Artlaia eventually seemed to firm her resolve, nodding before looking at me and saying:

“Alright, Arto. First, I find your report very plausible.”

“Hmm.”

“Moreover, realistically speaking, I can understand why Prosnack would reach out to us with such a proposal.”

Saying this, Artlaia began analyzing Prosnack’s behavioral principles, covering even parts that Ambassador Samiya hadn’t mentioned.

“As you know, Arto, if we thoroughly consider Prosnack’s position… further southward expansion is meaningless for them anyway.”

I didn’t know at all, but I nodded vaguely in response to Artlaia’s words.

“Additional southward expansion would mean sharing another border with one of the Pioneer Empires they’re so wary of.”

“Hmm.”

“And if they continue eastward, there are only two routes at best, excluding the Zeltech and Kerzin Federation areas.”

“Hmm.”

“Moreover, one of those routes is blocked by a monster that emerged from some unknown dimension, and the remaining one is defended by the Sir-Horde Alliance’s combined fleet.”

“Hmm.”

“In this situation, if Prosnack is preparing for war with that Pioneer Empire, they have no one else to reach out to except us.”

“That’s right.”

Having instantly organized the situation and her thoughts, Artlaia, now seemingly regaining her composure and confidence, placed her hands on her hips, thrust out her ample bosom, and said:

“Besides, I’ve been suspicious that the Kerzin Federation was receiving support from the Pioneer Empire, but it was difficult to investigate… and now Prosnack has confirmed my suspicions!”

“Y-yes.”

“Huhuhung! Those annoying Kerzin folks, they ended up like that because they merely grew thanks to their sponsor! Ahahahaha!”

Artlaia laughed happily, as if vindicated that her judgment had been correct.

Although her laughter and attitude might just be a mental evasion to naturally escape from the irritation of cooperating with Prosnack…

I, who should have challenged Artlaia’s attitude, was rendered speechless by the hypnotic effect generated by the swaying of those two overwhelming, voluptuous, and violent pouches of personality.