Ch.93Ancient Vessel (6)

# Chapter 93: Ancient Vessel (6)

There was a brief confusion in the report due to Artlaia’s presence.

-“Reporting, Minister.”

“Go ahead.”

Since everyone, including myself and the squad members, were all ‘professionals,’ we quickly regained our composure and began delivering a ‘proper’ report.

-“Our Seveli-Prosnak joint forces successfully secured the interior of the ancient vessel at 1300 Ka’zan standard time.”

“Hmm.”

Although Artlaia was looking at us somewhat strangely from right beside us.

At this moment, we all decided not to pay any attention to that.

“Ah, please don’t mind me. I’m merely here to observe.”

Since Artlaia had said so himself, it would be more inappropriate to show concern about his presence.

Besides, this wasn’t the time to worry about such things.

“Wait… you secured it in just one day?”

-“Yes, that’s correct.”

There should still be Pioneer forces remaining.

How did they manage to secure the vessel while dealing with them?

My confusion must have shown on my face, as the reporting squad member realized the gap and began providing additional information.

-“Although we suffered casualties in the battle against the Pioneers… at some point, the vessel’s defense systems began exclusively targeting the Pioneer forces, which made our progress much easier.”

Hearing this, I momentarily wondered if my ears were deceiving me.

“They didn’t attack you?”

-“That’s right. In fact, when we were in danger, the defense barriers would block the Pioneers’ attacks, minimizing our casualties.”

-“It was a ki-based defense system!”

Since this situation was completely incomprehensible, I decided to cast out some bait.

“Does that make any sense? Didn’t you just plan your movements to trigger the defense systems and create a crossfire?”

-“Minister, as impressive as we may be, we’re not capable of manipulating systems we can’t even locate to set traps.”

The immediate indignant response made me nod in acknowledgment.

“I see. Understood.”

But this wasn’t the end, as other squad members began gathering around the one on screen.

I thought they might start that nonsense I’d seen before.

Thinking they might go crazy shouting “We must see the Minister’s noble face!!!”, I casually moved my finger toward the terminal’s end call button.

-“Um… Minister? We have something additional to report…”

“Oh?”

Contrary to my expectations, the squad members on screen weren’t showing signs of madness but rather…

-*glancing nervously*

They seemed to be checking for something, which made me unable to hide my confusion.

“What’s going on that’s making you act like this?”

When the squad members started murmuring and hesitating after my question, even Artlaia and Riel began showing signs of confusion.

“Did you find something strange? Hurry up and tell us.”

After Riel’s sharp rebuke, annoyed by their constant hesitation and time-wasting, the squad members finally seemed to make up their minds, nodding before speaking.

-“Minister, actually… this vessel is alive.”

“…What?”

-“And the biological core managing the vessel wants to speak with you, Minister… what would you like to do?”

I certainly wasn’t expecting that.

And right after those words left the squad member’s mouth.

[PAUSE]

[Event: A Connection from Ancient Times]

[After overcoming numerous obstacles, you have finally succeeded in acquiring a vessel believed to have been built during the Dark Age.]

[And now, the vessel’s biological core is requesting to communicate with you.]

[Option 1: I can’t accept communications from an unknown entity (End Event)]

[Option 2: Interesting, I’ll respond (Continue to linked event)]

Just as option 2 suggested, a very interesting event appeared before my eyes.

‘Wait a minute… was there an event like this?’

But as soon as I witnessed the event, doubt began to rise in my mind.

That’s because this linked event regarding the ancient vessel… as far as I could remember, there was no such continuation event.

Was this even the same event I remembered?

‘Damn, my memories seem all jumbled up.’

Taking advantage of the pause, I deliberately tried to recall, and found that there were several strange points.

Events where you get a free vessel weren’t completely absent from the game.

In fact, they were quite common events…

But the entity managing the vessel contacting me?

‘Normally, you’d either complete the investigation and acquire the vessel, or attack and repair it after it turns aggressive due to a failed investigation, right?’

And in no case did the “something” managing the vessel ever contact the player or the Empire.

So I continued thinking and pondering in the paused state.

Finally, I was able to reach the most appropriate conclusion for this situation.

‘I guess it’s been too long, and my memory is confused.’

Of course, this didn’t mean I had dementia.

Since Sevelians, my past life—or rather, my true race—had a much longer lifespan than real humans, aging was also slower.

To be frank, my current physical age would be equivalent to not even 20 years old in human terms—the prime of youth.

It’s just that, separate from my physical age, I’ve been in this world for over 16 years.

And with all the things I’ve had to deal with during that time, my brain’s memory capacity had simply reached its limit.

So after acknowledging the limitations of my memory:

[Option 2: Interesting, I’ll respond (Continue to linked event)] <Selected>

‘Ah, an ancient super-dreadnought! How could I pass this up?’

I decided to humbly accept the event before me.

[PAUSE RELEASED]

After releasing the pause, I nodded to the squad members on screen and answered.

“Very well, tell the… biological core that I’ll speak with it.”

-“Understood, Minister!”

————————–

A moment later.

The screen showing the squad members went dark, and after some characteristic hyperspace communication noise:

-“Ah… can you hear me? Can you see me? I am the administrator managing this vessel.”

A rather youthful voice, though difficult to determine the gender, began coming through the screen.

“I hear you. Are you the biological core of the vessel that our squad has secured?”

-“Yes, and your subordinates are also helpers who assisted me in resisting those who tried to destroy me.”

Making such a bold statement about “helping us a lot” right from the first greeting.

I nodded at the biological core’s communication and said:

“I appreciate your assistance, but why are you communicating without showing yourself?”

-“Oh, is the video not working? That’s because the communication facilities were damaged by the sabotage of those trying to destroy me.”

Whether this was an excuse or the truth would be determined by the squad members currently searching the vessel.

So I decided to let that pass and:

“I see. Then let’s get straight to the point… why did you request to speak with me?”

I asked about the intent of the conversation with this self-proclaimed biological core and administrator of the vessel.

In response to my question, the “Administrator” remained silent for a moment… then:

-“Before that, I was wondering if you might be willing to identify yourself?”

“…”

As I hesitated at this unexpected response, Riel beside me gave me a mocking look.

I slightly pulled out the etiquette injection rod from my chest and showed it to her, then:

“You make a fair point… Allow me to introduce myself. I am Arto Virtorius Sevili, Minister of Diplomatic Enforcement and a Duke of the Holy Seveli Empire.”

After straightening my collar, I communicated with proper etiquette, to which the other party responded in a noticeably brighter tone:

-“I don’t know what Diplomatic Enforcement is, but being a Minister means you’re quite high-ranking, right?”

“…Yes, that’s right.”

-“What I want is simply permission for me and this vessel to stay within your nation.”

But in response to the biological core’s words, Artlaia, who had been quiet until now, retorted with a sarcastic tone:

“You want us to accept you when we don’t even know what kind of entity you are?”

“Hmm.”

“Arto, you too—picking up something the Pioneers were about to destroy right before they got to it isn’t a good idea.”

Seeing his realistic perspective, I felt the words “Didn’t you approve this acquisition too?” rising to my throat.

But I didn’t say it because Artlaia’s reaction was typical of someone whose switch had been flipped and was now in a bad mood.

The problem was that this attitude began right after the administrator’s comment about “what is Diplomatic Enforcement?”

‘He seems quite upset about having his pride hurt, considering Diplomatic Enforcement is regarded as the Emperor’s blade or fist.’

Since this was a matter of pride for Artlaia, I simply kept my mouth shut and hoped this situation would pass quickly.

But right after:

-“That voice I just heard, is that perhaps your wife, Minister? If I’ve offended, I apologize.”

“…”

-“What I want is simple, Minister Arto. Can you accept me into your Empire?”

“Arto, I believe we absolutely must bring this awakened friend from the Dark Age into the Empire’s embrace.”

Seeing this sudden change in attitude, I felt my mind becoming dizzy.

Still, since we had managed to acquire the vessel one way or another, I decided to contact the squad members and order them to return to the Empire with the vessel.

But at that moment:

-*Ding!♪*

As a familiar notification sound rang from my terminal, a new event window appeared before my eyes.