CH 310

After finalizing the order for the new ship, we began to prepare to move our base of operations to a hotel. Well, not really. We’ll only be staying in a hotel from a few days to a week at most, so we just need to pack accordingly. All I packed were some clothes and a few personal effects, but I bet Mimi and the rest of the girls won’t be like me. Well, I don’t think it’s necessary to carry that much luggage because we can always procure stuff that we need in the place we’re staying at in case of emergencies.

“When it comes to staying in a hotel, we can’t forget about preparing enough security measures.”

After quickly packing her stuff, Mei moved to the break space of Black Lotus and muttered softly.

“That might be true, but you can’t just bring a laser launcher, hatchet gun, power armor, or military combat robots you know.”

While saying so, I patted the spot right next to me on the sofa I was sitting on. Mei, who was behind me, said ‘Pardon me’ and proceeded to sit down beside me. If I didn’t do this, Mei wouldn’t take the initiative to sit next to me.

“I’m always troubling you, Mei. You’re always taking care of us, so it’s fine if you act a bit more selfishly from time to time you know?”

“You’ve given me more than enough, Master. You’ve upgraded the weapons and equipment of the Black Lotus to military-grade ones and even bought military combat robots. And you also treat me the same as you treat Mimi-sama and Elma-sama. More than that is just too much.”

“I see…… But I want Mei to act more spoiled and then spoil me in return though.”

“I can spoil you any time you like, Master. Just like always.”

“Ok, ok, let’s stop with that topic already. My bad, alright? But I’m serious about you acting a bit more spoiled, okay? If I said that’s actually a wish of mine, will you be willing to fulfill it, Mei?”

“……I’ll consider it.”

It was a gentle and unassertive response that wasn’t like the usual Mei. Usually, she’d just answer with a simple yes or no. It must be because my smooth-talking was challenging her usual sense of values and policies.

I communicated with Mei like so until Elma and the others finally appeared.

“It looks like only Mimi brought a lot of stuff huh?”

“Elma-san and the others just packed too little……”

Elma, Tina, and Whisker didn’t pack a lot of stuff to take with them. They each only stuffed some of their personal effects in Boston bags that weren’t that large and were just half of what Mimi had packed. Well, due to their small physiques, Tina and Whisker’s bags did seem a bit big. Mimi, on the other hand, brought a large suitcase in addition to two filled Boston bags.

“Mimi-sama, I can carry that for you if you’d like.”

“Thank you, Mei-san.”

Mimi handed over her large suitcase to Mei, who easily lifted it without any fuss. Well, that’s no surprise since it’s Mei we’re talking about.

“Would you allow me to carry your bags as well, miladies?”

“What’s with you? You’re being creepy y’know.”

“Isn’t ‘creepy’ a bit too much?”

“Boss’s antics are off like usual.”

“Ahaha……”

Even the usually supportive Whisker wasn’t following after me. Did acting like a gentleman really not suit me that much? C’mon guys. Okay, fine. I admit it was pretty out of character.

“Well, it looks like we’re all ready to go. Shall we then? You’ve already booked a hotel for us, right?”

“Yes! I’ve already finished making a reservation so we just need to check in!”

Mimi snorted confidently while carrying her substantial amount of luggage.

“If you’re gonna guide us there, then it’s better to free up your hands you know. I’ll carry that for you. C’mon.”

“I’ll take one too then.”

“Auu…… Then please do. I’m sorry.”

I and Elma each took one of Mimi’s bags off her hands, so Mimi’s arms were completely freed up. The guide should travel light after all. Since we probably won’t get suddenly assaulted in the city, it didn’t matter if my, Elma’s and Mei’s arms weren’t free. And in case of an emergency, we can always throw the luggage on the ground.

“Everything’s locked and secure! Shall we?”

After preparing our luggage and gathering up, all we had to do next was depart. Krishna was taken out of the hangar of Black Lotus and parked inside the colony port while the Lotus itself will be transferred to a dedicated hangar to undergo refurbishment.

“We can quickly reach the hotel by taking the tram.”

“Gotcha. Make sure not to get separated, everyone.”

“We’re not kids so we won’t get lost you know……”

The colony’s high-speed transportation system – the tram – had a station located close to the port area. Since the Windas Tertius colony was the main trading colony of the Windas system, it was inevitable that its population would increase to a large size. Due to this, the transportation system for goods and people was well developed and maintained. Well, calling it the colony high-speed transportation system is a hassle, so let’s just call it the tram instead.

By the way, ‘tram’ was a word that refers to a streetcar or cable car. I believe it’s an English word? By the way, the first time I’d encountered the word was in a game about the strongest engineer in the universe traveling around to dismantle monsters for parts.

Anyway, we moved from the tram station near the port area to one in the commercial area. There were quite a lot of people that were taking the tram to move from the port area, which was the gateway of the trading colony, to the commercial center. I kept an eye out for possible encounters with pickpockets and molesters, but no one really approached us due to the two swords strapped to my waist. Actually, a large space was opened up between us and the rest of the passengers. Man, the authority of nobles, or rather, nobles equipped with swords sure was amazing.

“I’m not really a noble though.”

“Well, you’re carrying two swords on your waist, so of course, it’ll turn out like this. And aren’t you an honorary viscount, Hiro?”

“Yeah, I guess.”

I did pin the Gold Star medal and Silver Sword Wings Assault medal on my jacket as well just in case. Weren’t average citizens familiar with them? Well, I suppose them in addition to the swords would make people try harder to keep their distance instead huh. I see. It’s not so bad since I wanted to avoid trouble anyway, so I’ll try not to mind it.

After we reached our stop, we got off the tram and walked out of the station.

“Wow, that sure is a big crowd.”

“Everything is so big, and the ceiling is so high. It’s a luxurious use of available space.”

As soon as we got out of the station, the mechanic sisters looked around in admiration. The main colony of the dwarves in the Brad system had narrow roads and a low ceiling, so it kinda felt oppressive.

Just then, I felt a gaze trained toward me, so I turned away from the sisters and searched for the source of the gaze. I then found a figure that stood out from the rest of the crowd. It was a young girl who I could only describe as ‘white’. She had white-colored hair – or perhaps it was silver? She also wore white clothes. They somehow resembled a monk’s habit or a shrine maiden’s gown…… Anyway, it was a fluttery religious-looking outfit.

The ‘white’ girl who met my gaze sprinted toward me with a look of pure joy on her face. She was definitely looking at me, but I had no recollection of ever meeting her previously whatsoever. I wondered if she was actually looking at someone behind me instead and turned back, but I only found Mei, who had a blank expression like usual, standing there.

To be on the safe side, I tried to shift a few steps to the side, but the ‘white’ girl immediately changed her direction accordingly and kept rushing headlong toward me. At this point, Mimi and Elma also noticed what was going on.

“An acquaintance?”

“Nope, no idea who she is.”

“But isn’t that girl heading straight for you, Hiro-sama?”

“That does seem like it.”

“Did you just manage to lure in another poor girl?”

“Oh, c’mon. Don’t imply that I’m always trying to hook up with young girls, okay.”

Basically, I just got to know them naturally and I never actively pursued any girl. Well, it was a bit different for Mei, but in her case, I was just at the mercy of an incredibly pushy sales droid.

“So, what are we gonna do about her?”

“I suppose we’ll just have to see how it goes, right?”

The distance between the ‘white’ girl and us was already shortened to about 10 meters. She’d be able to reach us soon while we engaged in banter. It’s gonna be difficult to escape from her already. Or rather, I wonder what would happen if I did make a run for it? We needed to head to the hotel, and according to Mimi, it was just next to the station. And we were also carrying our luggage. There were also Tina and Whisker whose small statures only allowed them to take short strides.

I’m not sure how good her physical abilities were, but as I said, it was quite difficult to get away from her. As for why, it’s because the crowd mysteriously parted like the red sea in her wake, though I had totally no idea how she’d made them do so. Just seeing the scene made me suffer heartburn. She’s trouble. I bet the lemon-flavored carbonated drink case I stuffed inside Krishna that she’s gonna be trouble.

“I’ve finally managed to meet you! My Lord!”

“M-My lord?”

The ‘white’ young girl peered up at me with tears of apparent happiness shining from the corners of her eyes. I didn’t notice when she was still at a distance earlier, but she was obviously fairly young. Judging from her appearance, she could be about Mimi’s age or younger. Her irises were bright yellow. You can even say they were golden. And she was also quite the young beauty. And most notably, she had fluffy animal ears on top of her head. I see. Animal ears huh. They’re quite impressive.

“Umm…… anyway. Just calm down first. I’m not sure what this is all about, but I think it isn’t something we can solve by just standing around here.”

“Yes! If that is your will My Lord, then I have absolutely no objections.”

She wiped the edges of her eyes with her dainty fingers and made a truly relieved expression. It was like a lost child who finally managed to reunite with her parents.

Oh, c’mon guys. I really don’t know her. I’m serious. I ain’t familiar with such a white-colored animal-eared girl. So stop looking at me with those judging stares, okay? I’m really innocent here.