Apology and Reunion

"We're really sorry for today's matter."

The Space Dwerg Company Grakkis Secundus Colony Satellite Office

Entertainment Department Chief (Man, what a damn long job title.) and

Vice-chief were now lined up in front of me while performing some

splendid dogeza.

And behind them, the rest of the entertainment department personnel who

tagged along with Tina and Whisker were now tied up with ropes like

bagworms as they laid about on the floor. The color of their faces was way

past blue and was now close to deathly pale.

Well, uh, there's a good reason for this folks. These folks didn't listen to a

word we said and forcibly boarded the ship with Tina and Whisker even

though we already expressly refused and began filming without permission.

They suddenly handed us a script and told us to do as it said, started taking

pictures of everything they laid their eyes on, tried to break into our private

spaces, went to the hangar and started taking pictures of Krishna, tried to

open the cargo containers without asking for permission in order to check

out their contents, among other things… Anyway, it was really too much to

take.

I inquired with Elma and Mei regarding the treatment of people who

trespass on a private mercenary ship without permission and also confirmed

it with the Mercenary Guild. I also had Mei submit the recording of our

refusal to let them onboard to the Space Dwerg Company Grakkis Secundus

Colony Satellite Office as part of an official complaint and then had her

capture the illegal trespassers.

I showed the trespassers, who were spouting nonsense like violating their

rights, my Silver Sword Wings Assault medal and emphasized the fact that

I am already considered an honorary imperial knight. I also explained to

them that the use of force against illegal intruders on a mercenary ship is

legally permitted. The use of force being permitted meant that even if an

attempt at capture resulted in casualties, we would not be held legally

accountable.

It seems this was a policy that was implemented primarily for the

convenience of mercenaries who accept missions such as transporting

highly confidential military cargo and guarding VIPs. Of course, there are

some other regulations in place so that mercenaries won't be able to abuse

this policy, but in our particular case this time, everything checks out, so we

have nothing to worry about and can do whatever we need to do.

I also told the idiots who've become bagworms that I've already lodged an

official complaint to their company in my name under the purview of the

Mercenary Guild. After I've spelled things out to that extent, the idiots

finally realized the disaster they landed themselves in and started begging

for mercy. Well, of course, I ignored them. I mean c'mon.

"Anyway, after pissing me off in the past, this happens huh? Don't tell me

this is actually part of your company's usual style? Well?"

"We can offer no excuse, sir."

"Did you guys actually think you can do as you please after selling me a

good ship? I mean, the normal way of doing stuff like this is making an

appointment in advance first, and then setting up a proper meeting, right? Is

this really how you folks do business? Causing trouble and suddenly

launching a surprise interview without any warning at all is utterly

ridiculous."

"We can only offer our deepest apologies…"

It's kinda awkward seeing an elderly dwarf with a short stature performing

a dogeza in front of me, but that doesn't mean I can let them off the hook

just like that. How troublesome.

"This entire series of events have been recorded by our capable maid using

our onboard equipment. If you can't give me a satisfying response, we

might just leak the footage to your rival companies one of these days."

"""!?"""

In response to my remarks, the Sales Manager, Vice-chief, and Chief, all

widened their eyes in shock and apprehension.

"It looks like you have quite a lot of competitors huh? Mobius Ring,

Fomalhaut Entertainment, and Nyaatoflix all seem like good picks, don't

you think?"

Mobius Ring produces fairly standard and realistic documentaries, and

Fomalhaut Entertainment leans toward flashier and more dynamic stuff. I

wonder if Nyaatoflix makes those day-to-day reality-TV style ones?

Or rather, what is up with the mascot character of Nyaatoflix anyway? It

looks like a creepy alien creature with a conical head. Isn't this guy bad for

people's SAN points due to how creepy it is? Is this thing really okay?

"P-Please, sir! Anything but that…!"

The chief of the entertainment department rubbed his forehead on the floor

and begged like his life depended on it.

"You guys might have already heard of it, but the main reason I've come to

this system is that I'll be receiving an award. To be more specific, I'll be

awarded a military medal. It's probably gonna be announced in a big way

and will make the headlines…"

The Sales Manager, Vice-chief, and Chief were all looking at me with fixed

gazes.

"I'll probably receive offers for interviews at the ceremony you know. I

already agreed with Space Dwerg to give you guys priority rights, but since

I've been treated this poorly, don't you think it's better if I cut my losses

early? I mean, is there even any reason I need to stick to our earlier

agreement?"

"T-That's…"

"I only accepted it as a prerequisite for getting discounts when I purchased

a ship from you guys. But, honestly, I never thought I'd actually receive this

kind of treatment… Should I just refund the 2 million Enel discount and

forget the deal ever happened?"

"N-Nhyooo–"

After hearing my words, the bagworms started squirming and letting out

weird cries. That's right. I'm telling you guys I can just refund the 2 million

Enel discount given by your Brad System branch and cancel the priority

coverage rights.

"Well, I guess I've vented enough for now. Let's talk business."

After saying so, I bent down and matched gazes with the three dwarves

kneeling on the ground who looked absolutely terrified. Hahaha, what the

heck are you all scared about? It's not like I'm gonna demand anything that

unreasonable y'know.

"We're really sorry…"

"Sorry…"

"Nah, I don't blame you guys, so don't let it get to you."

We kicked the bagworms out of the ship along with the Sales Manager,

Vice-chief, and Chief, but the mechanic sisters ended up looking quite

dispirited afterward.

"I mean, those guys wouldn't listen even if you warned them off, right? You

sure had it hard, you two."

"Uu… You're so nice, Boss."

"Thank you very much…"

In fact, judging from the state of the two of them when they rang the buzzer,

they must have tried everything they could to dissuade their colleagues.

"In any case, are you really fine with just that?"

"Yeah. It's not good to overdo it and create a grudge."

I replied to Elma, who pointed toward the expensive-looking alcohol and

snacks the dwarves gave us, and shrugged.

The thing I demanded from Space Dwerg was to take responsibility and

handle the other companies who want to request interviews. I don't want to

experience another fiasco like this from other companies after all. I'm sure

what's awaiting them is some hellish damage control and adjustments in

their operations.

I don't really mind if Space Dwerg makes a profit out of the interviews by

making deals with other companies for the rights. I'll accept interviews as

long as they go through the proper procedure first. However, I won't

tolerate things being turned into a mass media circus. Everyone has their

own specialties. It's better to leave those in mass media to their peers.

However, in the event that they cause trouble for me and my crew, we have

every right to sue the offending party or resort to other means to demand

justice. I made sure to emphasize this point to them. Of course, I've also

included Tina and Whisker when I referred to my crew. Even though they

are just temporary crew members sent by Space Dwerg, I already consider

them part of our family.

"You two should be careful from now on. I'm not scolding you, okay. I'm

just genuinely concerned. If I step into the limelight after this ceremony,

you'll most likely attract attention as well as part of my crew. This is even

more true due to the fact that I 100% own this ship, and I'm also the

captain. Furthermore, I'm the only male in here. You know what I'm getting

at, right?"

"…Un."

"…Yes."

The two dwarven girls meekly nodded.

"It doesn't matter what our true relations are. That's just how it is. You'll

probably be thought of as women with that sort of relationship with me.

Once the news gets spread out, I'm sure some will spout some tasteless

comments regarding our situation. If some of them get directed at you guys,

and you feel bothered by them, don't hesitate to talk to us, okay? If you find

it hard to talk to me, you guys can consult with Mimi, Elma, and Mei

instead."

"Nn, I understand."

"Understood. Thank you very much."

"Yosh."

I nodded and turned around.

"It'll be okay, Hiro-sama."

"You don't need to worry."

"Please leave it to me."

"Great."

My words don't just apply to the sisters, but Mimi and the rest as well. The

three understood my meaning and nodded resolutely. I'm probably gonna

be in the line of fire as well, but… 'Hahaha! You jelly, folks?' I'll face

those guys with this kind of attitude.

If I get annoyed, I can just have Mimi, Elma, and Mei comfort me anyway.

"Now then, as for our plans for today–"

As I was about to discuss further, my portable terminal suddenly rang. Huh?

What's up? I don't recognize the address. It looks like the call came from

the imperial capital though… Anyway, let's check it out first. I operated my

terminal and projected the image on the lounge's holo-display. I was

instantly surprised.

Her glossy black hair that was once in a shoulder-length bob was now

somewhat longer, but her strong-willed eyes that shone as brilliantly as

onyxes were the same as I remember… Did she actually grow taller as

well? She now seems slightly more mature compared to the girl in my

memories.

"It's been quite some time, Hiro-sama."

"Chris!?"

"Chris-chan!"

"It's been a long time."

The noble girl who once spent a vacation with us on a resort planet,

Christina Dareinwald, smiled at us through the holo-display