Landing on the Imperial Capital

More specifically, the audience will be held in four days, immediately after

the award ceremony. We then decided to try out the clothes we will wear for

the ceremony as well as take etiquette lessons from Mei.

"Hiro-sama, you look so cool!"

"I guess he does look decent enough."

"Well, thank you, ladies."

Mimi and Elma praised my appearance when I wore the clothes Chris

bought for me on Sierra III as well as the two noble-issue swords and my

personal laser gun. Well, even though they were said to be clothes fit for

noblemen, they gave the impression of a formal military dress uniform as

well. Maybe it's due to the influence of those Drawn Sword faction nobles.

I guess they wanted clothes that didn't hinder their movements much.

"You two are also quite pretty."

"Ehehe, thank you very much."

"It's because the dresses are excellent as well."

Mimi was wearing the neat and elegant white dress and Elma was wearing

the stylish light-green dress the two of them bought the other day. Both of

them wore minimal jewelry and accessories that didn't seem too flashy, but

their looks were still comparable to noble princesses.

"…Man. To think one of you is an actual imperial princess and the other is

the daughter of a viscount."

"Ah–… Un, that's right, I guess?"

"I just want to live my life normally though."

It looks like the thing about her true blood ties has become a sort of taboo

topic for Mimi. Well, I don't exactly know how she feels, but… She just

found out that the grandmother she hasn't even met was actually part of the

imperial family, and that she also carried noble blood. Since it was all too

sudden, it's no wonder she's still flustered and confused.

In the Graccan Empire, the imperial family is venerated to a great extent

after all. For many imperial commoners, instead of fearing them as they do

with normal imperial aristocrats, or feeling inferior due to the difference in

social class, they feel something close to utmost respect and worship toward

the imperial family.

Partly because she was far too overwhelmed by the prospect, Mimi decided

to continue living as an ordinary commoner and serve as my ship operator

without recognizing her relationship with the imperial family. I'm really

glad she decided to stay with me though.

"It looks like you were able to wear your clothes perfectly, everyone."

"Yeah, they sure look neat. You look really cool, Boss."

"Un, they all suit you. How cool. Mimi-san and Elma-san also look really

pretty."

Mei, Tina, and Whisker were all praises when they saw us wearing our

formal clothes.

"Are you two really not attending the ceremony, Tina, Whisker?"

"Uh, we're just commoners, after all, Boss. It's impossible for us to attend

that ceremony and party filled with high-ranking aristocrats and royals."

"We don't have formal dresses to wear, and we're also not official crew

members after all."

"I can just buy you some clothes you know. They're not really all that

expensive."

"I dunno about a couple thousand Enels being cheap, but it just doesn't feel

right, Boss."

Tina displayed a bitter grin and waved her hand in refusal.

"Is that so? How about you, Mei?"

"I'm a maid after all."

"I see…"

"…I would certainly comply if you order me to attend, Master."

When she saw how down I looked, Mei declared so after thinking for a few

moments. Fufu, I've spent quite some time together with Mei already after

all. I already know a few tricks to goad her into following my whims.

"Well then everyone, let us start the lesson."

"Understood."

"Yes."

"Alright."

And so, we took a lesson on how to behave in the award ceremony from

Mei– "It looks like there's no problem with you, Elma-sama."

"I was a little uneasy since it's been a while though."

Elma received an OK from Mei on the first try.

"Kuh… As expected of a true noble lady."

"Elma-sama always carries herself well after all."

As expected, Mimi and I needed more training.

"Can I leave Mimi-sama's lessons to you, Elma-sama? I shall be focusing

on Master."

"Nn, alright. But why all the trouble though? It's a bit suspicious."

"It's so we can guide them more closely."

"Hm. Alright. Come over here then, Mimi."

"Yes."

Mimi and Elma started their lesson a little distance away, and Mei started

guiding me as well. Mei's lessons were basically gentle, but they were also

thorough and strict… Mei really is quite strict when it comes to things like

this huh.

I not only received lessons in manners and behavior but also lessons on how

to brandish and fight with my swords while wearing formal clothes meant

for nobles. And so, the day of the award ceremony finally came. The four of

us – meaning I, Mimi, Elma, and Mei – boarded Krishna and descended

onto the imperial capital under the lead of imperial military ships. The

mechanic sisters remained to look after the Black Lotus.

"But man, after seeing it up close like this, the capital sure is something."

The sight of an entire planet completely covered by manmade structures

was awe-inspiring. The placement of the buildings seems to follow some

sort of rules. When seen from outside the atmosphere, the imperial capital's

surface seems to be comprised of uniform geometric patterns.

"It really is amazing… I can't even imagine how they managed to transform

a planet into something like this."

"From what I've heard, it seems to be thanks to highly advanced gravity

and environmental control technology, but I'm not too sure about the details

as well. I think the total population of the capital is about 25 billion if I

remember correctly."

"Yes. The population will be reaching close to 25.7 billion soon."

"Man, that's a lot. You said you produce part of your foodstuffs from underlevel facilities, right?"

"Yep. The food production plants here are much larger and more advanced

than the ones we saw in the Alein system."

As we continued conversing, a huge, solemn-looking structure got

displayed on the main cockpit screen.

"So that's the imperial castle huh… Man, that's huge."

It was like a mountain. No, it was more like an entire mountain range.

Bigger wasn't always better of course, but with that imposing size, one can

instantly tell it was the imperial palace at first glance.

"The entire structure is considered the imperial palace, but in truth, only a

small part of is actually used as living space. The interior facilities are used

by the various government bureaus and the military."

"I see."

The leading imperial ship guided us toward the military facility situated

near the center of the imperial palace, where a dock for small-class starships

was located.

By the way, Krishna was still currently armed, but all weapon systems were

locked by the imperial military, and the navigation controls were also

handled by them, so it was more like us being towed to our destination.

As expected, the security measures implemented within the imperial castle

where the emperor and the rest of the imperial family resides was pretty

strict. According to Mei, the system lock was performed via the cooperation

of multiple independent AIs cooperating with the military, so even with her

abilities, it was next to impossible to get rid of the lock.

Well, this was the heart of the Graccan Empire after all. I don't have the

guts to arbitrarily fire off high-caliber laser cannons or anti-ship torpedoes

here, so they didn't have to worry at all. I'll say no to being erased from the

face of the galaxy through the full might of the empire.

"It looks like we've landed."

Krishna safely landed on the small-class starship dock within the imperial

palace. The auto-docking function did its job swimmingly today as well.

"Let's do our best, everyone…!"

"Try not to get too worked up though."

Mimi clenched both fists in front of her in her usual guts pose and Elma

warned her while sporting a wry grin. Mimi should be pumping herself up

right now so she doesn't get too flustered when she gets turned into the

center of attention later in the ceremony.

"It looks like the right clothes can make even the most unrefined boors into

proper gentlemen huh… Ehem. Do excuse me for that."

"What? If you have something to say, then don't hold back and just say it."

Major Serena, who got off the lead imperial dropship that led Krishna to the

imperial palace, made a rude remark the moment she saw me. Major Serena

was in her crisp military uniform as always.

"Major, it's nearly time."

"Right. Let's depart then. It would be a shame for the protagonist of this

award ceremony to arrive late after all. And it would reflect badly on us

guides as well."

Major Serena nodded after Lieutenant Robbitson's warning and started

leading the way for us. I followed right behind her, and Mimi and Elma

followed after me. Mei walked at the very back of the procession.

"I'm sure you already know, but pay attention to your posture and manners

even when walking."

"Yeah, yeah."

"Yes."

After Elma whispered a warning, I straightened my spine and made sure to

walk in a supposedly elegant and dignified manner. I couldn't see their

postures since they were behind me, but I'm sure Mimi and Elma were also

walking elegantly. And I didn't have to worry about Mei.

We left the dock and went inside the imperial palace. We found a boarding

platform inside. What sort of boarding platform? It was a platform for what

seemed to be a small-sized linear motor train. It was probably similar to

those used in a colony's goods delivery network.

"We actually need to ride something like this inside?"

"The imperial palace is quite large after all. If we walked the entire way, the

sun will set before we reach the venue."

"I see."

As soon as we boarded the train car with Major Serena, it started to move. It

was moving at tremendous speeds, but we hardly felt any Gs due to the

acceleration. It must be equipped with an inertial control module just like

the one installed on Krishna.

"Uu… Now I'm starting to get nervous."

"You can just follow behind us later, Mimi. It's not like I prepared some

sort of speech myself."

At the ceremony, the imperial military top brass will give a speech and

report on the circumstances and results of the crystal campaign, but all we

had to do was sit tight and listen. After that, the award ceremony will begin

in earnest, and we would just have to come to the front once our names are

called.

I'm actually the only one who will receive an award, but it was customary

for the rest of the crew to join me as well.

"But I'm a little scared when I think about what could happen after this."

"It's not all that unusual for you to feel that way. No one will possibly act

up later since doing so would be considered a great disgrace."

"For now, I guess. It might be okay today since we were basically invited

by the emperor himself, but I'm not sure what would happen tomorrow

onward."

"They would be quite busy in the coming days, so I think they won't have

the time to bother you all in the first place."

"…I sure hope so."

"Wha– Will you cut that out!"

"Hiro-sama…"

Elma's lips twitched when she heard my pessimistic muttering and Mimi

smiled bitterly. Oh c'mon. It's us, you know? You guys really think things

will remain peaceful with us involved? No, not a chance, I say! I'm almost

totally convinced some weird noble or something will try to bother Mimi.

This is based on prior experience!

"I know your penchant for attracting trouble, but this time… Ugh. It's

actually possible huh. Based on all the prior incidents involving you, the

chance is quite high."

Major Serena gave me a reproachful stare. For some reason, Major Serena

keeps getting involved in troublesome stuff together with us as well…

There's Elma's runaway starship incident, the battle with Vereverem

Federation, the attack on Sierra III, the battle with that rogue fleet, and the

latest crystal campaign. All of it involved us in some fashion, and almost

half the time, we actually implicated her in the incidents. But I won't

apologize, okay. I really won't.

"Please try not to act rashly for once. Is that understood?"

"Yes, ma'am. I will do my best to the extent of my abilities."

I gave her a crisp salute, but Major Serena's gaze was still quite icy.