I Woke Up Piloting the Strongest Starship, so I Became a Space Mercenary
Chapter 549 「Isn’t That a Little Too Low-maintenance…?」

「So that’s what we were talking about.」

「Even when faced with nobles who wield immense power and vast wealth, you never back down. As expected of my Lord.」

While working out in the training room, I shared the conversation we’d had earlier in the mess with Kugi. Her white fox ears perked up high on her head as she looked at me with an expression of deep admiration. When someone hits you with such pure reverence, it’s honestly kind of embarrassing.

「It’s not really something to be proud of… And Kugi, don’t just butter me up. I’ll need you to rein me in when necessary too, alright?」

「Should you attempt something unreasonable, I shall not hesitate to offer correction. But if that is not the case, then I will simply remain by your side in loyal service.」

With a sharp hmph through her nose, Kugi gripped a pair of dumbbells and began pacing around the training room in small, quick steps. She was moving surprisingly fast.

Those dumbbells are actually heavier than the ones I use. Despite her usual image as a graceful cyber-fox shrine maiden, Kugi is surprisingly fit. She can’t quite match up to Elma, but in terms of physical strength, she isn’t all that far off from me.

Incidentally, the person with the lowest stamina on the ship was Neve, obviously. But Shouko-sensei was also incredibly unathletic. I’ve been trying to coax her into joining our training sessions, but she never shows. Maybe it’s time I drag her in whether she likes it or not.

「I see… Haaah, I wonder if everything’s really going to be okay. I’m starting to worry about what’s ahead.」

「Are you… haaah… really expecting… haaah… that much trouble!?」

Mimi called out between breaths as she ran on the treadmill. Oh! Look at them bouncing—no wait, never mind. Talking while running like that is just going to mess up your rhythm, Mimi.

「Mmm, I don’t think we’ll have any issues with the main Dareinwald and Holz families. The concern is with their retainers… though I think the Dareinwald ones won’t be a problem.」

「You mean Viscount Bushbaum and the others? Yeah, they should be fine. I don’t know how the retainers from House Holz will react, though.」

Even the Dareinwald retainers had grumbled and opposed my engagement—and eventual marriage—to Chris, at least before we sat down and talked face to face. House Holz likely has far more retainers under its banner, and I’m sure some of them have been scheming to send one of their relatives to become Serena’s consort, aiming to raise their own standing within the Holz household.

To those types, I must look like some nobody who swooped in out of nowhere and stole their prize. That’s probably how they see me… maybe. I can’t say for sure. That is just my own speculation. Still, Elma seems to share similar concerns.

「I wonder, though… I’ve heard much of that tomboy—did she not crush all her former suitors like insects? Would not the likes of them have been long since wiped out?」

I turned toward the voice that suddenly changed tone. There stood a transformed Kugi: her hair and tail shimmering gold, arcane markings blooming across her face like makeup. Even her tails seemed to have multiplied—up to nine now, from what I could see. Though that part is probably just an illusion.

「So you’ve come out.」

「The training or whatever seems to be over, so she graciously let me take over for a bit.」

With a wry smile, it wasn’t Kugi who replied but the other soul dwelling within her: Tamamo, the legendary Spiritual Power user who was close to becoming a god.

「You doing okay?」

「She did push the body rather hard, thou knowest? When I take over in this manner, I feel the full strain directly. But worry not—I am well enough now.」

Saying this, Tamamo took a seat at one of the training machines and began giggling behind a fan she produced from who-knows-where. This guy definitely canceled the post-workout fatigue somehow. I don’t know if she used First Spiritual Form’s healing powers or manipulated time with the Third Spiritual Form, but either way—it’s totally cheating.

「Okay, so I get where your optimism is coming from. But do you really think it’s all gonna go so smoothly?」

「If such be thy desire, and thou dost reach forth to seize the outcome thou seekest, then aye—it shall unfold as thou hopest.」

「You do realize I’m not that skilled, right? You’re saying that knowing full well I can’t pull something like that off yet.」

「Then train harder. With thy power, thou couldst reshape this world however thou dost please.」

「Even if I could… I’d pass.」

A world where everything goes the way I want it to? That sounds like hell. No surprises, no serendipity… Just a flat, predictable existence. I’d never want that.

「That is fair enough. Still, thanks to thee, I have enjoyed a most delightful time—’tis been quite a while.」

「Glad to hear it. But hey, Tamamo—just because Kugi lent you her body doesn’t mean you can binge on sweets, alright? She looked devastated last time.」

「I shall consider it—if the mood so taketh me.」

Tamamo let out a hearty laugh. Yeah, she’s not gonna stop. I guess I’ll be seeing Kugi staring in horror at the scale again soon.

☆★☆

After the workout, I rinsed off with a quick shower and headed for the cockpit.

「Good morning, Master. I apologize for not greeting you properly earlier.」

「Don’t worry about it.」

I waved off Mei’s bow with a light gesture. Considering she managed everything from the Black Lotus’s operation to organizing the night schedule between me and the girls—and even handled all the annoying logistics—I wasn’t about to complain about something as trivial as morning greetings. Honestly, it should be me going out of my way to greet her.

「Looks like everything’s running smoothly?」

「Yes, Master. We’re just in synchronized FTL flight. However, the system used by the Holy Vuelzarus Empire is different from ours, so I’ve had to frequently recalibrate the parameters to maintain synch.」

As Mei explained, the FTL drives used by the Holy Vuelzarus Empire were vastly different from those of the Grakkan Empire and its surrounding nations. That difference made synchronized travel a real headache. The same issue cropped up even with hyperlane travel using hyperdrives. Because of that, Mei had been stuck in the cockpit quite a bit lately.

Apparently, it increased the computational load, which also ramped up her energy consumption. The cockpit seat she always sat in was also her dedicated power charging station, so that explained her tendency to stay here during such periods.

「Just a little more—hang in there. I’m counting on you, Mei. You’re the one holding all this together.」

「Yes, Master. Those words alone will keep me going for ten years.」

「Isn’t that a little too low-maintenance…?」

「Then please include a hug.」

「Deal.」

What followed was a hug attack of epic proportions.

She is soft. She smells amazing. I can’t escape.

Someone help me.