Chapter 106
Chapter 106
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: Shira-Class Battleship
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"This way."
I parked the Blue Velvet at one edge of the station and followed Eric deeper inside.
The docks visible along the way were all on the larger side.
As we went further in, the sizes kept growing, so it looked like we'd reach our destination after just a bit more.
"Leonard, sir. You did bring the master key, right?"
"Yes, here."
I pulled the master key from my pocket and showed it to him.
Engraved with the Monarch family crest, the master key was so exquisitely beautiful it could pass for a decorative piece.
"Doesn't it have a spare?"
"Yes. For security-critical vessels, only one master key is ever made. Please handle it with care."
It wasn't that he didn't know—it was just a confirmation.
Battleships had no spares for their master keys.
If lost, you'd have to remove and reinstall the main AI that controlled all ship systems just to get the vessel moving again.
This was a safeguard against capture; a weapon as powerful as a battleship falling into the wrong hands could spell disaster.
Of course, having the master key alone didn't let you hijack operational control.
Typically, you'd also need the biometric data of the registered captain, and you could set up even more complex security protocols.
"We've arrived."
Eric stopped in his tracks.
I naturally glanced out the window.
There, bathed in starlight and gleaming, was a single battleship docked.
I'd honestly been dismissive when they called it a mere 10,000-ton Shira-class.
But seeing it with my own eyes, it looked overwhelmingly massive.
'I'm going to captain that...?'
An indescribable surge of emotion welled up.
Even unfinished with its paint job, how could it look so stunning?
"Does it please you?"
"...Please? I love it. It's incredible."
"I'm glad to hear that. Word is, this battleship got the most attention in our shipyard's recent construction efforts."
"But why no paint job yet?"
"We left it for you to choose the color yourself, Leonard, sir. We can finish the painting within a day of your decision. Raphael said a brilliant gold or dark blue would suit it best."
"...I'll politely decline that."
Gold would look flashy and cool, sure, but this battleship was for the battlefield.
Functionality over flair.
Most went with dark colors and radar-absorbent paint, and that's what I'd do.
"Shall we tour the interior now?"
"Absolutely. Oh, what are the specs on this ship?"
"Standard displacement 13,000 tons, length 200 meters, beam 30 meters. Details are classified, so you'll see them yourself after captain registration."
From the way he spoke, Eric only knew the basics.
I nodded and headed for the entrance.
But Eric halted right in front of it, gesturing for me to go first.
"The owner should enter first."
"...Haha, thank you."
I didn't refuse and stepped ahead.
The door slid open, revealing a dark interior that lit up sequentially to match my footsteps.
-Master key confirmed. Welcome.
Soon, a resonant mechanical voice greeted me from deep within.
We headed straight for the bridge.
With no users registered yet, the ship didn't activate any defenses and opened every door for us.
'...So this is it.'
We reached the bridge.
My first thought was how compact it was.
I'd unconsciously pictured the bridge of Valhalla, the one I'd seen at Darmosa's.
But it wasn't cramped by any means.
Designed for up to ten crew, the space efficiently allocated workstations for each.
The captain's chair was in the center, slightly elevated.
I approached and examined the desk—there was a slot for something.
I slowly inserted the master key.
The slot sealed, and the mechanical voice returned.
-Master key input confirmed. Shall we begin user recognition?
"Begin."
-Commencing biometric registration. The user wishing to register as captain, please take the captain's seat.
I sat as instructed.
The chair hummed, scanning me.
Biometric registration didn't take long.
After a few more steps, captain registration was complete.
-Welcome, new captain. Shall we begin main AI setup?
"No, keep the default AI."
-Without a custom main AI, ship performance optimization may be suboptimal.
"It's fine."
I'd deliberately postponed the main AI setup.
Not on a whim—I had plans.
'Might as well go with something familiar.'
I intended to link R3D3's AI to the battleship.
That would make the ship's performance heavily dependent on the AI's capabilities.
I'd worried it might fall short, but Fontana assured me R3D3 could handle a Shira-class just fine on its own.
"Congratulations."
"What for? I'm the one who should be grateful. Receiving a ship this fine."
"I wish you many heroic deeds alongside her."
I nodded.
As retainers of the Monarch family, they'd be thrilled to see their creation shine in battle.
Since I planned to make full use of her anyway, it was mutually beneficial.
"Roze."
Roze was already wandering the bridge, poking at everything out of curiosity.
All delicate instruments, off-limits to just anyone—but safe, since only registered crew could activate them.
"Done?"
"Yeah. Gonna tour the interior now—wanna come?"
"Cabins first!"
"Got it. AI, display the internal schematics here."
Urged on by Roze, we left the bridge again.
I planned to see everything before the evening gathering.
*
I'd considered changing clothes but decided against it.
Monarch family dinners were formal affairs, even among relatives—but did I need to go that far?
'The superhuman uniform should suffice.'
To us superhumans, the uniform was practically casual wear.
No need for armor suits thanks to core weapons, practical enough for combat, yet formal enough too.
Superhumans showed up in uniform even for major public events.
'A bit late.'
I'd already passed the appointed time.
Started with Roze excitedly dragging me around, but midway, I got more immersed.
Unlike Roze, who'd skipped some areas, my sense of ownership had me inspecting every nook and cranny.
The facilities lacked nothing.
True to claims of premium build within the class—traces of care everywhere.
Just the essentials, perfectly placed.
A long-established company, through and through.
The gathering was at the Monarch estate.
The layout matched Lemon's childhood memories.
Opening the door, the first thing that caught my eye was the golden hair.
Bright blond, the family's signature, filled the room.
Next, I felt eyes locking onto me.
Everyone staring, with a hint of wary tension.
"Come in."
Then Orland Monarch stepped forward and spoke first.
"It's been a while, Madam."
"You look well—that's a relief. Come, sit."
That was it.
Hard to believe it was a mother-son reunion after so long—ice-cold.
But I knew her personality; this was effusive by her standards. I didn't mind.
"Brother!"
As I approached my seat, Raphael appeared next.
Grinning wide, he welcomed me with a bear hug, pulling me down beside him.
'What's with him...?'
Perplexed by the uncharacteristic reaction, I played along, hugging back with a smile.
"We've been waiting forever. Liked the gift that much?"
"Of course. Best one I've ever gotten."
"This'll drag on. Sit first."
Raphael pushed my back toward the seat, slipping me a wink.
The room, like a small banquet hall, had several tables. Mine was right next to Raphael's at the head table.
Six chairs total.
I scanned the occupants.
'Two strangers. One...'
I froze spotting the person two seats across from Raphael.
"Took you long enough, big bro?"
"...Yeah."
"What, no hello now?"
Raphael's twin sister, Naviel.
Today, their outfits made them easy to tell apart.
Makeup accentuating her features, a dress subtly hugging her figure—Naviel looked unmistakably feminine.
Yet their vibes were eerily similar, leaving me second-guessing even now.
"Naviel."
"Yes. Got it, got it."
Naviel waved off Orland's stern tone.
With the room settled, Orland introduced me to the other two.
"You might not remember. This is your sixth cousin, Yuri Monarch."
"Nice to meet you. So you're Leonard? I was thrilled hearing our family produced a superhuman."
"Ah, likewise."
I mentally flipped through the family registry.
Yuri Monarch was Orland's fifth cousin.
From my research, uniquely among family, he'd trained in shipbuilding tech.
'Impressively skilled, it seems.'
Given the head seat, I could gauge his standing.
And his first impression of me was positive.
"Shouldn't you introduce me first?"
Then the man beside Yuri cut in.
Strikingly handsome, with impassive eyes.
Top-tier looks, easily the best I'd seen.
"Who goes first hardly matters."
"As president of Monarchu Dock Station, it doesn't reflect well if an employee gets introduced after me."
"Yuri isn't just any employee—he's a master craftsman with the Meister title. No reason he shouldn't go first."
"If that's your view, it's disappointing."
Poker face unchanged.
No emotion showed—hard to tell if he meant it.
The Dock Station president title clicked his identity.
'Veil Monarch.'
Prime candidate for heir before the twins.
He appeared in the original story too.
Obsessively hierarchical and paranoid, but meticulous and stable—widely seen as one who'd never ruin the family as head.
Unfortunately, the twins burst onto the scene with stellar results, naturally displacing him.
No major blunders, though, so his influence remained strong.
"...Haha, guess sitting by you made this awkward for me."
"Not your fault. Orland Monarch. Introduce me now?"
"This is Veil Monarch."
"Leonard Monarch."
"Pleasure. Lots to discuss—could you spare some time while you're here?"
"Anytime."
Veil Monarch rose at my reply.
"Seen who I needed to. Back to work."
"Not staying longer?"
"I've spent enough time. Expect contact tomorrow."
With that, Veil Monarch left.
Glancing aside, Raphael grinned.
'Do what you want?'
I doubted Raphael felt threatened by my meeting Veil.
For all his intensity, Veil wasn't one to stir trouble.
"Leonard. What's it like being a superhuman?"
A brief silence, broken by Yuri.
He unleashed a barrage of questions, ignoring everyone else.
Must have a lot on his mind—seemed his natural style.