Chapter 107
Chapter 107
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Family Dinner and a Covert Request
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The evening gathering wasn't anything special.
It was just everyone catching up on missed stories, without any rowdy events.
For a family reunion, though, it was unusually quiet, with everyone mindful of their manners toward each other.
*This atmosphere is kinda hard to get used to.*
Subtle glances kept pricking at me.
No matter how much I tried to ignore them, my senses were too sharp to tune them out.
Fortunately, the table I was at only had friendly greetings, but as the drinks started flowing, people began slipping over one by one to say hello, and Raphael stepped in each time to introduce me.
In the end, I had to greet everyone with a smile.
The most awkward part was dealing with people who acted like they knew me.
The two-hour dinner finally wrapped up.
Since only Orlando and the twins lived in the mansion, everyone else headed out right after.
"How was dropping by the family home after so long?"
Once we'd seen everyone off, Raphael came over close.
"Not used to it."
"You don't have to come next time. We only gathered today because of my brother."
"Because of me?"
"Didn't you see them all coming over to greet you? Brother's the star of our family."
He chuckled and poked me teasingly.
I didn't hide my frowning face as I replied.
"Star, my ass. Pass."
"It's not up to you."
"Whatever. Oh, and thanks for the gift."
Before touring it, I'd just vaguely thought it was nice to have. But after seeing it up close, I realized it was seriously impressive.
Who else but Raphael could give a gift like that?
"Found a crew yet?"
"Still short on a lot."
"I've got two skilled mechanics lined up for you. Contact Yuri to bring them over."
"Mechanics? I won't turn that down."
Skilled mechanics were essential for operating a warship and notoriously hard to find.
Even among Sheila-class battleships, some units had to rely on higher commands for maintenance because they couldn't secure their own.
I'd been thinking of asking for help, so I snapped it up when he offered first.
"But aren't they company employees?"
"They volunteered."
He said it casually.
When he saw I wasn't fully buying it, he added a bit more.
"It's true. You're a Monarch too. Who wouldn't jump at the chance to serve on a battleship led by a superhuman bearing the Monarch name straight into battle?"
"Yeah, fair point."
The Monarch family had deep roots going back ages.
Among the core personnel loyal to the family, plenty had served for centuries across generations.
Their loyalty went without saying.
There'd been one big shake-up when things collapsed once, but since it was a freak natural disaster—not really the family's fault—they recovered well.
The family's generous treatment of key staff helped too.
*Now, what's left...*
I'd secured combat crew and mechanics.
General crew for odd jobs were easy to find anywhere. The real issue was high-end specialists for helm, gunnery control, and such—tough nuts to crack.
*Oh, right, pilots too.*
Battleships carried carrier fighters.
Those were mainly for keeping threats off the ship, but with their offense prioritized over defense, they were among the riskiest roles.
Stats showed only about 30% of rookie pilots survived to veteran status. That said it all.
Naturally, snagging skilled pilots was like chasing stars.
Realizing that, I saw the mountain of work still ahead.
*At least I got mechanics sorted. Lucky.*
As a captain, I was green myself.
Better avoid risks for now and focus on learning hard.
"What, hogging him all to yourself again?"
That's when Naviel showed up.
She sidled over naturally, going for a linked arm, but I caught Raphael's eyebrow twitch for a split second.
I spun around like I'd just noticed her, positioning her right in front.
"We were just talking about the gift. Haven't thanked you properly yet."
Raphael's decision was Naviel's, and vice versa.
They shared and discussed everything openly, so thanking one without the other would be a blunder.
Even if Raphael was the public face, messing up with Naviel was as good as messing up with him.
"No need. Brother?"
"...I'm sorry, so cut that out. Gives me the chills."
I hammed it up at Naviel mimicking Raphael's voice.
She'd looked a tad suspicious at first but laughed at my reaction and stepped back behind him.
*Their smiles are identical too.*
Still uncanny on a second look.
Separately, you could tell them apart fine. Together? Impossible to see how they were so alike.
*
The next day, as forewarned, I took Veil Monarch's invitation.
His workplace was the shipyard I'd visited yesterday to check the battleship—he rarely left unless for something like this gathering, apparently.
Workaholic, per Raphael.
I pressed for what he wanted today, but he wouldn't spill.
The orbital shipyard looked massive no matter how many times I saw it.
The pitch-black space made it seem bustling around the clock.
"Think he's waiting?"
"Yeah, just give me a sec."
Despite me peeling off from her yesterday and today, Roze stayed composed.
I watched her pace a moment at the door, then headed in.
"Good, you're here."
"Couldn't sleep wondering what you wanted."
"Sit first. Didn't know your taste, so I had tea prepared here."
I'd expected shop talk right away, but this was unexpected.
I sat and sipped the tea.
Calming herbal notes wafted into my nose.
As I set the cup down, Veil jumped in.
"I've heard all about your exploits. You did great. No one expected this from you, with zero expectations. Not even me."
"...Yeah, just happened."
"False modesty doesn't suit. You should be shouting it from the rooftops."
He called me out bluntly.
Regardless of my reaction, Veil pressed on.
"Nearly a century later, and everyone was still cowering over past failures. You delivered a fresh shock. Improved the family's image too. People griped when Raphael traded his shares for equal value, but now? Better in your hands, I think."
I had nothing to say, so I just nodded.
*Doesn't like the twins much?*
As I'd pondered yesterday, Veil prioritized the family above all. Still, that undertone was there.
"Just keep it up."
"Yes..."
"That's not why I called you today."
Veil paused, fished in his inner pocket, and handed me something.
A palm-sized chip—I had no clue what it was for.
"...What's this?"
"Data chip."
Still lost, I met his eyes, and he dropped the bombshell.
"Load your ship's operation data onto it."
"Pardon?"
"You're the captain; shouldn't be hard. Usage is simple. The captain's seat has..."
What the hell.
Even knowing Veil's strict hierarchy streak, I couldn't stop my face from hardening.
"You're asking me to break military law?"
I'm with the superhuman unit—Alliance forces, broadly.
Means I follow Alliance military code.
Alliance ships' op data is centrally managed.
Sure, compiling every scrap of daily data is a hassle with low payoff, so they usually cherry-pick key bits for reports.
Plus, op data's a benchmark for incidents—civilian issues, unlawful commander actions, sensitive stuff. No way it's cleared for external export.
"For the family's sake, I'd appreciate it."
Phrased as a request, but it felt like an order.
I pushed the chip back and shook my head.
"I'll pass."
Ship op data logs everything down to the mundane.
Not just combat—my routines, habits, crew info, personal details. Handing that over? No shot.
"Pretend you didn't hear it."
Veil picked up the pushed-back chip and pocketed it again.
Even if this soured things, no choice.
But he showed no reaction to my firm refusal.
"My mistake, thinking I could easily snag real-world data from a family-built latest-model ship."
"No, it's fine."
"Won't bring it up again. No need to feel awkward."
As if.
The seat started feeling like thorns.
Never dreamed he'd expect me to break rules just because I bore the Monarch name.
*At least no hard pressure. Dodged a bullet.*
That would've been trouble. Seems he had some flexibility after all.
Didn't make the spot any comfier, though.
"How do you plan to handle your independent unit's ops?"
"Gotta figure it out now. Original plan was wait for formal appointment."
Without the incidents speeding things up, no way I'd get clearance to run a battleship solo, skilled or not.
Who appoints a rookie with four months' combat experience as commander?
Let alone a battleship primed for mishaps.
Merit helped, but standout academy tactics grades were key.
"Take this."
Veil pulled out another item and offered it.
I hesitated, flashbacks fresh, so he explained.
"Our family's navigation logs."
"Navigation logs?"
"Yeah. Centered on Triple Link sector and vicinity. We sent a survey team there once, so quite a bit accumulated. Sync with latest charts, and it'll help."
No need to explain nav logs' value in vast space.
Triple Link was charted, but survey ship logs offered unique insights beyond public data.
If legit, solid gift.
"Just one dusty record from our vaults. Request others, and we can provide."
"...Thank you."
Wouldn't feel half-hearted if I'd caved on the first ask.
"Your actions benefit the family positively. Keep advancing steadily."
"Yes."
"That's all from me."
I stood, bowed politely, and left the office.