We finished collecting our spoils without incident, and it didn’t take long for a patrol squad from the system army to arrive. They’d come to investigate the scene and collect materials the pirates had used to construct their base. The generators and building materials could be recycled and used on space stations or in colonies. We weren’t taking that type of material—you needed a ship equipped with specialized demolition and construction facilities—so it was all theirs.
“Today’s on me. Cheers!” cried Granny Celestia.
“Cheers!”
We were now back on Arein Tertius, where the granny was leading a toast in one of the colony’s bars.
Why? “We haven’t organized our spoils or maintained our ships yet, so how come we’re already celebrating?”
“Really? Organizing and maintenance at a time like this? After you finish a job, you go out for drinks and a good meal! That should be common sense to you as a mercenary. You can deal with those quibbles later,” Celestia told me, then gulped down her drink.
That’s strong stuff she’s guzzling. Can this granny handle it? “We do things our own way,” I replied. “I can’t hold my liquor, so I won’t be having any.”
“Mm—aah! Can’t hold liquor? Yet you dare call yourself a mercenary?”
“I do. I don’t like how alcohol tastes anyway.”
“That’s only because you never had the good stuff! You say you can’t hold liquor, but that problem’s solvable, ain’t it?”
She had a point. I probably didn’t like the taste of alcohol because, since I hadn’t tried much to begin with, I’d never found a flavor I liked. But I wasn’t really interested in passing out or dealing with a hangover just to discover that taste.
“Maybe, but I’ve never felt like going to extremes just to drink.”
For instance, why would someone modify their body simply to be able to drink something they didn’t even like the taste of? Such modifications were probably a breeze, given the level of this universe’s technology, but still.
“You sure are a party pooper. Sheesh… I have no idea what she sees in you.”
“I don’t know myself. I value her highly, though.”
“Guys have a soft spot for girls with big tits.”
“Mimi does indeed have wonderful breasts, but that’s not the only reason I value her.”
I stopped there, since I had no interest in gossiping about love with this granny. A pure, hardworking girl like Mimi wasn’t easy to come by. She was someone worth putting my life on the line for.
“Hmm? So you say, but you’re not exactly a faithful man, from what I can see.”
“I’m aware that I’m undeserving.”
I really was trying to do my best in my own way, but some things just weren’t in my control. It wasn’t possible to bend the universe to our wishes.
“Well, that girl has the hots for you, so there’s not much room for me to butt in. Even if I dragged her away, she’d find a way to come back to you.”
“You think I’d even let you get away with that? Although, well…I guess if Mimi wanted to leave, then that’d be a different story.”
Separating from Mimi—just the thought of that made my chest ache. Still, if Mimi herself desired that, I would want to respect her wishes. I’d probably pester her and try to get her to change her mind, but if she insisted on leaving… Ugh. Just thinking about it makes me feel like I’m dying.
“It seems you aren’t just playing around with her, then. Fine. If you really were only toying with her feelings, I’d tear you apart and turn you into ashes with my laser gun.”
“What the hell? You’re a scary grandma…”
The chilling part was that I could picture Celestia actually doing it. There was zero chance of something like that happening, though; I wasn’t smooth enough to pull it off.
“Honestly, things might’ve turned out all right in the end,” Celestia mused. “It’s unfortunate that Folto and Myna passed away, but now Mimi is freely traveling the universe. She lost her peaceful life alongside her parents, but in exchange she received you, freedom, and an exciting lifestyle. Maybe the scales are balanced.”
“I’m not sure about that, but I want to do my best for Mimi, so that she can hopefully feel that way.”
“Good. You do that. But know that, if you make her cry, I’ll be coming after you.”
“I’ll keep that in mind…”
I certainly didn’t want to get into a real fight with this old lady. Mei had told me how Celestia had performed during the battle with the pirates. Her ship was actually quite intimidating. Assuming she really could make full use of those deflector shields, she’d prove an insanely tough foe.
Normal shields worked by covering a ship with multiple layers of protection from all angles, whereas deflector shields instead focused a powerful defensive layer in a specific direction. They were difficult to use, but if applied properly, they could provide a small ship with a surprisingly durable shield.
The Krishna often engaged in chaotic close-quarters fights, so deflector shields wouldn’t really suit it. After all, in such chaotic battles, the enemy fired on you from all directions. Deflector shields were better for ships that maintained a certain distance when destroying enemies.
“There’s something I wanted to ask,” Celestia said.
“What?”
“When will I get to meet my great-grandchildren?”
“That matter is still under consideration. We’re enjoying our lifestyle as mercenaries right now.”
“Hm? Well, it’s true that giving birth and raising a kid are a lot of work. Still, you’ve got a capable maid on hand, as well as a doctor and extensive medical facilities. So I’m guessing I won’t have to wait long.”
“No comment.”
It was true that the Black Lotus had been renovated recently in part because I wanted to be prepared in case such a situation arose. Handling such matters was easier with proper medical facilities, rather than rudimentary medical pods. We could have Mei act as a babysitter, and I could always get additional Maidroids to serve as her subordinates if needed. Though we were busy when on the job, we also had a lot of free time while traveling, so I felt it’d be possible for us to handle a few kids.
We’d implemented upgrades at this point for Dr. Shouko’s sake, but even if she hadn’t joined us, I probably would’ve arranged for similar renovations in the near future. And I could always have ordered a Maidroid with specialized medical knowledge—a doctoroid or nurseroid?—installed to serve as a ship’s doctor.
“Well, if you do end up having kids, send me a message. I’ll come by to at least see their faces.”
“If I feel like it, I will.”
“Even if you don’t, I’m sure Mimi will contact me.”
Then why ask me? I really didn’t know how to deal with this granny.
“Master Hiro… Celes… The food is ready!”
Mimi had appeared with perfect timing, since I really didn’t want to talk to her granny for another second. Truly perfect timing. The food is ready, eh? Probably more dishes suiting Mimi’s unique palate. This is a good opportunity to get one over on that granny.
“You heard her,” I told Celestia. “Your cute granddaughter prepared a meal for you. Look forward to it.”
“Hm? What’s with the weird expression? What’re you scheming?”
“I’m not scheming anything. I’m just eager for something. Let’s go.”
Celestia had her guard up as I pushed her toward the table where Nicholas and Lattis already sat, their faces pale. My crew had already gotten used to Mimi’s fare, but I doubted that could be true of this granny.