The Arrival of Her Highness
Almost immediately after the impact of the tube, Sister Meyrica brought in people in suits.
Five tough-looking men and women in suits, who were behind Sister Meyrica, lined up in front of me. The man on the far right, who seemed to be the oldest among them, saluted and then greeted me.
“Pleased to meet you, Lieutenant Bruce. I am Shinome, the chief of the fifth division of the Royal Guard. We are grateful that you have kindly agreed to our request today.”
“Chief Shinome. I’m Bruce. I’m currently acting as the captain of this ship. So, how can we be of assistance to you?”
“Yes, if possible, I’d like my subordinates to inspect the ship from here.”
“Then, shall I hand over the command to you?”
“No, we don’t have that qualification. We just want permission to inspect. Also, we’d like permission to give instructions from here to our subordinates who will be examining the ship…”
“I understand. Permission granted. Since I’ve just renovated this ship, I’m not entirely confident with the equipment operation, so I’ll assign my subordinate to you. Feel free to use them. …Petty Officer Kasumi, come here.”
“Yes, Acting Captain.”
Kasumi, whom I called, came to the side of the captain’s seat.
“From here, follow Chief Shinome’s instructions and examine the ship with sensors. Chief Shinome, please use this seat. I’ll be standing by in the back. The others are free to use the bridge as well. Feel free to ask anything to the crew members nearby. However, please understand that everyone is still unfamiliar with the new systems.”
“Acting Captain. We have also received reports about the maintenance of this ship. Please don’t worry. …Now that we have permission from the Acting Captain, proceed with the work according to the procedure.”
The four suited men and women that Chief Shinome brought scattered around the bridge, operating console panels using nearby soldiers.
Within less than five minutes after Chief Shinome and his team started working, a woman at the radio called out to the chief, shouting.
“Chief! It seems Her Highness has arrived at the gate!”
“What? This is different from what we discussed. But we can’t keep Her Highness waiting.”
“Chief Shinome. I’ll go up to greet her.”
“Is that so? Then I’ll go too. Sorry, but the rest of you, please continue with the work.”
“””Yes!”””
On our way to the airlock area downstairs, Chief Shinome spoke to me.
“Acting Captain, thank you for coming to greet. By the way, this is a beautiful ship. It’s like a brand new vessel.”
“I’m flattered by your compliment. Fortunately, the president of the civilian dock we were using was very cooperative, and above all, since the ship being dismantled was the luxury liner [Jewel of Princess], we were able to use quite a few parts from there, so the level of interior is close to that.”
“I see. I had heard reports about that, but it really does feel like a luxurious cruise ship scaled down naturally.”
“I do feel it’s a bit much for a warship. However, due to budget constraints, we had no choice but to use recycled parts. Well, my subordinates might have gone a bit overboard too… Hahaha.”
I try to make an excuse, but I’m not sure if it worked.
We quickly arrived at the airlock area downstairs, which is being used as the main gate.
This area too has been made to look like a hall using parts from that luxury liner.
When we boarded, I didn’t notice because we had other things on our mind, but looking at it again, it’s clearly overdone.
It’s hard to tell what kind of ship this is.
We couldn’t make excuses if it were mocked as a luxury cruiser owned by the wealthy.
A group that appeared to be the Royal Guard entered through the open gate in considerable numbers.
They checked the surroundings without paying attention to us and then gave a signal.
Then, a woman, also surrounded by the Royal Guard, approached us.
She’s indeed a familiar face.
It’s Her Highness the Third Princess herself, who gave me the medal.
As she entered the hall, she couldn’t help but express her impression.
“This ship is more beautiful than I heard. It’s amazing, I like it.”
Her Highness the Princess seems to be quite pleased with our ship.
I wonder if it will be presented to the royal family from the Coast Guard.
However, even if it’s said to be beautiful, all the parts used are second-hand, so I’m worried there might be issues if it were to be presented.
As the Princess walked towards me, I waited in the most respectful posture.
“Your Highness, we are deeply honored by your visit to our ship. As this is just the hall, I’d like to guide you to a room upstairs immediately. We have a modest room prepared upstairs. I’d like you to rest there first…”
“Your Highness, I deeply apologize, but the security check of this ship hasn’t been completed yet. I sincerely request that you follow the Acting Captain’s suggestion.”
“It’s alright. I understand that I came earlier than planned due to my impatience. Acting Captain, would you guide me?”
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My stomach suddenly starts to ache.
Why is she even talking to me, an orphan?
If only there was an actual captain on this ship, it would be their job.
I guided Her Highness to the room next to the sealed captain’s quarters.
It’s that room which has been made the most luxurious on this ship.
I opened the grand door and let Her Highness in.
Well, when I opened the door, the Royal Guard rushed in before anyone else to check the room, and then we all entered, which wasn’t a very graceful scene.
However, Her Highness didn’t seem to mind this at all as she entered.
This must be an everyday occurrence for her.
Anyway, I felt that royalty, being key figures of the country, are a troublesome bunch, but here I have no choice but to respond with the utmost politeness I know.
It may become awkward, but that can’t be helped.
“Your Highness, please come in.”
“My, what an amazing room. I had a more rugged image of a warship. It’s just like a royal cruise ship or a suite room in the kingdom’s finest luxury liner. I prefer this one as the decorations are simpler.”
“We are grateful for your praise. While I’m honored by your compliment, this room has been built using parts from the royal suite of that luxury liner, adjusted to fit the size. We don’t have the furnishings, of course, but the construction is similar to that ship. However, everything is repurposed from a scrapped luxury liner, so to be honest, I’m not sure if it’s appropriate to bring Your Highness into a room made of second-hand items. Although, the entire ship is made up of such repurposed items…”
“Acting Captain, please don’t worry about it. I’m well aware. I’ve received reports about this ship. The purpose of my visit today is to check how the ship turned out and to scout you and your crew.”
“Huh? Scout… us?”
“Well, shall we have some tea before we talk?”
“Um… Your Highness. I’m very sorry to say this, but we don’t have such items on this ship…”
“Ah, that’s right. Ferman. Could you please?”
“Yes, right away.”
The middle-aged man addressed by Her Highness turned to me and asked for permission.
“Acting Captain. May I use the galley here?”
“Galley??”
Then Sister Meyrica, who was somehow behind me, quietly explained.
“Acting Captain. The galley is the kitchen here.”
“Oh, I see. Thanks.”
After thanking Sister Meyrica in a low voice, I answered Ferman.
“Yes, that’s fine. It should be usable. If it’s not, please use the one in my room next door.”
“Then, let’s relax until the tea arrives. It might sound strange coming from me, but shall we sit down and talk, Acting Captain?”
“Ah, I’m sorry. Please, do sit on that sofa over there.”
“Then, Acting Captain, please sit down too. Ah, you there… Ensign Meyrica, was it? Please sit down as well. What we’re about to discuss concerns all of you, so please join us.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Then I’ll take the liberty of joining you.”
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she’s getting straight or close to it to her reason for visiting and mc still doesn’t realize he’s further and further from his original goal lul
Thanks for the treat.