Mob №74 said, “Actually, I forgot some important research data in the hut that serves as both a break room and temporary storage for excavation finds! Without it, the research can’t progress!”
We safely returned to the ocean city Ocean Palace. While unloading the excavated items, I checked the ship’s body and found no particular problems.
However, considering we were struck by lightning and the rain would likely halt excavations, I thought it might be a good idea to perform a complete overhaul maintenance.
Of course, I’d need the professor’s permission first.
“Professor, I think the ship is fine, but may I send it for a complete overhaul maintenance?”
“That’s a good idea. We won’t be able to excavate for a while, so go ahead and do that.”
With the professor’s permission, I moved the cargo ship to the maintenance factory on the first level. After requesting the overhaul, I returned to the research area.
“Oh, Uzoss! Have they already disassembled the ship?!”
The professor approached me, looking quite flustered.
“After checking for any forgotten items inside, I took it to the maintenance factory. The workers there seemed quite free, so they started disassembling it right away.”
Surprised by the professor’s desperate look, I reported on the current state of the cargo ship sent for maintenance.
“I actually forgot some important research data in the hut that serves as both a break room and temporary storage for excavation finds! Without it, the research can’t progress!”
Judging from the professor’s demeanor, it must be quite important.
Although it was for safety reasons, I felt apologetic for suggesting the overhaul maintenance.
“Should I go fetch it with my ship?”
“That’s right, you’re a mercenary and have your own ship!”
At my suggestion, the professor looked at my ship with hopeful eyes.
“I’ll come along! You probably wouldn’t know which one is the research data, right?”
Indeed, I wouldn’t be able to identify which memory device or file contained the research data.
As for the Patchwork, although I hadn’t moved it much since coming here, I had been operating it occasionally during daytime hours, so it should be in good condition.
Moreover, since it’s my own ship, I understand its quirks, which should allow for more stable flight.
The rain and wind had also weakened a bit, so we’d be less likely to get struck by lightning. If we were going to retrieve the data, now was the time.
Fortunately, that female student wasn’t present at the boarding site.
Though I dreaded what would happen when we returned…
☆ ☆ ☆
[Side: Florina Thesz]
Really, how could I forget the memory device containing such important research data…
Was it because I was in a hurry due to the rain?
No, that’s just an excuse.
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Still, the ride is less bumpy than our earlier return on the cargo ship. It’s partly because the rain and wind have weakened, but also because this ship belongs to him, John Uzoss.
This ship, which he’s accustomed to handling as a mercenary, is like an extension of his body.
With an even more stable flight than our earlier return journey, we arrived at the excavation site in no time.
“I’ll go get it right away, so please wait here.”
Uzoss is quite skilled as a pilot.
He’s even considerate enough to stop the ship with the entrance close to the hut.
I’d like to hire him as our exclusive pilot if possible, but we currently have someone under contract, and his main job is as a mercenary.
It wouldn’t be right to force him.
So I entered the hut and found the target memory device in less than a minute.
Really… forgetting things is such a nuisance.
Due to neglecting a check, a task that should take less than a minute now requires more than ten times the time and effort.
Thinking about this, I returned to the ship when suddenly a light shone from above.
“W-What’s that?!”
“Ships. Two of them, it seems.”
Did they forget something too, like me?
But even so, why would they come to the area I’m in charge of?
At that moment, his ship received a short-range communication.
“May I connect?”
At my nod to his words, he flipped a switch, and the face of a thin man with an aquiline nose and a malicious look appeared on the screen.
“Dr. Dazbrought…”
[Good evening, Professor Florina Thesz. What a coincidence to meet you here.]
Harold Dazbrought.
An imperial viscount, honorary professor at the Imperial University, and a doctor of archaeology.
Insidious and malicious. A coward who can’t even give a decent lecture but has ten times the desire for honor as others.
For that reason, he’s always trying to assert dominance over me.
“What business do you have here?”
So, I respond with insincere politeness.
When this guy approaches me like this, it’s usually for nothing good.
Dazbrought then made a face as if he had bitten into something sour and said,
[You’re young, beautiful, and capable. And from this place you’re currently excavating, many artifacts have been unearthed, achieving great results and increasing your fame.]
He threw these unwilling compliments at me.
But the next moment, his expression changed to one of anger,
[But such honor should rightfully belong to me, a viscount and doctor of archaeology!]
he said.
I was dumbfounded, and a long-held suspicion came to mind.
Does this man really have a doctorate in archaeology?
“You insisted that nothing would come from the place I’m now in charge of, and conversely, that the place you’re now responsible for would absolutely yield the discovery of the century, using pressure to forcibly change the assigned locations, didn’t you?”
Initially, the excavation site assignments were determined by drawing lots.
But as I mentioned earlier, he disliked the place I’m now in charge of and used his position at the university and his power as a noble to forcibly change the excavation sites.
However, when all was said and done, hardly any artifacts were found in the place Dazbrought had taken from me, while the place he had pushed onto me yielded memory devices from that era, plastic paper documents, and an underground facility containing them.
In such relic excavations, it’s common to draw blanks, and the fact that “nothing was here” is also important information. Despite this,
[However, if I report to the academic society that you were my subordinate and that I instructed you to investigate this place, all the achievements will become mine.]
Dazbrought said this unbelievable thing as if it were a good proposal.
“Do you think I would agree to such a thing?”
I stopped maintaining even minimal courtesy and glared at Dazbrought.
Dazbrought’s face distorted for a moment, but he quickly started grinning and stroking his chin, saying,
[If you don’t agree, your entire research team might have to leave the city in this storm and could end up lost at sea, you know?]
Immediately he grinned and started stroking his chin.
Has he taken my subordinates and students hostage?!
I tried to contact them immediately, but no one responded.
Then Uzoss whispered to me,
“It sounds like it might be a bluff. The inability to communicate might also be due to interference from one of their ships.”
However,
I know Dazbrought’s character.
He would definitely do something like this…
“I understand… I’ll follow your instructions. First, ensure the safety of the research team. Also, this ship’s pilot is a temporary hire and not a researcher. I want you to guarantee his safety as well…”
Satisfied with my submissive attitude, Dazbrought grinned again and ordered,
[Very well. First, stop the ship’s engine and come out with the pilot. Bring the ignition key with you.]
TLNOTE : If you enjoyed this novel and want to read more, I’ve started translating another work by the same author titled: “[Snail] – The Cargo-Passenger Ship Operations Log.” Please check it out!
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this dude gonna regret this