Chapter 60

"The recommender is also allowed to accompany you."

"Oh, seriously? Lucky me!"

Chacha-san snapped her fingers happily.

"You hardly ever get to see the inside of Mother Base. Wonder what kinds of mechs are in there..." *slurp*

Rikusen-san, the king of the colony... I'm nervous... but curious.

I don't think of him as my rival just because we're both snipers, but that aside, there's no way I'm not interested in the best sniper in the game. Truth is, I'm a total sniper nut.

"This way, please."

The guide-girl led us to an elevator behind the counter.

"Orbital elevator direct to Mother Base."

Orbital elevators are normally the cables that link Earth and space; here, it's the elevator linking the colony and the reception area in space.

The elevator dropped rapidly. Once we left the reception center, the outside view opened up, and space felt close enough to touch. The elevator passed through the outer shell of the colony: from the void of space to blue sky, a vast ocean stretching below us.

"So this is Oceanos..."

A gigantic city lay directly beneath us—an island nation, surrounded by sea.

"The capital of Oceanos is 'Asia.' A city ringed by ocean. Endless seas lie to the north and south, endless land to the east and west."

Looking west, I could indeed see endless land beyond the sea.

The view was cut off by thick steel walls. Then—

"We have arrived. This is headquarters—Mother Base."

We stepped off the elevator.

The space was wide open, decorated in the same near-future style as the Space Station. The one thing that felt off: not a single window. No view of the outside at all. And yet the walls were thick iron. Of course a secret base wouldn't let outside eyes see in... but the structure still felt strange.

(So many people...)

Girls in mini-skirt military uniforms everywhere. Cute uniforms. This is a game after all—looks over function.

Marine-blue jackets and berets, black skirts. Some jackets were sleeveless, some long-sleeved.

Following the guide-girl, an unfamiliar woman stepped in front of us.

"I'll take it from here."

She wore glasses—an adult, sultry older-sister type.

The guide-girl bowed to her and turned on her heel.

"You're Shiki-sama and Chacha-sama, yes?"

"Y-Yes! That's us!"

"Are you military police, miss?"

"Yes. I'm 'Nesu,' aide to His Majesty Rikusen. This way, please—he is waiting."

Wow, she's really staying in character. Feels like talking to a real soldier.

We followed Nesu-san; after about two minutes we reached Rikusen-san's room. We'd passed seven security barriers on the way, all of which Nesu-san deactivated.

Nesu-san operated a terminal beside the door.

"Your Majesty, I've brought Shiki-sama and Chacha-sama."

That terminal must be the intercom.

"Roger. Let them in."

A voice came through—low for a woman.

*Click.* The lock disengaged.

Nesu-san opened the door and led us inside. Chacha-san and I followed her into the room.

"Well, well—nice to meet you, little sniper."

A suit and slacks. A blue military jacket draped over one shoulder, white gloves on both hands. Tall and slim, with very sharp features.

Long blue hair made it clear she's a woman, but if it were shorter you might mistake her for a host. More handsome than beautiful.

What surprised me was where Rikusen-san was sitting—cross-legged on top of what looked like an office desk, even though a perfectly good chair was right there.

"Your Majesty, please stop sitting like that... A desk is not a seat."

"Oh, it's fine. I just like sitting as high as possible."

Rikusen-san regarded us with gentle eyes.

O-oh no. It's my turn to introduce myself... what do I say? Um, um...

"Hiya! I'm Chacha-san! My hobby is tinkering with mechs!"

"Nice to meet you, Chacha."

Chacha-san went first—okay, I'll follow her lead!

"I-I'm Shiki. My hobbies are model-building and sniping..."

"Hahaha! Sniping as a hobby? Couldn't ask for better for a sniper!"

Whoa. This person is seriously cool. Not just looks—voice too.

"I watched your performance. That last Rank Match was amazing. Taking out that Tsubasa—incredible. No wonder Sheena rated you so highly."

So this is the person who led Sheena-san and Tsubasa-san... I can feel that charisma.

"I-I still have a lot to learn..."

"No need to be modest. Your skill is the real deal. As a sniper, no one stands to your right."

"Eh? Um, Chacha-san told me you're the strongest sniper..."

"Haha, I've heard that too."

Rikusen-san shrugged and laughed.

"If we're talking pure sniping, you're better. No question. Other fields—close combat, quick-draw—maybe I can keep up. But if we fought one-on-one under equal conditions, I'd be lucky to win three out of ten."

"Your Majesty! A king can't give away victories so easily—"

"But it's the truth. As a sniper, you're superior. However—"

With a smile, Rikusen-san sharpened her gaze.

"If, in that Rank Match, I'd been with Crimson Wings instead of Tsubasa—I'd win a hundred times out of a hundred."

Absolute confidence shone in her eyes.

Admitting defeat in a duel, yet claiming never to lose in team battles... I'm curious about her playstyle.

"Don't look so serious. We're just different types. We're both snipers, but our traits are polar opposites. Well! If you're curious, ask Sheena."

A clear line: don't ask any more about me...

"Hey, hey, Your Majesty, why'd you call Shiki-ccho here? Just to thank him for the Rank Match?"

"That's part of it, but mainly I wanted to meet him. I value Shiki's skill too. I might need that strength someday."

"Eh!?"

"Wouldn't it be rude to ask a favor of someone whose face I don't even know? So I'm meeting you now, while I can. Just in case."

Isn't she overestimating me...?

"I heard you came to buy a My House. If you decide to become a resident, you're more than welcome. I'll treat you well."

"Treat me well?"

"First, I'll waive the monthly resident tax for one month and promise an indefinite visa. If you'll hear my requests, I'll upgrade your treatment each time."

That's nothing but good for me.

Whether I live here or take requests is up to me. She's just saying she'll give perks if I do.

(And yet I overthink—wondering what the catch is...)

But there's no point thinking too deeply. Agreeing for now won't hurt.

"Th-Thank you very much. If I decide to live here, I'll be counting on you."

"Good. Oh, and Chacha—there's something I want to ask of you too."

"Eh? I thought only Shiki-ccho was needed."

"I can't let an engineer as good as you slip away. If I let you build TW, there'd be no one better."

"Happy to hear it!"

Chacha really is an amazing mechanic...

"I'd like you to become the army's personal engineer."

"Declined! I hate organizations—no freedom means no Chacha~"

"Mm. Negotiations with you may take a while. Let's leave it for another time."

"By 'another time,' I'd rather you give up, nya~"

"I have cards to win you over. Look forward to it."

Rikusen-san glanced at Nesu-san, who opened the door behind us.

"That's all from me. Sorry for talking your ear off. If you ever need anything, let Nesu know. I'll help however I can. I look forward to seeing you both again."

We left the room.

Then—

"This is my friend code."

Nesu-san handed us a slip with her friend code written on it.

"If you ever need to see His Majesty, please use this. Thank you."

"Th-Thank you very much."

For now, I guess it's safe to say I've made a good connection...?

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