Colonel Jaeger Sobek was genuinely close to tears.
He simply couldn't understand it. He was just a layabout hoping to coast for a couple of years before worming his way into the equipment and logistics departments for a living—the one rotten apple in the Starrealm Knights. So how had he ended up representing the Empire with full authority in this blasted joint reconnaissance operation?
Tracking down the Marauders' main fleet would have been bad enough. But he also had to work with that walking disaster.
"If only I'd gone with Countess Lamut and the others to explore the Abyss Nebula. Sure, the pirates there are vicious, but can they really compare to that guy whose name must not be spoken? Jaeger Sobek, this is all your fault!" He was so full of regret that he wished he could travel back a month and strangle himself.
This new Starrealm Knight had rendered outstanding service in the Battle of the Modan System. After the battle, he had turned down an invitation from Countess Jiafia Lamut, the leader of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Knights' younger generation.
At the time, Jiafia had received the first star chart data from within the Abyss Nebula and decided to explore it herself. She had invited Sobek along.
The newcomer, who had come from the colonial garrison, was practically the biggest surprise of the Starrealm Knights' unlucky year. More and more people were placing their hopes in him. Jiafia was naturally curious about her fellow Knight, and wanted to use the opportunity to talk with him and draw him closer.
But Colonel Sobek felt he'd already done his share of dangerous work: he had gone behind enemy lines to gather intelligence and distinguished himself in the Battle of Modan by killing enemy officers and capturing their