The Golden Astray with a 'Broad Mind'

Watching Flay finally accept the soldiers' directions and arrangements as she headed toward the residential area of the Gwameir, Luther continued to share two more pieces of news with a wicked sense of humor.

"Oh, by the way, Miss Flay, your boyfriend Sai and your admirer Kira have both boarded the Archangel, the cutting-edge Atlantic Federation warship that is one of the primary culprits behind the destruction of Heliopolis. They are currently fleeing toward the Eurasian Federation's military fortress, Artemis. Let us wish them a smooth journey."

"As for your father, I imagine you will see him in about ten days, though I fear it will be on the battlefield."

Watching Flay depart in tears under the 'escort' of the soldiers, Luther pulled Haman, who had drifted over, into his arms.

"Are you satisfied now, my Lady Haman?"

"Hmph."

Although Haman didn't say it aloud, the sensory feedback she gave Luther suggested that he wouldn't have to worry about his evening—though, either way, it was a form of amusement in itself.

Having finally smoothed things over with Haman, Luther recalled the 'open-minded' Gold Astray he had seen upon returning to the hangar and turned to look for Cima, who was in charge of salvaging the Astray series.

No sooner had he turned around than he saw Cima, who had clearly watched the entire spectacle, and was met with her 'proactive attack.'

"Sister Haman, don't fall for his tricks. In my humble opinion, I fear this Miss Flay will ultimately be unable to escape the clutches of our Lord Deikun. Boo hoo hoo hoo."

Faced with Cima's 'sowing of discord' and fake crying, Luther could only watch helplessly as Haman took the opportunity to enter her 'I'm sulking, you have to coax me' state.

Luther could only mentally mutter, No, you've come at the perfect time, as he pulled one into each arm and attempted to change the subject.

"What is the deal with that Gold Astray?"

"Who knows? It was just like that little girl named 'Flay' from earlier; some lunatic calling himself 'Sahaku' started barking orders for no reason.

I ignored him when he told me to go, but after he saw my subordinates collecting parts, he attacked us on his own initiative. So, I gave him a shot with the prototype high-output beam rifle that Lord Ginias provided.

I gave him a clear warning and even aimed for a long time, but who knew he wouldn't even dodge? That was the result."

Faced with Luther's inquiry, Cima clearly focused her main energy on using her body to elicit a reaction from him, and under her influence, Haman was not to be outdone.

After giving Cima a 'flick to the forehead' to put an end to their inappropriate behavior, Luther had his own theories about the matter.

Perhaps the beam weapons of the UC era, based on Minovsky particles, were a type of 'specialty' weapon that had unexpected effects on CE-series mobile suits that lacked corresponding countermeasures.

The pilot of the Gold Astray had likely been overconfident; on one hand, he was certain Haman wouldn't dare 'offend her superior,' and on the other, he had expected his trump card to work, only for it to fail completely, which was why...

"Lord Luther, an internal call from Captain Tessa on the bridge."

The maintenance captain's reminder interrupted Luther's thoughts.

After thanking the maintenance captain, Luther, accompanied by Cima and Haman, connected the communication from Tessa.

Faced with a screen full of familiar faces, Tessa got straight to the point.

"We have received light-based communication from an approaching unarmed ship. They claim to be from Orb's Morgenroete, demanding to ransom the Astray series and requesting to speak with 'Lord Sahaku.' How should we respond?"

"'Lord Sahaku' has been killed for attacking our forces. We will return the Astray series to Orb ourselves; tell them to wait and watch the news!"

Faced with Luther's seemingly rigid reply, Tessa simply nodded and cut the connection.

Beside Luther, Cima began to tease him.

"Is this that same routine of using literal interpretations to intentionally mislead people?

It was the same with that little girl named Flay; you really do enjoy doing this, my Master Luther."

"Weren't you also won over by me using this very routine, my dear Cima?

As the saying goes, without credibility, one cannot stand. Every word I said was the truth; there wasn't a single lie.

I love you, Cima."

Faced with Luther's 'weak-point attack,' Cima, who was bold in her seduction but actually had high offense and paper-thin defenses, was clearly 'one-shot.'

Just as Luther was soothing her and expressing his feelings to Haman as well, the internal line from Captain Tessa on the bridge was connected once more, and the interaction between Luther, Haman, and Cima naturally fell into Tessa's view.

"Ah, apologies for interrupting you.

Another unarmed ship has sent a request. This time, they claim to be the 'Junk Guild,' asking if they can salvage and provide aid to the wreckage of Heliopolis. How should we respond?"

Faced with Tessa's teasing and inquiry, Luther naturally couldn't favor one over the other.

"I love you too, Tessa."

Seeing Tessa blush slightly and respond in a low voice, Luther didn't press the matter further and naturally turned to discuss business with her.

"According to my memory, although they didn't have much presence in the original story, it is said that these 'Junk Guild' members who deal in gray-market business have extensive connections, while their own strength is relatively limited. They are exactly the kind of people we can make use of while we are in unfamiliar territory.

Beyond granting them permission to salvage and provide aid, you can ask if they have any interest in doing business with us. If the price is right, we can sell them some of our surplus mobile suits."

Tessa nodded, clearly turning to handle the communication without hanging up the internal line, so Luther naturally waited on the side.

While waiting, perhaps recalling her own days on the Mahal, Cima asked Luther with rare curiosity.

"My Master Luther, judging by your words, is this 'Junk Guild' a paramilitary organization with a certain amount of strength?

I come from a background of salvaging myself, so how come I didn't know the Junk Guild could make their business so big?"

Compared to the 'punitive' flick from before, Luther affectionately tapped Cima's forehead this time.

"People like you who only know how to pick up scrap shouldn't dare call themselves the 'Junk Guild.'

Alright, no more jokes. Actually, I think you should understand.

The Junk Guild in peacetime and the Junk Guild during wartime or the immediate postwar period are two completely different concepts.

After all, you might be short on anything on a battlefield, but you will never be short on active weapons and equipment that only need a little repair to be used again.

One of the men my Lady Haman took a fancy to in the original timeline also came from the Junk Guild, you know."

Amidst Cima's slightly deliberate 'sudden realization' and Haman's unhappy pouting, Tessa, who had presumably finished her negotiations with the 'Junk Guild,' returned to the communication.