Chapter 257: Reunion With the Married-Woman Battleship
After the lesson ended, Mikazuki found Orga in one of the Fishing Fire's corridors and asked, "Orga, what are you doing here?"
"Oh, it's you, Mikazuki."
"You saw earlier, right? We started learning to read and write together."
"Haha, figured you noticed. So? What made you suddenly decide you wanted to study?"
"Because Miss Kudelia offered to teach me… so Takaki and the others joined too.
If I can't read or write, I won't be able to help with MS maintenance. And… maybe not right now, but someday I want to read lots of books and learn how to grow vegetables."
"Oh yeah. You've said before—you want to run a farm bigger than Biscuit's grandmother's place."
Mikazuki noticed Orga's tired eyes and asked, "Yeah… but Orga, aren't you exhausted? You haven't really slept in days."
"I'm fine. I'm more worried about you—have you recovered from the battle?"
Mikazuki shook his head. "I'm fine."
"Good. Still… Earth feels really far."
"But you've already decided we're going."
"Yeah. The dice are rolled. All that's left is to push forward. We finally have something like a place to belong.
Everyone's future and their lives are resting on Tekkadan. I have to protect them."
"That's true."
While Orga and Mikazuki kept talking, Tolle—unwilling to watch any longer—stayed with Kudelia as her assistant teacher, helping her teach reading and writing.
But before long, alarms suddenly sounded throughout the Fishing Fire, and everyone rushed back to their positions.
Tolle froze. What the hell? Didn't I already take care of Maruba? Why are there still people blocking us? Did he resurrect or something?
With no intel, he couldn't judge the situation.
On the bridge, Orga urgently asked Fumitan at the radar console, "What's happening?"
"Another ship is ordering us to stop."
"Another ship? Position? Direction?"
"Unknown. Unable to detect."
Eugene swallowed nervously. "Don't tell me it's Gjallarhorn… already?"
Biscuit anxiously scanned the radar. "I don't know! I can't find the source!"
Just as tension filled the bridge, a communication window suddenly opened—showing a familiar face.
Tolle squinted. Naze? Don't tell me Maruba really came back from the dead…
Through the screen, Naze looked at Tolle—now appearing more mature—and spoke:
"My brother, that really you? Heard you got tangled up with Gjallarhorn again.
But once I realized you weren't heading to Earth and were coming toward Jupiter instead—plus I got in contact with Spark-1—I figured out most of it.
You need Teiwaz's help, right? So big bro came personally. Well? Touched yet?"
Tolle dramatically pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his face like he was crying, then smirked and replied,
"Big brother… your timing is perfect. I was just trying to find you. I'm deeply moved."
"Hahahaha! No need for thanks, we're family. If you need something, just call me."
Lafter suddenly shoved into view, though her… ravine took up half the screen. She grinned:
"Haha! Tolle! Did you miss your sister-in-law? Later, make sure you join us for some MS simulator sparring!
I've been training, you know. This time I'm not losing easily."
Tolle stared at the giant cleavage dominating the monitor and gave a dry laugh. "Haha… of course I missed you and big bro. Once I'm free, I'll happily spar with you."
Naze gently dragged Lafter aside. "Okay, sweetheart, business first."
Then he turned back to Tolle. "Alright, my brother. What do you need from us?"
Tolle didn't bother sugarcoating it. "Big brother, we're escorting Kudelia to Earth—but aside from fighting, I'm useless in this area.
So we need someone who knows the safe routes and can avoid Gjallarhorn surveillance. Someone to guide us and make sure Kudelia reaches Earth safely."
Naze glanced at Kudelia, then at Tolle—and burst into loud laughter.
"Hahaha!! So that's how it is! You really take after your big bro. She's a great girl.
Don't worry—I'll definitely help. I'll contact old man Maklmaad for you."
Being referred to as Tolle's future wife, Kudelia flushed bright red and immediately hid behind him.
Seeing her reaction, Naze laughed even louder.
"Hahahaha! Looks like I won't need to worry about you at all.
But serious matters should be discussed aboard my Hammerhead. If this transmission leaks, it'll be trouble. Besides—your sisters-in-law are eager to welcome you properly."
"Alright, big brother. Then we'll gratefully accept the invitation."