155: Chapter 155 Ossie: I'm offering it for free!

"This is the result of the discussion with Lady Fujian." Verres placed the document on Aussie's desk. "In short, she has preliminarily agreed to open Plata Port more deeply as a landing spot for the exiles. At the same time, she indicated that she could accommodate unemployed people from within the Federation to venture into Horizons Edge."

"Sounds good..." Aussie didn't pick up the document; she just slumped in her chair, then struggled to pull off her military dress uniform and tossed it aside casually. "So, what do we have to give in return?"

"Yes, we have to give quite a bit as well." Verres took out her notebook. "First is the security personnel. We must increase the dispatch of a group of security officers to assist in setting up the Plata Port Civil Affairs Bureau and aid in the civil management of Plata Port."

"Is that Fujian not afraid of us taking over?" Aussie asked, surprised.

"She said to go right ahead..." Verres said helplessly.

"So arrogant?... Fine, keep going."

"Secondly, it's no longer possible to keep Horizons Edge completely secret from the Federation. Therefore, Fujian requires us to remain neutral in the diplomatic affairs between Horizons Edge and the Federation."

"That's no problem." Aussie shrugged. "Anything else?"

"Two more points." Verres glanced at her notebook. "One is the hope that we can negotiate with Oronia, in the name of the Hurricane Merchant Group, to purchase a twenty-kilometer-long stretch of suburban beach and the inland area extending three kilometers from it—that area was abandoned for historical reasons and doesn't have much development benefit."

"Easy enough. As long as we're not the ones paying, it doesn't matter..." Aussie breathed a sigh of relief. "And the other condition?"

"Considering the inconvenience of communication, Fujian requires us to personally explain these matters to Li Ming and obtain his supreme approval."

"Eh...?" Aussie lifted her head, which had been slumped on the chair from exhaustion. "What kind of nonsense is this?"

Verres spread her hands. "I plan to hand this task over to Kano... Really, if this had come a bit earlier, it would have been fine..."

If Kano were still at the General Bureau, transferring the information wouldn't be this much trouble.

"Hmm..." Aussie sat up and fell into deep thought.

"Well? Do you want me to send someone to handle it?"

"No, no need."

Aussie picked up the file bag. "Your department just sent a batch to Plata Port, and Kano isn't here. I'm afraid you can't even scrape together enough people right now."

"Mm..."

This was indeed a problem. Now Verres's Foreign Affairs Department had to handle internal documents and be responsible for communication affairs; they could barely even find a professional clerk to run errands.

"Should I go to the Commerce Department and find someone silver-tongued?" Verres thought of Leica. Although she wasn't very serious, her professional ability was indeed top-tier.

"No need, every department is short-handed." Aussie shook her head and stuffed the file bag into her rigging space. "I'll go personally."

"If you go personally, that would... Wait, what did you say?" Verres was stunned. "You, what are you talking about?"

The Director of the Ship Girl General Bureau going personally—if word got out, it would cause a huge scene!

"Don't be so willful..." Verres massaged her temples helplessly. "Even if I can't stop you if you really want to go, you still have to consider the impact..."

"Is it not okay?"

To Verres's surprise, Aussie's flat voice became sweet and beautiful.

She looked up and was instantly struck as if by lightning.

Is this our Director?

The capable high ponytail had turned into playful twin tails. Her hair, which was rarely tidied, was let down, and her bangs looked quite cute along with her soft, adorable expression.

She put her hands on her face. "Sister Verres~ I'm not Vow, I'm Aussie—"

Verres nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. "No, what kind of trouble are you trying to cause now?!"

"Oh, sister, I want to go out and play~" Aussie climbed over the desk and knelt before Verres. "Can I? Can I? Can I?"

Watching her act cute while throwing a tantrum, Verres only felt a massive headache.

She was definitely acting, but it also seemed impossible for it to be just an act.

"Have you thought about who will manage the General Bureau if you leave?"

"Waaah, I'm just a mascot anyway, how can I manage anything! Sister~ Sister~ please—" Aussie looked like she was about to cry. "I promise I won't cause any trouble!"

"You... this... Sigh, fine!" Verres massaged her temples helplessly. "Alright, just remember not to get exposed. I'll take care of things here at the General Bureau."

After mourning for a half-second for herself, who would have to face those old fogey councilors in the next few routine meetings, Aussie jumped up. "Yay! Thank you, Sister Verres!"

"Enough, stop acting..." Verres held her down. "You still have that fake ID, right? Remember not to get exposed. If others find out your identity, you won't have a good time either..."

"Got it—"

Aussie quit while she was ahead and slipped back into her bedroom to change clothes...

——————

"Hello, I'm heading out on assignment!"

The Ship Girl on duty at the door looked at this unfamiliar face with some confusion. "Wait, I haven't seen you before. Who are you?"

"I'm Aussie~ Here's my ID!"

The duty Ship Girl took the ID and glanced at it. It was indeed a certification from the Foreign Affairs Department...

Vow-class battleship No. 5, Aussie.

There didn't seem to be a problem?

"So you're the Director's sister? You look a bit unfamiliar." The Ship Girl returned the ID to Aussie. "I haven't seen you before."

"Ahaha, I just woke up."

"Is that so? That makes sense... After all, the Director is a very busy person; she might not even know you were born yet." The duty Ship Girl sighed. "Alright, I wish you a safe journey!"

"Mm-hmm! Bye-bye!"

The young Ship Girl, dressed brightly and refreshingly, trotted away. The duty Ship Girl watched her leap into the city's waterway and disappear, sighing that it was good to be young.

Wait, is there a ship number five in the Vow-class?

Hmm... maybe an unfinished blueprint ship? Well, better not meddle too much in Ship Girl business...

And so, without her identity being discovered at all, Aussie slipped out of Edenia, a city that was always under the light yet never let people feel its brightness.

Once she was certain there were no other ships or watchtowers on the surrounding routes, Aussie stretched.

"I'm free!"

Speaking of which, she had to thank that little fellow named Li Ming. Without him, she wouldn't have known when she'd find a chance to come out and play.

Verres was actually quite strict; this was the only time she had managed to find an excuse.

So, where should she go to play first?

Hmm... let's head straight to Oronia and have a look...

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