Chapter 116 – As Long As I, Letaria, Am Here, Your Safety Is Guaranteed!

"Whew..."

Letaria let out a deep breath, steadying her ragged breathing.

She checked the cockpit's sensors, but there was no sign of any new enemy machines nearby. Even her own sharp magic had stopped picking up any threatening presence at all.

"Letaria-san! Truly, thank you for the rescue!"

A comm window opened, and the grateful voice of the civilian transport ship Sealine's captain rang out.

"I am simply glad that all of you are unharmed."

Letaria let out a relieved breath and smiled gently.

After that, she carefully recovered the escort machines' escape pods drifting through the surrounding space. She also swiftly secured the escape pods of the raiders who had fled the earlier battle, and stripped them of their weapons.

While she was busy with this aftermath work, the freelancers who had answered Seldia's emergency call, and, following behind them, the corps units, began arriving in the sector.

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"Heard about it from Dr. Ichinose... but at this rate, you're going to put the rest of us clean out of a job."

Pulling up quietly alongside Arden was the Ribast, piloted by the corps' vice-captain, Ethan.

"Fufu, I would say 'you took your time,' but this time it is thanks to 'this.'"

Letaria said, glancing at the "Extension Cruise Booster" units mounted on both of Arden's shoulders.

"Honestly, the doctor really did just slap an untested prototype on you and send you straight into live combat."

Ethan gave a wry, exasperated but impressed chuckle.

He then pulled back from Arden and quickly began directing his subordinates, ordering them to maintain a perimeter watch and organize the recovery of the abandoned enemy machines.

At that point, several machines belonging to fellow freelancers who'd arrived a little late approached Arden with familiar warmth. Among them were a few machines she recognized from past jobs they'd fought together on.

"Don't go stealing our work along with the corps', Rampaging Lady! ...Though, I gotta say, that's still one hell of a set of skills you've got."

"Fufufu, if you wish to catch up to me, then you had best all train a little harder yourselves!"

Letaria puffed out her chest proudly, trading light banter with them. The tension in the air eased all at once.

"All right, area's secured for now. To the freelancers who came out to help, we're formally handing off escort duty for the transport ship to you!"

Following Ethan's instructions over the general comm, the freelancers' machines spread out around the Sealine, falling into a coordinated escort formation.

"--Letaria-san, you must be exhausted by now. We've had a dock berth arranged for you on the transport ship. Rest up on board and head back to Seldia from there."

At Ethan's considerate words, Letaria nodded honestly.

Had it been her usual stubborn self, she might well have insisted, "This is nothing at all!" and answered that she'd fly herself back under her own power. But the relentless, inertia-defying G-forces from that limit-breaking right-angle maneuvering had unmistakably taken a real toll on her body.

And more than anything, there were plenty of trusted corps members and fellow freelancers around her now. She judged that this was a moment where it was best to simply accept the help offered.

"You are right... I am a little tired. Then, I shall take you up on your kind offer."

Seen off by Ethan's parting words -- "Take care" -- Arden followed the transport ship's guidance signal and slowly entered the open dock.

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After being brought aboard the dock, Letaria was invited into the transport ship's lounge.

There, the passengers and crew whose lives she'd saved had gathered, and the moment they caught sight of her, a thunderous cheer and an outpouring of applause and praise erupted through the room.

"I am simply glad that all of you are safe! As long as I, Letaria, am here, your safety is guaranteed!"

Holding a warm drink, a little bashful but proud, Letaria answered them with a ringing declaration.

Wrapped in the warmth of relief and heartfelt gratitude, the transport ship Sealine quietly continued its journey home -- back to Seldia, her own second home.