I Reincarnated as the Captain of a Battleship in a Robot Anime, but at This Rate, I’m Going to Be Assassinated – Chapter 32

Chapter 32: Let’s Join Hands. Even if We Don’t Show Our True Intentions, Let’s Join Hands
[space_man][space_man]Shougo is conscious of how others perceive him, but in reality, he can’t even imagine being seen as a monster. While he seems concerned about others, he’s actually preoccupied with his own affairs and desperately trying to fulfill his role.
[space_man][space_man]A forced smile, a fabricated dignity, a manufactured vanity. He desperately played the part of Jowain, somehow pretending to be an understanding adult. He acted out his usefulness.
[space_man][space_man]He was surprised that it was somehow working out so far.
[space_man][space_man]That’s why he was doing something as crazy as negotiating with the enemy he had just exchanged fire with a moment ago.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]『I appreciate the support, but they are the enemy! They shot down one of our ships!』
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]However, it’s the Rebel Army side that wouldn’t be convinced.
[space_man][space_man]The captains of the surviving ships are agitated.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]『We heard from Lopes and the others! But you have no right to take charge here!』
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]If it were Captain Lopes and the others, the conversation might have been different. No, it would have been better if it had been before one ship was sunk, but even Shougo couldn’t prepare for that, and even the Trismegistus couldn’t do it.
[space_man][space_man]Besides, human emotions cannot immediately soothe or forgive anger directed at others.
[space_man][space_man]Shougo understands that much.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I understand your words very well. However, we must not mistake the true enemy. If we engage in pointless killing here, it will only play into the enemy’s hands.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Shougo is keenly aware of his limited vocabulary, only able to utter such words.
[space_man][space_man]The true enemy. Such a thing is a fabrication. The immediate enemy to defeat is Anferu. After that, it’s probably Fauden. But somehow, it feels different.
[space_man][space_man]Shougo also has a creepy sense of unease. However, there’s no reason to let these two run rampant.
[space_man][space_man]They are undoubtedly enemies that must be defeated.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”The enemy is New Balance. It’s those who control it. As long as we don’t strike them down, this will go on forever. They’ll just create imaginary enemies and intensify the conflict.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Moreover, the enemy’s rapid advance is probably due to their impatience, but at this point, it feels intentional.
[space_man][space_man]It’s something Shougo has always felt.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Besides…… Captain Janet”
[space_man][space_man]『……What?』
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Shougo calls out to Janet again here. For some reason, she seemed frightened.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Even if you return to the base now, nothing good will come of it, Captain Janet. When I say it’s better for you to join us, I’m not trying to make things difficult for you. Returning after suffering such heavy damage to your fleet, failing to annihilate the enemy, and even being shown mercy would be a matter of honor for you. Especially since you let the Trismegistus escape, that’s a big deal, right?”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]It’s not a threat.
[space_man][space_man]It’s a fact that if they return as they are, Janet and the others will be held responsible.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”That’s what happened to me. They tried to eliminate me. And you, you made contact with me and learned this information. And when you return in defeat, you will undoubtedly question the base commander and report it to your superiors.”
[space_man][space_man]『……!』
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]It seems I hit a nerve.
[space_man][space_man]Even though she learned about New Balance’s atrocities through the broadcast, the fact that Franny is alive…… Having obtained such information, it’s clear that she would distrust the military’s upper echelons.
[space_man][space_man]But that’s dangerous. It’s obvious she’ll be disposed of.
[space_man][space_man]After all, the living proof is right here in front of her.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”You will be eliminated. Because you know inconvenient information.”
[space_man][space_man]『Why can you say that with such certainty?』
[space_man][space_man]”To begin with, this whole battle is too convenient.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Having gone through the battles so far, Shougo desperately wanted to get rid of the sense of discomfort.
[space_man][space_man]It’s the excessive convenience surrounding the Trismegistus’s development.
[space_man][space_man]If we remove the meta-perspective of it being an anime plot, why did New Balance know the Trismegistus’s transport destination in the first place? Why was Anferu able to deploy his troops so easily? Their response to even ordinary soldiers was too quick. And regarding the Belbeck attack, it’s as if they had planned it, bringing out a unit equipped to counter the Trismegistus.
[space_man][space_man]Above all…… Percy’s transformation.
[space_man][space_man]I don’t think everything is related. But through these battles, the Trismegistus is undoubtedly growing. Eliminating anything that hinders its growth one after another……
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Captain Janet. To begin with, even regarding the Belbeck attack, the timing of your arrival at Byblos was too perfect. You rushed to the planet far too quickly. That’s strange. Originally, the attack on Byblos was a top-secret mission to be carried out by us alone. In some cases, it was an operation to destroy the planet. Despite the need to keep it secret, you were right there.”
[space_man][space_man]『Th-That was because we received orders!』
[space_man][space_man]”Yes, you couldn’t have come without orders. But at that time, Byblos was under the influence of the Planet Killer, and communication and warp were limited. Yet, you came. Not just you. The one that attacked our ship, too. Someone must have been in constant contact to be able to deploy so meticulously.”
[space_man][space_man]『Wh-What are you trying to say……?』
[space_man][space_man]”I’ll say it plainly, this whole series of incidents is orchestrated.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Shougo was laying out his theory.
[space_man][space_man]But he couldn’t offer any other explanation.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I have a hunch about one of the culprits. It’s no use hiding it now. It’s Dr. Phoenix.”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]I had thought he was a suspicious man from the start.
[space_man][space_man]It might be late to say that I became certain after seeing Percy’s transformation, but there were questionable points in his actions even before that.
[space_man][space_man]There was also a sense of unease. Percy’s purpose was destruction, but Phoenix never said anything about that. Above all, he had Yuuki board the Trismegistus when there was no need for him to do so.
[space_man][space_man]Considering that the story about the pilot registration was also a lie, everything in the original anime becomes a lie.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’Above all…… even in the anime, there were enemies wherever the protagonists went. There’s the reason that the original Jowain was chasing them, but it wasn’t just that. Also, the sense of crisis that Percy felt. Thoth’s abnormal growth rate, every time it fights…… no, whatever, every time it gains experience, it grows. It felt fear just now. That’s also learning. It was the same in the anime. Even though I thought it was weak, it awakened its cheat abilities three times in the end. That was all the result of repeated battles. Moreover, this time, Yuuki is full of motivation. It seemed like Thoth was responding to that.’
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]If that’s the case, there’s something inducing it.
[space_man][space_man]Shougo is convinced that it’s Phoenix.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]’Most likely, his goal is the fate of the Trismegistus, but whatever. Trying to understand the thoughts of that kind of madman is a mistake in itself. He’s on my punch list too, I’ll catch him, make him spill everything, and then punch him.’
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]While still vague, Shougo was trying to determine the enemies he needed to defeat in this world.
[space_man][space_man]Fauden, Anferu, Phoenix. He’ll punch all three of these troublemakers together.
[space_man][space_man]And now, the one within reach is……!
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Captain Janet. Where is Phoenix? If you captured Captain Lopes and the others, he must have been there too. Technical Captain Percy has become like that. I know that old geezer did it.”
[space_man][space_man]『I-I don’t know. It’s true, we captured the Doctor here. But the base commander immediately took him away as an important witness. He said he would be interrogated at headquarters, on Earth.』
[space_man][space_man]”He escaped……! No, but he shouldn’t have reached Earth yet. He modified Percy, even if he used warp……! Damn it, I can’t just sit here!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]He can’t let Phoenix escape now.
[space_man][space_man]Shougo understands that the situation has changed.
[space_man][space_man]It’s not the time to be talking about soft things like negotiations.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Captain Janet! I’m sorry, but I’ll have to get your cooperation no matter what! We’re going to catch that old geezer! That’s the top priority right now! We need to confirm his connection with New Balance! Your base commander is in cahoots with him! We’re going to attack your base!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Janet wasn’t the only one stunned by this impossible, outrageous statement; the Mirandora’s crew and the rebels were also dumbfounded.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]『W-Wait! Attack the enemy’s headquarters?! Are you insane?』
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The Rebel captains let out screams of disbelief.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Yes, I’m sane!”
[space_man][space_man]『Y-You idiot! Attacking the enemy base together with the guys who sank our comrades, you’re crazy!』
[space_man][space_man]”But there’s someone behind the scenes who instigated this battle, the mastermind, so to speak. Taking him down is revenge! Besides, if we act, Captain Lopes and the others who are imprisoned should also make their move!”
[space_man][space_man]『Don’t say things you have no proof of!』
[space_man][space_man]”Then run away quickly! We’re being targeted from the start, and we can’t afford to be picky about our methods to survive! What are you going to do, you bastards! What are you going to do!”
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Shougo shouted.
[space_man][space_man]He understands that he’s being unreasonable.
[space_man][space_man]But he hated losing the clue he had finally grasped even more.
[space_man][space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Don’t you want to teach those guys who are manipulating this ridiculous battle from behind the scenes a lesson!”