"..."
Thud—
Watching Firefly, who had just woken up, absentmindedly grope around herself, Setsuna flicked her on the forehead, knocking the Stellaron vessel down.
He extended a hand toward the girl in the dormant chamber.
"Get up. Your modification is complete."
"Mmm..."
Firefly came back to her senses. Holding onto Setsuna's arm, she slowly sat up.
Rubbing her head, she took a deep breath.
"Haa—"
She felt something she had never experienced before.
Her body felt incredibly light, yet filled with power.
The genetic recombination had not only completely eliminated the effects of Entropy Loss Syndrome, but had also enhanced her genes further, strengthening her physical capabilities.
Vitality.
For the first time, Firefly could feel such a thing within herself.
Entropy Loss Syndrome had once caused her existence and physical structure to gradually disintegrate. But now, she could clearly sense that the feeling of dissolution was gone.
A faint coolness brushed against her skin—it was the sensation of air touching her body. For her former self, such a thing had been a distant and unattainable luxury.
Without relying on Sam's medical chamber, without any external assistance.
She could now perceive and touch the world in her own original form.
"Haa... haa..."
Firefly took several more deep breaths.
Then she looked at everyone—and froze.
Two lines of tears suddenly streamed down from her beautiful blue-pink eyes.
"H-Hey, why are you crying?"
Silver Wolf was startled.
"Sorry, I just..."
"I've never... felt like this before..."
Firefly shook her head.
The Entropy Loss Syndrome that had plagued her for countless years, that had bound her fate, had been resolved so effortlessly.
Rebirth.
This was true rebirth.
She couldn't put her feelings into words.
A future that had once been destined for death had now been rewritten. From this moment on, she could move freely as Firefly—not as Sam.
A strong sense of unreality washed over her. She even pinched herself to confirm that she wasn't dreaming.
With Setsuna's support, she stood up.
"...Thank you!"
"I... I don't know how to thank you. I... I want to..."
Overwhelmed with emotion, Firefly became incoherent.
"Calm down first."
Setsuna chuckled and gently rubbed her head.
"Also, I know you have a lot of questions—and probably want to go out and explore—but shouldn't you put on some clothes first?"
As he spoke, his gaze drifted downward.
Mm, quite fair. After genetic enhancement, her figure really was excellent.
"Ahh—!"
Only then did Firefly realize that during the genetic recombination process, her body had essentially been completely reconstructed.
Her clothes had naturally been disintegrated as well.
She instantly covered herself, blushing from head to toe.
"Commander, don't peek!"
"...I've been watching you every day during your modification."
"Hey!!!"
...
An hour later.
A faint blush still lingered on Firefly's face as she changed back into her light green dress.
After adjusting her hair, she stood before Setsuna.
"Commander."
"Mm, not bad."
Setsuna looked her over.
Perhaps it was just an illusion, but he felt that Firefly's figure had improved slightly, and her skin had become even smoother.
"How does it feel?"
"Very good. I... never imagined I would have such an opportunity."
Firefly lowered her head as she answered.
"Commander, I... I don't know how to repay you."
Curing Entropy Loss Syndrome, plus giving her a new body—Firefly felt that Setsuna's kindness toward her had reached a level she could never repay.
She had only just arrived in the Starsea Empire, yet had already received such treatment. It left her both grateful and overwhelmed.
"Ahem. If you want to repay me, should I calculate the price for you?"
Gudako began counting on her fingers.
"Converted into credits, the genetic modification surgery is worth 250 billion. Body reconstruction is 420 billion. On top of that, equipment usage fees, consulting fees, medical equipment costs... the total comes to around 900 billion credits."
"I'll give you a 15% discount—friend price. 765 billion. Want to pay by card?"
She even produced a long itemized bill.
"Eh?! Eh?! Eh?!"
Firefly was completely stunned.
She knew the Starsea Empire's technology was incredibly advanced and wouldn't be cheap—but she never imagined such a terrifying price.
"S-Sorry, I... I don't have that much money..."
The girl replied timidly, her voice trembling slightly.
"Working it off is also an option. The Starsea Empire train crew is recruiting—monthly salary of 600,000 credits, food and lodging included."
"Hmm... including bonuses, it'll probably take about 100,000 years to repay? Well, you don't have a lifespan limit anymore anyway."
The incarnation of humanity's evil casually arranged her future.
"Huh?"
Firefly flipped through her wallet, wondering if she should take on multiple jobs to repay the debt.
She looked pitifully at Setsuna.
"Uu... do I have to work in the Starsea Empire forever?..."
"I... I'll try my best to repay at least a little..."
No matter how she calculated it, she felt like she might not even be able to cover the interest.
Pfft—
Setsuna almost burst out laughing.
"Come here."
He called Firefly over and pinched her cheek.
"I'm just teasing you."
"We're not like the IPC. You don't need to pay anything. Just live your life well from now on."
"Mmm!"
Firefly secretly glanced up at him.
"But... you've helped me so much. We were complete strangers, and yet you..."
"It's nothing."
Setsuna found her flustered state adorable and rubbed her head again.
"Stay here for a while. Once things in this universe are settled, you can come back with me to the Starsea Empire's homeworld."
"Or you can travel with the Astral Express and explore other worlds. Your future lies among the endless stars. From now on, neither scripts nor fate can bind you anymore."
"You are you. You are Firefly—not Sam. Go pursue the future you desire."
"Mm..."
Firefly felt her heart pound heavily.
From this unfamiliar leader of an empire, she felt a rare warmth and kindness in the universe.
Despite having met only recently, she felt that Setsuna understood her deeply and cared for her.
"...Thank you, Com—"
The girl lowered her head and murmured softly.
"..."
Gudako narrowed her eyes at the side.
"The Commander's skills at deceiving girls have truly reached perfection. At this rate, I feel like it won't be long before she offers herself to him!"
Phantylia was filled with envy...
"When will the Sacrosanct grant me an immortal body?... That little girl only just arrived in the Starsea Empire, didn't she?"
"You're a prisoner of war. How could you treatment be the same as hers?! Get back to work."
"Understood."
Phantylia promptly slipped away, returning to train Aura and the others.
She was determined to have them graduate as soon as possible, so she could present her work results to Setsuna.
...
A little later.
"This is your dorm. The building to the north is the cafeteria. Don't enter the research area without permission."
"If you have any problems, you can find the Angeloids—or come to me."
Setsuna helped Firefly settle into the Starsea Empire's base.
He issued her an identity authorization and gave her a brief tour of the residential area.
"Ah, thank you..."
Everything here was completely new to Firefly—a foreign nation, unfamiliar shipgirls, Bulins assembling Gundam-like machines by hand...
Everyone was friendly, and their technology was incredible.
"Commander, is there anything I can help with? Maybe some kind of mission?"
"Um... I've been receiving so much from you, I feel a bit embarrassed..."
After the tour, Firefly tugged at Setsuna's sleeve, scratching her cheek awkwardly.
The Starsea Empire provided food and lodging, and even cured her Entropy Loss Syndrome. Having just arrived, she felt undeserving of it all.
"Work? Not for now."
Setsuna shook his head.
"Most of the tasks here are handled by the Research Department. If something comes up, they'll call you."
"Then..."
Seeing her hesitation, he smiled.
"If you really want to do something, treat me to a meal."
"Oh! Okay!"
Firefly immediately agreed.
"I know there's a lot of good food in Penacony. If you go there, I can be your guide."
"As for the Xianzhou... I'll look into it in advance. Are you free tomorrow?"
Her innocent enthusiasm made her all the more endearing. Setsuna couldn't help but smile.
He gently smoothed her hair.
"Mm, sure."
He thought taking some time to go on a date with Firefly wouldn't be a bad idea.
Returning to the administrative center, just as he was about to arrange the next steps—
Suddenly.
Bzz—
A message came from the Astral Express crew, who were currently stationed at the starskiff dock.
"Commander, we've received a large number of applications from people who want to join the Astral Express again."
Himeko's avatar appeared on the holographic interface.
"Hm?"
Setsuna was a bit puzzled.
"Tell them the Astral Express isn't recruiting. Just have the Angeloids and the Cloud Knights turn them away."
"No, this time it's different..."
Himeko's expression was rather strange.
"Just now, more than a dozen very beautiful girls arrived. They claim to be Nameless who were lost in the fringe worlds of the Astral Express."
"After hearing that Akivili has been revived, they specifically came to seek refuge with you."
"???"
"Huh?!"
A string of question marks practically appeared above Setsuna's head.
"A dozen girls? Nameless lost by Akivili? Coming to join me?"
"What the hell? Who's organizing a group meetup at my place?!"