First Encounter
My perfume oil... I invested everything I had into it...!
Meeeoowwww!!
Francis! Waaaah! Fraaancis!
Someone... Someone, please!
Help uuuuuus!
What in the world is going on...?!
Hello, Captain. Your real Journey begins today.
Polishing raw talent into something truly brilliant.
It's a hard and grueling process, but surely a rewarding one.
Haha, I'm rambling. Then, let's see which uncut gem has been assigned to us. I'll pull up their file and—
...Oh dear.
What's wrong?
N-no, it's nothing. I just happen to know this person...
...
Um... Captain?
I know this might sound odd, but...
Good luck!
What did she mean by that?
I was still wondering that as I made my way to the plaza...
*Neigh*
I-I'm so sorry! Are you hurt?
Whoa...! Whoa, there! Stop!
The coachman chased the horse down an alley.
...What's going on?
The closer I got to the plaza, the more chaotic the scene became.
Waaah! Francis... come down!
*Hiss*
I poured my life savings into this business... Aah...
A toppled wagon, a shattered statue, oil scattered across the ground.
The square was filled with groans and sighs, making it feel like a scene straight out of hell.
Did a war break out or something?!
If I recall correctly, I ordered you to remain in the office.
Hmm?
I gave clear orders twice verbally and twice in writing, just in case.
And yet...
Why, exactly, am I standing here looking at you?
Trainee.
Simple! That's because!
According to calculations made by my brilliant mind!
I concluded that staying in the office would've been a waste of time!
...
...
So, you ignored a direct order and left your post of your own accord?
Is that correct?
Yes! That's exactly right!
Your keen insight is worthy of commanding the once-in-a-century genius Naru, Ms. Lugh!
Thank you for the compliment. You're fired.
Yes, ma'am!
...
What?
Did you not hear me? I'll say it again.
You are fired.
Ah! I heard you loud and clear.
...
Wait, what?! Why?! How come?!
Firing someone of my caliber is a disaster for my personal career—no, for the entire Orbital Search Team!
No!
It's a loss for all of humanity!
I've heard your claim that you're a remarkable talent.
But what the Orbital Search Team needs isn't just individual brilliance but team members we can trust to have our backs.
Clause 7, Article 2 of the Search Team Code states, "Any refusal to follow a superior's order without just cause may result in immediate dismissal."
Therefore, you are dismissed.
Th-that can't be...!
So this is where everyone was. What's going on?
Ah, Ms. Roberta. Well...
P-please!
Ifthiskeepsup, I'llbekickedoutbeforeIcanmakemymarkontheOrbitalSearchTeamsoIcanrisetoObservationCouncilmemberandturnallNOA'sObserversintomypersonalthinktanktobuildtheperfectfuturepredictionequation!
What...? Take a deep breath and say that again. What are you even talking about?
She left the designated waiting area without permission, so I was in the process of initiating dismissal procedures.
I-I see... Ignoring orders is a serious offense.
But firing someone who's still in training? Isn't that a bit extreme?
...In truth, that's not the only reason.
Then?
Take a look around.
Roberta glanced around and her face went pale.
Wh-what happened here?
Did a Count-class Voidborn fall down here?
Allow me to explain what happened.
Trainee Naru.
Yes!
After abandoning your post, what exactly were you doing here?
Allow me to answer that! It was a pebble!
A pebble...?
Yes! I was removing a pebble!
When I plugged the Council's observation data into my hyper super upper equation!
It predicted that one small pebble could trigger a catastrophe...
So I simply removed the pebble!
R-really...? I see.
Okay, but what does that have to do with this whole mess?
That pebble was the root cause of all this.
What...?
To remove it, she dashed into the middle of the main road.
A passing wagon swerved to avoid her and crashed into a statue, triggering a chain-reaction accident.
The statue shattered... the horses panicked and bolted... Nearby citizens were thrown into chaos.
And the cargo bay of the wagon carrying perfume oil smashed open, spilling everything. The entire plaza had to be sealed off as a result.
...You've got to be kidding me.
All of this over a single pebble? Seriously?
I don't joke.
But I do! According to the latest humor equation developed by yours truly...
...
Ah! That look! So cold! According to the crisis avoidance formula, that glare means the iron claw is coming! I'm scared!
*Sigh*
...As you know, this isn't the first time something like this has happened.
I officially recommend this trainee's dismissal before she causes an even bigger disaster.
Ah?! That's?! That's...!
Hmm, that's a reasonable argument.
But I'm rejecting your recommendation.
Ms. Roberta!
...May I ask why?
There are two reasons. First, it wasn't entirely her fault.
Yes, she made a mistake. But the accident was just that, an accident.
And accidents, by nature, aren't grounds for blame. Right?
Hmm...
Exactly! Well said!
And for the second reason. Naru received a Journey invitation as of today.
...What?
...Huh?
The Journey?! Me?! Really?!
Haha. That's right. I wouldn't lie about something like this.
...Hehe!
I knew it! I knew it! I always predicted that the world would one day recognize my brilliance!
Once I complete this Journey and inherit the legacy of the Star Savior, my success will be absolutely guaranteed!
After that, I'll climb the ranks and succeed Lady Alicia to become the top authority figure in NOA!
First, I'll tear down the Astro Sanctum's telescope and install a giant calculator!
Blow, wind! Raise the sails! The great voyage of genius Naru has officially begun!
...Shall I remove her, Ms. Roberta?
Haha, why? She's just young and full of energy. Reminds me of how I used to be, honestly.
Besides, she now has someone who'll be responsible for her for one year. That should cut down on the disasters, don't you think?
And speak of the devil... there he is now.
Roberta turned to look at me and winked.
I trust you with her, Captain.
Starting today, this one's officially your Journey member.
...
Ah! Hello there! Nice to meet you!
So you're the famous Journey Captain everyone's been talking about!
Well, Captain, I just came up with a new theory to make sure our Journey ends in success!
According to my equation, walking two steps to your left gives the most optimal outcome...!
As she said that, Naru took two steps to the side.
In doing so, she bumped into a truck that was parked along the road.
It seemed the parking brake wasn't set, and the truck began to roll gently down the street.
It headed straight toward the horses the coachman had only just calmed down.
The horses panicked again, and the few statues that had survived the initial accident were smashed to bits.
Then the truck's cargo latch, perhaps poorly fastened, popped open...
And all the perfume oil inside spilled out and shattered across the ground.
*Neigh*
Whoa...! Whoa, there! Stop!
Waaaah! Francis!
*Hiss*
Insurance... I need to talk to my insurance company...
The scent of all that spilled perfume oil gave me a headache.
It was the most chaotic first meeting with Naru I could have imagined.