I Woke Up Piloting the Strongest Starship, so I Became a Space Mercenary

「…Huh!?」

On my lap, Kugi, who had fainted with her eyes rolled back—which I fixed—suddenly regained consciousness, her eyes snapping open wide. In moments like this, people tend to either spring up suddenly or remain frozen while trying to grasp the situation. The reaction depends on their personality. In the case of Kugi, she stiffened her body and focused on understanding her surroundings by moving her eyes and ears. Her animal ears atop her head are twitching, how cute.

「M-My Lord…?」

「Yes, It’s me, Kugi. How are you feeling? Does your head hurt? Do you feel any tightness in your chest? Is your mind clear? Do you hear any strange voices?」

As I asked, I helped her sit up. Kugi’s fox ears twitched on her head as she clenched and unclenched her hands. Then, placing one hand near her temple, she suddenly started emitting an incredibly strong mental wave. The people around us stiffened at the unexpected surge. It was similar to someone suddenly screaming out loud after all.

「I-I’m so sorry!? M-My Lord? It feels like my strength has increased significantly, somehow.」

「Well, yes, that’s true… Do you feel any odd sensations in your tails?」

「My tails…? Wait, what!?」

Kugi looked at her tails and jumped up in shock. The fur on her tails fluffed up dramatically. Well, I can’t blame her—anyone would be startled if their tail count suddenly increased from three to five.

For once, Kugi was visibly flustered as she began meticulously examining each of her tails one by one. Eventually, after confirming that every single one of them was indeed hers, she looked up at me, holding her tails with a dazed expression. Yep, I can see countless question marks floating above her head.

「Well, you know… that, uh, ‘that person’, uhm.」

「…Yes?」

「Her body went ‘boom,’ and apparently she needed something like a vessel…」

「……」

Hearing my words, Kugi froze, her eyes rolling back into her head. Your adorable face is showing an expression no one should see!Not to mention, the conversation Isn’t going anywhere like this. Snap out of it, Kugi!

「I-I’ve lost my composure…」

I shook Kugi’s shoulders gently, managing to reboot her after her stunned state.

「So, yeah, she kind of borrowed your body for the time being.」

「Why…?」

The light faded from Kugi’s eyes. This must be what people mean by a lifeless expression.

Honestly, I can totally understand her reaction. If someone told me that while I was unconscious, the spirit of the fucking Emperor had decided to inhabit my body, and even worse, he’s already inside me, I’d probably react the same way. When you think about it, this is really unfair for Kugi.

「Apparently, it’s not like she’s taking over your body completely. It seems she’ll help draw out your latent potential and boost your psionic power… But, yeah, sorry. This is my fault.」

「I-If I can be of service to you, my Lord… This will be helpful for you, right?」

「I’m definitely regretting letting that thing possess you due to a stupid squabble, but I’m deeply grateful that you’re willing to accept it.」

Granted, it was largely self-defense, but the fact remains that I did cause the nine-tailed beauty’s body to go ‘boom’. To clarify, it wasn’t a grotesque, splattering kind of ‘boom’, her body didn’t really explode. It was more like she dissolved into particles of light. Still, the fact remains that I’m responsible, and honestly, it should be me taking the fall for this.

「So… um, how long will she remain on my body?」

「Until her power stabilizes. She said it might take a year, give or take… Again, I’m really sorry.」

「I-I see. If it’s just a year or so… It will only be that long, right?」

Still clutching her tails protectively, Kugi looked up at me with an uneasy expression. I’m sorry, I’m really sorry, I really did it this time.

「She assured me it would be about that long, and no matter what happens, I’ll take full responsibility for everything.」

Placing my hand over hers as she held her tails, and while meeting her gaze, I made that promise firmly.

That seemed to ease her worry, if only a little. Her anxious expression softened slightly, though uncertainty still lingered in her eyes.

「How long do we have to keep watching this charade?」

「Shh, Konoha-chan. Quiet.」

「’Visitors’ really do have a silver tongue, don’t they?」

「Uggh… I would give everything to be in her position…kiii.」

The peanut gallery is getting loud. Konoha and Moegi I can ignore, but I have to object to Inaba’s remark. It’s not like I’m sweet-talking or manipulating anyone here. I’m being completely genuine, speaking with heartfelt sincerity.

Also, Fuguruma, could you stop glaring at me with those bloodshot eyes like you’re about to cry tears of blood? The sheer intensity and… viscosity of your emotions feel like a curse. It’s outright terrifying.

「Umm… specifically, what other effects will this have on me?」

Kugi asked, glancing down at her five tails now bundled in her hands.

Is having more tails really that big of a deal? Then again, I guess if I woke up one day and found I suddenly had three or four legs instead of two, I’d probably be just as freaked out.

「She might occasionally ask to borrow your body. When that happens, it’s okay to agree only if it’s convenient for you.」

「Borrow my body… well, considering it’s that person, I suppose it’s not impossible.」

Kugi’s gaze drifted somewhere distant.

Yeah, an astral entity that not only possesses you but also hijacks your body is a bit much. Pretty terrifying, honestly. As expected, she should use my body instead, but it seems my body isn’t suitable. What a mess.

「Um… my Lord. That person is already asking to test it out, borrowing my body.」

「…Sorry. Allow her to take control of your body for a bit, please.」

「If you say so, my Lord…」

Kugi murmured quietly, lowering her gaze. About five seconds later, visible waves of psionic power began radiating from her body. Her silvery hair, almost white, gradually transformed into a shimmering gold. Her tails, twitching and writhing, also took on the same golden hue. Are her tails multiplying? It seems like there are more of them, though the numbers kept fluctuating—appearing and disappearing like illusions.

「Hmm. Not bad. As expected of one who beareth the name Kugi. This body doth suit me most excellently.」n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Kugi’s body smirked and talked in a way that Kugi would never typically do.

Her expression was strikingly different, and intricate red markings, almost like Kabuki makeup, emerged on her forehead and around her eyes. It gave off an elegant but otherworldly aura—like a gentler version of theatrical face paint.

「This body doth feel quite fitting. If it be possible, I should like to remain for a good while.」

「The deal is for a year.」

「True, yet the longer I linger, the stronger both thou and this girl shall become. ‘Tis not such a poor bargain, is it?」

「That depends on Kugi. If she doesn’t want it, you’re leaving after a year as promised.」

「Very well. Until then, I shall endeavor to get along with thee, this girl, and the rest of thy wives.」

She said, narrowing her eyes with a mischievous grin. Her expression was unlike anything Kugi would ever wear. Coupled with her golden hair, it was like she was a completely different person. Well, she is a different person in a sense.

「Ah, yes. Thou—grant me a name.」

「Why? You already have one, don’t you?」

「’Tis more akin to a little ritual, thou seest. Choose something tasteful, something with a touch of elegance.」

「…Seriously?」

I’m not sure why she’s asking for this, but there is clearly some significance to it. In fantasy stories, names often carry magical or spiritual importance, so maybe it’s similar here.

Hmm. A nine-tailed fox with golden fur… The obvious names feel too cliché, and in folklore, beings like this are often dangerous, they are the kind of beings that eat humans casually. Still, a name needs to be simple and clear.

「How about Tamamo?」

「Thou didst not even spare but a few moments in thought. Canst thou not take me seriously for once? Well, the name hath a pleasant ring to it, so I shall accept it. Henceforth, I am Tamamo. Let us get along well, shall we?」

The golden fox lady flashed a sly, smug smile. Damn it—it’s still Kugi’s face, so it looks adorable despite the smugness. I’ll have to make sure I don’t get seduced into any trouble.