“Why haven’t those two come back yet…?”

 

In the command room, the headquarters of the Ichigaya Joint Staff, Kotomi couldn’t hide her frustration and paced the room aimlessly.

 

“Hinoura-san, can’t you calm down a bit? When even I, who am usually called restless by Natori-san, tell you to calm down, it must be serious.”

 

“Sorry… Dr. Kirigaya.”

 

“Hinoura-sama, please have a seat here.”

 

Kotomi, flustered by the reprimand, quickly sat in the chair recommended by her bodyguard, Naze-san.

 

“Oh, it seems that the relationship between Hinoura-san and Kyoko-san is quite good. Well, it’s not as deep as the one between Natori-san and me, though.”

 

“That’s harassment, Director Kirigaya.”

 

“See, we’re close enough to joke across military ranks like this.”

 

Dr. Kirigaya laughed heartily, truly possessing an unbreakable steel mentality.

 

“Riku-san, we are on duty now, so you should respect your lord.”

 

“Ah, my apologies, Kyoko-san. It was inappropriate of me. It’s just… due to you being assigned as Hinoura-sama’s bodyguard, my term as Director Kirigaya’s bodyguard, which was supposed to end when you graduated from the academy, has been indefinitely extended, and it’s been quite a mental burden on me… I’m seriously considering changing jobs now.”

 

Being relatives and bodyguards for special forces, Naze-san admonished Natori, but Natori further expressed his feelings about his lord.

 

“If you’re fed up with the job, Natori-san, you could just quit the military, stay at home, and support me as a dedicated househusband. You’re always welcome.”

 

“That would only make things worse, not solve anything.”

 

Natori seemed less spirited than before, brushing off Dr. Kirigaya’s proposal.

 

“More importantly, the fact that Yuu and the others haven’t returned is the issue! What if something happened to them…”

 

“Hinoura-san, don’t be so anxious. Kamiya-dono is the top special force. They won’t be taken down so easily.”

 

Seeing Kotomi fret, Dr. Kirigaya smiled wryly, but then the command room became noisy.

 

“Urgent second-level emergency notification from the top special force!”

 

“Location confirmed! Right in the middle of enemy territory.”

 

“What’s the situation?”

 

“Unknown! The top special force is requesting an open communication channel!”

 

“We can’t authorize this alone! Get the Marshal here immediately!”

 

From the urgency of the situation, Kotomi and the others quickly realized a pressing issue had arisen.

 

“Something really happened to Yuu…”

 

Kotomi squeezed out her voice, almost a scream, upon realizing her bad premonition was right.

 

“Shall we hear directly from him?”

 

Dr. Kirigaya calmly responded, manipulating a terminal as Kotomi panicked.

 

Dr. Kirigaya’s usually annoying high tension had a surprisingly stabilizing effect during emergencies.

 

“Huh? But how…”

 

“I hacked the military-exclusive communication line. Calling now.”

 

“Is that even okay!?”

 

“It’s fine. I’ll submit a vulnerability report later.”

 

Once again, Natori raised a pained voice, but Dr. Kirigaya proceeded without hesitation.

 

Noticing the situation, the people in the command room glared at Dr. Kirigaya, who opened the communication line on his own.

 

“Hello?”

 

“Hey, Kamiya-dono. What’s up?”

 

“…I called the emergency contact at the Joint Staff, so why is Dr. Kirigaya answering?”

 

“Don’t worry about that now. It’s an emergency, right? Since the Marshal isn’t here, I’ll listen to you.”

 

“I got separated from Lieutenant Hayami and can’t teleport back. I think Lieutenant Hayami was captured. Please pinpoint his location.”

 

Although Yusuke felt uneasy with Dr. Kirigaya as the contact, he quickly conveyed the situation, valuing time.

 

Despite the brief report, it plunged the command room into chaos.

 

“The top special force is isolated in enemy territory!?”

 

“Is the Marshal still not here!?”

 

“Locate them immediately!”

 

“General Kamiya, which one do we locate?”

 

“Both!”

 

As the command room erupted in shouts, Dr. Kirigaya spoke.

 

“General Kamiya, may I make a suggestion?”

 

“…What is it, Colonel Kirigaya? Make it quick.”

 

Kotomi and the others were surprised by Dr. Kirigaya’s unusually serious tone, adding to the sense of urgency.

 

“We’ve located General Kamiya. He’s near the sea. He should move alone to the coast, and we’ll rescue him with our naval forces.”

 

“Rejected. Your plan omits the critical factor of rescuing Lieutenant Hayami.”

 

Yusuke immediately dismissed Dr. Kirigaya’s proposal.

 

“No one would consider sending a king to the front line without an escort to save an isolated knight. What you’re suggesting is that foolish.”

 

Dr. Kirigaya persisted, urging Yusuke to reconsider.

 

The tense exchange left the previously frenzied command room silent.

 

“I’m asking for Lieutenant Hayami’s location. This is a special force authority to utilize military resources.”

 

“When a critical situation arises for special forces, survival of the force member takes precedence, even without their consent, under the Marshal’s orders. This situation warrants such action.”

 

A heavy silence followed the clash between the special force members…

 

“Enough of this formal nonsense. I have the authority as a one-man army, so I’ll decide and act on my own. I’ll rescue Hayami and return with him. That’s final. Okay?”

 

“Sure. I thought you’d say that, so I’ve already sent Hayami’s coordinates to your device.”

 

Suddenly, the tense atmosphere broke, and the room relaxed.

 

“Thanks, Dr. Kirigaya.”

 

“Well, I’d like to save Hayami too, putting aside our positions. I’ll handle things here, so be prepared when the Marshal scolds us later.”

 

“Got it.”

 

The communication ended.